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PubMed1992

[Synergistic action of cefodizime and other antimicrobial agents on clinically isolated microorganisms. IV. Synergistic action with dibekacin].

Antimicrobial activities of cefodizime (CDZM) in combination with dibekacin (DKB) were studied in vitro against clinically isolated Gram-negative rods. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Similarly to combinations of CDZM+sisomicin (SISO) and CDZM+gentamicin (GM), combined activities of CDZM and DKB were dependent on antimicrobial activities of DKB, and the combined activities were more strongly dependent on DKB concentrations than on CDZM concentrations. The obtained results suggested that synergistic or cooperative antimicrobial activities of the combination would be expected when DKB concentrations in blood are at or somewhat lower than 1 MIC, and that clinical activities would be exerted regardless of the presence of CDZM resistant organisms, similarly to CDZM+GM combination. 2. As we have suggested previously, it seems possible that, with regard to combinations of beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycoside antibiotics, there exist universal rules that combined activities are dependent on activities of aminoglycoside antibiotics, and that stronger concentration dependencies on aminoglycosides would be observed than those on beta-lactams.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2005

Removal of disinfection by-products formation potential by biologically intensified process.

The removal of disinfection by-products formation potential (DBPFP) in artificially intensified biological activated carbon (IBAC) process which is developed on the basis of traditional ozone granular activated carbon was evaluated. By IBAC removals of 31% and 68% for THMFP and HAAFP were obtained respectively. Under identical conditions, the removals of the same substances were 4% and 32% respectively only by the granular activated carbon (GAC) process. Compared with GAC, the high removal rates of the two formed potential substances were due to the increasing of bioactivity of the media and the synergistic capabilities of biological degradation cooperating with lactivated carbon adsorption of organic compounds. A clear linear correlation (R2 = 0.9562 and R2 = 0.9007) between DOC HAAFP removal rate and Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT) of IBAC process was observed, while that between THMFP removal rate and EBCT of GAC was R2 = 0.9782. In addition certain linear correlations between THMFP, HAAFP and UV254 (R2 = 0.855 and R2 = 0.7702) were found for the treated water. For IBAC process there are also more advantages such as long backwashing cycle time, low backwashing intensity and prolonging activated carbon lifetime and so on.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Broad-spectrum microbicidal activity, toxicologic assessment, and materials compatibility of a new generation of accelerated hydrogen peroxide-based environmental surface disinfectant.

BACKGROUND: Concerns on human and environmental safety and label claims of many microbicides point to the need for safer, faster acting, and broad-spectrum substitutes. ACCEL TB, a 0.5% accelerated H(2)O(2) (AHP)-based disinfectant described here, is a potential candidate. METHODS: ACCEL TB was tested for its broad-spectrum microbicidal activity, safety and materials compatibility using internationally accepted protocols. Activity against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella choleraesuis) was tested with the AOAC use-dilution method and the first tier of a quantitative carrier test (QCT-1). Mycobactericidal activity was tested against Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium terrae using a quantitative suspension test (QST) and QCT-1, respectively. Fungicidal activity (Trichophyton mentagrophytes) was determined with the AOAC test and QCT-1. Activity against several enveloped and nonenveloped viruses was evaluated using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) method No. E-1053. Sanitizing action was tested against 7 types of vegetative bacteria with method No. DIS/TSS-10. All microbicidal tests contained an added soil load; in all AOAC tests, it was 5% fetal bovine serum, and, in QCT-1, a mixture of 3 types of proteins in phosphate buffer was used instead. The methods to test for acute oral, dermal, inhalation toxicities, and dermal and eye irritation as well as skin sensitization complied with the requirements of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the US Environmental Protection Agency (OPPTS 870). Standard methods were also used to test compatibility with metals and plastics. RESULTS: At 20 degrees C, the full-strength product was bactericidal and virucidal in 1 minute and mycobactericidal and fungicidal in 5 minutes. It was nonirritating to skin and eyes. The acute oral LD(50) (lethal dose 50%) was >5000 mg/kg. It was compatible with 12 types of plastic and 3 out of 4 metals. CONCLUSION: The tested formulation showed a high safety and materials compatibility profile in addition to being a fast acting, intermediate-level disinfectant.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Dynamical transition and proteinquake in photoactive yellow protein.

