Sevoflurane and isoflurane genotoxicity in kidney cells of mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the DNA damage and repair in kidney cells of Swiss albino mice after repeated exposure to sevoflurane and isoflurane and compare their detrimental effects. We used the alkaline comet assay to establish the genetic damage and measured three parameters: tail length, tail moment, and tail intensity of comets. These parameters were measured immediately after exposure to the above mentioned inhalation anaesthetics, two hours, six hours, and 24 hours later and were compared with the control group. Mean values of all three parameters were significantly higher in experimental groups compared to the control group. DNA damage in kidney cells of mice exposed to sevoflurane increased continuously before it reached its peak 24 hours after exposure. Isoflurane induced the highest DNA damage two hours after exposure. Levels of DNA damage recorded 24 h after cessation of exposure to both tested compounds suggest that sevoflurane was slightly more genotoxic than isoflurane to kidney cells of mice. According to these results, the currently used volatile anaesthetics sevoflurane and isoflurane are able to damage DNA in kidney cells of mice. Such findings suggest a possibility for similar outcomes in humans and that fact must be taken into account in everyday clinical practice.

[MIDDLE EAR INFECTION]. / UPALA SREDNJEG UHA.

Middle ear infection is one of the most common childhood infections and the leading reason for antibiotic prescriptions. Although the etiological diagnosis is rarely discovered, successful identification of pathogens depends on properly collected sample, chosen method and microbiological analysis made on time. The most common bacterial pathogen is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Others include Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, known as the most common bacterial pathogen of chronic inflamations. Viral or polimicrobial upper respiratory tract infections often precede this infection. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines given during infancy decrease rates of acute middle ear inflammation. It is a self-limited disease with rare complications. The best treatment is watchful waiting for two days followed by amoxicillin during 7 days, only if it is necessary. If there is resistance, then combination of amoxicillin and beta lactamase inhibitor is second line. The best choice for patients allergic to penicillin are macrolides. Antibiotic treatment has contributed to frequent relapses and increase of multi-drug resistant pathogens by permitting their colonization, which eliminates protective nasopharyngeal flora.