An orthologue of the host-defense protein psoriasin (S100A7) is expressed in frog skin

Host-defense peptides and proteins are vital for first line protection against bacteria. Most host-defense peptides and proteins common in vertebrates have been studied primarily in mammals, while their orthologues in non-mammalian vertebrates received less attention. We found that the European Common Frog Rana temporaria expresses a protein in its skin that is evolutionarily related to the host-defense protein S100A7. This prompted us to test if the encoded protein, which is an important microbicidal protein in human skin, shows similar activity in frogs. The R. temporaria protein lacks the zinc-binding sites that are key to the antimicrobial activity of human S100A7 at neutral pH. However, despite being less potent, the R. temporaria protein does compromise bacterial membranes at low pH, similar to its human counterpart. We postulate that, while amphibian S100A7 likely serves other functions, the capacity to compromise bacterial cell membranes evolved early in tetrapod evolution.     

Modes of action of three disinfectant active substances: A review

This review deals with three categories of active substances for disinfectant products, their modes of action (MOA), and how MOA can help predict propensity for resistance in microorganisms. Within the European Union applications for approval of disinfectants of all kinds must be submitted in a few years, and documentation on MOA and resistance must be part of those applications. Peracetic acid is an unspecific, pervasive oxidizer of C–C double bonds and reduced atoms. This MOA would imply poor chance for development of resistance in microorganisms, as borne out by the absence of such reports in the literature. The quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC’s) are much more specific in their antimicrobial mechanism. Even very low concentrations cause damage to the cytoplasmic membrane due to perturbation of the bilayers by the molecules’ alkyl chains. Development of microbial resistance to QAC’s, as well as cross-resistance to antibiotics, are particularly well documented. The polymer PHMB is antimicrobial because it disturbs the cell membrane’s bilayer by interacting with it along the surface of the membrane. Resistance to the polymer appears not to develop despite many years of use in many fields. However, PHMB’s toxicity to humans upon inhalation dictates great caution when deploying the substance.     

急性阑尾炎围手术期抗菌药物的临床应用

目的 了解医院阑尾炎围手术期使用抗菌药物情况,探讨其联合使用的合理性.方法 随机抽取2011年1月阑尾炎患者病历32份进行统计分析.结果 手术病例26例,抗菌药物使用率100.0％,单联、二联、三联使用率分别为3.8％、61.5％、34.6％,病原学检查送检率为19.2％,阳性率80.0％,检出细菌有铜绿假单胞菌、大肠埃希菌、产碱菌属、摩氏摩根菌；平均住院日为6d,抗菌药物平均使用为6d,所占药费比例平均为63.4％,药物不良反应发生率为26.9％.结论 抗菌药物使用率高于医院等级晋升要求,联合用药存在抗菌谱重叠、未覆盖致病菌等不合理使用现象.     

Infections in Live Donor Liver Transplant Recipients: A Study of Timeline,Aetiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Bacterial and Fungal Infections from the Developing World

Infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in liver transplant (LT) recipients. We studied timeline, spectrum of infection, system involved, and antimicrobial resistance in 64 patients undergoing live donor LT with 6-month follow-up. Of 64 patients, 38 (59.5%) patients had 103 infectious episodes, 10 patients had single infectious episode and 28 patients had two or more infectious episodes. 96 (93.2%) were bacterial and Candida infections were in 7 (6.8%). Early phase had 30 (29.1%) episodes; intermediate phase 25 (24.2%) and late phase 48 (46.6%). Mortality was 11/64 (17.1%). Knowledge of timeline, aetiological agent and antimicrobial resistance is useful to guide empirical therapy and infection prevention.     

Periopathogens differ in terms of the susceptibility to toluidine blue O-mediated photodynamic inactivation

