Streptococcal

J Perinatol, 1987 Fall, 7(4), 292 - 5
Neonatal bacterial endocarditis of the pulmonary valve: report of two cases; Franzek DA et al.; Bacterial endocarditis in the neonate is rare and fatal in the majority of reported cases . This article reports two neonates who survived bacterial endocarditis . One patient was infected with group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GBBS) while the second grew Streptococcus saluvarius from the blood.

Drugs, 1987, 34 Suppl 1, 74 - 9
The use of quinolones in respiratory tract infections; Maesen FP et al.; In a prospective (and continuing) trial, a total of 271 patients with acute purulent exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease (bacteriologically confirmed) were treated with various new oral quinolones including enoxacin (26), pefloxacin (50), ciprofloxacin (80) and ofloxacin (115) . Various therapeutic schedules were employed, with differing drug dosages, frequencies of administration and durations of treatment . All patients were investigated microbiologically during and immediately after treatment and after 7 days of follow-up . The best clinical results were noted after ofloxacin 800 mg once daily for 7 days, which showed excellent gastrointestinal absorption and rapid penetration through to the sputum . Some of the treatment failures with enoxacin and pefloxacin could be ascribed to the development of resistance during treatment, rises in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) being noted with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1987, 19(5), 519 - 20
Varicella and life-threatening streptococcal infection; Fischbacher CM et al.; Four children with varicella who subsequently developed life-threatening infection with Streptococcus pyogenes are reported . The need for increased awareness of this potentially lethal complication of what is usually a benign exanthem is stressed.

J Reprod Fertil Suppl, 1987, 35, 327 - 34
Factors affecting uterine clearance of inoculated materials in mares; Evans MJ et al.; Twelve acyclic mares of various ages (2-29 years) and parity (maiden-multiparous) were given oestradiol-17 beta i.m . (winter 1982) or progesterone i.m . (winter 1983) to induce changes in the endometrium consistent with oestrus and dioestrus, respectively . After hormone treatment, mares were inoculated intrauterine with 50 ml saline containing 5 X 10(5) Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria, 51Cr-labelled 15-micron microspheres, and 500 mg charcoal (Groups E + B and P + B) or microspheres and charcoal only (Groups EC and PC) . At 5 h after inoculation uteri were flushed with 50 ml saline containing tracer amounts of 125I-labelled HSA . In Group E + B inoculated materials were cleared more rapidly in younger than in older mares, and there was a significant positive correlation between age and bacterial concentration, total numbers of bacteria, and amounts of microspheres and charcoal in the uterus and also between age and the WBC concentration and total numbers of WBC . In Group EC there was a significant positive correlation between age and the amounts of microspheres and charcoal remaining in the uterus, and between age and WBC concentration and total numbers of WBC . We suggest that in the oestrogen-dominated uterus physical drainage may be a factor in determining whether a mare is 'resistant' or 'susceptible' to bacterial challenge of the uterus . Physical clearance is increased in younger (resistant) mares in the presence and absence of an antigenic stimulus . In mares in Group P + B there was no correlation between age and the values measured.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cornea, 1987, 6(3), 231 - 3
Corneal rim cultures; Mathers WD et al.; We performed a retrospective analysis of 291 consecutive scleral rim cultures, taken at the time of corneal transplantation, from 1981 to 1986 . There were 82 positive cultures (39%), and the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus epidermidis, with 24 positive cultures (30%) . Ten of these (42%) were resistant to gentamycin . There were no cases of endophthalmitis or other infections in the immediate postoperative period . We also found 15 positive cultures of Streptococcus viridans . Of these, 13 (87%) were resistant to gentamycin but sensitive to most other antibiotics . Even though endophthalmitis is rare following penetrating keratoplasty, the emergence of resistant strains of Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus epidermidis suggests that eyebanks need to consider the addition of a second antibiotic to their MK medium.

Gene, 1987, 55(2-3), 179 - 87
Cloning of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA fragments in Escherichia coli requires vectors protected by strong transcriptional terminators; Chen JD et al.; Unstable recombinant plasmids are frequently encountered when cloning pneumococcal DNA into ordinary Escherichia coli plasmid vectors (e.g., pBR325, pMB9, pHC79) . Stassi and Lacks {Gene 18 (1982) 319-328} have shown that the pneumococcal mal region, which exhibits strong promoter activity, interferes with maintenance of a recombinant plasmid in E . coli . In this paper, we report that random pneumococcal DNA fragments cloned in E . coli exhibited a higher frequency of strong promoter activity than did similarly cloned E . coli fragments . Furthermore, shotgun cloning yields for pneumococcal DNA were found to be higher with cloning vectors containing efficient transcriptional terminators surrounding the insertion site than with vectors lacking such protection . Therefore, vectors which carry an efficient transcriptional terminator are likely to be valuable for cloning pneumococcal DNA and stabilizing the recombinants . A new vector, pJDC9, was constructed, containing a lacZ alpha' multiple cloning site surrounded by transcriptional terminators, and an erythromycin-resistant marker expressed both in E . coli and Streptococcus . This plasmid was shown to be unusually effective for cloning of streptococcal genes in E . coli, and is designed to permit excisional cloning of streptococcal DNA in E . coli.

J Dent Res, 1987 Jan, 66(1), 57 - 61
A simplified diagnostic system for cultural detection and enumeration of Streptococcus mutans; Jordan HV et al.; A simple dip-slide test (Cariescreen SM) based on MSB selective agar was devised for detection and quantitation of Streptococcus mutans in oral samples . For this test, a bacitracin tablet is dissolved in a vial containing buffered saline diluent . Paraffin-stimulated saliva is collected in this diluent vial . A dip slide which incorporates a modified MSB agar (minus bacitracin) is immersed briefly in the diluted saliva . After addition of a CO2-generating tablet, the screw-cap dip slide is closed tightly in the vial and incubated for two days at 37 degrees C and one day at room temperature . S . mutans populations in saliva are estimated by comparison with a colony density chart . Growth of reference strains of S . mutans was equivalent on Cariescreen SM dip slides and on MSB agar plates . Reference strains of Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus milleri did not grow on Cariescreen SM dip slides . Aliquots of saliva from 50 schoolchildren and 51 adults were tested by the dip-slide method and by conventional plating methods in MSB agar . Very good correlation (0.93) between the two methods was obtained . This simplified S . mutans detection system is suitable for use by clinical personnel in dental clinics or other non-laboratory settings for identification of subjects potentially at risk for caries.

Arkh Patol, 1987, 49(5), 64 - 70
{Morphological changes in the neuroendocrine system during experimental infection of animals with L-forms of group B Streptococcus}; Khostikian NG et al.; White rats and mice were subjected to a single intraperitoneal inoculation with a stable L-form of Streptococcus B (strain 090) . The hypothalamus, hypophysis and adrenal cortex of the animals were subsequently studied during one year . Progressive degenerative, inflammatory, necrotic and sclerotic changes found in the system hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenals were due to the bacteria persistence in these organs leading to the disturbance of hormonal homeostasis and development of the system deficiency . There was also the tendency (in 6-12 months after the inoculation) to intensifying regeneration with partial recovery of the organs function.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1987, 19(2), 263 - 70
Experimental bacterial meningitis in the rabbit: cerebrospinal fluid changes and its relation to leukocyte response; Lindquist L et al.; This study was focused on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) manifestations in experimental Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli meningitis in rabbits . An increased (p less than 0.001) CSF lactate concentration was found in infected animals, mostly not accompanied by a decrease in CSF glucose concentrations . Despite a marked difference in CSF cellular response between the 2 etiological groups no significant difference in CSF lactate levels was found . Neither did CSF lactate levels correlate to CSF polymorphonuclear cell counts . CSF concentrations of albumin were with large variations above control levels in all infected animals . Also a small or moderate increase in CSF albumin levels was generally associated with a marked increase in CSF lactate concentration . The concentration of total amino acids in the CSF was above control values (mean + 2 SD) in 9/21 infected animals . Halothane/N2O anesthesia for 25 min increased (p less than 0.05) CSF levels of glucose, partly independent of alterations in plasma glucose concentrations, in both infected rabbits and in controls.

Microbios, 1987, 50(204-205), 131 - 45
Effect of protease on cell surface structure, hydrophobicity and adhesion of tufted strains of Streptococcus sanguis biotypes I and II; Hesketh LM et al.; Protease treatment of S . sanguis biotype I strains (AKI and CR311) and S . sanguis biotype II strains (CN3410 and PSH1b) reduced cell surface hydrophobicity of all strains by up to 87.7% and reduced adhesion to saliva coated hydroxyapatite beads (S-SHA) by up to 90% . All four strains carried lateral tufts of fibrils of two lengths on the cells . Tuft fibrils and hydrophobicity were lost simultaneously from S . sanguis II CN3410 when these properties were monitored simultaneously over 3 h . A ruthenium red positive layer, 37 +/- 6 nm thick, outside the cell wall of S . sanguis I CR311 was more resistant than the tuft to protease digestion . After 2 h of protease treatment tuft fibrils of S . sanguis I AKI and 311 were gradually digested while still on the cells, whereas most of the tuft fibrils of S . sanguis II PSH1b remained apparently undamaged on the cells, and tuft fibrils of S . sanguis II CN3410 were removed intact from the cell surface and found in the supernatant.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(2), 189 - 95
Bacterial microcolony--a possible approach for a rapid differentiation of bacteria; Hadzieva NC et al.; A method is developed for cultivating and observing bacteria in an early phase of their growth, when microcolonies were formed . The morphology of the microcolonies, including form, structure, characteristics of its periphery and center, as well as the mode of arrangement of bacteria in it and to each other proved to be typical for a species and often permitted its differentiation from the other species . Photographs are presented of typical microcolonies of S . aureus and of E . coli . A series of photographs is presented also as an illustration of the possibility to differentiate some species in the genus Streptococcus . The microcolonies observation is made 3 hours after material inoculation, that may permit a rapid bacteriological diagnosis . It is believed also, that the microcolony technique could be useful in the characterisation and identification of the species in the general bacteriology and taxonomy.

Diagn Clin Immunol, 1987, 5(1), 8 - 13
Difficulties associated with serological diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infections; Fuccillo DA et al.; Physicians often rely on serology to help determine whether a patient has had a recent infection with Toxoplasma gondii and as an aid in estimating the possible teratogenic effect on the fetus . For this reason the diagnostic laboratory should take every precaution to avoid misleading results . The best serological analysis is based on a rise in IgG titer with two appropriately spaced serum samples . Also, the presence of a high IgM titer in one serum sample is generally considered to be good evidence that infection has occurred recently . The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test has been the most widely used test for detection of IgG or IgM . Recently enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have also been developed for this purpose . In this study we reaffirm that false IgM positive results can occur with these tests because of the presence of rheumatoid factor in serum, and false negative results can also occur because of competitive inhibition by specific IgG . We show that a preabsorption of serum with a Staphylococcus/Streptococcus preparation (Staffinoc, MA Bioproducts, Walkersville, MD) removes IgG and IgA and eliminates many of the false reactions . We have also found that elevated levels of specific IgM can persist for at least several years in some women . This suggests that the presence of IgM alone is not always an indication of recent infection.

Tierarztl Prax Suppl, 1987, 2, 1 - 4
{Respiratory infectious diseases in horses}; Mayr A; Among all infectious diseases affecting horses, respiratory disease pose the greatest threat to horses kept in stables, horses used for breeding and race horses . Here a distinction should be made between the so-called monocausal infectious diseases (so-called Henle-Koch postulates) and multicausal infectious diseases which are the result of the synergistic interaction of different processes, that alone do not lead to disease . There is no clearcut distinction between the two groups . The most important monocausal respiratory infections of horses are caused by equine influenza virus (subtypes 1 and 2), equine rhinopneumonitis virus (equine herpes-virus type 1), equine arteritis virus and partially by Reoviruses . In addition, streptococcus equi (strangles, adenitis equorum, coryza contagiosa equorum) and mycobacteria tuberculosis can cause monocausal diseases . In multicausal infections, the first step usually is a virus infection . This is the basis for secondary infection by widespread, opportunistic agents such as bacteria, mycoplasms or fungi which lead to clinical disease . The method of choice for controlling monocausal respiratory infections of horses is prophylactic vaccination and chemotherapy . Measures to control multicausal infections include: vaccination with functional-synergistic combined vaccines; the use of herd-specific vaccines; medical stimulation of the non-specific part of immunity (immunmodulation, paramunization) . Paramunization is a new concept in the prophylaxis and therapy of respiratory infections of horses and can be combined with prophylactic vaccination as well as with chemotherapy . In severe cases of respiratory disease paramunization can also be combined with corticosteroids.

J Med Primatol, 1987, 16(4), 249 - 60
Tamarin model of pneumococcal bacteremia; Chudwin DS et al.; Tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) were utilized to study host defenses against pneumococcal bacteremia . Tamarins had a poor antibody response to immunization with varying doses of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PCP) vaccine (2 of 15 positive) or to infection with serotype 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae (2 of 14 positive) . Tamarins were protected against challenge with a lethal dose of serotype 7F S . pneumoniae if the bacteria were preopsonized with human immune globulin intravenous or if the tamarins were injected with the immune globulin 30 min before challenge . There was minimal protection utilizing a mouse monoclonal anti-type 7F PCP antibody.

Can J Microbiol, 1987 Jan, 33(1), 27 - 32
Interbacterial adhesion between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and indigenous oral bacteria isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis; Komiyama K et al.; Interbacterial adhesion between strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and strains of indigenous oral bacteria, both of which were isolated from the oral cavity of cystic fibrosis patients, was investigated by the phenomenon of the coaggregation reaction . A total of 22 strains of P . aeruginosa were isolated from the oral cavity of 17 patients and examined for their abilities to coaggregate with 5 strains each of Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitis, Actinomyces viscosus, and Actinomyces naeslundii . Coaggregation reactions were common between these oral bacteria and both the mucoid and nonmucoid variants of P . aeruginosa . All strains of P . aeruginosa were also able to agglutinate neuraminidase-treated or untreated human erythrocytes of blood types A, B, and O . Positive coaggregation reactions were further characterized by determining the effects of several sugars, and of heat and protease treatments of the bacteria . None of the coaggregtion reactions were inhibited by 0.05 M lactose, galactose, glucose, fucose, or mannose . All coaggregation reactions were dependent upon heat- and protease-sensitive components of the Pseudomonas . Thus, the interbacterial adhesions between P . aeruginosa and the oral bacteria studied appears to involve adhesins on the Pseudomonas cell, which bind to complementary receptors, on the cell surfaces of oral bacteria . The apparent prevalence and diversity of interbacterial adhesions between P . aeruginosa strains originating from the oral cavity of cystic fibrosis patients and strains of the indigenous oral bacteria suggest that some of these reactions may affect the extent to which P . aeruginosa colonizes in the oral cavity of cystic fibrosis patients, and thereby, influence susceptibility of the host to infection.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Jan, 31(1), 93 - 9
Silver-coated nylon fiber as an antibacterial agent; MacKeen PC et al.; A blend of nylon fiber and silver-coated nylon fiber (the latter known as X-static) was used in these experiments . This fiber was bactericidal when bacteria were exposed to it directly or to an extract derived from its prior incubation in salt solution . At ambient temperatures, a rapid exponential decrease of survival occurred, usually after a delay of approximately 1 h . The rate of killing (decrease of survival) increased with an increase in X-static percentage of the fiber blend, temperature of fiber extraction, concentration of Tris buffer present during extraction, and temperature at which bacteria were exposed to the extract . When bacteria were exposed to the extract at 37 degrees C as opposed to ambient temperature, there was no delay in onset of killing . Escherichia coli was generally the indicator organism tested, but comparable results were also found for Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species . The rate of killing increased with increasing silver ion concentration of the fiber extract, as determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry . The rate of killing was greater and the onset was earlier with an extract containing silver ions from fiber than with a salt solution containing the same concentration of silver ions from silver nitrate . Studies of the kinetics of ion release suggested that X-static may be an effective, sustained-release antibacterial agent.

Plasmid, 1987 Jan, 17(1), 58 - 60
Physical analysis of the conjugative shuttle transposon Tn1545; Caillaud F et al.; The conjugative shuttle transposon Tn1545 from Streptococcus pneumoniae confers resistance to kanamycin (aphA-3), erythromycin (ermAM), and tetracycline (tetM) . The 25.3-kb element is self-transferable to various gram-positive bacterial genera where it transposes . Tn1545 is also capable of transposition, but not of conjugation, after cloningoff Escherichia coli . Analysis of the element by restriction endonucleases, molecular cloning, electron microscopy of heteroduplexes, DNA hybridization, and sequencing allowed us to establish a physical map of Tn1545, localize the resistance genes, determine their direction of transcription, and compare them with other characterized resistance determinants, and show that Tn1545 is not flanked by large terminal repeated sequences in opposite orientation.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1987 Jan, 53(1), 114 - 8
Seasonal changes in the cecal microflora of the high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus); Mathiesen SD et al.; The dominant cecal bacteria in the high-arctic Svalbard reindeer were characterized, their population densities were estimated, and cecal pH was determined in summer, when food quality and availability is good, and in winter, when it is very poor . In summer the total culturable viable bacterial population was (8.9 +/- 5.3) X 10(8) cells ml-1, whereas in winter it was (1.5 +/- 0.7) X 10(8) cells ml-1, representing a decrease to 17% of the summer population density . Of the dominant species of cultured bacteria, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens represented 23% in summer and 18% in winter . Streptococcus bovis represented 17% in summer and 5% in winter . Bacteroides ruminicola represented 10% in summer and 26% in winter . In summer and winter, respectively, the proportion of the viable population showing the following activities was as follows: fiber digestion, 36 and 48%; cellulolysis, 10 and 6%; xylanolysis, 33 and 48%; and starch utilization, 77 and 71% . The most abundant cellulolytic species in summer was Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, representing 62% of the total cellulolytic population, and in winter it was Ruminococcus albus, representing 80% of the total cellulolytic population . The most abundant xylanolytic species in summer was Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and in winter it was Bacteroides ruminicola, representing 59 and 54% of the xylanolytic isolates in summer and winter, respectively . The cecal bacterial of the Svalbard reindeer have the ability to digest starch and the major structural carbohydrates of the diet that are not digested in the rumen . The cecum in these animals has the potential to contribute very substantially to the digestion of the available plant material in both summer and winter.

Dis Mon, 1987 Jan, 33(1), 1 - 59
Overwhelming pneumonia; Segreti J et al.; Overwhelming pneumonias remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality . These illnesses may be rapidly fatal; thus, many patients are treated empirically . Although the various etiologic agents cannot be differentiated on the basis of radiographic appearance, epidemiologic information may give a clue to the cause . Community-acquired overwhelming pneumonias are usually due to pyogenic bacteria (especially Streptococcus pneumoniae), mycoplasma, mycobacteria, and fungi . Hospital-acquired pneumonias are usually due to aerobic gram-negative bacilli . If the patient is immunocompromised, Pneumocystis carinii, Candida, and Aspergillus must be considered . Choice of optimal antimicrobial therapy requires that a specific etiology be identified . Gram's stain of sputum is often helpful in the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia . Invasive diagnostic techniques such as bronchoscopy and open lung biopsy are often required in nosocomial pneumonias and pneumonias in immunocompromised patients.

J Enzyme Inhib, 1987, 1(3), 231 - 41
Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase by M-GTFI, a new inhibitor; Uyeda M et al.; Two hundred strains of soil microorganisms were screened for the production of inhibitors of the glucosyltransferase activity of Streptococcus mutans strain, K1-R . The strain producing the greatest amount of inhibitor was one recently isolated in our laboratory . It has now been identified as a strain of Micromonospora narashinoensis on the basis of morphological and physiological studies . The inhibitor, M-GTFI, affects the glucosyltransferase that produces the water-insoluble glucan rather than that which produces the water-soluble glucan . Fuchsin-sulphite staining of the inhibitor after its purification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that it is probably an acidic substance . It had Mr 5700 as was determined by gel filtration . From an examination of the effects of this inhibitor on representative strains of S . mutans other than K1-R, there is a suggestion of a similar selectivity for the water-insoluble glucan-forming activity in other strains.

