Association of broad-spectrum antibiotic use with faecal carriage of oxyiminocephalosporin-resistant enterobacteriaceae in an intensive care unit.

The link between administration of antibiotics and detection of third-generation-cephalosporin-resistant (TGCR) enterobacteriaceae in faeces was studied in patients in a burns intensive care unit (ICU). The presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers was also determined in these isolates. At least two rectal swab samples were taken from 43 of 72 patients admitted to the ICU from January 1998 to June 1999. Antibiotic resistance tests were performed for all isolated enterobacteriaceae using the methods of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Only 10 out of 30 antibiotic-treated patients showed TGCR enterobacteriaceae in faeces. Fisher's exact test showed a relationship between the administration of oxyiminocephalosporins (third-generation cephalosporins) (P=0.002) or carbapenems (P=0.003) and the isolation of TGCR enterobacteriaceae from faeces. The administration of oxyiminocephalosporins led to the selection of resistant strains in the faecal flora.

Immune depression in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice. Sequential histological and immunological findings.

Pathological findings in various organs and tissues, T and B lymphocyte inability to proliferate towards several mitogens, and the appearance of serum interferon at progressive stages after intraperitoneal infection of BALB/c mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei are reported. Heavy parasitaemia is evident throughout infection and complete hyporesponsiveness is already present on day 3. A sharp interferon production peak appears after 48 hours. The anatomopathological picture makes it clear that infection is substantially restricted to the blood. Secondary involvement of liver, lung and kidney takes the form of perivascular cuffs. These appear at relatively early stages. By contrast, spleen and lymph nodes appear to be greatly altered.