Biomedical subjects
C G Cobbs
Publications and source records attributed to C G Cobbs.
Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A comparison of amphotericin B alone and combined with flucytosine in the treatment of cryptoccal meningitis.
We compared amphotericin B therapy for cryptococcal meningitis with a newer regimen containing both amphotericin B and flucytosine. In 50 patients with 51 courses of therapy adherent to the protocol, 27 courses were with amphotericin B and 24 with the combination. Even though the combination regimen was given for only six weeks and amphotericin B for 10 weeks, the combination cured or improved more patients (16 vs 11), produced fewer failures or relapses (three vs. 11), more rapid sterilization of the cerebrospinal fluid (P less than 0.001) and less nephrotoxicity (P less than 0.05) than did amphotericin B alone. The number of deaths was the same (five) with each regimen. Adverse reactions to flucytosine occurred in 11 of 34 patients but were not life threatening. We conclude that combined flucytosine-amphoericin B therapy is the regimen of choice in cryptococcal meningitis.
Clinical and laboratory evaluation of cefamandole in the therapy of Haemophilus spp. Bronchopulmonary infections.
A prospective, randomized, single-blind comparison of parenteral cefamandole and ampicillin was conducted in 27 hospitalized adult patients with pneumonia or purulent tracheobronchitis due to Haemophilus spp. Patients received either parenteral cefamandole or ampicillin in a dose of 1 g every 6 h. Cefamandole was as effective and safe as ampicillin. Of the 14 patients treated with cefamandole, 13 were considered cured, as were 12 of the 13 treated with ampicillin. One patient in each treatment group improved clinically but did not clear his sputum of Haemophilus spp. One patient treated with cefamandole had a recurrence of Haemophilus spp. bronchitis 9 days after cure. Adverse effects were more common in the cefamandole-treated group (50% versus 15%), but were mild and did not require discontinuation of therapy in any patient. The in vitro susceptibilities of 64 clinical isolates of Haemophilus spp. to 10 antibiotics were determined. Cefamandole was the most active of the cephalosporin-cephamycin antibiotics tested, inhibiting 98% of 61 non-beta-lactamase-producing isolates at 2 mug/ml and 100% at 4 mug/ml. Cefamandole inhibited the three ampicillin-resistant isolates at 2 mug/ml or less. Cephapirin, cefoxitin, and cephalothin were the next most active, whereas cefazolin and cephradine were the least active.
Correlation of aminoglycoside dosages with serum concentrations during therapy of serious gram-negative bacillary disease.
We prospectively evaluated serum aminoglycoside (AMG) concentrations in 120 patients who received gentamicin or tobramycin for serious gram-negative bacillary disease. AMG serum concentrations were assayed by microbiological and radioimmunoassay techniques. Correlation between the two assay methods was good. When AMG doses were based on total body weight, there was no significant correlation between AMG dosage administered and serum concentrations in patients with either normal or abnormal renal function. The use of ideal body weight for calculation of AMG dosage improved this correlation significantly except in hemodialysis patients. AMG-induced nephrotoxicity occurred in 13 patients. No significant association was noted between the occurrence of toxicity and the specific AMG given or with other commonly recognized risk factors. Among study groups, peak AMG serum concentrations failed to exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration of the infecting organism in 17 to 33% of the cases. Serum inhibitory levels of greater than or equal to 1:8 were not associated with improved survival. There was no significant difference in mortality between the gentamicin- and tobramycin-treated groups. We advise base-line serum AMG levels in seriously ill patients with gram-negative bacillary disease and additional bacteriological studies in selected situations.
In vitro activity of LY127935, a new 1-oxa cephalosporin, against aerobic gram-negative bacilli.
A total of 434 clinical aerobic gram-negative bacillary isolates were tested against LY127935, a new 1-oxa cephalosporin, and compared with other cephalosporins, penicillins, and aminoglycosides by a broth microdilution technique. Cefotaxime (HR756), a new semisynthetic cephalosporin, and LY127935 were more active, and showed lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (ranges, less than or equal to 0.12 to 2.0 micrograms/ml), than cefamandole, cefoxitin, and cefazolin against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus mirabilis, indole-positive Proteus spp., Serratia marcescens, Providencia spp., and Citrobacter spp. Against P. aeruginosa, pepercillin, azlocillin, and mezlocillin were the most active beta-lactam agents; 64 micrograms/ml inhibited 99, 93, and 87% of the isolates, respectively. LY127935 and cefotaxime at 16 micrograms/ml inhibited 71% of Pseudomonas isolates, whereas the aminoglycosides gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin at a concentration of 4 micrograms/ml inhibited 84, 88, and 93%, respectively. Minimum bactericidal concentrations were determined for all isolates and were generally the same as the minimum inhibitory concentrations.
