Biomedical subjects

A Digranes

Publications and source records attributed to A Digranes.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Bacteriological findings in urine specimens from women. Association with urinary tract symptoms and sampling methods.

Urine sampling techniques were recorded in 147 women who brought a sample of urine voided at home to the general practitioner's surgery. Seventy-two women had lower urinary tract symptoms, and 75 had no symptoms at all. Eighty-nine (61%) had taken a midstream specimen, 77 (52%) had cleansed the periurethral area, and 15 (10%) had held the labia apart during micturition. Combinations of these techniques were used by 71 women while 40 (27%) had used no specific technique. The bacterial content of the urine (defined as the number of different bacterial strains found) was not reduced by either cleansing or by taking a midstream specimen, but it was significantly reduced in the women who had held the labia apart during voiding (p less than 0.05). Urine samples from women with symptoms had significantly lower bacterial content than those from patients who were free of symptoms (p less than 0.01). Women should be encouraged to ensure the free flow of urine by holding the labia apart during urine sampling.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

In vitro activity of daptomycin against 297 staphylococcal isolates.

The in vitro activity of daptomycin against 297 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis sensu strictu was compared with the activities of cephalothin, dicloxacillin, tobramycin, and vancomycin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by an agar dilution method. Cephalothin and dicloxacillin showed the highest activity against S. aureus on a weight-for-weight basis, all isolates being inhibited by 0.5 mg/l or less of either agent. Cephalothin was somewhat more active against S. epidermidis than was dicloxacillin. Daptomycin and vancomycin exhibited high and similar activity against both S. aureus and S. epidermidis (MIC90% = 1 and 2 mg/l, respectively). Tobramycin was highly active against S. aureus, but the activity against S. epidermidis was greatly variable (MIC range less than or equal to 0.03 - greater than or equal to 16 mg/l). The activity of daptomycin was markedly influenced by the test medium; the MICs were generally 32 times higher when the isolates were tested on Iso-Sensitest agar than on Mueller-Hinton agar. Supplementation of Iso-Sensitest agar with increasing concentrations of calcium potentiated the activity of daptomycin substantially, the results obtained on Iso-Sensitest agar supplemented with 20 mg Ca2+/l being similar to those obtained on Mueller-Hinton agar.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1989

Implications of probability analysis for interpreting results of leukocyte esterase and nitrite test strips.

We examined 288 urine samples, using test strips, sediment microscopy, and culture. The ability of the leukocyte esterase and nitrite test strips to detect or exclude urinary tract infection, as defined by a positive culture, was evaluated by probability analysis. We found that the diagnostic efficiency of the esterase-nitrite combination was similar to that of sediment microscopy. Moreover, once the strip test results had been obtained, little additional information was given by microscopy. The importance of estimating the prevalence, or pre-test probability, of infection before the test result is evaluated is emphasized. We conclude that, for detecting or excluding urinary-tract infection, microscopy can be replaced by the esterase and nitrite test strips. If the probability of infection predicted by the test strips is not high (or low) enough compared with medical decision limits, the samples should be cultured.

Esterases↗

PubMed1988

In vitro activities of A-56619 (difloxacin) and A-56620, two aryl fluoroquinolones.

The in vitro activities of A56619 (difloxacin) and A-56620, two newer quinolones, have been compared with the activities of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, ceftazidime and netilmicin. A total of 782 clinical, bacterial isolates were employed. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined under standard conditions with all isolates and, for 100 isolates against difloxacin and A-56620, with variation of agar pH and bacterial inoculum size. On a weight-for-weight basis, ciprofloxacin and A-56620 were the most active agents against Enterobacteriaceae (MIC90 = 0.03 and 0.12 mg/l, respectively). Difloxacin was the least active quinolone, particularly against Proteus, Morganella and Providencia spp. Except for ceftazidime, all agents were highly active against staphylococci, but difloxacin and ofloxacin were somewhat less active against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The streptococcal isolates were moderately sensitive to the quinolones, difloxacin being least active. Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were extremely susceptible to all the quinolones; nearly all isolates were inhibited by the lowest concentrations of the agents that were employed in the study (0.03 mg/l). The quinolones all showed moderate activity against Bacteroides fragilis. The activities of difloxacin and A-56620 were affected little by inoculum size. Difloxacin showed lower activity against most isolates at pH 8.0 as compared to the activity at pH 7.4 and 6.8. A-56620 was minimally influenced by pH variation.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1988

In vitro studies of fleroxacin (Ro 23-6240), a new trifluorinated quinolone derivative.

