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Biomedical subjects

I Brook

Publications and source records attributed to I Brook.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Bacterial colonization of pacifiers of infants with acute otitis media.

The presence of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria on the surface of pacifiers used by children with acute otitis media was investigated. The surface of 40 recently used pacifiers was swabbed after they were allowed to dry for five to six minutes. The swabs were processed quantitatively for the presence of aerobic bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the pacifier material was tested in vitro. Microorganisms were isolated from 21 (52.5 per cent) pacifiers. The number of colonies per pacifier varied between one and 35 (average six). The isolates included eight alpha-haemolytic streptococci, six Staphylococcus epidermis, five Candida albicans, five alpha-haemolytic streptococci, three Neisseria spp. and two Staphylococcus aureus. The pacifier material was shown to be inhibitory against S. aureus. This study illustrated that pacifiers do not contain high numbers of organisms and therefore are not likely to serve as a source of persistence of transfer of organisms.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Immune response to Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia and other anaerobes in children with acute tonsillitis.

The number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was determined in the saliva of 20 children with acute group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngo-tonsillitis, and 20 with acute non-GABHS tonsillitis. Antibody titres to four Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli that reside in the oropharynx (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) were determined in these and 20 control patients. An average of 8.8 aerobic and anaerobic isolates per patient saliva specimens were found during the acute tonsillitis stage in both groups, and 6.9 (in GABHS tonsillitis) and 5.6 (in non-GABHS tonsillitis) 5-6 weeks later. There were 10- to 1000-fold more bacteria in the acute stages of the inflammation in both GABHS and non-GABHS groups. These bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Peptostreptococcus spp., F. nucleatum, Prevotella spp. and Porphyromonas spp. Significantly higher antibodies levels to F. nucleatum and P. intermedia were found in the second serum sample of patients with non-GABHS pharyngo-tonsillitis (P < 0.001) and GABHS tonsillitis (P < 0.05), as compared with their first sample or the levels of antibodies in controls. The increase in the number of several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria during acute tonsillitis and the increase in antibody levels to F. nucleatum and P. intermedia, known oral pathogens, may suggest a possible pathogenic role for these organisms in acute non-GABHS and GABHS tonsillitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Effect of penicillin or cefprozil therapy on tonsillar flora.

The effect on the tonsillar bacterial flora of antimicrobial therapy with penicillin or a second-generation cephalosporin (cefprozil) was studied. Sixty children scheduled for elective tonsillectomy because of recurrent group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis participated in a prospective randomized study that divided them into three groups. One group received no therapy, and the others were given either penicillin or cefprozil for 10 days prior to surgery. The core of the patients' tonsils was cultured for aerobic bacteria. Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) were isolated from 15/20 (75%) of untreated, 11/20 (55%) of penicillin, and 2/20 (10%) of the cefprozil group (P < 0.001). Thirty-two beta-lactamase-producing bacteria were recovered from 19/20 (95%) of untreated, 33 from 17/20 (85%) treated with penicillin and six from 4/20 (20%) treated with cefprozil (P < 0.01). Alpha-haemolytic streptococci (AHS) inhibiting GABHS were less often isolated from patients treated with penicillin. These data illustrate the ability of a second-generation cephalosporin to eradicate GABHs, as well as beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, while preserving AHS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of bacterial tracheitis in children.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Establish the aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of bacterial tracheitis in children. METHOD: Retrospective review of specimens obtained from 14 children with bacterial tracheitis that were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. RESULTS: A total 30 bacterial isolates were recovered, 17 aerobic and facultative anaerobic and 13 anaerobic. Aerobic bacteria only were present in six (43%) specimens, anaerobes only in three (21%), and mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora in five (36%). Polymicrobial flora was recovered in 10 of the 14 specimens. The predominant organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (5 isolates), Haemophilus influenzae type b (4), Peptostreptococcus sp. (4), pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas (4), Fusobacterium sp. (2), and Moraxella catarrhalis (2). Two organisms that were also isolated from the tracheal aspirates were recovered from the blood of two patients (one each of H. influenzae and Prevotella intermedia). Eleven beta-lactamase-producing organisms were isolated from nine patients. These included all isolates of S. aureus and M. catarrhalis, and two each of H. influenzae and Prevotella sp. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm the predominance of S. aureus and H. influenzae in causing bacterial tracheitis in children and suggest a potential role for anaerobic bacteria.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

Uvulitis caused by anaerobic bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: I present two children with bacteremic uvulitis due to anaerobic bacteria. RESULTS: Fusobacterium nucleatum was recovered from the blood, and Haemophilus influenzae type b was recovered from a surface uvular culture of one patient. beta-Lactamase-producing Prevotella intermedia was isolated for the blood of the other patient. Both patients responded to parenteral, followed by oral, antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate the need to send blood cultures for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in patients with uvulitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Microbiology of chronic maxillary sinusitis: comparison between specimens obtained by sinus endoscopy and by surgical drainage.

The aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of sinus aspirates obtained during surgery was compared with culture of samples obtained by endoscopy. Six patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis were evaluated. Polymicrobial flora was found in all specimens (two-to-five isolates/sample). A total of 24 isolates (18 anaerobic, five aerobic and one micro-aerophilic) was obtained from sinus aspirates, and 25 isolates (16 anaerobic and nine aerobic) were found in endoscopic specimens. The predominant organisms were Prevotella spp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. Concordance in the type and concentration of organisms was found in all cases. Sixteen of the 18 anaerobes isolated from sinus aspirates were also found in the concomitant endoscopic sample. Five aerobic isolates were found in both sinus aspirates and endoscopic samples and their concentration was similar. However, four aerobic gram-positive bacteria (<10(4) cfu/sample) were found only in endoscopy samples. This pilot study demonstrates the usefulness of endoscopic aspiration in the isolation of bacteria from chronically infected maxillary sinuses.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology of perirectal abscesses.

The microbiology of perirectal abscesses in 144 patients was studied. Aerobic or facultative bacteria only were isolated in 13 (9%) instances, anaerobic bacteria only were isolated in 27 (19%) instances, and mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora were isolated in 104 (72%) instances. A total of 325 anaerobic and 131 aerobic or facultative isolates were recovered (2.2 anaerobic isolates and 0.9 aerobic isolates per specimen). The predominant anaerobes were as follows: Bacteroides fragilis group (85 isolates), Peptostreptococcus spp. (72 isolates), Prevotella spp. (71 isolates), Fusobacterium spp. (21 isolates), Porphyromonas spp. (20 isolates), and Clostridium spp. (15 isolates). The predominant aerobic and facultative bacteria were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (34 isolates), Streptococcus spp. (28 isolates), and Escherichia coli (19 isolates). These data illustrate the polymicrobial aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of perirectal abscesses.

Abscess↗
PubMed1997

Bacterial flora of stethoscopes' earpieces and otitis externa.

External otitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus was observed in a nurse after extensive use of a stethoscope. The infection recurred and a similar organism was isolated from the stethoscope's earpiece. The infection did not recur after the earpiece was cleansed after each use. In a prospective study, the bacterial flora of 35 earpieces was evaluated. Fifty-three isolates, 36 aerobic or facultative and 17 anaerobic, were recovered. The number of organisms per earpiece ranged from 14 to 204 (average 92 +/- 17). The predominant isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis (16 isolates), Propionibacterium acnes (12), and Saureus (7). The study demonstrates the colonization of the stethoscope's earpiece with microorganisms that possess the potential for causing nosocomial infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Microbiology of acute purulent pericarditis. A 12-year experience in a military hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To study the aerobic and anaerobic micro-biological and clinical characteristics in 15 cases of acute pericarditis treated over a 12-year period. DESIGN: Retrospective review of microbiological and clinical data. SETTING: Military hospital in Bethesda, Md. RESULTS: Aerobic or facultative bacteria alone were present in 7 specimens (47%), anaerobic bacteria alone in 6 specimens (40%), and mixed aerobic-anaerobic flora in 2 specimens (13%). In total, there were 21 isolates: 10 aerobic or facultative bacteria and 11 anaerobic bacteria, an average of 1.4 per specimen. Anaerobic bacteria predominated in patients with pericarditis who also had mediastinitis that followed esophageal perforation and in patients whose pericarditis was associated with orofacial and dental infections. The predominant aerobic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (3 isolates) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (2 isolates), and the predominant anaerobic bacteria were Prevotella species (4 isolates), Peptostreptococcus species (3 isolates), and Propionibacterium acnes (2 isolates). CONCLUSION: The findings in our study highlight the potential importance of anaerobic bacteria in acute pericarditis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Microbiology of mediastinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the microbiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with mediastinitis. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data of 17 patients treated between 1980 and 1987. RESULTS: Aerobic or facultative bacteria only were present in three patients (18%), anaerobic bacteria only in seven (41%), and mixed aerobic-anaerobic flora in seven (41%). In total, there were 42 isolates, 13 aerobic or facultative and 29 anaerobic bacteria, an average of 2.5 per specimen. Anaerobic bacteria predominated in infections that originated from esophageal perforation and orofacial, odontogenic, and gunshot sources. The predominant aerobes were alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus (three isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (two isolates), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (two isolates). The predominant anaerobes were Prevotella and Porphyromonas species (eight isolates), Peptostreptococcus species (seven isolates), and Bacteroides fragilis group (three isolates). CONCLUSION: These data highlight the polymicrobial aerobic-anaerobic nature of mediastinitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Bacteriology and beta-lactamase activity in acute and chronic maxillary sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the bacteriology and beta-lactamase enzyme activity in aspirates of 10 acutely and 13 chronically inflamed maxillary sinuses. RESULTS: The predominant organisms isolated in acute sinusitis were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, and those found in chronic sinusitis were Prevotella species, Fusobacterium species, and Peptostreptococcus species. Four beta-lactamase-producing organisms (BLPOs) were isolated in four specimens (40%) obtained from acutely inflamed sinuses, and 14 BLPOs were recovered from 10 chronically inflamed sinuses (77%). The predominant BLPOs in acute sinusitis were H influenzae, and M catarrhalis; those in chronic sinusitis were Staphylococcus aureus, Prevotella species, Fusobacterium species, and Bacteroides fragilis. CONCLUSIONS: Beta-lactamase activity was detected in 12 (three in acute and nine in chronic sinusitis) of the 14 aspirates that contained BLPOs. The detection of beta-lactamase activity in sinus aspirates provides support for the role of BLPOs in the failure of penicillin therapy in sinusitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the aerobic and anaerobic microbiologic characteristics of superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis. DESIGN: Retrospective review of microbiologic and clinical data. SETTING: Navy Hospital in Bethesda, Md. RESULTS: Sixty-one isolates, 36 aerobic and 25 anaerobic, were isolated from samples obtained from 42 patients. Aerobic bacteria only were found in 26 (62%) patients; anaerobic only, in 11 (26%); and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, in five (12%). The predominant aerobic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 9), Escherichia coli (n = 7), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4), and Klebsiella sp (n = 3). The most frequently recovered anaerobic bacteria were Peptostreptococcus sp (n = 8), Propionibacterium acnes (n = 6), Bacteroides fragilis group (n = 5), Prevotella intermedia (n = 3), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (n = 3). Propionibacterium acnes and Peptostreptococcus sp were associated with cannula-related superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis; B fragilis and Enterobacteriaceae, with abdominal surgery or pathology; and S aureus and P aeruginosa and Citrobacter sp, with burns. CONCLUSION: These data illustrate the importance of anaerobic bacteria in superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Goethe's Archetype and the romantic concept of the self.

This paper attempts to illuminate Goethe's concept of an archetype by setting it alongside the concept of the self that was being articulated at the same time, also by writers of the Romantic movement. The Romantic concept of the self expresses a new concept of the self as a 'core' plus an expression of the core: and it is the same 'core plus expression' idea that is embodied in the Goethean archetype. Goethe's archetype is not simply a 'plan'. It is a kind of agent at the heart of a thing, striving for self expression, and to this end driving the thing's development. Both Romantic self and archetype reflect the wider attempt to reinstate the concept of action in our understanding of things and happenings in general. The root idea of there being at the heart of a living thing an agent pursuing a goal remains in the modern concept of the organism.

Biology↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of aspiration or tracheostomy-associated pneumonia in neurologically impaired children: effect of antimicrobials effective against anaerobic bacteria.

The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively review the antibiotic therapy of aspiration or tracheostomy-associated pneumonia in 57 neurologically impaired children (NIC). The antimicrobials used were either ticarcillin-clavulanate or clindamycin, which are effective against penicillin-resistant anaerobic bacteria, or ceftriaxone, which is less effective against these organisms. In those with aspiration pneumonia, a satisfactory clinical and microbiological response was observed in 8/9 (89%) patients who received ticarcillin-clavulanate, and 10/11 (91%) who received clindamycin with or without ceftazidime, as compared to 7/14 (50%) who received ceftriaxone (P < 0.05). For those who experienced tracheostomy-associated pneumonia, a positive response to therapy was observed in 5/6 (83%) who received ticarcillin-clavulanate, and 7/7 (100%) who received clindamycin with or without ceftazidime, as opposed to 4/10 (40%) who were treated with ceftriaxone (P < 0.05). The duration of fever was longer in both cases for those who received ceftriaxone. To summarize, this study illustrates the superiority of antimicrobials effective against penicillin-resistant anaerobic bacteria, as compared to an antibiotic without such coverage, in the therapy of aspiration or tracheostomy-associated pneumonia in NIC.

Adolescent↗