Antimicrobials

Hum Pathol, 1976 May, 7(3), 287 - 95
The assay of antimicrobial compounds; Sabath LD; The earliest antibiotic assays evolved from attempts to qualitatively demonstrate antimicrobial activity in biological fluids . The need for rapid, selective, accurate assays of antibiotics present in blood arises from the fact that many potentially toxic, commonly used antibiotics have narrow toxic: therapeutic ratios; no single dosage regimen can insure adequate therapeutic levels that are not toxic, because of individual variation in excretory patterns and in susceptibility of infecting bacteria . This need for rapid quantitative information about the serum antibiotic concentration can be met by agar diffusion assays, enzymatic assay, or radioimmunoassay . Other assay techniques less commonly used to meet this clinical need are both dilution assay, turbidimetric assay, potentiometric assay, and chemical assay . Details for one agar diffusion assay are presented, as well as principles and references for other techniques.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1976 May, 25(3), 437 - 44
Spaced clofazimine therapy of lepromatous leprosy; Prodiginine (prodigiosin-like) pigments from Streptomyces and other aerobic Actinomycetes; About 95 microorganisms, mainly streptomycetes, were examined for prodiginine pigments . The test methods, including some media for stimulating pigment production, are given . All nine strains which produced prodiginine pigments were characterized and the pigments identified . The results were used to propose structures for five prodigiosin-like pigments from actinomycetes reported in the literature between 1947 and 1964 . Streptoverticillium sp . 26-1 furnished good yields of butylcycloheptylprodiginine (I), whose antimicrobial activity is given.

Chest, 1976 May, 69(5), 587 - 92
Methacycline compared with ampicillin in acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis . A double-blind crossover study; Chodosh S et al.; In order to objectively document the accepted clinical efficacy of ampicillin in treating bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of methacycline, a double-blind crossover study was designed . Twenty patients with chronic bronchial disease were treated for two separate acute bacterial exacerbations, once with 2 gm of ampicillin daily, and once with 600 mg of methacycline daily, for 14 days . There were a few significant differences when comparing the efficacy of the antimicrobials . For example, the daily volume of sputum significantly went from 35.6 ml initially to 20.5 ml at the end of treatment with methacycline, and from 37.4 to 18.0 ml with ampicillin . Sputum neutrophils excreted per day went from 446 to 147 million with methacycline and from 433 to 94 million with ampicillin . Gram-positive diplococci and cocci on gram stains of sputum significantly decreased form 10.6 to 3.3 with methacycline and from 16.8 to 2.1 with ampicillin . This investigation objectively documents with accepted clinical efficacy of ampicillin and proves methacycline to be an equally effective agent.

Geriatrics, 1976 Apr, 31(4), 81 - 5
Prevention of wound sepsis in joint replacement surgery; Fitzgerald RH Jr; Prevention of infection in the newer orthopedic procedures that involve implantation of large foreign bodies requires the establishment of routines and a policy of meticulous attention to detail . A careful preoperative examination, including identification of occult infections, is crucial . Then, uninfected patients who are selected for such surgery should receive prophylactic antimicrobial agents . The operating room technique includes rigid traffic control, strict aseptic precautions, protection of instruments from airborne contamination until the procedure is begun, and use of impermeable hoods and large masks by members of the surgical team . An iodophor skin preparation appears to achieve satisfactory skin asepsis . Although the use of unidirectional airflow or ultraviolet light reduces the level of airborne bacteria, these procedures have not been proved to be more effective than meticulous, carefully performed surgery in lowering rates of postoperative wound infection.

Cutis, 1976 Apr, 17(4), 719 - 22
Nongonococcal urethritis; Arum ES et al.; Nongonococcal urethritis may now account for most cases of symptomatic urethritis seen at VD clinics in the United States . Well-controlled etiologic studies in nongonococcal urethritis have implicated Chlamydia in over 40% of cases but the etiology of Chlamydia-negative cases remains uncertain . Tetracycline provides effective antimicrobial therapy, but tests for cure are often inadequate, and distinguishing relapse and reinfection is difficult . For tetracycline-allergic patients, erythromycin should be used . Control measures to decrease transmission of nongonococcal urethritis are not well established.

J Pharm Sci, 1976 Apr, 65(4), 553 - 7
N-halo derivatives III: stabilization of nitrogen-chlorine bond in N-chloroamino acid derivatives; Kaminski JJ et al.; The chlorination of alpha-amino acids and their related derivatives was investigated . A kinetic study of the stability of these N-chlorinated products led to an elucidation of the factors that significantly influence the stability and reactivity of the nitrogen-chlorine bond in these N-chloramines . From the kinetic investigations, a series of low chlorine potential, soft antimicrobial N-chloramines was developed based on derivatives of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and related compounds.

Farmaco {Sci}, 1976 Apr, 31(4), 237 - 54
Synthesis of sulphonamidoquinoline derivatives; Parrini V et al.; In a research for new antimicrobial agents effective in therapy a new series of sulphonamidoquinoline derivatives have been studied . Their molecules, have got the feature of both 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxopyridine-3-carboxylic acid and sulphonamides . The structure of such compounds has been confirmed by chemical and physico-chemical methods and their antimicrobial activity has been tested.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1976 Apr, 46(2), 111 - 21
Furylfuramide-induced hepatic necrosis in mice and its modification by phenobarbital; Horiuchi T et al.; Oral administration of furylfuramide (2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl) acrylamide), used as an antimicrobial food preservative until recently, caused centrolobular coagulation necrosis of the liver of the mouse (ddYS, male) in the degree corresponding to the doses . The recovery process after a single oral administration was characteristic: the necrotic cells were laden with calcium and replaced by foreign body granuloma accompanied by multinucleate giant cells . Complete healing ensued in about a month . Phenobarbital pretreatment reduced injurious effect of furylfuramide on the liver with preservation of the centrolobular region . In this case necrosis occurred in the intermediate zone in a ring-like shape . This indicates enhanced detoxication of furylfuramide by microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme(s) of the liver cells induced by phenobarbital.

Antibiotiki, 1976 Apr, 21(4), 334 - 8
{Experimental study of the antibacterial action of levomycatin in a 40% solution of hexamethylenetetramine}; Ivanova LD; Antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic activity of 2 per cent solution of levomycetin in 40 per cent solution of hexamethylentetramine was studied . The preparation was proposed as a new extemporal pharmaceutical form of levomycetin for intravenous administration . It was shown that the bacteriostatic activity of levomycetin in the above pharmaceutical form against microbial cultures sensitive to the antibiotic did not differ from that of levomycetin in the form of an aqueous solution . However, the bactericidal effect of the preparation appeared to be higher as compared to that of the levomycetin aqueous solution, which is explained by the synergistic effect of hexamethylentetramine and levomycetin . The chemotherapeutic effect of the preparation tested on albino mice with experimental infection caused by Coli bacteria was more pronounced than the effect of levomycetin sodium succinate.

Can J Comp Med, 1976 Apr, 40(2), 175 - 83
Persistence of transferable drug resistance in the lactose-fermenting enteric flora of swine following antimicrobial feeding; Rollins LD et al.; Six groups of swine (85 animals) were fed a combination of antimicrobial drugs (sulfamethazine 100 g/ton, chlortetracycline 100 g/ton and penicillin 50 g/ton) . After two weeks the antimicronial drugs were removed from the diet of two groups (28 animals) . These swine were compared to four groups fed the medicated diet to determine the effect of duration of treatment and degree of animal isolation on the persistence of resistance in lactose-fermenting enteric organisms . The degree of resistance to penicillin, oxytetracycline, dihydrostreptomycin and neomycin as determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations and the incidence of resistant organisms were examined during and after antibiotic feedings . Ninety-two percent or greater of all isolates tested during and after treatment had minimum inhibitory concentrations for oxytetracycline of greater than 100 mug/ml . Thirty-two weeks after cessation of dietary antibiotic, resistance to oxytetracycline and dihydrostreptomycin remained at 100% and 89% respectively . Variation in degree of contact between swine receiving medicated feed and those receiving nonmedicated feed was not sufficient to reduce the incidence of resistance to oxytetracycline or dihydrostreptomycin in all animals . Factors influencing persistence of resistant enteric organisms are discussed . Addition of the antimicrobials to the ration resulted in significantly greater weight gains for treated animals than for the controls but did not alter feed conversion.