Conformational dynamics in protein functioning covers a wide range of time scales from nanosecond fluctuations around a conformation to the large-amplitude conformational changes of milliseconds or longer. We illustrate a picture of cooperative coupling among such motions of different time scales in a model protein, photoactive yellow protein, by proposing a model that can consistently explain the experimental results on the photocycle of photoactive yellow protein. The model provides a scenario in which the global collective motion induced by the unfolding of the N-terminal domain promotes the loosening of the atomistic packing around the chromophore, which produces the favorable molecular environment for the photoexcited chromophore, thereby stabilizing the partially unfolded intermediate in the photocycle. The proteinquake, the large conformational change triggered by the local structural disturbance, plays a decisive role in controlling the kinetics of functioning.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2004

Sustainable sludge management in developing countries.

Worldwide, unsanitary conditions are responsible for more than three million deaths annually. One of the reasons is the low level of sanitation in developing countries. Particularly, sludge from these regions has a high parasite concentration and low heavy metal content even though the available information is limited. Different issues needed to achieve a sustainable sludge management in developing nations are analysed. Based on this analysis some conclusions arise: sludge management plays an important role in sanitation programs by helping reduce health problems and associated risks; investments in sanitation should consider sludge management within the overall projects; the main restriction for reusing sludge is the high microbial concentration, which requires a science-based decision on the treatment process, while heavy metals are generally low; adequate sludge management needs the commitment of those sectors involved in the development and enforcement of the regulations as well as those that are directly related to its generation, treatment, reuse or disposal; current regulations have followed different approaches, based mainly on local conditions, but they favour sludge reuse to fight problems like soil degradation, reduced crop production, and the increased use of inorganic fertilizers. This paper summarises an overview of these issues.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2001

Volatilization of mercury by immobilized bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae) in different support by using fluidized bed bioreactor.

Klebsiella pneumoniae, a mercury-resistant bacterial strain able to reduce ionic mercury to metallic mercury, was isolated from wastewater of Casablanca. This strain exhibits high minimal inhibition concentrations for heavy metals such as mercury 2400 microM, lead 8000 microM, silver 2400 microM, and cadmium 1000 microM. This bacterium was immobilized in alginate, polyacrylamide, vermiculite, and cooper beech and was used for removing mercury from a synthetic water polluted by mercury by using a fluidized bead bioreactor. Immobilized bacterial cells of Klebsiella pneumoniae could effectively volatilize mercury and detoxify mercury compounds. Moreover, the efficiency of mercury volatilization was much greater than with the native cells. The highest cleanup and volatilization rates were obtained when Klebsiella pneumoniae was entrapped in alginate beads, with a cleanup rate of 100% and a volatilization rate of 89%. Immobilized cells in alginate continuously volatilized mercury even after 10 days without loss of activity.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2025

Rv2741 Promotes Mycobacterium Survival by Modulating Macrophage Function via the IL-1α-MAPK Axis.

One of the primary healthcare problems in the world today is tuberculosis (TB), a chronic infectious illness brought on by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). A distinct family of PE_PGRS proteins, encoded by the M. tuberculosis genome, has attracted more attention because of their involvement in immune evasion and bacterial pathogenicity. Nevertheless, the specific functions and mechanisms of action for the majority of PE_PGRS proteins remain largely unexplored. This study focuses on the Rv2741 (PE_PGRS47) gene, which is exclusively present in pathogenic mycobacteria. To examine the function of Rv2741 in host-pathogen interactions, we created recombinant strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) that expressed the M. tuberculosis Rv2741 gene. IL-1α was found to be a key mediator of host response modulation by Rv2741. Rv2741 downregulates the secretion of IL-1α and inhibits the MAPK signaling pathway, particularly the p38 and ERK1/2 pathways, thereby cooperatively inhibiting macrophage autophagy and apoptosis. Meanwhile, the decrease in IL-1α secretion directly leads to changes in the cytokine secretion pattern and a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production. This multifaceted regulatory mechanism ultimately favors the survival of M. smegmatis in macrophages. This research significantly expands our understanding of Rv2741 function, revealing its crucial role as a multifunctional virulence factor in the immune evasion of M. tuberculosis.

