Oral clindamycin causing acute cholestatic hepatitis without ductopenia: a brief review of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury and a case report

Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum Flower Essential Oil Reduces MRSA Pathogenicity by Inhibiting Virulence Gene Expression

The essential oil extracted from the flowers of Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam (CZEO), family Asteraceae, was investigated to determine its ability to inhibit the pathogenicity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The chemical composition of CZEO was analyzed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 88 compounds were identified and categorized as monoterpenes (68.82%), sesquiterpenes (17.82%), and others (5.01%). CZEO inhibited MRSA floating cell growth, acid production, and biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, confocal laser scanning and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the CZEO treatment decreased MRSA viability and notably reduced the three-dimensional density of the biofilm. Real-time PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression of the MRSA gene A (mecA), accessory gene regulator A (agrA), staphylococcal accessory regulator A (sarA), and staphylococcal enterotoxin A (sea), which are pivotal genes implicated in MRSA pathogenicity, declined in a concentration-dependent manner following the CZEO treatment compared with the control. Thus, CZEO appeared to directly target the pathogenicity MRSA regulators. These findings substantiate the potential of CZEO as a natural antimicrobial agent for preventing MRSA infections.

Clindamycin: A Comprehensive Status Report with Emphasis on Use in Dermatology

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that has been used as a topical, oral, or injectable formulation for over five decades. It exhibits a narrow spectrum of microbiologic activity, primarily against gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria. In dermatology, clindamycin has been used primarily as a topical agent, usually for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Despite questions surrounding antibiotic resistance and/or its relative contribution to antibiotic treatment efficacy, a large body of data support the therapeutic value of topical clindamycin for acne vulgaris. As a systemic agent, clindamycin is used orally to treat a variety of cutaneous bacterial infections, and sometimes for acne vulgaris, with oral treatment for the latter less common in more recent years. The modes of action of clindamycin are supported by data showing both its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic mechanisms, which are discussed here along with pharmacokinetic profiles and structure-activity relationships. The diverse applications of clindamycin for multiple disease states, its efficacy, and safety considerations are also reviewed here, including for both topical and systemic formulations. Emphasis is placed on uses in dermatology, but other information on clindamycin relevant to clinicians is also discussed.

Blood coagulation factors and platelet response to drug-induced hepatitis and hepatosis in rats

BACKGROUND

Knowing the variability of blood coagulation responses to liver damage of different origins can provide a key to curing liver tissues or to mitigating treatment side effects. The aim of the present work was to compare the changes in the main components of hemostasis under experimental drug-induced hepatosis and hepatitis in rats.

METHODS

We modeled diclofenac-induced hepatitis and tetracycline-induced hepatosis. Hemostasis response was gauged by measuring fibrinogen, factor X, protein C (PC), and prothrombin in plasma. The decarboxylated form of prothrombin was detected by measuring prothrombin index and ecamulin index. Platelet reactivity was studied using aggregometry.

RESULTS

Both hepatitis and hepatosis decreased the synthesis of fibrinogen, factor X, and prothrombin. However, protein carboxylation was not disrupted in hepatosis but was much impaired in hepatitis. PC decreased in both models as a consequence of its consumption possibly during inflammatory response. Platelet aggregation rate was lower in hepatosis but higher in hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings imply the need for a thorough monitoring of the hemostasis system in liver diseases to avoid possible thrombotic complications. Its state indicates the disorder's rate and character.

Green tea catechins inhibit Porphyromonas gulae LPS-induced inflammatory responses in human gingival epithelial cells: Running title

OBJECTIVES

To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of green tea catechins in immortalized human gingival epithelial cells (Ca9-22) stimulated with Porphyromonas gulae lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODS

Ca9-22 cells were incubated with P. gulae LPS (10 μg/ml) with or without green tea catechins, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC) (each at 50 μM), for 6 or 24 hours. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-ɑ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-8. Furthermore, the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 was examined using real-time PCR and western blotting analysis, and phosphorylation of the p38 and ERK1/2 was examined using western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

At the mRNA and protein levels, EGCg, EGC, ECG, and EC were found to significantly inhibit COX2, TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-8. Furthermore, the levels of ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation induced by P. gulae LPS were decreased following the addition of each of the catechins, as well as TLR2 and 4 mRNA and protein.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that green tea catechins are potent inhibitors of inflammatory responses induced by P. gulae LPS, and may also be useful for prevention and/or attenuation of periodontitis.

Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients: a review

INTRODUCTION

Pneumocystis pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening pulmonary infection that occurs in immunocompromised individuals and HIV-infected patients with a low CD4 cell count. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has been used as the first-line agent for treatment, but mutations within dihydropteroate synthase gene render potential resistance to sulfamide. Despite advances of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), Pneumocystis pneumonia continues to occur in HIV-infected patients with late presentation for cART or virological and immunological failure after receiving cART. Areas covered: This review summarizes the diagnosis and first-line and alternative treatment and prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-infected patients. Articles for this review were identified through searching PubMed. Search terms included: 'Pneumocystis pneumonia', 'Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia', 'Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia', 'trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole', 'primaquine', 'trimetrexate', 'dapsone', 'pentamidine', 'atovaquone', 'echinocandins', 'human immunodeficiency virus infection', 'acquired immunodeficiency syndrome', 'resistance to sulfamide' and combinations of these terms. We limited the search to English language papers that were published between 1981 and March 2017. We screened all identified articles and cross-referenced studies from retrieved articles. Expert commentary: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole will continue to be the first-line agent for Pneumocystis pneumonia given its cost, availability of both oral and parenteral formulations, and effectiveness or efficacy in both treatment and prophylaxis. Whether resistance due to mutations within dihydropteroate synthase gene compromises treatment effectiveness remains controversial. Continued search for effective alternatives with better safety profiles for Pneumocystis pneumonia is warranted.

Hepatotoxicity due to Clindamycin in Combination with Acetaminophen in a 62-Year-Old African American Female: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Clindamycin is a bacteriostatic lincosamide antibiotic with a broad spectrum. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and metallic taste; however, hepatotoxicity is rare. The incidence is unknown. It is characterized by increases in aspartate and alanine transaminases. There may be no symptoms and the treatment is to stop the administration of clindamycin. We have described a 62-year-old African American female medicated with acetaminophen and clindamycin who had initially presented to the dental clinic for the evaluation of gum pain following tooth extraction. She had significantly increased levels of liver transaminases, which trended downwards on quitting the medication.