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At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Survey on drug resistance of Staphylococcus to commonly used antibiotics].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain primary knowledge of drug resistance of Staphylococcus, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS), so as to facilitate clinical decision over the choice of appropriate antibiotics. METHOD: A total of 105 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus,were isolated from blood, sputum, pus and secretion sample from in-patients of Nanfang Hospital from January to July, 2002, and their status of drug-resistance was examined. RESULTS: MRS was isolated from 68.8% of the samples, and 69.6% of these isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 63.3% resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). The rate of multi-drug resistance for MRS was much higher than that for methicilllin-susceptible Staphylococcus (MSS), and MRSA showed high multidrug resistance rates (all>50%) to the antibiotics erythromycin, imipenem, amikacin, SXT, ciprofloxacin, which fell into 4 categories according to their different antibiotic mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and high MDR rate of MRS isolated form the samples suggest that in cases of infection, identification of the pathogenic bacterium should be routinely performed. Besides controlling MRS infection, importance should also be given to its prevention.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ulivo alchemy: the bio- and tecno-molecular approach to MAC-Mediterranean aliment culture.

Sccoiridoid biophenols, contained in olive drupes, are enzymatically activated to provide a complex mechanism for the biological defence against pathogen attack. Their identification, quantitation and metabolic behaviour are investigated, by HPLC and NMR experiments, for the improvement of olivegrowing and of the production of oil and table olives.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

The infected total hip arthroplasty.

Deep infection following total hip arthroplasty remains one of the most serious local complications preventing a successful outcome. Correct diagnosis of infection is dependent on identification of the pathogen. Treatment consists of incision and debridement. Before surgery, the patient should be in good dental health, have good nutritional status, and should be free of infection in any organ system that can later seed the artificial joint.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Documentation of Legionella pneumophila and Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-existence in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial lung infections are common causes of ARDS and, despite intensive research for decades, the mortality rate remains very high. Only two reports suggest the co-existence of Legionnaires' disease and pulmonary tuberculosis based mainly on clinical presentation and serologic results for Legionella and positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A variety of specimens from a 61-year-old man was used for detection of Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) and M. tuberculosis by PCR. Further identification of the pathogens was carried out by sequence analysis. RESULTS: L. pneumophila region mip was detected in bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage and urine specimens of the patient. M. tuberculosis regions IS6110 and mtp40 were detected in endo-bronchial secretions and bronchoalveolar lavage. CONCLUSION: By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing we documented L. pneumophila and M. tuberculosis co-existence, in multiple specimens of a patient presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Furthermore, the efficacy of the specific antibiotic treatment, based on the PCR results, suggest the co-existence of these two pathogens.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1992

[Successful treatment of HIV-associated pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with dapsone plus trimethoprim].

Standard treatments of HIV-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) consist of high dose intravenous or oral cotrimoxazole or intravenous pentamidine. Both treatment modalities are associated with a high incidence of side effects which strengthen the need for alternative therapies. Since April 1987 we have used the combination of dapsone plus trimethoprim (DP+TMP) as primary treatment for PCP in patients who could be managed on an outpatient basis. We report the results of an analysis of the efficacy and toxicity of this treatment in 20 episodes of PCP in 18 patients. PCP was diagnosed by identification of the pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral involvement in 11 and unilateral in 7 cases and no infiltration in one patient. Treatment over three to four weeks was successful in 14 of 20 PCPs (70%). In six cases (30%) treatment was changed to another regimen after a mean of seven days due to a maculopapular rash (n = 2), haematotoxic side effects (n = 2), persistent fever (n = 1) and for unexplained reasons (n = 1). Less severe side effects not causing a change in treatment were a slight to moderate neutropenia (n = 10), a moderate elevation of liver enzymes (n = 2) and a well tolerated rash (n = 2). The success rate of DP+TMP was in the same range as it is known for the standard regimens, whereas the rate of severe side effects appears to be lower. The results suggest that in AIDS patients DP+TMP may be used as first line treatment of PCP which is not severe enough for hospitalisation.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2003

Spectrum of opportunistic infections in AIDS cases.

