Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of flumequine in pigs after single intravenous and intramuscular administration

The pharmacokinetics and intramuscular (IM) bioavailability of flumequine (15 mgkg(-1)) were investigated in healthy pigs and the findings related to published minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for susceptible bacteria of animal origin, and to experimentally determined MICs for susceptible strains of porcine origin. We found MICs for Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Pasteurella spp. and Bordetella spp. in the range 0.5 to >64 microg mL(-1) isolated from infected pigs in the Forli area of Italy; only the Pasteurella multocida strains were sensitive (MIC(90)=0.5 microg mL(-1)). After intravenous (IV) injection, flumequine was slowly distributed and eliminated (t(1/2lambda(1))1.40+/-0.16 h and t(1/2lambda(2))6.35+/-1.69 h). The distribution volume at steady state (V(dss)) was 752.59+/-84.03 mL kg(-1) and clearance (Cl(B)) was 237.19+/-17.88 mL kg(-1)h(-1). After IM administration, peak serum concentration (4.99+/-0.92 microg mL(-1)) was reached between the 2nd and the 3rd hour. The results on MIC of isolated bacteria, although only indicative, suggest that the efficacy of flumequine on Gram-negative bacteria may be impaired by the emergence of less sensitive or resistant strains.

Prevalence of dermatophytic skin and nail infections in diabetic patients

To determine whether there is a higher frequency of mycotic infections due to dermatophytes in diabetics, 171 diabetic outpatients and 276 controls were recruited in the period 1997-98. Patients with suspicious lesions underwent mycological examination which was positive in seven diabetics and 17 controls. In diabetics the most frequent infection was tinea pedis, followed by distal subungual onychomycosis; the most frequently isolated fungus was Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The results of the study did not show a prevalence of dermatophyte infections in diabetics. No correlation was found between dermatophytosis and duration or type of diabetes and its complications, blood sugar levels or levels of glycosylated haemoglobin. None of the diabetic patients with dermatophytosis had complications related to diabetes and basal blood sugar and glycosylated haemoglobin levels indicated good metabolic control.

Tinea incognito due to Microsporum gypseum in three children

Tinea incognito is a dermatophytosis of atypical clinical character due to the absence of classic features of ringworm. It is caused by prolonged use of topical steroids, sometimes prescribed as a result of incorrect diagnosis. The cases reported in the literature have different clinical presentations and have generally been in adults. We report three children with tinea incognito in whom the lesions were psoriasis-like, eczema-like, and lichenoid, respectively. Diagnosis was confirmed by mycologic examination, which led to the identification of Microsporum gypseum, a geophilic dermatophyte which is an infrequent agent of mycotic infection in humans.