In vitro activity and killing effect of uperin 3.6 against gram-positive cocci isolated from immunocompromised patients.

The in vitro activity of uperin 3.6, alone or combined with six antibiotics, against gram-positive cocci, including Rhodococcus equi, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, was investigated. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/liter.

In vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with antibiotics against bacteria responsible for bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients.

MSI-78 is a 22 amino acid amphipathic peptide with potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains. In this study, we assessed the in vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents against several strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli isolated from blood of neutropenic febrile patients. Antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill studies and checkerboard titration method.

In vitro activity of citropin 1.1 alone and in combination with clinically used antimicrobial agents against Rhodococcus equi.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of citropin 1.1, an antimicrobial peptide derived from the Australian tree frog Litoria citropa, alone and in combination with ampicillin, ceftriaxone, doxycycline, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin, linezolid, vancomycin, clarithromycin and imipenem against 12 nosocomial isolates of Rhodococcus equi.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity of citropin 1.

In vitro activity and killing effect of citropin 1.1 against gram-positive pathogens causing skin and soft tissue infections.

The in vitro activity of citropin 1.1 against gram-positive cocci was measured by MIC, minimal bactericidal concentration, time-kill studies, and a checkerboard titration method. Streptococci and staphylococci were inhibited at concentrations between 1 and 16 mg/liter, respectively.

In vitro activity of the histatin derivative P-113 against multidrug-resistant pathogens responsible for pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

The in vitro activity of the histatin derivative P-113, alone or combined with eight antibiotics, was investigated against multidrug-resistant strains isolated from clinical specimens of immunocompromised patients with pneumonia. The gram-negative isolates were susceptible to P-113. S.

In vitro activity and killing effect of temporin A on nosocomial isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and interactions with clinically used antibiotics.

Objective: To study the in vitro activity of temporin A, a basic, highly hydrophobic, antimicrobial peptide amide derived from the skin of the European red frog Rana temporaria, alone and in combination with co-amoxiclav, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, linezolid and vancomycin, against 42 nosocomial isolates of Enterococcus faecalis. Fourteen of these were resistant to vancomycin.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity of temporin A was measured by MIC, MBC and time-kill studies and by the chequerboard titration method.

Effects of pexiganan alone and combined with betalactams in experimental endotoxic shock.

To investigate the efficacy of pexiganan, a 22-residue magainin analog, alone and combined with betalactmas antibiotics in three experimental rat models of Gram-negative septic shock. Adult male Wistar rats were given (i) an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS; (ii) 2x10(10)CFU of E. coli ATCC 25922; and (iii) intra-abdominal sepsis induced via cecal ligation and puncture.

RNAIII-inhibiting peptide improves efficacy of clinically used antibiotics in a murine model of staphylococcal sepsis.

RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP, YSPWTNF-NH2) is a quorum-sensing peptide inhibitor that prevents Staphylococcus aureus toxin production and biofilm formation. A mouse sepsis model was used to test the efficacy of RIP alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics in suppressing S. aureus-induced sepsis.

The antimicrobial peptide BMAP-28 reduces lethality in mouse models of staphylococcal sepsis.

Objective: A mouse model of staphylococcal sepsis was used to compare the efficacy of the bovine antimicrobial peptide BMAP-28, a compound of the cathelicidin family, with that of conventional antibiotics.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.

Setting: Research laboratory in a university hospital.

Therapeutic efficacy of the magainin analogue MSI-78 in different intra-abdominal sepsis rat models.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin activity of MSI-78, a synthetic cationic peptide analogue of magainin 2.

Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was investigated against the commercially available quality control strain Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. In addition, three rat models of septic shock were investigated: (i) rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS; (ii) rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) cfu of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; (iii) intra-abdominal sepsis was induced via caecal ligation and puncture.

Temporin A soaking in combination with intraperitoneal linezolid prevents vascular graft infection in a subcutaneous rat pouch model of infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

The efficacy of linezolid and temporin A in the prevention of prosthetic graft infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides was investigated in a subcutaneous rat pouch model. Linezolid and temporin A, alone or combined, greatly reduced the bacterial numbers compared to the effect with control drugs.

In vitro activity and killing effect of the synthetic hybrid cecropin A-melittin peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH(2) on methicillin-resistant nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and interactions with clinically used antibiotics.

The in vitro activity of CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH(2), a 15-residue synthetic hybrid peptide derived from the sequences of cecropin A and melittin, alone and in combination with amoxicillin-clavulanate, imipenem, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, and vancomycin, was investigated against 40 nosocomial isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial activity of CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH(2) was measured by minimal inhibitory concentration, MBC, and time-kill studies. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 microg/mL.

