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Biomedical subjects

L Drago

Publications and source records attributed to L Drago.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Improving the physical health-mental health interface for the chronically mentally ill: could nurse case managers make a difference?

Although the increased incidence and prevalence of medical illnesses among the chronically mentally ill has been well documented, access and use of general health care services by this population remains problematic despite the implementation of case management. This article describes the problems experienced in meeting physical health care needs through the five core case-management components of client identification and outreach, assessment, service planning, monitoring of service delivery, and advocacy. A model of case management is proposed that uses psychiatric nurse clinical specialists in supervisory and consultative rôles, and nurse practitioners to deliver primary care.

Health Services Accessibility↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Algorithmic analysis of in vitro chemotherapy against Pneumocystis carinii.

The development of in vitro experimental chemotherapy against P.carinii has been hindered by the lack of efficient methods for continuous cultivation of the microorganism. Various short-term systems, allowing the production of infectious forms of Pneumocystis, can be employed for in vitro experimental chemotherapy. The purpose of the present study is to describe a statistically relevant algorithmic model for the evaluation of P.carinii in short-term in vitro culture and drug screening.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of in vitro and in vivo selection of bacterial resistance by roxithromycin.

The in vitro and in vivo selective pressure exerted by roxithromycin on Lancefield group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) was investigated. In vitro antimicrobial activity on fifty GABHS strains was determined by the microdilution method and by boundary concentration (BC) determination. Insorgence of resistance was evaluated by redetermining MIC and BC after exposure to 16 x MIC roxithromycin concentration. In vivo insorgence of resistance was evaluated by MIC and BC determinations on the GABHS strain recovered from infected mice peritoneum, after treatment with 20 mg/kg roxithromycin. The roxithromycin serum kinetics was established in healthy and infected mice. Neither significant changes in GABHS MIC or BC after in vitro or in vivo exposure to roxithromycin nor a difference in roxithromycin serum levels between healthy and infected mice were detected, suggesting that the roxithromycin selection of resistance in GABHS is low.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative effect of thiamphenicol glycinate, thiamphenicol glycinate N-acetylcysteinate, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone and clarithromycin on pulmonary clearance of Haemophilus influenzae in an animal model.

BACKGROUND: Thiamphenicol glycinate (TG) and its derivative thiamphenicol glycinate N-acetylcysteinate (TGA) could be a valid therapeutic option in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. METHODS: Time-kill curves of TG and TGA and pulmonary clearance in Haemophilus influenzae infected guinea pigs were compared with those of clarithromycin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. RESULTS: The bacterial activities of the tested antibiotics were comparable. When compared to the control group, lung bacterial counts were significantly lower for the TGA group at 3 h vs. controls, while for the other treatments, significant decreases were recorded after 6 h. All drugs showed a log count of <2.0 at 24 h with respect to the control while at 48 h all groups demonstrated a log count of <2.0. CONCLUSIONS: Although the in vitro activity of the tested drugs evaluated by time-kill curves seemed comparable, some pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of TGA contribute to improving the resolution of the infective process.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of rufloxacin and ciprofloxacin on the intestinal microflora in a germ-free mice model.

The impact of rufloxacin and ciprofloxacin on faecal microflora was investigated in an experimental germ-free mice model into which human gastrointestinal flora was introduced and stabilized. Animals received oral doses of 10, 40 or 80 mg rufloxacin/kg, 30 or 60 mg ciprofloxacin/kg once daily for 10 days, or no treatment. Microflora was studied before, during and 1 week after treatment. No significant effect ( < 2 log reduction, p > 0.05) on aerobic microflora was observed after rufloxacin as compared to controls, except for a marked decrease in enterobacteria and a slight decrease in enterococci, staphylococci and anaerobes at the highest dose. Both doses of ciprofloxacin significantly reduced enterobacteria and clostridia, while the lower dose slightly reduced peptococci, bifidobacteria and eubacteria. The depression of the intestinal ecosystem was reversible, except for enterobacteria at the higher ciprofloxacin dose. No bacterial resistance was detected after either treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Adhesion capacity of Enterococcus faecium (SF 68) and Enterococcus faecalis to various substrates].

The author's studied the adherence ability of Enterococcus faecium SF 68 compared to that of Enterococcus faecalis IM 11f, on various substrates: vascular catheters and cardiac valves of rabbit, immunodepressed rats and diabetic rats. The bacterial adherence test was calculated by the number of bacteria adhered for microscopic field enlarged to 2000. The data obtained by scanning electron microscope SEM (Cambridge Stereoscan 150 MK2) revealed a different adherence action of the two germs on the various substrates. All the adherence tests showed a higher and uniform adherence activity of E. faecalis compared to that of E. faecium.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of Enterococcus faecium SF 68 in experimental infection in mice].

The normal intestinal flora is an important defence against various infectious agents. It also allows important metabolic stages in the host. The Authors studied the ability of Enterococcus faecium SF 68 to protect the mice (Swiss strain) from infection by Salmonella typhi and its role when used with penicillin in infection by Staphylococcus aureus. Our results showed that SF 68, determined a good protection against infection. Moreover the association E. faecium SF 68-antibiotic lowers the mortality rate in the infected mice compared with the control group.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Antimicrobial and sporicidal efficacy of various disinfectant solutions].

The often indiscriminate use of antimicrobial agents has led to increased bacterial resistance over the past years. This phenomenon is above all evident in nosocomial environments but also at a community level. It is therefore important that, in addition to the rational use of antibiotics, an accurate prophylaxis is performed which includes the correct use of disinfectants. This study examines the antimicrobial activity of various commercially available disinfectant solutions consisting of one or more active ingredients. An analysis of the results reveals that products consisting of an association of individual components (quaternary ammonium chloride with o-phenylphenol and/or isopropyl alcohol; chlorhexidine with benzalkonium chloride or with diazolidinylurea and isopropanol) demonstrate a greater efficacy in terms of microbicidal concentration and contact times.

1-Propanol↗