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J C Pechère

Publications and source records attributed to J C Pechère.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Novel method for measurement of outer membrane permeability to new beta-lactams in intact Enterobacter cloacae cells.

The ability of five new beta-lactams to permeate the outer membrane of intact Enterobacter cloacae beta-lactamase-overproducing cells was measured by using a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based technique that avoided certain possible artifacts of the traditional methods. Low concentrations of antibiotics were mixed with bacterial suspensions, and at different times, the cells were removed from the medium by filtration. Residual beta-lactam concentrations in the medium were then assessed by HPLC and UV detection. The assay was performed under conditions in which no beta-lactamase activity was detected in the filtrate and the number of viable cells remained constant during the experiment. Outer membrane permeability was assessed with the Zimmermann-Rosselet equation, in which outer membrane permeability was rate limiting for hydrolysis of the beta-lactam by periplasmic beta-lactamase. Thus, the rate of disappearance of beta-lactam was equal to the rate of outer membrane permeation. Preincubation of bacterial suspensions with 300 micrograms of cloxacillin per ml inhibited the hydrolysis of beta-lactams by intact cells, demonstrating that beta-lactam hydrolysis by periplasmic beta-lactamase was essential in order to allow measurement of outer membrane permeability by this method. Permeability coefficients (P) were calculated from the Zimmermann-Rosselet equation and were independent of the external concentration of antibiotic over a 100-fold concentration range. Cefepime and cefpirome exhibited rates of outer membrane permeation 5- to 20-fold higher than those of carumonam, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime. Thus, the presence of a positive charge in the 3-lateral chain increased the permeation ability of beta-lactam molecules considerably.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Reevaluation of the factors involved in the efficacy of new beta-lactams against Enterobacter cloacae.

The roles of outer membrane permeability, beta-lactamase stability, and inhibition of penicillin-binding proteins in the activity of new beta-lactams against Enterobacter cloacae were reappraised by using several methodological improvements. Outer membrane permeability in intact cells was determined by using a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based technique that avoided certain possible artifacts of the traditional methods. Vmax values were calculated from the numbers of enzyme molecules produced per cell and from catalytic constant (Kcat) values, which were obtained with purified beta-lactamase. Minimal periplasmic antibiotic concentrations needed to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis were estimated from the Zimmermann-Rosselet equation. All the beta-lactams tested formed relatively stable complexes with purified beta-lactamase. The antibiotics that exhibited low affinity for beta-lactamase apparently needed higher periplasmic concentrations to inhibit cell wall synthesis, suggesting a possible correlation between the affinity of beta-lactamase and the affinity of penicillin-binding proteins for the new beta-lactams. By using these estimates of outer membrane permeability, beta-lactamase hydrolysis, and cell wall-inhibiting concentrations, MIC could be theoretically predicted to within 1 dilution for five beta-lactams in three isogenic E. cloacae strains with differences in antibiotic susceptibility due to different porin or beta-lactamase contents.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Role of protein D2 and lipopolysaccharide in diffusion of quinolones through the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Routes of quinolone permeation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated by using sparfloxacin as a prototype compound. [14C]sparfloxacin cell labeling was 13 to 28% lower in three protein D2-deficient mutants resistant to imipenem than in their imipenem-susceptible counterparts. In four impermeability-type quinolone-resistant strains isolated from pefloxacin-treated animals, we observed two- to fourfold-greater resistance to imipenem, reduced protein D2 expression in the outer membrane according to Western blotting (immunoblotting), and 25 to 29% decreased cell labeling with imipenem. In a protein D2-producing strain but not in its protein D2-deficient isogenic mutant, uptake of [14C]sparfloxacin was strongly inhibited by L-lysine and imipenem, which act as substrates for protein D2. Conversely, binding of [14C]imipenem in a porin D2-positive strain was reduced by sparfloxacin but not by the nonamphoteric quinolone nalidixic acid. Sparfloxacin, imipenem, and lysine possess a carboxyl group and a potentially protonated nitrogen separated from each other by 0.64 to 1.07 nm as calculated by computer. Hence, protein D2 may catalyze facilitated diffusion for sparfloxacin, as it does for imipenem. In addition, pefloxacin-selected isolates contained 41 to 113% more 3-deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic acid than their quinolone-susceptible counterparts, with MIC increases of 2- to 4-fold for WIN-57273 (n-octanol-phosphate buffer partition coefficient, 13.139), 4- to 8-fold for difloxacin (partition coefficient, 3.093) and sparfloxacin (partition coefficient, 0.431), and 8- to 16-fold for norfloxacin (partition coefficient, 0.059) and ciprofloxacin (partition coefficient, 0.056). Thus, we hypothetize that in quinolone-selected strains, increased amounts of lipopolysaccharide form a permeability barrier that acts preferentially against hydrophilic quinolones.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Why are carbapenems active against Enterobacter cloacae resistant to third generation cephalosporins?

