[Differentiation of α-hemolytic Streptococci by direct mass spectrometry profiling].

The modern phenotypic and genetic methods except for Multi Locus Sequence Typing do not allow the reliable differentiation within Mitis group of α-hemolytic streptococci. During this study the MALDI mass spectra were acquired for 28 clinical isolates initially identified as S. pneumoniae by routine bacteriological tests.

[Levofloxacin and macrolides in chronic bronchitis exacerbation: comparative analysis of the treatment efficacy and nonrelapsing periods].

Clinical and bacteriological efficacies of levofloxacin versus clarithromycin and azithromycin were evaluated in 41 patients with chronic bronchitis infectious exacerbation in the Respiratory-Recovery Centre of Polyclinic No. 7. The effect of the drugs on the nonrelapsing period was estimated as well.

[MALDI-ToF mass-spectrometry in analysis of genetically determined resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to fluoroquinolones].

New fluoroquinolones with higher antipneumococcal activity are considered promising in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. Still, their wide use in clinical practice is connected with possible selection and rapid distribution of the resistance, requiring constant monitoring. Development of resistance to fluoroquinolones results from step-wise accumulation of mutations in the genes of DNA-gyrase and topoisomerase IV, the mutations of the first step being not always accompanied by a significant increase of the MIC of the new fluoroquinolones.

Mechanisms of macrolide resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Russia.

Among 76 macrolide-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected between 2003 and 2005 from Central Russia, the resistance mechanisms detected in the isolates included erm(B) alone (50%), mef alone [mef(E), mef(I), or a different mef subclass; 19.7%], or both erm(B) and mef(E) (30.3%).