Vancomycin-arginine (STM-001) abrogates ESBL carrier and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli burden in a murine complicated urinary tract infection model.

Objectives: STM-001, a retargeted glycopeptide, is active against MDR E. coli expressing ESBLs including carbapenemases. Herein, we assessed its capability to combat E.

Targeting of Escherichia coli with Vancomycin-Arginine.

The ability of vancomycin-arginine (V-r) to extend the spectrum of activity of glycopeptides to Gram-negative bacteria was investigated. Its MIC towards , including β-lactamase expressing Ambler classes A, B, and D, was 8 to 16 μg/ml. Addition of 8 times the MIC of V-r to was acutely bactericidal and associated with a low frequency of resistance (<2.

Response of Symptomatic Persistent Chronic Disseminated Candidiasis to Corticosteroid Therapy in Immunosuppressed Pediatric Patients: Case Study and Review of the Literature.

Background: Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a severe invasive fungal infection principally observed during neutrophil recovery in patients with acute leukemia treated with intensive chemotherapy. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. We describe the management of 6 children with symptomatic CDC who did not respond to antifungal therapy.

Oral anti-CD3 immunotherapy for HCV-nonresponders is safe, promotes regulatory T cells and decreases viral load and liver enzyme levels: results of a phase-2a placebo-controlled trial.

Unlabelled: Orally administered anti-CD3 antibodies are biologically active in the gut through induction of regulatory T cells, exert an immune-modulatory effect, and alleviate insulin resistance and liver damage in patients with NASH.

Aims: To determine the safety of oral anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) immunotherapy in chronic HCV patients with associated immune dysfunction.

Methods: Four groups (n = 9) of chronic HCV patients who were nonresponders to interferon plus ribavirin therapy received oral placebo (group A) or anti-CD3 MAb at one of three dosage levels for 30 days.

Distribution of fluconazole-resistant Candida bloodstream isolates among hospitals and inpatient services in Israel.

The emergence of fluconazole-resistant Candida (FRC) is worrisome, but little is known about susceptibility patterns in different nosocomial settings. We prospectively analysed Candida bloodstream isolates in 18 medical centres in Israel (six tertiary-care and 12 community hospitals). The study included 444 episodes of candidaemia (450 patient-specific isolates, 8.

Mucormycosis in a liver allograft: salvage re-transplantation and targeted immunosuppressive management.

Zygomycetes infection is associated with a high mortality in transplant populations. We describe a child with liver allograft Rhizopus oryzae infection who was salvaged by liver re-transplantation. A 10-year-old child presented with anastomotic bile leak that was repaired.

Targeted fluconazole prophylaxis for high-risk very low birth weight infants.

Antifungal prophylaxis is increasingly used in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who are at risk for severe fungal infections. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of targeted fluconazole prophylaxis for high-risk VLBW infants. A retrospective cohort study with historical controls was performed.

Transcriptional and proteomic analysis of the Aspergillus fumigatus ΔprtT protease-deficient mutant.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common opportunistic mold pathogen of humans, infecting immunocompromised patients. The fungus invades the lungs and other organs, causing severe damage. Penetration of the pulmonary epithelium is a key step in the infectious process.

Antibiotic exposure as a risk factor for fluconazole-resistant Candida bloodstream infection.

Recent exposure to azoles is an important risk factor for infection with fluconazole-resistant Candida spp., but little is known about the role of antibacterial drug exposure in the emergence of drug-resistant Candida. We did a prospective nationwide surveillance study of candidemia in Israel and analyzed the propensity score-adjusted association between antifungal and antibacterial drug exposure and bloodstream infection with C.

Inducible clindamycin resistance among methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infections in pediatric patients.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Clindamycin is widely used in the treatment of staphylococcal infections; however, it is our impression that in the last few years, inducible clindamycin resistance (ICR) has become more prevalent.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of ICR in methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections among pediatric patients in Israel.

BK-virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: BK-virus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (BK-HC) is a serious complication in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Data of BK-HC in children undergoing HSCT are still limited.

Aim Of The Study: To describe the epidemiology, clinical course, and outcome of children with BK-HC after HSCT.

Containment of a country-wide outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Israeli hospitals via a nationally implemented intervention.

Background: During 2006, Israeli hospitals faced a clonal outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae that was not controlled by local measures. A nationwide intervention was launched to contain the outbreak and to introduce a strategy to control future dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitals.

