Pharyngeal colonization by gram-negative bacilli in aspiration-prone persons. 1978

P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith

We compared the prevalence of Gram-negative bacilli in the pharyngeal flora of two groups of patients with a known predilection for Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia (chronic alcoholics and diabetics), two other groups of aspiration-prone persons with no known predilection for Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia (epileptics and narcotic addicts), and normal control subjects. Quantitative cultures of saline gargles showed pharyngeal Gram-negative bacilli to be significantly (P less than .05) more prevalent among alcoholics (35%) and diabetics (36%) but not epileptics (17%) or addicts (20%) than controls (18%). Counts of greater than or equal to 100 Gram-negative bacilli per milliliter were also significantly more common in alcoholics (14%) and diabetics (24%) than controls (5%, P less than .05). Enterobacter sp, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli were the most common Gram-negative bacilli isolated. Increased colonization by Gram-negative bacilli might be a factor contributing to the propensity of alcoholics and diabetics for Gram-negative pneumonia.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010403 Penicillin Resistance Nonsusceptibility of an organism to the action of penicillins. Penicillin Resistances,Resistance, Penicillin,Resistances, Penicillin
D010614 Pharynx A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx). Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D011015 Pneumonia, Aspiration A type of lung inflammation resulting from the aspiration of food, liquid, or gastric contents into the upper RESPIRATORY TRACT. Acid Aspiration Syndrome,Aspiration Pneumonia,Gastric Acid Aspiration Syndrome,Mendelson Syndrome,Mendelson's Syndrome,Acid Aspiration Syndromes,Aspiration Pneumonias,Mendelsons Syndrome,Pneumonias, Aspiration,Syndrome, Acid Aspiration,Syndrome, Mendelson,Syndrome, Mendelson's,Syndromes, Acid Aspiration
D011549 Pseudomonas A genus of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria widely distributed in nature. Some species are pathogenic for humans, animals, and plants. Chryseomonas,Pseudomona,Flavimonas
D004755 Enterobacteriaceae A family of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form endospores. Its organisms are distributed worldwide with some being saprophytes and others being plant and animal parasites. Many species are of considerable economic importance due to their pathogenic effects on agriculture and livestock. Coliform Bacilli,Enterobacteria,Ewingella,Leclercia,Paracolobactrum,Sodalis
D004827 Epilepsy A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313) Aura,Awakening Epilepsy,Seizure Disorder,Epilepsy, Cryptogenic,Auras,Cryptogenic Epilepsies,Cryptogenic Epilepsy,Epilepsies,Epilepsies, Cryptogenic,Epilepsy, Awakening,Seizure Disorders
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000437 Alcoholism A primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. (Morse & Flavin for the Joint Commission of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine to Study the Definition and Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcoholism: in JAMA 1992;268:1012-4) Alcohol Abuse,Alcoholic Intoxication, Chronic,Ethanol Abuse,Alcohol Addiction,Alcohol Dependence,Alcohol Use Disorder,Abuse, Alcohol,Abuse, Ethanol,Addiction, Alcohol,Alcohol Use Disorders,Chronic Alcoholic Intoxication,Dependence, Alcohol,Intoxication, Chronic Alcoholic,Use Disorders, Alcohol
D013211 Staphylococcus aureus Potentially pathogenic bacteria found in nasal membranes, skin, hair follicles, and perineum of warm-blooded animals. They may cause a wide range of infections and intoxications.

Related Publications

P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
May 1985, Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
January 1986, Age and ageing,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
January 1971, Experimental medicine and surgery,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
January 1976, Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
December 1978, Archives of internal medicine,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
September 1967, Acta paediatrica Scandinavica,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
June 1975, American journal of epidemiology,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
September 1990, Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
January 1993, Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America,
P A Mackowiak, and R M Martin, and S R Jones, and J W Smith
April 2016, Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease,
Copied contents to your clipboard!