J Chemother. 1991 Jan;3 Suppl 1:98-104.
Interactions of antibiotics with phagocytes in vitro.

Carlone NA, Cuffini AM, Tullio V, Cavallo G.

Institute of Microbiology, University of Turin, Italy.

The goal of antimicrobial therapy is to eliminate invading bacteria both in the extracellular and intracellular environment. Thus, recent work has focused on the ability of various antibiotics to enter phagocytic cells and kill intracellular pathogens, since bacteria which survive within phagocytes may often produce prolonged or recurrent infections. In the last ten years the antibiotic modulation of phagocytic cell functions has become the subject of our major investigational activity. Taking into account that entry of antibiotics into phagocytes is necessary for activity against intracellular organisms, we examined the uptake of 11 radiolabelled antibiotics by macrophages. Penicillins and cephalosporins were taken up poorly by phagocytes. Teicoplanin was efficiently concentrated by macrophages, achieving intracellular concentrations higher than those in the surrounding extracellular medium. Roxithromycin was more markedly accumulated within phagocytes than was erythromycin, depending upon an active transport mechanism. Antitubercular drugs were concentrated approximately twofold in the macrophages. Besides, since antibiotics that act on phagocytosed bacteria have clinical advantages, we evaluated the direct action of the above mentioned drugs on the macrophage, by determining their interference with its functions or their potentiation of both phagocytosis and killing of bacteria.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12041799&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



J Nutr. 2002 Jun;132(6):1214-8.
Rice expressing lactoferrin and lysozyme has antibiotic-like properties when fed to chicks.

Humphrey BD, Huang N, Klasing KC.

Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether rice that has been genetically produced to express human lactoferrin (LF) or lysozyme (LZ) protects the intestinal tract similarly to subtherapeutic antibiotics (bacitracin + roxarsone; Antibiotics). Experiment 1 compared 10 corn-soy diets containing 20% of various proportions of LF, LZ or conventional rice (CONV). Chicks fed 5% LF + 10% LZ + 5% CONV had significantly better feed efficiency and thinner lamina propria in the duodenum than those fed 20% CONV. Experiment 2 compared five corn-soy diets containing experimental rice combinations totaling 15% rice. Chicks fed 10% LZ + 5% CONV or 5% LF + 10% LZ had significantly lower feed intake and significantly better feed efficiency than those fed 15% CONV. Chicks fed 10% LZ + 5% CONV, 5% LF + 10% LZ or Antibiotics had significantly greater villous height in the duodenum compared with chicks fed 15% CONV. The lamina propria of the ileum was thinner and contained fewer leukocytes in chicks fed 10% LZ + 5% CONV or Antibiotics compared with those fed 15% CONV. The results from these experiments demonstrate a potential of genetically produced LF and LZ rice to be used as a substitute for antibiotics in broiler diets.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12042436&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



Int J Infect Dis. 2002 Mar;6(1):74-7.
Epidemiological observations of the judicious use of antibiotics in a pediatric teaching hospital.

Mora Y, Avila-Aguero ML, Umana MA, Jimenez AL, Paris MM, Faingezicht I.

Servicio de Infectologia, Hospital Nacional de Ninos, Universidad de Costa Rica and Universidad Automona de Centro America, San Jose, Costa Rica.

OBJECTIVE: This study in a tertiary care teaching center with 361 beds was conducted to assess use, misuse, and abuse of antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Every day of the study, a computer program was used to compile a list of patients' bedside records. On a specific day, the bedside charts of selected patients were reviewed to determine whether: (1) a justification for antibiotic prescription was recorded; (2) duration of antibiotic therapy had been defined; (3) suitable cultures had been obtained; and (4) treatment was appropriate for the infection to be treated. For 6 months, charts were evaluated 3 days per week. RESULTS: Of 750 bedside charts 500 (67%) were selected for review. Of the 500 patients, 175 (35%) did not receive antibiotics. The abuses or misuses of antibiotics most frequently observed among the 325 treated patients were no record of justification for the antibiotic prescribed (130/325, 40%); no appropriate blood or fluid samples obtained for culture (45/325, 14%); no subsequent control cultures or cultures obtained before modifying therapy (80/175, 46%); no indication of a planned duration of therapy (180/325, 55%); and improper dosage prescribed in relation to weight (25/325, 8%). Abuse or misuse of antibiotics was more frequently observed among surgical patients than among nonsurgical patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rational use of antibiotics should be emphasized in every training program as a main strategy to control the increase in drug resistance and to prolong the usefulness of antibiotics.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12044307&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



J Med Ethics. 2002 Dec;28(6):358-63.
The ethics of prophylactic antibiotics for neurosurgical procedures.

Savitz SI, Rivlin MM, Savitz MH.

Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. ssavitaregroup.harvard.edu

The prophylactic use of antibiotics has become a routine procedure in many areas of medicine. In neurosurgery, however, there is considerable debate over their use in the prevention of postoperative infection. We pose several ethical questions about antibiotic prophylaxis in a neurosurgical setting. These questions are discussed under the following categories: responsible usage of antibiotics; the ethical dilemmas of controlled, antibiotic clinical trials, and some problems inherent in not using prophylactic antibiotics.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12468654&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



Cas Lek Cesk. 2002 Apr 12;141(7):220-2.
[Evaluation of trends in ue of antibiotics and resistance in selected bacterial pathogens]

[Article in Czech]

Perlik F, Jedlickova A, Praznovcova L.

Oddeleni klinicke farmakologie I. interni kliniky 1. LF UK, VFN a IPVZ, Praha. fperf1.cuni.cz

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of antibiotic consumption and the surveillance of bacterial pathogens resistance appears to be an indispensable part of antibiotic policy. The aim of this study was to evaluate dynamics of antibiotics consumption and resistance development in selected bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aueruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) in the environment of Faculty Hospital. METHODS AND RESULTS: The analysis was focused on the development of antibiotic consumption and monitoring of the development of bacterial resistance. Samples were taken in internal and surgical departments of General Faculty Hospital in Prague in 1992, 1995, and 1999. The evaluation of antibiotic consumption was based on Anatomical Therapeutic and Chemical classification system and the Defined Daily Doses (DDD). The consumption in the follow up period almost doubled in surgical department while in internal medicine department was decreased by almost one third. In both department, namely in the surgical one significant increase of bacterial resistance of tested antibiotics was noted. CONCLUSION: The important part of the local antibiotic policy is the monitoring of development of bacterial resistance and consumption of antibiotics.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12053758&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



Rev Invest Clin. 2002 Mar-Apr;54(2):108-12.
[Antibiotic-resistant fecal Escherichia coli in healthy children. Induced by the use of antibiotics?]

[Article in Spanish]

Macias AE, Herrera LE, Munoz JM, Medina H.

Universidad de Guanajuato. aaeemmhahoo.com

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of antibiotic resistance of fecal E. coli from healthy children and to infer if it is acquired environmentally or induced by antibiotic use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study in children from schools and day care centers in Leon, Mexico. Prior antibiotic use (60 days) was questioned to the parents. A single fecal sample was cultured and an isolated colony suggestive of E. coli was submitted to biochemical identification and testing of disk susceptibility to 12 antibiotics. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-six isolates were studied from children of 10 institutions, with ages ranging from 3 to 72 months (mean, 42.41). Use of antibiotics was referred in 242 children (53.07%). The antibiotics more commonly used were trimethoprim/sulfa, ampicillin, and penicillin (34, 20.5, and 18%). The highest rate of resistance was found for tetracycline, ampicillin, and trimethoprim/sulfa (64.4, 52.63, and 46.05%). The resistance to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone was less than 5%. Resistance to five or more antimicrobials was found in 93 isolates (20.39%); this rate was higher in isolates from children who received antibiotics (59/242, 24.38% vs. 34/214, 15.89%) (p = .025; OR 1.71, IC 95% 1.04-2.81). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that saprophyte bacteria acquires resistance through both, use of antibiotics and from the environment. These results support the concept that antimicrobial resistance must be considered as a public health problem.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12053807&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



gpu.srv.ualberta.ca

Physicians often must select antibiotics for patients who are reported to have an antibiotic allergy. For penicillins, the sensitivity of penicillin skin testing for predicting serious allergic reactions is excellent. For other beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillin skin testing is useful for excluding the possibility of sensitivity to the beta-lactam ring. For other antibiotics, the patient history remains the most useful tool for determining whether a serious reaction is likely to occur with further drug exposure. The cross-reactivity between penicillins and second- or third-generation cephalosporins (excluding cefamandole) is probably no higher than is the cross-reactivity between penicillins and other classes of antibiotics. When a patient has a suspected immunoglobulin E-mediated antibiotic allergy, desensitization therapy should be considered, if the efficacy of alternate antibiotics is in doubt. For the treatment of serious infections, it is usually possible to safely administer the antibiotic of choice despite a history of possible antibiotic allergy.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12060871&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics