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B Gahrn-Hansen

Publications and source records attributed to B Gahrn-Hansen.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Phage-typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Factors influencing typability.

Factors influencing the phage-typability of coagulase-negative Micrococcaceae have been studied in 2,778 clinical isolates comprising A) 209 consecutive isolates from one laboratory, B) 2,107 clinical strains submitted for phage-typing for epidemiological reasons, and C) 462 strains representing all isolates of presumed clinical significance found in two laboratories during one month. The reproducibility was acceptable at duplicate repeated typing of the same strains as well as by typing epidemiologically-related pairs of strains from the same patient. Strains of Staphylococcus haemolyticus were seldom typable, whereas strains of S. epidermidis and S. hominis had a higher typability. Methicillin-resistant strains and other multiple-resistant strains were rarely typable (11-13%). The typability was higher among susceptible strains (36%) and strains resistant to penicillin only (43-50%). The typability of strains of the same species and antibiotic-resistance pattern differed between hospitals compared and decreased markedly over the years for multiple-resistant S. epidermidis isolates.

Bacteriophage Typing↗
PubMed1990

Attachment of staphylococci to silicone catheters in vitro.

The adherence of radiolabeled staphylococci to silicone catheters was investigated in vitro. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains bound to the same extent to the catheters. Also, S. epidermidis strains isolated from patients with plastic-related infections showed binding similar to that of other S. epidermidis strains. By preincubation of catheters the influence of purified staphylococcal cell surface components on the binding was evaluated. The most potent inhibitors of the binding of S. aureus were the two surface proteins, clumping factor and protein A, and the cytoplasmic membrane. Surface proteins and the cell membrane of S. epidermidis also blocked the binding. Only protein-containing surface proteins inhibited the binding. The production of slime correlated with the degree of S. epidermidis binding. Human plasma and serum, as well as purified albumin and IgG, inhibited the binding of both staphylococcal species. Fibrinogen, and to a certain extent fibronectin, inhibited the binding of S. epidermidis, while both these purified plasma proteins enhanced the binding of S. aureus.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1989

In vitro activity of dicloxacillin against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-aureus.

A total of 54 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 37 methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and 17 methicillin-resistant (MRSA), were investigated for their susceptibility to dicloxacillin as compared to methicillin and oxacillin by agar plate dilution at two different temperatures of incubation (30 degrees C and 37 degrees C). Against MSSA strains we found a slight but significant increase (0-2 dilution steps) in minimal inhibitor concentrations (MICs) for all three antibiotics with decrease in incubation temperature. Against MRSA strains methicillin and oxacillin showed a 3-6 fold increase in median MIC with decrease incubation temperature. For dicloxacillin, in contrast, there were no significant differences in median MICs (i.e. 0.4 mg/l) against MSSA strains at 30 degrees C or MRSA strains at either incubation temperature. Population-analysis of the MRSA strains revealed, however, that a highly dicloxacillin-resistant subpopulation appeared with a frequency of 10(-6) to 10(-7). Such heterogenous resistance of MRSA strains to dicloxacillin probably prohibits the use of dicloxacillin against serious infections caused by these pathogens.

Dicloxacillin↗
PubMed1988

Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a department of orthopedic surgery 1970 to 1986.

The incidence of methicillin-resistant (and multiply-resistant) strains of Staphylococcus aureus in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Odense University Hospital fell from 15% of all strains in 1970 to less than 0.5% in 1986. This decrease occurred more slowly in the orthopedic department than in the rest of the hospital. A retrospective survey of 30 episodes of infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from 1979 to 1986 indicates that this slower decrease may be due to the relatively frequent occurrence of chronic infections in orthopedic surgery.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1988

Outbreak of infection with Achromobacter xylosoxidans from contaminated intravascular pressure transducers.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans contaminating transducers caused 15 cases of hospital infection. In the eight patients with bacteraemia the interval from inoculation to fever was an average of 6.6 days. All the infected patients recovered. Computerization of laboratory records allowed retrieval of previous isolates, and review of clinical records focused the problem on patients with cardiac and aortic diseases. The problem arose from the re-use of disposable equipment after disinfection with a benzalcone.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Studies on clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci resistant to methicillin. Evidence of cross-resistance between methicillin and cephalothin.

