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Biomedical subjects

V Vacek

Publications and source records attributed to V Vacek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Clinical experience with Timentin].

BACKGROUND: A combination of ticarcillin with clavulanate has been used for more than 12 years in many countries in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative microorganisms and a mixed microbe flora, in particular where the presence of beta-lactamase producers can be anticipated. In the Czech Republic it is not very well known, probably more for commercial than medical reasons, and the objective of the present paper to draw attention to this old but still useful antibiotic. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a simple open trial the therapeutic results in a group of 15 patients treated by the above preparation in 1992-1995 at the unit for septic infections of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Prague were summarized and compared with the results of a previous trial conducted in the same department in 1987-91 and with results published in the literature. The mean success of treatment was about 90%. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of ticarcillin, a semisynthetic broad spectrum penicillin with clavulanic acid is an antibiotic which is still very valuable in the treatment of sepsis and other severe forms of bacterial infection, incl. patients with a significantly reduced immunity. The tolerance is very good and an important factor is also the relatively favourable price. The author's results are consistent with experience published by departments abroad.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Spiramycin].

Spiramycin is a 16-membered ring macrolide (antibiotic). It was discovered in 1952 as a product of Streptomyces ambofaciens. As a preparation for oral administration it has been used since 1955, in 1987 also the parenteral form was introduced into practice. The antibacterial action involves inhibition of protein synthesis in the bacterial cell during translocation. Resistance to spiramycin can develop by several mechanisms and its prevalence is to a considerable extent proportional to the frequency of prescription in a given area. The antibacterial spectrum comprises Gram-positive cocci and rods, Gram-negative cocci and also Legionellae, mycoplasmas, chlamydiae, some types of spirochetes, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium sp., Enterobacteria, pseudomonads and pathogenic moulds are resistant. Its action is mainly bacteriostatic, on highly sensitive strains it exerts a bactericide action. As compared with erythromycin, it is in vitro weight for weight 5 to 20 less effective, an equipotential therapeutic dose is, however, only double. This difference between the effectiveness in vitro and in vivo is explained above all by the great affinity of spiramycin to tissues where it achieves concentrations many times higher than serum levels. An important part is played also by the slow release of the antibiotic from the tissue compartment, the marked action on microbes in sub-inhibition concentrations and the relatively long persisting post-antibiotic effect. Its great advantage is the exceptionally favourable tolerance-gastrointestinal and general. It is available for parenteral and oral administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1994

[Contemporary views on the problem of sepsis].

Sepsis is due to its lethality, which varies round 25%, one of the major problems of contemporary clinical medicine. Classical therapeutic approaches, i.e. chemotherapy, surgical elimination of foci and intensive therapy focused on maintenance of vital functions have obviously reached the limit of effectiveness beyond which they are unable to advance any further. Therefore great efforts are devoted to research into pathogenetic mechanisms involved in sepsis with the aim to use their effect to improve therapeutic results. In the submitted paper the authors analyze the definition of sepsis, explain the concept of the syndrome of systemic inflammatory response and summarize the contemporary state of knowledge of the pathogenesis. A review of structures and mechanisms involved in the genesis and development of sepsis (complement, factor XII, macrophage, endothelial cell, polymorphonuclear leucocyte, thrombocyte etc.) is supplemented by a list of substances which act as mediators of inflammations. The conclusions for practice summarize contemporary therapeutic possibilities, i.e. classical means as well as more recent approaches (colony stimulating factors, haemodiafiltration, antithrombin III, monoclonal antibody against endotoxin). The authors review briefly therapeutic means which are developed at present and which should make it possible to interfere actively with the pathogenesis of the disease.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

[Clinical and pharmacologic review of antiviral agents].

The author presents a review if pharmacokinetics, undesirable effects, drug interactions, dosage, indications and drug forms of antiviral chemotherapeutic agents used for systemic treatment: amantadine and rimantadine (influenza virus A), acyclovir (HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV), ganciclovir (CMV), zidovudine (HIV), ribavirine (broad spectrum) and fosfocarnet (herpes viruses and HIV), mentioning also vidarabine. All mentioned preparations are at least in some countries commercially available. The author does not mention virostatic agents used only locally and preparations which are at present in the stage of clinical tests.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1991

[Lincosamide antibiotics].

