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Biomedical subjects

S Faro

Publications and source records attributed to S Faro.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Piperacillin and tazobactam versus clindamycin and gentamicin in the treatment of hospitalized women with pelvic infection. The Piperacillin/tazobactam Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a combination of piperacillin and tazobactam with that of clindamycin and gentamicin in the treatment of hospitalized women with infections of the upper genital tract. METHODS: This was a randomized open-label trial in hospitalized women with infections of the upper genital tract. Patients were recruited at 12 hospitals in the United States and two hospitals in Canada and were randomly assigned to one of two regimens in a 2:1 ratio. One group received piperacillin, 3 g every 6 hours, and tazobactam, 375 mg every 6 hours; the other group received clindamycin, 900 mg every 8 hours, and gentamicin, 2.5-5.0 mg/kg/day in three divided doses. Therapy with the assigned regimen was to be administered for a minimum of 3 days. Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were obtained from the site of infection before initiation of therapy. Cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis were also obtained from patients with endometritis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Subjects were evaluated for clinical and bacteriologic response at 24-72 hours and 2-4 weeks after completing therapy. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-nine patients were enrolled; 196 were in the piperacillin-tazobactam group and 103 were in the clindamycin-gentamicin group. The most common diagnoses were endometritis (146) and pelvic inflammatory disease (115). The most common microorganisms recovered included: Peptostreptococcus sp (99), Prevotella sp (87), black pigmented Bacteroides (29), B fragilis (11), enterococci (64), group B streptococcus (26), Escherichia coli (31), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (49), and C trachomatis (19). A favorable clinical response occurred in 84.7% (166 of 196) of piperacillin-tazobactam patients and 87.3% (90 of 103) of clindamycin-gentamicin patients. Among those evaluable for bacteriologic response, 78% (67 of 86) and 82% (23 of 28), respectively, had a favorable response. Diarrhea occurred significantly more frequently in the piperacillin-tazobactam group (9.7 versus 2.9%; P = .04), but the majority of episodes were mild to moderate. None of the adverse experiences in either treatment group were considered life-threatening and drug-related. CONCLUSION: The combination of piperacillin and tazobactam is an effective and well-tolerated antibiotic regimen for the treatment of infections of the upper genital tract in women.

Bacterial Infections↗

Vaginal flora and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Forty-one patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease were evaluated for the coexistence of bacterial vaginosis. Because all patients had a copious purulent vaginal discharge, microscopic criteria could not be used and microbiologic criteria were employed. The vaginal bacterial flora were not consistent with that of bacterial vaginosis, because Lactobacillus and other gram-positive bacteria dominated with colony counts of 10(3) to 10(5) cfu/ml (colony-forming units per milliliter). Endocervical specimens yielded Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 20 patients and Chlamydia trachomatis from 11 patients. Anaerobes were not dominant in any site sampled. A total of 147 bacteria were isolated from the endometrium, 16 (11%) of which were anaerobes. Thus the endogenous bacterial flora were not consistent with that of the microbiologic definition of bacterial vaginosis. N. gonorrhoeae was the most common isolate from the endocervix and endometrium; it was isolated three times more frequently from the endocervix and two times more frequently from the endometrium than was C. trachomatis.

Adolescent↗

Pelvic inflammatory disease. Current diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common infection in women of reproductive age. PID is actually a spectrum of disease, beginning with cervicitis and progressing to endometritis and eventually salpingitis. Sequelae include ectopic pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, hydrosalpinx, and tubo-ovarian abscess. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are the primary causes of PID. Chlamydial infection may be asymptomatic, and the resulting salpingitis is often referred to as "silent PID." Polymicrobial infection with other organisms (eg, anaerobes, facultative aerobes) may be initiated by gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, or both. Early recognition of infection, prompt institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy, and proper follow-up are important to prevent the sequelae of PID. Patient education is essential to reduce the incidence of PID.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Viruses, bacteria, and protozoans in pregnancy: a sample of each.

