In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Combinations of Fosfomycin, Minocycline and Polymyxin B on Pan-Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii.

In vitro antibacterial activity of combinations of fosfomycin, minocycline and polymyxin B on pan-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Exp Ther Med. 2013 Jun; 5(6): 1737-1739
Zhang Y, Chen F, Sun E, Ma R, Qu C, Ma L

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of combinations of fosfomycin, minocycline and polymyxin B in the treatment of pan-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (PDR-Ab). The in vitro antibacterial activities of the drugs were evaluated by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). A total of 25 strains of PDR-Ab were selected using the VITEK32 microbial analysis instrument and the Kirby-Bauer (K-B) method. A broth microdilution method was used to determine the MIC for each of the three drugs, and the checkerboard method was simultaneously used to determine the MICs for combinations of the drugs. FICI values were also calculated. While fosfomycin alone was ineffective for the treatment of PDR-Ab, its MIC value was significantly reduced when used in combination with minocycline or polymyxin B. The combined use of minocycline and polymyxin B also significantly reduced the MIC value of each drug. The FICI values revealed that the drugs had synergistic or additive effects when used in combination. The determination of the MIC and FICI values for the combinations of drugs demonstrated that there is synergistic or additive effect upon the combined use of fosfomycin with minocycline or polymyxin B. The combined use of minocycline and polymyxin B also results in a significant reduction in the MIC values of the two drugs. These experimental results may provide a basis for the future clinical treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii. HubMed – drug

 

Current perspectives on combination therapy in the management of hypertension.

Integr Blood Press Control. 2013; 6: 69-78
Mallat SG, Itani HS, Tanios BY

Hypertension (HTN) is a worldwide health problem and a major preventable risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) events. Achieving an optimal blood pressure (BP) target for patients with HTN will often require more than one BP-lowering drug. Combination therapy is not only needed, but also confers many advantages such as better efficacy and a better tolerability. A better compliance and simplicity of treatment is noted with the single-pill combination (SPC). In addition, for those patients who do not achieve BP target when receiving dual combinations, triple SPCs are now available, and their efficacy and safety have been tested in large clinical trials. BP-lowering drugs used in combination therapy should have complementary mechanisms of action, leading to an additive BP-lowering effect and improvement in overall tolerability, achieved by decreasing the incidence of adverse effects. On the basis of large, outcome-driven trials, preferred dual combinations include an angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB) or an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) combined with a calcium channel blocker (CCB), or an ARB or ACEI combined with a diuretic. Acceptable dual combinations include a direct rennin inhibitor (DRI) and a CCB, a DRI and a diuretic, a beta-blocker and a diuretic, a CCB and a diuretic, a CCB and a beta-blocker, a dihydropyridine CCB and a non-dihydropyridine CCB, and a thiazide diuretic combined with a potassium-sparing diuretic. Some combinations are not recommended and may even be harmful, such as dual renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibition. Currently available triple SPCs combine a renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitor with a CCB and a diuretic. Combination therapy as an initial approach is advocated in patients with a systolic BP more than 20 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP more than 10 mmHg above target and in patients with high CV risk. In addition, using SPCs has been stressed and favored in recent international guidelines. Recently, triple SPCs have been approved and provide an attractive option for patients not achieving BP target on dual combination. The effect of such a strategy in the overall management of HTN, especially on further reducing the incidence of CV events, will have to be confirmed in future clinical and population-based studies. HubMed – drug

 

Optimizing combination therapy in the management of hypertension: the role of the aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide fixed combination.

Integr Blood Press Control. 2013; 6: 59-67
Hovater MB, Jaimes EA

High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death and disability worldwide, and the prevalence is increasing. Effective treatment decreases the risk of adverse events in proportion to blood pressure reduction. Combination antihypertensive therapy reduces blood pressure promptly and effectively. Single-pill combinations reduce the pill burden and improve adherence, efficacy, and tolerability of treatment compared with single drug pills. A significant portion of the hypertensive population will require three drugs for adequate control. The single-pill combination of aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide is based on complementary mechanisms of action. Clinical trials have shown it to be a safe and effective treatment for hypertension. This combination is a reasonable choice in clinical practice for patients with hypertension that requires three drugs for effective treatment. HubMed – drug

 

Future developments in biliary stenting.

Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2013; 6: 91-9
Hair CD, Sejpal DV

Biliary stenting has evolved dramatically over the past 30 years. Advancements in stent design have led to prolonged patency and improved efficacy. However, biliary stenting is still affected by occlusion, migration, anatomical difficulties, and the need for repeat procedures. Multiple novel plastic biliary stent designs have recently been introduced with the primary goals of reduced migration and improved ease of placement. Self-expandable bioabsorbable stents are currently being investigated in animal models. Although not US Food and Drug Administration approved for benign disease, fully covered self-expandable metal stents are increasingly being used in a variety of benign biliary conditions. In malignant disease, developments are being made to improve ease of placement and stent patency for both hilar and distal biliary strictures. The purpose of this review is to describe recent developments and future directions of biliary stenting. HubMed – drug