A survey of microbiological and pharmacological properties of, of clinical experience with and of untoward reactions of lincomycin and clindamycin has been presented. Both antibiotics are active against gram-positive aerobic and many anaerobic bacteria. As to anti-anaerobic activity, clindamycin is superior to lincomycin. Consequently, anaerobic infections are main indication for clindamycin in clinical practice. On the other hand, lincomycin shows excellent penetration into body fluids and tissues and its dosage can be adapted to actual clinical situation in a very wide range. Recently, combinations of clindamycin with other drugs have proved effective in the treatment of falciparum malaria as well as of acute toxoplasmosis and Pneumocystis pneumonia in AIDS patients. Both lincomycin and clindamycin play still an important role in chemotherapy of infections.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1991

[Submicroscopic structure of amniotic fluid cells].

Submicroscopic examination of amniotic fluid cells in the second trimester of pregnancy revealed that the cells are from the morphological aspect a very heterogeneous population, comprising vital and degenerated cells the ultrastructure of which rules out the possibility of cultivation of cells of foetal as well as of maternal origin. As to degenerated cells, the authors identified circular cells with a granular cytoplasm and nucleus originating from the urogenital or digestive tract of the foetus. Furthermore cells with a process and segmented or fragmented pycnotic nucleus derived from granulocytes and macrophages of maternal origin. Also circular cells of the periderm with short microvilli and advanced regressive changes of the nucleus and cytoplasm are degenerated. Among non-vital elements also anuclear completely keratinized cells of the stratum corneum originating from the skin of the maternal abdomen can be included. As to vital elements, the amniotic fluid contains cells of the amniotic ectoderm which are large, have numerous microvilli, a dense margin and a network of filaments in the cytoplasm. They are the most numerous cells. Other vital elements in amniotic fluid include granulocytes and macrophages with a typical ratio of lyzosomes. Both are considered elements of maternal origin. Maternal origin is assumed also in fibroblasts which along with collagen particles may penetrate into the aspirating needle. From the results ensues that the cells in amniotic fluid are not a homogeneous population of unequivocally foetal origin and that a better technique of collection of samples and cultivation must be developed.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1990

Haemophilus aphrophilus isolated from blood.

H. aphrophilus was isolated from 11 successively cultivated blood samples of a male (72) with a fatal atypical endocarditis. Identification and differential diagnosis from Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) actinomycetemcomitans was done on the basis of phenotypic characters of the microorganism.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Isolation of Haemophilus aphrophilus from a blood culture].

The authors describe the method of isolation and identification and differential diagnosis from a morphologically, cultivation and biochemically close species H. (A.) actinomycemcomitans. They discuss the problem of the taxonomic classification of the two species.

Actinobacillus↗
PubMed1986

Acyclovir in the treatment of infection due to herpes viruses.

Intravenous infusions of acyclovir were administered to 15 patients suffering from herpes simplex or varicella-zoster infections. The therapeutic effect of the drug consisted in rapid cessation of progression of the disease and in considerable shortening of duration of clinical symptoms. There were no adverse reaction in our groups of patients. There were no relapses after the treatment with acyclovir had been stopped. From what has been stated above, we take acyclovir for a highly efficient and safe drug for therapy of HSV and VZV infections.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1986

Ceftriaxon in the treatment of severe bacterial infections.

The efficacy of ceftriaxon (Rocephin Roche) therapy has been studied by our team in two groups of patients. The first one consisted of 10 children suffering from a diffuse purulent appendical peritonitis brought about by a mixed aerobe and anaerobe microbial flora, the second one comprising 7 patients with severe infections caused by problematic aerobe pathogens. The clinical effect of the treatment was good in 16 out of the 17 cases, in one patient it could not be evaluated. Even though a high degree of sensitivity to Rocephin could be demonstrated bacteriologically by the disc method in all the aerobe germs present, the results of titration of the bactericide capacity of the sera during treatment indicate the need for laboratory monitoring of the course of therapy of severe infections due to pseudomonas aeruginosa. Parenteral administration of Rocephin was well tolerated and the laboratory alterations seemin the course of therapy of severe infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Parenteral administration of Recephin was well tolerated and the laboratory alterations seen in the postoperative ileus due to strangulation and adhesions--cannot be recommended.

Adolescent↗