Corynebacterium

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 two ways, intraperitoneally and intratumorally . Its injections were made on days (--7, --5), (--4, --2) (+2, +4), or (+5, +7) in the intraperitoneal groups and in every way varying from (+9, +10) to (+19, +20) days in the intratumoral groups . The best result was observed in combination of C . liquefaciens and 5-fluorouracil in the intraperitoneal groups and that of C . liqlefaciens and cyclophosphamide in the intratumoral groups . Although the results were not necessarily good, probably due to the poor design on time schedule of C . liquefaciens, they partly confirm the hypothesis that the activity of conventional anticancer drugs can be potentiated by a non-specific immunostimulation by anaerobic C . liquefaciens in the solid tumor of mice same as in the ascitic tumor reported previously.

Cancer, 1977 Feb, 39(2), 514 - 26
Intravenous Corynebacterium parvum: an adjunct to chemotherapy for resistant advanced ovarian cancer; Rao B et al.; This is a prelimianry report of an effort to treat women with advanced (Stage III and IV) ovarian cancer who had progressive disease in spite of previous surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation by a program of reductive surgery, intensive immune stimulation and combination chemotherapy . An initial laparotomy was done where possible to reduce tumor burden, and then all patients were given intravenous corynebacterium parvum (C.P.) in escalating doses over a 10- to 14-day period . Cyclic chemotherapy with Cytoxan, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) was started and repeated monthly . Maintenance subcutaneous C.P . was given weekly . All patients had frequent follow-up clinical and laboratory examination . Immune function was measured by skin tests and in vitro tests prior to treatment and periodically during therapy . Two-thirds of the patients had depressed DNCB and PHA stimulation responses prior to treatment, and almost all had severely depressed lymphocyte counts . Thirty-nine patients entered the program . Exploratory laparotomy was done in 16 patients and in eight, successful tumor reduction was accomplished . Eleven patients received intravenous C . Parvum and all expired before receiving chemotherapy . Four patients received C . Parvum and less than three cycles of CAF; all expired within 2 months . Twenty-four patients received C . Parvum and less than or equal to three cycles of CAF . Four patients had complete regression of measurable disease and were living free of disease 9-12 months after starting CAF . Eight patients had more than 50% regression for a minimum of 3 months, and five were living with disease (LWD) 5-11 months . Five patients had 25% to 50% regression and three were LWD 4-8 months . Seven patients had no regression and all expired within 4 months . Of eight patients who had successful reductive surgery prior to treatment, three were free of disease, median of 10 months, and five had partial responses and were living with disease, a median of 9 months . Although pre-treatment immune function was better in the patients who had a good response to CP and CAF (10 of 12 were DNCB+) vs that in patients with a poor response (4 of 12 were DNCB+) immune function was not significantly improved during therapy . The initial treatment results in this program are encouraging and suggest that this approach may be useful in patients with earlier disease.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Feb, 58(2), 287 - 94
Organ distribution of Corynebacterium parvum labeled with iodine-125; Dimitrov NV et al.; Administration of iv, ip, single sc, multiple sc, and footpad injections of {125I}Corynebacterium parvum in mice revealed different patterns of radioactive vaccine distribution in various organs . High deposition and retention were found in the liver, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract and less in the lungs, kidneys, thymus, and bone marrow . Control animals given 125I showed very rapid clearance of the isotope and no retention in the organs . The pattern of distribution of {125I}C . parvum could be useful when protocols for clinical trials are designed.

Can J Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 23(2), 175 - 82
Serum effects on the response of mammalian cells to the exotoxins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Middlebrook JL et al.; The response of mammalian cells to Pseudomonas and diphtheria exotoxins was studied . A method was developed whereby the sensitivity of cells to these two toxins could be quantitated . The method is versatile and can be used to study the effects of toxins on many cellular metabolic or transport processes . The type of serum used in the culture medium significantly influenced the response of cells to the toxins . Calf, horse, and human sera protected cells while fetal calf serum did not . Precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 demonstrated the probable presence of toxin-specific antibody in the protective calf serum while none was detected in the nonprotective fetal calf serum . The level of antibody in calf serum, as titrated by hemagglutination, was sufficient to account for all the observed protection . It is suggested that fetal calf serum be used for all future cell culture studies of bacterial toxins.

Gann, 1977 Feb, 68(1), 45 - 52
Effect of anti-thymocyte serum, anti-macrophage serum, and latex particles on the therapeutic efficacy of BCG or Corynebacterium liquefaciens (Propionibacterium acnes C7) in syngeneic mice; Tanaka T et al.; In a syngeneic mouse-tumor system, anti-thymocyte serum, anti-macrophage serum, and latex particles were used for a comparative study of the immunotherapeutic efficacy of intradermal inoculation of tumor cell-BCG and tumor cell-Corynebacterium liquefaciens (=Propionibacterium acnes C7) vaccines . Anti-thymocyte serum treatment nullified suppression of tumor mediated by BCG (living and nonliving) and living C . liquefaciens . However, the effect of nonliving C . liquefaciens was not affected so much by treatment with anti-thymocyte serum . Treatment with anti-macrophage serum or latex particles also imparied the therapeutic efficacy of living BCG, but had no influence on the efficacy of living and nonliving C . liquefaciens.

Parasitology, 1977 Feb, 74(1), 9 - 18
Protection of mice against Babesia spp . and Plasmodium spp . with killed Corynebacterium parvum; Clark IA et al.; Mice which had been pre-treated with killed Corynebacterium parvum given intravenously or intraperitoneally, but not subcutaneously, were completely resistant to infection with Babesia microti or B . rodhaini, and were protected from death caused by Plasmodium vinckei or P . chabaudi infection . There is evidence that the parasites died within circulating erythrocytes . This occurred much too soon for a specific antibody response to be evoked, and no antibody could be detected by the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique . Thus it is suggested that a non-specific soluble mediator may play an important role in the protection observed.

Can J Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 23(2), 183 - 9
Response of cultured mammalian cells to the exotoxins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Corynebacterium diphtheriae: differential cytotoxicity; Middlebrook JL et al.; The sensitivities of 21 mammalian cell lines to the exotoxins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Corynebacterium diphtheriae were measured . Each line exhibited 1-4 log differences in sensitivities to the two toxins . No species-specific sensitivities were noted for Pseudomonas exotoxin while diphtheria exotoxin was most potent in cells of monkey origin, followed by human and hamster cells . Rat- and mouse-derived cell lines were very insensitive to diphtheria exotoxin . The rates of cellular intoxication by both toxins exhibited apparent first-order kinetics and were indistinguishable from one another when equipotent doses were used . Our preparation of diphtheria exotoxin appeared to have a slightly higher ADP-ribosylating efficiency than did Pseudomonas toxin . However, neither toxin exhibited cell line-specific differences in ribosylating efficiencies which could have explained the wide range in potencies for intact cells . Our results suggest that there are significant differences in the mechanisms of cellular intoxication by Pseudomonas and diphtheria exotoxins and that these differences probably exist in the attachment or internalization stages of toxin action.

Oncology, 1977, 34(3), 129 - 32
Investigations on prostatic adenocarcinomas in rats; Pollard M et al.; Metastatic prostate adenocarcinomas, derived from aging germfree Wistar rats, have been propagated in rats and in tissue culture . A protocol has been developed and demonstrated for assay of treatments which retard or which accelerate the rate and extent of tumor growth and of metastasis in tumor-bearing rats . The pattern of spread has been retarded by cyclophosphamide, aspirin, indomethacin, and Corynebacterium parvum . The spread pattern has been accelerated by oral administrations of sodium barbiturate.

Monogr Allergy, 1977, 12, 105 - 10
Increase of phagocytic activity and new appearance of a C4b (guinea pig) recognizing capability in peritoneal macrophages from Corynebacterium parvum and thioglycollate-stimulated mice; Wellek B et al.; Activated mouse macrophages displayed enhanced phagocytic activity towards particles opsonized with IgG antibody and homologous C3 . In addition, they were able to recognize guinea pig C4b . It is concluded that activated macrophages develop phagocytically active receptors for heterologous C4b.

Vet Med Nauki, 1977, 14(1), 74 - 8
{Occurrence and etiology for subclinical mastitis in cows}; Filev F; Studied were a total of 16,571 cows on 89 farms by means of the Bernburg test . Milk was sampled from the positively reacting quarters of the udder by taking 18,047 samples intended for bacteriologic investigation . The demonstration of mastitis streptococci was carried out on "TKT" agar Merk, of pathogenic staphylococci, hemolytic streptococci, and Corinebacteria--on dextrose agar Oxoid containing 7.5% citrated calf blood . The isolated hemolytic streptococcus bacteria from the two nutrient media were differentiated through the CAMP test as well as serologically by the precipitation agar gel and Difco sera . The pathogenicity of Staphylococcus bacteria, in addition through hemolysis, was tested by the use of plasma coagulase with citrated rabbit plasma . In 53.95% of the cases there were secretory lesions due to Sc . agalactiae (6.23%) to Sc . dysgalactiae (5.69%) to Sc . uberis (8.47%), to Staph . aureus (2.44%), to hemolytic streptococci of the C, G and L groups (0.28%), to Sc . viridans (0.03%), to Corynebacterium pyogenes (0.41%), and catarrhal mastitis (30.4%) . Some of the causative agents, such as Sc . agalactiae, Staph . aureus, and others have proved of epidemiologic importance to humans.

Sex Transm Dis, 1977 Jan-Mar, 4(1), 4 - 8
The etiology of nongonococcal urethritis in men attending a venereal disease clinic; Wong JL et al.; Nongonococcal urethritis was identified as a major reason that men attended our Venereal Disease Clinic . The prevalence of several agents that might cause nongonococcal urethritis was determined . Attempts were made to isolate gonococci; chlamydiae, Ureaplasms urealyticum, trichmonads, Candida sp., and Corynebacterium vaginale from urethral swabs from 307 men . Chlamydiae were recovered from 31% of the 67 men with nongonococcal urethritis compared to only 4% of 86 asymptomatic men without pyuria . Unexpectedly, cultures from only 4% of the 99 men with gonorrhea also yielded chlamydiae . Ureaplasma urealyticum was recovered from 9 of 27 asymptomatic men (33%), 16 of 30 men with nongonococcal urethritis (53%) and 16 of 68 men with gonorrhea (42%) . These differences were not statistically significant . However, when chlamydiae-positive men were excluded from the analysis urethritis . Twelve of 18 (76%) men with nononchlamdial nongonococcal urethritis yielded the organism compared to 8 of 26 (31%) men without urethritis . The other organisms sought were recovered infrequently and could not be associated with nongonococcal urethritis.

Sex Transm Dis, 1977 Jan-Mar, 4(1), 20 - 1
Inhibition of Corynebacterium vaginale by metronidazole; Smith RF et al.; Metronidazole {1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole}, previously thought to only inhibit obligately anaerobic bacteria, was found in vitro, to inhibit the growth of 15 facultatively anaerobic strains of Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) using agar disk diffusion and broth dilution methods.

J Surg Oncol, 1977, 9(1), 15 - 20
The influence of nonspecific immunotherapy on the course of murine melanoma; Woods JE et al.; BCG, Corynebacterium parvum, vitamin A, and levamisole were continuously administered to C57 BL/6 mice bearing B16 melanoma prior to, with following tumor implantation as well as before and coincident with surgical excision of the implanted tumor . Only the group given levamisole prophylactically for 8 weeks before tumor inplantation showed a significant difference from control mice but a tenfold increase in dosage in this drug did not exert a comparable effect.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1977 Jan, 30(1), 76 - 82
Distribution of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and chloramphenicol-3-acetate esterase among Streptomyces and Corynebacterium; Nakano H et al.; Chloramphenicol-3-acetate esterase activity was detected in cell-free extracts of strains of Streptomyces venezuela, Streptomyces sp . and Streptosporangium viridogriseum var . kofuense which produced chloramphenicol and also Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus which produced chloramphenicol analogs (corynecins) . None of the cell-free extracts of chloramphenicol- or corynecin-producing strains possessed chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity under conditions which avoided the influenced of the esterase activity . Among 20 strains examined that did not produce chloramphenicol, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase was detected in cell-free extracts of one strain of Streptomyces coelicolor Muller and one strain of S . fradiae ISP5063.

Ann Intern Med, 1977 Jan, 86(1), 68 - 80
Systemic therapy for metastatic breast cancer; Haskell CM et al.; The data reviewed in this conference suggest that initial therapeutic decisions for patients with metastic breast cancer be based on the presence or absence of an estrogen receptor in the tumor . Patients with estrogen receptor in their original primary breast cancer or in a subsequent metastitic lesion are candidates for hormonal manipulation, whereas patients lacking estrogen receptor in their tumor are treated for their metastic disease with nonhormonal chemotherapy . Nonhormonal therapy usually consists of a combination of cytotoxic drugs including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) . Other programs of combination chemotherapy are under active study, especially programs that include nonspecific immune stimulation with Corynebacterium parvum or bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) . Inasmuch as patients with Stage II primary breast cancer frequently have "micrometastatic" disease, combination chemotherapy is also under study as an adjuvant to surgery . Preliminary results strongly support the use of such therapy.

Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1977, 163(1), 39 - 43
{Degradation of aflatoxin b1 by various microorganisms (author's transl)}; Mann R et al.; The degradation of aflatoxin B1 by various representatives of bacteria, yeasts and moulds in growing and resting cultures was investigated . We found that growing cultures of Corynebacterium rubrum degraded the added aflatoxin nearly quantitatively . -- Growing cultures of anascosporogenous yeasts degraded most of aflatoxin B1 while no degradation of this substance by ascosporogenous yeasts could be stated . Moulds degraded aflatoxin B1 to a high extent . -- With regard to the course of degradation three types can be distinguished . -- In the cultures of moulds two blue fluorescing compounds were found beside aflatoxin B1.

Can J Comp Med, 1977 Jan, 41(1), 89 - 94
Mycoplasma agalactiae subsp . bovis in pneumonia and arthritis of the bovine; Langford EV; The pneumonic lungs of 42 cattle from 26 feedlots were examined for the presence of mycoplasma, pathogenic bacteria and viruses . Four animals representative of two lots failed to yield mycoplasma . One of these yielded the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and Pasteurella hemolytica, the other yielded only P . P . multocida . Nine animals in eight lots yielded Mycoplasma sp.: five of these were M . bovirhinis, two were M . arginini and two were untypable . All of these animals yielded one or more of P . hemolytica, P . multiocida, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus or bovine virus diarrhea virus . Twenty-five of 29 animals in 16 lots yieled M . agalactiae subsp . bovis from lung tissues . The same organism was recovered from the arthritic joints of 12 of these animals . Eight of the 25 animals yielded no other pathogen and all of these had not received any treatment . Nine of the 25 M . agalactiae subsp . bovis positive animals also yielded one or more of P . hemolytica, P . multocida, Corynebacterium pyogenes or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus . Bacteriological and virological studies were not completed for the remaining eight of the 25 positive animals . In five lots of cattle which had not received medication for pneumonia and for arthritis only M . agalactiae subsp . bovis was recovered . Twenty-five grossly normal lungs obtained from normal cattle at the time of slaughter were cultured and all were negative . The possible role of M . agalactiae subsp . bovis in pneumonia and arthritis was discussed.

Br J Cancer, 1977 Jan, 35(1), 92 - 9
Rapid and accurate measurement of growth of solid tumours and changes in the tumour bed in the rat by the technique of volumetric displacement; Van Den Brenk HA et al.; An apparatus which has been widely used in rats for measuring swelling of the foot induced locally by inflammatory agents has been adapted to measure rapidly, accurately and objectively, the growth of tumour cells transplanted to the foot, and the reactions of the normal tissues (tumour bed) to tumour growth . General features on the apparatus and the techniques used are described . Examples are provided of preliminary measurements made of normal growth of the foot, reactions of the foot to two injurious agents (histamine and Corynebacterium parvum) and of growth of allogeneic (W256) tumour cells.

J Med Virol, 1977, 1(1), 15 - 9
The effect of intradermal administration of Corynebacterium parvum on the immune response to hepatitis Bs antigen; Papaevangelou G et al.; The immunopotentiating effect of the intradermal administration of a course of four doses (0.25 ml) of a standard suspension of killed C . parvum (2 mg/ml) was studied in a group of 10 asymptomatic chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, as well as in 11 persons with antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and six without HBsAg or anti-HBs . HBsAg, anti-HBs, and leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) studies were performed in pre- and post-inoculation blood samples . C . parvum produced a substantial increase of anti-HBs titre in persons with preexisting anti-HBs . However, anti-HBs responses were not induced in carriers . HBsAg was not eliminated and its titre remained practically unchanged in carriers . These results support the hypothesis that in carriers the specific defect in the immune response to HBsAg possibly exists at the B cell level.

