scholarly journals A Case Report of Penicillin-Tolerant Streptococcus mitis Endocarditis Chang-Hua Chen, MD, MSc, PhD

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 023
Author(s):  
Chang-Hua Chen

There is no clear relationship between the serum inhibition test and clinical outcome for Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis) endocarditis. We report an 84-year-old male with endocarditis caused by penicillin-tolerant S. mitis. The results for the serum inhibitory test (SIT) and serum bactericidal test (SBT) showed a trough level of SIT = 1:256 and SBT = 1:4 and a peak level of SIT ≥ 1:1024 and SBT = 1:16. In addition, the SIT/SBT ratio was 64 at peak level and more than 64 at trough level, which is compatible with penicillin-tolerant S. mitis. Following a 42-day high-dose penicillin treatment (24 M IU/day, via a continuous drip), the patient made a good recovery. In vitro inhibitory and bactericidal test results were not a valid predictor of medical treatment failure. Physicians need to continue to evaluate the surgical indications when treating patients with S. mitis endocarditis.

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (06) ◽  
pp. 687-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
P T Larsson ◽  
N H Wallén ◽  
A Martinsson ◽  
N Egberg ◽  
P Hjemdahl

SummaryThe significance of platelet β-adrenoceptors for platelet responses to adrenergic stimuli in vivo and in vitro was studied in healthy volunteers. Low dose infusion of the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline decreased platelet aggregability in vivo as measured by ex vivo filtragometry. Infusion of adrenaline, a mixed α- and β-adrenoceptor agonist, increased platelet aggregability in vivo markedly, as measured by ex vivo filtragometry and plasma β-thromboglobulin levels. Adrenaline levels were 3–4 nM in venous plasma during infusion. Both adrenaline and high dose isoprenaline elevated plasma von Willebrand factor antigen levels β-Blockade by propranolol did not alter our measures of platelet aggregability at rest or during adrenaline infusions, but inhibited adrenaline-induced increases in vWf:ag. In a model using filtragometry to assess platelet aggregability in whole blood in vitro, propranolol enhanced the proaggregatory actions of 5 nM, but not of 10 nM adrenaline. The present data suggest that β-adrenoceptor stimulation can inhibit platelet function in vivo but that effects of adrenaline at high physiological concentrations are dominated by an α-adrenoceptor mediated proaggregatory action.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manasi M. Chogale ◽  
Sujay S. Gaikwad ◽  
Savita P. Kulkarni ◽  
Vandana B. Patravale

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be among the leading causes for high mortality among developing countries. Though a seemingly effective treatment regimen against TB is in place, there has been no significant improvement in the therapeutic rates. This is primarily owing to the high drug doses, their associated sideeffects, and prolonged treatment regimen. Discontinuation of therapy due to the severe side effects of the drugs results in the progression of the infection to the more severe drug-resistant TB. Objectives: Reformulation of the current existing anti TB drugs into more efficient dosage forms could be an ideal way out. Nanoformulations have been known to mitigate the side effects of toxic, high-dose drugs. Hence, the current research work involves the formulation of Isoniazid (INH; a first-line anti TB molecule) loaded chitosan nanoparticles for pulmonary administration. Methods: INH loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method using an anionic crosslinker. Drugexcipient compatibility was evaluated using DSC and FT-IR. The formulation was optimized on the principles of Qualityby-Design using a full factorial design. Results: The obtained nanoparticles were spherical in shape having an average size of 620±10.97 nm and zeta potential +16.87±0.79 mV. Solid state characterization revealed partial encapsulation and amorphization of INH into the nanoparticulate system. In vitro release study confirmed an extended release of INH from the system. In vitro cell line based safety and efficacy studies revealed satisfactory results. Conclusion: The developed nanosystem is thus an efficient approach for antitubercular therapy.


1986 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Hales ◽  
R. D. Brandstetter ◽  
C. F. Neely ◽  
M. B. Peterson ◽  
D. Kong ◽  
...  

