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[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from urinary tract infections (1993). III. Secular changes in susceptibility].

Susceptibilities of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia spp. isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 10 hospitals during June 1993 to May 1994 to various antimicrobial agents were compared with those in the same period of previous years according to a classification, uncomplicated UTIs, complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter, and complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter. The susceptibilities of E. faecalis to chloramphenicol decreased. As for S. aureus, susceptible strains to minocycline (MINO) decreased in complicated UTIs. As for Citrobacter spp., and Enterobacter spp., their susceptibilities were not observed an obvious change. Against E. coli, the activities of cefotiam decreased in complicated UTIs, and aminoglycosides decreased. As for Klebsiella spp., susceptible strains to aminoglycosides decreased. The susceptibilities of P. mirabilis to all drugs except aminoglycosides and MINO were good. The susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa to quinolones isolated from complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter increased, but susceptible strains to aminoglycosides decreased. The susceptibilities of Serratia spp. to MINO has decreased. These data should be considered in clinical treatment of various urinary tract infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1994). III. Secular changes in susceptibility].

Susceptibilities of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia spp. isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 10 hospitals during June 1994 to May 1995 to various antimicrobial agents were compared with those in the same period of previous years according to a classification, uncomplicated UTIs, complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter, and complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter. No remarkable changes were found in susceptibilities of Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp. and Serratia spp. The susceptibilities of E. faecalis to amikacin and quinolones were better than those in 1993. As for S. aureus, susceptible strains to all drugs increased in uncomplicated UTIs. Against E. coli in 1993, the antimicrobial activities of piperacillin, cefotiam and aminoglycosides have decreased, however, in 1994, these activities have turned to the better state. As for Klebsiella spp. susceptible strains to ABPC decreased. The susceptibilities of P. mirabilis to all drugs except minocycline were good. Against P. aeruginosa in 1993, the activities of aminoglycosides have decreased, but, in 1994, these activities have turned to the better state. These data should be considered in clinical treatment of various urinary tract infections.

4-Quinolones↗

[Clinical observation of neonatal sepsis].

Sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in newborn infants. From January 1983 to April 1988, 166 cases of neonatal sepsis with positive blood cultures were collected at V.G.H.--Taichung. Among them 140 newborn babies were delivered at private clinic (outborn babies), 26 cases were inborn babies. Of the inborn babies, 20 cases (76.9%) were early onset sepsis (the onset of illness within 96 hours of life) and 6 cases (23.1%) were late onset sepsis (the onset of illness beyond 96 hours of life). Off the outborn babies, 64 cases (45.7%) were early onset sepsis and 76 cases (54.3%) were late onset sepsis. The Gram positive organism (51.9%) was more common than the Gram negative organism in the inborn babies, on contrary, the Gram negative organism (59.0%) was more common in the outborn babies. The most common pathogenic organism of the inborn babies was Enterococcus (22.2%) and E. coli (22.2%), followed by Pseudomonas spp (11.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.1%). The most common pathogenic organism of the outborn babies was Enterococcus (17.4%), followed by E. coli (16.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.9%) and Klebsiella spp (8.1%). The antibiotics sensitivity tests to the pathogens didn't show any significant difference between these two group babies. In this clinical study, we found that the first choices of antibiotics were ampicillin plus aminoglycosides. The clinical symptoms and signs were nonspecific. The most common findings were lethargy, fever, hypothermia and poor feeding. Of the inborn babies, 17 cases (65.4%) had the predisposing factor(s). Of the outborn babies, 42 cases (30%) had the predisposing factor(s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗

In vitro antibacterial activity and beta-lactamase stability of the new carbapenem SM-7338.

