Recycling antibiotics into GUMBOS: a new combination strategy to combat multi-drug-resistant bacteria.

The emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, coupled with the lack of new antibiotics in development, is fast evolving into a global crisis. New strategies utilizing existing antibacterial agents are urgently needed. We propose one such strategy in which four outmoded β-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalothin and oxacillin) and a well-known antiseptic (chlorhexidine di-acetate) were fashioned into a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) as an alternative to conventional combination drug dosing strategies.

Minimizing human infection from Escherichia coli O157:H7 using GUMBOS.

Objectives: Reduction in faecal shedding of Shiga toxin-producing enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in food-producing animals is a viable strategy to minimize human disease initiated by exposure to these microorganisms. To this end, an intervention strategy involving the electrostatic hybridization of two commonly used anti-infective agents for veterinary practice (i.e.

In vitro synergism of trifluorothymidine and ganciclovir against HSV-1.

Purpose: To determine whether trifluorothymidine (TFT) and ganciclovir (GCV) are synergistic against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Methods: TFT and GCV activity against 12 strains of HSV-1 (including an acyclovir-resistant strain) was measured by plaque-forming unit (PFU) inhibition. Cellular toxicity was assessed with an MTT dye reduction assay.

Nona-D-arginine amide suppresses corneal cytokines in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

Purpose: Nona-D-arginine (D9R) amide suppressed interleukin 1β production during Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the cellular disposition of D9R and its effect on other inflammatory mediators induced by infection.

Methods: Mouse eyes received 5 μL of either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.

Clinical and antiviral efficacy of an ophthalmic formulation of dexamethasone povidone-iodine in a rabbit model of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of a new formulation of topical dexamethasone 0.1%/povidone-iodine 0.4% (FST-100) in reducing clinical symptoms and infectious viral titers in a rabbit model of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.

Nona-D-arginine amide for prophylaxis and treatment of experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

Purpose: Nona-D-arginine amide (D9R) affected a cure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal disease when combined with ciprofloxacin. In this study, we show that D9R alone and prophylactic treatment with D9R significantly reduced corneal pathology and bacterial burden associated with P. aeruginosa infection.

Nona-D-arginine therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

Purpose: Nona-D-arginine amide (D9R) was evaluated as treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis when administered alone and with ciprofloxacin.

Methods: Mouse corneas were infected with P. aeruginosa.

Polyphosphate kinase 1 and the ocular virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Purpose: To determine the role of polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1) in the ocular virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods: Using a mouse model of infection, P. aeruginosa strains PAO1, PAOM5 (an isogenic mutant of PAO1 deficient in PPK1), and PAOM5+PPK1 (the mutant complemented with PPK1 on plasmid pHEPAK11) were compared for ocular virulence.

Caspase-1 inhibitor reduces severity of pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in mice.

Purpose: To test an inhibitor of IL-1beta converting enzyme (ICE), with or without ciprofloxacin, in a C57BL/6 mouse model of keratitis induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in which corneal perforation is expected.

Methods: Clinical score, histopathology, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, bacterial counts, and ELISA analysis were used to assess the efficacy of treatment initiated at 18 hours postinfection (p.i.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa proteases and corneal virulence.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of corneal infections, particularly among users of soft contact lenses. Previous studies with chemically induced mutants deficient in alkaline protease (AP) or elastase (LasB) suggested that these proteases contributed to the rapid liquifactive stromal necrosis characteristic of P. aeruginosa corneal infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A and keratitis in mice.

Purpose: To determine the importance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) as a virulence factor in corneal disease.

Methods: Isogenic mutants deficient in ETA were constructed in P. aeruginosa strains PAO1 and ATCC 19660 by allelic exchange and then evaluated for virulence in a mouse model of bacterial keratitis.