J Infect Dis, 1988 Nov, 158(5), 948 - 55 Epidemiological studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants: antibody to types 3, 6, 14, and 23 in the first two years of life; Gray BM et al.; Antibodies to pneumococcal types 3, 6, 14, and 23 were measured in sera from 78 infants prospectively studied from birth . Mean levels of antibodies to capsular antigens were 2-4 micrograms/mL, with no overall differences between carriers and noncarriers of given types . Serial serum samples were studied in selected infants to more precisely define the antibody response in relation to specific pneumococcal colonization and infection . Although some infants had little antibody, and made little in response to exposure, others had demonstrable antibody at the onset of acute otitis media . The highest levels were seen following repeated exposure . After an initial or secondary response, levels declined with or without continued nasopharyngeal carriage. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1988 Nov, 7(11), 785 - 90 Topical mupirocin vs . systemic erythromycin treatment for pyoderma; McLinn S; Although topical antibiotics have been considered less than effective agents in the treatment of "impetigo," recent experience suggests that topical therapy has a place as primary treatment of pyoderma and impetigo . This bacteriologically controlled, randomized study compared the safety and efficacy of mupirocin with oral erythromycin in the treatment of pyoderma and impetigo . A total of 29 mupirocin-treated and 30 erythromycin-treated patients completed the study . None of the mupirocin-treated patients reported adverse experiences compared with 4 erythromycin-treated patients who reported 6 adverse experiences . The mupirocin-treated group had a significantly higher benefit:risk ratio than the erythromycin-treated group as measured by the investigator's global evaluation (P = 0.01) . Both treatments eradicated 100% of the two most common pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes . Results from this study demonstrate that mupirocin is as effective as systemic erythromycin ethylsuccinate for treatment of pyoderma and impetigo. Infect Immun, 1988 Nov, 56(11), 2942 - 7 Chemical and structural studies of serotype polysaccharide antigens of Streptococcus sobrinus 6715; Takada K et al.; The g antigen of Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 was previously shown to consist of polysaccharides of various molecular weights . In this study, two such polysaccharides, LII and LIII, were purified by gel filtration and affinity chromatography procedures . By a double immunodiffusion analysis, fraction LII was found to contain a region in the serotype-specific g site not present in the serospecific g site of fraction LIII . This region was designated x . In addition to the serotype-specific g site, the cross-reactive sites, g-a, g-d, and g-(a-d), were all present on a single molecule of fractions LII and LIII . Polysaccharides LII and LIII were composed of galactose, glucose, and rhamnose . Analysis of inhibition of the precipitin reaction suggested that the serotype g site of fraction LII (the putative form of g antigen) may consist of two immunodominant regions, one a galactose-containing region (region x) and the other a glucose-containing region, while the serotype g site of fraction LIII appeared to have one immunodominant region containing a glucose determinant . The methylation and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of LII and LIII fractions provided information on the linkage and the anomeric structures of the sugar components of the polysaccharides. Q J Med, 1988 Nov, 69(259), 921 - 5 Septic scarlet fever due to Streptococcus pyogenes cellulitis; Shaunak S et al.; We report three cases of septic scarlet fever due to Streptococcus pyogenes Group A (serotype M1/T1/OF-) cellulitis in healthy young adults . Despite prompt treatment two of the patients died . Such cases of cellulitis associated with scarlet fever, severe toxaemia and septicaemia have not been reported in the post-antibiotic era. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Nov, (11), 82 - 4 {STP (the substance produced by a strain of Streptococcus sp . Thom-1606) as a stimulant of the nonspecific resistance of the macroorganism}; Savranskaia SIa et al.; Preparation STP, a new immunostimulating agent, is a substance produced by Streptococcus strain sp . Thom-1606 and capable of enhancing the nonspecific activity of the body as shown in animal experiments . The optimal dose-time parameters of the administration of the immunostimulator have been established by the method of the mathematical planning of experiments . As a result, the survival of all animals used in the experiment has been achieved . Mouse peritoneal macrophages have been found to form the population of target cells whose phagocytic activity is enhanced under the effect of the immunostimulating agent STP. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 269(3), 366 - 76 Tissue cages for study of experimental streptococcal infection in rabbits . III . Influence of immunization with erythrogenic toxin type A (ET A) and its toxoid on subsequent infection with an ET A producing strain; Knoll H et al.; Purified erythrogenic toxin type A (ET A) and the corresponding toxoid, prepared by formalin treatment, were used for the immunization of rabbits (200 micrograms per rabbit) . The impact of anti-erythrogenic toxin and toxoid immunity was investigated under the conditions of experimental infection with the ET A-producing Streptococcus pyogenes strain SF 130 (type 1) . Whereas non of the immunized rabbits (n = 14) died after infection, 40% of nonimmunized animals did not survive (Table 1) . The increase of the spleen weight after infection was significantly smaller in the immunized groups (Table 2) . The immunized rabbits responded after infection with a significantly lower increase of fever which did not exceed 0.8 degree C (2 degrees C in infected non-immunized animals) . Humoral antibodies to ET A were detected after immunization by means of ELISA . The challenge infection acted as a booster leading to a further increase of antibodies . The antibodies were found to be neutralizing the nonspecific mitogenicity of ET A in vitro in relation to the antibody titer . Cell-mediated immunity was tested in the lymphocyte transformation reaction with peripheral lymphocytes . The nonspecific mitogenicity of ET A, ET B, ET C and Con A was pronounced after immunization, whereas the nonimmunized rabbits responded to these antigens to a lower degree . The toxoid was found to be nonmitogenic . The altogether higher lymphocyte stimulation was also observed using spleen lymphocytes of immunized animals after infection. Mol Gen Genet, 1988 Nov, 214(3), 595 - 600 Identification, cloning and sequence of the Streptococcus faecium infB (translational initiation factor IF2) gene; Friedrich K et al.; The structural gene for translational initiation factor IF2 (infB) from Streptococcus faecium was identified by cross-hybridization with DNA probes derived from the corresponding gene of Bacillus stearothermophilus . The entire infB gene (ca . 2.8 kb) was cloned and sequenced . The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence shows that S . faecium initiation factor IF2 (785 amino acids, Mr 86,415) displays extensive homology (ca . 69% and 53%) with the region comprising three-quarters of the molecule from the carboxy-terminus of B . stearothermophilus and Escherichia coli IF2, respectively . The region comprising one-quarter of the molecule from the amino-terminus, on the other hand, does not display any significant homology. J Infect, 1988 Nov, 17(3), 259 - 63 Pyomyositis--an under-reported disease in temperate climates; Farrag N et al.; Two cases of pyomyositis were seen over a period of 2 weeks . Both patients were young local residents in whom large amounts of pus were found deep within skeletal muscles . The first case had an unusual presentation involving more than one muscle . The causative organism in the first case was Staphylococcus aureus . In the second case it was Streptococcus pyogenes. Equine Vet J, 1988 Nov, 20(6), 435 - 7 Opsonins in uterine washings influencing in vitro activity of equine neutrophils; Watson ED; Uterine washings were found to promote neutrophil mediated killing of Streptococcus zooepidemicus . Depletion of complement and/or specific antibody from the washings significantly reduced bactericidal activity . Phagocytosis of yeast by uterine washings was complement dependent . Inhibition of the classical pathway significantly reduced opsonic activity indicating that, in addition to direct activation via the alternate pathway, antibody may also be involved in yeast phagocytosis. Ophthalmology, 1988 Nov, 95(11), 1504 - 8 Bacterial keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty; Al-Hazzaa SA et al.; Bacterial keratitis continues to be a serious problem in developing countries . The authors studied 881 patients who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty (total of 947 procedures) from January 1983 to March 1986 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia . All patients were followed for at least 6 months . Clinical evidence of bacterial keratitis developed in 113 (11.9%) eyes with penetrating keratoplasties in 108 patients . The causative organisms among those patients included: Streptococcus pneumoniae, 29 (26%); Staphylococcus epidermidis, 24 (21%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 13 (12%); Staphylococcus aureus, 5 (4%); Hemophilus influenzae, 5 (4%); Moraxella spp, 5 (4%); alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, 5 (4%); and other bacteria, 27 (25%) . In addition, postoperative epithelial defects that required hospital admission for treatment developed in 21 (2.2%) patients . Herpetic keratitis developed in three (0.3%) patients and fungal keratitis developed in 1 (0.1%) . Statistically significant predisposing risk factors included: trichiasis (P less than 0.0001), epithelial defects (P less than 0.0001), soft contact lens wear (P less than 0.0001), and eroding sutures (P less than 0.0001) . The authors believe that the incidence of postoperative bacterial keratitis can be minimized or avoided by appropriate selection of patients for penetrating keratoplasties as well as good preoperative and postoperative management of associated ocular conditions. Pediatr Res, 1988 Nov, 24(5), 628 - 32 Demonstration of opsonic and protective activity of human cord sera against type III group B streptococcus that are independent of type-specific antibody; Kim KS et al.; In an effort to further understand the host defense against group B streptococcus (GBS), we examined 71 human cord sera for their content of type III GBS IgG antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and correlated the results with opsonic and protective activity against type III GBS . Most cord sera (67%) containing greater than 0.1 microgram/ml of type III GBS IgG antibody promoted phagocytosis and killing in vitro and protection against type III GBS in neonatal rats . However, 26% of cord sera containing less than 0.1 microgram/ml of type III IgG antibody exhibited similar activity in vitro and in vivo against type III GBS . This opsonic and protective activity was retained in IgG fraction of whole serum, and was not directly associated with complement activity or with fibronectin . Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for the opsonic and protective activity of some cord sera against type III GBS that may be independent of antibody to the type-specific polysaccharide antigen. J Surg Oncol, 1988 Nov, 39(3), 154 - 8 Relationship of surveillance cultures to bacteremia and fungemia in bone marrow transplant recipients with Hickman or Broviac catheters; Rotstein C et al.; A total of 64 episodes of bacteremia and fungemia were documented in 25 allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients . Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common pathogens recovered, with 34 of the 39 isolated being methicillin resistant . Streptococcus viridans (11 episodes), diphtheroids (5 episodes), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4 episodes) accounted for the majority of the other pathogens causing bacteremia . Six episodes of fungemia were also seen . Coagulase-negative staphylococci were demonstrated in 31 of 36 (86%) throat cultures, 25 of 35 (71%) stool cultures, and 6 of 7 (86%) Hickman or Broviac catheter exit site surveillance cultures prior to the development of bacteremia caused by these organisms . Throat surveillance cultures positive for S . viridans also showed a correlation (88%) with subsequent S . viridans bacteremia . However, surveillance cultures for aerobic gram-negative bacilli, diphtheroids, and fungi did not correlate with subsequent septicemia . Organisms isolated in throat surveillance cultures correlated with subsequent bacteremia caused by these organisms in only 15% of all the cultures taken, while only 14% of stool cultures predicted bacteremia . The utility of surveillance cultures is limited because of low cost-effectiveness and a high rate of false-positive results. J Bacteriol, 1988 Nov, 170(11), 5177 - 84 Molecular cloning, sequencing, and mapping of the bacteriophage T2 dam gene; Miner Z et al.; Bacteriophage T2 codes for a DNA-(adenine-N6)methyltransferase (Dam), which is able to methylate both cytosine- and hydroxymethylcytosine-containing DNAs to a greater extent than the corresponding methyltransferase encoded by bacteriophage T4 . We have cloned and sequenced the T2 dam gene and compared it with the T4 dam gene . In the Dam coding region, there are 22 nucleotide differences, 4 of which result in three coding differences (2 are in the same codon) . Two of the amino acid alterations are located in a region of homology that is shared by T2 and T4 Dam, Escherichia coli Dam, and the modification enzyme of Streptococcus pneumoniae, all of which methylate the sequence 5' GATC 3' . The T2 dam and T4 dam promoters are not identical and appear to have slightly different efficiencies; when fused to the E . coli lacZ gene, the T4 promoter produces about twofold more beta-galactosidase activity than does the T2 promoter . In our first attempt to isolate T2 dam, a truncated gene was cloned on a 1.67-kilobase XbaI fragment . This construct produces a chimeric protein composed of the first 163 amino acids of T2 Dam followed by 83 amino acids coded by the pUC18 vector . Surprisingly, the chimera has Dam activity, but only on cytosine-containing DNA . Genetic and physical analyses place the T2 dam gene at the same respective map location as the T4 dam gene . However, relative to T4, T2 contains an insertion of 536 base pairs 5' to the dam gene . Southern blot hybridization and computer analysis failed to reveal any homology between this insert and either T4 or E . coli DNA. Carbohydr Res, 1988 Nov 1, 182(2), 277 - 86 Reduction of the adherence of Streptococcus sobrinus insoluble alpha-D-glucan by endo-(1----3)-alpha-D-glucanase; Inoue M et al.; Insoluble alpha-D-glucan, previously formed on a glass surface from sucrose by the action of cell-free D-glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ176, was significantly removed by a purified preparation of endo-(1----3)-alpha-D-glucanase (mutanase) from a strain of Pseudomonas sp . Almost complete dissociation of adherent glucan occurred at the highest enzyme concentration (40 mU/mL) tested . Synthesis and de novo adherence on glass of the glucan was markedly inhibited by the presence of mutanase, even at low concentrations (4 mU/mL or less) . When compared to native glucan, the mutanase-modified glucan samples (a) contained lower proportion of D-(1----3) linkages; (b) showed lower susceptibility to mutanase and higher susceptibility to (1----6)-alpha-D-glucanase (dextranase); (c) contained larger amounts of low-molecular-weight fractions; (d) had lower intrinsic viscosities; (e) showed higher S . sobrinus cell-agglutinating activities; and (f) consisted of looser entwinement of coalescent single-stranded fibrils (a major component) and shorter double-stranded fibrils (a minor one). Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Nov, 54(11), 2742 - 9 Fermentation of peptides and amino acids by a monensin-sensitive ruminal Peptostreptococcus; Chen GJ et al.; A monensin-sensitive ruminal peptostreptococcus was able to grow rapidly (growth rate of 0.5/h) on an enzymatic hydrolysate of casein, but less than 23% of the amino acid nitrogen was ever utilized . When an acid hydrolysate was substituted for the enzymatic digest, more than 31% of the nitrogen was converted to ammonia and cell protein . Coculture experiments and synergisms with peptide-degrading strains of Bacteroides ruminicola and Streptococcus bovis indicated that the peptostreptococcus was unable to transport certain peptides or hydrolyze them extracellularly . Leucine, serine, phenylalanine, threonine, and glutamine were deaminated at rates of 349, 258, 102, 95, and 91 nmol/mg of protein per min, respectively . Deamination rates for some other amino acids were increased when the amino acids were provided as pairs of oxidized and reduced amino acids (Stickland reactions), but these rates were still less than 80 nmol/mg of protein per min . In continuous culture (dilution rate of 0.1/h), bacterial dry matter and ammonia production decreased dramatically at a pH of less than 6.0 . When dilution rates were increased from 0.08 to 0.32/h (pH 7.0), ammonia production increased while production of bacterial dry matter and protein decreased . These rather peculiar kinetics resulted in a slightly negative estimate of maintenance energy and could not be explained by a change in fermentation products . Approximately 80% of the cell dry matter was protein . When corrections were made for cell composition, the yield of ATP was higher than the theoretical maximum value . It is possible that mechanisms other than substrate-level phosphorylation contributed to the energetics of growth. J Med Microbiol, 1988 Nov, 27(3), 191 - 8 Pathogenicity of capsulate and non-capsulate members of Bacteroides fragilis and B . melaninogenicus groups in mixed infection with Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes; Brook I; The relationships between capsulate and non-capsulate Bacteroides fragilis strains and Escherichia coli, and between capsulate and non-capsulate strains of the B . melaninogenicus group and Streptococcus pyogenes, were studied in a subcutaneous abscess model in mice . Selective antimicrobial agents directed against either aerobic or anaerobic bacteria were used alone or in combination to explore the effect of eradication of one component of the mixed infection . Single agent therapy effective against both aerobic and anaerobic flora was also employed . Single therapy of mixed infection directed at the elimination of only one organism (S . pyogenes, E . coli or Bacteroides sp.) caused significant reductions in the numbers of sensitive organisms and also smaller yet significant decreases in the numbers of insensitive organisms . However, the abscesses were not eliminated after such therapy . Combination therapy or use of a single agent (cefoxitin) directed against the aerobic and anaerobic components of the infection was more effective . Non-capsulate Bacteroides spp . became capsulate after passage in mice mixed with either S . pyogenes or E . coli . Therapy directed at the elimination of S . pyogenes and E . coli did not prevent the emergence of capsulate Bacteroides spp . These data demonstrate the synergy between all members of the B . fragilis group and E . coli and between the B . melaninogenicus group and S . pyogenes, and reiterate the need to direct antimicrobial therapy at the eradication of the aerobic and anaerobic components of mixed infections. Infect Immun, 1988 Nov, 56(11), 2984 - 9 Mutants of Actinomyces viscosus T14V lacking type 1, type 2, or both types of fimbriae; Cisar JO et al.; Mutants of Actinomyces viscosus T14V lacking type 1 or type 2 fimbriae or both were selected by their failure to react with rabbit antibodies against either or both fimbrial antigens . Immunospecific double labeling with iron dextran and ferritin-conjugated antibodies showed two types of fimbriae on individual cells of the parent organism, a single type on mutant strains with type 1+2- and type 1-2+ fimbriae and no labeled or unlabeled fimbriae on a type 1-2- fimbria-deficient strain . The mutational loss of one fimbrial antigen did not appear to affect expression of the other, since bacteria with one or two types of fimbriae bound similar amounts of a monoclonal antibody directed against the fimbrial antigen present on both bacterial phenotypes . The strong adsorption of strains with type 1+2+ or 1+2- fimbriae to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite and weak adsorption of those with type 1-2+ or no fimbriae was consistent with the known involvement of type 1 fimbriae in this attachment process . Similarly, the A . viscosus lectin was clearly associated with the expression of type 2 fimbriae, since only the strains with type 1+2+ or 1-2+ fimbriae participated in lactose-sensitive coaggregations with Streptococcus sanguis 34 . Further studies using the fimbria-deficient mutant strains showed that aggregation of A . viscosus T14V in the presence of sialidase-treated human saliva involved both types of fimbriae, whereas neither type was required for the lactose-resistant coaggregation of the organism with certain streptococcal strains. Infect Immun, 1988 Nov, 56(11), 2866 - 70 Tn916 insertional inactivation of multiple genes on the chromosome of Streptococcus mutans GS-5; Procino JK et al.; Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was transformed with the Escherichia coli plasmid pAM150 containing the cloned streptococcal transposon Tn916 . Southern blot analyses with the tetracycline-resistant determinant of Tn916 showed that Tn916 was inserted into the chromosome of S . mutans at a variety of different sites . Tn916 insertions resulted in the inactivation of genes that code for various steps in the biosynthesis of several different amino acids . Two auxotrophs which contained a single copy of Tn916 were shown to revert to prototrophy at frequencies of about 10(-8) . All of the revertant prototrophs were susceptible to tetracycline, indicating regeneration of the functional gene by excision of Tn916. Presse Med, 1988 Oct 26, 17(37), 1974 - 6 {Ceftazidime for the treatment of infections in neutropenic children}; Leverger G et al.; Ceftazidime in doses of 100 mg/kg/day was used, combined with netilmicin 6 mg/kg/day, as first-line treatment in two successive studies conducted on febrile neutropenic children (neutrophils less than 500/mm3) . Study n . 1, performed at the Infantile Haematology unit of Saint Louis hospital, Paris, included 75 children . Study n . 2 was a multicentre study involving 88 children from 11 medical centres . The children's age in both studies ranged from 2 months to 16 1/2 years (mean 7 years) . The percentage of bacteriologically documented febrile episodes was 45 per cent (34/75 and 39/88), and the most frequent infections were those caused by Gram-positive cocci (56 and 58 per cent respectively of the cases) . Vancomycin 40 mg/kg/day was introduced if fever was still present 48 hours after the beginning of the antibiotic therapy . Effective treatments were continued until the neutropenia was corrected . These children were being treated for acute leukaemia, lymphoma, solid tumours or bone marrow aplasia . In study n . 1 apyrexia was obtained in 85 per cent of the cases with the ceftazidime-netilmicin combination and in 91 per cent of the cases after addition of vancomycin . The initial therapy was effective in all patients with a documented infection . There were tow super-infections with septicaemia: one due to Streptococcus D, the other to Staph . epidermidis . In study n . 2 73 per cent of the patients were apyretic after the first combination and 85 per cent after vancomycin was introduced . In proven infections the ceftazidime-netilmicin combination was effective in 30 cases and in another 6 cases after addition of vancomycin . Three patients remained febrile until they came out of aplasia . In all cases the bacterial cultures were sterilized by the ceftazidime-netilmicin combination . There was no superinfection . The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 21 days in study n . 1 and 14 days in study n . 2 . The drugs were perfectly tolerated both clinically and biochemically . No death occurred in the two studies . Thus, owing to its broad spectrum, effectiveness and safety ceftazidime is a very useful antibiotic when combined with netilmicin as first-line treatment of febrile neutropenic children. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1988 Oct 21, 113(42), 1642 - 3 {Systemic infection caused by Streptococcus suis}; Kaufhold A et al.; Streptococcus suis type 2 was isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid in a 49-year-old butcher as the causative organism of a generalized septic infection with meningeal involvement . High-dosage penicillin G treatment quickly terminated the fever and all neurological signs disappeared completely . Streptococcus suis type 2 causes a zoonosis, which usually occurs as an occupational disease among those handling pigs or pork (farmers, butchers etc.) . Sequelae of such infection not rarely are damage to the VIIIth cranial nerve, especially loss of hearing. Carbohydr Res, 1988 Oct 15, 182(1), 111 - 7 Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 2, a reinvestigation; Jansson PE et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 2 has been reinvestigated, specific degradations and n.m.r . spectroscopy being the main methods used . It is concluded that the polysaccharide is composed of hexasaccharide repeating-units having the following structure, which differs from that previously proposed . formula; see text) Carbohydr Res, 1988 Oct 15, 182(1), 79 - 99 Application of high-resolution n.m.r . spectroscopy to the elucidation of the structure of the specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7F; Moreau M et al.; The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7F (American type 51) is a high-molecular-weight neutral polymer composed of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-glucose, D-galactose, L-rhamnose, and 2-O-acetyl-L-rhamnose residues . N.m.r . spectroscopy (1H and 13C), in conjunction with composition and methylation analyses, and periodate oxidation data, showed the polysaccharide to be a branched polymer with a repeating heptasaccharide unit having the following structure . (formula; see text) J Biol Chem, 1988 Oct 15, 263(29), 14696 - 702 Proteins encoded by the DpnI restriction gene cassette . Hyperproduction and characterization of the DpnI endonuclease; de la Campa AG et al.; Insertion mutations in the DpnI gene cassette of Streptococcus pneumoniae indicated that the two genes it contains, dpnC and dpnD, were transcribed from an adjacent promoter and that only dpnC was necessary for expression of the DpnI endonuclease . Large amounts of the DpnI endonuclease were produced from the cloned cassette in an Escherichia coli expression system, and the enzyme was purified to homogeneity . The DpnI endonuclease is composed of a single polypeptide of 30 kDa, which, as shown by NH2-terminal sequencing of the protein, is encoded by the entire dpnC open reading frame . The native protein sedimented as a monomer of 30 kDa in 0.5 M NaCl . A protein composed of a 20-kDa polypeptide, which is presumably encoded by dpnD, was also produced in large amounts . It was partially purified, but its function is unknown . Examination of the predicted amino acid sequence of DpnI revealed a potential metal-containing, DNA-binding finger structure . It is suggested that this structure provides the specificity for recognition of the methylated DNA sequence, 5'-GmATC-3', that is cleaved by the DpnI endonuclease. Infect Immun, 1988 Oct, 56(10), 2594 - 600 Starvation-induced stimulation of sugar uptake in Streptococcus mutans is due to an effect on