Azidocillin treatment of enterococcal septicemia

Acid Promoted Tetrafunctionalization of Terminal Alkynes: Geminal Diazidation and Dibromination

The synthesis of complex alkanes by the tetrafunctionalization of alkynes is limited and challenging. Herein, an unprecedented efficient geminal diazidation and dibromination of terminal alkynes is developed, which provides novel access to structurally diverse organic azides. The approach has exclusive chemo- and regioselectivity and features mild reaction conditions, good tolerance of various functional groups, and more crucially, no metal involved in the reaction, thereby benefiting the late-stage decoration of medicinal molecules. A mechanistic study showed that the current geminal diazidation and dibromination proceeds via a radical pathway.

Engineered Regulon to Enable Autonomous Azide Ion Biosensing, Recombinant Protein Production, and in Vivo Glycoengineering

Detection of azide-tagged biomolecules (e.g., azido sugars) inside living cells using "click" chemistry has been revolutionary to the field of chemical biology. However, we currently still lack suitable synthetic biology tools to autonomously and rapidly detect azide ions. Here, we have developed an engineered synthetic promoter system called cyn regulon, and complementary Escherichia coli engineered strains, to selectively detect azide ions and autonomously induce downstream expression of reporter genes. The engineered cyn azide operon allowed highly tunable reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression over three orders of inducer azide ion concentrations (0.01-5 mM) and rapidly induced GFP expression by over 600-fold compared to the uninduced control. Next, we showcase the superior performance of this engineered cyn-operon over the classical lac-operon for recombinant protein production. Finally, we highlight how this synthetic biology toolkit can enable glycoengineering-based applications by facilitating in vivo activity screening of mutant carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), called glycosynthases, using azido sugars as donor substrates.

Enterocin typing of enterococci isolated from dried infant foods

One hundred and fifty enterococcal isolates recovered from 16 market samples of infant foods and 35 from other sources were characterized and subjected to enterocin typing with 18 indicator strains. Among 150 enterococcal isolates, 114 (76%) were able to be typed by the indicator strains. Although 24 enterocin patterns were observed with these enterococci, the most prevalent types were X-9, 224, and 65-603. Occurrence of pattern X-9 either singly or in combination with many other types was most frequent. Many of the enterocin patterns in enterococcal isolates were recovered from samples of dairy water supply and hand washings of personnel working in a dairy plant that manufactured infant food; this suggests the possibility of these as sources of contamination. Enterocin typing of enterococci could prove useful in epidemiological studies.

A prospective study on septicemia. II. Clinical manifestations and complications, results of antimicrobial treatment and report of a follow-up study

In a prospective study at a hospital for infectious diseases 151 patients, 110 with proved and 41 with probable septicemia, were analysed. Clinical, laboratory, therapeutic data and prognostic experiences, partly from a follow-up study, are described. Secondary manifestations, mostly from skin, mucous membranes, nervous system and lungs, were present in 72%. They were more often caused by gram-positive cocci than by gram-negative baccilli and in some cases not revealed until autopsy. Lesions in the nervous system were most often caused by strepto- or penumococci or Haemophilus influenzae. In 2 splenectomized patients with extensive hemorrhages, pneumococci were isolated. Subacute courses were rare even in alpha-streptococcal infection and its "classical signs" were never observed. Shock and thrombocytopenia suggesting disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred together in 11%, and in one-third in the lethal cases. Gram-positive bacteria were often involved. Leukocytosis was absent in 53 patients; 20 were alcohol or narcotic drug abusers, and 7 died. ECG changes were registered in 33%. Initial antibiotic treatment was applied according to a fixed schedule, with cure in 61% on this first treatment, and especially so in infections with gram-positive cocci. During the initial hospital stay 20% died from uncontrolled infection. All had underlying diseases or factors, often major causes of death. The infection was regarded as hospital-acquired in 40% among the lethal cases. During a one-year follow-up period 3 patients died from a new septicemia and 10 from their underlying disease.

Bacterial endocarditis. II. A prospective study with clinical, laboratory and therapeutic observations

In a prospective study 31 cases of proved and 10 of highly suspected bacterial endocarditis were analysed. Valve incompetence was the usual consequence but stenosis occurred in 3 cases, all fatal. Congestive heart failure developed in two-thirds. Secondary manifestations were common and as often caused by alpha-streptococci as by other bacteria. Initial antibiotic treatment was mainly applied according to a fixed schedule, generally with continuous intravenous infusion, followed by oral therapy. In 10 patients, the infection was still active after 6 weeks of therapy. Therefore, we now use intermittent injections or infusions for at least 4--6 weeks. Within a year, 9 patients died from uncontrolled infection together with congestive heart failure, and 1 from heart failure and active chronic endocarditis. In 4, myocardial abscesses or inflammations were found. All 10 had underlying factors or advanced stages of the disease. Of 18 patients with alpha-streptococci or enterococci none died from endocarditis, as against 10 of 23 with other or unknown bacteria. Follow-up yielded valuable information on one-third of the patients. The mortality during the initial hospital stay was 22%, after 1 year 24% and after 5 years 39%.

[Concentrations in serum and tonsils after infection of azidocillin (author's transl)]

Prior to tonsillectomy 57 selected patients were given 1 g azidocillin i.v. in the form of a 10% aqueous solution. Serum samples were drawn at different times after the injection and both the serum and the tonsils were examined for azidocillin activity. The results of examination of 133 serum samples and 111 tonsils were evaluated, in addition to 74 paired values for tonsils and serum. Serum levels attained a maximum of 230 microng/ml and remained within measurable range for at least six hours. Tonsil levels reached a maximum of 17 microng/g and after three hours began to drop below measurable range. The quotient for distribution between tonsils and serum rose during the first hour to 20-25% (average approx. 10%) and was about 3-6% three to four hours after injection.