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Biomedical subjects

K S Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to K S Thomson.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae: comparison of the double-disk and three-dimensional tests.

The three-dimensional and clavulanate double-disk potentiation tests were compared as procedures for the detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production in 32 strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, 31 of which produced TEM-1, TEM-2, TEM-3, TEM-4, TEM-5, TEM-7, TEM-8, TEM-9, TEM-10, TEM-12, TEM-101, SHV-1, SHV-2, SHV-3, SHV-4, SHV-5, CAZ-2, MIR-1, or an unidentified extended-spectrum beta-lactamase with a pI of 5.95, with some strains producing multiple beta-lactamases. The three-dimensional test, which was performed in conjunction with a routine disk diffusion test, detected extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production in 26 of 28 (93%) of the strains that produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. The clavulanate double-disk potentiation test detected extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in only 22 of the 28 strains (79%) when it was performed as currently recommended. The three-dimensional test, when performed in conjunction with the disk diffusion test, offered the advantages of providing simultaneous information about both antibiotic susceptibility and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production, coupled with a greater sensitivity and earlier detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1991

In vitro studies with five quinolones: evidence for changes in relative potency as quinolone resistance rises.

A panel of 203 staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and miscellaneous nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli were chosen for their various susceptibilities to ciprofloxacin. On the basis of agar dilution susceptibilities, each of the four taxonomic groups was divided into ciprofloxacin-susceptible, moderately resistant, and highly resistant subgroups, and each subgroup was then further analyzed for its susceptibility to the fluoroquinolones CI-960, CI-990, sparfloxacin, and ofloxacin. Although the MICs of each quinolone increased as ciprofloxacin resistance increased, the potency of CI-960 appeared to increase relative to the potencies of the other quinolones. Similarly, the MICs of sparfloxacin and ofloxacin appeared to be less affected by ciprofloxacin resistance than were the MICs of ciprofloxacin or CI-990. Single-step mutants of representative clinical isolates with different levels of ciprofloxacin resistance were selected to determine whether the study quinolones differed in their propensity to select resistant mutants and whether the presence of preexisting ciprofloxacin resistance influenced the subsequent development of resistance. Each of the five fluoroquinolones and nalidixic acid selected mutants that exhibited generally modest decreases in quinolone susceptibility (4- to 16-fold). However, CI-960 inhibited significantly more mutants (80%) than did the other quinolones (39 to 59%) at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml. The presence of preexisting ciprofloxacin resistance appeared to be associated with higher mutational frequencies in coagulase-negative staphylococci exposed to each of the fluoroquinolones and in Serratia marcescens exposed to nalidixic acid. Preexisting ciprofloxacin resistance did not influence the development of resistance in the strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were studied. The results of this study suggest that quinolones are not affected equally by all resistance mechanisms, and although each one can select mutants, some quinolones may be active against these mutants at clinically achievable concentrations.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1991

In vitro studies with Bay V 3522, a new oral cephalosporin.

The in vitro activities of Bay v 3522, cefaclor, cephalexin, cefuroxime, cefixime, amoxicillin/clavulanate (2:1) and reference penicillins were compared against 314 clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and nine strains of Escherichia coli that differed in their outer membrane proteins in agar dilution tests with an inoculum of 10(4) cfu/spot. The beta-lactamase stabilities of the cephalosporins were also evaluated by spectrophotometric assay using 21 different beta-lactamases. Bay v 3522 was the most potent cephalosporin overall against Gram-positive pathogens, but slightly less active than amoxicillin/clavulanate. In addition to being highly active against streptococci (MIC90 = 0.25 micrograms/ml) and methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (MIC90 = 1.0 micrograms/ml), Bay v 3522 was markedly more active than the other cephalosporins against Enterococcus faecalis (MIC90 = 4 micrograms/ml). Bay v 3522 was less potent against Gram-negative pathogens, especially nosocomial isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC90 greater than 64 micrograms/ml), but was active against Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, and beta-lactamase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MIC90 = 1.0 micrograms/ml0. Hydrolysis of Bay v 3522 by most beta-lactamases examined was significantly less than that observed for cephalothin and cefaclor; similar to that observed with cephalexin; and less than that observed with cefixime and cefuroxime. None of the beta-lactamases examined hydrolysed Bay v 3522 at a rate greater than 20 nmol/min/mg. The in vitro potency of Bay v 3522 against Gram-positive and fastidious Gram-negative pathogens and its resistance to hydrolysis by beta-lactamases produced by them support further investigation of this cephalosporin as a new oral therapeutic agent.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

Beta-lactamase production in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and resistance to beta-lactam-enzyme inhibitor combinations.

