International journal of antimicrobial agents
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Mar 2007
ReviewLinezolid for the treatment of adults with bone and joint infections.
We reviewed the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of linezolid administration for the treatment of patients with orthopaedic infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-positive cocci. Although the reports published to date include promising results for the use of linezolid for bone and joint infections, controlled studies will be needed to reach safe conclusions. Attention should be paid to adverse effects that may be related to linezolid administration, especially bone marrow suppression with prolonged administration of the antibiotic. In addition, early identification of linezolid-induced peripheral neuropathy is necessary because this may be an irreversible event.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jan 2007
Colistin offers prolonged survival in experimental infection by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: the significance of co-administration of rifampicin.
The effect of colistin on bacterial eradication and survival was tested in experimental infection by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The thigh infection model was applied in 86 neutropenic Wistar rats. Six rats were used for the induction of neutropenia and for the selection of the dose regimen of colistin; the remainder was equally divided into four groups: A, controls; B, rifampicin; C, colistin; and D, both agents. ⋯ Colistin was effective in prolonging survival in an experimental thigh infection by multidrug-resistant A. baumannii in neutropenic rats. Its activity was enhanced after co-administration with rifampicin. These results mandate the application of colistin in the event of infections by multidrug-resistant pathogens and the need for its co-administration with rifampicin.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyConcentrations in plasma, urinary excretion and bactericidal activity of levofloxacin (500 mg) versus ciprofloxacin (500 mg) in healthy volunteers receiving a single oral dose.
In a randomised crossover study, 14 volunteers received a single oral dose of 500 mg levofloxacin or 500 mg ciprofloxacin in order to assess plasma concentrations by high-pressure liquid chromatography (up to 24 h), urinary excretion and urinary bactericidal titres (UBTs) at intervals up to 120 h. The median maximum concentration of levofloxacin in plasma was 6.1 mg/L and that of ciprofloxacin was 2.3 mg/L. The median cumulative level of renal excretion of the administered dose of the parent drug was 81.2% for levofloxacin and 36.2% for ciprofloxacin. ⋯ During further time courses, however, the UBTs of levofloxacin were significantly higher than those of ciprofloxacin. For Gram-positive strains, for which the MICs of levofloxacin were equal to or lower than those of ciprofloxacin, the UBTs of levofloxacin were already significantly higher from the beginning. It can be concluded that overall the doses of the two tested fluoroquinolones may be considered equivalent with regard to treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, although the recommended dosing is twice daily for ciprofloxacin and once daily for levofloxacin.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2006
Geographically-based evaluation of multidrug resistance trends among Streptococcus pneumoniae in the USA: findings of the FAST surveillance initiative (2003-2004).
Surveillance initiatives to track Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance trends are important for understanding the current in vitro effectiveness of available antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of S. pneumoniae (n=1479 isolates) collected from 17 geographical areas across the USA (2003-2004) were analysed; 36.8% of isolates were resistant to one or more agents (24.4% were multidrug-resistant, i.e. resistant to two or more antimicrobial classes). ⋯ Multidrug resistance rates were prominent regardless of the geographical region surveyed. As this trend continues, the empirical therapeutic options for S. pneumoniae infections will diminish and there will be an ongoing need to evaluate the effectiveness of potent fluoroquinolones such as gemifloxacin.