Staphylococcus aureus

Infect Immun, 1988 Jun, 56(6), 1580 - 4
Monoclonal antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus laminin-binding proteins cross-react with mammalian cells; Mota GF et al.; We and others have previously shown that some microorganisms, including bacteria, express on their surfaces receptors that specifically recognize extracellular matrix proteins, such as laminin, fibronectin, or both . The ability of microorganisms to adhere and to invade might depend on the existence of receptors which could, thus, be correlated with pathogenicity . In the present paper, we report the isolation of five stable cell lines that were producers of monoclonal antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus laminin receptors . One of these antibodies, which was of the immunoglobulin M isotype, blocked the binding of laminin to bacteria before and after fixation and recognized the putative 52-kilodalton laminin-binding protein in whole bacterial extracts . Also, purified receptor was isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography and shown to bind laminin . Furthermore, the same antibodies bound the 67-kilodalton putative receptor from mouse melanoma cells and gave positive immunofluorescence reactions against mammalian tumor cells . These data strongly suggest either the evolutionary conservation of at least some sequences in both procaryotic and eucaryotic laminin-binding proteins or convergent evolution and positive selection of epitopes cross-reacting with laminin . Some of these antibodies to the procaryotic protein could therefore become useful markers for the expression of laminin receptors by cancer cells.

Bioorg Khim, 1988 Jun, 14(6), 790 - 6
{Primary structure of the OSCP-protein, conferring the oligomycin sensitivity to the H+-ATPase complex . II . Hydrolysis of OSCP with proteinase from Staphylococcus aureus and reconstruction of the polypeptide chain}; Grinkevich VA et al.; Hydrolysis of OSCP of bovine heart mitochondria by proteinase from Staphylococcus aureus V8 was followed by isolation of all individual peptides by means of gel-filtration and HPLC . Structural analysis of the peptides allowed to arrange BrCN-fragments and to reconstruct the complete amino acid sequence of the protein . Comparative structural analysis revealed existence of a certain homology between OSCP and delta- and b-subunits of the E . coli H+-ATPase, which are necessary for interaction of catalytic and proton-conducting parts of the bacterial enzyme.

Ann Trop Paediatr, 1988 Jun, 8(2), 80 - 4
Neonatal bacteraemia in Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha, Nigeria; Owa JA et al.; In a study on neonatal bacteraemia among the high-risk neonates admitted into our neonatal unit at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha, the incidence of bacteraemia in babies born in the hospital was 17/1000 live births and 71.6/1000 total admissions into the unit . Gram-negative bacteria accounted for about 58.1% of bacteria isolated and Staphylococcus aureus for 62% of the isolated Gram-positive bacteria . Among the commonly used antibiotics, gentamicin is the most favoured by the sensitivity test . S . aureus appeared more sensitive to erythromycin than to cloxacillin or ampicillin . The present policy of using the combination of gentamicin and cloxacillin and/or ampicillin is adequate for most agents encountered and therefore should continue . It is suggested that proper antenatal care, adequate supervision of delivery, better neonatal care and provision of better laboratory facilities will help to reduce the incidence of neonatal bacterial infection, improve the management of neonatal infection and reduce the morbidity and mortality from bacterial infection.

Biochemistry, 1988 May 17, 27(10), 3747 - 53
Identification of cysteine-644 as the covalent site of attachment of dexamethasone 21-mesylate to murine glucocorticoid receptors in WEHI-7 cells; Smith LI et al.; Dexamethasone 21-mesylate is a highly specific synthetic glucocorticoid derivative that binds covalently to glucocorticoid receptors via sulfhydryl groups . We have identified the amino acid that reacts with the dexamethasone 21-mesylate by using enzymatic digestion and microsequencing for radiolabel . Nonactivated glucocorticoid receptors obtained from labeling intact WEHI-7 mouse thymoma cells with {3H}dexamethasone 21-mesylate were immunopurified and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The purified approximately 100-kDa steroid-binding subunit was eluted from gel slices and subjected to enzymatic digestion . Trypsin digestion followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (reversed-phase HPLC) produced a single {3H}dexamethasone 21-mesylate labeled peptide . Automated Edman degradation of this peptide revealed that the {3H}dexamethasone 21-mesylate was located at position 5 from the amino terminus . Dual-isotope labeling studies with {3H}dexamethasone 21-mesylate and {35S}methionine demonstrated that this peptide contained methionine . Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion of {3H}dexamethasone 21-mesylate labeled steroid-binding subunits generated a different radiolabeled peptide containing label at position 7 from the amino terminus . On the basis of the published amino acid sequence of the murine glucocorticoid receptor, our data clearly identify cysteine-644 as the single residue in the steroid-binding domain that covalently binds dexamethasone 21-mesylate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biochem J, 1988 May 15, 252(1), 191 - 8
Characterization and amino acid sequence of a fatty acid-binding protein from human heart; Offner GD et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of a fatty acid-binding protein from human heart was determined by automated Edman degradation of CNBr, BNPS-skatole {3'-bromo-3-methyl-2-(2-nitrobenzenesulphenyl)indolenine}, hydroxylamine, Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, tryptic and chymotryptic peptides, and by digestion of the protein with carboxypeptidase A . The sequence of the blocked N-terminal tryptic peptide from citraconylated protein was determined by collisionally induced decomposition mass spectrometry . The protein contains 132 amino acid residues, is enriched with respect to threonine and lysine, lacks cysteine, has an acetylated valine residue at the N-terminus, and has an Mr of 14768 and an isoelectric point of 5.25 . This protein contains two short internal repeated sequences from residues 48-54 and from residues 114-119 located within regions of predicted beta-structure and decreasing hydrophobicity . These short repeats are contained within two longer repeated regions from residues 48-60 and residues 114-125, which display 62% sequence similarity . These regions could accommodate the charged and uncharged moieties of long-chain fatty acids and may represent fatty acid-binding domains consistent with the finding that human heart fatty acid-binding protein binds 2 mol of oleate or palmitate/mol of protein . Detailed evidence for the amino acid sequences of the peptides has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50143 (23 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained as indicated in Biochem . J . (1988) 249, 5.

J Biol Chem, 1988 May 15, 263(14), 6592 - 8
Isolation and characterization of two different forms of inositol phospholipid-specific phospholipase C from rat brain; Homma Y et al.; Two different forms of inositol phospholipid-specific phospholipase C (PLC) have been purified 2810- and 4010-fold, respectively, from a crude extract of rat brain . The purification procedures consisted of chromatography of both enzymes on Affi-Gel blue and cellulose phosphate, followed by three sequential high performance liquid chromatography steps, which were different for the two enzymes . The resultant preparations each contained homogeneous enzyme with a Mr of 85,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . One of these enzymes (PLC-II) was found to hydrolyze phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) at a rate of 15.3 mumol/min/mg of protein and also phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol (PI) at slower rates . For hydrolysis of PI, this enzyme was activated by an acidic pH and a high concentration of Ca2+ and showed a Vmax value of 19.2 mumol/min/mg of protein . The other enzyme (PLC-III) catalyzed hydrolysis of PIP2 preferentially at a Vmax rate of 12.9 mumol/min/mg of protein and catalyzed that of phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate slightly . The rate of PIP2 hydrolysis by this enzyme exceeded that of PI under all conditions tested . Neither of these enzymes had any activity on phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidic acid . These two enzymes showed not only biochemical but also structural differences . Western blotting showed that antibodies directed against PLC-II did not react with PLC-III . Furthermore, the two enzymes gave different peptide maps after digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . These results suggest that these two forms of PLC belong to different families of PLC.

Biomed Environ Mass Spectrom, 1988 May 15, 15(10), 541 - 6
A determination of the positions of disulphide bonds in Paim I, alpha-amylase inhibitor from Streptomyces corchorushii, using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry; Akashi S et al.; Paim I, a protein alpha-amylase inhibitor, is a single-chain polypeptide which consists of 73 amino acids, including 4 half-cystine residues . The positions of disulphide bonds in Paim I have been determined with the combination of enzymatic digestion and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry . Denatured Paim I was digested to peptides with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . These peptides were subjected to FAB mass spectrometry, with or without isolation by high-performance liquid chromatography . The positions of disulphide bonds in Paim I were determined from the relative molecular masses of the peptides containing a disulphide bond and by the enzyme specificity of S . aureus V8 protease . It is deduced that Paim I has two disulphide bridges at Cys(8)--Cys(24) and Cys(42)--Cys(70).

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1988 May 15, 263(1), 216 - 25
Topology and regulation of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase in sealed native microsomes from rat liver; Vanstapel F et al.; Bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase displays marked latency in native microsomes . To examine whether this latency correlates with structural integrity of the microsomal vesicles and reflects lumenal orientation of the enzyme's catalytic center, we analyzed the relationship between transferase activity and the degree of expression of mannose (Man)-6-phosphatase, which is a marker enzyme of the cisternal face of the ER membrane . Using detergent, sonication, or the pore-forming Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin to breach the microsomal membrane permeability barrier, we found that after each of these pretreatments a remarkably close direct relationship existed between latency changes for bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase and Man-6-phosphatase . This finding suggested that the transferase may have the same transverse topology as the phosphohydrolase . We also compared the effects of membrane-impermeant proteinases on bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity in native and disrupted microsomes . Whereas the unspecific proteinase nagarse markedly inactivated (to less than 30% of activities in controls) the transferase in disrupted microsomes, treatment with the proteinase had little effect on transferase activity in sealed microsomal vesicles . The results suggest that the active site of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase is on the lumenal face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane . It was also found that activation of transferase activity by UDP N-acetylglucosamine, which is the presumed allosteric effector of UDP-glucuronyltransferase, was markedly altered by relatively small changes in structural integrity of the microsomes and totally abolished when latency of Man-6-P hydrolysis fell below approximately 80% . Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the microsomal membrane permeability barrier is a major determinant of expression of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity and that quantitative assessment of integrity of the microsomes is essential for studying kinetic properties and regulation of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase.

J Biol Chem, 1988 May 5, 263(13), 6424 - 31
Protein kinase C and its substrates in tumor promoter-sensitive and -resistant cells; Smith BM et al.; Calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C activity and substrates were characterized in cell lysates of preneoplastic JB6 cells, a model system of genetic variants for sensitivity to tumor promoter-induced neoplastic transformation . Protein kinase C activity was similar for sensitive and resistant variants, as measured by calcium- and phospholipid-dependent phosphorylation of an exogenous substrate (histone HIII) . Of 13 endogenous protein kinase C substrates, identified by labeling proteins with {gamma-32P} ATP, at least two (80 and 23 kDa) are potential candidates for mediating events on the pathway for promotion of transformation . 32P incorporation into the 80-kDa protein kinase C substrate was stimulated by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and correlated with phenotype: the highest incorporation was found in promotion-insensitive cells, an intermediate level in promotion-sensitive cells and the lowest in the transformed cells . The phosphorylation of an 80-kDa protein, found by labeling intact cells in monolayer growth with {32P}orthophosphate, was also stimulated by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and correlated inversely with phenotype . The 80 kDa protein kinase C substrate from cell lysates and the 80-kDa phosphoprotein from intact cells appear to be identical, as indicated by peptide mapping with protease V8 from Staphylococcus aureus . This finding suggests that the 80-kDa substrate is relevant to promoter-induced signal transduction in the intact cell . The 23-kDa protein kinase C substrate exhibited a band shift in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels in response to another transformation promoter in JB6 cells, the calcium analog, lanthanum (Smith, B . M., Gindhart, T . D., and Colburn, N . H . (1986) Carcinogenesis 7, 1949-1956) . In summary, there are no unique substrates that distinguish the variants . Quantitative differences in certain substrates or their phosphorylation may, however, account for the difference in promotion sensitivity among the variants.

J Biol Chem, 1988 May 5, 263(13), 6276 - 80
Regulation of the enterotoxin B gene in Staphylococcus aureus; Gaskill ME et al.; The enterotoxin B gene of Staphylococcus aureus encodes a single mRNA of about 900 nucleotides . To identify the DNA sequences involved in transcription of the enterotoxin B gene, the transcription initiation and termination sites were determined by nuclease S1 protection experiments . Determination of the enterotoxin B mRNA and protein levels from a number of toxin-producing strains showed that strains that contained relatively low levels of mRNA synthesized low levels of enterotoxin B, whereas strains that carried high levels of enterotoxin B mRNA produced relatively high levels of the toxin protein . Strains carrying the cloned enterotoxin B gene secreted greatly reduced amounts of other extracellular proteins, indicating that the synthesis of several exoproteins in S . aureus is coordinately regulated . An accessory element called agr has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of several exoprotein genes in S . aureus . When the cloned enterotoxin B gene was introduced into strain ISP546 in which the agr element has been inactivated, reduced levels of both enterotoxin B and enterotoxin B mRNA were found . Our results suggest that the enterotoxin B gene is regulated at the transcriptional level and that the agr element plays a role in this regulation.

J Biol Chem, 1988 May 5, 263(13), 6068 - 73
Affinity labeling of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I by 5'-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine . Identification of the domain essential for polymerization and Arg-682 as the site of reactivity; Pandey VN et al.; Preincubation of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (pol I) with 5'-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (5'-FSBA) results in an irreversible inactivation of DNA polymerase activity with concomitant covalent binding of 5'-FSBA to enzyme . pol I-associated 3'-5' exonuclease activity, however, remains unaffected . Kinetic studies of inactivation indicate that the degree of inactivation is directly proportional to the concentration of 5'-FSBA and increases linearly with time . The presence of the metal chelate form of dNTP substrates or template primer, but not the template or primer alone, protects the enzyme from inactivation by 5'-FSBA . A complete inactivation of polymerase activity occurs when 2 mol of 5'-FSBA are covalently linked to 1 mol of enzyme, suggesting two sites of modification . Tryptic peptide mapping of 5'-FSBA-treated enzyme revealed the presence of two distinct peptides containing the affinity label, confirming the presence of two reactive sites in the enzyme . However, we find that only one of the two sites is essential for the polymerase activity since, in the presence of substrate dNTP or template primer during preincubation of enzyme with 5'-FSBA, incorporation of the affinity label is reduced by only 1 mol . Peptide analysis of dNTP or template primer-protected enzyme further revealed that a peptide eluting at 35 min from the C-18 matrix was protected from the 5'-FSBA reaction . It is therefore concluded that this peptide contains the domain essential for polymerase activity . Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease digestion, amino acid composition, and sequence analysis of this peptide revealed this domain to span residues 669 to 687 in the primary amino acid sequence of pol I, and arginine 682 was found to be the site of 5'-FSBA reactivity.

J Biol Chem, 1988 May 5, 263(13), 6375 - 83
Identification of the phosphorylation sites in early region 1A proteins of adenovirus type 5 by amino acid sequencing of peptide fragments; Tremblay ML et al.; We have mapped the positions of three of the phosphorylation sites on the 289 and 243 residue (289R and 243R) early region 1A (E1A) proteins of human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) . These proteins, which play roles in both transcriptional control and oncogenic transformation, have identical sequences except for the presence in 289R of 46 additional internal amino acids . Phosphorylation was detected exclusively at serine residues . E1A proteins purified from {35S}methionine- or {32P}orthophosphate-labeled Ad5-infected cells were digested with trypsin, and two phosphopeptides were isolated by reverse-phase chromatography and subjected to automated Edman degradation . The major species was shown to contain a single phosphorylation site at Ser-219 . The second phosphopeptide was shown to contain at least one phosphorylation site at Ser-231 . A third phosphorylated tryptic peptide could not be eluted from the column but was isolated using an E1A-specific rat monoclonal antibody . Following subcleavage by Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease, this peptide was shown to contain at least one phosphorylation site at Ser-89 . The present data indicate that both the 289R and 243R E1A proteins are phosphorylated at the same sites, at least one in the amino terminal half of the molecule, and at least two toward the carboxyl terminus.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 May 2, 173(3), 547 - 54
The amino acid sequence of wheat histone H2B(2) . A core histone with a novel repetitive N-terminal extension; Brandt WF et al.; Two of the four electrophoretic histone H2B variants present in wheat embryos have been isolated . The complete primary structure of the H2B(2) variant has been deduced from sets of overlapping peptides generated by CNBr cleavage, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, endoproteinase Arg-C, the post-proline cleaving enzyme, chymotrypsin and cleavage in dilute acid . A minimum of 17 peptides were required to establish the sequence . This variant has a blocked N terminus and comprises a total of 149 amino acids . The C-terminal two-thirds of the protein are highly homologous to vertebrate H2B . In contrast, the N-terminal third is entirely different and contains an N-terminal extension of 23 residues in which the sequence Ala-Glu-Lys or variants are repeated several times . This region is also highly homologous to the H2B from Tetrahymena pyriformis . It shows in addition similarities to wheat H2A(1) and bovine H1.

Mol Immunol, 1988 May, 25(5), 473 - 7
Protein A vectorized toxins--II . Preparation and "in vitro" cytotoxic effect of protein A-ricin A chain conjugate on antibody coated human tumour cells; Ghetie MA et al.; Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus was covalently bound to reduced ricin A chain toxin by N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate . The conjugate consisting mainly of one molecule of protein A bound to two molecules of A chains (Mr 107,000) was purified by tandem affinity chromatography on ConA-Sepharose 4B and IgG-Sepharose 4B . The purified protein A-A chain conjugate was able to bind and kill human lymphoma cells coated either with monoclonal mouse IgG2a anti-kappa antibody or with polyclonal rabbit anti-kappa antibody . The cytotoxic activity of protein A-A chain conjugate in conjunction with either mouse or rabbit anti-kappa antibodies was 10 times higher than that of rabbit IgG anti-mouse IgG coupled with A chain on Daudi cells coated with mouse anti-kappa antibody and 100 times higher than that of rabbit anti-kappa antibody coupled with A chain on non-coated Daudi cells . The cytotoxic effect of protein A-A chain conjugate on antibody-coated Daudi cells (9 x 10(-12) M) was comparable with that of ricin toxin on non-coated Daudi cells (2 x 10(-12) M) . The results recommend the use of protein A-ricin A chain toxin conjugate as a unique specific toxin for the "in vitro" killing of antibody-coated target cells.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 May, 268(3), 325 - 40
Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to fibrinogen, collagen and lectin in relation to cell surface structure; Ohtomo T et al.; The adherence of an encapsulated strain of Staphylococcus aureus, S-P, and its variants to fibrinogen-, collagen-, and lectin-coated hydroxyapatite were compared . The parent strain, S-P, possesses a large capsule while its variants S-A and S-B possess a small capsule and microcapsule, respectively . The third variant, S-C, has no capsule . Adherence to proteinaceous substances varied according to the strains . While all four strains showed a similar degree of adhesion to collagen, the adhesion of strains S-A, S-B and S-C to fibrinogen and lectin differed from those of strain S-P . The effect of physical and enzymatic pretreatment of the strains on adhesion characteristics was measured . Generally, these results suggest that both carbohydrate and protein moieties on cell surface may be involved in adherence . In addition, the inhibition of adhesion by cell-surface polymers and monosaccharides was measured . The inhibition of adhesion of large capsulated (S-P) and unencapsulated (S-C) strains by proteinaceous substances differed . The large capsulated strain (S-P) of S . aureus had different adherence capacities in early-, mid-, or late log phases of growth, whereas the adherence capacities of the unencapsulated strain S-C remained nearly constant.

Infection, 1988 May-Jun, 16(3), 183 - 5
A case of fatal enterotoxicosis complicated with acute bronchopneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus strains producing enterotoxin A; Duben J et al.; This is a case report of a female patient 20 years of age who died of congestive heart failure as the result of acute staphylococcal bronchopneumonia resulting from possible aspiration during apparent staphylococcal enterotoxicosis . The diagnosis was supported by the isolation of the same strain of Staphylococcus aureus from the lungs, tonsils, and intestinal contents . Isolates from all three sources produced enterotoxin A, a common food poisoning toxin.

Rev Infect Dis, 1988 May-Jun, 10(3), 627 - 8
Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Spanish hospital; Perez Trallero E et al.; Recent reports of the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Europe are infrequent compared with reports in the 1960s . Annual incidence of the isolation of MRSA was studied in a general hospital in Guipuzcoa (Basque country) over a 9-year period . Overall prevalence was 4.5%-12.93% in the first 3 years (coinciding with an epidemic phase) and later 0.29%, underlining the cyclic and epidemic nature of this infection.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 May, 21(5), 581 - 8
Susceptibility of Hong Kong isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to antimicrobial agents; French GL et al.; Two hundred and sixty-six non-replicate Hong Kong isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were tested for their susceptibility to various anti-staphylococcal agents . Multiple resistance was common . More than 95% of patient isolates were resistant to both gentamicin and tetracycline, 68% to erythromycin, 37% to chloramphenicol, 10% to trimethoprim, 5% to rifampicin and 2% to fusidic acid . No isolate was resistant to all these agents, but nineteen different patterns of resistance were identified . Selected gentamicin-resistant isolates were tested against other aminoglycosides, and were sensitive to amikacin and netilmicin . The pattern of aminoglycoside resistance indicated that all isolates produced the aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes APH-(2") and AAC-(6')-I . All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and teicoplanin . A single strain was resistant to three of the five quinolones tested, but resistance to all the quinolones could be induced easily in vitro by exposure to increasing subinhibitory concentrations of norfloxacin in broth.

Exp Lung Res, 1988 May, 14(3), 359 - 74
Pulmonary macrophage antimicrobial activity in canine endotoxin shock and lung injury; Jacobs RF et al.; Bacterial sepsis and pneumonia are common complications of lung injury and predispose the host to a poor resolution . We studied the functional integrity of pulmonary macrophages derived from minced lung preparations in a canine model of endotoxin-induced shock with acute lung injury . Dogs given 2 mg/kg of Escherichia coli endotoxin 055:B5 developed classic shock symptoms with concomitant acute lung injury; control animals given saline showed no physiological or pathological abnormalities . Compared to previous work with this canine model, the lung injury in this extended time period (6 h) had progressed to include alveolar edema . Six hours after endotoxin infusion, the left lung was lavaged, perfused, and the resulting lung minced for isolation of pulmonary macrophages . The endotoxic-model pulmonary macrophages showed several significant functional differences from controls . Although they elicited greater production of H2O2 (p less than 0.05), both phagocytosis of radiolabeled Staphylococcus aureus and E . coli (p less than 0.05) and bactericidal activity (p less than 0.05) were diminished compared to controls . Compared to alterations previously described in alveolar macrophages, these cells produced less H2O2 and demonstrated abnormal bacterial killing at all time points . These observations suggest that the functional alterations of pulmonary macrophages that follow acute lung injury contribute to the ineffective cell-mediated antimicrobial response . These derangements may promote an increased risk of nosocomial pneumonia, the high mortality often observed subsequent to pneumonia, or the propagation of acute lung injury that facilitates respiratory failure.

Immunol Lett, 1988 May, 18(1), 67 - 72
In vivo follow-up of the cytotoxic effect of protein A--ricin toxin conjugate, on antibody-coated target cells; Mota G et al.; Antibodies of the IgG class, specifically interacted with H-2 antigens of murine leukemia EL4 cells, were used to bind the ricin toxin covalently linked to protein A of Staphylococcus aureus . The toxin thus complexed, introduced in the cytoplasm by endocytosis, was able to kill the leukemic cells inoculated in animals . The interaction of immunotoxin with the leukemic cells was performed in vitro using one, two or three treatments and the cytotoxic effect on the target cells was followed up in vivo . The time interval between immunotoxin treatments was indicated by the membrane turn-over study of EL4 cells coated with specific antibodies in their monomeric form, complexed by protein A or interacted with protein A--ricin toxin conjugate . A proportion of 99.8% cells killed was obtained after three treatments.

J Surg Res, 1988 May, 44(5), 566 - 72
Efficacy of muscle flaps in the treatment of prosthetic vascular graft infections; Dacey LJ et al.; Prosthetic vascular graft infection requires graft removal and often leads to limb loss . To determine whether vascularized muscle flaps could alter the course of graft infection, 18 mongrel dogs (18-29 kg) were randomized to one of three groups and underwent unilateral carotid artery bypass with 6-mm X 4-cm PTFE grafts . At implantation, the grafts were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, 2 x 10(7) organisms/wound . On Day 3, dogs with patent grafts underwent wound debridement, irrigation, and closure, and the treatment to which they had been randomized was carried out . Group A (n = 4, controls) received only dicloxacillin, 500 mg po bid, beginning on Day 4 . Group B (n = 5) underwent transfer of a vascularized sternocephalicus muscle flap around the infected graft, but received no antibiotics . Group C (n = 5) underwent muscle transfer as in Group B and were given dicloxacillin as in Group A . Dogs were followed until anastomotic disruption occurred or for 60 days . Quantitative bacterial cultures were taken from sternocephalicus muscle and wound fluid at the time of debridement and at sacrifice . All dogs that received antibiotics without flaps or flaps without antibiotics (Groups A and B) experienced anastomotic disruption . Dogs that received both antibiotics and flaps (Group C) had a significantly lower incidence of hemorrhage (20%, P less than 0.05) . At sacrifice, fewer bacterial colonies were cultured from muscle flaps of Group C as opposed to Group A dogs (0.05 +/- 0.02 x 10(5) vs 0.79 +/- 0.31 x 10(5), P less than 0.05) . Muscle flaps with antibiotic therapy may prove to be effective treatment for infected prosthetic vascular grafts.

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1988 May, 188(1), 1 - 6
Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema--the virulence enhancing activity of mucin; Verghese A et al.; Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia was studied in hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema and in saline-treated controls . Emphysematous animals cleared endotracheally administered inocula of S . aureus in saline as rapidly as controls . After infection with S . aureus in 1% mucin, emphysematous animals had impaired clearance compared with controls; after infection with S . aureus in 5% mucin, emphysematous animals had decreased survival at 96 hr compared to controls (6/24 vs 15/24, P less than 0.01 Fisher's exact test) . Bronchoalveolar lavage of uninfected elastase-treated hamsters yielded twice as many cells per animal as uninfected controls (P less than 0.0001, paired t test), and the cells contained a higher percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (37.8% vs 3.8%, P less than 0.0001) . Lavage cells from both groups of animals were equally efficient per cell at killing opsonized S . aureus in an in vitro bactericidal assay . Hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema were resistant to infection with S . aureus alone despite marked structural abnormalities in the lung, possibly due in part to increased numbers of resident phagocytic cells . After infection with S . aureus in mucin as a virulence enhancing factor emphysematous animals had impaired clearance and decreased survival compared to controls.

Surgery, 1988 May, 103(5), 507 - 12
The occurrence of cholangitis after percutaneous biliary drainage: evaluation of some risk factors; Audisio RA et al.; Sepsis of the biliary tract is often reported after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and is considered a life-threatening condition . The authors studied 39 patients with biliary stenosis (35 with neoplastic stricture and four with benign disease) with the purpose of identifying some factors possibly associated with a higher risk of cholangitis . None of the patients complained of biliary sepsis at the first clinical examination . Several factors were taken into account and were statistically tested according to Miettinen rate ratios to differentiate patients in whom cholangitis would consequently develop: nature, site and extent of basic disease, type and functioning of PTBD, skin contamination at puncture site of PTBD, and bile contamination at PTBD and at follow-up . The presence of bacteria in the first bile (31.5%) was not related to a higher risk . All subjects showed bile contamination after PTBD, but cholangitis developed in only 15 patients, and it was always supported by enteric microorganisms . When we compared patients with cholangitis and subjects without infection, it was possible to demonstrate a statistically significant association of cholangitis and the following: nature of the stricture, presence of multiple intrahepatic biliary obstruction, neoplastic invasion or compression on the duodenum, and presence of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin at puncture site at drainage.

Diabetes, 1988 May, 37(5), 544 - 9
Bacterial phagocytosis and intracellular killing by alveolar macrophages in BB rats; Sima AA et al.; Diabetic patients and animals show an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections due to impaired bactericidal function of various host-defense mechanisms . In our study, we examined the ability of alveolar macrophages (AMs) of the diabetic BB rat to phagocytize and kill Staphylococcus aureus bacteria . Groups of spontaneously diabetic BB rats with variable severity of diabetes were used and compared with non-diabetes-prone BB rats . AMs obtained from diabetic insulin-deficient BB rats showed a markedly decreased capacity to phagocytize and kill bacteria, a defect that was partially corrected after a period of aggressive insulin treatment . Glucose-intolerant BB rats and diabetes-prone BB rats who did not develop diabetes showed a normal AM function compared to non-diabetes-prone BB rats . The impaired phagocytotic and bactericidal functions of AMs appeared to be caused by a cellular abnormality associated with the degree of insulin deficiency.

Infect Immun, 1988 May, 56(5), 1090 - 5
Capsular antibodies induce type-specific phagocytosis of capsulated Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Karakawa WW et al.; Capsular types 5 and 8, which account for about 70% of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the blood of patients, resisted in vitro phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) . Antisera and monoclonal antibody to type 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides (CPS) induced type-specific in vitro phagocytosis of capsulated organisms by PMN . Antibodies directed against the O-acetyl moiety of the type 8 CPS were more effective in inducing phagocytosis of type 8 organisms by PMN . Either type-specific antiserum or monoclonal antibody reactive with the native O-acetylated type 8 CPS was most effective in inducing in vitro phagocytosis of type 8 organisms by PMN . These results provide further evidence that CPS of S . aureus are associated with host immunity to this organism.

Clin Radiol, 1988 May, 39(3), 291 - 4
The effect of chlorhexidine and benzydamine mouthwashes on mucositis induced by therapeutic irradiation; Samaranayake LP et al.; A variety of mouthwashes are frequently used in the management of irradiation-induced mucositis . Benzydamine has recently been introduced for alleviating this condition . Its efficacy as a mouthwash was compared with chlorhexidine in two groups of patients receiving radiotherapy for oral carcinoma . Mucositis and pain were recorded over a 6 week period and oral carriage of Candida species, coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus was assessed using an oral rinse technique . There was no significant difference in the mucositis scores, overall pain scores or the yeast and bacterial species isolated between the two treatment groups . However, 58% (7 out of 12) and 92% (12 out of 13) patients reported oral discomfort when rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine and benzydamine, respectively . In both groups, the most common coliform isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae and the carriage of yeasts was significantly greater than that of coliforms . These results indicate that, although the individual patient acceptance of chlorhexidine is better than benzydamine, there is little difference between the two mouthwashes both in controlling pain and mucositis or in the oral carriage of the micro-organisms studied.

Am J Vet Res, 1988 May, 49(5), 678 - 81
Function of phagocytes obtained from lacteal secretions of lactating and nonlactating cows; Fox LK et al.; Phagocytes, macrophages and neutrophils, were obtained from lacteal secretions of lactating (n = 13) and nonlactating cows (n = 14) . Secretions from nonlactating cows were collected at 7 and 14 days after cessation of lactation . Phagocytes were incubated in vitro with Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli, and function was assessed by fluorescent microscopy of cell suspensions stained with acridine orange and crystal violet . A greater percentage of macrophages from nonlactating cow secretions collected on day 14 phagocytized bacteria than did those collected on day 7 . A greater percentage of macrophages from nonlactating cow secretions collected on days 7 and 14 phagocytized bacteria than did neutrophils obtained from the same secretions . A similar percentage of phagocytes from nonlactating cow secretions phagocytized bacteria, compared with phagocytes from lactating cow secretions . Results indicated that the intramammary macrophage may be most important in defense of the mammary gland during the early nonlactating period, because it was more phagocytic than the neutrophil and was more active at 14 days than at 7 days into the nonlactating period.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1988 May, 9(5), 204 - 5
The use of a selective staphylococcal broth v direct plating for the recovery of Staphylococcus aureus; Sautter RL et al.; Nine hundred seventy-two cultures taken from the external nares and the vaginal vestibules of 54 women for the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus were studied . The swabs were plated directly to a trypticase soy agar plate containing 5% sheep blood and were then placed into a selective staphylococcal broth . Both culture methods were compared for the ability to recover S aureus . Twenty percent (26/131) and 66% (38/58) of the S aureus-positive cultures taken from the nares and vagina respectively were cultured from the selective broth only . We believe that a selective staphylococcal broth should be used in addition to routine culture techniques to isolate S aureus from infection control surveillance cultures.

