Jpn J Surg, 1981 Mar, 11(2), 100 - 4 Successful management of iliac mycotic aneurysm secondary to Klebsiella endocarditis--report of a case; Fujinaga Y et al.; A case of common iliac mycotic aneurysm that presumably developed secondary to Klebsiella endocarditis was described . Recently, reports on gram negative septicemia and endocarditis have been on the increase . However, mycotic aneurysms secondary to bacterial endocarditis and particularly to Klebsiella endocarditis are rare . Inadequately treated serious gram negative septicemias have a high mortality rate . Early diagnosis and adequate combination chemotherapy with prompt surgical intervention were proven to be important factors in the successful management of such a complication. J Hosp Infect, 1981 Mar, 2(1), 45 - 54 Discrimination between multiply-resistant klebsiella strains during a hospital outbreak: use of klebecin-typing and a screening test for plasmids; Hughes VM et al.; During an outbreak of hospital infection, 71 multiply-resistant klebsiella strains were classified by two extra tests in addition to biotyping, serotyping and sensitivity testing . These were klebecin sensitivity tests (Edmondson & Cooke, 1979) and screening for plasmid DNA molecules by agarose gel electrophoresis of single colony lysates (Eckhardt, 1978) . There were 56 examples of an epidemic strain of serotype K21; ten of these differed from 46 identical strains in some minor character . The other 15, although resembling the epidemic strain in biotype and antibiotic resistance differed from it sufficiently to be considered as unrelated. Carbohydr Res, 1981 Feb 2, 88(2), 315 - 22 Substrate specificity of the glycanase activity associated with particles of Klebsiella bacteriophage no . 6; Elsasser-Beile U et al.; A glycanase activity associated with the particles of Klebsiella bacteriophage No . 6 catalyses cleavage of O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-beta-D-mannopyranose linkages in Klebsiella serotype-6 capsular polysaccharide . Of 74 heterologous Klebsiella polysaccharides and two derivatives of the type-6 glycan, only the type-1 and type-57 polymers were additionally degraded by the phage-6 enzyme . The repeating units in the three substrates have a 1ax leads to 3eq, 1eq leads to eq-linked chain D-gluco- or D-galacto-pyranosyl residue in common (which constitutes the reducing end after glycanase action), and a carboxyl group on the next hexopyranosyl residue . Of the 72 polysaccharides not affected by the viral enzyme, at least the type-11 and type-21 glycans also contain the same homology of primary structure . This indicates that the conformation at the glycanase recognition-site also constitutes an important feature of the substrates. Am J Med, 1981 Feb, 70(2), 459 - 62 Aspects of the plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance and epidemiology of Klebsiella species; Casewell MW et al.; In an international collection of 108 epidemiologically distinct strains of gentamicin-resistant Klebsiellae, extensive plasmid-mediated multiple antibiotic resistance was found in 80.6 percent of strains . In vivo conjugation was recognized in eight patients within two years in one hospital, and identical plasmids were found in different serotypes from hospitals in West Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia . Of 45 patients who were infected or colonized with gentamicin-resistant Klebsiellae, 26 had positive skin sites and of these, six had negative clinical specimens and served as a "hidden" reservoir of strains which provide a source for the contamination of nurses' hands and sustain nosocomial outbreaks . It is suggested that the few agents effective against gentamicin-resistant Klebsiellae, such as amikacin and cefuroxime, should be reserved; that gentamicin-resistant strains are selectively favored by the use of agents other than gentamicin which are more widely prescribed; and that more careful identification of skin carriers and attention to staff handwashing will control the spread of such strains and their plasmids. Br J Surg, 1981 Feb, 68(2), 137 - 8 Splenic abscess diagnosed with the aid of abdominal computerized tomography: report of 2 cases; Baruch Y et al.; Two patients with splenic abscess successfully diagnosed and treated are described . The first case, a diabetic, developed a pyogenic abscess caused by klebsiella, while the other suffered a splenic infarct complicated by splenic abscess . although relatively easy to treat, solitary abscess of the spleen is a potentially lethal condition due to diagnostic difficulties . In both present instances the final diagnosis was easily achieved before surgery by the aid of computerized tomography (CT) . This investigation seems to be more accurate than 99Tcm-sulphur colloid scan and ultrasound scan, which failed in both cases to diagnose splenic abscess clearly . The use of this investigation is suggested in every suspected case and will, no doubt, confirm the diagnosis at an early stage of the disease . Splenectomy with antibiotic cover will usually result in cure. Am J Otolaryngol, 1981 Feb, 2(1), 30 - 5 The skin window test in rhinoscleroma; Toppozada HH et al.; The skin window test was applied to evaluate the state of immunity in patients with rhinoscleroma . The use of the patient's own Klebsiella micro-organisms as antigen led to a negligible change in the percentage of lymphoblasts, whereas the use of foreign Klebsiella micro-organisms as antigen resulted in a pronounced change . This finding indicates an impaired cellular immune response . Application of Klebsiella microorganisms as antigen to normal subjects led to a comparatively high percentage of lymphoblastic transformation . This finding suggests the possible use of a standard Klebsiella antigen as a vaccine . The possible use of the skin window test to identify people with deficient T lymphocyte function is discussed as well as its use in monitoring the efficacy of such a vaccine in influencing the cellular immune response. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Feb, 13(2), 313 - 9 Differentiation and characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains by pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; Abbey LE et al.; Nine coded duplicate strains of capsular nontypable Klebsiella pneumoniae were analyzed by pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . All duplicate strains were correctly matched, and individual strains, including seven nontypable strains, were clearly distinguishable from one another . The addition of mass spectrometry to the analysis has aided the process of identification and has provided chemical structural information on K . pneumoniae strains . Application of this technique to the identification of some disease outbreaks or nosocomial problems could be of epidemiological importance, especially when conventional methods do not identify the epidemic strain. J Bacteriol, 1981 Feb, 145(2), 743 - 51 Molybdenum accumulation and storage in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azotobacter vinelandii; Pienkos PT et al.; In Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mo accumulation appeared to be coregulated with nitrogenase synthesis . O2 and NH+4, which repressed nitrogenase synthesis, also prevented Mo accumulation . In Azotobacter vinelandii, Mo accumulation did not appear to be regulated Mo was accumulated to levels much higher than those seen in K . pneumoniae even when nitrogenase synthesis was repressed . Accumulated Mo was bound mainly to a Mo storage protein, and it could act as a supply for the Mo needed in component I synthesis when extracellular Mo had been exhausted . When A . vinelandii was grown in the presence of WO2-(4) rather than MoO2-(4), it synthesized a W-containing analog of the Mo storage protein . The Mo storage protein was purified from both NH+4 and N2-grown cells of A . vinelandii and found to be a tetramer of two pairs of different subunits binding a minimum of 15 atoms of Mo per tetramer. J Bacteriol, 1981 Feb, 145(2), 1116 - 8 Temperature sensitivity of the regulation of nitrogenase synthesis by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Zhu J et al.; Temperature sensitivity of the regulatory protein coded by nifA prevents the organism from utilizing N2 at 37 degrees C . The purpling of 6-cyanopurine, a function of nifA expression, also is thermolabile. Biochem J, 1981 Feb 1, 193(2), 631 - 7 Sequence of a secondary phage lambda attachment site located between the pentitol operons of Klebsiella aerogenes; Loviny T et al.; We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a secondary phage lambda attachment site (att) located between the structural genes of the ribitol and D-arabitol catabolic operons of Klebsiella aerogenes . The core region of this secondary attachment site (sequence: GGTTTTTTCGATTAT) shows considerable homology with the 15-base-pair core region common to both the phage att and the primary bacterial att of Escherichia coli K12 (sequence: GCTTTTTTACTAA); however, there is no such clear homology between the sequences flanking the cores of the primary att and this secondary att . Integration of phage lambda into the K . aerogenes secondary att occurred by recombination between the core region of the phage att and an oligo(T.A) stretch located within the K . aerogenes secondary att. J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Feb, 122(Pt 2), 313 - 21 Characterization of 3': 5' -cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in Klebsiella aerogenes and its role in substrate-accelerated death; Calcott PH et al.; Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in Klebsiella aerogenes is a soluble cytoplasmic enzyme with an apparent Km of 0.9 mM and a pH optimum of 7.0 . It was inhibited by EDTA, Mg2+ and other metal ions . The enzyme activity was inhibited or activated by some nucleotides but not by any metabolite except pyruvate . It was inhibited by the methylxanthines, caffeine, theophylline and methylisobutylxanthine . During starvation or substrate-accelerated death, the enzyme activity remained essentially constant . It is postulated that during substrate-accelerated death the enzyme acts as a drain on the cellular cyclic AMP levels . The cyclic nucleotide concentrations during substrate-accelerated death are proposed to be controlled directly by adenylate cyclase. J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Feb, 122(Pt 2), 181 - 91 Structure of an experimentally evolved gene duplication encoding ribitol dehydrogenase in a mutant of Klebsiella aerogenes; Neuberger MS et al.; We have previously described a system of experimental evolution in which many of the mutants of Klebsiella aerogenes selected for faster growth on xylitol ('evolvants') synthesized elevated levels of ribitol dehydrogenase and have presented genetic evidence implicating gene duplication in the enzyme superproduction in some of the evolvants . Here we describe a physical approach to the screening for gene duplications and subsequent structure determination . Nick-translated, cloned ribitol operon (rbt) DNA was used as a hybridization probe to identify fragments containing rbt operon sequences in restriction digests of total bacterial DNA . Whilst several of the evolvants probably harbour duplications spanning the entire rbt operon, one of the spontaneously arising evolvants (strain A3) was shown to harbour a small (5.8 kilobase pairs) direct DNA repeat which encodes the dehydrogenase (but not the kinase) of the closely linked D-arabitol operon as well as the dehydrogenase (but not the kinase) of the rbt operon . The hybridization data suggest that there are 4 to 5 copies of the repeat arranged contiguously on the chromosome . The genetic instability of strain A3, the rbt fragment hybridization pattern of an A3 segregant and the activities of the pentitol catabolic enzymes in A3 are all consistent with the proposed gene duplication structure. Biochem J, 1981 Feb 1, 193(2), 513 - 24 Purification and properties of D-ribulokinase and D-xylulokinase from Klebsiella aerogenes; Neuberger MS et al.; The D-ribulokinase and D-xylulokinase of Klebsiella aerogenes were purified to homogeneity from Escherichia coli K12 construct strains that synthesized these enzymes constitutively . The D-ribulokinase, which is encoded in the ribitol operon, is active as a dimer of 60 000 subunit mol.wt., whereas the D-xylulokinase, which is encoded in the D-arabitol operon, is active as a dimer of 54 000 subunit mol.wt . The amino acid compositions and N-terminal sequences of both pentulokinases are reported . The Kapp . values of the enzymes for their D-pentulose substrates were determined, and the D-ribulokinase was shown to have a low-affinity side-specificity for ribitol and D-arabitol . These results are discussed in the context of the evolution of the Klebsiella aerogenes pentitol operons. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Feb, 34(2), 231 - 9 Relevance of in vitro antibacterial activities of cefotiam and cefazolin to their therapeutic effects on experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice; Nishi T et al.; The MICs of cefotiam and cefazolin against K . pneumoniae DT-S were unaffected by the inoculum size and were 0.1 and 1.56 micrograms/ml, respectively . Bactericidal and bacteriolytic activities of the cephalosporins were more potent in bacterial concentrations of 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml than in concentrations of 10(8) CFU/ml . Both activities of cefotiam were more markedly influenced by bacterial concentrations than those of cefazolin . Therapeutic activity of cefotiam was about 9 approximately 15 times as potent as that of cefazolin in experimental pneumonia caused by K . pneumoniae DT-S in mice, and this finding was in accordance with the ratio of in vitro antibacterial activities of the two cephalosporins as judged by the MICs or the bactericidal and bacteriolytic activities in bacterial suspension of 10(7) CFU/ml . The range of concentrations of cefotiam which induced cell filamentation in vitro, was wider than that of cefazolin . This difference, however, was not reflected on the therapeutic activities of the two cephalosporins in the model infection . In the pneumonic lungs, definite therapeutic doses of both cephalosporins (80 mg of cefotiam per kg and 640 mg of cefazolin per kg) produced mainly bacteriolysis of the challenge organisms. C R Seances Acad Sci III, 1981 Jan 19, 292(3), 281 - 4 {Antigenic similarity between polysaccharide and ribosomal vaccine extracts from Klebsiella pneumonia}; Robert D et al.; We describe in this report the vaccinating power of a polysaccharidic preparation from Klebsiella pneumoniae type I . The essential part played by this extract in the vaccinating capacities of the ribosomal preparations from the same bacterium is demonstrated. J Pediatr, 1981 Jan, 98(1), 118 - 23 Polymorphonuclear leukocyte transfusion for the treatment of sepsis in the newborn infant; Laurenti F et al.; A therapeutic trial of transfusions with polymorphonuclear leukocyte concentrates was performed in newborn infants with bacterial sepsis proven by blood culture . With each transfusion, 20 ml/kg of a preparation obtained by continuous flow filtration leukapheresis, and containing 0.5 to 1 x 10(9) WBC, with less than 6% lymphocytes, was administered . Twenty newborn infants with sepsis received from 2 to 15 PMN transfusions . Results were compared with findings in 18 newborn infants with sepsis admitted during the trial period, and not treated because of unavailability of the PMN preparation (Group B) . Infants with fulminant illness were excluded from both groups . Groups A and B were similar with respect to clinical characteristics and to etiology (in the majority cases a highly antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella) . The mortality rate was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B in the whole series (10% vs 72%, P < 0.001), and also in the subgroups with birth weight equal or below 1,500 gm (10% vs 91%, P < 0.001) . Major complications and associated conditions (i.e., necrotizing enterocolitis, meningitis, pneumonia, peritonitis, osteoarthritis, disseminated intravascular coagulation) were observed in 12 patients of Group B, and in only three infants of Group A . Untoward effects attributable to PMN transfusions were never observed . PMN transfusion was a highly effective therapeutic tool in our population of infected newborn infants. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1981, 64(1), 80 - 3 Immunoelectgrophoretic pattern of Klebsiella O and K antigens; Kaijser B et al.; Klebsiella capsular antigens K1-K72 and O antigens O1-O9 were isolated and rabbits immunized with corresponding bacteria . The immunoelectrophoretic patterns of the O and K antigens were studied . All K antigens analyzed were highly electrophoretically mobile, giving a marked precipitate of different lengths towards the anode . All the O antigens analyzed with the exception of O4 were nonmobile and gave a precipitate next to the start basin . The O4 precipitated towards the anode . These data indicate a possibility for using counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of Klebsiella antigen in body fluids or for capsular typing of the bacteria using the same technique. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981, 250(1-2), 63 - 71 The significance of bacteriocin typing of Klebsiella strans; Israil AM; Out of three different methods used for bacteriocin sensitivity typing of Klebsiella strains, the "scarpe and streak" method was the most appropriate tool for its routine use in epidemiologic studies . The method is quite simple, reliable and does not imply any special requirements . Out of 533 Klebsiella strains tested by our set of seven bacteriocins 453 (85%) strains proved to be typable and 100 (15%) nontypable . The number of strains typable by bacteriocins was higher than of those typable by phages . In 14 of 19 outbreaks, the predominance of 1-2 distinct patterns of bacteriocin sensitivity was observed . Two large geographical areas have been delineated by two predominant distinct bacteriocin types of Klebsiella strains, each being observed in a high number of outbreaks as well as in sporadic cases belonging to the same area . Although it was not possible to establish any clear correlation between the pattern of bacteriocin sensitivity and the lysotype or serotype of the strains, The present findings offer strong reason to allow recommendation of the bacteriocin sensitivity pattern as a marker of high epidemiologic significance in monitoring Klebsiella cross-infections . Medical and auxiliary workers could play the role of reservoir to Klebsiella strains and for this reason the hospital personnel has to follow carefully strict procedures for ensuring a valid protection of patients especially when coming into direct contact with neonates, infants and debilitated patients. Microbios, 1981, 31(125-126), 153 - 60 Microcalorimetry studies of energy changes during the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/glucose media . 3 . The effect of growth temperature on energy conversion; Nichols SC et al.; Calorimetric and growth data are reported for the growth of K . aerogenes in glucose-limited media over the temperature range 25 degrees to 42 degrees C . Rate constants for heat output, CO2 evolution and biomass production are maximal at 37 degrees C; the rate constant for heat output is greater than that for biomass production at growth temperatures less than 37 degrees C . Changes in the power-time profile indicate that different metabolic processes occur at the different temperatures even when aerobic conditions prevail . An energy budget has been established for each temperature, stored and waste energy are constant below 40 degrees C; at higher temperatures the stored energy decreases and the waste energy increases . The energy used for biosynthesis delta HB is maximal at 37 degrees C, and is probably dependent on the growth rate. Microbiol Immunol, 1981, 25(9), 939 - 48 Further Studies of the polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae possessing strong adjuvanticity . I . Production of the adjuvant polysaccharide by noncapsulated mutant; Ohta M et al.; In culture fluid, Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 Kasuya strain produces polysaccharide exhibiting a strong adjuvant effect . The active substance responsible for the strong adjuvant effect of the polysaccharide isn ot its acidic polysaccharide fraction (the type-specific capsular antigen) but the neutral polysaccharide fraction . In the present study, a mutant which did not produce the type-specific capsular polysaccharide was isolated from ultraviolet-irradiated cells of K . pneumoniae type 1 Kasuya strain which had been labeled with leucine-requiring marker by selecting unagglutinable cells with the antiserum to he type-specific capsular polysaccharide . Serological tests showed that the type-specific acidic capsular polysaccharide was present neither on the cells surface nor in the culture fluid of the mutant . Electron microscopically, the mutant did not possess any capsular material . On the other hand, nearly an equal amount of neutral polysaccharide antigen as produced in culture fluids of the noncapsulated mutant polysaccharide antigen was produced in culture fluids of te noncapsulated mutant and the parent strain . The neutral polysaccharide antigen produced by the noncapsulated mutant exhibited the same degree of strong adjuvant effect on antibody response to bovine gammaglobulin in mice as that produced by the parent strain . The relationship between the neutral polysaccharide antigen in culture fluid and the O antigen of K . pneumoniae was discussed. Microbios, 1981, 30(121-122), 163 - 70 Microcalorimetric studies of Klebsiella aerogenes grown in chemostat culture . 2 C-limited and C-sufficient cultures; James AM et al.; The enthalpy changes for the production of 1 g of cells during a doubling period, delta Hg, for cells of K . aerogenes growing aerobically in carbon-limited or carbon-sufficient media in continuous culture have been measured . Delta Hg varies with the dilution rate, but at a fixed dilution rate delta Hg is the same for growth in glucose, glycerol, pyruvate or acetate as the sole carbon and energy source; the molar growth yields are markedly different . Delta Hg values of cells growing in glucose-sufficient media (i.e . N- or Mg-limitation) are much higher than in glucose-limited media . This suggests the presence of a regulating system for the degradation of the energy source . Anaerobic growth in glucose-limited media results in a reduction of the molar growth yield and an increase in the heat output . From a consideration of the yield and delta Hg values it is concluded that the amount of energy lost (as heat) per mol of glucose during glycolysis is the same under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Microbiol Immunol, 1981, 25(1), 31 - 9 Formation of mononuclear phagocyte (macrophage) colonies by mouse spleen cells in liquid culture . II . Its inhibition by the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Yokochi T et al.; The effect of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 Kasuya strain (CPS-K) on the formation of macrophage colonies in cultures of mouse spleen cells was investigated by the liquid culture technique during an incubation period of 7-8 days . CPS-K markedly inhibited further generation of macrophage colonies when added at any time after the beginning of culture, whereas it showed no destructive effect on macrophage colonies which were already formed before its addition . When CPS-K was present throughout the incubation period, such a low concentration as 0.05 micrograms/ml significantly inhibited colony formation, and the intensity of its inhibitory effect depended on its dose in the range of 0.005-50 micrograms/ml . The inhibitory effect persisted even if CPS-K was washed out after spleen cells were kept in contact with 20 micrograms of CPS-K per ml at 37 C for 6 hr . It was found that the inhibitory effect of CPS-K on colony formation was not mediated through its action on T cells, B cells or macrophages, and that it was not due to the generation of suppressor cells capable of inhibiting colony formation . It is concluded therefore that CPS-K directly inhibits the proliferation of macrophage colony-forming cells . The active substance responsible for the inhibitory effect of CPS-K on colony formation is the neutral polysaccharide fraction of CPS-K. Infect Immun, 1981 Jan, 31(1), 71 - 7 Direct evidence for the involvement of capsular polysaccharide in the immunoprotective activity of Klebsiella pneumoniae ribosomal preparations; Riottot MM et al.; Previous work has demonstrated the capsular serotypic specificity of the protection conferred on mice by Klebsiella pneumoniae ribosomal preparations . The data in these studies support the hypothesis that capsular polysaccharide plays at least some role in the specificity of the protection conferred by ribosomal preparations . In this investigation, the presence of capsular polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide in K . pneumoniae ribosomal preparations was demonstrated by using immunodiffusion tests . Lipopolysaccharide content was determined for mice treated with actinomycin D . The serotype of O antigen did not play a role in the orientation of the specificity of the protection . The possibility that lipopolysaccharide might act as an adjuvant was not unlikely since the ribosomal preparations which contained the greatest amounts of lipopolysaccharide appeared to be the most immunoprotective preparations . Ribosomal preparations extracted from a noncapsulated mutant of K . pneumoniae did not protect mice . This finding suggested that capsular polysaccharide might play a role in the immunoprotective activity of ribosomes . This hypothesis was tested by using K . pneumoniae K2 bacteriophage-associated-glycanase, which specifically hydrolyzed K . pneumoniae K2 capsular polysaccharide and thereby suppressed the immunoprotective activity of K . pneumoniae K2 ribosomal preparations . In contrast, the K2 bacteriophage-associated glycanase did not interfere with the immunoprotective activity of K . pneumoniae K1 ribosomal preparations . These results clearly demonstrate that capsular polysaccharide, which is an extraribosomal antigen, is involved in the immunoprotective activity of K . pneumoniae ribosomal preparations. Can J Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 27(1), 52 - 6 Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) by Klebsiella pneumoniae in association with 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.); Wood LV et al.; Turks of 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass reestablished in the greenhouse and inoculated with Klebsiella pneumoniae (W6) showed significantly increased nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) compared with control turfs . Mean ethylene production rates per pot were 368 nmol h-1 for K . pneumoniae treated turfs, 55 nmol h-1 for heat-killed K . pneumoniae treated turfs, and 44 nmol h-1 for untreated turfs . Calculated lag periods before activity was observed were generally very short (less than 1 h) . When 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass was grown from seed on soil-less medium of Turface, a fired aggregate clay, inoculation with K . pneumoniae (W6) resulted in 9 of 11 turfs showing nitrogenase activity (mean ethylene production rate per pot was 195 nmol h-1) . Only 3 of 11 turfs treated with heat-killed K . pneumoniae showed any activity and their mean rate of ethylene production (40 nmol h-1 per pot) was significantly lower than that for turfs treated with K . pneumoniae . Using the 'Park'--Turface soil-less model system it was shown that acetylene reducing activity was (i) root associated, (ii) generally highest at a depth of 1--4 cm below the surface, (iii) enhanced by washing excised roots, and (iv) inhibited by surface sterilization of excised roots . Klebsiella pneumoniae was recovered from Turface and roots showing acetylene reducing activity. J Bacteriol, 1981 Jan, 145(1), 348 - 57 Regulation of nitrogen fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae: isolation and characterization of strains with nif-lac fusions; MacNeil D et al.; Strains with lac fused to each of the seven nif operons were isolated by two different methods . Repressing conditions prevented expression of all nif operons, whereas derepressing conditions led to the expression of all nif operons . No differences in Nif regulation were observed between Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with the same nif-lac fusions . Most derivatives of nif-lac fusion strains selected on lactose and NH4+ contained nif operator mutations . Some derivative contained deletions, which establishes that the direction of transcription of all seven nif operons is toward his J Bacteriol, 1981 Jan, 145(1), 266 - 71 Purification and properties of aromatic amino acid aminotransferase from Klebsiella aerogenes; Paris CG et al.; We describe the complete purification of aromatic aminotransferase I, the enzyme responsible for the ability of Klebsiella aerogenes to use tryptophan and phenylalanine as sole sources of nitrogen, as well as the partial purification of aromatic aminotransferase IV . An examination of the properties of these enzymes revealed that aminotransferase I had much greater affinity for the aromatic amino acids than aminotransferase IV, explaining the essential role of aminotransferase I in the utilization of exogenously supplied aromatic amino acids . The properties of aminotransferase IV suggest that this enzyme is actually an aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1), corresponding to the product of the aspC gene of Escherichia coli. J Mol Appl Genet, 1981, 1(1), 71 - 81 Biological nitrogen fixation: primary structure of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifH and nifD genes; Scott KF et al.; A DNA fragment carrying the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifK, D, and H genes was isolated from the nif- strain UNF841 (Tn5::nifK) by molecular cloning into the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR325 . The nucleotide sequences of both the nifH gene, which encodes the Fe protein of the nitrogenase enzyme complex, and 622 nucleotides of the nifD gene, which encodes the alpha-subunit of the Mo-Fe protein, were determined by direct DNA sequencing by both the chemical and chain termination methods . A comparison of the primary structure of the Klebsiella nifH gene and its product with that recently determined for the blue-green alga Anabaena demonstrates that the gene sequences are more divergent than the protein sequence data would suggest . This implies that despite the strong, presumably functional, constraints that act at the protein structure level, the nucleotide sequence of the gene and its mRNA are only restrained by the coding requirements, allowing substantial drift in codon usage. Microbiol Immunol, 1981, 25(12), 1317 - 25 Further studies of the polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae possessing strong adjuvanticity . II . Serological relationship between the adjuvant polysaccharide and O3 antigen of Klebsiella; Kato N et al.; The serological specificity of the neutral polysaccharide possessing extraordinarily strong adjuvanticity originally isolated from the culture supernatant of Klebsiella K1 strain Kasuya has been investigated . Among all of the reference strains (K1-K82) of Klebsiella obtained from the International Escherichia and Klebsiella Center, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, only 13 strains have been shown to produce the adjuvant polysaccharide by the passive hemagglutination inhibition test . All of these 13 strains belong to the O3 group, and the strains which belong to other O groups of which were not identifiable did not produce it . The gel precipitation test has demonstrated that the adjuvant polysaccharide is antigenically identical to O3 antigen isolated from the cells of the decapsulated mutant (strain LEN 1) of Klebsiella K1 strain Kasuya and to O9 antigen of Escherichia coli isolated from either the culture supernatant or the cells, which has already been shown to be antigenically and structurally identical to the O3 antigen of Klebsiella. Drugs, 1981, 22 Suppl 1, 69 - 71 Cefoperazone in Klebsiella meningitis: a case report; Ellis-Pegler RB et al.; A 51-year-old man with meningitis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae was treated with cefoperazone 6 to 8 g/day intravenously and was cured . Simultaneous blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels were measured . Trough levels of cefoperazone in cerebrospinal fluid were 9 and 12 mg/L . Cefoperazone should be considered for meningitis due to susceptible organisms resistant to customarily used antibacterial drugs. DNA, 1981, 1(1), 27 - 36 Plasmid vectors capable of transferring large DNA fragments to yeast; Morris DW et al.; We have constructed several cloning vectors which can be used in vitro packaging and yeast transformation . These plasmids have been designed for the convenient cloning of large segments of DNA and their transfer to yeast . They contain bacterial plasmid DNA sequences for replication and selection in Escherichia coli, yeast 2-microns plasmid DNA sequences or chromosomal replicators and yeast markers necessary for replication and selection in yeast, and the cohesive ends of bacteriophage lambda which allow packaging of recombinant molecules into lambda phage heads . Large fragments (22-38 kb) of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Zea mays DNA were ligated into plasmid vector pBTI-1 to make complete genome libraries . One clone from the K . pneumoniae library was amplified in E . coli and the purified DNA used to transform yeast cells . Transformation of yeast by large DNA fragments occurred at high frequencies . The recombinant plasmid was stably maintained in yeast, provided selective pressure for Leu+ transformants was maintained . The structurally complete recombinant plasmid can be recovered from yeast by transforming E . coli to ampicillin resistance . Fewer than 5% of the recovered plasmids had undergone recombination with endogenous yeast 2-microns plasmid. Mol Gen Genet, 1981, 184(1), 102 - 6 The use of cloned nif (nitrogen fixation) DNA to investigate transcriptional regulation of nif expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Buchanan-Wollaston V et al.; Some restriction endonuclease fragments of nif DNA, when carried on small multicopy plasmids, inhibited nif expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae . A study of this inhibitory effect revealed, (1) that overproduction of the nifL gene product inhibited transcription of two nif operons examined, nifJ and nifHDKY and, (2) that when transcription was initiated from the promoter of the nifHDKY operon on multicopy plasmids there was a corresponding decrease in the transcription rates of the chromosomally located nifJ and nifHDKY but not the nifLA operon . Studies of transcription in vivo also showed that the nifA gene product was essential for transcription initiation from the nifHDKY and nifBQ promoters . These results, taken with earlier observations (see Discussion) provide evidence that the nifL and nifA gene products are respectively a repressor and activator of nif transcription initiation from all nif promoters except that of the nifLA operon. Mol Gen Genet, 1981, 181(4), 476 - 83 Isolation and characterization of prototrophic relaxed mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Riesenberg D et al.; A new selection procedure has been developed for isolating prototrophic relaxed mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Two mutants were isolated . One of them showed a fully relaxed phenotype, while the other one behaved in a semi-relaxed way . The wild-type strain, as well as the rel mutants exerted similar patterns to their E . coli counterparts in RNA, protein, ppGpp and pppGpp accumulation during amino starvation, carbon source shift-down and nitrogen starvation . Both mutants became stringent after introducing an F'-factor carrying the relA+ allele from Escherichia coli . The relaxed phenotype could be recovered by curing the F'-factor . Some of the pleiotropic consequences of rel mutations found in E . coli are present in the Klebsiella mutants also while some of them are absent . The mutants are defective in dinitrogen fixation after the exhaustion of limiting ammonium from the culture medium . However, their merodiploid derivatives, carrying the E . coli relA+ allele, showed the wild-type level of nitrogenase activity under the same conditions. J Bacteriol, 1981 Jan, 145(1), 257 - 65 Tryptophan metabolism in Klebsiella aerogenes: regulation of the utilization of aromatic amino acids as sources of nitrogen; Paris CG et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes utilized aromatic amino acids as sole sources of nitrogen but not as sole sources of carbon . K . aerogenes abstracted the alpha-amino group of these compounds by transamination and excreted the arylpyruvate portions into the medium . When tryptophan was utilized as the sole source of nitrogen by K . aerogenes, indolepyruvate was excreted into the medium, where it polymerized non-enzymatically to form a brick red pigment . At least four separate aromatic aminotransferase activities were found in K . aerogenes . One activity (aromatic aminotransferase I) appeared to be solely responsible for the aminotransferase reaction necessary for the growth of K . aerogenes when tryptophan was the source of nitrogen; the loss of this activity by mutation (tut) prevented the growth of cells on media containing this and other aromatic amino acids . None of the other aminotransferase activities in the cells could substitute for aromatic aminotransferase in this regard . Tryptophan-dependent pigment formation in K . aerogenes was positively controlled by the intracellular level of glutamine synthetase . Nevertheless, the aromatic aminotransferase activity in cells varied less than 2-fold in response to 10-fold or greater changes in the levels of glutamine synthetase . Glutamine synthetase affected the ability of the cells to take up tryptophan from the medium. Carbohydr Res, 1980 Dec 1, 87(1), 129 - 39 The capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K60; a novel, structural pattern; Dutton GG et al.; Non-linear capsular polysaccharides of Klebsiella bacteria usually have a single side-chain per repeating unit, or, less commonly, two side-chains attached to the same unit . The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella serotype K60 is unique in having three side-chains in the heptasaccharide repeating-unit shown . The structure, including the configuration of the glycosidic linkages, was established mainly by characterization of the oligosaccharides obtained by partial hydrolysis of both the original, capsular polysaccharide and the polymer resulting from the removal, by Smith degradation, of the side chains (Formula, see text). Carbohydr Res, 1980 Dec 1, 87(1), 119 - 27 Structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K74; Dutton GS et al.; The capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K74 belongs to a chemogroup consisting of seven strains, of which four contain 1-carboxyethylidene groups (pyruvic acid acetals) . The polysaccharide from K74 is demonstrated to be of the "3 + 2" type, and to be based on the repeating unit shown (Formula, see text) . The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K74 is composed of D-glucuronic acid, D-galactose, and D-mannose, and this chemotype includes a total of seven strains, of which four have 1-carboxyethylidene groups (pyruvic acid acetals) . In this chemogroup, the structures of the capsular polysaccharides of the serotypes K20 (ref . 3) and K21 (ref . 4) have been published. Carbohydr Res, 1980 Dec 1, 87(1), 107 - 17 Structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K53; Dutton GG et al.; Klebsiella serotype K53 is one of three strains belonging to the chemotype whose capsular polysaccharides consist of D-glucuronic acid, D-galactose, D-mannose, and L-rhamnose residues, and the structure of its polysaccharide was found to be of the "5 + 1 type" shown, of the same structural pattern as the capsule from Klebsiella K52 (Formula, see text) . Nimmich has analyzed the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella K53 and has shown that it belongs to the chemotype that also comprises K40 and K80 . As part of our continuing investigation of these polysaccharides, we now report the structure of the capsular antigen of Klebsiella K53; the structures of those from K40 and K80 are, at present, unknown. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Dec, 18(6), 877 - 81 Klebsiella species: antimicrobial susceptibilities, bactericidal kinetics, and in vitro inactivation of beta-lactam agents; Panwalker AP et al.; In vitro properties of 19 antimicrobial agents were tested with 56 isolates of Klebsiella spp . The aminoglycosides and the new beta-lactam compounds cefotaxime and moxalactam were the most inhibitory drugs tested . Chloramphenicol, tetracycline, trimethoprim, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were moderately active, whereas piperacillin, mezlocillin, and furazlocillin were ineffective against 25% of the isolates . Gentamicin was the only agent tested that was uniformly bactericidal in time-kill experiments with drug concentrations of four times the minimal inhibitory concentration . In combination studies with gentamicin, moxalactam and furazlocillin each increased the rate of bacterial killing for three of five isolates as compared with gentamicin alone, whereas chloramphenicol significantly retarded the rate of bacterial killing for the same number of strains . Furazlocillin was completely inactivated after 24 h of incubation with each of five selected strains . The inactivation of moxalactam, cefoxitin, and cephalothin was 36, 56, and 72%, respectively . In all instances in which these four agents were inactivated to levels below the minimal bactericidal concentration, there was accelerated growth after initial inhibition . However, regrowth also occurred in three instances in which drug levels were higher than the minimal bactericidal concentration . Retesting after drug exposure revealed a 4- to 32-fold rise in the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration in two of these isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Dec, 18(6), 926 - 9 R-factor responsible for an outbreak of multiply antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae; Courtney MA et al.; Seven serotypes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different patients demonstrated resistance to the same eight antibiotics . A plasmid carrying resistance determinants to these antibiotics and mercury salts could be transferred in toto to a plasmidless strain of Escherichia coli . All E . coli transconjugants showed the same antibiotic resistance pattern . Digestion with restriction endonucleases yielded patterns that were identical for each of the R-factor transferred from the multiply resistant serotypes . Moreover, deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization demonstrated identity between the probe, pMAC20 (an R-factor from one serotype), and all R-factors isolated from the multiply resistant strains of K . pneumoniae and the E . coli transconjugants tested. Neurosurgery, 1980 Dec, 7(6), 593 - 7 Treatment of ischemic deficits from cerebral vasospasm with high dose barbiturate therapy; Kassell NF et al.; In 12 patients with life-threatening neurological deficits from vasospasm refractory to other measures, high dose barbiturate therapy was used in an attempt to prevent permanent changes in the brain . In each case angiography was performed and intracranial pressure was measured . Dexamethasone, a low molecular weight dextran, and mannitol were administered . If intracranial pressure (ICP) was elevated, drainage of cerebrospinal fluid and hyperventilation were used . Arterial pressure was maintained at not less than 140/90 preoperatively and 180/100 postoperatively . Barbiturate therapy was continued until vasospasm decreased angiographically and ICP was normal . Eleven of the 12 patients perished . One had a fatal rebleed . One died of an iatrogenic hemothorax . Four died from uncontrollable intracranial hypertension . One improved slightly and then died from a cardiac arrhythmia . One died of increased ICP when her ventriculostomy malfunctioned . One improved and was responding purposefully to pain, only to die suddenly with a low ICP . Two patients became awake and responsive to verbal commands; 1 of these died from Klebsiella meningitis and the other died from an intracerebral hematoma . In the 3 patients in whom hypothermia was also used, profound alterations in acid-base and fluid electrolyte balance occurred . These discouraging results are most likely a reflection of the severity of the patients' condition at the beginning of therapy . There may be some benefit of barbiturates in the management of vasospasm, and the potential effectiveness of barbiturates may be more obvious if therapy is started at an earlier stage . However, until further evidence of the usefulness of this modality becomes manifest, it should be limited to patients with life-threatening impairments unresponsive to all other measures. Carbohydr Res, 1980 Nov 15, 86(2), 259 - 71 Structural investigation of Klebsiella serotype K46 polysaccharide; Okutani K et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella type K46 has been investigated by using the techniques of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, and partial hydrolysis . The anomeric linkages were determined by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy of the polysaccharide and of derived poly- and oligo-saccharides obtained through degradative procedures . 1H-N.m.r . spectroscopy of the polysaccharide in D2O showed clearly a ratio of one (1-carboxyethylidene) group (CH3, delta 1.47) to six anomeric protons (delta 4.62--5.29) . The polysaccharide was shown to consist of the following hexasaccharide repeating unit, which is unique in this series in having a (1-carboxyethylidene) acetal group on a lateral, but nonterminal, sugar residue . (Formula: see text). J Infect Dis, 1980 Nov, 142(5), 744 - 9 Ultrastructure of Calymmatobacterium granulomatis in Lesions of granuloma inguinale; Kuberski T et al.; Biopsy specimens from the lesions of 14 patients with granuloma inguinale were examined by electron microscopy . Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, the presumed causative agent, was observed within the phagosomes of many macrophages, but only rarely in polymorphonuclear leukocytes . The morphology of the organisms was that of a gram-negative bacteria having a large capsule and no flagella . These morphologic observations are consistent with published findings suggesting that this organism is related antigenically to organisms of the genus Klebsiella. Invest Radiol, 1980 Nov-Dec, 15(6 Suppl), S6 - 12 Changes in complement and coagulation factors in a patient suffering a severe anaphylactoid reaction to injected contrast material: some considerations of pathogenesis; Lasser EC et al.; A patient, suffering a severe anaphylactoid reaction to contrast material injected for an intravenous pyelogram, developed a consumption coagulopathy and evidence of complement activation . Precontrast complement values suggested that the patient had been processing complement via the classical pathway, perhaps as a consequence of an earlier protracted Klebsiella infection . Following contrast injection, a precipitous fall in hemolytic complement (CH50) and in the concentration of the C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) developed, as well as a diminution in C4 and C3 with the evolution of C3 conversion products . The possible role that these changes might play in the pathogenesis of idiosyncratic reactions to contrast media is considered. Biochem J, 1980 Nov 1, 191(2), 449 - 55 A Mössbauer spectroscopic investigation of the redox behaviour of the molybdenum-iron protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase . Mechanistic and structural implications; Smith BE et al.; The redox properties of the nitrogenase Mo-Fe protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae have been monitored by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy between -460 and -160mV (relative to the normal hydrogen electrode) . Two redox processes associated with the atoms of the protein were observed . One at -216mV (pH 8.7) was associated with the Fe-Mo cofactor centres in the protein and allowed identification of the Mossbauer parameters of the oxidized form of these centres . The other redox process at -340mV (pH 8.7) was associated with species M5 {Smith & Lang (1974) Biochem . J . 137, 169-180} . This latter redox process may be involved in enzyme turnover . The oxidized form of species M5 interacts magnetically with species M4 . The structural implications of the data have been considered in relation to other published data . It is concluded that an unequivocal assignment of the M4 and M5 atoms to Fe-S cluster types is not yet possible. J Bacteriol, 1980 Nov, 144(2), 744 - 51 Mutations in nif genes that cause Klebsiella pneumoniae to be derepressed for nitrogenase synthesis in the presence of ammonium; MacNeil D et al.; Four Nif+ revertants from strains with polar insertions in nifL, were insensitive to ammonium and amino acid repression of nitrogenase synthesis . These strains have mutations located in or near the nifL region . The derepressed phenotype was dominant in a merodiploid containing a nif+ plasmid . These nif regulatory mutations also suppressed the Nif- phenotype of Gln- strains . Thus, regulation by fixed nitrogen (possible via glutamine synthetase) occurs on the nifLA operon but not on the other six nif operons. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Oct, 120(Pt 2), 465 - 73 Studies on the induction and turnover of citrate-oxidizing capacity in Klebsiella aerogenes using chemostat culture; Ashby RE et al.; Steady-state chemostat cultures of Klebsiella aerogenes growing on a carbon-limited medium were challenged with pulse of carbon sources, and the resultant changes in dissolved oxygen tension were shown to reflect changes in respiration rate . These changes were used to study the kinetics of induction of citrate-oxidizing capacity, which is most probably limited by citrate permease, and the return to the preinduced state . Previously unexposed cells showed a lag phase, the duration of which decreased with increasing growth rate, with a minimum of 10 min, followed by an induction phase of linear increase of citrate oxidation rate which continued as long as citrate was present . The rate of increase in activity, which can be equated to the rate of induction of citrate permease, was independent of citrate concentration but increased with growth rate . Previously exposed cells showed no lag and some residual activity before further induction . The kinetics of return to the preinduced state were unusual in that activity was short-lived with a half-life of 16 to 23 min while the lag took over 8 h to re-establish . The rate of decay of activity decreased with increasing growth rate. Lab Anim, 1980 Oct, 14(4), 357 - 61 Naturally acquired infections of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Wistar rats; Jackson NN et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from lesions in 2 dead and 82 ill animals in a breeding colony of 2300 Wistar rats . The clinical signs were unilaterial and bilateral fluctuating masses in the cervical and inguinal areas, and focal cutaneous ulcers in the ventral neck . Cervical and inguinal lymphadenitis with abscess formation were found on microscopic examination . Lesions also occurred in visceral organs . Although characteristic of the natural infection in most species, no respiratory lesions were seen in this epizootic episode . A capsular serotype 5 K . pneumoniae which did not utilize malonate was the only bacterial strain cultured from the lesions, but other K . pneumoniae strains that utilized malonate and were untypable by capsular serology were cultured from throats and faeces . 30% (6/20) of asymptomatic animals tested had both types of K . pneumoniae in their faeces. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Oct, 18(4), 549 - 56 Therapeutic effects of cefotiam and cefazolin on experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice; Nishi T et al.; The efficacies of several dosage schedules, productive of plasma levels of cefotiam and cefazolin of short and long duration and starting at three levels of cefotiam and cefazolin of short and long duration and starting at three different times (3, 18, and 30h) after infection, were examined in experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice . With each of the multiday regimens there was a large segment of the day when plasma levels fell below assayable concentrations . In all cases, cefotiam proved about eight times as active as cefazolin, indicating that the potent in vitro antibacterial activity of cefotiam was well reflected in the therapeutic effect in this model infection . As judged by the total dose administered, the regimen of cefotiam producing a low but sustained plasma level gave better therapeutic effects than that exhibiting a high but transient plasma level . The cefotiam levels in the plasma of mice that received the regimen effective when initiated at 18 h after infection were less than the expected levels in humans after intravenous infusion of the usual clinical dose. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Oct, 18(4), 542 - 8 Klebsiella neonatal injections: mechanism of broadening aminoglycoside resistance; Hardy DJ et al.; Kanamycin resistance in eight strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated during an outbreak of infection in a neonatal intensive care unit was found to be transferable and mediated by neomycin phosphotransferase . After gentamicin was used to control infections caused by kanamycin-resistant organisms, a strain resistant to gentamicin emerged . Gentamicin resistance in this ninth strain was not transferable and was accompanied by resistance to tobramycin, amikacin, and streptomycin . Enzymatic modifications of aminoglycosides other than neomycin and kanamycin could not be demonstrated either by filter binding assays or by electrophoresis of a radioactive aminoglycoside substrate . The strain with broad aminoglycoside resistance contained six plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid bands, none of which appeared to be different in molecular weight from plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid bands in strains isolated before the institution of gentamicin therapy . The broadening of resistance was accompanied by reduced uptake of radioactively labeled streptomycin and gentamicin . The relationship between aminoglycoside resistance and reduced drug transport in the absence of any enzymatic modification is discussed. J Bacteriol, 1980 Oct, 144(1), 210 - 6 Gene-product relationships of the nif regulon of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Roberts GP et al.; Products of nifV, M, A, and F of Klebsiella pneumoniae have been identified, and suggestive evidence exists for the assignment of products for nifS, U, and L . These assignments confirm previous descriptions of transcriptional polarity and suggest that existence of several more nif genes whose products are apparently not essential for nitrogen fixation under standard laboratory conditions of growth . Although the nifA product is essential for expression of other nif transcripts, it is not involved in the regulation of its own transcript, nifRLA . The stability of nif-encoded proteins under anaerobic conditions was examined in a variety of mutants, confirming previously reported protein-protein interactions and suggesting several new ones . The stability of nif-encoded proteins in ammonia was found to be comparable to that in ammonia-free conditions, whereas all nif-gene products appeared to be labile in the presence of oxygen. J Exp Med, 1980 Oct 1, 152(4), 979 - 95 Human monoclonal macroglobulins with specificity for Klebsiella K polysaccharides that contain 3,4-pyruvylated-D-galactose and 4,6-pyruvylated-D-galactose; Kabat EA et al.; Two human IgM myeloma proteins, IgMWEA and IgMMAY, were found to react with agar and Klebsiella polysaccharides that contain pyruvylated D-galactose (DGal) . Quantitative precipitin data and precipitin inhibition studies with methyl alpha- and beta-glycosides of 4,6-pyruvylated-D-galactose showed their combining sites to be different, although each was directed against the pyruvylated-D-Gal, one reacting most specifically with Klebsiella polysaccharides with terminal nonreducing beta-linked 2,4 pyruvylated-D-Gal, whereas the other reacted equally well with Klebsiella polysaccharides that contain 3,4 beta-linked and 4,6 alpha-linked terminal nonreducing pyruvylated-DGal . Inhibition studies showed that both sites are directed toward one of the two space isomers of 3,4- or 4,6-pyruvylated DGal, the form in which the methyl group of the pyruvate is equatorial, or endo, and its carboxyl group axial, or exo, to the plane of the acetal ring . Coprecipitation studies showed the combining site of IgMWEA to be located on an (Fab')2 fragment and not on the (Fc)5mu fragment . The monoclonal peak in the serum of IgMMAY was specifically precipitated by Klebsiella polysaccharide . Myeloma proteins with specificities of this type may occur with reasonable frequency in humans and may be a consequence of clonal expansion from inapparent infection, carrier states, or disease produced by various Klebsiella organisms. Hum Immunol, 1980 Sep, 1(2), 151 - 60 Search for Klebsiella cell wall components cross-reactive with lymphocytes of B27+ AS+ individuals; Druery C et al.; It has been suggested that some Klebsiella sp may cross-react with a cell surface determinant on the lymphocytes of B27+AS+ individuals . Studies were undertaken to identify culture filtrates capable of rendering the lymphocytes of B27-positive healthy controls susceptible to lysis by the anti-Klebsiella antiserum . Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell wall material of Klebsiella K43 prepared by sonication, high-speed centrifugation, and nonidet solubilization, demonstrated the presence of four major protein bands . When antisera raised in rabbits to each of these were tested for their cytotoxic effect on the lymphocytes of B27+AS+ individuals, an antiserum to one component only, of 40-52 K daltons molecular weight, reproduced the activity of the whole serum . Studies on the K43 filtrate indicated that the 'modifying' factor appeared to reside in a 25-50 K dalton component . Immunoelectrophoresis against anti-K43 serum demonstrated overlapping bands in the culture filtrate and the 40-52 K dalton cell wall fraction and these appeared to be identical on immunodiffusion . Antibody to the cell wall component removed both the 'modifying' activity and the appropriate protein band from the filtrate . The results suggest that a 40-52 K dalton component of the Klebsiella K43 cell wall is cross-reactive with a determinant on the lymphocytes of B27+AS+ individuals and is similar to or identical with a modifying factor in K43 culture filtrate which renders the lymphocytes of B27-positive healthy controls susceptible to lysis by anti-Klebsiella antiserum. Am J Vet Res, 1980 Sep, 41(9), 1492 - 4 Treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae respiratory tract infection of squirrel monkeys with aerosol administration of kanamycin; Berendt RF et al.; The therapeutic efficacy of IM-administered kanamycin was compared with the efficacy of aerosol-administered kanamycin in Klebsiella pneumoniae-infected squirrel monkeys . Differences in mortality or morbidity were not seen with equivalent dosages of antibiotic ranging from 15 to 6.9 mg/kg of body weight/day . Seemingly, the IM route of kanamycin administration was as effective as the aerosol route for therapy. Eur J Biochem, 1980 Sep, 110(2), 507 - 19 A switch from translational control to transcriptional control of protein synthesis in mid-exponential growth phase of bacterial cultures . Specific radioimmune labelling of ribitol-dehydrogenase-synthesising polysomes from Klebsiella aerogenes in the presence of heparin; Bahramian MB et al.; 1 . We present evidence suggesting a sudden switch from translational control to transcriptional control of protein synthesis in mid-exponential growth of bacterial batch cultures . At a critical cell density a switch from large to small polysomes occurs during a short period of exponential growth . The profile of specific polysomes engaged in synthesis of a constitutive enzyme, ribitol dehydrogenase, changes at the same point but in an opposite way: a linear profile peaking at monosomes changes to a dome-shaped profile peaking at about 15 ribosomes/mRNA, which persists into late exponential phase despite a gradual reduction in the total polysome population . The switch in the pattern of protein synthesis is exhibited dramatically by changes in the specific activity or ribitol dehydrogenase in cell extracts at different stages of batch culture . In early exponential phase the specific activity of the enzyme is constant, but it begins to rise suddenly, at the same point at which the polysome profiles change, and continues to increase up to the end of exponential phase . This effect is exhibited by the strains of Klebsiella aerogenes that are inducible for (in the presence of the inducer), consitutive for, or superproducers of ribitol dehydrogenase, and it appears to be unrelated to catabolite repression . 2 . The above results depend on improved techniques for production of large amounts of bacterial polysomes and the ability to label nascent peptides attached to polysomes very specifically with radioactive antibody to ribitol dehydrogenase . Our success was due to the observation that sodium heparin completely abolishes non-specific interactions of the antibody with the polysomes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Sep, 18(3), 377 - 81 New in vitro kinetic model for evaluating bactericidal efficacy of antibiotics; Murakawa T et al.; A new in vitro model was devised for evaluating the bactericidal activity of antibiotics under dynamic conditions . This model accurately reproduced the observed serum levels of antibiotics after intravenous dosing . The apparatus consists of two vessels which correspond to the central and peripheral compartments of a two-compartment open model . The volume of medium in each vessel and flow rates of media were determined from the pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the observed serum levels selected for simulation . The bactericidal activity of cefazolin against strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae showing different minimal inhibitory concentrations was investigated with the apparatus simulating serum levels after intravenous injection, and the bactericidal activity was evaluated with respect to the relationship between the minimal inhibitory concentration and the serum levels. J Bacteriol, 1980 Sep, 143(3), 1458 - 65 In situ reactivation of glycerol-inactivated coenzyme B12-dependent enzymes, glycerol dehydratase and diol dehydratase; Honda S et al.; The catalytic properties of coenzyme B12-dependent glycerol dehydratase and diol dehydratase were studied in situ with Klebsiella pneumoniae cells permeabilized by toluene treatment, since the in situ enzymes approximate the in vivo conditions of the enzymes more closely than enzymes in cell-free extracts or cell homogenates . Both dehydratases in situ underwent rapid "suicidal" inactivation by glycerol during catalysis, as they do in vitro . The inactivated dehydratases in situ, however, were rapidly and continually reactivated by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and Mn2+ in the presence of free adenosylcobalamin, although in cell-free extracts or in cell homogenates they could not be reactivated at all under the same reaction conditions . ATP was partially replaced by cytidine 5'-triphosphate or guanosine 5'-triphosphate but not by the beta, gamma-methylene analog of ATP in the in situ reactivation . Mn2+ was fully replaced by Mg2+ but only partially by Co2+ . Hydroxocoblamin could not replace adenosylcobalamin in reactivation mixtures . The ability to reactivate the glycerol-inactivated dehydratases in situ was only seen in cells grown anaerobically in glycerol-containing media . This suggests that some factor(s) required for in situ reactivation is subject to induction by glycerol . Of the two possible mechanisms of in situ reactivation, i.e., the regeneration of adenosylcobalamin by Co-adenosylation of the bound inactivated coenzyme moiety (B12-adenosylation mechanism) and the displacement of the bound inactivated coenzyme moiety by free adenosyl-cobalamin (B12-exchange mechanism), the former seems very unlikely from the experimental results. Carbohydr Res, 1980 Aug 15, 83(2), 351 - 62 Structural investigation of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K12; Dutton GG et al.; Klebsiella K12 capsular polysaccharide has been investigated by the techniques of methylation, Smith degradation-periodate oxidation, uronic acid degradation, and partial hydrolysis, in conjunction with 1H-n.m.r . spectroscopy at 100 and 220 MHz, and 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy at 20 MHz . The structure has been found to consist of the hexasaccharide repeating-unit shown, having a D-galactofuranosyl residue at the branch point . In this series, a D-galactofuranosyl residue has previously only been found in the polysaccharide from Klebsiella K41. Mayo Clin Proc, 1980 Aug, 55(8), 489 - 91 Gram-negative bacteremia after transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate; Edson RS et al.; Seven cases of bacteremia following transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate were reviewed . Symptoms developed within 24 to 72 hours after the procedure and required hospitalization and treatment with parenteral antibiotics . Escherichia coli was the causative agent in five patients and Klebsiella pneumoniae in two . Although relatively rare, this complication is associated with significant morbidity. J Exp Med, 1980 Aug 1, 152(2 Pt 2), 331s - 340s Characterization of a factor(s) present in Klebsiella culture filtrates that specifically modifies an HLA-B27-associated cell-surface component; Geczy AF et al.; It has been shown that HLA-B27 lymphocytes from healthy individuals (B27+ ankylosing spondylitis {AS}-), which are not lysed by an antiserum against Klebsiella K43, can be rendered susceptible to lysis after incubation in the culture filtrate of Klebsiella K43 . This finding is compatible with a specific modification by a Klebsiella K43-derived soluble factor of a B27-associated lymphoid cell component . Preliminary characterization of the factor has indicated that it is nondialyzable, but it is heat labile at 56 degrees C for 30 min and has a 35,000-50,000 mol wt . The modifying factor activity of the filtrate is destroyed by neuraminidase but not by trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin . Furthermore, the ability of the factor to convert B27+AS- lymphocytes can be specifically absorbed by B27+AS- lymphocytes, but not by B27+AS+, B27-AS+, or by B27-AS- lymphocytes, which suggests that B27+AS- cells carry a hypothetical receptor which can specifically bind a Klebsiella K43 antigenic determinant . These results imply that the modification by environmental agents of specific major histocompatibility complex-associated gene products may be an important element in the pathogenesis of the HLA-B27-linked seronegative arthropathies. Nature, 1980 Jul 10, 286(5769), 128 - 32 Analysis of regulation of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster with gene fusions; Dixon R et al.; Gene fusions in which the lac genes are under the control of each promoter in the Klebsiella pneumoniae, nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster have been constructed . These fusions have been used to examine positive control of the cluster and the response of individual genes to repression by ammonia and oxygen . De-repression of nif transcriptional units is coordinate and molybdate is required for maximal expression of the structural gene operon, which is autogenously regulated. Nord Vet Med, 1980 Jul-Aug, 32(7-8), 325 - 31 Reliability of VRB agar and BGLB broth for enumeration of 44 degrees C coliforms in food; Tham W et al.; This study shows that colony diameter exceeding 0.5 mm and presence of a surrounding precipitation zone are not unconditional criteria for 44 degrees C coliforms (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species) grown on violet red bile agar . Confirmatory studies in brilliant green lactose bile broth will add to the numbers of coliforms which are missed if these criteria are adhered to. Infect Control, 1980 Jul-Aug, 1(4), 239 - 46 Nosocomial klebsiella infection in a neonatal unit: identification of risk factors for gastrointestinal colonization; Mayhall CG et al.; Sequential outbreaks of infection due to gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (GRKP) types 30 and 19 occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Medical College of Virginia in 1977 and 1978 . The extensive epidemiologic investigation carried out included a case-control study, careful review of aseptic technique, and cultures from nursery staff and environment . The gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of the patients were the reservoirs for GRKP, and the epidemic strain was transmitted by hands of personnel . The case-control study showed a significant relationship between acquisition of GRKP by patients and oropharyngeal and GI instrumentation, including use of bag resuscitation, oropharyngeal suctioning, and use of nasogastric feeding tubes . The findings of the case-control study were supported by observation of the patient care techniques practiced by NICU staff . Institution of control measures based on results of the epidemiologic investigation of the first outbreak rapidly brought the second outbreak under control, even though cohorting or use of routine isolation was not possible . Whereas GI colonization and hand transmission have been described previously in outbreaks of K . pneumoniae infections in NICUs, this study is the first to document the mode of inoculation of patients' GI tracts by contaminated hands of personnel. Can J Biochem, 1980 Jul, 58(7), 542 - 8 Catalysis of exchange of terminal phosphate groups of ATP and ADP by purified nitrogenase proteins; Miller RW et al.; A crude Azotobacter nitrogenase complex contained a highly active adenylate kinase which caused rapid equilibration of AMP, ADP, and ATP . Purified molybdenum-iron protein preparations also contained measurable adenylate kinase activity which could be removed by adsorption and elution from hydroxylapatite . Independent of adenylate kinase, the highly purified molybdenum-iron protein from both Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azotobacter chroococcum catalyzed the exchange of {32P}orthophosphate with the terminal phosphate of ATP or ADP . The exchange labeling of ATP was stimulated by ferricyanide ion due to the inhibition of ATP hydrolysis linked to substrate reductions which cannot occur in the absence of reductant . This exchange reaction is responsible for reported ATP synthesis by crude nitrogenase preparations . Binding of ATP labeled with 32P in the terminal phosphate group was measured directly with concentrated solutions of the molybdenum-iron nitrogenase protein from K . pneumoniae by the column gel filtration method . The protein was saturated with ATP at a calculated ratio of 4.0 +/- 0.3 mol ATP/mol protein; half-saturation of 220 microM protein occurred at 600 +/- 100 microM . The interactions between adenine nucleotides and the molybdenum-iron protein suggest the involvement of the nucleotides in a role distinct from the established reactions with the iron protein of the nitrogenase complex . A dual role for ATP in the reduction of dinitrogen by isolated nitrogenase proteins would be consistent with the existence of binding sites for ATP on both the iron and molybdenum-iron proteins. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Jul, 18(1), 105 - 10 Cefroxadine (CGP-9000), an orally active cephalosporin; Yasuda K et al.; Cefroxadine (GCP-9000; CXD), 7 beta{D-2-amino-2-(1,4-cyclohexadienyl)-acetamido}-3-methoxy-ceph-3-em-carboxylic acid, is a new orally active cephalosporin derivative . The spectrum of antibacterial activity of CXD is identical with that of cephalexin (CEX), but CXD was twofold more effective than CEX against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, CXD was as stable to penicillinase as CEX, but it was hydrolyzed by cephalosporinase, with a relative rate of hydrolysis similar to that of CEX . The affinities of CXD and CEX to penicillin-binding proteins of E . coli were estimated; the affinity of CXD to penicillin-binding protein 1Bs was higher than that of CEX . Consistent with this, CXD had more intensive lytic activity than CEX . In vivo antibacterial activities of CXD and CEX were compared using systemic infections of mice with E . coli and K . pneumoniae; CXD was consistently more active than CEX. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jul, 119(1), 225 - 9 Importance of antiserum and phagocytic cells in the protection of mice against infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Fukutome T et al.; Rabbit antiserum to Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a powerful protective effect against intramuscular infection in normal mice . No protective effect was observed in mice whose monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells were depleted by X-irradiation . The antiserum had approximately the same protective effect in mice whose macrophages were blocked selectively by carrageenan as in normal mice . It is concluded that antiserum exerted its effect by opsonic function and that opsonized K . pneumoniae were eliminated mainly by polymorphonuclear cells rather than macrophages, at least in an early phase of the infection . these findings were supported by histological examination and observation of intracellular killing in vitro. Am J Epidemiol, 1980 Jul, 112(1), 113 - 23 Necrotizing enterocolitis: a prospective multicenter investigation; Ryder RW et al.; Several pre- and post-natal factors possibly important in determining which infants will develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and which of these infants will die with this disease were prospectively studied in 1976 in 11 infants with radiographic or pathologic evidence of the disease from 12 institutions in the United States and 111 weight-matched, institution-matched control infants . By multivariant discriminant analysis, the authors idenfitied 10 independent significant determinants of NEC and 10 determinants predictive of a fatal outcome among case infants . Determinants of NEC were: Apgar score deterioration; presence of a patent ductus arteriosus; maternal receipt of anesthesia during delivery; infant not treated with parenteral gentamicin before the onset of disease; infant receipt of 10% dextrose solution; treatment of mother with antibiotics during pregnancy; hyperalimentation or gavage feedings; premature rupture of membranes . Important morbid events among cases included red blood cell transfusions, gas in the portal system, premature rupture of membranes, abdominal distension, isolation of Klebsiella organisms from the blood, surgery, prolonged perinatal oxygen requirement, and lower Apgar 2 score . Attempts to modify preventable risk factors may decrease the incidence (2.4 cases per 1000 live births) and case fatality (41%) documented in this study. J Pathol, 1980 Jul, 131(3), 193 - 208 An unusual case of supraclavicular and colonic malakoplakia--a light and ultrastructural study; Chaudhry AP et al.; A case of malakoplakia of the supraclavicular region and colon in a 41-year-old patient is presented . Clinical, histopathological, histochemical and ultrastructural features are described . The etiology and pathogenesis are discussed . Malakoplakia is a chronic inflammatory disorder probably due to an abnormal response to infection with Gram negative bacteria, most likely Escherichia coli or Klebsiella . The disease is characterised by the accumulation of macrophages intermixed with plasma cells and lymphocytes . The malakoplakic cells are laden with phagolysosomes which may provide a suitable biochemical environment for the deposition of calcium to form the pathognomonic Michaelis-Gutmann bodies . Ultrastructural examination enhances the accuracy of diagnosis since it highlights the presence of lysosomes, phagolysosomes, Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, and intact E . coli or their remnants. J Bacteriol, 1980 Jul, 143(1), 321 - 7 Genetic control of tyramine oxidase, which is involved in derepressed synthesis of arylsulfatase in Klebsiella aerogenes; Oka M et al.; Mutants of Klebsiella aerogenes with three types of mutations affecting regulation of tyramine oxidase were isolated by a simple selection method . In the first type, the mutation (tynP) was closely linked to the structural gene for tyramine oxidase tynA) . The order of mutation sites was atsA-tynP-tynA . In the second type, the mutation that relieves catabolite repression of the syntheses of several catabolite repression-sensitive enzymes are not linked to the tyn gene by P1 transduction . These strains contained high levels of cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate when grown on glucose . The third type of mutation, in which tyramine oxidase was synthesized constitutively, was shown by genetic analysis to involve mutations of tynP and tynR . The tynR gene was not linked to tynA . Results using the constitutive mutants showed that the constitutive expression of the tynA gene resulted in depression of arylsulfatase synthesis in the absence of tyramine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Jul, 77(7), 4244 - 6 Immunochemical determination of the configuration of a haptenic substituent; Heidelberger M et al.; Quantitative inhibition of specific immune precipitation, a rapid microanalytical technique requiring no expensive equipment, was used to determine the stereoconfiguration of pyruvyl groups attached as acetals to two hydroxyls of nonreducing lateral end groups of the capsular polysaccharides of Klebsiella serotypes K11 and K21 . The R and S isomers of 4,6-O-pyruvyl-D-alpha-methylgalactoside were used as inhibitors with appropriate polysaccharide antigens and antisera to the two serotypes . The R isomer was a potent inhibitor of precipitation in both antisera, showing that the pyruvylgalactosyl residues in the polysaccharides of both K11 and K21 are in the R form, in which the methyl group of pyruvyl is equatorial to the plane of the acetal ring. Can Med Assoc J, 1980 May 10, 122(9), 1013 - 8 Kawasaki disease, or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome: report of seven cases in North America; Teixeira OH et al.; The clinical and laboratory findings in seven children with Kawasaki disease are reviewed . Four of the patients had the more complicated course that has characterized the cases diagnosed in North America . This suggests that the benign forms are often mistaken for other febrile illnesses . The patients were two girls and five boys ranging in age from 4 months to 7 years; six were Caucasian and one was a North American Indian . Fever, redness of the oral mucosa, an erythematous or scarlatiniform rash and cervical adenopathy were seen in all; six patients had the characteristic fingertip desquamation and nonexudative conjunctivitis . Cardiac involvement occurred in four patients, two of whom had coronary artery aneurysm or thrombosis . Arthritis or arthralgia was seen in six patients, and aseptic meningitis occurred in four . Of the three patients with jaundice two underwent laparotomy and excision of a hydropic gallbladder; one of them died from Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 May, 11(5), 474 - 8 Seroepidemiology of clinical isolates of Klebsiella in Connecticut; Blanchette EA et al.; The distribution of capsular serotypes of 200 clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca from four Connecticut hospitals was determined . Serotyping was done by an indirect fluorescent-antibody technique . Hospitals included three community hospitals from the Hartford area and one university hospital in New Haven . During the test period, epidemiological surveillance did not detect any nosocomial epidemic involving Klebsiella species . Ninety-two percent of the isolates were typable . Of the 72 possible serotypes, 62 were represented among these strains . Forty-two percent of the typable strains were distributed among 10 serotypes . The predominant serotypes were types 31, 22, and 18 representing 19% of the typable strains (8, 6, and 5%, respectively) . No one particular serotype was associated exclusively with a specific site of infection. Carbohydr Res, 1980 May 1, 81(1), 49 - 58 The molecular structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella type 27; Churms SC et al.; The capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K27 had been investigated by techniques involving methylation analysis, autohydrolysis, and graded hydrolysis with acid . The anomeric configurations of the sugar constituents were determined, where possible, on the basis of p.m.r . spectroscopy and optical rotation data . The results of these studies are consistent with a primary structure in which the repeating-unit is the doubly branched hexasaccharide. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 May, 118(Pt 1), 171 - 7 Minicircular ColE1-related DNA in strains of Klebsiella aerogenes selected for fast growth on xylitol; Neuberger MS et al.; We have previously described a large family of mutants of Klebsiella aerogene which were selected by continuous on xylitol and which superproduce ribitol dehydrogenase . One of these strains was found to harbour a high copy number 2.1 x 10(6) dalton plasmid . This plasmid is a deletion derivative of a low copy number 3.5 x 10(6) dalton plasmid present in the ancestral strain of K . aerogenes . However, since these plasmids do not contain the genes required for pentitol catabolism and some enzyme-superproducing strains have lost all DNA homologous to the plasmids, they are not implicated in the fast growth on xylitol . The plasmids contain regions of homology with the Escherichia coli plasmid ColE1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 May, 77(5), 2555 - 8 Electron transport to nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Nieva-Gomez D et al.; Cell-free extracts of nifF and nifJ mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae are unable to couple acetylene reduction (N2 fixation) by nitrogenase to the oxidation of organic metabolites . However, nifF and nifJ mutants can complement each other in vitro to establish the coupling . This indicates that the products of the nifF and nifJ genes constitute essential elements of the physiological electron pathway to nitrogenase . The electron-transfer-active product of the nifF gene, a flavoprotein, has been purified. J Bacteriol, 1980 May, 142(2), 433 - 8 Properties of beta-galactosidase III: implications for entry of galactosides into Klebsiella; Hall BG; Klebsiella sp . strain CT-200 lacks both its plasmid-borne lac operon, which specifies beta-galactosidase I, and its chromosomal lac operon, which specifies beta-galactosidase II, but it expresses a gene for a third beta-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase III, constitutively . CT-200 was examined to determine whether there was a beta-galactoside permease associated with the beta-galactosidase III gene . The failure of CT-200 to transport thiomethyl-beta-galactoside, o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, phenyl-beta-galactoside, lactulose, or galactosyl-arabinose was taken as evidence that beta-galactoside permease is not part of a beta-galactosidase III operon . Optimal assay conditions for beta-galactosidase II, whose activity was used as a measure of beta-galactoside transport, are reported here, as are an improved purification method and some physical and catalytic properties of the enzyme not previously reported. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 May, 77(5), 2636 - 40 Regulation of the synthesis of glutamine synthetase by the PII protein in Klebsiella aerogenes; Foor F et al.; Certain mutations at the glaB locus result in the failure to fully derepress glutamine synthetase {L-glutamate:ammonia ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.3.1.2} and to convert it to the active nonadenylylated form in response to nitrogen limitation . In these mutants the PII regulatory protein is altered such that it cannot be converted by uridylyltransferase to the form stimulating deadenylylation of glutamine synthetase by adenylyltransferase . Additional mutations as well as insertions of transposon Tn5 at the glnB site result in the loss of PII . The loss of PII does not prevent adenylylation and deadenylylation of glutamine synthetase but reduces the rates of these reactions . Cells lacking PII have a high level of glutamine synthetase even when they are grown with an excess of ammonia and the enzyme is highly adenylylated . The results suggest that the PII protein plays a role, independent of its effect on adenylylation, in the regulation of the level of glutamine synthetase. Carbohydr Res, 1980 Apr 1, 80(1), 147 - 61 Structural investigation of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K17; Dutton GG et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K17 is based on the pentasaccharide repeating-unit shown . The principal features of the structure were determined by standard methods, including 1H- and 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy, which are shown to be complementary techniques . The position of the one beta-L-rhamnopyranosyl residue was established by selective periodate oxidation of the terminal, lateral substituent, despite the presence of in-chain sugar-units possessing alpha-glycol systems. Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1980 Apr-Jun, 25(2), 89 - 95 {Evaluation of the effectiveness of serological typing in subdifferentiation of strains of Klebsiella of extraenteral origin}; Voicescu V et al.; The present study reports on the results of capsular serotyping of Klebsiella strains isolated between 1971 and 1972, carried out in view of the subdivision of the genus . Serologic typing was performed with K1--K80 sera on 156 Klebsiella strains, isolated from in-hospital cases of extraenteral klebsiella infections . The 140 (90%) strains typed were listed in 34 capsular serotypes . Another 16 strains (10%) could not be typed because of their insufficient capsular coating . The following 13 serotypes were predominant: K4 (13.57%), K2 (7.85%), K16 (6.42%), K18 (6.42%), K27 (5%), K20 (4.28%), K24 (4.28%), K55 (4.28%), K68 (4.28%), K48 (3.55%), K15 (2.85%), K17 (2.85%), representing 70.71% . In the feces samples from the healthy controls serotypes K7, K14, K30, K1, K2, K24, K27, K47 etc . may be considered omnipresent . It has been demonstrated that in periods of minimal epidemiological survey, these serotypes from healthy carriers may initiate nosocomial infections . The present findings emphasize the accessibility and value of serologic typing of klebsiellas according to clinical and epidemiologic indications . The serologic type is a marker that can be included on the programme of systematic typing of in-hospital strains. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Apr, 117(2), 509 - 20 The use of translocatable genetic elements to construct a fine-structure map of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster; Merrick M et al.; The transposons Tn5, Tn7 and Tn10 and bacteriophage Mu have been used to derive insertion mutations in the Klebsiella pneumoniae nif gene cluster . A large number of deletion mutants have been derived by imprecise excision of insertion mutations and these deletions have been used to construct a fine-structure map of the nif cluster . Comparison of this genetic map with a physical map of the nif cluster derived by Reidel et al . (1979) showed a very good correlation between genetic and physical mapping methods . A new complementation group, designated nifU, has been identified and mapped between nifN and nifS . Polarity studies on the 14 nif cistrons now identified suggests that they are organized in at least seven transcriptional units and that all the multicistronic units are transcribed in the same direction. J Bacteriol, 1980 Apr, 142(1), 43 - 51 Control of cell septation by lateral wall extension in a pH-conditional morphology mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Satta G et al.; The pH-conditional morphology mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain MirM7 grows as cocci at pH 7 and as rods at pH 5.8 . The mutant has a high-level mecillinam resistance (50% lethal dose greater than 200 micrograms/ml) in both forms . When broth cultures of the rod-shaped mutant were grown with 0.7 microgram of mecillinam per ml, cells assumed a round shape and continued to divided at a higher rate than the untreated control . A MirM7 rod-shaped revertant (MirA12), when treated with the same antibiotic concentration, changed to coccal shape and stopped dividing . The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of strains MirA12 and MirM7 were analyzed . K . pneumoniae had six major PBPs quite similar to those of Escherichia coli . No differences were seen in the PBPs of MirM7 cocci and rods and MirA12 cells . In particular, PBP2 was found to be present and similar in MirM7 rods and cocci and MirA12 cells . We suggest that that in gram-negative rods, a control mechanism exists which prevents further septation in the absence of lateral cell wall elongation . The unique behavior of MirM7 is due to the fact that the control mechanism is not active in this strain . This model allows us to explain the preservation of shape in bacterial rods under various conditions of growth and the mechanism of bacterial killing by mecillinam. J Bacteriol, 1980 Apr, 142(1), 99 - 110 Regulation of nitrogen metabolism in glutamine auxotrophs of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Leonardo JM et al.; We examined the regulation of nitrogen metabolism in four classes (glnA, glnB, glnF, and glnG) of Gln- auxotrophs of Klebsiella pneumoniae . These studies indicate that glutamine synthetase does not directly mediate the physiological response to NH4+ in this organism . We present evidence suggesting that the effect of NH4+ on the expression of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism involves the products of the glnF and glnG genes. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1980 Mar 31, 59(1), 35 - 45 {Evaluation of some inflammatory and immune parameters in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis during the acute phase and in remission}; Bardare M et al.; A serologic study was carried out in 27 children.-- 12 females and 15 males -- affected with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), systemic and polyarticular type, in active phase and in remission . Beside the routine assays (ESR and haemometry), a dosage of serum immunoglobulins (IgA, M, G) and complement components (C3 and C4) was carried out; antinuclear antibodies with immunofluorescence, rheumatoid factors with classical method (latex test and Waaler-Rose reaction) and antigamma factors (AGGF) according to modified Schur's method were looked for . Polymorphonuclear function was assayed employing NBT test, phagocytosis and killing with Klebsiella . The results confirmed that the most reliable activity index is the ESR, while the WBC count is move variable and that the rheumatoid factors according to the usual techniques are almost always absent . As a whole, in JRA the levels of IgM, IgG, IgM-AGGF, C4 assayed higher than in controls . In the different subgroups, the systemic disease is characterized by higher serum IgA and IgG-AGFF . The PMN function was globally normal. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1980 Mar, 13(1), 52 - 62 Report of a case of Nezelof syndrome; Lin CY et al.; In this report, we present a 5 months old male baby, who suffered from watery diarrhea since 4 days old . From then on, he had been admitted 3 times in 3 different hospitals but the symptoms still bothered him off and on . During the days of hospitalization, sepsis with positive blood culture of Klebsiella was noted . The patient expired at 5 months of age . The T cell count was 20% active T was 0 . Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests including Candida (10 X), PHA (10 micrograms), PHA (1 microgram), SK/SD (50 units) were negative . The granulocyte function study showed normal . Immunoglobulin analysis revealed IgG: 1320 mg%, IgA: 120 mg%, IgM: 100 mg% . Agenesis of thymus, failure of lymphoid differentiation and abnormal lymphoid architecture with absence of germinal centers were noted at autopsy . Combined immunodeficiency with normal immunoglobulins (Nezelof syndrome) is a disease of primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent infections, failure to thrive, lymphopenia, diminished lymphoid tissue, abnormal structure or agenesis of the thymus, and presence of normal or increased levels of one or more of the major immunoglobulin classes, but with impaired antibody synthesis . Since its original description by Nezelof and associates in 1964, it has been reported on the subsequent occasion . In this report, we present our one experience and review the clinical and laboratory data in 33 reported cases. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Mar, 17(3), 494 - 505 Experimental respiratory tract infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice: chemotherapy with kanamycin; Nishi T et al.; Such factors as suspending medium, operating pressure, exposure time, inoculum size, and strain, sex, age, and weight of the animals were examined for their effects on the development of respiratory tract infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice . The suspending medium was one of the most important factors . Aerosol challenge with a 10(9) colony-forming units per ml resulted in deposition of 10(4) colony-forming units of the organisms in the lung . The numbers of organisms in the lung increased rapidly, and by 30 h, a well-developed pneumonia was apparent . All the mice died within 4 days after infection . The therapeutic effectiveness of single-dose kanamycin regimens decreased markedly with a delay in administration . The effectiveness of multi-dose kanamycin regimens was influenced by the frequency of dosage . Thus a 12-h dosage schedule was superior to a 24-h regimen . Administration of 20 mg of kanamycin per kg at 12-h intervals for 10 days, initiated 30 h after infection, provided a complete cure . The infecting organisms in the lung, trachea, and blood were eradicated by the kanamycin therapy, but those in the nasal cavity were difficult to eliminate. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 117(1), 169 - 79 Regulation of nitrogenase biosynthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae: effect of nitrate; Hom SS et al.; The rate of biosynthesis of nitrogenase polypeptides in Klebsiella pneumoniae was determined in a medium containing NaNO3 or NaNO2 . Nitrogenase biosynthesis was completely repressed by NO3- in a mutant strain, strain SK-25, that is derepressed for nitrogenase biosynthesis in the presence of NH4+ . Chlorate-resistant mutants, derived from strain SK-25, that are defective in NO3- respiration produced nitrogenase in the presence of NO3- . Strain SK-56), a chlorate-resistant derivative capable of NO3- respiration, produced no nitrogenase in the presence of NO3- or NO2- . Klebsiella pneumoniae respired under anaerobic conditions utilizing either NO3- or NO2- as terminal electron acceptor . A mechanism for the control of nitrogenase biosynthesis is discussed involving the redox control of anaerobic enzyme systems. Arch Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 125(1-2), 175 - 9 Influence of growth environment on the phosphoenolpyruvate: glucose phosphotransferase activities of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes: a comparative study; Neijssel OM et al.; A consistent difference was found between glucose-limited cultures of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes strains in the manner which their apparent cellular content of glucose:phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase (glucose-PTS) varied with growth rate . With the former strains, activity increased as a function of growth rate; in the latter it decreased . However, under glucose-sufficient conditions (potassium- or ammonia-limitation) both species behaved similarly; the glucose-PTS activity was lower and bore no obvious relationship to the rate of glucose consumption expressed by the growing culture . These results are discussed in relation to the role of glucose as a regulator of glucose-PTS synthesis, and to the likely contribution which the glucose-PTS makes to the overall rate of glucose uptake, particularly by cells gorwing in glucose-sufficient environments. J Bacteriol, 1980 Mar, 141(3), 1157 - 62 Biosynthesis and catabolism of 6-deoxy L-talitol by Klebsiella aerogenes mutants; St Martin EJ et al.; A mutant strain of Klebsiella aerogenes was constructed and, when incubated anaerobically with L-fucose and glycerol, synthesized and excreted a novel methyl pentitol, 6-deoxy L-talitol . The mutant was constitutive for the synthesis of L-fucose isomerase but unable to synthesize L-fuculokinase activity . Thus, it could convert the L-fucose to L-fuculose but was incapable of phosphorylating L-fuculose to L-fuculose 1-phosphate . The mutant was also constitutive for the synthesis of ribitol dehydrogenase, and in the presence of sufficient reducing power this latter enzyme catalyzed the reduction of the L-fuculose to 6-deoxy L-talitol . The reducing equivalents required for this reaction were generated by the oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone with an anaerobic glycerol dehydrogenase . The parent strain of K . aerogenes was unable to utilize the purified 6-deoxy L-talitol as a sole source of carbon and energy for growth; however, mutant could be isolated which had gained this ability . Such mutants were found to be constitutive for the synthesis of ribitol dehydrogenase and were thus capable of oxidizing 6-deoxy L-talitol to L-fuculose . Further metabolism of L-fuculose was shown by mutant analysis to be mediated by the enzymes of the L-fucose catabolic pathway. J Bacteriol, 1980 Mar, 141(3), 1077 - 85 In vivo inactivation of glycerol dehydrogenase in Klebsiella aerogenes: properties of active and inactivated proteins; Ruch FE Jr et al.; Glycerol:oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) 2-oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.6), an inducible enzyme for anaerobic glycerol catabolism in Klebsiella aerogenes, was purified and found to have a molecular weight of 79,000 by gel electrophoresis . The protein seemed to be enzymatically active either as a dimer of a 40,000-dalton peptide at pH 8.6 or as a tetramer of 160,000 molecular weight at pH 7.0 . The enzyme activity was present at high levels in cells growing anaerobically on glycerol, but disappeared with a half-life of about 45 min if molecular oxygen was introduced to the culture . In contrast, no such phenomenon occurred with dihydroxyacetone kinase activity, the second enzyme in the pathway . Immunochemical analysis showed that the inactivation of the oxidoreductase did not involve degradation of the protein . Furthermore, subunits of the active and inactive forms of the enzyme were indistinguishable in size on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and had similar isoelectric points (pH 4.7) . Inactivation did, however, alter the gel filtration properties of the enzyme protein and, more importantly, reduced its affinity for the dye Cibacron F3GA and the coenzyme NAD+. J Bacteriol, 1980 Mar, 141(3), 1264 - 71 Isolation and characterization of lambda specialized transducing bacteriophages carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae nif genes; MacNeil D et al.; Seve lambda dnif specialized transducing bacteriophages were isolated from Escherichia coli strains containing plasmids carrying the his-nif region of Klebsiella pneumoniae . These phages collectively carry deoxyribonucleic acid for all of the genes in the nif regulon and adjacent deoxyribonucleic acid of K . pneumoniae . The phages were isolated by using Mu insertions in the nif region to direct the integration of lambda pMu phages in nif via formation of lambda pMu-Mu dilysogens which, upon induction, yielded lambda dnif phages . This procedure should be generally applicable for isolating lambda specialized transducing phages carrying genes from E . coli or other bacteria. Nature, 1980 Feb 21, 283(5749), 781 - 2 Vitamin B12 synthesis by human small intestinal bacteria; Albert MJ et al.; In man, physiological amounts of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) are absorbed by the intrinsic factor mediated mechanism exclusively in the ileum . Human faeces contain appreciable quantities of vitamin B12 or vitamin B12-like material presumably produced by bacteria in the colon, but this is unavailable to the non-coprophagic individual . However, the human small intestine also often harbours a considerable microflora and this is even more extensive in apparently healthy southern Indian subjects . We now show that at least two groups of organisms in the small bowel, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella sp., may synthesise significant amounts of the vitamin. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1980 Feb 9, 110(6), 223 - 5 {Massive lung necrosis in klebsiella pneumonia (so-called massive lung gangrene)}; Schamaun M et al.; In the literature only 13 cases of voluminous necrosis of lung tissue, generally referred to as massive pulmonary gangrene, could be found . This disease constitutes an unusual, very severe complication of lobar pneumonia, mostly due to Klebsiella . This type of pneumonia generally affects old or otherwise debilitated persons, quite often chronic alcoholics . It has a high lethality of 20% . Our own observation in a 48-year-old man is presented . He suffered from recurrent massive hemoptysis in relation with a huge cavity of the right lung, filled with necrotic lung tissue . Following right pneumonectomy empyema developed, also due to Klebsiella; it was successfully treated with thoracic fenestration according to Clagett . Knowledge of this severe infrequent complication of pneumonia is necessary since it requires early operative treatment: Out of the 14 patients four were treated medically only and died, while the remaining ten underwent surgery and were all cured. Arch Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 124(2-3), 137 - 42 Molybdate and sulfide inhibit H2 and increase formate production from glucose by Ruminococcus albus; Wolin MJ et al.; H2 production from glucose by Ruminococcus albus was almost completely inhibited by 10(-5) M molybdate only when sulfide was present in the growth medium . Inhibition was accompanied by a significant increase in the production of formate . Extracts of molybdate-sulfide-grown cells did not contain hydrogenase activity . Active enzyme in extracts of uninhibited cells was not inhibited by the molybdate-sulfide-containing growth medium . The results indicate that a complex formed from molybdate and sulfide prevents the formation of active hydrogenase and electrons otherwise used to form H2 are used to reduce CO2 to formate . Growth was significantly inhibited when molybdate was increased to 10(-4) M . Reversal of growth inhibition but not inhibition of H2 production occurred between 10(-4) and 10(-3) M molybdate . H2 production by R . bromei but not by R . flavefaciens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Veillonella alcalescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli was inhibited by molybdate and sulfide. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1980 Feb, 37(2), 271 - 3 Seizures associated with high cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of cefazolin; Bechtel TP et al.; Three cases of generalized seizures in patients with high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of cefazolin are reported . Patient 1, a 60-year-old woman with impaired renal function and a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, was treated with 70 mg every eight hours of i.v . gentamicin sulfate and 1.5 g every four hours of i.v . cefazolin sodium . Gentamicin was discontinued on day 11 . On day 12, the patient had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure . Serum and CSF concentrations of cefazolin one day later were 470 and 64 micrograms/ml, respectively . Patient 2, a 70-year-old man with impaired renal function, was given i.v . cefazolin, 1 g every 12 hours; the dosage interval was shortened later to every six hours . Two days later, the patient had two tonic-clonic seizures . Serum and CSF concentrations eight hours after the last dose of cefazolin were 360 and 34 micrograms/ml, respectively . Patient 3, a 67-year-old woman with renal vein thrombosis, received 55 mg every eight hours of i.v . gentamicin and 2 g every six hours of i.v . cefazolin . The antibiotics were discontinued after eight days when the patient had two tonic-clonic seizures . Serum and CSF concentrations of cefazolin measured 28 hours later were 1000 and 106 micrograms/ml, respectively . Previous reports of cefazolin-associated seizures are reviewed . In patients with renal failure, cefazolin may obtain high CSF concentrations . To avoid seizures, cefazolin doses should be adjusted in these patients. Br J Exp Pathol, 1980 Feb, 61(1), 92 - 6 Ankylosing spondylitis, HLA-B27 and Klebsiella . II . Cross-reactivity studies with human tissue typing sera; Avakian H et al.; Human monospecific HLA B27 typing sera have been shown to have increased binding activity for klebsiella extracts by haemagglutination (P less than 0.001), radiobinding assay (P less than 0.025) and radiolabelled antigen competition assay (P less than 0.02) when compared to non-B27 tissue typing sera . These observations are in agreement with those of studies using rabbit sera, suggesting that HLA B27 lymphocytes may exhibit partial cross-reactivity with bacterial antigens found in some Gram-negative microorganisms such as klebsiella . It is suggested ankylosing spondylitis may occur as a result of immunological damage following infection by Gram-negative bacteria carrying antigens having stereochemical similarity to self antigens. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 116(2), 501 - 10 Genetic analysis of a pleiotropic mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae affected in nitrogen metabolism; Close TJ et al.; Genetic and reversion analyses of a thermosensitive pleiotropic mutant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae with defects in nitrogen fixation and nitrogen metabolism have shown that the pleiotropie behaviour of mutant is due to a single mutation in a gene designated nim . This gene is contransducible with trp at a frequency of about 30% (using bacteriophage P1) and with cys at a frequency of about 14% . The gene order is cys, trp, nim . The defect in the nim mutant is complemented by the E . coli F' element, F'148. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 116(2), 305 - 14 Glucose phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase activity and glucose uptake rate of Klebsiella aerogenes growing in chemostat culture; O'Brien RW et al.; Glucose-limited cultures of Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 (and the supposedly identical strain NCIB 418) possessed a glucose phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) phosphotransferase activity that varied markedly and progressively with growth rate, from more than 250 nmol min-1 (mg dry wt cells)-1 at D = 0.1 h-1 to less than 100 nmol min-1 (mg dry wt cells)-1 at D = 0.8 h-1 . When relieved of the glucose limitation, substrate was used at a rate that bore no precise relationship to the cells' phosphotransferase activity . Similarly, glucose-sufficient (phosphate- or potassium-limited) cultures metabolized glucose at high rates, whereas the cells possessed only moderate glucose PEP phosphotransferase activities . These results are compared with those reported for glucose-limited cultures of Escherichia coli and for variously limited cultures of K . aerogenes . Glucose-sufficient cultures, as well as glucose-limited cultures that had been temporarily relieved of glucose limitation, excreted partially oxidized products of glucose catabolism in considerable amounts . The relevance of this 'overflow' metabolism to studies of glucose transport using {U-14C}glucose is emphasized. Sci Sin, 1980 Feb, 23(2), 261 - 7 Mapping and characterization of the hisD-unlinked nif mutants in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Xue Z et al.; Two hisD-unlinked genes NifC5 and NifC7 are mapped in the chromosome of K . pneumoniae . The sequence of NifC5 and NifC7 is suggested as NifC5--gltB--NifC7--argG . The P1 infected E . coli lysate can transduce the mutant C-7 to be Nif+ transductant, yet fails to transduce the hisD-linked nif mutants to be Nif+ ones . This indicates that the gene encoding C-7 is not the structural gene of nitrogen fixation and is present in E . coli . It is actually a gene specifying the glutamate synthetase . SDS electrophoresis shows the marked low content of nitrogen reductase and immunoelectrophoretic test reveals the reduced amount of both nitrogenase and nitrogen reductase in the mutant cells. J Bacteriol, 1980 Feb, 141(2), 470 - 5 Roles of nifF and nifJ gene products in electron transport to nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Hill S et al.; Crude extracts of the wild-type Klebsiella pneumoniae reduced C2H2 with either pyruvate or formate as reductant (specific activity, 3 nmol min-1 mg of protein-1), whereas crude extracts of nifF mutant were almost inactive (specific activity, 0.05) . However, activity in the latter extracts was stimulated by adding Azotobacter chroococcum flavodoxin (specific activity, 10) . Thus, nifF mutants may lack an electron transport factor . Crude extracts of nifJ mutants had about 20% of the wild-type level of active MoFe protein, and thus nifJ has a presumptive role in maintaining active MoFe protein . Studies on pyruvate or formate as reductants for nitrogenase in extracts of the nifJ mutants suggest in addition a role in elect