Invest Ophthalmol, 1976 Mar, 15(3), 216 - 9
Dissecting ocular tissue for intraocular drug studies; Abel R Jr et al.; This report describes a convenient reproducible ocular dissection technique which has important applications for ocular antimicrobial penetration studies . Different ocular tissues can be sectioned while frozen and then plated directly on culture medium containing the test organism; after the zones of bacterial inhibition are measured at 18 hours following incubation, the tissue specimens are weighed providing more reliable evidence regarding drug concentrations . In such a fashion, a drug can be administered topically, subconjunctivally, or systematically, and assayed from the cornea to the optic nerve at various time intervals . Analysis of antibiotic in the vitreous body, which has important application in the therapy of endophthalmitis, can be routinely performed in the experimental model.

J Pediatr, 1976 Mar, 88(3), 473 - 7
Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation in neonates: comparison of high-risk infants with and without meningitis; Sarff LD et al.; Results of CSF examinations from 117 high-risk neonates were reviewed . The mean CSF cell count was 8.4 cells/mm3 and the range was 0 to 32 cells/mm.3 Approximately 60% of the CSF WBC were polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Average CSF protein concentrations were 90 mg/dl (range, 20-170 mg/dl) in term and 115 mg/dl (range, 65-150 mg/dl) in preterm infants . The average CSF glucose was 81% of the blood glucose value in term and 74% in preterm infants . Comparison of these CSF findings with those from 119 infants with bacterial meningitis revealed that there was considerable overlapping of values, but only one of the 119 infants with meningitis had a completely normal initial CSF examination . The decision to initiate antimicrobial therapy in neonates with suspected meningitis must be based on total evaluation of the patient.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1976 Mar-Apr, 85(2 Suppl 25 Pt 2), 250 - 3
Antibacterial therapy and middle ear effusions; Shurin PA; Antimicrobial drugs chosen for their activity against the causative pathogens of otitis media provide effective treatment for acute attacks . Prolonged administration of some of these agents has recently been shown to be of value in the prevention of symptomatic otitis . The role of drug therapy in the management of chronic or recurrent middle ear effusion is unknown at present.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1976 Mar-Apr, 85(2 Suppl 25 Pt 2), 145 - 51
Antimicrobial factors and bacterial correlation in chronic otitis media with effusion; Lang RW et al.; Analyses of effusions and sera from patients with otitis media with effusion demonstrated local production in the middle ear of lysozyme, IgA and IgG . The effusion IgM was markedly elevated in some patients, also indicating local production . Complement C3 with rare exception was significantly lower in effusions than sera, suggesting utilization of complement in the middle ear, perhaps in conjunction with antibodies . The presence of high levels of lysozyme and immunoglobulins in effusions correlates with the low isolation rate of microorganisms in culture and may influence survival of organisms in the middle ear.

Pediatrics, 1976 Mar, 57(3), 383 - 6
Compliance with short-term antimicrobial therapy: some techniques that help; Lima J et al.; The effect of two reminder devices on compliance with a ten-day antimicrobial prescription was investigated in a health center population . The reminders, a clock printed on the prescription label with appropriate times circled and a 5 X 7 inch bright red sticker to be posted at home, were compared to a control group . A total of 158 patients were interviewed at home on the ninth or tenth day of therapy, and compliance estimated by measuring the amount of remaining medication . For children, both reminders improved compliance about two-fold over controls . The findings suggest that (1) several simple reminder devices can be effective and (2) the nature of the patient population may be a more important influence on compliance than the relationship to a physician or the type of health care system . In addition, the study demonstrates the influence of the pharmacist on patients' medication-taking behavior.

Ann Sclavo, 1976 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 223 - 32
{Sensitivity tests on bacterial strains from respiratory tract: comparison between direct and on isolated strains antimicrobial disc susceptibility test (author's transl)}; Orsi A et al.; The validity of the direct antimicrobial disc susceptibility test has been compared with the same test carried out on bacterial strains isolated from clinical materials obtained from the respiratory tract . The experimental evidence so far obtained raises some doubts concerning the reiliability of the direct test . The use of the latter seems to be reccomended in urgent cases only considering that either with multimicrobic or monomicrobic material the results obtained are partial and slightly reproducible . The conclusion is that, in order to obtain an accurate picture of the sensitivity to the various antibiotics, the direct test should be followed always with the antimicrobial disc susceptibility test carried out with isolated strains.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 31(3), 332 - 6
Sensitivity of environmental microorganisms to antimicrobial agents; Van Dijck P et al.; The sensitivity of different microorganisms, considered as typical representatives of the microflora of soil and water, was established to evaluate the influence of the nonmedical use of antimicrobial agents on bacterial ecology . Only seven strains, six chemoorganotrophs and one chemolithotroph, could be considered as relatively sensitive to the 21 antimicrobial compounds tested . The other 29 microorganisms may be regarded as resistant to most antimicrobial agents . Streptomyces were sensitive to high concentrations of active substances . Broad-spectrum antibiotics showed an effect on environmental bacteria similar to that on human pathogens . Cephalothin stimulated the growth of a Chlorella sp . From these experiments, it appears that spilled antimicrobial agents have little chance of causing an alteration in the microbial ecology.

Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Mar, 21(3), 167 - 74
{Persistance of streptomycin residues in the calf organism after parenteral therapeutic administration}; Habrda J et al.; Streptomycin concentrations were determined in various calf tissues after i . m . administration of Streptomycin sulphate preparation of Rumanian provenience in the dose of l g pro toto using the biological diffusion method according to Gartside (1960) . Spore suspensions of B . subtilis (ATCC 6633) and B . cereus var . mycoides (ATCC 11778) strains were employed as test organisms . B . subtilis was able to reveal considerably more residues . Another method using vegetative forms of the above microorganisms proved unsuitable for the tests . Two, three, five and ten days after the injection both slaughtered calves were positive, at 15 days only one of the two calves examined was positive, whereas at 20 days both calves were negative . Of the individual samples predominant majority of the findings come from the liver and from the spot of injection; residue findings from other tissues (bile, peritoneal muscles) are only sporadic . Skeletal musculature was negative in all cases except for the site of injection . In the samples from the injection site antimicrobial resudue activity was demonstrated in two cases following 1 month of freezing at -15 to -20 degrees C . For the tested preparation, a preslaughter withdrawal time of 20 days is recommended.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1976 Mar, 234(2), 271 - 80
{Comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes (author's transl)}; Beilfuss W; A number of alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes were tested under standardized conditions for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, spores and mycobacteria . It was found that the germistatic activity of the unbranched compounds is some what better than that of the branched ones . The germicidal activity is significantly depending on the structure of the aldehydes, alpha-alkyl substituted compounds showing the best results . Compounds with high activity and a broad activity spectrum are 2-ethyl-hexen-2al, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-hexen-2-al and 2-propyl-hepten-2-al, these compounds are specially active against spores and mycobacteria.

South Med J, 1976 Feb, 69(2), 193 - 5
Effects of monitoring the usage of antibiotics: an interhospital comparison; McGowan JE Jr et al.; Use of selected systemic antimicrobial agents at Boston City Hospital (BCH) has been monitored by requiring that choice of those agents be justified to a member of the Infectious Diseases Unit before the agent is dispensed for use in a patient . The amounts of various antimicrobial agents and classes of agents used at BCH in 1972 differed considerably from amounts used in other hospitals where restraint was not employed . Whether these differences in usage led to better care for the patient could not be determined from the data presented . These aspects must be studied in greater detail to determine the benefits, if any, that may be derived from such surveillance and control, especially in view of recent proposals for implementation of "peer review" in this as well as other areas.

Am Surg, 1976 Feb, 42(2), 123 - 7
Effects of antibiotics on prevention of infection in contaminated abdominal operations; Matolo NM et al.; A prospective study was undertaken on 102 patients with massice intraperitoneal contamination from traumatic or spontaneous perforation of intestinal or pancreaticobiliary tract to determine the effects of combined systemic and intraperitoneal antibiotic administration on the prevention of the postoperative sepsis, intra-abdominal abscess formation and wound infection . Large doses of gentamicin and clindamycin were given parenterally before, during, and after the operation for five days . In addition, the peritoneal cavity and the abdominal incision were irrigated intraoperatively with antibiotic solution containing the same antibiotics . The drugs were given so as to provide a potent level of antibiotics during the operation and in the immediate postoperative period . The postoperative wound infection rate was 4 per cent, intra-abdominal abscess 2.9 per cent, sepsis 1 per cent, resulting in a total infectious complication rate of 7.9 per cent . This is a marked reduction in the incidence of infectious complications and compares favorably with the results from either parenteral or intraperitoneal therapy alone . Furthermore, no complications were encountered due to this method of therapy . These results do not indicate that antimicrobial drugs be given prophylactically to all surgical patients, but they strongly suggest the advantages of combined systemic and intraperitoneal antibiotics in the management of patients with massive intraperitoneal contamination.

