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R J Courcol

Publications and source records attributed to R J Courcol.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Routine evaluation of the nonradiometric BACTEC NR 660 system.

The present study compares the sensitivity, accuracy, and practicability of a nonradiometric blood culture system with those of the standard blood culture system in use in our laboratory. A total of 1,080 sets of four blood cultures bottles were compared, giving 143 positive aerobic-medium associations and 139 positive anaerobic-medium associations. The conventional system recovered 171 isolates, whereas the BACTEC NR 660 system (Johnston Laboratories, Towson, Md.) recovered 155 isolated. There were no significant differences in total isolates with either system (P more than 0.05). The BACTEC NR 660 system recovered a slightly lower number of Serratia marcescens and Streptococcus faecalis but a higher number of Pneumococcus spp. The mean detection times were 55.9 h with the conventional system and 31.6 h with the BACTEC NR 660 system (P less than 0.001). Our results demonstrate that the BACTEC NR 660 system is suitable for routine use.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed1985

Pharmacokinetics of dibekacin in children with cystic fibrosis.

Dosages and pharmacokinetics of dibekacin were studied in a group of 15 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a control group of 9 children. The mean dosage regimens of dibekacin were respectively equal to 2.19 mg/kg and 2.16 mg/kg in the CF and non-CF patients. The mean peak serum values for the CF and non-CF groups were respectively equal to 5.3 micrograms/ml. Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters (i.e. half-life, distribution volume, total body clearance and area under the curve) showed no significant difference between the two groups (p greater than 0.05).

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗
PubMed1984

Presence of alveolar macrophages as a criterion for determining the suitability of sputum specimens for bacterial culture.

The microscopic and bacteriological findings in paired saliva and sputum specimens from 66 patients with chronic bronchitis were compared in order to determine whether the presence of alveolar macrophages is a valid criterion for determining the suitability of a sputum specimen for bacterial culture. Alveolar macrophages were mainly present in sputum specimens, the culture results of which differed from the culture results of the matching saliva specimen (p less than 0.001). Sputum specimens containing alveolar macrophages appeared to be contaminated less with oropharyngeal flora than specimens which did not contain alveolar macrophages. Potential pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were isolated only from sputum specimens containing alveolar macrophages. It is concluded that the presence of alveolar macrophages indicates that sputum originates from the lower respiratory tract. The results also showed that the presence of leukocytes in sputum may be considered significant if alveolar macrophages are also present.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1984

Amikacin assay: correlation between rapid bioassay, enzyme immuno-assay (EMIT) and fluoro-immuno-assay (FIA).

Three methods (rapid bioassay, enzyme immunoassay and fluoroimmunoassay) for the determination of amikacin level in serum are compared. The statistical analysis of the results show correlation coefficients equal to 0.967 (EMIT versus FIA), 0.970 (bioassay versus FIA) and 0.983 (bioassay versus EMIT). The three methods are acceptable for routine clinical use. The enzyme immunoassay adapted on a centrifugal analyzer appears to be a method of choice for laboratories with a large workload. However, the rapid bioassay described in this paper remains adequate for laboratories testing 5 to 10 sera per day.

Amikacin↗
PubMed1983

Automated reading of a microtitre plate: preliminary evaluation in antimicrobial susceptibility tests and Enterobacteriaceae identification.

An automated microELISA Reader was evaluated for its ability to read and interpret microtitre plates. A total of 309 microtitre plates were investigated by automated and visual methods. There was disagreement between the methods in one hundred and twelve (0.6%) wells. However agreements between the two methods for susceptibility tests and Enterobacteriaceae identification were respectively 98.8% and 89.3%.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

A microcomputer system for clinical bacteriology: experience of 12 months' trial.

A data processing system using microcomputers was developed in a hospital bacteriology laboratory processing more than 60 000 specimens yearly. The purchase price of the hardware was frs 200 000 (17 500 pounds) and the software was written by the authors. The system has been running since May 1980 without general breakdown. The present configuration allows the processing of specimens, enquiries, scientific and administrative tasks but multiprogramming and cumulative reports are not possible.

Bacteriology↗
PubMed1982

Quantitative bacteriological analysis of amniotic fluid.

Quantitative bacteriological analysis of amniotic fluid (AF) was performed on 60 fluid samples collected by catheter from 50 selected labor patients regarded as liable to infection. AF cultures were positive in 52 cases. The bacterial colony counts ranged from less than 10(2) colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter to 10(9) CFU/ml. Pathogenic bacteria in neonates such as group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes were encountered with numerations equal to or greater than 10(7) CFU/ml in groups with clinical findings. An excellent correlation was noted between bacterial counts in AF and clinical data (p less than 0.00006). The results confirm that the quantitative bacteria analysis of the AF is a useful tool for evaluation of an infection risk for neonates.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1982

Comparison of the MIC 2000 enteric media with API 20 E and conventional methods for identification of Enterobacteriaceae.

By using MIC 2000 Enteric Identification Media the identification of Enterobacteriaceae was evaluated. 421 strains of Enterobacteriaceae belonging to 23 taxa were identified by MIC 2000, and the conventional method API 20 E, respectively. The results obtained are almost identical, i.e. 96.2% and 96.7%. Besides, the results showed no statistical difference between the two miniaturized systems (p greater than 0.1). The MIC 2000 Enteric Media are capable of identifying the majority of Enterobacteriaceae with a reasonable degree of reliability. This system appears to be efficient and flexible. It is convenient to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of the tested strain on the same microplate.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spondylodiscitis due to Salmonella enteritica serotype Typhi].

We reported a case of lombar spondylodiscitis caused by Salmonella enteritica serotype Typhi in an immunocompetent patient. Salmonella is a rare causative agent of spondylodiscitis. Early bacteriological diagnosis is essential to avoid longterm sequelae.

C-Reactive Protein↗