bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isoniazid plus Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine Can Reduce Morbidity of HIV-Positive Patients Treated for Tuberculosis in Africa: A Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Haller Louis , Sossouhounto Raoul , Coulibaly Issa M. , Dosso Mireille , Kone Moussa , Adom Hilaire , Meyer Urs A. , Betschart Bruno , Wenk Markus , Haefeli Walter E. , Lobognon Legré R. , Porquet Michel , Kaboré Geneviève , Sorenson Fred , Reber-Liske Rosemaria , Stürchler Dieter 
Published: April 2003

An annual 20% excess mortality rate is observed in HIV-seropositive patients after treatment for tuberculosis. An affordable secondary prophylaxis against main opportunistic diseases is needed, i.e. against tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, pneumocystosis and other infections occurring in this target population. This open prospective randomized study assessed morbidity and mortality in 2 cohorts of HIV-seropositive patients having recently recovered from pulmonary tuberculosis: 134 patients assigned to prophylactic treatment with isoniazid (INH, 300 mg once daily) plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (S, 500 mg/P, 25 mg once weekly), and 129 were controls, comparable for sex, age, weight and HIV-serology. Patients were followed-up for up to 2 years: 192 person-years (PY) in the prophylaxis group and 142 PY in the control group. Four patients developed tuberculosis and 20 patients died in the prophylaxis group, compared to 10 and 23 controls, respectively. Sick days were reported by 22 patients in the prophylaxis group and by 77 patients in the control group. This prophylaxis was associated with a moderate decrease of mortality (log rank test: p = 0.1736), a significant decrease of tuberculosis incidence (log rank test: p = 0.0234), a highly significant reduction of adverse events and sick days, and a prevention of wasting (p = 0.008) and anaemia (p = 0.045). No death from toxoplasmosis occurred in the prophylaxis group as compared to 2 possible cases among controls; toxoplasmosis IgG levels declined in treated patients, but increased in controls (p = 0.01). There was no adverse drug reaction due to SP (10,006 doses) or to INH. Compliance with SP intake was good, but moderate as with INH intake. We conclude that a secondary prophylaxis with INH+SP represents a cost-effective measure to improve health conditions of HIV-infected adults in Côte d’Ivoire, following a full treatment course against tuberculosis.
In vitro Activity of Moxifloxacin Compared to Other Fluoroquinolones against Different Erythromycin-Resistant Phenotypes of Group A β-hemolytic <i>Streptococcus</i>
Authors: Esposito Silvano , Noviello Silvana , Ianniello Filomena , Novelli Andrea 
Published: April 2003

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of moxifloxacin (BAY 12–8039) compared to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin against 156 group A β-hemolytic <i>Streptococcus</i> strains. Sixty strains were macrolide-, lincosamide- and streptogramin-B-susceptible; 16 strains exhibited a constitutive resistance phenotype; 32 strains exhibited an inducible phenotype, and 48 strains were characterized by the M-type efflux-dependent phenotype. The minimum inhibition concentrations were determined by an agar dilution method according to NCCLS-approved guidelines. Moxifloxacin showed an enhanced activity compared with the other fluoroquinolones against the different macrolide-resistant phenotypes.
Bactericidal Activity of Gatifloxacin (AM-1155) against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> in an in vitro Bladder Model Simulating Human Urinary Concentrations after Oral Administration
Authors: Takahashi Satoshi , Ebisu Hiroyuki , Hirose Takaoki , Sano Masato , Nishimura Masahiro , Hirai Keiji , Tsukamoto Taiji , Hosaka Masaki 
Published: April 2003

The bactericidal activity of gatifloxacin, a new 6-fluoro-8-methoxy quinolone, was determined in a dynamic in vitro model mimicking complicated lower urinary tract infection. Strains of <i> Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> with different susceptibility were exposed to changing gatifloxacin concentrations, simulating human urinary concentrations afer oral treatment with 200 mg twice daily for 3 consecutive days. Bacterial numbers of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> (minimal inhibitory concentrations, MIC: ≤ 32 μg/ml) and of <i>E. faecalis</i> (MIC: 16 μg/ml) were reduced to undetectable levels during exposure. For the strains with lower susceptibility, gatifloxacin showed bactericidal activity, but eradication was not complete. Thus, in a complicated urinary tract infection model, breakpoint MICs of gatifloxacin for uropathogenic organisms were presumed to range from 16 to 32 μg/ml. At least 86% of recent clinical isolates of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> and <i>E. faecalis</i> were inhibited at its breakpoint MIC. These results suggest that gatifloxacin may be useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections.