J Pharm Sci, 1976 Feb, 65(2), 291 - 4
Synthesis of 2'-acetoxybiphenyl-2-carboxylic acid and its derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents; Gringauz A; 2'-Acetoxybiphenyl-2-carboxylic acid and a series of derivatives were synthesized . The title compound and its unsubstituted amide had both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties . Its aminoethyl esters exhibited only analgesia . None of the compounds showed any significant antimicrobial activity.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 3(2), 105 - 9
Computer-assisted bacterial identification utilizing antimicrobial susceptibility profiles generated by autobac 1; Sielaff BH et al.; A computer program was developed to identify bacteria solely on the basis of their relative susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents . A sample of 481 clinical isolates from nine of the most commonly isolated gram-negative groups was identified by the quadratic discriminant function technique . Various combinations of antimicrobials were tried, and one set of 18 resulted in a more than 97% correlation with conventional identification procedures . The antimicrobial set could be decreased to 14, while a better than 95% correlation with the conventional procedures was maintained.

Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Feb, 47(2), 207 - 9
Absence of bacteremia after insertion or removal of intrauterine devices; Everett ED et al.; PIP: 100 healthy women who requested insertion (84) or removal (16) of an IUD were studied to determine the risk of bacteremia . Blood for culture was obtained before the procedure and 1-3 minutes, 15 and 30 minutes after the procedure in al 100 women and at 1.5 hours afterwards in 57 . Blood cultures were incubated for 7 days sampled and stained by the Gram method and subcultured to chocolate agar for 48 hours . At 21 days samples were subcultured to blood agar, and to blood chocolate and MacConkey agars for 48 hours . Bacteria isolated from 3 women were thought to be skin contaminents . Results indicated that transient bacteremia during insertion or removal of an IUD is a rare event . In the presence of congenital or valvular heart disease it is unnecessary to consider these as absolute contraindications to an IUD . Prophylactic antimicrobial therapy during insertion or removal of an IUD is probably unnecessary .

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1976 Feb, 142(2), 235 - 8
Antibiotic concentrations in hepatic interstitial and wound fluid; Waterman NG et al.; This study in dogs using tissue-implanted capsules indicates that cephalothin, cefazolin, ampicillin and tetracycline are excreted in the bile, appearing in this fluid at concentrations greater than the concomitant serum levels . Hepatic interstitial fluid concentrations of these agents differed little from levels achieved in soft tissues elsewhere in the body, indicating that compounds which are concentrated in bile do not necessarily achieve high levels in the hepatic parenchyma . The selection of an antimicrobial agent for the therapy of hepatic parenchymal infection or obstructive cholecystitis should, therefore, be based on susceptibilities of the suspected organism rather than on the relative tendencies of various agents to be concentrated in bile.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Feb, 29(2), 132 - 9
Studies on pleuromutilin and some of its derivatives; Riedl K; A number of derivatives of pleuromutilin (I) and of its degradation product, mutilin (II1, was prepared . The new monotosylation product of pleuromutilin (IIIc) served as the key substance for modification of the glycolic acid side chain . From the pleuromutilin monosuccinate (IIIk) water-soluble salts were obtained, among them the crystallized diethylaminoethanol salt that was investigated more closely . Some of the pleuromutilin derivatives showed antimicrobial activity.

J Med Chem, 1976 Feb, 19(2), 346 - 9
Products from furans . 1 . Sunthesis and anticoccidial and antimicrobial activity of 5-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4'-biphenylyl)-2H-pyran-3(4H)-ones and related compounds; Georgiadis MP; A Michael type addition of an amine to 6-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4'-biphenylyl)-2H-pyran-3(6H)-one (1) dissolved in ether, benzene, or THF gave 5-amino derivatives of 5,6-dihydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4'-biphenylyl)-2H-pyran-3(4H)-one (2) . These by subsequent reduction with LiAlH4 were converted to 5-amino derivatives of 6-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4'-biphenylyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (3) . Both isomers A and B of 1 (in regard to the methoxy group at C6) were used for the synthesis of 2 and 3 . The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the amine adducts 2 was of the same order of magnitude as the starting material . Amine adducts in general, however, were by far more active as coccidiostats than the starting material and retained their activities when they were reduced . 5,6-Dihydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4'-biphenylyl)-5-(dimethylamino)-2H-pyran-3(4H)-one hydrochloride (A) and 5,6-dihydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4'-biphenylyl)-5-(dimethylamino)-2H-pyran-3(4H)-one hydrochloride (B), prepared from isomer A and B of 1, respectively, were the most active as coccidiostats . These compounds when administered orally to chickens 1 day prior to infection at a concentration 0.05% in their diet gave them total protection against Eimeria tenella.

Arch Surg, 1976 Feb, 111(2), 162 - 6
Pneumonia in recipients of renal allografts; Huertas VE et al.; Pneumonia developed in 33 of 266 renal transplant recipients while they were receiving immunosuppressive therapy . Clinical factors were compared for patients with pneumonia and the control group of 220 transplant recipients without pneumonia . The diagnosis was usually established roentgenographically . Most cases of pneumonia were of bacterial origin and occurred within three months after transplantation . Pneumonia occurring during the first two postoperative weeks had no fatal outcomes . Patients with pneumonia occurring three to 12 weeks after transplantation had significantly greater leukopenia (P less than .05) and more therapy for allograft rejection (P less than .01) than the control group . Cases of fungal pneumonia developed later, were preceded by rejection, and had a poor prognosis . The mortality was 51.5% for all cases of pneumonia . Early diagnosis, prompt administration of specific antimicrobial agents, and immediate cessation of immunosuppressive therapy should improve the survival rate.

Pediatrics, 1976 Feb, 57(2), 264 - 5
Central nervous system infection with Eikenella corrodens: report of two cases; Rubenstein JE et al.; Two cases of central nervous system infections from which E . corrodens has been isolated are reported . The portals of entry, clinical course, and antimicrobial responses conform to other reports in the literature . The importance of obtaining careful anaerobic cultures is emphasized.

Ann Ophthalmol, 1976 Jan, 8(1), 37 - 42
Diagnostic and therapeutic vitrectomy for endophthalmitis; Abel R Jr; The introduction of a compact portable vitreous suction cutter enables the aspiration and resection of infected ocular tissues for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes . Four cases of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis are presented in which mechanical anterior vitrectomy was performed in addition to conventional antimicrobial therapy . Three of these eyes were saved and 2 retained the possibility of useful vision . A rationale for the aggressive managements of endophthalmitis is presented.

J Pharm Sci, 1976 Jan, 65(1), 38 - 43
Comparison of antimicrobial activity of nuclear-substituted aromatic esters of 5-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-3-pentanol and 3-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-1-propanol with related cyclic analogs; Dimmock JR et al.; A series of six aromatic esters of both 5-dimethyl-amino-1-phenyl-3-pentanol and 3-dimethylamino-1-(2-phenylcyclohexyl)-1-propanol was prepared . Antimicrobial evaluation showed that the cyclic analogs had approximately twice the activity of the open chain series; in particular, the o-chlorophenyl ester showed pronounced activity against three pathogenic fungi at approximately 10 ppm . Aromatic esters of 3-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-1-propanol were prepared and demonstrated lower activity than two esters of 2-dimethylamino-1-phenylcyclohexanol . The screening results showed that the best activity was found when a dimethylene chain was present between the phenyl ring and the carbon atom bearing the acyloxy function and that the cyclic derivatives were more active than their more flexible counterparts.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1976, 21(1), 50 - 3
{A new pigmented antibiotic from a soil streptomycete.}; Roy MK et al.; An antibiotic designated A28 was isolated from a soil streptomycete which showed wide antibacterial activity . The antibiotic was extracted and purified into a yellow powder . Its physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties indicated that it is a novel peptide antibiotic.

Dev Med Child Neurol Suppl, 1976, (37), 50 - 4
Preliminary studies on the impregnation of silastic elastomers with antimicrobial substances; Bayston R; This study of the effects of various factors on the antibacterial activity of gentamicin-impregnated Silastic has shown that it is unaffected by autoclaving and storage . It has also shown that this activity persists for long periods under crudely simulated in-use conditions . This form of Silastic will be studied further in an attempt to evaluate the kinetics of gentamicin diffusion within it, and to investigate its possible use in preventing colonisation of Holter shunts.

