Biotechnol Prog, 2003 Nov-Dec, 19(6), 1672 - 6 Highly efficient conversion of lactate to pyruvate using whole cells of Acinetobacter sp; Ma CQ et al.; On an industrial scale, the production of pyruvate at a high concentration from the cheaper lactate substrate is a valuable process . To produce pyruvate from lactate by whole cells, various lactate-utilizing microorganisms were isolated from soil samples . Among them, strain WLIS, identified as Acinetobacter sp., was screened as a pyruvate producer . For the pyruvate preparation from lactate, the preparative conditions were optimized with whole cells of the strain . The cells cultivated in the medium containing 100 mM of l-lactate showed the highest biotransformation efficiency from lactate to pyruvate . The optimized dry-cell concentration, pH, and temperature of reaction were 6 g/L, pH 7.0-7.5, and 30 degrees C, respectively . The influences of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and aeration on a biotransformation reaction were carried out under the test conditions . Under the optimized reaction conditions, l-lactate at concentrations of 200 and 500 mM were almost totally stoichiometrically converted into pyruvate in 8 and 12 h, respectively . About 60% of 800 mM of l-lactate was transformed into pyruvate in 24 h . This reduced conversion rate is probably due to the high substrate inhibition in biotransformation. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2003 Nov, 67(11), 2351 - 8 Cloning and functional analysis of aniline dioxygenase gene cluster, from Frateuria species ANA-18, that metabolizes aniline via an ortho-cleavage pathway of catechol; Murakami S et al.; Genes encoding an aniline dioxygenase of Frateuria sp . ANA-18, which metabolizes aniline via the ortho-cleavage pathway of catechol, were cloned and named tdn genes . The tdn genes were located on the chromosomal DNA of this bacterium and weren't clustered with catechol-degrading gene clusters . These results show that the ANA-18 aniline-degrading gene cluster is constructionally different from Pseudomonas tdn and Acinetobacter atd gene clusters, which degrade aniline via the meta-cleavage pathway of catechol and organize catechol-metabolic genes in the gene clusters . When cloned tdnQTA1A2B genes were expressed in Eschherichia coli, aniline dioxygenase activity was observed . Southern blot analysis revealed that homologues of the tdnA1A2B genes didn't exist in strain ANA-18 . Disruption of the tdnA1A2 genes gave the parent strain ANA-18 a defect in aniline metabolism . On the basis of these results, we concluded that only the cloned tdn genes function as genes encoding aniline dioxygenase in strain ANA-18 although this bacterium had two catechol-degrading gene clusters. Res Microbiol, 2003 Dec, 154(10), 697 - 703 Proteomic analysis of the benzoate degradation pathway in Acinetobacter sp . KS-1; Kim SI et al.; The purpose of this study was to perform proteome analysis of Acinetobacter sp . KS-1, a bacterium capable of degrading benzoate as a sole carbon source . In order to understand the benzoate degradation pathway used by strain KS-1, proteomes of benzoate-cultured and succinate-cultured KS-1 were comparatively analyzed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) . Eighteen protein spots proteins were exclusively induced from the benzoate-cultured strain KS-1 . Of these 18 spots, two benzoate-degrading enzymes (catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and beta-ketoadipate succinyl-CoA transferase) were identified by MS/MS analysis by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry, which suggests that strain KS-1 degrades benzoate by the beta-ketoadipate pathway . DEAE-chromatography suggested that strain KS-1 induced only one type of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase during benzoate degradation . The catechol 1,2-dioxygenase was purified using three steps of ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sepharose, and Mono-Q chromatography . The purified catechol 1,2-dioxygenase of strain KS-1 had strong dioxygenase activity for 4-methylcatechol as well as catechol . Sequencing analysis using N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences showed that this catechol 1,2-dioxygenase is highly homologous with catechol 1,2-dioxygenase of Acinetobacter radioresistens . These results suggest that comparative proteomic analysis of biodegrading bacteria cultured under different conditions may be a useful initial step toward the elucidation of the aromatic compound degradation pathway. Eur J Med Chem, 2003 Nov-Dec, 38(11-12), 1005 - 13 Synthesis and biological activities of diflunisal hydrazide-hydrazones; Kucukguzel SG et al.; Several diflunisal hydrazide-hydrazone derivatives namely 2',4'-difluoro-4-hydroxybiphenyl-3-carboxylic acid {(5-nitro-2-furyl/substitutedphenyl)methylene} hydrazide (3a-o) have been synthesised . Methyl 2',4'-difluoro-4-hydroxybiphenyl-3-carboxylate (1) and 2',4'-difluoro-4-hydroxybiphenyl-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide (2) were also synthesised and used as intermediate compounds . All synthesised compounds were screened for their antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv, antimicrobial activities against various bacteria, fungi and yeast species . Compound 3a have shown activity against Staphylococcus epidermis HE-5 and Staphylococcus aureus HE-9 at 18.75 and 37.5 microg mL(-1), respectively . Compound 3o have exhibited activity against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus IO-16 at a concentration of 37.5 microg mL(-1), whereas Cefepime, the drug used as standard, have been found less active against the microorganisms mentioned above . The synthesised compounds were found to provide 12-34% inhibition of mycobacterial growth of M . tuberculosis H37 Rv in the primary screen at 6.25 microg mL(-1) . Anticonvulsant activity of the compounds were also determined by maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous metrazole (scMET) tests in mice and rats following the procedures of antiepileptic drug development (ADD) program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) . Compound 3k showed 25% protection against MES induced seizures in p.o . rat screening at a dose level of 30 mg kg(-1) whereas 3n and 3o showed neurotoxicity after 4 and 0.5 h at a dose level of 100 and 300 mg kg(-1), respectively. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao, 2003 Oct, 25(5), 567 - 72 {Mechanism of carbapenems resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii}; Wang H et al.; OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of carbapenems resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii . METHODS: WHONET-5 software was used to analyze the trend of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii collected from 1999 to 2001 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital . Analytical isoelectric focusing was used to measure the pI of the beta-lactamase . Conjugation experiment was used to study the transfer of carbapenem resistance and plasmid DNA was extracted and purified with Qiagen Plasmid Mini Kit . The homology of the isolates was determined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) . Integrase genes and blaIMP-, blaVIM-, blaOXA- genes for resistant isolates were amplified and sequenced . RESULTS: Imipenem resistance in A . baumannii was ranged from 1.8%-8.5%, but only 9 resistant isolates were viable . They were co-resistant to other carbapenems, ceftazidime, aztreonam, and gentamicin, and four isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin . Impipenem resistance could not be transferred to susceptible strains . No plasmid was extracted . Each isolate produced TEM-1, AmpC, and two enzymes (pI 6.7, 6.0), which can not be inhibited by cloxacillin and clavulanic acid . Each isolate had class I intergase gene . Nine isolates were all negative for PCR of blaIMP- and blaVIM- genes, but positive for blaOXA-23 specific PCR . Sequencing found 100% homology with blaOXA-23 . PFGE found 3 clones (A type: 5 isolates; B type: 3 isolates; C type: 1 isolate) . Control isolates (imipenem-susceptible, but ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin resistant) were also A clone . CONCLUSIONS: Production of OXA-23 carbapenemase in A . baumannii was one of the main mechanisms of carbapenems resistance at our hospital . It brings concern that imipenem-resistant clone has evoluted from nosocomial multiple-resistant strains. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2003 Nov, 24(11), 864 - 9 Ventilator-associated pneumonia at a tertiary-care center in a developing country: incidence, microbiology, and susceptibility patterns of isolated microorganisms; Kanafani ZA et al.; OBJECTIVE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) complicates the course of up to 24% of intubated patients . Data from the Middle East are scarce . The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence, microbiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated microorganisms in VAP in a developing country . DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study . SETTING: The American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary-care center that serves as a major referral center for Lebanon and neighboring countries . PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the intensive care and respiratory care units from March to September 2001, and who had been receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours, were included in the study . Results of samples submitted for culture were recorded and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolated pathogens was performed . RESULTS: Seventy patients were entered into the study . The incidence of VAP was 47% . Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 83% of all isolates . The most commonly identified organism was Acinetobacter anitratus, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Fifty percent of all gram-negative bacterial isolates were classified as antibiotic resistant . Compared with patients without VAP, patients with VAP remained intubated for a longer period and stayed in the intensive care unit longer . VAP was not associated with an increased mortality rate . CONCLUSION: Compared with other studies, the results from this referral center in Lebanon indicate a higher incidence of VAP and a high prevalence of resistant organisms . These data are relevant because they direct the choice of empiric antibiotic therapy for VAP. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2003 Nov, 24(11), 853 - 8 Ventilator-associated pneumonia in a multi-hospital system: differences in microbiology by location; Babcock HM et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there were differences in the microbiologic etiologies of ventilator-associated pneumonia in different clinical settings . DESIGN: Observational retrospective cohort study of microbiologic etiologies of ventilator-associated pneumonia from 1998 to 2001 in a multi-hospital system . Microbiologic results were compared between hospitals and between different intensive care units (ICUs) within hospitals . SETTING: Three hospitals--one pediatric teaching hospital, one adult teaching hospital, and one community hospital--in one healthcare system in the midwestern United States . PATIENTS: Patients at the target hospitals who developed ventilator-associated pneumonia and for whom microbiologic data were available . RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-three episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia had culture data available for review . The most common organisms at all hospitals were Staphylococcus aureus (28.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25.2%) . The pediatric hospital had higher proportions of Escherichia coli (9.5% vs 2.3%; P < .001) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13% vs 3.1%; P < .001) than did the adult hospitals . In the pediatric hospital, the pediatric ICU had higher P aeruginosa rates than did the neonatal ICU (33.3% vs 17%; P = .01) . In the adult hospitals, the surgical ICU had higher Acinetobacter baumannii rates (10.2% vs . 1.7%; P < .001) than did the other ICUs . CONCLUSIONS: Microbiologic etiologies of ventilator-associated pneumonia vary between and within hospitals . Knowledge of these differences can improve selection of initial antimicrobial regimens, which may decrease mortality. J Formos Med Assoc, 2003 Sep, 102(9), 650 - 2 Community-acquired bacteremic cellulitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii; Chiang WC et al.; Acinetobacter baumannii is rarely encountered as a pathogen causing community-acquired skin and soft tissue infection . A 79-year-old man had a fever for 3 days accompanied by pain and swelling over the left leg around an old scar caused by a dog bite 10 years ago . Two sets of blood cultures and a wound culture all yielded A . baumannii . The patient's condition deteriorated initially but recovered completely after 3 weeks of meropenem treatment . This case suggests that A . baumannii should be included among pathogens with the potential to cause complicated skin infection in the community. J Formos Med Assoc, 2003 Sep, 102(9), 601 - 6 Clinical features of pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia at a university hospital in Taiwan; Kuo LC et al.; BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The number of infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii has increased in recent years and the emergence of pandrug-resistant A . baumannii (PDRAB) has been observed in Taiwan . The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with bacteremia due to PDRAB . METHODS: From January 1999 to April 2002, 30 patients with PDRAB bacteremia were treated . We analyzed the clinical characteristics of these patients, including gender, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, antibiotic treatment, and outcome . RESULTS: Bacteremia developed an average of 33 days after hospitalization and was hospital acquired in all cases . The source of bacteremia was identified in 19 patients (63.3%) and was most commonly from the respiratory tract . The overall mortality was 60% (18 patients) . Among these, the cause of death was directly related to PDRAB bacteremia in 12 . Underlying heart disease, shock, resuscitation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, and multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS) were significant predictors of mortality after the development of PDRAB bacteremia . No specific antimicrobial therapy appeared to be effective . CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes of patients with PDRAB bacteremia were related to the medical conditions of the patients at the time of development of bacteremia and could be predicted by the MODS . The only way to limit the spread is through strict preventive measures for nosocomial infection and antibiotic control. P R Health Sci J, 2003 Sep, 22(3), 265 - 71 A comparison of the antimicrobial resistance patterns of gram-negative bacilli isolated from community-private and university-affiliated hospitals from Puerto Rico; Vazquez GJ et al.; Few studies have been performed in Puerto Rico concerning the antimicrobial resistance pattern of clinically significant Gram-negative bacilli . The antimicrobial resistance patterns of 5,590 Gram-negative bacteria obtained from three Community-Private Hospitals (CPH) and three University-Affiliated Hospitals (UAH) were evaluated utilizing the institutions' antimicrobial susceptibility reports for the year 2000 . The objectives of this study were: to retrospectively evaluate the reported in vitro resistance of clinical isolates of E . coli, K . pneumoniae, E . cloacae, S . marcescens, P . aeruginosa and A . baumannii to selected standard antibiotics and to compare the antimicrobial resistance patterns between Community-Private (CPH) and University Affiliated hospitals (UAH) . E . coli was the most common Gram-negative enteric bacilli in both CPH and UAH . In UAH, E . coli demonstrated a statistically significant higher resistance to the selected beta lactams and amikacin antibiotics but not to ciprofloxacin or gentamicin . For K . pneumoniae, the antimicrobial resistant pattern showed that UAH isolates were significantly more resistant to the tested antibiotics with the exception of ceftriaxone . In CPH, E . cloacae isolates were significantly more resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, while in UAH this organism was more resistant to amikacin . In UAH, S . marcescens isolates demonstrated a statistically significant higher resistance to all tested antibiotics with the exception of imipenem, which was similar in both hospitals group . Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated a statistically significant higher resistance in UAH to all selected antibiotics with the exception of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, which was similar in both hospitals group . Acinetobacter baumannii was the most resistant organisms in both hospitals group . UAH isolates were significantly more resistant than CPH isolates for all tested antibiotics . When compare with other large-scale antimicrobial resistance studies, the present study results suggest an apparent higher resistance in the Puerto Rican isolates . The high numbers of antimicrobial resistant Gram-negative bacilli in our study strongly suggest multiple mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance including the presence of extended spectrum and chromosomally derepressed beta-lactamases. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2003 Nov, 9(11), 1128 - 32 Comparative in vitro activity of piperacillin, piperacillin-sulbactam and piperacillin-tazobactam against nosocomial pathogens isolated from intensive care patients; Frank U et al.; We investigated the antimicrobial activity of piperacillin-tazobactam versus piperacillin-sulbactam against common nosocomial pathogens (n = 565) isolated from intensive care patients . For Gram-positive bacteria, antimicrobial susceptibilities to the two piperacillin-beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations were almost identical . For Gram-negative bacteria, piperacillin-tazobactam exhibited greater activity against Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris than piperacillin-sulbactam . Both combinations, however, were equally effective against the other Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates . Piperacillin-sulbactam exhibited better antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii . Our findings might prove important for the appropriate choice of antibiotic therapy with beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2003 Sep, 9(9), 907 - 11 Integron-mediated antibiotic multiresistance in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from Spain; Ruiz J et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether non-epidemiologically related, antibiotic-resistant isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from different geographical origins possess common type 1 integrons . METHODS: The epidemiologic relationships between seven A . baumannii strains recovered from different Spanish hospitals were established by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the presence of integrons being determined by PCR and DNA sequencing . RESULTS: Integron analysis showed the presence of four different integrons, containing six different known genes (aacC1, aacA4, aadA1, aadB, oxa21 and oxa37) plus an ORF . It was found that the same integron was present in different unrelated strains and that related strains could have different integrons . CONCLUSION: These results show the potential risk of integron dissemination among different strains of A . baumannii. Can J Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 49(9), 569 - 75 The concentrations of hexadecane and inorganic nutrients modulate the production of extracellular membrane-bound vesicles, soluble protein, and bioemulsifier by Acinetobacter venetianus RAG-1 and Acinetobacter sp . strain HO1-N; Leahy JG et al.; In the present study, we addressed the possibility that the production of both bioemulsifiers and membrane-bound vesicles may be a common feature of the growth of Acinetobacter spp . on alkanes, and we determined the extent to which the release of extracellular products by these organisms is regulated by the concentrations of the alkane substrate and inorganic nutrients . To accomplish this objective, we grew Acinetobacter venetianus RAG-1 and Acinetobacter sp . strain HO1-N with different concentrations of nutrients and assayed for extracellular products . The results indicated that the release of vesicles, soluble protein, and bioemulsifier was promoted in various degrees by higher concentrations of hexadecane and inorganic nutrients, while the specific activities of the bioemulsifiers were enhanced with lower nutrient concentrations . Based on our findings, we propose that under conditions of nutrient excess, these strains produce membrane-bound vesicles to function in "luxury uptake" of the alkane substrate for delivery and storage in the form of inclusions . Under the same conditions, soluble bioemulsifier and protein may perform auxiliary roles in cell desorption and (or) alkane uptake . With low concentrations of nutrients, the decreased production of vesicles, protein, and bioemulsifier and the increased activity of the emulsifier may represent a mechanism for reducing biosynthetic demands and conserving cellular material. J Microbiol Methods, 2003 Dec, 55(3), 851 - 8 Analysis of bacterial DNA patterns--an approach for controlling biotechnological processes; Muller S et al.; Optimisation of biotechnological processes catalysed by microbial cells requires detailed information about operational limits of the single cells . Their performance is correlated with distinct physiological states . We related these states to cell cycle events, which were found to proceed extremely diversely in different bacterial strains . Characteristic DNA patterns were found flow cytometrically, depending on the type of strain, substrates and growth conditions involved; this information can be used for the development of control strategies of bioprocesses, although some skill is required.Four bacterial strains (the Gram-negative strains Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 69-V, Ralstonia eutropha JMP 134, Ochrobactrum anthropi K2-14 and the Gram-positive strain Rhodococcus erythropolis K2-3) were grown in mono- and mixed cultures on different substrates, and analysed regarding their proliferation behaviour . The resulting DNA distribution patterns provided three types of valuable information . First, correlation of proliferation activity with the appearance of a major part of cells within the C(2) stage of the cell cycle is a strain-specific feature . Second, bacteria usually maintain more than one chromosome under limiting growth conditions: DNA replication is completed in such cases, but cell division fails . Third, high growth rates are associated with uncoupled DNA synthesis . Its general initiation might be genetically determined in the first place, but it is promoted by optimal growth conditions and the presence of substrates that can be metabolised at high rates, thereby allowing substantial amounts of carbon, other nutrients and energy to be used exclusively for DNA synthesis. Chem Biol Interact, 2003 Oct 25, 146(2), 157 - 64 Critical role of histidine residues in cyclohexanone monooxygenase expression, cofactor binding and catalysis; Cheesman MJ et al.; Cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CMO) is a member of the flavin monooxygenase superfamily of enzymes that catalyze both nucleophilic and electrophilic reactions involving a common C4a hydroperoxide intermediate . To begin to probe structure-function relationships for these enzymes, we investigated the roles of histidine residues in CMO derived from Acinetobacter NCIB 9871, with particular emphasis on the wholly conserved residue, His163 (H163) . CMO activity was readily inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), a selective chemical modifier of histidine residues . Each of the seven histidines in CMO was then individually mutated to glutamine and the mutants expressed and purified from Escherichia coli . Only the H59Q mutant failed to express at significant levels . The H96Q enzyme was found to have a greatly reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) content, indicative of compromised cofactor retention . The only significant effect on kcat occurred with the H163Q mutant, which exhibited an approximately 10-fold lower turnover of the prototypical substrate, cyclohexanone . This was accompanied by a doubling in the Km {NADPH} compared to the wild-type enzyme, suggesting that the functional decrement in H163Q is probably not solely a reflection of impaired NADPH binding . These data establish a critical role for H163 in CMO catalysis and prompt the hypothesis that this conserved residue plays a similarly important functional role across the flavin monooxygenase family of enzymes. J Neuroimmunol, 2003 Nov, 144(1-2), 105 - 15 Cross-reactivity between related sequences found in Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, myelin basic protein and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in multiple sclerosis; Hughes LE et al.; To investigate the possible role of molecular mimicry to bacterial components in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis we examined antibody responses to mimicry peptide sequences of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and myelin components . Antibodies to mimicry peptides from Acinetobacter (p<0.001), P . aeruginosa (p<0.001), myelin basic protein (MBP) (p<0.001) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) (p<0.001) were significantly elevated in MS patients compared to controls . Antisera against MBP (residues 110-124) reacted with both Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas peptides from 4- and gamma-carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase, respectively . MOG (residues 43-57) antisera reacted with Acinetobacter peptide from 3-oxo-adipate-CoA-transferase subunit A . The role of these bacteria in MS is unclear but demonstrates that molecular mimicry is not restricted to viruses suggesting bacterial infections could play a role in MS pathogenesis . Further work is required to evaluate the relevance of these cross-reactive antibodies to the neuropathology of MS. Przegl Lek, 2003, 60(5), 375 - 82 {Cefepime: the new option of target antibiotic therapy}; Samet A et al.; Treatment of hospital infections caused by multidrugresistant pathogens like Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella needs microbiological monitoring from the beginning of therapy . Inadequate antimicrobial therapy decreases the possibility of positive outcome . Risk of resistance development should be monitored for every new antimicrobial agent . Cefepime is a new, parenteral, broad-spectrum, fourth-generation cephalosporin, an effective agent in the treatment of bacterial infections . Modification of the cefepime molecule gives rapid penetration into the bacterial cell, resulting in rapid bactericidal effect . Cefepime does not have the propensity to provoke septic shock due to bacterial endotoxins . It is also one of the three available antimicrobials (carbapenems, piperacylin/tazobactam, cefepime) with very good activity against many resistant nosocomial pathogens . Combination of cefepime with amikacin is thought as the most effective treatment of infections due to multidrugresistant Pseudomonas spp. Rev Argent Microbiol, 2003 Jul-Sep, 35(3), 133 - 7 {Evaluation of API 20 NE (version 6.0) in rare Gram-negative non-glucose-fermenting bacilli}; Vay C et al.; The ability of the API 20 NE method (6.0 version, bio-Merieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) to identify 188 strains of gram negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) was evaluated (Fenazinic pigment producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp . were excluded) . These were isolated from patients treated at the Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin of the University of Buenos Aires during the period 1996-2001 . Strains were identified according to the Schreckenberger P testing method . Out of 188 NFB strains, 175 (93.09%) were correctly identified by the API 20 NE method at the genus and species level (IC95 = 88.47-96.27) while 61 (32.45%) required additional testing for correct identification . Thirteen strains (6.91%; IC95 3.73-11.53) could not be correctly identified and none of them were classified as "non identified" . The API 20 NE method is a practical, easy to handle, fast and useful system for the identification of NFB since conventional manual methods take longer and require many biochemical, enzymatic and physiological tests which are sometimes not available depending on the size and capability of the laboratory . Although it is easy to handle, the API 20 NE identification system must be interpreted by an expert microbiologist who must compare the results obtained by this system with the information provided by the distinctive cultures and mobility patterns of these organisms. Am J Hematol, 2003 Nov, 74(3), 221 - 3 Disseminated Mycobacterium kansasii infection with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia; Goldschmidt N et al.; A 64-year-old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was admitted due to prolonged fever and lung infiltrates . An open lung biopsy was required to make the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and infection with Mycobacterium kansasii . She was treated successfully with combined antimycobacterial therapy for 14 months . However, the leukemia progressed and the patient developed recurrent bilateral lung infiltrates . Blood and bronchoalveolar fluid cultures yielded growth of Acinetobacter . She died shortly thereafter due to septic shock . The relationship between M . kansasii infection, PAP, and abnormal host defense in CML is discussed . Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2003 Oct, 67(10), 2115 - 23 Purification and characterization of membrane-bound quinoprotein quinate dehydrogenase; Adachi O et al.; Several bacterial strains carrying quinoprotein quinate dehydrogenase (QDH) were screened through acetic acid bacteria and other bacteria . Strong enzyme activity was found in the membrane fraction of Gluconobacter melanogenus IFO 3294, G . oxydans IFO 3292, G . oxydans IFO 3244, and some strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . Interestingly, in the membrane fraction of A . calcoaceticus AC3, which is unable to produce pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), fairly large amounts of apo-QDH were formed, and were converted to holo-QDH only by the addition of PQQ . It was difficult to detach PQQ from the holo-QDH by EDTA treatment, and EDTA treatment with apo-QDH prior to PQQ addition gave no significant holo-QDH . For QDH purification, Gluconobacter strains were not suitable due to the presence of huge amounts of quinohemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the same membrane, which was co-solubilized with QDH and disturbed purification of QDH . Purification of holo-QDH was done with Acinetobacter sp . SA1 instead, which contained no ADH . Apo-QDH was purified from A . aclcoaceticus AC3 . This is the first report dealing with QDH purification, and two different criteria of QDH purification were given . A combination of two steps using butyl-Toyopearl and hydroxyapatite columns gave a highly purified holo-QDH which was monodispersed and showed enough purity, though the specific activity did not increase as much as expected . When QDH purification was done with A . calcoaceticus AC3 in the absence of PQQ, purified apo-QDH appeared to be a dimer, which was converted to the monomer on addition of PQQ . Since QDH was highly hydrophobic, one-step chromatography on a DEAE-Sepharose column was tried . Purified holo-QDH of higher specific activity was obtained with a higher yield . The molecular mass of QDH was estimated to be 88 kDa . There was no characteristic absorption spectrum with the purified QDH except for a small bump around 420 nm . QDH oxidized only quinate and shikimate so far examined . The optimal QDH activity was found at pH 6-7 when assayed with artificial electron acceptors . QDH was formed in the presence or absence of quinate in the culture medium, although stronger induction was usually observed in the presence of quinate. J Hosp Infect, 2003 Nov, 55(3), 196 - 203 Susceptibility trends in bacteraemias: analyses of 7544 patient-unique bacteraemic episodes spanning 11 years (1990-2000); Raveh D et al.; The aim of the present study was to design more accurate tools for the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy for hospitalized patients with suspected sepsis . We created a large database comprising data on all patient-unique blood cultures obtained over an 11 year period (1 January, 1990 through 31 December, 2000) . Improved statistical tools were applied to assess the trends in in vitro activity of individual antibiotic agents against various bacteria over time, and to calculate susceptibility rates of subsets of organisms . During the 11 year study period, 173571 blood cultures were obtained, of which 17703 (10.2%) were positive, with 7544 patient-unique blood cultures (4.3%) . The mean annual number of positive, patient-unique cultures was 686 (standard deviation=79) . The 10 most frequently isolated organisms were: Escherichia coli (1494), Staphylococcus aureus (1240), Klebsiella pneumoniae (779), Enterococcus spp . (631), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (488), Streptococcus pneumoniae (447), Enterobacter spp . (338), Acinetobacter spp . (298), Proteus mirabilis (260) and Candida spp . (254) . No significant change was detected in the annual rates (means, standard deviations) per 1000 admissions of these organisms: the highest was E . coli (5.5, 1), the lowest was Candida (1, 0.3) . Forty percent of organisms (N=2943) were obtained from patients in the emergency department (ED), 23% (1744) in medical departments, 15% (1134) in paediatric units, 13% (998) on surgical wards and 9% (709) in intensive care units (ICUs) . Trend statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in susceptibility in ED Enterobacteriaceae to eight of 15 (53%) tested antimicrobials, with a mean annual decrease of 1.6%+/-0.6%, in the ICU isolates, a significant decrease was detected in only five (33%) of the tested antimicrobials, with a mean annual decrease of 2.5%+/-1.3% . The difference in susceptibility between ED and ICU isolates was significant for all antimicrobials (P<0.001) . A significant decrease in the susceptibility of E coli to nine of 15 drugs (60%) was detected, ranging from 0.7% to 2.7% annually . In K . pneumoniae a significant decrease in susceptibility of K . pneumoniae was detected with only two agents . Pseudomonas spp . isolates remained highly sensitive to all traditional anti-pseudomonal agents, without significant decay in sensitivity rates over time . Susceptibility of S . aureus to methicillin decreased significantly for several subsets of patients (P<0.001) . Marked differences in susceptibility rates between the departments were detected . Trend statistical analyses, when appropriately applied to multi-year databases of microbial susceptibilities, may yield susceptibility tables that are significantly more accurate than traditional semi-annual or annual tables. Can J Microbiol, 2003 Jun, 49(6), 367 - 73 Effects of Gypsophila saponins on bacterial growth kinetics and on selection of subterranean clover rhizosphere bacteria; Fons F et al.; Plant secondary metabolites, such as saponins, have a considerable impact in agriculture because of their allelopathic effects . They also affect the growth of soil microorganisms, especially fungi . We investigated the influence of saponins on rhizosphere bacteria in vitro and in soil conditions . The effects of gypsophila saponins on the growth kinetics of rhizosphere bacteria were studied by monitoring the absorbance of the cultures in microtiter plates . Gypsophila saponins (1%) increased the lag phase of bacterial growth . The impact of gypsophila saponins on subterranean clover rhizosphere was also investigated in a pot experiment . The addition of gypsophila saponins did not modify clover biomass but significantly increased (twofold with 1% saponins) the weight of adhering soil . The number of culturable heterotrophic bacteria of the clover rhizosphere was not affected by the addition of gypsophila saponins . Nevertheless, the phenotypical characterization of the dominant Gram-negative strains of the clover rhizosphere, using the Biolog system, showed qualitative and quantitative differences induced by 1% saponins . With the addition of saponins, the populations of Chryseomonas spp . and Acinetobacter spp., the two dominant culturable genera of control clover, were no longer detectable or were significantly decreased, while that of Aquaspirillum dispar increased and Aquaspirillum spp . became the major genus . Aquaspirillum dispar and Aquaspirillum spp . were also the dominant rhizosphere bacteria of Gypsophila paniculata, which greatly accumulates these saponins in its roots . These results suggest that saponins may control rhizosphere bacteria in soil through rhizodeposition mechanisms. Pathol Biol (Paris), 2003 Oct, 51(8-9), 508 - 11 In vitro activity of ertapenem against anaerobes isolated from the respiratory tract; Pierard D et al.; Ertapenem is a novel parenteral carbapenem with a long serum half-life . Its spectrum of activity is similar to that of imipenem and meropenem against Gram-positive bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and fastidious Gram-negative bacteria but it is less active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp . Several studies were performed in the United States but only one European study has shown that ertapenem has an excellent activity against anaerobes . The objectives of the present study were to test the activity of ertapenem against anaerobes isolated prospectively from the lower and upper respiratory tracts, and to compare their susceptibility with that of anaerobic isolates from other body sites . Fifty-three isolates from the respiratory tract, as well as 50 isolates from various other body sites were tested with E-tests against six antibiotics . For respiratory isolates and for isolates from other sites, MIC 90 values (mg/l) were, respectively, >32 and >32 for penicillin, 0.38 and 0.75 for amoxicillin/clavulanate, 48 and >256 for ceftriaxone, 0.12 and 0.75 for ertapenem, 12 and >256 for clindamycin and 2 and 12 for moxifloxacin . The higher susceptibility of respiratory tract isolates was mainly due to the different distribution of isolated species: only three respiratory isolates but 22 other isolates belonged to the Bacteroides fragilis group . This study confirms the excellent anti-anaerobic activity of ertapenem against anaerobic isolates from the respiratory tract. Reg Anesth Pain Med, 2003 Sep-Oct, 28(5), 470 - 4 Transverse myelitis associated with Acinetobacter baumanii intrathecal pump catheter-related infection; Ubogu EE et al.; OBJECTIVE: To describe a late neurologic complication of intrathecal pump implantation and show the methods used for the diagnosis and successful treatment of transverse myelitis in this setting . CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old man with a chronic abdominal pain syndrome presented with right lower-extremity numbness 2 months after the placement of an intrathecal morphine pump . This progressed to bilateral lower extremity and ascending sensory loss to T12-L1 dermatome, significant lower-extremity weakness, constipation with overflow incontinence, and detrusor instability causing urinary incontinence in discrete episodes over the following 2 months consistent with a myelopathy . Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were consistent with transverse myelitis . The intrathecal pump was removed and an Acinetobacter baumanii catheter-tip infection was diagnosed . Clinical course improved with the co-administration of intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics, with significant clinical improvement within 30 days . CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should recognize transverse myelitis as a possible late complication of intrathecal pump placement . Early medical intervention and removal of the intrathecal pump may be necessary to prevent irreversible spinal cord damage and may support good recovery. Infection, 2003 Oct, 31(5), 331 - 5 Analysis of prognostic factors in 95 patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia; Chen CH et al.; BACKGROUND: Because Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia is a global problem, we were motivated to characterize this disease in Taiwan . PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed findings in 95 patients with documented A . baumannii bacteremia between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2000 (47 men, 48 women; mean age 58.8 years) . RESULTS: The mean length of stay in the hospital was 44.0 days . Clinically, 76 patients had fever and 35 patients developed shock . Fifty patients had respiratory tract infections; 24, urinary tract infections; 11, intra-abdominal infections; three, CNS infections; and two, catheter-related infections . Five patients had primary bacteremia . Empirical antibiotic therapy was initiated at the onset of the clinical signs of infection . Antimicrobial susceptibility test results were variable . 47 patients died and 48 survived; the mortality rate for A . baumannii bacteremia was 45.3% (43/95) . CONCLUSION: Physicians should pay attention to this infection because the early identification of high-risk patients could facilitate prophylaxis and potentially reduce associated problems. Intensive Care Med, 2003 Nov, 29(11), 2072 - 6 Epub 2003 Oct 11. Tetracyclines for treating multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia; Wood GC et al.; OBJECTIVE: To report the use of tetracyclines for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) . DESIGN: Observational case series . SETTING: . The Presley Regional Trauma Center located within the Regional Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA . PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Seven critically ill trauma patients with VAP caused by A . baumannii isolates that were resistant to all antibiotics tested except for doxycycline or minocycline . INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with IV doxycycline or minocycline for an average of 13.5 (range 9-20) days . MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Doxycycline or minocycline was successful in six of seven patients . CONCLUSIONS: Doxycycline or minocycline may be effective for treating multidrug-resistant A . baumannii VAP. Hydrobiologia, 2002 Dec, 489(1-3), 151 - 9 Temporal changes in the bacterioplankton of a Northeast Ohio (USA) River; Liu J et al.; To examine temporal changes in a bacterial community, water samples were collected monthly for one year from five sites along a major use-reuse river, the Cuyahoga River, in northeastern Ohio (USA) . Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to enumerate population sizes of two species of common bacteria, Pseudomonas putida and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; FISH was also performed with a Domain Bacteria specific probe . In addition, the total bacteria (based on DAPI staining), colony forming units (on modified Nutrient agar) and coliforms were enumerated and supporting physical/chemical data were collected . Each variable examined exhibited a different seasonal pattern . Temporal changes in total number of bacteria and population size of P . putida were correlated with turbidity and precipitation suggesting that allochthonous sources and scouring of the benthos may be major contributors to these portions of the community . In contrast, the number of cells hybridizing the Domain Bacteria and A . calcoaceticus probes were correlated with temperature . Thus, different aspects of the bacterial community are potentially controlled by different factors and the role of allochthonous and autochthonous sources may vary among species. J Clin Microbiol, 2003 Oct, 41(10), 4623 - 9 Evaluation of the Hodge test and the imipenem-EDTA double-disk synergy test for differentiating metallo-beta-lactamase-producing isolates of Pseudomonas spp . and Acinetobacter spp; Lee K et al.; Gram-negative bacilli with acquired metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) production have been increasingly reported in some countries, necessitating their detection . The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Hodge test and those of the imipenem (IPM)-EDTA, ceftazidime (CAZ)-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), and CAZ-sodium mercaptoacetic acid (SMA) double-disk synergy tests (DDSTs) . The efficiencies of testing CAZ-resistant and IPM-nonsusceptible isolates were also compared . Strains used for the evaluation were known IMP-1 and VIM-2 MBL-producing isolates and consecutive and CAZ-nonsusceptible isolates of pseudomonads and acinetobacters . The performance of the Hodge test was improved by addition of zinc sulfate (140 microg/disk) to an IPM disk . In DDSTs, EDTA (ca . 1,900 microg) disks were better at detecting MBL-producing strains among pseudomonads, while MPA (3 microl) and SMA (3 mg) disks performed better for acinetobacters . EDTA (ca . 750 microg)-plus-SMA (ca . 2 mg) disks performed better than EDTA, MPA, or SMA disks with both organisms . CAZ-SMA DDSTs failed to detect 22 of 80 (28%) MBL-producing acinetobacters . In conclusion, use of an IPM disk and an EDTA (750 microg)-plus-SMA (2 mg) disk improves performance, and testing IPM-nonsusceptible isolates rather than CAZ-resistant isolates could reduce screening work . Further evaluation of the test is required for the detection of other types of MBL-producing gram-negative bacilli. Crit Care Med, 2003 Oct, 31(10), 2544 - 51 Pneumonia in the intensive care unit; Rello J et al.; OBJECTIVE: To update the state-of-the-art on pneumonia in adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), with special emphasis on new developments in management . METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, using the following keywords: hospital-acquired pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia and healthcare-associated pneumonia, diagnosis, therapy, prevention . RESULTS: Interventions to prevent pneumonia in the ICU should combine multiple measures targeting the invasive devices, microorganisms, and protection of the patient . Once pneumonia develops, the appropriateness of the initial antibiotic regimen is a vital determinant of outcome . Three questions should be formulated: a) Is the patient at risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?; b) Is Acinetobacter baumannii a problem in the institution?; and c) is the patient at risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa? Antibiotic therapy should be started immediately and must circumvent pathogen-resistance mechanisms developed after previous antibiotic exposure . Therefore, antibiotic choice should be institution specific and patient oriented . Microbiologic investigation is useful on evaluating the quality of the respiratory sample and permits early modification of the regimen in light of the microbiologic findings . CONCLUSION:A decision tree outlining an approach to the evaluation and management of ventilator-associated pneumonia is provided. Crit Care Med, 2003 Oct, 31(10), 2478 - 82 Clinical impact of pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii in intubated patients: a matched cohort study; Garnacho J et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii (VAPAB) is associated with increased mortality rate . DESIGN: A retrospective matched case-control study in which all intensive care unit adult patients with microbiologically documented VAPAB were defined as cases . SETTING: Four intensive care units from teaching hospitals . PATIENTS: Sixty patients were matched to sixty controls . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Controls were matched based on stay before pneumonia onset, disease severity (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) at admission, and diagnostic category . Population characteristics and intensive care unit mortality rates of patients with VAPAB and their controls were compared . Attributable mortality was determined by subtracting the crude mortality rate of the controls from the crude mortality rate of the case patients . Twenty-four of the 60 case patients died, representing a crude mortality rate of 40%, whereas 17 of the 60 controls died, a crude mortality rate of 28.3% (p =.17) . Crude intensive care unit mortality was the same (12 of 35, 34.2%) in patients with VAPAB caused by strains sensitive to imipenem and in their matched controls . It was 44% for the 25 patients with imipenem-resistant strains with an estimated attributable mortality rate of 20.0% (95% confidence interval, -5.6% to 45.7%) . Mean intensive care unit stay of patients and controls was 35.3 and 36.6 days, respectively (p = nonsignificant) . CONCLUSION: In intubated patients, pneumonia by A . baumannii is not significantly associated with attributable mortality rate or an increased length of intensive care unit stay. Int J Food Microbiol, 2003 Nov 1, 87(3), 239 - 50 The microbial ecology of processing equipment in different fish industries-analysis of the microflora during processing and following cleaning and disinfection; Bagge-Ravn D et al.; The microflora adhering to the processing equipment during production and after cleaning and disinfecting procedures was identified in four different processing plants . A total of 1009 microorganisms was isolated from various-agar plates and identified . A stepwise procedure using simple phenotypic tests was used to identify the isolates and proved a fast way to group a large collection of microorganisms . Pseudomonas, Neisseriaceae, Enterobactericeae, Coryneform, Acinetobacter and lactic acid bacteria dominated the microflora of cold-smoked salmon plants, whereas the microflora in a plant processing semi-preserved herring consisted of Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes and Enterobactericeae . Psychrobacter, Staphylococcus and yeasts were found in a caviar processing plant . Overall, many microorganisms that are often isolated from fish were also isolated from the fish processing plants . However, some selection depending on processing parameters occurred, since halo- and osmo-tolerant organisms dominated in the caviar processing . After cleaning and disinfection, yeasts, Pseudomonas, Neisseriaceae and Alcaligenes remained in smokehouses, yeasts and Pseudomonas in the herring plant and Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and yeasts in the caviar plant . The dominant adhering organisms after cleaning and disinfection were pseudomonads and yeasts independently of the microflora during processing . Knowledge of the adhering microflora is essential in the Good Hygienic Practises programme of food processing plants, as the development and design of improved cleaning and disinfecting procedures should target the microorganisms persisting and potentially contaminating the product. Mikrobiologiia, 2003 Jul-Aug, 72(4), 459 - 65 {Central metabolism in Acinetobacter sp . grown on ethanol}; Pirog TP et al.; The ethanol-grown cells of the mutant Acinetobacter sp . strain 1NG, incapable of producing exopolysaccharides, were analyzed for the activity of enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and some biosynthetic pathways . In spite of the presence of both key enzymes (isocitrate lyase and malate synthase) of the glyoxylate cycle, these cells also contained all enzymes of the TCA cycle, which presumably serves biosynthetic functions . This was evident from the high activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase and the low activity of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase . Pyruvate was formed in the reaction catalyzed by oxaloacetate decarboxylase, whereas phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) was synthesized by the two key enzymes (PEP carboxykinase and PEP synthase) of gluconeogenesis . The proportion between these enzymes was different in the exponential and the stationary growth phases . The addition of the C4-dicarboxylic acid fumarate to the ethanol-containing growth medium led to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in the activity of enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, as well as of fumarate hydratase, malate dehydrogenase, PEP synthase, and PEP carboxykinase (the activity of the latter enzyme increased by more than 7.5 times) . The data obtained can be used to improve the biotechnology of production of the microbial exopolysaccharide ethapolan on C2-substrates. Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2003 Oct, 22(4), 444 - 8 The susceptibility of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli to cefperazone and sulbactam compared with other antibacterial agents; Fu W et al.; This study was designed to determine the bacterial susceptibility of non-fermentative Gram-negative organisms to various antibacterial agents . Bacterial susceptibility testing used the Kirby-Bauer method and data were assessed according to NCCLS 2000 . Cefoperazone/sulbactam (CPER/SU) had good antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Its activity was next only to that of imipenem, meropenem and ceftazidime . CPER/SU was highly active against Acinetobacter spp., Alcaligenes spp., Burkholderia spp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Flavobacterium spp., while the majority of strains of the latter two species were resistant to imipenem and meropenem . Of 3905 isolates tested, 39.5% were susceptible to CPER, 70.4% to CPER/SU . The resistance rate was 37% for CPER and 10.8% for CPER/SU. J Clin Pharmacol, 2003 Oct, 43(10), 1116 - 23 Use of Monte Carlo simulation to design an optimized pharmacodynamic dosing strategy for meropenem; Kuti JL et al.; Prolonging the infusion of meropenem over 3 hours increases the percentage of the dosing interval that drug concentrations remain above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), thereby maximizing the pharmacodynamics of this agent and adhering to drug stability constraints . Monte Carlo simulation was employed to determine pharmacodynamic target attainment rates for several prolonged infusion (PI) meropenem dosage regimens as compared with the traditional 30-minute infusion (TI) against Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations . Percent time above the MIC (%T>MIC) exposures for 1000 mg TI q8h, 2000 mg TI q8h, 500 mg PI q8h, 1000 mg PI q12h, 1000 mg PI q8h, 2000 mg PI q12h, and 2000 mg PI q8h were simulated for 10,000 subjects . Variability in pharmacokinetic parameters and MIC distributions were derived from studies in healthy volunteers and the MYSTIC surveillance program, respectively . The probabilities of attaining bacteriostatic (30% T>MIC) and bactericidal (50% T>MIC) exposures were high for all dosage regimens against populations of Enterobacteriaceae . Against Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the 2000-mg PI q8h dosage regimen provided the highest target attainment rates . For mild to moderate infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae, prolonged infusion regimens of 500 mg PI q8h and 1000 mg PI q12h would provide equivalent target attainment rates to the traditional 30-minute infusion while requiring less drug over 24 hours . For more serious infections presumably caused by Acinetobacter species or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a dose of 2000 mg PI q8h is recommended because of its high bactericidal target attainment rate against these pathogens . Further study of these dosage recommendations in clinical trials is suggested. Tenn Med, 2003 Sep, 96(9), 419 - 22 Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia: a case report and review of the literature; Iskandar SB et al.; Bacteria that constitute the genus Acinetobacter were originally identified in the first decade of the 20th century . However, it was not until the last decade that its role as an opportunistic pathogen was fully appreciated . It is now clear that Acinetobacter is an important cause of nosocomial infection and contributes significantly to the patient's morbidity and mortality . The prevalence of infection with A . baumannii has increased significantly during the last decade . At the same time, A . baumannii has developed one of the most impressive patterns of antibiotic resistance ever observed, establishing it as an important nosocomial pathogen . It has been nicknamed the "Gram-negative MRSA" because of its frequent resistance to commonly used antibiotics . Infection with A . baumannii should be suspected in hospitalized patients who are not responding to initial empiric antibiotic treatment, and the therapeutic approach should be customized according to when the pathogen is isolated. Environ Microbiol, 2003 Oct, 5(10), 977 - 85 Microbial characterization of the Mars Odyssey spacecraft and its encapsulation facility; La Duc MT et al.; Microbial characterization of the Mars Odyssey spacecraft and the Kennedy Space Center Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility II (SAEF-II) was carried