The influence of uptake from the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass effect on oral bioavailability of (Z)-alkyloxyimino penicillins

We have investigated the contribution of uptake from the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass effect to the poor oral bioavailability of a series of (Z)-alkyloxyimino penicillins in mice. Investigative studies in gut sacs and perfused small intestine demonstrated that these penicillins were able to pass across the mucosal epithelium although to a lesser extent than amoxycillin and cyclacillin, both of which exhibit excellent oral bioavailability in man and animals. In the jejunal gut sacs the mucosal to serosal flux for BRL 44154 was approximately half that of amoxycillin and four times less than that of cyclacillin, and for all, uptake was pH dependent. The serosal to mucosal fluxes were however similar for these compounds and significantly lower than mucosal to serosal fluxes, suggesting involvement of carrier mechanisms in uptake from the mucosal surface. The order of results for the alkyloxyimino penicillins paralleled that observed for oral bioavailability in the mouse. For the alkyloxyimino penicillins, between 5.5 and 9.9% was taken up from the perfused intestine, values which were significantly less than those for amoxycillin (13.2%) and cyclacillin (33.3%). However, uptake was concentration-dependent for BRL 44154 as it was for amoxycillin, thus confirming the possible use of carrier mechanisms in absorption. These observations suggest that the poor peripheral blood concentrations of the alkyloxyimino penicillins achieved after oral dosing were not a consequence of the inability of the compounds to cross the mucosal epithelium. The biliary clearance of the alkyloxyimino penicillins was, however, considerably greater than for amoxycillin and cyclacillin, a finding which may well have been a contributory factor to the comparatively low peripheral concentrations of BRL 44154 and its analogues achieved after oral administration.     

Enhanced clearance of a multiple antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus in rats treated with PGG-glucan is associated with increased leukocyte counts and increased neutrophil oxidative burst activity

PGG-Glucan [Betafectin], a highly purified soluble beta-(1-6)-branched beta-(1 3)-linked glucan isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has broad in vitro and in vivo anti-infective activities unrelated to cytokine induction. Here we present in vivo results on the anti-infective activity of PGG-Glucan against a multiple antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus. PGG-Glucan (0.25-4 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly to male Wistar rats 48 h, 24 h, and 4 h before and 4 h after intraperitoneal implantation of a gelatin capsule containing 10(8)S. aureus colony forming units (CFU). Blood samples were collected at various times after challenge to determine CFU levels, leukocyte counts and neutrophil oxidative burst activity; serum TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta levels were also evaluated. The 0.25 mg/kg PGG-Glucan dose had no effect on reducing blood CFU levels; however, PGG-Glucan doses of 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg significantly reduced blood CFU levels by 48 h after challenge. Reduced CFU levels correlated with significantly elevated absolute monocyte counts, absolute neutrophil counts, and neutrophil oxidative burst activity in the absence of any effect on TNF-alpha or on IL-1beta levels. In additional studies, effects on mortality and blood CFU levels were evaluated in rats treated with ampicillin (an antibiotic to which the S. aureus was resistant), PGG-Glucan, or both agents. Mortality and blood CFU levels were reduced most in combination-treated rats compared to saline control rats or rats treated with either ampicillin alone or PGG-Glucan alone. We conclude that in vivo (1) PGG-Glucan can enhance clearance of an antibiotic resistant S. aureus, (2) that this clearance is accompanied by an increase in monocytes and neutrophils as well as a potentiation of neutrophil oxidative microbiocidal activity without alteration of the proinflammatory cytokine response, and (3) PGG-Glucan can enhance the effectiveness of traditional antibiotic treatment.     

Amoxycillin versus ampicillin in treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

To compare the efficacy and unwanted effects of amoxycillin and ampicillin in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, 199 patients were recruited from 28 centres into a double-blind between-patient comparison of four regimens: ampicillin 250 mg or 500 mg, amoxycillin 250 mg or 500 mg, each given orally three times daily for seven days. In these doses, amoxycillin and ampicillin were equally effective and there was no apparent advantage in using the higher dose of either drug in preference to the lower dose. Unwanted effects were few. Only in five patients did diarrhoea lead to withdrawal of therapy and there was no significant difference between the two drugs in this respect. Rashes occurred in four patients, all on ampicillin.     

