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Antimicrobial Resistance (antimicrobial + resistance)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	79%
Life Sciences	13%
Chemistry	6%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Gastroenterology & Hepatology	16%
General & Introductory Veterinary Medicine	10%
Pediatrics	5%
Transplantation	2%
15 Other Subdomains	62%

Terms modified by Antimicrobial Resistance

antimicrobial resistance gene

Selected Abstracts

PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF LISTERIA SPECIES IN FOOD PRODUCTS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2010
SIRIPORN STONSAOVAPAK
ABSTRACT A total of 380 meat and meat products, dairy and dairy products, fresh vegetables, fresh seafood, and ready-to-eat food samples from supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand were collected and analyzed for the occurrence of Listeria spp. and of Listeria monocytogenes. The overall incidence of Listeria spp. was 16.8%, most of them were isolated from raw meat and vegetables. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 18 (4.7%) out of 380 studied samples. Other species isolated were L. innocua (6.6%), L. ivanovii (0.8%), L. seeligeri (0.5%), L. grayi (1.6%) and L. welshimeri (2.6%). The antimicrobial susceptibilities of the 64 isolate of Listeria spp. were also examined by the standard disk diffusion method. Listeria spp. were resistant to penicillin (6.3%), chloramphenicol (3.1%) and tetracycline (1.6%), but sensitive to amoxicillin, vancomycin, ampicillin, rifampicin and sulfamethoxazole. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Listeria monocytogenes prevalence in food products in Bangkok has been documented. More studies on the occurrence of L. monocytogenes are needed to establish microbiological criteria of foods in the country. The findings of our study, increases in antibiotic resistance among Listeria spp. will provide useful information for the development of public health policy in the use of antimicrobials in food animal production. [source]

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS ISOLATED FROM FOODS INVOLVED IN HUMAN FOODBORNE OUTBREAKS THAT OCCURRED IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL, 1999,2000

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2005
M. P. GEIMBA
ABSTRACT Antimicrobial resistance was determined for 73 isolates of Salmonella enteritidis isolated from foods involved in human foodborne outbreaks that occurred in the South of Brazil, from 1999 to 2000. The isolates were individually tested against 10 antimicrobial agents using a disc diffusion method. Most isolates were susceptible to all drugs tested. No S. enteritidis isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or chloramphenicol. The predominant resistance observed was to streptomycin (S) (37%), gentamicin (GEN) (13.7%) and nalidixic acid (NAL) (13.7%), while intermediate resistance was observed most often for tetracycline (53.4%), neomycin (NEO) (30.1%) and GEN (15.1%). Resistance was verified in 40 isolates (54%), which were grouped in 15 different patterns. Multiple resistance was presented in 17 (23%) of the isolates, and one isolate exhibited resistance to four drugs (NEO, kanamycin, S and NAL), demonstrating the involvement of multiresistant S. enteritidis strains with foodborne outbreaks. [source]

High Level of Antimicrobial Resistance in French Helicobacter pylori Isolates

HELICOBACTER, Issue 1 2010
Josette Raymond
Abstract Background: Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen responsible for serious diseases including peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The recommended triple therapy included clarithromycin but increasing resistance has undermined its effectiveness. It is therefore important to be aware of the local prevalence of antimicrobial resistance to adjust treatment strategy. Materials and Methods: Overall, 530 biopsies were collected between 2004 and 2007. The antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori was determined by E-test and molecular methods. Results: Among these, 138/530 (26%) strains were resistant to clarithromycin, 324/530 (61%) to metronidazole and 70/530 (13.2%) to ciprofloxacin. Whereas no resistance against amoxicillin and tetracycline was observed, only one strain was resistant to rifampicin. Compared to the patients never treated for H. pylori infection, the prevalence of resistance was significantly higher in patients previously treated (19.1% vs 68% for clarithromycin; 13.2% vs 53.3% for both clarithromycin and metronidazole). The trend analysis revealed an increase of primary resistance to ciprofloxacin between 2004 and 2005 (7.3%) vs 2006,2007 (14.1%) (p = .04) and the secondary resistance reached 22.7% in 2007. Interestingly, 27 biopsies (19.6%) contained a double population of clarithromycin-susceptible and -resistant strains. Conclusions: The reported high prevalence of clarithromycin and multiple resistances of H. pylori suggest that the empiric therapy with clarithromycin should be abandoned as no longer pretreatment susceptibility testing has assessed the susceptibility of the strain. As culture and antibiogram are not routinely performable in most clinical laboratories, the use of molecular test should be developed to allow a wide availability of pretreatment susceptibility testing. [source]

