[The centennial of the Department of Microbiology Iasi--tribute to predecessors]. / La centenarul catedrei de microbiologie din Iasi, omagiu inaintasilor.

1892-1913 Bacteriological investigations conducted in Iasi's hospitals. * 1896 Up to date lectures featuring chapters on microbiology. 1899-1911 The first interim of the Department. 1 februarie 1912 Bacteriology Department de iure et facto: Alexandru Slatineanu. * 1938-39 Second intermediate period. * 1939-1942 Romanian inframicrobiology first started in Iasi : Stefan S. Nicolau. 1942-1946 Third intermediate period. * 1946 The Bacteriology Department redivivus: Professor Petru Condrea * 1953 The Discipline of Virology: Professor Mihai Duca.

[Chromogenic medium for detection of enterobacteria producing beta-lactamases in North-Eastern Romania]. / Performantele unui mediu cromogen în detectarea enterobacteriilor producatoare de beta-lactamaze cu spectru extins din nord-estul României.

UNLABELLED: We evaluated the performances and analyzed practicability of an ESBL-detecting chromogenic agar medium (chromID ESBL, bioMerieux) for the screening of ESBL production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have tested 112 enterobacteria strains, isolated in 2009 year, in North Eastern region of Romania. Each bacterial strain was cultured on a prepared plate chromogenic medium and the results were recorded after incubation at 37 degrees C for 18 to 24 h or, if necessary, for 48 h. We calculated the sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for this medium, using as gold standard ceftzidime or cefotaxime and clavulanate combination disks on Iso-Sensitest agar. K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603 and E. coli ATCC 25922 were used as the positive and negative control for ESBL production, respectively. RESULTS: For all tested strains, the chromID ESBL agar showed a high sensitivity (97%), but a low specificity (66%). The positive and negative predictive values were 98% and 57%, respectively. The chromID ESBL had false-positive results for 2 confirmed ESBL-positive strains. CONCLUSION: The very good sensitivity of the chromID ESBL agar ESBL detection represent a convenient method for the recovery and identification of ESBL-producing enterobacteria.

[Antoine Béchamp and Victor Cornil Memento for Romanian pharmacy, chemistry and medicine]. / Antoine Béchamp si Victor Cornil Memento pentru farmacia, chimia si medicina Românesca.

Today we commemorate a century from the death of two Romanian loving scientists: Antoine Béchamp (1816- March 31 1908), pharmacist, chemist and physician, professor at the Universities of Strasbourg, Montpellier and Lille, and Victor Cornil (1837- April 14 1908), physician, histopathologist and bacteriologist, professor of the University of Medicine in Paris, co-author with Victor Babes on the first ever Bacteriological Treaty.

[In vitro susceptibility of staphylococci to ciprofloxacin]. / Sensibilitatea in vitro a stafilococilor la ciprofloxacin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin against communitary and hospital staphylococcal strains isolated during 2006-2008 in Eastern region of Romania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have tested 1022 staphylococci strains, identified by conventional laboratory methods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by agar dilution method, according to NCCLS. RESULTS: For both hospital and communitary isolates, MIC 90 was 0.25 mg/L (4 fold less than breakpoint for sensitivity). Resistance was absent or reduced (1.7%) for coagulase- positive staphylococci, both communitary and hospital. For coagulase negative staphylococci, resistance for clinical strains is increased (6%) compared to comunitary strains (0.3%). In conclusion, ciprofloxacin is highly effective against staphylococci representing a therapeutic option for multiresistant strains. Our data shown the necessity of adequate antibiotic use in the hospital and community.

[Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrheae in North-East Romania]. / Rezistenta la antibiotice a Neisseria gonorrhoeae in zona Moldovei.

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of gonococcal isolates with reduced susceptibility or resistance to antimicrobial agents is a significant concern in the whole world. This study is performed to evaluate evolution of antimicrobial resistance patterns of N. gonorrhoeae isolates from north-east Romania. METHODS: We studied antimicrobial resistance in 81 strains of N. gonorrhoeae isolated from Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic in Iasi. The antimicrobial agents tested were Penicillin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Cefixime, Ceftriaxone and Spectinomycin. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: As we expected, resistance to Penicillin, Tetracycline and Ciprofloxacin is high and can't no longer be recommended for the treatment of gonorrhea in our area; Ceftriaxone, Cefixime and Spectinomycin should be considered the antimicrobial of choice. We isolated a strain with modified sensitivity to Cefixime, a fact that we should be worry about.

In vitro study of staphylococci susceptibility to gatifloxacin.

