PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Edlund

Publications and source records attributed to C Edlund.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Impact on human intestinal microflora of an Enterococcus faecium probiotic and vancomycin.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of a fermented milk product containing viable Enterococcus faecium on human intestinal microflora and to evaluate any risk of development of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Twenty Danish and 20 Swedish healthy volunteers were given 150 ml of the fermented milk product once daily, equivalent to a daily dose of 4.5 x 10(9) to 7.5 x 10(9) CFU E. faecium, for 10 d. Half of the volunteers also received 125 mg vancomycin orally q.i.d. for 10 d. Faecal samples were collected on day 0 before intake, on day 10 directly after end of intake and on day 31, 3 weeks after the end of the experiment. There was a significant increase in the total number of enterococci on day 10 (p < 0.01) in the group receiving only the E. faecium supplement, but 3 weeks later the level was as before intake. In the vancomycin group, the total number of enterococci was reduced on day 10 (p < 0.01) but had increased on day 31 (p < 0.01) in relation to day 0. In none of the Swedish and 4 of the Danish volunteers, VRE were sporadically detected, but without relation to intake of the probiotic or vancomycin. In healthy young Danish individuals the VRE carrier rate tended to be higher than previously found.

Adult↗

Comparative effects of moxifloxacin and clarithromycin on the normal intestinal microflora.

Twelve healthy male subjects age range 24-40 y participated in the investigation. The trial was divided into 2 35-d periods. The 2 treatment regimens were: (i) 1 x 400 mg moxifloxacin tablet in the morning and 1 placebo tablet in the evening for 7 d; and (ii) 1 x 500 mg clarithromycin tablet in the morning and 1 x 500 mg clarithromycin tablet in the evening for 7 d. Each subject received firstly I treatment regimen and secondly the other treatment regimen. The wash-out period was 6 weeks between the two treatment regimens. Moxifloxacin caused significant decreases of enterococci and enterobacteria during the administration period while the numbers of staphylococci, streptococci, Bacillus and Candida were not affected. No impact on peptostreptococci, lactobacilli, Veillonella, Bacteroides or fusobacteria was observed, while bifidobacteria and clostridia decreased during moxifloxacin administration. The microflora was normalized after 35 d. Clarithromycin caused significant reduction of Escherichia coli while the numbers of enterococci, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas increased markedly. No significant changes in the numbers of staphylococci, streptococci, Bacillus and Candida were noticed. In the anaerobic microflora bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and clostridia were suppressed, while no changes in peptostreptococci, Veillonella, Bacteroides and fusobacteria were found. The microflora was normalized in all volunteers after 35 d.

Administration, Oral↗

First Scandinavian experience of electrical sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of the overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electrical sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in the treatment of urinary incontinence and urinary retention refractory to conservative treatment, and to assess the impact of urodynamic abnormalities and electrode position. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients (10 men, 20 women) with a mean age of 59 years (range 21-79 years), all of whom had longstanding symptoms ranging from 2 to 46 years (mean 12.4 years), were subjected to a percutaneous test stimulation. Ten patients responded well, resulting in a permanent implant in nine patients. Electrode positions were determined by plain X-ray and computed tomography. RESULTS: Radiologically, a variety of positions of the temporary electrodes was seen. In the implanted patients, long-term symptom reduction varied over time, ranging from total relief to partial or total recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: SNS is a new promising option for the treatment of urge incontinence. Refined instruments for proper patient selection and the optimal way to position the electrode remain to be developed.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics and comparative effects of telithromycin (HMR 3647) and clarithromycin on the oropharyngeal and intestinal microflora.