The broad antibacterial activity of carbapenems includes Gram-negative rods resistant to third generation cephalosporins. To increase the understanding of this improved activity, the factors involved in the efficacy of imipenem and ceftriaxone against Enterobacter cloacae have been examined. Resistance to ceftriaxone is primarily the result of a selection of resistant clones ("derepressed mutants"), pre-existing within the Enterobacter populations. Most of the resistant clones produce large amounts of beta-lactamases, and some of them show a decreased expression of porin F coupled with an increased expression of porin C. Determination of outer membrane permeability, as calculated in intact cells using a HPLC-based technique, showed that imipenem penetrated three times faster than ceftriaxone. Moreover, unlike ceftriaxone, imipenem penetration was not affected in a porin F deficient mutant. This suggests that imipenem has an additional pathway not available for ceftriaxone, possibly porin C. The rate of beta-lactamase hydrolysis in experimental conditions thought to be physiologically relevant, and the affinity for PBPs, estimated by calculation, were similar for the two antibiotics. Thus, the activity of imipenem against ceftriaxone resistant E. cloacae seems to result mainly from a selective permeability of the outer membrane.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Activity of amphotericin B and intraconazole against intraphagocytic Candida albicans.

The activity of amphotericin B and intraconazole against intracellular Candida albicans was determined in vitro using murine resident peritoneal macrophages. Amphotericin B at concentrations of 0.5 and 2 micrograms/ml produced significantly less rapid killing of intracellular than of extracellular Candida albicans as measured in macrophage-free medium. Amphotericin B at concentrations of 0.1 micrograms/ml or itraconazole concentrations of up to 3 micrograms/ml produced only fungistatic or limited fungicidal activity against both intracellular and extracellular organisms. Against intracellular Candida albicans amphotericin B acted by direct antifungal action rather than through stimulation of macrophage function, as demonstrated by the fact that (i) activity persisted when macrophages were successively exposed to amphotericin B, washed and disrupted by sonication, and (ii) no activity was seen when amphotericin B was tested against intracellular amphotericin B-resistant Candida tropicalis or Salmonella typhimurium. Pre-exposure of macrophages to itraconazole (0.4 micrograms/ml) inhibited subsequent killing activity of amphotericin B (2 micrograms/ml) against intracellular susceptible Candida albicans. These experiments validate the conventional methods of susceptibility testing for determining the fungistatic activity of antifungal agents.

Amphotericin B↗

Effect of motility and chemotaxis on the invasion of Salmonella typhimurium into HeLa cells.

Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 is able to invade HeLa cells in vitro. The effect of the motility and chemotaxis of the bacteria on cell invasion were examined by two methods: (1) conventional invasion assays where the HeLa cell monolayers were placed horizontally at the bottom of plastic wells and (2) vertical assays where the HeLa cell monolayer attached to one face of plastic bottles was placed vertically. In both assays, the invasion rate of the wild-type strain was higher than that in isogenic non-motile mutants. There was no significant difference between the invasion rate of non-flagellated mutants and that of a flagellated but non-motile mutant. These observations indicated that the motility per se increases the rate of the bacterial invasion by increasing the chance of encounter between Salmonella and the HeLa cells. Smooth-swimming non-chemotactic mutants exhibited 10 times higher invasion rates than the wild-type strain in conventional assays but their invasion rates in vertical assays were approximately equal to that of the wild-type strain. This result indicated that in the conventional assays, the migration of the wild-type bacteria towards the HeLa cells was hampered by their chemotactic responses. Tumbly non-chemotactic mutants exhibited invasion rates intermediate between the wild-type and non-motile strains presumably because of their intermediate net speeds of migration.

