Topical antimicrobial prophylaxis of nosocomial pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients. Microbiological observations

Generally, reduction of colonization and infection with potentially pathogenic microorganisms in intensive care units (ICU) is attempted by a combination of antimicrobial agents administered topically in the digestive tract and systematically. We tested the efficacy of topical antimicrobial prophylaxis of the oropharynx and stomach administered in combination with sucralfate without systemic prophylaxis in 25 mechanically ventilated ICU patients. The regimen successfully reduced colonization with potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the oropharynx and trachea without modifying the intestinal flora. However, colonization and infections with gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods other than Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae and resistant to one or both the antimicrobial agents used were observed.     

Evoked potentials in the dog sensomotor cortex during an avoidance reaction

Elaboration of avoidance reaction (conditioned reflex of the second order), based on a preliminarily elaborated escape (conditioned reflex of the first order) from pulse electro-cutaneus stimulation of the paw, led to a well-defined reorganization of the activity of the cortical limb projection structures. By excitability parameters (EP and motor reaction thresholds) and by changes of parameters of EP to electro-cutaneous stimulation, in escape reactions the sensory functions are drastically enhanced. Judging from the EP pattern, in response to the first pulses of the series (intensification of late components, appearance of an additional late negative wave), these pulses act as signals. With the introduction of distant stimuli (clicks), the electric current loses its signal significance, and the EP produced by it are sharply depressed and simplified. In the somatosensory projection of the paw, EP to clicks observed before conditioning, decrease or disappear completely. But they appear in the motor projection of the paw. In conjunction with excitation parameters, these data suggest the predominance of efferent functions of the paw in avoidance reactions.     

Carotid body hypertrophy in patients with cystic fibrosis and cyanotic congenital heart disease

Austrobilharzia terrigalensis from Egretta sacra and Larus novaehollandiae at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, is described. The prosobranch snail Planaxis sulcatus is the natural intermediate host of A. terrigalensis at Heron Island. The life-cycle of A. terrigalensis was worked out using naturally and experimentally infected Planaxis sulcatus and experimentally infected chickens. Experiments to produce a dermatitis with cercariae of A. terrigalensis were negative. Austrobilharzia terrigalensis infects a wide range of natural hosts in Canada, continental United States, Hawaii and Australia, and uses different snail genera belonging to different families as intermediate hosts in different areas. The wide distribution is apparently due to the habits of some hosts which migrate between the northern and southern hemispheres.     

Elution of filtered granulocytes for transfusion

Functional and clinical transfusion studies were carried out on granulocytes eluted from nylon filters using ACD Saline solutions and 20% CPD Plasma ACD Saline solutions. Although the average volume of blood and total number of granulocytes filtered were the same, the yield of granulocytes eluted form the filters was 20% greater when 20% CPD plasma was in the eluting solution. Function studies indicated that while the antibacterial capacity of the saline eluted granulocytes was equivalent to that of plasma eluted cells, chemotactic activity was markedly reduced after 24 hours storage in the saline eluted cells. Clinical studies post transfusion also suggest better response from plasma eluted granulocytes.