Content about Clinical pathology

NEW YORK — A new strain of the bacterium that causes whooping cough immune to vaccines may have appeared in the United States, according to a brief published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The brief, filed by officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health authorities, reported that a strain of Bordetella pertussis had been reported in Japan, France and Finland and may have appeared in Philadelphia, where 12 children were hospitalized between 2011 and 2012.

GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Researchers at the University of Gothenburg along with the Chalmers University of Technology earlier this month demonstrated that an altered gut microbiota in humans is associated with symptomatic atherosclerosis and stroke. 

These findings were presented in a study published in Nature Communications on Dec. 4.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With epidemic levels of whooping cough reported in the state of Washington that are creating the need for more immunizations resources, Walgreens on Tuesday announced that it is offering immunizations that provide protection against the highly contagious respiratory infection (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis-Tdap vaccine) at all of its 129 locations statewide.

NEW YORK — The health benefits associated with probiotics already are well-known. A 2010 MaCorr Research consumer survey reported that 73% of consumers correctly suggested that “probiotics are used to help maintain the natural balance of organisms in the intestine,” when asked to define the supplement. Awareness of the health benefits associated with probiotics in 2010 was similar among the general population, as well as among people with digestive health concerns, 73% and 82%, respectively.


Ten years ago the word probiotics wasn’t known, and five years ago it was a new word to most Americans. But thanks to the marketing of Activia yogurt by Dannon, which started in 2006, these microorganisms have garnered national attention. After Activia took the dairy market by storm, other foods fortified with probiotics, as well as probiotic supplements, followed suit.


ALBANY, Ore. — In response to a Food and Drug Administration warning letter, Tec Labs announced on Thursday that the company plans to work with the agency regarding its StaphAseptic first-aid antiseptic and pain-relieving gel.

The FDA on Wednesday issued a total of four warning letters, including the one to Tec Labs, to companies that manufacture and market products claiming to prevent infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, or MRSA.

NEW YORK — Bainbridge & Knight announced the expansion of its Lichi Super Fruit Diet brand with a probiotic product.

New Lichi LactoSpore is a gluten- and dairy-free probiotic designed to aid in healthy digestion without uncomfortable bloating. It also helps the immune system fight off infections, the company said, and provides Bacillus coagulans, necessary bacteria.

Lichi LactoSpore probiotic will be available at leading drug stores and supermarkets nationwide.

MONTREAL — A new documentary film released by Institut Rosell-Lallemand discusses the discovery of beneficial bacteria and the role they play in our bodies, as well as the latest research on their potential to improve our lives.

“Microwarriors: The Power of Probiotics,” is available on DVD for an introductory price of $9.99. The film highlights probiotics and their contribution to overall health and well-being, the company said. The film was produced by Health Point Productions, a Los Angeles-based company.

STOCKHOLM A new study now available online in the journal Pediatrics supported earlier clinical research about the benefits of a specific probiotic strain on colic symptoms in infants, BioGaia recently announced.

In the new study, infants supplemented with Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis showed a significant reduction in crying time. After one week of supplementation, the reduction in crying time was 74% in the L. reuteri Protectis group, compared with 38% in the placebo group.

CINCINNATI A recent GfK Roper "Gut Check" survey, sponsored by the Align brand, revealed that approximately 1-in-4 survey participants experience occasional digestive upsets, and of those, 1-in-5 have been told that these disruptive upsets are caused by their attitude or emotions, Procter & Gamble announced Wednesday.