Oral Cephalosporin Research Articles

Cavitating lung lesion as a manifestation of inflammatory tumor (pseudotumor) of the lung: A case report and literature review.

Patient: Female, 60Final Diagnosis: Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lungSymptoms: Cough dry • feverMedication: —Clinical Procedure: —Specialty: —Objective:Rare diseaseBackground:Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung involves a benign, non-neoplastic lung lesion of unknown etiology.Case Report:We present a case of a 60-year-old female smoker who had been under intermittent immunosuppressive medication for discoid lupus, who was admitted to hospital with fever of 39.5°C of 10-day duration, not responding to an oral cephalosporin. Chest CT examination showed a cavitating opacity in the upper zone of the left lung. It was not feasible to establish a diagnosis based on clinical and laboratory testing nor based on CT scanning and bronchoscopy. Thus, the patient underwent left thoracotomy and sphenoid resection of the lesion, which was sent for biopsy. The histopathologic features aided by immunohistochemical staining proved the lesion to be an inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung.Conclusions:The case is reported because of the extremely rare radiologic presentation of the development of a lung pseudotumor emerging as a cavitated lesion, which relapsed during the follow-up period while the patient was still under immunosuppressive medication.

Chapter Two - Cefdinir

Cefdinir is a third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic. Nomenclature, formulae, elemental analysis, and appearance of the drug are mentioned. The uses and applications and the several methods described for its preparation of the drug are outlined. The profile contains the physical characteristics including: pKa value, solubility, X-ray powder diffraction, melting point, and differential scanning calorimetry. The ultraviolet spectrum, vibrational spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H and (13)C NMR) spectra and the mass spectrum and fragmentation patterns of cefdinir together with the corresponding figures and/or tables are all produced. This profile includes the monographs of the Japanese pharmacopeia and the United States pharmacopeia. The several reported analytical methods that had been reported of the analysis of cefdinir include: spectrophotometric, polarographic, voltammetric, and chromatographic methods. The pharmacokinetics and stability of the drug are also provided. About 80 references are listed at end of this comprehensive profile.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of cefixime using terbium-danofloxacin probe.

Cefixime (Cfx), is a semi-synthetic third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic that is prescribed for the treatment of susceptible infections. There are some procedures for the determination of Cfx in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples. Herein a spectrofluorimetric method was proposed for Cfx determination based on the fluorescence quenching of terbium-danofloxacin (Tb(3+)-Dano) in the presence of Cfx. Cfx was detected based on fluorescence quenching of terbium-danofloxacin (Tb(3+)-Dano) in the presence of Cfx with maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 347 nm and 545 nm, respectively. The quenched fluorescence intensity of Tb(3+)- Dano system is proportional to the concentration of Cfx. The optimum conditions for the determination of Cfx were studied. The maximum response was achieved under optimum conditions of [Tris buffer]= 0.008 mol/l (pH 6.5), [Tb(3+)]=1×10(-4) mol/l and [Dano]=1×10(-4) mol/l. The developed method was evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision and limit of detection. The linear concentration ranges for quantification of Cfx were 8.8×10(-8)-8.8×10(-7) mol/l and 1.1×10(-7)-8.8×10(-7) mol/l in standard and human serum samples with the detection limits (S/N=3) of 2.8×10(-8) mol/l and 3.9×10(-8) mol/l, respectively. The Cfx was determined in pharmaceutical tablets and spiked serum samples and the results were satisfactory. This method is simple, practical and relatively interference-free for determination of Cfx in pharmaceutical tablets and serum samples.