Interleukin-1alpha↗
PubMed2002

Aerobic biodegradation of aliphatic polyethoxylates: an 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy investigation.

Aerobic biodegradation tests of three blends representative of the most commonly marketed aliphatic alcohol polyethoxylates (AE) and a commercial polyethylene glycols (PEG) mixture were run under standard test conditions (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, France [OECD] 301 E protocol). The test liquors were investigated using a 400-MHz proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectrometer in order to elucidate the biodegradation mechanism. Diagnostic signals for both linear and branched AE homologs were identified by bidimensional homocorrelated spectroscopy (COSY) and by double quantum filter correlated spectroscopy (DQFCOSY). The 1H-NMR allowed individually monitoring the fate of the alkyl and polyethoxyl fragments of the parent compounds and distinguishing between oxidative and nonoxidative polyethoxyl depolymerization, which could not be performed by other reported techniques such as high-peformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or mass spectrometry (MS) or FAB spectroscopy. The AE biodegradation time profiles showed that under the test conditions, both alkyl and polyethoxyl chains of the linear and oxo-AE were biodegraded quite readily. The removal of the multibranched AE was slower when compared to that of linear and oxo-AE, while PEG exhibited a time profile characterized by a biodegradation rate significantly slower than that of PEG released by the microbial attack of linear and oxo-AE. In the case of linear AE, the alkyl chain was biodegraded much faster than the polyethoxyl chain, while in the case of oxo- and multibranched AE, both the alkyl and the polyethoxyl chains were biodegraded at similar rates.

Alcohols↗
PubMed2000

Occurrence of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in Norwegian pork products determined by a PCR method and a traditional culturing method.

From October 1997 to April 1998, a survey was conducted to assess the occurrence of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in Norwegian pork products, using a traditional culturing method and a PCR assay. A total of 300 pork samples was examined. Five slaughterhouses in the Norwegian Meat Cooperative were represented with 249 samples and another 51 samples were obtained from retail outlets in the city of Oslo. Using the NMKL method, Y. enterocolitica 0:3 was isolated from six (2%) of the samples, while the PCR method indicated presence of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in 50 (17%) of the samples. The results indicate that a reduction has occurred in the prevalence of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in Norwegian pork products, as compared to a previous Norwegian study conducted in 1988-1989. The study also highlights the need for further development and improvement of methods applied for the detection of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in foods.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis and treatment following bone marrow transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the bone marrow transplant (BMT) population and update the current methods of prevention and treatment of CMV infection and disease, with emphasis on CMV interstitial pneumonia (CMV-IP). DATA SOURCES: The current medical literature, including abstracts presented at recent national and international meetings, is reviewed. References were identified by searching the MEDLINE database from January 1988 through June 1994. The reference lists of the published studies and reviews obtained from the initial literature search were reviewed as well. STUDY SELECTION: Data regarding the epidemiology of CMV, the risk factor associated with CMV infection and disease, as well as data on the prevention and the treatment of CMV infection and disease in the BMT population are cited. Specific attention was focused on randomized, placebo-controlled studies pertaining to the prevention of CMV infection and disease in CMV-immunoglobulin G positive recipients undergoing allogeneic BMT. Information from nonrandomized, placebo-controlled studies was included in the absence of stronger data. DATA EXTRACTION: Information contributing to CMV in the BMT population was reviewed. Data supporting and disputing specific preventive and treatment modalities are presented. DATA SYNTHESIS: The incidence of CMV seropositivity in the general population is high and while BMT becomes a widely accepted treatment modality, CMV reactivation and subsequent disease, especially CMV-IP, becomes a significant prognostic factor of morbidity and mortality. Even though antiviral agents such as ganciclovir and foscarnet can inhibit the viral replication in vivo, they have not been able to treat CMV-IP effectively. It has been suggested that CMV-IP is an immunopathologic process that can cause irreversible damage, hence, the low efficacy of antiviral therapy and the associated high mortality. Immunomodulating agents such as intravenous immune globulin and cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin can increase the efficacy of antivirals in the treatment of CMV-IP. This further supports the postulated immunopathologic process of this disease. The lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease compromised the efforts of treatment and led to the development of preventive interventions with antiviral and immunomodulatory regimens that resulted in a significantly lower incidence of infection and disease. As a result of current data, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group has published guidelines for the prevention and treatment of CMV infection and disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of CMV disease in the BMT recipients has improved as a result of a wide variety of modifications in the management of BMT recipients. These include an increased understanding of the risk factors associated with CMV infection, routine screening for CMV replication and excretion, and more effective prophylactic regimens. Still, more than half of the patients who develop pneumonia will die, indicating that more studies are needed to increase the understanding of the pathophysiology and refine the preventive and therapeutic regimens against CMV.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1984

