Search

Due to the rapid increase of antimicrobial resistance with ensuring therapeutic failures, the purpose of this study was to identify novel synthetic molecules as alternatives to conventional available, but presently ineffective antibiotics. Variously structured cationic dendrimers previously reported have provided promising outcomes. However, the problem of their cytotoxicity towards eukaryotic cells has not been completely overcome. We have now investigated the antibacterial activities of three not cytotoxic cationic dendrimers (G5Ds: G5H, G5K, and G5HK) against several multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical strains. All G5Ds displayed remarkable activity against MDR non-fermenting Gram-negative species such as P. aeruginosa, S. maltophilia, and A. baumannii (MICs = 0.5&ndash, 33.2 &micro, M). In particular, very low MIC values (0.5&ndash, 2.1 &micro, M) were observed for G5K, which proved to be more active than the potent colistin (2.1 versus 3.19 &micro, M) against P. aeruginosa. Concerning its mechanism of action, in time-killing and turbidimetric studies, G5K displayed a rapid non-lytic bactericidal activity. Considering the absence of cytotoxicity of these new compounds and their potency, comparable or even higher than that provided by the dendrimers previously reported, G5Ds may be proposed as promising novel antibacterial agents capable of overcoming the alarming resistance rates of several nosocomial non-fermenting Gram-negative pathogens.

Akutne respiratorne infekcije (ARI) su jedan od najčešćih razloga za dolazak u ordinaciju obiteljske medicine (OOM); prema podatcima Hrvatskog zdravstveno-statističkog ljetopisa za 2014. godinu ARI su činile 11,6% svih utvrđenih stanja i bolesti u OOM. Virusi su odgovorni za oko 85% ARI, ali se bez obzira na to, u liječenju često uptrebljavaju antibiotici. Cilj našeg istraživanja bio je pokazati koliko antibiotika, koju vrstu i u kojem postotku propisujemo pacijentima za najčešće zabilježene dijagnoze ARI. Istraživanje je provedeno u četiri specijalističke ordinacije obiteljske medicine na području grada Splita. Prikupljeni su podatci o pacijentima kojima je propisan antibiotik za ARI u razdoblju od 01. siječnja do 31. prosinca 2015. godine. Najčešće propisivana skupina antibiotika su penicilini s 50,75%, dok su na drugom mjestu makrolidi s 35,50%. U akutnoj upali tonzila najviše je propisivan azitromicin (35,03%) i penicilini širokog spectra (36,73%). Penicilini uskog spektra su propisani u 25,71%, a doksiciklin u 0,56% slučajeva. Prekomjerna i neprimjerena uporaba antibiotika pogoduje širenju bakterijske rezistencije pa su njihovo primjereno propisivanje i odgovorno uzimanje izuzetno važni., Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are most common reasons for family medicine practice (FMP) visits according to the Croatian Health Statistical Yearbook for the year 2014. ARI represent 11.6% of all conditions and diseases diagnosed in FMP. Viruses are responsible for about 85% of ARI, but antibiotics are often applied. The aim of our study was to show how many antibiotics we prescribed, what kind of antibiotics and in which percentage to the patients with ARI. The study was conducted in four FMPs in the city of Split, Republic of Croatia. We collected data for patients who were prescribed antibiotics for ARI in the period from January 1st to December 31st, 2015. The most commonly prescribed group of antibiotics was penicillin (50.75%), followed by macrolides (35.50%). In acute tonsillitis azithromycin was mostly prescribed (35.03%) and broad spectrum penicillin (36.73%). Narrow spectrum penicillin were prescribed to 25.71% of patients and doxycycline only to two patients, i.e. 0.56%. Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is, therefore, extremely important to know when it is appropriate to prescribe antibiotics and how to take them responsibly.