[Microbiological tests for determination of specific microbes-- clinically important fungi].
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Candida↗
Biomedical subjects
M Kaku
Publications and source records attributed to M Kaku.
[Antimicrobial activities of roxithromycin against recently obtained clinical isolates].
The purpose of our investigation was to monitor current trends in the susceptibility patterns of clinical bacterial isolates to roxithromycin (RXM). We measured the MICs of macrolide antibiotics, such as RXM, erythromycin (EM), clarithromycin (CAM), rokitamycin (RKM) and midecamycin (MDM), and other classes of antibacterial compounds against various clinical isolates at seven institutions between October and December in 1994 and 1995. RXM had excellent antibacterial activities for S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, M. (B.) catarrhalis and methicillin sensitive S. aureus. Against methicillin sensitive S. epidermidis, RXM activity was fairly good but about 20% of the strains had MIC > or = 128 micrograms/ml. The activity against S. pneumoniae was not so potent and similar to activities of EM, CAM, MDM, and clindamycin. The vast majority of methicillin resistant S. aureus and S. epidermidis were also resistant to macrolide antibiotics and other classes of compounds tested. In conclusion, RXM is an unique macrolide antibiotic by retaining potent activity against S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. aureus except MRSA, M. (B.) catarrhalis and M. pneumoniae.
Amoxicillin↗
[Recent clinical circumstance causing by antibiotics-resistant bacterial strains].
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Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Rapid detection and identification of mycobacteria by combined method of polymerase chain reaction and hybridization protection assay.
A new method for the rapid detection and identification of mycobacteria, combining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA probe, was developed. The mycobacterial 16S rRNA encoding gene was amplified by nested PCR, and the PCR product was identified by hybridization protection assay using acridinium ester labelled DNA probe. The optimum temperature for hybridization of PCR product and DNA probe was estimated as 55 degrees C. The specificity of the combined method was excellent in the detection and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC). The detection limit was 10 fg DNA for M. tuberculosis, and 100 fg DNA for MAC. Results of preliminary clinical investigation of this method using 207 clinical specimens demonstrated an efficient detection and identification of M. tuberculosis and MAC. These results indicate that the new combined method may be a useful test for the rapid detection and identification of M. tuberculosis and MAC in clinical specimens.
Humans↗
Antimicrobial activity of superoxidized water.
We tested the antimicrobial activity of superoxidized water against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. The number of bacteria was reduced below detection limit following incubation in superoxidized water for 10 s. The bactericidal activity of superoxidized water was similar to that of 80% ethanol, but superior to that of 0.1% chlorhexidine and 0.02% povidone iodine. We conclude that superoxidized water is a low cost but powerful disinfectant.
Burkholderia cepacia↗
Assessment of clinical significance of positive blood cultures of relatively low-virulence isolates.
In Omori Hospital, Toho University School of Medicine, relatively low-virulence blood isolates, including coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), enterococci and nonfermentative gram-negative rods other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa comprised c. 60% of total blood isolates. A retrospective study was conducted to assess their clinical significance by reviewing a total of 91 hospital charts. The physicians' assessments of these positive blood cultures as recorded in the charts were classified into four categories--sepsis, possible sepsis, contamination and no comment. The episodes classified as sepsis accounted for 5.0-19.6%. These episodes were also evaluated by a graded clinical significance score based on multiple factors, including number of positive cultures and clinical signs. The scores for the 91 episodes covered a wide range from 1 to 9, indicating that both contaminants and causative organisms may have been involved. The episodes judged as sepsis or possible sepsis tended to have higher scores. The scores for the episodes associated with enterococci were also higher than those involving CNS or non-fermentative gram-negative rods. The scores for episodes associated with intravenous hyperalimentation catheters were higher than those not associated with the catheters.
Bacteremia↗
[Assay of specific anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies by ELISA method. 2. studies on clinical usefulness and serological diagnostic standards].
We measured anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) specific antibody titers by means of a newly-developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method using an anti-C. pneumoniae specific antibody detection reagent. The clinical usefulness of this method was hereby evaluated. The IgG, IgA and IgM titers in 418 serum specimens obtained from patients with respiratory tract infections were measured by this new ELISA method, and the results were compared with the titers determined for the same specimens with the micro immunofluorescence (Micro-IF) method. The results showed good correlation coefficients for IgG, IgA and IgM. The two assay methods showed high agreement rates for positivity and for negativity. Specimens which did not yield the same results with the ELISA method and the Micro-IF method were subjected to analysis by the Western blot method, and the rates of agreement with the ELISA results were high. In addition, the child (0 approximately 15 yrs old; n = 122) and adult (16 approximately 90 yrs old; n = 133) cases were classified on the basis of being antigen-positive or antigen-negative at the initial examination, and their antibody-positive rates were determined. The adults showed no statistically significant differences in the antibody-positive rates for either IgG or IgA antibodies as a function of the pretreatment antigen status. However, the children showed statistically significant (p < 0.001) differences in the antibody-positive rates for both IgG and IgA antibodies as a function of the antigen status in the antigen-positive group compared with the rates in the antigen-negative group. Furthermore, the IgM-positive rates for the children were high in the antigen-positive group compared with the rates in the antigen-negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The IgM-positive rates in the adults were also significantly (p < 0.05) different between the antigen-positive group and the antigen-negative group. The Micro-IF method was applied to 34 specimens from antigen-positive patients, and 22 specimens were found to show an IgG titer of > or = 512 or an IgM titer of > or = 16. The diagnoses of these patients were acute respiratory disease in sixteen, pneumonia in four. Application of the ELISA-method to those 22 specimens showed all of them to exhibit IgG absorbance of > or = 0.6 and IgA absorbance of 0.2. The results described above indicate the clinical usefulness of our new ELISA method for the detection of antibodies specific for C. pneumoniae. The significance of this ELISA method for serological diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infections and the criteria for diagnosis of acute infections were also discussed.
Adolescent↗
Evaluation of susceptibility of gram-positive and -negative bacteria to human defensins by using radial diffusion assay.
Defensins are small cationic bactericidal peptides present abundantly in the granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Human PMNs contain four defensins termed HNP-1 to HNP-4. We used a new assay system in agar plates, the radial diffusion assay, to evaluate the effects of human defensins against gram-positive and -negative bacteria. A crude mixture of HNP-1, -2, and -3 (crude HNPs) was purified from human PMN extracts by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The different components were later separated by RP-HPLC and gel permeation chromatography. We compared the antibacterial activities of purified HNP-1, -2, and -3 against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains using the radial diffusion assay. The antibacterial activities of HNP-1 and HNP-2 against all strains tested were similar to those of the crude HNPs, but the activity of HNP-3 was less than those of the other defensins. To quantitate the activities of HNPs against different bacteria, we defined the minimal dose of crude HNPs forming a detectable clear zone around the bacteria as the minimal inhibitory dose (MID) and determined the MIDs for 10 strains of E. coli, 12 strains of P. aeruginosa, 10 strains of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, and 12 strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates, including clinical isolates. In general, the MIDs of the HNPs were similar against similar bacterial species. However, the MIDs for P. aeruginosa were higher than those for the other organisms tested. The radial diffusion assay is suitable as a screening test for measuring the susceptibilities of isolates to defensins, because it is sensitive and simple and has good reproducibility.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
DNA strand breaking by the carbon-centered radical generated from 4-(hydroxymethyl) benzenediazonium salt, a carcinogen in mushroom Agaricus bisporus.
