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F Poch

Publications and source records attributed to F Poch.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

"All-in-one-plate" E-test and disk diffusion susceptibility co-testing for multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii requires ancillary manual susceptibility testing with the E-test and disk diffusion when tested with the VITEK-2 system (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). In the study presented here, the E-test and disk diffusion were combined in a single plate, and the method was verified by comparing categorical agreement of combined and control plates. There were no very major, major or minor errors, and similar results were obtained for all ten representative bacterial strains used as controls. Co-testing is thus feasible, accurate and reproducible, and it merits evaluation with other bacterial species.

Acinetobacter baumannii↗
PubMed2004

Concentrations of moxifloxacin in serum and synovial fluid, and ex vivo bactericidal activity against arthritis-causing pathogens.

Three doses of moxifloxacin 400 mg qd were administered orally to 20 candidates for knee arthroscopy (mean age, 71.2 years). The procedure was scheduled at four different points of time after the last dose: 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. Five patients were studied at each point of time. Drug levels were determined by the bioassay method. Bactericidal activity against four bacterial pathogens (two strains of each) was studied on serum and synovial fluid samples obtained during arthroscopy using the NCCLS guidelines. Mean (+/-S.D.) peak serum and synovial fluid concentrations were 3.46 +/- 0.78 mg/L and 3.42 +/- 0.51 mg/L, respectively. Levels above 1.0 mg/L were detected as long as 24 h. The peak bactericidal titers were (in serum and synovial fluid, respectively) 1:18.3 and 1:32 against Staphylococcus aureus, 1:18.3 and 1:22.6 against Streptococcus pyogenes, 1:45.2 and 1:64.0 against Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 1:2.3 and 1:1.7 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bactericidal titers >1:2 were documented against the first three pathogens up to 24 h after dosing. On the basis of its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, moxifloxacin seems to be an excellent candidate for the treatment of joint infections, except those caused by P. aeruginosa.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

High rate of vaginal infections caused by non-C. albicans Candida species among asymptomatic women.

A prospective observational study of patients attending a gynecological clinic and those referred to a clinic for genitourinary infections was undertaken with the purpose of evaluating the relative prevalence of non-C. albicans Candida species among Candida isolates from the vagina in different clinical settings in an area with high occurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The rate of non-C. albicans Candida species was 44.5% among asymptomatic women, 19.4% among those with sporadic vaginitis and 21% among patients with chronic vaginal symptoms (p < 0.001 for asymptomatic vs. pooled symptomatic women). No increase in the rate of non-C. albicans Candida was observed during a period of 4 years (1995-1998) despite a 1.57-fold increase in the sales of azole antifungal agents. Unlike some previous reports we could not document an association of non-C. albicans Candida species with chronic vaginal symptoms or increased use of azole antifungal agents. The significantly higher rate of these yeasts in asymptomatic women is in accord with the known tendency of non-C. albicans Candida species to cause mild symptoms.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2001

Crossover assessment of serum bactericidal activity of grepafloxacin, ofloxacin and clarithromycin against respiratory pathogens after oral administration to healthy volunteers.

Serum bactericidal activity was studied in a crossover manner in 10 volunteers, after 2-day administration of grepafloxacin 600 mg qd, ofloxacin 400 mg bid and clarithromycin 500 mg bid. Bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, was estimated using a standardized microdilution method. Grepafloxacin was highly active against Gram-negative organisms and adequate against pneumococci (mean, 1:13.3). Clarithromycin was very active against both penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-partially-resistant S. pneumoniae (1:102.5) but had poor activity against H. influenzae (1:3.1). Minor adverse effects were commonly associated with grepafloxacin.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of ex-vivo serum bactericidal activity of cefepime, ceftazidime and cloxacillin against Staphylococcus aureus.

Cefepime (1 g), ceftazidime (1 g), and cloxacillin (2 g) were administered intravenously to 10 volunteers each. After infusion of a single dose over 30 min, blood samples were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h (for ceftazidime at 0.5 and 4 h) after dosing. Drug levels were determined by the bioassay method. Serum bactericidal activity against five clinical isolates of cloxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus were determined by the microdilution method according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines. The mean peak serum level was 76.88 +/- 24.71 mg/L for cefepime, 42.8 +/- 15.98 mL/L for ceftazidime, and 92.81 +/- 24.7 mg/L for cloxacillin. Concentrations of cefepime were detected during the whole testing period (mean trough level, 1.43 +/- 0.9 mg/L at 12 h), whereas concentrations of cloxacillin were measurable up to 5 h after administration (mean trough level, 0.90 +/- 0.97 mg/L). The mean peak reciprocal bactericidal titers were 29.41 for cefepime, 5.6 for ceftazidime, and 377 for cloxacillin. Effective bactericidal titers were detected as long as 5 h for cefepime (approximately 40% of the dosing interval) and 3 h for cloxacillin (at least 50% of the dosing interval). For ceftazidime, serum bactericidal activity was markedly lower compared with that of cefepime. Although cefepime has demonstrated an improved antistaphylococcal bactericidal activity compared with ceftazidime, it was somewhat lower than that of cloxacillin.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Rectal colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci among high-risk patients in an Israeli hospital.

