ALTEX. 1993;10(2):27-49.
[Problems of the prophylactic use of antibiotics in cell culture]

Kuhlmann I I.

Universitat, D-Konstanz.

The article describes the historical development of the prophylactic use of antibiotics in cell culture as well as the effect of antibiotics on cells, i.e. the beta-lactam antibiotic penicillin, the aminoglycosid antibiotics (streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin) and the polyene macrolids (nystatin, amphotericin B, fungizone). The way in which antibiotics influence the morphology of cells, their degeneration, their death and their functions is summarized. The DNA- as well as the protein-synthesis is affected. By this, multiple metabolic processes are interfered with or changed. This fact should be considered, when cell culture research is concerned. As antibiotics are used in multifold ways, the otherwise standardized conditions in cell culture are no longer comparable. The prophylactic use of antibiotics is rejected for scientific reasons.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11178355&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



J Dairy Sci. 2005 Jun;88(6):2166-77.
A clinical trial evaluating prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic use on health and performance of preweaned calves.

Berge AC, Lindeque P, Moore DA, Sischo WM.

Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, University of California-Davis, Tulare 93274.

The objective of this clinical trial was to evaluate the influence of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics on health and performance in preweaned dairy calves on a calf ranch. One hundred twenty 1-d-old calves were enrolled into 3 management systems for antibiotic use and raised until 4 wk of age. Sixty calves were not eligible to receive prophylactic or therapeutic antibiotics. Thirty calves were eligible to receive individual antibiotic treatment for disease, but no prophylactic antibiotics in milk replacer. The remaining 30 calves received milk replacer medicated with neomycin and tetracycline HCl, and could be treated with antibiotics. Health status and treatments were monitored and recorded daily. The primary study outcomes were weight gain, morbidity, and mortality. The most important factor associated with morbidity and mortality was passive immune transfer through colostrum. In-feed antibiotics delayed onset of morbidity, decreased overall morbidity, and increased weight gain. Nonantibiotic therapies for clinical disease were associated with increased mortality and morbidity compared with antibiotic treatments. The study has shown that minimizing or eliminating the use of antibiotics in the feed requires measures to ensure adequate passive transfer of immunity, but that in the face of inadequate passive transfer of immunity, animal welfare may be endangered by replacing medicated milk replacer with nonmedicated milk replacer, and therapeutic antibiotics with nonantibiotic alternatives.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15905446&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



Pediatr Pulmonol. 2001 Jan;31(1):13-6.
Effect of continuous antistaphylococcal therapy on the rate of P. aeruginosa acquisition in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Ratjen F, Comes G, Paul K, Posselt HG, Wagner TO, Harms K; German Board of the European Registry for Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF).

Children's Hospital, University of Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany. f.ratjeni-essen.de

SUMMARY. Continuous therapy with antistaphylococcal antibiotics is advocated by some cystic fibrosis (CF) centers, but it is unclear whether this strategy favors early colonization with P. aeruginosa. We used the data base for the German Centers of the European Registry for Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF) to assess the effect of continuous antistaphyloccocal therapy on the rate of P. aeruginosa acquisition in CF patients. Patients included in this analysis had to be < 18 years of age, P. aeruginosa-negative prior to entry in the ERCF, and to have had at least 2 additional P. aeruginosa-negative respiratory cultures while followed in the ERCF. Of the 639 patients fulfilling these criteria, 48.2% received continuous antistaphyloccocal therapy, 40.4% intermittent antibiotic therapy, and 11.4% no antibiotic therapy. There were no differences between the groups in body mass index, as well as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) at baseline. The rate at which patients acquired positive respiratory cultures for Staph. aureus was significantly lower in the group receiving continuous antistaphyloccocal antibiotic therapy than in those not receiving such therapy. Patients receiving continuous antistaphyloccocal antibiotic therapy had a significantly higher rate of P. aeruginosa acquisition compared to patients receiving only intermittent or no antibiotic therapy. This difference was especially apparent for children younger than age 6 years. We conclude that continuous therapy with antistapyloccocal antibiotics directed against Staph. aureus increases the risk of colonization with P. aeruginosa. How this affects the clinical outcome of these patients remains to be determined. 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11180669&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



Can J Ophthalmol. 2000 Dec;35(7):373-8.
Effect of prophylactic antibiotics and incision type on the incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

Colleaux KM, Hamilton WK.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy as to the efficacy of various measures in the prophylaxis of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. In addition, it has been suggested that clear-corneal incisions may convey an increased risk of postoperative infection. We performed a retrospective review to assess the effect of prophylactic antibiotics and incision type on the incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review and surgeon survey were used to collect data for the 13,886 consecutive cataract operations performed between Sept. 1, 1994, and Jan. 31, 1998 by nine surgeons at a hospital-based surgical unit in Saskatoon. All cataract extractions were by phacoemulsification. All cases of endophthalmitis arising from the unit are managed at the hospital except in extenuating circumstances. We assessed the effect of preoperative administration of antibiotic drops, subconjunctival antibiotic injections at the conclusion of surgery and clear-corneal versus scleral tunnel incisions on the incidence of endophthalmitis by means of univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis was significantly lower with subconjunctival antibiotic injections than without such injections (0.011% vs. 0.179%) (p = 0.009, odds ratio 16.23 [95% confidence interval 1.92 to 137.14]). The difference in the incidence of endophthalmitis with preoperative use of antibiotic drops (0.066%) and with no antibiotic drops preoperatively (0.115%) was not significant. Similarly, the difference in the incidence of endophthalmitis with clear-corneal (0.129%) and scleral tunnel (0.050%) incisions was not significant. INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that prophylactic subconjunctival antibiotic injections at the conclusion of cataract surgery decrease the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11192445&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