Transplantation, 1988 May, 45(5), 936 - 9
Characteristics of dendritic cells in rat liver; Lautenschlager I et al.; The properties of rat liver dendritic cells (DC) were analyzed after collagenase digestion of the tissue and enrichment with density gradient centrifugation . The liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) were eliminated by adherence before the gradient centrifugation . The morphology of isolated DC in May-Grunwald-Giemsa (MGG) stained cytocentrifuge preparations resembled that of monocytes with certain dissimilarities . The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens (Ia) on DC was analyzed with the Staphylococcus aureus rosette method using a monoclonal antibody . The binding of anti-Ia antibody to rat liver DC was 3 times stronger than to passenger lymphocytes and 10 times stronger than to hepatocytes . All DC were Ia-positive tested with indirect immunofluorescence technique, and none of them were able to phagocytize antibody-coated human red cells . The DC did not express intracytoplasmic lysozyme, or surface Fc-receptors, and they all were negative in alpha-naphtylacetate esterase (ANAE) staining . Thus, although the dendritic cells of rat liver seem to belong to the monocytic series according to morphologic criteria, they were all negative when tested for typical monocyte/macrophage markers . The immunocenic potential of DC was analyzed by testing their ability to prime a naive recipient for graft rejection . The number DC needed for the priming was comparable with the number of spleen lymphocytes needed for an equivalent effect, indicating that the DC were highly immunogenic . The hepatocytes showed practically no immunogenic effect . Thus the immunogenic potential of the tested cells, i.e . their ability to induce accelerated transplant rejection, carries a good correlation with the expression of Ia-antigens on the cell surface.

J Neurochem, 1988 May, 50(5), 1403 - 11
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from avian retina and heart undergo different patterns of molecular maturation; Cho NJ et al.; Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) from the avian CNS exist in two molecular weight forms whose concentrations change during development . Here, we have compared the development of mAChRs from embryonic hearts with those of the CNS . Analysis of {3H}-propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM)-labeled retina and heart mAChRs by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two atropine-sensitive peaks for each tissue . Apparent molecular masses of retina mAChRs, 86 +/- 0.7 kilodaltons (kDa) and 72 +/- 0.7 kDa, were different from those of heart mAChRs, 77 +/- 1.0 kDa and 52 +/- 0.9 kDa . During retina development, the major receptor type changed from 86 kDa to 72 kDa . No such change occurred during heart development . Furthermore, the 52-kDa species appeared to be generated by endogenous proteolysis, as prolonged incubation of heart membranes at 37 degrees C increased the amount of 52-kDa peptide with a decrease of 77-kDa peptide . Protease inhibitors blocked this conversion . Incubation of retina membranes at 37 degrees C did not result in a conversion of the 86-kDa peptide into the 72-kDa peptide, but it did cause the appearance of a minor amount of 52-kDa peptide . The proteolysis of retina mAChRs was not enhanced by cohomogenizing them with heart tissue, arguing against the presence of releasable proteases in heart . Membrane-bound retina and heart mAChRs displayed similar sensitivity to exogenous (Staphylococcus aureus V8) protease, indicating that heart receptors were not unusually susceptible to proteolytic attack; analysis of the labeled polypeptides with the V8 protease showed different patterns of digestion for the retina and heart receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arch Neurol, 1988 May, 45(5), 567 - 72
Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinuses; DiNubile MJ; Cavernous sinus thrombosis may occur as a complication of infectious and noninfectious processes . Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinuses most commonly follows infections of the middle third of the face due to Staphylococcus aureus . Other antecedent sites of infection include paranasal (usually sphenoid) sinusitis, dental abscess and, less often, otitis media . Fever is a nearly constant finding, but headache may not be prominent . Periorbital edema, chemosis, proptosis, and limitation of extraocular movements (especially lateral gaze) develop in almost all recognized cases . Involvement of the opposite eye frequently appears within two days following the onset of unilateral signs . Although computed tomography may be helpful, magnetic resonance imaging is probably the diagnostic procedure of choice . Treatment includes appropriate antibiotics and, oftentimes, surgical drainage of the primary focus of infection . Less than half of the patients recover completely; the mortality rate is approximately 30%.

Infect Immun, 1988 May, 56(5), 1254 - 9
Alveolar macrophage function is selectively altered after endotoxemia in rats; Christman JW et al.; The alveolar macrophage (AM) is exquisitely sensitive to activation by gram-negative bacterial endotoxin, an agent associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome . We tested the hypothesis that specific functions of the AM are activated selectively by in vivo endotoxin while others remain unaffected . AMs were recovered from the airspaces of control and endotoxin-treated (5.0 mg/kg) rats, and functional assays were performed . We measured macrophage adherence, viability, and survival; chemotactic movement; hydrogen peroxide production; phagocytic function; and the secretion of representative biological response modifiers . Endotoxemia enhanced AM adherence during a 15-h incubation period, while not affecting cell number or viability . There was a 60% reduction in AM chemotactic movement and a 65% augmentation of hydrogen peroxide production, but no effect on AM phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus . Endotoxemia enhanced AM production of macrophage-derived chemotactic activity for neutrophils by 70% and interleukin-1 activity by 100%, but did not affect the production of macrophage-derived growth factor activity for fibroblasts . We conclude that endotoxemia alters the functions of the AM in a selective manner; certain functions are enhanced, while others are inhibited or not affected . We believe that this selective effect on AM functional capacity may be an important mechanism explaining certain aspects of the course, duration, or outcome of adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with gram-negative sepsis.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1988 May, 41(5), 523 - 9
{The enzymatic mechanisms of resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in methicillin-cephem-resistant Staphylococcus aureus}; Matsuhashi Y et al.; We investigated enzymatic mechanisms of resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in methicillin-cephem-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by elucidation of the structures of the enzymatic reaction products . According to the MIC data, MRSA, (46 strains) can be classified into 3 groups as follows . 1 . Group I (35 strains) was highly resistant to gentamicin (GM) and tobramycin (TOB), and produced 2"-aminoglycosides phosphotransferase (APH (2"} . 2 . Group II (8 strains) was sensitive to GM, but was highly resistant to TOB, and produced 4'-aminoglycosides adenylyl-transferase (AAD (4'} . 3 . Group III (3 strains) was sensitive to GM and TOB, but was highly resistant to kanamycin, and produced 3'-aminoglycosides phosphotransferase (APH (3'}-III . Arbekacin (HBK) was the most stable antibiotic to all of the inactivating-enzymes produced by MRSA, and all MRSA were sensitive to HBK.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 May, 32(5), 747 - 51
Ciprofloxacin therapy of experimental endocarditis caused by methicillin-susceptible or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Fernandez-Guerrero M et al.; Ciprofloxacin was more effective (P less than 0.01) than either imipenem or nafcillin therapy of experimental methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis in rabbits after 2 or 3 days of treatment . There was no significant difference between results of treatment of methicillin-susceptible S . aureus experimental endocarditis with ciprofloxacin and results with the combination of nafcillin and gentamicin . Ciprofloxacin was more effective (P less than 0.01) than vancomycin therapy of experimental methicillin-resistant S . aureus endocarditis after 3 days of treatment . After 5 days of treatment, there was no significant difference between the results of treatment of experimental methicillin-resistant S . aureus endocarditis with ciprofloxacin and results with vancomycin.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 May, 134 ( Pt 5), 1307 - 13
Attachment of mycobacteria to fibronectin-coated surfaces; Ratliff TL et al.; This report investigates the extent of the expression of fibronectin (FN) binding properties among the mycobacteria and provides preliminary characteristics of the bacterial molecule(s) mediating attachment . Eight BCG substrains, three Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and four other mycobacterial species all expressed FN-binding capacity . Treatment of organisms with detergent prior to the binding assay destroyed the FN-binding capacity of BCG but not that of Staphylococcus aureus . Trypsin pretreatment eliminated the FN-binding capacity of both BCG and S . aureus . {35S}Methionine-labelled material in supernatants from BCG and M . tuberculosis cultures attached to FN-coated surfaces . These culture supernatants inhibited the attachment of BCG but not S . aureus to FN-coated surfaces . This inhibitory activity of the supernatants was removed by affinity chromatography on FN-Sepharose but was not affected by similar passage over a control column (human serum albumin attached to Sepharose) . These results demonstrate that the ability to bind FN is present in all mycobacterial species tested and suggest that attachment is mediated by trypsin-sensitive cell-surface component(s).

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 May, 21(5), 589 - 95
Bactericidal efficacy of mupirocin in multi-antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus burn wound infection; Rode H et al.; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA) have become increasingly prevalent as pathogenic organisms, especially in burn wounds, with an associated mortality of 20-40% among those clinically infected . Mupirocin ointment, a new topical antibiotic, has proved in vitro and in vivo to be highly effective in the treatment of MRSA infections . A modified Walker burn wound model was used to define the rate of trans-eschar penetration, biodynamic availability and bactericidal efficacy of 2% mupirocin ointment in established MRSA burn wound infection . In-vitro penetration trials confirmed the effective diffusion of mupirocin through 1.5 mm eschar within 2 h . A single topical application of mupirocin resulted in a 98.3% (5.67 x 10(8) cfu/g of tissue--1.0 x 10(7) cfu/g of tissue) reduction in intra-eschar viable organisms within 36 h post application . A second topical application of mupirocin at 24 h resulted in a total reduction of 99.6% in viable intra-eschar organisms (1.85 x 10(8) cfu/gram of tissue--6.76 x 10(5) cfu/g of tissue) . It is concluded that mupirocin is highly effective in controlling MRSA burn wound infection and should be applied topically every 24 h.

J Med Chem, 1988 May, 31(5), 976 - 83
Coupling products of amino acids to penicillin V and cephalothin: synthesis and susceptibility to carboxypeptidases and lysosomal enzymes; Bounkhala Z et al.; Amino acids have been coupled to the carboxyl group of penicillin V and cephalothin by methods that keep the beta-lactam ring intact . Derivatives were successfully obtained with both neutral (Leu, Val, Ala, Ile, Trp, Tyr, Gly) and one acidic (Glu) amino acids . The new compounds were inactive in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus or Micrococcus luteus . Incubation in the presence of purified carboxypeptidases (A, B), soluble lysosomal fractions from liver, or cellular homogenates from liver, kidney, fibroblasts, and macrophages did not allow recovery of the antibacterial activity . Injection in mice also failed to cause liberation of microbiologically active compounds . HPLC studies confirmed that the amide linkage between the antibiotic and the amino acid was not hydrolyzed in the presence of soluble lysosomal fractions from liver . However, conversion of cephalothin and cephalothin-leucine to desacetyl derivatives was observed in the presence of soluble lysosomal fractions and extracts from liver and semipurified orange peel acetylesterase(s) . It is concluded that amino acid derivatives of beta-lactam antibiotics do not offer potential chemotherapeutic use as prodrugs.

Can J Microbiol, 1988 May, 34(5), 645 - 50
Factors influencing potent antagonistic effects of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides ovatus on Staphylococcus aureus in anaerobic continuous flow cultures; Ushijima T et al.; We examined factors related to the potent antagonistic effect of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides ovatus on Staphylococcus aureus in anaerobic continuous flow cultures . In the presence of sugars fermentable by E . coli alone or both E . coli and S . aureus, motile E . coli strains exerted a potent antagonistic effect and S . aureus was expelled from the culture vessel within a few days . Conversely, in the presence of a sugar fermentable by S . aureus alone, the antagonistic effect of E . coli was diminished and S . aureus persisted at ca . 5 x 10(5) cfu/mL . B . ovatus alone exerted only a weak antagonistic effect on S . aureus in any culture conditions; however, when B . ovatus was cocultivated with E . coli and S . aureus, even in the presence of a sugar fermentable by S . aureus but not by E . coli, the potent antagonistic effect was restored . Escherichia coli showed the same level of antagonistic effect either in the presence of acetic acid (ca . 32 mM), propionic acid (4 mM), butyric acid (17 mM) and hydrogen sulfide (5 x 10(-1) mM) or when these metabolic products, except for a small amount of acetic acid (1.2 mM) were not present . In these culture conditions, S . aureus populations were lost at rates much higher than theoretical wash out rates of resting cells . These results indicate the presence of some bactericidal factors other than the volatile fatty acids and hydrogen sulfide . The bactericidal factors were not found in cultures of E . coli heated in boiling water for 10 min and in cell-free culture filtrates . Thus, the bactericidal factors seem to be associated with live E . coli cells . The nature of the bactericidal factors is not clear at present.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 389 - 93
{In vivo bactericidal activity of an oxacillin-netilmicin combination against Staphylococcus aureus . Influence of the rhythm of netilmicin administration}; Weber M et al.; The bactericidal activity of two regimens of netilmicin (8 mg/kg/day) given intravenously once a day (od) or thrice daily (tid) both alone and in combination with oxacillin (200 mg/kg/day) was compared using a model of fibrin clots infected with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (10(7) CFU/g) sensitive to methicillin and netilmicin (clinical isolate) and implanted subcutaneously in rabbit . This study shows that: 1) Netilmicin given alone as both single and divided doses results in early bacterial killing but does not exert a bactericidal effect after 24 hours because of a significant late increase of the number of bacterial . 2) The netilmicin-oxacillin combinations are more bactericidal at 1 h, 2 h and 24 h than oxacillin alone (P less than 0.001) . 3) The oxacillin-netilmicin combination appears to be better for bacterial killing when netilmicin is given thrice daily (P less than 0.001) . It is hard to draw a clinical inference from such an experimental study but it seems that 8-hour divided doses intervals should be better for administration of netilmicin than single daily dose during the acute period of staphylococcal infections.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 381 - 5
{An expert system as an aid to the validation of results of the antibiogram . Feasibility study based on the example of Staphylococcus aureus}; Comby S et al.; A model of expert system using Prolog language was developed, to verify the coherence of the results of the antibiotic sensitivity test . Biological knowledge was formalized in three different ways: a credibility coefficient based on epidemiological data is assigned to known observed resistance; co-existent resistances are described with lists of "implicit" resistances, reflecting phenotypes commonly observed within some antibiotic groups; every single or "implicit" resistance is connected to a "gregarius" status, expressing the plasmidic nature of resistance . Applied to Staphylococcus aureus, the expert system is able to detect the inconsistencies of the antibiotic sensitivity test and to identify required knowledges . It therefore allows phenotypic interpretation of results.

J Bacteriol, 1988 May, 170(5), 2409 - 11
Structural analysis of staphylococcal bacteriophage phi 11 attachment sites; Lee CY et al.; The lysogenization of bacteriophage phi 11 in Staphylococcus aureus occurs by site-specific recombination . The DNA segments containing the attachment sites on the host chromosome, the phage genome, and the two junctions created by insertion of the prophage were cloned, and the nucleotide sequences were determined . The attachment sites share a very short common sequence of 10 base pairs.

J Immunol, 1988 May 1, 140(9), 3233 - 6
Induction and regulation of CD2 mRNA in human lymphocytes; Malter JS et al.; Herein we studied the accumulation and decay of CD2 mRNA in human PBMC stimulated with PHA . The data show that CD2-specific messages are present in low quantities in resting PBMC and are rapidly increased by five- to sevenfold within 24 h of addition of optimal amounts of PHA . Similar induction of CD2 mRNA was seen after stimulation of PBMC with anti-CD3 mAb and PMA . Peak levels of CD2 message were maintained until 72 h post-stimulation and declined gradually thereafter . Despite stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus and PMA, purified B cells failed to demonstrate any CD2 mRNA . Unlike transferrin or IL-2R mRNA, Il-2 had no effect on the accumulation of CD2 messages in resting or PHA-stimulated PBMC . The time course of CD2 mRNA accumulation preceded lymphocyte proliferation and the appearance of additional cell surface CD2 Ag . The decay of CD2 mRNA was very rapid, with a t 1/2 of approximately 45 min . The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, increased its half-time by fourfold to 3.5 h . The data imply the existence of a labile factor, dependent on protein synthesis that is important in the regulation of CD2 mRNA . Compared to other PHA-inducible lymphocyte genes, the kinetics of CD2 transcript accumulation are most reminiscent of the oncogenes N-ras and c-abl.

Cell Immunol, 1988 May, 113(2), 423 - 34
Influence of human T lymphocytes identified by antibodies to dipeptidyl peptidase IV on differentiation of human B lymphocytes stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen; Gruber M et al.; The influence of human T lymphocytes expressing the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) was investigated with respect to human peripheral B-lymphocyte differentiation . B cells stimulated with pokeweed mitogen in the presence of DPP IV-positive T cells produced high amounts of immunoglobulin . Moderate amounts of immunoglobulin could be measured when B cells were cultured in the presence of DPP IV-negative T cells . DPP IV defines a T-cell subset partially overlapping the subsets characterized by the differentiation antigens Leu 3a (helper/inducer) and Leu 2a (suppressor/cytotoxic) . DPP IV-positive T cells exert, in contrast to DPP IV-negative T cells, high interleukin-2 activity after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen . To further functionally characterize DPP IV-positive and DPP IV-negative T cells, the helper effects of Leu 3a-positive T-cell subsets, differing in DPP IV expression, were investigated in pokeweed mitogen- and Staphylococcus aureus-driven B-cell differentiation systems . After pokeweed mitogen stimulation, immunoglobulin production was markedly reduced when B cells were cultured in the presence of Leu 3a-positive T cells expressing DPP IV (DPP IV+/Leu 3a+) . In contrast, high amounts of immunoglobulin were produced in cultures with Leu 3a-positive but DPP IV-negative T cells (DPP IV-/Leu 3a+) . This difference in immunoglobulin production of B cells cultured with DPP IV+/Leu 3a+ and DPP IV-/Leu 3a+ T cells could not be observed in Staphylococcus aureus-stimulated cultures . Here, both T-cell subsets supported terminal differentiation of B cells . We conclude that in the pokeweed mitogen-driven culture systems, DPP IV+/Leu 3a+ and DPP IV-/Leu 3a+ T cells may differ in the production of growth and/or differentiation factors distinct from interleukin-2.

Am J Vet Res, 1988 May, 49(5), 682 - 6
Effects of infection with parainfluenza-3 virus and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus on neutrophil functions in calves; Briggs RE et al.; Calves were challenge exposed in separate experiments with parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus . Blood neutrophils were assayed for functional activity every other day for at least 3 weeks by random migration, Staphylococcus aureus ingestion, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, cytochrome-c reduction, iodination, and native chemiluminescence . Exposure to PI-3 virus resulted in a brief febrile response and no other clinical signs . Alterations in total or differential WBC counts were not detected . Chemiluminescence and iodination activities were reduced from activities before exposure . Exposure to IBR virus resulted in mild clinical signs and a febrile response of several days' duration . Total WBC and mononuclear cell counts were reduced . Random migration was reduced, whereas S aureus ingestion was enhanced . We concluded that infection of calves with IBR virus and PI-3 virus might directly or indirectly result in alterations of neutrophil function . The functional alterations apparently are different for each virus . These virus-induced alterations in neutrophil function might predispose calves to secondary bacterial pneumonia.

Vopr Virusol, 1988 May-Jun, 33(3), 305 - 9
{Interferon production and natural killer activity induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin in mouse spleen cells}; Shcheglovitova ON et al.; After a single intraperitoneal inoculation of C57BL/6 mice with enterotoxin A of Staphylococcus aureus (SEA) the activity of natural killers (NK) increases and phase change of interferon production by spleen cells upon reinduction in vitro occurs . Multiple daily inoculations of mice with SEA maintain the activity of splenic NK at a similar high level . With an adequate control (multiple administration of the medium) NK activity was maintained at the same high level . Interferon production by spleen cells of mice which were multiply inoculated with the medium upon reinduction in vitro was the same as in the control animals, whereas after multiple inoculations of mice with SEA, spleen cells in vitro produced lower amounts of interferon.

Biokhimiia, 1988 May, 53(5), 853 - 5
{ATP synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus cells during induction of membrane potentials and proton gradient}; Vinnikov AI; The dynamics of ATP synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus cells was studied during membrane potential induction and K+ gradient generation in the presence of valinomycin . The starting level of intracellular ATP was 0.05 mM . Valinomycin (30 micrograms/ml) caused an increment of the intracellular ATP level up to 0.25 mM . The protonophore uncoupler, m-chlorinecarbonylcyanidephenylhydrazonium, and the H+-ATPase inhibitor, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, effectively suppress ATP synthesis induced by valinomycin . No ATP synthesis occurs at K+ concentration of 200 mM . The transmembrane gradient formation results in the synthesis of a smaller amount of ATP (0.10 mM).

Ann Allergy, 1988 May, 60(5), 423 - 8
Factors influencing pseudomonas colonization in cystic fibrosis; Kulczycki LL et al.; In order to assess the relationship between various factors influencing Pseudomonas (Ps) colonization of the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the appearance of various strains of Ps, two groups of CF patients were studied during a 5-year period . Group A consisted of 24 Ps-negative patients, and Group B consisted of 32 Ps-positive patients, including eight patients who expired . Several clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated . Although the precise mechanism causing the appearance of Ps in the respiratory tract of CF patients remains elusive, we analyzed several biologic characteristics of both host and organism . This study indicates that frequent use of antibiotics combined with the eradication of Staphylococcus aureus from the respiratory tract heralds the onset of persistent Ps colonization and a subsequent downhill course for CF patients.

Biochemistry, 1988 Apr 19, 27(8), 2815 - 20
Complete amino acid sequence of ovine salivary carbonic anhydrase; Fernley RT et al.; The primary structure of the secreted carbonic anhydrase from ovine salivary glands has been determined by automated Edman sequence analysis of peptides generated by cyanogen bromide and tryptic cleavage of the protein and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, trypsin, and alpha-chymotrypsin subdigests of the large cyanogen bromide peptides . The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain comprising 307 amino acids and contains two apparent sites of carbohydrate attachment at Asn-50 and Asn-239 . The protein contains two half-cystine residues at 25 and 207 which appear to form an intramolecular disulfide bond . Salivary carbonic anhydrase shows 33% sequence identity with the ovine cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase II enzyme, with residues involved in the active site highly conserved . Compared to the cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrases, the secreted enzyme has a carboxyl-terminal extension of 45 amino acids . This is the first report of the complete amino acid sequence of a secreted carbonic anhydrase (CA VI).

Biochem J, 1988 Apr 15, 251(2), 461 - 6
Purification and characterization of diacetyl-reducing enzymes from Staphylococcus aureus; Vidal I et al.; A method was developed to purify diacetyl-reducing enzymes from Staphylococcus aureus . Two enzymes capable of catalysing diacetyl reduction were isolated, neither of which turned out to be a specific diacetyl reductase . One of them is a lactate dehydrogenase similar to the one from Staphylococcus epidermidis, which accepts diacetyl, although poorly . The other one uses as coenzyme beta-NAD and reduces uncharged alpha-dicarbonyls with more than three carbon atoms (especially the alpha-diketones diacetyl and pentane-2,3-dione), producing the L(+) form of the corresponding alpha-hydroxycarbonyls . This enzyme has an Mr of 68,000 and is, most probably, a monomer . Its optimum pH is 6.0 . Its shows a high affinity for NADH and a rather low one for diacetyl, which, at least in vitro, does not seem to be as good a substrate as pentane-2,3-dione . We propose for it the systematic name L-alpha-hydroxyketone:NAD+ oxidoreductase and the recommended name of alpha-diketone reductase (NAD) . We also suggest that the diacetyl reductase entry in the I.U.B . classification be suppressed.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Apr 15, 263(11), 5348 - 55
Interactions in platelets between G proteins and the agonists that stimulate phospholipase C and inhibit adenylyl cyclase; Brass LF et al.; Platelet responses to agonists are believed to be mediated by at least two pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins: Gi which inhibits adenylyl cyclase and Gp, which stimulates phospholipase C . The present studies compare the properties of Gi and Gp and examine their interactions with the receptors for various platelet agonists . In permeabilized platelets and platelet membranes, pertussis toxin {32P}ADP-ribosylated a protein(s) (alpha 41) which migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis fractionally below rabbit and bovine alpha i (Mr = 41,000) . Prior exposure of the platelets to an agonist inhibited the {32P}ADP-ribosylation of alpha 41 to an extent which correlated with the pattern of responses to that agonist . Thrombin, which elicited responses that were mediated by both Gi and Gp, decreased radiolabeling by greater than 90% . Epinephrine, which was functionally coupled only to Gi, decreased radiolabeling by 50%, as did vasopressin and platelet-activating factor (PAF), which were coupled only to Gp . U46619, a thromboxane analog which neither inhibited cAMP formation nor caused pertussis toxin-sensitive phosphoinositide hydrolysis, had no effect on 32P-ADP-ribosylation . These results suggest that either G alpha 41 regulates more than one enzyme or that alpha subunits from more than one G protein comigrate within alpha 41 . Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to test the latter possibility . Upon isoelectric focusing, alpha 41 resolved into two distinct subspecies . However, these appear to be minor variants rather than functionally distinct alpha subunits since: 1) both proteins produced the same proteolytic fragments after digestion with chymotrypsin or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and 2) preincubation of the platelets with agonists, including those which appear to interact in intact platelets solely with Gp (PAF and vasopressin) or solely with Gi (epinephrine), inhibited the {32P}ADP-ribosylation of both proteins to the same extent . The pattern of functional responses produced by some of the agonists was found to depend upon the conditions used for the assay . Although unable to inhibit cAMP formation in intact platelets, both PAF and vasopressin caused pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in isolated membranes . Collectively, these observations suggest that 1) in platelets a single pertussis toxin-sensitive, alpha 41-containing G protein may be involved in the regulation of both adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C and 2) additional constraints which are altered during membrane isolation may help to determine which enzyme is coupled to which agonist.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1988 Apr 11, 16(7), 2897 - 912
Intermediates in plasmid pT181 DNA replication; Majumder S et al.; Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pT181 is thought to replicate via an asymmetric rolling-circle mechanism . By studying pulse labeled replicative intermediates, here we report that pT181 replication involves: (1) a post-replicative hypersupercoiled monomer and (2) a partially replicated intermediate which lacks superhelicity but is unlike a typical rolling-circle intermediate in that only nascent strands of less than unit length are released by alkali denaturation . A model for pT181 replication is proposed to accommodate this apparent discrepancy.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Apr 5, 263(10), 4795 - 800
Incorporation of single dinitrophenyl-modified proteins into the 30 S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes by total reconstitution; Olah TV et al.; In this first of two consecutive papers, the main objective of which is to present a new approach to the systematic localization of individual proteins located in the Escherichia coli ribosome by immunoelectron microscopy, we describe the derivatization of several purified 30 S proteins (S12, S21, S14, S19, S18, S17) with 2,4-{3,5-3H}dinitrofluorobenzene at pH 7.4 and 8.4 and the uptake of each dinitrophenylated protein in place of the corresponding unmodified protein into totally reconstituted 30 S subunits . Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography is used to purify the proteins, to separate and characterize the products of 2,4-{3,5-3H}dinitrofluorobenzene modification, and to analyze the protein composition of the reconstituted subunits . The extent of dinitrophenyl (DNP) modification is estimated by both radioactivity and integrated peak areas, using dual wavelength monitoring at 214 and 360 nm . DNP derivatives of each of the six proteins are efficiently incorporated into reconstituting 30 S subunits . Incorporation of any of the six DNP-modified proteins does not interfere with binding of Phe-tRNA(Phe) in a poly(U)-dependent manner . This result, as well as data showing that unmodified protein competes with DNP-protein for uptake during reconstitution, provide evidence that each DNP-protein occupies the same position in 30 S subunit as does unmodified protein . In general, for a given protein, unmodified and/or less modified forms are incorporated in preference to more modified forms . Modification of protein S19 at pH 7.4 proceeds with selective formation of one derivative in high yield . Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis of acid hydrolysates of a purified sample of this derivative, as well as of peptides derived from it by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus protease, show the N-terminal proline to be the predominant site of DNP-derivatization.

Chemioterapia, 1988 Apr, 7(2), 86 - 8
Activity of xibornol against Staphylococcus aureus; Fabbri A et al.; The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of xibornol against 100 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, clinically isolated, have been evaluated . Xibornol has shown very good in vitro activity and a significant uniformity of the results . In fact the inhibitory and bactericidal activity range was between 2 micrograms/ml and 8 micrograms/ml.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Apr, 268(2), 277 - 93
{Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from 1974 to 1983 in West Germany with respect to the results of lysotyping}; Lenz W et al.; A total of 594 methicillin-resistant (MER) S . aureus strains originating from the Federal Republic of Germany were both tested for their susceptibility to a number of selected antimicrobial agents, and lysotyped with the international set of S . aureus typing phages . Control groups of methicillin-sensitive, but penicillin- (PER) and gentamicin-resistant (GER) strains were tested for comparison . A group of S . aureus strains susceptible to all of the agents tested was included in the statistical evaluation of the lysotyping results . 98% of the MER and 72% of the GER S . aureus strains were cross-resistant towards at least five of the other agents tested . 84 to 97% of the MER strains were resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline, kanamycin and gentamicin . The in vitro susceptibility towards lincomycin and amikacin was in the range of 50 to 60% . The strongest in vitro efficacy--both against the MER and the GER strains--was shown by vancomycin and fusidic acid . 52.9% of the MER and 47% of the GER strains, but only 12.3% of the non-resistant strains and no more than 15% of the PER strains belonged to phage-group III; a higher proportion of these latter groups reacted with phage-group I, which was rare among the MER and the GER strains (3.2% and 7.8% respectively) . The most frequent phage-patterns of the MER strains were as follows: 47/75/77, 47/54/75/77/84/85, 77/84/85, 47/54/75/77/85, 6/47/54/75/77/84/85, and 55/83A . Most of the phage-group III lysotopes occurred at numerous places across the country, while mixed lysotypes were apparently more confined to certain areas . A relatively high percentage of the MER strains, but notably also of the sensitive strains was non-typable (22.1% and 24.1% respectively), whereas the PER and the GER strains had a considerably lower rate of non-typability (9.3% and 4.8% respectively) . A correlation between non-typability and multiresistance was not evident.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Apr, 21 Suppl C, 57 - 65
Epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Cookson BD et al.; We contrast the experiences, in our Health Authority in South-East London, with the particular epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (the EMRSA) strain that has recently spread widely around London and South-East England, and with the other MRSA (OMRSA) strains encountered there . Our isolates of the EMRSA were identical by chromosomal restriction enzyme analysis, and the chromosomal and plasmid phenotypes were similar to those described in North London and Eastern Australia . Experimental phage-typing distinguished them from OMRSA encountered in 1984 to 1986 . Between 1984 and 1985, the EMRSA caused increased infection and patient colonization compared to the years 1969 to 1983 . A change in infection control procedures was usually required to control the EMRSA and in 1986 isolates had returned to their pre-1984 levels . Between 1984 and 1986 OMRSA were still encountered, but did not spread or require changes in infection control procedures . The distribution of other resistant isolates was examined; c 94% of neomycin-resistant isolates were in-patients or clinic patients . Forty-five different phage-type/antibiogram patterns were found in 88 isolates from 66 patients between 1982 and 1985, and patient clusters were uncommon . The ability of the EMRSA to spread is discussed and is probably not purely organism related . Our experience supports the contention that some MRSA are truly epidemic, whilst others do not behave in this manner.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Apr, 21 Suppl C, 157 - 65
Septicaemia due to gram-positive cocci in cancer patients; Del Favero A et al.; Episodes of septicaemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria in five separate investigations of empirical antibiotic treatment for fever in patients with neoplastic disease have been analysed according to the antimicrobial agents administered and the outcome . The results suggest that the addition of an 'anti-staphylococcal agent', such as co-trimoxazole, vancomycin or teicoplanin, to the standard two-drug regimen (a beta-lactam antibiotic and an aminoglycoside) may be advantageous in improving the prognosis, particularly in Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Apr, 21(4), 461 - 9
Comparative efficacies of imipenem-cilastatin and vancomycin in experimental aortic valve endocarditis due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Chandrasekar PH et al.; Activities of imipenem and vancomycin against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were compared in vitro and in a rabbit model of aortic valve endocarditis . Against 25 MRSA clinical isolates, imipenem was bacteriostatic (MIC90/MBC90, mg/l 8/32) in vitro while vancomycin was bactericidal (MIC90/MBC90, mg/l 2/4) . Rabbit endocarditis was produced with a MRSA isolate against which both drugs were bactericidal . Imipenem-cilastatin had better efficacy than vancomycin by the following criteria, the number of survivors (9/13 vs 7/13), clearance of bacteraemia (9/9 vs 3/7; P = 0.019), sterility of cardiac vegetations (9/9 vs 1/7; P = 0.001) and sterility of distant organs (8/9 vs 2/7; P = 0.035) . Thus, imipenem-cilastatin may be a potentially useful alternative agent to vancomycin in the therapy of MRSA endocarditis in the occasional situations when the drug demonstrates in-vitro bactericidal activity against the pathogen . Efficacy against MRSA strains with higher MBCs remains to be proved.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1988 Apr, 69(2), 235 - 44
An experimental model of post-traumatic osteomyelitis in rabbits; Worlock P et al.; An experimental model of a contaminated open fracture, using the tibia of male New Zealand white rabbits, is described . Post-traumatic osteomyelitis can be reliably induced in this model, with no systemic ill-effects . The characteristic bacteriological, radiological and histological findings are described . Inoculation of the fracture site with Staphylococcus aureus in a concentration of 10(6) bacteria caused osteomyelitis in two out of five rabbits . When the concentration of inoculum was increased to 10(7) organisms, osteomyelitis was seen in four out of five rabbits . No cases of infection were seen in the control animals . This is a simple and reliable model for studies into the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic osteomyelitis.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Apr, 32(4), 513 - 7
Effect of temperature on inoculum as a potential source of error in agar dilution plate count bactericidal measurements; Woolfrey BF et al.; The effect of increased temperature on Staphylococcus aureus during the inoculation step of the agar dilution plate count method was investigated as a possible cause of artificially high persister counts . For some isolates, exposure of the inoculum to increased temperature resulted in higher persister counts and diminution or loss of the paradoxical effect . The persister patterns for three representative S . aureus isolates are presented to illustrate the strain- and temperature-dependent nature of the phenomenon . For any isolate, the net effect appears to be caused by an interplay of temperature-induced inoculum loss and temperature-induced cell division cycle blockage . A modification of the agar dilution plate count inoculation step to circumvent such problems is described.