Odontol Revy, 1976, 27(1), 1 - 10
Antimicrobial effect of root canal débridement in teeth with immature root . A clinical and microbiologic study; Cvek M et al.; The aim of present investigation was to compare the antibacterial effect of biochemical root canal cleansing in permanent non-vital upper incisors with immature with those with mature root . The material comprised three groups made up of 34, 46 and 28 teeth in which the mechanical cleansing was accompanied by flushing with sterile saline and sodium hypochlorite solutions giving 0.5 or 5.0% active chloride, respectively . Samples were taken in root canals initially after removal of necrotic tissue and after completed cleansing, transferred to solid and liquid media for aerobically and anaerobically and incubated until growth appeared or up to 10 days . The microorganisms were identified by biochemical tests and gas-chromatographic analysis . The antibacterial effect of mechanical cleansing with sterile saline was very low (9%) and limited to the teeth with mature root . The flushing with sodium hypochlorite increased the antibacterial effect to about 25% . No statistical difference was found in the antibacterial effect between flushing with 0.5 % or 5.0% sodium hypochlorite solutions . The antibacterial effect was, however, irrespective of the sodium hypochlorite concentrations, less good in teeth with immature root at the statistically significant 5% level . It was concluded that mechanical cleansing of root canals in teeth with immature root with the instruments now available is inadequate . This inadequacy cannot be compensated for by use of highly concentrated solution, with dissolving effect on necrotic tissue, for flushing . The use of such substances which also have toxic effect on the tissue should be avoided.

Pharmacology, 1976, 14(5), 464 - 72
Displacement of albumin-bound antimicrobial agents by bilirubin; Bratlid D et al.; The ability of bilirubin to displace antimicrobial agents from their binding sites on albumin was studied in vitro by equilibrium dialysis . Sulfonamides, tetracyclines, penicillins and cephalosporins of different degrees of protein binding were tested . It was found that bilirubin reduced the protein binding of all four classes of antimicrobial agents, although by varying degrees . This effect was most pronounced with the compounds which had the highest degree of protein binding, such as cloxacillin, cephazolin, methacycline and sulfisoxazole, all of which are bound greater than 80% by albumin . On the other hand, the drugs with less than 25% binding, such as ampicillin, cephalexine and tetracycline were not ostensibly displaced by bilirubin . Scatchard plots of the binding of sulfamethoxazole to albumin in the presence of 400 mumol/1 of bilirubin, showed that bilirubin almost completely displaced the sulfonamide molecule from the high affinity site on the albumin molecule . Reduced protein binding of drugs in hyperbilirubinemic infants may have pharmacokinetic significance.

Respiration, 1976, 33(6), 475 - 86
Severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia; Gump DW et al.; Four cases of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are reported which were treated in a single hospital over the course of 4 years . The difficulties in the diagnosis of M . pneumoniae infections are eminently demonstrated by these cases . Because of the fact that it generally takes 2-o weeks to make this diagnosis, the physician must utilize clues of limited reliability . If gram stains and culture of sputum fail to demonstrate any bacterial pathogen and the patient has a chest X-ray compatible with this diagnosis as well as a white blood count less than 15,000/mm3, M . pneumoniae infection may be present . A good antimicrobial choice in such a situation is erythromycin.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1976, 16(7), 521 - 8
{Lambdamycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces glaucoachromogenes Prauser strain MET 31118}; Fleck W et al.; Lambdamycin-producing strains were detected by means of the BIP test method . The isolation technique and the physicochemical and biological properties of lambdamycin, an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces glaucoachromogenes, are described . Lambdamycin is a yellow-green pigment of the chromoglycoside type . Digitalose and fucose are the sugar components . The physicochemical properties of lambdamycin resemble those of chartreusin . However, the known biological activity is different . The antibiotic can be isolated from culture filtrates and from the mycelium by extraction with lower aliphatic alcohols . It can be purified by gel filtration methods . Lambdamycin displays antimicrobial activity, particularly against grampositive bacteria . Strains which produce enzymes inactivating different commercial antibiotics are also inhibited . Moreover, lambdamycin shows antiviral activity, as well as cancerostatic and ergotropic action in vitro and in vivo . The acute LD50 of lambdamycin in mice after 21 days was greater than 125 mg/kg when administered intraperitoneally.

Dermatologica, 1976, 152 Suppl 1, 67 - 79
Effects of local corticosteroids in skin infections; Raab W; Glucocorticoids exert valuable therapeutic activities in skin infections, although their use is limited by the occurrence of undesiderable effects: glucocorticoids depress the local defense mechanisms and in low concentrations, stimulate microbiol metabolism . For these reasons, combined preparations containing an antimicrobiol substance besides the glucocorticoid are recommended . However, interactions between the steroids and the antimicrobiols must be ruled out beforehand, i.e . the unimpaired activity of both steroid and antimicrobial must be assured . Examples of such investigations are reported for the most widely used compounds for topical therapy . The simultaneous use of a glucocorticoid and an antimicrobial is not recommended in only a few instances.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1976, 26(42), 613 - 8
{Antimicrobial action of the combined preparation sulfamoxole/trimethoprim in vitro (author's transl)}; Kohlmann FW et al.; A number of different methods were used to test the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the combination of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) . 1 . The minimum bacteriostatic inhibitory concentratiions of the sulfamoxole/trimethoprim combination (5 + 1) (CN 3123; Nevin; Supristol) were determined for 131 gram-positive and gram-negative strains of bacteria . More than 88% of the strains tested were found to be highly sensitive to the combination (M1C 0.1-3.75 mug/ml) . 2 . Comparative studies with the combinations sulfamoxole/trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim revealed no relevant differences of the M1C-values . 3 . The synergistic effects of sulfamoxole and trimethoprim can be demonstrated with the aid of the agar dilution and agar diffusion tests using various types of bacteria and different ratios of sulfamoxole and trimethoprim . 4 . Results obtained by studies on growth kinetics also demonstrate the synergistic and potentiating effect of combining sulfamoxole with trimethoprim and bactericidal properties are achieved.

Farmaco {Sci}, 1976 Jan, 31(1), 41 - 8
{Synthesis and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of benzothiazole derivatives of 1,3,4-thiadiazole and immidazo/2,1-b/1,3,4-thiadiazole}; Russo F et al.; The synthesis and chemical properties of some derivatives of 1,3,4-thiadiazole and imidazo (2,1-b) 1,3,4-thiadiazole are described . These substances were prepared in order to study their antimicrobial activity.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Jan, 29(1), 15 - 20
Isolation of a new polyether antibiotic, lonomycin; Omura S et al.; A new polyether antibiotic, lonomycin, was isolated from the culture of Streptomyces ribosidifcus strain TM-481 . The antibiotic obtained as a sodium salt is a colorless prism having a molecular formula of C44H75O14Na(M.W . 850), m.p . 188 approximately 189 degrees C, and has no absorption maxima in the ultraviolet region . The infrared and NMR spectra of the antibiotic suggest the presence of a carboxyl and four methoxyl groups . Lonomycin shows antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 Jan-Feb, 45(1), 60 - 6
{Differential sensitivity of bacteria to histones}; Zhdan-Pushkina SM et al.; The antimicrobial action of polycation proteins from the nuclei--histons with a high content of lysine (f1) and arginine (f3)--on Pseudomonas bacteria was studied . The sensitivity of various species of the same genus, and various strains of the same species, to histons was differential . The differences do not depend on the ability of the cells to liberate into a surrounding medium substances inactivating histons, and on the rate of histon sorption on the cells . Interaction between the bacteria and histons interferes with the permeability of the membranes, so that components of a low molecular weight, including those with the maximum of absorption in UV at 260 nm, are liberated into the surrounding medium . The total RNA of the cells is depolymerized and the activity of RNase increases . No correlation was established between these phenomena and the sensitivity of the bacteria to histons . The duration of the lag period was also studied, as well as the growth rate in the exponential phase and the total yield of the cells; a positive correlation was detected between the duration of the lag period and the sensitivity of the bacteria to histons.

Chemotherapy, 1976, 22(3-4), 211 - 20
Antimicrobial activity of econazole and miconazole in vitro and in experimental candidiasis and aspergillosis; Schar G et al.; The antibacterial and antimycotic activity of econazole base, an imidazole derivative, was examined in vitro and in experimental infections of mice . Comparative minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations indicate econazole as well as miconazole to be of moderate activity against gram-positive bacteria (MICs: 0.78-25mug/ml) and yeasts (MICs: 1.56-25 mug/ml) . Against filamentous fungi, econazole exhibits better in vitro activity than miconazole and - with the exception of Rhizopus oryzae and Absidia corymbifera - MICs are markedly lower than against yeasts . No effect of nutrient media and no effect of the inoculum were observed with the four drugs . A strong influence of bovine serum on MIC values, however, suggested a strong protein binding . In experimental candidiasis of mice, no therapeutic effect with econazole base administered orally or intraperitoneally could be observed (ED50 and 'minimum life-prolonging dose': great than 200 mg/kg) . In experimental aspergillosis of mice, a slight effect, as demonstrated by the 'minimum life-prolonging dose' of 100 mg/kg, was found . The in vitro and in vivo results are discussed in the light of the available pharmacokinetic and toxicological data . It is concluded that more studies, especially on the pharmacology of econazole and about the clinical efficacy, are needed to come to a definite judgement.