Persistent bacteremia in staphylococcal endocarditis.
We treated five patients with persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and endocarditis. Surgical intervention or a "second-line" antistaphylococcal agent was required for bacteriologic cure in each. Special bacteriologic evaluation failed to demonstrate methicillin resistance or antibiotic "tolerance" among the strains of Staphylococcus tested. Cephalosporin agents were noted to be more susceptible to inoculum effect than either methicillin or nafcillin. All patients survived; the explanation for their atypical course is obscure. We present an approach to patients with persistent Staph. aureus bacteremia and endocarditis.
Recent experience with tetanus in Alabama.
In recent years, all cases of tetanus reported in the United States have occurred either in unimmunized persons, partially immunized persons, or persons whose immunization history was uncertain. We present our experience with three unimmunized individuals who acquired this disease. One patient became ill after a "clean, minor wound." Present guidelines do not encourage immediate protection with human tetanus immune globulin (TIG) for unimmunized patients with this type of injury. We believe serious consideration should be given to modification of current recommendations to include the more liberal use of TIG, especially in nonimmune persons.
Gram-negative bacillus pneumonia.
Our experience with gram-negativebacillus pneumonia (GNBP) was examined to assist us in the diagnosis and treatment of this serious condition. The patients were divided into three categories: those with primary GNBP, those with primary nosocomial GNBP, and those with superinfection GNBP. Mortality correlated highly with the severity of underlying disorders. Aspiration occurred or was suspected before most instances of primary GNBP. Tracheostomy, inhalation therapy, and aspiration were common events before development of primary nosocomial GNBP and superinfection GNBP. Half the patients survived the two primary varieties of GNBP. A striking leukocytosis developed at the onset of most cases of primary nosocomial GNBP and superinfection GNBP.
Treatment of end-stage renal disease by transplantation: clinical results with 111 cases.
The efficacy of renal transplantation for patients with end-stage renal disease was reviewed in 108 patients receiving 111 transplants followed for an average of two and one-half years after transplantation. Overall patient survival decreased 10 per cent per year from 90 per cent after the first year to 70 per cent at three years. Kidney survival was slightly less, with a similar pattern. Patients with better tissue matches and living related donor allografts had fewer and less severe rejections and better ultimate function than did patients with poor tissue matches and cadaver allografts. However, a significant number of patients with poor tissue matches and cadaver allografts had excellent results. Eighty-six per cent of all survivors with functioning kidneys had serum creatinines of 2.0 mg./100 ml. or below. Mortality was associated primarily with sepsis from a variety of bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoan organisms often associated with other complications such as rejection or gastrointestinal bleeding. Recipients over the age of 40 were in a higher risk group. Rejection per se, however, played a minor role. Urological and skeletal complications were a major source of morbidity but were not associated with mortality.
Clinical evaluation of equine antithymocyte globulin in recipients of renal allografts: Analysis of survival, renal function, rejection, histocompatibility, and complications.
Equine antithymocyte globulin combined with azathioprine and prednisone as immunosuppressive therapy in 50 transplant recipients prolonged allograft survival and seemed to modify the severity of rejection episodes. Although nine patients died from a variety of causes, only three kidneys were lost to rejection, one of which was hyperacute. There were no serious untoward hematologic or systemic effects caused by the ATG, and all patients completed the course of therapy. Infection, a serious and frequent complication of transplant patients, was encountered no more often than in other transplant series not using ALG. The data pertaining to the clinical value of ATG, although suggestive in terms of its immunosuppressive effects, is still not conclusive; and a definitive answer to this question awaits further evaluation in a series of cadaveric recipients in a randomized-double-blind study.
Persistent gram-negative bacteremia. Observations in twenty patients.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Serratia endocarditis in patients with a Starr-Edwards valve: report of a case of bacteriologic cure with antimicrobial therapy.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Double-blind comparison of carbenicillin indanyl sodium, ampicillin, and cephalexin in treatment of urinary tract infection.
Carbenicillin indanyl sodium, ampicillin, or cephalexin was administered orally to 61 patients with urinary tract infections. Assignment of drug was made by a computer-generated, randomized plan in a double-blind fashion. The rates of cure 4 weeks after therapy were 50, 42, and 50% for patients treated with carbenicillin, ampicillin, and cephalexin, respectively. Failure of therapy was correlated with chronicity of infection and sensitivity of the microorganism to the antibiotic used. Thirty-nine percent of the patients developed side effects, but there were no significant differences in side effects among the three antibiotics. This double-blind study demonstrates that carbenicillin indanyl sodium is as effective as ampicillin and cephalexin in treatment of urinary tract infections.
IUD and endocarditis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Endocarditis due to group C streptococci.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Free peritoneal gas without perforated viscus in patients with bacterial peritonitis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.