Methods: In March 2007, the Ministry of Health issued guidelines mandating physical separation of hospitalized carriers of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and dedicated staffing and appointed a professional task force charged with containment.

Moxifloxacin enhances etoposide-induced cytotoxic, apoptotic and anti-topoisomerase II effects in a human colon carcinoma cell line.

Etoposide (VP-16) is a topoisomerase-II (topo II) inhibitor chemotherapeutic agent. Studies have shown that a combination of VP-16 with other drugs demonstrates better clinical responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moxifloxacin (MXF) and VP-16 on cellular topo II activity in drug-treated cells and evaluate the influence of MXF on the mode of action of VP-16, on proliferation and apoptosis of HT-29 cells.

Moxifloxacin increases anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activity of irinotecan in human xenograft tumors.

Camptothecins (CPTs) are topoisomerase I inhibitors chemotherapeutic agents used in combination chemotherapy. We showed previously that combination of moxifloxacin (MXF) and CPT induced inhibitory effects on topoisomerase I activity, on proliferation of HT-29 cells in vitro and enhanced apoptosis, compared to CPT alone. Analysis of secretion of the pro-angiogenic factors IL-8 and VEGF showed significant reduction by MXF.

Infectious complications of peripherally inserted central venous catheters in children.

Background: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are frequently used in infants and children. However, only limited data are available on current infectious and noninfectious complications of PICCs in this patient population. The aim of the study is to define the current rate of infectious and noninfectious complications of PICCs, the causative agents, and to define possible risk factors associated with these complications.

Outcome of antibiotic lock technique for persistent central venous catheter-associated coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteremia in children.

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of the antibiotic lock technique (ALT) in conjunction with systemic antibiotics for the salvage of long-term central venous catheter (CVC)-associated coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CONS) bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. A retrospective study of children with CVC-associated CONS BSIs treated with systemic vancomycin and ALT with vancomycin was carried out. The primary outcome was the immediate and 3-month success rate of salvage of the CVC.

Identification of novel cell wall destabilizing antifungal compounds using a conditional Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C mutant.

Objectives: Despite the need for novel drugs to combat fungal infections, antifungal drug discovery is currently limited by both the availability of suitable drug targets and assays to screen corresponding targets. The aim of this study was to screen a library of small chemical compounds to identify cell wall inhibitors using a conditional protein kinase C (PKC)-expressing strain of Aspergillus nidulans. This mutant is specifically susceptible to cell wall damaging compounds under PKC-repressive growth conditions.

Risk factors for sternal wound infection in children undergoing cardiac surgery: a case-control study.

Complex and prolonged cardiovascular operations are increasingly performed on young infants and children. The aims of this study were to define the incidence, causative bacterial pathogens and risk factors for sternal wound infections (SWIs) in infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery. The study group included all children who underwent cardiac surgery by median sternotomy at a tertiary paediatric centre from 1999 to 2003 and who were diagnosed with a postoperative SWI.

In vitro synergy of caspofungin with licensed and novel antifungal drugs against clinical isolates of Fusarium spp.

Combinations of caspofungin (CAS) with amphotericin-B (AMB), voriconazole (VRC), terbinafine (TRB) and tacrolimus (FK-506) were tested in vitro with 10 Fusarium isolates. MIC and minimal effective concentrations (MEC) were investigated in accord with the CLSI methodology. Drug interactions were assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI).

Antibiotic use in 26 departments of internal medicine in 6 general hospitals in Israel: variability and contributing factors.

Objectives: Increased antibiotic consumption is associated with increased bacterial resistance worldwide. We aimed to analyse antibiotic consumption and potential contributory factors in internal medicine departments in Israel.

Methods: Data (2003-04) from 26 departments in 6 hospitals were retrieved.

Breakthrough cerebral toxoplasmosis in a patient receiving atovaquone prophylaxis after a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

We describe a case of breakthrough cerebral toxoplasmosis during atovaquone therapy in a child who was intolerant of conventional prophylactic regimens after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The available data on the efficacy of atovaquone prophylaxis in Toxoplasma sero-positive stem cell transplant recipients remain limited, and other strategies, such as preemptive strategy using toxoplasma PCR or TMP-SMX desensitization should be considered in this setting.

Quinolones as enhancers of camptothecin-induced cytotoxic and anti-topoisomerase I effects.

Camptothecins (CPTs) are topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitor chemotherapeutic agents. Studies indicate that combination therapy is needed in most therapeutic protocols with camptothecins. Certain fluoroquionolones inhibit topoisomerase II activity in eukaryotic cells.