Biomedical subjects

M J Ferraro

Publications and source records attributed to M J Ferraro.

81 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1985

Comparative in vitro activities of cefpiramide and apalcillin individually and in combination.

The in vitro activities of cefpiramide and apalcillin were compared with those of other third-generation cephalosporins and extended-spectrum penicillins against over 1,000 clinical bacterial isolates. The activity of cefpiramide against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was comparable to those of piperacillin and cefoperazone, inhibiting 90% of strains at concentrations less than or equal to 16.0 micrograms/ml. This drug was also active against a broad range of gram-negative organisms but was generally less active than many of the other cephalosporins tested against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The activity of cefpiramide against gram-positive organisms was comparable to that of cefoperazone. Apalcillin, along with ceftazidime, was the most active agent tested against P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus subsp. anitratus, inhibiting 90% of these strains at concentrations less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml. Against other gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, its activity was similar to that of piperacillin. The activities of both cefpiramide and apalcillin were significantly reduced by the presence of several plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases in a series of otherwise isogenic strains of P. aeruginosa in comparison with their activities against a parent strain which lacks these enzymes. Many strains of Enterobacter cloacae were synergistically inhibited by the combination of gentamicin with either cefpiramide (5 of 10 strains) or apalcillin (6 of 10 strains). Most strains of P. aeruginosa were synergistically inhibited by the combination of gentamicin with either cefpiramide (8 of 10 strains) or apalcillin (10 of 10 strains). However, cefoxitin antagonized the activity of both cefpiramide and apalcillin against most of these same strains.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed1985

Occurrence of Streptococcus milleri among beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from clinical specimens.

A total of 256 beta-hemolytic streptococcal isolates were subjected to serological and physiological tests to identify those which could be classified as Streptococcus milleri. S. milleri accounted for 75% of 70 group C isolates, 15% of 69 group G isolates, 75% of 16 nongroupable isolates, and 100% of 20 group F isolates examined. No S. milleri isolates were encountered among the 90 group A streptococci studied. Of the 95 beta-hemolytic S. milleri isolates examined, 81% were recovered from respiratory specimens.

Humans↗

PubMed1985

New cause for false-positive results with the cryptococcal antigen test by latex agglutination.

The highly specific and sensitive latex agglutination test for cryptococcal antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid is routine in many hospitals. Contamination of cerebrospinal fluid by a minute amount of syneresis fluid (surface condensation) from agar gave a strongly positive reaction which was heat stable, was not eliminated by pronase treatment, and was not detected by the normal rabbit globulin controls. These observations were valid for three commercially available test kits and could represent a preventable cause of some unexplained false-positive tests despite the use of adequate controls.

Aged↗

PubMed1984

Identification of Streptococcus bovis and Streptococcus salivarius in clinical laboratories.

Streptococci identified as Streptococcus bovis, S. bovis variant, and Streptococcus salivarius were examined with respect to physiological and serological characteristics and cellular fatty acid content. Similarities in physiological reactions and problems encountered in serological analysis were noted, suggesting that an expanded battery of physiological tests is needed to definitively identify these streptococci. Cellular fatty acid analysis provided an accurate method for distinguishing S. salivarius from S. bovis and S. bovis variant.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMed1982

Automated identification of gram-positive bacteria.

A total of 451 strains of gram-positive bacteria were identified with a prototype of the Gram-Positive Identification card used in conjunction with the AutoMicrobic system (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.). Of the species that the Gram-Positive Identification card is capable of identifying, 85% of staphylococcal, 50% of beta-hemolytic group A, B, C, F, and G streptococcal, 91% of group D streptococcal, 100% of pneumococcal, 63% of viridans streptococcal, and 100% of Listeria monocytogenes strains tested displayed Gram-Positive Identification card identifications that were in agreement with identifications obtained by conventional methods.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMed1981

Accurate automated identification of selected Enterobacteriaceae at four hours.

The Enterobacteriaceae Biochemical Card of the AutoMicrobic system Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) provides completely automated identification of members of this family within an 8-h test period. Identification of 776 clinical and stock isolates to species level by the Enterobacteriaceae Biochemical Card under routine operating conditions correlated at 96% with our present 18- to 24-h methods of identification. Further, utilizing a special program, we investigated presumptive identification of certain organisms within 4-h--an interval that provides greater practical clinical usefulness on a real-time rapid basis. In a single year, 1978, 97% of 23,464 Enterobacteriaceae isolated in our diagnostic laboratory belonged to 11 species of six genera. Our results suggest that, by limiting the number of the identified Enterobacteriaceae that could be actually presumptively reported to those 11 species of six genera. Our results suggest that, by limiting the number of the identified Enterobacteriaceae that could be actually presumptively reported to those 11 species with the highest frequency of occurrence, we could have correctly identified and presumptively reported 83% of these to genus or species after only 4 h. Approximately 2% of the isolates would have been presumptively identified and reported incorrectly, whereas the identification of the remaining 15% would not have been reported before the completed 8-h incubation period.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMed1980

Value of stool cultures.

An evaluation of stool cultures in a large teaching hospital where this test had been requested for 2468 patients in 1977 showed that only 58 patients (2.4%) had positive stool cultures (Salmonella or Shigella). Likelihood ratios computed from data from the medical records of 54 patients with positive stool cultures and a control group of 189 patients with negative cultures suggested that the best clinical predictor of a positive stool culture was the combination of persistent diarrhoea (duration more than 24 h), fever, and either blood in the stool or abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting. These findings were present in 20 of 52 patients with positive cultures, but in no patients with negative cultures. 53 patients had a positive result on the first culture done; 1 patient required 2 cultures. Microscopic examination for faecal leucocytes was not a useful predictor. In only 10 of 227 patients did culture results (positive or negative) lead to appropriate changes in treatment. The requirement that request forms be signed by a doctor, the limitation to no more than 2 stool cultures per illness, and consideration of the clinical predictors and their likelihood ratios for positive stool cultures would promote a more discerning use of this low-cost but low-yield diagnostic test.

Bacteria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative in vitro activity of piperacillin combined with the beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam (YTR 830).

Combination with tazobactam substantially enhanced the activity of piperacillin against routine isolates of staphylococci, various Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter anitratus, and Bacteroides fragilis. Tazobactam enhanced the activity of piperacillin more than fourfold against Pseudomonas aeruginosa spp. harboring eight of 12 plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases.

Acinetobacter↗

PubMedDate not supplied

RP 59500, a new streptogramin highly active against recent isolates of North American staphylococci.

To assess the potential clinical utility of RP 59500, 10 investigators from separate locations in the United States and Canada each tested approximately 200 current isolates of staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci) by a standard protocol. RP 59500 was highly active (MIC90 < or = 2 micrograms/ml) against all strains, including those that were resistant to oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and spiramycin.

Coagulase↗