Synthesis, characterization and anti-trypanosomal activity of R-(-)carvone and arylketones-thiosemi carbazones and toxicity against Artemia salina Leach.

This work is focused on the synthesis and characterization of a series of N(4)- substituted thiosemicarbazones and the evaluation of their in-vitro anti-trypanosomal activity and toxicity. A series of thiosemicarbazones (1-4) and N(4)-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazones (5-8) have been synthesized on R-(-)carvone, acetophenone, 4’-methylacetophenone and benzophenone by condensation reaction with good yields. All compounds were characterized by spectrometrical analysis methods infrared IR, nuclear magnetic resonance NMR (1H &13C) and mass spectrometry MS, confirming their structures respectively, and were evaluated for their invitro parasitic activity against the bloodstream form of the strain 427 of Trypanosoma brucei brucei using the “LILIT, Alamar Blue” method (Baltzet al., 1985; Hirumi et al., 1994; Räz et al.,1997). Their toxicity against brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina Leach) was studied, according to the method of Michael et al. (1956) resumed byVanhaecke et al. (1981) and bySleet and Brendel (1983). Some of them have exhibited a strong trypanocidal activity, especially compounds 8, 3, 1 and 4 with their half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values equal to 8.48, 8.73, 39.71 and 67.17 micro-molar (μM) respectively. Except compounds 1 and 4whose half-lethal concentration (LC50) values were20.58 and 33.72 μM respectively and then toxics, all synthesized compounds showed negligible toxicity against Artemia salinaL. (LC50> 280 μM) and good selectivity (S) (SI “index” ≤1).

The detection of mupirocin resistance and the distribution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica / Detección de la resistencia a la mupirocina y distribución de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina en el Hospital Universitario de West Indies, Jamaica

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the susceptibility of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates to Mupirocin and other antimicrobial agents and to record the prevalence and distribution of this organism at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). METHODS: MRSA isolates collected between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, were tested for low and high level resistance to Mupirocin. Susceptibility testing to other antibiotics including cotrimoxazole, minocycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin and vancomycin was also done. Laboratory records for all patients from whom MRSA was recovered were reviewed and data on type and source of isolates, clinical diagnosis, history of previous hospitalization and use of mupirocin were extracted. In addition, the laboratory records for 2004 and 2005 were also reviewed to determine prevalence during these periods. RESULTS: Seven per cent of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were resistant to methicillin (MRSA) and of these, 30% and 24% showed low level and high level resistance to mupirocin, respectively. Ninety-four per cent of MRSA strains were resistant to erythromycin while 52% showed resistance to clindamycin. Resistance to tetracycline, co-trimoxazole and minocycline was 27%, 12% and 6%, respectively, while about one-third ofthe isolates were resistant to gentamicin. There was no resistance to vancomycin. More than half (58%) of the isolates were from skin and soft tissue specimens while isolates from respiratory and urinary tracts and the bloodstream accounted for 19%, 13% and 4%, respectively. There has been a steady increase in prevalence from 4% in 2004 to 5% in 2007 and 7% in 2008. CONCLUSION: Resistance of MRSA to mupirocin appears to be an emerging problem at the UHWI and must be monitored carefully. There is also significant resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents and strict adherence to antibiotic policy is required to preserve the usefulness of these agents.

OBJETIVOS: Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar la susceptibilidad de aislados de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes (MRSA) frente a la mupirocina y otros agentes antimicrobianos, y grabar la prevalencia y distribución de este organismo en el Hospital Universitario de West Indies (UHWI). MÉTODOS: Aislados de MRSA recogidos entre el 1ero. de enero de 2008 y el 31 de diciembre de 2008, fueron sometidos a prueba a fin de determinar sus niveles bajo y alto de resistencia a la mupirocina. También se investigó la susceptibilidad frente a otros antibióticos tales como co-trimoxazol, minociclina, tetraciclina, clindamicina, eritromicina, gentamicina y vancomicina. Se revisaron las historias de laboratorio de todos los pacientes de quienes de recobró MRSA, y se extrajeron datos sobre el tipo y fuente de los aislados, el diagnóstico clínico, la historia de hospitalización previa, y el uso de mupirocina. Además, se revisaron las historias clínicas de laboratorio de 2004 y 2005 a fin de determinar la prevalencia durante estos periodos. RESULTADOS: Setenta por ciento de los ailados de estafilococo dorado era resistente a la meticilina (MRSA) y de éstos, 30% y 24% mostraron un bajo nivel y un alto nivel de resistencia a la mupirocina, respectivamente. Noventa y cuatro por ciento de las cepas de MRSA eran resistentes a la eritromicina, mientras que el 52% mostró resistencia a la clindamicina. La resistencia a la tetraciclina, el cotrimoxazol, y la minociclina fue de 27%, 12% y 6%, respectivamente, mientras que aproximadamente un tercio de los aislados eran resistentes a la gentamicina. No hubo resistencia a la vancomicina. Más de la mitad (58%) de los aislados procedían de especimenes de tejido blando y de la piel, mientras que los aislados de las vías respiratorias y urinarias así como del torrente sanguíneo constituyeron el 19%, 13% y 4%, respectivamente. Ha habido un aumento constante de la prevalencia de 4% en 2004 a 5% en 2007 y 7% en 2008. CONCLUSIÓN: La resistencia de MRSA a la mupirocina parece ser un problema emergente en el HUWI y debe monitorearse cuidadosamente. Hay también una resistencia significativa a los agentes antimicrobianos normalmente usados y se requiere una adhesión estricta a la política antibiótica a fin de preservar la utilidad de estos agentes.

Aortic dissection: an autopsy experience

Aortic dissection was confirmed in 33 patients at autopsy at the University Hospital of the West Indies between 1975 and 1988. Twenty-five cases were acute and 8 chronic and the diagnosis was made ante-mortem in 5 cases overall. The high risk of rupture of proximal dissections involving the ascending aorta into the pericardial sac is clear, and the overriding importance of systemic hypertension is once again confirmed. An unusual finding was the higher proportion of females to males. A higher index of suspicion should permit an antemortem diagnosis and appropriate therapy in a larger proportion of patients

Torsade de pointes: an unusual form of ventricular tachycardia

A 65-year-old man with hypertension and glaucoma developed diuretic-induced hypokalaemia complicated by torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia. This arrhythimia requires accurate recognition so that appropriate therapy may be administered. When torsade de pointes is diagnosed, a careful search for underlying causes should be conducted as revesal of these may prove curative, as in this case

Disseminated infection caused by penicillin-resistant gonococci in two jamaicans

Disseminated gonococcal infection due to penicillin-resistant organisms is very unusual. Two such cases occuring at the University Hospital of the West Indies are described. Implications for therapy are discussed