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T G Kerr

Publications and source records attributed to T G Kerr.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamases in the routine clinical microbiology laboratory.

AIMS: To compare three methods of confirming the presence of an extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzyme with the initial detection (i.e., screening) by the Vitek AMS. METHODS: Gram-negative bacteria which flagged as ESBL-positive in the Vitek GNS card, or were suspected of harbouring an enzyme, were further tested by each of the following methods: (a) combination disc test using cefpodoxime, ceftazidime and cefotaxime with and without clavulanate; (b) cefotaxime ESBL Etest; and (c) Jarlier keyhole method with cefpodoxime (10 microg), cefotaxime (5 microg) and aztreonam (30 microg) placed 15mm away from an augmentin (30 microg) disc. RESULTS: A total of 52 isolates were investigated, representing an 18-month time period. Fifty of these were positive by Vitek. Twenty-eight (56%) were confirmed by other methods (true positives). Of the 44% Vitek-positive/confirmatory test-negative (false positives), eight were Escherichia coli which was 53% of all E. coli tested. The majority of other false-positive isolates were Klebsiella oxytoca (24% overall) which were all Vitek- and Etest-positive but negative by the combination disc test. CONCLUSIONS: All ESBL-positive strains by Vitek should be confirmed by the combination disc test using all three antibiotics. This will enable differentiation of 'true' ESBLs from false-positive organisms, including K1 hyperbetalactamase-producing Klebsiella oxytoca and AmpC-producing organisms. The cefpodoxime combination discs gave the best differentiation in this study with only one ESBL organism being missed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Human lymphadenitis due to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis: report of ten cases from Australia and review.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis commonly causes caseous lymphadenitis in Australian sheep. We describe 10 cases of human lymphadenitis due to C. pseudotuberculosis; in all cases, isolates were submitted to a reference laboratory in Victoria, Australia. Most of the patients were occupationally exposed to sheep. We also review the 12 previously published cases of this infection, most of which were reported from Australia. No patient had any underlying disease or predisposing condition. Surgical excision of the affected lymph glands is the mainstay of management, and antibiotic therapy is supplementary treatment. Diagnosis was delayed for some patients, and some patients had a protracted or recurrent clinical course and/or a slow recovery. These 10 additional cases from one Australian state indicate that human lymphadenitis caused by C. pseudotuberculosis has not been as rare as the number of published reports indicates, at least in Australia. However, the increasing use of a vaccine against caseous lymphadenitis in sheep in Australia should result in the decreasing human incidence of this zoonosis.

Adolescent↗