The in vitro activity of the new carbapenem SM-7338 was tested in comparison with imipenem, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, flomoxef, cefuzonam and cefmetazole against 2850 clinical bacterial isolates. SM-7338 showed good activity against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. SM-7338 was very active against gram-negative bacteria, inhibiting all Enterobacteriaceae, except 25% of Serratia marcescens isolates, at a concentration of 0.78 mg/l. SM-7338 inhibited the majority of Pseudomonas spp. at concentrations of less than or equal to 3.13 mg/l, its activity being twofold higher than that of imipenem. However, the activity of SM-7338 against gram-positive cocci was about one-fourth that of imipenem. Against anaerobes, SM-7338 also had the best activity of the beta-lactams tested. The compound was inactive against methicillin-resistant staphylococci, Enterococcus faecium, Xanthomonas maltophilia and Flavobacterium spp., as were the other beta-lactams. SM-7338 was quite stable in the presence of various types of beta-lactamase, but was hydrolyzed by Xanthomonas maltophilia beta-lactamase, as was imipenem. This high degree of stability was responsible for the potent activity of SM-7388 against beta-lactamase-producing species such as Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii and Proteus vulgaris. SM-7338 also showed bactericidal activity against clinical isolates at the MIC or at concentrations slightly above the MIC.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

In vitro activities of the novel cephalosporin LB 11058 against multidrug-resistant Staphylococci and Streptococci.

LB 11058 is a novel parenteral cephalosporin with a C-3 pyrimidinyl-substituted vinyl sulfide group and a C-7 2-amino-5-chloro-1,3-thiazole group. This study evaluated the in vitro activity and spectrum of LB 11058 against 1,245 recent clinical isolates, including a subset of gram-positive strains with specific resistant phenotypes. LB 11058 was very active against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The novel cephalosporin was 8- to 16-fold more potent than ceftriaxone, cefepime, or amoxicillin-clavulanate against both penicillin-intermediate and -resistant S. pneumoniae. LB 11058 was also very active against both beta-hemolytic streptococci (MIC at which 90% of isolates were inhibited [MIC(90)], </=0.008 micro g/ml) and viridans group streptococci (MIC(90), 0.03 to 0.5 micro g/ml), including penicillin-resistant strains. Among oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, LB 11058 MIC results varied from 0.06 to 0.25 micro g/ml (MIC(50), 0.12 micro g/ml), while among oxacillin-resistant strains LB 11058 MICs varied from 0.25 to 1 micro g/ml (MIC(50), 1 micro g/ml). Coagulase-negative staphylococci showed an LB 11058 susceptibility pattern similar to that of S. aureus, with all isolates being inhibited at </=1 micro g/ml. LB 11058 also showed reasonable in vitro activity against Enterococcus faecalis, including vancomycin-resistant strains (MIC(50), 1 micro g/ml), and Bacillus spp. (MIC(50), 0.25 micro g/ml); however, it was less active against Enterococcus faecium (MIC(50), >64 micro g/ml) and Corynebacterium spp. (MIC(50), 32 micro g/ml). Against gram-negative pathogens, LB 11058 showed activity against Haemophilus influenzae (MIC(90), 0.25 to 0.5 micro g/ml) and Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC(90), 0.25 micro g/ml), with MICs not influenced by beta-lactamase production. In conclusion, LB 11058 demonstrated a broad antibacterial spectrum and was highly active against gram-positive bacteria, particularly against multidrug-resistant staphylococci and streptococci.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Frequency of isolation and antimicrobial resistance of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria from patients in intensive care units of 25 European university hospitals participating in the European arm of the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program 1997-1998.