The in vitro activity of fleroxacin (Ro 23-6240) against 441 bacterial isolates was compared with those of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, amoxycillin, cefadroxil, cefuroxime and tobramycin. An agar dilution method was used for the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Ciprofloxacin showed the highest activity against the Enterobacteriaceae, 95% of the isolates were inhibited by 0.06 mg/l, but fleroxacin and ofloxacin were also highly active (MIC 90% = 0.5 and 0.25 mg/l, respectively). Ciprofloxacin was the most active agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 90% = 0.12 mg/l), whereas the activities of fleroxacin and ofloxacin were more variable. Tobramycin was highly active against P. aeruginosa, 75% of the isolates were inhibited by 0.5 mg/l or less. The quinolones and tobramycin exhibited high activity against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, the great majority of the isolates being susceptible to 0.5 mg/l or less of any agent. All the quinolones showed high activity against Staphylococcus aureus, but fleroxacin was less active against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus than were the other derivatives. The pneumococcal and streptococcal isolates were markedly less susceptible to fleroxacin than to the other quinolones tested (MIC range 4-32 mg/l). All isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were inhibited by the lowest concentration of the quinolones employed in the study (0.03 mg/l). Cefuroxime was also highly active against N. gonorrhoeae, whether the strains were beta-lactamase-producing or not, but was somewhat less active against H. influenzae. The quinolones displayed moderate and similar activity against Bacteroides fragilis isolates (MIC range 1-16 mg/l). The MICs of fleroxacin against gram-negative rods were generally 4-16 times higher at pH 8.8 than those obtained at pH 5.8 and 7.3. The activity against gram-positive cocci was not markedly influenced by changes in pH.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1988

Genotypic and phenotypic markers in the differentiation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains.

Restriction enzyme (RE) patterns, using Hind III enzyme, were analysed on 101 urogenital strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The strains were also analysed serologically, using monoclonal antibodies, and tested for nutritional requirements by auxotyping. In addition, testing susceptibility to doxycycline was performed by an agar-dilution method. The strains were distributed into 23 RE patterns, of which the five most common accounted for 67.3% of all isolates. The same strains were distributed into 17 serovars, of which the four most common accounted for 77.3% of all isolates. Eleven auxotypes were demonstrated, of which the four most common accounted for 85.1% of all isolates. When the methods were combined, 38 combinations of RE patterns and serovars, 25 combinations of RE patterns and auxotypes, and 31 combinations of serovars and auxotypes were seen. Combining all three methods, 40 combinations of RE patterns, serovars and auxotypes were found. Correlations were particularly seen between RE patterns and auxotypes. The strains were moderately sensitive to doxycycline, those with serological markers for WII/WIII being less sensitive than those with markers for WI.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1988

Antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica in a healthy population in Tanzania.

A micro-agglutination technique was used for the detection of antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica serogroups 03, 08 and 09 in sera from healthy individuals in Dar es Salaam, including 38 school children and 81 adults. Antibody titres greater than or equal to 128 to serogroup 03 were found in 2.6% of the children and 0.8% of the adults, and to serogroup 09 in 5.3% of the children and 2.5% of the adults. Antibody titres greater than or equal to 128 serogroup 08 were not detected.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

In vitro activity of amifloxacin (WIN 49,375) compared with those of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin.

The in vitro activity of the novel fluoroquinolone derivative, amifloxacin (WIN 49,375), was compared with the activities of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. A total of 500 clinical isolates of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were included, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by an agar dilution method. All drugs were highly active against Enterobacteriaceae, but ciprofloxacin showed the highest activity on a weight-for-weight basis (MIC 90% less than or equal to 0.03 mg/l). Ciprofloxacin was the most active agent against Pseudomonas isolates; all isolates being inhibited by 0.25 mg/l or less. The staphylococcal isolates were inhibited by ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin at relatively low concentrations (MIC 100% = 1 mg/l), whereas amifloxacin showed moderate activity against the majority of these isolates. Ciprofloxacin was highly active against enterococci, ofloxacin was moderately active, and amifloxacin was inactive. All Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates were susceptible to the lowest concentrations of the agents that were employed in the study (0.03 mg/l).

Acinetobacter↗

PubMed1987

Microflora of cervical and vaginal secretion in women using copper- and norgestrel-releasing IUCDs.