The pharmacokinetics in plasma and saliva of a new ketolide, telithromycin (HMR 3647), and the effect on the normal oropharyngeal and intestinal microflora were studied in healthy volunteers and compared with those of clarithromycin. Ten subjects received 800 mg telithromycin perorally once daily and 10 other subjects received 500 mg clarithromycin bid for 10 days. Blood, saliva and faecal specimens were collected at defined intervals before, during and after administration for pharmacokinetic and microbiological analyses. In subjects receiving telithromycin, the mean C:(max), AUC and C:(24) (24 h) in saliva exceeded the values obtained from plasma, while saliva and serum pharmacokinetic parameters were in the same range for the clarithromycin group. The quantitative ecological disturbances in the normal microflora during administration of telithromycin were moderate and comparable to those associated with clarithromycin administration. No overgrowth of yeasts or Clostridium difficile occurred. Emergence of resistant strains was seen in both treatment groups. Administration of both telithromycin and clarithromycin was associated with significant increases in MICs for intestinal Bacteroides isolates, which persisted 2 weeks after discontinuation of treatment. In addition, a significant emergence of highly clarithromycin-resistant alpha-haemolytic streptococci, intestinal enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae was detected at day 10 in the clarithromycin group. In conclusion, administration of telithromycin resulted in high drug levels in saliva, which indicates a good therapeutic profile for throat infections. Telithromycin seems to have a more favourable ecological profile compared with clarithromycin in terms of resistance development in the normal microflora.

Administration, Oral↗

Activities of synthetic hybrid peptides against anaerobic bacteria: aspects of methodology and stability.

The increasing problem of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria requires development of new antimicrobial agents. One line of investigation is the synthesis of antimicrobial hybrid peptides. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the in vitro activities of 16 cecropin-melittin hybrid peptides (CAMEL analogues) against 60 anaerobic bacterial strains, to compare their activities with those of seven clinically used antimicrobial agents, and to compare different methods for anaerobic susceptibility testing of these peptides. The stability of one of the peptides, temporin B, with different stereoisomeric configurations was investigated in a fecal milieu. The CAMEL analogues showed antimicrobial activity against the anaerobic bacteria, with MICs ranging from 0.125 to 32 microg/ml. The overall activities (the MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited) of the CAMEL analogues against anaerobic bacteria were mainly inferior to those of imipenem, clindamycin, and piperacillin but were equal to or superior to those of metronidazole, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol. The agarose dilution method was found to be an accurate method for the testing of large numbers of bacterial strains. The D isomer of temporin B was inactivated more slowly in feces than the L isomer. This study shows that the CAMEL analogues are potential agents for the treatment of anaerobic infections.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Microbial ecology and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections: review.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the ecological disturbances caused by four different anti-H. pylori regimens, to compare different methods for diagnosing H. pylori, and to study the genetic variability of H. pylori. The patients included in the study were all treated at the Center of Gastroenterology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute. All patients were H. pylori-positive before entering the study, confirmed by rapid urease test, histology, culture and urea breath test or PCR. Treatment regimens included in the study were omeprazole alone (OP), in combination with amoxicillin (OA), in combination with amoxicillin and metronidazole (OAM) and in combination with clarithromycin and metronidazole (OCM). Samples from the mouth (saliva and dental plaque), stomach (biopsies from the gastric mucosa in the corpus and in the antrum) and the intestine (feces) were collected before, during and after treatment. The oral microflora was challenged by the three treatment regimens including antimicrobial agents, with the emergence of resistant streptococci and staphylococci in the OCM group. Bacterial strains in the gastric mucosa increased in numbers during treatment in all treatment groups, probably due to the pH rise, which provides a better environment for the commensal microflora. This overgrowth was especially pronounced during treatment with omeprazole alone (OP), possibly due to the fact that a concomitant suppression exerted by the antimicrobial agents occurred in the other treatment groups. H. pylori was, on the other hand, suppressed during treatment in all treatment groups, possibly due to a direct effect of omeprazole and to the colonization resistance expressed by the normal microflora. An emergence of resistant commensal strains in the gastric mucosa was seen in the OCM and the OAM groups. The intestinal microflora was most altered in the OAM and the OCM groups, with persistent disturbances in the OCM group 4 weeks after treatment. The frequency of resistant Enterococcus spp. (OCM), Enterobacteriaceae spp. (OA and OAM) and Bacteroides spp. (OCM) was increased during and after treatment. Different detection methods for H. pylori were compared and PCR was shown to have higher sensitivity than other routine diagnostic tests. The patients in the present study seemed to be colonized with a single strain of H. pylori. Treatment failures in patients treated with OAM were caused by recrudescence. These four patients with relapsing H. pylori infection, were shown to be reinfected with the original H. pylori strain, indicating that H. pylori escapes treatment by a thus far unknown mechanism.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effect on the human normal microflora of oral antibiotics for treatment of urinary tract infections.