J Med Chem, 1976 Jan, 19(1), 186 - 9
Adamantanamine derivatives . Antimicrobial activities of certain Mannich bases; Magarian RA et al.; A series of Mannich condensation products containing the beta-(1-adamantylamino)propiophenone skeleton (type I) and the o-(1-adamantylaminomethyl)phenol skeleton (type II) was synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi by the agar diffusion and tube dilution methods . Type I compounds were more active than type II compounds and had a broad-spectrum effect on certain gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, acid-fast bacteria, a yeast, and a mold.

Microbios, 1976, 17(67), 35 - 49
Antimicrobial action of dodecyldiethanolamine: activation of ribonuclease I in Escherichia coli; Lambert PA et al.; Treatment of Escherichia coli with the antimicrobial agent N-dodecyldiethanolamine results in damage to the cytoplasmic membrane and rapid release of components of the metabolic pool . A slower secondary release then takes place . The material in the secondary release contains mainly low molecular compounds, nucleotides and nucleosides derived from the breakdown of ribosomal RNA . Some transfer RNA is also released . Breakdown of RNA occurs as a result of activation of the 'latent' ribonuclease I . Breakdown is inhibited by the ribonuclease inhibitors Ca2+ and Mg2+ and does not occur in a ribonuclease I-deficient strain of E . coli.

Microbios, 1976, 15(61-62), 199 - 202
Antimicrobial action of dodecyldiethanolamine: induced membrane damage in Escherichia coli; Lambert PA et al.; Studies on the uptake of the antimicrobial agent N-dodecyldiethanolamine by Escherichia coli show that it rapidly penetrates the cell wall and damages the cytoplasmic membrane . Membrane damage is evident from the induced release of potassium ions and other cytoplasmic components from whole cells and from the lytic effect upon isolated spheroplasts . Concentrations of 0.4 mM and below lyse spheroplasts whereas higher concentrations cause coagulation of the cytoplasm which prevents lysis . The effect of membrane damage upon glucose oxidation in whole cells is also dependent upon the concentration of dodecyldiethanolamine . Concentrations of 0.4 mM and below stimulate oxygen uptake and higher concentrations inhibit it.

Infection, 1976, 4(2), 61 - 9
Parameters of acquired resistance and their role in the evaluation of new chemotherapeutic drugs; Drews J; Acquired resistance can be defined as a qualitative alteration of the genetic material of a cell which is phenotypically correlated with a measurable decrease of the cell's sensitivity against one or several chemotherapeutic agents . There are two basic genetic mechanisms which can lead to the emergence of resistance: mutation and the acquisition of additional genetic material from another cell . Both forms of resistance play an important role in clinical situations: the emergence of resistance by mutation occurs in tumor cells and can also lead to therapeutic problems in antimicrobial chemotherapy . In bacteria, however, acquisition of resistance plasmids represents the dominating mechanism which is responsible for most therapeutic problems in the clinical environment . The different genetic mechanisms involved in the emergence of resistance are paralleled -- at least in bacteria -- by two principally different groups of biochemical mechanisms implementing resistance . Mutations lead to alterations of single cell constituents such as the cell membrane or cellular receptors necessary for the binding of the antimicrobial agent . This form of resistance is biochemically characterized by the inaccessibility of the cell interior for a particular compound or by the modification of an intracellular binding site which loses its affinity for the chemotherapeutic agent . Resistance plasmids on the other hand code for enzymes which inactivate the antibiotic (beta-lactamases, aminoglycosideinactivating enzymes, chloramphenicol-acetyltransferase); In some cases, they direct the synthesis of proteins which affect cell permeability (tetracycline) or isoenzymes which have a lower affinity for the inhibitor (trimethoprim) . Resistance against antibiotics can be inducible; In these cases the regulatory mechanisms involved are stable genetical traits as resistance itself; Using chloramphenicol, beta-lactam-antibiotics and aminoglycosides as examples, it is demonstrated that resistance data gathered early in the development of a new drug are of little value in estimating the clinical potential of a new compound . Information on the rate at which resistance develops, on the pattern according to which it emerges ("single step" or "multi step") and on cross-resistance patterns is important in the characterization of a new drug but is often invalidated by later findings obtained in the clinical environment; The problem appears somewhat simpler if a new drug is a member of an already known class of compounds, e.g . a beta-lactam or an aminoglycoside . In such cases our knowledge of frequent enzymatic inactivation mechanisms provides a basis not only for the evaluation of an existing drug, but also for the synthesis of new derivatives.

Lloydia, 1976 Jan-Feb, 39(1), 65 - 75
Antimicrobial agents from higher plants . Additional alkaloids and antimicrobial agents from Thalictrum rugosum; Wu WN et al.; Further study of mother-liquors from ethanolic extracts of Thalictrum rugosum resulted in the identification or partial characterization of 10 alkaloids, bringing the total to 17 characterized in our work on this plant . Five of the new alkaloids were active in vitro against microorganisms . Structures, based upon spectroscopic properties and chemical transformations, are proposed for a new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid named thalrugosaminine, and a protopine alkaloid named protothalipine . A phenanthrene base (thaliglucinone), an aporphine (thalphenine), and three protoberberine bases (columbamine, thalifendine and deoxythalidastine) were identified; three very minor bases of unknown identify were partially characterized.

Major Probl Clin Surg, 1976, 19, 47 - 62
Infection in the burned upper extremity; Levine NS et al.; Infection invariably accompanies thermal injury . The degree to which a patient is jeopardized by infection is related to the size and depth of the burn, the density and virulence of the microorganisms colonizing the burn wound, and the competence of his immune defenses . The aim of topical therapy is to limit microbial colonization of the burn wound to levels below those associated with invasive infection of the viable tissue beneath the eschar . The use of effective topical and systemic antimicrobial agents has been associated with the emergence of other bacterial, fungal, and viral infections and a delay in separation of the eschar, presumably caused by the suppression of bacterial debribement of the burn wound . The treatment of fractures in thermally injured patients may require compromise to permit optimal wound care and alertness toward the development of osteomyelitis . Because of the frequency of suppurative thrombophlebitis in burned patients, particular care is needed in the management of intravenous cannulae . The treatment of burns is largely the control of infection . Awareness of the septic complications of thermal injury and constant vigilance against them is critical in successful burn management.

J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1976 Jan, 58(1), 119 - 22
In vitro bacteriological evaluation of the effectiveness of antimicrobial irrigating solutions; Scherr DD et al.; Nineteen strains of pathogenic aerobic bacteria were exposed for fifteen seconds in vitro to varying concentrations of five antibiotics and of polyvinyl povidone iodine in saline solution . The presence of human plasma in the solution (30 per cent by volume) did not affect bacterial sensitivity to the antibiotics . Most of the bacteria were sensitive to the solutions during that brief exposure . Bacteria which were more sensitive by disc sensitivity tests were more sensitive to the solutions . Polyvinyl povidone iodine sterilized all cultures in concentrations as low as 25 per cent . It is proposed that the use of appropriate antimicrobial solutions as wound irrigants may reduce postoperative infection rates by killing bacteria which contaminate the surface of the wound during operation.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1976, 24(6), 811 - 20
Antibiotics produced by Streptomyces olivaceus 142 . I . Characterization of the FPG mutant and conditions of production of antibiotic WR 142-FPG; Wieczorek J et al.; By treating the Streptomyces olivaceus 142 strain simultaneously with ethyleneimine and UV radiation, the FPG mutant was isolated, which was characterized by the fact that in submerged cultures it produces a cytotoxic substance for fibroblasts and tumor cells and inhibits growth of pathogenic fungi . The mutant differs from other strains not only in having a different spectrum of antimicrobial activity, but also by taxonomic properties such as color of the aerial mycelium, liquefaction of gelatin, growth on cellulose, production of ammonia and nitrate reduction . An optimal culture medium and conditions of biosynthesis of the antibiotic in submerged cultures on the shaking machine and in 20-liter fermentation tanks were elaborated . The active substance was designated by the symbol WR 142-FPG.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Dec 31, 57(3), 177 - 9
Sensitivity of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis to some antimicrobial agents; Sekhon AS; Sensitivity tests were done against two isolates of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, using amphotericin B in combination with chloramphenicol, Chloramphenicol alone, amphotericin B in combination with 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-fluorocytosine, myxin and clotrimazole alone . Results indicated that the effectiveness of amphotericin B was improved in the presence of chlormaphenicol or 5-fluorocytosine . Growth inhibitory values recorded for chloramphenicol alone and combined with amphotericin B did not show much variation . Resistance of the fungus has been noticed to 5-fluorocytosine; but the organism's response was much better when tested against 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B . Both myxin and clotrimazole proved very effective and their ED50 was 50 and 2.5 mug/ml of the medium, respectively . Thus, clotrimazole may be the drug of choice in the cases of deep scopulariopsis.