The in vitro susceptibility to cephalothin and cefuroxime of 195 isolates of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci was determined by the agar-diffusion test, using 7.5% NaCl-supplemented agar. The distribution of the inhibition zone diameters for isolates of S. epidermidis (S. biotype 1) as well as for S. haemolyticus (S. biotype 4) was trimodal. While 4% of the isolates were found susceptible to cefuroxime, 39% of the S. epidermidis/S. hominis (S. biotype 1) isolates and 34% of the S. haemolyticus (S. biotype 4) isolates were found susceptible to cephalothin by this method. Eight of these isolates (six S. epidermidis, two S. haemolyticus) were selected for susceptibility testing by the tube-dilution method, together with four isolates (three S. haemolyticus, one S. epidermidis) found resistant to cephalothin by the agar-diffusion test. The first-mentioned isolates were all found susceptible to cephalothin with MICs less than or equal to 2 micrograms/l, while the last-named all were resistant with MICs greater than or equal to 16 micrograms/ml. Population analyses revealed sub-populations of highly resistant bacteria in all methicillin-resistant isolates of S. epidermidis (S. biotype 1), as well as in all isolates of S. haemolyticus (S. biotype 4). We thus concluded that methicillin-resistance in isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci implies resistance to cephalosporins and that the difference between S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus as regards cephalosporin-susceptibility is quantitative and not qualitative. Eighty-nine per cent of the 195 methicillin-resistant isolates in this study were resistant to penicillin and at least one more antibiotic. We therefore think that resistance to penicillin and one or more non-beta-lactam antibiotics strongly suggests methicillin-resistance and that such isolates should be further tested on hypertonic media.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1988

Contaminating coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated in a lysis-centrifugation (Isolator) blood culture system. Application of different epidemiological markers for deduction of mode of contamination.

The lysis-centrifugation blood culture system, Isolator, is a promising system with respect to detection of many significant microorganisms, e.g. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae, as compared with conventional systems. A drawback of the Isolator system is a disturbingly high rate of clinically insignificant, supposedly contaminating coagulase-negative staphylococci, which leads to considerable waste of time and materials in the laboratory. Several sources of these isolates have been proposed (viz. the patient, the ward environment, the laboratory handling, and the plate media). The aim of this study was to pinpoint the origin of these clinically doubtful coagulase-negative staphylococci, using different epidemiological markers, such as species identification, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, phage-types, and plasmid profiles. Plasmid profile analysis proved to be more discriminating than the other techniques and made it possible to conclude that the laboratory handling of the Isolator system was a major source of coagulase-negative staphylococci in this system.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1988

Studies on ampicillin resistance in Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Brief report.

Population analyses of susceptibility to ampicillin in ampicillin-susceptible and ampicillin-resistant strains of Achromobacter xylosoxidans revealed the existence of ampicillin-resistant subpopulations in ampicillin-susceptible isolates. Bacteria resistant to a concentration four times the one that inhibited the majority population had a frequency of 10(-3) to 10(-4). Strains isolated from aqueous environments are often found susceptible to ampicillin, while sporadic cases of infections with A. xylosoxidans are often caused by ampicillin-resistant strains. We suggest that the isolation from clinical specimens of ampicillin-susceptible strains, therefore, may be an indication of nosocomial infections due to recently contaminated aqueous solutions or medical equipment.

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed1987

In vitro activity of ciprofloxacin against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Ciprofloxacin was found to be active against selected strains of methicillin-resistant as well as methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, having minimal inhibitory concentrations less than 0.8 micrograms/ml with inocula of approximately 10(4) CFU/ml. When killing kinetic studies were done with inocula of approximately 10(6) CFU/ml and various ciprofloxacin concentrations, the killing effect was low (less than 3 log10 in 6 h) and regrowth of the culture was seen after 24 h in at least one Staphylococcus aureus strain. After 48 h incubation, mutants with MICs eightfold that of the parental strain had grown to a number of approximately 10(10) CFU/ml.

Ciprofloxacin↗
PubMed1987

Comparative in vitro activities of pefloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin against 256 clinical isolates.

The antibacterial activity of four new fluoroquinolone carboxylic acids, pefloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin, against 256 clinical isolates was investigated by means of an agar dilution method. Generally, all quinolones tested had a high activity against Gram-negative bacteria. More than 90% of Enterobacteriaceae strains were inhibited by a quinolone concentration of 0.4 microgram/ml. Also strains usually resistant to conventional beta-lactam antibiotics, and sometimes to third-generation cephalosporins, like Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp, and Yersinia spp. were susceptible to the tested quinolones. Ciprofloxacin was 5 to 25-fold more potent on a weight basis against Enterobacteriaceae than the other quinolones. Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Haemophilus influenzae were extremely susceptible to the new quinolones. Ciprofloxacin was about 10 times more potent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than the other quinolones, and was the only quinolone that was sufficiently active against all tested P. aeruginosa strains (MIC less than or equal to 0.4 microgram/ml). The activity against Gram-positive bacteria was considerably lower. All the quinolones investigated had an acceptable activity against many of the methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. The majority of the Streptococcus spp. tested was quinolone-resistant, and was Listeria monocytogenes. Generally, it was evident that ciprofloxacin was more potent on a weight basis than the other quinolones, but this difference was counterbalanced by a higher achievable serum concentration for ofloxacin. Some of the investigated fluoroquinolones might constitute valid therapeutical alternatives to beta-lactam antibodies and aminoglycosides in the treatment of serious bacterial infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of a conventional routine method for identification of clinical isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species. Comparison with API-Staph and API-Staph-Ident.