This article only touches the surface of a very broad subject. As mentioned before, the microorganisms covered were chosen with the practitioner in mind. The reader will note that many of the syndromes discussed have subtle presentations with overlapping symptomatology or essentially no symptoms at all. Clinicians therefore must maintain a high degree of suspicion when faced with such infectious complications of pregnancy.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗

Multicenter randomized trial of ofloxacin versus cefoxitin and doxycycline in outpatient treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Ambulatory PID Research Group.

A multicenter randomized comparative trial was done to assess the safety and efficacy of oral ofloxacin (400 mg twice daily for 10 days) versus cefoxitin (2 g intramuscularly) followed by doxycycline (100 mg twice daily orally for 10 days) for the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) grew on pretreatment endocervical cultures from 43 of 268 women (16%), and in 30 of 247 women (12%) cultures were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Ninety-five percent (122/128) of the women treated with the ofloxacin regimen and 93% (112/121) of those treated with the cefoxitin/doxycycline regimen had cure or improvement on examination at a minimum of one follow-up visit. All GC species were eradicated by both ofloxacin and cefoxitin. Among women who returned for follow-up, the eradication of C trachomatis was 88% (15/17) for the cefoxitin/doxycycline group and 100% (18/18) for ofloxacin. Side effects were more prevalent in the cefoxitin/doxycycline group (15%) than in the ofloxacin group (7%), nausea/vomiting being the most frequent adverse effect. In this study, it appears that ofloxacin and cefoxitin/doxycycline have similar clinical effectiveness for the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease.

Adolescent↗

Ectopic pregnancy with undetectable serum and urine beta-hCG levels and detection of beta-hCG in the ectopic trophoblast by immunocytochemical evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancies associated with negative urine or serum pregnancy test by radioimmunoassay usually demonstrate either nonviable trophoblast or absent production of beta-hCG by the ectopic pregnancy. CASE: We report a patient with intra-abdominal hemorrhage caused by a ruptured ampullary ectopic pregnancy who had undetectable serum and urine beta-hCG levels (less than 5 mIU/mL). Immunoperoxidase staining of the ectopic trophoblastic tissue obtained at surgery revealed both beta-hCG and placental alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSION: Negative serum and urine pregnancy tests can occur even though beta-hCG produced by the viable ectopic trophoblastic tissue can be demonstrated by immunoperoxidase staining.

Adult↗

Female genital tract abscess formation in the rat. Use of pathogens including enterococci.

Previous animal experiments utilizing bowel flora have demonstrated synergy between various aerobes and anaerobes in the formation of intraabdominal abscesses. In these experiments, human female genital tract isolates were inserted into the abdominal and pelvic cavities of 151 female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inoculation with any single species of organism--Streptococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae or Bacteroides bivius or a combination of two facultative organisms (S faecalis plus E cloacae)--did not result in a significant increase in abscess formation. Combination of a facultative organism or organisms with the anaerobe B bivius or S faecalis plus B bivius plus E cloacae resulted in 55% (P < .01) and 74% (P < .0005) rates of abscess formation, respectively, as compared with controls. Combinations including B fragilis demonstrated similar results. Thus, female genital tract facultative organisms demonstrate synergy in the presence of anaerobic organisms in the development of abscesses.

Abscess↗

Prevalence of beta-lactamase enzyme production in bacteria isolated from women with postpartum endometritis.

One hundred eighty-four postpartum patients with the diagnosis of endomyometritis underwent intrauterine culturing. Beta-Lactamase production was tested using nitrocephin-impregnated discs in 278 bacterial isolates from patients with postpartum endometritis. beta-Lactamase production was found to be present in 149 of 278 (54%) isolates tested: 0 of 39 Streptococcus faecalis (0%), 22 of 41 Escherichia coli (54%), 66 of 68 Bacteroides bivius (97%), 0 of 13 Proteus mirabilis (0%) and 15 of 42 Staphylococcus epidermidis (36%). Anaerobes, as a group, had the highest rate of beta-lactamase production, 94 of 102 (93%), followed by gram negatives, 34 of 84 (40%), then gram positives, 21 of 91 (23%). However, it was the beta-lactamase produced by the gram-negative bacteria that was most responsive to the addition of a beta-lactamase inhibitor. The frequent isolation of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria from patients with postpartum endometritis raises concern about the use of antibiotics not resistant to these enzymes. Therefore, antibiotics combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor may have potential as single-agent therapy in obstetric and gynecologic infections.

Ampicillin↗

The microbiology of post-cesarean wound morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microbiology of wound morbidity following cesarean deliveries. METHODS: Nine hundred thirty-nine wounds in post-cesarean patients were followed prospectively. Aspirates from the abdominal incision were collected if the wounds developed erythema, induration, or pain and had demonstrable fluid collection noted on ultrasound. Cultures were also obtained of wound exudates when there was spontaneous separation of the skin. Gram stains were performed concomitantly with culture. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of post-cesarean wound morbidity between September 1990 and June 1991 was 6.9% (65 of 939), and the rate of culture-positive wounds was 72% (47 of 65). Ureaplasma urealyticum was the most frequent isolate at a rate of 62% (29 of 47), followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci at 32% (15 of 47) and Enterococcus faecalis at 28% (13 of 47). Gram stains of the exudates obtained were used to predict microbiologic results. Organisms present on Gram stain yielded a sensitivity of 0.55, specificity of 1.0, positive predictive value of 1.0, and negative predictive value of 0.71 when used to predict positive culture results for bacterial wound infection other than with genital mycoplasmas. White blood cell counts greater than ten per 400x high-power fields yielded a sensitivity of 0.83, specificity of 0.72, positive predictive value of 0.89, and negative predictive value of 0.62 when used to predict wound infection including genital mycoplasmas. CONCLUSIONS: Genital mycoplasmas are the most prevalent bacterium in post-cesarean wound infections in this population. If genital mycoplasmas are pathogenic in this setting, then the Gram stain may be useful in predicting wound microbiology. More research is needed on the pathogenic role of genital mycoplasmas in wound infections.

Adult↗

New considerations in treatment of urinary tract infections in adults.

Urinary tract infections remain some of the most common infections observed in community- and hospital-based practices. Although most infections continue to be caused by enteric bacteria, a growing proportion of these infections are caused by pathogens often associated with sexually transmitted diseases, including those of nonbacterial and viral etiologies. Consequently, multiresistant strains have become more prevalent, and the clinician must respond with a rational approach to therapy, based on the selection of an effective and well-tolerated antibiotic. The emergence of the newer antibiotic classes, including the second and third-generation cephalosporins and the fluoroquinolones, has provided the clinician with agents that offer a broad spectrum of activity, good patient acceptance, a well-tolerated safety profile, and convenient dosage regimens due to their unique pharmacokinetic profiles. These drugs may be effective in single- or multiple-dose regimens, depending on the condition being treated, and these should be considered important drugs in the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated adult urinary tract infections.

Adult↗

Prevalence of active Chlamydia trachomatis infection at the time of exploratory laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy.

Cultures of the fallopian tube, cul-de-sac, and cervix were obtained from 50 patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia trachomatis was cultured from the cervix in four patients (8%). All the cultures from the fallopian tube or cul-de-sac were negative. Immunofluorescent stain of deparaffinized cross-sections of fallopian tube at the site of tubal involvement with the ectopic pregnancy failed to reveal any C trachomatis inclusions.

Adolescent↗

Pelvic inflammatory disease. Key treatment issues and options.

