Anti-Retroviral Strategies for AIDS and Related Diseases

The replication cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other retroviruses consists of four stages: attachment of the virus to specific receptors on the cell surface; uncoating of the viral nucleic acid and conversion to DNA; production of viral RNA and proteins; and assembly and liberation of progeny virus from the cell. Each of these steps represents a potential target for antiviral chemotherapy. Combinations of drugs which act against different steps in the viral replication cycle might be expected to have synergistic potential. Zidovudine (AZT) is the most widely used drug to date for impeding the replication of HIV-1. Although AZT therapy has been reasonably successful, it has not been free from toxicity. In addition, there have been several reports of isolation of AZT-resistant variants of HIV-1

Antimicrobial Drugs and Community-acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, United Kingdom

Antimicrobial drugs are associated with an increased risk for community-acquired MRSA infections

Prostatic Abscess Caused by Streptococcus mutans

The first reported case of prostatic abscess caused by Streptococcus mutans isolated in pure culture is described. Urethral dilation for obstruction was unsuccessful, so suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Perineal aspiration under ultrasonic guidance resulted in 10 mL of pus containing pure Strep mutans. Diagnosis of prostatic abscess is difficult since the clinical manifestations are nonspecific

Development of Mupirocin Resistance Among Methicillin-Resistant<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>After Widespread Use of Nasal Mupirocin Ointment

AbstractAll methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strains isolated from colonized or infected patients in a 625-bed public teaching hospital during an epidemic, and for 3 years thereafter, underwent susceptibility testing to mupirocin. Mupirocin resistance among MRSA increased markedly over this period (1990, 2.7%; 1991, 8.0%; 1992, 61.5%; 1993, 65%) in association with increased use of mupirocin ointment as an adjunct to infection control measures.</jats:p

Disseminated Mycobacterium chelonae infection presenting as progressive multifocal osteomyelitis: Report of two cases and a review of the literature

Two long term hospitalized patients developed disseminated infections caused by Mycobacterium chelonae, subspecies chelonae, over an eight-month period. In both cases, the disease was characterized by cutaneous and osseous involvement. The infections were indolent and marked by progressive bony destruction. These cases and a review of the literature are presented