Chewing gum affects smoking topography.

In a previous study, Wrigley's chewing gum was shown to reduce cravings to smoke and nicotine withdrawal when smokers were not allowed access to cigarettes. The present study expanded these findings by examining smoking behavior of 20 dependent cigarette smokers who were allowed free access to cigarettes throughout the study session but were encouraged and rewarded not to smoke. Each experimental session consisted of the participant watching a movie, then waiting an additional 30 min. Half of the participants were assigned to a gum condition in which they were asked to chew at least one piece of gum and had free access to chewing gum throughout the experimental session; half were assigned to a no-gum control. Results from this study indicate that when gum was present, participants took significantly fewer puffs and abstained for a longer period of time until their first cigarette. These results suggest that chewing gum may facilitate quit attempts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bacteremia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of bacterial infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Forty-six children with ALL were treated for 119 febrile episodes. Antibiotic therapy was initiated with ampicillin and gentamicin, +/- dicloxacillin and lasted for 5-8 days. Bacterial cultures were positive in 36 of 119 febrile events. At the beginning of the febrile disease there was no difference in CRP and neutrophil count between children with positive and negative blood cultures. The maximum CRP was, however, significantly higher in children with positive blood cultures. In 75% there was no need to change the initial antibiotic treatment with ampicillin and gentamicin +/- dicloxacillin. If the temperature has been normal for 2-3 days and the neutrophil count is increasing it appears safe to discontinue the antibiotic therapy after five days when blood cultures are negative and after 7-8 days when cultures are positive.     

Relative bioavailability of atovaquone suspension when administered with an enteral nutrition supplement

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative bioavailability of a single atovaquone 750 mg suspension oral dose when administered in the fasting state, after a normal breakfast, and after an enteral nutrition supplement. DESIGN: Ten healthy volunteers received a single dose of atovaquone suspension 750 mg/5 mL while fasting. At 2-week intervals, the subjects were then randomized in a crossover design to receive the atovaquone dose within 1 hour of consuming a normal breakfast (fat content 21 g) and 16 oz. of Sustacal Plus (fat content 28 g). Blood samples were collected at seven time points after each atovaquone dose. HPLC was used to determine the atovaquone concentrations in plasma. RESULTS: Administering atovaquone suspension with either a normal breakfast or an enteral nutrition supplement, such as Sustacal Plus, significantly increased the oral relative bioavailability. The mean AUC0-24 after the fasting dose was 43.4 micrograms.h/mL. The mean AUC0-24 values with breakfast (103.8 micrograms.h/mL) and Sustacal Plus (118.8 micrograms.h/mL) were significantly greater compared with fasting (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the new atovaquone oral suspension also has significantly greater bioavailability when administered after food or a nutrition supplement that has a moderate fat content. Patients who require atovaquone therapy can use Sustacal Plus without risk of reduced absorption.     

Effect of food on the bioavailability of stavudine in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus infection

A randomized, three-way crossover study was carried out to determine the effects of food ingestion on the pharmacokinetics of stavudine (d4T). Fifteen subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and CD4(+) cell counts of >/=200/microliter received 70 mg of d4T in a fasting state or 1 h before or 5 min after a standardized high-fat breakfast. A 7- to 15-day washout period was included between treatments. Blood and urine were collected before and for 10 h after dosing, and plasma and urine d4T concentrations were determined with a validated radioimmunoassay. Plasma drug concentration-time data were analyzed with a noncompartmental model. The mean maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) and the time to Cmax (Tmax) for administration of d4T after a meal were significantly lower and longer (P = 0.0001 for both measures) than those observed in the fasting state, although the area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0-infinity) was not significantly different. Neither of these parameters was significantly altered when d4T was taken 1 h before a meal. The bioavailability of d4T taken after a meal was 95% of that observed in the fasting state, and it was 97% when d4T was administered before a meal (P > 0.05 for both comparisons with the fasting state). The results of this study indicate that (i) ingestion of food does not affect the bioavailability of d4T and that patients with HIV infection can take it without regard to meals, and (ii) absorption is essentially complete within 1 h when d4T is administered in the fasted state.     

Bioavailability of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin with an enzyme inhibitor (aprotinin) from the small intestine in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE: The bioavailability of an aqueous solution of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP), with and without an enzyme inhibitor, was studied in six healthy, male volunteers aged 19-34 years, followed for 8 h after each drug administration. METHODS: For i.v. administration the subjects received 4 micrograms dDAVP. For intestinal administration 500 micrograms dDAVP was administered directly, in two separate sessions, in the first part of the duodenum via a triple-lumen channel tube. In one session a solution of isotonic polyethylene glycol (PEG) was given as a continuous enteral perfusion. In the other session a solution of PEG and aprotinin was administered enterally at the constant rate of 5 ml.min-1 for 4 h. Plasma dDAVP was measured using a specific, sensitive radioimmunoassay and intestinal juice was collected for measurement of lipase, chymotrypsin and pH every 30 min for 5 h. RESULTS: The intestinal chymotrypsin activity was decreased after perfusion of aprotinin while the lipase activity was not modified. After i.v. administration, the half-life of elimination of dDAVP was 1.56 h and plasma clearance 1.24 ml.min.kg-1. The mean bioavailability after duodenal administration of dDAVP+ aprotinin was 0.46% compared with 0.09% after duodenal administration of dDAVP alone. The bioavailability of dDAVP after direct duodenal administration of an aqueous solution was similar to that after swallowing a tablet in a previous study and increased 5 times when given together with a perfusion of an enzyme inhibitor.     

Zatebradine: pharmacokinetics of a novel heart-rate-lowering agent after intravenous infusion and oral administration to healthy subjects

Although high-frequency low-intensity transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) has been extensively used to relieve low back pain, experimental studies of its effectiveness have yielded contradictory findings mainly due to methodological problems in pain evaluation and placebo control. In the present study, separate visual analog scales (VAS) were used to measure the sensory-discriminative and motivational-affective components of low back pain. Forty-two subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: TENS, placebo-TENS, and no treatment (control). In order to measure the short-term effect of TENS, VAS pain ratings were taken before and after each treatment session. Also, to measure long-term effects, patients rated their pain at home every 2 h throughout a 3-day period before and 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after the treatment sessions. In comparing the pain evaluations made immediately before and after each treatment session, TENS and placebo-TENS significantly reduced both the intensity and unpleasantness of chronic low back pain. TENS was significantly more efficient than placebo-TENS in reducing pain intensity but not pain unpleasantness. TENS also produced a significant additive effect over repetitive treatment sessions for pain intensity and relative pain unpleasantness. This additive effect was not found for placebo-TENS. When evaluated at home, pain intensity was significantly reduced more by TENS than placebo-TENS 1 week after the end of treatment, but not 3 months and 6 months later. At home evaluation of pain unpleasantness in the TENS group was never different from the placebo-TENS group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Coca chewing for exercise: hormonal and metabolic responses of nonhabitual chewers

To determine the effects of acute coca use on the hormonal and metabolic responses to exercise, 12 healthy nonhabitual coca users were submitted twice to steady-state exercise (approximately 75% maximal O2 uptake). On one occasion, they were asked to chew 15 g of coca leaves 1 h before exercise, whereas on the other occasion, exercise was performed after 1 h of chewing a sugar-free chewing gum. Plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin, glucagon, and metabolites (glucose, lactate, glycerol, and free fatty acids) were determined at rest before and after coca chewing and during the 5th, 15th, 30th, and 60th min of exercise. Simultaneously to these determinations, cardiorespiratory variables (heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, oxygen uptake, and respiratory gas exchange ratio) were also measured. At rest, coca chewing had no effect on plasma hormonal and metabolic levels except for a significantly reduced insulin concentration. During exercise, the oxygen uptake, heart rate, and respiratory gas exchange ratio were significantly increased in the coca-chewing trial compared with the control (gum-chewing) test. The exercise-induced drop in plasma glucose and insulin was prevented by prior coca chewing. These results contrast with previous data obtained in chronic coca users who display during prolonged submaximal exercise an exaggerated plasma sympathetic response, an enhanced availability and utilization of fat (R. Favier, E. Caceres, H. Koubi, B. Sempore, M. Sauvain, and H. Spielvogel. J. Appl. Physiol. 80: 650-655, 1996). We conclude that, whereas coca chewing might affect glucose homeostasis during exercise, none of the physiological data provided by this study would suggest that acute coca chewing in nonhabitual users could enhance tolerance to exercise.     