UNLABELLED: Gatifloxacin is in a class of drug called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It eliminates bacteria that cause many infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, sinus, respiratory tract and urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution is used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of gatifloxacin against recent 457 staphylococci, community isolates and compared it with that of pefloxacin. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Powders of gatifloxacin and pefloxacin, obtained from commercial sources were tested in concentration range from 0.125 to 64 mg/l. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the agar dilution method established by NCCLS guidelines. RESULTS: The MIC 50 values for tested quinolones against coagulase-positive staphylococci are identically with MIC 90 (0.125 mg/l for gatifloxacin and 0.25 mg/l for pefloxacin respectively). Against coagulase-negative staphylococci the MICs 50 values were two-fold smaller than MICs 90 values for both gatifloxacin and pefloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Gatifloxacin was more active than pefloxacin against coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Cefpirome susceptibility in staphylococci isolates.

UNLABELLED: Cefpirome is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with an expanded spectrum against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of cefpirome against staphylococci, clinical isolates. For comparison oxacillin was also tested. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total 434 isolates (coagulase-positive staphylococci, n = 268 and coagulase-negative staphylococci, n = 166) were tested. Susceptibility testing was performed using the Mueller-Hinton agar dilution method. RESULTS: Cefpirome inhibited the majority of strains at 0.5-8 mg/l. Cefpirome had excellent activity against coagulase-negative staphylococci with 91.6% susceptibility. Except the coagulase-positive staphylococci, of the 268 isolates, 81.3% were cefpirome sensitive. Concerning oxacillin, 35.1% of coagulase-positive staphylococci isolates were resistant, comparative with 26.5% of the coagulase-negative staphylococci. A cross-resistance analysis showed the association of resistance between cefpirome and oxacillin. CONCLUSION: Against staphylococci, cefpirome had the best activity when compared with the oxacillin.

[Detection of metallo-beta-lactamases in gram-negative bacilli isolated in hospitals from Romania--research fellowship report]. / Depistarea producerii de metalo-beta-lactamaze la bacili gram-negativi izolati în spitale din România.

The emergence of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacilli has become a global concern since these beta-lactams are often the only effective treatment left against many multiresistant strains. Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing isolates are now widespread worldwide, and especially in Europe where they have been responsible for rather large outbreaks. Our study proposes to investigate the presence of such isolates in Romania and to characterize them at the molecular level. A total of 28 clinical isolates clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were collected between 2003 and 2007 from 5 hospitals in 3 cities in north-east of Romania (Iasi, Bacau, Galati). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI guidelines. MBL detection was performed using the EPI phenotypic test and PCR, that was confirmed by hydrolysis test. The structure of MBL-encoding class 1 integron was determined by PCR mapping and sequencing. Genotyping was performed by RAPD. Only 2 strains showed a positive EPI test. PCR and sequencing revealed the presence of bla(VIM-2) and bla(IMP-13) genes, in strains 16GL Pa and 247Pa, respectively. RAPD showed clonal relatedness between the Pa247 and an Italian IMP-13 producing strain. Despite the infrequent occurrence of metallo-beta-lactamases in our settings, both VIM- and IMP-types are present in Romanian Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.

[Evaluation of the antifungal effect of a new propiconazole derivative against 64 yeast strains isolated from vaginal mycosis]. / Evaluarea efectului antifungic al unui nou derivat de propiconazol fata de 64 tulpini levurice izolate din micoze vaginale.

Worldwide, vaginal candidosis represents a significant health problem in women of childbearing age. The aim of this paper is to evaluate under in vitro conditions resembling the vaginal microenvironment, the antifungal activity of a new propiconazole derivative against 64 strains of yeast species isolated from vulvovaginitis. The tests exhibited low MICs for all strains and this finding may be useful in using of this new azole compound for treatment of mycotic vaginitis.

Correlation between linezolid zone diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration values determined by regression analysis.

Linezolid is a new synthetic antibiotic belonging to the oxazolidinone class, available for the therapy of gram-positive infections, caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and penicillin-resistant pneumococci. The aim of the study was to determine the in vitro activity of linezolid against staphylococci strains and also to determine the relationship between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and inhibition zone diameter by calculating the regression analysis. We tested one hundred S. aureus isolates, obtained from healthy persons (naso-pharyngeal swabs) during 2005 year. The antibiotic susceptibility of strains was determined by disk diffusion standardized method and by agar dilution method using a multipoint inoculator. The relationship between the diameter of the inhibition zone produced by a linezolid disc impregnated with a fixed amount (30 eg) was determined by regression performed with the least squares method, considering the log2 of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as the independent variable and the zone diameter as the dependent variable. The MIC values expressed in logarithmic form are plotted against inhibition zone diameter (arithmetic scale) of the same strain. The activity of linezolid against staphylococci was very good, with MIC 90 of 1 mg/l. All strains were fully sensitive. The regression line for linezolid passes through a continuous series of points that all are approximately located on the a straight line. For each of the MIC values the differences result no greater than 23 mm in diameter sizes were registered. Regression equation was y= -0.188x + 8.048. In conclusion, the regression line analysis calculated for linezolid, demonstrates a significant correlation between MIC values and the inhibition zone diameters obtained by a 30 mg disc.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from colonized hospital personnel.

The present study was performed to investigate the in vitro activity of oxacillin and other antimicrobial agents against S. aureus strains obtained from nursing personnel. We tested 127 S. aureus colonizing nasal mucous and hand skin and isolated from nursing personnel of University Hospital Department of Infectious Diseases, Iasi, during June 2005 period. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the dilution method in Mueller-Hinton agar. Most of the S. aureus strains were susceptible to tested agents excepted erythromycin and azithromycin. Erythromycin and azithromycin resistance was observed among 29.1% respectively 22% of S. aureus strains. Vancomycin was active against all isolates. Teicoplanin was active against against all MRSA excepted one of the strain, with an reduced susceptibility. Linezolid has very good in vitro activity against staphylococci, with an MIC 90 of 2 mcg/ml and only 0.8% resistance. The MIC values range was between 0.5-2 mcg/ml. In conclusion, the usually hygienic methods (disposable gowns, hygienic hand disinfection after each patients contact, masks use when is a risk of aerosolization of MRSA) are indicate for significantly reducing of these strains.

Disseminated infection due to Candida guilliermondii in a patient with AML(M4). Case study.

UNLABELLED: A 43-year-old patient admitted with acute myelogenous leukemia, developed bronchopneumonia and sepsis during profound neutropenia. Fever and pulmonary infiltrates did not improve by using empiric antibacterial therapy (Cefoperazona-Sulbactam, Trimethoprim-Sulphametoxazol). Blood and sputum culture were performed and patient received Voriconazol. Both cultures, from blood and sputum, yielded Candida guilliermondii after 48 hours of incubations. The isolates have the same biochemical and antimicrobial spectrum and were susceptible to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole. After a few days of therapy with Voriconazol, fever disappeared and the clinical state of patient was improved. A culture from pharyngeal swab, performed after 11 days, yielded the same microorganism. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The emergence of less common, but medically important fungal pathogens, including Candida guilliermondii, contributes to the rate of morbidity and mortality, especially in the increasingly expanding population of immunocompromised patients. (2) We consider that the oropharyngeal colonization with Candida guilliermondii and profound neutropenia predispose our patient to develop bronchopneumonia and candidemia.

Susceptibility of Klebsiella spp. to cefpirome and cefepime.

Cefpirome and cefepime possess a greater antibacterial spectrum in vitro than third-generation cephalosporins because they are active against Enterobacteriaceae, which produce beta-lactamases, which may inactivate third-generation cephalosporins. The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare the in vitro activity of cefpirome and cefepime against Klebsiella spp. isolates. We have studied 342 Klebsiella spp. clinical isolates, from some hospitals in Eastern Romania. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the dilution method in Mueller-Hinton agar. The mean MIC of sensitive population by cefpirome and cefepime was 1 mg/l, eight fold lower than breakpoint for susceptibility. The cefpirome and cefepime MICs remained below the proposed breakpoints for sensitivity of 8 mg/l for more 60% of strains. Mean "S" (mean MIC of the fully sensitive strains) is a very good indicator of the drug activity. Cefpirome and cefepime are active fourth-generation cephalosporins against clinical isolates of Klebsiella spp.

[Victor Babes's messages]. / Mesaje de la Victor Babes.

Victor Babes appears in the greatest history of medicine books, medical dictionaries and encyclopedias in the world. His extraordinary work has many priorities in microbiology, immunology and histopathology. He did not belong to a certain school. He taught himself. But Victor Babes joined the group of the great European doctors from the most famous European schools. He created well known professors in the field of human and veterinary medicine. Admirers, people who deny his accomplishments, historians and communist spokes-persons have written about him. He wrote about himself when he was forced to protect his dignity and his work.

[Current trends in the epidemiology of bloodstream infections in patients with hematological malignancies and solid neoplasms]. / Spectrul etiologic al infectiilor sistemice la pacientii cu hemopatii maligne si tumori solide.