N Engl J Med, 1975 Dec 18, 293(25), 1291 - 5
Testing the physician's knowledge of antibiotic use: Self-assessment and learning via videotape; Neu HC et al.; Because recent reports suggest that physicians in the United States do not use antimicrobial agents properly, we analyzed scores for the first 4513 physicians viewing the National Antibiotic Therapy Test, a nationally televised self-assessment test on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases . The 75-minute videotape test, produced by the Network for Continuing Medical Education, contained three section: a 10-question pre-test, a 25-question teaching test, and a 15-question post-test . Scores were tabulated according to the specialty, years in practice, and volume of patients seen . The mean correct score was 68 per cent for all 50 questions, 55 per cent for the 10 pre-test questions, and 71 per cent for the 15 post-test questions . Physicians in practice for one to five years, residents and internists scored better than other subgroups . Answers to questions indicated deficiencies of knowledge and the need for further postgraduate education in the use of antibiotics.

J Clin Pathol, 1975 Dec, 28(12), 983 - 8
Comparison of tablets and paper discs for antibiotic sensitivity testing; Brown DF et al.; The value of tablets and paper discs as reservoirs of antimicrobial agents for use in sensitivity testing was compared . Antibiotics that were unstable in paper discs showed no demonstrable loss of activity in tablets over a period of 50 days under adverse storage conditions . The antibiotic content of commercially prepared tablets is very high in comparison with the accepted content of paper discs used in Britain, but not all of the agent is released from tablets during tests . Comparison of the size of zones of inhibition around tablets and standard paper discs indicated that the amount of the various agents released from the tablets varied between 2-6% and 69% of the stated content . In tests of the sensitivity of a range of common pathogenic organisms, the results obtained with the tablet method--when interpreted as recommended by the manufacturer--were generally similar to those obtained with a paper disc method commonly used in British laboratories . In 47% of tests with aminoglycoside antibiotics, however, strains sensitive by the disc method were 'intermediate' or resistant by the tablet method . As with paper discs, it was necessary to press the tablets on to the medium . With adjustment of the 'effective antibiotic content of tablets to bring it into line with the accepted content in paper discs, the stability of antibiotics in the tablets might make them an acceptable alternative to paper discs.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Dec, 28(12), 935 - 42
DB-2073, a new alkylresorcinol antibiotic . I . Taxonomy, isolation and characterization; Kanda N et al.; A new antibiotic, DB-2073, was isolated in crystalline form from the fermented broth of Pseudomonas sp . B-9004 . The compound is a alkylresorcinol antibiotic . The antibiotic melts at 86-88 degrees C . The molecular weight of 236 was determined by mass spectroscopy and the molecular formula was calculated as C15H24O2 . The antibiotic has antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi.

J Invest Dermatol, 1975 Dec, 65(6), 532 - 6
Anti-inflammatory effects of antimicrobial agents: an in vivo study; Plewig G et al.; Antimicrobials are used emperically in a variety of inflammatory dermatoses such as rosacea and dermatitis herpetiformis, although these diseases are not believed to be of bacterial etiology . We have used potassium iodide ointment to induce follicular pustules and have found in this in vivo model properties of antimicrobials not related to their antibacterial actions . Topical demethylchlortetracycline and erythromycin (5%) lead to suppression of KI-induced inflammation (erythema, pustules) and systemic use of these drugs as well as diaminodiphenylsulfone produces the same effect.

Forensic Sci, 1975 Dec, 6(3), 197 - 203
The differentiation of an adult's bloodstain from that of a child using an indirect fluorescent antibody technique; King LA et al.; A procedure is described for the detection of specific antimicrobial antibodies in bloodstains . The technique is described and the relationship between antibody concentration and the age of the doner is reported . It is shown that, provided foetal blood can be excluded, an unknown bloodstain may be identified as that of a person over 15 years with a high degree of confidence.

J Med Chem, 1975 Dec, 18(12), 1253 - 5
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of certain imidazo{1,2-a}pyrimidines; Revanker GR et al.; A series of 5-substituted and 5,7-disubstituted imidazo{1,2-a}pyrimidines has been prepared . The in vitro antimicrobial activity of these compounds against a variety of microorganisms is reported . 5-n-Octylaminoimidazo{1,2-a}pyrimidine exhibited significant activity against all the microorganisms studied.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1975 Dec, 141(6), 885 - 7
Antimicrobial activity of human peritoneal fluid; Bercovici B et al.; Cell free peritoneal fluids from 23 normal women had antimicrobial activity which was directed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and also against yeasts . The activity was bacteriostatic or bactericidal and seemed to be due to the presence of a variety of factors which varied in their heat stability and dependence on complement . Lysozyme was present in the fluids but was not responsible for all the antimicrobial activity.

J Parasitol, 1975 Dec, 61(6), 1053 - 60
Lethality of disrupted intestinal lamina propia cells for Trichinella spiralis in vitro; Castro GA et al.; The possible direct role of inflammatory cells in resistance to Trichinella spiralis was studied by observing the effects of lamina propria cells from the small intestine (LP cells) of immunized rats on various stages of the parasite . Effects produced by physically disrupted cells were compared to those produced by intact cells on worms exposed to phytohemagglutinin or immune serum . LP cells were isolated from the rat intestine by collagenase digestion of everted gut segments that were previously denuded of epithelium by treatment with hyaluronidase . Disrupted cells, but not intact ones, selectively killed T . spiralis juvenile and adult worms in vitro, whereas larvae were unaffected by similar treatment . Attempts to identify the lethal component of disrupted cells led to an evaluation of the enzyme, peroxidase . Mucosal peroxidase is localized in LP cells and its activity increases several-fold during intestinal trichinosis . It is presumed to be myeloperoxidase, a particulate-bound enzyme of myeloid-derived leukocytes that functions as part of a potent antimicrobial system in combination with H2O2 and a halide . Results indicated that the vermicidal component of LP cells was associated with the pellet fraction of disrupted centrifuged LP cells, but was not linked to a peroxidase-H2O2-halide system.

Z Kinderheilkd, 1975 Nov 13, 120(4), 243 - 50
Cyclic adenosine-3',5-monophosphate concentration and enzyme activities of cerebrospinal fluid in meningitis of children; Heikkinen ER et al.; The concentration of cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and the activities of some enzymes of 29 children were measured from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma at various stages of meningitis . The CSF cAMP values in acute untreated phase of aseptic and purulent meningitis were equal, but significantly higher than those of convalescent children with no pathological clinical or laboratory findings . During the whole course (up to 2 weeks) of antimicrobial treatment of the purulent meningitis CSF cAMP concentration was higher than in the convalescent phase . Of the CSF enzymes studied, the lactic dehydrogenase activity seemed to be the best indicator of changing stages of meningitis . It was clearly elevated in the acute, untreated phase of purulent meningitis then decreasing during the course of treatment . In aseptic meningitis this activity was at the normal level and the activities of creatine kinase and acid phosphatase behaved similarly . The plasma cAMP concentrations in the acute phase of purulent meningitis were in the same range as in the CSF . During the treatment no significant changes were seen . The enzyme activities in the plasma were normal . The CSF cAMP level seems to be a sensitive indicator of metabolic disturbances in meningitis and may serve as a diagnostic aid.

Antibiotiki, 1975 Nov, 20(11), 973 - 8
{Polymorphism of a culture of Actinomyces chromogenes var . trienicus, the producer of chromotrienine}; Vinogradova KA et al.; Variation of Actinomyces chromogenes var . trienicus 141-18 MSU, an organism producing trienin was studied under laboratory conditions . Nine stable spontaneous variants were isolated from the population of the initial culture when grown on Gause medium No . 1 . The variants varied in differentiation and biosynthetic capacity, including such characteristics as size and form of the colonies, ability for formation of the aerial mycelium and its colour, capacity for sporulation, form of the spore chains and antibiotic production property . In the secondary structures the spores formed only in 6 variants out of 9 isolates . The spore form and spore membrane surface were close in all sporogenic variants, while there were significant differences in the structure of the sporophores . The variants forming the aerial mycelium of the same colour as that of the initial culture did not differ from it also by the nature of the spore chains (spirals with 3--8 turns) . The variants with lighter aerial mycelium than that of the initial population formed straight sporophores or spirals with a small number of the turns (1--3) . The comparative study of the antimicrobial spectrum of the variants and the component composition of the synthesized antibiotic complex showed that the asporogenic variants and dwarf variant signifcantly differed with respect to their phenotypes from the other cultures and had no antagonistic action . One of the assporogenic variants had only insignificant activity . All the spore forming variants did not differ from the initial culture in the complex of the antibiotics synthesized.

Br J Dermatol, 1975 Nov, 93(5), 563 - 71
Comparative bio-availability and activity of proprietary topical corticosteroid preparations: vasoconstrictor assays on thirty-one ointments; Barry BW et al.; Thirty-one proprietary corticosteroid ointments were evaluated for vasoconstriction using an occluded blanching test . The results were expressed as three parameters: (1) area under the blanching curve, (2) summed % total possible score, and (3) square root transformation of sum of scores divided by number of volunteers . Experiments were performed to (a) compare the bio-availability and activity of the ointments, (b) determine the effect of antimicrobial additivies, and (c) assess the retention of steroids in the skin . Scores for the additivie-containing and 'plain' preparations were within 90% except for Locorten-Vioform/Locorten (58%) . A steroid reservoir in the skin was demonstrated lasting for 8-14 days . Selected preparations were re-tested by a non-occluded method . The results for the ointments were compared with those previously obtained using the corresponding creams.

Ann Intern Med, 1975 Nov, 83(5), 664 - 6
Bacterial endocarditis caused by Oerskovia turbata; Reller LB et al.; Oerskovia turbata is a yellow, motile actinomycete, which before now has only been found in soil and has not been known to cause disease in man or animals . It was isolated from 29 cultures of blood taken during 6 months from an urban pensioner after homograft replacement of his aortic valve . The combination of ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim was lethal for O . turbata in vitro; however, antimicrobial therapy alone failed to eradicate the patient's infection . Cure was achieved after the infected homograft was replaced with a prosthetic aortic valve . Although the source of O . turbata in this patient is unknown, sterilization of homograft valves with antimicrobial solutions is difficult . Moreover, environmental contamination during cardiopulmonary bypass is common . Oerskovia turbata is another opportunistic pathogen of man.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1975 Nov, 58(6), 1227 - 31
A screening method for determining nitrofuran drug residues in animal tissues; Ryan JJ et al.; A method was developed for measuring low levels of total nitrofurans in animal tissues and milk . The antimicrobial nitrofurans (5 or more products) used in agriculture are extracted from tissue with aqueous acid in the presence of ethyl acetate . After centrifugation and evaporation, the organic residue is washed with hexane and the nitrofurans are hydrolyzed to 5-nitrofuraldehyde in aqueous acid at 70 degrees C . The hydrolysis product is extracted with benzene and measured by gas-liquid chromatography with electron capture detection . Recoveries of nitrofurazone and furazolidone from fortified poultry and swine tissues at the levels of 0.5 and 0.1 ppm are 75 and 65%, respectively . This procedure can be used to detect the total nitrofuran content of as little as 10 ppb muscle tissues and milk, 100 ppb liver, and 50 ppb fat with no interference from related veterinary nitrodrugs.

Medicine (Baltimore), 1975 Nov, 54(6), 485 - 98
Subdural empyema: analysis of 17 recent cases and review of the literature; Kaufman DM et al.; Subdural empyema is an intracranial infection that has remained difficult to diagnose and to treat . Seventeen patients with this infection, treated between 1967 and 1974, are analyzed and compared to published series with particular regard to diagnosis using newer procedures and treatment, considering the primary focus of infection . The infection is usually located in the supratentorial spaces, is often bilateral, and results most often from para-nasal sinusitis (single most common cause), otitis, neurosurgical operative infections, and meningitis in infants . Patients suffering from subdural empyema generally present with rapid onset of depressed sensorium, seizures, focal neurological deficits, and signs of increased intracranial pressure, following a period of days to weeks characterized by headache and fever . All 17 of our patients demonstrated localizing neurological signs and 16 manifested either fever or leukocytosis . Diagnostic studies, except for cerebral arteriography, do not reliably corroborate or exclude the diagnosis . Cerebral arteriography established the diagnosis and defined the location and extent of the empyema in all of our cases . The EEG and brain scan produced frequent false-negative and/or non-localizing results in 10 and 8 patients, respectively . The cerebrospinal fluid was abnormal from all 15 patients examined by lumbar puncture, but the findings were similar to those in other infectious and non-infectious central nervous system diseases . Signs of transtentorial herniation developed within eight hours following lumbar puncture in three of seven patients who had exhibited signs of increased intracranial pressure before the procedure was performed . Bacterial cultures were positive in 13 of our cases . A review of our data and that of other studies indicates that the organisms associated with subdural empyema are consistent with those expected from infections of the primary site; e.g . sinusitis, otitis, meningitis, site of prior neurosurgery . A therapeutic approach is suggested which emphasizes specific antibiotic regimens appropriate to the primary site of infection and prompt neurosurgical intervention with evacuation of the subdural spaces bilaterally . In general, combination antimicrobial therapy employing high parenteral doses of penicillin G, a semi-synthetic penicillinase-resistant penicillin and chloramphenicol is recommended.

Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 1975 Nov-Dec, 27(6), 641 - 4
Potential biologically active agents . IX . Synthesis of N-piperidino-(morpholino)-methylisatin-3-anils; Varma RS; Sixteen N-piperidino-(morpholino)-methylisatin-3-anils have been synthesised and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity.

J Periodontol, 1975 Nov, 46(11), 685 - 90
The effect of an antimicrobial mouthwash on dental plaque and gingivitis in yound adults; Spolsky VW et al.; The effectiveness of an antimicrobial mouthwash (alexidine, 2-ethylhexyl bisbiguanidine dihydrochloride) in preventing plaque and gingivitis was evaluated in 45 young male adults . In a study using a double-blind cross-over design, subjects received a thorough prophylaxis and refrained from all routine oral hygiene for 2 weeks . During this period, subjects rinsed twice daily with either a treatment (alexidine) or placebo mouthwash . Plaque and gingivitis were assessed on selected teeth on days 2, 7 and 14 . The characteristics of plaque that were recorded include: surface area score, dry weight and differential counts of microorganisms . After the 14th day, subjects resumed their regular oral hygiene practices for 3 weeks before starting the second experimental period . Aftter a second prophylaxis, the treatment and placebo groups from the first 2 weeks were crossed over and the procedures followed previously were repeated during the sixth and seventh weeks . The alexidine mouthwash was statistically and clinically effective in decreasing plaque scores and plaque weight, and statistically but not clinically effective in decreasing gingivitis scores . No systemic side effects were observed, but an asymptomatic brown tongue stain was observed in about half of the subjects . There was no evidence to suggest that alexidine disturbed the relative composition of the microorganisms in plague, but there was a suggestion that it decreased the number of microorganisms almost 2-fold when compared with the placebo group.

J Lab Clin Med, 1975 Nov, 86(5), 746 - 53
Experimental aspergillus endocarditis in rabbits; Carrizosa J et al.; Aspergillus endocarditis in man usually occurs on prosthetic cardiac valves and gives rise to large vegetations which embolize easily producing peripheral organ infarction and infection . Blood cultures are usually sterile and the disease is difficult to cure with antimicrobial agents . Aspergillus endocarditis was studied in rabbits to determine the course, degree of fungemia, and response to treatment with amphotericin B (A), 5 flucytosine (5 FC) or A + 5 FC . Polyethylene tubing was introduced into the left ventricle through the carotid artery and 24 hours later animals were inoculated with 10(4) to 10(7) spores of a strain of Aspergillus fumigatus . Large occlusive vegetations developed on the aortic valves . Spontaneous mortality reached 67 per cent after 3 days . Despite large aggregates of mycelia seen beneath a layer of amorphous material on microscopic sections, vegetations contained only 10(3) to 10(5) colony forming units (CFU) of aspergilli per gram, suggesting the aspergilli in tissues were clumped . Disseminated infection involving kidney, lung, liver, spleen, and brain occurred . Animals without intracardiac tubing which received the same inoculum of spores did not develop endocarditis, but showed evidence of disseminated infection . Blood after 24 hours of infection grew aspergilli only when large volumes were cultured and then only a small fraction of the total volume of blood obtained for culture yielded aspergilli, suggesting that the aspergilli in blood were clumped . Sterile vegetations in the absence of an intracardiac catheter were resistant to infection with aspergilli, but once established, infection with aspergilli persisted on vegetations despite removal of the catheter . Treatment of infected animals with A (1 mg . per kilogram), 5 FC (25 or 50 mg . per kilogram) or A + 5 FC daily intraperitoneally, significantly lowered the number of CFU per gram of vegetation.

