Penicillin

About: Penicillin is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 17916 publications have been published within this topic receiving 368480 citations. The topic is also known as: penicillin antibiotic & PCN.

The Impact of a Reported Penicillin Allergy on Surgical Site Infection Risk

Abstract: Background A reported penicillin allergy may compromise receipt of recommended antibiotic prophylaxis intended to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). Most patients with a reported penicillin allergy are not allergic. We determined the impact of a reported penicillin allergy on the development of SSIs. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of Massachusetts General Hospital hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, hysterectomy, colon surgery, and coronary artery bypass grafting patients from 2010 to 2014, we compared patients with and without a reported penicillin allergy. The primary outcome was an SSI, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network. The secondary outcome was perioperative antibiotic use. Results Of 8385 patients who underwent 9004 procedures, 922 (11%) reported a penicillin allergy, and 241 (2.7%) had an SSI. In multivariable logistic regression, patients reporting a penicillin allergy had increased odds (adjusted odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.22) of SSI. Penicillin allergy reporters were administered less cefazolin (12% vs 92%; P < .001) and more clindamycin (49% vs 3%; P < .001), vancomycin (35% vs 3%; P < .001), and gentamicin (24% vs 3%; P < .001) compared with those without a reported penicillin allergy. The increased SSI risk was entirely mediated by the patients' receipt of an alternative perioperative antibiotic; between 112 and 124 patients with reported penicillin allergy would need allergy evaluation to prevent 1 SSI. Conclusions Patients with a reported penicillin allergy had a 50% increased odds of SSI, attributable to the receipt of second-line perioperative antibiotics. Clarification of penicillin allergies as part of routine preoperative care may decrease SSI risk.

European Borrelia burgdorferi isolated from humans and ticks culture conditions and antibiotic susceptibility.

Abstract: Growth of Borrelia burgdorferi in a modified Kelly-medium is described. Borrelia strains were isolated from patients (n = 11) and ticks I. ricinus (n = 19). The modified medium which contained Co-trimoxazole is a very effective medium for isolating and culturing of Borrelia sp. The susceptibility of 7 strains of B. burgdorferi to antibiotics was studied by the macrodilution and microdilution test. After preliminary testing for optimal conditions, we determined MICs in modified Kelly medium. The MIC concentration of each antibiotic was determined as the lowest concentration which completely inhibited growth of the tested organism. The B. burgdorferi was most susceptible to Erythromycin with MIC of less than or equal to 0.15 microgram/ml. Of the Penicillins tested, Ampicillin and Mezlocillin were more active than Penicillin G. The use of Tetracycline-HCl is recommended because of its low MIC in vitro its extra- and intracellular efficiency.