The second nationwide surveillance of antibacterial susceptibility patterns of pathogens isolated from skin and soft-tissue infections in dermatology departments in Japan.

The present study compared trends in antimicrobial resistance patterns in pathogens isolated from skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) in Japan with those of a nationwide survey conducted in 2013. Three organisms that caused most of the SSTIs were collected from 12 dermatology departments in medical centers and 12 dermatology clinics across Japan between April 2019 and August 2020. A total of 390 strains, including 267 Staphylococcus aureus, 109 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), and 14 Streptococcus pyogenes strains were submitted to a central laboratory for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Patient demographic and clinical information was collated. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was detected in 25.8% (69/267) of the S. aureus strains. The prevalence of MRSA between the present study and the 2013 survey did not differ significantly. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in MIC values and susceptibility patterns of the MRSA strains to other agents, regardless of a history of hospitalization within 1 year or invasive medical procedures. Methicillin-resistant CNS (MRCNS) was detected in 48.6% (53/109) of CNS isolates, higher than the 35.4% prevalence in the 2013 survey. This difference could be attributed to the heterogeneity in the members of the MRCNS, which comprises multiple staphylococci species, between the 2013 and 2019 surveys. However, it was noted that the susceptibility profiles of the MRCNS to each antibiotic were not significantly different from those identified in the 2013 survey. Most strains of S. pyogenes were susceptible to each antibiotic, similar to the 2013 survey. Continuous monitoring of trends in pathogen and susceptibility profiles is important to advise local public health efforts regarding the appropriate treatment of SSTIs.

Evaluation of the antihistamine effects of olopatadine and levocetirizine during a 24-h period: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled comparison in skin responses induced by histamine iontophoresis.

The antihistamine effects of olopatadine and levocetirizine, in standard-dose application described in their information (5 mg twice a day for olopatadine; 5 mg once daily for levocetirizine), were examined from 11.5 to 24 h after application. The test was designed in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled study of 12 healthy volunteers on histamine-induced flare and wheal response using an iontophoresis technique. The suppressive effect of olopatadine on the wheals induced by a 0.1-mA histamine iontophoresis lasted for 24 h after dosing. Both drugs inhibited flare induced by histamine iontophoresis almost completely until 24 h after the first administration. Suppression of the 0.2-mA-induced wheal response by levocetirizine, taken once daily, decreased with time, although 0.1-mA-induced flare was almost completely suppressed by the drug. Olopatadine completely suppressed even the wheal response induced by a 0.2-mA histamine iontophoresis. Compared with the placebo, the two drugs significantly suppressed the subjective itching assessed by visual analog scale at all intervals. There were no significant differences in subjective drowsiness and objective cognitive function between drug- and placebo-treated subjects. These results demonstrate that olopatadine seems to be more potent than levocetirizine when administrated in a standard dose. In conclusion, mild to moderate urticaria could be controlled by standard application as described in their information. On the other hand, severe urticaria could be managed by a standard application of olopatadine, but levocetirizine may need an additional dose to control severe urticaria.

Concanavalin A induces formation of osteoclast-like cells in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.

The effect of lectins on the formation of osteoclasts in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells was examined. Concanavalin A (Con A) induced the formation of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) whereas pokeweed mitogen and phytohemagglutinin did not do it. Con A-induced MGC were positive for tartrate- resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, a histochemical marker of osteoclasts. Murine splenic macrophages differentiated into TRAP-positive and multinucleated cells in response to Con A whereas peritoneal macrophages did not. The culture supernatant from Con A-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells did not cause the MGC formation. The relationship between Con A-induced GMC formation and osteoclastgenesis is discussed.