BackgroundThe main goal of periodontal therapy is to eliminate the infection spreading in periodontium. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy may be applied in order to eradicate pathogens remaining in periodontal tissues after conventional mechanical debridement, to improve the treatment results. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the susceptibility of selected key periopathogens to toluidine blue O-mediated photodynamic inactivation and the influence of photosensitizer’s concentration and light dose on the effectiveness of this process.MethodsFollowing bacterial strains were used in the experiments: Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, Aggregatibacter actinomyctemecomitans ATCC 33384, Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953. Toluidine blue O (TBO) was used in concentration ranging from 0.004 to 0.5 mg/mL. Irradiation was performed by a non-laser red light source.ResultsComplete eradication of P. gingivalis was obtained upon the application of TBO in the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL and the highest light dose. A, actinomycetemcomitans was, in turn, not susceptible to photodynamic inactivation regardless of the dosimetric parameters applied. High viability reductions were also obtained for F. nucleatum, however no complete eradication. The effectiveness of photodynamic inactivation of susceptible periopathogens was dependent on the light dose and photosensitizer’s concentration.ConclusionsPeriopathogens differ in terms of their susceptibility to photodynamic inactivation. Antimicrobial PDT may be valuable in the treatment of those cases of periodontal disease, in which P. gingivalis is a dominating pathogen. Microbiological examination prior to clinical application of aPDT may be recommended.     

Antiinflammatory Effects of Moringa oleifera Root Extract

A crude methanol extract of the root of the plant Moringa oleifera Lam. was screened for anti inflammatory effect using the rat paw edema and the rat 6-day air pouch inflammatory models. Following oral administration, the extract inhibited carrageenan-induced rat paw edema in a dose-dependent manner, with 50% inhibitory concentration - IC 50 (dose producing 50% inhibition) of 660 mg/kg. On the 6-day air pouch acute inflammation induced with carrageenan, the extract was much more potent, with IC 50 values of 302.0 mg/kg and 315.5 mg/kg, for the inhibition of cellular accumulation and fluid exudation, respectively. Maximum inhibition obtained with 600 mg/kg were 83.8% and 80.0%, respectively. When delayed (chronic) inflammation was induced in the 6-day air pouch model using Freund’s complete adjuvant, the extract was still effective though less than in acute inflammation. In contrast, a moderate dose of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) inhibited the acute, but not the delayed form of air pouch inflammation. Acute toxicity tests in mice suggest very low toxicity. These results suggest that the root of Moringa oleifera contains anti inflammatory principle(s) that may be useful in the treatment of both the acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.     

就医人群对抗菌药物的认知与使用的调查研究

目的了解笔者所在医院就医人群对抗菌药物的认知与使用情况,为合理使用抗菌药物提供依据。方法采取随机抽样法,对笔者所在医院就医取药人群进行问卷调查,根据不同年龄、不同文化程度对结果进行统计学分析。结果不同年龄段对同一种抗菌药物存在抗药性的认知、自行服用抗菌药物行为差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;不同文化程度人员在提高抗菌药物知识的认知、使用中严格遵守医嘱的行为差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论医院就医人群中因年龄、文化程度不同对抗菌药物的认知、使用行为有显著差异,可针对性采取干预措施,提高就医人群对抗菌药物的认知,以减少抗菌药物滥用引起的不良后果。     

96点阵琼脂稀释法与微量肉汤稀释法药敏试验结果的对比

目的 为了验证96点阵琼脂稀释法进行药敏试验的可靠性和有效性，与国际通用的微量肉汤稀释法进行对比。方法 用微量肉汤稀释法和96点阵琼脂稀释法分别对质控菌株E. coli ATCC25922、临床分离E. coli进行4种不同药物(头孢噻呋、庆大霉素、氟苯尼考和多西环素)的药敏试验，并经过多次重复和对比。结果 这两种检测方法所测定的菌株的最低抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC)完全相同者占30%~50%，相差1个梯度占80%，3个梯度以内的吻合率高达96%以上，96点阵琼脂稀释法具有很好的重复性和稳定性。结论 96点阵琼脂稀释法与微量肉汤稀释法两种方法测定的MIC没有显著差异，可共用一个质控标准。96点阵琼脂稀释法的标准化和规范化，有利于高通量药敏检测的进行，推动建立完善的抗药性监测技术体系。     

基层医院重症监护室抗菌药物的应用分析及合理性研究

目的调查和评价该院重症监护室(ICU)抗菌药物的应用情况。方法对该院2010年8月-2011年12月250例ICU住院患者抗菌药物的应用情况进行回顾性调查分析。结果 250例ICU患者抗菌药物的使用共涉及9大类17种,头孢菌素类抗菌药物使用品种最多,左氧氟沙星使用例数最多;多数患者应用了联合用药方案;肝、肾功能不全患者使用经肝、肾脏代谢或排泄的抗菌药物未调整用量。结论头孢菌素和氟喹诺酮类药物在基层医院ICU抗感染治疗中占主导地位,基层医院ICU抗菌药物的合理使用有待提高。