Acute pulmonary and systemic vasomotor changes induced by endotoxin in dogs have been related, at least in part, to the production of eicosanoids such as the vasoconstrictor thromboxane and the vasodilator prostacyclin. Steroids in high doses, in vitro, inhibit activation of phospholipase A2 and prevent fatty acid release from cell membranes to enter the arachidonic acid cascade. We, therefore, administered methylprednisolone (40 mg/kg) to dogs to see if eicosanoid production and the ensuing vasomotor changes could be prevented after administration of 150 micrograms/kg of endotoxin. The stable metabolites of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Methylprednisolone by itself did not alter circulating eicosanoids but when given 2.5 h before endotoxin not only failed to inhibit endotoxin-induced eicosanoid production but actually resulted in higher circulating levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (P less than 0.05) compared with animals receiving endotoxin alone. Indomethacin prevented the steroid-enhanced concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha after endotoxin and prevented the greater fall (P less than 0.05) in systemic blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance with steroid plus endotoxin than occurred with endotoxin alone. Administration of methylprednisolone immediately before endotoxin resulted in enhanced levels (P less than 0.05) of both TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha but with a fall in systemic blood pressure and vascular resistance similar to the animals pretreated by 2.5 h. In contrast to the early steroid group in which all of the hypotensive effect was due to eicosanoids, in the latter group steroids had an additional nonspecific effect. Thus, in vivo, high-dose steroids did not prevent endotoxin-induced increases in eicosanoids but actually increased circulating levels of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha with a physiological effect favoring vasodilation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Iba ◽  
Jerrold H. Levy ◽  
Koichiro Aihara ◽  
Katsuhiko Kadota ◽  
Hiroshi Tanaka ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The endothelial glycocalyx is a primary target during the early phase of sepsis. We previously reported a newly developed recombinant non-fucosylated antithrombin has protective effects in vitro. We further evaluated the effects of this recombinant antithrombin on the glycocalyx damage in an animal model of sepsis. (2) Methods: Following endotoxin injection, in Wistar rats, circulating levels of hyaluronan, syndecan-1 and other biomarkers were evaluated in low-dose or high-dose recombinant antithrombin-treated animals and a control group (n = 7 per group). Leukocyte adhesion and blood flow were evaluated with intravital microscopy. The glycocalyx was also examined using side-stream dark-field imaging. (3) Results: The activation of coagulation was inhibited by recombinant antithrombin, leukocyte adhesion was significantly decreased, and flow was better maintained in the high-dose group (both p < 0.05). Circulating levels of syndecan-1 (p < 0.01, high-dose group) and hyaluronan (p < 0.05, low-dose group; p < 0.01, high-dose group) were significantly reduced by recombinant antithrombin treatment. Increases in lactate and decreases in albumin levels were significantly attenuated in the high-dose group (p < 0.05, respectively). The glycocalyx thickness was reduced over time in control animals, but the derangement was attenuated and microvascular perfusion was better maintained in the high-dose group recombinant antithrombin group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Recombinant antithrombin maintained vascular integrity and the microcirculation by preserving the glycocalyx in this sepsis model, effects that were more prominent with high-dose therapy.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 404
Author(s):  
Michael R. Yeaman ◽  
Liana C. Chan ◽  
Nagendra N. Mishra ◽  
Arnold S. Bayer