OBJECTIVES: to characterize the epidemiological and microbiological spectrum of systemic infections in hematological and oncological patients. METHOD: a prospective study of bloodstream infections was conducted between May 2004-December 2005 in two hospitals from Iasi. RESULTS: We investigated a total of 86 suspected episodes of systemic infections that occurred in 76 selected patients, 40 males and 36 females (average age = 26 years old). There were 39 (45.35%) febrile episodes with positive blood culture and 47 (54.65%) with negative blood culture. The most common microorganisms were gram-positive cocci 12 (30.76%), followed by stable cell-wall deficient forms 9 (23.07%), gram-negative bacteria 7 (17.95%), gram-positive bacteria 5 (12.82%), fungi 4 (10.25%), and anaerobes 2 (5%). From the total of 23 cell-wall deficient form strains (58.97%), 14 returned to their typical morphology (6 gram-positive cocci, 5 gram-positive bacilli, 3 gram-negative bacilli) and 9 were L-stable. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The isolation rate of 45.5% was in accordance with literature reports; similar percentages of gram-positive and gram-negative isolates were found (the shift from predominating gram-negative to a gram-positive etiology was noted). 2) A high proportion of cell wall deficient forms was found, rarely reported in previous studies. 3) Studies reporting local microbiological findings are necessary because they support an initial empiric antibiotic regimens for prophylaxis or therapy more accurately than from other areas. The right treatment protocols remain to be established.

[Susceptibility to norfloxacin of some bacterial strains causing urinary infections]. / Sensibilitatea la norfloxacin a unor tulpini bacteriene implicate in infectii urinare.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of norfloxacin in comparison with ofloxacin, pefloxacin and ciprofloxacin against 662 strains. The studied strains were obtained from urine, during 2003 period, in Eastern region of Romania. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined on Mueller-Hinton agar by the dilution technique, with an inoculum of 10(5) CFU/spot. Among tested quinolones, norfloxacin has the better activity against tested strains. The fluoroquinolone compounds were very potent against Escherichia coil strains. Our data shown the spread of quinolone resistance in our area and demonstrated the necessity of adequate antibiotic use in the hospital and community.

[Meropenem activity against staphylococci]. / Activitatea meropenemului asupra stafilococilor.

Meropenem is a new carbapenem with excellent activity against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Its good antibacterial activity is closely related to high hydrolysis resistance by bacterial beta-lactamases. The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial activity of meropenem by comparison that of oxacillin, gentamicin, clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin against 458 staphylococci collected during 2004 period from healthy individuals. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by agar dilution technique. Meropenem has an activity clearly superior to the other tested agents. Resistance rate is zero for all investigated strains.

[Subacute bacterial endocarditis due to Pasteurella pneumotropica. Case Report]. / Endocardita bacteriana subacuta determinata de Pasteurella pneumotropica. Studiu de caz.

Endocarditis due to Pasteurella pneumotropica are very rarely described. We report a new case of bacterial endocarditis in a 43 years-old patient with mitral stenosis. The patient was admitted to the hospital for lethargy, malaise and hemiparesis. On physical examination, a new systolic murmur was found. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a vegetation on the mitral valve. Three blood culture sets were drawn and after 24 hours of incubation, the last two sets yielded Pasteurella pneumotropica and cell wall deficient forms (L-forms). The patient was successfully treated with gentamicin and ceftriaxone and underwent mitral valve replacement.

[In vitro susceptibility of a Staphylococcus spp. isolate to food preservatives]. / Sensibilitatea in vitro a unor izolate de Staphylococcus spp. la conservanti din produse alimentare.

Chemical food preservatives are incorporated into food products with the objective of preventing or delaying microbial spoilage and development of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study the in vitro activity of two esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid (methyl paraben and propyl paraben) was investigated against 434 staphylococci isolates from healthy people. The agar dilution method was used for studying the antimicrobial activity. The investigated parabens were active against staphylococci with minimum inhibitory concentrations lower than commonly used levels for food preservation.

A study for the improvement of the cytological urine examination performances in upper tract infection diagnosis.

Diagnosis of the location of upper and lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is necessary in defining the therapeutic conduct that has a different period and intensity according to the infection location and in prognosis. Many studies show the lack of clinical criteria peculiarity in revealing the different location of UTI. As a result, the correct location of the level in which UTI develops is the necessity of paraclinical investigations. Urinary sample examination, in which urinary sediment microscopy is essential, is a reliable technique in fast detection and localization of UTI. Finding, in pyuria context, the classic significant bacteriuria (> or = 10(5) CFU/ml) or lower value bacteriuria (< or = 10(4) CFU/ml) confirms the UTI diagnosis. The upper tract infection prognosis increases when leukocyte cylinders, characteristic for pyelonephritis, appear together with intact or degraded leukocytes, single or grouped. We settled an algorithm to examine the urine samples in order to: Concentrate and preserve the structural integrity of leukocytes and cylinders, examining the conventional urinary sediment Precisely identify and differentiate these elements by vital coloration (leukocyte peroxidase coloration and Sternheimer - Malbin coloration) to establish more accurate the UTI level. The vital coloration for leukocyte peroxidase has cytological specificity, confirming the pyuria and the cylinders that contain leukocytes (leukocytary, granular, mixed) and obviously ameliorates the reliability and reproducibility of the urinary sediment cytological exam.