In 90 women with a norgestrel-releasing IUCD inserted and 50 women having a copper releasing IUCD, culturing of cervical and vaginal secretion was performed prior to, and 3 and 12 months after insertion of the IUCD. There were no significant changes in the cervical or vaginal microflora, and no significant differences between the groups. According to these findings, locally released progestogens from an IUCD do not affect the microflora of the vagina or of the cervix.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Ceftazidime treatment of chronic Pseudomonas infection in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Twenty-one patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), aged 1-18 years, with chronic lower respiratory tract infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, received 38 treatment courses of ceftazidime of 10-14 days duration. A favorable clinical response was observed in 28 of the 38 treatment courses. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of ceftazidime for the Pseudomonas isolates were concentrated around 0.5-1.0 mg/l, although a wide range of sensitivities was found (less than 0.03-32 mg/l). P. aeruginosa was eliminated after five treatment courses, but recurred after 1 month in four of these patients. The organism was permanently eradicated in one patient until his death 8 months later. Ceftazidime was well tolerated. The doses used in this study (50 mg/kg body weight i.v. twice daily) should probably be increased in order to achieve better microbiological response.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Ofloxacin: serum and skin blister fluid pharmacokinetics in the fasting and non-fasting state.

Using an agar well diffusion assay, the concentrations of ofloxacin were measured in serum and skin blister fluid after an oral dose of 300 mg given with or without a standardized meal. The apparent lag time was longer when the drug was taken with food than in the fasting state and the serum peak concentrations occurred later; the rates of absorption being 1.72 +/- 1.12/h (S.D.) and 3.40 +/- 1.56/h respectively. The mean peak concentrations of each individual in serum and blister fluid were 3.8 +/- 1.6 mg/l and 1.7 +/- 0.5 mg/l, respectively, when the drug was taken with food, compared with 4.2 +/- 1.9 mg/l and 2.1 +/- 0.7 mg/l in the fasting state. The rate of penetration into blister fluid was not influenced by the intake of food. The elimination half-life was 9.0 +/- 6.2 h in serum and 13.5 +/- 7.8 h in blister fluid when the volunteers were fasting. The corresponding values in the non-fasting state were 6.3 +/- 5.5 h and 10.6 +/- 4.6 h. The ratio of the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC0-infinity) for blister fluid and serum was 1.20 +/- 0.70 when ofloxacin was given without food and 1.03 +/- 0.34 when given with the meal.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Coumermycin: in vitro activity against 251 clinical isolates of bacteria compared with the activities of eight other antibacterial agents.

The in vitro activity of coumermycin has been compared with those of ampicillin, clindamycin, cloxacillin, doxycycline, erythromycin, netilmicin, penicillin G and vancomycin. A total of 251 clinical isolates of Gram-positive cocci were examined. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by an agar dilution method. Clindamycin, coumermycin and erythromycin were the most active drugs against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis on a weight-for-weight basis. All the staphylococcal isolates were inhibited by coumermycin at a concentration of 0.12 mg/l or less. Netilmicin seemed to be somewhat more active against S. epidermidis than against S. aureus. The MICs of vancomycin for the staphylococcal isolates were clustered around 1 mg/l. Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and S. agalactiae were highly susceptible to penicillin G and erythromycin; most isolates were inhibited by 0.03 mg/l or less of either drug. Coumermycin showed poor activity against S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae and enterococci. Most of the S. pneumoniae isolates had also high MICs, although a wide range of sensitivities was found.

Aminocoumarins↗

PubMed1986

Effects of carbon dioxide upon the in vitro activity of erythromycin.

The in vitro activity of erythromycin against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae was examined by agar dilution and agar diffusion methods. The plates were incubated in air alone or in 8% CO2 and air. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) measured in air alone were lower for most of the isolates, compared to those found in 8% CO2. The greatest differences in MIC values were found for H. influenzae; the MIC 50% was 0.5 mg/l in air and 4 mg/l in 8% CO2. Sensitivity testing by the agar diffusion method (ICS) showed considerable differences between results obtained in air and in 8% CO2; the inhibition zones were generally smaller in CO2. The most marked reduction in zone sizes after incubation in 8% CO2 was seen with the H. influenzae isolates; 15 out of 43 isolates moved from the "sensitive" to "moderately sensitive" group. Sensitivity determination of aerobic bacteria for erythromycin should be performed in air alone in the routine laboratory.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1985

Pharmacokinetics of lymecycline and doxycycline in serum and suction blister fluid.

