meningitis and endocarditis in a patient with prosthetic mitral valve.

is commonly found in cutaneous and pharyngeal infections, but rarely causes meningitis and endocarditis. We report a 77-year-old male with history of prosthetic mitral valve, presenting with meningitis and endocarditis secondary to . We aim to raise awareness among clinicians of rare infectious etiology as the cause of endocarditis and meningitis, and importance of prompt diagnosis in ensuring success of medical treatment and long-term survival.

Effects of anidulafungin and voriconazole, singly and in combination, on cytokine/chemokine production by human monocyte-derived macrophages infected with Candida glabrata or activated by lipopolysaccharide.

Background: Candida glabrata causes infections associated with severe sepsis, production of high concentrations of cytokines/chemokines, and high mortality. This study describes the effects of anidulafungin (ANF) and voriconazole (VRC), singly and in combination, on the production of eight cytokines/chemokines by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) infected with C. glabrata or activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Effects of echinocandins on cytokine/chemokine production by human monocytes activated by infection with Candida glabrata or by lipopolysaccharide.

Serious Candida glabrata infections, which can be difficult to treat, are often treated with echinocandins. We compared in vitro the effects of high and low concentrations of 3 echinocandins (micafungin [MCF], caspofungin [CAS], and anidulafungin [ANF]), voriconazole (VRC), and amphotericin B (AmB), singly and VRC in combination with MCF, CAS, and ANF, on the production of cytokines/chemokines by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). MDM were activated by infection with C.

Comparison of CLSI broth macrodilution and microdilution methods for echinocandin susceptibility testing of 5 Candida species.

In order to compare the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth macrodilution and microdilution methods of susceptibility testing for echinocandins and yeast, 55 strains of Candida representing 5 species were tested using the CLSI-recommended broth macro- and microdilution methods. Small (1-3 log(2)) but potentially important method-, species-, and drug-dependent differences in MICs were observed.

Post-antifungal effects and time-kill studies of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin against Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis.

Candida glabrata (Cgl) and Candida parapsilosis (Cpa) can cause serious infections and can be resistant to some antifungal drugs. In treating infections caused by these organisms, killing rates and post-antifungal effects (PAFE) are important factors in both dose interval choice and outcome. Two strains each of Cgl and Cpa were studied.

Time-kill studies with micafungin and voriconazole against Candida glabrata intracellularly in human monocyte-derived macrophages and extracellularly in broth.

The purpose of this study was to determine by time-kill methodology the anticandidal effectiveness and durability of micafungin (MCF) and voriconazole (VRC), singly and in combination, against Candida glabrata (Cgl), intracellularly in human monocyte-derived macrophages and extracellularly in RPMI-MOPS broth with and without fetal calf serum (FCS) or pooled human serum (PHS). The anticandidal activity of MCF was concentration-dependent and durable. Combinations of MCF + VRC both intra- and extracellularly were more effective than single drugs.

Activities of tigecycline and comparators against Legionella pneumophila and Legionella micdadei extracellularly and in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

The activity of tigecycline against Legionellae, which are intracellular pathogens, was evaluated intracellularly in human phagocytes and extracellularly, and compared to the activities of erythromycin and levofloxacin. Clinical isolates of L. pneumophila serogroups 1, 5, and 6 and L.

IFN-gamma enhances killing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by human monocytes more effectively than GM-CSF in the presence of daptomycin and other antibiotics.

Because cytokines have been utilized in treatment of sepsis in neonates, we studied the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and GM-CSF on killing of intracellular methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by human monocyte derived macrophages (MDM) in the presence of daptomycin (Dap), rifampin (Rif), gentamicin (Gen), and combinations of these drugs. MDM infected with MRSA were treated with Dap (1 x MIC), Gen (0.5 x MIC), or Rif (1 x MIC), singly or in combination, with or without cytokines.

Anticandidal effects of voriconazole and caspofungin, singly and in combination, against Candida glabrata, extracellularly and intracellularly in granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-activated human monocytes.

Objectives: The antifungal effects of voriconazole and caspofungin, singly and in combination, were determined against Candida glabrata in time-kill curves in broth, in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and in MDMs activated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Methods: Three strains of fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata were evaluated.

Activities of daptomycin and comparative antimicrobials, singly and in combination, against extracellular and intracellular Staphylococcus aureus and its stable small-colony variant in human monocyte-derived macrophages and in broth.

We investigated the antistaphylococcal activities of daptomycin, gentamicin, and rifampin against two Staphylococcus aureus strains and their stable small-colony variants, singly and in combination, in human monocyte-derived macrophages and in broth. Intracellularly, the three-drug combination and two-drug combinations with rifampin were most effective. Extracellularly, daptomycin, daptomycin plus gentamicin, gentamicin plus rifampin, and the three-drug combination had similar activities.

Effects of gatifloxacin and levofloxacin on rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia among elderly hospitalized patients.

Study Objectives: To compare rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia among elderly hospitalized patients with normal blood glucose concentrations at baseline who were receiving either gatifloxacin or levofloxacin, and to determine if appropriateness of their doses, according to their package inserts, was associated with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Integrated Veterans Administration (VA) health care system.

