Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy
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J. Infect. Chemother. · Aug 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized, controlled trial comparing traditional herbal medicine and neuraminidase inhibitors in the treatment of seasonal influenza.
The herbal medicine, maoto, has been traditionally prescribed to patients with influenza in Japan. To better understand the efficacy of maoto for the treatment of influenza, a randomized trial was conducted for comparison with oseltamivir or zanamivir. Adult patients with influenza symptoms, including fever, positive for quick diagnostic kit for influenza within 48 h of fever onset were assessed for enrollment. ⋯ No significant between-group differences were found in total symptom score among three groups. Viral persistent rates and serum cytokine levels (IFN-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α) during the study period showed no differences among three groups. The administration of oral maoto granules to healthy adults with seasonal influenza was well tolerated and associated with equivalent clinical and virological efficacy to neuraminidase inhibitors.
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J. Infect. Chemother. · Aug 2012
In vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetics of biapenem in a murine model of ventilator-associated pneumonia with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Biapenem (BIPM) has high bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and similar activity in vitro as meropenem (MEPM). We used a murine model to examine the efficacy of biapenem against ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by P. aeruginosa. Mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection with 100 mg/kg BIPM or MEPM every 12 h beginning 12 h after inoculation with P. aeruginosa. ⋯ The % time above MIC for BIPM and MEPM was 15.4% and 18.3% in plasma and 19.8% and 19.8% in lungs, respectively. These results show that BIPM and MEPM significantly prolongs survival and reduces the number of viable bacteria in a murine model of VAP caused by P. aeruginosa. Therefore, BIPM might be a potent and effective treatment for VAP caused by this bacterium.
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J. Infect. Chemother. · Aug 2012
Sensitivities of major causative organisms isolated from patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis against various antibacterial agents: results of subanalysis based on the presence of menopause.
We investigated whether the presence of menopause influenced the species and distribution of causative bacteria isolated from patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis (the most common urinary tract infection), and we also investigated the sensitivity of the isolated species to antibacterial agents. Using multivariate analysis, we also investigated risk factors for infection with quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli, because its frequency has increased and it is now a clinical problem in Japan. Six hundred and thirty-four strains were isolated from 489 premenopausal patients (mean age 32.3 ± 10.1 years). ⋯ Although the species and distribution of causative bacteria of acute uncomplicated cystitis were the same regardless of the presence of menopause, the sensitivities to FQs of E. coli detected in postmenopausal patients were significantly lower than those in the premenopausal women. The major risk factors for infection with quinolone-resistant E. coli were a history of FQ administration and the morbidity of cystitis rather than the menopausal status. It was considered that taking an appropriate history including the morbidity of cystitis and history of FQ administration, and the appropriate selection of an antibacterial agent, would be important when empirical therapy is required.