Can J Surg, 1975 Nov, 18(6), 512 - 5, 518
Role of surgery in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis; Das PB et al.; The records of 9939 patients hospitalized for tuberculosis between 1963 and 1972 inclusive were reviewed with respect to patients who were treated surgically . During this period there was a steady decline in the number of patients thus treated; the success of antimicrobial drug therapy has altered the frequency of various surgical procedures, and pulmonary resection is now the procedure of choice, with a growing reluctance to perform segmental resection . Morbidity and complications among the patients in this series have been within acceptable limits . The problem of residual space has been minimal . Bronchopleural fistula with empyema (incidence, 3.1%) has been the most serious complication, accounting for the largest proportion of deaths . The mortality of 2.8% is comparable to that reported in the literature . Though mild to moderate respiratory insufficiency developed in some patients, none was seriously incapacitated . The majority of surviving patients have remained well, with their disease under control . In a number of patients reactivation of the disease occurred, probably because of conservative resection and discontinuance of drug therapy due to misunderstanding between patient and physician.

Antibiotiki, 1975 Nov, 20(11), 998 - 1001
{Microbiological characteristics and the sensitivity to antibiotics of the Pseudomonas pyocyanea circulating on breeding stations}; Palii GK et al.; Biological properties and sensitivity to antibiotics and decametoxin of 464 strains of Ps . aeruginosa isolated at Pedigree Cattle Stations in the Chernovitsy region were studied in vitro . The isolates proved to be resistant to penicillin . Decametoxin, a new antimicrobial drug was at the same level as neomycin by its effect on Ps . aeruginosa (bactericidal concentrations of 62.5 to 125 gamma/ml) . Gentamycin prepared in the USSR was approximately 20 times more active against Ps . aeruginosa than decametoxin and neomycin.

J Chromatogr, 1975 Oct 29, 112, 663 - 72
Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for polypeptide antibiotics and its application to study the effects of treatments to reduce microbial levels in bacitracin powder; Tsuji K et al.; Improvements were made in the high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method to obtain baseline separation of chromatographic peaks of structurally similar polypeptide components in bacitracin . The improved method uses a 30-cm-long stainless-stell column packed with muBondapak C18 . The theoretical plates of the column are approximately 140,000 per meter for the bacitracin A peak . The resolution function between bacitracins B1 and B2 and that between bacitracins A and B2 have been improved 418 and 225%, respectively . The components of bacitracin, bacitracins A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, were fractionated by the countercurrent distribution technique . These components, together with Compound X, a compound separated on a carboxymethylcellulose column, and bacitracin F, obtained by degrading bacitracin A sample at neutral pH, were used to identify peaks in the HPLC chromatogram . Effects of processing methods used to reduce microbial contamination levels in bacitracin powders were evaluated . Heat treatment caused a significant loss of antimicrobial activity (35% reduction), bacitracins A, B1, and B2 were reduced by 37, 22, and 21%, respectively . A significant increase (2.8 times) of bacitracin F, an oxidative degradation compound, was show . Irradiation by 60Co at 1.8 Mrad caused no loss of potency nor change in any of the bacitracin components . Ethylene oxide treatment, on the other hand, caused considerable (46%) reduction of potency . Substantial reduction of areas under the peak of bacitracins A, B1, and B2 (50, 24 and 37%, respectively) were noted . The chromatograms showed numerous unresolved peaks around bacitracins A, B1 and B2,; however, no significant increase in the bacitracin F peak, nor appearance of non-UV absorbing peaks were observed . Peptide antibiotics of the polymyxin group, circulin, colistin, and polymyxin, were also analyzed using the muBondapak C18 column with a linear-gradient elution . A UV monitor was used for polymyxin . A moving-wire flame ionization detector was used to monitor circulin and colistin . A sample of polymyxin, circulin, and colistin may be analyzed in less than 20 min of chromatographic time.

Helv Odontol Acta, 1975 Oct, 19(2), 61 - 4
Plaque inhibition and staining by hibitane and vantocil; Pluss E; In a first 2-day experiment, inhibitions of plaque formation by 0.05% Hibitane and Vantocil rinses were similar . In a second 7-day test, the same 2 antimicrobials again showed similar degrees of plaque depression . The Vantocil group exhibited significantly more severe tooth surface staining than the Hibitane group.

Eur J Biochem, 1975 Oct 1, 58(1), 145 - 52
Identity and activities of lysosomal enzymes in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells from rat liver; Van Berkel TJ et al.; 1 . Intact parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells were isolated from rat liver . The parenchymal cells were purified by differential centrifugation, while non-parenchymal cells were obtained free of parenchymal cell contamination by preferentially destroying the parenchymal cells with the aid of pronase (0.25%) . 2 . The ability to isolate pure intact parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells permitted the characterization and measurement of specific activities of various lysosomal enzymes, representing the main functional hydrolytic activities of the lysosomes in these distinct cell types . 3 . Lysosomal enzymes catalysing the hydrolysis of the terminal carbohydrate moiety of glycoproteins and glycolipids were not particularly enriched in the non-parenchymal cells as compared to parenchymal cells . The ratio of the specific activities of non-parenchymal cells over parenchymal cells varied between 0.7 for N-acetyl-beta-D-hexoseaminidase to 2.1 for alpha-glucosidase . This suggests no specific role of the non-parenchymal cells in the hydrolysis of terminal carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids . 4 . The enzymes acid phosphatase and aryl sulphatase, representing the phosphate and sulphate hydrolyzing activities, were enriched in the non-paranchymal cells as compared to the parenchymal cells by a factor of 2.5 . 5 . The most important peptidase cathepsin D, representing protein breakdown capacity, is enriched in the non-parenchymal cells as compared to parenchymal cells by a factor 6.0, suggesting a possible specific function of non-parenchymal cells in protein breakdown . 6 . The most enriched lysosomal enzyme, representing lipid hydrolysis, is acid lipase, which is enriched in the non-parenchymal cells with a factor of 10 . 7 . The distribution of lysosomal enzymes between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells suggests different functional roles of the lysosomes in these cell types . It can be concluded that the non-parenchymal cells possess a set of lysosomal enzymes which makes them extremely suitable for a phagocytic and antimicrobial function in the liver.

Orthop Clin North Am, 1975 Oct, 6(4), 1129 - 44
Actions and uses of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of musculoskeletal infections; Wilkowske CJ et al.; The antimicrobial therapy of musculoskeletal infections does not differ in basic principles from the therapy of any infection . However, the chronic nature of certain of these infections and the need for long-term treatment make essential the proper selection and monitoring of the antimicrobial agents . This can be done only by obtaining proper specimens for microbiologic identification and, in many cases, by in vitro susceptibility tests of the infecting organisms . Thus, the least toxic, effective antimicrobial agent can be selected and administered without inadequate therapy or toxic side effects.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1975 Oct, 64(4), 537 - 9
Nocardia asteroides bacteremia in an immunosuppressed renal-transplant patient; Ruebush TK 2nd et al.; A patient with a polymicrobial bacteremia due to Nocardia asteroides and Escherichia coli is presented . Rapid overgrowth of all cultures with the E . coli necessitated the use of selective media containing antimicrobial agents to which the E . coli was sensitive . Only five previous cases of N . asteroides bacteremia have been reported.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1975 Oct, 112(4), 497 - 503
Evidence for infection by two distinct strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pulmonary tuberculosis: report of 9 cases; Raleigh JW et al.; The sputum cultures of 26 patients in whom bacteriologic relapse occurred during or after an initial course of treatment with antimicrobial drugs were compared by phage typing with cultures isolated previously from the same patients . Nine (34 per cent) were different in phage type . Whether this indicates exogenous reinfection as the mechanism for the relapse, the presence of two distinct phage types present from the outset, or change in phage type of the original single strain has not been determined . These observations may have implications relating to epidemiology and control of tuberculosis.

Helv Odontol Acta, 1975 Oct, 19(2), 57 - 60
Inhibition of plaque growth with taurolin, vantocil and amine fluoride; Muhlemann HR et al.; 16 dental students rinsed daily with a placebo solution, Taurolin 2% (formaldehyde releasing antimicrobial), Vantocil 0.1% (polybiguanide), and with amine fluoride 0.025% . Depression of plaque growth assess with the Sulcular Plaque Index was 50.6, 40.2 and 21.5%, respectively.

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