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1.
Rev Mal Respir ; 39(4): 334-343, 2022 Apr.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35289288

ABSTRACT

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) need be better understood and more effectively treated, especially insofar as they are of pivotal importance in public health, particularly during a crisis such as the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. The prospective, multicentric cohort study of viral codetections in respiratory samples study known as ECOVIR was conducted in Normandy, France during two winters (2018-2019, 2019-2020). The objective of the project was to create a biobank of respiratory tract samples from patients consulting their general practitioner (GP) for ARI symptoms. ECOVIR involved 36 GP investigators (GPI), from 8 health care centers throughout Normandy. Six hundred and eighty-five patients with ARI symptoms were included; naso-pharyngeal samples were taken by the GPIs and subsequently analyzed in virology laboratories for the purposes of viral codetection. The median of inclusions was 16 patients for each of the 31 actively participating GPIs over the two winters (CI25-75% [4.75; 27]). By D7, 92% of the patients contacted had responded to our call for participation, enabling us to obtain clinical, environmental and socio-demographic data. Through this study, we created an original functional network, thereby establishing a viable link between research and primary care, which is generally underrepresented in research protocols, even though it constitutes the cornerstone of the French health care system, especially during this prolonged period of sanitary crisis.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Respiratory Tract Infections , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Hospitals , Humans , Primary Health Care , Prospective Studies , RNA, Viral , Respiratory Tract Infections/diagnosis , Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2
2.
J Hosp Infect ; 104(2): 193-197, 2020 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31628957

ABSTRACT

Increased public awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a key component of effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies. Educational theatre combined with an expert panel was used to engage the public about AMR through delivery of a play entitled 'The drugs don't work'. Audience knowledge and understanding of AMR were measured by pre- and post-play questionnaires. Performance of the play and discussion with the expert panel significantly improved audience knowledge and understanding of AMR, including antibiotic misuse and prescribing. Educational theatre provides a positive learning experience and is an innovative method of public engagement to disseminate important public health messages.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Health Education/methods , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Play and Playthings , Public Opinion , Students , United Kingdom , Young Adult
3.
Equine Vet J ; 50(2): 213-219, 2018 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28805265

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anthelmintic resistance combined with limited chemotherapeutic options has prompted a change in approaches to control of equine helminth infections. Targeted selective treatment strategies use diagnostics to reduce anthelmintic use by treating individuals with worm burdens or egg shedding levels above a set threshold. While faecal egg count analysis has limitations for informing tapeworm treatment, a commercially available saliva-based diagnostic test accurately diagnoses horses with tapeworm infection. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of a saliva-based diagnostic test to identify horses naturally infected with tapeworm and assess the impact of using the test to inform anthelmintic administration. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. METHODS: Saliva was collected from horses (n = 237) at a UK welfare charity from autumn 2015 to autumn 2016. Horses diagnosed as positive for tapeworm infection using the EquiSal® Tapeworm test were anthelmintic treated according to weight. The number of horses that received anthelmintic treatment based on the test result was compared with an all-group treatment approach and the reduction in anthelmintic usage calculated. Incoming horses were also tested (n = 143) and the information was used to inform quarantine treatments. RESULTS: In autumn 2015, 85% of 237 horses tested received no anthelmintic and the majority (71%) of these remained below the treatment threshold throughout the study. Of the 69 horses that received treatment, seven required treatment following three subsequent tests, while >50% of horses administered with anthelmintic fell below the treatment threshold at the following test. No increase in tapeworm prevalence within the 237 horses was observed during the study despite a substantial reduction in the application of antitapeworm treatments. A total of 41% of incoming horses required anticestode treatment. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Other management practices were not included in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with an all-group treatment strategy, the diagnostic-led approach used here considerably reduced application of anticestode anthelmintics. This could reduce selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Helminth/chemistry , Cestode Infections/veterinary , Horse Diseases/diagnosis , Saliva/chemistry , Aging , Animals , Anthelmintics/administration & dosage , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Cestode Infections/diagnosis , Cestode Infections/drug therapy , Cestode Infections/epidemiology , Diagnostic Tests, Routine/veterinary , Horse Diseases/drug therapy , Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Horse Diseases/parasitology , Horses , Praziquantel/administration & dosage , Praziquantel/therapeutic use , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies , Seasons , Sensitivity and Specificity , Time Factors , United Kingdom/epidemiology
4.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol ; 33(1): 3-9, 2012 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22173515

