BACKGROUND The overuse of antimicrobials is recognized as the main selective pressure driving the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in human bacterial pathogens. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections presented in primary care and empirical antimicrobial treatment is currently recommended. Previous research has identified that a substantial proportio...

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy performed on surface-supported bilayer membranes allows for the monitoring of changes in membrane properties, such as thickness, ion permeability, and homogeneity, after exposure to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We show that two model cationic peptides, very similar in sequence but different in activity, induce dramatically different changes in membrane p...

The objective of the study was to investigate antimicrobial activity of native and reduced forms of duck lysozyme (dLz) against Salmonella enteritidis. Moreover, antimicrobial activity of dLz was compared with chicken lysozyme (cLz). The purified dLz was reduced with dithiothreitol. Free SH groups of reduced dLz were trapped with iodoacetamide. Lytic activity against Micrococcus luteus of reduc...

Background Gram-negative bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to carbapenems and are related to the use of carbapenems. Thus, the main objective of this study was to compare the appropriateness of prescribing carbapenem before and after using an antimicrobial restriction system without infectious diseases consultation. Materials and methods A retrospective cross-sectional before and a...

BACKGROUND The prevalence and impact of antimicrobial "allergy" labels and Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) on antibiotic usage and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives is ill defined. We sought to examine the rate of antimicrobial "allergy labels" at our tertiary referral centre and impacts on antimicrobial usage and appropriateness. METHODS Two inpatient antimicrobial prevalence surveys were ...

BACKGROUND Increasing antimicrobial resistance is one of the pressing concerns globally. Injudicious use of antibiotics is one of the modifiable factors responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Given the widespread use of antimicrobials in community settings, pharmacists have an important role in ensuring appropriate use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to assess the perception ...

The recent study by Bloos and colleagues demonstrates that early initiation of antimicrobial therapy is not associated with improved survival in sepsis. We contend that these findings should not be surprising. This study is yet another part of the growing case against early and aggressive antimicrobial therapy and highlights the important roles resuscitation and source control play in the manag...