Éva Nemes-Nikodém

In Vivo Activity of Optimized Apidaecin and Oncocin Peptides Against a Multiresistant, KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain

The peptides Api88 and Onc72 are highly efficient to treat Escherichia coli bacteremia in mice. Here we extended the animal studies to a systemic murine infection model using a multidrug-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolate. When administered intraperitoneally three times at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg bodyweight to CD-1 mice infected with a KPC-producing K. pneumoniae strain, both Api88 and Onc72 reduced the bacterial counts by at least 5 log₁₀ units, indicating that both peptides are active in vivo. Both peptide treatments increased significantly the survival rates and average survival times compared to untreated animals for all doses except for the highest dose of Onc72. This dose reduced the bacterial counts so fast that it most likely induced a sudden release of large amounts of toxic materials from the killed bacteria reducing the survival time even below that of untreated mice. In conclusion, both peptides were efficient in the lethal murine K. pneumoniae infection model, but the treatment protocol (i.e. dose and time points) has to be further optimized based on future pharmacokinetic studies.

Rapid systemic and local treatments with the antibacterial peptide dimer A3-APO and its monomeric metabolite eliminate bacteria and reduce inflammation in intradermal lesions infected with Propionibacterium acnes and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

When administered intramuscularly, the designer antibacterial peptide dimer A3-APO is highly efficacious in mouse models of Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus burn infections. Here we compared the efficacy of A3-APO and its monomeric metabolite in mouse models of S. aureus and Propionibacterium acnes intradermal infections following administration as intramuscular (i.m.) or topical treatments. In the animal models, either (i) the ears of CD-1 mice were infected with P. acnes or (ii) S. aureus was injected into burn wounds inflicted to the back. A3-APO or the monomer were injected intramuscularly at 5 mg/kg one to three times or were applied three times as 1% local treatment in phosphate-buffered saline or Vaseline(®). Despite being inactive against the strains in vitro, in vivo the skin conditions of the mice were dramatically improved upon peptide treatment regardless of dosing frequency, administration mode or drug valency. In the P. acnes study, A3-APO statistically significantly reduced ear thickness and ear bacterial counts. The amount of ear connective tissue and epithelial macrophages correlated with therapeutic success. Bacterial load in the lesions was more representative of physical improvement than ear dimensions. In the S. aureus model, both peptides eliminated wound bacteria from >10(7) CFU/mg to almost background levels, with monomer treatment being somewhat more successful. In conclusion, A3-APO and its monomeric metabolite very efficiently ameliorate resistant aerobic and anaerobic intradermal infections, but the protection is apparently not due to direct bacterial killing. Immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory actions are likely involved. Nevertheless, topical and i.m. administrations are equally effective.

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of some teicoplanin pseudoaglycon derivatives containing alkyl- and arylthiosubstituted maleimides

Bis-alkylthio maleimido derivatives have been prepared from teicoplanin pseudoaglycon by reaction of its primary amino group with N-ethoxycarbonyl bis-alkylthiomaleimides. Some of the new derivatives displayed excellent antibacterial activity against resistant bacteria.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and genotyping analysis of Hungarian Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in 2013

Emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern worldwide. The current study aims to determine the antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae and associated molecular typing to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance in Hungary. In the National N. gonorrhoeae Reference Laboratory of Hungary 187 N. gonorrhoeae infections were detected in 2013, antibiograms were determined for all the isolated strains, and 52 (one index strain from every sexually contact related group) of them were also analysed by the N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) method. Twenty-two different NG-MAST sequence types (STs) were identified, of which 8 STs had not been previously described. In Hungary, the highly diversified gonococcal population displayed high resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline (the antimicrobials previously recommended for gonorrhoea treatment). Resistance to the currently recommended extended spectrum cephalosporines were rare: only two of the expected strains, an ST 1407 and an ST 210, had cefixime MIC above the resistance breakpoint. By the revision of our National Treatment Guideline, it must be considered, that the azithromycin resistance is about 60% among the four most frequently isolated STs in Hungary.