Cas Lek Cesk. 2000 Oct 11;139(20):615-9.
[60 years' of antibiotics--resistance: a time bomb for the third millenium]

[Article in Slovak]

Blahova J, Kralikova K, Krcmery V.

Ustav preventivnej a klinickej mediciny, Bratislava.

More then 50 years of antibiotic era has brought to clinical use many antibiotics with, specific and also with broad spectrum activity. Excessive use of antibiotics brought and brings serious problems--the resistance of many important bacteria and so the loss of effectivity of these scarce substances. Significant negative role in this process has the transferability of the resistance genes between bacteria. Bacterial strains are able to accept block of genes for multiresistance, exchange them inter species and spread to susceptible ones. There is an important task for the 3rd millennium to reduce the prevalence of the antibiotic resistance. Changes of the empiric treatment regiments (reduction in antibiotic use, antibiotic rotation, infection control, monitoring of resistance) and the strict hospital hygiene could help to solve the problems of antibiotic resistance in the future.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11192755&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



J Fam Pract. 2001 Jan;50(1):32-7.
Use and perceptions of antibiotics for upper respiratory infections among college students.

Zoorob RJ, Larzelere MM, Malpani S, Zoorob R.

Department of Family Medicine, LSU School of Medicine, Kenner, USA. rzoorsumc.edu

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are mainly viral in nature, rendering antibiotics ineffective. Little is known about what college students believe concerning the effectiveness of antibiotics as a treatment for URIs. METHODS: Students (n=425) on 3 college campuses were surveyed using a survey describing 3 variations in presentation of an uncomplicated URI. Participants were questioned about their likelihood of using a variety of treatments for the URI and about their likelihood of seeking a physician's care. RESULTS: The percentage of students endorsing antibiotic use differed significantly by symptom complex. Likelihood of seeking medical care also differed significantly across symptom groups, with greater endorsement in the discolored nasal discharge and low-grade fever scenarios. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that belief in antibiotic effectiveness for cold symptoms decreased with tic and Therapeutic increasing years of higher education. Likelihood of antibiotic use across different scenarios increased with age. Likelihood of seeking care across different scenarios was related to type of health insurance and belief in antibiotic effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduate college students show poor recognition of typical presentations of the common cold and have misconceptions about effective treatment. Although increasing years of college correlated with decreasing belief in antibiotics' effectiveness for a cold, more health education at the college level is recommended.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11195478&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



N Z Med J. 2000 Nov 24;113(1122):493-6.
General practitioner management of upper respiratory tract infections: when are antibiotics prescribed?

Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F.

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Auckland. b.arroluckland.ac.nz

AIM: To assess General Practice (GP) description and management of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), including conditions under which they prescribe antibiotics. METHOD: A telephone survey of a randomised sample of Auckland GPs. RESULTS: There was a 61% response rate. 82 of the 100 GPs interviewed agreed that most patients presenting with URTI expected antibiotics. Persistent symptoms and indication of specific infection (tonsillitis, otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, purulent sputum) were common reasons for prescribing. Patients travelling overseas, expecting or requesting antibiotics and prior use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications increased antibiotic prescribing-rates. Most GPs (95%) issued as-needed prescriptions on occasion; 13% did this often. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were most commonly used. Despite wide-ranging antibiotic use for URTI (0 to 90%), only 6% of GPs felt they prescribed more antibiotics than others. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest over-prescription is common-place, but use of as-needed prescriptions to reduce antibiotic use is encouraging. Exploration of patient expectations in the consultation may assist in decreasing prescribing rates.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11198542&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics



J Endod. 2000 Apr;26(4):221-4.
Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria detected from the root canal exudate of persistent apical periodontitis.

Noda M, Komatsu H, Inoue S, Sano H.

Department of Operative Dentistry, Hokkaido University School of Dentistry, Sapporo, Japan.

Intracanal exudates in persistent endodontic cases were sampled for detecting bacteria using a preculture method, and the antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria identified was examined. Twelve species were recovered from 15 cases. The species most commonly detected were alpha-Streptococcus and Enterococcus. The results of the antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that Enterococcus was highly resistant to antibiotics tested, especially to cephalosporin products. Enterococcus is known as one of the bacteria that show multidrug resistance. In cases of prolonged endodontic treatment, a specific antibiotic prescription would play an important role for efficient treatment. Collecting data about antibiotic susceptibility could be helpful. Identification, however, take approximately 2 wk and a further study to develop the method that rapidly informs us about the antibiotic susceptibility that might be needed.


Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11199722&dopt=Abstract antibiotic, antibiotics