new approach for MRSA blind chemotherapy

In a trial to update the blind chemotherapy for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], the resistance profiles of six different MRSA isolates, from diabetic foot ulcers, were evaluated using 39 different antibiotics representing 6 groups. MIC values for individual antibiotics and in combination with each of garlic oil [GO] from Allium sativum, Nigella sativa oil [NSO], or olive [Olea europea] leaf extract [OLE] were determined and statistically analyzed. Extracellular protein profiles of each MRSA isolates under the action of each antibiotic alone or in combination with each herbal product were determined and compared via SDSPAGE. Also, the proteolytic activity [as a parameter of bacterial virulence] was visualized using the non-denatured gel electrophoresis. None of the six MRSA isolates found to have the same antibiotic resistance fingerprint. The same was observed for both extracellular proteins profiles and the proteolytic activities. Average MICs for different antibiotic groups was cephalosporins > penicillin > amino-glycosides > Miscellaneous> macrolides > Ouinolones. Addition of the three herbal extracts to different antibiotics was obviously synergistic. Order of synergistic capacity with different antibiotics was generally NSO > GO > OLE. Among Aminoglycosides, gentamicin and tobramycin were the best; for cephalosporins, cefipime and cefpirome; for penicillins, penicillin G and ampicillin; for macrolides, roxithromycin and azithromycin; for quinolones, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin; imipenim and spectinmycin from the miscellaneous group

Interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] production in malignant lymphomas before and after treatment

Homan interferon-gamma [IFN- gamma] is an important immunomodulatory protein produced predominantly by T-cells. This study investigated the relation between serum level of IFN-gamma and different clinical stages and pathological types of Hodgkin's disease [HD] and Non-Hodgkin' Lymphoma [NHL] patients before and after treatment. The serum level of IFN- gamma was estimated in a total of 18 patients with NHL and 20 with HD, as well as 24 healthy individuals of matched age and sex. There was a statistically significant decrease in IFN-gamma production in untreated NHL and HD patients regardless of their clinical stages or pathological types as compared to the control group. The level of IFN- gamma in patients with NHL was significantly decreased in clinical stages III and IV as compared to clinical stages I and II. Moreover, the lowest production of IFN- gamma was encountered in high pathological grades as compared to low and intermediate grades. Also, there was a significant decrease in the IFN- gamma production in HD patients with late clinical stages III and IV and advanced pathological types [mixed cellularity and lymphocytic depletion] than in patients with early clinical stages I and II and pathological types [lymphocytic predominance and nodular sclerosis]. Effective chemo- or radio-therapy increased the serum level of IFN- gamma significantly. The results point out to the significance of measuring the serum level of IFN- gamma in NHL and HD patients for monitoring the response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and the possible clinical use of IFN- gamma as an immunopotentiating agent in the treatment of malignant lymphomas