Pharmacoeconomics of intravenous antibiotic use in serious infection

A pharmacoeconomic study of 15 antibiotics available in Barbados was performed. The antibiotics studied were amoxycillin/clavulanate, ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, cefazolin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, cloxacillin, cotrimoxazole, gentamicin, imipenem, metronidazole, piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and vancomycin. The costs of use of these compounds were calculated for a five-day course using a formula comprising eight categories: antibiotic purchase cost, maintenance of intravenous access, drug delivery cost, drug monitoring cost, dose readjustment, general monitoring cost, 'sharps' disposal cost and adverse effects. The costs of adverse effects were not included in this study due to lack of accurate data. The total cost of antibiotic use (in U.S. dollars) ranged from $42.52 to $463.73 per five-day course. Generic compounds were less expensive ($45.52 - $98.23) than brand-name compounds ($106.18 - $106.18 - $463.73). Antibiotic purchase costs accounted for proportions of total costs ranging from 7 to 93%. Non-drug costs represented a much greater proportion of total costs of generic compounds. For most compounds the non-drug costs were related to the frequency of dosing, but for gentamicin the non-drug costs were relatively higher because of the need for monitoring of serum gentamicin levels. Efficacy and freedom from side-effects will remain the most important determinants in the choice of antibiotic therapy. However, pharmacoeconomic analyses can provide prescribers with the information required to make cost-effective choices for treatment of their patients.     

Geranylgeranylpyrophosphate, a metabolite of mevalonate, regulates the cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes

To determine the effect of coca chewing on heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and plasma volume and their relationship with the hormones regulating cardiovascular and body fluid homeostasis, 16 male volunteers were examined at rest and during 1 h of cycle exercise at approximately 75% of their peak oxygen uptake in two trials separated by 1 mo. One trial was performed after the subjects chewed a sugar-free chewing gum (Coca- trial), whereas the other was done after the subjects chewed 15 g of coca leaves (Coca+), with the order of the Coca- and Coca+ trials being randomized. Blood samples were taken at rest, before (R1) and after 1-h chewing (R2), and during the 5th, 15th, 30th, and 60th min of exercise. They were analyzed for hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, plasma proteins, and for the fluid regulatory hormones, including plasma catecholamines [norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine], renin, arginine vasopressin, and the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). During the control trial (Coca-), from R1 to R2, there was no significant change in hematologic, hormonal, and cardiovascular status except for a small increase in plasma NE. In contrast, it can be calculated that coca chewing at rest induced a significant hemoconcentration (-3.8 +/- 1. 3% in blood and -7.0 +/- 0.7% in plasma volume), increased NE and MAP, and reduced plasma ANP. Chewing coca before exercise reduced the body fluid shifts but enhanced HR response during exercise. These effects were not accompanied by changes in NE, epinephrine, renin, and arginine vasopressin plasma levels. In contrast, plasma ANP response to exercise was lower during the Coca+ trial, suggesting that central cardiac filling was reduced by coca use. It is likely that the reduction in body fluid volumes is a major contributing factor to the higher HR at any given time of exercise after coca chewing.     

Effect of long-term haloperidol treatment on striatal neuropeptides: relation to stereotyped behavior

Behavioral and biochemical responses to D1 and D2 dopamine (DA) agonists were used to evaluate the participation of striatal peptidergic mechanisms in the motor function alterations that attend chronic neuroleptic treatment. Rats, given haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.c.) for 21 consecutive days, were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: the D1 agonist SKF 38393, the D2 agonist quinpirole, their combination or saline. Stereotyped behavior and neuropeptide levels were evaluated after 5 days treatment and 4 days washout. Haloperidol increased most oral behaviors including licking, chewing and biting as well as striatal enkephalin and somatostatin levels. Subsequent treatment with SKF 38393 diminished the haloperidol-induced increase in licking and chewing; quinpirole reduced chewing behavior. The administration of both agonists together decreased chewing and biting. Neither DA agonist alone, nor their combination, reduced the haloperidol-induced increase in enkephalin levels. Both SKF 38393 and quinpirole, when given alone, tended to decrease the haloperidol-induced increase in somatostatin levels; when both D1 and D2 agonists were administered together, somatostatin levels declined significantly. These results suggest that somatostatin- but not enkephalin-containing striatal neurons contribute to the expression of haloperidol-induced stereotypies.     

