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Biotech / Medical : XOMA. Bull or Bear? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Robert K. who wrote (8675)	2/11/1999 10:50:00 AM
From: Tharos	Respond to of 17367

A bit dated, but might be of general interest. pulsus.com The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases EA BRYCE, WD COLBY, J HAKET, MW POISSON, JA SMITH. Incidence and susceptibility of aerobic Gram-negative bacilli from 20 Canadian intensive care units: 1989-1993. Can J Infect Dis 1996;7(1):34-40. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Canadian intensive care units. DESIGN: The antimicrobial profiles of 1939 Gram-negative bacilli isolated in 20 Canadian intensive care units were analyzed using a custom designed MicroScan panel. SETTING: The majority of the hospitals were tertiary care institutions, but some community hospitals were included. PATIENTS: Adult intensive care unit patients were the sources of isolates. MAIN RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated microorganism overall, with Escherichia coli the most common initial isolate. Comparison of initial and repeat isolates showed that P aeruginosa readily acquired resistance to all antibiotic classes except the aminoglycosides. Enterobacter aerogenes developed resistance to ciprofloxacin and Enterobacter cloacae demonstrated resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics except for imipenem on repeat isolation. Other Enterobacteriaceae remained susceptible. Historical comparison with data derived four years previously from 15 of the centres showed increased resistance of P aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species to ciprofloxacin while other susceptibility patterns remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Gram-negative resistance in Canadian hospitals is less than that reported in surveys done in some other countries, and was relatively stable over four years. Key Words: Antibiotics, Intensive care units, Resistance Incidence et sensibilité des bacilles gram-négatifs aérobies provenant de 20 unités de soins intensifs canadiens -- 1989-1993 OBJECTIF : Évaluer la prévalence de la résistance aux antibiotiques dans les unités de soins intensifs au Canada. MODÈLE : Profil antimicrobien de 1 939 bacilles gram-négatifs isolés dans 20 unités de soins intensifs au Canada qui ont été analysés à l'aide d'une plaque MicroScan faite sur commande. CONTEXTE : La majorité des hôpitaux étaient des établissements de soins tertiaires, mais certains hôpitaux communautaires ont été inclus. PATIENTS : Les sources des isolats ont été des patients d'unités de soins intensifs pour adultes. PRINCIPAUX RÉSULTATS : Pseudomonas aeruginosa a été le microorganisme le plus souvent isolé de façon globale, Escherichia coli étant l'isolat initia lle plus commun. La comparaison des isolats de départ et des isolats lors d'infections répétées a montré que P. aeruginosa pouvait acquérir facilement une résistance à toutes les classes d'antibiotiques à l'exception des aminosides. Enterobacter aerogenes a développé une résistance à la ciprofloxacines et Enterobacter cloacae a démontré une résistance à toutes les bêta-lactamines à l'exception de l'imipénem lors de prélèvements répétés. D'autres Enterobacteriaceae sont demeurés sensibles. La comparaison historique avec des données dérivées quatre ans auparavant de 15 des centres a démontré une résistance accrue de P. aeruginosa et des Acinetobacter à la ciprofloxacine, alors que les autres modes de sensibilité sont demeurés stables. CONCLUSION : La prévalence de la résistance des organismes gram-négatifs dans les hôpitaux canadiens est moindre que ce que l'on avait rapporté dans les enquétes épidémiologiques effectuées dans les autres pays et ont été relativement stables pendant quatre ans.

To: Robert K. who wrote (8675)	2/11/1999 1:39:00 PM
From: aknahow	Respond to of 17367

Bob, see this in message: Some viruses, for example parainfluenza virus type 2, upregulate several receptors on human tracheal epithelial cells. Receptor density, multiple receptor occupancy as well as the affinity of microbial ligand interactions with host cell receptors may determine the status of a microorganism as a commensal or a pathogen. pam.bris.ac.uk ] (Win95; I) [Netscape]"> Research Projects Professor M VIRJI (1) Investigations on the molecular basis of host susceptibility to meningococcal infection Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci) are isolated from the nasopharynx of up to 30% of healthy individuals and may be classified as commensals of the human respiratory tract. Under some situations, meningococci cause serious systemic diseases. Invasive disease may arise from increased host susceptibility. For example, it has long been recognised that bactericidal antibodies are important in defence against meningococci. Epidemiological studies also suggest that factors that damage mucosa, such as smoking, may predispose the host to meningococcal infection. Also, prior infection of the host with respiratory viruses during winter months in the UK has been correlated with increased incidence of meningococcal disease. Many recent studies have shown that host components targeted by bacteria include hormone, cytokine and adhesion receptors, these may be expressed in low numbers and may be upregulated by cells exposed to inflammatory cytokines and other factors. Some viruses, for example parainfluenza virus type 2, upregulate several receptors on human tracheal epithelial cells. Receptor density, multiple receptor occupancy as well as the affinity of microbial ligand interactions with host cell receptors may determine the status of a microorganism as a commensal or a pathogen. This project will involve in vitro modelling of possible changes that may occur in target cells during viral infections and in response to inflammatory cytokines. Single or multiple cell culture models will be employed to study the ability of distinct cells under the influence of viruses/cytokines to accommodate bacterial invasion and allow transcytosis. The expression of the known receptors to bacterial ligands will be examined and quantified by immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and ELISA. Novel receptors involved will be identified by transfection of recipient cells with cDNA libraries produced from stimulated host cells. The studies are expected to lead to investigations on signalling mechanisms exploited by bacteria in target cells. The project will provide training in a wide range of techniques including cell biology, microbiology, genetics, and protein/immunochemistry. References: Virji, M., Makepeace, K., Ferguson, D.J.P., Achtman, M. & Moxon, E.R. (1993) Meningococcal Opa and Opc proteins: their role in colonisation and invasion of human epithelial and endothelial cells.. Molecular Microbiology 10(3), 499-510. Virji, M., Makepeace, K. & Moxon, E.R. (1994). Distinct mechanisms of interaction of Opc-expressing meningococci at apical and basolateral surfaces of human endothelial cells; the role of integrins in apical interactions. Molecular Microbiology 14(1), 173-184. Virji, M., Makepeace, K., Ferguson, D.J.P. and Watt, S.M. (1996) Carcinoembryonic antigens (CD66) on epithelial cells and neutrophils are receptors for Opa proteins of pathogenic Neisseriae. Molecular Microbiology 22: 941-950. Virji, M. (1996) Meningococcal disease: epidemiology and pathogenesis. In: Trends in Microbiology, 4: 466-469. Virji, M. (1996) Microbial utilisation of human signalling molecules. Microbiology, 142: 3319-3336. Virji, M. (1997) Post-translational modifications of type 4 pili and functional implications. Gene 192: 141-147. Û Research profiles/available research projects Û Back to the Pathology and Microbiology Home Page Last updated 5 November 1998

To: Robert K. who wrote (8675)	2/12/1999 1:24:00 PM
From: aknahow	Respond to of 17367

Bob, CF info. Seems complete. Be sure and check it out asap! web.bham.ac.uk

To: Robert K. who wrote (8675)	2/12/1999 1:47:00 PM
From: aknahow	Respond to of 17367

Why shareholders can't wait for publication!!! They never publish most of the stuff!! imbi.uni-freiburg.de XOMA/Ellen Martin Think this really is an important issue.