A collection of 138 consecutive isolates from blood primarily identified as Gram-positive, cluster-forming, coagulase-negative cocci was examined by a conventional routine method for identification of clinical isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species. The method was based on selected reactions from the Kloos & Schleifer scheme, utilizing the conventional media of Statens Seruminstitut. Double determinations for each isolate were performed by the conventional method. The results were compared with speciation by the commercial micromethods API-Staph and API-Staph-Ident. For control, 31 Staphylococcus and 13 Micrococcus reference strains were included. Of the 31 Staphylococcus spp. (reference strains), the conventional system, API-Staph, and API-Staph-Ident correctly identified 87%, 87% and 81%, respectively. Micrococcus spp. were only identified to genus level by the conventional method as well as by API-Staph. API-Staph-Ident is not designed for Micrococcus identification. Of 138 blood isolates, 121 belonged to the genus Staphylococcus while 17 were Micrococcus spp. S. epidermidis dominated with all three methods, constituting approx. 35% of the isolates tested. In only 57% of the isolates identification by all three methods agreed. The three methods were unable to put a name on 7.5% (conventional method), 10.7% (API-Staph) and 2.5% (API-Staph-Ident) of the isolates. Reproducibility was high with the conventional method (100% for the reference strains and 91% for blood culture isolates) as well as with API-Staph and API-Staph-Ident (88%/81% and 81%/81%, respectively). We concluded that our conventional system was able to identify most clinically significant staphylococcal species by means of relatively few tests with a high certainty and a high degree of reproducibility.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1986

Population analysis of susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid in Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae.

Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (Cfl) and nalidixic acid (Nal) was tested in vitro by means of the population analysis technique against six strains of Staphylococcus, one strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and seven strains from five genera of Enterobacteriaceae. All strains of Staphylococcus were uniformly resistant to Nal as was the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, all bacteria being resistant to 250- less than 500 micrograms/ml. The Enterobacteriaceae were heterogeneous as regards susceptibility to Nal. With some strains minority populations of highly-resistant bacteria could be detected with frequencies of about 10(-6.3). The MIC for Cfl for the staphylococci varied between 0.25 and 0.50 microgram/ml. There were no differences in MIC of penicillinase-producing and penicillin-susceptible strains, either in Staphylococcus aureus or in Staphylococcus epidermidis. The MIC for Cfl in the enterobacteria varied between 0.004 and 0.03 microgram/ml. The MIC for Cfl in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 0.25 microgram/ml. MIC for Cfl increased in all strains when the parental strains were compared to bacteria selected from the plates with the highest concentration permitting growth, indicating heterogeneity against Cfl. But while the MIC of the selected enterobacteria were lower than one fourth of the level obtainable in serum, the MIC of the selected staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were either exceeding the level obtainable in serum or were only a little lower than this level. While Cfl thus seems to be a promising antimicrobial agent in the treatment of infections caused by enterobacteria, the suitability for infections caused by staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be further explored.

Ciprofloxacin↗
PubMed1986

An investigation of three commercial methods for rapid identification of non-enteric gram-negative rods. Application on Pseudomonas paucimobilis and some other Pseudomonas species.

Three commercial systems for the identification of non-enteric gram-negative rods were compared with conventional bacteriological methods as reference. The three systems were the API 20 NE, BIO-TEST ID-Trident, and ROSCO Diagnostic Tablets. The systems were tested on a set of 47 strains from the genus Pseudomonas, with the emphasis upon the yellow-pigmented species. The overall identification accuracy was 97% with the API, 19% with the BIOTEST and 68% with the ROSCO system. The API system was thus reliable, and it presented no major practical problems. The BIOTEST system was very handy. The main reason for the low accuracy was an error in the code book. The ONPG reaction was depicted as negative in the species P. paucimobilis. A positive ONPG test is a keymark in this species and 76% of the 20 strains of P. paucimobilis included in this investigation were also found positive with the BIOTEST system. The ROSCO tablets are convenient if the result of single reactions is desired. The time consumption per strain was 5.4, 4.4, and 6.2 min for the API, BIOTEST, and ROSCO systems respectively.

Predictive Value of Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human infections with Actinomyces pyogenes (Corynebacterium pyogenes).

Actinomyces pyogenes (Corynebacterium pyogenes), a well-known pathogen in many animals, was isolated from 11 Danish patients since 1968. Bacteriologic characteristics and clinical pictures of the patients are described. Ability to hydrolyze gelatine, to produce beta-glucuronidase, to reach with antisera against group-G streptococci, and to produce acid from xylose differentiates A. pyogenes from Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, with which it has at times been confused. Actinomyces pyogenes is an established, but often misrecognized, human pathogen that should be better known to clinical microbiologists.

Actinomyces↗