In-vitro susceptibilities of species of the Bacteroides fragilis group to newer beta-lactam agents. (1/51)

The in-vitro activities of imipenem and four beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations were tested against 816 strains of the Bacteroides fragilis group, and compared with other anti-anaerobic agents. None of the strains was resistant to metronidazole, and only one was resistant to chloramphenicol. Mezlocillin and piperacillin were moderately active, while clindamycin was the least active. Rates of resistance varied between various species. The new beta-lactam agents tested showed excellent activity; piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem were the most active. The emergence of strains that are resistant to these agents, observed in this study, suggests there is a need to perform periodic antimicrobial susceptibility tests.  (+info)

Characterization of an In vitro-selected amoxicillin-resistant strain of Helicobacter pylori. (2/51)

An amoxicillin-resistant (Amox(r)) strain of Helicobacter pylori was selected for by culturing an amoxicillin-sensitive (Amox(s)) strain in increasingly higher concentrations of amoxicillin, resulting in a 133-fold increase in MIC, from 0.03 to 0.06 microg/ml to 4 to 8 microg/ml. This resistance was stable upon freezing for at least 6 months and conferred cross-resistance to seven other beta-lactam antibiotics. beta-Lactamase activity was not detected in this Amox(r) strain; however, analysis of the penicillin-binding protein (PBP) profiles generated from isolated bacterial membranes of the Amox(s) parental strain and the Amox(r) strain revealed a significant decrease in labeling of PBP 1 by biotinylated amoxicillin (bio-Amox) in the Amox(r) strain. Comparative binding studies of PBP 1 for several beta-lactams demonstrated that PBP 1 in the Amox(r) strain had decreased affinity for mezlocillin but not significantly decreased affinity for penicillin G. In addition, PBP profiles prepared from whole bacterial cells showed decreased labeling of PBP 1 and PBP 2 in the Amox(r) strain at all bio-Amox concentrations tested, suggesting a diffusional barrier to bio-Amox or a possible antibiotic efflux mechanism. Uptake analysis of (14)C-labeled penicillin G showed a significant decrease in uptake of the labeled antibiotic by the Amox(r) strain compared to the Amox(s) strain, which was not affected by pretreatment with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, eliminating the possibility of an efflux mechanism in the resistant strain. These results demonstrate that alterations in PBP 1 and in the uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics in H. pylori can be selected for by prolonged exposure to amoxicillin, resulting in increased resistance to this antibiotic.  (+info)

Clinical determinants for the recovery of fungal and mezlocillin-resistant pathogens from bile specimens. (3/51)

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all bile specimens obtained for routine cultures from January 1995 through December 1999 at our tertiary care hospital. Results of microbiologic testing were linked to clinical parameters gathered by means of chart review. A total of 722 isolates were cultured from 345 of 454 bile specimens obtained from 288 individual patients. Prior receipt of a >7-day course of antibiotics (odds ratio [OR], 5.7), extensive leukocytosis (leukocyte count, >20,000 cells/microL) on admission (OR, 7.8), endoscopic or percutaneous biliary manipulation during the previous 14 days (OR, 2.9), and treatment in an internal medicine ward (OR, 2.5) were independent factors significantly associated (Pless-than-or-eq, slant.05) with recovery of Candida species from bile specimens. Culture of mezlocillin-resistant bacteria from bile specimens was independently associated with the specimen having been obtained >1 week after admission (OR, 3.8), lack of history of endoscopic biliary drainage (OR, 3.2), and high serum aspartate aminotransferase levels (>72 U/L) on admission (OR, 2.6). Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate accordingly adjusted empiric therapies for biliary infections.  (+info)

Effects of prophylactic antibiotic therapy with mezlocillin plus sulbactam on the incidence and height of fever after severe acute ischemic stroke: the Mannheim infection in stroke study (MISS). (4/51)

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Beta-lactam antibiotic-induced platelet dysfunction: evidence for irreversible inhibition of platelet activation in vitro and in vivo after prolonged exposure to penicillin. (5/51)

beta-Lactam antibiotics cause platelet dysfunction with bleeding complications. Previous in vitro studies documented reversible inhibition of agonist-receptor interaction. This mechanism is inadequate to explain the effect of beta-lactam antibiotics in vivo. Platelet function does not return to normal immediately after drug treatment, implying irreversible inhibition of platelet function. We report here evidence of irreversible platelet functional and biochemical abnormalities after in vitro and in vivo exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics. Irreversible binding of [14C]-penicillin (Pen) occurred in vitro. After 24 hours' in vitro incubation with 10 to 20 mmol/L Pen, or ex vivo after antibiotic treatment, irreversible functional impairment occurred; but no irreversible inhibition of alpha 2 adrenergic receptors, measured with [3H]-yohimbine, or high-affinity thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) receptors, measured with agonist [3H]-U46619 and antagonist [3H]-SQ29548, occurred. However, low-affinity platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors were decreased 40% after Pen exposure in vitro or in vivo, indicating irreversible membrane alteration. Two postreceptor biochemical events were irreversibly inhibited in platelets incubated with Pen for 24 hours in vitro or ex vivo after antibiotic treatment. Thromboxane synthesis was inhibited 28.3% to 81.7%. Agonist-induced rises in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) were inhibited 40.1% to 67.5% in vitro and 26.6% to 52.2% ex vivo. Therefore, Pen binds to platelets after prolonged exposure, resulting in irreversible dysfunction attributable to inhibition of TXA2 synthesis and impairment of the rise in [Ca2+]i. The loss of low-affinity TXA2/PGH2 receptors suggests that the primary site of action of these drugs is on the platelet membrane.  (+info)