Poly-L-arginine and an N-formylated chemotactic peptide act synergistically with lectins and calcium ionophore to induce intense chemiluminescence and superoxide production in human blood leukocytes. Modulation by metabolic inhibitors, sugars, and polyelectrolytes.

Various cationic polyelectrolytes (poly-alpha-amino acids and histones), lectins, the chemotactic peptide, f-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), the calcium ionophore A23187, and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were investigated regarding their capacity to induce luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) and superoxide production by human blood leukocytes. Although when tested individually, poly-L-arginine (PARG), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), or fMLP induced only a low to moderate LDCL response, very intense synergistic CL reactions were obtained by mixtures of PARG + PHA, PARG + Con A, PARG + PHA + fMLP, Ca2 + ionophore + PARG + PHA + fMLP, and PARG + PMA. The sequence of addition of the various agents to WBC in the presence of luminol absolutely determined the intensity of the LDCL signals obtained, the highest reactions being achieved when the WBC were preincubated for 2-3 min with A23187 followed by the sequential addition of fMLP, PARG, and PHA. These "multiple hits" induced CL reactions which were many times higher than those obtained by each factor alone. On the other hand, neither poly-L-lysine, poly-L-ornithine, poly-L-histidine, nor poly-L-asparagine, when employed at equimolar concentrations, cooperated efficiently with PHA and fMLP to trigger synergistic LDCL responses in leukocytes. Concomitantly with the induction of LDCL, certain ligand mixtures also triggered the production of superoxide. The LDCL which was induced by the "cocktail" of agents was markedly inhibited by sodium azide (93% inhibition), but to a lesser extent by catalase (10% inhibition) or by superoxide dismutase (20%-60% inhibition). On the other hand, scavengers of singlet oxygen and OH (sodium benzoate, histidine) did not affect the synergistic LDCL responses induced by these multiple ligands. Cytochalasin B also markedly inhibited the LDCL responses induced either by soluble stimuli or by streptococci preopsonized either with histone or with polyanethole sulfonate. The LDCL responses which were induced by mixtures of PARG and concanavalin A were also strongly inhibited by mannose, alpha-methyl mannoside, and poly-L-glutamic acid. The data suggest that the LDCL responses induced by the soluble ligands involved a myeloperoxidase-catalyzed reaction. The possible employment of "cocktails" of ligands to enhance the bactericidal effects of PMNs, macrophages, and natural killer cells on microbial cells and mammalian targets is discussed.

Antimetabolites↗
PubMed1996

Apoptosis of Fashigh CD4+ synovial T cells by borrelia-reactive Fas-ligand(high) gamma delta T cells in Lyme arthritis.