The importance of IgM positivity in laboratory diagnosis of gestational and congenital syphilis

From January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011, from 33,753 blood samples for syphilis screening, Treponema pallidum infections were confirmed in 241 pregnant women at the Department of Dermatology, Venerology, and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University Budapest. In this period, four children born to inadequately or untreated women were confirmed to have connatal syphilis. The height of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer was measured to determine the stage of the infection and to examine the success of the antilues therapy. The diagnosis of maternal syphilis infection was confirmed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), T. pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA), and IgG and IgM immunoblots. Maternal IgM immunoblot results identify mothers at risk of delivering babies with connatal syphilis better than the height of maternal RPR titer. The standard serological tests are less useful in newborns because of IgG transfer across the placenta. IgM test which depends on the infants response has more specificity in diagnosing connatal syphilis.

Yeast species in vulvovaginitis candidosa

INTRODUCTION Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the most common mycosis, however, the available information about antifungal susceptibilities of these yeasts is limited. AIM To compare the gold standard fungal culture with a new molecular identification method and report the incidence of yeast species in vulvovaginitis candidosa. METHOD The authors studied 370 yeasts isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis and identified them by phenotypic and molecular methods. RESULTS The most common species was Candida albicans (85%), followed by Candida glabrata, and other Candida species. CONCLUSION At present there are no recommendations for the evaluation of antifungal susceptibility of pathogenic fungal species occurring in vulvovaginal candidiasis and the natural antifungal resistance of the different species is known only. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight identification can be used to differentiate the fluconazole resistant Candida dubliniensis and the sensitive Candida albicans strains.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae törzsek rezisztenciaadatai Magyarországon@@@Antimicrobal resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in Hungary

INTRODUCTION European guidelines on the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are based mostly on Western European data, although these recommendations may not be optimised for the circumstances in Hungary. AIM The aim of the authors was to assess current antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in order to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance in Hungary. Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains were isolated at the National Center of Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University in the period between January 2011 and June 2014. METHOD Antimicrobial resistance was determined with minimum inhibitory concentration measurement. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Multiantigen Sequence typing was used as molecular typing method. RESULTS Resistance to the currently recommended extended spectrum cephalosporins is rare in Hungary, but there is an emerging azithromycin resistance among the Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. CONCLUSIONS Revision of the national treatment guideline must consider that the most frequent sequence types of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains causing infections in Hungary are mainly resistant to azithromycin.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae törzsek rezisztenciaadatai Magyarországon

INTRODUCTION European guidelines on the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are based mostly on Western European data, although these recommendations may not be optimised for the circumstances in Hungary. AIM The aim of the authors was to assess current antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in order to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance in Hungary. Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains were isolated at the National Center of Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University in the period between January 2011 and June 2014. METHOD Antimicrobial resistance was determined with minimum inhibitory concentration measurement. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Multiantigen Sequence typing was used as molecular typing method. RESULTS Resistance to the currently recommended extended spectrum cephalosporins is rare in Hungary, but there is an emerging azithromycin resistance among the Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. CONCLUSIONS Revision of the national treatment guideline must consider that the most frequent sequence types of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains causing infections in Hungary are mainly resistant to azithromycin.

Antimicrobal resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in Hungary

INTRODUCTION European guidelines on the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are based mostly on Western European data, although these recommendations may not be optimised for the circumstances in Hungary. AIM The aim of the authors was to assess current antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in order to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance in Hungary. Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains were isolated at the National Center of Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University in the period between January 2011 and June 2014. METHOD Antimicrobial resistance was determined with minimum inhibitory concentration measurement. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Multiantigen Sequence typing was used as molecular typing method. RESULTS Resistance to the currently recommended extended spectrum cephalosporins is rare in Hungary, but there is an emerging azithromycin resistance among the Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. CONCLUSIONS Revision of the national treatment guideline must consider that the most frequent sequence types of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains causing infections in Hungary are mainly resistant to azithromycin.

Vulvovaginitis candidosában előforduló sarjadzógomba-speciesek

INTRODUCTION Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the most common mycosis, however, the available information about antifungal susceptibilities of these yeasts is limited. AIM To compare the gold standard fungal culture with a new molecular identification method and report the incidence of yeast species in vulvovaginitis candidosa. METHOD The authors studied 370 yeasts isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis and identified them by phenotypic and molecular methods. RESULTS The most common species was Candida albicans (85%), followed by Candida glabrata, and other Candida species. CONCLUSION At present there are no recommendations for the evaluation of antifungal susceptibility of pathogenic fungal species occurring in vulvovaginal candidiasis and the natural antifungal resistance of the different species is known only. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight identification can be used to differentiate the fluconazole resistant Candida dubliniensis and the sensitive Candida albicans strains.