Effectiveness of cephalosporins Microbiology in hydrolysis and inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli biofilms

Objective@#The study examined the efficacy of various generations of cephalosporins against biofilms developed by pathogenic S. aureus and E. coli. @*Methods@#The development of biofilms by both bacteria was assessed using petri-plate and microplate methods. Biofilm hydrolysis and inhibition were tested using first to fourth generations of cephalosporins, and the effects were analyzed by crystal violet staining and phase contrast microscopy. @*Results@#Both bacterial strains exhibited well-developed biofilms in petri-plate and microplate assays. Cefradine (first generation) showed 76.78% hydrolysis of S. aureus biofilm, while significant hydrolysis (59.86%) of E. coli biofilm was observed by cefipime (fourth generation). Similarly, cefuroxime, cefadroxil, cefepime, and cefradine caused 78.8%, 71.63%, 70.63%, and 70.51% inhibition of the S. aureus biofilms, respectively. In the case of E. coli, maximum biofilm inhibition (66.47%) was again shown by cefepime. All generations of cephalosporins were more effective against S. aureus than E. coli, which was confirmed by phase contrast microscopy. @*Conclusions@#and Relevance: Cephalosporins exhibit dual capabilities of hydrolyzing and inhibiting S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. First-generation cephalosporins exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against S. aureus, while the third and fourth generations significantly inhibited E. coli biofilms. This study highlights the importance of tailored antibiotic strategies based on the biofilm characteristics of specific bacterial strains.

Comparison of electrosurgical versus scalpel skin incision in inguinal hernioplasty in terms of early postoperative pain

Objective: To compare early mean postoperative pain following use of diathermy and scalpel for making skin incision in inguinal hernioplasty

Study design: Double blind, randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration of study: Department of General surgery, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from September 2011 to February 2012

Methodology: A total of 60 patients who underwent either diathermy skin incision [group A n=30] or scalpel skin incision [group B n=30] were analyzed. Early postoperative pain was compared in both the groups by using visual analogue scale. The inclusion criteria were all adult male and female patients who underwent elective or emergency inguinal hernioplasty under spinal anesthesia. The exclusion criteria were patients with recurrent inguinal hernias and patients operated under general or local anesthesia

Results: Mean VAS was 2.15 + 1.200 in the diathermy group and p value was 0.00, which was significant.In the scalpel group mean VAS was 4.95 + 1.373. Mean percentage of pain score in scalpel was 49.5%, whereas in diathermy group its was 21.5%, which is significantly lower than the scalpel group

Conclusion: Diathermy incision has significant advantage compared with scalpel in terms of reduced early postoperative pain