Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R B Sykes.
Type IIIa beta-lactamase (TEM beta-lactamase) was "periplasmic" in Escherichia coli K-12 regardless of whether its gene was chromosomal or carried on an R factor.
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An R factor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which confers resistance to penicillins, kanamycin, and tetracycline, was studied in Escherichia coli K-12. The R factor could coexist with F-like or I-like plasmids and therefore constituted a novel compatibility group. The R factor was transferable from E. coli to bacterial genera outside the Enterobacteriaceae (Pseudomonas and members of the Rhizobiaceae) to which transfer of F-like and I-like plasmids could not be demonstrated.
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Examination of the substrate profile of a number of beta-lactamases synthesized by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has shown the presence of at least two distinct types of enzyme, one of which is more active against carbenicillin than against benzyl penicillin.
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A novel procedure designed to detect naturally occurring beta-lactam-containing molecules led to isolation of the monobactams - structurally unique, bacterially produced, monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotics. Although none of these monobactams exhibited impressive antimicrobial activity, side-chain variation - as with the penicillins and cephalosporins - resulted in potently active compounds. Aztreonam was chosen from hundreds of compounds for extended laboratory studies. In addition to a unique chemical structure, aztreonam has biologic properties that are unique in comparison with those of the classical penicillins and cephalosporins. Aztreonam is relatively inactive against gram-positive bacteria and anaerobes but is extremely effective against aerobic gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The drug is highly resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis by beta-lactamases, particularly those known to be mediated by R plasmids, and is a poor inducer of chromosomal beta-lactamases. In the majority of drug combinations tested, aztreonam exhibits additive or synergistic activity. In a series of animal-model infections, the drug showed a high degree of efficacy that was consistent with findings in studies in vitro. In a hamster model for Clostridium difficile-induced pseudomembranous colitis, aztreonam did not induce any significant changes.
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