Nosocomial and community-acquired Enterobacter cloacae bloodstream infection: risk factors for and prevalence of SHV-12 in multiresistant isolates in a medical centre.

In a medical centre in northern Taiwan, 60 patients had bloodstream infection caused by Enterobacter cloacae from 1 January 2002 to 30 April 2003. Forty (66.7%) were nosocomial and 26 were caused by multiresistant isolates. Twenty patients died due to the infection. Central venous catheterization and mechanical ventilation were relative risks for nosocomial E. cloacae infection. Age and mechanical ventilation were risk factors for multiresistant E. cloacae infection. Mortality was associated with multiresistant isolates and polymicrobial infection. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis showed, the 26 multiresistant isolates comprised 12 different types, with type A predominating (12 isolates). Excluding the patients infected with PFGE type A, central venous catheterization was a relative risk for infection, and polymicrobial infection was a risk factor for mortality. All but one of the 26 multiresistant isolates had the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase SHV-12. TEM-1 and ampC beta-lactamase genes were also detected in 25 of the 26 multiresistant isolates. Southern blotting indicated that the SHV-12 gene was located on plasmids. Eleven of the 26 multiresistant isolates had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) > or =16 mg/L for cefepime, which was reduced by the addition of sulbactam for most isolates, resulting in susceptibility. The combination of cefepime and sulbactam may be effective in the treatment of multiresistant E. cloacae bloodstream infection.

Pasteurella multocida bacteremia due to non-bite animal exposure in cirrhotic patients: report of two cases.

Pasteurella species are very small gram-negative coccobacilli. They are normal flora found in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of many animals, and can cause various infections including septicemia and pneumonia. Human infection with Pasteurella multocida occurs commonly as a localized cellulitis caused by animal bites. This report described 2 rare cases of P. multocida bacteremia in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices. Both patients had a history of contact with sick-appearing stray dogs, but neither had been bitten. P. multocida bacteremia should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices who have a history of non-bite animal exposure. Avoidance of animal contact by immunocompromised patients is the most important factor in preventing pasteurellosis.

Novel cytotoxic cembranoids from the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis.

Three new cytotoxic cembranoid diterpenes, sinuflexolide (1), dihydrosinuflexolide (2), and sinuflexibilin (3), have been isolated from the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis. The structures of compounds 1-3 were determined by spectral and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Isolation, identification, and synthesis of sex pheromone components of female tea cluster caterpillar,Andraca bipunctata walker (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) in Taiwan.

Octadecanal (18:Ald), (E)-11-octadecenal (E11-18:Ald), (E)-14-octadecenal (E14-18:Ald) and (E,E)-11,14-octadecadienal (E11,E14-18:Ald) were isolated and identified as major components from the pheromone glands of the tea cluster caterpillar,Andraca bipunctata, in Taiwan by analyzing the mass spectra of gland components and their DMDS adducts. GC retention times and mass spectra of the components were in agreement with those of authentic synthetic compounds. The average amount of 18:Ald,E11-18:Ald,E14-18:Ald andE11,E14-18:Ald per female gland (1 to 3 days old) was 121±76, 50±20, 187±75, and 237±110 ng, respectively, in a ratio of 20:8:31:41. SyntheticE11,E14-18:Ald caught more males than each of the other three components or blank control in field trapping tests.E11,E14-18:Ald is reported as an insect sex pheromone for the first time. Male antenna responded toE11,E14-18:Ald strongly in an EAG analysis. Furthermore, 4 hr after the injection of PBAN (pheromone biosynthetic activating neuropeptide) into decapitated female moths (2 days old), the percentage of theE11,E14-C18 Ald in the gland extract increased from 0% to 75.5%, which was also significantly more than that of unligated and uninjected control at 55.1%. All these data indicated thatE11,E14-18:Ald is the sex pheromone of theAndraca bipunctata in Taiwan.

Sex pheromone components of female smaller tea tortrix moth,Adoxophyes sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Taiwan.

(Z)-11-Teiradecenyl acetate (Z11-14: Ac) and (Z)-9-tetrade-cenyl acetate (Z9-14: Ac) were isolated as major sex pheromone components from the female tips of the smaller tea tortrix moth,Adoxophyes sp., in Taiwan. The average amount ofZ11- andZ9-14: Ac in each female gland was 24.9 and 14.1 ng, in a ratio of 64∶36, respectively. When compared to a closely related Japanese strain, which used theZ9-14: Ac,Z11-14∶ Ac,E11-14:Ac, 10-Me-12:Ac four-component system (in a ratio of 63∶31∶4∶2), the Taiwan formulation of two components caught significantly more Taiwan males than the Japanese formulation of four components.