[Bacterial flora in the digestive tract during diarrhea in infants upon hospital admission and at the end of hospitalization]

The stools of 23 children aged from 14 days to 18 months were analysed (qualitatively and quantitatively) for some genera of bacteria which could be the cause of diarrhea. Feces were collected at the beginning and the end of hospitalisation. The results were evaluated and referred to five age subgroups and duration of hospitalization. The presence of potentially enteropathogenic bacteria was noted in 87 per cent of children in widely varying quantities. In the most numerous group of children the same bacteria were revealed at the beginning and at the end of hospitalization. The microorganisms were most frequently present at the moment of hospitalisation in newborn children. Complete elimination during stay in hospital occurred mainly in the youngest children, who did not acquire these bacteria during their stay in hospital. Colonisation with potentially pathogenic strains in hospital affected mainly children aged 7 to 12 months. EPEC prevailed among the strains isolated in both analyses.

[Fecal flora in infants at the beginning and the end of hospitalization]

The feces of 52 children without diarrhea, aged from 5 days to 22 months, treated in the Department for various causes was investigated for the presence of that might be the cause of infectious diarrhea. Samples were taken at the beginning and the end of hospitalization. The results were analyzed with reference to 5 age subgroups (1 month, 2-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-12 months, 12-22 months) and duration of hospitalization (3-42 days). The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the feces was found in 87% of children without diarrhea, especially at the beginning of hospitalization, which suggests the possible existence of a "transient carrier state". Because of the immaturity of a number of intra-organism mechanisms, the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the alimentary tract in the youngest children, may be a potential danger of developing serious, even generalized disease processes and may constitute an important source of nosocomial infections.

[Comparison of 2 methods of qualitative bacteriological urinalysis]

Two techniques of the quantitative bacteriological urinalysis were compared. Hundred seventy eight samples of the urine were analysed with routine technique and paper strip test "Mast Bacteriuritest". Hundred percent conformity of both techniques was obtained in case of insignificant bacteriuria. In case of significant bacteriuria the results differed: paper tests were negative in 10% of cases. Significant bacteriuria was diagnosed in the samples in which Gould's test was positive with routine technique in 22% and with paper test in 18% of the analysed samples. It seems that paper test is valuable quantitative technique of the urinalysis because of its simplicity and low cost. It should be used, however, for the detection of the significant bacteriuria.

[Drug sensitivity of bacterial strains isolated from clinical specimens during the years 1987-1988]

Sensitivity to selected chemotherapeutics of various bacterial strains was analysed. Bacteria were isolated from the different material collected from patients within 1987-1988, and included: 690 strains of staphylococci, 465 strains of streptococci, 1224 strains of aerobic gram-negative bacilli, and 163 strains of anaerobic micro-organisms. Out of isolated staphylococci, the highest percentage was sensitive to vancomycin, pristinamycin, and fusidic acid. Vancomycin proved the most effective against streptococci followed by chloramphenicol and netilmicin . However, streptococci were highly sensitive to vancomycin within two years whereas their sensitivity to chloramphenicol and netilmicin .

[Sensitivity to antibiotics of bacterial strains isolated from clinical specimens during the years 1985-1986]

Sensitivity of 312 strains of staphylococci, 386 strains of streptococci and 1193 strains of aerobic gram-negative bacilli to the selected antibiotics was tested. These strains were isolated from the clinical material at the Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Warsaw within 1985-1986. Staphylococci were sensitive to pristinamycin, cefazolin, fusidic acid, oxacillin, and clindamycin. In 1986, a decrease in the number of strains sensitive to these antibiotics, except cefazolin, was seen. In case of streptococci the most active proved chloramphenicol and gentamicin but a significant decrease in the percentage of sensitive strains was also noted in 1986. The highest number of gram-negative bacilli was sensitive to amikacin, colistin, nalidixic acid, pipemidic acid, and gentamicin. In 1986, a decrease in the percentage of sensitive strains was noted. Amikacin and colistin were the most active against Pseudomonas spp. while amikacin and nalidixic and pipemidic acids--against Proteus spp. Comparison of the results with those obtained in 1981-1984 has shown that the sensitivity of staphylococci changed the most significantly and this change was unfavourable. Gentamicin and amikacin remained the most active against gram-negative bacilli while amikacin and colimycin against Pseudomonas spp. In case of anaerobes the majority of strains was sensitive to chloramphenicol, tetracycline and clindamycin. Metronidazole was active against high percentage of Clostridium spp. and all gram-negative bacilli while the percentage of gram-positive bacilli and cocci was sensitive to metronidazole.