Probiotics and Intestinal Microbiome: A Review of Literature

Probiotics and Intestinal Microbiome: A Review of Literature

 

Hadeer Abdel-Aleem Hassan Mohamed Tawfik (1), Mohamed Nazmy Farris (2), Rasha Samir (2,3), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (2), Mina Mikhail Nessim (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1)

 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.

 

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 479

 

DOI: 10.31586/wjmm.2022.479

 

Abstract:

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics modify various aspects of local and systemic immune function in multiple experimental models. However, their impact and mechanisms of action are not known across all products or noticed in every population studied, and impacts on in vitro, ex vivo, or other measures of immune function do not necessarily result in an impact on infection and illness in vivo. Studies have discussed that intestinal microbiota has an essential role in enhancing the immune system against viruses. The regulatory impact of the intestinal microbiota on viral infection is connected with local and systemic immune responses and plays a part in congenital and adaptive immune responses. The microbiota composition critically modulates the production of virus-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells and antibody responses following influenza virus infection. The intestinal microbiota has an important role in the stabilizing of immune homeostasis by augmenting the integrity of the barrier functions of the gut mucosa, which is a crucial aspect of systemic immunity. In conclusion, the intestinal microbiota can influence organismal immunity locally and systemically, proximally, and distally. Studying the possible mechanism by which the intestinal microbiota maintains host immunity can provide a clearer understanding of the occurrence and development of diseases.

 

Keywords: Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Intestinal Microbiome, Microbiota, Review.

 

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 479

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/wjmm/article/view/479

Nutritional rehabilitation of malnourished children: are nutritional supplements a must?

Nutritional rehabilitation of malnourished children: are nutritional supplements a must?

 

Ehab Khairy Emam (1),  May Fouad Nassar (1),  Mohamed Farouk Allam (2),  Mai Mamdouh Ahmed (3), Heba Essam El-Khouly (1).

 

1. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt.

Current Medical Research and Opinion 2022 Oct 13:1-19. 

 

DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2135839

 

Abstract

Objective: Malnutrition threatens children worldwide. The objective of the current study was to highlight the role of nutritional screening, evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional intervention programme, and whether nutritional supplements have surplus benefit. Patients and methods: Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP) was used to screen 3640 clinically stable 2-5 years old children recruited from the outpatient clinics, Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University. A total of 100 patients at high risk of malnutrition were recruited. Full nutritional assessment was done and according to the distribution of the calories in the daily meal plan, the patients were randomly divided into two groups each comprised 50 patients. Group A received tailored nutritional dietary rehabilitation plan including dietary supplements, while Group B received only dietary advice. Anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, as well as STAMP scoring were reassessed after the nutritional rehabilitation Programs. Results: Nutritional screening revealed that 5.14% were at high risk of malnutrition. Both studied groups showed significant improvement in caloric intake and all anthropometric measurements upon nutritional rehabilitation, except for the height z scores. Patients who received nutritional supplements showed significantly better changes regarding weight, BMI, caloric intake, and hemoglobin. Regarding STAMP categories during follow up, Group A had only 6% of the patients still in the high-risk category and 76% were at low risk compared to 14% high risk and only 54% were at low risk in Group B. Conclusion: Nutritional screening in pediatric outpatient facilities can lead to implementing prompt nutritional rehabilitation which can reflect on their overall health. Tailored nutritional plan can accomplish good response in terms of improvement of caloric intake, anthropometric measurements and laboratory parameters. Adding a nutritional supplement to the dietary plan during nutritional rehabilitation isn’t a must but it ensures superior goal achievement.

 

Keywords: Ain Shams University; Intervention Study; Malnutrition; Nutritional rehabilitation; Nutritional supplements; STAMP.

 

Current Medical Research and Opinion 2022 Oct 13:1-19. 

 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03007995.2022.2135839

Role of Probiotics for Treatment of Psoriasis?

Role of Probiotics for Treatment of Psoriasis?

 

Amany Abdelrahman Kamel Mahmoud (1), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1), Marwa Abd El-Rahim Abdallah (2), Marwa Yassin Soltan (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,*)

 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

2. Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

 

*Correspondence: Mohamed Farouk Allam (farouk.allam@med.asu.edu.eg)

 

DOI: 10.31586/wjmm.2022.413

 

Abstract:

Psoriasis is a multi-systemic chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder affecting 125 million people worldwide. The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis affecting up to 90% of the patients and is characterized by well-demarcated, symmetric, and erythematous plaques with overlying silvery scales that may be painful or itchy. Psoriasis may also affect the joints; increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, certain cancers and an increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Both the skin and the gut microbiome can modulate the development and progression of psoriasis. A connection between the microbiome and immunological mechanisms are antimicrobial peptides, which regulate the microbiome at interfaces and, as antigens, can trigger psoriasis. Few studies were conducted to demonstrate the effect of probiotics on different diseases, as they are living microorganisms that confer a health benefit when administrated in adequate amounts. The effects of administering probiotics include the stabilization of the gut bacterial community and the restoration of “signature” of bacterial microbiota, which is a result of lowering the pH, producing bacteriocins, altering microRNA (miRNAs), competing with pathogens for certain nutrients and improving the gut barrier function. Probiotics counter weight aggressive commensals in the body and reinforce the barrier function of the epithelium while also contributing to the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses of the host under healthy or pathogenic conditions. Several clinical trials were conducted based on those findings to examine the role of probiotics in psoriasis, but till now there is no evidence of their efficacy.

 

Keywords: Psoriasis, Plaques, Probiotics, Microbiota, Quality of Life, Review.

 

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 413.

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/wjmm/article/view/413 

Role of Probiotics in COVID-19 Management?

Role of Probiotics in COVID-19 Management?

Samar Osama Ahmed Hassan (1), Manal Sabry Mohamed (2), Mina Mikhail Nessim (2), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,3)

 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Cordoba School of Medicine, Cordoba 14004, Spain.

 

*Correspondence: Mohamed Farouk Allam (farouk.allam@med.asu.edu.eg)

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 372.

DOI: 10.31586/wjmm.2022.372

 

Abstract

Probiotics as an intestinal microbe regulator, not only improve the ability of the gastrointestinal microbiota to modulate immune activity, but also strengthen the body's immune system, inhibit allergic reactions and has a significant role especially in the anti-viral immunomodulation. Therefore, in patients with COVID-19, the intestinal micro-eco-regulator, represented by probiotics, may be a therapeutic choice. However, there is still a lack of evidence[1]based studies to support probiotic treatment of patients with COVID-19. New cohort studies and randomized controlled clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of probiotics in the management of COVID-19 are strongly and urgently needed.

 

Keywords: Probiotics, COVID-19, Gut microbiota, clinical trials, cohort study, GIT.

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 372.

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/wjmm/article/view/372

Severity of Pediatric COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D

Severity of Pediatric COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D

May Fouad Nassar (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (2), Samer Hamed ElKhayat (3), Yasser Wagih Darwish (4), Mennatallah Osama Shata (1).

1. Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Faculty of Postgraduate Childhood Studies, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2022;17(04):182-187.

DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750312

 

Objective. Vitamin D has many immune benefits and because its deficiency impacts most age groups, it became a nutrient of interest in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. The objective of this study was to highlight the contribution of vitamin D status to the disease severity of hospitalized pediatric patients suffering from COVID[1]19 infection. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 42 children with documented positive polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19 infection. Detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination were done for each recruited patient. Besides the laboratory and radiological assessment done for COVID-19 patients, 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels [25(OH) D] in the serum were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Using the cutoff level of 10 ng/mL, only 40% of the patients were below this level and 60% had their vitamin D level more than or equal to 10 ng/mL. Significantly more patients of the first group needed oxygen support (denoting more severe COVID-19 infection and lung involvement). The older the patients, the more evident was vitamin D deficiency among them, and 25(OH) D values were not correlated to weight for length nor weight categories in the studied series of patients suffering from COVID-19. Conclusion.  Vitamin D deficiency affects the severity of pediatric COVID-19 infection in hospitalized patients. It is prudent to advise vitamin D level assessment in such cases and promptly manage the patients accordingly. We recommend further studies to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the clinical outcome of COVID-19 in the pediatric population and other vulnerable groups.

Keywords: children, COVID-19, hydroxy vitamin D, severity, cross-sectional study.

 

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2022;17(04):182-187.

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0042-1750312