Oral administration of antibiotics for treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause ecological disturbances in the normal intestinal microflora. Poorly absorbed drugs can reach the colon in active form, suppress susceptible microorganisms and disturb the ecological balance. Suppression of the normal microflora may lead to reduced colonization resistance with subsequent overgrowth of pre-existing, naturally resistant microorganisms, such as yeasts and Clostridium difficile. New colonization by resistant potential pathogens may also occur and may spread within the body or to other patients and cause severe infections. It is therefore important to learn more about the ecological effects of antibacterial agents on the human microflora. The impact on intestinal microorganisms of oral antibiotics used for the treatment of UTIs is reviewed here. Ampicillin, amoxycillin and co-amoxiclav suppress both the aerobic and anaerobic intestinal microflora with overgrowth of ampicillin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Pivmecillinam also affects the intestinal microflora, suppressing Escherichia coli, but does not have a major effect on the anaerobic microflora. Several orally administered cephalosporins, such as cefixime, cefpodoxime, cefprozil and ceftibuten, reduce the number of Enterobacteriaceae and increase the number of enterococci. Colonization with C. difficile has also been observed. Fluoroquinolones eliminate or strongly suppress intestinal Enterobacteriaceae, but affect enterococci and anaerobic bacteria only slightly. When antimicrobial agents are prescribed for the treatment of UTIs, not only the antimicrobial spectrum of the agent but also the potential ecological disturbances, including the risk of emergence of resistant strains, should be considered.

Journal Article↗

Effect on the human normal microflora of oral antibiotics for treatment of urinary tract infections.

Oral administration of antibiotics for treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause ecological disturbances in the normal intestinal microflora. Poorly absorbed drugs can reach the colon in active form, suppress susceptible microorganisms and disturb the ecological balance. Suppression of the normal microflora may lead to reduced colonization resistance with subsequent overgrowth of pre-existing, naturally resistant microorganisms, such as yeasts and Clostridium difficile. New colonization by resistant potential pathogens may also occur and may spread within the body or to other patients and cause severe infections. It is therefore important to learn more about the ecological effects of antibacterial agents on the human microflora. The impact on intestinal microorganisms of oral antibiotics used for the treatment of UTIs is reviewed here. Ampicillin, amoxycillin and co-amoxiclav suppress both the aerobic and anaerobic intestinal microflora with overgrowth of ampicillin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Pivmecillinam also affects the intestinal microflora, suppressing Escherichia coli, but does not have a major effect on the anaerobic microflora. Several orally administered cephalosporins, such as cefixime, cefpodoxime, cefprozil and ceftibuten, reduce the number of Enterobacteriaceae and increase the number of enterococci. Colonization with C. difficile has also been observed. Fluoroquinolones eliminate or strongly suppress intestinal Enterobacteriaceae, but affect enterococci and anaerobic bacteria only slightly. When antimicrobial agents are prescribed for the treatment of UTIs, not only the antimicrobial spectrum of the agent but also the potential ecological disturbances, including the risk of emergence of resistant strains, should be considered.

Administration, Oral↗

Characterization of beta-lactam-resistant Bacteroides fragilis isolates by use of PCR fingerprinting.

PCR fingerprinting was used for characterization of 35 beta-lactam-resistant Bacteroides fragilis strains isolated in Sweden and Hungary. Ten B. fragilis strains showed unique PCR fingerprints by use of the M13 core primer. Their main product was a DNA fragment with a length of 2000-bp which was absent in the other 25 strains and the reference strain B. fragilis ATCC 25285. The 2000-bp fragment from four imipenem-resistant strains gave rise to positive reactions in a specific PCR for detection of ccrA. Printed by the T3B primer, five B. fragilis strains, including the imipenem-resistant strains showed unique PCR fingerprints. The investigated imipenem-resistant strains produced carbapenem-hydrolysing metallo-beta-lactamases. The study indicates that the unique PCR fingerprinting profiles shown in highly beta-lactam resistant B. fragilis strains are correlated to antimicrobial resistance. The PCR fingerprinting technique is a useful tool for differentiation of Bacteroides fragilis strains with high-level beta-lactam resistance.

