Outcome and Adequacy of Empirical Antibiotherapy in Post-Operative Peritonitis: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Empirical antibiotherapy (EA) should target all bacteria in post-operative peritonitis (PP). Nevertheless, recent studies failed to prove a link between adequacy of EA and prognosis of PP. We sought to confirm this loss of association between adequate EA and prognosis and to analyze the evolution of patients' characteristics and antimicrobial strategies. Methods: This is was retrospective study. Patients with a positive fungal culture were excluded. The cohort was divided into two time periods. Data of survivors and non-survivors were compared within each time period. Differences between the two periods were assessed. A multivariable analysis searched for parameters associated with a higher hospital mortality rate. Results: Two hundred fifty-one patients were included, with 92 patients in the first period (P1) and 152 patients in the second period (P2). Inadequate EA was associated with a worse outcome only in P1. The multivariable analysis in the whole cohort showed that inadequate EA was associated with a higher mortality rate. When the differences noticed between the two periods were entered in the model (presence of resistant gram-positive cocci and EA comprising glycopeptides), inadequate EA was no longer associated with worse outcome. In P1, the most severe patients had more resistant bacteria, hence, had a higher rate of inadequate EA. This artifact disappeared in P2, during which broader antibiotherapies with triple EA were more often prescribed for the most severe patients. Conclusion: This study showed that the link between inadequate EA and outcome of patients with PP was at least partly artifactual in older studies.

Nosocomial and Community-Acquired Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in patients with liver cirrhosis in China: Comparative Microbiology and Therapeutic Implications.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. This study was performed to compare the microbiological characteristics of nosocomial and community-acquired episodes of bacterial peritonitis in China. Five hundred and seventy-five strains were isolated from the ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients from the Beijing 302 Hospital from January 2014 to December 2014. The patients in the community-acquired SBP (n = 264) and the nosocomial SBP (n = 311) groups exhibited significant differences in clinical symptoms (P < 0.01) [corrected]. In both groups, most of the bacteria were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Enterococcus. There were more frequent gram-positive cocci (G+ C) in the nosocomial group (n = 170). Compared with the community-acquired group, the proportion of Enterococcus was significantly increased in the nosocomial group (9.0% vs. 16.6%, P < 0.05). The resistance rate of the main pathogenic bacteria to the recommended first-line drug in the guideline was very high. Community-acquired and nosocomial SBP groups exhibited differences in clinical symptoms and antibiotic susceptibility tests. Optimal treatments should be provided for these patients. We recommend that cefoperazone/sulbactam or piperacillin/tazobactam should be used for the empirical treatment of SBP.

Microbiology and resistance in first episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: implications for management and prognosis.

PURPOSE: International guidelines for antibiotic treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are based on studies conducted decades ago and do not reflect regional differences of bacterial epidemiology. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed epidemiology of agents, antibiotic resistance patterns, and survival in liver cirrhosis patients with their first episode of SBP during the years 2007-2013. RESULTS: Of the 311 patients included, 114 patients had a positive ascites culture, and 197 had an ascitic neutrophil count >250 µL. Gram-positive bacteria (47.8%) were more frequently found than Gram-negatives (44.9%), fungi in 7.2%. Enterobacter spp. (40.6%), Enterococcus spp. (26.1%), and Staphylcoccus spp. (13.8%) were the most frequently isolated agents. Third-generation cephalosporins covered 70.2% of non-nosocomial and 56.3% of nosocomial-acquired SBP cases.When SBP was diagnosed by a positive ascitic culture, survival was highly significantly reduced (mean: 13.9 ± 2.9 months; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.1-19.8) compared with culture-negative SBP patients (mean: 44.1 ± 5.4 months; 95% CI: 33.4-54.9; P = 0.000). Along with model of end-stage liver disease score and intensive care unit contact, a positive ascites culture remained an independent risk factor associated with poor survival (odds ratio: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.09-2.03) in multivariate analysis; piperacillin/tazobactam proved to be an adequate antibiotic for nosocomial and non-nosocomial SBP in 85.1% and 92.5%, respectively. SBP infection with Enterococcus spp. was associated with poor patient survival (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Third-generation cephalosporins have poor microbial coverage for treatment of SBP. Current guidelines need to adapt for the emerging number of Gram-positive infectious agents in SBP patients.