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether copper incorporated into hospital ward furnishings and equipment can reduce their surface microbial load. DESIGN: A crossover study. SETTING: Acute care medical ward with 19 beds at a large university hospital. METHODS: Fourteen types of frequent-touch items made of copper alloy were installed in various locations on an acute care medical ward. These included door handles and push plates, toilet seats and flush handles, grab rails, light switches and pull cord toggles, sockets, overbed tables, dressing trolleys, commodes, taps, and sink fittings. Their surfaces and those of equivalent standard items on the same ward were sampled once weekly for 24 weeks. The copper and standard items were switched over after 12 weeks of sampling to reduce bias in usage patterns. The total aerobic microbial counts and the presence of indicator microorganisms were determined. RESULTS: Eight of the 14 copper item types had microbial counts on their surfaces that were significantly lower than counts on standard materials. The other 6 copper item types had reduced microbial numbers on their surfaces, compared with microbial counts on standard items, but the reduction did not reach statistical significance. Indicator microorganisms were recovered from both types of surfaces; however, significantly fewer copper surfaces were contaminated with vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and coliforms, compared with standard surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Copper alloys (greater than or equal to 58% copper), when incorporated into various hospital furnishings and fittings, reduce the surface microorganisms. The use of copper in combination with optimal infection-prevention strategies may therefore further reduce the risk that patients will acquire infection in healthcare environments.


Subject(s)
Alloys/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Copper/pharmacology , Equipment Contamination/prevention & control , Infection Control/methods , Colony Count, Microbial , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Cross-Over Studies , Enterobacteriaceae/drug effects , Enterobacteriaceae/growth & development , Enterococcus/drug effects , Enterococcus/growth & development , Equipment and Supplies/microbiology , Hospitals , Humans , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development , Vancomycin Resistance
5.
J Appl Microbiol ; 110(4): 987-94, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21261795

ABSTRACT

AIMS: It is well established that the bile salt sodium taurocholate acts as a germinant for Clostridium difficile spores and the amino acid glycine acts as a co-germinant. The aim of this study was to determine whether any other amino acids act as co-germinants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clostridium difficile spore suspensions were exposed to different germinant solutions comprising taurocholate, glycine and an additional amino acid for 1 h before heating shocking (to kill germinating cells) or chilling on ice. Samples were then re-germinated and cultured to recover remaining viable cells. Only five amino acids out of the 19 common amino acids tested (valine, aspartic acid, arginine, histidine and serine) demonstrated co-germination activity with taurocholate and glycine. Of these, only histidine produced high levels of germination (97·9-99·9%) consistently in four strains of Cl. difficile spores. Some variation in the level of germination produced was observed between different PCR ribotypes, and the optimum concentration of amino acids with taurocholate for the germination of Cl. difficile NCTC 11204 spores was 10-100 mmol l-1. CONCLUSIONS: Histidine was found to be a co-germinant for Cl. difficile spores when combined with glycine and taurocholate.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile/physiology , Glycine/pharmacology , Histidine/pharmacology , Taurocholic Acid/pharmacology , Amino Acids/pharmacology , Clostridioides difficile/drug effects , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Spores, Bacterial/drug effects , Spores, Bacterial/growth & development
6.
J Hosp Infect ; 74(1): 72-7, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19931938

