Cephalosporin Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Cephalosporin and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Screening and Secondary Tests for Protein A routine reagent strip protein method, based on the principle of "protein error of indicators," produces a visible colorimetric reaction that is capable of detecting most instances of proteinuria.Traditionally, laboratories have used sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) to confirm all positive protein reagent strip results, but this practice is not as common in today's laboratories. SSA is a precipitation method that reacts with all forms of protein. However, any substance that is precipitated by acid will produce false-positive SSA results. This includes radiographic dyes, cephalosporins, penicillins, and sulfonamides. SSA may be used as a secondary protein detection method if the urine is highly alkaline (pH of 9.0 or greater) which would overwhelm the buffering capacity of the reagent on the protein reagent stick. SSA may also be used as an alternative protein detection method if the urine is highly colored so that the colorimetric reaction is masked on the reagent strip. | View Page |
| ESBL Activity Illustrated is the picture of the surface of a disk diffusion test including a ceftazidime disk (left) and a combintation ceftazidime/clavulanic acid disk (right).Observe in the photograph that the zone of inhibition around the the combination ceftazidime/clavulanic acid disk (right) is at least 5 mm larger than around the clavulanic acid disk (left).This observation that the presence of clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, has resulted in such a large increase in the zone of inhibition indicates that an extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)is being produced.When an organism is producing an ESBL, the susceptibility to individual cephalosporins cannot be predicted, thus requiring that each drug must be tested individually.It may be important to detect ESBL-producing stains of K. pneumoniae and E. coli as treatment failure may occur if the wrong cephalosporin is selected. | View Page |
| Review 2 Suppola JP. Kuikka A. Vaara M. Valtonen VV.
Comparison of risk factors and outcome in patients with Enterococcus faecalis vs Enterococcus faecium bacteremia.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. 30(2):153-7, 1998.The purpose of our study was to determine retrospectively the risk factors for the acquisition of Enterococcus faecalis vs E. faecium bacteremia, as well as the clinical outcomes of these patients.62 patients with Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia were compared to 31 patients with E. faecium bacteremia. Haematologic malignancies, neutropenia, high-risk source and previous use of aminoglycosides, carbapenems, cephalosporins and clindamycin were significantly associated with E. faecium bacteremia. Instead, urinary catheterization was found to be related to Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia. The mortality rates within 7 d and 30 d were 13% and 27%, respectively, in patients with E. faecalis bacteremia and 6% and 29%, respectively, in patients with E. faecium bacteremia.There was no difference in mortality between E. faecalis and E. faecium bacteremia, nor was there a difference in seriousness of disease at the time of bacteremia. In the subgroups of patients with monomicrobial or clinically significant E. faecalis vs E. faecium bacteremia, the mortality rates were similar to the results of all subjects.Our results do not support the theory that E. faecium would be a more virulent organism than E. faecalis | View Page |
| Most infections caused by S. milleri (S. anginosus) can be effectively treated with penicillin or a first generation cephalosporin. | View Page |
| Review 1 Piscitelli SC., Shwed J., Schreckenberger P., Danziger LH.
Streptococcus milleri group: renewed interest in an elusive pathogen.
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases.11:491-8, 1992The following review examines the bacteriological characteristics, epidemiology, pathogenicity and antimicrobial susceptibility of the "Streptococcus milleri group". "Streptococcus milleri group" is a term for a large group of streptococci which includes Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus anginosus.Usually considered commensals, these organisms are often associated with various pyogenic infections including cardiac, intra-abdominal, subcutaneous and central nervous system infections, particularly with the formation of abscesses.Organisms of the "Streptococcus milleri group" are often unrecognized pathogens due to the lack of uniformity in classifications and difficulties in microbiological identification. Penicillin G, cephalosporins, clindamycin and vancomycin all possess activity against these streptococci.Use of agents with poor activity may promote infections with "Streptococcus milleri group" and allow it to exhibit its pathogenicity. An understanding of these organisms may aid in their recognition and proper treatment. | View Page |