4-(Hydroxymethyl)benzenediazonium salt (HMBD), a carcinogen in mushroom Agaricus bisporus, was found to generate a carbon-centered radical, 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl radical, during incubation at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, when estimated by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), N-tert-butylphenyl-alpha-nitrone (PBN) and 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzene sulfonate (DBNBS). Formation of a substantial amount of benzyl alcohol during incubation of HMBD in the presence of a hydrogen donor, ethanol, supported the generation of the carbon-centered radical. When plasmid supercoiled DNA was incubated with HMBD at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C for 30 min, the supercoiled DNA was converted into a nicked circular relaxed form and subsequently into a linear form. Sequence analysis indicated that the compound cleaved the plasmid DNA strand non-specifically. The intracellular double stranded DNA of Escherichia coli was fragmented by the compound, which may be responsible for its cytotoxicity. The compound induced mouse micronucleated peripheral reticulocytes. The compound was active in breaking DNA strands in the absence of molecular oxygen and in the presence of superoxide dismutase and catalase, indicating that no oxygen-derived radicals participated in the breaking. DNA breaking was inhibited by hydrogen donors butyl hydroxyanisole and ethanol, thiol compounds L-cysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol, and spin-trapping agents DMPO and PBN, indicating the direct contribution of the carbon-centered radical to the breaking.
Agaricus↗
Prevention of mortality by in vivo depletion of alpha beta T cells in murine lethal listeriosis and involvement of gamma delta T cells in bacterial elimination.
We previously demonstrated that in murine lethal listeriosis, death is mainly due to massive liver necrosis. In the present study we found that in vivo depletion of alpha beta T cells by administration of anti-TCR beta mAb (H57-597) protected recipient mice from acute mortality and converted lethal listeriosis to sublethal infection. Furthermore, our findings suggested that gamma delta T cells were not involved in the liver necrosis in this condition. After depletion of alpha beta T cells, the number of bacteria decreased gradually to the limit for their detection (10(2) CFU) in 4 wks. Depletion of both alpha beta T cells and gamma delta T cells by administration of anti-TCR beta mAb (H57-597) and anti-TCR delta mAb (3A10) resulted in increased multiplication and persistent presence of bacteria in the liver and spleen. These findings suggest that gamma delta T cells play a significant protective role during infection in mice depleted of alpha beta T cells. In these mice, gamma delta T cells appeared with a peak on day 13 in the liver and on day 20 in the lymph nodes. No increase of gamma delta T cells in the spleen was observed throughout the course of infection.
Animals↗
[Yearly changes of isolated organisms from the respiratory tract in Hokusho Central Hospital].
Isolated organisms from the respiratory tract have been studied in our hospital from 1986 to 1993. The total number of samples were 18,345 and samples which showed 10(5) cfu/ml organisms were 8648 in our hospital for 8 years. Enterobacteriacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and glucose nonfermenting gram-negative rods were major isolates in 8 years. Haemophilus influenzae, which used to be the commonest isolate, decreased from 10.9% in 1993 while Enterobacteriacae increased from 8.9% in 1986 to 17.6% in 1993. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were major isolates from out-patients consisting of 50%, followed by Enterobacteriacae, P. aeruginosa and MSSA. Enterobacteriacae and P. aeruginosa were major isolates from in-patients, followed by MRSA and beta-Streptococcus. Streptococcus agalactiae, Serratia marcescens and Corynebacterium spp. prevailed especially in the geriatric ward. S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis were major isolates from patients with pneumoconiosis, especially in winter.
Bacteria↗
[A report to 2 cases where Stenotrophomonas maltophilia with a mucoid phenotype was isolated from the sputum].
Mucoid Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated from the sputum of 2 women. Case 1 which we reported recently was primary pneumonia caused by S. maltophilia. However, in Case 2, mucoid S. maltophilia represented part of the transient flora. Interestingly, colonization of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa on respiratory tract occurred in both cases after mucoid S. maltophilia was isolated from their sputum.
Female↗
Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in infection compared with that in malignant neoplasia.
The organic symptoms and results of coagulation tests of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) in 17 patients with infection were compared with those in 12 patients with malignancy. The infectious diseases were mainly sepsis and pneumonia, and the malignancy was mainly lung cancer. The mean antithrombin III (AT III) before treatment was 54% in infection and 68% in malignancy, and the AT III values improved after administration of 1500 U of AT III concentrates per day. The mean thrombin-antithrombin complex level decreased from 22 ng/ml to 9 ng/ml after the treatment in infection, but it increased in malignancy. There were no differences in DIC scores between infection and malignancy before treatment; however, the scores were significantly more improved in infection than in malignancy after treatment (p < 0.05). The fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product level, platelet count, and fibronectin level were also significantly more improved in infection than in malignancy. This better response to treatment in infection than in malignancy is probably due to eradication of the causative organisms by antibiotics in infection. These data suggest that therapy against both DIC and the underlying disease is crucial for successful treatment.
