Influence of Pluronic (R) F68 on Ceftazidime Biological Activity in Parenteral Solutions

beta-Lactam antimicrobials are known to have a low concentration/therapeutic response. However, extending the period in which beta-lactam are free in the plasma does directly influence therapeutic outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Pluronic (R) F68 on the antimicrobial activity of ceftazidime when admixed with aminophylline in parenteral solutions by the evaluation of its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) within 24 h. Ceftazidime, aminophylline, and Pluronics (R) F68 were evaluated using the MIC method against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with these compounds individually and associated in the same parenteral solutions. When Pluronics (R) F68 was admixtured with ceftazidime alone or with ceftazidime and aminophylline, it was possible to observe lower MIC values not only at 24 h but also at 0 h for both microorganisms. This indicates that Pluronics (R) F68 may be able to enhance ceftazidime antimicrobial activity in the presence or absence of aminophylline. This fact suggests that Pluronics (R) F68 can be applied to allow the administration of ceftazidime under continuous infusion in parenteral solutions, beneficiating hospital pharmacotherapy. It may also be possible to reduce ceftazidime doses in formulations achieving the same therapeutic results. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 100:715-720, 2011

Emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying the novel extended-spectrum 'beta'-lactamase gene variants 'bla IND. SHV-40', 'bla IND. TEM-116' and the class I integron-associated 'bla IND. GES-7' in Brazil

A clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate carrying the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene variants bla(SHV-40), bla(TEM-116) and bla(GES-7) was recovered. Cefoxitin and ceftazidime activity was most affected by the presence of these genes and an additional resistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was observed. The bla(GES-7) gene was found to be inserted into a class 1 integron. These results show the emergence of novel bla(TEM) and bla(SHV) genes in Brazil. Moreover, the presence of class 1 integrons suggests a great potential for dissemination of bla(GES) genes into diverse nosocomial pathogens. Indeed, the bla(GES-7) gene was originally discovered in Enterobacter cloacae in Greece and, to our knowledge, has not been reported elsewhere

Emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying the novel extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene variants bla(SHV-40), bla(TEM-116) and the class 1 integron-associated bla(GES-7) in Brazil

A clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate carrying the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene variants bla(SHV-40), bla(TEM-116) and bla(GES-7) was recovered. Cefoxitin and ceftazidime activity was most affected by the presence of these genes and an additional resistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was observed. The bla(GES-7) gene was found to be inserted into a class 1 integron. These results show the emergence of novel bla(TEM) and bla(SHV) genes in Brazil. Moreover, the presence of class 1 integrons suggests a great potential for dissemination of bla(GES) genes into diverse nosocomial pathogens. Indeed, the bla(GES-7) gene was originally discovered in Enterobacter cloacae in Greece and, to our knowledge, has not been reported elsewhere.