ABSTRACT
@#Skin mycoses have been a major problem affecting millions around the globe. The threat of resistance to synthetic antifungal agents however is a major obstacle in its management. As an alternative to these, a thorough investigation of natural products is being performed to develop medicines that are effective and safe. In this review, we described three antifungal herbal plants that are available in the Philippines, namely Senna alata (Linn.) Roxb. (akapulko), Allium sativum (Linn.) (garlic) and Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (lemongrass). In vitro studies showed promising results that can be used as a basis for drug formulation for community use as well as commercial products. So far, there have been no reported toxic effects from these plants. The common ground for these plants’ mechanism of action was the effect of their phytochemicals in the cell membrane and cell wall organelles, inhibition of major biosynthetic pathways, and prevention of biofilm formation. Formulation and clinical studies also revealed promising results comparable to the synthetic ones.
Subject(s)
Tinea , GarlicABSTRACT
Background@#The global burden of multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacterial (MDR-GNB) infections has been increasing. Neonates are at a particularly high-risk and there is limited treatment option. The use of colistin has been re-introduced for this population. However, data on its use in neonates is scarce. @*Objectives@#To determine the effectiveness and adverse effects of intravenous colistin in neonates with multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. @*Design@#This is a retrospective cohort study of the clinical profile and outcome of neonates with MDR-GNB infections given colistin for a minimum of 3 days conducted from April 2015 to April 2019. @*Results@#A total of 175 pediatric patients had MDR-GNB infections. 75 (43%) neonates met the inclusion criteri a and received intravenous colistin. Of the 75 patients with MDRGNB infections- that included sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection and abscess, 37 (49.3%) were alive and 38 (50.7%) patients died. Nephrotoxicity was seen in 4% if patients and 2.6% patients had hypersensitivity reaction. MDROs isolated were Acinetobacter baumanii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. @*Conclusions@#Intravenous colistin is 50% effective and is relatively safe to use in neonates.
Subject(s)
Infant, Newborn , ColistinABSTRACT
@#The Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME) held its annual convention on August 31 to September 3, 2012 at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One hundred thirty seven delegates from 21 countries attended the congress. The Philippines had the most delegates from a foreign country (13 delegates) and the PIDSP Journal was represented by Professor Cecilia Maramba Lazarte and Xenia Jaramillo Fabay. The 2012 Board of Directors of APAME are as follows: President: Professor John Arokiasamy (Malaysia); Executive Vice President: Professor Wilfred CG Peh (Singapore); Vice President for Internal Affairs; Professor Chang-Ok Suh (Republic of Korea); Vice President for External Affairs: Professor Kiyoshi Kitamura (Japan); Secretary-General: Professor Jose Florencio Lapena, Jr (Philippines). A new set of officers were elected during the congress with Professor Kitamura as President and Ms. Merlita Opena as a new board member.