Growth responses of a variety of human intestinal bacteria to methanol extracts of green tea (Thea sinensrs L.) were investigated in vitro. Thc extracts moderately enhanced growth of some bifidobacteria strains in tests on carbon sourcecontaining media but not carbon source-free media, suggesting that bifidus factor(s) might be involved. It did not stimulate growth of clostridia, bacteroides, eubacteria or Escherichia coli. However, the extract was found to be selectively inhibitory against the growth of some clostridia including C. dificile, C. paraputrificum and C. perfringens; this effect was not observed with bifidobacteria. eubacteria or E. coli.

Background Baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) is a new anti-influenza virus agent that is comparable to oseltamivir phosphate (oseltamivir). Since the efficacy of baloxavir in preventing household transmission of influenza is not well established, we compared the secondary household influenza virus transmission rates between patients on baloxavir vs oseltamivir. Methods Between October 2018 and March 2019, we enrolled index patients (diagnosed with influenza and treated with baloxavir or oseltamivir) and household members. The secondary attack rate of household members was compared between index patients treated with baloxavir vs oseltamivir. Risk factors of household transmission were determined using multivariate logistic analyses. Results In total, 169 index patients with influenza type A were enrolled. The median age was 27.0 (interquartile range; 11–57) years. The number of index patients treated with baloxavir and oseltamivir was 49 and 120, respectively. The secondary attack rate was 9.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.6–15.6) in the baloxavir group and 13.5% (95% CI: 9.8–17.9) in the oseltamivir group. In the multivariate analysis, independent risk factors were 0–6 years of age (odds ratio [OR] 2.78, 95% CI: 1.33–5.82, p < 0.01) and not being on baloxavir treatment. (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.30–1.32, p = 0.22). Conclusion The household secondary attack rate of influenza was comparable in patients treated with baloxavir vs oseltamivir. Therefore, baloxavir can be used as an alternative therapy to oseltamivir in reducing household transmission of influenza. Trial registration Patients in this study were retrospectively registered. https://www.tosei.or.jp/clinical/pdf/2_influenza.pdf.

SCFAs play an anti-inflammatory role through suppression of MMP secretion in the colon. Inhibitory effects of SCFAs on MMP secretion might be associated with their action of histone hyperacetylation.

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