ABSTRACT

The environment may act as a reservoir for pathogens that cause healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Approaches to reducing environmental microbial contamination in addition to cleaning are thus worthy of consideration. Copper is well recognised as having antimicrobial activity but this property has not been applied to the clinical setting. We explored its use in a novel cross-over study on an acute medical ward. A toilet seat, set of tap handles and a ward entrance door push plate each containing copper were sampled for the presence of micro-organisms and compared to equivalent standard, non-copper-containing items on the same ward. Items were sampled once weekly for 10 weeks at 07:00 and 17:00. After five weeks, the copper-containing and non-copper-containing items were interchanged. The total aerobic microbial counts per cm(2) including the presence of 'indicator micro-organisms' were determined. Median numbers of microorganisms harboured by the copper-containing items were between 90% and 100% lower than their control equivalents at both 07:00 and 17:00. This reached statistical significance for each item with one exception. Based on the median total aerobic cfu counts from the study period, five out of ten control sample points and zero out of ten copper points failed proposed benchmark values of a total aerobic count of <5cfu/cm(2). All indicator micro-organisms were only isolated from control items with the exception of one item during one week. The use of copper-containing materials for surfaces in the hospital environment may therefore be a valuable adjunct for the prevention of HCAIs and requires further evaluation.


Subject(s)
Bacteria, Aerobic/drug effects , Copper/pharmacology , Disinfectants/pharmacology , Disinfection/methods , Environmental Microbiology , Bacteria, Aerobic/isolation & purification , Colony Count, Microbial , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Hospitals , Humans , Infection Control/methods
7.
Br J Hosp Med (Lond) ; 70(10): 579-82, 2009 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19966703

ABSTRACT

The incidence of health-care-associated infections has reduced since skin antisepsis was introduced in the 19th century. Despite this, health-care-associated infections, including post-surgical sepsis, continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the evidence for the use of preoperative skin preparations.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/therapeutic use , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Preoperative Care/methods , Sepsis/prevention & control , Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control , Antisepsis/methods , Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects , Humans
8.
J Antimicrob Chemother ; 64(6): 1219-25, 2009 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19837714

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Effective disinfection and antisepsis is pivotal in preventing infections within the healthcare setting. Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) is a widely used disinfectant/antiseptic possessing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity; however, its penetration into bacterial biofilms and human skin is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of crude eucalyptus oil (EO) and its main component 1,8-cineole (a recognized permeation enhancer), alone and in combination with CHG, against a panel of clinically relevant microorganisms grown in planktonic and biofilm cultures. METHODS: MICs and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations were determined for each microorganism grown in suspension and biofilm using microbroth dilution and ATP bioluminescence, respectively. Chequerboard assays were used to determine synergistic, indifferent or antagonistic interactions between CHG and EO or 1,8-cineole. RESULTS: Antimicrobial activity was demonstrated by CHG, EO and 1,8-cineole; however, CHG was significantly more active against microorganisms in both planktonic and biofilm modes of growth (P < 0.05). Crude EO was significantly more efficacious against microorganisms grown in suspension compared with 1,8-cineole (P < 0.05). Synergistic activity was demonstrated between CHG and both EO and 1,8-cineole against suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, and biofilm cultures of MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CHG may be combined with either crude EO or its major component 1,8-cineole for enhanced, synergistic antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms in planktonic and biofilm modes of growth; however, the superior antimicrobial efficacy associated with crude EO alone, compared with 1,8-cineole, favours its combination with CHG.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria/drug effects , Candida albicans/drug effects , Chlorhexidine/analogs & derivatives , Cyclohexanols/pharmacology , Monoterpenes/pharmacology , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification , Antifungal Agents/isolation & purification , Biofilms/drug effects , Chlorhexidine/pharmacology , Cyclohexanols/isolation & purification , Drug Interactions , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Eucalyptol , Eucalyptus/chemistry , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Monoterpenes/isolation & purification , Plant Oils/isolation & purification , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
10.
J Hosp Infect ; 70(4): 314-20, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18848735