High resolution 1H NMR spectroscopic studies of the metabolism and excretion of ampicillin in rats and amoxycillin in rats and man

High resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the metabolism and urinary excretion of the aminopenicillins, ampicillin and amoxycillin, in rats and of amoxycillin in man. 1H NMR resonances of the aminopenicillins, together with those for their 5R, 6R and 5S, 6R penicilloic acids and diketopiperazine metabolites were detected, assigned and quantified in urine samples with the aid of spin-echo NMR techniques. The dimer of amoxycillin was detected in rat urine for the first time together with novel drug-related resonances assigned to amoxycillin carbamate. Quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopic results were consistent with HPLC and microbiological data considering that only single measurements were recorded. Due to the short analysis time and simple sample preparation, NMR was particularly useful for studying the metabolism of the aminopenicillins for which sample degradation poses analytical problems. The non-invasive character of 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis of urine also provided unique information on a reversible reaction between amoxycillin and bicarbonate, an endogenous urinary metabolite.     

Antibiotic prophylaxis of infectious complications in gynecologic surgery]

Infections are still the most frequent postoperative complications and one of the limiting factors of successful gynaecological surgery. In recent years information on successful anti-microbial chemoprophylaxis is increasing and is associated with reduced postoperative inflammations, febrile morbidity and early complications. Views differ above all as regards indications for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis and the selection of a suitable antibiotic. Data in the literature differ also as regards achieved results. The submitted work had the objective to test on a representative group the success and rationality of medicamentous prophylaxis in gynaecological surgery and to contribute to a clearer view on controversial points. 203 women admitted to the Second Gynaecological and Obstetric Department of the First Medical Faculty Charles University and General Faculty Hospital Prague for elective abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy on account of a benign indication were divided into three groups which did not differ from the demographic or medical aspect. In group A (53 women) for prophylaxis two doses of Augmentin were used (combination of amoxycillin with clavulanic acid) i.v., patients in group M (50 women) had three doses of Mandol (Cefamandol) i.m., and in control group K (100 patients) no antibiotics were administered prophylactically. The authors investigated the postoperative course and evaluated some parameters in relation to possible postoperative infectious complications. The results proved unequivocally that prophylaxis with Augmentin reduces significantly the postoperative infectious morbidity (11.5%), febrile morbidity (5.6%) and the incidence of early infectious complications (3.8%) after abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, as compared with the control group (35%, 31% and 11% resp.). Prophylaxis with Cefamandol reduced only in few parameters postoperative complications, but in general did not lead to a significant improvement of the postoperative course nor to a reduction of postoperative inflammatory complications. Similar results were obtained when only complications after abdominal hysterectomy were evaluated. The results of bacteriological examination confirmed the expected differences in the spectrum of efficacy of the two antibiotics on the most common microbial flora in the given area, i.e. a high sensitivity of Augmention to enterococci and bacterioids and resistance of these bacteria to Mandol. These results can be considered one of the reasons of different results of the two antibiotics. Prophylaxis with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was found to be safe, very effective and financially feasible prevention of postoperative infectious complications after abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy. It led to a significant increase in the number of cases without any complications, when compared with the control group.     

Comparison between the pharmacokinetics of epicillin and ampicillin (author's transl)]

To anesthetized rabbits 6-[D-2-amino-2-(cyclohexa-1,4-dienl-yl)-acetamido]-penicillanic acid (epicillin, Spectacillin) and ampicillin were administered i.v. at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, and up to 5 to 8 h thereafter the concentration was estimated in the plasma, urine and bile. Within 5 h, the blood levels took biexponential courses so that a two-compartment open model could be assumed. With epicillin all the different doses a more slowly decreasing tissue level and a higher total volume of distribution are obtained as well as a tissue volume of distribution higher than that with ampicillin. The clearance shows that both antibiotics are eliminated in the urine by glomerular filtration as well as tubular secretion and reabsorption. After 200 mg/kg of either antibiotic a three-compartment open model could be assumed, on the base of which only the volumes of distribution for epicillin could be completely determined. The total volume and the tissue volume of distribution are the same after each different dose of epicillin, whilst in the case of ampicillin both volumes are smaller and decrease with rising doses.     