Cell Movement↗

Expression of host resistance to Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium: bacterial survival within macrophages of murine and human origin.

Cell-association of various strains of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium with different populations of macrophages was studied. Macrophages were infected, exposed to gentamicin, washed, and counts of viable bacteria protected from gentamicin killing were made. J774A.1 cells, a continuous macrophage-like cell line, were the most permissive, all strains tested achieving similar high recoveries. Virulent S. typhimurium 779C-Sms, but not avirulent S. typhimurium 779C-SmD, survived well in mouse peritoneal macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages. Virulent S. typhi Ty2 were killed by mouse peritoneal macrophages, but were able to survive within human monocyte-derived macrophages. Viable counts of clinical isolates of S. typhi within the human monocyte-derived phagocytes were lower as compared with those of S. typhi Ty2. Phagocytosis of opsonized and non-opsonized virulent S. typhi Ty2 and S. typhimurium 779C-SmS by mouse peritoneal macrophages failed to trigger their respiratory burst as assessed by the intracellular reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT). These experiments support the view that the intracellular survival of Salmonella is in part host dependent and specific in nature. They also suggest that virulence influences the survival and intracellular multiplication of Salmonella within macrophages, and that their ultimate fate within macrophages may not be related to oxygen-dependent mechanisms.

Animals↗

Novel resistance to imipenem associated with an altered PBP-4 in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate.

A Pseudomonas aeruginosa (isolate 416) from a patient with pneumonia, was initially susceptible to imipenem (MIC: 2 mg/l) but became resistant to this antibiotic (isolate 470, MIC: 32 mg/l) during imipenem therapy. Treatment failed. No parallel increases in MIC were observed for other antimicrobials tested. Isolates 416 and 470 shared the same pyocin type and serotype, produced small amounts of an inducible beta-lactamase, and had similar lipopolysaccharide compositions. On electrophoresis of outer membrane proteins, the porin F, identified by the monoclonal antibody MA4-4, was expressed similarly by the two isolates but the production of one band (apparent molecular weight: 47,000) was diminished in isolate 470. [14C]-Imipenem labelling of intact cells proceeded more slowly in 470 than in 416, especially when bacterial cells were treated by antibody MA4-4 to block the porin F channel. [14C]-Imipenem labelling of penicillin binding proteins (PBP) showed that the band identified as PBP-4 bound markedly less radioactivity in isolate 470 than in 416. After isolate 470 was passaged several times in antibiotic-free broth, the imipenem MIC was decreased from 32 to 8 mg/l, and the [14C]-imipenem PBP pattern recovered the initial profile as exhibited by isolate 416. Two resistance mechanisms, affecting imipenem electively, could have combined their effect in the post-therapy isolate, altered target protein and reduced permeability.

Animals↗

Effects of ampicillin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, pefloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole on Salmonella typhi within human monocyte-derived macrophages.

The killing effect of various antimicrobial agents used in the therapy of Salmonella typhi infection was tested against Salm. typhi strain Ty2 after phagocytosis by human monocyte-derived macrophages. The macrophages, cultured in 96-well microtitre plates, were infected for 1 h at 37 degrees C by opsonized Salm. typhi Ty2 at a bacteria-cell ratio of 9:1. When added to the infected macrophage monolayers, at one and ten times the MIC, ampicillin, ceftriaxone and pefloxacin appeared to be highly bactericidal (less than 0.25 log10 cfu/well after 20 h, against 4 log10 cfu/well in antibiotic-free controls). Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was bactericidal at ten times the MIC, but not at the MIC. Chloramphenicol was mostly bacteriostatic at the concentrations tested. As a control, gentamicin (10 mg/l) did not exhibit any significant antibacterial effect, indicating that most or all the bacteria recovered from lysed cells were intracellular. Other controls for phagocytosis were also performed with heat-killed Candida albicans. Our results seem to correlate with the known clinical effect of some antimicrobials in human Salm. typhi infection. The in-vitro assay described here may be useful for assessing the activity of antimicrobial agents against Salm. typhi infection.