OBJECTIVE: --To examine available data regarding optimal antimicrobial therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and to address selected treatment issues confronting clinicians caring for women with PID. DATA SOURCES: --Studies evaluated to help establish the Centers for Disease Control's 1989 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines and other reports published since 1985. A MEDLINE search of English-language literature was conducted using the indexing terms "pelvic inflammatory disease" or "pelvic infections" or "salpingitis" and "treatment". In addition, abstracts and bibliographies of articles and books were reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: --Studies were selected for detailed review if they evaluated the effectiveness of an antimicrobial regimen for treatment of PID. DATA EXTRACTION: --All studies were evaluated to determine the numbers of women treated and the percentage with clinical or microbiologic evidence of cure. DATA SYNTHESIS: --A variety of combination antimicrobial regimens are highly effective in providing clinical and microbiologic evidence of cure; few data are available to assess optimal therapy for prevention of late sequelae. Because PID is polymicrobial in cause, recommended antimicrobial regimens are broad-spectrum in coverage. CONCLUSIONS: --No single agent that provides sufficient coverage is currently available. Several combination regimens appear highly effective clinically even among women with tubo-ovarian abscess formation. Uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy for prevention of late sequelae complicate decisions regarding the choice among regimens and the appropriateness of ambulatory treatment of women with PID. Pending better data, hospitalization should be strongly considered, where feasible, particularly for those women with PID desiring further childbearing. Sex partners of all women with PID should be treated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Chlamydia trachomatis: female pelvic infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterium that causes both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection. This infection has been associated with severe infections of the upper genital tract, such as salpingitis, which may be responsible for a significant number of cases of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. An unsettled question is the role of C. trachomatis in pregnant patients. In addition to causing cervicitis, it has been linked to chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes, and premature delivery. However, chlamydial infection is an easily treatable disease. The main focus of prevention is appropriate prescreening of patients at risk.

Chlamydia Infections↗

Effectiveness of ofloxacin in the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae cervical infection.

Forty patients with cervical infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis were treated with ofloxacin (20) or doxycycline (20). Ofloxacin was successful in eradicating C. trachomatis from all 20 (100%) patients. Doxycycline was effective in 18 of 20 (90%) patients. Three patients had a concomitant cervical gonococcal infection. All three were successfully treated: one with ofloxacin and two with doxycycline. Ofloxacin, 300 mg, taken twice daily for 7 days, is effective in eradicating endocervical C. trachomatis infection.

Adolescent↗

Susceptibility of female pelvic pathogens to oral antibiotic agents in patients who develop postpartum endometritis.

Fifteen hundred patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized study on the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis during cesarean section. Two hundred thirty-one patients developed postpartum endometritis, and the isolates obtained from the endometrium were tested for sensitivity to ampicillin, cefuroxime, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50% and 90% of ampicillin, cefuroxime, and clindamycin were similar to previously reported values; however, slight differences were noted in the activity of the two quinolones to common pelvic isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 90% of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin to 119 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis were 4.0 and 2.0, to 17 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus 1.0 and 0.5, to 39 isolates of Escherichia coli 0.5 and 1.0, to 46 isolates of Bacteroides bivius 4.0 and 8.0, to 57 isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis 1.0 and 2.0, to 71 isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis 0.5 and 0.5, to 16 isolates of Proteus mirabilis 0.25 and 0.12, and to 50 isolates of Lactobacillus species 32.0 and 8.0 micrograms/ml, respectively. In summary, the quinolones have activity comparable with a variety of other oral agents versus female pelvic pathogens, with the quinolones ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin having better activity against most of the gram-negative isolates. Anaerobic activities were comparable with the beta-lactams, but inferior to clindamycin and metronidazole as expected.

Administration, Oral↗

Ciprofloxacin versus gentamicin/clindamycin for postpartum endometritis.

An open, randomized, comparative study of intravenous ciprofloxacin versus gentamicin and clindamycin was performed on women with postpartum endometritis. Ciprofloxacin alone successfully eradicated the infections in 35 of 49 patients (71%), while the combination of gentamicin/clindamycin cured 41 of 48 (85%) (P = .15). The microbiology and antibiotic sensitivity of the endometrial isolates confirmed the poor activity of ciprofloxacin against anaerobic bacteria and less-than-optimal activity against Streptococcus faecalis. Ciprofloxacin, when used alone, may not be suitable for the treatment of postpartum endometritis.

Adolescent↗