Aged↗
[Epidemic of Salmonella enteritidis infection of childhood in the northern area of Nagasaki].
Salmonella Enteritidis infections were a local epidemic in the northern area of Nagasaki, Japan, during August to September in 1992. Out patients (142) visited our hospital because of diarrhea and-or abdominal pain and 96 patients had stool cultures and 51 patients were diagnosed as Salmonella infection. Of the 51 patients it was found that the Salmonella serogroups were 09, 07, 08 and the number of patients were 42, 8, 1, respectively. Phage type 1 was identified in all of the S. Enteritidis infected 38 patients who were examined. About 90% of the patients were under 10 years old. Namely, this Salmonella Enteritidis epidemic in childhood. The peak epidemic period was consistent with the local summer festival and the etiology of infection was thought to be caused by polluted handmade ice cream. S. enteritidis was identified from the ice cream which was also phage type 1. The latent period was 87 hrs.
Child↗
Trends in antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Japan.
A total of 184 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were recovered from the sputa of patients over a 5-year period in the Nagasaki area and were examined. A total of 30 strains were resistant to penicillin (MIC, > or = 0.10 micrograms/ml), 13 of which belonged to serotype 19B. These strains showed decreased susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents. Vancomycin, cefpirome, and imipenem were the most active agents tested.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of clinically and environmentally isolated Cryptococcus neoformans in Nagasaki.
We examined clinical (pulmonary cryptococcosis and cryptococcal meningitis) and environmental (pigeon excreta) isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans (serotype A) in the southern Japanese prefecture of Nagasaki. The random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles obtained by using three primers revealed six patterns among 21 clinical isolates and three patterns among 8 environmental isolates. Pattern I was the most common (18 of 29 isolates) and was found among isolates obtained throughout the entire Nagasaki Prefecture. Patterns I, III, and IV were found among both clinical and environmental isolates. Patterns I and IV had a characteristic distribution, and in particular, pattern IV was isolated exclusively (five of six isolates) from isolates from Nagasaki City. Two environmental isolates from two locations associated strongly with two patients revealed identical random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns (patterns I and IV) for isolates from each patient. Our results suggest that clinical and environmental isolates belong to the same pool of C. neoformans isolates and that these isolates have certain geographic locations, although the number of isolated strains was limited.
Adolescent↗
[Food poisoning outbreak caused by Salmonella Enteritidis in the northwest of São Paulo State, Brazil].
A foodborne outbreak which affected 211 persons occurred, in a School, in 1993. The epidemiological data obtained by interviewing the affected and non affected persons sampled showed as predominant symptoms: diarrhoea, fever (77.7%), abdominal cramps (67.7%), vomiting (65.8%), hot-and-cold sensations (54.5%) and headache (44.5%). The median incubation period was of 17 hours, the limits being 3 and 29 hours. The disease period was of from 3 to 4 days. The food concerned was a kind of paté, a mayonnaise mixture prepared with fresh eggs with boiled potatoes that was consumed with bread. The biological material analysis-3 coprocultures, and leftovers of the food revealed the presence of one and the same organism: Salmonella Enteritidis. In the food, the numbers of this bacterium per gram were sufficient to account for the manifestation of the disease (10(4) and 10(5)g). The antibiogram of all th isolates showed the same sensibility pattern. The preparation related to this outbreak suggests the endogenous contamination of the eggs; the cross contamination-the outbreak affected three school periods, as the food was prepared separately for each school period; and the conditions under which the food was kept during the time from preparation to consumption. The observation of the 3 food handlers, by successive coprocultures, for one week, indicates that they were not asymptomatic carriers nor were they affected as a result of this outbreak by the causal bacteria.
Adolescent↗
Experimental and clinical studies of sparfloxacin in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
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Animals↗