Ann Immunol (Paris), 1977 Jan-Mar, 128(1-2), 161 - 3
{Antitumor effect of Corynebacterium parvum}; Mazurek C et al.; The protective effect produced by pre-treatment with C . parvum is studied in two syngeneic tumours: mammary carcinoma in C3H mice and lymphosarcoma in XVII mice . The best anti-tumour effect is obtained when both C . parvum and tumour cells are injected by the same route, which, however varies for the two tumours . The study of the recovery of C . parvum protective effect after its suppression by a sub-letal dose of x-irradiation shows that, in the C3H mice, it is parallel to the restoration of the antibody response . On the contrary, in XVII mice, the recovery of the protection is obtained in mice still immunologically suppressed.

Res Vet Sci, 1977 Jan, 22(1), 105 - 12
Immunological events in the popliteal lymph node of sheep following injection of liver or killed Corynebacterium ovis into an afferent popliteal lymphatic duct; Husband AJ et al.; Efferent popliteal lymph and blood were collected daily for three weeks from sheep following injection of live or killed Corynebacterium ovis organisms into an afferent lymphatic duct . The total lymphocyte output, proportion of blast cells and class specificity of immunoglobulin-containing groups of animals and antibody titres and concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IMg and IgA were measured in both lymph and blood...

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1977, 55(1-6), 468 - 75
Studies on corynebacterial precipitinogens common to Mycobacteria, Nocardiae and rhodochrous; Ridell M; Ten strains of Corynebacterium were analyzed by means of the comparative immunodiffusion technique employing reference precipitation systems from strains of Mycobacterium, Nocardia and the rhodochrous taxon . The test strains had precipitinogens in common with the reference strains . Two of the intergenerical cross-reacting precipitinogens revealed were labelled x and y . Two other precipitinogens (alpha,beta), earlier found to be common for strains of mycobacteria, nocardiae, and rhodochrous, were not demonstrated in the corynebacterial strains, thus indicating a qualitative or quantitative serological difference between Corynebacterium and the other taxa . It was furthermore shown that the corynebacterial preparations reacted with antisera against ribosomal 30S fractions from mycobacteria . Common precipitinogens in ribosomal preparations from mycobacteria, nocardiae, rhodochrous, and corynebacteria are discussed.

Natl Inst Anim Health Q (Tokyo), 1977 Spring, 17(1), 10 - 5
Precipitating antibody against protease of Corynebacterium pyogenes in pigs; Takeuchi S et al.; Antibody in sera from pigs carrying an abscess associated with Corynebacterium pyogenes and healthy pigs was examined by the agar gel diffusion test . In the test, the concentrated culture fluid containing the protease of C . pyogenes was used as antigen . As a result, precipitating antibody was demonstrated in sera from 25 of 30 abscessed pigs and a few of the healthy pigs . When the relationship between precipitating antibody and protease was examined by the immunoelectrophoresis and gel filtration of the concentrated culture fluid, the antibody was shown in the same position as the protease . From the result, it was clear that the precipitating antibody was against the protease of C . pyogenes . All the proteases produced by 27 strains of C . pyogenes of porcine and bovine origin were serologically identical with one another . They were, however, serologically different from those of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and B . subtilis . In the inhibition test, the proteolytic activity of C . pyogenes was inhibited by the serum of the abscessed pig . It was also inhibited by healthy pig serum . From the results, it seems that the determination of precipitating antibody may be useful for the diagnosis of C . pyogenes infection.

J Gen Microbiol, 1977 Jan, 98(1), 205 - 13
Fatty and mycolic acid composition of Bacterionema matruchotii and related organisms; Alshamoany L et al.; Whole-organism methoanolysates of bacterionemae contained mycolic acids in addition to other long-chain fatty acids . These mycolic acids were similar in general structure and overall size to those found in strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium xerosis . The long-chain fatty acids of bacterionemae, mainly straight-chain saturated and unsaturated acids, were similar to those of certain coryneform bacteria including C . diphtheriae . On the basis of these lipid data, and results of earlier studies, we recommend that the genus Bacterionema be transferred from the family Actinomycetaceae to the Coryneform Group of Bacteria.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1977, 31(3), 415 - 22
{The Corynebacterium pyogenes infection of cattle . 2 . Tenacity of Corynebacterium pyogenes}; Nattermann H et al.; Some common agents were tested for their effectiveness against Corynebacterium pyogenes . The pathogen proved most susceptable to Wofasteril . All germs were killed within ten minutes by a 0.005% solution . Equally good action was recorded from all the other tested agents as well (lactic acid, Lugol's solution, formalin, cupric sulphate, alcohol, and aethacridine . Other studies were conducted with the view to testing the survival capacity of Corynebacterium pyogenes in different media and storage conditions . The pathogen survived three months in routine media and mastitis secretion at room temperature . Regrowth of 38 in 50 strains took place after nine months of refrigerator storage in slanting blood agar tubes with paraffin plugs . Germs sampled from mastitis secretion and stored in a refrigerator were cultivable even after one year had elapsed . The detectability rate of Corynebacterium pyogenes did not change over months by storage of wound infection material at 12 degrees C below zero . The pathogen remained detectable five days from artificial contamination of cattle skin.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1977, 31(3), 405 - 13
{The Corynebacterium pyogenes infection in cattle . 1 . Incidence of the pathogen}; Nattermann H et al.; Reported are the incidence of Corynebacterium pyogenes together with different pathological changes as well as the existence of latent Corynebacterium pyogenes infections and their widespread occurrence . Corynebacterium pyogenes was established from 609 in 2,130 samples of pathological processes, accounting for 28.6% . The pathogen was cultivated from various processes, including enlarged tail lymph nodes (61.1%), tail phlegmons (56.3%), abscesses (49.1%), epiphysiolyses (45.2%), liver abscesses (31.8%), panaritia at beginning of fattening (20.5%), aborted foetuses (14.9%), foetal membranes in cases of incarcerated placenta (12.0%), and panaritia on end of fattening (3.4%) . The same pathogenic microorganism was recorded from nine per cent of apparently intact heifer udders, before pasturing . Corynebacterium pyogenes was cultivated also from nasal mucous membrane (8.4%) and retropharyngeal lymph nodes (37.2%) . The highest detection rate was 71.6%, obtained from the tonsils.

Zentralbl Gynakol, 1977, 99(12), 755 - 62
{Clinical results of two-time abortion technics with special regard to ascending genital infections}; Kreibich H et al.; PIP: On the basis of 5400 abortions performed in the period 1965-1974, it is concluded that complication rates vary with the length of the pregnancy and are twice as high for primigravidae and problem cases as for multigravidae . Until the 8th week, extraction by flexible catheter or thin suction curette can be done without dilation . From the 8th to 12th weeks, 1-time mechanical dilation methods with suction curettage are advised . For primigravidae and high-risk cases, dilation by laminaria or metranoiceters with suction curettage or induction by extraamnial application of prostaglandin should be used . In the second trimester, instillation methods are recommended . The major danger of these 2-time methods is ascending genital infections . 423 cases of 2-time abortion methods were investigated for aerobic microbial contamination . Contamination rates were strongly dependent on length of induction time . Under 4 hours, they were virtually nil; All the 2-time methods should be conducted under broad-spectrum antibiotics . Microbes found in the uterine cavity were enterobacteria, staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, corynebacteria, and yeasts (Candida albicans) .

Vet Med Nauki, 1977, 14(1), 79 - 85
{Laboratory studies of the urine in suppurative surgical infection in cattle}; Petrov M; One hundred and eight cattle (20 controls, 14 with an experimentally induced and 74 with spontaneously occurred suppurative surgery infection) were studied in terms of their general condition and some of the urine indices--pH, specific weight, proteins, urobillinogen, acetone, sugar, blood, urea and sediment . It was established that when the general status deteriorated and death occurred the urine pH value rose (by 1--1.5), and the specific weight was 0.005--0.010 higher, while the level of urina urea dropped by 0.5--0.6 g% . In 89 per cent of the investigated animals there were 0.1 per percent proteins, and the sediment consisted of 20--30 erythrocytes, from sporadic to 10-12 leucocytes, and from single to 5--6 kidney epithelium cells per field . In 38.8 per cent of the cattle affected with suppurative processes there were tripelphosphates in the sediment . Urobillinogen was found in 63.6 per cent of the cases . Suppurative infections caused by Corynebacterium pyogenes are accompanied by greater changes in the sediment . In almost all of the recovered animals the urine indices came back to normal.

Vet Med Nauki, 1977, 14(1), 18 - 23
{Studies of immunity in mastitis in cows}; Savov N et al.; Studies were carried out to establish the specific antibodies in the milk and blood sera of cows recovered from a spontaneous infection of the udder caused by streptococci, staphylocci, Corynebacteria, and some representatives of Escherichia coli as well as of cows immunized with a polybacterial vaccine . Followed up was likewise the resistance of the udder in vaccinated cows to bacterial infections . It was found that in both groups of animals the specific antibodies' titer ranged from 1:80 to 1:1280 . Cows vaccinated in the eighth month of pregnancy developed immunity that varied in its effect, however, was able to protect the udder during the following lactation from infection caused by the respective bacterial specie against which the vaccine was produced.

Ann Immunol (Paris), 1977 Jan-Mar, 128(1-2), 125 - 7
{Treatment of solid tumours by intratumoral injection of immunostimulants}; Salomon JC et al.; Intra-lesional injections of immunostimulants--BCG or Corynebacterium parpum--induced a local cure of the McFiFj2(S) tumour and a remote therapeutic effect . When applied to rats multigrafted with the McFiFi2(S) tumour, local and distant cures were obtained in some situations . This indicates the likely intervention of a specific immune mechanism . Quantilating the pulmonary metastasis in combination with local treatment of Lewis mouse tumours showed that BCG plus C . parvum injected into the tumour and followed by surgical resection was more efficient than either of these individual or otherwise associated antitumoural procedures.

Dev Biol Stand, 1977, 34, 135 - 41
A comparison of pyrogenicity and related properties seen in a suspension of Corynebacterium parvum and a gramnegative organism; Lucken RN et al.; When the pyrogenic properties of C . parvum and a gramnegative organism, S . typhimurium, were compared it was found that the onset of the pyrogenic response to C . parvum was delayed relative to that of S . typhimurium and that secondary responses rarely occurred . In further experiments the interaction of C . parvum and S . typhimurium was studied . Although synergism was not demonstrated, the kinetics of the response to mixtures of the two vaccines was anomalous while pre-treatment of rabbits with C . parvum resulted in the elimination of the secondary pyrogenic response to S . typhimurium suspension . The implications of these results are discussed in terms of the known characteristics of endogenous pyrogen, lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Jan, 129(1), 15 - 21
Tetrahydrofolate-dependent biosynthesis of ribothymidine in transfer ribonucleic acids of Gram-positive bacteria; Schmidt W et al.; Trimethoprim, an inhibitor that prevents tetrahydrofolate-dependent transmethylation reactions inbacteria, was used in a comparative study to discriminate between two possible biosynthetic pathways, either the S-adenosylmethionine or the tetrahydrofolate-dependent formation of ribothymidine (rT) in transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNA's) of several strains of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms . rT-deficient tRNA's accumulate in trimethoprim-treated gram-positive Streptococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium bovis, Arthrobacter albidus, and all examined Bacillaceae, except Bacillus stearothermophilus . The rT-deficient rT-deficient tRNA's accept the methyl moiety from S-adenosylmethionine in vitro, with extracts from Escherichia coli (wild type) as a source of methylating enzymes; 90% of the incorporated methyl groups are present in rT . Trimethoprim does not inhibit the biosynthesis of rT in tRNA of gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae, Rhizobium lupini, and Pseudomonadaceae, suggesting that the rT-specific tRNA methyltransferases of these gram-negative strains use S-adenosylmethionine as coenzyme.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Jan, 58(1), 111 - 6
Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on tumor growth in normal and athymic (nude) mice; Woodruff MF et al.; The effect of systemic or local injection of Corynebacterium parvum at the tumor site on the growth of various murine tumors was studied in intact and congenitally athymic BALB/c mice . Systemic injection of C . parvum usually had a marked antitumor effect in both types of mouse . Two lymphomas, which regressed spontaneously in untreated intact mice but not in athymic mice, grew progressively in intact mice given systemic C . parvum, though their growth was inhibited in similarly treated athymic mice . Local injection into the site of the tumor markedly inhibited tumor growth in intact mice but was without effect in athymic mice . C . parvum was believed to exert its antitumor effects by two different mechanisms, only one of which was T-cell dependent . The mechanism not dependent on T-cells was particularly activated by systemic C . parvum injection.

J Exp Med, 1977 Jan 1, 145(1), 45 - 57
The adjuvant effect of Corynebacterium parvum: T-cell dependence of macrophage activation; Sljivic VS et al.; Splenic and peritoneal macrophages from mice treated with Corynebacterium parvum enhanced the antibody response in vitro of normal nonadherent spleen cells to SRBC, but not to DNP-POL . This enhancement was dependent on the dose and time of administration of C . parvum and could be abrogated by pretreatment with carrageenan . Macrophages from T-cell-depleted mice failed to enhance the response, but this ability was restored if the mice had been reconstituted with purified T lymphocytes . Macrophages that are activated by C . parvum are a resident nondividing population . It is postulated that activated macrophages, capable of enhancing antibody responses to T-cell-dependent antigens, arise through a cell-mediated reaction to C . parvum.

C R Seances Soc Biol Fil, 1977, 171(6), 1209 - 16
{Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the immune response in guinea pigs . II . Passive transfer of enhanced anamnestic response and delayed hypersensitivity observed after treatment with Corynebacterium parvum}; Halpern B et al.; After intradermal immunization with a mixture of Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) and ovalbumin guinea pigs show a markedly increased anamnestic response to an intradermal booster of ovalbumin as compared to controls treated with ovalbumin only . At the same time a reaction of delayed type hypersensitivity is observed in the treated animals, but not in controls . The enhanced anamnestic response as well as the posivitive skin reaction were transferred to strain 2 histocompatible guinea pigs by peripheral blood leukocytes as well as by peritoneal exudate cells . Passive transfer was not obtained after prior irradiation of donor animals.

C R Seances Soc Biol Fil, 1977, 171(6), 1202 - 8
{Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the immune response in guinea pigs . I . Mode of enhancement of the anamnestic response and development of delayted hypersensitivity after treatment with Corynebacterium parvum}; Halpern B et al.; The effect of Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvuum) on the immune response of the guinea pig to ovalbumin varies with the protocol of immunization . The marked effect of C . parvum on the anamnestic response in the rabbit has been confirmed in the guinea pig when immunization is carried out intradermally with a mixture of C . parvum and ovalbumin . When C . parvum is given intravenously or subcutaneously or intradermally but separately from the antigen, this effect is not observed . Whatever the route of injection guinea pigs treated with C . parvum show skin reactions of delayed type hypersensitivity at the site of an intradermal booster when the latter is given at least 27 days after primary immunization.

Chemotherapy, 1977, 23(2), 90 - 7
Antimicrobial activity of tibezonium (TBZ); Veronese M et al.; The activity in vitro of tibezonium (Rec 15-0691), a new 1,5-benzodiazepine derivative, has been investigated . The drug was found active especially against Streptococcus, Diplococcus and Corynebacterium strains which are agents of oropharyngeal diseases . The activity of tibezonium was pH dependent against Staphylococcus aureus SG 511 and Streptococcus pyogenes 821 (at pH 8.0-8.5 It was more active) and the presence of horse serum provoked a small decrease of the antimicrobial properties . No interference on the activity of the tibezonium has been found in presence of smokers and non-smokers saliva.

Biochem J, 1976 Dec 15, 160(3), 757 - 68
Microbiological degradation of bile acids . The conjugation of a certain cholic acid metabolite with amino acids in Corynebacterium equi; Hayakawa S et al.; 1 . (4R)-4{4alpha-(2-Carboxyethyl)-3aalpha-hexahydro-7abeta-methyl-5-oxoindan-1beta-yl}valeric acid (II) could not be utilized by Arthrobacter simplex, even though the acid was one of the metabolites formed from cholic acid (I) by this organism . Therefore the further degradation of the acid (II) by Corynebacterium equi was investigated to identify the intermediates involved in the cholic acid degradation . 2 . The organism, cultured in a medium containing the acid (II) as the sole source of carbon, produced unexpected metabolites, the conjugates of this original acid (II) with amino acids or their derivatives, although the yield was very low . These new metabolites were isolated and identified by chemical synthesis as the Na-((4R)-4-{4alpha-(2-carboxyethyl)-3a alpha-hexahydro-7a beta-methyl-5-oxoindan-1 beta-yl}-valeryl) derivatives of L-alanine, glutamic acid, O-acetylhomoserine and glutamine, i.e . compounds (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIId) respectively . 3 . The possibility that the bacterial synthetic reaction observed in the acid (II) metabolism with C . equi is analogous to peptide conjugation known in both animals and higher plants is discussed . A possible mechanism for this bacterial conjugation is also considered.

Cancer Res, 1976 Dec, 36(12), 4425 - 8
Decreased liver and lung drug-metabolizing activity in mice treated with Corynebacterium parvum; Soyka LF et al.; Injections of killed suspensions of Corynebacterium parvum (i.p.) in young male mice were followed by time- and dose-dependent decreases in the drug-metabolizing activity of liver microsomes and lung homogenates . In vitro assays with model substrates {aminopyrine, aniline, p-nitroanisole, and benzo(a)pyrene} were used to quantitate drug-metabolizing activity . It is likely that such decreases in mixed function oxidases activity will act to significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of concurrently or subsequently administered drugs . The results provide a possible mechanism to explain several previously reported immunochemotherapeutic interactions.

Immunology, 1976 Dec, 31(6), 837 - 46
Effects of Corynebacterium parvum treatment and Toxoplasma gondii infection on macrophage-mediated cytostasis of tumour target cells; Krahenbuhl JL et al.; Injection of mice with Corynebacterium parvum or living or killed Toxoplasma gondii was studied to determine the efficacy of these treatments in activating peritoneal macrophages to inhibit the uptake of {3H}TdR (cytostasis) by tumour target cells in vitro . In the presence of activated macrophages from mice treated i.p . with a wide dose range of either C . parvum or living Toxoplasma, cytostasis was usually greater than 99% . This population of activated macrophages was transient in C . parvum-treated mice, but persists, probably for life, in Toxoplasma-infected mice . Whereas the i.p . route of administration of C . parvum was more efficient in activating macrophages than the i.v . route, the s.c . route appeared to be relatively ineffective . Treatment with killed Toxoplasma by any route was also relatively ineffective in activating macrophages . In contrast Toxoplasma infection resulted in highly activated peritoneal macrophages, regardless of the route of administration . Depending upon the route of initial treatment, the route of readministration of C . parvum had either no appreciable effect or resulted in a marked alteration in the cytostatic capacity of peritoneal macrophages.

Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Dec, 21(12), 705 - 8
{Etiology of mastitidos in dairy cows in Slovakia during 1975}; Havelka B; In 1975, in the veterinary institutes in Slovakia bacteriological examinations of 54824 samples of milk coming from 28737 dairy cows were performed . Bacterial germs responsible for the inflammation of the mammary gland were found in the milk of 18.91% of cows . These were: Streptococcus agalactiae (in 13.93% of cows), Staphylococcus aureus (2.86%), other streptococci (1.32%), E . coli (0.13%), Klebsiella sp . (0.13%), Corynebacterium pyogenes (0.15%), other bacterial germs (0.39%) . Streptococci and staphylococci, taken together, represented 95.83% of all bacterial germs, Streptococcus agalactiae representing 73.72% . In comparison with the situation existing in 1974, a drop was found in the occurrence rate of the germs of Streptococcus agalactiae (by 2.94%) and Staphylococcus aureus (by 1.16%).

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull, 1976 Dec, 2(2), 104 - 14
A study of the isolation of Corynebacterium diphtheria from clinical cases of diphtheria; Huq F et al.; Throat swabs from 1000 clinical cases of diphtheria were studied for isolation of C . diphtheria; only 21.4% were found to be positive . Most of the cases were between 1 to 4 years of age followed by 5 to 8 years . No cases were found below 8 months of age . The throat swabs taken from another 22 clinical diphtheria patients were immediately cultured at patients bed side and 63.6% were found to be positive for C . diphtheria . Time between the collection and plating the specimen was considered to be one of the main factors in the variation of the percentage isolation of C . diphtheria . From all KLB positive cases on direct smear, C . diphtheria could not be isolated on culture . Also, from all cases having definite patch(es) over tonsil(s), C . diphtheria could not be isolated . All strains were found to be sensitive against commonly used antibiotics.

Am J Pathol, 1976 Dec, 85(3), 661 - 73
Specific and nonspecific antitumor immunity . III . Specific T lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis of P815 mastocytoma and SL2 lymphoma by draining lymph node cells from syngeneic tumor-bearing DBA/2J mice; Germain RN et al.; Tumor-specific cytolytic activity, as measured by the 51Cr release assay, has been demonstrated in the draining lymph node cells from DBA/2 mice bearing the syngeneic P815 mastocytoma or SL2 lymphoma . This lytic activity is mediated by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL), since cytotoxicity is eliminated by treatment of the effector cells with anti-Thy 1.2 (theta) serum plus complement but is enhanced or unaffected by anti-Thy 1.2 serum alone, antimouse immunoglobulin plus complement, normal or aggregated mouse immunoglobulin, or removal of adherent cells . The time course of the CTL response has been analyzed and is similar for both P815 and SL2, with a peak around Days 10 to 12 after tumor grafting . Detectable CTL activity then wanes despite continued antigenic stimulation from the growing tumor . The ability of the immunotherapeutic agent Corynebacterium parvum to augment such specific CTL responses is documented as one antitumor pathway by which this agent may act.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Dec, 57(6), 1297 - 303
Relationship between intradermal tumor suppression and tumor immunity; Bartlett GL et al.; Intradermal (id) injection of three tumor-immune stimulant mixtures (LSTRA-BCG, 13762A-BCG, CaD2-Corynebacterium parvum) was superior to the sc site for suppression of tumor growth: Suppression of LSTRA-BCG mixtures was even less efficient after an ip or iv injectiouppression at all four sites . In the LSTRA-BCG model, the id site was not uniquely favorable for either the afferent or efferent limb of the immune response; the other sites produced equally effectiveimmunization or rejection of tumor challenge . We concluded that local suppression of tumor cell-immune stimulant mixtures was frequently more effective in the skin than at other sites, that local tumor suppression did not depend primarily on tumor immunity, and that afferent and efferent tumor immunity were equally efficient by the four routes tested.

Arch Intern Med, 1976 Dec, 136(12), 1406 - 12
Immunotherapy in the management of myelogenous leukemia; Fairley GH; Now that it has been clearly established that tumor-associated antigens exist in acute leukemia in man, as in animals, the possibility of stimulating the patient's immune system to react against them arises . In animal experiments the most effective method of influencing the progress of leukemia after the implantation of living malignant cells has been a combination of nonspecific stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system, with agents such as BCG or Corynebacterium parvum, either with chemotherapy or with specific immunization with irradiated leukemic cells . However, such treatment is only effective if the number of living malignant cells is small as it takes a powerful immune response to overcome even a small number of malignant cells . It is for these reasons that most of the studies in man have been on patients with acute leukemia in remission . Mathe, in 1969, produced evidence that BCG and irradiated allogenic leukemia cells could lengthen the duration of remission in ALL in children . However, later results of intensive combination chemotherapy, together with prophylactic treatment of the central nervous system by Pinkel and his colleagues, were so encouraging that immunotherapy is not felt to be needed and therefore is not being extensively used in this form of leukemia at the moment . The situation in AML, particularly in adults, is completely different . The maintenance of remission with chemotherapy in this type of leukemia is difficult and relapses occur quite rapidly . Various centers have now shown that both remission lengths and overall survival are significantly prolonged by using BCG with or without irradiated allogenic leukemia cells.

Jpn J Microbiol, 1976 Dec, 20(6), 543 - 50
Modulation of mouse anti-trinitrophenyl plaque-forming cell affinity by adjuvants or lectins; Saito T et al.; The efffects of several kinds of adjuvants or lectins, such as Corynebacterium parvum, dextran, poly AU, poly IC, dibutyryl cAMP, concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) on anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) direct plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen of mice and the affinity of antibodies produced by these PFC were examined . The numbers of anti-TNP PFC in the spleens of mice which had been injected with C . parvum 7 days in advance were greater than those in controls after immunization with TNP-coupled heterologous erythrocytes, while the affinity of antibodies released by these PFC . Copolymers of nucleotides, poly AU and poly IC, were capable of enhancing splenic anti-TNP PFC responses, but showed almost no altering of PFC affinity . Dibutyryl cAMP did not have any effect on this system . Con A had potencies to both augment the number of anti-TNP PFC and heighten the PFC affinity, while PHA seemed to lack these potencies . Injection of PWM in the presence of antigen increased the number of anti-TNP PFC and heightened slightly the PFC affinity . These results indicate that the heightening of the affinity at the cellular level is regulated in ways different from the augmenting effects on the number of anti-TNP PFC by adjuvants or lectins . These results are discussed in the light of the mode of action of the substances used.

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1976 Nov 8, 283(11 D), 1385 - 8
{Immunization by Canadida albicans and non-specific immunostimulation by Corynebacterium granulosum and BCG in experimental candidiasis}; Drouhet E et al.; Immunostimulation by Corynebacterium granulosum (whole bacteria or a delipided fraction P40) or by live BCG enhanced the resistance of lethally infected mice by Candida albicans . The protection is greater by association with an active specific immunization by various preparations of C . albicans.

Invest Urol, 1976 Nov, 14(3), 202 - 5
Infection of a nonspecific urethritis patient and his consort with a pathogenic species of nonspecific urethritis Corynebacteria, Corynebacterium genitalium, N . SP; Furness G et al.; A patient with nonspecific urethritis (NSU) and his consort were examined for infection with NSU corynebacteria, mycoplasmas, and gonococci . No classic and T-mycoplasmas or gonococci were cultured, but one species of NSU corynebacteria was isolated not only from the patient's urethral discharge during three episodes of NSU but also from his consort . It was not isolated after successful treatment of the patient with tetracycline and the use of condoms prevented reoccurrence of urethritis . This NSU corynebacterium was isolated previously from one epididymitis patient and two NSU patients but not from any of the normal male and female subjects examined . Therefore, this strain is considered to be one of the etiologic agents of NSU and female subjects are asymptomatic carriers . In consequence, it is suggested that NSU corynebacteria which are commensals and pathogens of the male and female urogenital tracts should be incorporated in a new species, of the Coryneform group, and that this strain should be the type species, Corynebacterium genitalium n . sp.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1976 Nov, 26(2), 334 - 9
The characteristics of binding of Corynebacterium parvum to glass-adherent mouse peritoneal exudate cells; Ogmundsdottir HM et al.; Corynebacterium parvum, strain 10390, whole organisms were shown to bind to the surface of glass-adherent mouse peritoneal exudate cells in vitro . An HCl extract and a lipid extract of the organism were both capable of inhibiting this binding . The attachment of organisms was not affected by trypsin treatment of the cells, indicating that the plasma membrane receptor is not cell-bound antibody in nature . The binding was inhibited by various sugars, most of which are major components of the cell wall of C . parvum . Removal of divalent cations prevented binding . At room temperature some binding occurred in the presence of magnesium ions alone, whereas both calcium and magnesium ions were required at 4 degrees C . The possibility is discussed that the attachment of C . parvum to the plasma membrane of macrophages may lead directly to their activation.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Nov 1, 126(5), 574 - 8
Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) in women with leukorrhea; Josey WE et al.; Corynebacterium vaginale was recovered from vaginal-cervical swab specimens in 164 of 288 women with leukorrhea and in four of 30 women without signs or symptoms of lower genital tract infection . The amount and character of the leukorrhea observed in association with C . vaginale infection were variable; in typical cases the discharge had the appearance of a thin paste . In a series of 100 patients studied to determine the apparent causes of leukorrhea, noninfectious causes were inferred in seven patients and no cause ascertained in six . Candida or other yeasts, C . vaginale, and Trichomonas vaginalis were identified alone or in combination in 87 patients; 53 had yeasts, 35 had C . vaginale, and 15 had T . vaginalis.

Cancer Res, 1976 Nov, 36(11 Pt 1), 4119 - 24
Immunological enhancement of leukemia L1210 by Corynebacterium parvum in allogeneic mice; Berd DA et al.; The effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the immune response of C57BL/6 mice (H-2b) to the allogeneic leukemia L1210 (H-2d) was investigated . Mice were either left untreated or given C . parvum i.v . or i.p . in various dosages . Seven days later they were challenged with 2.5 to 10 X 10(6) live L1210 cells i.p . Control animals almost always rejected the challenge . In contrast, most mice pretreated with either 1.0, 0.5, or 0.25 mg of C . parvum i.v . and 1.0 or 0.5 mg i.p . exhibited enhanced growth of leukemia L1210 as indicated by gross ascites and significantly greater weight gain . This sometimes progressed to the death of the animal, but more often regressed after several days . Spleen cell-mediated cytotoxicity to alloantigens, evaluated in vitro by release of 51Cr from P815Y (H-2d) target cells, was significantly decreased in the mice pretreated with either 1.0 or 0.5 mg of C . parvum i.v . or 0.5 mg of C . parvum i.p . This suppression could not be reversed by reduction of the concentration of macrophages in the spleen cell suspensions . Complement-dependent cytotoxic antibody, measured by release of 51Cr from L1210 cells, was profoundly suppressed in mice pretreated with C . parvum i.v . in dosages ranging from 1.0 to 0.1 mg . These data suggest an immunological basis for the enhanced growth of leukemia L1210 caused by C . parvum at these schedules.

Hautarzt, 1976 Nov, 27(11), 538 - 43
{Maceration of the interdigital spaces and gram-negative infection of feet}; Neubert U et al.; The microbiological flora of the macerated skin of the interdigital spaces of the feet of 64 patients were compared to those of 64 other control patients who had normal toe webs . In the control group coagulase-negative staphylococci and aerobic corynebacteria ("diphtheroids") were the most common bacteria found compared to a great number of different organisms including a high percentage of potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi that were isolated from the macerated toe webs . The clinical appearance was not helpful in suggesting the nature of the causative organism . In order to prevent therapeutical errors bacteriological and mycological cultures are necessary before treatment.

Nord Vet Med, 1976 Nov, 28(11), 564 - 9
{Inhibition of Proteus sp . by Nalidixic acid}; Christoffersen AB; The investigation comprised 192-positive and Gram-negative strains of bacteria, including 111 Proteus sp . The degree of resistance of these strains to nalidixic-acid was investigated on blood agar with 25 mug, 40 mug, and 50 mug nalidixin-acid per ml medium . None of the Proteus strains were able to grow on medium with 50 mug nalidixic-acid per ml, whereas Streptococcus sp., Corynebacterium pyogenes, Peptococcus indolicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and beta-toxic staphylococci all were found resistant to this concentration (Tables I and II), and could be reisolated in pure culture after having grown together with a Proteus strain on such medium (Table III) . Blood agar with 50 mug nalidixic-acid per ml is therefore suitable for isolation of the above mentioned Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Proteus contaminated material.

Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Nov, 21(11), 655 - 9
{Devitalizing effect of Jodonal A in vitro on bacteria subject to a short-term exposure}; Simon V; In a three-minute exposure in vitro Jodonal A devitalized a culture of serological group B streptococci in a 2% concentration, Staphylococcus aureus in a 16% concentration, Pneumococcus in a 4.5% concentration, Corynebacterium pyogenes in a 2.5% concentration, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a 3% concentration, and Klebsiella pneumoniae in a 2% concentration . Hence Jodonal A concentrations higher than 16% should be tested for udder teat disinfection after the removal of teat cups.

Arch Microbiol, 1976 Oct 11, 110(1), 95 - 9
Bacterial carotenoids . L.Absolute configuration of zeaxanthin dirhamnoside; Hertzberg S et al.; Zeaxanthin dirhamnoside is the major carotenoid of Corynebacterium autotrophicum . The absolute configuration 3R,3'R followed from CD-properties of its hexaacetate, alpha-L-assignment and 1C4 conformation were concluded from 1H NMR data by comparison with model compounds.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Oct, 29(10), 1083 - 91
Antibacterial activity of efrotomycin; Frost BM et al.; Efrotomycin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic . Among the genera tested for susceptibility in vitro it is most active against isolates of Moraxella, Pasteurella, Yersinia, Haemophilus, Streptococcus and Corynebacterium . The drug is as active by oral administration as by the subcutaneous route . Blood levels rise rapidly to high concentrations, after oral dosing, and are prolonged . Two peaks occur which may indicate biliary excretion and reabsorption . Urinary excretion is minimal . The high blood concentrations explain, in part, the in vivo activity against pathogens such as Bordetella bronchiseptica which are relatively insensitive in vitro . Oral activity of efrotomycin is an advantage over the related antibiotics . X-5108 and mocimycin.

Mod Vet Pract, 1976 Oct, 57(10), 809 - 11
Organisms associated with abortion and reproductive problems in cattle; Siddique IH et al.; In 14 herds totaling over 2000 cattle the bacterial species most frequently isolated from the vagina, fetus, and fetal membranes following abortion or reproductive failure were Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus, less often E coli . About 5% of the total 1810 isolations included various other agents . Although most of the aborted fetuses had undergone autolysis, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, and placental lesions were observed in a few cases.

Ann Intern Med, 1976 Oct, 85(4), 423 - 6
Sepsis with a new species of Corynebacterium; Hande KR et al.; Sepsis with a previously undescribed species of Corynebacterium was documented in four patients . All patients had predisposing illness at the time of infection, three patients having leukemia in relapse and one having a porencephalic cyst and a ventriculoatrial shunt . The isolates from blood cultures had a characteristic metallic sheen when grown on blood agar . They were resistant to most antibiotics tested, including the penicillins, but were uniformly sensitive to vancomycin . Common biochemical characteristics, the metallic sheen, and the unusual antibiotic sensitivity pattern suggest that these isolates comprise a new species or group of closely related species of Corynebacterium that is capable of infection in man.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 22(10), 1430 - 6
Inhibition of growth of N . gonorrhoeae by bacterial interference; Shtibel R; Observations made in our laboratory during the past 3 years showed that the growth of some Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures was inhibited in the presence of various bacterial contaminants of urogenital specimens . A total of 647 cultures confirmed as containing N . gonorrhoeae were examined in this study . The first part of the study was carried out on 520 N . gonorrhoeae cultures . Of these 520 cultures, 110 (21.1%) showed contamination on purity plates (GC medium, antibiotic-free) . When further subcultured, 96 (87.3%) of the N . gonorrhoeae strains grew in pure culture, but 14 (12.7%) failed to grow . Subsequently, experiments were carried out on 127 pure N . gonorrhoeae cultures . The bacterial species that inhibited the growth of N . gonorrhoeae are listed in order of frequency: Neisseria meningitidis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium species, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus group A, and Neisseria subflava.

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1976 Sep 27, 283(6), 713 - 6
{Antagonistic effect of a fraction isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum toward cyclophosphamide immunosuppression in mice}; Lallouette P et al.; A fraction isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum was shown to be capable of increasing significantly the antibody level in response to immunization of the Mouse with sheep red blood cells . The animals stimulated with this fraction become very resistant to the effect of cyclophosphamide . In contrast, the action of the fraction in previously immuno-suppressed animals is nil or very low.

J Am Vener Dis Assoc, 1976 Sep, 3(1), 9 - 13
Epidemiologic characteristics of women infected with Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vainalis); Josey WE et al.; In a group of 184 women infected with Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis), 34% over age 30 were divorced or separated and 8% gave a history of induced abortion . Fifty-one percent were taking an oral contraceptive drug, as compared to 36% of 140 women in a control group . Various sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed either concomitantly or at another time in 52% of women in the study group and 38% of those in the control group . The rate of cervical neoplasia (invasive carcinoma, carcinoma in situ, and dysplasia) was 13.6% in the study group and 5.7% in the control group, the rate in the study group being several times that in the general population . These and other available epidemiologic data support the conclusion that C vainale is transmitted sexually.

Johns Hopkins Med J, 1976 Sep, 139(3), 93 - 97
Corynebacterium vaginale (Hemophilus vaginalis) bacteremia: clinical study of 29 cases; Venkataramani TK et al.; Twenty-nine patients with bacteremia due to Corynebacterium vaginale, an inhabitant of the female genital tract, are described . Four were newborn babies . Nineteen were healthy young women delivered at full term by an operative procedure, cesarean section, or episiotomy . Within 48 hours fever and bacteremia developed . While receiving antibiotics the fever returned to normal, usually within 48 hours . The remaining cases were associated with septic abortion, tubal pregnancy, an intrauterine device, hydatidiform mole, and cellulitis . None of the adults showed evidence of brain abscess, meningitis, or endocarditis . Corynebacterium vaginale is an opportunistic minor pathogen that apparently gains access to the blood stream via an exposed vascular bed rather than as the result of immunosupression.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 4(3), 245 - 7
Comparison of isolation of Haemophilus vaginalis (Corynebacterium vaginale) from peptone-starch-dextrose agar and Columbia colistin-nalidoxic acid agar; Golberg RL et al.; A total of 447 cervical or vaginal specimens were inoculated in parallel onto peptone-starch-dextrose (PSD) and Columbia colistin (10 mg/ml)-nalidixic acid (15 mug/ml) (CNA) agar and were incubated for 48 h at 35 degrees C in an atmosphere with 2 to 10% CO2 . One hundred (22.4%) of the cultures were positive for Haemophilus vaginalis . Forty-eight of the isolates were recovered from both PSD and Columbia CNA agar, five from PSD only, and 47 from Columbia CNA agar only (P less than 0.001) . On Columbia CNA agar, 76 of the isolates were detected after 24 h of incubation, and the remainder were detected within 4 days of incubation.

J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1976 Sep, 47(3), 197 - 9
Caseous lymphadenitis in sheep -- methods of infection; Nagy G; Depending on the route of infection, experimental exposure of 30 sheep to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis resulted in either mucopurulent vaginitis, prosthitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, or in subcutaneous abscessation . Caseous lymphadenitis, from which the organism could be recovered in 52 out of 56 instances, occurred in every instance with the exception of animals infected by the preputial route.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Sep, 57(3), 555 - 9
Comparison of the potentiation of specific tumor immunity in mice by Corynebacterium parvum or BCG; Scott MT et al.; Two independent studies have compared killed C . parvum (CP) vaccine with viable BCG (Pasteur) and BCG (Glaxo) vaccines, respectively, for potentiation of antitumor immunity when injected with irradiated tumor cells into B6D2F1 AND CBA-T6T6 mice . Both studies concurred that, for a given number of irradiated tumor cells, larger amounts (dry weight equivalent) of BCG than CP were required to produce similar degrees of tumor immunity . Evidence also showed that stronger and more protracted immunity was mediated by CP than by BCG.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 4(3), 284 - 7
Rapid method for the detection and identification of mycolic acids in aerobic actinomycetes and related bacteria; Hecht ST et al.; A rapid method for the identification of lipids characteristic of the genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, and the "rhodochrous group" has been developed . Modifications of previously described methods make this procedure suitable for use in the clinical laboratory . Thin-layer chromatography is used to demonstrate the presence of the lipid characteristic of Nocardia spp . (type A) in some corynebacteria, nocardias, and members of the "rhodochrous group." Precipitation in ether and ethanol is used to demonstrate the presence of mycobacterial mycolic acids . Since this procedure can be carried out in less than 2 days and the lipids are extracted from the same batch of cells grown for diaminopimelic acid and whole-cell sugar analyses, it can readily be added to the battery of tests performed in reference laboratories that deal with aerobic actinomycetes and related bacteria.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1976 Sep 1, 169(5), 551 - 4
Bronchiectasis in yearling feedlot cattle; Jensen R et al.; Thoughout all of 1974, we surveyed, for illnesses and deaths, about 407,000 yearling feedlot cattle . From the 3,943 dead cattle, 1,988 necropsies were made; of the cattle necropsied, 32 (1.6%) had bronchiectasis . In this disease, the permanently dilated small bronchi and bronchioles, located in ventral parts of the lungs, were filled with accumulations of exudate and microorganisms, including Pasteurella hemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella anatum, Staphylococcus spp, and Mycoplasma arginini.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Sep, (9), 121 - 6
{Comparative electron-microscopic study of 8 representatives of the genus Corynebacterium grown on solid nutrient medium during the stationary phase of development}; Vysotskii VV et al.; After 18 hours of growth on selective serum-agar medium C diphtheriae cultures with different toxicogenic activity, and also diphtheroid and Hoffmann's baccillus cultures were removed, washed of the remnants of the nutrient medium and fixed under cold conditions by two combined methods (with glutaric aldehyde-osmic acid--uranyl acetate, and potassium permeanganate--uranyl acetate) . The preparations were studied in ultrathin sections . It appeared that corynebacteria had during the stationary phase of development a general structural plan characteristic of Gram positive microorganisms and for all the corynebacterium genus . Cells of diphtheria toxicognic strains had signs of the accelerated (in comparison with other strains) rate of development; the principal mass of toxicogenic cells after 18 hours of growth had morphological signs of the stage of rest . The majority of cells whose toxicogenicity was inconstant had an extensive microcapsule which was also a characteristic element of the diphtheroid and Hoffmann's bacillus ultrastructure . The total thickness of the walls in the cells of toxicogenic strains and of the strains whose toxicogenicity was inconstant constituted 190-200 A; in nontoxicogenic strains, diphtheroid and Hoffmann's bacillus it was from 230 to 320 A . Surface structures of corynebacteria were differentiated better in the cells with toxicogenic activity . In the majority of cells of nontoxicogenic strains and also diphtheroid and Hoffmann's bacillus individual wall layers were differentiated with difficulty.

Arch Microbiol, 1976 Sep 1, 109(3), 247 - 61
{Mode of action of D-amino acids on the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan (author's transl)}; Trippen B et al.; The mechanism of growth inhibition by D-amino acids was studied . D-Serine at concentrations from 0.02-0.2 M was sufficient to cause partial growth inhibition in seven species of bacteria representing the four most common types of peptidoglycan . The inhibited cells displayed morphological alterations . In the nucleotide-activated peptidoglycan precursors of these cells, D-alanine residues in position 4 and/or 5 of the peptide moiety were partially or even completely replaced by D-serine . The peptidoglycan also contained D-serine instead of D-alanine, but the percentual content of D-serine was significantly lower than that in the precursors . In addition, the modified peptidoglycan was less cross-linked than the normal one . Four other D-amino acids (D-threonine, D-valine, D-leucine, D-methionine) at concentrations of about 0.2 M caused similar effects as did D-serine when applied to Corynebacterium callunae and Bacillus subtilis . Thus the mode of action of D-amino acids on peptidoglycan synthesis can be generally described as follows: in their presence, at growth inhibiting concentrations modified nucleotide-activated peptidoglycan precursors are formed in which D-alanine residues are replaced by the D-amino acids . They are less efficiently incorporated into peptidoglycan . A high percentage of the modified muropeptides remains non-cross-linked, since they are poor substrates for the transpeptidation reaction . In the majority of the organisms, cross-linking was decreased when D-alanine in position 4 of the peptide subunit was replaced, in two organisms (Corynebacterium insidiosum and Staphylococcus aureus) replacement in position 5 was most effective, however . The low extent of cross-linkage is consistent with the morphological aberrations of inhibited cells . In previous studies with glycine, results were described that were in close analogy to those obtained with D-amino acids . However, glycine can replace not only D-alanine residues in position 4 and 5 but also L-alanine in position 1 of the peptide subunit.

Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 1976 Sep, 43(3), 97 - 103
Antibody response to and immunity induced by Corynebacterium pyogenes vaccine; Cameron CM et al.; A procedure is described for producing a high quality C . pyogenes vaccine . A satisfactory antibody response was obtained by administering 3 subcutaneous injections of vaccine at 10-day intervals, using doses of 2,0 ml for rabbits, 5,0 ml for sheep and 10,0 ml for cattle . The titres resulting from this procedure compared favourably with those obtained from following the more intensive schedule and higher doses of vaccine recommended by the British Veterinary Codex . The antibody response was at its best 1-2 months after immunization but dropped to a plateau 6 months after immunization . Mice were also successfully immunized against challenge with 1,5x108 organisms by the application of 3 doses of vaccine administered at 10-day intervals.

Hautarzt, 1976 Sep, 27(9), 432 - 40
{Ultrastructure and microflora in follicles and comedones}; Wolff HH et al.; The resident flora of skin surface, sebaceous follicles, and acne comedones: Pityrosporum, micrococci, and corynebacterium (propionibacterium) acnes is described . The nomenclature, topography, incidence, pathogenic role, and especially the ultrastructural morphology of these organisms are presented.

Cancer Res, 1976 Aug, 36(8), 2714 - 9
The effect of Corynebacterium parvum in combination with 5-fluorouracil, L-phenylalanine mustard, or methotrexate on the inhibition of tumor growth; Fisher B et al.; Previous reports from this laboratory have demonstrated conclusively that cyclophosphamide administered asynchronously with Corynebacterium parvum (CP) results in greater C3H mammary tumor inhibition than that observed with either agent alone . An analysis of this combination has revelaed that the chemotherapeutic component contributes more significantly to tumor inhibition than does the immunotherapeutic one . This study was conducted to investigate the inhibition of C3H mammary tumors by other chemotherapeutic agents when used with CP . The results have demonstrated that 60 mg of cyclophosphamide per kg, 90 mg of 5-fluorouracil per kg, and 10 mg of L-phenylalanine mustard per kg administrated weekly have similar tumor-inhibiting properties . The addition of CP enhanced the tumor-inhibiting properties of each agent but to differing degrees . The effect of the immunopotentiator when used in combination with alkylating agents was greater than that seen when it was used with the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil . The tumor inhibition observed when cyclophosphamide was administered asynchronously with CP was significantly greater than that observed when L-phenylalanine mustard was similarly used . Of particular interest was the finding that the addition of CP to a combination of chemotherapeutic agents resulted in no greater tumor growth inhibition than that which occurred when CP was used along with the most effective single agent in the combination . The data have indicated that, contrary to clinical impression, there is no evidence that CP through its toxicity-sparing effect permits the utilization of larger doses of chemotherapy . Consideration has been given to the mechanisms that might account for the differences in tumor growth inhibition encountered when CP was used with different chemotherapeutic agents.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Aug, 57(2), 317 - 22
Further observations on the inhibition of tumor growth by corynebacterium parvum with cyclophosphamide; Fisher B et al.; The cytotoxic macrophage was further characterized as an important effector cell in the inhibition of tumor growth . When we administered rifampin (a semisynthetic antibiotic that interferes with macrophage function but not viability) with Corynebacterium parvum and/or cyclophosphamide to tumor-bearing C3HeB/FeJ female mice, the tumor growth-inhibitory effects of the C . parvum were reduced . Moreover, when bone marrow cells from those animals were cultured, we found a marked decrease in the cytotoxicity of macrophages comprising clonies arising from colony-forming cells (CFC) in the bone marrow . Such findings supported our contentions that 1) the cytotoxic property of macrophages originates in ancestral stem cells or CFC in bone marrow, and 2) receptor sites of the CFC (or stem cells) that respond to a stimulus for self-replication probably differ from sites that when activated produce progeny with cytotoxic properties . Although the administration of rifampin resulted in macrophages virtually devoid of cytotoxic properties, both relative and absolute numbers of CFC increased.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1976 Aug, 235(4), 494 - 9
Biotyping and serotyping of Propionibacterium acnes strains isolated from different diagnostic materials; Sourek J et al.; Fifty strains of Propionibacterium acnes, five strains with the previous designation Corynebacterium parvum and three strains of Propionibacterium avidum were agglutinated by Bacto-Corynebacterium acnes 554 antiserum (Difco); it was not possible to isolate any strain reacting only with 605 antiserum . Only one strain of C . parvum reacted with both sera . 48 (88 per cent) out of 54 strains (P . acnes and C . parvum) belonged to Voss' group I and 25 (47 per cent) belonged to Pulverer's biotype A . Strains from different diagnostic materials differed only biochemically (species acnes and avidum) . The relations between these two species are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1976 Aug, 14(2), 475 - 82
Inherited resistance to Corynebacterium kutscheri in mice; Hirst RG et al.; An analysis of the factors responsible for inherited resistance to Corynebacterium kutscheri was undertaken . Various inbred mouse strains were examined; these included the Swiss Lynch and C57Bl/l mice, their F1 and F2 progeny, and the progeny of the F1 backcrossed to each parent strain . Two modes of inherited resistance are described . An examination suggested that resistance as measured by the mean lethal dose of C . kutscheri was under polygenic control and was inherited continuously . However, the efficiency with which C . kutscheri was eliminated by the mononuclear phagocyte cells of the liver over 3 days differed markedly among strains . A genetic analysis of this mononuclear phagocyte microbicidal efficiency (MPME) in Swiss Lynch and C57Bl/6 mice was undertaken . The trait, MPME, was present, but did not segregate, in the F1 progeny or in the progeny of the backcross to the resistant C57Bl/6 parent; this was clear evidence of dominance . Moreover, MPME segregated in a ratio of 1:1 in the progeny of the backcross to the sensitive Swiss Lynch parent and in a ratio of 3:1 in the F2 progeny . It was concluded that MPME was inherited discontinuously and was controlled by a single dominant autosomal gene (or closely linked group); the recessive allele was assigned the gene symbol ack . Linkage experiments showed there to be no association between the ack locus and any of the immune-response genes.

Jpn J Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 20(4), 263 - 71
Mitogenic activity of the cell walls of mycobacteria, nocardia, corynebacteria and anaerobic coryneforms; Azuma I et al.; The mitogenic activity of the cell walls prepared from Mycobacterium bovis BCG, Nocardia rubra, Corynebacterium diphtheriae PW8, and four species of Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium parvum ATCC 11829, Propionibacterium acnes C7, Propionibacterium granulosum ATCC 25564 and Propionibacterium avidum ATCC 25577, were investigated . These cell walls were active as mitogens on normal spleen cells, anti-O sera-treated spleen cells, macrophage-depleted spleen cells of C57BL/6J mice and cortisone-treated thymocytes of C57BL/6J mice . It was also shown that these cell walls were mitogenic on spleen cells and macrophage-depleted spleen cells of congenitally athymic (nude) mice . The above results suggest that the cell walls investigated in this study act as mitogens on both thymus-derived lymphocytes (T-cells) and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes (B-cells).

Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1976 Jul 15, 101(14), 775 - 8
Stimulation of the non-specific resistance by Corynebacterium parvum and Bacillus calmette Guérin; Ruitenberg EJ et al.; The effect of pretreatment of intravenously administered killed Corynebacterium parvum (CP) and living BCG was studied in various model systems . Both vaccines caused an increased resistance to Listeria monocytogenes, indicating macrophage activation . Only CP exerted a suppressive effect on T-cell-mediated immunological phenomena (skin allograft survival; antibody production to tetanus toxoid; expulsion of adult T . spiralis worms from intestine) . Results of experiments with congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice and their heterozygous thymus-bearing (+/nu) littermates indicated that CP can induce macrophage activation in the absence of functional T-cells, whereas BCG-induced stimulation is a T-cell-dependent phenomenon.

Chest, 1976 Jul, 70(1), 92 - 4
Pneumonitis due to Corynebacterium equi; Gardner SE et al.; Corynebacterium equi, a known cause of pneumonitis in foals, calves, and swine, was isolated from the sputum and bronchial washings of a child with pneumonitis and leukemia . Clinical improvement followed the administration of chloramphenicol, and cultures of sputum specimens were sterile until relapse occurred after antibiotic therapy was terminated . Cure was achieved with a second course of chloramphenicol therapy . Corynebacterium equi was not isolated from 1,181 samples of sputum from other immunosuppressed children with cancer.

Cancer Res, 1976 Jul, 36(7 PT 1), 2241 - 7
Correlation of antitumor chemoimmunotherapy with bone marrow macrophage precursor cell stimulation and macrophage cytotoxicity; Fisher B et al.; The present investigations have assessed the effects of prolonged cyclophosphamide (CY) and Corynebacterium (CP) treatment on the production of bone marrow macrophage precursors {colony-forming cells (CFC)} and on the cytotoxicity of macrophages comprising colonies produced by the CFC . The findings have been correlated with tumor growth in animals receiving the immunochemotherapy . In addition, studies have been directed toward ascertaining whether the administration of CP with CY might lessen the myelosuppressive effects of the latter . Following each consecutive weekly dose of CY (even after as many as 11), there was a significant depression in the number of bone marrow cells (BMC's) but, by the next injection, marrow cellularity had returned to normal . When the number of BMC's was reduced, the proportion of the remaining cells, which consisted of CFC, was increased . Upon reconstitution of the marrow, the proportion of CFC returned to the level of the controls . The total number of CFC in marrow was at no time following CY therapy significantly less than the number in marrow of untreated mice . The addition of CP to the treatment regimen with CY resulted in an absolute as well as relative increase in CFC at all times during administration of the combined therapy, i.e., when there was a depression in total numbers of marrow cells, as well as when marrow restoration had occurred . Although CP stimulated the number of cells entering into differentiation, it failed to affect the total numbers of marrow cells, as well as when marrow restoration had occurred . Although CP stimulated the number of cells entering into differentiation, it failed to affect the total BMC's had been neither increased nor prevented from decreasing, by CP administration, indicating that the use of total cellularity as an index of the CP marrow-sparing effect is without merit . The present results relative to cytotoxicity of macrophages derived from the CFC concur with and extend our previous findings indicating that the cytotoxic property of macrophages originates in its ancestral stem cell or CFC and that factors responsible for increasing the CFC population do not selectively stimulate precursor cells responsible for production of the cytotoxic macrophage . Although the proportion of cytotoxic macrophages was not altered by CP when administered with CY, the absolute number of such cells was increased . Since the increase in macrophage colony production and, consequently, in cytotoxic macrophages correlates with increased inhibition of tumor growth when CP was used with CY, it is suggested that macrophage precursors are the cells of primacy in CP immunopotentiation . Their stimulation, resulting in enhanced cytotoxic macrophage formation, could be responsible for the inhibition of tumor growth observed in our model system . The findings also suggest that when myelosuppression is a limiting factor in the use of a chemotherapeutic agent, the concomitant use of CP may be advantageous.

Cancer Treat Rep, 1976 Jul, 60(7), 823 - 8
Effects of Corynebacterium parvum alone and in combination with adriamycin in experimental tumor systems; Houchens DP et al.; Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) was used in antitumor tests against four murine tumor models in B6D2F1 mice . The C . parvum was effective at all doses and schedules tested against P388 leukemia, B16 melanoma, and Lewis lung carcinoma but was ineffective against L1210 leukemia . Combination immunochemotherapy of P388 leukemia and Lewis lung carcinoma with C . parvum and adriamycin was better than either regimen alone in increasing the lifespan of mice with tumors . The results show that the effects of C . parvum are due to nonspecific stimulation of the host rather than direct cytotoxic action on tumor cells . C . parvum protected the mice when given before as well as after tumor challenge . In vitro 51Cr-release assay showed that the peritoneal cells were cytotoxic to P388 tumor cells but spleen cells were not . While the C . parvum was effective against P388 in conventional mice, it was ineffective against P388 growing in athymic (nude) mice . Thus, the antitumor effect in this tumor system is T-cell dependent.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Jul, 57(1), 225 - 6
Further observations on the inhibition of tumor growth by Corynebacterium parvum with cyclophosphamide . III . Effect of C . parvum on cyclophosphamide metabolism; Fisher B et al.; Results of investigations employing {14C}cyclophosphamide (CY) demonstrated that even though total plasma radioactivity was similar in female C3HeB/FeJ mice treated either with CY alone or Corynebacterium parvum and CY, the proportion of total activity due to nonmetabolized CY was greater when C . parvum was used . These findings indicated that the antitumor effect of C . parvum may not have been entirely due to its immunopotentiating properties but may also have been related to its effect on the metabolism of CY.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 32(1), 1 - 6
Mechanism of D-alanine production by Corynebacterium fascians; Yamada S et al.; The amounts of extracellular D-alanine accumulated by Corynebacterium fascians ATCC 21950 in a medium containing glycerol as the sole carbon source is increased to almost 12 mg/ml by adding pyruvate to the medium . Cell-free extracts of C . fascians were shown to possess both L-alanine dehydrogenase and alanine racemase activities . These results indicated that a mechanism exists that allows this microorganism to synthesize D-alanine from pyruvate . A study comparing the optical purity of the intracellular alanine and the extracellular alanine suggested that the cell membrane possesses the stereospecific permeability for D-alanine . Thus, it may be concluded that L-alanine is first formed from pyruvate by L-alanine dehydrogenase and then converted to D-alanine by racemase inside the cells . Subsequently, only D-alanine leaks out stereospecifically through the cell membrane, and large amounts of D-alanine accumulate in the extracellular medium.

Cancer, 1976 Jul, 38(1), 119 - 30
Observations following Corynebacterium parvum administration to patients with advanced malignancy . a phase I study; Fisher B et al.; There has been increasing interest regarding the use of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) with other modalities in the management of primary cancer . Due to the paucity of specific information available relative to CP toxicity, a Phase I study was carried out in patients with advanced disease . The purpose of the investigation was not to evaluate the effect of CP on tumor growth . from 273 injections of CP in 40 patients it was observed that following intravenous (i.v.) infusion of CP: a) a febrile response and chills of considerable severity occured in almost all patients and did not appreciably diminish in intensity following repetitive administrations; b) nausea, vomiting, headache, and confusion were not infrequent; c) a "flu-like" syndrome lasting 24 to 48 hours occurred following almost all courses of CP; d) blood pressure elevations occurred on occasion and were related to the severity of other-side-effects; hyper- or hypo- tension was not a problem; e) ther were no anaphalactic reactions . Pretreatment with a single administration of 100 mg of hydrocortisone prior to CP infusion markedly and in some instances dramatically diminished the toxicity and made acceptable the use of i.v . CP on an outpatient basis . The use of i.v . CP in patients with cerebral metasteses may be hazardous . Subcutaneously administered CP resulted in a significant number of undesirable local reactions . Evaluation of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity response, immunoglobulins, complement, and E- and EAC-rosette-forming cells during CP administration failed to demonstrate significant change from injection values . Results were similar whether hydrocortisone pretreatment was or was not employed . From the standpoint of toxicity it now seems appropriate to use i.v . CP, particularly following pretreatment with hydrocortisone, in a controlled clinical trial to evaluate its therapeutic effectiveness in the management of primary cancer.

J Virol, 1976 Jul, 19(1), 228 - 31
Orientation of the tox gene in the prophage of corynebacteriophage beta; Laird W et al.; The orientation of the gene for diphtheria toxin, tox, in the prophage of converting corynebacteriophage beta has been determined . The orientation of tox in prophage and that reported simultaneously by Holmes (1976) for vegetative phage are compatible with the hypothesis that beta phage is inserted into the chromosome of its bacterial host by means of a mechanism similar to that described for lambda phage, and that the phage attachment site lies between the tox and imm genes . The position of three tox mutations that are phenotypically CRM- has also been determined . Relative to the tox-45 mutation, they are located more proximally to the end of the tox structural gene that corresponds to the amino terminal of diphtheria toxin.

J Virol, 1976 Jul, 19(1), 220 - 27
Isolation and characterization of tox mutants of corynebacteriophage beta; Laird W et al.; Seventeen nontoxinogenic (tox) mutants of corynebacteriophage beta have been isolated by using a tissue culture screening technique . The mutants fall into four major classes . Two of the classes, I and II, appear to contain missense and nonsense mutants, respectively . However, classes III and IV have not been previously described . Class III mutants produce two proteins (CRMs) seriologically related to diphtheria toxin, but efforts to demonstrate the presence of more than one tox gene have been successful . Class IV mutants are phenotypically CRM-, failing to produce any detectable protein serologically related to diphtheria toxin . Genetic studies indicate that the mutations in class IV strains are not in a gene distinct form the structural gene for toxin, and that the CRM- strains retain at least a portion of that gene . A natural phage isolate, gamma, behaves in a completely parallel fashion to the class IV mutants . The production of tox+ recombinants through recombination of various pairs of tox phage mutants has been demonstrated . The implications of these findings for the natural history of diphtheria are discussed.

J Virol, 1976 Jul, 19(1), 208 - 19
Prophage map of converting corynebacteriophage beta; Laird W et al.; A prophage map for corynebacteriophage beta consisting of seven markers has been constructed and compared with the vegetative map . The mapping system utilizes heteroimmune double lysogens and capitalizes on the fact that these double lysogens are very unstable and throw off monolysogenic segregants . The prophage map, produced by characterizing the recombinant phage in these monolysogenic segregants, appears to be a cyclic permutation of the vegetative map with the gene for toxin at one end of the prophage map and the gene for phage immunity at the other . This permutation is in accord with the Campbell model for insertion of lambda phage if a site between the toxin and immunity genes in the vegetative map is designated as the phage attachment site . The position of the gene for toxin in the prophage map suggests that converting phages may have originated as specialized transducing phages for this gene.

J Virol, 1976 Jul, 19(1), 195 - 207
Characterization and genetic mapping of nontoxinogenic (tox) mutants of corynebacteriophage beta; Holmes RK; Seven new nontoxinogenic (tox) mutants of corynebacteriophage beta were isolated . Strains of Cornyebacterium diphtheriae C 7 lysogenic for these tox mutants of beta were tested for their ability to produce extracellular diphtherial toxin or proteins (CRMs) that cross-react immunologically with toxin . By using a sensitive reversed passive hemagglutination assay for toxin antigen, three of the tox mutants were phenotypically CRM+ and four were CRM- . The molecular weights of the CRMs produced by mutants beta tox-1, beta tox-2, and beta tox-3 were determined to be approximately 20,000, 26,000, and 34,000, respectively, by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate . The 26,000 and 34,000-dalton CRMs had nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide: elongation factor 2 adenosine diphosphate ribose transferase activity, but the 20,000-dalton CRM did not . These three CRMs correspond to amino-terminal fragments of diphtherial toxin and appear to be formed by chain termination during protein synthesis directed by phages with nonsense mutations in the structural gene for diphtherial toxin . No complementation was observed between independently isolated tox mutants of phage beta . The positions of four tox markers on the vegetative genetic map of phage beta were determined, and the orientation of transcription of the structural gene for diphtherial toxin with respect to other markers on the genetic map of phage beta was established.

Lancet, 1976 Jun 19, 1(7973), 1328 - 9
Biological purpose of acne; Shuster S; It is argued that the close endocrine control of human sebaceous glands and the likely effects of acne on selection indicate that both gland and disease have persisted because they are biologically useful . Two possibilities are proposed: sebum may provide precursor substrates for metabolism and synthesis by the epidermis of compounds of both local and systemic importance; and the adjuvent properties of corynebacteria which colonise the active sebaceous glands of acne may facilitate certain general immunological membrane.

Eur J Biochem, 1976 Jun 15, 66(1), 79 - 84
Immunochemical study of the peptidoglycan of gram-negative bacteria; Nguyen-Huy H et al.; The specificity of antibodies directed against the peptidoglycan of gram-negative bacteria was studied . The peptidoglycans of Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Moraxella glucidolytica, Neisseria perflava, give identical precipitin reactions . By means of inhibition studies with various peptidoglycan subunits and synthetic peptides, it was shown that the antibodies are essentially directed against the peptide moiety of the peptidoglycan: L-Ala-D-Glu (L)-mesoA2pm-(L)-D-Ala, that the peptide reacts better with antibodies when it is not cross-linked, and that the C-terminal portion-meso-A2pm-D-Ala of the peptide is immunodominant . These results explain the immunological identity of the peptidoglycans of gram-negative bacteria, which possess the same peptide subunit . Only weak cross-reactivity was observed with the peptidoglycans of gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus faecium, Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Corynebacterium poinsettiae) where meso-diaminopimelic acid is replaced by L-lysine or L-homoserine . However, the peptidoglycan of Bacillus megaterium which possesses the same peptide subunit as gram-negative bacteria, gives only a reaction of partial identity with these bacteria . This result suggests the presence on the peptidoglycan of gram-negative bacteria, of other undefined antigenic determinants.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1976 Jun, 24(3), 441 - 7
The effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the humoral and cellular immune systems in patients with breast cancer; Minton JP et al.; Corynebacterium parvum, a Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus thought to be a strong immunological stimulant, has been shown to decrease tumour growth and prolong survival in patients with metastatic disease . Study of the effect of a single injection of a strain of C . parvum (CN . 6134) in six patients with stage IV metastatic breast cancer is reported . Results of laboratory tests to judge the physical and immunological effects of the drug infusion 24 hr post-treatment and weekly thereafter for 3 weeks are evaluated . Within 24 hr after C . parvum administration, most patients experienced fever and nausea . Blood counts and differential counts exhibited increased values 24 hr after treatment with a strong shift to the left . Lymphocyte and monocyte counts were greatly depressed at 24 hr . T-cell numbers in peripheral blood did not appear to be altered, but the picture with regard to B cells was less clear . Normal count was recovered by day 8 . It appears that intravenous administration of C . parvum produces a temporary marked immunological depression which returns to essentially normal values in 8 days . The return to normal may be accompanied by resolution of the endotoxin-like syndrome of side-effects . Further study of patients receiving this therapeutic agent is important to detect enhancement of the anti-tumour immunological response precipitated.

Immunology, 1976 Jun, 30(6), 935 - 49
A lipid chemotactic factor from anaerobic coryneform bacteria including Corynebacterium parvum with activity for macrophages and monocytes; Russell RJ et al.; A lipid with chemoattractant (chemotactic) activity for mouse and guinea-pig macrophages and for human blood monocytes is released by anaerobic coryneform bacteria (including Corynebacterium parvum) . The active lipid is associated with fibrillar structures which lie on the outside of the bacterial cell and are released spontaneously during growth . The lipid can also be extracted easily by a number of methods . The fibrils are loosely associated with a capsule-like structure composed largely of polysaccharide . Purification of the active lipid was achieved by chloroform-methanol extraction of the whole organisms yielding a chloroform-soluble fraction attracting mononuclear phagocytes at concentrations around 10 microgram/ml . The infra-red spectrum of this material showed lipid but no peptide or sugar . Thin-layer chromatography yielded twelve spots of which three had chemoattractant properties . The most active of these gave staining reactions consistent with the presence of phospholipid, the other two probably contained free fatty acids and triglycerides . Thin-layer electrophoresis also yielded an active phosphorus-containing spot . Saturated fatty acids of chain lengths found in the anaerobic coryne forms had weak monocyte-attractant activity . As the active material was progressively purified, its activity as a monocyte attractant weakened.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Jun, 56(6), 1171 - 5
Antitumor activity of killed Corynebacterium parvum suspensions in a murine mammary adenocarcinoma CaD2) system; Purnell DM et al.; We studied the antitumor activity of killed Corynebacterium parvum on the CaD2 mammary adenocarcinoma in DBA/2 mice . Intratumor treatment had little or no effect on subcutaneous tumor growth . Admixture of tumor cells with C . parvum before inoculation completely suppressed tumor growth . No tumor transplantation immunity was detected in mice inoculated with admixtures of C . parvum and tumor cells, but tumors were enhanced under certain circumstances . Growth of a tumor inoculated sc or iv was consistently retarded after iv or ip C . Parvum therapy, but tumors rarely regressed . Tumor transplantation immunity was detected in mice treated iv with C . parvum before surgical excision of established tumors . Certain adverse effects of iv or ip administration of C . parvum were also discussed.

Cancer, 1976 Jun, 37(6), 2573 - 9
Radiation therapy and Corynebacterium parvum in the treatment of murine tumors; Suit HD et al.; The relative effectiveness of local irradiation alone or combined with Corynebacterium parvum (C parvum) treatment has been investigated employing four tumors: a mammary carcinoma (MCa) (nonimmunogenic), a fibrosarcoma (moderately strongly immunogenic), and two squamous cell carcinomas (SCC-2 being weakly and SCC-4 being very weakly or nonimmunogenic) . C parvum treatment was started when the isotransplanted tumor growing in the mouse leg was 5 mm in diameter and the local irradiation was administered to 8-mm diameter tumor . Effect of the combined treatment was barely evident with the MCa but strongly present in FSa; up to 60% of mice were cured of FSa by C parvum alone and the response to low radiation dose, e.g., 200 rads, was highly increased . For SCC-2 the TCD50 was approximately 7000 rads and 3000 rads in control and test mice, respectively . Comparable values for SCC-4 were 7700 and approximately 5500 rads . Importantly, for SCC-4 there was a large and highly significant reduction in the proportion of mice that died of metastases to lung but were free of evident tumor at the primary site.

Br J Dermatol, 1976 Jun, 94(6), 639 - 44
Regression of a hamster melanoma with intralesional Corynebacterium granulosum; Paslin D; The present study was undertaken to compare the antitumour effects of intralesionally administered Corynebacterium granulosum, Corynebacterium parvum, BCG and saline on a hamster melanoma . Forty-eight golden hamsters were inoculated subcutaneously with Forthers melanotic melanoma no . 1 . Twenty-four animals bore palpable tumours which were excised . No non-excised group animal showed primary tumour regression . In the excised group, the tumours generally recurred at the excision site in the C . parvum, BCG and saline-treated animals . By contrast, the incidence of recurrence was significantly reduced by intralesional injections of C . granulosum.

J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1976 Jun, 57(2), 123 - 4
An outbreak of diphtheria in Boergoat kids; van Tonder EM et al.; During an outbreak of diphtheria or ulcerative stomatitis in young Boergoat kids Fusobacterium necrophorum was consistently isolated under anaerobic cultural conditions from material taken from the edges of the ulcerative lesions from all of the cases examined . Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Actinobacillus lignieresi, Moraxella spp . and Lactobacillus spp . were also isolated anaerobically and/or aerobically . The typical symptoms and lesions were confirmed to the mouth, tongue and throat regions.

South Med J, 1976 Jun, 69(6), 759 - 61, 763
A diphtheria outbreak in Dade County, Florida; Hennekens CH et al.; During a 16-week period in late 1969, 11 cases of diphtheria (three fatal) were reported from Miami, Dade County, Florida . For each of ten previous years, two cases at most had been reported . All patients resided in a predominantly black, low socioeconomic community within the 7-square-mile Model City area . Nine patients had positive cultures for toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae, mitis strain . None of the 11 patients or 22 culture-positive household contacts had been vaccinated against diphtheria . During the outbreak, one dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine or tetanus-diphtheria toxoid was given to more than 90,000 residents of Model City (95%) and to more than 200,000 residents of Dade County (16%) . A state law was passed in June 1971 requiring all children to be vaccinated before entering school . No subsequent cases of diphtheria were reported in the ensuing five-year period . The Miami experience suggests that prompt mass vaccination will abort the spread of epidemic diphtheria and emphasizes the need for routine vaccination to minimize morbidity and mortality.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Jun, 133 Suppl, A249 - 55
Paradoxical effects of immunopotentiators on tumors and tumor viruses; Morahan PS et al.; Growth of tumors was inhibited or enhanced in mice by a synthetic (pyran) or a biologic (corynebacterium parvum) immunopotentiator . Marked inhibition of leukemogenesis induced by Friend leukemia virus was produced by prophylactic intraperitoneal treatment with pyran, while intravenous treatment with pyran (in the same dose and regimen) significantly enhanced growth of tumor virus . Paradoxical effects were also seen with the biologic immunopotentiator C . parvum in solid tumor systems . Treatment with C . parvum either potentiated disease or had no effect on the life span of most mice bearing the Lewis lung carcinoma . In contrast, the same treatment could produce a high percentage of tumor regressions in mice bearing the MCA 2182 sarcoma, although the effect was somewhat variable . These data, which show that a change in route of drug administration or in the type of tumor treated may reverse the effect of treatment, emphasize that the mechanism of action of immunopotentiators must be elucidated before consistent beneficial treatment of tumor viruses or tumors can be achieved.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Jun, 133(6), 621 - 6
Quantitation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from women with gonorrhea; Lowe TL et al.; The number of infecting organisms has been shown to be an important variable in animal models of infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae . This variable may also be important in the natural transmission of gonorrhea in humans . The number of gonococci in the cervicovaginal area of women with gonorrhea is unknown, as are the effects of certain physiologic or therapeutic variables on the number of gonococci . In this study a semiquantitative technique for the enumeration of N . gonorrhoeae was used; 10 ml of phosphate-buffered saline was directed against the cervix and vaginal wall, and the number of colony-forming units (cfu) of N . gonorrhoeae in the aspirate was determined . The number of N . gonorrhoeae recovered ranged from 4.0 X 10(2) to 1.8 X 10(7) cfu . The geometric mean number was 1.45 X 10(5) cfu, with a standard deviation of 1.04 X 10(1) cfu . Statistical analyses showed that the number of gonococci was not influenced by the use of oral contraceptives, concurrent infection with Trichomonas vaginalis and/or Corynebacterium (Haemophilus)vaginalis, time of douche prior to examination, or phase of the menstrual cycle at which the women were examined . The results indicated a wide range in the number of N . gonorrhoeae recoverable by vaginal irrigation but failed to define the reason for this variability.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Jun, 3(6), 640 - 2
Comparative isolation of vaginal yeasts on selective and nonselective media; Brashear MD et al.; The isolation of vaginal yeasts was compared on a selective medium, phosphomolybdic acid agar, and on starch agar, a nonselective differential medium used primarily to isolate Corynebacterium vaginale . The majority of the Candida albicans strains were isolated on starch agar, but the selective medium was required for isolating all yeasts from the greatest number specimens.

Am J Pathol, 1976 Jun, 83(3), 547 - 55
Enhancement of tissue invasion in murine aspergillosis by systemic administration of suspensions of killed Corynebacterium parvum; Purnell DM; The effect of killed Corynebacterium parvum vaccine on the course of murine aspergillosis is described . A grid-counting technique was employed to quantitate tissue invasion by Aspergillus nidulans in the brain, heart, and kidneys (the target organs) of normal mice and of mice treated systemically with killed C . parvum vaccine . Simultaneous treatment of mice with C . parvum and A . nidulans significantly increased the mortality rate, in contrast to treatment of mice with C . parvum prior to or following A . nidulans, which had no significant effect on mortality . Fungal invasion of the tissues of the brain and kidneys was significantly increased in mice pretreated or posttreated with C . parvum, but fungal invasion of the heart was not effected by these treatements . Simultaneous treatment of mice with C . parvum and A . nidulans significantly increased fungal invasion of the heart but did not effect tissue invasion of the brain and kidneys . It was concluded that killed C . parvum vaccine reduces host resistance to Aspergillus infection and facilitates the curse of fatal murine aspergillosis . These results suggest further caution in applying systemic C . parvum in the therapy of human neoplasia.

Biochem J, 1976 May 15, 156(2), 449 - 58
Bacterial catabolism of threonine . Threonine degradation initiated by L-threonine-NAD+ oxidoreductase; Bell SC et al.; 1 . Isolates representing seven bacterial genera capable of growth on L-threonine medium, and possessing high L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase activity, were examined to elucidate the catabolic route . 2 . The results of growth, manometric and enzymic experiments indicated the catabolism of L-threonine by cleavage to acetyl-CoA plus glycine, the glycine being further metabolized via L-serine to pyruvate, in all cases . No evidence was obtained of a role for aminoacetone in threonine catabolism or for the metabolism of glycine by the glycerate pathway . 3 . The properties of a number of key enzymes in L-threonine catabolism were investigated . The inducibly formed L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase, purified from Corynebacterium sp . B6 to a specific activity of about 30-35 mumol of product formed/min per mg of protein, exhibited a sigmoid kinetic response to substrate concentration . The half-saturating concentration of substrate, {S}0.5, was 20mM and the Hill constant (h) was 1.50 . The Km for NAD+ was 0.8mM . The properties of the enzyme were studied in cell-free extracts of other bacteria . 4 . New assays for 2-amino-3-oxobutyrate-CoA ligase were devised . The Km for CoA was determined for the first time and found to be 0.14mM at pH8, for the enzyme from Corynebacterium sp . B6 . Evidence was obtained for the efficient linkage of the dehydrogenase and ligase enzymes . Cell-free extracts all possessed high activities of the inducibly formed ligase . 5 . L-Serine hydroxymethyltransferase was formed constitutively by all isolates, whereas formation of the 'glycine-cleavage system' was generally induced by growth on L-threonine or glycine . The coenzyme requirements of both enzymes were established, and their linked activity in the production of L-serine from glycine was demonstrated by using extracts of Corynebacterium sp . B6 . 6 . L-Serine dehydratase, purified from Corynebacterium sp . B6 to a specific activity of about 4mumol of product formed/min per mg of protein, was found to exhibit sigmoid kinetics with an {S}0.5 of about 20mM and h identical to 1.4 . Similar results were obtained with enzyme preparations from all isolates . The enzyme required Mg2+ for maximum activity, was different from the L-threonine dehydratase also detectable in extracts, and was induced by growth on L-threonine or glycine.

MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1976 May 14, 118(20), 649 - 52
{The pathogenesis of acne vulgaris (author's transl)}; Gloor M et al.; Stickl's method of oral treatment of acne vulgaris with antigens has been carried out on 26 test persons . During the treatment the number of comedones increased significantly and the number of papules decreased significantly . Biochemically, a significant increase of the free fatty acids and a significant decrease of the triglycerides could be demonstrated in the skin surface lipids, the total amount remaining unchanged . The following important conclusions for the pathogenesis of acne may be drawn: 1 . The living conditions for Corynebacterium acnes on the surface of the skin or in the ducts of sebaceous glands respectively are influenced by the immunological system of the host . 2 . The free fatty acids have a comedogenic effect in vivo . 3 . The free fatty acids are not responsible for the development of inflammatory acne efflorescences.

Arch Microbiol, 1976 May 3, 108(1), 17 - 26
Identification and physiological characterization of the nitrogen fixing bacterium Corynebacterium autotrophicum GZ 29; Berndt H et al.; The coryneform hydrogen bacterium strain GZ 29, assigned to Corynebacterium autotrophicum fixed molecular nitrogen under autotrophic (H2, CO2) as well as under heterotrophic (sucrose) conditions . Physiological parameters of nitrogen fixation were measured under heterotrophic conditions . The optimal dissolved oxygen concentration for cells grown in a fermenter with N2 was rather low (0.14 mg O2/l) compared with cells grown in the presence of NH+4 (4.45 mg O2/l) . C . autotrophicum GZ 29 had a doubling time of 3.7 h at 30 degrees C with N2 as N-source and sucrose as carbon source and at optimal pO2 . Acetylene reduction reached values of 12 nmoles of ethylene produced/min X mg protein . Although the oxygen concentration in the growing culture was kept constant, the optimal dissolved oxygen tension for the acetylene reduction assay shifted to higher pO2-values . The overall efficiency of nitrogen fixation amounted to 22 mg N fixed/g sucrose consumed; it reached a maximal value of 65 mg N fixed/g sucrose consumed at the beginning of the exponential growth phase . Intact cells reduced acetylene even under anaerobic test conditions; further anaerobic metabolic activity could not be ascertained so far.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 May, 56(5), 985 - 9
Experimental cancer immunotherapy: comparison of tumor rejection if F344 rats given live Mycobacterium bovis (Strain BCG) and killed Corynebacterium parvum; Likhite VV; F344 rats received grafts of syngeneic 13762 mammary adenocarcinoma cells previously admixed with either living BCG of killed Corynebacterium parvum administered sc or intradermally (id) . Animals given id transplants of tumor cells admixed with either BCG or killed C . parvum exhibited tumor growth for an average of 10 days, then regression in size and rejection of the tumor nodules . Lesions were found in rats given sc transplants of tumor cells admixed with the killed microorganism for an average of 13 days with the same results . When live BCG was added to the sc transplants, accelerated rates of tumor growth and early death were noted, compared with the group receiving tumor cells alone sc . Suppressed rates of tumor growth and prolonged survival were observed in the groups receiving id inoculations of tumor cells followed by treatment with killed C . parvum administered weekly ip or id 1 cm away and around the growing tumor . On the other hand, weekly treatment of BCG injected either ip or id 1 cm away and around the growing tumor resulted in accelerated rates of tumor growth and early death . Animals exhibiting C . parvum of BCG-mediated tumor rejection displayed tumor-specific protection to sc challenge injections of the cell line initially used, but they died with growing tumors and metastases when challenged with tumor cells of an antigenically different line syngeneic to F344 RATS . Microscopic examination of histologic sections of tumors formed from id inoculations of tumor cells admixed with either BCG or killed C . parvum revealed a nonspecific infiltrate of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the tumor, whereas sections of tumors formed from sc grafts of cells admixed with killed C . parvum revealed a specific organized infiltrate of mostly macrophages around the tumor follicles.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 May, 56(5), 1035 - 40
Antitumor antibodies and immunoglobulin class and subclass levels in Corynebacterium parvum-treated mice; James K et al.; Changes in immunoglobulin class and subclass levels and the development of antitumor antibodies were assessed in normal and tumor-bearing mice challenged with Corynebacterium parvum . C . parvum administration resulted in a marked increase in certain immunoglobulin levels, especially Ig G2b, and in the development of antibodies reacting with syngeneic and allogeneic tumor cells . The serologic changes induced by C . parvum were dependent on the dose and route of administration; preliminary studies suggested that they may have been largly independent of T-cell function . These changes were suppressed by the administration of gold salts, which also inhibited the antitumor effect of C . parvum.

Am J Med Sci, 1976 May-Jun, 271(3), 351 - 3
Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis; Davidson S et al.; Two patients with Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis have been observed in the past ten years . Both cases occurred sporadically . In one case toxigenic C . diphtheriae caused endocarditis in an immunized child with congenital heart disease . The second patient developed rapidly progressive valve destruction caused by a nontoxigenic strain of C . diphtheriae . These cases illustrate that C . diphtheriae may produce endocarditis in addition to its previously described diseases spectrum.

J Cell Biol, 1976 May, 69(2), 407 - 14
Effect of cytochalasin B on the adhesion of mouse peritoneal macrophages; Helantjaris TG et al.; The adhesion of normal mouse macrophages to glass surfaces was reduced by nontoxic levels (1-50 mug/ml) of cytochalasin B in combination with a centrifugal force (1,000-8,000 g) . Macrophages nonspecifically activated by Corynebacterium acnes were also detached by this treatment, but less effectively . The effects of cytochalasin B treatment on these cells were shown to be reversible . After detachment, the cells reattached to glass, appeared morphologically normal, and behaved like untreated cells as judged by adhesion, acid phosphatase levels, and phagocytosis . The effect of cytochalasin B on several parameters of phagocytosis by normal macrophages was also examined . The results demonstrate that cytochalasin B can be used to detach macrophages from surfaces and suggest a functional relationship between phagocytosis and macrophage adhesion to surfaces . Furthermore, the effect of cytochalasin B on adhesion of phagocytic cells provides a probe for further investigation of the adhesion of cells to surfaces.

Int J Cancer, 1976 Apr 15, 17(4), 511 - 7
Study of the mechanism of Corynebacterium parvum anti-tumour activity . I . Protective effect on the growth of two syngeneic tumours; Mazurek C et al.; The protective effect of C . parvum against two different tumours - a lymphosarcoma and a mammary carcinoma - has been demonstrated . In the case of lymphosarcoma, a significant protective effect was obtained when both C . parvum and tumor cells were injected IV . In contrast in C3H mice the best protection was obtained when both C . parvum and mammary carcinoma cells were injected IP . Thus both C . parvum and tumour cells must be inoculated by the same route which, however, varies for different tumours . A very small dose of C . parvum still inhibited the growth of the two tumours . Splenectomy performed before C . parvum treatment did not interfere with the anti-tumour activity of C . parvum on the tumours . However, when splenectomy was performed after C . parvum injection, the protective ffect of C . parvum still persisted against XVII lymphosarcoma but not against C3H carcinoma.

Fortschr Med, 1976 Apr 8, 94(10), 593 - 4
{Treatment of acne vulgaris in practice}; Meyer-Rohn J; The aim of all acne therapy is sebostasis and treatment of Corynebacterium acnes as well as secondary infected postular changes . After discussion of Tretinoin (Retinoic acid)-treatment it is reported about 35 cases of acne vulgaris which were treated with the combination of Hexachlorophenspiritus 1%,Silicatgel locally and Tetracycline orally . The good results of this treatment are reported . Side effects have not been observed.

Infect Immun, 1976 Apr, 13(4), 1293 - 5
Presence of pili in species of human and animal parasites and pathogens of the genuscorynebacterium; Yanagawa R et al.; The presence of pili in human and animal parasites and pathogens of the genus Corynebacterium was examined . C . kutscheri, C . diphtheriae, and C . pseudodiphtheriticum possessed a fairly large number of pili, ranging from dozens to more than a hundred, in 91 to 100% of the bacterial cells . C . equi, C . hoagii, C . xerosis, C . pyogenes, and C . murisepticum had only a small number of pili in 10 to 37% of the bacterial cells . In C . bovis, C . striatum, and C . pseudotuberculosis, pili were detected in only 0.5% to 3% of the bacterial cells . The pili were similar to each other and to those of C . renale; they were not rigid and had a tendency to form bundles . The length of pili usually ranged from 0.2 to 3 mum, and their diameter was within a 2- to 6-nm range.

Br J Surg, 1976 Apr, 63(4), 292 - 6
The effects of Corynebacterium parvum and surgery on the Lewis lung carcinoma and its metastases; Sadler TE et al.; The effects of Corynebacterium parvum on the mouse primary Lewis lung carcinoma and its metastases were studied . C . parvum was given at the same time as subcutaneous inoculation of tumour or in combination with surgical excision of the primary after 10 days' growth . When intravenous C . parvum was given at the same time as tumour there was a reduction in the primary tumour growth rate . There was a similar reduction in growth if the drug was given intravenously 7 days after tumour inoculation . Intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration of C . parvum had no effect on the primary tumour . The number of pulmonary metastases were significantly reduced after intravenous or intraperitoneal C . parvum given at the same time as tumour . When C . parvum and surgery were combined and C . parvum was given not more than 2 days before operation there was only a slight reduction in metastases, but when the injection was given intravenously or intraperitoneally 3-4 days before operation the number of metastases was significantly reduced . Subcutaneous administration of C . parvum had little effect on metastases . There was no difference in the number of metastases in C . parvum-treated mice were killed after 21 or 28 days . C . parvum given on the same day as surgery was more effective if tumour excision was performed before day 10 when the metastases were less well established . It was concluded that in well-defined conditions C . parvum is effective against metastases of the Lewis lung carcinoma.

Cancer Res, 1976 Apr, 36(4), 1305 - 14
Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the response to irradiation of a C3H fibrosarcoma; Suit HD et al.; A methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma of C3H mice has been used as 5th- to 6th-generation syngeneic transplant in an investigation of the role of Corynebacterium parvum as an adjuvant to the therapeutic effect of local irradiation of established tumors . The most effective route for administration of C . parvum in this tumor system was i.v., and the greatest effect of the C . parvum-mediated tumor graft rejection was observed for tumor growing intracutaneously or s.c . An intermediate level of effectiveness was obtained for tumor growing i.m . The combined C . parvum and local irradiation studies were performed using tumors growing in the leg muscle and measuring 8 mm in diameter at the time of local irradiation . Several routes of administration of C . parvum, dose levels of C . parvum, and time relationships between administration of C . parvum and irradiation were investigated . The outstanding finding was that very low doses of radiation were quite effective when administered to tumors growing in animals pretreated with C . parvum . This was true for radiation administered as a single or fractionated dose (10 equal doses spread over 18 days) . For single-dose irradiation the effect was relatively dose independent over the range of 200 to 3000 rads . Some indication was obtained that local irradiation may impair the tumor graft rejection reaction . No evidence was obtained of an enhanced growth of tumor . Regression of tumor following irradiation was not modified by pretreatment with C . parvum . The mice that were unsuccessfully treated by radiation and C . parvum had a lower incidence of metastatic disease in the lung than did the mice treated unsuccessfully with radiation alone.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Apr, 22(4), 544 - 54
Effect of hydroxamic acids on growth and urease activity in Corynebacterium renale; Nervig RM et al.; Studies were conducted on the effect of four different hydroxamic acids (HA), hydroxyurea, acetohydroxamic acid, p-flurobenzoylhydroxamic acid and sorbylhydroxamic acid, on the growth and urease activity of Corynebacterium renale . The addition of each of these HA, at concentrations ranging form 10(-3) to 10(-5) M, to medium containing urea as the sole nitrogen source resulted in a lengthened lag period of growth the extent of which depended upon the concentration of each HA tested as well as the structure of the compound; that is, the size and (or) complexity of the side chain attached to the common terminal group of the molecule . However, the maximal growth levels achieved following conclusion of the exponential phase were not affected by the HA . Investigations on the effect of these HA on the urease activity of intact cells as well as cell-free extracts revealed that in each case the enzymatic activity was inhibited by each of the HA tested . The extent of inhibition with the intact cells was aobut one-half of that observed with cell-free extracts . Direct incubation of cell-free extracts as well as intact cells with each of the HA tested was required for maximal inhibition.

Ann Intern Med, 1976 Apr, 84(4), 454 - 65
Immunotherapy and human tumor immunology; Fahey JL et al.; Present knowledge about the immune response to tumors in man is briefly reviewed, and the effects of cancer on immune-system functions are noted . The concepts that human tumors elicit cell-mediated immune responses to tumor antigens are re-examined and modified; for example, cell-mediated immunity may be detectable only at certain stages of tumor growth . Introduction of more sensitive methods for detecting antibodies is providing additional evidence for humoral immune responses to tumor-associated antigens . The present proliminary approaches to immunotherapy, particularly the use of adjuvants such as BCG and Corynebacterium parvum, are assessed, and initial pharmacoimmunologic findings with these agents are reported . The field of tumor immunology is in a dynamic state of development, with input from many areas of immunology and oncology . Carefully controlled clinical trials of these therapeutic regimens will be required to establish the value and indications for the use of such procedures.

Cancer Res, 1976 Apr, 36(4), 1335 - 8
The accumulated effects of repeated systemic or local injections of low doses of Corynebacterium parvum in mice; Scott MT et al.; The effects of 14 weekly injections, s.c . or i.v., of "human equivalent" doses (5.25 mg/sq m) of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) in mice have been compared . Both s.c . and i.v . CP caused significant splenomegaly and antibody to CP, but stimulation was considerably greater after i.v . CP . Delayed hypersensitivity levels to CP were similar after s.c . and i.v . injection . T-cell competence, as judged by phytohemagglutinin reactivity and delayed hypersensitivity to sheep cells, was unimpaired after s.c . CP and augmented by i.v . CP . Activated peritoneal macrophages capable of nonspecifically inhibiting tumor growth in vitro were detected only after i.v . CP, and in vivo resistance to tumor cell challenge was greater after CP administered i.v . than s.c.

Cancer Treat Rep, 1976 Apr, 60(4), 465 - 70
Studies on the enhancement by cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) of artificial lung metastasis after labeled cell inoculation; de Ruiter J et al.; In a mouse model the retention of125I-5-iodo-2' -deoxyuridine-labeled tumor cells in the lung after iv injection was compared with the formation of tumor colonies in the lung 15 days after injection . The modification in lung retention after treatment with cyclophosphamide (CP), isophosphamide, Corynebacterium parvum, and heparin paralleled the changes in lung-colony numbers by these treatments . Since the modifications could be identified as early as 1 hour after iv administration of tumor cells, further evidence was obtained for the conclusion reached earlier that the modification of lung metastases by CP and Corynebacterium parvum is not due to immunologic mechanisms . Comparison with the lung retention of heat-killed tumor cells and living embryonic cells showed that CP induced an increased retention of all three cell types . In contrast, Corynebacterium parvum decreased the retention of living tumor cells, but failed to modify the retention of dead tumor cells, but did not affect the retention of living embryonic cells . Since no similar cell types were affected by the various treatments it seems likely that different mechanisms are involved . Apparently CP decreases the nonspecific resistance against the lodging and growth of any type of cell in the lung.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Apr, 29(4), 408 - 14
Identification of producer and biological activities of new antibiotics, mimosamycin and chlorocarcins; Mikami Y et al.; A strain of Streptomyces, No . 314 identified as a Streptomyces lavendulae produced under a novel condition of culture, four new antibiotics, mimosamycin and chlorocarcins A, B, and C . Among the components of chlorocarcin complex, chlorocarcin A was found to be most biologically active . This antibiotic inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P and Corynebacterium diphtheriae at the concentrations of 0.1 and 0.003 mcg/ml, respectively . Chlorocarcin A also exhibited antitumor activity on EHRLICH carcinoma, ascitic and solid forms, and mouse leukemia L1210 . Mimosamycin proved to be mainly active on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and inactive on the experimental murine tumors.

J Virol, 1976 Apr, 18(1), 235 - 44
Isolation and partial characterization of a corynebacteriophage beta, tox operator constitutive-like mutant lysogen of Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Murphy JR et al.; We have isolated and partially characterized a beta-phage mutant lysogen of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, C7(betatoxct1+), which is partially insensitive to iron inhibition of diphtheria toxin production . tox expression by C7(betatoxct1+) was found to be partially constitutive . In the presence of concentrations of iron that almost completely inhibit the expression of diphtheria toxin by the wild type, C7(beta), the level of toxin production by C7(betatoxct1+) was found to be at least 25 times that of the parent . The purified tox gene product of C7(betatoxct1+) was immunologically and electrophoretically identical to, and equally as toxic as, diphtheria toxin purified from C7(beta) . In addition, the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence was found to be identical to diphtheria toxin . This data strongly suggests that the mutation allowing for the constitutive expression of tox in C7(betatoxct1+) is outside of the structural gene . Furthermore, the constitutive expression of diphtheria toxin was found to be cis dominant in the double lysogen C7(betacrm45+/betatoxct1+) . The data presented is consistent with the existence of a tox operator locus.

Cancer, 1976 Apr, 37(4), 1687 - 95
Nonspecific immunotherapy by Corynebacterium parvum: phase I toxicity study in 12 patients with advanced cancer; Cheng VS et al.; Corynebacterium parvum, a non-specific immunopotentiator, was administered intravenously to 12 patients with advanced cancer at 2, 3, and 4 mg/m2 dose levels in combination with radiation therapy . One dose of C . parvum was given every 7 days for a total of 4 doses in 21 days . Symptoms and signs developed by these patients for a period of 3 to 6 hours during and shortly after the i.v . infusion of the first dose of C . parvum were moderately severe in nine patients and mild in three patients . For the second, third, and fourth doses of C . parvum, patients had fewer and less intense reactions and were given their treatments on an outpatient basis . There was no added morbidity to the patients' tolerance to either palliative or radical dose levels of radiation therapy . Changes in renal, hepatic, hematologic, and immunologic functions were minimal . At the above dose levels, the use of C . parvum to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system in humans by the intravenous route can be safe and well tolerated provided the side effects are appreciated and symptomatic treatments administered.

Pathology, 1976 Apr, 8(2), 101 - 4
The detection of toxin production by Corynebacterium diphtheriae in diagnostic laboratories; Young PS et al.; In vitro tests for assessing the toxigenicity of strains of C . diphtheriae using the original agar plate precipitin method of Elek are unreliable . At high concentrations of antitoxin (500-1000 U/ml) multiple non-specific precipitin lines occur making interpretation difficult . Increased specificity was obtained by diluting the antitoxin but this in turn caused a delay in the appearance of toxin-antitoxin lines . Also, the failure of lines to appear on media enriched with unsuitable serum may lead to false-negative results . Final assessment of the toxigenicity of strains of C . diphtheriae can probably only be made reliably by guinea-pig tests.

Arch Microbiol, 1976 Mar 19, 107(2), 139 - 42
Enrichment and isolation of nitrogen fixing hydrogen bacteria; Wiegel J et al.; An enrichment method for nitrogen fixing hydrogen bacteria is described . The procedure invariably resulted in the isolation of yellow-pigmented coryneform bacterial strains assigned to Corynebacterium autotrophicum . The procedure included a serial transfer in an ammonium-free mineral liquid medium under an atmosphere of 10% hydrogen, 5% oxygen, 10% carbon dioxide and 75% nitrogen, followed by a short alkali treatment and by streaking on nutrient broth-succinate agar . The ability to fix nitrogen was confirmed by the acetylene reduction test and by 15N2 incorporation.

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1976 Mar 8, 282(10), 1079 - 81
{New concept of the taxonomic position of anaerobic corynebacteria}; Prevot AR; The new phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the anaerobic coryneforms allow us to individualize them in a new sub-genus: Coryneformis nv . sub-gen so defined: Corynebacteriaceae with morphology of true Corynebacterium from which they differ by pathogenicity, the ability to synthesize reticulo-stimulin, their cell-wall composition, thier G + C%, their anaerobic growth and their salmon-pink colonies . They differ also from the true Propionibacterium which are not pathogenic, do not synthesize the reticulo-stimulin, have cream-grey, yellor or red-brown colonies, and do synthesize cobalamine (vitamin B12).

Res Vet Sci, 1976 Mar, 20(2), 197 - 200
Relation between the toxogenicity and pyogenicity of Corynebacterium ovis in experimentally infected mice; Zaki MM; Suspensions of Corynebacterium ovis subjected to physical and chemical treatment failed to kill inoculated mice but were able to produce sterile pyogenic lesions . It appears that the exotoxin is different from the pyogenic factor and that the latter is attached to a heat-stable substance in the bacterial cell . Mice immunised with antitoxin showed local non-spreading lesions when subsequenly inoculated with washed C ovis cells while unprotected control mice showed a spreading type of infection when similarly injected . Antitoxin did not prevent the formation of pus but hindered the spread of infection from the site of inoculation to the internal organs.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Mar, 56(3), 571 - 4
Further observations on the inhibition of tumor growth by Corynebacterium parvum with cyclophosphamide . II . Effect of cortisone acetate; Fisher B et al.; Studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that the administration of cyclophosphamide (CY) and Corynebacterium parvum (CP) over a prolonged time to C3H mice with established measurable tumors resulted in complete arrest of tumor growth as well as partial and complete regressions in many instances . A study of the effect of two different doses of cortisone acetate (CA), administered two or five times weekly, on the tumor inhibitory properties of this chemoimmunotherapeutic regimen indicated that the addition of a corticosteroid to the CY-CP combination did not alter its tumor-inhibitory properties . There was no significant change when CA was administered with CP; however, tumor inhibition was enhanced to a degree approaching statistical significance when CA was added to CY at dose levels of 1.5 and 2.5 mg twice weekly . These results demonstrated that it may be possible in treatment of humans to administer a steroid in combination with a chemoimmunotherapeutic regimen without inhibition of the regimen's antitumor effects.

Anesth Analg, 1976 Mar-Apr, 55(2), 187 - 90
Bacteriologic aspects of epidural analgesia; James FM et al.; The incidence of contamination of catheters and syringes used during epidural analgesia for parturients and the effectiveness of bacterial filters were investigated . The effect of bupivacaine on bacterial viability and growth was also studied . Syringes in 5/101 cases were contaminated, while catheter tips located in the epidural space were sterile . Organisms isolated were skin commensals and probably originated on the hands of anesthetic personnel . Bupivacaine (0.25%) was bacteriocidal to S epidermidis and Corynebacterium spp at 37C but not at room temperature . These findings illustrate the efficacy of using bacterial filters during continuous epidural analgesia . New syringes should be used for each epidural injection as insurance against seeding of bacteria in the presence of a defective filter.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Mar, 56(3), 675 - 7
Failure of Corynebacterium parvum presensitization to modify the antitumor effects of systemic and local therapeutic injections of C . parvum in mice; Scott MT; The therapeutic effects of iv and intralesional injection of Corynebacterium parvum against mastocytoma P815 in mice, presentized and showing marked delayed hypersensitivity to C . parvum, were no different from those in unimmunized controls.