Potential therapeutic role of histatin derivative P-113d in experimental rat models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis.

Background: Morbidity and mortality from Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis remain high despite the availability of antibiotics to which the microorganism is sensitive.

Methods: The in vitro activity of histatin derivative P-113d was investigated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, its in vivo efficacy was studied in 3 rat models of infection: intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg of P.

A chimeric peptide composed of a dermaseptin derivative and an RNA III-inhibiting peptide prevents graft-associated infections by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci.

Staphylococcal bacteria are a prevalent cause of infections associated with foreign bodies and indwelling medical devices. Bacteria are capable of escaping antibiotic treatment through encapsulation into biofilms. RNA III-inhibiting peptide (RIP) is a heptapeptide that inhibits staphylococcal biofilm formation by obstructing quorum-sensing mechanisms.

Antiendotoxin activity of protegrin analog IB-367 alone or in combination with piperacillin in different animal models of septic shock.

The therapeutic efficacy of protegrin peptide IB-367 was investigated in three rat models of septic shock: (i) rats injected intraperitoneally with 1mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 lipopolysaccharide, (ii) rats given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 X 10(10) CFU of E. coli ATCC 25922, and (iii) rats in which intra-abdominal sepsis was induced via cecal ligation and puncture. All animals were randomized to receive parenterally isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1mg/kg of IB-367, 60mg/kg piperacillin and 1mg/kg of IB-367 plus 60mg/kg piperacillin.

Cecropin B enhances betalactams activities in experimental rat models of gram-negative septic shock.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of imipenem, piperacillin combined with cecropin B in the prevention of lethality in 2 rat models of septic shock. Main outcome measures were bacterial growth in blood and intra-abdominal fluid, endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentrations in plasma, and lethality.

Background: Sepsis remains a serious clinical problem despite intense efforts to improve survival.

Comparative activities of cecropin A, melittin, and cecropin A-melittin peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 against multidrug-resistant nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

The in vitro activity of three polycationic peptides, cecropin A, melittin, and cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2, alone and in combination with various clinically used antimicrobial agents, was investigated against 32 nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC, MBC and bacterial killing assay. The peptides demonstrated different ranges of inhibitory values: overall, the organisms were more susceptible to CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 (MIC range, 0.

Cathelicidin peptide sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-29 prevents endotoxin-induced mortality in rat models of septic shock.

The present study was designed to investigate the antiendotoxin activity and therapeutic efficacy of sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide (SMAP)-29, a cathelicidin-derived peptide. The in vitro ability of SMAP-29 to bind LPS from Escherichia coli 0111:B4 was determined using a sensitive limulus chromogenic assay. Two rat models of septic shock were performed: (1) rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg E.

Prophylactic efficacy of linezolid alone or combined with levofloxacin and vancomycin in a rat subcutaneous pouch model of graft infection caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

Objectives: A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of linezolid, alone or in combination with levofloxacin and vancomycin, in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection resulting from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

Methods: Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of adult male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses, followed by topical inoculation with S. epidermidis.

Prophylactic efficacy of topical temporin A and RNAIII-inhibiting peptide in a subcutaneous rat Pouch model of graft infection attributable to staphylococci with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

Background: Bacteria that adhere to implanted medical devices play an important role in industry and in modern medicine. Staphylococci are among the most common pathogens that cause biomaterial infections. Vascular prosthetic graft infection is one of the most feared complications that the vascular surgeon treats, frequently resulting in prolonged hospitalization, organ failure, amputation, and death.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among individuals with allergic skin diseases.

The prevalence of intestinal protozoans and helminths in stool samples of individuals with allergic cutaneous symptoms was evaluated to study a possible link between parasites and allergy. Altogether, 218 patients who had chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, or pruritus of unknown origin were included in the study. Standard laboratory tests for the detection of allergic etiology were performed for all patients.

Neutralization of endotoxin in vitro and in vivo by Bac7(1-35), a proline-rich antibacterial peptide.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), or endotoxins, are structural components of gram-negative bacteria implicated in the pathogenesis of septic shock. In this study the antiendotoxin activity of Bac7(1-35), a synthetic peptide based on the sequence of a proline-rich antibacterial peptide from bovine neutrophils, was investigated in vitro and in an experimental rat model of gram-negative septic shock. The ability of Bac7(1-35) to bind LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 was determined using a sensitive Limulus chromogenic assay.