out by both culture-based and molecular methods . The most dominant cultivable microbes were species of Bacillus, with comamonads, microbacteria and actinomycetales also represented . Several spore-forming isolates were resistant to gamma-radiation, UV, H2O2 and desiccation, and one Acinetobacter radioresistens isolate and several Aureobasidium, isolated directly from the spacecraft, survived various conditions . Sequences arising in clone libraries were fairly consistent between the spacecraft and facility; predominant genera included Variovorax, Ralstonia and Aquaspirillum . This study improves our understanding of the microbial community structure, diversity and survival capabilities of microbes in an encapsulation facility and physically associated with colocated spacecraft. Rinsho Biseibutshu Jinsoku Shindan Kenkyukai Shi, 2003, 13(2), 115 - 20 The biological activity of antibacterial substance produced by Enterobacter cloacae B8; Ya-Ping J et al.; An antibacterial substance was extracted and purified from the culture of Enterobacter cloacae B8 and the antagonistic activities of the extract to 229 clinical pathogen strains was tested by the K-B paper-dish method . The extract of Enterobacter cloacae B8 showed strongly antagonistic activity to all 146 tested stains of Staphylococcus spp.; the antagonistic diameter was about 18-32 mm, averaging about 26.5 mm; showing especially strong antagonistic activity to all 87 tested strains of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the average antagonistic diameter was about 22.6 mm . The average antagonistic diameter of the extract of Enterobacter cloacae B8 to 3 tested strains of Escherchia coli and 8 tested strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae was about 14 mm and 13 mm, respectively; showing only antagonistic activities to 3 strains of Acinetobacter spp . in 26 tested strains, and showing no antagonistic activities to all 25 tested strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of partially purified extract against MRSA was about 9.4 micrograms/ml determined by disc-diffusion method, and the MIC of Vancomycin was about 3.1 micrograms/ml as the control in this study. Mar Biotechnol (NY), 2003 Nov-Dec, 5(6), 593 - 603 Epub 2003 Sep 29. Endosymbiotic microflora of the vestimentiferan tubeworm ( Lamellibrachia sp.) from a bathyal cold seep; Kimura H et al.; Gutless vestimentiferan tubeworms are known to harbor endosymbiotic bacteria in a specialized tissue, the trophosome, which consists of lobules . The endosymbionts of vestimentiferans inhabiting sulfide-rich hydrothermal vents are monospecific for their host . In contrast, previous studies suggest that vestimentiferas of methane-rich seeps may host multispecific symbionts . Phylogenetic analysis and dot-blot hybridization of 16S ribosomal RNA genes (16S rDNA) detected 4 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the trophosome of the vestimentifera Lamellibrachia species from a bathyal methane-seep . The OTUs were closely related to 16S rDNA of the species belonging to alpha -Proteobacteria ( Sulfitobacter), beta- Proteobacteria ( Janthinobacterium), and gamma -Proteobacteria ( Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas) . Localizations of the 4 OTUs within the trophosome were confirmed by in situ hybridization (ISH) . ISH signals of the alpha-proteobacterial OTU were observed in the innermost zone of the trophosome lobules . In contrast, ISH signals of the beta- and gamma-proteobacterial OTUs were observed at the periphery of the lobules; however, whether they occur inside or outside the lobules remains unclear . These results support the possibility that the studied methane-seep tubeworm has a microflora composed of multispecific endosymbionts. Curr Opin Crit Care, 2003 Oct, 9(5), 413 - 23 Antimicrobial resistance among gram-negative organisms in the intensive care unit; Clark NM et al.; PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review the hospital-acquired gram-negative organisms commonly encountered among patients in the intensive care unit and discuss pertinent surveillance data, resistance mechanisms and patterns, and optimal treatment regimens for these pathogens . RECENT FINDINGS: There has been a notable increase in antibiotic resistance among gram-negative intensive care unit pathogens . Data from surveillance programs such as National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, Intensive Care Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology, and others have documented undesirable trends in antibiotic resistance, indicating decreasing efficacy of antibiotic classes such as third-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, and fluoroquinolones, The increased prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases has contributed to the finding of multidrug resistance among bacteria such as Klebsiella and Escherichia coli . Furthermore, organisms such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia display intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics, making selection of optimal therapy difficult . Studies have correlated infection by these organisms with prior antibiotic exposure, and containment of the spread of infection can be achieved by careful antibiotic use and infection control practices . SUMMARY: Antibiotic resistance continues to rise among hospital-acquired gram-negative pathogens . Optimal management of these infections requires knowledge of local epidemiology and practices to control their spread. Toxicon, 2003 Sep 15, 42(4), 419 - 24 Culturable and nonculturable bacterial symbionts in the toxic benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis lenticularis; Ashton M et al.; The toxic benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis lenticularis hosts a variety of symbiont bacterial flora . Laboratory cultured Ostreopsis clones require the presence of symbiotic Pseudomonas/Alteromonas bacterial strains for growth and toxicity development . Three culturable bacterial strains associated with Ostreopsis were identified as Pseudomonas/Alteromonas strain 1, Pseudomonas/Alteromonas strain 2 and Acinetobacter . Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses of extracted Ostreopsis associated bacterial DNAs indicated that there were three culturable and four non-culturable associated bacterial strains . The results presented here are the first report of the presence of unculturable bacterial symbionts in a toxic benthic dinoflagellate . Ostreopsis lost toxicity when exposed to elevated temperatures in the field and laboratory culture and subsequently recovered toxicity at reduced temperatures . Ostreopsis associated culturable Pseudomonas/Alteromonas bacterial strains were significantly reduced in dinoflagellate cultures exposed to elevated temperatures . The decreased toxicity of O . lenticularis exposed to elevated temperatures and their subsequent recovery of toxicity in periods of reduced thermal stress may have resulted from the effects of elevated temperature on the spectrum of culturable and unculturable bacterial species interacting with their Ostreopsis host. J Hosp Infect, 2003 Sep, 55(1), 39 - 46 Assessment of Acinetobacter baumannii susceptibility to antiseptics and disinfectants; Martro E et al.; Disinfection and antisepsis are of primary importance in controlling outbreaks of Acinetobacter baumannii, a nosocomial pathogen that frequently shows multiple antibiotic resistance . In this study we assessed the susceptibility of nine A . baumannii strains isolated during a sustained intensive care unit outbreak, to several antiseptics and disinfectants based on European Standards . While the tested strains showed diverse antibiotic resistance patterns, they were equally sensitive to the biocides assessed in vitro . We observed neither evidence of development of resistance to biocides over time, nor a correlation between resistance to antibiotics and a decreased susceptibility to antiseptics or disinfectants. Clin Infect Dis, 2003 Oct 1, 37(7), 984 - 8 Epub 2003 Sep 05. Severe bacterial infection in transfusion-dependent patients with thalassemia major; Wang SC et al.; The incidence and clinical spectrum of severe bacterial infection were studied in 89 patients with thalassemia major that was diagnosed between January 1971 and March 2002 . There were 20 patients with 24 episodes of severe bacterial infection, resulting in an incidence of 1.6 infections per 100 patient-years . The clinical spectrum included liver abscess (6 cases), septicemia (6 cases), soft-tissue infection (2 cases), osteomyelitis (2 cases), corneal ulcer (1 case), enteritis (1 case), and abscesses of the lung, kidney, intra-abdominal region, retropharynx, gums, and buttocks (1 case each) . The leading causal microorganisms were gram-negative bacilli, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae (10 of 20 isolates) . Other responsible pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2/20), Vibrio vulnificus (2/20), Acinetobacter baumanii (1/20), Streptococcus intermidius (1/20), Yersinia enterocolitica (1/20), Staphylococcus aureus (1/20), Escherichia coli (1/20), and Salmonella species (1/20) . Splenectomy and delays in the start of iron-chelating therapy were 2 independent risk factors. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 53(Pt 5), 1563 - 7 Acinetobacter parvus sp . nov., a small-colony-forming species isolated from human clinical specimens; Nemec A et al.; The taxonomic status of seven glucose-non-acidifying, non-proteolytic Acinetobacter strains characterized by forming small colonies on agar media was studied . With one exception, all strains were from human specimens . They could be distinguished from all described Acinetobacter (genomic) species by their ability to grow on ethanol and acetate as sole sources of carbon but not on 22 other substrates tested including DL-lactate or DL-4-aminobutyrate . DNA-DNA hybridization studies, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, amplified rDNA restriction analysis and DNA polymorphism analysis by AFLP showed that these strains represent a hitherto unknown species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter parvus (type strain LMG 21765(T)=LUH 4616(T)=NIPH 384(T)=CCM 7030(T)) is proposed. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 53(Pt 5), 1389 - 95 Alkanindiges illinoisensis gen . nov., sp . nov., an obligately hydrocarbonoclastic, aerobic squalane-degrading bacterium isolated from oilfield soils; Bogan BW et al.; An alkane-degrading bacterium, designated GTI MVAB Hex1(T), was isolated from chronically crude oil-contaminated soil from an oilfield in southern Illinois . The isolate grew very weakly or not at all in minimal or rich media without hydrocarbons . Straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as hexadecane and heptadecane, greatly stimulated growth; shorter-chain (</=C(15)) hydrocarbons did not (with decane as the sole exception) . Growth was also greatly enhanced by the branched aliphatic hydrocarbons pristane and squalane . The latter of these was most intriguing, as catabolism of squalane has hitherto been reported only for Mycobacterium species . Although unable to utilize mono- or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as sole carbon sources, the isolate did show slight fluorene-mineralizing capability in Luria-Bertani medium, which was partially repressed by hexadecane . In contrast, hexadecane supplementation greatly increased mineralization of (14)C-dodecane, which was not a growth substrate . Further testing emphasized the isolate's extremely narrow substrate range, as only Tween 40 and Tween 80 supported significant growth . Microscopic examination (by scanning and transmission electron microscopy) revealed a slightly polymorphic coccoidal to bacillar morphology, with hydrocarbon-grown cells tending to be more elongated . When grown with hexadecane, GTI MVAB Hex1(T) accumulated a large number of electron-transparent intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies . These were also prevalent during growth in the presence of squalane . Smaller inclusion bodies were observed occasionally with pristane supplementation; they were, however, absent during growth on crude oil . On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data and range of growth substrates, classification of this isolate as the type strain of Alkanindiges illinoisensis gen . nov., sp . nov . is proposed, which is most closely related (approx . 94 % sequence similarity) to Acinetobacter junii. J Bacteriol, 2003 Oct, 185(19), 5871 - 81 Characterization and regulation of the genes for a novel anthranilate 1,2-dioxygenase from Burkholderia cepacia DBO1; Chang HK et al.; Anthranilate (2-aminobenzoate) is an important intermediate in tryptophan metabolism . In order to investigate the degradation of tryptophan through anthranilate by Burkholderia cepacia, several plasposon mutations were constructed of strain DBO1 and one mutant with the plasposon insertion in the anthranilate dioxygenase (AntDO) genes was chosen for further study . The gene sequence obtained from flanking DNA of the plasposon insertion site revealed unexpected information . B . cepacia DBO1 AntDO (designated AntDO-3C) is a three-component Rieske-type {2Fe-2S} dioxygenase composed of a reductase (AndAa), a ferredoxin (AndAb), and a two-subunit oxygenase (AndAcAd) . This is in contrast to the two-component (an oxygenase and a reductase) AntDO enzyme from Acinetobacter sp . strain ADP1, P . aeruginosa PAO1, and P . putida P111 . AntDO from strains ADP1, PAO1, and P111 are closely related to benzoate dioxygenase, while AntDO-3C is closely related to aromatic hydrocarbon dioxygenases from Novosphingobium aromaticivorans F199 and Sphingomonas yanoikuyae B1 and 2-chlorobenzoate dioxygenase from P . aeruginosa strains 142 and JB2 . Escherichia coli cells expressing the functional AntDO-3C genes transform anthranilate and salicylate (but not 2-chlorobenzoate) to catechol . The enzyme includes a novel reductase whose absence results in less efficient transformation of anthranilate by the oxygenase and ferredoxin . AndR, a possible AraC/XylS-type transcriptional regulator, was shown to positively regulate expression of the andAcAdAbAa genes . Anthranilate was the only effector (of 12 aromatic compounds tested) that was able to induce expression of the genes. Rev Esp Quimioter, 2003 Jun, 16(2), 209 - 15 {Comparative in vitro activity of ertapenem against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria}; Loza E et al.; The in vitro activity of ertapenem (MK-0826), a new carbapenem, was studied against 389 aerobic microorganisms (187 Enterobacteriaceae, 15 Aeromonas spp., 42 Staphylococcus spp., 43 Streptococcus spp., 15 Enterococcus spp., 30 Haemophilus spp., 15 Moraxella catarrhalis, 12 Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 15 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 15 Acinetobacter spp.) and 54 anaerobic isolates (15 Clostridium spp., 12 Peptostreptococcus spp . and 27 fragilis group Bacteroides recovered from four Spanish hospitals . Ertapenem activity was compared with that of imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, and norfloxacin . Ertapenem was the most active antibiotic against Enterobacteriaceae (MIC(90) < or =0.5 mg/l) particularly in the case of broad-spectrum, extended-spectrum and chromosomally encoded AmpC betalactamase-producing strains . Ertapenem exhibited less activity, even lower than that of imipenem, against P . aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp . and enterococci (MIC(90) > or =16 mg/l) . Ertapenem was active against methicillin-susceptible S . aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, beta-haemolytic streptococci, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC(90) < or =1 mg/l) . In the case of Haemophilus spp., M . catarrhalis and N . gonorrhoeae, ertapenem, with a MIC(90) < or =0.06 mg/l resulted the most active antibiotic tested . When considering the anaerobes, ertapenem displayed a broad spectrum of activity, similar to that of imipenem, against Clostridium spp . (MIC(90) 2 mg/l) and was slightly less active against Bacteroides fragilis (MIC(90) 0.5 mg/l) . Both carbapenems were the most active among the tested compounds . Due to its activity against almost all pathogens studied, ertapenem appears to be an option for the treatment of mixed bacterial infections. Rev Esp Quimioter, 2003 Jun, 16(2), 204 - 8 {In vitro activity of azithromycin against clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii}; Fernandez Cuenca F et al.; The activity of azithromycin against 225 clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated consecutively from 26 Spanish hospitals in November 2000 was studied . The MICs of azithromycin were determined by microdilution, according to the NCCLS guidelines . The bactericidal activity of azithromycin against 15 clonally unrelated A . baumannii strains with different antimicrobial susceptibility patterns was tested using the subculture method . The killing-curves method was also performed against five strains with different susceptibility to azithromycin . The MIC(50) and MIC(90) of azithromycin were 32 and 64 mg/l, respectively . Moderate bactericidal activity was observed in 14 out of the 15 strains evaluated by the subculture method (MBCs from 1 to 4 dilution steps higher than the MICs) and by the killing-curve method . For three strains the number of CFU/ml was reduced 1 to 1.4 log by concentrations of azithromycin equivalent to 1 and 4 times their MICs . lt is concluded that azithromycin has moderate bactericidal activity against the strains of A . baumannii evaluated. Crit Care Med, 2003 Aug, 31(8), 2090 - 5 Long-term (6-year) effect of selective digestive decontamination on antimicrobial resistance in intensive care, multiple-trauma patients; Leone M et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether selective digestive decontamination (SDD) had some negative impact on the bacterial resistance observed in strains isolated from samples from patients receiving nonabsorbable antibiotics and cefazolin . DESIGN: Case-control study . SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university tertiary-care hospital . PATIENTS: Over a 6-yr period, 360 multiple trauma patients (case patients) submitted to SDD were compared with 360 patients not receiving SDD (controls) . INTERVENTIONS: SDD consisted of polymyxin E, gentamicin, and amphotericin B and was applied on the buccal mucosa and provided in the nares and the stomach . For the first 3 days, systemic cefazolin (1 g three times a day) was provided . Resistance analysis was performed in case patients and controls on samples collected at predetermined intervals . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: SDD was used in a small subset of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (360 of 5987 over the 6-yr study period) . A relative overgrowth of gram-positive cocci was observed . Methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus epidermidis was increased (SDD 76%, controls 63%, p <.05) but not that of Staphylococcus aureus (SDD 20%, controls 18%) . Resistance of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter to beta-lactamines and aminoglycosides was the same in SDD patients and controls . CONCLUSIONS: When used in a small subset of patients who have been shown to derive benefit from it (patients who have experienced multiple trauma), SDD has a moderate impact on microbial ecology . However, surveillance cultures are indispensable because the absence of resistance to SDD antibiotics determines the long-term safety of the SDD prophylaxis. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2003 Jun, 34(2), 365 - 6 Outbreak of Acinetobacter spp septicemia in a neonatal ICU; Mittal N et al.; An outbreak of Acinetobacter spp infection in the neonatal unit at Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India, is described . During a 6-month period, 68 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii were isolated from the blood and CSF of 47 neonates admitted to the intensive care unit . Diagnosis of clinically significant bacteremia was made in 36 patients . On environmental/personnel sampling, Acinetobacter spp isolates with similar antibiogram were recovered from intravenous catheter and washbasin . Control of the outbreak was possible only after strict infection control practices in the unit . It was concluded that any clinical multidrug resistant A . baumannii isolate can be a potential nosocomial outbreak strain. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 2003 Oct, 47(9), 1132 - 7 Intensive care unit acquired infection: a prevalence and impact on morbidity and mortality; Vosylius S et al.; BACKGROUND: Severe infection is a common reason for intensive care and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality . The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of infection among intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to evaluate the consequences of ICU-acquired infection on morbidity and mortality . METHODS: A total of 812 patients consecutively admitted for more than 48 h to the ICU at Vilnius University Emergency Hospital, Lithuania, were included in the prospective observational study . Organ dysfunction was assessed using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) system . RESULTS: Thirty-seven per cent of patients were identified who developed at least one ICU-acquired infection . Respiratory, bloodstream and urinary tract infections were the most common . The main isolates were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, S . aureus, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species . More severe degree of organ dysfunction, prolonged stay in the ICU and higher hospital mortality rate were more common among patients who acquired infection in the ICU than that of non-infected patients . CONCLUSION: The prevalence of infection in the ICU was similar to other studies in European countries . The occurrence of ICU-acquired infection was significantly related to the increase in morbidity and mortality . The findings are useful for the comparison of the prevalence rate of infection and implementation of strict infection control policy. J Int Med Res, 2003 Jul-Aug, 31(4), 272 - 80 Prevalence and in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Acinetobacter strains isolated from patients in intensive care units; Aktas O et al.; Fifty-six Acinetobacter species strains (49 Acinetobacter baumanii, 5 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, 2 Acinetobacter iwoffii) were detected using both conventional methods and gas chromatography of bacterial fatty acids with the MIDI Sherlock Microbial Identification System . The susceptibilities of these strains to 16 antimicrobial agents were investigated by the disc-diffusion method according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards . The production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and inducible beta-lactamases (IBLs) by the strains were investigated by the double-disc-synergy and disc-approximation methods, respectively . Imipenem was the most effective agent for Acinetobacter baumanii strains (95.9% of strains were sensitive), while meropenem and netilmicin showed moderate activity (87.7% and 79.6% of strains, respectively, responded) . Acinetobacter baumanii strains were less sensitive to cefoperazone-sulbactam (53.1%), ofloxacin (51.0%), ciprofloxacin (42.8%), and amikacin (36.7%) . Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Acinetobacter iwoffii strains were sensitive to imipenem, meropenem and netilmicin . IBLs and ESBLs were produced, respectively, by 8.9% and 7.1% of all bacterial strains . The strains isolated were sufficiently sensitive to imipenem, but not to ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin, and were very resistant to amikacin. Transplant Proc, 2003 Aug, 35(5), 1806 - 7 Preliminary experience with living donor liver transplantation in adults and children; Loinaz C et al.; INTRODUCTION: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is becoming a widespread technique with good results . Its use may sharply decrease waiting list mortality . However, donor safety is of primary concern . The aim of this work was the preliminary evaluation of the LDLT program initiated in our institution in 1995 . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 875 liver transplants (LT) performed from 1986 12 are LDLT in nine adults (50.0+/-10.0 years) and three children (1.9+/-1.1 years) . All donors were relatives: son/daughter (six), brother (three), and father/mother (three) . RESULTS: Donor right lobe graft weight was 758.3+/-137.4 g; left liver 525.3+/-97.1 g; and left lobe 293.3+/-30.5 g, with a graft weight/recipient weight ratio of 0.91+/-0.21 (0.64-1.36) in adults . Complications in five donors (42%) included biliary fistula in the first three cases, two pleural effusions and one intra-abdominal collection . Mean hospital stay was 16.9+/-15.2 days (median 12) . Recipient indications for adults were: four HCV cirrhosis (+ alcoholic in one), one HBV cirrhosis, one cryptogenic, one alcoholic, one PBC, and one retransplant due to cholangiopathy . In children, the etiologies were two biliary atresia and one liver fibrosis . The first case was the only mortality (8.3%) . Two patients were retransplanted (16.6%) due to arterial thrombosis (AT) and graft dysfunction . Actuarial survival at 1 year was 91.7%+/-8.0% for patients and 83.3%+/-10.8% for grafts . Complications in the recipients included AT (two), Acinetobacter sepsis, jaundice and upper digestive hemorrhage (due to a "small-for-size" graft), biliary fistula after T-tube removal, volvulus around the T tube, and intra-abdominal collection . CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that good results can be achieved with LDLT . Standardization of the technique will allow refinement of the operation and decrease waiting list mortality . However, donor safety remains a fearful threat. Braz J Infect Dis, 2003 Apr, 7(2), 149 - 60 Epub 2003 Nov 19. Surveillance of pediatric infections in a teaching hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Chang MR et al.; Nosocomial infections (NI) result in considerably high mortality and morbidity rates, especially among pediatric patients . Considering current worldwide changes, information about the occurrence of pathogens and susceptibility tests are now seen as decisive for optimizing treatment . The purpose of this research was to determine the frequency of microorganisms, antimicrobial and genetic profiles, and risk factors associated with nosocomial infections in a teaching hospital in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul . From January 1998 to December 1999, 108 patients were characterized as having nosocomial infection, from which 137 pathogens were isolated . Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by conventional and automated techniques . Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were characterized by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) . Pathogens were most often isolated from infants one-month old or younger, and bloodstream infections were the most frequent . The main isolated agents isolated were: coagulase-negative staphylococci (38), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19), S . aureus (26), K . pneumoniae (18), and Candida spp . (13) . The risk conditions that were most closely related to NI acquisition were: prolonged hospital stays (69.4%), prematurity (60.9%) and exposure to high-risk device procedures (95.4%) . Ciprofloxacin and imipenem were the most effective drugs, inhibiting all or almost all of the Enterobacteriaceae, P . aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolates . Only 23% of the S . aureus samples were resistant to oxacillin . Genomic typing revealed 10 distinct patterns for S . aureus and 13 for K . pneumoniae, suggesting that most them did not belong to the same clone . PFGE was effective in differentiating the strains. Vojnosanit Pregl, 2003 Jul-Aug, 60(4), 443 - 7 {Surveillance of bacterial causes of hospital infections during periods of war and peace}; Suljagic V et al.; Surveillance based on laboratory findings of bacteria isolated from hospitalized patients is an important activity in epidemiologic surveillance of nosocomial infections . It provides the insight into the circulation and management of some causative agents of nosocomial infections in hospitals, which facilitates defining of proper measures for the prevention and suppression of nosocomial infections caused by these agents . The aim of this study was to analyze and compare surveillance data collected in Military Medical Academy (MMA) during June 1999 (the period of war), and June 2000 (the period of peace) . Isolation frequency of bacteria that were the most common agents of nosocomial: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter spp . and Enterococcus spp., was monitored in patients from 5 various surgical wards of MMA . In the war period, the increase of number of isolates of all these bacteria was registered, but the increase of isolated Acinetobacter spp . was the most significant . The total number of isolates was greater in June 1999, in comparison to June 2000 . Most isolates were recovered from wound cultures, when the increased number of Enterococcus spp . Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the blood was registered . In the period of peace isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa manifested reduced resistance to quinolones, imipenem and 3rd generation cephalosporins . Barrier infection control measures are necessary in preventing nosocomial transmission, particularly in the wartime . Thus, preventive medicine is important for performing efficient surveillance, and suggesting the adequate measures for prevention and repression of nosocomial infections, particularly in the period of war. J Clin Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 41(9), 4188 - 93 Detection and analysis of iron uptake components expressed by Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates; Dorsey CW et al.; The Acinetobacter baumannii 19606 prototype strain produces a 78-kDa iron-regulated outer membrane protein immunologically related to FatA, which is required for iron acquisition by the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum via the anguibactin-mediated system . This A . baumannii strain also secretes histamine, a biosynthetic precursor of the siderophore anguibactin . In contrast, the A . baumannii 8399 clinical strain isolated in Oregon produces a siderophore and a putative 73-kDa iron-regulated outer membrane (OM73) receptor that are different from those produced by V . anguillarum and A . baumannii 19606 . These observations suggest that different A . baumannii clinical isolates express unrelated iron uptake systems . This hypothesis is supported by differences in outer membrane protein profiles among A . baumannii isolates obtained from Oregon and Europe . The 19606 isolate and some European isolates expressed a FatA-like protein, while neither 19606 nor any of the European isolates expressed proteins related to OM73 . Some European isolates failed to express FatA- and OM73-like proteins . All but one of the Oregon isolates expressed OM73-like proteins, while none of them contained a FatA-like protein . The presence of these proteins always correlated with the presence of the om73- and fatA-like genes in the cognate strains . While 19606 and a few European isolates produced histamine, none of the Oregon isolates had this capability . Interestingly, one strain each from the Oregon and European isolates did not express any of these products involved in iron acquisition, indicating that they could acquire iron through siderophore-mediated transport systems different from those expressed by the 19606 and 8399 clinical isolates. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 69(9), 5627 - 35 Mutational analysis of the critical bases involved in activation of the AreR-regulated sigma54-dependent promoter in Acinetobacter sp . strain ADP1; Jones RM et al.; The areR gene in Acinetobacter sp . strain ADP1 regulates the expression of the areCBA genes, which determine growth on benzyl alkanoates . AreR is a member of the NtrC/XylR family of regulatory proteins as determined by sequence homology . Seventy-nine bases upstream of the start of transcription is a region carrying two overlapping inverted repeat (IR) sequences that we predict to be the AreR binding site, also known as the upstream activator site (UAS) . IR1 is a near-perfect (16 of 17 bp) repeat separated by 1 bp, and IR2 consists of 9- and 7-bp perfect repeats with a 3-bp gap, with the central bases of the two arms of the repeat separated by 44 and 22 bp . We report here a method for site-directed mutagenesis of chromosomal genes in ADP1 in which linear fragments generated by overlap extension PCR are used to transform ADP1 via its natural transformation system and recombinants are selected by a marker exchange-eviction strategy with a newly created sacB-Km cassette . This method was used to generate 38 strains with designed mutations in the putative UAS upstream of areCBA . The effects of the mutations on areCBA expression were measured by enzyme assays of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase (AreB) and by reporter gene assays of lacZ inserted into areA . Substitutions or deletions in IR1 had more deleterious effects upon expression when they were in its central region, which overlaps the left arm of IR2, than when they were in its outer regions . By contrast, substitutions in the right arm of IR2 resulted in mutants with relatively high expression levels compared to that of the wild type . Effects of deletions in the right arm of IR2 were very dependent upon the length of the deletion, with 3- or 5-bp deletions reducing expression by >90% whereas an 11-bp deletion in the same area reduced the expression levels by only 50%, suggesting that alterations in the distance and the orientation of the UAS relative to the -24, -12 sigma(54) promoter are critical. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 69(9), 5398 - 409 Hydroxycinnamate (hca) catabolic genes from Acinetobacter sp . strain ADP1 are repressed by HcaR and are induced by hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A thioesters; Parke D et al.; Hydroxycinnamates are plant products catabolized through the diphenol protocatechuate in the naturally transformable bacterium Acinetobacter sp . strain ADP1 . Genes for protocatechuate catabolism are central to the dca-pca-qui-pob-hca chromosomal island, for which gene designations corresponding to catabolic function are dca (dicarboxylic acid), pca (protocatechuate), qui (quinate), pob (p-hydroxybenzoate), and hca (hydroxycinnamate) . Acinetobacter hcaC had been cloned and shown to encode a hydroxycinnamate:coenzyme A (CoA) SH ligase that acts upon caffeate, p-coumarate, and ferulate, but genes for conversion of hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA to protocatechuate had not been characterized . In this investigation, DNA from pobS to an XbaI site 5.3 kb beyond hcaC was captured in the plasmid pZR8200 by a strategy that involved in vivo integration of a cloning vector near the hca region of the chromosome . pZR8200 enabled Escherichia coli to convert p-coumarate to protocatechuate in vivo . Sequence analysis of the newly cloned DNA identified five open reading frames designated hcaA, hcaB, hcaK, hcaR, and ORF1 . An Acinetobacter strain with a knockout of HcaA, a homolog of hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyases, was unable to grow at the expense of hydroxycinnamates, whereas a strain mutated in HcaB, homologous to aldehyde dehydrogenases, grew poorly with ferulate and caffeate but well with p-coumarate . A chromosomal fusion of lacZ to the hcaE gene was used to monitor expression of the hcaABCDE promoter . LacZ was induced over 100-fold by growth in the presence of caffeate, p-coumarate, or ferulate . The protein deduced to be encoded by hcaR shares 28% identity with the aligned E . coli repressor, MarR . A knockout of hcaR produced a constitutive phenotype, as assessed in the hcaE::lacZ-Km(r) genetic background, revealing HcaR to be a repressor as well . Expression of hcaE::lacZ in strains with knockouts in hcaA, hcaB, or hcaC revealed unambiguously that hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA thioesters relieve repression of the hcaABCDE genes by HcaR. J Antimicrob Chemother, 2003 Oct, 52(4), 629 - 35 Epub 2003 Sep 01. AmpC cephalosporinase hyperproduction in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains; Corvec S et al.; OBJECTIVE: To compare the genetic environments of ampC genes in different Acinetobacter baumannii isolates showing different levels of beta-lactam resistance . METHODS: The patterns of beta-lactam resistance and beta-lactamase production were investigated for 42 A . baumannii clinical strains . The MICs of various beta-lactams were determined in the presence or absence of the class C cephalosporinase inhibitor, cloxacillin (500 mg/L) . The ampC gene and its 5' adjacent sequence were analysed by PCR and DNA sequencing . An RT-PCR method was developed to evaluate ampC transcript levels . RESULTS: Strains fell into three resistance groups: first, strains with a ceftazidime MIC < or =8 mg/L (20 strains, 47.6%); secondly, strains with a ceftazidime MIC 32 mg/L, which was reduced four-fold in the presence of cloxacillin (eight strains, 19%); and thirdly, strains with a ceftazidime MIC > or =256 mg/L, which did not decrease in the presence of cloxacillin (14 strains, 33.4%) . In all of the resistant isolates (groups II and III), but not in any of the ceftazidime-susceptible isolates (group I), a 1180 bp insert showing all the characteristics of an insertion sequence was detected upstream from the ampC gene . Isolates having this insert overexpress ampC, according to RT-PCR experiments . CONCLUSION: Presence of an insertion sequence upstream of ampC in A . baumannii clinical isolates, possibly including a strong promoter, has the potential to cause over-expression of AmpC, resulting in high-level ceftazidime resistance. J Antimicrob Chemother, 2003 Oct, 52(4), 687 - 90 Epub 2003 Sep 01. Frequencies and mechanisms of resistance to moxifloxacin in nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii; Spence RP et al.; OBJECTIVES: To compare the in vitro activity of moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin against 226 nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from 44 hospitals in the UK . METHODS: MICs of ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin were determined by Etest . PCR analysis was used to detect chromosomal mutations in the gyrA and parC genes . Isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin and susceptible to moxifloxacin were examined for the ability to generate spontaneous moxifloxacin-resistant isolates . RESULTS: Of 226 isolates, 49.1% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 39.4% were moxifloxacin-resistant according to BSAC criteria . Approximately 20% of isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin remained susceptible to moxifloxacin . A GyrA mutation at Ser-83 was found in all ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates . Single mutations in both the gyrA and parC genes at codons Ser-83 and Ser-80, respectively, were found in ciprofloxacin- and moxifloxacin-resistant isolates . Isolates that were ciprofloxacin-resistant but moxifloxacin-susceptible generated spontaneous moxifloxacin-resistant mutants when grown on medium containing up to 8x their initial MIC . However, these mutants were not stable and none displayed high-level moxifloxacin resistance . CONCLUSIONS: Moxifloxacin retained in vitro activity against some ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical A . baumannii isolates . Mutations in both gyrA and parC were necessary for resistance to moxifloxacin in most isolates of A . baumannii. J Bacteriol, 2003 Sep, 185(18), 5333 - 41 Characterization of hybrid toluate and benzoate dioxygenases; Ge Y et al.; Toluate dioxygenase of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 (TADO(mt2)) and benzoate dioxygenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ADP1 (BADO(ADP1)) catalyze the 1,2-dihydroxylation of different ranges of benzoates . The catalytic component of these enzymes is an oxygenase consisting of two subunits . To investigate the structural determinants of substrate specificity in these ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases, hybrid oxygenases consisting of the alpha subunit of one enzyme and the beta subunit of the other were prepared, and their respective specificities were compared to those of the parent enzymes . Reconstituted BADO(ADP1) utilized four of the seven tested benzoates in the following order of apparent specificity: benzoate > 3-methylbenzoate > 3-chlorobenzoate > 2-methylbenzoate . This is a significantly narrower apparent specificity than for TADO(mt2) (3-methylbenzoate > benzoate approximately 3-chlorobenzoate > 4-methylbenzoate approximately 4-chlorobenzoate >> 2-methylbenzoate approximately 2-chlorobenzoate {Y . Ge, F . H . Vaillancourt, N . Y . Agar, and L . D . Eltis, J . Bacteriol . 184:4096-4103, 2002}) . The apparent substrate specificity of the alphaBbetaT hybrid oxygenase for these benzoates corresponded to that of BADO(ADP1), the parent from which the alpha subunit originated . In contrast, the apparent substrate specificity of the alphaTbetaB hybrid oxygenase differed slightly from that of TADO(mt2) (3-chlorobenzoate > 3-methylbenzoate > benzoate approximately 4-methylbenzoate > 4-chlorobenzoate > 2-methylbenzoate > 2-chlorobenzoate) . Moreover, the alphaTbetaB hybrid catalyzed the 1,6-dihydroxylation of 2-methylbenzoate, not the 1,2-dihydroxylation catalyzed by the TADO(mt2) parent . Finally, the turnover of this ortho-substituted benzoate was much better coupled to O2 utilization in the hybrid than in the parent . Overall, these results support the notion that the alpha subunit harbors the principal determinants of specificity in ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases . However, they also demonstrate that the beta subunit contributes significantly to the enzyme's function. Indian J Cancer, 2002 Oct-Dec, 39(4), 135 - 8 Invitro comparative evaluation of aminoglycosides at a cancer centre; Biswas SK et al.; A comparative study of in vitro activity of amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin, tobramycin and isepamicin was done . A total of 200 clinical isolates of Gram negative organisms from various clinical sources were tested . E.Coli was the most frequently isolated organism followed by Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Acinetobacter spp . and Enterobacter spp . Of the 5 aminoglycosides tested, isepamicin showed the highest numbers of susceptible isolates followed by amikacin, netilmicin, gentamicin and tobramycin . MIC 90 value of isepamicin was lower as compared to amikacin. Indian J Med Sci, 2003 Jul, 57(7), 294 - 9 Imipenem resistance in nonfermenters causing nosocomial urinary tract infections; Taneja N et al.; Nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli (nonfermenters) have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts . These organisms show high level of resistance to b-lactam agents, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides . Imipenem is a carbapenem antibiotic, which can be very useful for treatment of infections caused by nonfermenters . Eighty-five nonfermenters causing nosocomial UTI were tested for MIC to imipenem by agar dilution method . Resistance to other antimicrobial agents was compared between imipenem sensitive (S) and resistance (R) groups . Overall 36.4% of nonfermenters were resistant to imipenem . Forty two percent of P . aeruginosa and 18.5% of Acinetobacter baumanii were imipenem resistant . Other nonfermenters showed variable resistance, resistance in Alcaligenes spp . being very high . More than 70% of the nonfermenters were resistant to ceftazidime, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin . Piperacillin and amikacin had the best in vitro susceptibility . No significant difference was found in the antibiotic susceptibility profile among imipenem sensitive (S) or resistant (R) strains. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2003 Jul, 9(7), 670 - 7 Serum bactericidal activity of trovafloxacin, in combination with cefepime or amikacin, in healthy volunteers; Lubasch A et al.; OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phamacokinetics and serum bactericidal activities (SBAs) of trovafloxacin, cefepime and amikacin alone and trovafloxacin in combination with cefepime or amikacin, so that the most favorable combination with trovafloxacin can be determined . METHODS: In this open, randomized, crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers (six females, six males; mean age +/- SD, 25.1 +/- 2.6 years) received an infusion of either 300 mg of alatrovafloxacin or 2000 mg of cefepime or 6 mg/kg body weight amikacin alone, or 300 mg of alatrovafloxacin plus 2000 mg of cefepime or plus 6 mg/kg body weight amikacin . The SBAs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (11 strains each), Citrobacter freundii and Acinetobacter spp . (10 strains each) 1, 10 and 24 h after drug administration were measured by a standard microdilution method . Concentrations of trovafloxacin, cefepime and amikacin in serum and urine were analyzed before and up to 10 and 12 h, respectively, after drug infusion . RESULTS: Significant synergistic effects on SBA were observed with the combination of trovafloxacin and cefepime against P . aeruginosa, S . aureus and Acinetobacter spp . 1 h after drug administration, and against Citrobacter freundii 1, 10 and 24 h after drug administration . The combination of trovafloxacin and amikacin showed significant synergistic effects against P . aeruginosa, S . aureus and C . freundii 1 h after drug administration . The combination of trovafloxacin and cefepime was, in general, more active than the combination of trovafloxacin and amikacin . No significant differences in the serum concentrations of trovafloxacin were observed between single and combined administration . However, the maximal concentration of cefepime was significantly lower when it was used in combination with trovafloxacin . CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a favorable interaction between trovafloxacin and cefepime . This combination showed more synergistic bactericidal activity against most of the test strains compared to the combination of trovafloxacin and amikacin . However, for P . aeruginosa, the bactericidal activity of cepefime alone was higher than that of the combination with trovafloxacin. Ceska Slov Farm, 2003 Jul, 52(4), 193 - 7 {Effect of tobramycin on characteristics of strains of Acinetobacter species}; Hostacka A; Suppression of bacterial growth in seven strains of the Acinetobacter species after 30 min treatment with tobramycin at suprainhibitory concentrations (postantibiotic effect--PAE) and at supra-sub-inhibitory concentrations (postantibiotic effect of subinhibitory concentrations--PA SME) as well as changes in surface hydrophobicity and in the production of lipase and histamine in the exposed strains were studied . Pharmacodynamic parameters (PAE and PA SME) as well as changes in bacterial characteristics tested were dependent on antibiotic concentration and on the strain used . Suppression of bacterial growth after treatment with tobramycin at 2 x MIC was in a range of 0.6-4.5 h, a higher concentration (4 x MIC) induced a longer PAE (1.9-5.4 h) . Tobramycin at supra-subinhibitory concentrations (2 x MIC + 0.2 x MIC and 4 x MIC + 0.2 x MIC) caused total suppression of bacterial growth . In the majority of the tobramycin-treated strains, an increase in hydrophobicity manifested by adherence of bacteria to xylene as well as an increase in lipolytic activity was observed . Tobramycin at the concentrations tested did not affect the production of histamine. Ther Apher Dial, 2003 Feb, 7(1), 119 - 21 Early relapse of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during therapeutic plasma exchange associated with Acinetobacter anitratus bacteremia; Kanj NA et al.; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)/Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a syndrome characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, fever, renal failure and neurologic manifestation . Almost all cases are idiopathic . However, secondary TTP/HUS associated with viral, bacterial and mycobacterial infections, drugs, connective tissue disease, solid tumors, bone marrow transplantation and pregnancy have been described . Early relapse associated with infection is a rare occurrence . The patient we report had a classic case of postdiarrheal TTP/HUS that responded to plasmapheresis but relapsed during treatment as reflected by the increased schistocytosis, decreased hematocrit, increased lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased platelet counts . This relapse may be attributed to Acinetobacter anitratus bacteremia, secondary to central line infection . Administration of antimicrobial treatment resulted initially in a mild improvement . However, this was followed by a fatal relapse . The importance of monitoring the possible bacterial colonization of an indwelling catheter is thus emphasized. Environ Microbiol, 2003 Sep, 5(9), 746 - 53 Alcanivorax which prevails in oil-contaminated seawater exhibits broad substrate specificity for alkane degradation; Hara A et al.; Alcanivorax is an alkane-degrading marine bacterium which propagates and becomes predominant in crude-oil-containing seawater when nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients are supplemented . In order to understand why Alcanivorax overcomes other bacteria under such cultural conditions, competition experiments between Alcanivorax indigenous to seawater and the exogenous alkane-degrading marine bacterium, Acinetobacter venetianus strain T4, were conducted . When oil-containing seawater supplemented with nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients was inoculated with A . venetianus strain T4, this bacterium was the dominant population at the early stage of culture . However, its density began to decrease after day 6, and Alcanivorax predominated in the culture after day 20 . The crude-oil-degrading profiles of both bacteria were therefore investigated . Alcanivorax borkumensis strain ST-T1 isolated from the Sea of Japan exhibited higher ability to degrade branched alkanes (pristane and phytane) than A . venetianus strain T4 . It seems that this higher ability of Alcanivorax to degrade branched alkanes allowed this bacterium to predominate in oil-containing seawater . It is known that some marine zooplanktons produce pristane and Alcanivorax may play a major role in the biodegradation of pristane in seawater. Int J Food Microbiol, 2003 Sep 15, 86(3), 271 - 82 Predictive modelling of growth and enzyme production and activity by a cocktail of Pseudomonas spp., Shewanella putrefaciens and Acinetobacter sp; Braun P et al.; The possibility was examined of developing a predictive model that combined microbial growth (increase in cellular number) with extracellular lipolytic and proteolytic enzyme activity of a cocktail of four strains of Pseudomonas spp . and one strain each of Acinetobacter sp . and Shewanella putrefaciens . Environmental conditions within the following matrix of conditions were examined: temperature 2-20 degrees C, pH value 4.0-7.5 and water activity (a(w)) 0.95-0.995 and a model was constructed, which predicted growth based on increase in cell number . Data on lipase production and protease activity were generated and will be available as a database, but no function could be identified, which was a good fit to these data, since most enzymatic production and activity occurred, as expected, during transition from exponential to stationary phase . Even at lower cell numbers, in more unfavourable conditions, hydrolysing effects were detectable, which made it difficult to construct a model combining both microbiological and enzymatic data. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2004 Mar, 64(1), 125 - 31 Epub 2003 Aug 08. Isolation of microorganisms for biological detoxification of lignocellulosic hydrolysates; Lopez MJ et al.; Acid pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass releases furan and phenolic compounds, which are toxic to microorganisms used for subsequent fermentation . In this study, we isolated new microorganisms for depletion of inhibitors in lignocellulosic acid hydrolysates . A sequential enrichment strategy was used to isolate microorganisms from soil . Selection was carried out in a defined mineral medium containing a mixture of ferulic acid (5 mM), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF, 15 mM), and furfural (20 mM) as the carbon and energy sources, followed by an additional transfer into a corn stover hydrolysate (CSH) prepared using dilute acid . Subsequently, based on stable growth on these substrates, six isolates--including five bacteria related to Methylobacterium extorquens, Pseudomonas sp, Flavobacterium indologenes, Acinetobacter sp., Arthrobacter aurescens, and one fungus, Coniochaeta ligniaria--were chosen . All six isolates depleted toxic compounds from defined medium, but only C . ligniaria C8 (NRRL 30616) was effective at eliminating furfural and 5-HMF from CSH . C . ligniaria NRRL 30616 may be useful in developing a bioprocess for inhibitor abatement in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals. Microbiol Immunol, 2003, 47(6), 411 - 7 Cloning and characterization of the fur gene from Moraxella bovis; Kakuda T et al.; A homologue of the ferric uptake regulator gene (fur) was isolated from Moraxella bovis by degenerate polymerase chain reaction and cloning . Fur protein of M . bovis exhibited 72.1% amino acid identity with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Fur . Western blot analysis showed a decrease of Fur expression in response to sufficient-iron conditions compared with deficient-iron conditions . An electrophoretic mobility-shift assay indicated that Fur protein binds to DNA fragments containing a putative Fur-box derived from the upstream region of the M . bovis fur gene . Fur of M . bovis may regulate the expression of iron transport systems in response to iron limitation in the environment. J Clin Microbiol, 2003 Aug, 41(8), 3542 - 7 Outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase VEB-1-producing isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii in a French hospital; Poirel L et al.; Twelve clonally related and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were recovered during a 4-month period from 12 patients hospitalized at the Valenciennes Hospital in France . Antibiograms determined by the double-disk diffusion technique on cloxacillin-containing plates detected a clavulanic acid-inhibited extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) . PCR and sequencing identified the gene encoding the Ambler class A ESBL VEB-1 . This gene was located on the chromosome and was part of a class 1 integron identical to that previously identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Thailand . Additionally, seven clonally related bla(VEB-1)-positive A . baumannii strains were identified in the immediate environment of the hospitalized patients . This is the first report of the ESBL VEB-1 in Acinetobacter spp . and the first description of VEB-1-producing strains as a source of an outbreak occurring outside Southeast Asia . This report underlines the difficulty of the identification of ESBLs in A . baumannii. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2003 Aug, 69(8), 4455 - 62 Spread of recombinant DNA by roots and pollen of transgenic potato plants, identified by highly specific biomonitoring using natural transformation of an Acinetobacter sp; de Vries J et al.; Transgenic potato plants with the nptII gene coding for neomycin phosphotransferase (kanamycin resistance) as a selection marker were examined for the spread of recombinant DNA into the environment . We used the recombinant fusion of nptII with the tg4 terminator for a novel biomonitoring technique . This depended on natural transformation of Acinetobacter sp . strain BD413 cells having in their genomes a terminally truncated nptII gene (nptII'; kanamycin sensitivity) followed by the tg4 terminator . Integration of the recombinant fusion DNA by homologous recombination in nptII' and tg4 restored nptII, leading to kanamycin-resistant transformants . DNA of the transgenic potato was detectable with high sensitivity, while no transformants were obtained with the DNA of other transgenic plants harboring nptII in different genetic contexts . The recombinant DNA was frequently found in rhizosphere extracts of transgenic potato plants from field plots . In a series of field plot and greenhouse experiments we identified two sources of this DNA: spread by roots during plant growth and by pollen during flowering . Both sources also contributed to the spread of the transgene into the rhizospheres of nontransgenic plants in the vicinity . The longest persistence of transforming DNA in field soil was observed with soil from a potato field in 1997 sampled in the following year in April and then stored moist at 4 degrees C in the dark for 4 years prior to extract preparation and transformation . In this study natural transformation is used as a reliable