Microbios, 1987, 51(206), 29 - 35
Purification and characterization of glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans OMZ176 with chromatofocusing; Kametaka S et al.; A crude glucosyltransferase (GTase) preparation of Streptococcus mutans OMZ176 was fractionated by chromatography on a chromatofocusing column . It was separated into three major fractions . Fractions 1 and 3 mainly synthesized water-soluble glucan (SG) without primer dextran T-10 . Dextransucrase activity of fraction 1 was not increased by the primer, although that of fraction 3 was increased . Fraction 2 synthesized only water-insoluble glucan (IG) in the absence of a primer, but mutansucrase activity of this fraction was greatly increased dose-dependently by the addition of a primer . The SG and IG synthesized by fraction 1 were rich in alpha-1,6 glucosidic linkages . On the other hand, about 80% of glucose residues of the IG synthesized by fraction 2 were alpha-1,3 linked . Both SG and IG synthesized by fraction 3 contained highly branched structures.

Int J Biochem, 1987, 19(8), 729 - 32
Properties of the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide resistant ATPase of Streptococcus cremoris; Rimpilainen MA; 1 . The specific activity of the membrane-bound ATPase of Streptococcus cremoris HA was 1.30 mumol Pi/mg protein/min . 2 . Km for ATP as substrate was 0.8 mM . 3 . The pH optimum was 8.0 at +37 degrees C . 4 . The ATPase was maximally activated with Mg2+/ATP molar ratio of 1:2 . 5 . Cations activated the enzyme in order: Mg2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Zn2+ greater than Ca2+ greater than K+ greater than Na+ . 6 . The enzyme was inhibited by oligomycin (27-77%), sodium azide (13-33%) and ouabain (15-22%) . N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide had no effect on the enzyme activity.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1987, 19(2), 205 - 9
An outbreak of group A streptococcal skin infection: control by source isolation and teicoplanin therapy; Webster A et al.; Streptococcus pyogenes is a potential cause of serious infections in plastic surgery and burns units . We report an outbreak of this organism in one such unit, which was successfully managed by closing the ward, and treating infected patients with a new antibiotic, teicoplanin.

Microbios, 1987, 50(204-205), 147 - 52
Comparison of different water-soluble glucan synthases from Streptococcus mutans serotype g; Hanada N et al.; A novel glucosyltransferase that synthesizes low molecular weight water-soluble glucan was partially purified from Streptococcus mutans AHT cell-free culture supernatant . This enzyme was compared with another water-soluble glucan synthase which synthesized high molecular weight glucan.

Gene, 1987, 61(1), 13 - 9
3'-end modifications of the Streptococcus pneumoniae lytA gene: role of the carboxy terminus of the pneumococcal autolysin in the process of enzymatic activation (conversion); Sanchez-Puelles JM et al.; Plasmids containing modifications at the 3' end of the lytA gene encoding the pneumococcal amidase were constructed by DNA recombinant techniques . Several deleted and fused amidases were obtained . These modified amidases were capable of degrading cell walls containing choline residues in their teichoic acid components without need of conversion (i.e., change of the inactive E form of amidase to the active C form) . The reintroduction of as few as the terminal 11 amino acid (aa) residues present in the wild-type (wt) amidase into the sequence of the most extensively deleted form of the autolysin obtained in this work (E-520) partially restored the need of conversion . Our results demonstrate the importance of the C terminus for the catalytic activation of the wt amidase.

Microbios, 1987, 50(202), 7 - 15
Lack of correlation between fibrils, hydrophobicity and adhesion for strains of Streptococcus sanguis biotypes I and II; Wyatt JE et al.; Fifteen strains of Streptococcus sanguis biotype I and eight strains of Streptococcus sanguis biotype II with peritrichous fibrils, tufts of fibrils or a mixture of fibrils and fimbriae on the cell surface, were tested for their ability to adhere to saliva coated spheroidal hydroxyapatite (S-SHA) in a radiolabelled assay . S . sanguis I strains adhered better than S . sanguis II strains and peritrichously fibrillar strains generally adhered better than tufted strains . There was no correlation between the density of fibrillation and adhesion . The only highly adherent strain of S . sanguis II carried fimbriae in addition to fibrils . No correlation was observed between cell surface hydrophobicity as measured by phase partitioning with hexadecane and adhesion to S-SHA.

Infect Immun, 1987 Jan, 55(1), 123 - 8
Expression of Streptococcus sanguis antigens in Escherichia coli: cloning of a structural gene for adhesion fimbriae; Fives-Taylor PM et al.; Chromosomal DNA from Streptococcus sanguis FW213 was partially digested with EcoRI and ligated into the positive-selection cloning vector pOP203(A2+) . The ligation mixture was used to transform Escherichia coli K-12, and 4,500 transformants were examined . The tetracycline-resistant colonies had inserts averaging 3.2 kilobases . The entire colony bank was screened by colony immunoassay with polyclonal rabbit serum raised against S . sanguis FW213 whole cells . Thirty recombinant colonies produced stable positive reactions of various intensities, indicating that S . sanguis antigens could be expressed in E . coli . Restriction endonuclease digestion of these clones suggested that 26 of the clones were unique . Only two clones, VT616 and VT618, gave positive reactions with fimbria-specific antisera . That the gene coding for the antigen was located on the plasmid was confirmed by demonstrating that the presence of the plasmid was linked to antigen production . Western immunoblot analyses of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels showed that both clones produced a fimbrial peptide of Mr 30,000 . The two recombinant plasmids were shown by Southern analysis and restriction mapping to contain the same 6-kilobase EcoRI fragment inserted in opposite orientations . Southern hybridization confirmed that this fragment is present in S . sanguis genomic DNA . The Mr 30,000 protein gene was expressed in both orientations, suggesting that the fimbrial promoter is located on the 6-kilobase fragment . These results show that at least one streptococcal fimbrial gene can be cloned and expressed in E . coli.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1987, 36(1-2), 3 - 15
Isolation and characterization of mutants of Streptococcus mutans using selective removal of wild-type cells by agglutination with an agglutinin from Persea americana; Curtiss R 3rd et al.; Persea americana agglutinin (PAA), a substance known to bind basic proteins and inhibit the sucrose-independent adherence of Streptococcus mutants to saliva = coated hydroxyapatite (Staat et al., 1980) was used to selectively enrich for mutants defective in a variety of cell surface associated virulence characteristics from cultures UAB62 (PS14 Riff, serotype c), UAB66 (6715 Strr Spcr, serotype g) and UAB77 (GS5, serotype c) . Following mutagenesis and growth for segregation and phenotypic expression, washed cells of each strain were exposed to PAA overnight at 37 degrees C . Aggregated cells were removed by low-speed centrifugation and cells remaining in the supernatant fluids were concentrated, grown to stationary phase and the enrichment with PAA repeated . Mutants isolated following enrichment were phenotypically diverse and included strains defective in one or more of the following characteristics: adherence to glass in a sucrose-containing medium, aggregation with sucrose, dextran or PAA . dextranase production, colony morphology, cell or chain morphology, fermentation of sorbitol, lactose, galactose, raffinose, melibiose, or fructose, and production of surface protein antigen A (SpaA) . The diversity of mutant phenotypes identified along with the observation that PAA could still cause aggregation (with a lower efficiency) of all mutants leads us to infer that the interaction of this agglutinin with proteins on the S . mutans cell surface is relatively nonspecific and that the observed inhibition of S . mutants attachment to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite caused by PAA is not due to a highly specific unique interaction of PAA with the protein(s) responsible for sucrose-independent adherence.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1987 Jan, (1), 8 - 12
{Comparative analysis of antigenic preparations made from noncapsular strains of Pneumococcus}; Nisilevich VF et al.; Nonencapsulated strains obtained by subculturing Streptococcus pneumoniae in a medium containing 0.5% of bile have been shown to possess a number of morphological and cultural features . The preparations obtained from the biomass of these strains by sonication have been found to possess antigenic, immunogenic and protective properties and to be specific to S . pneumoniae . The data obtained in this investigation may be considered indicative of the necessity for further study of these preparations with a view to their use for the analysis of serum samples taken from patients with bronchopulmonary diseases by means of enzyme immunoassay.

Infect Immun, 1987 Jan, 55(1), 266 - 8
Immunological study of cross-reactive polysaccharide antigens (types a, d, and h) of oral Streptococcus spp . with monoclonal antibodies; Ota F et al.; Two monoclonal antibodies against the cross-reactive antigens of S . cricetus (type a) and S . sobrinus (type d) were isolated . Galactose and especially melibiose inhibited the precipitin reaction markedly . Inhibition by melibiose was over 200-fold stronger than that by galactose . This may indicate that galactose-alpha 1, 6-glucose is the predominant antigenic determinant of this cross-reactive antigen . This antigen was also found in S . sobrinus type h strains, but no antigen was found in one type d strain (OMZ176).

Wien Med Wochenschr, 1986 Dec 31, 136(23-24), 633 - 7
{Antibacterial therapy of acute exacerbated chronic bronchitis}; Forche G; An early therapy of the acute exacerbation is important for the long-term prognosis of chronic bronchitis . The aim of the therapy is to stop the progressive damage of the bronchial mucosa . The typical clinical symptoms and the knowledge of the usual pathogens (in at least 80% hemophilus influenzae and streptococcus pneumoniae) allow a "blind" chemotherapy with aminopenicillins, tetracyclines and the trimethoprim-sulphonamide combination as medication of choice . The treatment is successful when the purulent sputum turns mucoid within 2 to 5 days and the symptoms improve . If this does not happen, culture and antibiogram should be made and chemotherapy chosen according to the findings . The acute exacerbation can be complicated by an airway obstruction . In this case the short-term application of glucocorticoids in combination with bronchodilators and secretolytics is suggested.

J Mol Biol, 1986 Dec 20, 192(4), 753 - 65
Identification and analysis of genes for tetracycline resistance and replication functions in the broad-host-range plasmid pLS1; Lacks SA et al.; The streptococcal plasmid pMV158 and its derivative pLS1 are able to replicate and confer tetracycline resistance in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . Copy numbers of pLS1 were 24, 4 and 4 molecules per genome in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, respectively . Replication of the streptococcal plasmids in E . coli required functional polA and recA genes . A copy-number mutation corresponding to a 332 base-pair deletion of pLS1 doubled the plasmid copy number in all three species . Determination of the complete DNA sequence of pLS1 revealed transcriptional and translational signals and four open reading frames . A putative inhibitory RNA was encoded in the region deleted by the copy-control mutation . Two putative mRNA transcripts encoded proteins for replication functions and tetracycline resistance, respectively . The repB gene encoded a trans-acting, 23,000 Mr protein necessary for replication, and the tet gene encoded a very hydrophobic, 50,000 Mr protein required for tetracycline resistance . The polypeptides corresponding to these proteins were identified by specific labeling of plasmid-encoded products . The tet gene of pLS1 was highly homologous to tet genes in two other plasmids of Gram-positive origin but different in both sequence and mode of regulation from tet genes of Gram-negative origin.

Carbohydr Res, 1986 Dec 15, 158, 147 - 55
Purification and characterisation of the extracellular D-glucosyltransferase from serotype c Streptococcus mutans; Baba T et al.; A simple method of purification for the extracellular D-glucosyltransferase (GTase) from a serotype c strain Streptococcus mutans was developed using chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel and CM-cellulose . The GTase had a molecular weight of 155,000 and an isoelectric point of 7.4 . The enzyme converted sucrose, in the absence of dextran T-10, into a branched (1----6)-linked alpha-D-glucan having some alpha-(1----3)-linked D-glucosyl residues . The GTase was similar to GTases which have been isolated from other strains of serotype c S . mutans and which synthesise water-soluble glucans . In addition, the amino acid composition of the GTase protein was relatively similar to those of the GTases from serotype g S . mutans which synthesise water-soluble and water-insoluble glucans.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1986 Dec 5, 879(3), 345 - 9
Glycolipid transfer protein from pig brain transfers glycolipids with beta-linked sugars but not with alpha-linked sugars at the sugar-lipid linkage; Yamada K et al.; The glycolipid transfer protein purified from pig brain facilitates the transfer of various glycosphingolipids and glyceroglycolipids (Yamada, K., Abe, A . and Sasaki, T . (1985) J . Biol . Chem . 260, 4615-4621) . In this paper, the transfer of Man beta 1----4Glc beta 1-Cer and Man alpha 1----4Man beta 1-Cer isolated from a bivalve, Corbicula japonica, the transfer of 3-{Glc alpha 1-}-sn-1,2-diacylglycerol and 3-{Glc alpha 1----2Glc alpha 1-}-sn-1,2-diacylglycerol prepared from Streptococcus lactis, and the transfer of 3-{Glc beta 1-}-rac-1,2-dipalmitylglycerol have been investigated . The transfer of these lipids from liposomes to mitochondria was assayed by the decrease of these lipids in the donor liposomes . These lipids were determined by chromatographic isolation of the lipids, acid hydrolysis of the isolated lipids, and subsequent determination of glucose in the hydrolysate . The glycolipid transfer protein facilitated the transfer of ManGlcCer and ManManGlcCer . The transfer protein did not facilitate the transfer of Glc alpha-diacylglycerol or Glc alpha Glc alpha-diacylglycerol . However, the transfer of Glc beta-dipalmitylglycerol was facilitated by the protein . These results strongly suggest that the glycolipid transfer protein has the specificity to the presence of beta-linked glucose or galactose directly linked to either ceramide or diacylglycerol.

Biol Reprod, 1986 Dec, 35(5), 1168 - 74
The functional competence of uterine-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from mares resistant and susceptible to chronic uterine infection: a sequential migration analysis; Liu IK et al.; The functional competence of uterine-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) from 28 mares was measured for migration responsiveness by use of a chamber (filter) assay . Uterine infection was induced with Streptococcus zooepidemicus in mares considered resistant to chronic uterine infection (Grade I) . In sequential analysis of uterine flushings obtained from these mares 5, 12, 15, 20, and 25 h after infection was induced, PMNs showed an initial rise at 12 h (from 5), then a general decline in migration response and in concentration of cells per ml from 12 through 25 h post-inoculation . In contrast, PMNs obtained from the uterine flushings from mares considered susceptible to chronic uterine infection (Grade III) demonstrated premature migration dysfunction 12 h after infection . Subsequent increases in functional competence of the PMNs were demonstrated at 15 and again at 25 h after induced infection . The concentration of uterine PMNs per ml from mares considered susceptible to chronic endometritis remained elevated from 12 through 25 h after inoculation, which suggests a possible continued recruitment of new PMNs from the peripheral circulation . The results of this study suggest that uterine-derived PMNs obtained from mares susceptible to chronic uterine infection have a compromised ability to migrate . This dysfunction may play an important role in rendering the endometrium (uterus) susceptible to chronic endometritis.

Jpn Circ J, 1986 Dec, 50(12), 1294 - 7
Infective endocarditis in children: a current diagnostic trend and the embolic complications; Yokochi K et al.; Twenty-three cases of IE, of which 91% had underlying congenital heart diseases were diagnosed by positive blood culture or vegetative lesion detected by 2-D ECHO when a patient revealed clinically suspicious episodes . VSD and TOF were the most common underlying heart diseases . The vegetation was detected successfully by 2-D ECHO in 91% of the cases . The causative organisms were identified in 83% of the cases . Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus aureus were the two major organisms detected . Candida albicans was found in 3 postoperative and fatal cases . Embolic complications occurred in 7 cases (30.5%): five cases of pulmonary infarction and two of cerebral infarction . The overall mortality was 22% . We recommend early surgical intervention whenever a patient reveals a very large vegetation with animated movability, and emphasize the importance of a proper prophylaxic regimen.

Jpn Circ J, 1986 Dec, 50(12), 1241 - 5
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Japan; Kawakita S; Rheumatic fever (RF) is the common cause of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the 5-30 age group and is usually preceded by group A streptococcal pharyngitis . The annual mortality caused by RF and RHD has changed remarkably in Japan between 1960 and 1981 according to the report of the Ministry of Health and Welfare . The annual incidence of RF among schoolchildren as surveyed from pediatric clinics of 20 major hospitals between 1952 and 1980 varied year by year, and is now steadily declining . Follow-up studies of 287 patients with carditis over ten years showed that cardiac murmur disappeared in 44.9% of total patients within 4 years through use of antibiotic prophylaxis . Other patients continued to have cardiac murmur 10 years after the first attack of RF . Valvular involvement due to RF was mostly confined to mitral valve and the appearance of mitral regurgitation was particularly common in schoolchildren . Survey of RHD in schoolchildren showed that mitral regurgitation was the most common anomaly, but the prevalence rate of RHD decreased from 4.6/1000 population in 1958 to 0.14/1000 population in 1981 . By contrast, mitral stenosis was predominant in adults, according to the records of patients admitted in three university hospitals . Since socio-economic conditions have improved, and penicillin has been introduced to control group A streptococcus, mortality and morbidity from RF and RHD have remarkably decreased in well developed countries . These factors may have contributed predominantly to the sharp decrease in first and recurrent attack of RF in Japan.

Immunology, 1986 Dec, 59(4), 515 - 20
Inhibition of human monocyte respiratory burst, degranulation, phospholipid methylation and bactericidal activity by pneumolysin; Nandoskar M et al.; The interaction between the pneumococcal toxin pneumolysin and human monocytes was examined . At non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.5-2.5 HU/10(6) cells) pneumolysin depressed the oxygen-dependent respiratory burst in monocytes, induced by opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) . This included depressed hexose-monophosphate shunt activity and hydrogen peroxide production . The toxin also depressed the ability of monocytes to degranulate (measured by release of lysozyme) in response to the above stimuli . Phospholipid transmethylation was also markedly decreased by pretreating monocytes with pneumolysin . These effects on monocyte functions were accompanied by a decreased ability of pneumolysin-treated monocytes to kill Streptococcus pneumoniae, the organism that produces the toxin . Cholesterol, which inhibits the haemolytic activity of the toxin, was shown to abrogate the effects of pneumolysin on monocytes.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Dec, 52(6), 1348 - 52
Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of hexoses by ruminal bacteria: evidence for the phosphotransferase transport system; Martin SA et al.; Six species of ruminal bacteria were surveyed for the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphorylation of glucose . Selenomonas ruminantium HD4, Streptococcus bovis JB1, and Megasphaera elsdenii B159 all showed significant activity, but Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens 49, Bacteroides succinogenes S85, and Bacteroides ruminicola B1(4) showed low rates of PEP-dependent phosphorylation and much higher rates in the presence of ATP . S . ruminantium HD4, S . bovis JB1, and M . elsdenii B159 also used PEP to phosphorylate the nonmetabolizable glucose analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) . Rates of 2-DG phosphorylation with ATP were negligible for S . bovis JB1 and M . elsdenii B159, but toluene-treated cells of S . ruminantium HD4 phosphorylated 2-DG in the presence of ATP as well as PEP . Cell-free extracts of S . ruminantium HD4 used ATP but not PEP to phosphorylate glucose and 2-DG . Since PEP could serve as a phosphoryl donor in toluene-treated cells but not in cell-free extracts, there was evidence for membrane and hence phosphotransferase system involvement in the PEP-dependent activity . The ATP-dependent phosphorylating enzymes from S . ruminantium HD4 and S . bovis JB1 had molecular weights of approximately 48,000 and were not inhibited by glucose 6-phosphate . Based on these criteria, they were glucokinases rather than hexokinases . The S . ruminantium HD4 glucokinase was competitively inhibited by 2-DG and mannose, sugars that differ from glucose in the C-2 position . Since 2-DG was a competitive inhibitor of glucose, the same enzyme probably phosphorylates both sugars . The S . bovis JB1 glucokinase was not inhibited by either 2-DG or mannose and had a higher Km and Vmax for glucose.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Dec, 168(3), 1463 - 5
Transformation of encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae; Yother J et al.; We describe the high-efficiency transformation of several virulent, encapsulated isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Transformation was effected by the induction of competence with competence factor and was apparently the result both of inducing noncompetent recipients and overcoming the inhibition imposed by the capsule.

Infect Immun, 1986 Dec, 54(3), 780 - 6
Characterization of immune response to oral administration of Streptococcus sobrinus ribosomal preparations in liposomes; Gregory RL et al.; Gnotobiotic rats gastrically intubated with a total of 12.5 micrograms of Streptococcus sobrinus ribosomal protein incorporated into cholesterol-based liposomes had significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) fewer carious lesions on their molar surfaces than did nonimmunized infected controls after challenge with a virulent organism . The immunized animals had significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) lower numbers of molar-adherent S . sobrinus cells and higher levels of salivary immunoglobulin A antibodies to S . sobrinus whole cells and ribosomes than did the control group . Dose-response studies indicated that 12.5 micrograms of S . sobrinus ribosomal protein in liposomes induced slightly higher immune responses than did 62.5, 125.0, and 250.0 micrograms of ribosomal protein incorporated into liposomes . Intubation of rats with up to 250.0 micrograms of S . sobrinus ribosomal protein alone was no more effective in reducing the numbers of molar-adherent S . sobrinus cells than were nonimmunized infected controls, establishing that insertion of ribosomes into liposomes was required for inducing an effective immune response . These results indicate that oral administration of as little as 12.5 micrograms of S . sobrinus ribosomal protein incorporated into liposomes can protect rats from caries formation after challenge with the virulent organism by inducing specific salivary immunoglobulin A antibodies which can inhibit colonization by the challenged S . sobrinus.

Environ Res, 1986 Dec, 41(2), 514 - 28
Comparative study of various methods used for determining health effects of inhaled sulfates; Drummond JG et al.; Various health effect parameters were compared to determine which tests were the most sensitive indicators of toxic effects of exposure to metallic sulfate aerosols . Inhalation studies were conducted involving either single 3-hr exposure to various concentrations of cupric sulfate (0.43-2.64 mg/m3 SO4), aluminum sulfate (1.65-2.75 mg/m3 SO4), and aluminum ammonium sulfate (1.47-3.81 mg/m3 SO4) or multiple (five and ten) daily 3-hr exposures to cupric sulfate (0.1 mg/m3 SO4) . The test parameters studied in male and female CD1 mice were changes in mortality after respiratory infection with Group C Streptococcus zooepidemicus; pulmonary bactericidal activity; pulmonary cell number, type, viability, and ATP content; and pulmonary morphology by scanning electron microscopy . Tracheal ciliary beating frequency and morphology were also studied in both CD1 mice and Syrian golden hamsters . Differences in bacteria-induced mortality rate appeared to be the most sensitive and consistent indicators of pollutant damage . The other parameters produced evidence of damage but generally only at the higher pollutant concentrations . Cupric sulfate was the most toxic of the three sulfates, but the differences between the toxicity of the aluminum sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate were less clear.

Arch Intern Med, 1986 Dec, 146(12), 2361 - 3
Streptococcus mitis endocarditis . Report of 17 cases; Rapeport KB et al.; Seventeen patients with Streptococcus mitis endocarditis were treated at a municipal hospital over a three-year period . Thirteen patients were intravenous drug addicts . Streptococcus mitis has a predilection for right-sided endocarditis in intravenous drug addicts and left-sided endocarditis in non-drug addicts . Streptococcus mitis is highly susceptible to therapy with penicillin G potassium (minimal inhibitory concentration less than or equal to 0.1 mg/L of penicillin in all of these 17 cases), and four to six weeks of therapy is safe and effective.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1986 Dec, 66(3), 574 - 81
A comparison of leukocyte aggregation, leukocyte migration and skin reactivity to recall antigens in patients with AIDS; Rouveix B et al.; A study was made to evaluate the leukocyte aggregation test (LAT) in patients at risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and with confirmed AIDS using tuberculin, streptococcus and candida as recall antigens . These patients were selected on the basis of their well known absence of delayed hypersensitivity, a fact which should avoid false positive tests . Antigen-induced human peripheral blood leukocyte aggregation was measured quantitatively . The results obtained have been compared with the leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) in patient and control groups . Among the 46 patients, less than 7% were positive for the LAT, whereas more than 50% were LMIT positive (P less than 0.001) . These results suggest that there are fewer false positive reactions with LAT which can therefore be considered as a reliable method for assessing CMI in human . Furthermore, a negative LAT correlated well with negative delayed skin tests in more than 90% of the patients for the three antigens . These patients had either an AIDS or an advanced AIDS-related complex (ARC) . In only eight of the patients was there a discrepancy in the results of the two tests . A positive LAT and a negative skin test were seen in three cases lacking opportunistic infections (OI), whereas a negative LAT and a positive skin test were found in patients with or without OI . In the latter, a negative LAT could indicate a more advanced stage of disease and hence a poor prognosis.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1986 Dec, 94(6), 409 - 13
An alternative approach to typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains by coagglutination; Smart LE et al.; The coagglutination test, which uses staphylococcal protein A for typing strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae was extended to include typing within 13 groups . Typing was performed using the factors remaining in group antisera after absorption with a strain of a type within the group . 93 of 99 strains of S . pneumoniae, which belonged to one of the 13 groups included in the 23 valent vaccine formulation were correctly identified when compared to the capsular reaction test.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Dec, (12), 91 - 5
{Determination of antibodies against ribosomes and various cell wall components and detection of circulating antigens of group A Streptococcus in patients with erysipelas}; Shikhman AR et al.; The level of antibodies to the ribosomes, polysaccharide A and peptidoglycan of group A streptococcus in the blood of patients with primary, secondary, and often relapsing erysipelas was studied by means of the enzyme immunoassay with the use of the sandwich techniques . For control, the sera of healthy donors were used . In the sera obtained from all groups of erysipelas patients a significant rise in the levels of antibodies to ribosomes and peptidoglycan in comparison with the controls was revealed . An increase in the level of antibodies to polysaccharide A was revealed only in patients with frequently relapsing and secondary erysipelas . Depending on the clinical form and the duration of the disease, polysaccharide A was detected in 32-51.9% of erysipelas patients and protein-ribosomal antigen was detected in 28.6-51.9% of such patients.

Scand J Dent Res, 1986 Dec, 94(6), 500 - 6
Comparison between a dip-slide test and plate count for determination of Streptococcus mutans infection; Emilson CG et al.; A significant correlation was found between the results of a dip-slide test and a conventional agar-plate method for determination of the salivary Streptococcus mutants population . The growth density of S . mutans around bacitracin discs on the dip-slide was estimated and examination of the dip-slides with or without a microscope showed good agreement . The percentage of identical scores between two observers increased from 69 to 84% with the use of a microscope . Scores from dip-slides inoculated with saliva by means of a cotton swab showed good agreement with those obtained with stimulated saliva . The dip-slide method is simple and reliable and can be a valuable tool in general practice for the estimation of the S . mutans infection.

Am J Surg, 1986 Dec, 152(6), 583 - 6
Postsplenectomy infection in patients with chronic leukemia; Mower WR et al.; The added risk of infectious complications due to splenectomy in patients already immunocompromised because of chronic leukemia was studied over a 22 year period . When compared to patients with chronic leukemia who did not undergo splenectomy, survival was not influenced . Splenectomy did significantly increase the total number of serious infections (65 percent versus 35 percent, p less than 0.001), the number of infections per patient (p less than 0.05), and the interval between infections (p less than 0.01) in this patient population . Fatal septic episodes were not due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, but did occur significantly more often in the splenectomy group (22 percent versus 7 percent, p less than 0.05) . Although the location of infection was similar, there was a significant difference in the number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in the patients who had undergone splenectomy (p less than 0.05) . Consideration must be given to the significantly increased risk of postoperative infectious morbidity in patients with chronic leukemia when evaluating the usefulness of splenectomy.

Microb Pathog, 1986 Dec, 1(6), 519 - 31
Analysis of a surface protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae recognised by protective monoclonal antibodies; McDaniel LS et al.; Using two monoclonal antibodies which protect mice from a fatal challenge with S . pneumoniae, we have identified a surface protein antigen on the pneumococcus . These antibodies recognised components of 84 and 76 kD in a cell wall extract of the nonencapsulated strain, R36A, against which they were made . Absorption experiments indicated that both of the antibodies recognised the same two proteins . The proteins detected by the antibodies in the encapsulated type 2 strain D39 and type 3 strain WU2, exhibited different molecular weights than those proteins detected from R36A . Using a colony blot procedure and a quantitative ELISA, we have shown that these antibodies react with 6 of the 21 pneumococcal strains tested . There was no association between reactivity with these anti-protein antibodies and the capsular serotype of the pneumococcal isolates tested.

J Rheumatol, 1986 Dec, 13(6), 1105 - 7
Polyarticular septic arthritis; Epstein JH et al.; Seven adult patients with nongonococcal polyarticular septic arthritis are presented with a literature review of the clinical features of polyarticular bacterial infection . Polyarticular septic arthritis occurred in 19% of reported cases of septic arthritis in adults . Similar to monoarticular disease, the knee was the most commonly affected joint, and Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated microorganism . Pneumococcus, group G streptococcus, and Hemophilus influenzae had an increased association with polyarticular infection . Five of our 7 patients had underlying rheumatic diseases and the immediate mortality rate was 57% . Review of the literature yielded an overall mortality of 23% for polyarticular septic arthritis compared to the 9% mortality of septic arthritis in general . The subset of patients with polyarticular infection superimposed on rheumatoid arthritis had a mortality rate of 56%.

Chemioterapia, 1986 Dec, 5(6), 368 - 74
In vitro assessment of CI-934--a new quinolone derivative; Finch R et al.; CI-934 is a new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone . We have studied its in vitro activity against 203 bacteria and compared it with ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, ampicillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, gentamicin, vancomycin and erythromycin . Against Gram-negative pathogens CI-934 showed broad-spectrum activity comparable to enoxacin . Of more interest is its superior activity against Gram-positive bacteria, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae and enterococci . This was further studied by observing its activity in comparison with ampicillin in in vitro kinetic studies . CI-934 was either equally or more rapidly bactericidal than ampicillin at concentrations of 1, 4, and 16 X MIC . On the basis of these findings further in vivo studies appear justified.

Can J Microbiol, 1986 Dec, 32(12), 942 - 6
Bactericidal action of carbon dioxide laser radiation in experimental dental root canals; Zakariasen KL et al.; The ability of a carbon dioxide laser to sterilize the root canal of human teeth has been investigated . Three oral bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans, and Actinomyces viscosus, and three other bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used as experimental organisms . Exposure of cells on glass slides to laser radiation showed there was little difference in the exposure required to kill these six organisms . Complete recovery of bacteria from the root canal was initially a problem and was only achieved when bacterial manipulations and removal were carried out in rapid succession, within 5 min of inoculation . However, the geometry of the instrumented canal and the laser alignment were major factors in achieving consistent cell death of oral bacteria in the root canals . Using sets of 10 teeth, four repeated exposures of 10 W for 1 s was found to sterilize 4 or more of the teeth.

Am J Pathol, 1986 Dec, 125(3), 501 - 14
Bacteria associated with obstructive pulmonary disease elaborate extracellular products that stimulate mucin secretion by explants of guinea pig airways; Adler KB et al.; Certain cell-free filtrates from broth cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Hemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae stimulate secretion of glycoconjugates by explants of guinea pig trachea . The stimulatory effect is not related to toxicity or damage to the respiratory mucosa, as well as could be determined by ultrastructural examination of the explants after exposure . Bacteria isolated from patients with a history of chronic obstructive lung disease (P aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis, H influenzae, and S pneumoniae from chronic bronchitis) do not demonstrate increased frequency of positive strains or greater stimulation of secretion than organisms isolated from other individuals . At least three stimulatory substances are found in cell-free filtrates of P aeruginosa . They appear to be proteins of molecular weight 60,000-100,000 as determined by gel filtration . Within the crude filtrate, they are relatively stable to heat, proteolysis, and storage at 4 C and in liquid nitrogen . The stimulatory activity is not lost upon subculture of the bacteria . When isolated from the filtrate by column chromatography, they become labile to heat and trypsin . Isolated active fractions show proteolytic activity coinciding with mucin-stimulating capacity, suggesting a relationship with Pseudomonas proteases . Stimulatory substances released by S pneumoniae and H influenzae appear to be different from those elaborated by Pseudomonas . They are extremely labile to heat and storage, and the capacity to stimulate secretion is lost on subculture . Preliminary gel filtration indicates the S pneumoniae stimulatory substance(s) is in a molecular weight range of 100,000-300,000 daltons, while that of H influenzae is between 50,000 and 200,000 . The results suggest bacteria which chronically infect or colonize respiratory airways of individuals suffering from obstructive lung disease can elaborate extracellular product(s) capable of stimulating secretion of mucin . Thus, the bacteria themselves may contribute to local manifestations and, ultimately, to the pathogenesis of obstructive disease.

J Dent Res, 1986 Dec, 65(12), 1392 - 401
Tight genetic linkage of a glucosyltransferase and dextranase of Streptococcus mutans GS-5; Burne RA et al.; A genetic library consisting of over 5000 clones with an average insert size of 6.9 kilobasepairs (kbp) of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 has been constructed in a bivalent plasmid vector pMK3, which is capable of replicating in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis . The recombinant plasmid pSUCRI, containing a 6.0 kbp fragment of S . mutans GS-5 DNA, was the focus of this study . Using Southern hybridization, in vitro and in vivo gene expression techniques, and biochemical analysis, this clone was shown to encode the 55 kiloDalton (kDal) GS-5 gtfA gene product, as well as a 38 and a 66 kDal polypeptide . In addition to the gtfA gene, pSUCRI encodes a dextranase activity with specificity for alpha(1----6)-linked glucans, and with no detectable activity on mutan . The dextranase enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of 66 kDal as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE analysis of the proteins produced by a dextranase-negative deletion derivative . The pH optimum of the enzyme was approximately 6.0, and there was no detectable activity below pH 5.0 . By subcloning various combinations of DNA fragments from pSUCRI, it was demonstrated that the dextranase gene (designated dexB) can be separated from the gtfA gene and still be efficiently expressed in both E . coli and B . subtilis . The dexB gene contained its own promoter and ribosome-binding site . The genetic linkage of the gtfA and dexB genes in the S . mutans GS-5 chromosome was confirmed by Southern hybridization and by the independent isolation of four distinct clones containing the gtfA gene and common flanking sequences . In addition to a glucosyltransferase and dextranase, an invertase-like activity is also encoded on pSUCRI, indicating that there is a cluster of genes on the S . mutans GS-5 chromosome which is devoted to the dissimilation of sucrose and concomitant synthesis or modification of glucans into a water-insoluble form, perhaps constituting an operon for glucan modification which can be coordinately regulated in response to environmental alterations.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Dec, 168(3), 1096 - 9
Ferrous iron transport in Streptococcus mutans; Evans SL et al.; Radioiron uptake from 59FeCl3 by Streptococcus mutans OMZ176 was increased by anaerobiosis, sodium ascorbate, and phenazine methosulfate (PMS), although there was a 10-min lag before PMS stimulation was evident . The reductant ascorbate may have provided ferrous iron . The PMS was reduced by the cells, and the reduced PMS then may have generated ferrous iron for transport; reduced PMS also may have depleted dissolved oxygen . We conclude that S . mutans transports only ferrous iron, utilizing reductants furnished by glucose metabolism to reduce iron prior to its uptake.

J Reprod Immunol, 1986 Dec, 9(4), 327 - 37
Formulation of a potential antipregnancy vaccine based on the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) . IV . The role of adjuvants in booster injections; Chang CC et al.; Experiments were conducted in rabbits to determine the effect of adjuvant use on the antibody response following booster injections . The antigen used was in all cases the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin linked to tetanus toxoid (beta-hCG-TT) . Adjuvants used were Al(OH)3, MDP analogs, and a streptococcus preparation, OK432 . Primary vaccinations included Al(OH)3 adjuvant with or without supplementary adjuvants . In general, the greater the antibody response following primary vaccination, the greater the response following booster vaccination whether or not adjuvant was used in the booster . No increment in antibody titers was found by reason of including MDP analogs in booster vaccinations . OK432, in contrast, gave increased responses in booster injections which were in several cases statistically significant . The value of including Al(OH)3 in booster injections is not clear from the experimental data . In no case was the increment due to its inclusion large.

FEBS Lett, 1986 Nov 24, 208(2), 435 - 8
Type 1 M protein of Streptococcus pyogenes . N-terminal sequence and peptic fragments; Moravek L et al.; Limited proteolysis of the surface of type 1 Streptococcus pyogenes by pepsin gives rise to fragment Pep M1 of Mr 20270 as the main product which covers the N-terminal part of the M protein . The amino acid sequence was determined of the N-terminal region of the M protein representing the most exposed part of the molecule on the surface fibrils of streptococcal cells, which seems to be very important for the differentiation of the individual serological types . The sequence differs from the homologous N-terminal sequences of types 5, 6 and 24, and shows a homology with sequences repeating in the chain of type 24 . Fragment Pep M1 binds to fibrinogen; the absence of its 30 N-terminal amino acid residues, however, abolishes this interaction which is believed to play a role in the virulence of S . pyogenes.

N Engl J Med, 1986 Nov 20, 315(21), 1318 - 27
Efficacy of pneumococcal vaccine in high-risk patients . Results of a Veterans Administration Cooperative Study; Simberkoff MS et al.; We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the efficacy of the 14-valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine in 2295 high-risk patients (patients with one or more of the following: age above 55 years and the presence of chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, or hepatic disease, alcoholism, or diabetes mellitus) . Seventy-one episodes of proved or probable pneumococcal pneumonia or bronchitis occurred among 63 of the patients (27 placebo recipients and 36 vaccine recipients) . Vaccine-serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were recovered in association with 11 infections in the placebo group and 14 infections in the vaccine group . Pneumococcal infections occurred most frequently among patients with chronic pulmonary, cardiac, or renal diseases . Among vaccine recipients who subsequently had vaccine-type pneumonia or bronchitis, the majority did not make or sustain serum antibodies against their infecting organism in concentrations that were twice as high as the base-line values, or more than 400 ng of antibody nitrogen per milliliter, although their base-line levels were higher than those in subjects in whom infection did not develop . We were unable to demonstrate any efficacy of the pneumococcal vaccine in preventing pneumonia or bronchitis in this population . Our data suggest that chronically ill patients, who are most susceptible to infection, may have an impaired immune response to the pneumococcal vaccine.

Carbohydr Res, 1986 Nov 15, 156, 69 - 77
Structural elucidation of a water-insoluble glucan produced by a cariogenic oral Streptococcus; Davis HM et al.; The structure of a water-insoluble polysaccharide produced by the D-glucosyl-transferase of Streptococcus mutans 6715 has been elucidated through periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, dextranase digestion, concanavalin A binding studies, and methylation combined with g.l.c.-m.s . analysis . These studies show that the D-glucan is comprised of 67% alpha-(1----3) linkages in a contiguous backbone with the remaining 33% as alpha-(1----6) linkages, possibly as linear residues extending from alpha-(1----6) branch points . Of the residues, 14% are branch points and the ratio of linear alpha-(1----3) residues in the backbone to alpha-(1----6) residues in the side chain was found to be 5:2 . Dextranase digestion and Smith degradation both gave rise to a high-molecular-weight fraction that is only alpha-(1----3) linked.

J Immunol Methods, 1986 Nov 6, 93(2), 275 - 83
In vitro stimulation prior to fusion generates antigen-binding human-human hybridomas; Wasserman RL et al.; Production of useful human monoclonal antibodies has been limited by the inability to reliably generate and isolate antigen-specific B cells by in vivo immunization . An in vitro culture system employing antigen and mitogen to stimulate lymphocytes derived from solid lymphoid organs has been developed . Human tonsilar or splenic lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro with antigen and mitogen in short term culture and then fused with either of two enzyme deficient human B cell lines . This approach appears to expand antigen-specific B cell clones prior to fusion resulting in the production of a significant number of antigen-binding human hybridoma antibodies . The system has been effective in the production of human monoclonal antibodies following stimulation with KLH-ARS, a soluble antigen, and intact group B streptococcus, a particulate antigen . Hybridomas have been produced by fusion with two distinct parental human B cell lines supporting the previously reported observation that human B lymphoblastoid cell lines representing different stages of B cell differentiation may be useful fusion partners . The utility of the in vitro stimulation system in producing human-human hybridomas secreting antibody directed against two distinct classes of antigens establishes this approach as a generally useful method for the production of human monoclonal antibodies.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Nov 5, 261(31), 14398 - 407
Studies on the structure and mechanism of Streptococcus faecium L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase; Claiborne A; An FAD-containing L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase has been purified to homogeneity from Streptococcus faecium . The purified protein exists as a dimer (subunit Mr = 65,000); each subunit contains 1 mol of FAD . The enzyme contains no iron, as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy . The alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase reacts reversibly with sulfite to form a covalent N(5) adduct; it preferentially binds the anionic form of the native oxidized FAD, and it also stabilizes the p-quinonoid form of 8-mercapto-FAD . The enzyme shows an unusually high reactivity with ferricyanide in the absence of oxygen; however, there is no evidence for any superoxide ion (O2-.) generation under standard assay conditions . Dithionite titrations of the enzyme reveal an unusual pH dependence for the stabilization of the flavin semiquinone; only at pH 8.5 does significant anionic semiquinone accumulate . L-alpha-Glycerophosphate rapidly reduces the enzyme-bound FAD; in addition, a small amount of catalytically insignificant red semiquinone appears under these conditions . The 5-deaza-FAD-reconstituted enzyme is also reduced by substrate, strongly suggesting that a radical mechanism is not involved in the oxidation of alpha-glycerophosphate . Furthermore, nitroethane anion reduces the native enzyme; this observation suggests that an electron transfer mechanism involving a substrate carbanion is possible with this enzyme.

An Esp Pediatr, 1986 Nov, 25(5), 317 - 21
{Importance of bacteremia in children less than 2 years old with fever without manifest focus}; Villa JR et al.; Authors studied the importance of occult bacteremia among children, under 24 months of age, presenting fever without localizing signs . 113 patients were studied, six had positive blood cultures (5.4%) . Agents identified were: N . meningitidis twice, E . coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridians and group B Streptococcus . Some clinical and laboratory data (body temperature, WBC count, neutrophil count and band count), were studied as predictors of bacteremia . None of these were statistically related to presence of bacteremia.

Arch Microbiol, 1986 Nov, 146(2), 118 - 24
Protonmotive force driven 6-deoxyglucose uptake by the oral pathogen, Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt; Keevil CW et al.; Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt was grown in glucose-excess continuous culture to repress the glucose phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (PTS) and allow investigation of the alternative glucose process using the non-PTS substrate, (3H) 6-deoxyglucose . After correcting for non-specific adsorption to inactivated cells, the radiolabelled glucose analogue was found to be concentrated approximately 4.3-fold intracellularly by bacteria incubated in 100 mM Tris-citrate buffer, pH 7.0 . Mercaptoethanol or KCl enhanced 6-deoxyglucose uptake, enabling it to be concentrated internally by at least 8-fold, but NaCl was inhibitory to its transport . Initial uptake was antagonised by glucose but not 2-deoxyglucose . Evidence that 6-deoxyglucose transport was driven by protonmotive force (delta p) was obtained by inhibiting its uptake with the protonophores, 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazine, gramicidin and nigericin, and the electrical potential difference (delta psi) dissipator, KSCN . The membrane ATPase inhibitor, N,N1-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, also reduced 6-deoxyglucose uptake as did 100 mM lactate . In combination, these two inhibitors completely abolished 6-deoxyglucose transport . This suggests that the driving force for 6-deoxyglucose uptake is electrogenic, involving both the transmembrane pH gradient (delta pH) and delta psi . ATP hydrolysis, catalysed by the ATPase, and lactate excretion might be important contributors to delta pH.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Nov, 30(5), 810 - 2
Tetracycline resistance and tetM in pathogenic urogenital bacteria; Roberts MC et al.; Clinical isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Bacteroides spp., and Mobiluncus spp . were screened for resistance to tetracycline and for the presence of the streptococcal tetM determinant . The S . agalactiae and G . vaginalis strains contained DNA sequences homologous to the tetM determinant, while strains of the other two genera did not.

J Pediatr Surg, 1986 Nov, 21(11), 1000 - 4
Serial immunologic and histopathologic studies in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis with combined immunodeficiency by a bovine thymic extract (thymostimulin); Lin CY et al.; A 25-day-old Chinese female baby developed necrotizing fasciitis (NF) with indurated erythematous patches with superficial necrosis over two thirds of the back . Skin cultures of the lesions yielded Streptococcus pyogenes, enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species . The patient had lymphopenia with low T cells and T cell subsets . The lymphoproliferative response to mitogen and macrophage migration (MIF) production were also poor . Her lymphocytes were unable to produce IgG in vitro . Also, IgG bearing cells were not demonstrable . The initial lymph node biopsy demonstrated an absence of follicular formation and depletion of lymphocytes in both thymic-dependent and thymic-independent areas . Five weeks after bovine thymic extract (Thymostimulin) treatment, a second lymph node biopsy demonstrated germinal centers containing IgG bearing cells . Three weeks later, a third lymph node biopsy showed germinal centers with cuffs of lymphocytes . Differentiation of the cortex and medulla of the node was demonstrated . IgG was also detectable in an in vitro Ig synthesis study . The total T cells, T cell subsets, lymphoproliferative response MIF production also increased gradually after Thymostimulin treatment . This investigation demonstrated the therapeutic effectiveness of Thymostimulin in NF with underlying combined immuno-deficiency, both serious and frequently fetal diseases, by the histologic and immunologic reconstitution of T and B cell function.

J Hand Surg {Am}, 1986 Nov, 11(6), 844 - 6
Abscesses of the hand associated with otopharyngeal infections in children; Pruzansky ME et al.; Abscesses of the hand associated with otopharyngeal infections are extremely rare in children . One case each of Hemophilus influenzae otitis media and beta hemolytic Streptococcus pharyngitis associated with infection of the thenar space and the extensor tenosynovium and dorsal subaponeurotic space, respectively, are reported . Surgical decompression is recommended if there is not marked improvement after a brief trial of intravenous antibiotics.

J Dairy Res, 1986 Nov, 53(4), 507 - 14
Influence of the lactoperoxidase system on susceptibility of the udder to Streptococcus uberis infection; Marshall VM et al.; Lactoperoxidase (LP), thiocyanate (SCN-), pH and somatic cell counts (SCC) were measured in mammary secretions from 20 cows collected 14 d before drying-off, 7 and 21 d after drying-off, and 3-18 d postcalving . The inhibitory activity of the secretions on Streptococcus uberis was determined and the susceptibility of the udder to infection by this organism was tested by intramammary infusion of 250 colony forming units at the above stages . LP, SCN-, pH and SCC increased during involution and fell postcalving . The secretions collected before drying-off, 7 d after drying-off and postcalving inhibited growth of Str . uberis.; those collected 21 d after drying-off did not . Inhibitory activity in pre-drying-off secretions was destroyed by heating and restored by addition of LP, glucose and glucose oxidase, but addition of these substances to secretion 21 d after drying-off did not provide a full inhibitory system . The growth of Str . uberis in the secretions was correlated with intramammary susceptibility, since challenges with Str . uberis at 14 d before drying-off, at 7 and 21 d after drying-off and postcalving led to 43.8, 25.0, 81.3 and 37.5% of quarters becoming infected . It is suggested that the LP/SCN-/H2O2 system plays a role in protecting the lactating mammary gland from infection with Str . uberis but becomes ineffective as involution progresses.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Nov, 168(2), 541 - 7
Autoradiographic studies of chromosome replication during the cell cycle of Streptococcus faecium; Higgins ML et al.; Analysis of the distribution of autoradiographic grains around cells of Streptococcus faecium which had been either continuously or pulse-labeled with tritiated thymidine (mass doubling time, 90 min) showed a non-Poisson distribution even when the distribution of cell sizes in the populations studied was taken into account . These non-Poisson distributions of grains were assumed to reflect the discontinuous nature of chromosome replication . To study this discontinuous process further, we fitted an equation to the grain distribution observed for the pulse-labeled cells that assumed that in any population of cells there were subpopulations in which there were zero, one, or two replicating chromosomes . This analysis predicted an average time for chromosome replication and for the period between completion of rounds of chromosome replication and division of 55 and 43 min, respectively, which were in excellent agreement with estimates made by other techniques . The present investigation extended past studies in indicating that the initiation and completion of rounds of chromosome replication are poorly phased with increases in cell volume and that the amount of chromosome replication may be different in different cell halves.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1986 Nov, 134(5), 1040 - 4
Adherence of type I Streptococcus pneumoniae to tracheal epithelium of mice infected with influenza A/PR8 virus; Plotkowski MC et al.; Bacterial adherence to virus-infected respiratory tract cells may be one of the several mechanisms whereby virus predisposes to bacterial pneumonia . To evaluate the effect of influenza virus infection on pneumococcus adhesion, 39 mice were infected with PR8/A influenza virus . The adherence of radiolabeled pneumococcus to mice tracheal cells was determined 2, 4, and 6 days after viral inoculation . The pneumococcal adhesion to infected tracheas was significantly enhanced on Day 6 (p less than 0.001) . Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that by the fourth and sixth days after virus inoculation, the ciliated and the secretory cells of the tracheal epithelium had desquamated and the mucosa were coated with a continuous layer of basal cells . In a few cases, a desquamation of the basal layer was observed and the exposed basement membrane appeared as a pole of attraction for bacteria . Pneumococci were never seen attached to control tracheas . In contrast, they were observed adhered to the microvilli of the basal cells and, to a greater extent, to the exposed basement membrane.

J Am Acad Dermatol, 1986 Nov, 15(5 Pt 2), 1120 - 2
Livedo reticularis and purpura: presenting features in fulminant pneumococcal septicemia in an asplenic patient; Rusonis PA et al.; We report a case of pneumococcal septicemia in an asplenic, otherwise healthy, 31-year-old patient . He presented with a viral prodrome and skin findings of purpura and livedo reticularis . Blood cultures identified Streptococcus pneumoniae . Rapid initiation of appropriate therapy resulted in resolution of the infection and clearing of all skin signs.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 421 - 7
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for adhesion: isolation of an adhesin of Streptococcus sanguis FW213; Elder BL et al.; Monoclonal antibodies reactive to an adhesive strain of Streptococcus sanguis (FW213) and nonreactive to a nonadhesive mutant (JL7) were derived from the fusion of myeloma line X63Ag8.653 and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with live S . sanguis cells . Five cell lines, belonging to subclasses of immunoglobulin G, produced monoclonal antibodies specifically directed against the adhesive strain . All five antibodies also failed to react with five additional, independently isolated, nonadhesive mutants . A spontaneous mutant of FW213 (VT508) that no longer reacted with monoclonal antibody F51 (MAbF51) was isolated by serial agglutination with the antibody . Langmuir adsorption isotherms of VT508 indicated that this mutant also had altered ability to adhere to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite further confirming the specificity of MAbF51 for adhesion . Electron microscopy revealed that VT508 had lost the peritrichous fimbriae associated with the adhesion of FW213 . MAbF51 was used to purify the adhesin from lysozyme cell extracts by using an affinity column of MAbF51 linked to Sephacryl S1000 . Purity was suggested by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) . The adhesin had a molecular weight greater than 150,000 and was not denatured in sodium dodecyl sulfate reducing gels . Two peaks of near electrophoretic mobility were detected in CIEP when the purified material was run against polyclonal antibody to the whole cell . Tandem CIEP analysis and immunoprecipitation provided evidence that the two peaks represented the same antigen in two different forms.

Acta Paediatr Scand, 1986 Nov, 75(6), 993 - 8
Infective endocarditis in Swedish children . I . Incidence, etiology, underlying factors and port of entry of infection; Schollin J et al.; A retrospective study of Swedish children with infective endocarditis (IE) during the period 1971-80 was made . Sixty-six instances were identified in 64 children (0.39 cases per 100,000 children per year) . Fifty (78%) had a previously known heart disease . Most commonly this was a ventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot . Seventy-one percent had positive blood cultures . Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus aureus were most commonly isolated . Twenty-two percent of the children had undergone previous cardiac surgery . One case closely followed cardiac surgery and in only nine children could a definite port of entry of infection be demonstrated.

Obstet Gynecol Surv, 1986 Nov, 41(11), 672 - 4
Severe pneumococcal peritonitis complicating IUD: case report and review of the literature; Goldman JA et al.; PIP: A case of a woman with pneumococcal peritonitis 3 months after insertion of a Nova-T copper IUD is described and the 5 other cases in the literature are reviewed . The 38-year old woman was multiparous, and had no related history other than recurrent right nephrolithotomy . She had acute peritonitis of 8 hours duration when admitted, with acute abdominal pain, fever, tachycardia and hypertension . She was treated with penicillin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol, and the IUD was removed . Her blood pressure fell to 70/40 and she developed acidosis and septic shock . Laparotomy, drainage, continued antibiotics, artificial ventilation and intensive hemodynamic treatment for 3 days were necessary to reverse coma and respiratory distress . Primary pneumococcal peritonitis only occurs in girls; in women it is though to arise from IUDs, pelvic infection or perhaps from the bowel . The other cases showed no preference for any type of IUD (3 Lippes loops, 1 Dalkon shield and 1 Gravigard) or length of use (1.5-5.5 years) . 1 of the women died, and another had recurrent pneumococcal peritonitis . Therapy should include surgical drainage, instillation of antibiotics, and removal of the IUD .

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1986 Nov-Dec, 5(6), 660 - 2
Low prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the oropharynx of adolescents; Neinstein LS et al.; This study determined the prevalence rates of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the oropharynx of adolescents with and without pharyngitis . One hundred teenagers with and without symptoms of pharyngitis were cultured for C . trachomatis . Swabs were taken from the oropharynx and tonsillar areas for direct fluorescent antibody assay and cell culture . Of the 100 adolescents enrolled in the study 55% had a history of pharyngitis and 45% had no pharyngeal symptoms; 29% were male and 71% were female . The mean age was 15.5 years . Forty-two percent had a history of sexual intercourse, and 11.5% described a history of oral-genital sex . Only one 14-year-old female with a 2-week history of a sore throat had a positive culture . Her direct fluorescent antibody assay was inconclusive and the throat culture for Group A Streptococcus was negative . She had no history of sexual activity . The overall prevalence rate in the 100 adolescents was 1% with a 1.8% prevalence in the symptomatic group and 0 in the asymptomatic group . Of the symptomatic adolescents 39 had cultures for Group A Streptococcus and 8 (20.5%) were positive . The results of this study suggest that C . trachomatis is a rare inhabitant of the oropharynx in adolescents and is not a common cause of pharyngitis.

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1986 Nov-Dec, 5(6), 655 - 9
Clinical performance and effect on treatment rates of latex agglutination testing for streptococcal pharyngitis in an emergency department; Lieu TA et al.; Of 556 children with symptoms of streptococcal pharyngitis in a pediatric hospital emergency department, 38.8% had positive results on either a rapid latex agglutination test or throat culture for Group A Streptococcus . Twenty-six percent of patients with negative latex agglutination test results had growth on culture of a paired specimen . Under the best assumption rapid test sensitivity was 44.9% . The treatment rate (84%) for cases detected by the rapid test was markedly higher than the rate (44%) for cases detected only by culture (P less than 0.001), presumably because the rapid test result is available sooner . We conclude that: the rapid test had a lower sensitivity in routine use in our pediatric emergency department population than in previous reports from research settings; and using the rapid test in addition to culture can significantly increase treatment rates.

J Clin Immunol, 1986 Nov, 6(6), 433 - 41
Serial studies on the cellular immune response to streptococcal antigens in acute and convalescent rheumatic fever patients in Trinidad; Read SE et al.; Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) has the characteristics of an autoimmune disease, triggered by cross-reactive antigens shared by the group A streptococcus and a variety of tissues including the heart, endothelium, and basal ganglia . Using two parameters of cellular reactivity, migration inhibition and blastogenic transformation, ARF patients from Trinidad show significant lymphocyte reactivity to streptococcal antigens, particularly those from an ARF associated streptococcal strain . This reactivity, studied over a 2-year period, peaked at 1 to 6 months after the acute onset and remained significantly elevated for at least 2 years . The reactivity is directed mainly toward a nonionic detergent extractable material in the cell membrane . These studies suggest a possible streptococcal strain specificity in ARF and demonstrate persistent sensitization, which explains the increased susceptibility to recurrences in the 2 years following the acute episode.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1986 Nov, 86(5), 682 - 5
Propionibacterium acnes cerebral botryomycosis . The role of plastic embedding in the diagnosis of grain-producing infections; Schwartz DA et al.; Botryomycosis is a chronic infection in which bacterial colonies, or "grains," occur in purulent exudate associated with draining sinus tracts or abscess formation . This condition usually is caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, but other organisms occasionally have been implicated . This report describes the first case of botryomycosis caused by Propionibacterium acnes, a diphtheroid that has been rarely associated with opportunistic disease . In this case, plastic embedding allowed the observation of the structural details of the organisms composing the grains and permitted their presumptive identification as diphtheroids . The differential diagnosis of infectious agents that produce grains in tissue sections also will be discussed.

J Pediatr, 1986 Nov, 109(5), 747 - 52
Viral and bacterial organisms associated with acute pharyngitis in a school-aged population; McMillan JA et al.; To investigate the causes and clinical characteristics of acute pharyngitis among school-aged children (4 to 18 years), we obtained throat cultures for respiratory viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, group A streptococcus, and Chlamydia trachomatis from 320 patients with sore throat and 308 controls without respiratory complaints . The study was conducted from January to April 1985 in a private pediatric practice in central New York State . Sixty percent of the patients and 26% of the control subjects had positive cultures for at least one organism . Forty percent of patients had positive cultures for group A streptococcus, compared with 11.9% of the controls . Fifty (16%) patients had positive viral cultures, compared with eight (2.6%) controls; the predominant viral isolate was influenza A Philippines . Patients infected with influenza A were significantly more likely to complain of cough and hoarseness, and were less likely to have pharyngeal exudate or tender cervical adenopathy, than were patients who had positive cultures for group A streptococcus . Although 49 (15.8%) patients with acute pharyngitis had cultures positive for M . pneumoniae, 53 (17.6%) asymptomatic controls were also had M . pneumoniae-positive cultures . Thus detection of M . pneumoniae in the throat of school-aged children with pharyngitis may not be sufficient to establish a diagnosis of disease caused by this organism . C . trachomatis was not isolated from any patient or control.

J Exp Med, 1986 Nov 1, 164(5), 1641 - 51
Conversion of an M- group A streptococcus to M+ by transfer of a plasmid containing an M6 gene; Scott JR et al.; An M28-derived group A streptococcal strain deleted for the gene encoding M protein was converted to M+ by introduction of a plasmid carrying emm6, the structural gene for type 6 M protein from strain D471 . The reconstituted M+ strain, JRS2, resists phagocytosis in human blood and is opsonized by anti-M6 hyperimmune serum, but not by anti-M28 serum . Immunofluorescent microscopy and ELISA demonstrate the presence of M protein on its surface . In addition, JRS2 removes opsonic antibodies from hyperimmune rabbit sera generated by immunization with purified ColiM6 protein and with a synthetic amino-terminal peptide derived from M6 . Immunization of rabbits with JRS2 generates opsonic anti-M6 antibodies . These results indicate that the cloned emm6 gene contains the information necessary to convert a phagocytosis-sensitive streptococcus to phagocytosis resistance . Furthermore, it also contains the determinants for M type specificity and those required to elicit opsonic antibodies . It thus appears to determine all the traits associated with M protein.

Am J Dis Child, 1986 Nov, 140(11), 1183 - 5
Pneumococcal carriage and type-specific antibody . Failure of a 14-valent vaccine to reduce carriage in healthy children; Douglas RM et al.; No consistent effect on nasal carriage rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae belonging to vaccine types was observed during a randomized, controlled trial of a 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine, which included 1273 Australian children aged 6 to 54 months . Nasal carriage of S pneumoniae was associated with a significantly elevated homotypic serum antibody concentration for types 18C, 19F, and 23F, but not for types 6A and 14 (these five types are the most important causes of pneumococcal infections in children) . Upper respiratory tract carriage seems to play an important role in natural acquisition of antibody to some but not all pneumococcal serotypes . These findings help to explain why pneumococcal vaccine fails to protect young children from acute otitis media.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Nov, 154(5), 801 - 7
Mechanisms of successful amoxicillin prophylaxis of experimental endocarditis due to Streptococcus intermedius; Moreillon P et al.; Prophylaxis with amoxicillin (40 mg/kg) was studied in rats with aortic valve vegetations . Bacteria on the valves were quantitated early (10 min to 6 hr) and late (three days) after intravenous challenge with tolerant Streptococcus intermedius . Amoxicillin reduced by 40% the number of bacteria per valve 10 min after intravenous challenge with 10(5) S . intermedius (P less than .05) and by 74% the incidence of endocarditis three days thereafter (P less than .0001) . Bacterial multiplication started 2 hr after challenge in control rats, whereas bacteria disappeared in 6 hr in amoxicillin-treated rats . Intravenous penicillinase 30 min after challenge abolished successful amoxicillin prophylaxis, a result demonstrating the necessity of prolonged growth inhibition for protection . Growth inhibition for 18 hr (two subsequent amoxicillin doses) was necessary for protection after intravenous challenge with 10(5) S . intermedius . Thus, in the absence of bacterial killing, inhibition of valvular colonization by amoxicillin was not as important a mechanism of endocarditis prophylaxis as was prolonged inhibition of bacterial growth, which allowed adherent bacteria to be cleared from the valves.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 543 - 8
Strong mitogenic effect for murine B lymphocytes of an immunosuppressor substance released by Streptococcus intermedius; Arala-Chaves MP et al.; A noncytotoxic protein substance, produced by Streptococcus intermedius, with very potent immunosuppressive properties (F3'EP-Si) was tested for lymphocyte mitogenic activity . Although devoid of T-cell mitogenicity, F3'EP-Si stimulated proliferation and led to high numbers of plaque-forming cells in cultures of normal or T-cell-depleted, small or large splenic B cells from both lipopolysaccharide-responding and -nonresponding mice . The B-cell mitogenic activity of F3'EP-Si was quantitatively comparable to that of lipopolysaccharide, and the simultaneous exposure to both mitogens stimulated additive B-cell responses . Injection of F3'EP-Si into normal mice resulted in increased numbers of spleen cells, higher rates of mitotic activity, and very large numbers of plaque-forming cells, predominantly of the immunoglobulin G2a and -b isotypes . In preliminary experiments, the analysis of surface markers among the lymphocytes participating in the blastogenic response in vivo revealed a T-cell component in the response to F3'EP-Si . These observations are discussed in the context of the immunosuppressive activity of this and other microbial substances.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 Nov, 5(4), 341 - 4
In vitro activity of CI-934, a new quinolone antimicrobial, against gram-positive bacteria; Eliopoulos GM et al.; The in vitro activity of CI-934, a new quinolone antimicrobial, was compared with that of ciprofloxacin against selected gram-positive bacteria . Concentrations of CI-934 required to inhibit 90% of strains (MIC90) were twofold to eightfold lower than those of ciprofloxacin . With the exception of Streptococcus faecium, all isolates were inhibited by CI-934 at concentrations less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Nov, 154(5), 760 - 9
Lack of a requirement for the Fc region of IgG in restoring pneumococcal opsonization via the alternative complement pathway in sickle cell disease; Bjornson AB et al.; Children with sickle cell disease have reduced serum opsonization of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Our previous studies have suggested that opsonization mediated by both the alternative and classic complement pathways is reduced because of a deficiency of IgG antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide . This study compares the ability of purified IgG (fractionated from goat antiserum to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide) and F(ab')2 fragments of the IgG preparation to restore alternative pathway-mediated opsonization of S . pneumoniae to sera from patients with sickle cell disease . Both the whole IgG preparation and F(ab')2 fragments of this preparation restored opsonization to normal levels and concomitantly increased alternative pathway-mediated deposition of C3 onto the pneumococci to a supranormal level . These results suggest that enhancement of opsonization is mediated by the F(ab')2 region of IgG antibody to capsular polysaccharide and is associated with an increase in complement deposition on the bacterial surface.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 448 - 55
Rabbit antibodies to the cell wall polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae fail to protect mice from lethal challenge with encapsulated pneumococci; Szu SC et al.; A conjugate, composed of the cell wall polysaccharide (C polysaccharide) of Streptococcus pneumoniae and bovine serum albumin (BSA), was prepared with the bifunctional agent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)-propionate . Analysis with monoclonal antibodies provided evidence that the phosphocholine (PC) moiety of the C polysaccharide was retained during the conjugation procedure . The C polysaccharide-BSA conjugate elicited antibodies to C polysaccharide in rabbits; no PC-specific antibodies were detected in globulins prepared from these hyperimmune sera obtained early and late after a second immunization . Rabbit hyperimmune sera were taken after multiple intravenous injections of the pneumococcus strain SRC-2, which has a capsulelike structure composed of the C polysaccharide . Globulin prepared from these antisera had both C polysaccharide- and PC-specific antibodies . Antibodies to C polysaccharide elicited by the C polysaccharide-BSA conjugate failed to protect mice against intraperitoneal challenge with a strain of type 3 or type 6A pneumococci . The anti-SRC-2 globulin conferred protection against both of these pneumococcal strains . Absorption of the SRC-2 globulin with C polysaccharide, however, failed to change its protective activity . These data provide evidence that antibodies to the C polysaccharide do not confer immunity against infection of mice with encapsulated pneumococci inoculated by the intraperitoneal route.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 273 - 82
Transformation of Streptococcus mutans with chromosomal and shuttle plasmid (pYA629) DNAs; Murchison HH et al.; Transformation (i.e., DNase-sensitive genetic transfer) of strains of Streptococcus mutans representing serotypes c and e was accomplished by using chromosomal DNA from a Rifr Strr Spcr isolate of strain GS5 (UAB525) and a chimeric plasmid, pYA629 . Shuttle plasmid pYA629 comprises the S . mutans plasmid pVA318, an inducible erythromycin resistance determinant originally isolated from a group A streptococcal strain, the tetracycline resistance gene and replication region of the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322, and the promoter region of the S . mutans gene for aspartate beta-semialdehyde dehydrogenase . The strains examined for recipient ability included those known to lack a cryptic plasmid (GS5, UA130, UA159, and MT8148) and those known to contain a widely disseminated 5.8-kilobase cryptic plasmid (LM7, V318, UA101, UA174, and 3098791) . The transformation frequencies in GS5 for GS5 chromosomal antibiotic resistance markers were comparable to those reported by others, but UA101, UA130, UA159 and UA174 were transformed with both chromosomal and plasmid markers at much higher efficiencies . In a larger strain survey, strains containing the 5.8-kilobase cryptic plasmid were more frequently transformable with both chromosomal and pYA629 DNAs than were strains lacking this cryptic plasmid . All plasmid-containing strains except LM7 lost their resident cryptic plasmids when transformed with pYA629 . LM7 transformed with pYA629 retained pLM7 . There are therefore at least two incompatibility groups among S . mutans cryptic plasmids . yPA629 DNA isolated from either E . coli or S . mutans transformed S . mutans with equal efficiency . pYA629 DNA isolated from S . mutans transformed both restriction-deficient and restriction-proficient E . coli recipients . Therefore, the strains of S . mutans used lack a restriction-modification system for pYA629 DNA sequences . S . mutans strains that are readily transformable, display maximal cariogenicity in gnotobiotic rats, and give high scores for in vitro measures of important virulence attributes have been identified to facilitate studies on the genetic basis and control of virulence.

Scand J Immunol, 1986 Nov, 24(5), 549 - 57
Isolation and characterization of type IIa and type IIb Fc receptors from a group A streptococcus; Yarnall M et al.; Certain group A streptococcal strains have been reported to express two distinct type II receptors that bind to the Fc region of human IgG . In this study, we have isolated and characterized these two type II Fc receptors and characterized their reactivity with differing species of IgG . The type IIa receptor was found to be a 56,000 molecular weight protein which binds human IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, in addition to pig and rabbit IgG . The type IIb receptor was found to be a 38,000 molecular weight protein that bound exclusively to human IgG3 . Neither the type IIa nor the type IIb receptor bound to goat, cow, dog, rat, or sheep IgG . Monospecific polyclonal antibodies were prepared against both the type IIa and type IIb Fc receptors . These antibodies demonstrated that the type IIa and type IIb were antigenically closely related and could not be distinguished from each other on the basis of their reactivity with either antibody . The distribution of type IIa and type IIb Fc receptors on a variety of different nephritogenic and non-nephritogenic group A streptococcal strains was documented.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986 Oct 30, 140(2), 684 - 90
Sequence homology of group A streptococcal Pep M5 protein with other coiled-coil proteins; Manjula BN et al.; Group A streptococcal Pep M5 protein, an antiphagocytic determinant of the bacteria, is an alpha-helical coiled-coil molecule, and exhibits significant sequence homology with tropomyosin and myosin, but to a lesser degree with other coiled-coil proteins . Moreover, Pep M5 is more homologous to myosin than to tropomyosin, and the homologies are more numerous between the C-terminal domain of the Pep M5 protein and the S2 fragment of myosin . The C-terminal domain of the Pep M5 protein exhibits extensive sequence identity with the C-terminal region of Pep M6 molecule, another M protein serotype . Thus, regions within two M protein serotypes are homologous to the S2 region of the myosin molecule . These observations are consistent with the immunological findings of other investigators and thus may explain some of the previously reported immunological cross-reactions between antigens of the group A streptococcus and mammalian heart tissue.

Carbohydr Res, 1986 Oct 15, 154, 229 - 38
Inhibition- and acceptor-reaction studies of Streptococcus mutans 6715 glucosyltransferases with 3-deoxysucrose, 3-deoxy-3-fluorosucrose, and alpha-D-allopyranosyl beta-D-fructofuranoside; Binder TP et al.; Three new sucrose analogs modified at C-3 have been studied as inhibitors and substrates for the glucosyltransferases (glucansucrases) of Streptococcus mutans 6715 . Although none of the analogs were found to be substrates for polymer synthesis with either the soluble-polysaccharide producing enzyme, GTF-S, or the insoluble-polysaccharide producing enzyme, GTF-I, 3-deoxysucrose and 3-deoxy-3-fluorosucrose were able to donate glycosyl residues for acceptor reactions with both enzymes . Modification at C-3 considerably decreased the binding at the active site of both enzymes, since all of the analogs had inhibition constants at least one order of magnitude greater than the Km value for sucrose.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1986 Oct, 39(10), 2710 - 5
{Clinical studies on T-2588 in the field of otorhinolaryngology}; Kawasaki Y et al.; From clinical studies on T-2588, an oral ester type cephem, the following results were obtained . Ten patients with acute tonsillitis, 3 with acute pharyngolaryngitis, 2 with acute sinusitis, 1 with acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis and 2 with acute exacerbation of chronic otitis media were treated with T-2588 at a daily dose of 300 or 600 mg . Clinical responses were excellent in 12, good in 4, fair in 1 and poor in 1 . Clinical efficacy was 88.9% . Bacteriologically, all isolates except one strain of S . aureus were eliminated . Clinical efficacies classified by clinical isolates correlated well with bacteriological efficacies . The MICs of T-2525 against clinical isolates were determined and compared with those of cephalexin, cefaclor and amoxicillin . The T-2525 showed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including S . pneumoniae, H . influenzae and beta-Streptococcus, but the activity of T-2525 against S . aureus was similar to that of the other antibiotics examined . Neither side effect nor abnormal laboratory finding was observed.

Can J Vet Res, 1986 Oct, 50(4), 537 - 9
Isolation of Streptococcus suis using a selective medium; Rosendal S et al.; A selective medium containing tryptic soy agar, 5% defibrinated bovine blood, crystal violet, nalidixic acid and gentamicin significantly improved the isolation rate of Streptococcus suis from tonsilar tissue of slaughtered pigs . Ninety-five percent of the S . suis isolates identified in Guelph were confirmed as S . suis in Copenhagen, but only six out of 21 isolates typed as capsular serotype 2 in Guelph were confirmed to possess serotype 2 antigen in Copenhagen . Sixty-four percent of the S . suis isolates were not typable within the current scheme of capsular serotypes from 1 to 13 and type 1/2.

J Exp Med, 1986 Oct 1, 164(4), 971 - 80
Streptococcal M protein size mutants occur at high frequency within a single strain; Fischetti VA et al.; Streptococcal M protein, the antiphagocytic molecule on the surface of the organism, was previously found to exhibit extensive size heterogeneity between as well as within M serotypes . In this study, methods were devised to isolate M protein size mutants within a laboratory-grown culture . We were able to isolate three independent M protein deletion mutants and one additional mutant, which was derived from the first deletion mutant . We found that these deletion mutants occur at a frequency of approximately 1 in 2 X 10(3) CFUs in culture . Functional studies revealed that the deletion mutants were able to survive as well as the parental strain in human blood . They also had the determinants necessary to absorb opsonic antibodies as well as the parent . Pepsin digestion experiments localized the deletions within the N-terminal half of the M molecule, which is distal to the cell wall surface . This is the region of the molecule in which extensive sequence repeats are found . This is consistent with the suggestion that the size changes may be the result of homologous recombination between the repeat regions in the gene . These results support the idea that strains showing M protein size variation within successive clinical isolates from single patients may be derived from the initial infecting organisms, and are not the result of separate unrelated acquisitions of the same serotype . This size change may be important in the survival of the streptococcus in vivo.

Infect Immun, 1986 Oct, 54(1), 233 - 8
Role of NADH oxidase in the oxidative inactivation of Streptococcus salivarius fructosyltransferase; Abbe K et al.; A cell-associated fructosyltransferase produced by Streptococcus salivarius was irreversibly inactivated in a time-dependent manner when resting or permeabilized cell suspensions were incubated with low concentrations (less than 1.0 microM) of copper . In addition to copper, the inactivation was dependent on oxygen and on a fermentable carbon source (endogenous intracellular polysaccharide or glucose) . In starved, permeabilized cell suspensions, the fermentable carbon source could be replaced by NADH but not by NADPH or ATP . Of several other S . salivarius enzymes tested, only fructosyltransferase was inactivated under these conditions . The available evidence indicated that NADH oxidase is the enzyme responsible for fructosyltransferase inactivation . Results from oxygen radical scavenger studies implicated one or more species of oxygen radicals and hydrogen peroxide in the inactivation reaction.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1986 Oct, 39(10), 2557 - 78
{Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from surgical infections (first report)}; Yura J et al.; In vitro activities of several antimicrobial agents against bacterial pathogens isolated from patients with primary and postoperative infections were investigated in 1982 and 1983 . Antimicrobial agents examined were as follows: sulbenicillin (SBPC), piperacillin (PIPC), cephalothin (CET), cefazolin (CEZ), cefmetazole (CMZ), cefotiam (CTM), cefoperazone (CPZ), cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX), latamoxef (LMOX), lincomycin (LCM), gentamicin (GM) and amikacin (AMK) . Specimens for bacterial isolation included plus, fluid drawn by centesis, or bile . Blood samples of septicemia were excluded . The antimicrobial activities of these drugs were determined by the agar plate dilution method of the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy . There were 123 strains obtained in the 1982 survey and 252 strains in the 1983 survey . Little or no differences were seen in frequencies of isolation between the isolates of principal species in 1982 and those in 1983 . Isolation frequencies of pathogens in primary infections were, in an order of decreasing frequency, E . coli (25.6%), anaerobes (21.1%), Streptococcus sp . (14.3%), Staphylococcus sp . (11.3%); in postoperative infections, Streptococcus sp . was most frequent (28.6%), followed by Pseudomonas sp . (17.6%), anaerobes (12.6%), E . coli (10.9%), Staphylococcus (10.1%) . Against S . aureus, CEZ, CTM, LCM and GM had similar degree of activity with CET being somewhat more active . CMX was the most active drug among the third generation cephems tested against S . aureus . No strain was CTM, CEZ, and LCM-resistant at the same time . Over 90% of E . coli, were sensitive to CTX, CZX and CMX, inhibited by 0.10 microgram/ml, while E . coli were slightly less susceptible to CPZ and LMOX . Penicillins were not very active against K . pneumoniae, and only 60% of K . pneumoniae were inhibited by PIPC at concentrations of 12.5 micrograms/ml . Third generation cephems, CTX, CMX and CZX, proved highly active against K . pneumoniae; over 90% of K . pneumoniae was inhibited by CTX, CMX and CZX at a concentration of 0.10 microgram/ml . About 60% of P . aeruginosa was inhibited by 3.13 micrograms/ml of PIPC and GM but was resistant to SBPC . This survey should be very useful for the selection of an appropriate drug for prophylaxis if the frequencies of incidences of pathogens in postoperative infections are taken into account in selecting the most active antibiotic agent(s) against the most frequent genus, genera and species of pathogens.

Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 1986 Oct, 10(5), 517 - 20
Oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by bronchopulmonary washings: role of bacteria; Miyakawa H et al.; The synergistic effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on the incidence of upper respiratory cancer may be linked to their common ability to produce acetaldehyde, an irritant and potential mutagen . Since alcohol consumption in most individuals results in very low concentrations of acetaldehyde in the blood, we determined whether bronchopulmonary cellular components are capable of oxidizing ethanol to acetaldehyde . We found that significant production of acetaldehyde occurred in vitro after incubation of human bronchopulmonary washings with 25 mM ethanol . Acetaldehyde production was increased in active smokers and related to microorganisms in the bronchopulmonary tract . It was abolished by preincubation of the washings with antibiotics and was reproduced in vitro with Streptococcus pneumoniae . Normal pulmonary cells in bronchopulmonary washings did not produce acetaldehyde from ethanol.

Gastrointest Endosc, 1986 Oct, 32(5), 342 - 6
Bacteremia with gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures; Botoman VA et al.; The authors have reviewed 40 prospective studies of bacteremia with gastrointestinal procedures . Endoscopic procedures with a low mean frequency of bacteremia were esophagogastroduodenoscopy (4.2%), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (5.6%), colonoscopy (2.2%), and sigmoidoscopy (4.9%) . A higher mean frequency of bacteremia was encountered with esophageal dilation (45%) and variceal sclerotherapy (31%), although the number of patients studied was small . Potentially pathogenic organisms, such as Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis have been isolated . Recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis are reviewed . Less cumbersome regimens encourage compliance and are preferred.

Infect Immun, 1986 Oct, 54(1), 202 - 6
Passive transfer of mucosal antibody to Streptococcus equi in the foal; Galan JE et al.; Passive transfer of mucosal antibody to Streptococcus equi was studied in foals during the first 2 months of life . Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies were found in sera and nasal secretions of foals shortly after colostrum intake . Titers were highest 2 days after birth; IgG predominated in sera, and IgA predominated in nasal washes . Intragastrically administered 99mTc-labeled IgA was transported from the bloodstream to the nasal mucosa of a newborn foal within a few hours of colostrum intake . Western blot analysis of the specificities of colostral and serum antibodies showed that selective transfer of immunoglobulins of defined specificity did not occur . Antibodies from milk samples taken a month or more into lactation had different specificities than those of colostrum or serum samples . Acid-extracted M protein fragments of S . equi recognized by milk antibodies were the same as those recognized by IgG and IgA from nasopharyngeal mucus of horses recently recovered from strangles . We postulate that passive antibody protection of the foal is derived both by secretion of colostral immunoglobulins onto the nasopharyngeal mucosa and by immunoglobulins ingested in milk that directly coat the upper respiratory and oral mucosa during the first months of life.

Cell Immunol, 1986 Oct 1, 102(1), 126 - 35
Mechanism of NK activation by OK-432 (Streptococcus pyogenes) . I . Spontaneous release of NKCF and augmentation of NKCF production following stimulation with NK target cells; Bonavida B et al.; The biological response modifier OK-432 (Picibanil) (manufactured in Japan) is produced by lyophilization of cultures of the low virulent Su strain of group A Streptococcus pyogenes of human origin . This preparation has been shown to have multiple effects on the immune system and has been used as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent in man . It has been shown that OK-432 augments the cytotoxic activity of human natural killer (NK) cells . We have proposed that natural killer cytotoxic factors (NKCF) derived from NK cells play a role in the mechanism of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) . The present study investigates the underlying mechanism of the OK-432-mediated enhancement of NK activity by determining whether OK-432 has an effect on the induction and activity of NKCF produced by NK cells . Treatment of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with OK-432 for 20 hr and wash resulted in significant augmentation of NK CMC and this enhancement was dependent on the concentration of OK-432 used . Coculture of the OK-432-treated PBL with U937 resulted in a several-fold enhanced production of NKCF in the supernatant . The NKCF produced were similar to those produced by untreated effector cells in that they had the same NK target specificity for lysis . The time kinetics of stimulation of PBL with OK-432 for optimal production of NKCF was found to be 8-12 hr . It was also observed that culture of OK-432-treated PBL in the absence of stimulator cells spontaneously release significant amounts of NKCF into the supernatant . The supernatant containing NKCF was tested for interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity using an IL-2-dependent HT-2 line . It was found that there was no direct correlation between the levels of NKCF and IL-2 activity . The results of this study demonstrate that OK-432 stimulates NK cells to produce NKCF in the presence or absence of stimulator cells . The optimum concentration of OK-432-induced augmentation of NK CMC paralleled that seen for optimum NKCF production, suggesting that one mode of action of OK432 is to enhance NKCF production in a manner reminiscent of IFN and IL-2 . The results also point out that OK-432 acts by a mechanism independent of the action of IL-2.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1986 Oct, 25(10), 506 - 9
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis . Bacteriology and clinical implications; Vichyanond P et al.; We report the results of eye culture specimens, obtained from patients under 20 years of age, submitted to the Bacteriology Department of our institution from January 1 through April 30, 1983 . A total of 72 specimens were positive for one or more strains of bacteria . The most commonly isolated bacteria was Hemophilus influenzae (34 strains, 42%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (11 strains, 13.75%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9 strains, 11.25%) . Mean age of patients with H . influenzae (excluding a 20-year-old patient) was 15 months with standard deviation of 13 months . Chloramphenicol and tetracycline showed excellent in vitro activity against bacteria of all age groups . Tetracycline may prove to be the drug of choice for the treatment of acute conjunctivitis if comparative clinical data support its in vitro superiority.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1986 Oct, 14(5), 274 - 6
Streptococcus mutans and dental caries in urban and rural schoolchildren in Thailand; Bratthall D et al.; Two groups of Thai schoolchildren aged 11-13 yr were examined for dental caries, dental fluorosis and Streptococcus mutans . One hundred children lived in an urban district, Bangkok, and 71 children in a rural district, Petchaboon . Saliva samples were analyzed for S . mutans by the spatula method . The fluoride content of the drinking waters was also determined . The prevalence of caries, diagnosed according to WHO, was 89% in Bangkok and 18% in the rural district . Mean DMFT was 3.46 and 0.38 respectively . S . mutans was found in 98% of the urban children and in 82% of the rural . The differences in distribution between S . mutans and DMFT classes were statistically significant for the total sample . Mild fluorosis was present in some of the rural children.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1986 Oct, 113(4), 644 - 6
Control of Streptococcus mutans with topical fluoride in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment; Vierrou AM et al.; Subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment were asked to brush their teeth twice a day for 6 weeks with stannous fluoride gel or acidulated phosphate-fluoride gel . A reduction in salivary Streptococcus mutans levels was evident in subjects who brushed with the stannous fluoride.

Microbiologia, 1986 Oct, 2(2), 115 - 20
Studies on the replication of bacteriophage Cp-1 DNA in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Garcia E et al.; The DNA of bacteriophage Cp-1 replicates at optimal conditions when Cp-1-infected Streptococcus pneumoniae was incubated at 30 degrees C . The in vitro formation of the initiation complex between the terminal protein and 5'-dAMP was only partially inhibited at 37 degrees C whereas an almost complete inhibition of the DNA replication was found at this temperature in vivo . Aphidicolin inhibited the multiplication of phage Cp-1 but not that of Dp-4 . This drug did not affect the in vitro formation of the initiation complex but seems to affect extensive Cp-1 DNA replication in vivo.

J Dent Res, 1986 Oct, 65(10), 1278 - 83
Kinetic analysis of Streptococcus sanguis adhesion to artificial pellicle; Cowan MM et al.; Studies of equilibria between Streptococcus sanguis and artificial pellicle have suggested that there are multiple binding sites for the organism . In the present study, adhesion of S . sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxylapatite was examined by means of kinetic methods . Cell-pellicle complex formation was measured from initiation of binding to equilibrium . Rate constants were calculated for forward reactions (adsorption) and reverse reactions (desorption) . Initial binding obeyed reversible, first-order kinetics, whereas desorption of bound cells followed biphasic kinetics . Initial desorption proceeded approximately ten times faster than the slower second rate . The results are consistent with the mechanism C + P reversible CP* in equilibrium with CP in which CP* represents the reversible equilibrium that shifts at a discrete rate to the high-affinity CP state . Thus, the biphasic binding behavior that has been previously deduced from equilibrium studies may be attributed to a time-dependent shift from close apposition to pellicle, stabilized by low-specificity forces, to a higher-affinity binding.

Infect Immun, 1986 Oct, 54(1), 77 - 84
Molecular organization and expression of the gtfA gene of Streptococcus mutans LM7; Pucci MJ et al.; The Streptococcus mutans LM7 gene gtfA was cloned in Escherichia coli along with flanking regions of the chromosome as a fragment representing 10.3 kilobases (kb) of streptococcal DNA . Restriction endonuclease mapping revealed that the cloned DNA consisted of four EcoRI fragments with gtfA sucrase activity localized to one fragment, EcoRI-B (2.4 kb) . Subsequent analysis with E . coli minicells indicated that three polypeptides were encoded on the 10.3-kb insert (55 {GtfA}, 45, and 35 kilodaltons) . Neither the 45- nor 35-kilodalton polypeptide exhibited any detectable sucrase activity . The approximate positions and directions of transcription of the two larger proteins were determined from minicell protein profiles displaying truncated versions of these polypeptides . The restriction endonuclease data for the cloned gtfA gene were used to develop a strategy for insertional inactivation of this locus in vivo . An internal HincII fragment of the gtfA gene was removed and replaced with a DNA fragment containing a tetracycline resistance determinant . This new recombinant plasmid was linearized and then transformed into S . mutans GS5 and S . mutans V403 where it was incapable of replication . It was predicted that Tcr colonies would result from double-crossover recombinational events involving homologous regions flanking the gtfA gene . This was verified by Southern DNA hybridization analyses . The inactivation of the gtfA gene in both S . mutans GS5 and S . mutans V403 resulted in a decrease of water-soluble exopolysaccharide but no detectable changes in the amounts of water-insoluble polymers.

Infect Immun, 1986 Oct, 54(1), 50 - 5
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the Streptococcus pneumoniae gene encoding pneumolysin; Paton JC et al.; A gene bank of Sau3A1-generated Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA fragments was constructed in Escherichia coli K-12 by cloning into the BamHI site of the cosmid vector pHC79 . Clones expressing the pneumolysin determinant were selected by testing for hemolytic activity which could be inhibited by antibody to purified pneumolysin and by cholesterol . Restriction analysis of pneumolysin-positive recombinant cosmid DNA indicated that the coding sequence for the toxin was located within a 2.9-kilobase-pair (kbp) ClaI DNA fragment . This fragment, which included 0.35 kbp of vector pHC79 DNA, was subcloned into the plasmid pBR322 . E . coli cells harboring this recombinant plasmid (designated pJCP20) produced approximately one-third of the amount of pneumolysin found in the donor S . pneumoniae strain . Plasmid pJCP20 was stably maintained in E . coli and resulted in the accumulation of active pneumolysin in the cytoplasm . Western blot analysis showed that E . coli harboring pJCP20 produced two forms of the toxin with molecular weights of 54,000 and 52,000 . The lower-molecular-weight form was indistinguishable from native pneumolysin . Subcloning the 2.9-kbp DNA fragment into the expression vector pEV31 allowed the determination of the direction of transcription of the pneumolysin gene . The pneumolysin-coding sequence (approximately 1.5 kbp) has been localized to within a 1.75-kbp segment of pneumococcal DNA.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Oct, 132 ( Pt 10), 2873 - 83
Sucrose-dependent cell adherence and cariogenicity of serotype c Streptococcus mutans; Koga T et al.; Four strains of serotype c Streptococcus mutans differing in glucosyltransferase (GTase) and fructosyltransferase (FTase) activities were examined . These strains had been made resistant to streptomycin . FTase activity of an S . mutans clinical variant, MT6801R, which forms large mucoid colonies on sucrose-containing agar, was considerably higher than that of a typical serotype c strain, MT8148R, which forms small, rough colonies on the same agar . Two mutants, NG14 and NG7183, were induced from strain MT6801R by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and were found to be streptomycin-resistant . GTase and FTase activities of mutant NG14 were similar to those of the typical serotype c strain, while in mutant NG7183 the two enzyme activities were very low . Growing cells of these strains (except NG7183) adhered firmly to a glass surface in sucrose broth . Resting cells of all strains attached in small numbers to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite in the absence of sucrose . On the other hand, the presence of sucrose markedly enhanced the attachment of cells of strains MT8148R, MT6801R and NG14, but not NG7183 . Cell-surface hydrophobicity and acid production of all strains were similar . Both strain MT8148R and NG14 colonized tooth surfaces and produced significant dental caries in specific-pathogen-free rats . Strain MT6801R had lower colonization ability and cariogenicity when compared with strains MT8148R and NG14 . Furthermore, mutant NG7183 was able to colonize the tooth surfaces in small numbers, but failed to cause dental caries . These results indicate that sucrose-dependent cell adherence mediated by de novo glucan synthesis is necessary for the accumulation of serotype c S . mutans cells on the tooth surface and the induction of dental caries.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Oct, 154(4), 619 - 26
Ligand-receptor interactions in the phagocytosis of virulent Streptococcus pneumoniae by polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Gordon DL et al.; We used polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to neutrophil complement receptors CR1 and CR3 to assess the role of these receptors in the phagocytosis of virulent Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 3, 6A, and 14, which bear accessible C3 ligands covalently bound to the polysaccharide capsule . When the iC3b receptor (CR3) on normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) was blocked by the monoclonal antibody OKM10, phagocytosis of pneumococcal serotypes 6A and 14 (which bear exclusively iC3b) was inhibited 50%-80% in pooled human serum and completely in nonimmune serum . Blockade of the PMNL C3b receptor (CR1) failed to inhibit phagocytosis for serotypes 6A and 14 . For serotype 3, which bears C3b and C3d (as well as iC3b) on the capsule, CR3-mediated phagocytosis accounted for only 20% of the uptake; again, there was no evidence for CR1-mediated phagocytosis . The iC3b ligand elicited consistently greater release of superoxide, myeloperoxidase, and lactoferrin than did C3b . The iC3b/CR3 interaction is thus the primary trigger for phagocytosis of iC3b-bearing pneumococci and for stimulation of intracellular bactericidal processes.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Oct, 24(4), 512 - 6
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for adherence of bacteria to animal cells; Ofek I et al.; Epithelial cells scraped from human oral mucosa and from pig intestines were immobilized onto the flat bottom surfaces of microtiter plates to study the adherence of various bacterial species to host cells . Bacterial adherence was quantitated either by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique with specific antibacterial serum as the first antibody followed by peroxidase-conjugated second antibody or by using biotinylated bacteria and avidin-peroxidase as the detecting agent . Unlabeled Escherichia coli and purified E . coli 987P fimbriae inhibited the adherence of biotinylated E . coli to immobilized enterocytes . The adherence of a mannose-sensitive strain of E . coli to immobilized oral epithelial cells was inhibited by mannose derivatives . The adherence of fimbriated E . coli 987P to immobilized enterocytes was approximately four times higher than the adherence of a nonfimbriated variant of the same strain . The adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to oral cells was detected in the range of 10 to 150 bacteria per cell and was inhibited by lipoteichoic acid and albumin . The data suggest that the putative receptors which bind bacteria on the immobilized cells retain a functional form similar to that of native cells in suspension . The proposed adherence assay is easy to perform, allows the detection of specific adherence of test bacteria, and provides objective quantitation of adherence with a sensitivity of 10 bacteria per cell . Most importantly, the assay allows the testing of many variables in the same day.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Oct, 132 ( Pt 10), 2885 - 92
Demonstration of shared antigenic determinants between Streptococcus mutans BHT cell membrane, human heart tissue and myosin using monoclonal antibodies to S . mutans; Doyle G et al.; Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) raised to intact Streptococcus mutans P-4 cells (serotype e) were used to demonstrate the presence of shared antigenic determinant(s) between S . mutans BHT (serotype b) cell membranes and human heart tissue . MAb binding to both BHT membrane and human heart tissue was demonstrated by ELISA . Common antigens were identified by immunoblot analysis following separation of BHT membrane components and human heart antigens by SDS-PAGE . MAb 22C4 recognized three polypeptides from the BHT membrane preparation, having molecular masses of 42, 56 and 85 kDa . MAb 22C4 also recognized an 85 kDa component and a 200 kDa component from human heart tissue . MAb D159 was specific for a single 82 kDa polypeptide in BHT membrane, and also bound to two high molecular mass components in human heart (165 and 200 kDa) . When both MAb D159 and 22C4 were first absorbed with S . mutans P-4 cells, subsequent reactivity to the aforementioned BHT membrane components was inhibited, indicating that these cross-reactive components are found in S . mutans P-4 as well as in S . mutans BHT micro-organisms . Competitive binding analysis showed that both MAb D159 and MAb 22C4 bound to myosin, indicating that S . mutans BHT membrane, human heart tissue and myosin share at least one immunodeterminant . This indicates that myosin could be the cross-reactive tissue component in human heart.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1986 Sep 15, 189(6), 666 - 9
Treatment of Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis in dairy cows: comparative efficacies of two antibiotic preparations and factors associated with successful treatment; Weaver LD et al.; A commercially available, penicillin-novobiocin, intramammary infusion product and a solution of procaine penicillin G (1.2 X 10(6) IU) in 10 ml of sterile saline solution were evaluated for their comparative efficacies against Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis in 3 California dairy herds . After composite milk samples from each cow in each herd were bacteriologically cultured, cows infected with S agalactiae (n = 228) were assigned randomly to 2 treatment groups . Milk samples were reevaluated bacteriologically 21 to 25 days after treatment . Both preparations were highly effective against S agalactiae in first-lactation cows and in cows scored negative or trace by use of the California Mastitis Test . Efficacy was significantly decreased in cows with California Mastitis Test scores of 1, 2, or 3 . Herd and treatment were associated significantly with treatment success or failure . Most treatment failures were in one herd in cows that were given procaine penicillin G in sterile saline solution . Milk production and lactation stage were not associated with success or failure of treatment.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986 Sep 14, 139(2), 461 - 5
Identification of poly G bound to thymidylate synthase; Thorndike J et al.; Thymidylate synthase activity is increased in some methotrexate-resistant strains of Streptococcus faecium . The purified enzyme is associated with a polynucleotide which is not removed by dialysis . This polynucleotide contains one mole each of purine ribose and phosphate per mole base . Phosphate analyses after incubation with digestive enzymes indicate a tetranucleotide with one terminal phosphate . The constituent nucleosides are recovered quantitatively in a specific assay for guanosine . On HPLC, they are inseparable from authentic guanosine and the UV spectrum after HPLC is identical to that of guanosine . We conclude that poly G (GpGpGpGp) is bound to thymidylate synthase.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 132 ( Pt 9), 2661 - 3
Calcium modulation of growth of Streptococcus mutans; Aranha H et al.; The steady-state growth yield of Streptococcus mutans (in a Teflon chemostat using a chemically defined medium that was treated to lower trace metal contamination and supplemented with high-purity trace metals) was doubled by addition of 0.63 microM calcium . Subsequent increases in calcium concentration to 1.3 microM and 2.5 microM lowered steady-state growth yield below the level with no added calcium, suggesting that calcium has dose-dependent stimulatory and inhibitory effects on S . mutans.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 132 ( Pt 9), 2637 - 41
Electric transmembrane potential mutation and resistance to the cationic and amphiphilic antitumoral drugs derived from pyridocarbazole, 2-N-methylellipticinium and 2-N-methyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium, in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Sautereau AM et al.; delta psi-reduced amiA mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae were shown to be resistant to the positively charged antitumoral drugs 2-N-methylellipticinium (NME) and 2-N-methyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium (NMHE) . Conversely, mutants selected for their resistance to NMHE were mapped within the amiA locus and exhibited the pleiotropic AmiA- phenotype . This shows that delta psi is a critical parameter in determining resistance to these drugs in S . pneumoniae and suggests that they are accumulated within this bacterium in response to delta psi . As a consequence NME and NMHE appear to be valuable tools for selecting delta psi-reduced mutants in S . pneumoniae.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 132 ( Pt 9), 2541 - 8
Comparative studies on the protein profiles and hydrophobicity of strains of Streptococcus mutans serotype c; Knox KW et al.; Twelve strains of Streptococcus mutans serotype c were grown in batch culture with glucose at constant pH (6.0) and a number of properties compared . On the basis of their cellular and extracellular protein profiles, the strains were divided into three groups, I, II and III, containing five, four and three strains, respectively . The extracellular protein profiles for a particular strain differed if the organisms were grown either at pH 6.0 with fructose instead of glucose or with glucose but without pH control . The total amount of extracellular protein produced by group III strains grown in glucose-containing medium at pH 6.0 was several times that produced by strains of groups I and II, which were also more hydrophobic . One of the potentially important proteins is P1, also called antigen B or I/II, and it was shown to be entirely in the culture fluid of group III strains but mostly cell-associated from strains of groups I and II . Approximately half of the cell-associated fraction of P1 could be removed with hot sodium dodecyl sulphate.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Sep, (9), 26 - 9
{Effect of tomicide and the cell wall biopolymers of Streptococcus sp . Thom-1606 on mast cell degranulation}; Blinkova LP et al.; The influence of tomicide and biopolymers obtained from the cell wall of Streptococcus sp . TOM-1606 on the degranulation of mast cells was studied . Among the biopolymers of the streptococcal cell-wall polysaccharide was shown to induce the highest destruction of mast cells (14.84 +/- 6.8%) . The alteration of mast cells under the effect of peptidoglycan and teichoic acid was mildly positive (11.85 +/- 5.8% and 12.1 +/- 6.2%) . At the same time the destruction induced by the complex of noninfectious allergen and the patient's serum was 33.2 +/- 3.8% respectively . Other preparations induced destruction on the level of spontaneous degranulation . The study of the action of the allergen-antibody complex in combination with tomicide and biopolymers obtained from the cell wall of Streptococcus sp . TOM-1606 revealed a decrease in the rate of mast cell degranulation almost to the background level (24.7 +/- 0.55% for the allergen-antibody complex and 8.4 +/- 4.2% to 11.8 +/- 5.3% for streptococcal biopolymers).

J Appl Bacteriol, 1986 Sep, 61(3), 201 - 8
The effect of pH on the growth and metabolism of Streptococcus bovis in continuous culture; Finlayson HJ; Streptococcus bovis H13/1 was grown anaerobically at pHs between 5.0 and 6.5 in a glucose-limited chemostat at a dilution rate of 0.05/h . The growth yield and the production of acetate, ethanol and formate decreased at pHs less than 6.5 whereas the production of lactate increased at the lower pH values . When a culture was subjected to sequential pH changes, growth yield and fermentation products were influenced not only by the pH existing in the culture medium but also by the metabolic activity of the cells at the preceding pHs in the sequence . The results are discussed in relation to the mechanisms available for the maintenance of pH homeostasis and for the metabolic control of fermentation pathways in Strep . bovis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 24(3), 495 - 7
Presumptive identification of "Streptococcus milleri" in 5 h; Ruoff KL et al.; Rapid miniaturized tests for acetoin production, arginine hydrolysis, and sorbitol fermentation were used for presumptive identification of non-beta-hemolytic "Streptococcus milleri" isolates in 5 h . All 77 "S . milleri" strains tested were Voges-Proskauer positive, arginine hydrolysis positive, and sorbitol fermentation negative . On the basis of these reactions, "S . milleri" was differentiated from isolates of other viridans group streptococcal species and from Streptococcus bovis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 24(3), 493 - 4
Inhibition of pneumococcal autolysis in lysis-centrifugation blood culture; Lehtonen OP; The recovery of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the Isolator lysis-centrifugation blood culture has been low in many studies . The poor survival of pneumococci was not due to toxicity of the Isolator medium but to autolysis before plating . This autolysis was completely inhibited by adding 10 mM phosphorylcholine to the Isolator medium.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1986 Sep, 134(3), 520 - 5
Indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid reduce intrapulmonary shunt in experimental pneumococcal pneumonia; Light RB; Arterial hypoxemia in acute experimental pneumococcal pneumonia is caused primarily by persistence of pulmonary blood flow to lung regions consolidated by pneumonia, which results in an intrapulmonary shunt . In order to test the hypothesis that in acute pneumonia indomethacin or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) would improve gas exchange, as has been observed in some other disease models, 15 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs with acute lobar pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 were studied . After baseline measurements of pulmonary gas exchange, central hemodynamics and radionuclide-labeled microsphere determination of regional distribution of pulmonary blood flow, the dogs were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of indomethacin (2 mg/kg, n = 5), ASA, (100 mg/kg, n = 5) or a saline infusion (control, n = 5) . All measurements were then repeated 30 and 60 min after infusion . Although there were no significant changes in the control group, PaO2 during O2 ventilation increased from a mean +/- SD value of 104 +/- 46 mmHg at baseline to 180 +/- 73 mmHg after ASA and from 262 +/- 173 to 361 +/- 134 mmHg after indomethacin . These improvements in PaO2 were associated with a decrease in shunt from 0.38 +/- 0.12 to 0.23 +/- 0.03 with ASA and from 0.29 +/- 0.21 to 0.21 +/- 0.08 with indomethacin . The reduction in shunt in both treatment groups was attributable to a fall in the fraction of the pulmonary blood flow perfusing the consolidated lung regions, from 33 +/- 8 to 21 +/- 5% after ASA and from 33 +/- 12 to 22 +/- 9% after indomethacin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Bacteriol, 1986 Sep, 167(3), 870 - 80
Gene for an immunoglobulin-binding protein from a group G streptococcus; Fahnestock SR et al.; The gene (spg) for an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding protein from a Streptococcus clinical isolate of Lancefield group G was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene and 5'-flanking sequences was determined . The DNA sequence includes an open reading frame which encodes a hypothetical protein of 448 amino acid residues (Mr = 47,595) . The 5' end of this open reading frame encodes a sequence resembling a typical secretion signal sequence, and the remainder of the encoded protein has features reminiscent of staphylococcal protein A and of streptococcal M6 protein, including repeated sequences and a similar C-terminal structure . Aside from this C-terminal structure, the encoded protein has little direct amino acid sequence homology to either protein A or M6 protein . In E . coli, the cloned gene directs the synthesis of a protein which binds to immunoglobulins, including rabbit immunoglobulin, goat IgG, and human IgG3(lambda) . Its binding properties are similar to those of the protein G described by Bjorck and Kronvall (L . Bjorck and G . Kronvall, J . Immunol . 133:969-974, 1984), a type III Fc receptor from a group G streptococcus.

Obstet Gynecol, 1986 Sep, 68(3 Suppl), 46S - 49S
Streptococcus milleri pyomyoma simulating infective endocarditis; Prichard JG et al.; A 37-year-old woman with clinically occult, abscessed uterine myomas presented with fever, anemia, splenomegaly, and viridans streptococcal bacteremia . An initial diagnosis of endocarditis was made, but fever persisted despite appropriate antibiotics . Pelvic pain evolved and laparotomy revealed an infected myoma . Streptococcus milleri was isolated from both the blood and the uterine abscess . Infected uterine myomata may be clinically silent despite producing sustained bacteremia . The occurrence of suppurating myomas and the significance of S milleri isolates are briefly reviewed.

J Neurosurg, 1986 Sep, 65(3), 382 - 91
Experimental brain abscess development in the chronically immunosuppressed host . Computerized tomographic and neuropathological correlations; Obana WG et al.; The neuropathological progression of brain abscess formation was studied experimentally in paired immunosuppressed and control dogs . The immunosuppressed animals received azathioprine and prednisone beginning 7 days prior to intracerebral inoculation with alpha streptococcus . Histological findings were correlated with computerized tomography (CT) brain scans . The evolution of brain abscess in the immunosuppressed animals could be divided into three stages based on histological evaluation: cerebritis stage (1 to 11 days), early-capsule stage (12 to 17 days), and late-capsule stage (18 days and later) . There was a significant delay in the evolution of alpha streptococcus brain abscess compared to the authors' previous studies . Histologically, abscesses in immunosuppressed dogs were characterized by a decrease and delay in collagen formation, a reduction in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, longer persistence of bacterial organisms, and an increase in gliosis . During the cerebritis stage, abscesses in control animals were consistently larger and more edematous than those in immunosuppressed animals and reached their maximum size by Day 8, whereas abscesses in immunocompromised animals reached their maximum size around Day 12 . In the late-capsule stage, abscesses in immunosuppressed animals remained larger than those of control animals and continued to show signs of delayed development . This was evidenced by diffusion of contrast medium into the lucent center of ring-enhancing lesions on delayed CT scans . The results suggest that the decreased inflammatory response and edema formation in the immunosuppressed host resulted in less initial mass effect from brain abscess, but that the eventual size and area of the abscess may have become larger due to the less effective host response.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Sep, 154(3), 511 - 7
Experimental infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice: correlation of in vitro activity and pharmacokinetic parameters with in vivo effect for 14 cephalosporins; Frimodt-Moller N et al.; A mouse model using intraperitoneal inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 was used to compare in vitro and in vivo effects of 14 cephalosporins, selected to encompass a wide range of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against the organism . Antibiotics were subcutaneously administered as single doses 1 hr after inoculation of pneumococci, and the effect was measured as the 50% effective dose (ED50) . The correlation between log ED50 and log MIC was highly significant (r = .87, P less than .001) . Pharmacokinetic properties of the cephalosporins were estimated after a fixed dose of 5 mg per mouse (167 mg/kg) for all drugs . The only correlation that was significant was between log ED50 and the time the serum concentration remained above the MIC for each drug (r = -.90, P less than .001) . Ceftriaxone was the most-effective cephalosporin in vivo because of a combination of high in vitro activity and prolonged serum elimination half-life.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 Sep, 262(3), 370 - 6
{Recurring meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae during preventive penicillin therapy}; Heinemeyer EA et al.; It is generally accepted, that Streptococcus pneumoniae is very sensitive to penicillin G; minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is normally about less than = 0.01 microgram/ml . Some years ago strains relatively resistant to penicillin (MIC 0.1 to 1.0 microgram/ml) were reported on . In 1977 strains isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid in South-Africa were found to have a higher resistance to penicillin (MIC 0.5-4 micrograms/ml) . We report on an 6-year-old girl with septicemia and meningitis caused by a strain of S . pneumoniae relatively resistant to penicillin (MIC 0.5 microgram/ml) . Aged 5 years the girl had a first meningitis caused by S . pneumoniae . The girl was then treated with penicillin (450,000 IU/d) to prevent a new infection . During this time the second meningitis caused by S . pneumoniae took place . In the agarose gel electrophoresis a plasmid was found (4.2 X 10(6) Dalton) . No beta-lactamase-activity was detected (nitrocefin-test and acidimetric measurement) . It is unlikely that there is a plasmid-dependent resistance to penicillin.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Sep-Oct, 8(5), 786 - 91
Pneumococcal endocarditis: report of a series and review of the literature; Powderly WG et al.; Pneumococcal endocarditis has declined sharply in incidence since the advent of penicillin but remains a potentially lethal infection . From 1980 to 1984, pneumococcal endocarditis was diagnosed in seven patients--four adults and three infants . Apart from one patient who had had a splenectomy, there were no recognizable predisposing factors to infection due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, although all three children were younger than 15 months of age . Congenital heart disease was present in two patients, calcific aortic disease in one, and mitral valve prolapse in a fourth . The remaining three patients had previously normal hearts . Meningitis occurred in five (71%) of the seven patients . Five patients were cured of their infection: four by medical therapy alone (penicillin or vancomycin), and a fifth, by medical therapy plus valvular debridement . Two patients died: one with intractable heart failure, and the second, from the complications of cardiac surgery . Penicillin alone is effective therapy for pneumococcal endocarditis . Patients unable to tolerate penicillin may be treated with vancomycin.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Sep, 69(9), 2408 - 15
In vitro growth of mastitis pathogens in mammary secretions of the dry and peripartum periods; Dutt KW et al.; In vitro growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus uberis, and Staphylococcus aureus was measured in skimmed, cell-free secretions of bovine mammary glands collected on d 0, 7, 14, and 28 of the dry period; 12, 8, and 4 d before expected calving; and on d 0 and 14 postpartum . There were marked and nearly inverse changes in growth of Escherichia coli and Streptococcus uberis over the experimental period . Escherichia coli grew well in secretions of d 0 of the dry period and d 0 and 14 postcalving but poorly or not at all in secretions of the mid-dry period . In contrast, Streptococcus uberis grew well in secretions of the involuted gland and poorly in samples from day of dry off and day of calving . Growth of Staphylococcus aureus changed relatively little over the dry period, but there was reduction in growth at d 7 of the dry period . Changing ability of the secretion to support bacterial growth may influence changing susceptibility to infection, but for Streptococcus uberis, poor correspondence between changes in growth supported by the secretion and changes in the incidence of naturally occurring infection over the dry period indicates that other factors may be more important.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Sep, 69(9), 2227 - 36
Plasmid heterogeneity in Streptococcus cremoris M12R: effects on proteolytic activity and host-dependent phage replication; Steenson LR et al.; Examination of single colony isolates from a culture of Streptococcus cremoris M12R revealed a high degree of variability in plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid composition . Fifty percent of the M12R population displayed proteolytic activity and harbored a 13-Mdalton plasmid (pLR2013) . This plasmid was not present in proteinase-deficient variants isolated from the culture, which provided correlative evidence for linkage of proteinase activity to pLR2013 . Four percent of the M12R population demonstrated resistance to phage m12r X M12 . This resistance was identified by restriction and modification activities against m12r X M12 phage, which was dependent on the presence of a 20-Md plasmid, pLR1020 . Loss of restriction and modification activities was observed upon curing of pLR1020 . In conjugal mating studies with Streptococcus lactis ME2, transfer frequency of lactose-fermenting ability to a restriction and modification-deficient variant of M12R was 10(2)-fold higher than to a variant exhibiting restriction and modification activities . The data provided evidence for restriction and modification activities in select S . cremoris M12R variants that are linked to pLR1020 and restrict both the plaquing ability of phage and efficiency of plasmid transfer by conjugation.

J Biol Buccale, 1986 Sep, 14(3), 159 - 75
Potential for immunological intervention against dental caries; Russell MW et al.; Potentiation of the host immune system has been considered, in addition to non-immunological measures as a means of preventing the development of dental caries . Because specific antibodies in the oral cavity are derived from two sources--the salivary glands that produce secretory IgA, and the general circulation that provides IgG antibodies--immunization efforts in various experimental models have been aimed at stimulating either of these compartments . Streptococcus mutans, the principal cariogenic microorganism, and various cell wall components and extracellular enzymes have been used as antigens . In experimental animals, systemic or oral routes of immunization have induced protective IgG or IgA antibodies respectively, but the mechanisms of protection have not been clearly established . The possibility of stimulating a generalized secretory immune response by oral ingestion of antigens may have advantages for the induction of protective antibodies in humans, because parenteral immunization routes may not be readily acceptable for reasons discussed in this review . Nevertheless, further experimental work is required to select appropriate antigens, and to determine optimal doses and immunization schedules for inducing antibodies at an age that is critical in the development of dental caries.

J Fam Pract, 1986 Sep, 23(3), 215 - 9
Effect of a rapid diagnostic method on prescribing patterns and ordering of throat cultures for streptococcal pharyngitis; True BL et al.; The sensitivity and specificity of a rapid identification test for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus and its impact on prescribing antibiotics and ordering throat cultures were evaluated in a primary care office setting . The calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 82 percent, 92 percent, 76 percent, and 94 percent, respectively . Throat cultures were ordered for 98 percent of patients with acute pharyngitis regardless of the method of testing available . After use of the rapid identification test within the office, a reduction was observed in physician prescribing of antibiotics before the throat culture results were known . Physicians were more likely to initiate antibiotics immediately when rapid test results for streptococcal infection were positive and provide patient education regarding symptomatic treatment when the results were negative . The rapid identification test is an acceptable alternative to the standard culture technique in the family practice office . The rapid test was apparently responsible for the observed reduction in antibiotic prescribing and should reduce unnecessary cost and antibiotic exposure in the ambulatory setting.

Ann Plast Surg, 1986 Sep, 17(3), 221 - 7
Risk and consequence of infection at the site of microsurgical repair: an experimental model; Chachques JC et al.; The consequences of postoperative infection at the site of microsurgical repair were studied . The experiment used 60 Wistar rats which were divided into 3 groups of 20 each . The femoral artery, vein, and nerve were transected unilaterally and repaired using microsurgical techniques . Staphylococcus aureus was then inoculated into the wound of group 1 . Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was inoculated into the wound of group 2 . Group 3 rats served as controls . Clinical, anatomical, bacteriological and histopathological examinations were performed on postoperative days 8 and 30 . Wounds in which S . aureus was inoculated demonstrated a significant tendency toward vascular thrombosis with extensive tissue destruction . In the majority of these cases, the necrosis caused by the primary infection engendered an associated, opportunistic infection . Streptococcal inoculations in group 2 demonstrated less severe changes than in group 1 . These changes were characterized by injury of the vascular structures themselves with a significant tendency for thickening of the arterial wall, perivascular inflammation, and hematoma formation at the site of the repair . This model allows demonstration of the enzymatic and toxic consequences of bacterial infection in a postoperative site characterized by cellular destruction and interstitial edema surrounding foreign bodies represented by sutures.

Infect Immun, 1986 Sep, 53(3), 587 - 94
Cloning of a Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase gene coding for insoluble glucan synthesis; Aoki H et al.; The gtfB gene coding for a glucosyltransferase (GTF) activity of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was isolated on a 15.4-kilobase DNA fragment by using a lambda L47.1 gene library . The activity was catalyzed by gene products of 150 and 145 kilodaltons which reacted with antibodies directed against both soluble and insoluble glucan-synthesizing GTFs . The enzyme present in crude Escherichia coli extracts synthesized both soluble and insoluble glucans . The enzyme was partially purified from lysates of the lambda DS-76 clone and synthesized both types of glucans in a primer-independent fashion . In addition, the purified enzyme exhibited a pI of approximately 5.0 . Southern blot analysis indicated that the cloned GTF gene represented a contiguous nucleotide sequence on the strain GS-5 chromosome . Furthermore, evidence for the existence of a distinct gene sharing partial homology with gtfB was also obtained . The gtfB gene was subcloned into plasmid pACYC184 into E . coli and exhibited GTF activity when carried on GS-5 inserts as small as 5 kilobases . The approximate location of the GTF promoter and the direction of gene transcription were also determined . The cloned enzyme was not secreted through the cytoplasmic membrane of E . coli, since most of the activity was found in the cytoplasm and, in lesser amounts, associated with the cytoplasmic membrane . The gtfB gene was insertionally inactivated by introducing a gene fragment coding for erythromycin resistance into the GTF coding region . After transformation of strain GS-5 with the altered gene, transformants defective in insoluble glucan synthesis were identified . These results indicate that the gtfB gene codes for a GTF involved in insoluble glucan synthesis in strain GS-5.

Infect Immun, 1986 Sep, 53(3), 582 - 6
Isolation and characterization of the sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase gene from Streptococcus mutans; Hayakawa M et al.; The Streptococcus mutans GS-5 gene, scrB, coding for sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase activity has been cloned into Escherichia coli utilizing the bacteriophage replacement vector lambda L47.1 . DNA sequences containing the gene were initially subcloned into the moderate-copy-number plasmid vector pLG339 to yield active subclones . However, due to the instability of the resultant chimeric plasmids, the gene was subsequently subcloned into the low-copy-number vector pOU61 to yield the stable hybrid plasmid pMH613 . Both plasmids contain a 6.6-kilobase EcoRI fragment from strain GS-5 and express both hydrolase and sucrase activities . The relative position of the gene in the insert has been determined after Tn5 mutagenesis and deletion analysis . The cloned enzyme was purified to near homogeneity after gel filtration and anion-exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The purified enzyme displayed a molecular mass of 58 kilodaltons, which is significantly higher than the 48-kilodalton enzyme previously purified from S . mutans GS-5 . These results suggest that processing of the hydrolase occurs in S . mutans.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Sep, 167(3), 960 - 7
Autoradiographic studies of the synthesis of RNA and protein as a function of cell volume in Streptococcus faecium; Higgins ML et al.; Mid-exponential-phase cultures were either labeled continuously with tritiated leucine and uracil or pulse-labeled with tritiated leucine . The amount of leucine and uracil incorporated into protein or RNA per cell was determined by grain counts of autoradiographs of cells seen in electron micrographs; the volume of each cell was determined by three-dimensional reconstruction . The average number of autoradiographic grains around cells continuously labeled with uracil and leucine increased linearly with cell volume . In contrast, while the average grain count around cells pulse-labeled with leucine increased in a near-linear fashion over most of the volume classes, less than the expected number of grains were seen around cells in large- and small-size classes . The distribution of grains around cells from both the continuously and pulse-labeled populations could be fit at the 5% confidence level with a Poisson distribution modified to take into consideration the volume distribution of each population of cells analyzed . These findings suggested that large changes in the density of RNA and protein do not occur in most cells as they increase in size; however, there may be decreases in the rate of protein synthesis in some large and small cells . The decrease in the rate of protein synthesis appears consistent with the hypothesis that new sites of envelope growth must be introduced into cells that are close to the division event to restore rapid growth.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1986 Aug 15, 189(4), 442 - 5
Relationship between mastitis pathogen numbers in bulk tank milk and bovine udder infections in California dairy herds; Gonzalez RN et al.; Samples of bulk tank milk and cow-composite milk from 23,138 dairy cows from 50 California dairies were examined by use of microbiologic procedures . The number of colonies of mastitis pathogens isolated per milliliter of bulk tank milk (used as a predictor of the percentage of infected cows in the herd) was evaluated, using simple regression analysis and Spearman's rank correlation . Correlations between the pathogens and the percentage of cows in each herd shedding the pathogens were found for Streptococcus agalactiae (r = 0.71) and mycoplasma (r = 0.59), but were considerably lower for other pathogens . When greater than or equal to 4,000 colonies of Streptococcus agalactiae were found per milliliter of bulk tank milk, at least 7% of the cows in the herd was shedding this organism . However, a pattern was not found between the number of mycoplasma colonies per milliliter of bulk tank milk and the percentage of infected cows in the herd.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Aug 15, 159(1), 149 - 55
Calcium transport in membrane vesicles of Streptococcus cremoris; Driessen AJ et al.; Rightside-out membrane vesicles of Streptococcus cremoris were fused with proteoliposomes containing the light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin by a low-pH fusion procedure reported earlier {Driessen, A.J.M., Hellingwerf, K.J . & Konings, W.N . (1985) Biochim . Biophys . Acta 808, 1-12} . In these fused membranes a proton motive force, interior positive and acid, can be generated in the light and this proton motive force can drive the uptake of Ca2+ . Collapsing delta psi with a concomitant increase in delta pH stimulates Ca2+ uptake while dissipation of the delta pH results in a reduced rate of Ca2+ uptake . Also an artificially generated delta pH, interior acid, can drive Ca2+ uptake in S . cremoris membrane vesicles . Ca2+ uptake depends strongly on the presence of external phosphate while Ca2+-efflux-induced proton flux is independent of the presence of external phosphate . Ca2+ accumulation is abolished by the divalent cation ionophore A23187 . Calcium extrusion from intact cells is accelerated by lactose . Collapse of the proton motive force by the uncoupler carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone or inhibition of the membrane-bound ATPase by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide strongly inhibits Ca2+ release . Further studies on Ca2+ efflux at different external pH values in the presence of either valinomycin or nigericin suggested that Ca2+ exit from intact cells is an electrogenic process . It is concluded that Ca2+ efflux in S . cremoris is mediated by a secondary transport system catalyzing exchange of calcium ions and protons.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1986 Aug 15, 249(1), 53 - 60
Dynamic reactivities of dextransucrase; Ditson SL et al.; Dextransucrase, from Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10558, was immobilized on hydroxylapatite and was "charged" in short pulses with labeled sucrose, as previously described {V . K . Parnaik, G . A . Luzio, D . A . Grahame, S . L . Ditson, and R . M . Mayer (1983) Carbohydr . Res . 121, 257-268} . The "charged" enzyme has been shown to contain both bound glucose and gluco-oligosaccharides . The reactivity of this form of the enzyme has been studied, and shown to have unexpected behavior . Earlier pulse-chase experiments {J . F . Robyt, B . K . Kimble, and T . F . Walseth (1979) Arch . Biochem . Biophys . 165, 634-640; S . L . Ditson and R . M . Mayer (1984) Carbohydr . Res . 126, 170-175}, carried out with high concentrations of unlabeled sucrose in the chase, resulted in a rapid decrease in isotope at the reducing termini of enzyme-bound oligosaccharides . However, in the present work, in which the pulsed enzyme was chased with low concentrations of unlabeled sucrose, we observed an increase in the radioactive reducing termini . The possibility that this was due to the enzymatic hydrolysis of dextran has been ruled out . Data presented demonstrate that the enzyme catalyzes the depolymerization of the bound oligosaccharides . Individual glucosyl residues of the oligosaccharides are transferred to acceptors, such as added maltose to form a trisaccharide, or water to form glucose . Similarly, the glucosyl residues can be transferred to added fructose to form sucrose . The studies also provide evidence that the oligosaccharides are slowly released from the enzyme . The ability of the enzyme to catalyze the reverse of the glucosyl transfer reaction involving acceptors was also examined . It was observed that glucose residues transferred by dextransucrase to an acceptor can also be removed to produce sucrose when fructose is added.

