Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of desloratadine against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Aim: The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the antihistamine desloratadine against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii were evaluated. Results: Desloratadine inhibited 90% bacterial growth at a concentration of 64 µg/ml. The combination of desloratadine with meropenem reduced the MIC by twofold in the planktonic state and increased the antibiofilm activity by eightfold. Survival curves showed that combinations of these drugs were successful in eradicating all bacterial cells within 16 h. Scanning electron microscopy also confirmed a synergistic effect in imparting a harmful effect on the cellular structure of MDR A. baumannii. An in vivo model showed significant protection of up to 83% of Caenorhabditis elegans infected with MDR A. baumannii. Conclusion: Our results indicate that repositioning of desloratadine may be a safe and low-cost alternative as an antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent for the treatment of MDR A. baumannii infections.

Influence of thermal and mechanical fatigue on the shear bond strength of different all-ceramic systems.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of thermal and mechanical fatigue on the shear bond strength of different all-ceramic cores and veneering porcelain interfaces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All-ceramic systems tested were lithium disilicate and zirconia veneered by layering technique. Sixty specimens (n=20) were subjected to shear bond strength. Ten of them were thermal and mechanical cycled. Fracture analysis was performed with stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis was performed across core/veneer interfaces. RESULTS: Thermal and mechanical cycling did not influence on bond strength. However, there was significant difference among systems (<0.01). CoCr group presented the highest values, followed by lithium disilicate, and zirconia. Failure modes were predominantly adhesive for CoCr, cohesive in core for lithium disilicate, and cohesive in veneer for zirconia. Energy dispersive X-ray showed interaction zone for CoCr and lithium disilicate groups and was inconclusive for zirconia. Fatigue had no influence on bond strength of groups tested. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there is a chemical bond between core and veneer materials for CoCr and lithium disilicate groups. Key words:Ceramics, electron microscopy, fatigue, mechanical stress, shear bond strength.