The newly modified multiplex PCR is rapid and sensitive method for detection of MRSA. Moreover, the most predominant SCC mec type among the examined isolates from Jeddah, King Saudi Arabia is type V (42.5%), followed by Type III (38.6%).

Risk factors identify likelihood and severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and may allow prognostication. Prognostic factors can focus resources and efforts on those who may need special observation. Several risk assessment tools are used to estimate the severity of CAP and whether these tools can be used to predict outcomes, to determine disposition or even used to determine ICU level of care is hotly under debate. Treating CAP depends on age and comorbidities, as well as local epidemiology and disease severity. The current guidelines for managing CAP categorize patients with CAP into the healthy outpatient, the outpatient with modifying factors or comorbidities, the inpatient with CAP and patients requiring intensive care unit admission. These guidelines took into account regional bacteriology, antibiotic resistance data and available antibiotics to formulate recommendations. Preventive strategies for CAP include the administration of pneumococcal and influenza vaccine in selected populations at risk.

In the study we characterized the macrolide sensitivity of recent clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes and S. pneumoniae collected from major Saudi Arabian hospitals. Susceptibility testing was performed using standard National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards methodology on 335 S. pyogenes and 350 S. pneumoniae isolates. Macrolide resistance mechanism phenotypes were identified using double-disk diffusion. All S. pyogenes were penicillin sensitive, while 6.3% were macrolide resistant, the main mechanism of which was of M phenotype (96%). Approximately 51% of S. pneumoniae were penicillin non-susceptible. Macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae accounted for 18.8%, the majority of which were M phenotype (91%). Low-level resistance mediated by mef-bearing strains pre-dominated. Newer macrolides, including azithromycin, are still considered drugs of choice for empirical treatment of respiratory infection in such circumstances.

A rapid and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the quantitative determination of meropenem in plasma is described. The drug was separated from plasma after plasma protein precipitation with 15% of trichloroacetic acid. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water-glacial acetic acid (21.2, 78 and 0.8% v/v, respectively) delivered at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. Meropenem was quantified using ultraviolet detection at 296 nm. Meropenem and the internal standard (pheniramine) were well separated from plasma components. The drug could be assayed by the HPLC method in the presence of its analogue, imipenem. The detection limit in plasma was 25 ng/ml of meropenem. The results were compared with those of agar for a microbiological diffusion method using Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as the test organism. The sensitivity of the microbiological assay was less than 5 ng/ml, but this decreased at higher concentrations. Both methods were applied to the determination of the drug in aqueous solutions and in plasma.

During the past decade there have been major changes in the susceptibility of bacteria that cause various infections. Resistance to anti-infective agents, including antibiotics, is worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. Almost all bacterial species can develop resistance to anti-infective agents and resistance can readily be transferred among bacteria by transmissible elements (plasmids). Measures to prevent the emergence of resistance must be implemented urgently. A multiplicity of factors drive antibiotic resistance and solutions require the collaboration of governmental agencies, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers and consumers. Knowledge of resistance patterns and of the ways by which resistance is overcome is vital to the future of antimicrobial chemotherapy.