In an open, random, cross-over trial, 8 young healthy volunteers were given standard doses of lymecycline and doxycycline for 2 days to achieve steady state. The pharmacokinetics of each tetracycline in serum and dermal, suction blister fluid were determined after oral doses of 300 mg lymecycline or 100 mg doxycycline on the 3rd day. Serum concentrations were higher for lymecycline than for doxycycline, the difference being statistically significant from 3 to 9 h after dosing. Also blister concentrations were higher for lymecycline than for doxycycline, though the difference was not statistically significant. The serum half-life for lymecycline was close to 10 h, for doxycycline 12 h. According to our results, both lymecycline and doxycycline should be regarded as 'intermediate-acting' tetracyclines, and each should consequently be dosed twice daily.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Ro 17-2301: in vitro comparison with aztreonam, imipenem, ceftazidime, cefotaxime and netilmicin.

The in vitro activity of the novel monobactam antibiotic, Ro 17-2301 has been compared with those of aztreonam, imipenem, ceftazidime, cefotaxime and netilmicin. A total of 438 clinical isolates of aerobic gram-negative rods were employed and an agar dilution method was used for measurement of MIC. Ro 17-2301 was highly active against a wide variety of Enterobacteriaceae species (MIC range less than or equal to 0.03-8, MIC50 less than or equal to 0.03, MIC90 0.06 mg/l). The activity of aztreonam parallelled that of Ro 17-2301 although the latter seemed to have more uniformly high activity against Klebsiella sp. The other agents showed generally high activity against Enterobacteriaceae except netilmicin against Providencia stuartii (MIC50 4, MIC90 greater than or equal to 16 mg/l). Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. was more variable. Ro 17-2301 and aztreonam were moderately active (MIC50 2, MIC90 8 and 16 mg/l, respectively). Imipenem was the most active agent against Acinetobacter, whereas Ro 17-2301 was moderately active. In conclusion, Ro 17-2301 shows impressive activity against Enterobacteriaceae and moderate activity against Acinetobacter and P. aeruginosa. Ro 17-2301 may well prove to be a useful agent in the treatment of gram-negative infections.

Acinetobacter↗

PubMed1985

Pharmacokinetics of brodimoprim in serum and skin blister fluid.

Following 400 mg brodimoprim given orally to 8 volunteers, the peaks of the mean concentration curves were 3.2 +/- 1.0 mg/l in serum and 1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/l (+/- SEM) in skin blister fluid. The terminal half-lives were 25.9 +/- 2.2 h and 42.2 +/- 6.5 h in serum and blister fluid, respectively. The area under the concentration-versus-time curve for blister fluid was 73% of serum value, and the mean recovery of bioactive drug in urine during 24 h was 3.4%. Considering the minimal inhibitory concentrations of potential target organisms and the slow elimination, the results suggest that brodimoprim may be useful in the treatment of infections, and that dosage once a day may be sufficient.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1985

In vitro activities of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin and rosoxacin compared with cinoxacin and trimethoprim.

The in vitro activities of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, rosoxacin, cinoxacin and trimethoprim have been compared. An agar dilution method has been employed for the measurement of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). 426 clinical, bacterial urinary isolates mainly from hospitalised patients were included; all common urinary tract pathogens were represented. The newer quinolones were highly active against Enterobacteriaceae species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Ciprofloxacin was the most active agent against these organisms (MICs less than or equal to 2 mg/l). A few strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were resistant to rosoxacin (MIC greater than or equal to 128 mg/l). Cinoxacin and trimethoprim were considerably less active against gram-negative strains. The new quinolones were also active against staphylococci of various species and enterococci (MICs less than or equal to 4 mg/l) except for rosoxacin for which 16 mg/l was needed to inhibit all gram-positive isolates. Cinoxacin was virtually inactive against this group whereas trimethoprim showed variable activity.

4-Quinolones↗

PubMed1984

The pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone in serum, skin blister and thread fluid.

Following 4 g of ceftriaxone, given intravenously, to eight volunteers, the antibiotic concentration in serum, suction skin blister fluid and fluid from subcutaneously implanted threads was followed for 28 h. High and sustained levels were found in both serum and extravascular fluids; the mean maximum serum concentration was 448 mg/l, and the mean peak concentrations in blister and thread fluid were 94 mg/l and 63 mg/l, respectively. The terminal, half-lives were: serum 7.2 h, blister fluid 10.3 h and thread fluid 11.3 h. The total area under the concentration versus time curves for serum was 1636 mg X h/l. For blister and thread fluid the areas were 1573 mg X h/l and 808 mg X h/l. The results suggest a twice daily dosage regimen.

Adult↗