Effects of Antibiotics on Adherence of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i> to A549 Pneumocyte Cells
Authors: Di Martino Patrick , Rebière-Huët Julie , Hulen Christian 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antibiotics at subminimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) on fluorescent pseudomonas adherence to A549 pneumocyte cells. <i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i> MF0 isolated from contaminated raw milk and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> NK125502 isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient’s lung adhered to A549 cells. As previously shown for <i>P. aeruginosa, P. fluorescens</i> bound to A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner over a wide range of bacterial concentrations. Bacterial growth in the presence of polymyxin B or gentamicin at MIC/2 had no effect on the adherence of NK125502 and MF0 to A549 cells. Instead, MIC/2 and MIC/8 of cefsulodin or chloramphenicol decreased the adherence of the two strains. A decrease in MF0 adherence was also observed with cefsulodin at MIC/32. We conclude that, in addition to their antibacterial activity, cefsulodin and chloramphenicol could be effective in preventing <i>Pseudomonas</i> adherence to respiratory epithelium.
Adequate Levofloxacin Treatment Schedules for Uterine Cervicitis Caused by <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>
Authors: Mikamo Hiroshige , Sato Yasumasa , Hayasaki Yoh , Hua Yin Xiang , Tamaya Teruhiko 
Published: April 2003

The in vivo efficacy of levofloxacin (LVFX), one of the most standard new quinolone antimicrobial agents, in the different treatment schedules of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> uterine cervicitis in women was evaluated. Cervical <i>C. trachomatis</i> was detected by polymerase chain reaction. LVFX at a dosage of 300 mg t.i.d. for 5, 7 and 14 days was orally administered to 18, 33 and 35 Japanese patients, respectively. The eradication rate and the recurrence rate in the different treatment schedules of <i>C. trachomatis</i> were evaluated. The eradication rate in 5-, 7- or 14-day cases was 44.4, 87.9 or 88.6%, respectively. The recurrence rate of 5-, 7- or 14-day cases was 50.0, 0 or 0%, respectively. Seven-day treatment with LVFX is adequate for and effective in <i>C. trachomatis</i> uterine cervicitis.
Influence of Temperature and Concentration on the Postantifungal Effect and the Effects of Sub-MIC Concentrations of Four Antifungal Agents on Previously Treated <i>Candida</i> Species
Authors: García M.T. , Llorente M.T. , Mínguez F. , Prieto J. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of different temperatures (22, 35 and 37°C) on the postantifungal effect (PAFE) and the effect of sub-MIC concentrations (1/4 × MIC) on <i>Candida albicans</i> and <i>Candida glabrata</i> in PAFE stage (PAFSE). <i>Methods:</i> This stage was induced by a 1.5-hour pretreatment with different doses (1 ×, 4 × and 8 × MIC) of four antifungal agents that are fundamental to modern candidiasis therapy. <i>Results:</i> The temperature, as well as the dose of the antifungal agent that was applied during the pretreatment, determined the duration of the two studied effects. An increase in the temperature and/or the dose prolonged the duration of the PAFE and PAFSE in both species, independent of the applied antifungal agent. Amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine always induced significant PAFEs (0.5–4.8 h and 0.5–3.0 h, respectively), which were increased (0.7–3.4 h and 0.5–3.2 h, respectively) by posterior exposure to 1/4 × MIC of the respective antifungal agent. In the case of ketoconazole and fluconazole, temperature and concentration were especially important. Although neither antimycotics was able to induce a significant PAFE, posterior exposure to 1/4 × MIC of each of the two azoles led in both yeast species to a significant PAFSE of up to 0.8 h (if the concentrations and/or the temperatures were high enough). <i>Conclusion:</i> Factors such as temperature and concentration could be important when choosing an antifungal agent.