Activity of antimicrobial combinations against KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a rat model and time-kill assay.

This study evaluated the efficacy of tigecycline (TIG), polymyxin B (PMB), and meropenem (MER) in 80 rats challenged with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae infection. A time-kill assay was performed with the same strain. Triple therapy and PMB+TIG were synergistic, promoted 100% survival, and produced negative peritoneal cultures, while MER+TIG showed lower survival and higher culture positivity than other regimens (P = 0.018) and was antagonistic. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that combined regimens, except MER+TIG, were more effective than monotherapies for this KPC-producing strain.

Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative aerobic bacteria causing intra-abdominal infections during 2010-2011.

The study for monitoring antimicrobial resistance trends (SMART) surveillance program monitors the epidemiology and trends in antibiotic resistance of intra-abdominal pathogens to currently used therapies. The current report describes such trends during 2010-2011. A total of 25,746 Gram-negative clinical isolates from intra-abdominal infections were collected and classified as hospital-associated (HA) if the hospital length of stay (LOS) at the time of specimen collection was ≥48 hours, community-associated (CA) if LOS at the time of specimen collection was <48 hours, or unknown (no designation given by participating centre). A total of 92 different species were collected of which the most common was Escherichia coli: 39% of all isolates in North America to 55% in Africa. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the second most common pathogen: 11% of all isolates from Europe to 19% of all isolates from Asia. Isolates were from multiple intra-abdominal sources of which 32% were peritoneal fluid, 20% were intra-abdominal abscesses, and 16.5% were gall bladder infections. Isolates were further classified as HA (55% of all isolates), CA (39% of all isolates), or unknown (6% of all isolates). The most active antibiotics tested were imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin, and piperacillin-tazobactam. Resistance rates to all other antibiotics tested were high. Considering the current data set and high-level resistance of intra-abdominal pathogens to various antibiotics, further monitoring of the epidemiology of intra-abdominal infections and their susceptibility to antibiotics through SMART is warranted.

Evolving epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a two-year observational study.

BACKGROUND: Current recommendations for empirical antimicrobial therapy in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are based on quite old trials. Since microbial epidemiology and the management of patients have changed, whether these recommendations are still appropriate must be confirmed. METHODS: An observational study that exhaustively collected the clinical and biological data associated with positive ascitic fluid cultures was conducted in four French university hospitals in 2010-2011. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-eight documented positive cultures were observed in 190 cirrhotic patients (median age 61.5 years, 58.5% Child score C). Of these, 57 were classified as confirmed SBP and 140 as confirmed bacterascites. The predominant flora was Gram-positive cocci, whatever the situation (SBP, bacterascites, nosocomial/health-care related or not). Enteroccocci (27.7% E. faecium) were isolated in 24% of the episodes, and in 48% from patients receiving quinolone prophylaxis. E. coli were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate and to third-generation cephalosporins in 62.5% and 89.5% of cases, respectively. No single antibiotic allowed antimicrobial coverage of more than 60%. Only combinations such as amoxicillin + third-generation cephalosporin or cotrimoxazole allowed coverage close to 75-80% in non-nosocomial episodes. Combinations based on broader spectrum antibiotics should be considered for empirical therapy of nosocomial infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the changing spectrum of pathogens in SBP and bacterascites, and the need for more complex antibiotic strategies than those previously recommended. Our findings also underline the need for new clinical trials conducted in the current epidemiological context.

