The in vivo activity of olamufloxacin (HSR-903) in systemic and urinary tract infections in mice

Microbial Biofilms in Urinary Tract Infections and Prostatitis: Etiology, Pathogenicity, and Combating strategies

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most important causes of morbidity and health care spending affecting persons of all ages. Bacterial biofilms play an important role in UTIs, responsible for persistent infections leading to recurrences and relapses. UTIs associated with microbial biofilms developed on catheters account for a high percentage of all nosocomial infections and are the most common source of Gram-negative bacteremia in hospitalized patients. The purpose of this mini-review is to present the role of microbial biofilms in the etiology of female UTI and different male prostatitis syndromes, their consequences, as well as the challenges for therapy.

Noninvasive biophotonic imaging for monitoring of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and therapy in mice

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections acquired by humans, particularly in catheterized patients. A major problem with catheterization is the formation of bacterial biofilms on catheter material and the risk of developing persistent UTIs that are difficult to monitor and eradicate. To better understand the course of UTIs and allow more accurate studies of in vivo antibiotic efficacy, we developed a catheter-based biofilm infection model with mice, using bioluminescently engineered bacteria. Two important urinary tract pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis, were made bioluminescent by stable insertion of a complete lux operon. Segments of catheter material (precolonized or postimplant infected) with either pathogen were placed transurethrally in the lumen of the bladder by using a metal stylet without surgical manipulation. The bioluminescent strains were sufficiently bright to be readily monitored from the outside of infected animals, using a low-light optical imaging system, including the ability to trace the ascending pattern of light-emitting bacteria through ureters to the kidneys. Placement of the catheter in the bladder not only resulted in the development of strong cystitis that persisted significantly longer than in mice challenged with bacterial suspensions alone but also required prolonged antibiotic treatment to reduce the level of infection. Treatment of infected mice for 4 days with ciprofloxacin at 30 mg/kg of body weight twice a day cured cystitis and renal infection in noncatheterized mice. Similarly, ciprofloxacin reduced the bacterial burden to undetectable levels in catheterized mice but did not inhibit rebound of the infection upon cessation of antibiotic therapy. This methodology easily allows spatial information to be monitored sequentially throughout the entire disease process, including ascending UTI, treatment efficacy, and relapse, all without exogenous sampling, which is not possible with conventional methods.

In vitro Antibacterial Activities of New Fluoroquinolones against Clinical Isolates of Haemophilus influenzae with Ciprofloxacin-Resistance-Associated Alterations in GyrA and ParC

BACKGROUND

The in vitro antimicrobial activities of new fluoroquinolones were tested against quinolone-resistant Haemophilus influenzae of clinical isolates.

METHODS

The nucleotide sequences of the gyrA and parC genes from three ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of Haemophilus influenzae (MIC, 1.56-6.25 microg/ml) were determined. The gyrase was purified from the clinical isolates, and the inhibitory activities of quinolones against the enzyme were tested.

RESULTS

These strains possessed at least one amino acid substitution in each of the GyrA (asparagine at residue 88 (Asp-88) to Tyr, Ser-84 to Leu or Ser-84 to Leu and Asp-88 to Asn) and ParC (Glu-88 to Lys). The antibacterial activity of olamufloxacin against the resistant strains was most potent compared with other quinolones, and the inhibitory activities correlated with quinolone resistance of these strains.

CONCLUSIONS

These results warrant the clinical effects of new types of fluoroquinolones, such as olamufloxacin, against respiratory tract and otolaryngology infections caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant H. influenzae.