Alaska Sentinel Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistance in Helicobacter pylori Isolates from Alaska Native Persons, 1999,2003

HELICOBACTER, Issue 6 2006
Michael G. Bruce
Abstract Background:, Previous studies in Alaska have demonstrated elevated proportions of antimicrobial resistance among Helicobacter pylori isolates. Materials and Methods:, We analyzed H. pylori data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s sentinel surveillance in Alaska from July 1999 to June 2003 to determine the proportion of culture-positive biopsies from Alaska Native persons undergoing routine upper-endoscopy, and the susceptibility of H. pylori isolates to metronidazole [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of > 8 g metronidazole/mL), clarithromycin (MIC , 1), tetracycline (MIC , 2) and amoxicillin (MIC , 1)] using agar dilution. Results:, Nine-hundred sixty-four biopsy specimens were obtained from 687 participants; 352 (51%) patients tested culture positive. Mean age of both culture-positive and culture-negative patients was 51 years. Metronidazole resistance was demonstrated in isolates from 155 (44%) persons, clarithromycin resistance from 108 (31%) persons, amoxicillin resistance from 8 (2%) persons, and 0 for tetracycline resistance. Metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance varied by geographic region. Female patients were more likely than male subjects to show metronidazole resistance (p < .01) and clarithromycin resistance (p = .05). Conclusions:, Resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin is more common among H. pylori isolates from Alaska Native persons when compared with those from elsewhere in the USA. [source]

Antimicrobial Resistance and Aging: Beginning of the End of the Antibiotic Era?

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2002
Thomas T. Yoshikawa MD
Throughout the history of mankind, infectious diseases have remained a major cause of death and disability. Although industrialized nations, such as the United States, have experienced significant reductions in infection-related mortality and morbidity since the beginning of the "antibiotic era," death and complications from infectious diseases remain a serious problem for older persons. Pneumonia is the major infection-related cause of death in older persons, and urinary tract infection is the most common bacterial infection seen in geriatric patients. Other serious and common infections in older people include intra-abdominal sepsis, bacterial meningitis, infective endocarditis, infected pressure ulcers, septic arthritis, tuberculosis, and herpes zoster. As a consequence, frequent prescribing of antibiotics for older patients is common practice. The large volume of antibiotics prescribed has contributed to the emergence of highly resistant pathogens among geriatric patients, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and multiple-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli. Unless preventive strategies coupled with newer drug development are established soon, eventually clinicians will be encountering infections caused by highly resistant pathogens for which no effective antibiotics will be available. Clinicians could then be experiencing the same frustrations of not being able to treat infections effectively as were seen in the "pre-antibiotic era." [source]

Editorial: Limiting Antimicrobial Resistance,Your Mother Was Right!

