Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence in the pig of two ivermectin feed formulations.

Two premix products containing the endectocide ivermectin were compared for pharmacokinetic profiles and bioequivalence in young pigs. Test and reference articles were administered to individual pigs in-feed at 12-h intervals for a total of 14 doses. Plasma concentration-time profiles were compared after provision of the final doses of medicated feed, by which time steady-state concentrations of ivermectin had been achieved.

Provocation poliomyelitis: vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis related to a rectal abscess in an infant.

Objective: . To describe a case of vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) and relate this to current UK immunization policy.

Method: A case report in which the clinical course and factors leading to the diagnosis are described and then related to reports of paralytic poliomyelitis in the literature.

A study of the intestinal absorption of an ester-type prodrug, ME3229, in rats: active efflux transport as a cause of poor bioavailability of the active drug.

The intestinal absorption of a prodrug is affected by a number of factors, such as its membrane permeability, stability in the gut lumen, and conversion to the parent drug in enterocytes. We evaluated the absorption of ME3229, an ester-type prodrug of a hydrophilic glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist. Although the octanol/water distribution coefficient and permeability across a Caco-2 cell monolayer of ME3229 was high enough for us to expect good oral absorption, less than 10% of the dose was absorbed in rats.

Waterbirths: regional audit of infection control practices.

Waterbirths are increasingly being offered as an option, although concerns about associated infection risks have been expressed. We undertook an audit of current practice in our region to help formulate an infection control policy. Questionnaires were sent to the Infection Control Nurses at 16 centres, with a request for completion in conjunction with the Infection Control Doctor.

Do blood cultures need continuous monitoring so that clinical action can be taken outside normal working hours?

Many automated blood culture reading systems monitor bacterial growth 24 hours a day but it is unclear if reacting to prompts indicating bacterial growth outside normal laboratory hours is of clinical benefit. An analysis of 50 blood cultures from 43 patients which had organisms seen on Gram films and had triggered positive out-of-hours showed that examination of the Gram film altered management of seven patients and the results of culture or sensitivity testing altered that of a further four. However, after review, it was felt the clinical outcome would not have been influenced by earlier intervention in any of these patients.

An audit of ciprofloxacin use in a district general hospital.

An audit of ciprofloxacin use at Southmead Hospital, Bristol was carried out for forty patients treated in early 1992 employing a modified Delphi technique with six assessors. Most patients assessed (20/40, 50%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), 5/40 (12.5%) had chest infections, 4/40 (10%) had bacterial gastroenteritis and 3/40 (7.

Neutropenic enterocolitis associated with Clostridium tertium.

A 15 year old boy being treated for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia developed severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain which worsened despite empirical antibiotic treatment. A right hemicolectomy was performed. The caecum and ascending colon showed changes typical of neutropenic enterocolitis.

Paracetamol disposition and metabolite kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure.

The disposition of paracetamol following an oral dose of 1.0 g was compared in 10 healthy volunteers, 7 patients with moderate chronic renal failure and 6 patients with end stage renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis. Paracetamol absorption was normal in the patients with renal failure.

Clostridium tertium septicemia in patients with neutropenia.

Eighteen adult patients with hematologic malignancy developed bacteremia due to Clostridium tertium while neutropenic. Fifteen had accompanying abdominal pain, colonic bleeding, or diarrhea, and three had perianal cellulitis. Fourteen recovered with antibiotic therapy alone; no patient was treated by surgery.

[Rectal absorption of steroids].

The investigations were designed to evaluate the systemic absorption of two steroids from suppositories. The suppositories containing either 3H-hydrocortisone (1 mg) or 3H-prednisolone-21-hexanoate (1 mg) were administered to a group of 4 baboons restrained in chairs. The levels of radio-activity in the plasma and urine were measured up to 120 h following rectal administration, and these levels were compared with those of a subsequent intravenous administration (1 mg each).