The function of the minor subset of T lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T cell antigen receptor is uncertain. Although some gamma delta T cells react to microbial products, responsiveness has only rarely been demonstrated toward a bacterial antigen from a naturally occurring human infection. Synovial fluid lymphocytes from patients with Lyme arthritis contain a large proportion of gamma delta cells that proliferate in response to the causative spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Furthermore, synovial gamma delta T cell clones express elevated and sustained levels of the ligand for Fas (APO-1, CD95) compared to alpha beta T cells, and induce apoptosis of Fashigh CD4+ synovial lymphocytes. The findings suggest that gamma delta T cells contribute to defense in human infections, as well as manifest an immunoregulatory function at inflammatory sites by a Fas-dependent process.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2002

Use of mandelic acid condensation polymer (SAMMA), a new antimicrobial contraceptive agent, for vaginal prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contraceptive properties, antimicrobial activity, and safety of mandelic acid condensation polymer (SAMMA). DESIGN: Experimental study of SAMMA's in vitro and in vivo properties. SETTING: Academic research laboratories. PATIENT(S): Healthy volunteers for semen donation in an academic research environment. INTERVENTION(S): Inhibition of sperm function indicators, conception, sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens (including HIV), and lactobacilli was evaluated. Safety indicators were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitation of SAMMA's effect on microbial infectivity or multiplication and on sperm function in vitro; evaluation of contraceptive efficacy in vivo; assessment of safety in vitro and in vivo. RESULT(S): Mandelic acid condensation polymer is not cytotoxic toward lactobacilli, microbial host cells, and spermatozoa. The compound inhibits hyaluronidase and acrosin, induces sperm acrosomal loss, and is contraceptive in the rabbit model. Mandelic acid condensation polymer prevents infectivity of HIV and herpesviruses 1 and 2 and, to a lesser extent, of Chlamydia trachomatis. It inhibits the multiplication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mandelic acid condensation polymer is not mutagenic, has low acute oral toxicity, and is safe in the rabbit vaginal irritation assay. CONCLUSION(S): Mandelic acid condensation polymer inhibits sperm function, is contraceptive, has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and is highly safe. Further development as a microbicide is warranted.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Purification and characterization of ACR2p, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae arsenate reductase.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, expression of the ACR2 and ACR3 genes confers arsenical resistance. Acr2p is the first identified eukaryotic arsenate reductase. It reduces arsenate to arsenite, which is then extruded from cells by Acr3p. In this study, we demonstrate that ACR2 complemented the arsenate-sensitive phenotype of an arsC deletion in Escherichia coli. ACR2 was cloned into a bacterial expression vector and expressed in E. coli as a C-terminally histidine-tagged protein that was purified by sequential metal chelate affinity and gel filtration chromatography. Acr2p purified as a homodimer of 34 kDa. The purified protein was shown to catalyze the reduction of arsenate to arsenite. Enzymatic activity as a function of arsenate concentration exhibited an apparent positive cooperativity with an apparent Hill coefficient of 2.7. Activity required GSH and glutaredoxin as the source of reducing equivalents. Thioredoxin was unable to support arsenate reduction. However, glutaredoxins from both S. cerevisiae and E. coli were able to serve as reductants. Analysis of grx mutants lacking one or both cysteine residues in the Cys-Pro-Tyr-Cys active site demonstrated that only the N-terminal cysteine residue is essential for arsenate reductase activity. This suggests that during the catalytic cycle, Acr2p forms a mixed disulfide with GSH before being reduced by glutaredoxin to regenerate the active Acr2p reductase.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2004

New partnerships between animal health services and public health agencies.

