Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L D Gruer

Publications and source records attributed to L D Gruer.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Antibiotic susceptibility of streptococcal strains associated with infective endocarditis.

Seventy-six strains of various species of streptococci isolated from patients with infective endocarditis were tested for their susceptibility to 13 antibiotics by an agar dilution method. The antibiotics tested were: benzyl-penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, vancomycin, erythromycin, rifampicin, pristinamycin, gentamicin, netilmicin, tobramycin, amikacin, dibekacin and streptomycin. Excluding enterococci, 91% of strains were sensitive to benzylpenicillin. Resistance to benzylpenicillin was only found in some strains of S. sanguis I, S. sanguis II and S. mitis. Enterococci were more sensitive to ampicillin. Cefotaxime was highly active against all strains, except enterococci. Vancomycin was active against all strains. Resistance to erythromycin was found in 16% of isolates. Rifampicin and pristinamycin were highly active against all strains, except some enterococci. Gentamicin and netilmicin were the most active of the six aminoglycosides tested. High level resistance to streptomycin was seen in six strains. Overall, S. agalactiae was more resistant to the aminoglycosides than the other species. Among the non-groupable streptococci, strains of S. mitis, S. sanguis I and S. sanguis II were the least sensitive to many antibiotics. Benzylpenicillin remains the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of IE caused by streptococci. If the MIC exceeds 0.1 mg l-1, an aminoglycoside (netilmicin or gentamicin) should be added and the duration of treatment increased from 4 to 6 weeks.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1984

Species identification and antibiotic sensitivity of coagulase-negative staphylococci from CAPD peritonitis.

Forty-three strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci were obtained from dialysis effluent during 41 episodes of CAPD peritonitis. Eighty per cent of these were found to be Staphylococcus epidermidis but several other species also occurred. A recurrent infection lasting 15 weeks was caused by Staph. haemolyticus. Multiple antibiotic resistance was found to be common. Of 13 antibiotics tested, only vancomycin was active against all strains although most strains were also sensitive to rifampicin, netilmicin and cefamandole. Vancomycin was chosen for the initial treatment of CAPD peritonitis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci and eradicated the organism in 29 of 30 episodes.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

Pneumococcal bacteraemia--a continuing challenge.

In a retrospective study of pneumococcal bacteraemia in a large district hospital over an eight-year period 103 cases were identified. Although all age groups were represented, an unexpectedly large number of cases occurred among elderly males. The overall case fatality rate was 34 per cent, ranging from 13 per cent in children to 42 per cent in the elderly. Most children had preexisting disease and did have pneumonia. Pre-existing diseases were of three main types: (i) disorders of the respiratory system; (ii) disorders of metabolism; (iii) disorders of the immune system. Six patients had no spleen. Almost all patients received appropriate antibiotics. Most deaths occurred during the first 48 h of treatment. The prospects for the prevention of fatal pneumococcal bacteraemia are reviewed in the light of these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of HIV and acute hepatitis B infection among drug injectors in Glasgow.

This study compared the distributions of known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among drug injectors in Glasgow over a 3.5 year period. Data were obtained from all relevant laboratory request forms submitted to Glasgow's 3 virology laboratories during the period 1 January 1986 to 30 June 1989. The overall prevalence of HIV among those tested was 3.7% (66/1786). There were 125 cases of acute HBV infection. The male:female ratios for HIV and acute HBV were 1:1 and 2:1, respectively. Thirty-four per cent of persons with HIV were aged under 21 years compared with 53% with acute HBV. Three out of 10 areas of the city accounted for 92% of HIV infection but only 66% of acute HBV infection. HIV infection was not detected among drug injectors in 4 areas of the city but at least 2 cases of acute HBV infection were recorded in all 10 areas. The geographical and age distribution of acute HBV infection in Glasgow suggests that the potential for future spread of HIV among drug injectors remains considerable.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual behaviour and use of the condom by men attending gay bars and clubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

How widespread are the safer forms of sexual behaviour reportedly adopted by male homosexuals in recent years? A questionnaire was completed by 173 and 83 gay men attending gay bars and clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively. Comparisons were made between those who reported using the condom (n = 137, [54%]) and those who did not (n = 119, [46%]). Sixty percent of respondents reported more than 5 partners during the previous year. Condom use was much less common among men with less than 5 years' experience as a practising homosexual. Less than one-fifth of respondents reported always using a condom during anal intercourse. Orogenital contact without a condom was reported by 84% of all respondents, and unprotected anal intercourse by 40%, (over 30% for those who used condoms). About one-third of condom users but only 14% of non-users thought they were at risk of catching HIV because of their sexual behaviour, although 80% of users and 70% of non-users said their lifestyles had been affected by the HIV epidemic. While there were some encouraging signs of behaviour change, unprotected anal sex is still widely practised. Gay bars and clubs represent important venues for conveying the safer sex message.

Adult↗