New PCR primers for the sensitive detection and specific identification of group B beta-hemolytic streptococci in cerebrospinal fluid.

Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci (GBS) are a major cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborn babies. Although penicillin remains an effective treatment, there has been no decline in mortality. The rapid identification of GBS in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would improve the diagnosis of meningitis, but data from several previous studies indicate that the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is not better than culture.

Successful treatment of four patients with recalcitrant vaginal trichomoniasis with a combination of zinc sulfate douche and metronidazole therapy.

Background And Objectives: There is no certain cure available for patients suffering from recalcitrant trichomoniasis. Zinc sulfate is reported to have antitrichomonal properties. We report our experience in treating four patients empirically with a combination of zinc sulfate douche and metronidazole.

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry of cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacter cloacae.

Thirteen clinical and four environmental isolates of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (CREC) together with single isolates from the hands of a nurse and from a blood gas analyser were associated with two clusters of nosocomial infection. With an unrelated CREC isolate they had been typed by serotype, biotype, ribotype and phage-type and were examined by pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PYMS) as described here. PYMS data yielded two clusters, major and minor.

Species identification of members of the Streptococcus milleri group isolated from the vagina by ID 32 Strep system and differential phenotypic characteristics.

The importance of bacterial vaginosis as a risk factor in obstetric and gynecological infections has recently been recognized. The bacterial vaginosis group of organisms includes members of the Streptococcus milleri group, the identification of which has caused much confusion. We prospectively surveyed the rates of carriage of S.

Enterobacter cloacae in a neonatal intensive care unit: account of an outbreak and its relationship to use of third generation cephalosporins.

After uneventful use of cefotaxime and ceftazidime as first line therapy for three years in our neonatal intensive care unit we isolated cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (CREC) strains which caused clusters of cases or colonization and/or serious neonatal infection. By using two or more typing methods, at least five different strains with similar patterns of antimicrobial sensitivities were identified. The results of a case-control study did not support the notion that the use of third generation cephalosporins was associated with colonization and infection by CREC.