The prevalence of rectal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in two high-risk populations--61 patients admitted to ICU and 92 patients on renal dialysis--was studied longitudinally over a period of six months in a 650-bed general hospital. ICU patients were swabbed weekly and dialysis patients monthly. Enterococcal isolates were fully identified using the ATB identification system, and MICs were determined according to the NCCLS recommendations. Enterococci were isolated in 52 (83.6%) ICU patients and 86 (93.4%) dialysis patients. VRE were recovered at least once in 14 (27%) ICU patients and four (4.8%) dialysis patients. All VRE isolates (MIC of vancomycin > or = 256 micrograms/mL) were resistant to teicoplanin (MIC > or = 32 micrograms/mL; vanA phenotype), 87.5% were ampicillin-resistant, and 92% showed high-level resistance to gentamicin; 88% were E. faecium. The main risk factors for acquisition of VRE included duration of hospitalization in the six months preceding entry into the study and during the survey (P = 0.009 and 0.007 respectively, for ICU patients), and duration of antibiotic administration (P = 0.005, for ICU patients). The impact of vancomycin was most prominent (P = 0.005 for receipt and 0.06 for duration of administration, in ICU patients). Six of the 18 VRE carriers developed bacteraemia, six isolates being vancomycin-susceptible and one vancomycin-resistant (one patient had both). In this study, the first in Israel, a low rectal carriage rate occurred in renal dialysis patients and antibiotic use was the most important risk factor for VRE colonization.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Concentration and bactericidal activity of fusidic acid and cloxacillin in serum and synovial fluid.

Fusidic acid and cloxacillin were studied in patients who underwent joint aspiration for noninfectious disorders. Nine patients were given oral 500 mg fusidic acid tid for 72 h, the last dose being given 4, 8 or 12 h before the joint aspiration. Cloxacillin was administered in a single 2 g iv dose to 9 patients, 0.5, 4 or 8 h before the aspiration. Bactericidal activity was determined against five isolates each of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Satisfactory activity (> or = 1:3) was detected in the serum in patients who received fusidic acid, while in the synovial fluids titres reflected borderline effectiveness (c. 1:2). Despite drug concentrations and excellent MICs, fusidic acid demonstrated markedly lower inhibitory and bactericidal activity against S. aureus than did cloxacillin.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Serum bactericidal activity of newer oral cephalosporins in healthy volunteers.

The serum bactericidal activity of three oral cephalosporins was studied in 12 volunteers, after administration of single doses of cefuroxime axetil 250 mg, cefixime 200 mg, cefixime 400 mg and cefetamet pivoxil 500 mg. Serum bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Klebsiella pneumoniae was measured by a standardized microdilution method. Cefuroxime axetil demonstrated the best bactericidal activity against Gram-positive organisms and cefixime was the most bactericidal against Gram-negative bacteria.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Penetration and bactericidal activity of cefixime in synovial fluid.

The penetration of oral cefixime into the synovial fluids of 16 patients (mean age, 50.6 years) who underwent joint taps for rheumatic noninfectious disorders was examined. The patients were each given a single dose (400 mg) 2 to 24 h prior to the tap. Cefixime concentrations in serum and joint fluid samples were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the bactericidal activities of these fluids against three isolates each of Haemophilus influenzae and Escherichia coli were examined. The highest concentrations in serum and synovial fluid were achieved 4 h following drug intake, the mean values being 2.8 and 2.03 micrograms/ml, respectively. Effective bactericidal activities (bactericidal titer, > 1:2) against E. coli and H. influenzae were demonstrated in serum and joint fluid up to 10 h following oral intake of cefixime. These results suggest that cefixime penetrates well into joint fluid, achieving levels above the MIC for E. coli lasting as long as 10 h and levels above the MIC for H. influenzae lasting up to 24 h after administration. Good bactericidal activity against susceptible bacterial isolates was observed for at least 10 h after dosing.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Modified thioglycolate medium: a simple and reliable means for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Despite the declining rate of sexually transmitted diseases in developed countries, trichomoniasis is still one of the most common venereal infections. While diagnosis of this condition is commonly based on the microscopic wet-mount method, culture remains the most accurate single procedure for detecting the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis in clinical samples. In the present study, the efficacy of a modified formula of the commonly available thioglycolate medium was compared with that of the standard Diamond's medium for detection of T. vaginalis in samples from 176 women with vaginal symptoms. Thioglycolate medium supplemented with yeast extract, horse serum, and antimicrobial agents was as reliable as Diamond's medium for detection of T. vaginalis in vaginal fluid samples. Modified thioglycolate medium may be used as a readily available, low-cost substitute for the standard medium for culturing T. vaginalis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Comparative serum bactericidal activities of three doses of ciprofloxacin administered intravenously.