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY: Between January 2005 and December 2005, 199 meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were obtained from non-hospitalised patients presenting skin and soft tissue infections to local general practitioners. The study area incorporated 57 surgeries from three Primary Care Trusts in the Lichfield, Tamworth, Burntwood, North and East Birmingham regions of Central England, UK. Following antibiotic susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene detection and SCCmec element assignment, 95% of the isolates were shown to be related to hospital epidemic strains EMRSA-15 and EMRSA-16. In total 87% of the isolate population harboured SCCmec IV, 9% had SCCmec II and 4% were identified as carrying novel SCCmec IIIa(-mecI). When mapped to patient home postcode, a diverse distribution of isolates harbouring SCCmec II and SCCmec IV was observed; however, the majority of isolates harbouring SCCmec IIIa(-mecI) were from patients residing in the north-west of the study region, highlighting a possible localised clonal group. Transmission of MRSA from the hospital setting into the surrounding community population, as demonstrated by this study, warrants the need for targeted patient screening and decolonisation in both the clinical and community environments.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Community-Acquired Infections/microbiology , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , Genotype , Humans , Methicillin/pharmacology , Methicillin Resistance/genetics , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Penicillin-Binding Proteins , Phenotype , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , United Kingdom/epidemiology
11.
J Antimicrob Chemother ; 62(5): 1031-6, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18703525

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Effective skin antisepsis and disinfection of medical devices are key factors in preventing many healthcare-acquired infections associated with skin microorganisms, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG), a widely used antiseptic in clinical practice, alone and in combination with tea tree oil (TTO), eucalyptus oil (EO) and thymol against planktonic and biofilm cultures of S. epidermidis. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility assays against S. epidermidis in a suspension and in a biofilm mode of growth were performed with broth microdilution and ATP bioluminescence methods, respectively. Synergy of antimicrobial agents was evaluated with the chequerboard method. RESULTS: CHG exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis in both suspension and biofilm (MIC 2-8 mg/L). Of the essential oils thymol exhibited the greatest antimicrobial efficacy (0.5-4 g/L) against S. epidermidis in suspension and biofilm followed by TTO (2-16 g/L) and EO (4-64 g/L). MICs of CHG and EO were reduced against S. epidermidis biofilm when in combination (MIC of 8 reduced to 0.25-1 mg/L and MIC of 32-64 reduced to 4 g/L for CHG and EO, respectively). Furthermore, the combination of EO with CHG demonstrated synergistic activity against S. epidermidis biofilm with a fractional inhibitory concentration index of <0.5. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study suggest that there may be a role for essential oils, in particular EO, for improved skin antisepsis when combined with CHG.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms/drug effects , Chlorhexidine/analogs & derivatives , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Staphylococcus epidermidis/drug effects , Thymol/pharmacology , Chlorhexidine/pharmacology , Drug Synergism , Eucalyptus/chemistry , Melaleuca/chemistry , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Microbial Viability/drug effects
12.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother ; 52(10): 3633-6, 2008 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18676882

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated a model of skin permeation to determine the depth of delivery of chlorhexidine into full-thickness excised human skin following topical application of 2% (wt/vol) aqueous chlorhexidine digluconate. Skin permeation studies were performed on full-thickness human skin using Franz diffusion cells with exposure to chlorhexidine for 2 min, 30 min, and 24 h. The concentration of chlorhexidine extracted from skin sections was determined to a depth of 1,500 microm following serial sectioning of the skin using a microtome and analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Poor penetration of chlorhexidine into skin following 2-min and 30-min exposures to chlorhexidine was observed (0.157 +/- 0.047 and 0.077 +/- 0.015 microg/mg tissue within the top 100 microm), and levels of chlorhexidine were minimal at deeper skin depths (less than 0.002 microg/mg tissue below 300 microm). After 24 h of exposure, there was more chlorhexidine within the upper 100-microm sections (7.88 +/- 1.37 microg/mg tissue); however, the levels remained low (less than 1 microg/mg tissue) at depths below 300 microm. There was no detectable penetration through the full-thickness skin. The model presented in this study can be used to assess the permeation of antiseptic agents through various layers of skin in vitro. Aqueous chlorhexidine demonstrated poor permeation into the deeper layers of the skin, which may restrict the efficacy of skin antisepsis with this agent. This study lays the foundation for further research in adopting alternative strategies for enhanced skin antisepsis in clinical practice.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacokinetics , Chlorhexidine/pharmacokinetics , Skin/metabolism , Administration, Topical , Anti-Infective Agents, Local/administration & dosage , Catheterization, Central Venous/methods , Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Models, Biological , Permeability , Skin/drug effects , Skin/microbiology , Solutions
13.
J Antimicrob Chemother ; 62(3): 522-5, 2008 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18544601