Streptococcus mitis-oralis (S. mitis-oralis) infections are increasingly prevalent in specific populations, including neutropenic cancer and endocarditis patients. S. mitis-oralis strains have a propensity to evolve rapid, high-level and durable resistance to daptomycin (DAP-R) in vitro and in vivo, although the mechanism(s) involved remain incompletely defined. We examined mechanisms of DAP-R versus cross-resistance to cationic host defense peptides (HDPs), using an isogenic S. mitis-oralis strain-pair: (i) DAP-susceptible (DAP-S) parental 351-WT (DAP MIC = 0.5 µg/mL), and its (ii) DAP-R variant 351-D10 (DAP MIC > 256 µg/mL). DAP binding was quantified by flow cytometry, in-parallel with temporal (1–4 h) killing by either DAP or comparative prototypic cationic HDPs (hNP-1; LL-37). Multicolor flow cytometry was used to determine kinetic cell responses associated with resistance or susceptibility to these molecules. While overall DAP binding was similar between strains, a significant subpopulation of 351-D10 cells hyper-accumulated DAP (>2–4-fold vs. 351-WT). Further, both DAP and hNP-1 induced cell membrane (CM) hyper-polarization in 351-WT, corresponding to significantly greater temporal DAP-killing (vs. 351-D10). No strain-specific differences in CM permeabilization, lipid turnover or regulated cell death were observed post-exposure to DAP, hNP-1 or LL-37. Thus, the adaptive energetics of the CM appear coupled to the outcomes of interactions of S. mitis-oralis with DAP and selected HDPs. In contrast, altered CM permeabilization, proposed as a major mechanism of action of both DAP and HDPs, did not differentiate DAP-S vs. DAP-R phenotypes in this S. mitis-oralis strain-pair.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanmin Hu ◽  
Alexander Liu ◽  
Fatima Ortega-Muro ◽  
Laura Alameda-Martin ◽  
Denis Mitchison ◽  
...  

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
Tung-Hu Tsai ◽  
Yu-Jen Chen ◽  
Li-Ying Wang ◽  
Chen-Hsi Hsieh

This study was performed to evaluate the interaction between conventional or high-dose radiotherapy (RT) and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of regorafenib in concurrent or sequential regimens for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Concurrent and sequential in vitro and in vivo studies of irradiation and regorafenib were designed. The interactions of RT and regorafenib in vitro were examined in the human hepatoma Huh-7, HA22T and Hep G2 cell lines. The RT–PK phenomenon and biodistribution of regorafenib under RT were confirmed in a free-moving rat model. Regorafenib inhibited the viability of Huh-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis in Huh-7 cells was enhanced by RT followed by regorafenib treatment. In the concurrent regimen, RT decreased the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC)regorafenib by 74% (p = 0.001) in the RT2 Gy × 3 fraction (f’x) group and by 69% (p = 0.001) in the RT9 Gy × 3 f’x group. The AUCregorafenib was increased by 182.8% (p = 0.011) in the sequential RT2Gy × 1 f’x group and by 213.2% (p = 0.016) in the sequential RT9Gy × 1 f’x group. Both concurrent regimens, RT2Gy × 3 f’x and RT9Gy × 3 f’x, clearly decreased the biodistribution of regorafenib in the heart, liver, lung, spleen and kidneys, compared to the control (regorafenib × 3 d) group. The concurrent regimens, both RT2Gy × 3 f’x and RT9Gy × 3 f’x, significantly decreased the biodistribution of regorafenib, compared with the control group. The PK of regorafenib can be modulated both by off-target irradiation and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Loredana G. Marcu ◽  
Eva Bezak ◽  
Dylan D. Peukert ◽  
Puthenparampil Wilson

FLASH radiotherapy, or the administration of ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy, is a new radiation delivery method that aims to widen the therapeutic window in radiotherapy. Thus far, most in vitro and in vivo results show a real potential of FLASH to offer superior normal tissue sparing compared to conventionally delivered radiation. While there are several postulations behind the differential behaviour among normal and cancer cells under FLASH, the full spectra of radiobiological mechanisms are yet to be clarified. Currently the number of devices delivering FLASH dose rate is few and is mainly limited to experimental and modified linear accelerators. Nevertheless, FLASH research is increasing with new developments in all the main areas: radiobiology, technology and clinical research. This paper presents the current status of FLASH radiotherapy with the aforementioned aspects in mind, but also to highlight the existing challenges and future prospects to overcome them.


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