A total of 3,981 isolates from patients treated at intensive care units were collected in 25 European university hospitals during 1997 and 1998 as part of the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program. Overall, the most important species isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Enterobacter spp., Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis. Thirty-nine percent of all Staphylococcus aureus isolates were resistant to oxacillin. All Staphylococcus aureus isolates were fully susceptible to linezolid and vancomycin. Moreover, all CNS isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and minocycline. All Enterococcus faecalis isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, and 99% of these isolates were also susceptible to ampicillin. The antimicrobial agents most effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were amikacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, and cefepime, with 87, 85, 84, and 83% of isolates being susceptible, respectively. Escherichia coli isolates were fully susceptible to carbapenems, and at least 99% of these isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefepime, and amikacin. The Enterobacter spp. were also highly susceptible to carbapenems, amikacin, and cefepime, with 99, 97, and 96% of isolates being susceptible, respectively. Haemophilus influenzae was susceptible to most of the antibiotics tested. Only 68% of the pneumococcal isolates were fully susceptible to penicillin, yet 100% were susceptible to a number of fluoroquinolones and vancomycin. There are still sufficient treatment options for patients infected with the most important bacterial species involved in infections in intensive care units. However, the situation for patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections is critical.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Patterns of antimicrobial resistance genes in pathogens across One Health sectors in Ireland: an in silico approach.

As part of a rapid risk assessment, an in silico approach was used to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogenic isolates from humans, animals, and the environment. A total of 11,670 genomic data sets were retrieved from the NCBI Pathogen Detection system for Ireland, which represented 47 pathogenic species, including Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli/Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecium. Identifying the most critical pathogenic strains over time is essential, as these organisms significantly contribute to mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization. The analysis identified 799 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including their allelic diversity, 117 plasmid replicons, and 274 virulence factors. Several critical ARGs, particularly those conferring resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, quinolones, and colistin, were common across isolates originating from human, animal, and environmental sources, suggesting shared resistance profiles across One Health sectors. Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli/Shigella spp., S. enterica, and S. aureus were the dominant hosts of these ARGs and associated mobile genetic elements. Increasing resistance across major antibiotic classes aligned with trends reported across other European countries. This study provides a national-scale in silico comparison of AMR across pathogens and One Health sectors using publicly available genomic data. The findings help reinforce Ireland's AMR surveillance by showing which resistance genes are present and how they spread across critical pathogens in humans, animals, and the environment. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved antibiotic stewardship and integrated One Health surveillance to limit the emergence and spread of AMR.IMPORTANCEAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to human, animal, and environmental health. This study used publicly available genomic data to identify antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in key bacterial pathogens circulating in Ireland. By analyzing over 11,000 genomes from humans, animals, and the environment, we found that several dangerous resistance genes, including those against last-resort antibiotics, were widespread across different sources. The study highlights which bacteria and resistance genes are most critical and how they may spread between humans, animals, and the environment. These insights provide a national snapshot of AMR, supporting more effective monitoring and prevention strategies. By revealing patterns of resistance and modes of transmission, our findings underscore the importance of coordinated antibiotic stewardship and One Health approaches to slow the emergence and spread of resistant infections, protecting public health and ensuring antibiotics remain effective.

Humans↗

Ticarcillin/clavulanic acid: determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations against bacterial strains isolated from patients in intensive care units. Comparison with other agents.

A total of 303 bacterial strains isolated from bronchoaspirates of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, collected through June and December 1993, were tested for susceptibility to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, imipenem, amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each antibiotic was determined according to the NCCLS, by means of serial dilution on microplates. The isolates, 80.8% of which were beta-lactamase producing strains, belonged to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (79 strains), Pseudomonas fluorescens (8 strains), Xanthomonas maltophila (25 strains), Escherichia coli (16 strains), Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia (KES) (62 strains), Proteus spp. (15 strains), Acinetobacter spp. (22 strains), Moraxella spp. (15 strains), Bacteroides catarrhalis (8 strains), Haemophilus spp. (11 strains), Staphylococcus aureus (32 strains), Enterococcus faecalis (10 strains). The highest rate of susceptibility to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (100%) was detected among E. faecalis (MIC 2-16 micrograms/ml), B. catarrhalis (MIC 1-4 micrograms/ml) and Haemophilus spp. (MIC 1-4 micrograms/ml). Among the non-fermenting microorganisms ticarcillin/-clavulanic acid showed good activity toward P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens (86% and 75% respectively). It was also very active against X. maltophilia with a susceptibility of 96%. Susceptibility to the other antibiotics tested was within the range of 16% and 28%.