Ampicillin↗

Usual and unusual antibacterial effects of quinolones.

Recently documented antibacterial effects of quinolones are reviewed. DNA gyrase is most likely to be the primary target site for these agents. Quinolones rapidly kill susceptible bacteria; the mechanisms of the bactericidal activity, still poorly understood, probably involve new protein synthesis. Quinolones alter membrane integrity before cell death, leading to leakage of cytoplasmic constituents. In Gram-negative bacteria, quinolones act as chelating agents for outer membrane divalent cations, disorganizing the bacterial lipopolysaccharide layer and facilitating the further entry of quinolone molecules in a 'self-promoted' pathway. Quinolones inhibit plasmid replication and reduce the efficacy of plasmid conjugation. Subinhibitory concentrations of quinolones can interfere with bacterial virulence factors, such as bacterial adherence to the host cell, phagocytosis and production of enzymes implicated in virulence. Recent studies also indicate synergism of quinolones with oxacillin against methicillin-resistant staphylococci and describe improved activity of newer compounds against Gram-positive pathogens.

4-Quinolones↗

In vitro and in vivo effects of doxycycline on Toxoplasma gondii.

We investigated the effects of doxycycline on Toxoplasma gondii infections in vitro and in vivo. Resident peritoneal macrophages were infected with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii and exposed to doxycycline at different concentrations. The antitoxoplasmic activity of doxycycline was first assessed with [3H]uracil, which is incorporated by the parasite but not the host cell. The concentration of doxycycline that inhibited 50% of the radioactive uptake was calculated to be 6.4 micrograms/ml (95% confidence limits, 5.07 to 8.06 micrograms/ml); the concentration of doxycycline that inhibited 90% of the radioactive uptake was 14 micrograms/ml. Tetracycline was ineffective up to 40 micrograms/ml. Furthermore, microscopic examination of the infected macrophages after treatment with doxycycline confirmed the inhibition of intracellular growth of T. gondii. Mice acutely infected by the intraperitoneal route with 5 x 10(3) tachyzoites of T. gondii were protected against death with a dose of 300 mg of doxycycline per kg (body weight) administered by the oral route for 10 days, starting 24 h after challenge. When mice were infected with 10(5) tachyzoites of T. gondii and treated 12 days starting 2 h after challenge, the protection and the cure rates were, respectively, 100 and 0% after doxycycline alone (300 mg/kg per day), 0 and 0% after pyrimethamine alone (12.5 mg/kg per day), and 100 and 60% after the combination of these two drugs at the same dosages given above. These results suggest that doxycycline may prove to be useful in the treatment of toxoplasmic infections.

Animals↗

Identification of Campylobacter jejuni surface proteins that bind to Eucaryotic cells in vitro.

To understand the role of Campylobacter jejuni surface proteins in the interaction of C. jejuni with cultured mammalian cell lines in vitro, we developed a ligand-binding assay. This procedure allowed us to antigenically identify C. jejuni outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that attach to intact host cell membranes. OMPs isolated from an invasive strain and a less invasive strain were antigenically indistinguishable. However, we found that proteins with molecular masses of 28 and 32 kilodaltons (kDa) from just the invasive strain bound to HEp-2 cell monolayers. Binding of the 32-kDa OMP was cell line specific and correlated directly with the ability of the invasive C. jejuni strain to penetrate. Such a correlation was probably also true for the 28-kDa OMP. We also investigated the binding of glycine acid extracts with cell line HEp-2. We identified four proteins with apparent molecular masses of 28, 32, 36, and 42 kDa in the invasive strain extracts that bound to HEp-2 cells. In contrast, only the 36-kDa protein from the less invasive strain bound to HEp-2 cells. Our data suggest that binding of these surface exposed proteins may play a key role in C. jejuni-host cell interactions and ultimate invasion.

Animals↗

Role of TNF and IL-1 in infections with Toxoplasma gondii.

Mice lethally infected with the C56 strain of Toxoplasma gondii and treated with purified recombinant murine tumour necrosis factor (TNF, 1 microgram/day/mouse for 8 days), recombinant human interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, 100 ng/day/mouse for 5 days) or a single dose of a combination of TNF (1 microgram/mouse) and IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta (100 ng/mouse) were significantly protected against death (P less than 0.05-0.001, as compared with untreated infected controls). Mice infected with 100,000 tachyzoites of the highly virulent RH strain of T. gondii released serum TNF in relation to the time after infection and were primed to secrete an enhanced level of serum TNF upon stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In vitro studies showed that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) increased the antimicrobial activity of murine peritoneal macrophages whereas TNF, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta did not. TNF, however, synergized with the anti-toxoplasmic effect provided by IFN-gamma and this activity was blocked by anti-TNF antibodies. IFN-gamma induced the production of TNF and the anti-toxoplasmic effect provided by IFN-gamma seemed to be dependent partly on the production of TNF. We conclude that TNF and IL-1 may play a significant role in modulating the host's immune defence against T. gondii infection.

Animals↗

Serum levels of ciprofloxacin after single oral doses in patients with septicemia.

Ciprofloxacin serum levels were measured after administration of the drug to 36 patients with septicemia (at least one positive blood culture) who were able to take oral medication. Patients were randomly allocated to receive ciprofloxacin 500 mg p.o. (n = 21) or 200 mg i.v. over 30 min (n = 15). A first dose was administered 18-30 h after the last positive blood culture (day 1), and a second dose four days later (day 5) in some patients. In addition to ciprofloxacin, standard antibiotics were administered. Organisms isolated were Escherichia coli (15), other gram-negative bacteria (6), Streptococcus pneumoniae (7), Staphylococcus aureus (2), and other gram-positive bacteria (6). None of the patients vomited. Ciprofloxacin serum concentrations 1 h after oral administration were in the range 0.09-2.32 mg/l, and 2 h after administration in the range 0.5-7.27 mg/l. The average terminal half-life was 8.6 h. In individual patients serum concentrations and area-under-the-curve values were compared. Poor correlation was found between values measured on day 1 and day 5 after oral administration, whereas the correlation was excellent after i.v. administration. Serum levels 2 h after oral administration were 30-900 times the MICs for the gram-negative organisms, but were in the range of the MICs for the gram-positive organisms in some cases. In conclusion, ciprofloxacin serum levels are difficult to predict in septicemia patients after oral administration, but probably suffice to treat infections caused by gram-negative organisms.

Administration, Oral↗

Macrophage oxidative metabolism and intracellular Toxoplasma gondii.

We explored the mechanisms by which Toxoplasma gondii avoids destruction by the oxidative metabolism of normal macrophages. Unelicited murine peritoneal macrophages were infected with T. gondii and exposed to different experimental conditions. As endpoints we used measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) release and intracellular reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT). Three main observations were made. Firstly, different T. gondii preparations (live or dead, opsonized or not) failed to trigger the respiratory burst. Combined challenges also showed that a primary T. gondii infection was able to block H2O2 release triggered by heat-killed (HK)-Candida albicans. The H2O2 release, however, once triggered by HK-C. albicans, was not inhibited by a subsequent challenge with T. gondii. Secondly, when a respiratory burst was obtained in T. gondii-infected macrophages--for instance by stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)--the toxic oxygen metabolites (as determined by the NBT reduction test) did not seem to reach the vacuoles containing the parasite. Thirdly, when a respiratory burst occurred in T. gondii-infected macrophages, the intracellular development of T. gondii did not seem to be affected. In conclusion, we hypothesize that T. gondii is not damaged by the macrophage oxidative metabolism because the parasite fails to encounter toxic oxygen metabolites. The killing of intracellular T. gondii, as it is commonly observed in activated macrophages, does not appear oxygen-dependent.

Animals↗

In-vitro toxoplasmacidal activity of cationic electron carriers.

Exposing murine macrophages infected with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii to micromolar concentrations of some cationic electron carriers (dyes), resulted in complete killing of the intracellular parasites at concentrations at which these compounds did not seem toxic for the macrophages. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (with 95% confidence limits) were calculated as 0.26 (0.18-0.37), 1.35 (1-2.25), 0.45 (0.13-1.50), and 1.52 (0.91-2.53) microM for crystal violet, phenazine methosulphate, methylene blue and brilliant cresyl blue, respectively. The effects of these electron carriers did not appear to be the result of an enhancement of the natural antitoxoplasmic activity of the macrophages. None of the tested compounds was active against extracellular Tox. gondii as measured by ability to reinfect murine macrophages; thus, these dyes seem to act primarily on actively metabolizing, intracellular, Tox. gondii. Our data also suggest that the killing effect of the electron carriers was not related to the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates as judged by the inability of scavengers of these intermediates to block the activity against intracellular Tox. gondii. Further studies with related redox compounds would have an interesting chemotherapeutic perspective for treating toxoplasma infections.

Animals↗

Determinants of efficacy and toxicity of aminoglycosides.

The relative efficacy of different aminoglycosides or of different dosage schedules of the same aminoglycoside should be quantitated and related to relative toxicity. Quantitative experimental indicators of efficacy should not only include MIC and MBC, but also the postantibiotic effect in vitro and in vivo, the emergence of resistance in in-vitro and in-vivo models, and the relationship between plasma concentration profiles and efficacy. Parameters of clinical efficacy are to be related to pharmacokinetic parameters such as the ratio between the peak serum concentration and the MIC. Toxicity in clinical trials should be assessed by the most sensitive methods available. Experimental and clinical studies have shown cortical uptake to be a sensitive indicator of renal toxicity. As far as ototoxicity is concerned endolymph and perilymph pharmacokinetics are not clearly related. Clinical ototoxicity should be assessed by sensitive methods, such as high frequency tone audiometry. Finally, risk factors for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity (e.g., duration of treatment, associated nephrotoxic drugs, dehydration) should be assessed in the evaluation of clinical trials.

Aminoglycosides↗

How predictable is development of resistance after beta-lactam therapy in Enterobacter cloacae infection?

Certain non-fastidious Gram-negative bacilli, notably Enterobacter cloacae, although classified as susceptible by usual in-vitro susceptibility testing, often become resistant in patients treated with newer beta-lactam antibiotics. Here various in-vitro tests were carried out together with an animal model allowing the quantification of resistance that emerges after short term therapy. Mice were challenged (10(8) cfu plus talcum) intraperitoneally with one each of four strains of Ent. cloacae. Two hours later, a single beta-lactam dose was administered subcutaneously. The following day, the peritoneal bacterial population was analysed by using antibiotic-containing gradient plates. Development of resistance after therapy varied according to the compound considered. Imipenem (50 mg/kg) produced no resistance, and piperacillin (200 mg/kg) only a few, while resistance occurred frequently after therapy with aztreonam (50 mg/kg), ceftazidime (50 mg/kg), cefotaxime (50 mg/kg) and cefpirome (50 mg/kg). MICs increased by at least 16-fold when resistance developed. No simple correlations were found between these in-vivo results and initial MICs, killing kinetics, frequency of resistant variants within the bacterial populations before therapy, initial MIC of these variants or antibiotic concentrations assayed in peritoneal fluid 60 min after dosing. The most reliable predictive in-vitro test appeared to be the determination of resistance emerging in broth containing at least 16 times the MIC of the antibiotic tested. Such a test is unlikely to be used on a routine basis. When a beta-lactam compound seems appropriate for treating an Enterobacter infection, it may be advisable to avoid drugs that are prone to produce resistance in experimental or clinical infections, whatever the results of conventional in-vitro susceptibility tests.

Animals↗