The pharmacokinetics and serum bactericidal activities of three intravenous doses of ciprofloxacin were studied comparatively in 30 patients. Single 200-, 300-, and 400-mg intravenous doses of ciprofloxacin were given over 30 min to 10 patients each, and serum samples were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 h after the start of the infusion. Serum drug concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by using noncompartmental analysis methods. Serum bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Staphylococcus aureus was determined for samples obtained at 0.5, 4, 8, and 12 h. Excellent activity was demonstrated up to 12 h by all doses against E. coli and E. cloacae. Much poorer titers were observed for the remaining organisms, although the 400-mg dose prompted improved results against P. aeruginosa with a mean bactericidal titer of 1:2.9 at 8 h. In conclusion, while the 200-mg dose appears to be largely adequate for infections caused by members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, it seems that when P. aeruginosa is involved, 400 mg twice a day or even three times a day is more appropriate. Intravenous ciprofloxacin performs poorly against A. calcoaceticus and S. aureus, even at a higher dose.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Penetration of ciprofloxacin into human peritoneal tissue following a single oral dose of 750 milligrams.

The penetration of ciprofloxacin into the peritoneal tissue was studied in 10 patients after a single oral dose of 750 mg given 5.6 hours (mean) before elective laparotomy. The mean tissue level was 0.29 micrograms/ml (range, 0.082 to 0.96 micrograms/ml) while the mean concomitant serum level was 1.3 micrograms/g (range, 0.52 to 2.57 micrograms/g). The achieved concentrations are above the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin for most gram-negative bacteria commonly involved in intra-abdominal infections.

Abdomen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by non-hospitalized subjects in Israel.

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the anterior nares and axilla was studied in 920 non-hospitalized subjects: 350 drug addicts, 350 individuals presenting at a hospital emergency room for various reasons, and 220 hospital health care workers. S. aureus was isolated from 105 (11.4%) subjects, in six (6.3%) of whom the isolates were methicillin-resistant. The isolation rate of the organism and the prevalence of resistant strains in the different subgroups were, respectively: drug-addicts, n = 32 (9.1%), n = 2 (6.9%); emergency room patients, n = 36 (10.2%), n = 1 (3.2%); and hospital health care workers, n = 37 (16.8%), n = 3 (8.5%). Our findings suggest that MRSA remains uncommon in the community, while the prevalence of S. aureus carriage (including methicillin-resistant strains) in hospital personnel is quite similar in divergent geographical areas.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative serum bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa of six antipseudomonal agents.

Serum levels and serum bactericidal activities of six antipseudomonal agents were studied comparatively in 60 patients. Single intravenous doses of gentamicin (1.5 mg/kg), piperacillin (4 g), ceftazidime (1 g), imipenem (0.5 g), aztreonam (1 g), and ciprofloxacin (200 mg) were given over 30 min to 10 patients each, and serum samples were obtained 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h after beginning the infusion. Serum bactericidal activity was determined by the broth microdilution method against 10 recent isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mean peak serum levels were as follows: gentamicin 10.4 micrograms/ml, piperacillin 227.5 micrograms/ml, ceftazidime 43.5 micrograms/ml, imipenem 17.3 micrograms/ml, aztreonam 42.3 micrograms/ml, and ciprofloxacin 3.9 micrograms/ml. All agents demonstrated effective serum bactericidal activity (geometric mean titer > 1:2) at peak serum levels. Ceftazidime was by far the most potent compound with a mean titer of 1:46.5, followed by ciprofloxacin (1:17), imipenem (1:13.7), and aztreonam (1:13.4). Ceftazidime also showed the longest duration of activity with a mean titer of 1:5.1 at 4 h. Based on our results, ceftazidime appeared to be the most potent antipseudomonal agent, while gentamicin and piperacillin were the least effective.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum concentrations and ex vivo inhibitory/bactericidal activity of clindamycin after administration of two oral dosages.

Two dosages of clindamycin, 300 and 600 mg, were given orally to 10 patients each. The patients were admitted for minor elective surgery. Their mean age was 39.3 years; mean weight was 67.5 kg. None of them had taken antibiotics for at least 1 month. After administration of a single dose, blood samples were obtained at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h after dosing. Drug levels were determined by the bioassay method using Micrococcus luteus as test organism. Serum inhibitory and bactericidal activities against five isolates each of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were determined by the microdilution method according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines. The mean peak serum level was 3.4 mg/l for the 300-mg dose and 4.8 mg/l for the 600-mg dose. The mean reciprocal peak inhibitory titers for the 300-/600-mg doses were 13.7/23.8 and 15.2/34.7 against S. aureus and S. pyogenes, respectively. Most serum samples did not show bactericidal activity against S. aureus.

Administration, Oral↗