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The in-vitro activity of BMY 28142, a new alpha-methoxyimino aminothiazolyl cephalosporin, was determined by microdilution broth techniques. The agent demonstrated excellent activity against recent clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates with a 90% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.25 mg/l or less for all but one species tested. BMY 28142 inhibited all Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains tested (MIC90 = 8.0 mg/l) as well as most other non-fermentative bacteria studied. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to BMY 28142 with MIC90 = 4.0 mg/l, while methicillin-resistant strains were generally resistant (MIC range 8- greater than 32 mg/l). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report of 14 Thai patients describes the clinical features of a symptom-complex we have termed recurrent multiple cranial nerve palsies. While the disorder is common in South Eastern Asia, patients suffering similar symptoms have been seen in Europe and America. Characteristically, a long prodromal headache precedes the abrupt onset of multiple cranial nerve palsies affecting predominantly, although not exclusively, the oculomotor and facial nerves. Symptoms are self-limited and steroid therapy hastens recovery in most cases. Recurrence after many months or years is not uncommon and different cranial nerves may then be affected. Wider neurological involvement seems not to occur. Although the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is frequently elevated there is no other evidence of co-existing systemic disease. The single necropsy study thus far reported indicates that the pathogenesis of the syndrome is granulomatous inflammation of the meninges (dura), adjacent to, and involving the perineurium of cranial nerves. It is uncertain whether this inflammation is a response to a single agent, as yet unidentified, or a focal and selective hypersensitivity reaction of connective tissue to a number of different factors. As a clinical entity the syndrome is distinctive, international, and deserving of wide recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When acute purulent meningitis is treated as a medical emergency, the diagnosis made early and the correct medications started immediately in the proper dosages and by the proper routes, the chances for recovery are excellent. For antibiotic therapy to be most effective, attention must also be directed to anticipating the many complicating hazards, and preventing them. Ampicillin is the antibiotic of first choice. For the child who is allergic to penicillin, chloramphenicol is recommended until the causative organism is identified. The concomitant administration of sulphonamides, streptomycin or other antibiotics is unnecessary and may be harmful except in the neonatal period when it is recommended to commence therapy with ampicillin and gentamicin. This report outlines in detail the authors' program for the specific and supportive treatment of bacterial meningitis and the prevention and management of its major complications. The 100 cases most recently treated at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, had a case fatality rate of 2.2 per cent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Murch SJ, Cox PA, Banack SA, Steele JC, Sacks OW. Occurrence ofβ-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) in ALS/PDC patients from Guam.Acta Neurol Scand 2004 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2004.00320.x© Blackwell Munksgaard 2004.We tested the brain tissues of the Chamorro people of Guam who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsonism dimentia complex (ALS/PDC)for the neurotoxinβ-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA). We used validated high-pressure liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses to test well-characterized archival tissues of the superior frontal gyrus from eight Chamorros from Guam and a comparison group of 15 Canadians. BMAA was found as a free amino acid in 83% of Chamorro ALS/PDC patients (3–10 μg/g) as a protein-associated amino acid in 100% of the Chamorro individuals (149–1190 μg/g). Both forms of BMAA were also found at comparable levels in two Canadians who died of progressive neurodegenerative disease. BMAA, which is produced by cyanobacteria, may be associated with some cases of neurodegenerative disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]