Fatale Sepsis nach Abszess bei peripherem Venenkatheter durch E. faecalis

A 82 year-old man was admitted with a facial Herpes zoster reactivation and a zoster-related meningoencephalitis. He was treated with Aciclovir over a peripheral venous catheter that was placed in the right elbow pit. The meningoencephalitis subsided without neurological deficits, but the patient developed a catheter-associated phlebitis. An oral cephalosporin was prescribed and the patient discharged. After developing a fever and general discomfort he was readmitted to hospital three days later. A 3 × 3 cm abscess in the elbow pit was incised and drained, but no swab or blood cultures were taken. When the patient's condition got worse an echocardiogram was ordered. It showed vegetations on the aortic and mitral valves as well as on the cardiac pacemaker wires. Blood cultures were positive for Enterococcus faecalis. Although a therapy with vancomycin and ampicillin was started, the patient's condition impaired. Surgical valve replacement was initiated, but the patient expired 5 weeks later due to septic multi-organ failure. The danger of peripheral venous catheter infections is frequently underrated, early identification of the causing pathogen, sensitivity testing and proper antibiotic treatment are of tremendous importance. Clinical sings of sepsis must under no circumstances be overlooked.

Evolution of a Round Pneumonia

A previously healthy 14-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of 2 days of subacute onset, right-anterior pleuritic chest pain. He reported an associated dry cough, but denied fever, sputum, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, orthopnea, leg swelling, weight loss or night sweats. The patient had no known sick contacts, and had no identifiable cardiac or thromboembolic risk factors. We obtained a 2-view chest radiograph, which revealed an indeterminate 1.3 cm focal density in the right upper lobe (Figure 1). The patient was discharged on oral analgesics with a plan for follow-up imaging. Figure 1. Anterior-Posterior chest radiograph on index visit showing a 1.3 cm right upper lobe density (arrows). Six days after symptom onset the patient returned to the ED with worsening pain despite oral analgesics, a low-grade fever and a worsening dry cough. On physical examination the patient was well appearing and in no apparent distress. His temperature was 99.8 °F; his blood pressure was 105/72; his heart rate was 95 beats/minute; and his oxygen saturation on room air was 99%. A previously planted PPD was read as negative. We obtained a repeat chest radiograph, which revealed a wedge-shaped consolidation in the inferior segment of the right upper lobe (Figure 2). The patient was treated with an oral cephalosporin as an outpatient with complete resolution of his symptoms. Figure 2. Anterior-Posterior chest radiograph on day 6 showing consolidation of the inferior segment of the right upper lobe (arrows). Round pneumonia is primarily seen in children and adolescents. In one study, 75% of patients were under 8 years of age, and 90% under 12.1 It is postulated that round pneumonias occurs more often in children as they have poorly developed pathways of collateral ventilation, more closely apposed lung connective tissue septa and smaller alveoli, when compared to adults. These factors combine to form more compact areas of infiltrate, which can appear as round lesions on chest radiography.2 Round pneumonias are most often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and resolution after treatment, rather than progression to lobar pneumonia, is the rule.1,3 In addition to infection, the differential diagnosis of a round lesion on a pediatric chest radiograph includes primary lung neoplasm, congenital bronchogenic consolidation, and Wilms tumor.2 The majority of round lesions in children, however, are nonneoplastic, and advanced imaging with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is not typically indicated unless symptoms suggest an alternative diagnosis.4

