Development and Validation of Liquid Chromatographic Method for Fast Determination of Lincomycin, Polymyxin and Vancomycin in Preservation Solution for Transplants.

In this study, a liquid chromatographic method was developed for the fast determination of lincomycin, polymyxin and vancomycin in a preservation solution for transplants. A Kinetex EVO C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 2.6 µm) column was utilized at 45 °C. Gradient elution was applied using a mixture of mobile phases A and B, both including 30 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.0 and acetonitrile, at a ratio of 95:5 (v/v) for A and 50:50 (v/v) for B. A flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, an injection volume of 20 µL and UV detection at 210 nm were used. A degradation study treating the three antibiotics with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid, 0.5 M sodium hydroxide and 3% H2O2 indicated that the developed method was selective toward lincomycin, polymyxin, vancomycin and their degradation products. Other ingredients of the preservation solution, like those from the cell culture medium, did not interfere. The method was validated with good sensitivity, linearity, precision and accuracy. Furthermore, lincomycin, polymyxin and vancomycin were found to be stable in this preservation solution for 4 weeks when stored at -20 °C.

Determination of vancomycin and meropenem in serum and synovial fluid of patients with prosthetic joint infections using UPLC-MS/MS.

Numerous studies have suggested that intra-articular administration of antibiotics following primary revision surgery may be one of the methods for treating prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Vancomycin and meropenem are the two most commonly used antibiotics for local application. Determining the concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with PJI plays a significant role in further optimizing local medication schemes and effectively eradicating biofilm infections. This study aimed to establish a rapid, sensitive, and accurate ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for determining the concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in human serum and synovial fluid. Serum samples were processed using acetonitrile precipitation of proteins and dichloromethane extraction, while synovial fluid samples were diluted before analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved in 6 min on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column, with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B). Quantification was carried out using a Waters XEVO TQD triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive ion mode. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was employed to detect the following quantifier ion transitions: 717.95-99.97 (norvancomycin), 725.90-100.04 (vancomycin), 384.16-67.99 (meropenem). The method validation conformed to the guidelines of the FDA and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The method demonstrated good linearity within the range of 0.5-50 µg/ml for serum and 0.5-100 µg/ml for synovial fluid. Selectivity, intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability validation results all met the required standards. This method has been successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies of patients with PJI.

Polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors based on template-removal-free imprinted receptors for determination of antibiotics.

Currently, Nernstian-response-based polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as receptors have been successfully developed for determination of organic ionic species. However, the preparation of these MIP receptors usually involves tedious and time-consuming template-removal procedures. Herein, a template-removal-free MIP is proposed and used as a receptor for fabrication of a potentiometric sensor. The proposed methodology not only significantly shortens the preparation time of MIP-based potentiometric sensors but also improves the batch-to-batch reproducibility of these sensors. By using antibiotic vancomycin as a model, the new concept offers a linear concentration range of 1.0 × 10-7 to 1.0 × 10-4 mol L-1 with a detection limit of 2.51 × 10-8 mol L-1. It can be expected that the template-removal-free MIP-based sensing strategy could lay the foundation for simple fabrication of electrochemical sensors without the need for template removal such as potentiometric and capacitive sensors and ion-sensitive field-effect transistors.

Development of an on-site therapeutic drug monitoring method using a portable spectrometer.

We report on the development of an on-site therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) method for vancomycin (VCM) utilizing a portable spectrometer and commercially available immunoturbidimetric assay reagents designed for automated clinical chemistry analyzers. The method enables the quantification of VCM in plasma samples within 10 min, with a good correlation between the measured values and the theoretical values (r2 = 0.995). The intra and inter-day precisions were found to be below 12.5% and 17.7%, respectively. Moreover, we established a correlation between the quantitative values using this method and those measured through HPLC-UV and automated clinical chemistry analyzers, showing good reliability (R2 = 0.970 and 0.951, respectively). This method allows anyone to rapidly perform TDM at the bedside and is expected to be used to evaluate appropriate drug therapy.

