Sensitivity of levofloxacin in combination with ampicillin-sulbactam and tigecycline against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Background and Objectives: The selection of alternative treatment options with antibiotic combinations may be used for successful managing of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The aim of this study was to determine the synergistic effects of ampicillin-sulbactam combined with either levofloxacin or tigecycline against MDR A. baumannii. Materials and Methods: A total 124 of A.baumannii isolates collected from clinical samples of hospitalized patients which assessed for antibiotic susceptibility using disk diffusion method. E-test was used on 10 MDR A. baumannii isolates to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin-sulbactam, levofloxacin and tigecycline. Any synergistic effects were evaluated at their own MIC using E-test assay at 37°C for 24 hours. Synergy was defined as a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of ≤0.5. Results: Levofloxacin plus ampicillin-sulbactam combination was found to have synergistic effects (FIC index: ≤0.5) in 90% of the isolates, but there was no synergistic effect for ampicillin-sulbactam/tigecycline and tigecycline/ levofloxacin combination. The antagonist effect in 50% of isolates (FIC index: >2) showed in combination of levofloxacin/tigecycline. Conclusion: The emergence of multidrug A. baumannii isolates requires evaluating by combination therapy. The combination of levofloxacin plus a bactericidal antibiotic such as ampicillin-sulbactam is recommended. Results should be confirmed by clinical studies. Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, Etest Methods, Microbial Drug Resistance, Synergistic effec

Intellectual Disability in Children; a Systematic Review

Abstract Aims: Intellectual disability is a condition characterised by the inability of a person to undertake normal psychological activities. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the intellectual disability in children and discuss the implications of different environmental and genetic factors, which describe particular categories of intellectual disable cases. Information & Methods: This systematic review was performed in 2014 by searching the existing literature in PubMed database in the scope of “intellectual disability in children”. 38 articles written from 1987 to 2014 were selected and surveyed for review. Findings: The prevalence of ID in the general population is estimated to be approximately 1%. ID disorder is multi-causal, encompassing all factors that interfere with brain development and functioning. Causes usually are classified according to the time of the insult, as prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal or acquired. Some causes, such as environmental toxins or endocrine disorders, may act at multiple times. Others, such as genetic disorders, have different manifestations during postnatal development. The outcome for ID is variable and depends upon the aetiology, associated conditions, and environmental and social factors. The goals of management of ID are to strengthen areas of reduced function, minimize extensive deterioration in mental cognitive and adaptability, and lastly, to promote optimum or normal functioning of the individuals in their community. Conclusion: Prominent features of ID include significant failures in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, which comprises daily social and practical life skills, commencing earlier in life