Alteration in the pharmacokinetic disposition of ciprofloxacin by simultaneous administration of azlocillin. (6/51)

Healthy subjects were given single intravenous doses of ciprofloxacin, azlocillin, and the two drugs simultaneously on separate occasions. High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis was used to assay the concentrations of both drugs in serum and urine. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental methods. The total body (CL), renal (CLR), and nonrenal (CLNR) clearances; steady-state volume of distribution (Vss); and fractional urinary excretion of ciprofloxacin were all markedly decreased with the simultaneous administration of azlocillin. The disposition of azlocillin was unchanged when it was given with ciprofloxacin compared to when it was given alone. The pharmacokinetic parameters (mean +/- standard deviation) of ciprofloxacin given alone versus in combination with azlocillin were as follows: CL, 52.2 +/- 9.2 versus 33.9 +/- 6.0 liters/h (P less than 0.0005); CLR, 26.5 +/- 4.8 versus 16.2 +/- 4.2 liters/h (P less than 0.0005); CLNR, 25.8 +/- 5.5 versus 17.7 +/- 4.0 liters/h (P less than 0.03); Vss, 224 +/- 30 versus 166 +/- 41 liters (P less than 0.01); fractional urinary excretion, 0.56 +/- 0.06 versus 0.43 +/- 0.04 (P less than 0.002), respectively. This interaction resulted in significantly higher and more prolonged concentrations of ciprofloxacin in serum, which may be beneficial in the treatment of serious gram-negative bacterial infections, but it could also produce greater toxicity or result in more pronounced effects on oxidative drug metabolism of other medications.  (+info)

Study of in vitro antibacterial activity of 19 antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (7/51)

The in vitro antibacterial activity of 19 antimicrobial agents against 40 strains of P aeruginosa was studied. The 19 antimicrobial agents included 7 semisynthetic penicillins, 6 third generation cephalosporins, 5 aminoglycosides and 1 quinolone agent. The minimal inhibition concentrations (MIGs) were measured by the serial dilution on solid agar. Ceftazidime was the most active in 19 antimicrobial agents again P aeruginosa (MIC50: 1 microgram/ml, MIC90: 2 micrograms/ml) Amikacin and ofloxaxin followed it in activity. Acylureido-penicillins, such as azlocillin, furbenicillin and piperacillin were highly active against P aeruginosa, which could inhibit, 92.5%, 90% and 85% of these strains at a concentration of 8 micrograms/ml. Cefsulodine and cefoperazone were also active against the same strains, inhibiting 92.5% and 99% of the strains at a concentration of 8 micrograms/ml. The potency of the agents mentioned above against P. aeruginosa was similar to that of aminoglycosides. The drug susceptibility of 10 strains isolated in our hospital was compared with that of 29 strains of other hospitals in Beijing. The MICS of 5 penicillins and 3 cephalosporins against the isolates of our hospital was higher than that of other hospitals, suggesting that the susceptibility of beta-lactam antibiotics against isolates of our hospital was lower. The effects of combined use of azlocillin with oxacillin and piperacillin with ofloxacin against 4 strains of carbenicillin-resistant P aeruginosa was studied using check-board testing. The synergy and partial synergy were observed in both combinations.  (+info)

Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of mezlocillin in rats. (8/51)

The pharmacokinetics of mezlocillin were examined in rats following bolus intravenous doses of 20 or 200 mg/kg. Mezlocillin exhibited bi- or triexponential disposition profiles, and the area under the concentration-time curve increased nonproportionally with dose similar to reported findings in humans. Apparent total, renal, and nonrenal clearances and the volume of distribution at steady-state all decreased by 45 to 50% with the higher dose, and the elimination half-life was longer (8 +/- 2 versus 15 +/- 3 min). Mezlocillin exhibits low saturable binding in rat serum, ranging from 20 to 40% bound. Pharmacokinetic parameters based on free drug demonstrated dose-dependent characteristics similar to those with total drug. Use of the volume of distribution from the low dose allowed calculation of the true mean residence time. The linear relationship between dose and mean residence time from free concentrations yielded pooled Michaelis-Menten parameters. These were used as initial estimates in the simultaneous nonlinear fitting of the low- and high-dose mean free concentrations to a three-compartment model with sequential distribution and Michaelis-Menten elimination to describe the nonlinearity of mezlocillin disposition further.  (+info)