Insulina tópica en queratopatía neurotrófica tras resección de neurinoma del acústico / Topical insulin in neurotrophic keratopathy after resection of acoustic neuroma

Caso clínico: Una paciente con antecedente de resección quirúrgica de un neurinoma del acústico presentó compromiso tanto del nervio facial como del nervio trigémino izquierdos. Inicialmente consultó por queratitis de exposición, pero 2 semanas después presentó una queratitis infecciosa. Tras la toma de la muestra corneal cursó con un defecto epitelial persistente, que no respondió al manejo médico. Se indicó insulina tópica con lo que se evidenció disminución del área de la lesión en los siguientes 5 días. Se colocó además, en ese momento, una lente de contacto terapéutica y, finalmente, 2 semanas después de haberse iniciado la insulina, el defecto epitelial cerró por completo. Discusión: Se trata de un caso complejo por la confluencia de parálisis facial, queratitis neurotrófica y queratitis infecciosa, que finalmente tuvo un resultado exitoso. La insulina tópica puede ser una terapia coadyuvante efectiva en casos de úlceras neurotróficas que no respondan a la terapia convencional

Case report: A patient with a history of surgical resection of an acoustic neuroma presented with involvement of both the left facial nerve and the left trigeminal nerve. She initially consulted for exposure keratitis, but two weeks later presented with an infectious keratitis. After taking the corneal sample, she presented with persistent epithelial defect, which did not respond to medical management. Topical insulin was indicated, and a decrease in the area of the lesion was seen in the following 5 days. A therapeutic contact lens was also placed at that time and finally, two weeks after the initiation of insulin, the epithelial defect completely closed. Discussion: This was a complex case due to the confluence of facial paralysis, neurotrophic keratitis, and infectious keratitis, which finally had a successful outcome. Topical insulin can be an effective adjuvant therapy in cases of neurotrophic ulcers that do not respond to standard therapy

Amphotericin-B and vancomycin-loaded chitosan nanofiber for antifungal and antibacterial application

In the present study, a mucoadhesive non-woven fiber mat (d= 116 nm) was fabricated by the electrospinning method using chitosan (80% Wt), polyethylene oxide (10% Wt), cysteine (4% Wt) and drugs (6% Wt), respectively. In addition, a comparative study was conducted to define effect of drugs and mucoadhesive agent on the nanofiber formation. FTIR, SEM, DSC and DMA were used to investigate the chemical and physical properties of the nanofibers. In vitro release of the drugs was assessed over a 48-hour period by the total immersion method. Release data were fitted to kinetic models, including the zero-order, first-order, Higuchi matrix, and Hixson-Crowell. Zone inhibition investigations were used to describe the inhibition content of vancomycin and amphotericin B loaded in the mats. The SEM images displayed a slight decrease in the fiber diameter with adding drugs and mucoadhesive agents. FTIR spectra confirmed that any undesirable reaction between VAN-AMB and CS-PEO was not observed. DSC test recognized the uniform distribution of drugs in the polymeric bead of the fiber without any crystal form. The elasticity modulus of the nanofiber was in an acceptable range for oral mucosa (approximately 5 Mpa). The results indicated that biodegradable mucoadhesive nanofibrous membranes released high concentrations of VAN in the first 24 hours, but the AMB release was affected in more controlled phenomena

Monitoramento plasmático e análise PK/PD dos antimicrobianos vancomicina e piperacilina no controle das infecções em pacientes queimados / Serum monitoring and PK/PD analysis of vancomycin and piperacillin for sepsis control in burn patients

Introdução: Reportam-se modificações metabólicas e hemodinâmicas em pacientes críticos em sepse e incluem-se neste grupo, os grandes queimados. Nesses pacientes ocorrem profundas alterações na farmacocinética de agentes antimicrobianos hidrofílicos prescritos no tratamento empírico das infecções bacterianas graves. Então, o alvo terapêutico não é alcançado em decorrência das concentrações plasmáticas desses antimicrobianos serem inferiores às requeridas para o controle das infecções. Na suspeita de sepse, a terapia antimicrobiana de primeira escolha prevê administração sistêmica dos antimicrobianos a vancomicina e a piperacilina, sendo esta última associada à tazobactana, um inibidor da beta-lactamase. Objetivo: Propôs-se nesse projeto a investigação da farmacocinética da vancomicina e da piperacilina através do monitoramento plasmático. Propôs-se ainda a avaliação da efetividade dos dois antimicrobianos na dose empírica recomendada com base na função renal aos pacientes críticos grandes queimados em sepse por patógeno hospitalar. Métodos: Investigaram-se 42 pacientes grandes queimados em terapia intensiva com lesões de 2° grau profundo e de 3° grau com suspeita de sepse por patógeno hospitalar. A prescrição constou de terapia combinada de vancomicina e piperacilina nas doses empíricas recomendadas com base na função renal de cada paciente. Seguem as características dos pacientes investigados: adultos de ambos os sexos (33M/9F), médias/ DP: 40,9±17,5 anos, 70,1±11,5 Kg, 33,6±20,7% de superfície corpórea total queimada (SCTQ), sendo 37/42 pacientes apresentaram função renal normal, e 5/42 pacientes com insuficiência renal, sem necessidade de prescrição de diálise pelo nefrologista. Registrou-se trauma térmico/ elétrico em 39/3; a lesão inalatória ocorreu em 25 pacientes. Efetuou-se coleta seriada de 2-3 amostras sanguíneas (Vacutainer/EDTA sódico); após separação do sangue por centrifugação a 2800g para obtenção do plasma, realizou-se o processamento laboratorial para os dois analitos pelo monitoramento plasmático da vancomicina e da piperacilina através da cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Realizou-se o estudo farmacocinético com base no modelo aberto monocompartimental. Através da análise PK/PD foi possível determinar os índices de efetividade para a vancomicina a partir da razão da área sob a curva no intervalo de 24 horas e a concentração inibitória mínima ASCss 0-24/CIM > 400, e para a piperacilina 70%fΔT>CIM; o significado desse último índice determinado para o derivado ß-lactâmico está relacionado a fração do intervalo de dose em que a concentração plasmática livre da piperacilina permanece acima da CIM. Resultados: Registrou-se alteração da farmacocinética da vancomicina e da piperacilina nos pacientes queimados com função renal normal pela comparação entre cada paciente e o valor de referência reportado para voluntários sadios. Nos pacientes com insuficiência renal registrou-se o prolongamento da meia vida biológica pela alteração na depuração e/ou no volume de distribuição. Registrou-se farmacocinética alterada em diferentes proporções tanto nos pacientes queimados com função renal preservada, como naqueles com disfunção renal. Após a análise PK/PD, a dose empírica de vancomicina administrada aos pacientes com função renal normal, registrou-se cobertura em 37/37 pacientes contra patógenos sensíveis (CIM 1mg/L), caindo para 18/37 (49%) pacientes para patógenos, CIM 2 mg/L. Não se registrou cobertura contra patógenos CIM>2 mg/L (CIM 4mg/L) independente da função renal dos pacientes. Após a dose empírica prescrita na função renal preservada, a cobertura da piperacilina ocorreu até CIM 4mg/L, para os patógenos sensíveis, caindo para 34/37 (92%) CIM 8 mg/L. Apenas 22/37 (60%) pacientes se encontraram protegidos contra patógenos sensíveis mais agressivos CIM 16 mg/L Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Enterococcus spp. Conclusão: O monitoramento plasmático da vancomicina e da piperacilina indica que a dose empírica recomendada para os dois agentes não alcança efetividade no controle das infecções causadas por patógenos hospitalares sensíveis à vancomicina (CIM>1mg/L) e à piperacilina (CIM >4 mg/L) em consequência de níveis plasmáticos inferiores aos requeridos no controle das infecções, devido a profundas alterações na farmacocinética desses antimicrobianos

Introduction: Metabolic and hemodynamic changes were reported in critically ill patients including burn patients in sepsis. Then, pharmacokinetics is altered in those patients mainly for hydrophilic antimicrobial agents prescribed for the control of severe bacterial infections; consequently, the therapeutic target wasn't reached based on drug plasma concentrations lower than expected. Antimicrobial therapy recommended in sepsis suspicious is based in a combination of two antimicrobials; vancomycin, a glycopeptides derivative and a beta-lactam agent piperacillin-tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Objective: It was proposed a pharmacokinetic investigation for vancomycin and piperacillin based on drug plasma monitoring followed by drug effectiveness measurements by PK/PD analysis after the empiric dose regimen recommended to normal renal function or renal failure burn patients in sepsis. Methods: 42 adult burn patients of both gender (33M/9F) with deep 2nd and 3rd injuries in septic shock by nosocomial pathogens under intensive care were investigated. A combined antimicrobial therapy at the recommended empirical dose regimen vancomycin-piperacillin was prescribed on the basis of renal function. Characteristics of population of patients investigated, means/SD were: 40.9±17.5 yrs, 70.1±11.5 kg, 33.6±20.7% total burn surface area (TBSA). Normal renal function was registered in 37/42 patients against 5/42 of them with renal failure. Thermal/electrical injuries occur in 39/3, and inhalation injury were in 25 of them. A serial of 2-3 blood samples were obtained from venous catheter into vacuum tubes (sodium EDTA); after centrifugation (2800g) plasma samples were obtained for drug plasma monitoring; both analytes, vancomycin and piperacillin were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetics investigation based on one compartment open model was performed. PK/PD analysis was done to determine antimicrobial effectiveness against nosocomial pathogens isolated. Recommended drug effectiveness index was AUCss 0-24/MIC > 400 for vancomycin and 70%fΔT>MIC for piperacillin. Results: Pharmacokinetics for both antimicrobials investigated showed to be altered in a different extension for vancomycin and piperacillin in burn patients with normal renal function by comparison with reference data reported in healthy adult volunteers. PK/PD analysis indicated that after the initial dose regimen 2g daily for patients with normal renal function, the vancomycin effectiveness occurs only for susceptible pathogens MIC 1mg/L, once drug effectiveness falls to 49% (18/37) against pathogens (MIC 2mg/L). Similarly, piperacillin effectiveness occurs just for susceptible pathogens MIC ≤ 4 mg/L in patients with normal renal function, once only 22/37 (60%) of patients reached the target MIC 16mg/L for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus spp. Conclusion: Vancomycin and piperacillin plasma monitoring indicated that the therapeutic target wasn´t reached with the empiric dose regimen recommended against nosocomial pathogens vancomycin susceptible (MIC>1mg/L) and piperacillin susceptible (MIC >4 mg/L) due to plasma levels lower than expected as a consequence of kinetic disposition altered for both antimicrobials

Evaluación de la bioactividad de ciprofloxacino y vancomicina incorporados en cementos óseos poliacrílicos / Evaluation of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin bioactivity loaded in bone cements

La inclusión de antibióticos en el cemento óseo destinado a la fijación mecánica de las prótesis constituye un sistema de liberación local de antibiótico que permite minimizar la prevalencia y la gravedad de las reacciones adversas que pueden desencadenar los fármacos cuando éstos se administran por vía sistémica. El objetivo del trabajo es estudiar el mecanismo y cinética de liberación in vitro de ciprofloxacino y vancomicina incorporados en diferentes cementos óseos comerciales y evaluar la bioactividad mediante un ejercicio de simulación farmacocinética. Se prepararon mezclas de los cementos de estudio con ciprofloxacino clorhidrato y vancomicina (40:0,5:0,5). Los estudios de liberación se realizaron en agitación continua en solución salina de tampón fosfatos, pH = 7,4, durante dos meses a 37ºC. El análisis estadístico de las cantidades de antibiótico liberadas acumuladas y las velocidades de elución se realizó mediante ANOVA. Con el fin estudiar la bioactividad, se realizó una simulación de Monte Carlo. La cantidad total liberada de ciprofloxacino en un periodo de 8 semanas fue de 0,29 ± 0,06 mg desde los cementos Palacos(R), 0,44 ± 0,06mg LimaCMT1(R) y 0,18 ± 0,04 mg Simplex(R). La cantidad total de vancomicina liberada en 24 horas fue de 0,34 ± 0,17mg desde el cemento Palacos(R), 0,68 ± 0,16 mg LimaCMT1(R) y 0,17 ± 0,02 mg Simplex(R). Transcurrido este tiempo la liberación cesó. El estudio de simulación, muestra que durante las primeras 72 horas, la cobertura antibiótica dependería tanto del cemento elegido como de la sensibilidad del microorganismo y el tiempo postquirúrgico. En tiempos posteriores, es de prever que la bioactividad local aumente

Antibiotic loaded bone cement used in prosthesis fixing, is a local release form that minimizes the prevalence and the complications that the antibiotics would unleash when administered intravenously. The aim of this work is to study in vitro release kinetics of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin loaded in different commercial cements and evaluate the bioactivity through a simulation exercise pharmacokinetics. Samples were prepared with commercial bone cement and ciprofloxacin and vancomycin hydrochloride (40:0,5:0,5). Release study were carried out under stirring in phosphate buffer, pH=7,4, for two months at 37ºC. The antibiotic amount and elution rate, were compared using ANOVA. In order to study the bioactivity, Monte Carlo simulation was performed. The ciprofloxacin released from samples for 8 weeks was 0.29 ± 0.06 mg from the Palacos(R) cements, 0.44 ± 0.06 mg from LimaCMT1® and 0.18 ± 0.04 mg from Simplex(R). The vancomycin released for 24 hours was 0.34 ± 0.17 mg from Palacos(R) cement, 0.68 ± 0.16 mg from LimaCMT1(R) and 0.17 ± 0.02 mg from Simplex(R). After this time the release stopped. The simulation study shows that during the first 72 hours, the antibiotic coverage would depends on the bone cement, the sensitivity of the microorganism and postoperative day. At subsequence times, it is expected that local bioactivity increases

Actividad de vancomicina, teicoplanina y linezolid en Staphylococcus coagulasanegativos resistentes a meticilina en aislados de hemocultivos pediátricos / Activity of vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid in methicillin resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolates from paediatric blood cultures

Introducción. Los Staphylococcus coagulasa negativos (ECN) son la principal causa de bacteriemia y sepsis en los recién nacidos. La resistencia meticilina y la pérdida de sensibilidad a glucopéptidos dificultan considerablemente el tratamiento antimicrobiano en infecciones por cocos grampositivos. Objetivos. Estudiar la CMI para vancomicina, teicoplanina y linezolid en diferentes especies de ECN meticilín resistentes aislados en hemocultivos procedentes de pacientes pediátricos. Métodos. Analizar los ECN resistentes a meticilina y clínicamente significativos, procedentes de hemocultivos de pacientes ingresados en diferentes Áreas del Servicio de Pediatría. Los aislamientos se identificaron mediante pruebas bioquímicas contenidas en los paneles Combo 31 de MicroScan (Dade Behring Siemens). La resistencia a oxacilina y la susceptibilidad frente a vancomicina, teicoplanina y linezolid se realizó mediante microdilución en placa contenida en los mismos paneles. Además se realizó Etest para teicoplanina y linezolid. Resultados. Se aislaron 50 cepas resistentes a meticilina: 37 (74%) S. epidermidis, 7 (14%) S. hominis, 4 (8%) S. haemolyticus y 2 (4%) Staphylococcus spp. Se observaron 26 cepas con sensibilidad disminuida para vancomicina, CMI de 2 mg/L, (22 S. epidermidis, 2 S. haemolyticus y 2 Staphylococcus spp.) y 21 cepas con disminución de sensibilidad a teicoplanina, CMI de 4-16 mg/L (20 S. epidermidis y 1 S. haemolyticus). Ningún ECN fue resistente a linezolid. Conclusiones. Existe una relación entre el aumento de CMI de vancomicina y el aumento de CMI de teicoplanina. Se observa una elevación estadísticamente significativa (p<0,001) en la CMI de teicoplanina en el grupo de vancomicina de 2 mg/L con respecto al grupo de vancomicina de ≤1 mg/L. Se observaron niveles muy bajos de CMI para linezolid en todas las cepas(AU)

Introduction. Coagulase-negative-Staphylococci (CNS) are the major cause of bacteraemia and sepsis in newborns. CNS methicillin resistance and its loss of sensitivity to glycopeptide antibiotics, make treatment significantly more difficult in positive cocci infections. Objective. To study MIC vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid in different species of CNS methicillin resistant isolates from blood cultures from paediatric patients. Methods. Clinically relevant CNS methicillin resistant isolates from paediatric blood cultures from different hospitalization wards were tested. The isolates were identified by biochemical tests by means in the Combo panels 31 of MicroScan (Dade Behring, Siemens). Resistance to oxacillin and susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid were tested by microdilution panels as cited above. We also tested teicoplanin and linezolid sensitivity using Etest. Results. 50 methicillin resistant strains were isolated: 37 (74%) S. epidermidis, 7 (14%) S. hominis, 4 (8%) S. haemolyticus and 2 (4%) Staphylococcus spp. 26 strains were observed with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin MIC = 2 mg/L, (22 S. epidermidis, 2 S. haemolyticus and 2 Staphylococcus spp.) and 21 strains with loss of susceptibility to teicoplanin, MIC = 4-16 mg/L (20 S. epidermidis and 1 S. haemolyticus). No CNS linezolid resistant was found. Conclusions. There is a linear correlation between increased vancomycin MIC and teicoplanin MIC. There is a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) in the MIC of teicoplanin in the vancomycin group = 2 mg/L with respect to the vancomycin group ≤ 1 mg/L. We also observed very low levels of linezolid MIC for all strains(AU)

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against Vancomycin-Resistant enterococci (VRE) and Escherichia coli O157: H7 in feta soft cheese and minced beef meat

Eleven essential oils (EOs) were evaluated for their antibacterial properties, against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and E. coli O157:H7. EOs were introduced into Brain Heart Infusion agar (BHI) (15ml) at a concentration of 0.25 to 2 percent (vol/vol) to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for each pathogen evaluated. Results showed that the most active essential oils against bacteria tested were thyme oil, with MIC90 and MBC90 for the VRA strains of 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. Eucalyptus, juniper and clove oils were the least potent agent, with MIC90 and MBC90 of 2 percent. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of these EO were evaluated against VRE and E. coli O157:H7, experimentally inoculated (10³ cfu/g) in Feta soft cheese and minced beef meat, which was mixed with different concentrations (0.1 percent, 0.5 percent and 1 percent) of the EO and stored at 7 ºC for 14 days. Out of eucalyptus, juniper, mint, rosemary, sage, clove and thyme oils tested against target bacteria sage and thyme showed the best results. Clove and mint did not show any effect on VRE and E. coli O157:H7 in both kinds of studied foods. The addition of thyme oil at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 percent caused best significant reduction in the growth rate of VRE and E. coli O157:H7 in cheese and meat at 7 ºC. It is concluded that selected plant EOs can act as potent inhibitors of both microorganisms in a food product. The results revealed the potential of thyme oil as a natural preservative in feta soft cheese and minced beef meat against VRE and E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

Resumenes de articulos de la literatura pediatrica: vancomicina en combinación con otros antimicrobianos en el tratamiento de infecciones graves por staphylococcus aureus meticilino-resistente / Abstracts of articles in the pediatric literature: vancomycin in combination with other antimicrobials in the treatment of serious infections due to methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

La vancomicina frecuentemente es combinada con otros antimicrobianos debido a su deficiencia en el tratamiento de infecciones graves por Staphylococus aureus meticilino resistente (MRSA).

Virulence factors in vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin - susceptible Enterococcus faecalis from Brazil / Fatores de virulência em Enterococcus faecalis resistentes e suscetível à vancomicina isolados no Brasil

Enterococci are members of commensal flora of animals and insects, but are also important opportunistic pathogens. Our objective was to observe if there was any difference of virulence in several groups of E. faecalis, mainly between vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (VREFS) of colonization and infection. VREFS and vancomycin-sensitive E. faecalis from Brazil were screened for the presence of virulence factor genes. Phenotypic assays were used to assess in vitro expression, to understand the pathogenic potential of these isolates and to determine whether a correlation exists between virulence and antibiotic resistance. Different virulence profiles were found suggesting that the disseminating clone may have generated several variations. However, our study showed that one constellation of traits appeared most commonly: gelatinase, aggregation substance and esp (GEA). These factors are important because they have been implicated in cell aggregation and biofilm formation. Biofilm formation may promote the conjugation of plasmids harboring resistance and virulence genes, enhancing the probability of entry of new resistance genes into species. Curiously, the profile GEA was not exclusive to VREFS, it was the second most observed in VSEFS isolates from colonization and infection in hospitalized patients and also from rectal swabs of healthy volunteers. Such strains appear to represent the entry gateway to new resistance genes into E. faecalis and may contribute to the spreading of E. faecalis mainly in hospitals.

Enterococci são membros da microbiota comensal de animais e insetos, mas também são importantes patógenos oportunistas. Nosso objetivo foi observar se há qualquer diferença na virulência nos diversos grupos de Enterococcus faecalis, principalmente nos E. faecalis resistente à vancomicina (VREFS) isolados de colonização e infecção. VREFS e E. faecalis sensíveis à vancomicina (VSEFS) do Brasil foram pesquisadas quanto a presença de fatores de virulência. Ensaios fenotípicos foram usados para obter a expressão in vivo, entender o potencial patogênico destas amostras e determinar se existe correlação entre virulência e resistência a antibióticos. Diferentes perfis de virulência foram encontrados sugerindo que o clone que está se disseminado pode ter gerado diversas variações. No entanto, nosso estudo mostrou que um conjunto de fatores parece ser mais comum entre as amostras: gelatinase, substância de agregação e esp (GEA). Estes fatores tem sido correlacionados com a agregação de células e formação de biofilmes. A formação de biofilme pode promover a conjugação de plasmídeos contendo genes de resistência entre as espécies. Curiosamente, o perfil GAE não foi exclusivo para VREFS, foi o segundo mais observado em amostras VSEFS provenientes de colonização e infecção em pacientes hospitalizados e também de swabs retais de voluntários saudáveis. Tais linhagens pacerem representar a "porta de entrada" para novos genes de resistência em E. faecalis e podem contribuir para a disseminação de E. faecalis principalmente nos hospitais.

Estudo experimental de implantes bioabsorviveis de poli(L-acido latico) / poli(oxido de etileno) associados ao cloridrato de vancomicina no reparo osseo / An experimental study of the use of bioabsorbable polyl(L-lactic acid) / poly(ethylene oxide) microspheres containing vancomycin for bone repair

A necessidade da utilização de enxertos naturais e/ou materiais sintéticos para auxiliar no reparo ósseo é diretamente proporcional a perda tecidual nas lesões. A administração de substâncias antibióticas é necessária para prevenir, ou mesmo combater a ação de agentes bacterianos que possam vir a retardar o reparo tecidual. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a aplicação de um polímero bioabsorvível associado à uma droga antobiótica na regenereção óssea. Foram realizados implantes ósseos de microesferas da blenda de poli(L-ácido lático)PLLA/poli(óxido de etileno)PEO na composição 80:20 associadas ao cloridrato de vancomicina e não associados ao cloridrato de vancomicina em ratos. Os implantes foram colocados em cavidades de 3 mm de diâmetro realizadas em tíbias de ratos da linhagem Wistar. Grupos com 5 animais cada. foram submetidos a períodos experimentais de 2 e 4 dias e 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 e 32 semanas. Os achados morfológicos foram semelhantes em ambos grupos. Houve primeiramente a formação de malha de fibrina e hemorragia ao redor das microesferas, as quais foram gradualmente sendo substituídas por tecido de granulação. A partir do quarto dia, houve a formação inicial de matriz óssea envolvendo as microesferas centripetamente, tornando-se mais evidente e madura da primeira até a trigésima segunda semana de implantação. A comparação entre os achados histomorfométricos...

The use of natural graft and synthetic materials to help bone regeneration is directly relative to cause of bone injury and bone requirement to compose a graft. The antibiotics drugs management is necessary to prevent and combat bacterial agents that could retard the tissue repair The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioabsorbable polymeric implants antibiotic associated behavior during the bone healing. Poly(L-lactic acid)PLLA/poly(ethylene oxide)PEO microspheres blends 80:20 vancomicyn associated bone implants, was compared with PLLA/PEO blend without vancomycin. The implants were inserted in a 3 mm proximal tibiae defect in adult Wistar rats. Periods from 2 and 4 days and 1. 2, 4, 8 16 and 32 weeks were evaluated in 5 animals per group. The histological findings were similar among groups. A fibrin net and hemorrhage were observed primarily around the microspheres and both were progressively replaced by granulation tissue. In four-day implant, the initial bone formation around microspheres was noted. The growth of bone tissue was initially characterized by wolven bone with progressive maturation to lamellar bone, centripetally to microspheres group. The quantity of new bone growth, measured by histomorphometric method and semi-quantitative analysis showed no differences between groups in each experimental interval. Therefore we conclude that mixing vancomycin chloridrate into PLLA/PEO microspheres did not affect...

Situación de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en el Hospital de Navarra (2000-2002) / State of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Hospital of Navarre (2000-2002)

Fundamento. El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido conocer la prevalencia y características que presentan los aislamientos de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a meticilina aislados en nuestro Servicio de Microbiología. Material y métodos. El estudio se desarrolló de forma retrospectiva abarcando los años 2000, 2001 y 2002. Se analizó el origen de la infección (nosocomial o extrahospitalaria), servicio de origen en caso de ser nosocomial, localización anatómica de la muestra y patrón de sensibilidad antibiótica. Resultados. Los aislamientos de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a meticilina constituyeron el 7,88 por ciento de los Staphylococcus aureus aislados en nuestro servicio. Menos de la mitad de las cepas (44,87 por ciento) tuvieron un origen nosocomial y se aislaron con mayor frecuencia en los exudados de heridas. En cuanto al patrón de resistencia, hubo un 50 por ciento de resistencia a eritromicina, un 43,60 por ciento a clindamicina y un 21,79 por ciento a mupirocina. Conclusiones. La prevalencia y el patrón de resistencia in vitro de los aislamientos de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a meticilina obtenidos en nuestro hospital es menor a la publicada en otras áreas de España (AU)