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2006
Diplomate ACVIM, Patricia M. Dowling DVM
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Veterinary Drug Usage and Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria of Animal Origin

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Frank M. Aarestrup
There are large variations in the amounts of antimicrobial agents used to produce the same amount of meat among the different European countries, which leaves room for considerable reductions in some countries. The emergence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes due to the use of antimicrobial agents are well documented. In Denmark it has been possible to reduce the usage of antimicrobial agents for food animals significantly and in general decreases in resistance have followed. Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobial agents may help to slow down the selection for resistance and should be based on knowledge regarding the normal susceptibility patterns of the causative agents and take into account the potential problems for human health. Current knowledge regarding the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in food animals, the quantitative impact of the use of different antimicrobial agents on selection of resistance and the most appropriate treatment regimes to limit the development of resistance is incomplete. Programmes monitoring the occurrence and development of resistance and consumption of antimicrobial agents are strongly desirable, as is research into the most appropriate ways to use antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine. [source]

Antimicrobial resistance: the microbe's struggle for survival

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 6 2003
R. WISE
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

The withdrawal of antimicrobial treatment as a mechanism for defeating resistant microorganisms

FEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
David J. Stokes
Abstract Antimicrobial resistance is a major concern in health care and farming settings throughout the world. The level of antimicrobial resistance continues to increase and the requirement for a novel and possibly dramatic change in therapy choices is required. One possible mechanism for overcoming resistance is the actual removal of antimicrobial treatment from the therapeutic armoury. This review examines the potential for success of a policy advocating the reduction of antimicrobial use and additionally the withdrawal of such treatments. Evidence from agriculture suggests that the removal of certain drugs from animal husbandry can result in concomitant falls in certain drug resistances in human patients. [source]

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori Strains in a Random Adult Swedish Population

HELICOBACTER, Issue 4 2006
Tom Storskrubb
Abstract Background and Aim:, Antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori is a growing problem and has become an important factor leading to eradication failure. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility is important for selection of an optimum treatment regimen. The resistance rate in a random population has not been studied previously. Methods:, A random Swedish population sample (n = 3000, age 20,81 years) was surveyed using a mailed validated questionnaire assessing gastrointestinal symptoms (response rate of 74%). One-third of the responders was invited, in random order, and accepted an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies for H. pylori culture and histology. Subjects were not treated for their H. pylori infection but a minimum inhibitory concentration of metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline for the H. pylori isolates (n = 333) was determined by agar dilution. Prescribed antibiotic in the area was recorded. Results:, Irrespective of symptomatology, 16.2% of the isolated H. pylori strains were resistant to metronidazole, 1.5% to clarithromycin, 0% to amoxicillin, and 0.3% to tetracycline. The antibiotic consumption was low from an international perspective. Conclusion:, The resistance to the antibiotics was lower than expected from patient sample studies, especially for clarithromycin, most probably due to a restrictive prescription policy in the area. Introduction of a test-and-treat strategy in Sweden would only marginally affect the usage of clarithromycin. [source]

Antimicrobial resistance profiling and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in human, poultry and porcine samples from the Cork region of Ireland

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000
B. Lucey
Antimicrobial resistance (R) typing and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of a random collection of 84 Irish thermophilic Campylobacter isolates is described. The collection included human, veterinary (porcine) and poultry isolates cultured between 1996 and 1998 in the Cork region of Ireland. Biochemical and molecular methods were used to identify Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli. Many of these isolates were simultaneously resistant to several common antimicrobial agents. In particular, resistance to ampicillin, spectinomycin, sulphafurazole and tetracycline was common. A total of 74 DAF profiles was identified among the study collection, showing a high degree of diversity. Dendrogram analysis of the DNA patterns identified three main clusters at the 50% similarity level, which included two clusters of Camp. coli and a third containing a mixture of Camp. jejuni and Camp. coli. [source]

Antimicrobial profiles of periodontal pathogens isolated from periodontitis patients in the Netherlands and Spain

