Infect Immun, 1989 Apr, 57(4), 1072 - 7 Oral administration of a streptococcal antigen coupled to cholera toxin B subunit evokes strong antibody responses in salivary glands and extramucosal tissues; Czerkinsky C et al.; Generation of local and systemic immune responses by the oral administration of antigens is frequently inefficient, requiring large quantities of immunogens and yielding only modest antibody responses . In this study, we have demonstrated that oral administration of microgram amounts of Streptococcus mutans protein antigen I/II covalently coupled to the B subunit of cholera toxin elicits vigorous mucosal as well as extramucosal immunoglobulin A and G antistreptococcal antibody responses in mice . These responses were manifested by the presence of large numbers of antibody-secreting cells in salivary glands, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleens and by the development of high levels of circulating antibodies . This novel immunization strategy may find broad application in the construction of oral vaccines for the control of infectious diseases caused by pathogens encountered at mucosal and extramucosal sites. Rinsho Ketsueki, 1989 Apr, 30(4), 530 - 4 {Refractory anemia complicated by Behçet's disease--report of three cases}; Nakayama S et al.; Three cases of refractory anemia (RA) are presented . They developed a complete, an intestinal, and an incomplete type of Behcet's disease after 13 years, 6 months, and 4 years of illness, respectively . They showed normal or only slightly reduced neutrophil counts in spite of anemia and thrombocytopenia . Although the precise etiology of Behcet's disease is still obscure, it is suggested that immunological reactions against Streptococcus viridans in chronic infection, and auto-oxidative damage induced by oxygen intermediates derived from stimulated neutrophils may play an important role in causing endothelial injury in the disease . Therefore, it is possible to speculate in our cases that the known susceptibility to bacterial infections in myelodysplastic syndromes, and the absence of neutropenia may have been responsible for the association of RA with Behcet's disease . It is also suggested that neutrophils are necessary for endothelial cell damage. Nippon Kyobu Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Apr, 37(4), 600 - 5 {Clinical evaluations of surgical treatment of infective endocarditis}; Otaki M et al.; This paper shows the clinical evaluations of surgical and medical treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) . IE occurred in 33 cases (10.1%) among 372 cases of valve replacement . Of all the 33 patients, IE was consisted of native valve endocarditis (NVE) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) . IE was evaluated as for the microorganism, complication, operative indication and operative mortality . At first, all of NVE underwent surgical treatment, active phase endocarditis 4 and healed endocarditis 14 . Microorganism was streptococcus aureus in an overwhelming majority . Operative indications was congestive heart failure in almost all cases, next to vegetation and infection resistant to medical treatment . Operative mortality was 5.6% (1 out of 18 cases), which case was in the septic shock and cerebral bleeding prior to the surgical treatment . The others was satisfactory condition postoperatively . Next of PVE, PVE happened in 15 cases, in which there were 5 cases of bioprosthetic PVE and 10 cases of mechanical valve PVE . Microorganism for PVE was staphylococcus epidermidis in the major part (60%) . Mortality in PVE was 53.3% (8 out of 15), but mechanical valve PVE was worse in prognosis than bioprosthetic PVE . Cerebral complications occurred in 3 cases of mechanical valve PVE, on the other hand there was no cerebral complication in bioprosthetic PVE . As for the hemodynamic change in PVE, mechanical valve PVE had the tendency to take the prompt or sudden deterioration of hemodynamics caused by endocarditis surrounding the suture ring, especially in mitral position, on the contrary hemodynamic deterioration was gradually proceeded in bioprosthetic PVE . UCG made much of the diagnosis of PVE, especially in mechanical valve PVE, in which cases endocarditis was recognized only surrounding the suture ring . PVE takes the miserable outcome in many cases, so carefully observation is necessary in order not to lose the timing of the surgical treatment. Shigaku, 1989 Apr, 76(7), 1527 - 55 {Bone and suppurative lesion distribution of antimicrobial agents (ampicillin and ofloxacin) in experimental infected rabbits}; Sugimoto R et al.; Using Streptococcus milleri and Bacteroides fragilis in the mandibula of the domestic rabbit, a jaw-bone infected model was prepared; ampicillin (ABPC) a penicillin derivative and ofloxacin (OFLX) a pyridonecarboxylic acid derivative, were administered orally, injected intramuscularly, or infused intravenously; their concentration in the pus, mandibula, supramaxilla, humerus, femur, sternum, ilium and serum were measured . Pharmacokinetic studies compared the penetration . (1) By oral administration, the maximum ABPC concentration in the pus and bone tissues was 5.9 to 34.3% of the serum, by intramuscular injection 10.4 to 27.5% and by i.v . infusion 12.1 to 42.4% . (2) The maximum concentration of orally administered OFLX in the pus and bone tissues was 52.5 to 111.7% of the serum, by intramuscular injection 56.4 to 100.3% and by i.v . infusion 61.2 to 121.8% . (3) When administered orally, injected intramuscularly, or infused intravenously ABPC showed good penetration into the pus, mandibula and ilium, and OFLX into the pus, sternum and ilium . When infused intravenously, OFLX in the pus and bone tissues was higher than the MIC of both strains . (4) When ABPC was administered as under 3 routes, T1/2 was longer in the pus and most bone tissues than in the serum . T1/2 of OFLX was shorter in most bone tissues by all administration routes than in serum, T1/2 was longer for OFLX than for ABPC, except when orally administered . (5) AUC of ABPC was in the order of intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection and oral administration . About the same AUC of OFLX was shown after i.v . infusion and i.m . injection, both values being about double after oral administration . In all administration routes, AUC of pus surpassed AUC of serum and AUC of OFLX greatly surpassed that of ABPC. Shigaku, 1989 Apr, 76(7), 1520 - 6 {Study on the formation of experimental infected rabbit}; Satoh T et al.; The purpose of the present study is to produce a model of infections of oral cavity by inducing abscess in the mandibla of New Zealand White rabbits as close to the oral cavity infection site as possible in order to determine whether the administered antimicrobial agents will transfer to the localized inflammatory foci . The pus to be collected should be 0.5 to 1.0g or more to permit bioassay and it should be collectable under nearly uniform conditions at all times . New Zealand White rabbit was the experimental animal used, in which anesthesia was induced intraperitoneally to expose the mandibula . A hole was made in the mandibula, into which a small cotton pellet inoculated with Streptococcus milleri and Bacteroides fragilis, whose cell concentrations had been adjusted to 10(8)CFU/ml, was implanted and the opening was carefully closed with sutures tightly . These two species of bacteria had been selected because mixtures of gram-positive cocci and anaerobic bacteria have been isolated in most cases from the occluded abscess of oral cavity infections . As a result of the above procedure, it was found that one week after production of the infected model animal, the abscess contained adequate volume of, pus for collection and demonstrated viability of the two transplanted species of bacteria . This animal model was considered an ideal model for use in the studies on treatment of infections in the oral cavity by administering antimicrobial agents to determine the extent of drug transfer into the pus and bones where purulent foci are present. Mol Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 3(4), 469 - 78 Sequence analysis of the wall-associated protein precursor of Streptococcus mutans antigen A; Ferretti JJ et al.; The nucleotide sequence has been determined for the Streptococcus mutans wall-associated protein A (wapA) gene from serotype c strains Ingbritt and GS5 . The nucleotide sequence for each wapA gene was virtually identical, although the gene from strain GS5 contained a 24 base pair deletion . A 29 amino acid signal peptide was specified by each wapA gene with a mature protein of 424 amino acids (Mr, 45,276) for strain Ingbritt and 416 amino acids (Mr, 44,846) for strain GS5 . In the C-terminal region of the wall-associated protein A, considerable sequence similarity was found with the membrane anchor region of proteins from other Gram-positive organisms such as the group A streptococcal M protein and the group G streptococcal IgG binding protein . Adjacent to the proposed membrane anchor is a highly hydrophilic region which may span the cell wall; both sequence data and experimental evidence indicate the existence of a region immediately outside the wall at which proteolytic cleavage occurs to release antigen A of Mr 29,000 into the culture supernatant . Thus, the wall-associated protein A is a precursor of the 29,000 Mr antigen A. Pharm Res, 1989 Apr, 6(4), 279 - 85 Experimental animal models for studying antimicrobial pharmacokinetics in otitis media; Canafax DM et al.; Antimicrobial treatment of otitis media, especially drug dosing considerations, is largely empiric, with few reported pharmacologic studies of drug distribution into the middle ear . A chinchilla animal model of serous and purulent otitis media has been used for some time to investigate mechanisms of disease pathogenesis . This model was adapted to investigate the penetration of amoxicillin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole into middle ear effusion . Purulent otitis media was produced by direct middle ear inoculation with type 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae . Serous otitis media was produced by eustachian tube obstruction using silastic sponge or Coeflex cement, but the Coeflex caused an undesirable local inflammatory response . The three antibiotics were administered to chinchillas with serous and purulent middle ear effusion . Plasma and ear fluid drug concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography and demonstrated the value of this model in assessing antibiotic penetration. Ann Pediatr (Paris), 1989 Apr, 36(4), 253 - 7 {The value of the C-reactive protein assay for the early diagnosis of neonatal infection at the maternity ward and pediatric service of a general hospital center}; Racine A et al.; Five hundred and ninety-four children hospitalized in the Maternity Ward and Pediatric Department of a General Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study . Two CRP assays were performed with 24 hours of birth in 105 neonates at high risk for materno-fetal infection . Results suggested infection in 12 cases (2%) . CRP kinetics were studied comparatively in these 105 patients and in 55 control neonates of identical gestational age . Differences between the two groups were evidenced and were already significant for the six to 12-hour age groups . Results indicated that the upper limit of normal is 6 mg at age 12 hours and 8 mg at age 24 hours, whereas levels above 12 mg at age 12 hours and 20 mg at age 24 hours are abnormal . This early marker for neonatal infection is especially valuable in general hospitals lacking sophisticated equipment for the management of neonates . The number of neonates referred from the maternity ward and unnecessarily treated by antimicrobial agents fell by 20% approximately, with no increase in risk . CRP assays proved sensitive in streptococcus B infections and were valuable for evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. Tohoku J Exp Med, 1989 Apr, 157(4), 345 - 54 In vitro adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to oropharyngeal cells: enhanced activity and colonization of the upper respiratory tract in patients with recurrent respiratory infections; Mbaki N et al.; In vitro adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S . pneumoniae) to oropharyngeal cells was assessed in 3 age matched groups of 29 subjects . The first group included patients with chronic pulmonary disease and recurrent respiratory infections due to S . pneumoniae or a recent respiratory infection caused by this organism . Patients of the second group has similar underlying pulmonary disease to the first group, but they had no S . pneumoniae respiratory infection for at least the past 3 years . Healthy subjects or patients without underlying pulmonary disease constituted the third group . The mean adherence of S . pneumoniae to oropharyngeal cells was 10.6 +/- 4.7 bacteria (bact.)/cell in the first group, 3.6 +/- 2.8 bact./cell in the second group and 1.9 +/- 2.1 bact./cell in the third group . A significant difference was found (p less than 0.01) when the mean of the first group was compared to those of the second and third groups, whereas there was no significant difference between the means of the second and third groups . In addition, a survey of bacterial colonization of the upper respiratory tract was conducted in all the subjects included in this study . Over 6 months, 5 of the 8 patients in the first group had throat cultures (5 cases) and nasal cultures (3 cases) positive for S . pneumoniae, while no one in the second or third group was a carrier of this bacterium in the upper respiratory tract during the same period . Patients with recurrent or recent respiratory infections caused by S . pneumoniae are characterised by an in vitro enhanced ability of this organism to adhere to their oropharyngeal cells . In vivo, this phenomenon is reflected by an increased susceptibility of the upper respiratory tract to colonization by S . pneumoniae. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1989 Apr, (4), 25 - 30 {Biological characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from children with pneumococcal diseases}; Kvetnaia AS et al.; The biological properties of 97 S . pneumoniae strains isolated from 92 children with purulent meningitides, meningoencephalitides, pneumonia and otitis, hospitalized at the Leningrad Research Institute of Childhood Infections, were studied . The data obtained in this investigation were indicative of the formation of atypical forms of pneumococci (R-forms, unbalanced growth forms and L-forms) in all clinical forms of pneumococcal infection in children . In purulent meningitides and meningoencephalitides serovars 1 and 6, in pneumonia serovars 1, 3 and 6 and in otitis serovars 6 and 19 played the leading role . The determination of sensitivity to antibiotics showed that the forms under study retained high sensitivity to a number of antibiotics . The appearance of strains resistant to benzylopenicillin was registered . (10%) . The isolated strains either possessed low virulence or were avirulent in bioassay on white mice. Can J Ophthalmol, 1989 Apr, 24(3), 112 - 6 Causes and management of bacterial keratitis in the elderly; Ormerod LD; The author evaluated 142 patients aged 65 years or older with microbial keratitis . There were relatively high rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection unassociated with contact lens wear and of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection . The rates of quasicommensal and enteric infections were not proportionately elevated . Corneal disease, use of topical corticosteroids and use of contact lenses were the main predisposing factors . Patients with diabetes mellitus, dementia or chronic alcoholism appeared to be at higher risk . Trauma was rarely a factor . Complications requiring surgery were common . Corneal perforation developed in 20% of the patients, and endophthalmitis developed in 6% . The elderly often do not tolerate intensive topical antibiotic treatment well . Supplementary subconjunctival antibiotic injections under local anesthesia may be necessary . Corneal tissue glue, tarsorrhaphy and conjunctival flaps are probably underused in this age group. J Periodontol, 1989 Apr, 60(4), 211 - 6 Detachment of oral bacteria from saliva-coated hydroxyapatite by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Erard JC et al.; Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) demonstrated the ability to detach Actinomyces viscosus, A . naeslundii and Streptococcus sanguis from saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads (SHA) . Between 60 to 80% of bacteria were detached within 1 hour at PMN-to-bacteria ratios between 1:10 to 1:22 . Detachment was enhanced by treating bacteria with fresh but not heat-inactivated normal human serum . Detachment of serum-treated A . viscosus was inhibited by cytochalasin B, L-1-tosylamide-2-phenylethylchloromethyl ketone (TPCK), and deoxyglucose but not colchicine, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), N-carbobenzoxy-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (ZPCK), and sodium azide . In the absence of serum treatment, the detachment of A . viscosus was insensitive to lactose, galactose, and mannose . We conclude that PMN can efficiently detach bacteria from SHA, this detachment is enhanced by serum, and this enhancement is probably dependent upon complement . Additionally, detachment of A . viscosus bound to SHA by PMN (1) does not appear to involve bacterial lectin activity, (2) seems to be dependent upon glycolytic metabolism, microfilament formation, and the activity of a TPCK-sensitive serine protease, and (3) is not sensitive to inhibitors of tubulin polymerization or heme-protein activity. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 27(4), 640 - 3 Functional capacity of immunoglobulin G preparations and the F(ab')2 split product; Steele RW et al.; Five immunoglobulin G preparations, including one 5S F(ab')2 split product, were compared for activity against common bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens . Standard assays were used to quantitate antibodies to tetanus, diphtheria, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, rubella virus, and Toxoplasma gondii . Opsonization and killing of bacteria were examined by chemiluminescence methods using Streptococcus pneumoniae types 5, 12F, and 14 and Staphylococcus aureus . Antibodies to the viral pathogens and T . gondii were not detectable for the 5S immunoglobulin even at high concentrations (50 mg/ml) but were present in all 7S preparations at immunoglobulin concentrations of 10 mg/ml . Relatively lower activities for tetanus and diphtheria antibody were also seen with the F(ab')2 product . Opsonizing capacity against all pneumococcal serotypes and Staphylococcus aureus was lowest for the 5S product and highest for the commercially available intravenous immunoglobulin product that is purified by using a pH 4.25 formulation . These data do not support potential clinical usefulness of immunoglobulin G split products and suggest wide variations of specific antibody among commercial intravenous immunoglobulin preparations. J R Soc Med, 1989 Apr, 82(4), 206 - 9 Meningitis after splenectomy; Selby CD et al.; Five splenectomized patients suffered six episodes of bacterial meningitis with positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures . They were admitted to the Nottingham hospitals between 1974 and 1985 . The infecting organism in all cases was Streptococcus pneumoniae . Only one patient, who survived, had had pneumococcal vaccine; two patients died in spite of intensive therapy . There is now good evidence for giving prophylactic penicillin to asplenic patients but the efficacy of the pneumococcal vaccine remains uncertain. J Pathol, 1989 Apr, 157(4), 347 - 57 Alveolar epithelial responses in experimental streptococcal pneumonia; Rhodes GC et al.; We describe an experimental model of pneumonia in Wistar rats evoked by Streptococcus sanguis . The lesion developed rapidly as a confluent bronchopneumonia of the single-lobed left lung . Except at the extreme base, where an abscess formed, the pneumonic process thereafter resolved, and most of the lung appeared microscopically and ultrastructurally normal 8 days after infection . Sequential electron microscopic studies revealed that in the areas of lung which subsequently resolved, damage was restricted to type 1 pneumocytes . Within 24 h of infection, the unaffected type 2 pneumocytes were observed to proliferate, transform into elongated pneumocytes of intermediate morphology, and then undermine and strip off the damaged type 1 cells from the subjacent basement membrane . Thereafter, the intermediate type pneumocytes completed their transformation into definitive type 1 cells, thus completing the repair process . We hypothesize that this represents an accelerated form of the normal type 1 replacement mechanism, and that uncomplicated epithelial repair following acute alveolar damage is possible if type 2 pneumocytes escape significant damage, so that they retain their capacity to proliferate and differentiate into type 1 epithelium. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1989 Apr, 23(2), 163 - 73 {Antibiotic susceptibility of group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus}; Cengiz AT et al.; In this study, we researched the susceptibility of group A Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus to antibiotics which are isolated from 218 Aydinlikevler primary blind boarding school students aged between 7-16 and a group of patient's throat and nose culture with acute and chronic upper respiratory tract infection . The susceptibility to 9 antibiotics of (100) group A Beta hemolytic Streptococcus which were isolated 52 from throat, 48 from nasal discharge were examined by the method of disc diffusion test after determination of the colony, hemolysis and staining characteristics also the sensibility to optochine and bacitracin (0.04 U) discs colonies . The antibiotic resistance ratio are observed as 24% . For Penicillin-G, 59% for Ampicillin, 17% for Amoxicillin, 31% for Methicillin, 22% for Cephalexin, 33% for Carbenicillin, 77% for Lincomycin, 60% for Trimethoprim/Sulphamethoxazole, 26% for Chloramphenicol . This finding shows that group A Beta hemolytic Streptococcus are getting being resistant to this 9 antibiotics . Also this results indicate that the treatment after antibiotic susceptibility test of group A Beta hemolytic Streptococcus is more effective. Minerva Pediatr, 1989 Apr, 41(4), 209 - 14 {Chlamydia and pharyngotonsillitis in childhood}; Ottolenghi A et al.; The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in pharyngeal infections in childhood . 200 children, aged 1 month to 12 years, with and without symptoms of pharyngitis were examined for CT . Swabs were taken from the oropharynx and tonsillar areas for direct fluorescent antibody assay . 12% of the patients and 4% of the control subjects were positive for CT . Group A Streptococcus was not isolated from any patient or control subject positive for CT . In positive cases we extended the research to relatives . The treatment for positive cases was erythromycin and it eradicated CT in 80% of our patients . A new strain of Chlamydia, called TWAR, showing cross-reactivity with CT, has been isolated . Therefore further research should be carried out to discover if micro-organisms considered CT up to now, do belong or not to TWAR strain . Long term studies in children will be helpful in further defining the role of Chlamydia, trachomatis or TWAR, as a cause of pharyngitis. J Dairy Sci, 1989 Apr, 72(4), 1063 - 6 Efficacy of .18% iodine teat dip against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae; Boddie RL et al.; Effective postmilking teat dip products with lower iodine concentrations are being formulated as concern increases about iodine residues in milk . Increased free iodine concentration with greater germicidal activity in teat dip products is also possible with special formulation procedures . Low iodine concentration dips are cheaper and have reduced teat irritation . A concentrated iodine teat dip containing .18% iodine and 8 ppm free iodine upon dilution was evaluated under experimental bacterial challenge to determine efficacy for prevention of new intramammary infections . The undiluted product also contained 15% collagen protein emollient as a teat skin conditioner . Efficacy of the teat dip was 93.6 and 51 . 7% for Staphylococcus aureus (Newbould 305) and Streptococcus agalactiae (McDonald 44) . No adverse effects of the dip on teat skin were noted. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris), 1989 Apr, 38(4), 209 - 13 {Spondylodiscitis disclosing bacterial endocarditis . Apropos of a case . Review of the literature}; Jacquemart T et al.; The authors report a case of infectious spondylodiscitis revealing a staphylococcal endocarditis in a patient with a Carpentier aortic heterograft . This case, along with 60 descriptions from the literature, has enabled them to specify the characteristics of occurrence of endocarditis during a spondylodiscitis . The clinical factors in favor of this association are: a pre-existing cardiopathy, an oral port of entry, occurrence of other rheumatoid manifestations, even more the presence of complications of endocarditis . The laboratory factors in favor of an association are: discovery of an inflammatory anemia, of circulating immune complexes, of a cryoglobulinemia, of a rheumatoid factor, of hematuria . But it is mostly the demonstration of streptococcus in blood cultures and other samples that should be an indication to search for an endocarditis, the course of which dominates the prognosis. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1989 Apr, (4), 3 - 6 {Use of a system of biotechnological parameters of culturing processes in the comparative characteristics of various strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae}; Gruber IM et al.; The use of the complex system of the biotechnological parameters of cultivation processes permitted the subdivision of the strains belonging to 16 pneumococcal serotypes under study into two groups . The strains characterized by direct relationship between the constructive and energetic parameters of the cultivation process, the faintly pronounced capsule and low virulence are classified with group 1 . The characteristic features classified with group 2 were the inverse relationship between the constructive and energetic parameters, intensive capsule formation and higher virulence . The comparative analysis of the strain of serotype 3 and its noncapsular form revealed that the strain showed the loss of virulence and an increase in the energy parameters of the cultivation process. Eur J Vasc Surg, 1989 Apr, 3(2), 177 - 9 Mycotic aneurysm of the aorta due to group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae); Blackett RL et al.; This report describes the successful treatment by excision and primary anatomic graft of a mycotic aortic aneurysm infected with a Group B Streptococcus. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1989 Apr, 98(4 Pt 1), 273 - 7 Secretory IgA and bacterial adherence to nasal mucosal cells; Kurono Y et al.; The ability of Streptococcus pyogenes to adhere to nasal mucosal cells was investigated by an in vitro assay system in order to clarify the actual role of secretory IgA in mucosal immunity in the nose . The number of bacteria adhering to isolated mucosal cells was significantly larger in patients with chronic sinusitis than in normal control subjects . The ability of bacteria to adhere, however, was significantly lower in the group of subjects having specific secretory IgA antibody activity to the M protein than in those having no secretory IgA activity . Findings demonstrated that mucosal immunity preventing or blocking the adherence of bacteria is impaired in patients with chronic sinusitis. Am Fam Physician, 1989 Apr, 39(4), 227 - 9 Streptococcus bovis septicemia and large bowel neoplasia; Tabibian N et al.; Streptococcus bovis septicemia is a relatively uncommon entity that is associated with an increased incidence of colonic neoplasms . Three of four patients with S . bovis endocarditis subsequent to septicemia underwent colonoscopy . The fourth patient underwent a barium enema and a proctoscopic examination . Polyps were found in three patients, and adenocarcinoma of the colon in one . Patients with S . bovis endocarditis should be considered at high risk for colonic neoplasms . Screening colonoscopy is recommended for these patients, and follow-up colonoscopy may be warranted. J Invest Dermatol, 1989 Apr, 92(4), 632 - 8 Antimicrobial activity of stratum corneum lipids from normal and essential fatty acid-deficient mice; Bibel DJ et al.; Among the cutaneous effects of an essential fatty acid deficient (EFAD) diet are hyperdesquamation, increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and altered lipid profiles, characteristics also common to inflammatory dermatoses . Because fatty acids are antimicrobial, we examined the indigenous skin flora of normal and EFAD hairless mice, and compared the antimicrobial efficacy of lipids extracted from their stratum corneum . EFAD mice supported 100-fold more bacteria than normal mice, and were the only group from which Staphylococcus aureus were routinely isolated . Despite this greater carriage, in vitro experiments demonstrated that EFAD lipids are more lethal than normal lipids against Streptococcus pyogenes, S . aureus, S . epidermidis, Micrococcus sp., and a coryneform . Skin fungi were equally susceptible to both extracts . After thin layer chromatography, the most active fractions were found to be glycosphingolipids and phospholipids . EFAD extracts had 35% more free fatty acids and 75% more glycosphingolipids; normal extracts had more triglycerides and phospholipids . S . aureus strain 502A survived equally well on EFAD as on normal mice . Normal lipids applied on EFAD mice had no additional effect, but EFAD lipids on normal mice brought about a 35% reduction of the inoculated bacteria . If the mice were pretreated with alcohol, carriage of strain 502A was reduced by 71% . If instead the mice were previously washed with acetone to increase TEWL, a 97% reduction of the staphylococcus occurred . The application of normal flora to such acetone-washed mice decreased the efficacy to 76% . EFAD and normal lipids on human subjects were equally ineffective in eliminating strain 502A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Mikrobiyol Bul, 1989 Apr, 23(2), 133 - 44 {The existence of sinusitis in rabbits and the use of bromhexine as a mucolytic nose drop in the treatment of sinusitis}; Koyuncu M et al.; To make an experimental sinusitis, 38 maxillary sinus ostia of 19 rabbits were closed by silicon plastic and 24 hours later 10(8)-10(10) germs/ml . of Streptococcus pneumoniae type C III were given to the antrums of sinuses . 5 days later all the rabbits showed sinusitis clinically, radiologically, bacteriologically and histopathologically . Viscous, purulent secretions collected in the antrums of sinuses . We thought that the medical treatment of sinuses which had drainage treatment necessitated to decrease the viscosity of secretions . Because of this bromhexine as a mucolytic nose drop was investigated for the first time for the treatment of sinusitis in two groups of rabbits . As a result of the study bromhexine as a nose drop in the eradication of sinus infections was seen a useful drug. Am J Dent, 1989 Apr, 2(2), 51 - 6 Antibacterial effects of glass ionomers; DeSchepper EJ et al.; Glass ionomer cements have been shown to possess antimicrobial activity . Proposed mechanisms of action include acidity and fluoride . It was the purpose of this study to determine the antimicrobial effect of 11 glass ionomer cements, their individual powder and liquid components and one resin-bonded liner containing high fluoride ionomer glass against Streptococcus mutans #6715 . The role of fluoride and pH in the antibacterial activity was also studied . Using agar diffusion assay methodology, the following results were obtained . All of the glass ionomer cements were inhibitory against S . mutans . The antibacterial cements and slurries that were tested for fluoride, released the ion in excess of reported minimum inhibitory values . The antimicrobial activity of the liquid components, that were tested for the effects of pH changes, was totally lost when the pH was adjusted to 5 . The resin bonded liner was inactive against S . mutans and did not release inhibitory concentrations of fluoride . These results indicate that freshly-mixed glass ionomer cements are antimicrobial against S . mutans and that the mechanism of action is probably a function of both fluoride and pH although additional factors may be involved. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 135 ( Pt 4), 981 - 8 Characterization of a cell-surface protein antigen of hydrophilic Streptococcus mutans strain GS-5; Ohta H et al.; Fourteen strains of Streptococcus mutans serotype c were examined for their cell-surface protein antigens in terms of hydrophobicity, Mr and immunochemical specificities . Thirteen strains were hydrophobic, while strain GS-5 was markedly hydrophilic as compared to the other strains tested . Cell-surface protein antigens were then analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western immunoblotting . A protein antigen of Mr 190,000 (PAc) was found in cell extracts and culture supernatants of all the hydrophobic strains . Neither culture supernatant nor cell extract of strain GS-5 contained PAc . Strain GS-5, however, produced extracellularly a large amount of a protein of Mr 155,000 (PAGS-5) which reacted with rabbit anti-PAc serum . Immunodiffusion analysis showed that PAGS-5 lacked a part of the antigenic moieties in the PAc molecule . SDS-PAGE and radioimmunoassay showed a small amount of PAGS-5 on the cell surface of strain GS-5 . These findings suggest that PAGS-5 may correspond to PAc which lacks a region participating in binding of PAc to the streptococcal cell. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 135 ( Pt 4), 831 - 8 A qualitative and quantitative study of the cellular fatty acids of 'Streptococcus milleri' with capillary gas chromatography; Cookson B et al.; Fatty acid analysis was done with GC and GC-MS on 21 strains of 'Streptococcus milleri', representative of the various proposed species . Although no qualitative differences were found in the fatty acid profiles, discriminant analysis of the quantitative data revealed three groups . Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus constellatus were indistinguishable but separated from the other two groups which comprised Streptococcus intermedius, with a wide fermentation pattern and Streptococcus intermedius with a narrow fermentation pattern . Three of the strains could be distinguished from the others by a 'fingerprint' of a particularly prominent fatty acid peak . The results support the suggestion that there is more than one species in this group of organisms and that the technique might be of value in epidemiological investigations of 'S . milleri'. Carbohydr Res, 1989 Apr 1, 187(1), 25 - 34 G.L.C.-M.S . of N-(1-deoxyalditol-1-yl)octadecylamine derivatives in the analysis of methanolysates of neoglycolipids obtained by reductive amination; van Dam JE et al.; Hydrophobic conjugates of a series of aldoses have been prepared by reductive amination with octadecylamine and sodium cyanoborohydride, as model compounds for the analysis of reductively aminated oligosaccharides derived from capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae . In the context of the methanolysis procedure for sugar analysis, g.l.c . and g.l.c.-m.s . (e.i.-mode) studies were carried out on the N-(1-deoxyalditol-1-yl)octadecylamine derivatives obtained after treatment with methanolic HCl, and subsequent N-acetylation and trimethylsilylation. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Apr, 23(4), 509 - 16 Susceptibility of penicillin-sensitive and -resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae to new antimicrobial agents, including daptomycin, teicoplanin, cefpodoxime and quinolones; Appelbaum PC et al.; The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of nine antibiotics were determined by agar dilution on 123 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (65 penicillin sensitive, 42 intermediate resistant and 16 resistant) . The antimicrobial agents tested were penicillin G, clindamycin, trospectomycin, daptomycin, teicoplanin, cefpodoxime, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and vancomycin . Of these, daptomycin, teicoplanin and vancomycin demonstrated the greatest in-vitro activity against penicillin-resistant strains (MIC90s less than or equal to 0.25 mg/l) . Ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and trospectomycin had equivalent activities unaffected by penicillin-susceptibility (MIC90 of both quinolones 2.0 mg/l, and of trospectomycin 4.0 mg/l) . Cefpodoxime was also active in vitro against all strains (MIC90 2.0 mg/l), but MICs increased with increasing penicillin-MICs . Most penicillin-susceptible strains were susceptible to clindamycin, but many penicillin intermediate resistant and resistant strains were resistant to this drug . Results of this study indicate that several newly introduced and experimental antibiotics have potential in the treatment of infections caused by resistant strains of Str . pneumoniae. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 27(4), 628 - 31 Rapid detection of Bordetella pertussis by a monoclonal antibody-based colony blot assay; Gustafsson B et al.; Monoclonal antibodies to Bordetella pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used in a colony blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay designed for rapid detection of B . pertussis . Bacterial colonies from Bordet-Gengou agar plates were blotted onto nitrocellulose filter disks, lysed by immersion in chloroform, and reacted with monoclonal antibodies . Following reaction with peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin antisera and 4-chloro-1-naphthol, blue dots representing single colonies appeared on the filters . Blotting of single B . pertussis colonies could be performed after incubation for 40 h, i.e., before the colonies were visible by eye on the agar surface . Ten of ten B . pertussis strains showed positive blotting reactions with antibodies specific for B . pertussis FHA and LPS . Fourteen of fourteen B . parapertussis strains reacted with two of the FHA-specific antibodies but not with two of the LPS-specific antibodies . Strains of B . bronchiseptica showed a variable reaction pattern . No cross-reactions were observed with strains of Streptococcus mitis, S . pyogenes, S . pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Branhamella catarrhalis, or Klebsiella pneumoniae . This assay may be useful for identification of B . pertussis and B . parapertussis in suspected cases of whooping cough. Carbohydr Res, 1989 Apr 1, 187(1), 131 - 8 Inhibition by maltose, isomaltose, and nigerose of the synthesis of high-molecular-weight D-glucans by the D-glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus sobrinus; McAlister D et al.; Two D-glucosyltransferases are produced by Streptococcus sobrinus C211 . One (GTF-S) catalyzes the conversion of sucrose into soluble alpha-(1----6)-linked alpha-(1----3)-branched D-glucans, and the other (GTF-I), of sucrose into alpha-(1----3)-linked alpha-(1----6)-branched D-glucans . These enzymes were studied by using maltose, isomaltose, and nigerose as inhibitors . Maltose and isomaltose were found to be competitive inhibitors of GTF-S, whereas nigerose has no effect on GTF-S activity . The Ki values for maltose and isomaltose were determined to be 11 and 15mM, respectively . Maltose, isomaltose, and nigerose competitively inhibit GTF-I . The Ki values for these inhibitors were found to be approximately 0.8, 2.5, and 15mM, respectively . The inhibitory properties of each disaccharide are interpreted in terms of conformational comparisons with sucrose. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss, 1989 Apr, 82(4), 543 - 9 {Recurrent infective endocarditis}; Delahaye JP et al.; Between August, 1974 and May, 1987, 486 patients were treated for infective endocarditis . In 16 of these patients (12 men, 4 women, mean age 44.3 +/- 18.0 years at the time of the first episode) the endocarditis recurred: once in 14 patients, twice in 2 patients . The time elapsed between recovery from the first episode and onset of the recurrence varied from 6 to 159 months (mean 54.3 +/- 35.1 months) . Among the 18 recurrences, 10 affected native valves (mitral 6, aortic 4) and 8 aortic prostheses . In all but one case the organism isolated during the recurrence (Streptococcus in 14 cases, Staphylococcus in 3 cases, Rickettsia in 1 case) was different from the organism responsible for the previous infection . The 16 patients were followed up for periods of 28 to 203 months (mean 107.0 +/- 58.0 months), counting from the onset of the first episode . Ten patients were treated medically during the second episode: 4 died and 2 had a second recurrence, lethal in one of them (time elapsed between the onset of the first episode and the date of death: 32 to 149 months) . Six patients were operated upon (valve replacement in 5 cases, closure of a left aorto-ventricular fistula in 1 case) without deaths . Nine of the 11 survivors are now asymptomatic . The actuarial survival rate in recurrent endocarditis (75 p . 