Toshiji Kobayashi

Determination of the activity of urinary enzymes derived from renal tubulus

There are several problems in measuring the activities of urinary enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) which are derived from renal tubulus. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the basic methodological problems in measuring these enzyme activities. Our results indicate that it is not necessary to dialyze urine when determining these three enzymes, except for alkaline phosphatase activity measured by the Kind-King method. Because of contamination of urine by bacteria and cell elements, the enzyme activity is influenced by centrifugal conditions that depend on time and speed. Our results propose that it is necessary, at least, to centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain satisfactory data. Generally, a 24 hour urine sample instead of spot urine sample should be used for measuring the enzyme activity. However if correcting gamma-GTP activity by creatinine, even a spot urine sample may be used for clinical use.

Susceptibility of Gram-Negative Bacterial Isolates to Six β-Lactam and Two Aminoglycoside Antibiotics at Our University Hospital

Susceptibilities of Gram-negative bacterial strains isolated at the University Hospital in 1987 to six beta-Lactam antibiotics (azthreonam cefmetazole, ceftizoxime, latamoxef, aminobenzyl-penicillin and piperacillin) and two aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin and amikacin) were examined by agar dilution and the agar diffusion method. Results obtained from both methods correlated well in most of the strains. Most of the strains belonging to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were sensitive to the beta-lactam antibiotics except aminobenzyl-penicillin and piperacillin. They were also sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Most strains of Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens were sensitive to azthreonam, latamoxef and aminoglycosides, but were less sensitive to other beta-lactams. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was generally resistant to beta-lactams except ceftizoxime, but was sensitive to aminoglycosides. More than half of the strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were sensitive to azthreonam, piperacillin and aminoglycoside antibiotics and only latamoxef was active in Pseudomonas maltophilia.