Spontaneous ascitic fluid infection in liver cirrhosis: bacteriological profile and response to antibiotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous ascitic fluid infection (SAI) is common in cirrhotic patients leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Third-generation cephalosporins are currently recommended as first-line therapy. We conducted a prospective study to determine bacterial etiology, susceptibility patterns, and clinical epidemiology including 1-month mortality of SAIs among patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Records of 600 patients with suspected SAI over a 4-year period were analyzed. Empirical cefotaxime/ceftriaxone was initiated in patients who had a neutrophil count >250/mm(3). Treatment failure was defined by absence of clinical improvement and/or significant decrease in neutrophil count of ascites (<25 % of base line value) by 72 h of therapy. RESULTS: Seventy patients (11.6 %) had SAI, including 40 (57.1 %) culture-negative neutrocytic ascites (CNNA), 25 (35.8 %) spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and five (7 %) monomicrobial non-neutrocytic bacterascites (MNB). Gram-negative bacilli (Klebsiella and E. coli) were the commonest organisms. The overall response rate to ceftriaxone was 62.8 % (44/70). Among culture-positive patients (SBP and MNB), sensitivity rates to ceftriaxone was 50 %, while it was 53.3 % for quinolones, 70 % for piperacillin-tazobactam, and 93.3 % for cefoperazone-sulbactam combination. Thirty-day mortality was lower for CNNA compared to SBP (20 % vs. 40 %, p < 0.001) and for patients with response compared to no response to first antibiotic (11.3 % vs. 53.8 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The response of SAI to third-generation cephalosporins was low at our center. Cefoperazone-sulbactam could be a better alternative choice.

Effect of alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

AIM: To evaluate effective alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime-resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. METHODS: One hundred cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear cell count (PMNLs) ≥ 250 cells/mm(3) at admission] were empirically treated with cefotaxime sodium 2 g/12 h and volume expansion by intravenous human albumin. All patients were subjected to history taking, complete examination, laboratory tests (including a complete blood cell count, prothrombin time, biochemical tests of liver and kidney function, and fresh urine sediment), chest X-ray, a diagnostic abdominal paracentesis, and the sample subjected to total and differential cell count, chemical examination, aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Patients were divided after 2 d by a second ascitic PMNL count into group I; patients sensitive to cefotaxime (n = 81), group II (n = 19); cases resistant to cefotaxime (less than 25% decrease in ascitic PMNL count). Patients of group II were randomly assigned into meropenem (n = 11) or levofloxacin (n = 8) subgroups. All patients performed an end of treatment ascitic PMNL count. Patients were considered improved when: PMNLs decreased to < 250 cells/mm(3), no growth in previously positive culture cases, and improved clinical manifestations with at least 5 d of antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Age, sex, and Child classes showed no significant difference between group I and group II. Fever and abdominal pain were the most frequent manifestations and were reported in 82.7% and 80.2% of patients in group I and in 94.7% and 84.2% of patients in group II, respectively. Patients in group II had a more severe ascitic inflammatory response than group I and this was demonstrated by more ascitic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [median: 540 IU/L (range: 150-1200 IU/L) vs median: 240 IU/L (range: 180-500 IU/L), P = 0.000] and PMNL [median: 15,000 cell/mm(3) (range: 957-23,822 cell/mm(3)) vs 3400 cell/mm(3) (range: 695-26,400 cell/mm(3)), P = 0.000] counts. Ascitic fluid culture was positive in 32% of cases. Cefotaxime failed in 19% of patients; of these patients, 11 (100%) responded to meropenem and 6 (75%) responded to levofloxacin. Two patients with failed levofloxacin therapy were treated according to the in vitro culture and sensitivity (one case was treated with vancomycin and one case was treated with ampicillin/sulbactam). In group II the meropenem subgroup had higher LDH (range: 108-860 IU/L vs 120-491 IU/L, P = 0.042) and PMNL counts (range: 957-23,822 cell/mm(3)vs 957-15,222 cell/mm(3), P = 0.000) at initiation of the alternative antibiotic therapy; there was no significant difference in the studied parameters between patients responsive to meropenem and patients responsive to levofloxacin at the end of therapy (mean ± SD: 316.01 ± 104.03 PMNLs/mm(3)vs 265.63 ± 69.61 PMNLs/mm(3), P = 0.307). The isolated organisms found in group II were; enterococci, acinetobacter, expanded-spectrum ß-lactamase producing Escherichia coli, ß-lactamase producing Enterobacter and Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Empirical treatment with cefotaxime is effective in 81% of cases; meropenem is effective in cefotaxime-resistant cases.