Journal Article↗

Comparative effects of omeprazole, amoxycillin plus metronidazole versus omeprazole, clarithromycin plus metronidazole on the oral, gastric and intestinal microflora in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients.

Fourteen patients with Helicobacter pylori infection were treated with 20 mg omeprazole, 1 g amoxycillin and 400 mg metronidazole bd for 7 days (OAM), and 16 patients were treated with 20 mg omeprazole, 250 mg clarithromycin and 400 mg metronidazole bd for 7 days (OCM). Saliva, gastric biopsies and faecal samples were collected before, during (day 7) and 4 weeks after treatment in order to analyse alterations of the normal microflora and to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Both treatment regimens resulted in marked quantitative and qualitative alterations. A selection of resistant streptococcal strains were noticed in both treatment groups, most apparent in the OCM group where a shift from susceptible to resistant strains was recorded. In the OAM group, six patients had overgrowth of resistant enterobacteriaceae during treatment compared with none in the OCM group, in the gastric microflora. The MICs for Enterococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae in faeces increased significantly during treatment in both groups. Nine patients in the OAM group became intestinally colonized by yeasts during treatment. The total anaerobic microflora was strongly suppressed in both treatment groups, although most pronounced in the OCM group, where the frequency of clarithromycin-resistant bacteroides strains increased from 2 to 76% during treatment, and remained at 59% 4 weeks post-treatment. Even if the treatment outcome was better in the OCM group (100%) than in the OAM group (71%), the amoxycillin-based treatment might be preferable from an ecological point of view, since the qualitative alterations in terms of emergence and persistence of resistant strains seemed to be most pronounced in the clarithromycin-treated group.

Adult↗

Ecological effect of gatifloxacin on the normal human intestinal microflora.

Gatifloxacin, a new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone, was given in oral doses of 400 mg once daily for 10 days to 18 healthy volunteers, in order to study the impact on the normal intestinal microflora. Fecal samples were collected prior to administration (Day -4 and Day -1), during the administration period (Day 5 and 10) and after withdrawal of administration (Day 12, 16, 22, 30 and 50). In the aerobic intestinal microflora Escherichia coli strains were eliminated or strongly suppressed during the administration period and the numbers of enterococci decreased significantly while the numbers of staphylococci increased at the same time. In the anaerobic microflora the numbers of clostridia and fusobacteria decreased significantly during the administration period while no other major changes occurred. The microflora was normalized 40 days after the administration of gatifloxacin had stopped. No selection or overgrowth of resistant bacterial strains or yeasts occurred. The ecological impact of gatifloxacin was shown to be selective and similar to that of quinolones like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and ofloxacin.

Adolescent↗

Effect of quinolones on intestinal ecology.

Quinolones have a selective effect on the normal human intestinal microflora. Published data on 13 different quinolone agents [ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, lomefloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, rufloxacin, sitafloxacin (DU-6859a), gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin and moxifloxacin] show that gram-negative aerobic bacteria, especially Enterobacteriaceae, are strongly suppressed or eliminated during therapy. Gram-positive aerobic cocci are affected strongly by administration of sitafloxacin and moxifloxacin and to minor degrees by the other quinolones. Three new quinolones--gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin and moxifloxacin--are very active against anaerobic bacteria in vitro but have minor effects on the anaerobic intestinal human microflora. Similar findings have been reported for the other 10 quinolones. Thus, the quinolone antibacterials have an ecological impact on the human intestinal microflora, mainly on the enterobacteria, that should be taken into account when these agents are used for prophylaxis or treatment of gastrointestinal bacterial infections.

4-Quinolones↗

[Choose preparations that affect the intestinal ecosystem as little as possible!].

The administration of antimicrobials often causes ecological disturbances in the normal microflora, such as decreased colonisation resistance which may result in overgrowth of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms such as yeasts and Clostridium difficile. Another possible consequence is the establishment of resistant strains which may spread within the host, or from person to person, causing infection. Resistant bacteria can also transfer resistance genes to their own or other species. The article consists in a review of studies performed by various investigators during the past 20 years, and illustrating the impact of different antimicrobial agents on the human gastrointestinal microflora.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Comparative in vitro activity of BAY 12-8039 and five other antimicrobial agents against anaerobic bacteria.

