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Biomedical subjects

J L Avril

Publications and source records attributed to J L Avril.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: evaluation of three new culture methods.

Out of 900 dialysates analysed over 15 months at the Rennes Regional Hospital, 116 cloudy specimens with a leucocyte count of more than 100/mm3 were studied. Three methods of laboratory diagnosis based on physical or chemical disruption of leucocytes were evaluated: saponin incorporated in the agar medium, sonication, and the Isolator lysis centrifugation system. Sensitivity was improved (52%) for the three methods combined compared with the standard method (37%). The Isolator system (51%, P < 0.05) gave the best results. Direct microscopic examination nevertheless remains essential for its indicative value (sensitivity 33% of positive dialysates). The leucocyte count was correlated with the percentage of culture positivity (43% from 100-200/mm3 compared with 62% from 500-1000/mm3); 80% of organisms were Gram-positive bacteria and most were coagulase-negative staphylococci. Opportunistic pathogens such as Corynebacterium jeikeium were frequently isolated.

Corynebacterium Infections↗
PubMed1992

Esterase electrophoresis compared with biotyping for epidemiological typing of Acinetobacter baumannii strains.

Forty-nine Acinetobacter baumannii strains belonging to three biotypes and isolated from four hospitals were differentiated by electrophoretic typing of their esterases. Six main kinds of esterases were distinguished by their spectra of hydrolytic activity toward seven synthetic substrates. The electrophoretic variations of these enzymes were used to define ten zymotypes among the three biotypes. Esterase electrophoresis appeared to be more sensitive than biotyping, and could represent an additional marker for epidemiological analysis.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1992

Septicemia and hepatic abscess caused by Pediococcus acidilactici.

A case of postoperative Pediococcus acidilactici septicemia with parallel isolation of the organism from hepatic specimens is presented. Laboratory methods to identify this vancomycin-resistant gram-positive cocci are described. Very few cases of documented infections due to this bacterium have been reported in the literature.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Cleavage of immunoglobulin A1, A2 and G by proteases from clinical isolates of Pasteurella multocida.

Several Pasteurella multocida strains were examined for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes that cleave immunoglobulin A and G (Ig A and Ig G) molecules. Two strains isolated from human pulmonary and genital infections produced proteases that cleaved human IgA and IgG, colostral IgA and human myeloma IgA1 and IgA2. Human IgM was not degraded by these enzymes. Examination of cleavage digests showed two main fragments with different electrophoretic mobilities. The two P. multocida strains produced a protease that cleaved IgA and IgG heavy chains outside the hinge region, and differed in this respect from the hinge-cutting proteases of other bacteria. Protease production may be a virulence mechanism for P. multocida strains.

Colostrum↗
PubMed1991

Dermonecrotic toxin production by strains of Pasteurella multocida isolated from man.

Ninety-four clinical isolates of Pasteurella multocida of human origin were tested for dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) production by three methods: dermonecrotic test in guinea-pigs, Vero cell culture cytotoxicity and ELISA. The strains were isolated from patients living in a rural area with widespread intensive pig breeding. Six strains were found to be toxigenic by the three tests. A major protein band of Mr 145 Kda corresponding to DNT on immunoblots was demonstrated in extracts from these strains. All were isolated from respiratory tract (diseases 5, healthy carriage 1). The difference between isolates from the respiratory tract and isolates from wounds inflicted by pets was statistically significant with regard to DNT production (p less than 0.02). A possible role of the toxin in pulmonary diseases caused by P. multocida has yet to be established.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

In-vitro activity of cefpodoxime against pathogens responsible for community-acquired respiratory tract infections.

The in-vitro activity of cefpodoxime, the active compound of the ester prodrug, cefpodoxime proxetil, was compared with that of other antibiotics. The susceptibility of bacterial isolates from patients with respiratory tract infections was determined by an agar dilution method. The MIC90s of cefpodozime for ampicillin-sensitive and beta-lactamase-producing strains of Haemophilus influenzae were 0.12 and 0.25 mg/l, respectively; the MIC90s for ampicillin-resistant non-beta-lactamase-producing strains was 1 mg/l. Time-kill curves of cefpodoxime against ampicillin-sensitive and ampicillin-resistant beta-lactamase producing strains showed a time-dependent bactericidal activity. The MIC90s for ampicillin-sensitive and ampicillin-resistant Branhamella catarrhalis were 0.50 and 1 mg/l, respectively. The MIC90s for penicillin-sensitive pneumococci, beta-haemolytic streptococci and Streptococcus agalactiae were 0.06, 0.06 and 0.12 mg/l, respectively. The inhibitory activity against penicillin-resistant pneumococci was limited: the MIC90 was 4 mg/l.

Ampicillin Resistance↗
PubMed1989

[Surveillance of nosocomial infections].

Exploratory and therapeutic hospital techniques, the frequency of iatrogenic or pathogenic immunodepression and the ever increasing age of the population are factors that augment the risk of nosocomial infections. Some of these infections are unavoidable, but others can be prevented. Appropriate hygienic measures and a rational use of antibiotics contribute to this prevention. We describe here two methods that can be used to watch for nosocomial infections. The one-day recording or prevalence survey method is meant to provide a snapshot image in a given hospital. Longitudinal supervision is more difficult to carry out, but it enables the situation to be more precisely evaluated in each health care centre. Supervision must be regarded as a descriptive stage in the assessment of the local situation as regards the prevalence and incidence of nosocomial infections. It should make it possible to determine priorities in the measures to be taken to prevent most of these infections.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1989

[Comparative study of the administration of amikacin by intramuscular and intravenous routes in neonatal resuscitation].

A study was carried out to determine amikacin blood levels in 44 neonates who were admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Amikacin was administered by intravenous or intramuscular route. The levels obtained with both methods were similar. The results of our study indicate that amikacin levels should be monitored in neonates to avoid toxic concentrations of this drug. On the basis of this study a new neonatal dosage schedule is proposed.

Amikacin↗