J Med Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 25(4), 261 - 8
Fingerprinting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by the immunoblot technique; Lee W et al.; A series of 133 isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was fingerprinted by the immunoblot technique . Extracts were prepared by lysostaphin degradation of overnight cultures and peptides were separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The peptides were transblotted on to nitrocellulose membranes and probed with (1) a hyperimmune rabbit serum raised against a methicillin-resistant S . aureus isolate, (2) a hyperimmune rabbit serum raised against an isolate of S . epidermidis, and (3) serum from a patient who had recovered from an infection with a methicillin-resistant S . aureus . This typing method confirmed the existence of an epidemic strain that accounted for 102 of the isolates . The remaining 31 isolates were grouped into a further seven types which correlated with the results of phage typing and antibiograms.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1988 Apr, 262(1), 189 - 98
Proteolysis of the protein inhibitor of calcium-dependent proteases produces lower molecular weight fragments that retain inhibitory activity; DeMartino GN et al.; The specific inhibitor of calcium-dependent proteases was purified from soluble extracts of bovine heart . The protein had a molecular weight of 125,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels and migrated on gel filtration chromatography with an apparent molecular weight of 250,000 . The inhibitor specifically blocked the action of the two calcium-dependent proteases, CDP-I and CDP-II, but did not influence a variety of other proteases including trypsin, chymotrypsin, or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . These latter enzymes extensively degraded the inhibitor to discrete lower molecular weight peptides as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and by gel filtration chromatography . Under the conditions studied, proteolysis of the inhibitor had little or no effect on its inhibitory activity; isolated peptides with molecular weights as low as 17,000 retained inhibitory function . A number of various-sized inhibitor fragments were isolated by gel filtration chromatography and by SDS-PAGE . These fragments were compared with the intact inhibitor for their ability to inhibit CDPs . As suggested previously by us and others, one molecule of intact inhibitor appears to inhibit up to five molecules of calcium-dependent protease . The inhibitor fragments of decreasing size inhibited correspondingly fewer molecules of protease . These results suggest that the inhibitor protein contains multiple functional domains and may explain some of the discrepancies in reported molecular weights for this protein.

J Vasc Surg, 1988 Apr, 7(4), 524 - 30
Bacterial infectibility of chronically implanted endothelial cell-seeded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts; Keller JD et al.; Vascular prosthetic grafts become more resistant to infection as the interval between implantation and bacteremic challenge increases . Endothelial cell (EC) seeding of such grafts has been shown to improve measurably their ability to resist a bacteremic challenge several weeks after implantation, presumably by reducing the amount of thrombus-free area (TFA) on their luminal surface . However, no investigators have reported the impact of EC seeding on the ability of chronically implanted vascular prostheses to resist a late bacteremic challenge . Bilateral common carotid interposition grafts were placed in 15 adult mongrel dogs with a 4 mm internal diameter, experimental, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) prosthesis . One animal died shortly after operation and the grafts in two dogs thrombosed, thereby leaving 12 animals with at least one patent graft for subsequent study . At a mean interval of 45 weeks after implantation, five dogs (seven patent grafts) were challenged with an intravenous infusion of 3 X 10(8) radiolabeled Staphylococcus aureus; bacterial adherence and the TFA of the graft's luminal surface were determined for each of the patent grafts . There was no statistically significant difference in bacterial adherence or TFA between EC-seeded and control grafts . At a mean interval of 53 weeks after implantation, the remaining seven dogs (14 patent grafts) received a similar bacterial infusion and the animals were allowed to recover . Five days later, the grafts were harvested and cultured . Once again, there was no significant difference in the infectibility of EC-seeded vs . control grafts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Clin Invest, 1988 Apr, 81(4), 1292 - 6
Proposed heparin binding site in antithrombin based on arginine 47 . A new variant Rouen-II, 47 Arg to Ser; Borg JY et al.; Antithrombin Rouen-II, a new inherited variant of antithrombin-III, was found in two members of a family with no definite history of thrombosis . The subjects had normal antigenic concentrations of antithrombin and normal progressive inhibitory activity . However, the variant had defective heparin and heparan sulfate cofactor activities, and was not activated by a synthetic pentasaccharide representing the minimum heparin sequence . The abnormal antithrombin was isolated using heparin-Sepharose chromatography, and on electrophoresis at pH 8.6 migrated more anodally than normal . Two-dimensional peptide mapping of tryptic and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digests was performed and the abnormal peptide was located by tryptophan staining . Amino acid sequence studies demonstrated a substitution of arginine at residue 47 by a serine . Evidence strongly suggests that arginine 47 is a prime heparin binding site in antithrombin and that it forms part of a proposed positively charged linear site (to which heparin binds) that stretches across the surface of the molecule from the A to the D helix.

Plast Reconstr Surg, 1988 Apr, 81(4), 554 - 60
Effects of phenylephrine on tissue gas tension, bleeding, infection, and lidocaine absorption; Canepa CS et al.; In an attempt to find a vasoconstrictor with less detrimental local and systemic effects than epinephrine, the effects of phenylephrine, a pure alpha agonist, on tissue gas tension, bleeding, infection rates, and lidocaine absorption were studied . All concentrations of phenylephrine significantly reduced tissue PO2 within 10 minutes of injection, and reduction of PO2 was dose-dependent . Phenylephrine 1:10,000 produced significant bacterial growth when simultaneously injected with 6 X 10(6) Staphylococcus aureus . Bacterial growth was insignificant with 1:20,000 phenylephrine and absent with 1:40,000 phenylephrine . Blood loss from a standard wound was significantly reduced at all concentrations of phenylephrine . Lidocaine absorption was significantly reduced with 1:20,000 and 1:40,000 phenylephrine . In a rat model, 1:40,000 phenylephrine significantly reduced blood loss and lidocaine absorption, produced minimal reduction of tissue PO2, and did not enhance bacterial invasion.

J Infect Dis, 1988 Apr, 157(4), 749 - 56
Staphylococcus aureus induces tissue factor expression in cultured human cardiac valve endothelium; Drake TA et al.; In vitro infection of cultured human cardiac valve endothelium (HCVE) with Staphylococcus aureus was used as a model to study potential mechanisms of vegetation formation in infective endocarditis . S . aureus was observed to adhere to and be ingested by HCVE . Infection for 8 h resulted in increased levels of procoagulant activity in HCVE, shown to be tissue factor by a specific assay . Mean activity in infected HCVE was 662 +/- 149 (mU/10(5) HCVE +/- 1 SD) versus 221 +/- 78 in control HCVE; surface-expressed activity was 57 +/- 25 in infected monolayers and undetectable (less than or equal to 10) in controls . Bacteria alone had no activity . These results suggest that endothelium may have a functional role in the pathogenesis of S . aureus endocarditis and may provide one potential mechanism for activating coagulation to initiate vegetation formation on a colonized cardiac valve.

Infect Immun, 1988 Apr, 56(4), 998 - 9
Protection of rabbits in an infection model of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) by a TSS toxin-1-specific monoclonal antibody; Best GK et al.; An anti-TSST-1-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb 8-5-7) was tested for its protective capacity in a rabbit infection model to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) . The challenge strain of Staphylococcus aureus (RN4710), which contained a plasmid encoding TSS toxin-1, was introduced into previously implanted chambers . Purified monoclonal antibody (1.25 mg of immunoglobulin G) administered parenterally 1 day before and 1 day after initiation of infection provided complete protection against the TSS-like syndrome and the mortality which occurred in unprotected rabbits.

Chemioterapia, 1988 Apr, 7(2), 79 - 85
Importance of inoculum growth phase when using an in vitro pharmacokinetic model to evaluate beta-lactam antibiotics; Xerri L et al.; The bactericidal activity of cefuroxime, cephaloridine and cephalexin is evaluated in an in vitro model . The inocula are derived from an overnight static culture, or after a pre-incubation period of 1 or 2 hours to allow cell re-growth . The early bactericidal effect of the antibiotics is more evident using pre-incubated cells, especially for Staphylococcus aureus 663 . At hour 8, with Escherichia coli 851/E, there is re-growth using the static inoculum, while the antibiotic effect is still evident using the pre-incubated one . The importance arises therefore for considering the phase of growth of the inoculum as a critical parameter when using in vitro models with varying concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Apr, 21 Suppl C, 115 - 31
Osteomyelitis: options for diagnosis and management; Gentry LO; The bacterial aetiology of osteomyelitis is best determined by bone biopsy under radiographic control . While Staphylococcus aureus is still the most common cause of osteomyelitis, Gram-negative bacteria occur more frequently than they did in the past . The prognosis of antibiotic treatment is made worse by chronic infection and by underlying conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular disease . Treatment for six weeks with single broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents can give success rates similar to those obtained with combination therapy, including aminoglycosides, and with less toxicity . Newer diagnostic methods (radionuclide scans and radiographic techniques) and treatment options (antibiotic-containing acrylic beads and microvascular grafts) may offer improved management if used discriminatingly.

Comput Biomed Res, 1988 Apr, 21(2), 137 - 57
Time series analysis of rhythmic bacterial resistance development to antibiotics; Nicolelis MA et al.; The sensitivity data of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to a large set of antibiotics have undergone time series procedures of analysis in order to highlight possibly periodical behavior in time . These oscillational patterns have been characterized through the use of FFT and cross-correlational and variance analysis and were proved to be species-specific and drug-independent . S . aureus was shown to have a large period of oscillation (40 months) when compared to E . coli (from 7 to 11 months) . A perfect species distinction was only possible through cross correlation . These results may reflect the influence of the local environment, since this finding was not referred to in the literature.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Apr, 85(8), 2763 - 6
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhances neutrophil function in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients; Baldwin GC et al.; We conducted a clinical trial of human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) in leukopenic patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and analyzed neutrophil function before, during, and after in vivo administration of rGM-CSF . Prior to GM-CSF infusion, AIDS patients' neutrophil superoxide generation and neutrophil antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity were enhanced normally by in vitro exposure to GM-CSF . Neutrophil phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus were also normal in the majority of these patients . Two patients, however, had discrete neutrophil functional defects: one in phagocytosis and one in intracellular killing . During the period of GM-CSF infusion, these abnormalities were corrected . The number of circulating neutrophils increased in all patients treated with GM-CSF in a dose-dependent manner . Neutrophils produced in vivo in response to GM-CSF administration functioned normally and there was evidence for neutrophil priming and activation in vivo . We conclude that GM-CSF treatment of AIDS patients leads to the production of functionally active neutrophils, suggesting therapeutic potential for GM-CSF in the treatment of patients with impaired host defense.

J Infect Dis, 1988 Apr, 157(4), 697 - 704
Analysis of C3 deposition and degradation on bacterial surfaces after opsonization; Gordon DL et al.; C3b and iC3b, opsonic fragments of C3, interact with specific receptors on phagocytic cells . After bacterial opsonization, C3 fragments were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blotting, and immunodetection . For bacteria opsonized in 50% pooled human serum (PHS), C3 deposition and cleavage to iC3b occurred rapidly . C3b, iC3b, and C3d made up 17%, 64%, and 19%, respectively, of the C3 on Staphylococcus aureus and 53%, 44%, and 2% respectively, on Escherichia coli . Residual C3b was refractory to factor I cleavage, an occurrence enabling alternative pathway activation to continue . C3 deposited was quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; with 50% PHS, greater than 50% and 90% of total C3 deposition occurred within 5 and 10 min, respectively . With a lower percentage of PHS, maximal deposition required up to 60 min and was not achieved in less than 10% PHS . Ester-bound fragments represented 34% and 82% of covalently bound C3 on S . aureus and E . coli, respectively.

Biochem J, 1988 Apr 1, 251(1), 73 - 9
Complete amino acid sequence of p453-plasmid-mediated PIT-2 beta-lactamase (SHV-1); Barthelemy M et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of the p453-plasmid-mediated PIT-2 beta-lactamase (SHV-1) was determined . The protein contains 265 residues . Peptides resulting from digestions with trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, chymotrypsin and Lys-C proteinase and cleavage with CNBr were separated and purified by using reverse-phase h.p.l.c . The amino acid sequence of each peptide was manually determined with the dimethylaminoazobenzene isothiocyanate/phenyl isothiocyanate double-coupling method . The primary structure of PIT-2 beta-lactamase was compared with those of two closely related enzymes, namely TEM-1 beta-lactamase and the beta-lactamase of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain LEN-1 . The PIT-2 beta-lactamase amino acid sequence was strongly retained, with respectively 68% and 88% homology . Thus PIT-2 enzyme could represent an evolutionary step between a chromosomally encoded beta-lactamase and the plasmid-mediated TEM beta-lactamases.

Aust Vet J, 1988 Apr, 65(4), 114 - 7
The effect of a staphylococcal cell wall factor on the early inflammatory response to staphylococcal infection of the lactating bovine udder; Mattila T et al.; The effect on the early inflammatory response in the bovine mammary gland of a factor extracted from the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus was studied . The insoluble factor was extracted from a 3h-culture, and was mixed with S . aureus from an overnight culture (OF) for experimental infection of a lactating quarter . Other quarters were infected with a 3h or an overnight culture (O) . Five cows were used in the experiment . The O-quarters showed more severe clinical signs than seen in the 3h-and OF-quarters . Antitrypsin levels and NAGase concentrations were much reduced in the 3h-and OF-quarters . While the cell wall factor profoundly reduced the early inflammatory response, the effect on the final outcome of the infection was not determined.

Cell Immunol, 1988 Apr 1, 112(2), 251 - 61
Inhibitory effect of anti-class II antibodies on human B-cell activation; Tanaka Y et al.; The role of class II antigens for B-cell activation was analyzed using purified human B cells and anti-class II monoclonal antibodies . The stimulation of purified B cells with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I induced proliferation and differentiation into immunoglobulin-producing cells in the presence of interleukin-1 and T-cell-derived factors (B-cell growth factor and B-cell differentiation factor) . The addition of anti-class II monoclonal antibodies inhibited B-cell responses . However, anti-class I monoclonal antibody did not inhibit B-cell responses . When mitomycin C and cycloheximide-treated B cells were added to the induction culture of B cells as the stimulator, B-cell responses were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner . Furthermore, the stimulator B cells also partially restored the suppressed B-cell responses which were induced by the pretreatment of B cells with anti-class II antibody . This enhancing effect of stimulator B cells on B-cell responses was inhibited by the pretreatment of stimulator B cells with anti-class II antibody . The treatment of B cells with anti-class II antibody and complement depleted the activity of both responder B cells and stimulator B cells . These results suggest that cellular interaction among B cells exists in the B-cell activation induced with Staphylococcus aureus, Cowan I and anti-class II antibody inhibits B-cell activation by interfering in this cellular interaction.

J Immunol, 1988 Apr 1, 140(7), 2382 - 8
Leukotriene C4 produced by a human T-T hybridoma suppresses Ig production by human lymphocytes; Ambrus JL Jr et al.; Multiple signals are involved in the regulation of Ig production by human B lymphocytes . Leukotrienes, especially LTB4, have been shown to inhibit Ig production by increasing the number and function of suppressor lymphocytes . Production of leukotrienes has been demonstrated by mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes, and macrophages . In this paper we demonstrate that a human T-T hybridoma grown at 5 x 10(5) cells/ml constitutively produces 5 ng/ml of LTC4 . Furthermore, we demonstrate that either the supernatant from this hybridoma containing 0.5 to 10 ng/ml LTC4 or purified LTC4 in the range of 0.5 to 5 ng/ml can suppress 50 to 70% of Ig production by unfractionated human mononuclear cells, by normal human cells stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and B cell differentiation factors, and by the EBV-transformed B cell line SKW.6 in the presence of B cell differentiation factors . Thus, LTC4 can have direct effects on B cells and may have a role in normal B cell regulation.

Surgery, 1988 Apr, 103(4), 463 - 9
The influence of long-term protein deprivation on in vivo phagocytic cell delivery to inflammatory lesions; Tchervenkov JI et al.; The effect of long-term protein deprivation and refeeding was assessed on the in vivo delivery of phagocytic leukocytes (PHAGS) to delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction and a bacterial abscess . Male inbred Lewis rats sensitized to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were fed either a normal diet or a 2% protein diet for 1, 6, and 10 weeks . Two additional groups were fed a 2% protein diet for 10 weeks but were refed with a normal diet for 1 or 4 weeks . At the end of each diet period rats were injected intradermally with KLH, Staphylococcus aureus 502A, and saline solution at different sites at from 1 to 24 hours . Technetium-99m-colloid labeled PHAGS (99PHAG) were injected intravenously and used to assess in vivo PHAG cell delivery . In normally fed rats the peak influx of 99PHAG was at 2 to 4 hours . After 1 week of protein-deficient diet there was a significant drop in early (2 to 4 hours) 99PHAG influx to both the DTH and bacterial reactions . After 10 weeks of protein deprivation (severe malnutrition) there was a further drop and a delay in the peak 99PHAG influx (from 2 to 4 hours, to 8 hours) . A return to normal 99PHAG influx occurred only after 4 weeks of refeeding, and it coincided with a return to normal body weight and a normal DTH reaction . There was a direct correlation between total 99PHAG delivery to a DTH reaction and a bacterial abscess (rs = 0.87, Spearman rank; p less than 0.001) . We conclude that both moderate and severe protein deprivation is associated with reduced in vivo phagocytic cell delivery to both a DTH reaction and a bacterial skin abscess, which can be restored with refeeding.

Ophthalmology, 1988 Apr, 95(4), 463 - 72
Inflammatory diseases of the peripheral cornea; Mondino BJ; Immunologic differences exist between the peripheral and central cornea . The peripheral cornea is closer to the conjunctiva, which has all of the immunologic machinery necessary to generate an immune response . The peripheral cornea has more Langerhans' cells and IgM than the central cornea . The peripheral cornea also has more C1, the recognition unit of the classic pathway of complement, than the central cornea so that antigen-antibody complexes, whether formed in the cornea itself or whether derived from the tears, aqueous humor, or limbal vessels, may activate complement more effectively in the peripheral than central cornea . Autoimmune diseases that involve the peripheral cornea include Mooren's ulcer and collagen vascular diseases . The humoral- and cell-mediated autoimmune phenomena that are associated with Mooren's ulcer and its response to immunosuppressive therapy suggest that it is an autoimmune disease directed against the cornea itself . Collagen vascular diseases may be associated with peripheral corneal ulcers with or without scleritis . In these diseases, circulating immune complexes may lodge in the limbal vasculature causing an immune vasculitis or deposit in the peripheral cornea setting off the complement cascade . Peripheral corneal diseases that probably represent a hypersensitivity reaction to exogenous antigens include catarrhal infiltrates and ulcers and phlyctenules . In the United States today, these corneal lesions are generally associated with staphylococcal blepharitis . Experimental models suggest that hypersensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus cell wall antigens may be important to their immunopathogenesis.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Apr, 7(2), 300 - 2
Heat treatment to increase phage typability of Staphylococcus aureus; Lundholm M et al.; Heat treatment was used to reduce the number of Staphylococcus aureus strains that were not typable with the basic set of phages . All strains were phage typed according to the standard method after growth in broth at 37 degrees C or 48 degrees C . Forty-eight of 72 nontypable strains could be phage typed after heat treatment of the bacterial cultures . The page lysability increased with the higher incubation temperature of the broth, but the mean variability in the phage pattern of a strain was not significantly affected . The phage typing results of strains sampled over a period of several months were in accordance with the epidemiology, suggesting that phage typing after incubation at 48 degrees C is a stable and useful epidemiological tool.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1988 Apr, 66(4), 708 - 14
Studies of the effect of suppressor T lymphocytes on the induction of antithyroid microsomal antibody-secreting cells in autoimmune thyroid disease; Iitaka M et al.; The suppressor function in CD8 (suppressor/cytotoxic) T lymphocytes from patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and normal subjects has been studied . CD8 and CD4 (helper/inducer) cells were separated by the panning method . Patient's non-T cells and autologous CD4 cells were cultured with or without autologous or allogeneic CD8 cells in the presence of either pokeweed mitogen or Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan 1 plus human thyroid microsomal antigen . Antithyroid microsomal antibody (AMA) and total immunoglobulin G (IgG)-secreting non-T cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay . With pokeweed mitogen stimulation, the suppressor effect of CD8 cells from patients with serum AMA on the induction of AMA (of IgG type)-secreting cells was significantly less than that of CD8 cells from normal subjects . CD8 cells from patients with no serum AMA suppressed the induction of AMA-secreting cells as much as did normal CD8 cells . CD8 cells from both patients and normal subjects suppressed the induction of IgG-secreting cells equally well . On the other hand, with the combination of S . aureus strain Cowan 1 and human thyroid microsomal antigen (1 mg/L) stimulation, CD8 cells from both normal subjects and patients only slightly suppressed the induction of IgG-secreting cells . However, under these circumstances, once again, CD8 cells from both normal subjects and patients with no serum AMA suppressed the induction of AMA-secreting cells, whereas CD8 cells from patients with serum AMA suppressed the induction of the AMA-secreting cells significantly less . Higher TMc concentrations enhanced the suppressor effect of CD8 cells from patients with serum AMA on the induction of AMA-secreting cells . Furthermore, Concanavalin A, when added to the stimuli described above, further inhibited the induction of both AMA- and IgG-secreting cells by CD8 cells from patients with serum AMA . There thus appears to be a relative defect of antigen-specific suppressor T lymphocyte function in CD8 cells from patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, which may result in the presence of autoantibody-secreting cells in those patients.

J Hosp Infect, 1988 Apr, 11(3), 244 - 52
Computer assisted analysis of wound infection in neurosurgery; Mehta G et al.; The effect of 10 variables on the development of postoperative infection in 536 clean elective neurosurgery patients was calculated using correlational, regression and discriminant analyses . The time of shaving the operation site, type of theatre ventilation and duration of operation were found to have a highly significant effect on the infection rate . The influence of season and age of patient was not evident on simple analysis, but both were found to be significant factors using regression analysis . The sex of patient, carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, airborne bacterial count, presence of bacteria in the wound and the use of prophylactic antibiotics did not have a significant effect on infection rates.

J Hosp Infect, 1988 Apr, 11 Suppl B, 15 - 9
Preoperative whole body disinfection--a controlled clinical study; Hayek LJ et al.; Preoperative whole body washing with chlorhexidine scrub was compared with soap for its effect on prevention of wound infection in clean surgery . Two thousand and fifteen patients were studied using chlorhexidine scrub, placebo or plain soap . The overall infection rate in the control and placebo groups was 12.8% (p less than 0.05) and 11.7% as opposed to 9% (p less than 0.05) in the treated group . Three per cent fewer infections were found in treated 'clean surgery' patients, and the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infections was reduced from 6% (bar soap) to 3% (chlorhexidine) . The saving in bed occupancy from prevention of infection is a significant cost-saving.

Mol Pharmacol, 1988 Apr, 33(4), 370 - 7
Somatostatin receptor subtypes in the clonal anterior pituitary cell lines AtT-20 and GH3; Thermos K et al.; The functional and biochemical characteristics of somatostatin (somatotropin release-inhibiting factor) (SRIF) receptor subtypes were examined in the clonal pituitary cell lines AtT-20 and GH3 . SRIF inhibits evoked calcium influx into each of these cell lines . The rank order of potencies of structural analogues of SRIF to inhibit calcium influx into GH3 versus AtT-20 cells was different . Inhibitory actions of SRIF on calcium influx desensitized in AtT-20 cells but not GH3 cells . The biochemical properties of the SRIF receptor subtypes in AtT-20 and GH3 cells were assessed by photoaffinity labeling of each receptor with the nonreducible SRIF analogue {125I}CGP 23996 and the photocrosslinking agent n-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate . The covalently labeled receptors in both cell lines had the same size, 55 +/- 5 kDa, as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The covalent binding of {125I}CGP-23996 to GH3 and AtT-20 cell membranes was blocked by 1 microM SRIF, somatostatin 28, Trp8-SRIF and was GTP sensitive . Analysis of the labeled receptors in GH3 and AtT-20 cell membranes by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that they were of similar charge (pI = 6-6.5) and that they comigrate when applied together . Proteolysis of the GH3 and AtT-20 cell SRIF receptors with Staphylococcus aureus V-8 and thermolysin revealed similar peptide maps . Pretreatment of AtT-20 cells with different stable SRIF analogues abolished the subsequent equilibrium or covalent labeling of the SRIF receptor with {125I}CGP-23996 . Similar treatment of GH3 cells did not reduce the covalent labeling of the SRIF receptor by {125I}CGP 23996 . These studies indicate that the functional characteristics of SRIF receptors in GH3 and AtT-20 cells are different . However, clear differences in the biochemical properties of these receptor subtypes were not observed . Subtle variations in the structure of the SRIF receptors may therefore be responsible for the functional differences.

Infect Immun, 1988 Apr, 56(4), 751 - 5
Effects of adenylate cyclase toxin from Bordetella pertussis on human neutrophil interactions with Coccidioides immitis and Staphylococcus aureus; Galgiani JN et al.; Bordetella pertussis extract that contained adenylate cyclase toxin produced large increases in human neutrophil cyclic AMP levels and inhibited their oxidative burst, as reflected by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and superoxide release . The adenylate cyclase toxin-containing extract blocked neutrophil-mediated inhibition of N-acetylglucosamine incorporation by arthroconidia of Coccidioides immitis in a dose-dependent fashion but had no effect on neutrophil phagocytosis of Candida glabrata and only a slight inhibitory effect on arthroconidial attachment . Neither purified pertussis toxin nor extracts from Bordetella mutants lacking the adenylate cyclase toxin affected neutrophil-mediated inhibition of arthroconidial N-acetylglucosamine incorporation . These studies indicate that adenylate cyclase toxin, alone or in concert with other B . pertussis-elaborated toxins, blocks neutrophil inhibition of arthroconidia, primarily by affecting neutrophil responses other than attachment or phagocytosis.

J Clin Lab Immunol, 1988 Apr, 25(4), 201 - 6
Impaired neutrophil killing in a patient with defective degranulation of myeloperoxidase; Edwards SW et al.; A case of recurrent, superficial abscesses in an 18 year old girl, is described . Staphylococcus aureus was the pathogen most often implicated and on several occasions the abscesses required surgical drainage . Defects in humoral immunity, neutrophil chemotaxis or opsonophagocytosis were not observed . However, her neutrophil's ability to kill ingested S . aureus in vitro was impaired . This was associated with impaired luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in response to stimulation by either latex beads, or the chemotactic peptide FMLP plus cytochalasin B . Oxygen uptake and superoxide anion production were normal but release of myeloperoxidase by this patient's neutrophils occurred more slowly and to a lower extent than in control cells . These data suggest that the recurrent infections and diminished in vitro neutrophil bactericidal activity observed in this patient are associated with impaired degranulation of myeloperoxidase.

Inflammation, 1988 Apr, 12(2), 161 - 7
Small increases in pH decrease uptake of Escherichia coli by human neutrophils in vitro; Berger EM et al.; Increases in pH from 7.4 to 7.8 decreased the ability of human neutrophils in serum to ingest and kill Escherichia coli ATCC 29552 in vitro . In contrast, similar increases in pH did not decrease the bactericidal activity of neutrophils in serum against Staphylococcus aureus 502A . Increases in pH did not alter opsonization of E . coli by serum or the growth of E . coli but rather appeared to alter neutrophil uptake of bacteria by a direct effect on the neutrophil.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Apr, 21 Suppl C, 19 - 39
Multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus: genetics and evolution of epidemic Australian strains; Skurray RA et al.; Molecular and genetic analysis of multiresistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from widely separated hospitals in Australia has demonstrated that these are clearly related, and that the predominant strains possess up to three different plasmids, which fall into the following classes: (i) small 1.6 kb plasmids, such as pSK3, which are phenotypically cryptic, (ii) 4.5 kb chloramphenicol resistance plasmids, such as pSK2, and (iii) the pSK1 family of multiresistance plasmids, which range in size from 20 to 42 kb and variously encode resistance to antiseptics and disinfectants, trimethoprim (Tpr), penicillin (Pcr) and the aminoglycosides gentamicin, tobramycin and kanamycin (Gmr Tmr Kmr) . Gmr Tmr Kmr is encoded on the pSK1 family plasmids by transposon Tn4001, which was also detected on the chromosomes of some clinical isolates . Tn4001 is composed of inverted repeats of the insertion sequence IS256; these repeats flank a Gmr Tmr Kmr sequence encoding for a 57,000 dalton bifunctional protein with aminoglycoside acetyltransferase {AAC(6')} and phosphotransferase {APH(2")} activities . A Tn4001-like structure, which is defective in transposition but encodes for a Gmr Tmr Kmr determinant homologous with that on Tn4001, occurs on conjugative plasmids from strains isolated in North America . Physical studies indicate that Pcr, via a beta-lactamase, and Tpr, via a trimethoprim-insensitive dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), are also encoded on the pSK1 family by transposons; these transposons have been designated Tn4002 and Tn4003, respectively . Tn4003 is flanked by direct repeats of the insertion sequence IS257 . The evolution of the pSK1 family of multiresistance plasmids is traced through the transposition and genetic rearrangement of resistance determinants . Transposition and genetic rearrangement have also contributed to the evolution of a multiresistant chromosome in Staph . aureus . In the majority of contemporary multiply resistant Staph . aureus strains the determinants for resistance to erythromycin (Emr), fusidic acid, methicillin (Mcr), minocycline, rifampicin, spectinomycin, streptomycin, sulphonamides, tetracycline (Tcr), cadmium (Cdr), and mercury (Hgr) are chromosomally encoded; these strains also possess chromosomally encoded Pcr, via a beta-lactamase . Evidence indicates that some of these determinants, Pcr, Cdr, Hgr, and Tcr, were plasmid encoded in isolates collected from Australian hospitals prior to 1970 . Through transposition and site-specific integration, they have since been acquired by the chromosome in more recent Staph . aureus strains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Apr, 32(4), 454 - 7
Early stages of in vitro killing curve of LY146032 and vancomycin for Staphylococcus aureus; Flandrois JP et al.; The early stages of the time-killing curves of vancomycin and LY146032 have been studied, by use of short sampling intervals, for three strains of Staphylococcus aureus . Both vancomycin and LY146032 killed S . aureus, but the time-killing curves differed: the effect of vancomycin was slow, limited, and not related to the concentration of the drug, whereas that of LY146032 was rapid, extensive, and related to concentration . When strains ATCC 25923 and CIP 6525 were exposed to LY146032, the population decreased exponentially with time . The killing rate was constant and linked to the concentration by a Michaelis-Menten relationship . The maximum killing rate and the affinity constant of LY146032, estimated from the data transformed by the Lineweaver-Burk method, differed for the two strains . The concentration of the antibiotic at which killing theoretically begins (estimated by linear regression using the logarithm of the concentration) is of the same magnitude as the MIC of LY146032, which indicates the pure bactericidal mode of action of the drug . S . aureus ATCC 12600 was more resistant to the bactericidal effect of the two drugs, and its killing curve did not conform to the model described here.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Apr, 85(8), 2454 - 8
Partial amino acid sequence of porcine 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography; Brown TA et al.; Monoclonal antibodies against the porcine 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were immobilized on Sepharose CL-4B and used to obtain a highly purified 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor fraction with a 45% recovery of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding capacity . The porcine receptor was purified to homogeneity by preparative electrophoresis and digested in sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels with Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 protease . The resulting peptides were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electrophoretically transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes, and directly sequenced . The generation and isolation of peptides by this method allows sequencing of proteins present in trace amounts as well as those whose amino termini have been modified . The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor amino acid sequence corresponded to the sequence predicted from a recently cloned receptor cDNA obtained from rat kidney mRNAs.

J Leukoc Biol, 1988 Apr, 43(4), 304 - 10
Measurement of intracellular fluorescence of human monocytes relative to oxidative metabolism; Robinson JP et al.; Human monocytes (MN) produce O2- and H2O2 when stimulated by agonists . Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) has been used as a substrate for measuring intracellular oxidant production in neutrophils . DCFH-DA is hydrolyzed by esterases to dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), which is trapped within the cell . This nonfluorescent molecule is then oxidized to fluorescent dichlorofluorescin (DCF) by action of cellular oxidants . DCFH-DA can not be appreciably oxidized to a fluorescent state without prior hydrolysis . We have examined the utility of DCFH-DA for the assessment of monocyte oxidative responses . The levels of intracellular fluorescence measured by flow cytometry were considerably less than expected from reported levels of O2--production or chemiluminescence assays . Compared with neutrophils, monocytes produced minimal increases in DCF fluorescence after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate as measured by flow cytometry, but both cell types showed increases in fluorescence when bulk cell suspensions were measured by spectrofluorometry . To determine the intracellular location of the DCFH, bulk fluorescence measurements were made on both whole and sonicated cell preparations . When intact mononuclear cells were preloaded with DCFH-DA, then sonicated and oxidized with added excess H2O2, the increase in fluorescence was only 30% of the fluorescence of mononuclear cell sonicates to which DCFH-DA was added and oxidized in a similar manner . These results suggest that a portion of the DCFH-DA incorporated by intact cells, is not susceptible to oxidation by the added H2O2 . Addition of NaOH to induce hydrolysis of any residual DCFH-DA in the sonicates of DCFH-DA-loaded intact mononuclear cells resulted in a further increase in fluorescence upon addition H2O2, suggesting that a significant portion of the DCFH-DA was not hydrolyzed despite ample uptake of this dye by these cells . In contrast, no further increase in fluorescence was observed in sonicates of DCFH-DA-loaded intact neutrophils, suggesting complete hydrolysis of all incorporated DCFH-DA to DCFH . When monocytes were allowed to phagocytose DCFH-DA-loaded Staphylococcus aureus, intracellular fluorescence was measurable by flow cytometry, indicating intracellular oxidation of the fluorochromes . We therefore propose that in monocytes the mechanism of intracellular processing of these fluorochromes differs from that in neutrophils owing to differences in intracellular localization of fluorochromes, site of oxidant production, and/or accessibility of the DCFH-DA to esterolysis.

Agents Actions, 1988 Apr, 23(3-4), 230 - 2
Histamine release from human adenoidal and mesenteric mast cells induced by bacterial antigens; Brzezinska-Blaszczyk E et al.; The histamine-releasing capability of Staphylococcus aureus antigens was examined in human adenoidal and mesenteric mast cells obtained by enzymic dispersion of tissues from non-allergic patients . Both populations of mast cells released histamine after challenge with bacterial protein in concentrations between 5-500 micrograms/ml . The release was dependent on the dose, temperature and metabolic energy . The maximum release was observed at 15 min after challenge . The present results suggest that Staphylococcus aureus antigens release histamine from human adenoidal and mesenteric mast cells via a non-cytotoxic, active secretory process.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Apr, 170(4), 1831 - 6
Oxacillin-induced inhibition of protein and RNA synthesis in a tolerant Staphylococcus aureus isolate; Jablonski PE et al.; A clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus was found to be tolerant (MBC much greater than MIC) to a number of beta-lactam antibiotics, including oxacillin . Biophotometric analysis showed that a number of concentrations of oxacillin were capable of stimulating rapid cellular lysis in this organism, but the extent of lysis was antibiotic concentration dependent and limited . Cell cultures treated with an antibiotic concentration yielding the maximum rate and extent of lysis were analyzed for protein and RNA synthesis by pulse-labeling techniques . RNA synthesis was initially stimulated and then severely inhibited . Protein synthesis was not inhibited initially; however, the increase in the rate of synthesis expected as the result of logarithmic growth was not observed . Instead, the antibiotic-treated culture maintained for approximately 50 min the rate of protein synthesis ongoing at the time of antibiotic addition . The rate of protein synthesis declined thereafter . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of protein samples taken 1 and 3 h after antibiotic addition showed that the shutdown of protein synthesis was not coordinate but rather was suggestive of the operation of a stress regulon perhaps similar to those responsible for heat shock, SOS, and oxidation stress.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1988 Mar 25, 16(5), 2179 - 87
Nucleotide sequence of pS194, a streptomycin-resistance plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus; Projan SJ et al.; pS194 is a naturally occurring Staphylococcus aureus plasmid encoding streptomycin resistance . The plasmid has a copy number of about 25 per cell, and belongs to the inc5 incompatibility group . The nucleotide sequence of pS194 has been determined and consists of 4397 base pairs including four open reading frames potentially encoding proteins of greater than 100 amino acids . All four of these reading frames are on the same coding strand . The first reading frame, repE, encodes a 38 kd protein specifically required for pS194 replication . The second open reading frame, str, encodes a 34 kd polypeptide required for streptomycin resistance, probably a streptomycin adenylyltransferase . The third potential polypeptide, rlx, would be 37 kd and is probably required for relaxation complex formation and plasmid mobilization by conjugative plasmids . The fourth, orfD, overlapping the rlx reading frame, is potentially 27 kd, and may also be involved in mobilization.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Mar 25, 263(9), 4182 - 5
Revision of the blocked N terminus of rat heart fatty acid-binding protein by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry; Gibson BW et al.; The primary structure of rat heart muscle fatty acid-binding protein was investigated by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry . The protein was digested with trypsin, chymotrypsin, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and the resulting peptides were separated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography . The masses of the protonated molecular ions (MH+) of the tryptic, chymotryptic, and S . aureus protease peptides were determined by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis using 20-500 pmol of material . From the tryptic digest, two peptides with MH+ 1036 and 861 were initially found that did not match the published primary sequence (Sacchettini, J . C., Meininger, T . A., Lowe, J . B., Gordon, J . I., and Banaszak, L . J . (1987) J . Biol . Chem . 262, 5428-5430) . The amino acid sequences of these two peptides were determined by a combination of mass spectrometry, B/E-linked scanning, and high performance tandem mass spectrometric techniques to be: (Formula: see text) . These new data require that corrections be made to the previously published sequence, involving residues 1-4 and 51-52 . The corrected amino sequence for rat m-FABP reveals greater homology with myelin P2, mouse adipocyte p422 protein, and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein than was previously demonstrated.

Biochemistry, 1988 Mar 22, 27(6), 1813 - 7
Identification and sequence of a binding site peptide of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor; Dohlman HG et al.; p-(Bromoacetamido)benzyl-1-{125I}iodocarazolol (125I-pBABC) is a potent derivative of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist p-aminobenzylcarazolol . Treatment of the receptor with 125I-pBABC results in efficient covalent incorporation of the ligand into the receptor binding site . Extensive degradation of 125I-pBABC-labeled beta 2-adrenergic receptor with either cyanogen bromide or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease results in specifically labeled fragments having Mr's of about 1600 and 3500, respectively . Because the primary structure of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor is known, and these proteolytic reagents are highly sequence specific, the site of 125I-pBABC incorporation may be deduced from the sizes of the specifically labeled fragments . Thus the fragment generated by cyanogen bromide cleavage corresponds to residues 83-96, a region of 14 amino acids included in the second membrane spanning domain (helix II) of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor . This assignment was confirmed by direct amino acid sequencing of this labeled fragment, though the actual amino acid modified could not be determined . These data permit the assignment of a part of the hormone binding region of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 Mar 15, 172(3), 719 - 24
Fluorescence-quenching-resolved spectroscopy of proteins; Wasylewski Z et al.; A new procedure is described for using fluorescence-quenching data of tryptophan residues in proteins to resolve their fluorescence emission spectra . In this concept the Stern-Volmer quenching plot is determined at each particular emission wavelength and iterative non-linear least-squares fitting procedure allowed to resolve the steady-state emission spectra into components . The resolved components, attributed to each of tryptophan residue, can be characterized by different accessibility to the quencher . The ability to resolve fluorescence emission spectra can be improved by using different kinds of efficient quenchers, which can selectively quench the emission of exposed or both exposed and buried fluorophores . The method was used to decompose emission fluorescence spectra in two-tryptophan-containing proteins; horse liver dehydrogenase, sperm whale apomyoglobin and metalloprotease from Staphylococcus aureus . The resolved spectra of alcohol dehydrogenase and metalloprotease are in excellent agreement with those previously obtained by single-photon counting or phase methods . The method presented here is technically simple and does not require expensive instrumentation.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 Mar 15, 172(3), 703 - 11
Complete amino acid sequences of the ribosomal proteins L25, L29 and L31 from the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui; Hatakeyama T et al.; Ribosomal proteins were extracted from 50S ribosomal subunits of the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui by decreasing the concentration of Mg2+ and K+, and the proteins were separated and purified by ion-exchange column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose . Ten proteins were purified to homogeneity and three of these proteins were subjected to sequence analysis . The complete amino acid sequences of the ribosomal proteins L25, L29 and L31 were established by analyses of the peptides obtained by enzymatic digestion with trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus protease, chymotrypsin and lysylendopeptidase . Proteins L25, L29 and L31 consist of 84, 115 and 95 amino acid residues with the molecular masses of 9472 Da, 12293 Da and 10418 Da respectively . A comparison of their sequences with those of other large-ribosomal-subunit proteins from other organisms revealed that protein L25 from H . marismortui is homologous to protein L23 from Escherichia coli (34.6%), Bacillus stearothermophilus (41.8%), and tobacco chloroplasts (16.3%) as well as to protein L25 from yeast (38.0%) . Proteins L29 and L31 do not appear to be homologous to any other ribosomal proteins whose structures are so far known.

J Immunol, 1988 Mar 15, 140(6), 1974 - 81
Direct human T helper cell-induced B cell activation is not mediated by inositol lipid hydrolysis; Chartash EK et al.; The Ag-specific interaction between cloned allospecific human Th cells and class II MHC determinants on the surface of allogeneic B cells induces a significant fraction of resting B cells to express a B cell specific activation Ag BLAST-2 (CD23) . On the other hand, cross-linking of B cell surface Ig R by Ag analogues does not lead to BLAST-2 expression . By utilizing the BLAST-2 induction assay as a positive control for efficient Th-B cell interaction, we have investigated the biochemical basis of human B cell activation mediated by Ag and Th cells . Our data demonstrate that ligands for sIg R, including F(ab')2 goat anti-human IgM and Staphylococcus aureus protein A, stimulate the metabolism of B cell membrane inositol lipids as assessed by: 1) increased {3H}inositol phosphates formation in myo-{3H}inositol-labeled B cells; 2) selective incorporation of {32P}orthophosphate into phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol, but not into phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine; and 3) rapid increase in B cell cytoplasmic ionized Ca2+ concentration ({Ca2+}i) . In contrast, direct Th-B cell interaction leads to high intensity BLAST-2 expression on the B cell surface but this response is not mediated by changes in inositol lipid metabolism or {Ca2+}i . Further, Th-B cell interaction does not affect the changes in B cell inositol lipid metabolism or {Ca2+}i triggered by sIg cross-linking . Taken together, our results suggest that Ag and Th cells induce different functional B cell responses by activating distinct second messenger systems within the B cell.

Biochemistry, 1988 Mar 8, 27(5), 1643 - 7
High-resolution 1H NMR study of the solution structure of delta-hemolysin; Tappin MJ et al.; The 26-residue toxin from Staphylococcus aureus, delta-hemolysin, is thought to act by traversing the plasma membrane . The structure of this peptide, in methanol solution, has been investigated by using high-resolution NMR in combination with molecular dynamics calculations . The 1H NMR spectrum has been completely assigned, and it is shown that residues 2-20 form a relatively stable helix while the residues at the C-terminal end appear to be more flexible . The structures were calculated only from nuclear Overhauser effect data and standard bond lengths . It is shown that the results are consistent with 3JNH-alpha CH coupling constants and amide hydrogen exchange rates.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Mar 5, 263(7), 3097 - 102
Amino acid sequence of starfish oocyte depactin; Takagi T et al.; The amino acid sequence of starfish oocyte depactin was determined by aligning lysyl endopeptidase, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and cyanongen bromide peptides . Starfish oocyte depactin is composed of 150 amino acid residues and the N terminus is free proline . The molecular weight is calculated to be 17,590, in good agreement with the value estimated by sodium dodecyl-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Prediction of the secondary structure shows that depactin contains 64% alpha-helix . Comparison of depactin sequence with those of other proteins shows no significant similarity.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Mar 5, 263(7), 3307 - 13
Phenylalanines that are conserved among several RNA-binding proteins form part of a nucleic acid-binding pocket in the A1 heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein; Merrill BM et al.; We have studied the domain structure of the A1 heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein using both partial proteolysis and photochemical cross-linking to oligodeoxynucleotides . Both the intact A1 protein and its proteolytic fragment, the UP1 protein, can be cleaved by Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease to produce two polypeptides of 92 amino acids . These two polypeptides correspond to the internal repeat sequence previously noted by us to occur in UP1 . The two polypeptides can be purified via single-stranded DNA cellulose chromatography and independently cross-linked to {32P}p(dT)8, indicating that each domain can bind to single-stranded nucleic acids . Purification and sequencing of A1 tryptic peptides that had been cross-linked to oligothymidylic acid revealed that 4 phenylalanine residues, phenylalanines 16, 58, 107, and 149 are the sites of covalent adduct formation, with phenylalanine 16 being the major site of cross-linking . These phenylalanine residues are internally homologous when the repeat sequences in A1 are aligned, that is, phenylalanines 16 and 107 occupy analogous positions in the 91-residue repeat, as do phenylalanines 58 and 149 . An examination of the primary structures of a variety of eucaryotic RNA-binding proteins with sequence homology to A1 reveals that the cross-linked phenylalanines in A1 are highly conserved among all of these proteins . Our results provide the first experimental evidence that conserved residues in the 90-amino acid repeating domains shared by A1 and other single-stranded nucleic acid binding-proteins form part of an RNA-binding pocket.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Mar 3, 938(3), 403 - 10
Endovesiculation of human erythrocytes exposed to sphingomyelinase C: a possible explanation for the enzyme-resistant pool of sphingomyelin; Allan D et al.; When human erythrocytes are treated with Staphylococcus aureus sphingomyelinase C at 37 degrees C they become susceptible to cold lysis and appear to endovesiculate . Endovesiculation has been confirmed by showing that in parallel with sphingomyelin breakdown, the cells accumulate {3H}inulin or {14C}sucrose (without losing intracellular K+) and also experience a loss of cell-surface acetylcholinesterase activity into a latent intracellular pool which can be revealed by treatment with detergent . On the basis of these observations it can be calculated that endovesicles account for about 2-4% of cell volume and about 25% of total cell surface . Pretreatment of cells with bee venom phospholipase A2 completely blocked sphingomyelinase-induced endovesiculation but this effect was related to a concomitant decrease in sphingomyelin breakdown which was reduced by about 90% . These results indicate that the pool of sphingomyelin which is not susceptible to attack by sphingomyelinase C (about 15% of total sphingomyelin) may be resistant because of membrane internalisation and not because it originally resides in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Mar, 268(1), 1 - 7
Amino acid requirements of Staphylococcus aureus strains from Germany and Austria that produce toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1); Dickgiesser N et al.; Amino acid requirements of 156 toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) producing Staphylococcus aureus strains from Germany and 37 strains from Austria have been determined . They were compared with TSST-1 negative S . aureus . Most of the strains required proline and valine with no significant differences between TSST-1 positive and negative S . aureus . There was no correlation between tryptophan auxotypy and TSST-1 producing strains . On complete chemically defined medium good bacterial growth was usually observed . Nevertheless, many strains stopped toxin production under these conditions . S . aureus strains with TSST-1 synthesis on complete medium required phenylalanine and cysteine for TSST-1 production mainly.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1988 Mar, 71(3), 497 - 501
The defect of lymphocyte locomotion in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: studies of polarization and growth-dependent locomotion; Wilkinson PC et al.; This paper reports a study of the locomotor behaviour of the lymphocytes from 17 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) . The cells were studied both immediately after separation from blood and after culture for 24 to 48 h with a range of growth activators . Cells direct from blood were tested for polarization in fetal calf serum (FCS 20%), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA 10(-7)M) and colchicine (10(-5)M) . The polarization of lymphocytes from CLL patients with high white cell (WBC) counts (greater than 10 X 10(9)/litre) was very poor in FCS and PMA, though the cells from about half of these patients responded well to colchicine . The response of cells from patients with low white cell counts was the same as that of controls . The growth activators, PHA (1 micrograms/ml), anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3 2.5 ng/ml), Cowan strain Staphylococcus aureus (SAC; 1.5 X 10(7)/ml) and PMA (10(-8)M) induced an increase in the proportion of locomotor lymphocytes from controls and from CLL patients with low white cell counts during 24 h of culture . Cells from patients with high white cell counts showed very little increase in locomotor forms in any activator including PMA and the B cell mitogen SAC . This defect was seen in both polarization assays and collagen gel invasion assays . The findings suggest that CLL lymphocytes have a defect of locomotion demonstrable at two levels: (a) the cells fail to respond by polarizing immediately upon stimulation; colchicine treatment reverses this defect in some cases; (b) they also fail to acquire locomotor capacity during culture with activators of growth.

J Dairy Sci, 1988 Mar, 71(3), 835 - 42
Effects of Staphylococcus aureus on bovine mononuclear leukocyte proliferation and viability: modulation by phagocytic leukocytes; Nonnecke BJ et al.; In vitro effects of killed Staphylococcus aureus cells on bovine blood mononuclear leukocytes from uninfected cows or cows with chronic staphylococcal mastitis were assessed using a lymphocyte proliferation assay and a {51Cr} release cytotoxicity assay . Killed S . aureus cells cultured with mononuclear leukocytes caused a concentration-dependent decrease in lymphocyte proliferation that was associated with a concomitant decrease in mononuclear leukocyte viability . Responses of mononuclear leukocytes from uninfected and infected cows to killed S . aureus were similar, indicating effects were independent of the infection status of the animal . Addition of blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes to blood mononuclear leukocyte cultures without S . aureus cells did not alter mononuclear leukocyte viability but suppressed lymphocyte proliferation at the highest polymorphonuclear leukocyte:mononuclear leukocyte ratios (4:1 and 8:1) tested . When S . aureus cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were cultured with mononuclear leukocytes, both blood and milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes protected against the loss of viability compared with leukocytes cultured with S . aureus cells alone but did not consistently restore proliferative responses of the lymphocytes . These observations demonstrate that lymphocyte proliferation and mononuclear leukocyte viability are detrimentally affected by S . aureus cells, an effect that can be modulated by blood or milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Infection, 1988 Mar-Apr, 16(2), 95 - 7
Clindamycin for colonization and infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Smith SM et al.; Effective antimicrobial therapy for infection or colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is very limited . In some institutions, the majority of strains remain susceptible to clindamycin in vitro . We report five patients with colonization or infection of varying severity caused by MRSA who had the organism successfully eradicated by clindamycin . In one patient who had an MRSA infection that persisted during vancomycin therapy clindamycin therapy was able to finally eradicate the organism . Clindamycin should be seriously considered as alternative therapy for colonization or infection by MRSA.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Mar, 32(3), 374 - 7
Oxacillin, cephalothin, and vancomycin tube macrodilution MBC result reproducibility and equivalence to MIC results for methicillin-susceptible and reputedly tolerant Staphylococcus aureus isolates; Pelletier LL Jr et al.; Measurement of antimicrobial killing endpoints of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in tube macrodilution MBC testing has been difficult because of multiple technical factors . A total of 41 fresh clinical isolates and 23 reputedly oxacillin-tolerant strains were examined by a modification of the Taylor MBC method . Oxacillin, cephalothin, and vancomycin MBCs were equal to MICs for most strains and were seldom more than fourfold greater than the corresponding MICs after a 48-h incubation . Oxacillin MBC result reproducibility for S . aureus ATCC 25923 and clinical isolates was better than that of cephalothin and vancomycin, and reproducibility improved after a 48-h incubation . Measurement of the percentage of the initial inoculum remaining after 24 and 48 h of incubation for the strains for which the MBCs were highest confirmed improved killing over a wide range of antimicrobial concentrations after a 48-h incubation . Since S . aureus MBC testing is expensive, is subject to error, and almost always gives results equal to the MIC, we suggest that MBC testing is an experimental reference laboratory test that should not be done by clinical microbiology laboratories . Antimicrobial selection should be based on reproducible and standardized MIC tests.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 26(3), 600 - 1
Positive reaction in mouse ligated intestinal loop assay with nonenterotoxigenic and nonhemolytic strains of Staphylococcus aureus; Sakaguchi T et al.; Nonenterotoxigenic and nonhemolytic strains of Staphylococcus aureus exhibited a positive reaction in the mouse intestinal loop assay except for a strain negative for the egg yolk reaction . Edema and swelling in all positive loops, increased bacterial cell numbers within intestinal loops, and extremely close adhesion to or inclusion of numerous bacterial cells in HeLa cells after inoculation of the strains were observed . These results suggest a possible invasive ability of the strains.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 26(3), 535 - 9
Production of gamma-hemolysin and lack of production of alpha-hemolysin by Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with toxic shock syndrome; Clyne M et al.; The hemolytic activity of toxic shock syndrome isolates of Staphylococcus aureus is enhanced when agarose is substituted for agar in blood plates or when strains are grown in liquid culture in the presence of 20% (vol/vol) CO2 in air . Hemolytic activity of a representative panel of toxic shock syndrome isolates was rigorously assessed both on blood agar and in liquid culture to unequivocally identify the predominant hemolysins produced . As determined by isoelectric focusing and Western immunoblotting, 15 of 15 TSS isolates produced gamma-lysin and 10 of 15 produced delta-lysin . None produced beta-lysin, and only 2 of 15 produced alpha-lysin . The low rate of alpha-lysin production was a most striking characteristic, since all strains were found to have the alpha-lysin gene by Southern blot hybridization.

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1988 Mar, 114(3), 326 - 7
Evaluation of single-dose cefazolin prophylaxis for toxic shock syndrome; Jacobson JA et al.; Otolaryngologists have increased their use of parenteral prophylactic antibiotics to prevent toxic shock syndrome following nasal surgery . This rare but potentially serious postoperative complication presumably requires nasal carriage of a toxigenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus by a susceptible patient . We investigated the effect of a single preoperative dose of intravenous cefazolin on nasal carriage of S aureus . Thirty patients were studied; 15 were S aureus carriers initially and 12 (80%) remained culture positive after prophylaxis and at the time surgery was completed . We conclude that this particular regimen is unlikely to have a major effect on the incidence of toxic shock syndrome following nasal surgery.

Arch Intern Med, 1988 Mar, 148(3), 569 - 70
High rate of methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized nursing home patients; Hsu CC et al.; Three series of studies were conducted between 1984 and 1986 at two community hospitals in Chicago to determine the frequency of methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized nursing home patients . Overall, 76 (49%) of 155 patients with S aureus clinical isolates admitted from 25 nursing homes had methicillin-resistant S aureus . In 1986, 53.1% of patients with S aureus infection or colonization among nursing home patients had the resistant strain, in contrast with 13.2% among patients from the community . A high incidence of methicillin-resistant S aureus infection or colonization is a clinical feature of nursing home patients . This observation may lead to an improvement in the clinical management of the patients suspected of having S aureus infection and alterations in the current policy of nursing homes that bar admission of patients carrying the resistant bacteria.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1988 Mar-Apr, 24(2), 187 - 92
{Specificity of hydrolysis of S . aureus 209P cell walls by a lytic preparation of Pseudomonas lytica}; Severin AI et al.; Specificity of Staphylococcus aureus 209P cell wall hydrolysis by a lytic preparation isolated from the culture liquid filtrate of Pseudomonas lytica VKM V-1454D was studied by the dansylation method . The lytic preparation was found to contain the lytic proteinase lysing the cells of Gram-positive microorganisms . The enzyme hydrolysed the cell walls of S . aureus 209P releasing N-terminal glycine and alanine in amounts of 0.73 and 0.34 mumoles per 1 mumole of lysine, respectively, which indicated the cleavage of the bonds in the pentaglycine bridge and, apparently, of the bond between N-acetylmuramic acid.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1988 Mar, 71(3), 394 - 8
Antigens of Mycobacterium leprae identified by immunoprecipitation with sera from leprosy and tuberculosis patients; Britton WJ et al.; Mycobacterial antigens which react with human B lymphocytes were investigated by immunoprecipitation of radiolabelled sonicates of Mycobacterium leprae and M . bovis (BCG) with sera from patients with leprosy and tuberculosis in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus . SDS-PAGE analysis of the immunoprecipitates demonstrated that dense bands of Mr 12,000 (12K), 15K, 27K, 32-33K, 36K and 48K were the major antigens of M . leprae recognized by antibodies in lepromatous leprosy sera . Of these, only the 15-16K band reacted significantly with sera from patients with tuberculoid leprosy and tuberculosis . Other antigens including the T cell immunogens of Mr 18K and 70K reacted with some of the BL/LL sera tested . There were differences in the pattern of antigens precipitated from BCG sonicate by leprosy sera with the 65K antigen and a high molecular weight band (greater than 94K) being readily detected . These results differ in part to these obtained by probing immunoblots of M . leprae sonicate with leprosy sera . Factors contributing to these differences are discussed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Mar-Apr, 10(2), 428 - 30
Nasal septal abscess due to Staphylococcus aureus in a patient with AIDS; Henry K et al.; Nasal septal abscess is a potentially serious infection about which there has been little information in the infectious disease literature . A patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who developed a nasal septal abscess was studied, and the literature about this infection was reviewed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Mar-Apr, 10(2), 420 - 3
Parotitis due to anaerobic bacteria; Matlow A et al.; Although Staphylococcus aureus remains the pathogen most commonly implicated in acute suppurative parotitis, the pathogenic role of gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacteria and strict anaerobic organisms in this disease is becoming increasingly recognized . This report describes a case of parotitis due to Bacteroides disiens in an elderly woman with Sjogren's syndrome . Literature reports on seven additional cases of suppurative parotitis due to anaerobic bacteria are reviewed . Initial therapy of acute suppurative parotitis should include coverage for S . aureus and, in a very ill patient, coverage of gram-negative facultative organisms with antibiotics such as cloxacillin and an aminoglycoside . A failure to respond clinically to such a regimen or isolation of anaerobic bacteria should lead to the consideration of the addition of clindamycin or penicillin.

Mol Immunol, 1988 Mar, 25(3), 305 - 11
Peptide mapping studies of the pertussis toxin substrate in human neutrophils, platelets and erythrocytes; Scott SJ et al.; Protease digestion of the ADP-ribosylated pertussis toxin substrate (PTS) protein was carried out after solubilization with SDS (Cleveland gels) and in the intact membrane . Cleveland gel analysis showed substantial similarities in the maps for the PTS component in neutrophils, platelets and erythrocytes and also in the S49 AC-lymphoma cell line . In the intact membrane ADP-ribosylation followed by digestion showed limited access of proteases to the PTS component . Of eight proteases tested, only papain and Staphylococcus aureus gave substantial digestion . This pattern was observed in the human platelet, erythrocyte and neutrophil plasma membranes . When the sequence was reversed and ADP-ribosylation was carried out after protease digestion, a very different pattern was observed with much greater susceptibility to digestion being noted with several proteases . By contrast, analysis of the murine AC-membrane showed some minor variations in the digest patterns . In addition, under all three conditions tested, maps of the cholera toxin substrate for the human platelet showed remarkable similarities to those obtained with the pertussis toxin substrate . Our results indicate that the protease sensitive sites of the alpha subunit of PTS and protection from proteolysis after ADP-ribosylation are properties which are shared by the PTS components of human platelets, erythrocytes and neutrophils.

Infection, 1988 Mar-Apr, 16(2), 98 - 104
Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin for selective decontamination in patients with severe granulocytopenia; Maschmeyer G et al.; In a randomized multicenter study, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, each in two different dose regimens and in combination with non-absorbable antimycotics, were administered to 51 patients with acute leukaemia undergoing aggressive remission induction chemotherapy for infection prevention . Both drugs showed an effective elimination of gram-negative potential pathogens and Staphylococcus aureus not affecting the anaerobic flora of the gastrointestinal tract . A low incidence of side effects and a satisfactory patient compliance could be observed . A daily dosage of 1,000 mg ciprofloxacin or 800 mg norfloxacin is recommended for infection prevention in severely granulocytopenic patients.

Mol Gen Genet, 1988 Mar, 211(3), 435 - 40
Cloning of a chromosomal locus (exp) which regulates the expression of several exoprotein genes in Staphylococcus aureus; Morfeldt E et al.; Insertion of the erythromycin resistance transposon Tn551 into a single site of the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome resulted in decreased production of alpha-toxin, serine and metallo-proteinases and several other extracellular proteins and a simultaneous increase in the production of protein A . The site of insertion, designated exp, was separate from the structural gene for alpha-toxin and protein A . Hybridization analysis showed that the effect of the insertional mutation on the expression of the alpha-toxin and protein A was at the level of transcription . The chromosomal DNA flanking the transposon and the corresponding DNA of the wild-type strain was cloned in Escherichia coli . Northern blot hybridization experiments revealed that the exp locus codes for a major RNA of approximately 3.5 kb . This RNA was not found in the insertional mutant nor in a spontaneous exp mutant . A map of the exp locus constructed by Northern blot and restriction enzyme analysis showed that the insertional mutation was located in the middle of the coding sequence of the 3.5 kb RNA . The insertional mutant was reverted to wild type by inserting a recombinant plasmid containing most of the coding sequence of the 3.5 kb RNA.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 6(2), 127 - 39
Production of enterotoxins and thermonuclease by Staphylococcus aureus in cooked egg-noodles; Gockler L et al.; Production of enterotoxin A (SEA), enterotoxin C (SEC), and thermonuclease (TNase) by Staphylococcus aureus was determined during growth in cooked egg-noodles at different temperatures (15-37 degrees C) . Both SEA and SEC and TNase were detected when greater than or equal to 4.0 x 10(7) colony forming units (cfu)/g were present . The contents of SEA, SEC, and TNase in egg-noodles mainly increased at the end of the exponential growth phase . In contrast with SEA and SEC the production of TNase always continued till the end of each experiment . Recovery rates of SEA and TNase in cooked noodles were dependent on their amounts . High amounts (64 ng SEA/g; 1 unit TNase/g) were recovered at a rate of 93% (SEA) and 54% (TNase) respectively, whereas low concentrations (1 ng SEA/g; 0.004 units TNase/g) were recovered at a rate of only 45% (SEA) and 1.1% (TNase) . TNase usually is produced at all conditions which allow growth of S . aureus . Evidence of TNase was proposed for screening for staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) in foods . But sometimes foods contain no TNase but SE . For this reason the ELISA-test which is simple and sensitive should be used for determination of SE-production in foods.

Mutat Res, 1988 Mar-Apr, 207(3-4), 107 - 9
Loss of penicillinase plasmids of Staphylococcus aureus after treatment with L-ascorbic acid; Amabile Cuevas CF; When 2 clinical strains of plasmid-mediated penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were treated with 1 mM sodium ascorbate for 6 h, 12-35% colony-forming units (CFU) irreversibly lost their ability to produce beta-lactamase . Agarose gel electrophoresis showed the disappearance of the plasmid bands from the lysates of colonies in which susceptibility to penicillin was induced by ascorbate treatment . Since ascorbic acid is a compound that is completely non-toxic, the possibility of its therapeutic use in the treatment of multiresistant bacterial diseases is proposed.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1988 Mar, 72(3), 189 - 91
Metastatic Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis: a case report; O'Brien CJ et al.; A case of bilateral metastatic Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis is presented . It evolved over a two-week period, causing some diagnostic confusion . Treatment with fusidic acid and benzylpenicillin resulted in the retention of useful vision in one eye and good vision in the other.

Virus Genes, 1988 Mar, 1(2), 205 - 19
Transcription and in vitro translation of the dsRNA virus isolated from Rhizoctonia solani; Finkler A et al.; A segmented double-stranded dsRNA virus has been isolated from virulent strains of Rhizoctonia solani . The dsRNA genome has mol . wts . of 1.45 and 1.32 X 10(6) . Two full-size transcripts with mol . wts . of 0.74 and 0.66 X 10(6) (2.2 kb and 2 kb, respectively) were synthesized by the virus-associated RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and resolved by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The transcripts cross-hybridized to the viral dsRNA isolated from a number of strains . The transcripts did not hybridize with the genomic DNA . An unencapsidated species of dsRNA with mol . wt . of 1.6 X 10(6) did not hybridize with the viral transcripts . No cross-hybridization between the two viral dsRNA segments was obtained . The viral-encoded proteins were studied by in vitro translation using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system . The transcripts served as mRNA for the synthesis of the major capsid protein of 55 kD, and a number of other products . The viral coat protein was immunoprecipitated with antibodies against purified virus particles . Partial proteolysis of the major in vitro product and the authentic capsid protein using Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease produced similar peptide patterns . Denatured viral dsRNA also directed the synthesis of proteins identical to those translated from the transcripts in vitro.

Microb Pathog, 1988 Mar, 4(3), 223 - 9
Oligomerization of 3H-labelled staphylococcal alpha-toxin and fragments on adrenocortical Y1 tumour cells; Blomqvist L et al.; Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin has previously been shown to bind to erythrocyte membranes and the isolated membranes contain the toxin in both monomeric and hexameric form . The hexamers are believed to form the ring-shaped structures observed by electron microscopy on toxin-treated erythrocytes . It has not previously been shown that hexamers are formed also on nucleated mammalian cells although it has been assumed that hexamers in both systems create transmembrane channels, responsible for the toxin-induced membrane damage . Here we demonstrate by autoradiography that 3H-alpha-toxin bound to and formed high molecular weight complexes-presumably hexamers-on cultured adrenocortical Y1 tumour cells . The binding kinetics suggested a non-specific association of alpha-toxin with the membrane, rather than specific receptor-binding . The pH during toxin binding did not influence the subsequently induced membrane damage . Non-membrane damaging alpha-toxin fragment preparations also bound firmly to the cell membranes . Upon contact with Y1 cells the fragments formed complexes of the same apparent molecular size as those generated from intact alpha-toxin . Two interpretations are possible: either the fragment oligomers are somehow defective i.e . not able to form transmembrane structures or the functional relevance of toxin oligomerization for alpha-toxin-induced membrane damage must be questioned.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 134 ( Pt 3), 719 - 23
Effect of dilution rate and Mg2+ limitation on toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production by Staphylococcus aureus grown in defined continuous culture; Taylor D et al.; A toxic shock syndrome isolate of Staphylococcus aureus was grown in a chemostat, in a defined synthetic medium of six amino acids, glucose, two vitamins and salts . Steady states were achieved under limiting and replete Mg2+ conditions and at a range of relative specific growth rates . The biomass and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were estimated at each condition . Under Mg2+ limitation the biomass and TSST-1 production rates were reduced compared to Mg2+ replete conditions . Optimal TSST-1 production occurred at 0.81 relative specific growth rate.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 134 ( Pt 3), 711 - 7
DNA sequencing of the eta gene coding for staphylococcal exfoliative toxin serotype A; Sakurai S et al.; We report the nucleotide sequence of a 1.45 kb segment containing the eta gene, coding for staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A (ETA), isolated from the recombinant plasmid pETA-J3 . The coding region of 840 bp specified a polypeptide of 280 amino acid residues which included a putative 38 residue signal sequence . The amino acid composition deduced from the structural gene was in agreement with the results of peptide analysis of the ETA molecule reported by others . The sequence of the 35 N-terminal amino acid residues of ETA derived from Staphylococcus aureus strain ZM was also consistent with that deduced from the DNA sequencing.

G Ital Cardiol, 1988 Mar, 18(3), 240 - 3
{Tricuspid endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in AIDS . Discussion of a case}; Serra W et al.; Right-sided staphylococcal endocarditis has been described in drug-addict, but not in association with an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome . A case of a 26 years old drug-addict woman with AIDS related complex is reported . Antibiotic therapy, produced a favourable evolution on the illness . This case support the usefulness of two-dimensional echocardiography for detecting one of the possible complications associated with AIDS.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Mar, 267(4), 541 - 8
Efficacy of coumermycin, ofloxacin and vancomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in experimental infections of mice; Hirschl AM et al.; In vitro, coumermycin (a bis-hydroxicoumarin gyrase inhibitor) proved significantly more active than ofloxacin and vancomycin against 100 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) . The MIC90 was 0.5 microgram/ml, whereas the corresponding figures for the other antimicrobials were 2.0 and 4.0 micrograms/ml . In vivo, an otherwise lethal septicemia, induced by intraperitoneal administration of a MRSA in mice, was "successfully treated" in 50% of the animals (ED50) with the following dosages (microgram/g b . wt.): coumermycin 0.9, ofloxacin 10.8, vancomycin 22.4 . The ED50 of coumermycin was significantly (2 p less than 0.01) different from those of the other drugs . Renal infection as produced in mice by transcutaneous inoculation of the same MRSA was treated with either of the antimicrobials at different dosages (single doses of 0.0 or 1.6 or 6.3 or 25.0 micrograms/g b . wt., twice daily) during 6 days . The largest reductions of viable counts in the kidneys at each dosage as compared to the bacterial counts of untreated animals were achieved with coumermycin (3.4 or 5.5 or 7.7 log10) . These reductions are significantly (2 p less than 0.01) different from those achieved with the comparable dosages of ofloxacin and vancomycin which were 0.1 or 1.8 or 2.8 and 0.4 or 1.4 or 3.0 log10 respectively . After a single subcutaneous injection of 250 micrograms mean concentrations in serum of mice for coumermycin were 6.2-5.0 micrograms/ml for 8 h, for ofloxacin 2.0-0.5 micrograms/ml for 2 h, and for vancomycin 14.7-2.5 micrograms/ml for 2 h . Coumermycin and ofloxacin could be alternatives to vancomycin in the therapy of human infections due to MRSA.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 134 ( Pt 3), 697 - 709
The nucleotide sequence of Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pT48 conferring inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance and comparison with similar plasmids expressing constitutive resistance; Catchpole I et al.; The complete nucleotide sequence of a naturally occurring Staphylococcus aureus plasmid, pT48 (from S . aureus strain T48), has been determined . The 2475 bp plasmid confers inducible resistance to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS) type antibiotics . It is similar to the constitutive MLS resistance plasmid, pNE131, from Staphylococcus epidermidis and shows homology with S . aureus plasmids pSN2 and pE194 . It contains a palA structure homologous to that on S . aureus plasmid pT181 . The open reading frame, ORF B, within the pSN2 homologous region has a frameshifted C-terminus, relative to pNE131, resulting in a smaller, 158 amino acid putative polypeptide . The pE194 homologous region has the ermC resistance determinant and retains the leader region, deleted in pNE131, required for inducible expression of an adenine methylase . Another naturally occurring S . aureus strain, J74, shows constitutive resistance to erythromycin and contains a small plasmid, pJ74, which is similar to pNE131 but with a different deletion in the leader sequence . The results are consistent with the translational attenuation model for ermC expression.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 6(2), 141 - 53
Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin in foods; Ewald S; Two ELISA kits were employed to detect staphylococcal enterotoxin A, B, C and D in foods to which enterotoxin had been added or which had been artificially contaminated with enterotoxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus . The sensitivity was satisfactory, and enterotoxins were detected by both ELISA kits in all positive samples . Weak positive reactions with one ELISA kit caused some difficulties in evaluation of samples . Enterotoxins A, B and C detected in small amounts (2-22 ng/ml) in minced fried beef were not detectable after heating at 80 degrees C, whereas enterotoxin D detected in considerably greater amounts (783 ng/ml) was reduced to 0.4% of this amount.

Eur J Immunol, 1988 Mar, 18(3), 467 - 71
Induction of human in vitro IgE synthesis via stimulation by anti-CD3 antibody; Yang XD et al.; Mitogens such as pokeweed mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I, concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin and monoclonal anti-CD antibodies were examined for their capacity to induce IgE synthesis by peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from both atopic and nonatopic individuals . While lectins failed to induce IgE synthesis, monoclonal anti-CD3 antibodies were very potent stimuli for the induction of human in vitro IgE synthesis, possibly due to the activation of T cells . Activation via CD4 or CD8 molecules by OKT4 or OKT8 antibodies did not lead to a T cell-dependent modulation of IgE synthesis . PWM acted in synergy with the enhancing effect of anti-CD3 antibodies for IgE synthesis . In vitro IgG production was less affected . These results indicate that activation of T cell via CD3 molecules may be important in the regulation of IgE immune responses in man . Furthermore, the successful induction of IgE synthesis by anti-CD3 antibody in unfractionated peripheral blood leukocytes culture provides a simple model for investigation of human IgE regulatory mechanism in vitro.

Anal Biochem, 1988 Mar, 169(2), 217 - 26
Structural elucidation of N-terminal post-translational modifications by mass spectrometry: application to chicken enolase and the alpha- and beta-subunits of bovine mitochondrial F1-ATPase; Gibson BW et al.; Peptides generated from enzymatic hydrolysis of chicken enolase and the alpha- and beta-subunits of bovine F1-ATPase were analyzed by mass spectrometry to determine the nature of their modified N-termini . In the case of chicken enolase, a peptide was isolated from a Staphylococcus aureus proteinase digest by HPLC and analyzed directly by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS) . In conjunction with mass spectral evidence obtained from the methyl ester derivative and a secondary tryptic peptide, a structure is proposed containing an N-acetyl serine at the N-terminus . The alpha-subunit of bovine mitochondrial ATPase was chromatographed by HPLC after S . aureus proteinase digestion and a single peak was analyzed on the basis of predicted retention times . A Mr 716 was determined by FABMS and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid was deduced on the basis of its amino acid composition and partial Edman sequence data . The beta-subunit of ATPase produced a series of closely eluting peaks on HPLC after limited digestion with trypsin of the alpha 2 beta 2 complex . These peptides were analyzed by both Edman degradation and FABMS . These data showed the N-terminus to be frayed with N-terminal sequences beginning in pyro-Glu-Ala-Ser, Gln-Ala-Ser, Glu-Ala-Ser, Ala-Ser, and Ser but with no N-acetyl-Ser as was previously thought.

Vopr Virusol, 1988 Mar-Apr, 33(2), 196 - 201
{A method of solid-phase analysis of antigens using Staphylococcus aureus as the label}; Khaustov VI et al.; A new method of solid-phase analysis of viral antigens in which St . aureus, strain Cowan 1, was used as a label is described . The result of analysis is read visually by bacterial agglutination . The degree of agglutination of the staphylococcal diagnosticum corresponds to the amount of the antigen bound with antibodies immobilized on the solid phase . Staining of Staphylococcus with methylene blue simplifies reading of the results . The method has been shown to be sufficiently simple, specific, sensitive, and may be used for diagnosis of different infections diseases.

J Membr Biol, 1988 Mar, 101(3), 267 - 74
Identification and functional reconstitution of phosphate: sugar phosphate antiport of Staphylococcus aureus; Sonna LA et al.; Resting cells of Staphylococcus aureus displayed a phosphate (Pi) exchange that was induced by growth with glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) or sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (G3P) . Pi-loaded membrane vesicles from these cells accumulated 32Pi, 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate (2DG6P) or G3P by an electroneutral exchange that required no external source of energy . On the other hand, when vesicles were loaded with morpholinopropane sulfonic acid (MOPS), only transport of 32Pi (and L-histidine) was observed, and in that case transport depended on addition of an oxidizable substrate (DL-lactate) . In such MOPS-loaded vesicles, accumulation of the organic phosphates, 2DG6P and G3P, could not be observed until vesicles were preincubated with both Pi and DL-lactate to establish an internal pool of Pi . This trans effect demonstrates that movement of 2DG6P or G3P is based on an antiport (exchange) with internal Pi . Reconstitution of membrane protein allowed a quantitative analysis of Pi-linked exchange . Pi-loaded proteoliposomes and membrane vesicles had comparable activities for the homologous 32Pi: Pi exchange (Kt's of 2.2 and 1.4 mM; Vmax's of 180 and 83 nmol Pi/min per mg protein), indicating that the exchange reaction was recovered intact in the artificial system . Other work showed that heterologous exchange from either G6P- or G3P-grown cells had a preference for 2DG6P (Kt = 27 microM) over G3P (Kt = 1.3 mM) and Pi (Kt = 2.2 mM), suggesting that the same antiporter was induced in both cases . We conclude that 32Pi: Pi exchange exhibited by resting cells reflects operation of an antiporter with high specificity for sugar 6-phosphate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Mar, 267(4), 506 - 9
Genetic studies on toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) producing Staphylococcus aureus strains from Austria, the USA and West Germany; Dickgiesser N; DNA preparations obtained from 10 different toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 positive S . aureus strains from Austria, the USA and West Germany were examined in respect of their homology to the TSST-1 gene of pRN6101 . Whole cell DNA was digested with HpaII or EcoRI, separated on agarose gels and transferred to nitrocellulose; furthermore the dotblot procedure was used . The radioactively labelled gene probe used was the 300 bp BamHI-HindII fragment of the TSST-1 gene region of pRN6101 . All S . aureus strains had homology with this fragment . Homology was located on fragments of different molecular size . Therefore it is concluded that the TSST-1 DNA fragment has different locations in the chromosome of different S . aureus strains.

Mol Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 2(2), 289 - 92
Mercury and tetracycline resistance genes and flanking repeats associated with methicillin resistance on the chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus; Skinner S et al.; Sections of a cloned 27 kb segment of chromosomal DNA, associated with resistance to four antimicrobial agents in a clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), were tested for their ability to determine resistance when transformed into a sensitive laboratory strain of S . aureus . This was achieved by inserting the sections into a newly constructed shuttle vector, amplifying the recombinant DNA in E . coli, and transforming protoplasts of the sensitive S . aureus strain . Two sections of the cloned DNA were found to determine resistance separately to mercuric ion and to tetracycline, in both S . aureus and Escherichia coli.

FASEB J, 1988 Mar 1, 2(3), 199 - 208
Sugar permeases of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system: sequence comparisons; Saier MH Jr et al.; The amino acyl sequences of eight permeases (enzymes II and enzyme II-III pairs) of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) have been analyzed . All systems show similar sizes, and six of these systems exhibit the same molecular weight +/- 2% . Several exhibit sequence homology . Characteristic NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal sequences were found . The NH2-terminal leader sequences are believed to function in targeting of the permeases to the membrane, whereas the characteristic COOH-terminal sequences are postulated to mediate interaction with the energy-coupling protein phospho HPr . One of the systems, the one specific for mannose, exhibits distinctive characteristics . A pair of probable phosphorylation sites was detected in each of the five most similar systems, those specific for beta-glucosides, sucrose, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, and mannitol . One of the two equivalent phosphorylation sites (proposed phosphorylation site 1) was located approximately 80 residues from the COOH terminus of each system . The other site (proposed phosphorylation site 2) was located approximately 440 residues from the COOH termini of the glucose and N-acetylglucosamine systems, approximately 320 residues from the COOH termini of the beta-glucoside and sucrose systems, and 381 residues from the COOH terminus of the mannitol system . Intragenic rearrangement during evolutionary history may account for the different positions of phosphorylation sites 2 in the different PTS permeases . More extensive intragenic rearrangements may have given rise to entirely different positions of phosphorylation in the glucitol, mannose, and lactose systems . A single, internal amphipathic alpha-helix with characteristic features was found in each of seven of the eight enzymes II . The lactose-specific enzyme III of Staphylococcus aureus was unique in possessing a COOH-terminal amphipathic alpha-helix rich in basic amino acyl residues . Possible functions for these amphipathic segments are discussed.

Cell Immunol, 1988 Mar, 112(1), 78 - 88
Branhamella catarrhalis activates human B lymphocytes following interactions with surface IgD and class I major histocompatibility complex antigens; Forsgren A et al.; Branhamella catarrhalis initiated DNA synthesis in human blood or spleen cells enriched for B lymphocytes but did not activate T-lymphocyte-enriched fractions . Monoclonal antibodies were used to determine which B-cell surface molecules were of importance for the activation signal . The addition of monoclonal antibodies reactive with IgD, HLA class I antigens, and B2-microglobulin to B lymphocyte cultures selectively inhibited the B-lymphocyte response to B . catarrhalis . Antibody binding to IgD and class I antigens did not inhibit B-cell proliferation following stimulation with anti-IgM beads, Staphylococcus aureus, or Epstein-Barr virus . This suggests that surface IgD is of major importance for B-lymphocyte stimulation by B . catarrhalis . Since B . catarrhalis binds HLA-ABC containing liposomes it is suggested that a similar binding of B . catarrhalis to HLA-ABC on the surface of B lymphocytes serves as an accessory factor that stabilizes the binding of B . catarrhalis to surface IgD . Activation of human B lymphocytes by B . catarrhalis resulted in changes of cell surface molecules that were quantitatively and qualitatively similar to those that resulted from the activation by S . aureus . Therefore although these two bacteria appear to activate B cells in a similar manner, they induce B-cell proliferation through interactions with different cell surface structures.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Mar, 85(5), 1624 - 8
Aggregation of IgE receptors induces degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia cells permeabilized with alpha-toxin from Staphylococcus aureus; Hohman RJ; A method has been developed by which rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells can be permeabilized to small molecules while maintaining their ability to degranulate in response to aggregation of IgE receptors . alpha-Toxin was isolated from culture supernatants of Staphylococcus aureus by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 and chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose . The isolated toxin binds to the plasma membrane of RBL cells and polymerizes to form a transmembrane pore that allows small molecules (Mr less than 1000), but not macromolecules, to diffuse freely across the membrane . There was no spontaneous release of the contents of RBL cell secretory granules during permeabilization or subsequent incubations . Substantial IgE receptor-mediated exocytosis occurred in the absence of Ca2+, and degranulation was maximal at 0.1-1.0 microM Ca2+, the physiologically important range of Ca2+ concentrations . Using these permeabilized cells, small molecules (i.e., substrates and inhibitors of various enzymes) normally excluded by the plasma membrane can be introduced into the cell . Moreover, the intracellular concentration of ions (such as Ca2+) can be precisely controlled . This method will allow a detailed examination of the individual biochemical events involved in degranulation of mast cells.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Feb 25, 263(6), 2664 - 7
Degradation of elastin by a cysteine proteinase from Staphylococcus aureus; Potempa J et al.; Staphylococcus aureus is known to produce three very active extracellular proteinases . One of these enzymes, a cysteine proteinase, after purification to homogeneity was found to degrade insoluble bovine lung elastin at a rate comparable to human neutrophil elastase . This enzyme had no detectable activity against a range of synthetic substrates normally utilized by elastase, chymotrypsin, or trypsin-like proteinases . However, it did hydrolyze the synthetic substrate carbobenzoxy-phenylalanyl-leucyl-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (Km = 0.5 mM, kcat = 0.16 s-1) . The proteolytic activity of the cysteine proteinase was rapidly and efficiently inhibited by alpha 2-macroglobulin and also by the cysteine-specific inhibitor rat T-kininogen (Ki = 5.2 X 10(-7) M) . Human kininogens, however, did not inhibit . Human plasma apparently contains other inhibitors of this enzyme, since plasma depleted of alpha 2-macroglobulin retained significant inhibitory capacity . The elastolytic activity of this S . aureus proteinase and its lack of control by human kininogens or cystatin C may explain some of the connective tissue destruction seen in bacterial infections due to this and related organisms such as may occur in septicemia, septic arthritis, and otitis.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Feb 22, 968(2), 211 - 9
Structure and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 . Casein kinase 2 and protein kinase C phosphorylate distinct but adjacent sites in the beta-subunit; Clark SJ et al.; Eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) from rabbit reticulocytes can be phosphorylated on its beta-subunit by two different protein kinases, protein kinase C and casein kinase 2 . Phosphorylation by these kinases is additive, suggesting that they phosphorylate different sites (serine residues) in eIF-2 beta . Two-dimensional peptide mapping of the phosphopeptides generated from labelled eIF-2 beta by digestion with trypsin, cyanogen bromide or Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase showed that protein kinase C and casein kinase 2 phosphorylated distinct and different sites in this protein . This conclusion was supported by the results of analysis of the phosphopeptides on reverse-phase chromatography . Analysis of the phosphopeptides derived from eIF-2 beta labelled by both kinases together strongly suggested that the sites labelled by protein kinase C and casein kinase 2 are adjacent in the primary sequence . These data are discussed in the light of the present understanding of the sequence specificity of the kinases . Rat liver eIF-2 beta was also found to be a substrate for protein kinase C and casein kinase 2, which were again shown to label different serine residues.

Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1988 Feb 15, 43(4), 100 - 2
{Staphylococcal endocarditis in the mitral valve prolapse syndrome}; Handrick W et al.; A girl, aged 13 8/12 years, in whom has been known a syndrome of the mitral valve prolapse since the 10th year of age, fell ill with an acute endocarditis by staphylococcus aureus . As the therapy with antibiotics remained without any effects and due to an early embolic dispersion including the brain an operative approach was no more possible death occurred . The pathologic-anatomical investigations resulted in a distinct ulceropolypous endocarditis of the mitral valve . At the instance of this case report the most important facts nowadays known about the relation between the syndrome of mitral valve prolapse and endocarditis are summed up.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 Feb 15, 172(1), 185 - 8
Enzymatic properties of single-chain and two-chain forms of a Lys158----Glu158 mutant of urokinase-type plasminogen activator; Lijnen HR et al.; Recombinant single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (rscu-PA), in which the plasmin-sensitive peptide bond Lys158-Ile159 is destroyed by site-specific mutagenesis of Lys158 to Glu (rscu-PA-Glu158), is quantitatively converted to two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (rtcu-PA-Glu158) by treatment with endoproteinase Glu-C (Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase) . The catalytic efficiency (k2/Km) of rscu-PA-Glu158 for the activation of plasminogen is 20 times lower (0.0001 microM-1 s-1) than that of rscu-PA (0.002 microM-1 s-1) . In contrast, rtcu-PA-Glu158 has very similar properties to rtcu-PA obtained by digestion of rscu-PA with plasmin, including binding to benzamidine-Sepharose, catalytic efficiency for the activation of plasminogen (0.035 microM-1 s-1 versus 0.046 microM-1 s-1) and fibrinolytic activity in an in vitro plasma clot lysis system . It is concluded that the amino acid in position 158 is a main determinant of the functional properties of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator but not of the two-chain form.

J Immunol, 1988 Feb 15, 140(4), 1250 - 5
Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 induces inositol phospholipid turnover, protein kinase C translocation, and calcium mobilization in human T cells; Chatila T et al.; Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) is a 22-kDa exotoxin produced by most Staphylococcus aureus strains responsible for toxic shock syndrome . TSST-1 is a mitogen for human T cells . The mechanism of T cell activation by TSST-1 was investigated . TSST-1 induced IL-2R expression, IL-2 synthesis, and proliferation in T cells in a monocyte-dependent fashion . Neither IL-1 nor IL-2, alone or in combination, substituted for monocytes in supporting TSST-1-induced mitogenesis . We investigated the mechanism by which TSST-1 induces initogenesis . TSST-1 failed to induce ADP-ribosylation of T cell membrane proteins . However, the toxin induced transient translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to plasma membranes and also induced the mobilization of cellular Ca2+ stores in both PBMC and the Jurkat human tumor T cell line, suggesting that TSST-1 triggered inositol phospholipid turnover . This was directly demonstrated to be the case in both cellular preparations studied . TSST-1 induced the increased synthesis of the inositol phospholipid phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl inositol-4 phosphate, and phosphoinositol inositol-4,5-bisphosphate, and induced the breakdown of inositol phospholipid as evidence by the accumulation of phosphatidic acid and inositol phosphates . We conclude that the action of TSST-1 involves the induction of inositol phospholipid turnover, protein kinase C activation, and mobilization of cellular Ca2+ stores . This effect is similar to that of mitogenic lectins and of anti-CD3 antibodies.

J Immunol Methods, 1988 Feb 10, 106(2), 225 - 9
Profiling of circulating immune complexes by high performance liquid affinity chromatography (HPLAC) on a protein A-silica matrix; Ohlson S et al.; Protein A, a cell wall protein found in bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, has been extensively used in the analysis and purification of immunoglobulins and immune complexes . By binding protein A to microparticulate silica (high performance liquid affinity chromatography, HPLAC), a rapid and efficient chromatographic system was obtained for the separation and analysis of circulating immune complexes . The method was applied to the separation of artificial immune complexes as well as to plasma samples from patients with immune complex associated diseases such as SLE and RA . It was possible to distinguish certain subpopulations of circulating immune complexes by performing pH gradients on the protein A silica HPLAC column.

Am J Med, 1988 Feb, 84(2), 363 - 5
Pyogenic cervical osteomyelitis presenting as a massive prevertebral abscess in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis; McGrath H Jr et al.; Pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis appeared to have masked the diagnosis and contributed to a succession of hazardous events in a 58-year-old man with pyogenic cervical osteomyelitis . A massive prevertebral abscess and near asphyxiation finally led to the diagnosis of an indolent Staphylococcus aureus infection in a course marked by antecedent staphylococcal sepsis, a series of dangerous cervical spine chiropractic manipulations in the presence of advanced bony destruction, and, ultimately, cervical spine bony collapse and gibbus formation . The absence of myelopathy despite long-standing progressive advanced destruction is noteworthy . The roentgenologic documentation of this progression was unique . This appears to be the first fully documented case of cervical spine osteomyelitis presenting as a prevertebral abscess in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Vet Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 16(2), 159 - 66
Immunological cross-reactivity between pseudocapsular antigens of strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cases of bovine mastitis; Watson DL et al.; An assay was developed to measure the degree of immunological cross-reactivity between the pseudocapsules of a vaccine (reference) strain of Staphylococcus aureus and pseudocapsules of strains of S . aureus isolated from cases of bovine mastitis . The field strains were obtained from Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the U.K . and the U.S.A . There was large variation among strains in cross-reactivity of their pseudocapsules with those of the reference strain . For 104 Australian strains, the range of cross-reactivity indices (CRI) was 6.1-63.2% (on a scale of 0-100%, with 0% being complete identity and 100% being nil identity); for 61 overseas strains the range of CRI values was 25.7-72.1% . The data indicated that pseudocapsule antigens of Australian strains were antigenically more closely related to those of the reference strain than were pseudocapsular antigens of strains from the 4 other countries.

J Ultrastruct Mol Struct Res, 1988 Feb, 98(2), 137 - 46
Staphylococcus aureus--human endothelial cell interactions; Lowy FD et al.; Staphylococcus aureus is an invasive pathogen capable of causing life-threatening disease . A major component of this pathogen's virulence is its ability to invade normal endovascular tissue . We examined the interaction of S . aureus with cultured human endothelial cells and with human and rabbit endovascular tissue . Our ultrastructural study demonstrated a sequence of steps which occurred with staphylococcal invasion of human endothelial cells; adhesion, endocytosis, and intracellular replication . Ultimately, this resulted in cell disruption and death . Cytochemical staining of lysosomes demonstrated lysosomal fusion with both viable and killed intracellular bacteria without evidence of staphylococcal degradation . Quantitative studies using an in vitro infection assay demonstrated comparable rates of adhesion by viable and ultraviolet-killed bacteria, phagocytosis at a slower rate, and intracellular replication . The present study demonstrates an active role for the endothelial cell in the development and spread of endovascular staphylococcal infections . It also supports the use of this in vitro tissue culture system as a model for the study of bacterial invasion of the endothelium.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1988 Feb, 103(2), 225 - 30
Monoclonal antibodies against rat T-kininogen: application to radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry; Utsunomiya I et al.; Monoclonal antibodies to rat T-kininogen were produced and 9 hybridomas were selected . Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed using 125I-labeled T-kininogen and cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus (Zysorbin) for the separation of bound from free ligand, when IgG2a and IgG2b were used . In the case of IgG1 monoclonals, a second antibody (goat anti-mouse IgG) and Zysorbin were used . By this RIA, 1-16 ng T-kininogen/tube showed a linear inhibition curve, and cross reactivities to rat purified LMW- and HMW-kininogens were less than 0.5%, respectively . These monoclonal antibodies were also used for the immunohistochemical staining of the liver to detect T-kininogen in hepatocytes . By using the RIA and immunohistochemical staining, the T-kininogen levels in rat plasma and liver following carrageenin-induced inflammation were estimated . At 3-5 h after the carrageenin injection, when the paw swelling was at its peak, the plasma level of T-kininogen and staining of the liver were slightly increased . T-Kininogen levels in plasma and liver peaked on the 2nd day, when the paw swelling had already decreased . The result indicates that the increase of T-kininogen level in the liver and plasma occurs with a time lag and T-kininogen is not directly involved in the increase of vascular permeability in carrageenin paw edema.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1988 Feb, 64(2), 117 - 22
Behaviour of Staphylococcus aureus strains, producers of enterotoxins C1 or C2, during the manufacture and storage of Burgos cheese; Otero A et al.; Burgos cheese was manufactured from pasteurized ewes' milk inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus strains FRI 137 and FRI 361, at levels of ca 10(3) and 10(5) cfu/ml and stored at 4 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees C and at room temperature (10 degrees-15 degrees C) . Populations of Staph . aureus and mesophilic aerobes, pH, and production of thermonuclease and enterotoxins C1 and C2 were investigated . Aerobic counts increased during cheese-making and storage . With both test strains, important growth was observed only during the storage period, the larger levels corresponding to the higher temperatures . Although Staph . aureus strains attained populations of over 10(8) cfu/g, no enterotoxin was detected . Strain FRI 361 reached 10(7) cfu/g without production of a detectable amount of thermonuclease . With strain FRI 137, the minimal population associated with enzyme activity was influenced by the inoculum size . Staphylococcus aureus counts are better indicators of staphylococcal growth in Burgos cheese than the thermonuclease test.

Inflammation, 1988 Feb, 12(1), 87 - 97
Comparative study of phagocytosis and intracellular bactericidal activity of human monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells . Application of fluorochrome and extracellular quenching technique; Pruzanski W et al.; Simultaneous assessment of the total number of bacteria (TNB) ingested, phagocytosis (Ph), phagocytic index (PI), and intracellular bactericidal activity (ICBA) of human monocytes was done by applying the fluorochrome acridine orange technique . Living bacteria stained orthochromatically green, whereas the dead ones were metachromatically red . The stain of extracellular bacteria was completely quenched by crystal violet counterstain . Using the Hypaque-Ficoll separation method combined with glass adherence, the yield of monocytes was 84 +/- 11%, the purity 90 +/- 8%, and the viability 99 +/- 1% . After 60 min of incubation of monocytes with Staphylococcus aureus, phagocytosis was 94 +/- 4%, PI 10.0 +/- 0.5, ICBA 76 +/- 5%, and TNB ingested 946 +/- 67/100 cells . E . coli B4 was equally ingested by PMNs and monocytes and killed intracellularly more efficiently by the latter type of cells . Over the ratios of bacteria to cells of 5:1 to 20:1, phagocytic activity of monocytes was equal or superior to that of PMNs . Phagocytic and bactericidal activities were enhanced by AB serum, more by the fresh one than by inactivated . Phagocytic activity of monocytes was markedly influenced by temperature of incubation . Room temperature (24 degrees C) significantly suppressed phagocytosis . Contrary to the previous beliefs no significant quantitative differences were found between phagocytic and bactericidal functions of monocytes as compared to polymorphonuclear phagocytes . The acridine orange-crystal violet method is simple, reliable, reproducible, and can be used for assessment of functional capacity of human phagocytes.

Eur Respir J, 1988 Feb, 1(2), 171 - 5
No effect of oral N-acetylcysteine on the bioavailability of erythromycin and bacampicillin; Paulsen O et al.; In vitro studies with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) solutions used for inhalation treatment have demonstrated inactivation of some antibiotics by NAC . Oral NAC treatment is increasingly common for long-term prophylaxis in chronic bronchitis . During exacerbations, treatment with oral antibiotics will often be given simultaneously . We assessed the effect of simultaneous oral administration of NAC on the bioavailability of two antibiotics in ten healthy volunteers . No effect of NAC was found on the bioavailability of ampicillin, after administration of the prodrug bacampicillin . A slight, but not significant statistical increase in erythromycin serum levels was seen with NAC . Acetylator phenotype did not influence the absorption of NAC, which seemed slightly reduced by bacampicillin, but significantly increased by erythromycin . No decrease of antibacterial activity of sera was found in vitro after the addition of NAC or the related thiol glutathione, employing micrococcus luteus and staphylococcus aureus as indicator organisms.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 54(2), 531 - 3
Synthetic enterotoxin B DNA probes for detection of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus strains; Notermans S et al.; DNA-DNA colony hybridization experiments with three different synthetic probes were carried out with 210 strains of Staphylococcus aureus . The synthetic probes encoded the amino acids 15 to 29 (probe 1), 179 to 192 (probe 2), and 207 to 219 (probe 3) of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) . The amino acid sequences of these parts of SEB are identical to those of SEC1 . All 21 SEB-producing strains tested reacted with each of the three probes . Of the 69 SEC-producing strains, 21 reacted with probe 1, none reacted with probe 2, and all 69 reacted with probe 3 . With other strains no hybridization signals were obtained . The results presented here show that with a single synthetic DNA probe (probe 3) both SEB- and SEC-producing strains are detectable.

Chest, 1988 Feb, 93(2), 247 - 53
Tricuspid valve endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus . Correlation of two-dimensional echocardiography with clinical outcome; Bayer AS et al.; We studied 53 episodes (51 patients) of tricuspid valvular endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a predominantly addicted population and correlated two-dimensional echocardiographic findings with clinical outcome . Thirty-eight episodes with (vs 15 episodes without) tricuspid vegetations on the two-dimensional echocardiogram were significantly associated with (1) longer duration of fever on therapy (mean of 12.3 days vs 6.8 days, respectively; p less than 0.005); and (2) higher frequency of increased right ventricular end-diastolic (RVED) dimension (25 of 38 cases {66 percent} vs two of 15 cases {13 percent}, respectively; p less than 0.01) . Only patients with increased RVED dimension (5/25; 20 percent) required tricuspid valvular surgery for prolonged fever or progressive right-sided heart failure (p less than 0.05 vs patients with normal RVED dimension) . Tricuspid vegetations greater than 1.0 cm identified a subset of patients at increased risk for developing clinical right-sided heart failure during the active or convalescent phase of endocarditis (p less than 0.02 vs patients with tricuspid vegetations less than 1.0 cm) . An unexpectedly high prevalence of asymptomatic prolapse of the mitral valve was observed in this population (23 of 53 episodes; 43 percent) . Detection of tricuspid vegetations in patients with endocarditis due to S aureus is not a primary indication for early surgery, but identifies patients more likely to exhibit short-term and long-term complications of their infection.

Jpn J Med, 1988 Feb, 27(1), 71 - 3
Postpartum toxic shock syndrome: a report of a case; Katoh H et al.; We describe a case of a 29-year-old Japanese woman with toxic shock syndrome which occurred 6 days after a normal vaginal delivery . This is the second case of postpartum toxic shock syndrome in Japan, so far as we know . Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the uterine cavity . The isolate was coagulase type II and it produced both enterotoxin C and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 . The clinical course and laboratory data for this patient were in conformance with previously reported typical postpartum toxic shock syndrome, except for the onset time after delivery, because the previously reported postpartum TSS cases were clearly divided into two groups, early onset within 3 days of delivery and late onset 2 or more weeks after delivery.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 Feb 1, 171(3), 541 - 9
Production in Escherichia coli and one-step purification of bifunctional hybrid proteins which bind maltose . Export of the Klenow polymerase into the periplasmic space; Bedouelle H et al.; Two enzymes, the secreted Staphylococcus aureus nuclease A and the Klenow fragment of the cytoplasmic Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, were fused, at the genetic level, to MalE, the periplasmic maltose-binding protein of E . coli, or to a signal-sequence mutant . The hybrid proteins were synthesized in large amounts by E . coli under control of promoter malEp . The synthesis was repressed with glucose and could be totally switched off in a malT mutant strain . The hybrid between MalE and the nuclease was exported into the periplasmic space . Several criteria demonstrated that a fraction of the hybrid chains with the Klenow polymerase was exported to the periplasm in a signal-sequence-specific manner and ruled out the possibility of a membrane leakage . The hybrid with the Klenow polymerase was not exported and remained in the cytoplasm when carrying a tight signal-sequence mutation in its MalE portion . The hybrid proteins were purified in one step by affinity chromatography on cross-linked amylose . Most of the hybrid chains in the periplasm but only a fraction of those in the other cell compartments had their MalE portion correctly folded . The nuclease and the Klenow polymerase had their full specific activities in the purified hybrids . The potential of MalE as a vector for the production, export and purification of desirable proteins in E . coli is discussed.

J Med Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 25(2), 101 - 7
Effects of pH on killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by constituents of the neutrophil phagolysosome; Styrt B et al.; Lysosomotropic weak bases impair in-vitro neutrophil functions including intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus strain 502a . To investigate whether prevention of phagosomal acidification could account for impaired microbicidal activity, a model phagosome was formulated with a freeze-thawed granule extract as a source of lysosomal enzymes and H2O2 as a source of toxic oxygen metabolites . The lysosomal extract alone killed Escherichia coli strain S15 efficiently at pH 5.5 and 7.0, but had little activity against S . aureus 502a . Sublethal concentrations of the two agents, when combined, acted synergically against either organism . Each organism was killed more effectively at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.0 by the lysosome extract-H2O2 combination, but the killing of E . coli was more rapid than that of S . aureus in the same conditions . These findings suggest that impairment of neutrophil antistaphylococcal activity by weak bases may be mediated by their ability to raise phagosomal pH, and that persistence of E . coli in similar conditions does not occur because the latter is killed by lysosomal constituents in a non-pH-dependent fashion.

J Clin Oncol, 1988 Feb, 6(2), 203 - 12
Protein A immunoadsorption in the treatment of malignant disease; Messerschmidt GL et al.; Circulating immune complexes (CIC) are known to be present in cancer patients and are responsible for much of the cancer-associated immunosuppression . Removal or modulation of these "blocking factors" can reverse the immunosuppression . Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus has the unusual property of binding to CIC with high avidity . Use of protein A as an immunoadsorbent in extracorporeal immunotherapy affinity columns has resulted in antitumor and antiviral responses in animals . Our group developed a multicenter trial to assess toxicity and antitumor response with this biologic response modifier alone . Overall, 24% (21 of 87 patients) had objective tumor regressions including both partial responses (PR) and less than PR . No complete responses (CR) were observed . Responses were observed in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi's sarcoma (six of 17 PR; two of 17 less than PR; overall, 47%), breast adenocarcinoma (five of 22 PR; three of 22 less than PR; overall response, 36%), colon adenocarcinoma, (one PR, one less than PR; overall response, 11%), and non-oat cell lung carcinoma (two of seven less than PR) . The procedure was well tolerated and could be performed on an outpatient basis . No adverse reaction was observed in 735 of 1,113 treatments (66%) . The most common adverse effect was an "influenza-like" syndrome consisting of fever and chills . Pain was present in 12% of the patients . There were no study-related deaths . Serum IgG and CIC levels did not statistically change due to therapy in responding or nonresponding patients . Complement levels remained within the normal range . Liver and renal tests remained stable throughout the study . In summary, protein A immunoadsorption of plasma is well tolerated in the outpatient clinic, has demonstrated antitumor activity in resistant solid tumors, and functions as a biologic response modifier.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 6(1), 25 - 30
Effect of water activity on growth and enterotoxin D production of Staphylococcus aureus; Ewald S et al.; Four enterotoxin D-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, were cultured at 37 degrees C in brain heart infusion broth adjusted to various water activity (aw) levels by means of NaCl . For high cell inocula growth of all strains and enterotoxin D production were observed within 6 days at aw levels down to 0.86.

J Immunol, 1988 Feb 1, 140(3), 768 - 73
Functional properties of human B cell subpopulations defined by monoclonal antibodies HB4 and FMC7; Bloem AC et al.; Human B cell subpopulations can be distinguished by the expression of B cell-associated antigens . mAb directed against these structures allow the isolation and subsequent functional analysis of such subsets . Blood B cells from healthy individuals were separated on basis of the expression of the antigens recognized by the mAb HB4 and FMC7 . The B cells present in the thus obtained populations were analyzed for their ability to secrete IgM and IgG after stimulation in vitro with polyclonal B cell activators (PWM, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I), antigens (tetanus toxoid, type 4 pneumococcal polysaccharides), and soluble B cell differentiation factors . The results suggest that B cells capable of Ig and anti-tetanus toxoid or anti-type 4 pneumococcal polysaccharide antibody production after in vitro culture are localized in a relative small B cell subpopulation carrying the FMC7 determinant but lacking HB4 . This holds true for both the IgM- and IgG-secreting B cells . These data further suggest that the majority of B cells found in the blood and which can be characterized as being surface IgM+/IgD+ HB4+ are immature cells unable to respond to differentiation-inducing signals.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Feb, 32(2), 262 - 4
Comparison of difloxacin, enoxacin, and cefazolin for the treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis; Boscia JA et al.; This study compared difloxacin administered orally, enoxacin administered orally, and cefazolin administered intramuscularly for the treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis . Difloxacin significantly reduced bacterial counts of vegetations compared with enoxacin . This study demonstrated that difloxacin was significantly more effective than enoxacin and as effective as cefazolin for the treatment of S . aureus endocarditis in rabbits.

Arch Surg, 1988 Feb, 123(2), 207 - 11
The effect of the immunomodulator RU 41,740 (biostim) on the specific and nonspecific immunosuppression induced by thermal injury or protein deprivation; Christou NV et al.; We studied the effect of RU 41,740 (biostim), a primary macrophage stimulator, in the following two immunosuppressive conditions in rats: (1) a 30% full-thickness burn that leads to significant decreases in cell-mediated (delayed-type hypersensitivity {DTH}), humoral (anti-tetanus toxoid antibody production), and nonspecific immunity (Staphylococcus aureus 502a skin abscess) and (2) protein malnutrition using a 2% protein diet for eight weeks . Biostim administered by gastric intubation at dosages of 10 and 50 mg/kg of body weight for five days following thermal trauma did not prevent the DTH suppression induced by the thermal injury, but resulted in a significant dose-related increase in the amount of anti-tetanus toxoid antibody produced . In the malnourished rats given biostim at dosages of 10 and 50 mg/kg of body weight for seven days, there was a significant dose-related increase in the DTH response in the presence of continued protein depletion in these animals, with a modest but significant reduction in the S aureus 502a skin abscess at three days . Antibody production was not affected with this model . Biostim partially overcomes the suppression in humoral immunity following thermal injury, but not cell-mediated or nonspecific immunity . On the other hand, biostim augments both the cell-mediated and nonspecific immune suppression induced by prolonged protein deprivation but does not affect humoral immunity.

J Immunol, 1988 Feb 1, 140(3), 859 - 65
Murine B lymphoma cell lines release functionally active interleukin 2 after stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus; Walker E et al.; In this study it is shown that an IL-2-like functional lymphokine activity derived from the murine B cell lines 2PK-3 and L10A2J after stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus can be blocked with anti-IL-2 mAb such as 9B11, DMS-1, and S4B6 . Experiments demonstrate that the stimulation of the IL-2-sensitive cell line CTLL-2 by the IL-2-like functional activity derived from murine B cell tumors can also be blocked with the anti-IL-2R mAb PC61 . Additionally, in RNA-RNA hybridization experiments with radiolabeled SP6-derived ssRNA probes developed from murine IL-2 genomic DNA sequences and specific for IL-2 mRNA, quantitatively significant amounts of IL-2-specific mRNA in both 2PK-3 and L10A2J are shown subsequent to stimulating the cells with S . aureus . These results suggest the murine B cell tumor lines 2PK-3 and L10A2J synthesize and release IL-2 after stimulation with selected polyclonal activators such as S . aureus.

J Hosp Infect, 1988 Feb, 11 Suppl A, 295 - 302
Recent advances in the treatment of pneumonia in the intensive care unit; Pennington JE; The treatment of pneumonia acquired in the intensive care unit (ICU) includes intravenous antibiotics and supportive care . In many cases, the aetiologic agent of infection is not clear and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens are commonly used . Combinations of beta-lactam and aminoglycoside agents are particularly popular due to the high incidence of Gram-negative bacillary and Staphylococcus aureus pneumonias in the hospital setting . Several new approaches to treatment of pneumonia in the ICU are currently being evaluated including single-agent empirical treatment with broad-spectrum beta-lactam agents; intrabronchial aminoglycoside instillation therapy; oral quinolone agents for treatment of Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia; and passive immune therapy . Conventional and experimental therapy are discussed in this report.

J Hosp Infect, 1988 Feb, 11 Suppl A, 123 - 9
Epidemiology of resistance among gram-positive bacteria: with special reference to staphylococcal infections; Rosdahl VT; During the past 27-30 years the antibiotic-resistance patterns of Danish Staphylococcus aureus strains have changed from penicillin-, streptomycin-resistance, to multiple-resistance ending up today with resistance to penicillin only . These changes have mainly been due to the introduction of different clones with characteristic phage-patterns and antibiotic-resistance patterns; respectively, the penicillin-, streptomycin-resistant strains of the 52, 52A, 80, 81 complex; multiple-resistant strains of the 83A complex and strains of the 94, 96 complex and of type 95 resistant to penicillin only . At the same time, however, changes in antibiotic-resistance pattern within the 52, 52A, 80, 81 and the 83A complex have taken place, and today strains of these complexes are mainly penicillin-resistant only or fully susceptible . Comparison of hospital-acquired strains with community-acquired strains proves that differences are only seen in periods with many resistant strains; today in Denmark these two groups have identical phage-patterns and antibiotic-resistance patterns . The investigations are based on 486412 strains isolated and phage-typed in 1960-86 and on further examination of 12852 strains isolated from blood.

J Hosp Infect, 1988 Feb, 11(2), 136 - 43
Sources and outcome for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia; Cafferkey MT et al.; Eighty-eight episodes of MRSA septicaemia occurring in 82 patients were studied prospectively . In 15 episodes bacteraemia was transient, in 36 non-fatal, in 33 fatal, while in four septicaemia was a major contributory factor in the patient's death . There were more patients aged over 60 years in the septicaemia groups compared to the transient bacteraemia group (P = 0.01), and patients with septicaemia were usually recently postoperative and/or suffering from severe underlying disease . Circulation access sites were the commonest source of the bacteraemic organisms with non-surgical wounds including burns, varicose ulcers and bed sores as the next most common . In four of the 16 burns patients, fatal septicaemia followed surgical debridement of infected burns . In only eight episodes was there no apparent source of bacteraemia.

Immunol Lett, 1988 Feb, 17(2), 125 - 31
Activation of human B lymphocytes by 8' substituted guanosine derivatives; Dosch HM et al.; The 8-substituted guanosine derivatives (8-sGs), mercaptoguanosine and bromoguanosine, are shown to induce immunoglobulin production and proliferation in a subset of normal human B lymphocytes . Limiting dilution analysis indicated that the 8-sG-responsive B cell pool is approximately 10 times larger than that activated by pokeweed mitogen (PWM), 10 times smaller than that activated by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and contains approximately equal proportions of cells committed to the expression of IgG, IgA or IgM isotypes . Although some B cells seem able to respond to 8-sGs in the absence of T helper cells, maximal immunoglobulin production is only observed in the presence of T cells . The 8-sG response pattern of human B lymphocytes appeared similar but not identical to that reported for rodent cells . The mitogenic 8-sGs are unique activators as they bypass surface membrane interactions obligatory for other agents including anti-IgM, Staphylococcus aureus particles, PWM, and EBV.

J Cutan Pathol, 1988 Feb, 15(1), 53 - 7
Dermal abscesses with Staphylococcus aureus, cytomegalovirus and acid-fast bacilli in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); Boudreau S et al.; A 34-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented with multiple skin lesions clinically suggestive of molluscum contagiosum . Three skin biopsy specimens were obtained which showed dermal abscesses containing multiple gram-positive cocci admixed with granular necrotic dermal material . In 2, there were cytomegalic inclusions present in macrophages and endothelial cells within the granulation tissue; immunohistochemistry was positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens . One biopsy specimen also contained a few acid-fast bacilli associated with mononuclear inflammatory cells . Cultures from the lesions grew Staphylococcus aureus and the lesions resolved when the patient was administered a course of systemic cephalosporin . Although lesions with multiple infectious agents have been reported in immunosuppressed patients, this is the first case describing the association of 3 organisms in a single skin biopsy specimen.

J Immunol, 1988 Feb 1, 140(3), 853 - 8
Expression and the functional role of a p70/75 interleukin 2-binding molecule in human B cell; Saiki O et al.; Expression of p70/75 IL-2-binding molecules and their functional roles in induction of Ig secretion by IL-2 were examined in human B cells . IL-2, at high concentrations induced higher levels of Ig secretion in Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I (SAC)-activated B cells than at low concentrations . About 50% of SAC-activated B cells, lacking Tac antigen, were also responsive to Ig secretion by IL-2, although the required dose of IL-2 was higher than that for Tac-positive B cells . H-31 antibody which recognizes Tac antigen did not inhibit the induction of Ig secretion by high concentrations of IL-2 in both Tac-negative and Tac-positive B cells, suggesting that IL-2 might induce Ig secretion through a receptor distinct from Tac antigens . In contrast, IL-2 was ineffective in the absence of SAC stimulation even at high concentrations . Upon analysis by SDS-PAGE, p70/75 IL-2-binding molecules were detected on Tac-negative SAC-activated B cells . Similar IL-2-binding molecules distinct from Tac antigen (p55) were detected in both Tac-positive B and T cells . However, neither p55 nor p70/75 IL-2-binding molecules could be detected in the absence of SAC stimulation . These observations suggest that p70/75 IL-2 binding molecules are induced in human B-cells in the presence or absence of Tac antigen by SAC stimulation and these determinants play an important function in the transduction of IL-2 associated signal for B cell differentiation.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 26(2), 267 - 70
Optimization of a rapid test by using fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical specimens; Pouletty P et al.; A mixture of two fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was used to optimize a direct specimen test (Chlamydia Direct Specimen Test IF; Clonatec, Paris, France) for detection of chlamydial elementary bodies in clinical specimens . One MAb reacted with a subspecies-specific epitope of the major outer membrane protein (molecular weight 43,000) of Chlamydia trachomatis, whereas the other reacted with the periodate-sensitive genus-specific antigen (molecular weight 11,000) of Chlamydia spp . Nonfat dry milk was the most efficient additive at suppressing the fluorescent background and was included in the antibody preparation . Fc-dependent binding of fluorescein-conjugated MAbs to protein A-containing Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited by addition of purified rabbit immunoglobulin . The Chlamydia Direct Specimen Test IF was compared with tissue culture isolation by using 309 genital specimens . The sensitivity and specificity were 77.4 and 98%, respectively.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Jan 25, 263(3), 1432 - 8
A novel microtubule protein in the marginal band of human blood platelets; Kenney DM et al.; A characterization is reported of the major cytoskeletal protein, called IEF (isoelectric focusing)-51K, of marginal band microtubule coils from human blood platelets (Kenney, D . M . and Linck, R . W . (1985) J . Cell Sci . 78, 1-22) . IEF-51K is a unique biochemical species which is distinguishable from platelet and mammalian neuronal alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin by 1) its faster mobility on discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis corresponding to an apparent Mr 51,000; 2) its more alkaline relative isoelectric point at pH 5.7 compared with that of alpha- and beta-tubulin at pH 5.3 and 5.5, respectively; 3) lack of coincidence in peptide maps prepared with chymotrypsin or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease; and 4) lack of immunochemical cross-reactivity of polyclonal anti-IEF-51K with alpha- and beta-tubulin and of monoclonal anti-alpha-tubulin and anti-beta-tubulin with IEF-51K . In contrast to its chemical uniqueness, IEF-51K is tubulin-like in some of its properties . IEF-51K is localized in the marginal band of intact platelets by immunofluorescence; it undergoes cycles of microtubule disassembly/reassembly both in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, IEF-51K was not extracted from isolated Taxol-stabilized marginal band microtubules by elevated NaCl concentrations (to 0.45 M), conditions that do not disrupt the polymeric structure of alpha- and beta-tubulin . These results indicate that IEF-51K together with alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin are the major structural polypeptides of platelet marginal band microtubules . The unusual subunit composition of the platelet marginal band microtubule may be related to specialization(s) of microtubule structure and function in the marginal band coil of platelets.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Jan 18, 968(1), 69 - 76
Inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by the polar head group of an insulin-sensitive glycophospholipid; Villalba M et al.; A glycophospholipid has been purified from rat liver membranes and shown to copurify with an insulin-sensitive glycophospholipid isolated from H35 hepatoma cells . The polar head group of this glycophospholipid is a phospho-oligosaccharide generated by treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Staphylococcus aureus . It has been proposed that this phospho-oligosaccharide, which is also generated in response to insulin, may play a role in insulin action . Incubation of the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase with this phospho-oligosaccharide inhibited the activity of the kinase to phosphorylate histone IIA, a purified preparation of phospholipid methyltransferase and kemptide, a phosphate-accepting peptide . Inhibition of kinase activity was dose-dependent and 50% inhibition of histone phosphorylation was demonstrated with a concentration of phospho-oligosaccharide of around 2 microM . This effect was demonstrated in the presence of ATP at concentrations up to 1 mM, indicating that the phospho-oligosaccharide acts at physiological concentrations of ATP and that it does not compete with this nucleotide for the same binding site in the kinase . Inhibition by the phospho-oligosaccharide of kinase activity could be reversed by dilution or dialysis and was not reproduced by up to 50 microM myo-inositol, glucosamine, galactose, myo-inositol 1-phosphate, glucosamine 1-phosphate, galactose 1-phosphate or phosphorylcholine . The inhibitory activity was resistant to mild acid treatment but was labile to treatment with alkali, exposure to nitrous acid or incubation with sodium periodate . The phospho-oligosaccharide had no effect on the phosphorylation of lysine-rich histone by rat brain protein kinase C and on the binding of cyclic AMP to a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase . In conclusion, the data in this study suggested that a phospho-oligosaccharide generated from an insulin-sensitive glycophospholipid may play a role in insulin action by modulating cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity.

JAMA, 1988 Jan 15, 259(3), 394 - 5
Toxic shock syndrome from Staphylococcus aureus infection at insulin pump infusion sites . Report of two cases; Tanner MH et al.; Two young diabetic females using insulin infusion pump therapy became ill with toxic shock syndrome secondary to Staphylococcus aureus infection at the insulin infusion pump site . Physicians need to be aware of this potential complication in diabetic patients using insulin infusion pump therapy so proper management can be initiated early . Infections at insulin infusion sites are common . Patients need to be instructed in the importance of preventing infections at the pump infusion site and proper management of any abscesses that should develop . Controlled studies evaluating proper management of insulin infusion pump sites to prevent infections are needed.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Jan 15, 263(2), 1017 - 22
Three possible disulfides in the acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit; Mosckovitz R et al.; The cysteinyl residues of the acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit of Torpedo californica were analyzed . All seven cysteines could be accounted for . Three possible disulfide bridges and one unpaired cysteine were indicated . The disulfide linkages were as follows: Cys128 to Cys142; Cys192 to Cys193; Cys412 to Cys418 (Cys222 is unpaired) . The identification of cysteinyl residues was accomplished by a modified protein blot procedure . Cysteinyl residues of intact nicotinic acetylcholine receptor were selectively biotinylated with 3-(N-maleimidopropionyl)biocytin and subsequently detected by the 125I-labeled avidin overlay of blotted Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteolyzed alpha-subunits . Two pairs of cysteines (Cys128/Cys142 and Cys412/Cys418) could be demonstrated only after Na(BH4) reduction of the acetylcholine receptor . Cysteine residues 192 and 193 are particularly sensitive to reduction; 0.1 mM dithiothreitol is sufficient.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 Jan 15, 171(1-2), 199 - 204
Adipose tissue protein phosphatase inhibitor-2; Stralfors P; Rat fat cells contain three species of spontaneously active inhibitor proteins of protein phosphatase 1, as resolved by SDS-PAGE, with apparent molecular masses of 40 kDa, and 28 kDa respectively . The 33-kDa, thermostable inhibitor was highly purified from bovine adipose tissue and shown to be very similar to inhibitor-2 of skeletal muscle . It was phosphorylated, on threonine only, by glycogen synthase kinase 3 . It formed an inactivated complex with protein phosphatase 1, that was reactivated by incubation with ATP-Mg and glycogen synthase kinase 3 . By gel filtration it had a Stokes radius of 3.4 nm . Peptide and phosphopeptide maps, generated by Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, trypsin or thermolysin, of the inhibitor and of the skeletal muscle inhibitor-2 were similar . The 40-kDa inhibitor, which was denatured by boiling, represents a novel protein phosphatase inhibitor protein or an undegraded precursor of inhibitor-2 . The total activity of inhibitor-2-like material (thermostable and macromolecular) in an adipocyte cytosol extract corresponded to an intracellular concentration of 0.3 microM inhibitor-2.

J Immunol, 1988 Jan 15, 140(2), 465 - 9
Differential effects of interleukin 2 vs B cell growth factor on human B cells; Nakagawa T et al.; The effects of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) and high m.w . (HMW) B cell growth factor (BCGF) were examined on normal human peripheral blood B cells activated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) . When SAC-activated B cells were separated into Tac-antigen (Tac-Ag)+ and Tac-Ag- fractions by a cell sorter, recombinant IL-2 induced only the Tac-Ag+ cells to proliferate, whereas both Tac-Ag+ and Tac-Ag- cells responded to HMW-BCGF (m.w . 60,000) . Alternatively, SAC-activated B cells were separated according to density into three fractions: low density (large) cells (82 +/- 15% Tac-Ag+), intermediate density (medium) cells (45 +/- 13% Tac-Ag+), and high density (small) cells (less than 5% Tac-Ag+) . Recombinant IL-2 enhanced proliferation of low density cells the most, intermediate density cells less, and high density cells not at all . HMW-BCGF induced all three fractions to proliferate to approximately the same degree . Finally, the effects of IL-2 and BCGF on the DNA and RNA content of the various fractions of B cells was examined . RNA content was greater in IL-2-stimulated B cells than BCGF-stimulated B cells, whereas DNA content was the same in both cell populations . IL-2 and BCGF may preferentially interact with different subpopulations of B cells . The interaction of IL-2 or BCGF with normal activated B cells may induce both similar and different intracellular events.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1988 Jan 9, 118(1), 23 - 6
{Reactivation of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis after 49 years}; Widmer A et al.; The treatment of chronic osteomyelitis is laborious and ill defined . We report the case of a 57-year-old woman admitted to hospital with Staphylococcus aureus septicemia due to relapse of osteomyelitis after an interval of 49 years . By surgical debridement, suction drainage and 8 months of high-dose antibiotic treatment we were able to control the infection in terms of clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters.

Klin Wochenschr, 1988 Jan 4, 66(1), 7 - 11
{IgM antibodies to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 in human sera and human immunoglobulins}; Dickgiesser N et al.; IgM antibodies against toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) in 1990 human sera and in 14 human immunoglobulin preparations were determined using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay . High levels of IgM antibody titres could be found beginning with the third month of life within the first 5 years of age . They were also very common in the age group of 21 up to 25 years . In no case of IgM antibodies with titres higher than 1:251 symptoms could be observed as described for toxic shock syndrome . Of the human immunoglobulin preparations, Pentaglobin contained IgM antibodies against TSST-1 only . The results show that most of the infections with TSST-1 producing Staphylococcus aureus are of subclinical nature or are of less dramatic course than the commonly known toxic shock syndrome.

Eur J Biochem, 1988 Jan 4, 170(3), 521 - 8
Human factor VIII from heparinized plasma . Purification and characterization of a single-chain form; Ganz PR et al.; Human factor VIII was purified from heparinized blood by cryoprecipitation, poly(ethyleneglycol) precipitation, Affi-Gel blue, aminohexyl, polyelectrolyte E5 and immunoaffinity chromatography . A purification of 280,000-fold over plasma with a specific activity over 5300 units/mg was achieved . Analyses of factor VIII using HPLC indicated a molecular mass of 280-340 kDa . Variation in the native mass may reflect heterogeneity of the protein due to associated lipid since structural analysis confirmed that factor VIII contained variable amounts of free fatty acids and diglycerides and triglycerides, but no phospholipids . Additional characterization by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, followed by silver staining, showed a major single-chain polypeptide of factor VIII with a mass of approximately 260 kDa . To determine whether proteolyzed forms of factor VIII were present during fractionation, we analysed earlier steps in purification . This revealed additional species of factor VIII eluting faster than the single-chain form during chromatography on polyelectrolyte E5 . Gel electrophoresis showed that these species of factor VIII consisted of multiple polypeptide chains, and partial peptide mapping using Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease indicated that they were structurally related . Monoclonal and hemophilic antibodies were used in immunoadsorption experiments to demonstrate that the purified factor VIII was composed predominantly of the 260-kDa factor VIII chain.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(3), 323 - 7
Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess; Erntell M et al.; In 3 patients with epidural abscess, 2 in the cervical spine and 1 in the lumbar spine the definite diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MR) . In 1 patient computerized tomography was performed but the correct diagnosis was revealed only by MR . The infections were all acute and due to Staphylococcus aureus organisms . One patient developed a tetraparesis on the third day, before the diagnosis was established or antibiotic treatment initiated . The other 2 showed only minor and passing neurologic deficits . None was subjected to laminectomy . In 2 cases the diagnosis was confirmed by puncture . None of the patients had a preceding trauma or a known focus for the staphylococcal infection.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(3), 297 - 301
Pulmonary infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Cafferkey MT et al.; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are now causing severe clinical infection on a worldwide basis . Pulmonary infection due to MRSA although widely reported is poorly documented . We report the predisposing factors, underlying diseases, treatment and outcome in 4 patients with pneumonia, 3 patients with empyema thoracis, 1 patient with pneumonia and empyema thoracis, 1 patient with pneumonia plus lobectomy wound infection and 2 patients with lung abscess . Vancomycin was highly effective in treatment, a finding compatible with experience treating other severe MRSA infections.

Acta Microbiol Hung, 1988, 35(1), 35 - 40
Production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) associated with Staphylococcus aureus from a pyogenic skin infection; Naidu AS et al.; Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 (TSST-1) producing Staphylococcus aureus associated with TSS was isolated from an abscess on buttock, from a two-year-old male child suffering from diarrhoea, high fever and shock . The isolate was subclassified into S . aureus var . hominis of CV type-D, and was lysed by phage 75 of Group-III . It was multidrug resistant, exhibited double ring (DR) CVRT pattern and also produced enterotoxin-C (SE-C) . Out of 217 S . aureus strains from pyodermas, clinical sources, food poisonings and dairy foods, 139 (64.1%) produced enterotoxin . SE-C as single (33.8%) or in combinations (25.2%) was common enterotoxin . None of these strains produced TSST-1.

Toxicon, 1988, 26(3), 265 - 73
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin; Blomqvist L et al.; Murine monoclonal antibodies against staphylococcal alpha-toxin were produced using a well-characterized alpha-toxin fragment preparation as immunizing agent . Three monoclonal antibodies were selected for anti-alpha-toxin activity in an ELISA using alpha-toxin as antigen . The monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) belonged to different immunoglobulin classes/subclasses and showed different abilities to neutralize the hemolytic, cell-membrane-damaging, dermonecrotizing and lethal action of alpha-toxin . One MAb was superior to mouse polyclonal antiserum in all test systems except for hemolysis, whereas another MAb neutralized essentially as the polyclonal serum . The third MAb did not neutralize the hemolytic or dermonecrotic effect but still inhibited the lethal and membrane-damaging effect of alpha-toxin . These results indicate that the three MAbs recognize different epitopes on the toxin molecule and that different biological activities might correspond to these epitopes.

Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1988, 22(1), 43 - 5
Surgical treatment of active valvular infective endocarditis; da Costa Lins RH et al.; A review is presented of 20 patients consecutively operated on for acute valvular endocarditis . The diagnosis was established from at least two of the criteria: (a) typical clinical features, (b) two blood cultures positive for the same causal microorganism, and (c) echocardiographic evidence of vegetations . In all cases there was histologic evidence of active infection in the surgical specimen . Only three of the 20 patients had no previous cardiac disease . The most common causal agent was Staphylococcus aureus . The indications for surgery were refractory cardiac failure or infection (18 and 2 cases, respectively) . Aortic valve replacement was performed in 16 of the 20 cases, suggesting that aortic valvulopathy aggravates the course of infective endocarditis and increases the risk of heart failure . The overall mortality rate was 30% . All surviving patients were infection-free at postoperative bacteriologic follow-up . Surgery is considered to be the management of choice in active valvular, therapy-resistant bacterial endocarditis with or without cardiac failure.

Pediatr Radiol, 1988, 18(4), 355 - 6
Miliary pattern in neonatal pneumonia; Flores JA; We have seen 10 newborn babies who developed respiratory distress and whose chest radiographs showed a miliary nodular pattern of disease . Of these infants only 3 had blood cultures that were positive for staphylococcus aureus . Of the remaining 7, 2 had conjunctivitis from which Staphylococcus aureus was cultured, 4 had negative cultures and 1 did not have a blood culture done . All patients were diagnosed as having bacterial pneumonia and appeared to respond favourably to antibiotic therapy . The pulmonary abnormalities resolved . The children were clinically well in less than 3 weeks . The author suggests that the miliary pattern is one of the radiological patterns of neonatal pneumonia possibly produced by hematogenous bacterial dissemination.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1988 Jan-Feb, 24(1), 68 - 75
{Spectral properties of cytochromes from Staphylococcus aureus}; Kotelevets LM et al.; Two cytochrome b with peaks at 554 and 558 nm and cytochrome a with alpha-peak at 603 nm were found in intact cells and membranes of Staphylococcus aureus using low-temperature spectrophotometry and registration of second- and fourth-order finite difference spectra of cytochromes . Analysis of the cytochrome functioning in membranes isolated from the cells at the exponential and stationary growth phases revealed no difference in the set of these carriers . Analysis of cytochrome reduction with different substrates demonstrated identity of the cytochrome composition in the respiratory chain, reduced with NADH, lactate, alpha-glycerophosphate, malate and succinate . Cytochrome omicron with gamma-peak at 416 nm in the CO-spectra was found to be involved in oxidation of all the substrates tested both in intact cells and membranes of Staphylococcus aureus.

Jikken Dobutsu, 1988 Jan, 37(1), 73 - 5
Biological characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nude mice; Shimizu A et al.; The characteristics of 50 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from BALB/c nude mice (nu/nu, nu/+) with or without subcutaneous abscesses {13} were examined . All the 50 strains belonged to biotype B according to the classification by Hajek and Marsalek . All of them were phage typable, showing a single phage pattern of 52A/79/47/53/77/83A/85 . The coagulase type was classified as VII . All of the 50 strains were highly sensitive to penicillin, methylphenylisoxazolyl penicillin, erythromycin, spiramycin, lincomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, kanamycin, gentamicin and cephaloridine, but were resistant to sulfisoxazole . Two S . aureus strains isolated from the nostril and finger of one person working in the mouse colony were identified as the same biotype as the murine strains but different in phage type, coagulase type and drug resistance pattern.

Jikken Dobutsu, 1988 Jan, 37(1), 31 - 8
{An epizootic Staphylococcus infection in a nude mouse colony}; Sano R et al.; An epizootic of Staphylococcus infection causing abscesses was encountered in a small-scale breeding colony of nude mice of BALB/c background . The incidence of abscess was sporadic and mostly nude (nu/nu) mice aged over 3 months were affected . Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the face, oral cavity, and feces of almost all nu/nu and heterozygous (nu/+) mice in the colony . After a prolonged time period, up to 10 to 14 months of age, almost all the S . aureus-carrying nu/nu mice produced abscesses and eventually died . Athymicity of the host seemed to be a prerequisite for the abscess formation since nu/+ mice were spared from the lesions . Also, transfer of immunocompetent spleen cells cured the abscesses of the affected nude mice.

Arch Fr Pediatr, 1988 Jan, 45(1), 61 - 4
{Contribution of bactericidal rate in the initial treatment of severe staphylococcal infections in children}; Bingen E et al.; Rapid bactericidal effect is essential for therapy of severe Staphylococcus aureus infections in children . The in vitro activity of clinically achievable levels of vancomycin and its combinations with gentamicin, amikacin and rifampin plus amikacin was studied with the time-kill curve method at 2.5, 4, 6, 24 and 48 hours against 20 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from children with severe staphylococcal infection . Vancomycin alone exerted a bactericidal effect at 48 hours . However, with the combinations vancomycin plus gentamicin, vancomycin plus amikacin and vancomycin plus amikacin plus rifampin a bactericidal effect was respectively observed at 24, 6 and 4 hours . Most rapid killing was achieved with vancomycin plus rifampin plus amikacin . Thus this antibiotic combination seems the most appropriate for initial treatment of severe staphylococcal infections in children.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(1), 1 - 9
Intracranial abscesses in adults: an analysis of 54 consecutive cases; Schliamser SE et al.; A retrospective analysis was performed of 54 consecutive adult patients with intracranial abscesses hospitalized between 1973 and 1985 . Clinical signs and symptoms were varying and no single symptom was found in more than 48% of the patients . Also the laboratory findings were of limited diagnostic value . The etiology of the infections varied with the sources and could be identified in 42 of the patients . In patients with postoperative abscesses or infections after penetrating head injuries Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly found causative agent . In patients with abscesses originating from sinus, dental or otogenic infections, anaerobic bacteria dominated and most patients had multiple bacterial isolates . A majority of patients (33/47) with diagnosed abscesses were treated with both surgical drainage and systemic antibiotics . 14 patients received antibiotics only, due to inoperable abscesses or spontaneous regression without surgery . 17 of the patients (31.5%) died from their intracranial infections and only 9 survived without sequelae . Important prognostic factors were missed diagnosis and presence of multiple or ruptured abscesses . One patient died of acute brain stem herniation after lumbar puncture, a procedure which was found to be of limited diagnostic value and which seems to be contraindicated in patients with intracranial abscesses.

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1988, 89(3), 557 - 64
Comparative biochemical and immunological analysis of the three vitellogenins from Drosophila grimshawi; Hatzopoulos P et al.; 1 . The three female-specific vitellogenin proteins, namely V1, V2 and V3, have been isolated and characterized from Drosophila grimshawi . Their mol . wt, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are 46,000, 45,000 and 43,000 which are in agreement with those determined by Ferguson plot analysis . 2 . All three vitellogenins appear to be monomers in the ovarian extracts and they have very similar biochemical and immunological properties . 3 . Ion-exchange chromatography, double immunodiffusion tests and partial digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease indicated more physicochemical and structural similarities between the V1 and the V2 polypeptides . 4 . The distribution pattern of the proteolytic polypeptides resulting from limited chymotrypsin digestion suggested partial homology in the primary structure of the three vitellogenin proteins.

Am J Otolaryngol, 1988 Jan-Feb, 9(1), 30 - 3
Treatment of chronic sinusitis with open drainage and cefaclor; Maisel RH et al.; A prospective study of 50 adult patients with chronic sinusitis was undertaken . Forty patients were treated with the Caldwell-Luc operation and postoperative cefaclor, and 10 underwent nasal antrostomy and treatment with cefaclor . Approximately 85% of the 40 patients had resolution of symptoms with this treatment . The microbiology of chronic sinusitis was studied through aerobic and anaerobic cultures of sinus secretions obtained at surgery . Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase-negative) and Propionibacterium sp were found to be the most common pathogens . The radiologic results of Caldwell-Luc surgery were studied through comparison of preoperative and postoperative radiographs in 33 of these patients . An air-fluid level is the only radiographic sign of consistent diagnostic significance in the postoperative radiograph.

Am J Vet Res, 1988 Jan, 49(1), 42 - 5
Relationship between immunoglobulin concentrations in milk and phagocytosis by bovine neutrophils; Miller RH et al.; Using bovine neutrophils and radio-labelled Staphylococcus aureus, skim milk samples taken at 4 stages of lactation from the 4 mammary quarters of 48 cows were used in an in vitro phagocytosis assay . Immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype concentrations in the milk samples were estimated by use of an ELISA procedure . To determine associations of Ig concentrations with phagocytosis, correlations, simple regressions, and partial regressions were calculated . Simple correlations were computed between each Ig isotype and phagocytosis percentage for each lactation number stage of lactation category . Ranges of these correlations for IgM, IgG1, IgG2, and IgA were 0.33 to 0.60; -0.16 to 0.43; 0.04 to 0.46; and -0.30 to 0.36, respectively . Correlations for concentrations of IgG2 and IgM with percentage of phagocytosis tended to be slightly higher for samples from older cows, in contrast to the correlations calculated for IgA and IgG1 . Multiple regression of percentage of phagocytosis calculated simultaneously on concentrations of the 4 Ig isotypes in the sample indicated that IgM, followed by IgG2 and IgA, was most closely associated with phagocytosis . Partial regression calculated on concentration of IgG1 was not significant . Addition of bacteriologic status of the quarter and somatic cell concentration in the milk sample did not increase accuracy of predicting percentage of phagocytosis, compared with use of Ig concentrations alone . These results supported the attribution of unique modes of action to IgM and IgG2 in promoting phagocytosis by neutrophils.

Vet Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 16(1), 87 - 91
Colony morphology of Staphylococcus aureus in serum-soft agar following in vivo and in vitro growth; Opdebeeck JP et al.; Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cases of mastitis in ruminants were grown in vitro and in vivo and subsequently examined for expression of diffuse colony morphology in serum-soft agar . Growth in the bovine mammary gland, but not in the ovine mammary gland or ovine peritoneal cavity, resulted in subsequent expression of diffuse colony morphology.

Vet Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 16(1), 67 - 76
Protective effect of glucan against experimentally induced staphylococcal mastitis in ewes; Buddle BM et al.; Glucan, an immunostimulant, was evaluated for its ability to modify a staphylococcal mammary challenge in ewes . Glucan was administered subcutaneously to ewes prior to lactation or during lactation, and all ewes, including a control group, were subsequently challenged intramammarily with Staphylococcus haemolyticus 40 days after the mean lambing date . The glucan treatment was shown to modify the staphylococcal mammary infection as the milk bacterial counts from all of the glucan-treated groups were significantly reduced compared to controls . For the glucan-treated groups, the highest mean somatic cell counts were recorded 1 day post-challenge, while for the control group, the mean cell count rose more gradually to peak by 3 days post-challenge . Glucan did not increase serum lysozyme levels or blood neutrophil bactericidal activity . However, there was a negative correlation between the bactericidal activity of blood neutrophils collected from the glucan-treated ewes prior to challenge and their mean milk bacterial counts post-challenge . Glucan was observed to stimulate ovine mammary macrophages in vitro, while the addition of zymosan or opsonised killed Staphylococcus aureus to macrophage cultures had no effect . These studies indicate that, in sheep, glucan can enhance some elements of the immune system against staphylococcal infections.

Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1988 Jan, 136(1), 44 - 6
{Toxic shock syndrome in 2 girls with pharyngeal infection and wound infection}; von Muhlendahl KE; In 1981, a 13 year old girl died of her shock lung . She had been admitted with the classical toxic shock syndrome then still unknown to us . Staphylococcus aureus had been cultured from a pharyngeal swab . But even in 1987, it took us 48 hours to correctly diagnose the toxic shock syndrome in a 17 year old girl . The diagnosis became evident when she was found to have a staphylococcus aureus wound infection after a surgical procedure . For pediatricians, it is crucial to know this syndrome well . Not only menstruating girls using tampons, but also quite young children can acquire this disease . Quick diagnosis and prompt institution of the correct therapy can be life saving.

Ann Fr Anesth Reanim, 1988, 7(1), 73 - 5
{Severe hypophosphoremia in a toxic shock syndrome}; Saissy JM et al.; A case of toxic shock syndrome occurring during a menstrual period, and associated with severe hypophosphataemia, is reported . The patient was a 21-year old woman using tampons . On the fourth day, she developed encephalopathy with decreased consciousness and hyperventilation . Severe hypophosphataemia was noted . A phage-group-1 Staphylococcus aureus, producing TSST-1 and enterotoxin A, was isolated from vaginal, pharyngeal and skin sites . Pathogenesis and role of hypophosphataemia in toxic shock syndrome are emphasized.

Intensive Care Med, 1988, 14(1), 34 - 8
Bacterial colonization and infection in an intensive care unit; Nystrom B et al.; One hundred and one patients, nursed in an intensive care unit for at least 24 h, were monitored for bacterial colonization and infection . The infection rates were similar to those in other reports . Patients were not generally colonized with common environmental strains in the unit . Bacterial dissemination between patients was uncommon . No gentamicin resistant gram negative or Staphylococcus aureus strains were observed, nor methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains . The hypothesis that these favourable conditions are partly related to the excellent isolation and barrier nursing facilities in the unit cannot be fully substantiated.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 26(1), 38 - 40
Prevalence of capsular polysaccharide types 5 and 8 among Staphylococcus aureus isolates from cow, goat, and ewe milk; Poutrel B et al.; Monoclonal antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide types 5 and 8 were used to serotype by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 212, 54, and 33 isolates from cow, goat, and ewe milk, respectively . Capsular types 5 and 8 accounted for 69.4% of bovine isolates and 71.5 and 78.8% of goat and ewe isolates, respectively . Type 5 was predominant in strains from bovine sources (51.4%), whereas type 8 was prevalent in strains from caprine (68.5%) and ovine (75.8%) sources.

Can J Surg, 1988 Jan, 31(1), 21 - 2
Osteomyelitis due to Kingella kingae infection; Noftal F et al.; A case of osteomyelitis due to Kingella kingae is presented to illustrate the insidious onset and indolent course typical of bone infections caused by this organism . The frequently negative result obtained with Gram's stain and the fastidious nature of the organism makes diagnosis difficult . Initial therapy with an aminopenicillin such as ampicillin in addition to antimicrobial drugs for Staphylococcus aureus should be effective in resolving bone and joint infections in children.

J Surg Res, 1988 Jan, 44(1), 1 - 7
Control of prosthetic bacterial infection: evaluation of an easily incorporated, tightly bound, silver antibiotic PTFE graft; Benvenisty AI et al.; Despite the use of prophylactic antibiotics in vascular surgery, prosthetic infection rate remains 2-5% . Antibiotics bound to vascular prostheses can control experimentally induced infection but prolonged antibacterial activity has not been achieved . This study evaluates the in vivo efficacy and antibiotic retention of an easily prepared silver-antibiotic prosthesis . Prostheses were prepared by combining silver with oxacillin or amikacin using an organic solvent . After evaporation of the solvent, the graft was left impregnated with the antibiotic complex . In vivo retention studies were performed by implanting PTFE 110Ag-oxacillin prostheses in four canine abdominal aortas . When prostheses were explanted at 1 week, mean antibiotic retention was found to be 20% of original activity, higher than the mean inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus . In three groups of five dogs, 20 X 7-mm prostheses of PTFE alone, PTFE silver-oxacillin, or PTFE silver-amikacin were implanted in the abdominal aorta and the grafts were inoculated with 10(7) S . aureus of a known bacteriophage type, in a closed retroperitoneal pocket . The animals were sacrificed at 1 week and the prostheses were excised for quantitative bacterial culture . PFTE silver-oxacillin, and PTFE silver-amikacin prostheses had 1.7 X 10(2) and 2.0 X 10(2) colonies, respectively, significantly less (P less than 0.05) than controls (1.3 X 10(6) colonies) . These data suggest that antibiotic prostheses can be easily prepared without binding agents . They retain the bound antibiotic for a prolonged period and are effective in reducing graft infection in a stringent direct contamination model.

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988, 11(1), 1 - 9
Differing complement-mediated opsonic activity of rabbit interstitial fluids from autologous serum; Lam C et al.; Lack of appropriate methods for withdrawing extravascular or interstitial fluid from an animal host has limited in vitro study on the role of complement in the local defence of the extravascular space . In the present study, we obtained fluids from membrane diffusion chambers (porosity 0.22 micron) implanted into the kidneys, peritoneal cavity and soft tissues in rabbits . The complement-mediated opsonic activity (CMOA) of these fluids for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 502A and Escherichia coli 01 was then compared to that of autologous sera . Soft tissue and renal interstitial fluids were as opsonic for E . coli as autologous sera but were however, poor opsonins for S . aureus . The peritoneal fluid was marginally effective in opsonization of both bacterial strains . While chelation of the fluids with MgEGTA (to block the classical pathway) did not diminish CMOA for E . coli, it reduced the CMOA for S . aureus by half . Conversely, heat-inactivation of the fluids and serum eliminated the opsonic activity for E . coli but only decreased the opsonic activity for S . aureus by half . Following a 24 h in vivo growth of E . coli in the implanted chambers, the CMOA was drastically reduced . Concomitant to the reduction in functional complement in the fluids, E . coli recovered from the chambers were found coated, though not maximally, with C3b as evidenced by studies with fluorescent antibody . The differences in opsonic content of extravascular fluids observed here might explain why certain sites of the body may be more vulnerable to attack by some bacterial species which are not effectively opsonized and therefore phagocytized.

Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb, 1988 Jan-Feb, 126(1), 85 - 90
{Preoperative skin disinfection in interventions on the hip joint}; Staudte HW et al.; Gram-positive cocci in particular, mainly Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, can be identified on patients' skin as facultative causes of wound bed infection . Disinfection the evening prior to surgery causes a statistically significant reduction in the number of skin organisms . The only explanation of the increase in the number of such organisms in isolated patients following disinfection the evening prior to surgery, and also after preoperative disinfection, is recontamination of the disinfected skin areas . Covering them with sterile surgical trousers and adhesive foils does not provide sure protection from recontamination . Studies of this kind may enable specific hospitals to establish a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for their own spectrum of micro-organisms.

Microbiol Immunol, 1988, 32(2), 225 - 8
Simplified method for preparation of concentrated exoproteins produced by Staphylococcus aureus grown on surface of cellophane bag containing liquid medium; Ikigai H et al.; A simplified method for preparation of concentrated exoproteins including protein A and alpha-toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus was successfully devised . The concentrated proteins were obtained by cultivating S . aureus organisms on the surface of a liquid medium-containing cellophane bag enclosed in a sterilized glass flask . With the same amount of medium, the total amount of proteins obtained by the method presented here was identical with that obtained by conventional liquid culture . The concentration of proteins obtained by the method, however, was high enough to observe their distinct bands stained on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . This method was considered quite useful not only for large-scale cultivation for the purification of staphylococcal proteins but also for small-scale study using the proteins . The precise description of the method was presented and its possible usefulness was discussed.

Infection, 1988, 16(1), 19 - 24
Antimicrobial prophylaxis in neutropenic patients after bone marrow transplantation; Schmeiser T et al.; Fourty-one patients with haematological malignancies or severe aplastic anaemia underwent allogeneic or syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and received one of two forms of infection prophylaxis while granulocytopenic: total decontamination in strict reverse isolation (ITD, 26 patients) or selective decontamination of the digestive tract with barrier nursing (SD, 15 patients) . The patients were evaluated for infection acquisition, fever days, days on systemic antibiotics and granulocyte transfusions from 48 hours after the beginning of the decontamination procedure until 1,000 granulocytes/microliter have been reached . Ten of 26 patients of the ITD group remained free of febrile episodes and infections, whereas all patients of the SD group acquired infections (p less than 0.001) . During granulocytopenia patients of the ITD group had fewer fever days, were less frequently on systemic antibiotics and received fewer granulocyte transfusions as compared with the SD group . Both methods were obviously very effective in preventing gram-negative infections, infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and infections due to yeasts or fungi . No death due to infection occurred in either group . However, the data of this study provide evidence that ITD is a more effective antimicrobial prophylaxis in bone marrow transplant recipients than SD.

Vet Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 16(1), 77 - 86
Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to bovine udder epithelial cells; Opdebeeck JP et al.; An assay for the adhesion of tritiated thymidine-labelled Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to bovine mammary ductular epithelial cell lines was developed . The relative adhesion of 15 strains of S . aureus to these cell lines was examined . Four strains did not adhere and the remaining 11 adhered at variable levels . Adhesion to different cell lines was generally similar . Adhesion to freshly collected bovine mammary epithelial cells was significantly greater than that to cells maintained in tissue culture . The system described was demonstrated to be a suitable model for studying adhesion of mastitis-causing organisms to bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1988 Jan, 47(1), 1 - 9
Conditioned medium from stimulated mononuclear leucocytes potentiates the ability of human neutrophils to damage human articular cartilage; Bates EJ et al.; Human neutrophils were able to degrade proteoglycan and inhibit its synthesis when incubated with human articular cartilage coated with heat aggregated immunoglobulin G . These effects were potentiated when culture medium conditioned by mononuclear leucocytes stimulated with killed Staphylococcus aureus was also present during the incubations . Neutrophils preincubated with this conditioned medium and washed before incubation with cartilage also showed an increased ability to degrade proteoglycan and inhibit its synthesis . The percentage of neutrophils binding to cartilage was significantly increased in the presence of this conditioned medium.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1988 Jan, 89(1), 120 - 5
Evaluation of laboratory methods for the classification of oxacillin-resistant and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; Pfaller MA et al.; The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the oxacillin disk diffusion test and the methicillin and oxacillin agar screen tests as predictors of oxacillin resistance as defined by the reference broth microdilution method . A total of 444 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus collected from individual patients over a four-year period were tested by (1) the oxacillin disk diffusion test, with particular attention to the presence of fine growth of a resistant subpopulation within the zone of inhibition (Ox Grow interpretive criteria); (2) the agar screen method using agar plates with 4% NaCl and either 6 mg/L oxacillin or 10 mg/L methicillin; and (3) the oxacillin and methicillin broth microdilution test methods with 2% NaCl supplementation . Overall, 62 (14%) isolates were resistant and 382 (86%) isolates were susceptible to oxacillin with the use of the reference broth microdilution system . The results indicate that the disk diffusion test with the use of the Ox Grow criteria had a high sensitivity (94%) and negative predictive value (98%) but a low specificity (67%) and positive predictive value (32%) when compared with the reference broth dilution test . Similarly, the agar screen tests had a high sensitivity (95-97%) and negative predictive values (99%) but low specificity (64-74%) and positive predictive values (30-37%) . These data indicate that the agar screen tests and the oxacillin disk test with the use of the Ox Grow interpretive criteria may be useful as screening tests for detecting resistance to the penicillinase-resistant penicillins but that all resistant isolates should be confirmed by the reference broth dilution method because of the large number of false-resistant screening test results.

Child Nephrol Urol, 1988-89, 9(5), 253 - 8
Peritonitis in children undergoing dialysis . 10 years experience; Levy M et al.; The clinical aspects of peritonitis were reviewed in 83 patients treated with continuous ambulatory or continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis between May 1978 and April 1988 . Peritonitis occurred in 50 patients whose mean duration of dialysis was 17.8 months, but not in 33 patients with a mean duration of dialysis of 10.4 months . The mean time from starting dialysis to the first episode of peritonitis was 7.1 months . The peritonitis rate was lower for continuous cyclic than for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (1 episode per 12.9 vs . 1 episode per 8.1 patient months, respectively) . In 39% of the episodes, gram stain of the dialysate was positive . The dialysate leukocyte count was higher in gram-negative than in gram-positive peritonitis . Seventy percent of the peritonitis episodes were gram positive, and Staphylococcus aureus was predominant . Only 1 of the 7 diapered infants had gram-negative organisms associated with peritonitis . Catheters were replaced in 48 cases, 26 because of infection . Sixty-nine percent of the patients were cured with antibiotic therapy alone . Although peritonitis was associated with a mortality rate of 1.2%, peritoneal dialysis remains the favored dialytic mode for children.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1988, 36(5), 633 - 7
Removal of surface adherent Staphylococcus aureus in the determination of phagocytosis and intracellular killing by the use of lysostaphin; Steuden W et al.; Use of lysostaphin to remove non-phagocytized, granulocyte-adherent bacteria allows more precise calculation of the percentage of the ingested as well as killed bacteria in the process of phagocytosis.

Microbiol Immunol, 1988, 32(7), 667 - 73
The growth of compact and diffuse variants of Staphylococcus aureus in bovine mastitic and normal whey; Mattila T et al.; Strains of Staphylococcus aureus producing either diffuse or compact colonies in serum-soft agar were grown in bovine normal and mastitic whey . Bacterial growth was followed by automated turbidometry . Compact strains multiplied faster and to higher final numbers in mastitic whey than diffuse strains, whereas diffuse strains grew to higher numbers in normal whey . Nutrients (hemolysed bovine blood, bovine serum, proteose-peptone) were added to normal whey to enhance bacterial growth as in mastitic whey . The growth-promoting effect of these nutrients was dose-dependent for compact strains but not for diffuse strains . The difference in the growth characteristics of diffuse and compact strains in bovine whey explains some aspects of the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis.

Leuk Res, 1988, 12(7), 559 - 66
Proliferation of leukemic B cells in response to SAC and anti-mu . Evidence for different modes of action and comparison to proliferation and differentiation induced by conditioned medium; Steinberg J et al.; We investigated the proliferative responses and immunoglobulin production of highly purified E-rosette negative largely leukemic B cells from patients with CLL to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) or to SAC in combination with anti-mu or conditioned medium (CM) . The latter was derived by stimulating human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes with PHA . We observed: (1) that purified E-rosette negative largely leukemic B cells from 25% (five out of 20) of the patients exhibited proliferative responses to SAC; (2) inhibition of SAC-induced proliferation by anti-mu in certain patients, whereas synergism between SAC and anti-mu in inducing proliferative responses in others; (3) the lack of synergism between SAC and CM in inducing proliferative responses, which is in contrast to the strong synergism that was observed between anti-mu and CM in inducing proliferation; and (4) induction or enhancement by SAC alone of Ig production by largely leukemic B-cell populations from few patients with CLL and purified tonsillar B lymphocytes, but not peripheral blood B cells from normal donors . These results suggest that SAC and anti-mu induce proliferation of B cells by different mechanisms and that B-cell proliferation and differentiation is dependent not only on the mitogen but also on the activation state of the cells.

Pediatr Pulmonol, 1988, 4(3), 159 - 63
Prevalence and significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients with cystic fibrosis; Boxerbaum B et al.; Recent reports indicate that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may be emerging as a significant pediatric nosocomial pathogen . Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease are subject to many of the risk factors for MRSA colonization and/or infection . We retrospectively investigated the prevalence and significance of MRSA from sputum and throat cultures in 452 patients with CF followed during 1986 . No MRSA had been isolated during 1984 or 1985 . Although S . aureus was isolated from 212 patients (47%) in 1986, only 14 (3%) showed MRSA . The MRSA strains had 11 different antimicrobial susceptibility patterns . Neither age, clinical condition, nor recent prior hospitalization correlated with MRSA acquisition . Acquisition did not appear to directly affect the course of the pulmonary disease in these patients even though no patient received any treatment for their MRSA . The prevalence of MRSA is low, although patients with CF are subject to many risk factors . MRSA appears to be mainly community-acquired and to represent colonization rather than infection . However, the potential for nosocomial MRSA infection is present, and vigilance is required in monitoring any changes in frequency of isolation or infection with these organisms.

Leuk Res, 1988, 12(3), 201 - 9
Release of interleukin-2-like material by B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells . An autocrine or paracrine model of production and utilization?
Giovarelli M, Foa R, Benetton G, Lusso P, Fierro MT, Forni G.
In a series of untreated patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), the capacity of the neoplastic B-cell population to release an interleukin-2 like factor (IL-2lf) was assessed . While unstimulated purified leukemic B-cells showed no IL-2lf production, in 16 of the 27 cases tested (59.2%) significant amounts of IL-2lf (4.3-125 U) were released following activation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) . In seven further cases (25.9%), small quantities of IL-2lf (0.2-1.7 U) were detected, while only in four (14.8%) no release was found . In 11 of the 20 cases (55%), PHA alone was also capable of inducing the production of limited amounts of IL-2lf (0.4-8 U) . Only small amounts were released from B lymphocytes isolated from normal tonsils both with PHA and PHA plus TPA . Further purification using a fluorescence activated cell sorter suggests that the IL-2lf is truly produced by leukemic B cells and blocking experiments with the PC-61 monoclonal antibody indicate that IL-2lf and IL-2 use the same cell membrane receptor . However, co-cultures of leukemic B cells with small amounts of autologous or allogeneic T lymphocytes enhanced the amount of IL-2lf released into the supernatant to values markedly higher than those released by T- or B cells alone . Unlike normal B lymphocytes, unstimulated purified leukemic B cells from 17 out of 23 B-CLL cases (73.9%) were capable of absorbing variable amounts of exogenous IL-2 . In addition, in six of the 11 cases tested (54.5%) IL-2 alone was capable of producing a 2-4 fold increase of thymidine uptake . In six out of eight cases (75%), a 2-5 fold enhancement of the proliferative response was observed when the leukemic B cells were co-stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC) and IL-2 . Moreover, when the cells were pre-activated with SAC or with PHA plus TPA and then further stimulated with IL-2, a 2-20 fold increase in proliferative response was found in the majority of cases studied . These findings indicate that elevated quantities of IL-2lf may be released in B-CLL particularly due to the B- and T cell interconnections, and that the leukemic B cells appear capable of absorbing IL-2 and of proliferating after costimulation with IL-2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Eur J Immunol, 1988 Jan, 18(1), 67 - 76
A new antigen identified by the monoclonal antibody UCHB 1 delivers a costimulatory signal to a subset of human B cells; Armitage RJ et al.; A novel anti-B cell monoclonal antibody UCHB1 is described which detects an antigen present on a selected subpopulation of both normal and leukemic B cells . Approximately 20% of normal tonsil and peripheral blood (PB) B cells are UCHB 1+ and the majority of B cells from all cases of prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) tested, together with a low, variable percentage of PB B cells from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with centroblastic centrocytic leukemia also express this antigen . Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia B cells, pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Epstein-Barr virus transformed cell lines all lack UCHB 1 positivity as do all non-B lineage leukocytes and cell lines so far tested . In tonsil sections UCHB 1 staining is almost completely confined to surface IgM+ mantle zone lymphocytes and follicular dendritic cells, but not B cells, within the germinal centers . UCHB 1 can induce a rise in the level of intracellular free calcium ({Ca2+}i) in PLL B cells and low concentrations of monoclonal antibody can result in the entry of these cells into cell cycle in the absence of additional factors . The proliferative effect of UCHB 1 is greatly enhanced in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan and, to a lesser extent, phorbol ester . A similar costimulatory effect is exerted on a proportion of normal tonsil B cells although here, despite inducing a rise in {Ca2+}i, UCHB 1 alone does not cause cells to proliferate . UCHB 1 may well prove to be a useful antibody both to distinguish between different B cell leukemias and to study the phenotype and function of leukemic and normal B cell subpopulations.

Eur J Immunol, 1988 Jan, 18(1), 111 - 6
Inhibition of the proliferative response of human B lymphocytes to B cell growth factor by transforming growth factor-beta; Petit-Koskas E et al.; The effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on the proliferative response of human B cells to the low molecular weight B cell growth factor (BCGF) have been investigated in this study . It was found that TGF-beta, at picomolar concentrations, strongly inhibited the BCGF-induced proliferation of anti-mu chain or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-activated human B cells and also of a BCGF-dependent cell line derived from a human lymphocytic nodular lymphoma . This inhibitory effect was detected in normal and serum-free culture conditions . The suppression was greatly reduced when TGF-beta was added to the culture one day after BCGF and could be reverted by removing TGF-beta from the culture medium . Since TGF-beta has been detected in supernatants from activated T cells, this factor may represent an important regulatory molecule in the feedback control of B cell activation.

Pediatr Radiol, 1988, 18(1), 14 - 9
CT in the evaluation of pleural versus pulmonary disease in children; Cleveland RH et al.; Post pneumonic empyema in children is the result of infection by Staphylococcus aureus in approximately 80% of cases . Approximately 93% of children with empyema respond well to treatment with appropriate antibiotics and drainage of the pleural space . We present seven children in whom such therapy failed to produce an adequate response . Computed tomography alone clearly excluded persistent pneumonia as a cause of symptoms while in all seven patients revealing an unexpectedly extensive empyema rind . This information, coupled with the lack of clinical improvement and the specific organism isolated, led to a change in clinical management . These children were infected by organisms other than Staphylococcus aureus and required surgical decortication of the fibrinous pleural rind to alleviate persistent symptoms.

Infect Immun, 1988 Jan, 56(1), 135 - 41
Neutralization of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 by monoclonal antibodies in vitro and in vivo; Bonventre PF et al.; Sixteen monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were generated by immunization of mice with purified TSST-1 and subsequent fusion of spleen cells with myeloma cells . Antibody-producing clones, identified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were maintained as ascites tumors, and MAbs were purified by protein A chromatography . High-titered clones were further characterized and tested for the ability to neutralize several biological activities of TSST-1 . The MAbs, which are of several immunoglobulin subtypes, reacted specifically with purified TSST-1 and TSST-1 present in Staphylococcus aureus culture supernatants . Three MAbs neutralized TSST-1-induced mitogenesis in a dose-dependent manner . Three of eight MAbs tested were able to neutralize induction by TSST-1 of interleukin-1 production by human monocytes . One neutralizing MAb, 8-5-7, was tested for the ability to protect rabbits from a constant infusion of TSST-1 . Rabbits given the MAb had an attenuated clinical illness and were protected from the hypocalcemia, lipemia, and hepatic and renal insufficiency seen in control rabbits . Six of seven control rabbits died, compared with only one of seven rabbits treated with MAb 8-5-7 . These experiments suggest that MAb 8-5-7 is directed against an antigenic determinant critical to the toxicity of TSST-1 and that the MAbs should be useful as probes in structure-function analyses of the TSST-1 molecule.

Cytobios, 1988, 55(222-223), 155 - 65
Heterogeneity of the plasma cell response to bovine staphylococcal mastitis: an ultrastructural study; Nickerson SC; Mammary tissue samples from glands of dairy cows with chronic Staphylococcus aureus mastitis were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy . Cytological observations were limited to the mucosal tissues of the gland and teat cisternal areas where accumulations of lymphoid cells predominated . Plasma cells were the most numerous leucocyte type present in these areas and exhibited varied ultrastructural characteristics . Although the majority of plasma cells were normal in appearance, cells with abnormal ultrastructure were frequently observed, including cells with distended rough endoplasmic reticulum, cells with cytoplasm entirely engorged with immunoglobulin, and necrobiotic cells . Results demonstrated copious production of local immunoglobulins, predominantly IgG, in response to staphylococcal infection . Atypical cell types observed may have indicated a functional disturbance of immunoglobulin secretion associated with chronic mastitis.

Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1988, 14(10), 655 - 7
A study of fucidin uptake in ischaemic tissues; Kendall SW et al.; Twenty-five patients undergoing vascular surgery were given Fucidin 500 mg t.d.s . for the 3 days prior to surgery . Serum and fat levels obtained at the time of surgery show that the antibiotic is well absorbed and penetrates relatively ischaemic tissues . The levels obtained greatly exceed the MIC for Staphylococcus aureus.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1988, 82(3), 500 - 2
A long-term study of the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy Nigerian students; Lamikanra A et al.; 892 nasal swabs were collected from 50 pharmacy students (25 male and 25 female) over a period of 15 months . 323 (36.2%) contained Staphylococcus aureus and analysis of the results showed that 19 (38%) of the subjects were true nasal carriers of S . aureus, 23 (46%) were non-carriers, and the other 8 (16%) were sporadic non-carriers . 84% of the 162 isolates tested were resistant to penicillin and 58% were resistant to tetracycline.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1988, 82(3), 479 - 81
An antibacterial and antiviral powdered soft-drink base; Burke V et al.; Soft-drink powdered mixtures have been developed which are bactericidal against a range of enteric bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus and which kill some enteric viruses in vitro . These mixtures could be used to help reduce risks of water-borne diarrhoeal illnesses, and as the basis for oral rehydration solutions, which would resist bacterial contamination after their preparation, to treat patients with diarrhoeal dehydration.

Intensive Care Med, 1988, 15(1), 15 - 8
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract improves survival in patients receiving differential lung ventilation; Zandstra DF et al.; In a review of the literature on differential lung ventilation (DLV) the average mortality was found to be 47% . The major cause of death (66%) was infection . The effect of a novel infection prevention regimen on the colonisation and infection rate of the respiratory tract and on outcome was studied in polytrauma patients . Nineteen patients who presented with asymmetric pulmonary contusion were treated with DLV (103 +/- 72 h) and conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) (16 +/- 10 days) . They were treated with selective decontamination of the digestive tract with topical non-absorbable antibiotics in combination with systemic antibiotic prophylaxis starting immediately after admission . In one patient colonisation of the respiratory tract was found with Staphylococcus aureus . This disappeared after continued systemic antibiotic prophylaxis . Colonisation with hospital-acquired Gram-negative bacteria or yeasts was not observed . No patient developed pneumonia throughout the period on conventional mechanical ventilation or on DLV . One patient died from cerebral injury . It is concluded that prolonged endobronchial intubation for DLV can be used without increased risk for pneumonia with this antibiotic regimen and that the very low mortality in this study may be attributed to the prevention of infectious complications.

Allerg Immunol (Leipz), 1988, 34(4), 239 - 47
Immunostimulating agents against influenza virus infection in senescent rats; Ganguly R et al.; This study investigated the nonspecific immunomodulatory effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on virus infection of the respiratory tract in Fischer-344 rats . Groups of young adult (12-16 months old) and aged (24-30 months old) rats were given BCG or MDP intranasally or vitamin C orally 6 weeks and again 3 days before an intranasal challenge with influenza virus A/Bangkok/H3N2 (10(6) 50% EID) . Titers of hemagglutinin in lung homogenates and the presence of leukocytes in the respiratory tracts served as indices of infection . Lung macrophage functions of animals were determined by measuring random migration and phagocytic yeast cell killing in vitro . Clearance of Staphylococcus aureus from the respiratory tracts of the animals was also measured 4 hours after challenge . - Following BCG treatment, significantly fewer animals developed virus infection . MDP and vitamin C treatments also reduced the numbers of infected rats but did not differ significantly from the untreated control groups . BCG and MDP treatments significantly reduced the numbers of lung leukocytes in virus infected animals . Mean virus titers in the lung homogenates were significantly lower in all treatment groups by the third day of infection . Following all treatments, duration of virus infection was significantly shorter in the aged compared to the young adult groups . Lung macrophage functions increased in all treatment groups . The improvement of aged groups over their controls was greater than that of the young adults compared to their controls . BCG had the greatest protective effects in both the young adult and aged animals; MDP and vitamin C, in that order, were less effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Clin Apheresis, 1988, 4(4), 155 - 7
Staphylococcal carriage and infection in myasthenia gravis patients receiving therapeutic apheresis; Johnson RB et al.; Populations exposed to repetitive needle puncture (such as hemodialysis patients, insulin-dependent diabetics, and parenteral drug abusers) are at increased risk for nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus . These groups appear to have increased susceptibility to serious staphylococcal infection as well . We performed a microbiologic survey on a group of patients receiving regular, long-term therapeutic apheresis for myasthenia gravis (MG), and compared the rate of nasal staphylococcal carriage with that found in control groups of MG patients not receiving apheresis and ambulatory general medical patients without known risk factors for staphylococcal carriage . Medical records were reviewed for episodes of significant staphylococcal infection occurring since commencement of apheresis . Nasal S . aureus carriage was found in 9/29 (31%) apheresis patients, 8/30 (27%) MG controls, and 8/30 (27%) general medical controls . No significant difference in frequency of apheresis was noted between carriers and noncarriers . A single episode of S . aureus bacteremia occurred in 95 patient-years of apheresis therapy . We conclude that therapeutic apheresis for MG does not increase the risk of staphylococcal carriage, and that serious infection is infrequent.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1988, 177(6), 323 - 31
Comparison of compact colony-forming activity and paracoagulation activity of strains of Staphylococcus aureus in serum and plasmas of various animals; Ohtomo T et al.; Using 20 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical specimens, the compact colony-forming activity (CCFA) in serum-soft agar (SSA) in sera from various animals and the paracoagulation (PC) activity of the compact colony-forming active substance (CCFAS) extracted from these strains were investigated . The results of this comparative study revealed that the CCFA and PC of S . aureus for sera from various animals in SSA were different, not only among different strains but also in the same strains . In addition, the effect of galactose and calcium ions on the PC activity of these strains in experiments employing human fibrinogen permitted the recognition of these groups of S . aureus strains . In one group, PC activity was decreased by galactose but unaffected by calcium ions, in the second group PC activity was unaffected by galactose but increased by calcium ions, while in the third group it was unaffected by both . These results suggest the possibility of heterogeneity of CCFA among different strains of S . aureus.

Microbios, 1988, 55(224-225), 147 - 53
Distribution of methicillin-resistance and of protein A among Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from different hosts; Pessione E et al.; The link between loss of protein A and methicillin-resistance, and the presence of both characters in relation to the hosts from which S . aureus strains have been isolated, was examined . The majority of methicillin-resistant strains lost protein A . Normal hosts were generally infected with methicillin-sensitive protein A positive strains, while in immunocompromised patients the finding of multiresistant-protein A deficient strains was more frequent . The importance of the host's immune system, together with the antibiotic pressure in selecting these mutants, is discussed.

Connect Tissue Res, 1988, 18(2), 135 - 47
Separation and characterization of the subunits of the laminin of EHS sarcoma; Arumugham RG et al.; A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the preparative separation of laminin subunits . Laminin was extracted and purified from mouse EHS sarcoma . On SDS-PAGE, the reduced and carboxymethylated molecule separated into two components corresponding to molecular weights of about 400 KDa (subunit A) and 200 KDa (subunit B) . These two subunits were preparatively separated using heparin-agarose affinity chromatography . The larger subunit quantitatively adhered to the affinity column while the smaller one did not adhere . Amino acid analyses of the separated subunits showed distinct differences . Subunit B was further resolved into two distinct polypeptides of 200 KDa, B1 and B2, by means of reverse-phase HPLC . Although the amino acid compositions of B1 and B2 were very similar, the peptide maps generated by digestion of the B1 and B2 chains with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease or by cyanogen bromide showed B1 and B2 to differ from each other . Thus, at least three different polypeptide subunits are present in this laminin and probably arise from separate gene origins . These studies provide a basis for the subsequent localization and analysis of the specialized structural and functional domains of laminin.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(4), 449 - 50
Detection of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 by a latex agglutination kit; Espersen F et al.; A commercial reversed passive latex agglutination kit (Oxoid), that detects toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1), was evaluated for its ability to support the clinical diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) by detecting the presence of TSST-1 producing Staphylococcus aureus . 15/16 isolates from patients with TSS were positive, while 4/50 vaginal isolates from patients without TSS were positive . The kit can be recommended as it was easy to handle, and gave results identical with those obtained by a standard assay.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(4), 403 - 5
Recurrent staphylococcal furunculosis in families; Zimakoff J et al.; Recurrent familial staphylococcal furunculosis causes severe physical and especially socio-psychological problems to the families involved . In the present study 6 families with 28 persons were not treated with antibiotics but with a combination of chlorhexidine bathing, nasal 1% chlorhexidine gel and improved cleaning and hygiene in the surroundings . The infecting Staphylococcus aureus strain was eradicated from the surroundings and the skin in all 6 families, but several of the family members still retained the strain in the nose . All family members were, however, cured and remained without infections during an observation period of 2 years.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 134 ( Pt 1), 75 - 83
Molecular cloning and expression of the coagulase gene of Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4; Phonimdaeng P et al.; The gene coding for coagulase (coa) was cloned from Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4 in a lambda replacement vector in Escherichia coli . Coagulase (plasma-clotting) activity was measured in lambda coa lysates and an immunoreactive protein of 60 kDa was detected by Western immunoblotting with anti-coagulase serum . This protein comigrated with the major immunoreactive protein in supernatants of S . aureus 8325-4 . The coa gene was subcloned in pUC vectors . One recombinant expressed a 60 kDa immunoreactive protein and plasma-clotting activity . A putative beta-galactosidase-coagulase fusion protein and truncated peptides were expressed by variants formed by subcloning . These results are consistent with previously published biochemical data that the prothrombin-binding domain of coagulase is located in the N-terminus of the protein . The cloned coa gene was transferred into S . aureus on a shuttle plasmid . Expression of coagulase was higher in a strain with a mutation in the agr locus, which controls the level of several exoproteins in S . aureus, suggesting that agr normally regulates coagulase expression negatively.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1988, 82(1), 160 - 3
Empyema thoracis in childhood in the tropics; Sinzobahamvya N et al.; The management of 25 children with empyema thoracis in Zimbabwe is discussed . The method adopted in 21 of these children using simple drainage and continuous irrigation with 0.1% solution of povidone iodine compared well with more aggressive methods . The method can be carried out easily in a rural environment . 2 of these 21 children died, one because of aspiration . The results among the survivors were good - excellent in 14 of the 21 children and fair in 2 . There were no side effects attributable to the povidone iodine . The method failed in 3 patients who had to be dealt with surgically . Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism responsible for empyema.

Hemoglobin, 1988, 12(4), 311 - 21
Hyperunstable hemoglobin Koriyama anti-Hb Gun Hill insertion of five residues in the beta chain; Kawata R et al.; A new hyperunstable hemoglobin was found in a Japanese girl who had very severe, chronic hemolytic anemia . Her parents and siblings were hematologically normal . The abnormal hemoglobin comprised a very small proportion of the total hemoglobin, although it was produced almost at the same rate as normal hemoglobin . Sequencing of an abnormal peptide which was liberated from the beta chain by hydrolysis with a protease from Staphylococcus aureus V8 disclosed the tandem insertion of a five-residue segment which included the proximal histidine at beta 92(F8).

Chemotherapy, 1988, 34(1), 46 - 55
Correlates of therapeutic efficacy in experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis; Bayer AS et al.; Seventy animals with experimental aortic valve endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were randomized to receive: no therapy; pefloxacin 40 or 80 mg/kg/day i.v.; or vancomycin 30 mg/kg/day i.v . Vancomycin caused a more rapid decrease in intravegetation MRSA counts than pefloxacin at 40 or 80 mg/kg/day (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.05, respectively, therapy day 3) . The major correlate of therapeutic efficacy in this study was the significantly higher mean intravegetation levels achieved by vancomycin (16.8 +/- 6.1 micrograms/g) versus those attained by pefloxacin therapy at either 40 (1.6 +/- 0.13 micrograms/g) or 80 mg/kg/day (2.8 +/- 0.53 micrograms/g, p less than 0.005, p less than 0.025, respectively).

J Invest Surg, 1988, 1(2), 117 - 23
Immunomodulation of intradermal mammary carcinoma using staphage lysate in a rat model; Mathur A et al.; Staphage lysate (SPL), a preparation of Staphylococcus aureus obtained by bacteriophage lysis, is an interferon-inducer and stimulator of T and B lymphocytes . Does SPL, as an immunopotentiator, have an effect on the growth and metastases of an intradermal mammary carcinoma? To answer this question, a study using SPL in female Fischer rats injected with 7 x 10(6) viable 13762 mammary tumor cells on the midback were used . Four groups were created with 10 animals in each group . Group I was the control group . They received no treatment . Group II received 0.3 ml of medium in which SPL was carried on alternate days . Group III received 0.3 ml SPL on alternate days . Group IV were sensitized with dead staphylococcal organisms prior to SPL treatment as in Group III . Tumor diameters were recorded on days 10, 13, 17, and 21, and autopsies were performed to determine the extent of metastases . Histologic examination and serum antibody measurements were performed . The mean tumor diameters on day 21 were: Group I: 4.1 +/- 0.2 cm; Group II: 3.80 +/- 0.19 cm; Group III: 3.04 +/- 0.13 cm; and Group IV: 2.97 +/- 0.14 cm . Rats receiving SPL treatment in Groups III and IV had significantly smaller tumors (P less than .001) . The incidence of axillary lymph node involvement was: Group I: 100%; Group II: 87.5%; Group III: 62.5%; and Group IV: 40% . Lung metastases were seen in all groups . Groups I and II had 100% incidence of grossly visible nodules, whereas Groups III and IV had 75% and 70% involvement . Gross findings were confirmed by microscopic examination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1988, 32(3), 299 - 306
Effect of certain chelating agents on the antibacterial action of silver nitrate; Kaur P et al.; EDTA and EGTA when used in conjunction with AgNO3 enhanced the antibacterial action of the latter significantly, so that strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus resistant to 70 micrograms/ml of AgNO3 were observed to became sensitive to 10 micrograms/ml of this compound . The synergistic effect of EDTA appears to be due to a mechanism other than the removal of lipopolysaccharide from outer membrane, as its effect could be observed in even non-LPS containing gram positive S . aureus cells . Penicillamine, another potent chelator had an opposite effect so that it decreased the toxicity of silver ions.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 134 ( Pt 1), 37 - 42
Gamma interferon enhances the killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human neutrophils; Edwards SW et al.; The effect of purified human interferon-gamma on the responsiveness of human neutrophils was investigated . Pre-incubation of neutrophils with 100 U interferon ml-1 for 10 min at 37 degrees C resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated reactive oxygen metabolite generation (as assayed by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence) . Pre-treatment of neutrophils with interferon also potentiated their ability to kill Staphylococcus aureus, and thus it is proposed that this lymphokine may also enhance neutrophil function in vivo under certain pathological conditions.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Jan, 267(3), 414 - 24
Study of Staphylococcus aureus teichoic acid immunodominant site by help of synthetic haptens; Perouse de Montclos M et al.; The beta ribitol teichoic acid was extracted and purified from Staphylococcus aureus strain Wood 46 and chemically and immunologically characterised . Rabbit antiserum was prepared against formalin killed Staphylococcus aureus cells . Liquid phase immunoprecipitation of the beta ribitol teichoic acid-anti-Staphylococcus aureus serum system was studied by laser nephelometry . Various mono- and disaccharides (N-acetyl-glucosamine-ribitol with alpha- or beta-linkage and N-acetyl-glucosamine-ribitol-phosphate with beta-linkage) were prepared by organic synthesis, reproducing part of the ribitol teichoic acid molecule . Inhibition by those mono- or disaccharides of the precipitation of the beta-ribitol teichoic acid-Staphylococcus aureus antibodies system was studied quantitatively by determining inhibitory ratio of each inhibitor . Glucose, ribitol and glucosamine were weak inhibitors whereas N-acetyl-glucosamine was a better one, stronger than disaccharide with an alpha-linkage . The beta linked disaccharide and beta-methyl-N-acetyl-glucosamine gave comparable inhibition and both compounds were effective inhibitors . The most potent inhibitor was phosphorylated beta-linked disaccharide which inhibited 25% more than the same disaccharide without phosphorus . Thus, the function of phosphorus in Staphylococcus aureus beta ribitol teichoic acid recognition by antibodies was demonstrated.

C R Acad Sci III, 1988, 306(10), 317 - 20
{Use of a new selective culture medium for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in different types of water}; LeBaron P et al.; Different mediums actually available for recovering Staphylococcus aureus are not adapted for water analysis because of their low selectivity . This Note propose a new medium using Baird Parker agar medium additionned with sodium azide and incubated at 37 degrees C during 24 hrs . Three kinds of waters are tested: the efficiency of this medium is higher for surface waters using a modified technic of filtration.

Arch Dis Child, 1988 Jan, 63(1), 66 - 7
Total parenteral nutrition and sepsis; Beganovic N et al.; In 1279 very premature or very low birthweight infants the use and duration of treatment with total parenteral nutrition were associated with short gestational age and low birth weight . Infants treated with total parenteral nutrition had a higher risk of sepsis usually caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis or Staphylococcus aureus.

Ann Intern Med, 1988 Jan, 108(1), 36 - 41
Marked disparity in incidence of bacterial infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome receiving interleukin-2 or interferon-gamma; Murphy PM et al.; STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the infectious complications that occurred during trials of immunomodulatory agents in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . DESIGN: A survey of two cohorts of patients with AIDS who participated in nonrandomized, unblinded, non-placebo-controlled investigations of the toxicity and efficacy of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma . SETTING: Clinical research unit in a tertiary care center . PATIENTS: Consecutive samples of 52 patients given interleukin-2 and 22 patients given interferon-gamma . Selection criteria for referred patients included a diagnosis of AIDS, hemoglobin level of greater than 100 g/L (2.0 mg/dL), creatinine level of less than 176.8 mumol/L, bilirubin level of less than 25.65 mumol/L (1.5 mg/dL), the absence of active infection, and the absence of other drug therapy for 2 weeks before entry . Four patients given interleukin-2 failed to complete the study . INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous infusion of natural-product or recombinant human interleukin-2, 250 to 10,000,000 U/day for 23.4 +/- 1.5 (SE) days, or recombinant human interferon-gamma, 0.001 to 1.0 mg/m2.d for 17.7 +/- 4.8 days . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty nonopportunistic bacterial infections occurred in 17 of 52 patients given interleukin-2, whereas non occurred in 22 patients given interferon-gamma (P less than 0.05) . Bacteremia accounted for 12 of the infections . Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacilli accounted for 16 of the isolates . Opportunistic infections occurred in 6 patients during interleukin-2 infusion and in 1 patient during interferon-gamma infusion (P greater than 0.5) . Clinical and immunologic variables and methods of management of intravenous catheters were similar in the two groups . CONCLUSIONS: A marked disparity in infection with nonopportunistic bacteria, but not with opportunistic organisms, occurred in patients with AIDS who were treated with interleukin-2 as compared with those who were treated with interferon-gamma . A high incidence of bacteremia and localized bacterial infection should be anticipated in patients with AIDS who receive interleukin-2.

Microbiol Sci, 1988 Jan, 5(1), 13 - 6
Toxic shock syndrome: a multisystem conundrum; Arbuthnott JP; First described in 1978, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) emerged as cause for public concern in 1980 as an acute multisystem disease syndrome associated with Staphylococcus aureus . Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological studies have revealed most of the pieces of the puzzle: a new toxin TSST-1, low antibodies in susceptible individuals, the presence of a focus of S . aureus infection . In menstrual TSS, the role of tampons has generated much controversy . Exactly how the pieces fit together to explain the pathophysiology of TSS at the cellular and molecular levels remains to be elucidated.

Magnesium, 1988, 7(5-6), 315 - 9
Magnesium, Staphylococcus aureus and toxic shock syndrome; Kass EH; In vitro studies led us to a new, coherent hypothesis for the pathogenesis of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) . These studies show a hitherto unsuspected role of Mg in the pathogenesis of a serious microbial disease, and suggest one of several possible approaches to the prevention of the disorder.

Ter Arkh, 1988, 60(11), 7 - 10
{Bacterial endocarditis: its current course and diagnosis}; Demin AA et al.; Investigations have shown that the etiology of bacterial endocarditis (BE) has notably changed, with the prevalence of highly virulent agents which alter a course of disease and often determine a lethal prognosis . A positive NBT-test permits more rapid and accurate detection of systemic bacterial infection than investigations of hemoculture, indicates a high phagocytic activity of neutrophils at the active stage of BE irrespective of a course of disease and permits earlier use of antibacterial therapy . A high activity of antibodies to teichoic acids indicated much earlier and more accurately Staphylococcus aureus as an etiological agent than investigations of hemoculture . It permits early etiotropic chemotherapy when it is more effective . Investigations of antibodies to teichoic acids over time makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of therapy of BE as at the inactive stage of disease the test becomes negative . Enzyme immunoassay of antibodies to native and denatured DNA reveals an active autoimmune process in BE patients, ongoing alterative processes--all of them can be used for characterization of a course and prognosis of disease . Etiotropic therapy alters the nature of a BE course, increasing the number of patients with a chronic course of disease in whom remissions are alternated by recurrences.

J Microw Power Electromagn Energy, 1988, 23(3), 183 - 94
Bacterial survival and thermal responses of beef loaf after microwave processing; Lin W et al.; The effects of wrapping product in polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) film, load size (150, 600 and 1200 g loaves), microwave output power (713 +/- 5 W and 356 +/- 3 W at 2450 MHz) and processing time on bacterial survival were evaluated in beef loaf . Specifically the survival of aerobic flora, and inoculated Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (O157:H7) were assessed . Results showed that beef loaf wrapped in PVDC film had lower levels of survival for aerobic bacteria, S . aureus and E . coli than unwrapped beef loaf . When beef loaf was exposed to the same microwave dose (watts x minutes processed/grams of food), the percent of survival remained the same, regardless of load size or microwave output power . Exposed microwave dose, which correlated highly to percent of bacterial survival (R2 = 0.8-0.83) and end point temperature (R2 = 0.84), is suggested in place of output power, time or temperature as a predictor of microbial quality in foods that have been microwave processed.

Braz J Med Biol Res, 1988, 21(6), 1269 - 73
Evolutionary conservation of laminin-binding proteins; Lopes JD et al.; 1 . The virulence of pathogens and metastatic capacity of cancer cells seems to correlate with the ability to adhere to cells and/or to basement membrane components . A key feature of this mechanism is the expression of specific receptors for the basement membrane protein laminin . Three different receptors have been already described in cells phylogenetically very distant, such as human white blood cells, Trichomonas vaginalis and Staphylococcus aureus, all recognizing laminin with the same range of affinity . 2 . We have shown that laminin, which is also found in the circulation, enhances phagocytosis of S . aureus by macrophages in a species-specific fashion . Also, monoclonal antibodies (MAb) raised against the bacterial receptor inhibit the phagocytic enhancement mediated by laminin and recognize laminin-binding proteins in unicellular parasites and mammalian cells . The same Mab 1.H12 elutes a 52-kDa protein from bacterial extracts and a 67-kDa band from cancer cell extracts . Since the MAb is a monospecific reagent, results with 1.H12 strongly suggest an evolutionary conservation of the binding site of phylogenetically different laminin receptors.

Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1988, 14(10), 617 - 9
The in vitro activity of ramoplanin (A-16686/MDL 62,198), vancomycin and teicoplanin against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp; O'Hare MD et al.; Ramoplanin (A-16686/MDL 62,198) is a novel lipoglycopeptide antimicrobial, comprised of three closely related polypeptides containing chlorinated phenyl moieties and D-mannose, isolated from the fermentation products of Actinoplanes sp . ATCC 33076 . The antimicrobial activity of ramoplanin is limited to Gram-positive bacteria and its reportedly unacceptable administration side-effects suggest that any potential clinical role will be limited to the topical therapy of superficial skin infections and the eradication of bacteria, representing a possible nosocomial cross-infection source, from carriage sites . In this study the MICs of ramoplanin have been determined for methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, S . epidermidis and S . haemolyticus and compared with those of two glycopeptide antimicrobials, vancomycin and teicoplanin . MICs were determined using an agar incorporation technique in Mueller-Hinton medium with an inoculum of 10(5) cfu . Ramoplanin was 2-8 times more active than either vancomycin or teicoplanin against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant isolates of S . aureus and methicillin-susceptible isolates of S . epidermidis . Isolates of methicillin-resistant S . epidermidis and both methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates of S . haemolyticus were generally less susceptible to teicoplanin than to vancomycin . Ramoplanin was significantly more active than either vancomycin or teicoplanin against these isolates . These results suggest that the clinical evaluation of ramoplanin as a topical antibacterial agent for the control of superficial infections caused by Staphylococcus spp . and for the eradication of methicillin-resistant S . aureus from carriage sites, is justified.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(6), 649 - 56
The efficacy of rifampicin against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in an experimental infection in normal and granulocytopenic mice; Hoogeterp JJ et al.; The effect of rifampicin on Staphylococcus aureus in vitro was assessed as the difference between the logarithms of the numbers of colony forming units (CFU) with and without 3 h of exposure to the drug . The efficacy was expressed as the EC50, i.e . the concentration at which 50% of the maximal effect was obtained, calculated according to the Hill equation . The value found for the EC50 was 3.8 micrograms/l and the mean maximal effect was a log ratio of 5.03 (SEM 0.33) . In vivo experiments were performed in normal mice and in mice made granulocytopenic by irradiation . The effect of rifampicin was assessed as the CFU count 5 h after the injection of a suspension of bacteria into the thigh muscle and 4 h after the administration of rifampicin . The efficacy was expressed as the ED50, i.e . the dose at which 50% of the maximal effect is obtained . This value was 0.18 mg/kg for the normal mice and 0.15 mg/kg for the granulocytopenic mice . The corresponding mean plasma concentrations of non-protein-bound drug were 28 and 24 mg/l, respectively . Thus, the EC50 was found to be much higher in vivo than that in vitro . This difference should be taken into account when parameters of in-vitro efficacy are applied to establish dosage schedules.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jan, 21 Suppl A, 81 - 7
Teicoplanin compared with vancomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: preliminary results; Van Laethem Y et al.; Twenty-one patients were included in an open randomized study comparing vancomycin 1 g bd with teicoplanin 400 mg daily in severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections . The median duration of therapy was 15 days for vancomycin and 21 days for teicoplanin . Most patients presented with severe underlying conditions, such as major surgery (8), solid tumours (5), multiple trauma (3) . The infections treated, included septicaemia, osteomyelitis, bronchopneumonia, cellulitis and acute pyelonephritis . Mean MICs of the strains were 0.39 mg/l for vancomycin and 0.195 mg/l for teicoplanin . Mean trough and peak serum concentrations of vancomycin were 14.3 +/- 5 mg/l and 34.3 +/- 13 mg/l, while the teicoplanin values were 7.5 +/- 4 mg/l and 17 +/- 7 mg/l . The cure rate was seven of 12 in the teicoplanin group and six of nine in the vancomycin group, with four and three cases, respectively, of improvement and one failure in the teicoplanin group . Transient renal impairment occurred in two cases with both regimens; superinfection and colonization in three patients and one patient, respectively, with both regimens.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jan, 21 Suppl A, 61 - 7
A multicentre open clinical trial of teicoplanin in infections caused by gram-positive bacteria; Lewis P et al.; A multicentre open trial of teicoplanin in 81 centres in nine European countries included 1431 cases: 531 female, 900 male; mean age 49.4 years, range 1-93 years . These were hospitalized patients most of whom had infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (816 isolates) . Of a total of 1427 Gram-positive pathogens 280 (19.6%) were methicillin resistant . There were 536 skin and soft tissue infections, 263 septicaemias, 135 lower respiratory tract infections, 179 joint and bone infections and 83 endocarditides . More than a third of the infections were severe . Complicating medical factors were present in 69% of cases, including malignant disease in 14% and diabetes mellitus in 11% . Mean teicoplanin dose was 289 mg/day; mean duration of treatment was 14 days . A total of 471 patients received a high dose regimen, 400 mg teicoplanin daily for at least five days . Monotherapy with teicoplanin was used in 1037 cases and combination with other antibiotics in 394 . Overall 91.7% of the 1333 evaluable cases were clinical cured or improved . The MIC of teicoplanin was less than or equal to 1 mg/l for 90% of Gram-positive isolates . Adverse events were reported in 189 cases (13.2%) . The most common drug-related event was an allergic type skin reaction which occurred in 35 cases (2.4%) . Transient hepatic dysfunction was reported in 28 patients (2.0%).

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jan, 21 Suppl A, 123 - 31
Efficacy and safety of teicoplanin in gram-positive peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis; Neville LO et al.; Twelve cases of peritonitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria in 11 dialysis patients were treated with teicoplanin . Treatment, which was continued for three weeks, consisted of the addition of teicoplanin to the dialysis fluid . Six patients who were febrile on admission were also given a single intravenous dose of 400 mg teicoplanin . For patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis 20 mg teicoplanin per litre was added to each dialysis bag during the first week of treatment, to alternate bags during the second week, and only to the overnight dwell bag in the third week . For patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis, 20 mg/l teicoplanin was added at each dialysis session . Resolution of peritonitis occurred in all patients within one to five days (mean 2.2); nine were discharged within this period and the patients continued to treat themselves at home . The other two patients were kept in hospital for reasons unconnected with the peritonitis . Nine patients have remained well at follow-up 2-13 months (mean 6.3) later . Two patients, both of whom had Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis, relapsed three months after the end of treatment . Mean serum teicoplanin concentrations were less than 10 mg/l, except in one patient who was re-treated when he relapsed . No adverse effects were recorded; one patient who developed a conductive hearing loss was found to have otitis media and obstruction due to wax . We conclude that teicoplanin is safe and effective in treating peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Jan, 85(2), 368 - 71
Selenoprotein A of the clostridial glycine reductase complex: purification and amino acid sequence of the selenocysteine-containing peptide; Sliwkowski MX et al.; A selenium-containing protein, selenoprotein A, is an essential component of the clostridial glycine reductase complex . This enzyme complex catalyzes the reductive deamination of glycine, which is coupled to the esterification of orthophosphate resulting in the formation of ATP . Sequence information was obtained by automated Edman degradation of peptides generated by digesting carboxamidomethylated selenoprotein A with chymotrypsin or trypsin or with endoproteinase Arg-C followed by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . The sequence near the selenocysteine (Sec) residue is -Cys-Phe-Val-Sec-Thr-Ala-Ala-Gly-Ala-Met-Asp-Leu-Glu-Asn-Glu-Lys- . Selenium-containing peptides isolated from digests of carboxamidomethylated selenoprotein A with trypsin or endoproteinase Arg-C were found to be blocked at the amino terminus . The sequence of the selenocysteine-containing peptide from selenoprotein A shows no homology with those of two other selenoproteins, glutathione peroxidase and formate dehydrogenase.

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