Human Immunodeficiency viruses are the initial causative agents in AIDS, but most of the morbidity and mortality in AIDS cases result from opportunistic infections, Identification of such pathogen is very important for clinicians and health planners to tackle the AIDS epidemic in more effective manner. The present study describes the clinical and laboratory profile of 100 AIDS causes who presented to a referral hospital. Oral candidiasis (59.00%) was found to be the most common opportunistic infection, followed by tuberculosis (56.00%), Cryptosporidium infection (47.00%) and Pneumocystis carinii (7.00%). Presence of oral candidiasis and weight loss is highly predictive of low DC4 count and can be considered as a marker of HIV disease progression. The patients coinfected with HIV and tuberculosis are also on rise. Recognition of dual infection and taking adequate steps to deal with this epidemic is needed. As Cryptosporidium infection was detected in large number, provision of safe drinking water and maintaining good hygiene is important for prevention. Early diagnosis of opportunistic infection and prompt treatment, delays the progression towards AIDS. 91.00% of patients were infected with HIV1 and 4.00% had HIV2 infection and 5.00% were dully infected. 87.00% of patients were males and 13.00% were belonging to 21-40 years of age. Majority of them were belonging to lower socioeconomic status and heterosexual route of transmission was the commonest mode of spread.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1992

Early diagnosis of infectious keratitis with in vivo real time confocal microscopy.

The tandem scanning confocal microscope (TSM) was adapted for in vivo examination of the cornea in rabbits with experimental bacterial and fungal keratitis. Compared to slit lamp biomicroscopy, the TSM provides superior lateral and axial resolution and serial optical sectioning capability, which may be useful for identification of corneal pathogens in the early stages of infection. We used the TSM to examine normal rabbit eyes infected with bacteria (Bacillus cereus) and a filamentous fungus (Aspergillus). We also examined a human cornea removed by penetrating keratoplasty after a clinical diagnosis of amoebic keratitis. In the early stages of bacterial infection, slit lamp examination revealed a nonspecific minimal stromal haze and limbal injection indistinguishable from sterile ulcers and epithelial defects. With the TSM, bacteria were visible as highly refractile bodies in the epithelium and superficial stroma. Branching fungal hyphae were also easily identified by the TSM, as were Acanthamoeba cysts and parasites in the subepithelial stroma. Our results indicate that this technique may provide a new modality for quickly and accurately identifying the agent of corneal infection, thereby facilitating prompt and appropriate treatment.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis↗
PubMed2003

[Anthrax and carbuncle: two sides of the same coin].

The disease caused by Bacillus anthracis is one of the most critical concerns to the general public and public health authorities due both to the anthrax cases caused by the intentional release of the germ in the USA at the close of 2001 when letters and packages were contaminated with anthrax spores, and the current threat of biological warfare. After a brief excursus on the history of the terms Anthrax and Carbuncle, we survey the main evidence of anthrax found in the ancient literature, and deal with the identification of the pathogenic agent responsible for the disease and the subsequent discovery of the first anthrax vaccine and its use in order to control the spread of the disease in the cattle. Finally, we examine some of the most important episodes of occupational exposure to the Bacillus anthracis that occurred in the past two centuries and the preventive measures applied both to employees and the workplace.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2003

Molecular techniques to detect and identify protozoan parasites in the environment.

The environmental route of transmission is important for many protozoan and helminth parasites, with water, soil and food being particularly significant. Both the potential for producing large numbers of transmissive stages and their environmental robustness pose persistent threats to public and veterinary health. The introduction of molecular techniques, in particular those based on the amplification of nucleic acids, has provided researchers with highly sensitive and specific assays for the detection and identification of these pathogens. The application of these techniques to clinical, environmental, and food samples is instrumental for a thorough understanding of the epidemiology of the infection and for the implementation of control measures. Here, the advantages and drawbacks of some molecular techniques (Polymerase Chain Reaction--PCR; Reverse-Transcriptase PCR--RT-PCR; Real-time PCR--qPCR; Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification--NASBA) will be briefly reviewed. Some application of these techniques will be illustrated with reference to two important and widespread human parasites, the apicomplexan Cryptosporidium and the flagellate Giardia.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Probing the structure of the SARS coronavirus using scanning electron microscopy.