小児科領域におけるCefteram pivoxilの基礎的・臨床的検討

Bacteriological, pharmacokinetic and clinical studies on cefditoren pivoxil (CDTR-PI, ME 1207) in granules, a new oral cephalosporin, were performed in the field of pediatrics. The results are summarized below. 1. Antibacterial activities: Antibacterial activities of CDTR were studied against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Branhamella catarrhalis in comparison with those of cefteram (CFTM), cefixime (CFIX), cefaclor (CCL), cefpodoxime (CPDX) and cefotiam (CTM). MIC80's of CDTR against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and B. catarrhalis were 1.56, 0.39, < or = 0.025, < or = 0.025, 0.05 and 0.20 micrograms/ml, respectively. These results showed that CDTR has high antibacterial activities against these organisms. 2. Absorption and excretion: Serum concentrations and urinary recovery rates of CDTR-PI (administered in granules) were determined. Upon single oral doses of 3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, the peak serum concentrations were 0.5-2.45 micrograms/ml at 2 to 4 hours and 1.79-4.05 micrograms/ml at 1 to 4 hours, respectively, and T 1/2 was 1.07-9.67 hours and 0.99-3.00 hours, respectively. At 8 hours after dosing, serum concentrations were 0-0.87 micrograms/ml with a dose of 3 mg/kg and 0.27-0.73 micrograms/ml with 6 mg/kg. These values indicated that the drug has a dose-dependent pharmacokinetic behavior. Urinary recovery rates in the first 8 hours were 12.9-34.2% with a dose of 3 mg/kg and 11.8-26.9% with 6 mg/kg. 3. Clinical study: Clinical efficacies were examined in a total of 81 cases consisting of 20 cases of acute bronchitis, 13 of acute pneumonia, 21 of tonsillitis, 5 of pharyngitis, 7 of scarlet fever, 2 each of impetigo, otitis media and purulent cervical lymphadenitis, 1 of pertussis and 8 of UTI. The clinical efficacy rate was 97.5% (79/81), and bacteriological eradication rate was 100% (76/76). As for side effects, 2 cases of watery stools and 1 case of minor elevation of GPT were observed.

Surveillance based on molecular epidemiology for Haemophilus influenzae Isolates in Gifu Prefecture

We analyzed Haemophilus influenzae isolates in Gifu prefecture between May 2003 and August 2003. We conducted molecular-level epidemiological studies for 313 strains using PCR to identify resistant genes in H. influenzae. Our four sets of primers are as follows: (i) p6 gene of P6 membrane protein, (ii) TEM-1 type beta-lactamase gene (bla), (iii) normal PBP 3 gene (ftsl), and (iv) mutational ftsl gene detected in beta-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin (ABPC) resistant H. influenzae (BLNAR). H. influenzae strains were classified into 6 types based on PCR: (i) beta-lactamase-nonproducing ABPC-susceptible strains (BLNAS; n = 85) with no any resistant genes, (ii) TEM-1 type beta-lactamase-producing ABPC resistant strains (BLPAR; n = 6), (iii) beta-lactamase-nonproducing and low-level ABPC-resistant strains (Low-BLNAR; n = 77) possessing Asn-526 --> Lys-526 amino acid substitution, (iv) BLNAR strains (n = 138) possessing Asn-526 --> Lys-526 and 3 amino acids substitutions detected around the Ser-Ser-Asn conserved motif, (v) beta-lactamase-producing amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant strains (BLPACR-I; n = 3) possessing TEM-1 and Low-BLNAR resistant genes, and (vi) beta-lactamase-producing amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant strains (BLPACR-II; n = 4) possessing TEM-1 and BLNAR resistant genes. Amoxicillin (AMPC) MIC90s in Low-BLNAR was 4 microg/mL and in BLNAR was 16 microg/mL. In oral cephalosporins, cefditoren MIC90 was the most excellent with 0.5 microg/mL against BLNAR. The prevalence of H. influenzae type b isolates in Matsubara Otorhinolaryngology Clinic was 66.7%. Selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents should be performed to prevent resistant microorganisms. Also, the vaccination for H. influenzae type b would be strongly recommended in near future.