As Veterinary Services and animal health organisations attempt to respond to a new era of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases, their ability and skill in forming new strategic partnerships will be paramount. While these new partnerships are likely to include many relationships outside traditional Veterinary Services and animal agriculture, none will become more important than the formation of new animal health and public health partnerships. Episodes of emerging zoonoses are being increasingly recognised around the world and the confluence of people, animals and animal products today is unprecedented. Concurrently, a wide array of complex factors are also converging that will not only ensure the continuous emergence of zoonoses, but are also likely to drive the further increase and expansion of these diseases. This article discusses the need for the creation of more effective and co-operative partnerships in the face of new microbial threats, the complexity of both the formation and expansion of zoonoses, and the collective abilities of both human and animal health services to respond to them. Lessons learned from recent zoonotic epidemics supportthe need for co-ordinated research, interdisciplinary centres, integrated surveillance systems, response systems and infrastructures, and workforce development strategies. While there are some excellent examples of collaborative animal and public health relationships, there is no question that more and stronger partnerships among national and international organisations, both academic and private, will be necessary to meet the future challenges of emerging zoonoses and to manage their profound implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[Cooperative study of bacterial incidence and susceptibility to cefamandole and other antibiotics (author's transl)].

A total of 44 medical centers participated in a cooperative study on nosocomial infections. Percentages of Gram-negative, Gram-positive and anaerobic germs isolated during 30 alternate-days for 3 months were 80.35 percent, 17.25 percent and 0.52 percent, respectively. Activity of cefamandole and cefalotin against Gram-positive bacteria was very similar, and both antibiotics showed a low number of resistances. On the contrary, against Gram-negative strains the activity of cefamandole was definitely superior to that of cefalothin, but it was similar when compared to that of gentamicin. In many instances, cefamandole may be a valid alternative in treating hospital-acquired infections (except for Pseudomonas).

Bacteria↗
PubMed2000

Antibiotic efflux pumps.

Active efflux from procaryotic as well as eucaryotic cells strongly modulates the activity of a large number of antibiotics. Effective antibiotic transport has now been observed for many classes of drug efflux pumps. Thus, within the group of primary active transporters, predominant in eucaryotes, six families belonging to the ATP-binding cassette superfamily, and including the P-glycoprotein in the MDR (Multi Drug Resistance) group and the MRP (Multidrug Resistance Protein), have been recognized as being responsible for antibiotic efflux. Within the class of secondary active transporters (antiports, symports, and uniports), ten families of antibiotic efflux pumps have been described, distributed in five superfamilies [SMR (Small Multidrug Resistance), MET (Multidrug Endosomal Transporter), MAR (Multi Antimicrobial Resistance), RND (Resistance Nodulation Division), and MFS (Major Facilitator Superfamily)]. Nowadays antibiotic efflux pumps are believed to contribute significantly to acquired bacterial resistance because of the very broad variety of substrates they recognize, their expression in important pathogens, and their cooperation with other mechanisms of resistance. Their presence also explains high-level intrinsic resistances found in specific organisms. Stable mutations in regulatory genes can produce phenotypes of irreversible multidrug resistance. In eucaryotes, antibiotic efflux pumps modulate the accumulation of antimicrobials in phagocytic cells and play major roles in their transepithelial transport. The existence of antibiotic efflux pumps, and their impact on therapy, must now be taken fully into account for the selection of novel antimicrobials. The design of specific, potent inhibitors appears to be an important goal for the improved control of infectious diseases in the near future.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

[Bacterial pathogen and resistance spectrum of the non-irritated conjunctiva. 7,845 preoperative smears at the ophthalmologic clinic of the Erlangen university].

The type and extent of bacterial colonization of the conjunctiva at the time of an intraocular operation may have a major influence on the risk of post-operative endophthalmitis. Between March 1986 and December 1988 a total of 7845 preoperative conjunctival smears were therefore examined by culture of Erlangen University Eye Hospital, in cooperation with the Department of Clinical Microbiology. Altogether, 1221 (15.6%) of the smears were classified as positive. Surgery on the patients concerned was postponed and gentamicin eye drops were administered for decontamination of their conjunctivae until the smears were negative. From the positive smears 1393 strains were cultured, identified, and submitted to a resistance test. The present paper reports the frequency distribution of the species of bacteria isolated and their resistance behavior, and compares the results with those of other authors. The value of preoperative cultures in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis and the importance of resistance tests in the context of topical application of antibiotics are discussed.

Bacteria↗