Bacteria↗

Polymerase chain reaction identification of microorganisms in previously root-filled teeth in a South Korean population.

A large body of evidence indicates that microorganisms are the primary causative agents of endodontic treatment failures. This study intended to assess the occurrence of nine putative endodontic pathogens in root-filled teeth associated with periradicular lesions in a South Korean population using a culture-independent molecular approach. Fourteen root-filled teeth with persistent periradicular diseases were selected for retreatment. After removal of the root canal filling, the canals were sampled, and a polymerase chain reaction assay using taxon-specific oligonucleotide primers was used for microbial detection. Bacteria were present in all cases, as revealed by amplification using ubiquitous 16S rDNA primers. The most frequently detected taxon was Enterococcus faecalis (64%), followed by Streptococcus spp. (21%) and Tannerella forsythensis (14%). The results of this study using a highly sensitive identification method are concurrent with those from other geographical locations using diverse identification methods in that E. faecalis is the main species found in cases of root-filled teeth associated with periradicular lesions.

Adolescent↗

Etiology and risk factors of 180 cases of native valve endocarditis. Report from a 5-year national prospective survey in Slovak Republic.

Risk factors, etiology, and outcome of 180 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) in the Slovak Republic for 5 years were prospectively studied in a national survey. According to the Duke Endocarditis Service Criteria (1994), 169 cases were considered definitive and 21 possible/probable. The aortic valve was infected in 46.7%, mitral in 47.2%, and tricuspidal/pulmonary in 6.1% of cases. The majority of endocarditis cases was caused by Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (33.3%); only 12.2% were due to viridans streptococci; 11.7% were due to Enterococcus faecalis; 6.1% due to Haemophilus spp.; 10.1% due to other organisms; and 26.7% were culture negative. Single positive cultures of CNS were not considered clinically significant. More than 25% of 180 patients were older than 60 years. Rheumatic fever was a risk factor in 35.5%, dental surgery in 20.5%, prior cardiosurgery in 7.8%, and neoplasia in 6.7%. All patients were treated with antimicrobials (average length of therapy was 29.5 days) and 33.3% of patients also had surgery (valvular prosthesis replacement). Forty (22.2%) died, and 140 (77.8%) survived at day 60 after the diagnosis of endocarditis was made. All 40 deaths were attributable to infection. Univariate analysis comparing deaths and survivors did not show significant differences in most of the recorded risk factors between both groups, except age > 60 (40.0% versus 21.4%, p < 0.05), staphylococcal etiology (55.0% versus 27.1%, p < 0.04), and antibiotic therapy < 21 days (without surgery) (65.0% versus 3.6%, p < 0.01). These risk factors were significantly more frequently associated with deaths. Viridans streptococcal IE and surgical therapy in addition to antibiotics were associated with lower mortality in comparison to staphylococcal endocarditis (p < 0.045) or to cases treated with antibiotics only (p < 0.05). In comparison to other nationally based surveys in Europe (Greece, Croatia, France), the percentage of culture-negative endocarditis and spectrum of pathogens differed significantly.

Adult↗

Detection and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris R isolated from radish.

Bacteria isolated from radish were identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris R and their bacteriocin was designated lactococcin R. Lactococcin R was sensitive to some proteolytic enzymes (proteinase-K, pronase-E, proteases, pepsin, alpha-chymotrypsin) but was resistant to trypsin, papain, catalase, lysozyme and lipase, organic solvents, or heating at 90 degrees C for 15, 30 and 60 min, or 121 degrees C for 15 min. Lactococcin R remained active after storage at -20 and -70 degrees C for 3 months and after exposure to a pH of 2-9. The molecular weight of lactococcin R was about 2.5 kDa. Lactococcin R was active against many food-borne pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria such as Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Listeria, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Streptococcus and Pediococcus spp., but was not active against any Gram-negative bacteria. Lactococcin R was produced during log phase and reached a maximum activity (1600 AU ml-1) at early stationary phase. The highest lactococcin R production was obtained in MRS broth with 0.5% glucose, at 6.5-7.0 initial pH values, 30 degrees C temperature and 18-24-h incubation times. Lactococcin R adsorbed maximally to its heat-killed producing cells at pH 6-7 (95%). Crude lactococcin R at 1280 AU ml-1 was bactericidal, reducing colony counts of Listeria monocytogenes by 99.98% in 3 h. Lactococcin R should be useful as a biopreservative to prevent growth of food-borne pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria in ready-to-eat, dairy, meat, poultry and other food products. Lactococcin R differs from nisin in having a lower molecular weight, 2.5 kDa vs 3.4 kDa, and in being sensitive to pepsin and alpha-chymotrypsin to which nisin is resistant.

Bacteriocins↗

Intravenous ofloxacin in severe infections.

The efficacy and tolerance of intravenous ofloxacin was studied in 70 patients suffering from soft tissue infections (n = 33), intra-abdominal abscesses (n = 14), septicaemia (n = 12), pneumonia (n = 9) and brucellosis (n = 2). The average daily dose was 6 mg/kg divided into two doses. Pathogens treated included Enterobacter cloacae (n = 14), Escherichia coli (n = 12), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 13), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 11), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 10), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 8) and Streptococcus spp. (n = 5). Most patients had several underlying diseases. Most of the patients had received other antibiotic therapy without success. Clinically, 41% were considered cured, 19% improved and 30% failed to respond. Bacteriologically, pathogens were eradicated in 52.5% and persisted in 22.5%. Adverse reactions included an anaphylactoid reaction, abnormal liver function (n = 13) and insomnia (n = 2). This study suggests that higher doses of ofloxacin may be needed in deep seated infections.

Adolescent↗

The in vitro activity of ABT773, a new ketolide antimicrobial agent.

The in vitro activity of ABT773, a ketolide antimicrobial agent, was investigated and compared with those of seven other antibiotics. Type strains and 733 Gram-positive, Gram-negative and anaerobic isolates of clinical origin and four CHLAMYDIA: isolates were used. The activity of ABT773 was very similar to that of telithromycin, the other ketolide tested. The MIC(90) was < or = 0.5 mg/L for all bacteria examined except methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Haemophilus influenzae and BACTEROIDES: spp. The antichlamydial activity of ABT773 was greater than that of telithromycin, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Neither an increase in the size of the inoculm nor the addition of human serum had any marked affect on the in vitro activity of ABT773.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Convergent evolution of immune evasion in&#xa0;ESKAPE pathogens: A cross-pathogen architecture of conserved host-defense checkpoints.

Antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE pathogens is primarily attributed to resistance genes, yet persistent infections despite appropriate therapy implicate immune evasion as an independent driver of treatment failure. Although immune-evasion mechanisms have been extensively characterized in individual pathogens, their shared architecture across the ESKAPE group remains insufficiently integrated. This review synthesizes current evidence to show that phylogenetically diverse ESKAPE pathogens have convergently evolved conserved strategies to evade host immunity under comparable selective pressures. A cross-pathogen immune-evasion framework emerges, encompassing impaired pathogen recognition, complement inhibition, phagocyte dysfunction, immunometabolic reprogramming, biofilm-mediated protection, and persistence-promoting inflammation, together with pathogen-specific virulence mechanisms. These processes intersect with adaptive immune dysfunction and emerging concepts, including quorum-sensing-mediated immunomodulation, trained immunity, and the itaconate-succinate immunometabolic axis, forming an interconnected persistence network rather than isolated virulence traits. This systems-level perspective identifies conserved host-directed therapeutic targets that may complement conventional antimicrobial therapy across species. However, host-directed therapies, immunotherapeutics, and vaccines remain largely preclinical or have shown inconsistent clinical efficacy. Mechanistic evidence is strongest for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, whereas substantial knowledge gaps persist for Enterococcus faecium, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterobacter spp. Overcoming persistent ESKAPE infections will require targeting conserved host-pathogen interactions alongside pathogen-specific antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.

Convergent immune evasion↗

[Yearly changes in antibacterial activities of cefozopran against various clinical isolates between 1996 and 2000--I. Gram-positive bacteria].

The in vitro antibacterial activities of cefozopran (CZOP), an agent of cephems, against various clinical isolates obtained between 1996 and 2000 were yearly evaluated and compared with those of other cephems, oxacephems, carbapenems, and penicillins. Fifteen species, 1,062 strains, of Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from the clinical materials annually collected from January to December, and consisted of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA; n = 127), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; n = 123), Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 104), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (n = 58), Streptococcus pyogenes (n = 100), Streptococcus agalactiae (n = 50), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 125), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 150), Enterococcus faecium (n = 50), Enterococcus avium (n = 50), and Peptostreptococcus spp. (P. anaerobius, P. asaccharolyticus, P. magnus, P. micros, P. prevotii; n = 125). CZOP possessed stable antibacterial activities against all strains tested throughout 5 years. The MIC90 of CZOP against MRSA and S. haemolyticus tended to decrease while against S. pneumoniae and Peptostreptococcus spp., tended to increase year by year. However, the MIC90 just changed a little and were consistent with the results from the studies performed until the new drug application approval. Increases in the MIC90 against S. pneumoniae were also observed with cefpirome (CPR), cefepime (CFPM), flomoxef (FMOX), sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ), and imipenem (IPM). Increases in the MIC90 against Peptostreptococcus spp. were also observed with ceftazidime (CAZ), CPR, CFPM, FMOX, SBT/CPZ, and IPM. The decreases in the sensitivities were not always considered to depend upon generation of resistant bacteria because the annual MIC range of each antibacterial agent was almost generally wide every year and the annual sensitivity of each strain to the agents extremely varied. In conclusion, the annual antibacterial activities of CZOP against the Gram-positive bacteria did not considerably change. It, therefore, was suggested that CZOP had maintained high antibacterial activity during 5 years of post-marketing.

Carbapenems↗

[Bacteriologic and clinical analysis of nosocomial infections in patients from the intensive care unit].