In vitro Activity of Rifaximin, Metronidazole and Vancomycin against <i>Clostridium difficile</i> and the Rate of Selection of Spontaneously Resistant Mutants against Representative Anaerobic and Aerobic Bacteria, Including Ammonia-Producing Species
Authors: Marchese Anna , Salerno Angelo , Pesce Adelaide , Debbia Eugenio A. , Schito Gian Carlo 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Rifaximin is a rifamycin derivative characterized by a wide antibacterial activity. This drug is neither absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract nor inactivated by gastric juices, and exerts its action entirely within the intestinal lumen. <i>Methods:</i> In this study, the activity of this antibiotic was compared with that of metronidazole and vancomycin against 93 <i>Clostridium difficile</i> isolates. The rate of emergence of bacteria spontaneously resistant to the new compound was also evaluated in relation to representative gram-positive and gram-negative strains. In terms of MIC<sub>50</sub> values, rifaximin showed an intrinsic activity superior to that of the other agents. The emergence of spontaneously resistant strains was assessed with 46 aerobic (staphylococci, enterococci, <i>Proteus</i> spp., <i>Citrobacter freundii, Providencia rettgeri,</i> enteropathogenic, enteroinvasive, enterotoxigenic and entero- hemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli,</i> and <i>Salmonella enteritidis</i>) and anaerobic (<i>Clostridium</i> spp., <i>Bacteroides</i> spp., <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> and <i>Peptococcus</i> spp.) pathogens, most of them also ammonium producers. Two different methods, broth and agar dilution, were employed. <i>Results:</i> When liquid medium was employed, bacteria capable of sustained growth in 100 μg/ml of rifaximin were obtained after 2–5 transfers with gram-positive aerobic cocci, 2–3 transfers with gram-negative aerobic strains and 2–5 transfers with anaerobic species. At the highest dose used with the agar dilution method (8 × MIC), the frequency of emergence of spontaneously resistant mutants ranged from <1 × 10<sup>–9</sup> to 1.6 × 10<sup>–8</sup> with gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci, while with aerobic and anaerobic gram-negative bacteria, this value ranged from <1 × 10<sup>–9</sup> to 1.7 × 10<sup>–7</sup>. <i>C. difficile</i> showed a particularly low incidence of spontaneously resistant mutants (<1 × 10<sup>–9</sup>). The low incidence of resistant subpopulations selected by levels of 8 × MIC of rifaximin suggests that the high levels of the drug which were reached in the gastrointestinal lumen may further prevent the selection of mutants. <i>Conclusion:</i> The low toxicity, broad antibacterial activity and very poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract of rifaximin suggest a potential therapeutic use for this drug in gastrointestinal diseases, as well as in the management of patients with cirrhosis and chronic portal-systemic encephalopathy.
Comparative Effect of Thiamphenicol Glycinate, Thiamphenicol Glycinate N-Acetylcysteinate, Amoxicillin plus Clavulanic Acid, Ceftriaxone and Clarithromycin on Pulmonary Clearance of <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> in an Animal Model
Authors: Drago Lorenzo , Fassina Maria Cristina , Mombelli Barbara , De Vecchi Elena , Lombardi Alessandra , Gismondo Maria Rita 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Thiamphenicol glycinate (TG) and its derivative thiamphenicol glycinate N-acetylcysteinate (TGA) could be a valid therapeutic option in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. <i>Methods:</i> Time-kill curves of TG and TGA and pulmonary clearance in <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> infected guinea pigs were compared with those of clarithromycin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. <i>Results:</i> The bacterial activities of the tested antibiotics were comparable. When compared to the control group, lung bacterial counts were significantly lower for the TGA group at 3 h vs. controls, while for the other treatments, significant decreases were recorded after 6 h. All drugs showed a log count of <2.0 at 24 h with respect to the control while at 48 h all groups demonstrated a log count of <2.0. <i>Conclusions:</i> Although the in vitro activity of the tested drugs evaluated by time-kill curves seemed comparable, some pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of TGA contribute to improving the resolution of the infective process.
