Elution characteristics of most antifungals from bone cement spheres are probably not optimal for treatment of deep-seated fungal infections if a similar phenomenon of antifungal release manifests in vivo. Ceramic nonabsorbable impregnated devices must be removed after their lifespan expires and may necessitate another surgical procedure that can increase surgical risk and cost. Bioactive osteoconductive materials may provide a surgical alternative to nonabsorbable matrices. However, there have been no controlled trials demonstrating improved therapeutic outcomes with local therapy and assessing whether biodegradable materials act as a new focus for infection.

Objectives. To explore stakeholders' views regarding the performance of pharmacy graduates upon entering the workforce and to identify curricular deficiencies and possible solutions. Methods. Practicing pharmacists, many of whom were members of government and pharmacy organizations, were asked to complete a 40-item questionnaire to determine their views regarding the educational outcomes of pharmacy graduates from a Caribbean pharmacy school. In addition, the stakeholders participated in focus group discussions to capture feedback not gathered on the questionnaire. Results. Ten stakeholders completed the questionnaire and 11 participated in the focus group discussions. Stakeholders rated graduates higher than average in 13 educational outcomes: application of knowledge and skills, patient care, communication skills, confidentiality, ethics, problem solving, and innovation. However, responses to open-ended questions and comments made during the focus group discussions identified deficiencies, which included a lack of clinical faculty members and qualified preceptors to teach pharmacy students, and the need to revise basic sciences courses. Conclusion. Feedback from key stakeholders suggests that the quality of pharmacy graduates is above average for the most part; however, additional work is needed to address the deficiencies identified.

Our results show that contaminated disinfectants/antiseptics pose a health risk to patients, particularly in the pediatric and surgical wards. The high prevalence of resistance to antimicrobial agents exhibited by the Pseudomonas spp. that were isolated is of special therapeutic concern.

Mannnose-binding lectin (MBL) binds oligosaccharides on the surface of microorganisms to form complexes that activate the complement cascade and facilitate phagocytosis. Teicoplanin and dalbavancin glycopeptide antibiotics possess N-acetyl glucosamine and mannose oligosaccharides that may bind MBL. Pharmaceuticals capable of binding to MBL may decrease clearance of significant pathogens such as yeast. An invasive candidemia murine model was utilized to evaluate differences in survival between mannose- and teicoplanin-treated groups compared to a control group administered normal saline. Three groups of BALB/c mice were injected with Candida albicans ATCC 44858 (1.4 x 10(6) CFU). Pharmaceutical agents were administered 2 h pre-infection and 8 h post-infection. In vivo cumulative survival at 52 h revealed 10%, 30% and 90% survival rates for mice administered mannose, teicoplanin, and saline, respectively. There was 0% survival for mice given mannose or teicoplanin at 56 h, compared with 70% for the normal saline treated mice at the same time point (P < 0.05). This in vivo study shows 'accelerated progression of infection' for Candida-inoculated mice exposed to mannose or teicoplanin compared to those given normal saline. Further, protein polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis studies suggested a potential MBL-drug interaction which may attenuate complement activation, opsonization and phagocytosis.