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Persistent contamination of surfaces by spores of Clostridium difficile is a major factor influencing the spread of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) in the clinical setting. In recent years, the antimicrobial efficacy of metal surfaces has been investigated against microorganisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This study compared the survival of C. difficile on stainless steel, a metal contact surface widely used in hospitals, and copper surfaces. METHODS: Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed using a carrier test method against dormant spores, germinating spores and vegetative cells of C. difficile (NCTC 11204 and ribotype 027) over a 3 h period in the presence and absence of organic matter. RESULTS: Copper metal eliminated all vegetative cells of C. difficile within 30 min, compared with stainless steel which demonstrated no antimicrobial activity (P < 0.05). Copper significantly reduced the viability of spores of C. difficile exposed to the germinant (sodium taurocholate) in aerobic conditions within 60 min (P < 0.05) while achieving a >or=2.5 log reduction (99.8% reduction) at 3 h. Organic material did not reduce the antimicrobial efficacy of the copper surface (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of copper surfaces within the clinical environment and application of a germination solution in infection control procedures may offer a novel way forward in eliminating C. difficile from contaminated surfaces and reducing CDAD.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Clostridioides difficile/drug effects , Copper/pharmacology , Equipment and Supplies/microbiology , Spores/drug effects , Colony Count, Microbial , Microbial Viability , Stainless Steel/pharmacology , Time Factors
14.
Br J Nurs ; 17(5): 316-20, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18414294

ABSTRACT

The sporicidal activity of an odour-free peracetic acid-based disinfectant (Wofasteril) and a widely-used dichloroisocyanurate preparation (Chlor-clean) was assessed against spores of the hyper-virulent strain of Clostridium difficile (ribotype 027), in the presence and absence of organic matter. In environmentally clean conditions, dichloroisocyanurate achieved a >3 log10 reduction in 3 minutes, but a minimum contact time of 9 minutes was required to reduce the viable spore load to below detection levels. Peracetic acid achieved a >3 log10 reduction in 30 minutes and was overall significantly less effective (P<0.05). However, in the presence of organic matter - which reflects the true clinical environment - there was no significant difference between the sporicidal activity of dichloroisocyanurate and peracetic acid over a 60-minute period (P=0.188). Given the greater occupational health hazards generally associated with chlorine-releasing agents, odour-free peracetic acid-based disinfectants may offer a suitable alternative for environmental disinfection.


Subject(s)
Acetic Acid/pharmacology , Clostridioides difficile/drug effects , Disinfectants/pharmacology , Peracetic Acid/pharmacology , Triazines/pharmacology , Acetic Acid/economics , Clostridioides difficile/genetics , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Disinfectants/adverse effects , Disinfectants/economics , Disinfection/economics , Disinfection/methods , Drug Combinations , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Environmental Microbiology , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Occupational Health , Peracetic Acid/economics , Ribotyping , Spores, Bacterial/drug effects , Time Factors , Triazines/adverse effects , Triazines/economics
15.
J Appl Microbiol ; 105(6): 2161-8, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19120661