Intensive Intravenous Amphotericin B for Prophylaxis of Systemic Fungal Infections
Authors: Karthaus M. , Doellmann T. , Klimasch T. , Elser C. , Rosenthal C. , Ganser A. , Heil G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Invasive fungal infections are an increasing cause of morbidity in acute leukemia (AL) patients. <i>Methods:</i> In a prospective pilot trial, the safety and efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis with intravenous (i.v.) amphotericin B (AMB; 1 mg/kg every 48 h) was studied in 46 consecutive cycles. Prophylaxis with i.v. AMB was carried out in patients treated with intensive chemotherapy for AL and compared with a control of 49 cycles without prophylaxis. <i>Results</i>: Pulmonary infiltrates (5 vs. 23; p < 0.001) and fungal microabscesses in the liver or spleen (0 vs. 6; p = 0.014) occurred significantly less frequently in the prophylaxis group. While there were 3 deaths related to systemic fungal infections in the control group, there were none in the prophylaxis group. Escalation to conventional AMB (1.0 mg/kg/day) was significantly less frequent in the prophylaxis group (9 out of 46 cycles) compared with the control arm (29 out of 49 cycles; p = 0.001). A total of 695 mg of AMB per cycle was administered in the prophylaxis arm, compared with 634 mg/cycle for empirical treatment in the control group (p = 0.6). Infusion-related toxicity was documented in 29% of the cycles of prophylaxis compared with 55% of the cycles of empirical treatment with i.v. AMB in the control group. The nephrotoxicity of AMB prophylaxis was moderate, with ≥ WHO degree II reported in 1 out of 46 cycles only. <i>Conclusion:</i> Intensive i.v. AMB prophylaxis reduced invasive fungal infections and led to a reduction in fungal microabscesses in the liver or spleen, as well as pulmonary infiltrates, in patients treated for AL. The need for escalation to empirical i.v. AMB treatment was significantly reduced. Intensive AMB prophylaxis was feasible, with moderate adverse effects.
In vitro Susceptibility of <i>Candida dubliniensis</i> to Current and New Antifungal Agents
Authors: Quindós Guillermo , Carrillo-Muñoz Alfonso Javier , Arévalo María Pilar , Salgado Javier , Alonso-Vargas Rocío , Rodrigo José Manuel , Ruesga María Teresa , Valverde Anastasio , Pemán Javier , Cantón Emilia , Martín-Mazuelos Estrella , Pontón José 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> <i>Candida dubliniensis</i> is a recently described <i>Candida</i> species closely related to <i>Candida albicans</i>, which has been associated with oral candidiasis in HIV-infected patients. Fluconazole-resistant strains of <i>C. dubliniensis</i> are easily obtained in vitro and this fact could be a complication if this resistance develops during treatment with this drug. <i>Methods:</i> In the present study, the in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of 36 <i>C. dubliniensis</i> clinical isolates and culture strains to current and new antifungal agents, such as amphotericin B (AMB), amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC), amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD), 5-fluorocytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), ketoconazole (KTC), liposomal amphoteri- cin B (LAMB), liposomal nystatin (LNYT), LY303366 (LY), SCH56592 (SCH), and voriconazole (VRC), were determined according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M27-A broth microdilution method for yeasts. <i>Results:</i> Most isolates of <i>C. dubliniensis</i> were susceptible to both new and current antifungal drugs, with 75.9% isolates susceptible to KTC, 86.2% to FLC and to ITC, and ∼100% to the other antifungal agents tested. The cross-resistance phenotypes are detailed. Four isolates were resistant (MIC ≥64 μg/ml) to FLC. These 4 isolates were also resistant to KTC, and 3 of them were also resistant to ITC (MIC ≥1 μg/ml for both agents). However, these isolates were highly susceptible to 5FC and all polyene formulations (AMB, ABLC, ABCD, LAMB, and LNYT), triazole (SCH and VRC) and echinocandin (LY) antifungal agents. <i>Conclusion:</i> The new liposomal and lipidic formulations of AMB, LNYT, and the new triazoles and echinocandins may provide new alternatives to FLC for the treatment of infections by <i>C. dubliniensis</i>.
In vitro Analysis of the Change in Resistance of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> under Exposure to sub-MIC Levofloxacin for a Therapeutic Term
Authors: Takahashi Satoshi , Hagiwara Toshikatsu , Shiga Sadashi , Hirose Takaoki , Tsukamoto Taiji 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> While fluoroquinolone-resistant <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> strains have not been clinically isolated, they were isolated in an in vitro study recently. <i>Methods:</i> To determine whether <i>C. trachomatis</i> strains develop resistance under sub-MIC antibacterial exposure in a clinical therapeutic term, <i>C. trachomatis</i> strains were exposed to sub-MIC levofloxacin (LVFX) for about 2 weeks. The MIC of LVFX was measured and DNA fingerprinting was performed every 72 h by PCR using random primers. <i>Results:</i> There was almost no change in the MIC under exposure to 0.125 μg/ml LVFX. However, some mutational changes in DNA fingerprints developed. <i>Conclusions:</i> In clinical therapeutic terms, resistant strains of <i>C. trachomatis</i> will probably not develop, even if sub-MIC LVFX is employed.
