Decreased mortality of weaned pigs with Streptococcus suis with the use of in-water potassium penicillin G.

This study evaluated the efficacy of potassium penicillin G in drinking water of weaned pigs to reduce mortality and spread of infection caused by Streptococcus suis. A total of 896 18-day-old weaned pigs were randomly assigned to either treatment with potassium penicillin G in-water (Treated), or no treatment (Control). The outcomes analyzed were total mortality, mortality due to S. suis, and overall counts of S. suis colonies. The risk of mortality due to S. suis and total mortality were significantly increased in the Control group compared with Treated pigs (P < 0.05). Bacterial culture of posterior pharyngeal swabs indicated that Control pigs were significantly more likely to have ≥ 1000 colonies of S. suis per plate than were Treated pigs (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that potassium penicillin G administered in drinking water is effective in reducing mortality associated with S. suis infection and reducing tonsillar carriage of S. suis.

Clinical and in vitro efficacy of amoxicillin against bacteria associated with feline skin wounds and abscesses.

A clinical trial involving 122 cats with infected skin wounds or abscesses presented to 10 veterinary clinics was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 2 oral amoxicillin drug products (a paste and a suspension). A 2nd objective of the study was to identify bacteria involved in such infections and verify their in vitro sensitivity to amoxicillin. Samples of wound exudate were harvested at the time of presentation and submitted for aerobic and anaerobic culture. The sensitivity to amoxicillin of isolates thought to be infecting agents was tested, using a standard minimum inhibitory concentration method. Pasteuralla multocida and obligate anaerobes of the genera Prevotella, Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas were the most frequently isolated pathogens. Overall, their in vitro susceptibility to amoxicillin was very good. Both drug products were clinically efficacious with a global success rate of 95.1% for cats administered oral amoxicillin at 11-22 mg/kg bodyweight (mean 13.8 mg/kg bodyweight) twice daily for 7 to 10 days.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in African-American patients in a six-week trial.

The lipid-modifying effects of statin therapy in hypercholesterolemic African-Americans have not been well characterized. This study compared the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin treatment for 6 weeks in hypercholesterolemic African-American adults. In the African American Rosuvastatin Investigation of Efficacy and Safety (ARIES) trial (4522US/0002), 774 adult African-Americans with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol > or = 160 and < or = 300 mg/dl and triglycerides < 400 mg/dl were randomized to receive open-label rosuvastatin 10 or 20 mg or atorvastatin 10 or 20 mg for 6 weeks. At week 6, significantly greater reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B concentrations, as well as lipoprotein and apolipoprotein ratios, were seen with rosuvastatin versus milligram-equivalent atorvastatin doses (analysis of variance with Bonferroni-adjusted critical p < 0.017 for all comparisons). Rosuvastatin 10 mg also increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly more than atorvastatin 20 mg (p < 0.017). Although statistical comparisons were not performed, larger proportions of rosuvastatin-treated patients than atorvastatin-treated patients achieved National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. The median high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced statistically from baseline with rosuvastatin 20 mg and atorvastatin 20 mg among all patients and with rosuvastatin 10 and 20 mg and atorvastatin 20 mg in those patients with a baseline C-reactive protein level > 2.0 mg/L. The 2 study medications were well tolerated during the 6-week study period. In conclusion, rosuvastatin 10 and 20 mg improved the overall lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic African-Americans better than did milligram-equivalent doses of atorvastatin.