An in vitro evaluation of synergistic activity of vancomycin and kanamycin on staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyze the in vitro activity of vancomycin and kanamycin combination against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

STUDY DESIGN: It was an experimental study

PLACE AND DURATION: The study was conducted in the month of February, 2007 at the University of East London

METHODS: Checkerboard synergy tests were performed in broth microdilution trays

RESULTS: FIC [Fractional Inhibitory Concentration] of 0.625 was calculated for the two drugs against E. coli that showed additive effect making this combination not effective against this organism. FIC of 0.182 was observed when the same combination of drugs was tested against Staph. Aureus

CONCLUSION: Vancomycin and Kanamycin have synergistic effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Biodisposition of isoniazid after oral administration in teddy goats

Objective: to investigate the bio disposition of isoniazid in Teddy goats

Design: Experimental study

Material and methods: bio disposition of isoniazid [INH] was investigated in eight Teddy goats after single oral administration at the rate of 10 mg/Kg body weight. Blood samples were collected from each animal at pre-determined time intervals after drug administration. Plasma was isolated after centrifugation and analyzed for INH using spectrophotometer

Results: concentration versus time profile of each animal was used to determine the bio disposition of INH. Data was best described by two compartment open pharmacokinetic [PK] model and various PK parameters were calculated which were significantly different from the values in the literature

Conclusions: based on the results of this study it was concluded that disposition studies of imported antimicrobial drugs should always be conducted under indigenous conditions to rationalize their dosage regimen for local animal species

Identification of bacteria from human oral microflora having azoreductase activity

Objective: to find out if the bacteria present in human oral cavity have the ability to produce azoreductase enzyme and to identify the types of bacteria from the human oral flora that can decolourise the azo dye amaranth

Design: experimental study

Materials and methods: human oral microbial flora were screened for their abilities to reduce azo compound by growing them on brain heart infusion agar plates containing 100 µµMolar of the azo dye amaranth. Bacteria that reduced amaranth were detected by the appearance of clear zones around the colonies. Bacteria were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Organisms belonging to Micrococcaceae family were further identified by API Staph kit from BioMérieux SA

Results: there was more decolourisation of the amaranth dye in the plates that were incubated anaerobically as compared to plates grown in aerobic conditions. Azoreduction of the amaranth dye proceeded at a slower rate when performed under aerobic condition as compared to when performed under anaerobic environment. Bacteria having azoreductase activity were identified as Neisseria flavescens, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus lentis

Conclusion: this study suggests that azo dyes present in food and drink can be reduced by some common oral microflora and the environment in the oral cavity is also favourable for the reduction of these compounds