Emergence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to enterococci - risk factors and outcome in a 12-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Third-generation cephalosporins (TGC) constitute the empirical first-line therapy for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Hospitalisation, invasive procedures and use of antibiotics may challenge this concept due to an increase in enterococci and other TGC-resistant microorganisms. AIM: To determine prevalence, risk factors and outcome of ascitic fluid infections caused by enterococci. METHODS: All independent episodes of culture-positive ascitic fluid between 2000 and 2011 in a German tertiary centre were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Out of 244 positive ascitic fluid cultures, 90 episodes of monomicrobial SBP and 25 episodes of monomicrobial bacterascites (BA) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis were identified. Enterococcus spp. were isolated in 32 (28%) episodes. We noticed a profound increase in the frequency of enterococcal infection over the study period from 11% to 35% (P = 0.007). Univariate risk factors for enterococcal SBP/BA included nosocomial infection (OR = 4.56; 95% CI 1.90-10.97), previous use of antibiotics (OR = 5.63; 95% CI 1.81-17.49) and recent gastrointestinal endoscopy (OR = 3.17; 95% CI 1.33-7.54). Nosocomial infection (OR = 3.29; P = 0.011) and recent antibiotic therapy (OR = 3.88; P = 0.025) remained independent risk factors for enterococcal infection in multivariate logistic regression and these factors contributed also to the model when only SBP cases were considered. In subjects with monomicrobial SBP who were treated with TGC or ciprofloxacin, the probability of 90-day survival was 12% in enterococcal infection compared to 50% in non-enterococcal SBP (P = 0.022 in log-rank test). CONCLUSION: Because of the increasing prevalence of enterococcal spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and its poor prognosis when treated inappropriately, clinicians should consider empirical therapy with anti-enterococcal antibiotics for patients with risk factors.

Treatment of ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis - part I.

National guidelines for treatment of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and hyponatremia have been approved by the Danish Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Ascites develops in approximately 60% of patients with cirrhosis during a 10 year period and is frequently associated with complications that determine the course of the disease and the prognosis. These evidence-based guidelines are divided in two parts and consider definitions, pathophysiology, diagnostic aspects, treatment, and prophylaxis.

[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in liver cirrhosis: optimization issues of prevention and treatment].

Research of features of a current of a spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) allows to allocate close interrelation between SBP, system inflammatory reaction and a sepsis to consider SBP, as one of stages in evolution of the difficult infectious process caused, as a rule, by resident flora, developing at patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC), which demands timely preventive maintenance and adequate antibacterial therapy. In the present work therapy and preventive maintenance SBP questions are considered. In article the extensive review of the data of the literature and own supervision by efficiency of treatment SBP also is presented. For the purpose of optimization of pharmacotherapy of the sick LC, the complicated ascites, had been conducted pharmacokinetics research ciprofloxacin (CPF) according to dynamics of its maintenance in blood serum (BS) and ascitic fluid (AF) depending on presence and ascites size. Materials and methods. Researches are spent 18 sick decompensated liver cirrhosis (a class B and C on Ch-P), without signs SBP after unitary reception of 500 mg CPF per os on an empty stomach. All patients have been divided on two groups: I gr. (n = 10) with the expressed, intense ascites (> 10 1) and II gr. (n = 8) with the moderate, small ascites. Definition CPF in BS also was already carried out by a method of a highly effective liquid chromatography. On the basis of the received data for each patient counted the semidelucing period (T1/2), the area under pharmacokinetic curve (curve concentration - time) - (AUC), volume of distribution of a preparation (Avd), factor AUC(AF)\MIC (size of the relation of the area under pharmacokinetic curve to its minimum inhibitive concentration). Results of research have shown that concentration levels (C) (CPF in BS and AF for the given concrete patient are at one level, showing thus distinctions in dynamic behavior. Average value AUC(AF)\MIC (MIC - minimum inhibitive concentration) at patients II gr. has made 187,3 +/- 5,6 h that almost in 2 times more than necessary value, as has allowed not to recommend to patients increase in dose CPF. On the contrary, parity AUC(AF)/MIC at patients I gr. has made 43,8 +/- 3,6 h (less than 100 h) that it is not enough for therapeutic effect. Conclusions. The conducted research has allowed to make the conclusion that presence and ascites size make essential impact on pharmacokinetic parameters CPF and to recommend increase in dose CPF to 1000 mg/days for sick LC with sharply expressed ascites and safe nephritic function.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis with Sepsis Caused by Enterococcus hirae