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of liposomal encapsulated ampicillin in male and female rats

The dispositions of free and liposomal entrapped ampicillin were compared in male and female rats after i.v. administration. Serial blood samples were collected for 2 h in the free drug study and 12 h for the liposomal formulation. Pharmacokinetic parameters obtained with free drug were not significantly different between genders. However, gender significantly influenced the disposition of liposomal encapsulated ampicillin. While no difference was observed in distribution t1/2 between genders, female rats had a shorter MRT, smaller Vss and Vt, and faster clearance as compared to male rats. In a second study, spleen, liver, kidney, heart, and lung were harvested post-injection of free and liposomal entrapped ampicillin. Free ampicillin did not distribute extensively into the tissue compartment and no gender difference was noted. In contrast, liposomal encapsulation resulted in a substantial tissue uptake. In general, female rats had higher concentrations in the spleen and lung as compared to male rats. In vitro plasma stability was not significantly different, suggesting that destabilization of the liposomes does not play a large role in the dispositional differences observed in these studies. However, in vivo interaction of liposomes and plasma lipoproteins may influence the disposition of encapsulated drug.     

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

The prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates from faecal samples from 110 veterinarians with different specialties (predominantly working with cattle, swine, poultry, or small animals or working as a non-practitioner, e.g. in government or industry) was investigated. In 22% and 13% of the veterinarians E. coli isolates showed a high level of resistance to oxytetracycline and ampicillin respectively. A significantly higher percentage of cattle practitioners had a high level of antibiotic resistance against ampicillin than did swine practitioners. Furthermore, a significantly higher percentage of poultry practitioners had a high level of antibiotic resistance against oxytetracycline than did swine practitioners and non-practitioners. A significantly higher percentage of practitioners recently (within last 6 months) used antibiotics for personal intake than did the group of non-practitioners. There was no evidence for a relationship between personal intake of antibiotics and the occurrence of a high level of resistance to ampicillin or oxytetracycline. The prevalence of E. coli isolates, that were resistant to several antibiotics was highest in cattle and poultry practitioners and the lowest in swine practitioners. A possible explanation for the observed differences in high level resistance to oxytetracycline and ampicillin between veterinary specialty groups is a difference in exposure to antibiotics during practice.     

Rapid assessment of drug abuse in Ethiopia

A study of drug and substance abuse at Addis Ababa and in 24 towns across Ethiopia was conducted from June to November 1995. Five categories of respondents were selected for the study: street children, commercial sex workers and street vendors; medical, social and public health workers; law enforcement officials; leaders of religious institutions and educational establishments, youth leaders and personnel of non-governmental organizations providing social service to communities; and focus groups comprised of men and women from the various places covered in the study. All categories of respondents agreed that the problem of substance abuse was becoming increasingly serious in Ethiopia; that adolescents and young adults were the most affected group; and that addictive substances were easily obtainable in the country. The study also found that there was a significant increase in the number of Ethiopians chewing khat (Catha edulis). Khat, previously known to grow mainly in the eastern part of Ethiopia, was widely cultivated in all parts of the country. Khat consumption, traditionally confined to a certain segment of the population, had become popular among all segments of the population. Some of the respondents reported that khat-chewing often led to the abuse of illicit substances.     

An inexpensive infrared growth sensor array for detection of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility

An inexpensive infrared sensor was constructed and used for the rapid testing of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility by detection of changes in absorbance at 950 nm. By comparing cultures of clinical isolates together with control strains (Escherichia coli NCTC 10418, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 or Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 10662) after addition of an antibiotic, results on susceptibility were obtained within 3-5 h from the original plate culture. Representative strains of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus were tested successfully against ampicillin, penicillin, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin.