Assessment of antimicrobial activity of hydrophilic betaines in osmotically stressed bacteria.

A series of hydrophilic aromatic and semi-aromatic betaines related to trigonelline was synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity. 4-Methylthiazolium betaine was the only one that showed significant antibacterial activity towards Escherichia coli under hyperosmotic conditions. None of the tested betaines showed any evidence of osmoprotection or urea protection.

Antibiotic resistance in uncomplicated urinary tract infection: problems with interpreting cumulative resistance rates from local community laboratories.

Aims: To determine the resistance rates and patterns in bacteria causing uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) presenting to general practitioners (GPs) in Christchurch.

Methods: 82 randomly selected GPs in Christchurch participated in the study. Midstream urine (MSU) samples were prospectively collected for standard microbiological analysis on all women between the ages of 16 and 50 years presenting with symptoms of dysuria and frequency and who had positive dipstick testing to either (or both) nitrites or leucocytes.