Abstract
Pneumonia is a common illness which accounts for 7% of deaths worldwide with bacterial pneumonia being the most well-known cause of acute respiratory diseases (ARDS). Current research highlights the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) being effective in models of ARDS such as pneumonia and ventilator-induced lung injury. Beta-glucans have been isolated previously from natural sources and are potent immunomodulating agents. We aim to extract and characterize Beta glucans from fungal sources and investigate both their therapeutic efficacy and potential as MSC pre-activators in combating sepsis-induced ARDS. Clinical isolates of K.pneumoniae a common respiratory pathogen were exposed to MSC conditioned media. The media was conditioned for a period of 12 hrs and 24hrs. Bacteria count was determined after 24 hours using serial dilutions and grown on Mc Conkey agar. The clinical isolates were also exposed to beta glucan samples. The method of sensitivity analysis used was the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion assay. Results show (figure 1) that K.pneumoniae was extremely stressed in the presence of conditioned media in comparison to the control sample. A component of the conditioned media had a direct effect on bacteria. It is determined from the color of the agar that the bacteria metabolic properties were also affected. Beta-glucan samples had a direct effect on the clinical isolate. The bacteria were unable to grow in the area around the disk due to the presence of the beta-glucan samples. These findings show the potential capabilities of preactivated MSCs with beta-glucan samples.
- Copyright ©the authors 2017