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 8 2005
A. J. Van Winkelhoff
Abstract Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance of periodontal pathogens towards currently used antibiotics in periodontics has been investigated in a previous study. Microbial resistance in the periodontal microflora was more frequently observed in Spanish patients in comparison with Dutch patients. The aim of the present study was to compare antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of five periodontal bacteria isolated from periodontitis patients in Spain and in the Netherlands. Material and Methods: Subgingival plaque samples from adult patients with periodontitis were collected and cultured on selective and non-selective plates. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Micromonas micros were isolated and used for minimal inhibitory concentration tests using the Epsilometer (E-test) technique. Eight different antibiotics were tested on all bacterial isolates. MIC50 and MIC90 values for each antibiotic and each species were determined and the percentage of resistant strains was calculated. Results: Significantly higher MIC values were noted in Spanish strains of F. nucleatum for penicillin, ciprofloxacin, of P. intermedia for penicillin, amoxicillin and tetracycline, of M. micros for tetracycline, amoxicillin and azithromycin, and of P. gingivalis for tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Based on breakpoint concentrations, a higher number of resistant strains in Spain were found in F. nucleatum for penicillin, amoxicillin and metronidazole, in Prevotella intermedia for tetracycline and amoxicillin, and in A. actinomycetemcomitans for amoxicillin and azithromycin. Resistance of P. gingivalis strains was not observed for any of the antibiotics tested both in Spain and the Netherlands. Conclusions: Differences exist in the susceptibility profiles of periodontal pathogens isolated from periodontitis patients in Spain and in the Netherlands. This implicates that antibiotic susceptibility testing is necessary to determine efficacy of antimicrobial agents. Also, clinical studies with antibiotics should take these differences into account. The information from the present study indicates that it may not be possible to develop uniform protocols for usage of antibiotics in the treatment of severe periodontitis in the European Union. [source]

Antimicrobial resistance in the subgingival microflora in patients with adult periodontitis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
A comparison between The Netherlands, Spain
Abstract Background: The widespread use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections has lead to the emergence of resistant human pathogens. Great differences have been documented between European countries in the use of systemic antibiotics. In parallel, significant differences in levels of resistant pathogens have been documented. Aim: To investigate whether differences in antibiotic use influence the level of antimicrobial resistance of the subgingival microflora of untreated patients with adult periodontitis in The Netherlands and Spain. Method: Blood agar plates containing breakpoint concentrations of penicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin and clavunalate, metronidazole, erythromycin, azithromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline were used to determine the proportion of bacteria from the subgingival plaque that was resistant to these antibiotics. In the Spanish patients, statistically significant higher mean levels of resistance were found for penicillin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, clindamycin and tetracycline. The mean number of different bacterial species growing on the selective plates was higher in the Spanish patients, as was the % of resistant strains of most periodontal pathogens. A striking difference was observed in the frequency of occurrence of tetracycline-resistant periodontal pathogens. In Spain, 5 patients had 3 tetracycline resistant periodontal pathogens, whereas this was not observed in any of the Dutch patients. Conclusions: The widespread use of antibiotics in Spain is reflected in the level of resistance of the subgingival microflora of adult patients with periodontitis. [source]

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS ISOLATED FROM FOODS INVOLVED IN HUMAN FOODBORNE OUTBREAKS THAT OCCURRED IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL, 1999,2000

Antimicrobial resistance in livestock

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2003
B. Catry
Antimicrobial resistance may become a major problem in veterinary medicine as a consequence of the intensive use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs. Related problems are now arising in human medicine, such as the appearance of multi-resistant food-borne pathogens. Product characteristics, dose, treatment interval and duration of treatment influence the selection pressure for antimicrobial drug resistance. There are theoretical, experimental and clinical indications that the emergence of de novo resistance in a pathogenic population can be prevented by minimizing the time that suboptimal drug levels are present in the infected tissue compartment. Until recently, attention has been focused on target pathogens. However, it should be kept in mind that when antimicrobial drugs are used in an individual, resistance selection mainly affects the normal body flora. In the long term, this is at least equally important as resistance selection in the target pathogens, as the horizontal transfer of resistance genes converts almost all pathogenic bacteria into potential recipients for antimicrobial resistance. Other factors contributing to the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance are the localization and size of the microbial population, and the age, immunity and contact intensity of the host. In livestock, dynamic herd-related resistance patterns have been observed in different animal species. [source]