Helicobacter pylori Stimulates DNA Synthesis in a Small Intestinal Cell Line in vitro
Authors: Brännström Johanna , Zachrisson Kristina , Hultén Kristina , Engstrand Lars , Uribe Andrés 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background:</b> <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>, which causes gastritis and peptic ulcer, seems to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma. Thus our aim was to examine whether <i>H. pylori</i> influences DNA synthesis in epithelial cells in vitro. <b>Methods:</b> Sonicated and water extracts of <i>H. pylori</i> (cytotoxic strains NCTC 11637, 88-23 and A5, and a noncytotoxic isogenic mutant of A5, A5 vac A) were diluted to a final concentration of 1/1,000, 1/100, 1/50 and 1/10. Water extracts of <i>Escherichia coli</i> were used as reference. IEC-6 cells were incubated during 24 h with fragments of <i>H. pylori</i> or extracts of the concentrations described above. The cells were labeled with <sup>3</sup>H-methylthymidine for 4 h and processed for autoradiography. DNA synthesis was evaluated by the labeling index (LI). <b>Results:</b> The LI% of controls was 15.6 ± 5.1%. All the water extracts and sonicated strains of <i>H. pylori</i> increased the LI% in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). The highest concentrations of the sonicated strains tended to reduce the LI%, although these values were still higher than those of the control group. The water extracts of <i>E. coli</i> increased the LI% in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.0001). <b>Conclusion:</b> <i>H. pylori</i> stimulates DNA synthesis in epithelial cells in vitro, but no association was found with the presence of cytotoxin production. Our results suggest that hitherto unknown components of <i>H. pylori</i> may contribute to the increase in cell proliferation observed in gastritis and to the development of MALT lymphoma and gastric cancer.
Role of Nitric Oxide in Pathogenesis of Aspirin-Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage in Rats
Authors: Takeuchi Koji , Yasuhiro Tetsuya , Asada Yoko , Sugawa Yasunari 
Published: April 2003

We examined the effect of NO synthase inhibitor on the functional and ulcerogenic responses to aspirin (ASA) in rat stomach. The animals were given ASA (20–80 m<i>M</i>) orally with or without HCl (10–50 m<i>M</i>) and killed 2 h later. N<sup>G</sup>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was given i.v. 5 min before aspirin. In the functional study, a rat stomach was mounted on an ex vivo chamber under urethane anesthesia, perfused with saline, and transmucosal potential difference (PD), luminal pH, acid secretion and mucosal blood flow (GMBF) were measured simultaneously. ASA alone caused gastric damage in a dose-related manner; mostly nonhemorrhagic lesions. Pretreatment with L-NAME worsened such lesions and caused severe hemorrhagic lesions. Coadministration of HCl with ASA also potentiated gastric lesions in a concentration-dependent manner, changing nonhemorrhagic into hemorrhagic damage, and the worsening effect of L-NAME disappeared when 80 m<i>M</i> ASA was given together with HCl at >20 m<i>M</i>. In chambered stomachs, the mucosal application of ASA (80 m<i>M</i>, 30 min) caused a marked reduction in PD and a slight decrease in acid secretion, with minimal change in GMBF. L-NAME blocked the reduced acid response following ASA and caused stimulation of acid secretion with no effect on PD and GMBF. These effects of L-NAME were all antagonized by coadministration of <i>L</i>-arginine and significantly mitigated by sensory deafferentation or pretreatment with cimetidine or FPL-52694. These results suggest that (1) intragastric administration of ASA causes a release of NO, which reduces the development of hemorrhagic lesions by decreasing acid secretion, and (2) L-NAME worsens gastric damage by increasing acid secretion in ASA-treated stomachs, the process being dependent on endogenous histamine and sensory neurons.