virginiamycin and Pneumonia

Quinupristin/dalfopristin is a new water-soluble streptogramin antimicrobial agent comprising quinupristin and dalfopristin in a ratio of 30:70. The in-vitro spectrum of activity includes most multi-resistant Gram-positive aerobes, important Gram-negative aerobes, Gram-positive anaerobes and intracellular bacteria that are causal agents of respiratory, blood and cutaneous infections. Of particular note, quinupristin/dalfopristin is active against multidrug-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecium, and against penicillin-resistant and/or erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. The combination is also active against staphylococci showing both constitutive and inducible erythromycin resistance. Bactericidal activity and a prolonged post-antibiotic effect have also been noted for quinupristin/dalfopristin against Gram-positive cocci. Gram-negative bacteria susceptible to quinupristin/dalfopristin include Moraxella catarrhalis, Legionella spp. and Mycoplasma spp. Overall, the spectrum of antibacterial activity indicates a potential role for this combination in the treatment of difficult-to-treat Gram-positive infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Since this activity extends to Gram-negative respiratory bacteria, quinupristin/dalfopristin may also find a role in the treatment of atypical, as well as typical, pneumonia.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Enterococcus; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillin Resistance; Pneumonia; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Virginiamycin

ALTERNATIVE TO BETA-LACTAMS: Due to the rapid and increasing development of resistance in the two main bacteria, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, it is important to determine whether pristinamycin, with known efficacy against these germs, could be a useful alternative to beta-lactams for the treatment of adult acute community-acquired pneumonia.. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized multicentric study with two treatment arms enrolling hospitalized patients was conducted. Pristinamycin, 1 g b.i.d., demonstrated an efficacy equivalent to that of the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination, 500 mg x 4/d.. Pristinamycin is effective for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Comparative studies including a large number of penicillin-resistant pneumococci remain to be performed, but the first intention use of pristinamycin is already fully warranted in patients at risk treated in an outpatient setting.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Ambulatory Care; Amoxicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Communicable Diseases; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Pneumonia; Treatment Outcome; Virginiamycin

The aim of this double-blind, 2 parallel group, randomized, multicenter study was to compare the efficacy and the safety of pristinamycin (P), 1 g bid, versus amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AAC), 500 mg q.i.d., for 10-14 days in the treatment of non severe community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized adults. From December 1992 to July 1994, 180 patients were included: 92 in the group P and 88 in the group AAC. The both groups were similar on demographic, clinical and bacteriological criteria. 96 pathogens of which more than half were pneumococci, were isolated in 79/180 (44%) patients. The primary assessment was the global success rate defined as long-term (D40 +/- 7), clinical, radiological and bacteriological efficacy in the "per protocol" population (75 patients in the group P and 83 in the group AAC). The global success was obtained in 63/75 (84%) patients in the group P and 70/83 (84.3%) patients in the group AAC. At the end of treatment (D14 +/- 3), theses rates were respectively 85.4% and 84.3%. The both treatments were equivalents. Adverse events (mainly gastro-intestinal disorders) were reported by 55/92 (59.8%) patients in the group P and 49/87 (56.2%) patients in the group AAC.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Community-Acquired Infections; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Virginiamycin

NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA DUE TO GRAM-POSITIVE COCCI: In a randomized multicentric trial comparing Synercid with vancomycin, the cure rate (56.3% vs 58.3%) were equivalent in the 2 treatment arms. Treatment failures were also similar: 44% vs 42%. Mortality (25% vs 22%) was likewise comparable, as was tolerance. SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS: For erysipela, infections requiring surgical dissection, post-trauma infections, postoperative wound infections, or diabetes-related infections, the rate of success obtained in 2 open randomized comparative multicentric trials was equivalent in the 2 treatment arms: 68.2% for Syncercid, 70.7% for the compared treatments. EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION: For E. faecium, the success rate was 74% based on clinical assessment and 70.5% based on bacteriological assessment. For meti-S S. aureus infections, the clinical success rate was 74% for all patients and 80% for bacteriologically evaluable patients; the bacteriological success rate was 74% and 71% respectively. In case of infection due to C-MLSB meti-R S. aureus, the percentage of clinical success was 89% for bacteriologically evaluable patients.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cross Infection; Drug Approval; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Drug Therapy, Combination; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Gram-Positive Cocci; Humans; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Soft Tissue Infections; Virginiamycin

Topics: Acetamides; Anti-Infective Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Linezolid; Oxazolidinones; Pneumonia; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Vancomycin Resistance; Virginiamycin

The Third International Conference on the Macrolides, Azalides, and Streptogramins was held in Lisbon, Portugal. Conferees were given news on the latest advances in the development of innovative antibiotics belonging to these increasingly important groups of drugs, and learned of their expanding clinical indications. The following areas were emphasized at the conference: multiresistant gram-positive bacteremias in patients with serious underlying infections, azithromycin's effectiveness against acute community-acquired pneumonia, results of clarithromycin plus ethambutol in HIV-infected patients with MAC bacteremia, duodenal ulcers associated with Helicobacter pylori infections, and use of roxithromycin against AIDS-related cryptosporidium diarrhea.

Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Bacteremia; Bacterial Infections; Clarithromycin; Clofazimine; Cryptosporidiosis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Duodenal Ulcer; Ethambutol; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Pneumonia; Smoking; Virginiamycin