Friday, February 24, 2012
Clinical evaluation of the role of ceftaroline in the management of community acquired
Clinical evaluation of the role of ceftaroline in the management of community acquired bacterialpneumonia.
Source
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
Abstract
Ceftaroline fosamil (ceftaroline) was recently approved for the treatment of community- acquired pneumonia (CAP) and complicated skin infections. This newly developed cephalosporin possesses a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Most importantly, ceftaroline demonstrates potent in vitro antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In two Phase III, double-blinded, randomized, prospective trials (FOCUS 1 and FOCUS 2), ceftaroline was shown to be non-inferior to ceftriaxone for the treatment of CAP in hospitalized patients. Ceftaroline exhibits low resistance rates and a safety profile similar to that of other cephalosporins. In this review, we will evaluate the pharmacological characteristics, safety, antimicrobial properties, and efficacy of ceftaroline and its applications in the treatment of CAP.
Labels: ceftaroline, community acquired bacterial pneumonia, gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive, methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, multi-drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae
The actions of bismuth in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections: an update.
The actions of bismuth in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections: an update.
Source
Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and The Laboratory of Integrative Biosciences, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China. gerg@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Abstract
Labels: anti-bacterial drugs, gastric diseases, gastritis, Helicobacter pylori, peptic ulcerations gastric cancer
Antibacterial drug resistance in Latin America: consequences for infectious disease control
Antibacterial drug resistance in Latin America: consequences for infectious disease control].
Abstract
Antibacterial drug resistance is a particularly significant issue in Latin America. This article explores antimicrobial resistance in three classes of clinically important bacteria: gram-positive bacteria, enterobacteria, and nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli. The gram-positive bacteria frequently responsible for infections in humans are for the most part cocci: staphylococci, streptococci (including pneumococci), and enterococci, in both community and hospital settings.
This situation is no different in the Region of the Americas. Among the gram-positive bacteria, the causative agents of bacteremia are most commonly strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, followed by enterococci.
This report explores the resistance of these species to different antimicrobial drugs, resistance mechanisms in community and hospital strains, and new drugs for treating infections caused by these bacteria. In Latin America, antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus strains is still a minor problem compared to the situation in the United States. The strains of the genus Streptococcus isolated from respiratory infections are still sensitive to penicillin.
Furthermore, the resistance of enterobacteria is extremely important in the Region, particularly because of the broad dissemination of CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), some of which originated in Latin America.
This article analyzes the resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, and viridans group streptococci. Among the nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains remain the leading cause of bacteremia, infections caused by strains of Acinetobacter spp. have proliferated extensively in some areas.
With regard to antibiotics, several options are available for treating gram-positive bacterial infections. The same cannot be said for infections caused by enterobacteria and nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli, where options for the effective treatment of patients are still insufficient.
Labels: antibacterial, beta-hemolytic streptococci, drug resistance, enterobacteria, infectious disease control, nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, viridans group streptococci
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Amoxicillin for acute rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled trial.
Amoxicillin for acute rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled trial.
Source
Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8005, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. jgarbutt@dom.wustl.edu
Abstract
CONTEXT:
Evidence to support antibiotic treatment for acute rhinosinusitis is limited, yet antibiotics are commonly used.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the incremental effect of amoxicillin treatment over symptomatic treatments for adults with clinically diagnosed acute rhinosinusitis.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of adults with uncomplicated, acute rhinosinusitis were recruited from 10 community practices in Missouri between November 1, 2006, and May 1, 2009.
INTERVENTIONS:
Ten-day course of either amoxicillin (1500 mg/d) or placebo administered in 3 doses per day. All patients received a 5- to 7-day supply of symptomatic treatments for pain, fever, cough, and nasal congestion to use as needed.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The primary outcome was improvement in disease-specific quality of life after 3 to 4 days of treatment assessed with the Sinonasal Outcome Test-16 (minimally important difference of 0.5 units on a 0-3 scale). Secondary outcomes included the patient's retrospective assessment of change in sinus symptoms and functional status, recurrence or relapse, and satisfaction with and adverse effects of treatment. Outcomes were assessed by telephone interview at days 3, 7, 10, and 28.
RESULTS:
A total of 166 adults (36% male; 78% with white race) were randomized to amoxicillin (n = 85) or placebo (n = 81); 92% concurrently used 1 or more symptomatic treatments (94% for amoxicillin group vs 90% for control group; P = .34). The mean change in Sinonasal Outcome Test-16 scores was not significantly different between groups on day 3 (decrease of 0.59 in the amoxicillin group and 0.54 in the control group; mean difference between groups of 0.03 [95% CI, -0.12 to 0.19]) and on day 10 (mean difference between groups of 0.01 [95% CI, -0.13 to 0.15]), but differed at day 7 favoring amoxicillin (mean difference between groups of 0.19 [95% CI, 0.024 to 0.35]). There was no statistically significant difference in reported symptom improvement at day 3 (37% for amoxicillin group vs 34% for control group; P = .67) or at day 10 (78% vs 80%, respectively; P = .71), whereas at day 7 more participants treated with amoxicillin reported symptom improvement (74% vs 56%, respectively; P = .02). No between-group differences were found for any other secondary outcomes. No serious adverse events occurred.
CONCLUSION:
Among patients with acute rhinosinusitis, a 10-day course of amoxicillin compared with placebo did not reduce symptoms at day 3 of treatment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION:
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00377403.
Labels: acute rhinosinusitis: antibiotic treatment, amoxicillin, Sinonasal Outcome Test-16, sinus infection
Acute Tonsillitis.
Acute Tonsillitis.
Source
62-158 CHS, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, 10833 LeConte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90095. nshapiro@ucla.edu.
Abstract
Acute tonsillitis is an inflammatory process of the tonsillar tissues and is usually infectious in nature. Acute infections of the palatine tonsils predominantly occur in school-aged children, but patients of any age may be affected. Tonsillitis of viral origin is usually treated with supportive care. Bacterial tonsillitis is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Polymicrobial infections and viral pathogens are also important sources of infection. Penicillins remain the treatment of choice for S. pyogenes tonsillitis, and augmented aminopenicillins have gained utility in concert with the increasing incidence of beta-lactamase producing bacteria. We describe the anatomic features and the immunologic function of the palatine tonsils, including a detailed discussion of history and physical examination findings, treatment recommendations, and possible complications of acute tonsillitis. Establishing an accurate diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment are key components of managing this common pathologic process.
Labels: bacterial infection, inflammatory process, penicillin, polymicrobial infections, Streptococcus pyogenes, tonsillitis
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome due to Group G streptococci identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis.
A case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome due to Group G streptococci identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis.
Source
Division of Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Care Unit, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan, takahitonei@gmail.com.
Abstract
A 79-year-old man with a 3-month history of lymphedema of the lower limbs, and diabetes mellitus, was admitted to our hospital for suspected deep venous thrombosis. Several hours after admission, leg pain and purpura-like skin color appeared. On the 2nd hospital day, he was referred to our department for possible acute occlusive peripheral artery disease (PAD) and skin necrosis with blisters; however, computed tomography with contrast showed no occlusive lesions. He had already developed shock and necrotizing deep soft-tissue infections of the left lower leg. Laboratory findings revealed renal dysfunction and coagulation system collapse. Soon after PAD was ruled out, clinical findings suggested necrotizing deep soft-tissue infections, shock state, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure. These symptoms led to a high suspicion of the well-recognized streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). With a high suspicion of STSS, we detected Group G β-hemolytic streptococci (GGS) from samples aspirated from the leg bullae, and the species was identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) by 16S-ribosomal RNA sequencing. However, unfortunately, surgical debridement was impossible due to the broad area of skin change. Despite adequate antimicrobial therapy and intensive care, the patient died on the 3rd hospital day. The M-protein gene (emm) typing of the isolated SDSE was revealed to be stG6792. This type of SDSE is the most frequent cause of STSS due to GGS in Japan. We consider it to be crucial to rapidly distinguish STSS from acute occlusive PAD to achieve life-saving interventions in patients with severe soft-tissue infections.
Labels: 16S-ribosomal RNA sequencing, blisters, deep venous thrombosis, Group G streptococci, lymphedema, skin necrosis, toxic shock syndrome
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Treatment of chlamydial infections.
Treatment of chlamydial infections.
Source
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics , 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203-2098 , USA +1 718 270 3097 ; +1 718 270 1985 ; mhammerschlag@downstate.edu.
Abstract
Introduction:
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens whose entry into mucosal epithelial cells is required for intracellular survival and subsequent growth. The life cycle of Chlamydia spp. and the ability to cause persistent, often subclinical infection, has major ramifications for diagnosis and treatment of C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae infections in humans.
Areas covered:
This up-to-date review describes the current state of knowledge of antimicrobial susceptibilities and treatment of genital infections due to C. trachomatis and respiratory infections due to C. pneumoniae. Expert opinion: Chlamydiae are susceptible to antibiotics that interfere with DNA and protein synthesis, including tetracyclines, macrolides and quinolones, which are the compounds that have been most extensively studied and used for treatment of humaninfection. Treatment of individuals with C. trachomatis genital infection prevents sexual transmission and complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease. Treatment of pregnant women will prevent the transmission of infection to infants during delivery. The benefits of treatment of respiratory infections due to C. pneumoniae are more difficult to assess, primarily because of the lack of FDA-approved, specific diagnostic tests for detection of the organism in clinical samples. The majority of published studies have relied on serology for diagnosis, making it difficult to assess microbiologic efficacy.
Labels: antibiotics, chlamydia pneumoniae, chlamydia trachomatis, chlamydiae, genital infection, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines
