Int J Cancer, 1977 Oct 15, 20(4), 532 - 4 Mechanism of Corynebacterium Parvum anti-tumour activity . II . Protective effect in T-cell-deprived mice; Mazurek C et al.; The natural resistance to syngeneic mammary carcinoma was reduced by thymectomy alone in adult C3H mice or in mice thymectomized, lethally irradiated and restored with bone-marrow cells (Tx RB) . The protective effect of C . parvum was not modified by adult thymectomy but it was reduced in Tx RB mice . The injection of thymic cells to Tx RB mice or the elimination of T cell precursors in bone-marrow cells injected in Tx RB mice did not increase the protective effect of C . parvum . These results were compatible with the hypothesis that T cells do not intervene in the mechanism of C . parvum protective effect. Mayo Clin Proc, 1977 Oct, 52(10), 631 - 4 Vancomycin; Geraci JE; Vancomycin, a useful bactericidal antibiotic for selective clinical infections, is the therapy of choice for serious staphylococcal infections when the penicillins and cephalosporins cannot be used . The antibacterial spectrum of vancomycin also covers other gram-positive cocci and bacteria and gram-negative cocci . Vancomycin is given intravenously in most cases, usually in a dose of 1 g every 12 hours in patients who have normal renal function . The indications for vancomycin therapy are as follows . 1 . Serious staphylococcal infections in patients who are intolerant to the penicillins and cephalosporins or when the organism is resistant to the commonly used bactericidal agents . 2 . Streptococcal endocarditis in patients intolerant to penicillin G; in enterococcal infections, it is used with an associated aminoglycoside . Vancomycin is not used alone in enterococcal endocarditis . In nonenterococcal (Streptococcus bovis) and viridans streptococcal endocarditis, vancomycin may be used alone if the minimum bactericidal concentration is less than or equal to 10 microgram/ml; otherwise, it is combined with an aminoglycoside . 3 . Other serious infections caused by organisms resistant to the commonly used agents such as corynebacterial endocarditis . 4 . Acute staphylococcal ileocolitis, for which vancomycin is given orally or orally and intravenously if indicated . Vancomycin is relatively nontoxic; the predominant toxic response is neurotoxicity, but this is rarely seen if the serum levels are 30 microgram/ml or less. Radiology, 1977 Oct, 125(1), 235 - 41 Combined radiotherapy and Corynebacterium parvum treatment of a murine fibrosarcoma; Collins AL et al.; A single dose of Corynebacterium parvum (Cp) at 70 microgram, 175 microgram or 350 microgram was effective in suppressing the growth of a subcutaneous fibrosarcoma and occasionally in inducing complete regression and in prolonging the survival time of C3H/HeJ tumor-bearing mice . A single exposure of x rays at 2,000 rads induced some complete regression, but a higher number of complete regressions was induced by combined x-ray and Cp treatment . In the combined x-ray and Cp treatment, Cp given on the same day immediately after x irradiation was best . When 70 microgram of Cp was given a few days before x rays, the intravenous and intraperitoneal routes were better than the intratumor route of injection. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Oct, 239(2), 240 - 51 Studies on the fine structure of corynebacterium diphtheriae-granules; Hentrich F et al.; The seemingly homogeneous metachromatic and electron-scattering granules of Corynebacterium diphtheriae have two structural components as revealed under conditions of low beam load and by use of ribonuclease . They contain high percentages of P and Ca . Findings point to participation of ribosomes and intracytoplasmic membranes in the formation of the granules. J Infect Dis, 1977 Oct, 136(4), 481 - 8 Rifampin in the treatment of experimental brucellosis in mice and guinea pigs; Philippon AM et al.; Rifampin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic able to penetrate intracellularly, was used for treatment of infections with Brucella melitensis in mice and Brucella abortus in guinea pigs . Treatments were administered for seven, 14, or 21 days; mice were given 25 mg of rifampin/kg per day, and guinea pigs 100 mg/kg per day . Efficacy of the drug was determined by comparison of rifampin-treated animals with saline-treated controls and with tetracycline-treated mice (200 mg/kg per day) according to the following criteria: (1) primary infections of the spleen and (in guinea pigs) of the lymph nodes; (2) residual infections of the spleen, i.e., infections shown after complementary treatment with suspensions of killed Corynebacterium parvum or with cortisone; (3) splenomegaly; and (4) serological response (in guinea pigs) . Treatment with rifampin, even for one or two weeks, drastically reduced the number of infections by all of these criteris, and treatment for three weeks cured nearly all mice; the incidences of primary and residual infections in rifampin-treated mice after three weeks were 0 and 8.5%, respectively, as compared with 70.3% and 73.5%, respectively, in tetracycline-treated mice . Of 25 guinea pigs treated with rifampin for three weeks, spleen infection was shown in one, and lymph node infections in 10. Infect Immun, 1977 Oct, 18(1), 203 - 9 Isolation from corynebacterium diphtheriae C7(beta) of bacterial mutants that produce toxin in medium with excess iron; Kanei C et al.; Five mutants that produce toxin in medium with excess iron were isolated from strain C7(beta) . The iron content of bacteria grown on this medium was considerably higher than that of C7(beta) cells grown in medium containing the minimum amount of iron needed to inhibit toxin production . When the nonlysogenic, nontoxinogenic strain C7(-) was lysogenized with phages from each of the mutants, toxin production by all of the resulting lysogens, like that by parent strain C7(beta), ceased upon iron addition . When the mutants were superinfected with beta45 phage, both toxin and CRM45 were produced in medium with excess iron . One of the mutant strains lost its prophage as a result of treatment with ultraviolet light . When the cured strain was lysogenized with phage carrying a mutation in the tox structural gene, the lysogen produced the mutant protein at the maximum rate in medium with excess iron . These findings show that the mutant strains are not phage mutants, but are bacterial host mutants, and that a host factor(s) is involved in the inhibition of toxin production by iron. J Hyg (Lond), 1977 Oct, 79(2), 269 - 74 Corynebacterium haemolyticum infections in Cambridgeshire; Fell HW et al.; In the Cambridge area, 143 patients infected with Corynebacterium haemolyticum were found during the period May 1967 to December 1974 . The pharynx was the commonest site of infection and 100 of the 137 pharyngeal infections were in patients aged between 15 and 25 years . Such patients usually had a sore throat; about half of them also had a maculopapular rash . The organism and the clinical features which we have come to regard as typical of this infection are briefly described. Lancet, 1977 Oct 1, 2(8040), 682 - 4 Corynebacterium bovis as a cause of human disease; Vale JA et al.; Corynebacterium bovis is a gram-positive rod which can cause bovine mastitis and rancidity in cream . On only one occasion has this organism been reported to cause human disease . Six further cases are described in which infections were caused by C . bovis . In two patients the nervous system was involved; two patients had bacterial endocarditis; one had chronic otitis media; and one had a persistent leg ulcer . Five patients recovered completely from the infection; the other died from endocarditis. Can J Microbiol, 1977 Oct, 23(10), 1448 - 55 Influence of acetohydroxamic acid on experimental Corynebacterium renale pyelonephritis; Jerusik RJ et al.; The role of Corynebacterium renale urease in the establishment of pyelonephritis was studied by the oral administration of acetohydroxamic acid (AHA), a urease inhibitor, to experimentally infected rats . The bacteria were introduced by surgical insertion of a zinc disc containing 1 X 10(6) colony-forming units of C-renale into the urinary bladder whereas sterile discs were implanted in the bladders of the control animals . Daily administration of AHA via the drinking water did not halt the development of pyelonephritis . Larger doses, given by gavage, did accomplish this goal; that is, the pH of the urine was lowered, the number of colony-forming units of C . renale in the kidney was reduced drastically, and pyelonephritic lesions were observed in the kidney by light-microscopic examination . All experimental rats developed cystitis in varying degrees of severity . About 70% of the intact AHA given by gavage was excreted in the urine 24 h after administration of this compound . Rats implanted with a urease-negative mutant of C . renale displayed no signs of pyelonephritis but did develop cystitis. Postgrad Med, 1977 Sep, 62(3), 171 - 4 Vaginitis . Reducing the number of refractory cases; Josey WE; Therapeutic failure in vaginitis can be minimized if all cases are properly diagnosed and specific therapy is given . Use of wet mounts combined with liberal use of cultures, especially for Corynebacterium vaginale, should result in an accurate diagnosis in over 90% of cases . Treatment of choice for candidiasis is nystatin or miconazole nitrate applied topically . For trichomoniasis, metronidazole should be given orally to both sexual partners . Ampicillin, cephalexin, or cephradine are recommended for C vaginale infection. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Sep, 59(3), 1019 - 22 Effect of immunomodulators on effector cells involved in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity: Brief communication; Tagliabue A et al.; The effect of four immunomodulators (BCG, Corynebacterium parvum, pyran copolymer, and levamisole) on the cellular arm of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was investigated in mice with 51Cr-labeled chicken erythrocytes employed as targets . All these drugs, except levamisole, stimulated the effector cells of ADCC in the spleen, but the kinetics of their effect differed . Stimulation of the effector cells of ADCC peaked on day 15 after injection of BCG and C . parvum and on day 7 after injection of pyran, which was less efficient in this respect than the two bacterial immunostimulants . The increase in ADCC activity caused by BCG and C . parvum was eliminated by treatment with carbonyl iron of the splenocyte suspensions. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 Sep, 19(9), 1285 - 301 Emulsifying and surface active agents from Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus; Zajic JE et al.; A Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus culture isolated in our laboratory (see, Zajic and Knettig, Developments in Industrial Microbiology, 1971, p . 87) has been shown to produce an extracellular biopolymer with emulsifying properties when grown on a mixture of linear hydrocarbons . This microorganism was found to grow well on a variety of carbohydrates and hydrocarbons . However, the best substrates were pure linear hydrocarbons and particularly, n-C12, n-C13, and n-C14 . The substrates supporting good growth gave good polymer production . Maximum cell mass of 10-11 g/liter and a maximum amount of polymer of 5-6 g/liter were recorded . The polymers recovered from the different substrates were found to be complex molecules or mixtures with a protein, a lipid, and a carbohydrate moiety . All the polymers are surface active and have two critical micelle concentrations. Cancer Res, 1977 Sep, 37(9), 3115 - 9 Effect of corynebacterium liquefaciens on a C3Hf mouse squamous cell carcinoma; Ando K et al.; The antitumor effect of anaerobic Corynebacterium liquefaciens was compared with that of specific immunization . Experimental tumors were fourth or fifth generation isotransplants of a NR-Sl squamous cell carcinoma that arose spontaneously in a C3Hf/He female mouse . Specific immunization failed to exhibit an antitumor effect, whereas a single administration of the bacterium markedly inhibited the growth of the tumor . This growth inhibition was most effective when C . liquefaciens was administered 2 to 4 days before transplantation of tumor cells, but marked inhibition was also observed when this agent was administered after transplantation . The inhibitory effect was independent of dose within a range of 0.1 to 2.0 mg/mouse; a single dose of less than 0.05 mg/mouse did not exhibit antitumor effect . Multiple administrations of large doses, if given with short treatment intervals, were no more effective than one small dose . Multiple doses given at 14-day intervals resulted in marked growth retardation . The dose of cells that produced 50% tumor takes in C . liquefaciens-treated animals was not significantly different from that in nontreated animals, indicating that this bacterium exhibited no lethal effect on the tumor cells studied. J Virol, 1977 Sep, 23(3), 592 - 8 Bacteriophage production by doubly lysogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Groman N et al.; Parental and recombinant phage production by tandem, double lysogens of Corynebacterium diphtheriae was studied in strains in which the coupling of prophage markers and the order of prophage was established . The results from studies of mass lysates and single bursts showed that the recombinant class of phage, designated R1, was predominant in UV-induced lysates followed by the parental, P1 class and to a lesser extent the P2 and R2 classes . Single bursts of UV-treated cells contained phage from one to all four of the phage classes, and this appeared to reflect the action of two excision processes . The data indicate that recombinant phages R1 and R2 are formed by a process of general recombinational excision and that this is the primary event leading to phage production in both UV-irradiated and spontaneously induced double lysogens . This process, which depends on exchange between homologous genes and is reciprocal, accounts for the excision of R1 phage from the host chromosome . A second excision process, probably site-specific excision, also occurs in many of the same cells and accounts for the excision of P1, P2, and R2 phages . The significance of these results for the spread of toxinogenicity in strains of C . diphtheriae is discussed. J Virol, 1977 Sep, 23(3), 587 - 91 Heat-inducible mutants of corynebacteriophage; Groman N et al.; Heat-inducible mutants of temperate cornebacteriophage beta and gamma, called temperature-sensitive repression (tsr) mutants, were isolated and characterized . Lysogens carrying these mutants were induced at 38 degrees C, produced a normal or slightly increased yield of phage, and underwent extensive lysis at this temperature . In some cases mutation to heat inducibility had altered the UV inducibility of the phage, the changes ranging from loss to enhancement of this trait . Complementation tests showed that all five beta-tsr strains had mutated in the same cistron and suggested that these mutations were in the gene responsible for repressor production. Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Sep, 85(6), 426 - 33 Microorganisms in recurrent aphthous ulcerations; Donatsky O et al.; Qualitative and quantitative examinations of the cultivable bacterial flora in biopsies from recurrent aphthous ulcerations (RAU), experimental oral ulcerations (EOU), and normal oral mucosa (NOM) were carried out under aerobic and continuous anaerobic conditions . An attempt was made to culture yeasts, mycoplasma, and virus from the biopsies of RAU, which were also tested for the presence of herpes virus antigen by the fluorescent antibody method . The predominant bacteria recovered in RAU were alpha-hemolytic streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Neisseria . In EOU the main recoveries were alpha-hemolytic streptococci, Corynebacterium, Veillonella, Neisseria, and Haemophilus . In NOM alpha-hemolytic streptococci dominated the cultures . Yeasts were only cultured from one patient with RAU . No mycoplasmas or viruses were isolated, nor was herpes virus antigen demonstrated in any of the RAU specimens . The role of the microorganisms in the pathogenesis of RAU is discussed. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 Sep, 19(9), 1303 - 20 Properties and biodegradation of a bioemulsifier from Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus; Zajic JE et al.; An extracellular polymer was produced by continuous fermentation of Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus on kerosene in a 24 liter reactor . This polymer was composed of protein, lipid, and carbohydrates . The polymer possessed surface active properties, and had two critical micelle concentrations . Its effectiveness was quite comparable to the effectiveness of synthetic surface active agents such as Tween 80 and Span 20; however, its efficiency was much lower . The polymer also had emulsifying properties . Maximum emulsification was obtained at pH 6 . The emulsifying properties were unaffected by high salt concentration {up to 5% (w/v) in Na+}, and tolerated a water hardness up to 5,000 ppm . A 2 hr treatment of the polymer at temperatures higher than 65 degrees C resulted in a loss of its emulsifying properties . Two microorganisms, named SLYS and Y, isolated from soil, were able to grow on the polymer as sole carbon and energy source, thus proving its biodegradability . SLYS was tentatively identified as Flavobacterium breve and Y as Flavobacterium devorans. J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136(2), 271 - 7 Quantitative bacteriology of the vaginal flora; Bartlett JG et al.; Quantitative bacteriology was performed on vaginal secretions from healthy adult women . The analysis included a single sample from 17 college students and 35 samples from five volunteers collected at intervals of three to five days throughout the menstrual cycle . Mean concentrations in all 52 specimens were 10(8.1) aerobic bacteria/g and 10(9.1) anaerobic bacteria/g . The rank of predominant organisms, according to rates of recovery in concentrations of greater than 10(5) colony-forming units/g, was anaerobic and facultative Lacrobacillus species, Peptococcus species, Bacteroides species, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium species, Peotostreptococcus species, and Eubacterium species . Sequential samples collected throughout the menstrual cycle showed relatively consistent mean levels of anaerobes and a significant decrease in concentrations of aerobes in premenstrual specimens compared with those in the specimens collected in the week following onset of menses . Analysis of sequential specimens from each of the five individuals showed considerable variation in species recovered . These data indicate that the vaginal flora in healthy adult women is a dynamic ecosystem in which anaerobes are usually the numerically dominant bacteria. Infect Immun, 1977 Aug, 17(2), 319 - 24 Mechanisms of resistance to Corynebacterium kutscheri in mice; Hirst RG et al.; Involvement of the mononuclear phagocyte system in the mechanism of resistance to Corynebacterium kutscheri was studied in C57B1/6 and Swiss Lynch mice . A major difference between the two mouse strains was that the phagocytic cells of the livers of C57B1/6 mice destroyed the bacteria with much greater efficiency . There was no evidence of serum factors which might have led to this greater bacterial killing observed in the C57B1/6 mice, and in vivo phagocytosis of C . kutscheri was identical in both mouse strains . Resistance to C . kutscheri could be transferred with spleen and/or bone marrow cells from resistant (Swiss Lynch X C57B1/6) F1 mice to 650-rad irradiated susceptible Swiss Lynch mice . Nonspecific and acquired mechanisms of resistance to C . kutscheri are discussed. South Med J, 1977 Aug, 70(8), 948 - 50, 954 Bacterial flora of patients with prematurely ruptured membranes; Del Bene VE et al.; Twenty consecutive patients with premature rupture of the membranes were studied to determine the vaginal, endocervical, and neonatal bacteriologic flora . Patients who had membranes ruptured for more than 12 hours had more anaerobic species isolated from vaginal plus endocervical or endocervical cultures alone than did those patients with membranes ruptured for less than 12 hours . Overall, aerobic organisms were more frequently isolated than anaerobic organisms, but the majority of cultures were of a mixed flora . Streptococci, corynebacteria, and Bacteroides organisms were the most frequently isolated organisms from all sites cultured . Lactobacilli were isolated in only 45% of endocervical and vaginal cultures, and Enterobacteriaceae were infrequently encountered . This study indicates that there is a change toward a preponderance of anaerobic species in the birth canal when membranes are ruptured for more than 12 hours, and that this change is detectable before delivery. Am J Clin Pathol, 1977 Aug, 68(2), 290 - 3 Isolation of Corynebacterium xerosis from clinical specimens: infection and colonization; Porschen RK et al.; Eleven patients were colonized or infected with diphtheroids identified as Corynebacterium xerosis . All the patients were compromised hosts by nature of their underlying disease and/or therapy . Two patients developed bacteremia following colonization of the respiratory tract with C . xerosis . Other patients were colonized at various sites, which included the respiratory tract, abdominal and thoracic wounds, amputated limb, and arterial-venous shunt . Distinctive features for the identification of C . xerosis include negative reactions for hemolysis, urease, and motility, and positive reactions for catalase, glucose, sucrose and nitrate reduction . Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by the disk diffusion method . In many instances the organisms were resistant to the antimicrobial regimens received by the patients . This was most frequent for nafcillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, clindamycin, and chloramphenicol . On the other hand, the organisms were highly susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin and carbenicillin. Am J Clin Pathol, 1977 Aug, 68(2), 250 - 7 The use of frozen, thawed erythrocytes in blood banking: a report of 28 months' experience in a large transfusion service; Telischi M et al.; A program of component therapy using largely frozen erythrocytes was initiated at Cook County Hospital in July 1973 . Use of the three existing washing systems for routine preparation of frozen erythrocytes has shown that there are differences in the levels of free hemoglobin, hematocrit, and residual glycerol in the washed products . Adenosine triphosphate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and extracellular potassium and sodium were found to be within acceptable limits . Some expired units were cultured and were found to be positive for Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium . The source of contamination has not been determined . Frozen blood, when available, has been given to all patients, regardless of age or clinical condition . The incidence of transfusion reactions has decreased from 0.57% prior to the inception of the component therapy program to 0.11% since that time . Two cases of possible posttransfusion hepatitis occurred in patients who had received non-frozen blood, and in three patients who received non-frozen erythrocytes and/or components as well as frozen blood . Although the goal of the program was the use of frozen erythrocytes exclusively, only 64% use was achieved, as sufficient quantities of blood for freezing were not available at all times. Cancer Res, 1977 Aug, 37(8 Pt 1), 2473 - 80 Cell-mediated immunity and serum blocking factors in cancer patients during chemotherapy and immunotherapy; Noonan FP et al.; The leukocyte adherence inhibition test was used to monitor tumor-specific cell-mediated immunity in 15 patients who had a variety of malignant tumors and were undergoing chemotherapy alone or in combination with immunotherapy by Corynebacterium parvum . A rapid and prolonged loss of cell-mediated immunity in blood leukocytes was observed after treatment in all but one of the patients studied . Abolition of reactivity was due to the lack of production of the soluble lymphokine-like factor affecting leukocyte adherence to glass . A new phenomenon of adherence stimulation by antigen, also mediated by a soluble factor, was observed after treatment in some patients . A drop in titer or total abrogation of serum blocking factors occurred in six of six patients tested following chemotherapy or immunotherapy . The lowered levels of blocking activity persisted during treatment and, with the possible exception of one patient, were not correlated with clinical benefit. Gann, 1977 Aug, 68(4), 389 - 96 Antitumor activity of macrophages induced by Corynebacterium liquefaciens; Suzuki T et al.; Corynebacterium liquefaciens can induce a marked resistance to tumor cell (AH-7974) challenge in Donryu rats . This effect was also induced in T-cell-deficient athymic nude mice . The macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity of a rat injected with C . liquefaciens showed a marked inhibition of tumor growth in vitro . Therefore, the effector cells were assumed to be peritoneal macrophages . The time needed for activation of macrophages in vivo was within 3 to 5 days after injection of C . liquefaciens . Before or after this period, the peritoneal macrophages did not inhibit tumor cell proliferation . Furthermore, normal peritoneal macrophages were activated in vitro by C . liquefaciens and displayed remarkable antitumor activity . These results suggest that C . liquefaciens rendered the macrophages inhibitory to tumor cells even under T-cell depleted condition . On the other hand, in vitro antitumor activity of the activated macrophages disappeared completely after in vivo treatment of the peritoneal cavity of a rat with Trypan Blue, a lysosomal enzyme blocker . Resistance of the rat induced by C . liquefaciens to tumor cells was also abrogated by Trypan Blue treatment just 1 day before tumor cell inoculation . Trypan Blue blocked the acid-phosphatase (a marker enzyme of lysosomes) activity of the activated macrophages but it seemed not to affect other macrophage activities, at least in the following two points; normal macrophages treated with Trypan Blue had almost normal phogocytic function of India ink particles and, moreover, they could be rendered tumoricidal, same as normal macrophages, in vitro by C . liquefaciens. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1977 Aug 1, 128(7), 782 - 6 Corynebacterium parvum as an immunotherapeutic agent in an ovarian cancer model; Knapp RC et al.; Corynebacterium parvum, an anaerobic diptheroid, has been demonstrated to be therapeutic in several tumor models by stimulating immunologic defenses . Formalin-killed C . parvum was investigated in the present study as an immunotherapeutic agent in the treatment of murine ovarian cancer, a model that closely simulates the activity of clinical disease . C . parvum successfully prolonged survival in murine ovarian cancer and its effectiveness improved with increasing dosage . The efficacy of C . parvum was further enhanced by a multiple-dose regimen . A previous report demonstrated the efficacy of heterologous tumor antisera in the serologic treatment of murine ovarian cancer . At the dosages investigated, the combination of C . parvum and heterologous tumor antisera (SG-200) provided longer survival than either modality independently . C . parvum is an effective anti-cancer agent in murine ovarian cancer and may find utility in a clinical setting. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Aug, (8), 90 - 5 {Extracellular material of some representatives of the genus Corynebacterium (the electron microscopic aspect)}; Vysotskii VV et al.; At the active developmental phases (up to 2 days) cells of toxigenic and nontoxigenic corynebacteria form extracellular vesicle-like material of two types which can be revealed both on whole cells set off by metal and stained negatively, and in ultrathin sections . Extracellular material of the first type is a derivative of an extensive membranous coat of corynebacteria and is formed as a result of its fragmentation . Vesicles of this type are devoid of electron microscope-dense content, have no tendency to coalescence, and fail to promote cell agglutination . Extracellular material of the second type is primarily formed by local thickening of the surface wall layer limited by its external dense layer and the main massif . These thickenings are filled with a microgranular substance of medium electron optic density; after accumulation this substance is released into the external environment . Vesicles of this type promote cell agglutination . Undoubtedly, extracellular material of the second type has a direct relation to the cell metabolic processes . Extracellular material of both types is encountered in all the cultures grown both on hard and in fluid nutrient media . However, in the latter case the process is apparently much more intensive . There is strict correlation between the morphology of the extracellular material and strain signs of the culture, although material of the second type is found to prevail in the cells from cultures possessing toxigenic activity. Med J Aust . 1977 Jul 9;2(2):61. Carriage of non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae by Australian Aboriginals; Medley S; A survey of 200 Aboriginals in Western Australia revealed five carriers of non-toxogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae; four of these were variety mitis and one was variety gravis. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Jul, (7), 75 - 8 {Determination of the intensity of antimicrobial immunity in diphtheria during an acute experiment}; Birger MO et al.; The authors elaborated a method of determination of the antimicrobial immunity intensity in diphtheria in an acute experiment: guinea pigs were infected with a virulent culture of Corynebacterium diphtheriae grown on agar with iron in a concentration depressing the toxinogenesis . A temporary absence of the toxin formation permitted to evaluate the antibacterial immunity except the antitoxic one . Guinea pigs preimmunized with somatic Corynebacterium diphtheriae antigen or an immune antimicrobial serum constituted the experimental group . The antimicrobial protection level was assessed by the difference in the mortality rate of guinea pigs in the experimental and control groups. Infect Immun, 1977 Jul, 17(1), 67 - 72 Host immunological mechanisms in the resistance of mice to leptospiral infections; Adler B et al.; Several serovars of Leptospira virulent for hamsters and guinea pigs caused acute lethal leptospirosis in mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide . Neither BCG vaccine nor Corynebacterium parvum suspension influenced the course of leptospiral infection in either immunosuppressed or normal BALB/c mice . Nude athymic mice produced anti-leptospiral antibody and were therefore resistant to infection with leptospires . Nude mice were made susceptible with cyclophosphamide but were immune if they had acquired antibody from previous infection or immunization . The evidence suggests that mechanisms of resistance to primary infection and immunity to reinfection are exclusively humorally mediated in mice . The roles of host and microbial factors in the outcome of infection are discussed. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 Jul, 19(7), 1009 - 18 Corynecin (chloramphenicol analogs) fermentation studies: selective production of Corynecin I by Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus grown on acetate; Nakano H et al.; Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus KY 8835 grew in the acetate medium and accumulated 28mM Corynecins which was the highest production yield among the processes using various carbon sources . Selective production of Corynecin I (over 90% of all Corynecins), which had been desired for increase of the product yield, was achieved in this acetate medium . To keep the concentration of acetate, ammonium, and phosphate ions in the optimum range throughout the fermentation, a solution containing CH2COOH (50%), CH3COONH4 (9%), and KH2PO4 (0.2%) was fed continuously to the culture medium as the pH controlling agent . The addition of KCl (1%) and NaCl (1%) to the medium at 12 hr after inoculation stimulated the production of Corynecins. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Jul, 59(1), 173 - 7 Corynebacterium parvum-induced radiosensitivity and cycling changes of hematopoietic spleen colony-forming units; Maruyama Y et al.; Ten days after total-body irradiation with 550 rads of b0Co, spleen colonies were observed in adult C57BL mice . A change in radiosensitivity induced by Corynebacterium parvum, as measured by increased numbers of colony-forming units that survived the 550 rads, began shortly after C . parvum stimulation and extended for at least 7 days before irradiation . C . parvum given 4-24 hours before, followed by high specific activity {3H}thymidine (HSATT) 1 hour before total-body irradiation greatly reduced survival of the stem cells that formed spleen colonies (CFUs) and CFUs radiosensitivity to control levels . The HSATT sensitivity by "suicide" assay in vivo and the time-response change in radiosensitivity corresponded with the decrease in radiosensitivity, which showed that CFUs were stimulated by C . parvum administration and entered the S-phase shortly after stimulation . The data indicated a resting population close to the S-phase . After stimulation, this population entered S-phase . Syngeneic mouse lymphoma cells injected iv 24 hours earlier did not elicit any effect as a stimulus to CFUs radiosensitivity change. Lab Anim, 1977 Jul, 11(3), 155 - 7 Respiratory pathogens in non-human primates with special reference to Corynebacterium ulcerans; Panaitescu M et al.; An investigation of 272 non-human primates (75 Macacca cynomolgus, 97 Macacca mulatta and 100 Cercopithecus aethiops) revealed a high incidence of respiratory disease caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, Staphylococci, Diplococci and Streptococci . Escherichia coli was also found as a secondary invader . Most of the infections occurred during winter in Macaca cynomolgus and were caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans and Diplococcus pneumoniae . The C . ulcerans strains were phage type VI G . A phage type III C strain was isolated from a Macacca mulatta . The high incidence of C . ulcerans suggests that this organism plays a significant role in the pathology of respiratory disease in the non-human primate. J Infect Dis, 1977 Jul, 136(1), 90 - 5 Adjuvant protection against bacterial infection in granulocytopenic mice; Buhles WC Jr et al.; The hypothesis that the induction of nonspecific resistance to infection by immunostimulation prior to drug-induced granulocytopenia would afford increased protection to subsequent bacterial challenge was tested in a murine model of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus in mice rendered granulocytopenic with cyclophosphamide . Prior intraperitoneal immunostimulation of mice with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or Mycobacterium bovis (Bacille Calmette-Guerin; BCG) increased the 50% lethal dose in mice challenged subcutaneously with P . aeruginosa, but only CFA protected against challenge with S . aureus . The degree of protection was 1-2 log 10 . Corynebacterium parvum provided no protection against infection with P . aeruginosa . The protective effect observed with CFA and BCG substantiates our hypothesis and indicates that nonspecific immunostimulation may be of value in protection of granulocytopenic patients from opportunistic infections. Am J Clin Pathol, 1977 Jul, 68(1), 73 - 7 Corynebacterium equi infection complicating neoplastic disease; Berg R et al.; Corynebacterium equi, a soil-residing diphtheroid pathogenic in horses, swine and cows, caused pulmonary infection with bacteremia in two patients with lymphomas . Both patients were being treated with immunosuppressive therapy, as were the patients in three previously reported human cases . Unless certain characteristics of these organisms are recognized, they may be regarded as normal flora or contaminating diphtheroids . They could also be mistaken for other gram-positive rods, such as Bacillus species, Listeria monocytogenes, or Erysipelothrix insidiosa . C . equi isolates have usually been sensitive to erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and carbenicillin . One of the patients reported here was successfully treated with erythromycin, tetracycline, and surgery. Can Med Assoc J, 1977 Jun 4, 116(11), 1279 - 83 {Diphtheria epidemic occurring on the North Shore of the St . Lawrence River in the fall of 1974}; Gauvreau L et al.; An outbreak of diphtheria occurred on the North Shore of the St . Lawrence River at the beginning of September 1974 . It started with the death of an 18-year-old forest worker Sept . 5, spread over a vast area of the North Shore and lasted until the end of October that year . Eleven strains of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae intermedium, type K were isolated . Eleven of the 12 patients had characteristic diphtheritic pharyngitis with pseudomembranes . Preventive measures, set forth immediately after the third case was declared, included the following: (a) daily surveillance of all contacts, (b) isolation or preventive hospitalization of persons with all types of pharyngitis, (c) mass vaccination of all susceptible persons and (d) search for healthy carriers of the germ . No strains of toxigenic C . diptheriae were isolated from patients preventively hospitalized or from the 1235 individuals among whom carriers were sought . Among the main characteristics of this epidemic, the mean age of the patients (17 years), their mobility and their habits are factors that could have made it almost uncontrollable . It is also remarkable that this outbreak occurred in such a scattered population of adolescents, in 82% of whom the Schick test was negative. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1977 Jun, 55(3), 233 - 44 Brain damage by extracts of parasitised annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in nursling rats; Peterson JE et al.; Extracts of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) infected with Anguina sp . and Corynebacterium sp., and associated with an outbreak of annual ryegrass toxicity in sheep, were administered to 2-week-old rats by a single intraperitoneal injection . Rats that received a lethal dose of toxin developed neurological signs including incoordination and convulsions from the second day and most died between 2 and 7 days after injection . Histologically, the brains showed widespread lesions of focal necrosis consistent with anoxia . Peripheral circulation rate was greatly reduced after 3 days and gangrene of the tail and hind legs developed in some rats . Evidence of restricted blood flow was also seen in kidneys, lungs and brain . It was concluded that the toxin contains a long-acting vasoconstrictor. J Gen Microbiol, 1977 Jun, 100(2), 221 - 30 Distribution of menaquinones in actinomycetes and corynebacteria; Collins MD et al.; Menaquinones were the only isoprenoid quinones found in 48 corynebacteria and actinomycete strains examined . Dihydromenaquinones having nine isoprene units were the main components isolated from Gordona, Mycobacterium, Corynebacterium bovis, Corynebacterium glutamicum and a strain labelled Nocardia farcinica, but dihydromenaquinones having eight isoprene units were characteristic of other Corynebacterium species and representatives of the 'rhodochrous' complex . Tetrahydromenaquinones having six and eight isoprene units were found in Nocardia strains and in a single strain of Micropolyspora brevicatena, which also contained mycolic acids similar in chain length to those of Nocardia . Menaquinones having nine isoprene units with from one to five double bonds hydrogenated were the main components in Actinomadura madurae, Actinomadura pelletieri, Micropolyspora faeni, Oerskovia turbata and Streptomyces strains . Actinomadura dassonvillei strains had a characteristic pattern of di-, tetra- and hexahydromenaquinones with 10 isoprene units which was slightly different from the pattern in mixtures of similar quinones from Actinomyces israelii and Actinomyces viscosus. Cancer, 1977 Jun, 39(6), 2405 - 10 Comparative effect of anaerobic coryneforms on a murine melanoma; Paslin DA; Ten strains of anaerobic Corynebacteria were compared in their effect on survival of C57BL/6 mice, bearing subcutaneously inoculated B16 melanomas . The corynebacterial suspensions were injected intralesionally twice weekly for five injections . Significant permanent tumor regression was not obtained . Significant prolongation of survival was observed in mice treated with seven of the corynebacterial strains. Cancer Res, 1977 Jun, 37(6), 1673 - 9 The distribution and persistence in vivo of Corynebacterium parvum in relation to its antitumor activity; Scott MT et al.; Killed Corynebacterium parvum was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate or 125I, and both preparations were shown to retain lymphoreticular stimulatory and antitumor activity . Large amounts of C . parvum injected i.v . were found in the liver, spleen, and lungs with less in bone marrow and lymph nodes . Apart from a rapid loss from the lungs within 24 hr, the persistence of killed C . parvum was striking, and some intact bacteria were still detectable in the liver and spleen at 15 days . (By contrast, the breakdown of an inactive C . parvum strain in the liver was considerably faster) . The blood clearance of 125I-labeled C . parvum injected i.v . into tumor-bearing mice was more rapid than in normal mice, and the absolute, but not the unit, amounts of C . parvum taken up by the spleen and tumor-draining node were increased . 125I-labeled C . parvum was found within the body of established solid tumor, but there was no correlation between the amounts of C . parvum taken up by various mouse solid tumors after i.v . injection and their susceptibility to i.v . C . parvum therapy . The distribution and persistence of C . parvum injected into a tumor lesion was similar to that after s.c . injection . The bulk of the inoculum was retained at the injection site and draining lymph node . Contralateral nodes were unlabeled, and uptake in the liver and spleen was considerably less than after i.v . injection . Although no C . parvum was found in peritoneal cells after i.v . injection, the macrophages in this population became activated and were capable of nonspecifically inhibiting tumor cell growth in vitro. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Jun, 58(6), 1753 - 7 Effect of Corynebacterium parvum, methanol-extraction residue of BCG, and levamisole on macrophage random migration, chemotaxis, and pinocytosis; Sher NA et al.; Three parameters of macrophage function: random migration, chemotaxis, and pinocytosis, were studied in the guinea pig after administration of Corynebacterium parvum, methanol-extraction residue of BCG, and levamisole (LMS), a synthetic anthelmintic . Macrophage migration studies were performed with a modified Boyden chamber . Pinocytosis was assessed by the uptake of colloidal 198Au . After ip administration, each of the three immunostimulators induced an increase in macrophage chemotactic responsiveness and, to a lesser extent and duration, in random motility . Kinetic, dose-response, and time course data for the effect of each agent on macrophage movement were explored . LMS was the most effective stimulator of macrophage activation, which occurred earlier and persisted longer than it did with the other agents . Macrophages from animals receiving each of the agents showed enhanced pinocytosis . Measurement of macrophage random migration, chemotaxis, and pinocytosis appeared to provide a rapid and quantitative assessment of several parameters of macrophage function and, when studied with other immunologic parameters, may provide useful tools for the evaluation of potential immunoadjuvants. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1977 Jun, 59(4), 527 - 30 Diphtheroid osteomyelitis; Morrey BF et al.; Isolates of either Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Propionibacterium acnes from osteomyelitis are not necessarily contaminants, as shown by the cases of three patients who had bone and joint infections in which these organisms were pathogenic (one in pure culture and two in mixed cultures) . Previous operation or other factors that compromise host resistance create the setting for these opportunistic organisms . Penicillin with or without streptomycin is the treatment of choice, but if penicillin or streptomycin cannot be used then the cephalosporins, clindamycin, and erythromycin are acceptable alternatives (depending on susceptibility studies) . In general, the prognosis is good. Cancer Res, 1977 Jun, 37(6), 1715 - 8 Enumeration and identification of human leukemic lymphocytes by their natural binding of bacteria; Teodorescu M et al.; The recently described property of bacteria to bind to human lymphocytes was used to distinguish between normal and chronic leukemic lymphocyte (CLL) populations . Strains of the following bacteria were used in this study: Arizona hinshawii, Escherichia coli strains 1 and 2, Bacillus globigii, Brucella melitensis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains 1 and 2, Corynebacterium xerosis, Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis . For identification of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes, a strain of E . coli that did not bind to human lymphocytes was coated with anti-human light-chain antibody . Labeling of lymphocytes with bacteria was promoted by centrifugation . In the eight CLL patients studied, in which greater than 90% of the lymphocytes were leukemic cells, 52 to 77% were labeled by anti-human light-chain antibody-E . coli, 80 to 93% were labeled by Br . melitensis, and 78 to 95% were labeled by E . coli 1 compared to 11 to 24, 11 to 22, and 30 to 44%, respectively, in normal individuals, Thus, Br . melitensis, E . coli 1, and the anti-human light-chain antibody-E . coli may have diagnostic value for CLL . The percentage of the lymphocyte population that bound each of the other bacteria varied from patient to patient . Preliminary results obtained by studying the pattern of binding of E . coli 2, B . globigii, Sa . lutea, or S . aureus by leukemic lymphocytes suggest that categories of CLL patients may be distinguished by this method. Immunology, 1977 Jun, 32(6), 929 - 40 Complement activation by the alternative pathway and macrophage enzyme secretion in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation; Schorlemmer HU et al.; A number of stimuli known to induce acid hydrolase secretion from cultured macrophages were examined for their ability to activate C3 via the alternative pathway of the complement system . Loss of haemolytically active C3 was checked in normal and C4-deficient guinea-pig serum . For comparison the interactions of cultured macrophages with other agents well known as potent activators of the alternative pathway of the complement system have been investigated . As judged by their activity in these assays, group A streptococcal cell walls, different carrageenan preparations, dental plaque and Actinomyces viscosus were all capable of initiating the alternative pathway but differed with respect to their potency and their ability to inhibit C3 turnover at high concentrations . Zymosan, some carrageenans, polyanethol sulphonate, and Corynebacterium parvum all induce the release of hydrolytic enzymes from macrophages in culture, even in the absence of serum in the medium . The release is time- and dose-dependent and is not associated with loss of the cytoplasmic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase or any other sign of cell death . The parallelism between the capacity of several agents to activate the complement system via the alternative pathway and to induce inflammatory responses in vivo and selective lysosoma enzyme secretion from cultures of macrophages is discussed. Med J Aust, 1977 May 28, 1(22), 817 - 9 Lung abscess due to Corynebacterium equi in a renal transplant recipient; Savdie E et al.; A case of Corynebacterium equi infection in a renal transplant recipient is reported . This not uncommon pathogen of farm animals caused a lung abscess in a graft recipient who had received continuous immunosuppression with azathioprine and prednisone for seven years . Antibiotic therapy yielded radiological improvement, although the patient died from other causes . C . equi joins a growing list of rare opportunistic organisms which may cause disease in subjects who have received transplants. Vet Rec, 1977 May 28, 100(22), 464 - 5 Corynebacterium pyogenes mastitis among heifer calves; Bramley AJ et al.; In August 1975 an outbreak of C pyogenes mastitis occurred involving 18 heifer calves at the National Institute for Research in Dairying . This paper describes the outbreak which affected animals varying in age from five to 22 months . Fourteen of the cases (77%) were among calves less than 10 months old . The advisability of using fly control measures among young stock in the summer months is discussed. Int J Cancer, 1977 May 15, 19(5), 673 - 9 An analysis of the factors allowing promotion (rather than inhibition) of tumour growth by Corynebacterium parvum; Bomford R; The following factors were found to determine whether C . parvum (CP) treatment promoted rather than inhibited the growth of methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma cells injected into CBA mice . (1) The dose of tumour cells . Promotion occurred only with low doses, around the TD50 . (2) The route of injection of CP . Greater promotion was caused by intravenous (IV) than by subcutaneous (SC) administration . Addition of irradiated tumour cells to SC CP resulted in tumour inhibition . (3) The dose of CP . Promotion increased with increasing dose of either SC or IV CP . (4) The time of CP injection relative to tumour challenge . Promotion only occurred when CP was given before tumour cells, except when using IV CP and very few tumour cells . With increasing doses of tumour cells, first post-treatment with IV CP and then pre-treatment became inhibitory . The effect of CP on established immunity to tumour cells was also studied . Mice were immunized by tumour amputation . The resistance to tumour challenge thus generated could be abrogated by CP given before challenge, most effectively by a high dose IV . The data are interpreted according to the following hypothesis . (1) CP suppresses the expression of cell-mediated immunity to tumour antigens . (2) This is caused by trapping of anti-tumour effector cells at the site of CP deposition . (3) Promotion can only occur when CP is given before effector cells have reached the tumor site. Arch Dermatol, 1977 May, 113(5), 646 - 7 Foot ulceration and vertebral osteomyelitis with Corynebacterium haemolyticum; Ceilley RI; Diphtheroid or "coryneform" bacilli are usually considered to be nonpathogenic "normal flora" of human skin and mucous membranes . Because bacterial cultures are frequently contaminated with these organisms, the correct diagnosis and proper treatment may be delayed by the failure to recognize serious infections caused by them . This is a report of a 71-year-old woman with a diabetic foot ulcer and Corynebacterium haemolyticum osteomyelitis with bacteremia. Arch Intern Med, 1977 May, 137(5), 594 - 7 Bacteremia after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy; Baltch AL et al.; During 24 months, 200 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed on 193 patients . Blood cultures were obtained before and five and 30 minutes after the procedure using thiol (50 ml) and trypticase soy broth (100 ml) media . The mean endoscopic time was 34 minutes . Sixteen patients developed bacteremia (8%) . Twelve groups of microorganisms were detected in positive blood cultures: Streptococcus (5 species), Lactobacillus sp, Veillonella alcalescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staph epidermidis, Propioni-bacterium acnes, Corynebacterium acnes, and Bacillus subtilis . Seven patients had positive blood cultures at five and 30 minutes, eight at five minutes, and one at 30 minutes only . There was no clear correlation of bacteremia with the age or previous history of the patient, biopsy, active bleeding, endoscopic time, or findings . A follow-up study of all patients for six months to two years indicated no complications related to endoscopy and/or bacteremia. J Immunol, 1977 May, 118(5), 1530 - 40 Functional heterogeneity in macrophages activated by Corynebacterium parvum: characterization of subpopulations with different activities in promoting immune responses and suppressing tumor cell growth; Lee KC et al.; Peritoneal cells (PEC) from mice injected i.p . with heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum (CP) showed enhanced immunostimulatory (accessor or A cell) activity as measured by their ability to restore the immune responsiveness of nonadherent spleen cells to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and polymeric flagellin (POL) of Salmonella adelaide in vitro . This was true whether the PEC and nonadherent spleen cells were in direct contact or separated by a cell-impermeable membrane which allowed the free passage of soluble mediators . CP-activated PEC also exhibited greatly increased cytostatic activity against the growth of syngeneic tumor cells in vitro . After fractionation of the PEC according to cell size by velocity sedimentation, a separation of A cell activity from anti-tumor activity was observed . Although both these functions were associated with phagocytic cells of the monocyte-macrophage series, the highest A cell activity was found in fractions containing small and medium-sized macrophages, whereas the anti-tumor activity increased with cell size to a maximum with the largest macrophages . Thus, there is a relative increase of suppressive activity over stimulatory activity with an increase in cell size . Cytochemical and morphologic evidence suggests that the A cell-rich fractions contained small and medium-sized macrophages which were derived from newly arrived monocytes, whereas the large tumor-suppressive macrophages were relatively more differentiated. Cancer Res, 1977 May, 37(5), 1349 - 55 Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony formation; Foster RS Jr et al.; Because Corynebacterium parvum has tumor-inhibitory properties and stimulates granulocyte-macrophage production, it may have clinical value in combination with chemotherapy . The leukopoietic effect of killed suspensions of C . parvum was studied in mice using the technique of in vitro clonal culture of hematopoietic cells . After C . parvum injection, there was a prompt, sustained elevation of serum colony-stimulating factor followed by an increase in granulocyte-macrophage precursor cells in the spleen and increases in blood mononuclear and granulocyte cells . Colony-stimulating factor production is suggested as a major mechanism of stimulation of granulocyte-macrophage proliferation by C . parvum . Since rapidly proliferating hematopoietic cells may have increased sensititity to cytotoxic agents, the details of hematopoietic stimulation by C . parvum may be critical in the sequential timing of combined C . parvum and chemotherapy treatment to obtain maximal tumor inhibition and minimal hematopoietic toxicity. J Bacteriol, 1977 May, 130(2), 965 - 7 Hemin-dependent growth stimulation and cytochrome synthesis in Corynebacterium pyogenes; Reddy CA et al.; Growth of Corynebacterium pyogenes, an important pathogen in animals, was greatly increased on addition of hemin to a medium of tryptose plus mineral . The synthesis of a type b cytochrome in this organism appeared to depend on the presence of hemin in the growth medium. J Infect Dis, 1977 May, 135(5), 763 - 70 Immunomodulation of host resistance to experimental viral infections in mice: effects of Corynebacterium acnes, Corynebacterium parvum, and Bacille calmette-guérin; Glasgow LA et al.; Resistance to a representative group of experimental virual infections in mice was significantly enhanced by nonspecific modulation of host defense mechanisms . Corynebacterium acnes, Corynebacterium parvum, and bacille Calmette-Guerin were effective in enhancing host resistance . Animals treated seven to 10 days before inoculation of virus were protected against a lethal infection with Herpesvirus hominis type 2, encephalomyocarditis virus, murine cytomegalovirus, or Semliki Forest virus . The protection of experimental animals against encephalomyocarditis virus infection intitiated by either the intraperitoneal or the respiratory route indicated that C . acnes exerted a systemic, rather than local, effect . A maturation process was required for host defense mechanisms stimulated by C . acnes, as indicated by the failure to enhance resistance in suckling animals . Involvement of cells of the lymphoreticular system was demonstrated by transfer of enhanced resistance against H . hominis type 2 to recipient animals with peritoneal exudate cells harvested from mice pretreated with C . acnes . Finally, these same cells inhibited the progression of herpetic infection in tissue culture . The data suggest that immunomodulation, possibly through activation of macrophages, may offer a method for enhancement of host resistance to viral infections. Cancer Treat Rep, 1977 May-Jun, 61(3), 343 - 7 Immunochemotherapy in 34 cases of oat cell carcinoma of the lung with 19 complete responses; Israel L et al.; Thirty-four previously untreated patients with oat cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a myelotoxic combination of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, methotrexate, CCNU, and Corynebacterium parvum (regimen A) every 4 weeks, interspersed with a non-myelotoxic combination including bleomycin, vincristine, dehydroemetine, and Corynebacterium parvum (regimen B) weekly the other 3 weeks or when hematologic toxicity prohibited administration of regimen A . Hematologic toxicity was frequent but was never a serious problem except in two cases of profound leukopenia in which fatal supervening infection occurred . Nineteen patients in this series (56%) showed a complete response lasting from 4+ to 65+ months . Eight of these patients are still alive with a followup of 6+ to 65+ months . Nine patients (26%) showed a partial response (greater than 50%) lasting 1-10+ months . Only one patient in this group is surviving (10+ months) . The overall response rate was thus 82% . It is concluded from this study that only a complete response has any significant effect on survival, the benefit of a partial response over no response being only slight . The results achieved are compared to those of available series in the literature and from this comparison strategic deductions for the treatment of oat cell carcinoma of the lung are made. Br J Dermatol, 1977 May, 96(5), 511 - 4 The bacteriology of skin cysts; Leppard BJ et al.; Thirty-nine clinically uninflamed cysts of the three most common varieties, epidermoid cysts, trichilemmal cysts and steatocystoma multiplex were removed under sterile conditions and the contents cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . Seventy-three percent of epidermoid cysts grew significant numbers of organisms whereas none of the trichilemmal cysts did so . The organisms found were the common skin commensals, Staphylococcus epidermidis biotype I, anaerobic Gram positive cocci of the Gaffya type and Corynebacterium acnes Type I . This indicates that cysts which clinically have a punctum, namely epidermoid cysts, may become colonized with surface bacteria under normal circumstances . If they become colonized with pathogenic bacteria they become inflamed, a not uncommon clinical picture . The results from patients with steatocystoma multiplex were difficult to interpret because of the small numbers of patients involved and the unusual clinical appearance they presented. C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1977 Apr 25, 284(16), 1617 - 21 {Radioprotection conferred by Corynebacterium parvum against the lethality caused by X irradiation at sublethal and lethal doses in the mouse}; Halpern B et al.; Intraperitoneal injection of Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) into Balb/c mice produces a protection against toxicity or lethality provoked by ionizing radiation (750 R and 950 R) . Survivals reaching nearly 90 days have been recorded. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 65 - 72 C . parvum skin testing antigen: study on guinea pig model; Roumiantzeff M et al.; A skin-testing antigen produced from C . parvum has been developed for exploring cell-mediated immunity and specially C . parvum specific cell-mediated immunity by delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) reaction . The DCH antigen and the techniques of intradermal injection and multiple puncture are described . DCH reactions are carried out in C . parvum specifically sensitized guinea pigs: sensitization procedure and adjuvant (IFA and CFA) effects are reported . Measures of DCH reactions for different antigen doses at various times (5-24-48 h) are reported; classical Mantoux and multiple puncture reactions are compared . The specificity of these DCH reactions are explored by comparing C . parvum antigen and tuberculin reactions in corynebacterium and mycobacterium sensitized guinea pigs. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 547 - 52 Intra-tumour C . parvum therapy in gastric carcinoma; a pilot study; Dykes PW et al.; In a preliminary and toxicological study, eight patients with carcinoma of the stomach were treated by Corynebacterium parvum immunotherapy prior to surgical excision . Killed C . parvum suspension was injected at multiple sites directly into the tumour mass with the aid of fibre-optic gastroscope at doses of 1.5 mg, 4 mg or 8 mg . Each patient received two injections of the same dose with an interval of 14 days . The second injections were made 14 to 18 days prior to surgery . No chemotherapy was administered during this treatment . Patients were monitored clinically for signs of toxicity . Immunological parameters were assessed on peripheral blood samples taken immediately before each injection and prior to surgery . Antibody titre to C . parvum was estimated by direct agglutination, while cell-mediated responses to C . parvum and 3M KCl tumour extract and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were assessed by lymphocyte transformation . Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured by radio-immune assay . Tumours removed at surgery were examined histologically for the presence of invading immunocytes . These preliminary data will be discussed with respect to the dose of C . parvum administered. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 529 - 33 A survey of patients' reactions to intravenous Corynebacterium parvum therapy; Palmer BV et al.; A survey was made of patients' reactions to high dose (21 mg) Corynebacterium parvum therapy given intravenously over four hours . The patients completed a pro forma . Rigors were the commonest side effect complained of being present in nearly all patients (24/25) and being very severe in one-third (10/25) . Other problems were nausea (15/25), vomiting (17/25), bone pain (12/25) and headaches (12/25) . One-third also usffered with other less common side effects . Overall, patients felt the side effects were as disagreeable as those experienced with outpatient chemotherapy. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 523 - 7 Toxic and immunologic side effects of daily C . parvum-infusion in treatment-resistant cancer patients; Mayr AC et al.; Daily increasing intravenous doses of Corynebacterium parvum (C.p.) up to 5 mg/m2 i.v . X 10-14 days were given to 6 patients with widespread metastatic neoplastic diseases resistant to radio- and chemotherapy . The immunotherapy treatment-cycles were evaluated for toxic and immunologic side effects and also for possible clinical benefit to the patients . Immunotherapy with i.v.-C.p . was moderately well tolerated . Subjective discomfort for the patients (headache, chills, nausea) was not better tolerated with ongoing treatment-doses . After the 3rd day the body temperature rose nearly regularly to 40 degrees and more within 3-4 h after i.v.-C.p . and returned to normal levels about 6-10 h after the infusion was stopped . Hematological values were monitored on day 1, 4, 8, 15 . WBC counts rose after an initial moderate decrease to normal levels . Monocyte counts rose also after an initial transient fall to pre-treatment levels . The monocytic activity index of Naphthol-AS-D-Chloro-Acetate-Esterase, correlating with the monocyte turnover, did not show a significant change . Granulocyte counts, especially stabs, increased slightly . Lymphocyte counts, the number and relations of B, T and O-cells, did not change in a uniform typical way . Hemoglobin values fell in all patients, reticulocyte counts increased, and the blood sedimentation rate did not change. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 515 - 21 Complications of BCG treatment in patients bearing solid tumors; Serrou B et al.; We treated one hundred patients who had various high risk solid tumors (malignant melanomas, osteosarcomas and lung cancers) by immunostimulation alone or with a sequential and synchronized chemotherapy as a complement treatment . Institut Pasteur BCG (150 mg) was administered either by scarifications (10 X 10 of 5 cm each) or multiple puncture technique (Gun), or in the case of 12 patients, by intra-tumor injections . The following complications were observed: chills and high fever during 1 to 30 days after scarifications or gun technique . In some cases an allergic loco-regional cutaneous reaction was noted after the gun technique . Nevertheless these complications were well tolerated . However, severe reactions were observed after the intra-tumor injections: malaise, chills, sweating, hyperthermia, nausea, vomiting and changes in blood pressure . In 1 case a prolonged high fever (3 weeks) was offset only by the use of corticosteroids . In another case the patient developed hepatitis . A percutaneous liver biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas and the presence of acid fast organisms in the liver (by means of staining by auramine and observation by fluorescence) . In this patient BCG has been replaced by Corynebacterium parvum (2 X 2 mg a week) . This type of adjuvant was used in 2 patients and produced the same complications as the BCG . We believe that caution must be exercised in the use of such intra-tumoral treatments . BCG must be given in the hospital and patients must receive antihistaminic preparation before and after immunostimulation. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 467 - 70 The effect of intravenous infusion of Corynebacterium parvum on an immune profile of women with breast cancer; Webster DJ et al.; An immunological profile has been measured in 21 patients with advanced breast cancer who were treated with C . parvum (Wellcome strain CN6134) . Thirteen patients received a single i.v . dose of 15 mg of C . parvum and 8 received 4 mg i.v . on 5 successive days . The "profile" was recorded before and 7-10 days after treatment and included measurement of total white count, absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts, PHA response, B and T cell percentages . DNCB and Mantoux skin tests, immunoglobulin classes G, A, M and E and spleen size . Most patients showed a rise in white count, due largely to a polymorph leucocytosis, but there was no consistent change in any of the immunological variables recorded . IgG levels increased significantly following the single injection but not after the 5-day course; suggesting the possibility of acquired immunological tolerance . These results fail to demonstrate a consistent effect of C . parvum on either T-lymphocyte dependent function or on the spleen size, properties well documented in the experimental animal. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 461 - 6 In vitro and in vivo effects of Corynebacterium parvum on lymphocyte transformation; Fisher RA; Using a range of doses the effect of C . parvum on the in vitro response of lymphocytes to PHA was studied . C . parvum was not found to be mitogenic itself when added to unfractioned lymphocyte cultures from normal donors and patients with breast cancer, nor did it effect the response to PHA in these cultures except at the highest dose (20 microgram/100,000 cells) when it was inhibitory . 21 patients with breast cancer treated with C . parvum were assessed by their in vitro response to PHA prior to, during and on completion of treatment . We were unable to show consistent changes in PHA response following treatment with C . parvum; 9 patients having shown a fall, 4 having shown an increase and 8 remaining unchanged in their PHA response. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 449 - 53 Effects of BCG and Corynebacterium parvum on immune reactivity in melanoma patients; Thatcher N et al.; Sixteen patients with disseminated melanoma were immunised with either BCG (8 cases) or C . parvum (8 cases) on three occasions at 21 day intervals . Blood for assay was taken immediately before the first immunisation and weekly for eight weeks thereafter . Total white count tended to increase but little change was seen in lymphocyte and monocyte counts . Serum IgG increased after BCG BUT NOT WITH C . parvum, serum IgA and IgM did not alter . The 'E' rosette % did show some increase mainly after C . parvum, and 'B' lymphoid cells (sIg staining) increased slightly after BCG; the 'EA' rosette % fell following C . parvum but not after BCG . Lymphocyte PHA blastogenesis increased after immunisation, particularly with BCG . Non-specific lymphocytotoxicity (51 Cr Chang target) demonstrated dramatic increases for 'non T' and 'K' cell function and a smaller increase in 'T' cell cytotoxicity following immunisation . These increases in cytotoxicity were maintained by the 21 day immunisation schedule. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 427 - 30 Effects of Corynebacterium parvum vaccine on drug metabolism in the mouse; Macnee CM et al.; Mice of the CBA strain were given a single intraperitoneal injection of C . parvum vaccine at 50 mg/m2 . There followed a progressive increase in liver weight and in the duration of hexobarbitone sleeping time, accompanied by a marked decrease in liver microsomal protein and in cytochrome P-450/mg microsomal protein . That is to say, content of cytochrome P-450 was reduced out of proportion to the apparent loss of endoplasmic reticulum . These changes were paralleled by decreases in microsomal O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole and glucuronide formation with o-aminophenol measured in vitro; they were most marked at 13-14 days after dosing; they then slowly returned to control levels which they reached 20-30 days later . Changes in the dose of vaccine showed that the increase in liver weight and in hexobarbitone sleeping time were significant at 3.5 mg/m2, but that the decrease in the activities measured in vitro were not significant below 35 mg/m2. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 379 - 80 The local effect of intravesical Corynebacterium parvum in the dog . A preliminary study; Brisset JM et al.; High doses of C . parvum introduced in the bladder of the dog provoke changes in the submucosa . The significance and importance of these modifications should be investigated. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 323 - 7 The effect of pretreatment with Corynebacterium parvum on the growth of a chemical induced transplanted murine tumor; Borberg H et al.; Unspecific immunostimulation with or without specific tumor immunotherapy may well contribute to the control of minimal residual cancer . Corynebacterium parvum (C.p.) has been shown to raise the level of immunocompetence in tumor bearing animals . Experiments are reported, which aim at an evaluation of optimal conditions for an immunostimulation with C.p . prior to the transplantation of BALB/c Meth A ascitis . Using different dosages, routes of injection and schedules of vaccination it was found, that the highest non-toxic dose of C.p . per mouse yielded the optimal inhibition of tumor growth, the longest survival of tumor bearing hosts and the highest number of tumor rejections as compared to untreated controls . If the vaccine was distributed to at least 4 sites of injection, the s.c . route appeared superior to i.p . application . The intravenous route appeared to be most effective . The oral route seemed to inhibit tumor growth, if not less than 4 mg/mouse were fed daily for five days . The mechanism of action of C.p . in the model system used is discussed and correlated with an appropriate timing of both C.p . sensitization and tumor challenge. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 277 - 81 Effects and mode of action of Corynebacterium parvum on murine tumour metastases; Castro JE et al.; The effects of Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) on Lewis lung tumour metastases have been studied . I.v . and i.p., but not s.c . C . parvum significantly reduced pulmonary metastases . When combined with excision of the primary tumour, C . parvum given not more than 2 days before caused slight reduction of metastases, but when given earlier, it caused significant reduction and some mice were cured . Metastases were increased by silica or cortisone acetate but were unaffected by trypan blue . The antimetastatic action of C . parvum was not altered by these treatments . Thymectomy and irradiation did not affect tumour metastases, or the antimetastatic action of C . parvum, whereas ALS depressed metastasis and abrogated the protective effects of C . parvum . It appears that the inhibitory effects of C . parvum on tumour metastases are mediated through macrophages in concert with a subpopulation of T2 lymphocytes. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 241 - 4 In vitro anti-tumour properties of peritoneal exudate cells of conventional germ-free and stimulated mice; Fray A et al.; Adherent cells of peritoneal exudates were obtained from conventional, or from germ-free mice or from mice having received in intraperitoneal infection of a variety of phlogogenic substances such as Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) (Merieux) 500 microgram, thioglycolate (Difco) 3 ml, Bayol (Esso) 0.50 ml + 0.50 ml culture medium, glycogene 1.2 ml . The cytotoxic properties adherent cells were studied in vitro by the chromium release technique (CRT) and their cytostatic properties by the inhibition of the incorporation of tritiated thymidine by YC8 lymphoma cells . C . parvum was found to be the most active agent in enhancing the cytotoxic properties of adherent cells, followed by BCG and Bayol . Glycogen peptone and other substrates were without effect . The unstimulated peritoneal macrophages of conventional mice were found to inhibit thymidine incorporation by tumour cells, whereas those of germ-free mice could not do so . C . parvum markedly increased the cytostatic property adhered cells from both germ-free and conventional mice. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 189 - 93 Cell mediated immunity to Corynebacterium parvum and its role in tumor control; Tuttle RL; The injection of C . parvum provokes a transient cell-mediated immune response to its own bacterial antigens . During this period a subcutaneous challenge dose results in the appearance of a characteristic delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reaction . If a suspension of syngeneic tumor cells is included in this challenge, they are destroyed in immune but not control animals . Similarly, solid tumors of limited size can be made to regress under these conditions . Adoptive transfer studies revealed that, in keeping with other DTH reactions, this effect was mediated by a population of rapidly dividing, theta-bearing lymphocytes . The ramifications of this response with respect to antitumor therapy are discussed. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 183 - 8 Monocytosis-inducing activity (MIA) of serum in Corynebacterium parvum treated mice; Eliopoulos G et al.; Intravenous injection of 548 microgram of C . parvum (Lot 0407, Merieux Laboratories, France) into C57Bl mice produced rapidly appearing monocytopenia which was followed by marked and prolonged monocytosis after the third day . The serum of these animals, collected during the monocytopenic but not the monocytosis phase, showed monocytosis inducing activity (MIA) as was demonstrated by the intravenous injection of the serum into normal test mice . Serum from normal untreated mice or from mice given an intravenous injection of sterile pyrogen-free saline did not cause monocytosis in the test mice . Monocytosis induced in the test animals presented two interesting peaks . The first was observed 2 h after the injection of serum and the second 5 days later . The former was accompanied by a decrease and the latter by an increase in the number of bone marrow monocytes, suggesting that MIA probably represents a releasing activity . The late increase in marrow monocytes is considered as a phenomenon secondary to the initial reduction. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 137 - 43 Distribution of 3H-thymidine-labelled C . parvum in mice; Sadler TE et al.; Little is known of the localisation of injected Corynebacterium parvum . We therefore developed a method of radiolabelling this vaccine and determined its distribution in the mouse . Live C . parvum (Wellcome, strain CN 6134) was grown in the presence of 3H-thymidine and subsequently killed by formalin . A high activity, 1-6 x 10(5) cpm/0.1 ml of a 7 mg dry weight/ml concentrated suspension, was obtained . Its biological properties (hepatosplenomegaly and antitumour effects) were similar to those of commercially available vaccine . After intravenous or intraperitoneal injection into normal mice, high activity was recovered in liver and moderate activity in spleen, lungs and small gut . In contrast, after subcutaneous injection, most activity was recorded at the injection site, and little in other tissues . A similar distribution of labelled C . parvum was found in tumour-bearing mice . Only moderate counts were detected in tumour. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 195 - 200 The effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the proliferation of monocyte precursors in the bone marrow of mice; Chare MJ et al.; The anti-tumour activity of C . parvum is thought to be mediated via the monocyte/macrophage system (Scott, 1974) . These cells originate from rapidly dividing precursors in the bone marrow and it might be at this level that C . parvum exerts its action . To test this hypothesis bone marrow T0 Swiss mice has been cultured according to the method of Bradley and Metcalf (1966), which gives an index of the number of proliferating macrophage precursor cells at the time of sacrifice . Experiments were set up at various times following a single i.p . injection of 700 microgram of an anti-tumour strain of C . parvum (CN 6134-Wellcome Research Laboratories) . Controls received 700 microgram of either C . diphtheriae CN 2000 or C . parvum CN 5888, a strain with no anti-tumour activity . Macrophage colony counts in those mice receiving "active" C . parvum were significantly higher than those in controls at intervals from 2 h to 3 weeks post-treatment . This time course parallels certain immunological properties of C . parvum and suggests a possible mode of action. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 111 - 3 Studies on the immunostimulating and anti-tumour activity of a fraction isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum; Lallouette P et al.; The immunostimulating activity of the anaerobic corynebacteriae is well documented . Fractions isolated from while cells have not been much investigated . We have reported that the immunostimulating activity is present in fractions isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum . A few fractions have shown anti-tumour activity in grafted tumours in mice . One of these fractions (P 40) has been investigated in more detail, since it proved to be inhibitory when administered after grafting of the non-syngenic P 815 tumour in mice. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 553 - 7 Randomized trial in advanced breast cancer using combination chemotherapy with or without C . parvum; preliminary results; Mayr AC et al.; In a prospectively randomized cooperative study patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with or without Corynebacterium parvum (C.p.)5 mg/sc/m2 on day 1 in addition to CAO/CMF (Cyclophosphamid (C) 150 mg/m2/d per os X 5 d and Adriamycine (A) 50 mg/m2 i.v . d 1 and Oncovin (O) 1.0 mg/m2 i.v . d 1 . 6 CAO-cycles q 28 days later were followed by monthly CMF cycles q 28 d with Cyclophosphamide (same dose), Methotrexate 30 mg/m2 i.v . 1 and 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 i.v . d 1) . 76 patients entered the study until January 1, 1977 . The patients' characteristics (age, cytostatic pretreatment, tumor free interval, metastatic sites and mean doses of CA) were well balanced in the two groups . The lowest values of WBC and platelets on d 14 of the monthly CAO-cycles show a mean nadir of 1,630/mm2 and 122'850/mm3 respectively in the C.p.-group and of 1,890/mm2 and 141'760/mm3 in the group without C.p . GI-toxicity was seen more frequently in the C.p . group . An improvement of symptoms was observed in 88% of the C.p.-CAO/CMF treated group and in 77% of the group without C.p . Complete and good partial remissions (greater than 50% tumor size reduction) were seen in 53% of the CAO-C.p . treated patients and in 34% of the patients in the control group without C.p . Survival data presently show a trend of improvement by the addition of C.p . to the CAO-CMF-chemotherapy regimen. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 509 - 14 Clinical studies with Corynebacterium parvum; Mitcheson HD et al.; In a pilot study twelve patients with malignant disease were treated with Corynebacterium parvum . The clinical results were encouraging . A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial of C . parvum therapy in the treatment of patients with carcinoma of the bronchus began in August 1976 . 22 pateints have been admitted to the trial and 11 treated with C . parvum . Clinical progress is reported . Radiological, haematological, biochemical and immunological measurements have been made and these results are presented with emphasis on the immunological data . Marked elevation of C . parvum antibody titre occurs . Lymphocyte reactivity, assessed by responses to phytohaemagglutinin and poke-weed mitogen and by the formation of T and B-cell rosettes, was significantly depressed in all patients compared to healthy volunteers, but in patients receiving C . parvum there is a relative increase in B-lymphocyte activity . Mild platelet depression occurs . No alteration to complement activity has been detected. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 483 - 5 Clinical trial with Corynebacterium parvum; Medenica R et al.; Corynebacterium parvum was administered to sixteen patients with malignant tumors submitted to repeated chemotherapy courses . A total of 428 injections of C . parvum at a dose of 3.5 mg/m2 in weekly, biweekly and monthly administration was given between the chemotherapy courses . Injection of C . parvum was followed by fever and local pain in 15/16 patients . Three patients presented a local ulceration during the initial period of weekly injections . Splenomegaly was observed after the second month of treatment, peripheral and bone-marrow monocytic infiltration after the second month . The decreased lymphocyte stimulation by PHA observed during the first two months was followed by an increased response . Cutaneous reactions to three antigens increased progressively in most patients and negative pre-treatment tests became positive after treatment. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 477 - 82 A phase I study of a multi-modal schedule with Corynebacterium parvum; McIntosh IH et al.; A Phase I study of an immuno-chemotherapy regime was carried out using C . parvum as an immune-modulator . 14 women were studied . All received doses of C . parvum ranging from 2.5 mg to 21 mg administered in 1 litre of dextrose saline over 4 h . No evidence of tumour enhancement was observed. Dev Biol Stand, 1977 Apr 13-15, 38, 373 - 8 Various modalities of local administration of bacterial immunostimulants in transplantable rat tumours and in primitive methylcholanthrene mouse tumours; Goldberg N et al.; The frequent use of intra-lesional injection of bacterial immunostimulants is hampered by apparent rarity of susceptible tumours, absence of therapeutic effect on large tumours, lack of variety of experimental models, eventual traumatism which is feared in case of intra-lesional, and injection in visceral cancers . (1) Methylcholanthrene induced primitive tumours in mice are more frequently susceptible when the carcinogen induction dosage is low (0.01 mg) . (2) Using transplantable rat tumours, one susceptible and one resistant to intra-tumoral BCG or Corynebacterium parvum therapy, we have shown that both are resistant to systemic administration of immunostimulants . For the susceptible tumour, subcutaneous peritumoral multiple injections have the same efficacy as intra-tumoral injection in curing small tumours and ipsilateral distant tumours, when the rats receive a double graft of the same tumour . Superficial multifocal intratumoral injections can cure more voluminous susceptible tumours . The association of peritumoral and intra-tumoral injections rendered susceptible the usually resistant tumours. Gann, 1977 Apr, 68(2), 233 - 5 Comparative study of Corynebacterium parvum and Corynebacterium liquefaciens on antitumor activity against sarcoma-180; Ideda H et al.; Corynebacterium parvum and Corynebacterium liquefaciens were comparatively examined for their antitumor activity against sarcoma-180 in ddY mice . In the case of ascitic form, significant antitumor effect was observed when C . parvum was administered on days -4 and -2 or day -2 . As for solid form, maximal effect was obtained when C . parvum was administered on day 0 . On the other hand, C . liquefaciens exhibited maximal antitumor activity against sarcoma-180, both in ascitic and solid forms, when it was administered on days -4 and -2 . However, no significant difference in respect to antitumor activity against sarcoma-180 was seen between C . parvum and C . liquefaciens (ascitic form, F1 118 = 0.09, P greater than 0.05; solid form, F1 53 = 0.03, P greater than 0.05). Infect Immun, 1977 Apr, 16(1), 263 - 7 Experimental model of corynebacterium renale pyelonephritis produced in mice; Shimono E et al.; Corynebacterium renale type I (strain 115), 1.7 X 10(7) to 4.5 X 10(7) organisms, introduced intravenously into mice disappeared from the blood less than 24 h after inoculation and did not produce pyelonephritis . The same strain, 1 X 10(7) to 5 X 10(7) organisms, inoculated into the urinary bladder of mice was not recovered from the blood in any of the mice, but caused pyelonephritis accompanied by ureteritis and cystitis in 16 of 21 (76%) mice . Pyelonephritis and cystitis in mice were histopathologically similar to those found in cows . The antibody response was observed only in the mice with pyelonephritis or pyelitis, but not in those with only cystitis or in those without lesions, as found in cows . Similar diseases were produced in mice by C . renale types II and III but less frequently than by type I . It is suggested, therefore, that mice may be useful in the study of bovine C . renale infection. Avian Dis, 1977 Apr-Jun, 21(2), 319 - 22 The inhibitory effect of Corynebacterium parvum and Pasteurella multocida pretreatment on staphylococcal synovitis in turkeys; Coates SR et al.; Corynebacterium parvum and Pasteurella multocida were shown to be immunostimulants in turkeys, increasing the ability of whole blood to kill Staphylococcus aureus and prolonging the incubation time of experimental staphylococcal synovitis. Br J Cancer, 1977 Apr, 35(4), 420 - 5 Effects of C . parvum on growth and induction of intracerebral tumours in mice; Osborn DE et al.; An investigation was made into the effect of Corynebacterium parvum therapy on cerebral tumours in mice . I.v . C . parvum caused a slight but significant increase in the survival of BALB/c mice injected intracerebrally (i.c.) with not more than 50 Meth A cells . C . parvum was most effective if given on the same day or 5 days after tumour . If this interval was increased there was no effect . Multiple i.v . injections were no more effective than a single dose . I.v . C . parvum had no influence on the survival of C57BL mice injected i.c . with Lewis tumour cells, and had little effect on the induction of i.c . or s.c . tumours by methylcholanthrene . It was concluded that C . parvum therapy was of little use in the treatment of cerebral tumour in mice . The clinical implications of these findings are discussed. Cancer Res, 1977 Apr, 37(4), 1137 - 40 Corynebacterium parvum and cyclophosphamide as combination treatment for a murine mammary adenocarcinoma; Purnell DM et al.; Weekly i.p . injections of killed Corynebacterium parvum and of cyclophosphamide (given on different days) strongly inhibited growth of a transplantable murine mammary adenocarcinoma . A significant portion (40 to 80%) of animals could be made tumor free by means of combined therapy . No tumor-free survivors were obtained with C . parvum alone, and tumor-free mice were obtained with cyclophosphamide alone only at the expense of a high incidence of deaths due to drug toxicity . No evidence of tumor rejection immunity was detected in the tumor-free survivors from the combined treatment protocols, suggesting that this therapeutic regimen is not associated with tumor rejection immunity. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Apr, (4), 129 - 33 {Relationship between the culture medium and the fatty acid composition of diphtheria and non-pathogenic corynebacteria}; Vasiurenko ZP et al.; The gasochromatic method was applied to the study of the cellular fatty acids composition in diphtheria and nonpathogenic corynebacteria (diphtheroids and psendo diptheria bacillus) . Marked differences in the content of unsaturated fatty acids were revealed in them . Thus, palmito leic acid served the preponderant unsaturated fatty acid in Corynebacteria diphtheriae, and unsaturated fatty acids with 18 carbon atoms (octadeconoic and linoleic)--in nonpathogenic corynebacteria . The mentioned changes permit use this sign as differential . When grown on Loeffler's medium all the corynebacteria under study had a similar fatty acid composition characterized by the prevalence of unsaturated fatty acids with 18 carbon atoms . On the basis of studying the fatty acid spectrum of the nutrient media used it is supposed that one of the factors determining the revealed dependence of the corynebacterial fatty acid composition on the culture medium was the fatty acid composition of the latter. Sex Transm Dis, 1977 Apr-Jun, 4(2), 69 - 75 Corynebacterium vaginale; Dunkelberg WE; Corynebacterium vaginale is a sexually transmitted organism which was first recognized in 1953 . It appears to utilize glycogen stored in vaginal epithelial cells, causing a malodorous vaginal discharge characterized by an abnormally high pH (5.0 to 5.5) and composed mainly of epithelial cells and hordes of bacilli . Infected men are asymptomatic, carry the organism for an unknown period of time, and transmit it through intercourse . The organism requires five B-vitamins, purines, pyrimidines, and a fermentable carbohydrate; neither factors X nor V are required . It is not a member of genus Haemophilus and is not likely to be a Corynebacterium . Appearing mainly Gram-negative, it has many characteristics of Gram-positive organisms including its pattern of sensitivity to antibiotics and the possession of certain enzyme systems . As the cause of bacterial vaginitis, C . vaginale may be the most prevalent sexually-transmitted organism. J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Apr, 5(4), 488 - 9 New differential medium for the isolation of Corynebacterium vaginale; Mickelsen PA et al.; A new differential medium for isolation of Corynebacterium vaginale is described . This opaque medium containing 1% corn starch allows detection of C . vaginale by the zones of clearing developing around the colonies. Infect Immun, 1977 Apr, 16(1), 9 - 11 Protection against herpes simplex virus infection in mice by Corynebacterium parvum; Kirchner H et al.; Corynebacterium parvum administered in mice prior to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection significantly protected them against lethal encephalitis . This was seen both with a mouse strain highly susceptible to HSV and with one relatively resistant to HSV . Mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide and showing an increased mortality after HSV infection were also protected by C . parvum pretreatment . However, C . parvum given simultaneously with or after HSV infection did not exert a therapeutic effect. Infect Immun, 1977 Apr, 16(1), 232 - 9 Differential chemical protection of mammalian cells from the exotoxins of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Middlebrook JL et al.; Many drugs or chemicals had markedly different effects on the cytotoxicity induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PE) or Corynebacterium diphtheriae exotoxin (DE) . The glycolytic inhibitor NaF protected cells from DE but potentiated the cytotoxicity of PE . Another energy inhibitor, salicylic acid, also protected cells from DE but had no effect with PE . Colchicine and colcemid did not affect the cytotoxicity of either toxin . Cytochalasin B exhibited a modest protection from DE but no effect with PE . Ouabain, a specific inhibitor of the Na+, K+-dependent adenosine 5'-triphosphatase (ATPase), did not affect the cytotoxicity of either toxin . Ruthenium red, a specific inhibitor of the Ca2+, Mg2+,-dependent ATPase, conferred marked protection from DE-induced cytotoxicity but did not affect PE-induced cytotoxicity . A number of local anesthetics were tested, and they too presented differential results with PE and DE . Most chemicals that affected toxin-induced cytotoxicity had little or no influence on the in vitro adenosine 5'-diphosphate-ribosylation catalyzed by either toxin . This work presents further evidence that PE and DE have different mechanisms of intoxication and suggests that these differences lie in the attachment or internalization stages of intoxication. Arch Dermatol, 1977 Apr, 113(4), 444 - 9 Acne fulminans: investigation of acute febrile ulcerative acne; Goldschmidt H et al.; Eight cases of acne fulminans (acute febrile ulcerative acne) are compared with 13 previously reported cases . This rare disorder of male teenage patients is characterized by the sudden appearance of highly inflammatory, tender, ulcerative and crusted lesions on the back, chest, and face: it is one of the most scarring acute dermatologic disorders of young patients . At the onset of the disease, all patients showed febrile temperatures and marked leukocytosis; other systemic symptoms occurred with varying frequency . Polyarthralgia was noted in half of our series . Investigations of potential trigger mechanisms (eg, septisemia due to Corynebacterium acnes, immunologic defects, altered polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, Shwartzman phenomenon) did not yield any clues regarding the pathogenesis of this disease . Clinical and laboratory findings suggest that acne fulminans is not directly related to acne conglobata. J Bacteriol, 1977 Apr, 130(1), 62 - 73 O-alkylhomoserine synthesis catalyzed by O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase in microorganisms; Murooka Y et al.; An enzyme that can synthesize O-alkylhomoserine from alcohols and O-acetylhomoserine was purified from Corynebacterium acetophilum . The enzyme was found to be identical to O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase; a preparation that appeared homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed both O-alkylhomoserine-synthesizing and O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase activities . Its molecular weight was determined to be about 220,000, and it consisted of two subunits . Its pH and temperature optima for the two reactions were the same . Besides catalyzing the formation of homocysteine from O-acetylhomoserine and sulfide, it also catalyzed the syntheses of O-alkylhomoserines corresponding to the alcohols added form O-acetylhomoserine and ethyl alcohol, n-propylalcohol, n-butyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and n-pentyl alcohol, its activities with these alcohols decreasing in that order . L-Homoserine, O-succinylhomoserine, and O-acetylserine reacted with sulfide . O-ethylhomoserine, O-acetylthreonine, O-succinylhomoserine, and O-acetylserine inhibited both enzyme activities . O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae also showed O-alkylhomoserine-synthesizing activity . Thus, O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase seems to catalyze O-alkylhomoserine synthesis in the presence of appropriate concentrations of alcohol and O-acetylhomoserine in microorganisms. Infect Immun, 1977 Mar, 15(3), 1004 - 7 Antibody to Corynebacterium parvum in normal human and animal sera; Wolberg G et al.; Using a microtiter bacterial agglutination test, we have estimated antibodies to Corynebacterium parvum in "normal" human and "normal" and immune animal sera . Widely differing levels of C . parvum antibodies were found in the normal human sera . The median titer for all 310 human sera was 1:128, whereas that for the 1- to 17-year and 18- to 50-year subgroups was 1:64 and 1:512, respectively . Antibody titers in the various animal species were generally much lower. Vet Pathol, 1977 Mar, 14(2), 95 - 102 Corynebacterium equi enteritis in foals; Cimprich RE et al.; Corynebacterium equi is a pathogen associated with respiratory disease in the foal . This paper discusses two cases of Corynebacterium equi infection, one acute and one chronic, in which the major damage was intestinal . Necrosis of Peyer's patches was the only lesion seen in the small intestine of both foals . The foal with acute disease had distinct green-tan focal necrosis and thickened mucosa of the large intestine . In the foal with chronic disease, the mucosa of the large intestine was thickened, rugose, and mottled red-tan . Histologically, the predominant lesions were villous atrophy, mucosal necrosis, mesenteric lymph node necrosis and large numbers of periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-positive macrophages filled with gram-positive pleomorphic bacilli . Electron microscopy of intestinal mucosa showed bacilli undergoing binary fission in macrophages and bacilli free in the lamina propria. Br J Cancer, 1977 Mar, 35(3), 357 - 68 Radiolabelling of Corynebacterium parvum and its distribution in mice; Sadler TE et al.; Corynebacterium parvum was labelled by growing live bacteria in the presence of {3H}thymidine . The bacteria were killed by formalin, washed thoroughly and resuspended at a concentration of 7 mg dry weight/ml . An activity of 1-6 X 10(5) ct/min/0-1 ml was obtained . The biological properties (inhibition of tumour growth and hepatosplenomegaly) of the labelled C . parvum were compared with those of commercially available vaccine, and were found to be similar . Labelled C . parvum was injected i.v., i.p., or s.c . into normal C57BL mice and the localization of activity determined at 4 h and 1,3,7 and 14 days after injection . After i.v . or i.p . injection, highest counts were recorded in the liver . Moderate activity was found in the spleen, lungs and small gut . After s.c . injection, the majority of radioactive label was detected at the site of injection and little found in other tissues . The distribution of injected C . parvum was also studied in mice bearing Lewis tumour, and was found to be similar to that in normal mice . Moderate amounts of labelled C . parvum were recovered from tumour . There appeared to be no relationship between the antitumour effect of C . parvum given by a particular route of injection and the concentration of C . parvum recovered from the tumour. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Mar, 58(3), 781 - 3 Chemoattractant properties of Corynebacterium parvum and pyran copolymer for human monocytes and neutrophils; Majeski JA et al.; Both pyran copolymer and the Burroughs-Wellcome vaccine of Corynebacterium parvum were able to elicit a migratory response by human neutrophils or monocytes when incubated with serum . However, in the absence of serum, neither agent elicited such a response . The generation of the chemotactic factor by pyran was dependent on heat-labile components in the serum, while suggested involvement of the complement sequence . Conversely, the migratory response of C . parvum in heated serum was equivalent to that in normal serum . No specificity for either monocytes or neutrophils was observed. Cancer Res, 1977 Mar, 37(3), 815 - 20 In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of adriamycin and daunomycin for murine macrophages; Mantovani A; In virto exposure of murine lymphoma cells to adriamycin and daunomycin (DM) for 24 hr resulted in comparable cytotoxicity as assessed by viable cell counts and inhibition of DNA synthesis . The spontaneous DNA synthesis of spleen lymphocytes in vitro was also equally affected by the two agents . However, when the in vitro effects of the two drugs on macrophage monolayers were investigated, DM was found to be at least four times more toxic than AM . In vivo-administered DM was more suppressive than AM of Corynebacterium parvum-induced spleen macrophage cytotoxicity . The fact that DM is less effective than AM as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent in vivo may actually be due to the greater destruction of macrophages by DM and a resultant reduction in the contribution of host immunity to the anti-tumor action. Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 1977 Mar, 44(1), 47 - 8 Effect of levamisole on immunity to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in mice and sheep; Cameron CM; The stimulating effect of levamisole on immunity to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in mice was marginal, while no enhancement of immunity could be detected in sheep . The conclusion was reached that, as levamisole has no potentiating effect on immunity to C . pseudotuberculosis in normal sheep, it is of no practical value as an immunostimulant in this instance. Infect Immun, 1977 Mar, 15(3), 846 - 9 Antitumor activity of a Brucella abortus preparation; Keleti G et al.; Mice injected intraperitoneally with sarcoma-180 cells develop ascites and eventually die . Intraperitoneal injection of a nonviable, aqueous.. . ether-extracted Brucella abortus preparation (BRU-PEL) as early as 7 days before or as late as 7 days after injection of tumor cells significantly inhibited development of ascites and protected against death . BRU-PEL was not effective if injected after ascites was grossly apparent . BRU-PEL was significantly more active than a Corynebacterium parvum preparation administered in the same way. J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1977 Mar, 48(1), 13 - 8 {Newer veterinary neuropathological conditions in South Africa (author's transl)}; Pienaar JG; A brief review is given of some of the more recent findings on lesions of diseases affecting the central nervous system of animals . These include local diseases caused by poisonous plants; Helichrysum argyrosphaerum, Solanum kwebense, Matricaria nigellaefolia; infectious diseases e.g . heartwater, cerebral babesiosis and cranial abscesses in goats caused by Corynebacterium pyogenes . Reference is also made to some conditions, originally described in overseas countries and which subsequently have been diagnosed in South Africa . Original findings on lesions seen in mycotoxicoses caused by Fusarium moniliforme and Aspergillus clavatus are included. J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Mar, 5(3), 375 - 7 Tellurite reduction test to aid in the recognition of Corynebacterium vaginale; Smith RF et al.; Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) does not reduce potassium tellurite . When a 1% aqueous solution of tellurite is added to starch agar plates previously inoculated with vaginal discharge material, other starch-fermenting and most non-starch-fermenting bacteria rapidly reduce tellurite to produce black or gray colonies . This test is a useful adjunct to methods for rapid presumptive identification of C . vaginale . C . vaginale is more susceptible to tellurite inhibition than a variety of other gram-positive bacteria. J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Mar, 5(3), 268 - 72 Comparisons between direct microscopic and cultural methods for recognition of Corynebacterium vaginale in women with vaginitis; Smith RF et al.; The frequency with which clue cells could be detected in Gram-stained vaginal smears and/or cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smears was compared with the frequency of Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) isolation in a group of 236 female patients, of whom 221 had vaginitis . Vaginal clue cells were found most often in women from whom C . vaginale was isolated (P = 0.00006) whereas, conversely, clue cells in cervical Pap smears were reported more frequently in women with negative cultures for this organism (P = 0.006) . C . vaginale isolations were made more frequently from women with both vaginal and cervical clue cells reported (P = 0.000088) . However, the combined false positive-false negative vaginal clue cell rate in the patients studied was 36.5% . Neither the detection of vaginal clue cells nor the isolation of C . vaginale was significantly affected by whether or not patients had trichomoniasis (P = 0.25) . Trichomonas vaginalis detection in cervical Pap smears and vaginal isolation were related (P = 0.00005), whereas the same relationship was not significant for fungi (P = greater than 0.05). J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Mar, 58(3), 717 - 20 In vitro antitumor effect of lymphoid cells from Corynebacterium parvum-treated mice: effect of route of C . parvum administration; Ghaffar A et al.; Corynebacterium parvum administration in CBA mice resulted in the stimulation in the peritoneal exudate and other lymphoid organs of cells which nonspecifically inhibited the tumor growth in vitro . The distribution of the antitumor activity in different organs was dependent on the route of C . parvum injection . Both ip and iv treatments stimulated antitumor activity in the peritoneal exudate, whereas the sc route was ineffective . Only iv treatment stimulated the antitumor activity in the blood, and only the sc route produced the antitumor activity in the lymph node . The antitumor activity following the sc treatment was confined mainly to nodes draining the site of C . parvum injection . All routes of treatment provoked some antitumor activity in the spleen, although the degree of the activity varied with the route in the order of ip, iv, and sc . The antitumor activity in all organs peaked between 4 and 14 days after C . parvum injection . This activity in all organs, except the spleen, disappeared by day 42 post treatment . The results are discussed in the light of the in vivo observations on the antitumor effects of C . parvum. Br J Dermatol, 1977 Mar, 96(3), 287 - 90 An acne-free naevus; Cunliffe WJ et al.; Investigation of rare disorders may sometimes help in the understanding of common problems . We describe a patient with an unusual and previously unreported acne-free naevus occurring in an area severely affected by acne . Investigation revealed smaller sebaceous glands, a reduced sebum excretion rate, decreased number of Corynebacterium acnes in the pilosebaceous ducts and a reduced conversion of testosterone to 5 alphadihydrotestosterone in the areas which were free of acne compared with acne-bearing skin . The results of these investigations support some of the suggested mechanisms responsible for the development of acne. Biochem J, 1977 Feb 15, 162(2), 387 - 97 Microbiological degradation of bile acids, further degradation of a cholic acid metabolite containing the hexahydroindane nucleus by Corynebacterium equi; Hayakawa S et al.; 1 . The further degradation of a cholic acid (I) metabolite, (4R)-4-{4alpha-(2-carboxyethyl)-3aalpha-hexahydro-7abeta-methyl-5-oxoindan-1beta-yl}valeric acid (IIa), by Corynebacterium equi was investigated . This organism effected ring-opening and gave (4R)-4-{2alpha-(2-carboxyethyl)-3beta-(3-carboxypropionyl)-2beta-methylcyclopent-1beta-yl}valeric acid (VI) . The new metabolite was isolated as its trimethyl ester and identified by partical synthesis . It was not utilized by C . equi . 2 . (4R)-4{4alpha-(2-Carboxyethyl)-3aalpha-decahydro-8abeta-methyl5-oxa-6-oxoazulen-1beta-yl}valeric acid (IVa), which is a hypothetical initial oxidation product in the above degradation, was not converted by C . equi into the expected metabolite (VI), but into 3 - {2beta - {(2S) - tetrahydro - 5 - oxofur - 2 - yl} - 1beta - methyl - 5 - oxocyclopent - 1alpha - yl}-propionic acid (VIII), the structure of which was established by partial synthesis . 3 . Both the possible precursors of the metabolite (VI), an isomer of the epsilon-lactone (IVa), the gamma-lactone (XIa), and the open form of these lactones, the hydroxytricarboxylic acid (V), were also not utilized by C . equi . 4 . Under some incubation conditions, C . equi also converted compound (IIa) and 3-(3aalpha-hexahydro-7abeta-methyl-1,5-dioxoindan-4alpha-yl)propionic acid (IIb) into 5-methyl-4-oxo-octane-1,8-dioic acid (III), (4R)-4-(2,3,4,6,6abeta,7,8,9,9aalpha,9bbeta-decahydro-6abeta-methyl-3-oxo-1H-cyclopenta{f}quinolin-7beta-yl)valeric acid (VII) and probably a monohydroxy derivative of compound (IIa) and compound (III), respectively . 5 . The possibility that an initial step in the degradation of compound (IIa) by C . equi is oxygenation of the Baeyer-Villiger type, yielding compound (IVa), is discussed . Metabolic pathways of compound (IIa) to compounds (III), (VI), (VII) and (VIII) are also considered. Gann, 1977 Feb, 68(1), 115 - 20 Combined treatment with anaerobic Corynebacterium liquefaciens and chemotherapeutics against solid tumor in mice; Hattori T et al.; The combined effect of anticancer agents (Mitomycin-C, cyclophosphamide, or 5-fluorouracil) and anaerobic Corynebacterium liquefaciens on subcutaneously induced solid Ehrlich carcinoma in mice was examined . Mitomycin-C and cyclophosphamide were given intraperitoneally on day 7 after inoculation of tumor cells . 5-Fluorouracil was administered intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days from day 9 to 15 . C . liquefaciens was given in