Selective intestinal decontamination (SID) with norfloxacin has been widely used for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) because of a high recurrence rate and preventive effect of SID for SBP. However, it does select resistant gut flora and may lead to SBP caused by unusual pathogens such as quinolone-resistant gram-negative bacilli or gram-positive cocci. Enterococcus hirae is known to cause infections mainly in animals, but is rarely encountered in humans. We report the first case of SBP by E. hirae in a cirrhotic patient who have previously received an oral administration of norfloxacin against SBP caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and presented in septic shock.

Bacteriologic epidemiology and empirical treatment of pediatric complicated appendicitis.

Preoperative samples in the context of complicated appendicitis (CA) are rarely collected, and there is no consensus regarding the optimal antibiotic therapy in children. To help optimize empirical preoperative treatment, we studied clinical and bacteriologic data from a prospective cohort of 93 children with CA in a French hospital. All the bacteria isolated from peritoneal fluids were identified, using phenotypic and/or molecular techniques. The most commonly recovered species were Escherichia coli (71%), Streptococcus group milleri (34%), anaerobes (20%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%). The association piperacillin-tazobactam is an accurate choice of empirical therapy as it is active against 97% of bacteria. A third-generation cephalosporin with metronidazole in association with an aminoglycoside is a good alternative. Although antibiotic use may be considered as an adjunct to surgical intervention of CA, the appropriate use of preoperative antibiotics is essential and must be constantly reevaluated according to the bacterial epidemiology.

In vitro and in vivo activities of linezolid alone and combined with vancomycin and imipenem against Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to glycopeptides.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of linezolid (35 mg/kg/5 h), vancomycin (60 mg/kg/5 h), imipenem (30 mg/kg/5 h), linezolid+imipenem, linezolid+vancomycin and vancomycin+imipenem against two clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates with reduced susceptibility to glycopeptides using time-kill curves and the murine peritonitis model. Time-kill curves were performed over 24 h. For the murine peritonitis model, peritonitis was induced by the intraperitoneal inoculation of 10(8) CFU/ml of each bacterial strain. Four hours later (0 h), the mice were randomly assigned to a control group or to therapeutic groups receiving subcutaneous treatment for 25 h. Bacterial counts in peritoneal fluid, bacteraemia and mortality rates were determined. The time-kill curves showed that the addition of linezolid to imipenem yielded synergistic results after 24 h. The addition of linezolid decreased vancomycin activity. In the animal model, vancomycin and linezolid monotherapies produced comparable bacterial decreases in mice infected with each strain but linezolid achieved higher rates of blood sterilisation. Linezolid tested either in monotherapy or in combination showed similar efficacy against both strains in terms of bacterial killing, number of negative blood cultures and survival. Linezolid and vancomycin were moderately bactericidal and similar in efficacy against glycopeptide-intermediate or -resistant S. aureus. Linezolid combinations, as effective as linezolid tested alone, could be considered as alternative options for the treatment of glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus (GISA) infections.