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance and seasonal prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 recovered from commercial feedlots in Alberta, Canada

LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
M. Aslam
Abstract Aims:, To characterize antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and determine the seasonal prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from commercial feedlots. Methods and Results:,Escherichia coli O157:H7 were isolated from faecal and oral samples collected at monthly intervals from three commercial feedlots over a 12-month period. A total of 240 isolates were characterized using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) technique. A subset of 205 isolates was analysed for AMR using Sensititre system and AMR genes (tet, sul and str) by PCR. Seven PFGE clusters (,90% Dice similarity) were identified, and two clusters common to all three feedlots were recovered year-round. The majority of isolates (60%) were susceptible to all antimicrobials and were closely related (P < 0.001), whereas isolates with unique AMR patterns were not related. The prevalences of AMR from feedlots A, B and C were 69%, 1% and 38%, respectively. Resistance to tetracycline (69%) and sulfisoxazole (68%) was more prevalent in feedlot A than other two feedlots. The presence of strA and strB genes was linked in the majority of isolates, and tet(A) and tet(B), and sul1 and sul2 genes were present individually. Escherichia coli O157:H7 were genetically diverse during summer and fall, and strains from winter and spring months were more closely related. Conclusions:, Antimicrobial resistance was more common in E. coli O157:H7 obtained from two of the three commercial feedlots, and the phenotypic expression of resistance was correlated with the presence of resistant genes. A highly diverse E. coli O157:H7 population was found during summer and fall seasons. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Information would help understanding the dynamics of AMR in E. coli O157:H7 from commercial feedlots. [source]

Antimicrobial resistance 1979,2009 at Karolinska hospital, Sweden: normalized resistance interpretation during a 30-year follow-up on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli resistance development

APMIS, Issue 9 2010
GÖRAN KRONVALL
Kronvall G. Antimicrobial resistance 1979,2009 at Karolinska hospital, Sweden: normalized resistance interpretation during a 30-year follow-up on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli resistance development. APMIS 2010; 118: 621,39. To utilize a material of inhibition zone diameter measurements from disc diffusion susceptibility tests between 1979 and 2009, an objective setting of epidemiological breakpoints was necessary because of methodological changes. Normalized resistance interpretation (NRI) met this need and was applied to zone diameter histograms for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolates. The results confirmed a slow resistance development as seen in Northern countries. The S. aureus resistance levels for erythromycin, clindamycin and fusidic acid in 2009 were 3.2%, 1.8% and 1.4% with denominator correction. A rise in resistance to four antimicrobials in 1983 was probably because of a spread of resistant Methicillin Susceptible Staphylococcus Aureus (MSSA). For E. coli, the denominator-corrected resistance levels in 2009 were 27% for ampicillin, around 3% for third-generation cephalosporins, 0.1% for imipenem, 2.5% for gentamicin, 19% for trimethoprim, 4.5% for co-trimoxazole, 1.2% for nitrofurantoin and 9% for ciprofloxacin. The temporal trends showed a rise in fluoroquinolone resistance from 1993, a parallel increase in gentamicin resistance, a substantial increase in trimethoprim and sulphonamide resistance in spite of decreased consumption, and a steady rise in ampicillin resistance from a constant level before 1989. A short review of global resistance surveillance studies is included. [source]

Antimicrobial resistance in Europe and its potential impact on empirical therapy

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 2008
G. M. Rossolini
Abstract The problem of microbial drug resistance is a major public health concern, due to its global dimension and alarming magnitude, although the epidemiology of resistance can exhibit remarkable geographical variability and rapid temporal evolution. The major resistance issues overall are those related to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum ,-lactamases, and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Europe is not free from any of these issues, although their impact may be significantly different in different countries. MRSA rates are high in several European countries, but seem to have levelled off in some settings. Diffusion of VRE is still irregular. The most alarming resistance trends are those observed for Enterobacteriaceae and the Gram-negative non-fermenters, with a generalized increase in rates of resistance to the most important anti-Gram-negative agents (,-lactams and fluoroquinolones) and the circulation of strains showing multidrug resistance phenotypes. [source]

Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli in urine samples from children and adults: a 12 year analysis

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2004
K Abelson Storby
Aim: To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract pathogens, primarily Escherichia coli, in two age groups, children 2 y and adults 18-50 y, over a period of 12 y. Methods: From the database of the microbiological laboratory all urinary tract culture data were extracted and structured according to date, patient age, bacteriological findings, antimicrobial susceptibility results and sample type. Statistical longitudinal analysis of bacteriological findings and antimicrobial resistance trends in the two age groups were performed. Results: Statistical significance was obtained for the following results. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen in both age groups and irrespective of sample type. In E. coli resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim was higher in children than in adults and increased over time in both age groups. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was higher in adults than in children and increased over time in both groups. Resistance to pivmecillinam, cefadroxil and nitrofurantoin was below 2% in 2001 in both age groups. Conclusion: The steadily increasing and now high E. coli resistance levels in children to ampicillin and trimethoprim render empirical therapy with these drugs doubtful. The stable and low levels of resistance to pivmecillinam, cefadroxil and nitrofurantoin (>2% in 2001) make these drugs reasonable alternatives in uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections. [source]

The withdrawal of antimicrobial treatment as a mechanism for defeating resistant microorganisms

High Level of Antimicrobial Resistance in French Helicobacter pylori Isolates

Alaska Sentinel Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistance in Helicobacter pylori Isolates from Alaska Native Persons, 1999,2003

Helicobacter pylori Culture from a Positive, Liquid-Based Urease Test for Routine Clinical Use: A Cost-Effective Approach

HELICOBACTER, Issue 1 2000
Bernhard H. Jaup
Background. The aim of our study was to test the feasibility of culturing Helicobacter pylori directly from biopsies aimed for rapid urease test in routine clinical practice. Materials and Methods. In 260 consecutive patients referred for gastroscopy because of dyspepsia one antral biopsy was routinely used for our "in house" rapid urease test (RUT). Positive biopsies were placed in a transport medium and sent to the laboratory. The biopsies were cultured and incubated at 37°C for 5,7 days. H. pylori was identified and routinely tested for antimicrobial resistance by using the E -test. Results. In 118 out of 260 patients (45%) the urease test turned positive and the growth of H. pylori was sufficient to allow testing of antimicrobial resistance. Conclusion.H. pylori could be cultured from almost all positive RUT specimens. A liquid RUT is thus more suitable for culture, saving additional biopsies. [source]

Paediatric antibiotic prescribing by general dental practitioners in England

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2001
N.O.A. Palmer
Objectives. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is known to be a major contributory factor to the problem of antimicrobial resistance. No information is available on how practitioners prescribe antibiotics for children. This study investigated the prescribing of liquid-based antibiotics for children by general dental practitioners in England. Design. Analysis of National Health Service liquid-based prescriptions issued by general dental practitioners in England. Sample and methods. All prescriptions issued by practitioners in 10 Health Authorities in England for February 1999 were collected. All the liquid-based antibiotic prescriptions for children were selected and we investigated the type of antibiotic prescribed, whether sugar free, the dose, frequency and duration. Results. A total of 18614 prescriptions were issued for antibiotics. Of the 1609 liquid-based paediatric prescriptions 88·3% were for generic and 11·7% for proprietary antibiotics, of which 75·5% were for amoxicillin, 15·2% for phenoxymethylpenicillin, 6·6% for erythromycin, 1·7% for metronidazole. Cephalexin, ampicillin, cephadrine and combinations of two antibiotics were also prescribed. There was a wide variation in dosages for all the antibiotics prescribed. A significant proportion of practitioners prescribed at frequencies inconsistent with manufacturers' recommendations and for prolonged periods, with some practitioners prescribing for periods up to 10 days. Only 29·1% of all the prescriptions issued were sugar free. Conclusions. The results of this study show that some practitioners prescribe liquid-based antibiotics inappropriately for children. This may contribute to the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Clear guidelines on the choice of antibiotic, dose, frequency and duration along with educational initiatives for GDPs might reverse this trend. [source]

Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness among enterococci isolated from dogs and cats in the United States

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2010
C.R. Jackson
Abstract Aims:, In this study, mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness among resistant enterococci from dogs and cats in the United States were determined. Methods and Results:, Enterococci resistant to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, lincomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin and tetracycline were screened for the presence of 15 antimicrobial resistance genes. Five tetracycline resistance genes [tet(M), tet(O), tet(L), tet(S) and tet(U)] were detected with tet(M) accounting for approx. 60% (130/216) of tetracycline resistance; erm(B) was also widely distributed among 96% (43/45) of the erythromycin-resistant enterococci. Five aminoglycoside resistance genes were also detected among the kanamycin-resistant isolates with the majority of isolates (25/36; 69%) containing aph(3,)-IIIa. The bifunctional aminoglycoside resistance gene, aac(6,)-Ie -aph(2,)-Ia, was detected in gentamicin-resistant isolates and ant(6)-Ia in streptomycin-resistant isolates. The most common gene combination among enterococci from dogs (n = 11) was erm(B), aac(6,)-Ie- aph(2,)-Ia, aph(3,)-IIIa, tet(M), while tet(O), tet(L) were most common among cats (n = 18). Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), isolates clustered according to enterococcal species, source and antimicrobial gene content and indistinguishable patterns were observed for some isolates from dogs and cats. Conclusion:, Enterococci from dogs and cats may be a source of antimicrobial resistance genes. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Dogs and cats may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes that can be transferred from pets to people. Although host-specific ecovars of enterococcal species have been described, identical PFGE patterns suggest that enterococcal strains may be exchanged between these two animal species. [source]

Prevalence, species distribution and antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from dogs and cats in the United States

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
C.R. Jackson
Abstract Aims:, The contribution of dogs and cats as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant enterococci remains largely undefined. This is increasingly important considering the possibility of transfer of bacteria from companion animals to the human host. In this study, dogs and cats from veterinary clinics were screened for the presence of enterococci. Methods and Results:, A total of 420 enterococci were isolated from nasal, teeth, rectal, belly and hindquarters sites of 155 dogs and 121 cats from three clinics in Athens, GA. Eighty per cent (124 out of 155) of the dogs and 60% (72 out of 121) of the cats were positive for enterococci. From the total number of dog samples (n = 275), 32% (n = 87) were from hindquarter, 31% (n = 86) were rectal, and 29% (n = 79) were from the belly area. The majority of isolates originated from rectal samples (53 out of 145; 37%) from cats. The predominant species identified was Enterococcus faecalis (105 out of 155; 68%) from dogs and E. hirae (63 out of 121; 52%) from cats. Significantly more E. faecalis were isolated from rectal samples than any other enterococcal species (P < 0·05) for both dogs and cats suggesting site specific colonization of enterococcal species. The highest levels of resistance were to ciprofloxacin in E. faecium (9 out of 10; 90%), chloramphenicol resistance in E. faecalis (17 out of 20; 85%) and gentamicin resistance in E. faecalis (19 out of 24; 79%) from dog samples and nitrofurantoin resistance in E. faecium (15 out of 19; 79%) from cats. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) (resistance ,2 antimicrobials) was observed to as few as two and as many as eight antimicrobials regardless of class. Conclusion:, This study demonstrated that dogs and cats are commonly colonized with antimicrobial resistant enterococci. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Dogs and cats may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes that can be transferred from pets to people. [source]

