Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1994 Jun, 281(1), 80 - 4 Antibacterial efficacy of ciprofloxacin in a case of endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis; Vogt K et al.; Endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis is rare and may be treated with a variety of antibiotics . We isolated the bacteria from blood cultures of a patient with Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis who could be successfully treated with ciprofloxacin . The bacterial features of Cardiobacterium hominis are presented, and susceptibility to ciprofloxacin is documented with bacterial killing curves employing peak and trough specimens of patient's serum. Afr J Med Med Sci, 1994 Jun, 23(2), 143 - 6 The effect of antibacterial agents on plasma vitamin C levels; Alabi ZO et al.; Previous report on the estimation of plasma ascorbic acid levels in patients with chronic osteomyelitis indicated that the plasma ascorbic acid level is reduced in patients on antibiotics . The plasma study of the effects of anti-bacterial agents on plasma ascorbic acid in vitro, was carried out to substantiate the hypothesis than these agents lower plasma ascorbic acid levels . Increasing amounts of each of seven anti-bacterial agents: ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, gentamycin, benzyl and procaine penicillin combination (seclopen), co-trimoxazole, and streptomycin significantly (P < 0.01, r = -0.9587) reduced plasma vitamin C levels in vitro . There was moderate but insignificant reduction in plasma vitamin C levels with clindamycin (r = -0.799) . The reduction of the plasma vitamin C levels observed in the presence of the eighth anti-bacterial agent, clindamycin, lacked significance (r = -0.799) . The cause of this reduction of plasma vitamin C levels by anti-bacterial agents in vitro is not yet understood . A supplement of vitamin C may be required in patients on anti-bacterial agents. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1994 May 30, 201(1), 228 - 34 Identification of a new class of ETA selective endothelin antagonists by pharmacophore directed screening; Chan MF et al.; Novel endothelin antagonists were identified through a "pharmacophore directed screening" strategy . The sulfanilamide antibacterial agent sulfisoxazole was found to be a good endothelin receptor antagonist (IC50's of 0.60 microM and 22 microM for the ETA and ETB receptors, respectively) . The structurally similar sulfamethoxazole was found to be a weaker antagonist (IC50 for ETA 16 microM and for ETB 230 microM) . These compounds represent a new class of low molecular weight and ETA-selective non-peptide endothelin antagonists. J Chromatogr A, 1994 May 6, 668(1), 241 - 7 Interactions between fluoroquinolones, Mg2+, DNA and DNA gyrase, studied by phase partitioning in an aqueous two-phase system and by affinity chromatography; Khac SB et al.; The primary target of fluoroquinolones has been identified as the enzyme DNA gyrase, but the mechanism of action of these antibacterial agents is still a matter of controversy . Using partitioning in aqueous polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dextran systems, the affinities of several fluoroquinolones for DNA were determined with accuracy and at equilibrium . It was proved that the binding was strongly dependent on the ability of the drugs to bind Mg2+, with KA values of about 40 000 l mol-1, but was poorly related to the antibacterial activity {minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and gyrase inhibition} . Using affinity chromatography on immobilized fluoroquinolone, it was shown that DNA gyrase was unable to bind fluoroquinolones in the absence of DNA, but that a DNA-quinolone-gyrase complex was formed in the presence of Mg2+. Br J Dermatol, 1994 May, 130(5), 569 - 75 Anti-inflammatory actions of benzoyl peroxide: effects on the generation of reactive oxygen species by leucocytes and the activity of protein kinase C and calmodulin; Hegemann L et al.; For many years, benzoyl peroxide has been used as a topical treatment for acne . Although the drug has been shown to interfere with a variety of pathways, believed to be of importance in the aetiopathogenesis of acne, its mechanism of action is thought to be principally antibacterial . Recent circumstantial evidence suggests that protein kinase C might serve as an additional pharmacological target of benzoyl peroxide . In the present study, we investigated the effects of benzoyl peroxide on the release of reactive oxygen species, regulated by protein kinase C and calmodulin, from human neutrophils, a potentially important step in acne inflammation . Micromolar drug concentrations were found to inhibit the release of reactive oxygen species, but there was marked drug-induced cytotoxicity in neutrophils . However, when tested in cell-free assays, benzoyl peroxide displayed marginal inhibition of protein kinase C, but failed to antagonize calmodulin . Further investigations on its mechanism of action revealed non-specific interference with nucleotide binding sites . Therefore, the data presented here indicate that, in contrast with our previous findings with tetracycline derivatives, the clinical anti-inflammatory activity of benzoyl peroxide is unlikely to be mediated by protein kinase C or calmodulin . The differential interaction of drugs with protein kinase C and calmodulin might help to explain their different clinical usefulness in various degrees of acne severity. Gut, 1994 May, 35(5), 701 - 4 Healing of protein losing hypertrophic gastropathy by eradication of Helicobacter pylori--is Helicobacter pylori a pathogenic factor in Ménétrier's disease? Bayerdorffer E, Ritter MM, Hatz R, Brooks W, Ruckdeschel G, Stolte M. Hypertrophic gastropathy--that is, Menetrier's disease--was found, in a retrospective analysis, to be associated with Helicobacter pylori in more than 90% of patients . It is proposed that hypertrophic gastropathy represents a special form of H pylori gastritis in these patients . A case is described of a 28 year old woman with Menetrier's disease associated with proved protein loss from the stomach . Treatment with cimetidine for more than three years had little benefit when colonisation by H pylori was detected . Density of H pylori colonisation and activity of gastritis, which was also present in the first biopsy specimens taken five years ago, were more pronounced in the body than in the antrum, which is in agreement with the characteristics of H pylori gastritis found in other cases with Menetrier's disease . A 14 day antibacterial treatment course with 750 mg amoxicillin three times a day combined with 40 mg omeprazole three times a day was started in April 1991 . This resulted in eradication of H pylori and the return to normal of giant folds and the mucosal histology . Serum protein concentrations returned to normal within six weeks and remained normal at two endoscopies during a two year follow up . This case report suggests that a subgroup of the patients with Menetrier's disease may be healed by the eradication of H pylori. Laryngoscope, 1994 May, 104(5 Pt 1), 631 - 7 Reduction of streptomycin-induced acute and chronic toxicities; Doretto MC et al.; The acute and chronic toxicities of streptomycin sulfate (SS) and of the streptomycin hydrochloride-calcium chloride complex (SCC) were compared . The LD50 determined in mice was significantly higher for SCC than for SS . Chronic toxicity was evaluated by recording the nystagmus induced by damped torsion pendulum in rabbits . SS and SCC treatments (200 mg/kg intramuscularly of absolute streptomycin base) decreased the duration, the maximal frequency, and the total number of beats of nystagmus . However, SCC-induced changes were significantly lower than SS-induced ones . The extent of the lesion in the crista ampullaris was evaluated by light and electron microscopy and was correlated with the electrophysiological findings . Because the authors also demonstrated that there are no differences in the antibacterial effects of these salts, SCC may have a place in long-term streptomycin treatment. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1994 May, 269(2), 496 - 502 Active intestinal secretion of the fluoroquinolone antibacterials ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and pefloxacin; a common secretory pathway? Griffiths NM, Hirst BH, Simmons NL. The transepithelial transport of three fluoroquinolones, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin has been compared by using cultured human intestinal Caco-2 cell-layers . Absorptive (apical-basal) fluxes of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin are small relative to basal to apical fluxes . Norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin are thus subject to active transepithelial secretion . Active net secretion of norfloxacin displays saturation kinetics with Vmax and Km values of 36.2 +/- 6.9 nmol.cm-2.hr-1 and 1.42 +/- 0.79 mM . In contrast, transepithelial pefloxacin fluxes are large, show marked saturation while the direction of net flux is variable and small relative to transepithelial fluxes . Norfloxacin, pefloxacin and ciprofloxacin are all subject to accumulative transport across the basal surface of Caco-2 cell layers . A number of 4-quinolones and fluoroquinolones are capable of inhibition of both net secretion of ciprofloxacin and cellular accumulation across the basal-lateral cell surface . Cinoxacin, a 4-quinolone may selectively inhibit exit from the cell across the apical membrane . Cross-competition studies suggest that fluoroquinolones may compete for a common carrier at the basal-lateral membrane . It is likely that the mechanism of transepithelial secretion involves a common accumulative transport at the basal-lateral membrane followed by facilitated exist across the apical membrane . Pefloxacin may interact with a brush-border carrier for which norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin are poor substrates, enhancing the absorptive flux of this fluoroquinolone. Urology, 1994 May, 43(5), 714 - 8 Vesicoureteric reflux and videourodynamic studies: results of a prospective study after three years of follow-up; Scholtmeijer RJ et al.; OBJECTIVE . To study prospectively the influence of videourodynamic studies on the management of children with vesicoureteric reflux . METHODS . One hundred one children with reflux were investigated routinely with videourodynamic studies, as well as renal scans, ultrasound studies, and/or intravenous urograms . The studies were repeated at one, three, and five years . If bladder instability was demonstrated, the primary treatment consisted of anticholinergic drugs and antibiotics, regardless of the grade of reflux . In reflux Grades IV and V with instability and renal scars, surgery was performed . In case of a stable bladder, reflux Grades I-III received antibacterial treatment, while surgical correction was used for reflux Grades IV and V . RESULTS . The results of three years of follow-up of 101 children are reported . Bladder instability was found in 39 children . Thirty of them with reflux Grades I-IV and instability could be managed with anticholinergic and antibacterial drugs, while 9 needed surgical correction . CONCLUSIONS . A voiding cystourethrogram is only sufficient for the detection of reflux but for correct management of these children a (video)urodynamic study is mandatory . After treatment of frequently found bladder dysfunction, the reflux will disappear in the majority of cases. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1994 May, 33(5), 999 - 1004 Bactericidal effect of gentamicin trough concentration provides a rationale for administration of bolus doses and maintenance of trough levels; McLean AJ et al.; An in-vitro study was made of the influence of trough gentamicin concentrations (Cmin) on the bactericidal effect of gentamicin against Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 . Lag phase bacterial cells were exposed in vitro to gentamicin concentration versus time profiles which modelled profiles in patients up to 30 min after either an 80 mg iv bolus over 1 min or a 30 min infusion . The gentamicin was removed 30 min post-dose and the cultures were reconstituted in broth containing a constant trough gentamicin concentration in the range of 0-3 mg/L . Bacterial cfu counts and gentamicin concentrations were measured before and during antibiotic exposure . It was found that antibacterial activity was not determined by AUC, but rather there was a threshold trough concentration producing a bactericidal effect which differed between bolus and infusion profiles . With the bolus profile trough concentrations required for a bactericidal effect were 0.5-1.0 mg/L, while with the infusion profile generating an identical post-distribution peak concentration, trough concentrations required for a sustained bactericidal effect were 2.5-3.0 mg/L . These findings favour bolus iv gentamicin dosing over infusion dosing, provided appropriate attention is paid to any potential toxicity associated with high peak concentrations . Trough data indicate the likely need to maintain critical trough concentrations by choice of appropriate intervals between doses. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1994 May, 42(5), 1088 - 95 Structure-activity relationship study of 6-O-methylerythromycin 9-O-substituted oxime derivatives; Kawashima Y et al.; In order to develop new-generation macrolide antibiotics active against erythromycin (EM)-resistant strains, a series of 6-O-methyl EM 9-O-substituted oxime derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity against EM-resistant (S . aureus J-109) and susceptible (S . aureus 209P) strains . To understand how substituents affect the biological activity, the quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) was analyzed using the Hansch-Fujita method . With the EM-resistant strain, the positive coefficient for log P may indicate that higher hydrophobicity of molecules is favorable for antibacterial activity . The negative coefficients of the Sterimol parameters L, B1, and B5 may indicate that long, bulky substituents are unfavorable . With the EM-susceptible strain, the negative coefficient for log P may indicate that hydrophilicity is important for antibacterial activity . A short substituent is also required to improve the activity . Based on the QSAR model, a derivative (87) having an anthracenylmethyl moiety was synthesized to reinforce and confirm the correlation . The activity of 87 against the EM-resistant strain was significant . In QSARs of 6-O-methyl EM-A 9-O-substituted oxime derivatives, the difference of the contribution of log P to the antibacterial activity between EM-resistant and susceptible strains was clearly recognized. Ophthalmic Surg, 1994 May, 25(5), 303 - 6 Retinal toxicity of intravitreally injected faeriefungin; Dunlap WA et al.; Faeriefungin is a new antibacterial and antifungal agent derived from a strain of Streptomyces griseus var . autotrophicus . Under anesthesia, 12 albino rabbits underwent injection in their right eyes with 400, 200, 100, 40, 20, and 10 micrograms of faeriefungin . Retinal toxicity was assessed by electroretinography and light and transmission electron microscopy . Injection of 400 micrograms resulted in severe retinal toxicity, although indirect ophthalmoscopy was unremarkable . At 200 micrograms, there was moderate toxicity . Intravitreal injection of concentrations of 100 micrograms or less produced no neuroretinal toxicity . These data suggest that faeriefungin is a potentially useful drug in the treatment of fungal or bacterial endophthalmitis. J Burn Care Rehabil, 1994 May-Jun, 15(3), 213 - 23 A review of the dosimetry of 1% silver sulfadiazine cream in burn wound treatment; Fuller FW et al.; A review of the periodical literature relating to burn topical antibacterial agents as listed in the Cumulated Index Medicus from January 1, 1965, through November 30, 1992, as well as bound volumes and unpublished material reveals that the optimal dose and mode of deployment of 1% silver sulfadiazine cream in burn wound therapy have not been fully defined . Defining these should provide better control of sepsis in burn facilities . The effectiveness of a burn topical antibacterial agent depends in part upon the extent to which it is absorbed . The process of absorption of a burn topical antibacterial agent may be likened to that of an in vitro model in which the absorption of a test solute through an isolated preparation of the stratum corneum is determined in a diffusion cell . Some of the determinants are the concentration of the solute, the volume of the solvent, the duration of contact with the membrane, the binding tendency of the solute to the membrane, the integrity and wetness of the membrane, intrinsic factors of the solute/membrane interaction (distribution and diffusion coefficients), and the adjuvant formulation . Three of these (solvent volume, duration of solute contact, and membrane wetness) are readily adjusted . As a possible preliminary to the more effective clinical use of 1% silver sulfadiazine, a ranging of these three factors and of the silver sulfadiazine concentration, should be carried out in a rat model with septic burns . Though control of burn wound bacteria remains of overriding importance, the absorption of silver through the burn wound treated with silver sulfadiazine, binding to normal tissues, is a source of rising concern and requires further investigation. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi, 1994 May, 19(5), 297 - 8, inside backcover {Active constituents of Commelina communis L.}; Tang XY et al.; According to the pharmacological results five compounds were isolated from the herb of Commelina communis . Based on physico-chemical constants and spectral data, four of them were identified as n-triacontanol, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, daucosteril and D-mannitol . p-hydroxycinnamic acid shows antibacterial activity and D-mannitol shows antitussive effect. Med Tekh, 1994 May-Jun, (3), 38 - 40 {Utilization of the new synthetic dissolving sutures caproag in obstetrics and gynecology}; Krasnopolskii VI et al.; The paper deals with the experience with synthetic resolving Caproag suture threads which have antibacterial properties for suturing the uterine section during Caesarean and other gynecological operations . There is evidence for its high efficacy in optimal tissue regeneration . Caproag was used in the most life-threatening infectious and septic complications . With this, a reduction has been achieved in the incidence of postoperative pyo-inflammatory diseases, which makes Caproag compare favourably with the conventional suture threads catgut and vicryl. Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 May, 39(5), 52 - 65 {New achievements in the fluoroquinolone problem: possibilities of increasing activity and expansion of the spectrum of action}; Padeiskaia EN; Studies of antibacterial compounds and drugs belonging to the derivatives of 6-fluoroquinolones are reviewed . The structure-function dependencies, the introduction of additional fluorine atoms to the structure and the cycle substitutions at positions 5 and 8 are discussed from the viewpoint of the antibacterial activity increasing and the spectrum broadening . The data on the activity of new 6-fluoroquinolones against gram positive bacteria, including pneumococci, anaerobic organisms, mycobacteria, chlamydia, and mycoplasma are presented . Compounds belonging to 6-fluoroquinolones substituted at positions 2 and 3 are discussed . The activity of 6-fluoroquinolones and their nonfluorinated derivatives is compared in general. Lik Sprava, 1994 May-Jun, (5-6), 43 - 5 {Antigen-binding lymphocytes in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with the side effects of antitubercular preparations}; Fedoruk NI; 70 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, experiencing side-effects associated with antibacterial preparations were examined as were 30 patients receiving similar therapy with no complications being developed, and 20 apparently healthy subjects . It was established that the level of antigen-binding lymphocytes depends on the extent of sensitization to the allergen in question and reaches the highest values in patients presenting with adverse reactions . Preliminary treatment of lymphocytes with a medicamentous preparation results in some reduction of the number of antigen-binding lymphocytes . Values for the index of restoration of stimulated expression of the receptors to the medicinal preparations by trypsinized lymphocytes are higher in patients experiencing adverse reactions than they are in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, presenting with no ill-effects, and in donors. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 1994 May, 58(5), 826 - 9 Syntheses and antibacterial activities of gramicidin S analogs containing L-ornithine in place of L-valine; Soejima Y et al.; A gramicidin S analog ({Orn1,1'}GS.4HCl) containing L-ornithine in place of L-valine at the 1,1' positions was synthesized by the conventional solution method in order to examine whether this analog had antibacterial activity toward Gram-negative bacteria . In the synthesis of {Orn1,1'}GS.4HCl, two intermediate analogs ({Orn1,1', Orn(For)2,2'}GS.2HCl and {Orn(Z)1,1'}GS.2HCl) were obtained . {Orn1,1'}GS.4HCl and {Orn1,1', Orn(For)2,2'}GS.2HCl showed no activity toward either Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria, whereas {Orn(Z)1,1'}GS.2HCl showed appreciable activity toward only Gram-positive bacteria. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1994 Apr 15, 712, 117 - 30 Regulation of antibacterial protein synthesis following infection and during metamorphosis of Manduca sexta; Dunn PE et al.; Larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, respond to intrahemocoelic injection of bacteria or bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan with induced synthesis of a suite of antibacterial proteins . Previous studies have demonstrated peptidoglycan regulation of the synthesis of these antibacterial proteins . In addition to eliciting enhanced synthesis of antibacterial proteins, peptidoglycan fragments also elicit a "malaise syndrome" characterized by decreased feeding and growth, delayed metamorphosis, and altered excretion . We speculate that these symptoms may be components of a mechanism to flush out and sterilize the midgut lumen, one of the primary sources of bacterial infection in insects . Studies of naive larvae have demonstrated the accumulation of lysozyme in the differentiating pupal midgut epithelium and release of lysozyme into the pupal midgut lumen after the larval midgut epithelium has been sloughed off . These observations have been extended by the identification of potent bactericidal activity against E . coli and immunoreactive hemolin, together with lysozyme, in the lumen of the newly differentiated pupal midgut. Cancer, 1994 Apr 15, 73(8), 2099 - 106 Antifungal prophylaxis during remission induction therapy for acute leukemia fluconazole versus intravenous amphotericin B; Bodey GP et al.; BACKGROUND . Fungal infection is a frequent and often fatal complication in patients undergoing remission induction therapy for acute leukemia . Although candidiasis is the most common infection, mold infections are increasing in frequency . Fluconazole (FLU) is a new antifungal agent that has been used successfully to treat Candida infections and has modest activity against aspergillosis in animal models . Subtherapeutic doses of amphotericin B (AMB) have been considered effective as prophylaxis in these patients . This study was designed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of these agents as antifungal prophylaxis . METHODS . Adults with acute leukemia undergoing remission induction chemotherapy randomly were assigned to receive antifungal prophylaxis with AMB (0.5 mg/kg three times weekly) or FLU (400 mg daily) . Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was administered as an antibacterial prophylaxis . Prophylaxis was continued until the patient achieved complete remission or was treated for 8 weeks without antileukemic response . Prophylaxis was discontinued if the patient experienced a possible or proven fungal infection or a serious toxicity . RESULTS . Overall, 58% of the 36 patients assigned to AMB successfully completed prophylaxis compared with 80% of the 41 patients assigned to FLU (< 0.05) . Proven, probable, or possible fungal infections occurred in 31% and 17% of the patients, respectively . The risk of discontinuing prophylaxis due to fungal infection or toxicity increased with time in the study and was significantly greater for AMB (P = 0.02) . CONCLUSIONS . At the dose used in this study, AMB was no more effective and was more toxic than FLU for prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients undergoing remission induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia. Biochemistry, 1994 Apr 12, 33(14), 4237 - 44 Equilibrium folding studies of tetrameric R67 dihydrofolate reductase; Zhuang P et al.; R67 dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an R-plasmid encoded enzyme that confers resistance to the antibacterial drug trimethoprim . This enzyme is not homologous in sequence or structure to chromosomal DHFRs . Equilibrium folding of tetrameric R67 DHFR was studied and found to be fully reversible . Formation of an inactive intermediate was assayed by loss of enzyme activity . Denaturation of the intermediate was monitored by concurrent changes in fluorescence and circular dichroism signals . Both transitions are protein concentration dependent . A simple model fitting these data is tetramer<==>2 dimers<==>4 unfolded monomers . No evidence for folded monomer was found . Global fitting of all the folding data yielded a delta GH2O of -9.63 kcal/mol for the initial transition and a delta GH2O of -12.35 kcal/mol for the second transition . In addition, thermal unfolding of tetrameric R67 DHFR was found to be reversible A folding intermediate also occurred during thermal unfolding as evidenced by the asymmetric endotherms and a delta Hcalorimetric/delta H(van't Hoff) ratio of 2.1. FEBS Lett, 1994 Apr 4, 342(2), 189 - 92 Synthesis and characterization of sapecin and sapecin B; Kim JI et al.; Two insect defencins, sapecin and sapecin B, were chemically synthesized to confirm their structure and antibacterial activity and also to examine the possibility that these peptides bind to the same site on the large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel as charybdotoxin . Both synthetic peptides showed the same antibacterial activity as native sapecins, indicating that the synthetic peptides folded correctly in the chemical synthesis . Synthetic sapecins did not show an inhibitory effect on {125I}charybdotoxin binding to rat brain synaptic membranes, suggesting that sapecin B recognizes a different binding site from that of charybdotoxin despite the similar structural motif. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1994 Apr, 47(4), 466 - 76 Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2- aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-(substituted)-2-propenoylamino}-3-cephems with C-3 substitutions; Ishikura K et al.; Synthesis and biological activity of a series of 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2- aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-(substituted)-2-propenoylamino}-3-cephe m-4-carboxylic acids with C-3 substitutions and their pivaloyloxymethyl esters are described . These acid compounds exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . Pivaloyloxymethyl esters of selected compounds in this series were found to be well absorbed from small intestine in mice . Pivaloyloxymethyl 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-pentenoylamino}-3- carbamoyloxymethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylase hydrochloride hydrate (S-1108) was finally selected as the candidate for clinical evaluation. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1994 Apr, 47(4), 453 - 65 Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2- aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-(substituted)-2-propenoyl-amino}-3- desacetoxymethylcephalosporins; Ishikura K et al.; Synthesis and biological activity of a series of 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2- aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-(substituted)-2-propenoylamino}-3-cephe m-4-carboxylic acids and their pivaloyloxymethyl esters are described . These acid compounds exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . Pivaloyloxymethyl esters of selected compounds in this series were found to be well absorbed from small intestine in mice. Eur J Biochem, 1994 Apr 1, 221(1), 201 - 9 Characterization and transcriptional profiles of a Drosophila gene encoding an insect defensin . A study in insect immunity; Dimarcq JL et al.; Insect defensins are a family of 4-kDa, cationic, inducible antibacterial peptides which bear six cysteine residues engaged in three intramolecular disulfide bridges . They owe their name to certain sequence similarities with defensins from mammalian neutrophiles and macrophages . We report the characterization of a novel defensin isoform from Drosophila and the cloning of the gene encoding a preprodefensin . The gene, which is intronless and present in a single copy/haploid genome, maps at position 46CD on the right arm of the second chromosome . The analysis of the upstream region of the gene reveals the presence of multiple putative cis-regulatory sequences similar to mammalian regulatory motifs of acute-phase-response genes . Transcriptional profiles indicate that the Drosophila defensin gene is induced by bacterial challenge with acute-phase kinetics . It is also expressed in the absence of immune challenge during metamorphosis . These and other data on the Drosophila defensin gene lead us to suggest that insect and mammalian defensins have evolved independently. Epidemiol Infect, 1994 Apr, 112(2), 367 - 73 Host-microflora interaction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): colonization resistance of the indigenous bacteria of the intestinal tract; Apperloo-Renkema HZ et al.; Experimental data suggest a role for the microflora in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) . Anti-ds-DNA antibodies may be pathogenic in SLE by forming immune complexes with DNA . Foreign bacteria in the intestines could constitute the stimulus for anti-ds-DNA antibody production in SLE . Colonization Resistance (CR) is the defence capacity of the indigenous microflora against colonization of the intestines by foreign bacteria . A low CR implies increase of translocation of bacteria and a higher chance of subsequent, possibly DNA-cross-reacting antibacterial antibody production . We measured CR by a comprehensive biotyping technique in healthy individuals and patients with inactive and active SLE . CR tended to be lower in active SLE patients than in healthy individuals (P = 0.09, Wilcoxon one sided, with correction for ties) . This could indicate that in SLE more and different bacteria translocate across the gut wall due to a lower CR . Some of these may serve as polyclonal B cell activators or as antigens cross-reacting with DNA. Infect Immun, 1994 Apr, 62(4), 1421 - 6 Characterization of a rabbit cationic protein (CAP18) with lipopolysaccharide-inhibitory activity; Hirata M et al.; Cationic antibacterial proteins (CAP) were purified from rabbit granulocytes, and the effects of CAP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tissue factor generation by murine peritoneal macrophages and human blood monocytes were studied . CAP were purified from rabbit peritoneal leukocytes by using as an assay the agglutination of erythrocytes coated with Re-LPS . Two proteins with CAP activity, CAP18 (18 kDa) and CAP7 (7 kDa), were isolated by acid extraction, ethanol precipitation, affinity chromatography, gel filtration, and reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography . On the basis of protein sequencing, CAP7 was identified as the C-terminal fragment of CAP18, designated CAP18(106-142) . Various forms of LPS (S-LPS, Re-LPS, and lipid A) activate murine macrophages and human blood monocytes to generate tissue factor (tissue thromboplastin) . Incubation of LPS for 18 h with partially purified CAP (heparin-Sepharose fraction) inhibited the capacity of LPS to induce tissue factor; however, purified CAP18 inhibited about 75% of the activity of S-LPS after 1 h of incubation . CAP more effectively inhibited S-LPS than Re-LPS or lipid A . Synthetic CAP18(106-142) inhibited LPS-induced tissue factor generation by murine macrophages . CAP18(106-142) has greater LPS-binding and LPS-neutralizing activities than CAP18 . We hypothesize that CAP18 and the derivative peptide, CAP18(106-142), bind to LPS and alter the capacity of LPS to initiate disseminated intravascular coagulation . In this regard, CAP may have therapeutic potential for sepsis and endotoxin shock. Pharmacol Toxicol, 1994 Apr-May, 74(4-5), 240 - 3 UV-dependent quinolone-induced human erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation: studies on the phototoxicity of Y-26611, a new quinolone derivative; Wada K et al.; Quinolone antibacterial drugs are widely used as oral therapeutic agents . However, in some patients they cause ultraviolet (UV)-dependent dermatitis . Using lipid peroxidation as an index of phototoxicity, we studied the effects of a new quinolone derivative, Y-26611 together with ofloxacin, sparofloxicin and lomefloxacin on washed human erythrocyte suspensions . Irradiation of erythrocytes with UV-A or UV-B for 60 min . in the presence of Y-26611 (30-600 micrograms/ml) strong dose dependent lipid peroxidation, up to 17.01 nmoles/ml was induced . Under identical conditions, lipid peroxidation induced by up to 600 micrograms/ml ofloxacin, sparofloxacin or lomefloxacin were 0.94, 3.36 and 2.98 nmoles/ml respectively . The lipid peroxidation was entirely dependent on both UV as well as the drug . The lipid peroxidation responses to drug+UV could completely be inhibited by sodium azide (hydroxyl radical, HO . and single oxygen, 1O2 scavenger) or by phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN, HO . and superoxide anion radical, O2- scavenger) . It is likely that reactive oxygen species generated by interaction between UV-sensitized drug molecules and oxygen molecules mediate erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation . The method used in this study is rapid and convenient for screening drugs for UV-dependent cytotoxicity. J Chemother, 1994 Apr, 6(2), 117 - 20 Study on the bactericidal activity and synergistic effect of neutropenic rat serum with gentamicin; Pea F et al.; It is well known that normal rat serum (NRS) shows an antibacterial activity because of the presence of endogenous substances that are able to express a defence against pathogenic microorganisms . Moreover, in former studies, we observed that NRS presents a synergistic activity with some antibiotics (thus able to lower minimum inhibitory concentration values) . The aim of this research was to study the antibacterial activity and synergistic effect of neutropenic rat sera (NPRS) with gentamicin . The animals were made neutropenic by the i.p . injection of cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg on day 0 and 75 mg on day 4) . At all tested concentrations (from 0.25% to 5%) NPRS showed lower antibacterial activity than NRS with differences which were always statistically significant . The synergistic activity of NPRS with gentamicin was still present and quite similar to that of NRS, in spite of many altered blood parameters showing evident immunodepression . Some possible interpretations of these results are discussed. Leuk Lymphoma, 1994 Apr, 13(3-4), 203 - 14 Infections in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: risk factors, and impact on survival, and treatment; Molica S; Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are at an increasing risk of infectious morbidity and mortality . Infections are generally due to bacteria and influenced by the degree of hypogammaglobulinemia; although, in more advanced stages of disease they may also be contributed by neutropenia due to bone marrow infiltration and/or cytotoxic therapy . Furthermore, defect in cell-mediated immunity appears to be a predisposing factor to infections in patients treated with newer purine analogues . Controversies surrounding the pathogenesis of infectious complications in CLL raise several questions on their management . Patients with advanced disease who receive cytotoxic therapy might qualify for antibacterial prophylaxis . Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), although of scientific interest, may be of little relevance at the present time . The new growth factors should be tested in well-designed prospective studies. Insect Biochem Mol Biol, 1994 Apr, 24(4), 403 - 10 Purification of an insect defensin from the mosquito, Aedes aegypti; Chalk R et al.; Using a new, sensitive assay of bacterial growth inhibition, inducible antibacterial activity has been identified in the haemolymph of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti following inoculation with bacteria or with microfilariae of the filarial nematode Brugia pahangi, but not after inoculation with sterile culture medium . A lower level of antibacterial activity has also been observed in untreated individual mosquitoes . Following bacterial inoculation, a basic, inducible antibacterial peptide has been detected using native PAGE at pH 4, which corresponds with a 4.5 kDa peptide detected by tricine SDS-PAGE followed by silver staining . A peptide has been purified from immune haemolymph by ultrafiltration, followed by reversed-phase HPLC, yielding a single major peak with antibacterial activity . Partial amino acid sequence analysis of this fraction has revealed substantial homology with insect defensins . The data are consistent with the peptide being another member of this family, and we propose the name Aedes aegypti defensin. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1994 Apr, 9(2), 81 - 7 Oxygen-dependent modulation of release and activity of polymorphonuclear leukocyte granule products; Claesson R et al.; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are important in the defense against the anaerobic microflora of infected gingival pockets . One part of this defense is release of antibacterial granule products by polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the pockets . The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in releasing granule products under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were exposed to serum-opsonized zymosan under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . The levels of released granule products were determined by combining measurements of activity with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays . The level of released elastase was twice as high in anaerobic as in aerobic reaction mixtures . A similar difference was not detected for myeloperoxidase . However, myeloperoxidase was inactivated after its release under aerobic conditions . The release of lactoferrin was an efficient under aerobic as under anaerobic conditions . The effect of aerobic conditions on the release of elastase and the inactivation of myeloperoxidase could be ascribed to oxidants formed in the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-chloride system . Also, the activity of the released cytoplasmic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase was inactivated by oxidants formed in the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-chloride system . These findings suggest that, in the anaerobic environment of the gingival pocket, elastase and possibly also other azurophilic granule products are released in higher amounts than under fully oxygenated conditions . In this environment, the released products may also escape inactivation by the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-chloride system. Rev Latinoam Microbiol, 1994 Apr-Jun, 36(2), 101 - 6 {Pseudomonas microcins: characterization and effect of iron concentration}; Barberis IL et al.; Antibacterial substances were found in Pseudomonas, they were heat and trypsin resistant, molecular weight less than 10,000 daltons, produced in minimal media, optimum pH 7.0 . Methionine and glycine inhibited them; other amino acids produced less antagonistic effect . An inverted relationship between susceptibility to microcin and Fe3+ concentration was observed in experiments with iron-depleted strains . Pseudomonas was sensitive to its own microcin in iron-free medium; this is an important finding in the study of the immunity of microcin-producing strains. J Hosp Infect, 1994 Apr, 26(4), 279 - 86 Tests for the antibacterial activity of surgical glove material; Newsom SW et al.; In-vitro and in-vivo models for testing the antibacterial activity of glove materials are described . The models were tested using four types of material: latex containing residual accelerator, latex treated by solvent-extraction to remove accelerator, material from hypo-allergenic accelerator-free gloves, and latex coated with quaternary ammonium compounds . In-vitro tests revealed two distinct types of antibacterial activity, one related to the accelerator which was slow-acting, and not neutralizable, and a second faster-acting neutralizable activity due to the quaternary ammonium compounds . The antiseptic coated material also showed antibacterial activity on human skin. Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 Apr, 39(4), 52 - 5 {Activity of ethics committees in clinical trials of antibacterial drugs}; Melikhov OG et al.; Clinical trials are designed and conducted worldwide in accordance with International Rules of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) . The guidelines are aimed at establishing a system ensuring personal integrity and welfare of trial subjects . A significant point of the activity of Ethics Committees in GCP is protection of trial subjects . The experience of the local Ethics Committee of the Smolensk Medical Institute with protection of clinical trials of antibacterials is presented . The importance of setting up Ethics Committees for supervision of clinical trials in Russia is emphasized. Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 Apr, 39(4), 48 - 51 {Antibacterial action of the polymeric antiseptic catapol}; Zaikina NA et al.; Activity of a polymer derivative of catamine AB, the antiseptic catapol, against gram positive and gram negative bacteria was studied . The effect of catapol on structural components of bacterial cells and permeability of bacterial cell membranes was investigated . The possibility of varying the susceptibility of bacteria to catapol and the effect of catapol on bacteria susceptible to antibiotics were evaluated . It was shown that by its in vitro antibacterial activity, catapol does not significantly differ from catamine AB. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1994 Apr, 42(4), 297 - 304 {Placental penetration of cefpirome (HR 810): study of fetal concentrations after in vitro infusions of human placenta at term}; Closse C et al.; Cefpirome (CPO) is a new parenteral cephalosporin with a wide antibacterial spectrum . In order to explore the possibility of using CPO in late pregnancy, we studied its placental transfer in vitro in a model of human placenta infusion . Mother-to-foetus in vitro transfer of CPO is high, similar to that of amoxicillin, with a placental clearance index of 0.20 . A pharmacokinetic simulation based upon this result and data from literature suggests that CPO concentrations in foetal blood and amniotic fluid should be appropriate for the treatment of severe materno-foetal infections in late pregnancy . These preliminary results need to be confirmed by in vivo pharmacokinetic and clinical studies before recommending the use of CPO in late pregnancy. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1994 Apr, 41(2), 101 - 12 Antibacterial susceptibility of bovine-mastitis pathogens tested directly in milk from infected quarters; Louhi-Lehtio M et al.; Antibacterial susceptibilities of bovine-mastitis pathogens were analysed directly in 57 mastitic milk samples without inoculation with exogenous organisms . Aseptically collected milk was mixed with serial dilutions of antibacterials and the growth was observed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction the following day . The results were compared with those obtained by using calibrated bacterial inocula in turbidimetric minimum-inhibitory-concentration (MIC) determination in broth cultures, and in TTC-broth culture-test and TTC-normal milk-test . The results of different methods all correlated positively when the entire data was used . However, taking the direct test in mastitic milk as the 'true' result, the total discrepancies varied from 34.7% to 48.8% . Antibacterial activities of the trimethoprim-sulphadoxine combination, and of spiramycin and ampicillin, decreased significantly when nutrient broth was replaced by milk as the test medium . The efficacy of trimethoprim-sulphadoxine as an antibacterial agent was also dependent on the source of milk. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1994 Mar 29, 91(7), 2602 - 6 Cytolytic and antibacterial activity of synthetic peptides derived from amoebapore, the pore-forming peptide of Entamoeba histolytica; Leippe M et al.; The pore-forming peptide amoebapore is considered part of the cytolytic armament of pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica . Amoebapore is composed of 77 amino acid residues arranged in four alpha-helical domains . For structure-function analysis, synthetic peptides were constructed corresponding to these four domains: H1 (residues 1-22), H2 (25-39), H3 (40-64), and H4 (67-77) . The peptides H1 and H3, representing two highly amphipathic alpha-helical regions of amoebapore, possessed pore-forming activity . Peptide H3 displayed cytolytic and antibacterial functions similar to those of natural amoebapore . The most potent antibacterial activity and the broadest activity spectrum were expressed by H1-Mel, a hybrid molecule composed of the N-terminal alpha-helix of amoebapore and the C-terminal hexapeptide of melittin from the venom of Apis mellifera. J Med Chem, 1994 Mar 18, 37(6), 733 - 8 Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new quinolones containing a 7-{3-(1-amino-1-methylethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl} moiety . Gram-positive agents with excellent oral activity and low side-effect potential; Hagen SE et al.; A series of the R and S isomers of 7-{3-(1-amino-1-methylethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl}-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline- and 1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acids was prepared to determine the effect on potency of the two methyl groups adjacent to the distal nitrogen in the pyrrolidinyl moiety . The antibacterial efficacy of these dimethylated derivatives was compared to the relevant 7-{3-(aminomethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl} parent compounds and, to a lesser extent, the 7-{3-(1-aminoethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl} analogues . The activity of the title and reference compounds was assayed in vitro using an array of Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms and in vivo using a mouse infection model . Selected derivatives were then screened for potential side effects in a phototoxicity mouse model and an in vitro mammalian cell cytotoxicity protocol . The results showed that the R isomer displayed a 2-20-fold advantage in activity in vitro and a 2-15-fold advantage in vivo over the S isomer . Although equipotent to the 7-{3-(aminomethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl} parent compounds in vitro, the R isomers of the 7-{3-(1-amino-1-methylethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl} analogues showed a dramatic increase in in vivo potency, especially via the oral route of administration . These same R isomers also appeared to possess a reduced risk of phototoxicity and cytotoxicity . This combination of superior in vivo performance with a low degree of phototoxicity and mammalian cell cytotoxicity recommends these agents for further study . Of these agents, naphthyridine 16-R represents the optimal blend of potency and safety. J Pharm Sci, 1994 Mar, 83(3), 332 - 5 Synthesis and some physiochemical properties of 2-hydroxy-N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone 4-imine derivatives; Sperandeo NR et al.; Some derivatives of 2-hydroxy-N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)- 1,4-naphthoquinone 4-imine (3), a poorly soluble drug, were synthesized in an attempt to improve their physicochemical properties . The new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods including an iterative NMR method (the LAOCOON III program) . The physicochemical properties such as solubility, relative lipophilicity (RM), and partition coefficients (Leo-Hansch fragmental system) were determined . Some derivatives were more lipophilic than 3 and one was water soluble . In vitro antibacterial activity was also reported for some derivatives. Anal Biochem, 1994 Mar, 217(2), 231 - 5 Isolation and identification of cecropin antibacterial peptides from the extracellular matrix of the insect integument; Lee WJ et al.; A method for the screening and isolation of antibacterial peptides from the extracellular insect cuticle using ultrafiltration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is presented . Using this method we were able to conveniently isolate cuticular antibacterial peptides belonging to the cecropin family in 1 day . The procedure should facilitate the rapid screening of antibacterial peptides or other bioactive peptides from extracellular matrices. Pharmacotherapy, 1994 Mar-Apr, 14(2), 147 - 52 Comparison of ampicillin-sulbactam and ticarcillin-clavulanic acid in patients with chronic renal failure: effects of differential pharmacokinetics on serum bactericidal activity; Hardin TC et al.; STUDY OBJECTIVES . To evaluate the pharmacodynamic antibacterial activity of ticarcillin-clavulanic acid (T-C) and ampicillin-sulbactam (A-S) combinations against reference bacterial strains in patients with end-stage renal disease maintained on long-term hemodialysis . DESIGN . Randomized, crossover, controlled study . SETTING . National Institutes of Health-funded general clinical research unit in a Veterans Administration Medical Center . PATIENTS . Nine adult men with end-stage renal disease maintained on long-term hemodialysis . Two subjects did not complete the study due to problems of vascular access, and another withdrew for personal reasons . INTERVENTIONS . On a nondialysis day, each subject was randomly administered either T-C 3.1 g or A-S 3 g as a slow intravenous infusion over 30 minutes . Serial blood samples were collected for measurement of antibiotic serum concentrations and determination of serum bactericidal titers . Following a washout period, the study was repeated with the alternative antibiotic combination . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS . The mean observed apparent beta-half-life of clavulanic acid was substantially shorter than that for the other three drugs . The bactericidal activity of both A-S and T-C against non-beta-lactamase-producing (N beta-LP) strains of S . aureus and E . coli was consistently high, as indicated by geometric mean SBTs of at least 1:5 at 24 hours . Against beta-lactamase-producing (beta-LP) S . aureus, the geometric mean SBTs for A-S were at least 1:25 throughout the study period, while the geometric mean SBTs for T-C decreased over 24 hours from 1:29 to 1:6 . Against beta-LP E . coli, the bactericidal activities for both A-S and T-C were poor, with geometric mean peak SBTs of only 1:6 and 1:3, respectively . The geometric mean SBT for T-C against this E . coli strain had declined to 1:1 at 6 hrs . CONCLUSION . Increasing the dosing interval for T-C in patients with end-stage renal disease may lead to periods of insufficient clavulanic acid to protect ticarcillin from beta-lactamase degradation. Klin Padiatr, 1994 Mar-Apr, 206(2), 92 - 4 {Successful treatment of therapy refractory shock lung in a newborn infant with congenital varicella using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation}; Reiterer F et al.; A newborn with congenital varicella complicated by varicella pneumonia was transferred to our hospital on day 16 of life for the consideration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) . The newborn received varicella zoster immunoglobulin 13 hours after birth since the mother developed a varicella exanthema two days before delivery . On day 10 of life the newborn became clinically symptomatic with red macules and pustules . The chest roentgenogram revealed reticular pulmonary infiltrates in the right upper lobe . Antibacterial chemotherapy was initiated . In the following days the cutaneous lesions progressed, and respiratory symptoms like tachypnoea and oxygen dependence occurred . Chest roentgenograms revealed diffuse reticular and patchy pulmonary infiltrates . On day 14 of life antiviral chemotherapy with acyclovir was started . ECMO was initiated in the veno-arterial mode on day 17 due to severe respiratory failure despite maximal conventional assisted ventilation and carried out for 14 days . With the age of 10 weeks he was discharged from the hospital with mild chronic lung disease without oxygen requirements and without neurological handicap . ECMO might be considered as life saving support in newborns with severe congenital varicella, considered to have a high mortality risk. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1994 Mar, 47(3), 349 - 56 New oleandomycin 9-oximes . Synthesis, characterization and biological activity; Lazarevski G et al.; A series of the novel oleandomycin 9-oximes has been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic data and X-ray analysis . The antibacterial in vitro activities of the oximes (6-10) were compared with that of oleandomycin (1) . Among the novel derivatives the most active compound was 8(R)-methyloleandomycin-9-oxime (9) in contrast ot its 8(S)-isomer (10) which possessed only low potency . Some preliminary pharmacokinetic data of 9 confirmed its activity . Compound 9 has been advanced to further biological study. Farmaco, 1994 Mar, 49(3), 197 - 200 Trifluoromethylcontaining sulfanilamides . I . Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity; Vigorita MG et al.; In a wider research directed to improve pharmacological profiles of known anti-infective agents by introducing fluorine or trifluoromethyl groups, some sulfanilamides trifluoromethylsubstituted on N1 ring, were synthesized and examined for their in vitro activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria . Two N1-trifluoromethylphenyl-sulfanilamides, 1 and 4, exhibited MIC values, against all tested bacteria, similar or lower than those of the "classical" sulfanilamides, assayed in comparison . The new sulfanilamide 4 appears to be the more interesting: in fact, the presence of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in culture medium did not influence its MIC values and no synergy was observed with trimethoprim, suggesting mechanism of action different from that of known sulfanilamides. Ann Soc Belg Med Trop, 1994 Mar, 74(1), 51 - 9 Antiparasitic activity of diallyl trisulfide (Dasuansu) on human and animal pathogenic protozoa (Trypanosoma sp., Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia) in vitro; Lun ZR et al.; Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and one of its major components, allicin, have been known to have antibacterial and antifungal activity for a long time . Diallyl trisulfide is a chemically stable final transformation product of allicin which was synthesized in 1981 in China and used for treatment of bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections in man . The activity of diallyl trisulfide was investigated in several important protozoan parasites in vitro . The IC50 (concentration which inhibits metabolism or growth of parasites by 50%) for Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T.b . rhodesiense, T.b . gambiense, T . evansi, T . congolense and T . equiperdum was in the range of 0.8-5.5 micrograms/ml . IC50 values were 59 micrograms/ml for Entamoeba histolytica and 14 micrograms/ml for Giardia lamblia . The cytotoxicity of the compound was evaluated on two fibroblast cell lines (MASEF, Mastomys natalensis embryo fibroblast and HEFL-12, human embryo fibroblast) in vitro . The maximum tolerated concentration for both cell lines was 25 micrograms/ml . The results indicate that the compound has potential to be used for treatment of several human and animal parasitic diseases. Boll Chim Farm, 1994 Mar, 133(3), 163 - 6 Synthesis of nucleosides of 5,7-disubstituted pyrido {2,3-d} pyrimidines and their antibacterial activity; Gupta A et al.; Synthesis of 4-amino-5,7-diphenyl-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrido{2,3-d} pyrimidin-2-ones nucleoside, 4-amino-5,7-disubstituted-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrido {2,3-d} pyrimidin-2-thiones nucleosides, 2-thioxo-3,5,7-triphenyl-1- (beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrido {2,3-d} pyrimidin-4 (3H) ones nucleoside and 3,5,7-triphenyl-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrido {2,3-d} pyrimidin-2,4 (3H) diones nucleoside have been reported . The elemental analyses, IR and 1H NMR spectral data confirm the structure of the compounds . The synthesized nucleosides have been tested for antibacterial activity and found to be more active than the pyrido {2,3-d} pyrimidines. Vet Q, 1994 Mar, 16(1), 27 - 33 Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency--clinical course and laboratory findings in eight affected animals; Muller KE et al.; The clinical course of Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD) in eight Holstein Friesian cattle is described . Affected animals were presented with a history of poor thriving and recurrent bacterial infections . Five of these animals had to be killed because of severe respiratory disease shortly after admittance . Three affected animals survived calfhood only as a result of frequent antibacterial treatments . At one year of age, failure to thrive and stunted growth were still evident, but infections requiring antibiotic treatments occurred only sporadically . Clinical manifestations of BLAD were found in the digestive system (gingivitis, periodontitis, alveolar periostitis, diarrhoea), the respiratory system and the skin (impaired wound healing, chronic dermatitis) . A leukocytosis based on a mature neutrophilia, which persisted during infection-free periods, was observed in all animals . Granulocytes were substantially deficient of beta 2-integrin expression on their membranes . Anaemia, which was noted in four animals, may be related to the Anaemia of Inflammatory Disease Complex (AID) . The serum total protein content increased with time and was associated with elevated gamma-globulin levels . We suggest that, at a certain age, animals affected with BLAD are able to cope with environmental agents due to compensatory mechanisms of the immune system. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1994 Mar-Apr, 88(2), 132 - 5 Approaches to vector control: new and trusted . 1 . Humoral immune responses in blackfly and mosquito vectors of filariae; Ham PJ et al.; The vectors of filariasis, mosquitoes and blackflies, are capable of mounting a defence response to the infection . This selective review describes the molecules that are involved in these immune systems . Several antibacterial peptides are known to be induced and secreted into the haemolymph by the fat body and the circulating haemocytes . In addition, haemagglutinating lectins with carbohydrate specificities to the surface of the developing filarial larvae appear . Activation of a range of proteases occurs rapidly as does activation of the prophenoloxidase pathway . The possible roles of these and other molecules is discussed, together with mention of a working hypothesis as to how these molecules may be regulated. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1994 Mar-Apr, 152(3-4), 79 - 82 {The early diagnosis of postoperative suppuration in endoprosthesis of the hip joint}; Arutcheva AA et al.; The authors describe the method of control of the course of an early wound process in patients with endoprosthesis of the hip joint in early postoperative period, which is based on determination of the level of lysozyme in the wound . The method allows detection of the development of suppuration and start of antibacterial therapy in the early postoperative period, before the appearance of the clinical symptoms. Insect Biochem Mol Biol, 1994 Mar, 24(3), 271 - 81 Structure and induction of a lysozyme gene from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta; Mulnix AB et al.; Lysozyme is hypothesized to play a central role in initiating and maintaining the antibacterial defense response of Manduca sexta . We isolated a cDNA clone encoding a M . sexta lysozyme . Results of Northern blot analyses using this cDNA as a probe indicated that the abundance of lysozyme transcripts increased in seven tissues following treatment with peptidoglycan, with the highest level of accumulation occurring in the fat body . An analysis of the kinetics of accumulation of the transcripts in the fat body demonstrated low levels of transcripts in the naive larvae which increased rapidly after treatment and remained elevated over several days . A genomic fragment containing a lysozyme gene was also isolated and the nucleotide sequence and transcription start site of the gene was determined. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1994 Feb 28, 199(1), 339 - 45 Apidaecin-type peptide antibiotics function through a non-poreforming mechanism involving stereospecificity; Casteels P et al.; Insect resistance to bacterial infections is dependent on the production of specialized defense peptides . We report here that lethal activities of apidaecin, a small peptide from honeybees, cannot possibly be the result of a conventional 'lytic' mechanism . Evidence includes the complete lack of membrane permeabilization, at concentrations that exceed lethal doses by four orders of magnitude, and undiminished sensitivity of apidaecin-resistant mutants to 'poreforming' peptides . In addition, the D-enantiomer of apidaecin is completely devoid of antibacterial activities . We propose therefore, that the antagonistic effects of apidaecin involve stereoselective recognition of a chiral cellular target, establishing this peptide as functionally unique among insect antibacterials . Identification of the apidaecin target may provide the scientific basis for rational drug design. FEBS Lett, 1994 Feb 14, 339(1-2), 59 - 62 Inhibition of the Ca(2+)-activated K(+)-channel by sapecin B, an insect antibacterial protein; Shimoda M et al.; Sapecin is an antibacterial protein of the flesh fly and sapecin B is its homologue structurally similar to charybdotoxin of scorpion venom, which is known to be a K+ channel inhibitor . We found that, like charybdotoxin, sapecin B inhibits part of the voltage pulse-induced K+ currents of rat cerebellar Purkinje cells . We suggest that this effect is due to inhibition of the Ca(+)-activated K+ channel . Probably, sapecin B is a naturally occurring K+ channel inhibitor as well as an antibacterial protein. J Med Chem, 1994 Feb 4, 37(3), 400 - 7 Dual-action cephalosporins incorporating a 3'-tertiary-amine-linked quinolone; Albrecht HA et al.; We have previously reported that linking quinolones to the cephalosporin 3'-position through an ester bond, a carbamate function, or a bond through a quaternary nitrogen produced cephalosporins with a dual mode of antibacterial action . We now describe a new class of dual-action cephalosporins, with greater chemical stability than those previously reported, in which the basic nitrogen of ciprofloxacin is bonded directly to the 3'-cephalosporin position, i.e., the two moieties are linked through a tertiary amine function . These compounds have demonstrated potent activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including beta-lactam-resistant strains. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1994 Feb, 38(2), 403 - 6 (6S)-6-fluoroshikimic acid, an antibacterial agent acting on the aromatic biosynthetic pathway; Davies GM et al.; (6S)-6-Fluoroshikimic acid inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli B on minimal medium (MIC, 0.25 micrograms ml-1), and it protected mice challenged intraperitoneally with the same organism (50% protective dose, 0.06 mg kg of body weight-1) . We propose that inhibitors of bacterial aromatic biosynthesis have the potential for use in human medicine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1994 Feb, 38(2), 374 - 7 Antibacterial synergism of polymyxin B nonapeptide and hydrophobic antibiotics in experimental gram-negative infections in mice; Ofek I et al.; Polymyxin B nonapeptide, derived by cleavage of the fatty acyl diaminobutyric acid from polymyxin B, is considerably less toxic, lacks bactericidal activity, and retains its ability to render gram-negative bacteria susceptible to several antibiotics by permeabilizing their outer membranes . The peptide rendered all 53 polymyxin-susceptible strains tested more susceptible to novobiocin, lowering the MIC of novobiocin eightfold or more . The combination of polymyxin B nonapeptide with novobiocin or with erythromycin administered intraperitoneally in multiple doses synergistically protected mice infected with gram-negative bacteria . This combination may be clinically useful because of the apparent rarity of the acquisition of resistance. Pneumologie, 1994 Feb, 48(2), 131 - 9 {Pulmonary complications after bone marrow transplantation}; Teschler H et al.; Pulmonary complications represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogenic and autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) . These include a broad spectrum of diseases affecting the lungs and airways, some with predominantly early time of onset (within weeks) and others late (beyond three months) after BMT . The major contributing factors to the occurrence of infectious and noninfectious pulmonary complications of BMT are the state of immunosuppression, secondary to the total body irradiation and chemotherapy used prior to BMT, and acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease . Early and accurate diagnosis by chest roentgenogram, bronchoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage combined with appropriate laboratory techniques is essential, as prompt specific treatment clearly has beneficial effects . An increasing number of pulmonary complications appears to be preventable by improving the conditioning regimes, accelerating engraftment and immune reconstitution, prophylactic antibacterial, antimycotic, and antiviral therapy as well as the modification of GVHD therapy. Yakugaku Zasshi, 1994 Feb, 114(2), 73 - 9 {Study on new anti-rust disinfectants . III . Effect of alkyl chain length of N-alkyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxy)propyl-N,N-dimethylammonium butyl phosphate on the antibacterial activity}; Makino M et al.; New anti-rust quaternary ammonium salts such as N-alkyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxy)propyl-N,N-dimethylammonium butyl phosphate (5) {alkyl homologues are octyl (5a), decyl (5b), dodecyl (5c), tetradecyl (5d), hexadecyl (5e), and octadecyl (5f)} were synthesized in order to find the relationship between the alkyl length and the antibacterial activities . N-Alkyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxy)propyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride (6) {alkyl homologues are dodecyl (6c), tetradecyl (6d), hexadecyl (6e)} were used as standard compounds in the quantitative analysis . 5c and 6c showed antibacterial activities and these activities were nearly equal to that of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), but, the activities shown by 5e, 5f and 6e were insufficient . 5c-e, showed excellent anti-rust effects, but 6c-e showed insufficient effects, because the former had a butyl phosphate anion and the latter had a chloride anion as a counter ion . 5a, b were insoluble in water . 5c showed a cloud point at 61.5 degrees C and 5d showed a cloud point at 72.0 degrees C at a 10% concentration in water . This phenomenon is similar to those of non-ionic surfactants . 5e was freely soluble in water. J Clin Pharmacol, 1994 Feb, 34(2), 128 - 35 Adverse drug reactions in neonates; Knight M; Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are uncommon causes of admission of neonates to the neonatal intensive care unit . The neonate, however, is potentially at significant risk for adverse drug reactions because of underdeveloped mechanisms and systems for handling drugs (the Gray Baby Syndrome with chloramphenicol as a classic example), the fact that infants in neonatal intensive care units are often critically ill with multiple organ system dysfunction, that they may be on multiple drugs, and that they may present with an adverse drug reaction as a result of exposure while still a fetus . There is also a history of misadventures in the neonatal intensive care unit and newborn nurseries due to exposure to antibacterial agents that produced systemic effects from percutaneous absorption . In this review, an overview of the mechanisms of adverse drug reactions will be presented, followed by a general review of the experience of adverse drug reactions in neonates and some specific examples of current adverse drug reactions and a suggested approach for the prevention and evaluation of adverse drug reactions in neonates. Scand J Dent Res, 1994 Feb, 102(1), 46 - 9 Triclosan-containing mouthwashes--does the nature of the solvent influence their clinical effect? Waaler SM, Rolla G, Kjaerheim V. The effect of triclosan on plaque inhibition was studied with various solvents . Eight subjects used the solutions as mouthwashes twice daily for 4 days while refraining from any other form of oral hygiene . Bacteriologic tests were also done with the same solutions . The study showed that the nature of the substance used to dissolve triclosan may be of clinical significance . Solutions of triclosan in polyethylene glycol, glycerol, or 3% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) alone showed marked antiplaque effect . (The first two solutions both contained 1.5% SLS) . However, triclosan dissolved in Tween 80 had only a negligible clinical effect . In vitro experiment showed that antibacterial tests did not correlate well with clinical data . It is proposed that the nature of the micelles of the detergents which are used to dissolve triclosan is of significant importance . Strongly charged micelles such as SLS show clinical effect, whereas less charged micelles of SLS/Tween 80 or uncharged micelles of Tween 80 alone appear not to have this effect. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1994 Feb, 47(2), 225 - 32 Modification of glycopeptide antibiotic eremomycin by the action of alkyl halides and study on antibacterial activity of the compounds obtained; Pavlov AY et al.; Alkylation of glycopeptide antibiotic eremomycin by the action of different alkyl halides leads, depending on the structure of alkyl halides used, to eremomycin derivatives of six types; alkylated at the N-terminus, quaternary compounds at the N-terminus, eremomycin esters, esters of eremocycin alkylated at the N-terminus, esters of eremomycin quaternised at the N-terminus, esters of eremomycin alkylated both at the N-terminus and at the aminogroup of disaccharide branch . Five compounds demonstrated high antibacterial activity in vitro, N-allyleremomycin and methyl ester of N,N-dimethyleremomycin being at least as good as the parent eremomycin. Histochem J, 1994 Feb, 26(2), 142 - 51 Ultrastructural localization of tumour necrosis factor-alpha; Schmauder-Chock EA et al.; The application of an antibody against tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) to thin sections of plastic-embedded mouse tissue has identified sites of TNF activity in normal and endotoxin-treated C3N/HeN mice . Prior to endotoxin treatment, TNF was observed in the secretory granules of the antibacterial Paneth cell and one type of crypt endocrine cell . Four hours after endotoxin treatment, these two types of intestinal cell were found to have degranulated . In addition, endotoxin treatment resulted in the appearance of TNF in the secretory granules of all eosinophils, neutrophils and monocytes in the bone marrow, spleen, lung and the proximal intestine . TNF was also observed in the internal elastic lamina (IEL) of arterioles . These results suggest that the process of TNF induction specifically targets the immune system and the vasculature . An invasive stimulus, such as circulating endotoxin, can provoke the immune cells to be armed with TNF . That same stimulus may cause arteriole smooth muscle cells to secrete TNF . TNF secretion in the presence of arteriole smooth muscle cells may play a role in the adjustment of arteriole tone . In the venules, TNF may be responsible for platelet and neutrophil accumulation which leads to embolism formation. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1994 Feb, 42(2), 392 - 4 Synthesis, lipophilicity studies and antibacterial properties of some novel quaternary ammonium salts; Siatra-Papastaikoudi T et al.; The synthesis of some novel quaternary ammonium salts, derivatives of 15-phenyl-decapentanoic acid, is described . Their lipophilicity was estimated applying the Hansch-Leo fragmental procedure and measured by means of reversed phase thin layer chromatography . All compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity against Gram positive and gram negative microorganisms . The less lipophilic compounds showed weak activity, mainly against gram positive microorganisms. Arzneimittelforschung, 1994 Feb, 44(2), 178 - 81 Synthesis and biological studies on some organo-tin and lead halo and mixed halo-pseudohalo anionic complexes; Raj P et al.; Some new anionic complexes of organo-tin(IV) and lead (IV) isolated in combination of tetraorgano-ammonium phosphonium and stibonium cation(s) . L{R4-nMXnY} and L2{R2MX2Y2}, where R = C2H5, C4H9 or C6H5; M = Sn or Pb; X = Y = Cl = Br, I, N3, NCS; n = 1, 2 and L = R4M1 (M1 = N, P, Sb), whose structures were confirmed by correct elemental analyses, molar conductance values, van't Hoff factor and IR spectral studies, were synthesized and evaluated for anti-convulsant activity in vivo and antiviral and antibacterial activity in vitro . A few of them exhibited promising activity . In addition, the toxicity (ALD50) and effects on the central nervous system of these complexes have been studied in mice. J Inorg Biochem, 1994 Feb 1, 53(2), 117 - 26 Synthesis and spectroscopy studies of copper(II) nitrate of sulfacetamide drug . Crystal structure of {Cu(sulfacetamide)2(NO3)2} . Antibacterial studies; Blasco F et al.; The structural spectroscopic, and thermal properties of a complex of sulfacetamide (Hsacm) with Cu(II) have been investigated . The complex {Cu(Hsacm)2(NO3)2} crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n . The cell dimensions are a = 7.696(7) A, b = 8.017(7) A, c = 19.230(10), beta = 110.80(1) degree, V = 1109(1) A3, Z = 2, and Dx = 1.84 g/cm3 . The structure was refined to R = 0.0776 . Cu(Hsacm)2(NO3)2 molecules form a long polymeric chain extended along the b-axis . The copper(II) coordinated geometry is tetragonally distorted octahedral with two amino nitrogens from Hsacm and two oxygens from nitrato anions in the basal plane and two acetamido oxygens from neighbor Hsacm molecules in the apical position . Each sulfacetamide, acting as a bidentate ligand, links two Cu(II) ions as a bridge through the Namino and the Oacetamido atoms . The complex proved to possess higher bacteriostatic activity than the corresponding ligand. Nippon Rinsho, 1994 Feb, 52(2), 384 - 8 {Legionnaires' disease}; Toyoda K et al.; Among community-acquired pneumonias or hospital-acquired pneumonias, the genus Legionella, an intracellular bacteria, is one of the most important pathogens causing death . The bacteria from clinical specimens could not be cultured by ordinary methods and the polymerase chain reaction, a new method for rapid detection, has been developed; however, Legionella pneumonias are still difficult to diagnose . Antibiotics, such as macrolides, new quinolones and rifampicin, are very active against Legionella spp . These antibacterial agents should be administered when acute pneumonia tends to exacerbate with previous beta-lactams or aminoglycosides therapy . Legionella pneumonias are more likely to occur in elderly males or in the compromised-hosts with underlying diseases, such as malignancy, diabetes mellitus, AIDS, etc. Nippon Rinsho, 1994 Feb, 52(2), 372 - 7 {Gram-negative rods: antibacterial agents effective on gram-negative rods}; Iyobe S; Some kinds of gram-negative rods cause serious infections in the compromised hosts . The species most frequently isolated in big hospitals are P . aeruginosa, E . coli, K . pneumoniae, E . cloacae, S . marcescens, and H . influenzae . Among these species . P . aeruginosa, E . cloacae and S . marcescens show resistance to many antibacterial agents . The aminoglycoside, such as gentamicin, is effective against these strains but resistant strains are detected at a high frequency for P . aeruginosa . Resistant strains to new quinolones are isolated for both S . marcescens and P . aeruginosa . The third generation cephems are effective against these species but they easily acquire resistance to these drugs . Imipenem and cefclidin are effective and a few resistant strains to the drugs are already detectable in gram-negative rods. Nippon Rinsho, 1994 Feb, 52(2), 309 - 14 {Problems in the host defense system against bacterial infection}; Mitsuyama M; Various types of defects in the host defense system are involved in bacterial infection especially in so-called compromised host . Among the humoral factors of defense system, complement system and immunoglobulins are indispensable . Phagocytes are the most important cellular factor in the effective phagocytosis and intracellular killing of ingested bacteria through the formation of ROI, RNI and by the release of antibacterial peptides including defensin or serprocidin family . T lymphocytes are specially required when the infection is caused by intracellular parasitic bacteria for activation of macrophages through the production of several cytokines or expression of cytotoxic effect . gamma delta T cell may be involved in the first line defense . The functional significance of each factor of host defense was discussed with special reference to the escape mechanisms of bacteria. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1994 Feb, 40(1), 63 - 71 Effects of Houttuyniae cordata and refinery final molasses on the development of offensive odor in porcine small intestine during storage; Urabe K et al.; Porcine small intestine evolved a specific offensive odor only 0.5 to 1 day after storage at 20 degrees C . We investigated the effects of Houttuyniae cordata (dokudami), refinery final molasses (RFM), green tea, and brown sugar on the evolution of methylmercaptan and ethanol, which were the main components of the volatiles which evolved from porcine small intestine in storage . Furthermore, we determined their antibacterial effect and deodorant activity against methylmercaptan, as possible factors in reducing the offensive odor . Addition of those materials reduced the offensive odor during storage . In particular, dokudami, green tea, and RFM markedly suppressed the evolution of methylmercaptan . RFM was most effective in suppressing the growth of bacteria . Dokudami had the highest deodorant activity, comparable to that of perilla leaves . However, the retardation of methylmercaptan evolution in situ cannot be simply explained by either of deodorant or antibacterial effect . It seems likely that the combined action of both effects affects the evolution of methylmercaptan in situ. Int Dent J, 1994 Feb, 44(1 Suppl 1), 83 - 98 Recent advances in stannous fluoride technology: antibacterial efficacy and mechanism of action towards hypersensitivity; Miller S et al.; Stannous fluoride (SnF2) is highly susceptible to oxidation and hydrolysis but both anhydrous and aqueous preparations can be well established by proper formulation . When stability in aqueous preparations is achieved by the use of certain strong complexing agents, reduced antibacterial activity is observed which may be attributed to reduced bioavailability of the stannous ion . In contrast, an anhydrous SnF2 preparation maintains stannous ion in a stable but, uncomplexed form . This preparation displays antibacterial activity in saliva and delivers stannous ion which is absorbed onto surfaces making them less susceptible to plaque formation for an extended period of time (hours) . When this anhydrous preparation is brushed onto dentine in vitro or in situ, one observes a nearly complete coverage of the dentine surface and occlusion of tubules by a tin-rich surface deposit . This finding indicates that the observed clinical efficacy of this preparation at relieving hypersensitivity is due to occlusion of tubules by a mixture of low solubility complexes of tin . A water-based SnF2 preparation containing strongly complexed stannous ions does not form a surface coating on dentine in vitro suggesting that this preparation may not be optimal for treating hypersensitivity . Overall, the findings indicate that the stannous ions in a SnF2 preparation must be maintained in a stable, bioavailable form for optimal efficacy against plaque and hypersensitivity to be obtained . The results suggest that these properties are provided by stable anhydrous preparations but are difficult to achieve simultaneously in aqueous preparations . When properly formulated, stannous fluoride preparations can provide multiple oral therapeutic benefits. Int Dent J, 1994 Feb, 44(1 Suppl 1), 63 - 70 Recent advances in plaque, gingivitis, tartar and caries prevention technology; Gaffar A et al.; A dentifrice containing triclosan/PVM/MA, copolymer/NaF (Total) combination was compared with dentifrices containing triclosan without the copolymer system . A variety of laboratory, animal and human studies indicated that Total provided higher uptake and retention of triclosan on teeth, and was more effective in reducing plaque in chemostat and flow cell models . The retention of triclosan in dental plaque was significantly higher with Total as compared with other dentifrices 2 hours post brushing . The triclosan retained in the plaque after using Total was effective against plaque bacteria for up to 12 hours . Other dentifrices did not provide a sustained antibacterial effect against plaque . The results indicated that the delivery system with the copolymer significantly enhanced the efficacy of triclosan against plaque, gingivitis and plaque related diseases in vivo. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1994 Feb, 13(2), 161 - 5 Bacteremia due to fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli in two immunocompromised patients; Kern WV et al.; Two patients with acute leukemia developed Escherichia coli bacteremia while receiving oral ofloxacin for antibacterial prophylaxis during profound neutropenia . The isolates were resistant to ofloxacin (MIC 25 and 12.5 micrograms/ml respectively), other fluoroquinolones and several unrelated agents . Whole cell drug accumulation studies with four different fluoroquinolones suggested major differences between drugs but only minor alterations in individual drug permeability in the two resistant isolates compared with a susceptible control strain . In a supercoiling assay using the purified DNA gyrase and plasmid pBR322, high concentrations (> or = 250 micrograms/ml) of both ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were needed for visible inhibition of enzyme activity suggesting mutations in the DNA gyrase gene as the significant mechanism of resistance in both strains. Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 Feb-Mar, 39(2-3), 41 - 4 {Imipenem-cilastatin in the treatment of suppurative inflammatory complications in the cancer clinic}; Dronova OM et al.; The results of the treatment with imipenem/cylastatin (Merck, Sharp and Dohme) of 46 oncological patients whose condition was severe or extremely severe because of infectious complications are presented . The drug was administered intravenously drop-like in doses of 1.5 or 2 g a day . The paper also presents the data on the in vitro susceptibility of 492 strains of aerobic organisms causing purulent inflammatory and septic complications . The majority of the strains were susceptible to imipenem/cylastatin (80-100 per cent depending on the genus and species) . A complete or partial therapeutic effect was observed in 30 out of 46 patients . The adverse reactions in several cases required the use of some other drug . Still, they were not life-threatening . Therefore, imipenem/cylastatin should be considered to be a highly efficient combination with antibacterial action . It is useful in the treatment of severe purulent inflammatory complications in oncological patients. Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 Feb-Mar, 39(2-3), 26 - 30 {The efficacy of antibacterial preparations against Pseudomonas mallei in in-vitro and in-vivo experiments}; Manzeniuk IN et al.; In vitro antibacterial activity of 43 antibiotics and chemotherapeutics against P . mallei Ts-5 was studied . The causative agent of malleus was highly susceptible to sulfanilamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, ceftazidime and imipenem . 15 antibiotics and chemotherapeutics were tested for their therapeutic efficacy on golden hamsters with experimental malleus . Combinations with trimetoprim (sulfaton and biseptol), 3rd generation quinolones (ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and ofloxacin) as well as minocycline, novobiocin and oxolinic acid were shown to be therapeutically highly efficient. J Biol Chem, 1994 Jan 21, 269(3), 1865 - 72 Functional domains of recombinant bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (rBPI23); Little RG et al.; The 23-kDa recombinant amino-terminal bactericidal/permeability increasing protein fragment (rBPI23) has all of the antibacterial and antiendotoxin properties of the holoprotein . In the current studies, we have identified multiple active domains within rBPI23 with chemical and proteolytic cleavage fragments and with synthetic overlapping peptides . We also demonstrate a novel, high affinity heparin binding property for rBPI23, in addition to its established bactericidal and lipopolysaccharide binding properties . Cleavage fragments and synthetic, overlapping peptides of rBPI23 were analyzed for inhibition of the lipopolysaccharide-induced Limulus amebocyte lysate reaction, for bactericidal activity, and for heparin binding . Three separate, active domains were identified in amino acid regions 17-45, 65-99, and 142-169 . A single synthetic peptide (85-99) was bactericidal . These results indicate that rBPI23 is comprised of three separate functional domains which contribute to the high affinity interaction of rBPI23 with Gram-negative bacteria . The individual activity of each domain and the cooperative interaction among domains provide the basis for developing rBPI23 analogues with increased biologic efficacy. FEBS Lett, 1994 Jan 17, 337(3), 303 - 7 Chemical synthesis and biological activity of a novel antibacterial peptide deduced from a pig myeloid cDNA; Storici P et al.; Several myeloid precursors of antibacterial peptides have recently been shown to share homologous pre- and pro-regions . Taking advantage of this homology, a novel cDNA was cloned from pig bone marrow RNA . This encodes a 166-residue polypeptide with highly conserved pre- (29 residues) and pro- (101 residues) sequences, followed by a unique, 36-residue C-terminal sequence . Structure analyses of this C-terminal region have identified a highly cationic sequence predicted to adopt an amphipathic alpha-helical conformation . A peptide corresponding to this sequence was chemically synthesized and shown to arrest the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . At least for Escherichia coli, the activity of this peptide appears to be mediated by its ability to permeabilize the bacterial membranes. Cas Lek Cesk, 1994 Jan 3, 133(1), 22 - 4 {Peroral preparations of cephalosporin antibiotics}; Babalova M et al.; Three successful generations of cephalosporin antibiotics can be divided into parenteral and peroral substances . Both have similar antibacterial and hence therapeutical properties . It is usual to include into the first generation of peroral cephalosporins the so-called phenylglycine, or hydroxyphenylglycine derivatives . The carbacephem variant of Cefaclor (Panoral Lilly), Loracarbef, however, has improved properties and although it is a phenylglycine drug, it could be classified as a second generation cephalosporin . Here we include also the so-called ester-prodrugs: 2nd generation parenteral cephalosporins esterified in the position of C4 (cefuroxime-axetil, Zinnat, cefpodoxime-proxetil, Oralox, etc.) . They are broad-spectrum antibiotics, not hydrolysed by resistant bacteria, and, hence, they are effective also against cephalosporin-(1 . generation) resistant strains . New structures of cephalosporins, e.g . cefixime and ceftibuten (Cedax) could be classified as cephs of the 3rd generation . They, are stable even against destruction by strains resistant to Cefotaxime or Ceftazidime, and, thus, effective against such bacteria, whose number is expected to increase in the near future . It is concluded that the possibility to administer cephalosporins having different properties, spectrum and stability by both parenteral and peroral way is highly welcomed mainly in pediatric practice and that there are several new and promising drugs in this still developing group of antibacterials. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1994, 39(6), 471 - 4 Structure-activity relationships of some 4-quinazolylthiosemicarbazides and their triazolo derivatives; Jantova S et al.; Eight 4-quinazolylthiosemicarbazides and nine of their structural analogues have been tested for antibacterial effects and for structure activity relationships . 9-Chloro-5-morpholino-1,2,4-triazolo{4,3-c}quinazoline-3-thione has demonstrated the highest antibacterial effect (MIC of 1 mg/L for E . coli and P . mirabilis and < 1 mg/L for S . aureus and B . subtilis) . The most effective derivatives have the carbon aromatic ring substituted with chlorine and the pyrimidine ring with morpholine or with secondary amine group. Clin Exp Dermatol, 1994 Jan, 19(1), 26 - 30 Verrucous carcinoma of the face with a massive neutrophil infiltrate . Analysis of leucocyte chemotactic activity in the tumour extract; Takematsu H et al.; An unusual case of verrucous carcinoma of the face with a massive infiltration of neutrophils was found in a 60-year-old Japanese man who presented with a scaly, crusty tumour studded with pustules of 3 years duration on the left cheek . Histological examination showed a proliferation of deceptively benign-looking epidermal cells with an intact basement membrane, accompanied by a dermal infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells and formation of microabscesses containing multinucleate giant cells, suggesting deep fungal infection or blastomycosis-like pyoderma . The lesion, however, was unresponsive to antifungal or antibacterial treatments and ultimately attained a considerable size in the following months . Based on the findings of repeat biopsy conducted 4 months later indicating further deeper invasion, a diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma of the face was made, and a total excision of the tumour and left cervical lymph node dissection were finally carried out . It can be speculated that aberrant production of leucocyte chemotactic cytokines such as interleukin-8 by dysplastic keratinocytes, subsequent neutrophil infiltration/serum permeation, generation of leucotactic anaphylatoxin C5a from serum through complement activation and of lipid chemotactic factors (leukotriene B4 and 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid) by infiltrating leucocytes and/or dysplastic keratinocytes provoked the characteristic accumulation of neutrophils in the verrucous carcinoma of this case. J R Soc Med, 1994 Jan, 87(1), 9 - 12 Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to the antibacterial activity of manuka honey; al Somal N et al.; Honey is a traditional remedy for dyspepsia, and is still used for this by some medical practitioners although there is no rational basis for its use . The finding that Helicobacter pylori is probably the causative agent in many cases of dyspepsia has raised the possibility that the therapeutic action of honey may be due to its antibacterial properties . Consequently, the sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to honey was tested, using isolates from biopsies of gastric ulcers . It was found that all five isolates tested were sensitive to a 20% (v/v) solution of manuka honey in an agar well diffusion assay, but none showed sensitivity to a 40% solution of a honey in which the antibacterial activity was due primarily to its content of hydrogen peroxide . Assessment of the minimum inhibitory concentration by inclusion of manuka honey in the agar showed that all seven isolates tested had visible growth over the incubation period of 72 h prevented completely by the presence of 5% (v/v) honey. Ter Arkh, 1994, 66(3), 46 - 50 {The clinico-immunological evaluation of the ribomunyl treatment of chronic bronchitis patients}; Borisova AM et al.; The paper reports the results of ribomunil trial in chronic bronchitis (CB) patients who suffered from frequent exacerbations . The drug was found to act primarily on a phagocytic component of the immunity and local immunity of the respiratory mucosa . Because of its vaccine-like effect, ribomunil administration is most beneficial in CB remission . Ribomunil treatment results in reduction of the number and duration of CB exacerbations, of the scope of antibacterial therapy. Annu Rev Med, 1994, 45, 421 - 34 Modulation of the ionic milieu of the airway in health and disease; Noone PG et al.; Airway surface liquid (ASL) is an integral part of lung defense mechanisms . Ion transport by airway epithelia regulates the volume and composition of this fluid . A better understanding of the mechanisms of ion transport will enable the development of new therapies for airway diseases associated with defects in these mechanisms . A useful model of a disease with abnormal airway epithelial ion transport is cystic fibrosis (CF), a distinct genetic syndrome of altered lung defense mechanisms characterized by chronic bacterial infection and a steady decline in lung function . Traditional therapies for CF include antibacterial drugs and augmentation of clearance of secretions, but investigators are now studying pharmacological approaches to target the more basic defect of the disease, i.e . abnormal sodium and chloride ion transport . Early treatment in childhood, prior to lung damage, might prevent or at least retard the decline in pulmonary function that remains the hallmark of CF . Ion transport dysfunction may also contribute to other airway diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis . Pharmacological intervention at this level may prove beneficial in these common lung diseases as well. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 1994, 9(2), 156 - 62 Antibacterial peritoneal defence in automated peritoneal dialysis: advantages of tidal over continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis? de Fijter CW, Verbrugh HA, Oe PL, Heezius EC, Verhoef J, Donker AJ. In tidal peritoneal dialysis (TPD) only a part of the infused dialysate is drained with each exchange, leaving a residual volume on top of which fresh fluid is cycled . As the persistent presence of a buffered intraperitoneal reserve volume might favour peritoneal macrophage (PMO) function, PMO obtained from eight patients during a 3-h continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) or TPD session were studied in a randomized cross-over trial . PMO were studied for uptake of E . coli (complement-dependent) and S . epidermidis (antibody-dependent), as well as for their killing capacity and peak chemiluminescence response . In addition, dialysate was sampled during both treatment sessions and studied for pH, osmolality, and effect on the viability of donor phagocytes and mesothelial cells . TPD-derived PMO were significantly better able to phagocytose E . coli than CCPD-PMO (48 +/- 8 versus 33 +/- 6% uptake, P < 0.05), whereas the other tested functional capacities revealed no significant difference between TPD- and CCPD-PMO . During TPD dialysate pH ranged from 6 to 7 as compared to a pH range from 5 to 7 in CCPD . The presence of a residual dialysate volume resulted in less wash-out of cells and opsonins early in the treatment, and to some extent blunted the noxious effects of fresh dialysis solutions . Overall, however, tidal PD appeared to have no advantage over CCPD regarding preservation of peritoneal defences. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1994 Jan, 115(1), 82 - 6 Purification and molecular cloning of cDNA for an inducible antibacterial protein of larvae of a coleopteran insect, Holotrichia diomphalia; Lee SY et al.; Injection of Escherichia coli into larvae of the coleopteran Holotrichia diomphalia results in the appearance of antibacterial activity in the hemolymph . An antibacterial protein, named holotricin 2, was purified from larvae of this insect and characterized . A cDNA clone for holotricin 2 was isolated and its complete sequence was determined . This protein was found to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria and to consist of 72-amino acid residues with no cysteine residues . Its amino acid sequence is similar to that of coleoptericine, an antibacterial protein isolated from larvae of the coleopteran Zophobas atratus. Br J Clin Pract, 1994 Jan-Feb, 48(1), 5 - 7 Penicillin allergy: a study of incidence as reported by patients; Kerr JR; To assess the incidence of penicillin allergy as reported by patients to doctors, a 5-month study was undertaken in a university teaching hospital . The study design was prospective, and included all hospital patients for whom advice on clinical management was given by one bacteriology registrar and in whom the previous response to penicillin was considered . Of the 271 patients included in the study, 21 reported penicillin allergy . The most commonly reported symptom was localised rash (8 cases), followed by unknown reaction symptoms (6), nausea with or without vomiting (3), generalised itchy rash with difficulty in breathing (3), and localised rash with chest pain (1) . Three of 21 cases reported generalised rash with difficulty in breathing; two of these followed intravenous penicillin administration . If the three cases of generalised itchy rash with difficulty in breathing are taken as true type-1 hypersensitivity to penicillin, the incidence of this was 1.11% (3 of 271), and the incidence of true allergy among patient-reported allergy was 14.3% (3 of 21) . In two cases of reported penicillin allergy a penicillin was administered for treatment of the current infection, despite the history and without any ill-effects . Penicillins are non-toxic and inexpensive and, despite the number of alternatives for antibacterial therapy, are still the treatment of choice for many infections . More attention should therefore be paid to details of the clinical history relating to penicillin allergy with a view to decreasing the number of patients labelled 'penicillin-allergic'. Probl Tuberk, 1994, (1), 35 - 8 {State of the hemostasis system in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing endobronchial laser therapy}; Kamaletdinov IM et al.; Blood coagulation has been studied in 59 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis running in association with nonspecific endocarditis following a course of endobronchial laser (He-Ne or CO2 units) radiation . The treatment resulted in intensification of intravascular hemocoagulation . On after-treatment month 5-8 hemostatic disorders in the above patients were less manifest than in matched patients treated with antibacterial drugs combined with standard endobronchial therapy. Probl Tuberk, 1994, (1), 28 - 30 {Sjogren's syndrome and the "dry syndrome" in combination with lung diseases}; Ozerova LV et al.; Four cases of Sjogren's disease are reported: 2 cases with pulmonary syndrome (fibrosing alveolitis) and 2 cases with respiratory sarcoidosis . The diagnosis was made basing on xerostomia and xerophthalmia . Corticosteroid treatment produced only a partial response . The disease took a chronic course in all the patients . Antibacterial drugs were a failure in all the patients. J Ethnopharmacol, 1994 Jan, 41(1-2), 71 - 6 Bioactivity of certain Egyptian Ficus species; Mousa O et al.; The fruit extracts of Ficus sycomorus L., F . benjamina L., F . bengalensis L . and F . religiosa L . were screened for bioactivity . F . bengalensis and F . religiosa demonstrated activity in the brine shrimp test (Artemia salina) which indicates toxicity, whereas F . sycomorus and F . benjamina showed no activity . All the fruit extracts exhibited antitumor activity in the potato disc bioassay . None of the tested extracts showed any marked inhibition on the uptake of calcium into rat pituitary cells GH4C1 . The extracts of the four tested Ficus species had significant antibacterial activity, but no antifungal activity . The results of this preliminary investigation support the traditional use of these plants in folk medicine for respiratory disorders and certain skin diseases. Ter Arkh, 1994, 66(2), 45 - 7 {The pharmacodynamic and ulcer-healing action of modern anti-ulcer agents}; Gorshkov VA et al.; In a study of 159 duodenal ulcer patients the authors studied the effect of H2-blockers, antibacterial and sucralfate monotherapy on the frequency of the ulcer healing, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and acid-proteolytic aggression in the body and antropyloric portion of the stomach . All the drugs were found to exhibit similar antiulcer activity . Inhibition of the acid-proteolytic aggression in the gastric body was registered only under the action of H2-blockers . Antibacterial preparations inhibited the growth of HP, but did not affect the acidity and proteolysis in the gastric body . Neither did sucralfate which also had no effect on microorganisms . All the test drugs were able to reduce antropyloric acidity, thus promoting healing of the ulcer. Mol Gen Genet, 1994 Jan, 242(2), 152 - 62 The lysozyme locus in Drosophila melanogaster: an expanded gene family adapted for expression in the digestive tract; Daffre S et al.; Lysozyme has been studied in insects as part of the system of inducible antibacterial defence in the haemolymph . We recently found two Drosophila lysozyme genes that are constitutively expressed in the digestive tract, and are probably involved in the digestion of bacteria in the food . To obtain an overview of the lysozyme genes in this species and their possible roles in immunity and digestion, we have now characterized all six lysozyme genes in the cloned part of the lysozyme locus at 61F, and a seventh gene that maps to the same chromosomal location . The expression of the genes follows four different patterns: firstly, four closely related genes, LysB, C, D and E, are all strongly expressed in the midgut of larvae and adults; secondly, LysP is expressed in the adult salivary gland; thirdly, LysS is expressed mainly in the gastric caecae of larvae; and finally, LysX is primarily expressed in the metamorphosing midgut of late larvae and early pupae . The LysD-like genes and LysS are strongly repressed in artificially infected animals, possibly reflecting a malaise reaction in the digestive tract . None of the genes is expressed in the fat body or haemocytes . Thus rather than being a component of the haemolymph, the Drosophila lysozymes are found mainly in the digestive tract where they are expressed at a high level . Furthermore all genes, except LysP, encode acidic proteins, in contrast to the strongly basic "typical" lysozymes . This is highly reminiscent of the situation in ruminants, where the lysozymes have been recruited for the digestion of symbiotic bacteria in the stomach. J Nat Prod, 1994 Jan, 57(1), 18 - 26 Cytotoxic and antibacterial dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum; Orjala J et al.; Bioactivity-guided fractionation of a CH2Cl2 extract from the leaves of Piper aduncum afforded three new dihydrochalcones, piperaduncins A {3}, B {4}, and C {5}, as well as two known dihydrochalcones, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone {1} and 2',6',4-trihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone {2} (asebogenin), together with sakuranetin, anodendroic acid methyl ester, and the carotenoid lutein . The structures of the isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D- and 2D nmr spectroscopy . The proposed stereochemistry for compound 4 was deduced by NOESY spectroscopy and the corresponding energy minimum was established by molecular modelling calculations and translated into a 3D structure. Biol Pharm Bull, 1994 Jan, 17(1), 152 - 5 Comparative study of permeability into rat cerebrospinal fluid of the quinolones: dependency on their lipophilicities; Ichikawa N et al.; Pharmacokinetic behavior involved in the entry of four quinolone antibacterial agents, norfloxacin (NFLX), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), ofloxacin (OFLX) and nalidixic acid (NA), into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was comparatively investigated in rats . Periodically, after the bolus i.v . dose of each quinolone (10 mg/kg), aliquots of CSF were collected by cisternal puncture and blood samples were then withdrawn from the jugular vein . CSF and serum (total and unbound) levels of the drugs were determined by HPLC method . Transport parameters for three new quinolones (NFLX, CPFX, OFLX) into CSF were obtained by physiological model analysis . Serum levels of OFLX and NFLX declined bi-exponentially with time, whereas the serum levels of NA and CPFX declined in mono-exponential and tri-exponential fashion, respectively . Fractions of each quinolone unbound to serum protein (approximately 0.7 for NFLX, CPFX, and OFLX, 0.12 for NA) were almost the same at any point in time . The CSF levels of these quinolones rose quite rapidly after drug administration, and then declined, along with their serum levels . Both the CSF level and the ratio of CSF concentration to serum unbound concentration were the highest for NA, followed by OFLX, CPFX and NFLX . These values of the four quinolones were almost proportional to the apparent partition coefficient (Papp) between n-octanol and phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) values of each reported in a previous paper {Tsuji et al., Antimicrob . Agents Chemother., 32, 190 (1988)} . In the three new quinolones, OFLX had a larger value of apparent diffusional clearance between blood and CSF (PAc) than CPFX and NFLX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Z Naturforsch {C}, 1994 Jan-Feb, 49(1-2), 154 - 5 Xanthanolides of Xanthium italicum Moretti and their biological activity; Tsankova ET et al.; Seven xanthanolides were identified in the extract of X . italicum leaves . Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities were found for the total extract and its major constituents xanthinin and xanthatin. Cah Anesthesiol, 1994, 42(2), 153 - 7 {Value of HME antibacterial filters in neonatal and pediatric anesthesia . Comparison with traditional heating humidifiers}; Runti G et al.; HME (heat-moisture exchangers) filters (Hygrobaby DAR) have been compared with classical humidifiers (Bennett Cascade Humidifier) with regard to heating and humidification of inspired gases in anaesthetized neonates and infants . 28 young patients (2 days-12 months) have been randomized into two groups . Though traditional heaters-humidifiers offer slightly higher performances in terms of temperature and moisture, HME-filters appear to be a better choice from cost, handiness and safety considerations . Antibacterial efficacy of HME-filters is also a major quality. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 1994, 5(6), 607 - 19 New biomaterials through surface segregation phenomenon: new quaternary ammonium compounds as antibacterial agents; Nohr RS et al.; Five new trisiloxane quaternary ammonium compounds were synthesized from hydrotrisiloxane with allyl glycidyl ether to yield the epoxy function . Various amines were then reacted to yield trisiloxane amines which were further reacted to methyl substitute or oxidize the beta-carbons in order to provide thermal stability . These new compounds were employed as melt additives in a nonwoven polypropylene fiber extrusion process to produce, through surface segregation, a new biomaterial with antibacterial properties. Klin Khir, 1994, (1-2), 27 - 9 {Regional immunocorrective therapy using laferon in patients with suppurative cholangitis}; Nichitailo ME; In patients with purulent cholangitis after correction of major bile outflow, intracholedochal administration of laferon was used together with general and antibacterial therapy . This contributed to improvement in the function of a cellular link of immunity, decrease in intensity of autoimmune response of the own lymphocytes, stabilization of general inflammatory response of the organism which resulted in normalization of pathologically increased laboratory and biochemical indices in the blood analyses of the patients. Infection, 1994, 22 Suppl 1, S23 - 6 Clinical evaluation of drug efficacy in UTI in men: the significance of bacterial elimination on day one; Arakawa S et al.; With the purpose of assessing whether the effect of a drug at an early stage of administration could serve to predict efficacy at the end of drug treatment, a cephem antibiotic was administered for 5 days (days 0-4) by injection in males with complicated UTI . Results showed that the bacteriological effect on day 1 was reflected in the overall clinical efficacy on day 5 . The activity of an antibacterial agent appeared to be reflected in the ability to eliminate bacteria 1 to 2 days after the start of drug administration. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, 1994 Jan, 14(1), 37 - 8, 6 {A study of paeonol injection on immune functions in rats}; Li FC et al.; Paeonol is the main effective component of the traditional Chinese medicine, Paeonia suffroticosa . Paeonol has some therapeutic effects in resisting many species of bacteria and fungi . But the mechanism of such effects is still unclear . We used low dosage of paeonol injection (10-15 mg/kg) to observe its effect on the functions of the immune system of the Wistar's rats . The methods include peripheral blood ANAE+ lymphocytes (PBAL), leucocyte migrating inhibition factors (LMIF), specific rosette forming cells (SRFC) of spleen, and bacteria phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (BPP) . The results showed that paeonol could enhance specific cellular immunity by raising the percentage of the PBAL (P < 0.01) and the release of LMIF (P < 0.01) . Paeonol could also increase the BPP (P < 0.01) . On the other hand, although it could increase the percentage of SRFC of the spleen, such an effect showed no significant difference (P > 0.1) . These enhancing effects of the specific cellular immunity and the nonspecific phagocytosis functions of the immune system might be one of the mechanisms of the antibacterial effects of paeonol . The possible modulating activity of paeonol may develop a new applied field in clinical practice. Akush Ginekol (Mosk), 1994, (2), 32 - 5 {The clinical picture and diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis}; Kira EF; Bacterial vaginosis, a disease new in classification of vaginal infection, is described . Characteristic signs of this condition are prolonged abundant secretions from the vagina with an unpleasant odor resistant to routine antibacterial and antiinflammatory therapy . The informative criteria of the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis are a shift of vaginal contents pH to the al