ABSTRACT
We report the core features of 'Rothia nasisuis' strain 1a5R-CH16 sp. nov., 'Dermabacter porcinasus' strain 2a1I-BL09 sp. nov., 'Propionibacterium westphaliense' strain 1a7I-CH12an sp. nov. and 'Tessaracoccus nasisuum' strain 1a6R-CH11an sp. nov. In 2016, these isolates were cultured from porcine nasal swabs taken from healthy pigs from farms in the region around Münster, Germany.
ABSTRACT
Sodium valproate enteric-coated tablets were administered as monotherapy to 118 patients (median age, 19 years) with primary generalized epilepsies. More than half (56%) of these patients were transferred from prior drug therapy, most of them because of inadequate seizure control, and some because of adverse effects. Seventy-one percent of the patients experienced tonic-clonic seizures, either alone or in combination with other types of seizures, principally absences. Mean duration of follow-up was 18 months (median, 17 months; range, 1-68 months). At a mean daily dosage of less than 20 mg/kg, 83% of the patients became seizure-free. Therapy was equally effective against tonic-clonic seizures, absences, and myoclonic seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures were suppressed in 85% of cases (89% when patient had only one seizure type), absences in 82% (95% when patient had only one seizure type), and myoclonic seizures in 82%. Paroxysmal activity was present in 88% of the electroencephalogram (EEG) records before valproate monotherapy, and in 32.4% at the study's end. These results were achieved with generally mild and mostly transient side effects; side effects were reported by 16% of patients during the first month, and 2% at the last follow-up. No hematologic or hepatic toxicity was observed. The lag time between attaining steady-state serum concentrations and achieving maximal clinical improvement suggests that sodium valproate monotherapy should be given an adequate trial to ensure that patients derive the greatest possible benefit before adding or switching to another drug.
Subject(s)
Epilepsy/drug therapy , Valproic Acid/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Clinical Trials as Topic , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Electroencephalography , Epilepsy/blood , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Tablets, Enteric-Coated , Valproic Acid/adverse effects , Valproic Acid/bloodABSTRACT
The metabolism, mechanism of action, interactions with other drugs and side effects of diphenylhydantoin (DPH), which is probably the most commonly used antiepileptic drug are reviewed in the light of the recent literature. Some findings of practical importance are emphasized, and the resultant implications with regard to the management of epileptic patients are discussed.