A recent evaluation of empirical cephalosporin treatment and antibiotic resistance of changing bacterial profiles in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the recent changes in microorganisms causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients, antibiotic resistance, and response to empirical cephalosporin therapy. A total of 218 patients with ascites secondary to cirrhosis were enrolled. Parenteral cefotaxime or cefepime was given to patients who had a neutrophil count of 250/mm(3) or more or a positive bacterial culture of ascitic fluid. Antibiotic failure was defined by an absence of clinical improvement and an insufficient decrease in neutrophil count of ascites (<25% of initial value) by the third day of therapy. Of all the patients, 44.6% had culture-negative neutrocytic ascites, 24.8% had spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and 10.1% had monomicrobial nonneutrocytic bacterascites. Growth in culture was observed in 76 patients (34.9%). The two most common isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (33.8%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS; 19.7%). The two cephalosporins were effective against E. coli (82%) and but not against CoNS (44%), while levofloxacin showed reasonable activity against both E. coli (71%) and CoNS (90%) in vitro. We confirmed a recent increased incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Levofloxacin seems to be a good alternative treatment for patients with uncomplicated spontaneous ascites infections.

Protective effect of Aloe vera on polymicrobial sepsis in mice.

Sepsis is an acute life-threatening clinical condition and remains the major cause of death in intensive care units. The primary pathophysiologic event central to the septic response is an overwhelming activation of the inflammatory system and countervailing response from the anti-inflammatory system. However, the cause of this perturbation has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we report that Aloe vera therapeutically reverses the lethality induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a clinically relevant model of sepsis. The administration of Aloe vera ameliorated the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, as evidenced by the serum levels of biochemical parameters and histological changes. In order to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Aloe vera, the levels of the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were determined by ELISA at various time points. The increases in the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were attenuated by Aloe vera.In vivo administration of Aloe vera also markedly enhanced bacterial clearance. Our findings suggest that Aloe vera could be a potential therapeutic agent for the clinical treatment of sepsis.

Effects of the probiotic agent Saccharomyces Boulardii on the DNA damage in acute necrotizing pancreatitis induced rats.

Pancreatitis is a mild and self-limiting disease. Although severe forms such as acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) are rare it is associated with significant mortality rate reported to be 30-70%. Probiotics are viable microbial dietary supplements when introduced in sufficient quantities can have beneficial effects. The physiological effects of probiotics include suppression of bacterial infections, production of some digestive enzymes and vitamins and reconstruction of normal intestinal microflora. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the role of probiotics on the DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes, in the exfoliated epithelial cells and lymphocytes of the peritoneal fluids and in the pancreatic acinar cells of ANP induced rats. DNA damage was determined by COMET assay. ANP was induced by intravenous infusion of cerulein and superimposed infusion glycodeoxycholic acid into biliopancreatic duct. Saccharomyces Boulardii was used as the probiotic agent. DNA damage in pancreatic acinar cells and exfoliated epithelial cells and the lymphocytes of the peritoneal fluids was significantly higher in pancreatitis group compared to the controls and probiotic treated groups (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the DNA damage between the groups in the peripheral lymphocytes. In conclusion; our results support that probiotic agent Saccharomyces Boulardii can diminish bacterial infections and offer health benefits in the therapy of pancreatitis.

Pneumococcal LytA autolysin, a potent therapeutic agent in experimental peritonitis-sepsis caused by highly beta-lactam-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The in vitro and in vivo antipneumococcal activities of the main pneumococcal autolysin (LytA) and Cpl-1, a lysozyme encoded by phage Cp-1, were studied. Intraperitoneal therapy with LytA or high-dose Cpl-1 remarkably reduced peritoneal bacterial counts (>5 log(10) CFU/ml) compared with those for the controls. After intravenous injection, LytA was the most effective treatment.