小児におけるCefdinir10%細粒の基礎的・臨床的検討

Cefdinir (CFDN), a newly developed oral cephalosporin in 5% fine granular form, was administered to 10 boys at 1 hour before meal (in the fasting state) and concentrations of the drug in plasma and urine and its urinary recovery rates were determined. The subjects were divided into 2 groups of 5 boys each; one group received 3 mg/kg of CFDN, and the other, 6 mg/kg. To 6 of the 10 children the drug was administered in the two different dose levels using the cross-over method. To study clinical and bacteriological effects of this drug, a mean dose of 4.6 mg/kg t.i.d. was administered for 8 days on the average to 40 children with various infections; pharyngitis (4 cases), tonsillitis (2), acute bronchitis (2), pneumonia (8), scarlet fever (6), acute purulent otitis media (1), urinary tract infection (12), impetigo (2), phlegmon (1), lymphadenitis (1) and subcutaneous abscess (1). MICs were determined for 6 drugs including CFDN, cefaclor, cefixime (CFIX), methicillin, cloxacillin (MCIPC), amoxicillin (AMPC) against 13 strains of 6 species freshly isolated from children receiving CFDN. An inoculum size of 10(6) cfu/ml was used in the MIC-determinations. Adverse reactions and abnormal laboratory findings attributable to this drug were also examined in these patients. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Mean plasma peak levels of CFDN were observed at 3 hours after administration in both the 3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg groups with mean peak values of 0.68 and 1.35 micrograms/ml, respectively. Mean half-lives were 2.06 hours in the 3 mg/kg group and 1.61 hours in the 6 mg/kg group, and mean AUCs were 3.5 in the former and 6.5 micrograms.hr/ml in the latter. Thus, dose-response between the 2 doses was observed in plasma levels and AUCs. 2. To 3 patients, CFDN was given in the two different doses using the cross-over method. Mean plasma peak levels of CFDN were 0.71 and 1.31 micrograms/ml in the doses of 3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, respectively. Half-lives were 1.39-2.90 hours in the 3 mg/kg group and 1.21-1.48 hours in the 6 mg/kg group, with AUCs of 3.4-3.7 and 4.1-7.5 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cephalothin susceptibility testing as class representative for oral cephalosporins: is it time to move on?

Based on current epidemiologic and resistance trends, we propose reconsideration of the use of cephalothin susceptibility to predict susceptibility to oral narrow-spectrum cephalosporins among Enterobacteriaceae, particularly in predicting cephalexin susceptibility for urinary tract isolates.

Purulent keratoconjunctivitis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis coinfection

Gonococcal conjunctivitis is a rare infection induced by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and it usually manifests as a hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis. Ocular access of the infectious secretion during sexual intercourse is the way of transmission among adults. Inclusion conjunctivitis caused by the serovars D-K of Chlamydia trachomatis also affects the sexually active population. Authors present a case of a 33-year-old homosexual man who was treated for late latent syphilis formerly. Clinical symptoms were yellow purulent discharge for 3 weeks without any urological or upper respiratory tract symptoms. Conjunctival Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infection was identified using cultures and polymerase chain reaction; pharyngeal swab culture and polymerase chain reaction showed positive results for both pathogens. The patient was probably under influence of party drugs at the time of sexual abuse when he became infected. After parenteral and oral cephalosporin and azithromycin therapy the patient had complete recovery within three weeks.

Gonococcal Infections

Gonococcal Infections

Gonococcal Infections

Gonococcal Infections

A Retrospective Comparative Study of 2-Drug Oral and Intramuscular Cephalosporin Treatment Regimens for Pharyngeal Gonorrhea

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for pharyngeal gonorrhea treatment recommend dual therapy with intramuscular ceftriaxone and either azithromycin or doxycycline. Few clinical data exist to support this recommendation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with pharyngeal gonorrhea during 1993-2011, at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Seattle, Washington, and compared the proportion of repeat positive tests for pharyngeal gonorrhea 7-180 days following treatment among persons receiving different drug regimens. Associations of treatment regimens were assessed using relative risks through Poisson regression models with log link and robust standard errors. A total of 1440 cases of pharyngeal gonorrhea were diagnosed during the study period, 25% of which (n = 360) underwent retesting. Among retested patients, the risk of repeat positive test was lowest among persons receiving an oral cephalosporin and azithromycin (7%, reference group), and highest among those receiving an oral cephalosporin alone (30%; relative risk [RR], 3.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70-9.36) or in combination with doxycycline (33%; RR, 4.18; 95% CI, 1.64-10.7). The risk of repeat test positivity did not significantly differ between persons treated with an oral cephalosporin and azithromycin and those treated with ceftriaxone alone (9.1%; RR, 0.81; 95% CI, .18-3.60) or ceftriaxone combined with azithromycin or doxycycline (11.3%; RR, 1.20; 95% CI, .43-3.33). In this retrospective study, dual therapy with an oral third-generation cephalosporin and azithromycin was comparable to ceftriaxone-based regimens in the treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhea. Combination oral therapy with doxycycline was associated with an elevated risk of persistent or recurrent infection.

First Imported Case of Skin Infection Caused by PVL-positive ST30 Community-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusClone in a Returning Korean Traveler from the Philippines

Although pandemic community-associated (CA-) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST30 clone has successfully spread into many Asian countries, there has been no case in Korea. We report the first imported case of infection caused by this clone in a Korean traveler returning from the Philippines. A previously healthy 30-yr-old Korean woman developed a buttock carbuncle while traveling in the Philippines. After coming back to Korea, oral cephalosporin was given by a primary physician without any improvement. Abscess was drained and MRSA strain isolated from her carbuncle was molecularly characterized and it was confirmed as ST30-MRSA-IV. She was successfully treated with vancomycin and surgery. Frequent international travel and migration have increased the risk of international spread of CA-MRSA clones. The efforts to understand the changing epidemiology of CA-MRSA should be continued, and we should raise suspicion of CA-MRSA infection in travelers with skin infections returning from CA-MRSA-endemic countries.

Diagnostik und Therapie von Harnwegsinfektionen

In infants and young children, urinary tract infections (UTI) often present with unspecific symptoms. Appropriate techniques of urine sampling play an important role for accurate microbiological diagnosis. In infants urine sampling by bladder puncture or transurethral catheter is recommended. In young infants with suspected pyelonephritis, calculated antibiotic treatment should be initiated parenterally with a combination of a third generation cephalosporin or an aminoglycoside with ampicillin. After the age of 3-6 months group 3 oral cephalosporins can be used in uncomplicated pyelonephritis. With the first febrile UTI early sonography is recommended to provide information about renal parenchymal involvement and to exclude malformations of the kidneys and urinary tract. Strategies for the recognition of vesicoureteral reflux and renal damage are under discussion. Recently published guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the diagnosis and management of UTI in febrile children and infants aged 2-24 months will most likely influence the still pending German guidelines.

Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Cefcapene Pivoxil Hydrochloride after Single Oral Administration in Healthy Korean Subjects

Background: Cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride (CFPN-PI) is an oral ester cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad spectrum. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and tolerability of CFPN-PI following single oral administration in healthy Korean subjects. Methods: An open‐label, dose‐escalation, parallel group study was conducted in 18 healthy male volunteers. A single dose of CFPN-PI was administered to 6 subjects in each treatment group of 100, 150 and 200 mg. Serial blood and urine samples were collected up to 12 h and 24 h after dosing, respectively. Plasma and urine concentrations of cefcapene were measured by HPLC-UV. PK parameters were estimated using non-compartmental analysis. For the safety evaluation, adverse event monitoring, clinical laboratory tests and physical examination were performed throughout the study. Results: Median values of time to peak plasma concentration were observed around 1.5 to 2.0 h. Maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 1.04 ± 0.22, 1.24 ± 0.46 and 1.56 ± 0.43 mg/L (mean ± SD), and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUCinf) were 2.94 ± 0.46, 3.97 ± 1.28 and 4.70 ± 1.19 h*mg/L in 100, 150 and 200 mg dose groups, respectively. The differences of dose‐normalized Cmax and AUCinf among three groups were not statistically significant. The fractions of drug excreted in urine unchanged were 31.5 % 42.9 %. There were no serious adverse events or clinically significant abnormalities related to CFPN-PI. Conclusion: CFPN-PI was well tolerated with single oral administration and showed a linear PK property within 100 200 mg in healthy Korean male subjects.

Multidrug Resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the second most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection. The disease causes serious reproductive complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, and can facilitate human immunodeficiency virus transmission. Numerous antimicrobial agents have been used for the treatment of gonorrhea since sulfanilamides were introduced in 1936. Unfortunately, N. gonorrhoeae readily develops resistance to antimicrobial agents. Strains with decreased susceptibility to oral third generation cephalosporin (cefixime) are currently emerging. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer recommends cefixime at any dose as a first-line regimen for treatment of gonococcal infections, but recommends combination therapy with ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscularly and either azithromycin 1 g orally as a single dose or doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 7 days as the most reliably effective treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea: Data on antibiotic resistance and accompanying infections at the University Hospital Dresden over a 10‐year time period

Over the last years, growing resistance of gonorrhea to quinolones has emerged worldwide. Currently, cases with resistance to oral and parenteral third-generation cephalosporins are increasingly reported. Because gonorrhea is not a notifiable infection in Germany, data on epidemiology and antimicrobial surveillance of gonorrhea are scarce. We present the results of N. gonorrhoea testing at the University Hospital Dresden over the course of ten years. The results of cultural and nucleic acid amplification testing of gonorrhea and accompanying infections of 1,850 smears between 2001 and 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 181 patients (mean age 30.4 years) 159 had positive PCR analyses for gonorrhea and 50 positive cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoea. The rate of ciprofloxacin resistance was high (in 46% of all isolates), primarily in men. Resistance to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone could not be detected so far. In 40% of the cases at least one accompanying urogenital infection occurred, predominantly with Chlamydia trachomatis. Similar to other regions of Germany, a high percentage of resistance to quinolones was found in gonorrhea, but not to cephalosporins. Additionally, accompanying infections were frequent and warrant screening. In the light of recent cases of resistance to cephalosporins currently emerging in Europe, cultural diagnosis of gonorrhea should definitely be intensified by all means. The results should be integrated into a surveillance system.

Community faecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceaein french children

BackgroundThe increasing incidence of community acquired infection due to Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) -Producing Enterobacteriaceae represent a great concern because there are few therapeutic alternatives. The fecal flora of children in the community can represent a reservoir for ESBLs genes which are located on highly transmissible plasmids and the spread of these genes among bacterial pathogens is concerning. Because intestinal carriage is a key factor in the epidemiology of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, the study of the prevalence of these resistant bacteria and risk factors in young children is of particular interest.MethodsWe assessed the prevalence and risk factors of community-acquired faecal carriage of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in children aged from 6 to 24 months, by means of rectal swabbing in community pediatric practices. Child’s lifestyle and risk factors for carriage of resistant bacteria were noted.ResultsAmong the 411 children enrolled, 4.6% carried ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. CTX-M-1, CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-14 were the predominant ESBLs. The 18 E. coli isolates were genetically heterogeneous. Recent third-generation oral-cephalosporin exposure was associated with a higher risk of ESBL carriage (AOR=3.52, 95% CI[1.06-11.66], p=0.04).ConclusionsThe carriage rate of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriacae in young children in the French community setting is noteworthy, underlining the importance of this population as a reservoir. Exposure to third-generation oral cephalosporins was associated with a significant risk of ESBL carriage in our study. Because of the significant public health implications including the treatment of community-acquired urinary tract infections, the spread of organisms producing ESBLs in the community merits close monitoring with enhanced efforts for surveillance.

Multiplex Bead Suspension Array for Screening Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antibiotic Resistance Genetic Determinants in Noncultured Clinical Samples

The increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae highlights the need for new diagnostic options. A high-throughput multiplex bead suspension array assay was developed for profiling 29 N. gonorrhoeae genomic mutations and 2 plasmid genes conferring resistance to 6 antimicrobial agents: penicillin, ciprofloxacin, cefixime, tetracycline, azithromycin, and spectinomycin. The three steps of this assay include amplification of 12 N. gonorrhoeae chromosomal and plasmid loci, multiplex allele-specific primer extension reaction, and multiplex bead suspension array detection. Antibiotic resistance genetic determinants were identified successfully in 239 cervicovaginal N. gonorrhoeae-positive noncultured swab samples. This molecular assay can be used for detection of gonococci in clinical specimens, molecular typing, mutation profiling, and predictive assessment of N. gonorrhoeae susceptibility to antibiotics without the need for culture.