100, 10 years after the onset of the first episode) is not different from that observed in non-recurrent endocarditis. J Photochem Photobiol B, 1989 Apr, 3(2), 185 - 92 Excision-repair capacity of UV-irradiated strains of Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae, estimated by plasmid recovery; Estevenon AM et al.; Although the biological role of many bacterial repair genes is known, there is still an interest in evaluating the capacity of repair pyrimidine dimers in some strains . For this purpose, we have developed a rapid assay . Cells bearing a plasmid are UV irradiated and incubated to allow recovery . The plasmid DNA is extracted, purified and treated with UV endonuclease from Micrococcus luteus that specifically produces single strand breaks at the site of pyrimidine dimers . The amount of open circular and covalently closed circular forms of the plasmid DNA after treatment and post-incubation provides an estimate of the repair capability of the host strain . The wild type strain and the uvrA mutant of Escherichia coli were used to adjust the assay . The lexA mutant of E . coli has been tested and its repair capability is equivalent to that of wild-type strain . The assay has been extended to Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is naturally deficient in photoreactivation and SOS-like functions . This strain is efficient in the repair of pyrimidine dimers, formed after UV irradiation. J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 Apr, 66(4), 291 - 9 A comparison of the adhesive properties and surface ultrastructure of the fibrillar Streptococcus sanguis 12 and an adhesion deficient non-fibrillar mutant 12 na; Willcox MD et al.; Streptococcus sanguis 12 and a naturally occurring mutant, 12 na, were screened for their ultrastructure and adhesive properties in vitro . Negative staining showed that Strep . sanguis 12 carried three types of surface structure . The majority of cells carried long fibrils that in different batches ranged in length from 80 to 207 nm, and shorter fibrils which were 51.0 +/- 15.7 nm long . Both types of fibrils were primarily located at the poles of the cells . Occasionally cells were seen that carried fimbriae, which are structurally distinct from fibrils, and were 3-4 nm wide and less than 1.0 micron long . Strain 12 na carried no detectable surface structures . Ruthenium red staining revealed that both strains carried a loose, amorphous, extracellular polysaccharide layer attached to the cell wall . Streptococcus sanguis 12 na was 83% less adhesive than strain 12 in a saliva-coated hydroxyapatite assay, and 50% less adhesive in a buccal epithelial cell adhesion assay . In contrast, strain 12 na was more sensitive to aggregation by parotid saliva than strain 12, and both strains were equally aggregated by whole saliva . The cell surface hydrophobicity of the two strains was similar . Extraction of surface proteins by sodium lauroyl-sarcosinate followed by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that Strep . sanguis 12 expressed more high mol.wt proteins on its surface than strain 12 na . Using immunogold labelling, the fibrils of strain 12 labelled well with antiserum directed against the long fibrils, but so did the cell surfaces of both Strep . sanguis 12 and 12 na . High molecular weight proteins and cell surface fibrils may be associated with adhesion in this strain. Carbohydr Res, 1989 Mar 15, 186(2), 189 - 205 {Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V}; Paulsen H et al.; In the synthesis of 8-methoxycarbonyloctyl O-(alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- mannopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-alpha-D- glucopyranoside, which represents a component of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V, the key step was the coupling of alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-D-Glc as glycosyl donor with 8-ethoxy-carbonyloctyl 6-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside as glycosyl acceptor by use of the imidate method . Only the beta-imidate of the trisaccharide could be employed in this glycosidation reaction to give stereoselectively the tetrasaccharide in high yield . The alpha-imidate of the trisaccharide led to hydrolysis of the imidate group. J Biol Chem, 1989 Mar 5, 264(7), 4255 - 63 Characterization of the polA gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae and comparison of the DNA polymerase I it encodes to homologous enzymes from Escherichia coli and phage T7; Lopez P et al.; The DNA sequence of the polA gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae was determined, and the DNA polymerase I encoded by the gene was purified to homogeneity . Determination of the amino-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein showed it to correspond to the Mr 99,487 polypeptide predicted from the nucleotide sequence . The mRNA transcript was mapped with respect to its sites of initiation and termination in the DNA . Inasmuch as the mRNA begins only two nucleotides before the first codon, it lacks a typical ribosome binding site . Nevertheless, 500 molecules of the protein are produced per cell . Like the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, the protein from S . pneumoniae has 5'- and 3'-exonuclease as well as polymerase activities, and it also undergoes a single cleavage on mild proteolysis . Alignment of the two different polymerase I proteins shows 40% of their amino acid residues to be identical . Homology is evident also with the DNA polymerase encoded by phage T7 gene 5 . In addition, the amino-terminal regions of the bacterial polymerase I proteins are homologous to the separate 5'-exonuclease protein encoded by phage T7 gene 6 . Analysis of the patterns of homology suggests that the bacterial polymerase I may represent the accretion of at least six separate genetic regions. Med Clin (Barc), 1989 Mar 4, 92(8), 285 - 7 {Treatment of atypical pneumonia with josamycin}; Mensa J et al.; In the present study the clinical efficacy and tolerance of josamycin (1 g every 12 hours) was prospectively evaluated for the empirical therapy of patients below 70 years with community acquired pneumonia of atypical presentation (AP), without respiratory failure, radiological cavitation or risk factors of pharyngeal colonization by gram-negative bacilli . During a 28-month period 168 patients adequate for the study were included . The etiological diagnosis was established in 56 cases (33.3%); in 55 by seroconversion (28 Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 22 Legionella pneumophila, 1 Chlamydia psittaci and 4 Coxiella burnetii) and in only one case by positive blood culture (Streptococcus pneumoniae) . The mean duration of therapy was 9 days and that of fever 1.4 days . Five patients (3%) had mild transient gastrointestinal complaints . No patient required a change of therapy . Relapses were not observed in the 45 days of follow up . In conclusion, josamycin (1 g/12 h p.o.) is an effective and well tolerated antibiotic for the therapy of pneumonia by M . pneumoniae or L . pneumophila, and it represents a good empirical treatment of AP in patients below 70 years without risk factors of GNB infection, respiratory failure or radiological cavitation. J Prosthet Dent, 1989 Mar, 61(3), 314 - 7 Antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide liners on Streptococcus sanguis and S . mutans; Barkhordar RA et al.; The antimicrobial activity of 10 calcium hydroxide liners on Streptococcus sanguis and S . mutans was studied . One hundred plates of tryticose soy agar-sheep red blood cells (10%), each with four distinct 3 mm diameter wells, were divided into two groups of 50 . One group was inoculated with S . sanguis and the second group with S . mutans . A 4 mg liner was placed in each of three wells; the fourth well was left empty as a control . Plates were incubated at 37 degrees C and observed at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days . All liners inhibited growth of both organisms . The inhibitory zones for S . mutans were larger than inhibitory zones for S . sanguis for all tested liners . Life Fast Set material had significantly less inhibitory effect on S . mutans . VLC Dycal, Life, and Life Fast Set materials had significantly less inhibitory effect on S . sanguis at p = 0.05. J Dent Res, 1989 Mar, 68(3), 460 - 2 Prevention of sucrose-induced demineralization of tooth enamel by chewing sorbitol gum; Kashket S et al.; Measurements were made of the effect of chewing sorbitol gum on the intra-oral demineralization induced by rinsing with 10% sucrose solutions . Blocks of bovine enamel were covered with a layer of Streptococcus mutans IB1600, and mounted on palatal appliances that were worn by five subjects for defined periods of time . Enamel demineralization was determined by following changes in iodide penetrability (delta Ip) of the enamel surfaces . Delta Ip increased to a maximum of about 15 units between 30 and 45 min, while the pH of the S . mutans plaque dropped to below 4 by 15 min . Plaque pH returned to 4.9 by 60 min . Chewing sorbitol gum after the sucrose rinse minimized further increases in delta Ip and brought about a more rapid return of the S . mutans plaque pH toward neutrality . The effect of chewing gum was greater when chewing was initiated earlier so that, when gum was given at five min after the sucrose rinse, demineralization was only 37% of that obtained without gum . The findings confirm earlier reports on the effect of gum on plaque pH, and directly demonstrate the profound protective effects that chewing sorbitol gum can have on tooth enamel. J Dent Res, 1989 Mar, 68(3), 451 - 9 Increased pH-lowering ability of Streptococcus mutans cell masses associated with extracellular glucan-rich matrix material and the mechanisms involved; Van Houte J et al.; Streptococcus mutans strain IB-1600 was cultivated in Todd-Hewitt broth (THB) or THB supplemented with sucrose (S) . Cell mass obtained from THB exhibited a high cell density and negligible glucan-rich extracellular matrix material (EMM), whereas cell mass from 2% S-supplemented THB exhibited widely-spaced cells separated by EMM . The pH-lowering potential of the different cell masses was studied in vivo with an intra-oral enamel demineralization test and rinsing with glucose solution, and in vitro with a model which permits vertical penetration of glucose through the cell mass and pH evaluation at different depths within the cell mass . In vivo, the pH profile of EMM-rich cell mass derived from 2% S-supplemented THB was characterized by a lower pH minimum and a slower return of the pH as compared with THB-derived cell mass . In vitro, an increase in cell mass EMM content was associated with a more rapid initiation and an increase in the rate of pH drop in the depth of the cell masses . Evaluation of the acidogenic potential of the cells in cell masses derived from THB and 2% S-supplemented THB with suspensions of dispersed cell mass and added glucose indicated no difference . The buffering capacity of cell mass derived from 2% S-supplemented THB within the pH range of 6.5-4.0 was greatly reduced as compared with that of THB-derived cell mass, due to the relatively low buffering capacity of EMM . The presence of EMM also appeared to enhance the porosity of the cell mass.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Acta Otolaryngol, 1989 Mar-Apr, 107(3-4), 235 - 43 Effect of formalin-fixed Hemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae on dye transport by the chinchilla eustachian tube; Bakaletz LO et al.; An in situ method for measuring the ability of the middle ear and eustachian tube ciliated epithelium to transport dye to the nasopharynx was used to assess the role endotoxin-containing killed bacteria have on the development of otitis media with effusion . In addition, electron microscopy was used to monitor histological changes induced by exposure to these organisms and the ability of the mucosa to recover . The results indicated that exposure to a killed gram-negative but not a gram-positive otitis media pathogen leads to early production of middle ear fluid, evidence of capillary leakage and significant slowing of mucociliary transport . The damage was, however, reversible with the epithelium returning to normal both functionally and histologically within 7 days of exposure. Am J Clin Nutr, 1989 Mar, 49(3), 501 - 10 Vitamin A depletion and repletion: effects on antibody response to the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae, type III (SSS-III); Pasatiempo AM et al.; To determine the ability of young rats to produce antibody against pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III), weaning rats were fed a semipurified diet containing no retinol (A-) or 4 micrograms retinol/g diet (A+) . Splenic antibody response specific to SSS-III was 17% (p less than or equal to 0.05) of control for A- Sprague-Dawley rats; similarly, the response of retinol-depleted Lewis rats was 22% (p less than or equal to 0.05) of pair-fed controls . No kinetic differences were observed in the antibody response between A- and control Lewis rats . Retinol depletion more markedly reduced the antibody response of male rats than female rats despite equally low tissue retinol concentrations . For both strains, retinol repletion near the time of immunization normalized antibody production . When male Lewis rats were fed the A- diet longer, the antibody response of A- rats was only 3% of pair-fed controls; repletion again normalized antibody production . Thus, retinol supplementation near the time of immunization can restore the immune response in previously compromised A- rats. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1989 Mar, 55(3), 277 - 90 Aggregation of 27 oral bacteria by human whole saliva . Influence of culture medium, calcium, and bacterial cell concentration, and interference by autoaggregation; Koop HM et al.; Twenty-seven oral strains of the genera Actinomyces (5), Bacteroides (3), and Streptococcus (19) were tested for aggregation by human whole saliva, as well as the effect of culture medium, Ca-ions, and bacteria concentration thereupon . Of the media tested, GF-broth gave rise to less interference by autoaggregation or higher aggregation titers than BHI and TSB, and was used throughout this study . In most cases, Ca-ions (1 mM) only enhanced the rate of induced aggregation, whereas raising the bacteria concentration increased the rate of both induced- and autoaggregation . The final titers, ranging from 1-64, were hardly affected by these parameters, except those of S . rattus HG 59 and S . mutans HG 199, which were respectively increased and decreased by Ca-ions . Saliva-induced aggregation was observed for 21 strains of A . viscosus, A . naeslundii, A . israelii, B . gingivalis, B . intermedius, S . cricetus, S . mutans, S . rattus, S . sanguis, and S . sobrinus, mostly within 15 min to 3 h . Seventeen of these strains also showed autoaggregation, usually well after the onset of induced aggregation . Any potential induced aggregation of B . gingivalis HG 91 was always masked by autoaggregation, as well as that of the S . mutans strains under a particular set of conditions . The aggregation rate and titer varied considerably in a mutually unrelated and strain-dependent way . These microtiterplate data were matched by the 5 spectrophotometric patterns observed for saliva-bacterial interaction, which moreover, gave the better differentiation between induced and autoaggregation . In conclusion, most strains tested can show rapid saliva-induced aggregation in a strain-dependent way, yet strongly affected by the experimental conditions and interference from autoaggregation. Yakugaku Zasshi, 1989 Mar, 109(3), 184 - 7 {Antimicrobial activity of N-alkylethylenediamines against oral and other microorganisms}; Ueda M et al.; Six N-alkylethylenediamines were synthesized and antimicrobial activity of each compound against oral microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii, and some others were determined in vitro . Dodecyl or tetradecyl derivative possessed maximum bacteriostatic activity among the test compounds . On the other hand, killing time of S . mutans in aqueous solution decreased with increasing alkyl-chain length. Yakugaku Zasshi, 1989 Mar, 109(3), 175 - 8 {Studies on the constituents of Leucoseptrum stellipillum}; Isobe T et al.; Flavonoids, triterpenoids, and steroids were isolated from the leaves of Leucoseptrum stellipillum (MIQ) . Kitamura et Murata and identified as apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, ursolic acid, pomolic acid, tormentic acid, beta-sitosterol, and beta-sitosterol glucoside by comparison of their spectral data with those of authentic specimens . Among these compounds, the triterpenoids showed significant antibacterial activities against Streptococcus mutans. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Mar-Apr, 12(2), 189 - 91 Septic arthritis of the knee due to Streptococcus anginosus; Balentine LT et al.; A case of arthritis caused by Streptococcus anginosus was observed in which the only predisposing factor was osteoarthritis of the knee and an acute meniscal tear . We report here the fifth case of septic arthritis due to Streptococcus anginosus. Can J Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 35(3), 366 - 72 Production of mutacin-like substances by Streptococcus mutans; Parrot M et al.; Production of inhibitory substances by strains of the Streptococcus mutans group is well documented, but the nature of the substances implied is often unknown . Of nine laboratory strains known to produce inhibitory substances, the optimal conditions for producing inhibition zones on solid media were found to vary between strains but good production was generally obtained on all-purpose media with Tween 80 at 37 degrees C after 2-4 days of aerobic incubation . Streptococcus sanguis Ny101 was found to be more sensitive than Streptococcus rattus LG-1 to all inhibitory substances produced by the S . mutans strains tested . While all strains showed some inhibition, only six showed inhibition after neutralization; arginine incorporated in agar at 0.75% completely eliminated all inhibition zones . However 1% arginine in the overlays did not affect the production of inhibition zones by strains of S . mutans C67-1, Ny257, Ny266, and T8 . These strains were shown to elaborate (in a reproducible fashion) inhibitory substances which were not organic acids . Inhibitory activity was never obtained in liquid preparations, except for strains Ny257 and T8 where it was found to be very unstable. Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Mar-Apr, 11(2), 338 - 40 Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis presenting as an epidural abscess; Clark R et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen in many serious infections, such as pneumonia, sinusitis, and meningitis . It uncommonly causes infective endocarditis and only rarely produces spinal epidural abscesses . This report describes a patient who had pneumococcal infection presenting as an acute epidural abscess and who was subsequently found to have endocarditis . S . pneumoniae was cultured from both blood and abscess material . A high level of clinical suspicion of endocarditis is important in all cases of bacteremic pneumococcal illness; patients with such an illness and back pain may harbor potentially catastrophic epidural abscesses. Mol Immunol, 1989 Mar, 26(3), 269 - 74 Estimation of the avidity of antibodies in polyclonal antisera against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 by inhibition ELISA; van Dam GJ et al.; The reliability of the determination of antibody avidity in polyclonal sera by indirect sandwich ELISA was studied . Binding of IgM and IgG (sub)classes in unpurified serum to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide, which was coated onto ELISA plates, was inhibited with different inhibitors . The inhibitor concn at which 50% inhibition of antibody binding to the ELISA coat was achieved, was used as a measure for antibody avidity . As this 50% inhibition value is dependent upon the dilution of the serum and thus upon the initial amount of free antibody, it is necessary to define (a narrow range of) final ELISA absorbance values to which the dilutions of non-inhibited sera have to be adjusted . The shapes of the serum dilution curves have a good correlation with the numerical 50% inhibition values of the antibody avidity . The inhibition ELISA is suitable to compare the avidity values of the different antibody isotypes, but two remarks should be made: (1) antibody heterogeneity should be considered to influence the results and prevent the accurate measurement of absolute numerical avidity values . Because in the ELISA system merely antibody "activity" is measured, comparison of the efficacy of vaccines by means of the 50% inhibition (avidity) value of various antibody (sub)classes can still be performed in a reliable way; (2) results of the determination of the 50% inhibition values of the different antibody (sub)classes showed them to be dependent on the molecular ratio between antibody (sub)class levels . More aspects of the determination should be taken into account, like shapes of simple dilution curves, influences of various inhibitor concns in the diluent and whole (extended) inhibition curves. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1989 Mar, 12(1), 73 - 86 Characterization of a soft-tissue infection model in the horse and its response to intravenous cephapirin administration; Beadle RE et al.; A soft-tissue infection model was created in eight horses by infecting subcutaneous tissue chambers with Streptococcus zooepidemicus organisms . Responses of the horses to the infections were determined by monitoring changes in the complete blood count and body temperature and by following changes in the cytology and protein content of the tissue chambers . Systemic reactions to the infections included a mild neutrophilia, mild pyrexia and mild anemia . There was a marked influx of neutrophils and protein into the chambers after they were seeded with bacteria and chamber neutrophil viability decreased markedly at the height of the infection . Subsequent to establishing tissue chamber infections four of the horses were treated with intravenous cephapirin t.d . at a dosage of 20 mg/kg for 5 days . Quantitative culturing of tissue chamber fluid was performed to analyze the efficacy of cephapirin therapy . Cephapirin therapy was accompanied by decreases in the systemic neutrophilia, pyrexia, anemia, and chamber bacterial counts . However, cephapirin did not eliminate the infection in any of the chambers . Chamber neutrophil viability was markedly increased during the cephapirin therapy period. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 135 ( Pt 3), 531 - 8 Cloning and expression of an adhesin antigen of Streptococcus sanguis G9B in Escherichia coli; Rosan B et al.; A genomic library of Streptococcus sanguis, strain G9B, was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli using a lambda gt11 expression vector . The amplified library was probed with polyclonal anti-G9B IgG and 13 antigen-positive clones were isolated . A lysate of one clone, designated PP39, absorbed the adhesion-inhibitory activity of anti-G9B IgG . This clone contained an insert of approximately 2000 bp and expressed unique 200 and 53 kDa proteins that reacted with monospecific anti-adhesin antibody . The 200 kDa protein also reacted with anti-beta-galactosidase IgG, indicating that it is a fusion protein of which 84 kDa represents the streptococcal adhesin . The 84 and 53 kDa proteins are similar in size to the major polypeptides in a streptococcal antigen complex which is associated with the adhesion of G9B to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite . The 53 kDa fragment may result from post-translational cleavage of the recombinant polypeptide. Microb Pathog, 1989 Mar, 6(3), 175 - 82 Purification and characterization of the expression product of the sr gene of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 175; Ogier JA et al.; The subcloning in pBR322 of the gene of the S . mutans OMZ 175 74K SR protein, was performed after in vitro reconstitution, from two recombinant EMBL3 phages, lambda SmAD9 and lambda SmAD10 . The gene is expressed in E . coli HB101 under the control of its own promoter and produces a protein with a molecular weight of 195 kDa . A strong immunological relationship between the expressed protein and the 74K SR protein was observed in ELISA, Western blotting and immunoprecipitation . The 195 kDa protein was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography to homogeneity as judged by SDS-PAGE and native PAGE . Its reactivity with monoclonal anti 74K SR antibodies indicates that it is probably a precursor form of the 74K SR protein produced in S . mutans . The adhesion properties of the two proteins, tested in solid phase adherence assays, are quite similar . This indicates that the additional peptide present in the precursor protein has little or no role in the adherence properties of protein 74K SR. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Mar, 23 Suppl C, 143 - 8 Evaluation of FCE 22101 in experimental meningitis caused by Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae; Dworkin RJ et al.; FCE 22101 is a new penem antibiotic with a spectrum of activity suggesting a possible role in the empirical treatment of meningitis . It appears to achieve a mean reduction in bacterial titre in CSF comparable with currently accepted agents for both pneumococcal and Escherichia coli meningitis . Its efficacy may, however, be variable . It does not achieve CSF level/MIC ratios as favourable as imipenem for the pathogens studied . Further studies are necessary to determine its role, if any, in this disease. Scand J Prim Health Care, 1989 Mar, 7(1), 23 - 6 Paraghurt for patients with irritable bowel syndrome . A controlled clinical investigation from general practice; Gade J et al.; A comparison of Paraghurt tablets (freeze-dried culture of Streptococcus faecium) and placebo was carried out in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in a double-blind trial in Danish general practices . Fifty-four patients (42 females and 12 males) with an average duration of the disease of seven years were treated for four weeks . The clinical symptoms were registered prior to the treatment and after two and four weeks . The clinical effect was assessed according to changes in number of abdominal symptoms, the patients' registrations on rating scales, and the physicians' overall estimations . According to all three parameters a markedly better effect of Paraghurt was seen . Thus, after four weeks 81% of the Paraghurt- and 41% of the placebo-treated patients had improved according to the physicians' overall assessment (p = 0.002) . The result of the trial suggests that Paraghurt is a valuable alternative in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Minerva Stomatol, 1989 Mar, 38(3), 379 - 88 {Anticaries vaccination: present and future prospects}; Mosci F et al.; Despite the encouraging decline in dental caries observed in recent years in many populations, millions of children still risk tooth decay . Along with established methods of prevention, caries vaccines have the potential of making a highly valuable contribution to disease control . Compelling evidence has shown that Streptococcus mutans is the principal etiologic agent of dental caries, therefore a vaccine directed to this microorganism could significantly reduce the caries incidence . In experimental models with rodents, both peroral and parenteral immunization have provided protection against S . mutans infection and dental caries . In primates only parenteral immunization has given positive results, and there have been conflicting results in studies on human peroral immunization . Presently there is no conclusive evidence which shows that antibodies to S . mutans can protect against dental caries in humans . Among the S . mutans antigens that could be used as a vaccine, only some protein antigens have given protection in primates . One of these has been produced in large amounts and is ready for testing in humans . Another antigen, the enzyme complex glucosyltransferase, has shown protection in rodents and the effect of peroral administration of this antigen is now being tested in humans . While awaiting results of clinical trials with available vaccines, much additional experimental work is needed to understand the complex phenomenon of caries . New information will permit the development of more efficacious vaccines against the caries. J Clin Periodontol, 1989 Mar, 16(3), 164 - 9 Relationship of subgingival plaque flora to lysosomal and cytoplasmic enzyme activity in gingival crevicular fluid; Harper DS et al.; Examining the relationships among indicators of the acute inflammatory response in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and specific bacterial species in subgingival plaque may provide indications of which bacterial species or groups of species may be associated with potentially destructive host-derived processes . Here we report on the relationship of the subgingival plaque flora to the activity of mammalian forms of the enzymes beta-glucuronidase (beta G), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and arylsulfatase (AS) in GCF from a total of 54 4-6 mm periodontal sites from 13 periodontitis patients . Sites were scored for probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing, and GCF was collected using filter paper strips inserted into the sulcus for 30 s, eluted in buffer and assayed for enzyme activity . 1 week later, the patients were again evaluated for PD and bleeding, and subgingival plaque was removed with a curette oriented toward the pocket epithelium . Plaque samples were examined by darkfield microscopy and cultured anaerobically on selective and non-selective media . Various groups of bacteria, including species of black pigmenting Bacteroides (BPB), Fusobacterium sp., Capnocytophaga sp, Streptococcus sanguis, and total facultative organisms were enumerated . Relationships among the enzymes and bacterial groups expressed as colony-forming unit (CFU) counts or as a % of the total cultivable flora were assessed by Spearman correlation analysis . beta G levels were significantly correlated with populations of spirochetes, B . intermedius, B . gingivalis, and total lactose negative BPB's . Correlation between beta G and F . nucleatum sp . or Capnocytophaga sp . approached but did not reach statistically significant levels . In contrast, LDH activity showed a significant positive correlation with levels of B . gingivalis and total lactose negative BPB's . AS levels were significantly correlated only with B . gingivalis . beta G and LDH showed a significant negative correlation with levels of coccoid forms . Thus, beta G, an acid hydrolase which can serve as a marker for primary granule release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes, was most closely correlated with the micro-organisms found in other studies to be associated with chronic adult periodontitis. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Mar, 49(1), 101 - 5 Characteristics of a protease of Streptococcus sanguis G9B which degrades the major salivary adhesin; Lamont RJ et al.; An endogenous enzyme present in cell surface extracts of Streptococcus sanguis strain G9B degraded the major salivary adhesin of the organism . The enzyme showed optimal activity between 50 and 65 degrees C and was inactivated at higher temperatures . The activity at these unusually high temperatures seemed to be a consequence of release from the cell surface since intact whole G9B cells showed greater activity at 37 degrees C . The enzyme was not found in culture supernatants of G9B cells . The pH range for the enzyme was between 5 and 9 . It was inhibited by iodoacetic acid, Hg2+, Cu2+, EDTA, SDS, and PMSF, but not by TLCK, TPCK, soybean trypsin inhibitor, cysteine, dithiothreitol, leupeptin, Ca2+, Mg2+ or saliva . The enzyme did not show any activity against human or rabbit IgG or human IgA . Enzyme activity was also found in S . sanguis strains Adh- (a spontaneously occurring non-adherent mutant of G9B), and M-5. J Dairy Sci, 1989 Mar, 72(3), 620 - 6 Influence of bovine mastitis on lipolysis ond proteolysis in milk; Murphy SC et al.; Lipolysis and proteolysis in milk were determined before, during, and after experimentally induced mastitis . Streptococcus agalactiae was infused into one quarter of five cows to elicit an infection . Milk protease activity was higher during infection, but milk lipase activity was unchanged . Lipolytic damage to milk fat and proteolytic damage to milk casein occurred in the udder prior to milking during an infection . Lipolysis increased due to increased susceptibility of the milk fat to lipase action during infection . The mechanism of the increased susceptibility of the fat to lipolysis was not determined . After infections were eliminated, SCC, initial and stored FFA concentrations, and initial tryosine values returned to preinfection levels . However, after infections were eliminated, milk protease activity as determined by an increase in tryosine values remained elevated as milk SCC returned to preinfection levels . Protease activity returned to preinfection levels within 10 d after SCC returned to preinfection levels. Cesk Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 1989 Mar, 38(2), 111 - 8 {Verification of the preparation of Streptococcus pyogenes str . A1 96/50 based on the results of growth properties of media}; Valsik A; For tests of the growth properties of media Czechoslovak standards prescribe a culture of the Streptococcus pyogenes strain Str . A1 96/50 which must be shaken with sea sand and diluted with a gelatin solution . The author found that shaking the culture with sea sand usually reduces significantly (P less than 0.05) the number of colonies in agar medium, as compared with a culture which did not have this treatment . The author also found that there is no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in the number of colonies when the culture is diluted with a gelatin solution or isotonic sodium chloride solution . He proved that there is no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in the scatter of the number of colonies in agar when the culture is shaken with sea sand or if it is diluted with a gelatin solution, as compared with a culture not shaken with sand or diluted with sodium chloride solution. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1989 Mar, 10(3), 102 - 5 Pneumococcal endophthalmitis after corneal transplantation: control by modification of harvesting techniques; Moore PJ et al.; Between January and September 1986, 61 patients underwent corneal transplantation at a university hospital, and three (4.9%) of the patients developed endophthalmitis . Cultures of the donor cornea were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae . The transplant program was stopped and an investigation begun . Review of corneal transplants in 1985 showed that S pneumoniae was recovered from only 1 (1.5%) of 66 donor corneas compared with 6 (9.8%) of 61 in 1986 (P = 0.045; Fisher's exact test) . Investigation showed that major changes had occurred in the corneal transplant program in 1986 as a result of a new state law . Coroner's cases had become the source of most corneas; younger donors were available, and corneas, instead of whole eyes, were collected in the coroner's office, often by part-time technicians . All of the infected corneas had been harvested by part-time technicians, instead of the regular eye bank technician, and came from younger donors (mean age 11.8 years v 27.2; P less than or equal to 0.02) . Based on these observations, collection techniques were modified to reduce contamination of corneas during harvesting . This included the use of surgical drapes and gloves, collecting the cornea without interruption, saline irrigation of the eye, and inversion of the eye chamber to ensure complete contact of the cornea with the antibiotic-containing media . The program was restarted, and there were no corneal infections with S pneumoniae during a one-year follow-up period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1989 Mar, 42(3), 448 - 53 A simplified method for purification of an antitumor acidic glycoprotein from Streptococcus pyogenes (Su strain) by immunoadsorbent chromatography; Yoshida J et al.; A simplified method for purification of an antitumor acidic glycoprotein (SAGP) from Streptococcus pyogenes (Su strain) by immunoaffinity chromatography is described . A cell-free crude extract prepared from the cocci was applied to the anti-SAGP IgG coupled Sepharose column, and elution was conducted with an alkaline buffer . The material eluted was confirmed to be homogeneous and identical with SAGP as demonstrated by both relative mobility on the SDS-polyacrylamide gel column and the antigenicity on the double diffusion agar plate . The cell-growth inhibitory activity of SAGP prepared by the present method was almost the same as that of SAGP purified by the previous time-consuming method . Since this simplified method provides a higher yield of SAGP, it will be useful in further studies on the biological properties of SAGP. Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Mar-Apr, 11(2), 197 - 202 Liver abscess caused by Streptococcus milleri; Chua D et al.; There is now convincing evidence that Streptococcus milleri is an important cause of pyogenic liver abscesses . The clinical course is no different from that of pyogenic infections of the liver arising from other causes . A positive blood culture should alert the clinician to the possibility of hepatic suppuration . Treatment consists of drainage by laparotomy or percutaneous aspiration combined with approximately 6 weeks of penicillin administration . Patients with liver abscesses who receive metronidazole may not respond if S . milleri is the infecting organism. Ann Emerg Med, 1989 Mar, 18(3), 320 - 2 Fulminant streptococcal myositis; Schattner A et al.; A previously healthy 70-year-old woman was hospitalized for acute pain and edema of her right leg . Deep vein thrombosis was suspected, and she was put on anticoagulant therapy . Ten hours later, she developed a massive swelling of the leg with a well-demarcated violaceous discoloration of the skin and hemorrhagic bullae . She was in deep shock with signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation and adult respiratory distress syndrome . Gram stain of an aspirate from the bullae revealed short chains of Gram-positive cocci, and multiple blood cultures showed abundant growth of Streptococcus pyogenes . Despite intensive treatment, the patient died within hours . Autopsy findings showed extensive pyomyonecrosis of the leg muscles and changes secondary to septicemia . The misleading initial clinical picture and the rarity of this disease entity in temperate climates delayed the correct diagnosis and resulted in a fatal outcome. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1989 Mar, 4(1), 1 - 5 The predominant cultivable microbiota of crevicular epithelial cells; Dzink JL et al.; The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the composition of the predominant cultivable microbiota associated with gingival crevicular epithelial cells with that of the unattached microbiota recovered from the same site . Samples were taken from 2 diseased sites from 8 periodontal patients, by scraping the epithelial lining of the pocket with a curette . The epithelial cells were separated from the unattached subgingival bacteria by centrifugation in a reduced 50% Percoll density gradient . Epithelial cells formed a band at the top of the gradient and were removed separately from the unattached bacteria located at the base . Each layer was dispersed, diluted and plated on Trypticase soy agar with 5% sheep blood and 50 isolates were characterized from each sample . The microorganisms associated with the epithelial layer harbored 5- to 20-fold higher mean percentages of Bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides intermedius and Peptostreptococcus micros . The layer of unattached organisms exhibited 4- to 10-fold higher mean percentages of Streptococcus uberis, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Eikenella corrodens and Veillonella parvula. Pediatr Dent, 1989 Mar, 11(1), 21 - 5 Stannous fluoride and its effects on oral microbial adhesive properties in vitro; Ota K et al.; The effect of sodium and stannous fluoride compounds on the coherence of Streptococcus mutans was examined . Both commercial and reagent grade preparations were tested on S . mutans, strain 6715 . Test fluoride aliquots at various concentrations were added to sucrose suspensions of S . mutans at a starting microbial suspensions equivalent to 25% transmission as read in a spectrophotometer . Test samples were rotated at 35 degrees, 80 rpm in an incubated orbital shaker . Analysis at 560 nm at various time periods, was performed to determine increases in %T as a function of aggregate formation . SnF2 preparations routinely inhibited coherence at concentrations as low as .001%, whereas NaF showed no effects on microbial cell-to-cell coherence. Nichidai Koko Kagaku, 1989 Mar, 15(1), 1 - 11 {Cariogenicity of polydextrose and refined polydextrose as a substrate}; Setsu E; Polydextrose is a randomly bonded condensation polymer of glucose, containing minor amounts of bound sorbitol and citric acid . This material has been developed for a reduced-calorie bulking, bodying or texturizing agent in the manufacture of low-calorie foods . The effect of polydextrose or refined preparation which has been eliminated saccharides under molecular weight of 500 in polydextrose, on cariogenicities of Streptococcus mutans group (serotype a-g) and certain oral microorganisms was studied . Some of S . mutans strains (serotype c and f) metabolized polydextrose at a low level and produced 20% lactic acid as compared with glucose . It did not serve as a substrate for plaque formation and cellular aggregation of S . mutans group and did not utilized water-insoluble glucan synthesis by glucosyltransferase from S . mutans PS-14 (c) or S . sobrinus 6715 (g) . In the adherence experiment using polydextrose, heat killed cells of S . mutans labelled with 3H and GTase, the amount of cells that adhered to the smooth surface was almost 0 . Further, polydextrose inhibited sucrose dependent water-insoluble glucan synthesis . The case of refined polydextrose was not utilized for the growth, acid production, cellular aggregation and plaque formation of Streptococcus mutans group (serotype a-g) . Refined polydextrose also did not produce lactic acid by certain oral microorganisms . It did not serve as a substrate for water-insoluble glucan synthesis and cellular adherence by GTase from S . mutans PS-14 (c) or S . sobrinus 6715 (g) . Further, refined polydextrose inhibited sucrose dependent cellular adherence by GTase from S . mutans PS-14(c) . SPF SD rats infected with S . sobrinus 6715 were fed a diet containing 20% refined polydextrose or 20% sucrose for 48 days . A significantly (p less than 0.01) lower caries score (mean +/- SE, 4.74 +/- 0.86) was observed in the rats fed a diet containing refined polydextrose than the control (31.17 +/- 0.33) . Also, the value of caries score of rats fed a diet containing the refined polydextrose was almost equal as that of the rats fed a diet containing cornstarch only. Aichi Gakuin Daigaku Shigakkai Shi, 1989 Mar, 27(1), 137 - 51 {Taxonomic studies of the Streptococcus intermedius strains isolated from human oral cavities}; Fujii Y; Human oral isolates of Streptococcus intermedius, which were biochemically identified, have been classified into 5-Serogroups (I-V) . Selecting some representive stock cultures together with the type strain ATCC 27335, comparisons were carried out between them in terms of cell extractable proteins, G + C mol% values, DNA-DNA homology and DNA restriction fragments . Since the taxon of S . intermedius has not been clarified, comparison was also made between the above strains and the type strains of the "Streptococcus anginosus-milleri Group", Streptococcus anginosus, "Streptococcus milleri" and Streptococcus constellatus, which were thought to be related to S . intermedius . 1 . G + C mol% of S . intermedius ATCC 27335 was 38.0 +/- 0.28 . The values of all the isolates tested ranged from 37.0 to 38.8 . On the other hand, the values of the type strains of the "S . anginosus-milleri Group" were 38.0-38.8 . 2 . Under stringent conditions of DNA-DNA hybridization, all the isolates showed more than 66.7% homology with S . intermedius ATCC 27335, demonstrating that these strains belonged to the same species . On the other hand, S . anginosus ATCC 33397, "S . milleri" NCTC 11169 and S . constellatus ATCC 27823 hybridized at levels of 50%, 53% and 28%, respectively . Consequently, it was impossible to classify these strains as being the same species as S . intermedius . 3 . When the DNA restriction fragments were compared by PAGE, the strains of Serogroups I and V showed the same pattern, respectively . The strains of Serogroups II and III, however, showed two different patterns, and these of Serogroup IV showed five different patterns . DNA fragments specific to S . intermedius could not be identified . 4 . When cell extractable groups were compared by SDS-PAGE, the strains of Serogroups I and V showed identical patterns . The strains of Serogroup III showed 2 different patterns and those of Serogroup IV showed 5 patterns . These results reflected those of the DNA restriction analysis . However, the strains of Serogroup II showed the same protein pattern, although 2 different patterns were observed in DNA restriction fragments . Unique proteins, which were not detected in the proteins extracted from the type strains of the "S . anginosus-milleri Group", were observed in the cell proteins of S . intermedius strains . 5 . The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and the existence of unique extractable proteins together with the chondroitinase productivity suggest that the strains of S . intermedius might represent a particular taxon among the strains of the "S . anginosus-milleri Group".(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1989 Mar, 55(3), 269 - 75 Measurement of constitutive L-pyrrolidonyl peptidase activity from Streptococcus and Enterococcus using tetrazotized 0-dianisidine; Panosian KJ et al.; The detection of L-pyrrolidonyl peptidase activity is extremely useful for the differentiation of Enterococcus species and Streptococcus pyogenes from other members of the family Streptococaceae . This analysis has generally been performed utilizing the hydrolyzable substrate L-pyrrolidonyl beta-naphthylamine . After the substrate was hydrolyzed, free beta-naphthylamine has been detected utilizing the reagent para-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde . The cinnamaldehyde and naphthylamine reagents combined to form an orange color, much like the indole reaction . The use of the cinnamaldehyde reagent had several drawbacks however: color development was not sharp, and the reagent was difficult to produce, and it was not stable . A new indicator system employing tetrazotized 0-dianisidine was developed . An extremely deep burgundy colored complex resulted from the reaction between the new indicator and B-Naphthylamine . This diazo reagent showed excellent correlation with results obtained with para-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde and yielded more objective, distinct endpoints . This inexpensive reagent can be utilized either in a liquid form or dried on paper discs. Infect Immun, 1989 Mar, 57(3), 992 - 5 Impairment of melibiose utilization in Streptococcus mutans serotype c gtfA mutants; Barletta RG et al.; The Streptococcus mutans serotype c gtfA gene encodes a 55-kilodalton sucrose-hydrolyzing enzyme . Analysis of S . mutans gtfA mutants revealed that the mutant strains were specifically impaired in the ability to use melibiose as a sole carbon source . S . mutans gtfA mutant strains synthesized less alpha-galactosidase activity inducible by raffinose than wild-type strains . Melibiose (an inducer in wild-type strains) failed to induce significant levels of alpha-galactosidase in the mutant strains . We hypothesize that melibiose use by S . mutans requires the interaction of the GtfA enzyme, or another gene product under the control of the gtfA promoter, with other gene product(s) involved in melibiose transport or hydrolysis. ZWR, 1989 Mar, 98(3), 246 - 52 {Chemoprophylaxis of endocarditis in dental practice}; Knoll-Khler E; The mortality of patients with bacterial endocarditis is still high in spite of great progress made in cardiac surgery . Dental diseases and their treatment are discussed as a cause for endocarditis induced by Streptococcus viridanz . Thus the dentist plays an important role in the prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis in cardiac risk patients. Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1989 Mar, 24(2), 104 - 6, 128 {Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase: isolation and its ability to synthesize polysaccharides}; Zhu H; The extracellular glucosyltransferases (GTF, EC 2.4.1.5) were extracted from trypticase yeast L-cystine culture supernatant of streptococcus mutans strains SSMC 167(g), 6715(g), SSMC 100 (c) and Ingbritt (c) by 60% saturated ammonium sulphate precipitation . The yield was more than 50% . All the enzyme preparations could synthesize both water-soluble and insoluble glucans . The results of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of enzyme preparations illustrated the complexity and multicomponent nature of the GTF of S . mutans . The abilities of synthesizing polysaccharides were different between S . mutans serotype g and serotype c . The ability of synthesizing water-soluble glucan was almost the same as that of synthesizing water-insoluble glucan for GTFs from the two S . mutans strains of serotype g, but the ability of synthesizing water-soluble glucan was 10-fold to that of synthesizing water-insoluble glucan for GTFs from other two strains serotype c . No frucotosyltransferase activity was found. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Mar, 8(3), 254 - 60 In vitro activity of trospectomycin (U-63366F), a novel spectinomycin analog, against gram-positive isolates from cancer patients; Rolston K et al.; The in vitro activity of trospectomycin was compared to that of amikacin, cephalothin and vancomycin against gram-positive organisms, mostly isolated from cancer patients . Trospectomycin was considerably more active than amikacin against most isolates tested, particularly species of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus . Overall, vancomycin was the most active agent tested. Infect Immun, 1989 Mar, 57(3), 805 - 9 Genetic linkage among cloned genes of Streptococcus mutans; Perry D et al.; Mapping vectors containing antibiotic resistance markers inserted adjacent to or within different cloned genes from Streptococcus mutans were used to determine the relative positions of these genes on the chromosome . The gtfA, ftf, and scrB genes were inserted into streptococcal mapping vector pVA891 adjacent to an Emr gene, whereas the Emr marker was inserted directly into the gtfB gene . These chimeric plasmids were transformed into S . mutans GS-5, selecting for Emr transformants . To determine the positions of the cloned genes relative to each other, it was necessary to construct plasmids labeled with a different antibiotic resistance marker . Thus, a Tetr gene was inserted adjacent to gtfB in the appropriate mapping vector and within the ftf and scrB genes with a mini-Mu transposon (Mu dT) . The chimeric plasmids were transformed into the appropriate Emr recipients, and the DNA from the resulting Emr Tetr transformants was used in linkage studies . Based on the cotransfer data, gtfB was not closely linked to gtfA, ftf, or scrB . However, gtfA cotransferred with ftf and scrB at frequencies of approximately 96 and 80%, respectively . The percent cotransfer of ftf and scrB was approximately 92 . These data indicate that the three genes are clustered on the GS-5 chromosome, with ftf located between gtfA and scrB . Little, if any, linkage was observed between these genes and a variety of other random markers. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1989 Mar, 63(3), 189 - 94 {Penicillin insensitive and resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in children}; Sato K et al.; Five cases of penicillin insensitive or resistant pneumococcal infection in children were experienced during the period of 2 years since March, 1986 . One isolate from middle ear showed the MIC of 4 micrograms/ml against penicillin-G . One isolate of insensitive pneumococcus was isolated from CSF specimen . Between 1976 and 1987, 59 isolates from 88 stocked pneumococcal clinical isolates were alive . These 59 strains were screened by oxacillin disc for insensitive and resistant pneumococcus . Five strains which were insensitive or resistant strains had inhibitory zone under 20 mm . The prevalence rate of insensitive or resistant pneumococcus since 1986 was 18%. Mol Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 3(3), 359 - 69 Molecular characterization of a cell wall-associated proteinase gene from Streptococcus lactis NCDO763; Kiwaki M et al.; Streptococcus lactis NCDO763 harbours a plasmid designated pLP763 . The cells harbouring pLP763 are able to grow to a higher density in milk because of their proteinase-positive phenotype (Prt+) . The 6.2 kb HindIII-PstI fragment from pLP763 was found to be responsible for the Prt+ phenotype . The DNA fragment contains an incomplete large open reading frame (ORF) . Further sequence analysis downstream from the PstI site revealed that the ORF consists of 5706 bases . It was found that the deduced amino acid sequence consisting of 1902 amino acid residues was extremely similar to that of the Wg2 proteinase, a serine protease from Streptococcus cremoris, suggesting that both genes were derived from a common ancestral gene. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Mar, 8(3), 225 - 32 Degree and stability of tolerance to penicillin in Streptococcus pyogenes; Michel MF et al.; The degree of antibiotic tolerance may be assessed by determining the tolerance percentage of a bacterial strain, defined as the surviving fraction of an inoculum that has been exposed for 24 hours to a high concentration of a beta-lactam antibiotic . In 61 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, tolerance percentages ranged from 0 to 0.43 . From the slopes of the killing curves it can be deduced that killing starts to be delayed at a tolerance percentage of 0.1 . Although a tolerance percentage exceeding 0.1 was observed in 41.4% of the strains, the incidence of clinically relevant forms of tolerance is expected to occur in a smaller fraction of the strains . Tolerance percentages of two strains stored at 20 degrees C, 4 degrees C or -70 degrees C (tolerance percentages 0.43 and 0.36) decreased to 0.03 or less in six weeks . Tolerance percentages could be completely restored in these strains, but not in sensitive strains, by successive selection for this property on penicillin gradients of increasing concentration . In four strains isolated from a family outbreak, identical levels of tolerance percentage could be selected for with the same technique. J Bacteriol, 1989 Mar, 171(3), 1597 - 601 Nisin, a peptide antibiotic: cloning and sequencing of the nisA gene and posttranslational processing of its peptide product; Kaletta C et al.; Nisin produced by Streptococcus lactis is used as a food preservative and is the most important member of a group of antibiotics containing lanthionine bridges . To understand the genetic basis of these so-called lantibiotics (Schnell et al., Nature 333:276-278, 1988), we characterized the nisin structural gene, nisA, which is located on a plasmid and codes for a 57-amino-acid prepeptide . The prepeptide is processed posttranslationally to the pentacyclic antibiotic . Although nisin and the recently elucidated lantibiotic epidermin from Staphylococcus epidermidis are produced by different organisms, their gene organization is identical . As with epidermin, the nisin propeptide corresponds to the C-terminus of the prepeptide . The N-terminus of the prepeptide is cleaved at a characteristic splice site (Pro--2 Arg--1 Ile-+1) . Remarkably, the N-terminus of prenisin shares 70% similarity with preepidermin, although the propeptide sequences are distinctly different . The structural similarities between these two lantibiotics are consistent with the fact that there is a common mechanism of biosynthesis of these lanthionine-containing antibiotics. S Afr Med J, 1989 Feb 4, 75(3), 128 - 30 Pulsed Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiographic findings in coronary arteriovenous fistula complicated by bacterial endocarditis . A case report; Mohamed AE et al.; Coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) may occasionally be complicated by bacterial endocarditis . The actual anatomical site of infection has not been clearly defined . A 13-year-old boy with a CAVF and Streptococcus viridans bacteraemia is described . The origin of the fistulous tract and a vegetation in close proximity to the distal drainage site into the right ventricle was demonstrated by Doppler two-dimensional echocardiography. JAMA, 1989 Feb 3, 261(5), 715 - 8 Invasive pneumococcal disease in an Alaska native population, 1980 through 1986; Davidson M et al.; From 1980 through 1986, one hundred fourteen Alaska Native patients from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta had community-acquired invasive pneumococcal disease confirmed by isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from normally sterile body sites . The annual bacteremia rates per 100,000 persons were 105 cases for all ages, 1195 cases for infants under 2 years of age, and 130 cases for adults over 59 years of age . These were six to 34 times higher than rates reported for other US populations . The most common underlying conditions in infants diagnosed before 24 months of age were previously diagnosed anemia and pneumonia, while alcoholism and anemia were most common in adults . The case-fatality rate for infants under 2 years of age was 3.2%, and the case-fatality rate for adults over 59 years of age was 30% . Serotyping of more than half the isolates identified 96% of these isolates to be present in the currently available pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine . The pneumococcal disease rates reported herein are likely to be underestimates since most diseases that occur in this region are treated at the village level without laboratory confirmation. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1989 Feb, 36(1), 27 - 34 Flotation of mastitis pathogens with cream from subclinically infected quarters . Prospects for developing a cream-rising test for detecting mastitis caused by major mastitis pathogens; Sandholm M et al.; Bacterial isolates, originating from 36 subclinically infected quarter milk samples, were labelled with 75Se and checked for cream-rising at various temperatures in a system analogous to the ABR test ("Abortus Bang Ringprobe"; the cream-rising test based on stained brucella organisms for detection of brucellosis) . Diagnostic specificity and sensitivity were analyzed in experiments where labelled bacterial isolates were mixed with a number of quarter milk samples with known bacteriological status as well as samples from healthy control quarters . Creaming at 37 degrees C resulted in specific "recognization" as the bacterial isolates showed preferential flotation in the milk samples from which they had been isolated as well as is milk samples harbouring the same bacterial species . At lower creaming temperatures, the specificity was lost since all the isolates became concentrated in the cream phase irrespective of the milk sample . When comparing the specific recognization by cream of the respective bacteria, bacterial species vary: The prospects for developing diagnostic cream-rising tests for Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli seems promising, but less so for coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis . The mechanism behind the cream-rising of labelled bacteria at 37 degrees C seems to lie in specific fat globule membrane-bound immunity of IgA type . Therefore the milk fat globules from chronically infected quarters function as absorbents for the respective isolates . Flotation of bacteria with cream indicates an in vivo mechanism enabling bacteria to invade the upper parts of milk ducts within the udder.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Eur Heart J, 1989 Feb, 10(2), 186 - 9 Anterior mitral valve aneurysm perforation secondary to aortic valve endocarditis detected by Doppler colour flow mapping; Decroly P et al.; We report a case of mitral valve aneurysm formation and perforation, secondary to Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis of the aortic valve . Aneurysm formation was documented by cross-sectional echocardiography and its perforation was established by Doppler colour flow mapping, and subsequently confirmed at surgery. Surg Neurol, 1989 Feb, 31(2), 129 - 32 Brain abscess associated with congenital heart disease; Yang SY; Between 1952 and 1985, 25 cases of brain abscess with congenital heart disease were treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical College Hospital . Patients' ages ranged from 5 to 38 years . The most common form of congenital heart disease was tetralogy of Fallot, occurring in 13 cases . The abscesses were located in the parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes . The pus from the abscesses was sterile in 13 of 19 cases . In the rest, Streptococcus was the predominant organism . Twenty-three cases were treated by aspiration of the abscess through a burr hole . In two cases, initial aspiration was followed by excision of the abscess . The mortality rate of the whole group was 32% . The etiology of brain abscess in patients with congenital heart disease is discussed. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Feb, 27(2), 305 - 8 Bacteremia with Streptococcus bovis and Streptococcus salivarius: clinical correlates of more accurate identification of isolates; Ruoff KL et al.; Two biotypes of Streptococcus bovis can be identified by laboratory testing and can be distinguished from the phenotypically similar organism Streptococcus salivarius . We assessed the clinical relevance of careful identification of these organisms in 68 patients with streptococcal bacteremia caused by these similar species . S . bovis was more likely to be clinically significant when isolated from blood (89%) than was S . salivarius (23%) . There was a striking association between S . bovis I bacteremia and underlying endocarditis (94%) compared with that of S . bovis II bacteremia (18%) . Bacteremia with S . bovis I was also highly correlated with an underlying colonic neoplasm (71% of patients overall, 100% of those with thorough colonic examinations) compared with bacteremia due to S . bovis II or S . salivarius (17% overall, 25% of patients with thorough colonic examinations) . We conclude that careful identification of streptococcal bacteremic isolates as S . bovis biotype I provides clinically important information and should be more widely applied. J Bacteriol, 1989 Feb, 171(2), 669 - 73 Buoyant density, growth rate, and the cell cycle in Streptococcus faecium; Glaser D et al.; The buoyant density in rapidly growing Streptococcus faecium 9790 cells varies over the cell cycle, in contrast to the density in Escherichia coli . Buoyant density in S . faecium was measured by using Percoll (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Piscataway, N.J.) density gradients . We found that the mean and coefficient of variation of the population density increased with growth rate; and within a population, the mean cell volume, which was measured electronically, increased with density . These results were compared with electron microscopic measurements of the size distributions of cell wall growth sites within each fraction of the density gradient . As the density increased within a population, the frequency of large cells increased and the frequency of newly initiated cell wall growth sites increased . These effects were more marked as the growth rate increased . Next, these data were regrouped by cell size by using the size of the central growth site as an index of cell cycle stage . Each frequency value was weighted by the proportion of the population represented by that density fraction . Then, the average buoyant density was calculated for each value of cell size . In all cell populations, the density decreased and then increased as the central site enlarged . Peripheral growth sites were initiated as density reached a maximum . At faster growth rates, density increased more steeply, and new peripheral growth sites opened up at a higher frequency . We suggest that the rate at which density increases during the cell cycle correlates with the initiation of new cell wall growth sites. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1989 Feb, 17(1), 28 - 30 Salivary Streptococcus mutans and caries prevalence in Brazilian schoolchildren; Buischi YA et al.; The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of salivary Streptococcus mutans in Brazilian schoolchildren, and its possible correlation with caries prevalence . A positive correlation between different levels of S . mutans and caries prevalence was observed, individuals with high levels of S . mutans (greater than 100 colonies) had a DMFS significantly higher than those with low or no detectable S . mutans (0, 1-20, 21-40 colonies). Arch Fr Pediatr, 1989 Feb, 46(2), 127 - 8 {Neonatal pneumococcus laryngitis}; Rodrigue D et al.; Report of a case of laryngitis beginning within the first 10 hours of life . The epiglottis was red, swollen, and covered by a membrane . Culture of laryngeal swabs isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae . Complete recovery was obtained with antibiotic therapy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1989 Feb, 8(2), 269 - 71 Pneumococcal colitis: report of a case with radiologic and endoscopic findings; Brown BP et al.; Gastrointestinal symptoms and signs have been reported in association with pneumococcal infection for many years . Only rarely has Streptococcus pneumoniae been reported as a bowel pathogen . We report the clinical, radiographic, colonoscopic, and pathologic features of a case of pneumococcal colitis in an otherwise healthy 3.5-year-old female. Childs Nerv Syst, 1989 Feb, 5(1), 19 - 24 Brain abscesses in children--a cooperative study of 83 cases; Wong TT et al.; This study reviews our experience in 83 cases of brain abscesses in children diagnosed at seven teaching hospitals during the 10-year period from June 1978 to July 1987 . The average age of the patients was 7 years, with 12% of them less than 1 year old . The male-to-female ratio was 1.7:1 . Of the brain abscesses, 90.4% were detected by CT brain scan . A total of 50.6% patients had congenital heart disease, and 20.4% patients had sepsis and/or meningitis . Only 6% cases had ear, nose, and throat infection . Sixty-eight (81.9%) patients received a combination of antibiotics and surgical treatment . The cerebral abscesses were totally excised in 26 cases, aspirated and partially excised in 6, and aspirated in 32 . Sixty patients had pus cultures from the cerebral abscesses . Organisms were isolated in 29 (49.2%) of them . Streptococcus was by far the most common organism . The overall outcome was: 49 (59%) alive; 16 (19.3%) dead; 18 (21.7%) lost to follow-up . Among the 16 mortalities, the causes of death were due to failure to treat the diseases causing the brain abscesses . We had a better outcome in patients whose cerebral abscesses were totally excised or whose abscesses were aspirated, and in patients who were older than 1 year of age. Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1989 Feb, (2), 42 - 6 {Creation and analysis of a bank of chromosomal genes of Streptococcus group A}; Nesterchuk LB et al.; The representative genomic library of chromosomal genes has been constructed for streptococcus group A serotype M48 strain 1/64 on the vector lambda L 47.1 . Screening of the obtained genomic library by hybridization and immunological techniques revealed about 50 clones producing the streptococcal antigens (extracellular nonidentified products and non-type specific structural streptococcal proteins) . Among the recombinant clones three were found to harbour the genetic determinants for M-protein . One the clones contains a determinant coding for epitopes crossreacting with antisera to M-proteins of other serotypes and a protective epitope . The presence of the latter was tested in an indirect bactericidal test. Infect Immun, 1989 Feb, 57(2), 533 - 9 Sequence analysis and expression in Escherichia coli of the hyaluronidase gene of Streptococcus pyogenes bacteriophage H4489A; Hynes WL et al.; The hyaluronidase gene (hylP) from Streptococcus pyogenes bacteriophage H4489A was previously cloned into Escherichia coli plasmid pUC8 as a 3.1-kilobase ThaI fragment . Southern hybridization experiments confirmed the origin of this fragment in bacteriophage H4489A before determination of the nucleotide sequence of the entire fragment . Two open reading frames (ORFs) were found, the first of which specified a 39,515-molecular-weight protein identified as the bacteriophage hyaluronidase . The second ORF encoded a 65,159-molecular-weight protein of unknown function . Putative transcription and translation control sequences for each ORF were identified by using a plasmid containing a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene . Controlled exclusive expression of the hylP gene via the T7 polymerase-promoter system in E . coli resulted in a 40,000-dalton protein, a result consistent with the coding capacity of the hylP gene. Mol Microbiol, 1989 Feb, 3(2), 161 - 75 Trimethoprim resistance transposon Tn4003 from Staphylococcus aureus encodes genes for a dihydrofolate reductase