Arch Dis Child, 1976 Mar, 51(3), 227 - 8
Fulminant diphtheritic mitral valve endocarditis; Horst R et al.; Fulminant endocarditis affecting the mitral valve in an 11-year-old boy was caused by a nontoxogenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Infect Immun, 1976 Mar, 13(3), 661 - 6
Adherence of bacterial to vaginal epithelial cells; Mardh PA et al.; Vaginal epithelial cells from healthy women were washed and incubated in tissue culture medium with freshly isolated bacteria of the indigenous vaginal flora and with bacteria of species that have been discussed in conjunction with genital infections . After incubation and washing, the number of bacteria that adhered per cell was determined . The influence on the attachment rate of such factors as variations in the washing procedure, bacterial density, and incubation time was assessed . Lactobacillus acidophilus and other bacterial species that occur in the lower genital tract of healthy women, e.g., some strictly anaerobic species, adhered by significantly lower numbers per cell than Neisseria gonorrhoeae, group B streptococci, and Corynebacterium vaginale . Significantly more freshly isolated gonococci adhered per cell than gonococci that had been passaged on artificial medium . The adherence of gonococci increased with increasing acidity of the test medium.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Feb, 56(2), 437 - 9
Antitumor activity of Corynebacterium parvum extracts; McBride WH et al.; Extracts of Corynebacterium parvum produced by mild hydrolysis of the whole organisms had antitumor activity if given iv 1 day before iv administration of fibrosarcoma cells or if given ip or sc in admixture with these cells . A lipid component seemed responsible for these effects . Unlike whole bacteria, they had little immunotherapeutic activity if given 3 days after sc tumor implantation unless absorbed onto latex . However, organisms treated with acid did not have any immunotherapeutic effect in this system either . The extracts, therefore, did have some antitumor activity, but full activity may depend on the integrity of the whole bacterium.

Cancer Treat Rep, 1976 Feb, 60(2), 177 - 82
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy in combination with DTIC (NSC-45388) for the treatment of malignant melanoma; Gutterman JU et al.; Combination studies of immunotherapy and DTIC chemotherapy for patients with malignant melanoma are described . At our institute the combination of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) with DTIC, or DTIC plus methyl-CCNU, has resulted in augmentation of remissions in areas regional to BCG immunization, prolongation of chemotherapy-induced remissions, and significant prolongation of survival compared to the use of DTIC chemotherapy without immunotherapy . Data from other centers have shown that augmentation of remissions for melanoma patients occurred when BCG was combined with DTIC, vincristine, and allogeneic tumor cells . Finally, another study has shown that DTIC combined with BCG has prolonged the disease-free interval and survival in melanoma patients with regional lymph node metastases . The potential inhibition of DTIC metabolism by BCG or Corynebacterium parvum is discussed.

Arch Dermatol, 1976 Feb, 112(2), 182 - 4
Topically applied antibiotics in acne vulgaris: clinical response and suppression of Corynebacterium acnes in open comedones; Resh W et al.; Topical antibiotics were used on patients with acne vulgaris . Corynebacterium acnes organisms from open comedones were quantitated during treatment, and the progress of the disease was evaluated . Clindamycin lotion completely suppressed the growth of C acnes organisms, whereas erythromycin and tetracycline did not depress the C acnes counts . Taken as a group, these antibiotics gave a substantial improvement of the disease on the treated side as compared with paired untreated sides of the face and back.

Z Hautkr, 1976 Feb 1, 51(3), 97 - 101
{Studies on ozone therapy of acne vulgaris}; Gloor M et al.; Ozone therapy using the Vapozone 9, an instrument in normal commercial usage, has been carried out on the forehead of 16 male test persons on 7 consecutive days . Before the treatment began and at the end of the treatment period the skin surface lipids on the unchanged skin (casual level) and two hours after defatting the skin (replacement sum) were taken by direct extraction and analysed by means of thin layer chromatography . The results of these investigations rule out a decrease in the free fatty acids by this therapy . As a result of this finding it may assumed that no desinfecting effect on the corynebacterium acnes and other lipasereleasing microorganisms can be attributed to ozone therapy.

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1976 Jan 19, 282(3), 329 - 32
{Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on murine cultured bone marrow cells}; Eliopoulos G et al.; The administration of Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) stimulates in the mouse the bone marrow colony forming cell compartment in two stages . The first stage reaches pic values one day after two consecutive injections and the second, more important stage, reaches a pic at the 9th day which lasts over 27 days . There is no evidence that this effect is related to the liberation of CSF.

Cancer Res, 1976 Jan, 36(1), 161 - 6
Responsiveness of senescent mice to the antitumor properties of Corynebacterium parvum; Yuhas JM et al.; The antitumor properties of Corynebacterium parvum have been studied in young (3- to 8-month-old) and aged 18 or more months old) BALB/c mice given s.c., i.m., i.p., or i.v . transplants of the highly malignant, weakly immunogenic line 1 lung carcinoma, and in aged (25- to 33-month-old) BALB/c mice bearing primary mammary tumors . These aged BALB/c mice were shown to be less immunoresponsive than their younger counterparts, and this, in combination with nonimmunological factors, made them more sensitive to the lethal effects of the line 1 carcinoma . Correspondingly, C . parvum proved to have less antitumor activity in aged mice than it did in young mice . In spite of this relatively weaker antitumor activity for C . parvum in aged mice, repeated injections of this agent were able to induce temporary regressions of the primary mammary tumors studied and therby prolong survival time.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Jan, 92(1), 188 - 99
Free mycolic acids as criteria in the classification of Nocardia and the 'rhodochrous' complex; Alashamaony L et al.; The methyl esters of free mycolic acids from representative strains of Nocardia asteroides, N . brasiliensis, N . caviae and the 'rhodochrous' complex were subjected to detailed mass spectral analysis . The anhydromycolic esters of the Nocardia strains consisted of homologous series containing from zero to three double bonds, with the main components of the parent mycolic acids centred on C52 to C54 (range C46 to C58) . The anhydromycolates from one rhodochrous strain, Nocardia opaca, had a molecular weight range similar to the nocardiae (C46 to C57) but the remaining rhodochrous strains gave an homologous series of anhydromycolates containing from zero to two double bonds, with the main components of the parent mycolic acids centred on C38, C42, C44 or C46 (total range from C34 to C50) . The mycolic acids from the rhodochrous strains with chain lengths centred around C40 form a group intermediate in size between corynomycolic acids (centred around C32) and nocardomycolic acids (centred around C50) . These data weaken the case for retaining the 'rhodochrous' complex in the genus Mycobacterium, and also show that many rhodochrous strains can be distinguished from true nocardiae and corynebacteria . These results confirm the value of lipid characters in the classification of these organisms.

Radiology, 1976 Jan, 118(1), 211 - 8
Nonspecific immunotherapy of malignant tumors; Milas L et al.; At present, nonspecific immunotherapy of malignant tumors seems to be the most promising among immunotherapeutic modalities . Potent nonspecific immunostimulants, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Corynebacterium parvum, exhibit an antitumor activity in experimental animals, which is commonly manifested by reduced tumor growth and sometimes by complete regression of tumors . Antitumor effectiveness of these bacteria is largely related to tumor immunogenicity and host immunocompetence . Recently, BCG has frequently been used for clinical immunotherapy and has provided therapeutic benefit in many instances, particularly when combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery . Clinical experience with C . parvum is so far limited.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1976, 8(4), 271 - 4
Endocarditis caused by Actinomyces viscosus; Gutschik E; A case of severe endocarditis caused by Actinomyces viscosus is described in a previously healthy 70-year-old man . The isolated strain has been characterized by biochemical tests, gas-liquid chromatography and serology . The pathogenic significance of the organism is discussed and the difficulty in reaching a correct diagnosis due to the similarity to species of Corynebacterium is pointed out.

Gastroenterol Jpn, 1976, 11(3), 167 - 74
Deconjugation of bile acids by human intestinal bacteria; Shindo K et al.; The purpose of this report is to present the deconjugation of bile acids by numbers of strains of bacteria in the small intestine and feces . The small intestinal juice was aseptically aspirated by a double lumen tube with a rubber cover on the tip devised by us ("Fukushima Type 1") . Bile acids were analyzed with thin layer chromatography . The results: 1) Among aerobic bacteria, species of which all of the strains split conjugated bile acids was enterococcus, and most of the strains split were Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis and Lactobacillus (L.) bifidus . Species of which none of the strains split were Escherichia (E.) coli, E . communior, E . freundii, L . plantarum, L . acidophilus, L . buchneri, L . cellobiosus, L . bulgaricus, S . aureus, Aerobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, candida, proteus, serratia, and almost none of the species split was Intermediate coliform bacilli . 2) Among anaerobic bacteria, species of which all of the strains split were Bacteroides (B.) vulgatus, B . thetaiotaomicron, B . uniformis, Corynebacterium (C.) granulosum, C . avidum, Peptostreptococcus (Peptostrept.) putridus, Eubacterium (Eubact.) lentum, Peptococcus (Pept.) grigoroffii, Pept . anaerobius, Veillonella (V.) orbiculus, and most of the strains split were Coryne . diphtheroides, Eubact . parvum, Peptostrept . intermedius . Species of which none of the strains split were Coryne, parvum, Peptostrept . micros, V . alcalescens, V . parvula, Catenabacterium (Catena.) catenaforme, and Catena . filamentosum . 3) All or none, or almost all or none, of the strains of each species tested split conjugated bile acids, and it seems probably that the presence or absence of this ability would be a proper character of eachspecies.

J Int Med Res, 1976, 4(6), 367 - 74
Bacterial flora of the healthy skin in children; Herz G; The normal bacterial flora of the skin of 100 healthy children was studied in a paediatric practice with regard to the germ spectrum and the resistance constellation, by means of abrasion skin samples taken from the upper part of the back . Staphylococcus albus was by far the most predominant bacteria, followed by Sarcina bacteria and Corynebacteria . The high degree of pervasion of this physiological cutaneous flora with antibiotic-resistant strains increases the suspicion that in the case of florid bacterial skin infections in children, subsequent to traumatic or inflammatory changes of the integument, the antibiotic resistance of the normal resident flora can be transferred to the pathogenic flora . In view of the endemic resistance of pathogenic and saprobic strains of bacteria against practically all antibiotics at present used in paediatric practice, it is to be urgently recommended that instead of antibiotics topical braod-spectrum antimicrobial agents (antiseptics), e.g . clioquinol, triclosan, etc., should preferably be used.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1976, 277(00), 209 - 27
Immunotherapy of cancer with cell wall skeleton of Myocabacterium bovis-Bacillus Calmette-Guérin: experimental and clinical results; Yamamura Y et al.; Adjuvant and antitumor activities of CWS prepared from cells of mycobacteria, nocardia, and corynebacteria were examined . Oil-attached CWS of M . bovis BCG (BCG-CWS) stimulated the generation of cell-mediated cytotoxic effector cells in mice . Tumor growth was suppressed in mice inoculated intradermally with a mixture of oil-attached CWS and living tumor cells . Systemic and specific tumor immunity was demonstrated in mice in which tumor growth was suppressed . Tumor growth was also suppressed by oil-attached CWS of BCG or N . rubra in autochthonous autografts of spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma and methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma in mice . The intravenous injection of oil-attached BCG-CWS prevents the appearance of lung cancer in rabbits by the instillation of chemical carcinogens . It was also shown that treatment with oil-attached BCG-CWS was able to elevate the immunologically depressed state of tumor-bearing mice to a normal level, as determined by a cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay that empolyed chromium release as the standard . Preliminary results suggest that oil-attached BCG-CWS is useful as an immunotherapeutic agent for both lung cancer and for malignant melanoma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and other neoplastic diseases and that this agent operates without any significant complications.

Dev Biol Stand, 1976, 31, 279 - 86
{Treatment of experimental brucellosis of mice and guinea pigs by rifampicin}; Philippon A et al.; The intracellular and bactericidal activity of rifampicine was observed in the treatment of experimental brucellosis in the mouse and guinea pig . Batches of mice infected by intraperitoneal route with B . melitensis, strain 53 H 38, were treated with rifampicine (20 mg/kg/day) or with tetracycline-base (200 mg/kg/day) . When the treatment begins 14 days after inoculation and lasts a week, the rifampicine produces a more significant decrease of the weight of the spleen than does tetracycline . After 14 days' treatment, apart from this effect, the degree of infection of the spleen decreases at least 10(5) times with rifampicine and 10(2) times with tetracycline . After 21 days, bacteriological sterilization is obtained with rifampicine whereas 66% of the tetracycline-treated mice are still infected . However, a residual infection of weak intensity persists in 6.6% of the rifampicine-treated mice against 75% of the tetracycline-treated mice, as shown by an injection of Corynebacterium parvum and a cortisone treatment at the end of the antibiotherapy . If the antibiotic treatment begins on the day of inoculation, the greatly superior efficacity of rifampicine is in that case more rapid . Rifampicine (100 mg/kg/day) offers comparable efficacity in the guinea pig infected by intraperitoneal route with B . abortus strain 544; these efficacity is shown by the decrease in the weight of the spleen and the intensity of splenic and ganglionic infection . The rapid decrease of agglutinins and amboceptors after 7 days of treatment suggests the possible role of a suppressor of this antibiotic . Finally, the effect of rifampicine on the growth of the guinea pig was noted.

Biomedicine, 1976 Jan, 24(1), 20 - 5
"Xenogeneic resistance" to rat bone marrow transplantation . III . Maturation age, and abrogation with cyclophosphamide, Corynebacterium parvum and fractionated irradiation; Rauchwerger JM et al.; Lethally irradiated C57 Bl/6 mice and (C57 X A) F1 hybrids fail to accept doses of rat bone marrow cells (5 X 10(6)) which give confluent splenic repopulation in "non-resistant" strains of mice . This phenomenon has been termed "xenogeneic resistance" (XR) . XR in (C57 X A) F1 mice can be overridden by a very large inoculum of rat bone marrow (26 X 10(6) cells) . XR is not manifest in mice of a resistant strain at ages of 18 days or younger, but is manifest at ages of 22 days and older . XR can be abrogated by agents as varied as: 1) cyclophosphamide, which abrogates XR in a dose dependent manner when given 1 hr prior to lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation 2) C . parvum, which abrogates resistance when given 7 days prior to lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation, and 3) Fractionated irradiation, which, while capable of abrogating XR, is much less potent than either cyclophosphamide or C . parvum.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1976 Jan, 23(1), 149 - 53
The role of macrophages in the adjuvant effect on antibody production of Corynebacterium parvum; Watson SR et al.; Spleen cells from mice pre-treated with C . parvum gave an enhanced in vitro antibody response to SRBC, but not to DNP-POL . This enhancing activity was associated with the adherent, but not the non-adherent spleen cell population and was found to be radioresistant . It is concluded that macrophages are directly involved in the adjuvant effect of C . parvum and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1976, 52(1-4), 188 - 95
Effects of in vivo administered B . pertussis and other adjuvants on the mitotic responses of lymphocytes in vitro; Gery I et al.; Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with adjuvants affects the in vitro response of their lymphocytes toward class-specific mitogen . Spleen cells from animals injected with Corynebacterium parvum organisms showed in some cases an increase in their response to all mitogens, while in other experiments, a moderate decrease in the reaction to T-specific mitogens (concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin) was found . Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in particular Bordetella pertussis bacteria, brought about a marked reduction in the response of spleen cells to B mitogens (LPS and PPD) but had little or no effect on the reaction to the T mitogens . Intraperitoneal administration of B . pertussis caused a marked depletion of lymph nodes and a high level of lymphocytosis . Blood cells of the treated mice showed an increased response to T mitogens, whereas mesenterial lymph node cultures reacted higher than the controls to LPS and without stimulation . No change was noted in the responses of cells from the axillary lymph nodes of these pertussis-treated mice.

Vet Med Nauki, 1976, 13(8), 91 - 6
{Changes in the serum proteins in suppurative surgical infection in cattle}; Petrov M et al.; Studied were the serum proteins of 3 cattle with a spontaneous suppurative surgery infection and 10 cattle with an experimental infection of the same character . It was found that in such cases there is a rise in the total protein, the alpha and gamma globulins, and a drop in the albumin and the beta-globulins . The experimental suppurative infection caused by Corynebacterium pyogenes produces changes of a higher degree in the protein spectrum than the experimental infection caused by Str . pyogenes . In cases in which the general status of the organism is more strongly involved in the infection process the changes in the protein fractions are more strongly expressed.

Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1976, 4(5), 349 - 57
{Erythrasma of the nails}; Negroni P; Publication Types:

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