]]> ]]> human gastrointestinal tract. Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii is a type of Bacillus subtilis complex.
It shares up to 99% of homology with B. subtilis CU1, which can be represented as a probiotic
strain. Metal compounds found in soil or used in agriculture can easily enter the food chain and end
up in our gut. Gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Bacillus spp.) have good adsorptive capacity for metals
due to high peptidoglycan and teichoic acid content in cell walls. There is some evidence that
certain metals inside the intestine play an important role in influencing growth and functionality of
specific probiotic strains. Some of them have inhibitory, while others have an activating effect on
bacteria. This study revealed that metal compounds increased antibiotic susceptibility of B. subtilis
subsp. spizizenii. Higher concentrations of metal solutions inhibited growth of tested bacteria.
Culture did not show affinity to form biofilms before or after addition of metal solutions]]> ]]> environment and outside world. They are characterized by high mortality and ability to cause
health problems in areas of the human body other than the urinary tract. It has been long clinical
practice to treat these infections with antibiotics, a tactic made very ineffective with the advent of
antibiotic-resistant microbial strains. The research has turned to alternative modes of treatment,
such as use of herbal remedies to combat urinary tract infections. Effect of two types of herbal teas
was observed through use of broth microdilution assay, to test varying concentrations of teas on the
growth of selected microorganisms. Results were verified by assessment of colony growth on
Mueller Hinton Agar plates. Tested microorganisms exhibited very dense colony growth. Similarity
of conditions between urinary retention and conditions under which microorganisms were cultured
in 96-well plates possible reason for density of growth. Methods with higher degree of confidence in
treatment of urinary tract infections could likely be the combination of antibiotics with herbal teas.]]>