Nisin, alone and combined with peptidoglycan-modulating antibiotics: activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Objective: We have sought ways to circumvent resistance, by combining nisin with other antibiotics known to target bacterial cell wall biosynthesis.

Methods: Twenty strains each of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were tested in vitro by standardized methods against nisin alone and combined with bacitracin, ramoplanin and chloramphenicol.

Results: Ramoplanin was the most potent compound, and bacitracin had the least activity.

Cefaclor into the millennium.

We review the discovery and development of the cephalosporins and subsequently cefaclor. Cefaclor is active against a wide range of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens, acting by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Its in vitro activity compares favourably with other beta-lactam antibiotics.

Efficacy and safety profile of long-term nitrofurantoin in urinary infections: 18 years' experience.

Case records from 219 female patients between 1975 and 1992 who were given long-term prophylaxis (1 year) with nitrofurantoin for the prevention of recurrent urinary infections have been reviewed. Patients' age ranged from 9 to 89 years (median 31-35 years, mode 26-30 years); most (61%) were < 40 years old. The median number of symptomatic episodes in the 12 months immediately before prophylaxis was six (mode 4, mean 6.

Antimicrobial activities in vitro and in vivo of transition element complexes containing gold(I) and osmium(VI).

Metal compounds have been used as antibacterial agents for centuries. The in-vitro activity of two metal containing complexes, one gold, the other osmium, was investigated using a panel of clinically isolated bacteria and Candida albicans. Twenty strains of each organism were used and MIC and MBC values determined using the agar plate dilution method.

Teicoplanin vs. vancomycin for the treatment of serious infections: a randomised trial.

A prospective, randomised study of 56 patients comparing teicoplanin with vancomycin for suspected or proven severe Grampositive infection was conducted. The majority of infections were soft tissue infections (8 teicoplanin; 16 vancomycin) and by chance a significantly higher number of Hickman catheter-related infections occurred in the vancomycin arm (4 vs. 14, P < 0.