Multicomponent spectrometric assay of cyanocobalamin and its photoproduct hydroxocobalamin in the presence of ascorbic acid in photolyzed solutions

The simultaneous determination of cyanocobalamin [CC], hydroxocobalamin [HC] and ascorbic acid [AA] in aqueous solution has been achieved by a multicomponent spectrometric method. CC undergoes photolysis in acidic and alkaline media to form HC and the reaction is enhanced in the presence of AA. The method has been used to evaluate the kinetics of photodegradation reactions of the vitamin. CC, HC and AA present in the photolyzed solutions have been determined by absorbance measurement at 550, 525 and 265 nm at pH 4.0. These wavelengths correspond to the absorption maxima of the three substances and thus provide high specificity and sensitivity to the method. The method has been validated with respect to various parameters relating to the analytical performance characteristics. The recovery of the method for the three compounds ranges from 97.1-103.0% with a RSD value of +/- 3%. The accuracy of the method is shown by the linearity of the kinetic plots in the concentration range studied. The method is simple, rapid and convenient for the proposed work

Resistance pattern of clinical isolates involved in surgical site infections

Wound infections due to the incursion of microbes need to be averted or to heal the wounds by antibiotics. Antibiotics are not only aid in cure of infections but also help to prevent the flourishing and production of one or more species of microorganism, resultant in purulent discharge. This current study was carried out to evaluate the resistance pattern of clinical isolates from surgical site infections by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. A total of 257 clinical isolates were collected from different hospitals in Karachi and evaluated by using fifteen antibiotics belonging to different groups. Staphylococcus aureus [n=87], Escherichia coli [n=76], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [n=56], Proteus [n=21] and Klebsiella [n=17] species are the most common clinical isolates of surgical site infections. Among the semi-synthetic penicillins, ampicillin was found to be resistant to nearly all clinical isolates but amoxicillin was moderately sensitive to S. aureus. Combinations of semi-synthetic penicillins are more sensitive than the penicillin alone. Co-amoxiclave exhibits superior sensitivity to all the surgical infection isolates except Pseudomonas aeruginosa which showed 68.75% resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was highly resistant to cephalosporin except ceftraixone which showed 21.88% resistance. S. aureus was slightly responsive to cefazolin, cephradine, cefaclor, ceftizoxime, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone. E. coli, Gram-negative clinical isolate was showed 25% and 31.25% resistance to ceftriaxone and cefuroxime. In the Klebsiella species, 71.42% and 64.29% resistance to cefazolin and cefuroxime respectively, was observed. Aminoglycosides such as gentamycin and tobramycin were found to be more susceptible to all the clinical isolates. Quinolones like ofloxacin and enoxacin were showed good sensitivity to nearly all the clinical isolates. On the basis of the present study, it is recommended to adopt a rational use of antibiotics in prophylaxis and the utilization of a coordinated scheme of surgical wound inspections.

Levofloxacin: a broad spectrum potent antibiotic

Levofloxacin is a third generation· fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and atypical pathogens. It shows its bactericidal activity by inhibiting topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase. Levofloxacin has shown Strong antibacterial action against Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae. Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species Klebsiella species Serratia species, Enterococcus species; Proteus. Species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus injluenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoea. Moreover, levofloxacin has shown antifungal activity against Chlamydia trachomatis it is also active against penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. It also possesses lethal effect on resistant mycobacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae causing tuberculosis and even Mycoplasma species of HIV infection. Levofloxacin is indicated in the treatment of urinary tract infection, respiratory tract infection, biliary tract 'infection and other infection with clinical efficacy of 80-92%