International journal of antimicrobial agents
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Mar 2006
In vitro activities of non-traditional antimicrobials alone or in combination against multidrug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from intensive care units.
The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro activity of a number of non-traditional antibiotics (colistin, azithromycin, doxycycline and rifampicin) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from Intensive Care Units (ICUs). We also used the checkerboard method to determine whether combinations of colistin with another non-traditional antibiotic or meropenem act synergistically against these strains. Thirty-five P. aeruginosa and 25 A. baumannii strains that were found to be MDR were included the study. ⋯ MDR strains of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, which cause nosocomial infections with an increasing ratio in recent years, have limited treatment options. According to our in vitro study results, non-traditional antibiotics such as doxycycline and colistin can be an alternative for the treatment of infections caused by these strains. Combinations of colistin with non-traditional antibiotics or meropenem could be promising alternatives for the treatment of infections due to MDR strains of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Feb 2006
ReviewAdvances in the management of sepsis: the randomised controlled trials behind the Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommendations.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign is the first international, multiorganisation, multidisciplinary attempt to reduce the appalling morbidity and mortality related to sepsis. Under the auspices of the campaign, guidelines have been published that cover more than 50 aspects of care of the septic patient. ⋯ The core areas of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines have been crystallised into resuscitation and management 'bundles'. This review focuses on the most important clinical trials that form the basis of these core guidelines.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jan 2006
Integron-associated imipenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from a regional hospital in Taiwan.
We investigated the genetic properties of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii collected from a regional hospital in Taiwan. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the isolates were genetically diverse. ⋯ We conclude that multidrug resistance of A. baumannii was a combined effect of lateral gene transfer and clonal spread of multiple resistant clones. Strict measures should be implemented to control the further spread of resistance.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyLinezolid reduces length of stay and duration of intravenous treatment compared with vancomycin for complicated skin and soft tissue infections due to suspected or proven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
We compared the health outcomes in patients treated with linezolid or vancomycin for complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs). This analysis is part of a randomised, open-label, multinational trial involving 1200 adult patients hospitalised with cSSTIs due to suspected or proven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ⋯ Compared with vancomycin, linezolid treatment was associated with significantly shorter length of stay (all P < 0.01), decreased i.v. antibiotic treatment duration (all P < 0.0001) and higher discharge rates (all P < 0.05). Thus, linezolid has the potential to reduce medical resource use for the treatment of cSSTIs.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2005
Clinical TrialNephrotoxicity of intravenous colistin: a prospective evaluation.
Twenty-one patients who received intravenous colistimethate sodium (CMS) for at least 7 days for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections were included in a prospective cohort study at 'Henry Dunant' Hospital in Athens, Greece. The mean (+/- standard deviation) and median daily doses, cumulative doses and duration of treatment of intravenous CMS were, respectively, 5.5 (+/- 1.9) and 6 million IU, 90.2 (+/- 52.0) and 72 million IU, and 17.7 (+/- 11.7) and 15 days (range 7-54 days). Three patients (14.3%) developed nephrotoxicity during treatment with CMS. The cumulative dose of administered CMS was statistically correlated with the difference in values of serum creatinine between the end and start of CMS treatment (r = 0.6, P = 0.004 by Spearman's test).