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study investigates the effects of N-(n-dodecyl)diethanolamine (DDA) on enzymes and growing cells of Escherichia coli NCIMB 8277. METHODS AND RESULTS: Enzyme activities in the presence of DDA were determined by measuring substrate-dependent oxygen consumption by whole cells, or of NADH formation or oxidation by cell extracts. Lysis of growing cells was followed by measuring changes in turbidity and cell count. DDA promptly arrested oxygen uptake on pyruvate and acetate, due to cofactor loss rather than to enzyme denaturation, since cell-free glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and NADH dehydrogenases remained active. Formate and succinate oxidation by membrane-bound enzyme systems independent of cofactors was likewise unaffected. DDA lysed growing cells at rates related to drug concentration, pH, and the previous growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of cellular enzyme activity following addition of DDA is due to cofactor leakage and not to enzyme denaturation. Whereas nongrowing cells remain intact in the presence of DDA, actively-growing organisms undergo lysis, consistent with autolysin action. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Cell lysis, not normally observed with membrane-active antimicrobials, also occurs with cetrimide, and may be dependent on the alkyl chain length in these compounds. The action on growing cells parallels that of penicillin and daptomycin, which bears a decanoyl residue that penetrates the cell membrane, causing leakage and membrane depolarization.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Ethanolamines/pharmacology , Acetates/pharmacology , Culture Media/pharmacology , Escherichia coli/growth & development , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases/metabolism , NAD/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/metabolism , Pyruvic Acid/pharmacology
16.
J Appl Microbiol ; 105(6): 2223-30, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19120667

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To investigate the influence of chemical and physical factors on the rate and extent of germination of Clostridium difficile spores. METHODS AND RESULTS: Germination of C. difficile spores following exposure to chemical and physical germinants was measured by loss of either heat or ethanol resistance. Sodium taurocholate and chenodeoxycholate initiated germination together with thioglycollate medium at concentrations of 0.1-100 mmol l(-1) and 10-100 mmol l(-1) respectively. Glycine (0.2% w/v) was a co-factor required for germination with sodium taurocholate. There was no significant difference in the rate of germination of C. difficile spores in aerobic and anaerobic conditions (P > 0.05) however, the initial rate of germination was significantly increased at 37 degrees C compared to 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). The optimum pH range for germination was 6.5-7.5, with a decreased rate and extent of germination occurring at pH 5.5 and 8.5. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that sodium taurocholate and chenodeoxycholate initiate germination of C. difficile spores and is concentration dependant. Temperature and pH influence the rate and extent of germination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This manuscript enhances the knowledge of the factors influencing the germination of C. difficile spores. This may be applied to the development of potential novel strategies for the prevention of C. difficile infection.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile/growth & development , Spores, Bacterial/physiology , Aerobiosis , Anaerobiosis , Chenodeoxycholic Acid/pharmacology , Clostridioides difficile/drug effects , Glycine/pharmacology , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Spores, Bacterial/drug effects , Taurocholic Acid/pharmacology , Temperature , Thioglycolates/pharmacology
17.
Int J Antimicrob Agents ; 29 Suppl 3: S23-32, 2007 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17659209

ABSTRACT

Staphylococci are among the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Increasing insusceptibility to beta-lactams and the glycopeptides complicates treatment of these infections. This review examines the current status and future perspectives for the therapy of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcus/drug effects , Humans , Staphylococcus/enzymology
18.
J Infect ; 55(3): 220-5, 2007 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17586049

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum levels and diagnostic value of cytokines and acute phase proteins in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples from 63 patients diagnosed with IE and 71 control patients were analysed for the following markers: interleukin-6 (IL6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1-beta (IL1beta), procalcitonin (PCT), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Serum levels of IL6, IL1beta and CRP were significantly elevated in patients with IE as compared to controls. PCT, TNF-alpha and LBP were not elevated. CONCLUSION: Serum CRP and IL6 are elevated in IE. IL 6 may aid in establishing the diagnosis. There was no correlation between IL 6 levels and CRP, causative microorganism, echocardiographic features or outcome.


Subject(s)
Calcitonin/blood , Carrier Proteins/blood , Endocarditis/diagnosis , Interleukin-1beta/blood , Interleukin-6/blood , Membrane Glycoproteins/blood , Protein Precursors/blood , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood , Acute-Phase Proteins , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers/blood , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide , Endocarditis/blood , Endocarditis/microbiology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
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