the activities of preexisting proteins of the phosphotransferase system; Lodge J et al.; We examined the effects of sugar concentration in the medium on sugar uptake and phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) activities in Streptococcus mutants GS-5 . Kinetic analyses of sucrose uptake in cells harvested under conditions of sucrose excess or sucrose limitation showed that increased uptake under the latter condition was almost completely due to an increase in the Vmax of the high-affinity PTS . In a series of experiments in which cells growing under conditions of sucrose or glucose excess were shifted to a medium lacking sugar, starvation resulted in a stimulation of sugar uptake and a parallel increase in PTS activity . These starvation-induced increases in PTS-mediated uptake were not affected by the presence of either chloramphenicol or rifampin during the starvation period, indicating that neither protein nor RNA synthesis was necessary for the stimulation . In vivo labeling experiments with 32Pi revealed that uptake stimulation during starvation was accompanied by a loss of acid-stable phosphate covalently bound to the phosphocarrier protein HPr of the PTS . We conclude, therefore, that stimulation of PTS-mediated uptake of sucrose and glucose during sugar limitation in S . mutans GS-5 is at least partially the result of increased activities of preexisting PTS proteins and that this may be due, at least in part, to dephosphorylation of a previously identified site in S . mutans HPr that can be phosphorylated by an ATP-dependent kinase. Aust N Z J Med, 1988 Oct, 18(6), 754 - 7 The role of percutaneous lung aspiration in the bacteriological diagnosis of pneumonia in adults; Barnes DJ et al.; In a prospective study of 175 adults with acute pneumonia, percutaneous lung aspiration (PLA) was performed in 144 in an attempt to obtain a bacteriological diagnosis . Positive cultures were obtained from PLA in 90/144 cases (62.5%) . The most common organisms isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae (60%) gram-negative bacilli including Hemophilus influenzae (26%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11%) . In 39% of those patients with positive PLA cultures, the same organism was isolated on blood cultures . Complications of PLA were uncommon, with hemoptysis in 4% and chest wall hematoma in 0.7% of patients . The incidence of post-aspirate pneumothorax was not determined in this study . PLA was found to be a safe and effective method of obtaining a bacteriological diagnosis in adult patients with pneumonia. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1988 Oct, 16(5), 289 - 91 Caries prevalence and severity in the primary dentition and Streptococcus mutans levels in the saliva of preschoolchildren in South Africa; Chosack A et al.; The caries prevalence (dmft) and severity (css) in 3-, 4-, and 5-yr-old children in South Africa were examined . Four levels of S . mutans in the saliva of 228 of these children was estimated by the spatula method . In all three age groups a statistically higher dmft and css was found with a S . mutans level of greater than 10(6) CFU/ml in saliva than at lower concentrations . At age 5 ANOVA showed significant differences between dmft and css at all S . mutans levels . A high concentration of S . mutans in the saliva may be an indicator of the high risk child at an early age. Lab Anim, 1988 Oct, 22(4), 304 - 8 Serodiagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in guinea pigs by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Matsubara J et al.; Guineapig antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN) serotype 19F were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a simple procedure . In experimentally infected hosts, antibody was detectable as early as 2 to 3 weeks after infection, and high titres were maintained for a long period . Antibodies higher than 1:64 were regarded as specific . In a field study, high antibody titres were shown in SPN enzootic colonies in contrast to negative or low antibody titres in a majority of the animals from non-enzootic and SPF colonies. Jpn J Antibiot, 1988 Oct, 41(10), 1503 - 16 {Clinical studies of rokitamycin dry syrup on skin and soft tissue infections in the pediatric fields}; Motohiro T et al.; Rokitamycin (RKM) dry syrup, a newly developed macrolide antibiotic, was administered to children with ages between 6 months and 15 years and 10 months suffering from skin and soft tissue infections including 41 cases of impetigo, one case of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) and 2 cases of subcutaneous abscess totalling 44 cases . The average daily dose level used was 31.3 mg/kg divided into 3 or 4 doses, for an average of 6 days of treatment . MICs of 4 different macrolide antibiotics including RKM, erythromycin (EM), josamycin (JM) and midecamycin acetate (MDM acetate) were determined against 32 bacterial strains isolated from these cases including 30 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 2 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes . The inoculum level used was 10(6) cells/ml . Among these strains of bacteria, 20 strains of S . aureus and 1 strain of S . pyogenes were also used, at the same inoculum size, for the determination of MICs of 4 beta-lactam antibiotics including 3 different penicillins such as ampicillin (ABPC), methicillin (DMPPC) and cloxacillin (MCIPC) and cefaclor (CCL), a cephem antibiotic . RKM was then evaluated through the above treatment for its clinical efficacy, bacteriological effects, side effects and effects on laboratory test values . Obtained results are summarized as follows . 1 . Activities of drugs tested were compared to each other . MIC90 of RKM against S . aureus averaged 0.39 microgram/ml, and against no strains of S . aureus showed MIC values of higher than 25 micrograms/ml, thus, the antibacterial activity of RKM against S . aureus was the highest among the 8 drugs tested . The activity of MCIPC was next highest followed by that of DMPPC, MIC determination was done on only 2 strains, or, for some drugs, only one strain, of S . pyogenes, and RKM showed activities somewhat lower than ABPC and EM, and similar to JM and CCL within the limited testing . 2 . Clinical efficacies of RKM determined by doctors in charge were 97.6% in the 41 cases of impetigo, with good or excellent efficacies were observed, 100% in the single case of SSSS and the 2 cases of subcutaneous abscess . Thus an overall efficacy on the 44 cases was rated very high, at 97.7% . 3 . Clinical efficacy rating according to accumulated scores was determinable in 37 cases including all the 3 diseases on the third day of treatment with an efficacy rate of 89.2% . Ratings were determinable on the fifth and the seventh days of treatment in 24 and 21 cases, respectively, with all the cases judged good or excellent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Scand J Dent Res, 1988 Oct, 96(5), 390 - 2 Effect of copper fluoride and copper sulfate on dental plaque, Streptococcus mutans and caries in hamsters; Maltz M et al.; Topical applications of 10 mM CuF2, 10 mM CuSO4, or 20 mM NaF solutions were performed twice a day in hamsters infected with S . mutans and maintained on a high sucrose diet . Animals receiving the copper compounds exhibited lower plaque scores than control animals or animals treated with the NaF solution . The group receiving the CuF2 solution showed a lower number of S . mutans and a higher caries reduction than the groups treated with NaF or the non-fluoride compound CuSO4. J Med Microbiol, 1988 Oct, 27(2), 109 - 16 Assessment of the pathogenicity of bacterial species isolated from acute dentoalveolar abscesses; Lewis MA et al.; The pathogenicity of 20 strains belonging to nine bacterial species isolated from acute dentoalveolar abscesses was assessed individually and in two species combinations by subcutaneous inoculation of mice . Infections were produced by all the bacteria although variations were seen both in the type of lesion produced and the subsequent recovery of viable bacteria . Anaerobic gram-negative bacilli were recovered more often (p less than 0.05) at high concentrations (10(6)-10(9) cfu/ml) and produced a localised abscess with peripheral necrosis more frequently (p less than 0.001) than either Streptococcus milleri or anaerobic gram-positive cocci . Lesions induced by a combination of bacteria comprising anaerobic gram-negative bacillus and any other species yielded both strains at high concentration more often (p less than 0.001) than a combination comprising anaerobic gram-positive cocci and S . milleri . It is concluded that anaerobic gram-negative bacilli are major pathogens in acute dentoalveolar abscesses. J Med Chem, 1988 Oct, 31(10), 2024 - 7 The in vitro dental plaque inhibitory properties of a series of N-{1-alkyl-4(1H)-pyridinylidene}alkylamines; Wentland MP et al.; A series of novel N-{1-alkyl-4(1H)-pyridinylidene}alkylamine hydrohalides has been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of dental plaque formation, in vitro . Several members of the series exhibited potency ca . 9-fold greater than that of chlorhexidine vs Streptococcus sobrinus 6715-13 . The di-n-octyl analogue, 11 (pirtenidine), was found to be highly efficacious against several other oral plaque-forming microorganisms and is presently undergoing preclinical evaluation. J Lab Clin Med, 1988 Oct, 112(4), 487 - 97 Analysis of humoral and phagocytic defenses against Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1 and 3; Fine DP et al.; To better define relationships among pneumococcal anticapsular antibodies, opsonophagocytosis, and in vivo mouse protection, we measured these functions in sera from healthy individuals who had not received pneumococcal vaccine . For serotype 1 pneumococci, the level of antibody measured by radioimmunoassay did not predict mouse protection, as has been noted by others . For some sera, opsonic requirements for antibody and complement could be clearly demonstrated and a strong correlation obtained between concentration of antibody and degree of phagocytic killing . However, for most sera, antibody concentration did not correlate with opsonic activity, as measured by phagocytic bactericidal assay or uptake of radiolabeled bacteria . Sera with high concentrations of anticapsular antibody did not always support in vitro bacterial killing by leukocytes . Conversely, highly opsonic sera did not necessarily have substantial levels of measurable antibody . Moreover, in vitro opsonophagocytic activity failed to predict in vivo protection; sera could be opsonic in vitro but not protective in vivo and vice versa . For serotype 3 pneumococci, antibody concentrations correlated strongly with mouse protective titers, as has been noted by others for type 3 . Opsonophagocytosis, as measured by leukocyte bactericidal activity, required both complement and heat-stable substance(s) present in high-antibody sera, presumably antibody . Furthermore, increasing concentrations of serum enhanced phagocytic killing in a fashion that could be correlated with anticapsular antibody content . However, correlation with opsonophagocytosis was not so strong as with mouse protection, and there was no correlation between antibody concentration and opsonization as measured by uptake of radiolabeled bacteria . These observations suggest that opsonophagocytosis (with the definitive end point of bacterial killing) cannot be the standard against which to measure antibody concentrations . Furthermore, host protective mechanisms against pneumococci remain to be clearly defined . Even if opsonization by anticapsular antibody is the primary mechanism, there is need for development of improved functional assays of protection. J Dent Res, 1988 Oct, 67(10), 1342 - 5 The effects of different levels of dietary sucrose on root caries subsequent to gingivectomy in conventional rats infected with Actinomyces viscosus M-100; Firestone AR et al.; Three groups of weanling, Sprague-Dawley-derived rats were inoculated with Actinomyces viscosus M-100 and fed powdered diet containing either 67%, 5%, or 0% confectioner's sugar . Two further groups were fed diet containing 5% confectioner's sugar and inoculated with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 or S . sobrinus 6715 plus A . viscosus M-100 . The most coronal 1 mm of gingiva was removed from maxillary and mandibular right molar quadrants (gingivectomy), and the animals re-inoculated following gingivectomy . The animals were killed 64 days following gingivectomy, and the lingual surface of mandibular first molar roots was measured for exposed root-surface area and root caries . In the groups of rats infected with A . viscosus M-100, root caries area was significantly greater in the group fed diet containing 67% confectioner's sugar . Sucrose level did not significantly affect the amount of exposed lingual first molar root area regardless of whether the tooth had been subjected to a gingivectomy . In the groups of rats receiving diet containing 5% confectioner's sugar, there were no significant differences in root caries area or exposed root-surface area, regardless of the infection status of the animals . In the rat model presented here, a high level of dietary sucrose was a necessary condition for the initiation of root caries in the absence of other readily fermentable carbohydrates. J Dent Res, 1988 Oct, 67(10), 1316 - 8 Influence of desalivation in rats on incidence of caries in intact cagemates; Bowen WH et al.; The evidence that dental caries is an infectious and transmitted disease in rodents is unequivocal . However, the factors controlling the transmission of micro-organisms from one animal to another have not been extensively explored . Results from previous studies in our laboratory showed that desalivated animals became infected by Streptococcus sobrinus in a shorter period of time than did intact animals . Furthermore, an additional study in our laboratory showed that animals with intact salivary function caged with desalivated animals harbored more S . sobrinus immediately following establishment of infection than did intact animals housed with other intact animals . Therefore, it seemed appropriate to determine the influence on caries development of caging a desalivated animal with an intact animal . In this study, intact Sprague-Dawley rats were caged with desalivated animals; additional groups of intact animals were housed with chlorhexidine-treated animals that were either intact or desalivated . Although chlorhexidine suppressed both caries development and the level of infection by S . sobrinus, nevertheless, intact animals caged with desalivated animals invariably developed more caries than did intact animals housed with other intact animals . Treating intact animals with chlorhexidine did not affect caries scores in untreated intact cagemates . Overall, the results suggest that a highly acidogenic flora with enhanced virulence (including S . sobrinus) is selected in the desalivated animals; this flora is apparently readily transmitted to intact cagemates, leading to enhanced levels of smooth-surface caries. J Bacteriol, 1988 Oct, 170(10), 4589 - 93 Kinetic study of a change in intracellular ATP level associated with aerobic catabolism of ethanol by Streptococcus mutans; Fukui K et al.; Streptococcus mutans, a group of lactic acid bacteria and a normal inhabitant of the human oral cavity, generates ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation coupled to oxidation of ethanol (an end product of fermentation of sugars) into acetate in the presence of oxygen (K . Fukui, K . Kato, Kodama, H . Ohta, T . Shima moto, and T . Shimono, Proc . Jpn . Acad . 64B:13-16, 1988) . Kinetic measurements were made of the cellular responses of S . mutans FA-1 to ethanol in comparison with those to glucose . In contrast to oxygen-independent acid production from glucose, oxygen was absolutely required for acid production from ethanol . Ethanol elicited a marked increase in the intracellular ATP concentration (ATPi) from a starved level to a steady level which was held constant as long as oxygen was present in the medium . Once oxygen was exhausted, ATPi returned to the starved level without delay . On the contrary, ATPi changes induced by glucose, which were independent of oxygen, followed a rather complicated time course before a steady level was established . Both the steady ATPi and the rate of accompanying oxygen consumption were functions of the ethanol concentration . These two parameters were linearly correlated, indicating that the unimolecular ATP turnover rate, which is independent of the rate of ATP generation in the steady state, can be calculated for cells energized by ethanol . The estimated turnover rate was 1.5 s-1 at 37 degrees C, which is comparable to that for other bacteria energized by glucose under nongrowing conditions. J Med Microbiol, 1988 Oct, 27(2), 145 - 51 Serological variation in oral Streptococcus milleri; Yakushiji T et al.; Serological variation in 71 oral isolates and three reference strains of Streptococcus milleri was examined . Antisera were raised by immunising rabbits with cells of 10 selected strains, followed by absorption of non-specific antibodies . Double diffusion of the typing sera and the Rantz and Randall extracts of the strains in agar gel demonstrated that 70 strains were divided into 10 serotypes (a-j) on the basis of cell-surface carbohydrate antigens . Only four strains were untypable . The typing scheme proposed depends on type antigens other than the Lancefield group antigens A, C, F, G and others, although strains belonging to the serotypes a, c and f strictly corresponded to those of the groups A, C and F respectively . Close correlation between the present serotyping scheme and the previously proposed biotyping scheme for S . milleri was demonstrated . Distribution of these strains in dental plaque obtained from young adults was also investigated. Bioorg Khim, 1988 Oct, 14(10), 1428 - 36 {Synthesis of 6-aminohexylglycosides of a polysaccharide from Streptococcus group A and its fragments}; Tsvetkov IuE et al.; Polycondensation of 4-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-(1-cyanoethylidene)-3-O-(3,4-di-O-benzoyl-2-O-tr ityl-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-L-rhamnopyranose in the presence of 6-phthalimidohexyl-3,4-di-O-benzoyl-2-O-trityl-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside affords, after deprotection, the polysaccharide built up of the repeating dissaccharide units----2) Rha (alpha 1----3) Rha (alpha 1----and containing 6-aminohexyl residue at the reducing end . This polysaccharide possesses the structure of the group A-variant streptococcal polysaccharide . Synthesis of 6-aminohexyl glycosides of 2- and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoses, which corresponds to the repeating units of the above polysaccharide, is described. Jpn J Antibiot, 1988 Oct, 41(10), 1545 - 9 {Antibacterial activity of human cervical mucus}; Chimura T et al.; The antibacterial activity of human cervical mucus in non pregnant or pregnant women were investigated employing the standard blood agar plates . Antibacterial activity of lysozyme and combined effect of lysozyme with cefmetazole (CMZ) were also investigated . The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1 . Cervical mucus had an antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, but had no antibacterial activity to any other organisms tested . When cervical mucus was heated at 100 degrees C for 5 minutes, its antibacterial activity was lost . 2 . Antibacterial activity of cervical mucus combined with CMZ were obtained against Streptococcus pyogenes only, and no effect was observed against other organisms . 3 . Lysozyme had an antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, B . subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides fragilis, but when combined with CMZ no antibacterial activity was observed. Med Hypotheses, 1988 Oct, 27(2), 133 - 40 Evolutionary traits in human milk proteins; Bounous G et al.; Human milk has the lowest concentration of protein of any mammalian species . Since the rate of growth of the offspring is negatively related to the protein content of the milk, the time required to double the birth weight is greater in the infant than in any other mammal in which it has been measured . Similarly, in weaned animals, a low protein diet increases the time required to reach maximal growth, senescence and natural death . Human milk protein has the highest whey protein to casein ratio than the milk of any other mammalian species . Our previous experiments have shown that mice fed a 20% whey protein diet exhibit increased resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae and a humoral immune response significantly higher than that of mice fed most of the commercially available animal and plant proteins in nutritionally similar and adequate formula diets . Other studies have demonstrated that mean and maximal longevity of hamsters fed a 20% whey protein diet is increased in comparison with those fed commercial laboratory feed or a supplemented casein diet of similar nutritional efficiency . Thus, the low protein content and the prevalence of whey protein, which are characteristic features of human milk, are both associated with slow body growth and increased longevity . For human infants, mother's milk is the first and, for most, the only food ingested for a considerable period of time . We, therefore, propose that a trace of Nature's design for the offspring and the evolution of the species can be found in mother's milk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Laryngol Otol, 1988 Oct, 102(10), 890 - 3 Haemolytic streptococcus infection of chronic maxillary sinusitis . An immunological study using the skin window test; Toppozada H; The SWT was performed on 30 patients with chronic haemolytic streptococcus maxillary sinusitis, and 5 controls with no streptococcus in their nose and throat . Foreign and patient's own organism were used as antigen . The lymphoblastic transformation was higher in control streptococcus free patients than in chronic maxillary sinusitis, more when using foreign than patient's own organism . The failure of cellular immune response as a contributory factor to chronicity of maxillary sinusitis is discussed . The possible value of prepared foreign streptococcus vaccine in prevention and treatment is mentioned. Acta Orthop Scand, 1988 Oct, 59(5), 587 - 8 Pyomyositis presenting as septic arthritis . A report of 2 cases; Andrew JG et al.; Two cases of pyogenic infection of skeletal muscle presented in a fashion that initially suggested a diagnosis of septic arthritis . One infection was caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but the other was caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which is rarely implicated in pyomyositis . We note that the number of reported cases of pyomyositis in temperate climates has increased in recent years. Epidemiol Infect, 1988 Oct, 101(2), 347 - 54 Seroepidemiology of group B Streptococcus type II antibody specificity; Gray BM et al.; The specificity of human antibodies for the two major sidechain determinants of the type II group B streptococcal (GBS) polysaccharide was examined in 90 pairs of maternal and cord sera . Using an ELISA system, total antibody was measured against the complete (sialylated) type II antigen and the proportion of antibody against the galactose determinant was estimated by inhibition with free beta-methylgalactopyranoside . Mothers colonized by type II or by other GBS types had higher levels of total specific antibody (means, 3.3 and 4.7 micrograms/ml, respectively) than those not colonized (mean, 2.2 micrograms/ml) . Cord sera averaged 1-2 micrograms/ml lower than maternal sera . Colonization with GBS was also associated with higher levels against the galactose determinant (mean, 1.5 micrograms/ml, compared to 0.7 micrograms/ml for those not colonized) . The distribution of specificities favoured antibodies against the sialic acid determinant in maternal but not cord sera . Specificity as well as antibody level may play a role in the epidemiology of GBS type II. Am J Pathol, 1988 Oct, 133(1), 139 - 49 Streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis and flare-up reaction in mice induced by homologous or heterologous cell walls; van den Broek MF et al.; Intra-articular injection of cell walls from the gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes induces an arthritis in both streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-primed and naive mice . This joint inflammation subsides after 2 weeks but it could be reactivated by systemic injection of SCW in a dose-dependent way . The primary arthritis as well as the flare-up reaction were more vehement in immunized than naive mice . Pretreatment with antilymphocyte serum of nonimmunized arthritic mice before systemic challenge completely inhibits the flare-up reaction, suggesting the involvement of lymphocytes in the reactivation . Dose-response studies showed that intravenous challenge with SCW amounts too small to induce a primary arthritis were able to reactivate a chronic arthritis, implying that an inflamed joint is in a hyperreactive state, probably due to locally retained lymphocytes . Arthritis as a result of injection with SCW can be reactivated by fragments of a nonrelated, gram negative endogenous bacterium, Escherichia coli . The latter finding might be of importance for the understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic arthritis: once an arthritis is induced by one bacterium, other (unrelated) bacteria, probably derived from an endogenous source, may be able to reactivate the inflammatory process, thus contributing to chronicity. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1988 Oct 1, 118(39), 1393 - 7 {Clinical spectrum of a common and insidious pathogen: Streptococcus milleri}; Spertini F et al.; We studied the clinical significance of S . milleri isolated in our hospital in 68 patients during a 18-month period . In 51 patients (median age: 43 years, no underlying diseases in 29 patients), the isolates were associated with significant infections . They were beta-hemolytic in 32 cases and non-hemolytic in 19 . The primary infection sites were the head and neck area (21 cases), the lungs (5 cases of pneumonia), the gastrointestinal tract (12 cases), the urogenital tract (3 cases), the soft tissues (6 cases), and the heart (2 endocarditis) . Two septicemias were of unknown origin . Head and neck infections and pneumonia were most often associated with beta-hemolytic strains, and bacteremia, gastrointestinal and urogenital tract infections with alpha-hemolytic strains . S . milleri was found in pure culture in 24 cases . Polymicrobial associated flora (27 cases) was more frequent in the abdominal infections (87%) than in supra-diaphragmatic infections (42%) . Severe complications were observed in 12 head and neck infections (57%) (cerebral abscesses 3, lethal mediastinitis 2, osteitis 1, meningitis 1, other suppurative lesions 5) . When abscesses were present (27 cases), surgery was required in all cases . Despite the high frequency and severity of local complications, the clinical outcome was usually favorable . However, deaths directly related to S . milleri infections occurred in 2 cases of mediastinitis complicating the course of apparently harmless primary infections . Owing to the possible occurrence of life-threatening complications, S . milleri infections require early identification, treatment and surgery when indicated. J Infect Dis, 1988 Oct, 158(4), 724 - 30 A polyclonal human IgG preparation hyperimmune for type III, group B Streptococcus: in vitro opsonophagocytic activity and efficacy in experimental models; Givner LB et al.; Neonates at risk for disease due to type III, group B Streptococcus (III-GBS) are those born with low serum levels of transplacentally derived, specific III-GBS antibody . Specific antibody is also required in vitro for opsonophagocytosis of III-GBS . Commercially available human immune serum globulins contain only moderate levels of III-GBS antibody . In the present study, IgG that was isolated from the serum of a human volunteer after vaccination with III-GBS polysaccharide contained very high levels of III-GBS antibody . Small amounts of this hyperimmune preparation added in vitro significantly increased the opsonophagocytosis of III-GBS in neonatal sera in the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Furthermore, small volumes of the preparation were protective in mouse and neonatal rat models of III-GBS disease . The administration of such hyperimmune human IgG preparations should be considered for preventing or treating III-GBS disease in infants. J Bacteriol, 1988 Oct, 170(10), 4775 - 83 Differences in penicillin-binding proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes and two derived, stabilized L forms; Leon O et al.; The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of Streptococcus pyogenes and two of its derived, stabilized (i.e., nonreverting) L forms, an osmotically fragile L form and a physiologic isotonic L form, were compared . The numbers of PBPs in the membranes of these organisms were 6, 4, and 2 for the coccus and the osmotically fragile and physiologic isotonic L forms, respectively . Likewise, the relative amounts of total PBPs were 1.00: 1.48:0.32 for this coccus and the osmotically fragile and physiologic isotonic L forms, respectively . The two largest PBPs (PBPs 1 and 2) of the coccus were absent in both L forms, while the smallest PBPs (PBPs 5 and 6) were found in all three membranes . Deacylation (half-life) of three of the four PBPs in the osmotically fragile L form membrane required a significantly longer time than did deacylation of these presumed identical enzymes in the parental coccal membrane . Conversely, there was no such difference between the only two PBPs of the physiologic isotonic L form and the same coccal membrane proteins . Intact cells of all three organisms secreted PBPs and what appeared to be penicilloic acid and a minimal amount of free penicillin . A greater amount of these PBPs was secreted by both L forms than by the coccus . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns and ratios of secreted PBPs were identical to those from labeled membrane preparations . These differences are correlated with some of our previous findings and are discussed in terms of inhibition of cell wall synthesis and resulting membrane changes in these two derived, stabilized coccal L forms. Chemioterapia, 1988 Oct, 7(5), 302 - 5 Usnic acid revisited, its activity on oral flora; Ghione M et al.; The antibacterial activity of usnic acid, the most widely distributed antibiotic among the numerous ones produced by many lichen species has been re-examined and particular attention has been devoted to the activity of optically active forms of usnic acid against Streptococcus mutans . The D(+) enantiomer was found to be more active than the L(+) form and was observed to exert a rather selective activity against S . mutans . Trials carried out in volunteers showed that mouth-rinse with D(+) usnic acid preparations exerted a selective and long lasting action against S . mutans, without substantially altering the equilibrium of normal oral bacterial flora . The adherence of S . mutans to smooth surfaces is not increased by the presence of subinhibiting concentrations of D(+) usnic acid . This is at variance with what has been observed with other antibiotics . These characteristics make D(+) usnic acid a suitable candidate for topical use in oral medicine. Presse Med, 1988 Oct 1, 17(33), 1689 - 92 {Peritoneo-gluteal suppurative hidradenitis}; Kassab S et al.; Perineo-gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa, or Verneuil's disease, consists of infected and more or less fistulized lesions unconnected with the anal canal, dermo-epidermal nodule and diffuse subcutaneous infiltration . The disease is chronic with acute episodes and periods of stabilization and it interferes with the patient's daily life . The lesions originate in the apocrine sweat glands which are predominantly located in the inguinal, perineal and gluteal regions but may also be found in the axillary, areolar and periumbilical regions . The cause of the disease is unknown, but it has been attributed to an anaerobic Streptococcus, to hormonal factors or to maceration or dysembryoplasia . Treatment consists of wide excision of the lesions followed by a network of skin grafts after a granulation period . Isotretinoin has not yet been proved effective. Infect Immun, 1988 Oct, 56(10), 2763 - 5 Streptococcus mutans gtfA gene specifies sucrose phosphorylase; Russell RR et al.; The ethanol-insoluble product formed from sucrose by purified enzyme encoded by the gtfA gene from Streptococcus mutans, expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli, was analyzed by 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance . The product was identified as alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate, and it was concluded that the GTF-A enzyme is sucrose phosphorylase (sucrose:orthophosphate alpha-D-glucosyltransferase {EC 2.4.1.7}). Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Sep 23, 962(2), 241 - 7 In vivo studies on stereospecificity of the monoglyceride kinase, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, phosphatidic acid phosphatase and CDP-diglyceride synthase of Streptococcus mutans BHT using the stereoisomers of the ether lipid, dodecylglycerol; Cabacungan EA et al.; Streptococcus mutans BHT metabolizes radioactive 3-dodecyl-sn-glycerol (sn-3-DDG) almost exclusively to lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidic acid and 1,3-diradyl-sn-glycerol, whereas the cells of this organism metabolize 1-dodecyl-sn-glycerol (sn-1-DDG) to all of the glycerol lipids of S . mutans BHT, with the largest amounts incorporated into phosphatidylglycerol and diradylglycerol (mostly the 1,2- but also the 1,3-isomer) . (The common names of lipids, such as phosphatidic acid, are used in the broader sense to mean that the lipid may contain alkyl as well as acyl groups.) The addition of an equivalent amount of nonradioactive sn-3-DDG to radioactive sn-1-DDG causes more of the radioactivity to accumulate at phosphatidic acid . These results indicate that the monoglyceride kinase (EC 2.7.1.94), lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.40) and the monoglyceride acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.22) enzymatic reactions are not stereospecific, and that the CDP-diglyceride synthase (EC 2.7.7.41) and phosphatidic acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.4) metabolic steps are stereospecific in S . mutans BHT . The synthesis of phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid from sn-3-DDG provides a unique method for synthesizing these glycerol lipids with the uncommon stereochemical configuration in which the phosphate moiety is in the sn-1 position. Gene, 1988 Sep 15, 69(1), 101 - 9 Sequence analysis of the gtfC gene from Streptococcus mutans GS-5; Ueda S et al.; The nucleotide sequence of the gtfC gene, which codes for glucosyltransferase synthesizing both water-soluble and water-insoluble glucans, and its flanking regions from Streptococcus mutans GS-5, was determined . Although the gtfC gene (4218 bp) is preceded by a Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence, a promoter-like sequence for this gene could not be identified . The gtfC gene product composed of 1375 amino acid residues (approx . 153 kDa) is generally hydrophilic with three small hydrophobic domains . Two direct repeating units were found near the C terminus of the peptide . The gtfC gene has extensive homology with the previously sequenced gtfB gene . The homologous regions correspond to the signal sequence, an internal region, and the direct repeating units of the peptide . An open reading frame preceded by an SD sequence and followed by an inverted repeat sequence was found immediately downstream from the gtfC gene . The combined sequences of the gtfB and gtfC genes as well as flanking regions suggest that the two gtf genes and the small downstream coding region could be coordinately expressed within an operon . The possible evolution of the gtfC gene in S . mutans GS-5 is also discussed. Biochemistry, 1988 Sep 6, 27(18), 6820 - 9 Structural analysis of the specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 45 (American type 72); Moreau M et al.; The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 45 (American type 72) was found to be a high molecular weight polymer composed of D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-fucose, L-rhamnose, glycerol, and phosphate (2:1:1:1:1:1:1) . Partial hydrolysis, dephosphorylation, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation studies, and one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C high-field nuclear magnetic resonance experiments showed the polysaccharide to be a branched polymer of a 1-phosphoglycerol-substituted hexasaccharide repeating unit having the structure: (formula; see text). Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1988 Sep, 112(9), 932 - 4 Sudden death due to left coronary artery occlusion in infective endocarditis; Dowling GP et al.; A 44-year-old man died suddenly, shortly after admission to the hospital with complaints of abdominal pain . Medical history was significant for chronic alcoholism and homozygous hemoglobin C disease . Autopsy revealed vegetations on the aortic valve, especially on the left coronary cusp . There was anomalous origin of the coronary arteries from the left sinus of Valsalva . The large vegetation on the left coronary cusp had extended into the left main-stem coronary artery and obstructed it . There was evidence of prior embolization to the right coronary artery with mycotic aneurysm formation and myocardial infarction . Other lesions included a cerebral artery mycotic aneurysm and metastatic abscesses within the myocardium and spleen . Although the aortic valve was free of underlying chronic pathology, the causative organism was Streptococcus viridans . This case illustrates several unusual, and, in some instances, unique findings in infective endocarditis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Sep, 85(18), 6667 - 71 Covalent modification of the beta-1,4-N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase of Streptococcus faecium with 5-mercaptouridine monophosphate; Dolinger DL et al.; Purified beta-1,4-N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase (muramidase-1; EC 3.2.1.17) of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 has been shown to be covalently substituted with approximately 12 mol equivalents of monomeric 5-mercaptouridine monophosphate . All 12 residues are present on the proteolytically processed 87-kDa active form of the enzyme . A peptide fragment containing 5-mercaptouridine, tyrosine, alanine, glycine, and leucine was isolated consistent with an O-phosphate linkage of the nucleotide to tyrosine. J Surg Res, 1988 Sep, 45(3), 327 - 32 Splenic autotransplantation: determination of the optimum amount required for maximum survival; Steely WM et al.; Splenic salvage in cases of traumatic or iatrogenic injuries may require autotransplantation of splenic fragments when splenorrhaphy or partial splenectomy is not possible . There are no studies which address the issue concerning the optimal amount of spleen to be transplanted in order to yield maximal survival in a model of pneumococcal sepsis . This study uses a Sprague-Dawley rat model to attempt to clarify this issue . Animals were divided into seven groups: control, total splenectomy, 25, 40, 60, 80, and 100% omental pouch autotransplantation . These animals were challenged with intravenous Streptococcus pneumonia Type I after 24 weeks, and mortality and blood culture results were monitored . Transplants were recovered and weights were compared with the weights originally transplanted . Survival and blood culture results were seen to improve in a linear quantitative fashion as the amount of spleen autotransplanted increased up to 80%, after which no further improvement was seen . This data supports the autotransplantation of 80% of the spleen in the Sprague-Dawley rat as the optimum amount to achieve maximal survival in a model of pneumococcal sepsis. Infect Immun, 1988 Sep, 56(9), 2424 - 9 Separation and characterization of a 14,000-dalton cyanogen bromide-generated peptide from a 185,000-dalton streptococcal antigen; Bergmeier LA et al.; The cell surface streptococcal antigen (SA) (185,000 molecular weight {185K SA}) was isolated from Streptococcus mutans and digested with cyanogen bromide . Three major products with molecular weights of 100,000, 50,000, and 14,000 appeared within 1 h of digestion . Time course studies of digestion by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed maximal intensity of the 14K band after 8 h . However, other bands appeared as well, notably 70K and 20K bands . Several bands were eluted from the gels, and their antigenicity was studied . They reacted with antisera to the native 185K SA I/II, as well as with those to the SA I and SA II antigens, though antibody binding by radioimmunoassay was significantly lower than that with the native SA . The 14K SA was identified on Western blots (immunoblots) with anti-SA I/II, I, and II antisera . The digested SAs were then tested for their immunogenicity by injecting CBA mice with the separated SA mixed in complete Freund adjuvant . Whereas the unseparated cyanogen bromide-treated SA and separated 70K and 20K SAs were immunogenic, the 14K SA failed to elicit serum antibodies . Further investigation of the 14K SA revealed that although it is apparently not immunogenic, it can induce a primary antibody response in mice when followed by the native 185K SA and a secondary response when mice are immunized first with the 185K SA. Microb Pathog, 1988 Sep, 5(3), 159 - 67 Protein serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae based on reactivity to six monoclonal antibodies; Waltman WD 2nd et al.; Six monoclonal antibodies to proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae were tested in a dot blot assay for reactivity with 499 clinical isolates of pneumococci . Forty-four percent of the isolates reacted with at least one of the antibodies . Nineteen patterns of reactivity were identified and each designated as a provisional protein serotype . Protein serotyping identified pneumococcal strains independently of their capsular type and made it possible to differentiate strains within most capsular types . A protein serotyping system provides a new dimension to the phenotypic identification of S . pneumoniae and may eventually provide a basis for assessing the population structure of these organisms. Res Vet Sci, 1988 Sep, 45(2), 225 - 9 Chemotactic response of equine polymorphonuclear leucocytes to Streptococcus equi; Muhktar MM et al.; Streptococcus equi infection in horses is characterised by intense infiltration of lymph nodes by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) suggesting a potent chemotactic response to the organism or its products . Equine PMNs were separated using Ficoll-Hypaque medium and used in an assay of chemotaxis under agarose to study the components of S equi involved in this response . Results showed that complement-derived chemotactic factors generated by activation of the alternative complement pathway were important in chemotactic responses to S equi . Both whole bacteria and peptidoglycan preparations were potent complement activators, whereas purified M protein was less active . In contrast, S equi culture supernatant protein did not activate complement; instead it directly inhibited migration of PMNs . Moreover, PMNs, when incubated with culture supernatant of a non-haemolytic strain, showed signs of cellular degeneration suggesting the presence of a cytotoxin distinct from haemolysin. Harefuah, 1988 Sep, 115(5-6), 115 - 7 {The family planning central unit and public health medicine}; Blum M et al.; PIP: In a family planning (FP) center during 1986-87 in the course of a period of 20 months 5959 visits were recorded . 1440 women received contraceptives after measuring the luteinizing hormone level in those under 18 or over 45 to establish ovulation . 781 were fitted with IUDs, 623 got oral contraceptives (OCs), and 36 chose the diaphragm . The pregnancy rate was .8% with the IUD in the course of 1 year . 38.6% of women using pills had chlamydia antibodies vs . 3.3% of IUD users . ON the other hand, in the smears of 43.3% of IUD users vs . only 14% of pill users streptococcus beta hymolyticus and Escherichia coli were found . IUDs with copper produced more complications (73.1%) such as bleeding (87%) and expulsion (62.5%) than IUDs without copper (total complication rate of 26.8%; 27.2% because of pregnancy and 37.5% as a result of expulsions) . 2.9% of IUD users had to quit it because of metrorrhagia . The continuation rate was 88.1% with the IUD and 98.5% with the pill . 94.7% of women using OCs were not married . In young women OCs may negatively affect the hypothalamus-hypophysis-ovarial axis with potential future sterility . In women over 45 IUD-induced bleeding can disguise bleeding from a precancerous cystadenoma . The FP center screens women with risk factors and side effects for contraceptives, provides contraceptive advice, and carries out microbiological examinations for those with vaginal infections . J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Sep, 22 Suppl C, 91 - 5 The penetration of ofloxacin into bronchial secretions; Symonds J et al.; Penetration of ofloxacin into bronchial secretions following a single 400 mg oral dose was studied in 52 patients . Bronchial secretions were aspirated at bronchoscopy between one and 24 h after dosing and blood was collected at the same time . Mean bronchial secretion concentrations between 2 and 2.6 mg/l were measured in 36 patients between 1 and 6 h but there was considerable individual variation in both serum and bronchial aspirate concentrations . Concentrations declined slowly between 9 and 24 h to a mean value of 0.4 mg/l at 24 h . Correlation between serum and sputum concentrations of ofloxacin was fairly good despite marked deviation in some individuals . The ratios of the concentration in bronchial secretion to serum were remarkably constant at 1 to 6 h, varying between 0.96 during the third and fourth hours and 0.81 in the sixth hour . The results suggest that ofloxacin in a 400 mg oral dose is likely to achieve therapeutic activity against respiratory pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae, with sustained activity against more sensitive organisms for up to 24 h. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Sep, 22 Suppl C, 27 - 34 Resistance studies with ofloxacin; Felmingham D et al.; The selection of ofloxacin-resistant mutants from susceptible wild-type bacterial populations was investigated by three methods . Resistant mutants selected from populations of Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418) and Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571) by single-step passage at either four or eight times the MIC occurred at a frequency of less than 1 x 10(-10) . Ofloxacin-resistant mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC 10662), selected at four times the MIC, occurred with a 100-fold greater frequency at 3.3 X 10(-8), however, mutants of this species selected at eight times the MIC, occurred at a frequency of less than 1 X 10(-10) . Sequential selection of ofloxacin-resistant mutants during multiple passages at 1/2 MIC, resulted in a 16- to 32-fold increase in MICs for isolates of P . aeruginosa and Klebsiella aerogenes, a four- to eight-fold increase in MICs for some strains of E . coli and a two- to four-fold increase in MICs for Staph . aureus and Streptococcus spp . During prolonged exposure of populations of E . coli (NCTC 10418) and Staph . aureus (NCTC 6571) to concentrations of ofloxacin at 1, 10 and 100 times the MIC no resistant-mutants were selected after seven days incubation . In similar experiments with P . aeruginosa (NCTC 10662) ofloxacin-resistant mutants were selected from populations exposed to the MIC which required 64 mg/l ofloxacin for inhibition . No ofloxacin-resistant mutants were selected from populations of P . aeruginosa (NCTC 10662) exposed to either ten or 100 times the MIC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) APMIS, 1988 Sep, 96(9), 761 - 7 Combined effect of xylitol, NaF and ZnCl2 on growth and metabolism of Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ 176; Scheie AA et al.; Xylitol, NaF and ZnCl2 in combination inhibited the growth of S . Sobrinus OMZ 176 when added to Brain Heart Infusion broth . Thin-layer chromatography, followed by autoradiography of cell extracts, was used to study the inhibiting mechanism . Glucose uptake was reduced, the glycolysis inhibited at the glucose 6-phosphate- and fructose- 1.6-diphosphate level and the accumulation of xylitol metabolites was increased . These effects in combination probably accounted for the inhibition of growth. Infect Immun, 1988 Sep, 56(9), 2264 - 9 Purification and immunochemical studies of type b carbohydrate antigen of oral Streptococcus milleri; Yakushiji T et al.; The type-specific antigen of serotype b Streptococcus milleri was extracted with trichloroacetic acid from a purified cell wall preparation of the strain NCTC 10708 and then purified on a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column, followed by a Sephadex G-100 column . The antigen was composed of rhamnose and glucose in a molar ratio of 1.7:1.0, with a trace of galactosamine (0.1) . The quantitative precipitin inhibition test with various haptenic sugars showed that rhamnose gave the greatest inhibition, whereas glucose and its related carbohydrates were less effective . The major carbohydrate components of the Rantz-Randall extracts from cells of all four serotype b strains tested were also rhamnose and glucose . These results suggest that rhamnose is structurally involved in the immunodeterminant of the serotype b-specific antigen of oral S . milleri. J Oral Rehabil, 1988 Sep, 15(5), 405 - 11 Inhibition of bacterial colonization by antimicrobial agents incorporated into dental resins; Bapna MS et al.; The antimicrobial activity of several chemical agents was determined by incorporating these agents into dentine adhesive resin and following the colonization of Streptococcus mutans on the surfaces of the resin and culture vessel, as well as in the surrounding medium, by optical density measurements . It was found that sodium fluoride and dodecylamine, an organic amine, exhibited excellent antimicrobial properties . These chemicals not only inhibited bacterial growth completely but also seemed to reduce the adhesion of the bacteria to the resin surface . A silver compound, protargin, was mildly effective in inhibiting growth of S . mutans . Copper oxide and chelating acids such as vanillic acid, syringic acid, and ethylenediamine-n, n' diacetic acid (EDDA) were not effective as antimicrobial agents against S . mutans. Histochem J, 1988 Sep, 20(9), 526 - 30 Preservation of capsular material of streptococcal cells by specific lectins determined by immunoelectron microscopy; Molinari A et al.; We describe the use of lectins as specific stabilizing agents for the polysaccharide capsular components of two Gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus bovis . Treatment of bacterial suspensions with wheatgerm agglutinin and concanavalin A allowed better morphological preservation as well as immunoelectron microscopic localization of a capsular component (lipoteichoic acid) by employing specific antibodies and the protein A-gold technique . Data obtained indicate that lectins are useful agents in preserving highly water-soluble capsular components during the electron microscopy procedures for both unembedded and embedded samples. Vet Pathol, 1988 Sep, 25(5), 369 - 75 Acute fibrinopurulent blepharitis and conjunctivitis associated with Staphylococcus hyicus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus sp . in chickens and turkeys; Cheville NF et al.; Multiple outbreaks of acute severe fibrinopurulent lesions of the eyelids occurred in chickens and turkeys . Lesions began as tiny foci of epidermal necrosis and ulceration and spread to involve the entire eyelid . Scabs overlying the epidermis contained large gram-positive cocci; lesser numbers of small cocci and gram-negative bacilli were in more superficial areas . Staphylococcus hyicus was isolated from birds in all stages of the disease . Escherichia coli and Streptococcus sp . were isolated only during severe stages; no anaerobic bacterial pathogens were isolated . Vasculitis and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates in deep layers of the dermis suggested that a staphylococcal toxin may have been involved . The disease was not reproduced by scarifying S . hyicus onto the eyelids or by intravenous inoculation of retrovirus-infected chickens. J Dairy Sci, 1988 Sep, 71(9), 2513 - 9 Phagocytic and postphagocytic activities of bovine neutrophils for pure and mixed bacterial cultures; Silva ID et al.; A comparative study of phagocytosis and postphagocytic oxidative metabolic activity of bovine blood neutrophils incubated with pure and mixed cultures of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae was preformed . Most neutrophils when incubated with mixed cultures showed preferential phagocytosis for one species and a smaller number phagocytized both species of microorganisms . Percent phagocytosis for E . coli in pure culture was similar to that of Strep . agalactiae in pure culture and higher than that for Staph . aureus in pure culture . Neutrophils incubated with mixed cultures of E . coli and Staph . aureus or E . coli and Strep . agalactiae showed greater than expected phagocytosis of each microorganisms alone and reduced phagocytosis of both microorganisms together . Postphagocytic oxidative metabolic activity of neutrophils, measured by percent nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, did not differ following phagocytosis of these three microorganisms in pure cultures . In comparison, a synergistic effect on nitroblue tetrazolium reductive activity was seen in mixed cultures as evidenced by higher percent nitroblue tetrazolium reduction following phagocytosis of both E . coli and Staph . aureus or E . coli and Strep . agalactiae . These observations indicate that the phagocytic and metabolic activities of neutrophils for bacteria in mixed cultures may not be identical to those in pure cultures. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 1904 - 6 Detection of bacteria in the presence of antibiotics by using specific monoclonal antibodies to neutralize the antibiotics; Sierra-Madero JG et al.; Inactivation of penicillin and gentamicin in cultures was achieved by using monoclonal antibodies against these antibiotics . A viridans group streptococcus (penicillin MIC, less than or equal to 0.06 micrograms/ml) and Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 (gentamicin MIC, less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml) were able to grow in broth containing 0.25 micrograms of penicillin per ml and 4 micrograms of gentamicin per ml, respectively, when the specific antibodies were added . This procedure may be useful to increase the yield of bacteria from body fluid specimens that contain antibiotics. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 1741 - 4 Enterococcus hirae implicated as a cause of diarrhea in suckling rats; Etheridge ME et al.; A Lancefield group D enteric streptococcus was isolated from diarrheic suckling rats that had been inoculated orally with stool from a diarrheic human . After oral administration of the organism to other suckling rats, diarrhea was reproduced, and the enteric streptococcus was reisolated . The brush border of small intestinal villi in affected animals was coated with numerous adherent gram-positive cocci . The organism was identified as Enterococcus hirae by a battery of biochemical tests . These and previous studies indicate that certain enterococci should be considered as etiologic agents of diarrheal disease in neonatal animals. Immunology, 1988 Sep, 65(1), 37 - 42 Stimulation of liposome-induced humoral immune responses by non-ionic block polymer surfactants in Xid mice; Zigterman GJ et al.; Non-ionic block polymers (NBPs) have proved to be potent adjuvants for the humoral immune response against liposomes haptenated with tripeptide-enlarged dinitrophenyl groups (hapten J) . Since both reversed triblocks and normal octablocks displayed adjuvant activity, reversed octablocks, in which structural properties of both groups are combined, were also tested for their adjuvant activity . The latter compounds displayed very strong adjuvant activity for J-haptenated liposomes, not only in normal BALB/c but also in (CBA/N x BALB/c)F1 progeny . To test the applicability of NBPs as adjuvants in semi-synthetic vaccines, the capacity of NBPs to stimulate the immune response against liposomes haptenated with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide-derived oligosaccharides was analysed . In these studies, again NBPs proved potent adjuvants, stimulating antibody production to a large extent . In male (CBA/N x BALB/c)F1 mice, which carry a X-chromosome-linked immunodeficiency (Xid), antibody levels were stimulated to the largest extent by a normal octablock . Stimulation of antibody titres, however, did not result in increased protection in these Xid mice. J Exp Med, 1988 Sep 1, 168(3), 905 - 17 Human monoclonal antibodies to group B streptococcus . Reactivity and in vivo protection against multiple serotypes; Raff HV et al.; Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections cause significant mortality and morbidity among infants . Passive antibody immunotherapy has been proposed as treatment for infected infants . To this end, two human mAb-secreting cell lines were produced by EBV immortalization of human B cells . The mAbs were specific for the group B polysaccharide and bound to strains of all five serotypes as demonstrated by ELISA and crossed immunoelectrophoresis . The mAbs reacted and opsonized 100% (132/132) of the clinical isolates tested which represented all four capsule types . Both prophylactic and therapeutic protection with these mAbs were demonstrated in neonatal rats given lethal infections of types Ia and III human clinical isolates . These data indicate that a single human mAb directed against the group B carbohydrate can protect against GBS infections caused by the different serotypes . This antibody may be useful in the passive immunotherapy of infants infected with GBS. Dis Mon, 1988 Sep, 34(9), 537 - 99 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Flenley DC; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is equated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema as one disease entity . In COPD airflow limitation is relatively persistent--unlike asthma . Tests for "small-airways disease" form no part of routine practice, for their accuracy in detecting pathological change is debatable . The proteolytic theory of the pathogenesis of emphysema highlights the role of neutrophil elastase, antielastases, oxidants, antioxidants, and thus of potential new treatments . Clinical features of COPD include breathlessness, cough, and sputum, with airflow obstruction and lung hyperinflation . The differential diagnosis includes bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension, but pulmonary fibrosis, etc., is distinguished by radiological infiltrates . Plain chest radiography cannot reliably diagnose emphysema in life, but a new method measuring lung density from the computed tomographic (CT) scan allows location, quantitation, and diagnosis of emphysema (defined by enlargement of distal air spaces) in humans in life . "Pink puffers" with breathlessness, hyperinflation, mild hypoxemia, and a low PCO2 are contrasted with "blue bloaters" with hypoxemia, secondary polycythemia, CO2 retention, and pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale . Antismoking measures are a major aim in management . A bronchodilator regimen combining a slow-release oral theophylline with an inhaled beta 2-agonist, ipratropium, and high-dose inhaled steroids is proposed because even modest improvement in obstruction can help these patients . In acute exacerbations with purulent sputum, antimicrobials against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae are used with controlled oxygen therapy aiming to keep the arterial PO2 over 50 mm Hg without the pH falling below 7.25 . Influenza prophylaxis is recommended, but pneumococcal vaccination remains debatable . Chronic under-nutrition in "emphysema" implies controlled trials of feeding regimens--but these remain to be assessed . Long-term oxygen therapy is the only treatment known to prolong life in blue bloaters, and oxygen concentrators and transtracheal oxygen delivery are discussed . Pulmonary vasodilators (e.g., beta 2-agonists, hydralazine, nifedipine, angiotensin-converting enzyme {ACE} inhibitors, etc.) have not yet been proved to provide long-term reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure . Blue bloaters have severe nocturnal hypoxemia in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that is corrected by oxygen or the investigational drug almitrine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Infect Immun, 1988 Sep, 56(9), 2474 - 8 Heterogeneity of hemolytic efficiency and isoelectric point of streptolysin O; Suzuki J et al.; Using thin-layer agarose gel isoelectric focusing overlaid with thin-layer erythrocyte agar plates, we found that crude streptolysin O (SLO) consisted of a variety of hemolytic components with different isoelectric points (pIs) and that the distribution of pIs in crude SLO was different even in samples which were produced from a single strain of Streptococcus pyogenes under similar conditions . All of the hemolytic components in crude SLO were shown to have the properties of SLO with respect to their susceptibility to oxygen and anti-SLO serum and their molecular weight . The SLO components showed a single molecular weight of 64,000, but they exhibited various pIs ranging from pH 5.4 to 8.3, with major components showing a pI of 6 and/or 7.5 . Further examination revealed the slope of the hemolytic titration curve to be dissimilar among the samples of crude SLO . Since the slope of the hemolytic titration curve of a component appears to be based on its hemolytic efficiency, the value of the slope was designated its hemolytic efficiency index . When SLO was purified by isoelectric focusing, the pI of the components was correlated with its hemolytic efficiency index; hemolytic components with lower pIs exhibited a lower hemolytic efficiency index . These results indicate that SLO consists of heterogeneous components with different pIs and suggest that the differences in hemolytic efficiency indices of SLO components are due to the different electrical charges of SLO molecules, which are related to their polymerization and affect hemolytic efficiency. Infect Immun, 1988 Sep, 56(9), 2279 - 85 Adherence of Streptococcus sanguis to conformationally specific determinants in fibronectin; Lowrance JH et al.; The adherence of Streptococcus sanguis to specific receptors exposed or deposited at the site of endothelial damage may play an important role in the development of infective endocarditis . Adherence of the Challis strain of S . sanguis to gelatin (or collagen) and gelatin-binding components of plasma was examined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . S . sanguis adhered poorly to immobilized gelatin and to molecular or fibrillar collagen . However, in the presence of fresh human plasma, the adherence of S . sanguis to all three substrates increased as much as eightfold . Removal of gelatin-binding proteins eliminates the ability of plasma to enhance adherence of S . sanguis to the substrates . Addition of purified human plasma fibronectin (Fn) to the absorbed plasma restored the adherence-promoting ability in a dose-dependent manner . A similar dose-dependent increase in S . sanguis adherence was observed when increasing concentrations of Fn alone were added to the gelatin-coated assay wells . S . sanguis adherence to immobilized fibronectin could not be inhibited by preincubating either the bacteria or the gelatin-coated assay wells with Fn or by including excess soluble Fn in the assay mixture . Studies with peptides purified from trypsin digests of Fn indicated that the 160- to 180-kilodalton (kDa) fragments which retain both the gelatin-binding and the cell-binding regions of the intact molecule support adherence of S . sanguis to gelatin . The 160- to 180-kDa fragments inhibited the interaction of S . sanguis with immobilized Fn . In contrast, intact Fn and the 31-kDa amino-terminal fragment were unable to inhibit the adherence when used in equivalent or greater molar amounts . These in vitro results suggest that in the presence of whole plasma, S . sanguis binds to immobilized gelatin or collagen via Fn bound to the immobilized substrates . Our finding that adherence of S . sanguis to immobilized Fn can occur in the presence of large concentrations of Fn, whether in plasma or purified, indicates that a S . sanguis-binding domain is cryptic in the Fn molecule while in solution and is exposed by a conformational change when the Fn becomes bound to gelatin-coated plastic . The ability of peptide fragments of Fn to inhibit S . sanguis adherence is consistent with this hypothesis. Infect Immun, 1988 Sep, 56(9), 2417 - 23 Characterization of an adhesion antigen of Streptococcus sanguis G9B; Lamont RJ et al.; An antigen possessing the attributes of an adhesion has been identified in Streptococcus sanguis G9B . Cell surface components were extracted from G9B and a spontaneously occurring nonadherent mutant of G9B, strain Adh-, with a 2 mM barbital buffer, pH 8.6 . The extract of G9B but not of Adh- absorbed more than 80% of the adhesion-inhibitory activity of anti-G9B immunoglobulin G (IgG) . Immunoblots revealed 80- and 52-kilodalton (kDa) antigens present in the G9B extract but not in the Adh- extract . Absorption of anti-G9B IgG with Adh- and G9B barbital extracts showed a correlation between the loss of the 80- and 52-kDa antibodies and the loss of adhesion-inhibitory activity . An antibody prepared against the 80-kDa antigen excised from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels recognized the 80- and 52-kDa antigens and another antigen of 62 kDa but did not inhibit adhesion . However, an antibody from an electroblot containing the native protein from which the 80-kDa and related antigens were derived (the 80-kDa antigen complex) inhibited adhesion to the same extent as anti-G9B IgG . Periodate oxidation of the G9B barbital extract modified the 80-kDa antigen complex and resulted in the loss of 40% of its absorbing activity . The barbital extract also contained an endogenous enzyme responsible for producing the 62- and 52-kDa antigens from the 80-kDa protein and which, under optimal conditions, degraded the antigen completely, resulting in the loss of antibody-absorbing activity . The 80-kDa antigen complex has a molecular mass of more than 200 kDa in native polyacrylamide gels and a pI of 4.1 to 4.8 . These observations suggest that the adhesion antigen in S . sanguis G9B is a large glycoprotein from which an 80-kDa antigen complex is derived. Z Ernahrungswiss, 1988 Sep, 27(3), 155 - 69 Uptake of saccharin and related intense sweeteners by Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449; Ziesenitz SC et al.; In a 1-octanol/phosphate buffer system, saccharin was much more lipophilic than would be inferred from its dissociation constant which, however, determined the partition behavior of acesulfame and cyclamate . The uptake of saccharin into Streptococcus mutans led to a 30 to 40-fold higher concentration of this intense sweetener within cells than in the incubation medium . Acesulfame and cyclamate were distributed between cells and medium essentially in a diffusion-controlled manner . The uptake of saccharin into S . mutans was found to depend strongly on simultaneous sugar fermentation, and in addition, on external pH, sweetener concentrations, and cell densities . Without glycolysis, caused, for example, by an exhaustion of added sucrose, too acidic external pH, or the addition of glycolysis inhibitors, the uptake of saccharin was diffusion-controlled as in the case of acesulfame and cyclamate . The uptake of saccharin was inhibited by a reversal of the direction of the lactate gradient from in----out to out----in . The activation energy of saccharin uptake into glycolyzing S . mutans was near 18 kJ/mol, while glycolysis itself required 82-98 kJ/mol as activation energy, depending somewhat on experimental conditions . Up to 100 attomol of saccharin per bacterial cell was observed . It was concluded that the cytomembrane of S . mutans was involved in mediating the inhibitory effects of saccharin by an antiport of saccharin into cells in exchange for lactate. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 1635 - 40 Cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis; Waltman WD 2nd et al.; A diagnostic test for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis was developed using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to phosphocholine (PC) and non-PC determinants of pneumococcal teichoic acids . These MAbs do not recognize other bacteria that commonly cause meningitis . By using a dot blot assay, these MAbs were compared with a polyvalent pneumococcal capsular omniserum and an antiserum made to whole cells for their ability to detect pneumococci in infected spinal fluids . An immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-PC antibody gave a positive reaction with 16 of 22 (73%) pneumococcal culture-positive spinal fluids . One false-positive result out of 45 pneumococcal culture-negative spinal fluids was also observed . D3114/63, an IgM MAb to non-PC determinants of teichoic acids, detected 15 of 22 of the pneumococcal culture-positive spinal fluids with one false-positive result . IgG2b and IgG3 anti-PC MAbs were less efficient than the IgM anti-PC MAb at detecting pneumococci in spinal fluids . Like the IgM anti-PC MAb, omniserum detected 73% of the culture-positive pneumococcal spinal fluids, with one false-positive result . The use of anti-PC or D3114/63 MAbs instead of a pooled serum such as omniserum has several advantages: (i) use of a single cross-reactive antibody rather than 83 pooled antibodies; (ii) possibility of a higher concentration of reactive antibody, which may increase the sensitivity of the test; (iii) a standardized antibody preparation; (iv) ease of preparation of the antibody; and (v) less expense. APMIS, 1988 Sep, 96(9), 805 - 12 Bacteroides fragilis lipopolysaccharide and group B streptococcus serotype II glycocalyx have a common major antigenic determinant; Linko L et al.; A monoclonal antibody (MAB) to the beta-1-6-linked digalactose structure in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Bacteroides fragilis reacted with 47 of 416 group B Streptococcus (GBS) strains tested by an immunofluorescence technique (IF) . The reactivity of MAB was, with a few exceptions, limited to type II GBS . Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that an antigen purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using MAB from type II GBS contained galactose, glucose and fatty acids . This confirmed that MAB is directed to the digalactose (which in earlier studies was found to occur) in the capsular lipocarbohydrate specific to type II GBS . The positive strains yielded a strong, apple-green surface stain by means of the IF using MAB . Various immuno-electron microscopic (IEM) methods showed that the determinant was located in the glycocalyx layer of GBS at a distance of about 15 nm from the streptococcal cell wall . The structure harbouring the determinant was found to be very loosely attached to the bacteria . However the cross-reactive determinant seemed to maintain its immunoreactivity whether it was extracted by gentle washing with saline or with harsher treatments usually reserved for preparing streptococcal polysaccharide antigens . In conclusion, the study shows that the determinant is an integral part of the type-specific antigen of type II GBS and that MAB has a potential use as a serotyping reagent. Carbohydr Res, 1988 Aug 15, 179, 173 - 97 {Synthesis of trisaccharide units from capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae}; Paulsen H et al.; In the presence of silver silicate as promoter, the reaction of glycosyl bromide of 2-azido-2-deoxy-D-mannose with 1,6-anhydro-2,3-di-O-benzyl-beta-D- glucopyranose led to derivatives of the disaccharide beta-D-ManpNac-(1----4)-D- Glcp . The derivatives were activated into disaccharide halides and employed as glycosyl donors in block synthesis . By chain extension with L-rhamnose and D-glucose, four trisaccharides were synthesized . They represent components of capsular polysaccharide "repeating units" of various Streptococcus pneumoniae types, beta-D-Man-pNAc-(1----4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----2)-L-Rhap (type 19 F), beta-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-L-Rhap (type 19 A), beta-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1----4)-D-Glcp (type 9 A), and beta-D-ManpNAc-(1----4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1----4)-D-Glcp (type 9 V). Eur J Biochem, 1988 Aug 15, 175(3), 491 - 5 Effect of intracellular pH and potassium ions on a primary transport system for glutamate/aspartate in Streptococcus mutans; Noji S et al.; We have studied the mechanism of L-glutamate/L-aspartate transport in a fermentative oral bacterium of Streptococcus mutans (strain Ingbritt) . The transport rate stays virtually constant throughout the pH range 5.5-8.5 and followed Michaelis-Menten type kinetics . At high pH values from 7 to 8.5, transport was essentially insensitive to N,N'-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCCD), an inhibitor of ATPase, and to carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP), an ionophore dissipating proton motive force indicating that S . mutans transports glutamate by a primary transport system at the expense of ATP or an alternative energized metabolite . At lower external pH (7-5.5), DCCD (100 microM) or FCCP (10 microM) significantly inhibited L-glutamate transport while the intracellular ATP level was hardly affected, indicating that the activity of the primary transport system was decreased at lower intracellular pH . The glutamate transport was stimulated in the presence of potassium ion at an external pH of 6 . The stimulation can be explained partly by the regulation of intracellular pH with concomitant potassium ion movement. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Aug 11, 966(2), 239 - 47 Purification and characterization of a novel cytotoxic substance from cell-free extract of Streptococcus pyogenes; Higuchi Y et al.; A cytotoxic substance designated as streptococcal cytotoxic protein (SCP) was isolated from a cell-free extract of the Su strain of Streptococcus pyogenes possessing cytotoxic and antitumor activity . SCP was purified with a series of column chromatography and preparative PAGE to give a homogeneous single band as revealed by PAGE analysis . The purified SCP has a molecular mass of 165 kDa, composed of four 43 kDa subunits, and its pI is 4.3 . SCP was sensitive to proteinases and was labile to heat and at acidic or alkaline pH . SCP showed inhibitory effects on the {3H}thymidine, {3H}uridine and {3H}leucine uptakes and on the growth of cells, and released 51Cr from cells when the protein was added to the cultures of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), mouse mammary tumor (MM-2), leukemia (L-1210) and NIH-3T3 mammalian cells in vitro . SCP also showed an antitumor effect on EAC or MM-2 tumor-bearing mice but not on L-1210 tumor-bearing mice in vivo. J Mol Biol, 1988 Aug 5, 202(3), 575 - 84 Effects of mot gene expression on the structure of the flagellar motor; Khan S et al.; Direct freezing procedures have enabled us to visualize distinctive intramembrane particle ring structures in the cytoplasmic membranes of peritrichously flagellated bacteria by means of freeze-fracture electron microscopy . These structures were identified as flagellar motor components because their distribution matched that of flagella, and because they were absent in non-flagellated mutants of Escherichia coli . Particle rings were present in both the Gram-positive Streptococcus and the Gram-negative E . coli . In E . coli, a non-functional mocha operon produced flagellated but immotile cells lacking the particle rings . Simultaneous introduction of the motA and motB genes, led to recovery of both motility and the ring structures but neither gene alone was sufficient . The concomitant loss of the rings and motility is consistent with the ring particles having a central role in the flagellar motor. Epidemiol Infect, 1988 Aug, 101(1), 43 - 51 A milk-borne outbreak of serious infection due to Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Lancefield Group C); Edwards AT et al.; An outbreak of infection due to Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Lancefield Group C) is described . At least 11 patients were affected and the infection was responsible for, or contributed to, the deaths of seven of these . Clinical features included septicaemia, meningitis and endocarditis . The source of infection was unpasteurized milk from a dairy herd with mild intermittent mastitis. Infect Immun, 1988 Aug, 56(8), 2205 - 7 Expression of the glucan-binding lectin of Streptococcus cricetus requires manganous ion; Drake D et al.; Streptococcus cricetus AHT exhibited a requirement for manganese for growth and expression of the glucan-binding lectin . While low concentrations of manganese (0.1 to 10 microM) were able to support growth, higher concentrations (greater than 100 microM) were required for full expression of the glucan-binding lectin . The manganous-aquo ion may be important in cellular adhesion and accumulation processes in dental plaque. Infect Immun, 1988 Aug, 56(8), 1956 - 60 Sequence analysis of the Streptococcus mutans scrB gene; Sato Y et al.; The complete nucleotide sequence of the Streptococcus mutans GS-5 scrB gene coding for sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase activity was determined . A potential ribosome-binding site as well as promoter sequences were identified upstream from the gene . The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme suggested a molecular weight of 51,750, which is similar to that estimated for the enzyme isolated from strain GS-5 . The enzyme is slightly acidic, with a pI of 5.9, and is a relatively hydrophilic protein . The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the enzyme showed significant homology with those of the sacA protein from Bacillus subtilis . In addition, a region of amino acid homology with the S . mutans fructosyltransferase and B . subtilis levansucrase proteins was also detected. Infect Immun, 1988 Aug, 56(8), 1864 - 72 Specificity of the glucan-binding lectin of Streptococcus cricetus; Drake D et al.; The specificity of the glucan-binding lectin (GBL) of Streptococcus cricetus AHT was determined . Examination of the kinetics of aggregation of cell suspensions with glucans containing various percentages of alpha-1,6, alpha-1,4, alpha-1,3, and alpha-1,2 anomeric linkages revealed that only glucans with at least 80% alpha-1,6 linkages promoted strong aggregation . Moreover, only linear glucans with molecular weights greater than 5 X 10(5) were capable of causing rapid aggregation of the bacteria . The lectin was observed to be present on S . cricetus strains, on Streptococcus sobrinus, and on several Streptococcus mutants strains . Preincubation of suspensions of S . cricetus AHT with glucan T10 (molecular weight of 10,000) before the addition of high-molecular-weight glucan resulted in competitive inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner . Inhibition was achieved also with isomaltopentaose, isomaltohexaose, and isomaltooctaose, but at higher concentrations than glucan T10 . In contrast, no inhibition was observed with maltoheptaose, providing additional evidence for the specificity of GBL . Treatment of suspensions of S . cricetus AHT with trypsin before and after aggregation with high-molecular-weight glucan revealed a substantial level of protection of GBL when in a bound state . Collectively, these results indicated that GBL has an absolute affinity for glucans rich in alpha-1,6 linkages and possesses an active site which recognizes internal sequences and accommodates isomaltosaccharides of at least nine residues . This unusual specificity may contribute to the colonization of S . cricetus, S . sobrinus, and S . mutans in glucan-containing plaque in the oral cavity. J Immunol, 1988 Aug 1, 141(3), 921 - 5 Regulation of idiotope expression . III . H-2 influences the magnitude and the idiotypy of a T-independent antibody response in mice of certain genetic backgrounds; Cronkhite R et al.; Antibody response to the phosphocholine (PC) epitope on Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a (Pn), a T-independent Ag type 2, was studied in H-2 congenic mouse strains . The PC-specific antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) were enumerated in the spleen at various intervals after the primary Pn injection, and the proportion of PFC that produced antibody expressing the AB1-2 idiotope (Id) was determined by using the corresponding monoclonal anti-Id . AB1-2 is a cross-reactive Id, detectable on germline-encoded PC antibody of the T15 family, and on most, but not all, somatic variants of that antibody . The specific PFC responses in BALB/c (H-2d) and BALB.B (H-2b) strains were of comparable magnitude and most, if not all, PFC were ABl-1 Id-positive (AB1-2+) . This was not the case in the responses of the B10D2 (H-2d) vs C57BL/10 (H-2b) strains and the D1.C (H-2d) vs D1.LP (H-2b) strains (on DBA/1 background) . In each of these pairs, the H-2d mice were high responders, and the response was dominated by AB1-2 Id (greater than or equal to 80% AB1-2+ PFC at the peak, on day 5) . The H-2b mice were low responders, and only a minor proportion of PFC (less than or equal to 30%) were AB1-2+; an increase of AB1-2+ was seen later in the response (d.10) . The results of PFC assays were confirmed by measuring the PC-binding antibody and AB1-2 Id in the sera of D1.C and D1.LP mice immunized repeatedly with Pn . Moreover, D1.LP mice that had very low levels of AB1-2 Id had higher serum levels of antibody expressing two other T15 Id, B36-82, and B24-44 . The B36-82 and B24-44 Id have been previously found on somatic variants of PC antibody expressed independently of the Ab1-2 Id . The concentrations of these two Id in D1.LP mice after repeated immunization approached those in D1.C . These results indicate that 1) the H-2 allelism may have a significant effect on TID antibody response in mice of a certain genetic background, but not in the BALB/c; and 2) the idiotypic repertoire of the response may be influenced by H-2 at the level of clonal variants of PC-reactive cells. Infect Immun, 1988 Aug, 56(8), 1961 - 6 Cloning of the gene encoding streptococcal immunoglobulin A protease and its expression in Escherichia coli; Gilbert JV et al.; We have identified and cloned a 6-kilobase-pair segment of chromosomal DNA from Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10556 that encodes immunoglobulin A (IgA) protease activity when cloned into Escherichia coli . The enzyme specified by the iga gene in plasmid pJG1 accumulates in the periplasm of E . coli MM294 cells and has a substrate specificity for human IgA1 identical to that of native S . sanguis protease . Hybridization experiments with probes from within the encoding DNA showed no detectable homology at the nucleotide sequence level with chromosomal DNA of gram-negative bacteria that excrete IgA protease . Moreover, the S . sanguis iga gene probes showed no detectable hybridization with chromosomal DNA of S . pneum