The in vitro activity of BAY 12-8039 against 360 anaerobic clinical isolates was determined by the agar dilution method and compared to that of five other antimicrobial agents. BAY 12-8039 and imipenem were the most active agents tested. The following MIC90 values were determined for BAY 12-8039: Peptostreptococcus spp. (50 isolates), 1 mg/l; Propionibacterium acnes (30 isolates). 0.25 mg/l; Clostridium perfringens (30 isolates), 0.5 mg/l; Clostridium difficile (50 isolates), 2 mg/l; Bacteroides fragilis (50 isolates), 1 mg/l; non-fragilis Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella spp. (100 isolates), 2 mg/l; and Fusobacterium spp. (50 isolates), 0.25 mg/l. The results of the present study show that BAY 12-8039 may be useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of anaerobic infections.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Toxicological aspects on the release and systemic uptake of mercury from dental amalgam.

This paper summarizes some recent reports on mercury release from amalgam fillings and resulting concentrations in biological fluids, development of antibiotic resistance, and kidney function. In a series of studies of subjects with amalgam fillings, mercury (Hg) levels were followed in saliva, feces, blood, plasma, and urine before and until 60 d after removal of all of the fillings. The Hg concentrations in saliva remained elevated for at least 1 wk, suggesting that dissolved Hg vapor is not the major source of mercury in mixed saliva. An absorption phase of Hg was seen in plasma during 24 h after amalgam removal. After 60 d the plasma Hg concentration was reduced to 40%, of the baseline level. The decrease per amalgam surface was 0.11 nmol/l (range 0.02 0.40). The Hg level in feces increased two orders of magnitude two days after amalgam removal. At day 60, the median Hg concentration was still slightly higher than the median value of the amalgam free control group. The resistance patterns of the oral and intestinal microflora in these subjects were also studied. In the intestinal microflora, the relative amount of intestinal microorganisms resistant to 50 microM HgCl2 peaked 7 d after removal of the amalgam fillings, with a median value per sample of 6.1%, compared to 1.3% in samples collected prior to the Hg exposure. However, no statistical differences in the resistance pattern of the oral microflora were detected between the control and the experimental groups. A number of sensitive kidney function parameters were measured 1 wk before and 1, 2, and 60 d after amalgam removal. No effects on the various kidney parameters studied were recorded. According to the conclusions of independent evaluations from different state health agencies, the release of mercury from dental amalgam does not present any non-acceptable risk to the general population.

Absorption↗

In vitro activity of HMR 3647 against anaerobic bacteria.

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the in vitro activity of HMR 3647 compared with other antimicrobial agents against anaerobic bacteria. The activity of HMR 3647 was determined against 342 clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria by the agar dilution method and was compared with azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, erythromycin, cefoxitin, imipenem, clindamycin and metronidazole. Among the macrolides HMR 3647 and among the beta-lactams imipenem were the most active agents tested. Anaerobic cocci (50 strains) had the following minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs): HMR 3647, range 0.016-0.125 mg/l; imipenem, range 0.016-0.064 mg/l. Propionibacterium acnes (30 strains): HMR 3647, 0.016-1.0 mg/l; imipenem, 0.032-0.064 mg/l. Clostridium perfringens (30 strains): HMR 3647, 0.125 mg/l; imipenem, 0.016-0.5 mg/l. Clostridium difficile (50 strains): HMR 3647, 0.125-256 mg/l; imipenem, 4.0-8.0 mg/l. Bacteroides fragilis (102 strains): HMR 3647, 0.032-16 mg/l; imipenem, 0.064-0.25 mg/l. Bacteroides and Prevotella species (50 strains): HMR 3647, 0.016-4.0 mg/l; imipenem, 0.016-0.25 mg/l. Fusobacterium nucleatum (30 strains): HMR 3647, 0.016-8.0 mg/l; imipenem, 0.008-0.064 mg/l. HMR 3647 may be useful as treatment and prophylaxis for infections due to anaerobic bacteria.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