Recent reports that members of the family Enterobacteriaceae that produce high levels of certain beta-lactamases are often resistant to ticarcillin-clavulanate prompted this study to assess the relationship between type and amount of enzyme produced and susceptibility to ticarcillin-clavulanate, piperacillin-tazobactam, and cefoperazone-sulbactam. Agar dilution MICs were determined by using 73 strains of Enterobacteriaceae that produced a single beta-lactamase that had been characterized and quantified and a beta-lactamase-negative control strain of Escherichia coli. For E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, MICs of each combination increased as levels of TEM, SHV-1, or class IV enzymes increased. However, the percentage of strains that were resistant was highest for ticarcillin-clavulanate (32%), with only 18 and 6% resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam, respectively. Strains producing PSE-1, regardless of level, were resistant or moderately susceptible to ticarcillin-clavulanate but were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam. HMS-1 and OHIO-1 beta-lactamases were associated with resistance to ticarcillin-clavulanate and piperacillin-tazobactam, respectively. High levels of class IV enzymes in Klebsiella oxytoca were associated with resistance to all three combinations. These results indicate that the level and type of beta-lactamase produced by members of the family Enterobacteriaceae are important determinants of susceptibility to beta-lactam-inhibitor combinations, especially ticarcillin-clavulanate.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Meropenem: activity against resistant gram-negative bacteria and interactions with beta-lactamases.

The activity of meropenem, a new carbapenem, was determined against 82 Gram-negative bacteria in agar dilution tests. Many of these isolates were resistant to one or more beta-lactam antibiotics and the mechanisms responsible for the resistance had been characterized. The production of beta-lactamases had little influence on susceptibility to either meropenem or imipenem except in tests with Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas (Xanthomonas) maltophilia. These species produced metalloenzymes capable of hydrolyzing the carbapenems, and strains expressing high levels of these enzymes were resistant to both meropenem and imipenem. Clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa that had developed resistance to imipenem during therapy with the drug were two- to 32-fold less susceptible to meropenem than the corresponding pretreatment isolates. Alterations in outer membrane proteins were associated with this change in susceptibility to the carbapenems. Meropenem was a less potent inducer of Class I beta-lactamases than imipenem but was still a better inducer than ceftazidime or piperacillin. Overall, meropenem showed excellent activity against bacteria producing a variety of beta-lactamases, but cross-resistance between meropenem and imipenem due to enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms did occur.

Carbapenems↗
PubMed1989

Chronic strongyloidiasis in Tasmanian veterans--clinical diagnosis by the use of a screening index.

Chronic infection with Strongyloides stercoralis presents a diagnostic problem because of the low recovery of the organism from stools and the insensitivity of current serological tests. Of 150 former Far East POWs, 26 (17%) had S. stercoralis in stools. The clinical features in 18 stool-positive patients were compared to those in 24 stool-negative patients and showed that strongyloidiasis was associated with a higher frequency of alteration in bowel habit, upper abdominal discomfort, rash and eosinophilia. On the basis of these features, a screening index was devised which largely separated stool-positive and stool-negative patients and led to helpful therapy in three of four patients with compatible symptoms who lacked a definitive diagnosis. Treatment with thiabendazole appeared to be superior to treatment with mebendazole.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1979

X-ray diffraction of the calcified tissues in Polypterus.

Pyrolyzed scales, fin spines, and bone from the ray-finned bony fish Polypterus (Actinopterygii) showed two mineral phases on X-ray diffraction: hydroxyapatite (HA), Ca5(PO4)3OH, and whitlockite, Ca3(PO4)2. The ratio of HA/whitlockite varied with the structure (scale, spine, bone) within each individual fish. The relative proportions of HA to whitlockite in pyrolyzed samples reflected the Ca/P ratio of the sample. Whitlockite appears after pyrolysis when the Ca/P is lower than 1.67. Among the five fish investigated, for each structure a general trend was noted. The proportion of HA relative to whitlockite increased with size (age) of the fish. Thus the smallest fish, a juvenile, exhibited a low Ca/P mineral in its calcified tissues, whereas the larger fish had progressively more HA and less whitlockite.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Serine proteinases and their inhibitors in Phycomyces blakesleeanus.

Three serine proteinases of Phycomyces blakesleeanus were isolated and characterized. The molecular weights were determined to be 18,000, 22,000, and 60,000. The proteinases were solubilized by detergent or salt treatment. Two soluble proteins that specifically inhibit these proteinases were also isolated and characterized. Both these proteins formed 1:1 complexes with the serine proteinases. A molecular weight of 10,000 was estimated for both inhibitors. They were found to be present in excess in the cells. An acid proteinase of Phycomyces was able to take the inhibitor off a serine proteinase.inhibitor complex. This proteinase was partially purified. The proteinases and inhibitors of three mutant strains were partially purified and compared with a standard strain. These mutants exhibit abnormal growth responses of the sporangiophore to light. Mutant specific changes of the proteinases and their inhibitors were detected, but a connection to the behavioral responses could not be demonstrated.

Endopeptidases↗
PubMed1975

Composition of fluid from the notochordal canal of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae.

Fluid from the notochordal canal of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, was analyzed for major inorganic and organic constituents and compared with blood serum from the same fish. Significantly or suggestively lower levels of sodium, magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate, sulfate, total carbohydrates, glucose, lactate, cholesterol, bound phosphate and total proteins were found in notochordal fluid than in serum, whereas potassium, chloride, urea, trimethylamine oxide, and total free amino acids were higher and inorganic phosphorus essentially identical. Osmolarity of notochordal fluid (1058 mOsm) exceeds that of serum (942 mOsm). A whitish precipitate in the fluid consisted of a matrix of fibers 100 A in diameter and of indefinite length. It resembled a sialoglycoprotein in composition and was stabilized by disulfide bonds. The fluid contained cellular debris.

Amino Acids↗