Comparison of beta-lactam and macrolide combination therapy versus fluoroquinolone monotherapy in hospitalized Veterans Affairs patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Data comparing the treatment outcomes of the two most frequently recommended empirical antibiotic regimens for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)--combination therapy with an extended-spectrum beta-lactam and a macrolide (BL+M) or fluoroquinolone (F) monotherapy--for patients with severe CAP are sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare empirical BL+M combination therapy with F monotherapy for Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with severe CAP. This retrospective study included patients with CAP who received empirical therapy with BL+M or F between October 1999 and May 2003 in the Upstate New York VA Network.

Effect of recombinant human activated protein C on the bactericidal activity of human monocytes and modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the presence of antimicrobial agents.

Objectives: To determine the effects of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) on the antimicrobial activity and cytokine production of normal human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in the presence and absence of Escherichia coli infection, with and without treatment with levofloxacin or ampicillin.

Methods: MDM monolayers were infected with E. coli ATCC 25922 and treated with levofloxacin or ampicillin in the presence or absence of rhAPC.

Antimicrobial activities of daptomycin, vancomycin, and oxacillin in human monocytes and of daptomycin in combination with gentamicin and/or rifampin in human monocytes and in broth against Staphylococcus aureus.

We investigated the antistaphylococcal activity of daptomycin, vancomycin, oxacillin, gentamicin, and rifampin in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Compared with vancomycin and oxacillin, daptomycin had the most rapid and greatest antibacterial activity, but that of oxacillin was most sustained. The combination of daptomycin, gentamicin, and rifampin was most effective intracellularly, while daptomycin plus gentamicin and the three-drug combination were most effective extracellularly, completely eliminating viable Staphylococcus aureus.

Antifungal effect of voriconazole on intracellular Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Infections caused by Candida species other than Candida albicans are increasingly common, and decreased susceptibility to azoles has made them more difficult to treat. Since phagocytic killing is important in elimination of Candida infections, intracellular killing of fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis (four strains each) by voriconazole was investigated in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). MDMs were infected with Candida, and voriconazole was then added.

Antibacterial activities of gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and erythromycin against intracellular Legionella pneumophila and Legionella micdadei in human monocytes.

Objectives: The antibacterial activity of a new fluoroquinolone, gemifloxacin, was tested against intracellular Legionella pneumophila and Legionella micdadei and was compared with the activities of levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and erythromycin.

Methods: For intracellular assays, bacteria were used to infect human monocyte-derived macrophages prepared from heparinized blood of healthy volunteers. Antibiotics were added following phagocytosis.

Effects of voriconazole, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interferon gamma on intracellular fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata and Candida krusei in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Infections caused by fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata and Candida krusei are increasingly common causes of morbidity and mortality. We investigated the intracellular killing of fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata and C.

Effect of levofloxacin on the viability of intracellular Chlamydia pneumoniae and modulation of proinflammatory cytokine production by human monocytes.

Although antibiotics are known to affect the intracellular growth of Chlamydia pneumoniae in acute infections, their efficacy in therapy for chronic infections, including atherosclerosis, remains debatable. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) obtained from monocytes of healthy donors were infected with C. pneumoniae AR-39 and treated with levofloxacin (8 microg/mL) immediately after infection (0 hours) or 24 hours after infection.

Mass mailing and telephone contact were effective in recruiting veterans into an antibiotic treatment randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Achieving enrollment goals of randomized clinical trials (RCT) within budgets depends on the timely recruitment of sufficient numbers of participants. We report a comparison of recruitment methods and yields of previously deployed veterans into a large RCT.

Study Design And Setting: A retrospective survey concerning recruitment was administered to staff at 28 sites participating in the VA Cooperative Study #475, "Antibiotic Treatment of Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses" (GWVI).

Benefits and harms of doxycycline treatment for Gulf War veterans' illnesses: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: It has been hypothesized that certain Mycoplasma species may cause Gulf War veterans' illnesses (GWVIs), chronic diseases characterized by pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms, and that affected patients may benefit from doxycycline treatment.

Objective: To determine whether a 12-month course of doxycycline improves functional status in Gulf War veterans with GWVIs.

Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 12 months of treatment and 6 additional months of follow-up.

In vitro activities of garenoxacin and levofloxacin against Chlamydia pneumoniae are not affected by presence of Mycoplasma DNA.

We studied 20 Chlamydia pneumoniae isolates obtained from respiratory sites and atheroma tissue of patients from various geographic areas to determine the susceptibilities of these isolates to a new des-fluoroquinolone, garenoxacin, and to levofloxacin. In addition, we assessed the cultures with these isolates by PCR for the presence or absence of Mycoplasma sp. DNA.

Levofloxacin kills Chlamydia pneumoniae and modulates interleukin 6 production by HEp-2 cells.

Background: Chlamydia pneumoniae is known to cause acute respiratory infection and more recently it has been studied as a pathogen causing inflammatory changes in chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis. This study addresses the antichlamydial effect of levofloxacin and its role in modulation of a proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 production by uninfected and infected HEp-2 cells.

Methods: HEp-2 cell monolayers were infected with previously prepared and frozen aliquots of C.

Use of the microbial growth curve in postantibiotic effect studies of Legionella pneumophila.

Using the standard Craig and Gudmundsson method (W. A. Craig and S.