Antibiotherapy and pathogenesis of uncomplicated UTI: difficult relationships

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
A. Moura
Abstract In a time when conventional antibiotics are becoming increasingly less effective for treatment of infections, the relationship between bacteria and antimicrobial resistance is becoming more and more complicated. This paper provides a current review of studies reported in the literature pertaining to the antibiotherapy of human urinary tract infections (UTI), in a way that helps the reader direct a bibliographic search and develop an integrated perspective of the subject. Highlights are given to (bio)pathogenesis of uncomplicated cystitis. Features associated with the antibiotherapy of UTI such as development of resistance are presented in the text systematically. This review discusses recent advances in the understanding of how the predominant uropathogen Escherichia coli interacts with its host and leads to infection; so one can understand some of the reasons behind antibiotherapy failures. [source]

Virulence genes of bovine Staphylococcus aureus from persistent and nonpersistent intramammary infections with different clinical characteristics

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
M. Haveri
Abstract Aims:, To screen putative virulence genes in Staphylococcus aureus causing persistent and nonpersistent bovine intramammary infections (IMI) with different clinical characteristics. To examine, whether a possible relationship exists between genetic profile and infection persistence, clinical signs of infection, clonal type determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial resistance. Methods and Results:, One-hundred and sixty-one S. aureus isolates derived from bovine IMI, consisting of 17 different PFGE types, were screened by conventional and multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 24 virulence genes for haemolysins (hla-hlg), leukocidins (lukED, lukM), exfoliative toxins (eta, etb), enterotoxins (sea-seo, seu), toxic-shock syndrome toxin (tst), and genes encoding penicillin (blaZ) and methicillin resistance (mecA). The majority of S. aureus isolated at the onset of mastitis carried haemolysin genes (76·7,97·4%), lukED (96·6%), and at least one gene for pyrogenic toxin superantigen (PTSAg) (69·0%). Strains carrying PTSAg-encoding genes were more common among predominant PFGE types and in persistent IMI. Strains concomitantly possessing sed, sej, and blaZ, putatively plasmid-encoded, were typically found in connection with persistent IMI. Conclusions:, Our results suggest that certain genetic elements are over-representative in S. aureus isolates especially from persistent bovine mastitis. This phenomenon seems to be in connection with clonal type and is often concomitant with penicillin resistance. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This is the first study to investigate associations between a large number of bacterial factors and outcome of S. aureus mastitis. The finding that widespread clonal types of S. aureus causing bovine mastitis of low treatment response may harbour characteristic genes could be improved for strain-specific diagnostic purposes. [source]

Allen Denver Russell Memorial Lecture, 2006

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006
The use of microbiocides in infection control: a critical look at safety, applications, testing
Abstract Microbial pathogens continue as major threats to health. Indeed, many ongoing societal changes are enhancing our vulnerability and exposure to several frank and opportunistic pathogens. This, together with rampant antimicrobial resistance and reduced prospects for newer drugs and vaccines, is forcing a higher reliance on microbiocides in infection prevention and control. That this reliance may not be well-founded becomes apparent from a closer look at current ways of testing and registering microbiocides, their label claims as well as human and environmental safety of certain widely used microbicidal chemicals. Many methods to test microbiocides for registration are flawed and/or entail test conditions irrelevant to field use. Pathogens listed on product labels may not be among those amenable to interruption through microbiocide use. The wide variations and discrepancies in existing national/regional regulations for registering microbiocides for sale stifle innovation. This is a critical look at the above-mentioned issues with emphasis on chemicals meant for use on environmental surfaces and medical devices. It highlights better ways to test microbiocides and to attain global harmonization of testing and product registration. It also details the known and potential dangers of microbiocide use and what to consider in choosing such formulations for optimal safety and effectiveness. End users are advised to be more critical and prudent in the selection and application of microbicidal chemicals, manufacturers are encouraged to explore infection control products and technologies that are safer in the workplace and for the environment, and regulators are urged to review and update the requirements and procedures for premarket review of microbiocide efficacy data and label claims. Independent investigations are also urgently needed to document the proportion of nosocomial infections that would be amenable to prevention through chemical disinfection of environmental surfaces. [source]