A structural, epidemiological & genetic overview of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs).

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) are plasmid encoded carbapenem hydrolyzing enzymes which have the potential to spread widely through gene transfer. The instability of upstream region of blaKPC accelerates emergence of different isoforms. Routine antibiotic susceptibility testing failed to detect KPC producers and some commercial kits have been launched for early identification of KPC producers. Notable among the drugs under development against KPC are mostly derivatives of polymixin; β-lactamase inhibitor NXL104 with combination of oxyimino cephalosporin as well as with ceftazidime; a novel tricyclic carbapenem, LK-157, potentially useful against class A and class C enzymes; BLI-489-a bicyclic penem derivative; PTK-0796, a tetracycline derivative and ACHN-490. Combination therapy might be preferable to control KPC infections in immediate future. Clinicians are likely to opt for unconventional combinations of antibiotics to treat KPC infections because of unavailability of alternative agents. The KPCs have become endemic in many countries but there is no optimal treatment recommendation available for bacteria expressing KPCs. Reports of outbreaks involving KPCs have focused mainly on laboratory identification, empirical treatment outcomes and molecular epidemiology. This review includes information on the emergence of KPC variants, limitations of phenotyping methods, available molecular methods for identification of the KPC variants and treatment options highlighting the drugs under development.

Biomarkers for the management of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy related disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria noticeable after 20 wk of gestation. It is a leading cause of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aetiology of the disease is unknown, but recent studies have revealed that this disorder appears to originate in placenta and is characterized by widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction. Till date, delivery of placenta is the only cure for the disease. So, there is a need for the identification of highly specific and sensitive biochemical markers that would allow early identification of patients at risk and thus help in providing proper prenatal care. Several promising biomarkers have been proposed, alone or in combination, that may help in predicting women who are likely to develop PE. Maternal serum concentrations of these biomarkers either increase or decrease in PE during gestation. This review focuses on the various biomarkers available and their utility in predicting pre-eclampsia.

Infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma: a distinct variant or a missing link between fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma?

Infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma (IRMFS) is a rare soft tissue tumour affecting infants and young children. It occupies an intermediate position between infantile fibrosarcoma and spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma in its clinical presentation, behaviour, morphology, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features. This case is reported here to reiterate its occurrence as tumour with distinct morphological immunohistochemical and clinical behavioral patterns.

Effect of pentoxifylline on cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Effect of unique hemorrheologic agent pentoxifylline (PTX) was investigated on cyclosporine (CsA) induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Compared to saline control, CsA produced significant increase in blood urea and serum creatinine. Pentoxifylline treatment prevented the CsA-induced rise in blood urea and serum creatinine. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) and lithium clearance (Licr) was decreased with CsA. PTX treatment prevented the CsA-induced decrease in Ccr and Licr. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased with CsA compared to saline treated animals. PTX prevented the CsA-induced MDA rise. Kidney form CsA treated rat showed marked vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelium with excess of microcalcification. Severity of the lesions was markedly reduced in rats treated with PTX plus CsA. The results indicate that PTX reduces CsA-induced renal toxicity in rats.

Cardioprotective effect of magnesium chloride in experimental acute myocardial infarction.

Cardioprotective role of intravenous administration of magnesium chloride was evaluated in rabbits by biochemical and histopathological parameters. Myocardial damage was induced by injecting (i.v.) isoprenaline 1, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight of animal. There was a dose dependent increase in the activity of cardiac enzyme creatinine kinase CK (C Max). Maximal elevation of CK (C Max) was observed with 2.5 mg isoprenaline. The mean T-max (mean of the time duration in hr at which maximum creatinine kinase activity of individual rabbit was observed in a group) shifted early, significantly with 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg isoprenaline compared to control group. Histopathologically, myocardial damage was quite significant in 2.5 mg isoprenaline subgroup of animals. A mortality of 29% was observed in animals injected with 5 and 7.5 mg isoprenaline, whereas all animals subjected with 1 and 2.5 mg isoprenaline were alive for 72 hr. Considering the data on serial determination of cardiac enzyme CK and histopathological changes, 2.5 mg isoprenaline was chosen as standard dose to study efficacy of cardioprotection by gold standard verapamil and magnesium chloride. Verapamil (5 microM) injected prior to 2.5 mg isoprenaline administration revealed significant reduction of CK (C Max) activity (P < 0.05) compared to animals infused with isoprenaline alone. T-max value did not show any alteration in both the groups. Histopathological findings showed no areas of necrosis and cellular infiltrates in animals primed with 2.5 mg isoprenaline following verapamil. Highly significant reduction in CK (C-max) activity was observed in animals administered with 40 mg magnesium chloride prior to isoprenaline compared to animals treated with isoprenaline alone (P < 0.001). In addition to this, significant delay in T-max of CK activity was observed in group treated with 40 mg magnesium chloride and isoprenaline compared to group treated with only isoprenaline (P < 0.01). The study clearly highlighted and confirmed the valuable role of magnesium chloride as cardioprotective agent.

Cavernous hemangioma of the orbit: a case report.

Cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign intraorbital tumor in the young and middle aged, producing painless proptosis. It is common in females in whom it may enlarge during pregnancy. There have however been very few series reported on this entity.

Splenic hemangiomatosis with osseous involvement.

A rare case of splenic hemangiomatosis with bone involvement in the upper extremity is presented. The findings on ultrasonography and CT scan abdomen were suggestive of splenic hemangiomatosis. X-ray of left forearm showed findings characteristic of osseous hemangiomatosis, which was subsequently confirmed on histology.

Conjunctival and corneal peroxidases in vitamin A deficiency.

Xerophthalmia is a commonly encountered nutritional disorder that affects the growing population of the world. Conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells contain peroxidase enzyme. In experimentally induced Vitamin A deficiency conjunctival and corneal peroxidases are markedly lowered indicating direct or indirect relation of Vitamin A to epithelial functional integrity.