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV, has been confirmed to be the aetiological agent of SARS. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images played an important role in initial identification of the pathogen. In order to obtain greater morphological detail of SARS-CoV than could be obtained by TEM, we used ultra-high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to image the virus particles. We show here the three-dimensional appearance of SARS-CoV. Enhanced detail of the ultrastructure reveals the trimeric structure of the 10-20 nm spikes on the virion surface. These results contribute to characterization of the SARS agent and development of new antiviral strategies.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

[How to cope with tinea capitis?].

In Brussels, as in the other European cities with a high rate of immigration, the cases of anthropophilic tinea capitis have risen. Their clinical aspect is more discrete than in zoophilic cases, and you could be easily fooled. This explains why, in 2001-2002, we had some epidemics in schools and creches. Griseofulvin, the gold treatment, was withdrawn from the Belgian market in 1997. The identification of the pathogen when using the new antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine) is mandatory, dermatophytes showing a different sensitivity to these drugs. The management of an anthropophilic tinea capitis needs some good planning and the cooperation of the family and the school. We describe our procedures in this article.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Waterhouse-Friderichsen cases in the archives of ZMS PAM--epidemiological conditions and diagnostic difficulties].

15 cases of meningococcal infections from 2003-2004 were discussed in the study. Their therapy ended in failure and they had been typically autopsied in our Forensic Med. Department. During the autopsy material for classical microbiological investigations was collected. That type of death is characterised with pathognomonic and autopsy image. The problem is the microbiological identification of the pathogen group and type. It is connected with the characteristic of the analysed material and the biological features of Neisseria meningitidis. The molecular and genetic methods show their usefulness in this type of diagnostic of the properly selected and collected material which typically are: cerebrospinal fluid, brain tissue with the arachnoid membranes and spleen tissue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

A real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantitation of Campylobacter jejuni using SYBR Green I and the LightCycler.

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a leading human food-borne pathogen. Traditional biochemical identification for C. jejuni is not reliable due to special growth requirements and the possibility that this bacterium can enter a viable but nonculturable (VNC) state. Nucleic acid-based tests have emerged as a useful alternative to traditional testing. In this article, we present fluorescent quantitative PCR assay for quantitative detection of C. jejuni, the assay was carried out using a LightCycler instrument and product formation was monitored continuously with the fluorescent double-stranded DNA binding dye SYBR Green I. When this assay was applied, the assay positive for all of the isolates of C. jejuni tested (11 isolates, including type strain ATCC33560) and negative for all other Campylobacter spp. (three isolates) and several other bacteria (five species tested). The total assay could be completed in 60 min with a detection limit of approximately 1 CFU, and a correlation coefficient was 1.000. Result indicated that fluorescent quantitative detection methods provided a special, sensitive, rapid, reproducible and accurate method for quantitative detection of C. jejuni.

Arcobacter↗
PubMed2005

Natural infection of Viola cornuta (Violaceae) with Cucumber mosaic virus, subgroup I.

Plants of Viola cornuta displaying typical virus symptoms were observed during spring 2003 in a plant nursery in Córdoba, central Argentina. Electron microscopic examinations of symptomatic leaf samples revealed the presence of isometric virus-like particles about 30 nm in diameter. Subsequent serological analysis allowed the identification of the pathogen as a subgroup I strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). These results were confirmed by antigen capture--reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction with specific CMV primers, and digestion with a restriction enzyme. This is the first report of CMV infecting V. cornuta in Argentina.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed2006

SARS/avian coronaviruses.