The aim of this study is to evaluate what pathogens are mainly responsible for infection among all hospitalised at our ITU patients, to define the influence of antibiotic use on the aetiology of nosocomial infection. The research was conducted on a six-bedded surgical ITU in a 700-bed teaching hospital from January 1995 till June 1996. In August 1995 we changed infection control protocols (more stress on: handwashing with antiseptic soaps and routine microbiological culture for early prediction of infection) and antibiotic guidelines on our ITU (third generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and Vancomycin were used only as the last option and never in prevention). 1276 samples for microbiological culture were obtained in routine manner. From 60% positive cultures 1216 strains were isolated (Tab. 1) and resistance to antibiotics were defined (Tab. 3). Monthly antibiotic consumption was expressed in defined daily dose (DDD) for 1000 hospitalisation-days. DDD = (X/Y)/Z x x 1000, were: X-cumulative antibiotic consumption during analysed period (g), Y-standard daily dose (g/24 h), Z-number of hospitalisation-days during analysed period (Tab. 2). Values were expressed as the mean +/- standard error (SE). Relationships between variables were analysed using linear correlation. All data were categorised for the frequency table. Statistically significant differences were considered to exist when calculated p values were less than 0.05. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of treated patients, length of stay and mortality rate on our ITU in 18 months. 58% of isolated strains were Gram-negative bacteria especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%) and Acinetobacter spp. (16%) and Proteus spp. (9%). The commonly isolated Gram-positive bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (14%), Staphylococcus aureus (12%)--of which 90% were MRSA. In 8% of cases we have isolated Candida spp. Monthly antibiotic consumption was displayed in table 2. Trend analysis confirmed reduction in Ofloxacin, fluoroquinolones and Colistin consumption over 18 months period (Fig. 2). We observed statistically significant decrease in amount of isolated Proteus spp. strains from 70 in I'95 to 31 in II'95 (p < 0.05) and 10 in I'96 (p < 0.005). This observation was confirmed in trend analysis (Fig. 1). We have observed in analysed period improvement in activities of third generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones (Tab. 3). We have analysed the influence of antibiotic use on the aetiology of nosocomial infection. Table 4 shows statistically significant correlation between Acinetobacter spp., MRSA, MRSE isolates and antibiotics consumption. Crosstabulated variables analyses confirm MRSE outbreaks in periods when excessive amount of Amikacin (p < 0.05 for chi 2 test, D Somer rate 0.59, V Cramer rate 0.67), aminoglicosides (p < 0.05 for chi 2 test, D Somer rate 0.57, V Cramer rate 0.59), imipenem (p < 0.05 for chi 2 test, D Somer rate 0.44, V Cramer rate 0.60) and total antibiotics consumption were high (p < 0.005 for chi 2 test, D Somer rate 0.67, V Cramer rate 0.81) (Fig. 3). This study illustrates the influence of antimicrobial therapy on the species and the resistance of strains isolated in nosocomial infection. Restrictive antibiotics policy does not affect ITU outcome. Better strategies for antibiotic administration in the ITU setting may improve their efficacy and control the spread of nosocomial infection caused by multi-resistant organisms. Therefore, restrictive antibiotic policy would be mandatory in each hospital and department.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Contact imidazole activity against resistant bacteria and fungi.

The activities of miconazole and miconazole sulphosalicylate were evaluated by a contact test using strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli and Candida spp selected for their resistance. The results showed that killing of the organisms occurred within a few minutes. Imidazole activity required a medium of low electrical conductivity and a pH of 5.6. Greater sensitivity could be obtained with pretreatment of the microbial suspensions with sodium dioctylsulphosuccinate. Microorganisms tested in culture media with low electrical conductivity and at pH 5.6 showed enhanced sensitivity to azoles with MIC values about 20-30 times lower than those obtained using control media. Practical implications of the use of topical drugs are discussed.

Antifungal Agents↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1997). III Secular changes in susceptibility].

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Echerichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during June 1997 to May 1998, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period in earlier years. 1. E. faecalis The MIC90s of quinolones for E. faecalis isolated from uncomplicated UTIs have changed better state during the latest period. Among E. faecalis strains, those with high susceptibilities to ampicillin (ABPC) and minocycline (MINO) appeared to had decreased during period of 1995-1997, which recovered during the latest period. 2. S. aureus The sensitive strains of S. aureus to imipenem (IPM) and clindamycin (CLDM) had increased during the period of 1996-1997, but those have decreased again during the latest period. 3. E. coli The susceptibilities of E. coli to MINO have been better in the latest period with the MIC90 was ranged from 2 to 4 micrograms/ml. The susceptibilities to quinolones of E. coli isolated from complicated UTIs had decreased during the period of 1995-1997, but those have recovered during the latest period. 4. Klebsiella spp. Among Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from uncomplicated UTIs, those with low susceptibilities to almost cephems have increased in the latest period. To other antimicrobial agents, the susceptibilities of Klebsiella spp. did not show any changes during the latest period. 5. P. aeruginosa The susceptibilities to most agents of P. aeruginosa did not show any changes, the decreased susceptibilities to cefozopran (CZOP), carbapenems and monobactams of P. aeruginosa observed in 1996 appeared to have been retrieved in 1997. These susceptibility changes should be utilized in determining clinical treatments.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