SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-165

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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Project code: 3-01-165


IDENTIFICATION AND THERAPY OF BACTERIAL INFECTIONS


Main researcher: DORIĆ, MILJENKO (85032)


Assistants
Type of research: applied
Duration from: 04/01/91. to 04/01/95.
Papers on project (total): 30
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 3
Institution name: Medicinski fakultet, Rijeka (62)
Department/Institute: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology
Address: Braće Branchetta 20/1
City: 51000 - Rijeka, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)51 227 444
Fax: 385 (0)51 514 915
E-mail: mamed.medri.hr
Summary: In the treatment of bacterial infections, recent studies have shown that the patient may not only have to struggle with the causative germs, but also directly and/or indirectly with the antibiotics administered of fight them. Therefore, in the period 1991-1993 we analysed not only the antimicrobial effectiveness of antibiotics but also their effect on the host defense system (lymphocyte subpopulations, antibody secretion, macrophages and neutrophils). At the some time we also improved methods for bacterial identification by creating our own computer-assisted data base system. Separate programs cover the identification of gram negative nonfermentative and fermentative bacteria, Staphylo cocci, Streptococci, Corynebacteria, Bacilli and anaerobes. We additionally studied, in vivo, the mechanisms involved in the defense of the organism by means of an experimental model of murine listeriosis. The results showed that some cephalosporins and aminoglycosides modify the proliferative response of lymphocytes. A correlation also exists between the effect of antibiotics on the immune response and changes in the susceptibility of bacteria towards such antibiotics. Among other effects some beta-lactams also changed the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to adhere on a glass surface. This is of importance in clinical practice especially in the treatment of immunocompromised patients were it is necessary to avoid additional suppression of the immune response during chemotherapy. Finally, during 1995 we also started with the production of monoclonal antibodies against LPS of K.pneumoniae, with the aim of using these antibodies for serotyping of these clinically important bacteria.

Keywords: computer, bacteria, antibiotics, antibiogram, immunity

Research goals: The aim of the project is to: 1. Improve methods for the identification of medically important bacteria and especially of opportunistic pathogens that most commonly cause nosocomial infections and especially diseases in immunosuppressed hosts. This primarily concerns bacteria whose identification is not routinely done in the medical microbiology laboratory.; 2. Test and monitor the susceptibility of these bacteria to different antibiotics.; 3. Improve the therapy of bacterial infections by analysing the effect of antibiotics on the immune system. This is of importance in clinical practice especially in the treatment of immunocompromised patients were it is necessary to avoid additional suppression of immune response during chemotherapy.: 4. Establish if a correlation exists between the effect of antibiotics on the immune response and the appearance of resistance in bacteria to these antibiotics.; 5. The role of cellular immune mechanisms in the defense against intracellular bacteria was additionally studied on an experimental model of murine listeriosis. Special attention was given to the intrauterine infections that follow listeriosis.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: 3-01-169 MEHANIZMI KONTROLE CITOMEGALOVIRUSNE INFEKCIJE
    Name of institution: ZAVOD ZA FIZIOLOGIJU I IMUNOLOGIJU, MEDICINSKI FAKULTET, SVEUČILIŠTE U RIJECI
    City: 51000 - Rijeka, Croatia

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Specijalna klinička ortopedska bolnica
    Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar
    Type of cooperation: Other
    City: 51415 - Lovran, Hrvatska

  2. Name of institution: Institut fur Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Bakteriologie, Universitat Ulm
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of experts
    City: 7900 - Ulm, Njemačka
Other information about the project.
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Last update: 10/16/95
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