In the hunt for the aetiology of the SARS outbreak in 2003, a newly developed virus DNA micro-array was successfully used to hybridise PCR products obtained by random amplification of nucleic acids extracted from a cell culture infected with material from a SARS patient. The SARS agent was found to hybridise with micro-array probes from both coronaviruses and astroviruses, but one of the coronavirus probes and the four astrovirus probes contained redundant sequences, spanning a highly conserved motif, named s2m, found at the 3' end of the genomes of almost all astroviruses, one picornavirus, and the poultry coronaviruses. The three other coronavirus probes, that hybridised with the SARS agent, were located in the replicase gene, and it could be concluded that the SARS agent was a novel coronavirus, harbouring s2m. The presence of this motif in different virus families is probably the result of recombinations between unrelated viruses, but its presence in both poultry and SARS coronaviruses could suggest a bird involvement in the history of the SARS coronavirus. A recent screening of wild birds for the presence of coronaviruses, using a pan-coronavirus RT-PCR, led to the identification of novel coronaviruses in the three species studied. Phylogenetic analyses performed on both replicase gene and nucleocapsid protein could not add support to a close relationship between avian and SARS coronaviruses, but all the novel avian coronaviruses were found to harbour s2m. The motif is inserted at a homologous place in avian and SARS coronavirus genomes, but in a somewhat different context for the SARS coronavirus. If the presence of s2m in these viruses is a result of two separate recombination events, this suggests that its particular position in these genomes is the only one that would not be deleterious for coronaviral replication, or that it is the result of a copy-choice recombination between coronaviruses, following an ancestral introduction in the coronavirus family by an unrelated virus. In conclusion, the relative high frequencies of recombination observed both experimentally and in the natural evolution of RNA viruses, indicate that horizontal gene transfer does occur, even between unrelated viruses. This might represent a challenge in the rapid identification of novel pathogens with DNA micro-array techniques.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Evaluation of the protozoa found in fecal samples using the trichrome staining method.].

The morphological diagnosis of intestinal protozoa is a widely accepted method today. A permanent staining method is preferred since it can visualize the morphological details of protozoal cysts and it allows the stool specimens to be reevaluated later. In this study, 2141 stool specimens sent to the clinical microbiology laboratory of the Gazi University Hospital were examined using the trichrome staining method. We determined 181 parasitic organisms in 165 (7.70%) of these 2141 specimens. Helminthic organisms were detected in seven of these samples. Protozoa were found in 174 specimens evaluated with the trichrome staining method. In our study, trichrome staining was found to be 87.93% successful in the identification of intestinal protozoa. In conclusion, it was seen that the trichrome staining method could make a reliable diagnosis possible when used in addition to the direct examination of the stool specimens in the identification of intestinal pathogenic and nonpathogenic protozoa to the species level.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1990

Survey of enteropathogenic agents in children with and without diarrhoea in Ghana.

A survey was carried out over 1 year in a rural area of Ghana on the isolation, detection and/or identification of enteric pathogens from children under 5 years of age with and without diarrhoea. The isolation and detection rate of Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Giardia lamblia and Rotavirus were higher in children with diarrhoea than in controls. Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not isolated during the period of this survey. The incidence of other enteropathogenic bacteria and parasites identified in the diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal children was calculated and is discussed in this study.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The gastrointestinal tract in H.I.V. patients. Anatomopathologic aspects of opportunistic infections].

The symptoms of the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (A.I.D.S.) in the gastrointestinal tract are principally represented by neoplastic processes (Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma) and by opportunistic infections. These infections, for the diversity of bacterial, viral or parasitic etiological agents which are involved, ask for new and more specific interpretative problems, from the pathological point of view-either in the identification of the pathogenic agents either in the recognition of infective lesions associated with the presence of a not directly objectivable infective agent. On the basis of these considerations the authors report the principal histopathological characteristics connected with opportunistic infections of the gastrointestinal tract in 18 H.I.V. positive patients. Of every segment of the gastrointestinal tract, the detected agents are described with the lesions related to them, the other not specific A.I.D.S. associated infective forms recently described in literature, and in particular the differential diagnostic problems connected with viral infections. In the large bowel must be underlined the problems and the principal distinctive elements between opportunistic agents derived colitis and idiopathic colitis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