Lancet, 1986 Aug 9, 2(8502), 331 - 3
Scrum kidney: epidemic pyoderma caused by a nephritogenic Streptococcus pyogenes in a rugby team; Ludlam H et al.; In December, 1984, an outbreak of pyoderma affected five scrum players in the St Thomas' Hospital rugby team . The causative organism, Streptococcus pyogenes, was acquired during a match against a team experiencing an outbreak of impetigo, and was transmitted to two front row players of another team a week later, and to two girlfriends of affected St Thomas' players a month later . The strain was M-type 49, tetracycline-resistant, and virulent . It caused salpingitis in a girlfriend and acute glomerulonephritis in one rugby player . No case of subclinical glomerulonephritis was detected in eight patients with pyoderma . Screening of the St Thomas' Hospital team revealed four further cases of non-streptococcal skin infection, with evidence for contemporaneous spread of Staphylococcus aureus . Teams should not field players with sepsis, and it may be advisable to apply a skin antiseptic to traumatised skin after the match.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Aug 5, 261(22), 10079 - 86
Bacterial anion exchange . Use of osmolytes during solubilization and reconstitution of phosphate-linked antiport from Streptococcus lactis; Ambudkar SV et al.; Membranes of Streptococcus lactis were solubilized with 1.1% octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside in the presence of 0.37% acetone/ether-washed phospholipid from several sources . After adding excess Escherichia coli phospholipid as bath-sonicated liposomes, phosphate:sugar phosphate antiport was reconstituted in proteoliposomes by a 25-fold dilution in 0.1 M KPi (pH 7) . Assays of 32Pi:Pi exchange showed that antiport was subject to an inactivation which varied in severity according to the lipid present at solubilization . Recovery of Pi-linked exchange was improved by the presence of 10-20% glycerol or other osmolyte during extraction . The osmolytes tested in this regard have included polyols (glycerol, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol), sugars (glucose, trehalose), and two amino acids (glycine, proline) . Each gave 10--20-fold increased recoveries of 32Pi:Pi antiport compared to controls using only detergent and lipid; these precautions were not required for the efficient reconstitution of F0F1-ATPase . Antiport in the artificial system was studied most carefully when glycerol was the stabilizing additive . For that case, the Kt values for Pi or 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate transport (275 and 25 microM, respectively) were the same as in native membranes . Maximal rates of Pi and 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate transport (200 and 42 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively) and the turnover number for Pi exchange (25--50/s) suggested that antiporters were recovered without loss of activity . We conclude that the quantitative aspects of bacterial anion exchange are amenable to study in an artificial system, and that the use of osmolytes as general stabilants can be a valuable adjunct to current techniques for reconstitution of integral membrane transport proteins.

Postgrad Med J, 1986 Aug, 62(730), 743 - 4
Meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis type II; McNeil NI et al.; A 49 year old head porter developed meningitis shown to be caused by Streptococcus suis type II . The rare human infections with the organism, a pathogen of pigs, usually occur in those employed handling pig meat and are associated with auditory or vestibular dysfunction.

J Dairy Res, 1986 Aug, 53(3), 451 - 6
An inhibitor typing scheme for Streptococcus uberis; Tagg JR et al.; A typing scheme was used to test 15 strains of Streptococcus uberis according to their production of (P-type) and sensitivity to (S-type) bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances . Twelve of the strains were inhibitor producers and nine different P-types were detected . All of the strains were typable according to inhibitor sensitivity, ten different S-types being distinguished . Both the P-type and S-type designations of the strains were reproducible on repeated testing . By combination of P-typing and S-typing, highly discriminatory inhibitor 'fingerprints' of the strains could be obtained . This scheme would appear to have considerable potential for typing isolates of Str . uberis as an aid to investigations into the epidemiology of Str . uberis mastitis in dairy cattle.

Carbohydr Res, 1986 Aug 1, 150, 199 - 212
Streptococcus pneumoniae type XIV polysaccharide: synthesis of a repeating branched tetrasaccharide with dioxa-type spacer-arms; Amvam-Zollo PH et al.; beta-Glycosides of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose were synthesised, using either 7-methoxycarbonyl-3,6-dioxa-1-heptanol or 8-azido-3,6-dioxa-1-octanol . Selective beta-lactosylation of 7-methoxycarbonyl-3,6-dioxaheptyl 2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside with hepta-O-acetyl-lactosyl-trichloroacetimidate, followed by beta-galactosylation of the secondary hydroxyl group with O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)trichloroacetimida te, catalytic hydrogenolysis, and O-deacetylation, gave 7-methoxycarbonyl-3,6-dioxaheptyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-6-O-(4-O-beta-D- galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside . Selective beta-lactosylation of 8-azido-3,6-dioxaoctyl 2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside with hepta-O-acetyl-lactosyl bromide in the presence of silver triflate, followed by condensation with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl bromide in the presence of silver triflate, catalytic hydrogenolysis, and O-deacetylation, gave 8-azido-3,6-dioxaoctyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-6-O-(4-O-beta-D- galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Aug, 47(8), 1722 - 5
Susceptibility of colostrum-deprived swine of various ages to streptococcic lymphadenitis; Wood RL et al.; The effect of age on susceptibility of young pigs to streptococcic lymphadenitis was investigated . Twenty-nine cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs were allotted to 7 groups exposed to type IV group E Streptococcus (GES) at 5, 14, 28, 35, 56, 70, and 84 days of age . Four cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs were maintained as nonexposed controls . Six naturally farrowed, susceptible controls were exposed to GES at 63 to 84 days of age . All exposed pigs were killed and necropsied 28 days after exposure . Lesions of streptococcic lymphadenitis were not observed in pigs exposed at 5 or 14 days of age, except for 1 microabscess in a mandibular lymph node in a pig exposed at 14 days, but GES was recovered from 11% of lymph nodes examined from pigs of those age groups . Lesions and GES-positive lymph nodes were frequent in cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs exposed at 28 days and older and in susceptible controls . Serologic response to exposure, as determined by microtitration agglutination test and bactericidal test, was observed only in pigs exposed at 14 days and older . The absence of abscess development in pigs exposed at 5 or 14 days of age was not caused by antibody or failure of infecting organisms to reach the target organs.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1986 Aug, 94(4), 231 - 7
Sorbitol increases the growth inhibition of xylitol on Strep . mutans OMZ 176; Assev S et al.; It was observed in a previous study that the growth of Streptococcus mutans strain OMZ 176 on sorbitol was inhibited by xylitol . The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in this inhibition . It was shown that the uptake of 14C-sorbitol was delayed when the cells had been pre-exposed to xylitol, and that the only labelled substance found intracellularly was sorbitol; no further metabolization occurred . This is in contrast with untreated normal cells, where sorbitol is taken up by a specific phosphotransferase system (pts) . The 14C-xylitol metabolism of the cells was qualitatively unchanged in the presence of sorbitol; an intracellular accumulation of 14C-xylitol-phosphate (xylitol-P) and 14C-xylulose-phosphate (xylulose-P) was observed . However, a reduced uptake of xylitol was observed in the presence of sorbitol . Xylitol thus appears to change the pathway by which sorbitol is taken up by the cells . An inducible permease may replace the normal sorbitol pts when xylitol is present . No further metabolization of this intracellular sorbitol seemed to occur in the resting cell suspensions . It was furthermore observed that the presence of sorbitol enhanced the inhibitory potential of xylitol . The accumulation of intracellular sorbitol coincided with markedly increased xylulose-P/xylitol-P ratio . It may be speculated that, if xylulose-P were the major inhibitor of the glycolysis instead of xylitol-P, as previously assumed, an increased concentration of xylulose-P induced by sorbitol could explain that sorbitol enhances the inhibition potential of xylitol . It is not evident, however, how intracellular sorbitol could affect the xylulose-P/xylitol-P ratio.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Aug, 24(2), 294 - 5
Graft infection and bacteremia with a tolerant L-form of Streptococcus sanguis in a patient receiving hemodialysis; Chmel H; I report a case of a tolerant L-form Streptococcus sanguis infection involving an artificial vascular access site that was probably acquired from a nonhuman source; this is the first report of such an infection in a human . Gram stains from the infected access site and blood cultures revealed an aberrant form which could only be recovered by passage through hypertonic sucrose media before being reisolated and subsequently identified as S . sanguis . The same organism was isolated from a pet dog of the patient . The organism was also felt to be tolerant to penicillin . The patient was successfully treated by removal of the artificial graft and intravenous erythromycin therapy . Microorganisms acquired from nonhuman sources are potential pathogens in the immunocompromised patient.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Aug, 167(2), 562 - 9
Relationship of shape to initiation of new sites of envelope growth in Streptococcus faecium cells treated with beta-lactam antibiotics; Higgins ML et al.; Exponential-phase cells of Streptococcus faecium were treated with concentrations of ampicillin and cephalothin which, over 60 min, had little effect on increase in culture mass but resulted in about a 65% inhibition of increase in cell numbers . The resulting drug-treated cells underwent about a doubling in cell mass and volume above that of the untreated cells . The newly divided cells produced in the presence of drugs were shown to be due to the division of central or primary sites of envelope growth present at the time of treatment . Sites that were newly initiated (secondary sites) at the time of treatment or sites initiated after treatment did not divide but enlarged in length and girth to give abnormally large cells . Although the increase in average total volume was the same after each interval of treatment with ampicillin and cephalothin, the primary growth sites of the cephalothin-treated cells grew somewhat more slowly, and their secondary sites grew somewhat more quickly, than did those of the ampicillin-treated cells . Cephalothin-treated cells initiated secondary sites at a rate similar to that of the untreated cells, whereas the ampicillin-treated cells exhibited reduced rates of secondary site initiation . Two models are presented that account for these results.

Infect Immun, 1986 Aug, 53(2), 317 - 23
Detection and specificity of antibodies secreted by spleen cells in mice immunized with Streptococcus mutans; Russell MW et al.; Immune responses of mice to Streptococcus mutans serotype c were analyzed by means of the enzyme-linked immunospot assay to determine the predominant specificities of the antibodies developed . In general, the numbers of splenic antibody-secreting cells correlated with serum antibody levels . A low dose (10(8) CFU) of killed whole cells injected twice intraperitoneally induced antibodies mainly against surface protein antigen I/II . A higher dose (10(9) CFU) given two to six times also resulted in a predominance of antigen I/II antibody-secreting cells and, in addition, antibody responses to surface protein antigen III and lipoteichoic acid occurred . Cells producing antibodies to serotype c polysaccharide were elicited only on repeated immunization . These results agreed with the development of antibodies in rabbits repeatedly immunized intravenously with killed whole cells of S . mutans, S . rattus, and S . sobrinus, which induced specific antibodies in accordance with the surface antigens that they express . Mice immunized twice with the same dose of purified antigens I/II and III developed greater numbers of antigen I/II splenic antibody-forming cells than antigen III splenic antibody-forming cells and higher serum antibody levels to antigen I/II than to antigen III . Furthermore, a single injection of antigen I/II but not of antigen III was sufficient to induce a strong specific-antibody response . Some evidence was also obtained for weak polyclonal stimulation of spleen cells by S . mutans cells and by antigen I/II, a result which could be relevant to the induction by S . mutans of antibodies reactive with mammalian tissues . It was concluded that for the antigens examined, S . mutans elicited the strongest antibody response against antigen I/II, which was also highly immunogenic in purified form.

Arch Intern Med, 1986 Aug, 146(8), 1509 - 12
Nosocomial pneumococcal bacteremia; Alvarez S et al.; In five years we studied 56 episodes of pneumococcal bacteremia . Twenty-three (41%) were nosocomial and 33 (59%) community acquired . Most of our patients were elderly men with multiple underlying diseases; however, those patients with nosocomial infections had a significantly higher incidence of malignant neoplasms (57% vs 24%), poor functional status (70% vs 25%), and ultimately fatal underlying disease (61% vs 21%) . Alcoholism was more common among the patients with community-acquired bacteremia (45% vs 17%) . Nosocomial infections carried a significantly higher overall mortality (73.9% vs 45.4%) . The mortality directly related to the pneumococcal bacteremia was also higher (52% vs 39%), but not significantly . Most of the isolated strains were serotypes present in the new pneumococcal vaccine, which only one study patient had received . Mixed pneumococcal bacteremia with gram-negative bacilli was more frequent in nosocomial infections . Streptococcus pneumoniae can be a nosocomial pathogen in elderly, debilitated patients . Pneumococcal vaccination should be incorporated in a hospital-based prevention program for high-risk patients.

J Exp Med, 1986 Aug 1, 164(2), 661 - 6
Induction and detection of a human endothelial activation antigen in vivo; Cotran RS et al.; We used a murine mAb, H4/18, raised by immunization with IL-1-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures, to localize an endothelial activation antigen in induced human delayed hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) and in pathological tissues . We used streptococcus varidase to elicit DHR in human skin and we examined sequential skin biopsies with the immunoperoxidase technique . There was no staining for H4/18 binding antigen in normal endothelium of skin and other tissues; strong positive staining, localized to vascular endothelium, was seen at 16 and 23 h but disappeared by 6 d, when the DHR had faded . H4/18 binding antigen, also confined to endothelium, was detected in lymph nodes, skin, and other tissues exhibiting immune/inflammatory reactions . The studies indicate that H4/18 is a useful marker for activated endothelium in vivo and they support the relevance of in vitro studies on inducible endothelial cell functions.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Aug, 154(2), 245 - 56
Natural and vaccine-related immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Musher DM et al.; To investigate the protective effects of pneumococcal vaccine, we assayed serum from healthy adults and from elderly bronchitics for antibody and opsonic activity against nine serotypes of S . pneumoniae . Before vaccination, there was no relation between opsonization and the level of antibody measured by RIA . Some serotypes were well opsonized in the absence of detectable antibody to capsular polysaccharide; others were not, despite modest levels of antibody . These in vitro studies did not support the concept that a certain level of antibody (e.g., greater than or equal to 250 ng of antibody nitrogen/ml) was specifically associated with the capacity to opsonize pneumococci . Nearly all postvaccination sera had increased antibody and opsonic activity against all serotypes, but the lack of correlation in any individual serum persisted . RIA showed that pre- and postvaccination levels of antibody in elderly adults with chronic lung disease were similar to those of younger adults . In elderly bronchitics, opsonizing activity for six of the nine serotypes was lower after vaccination, a result of suggesting a possible explanation for the failure of pneumococcal vaccine to be fully protective in these subjects . Elderly subjects had higher levels of antibody to phosphocholine, but when isolated, this antibody did not opsonize any of the vaccine strains of pneumococci . These results suggest that alternative strategies are needed to maximize the protective effect of pneumococcal vaccine in the population at greatest risk.

J Rheumatol, 1986 Aug, 13(4), 760 - 2
Antibodies to peptidoglycan in juvenile onset ankylosing spondylitis and pauciarticular onset juvenile arthritis associated with chronic iridocyclitis; Burgos-Vargas R et al.; Using an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, antibodies of the IgG class to Streptococcus pyogenes group A peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers (PG-GSP) were measured in the sera of 37 patients with juvenile onset ankylosing spondylitis (JAS), 22 with pauciarticular onset juvenile arthritis associated with chronic iridocyclitis and 20 healthy children . Mean antibody activity, measured in arbitrary units, was of 184 U in JAS and 250 U in chronic iridocyclitis (p = NS) . The results in both groups differed significantly from those found in healthy children (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.01, respectively) . This suggests either a possible role of bacterial cell wall products in the pathogenesis of these disorders or a state of immune reactivity to PG-GSP in these children.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Aug, 69(8), 2060 - 5
Growth of gram-positive mastogenic bacteria in normal, simulated bulk tank, and mastitic milk held at simulated fluctuating temperatures of farm bulk tank; Oz HH et al.; Growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus bovis, and Streptococcus uberis was studied in normal milk, simulated bulk tank milk, and aseptic mastitic milk held at simulated fluctuating temperatures of farm bulk tank for 48 h . With the exception of S . bovis, growth rates of the other five bacteria were similar in both normal and simulated bulk tank milk . Mastitic milk inhibited growth of all bacteria studied . A 24-h adjustment period occurred before most of the bacteria started growing . The mastitis level in a dairy herd may be monitored by cultures of bulk tank milk samples and by calculations as discussed in this study.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1986 Aug, 102(8), 197 - 200
{Monoclonal antibodies to different antigens of skin epithelium obtained by immunizing mice with streptococcus group A antigens}; Abyzov VN et al.; Monoclonal antibodies (MCA) were obtained by immunization of BALB/c mice with streptococcal group A protein antigens of the cellular wall, or with whole microbial cells . In immunofluorescence test, MCA react with different skin epithelial structures (basal, suprabasal or all the epidermal layers) . The majority of MCA belong to autoantibodies . The same MCA revealed no cross-reactions with streptococcal antigens in immunoenzyme and inhibition tests . MCA reacting with epithelial cells are, apparently, obtained as a result of polyclonal activation of the autoreactive clones by streptococcal antigens.

Scand J Dent Res, 1986 Aug, 94(4), 306 - 10
Oral implantation of Streptococcus mutans in man with and without prior chlorhexidine mouthrinses; Svanberg M et al.; Oral implantation of streptomycin resistant S . mutans was enhanced when chlorhexidine mouthrinses were applied before implantation . The difference in recovery of implanted bacteria between implantations with and without prior chlorhexidine mouthrinses was significant 9 days (P less than 0.05), 15 days (P less than 0.05) and 28 days (P less than 0.01) after implantation . After 28 days implanted bacteria were no longer detected in any of the 20 test subjects when chlorhexidine was not used prior to implantation, but persisted in 11 subjects when chlorhexidine was used.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1986 Aug, 14(4), 202 - 5
Caries prevalence, salivary Streptococcus mutans and dietary scores in 13-year-old Swedish schoolchildren; Kristoffersson K et al.; 388 13-yr-old schoolchildren from Karlstad, Sweden, participated . Dental caries experience was expressed as number of decayed (D) and filled (F) tooth surfaces (S), and registered on bite-wing radiographs and obtained from records . Salivary Streptococcus mutans counts were determined by a spatula method . A dietary score was calculated for each individual based on an interview concerning the intake frequency of 23 sugar-containing products . Significantly lower DFS values were found in the group with no detectable S . mutans compared to three of the four groups with salivary S . mutans (P less than 0.01) . No differences were found between the DFS values of individuals with high, moderate or low dietary scores . There was no statistically significant association between dietary scores and levels of S . mutans . Among the children with no detectable S . mutans, there were higher DFS-values with increasing intake frequency . No relationship between initial caries lesions, S . mutans and diet was found.

Jpn J Med Sci Biol, 1986 Aug, 39(4), 169 - 75
Cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a soluble fraction of Streptococcus pyogenes against S180 sarcoma cells; Higuchi Y; A fraction (60F) having cytotoxic and antitumor activities was obtained from cell-free extract of group A Streptococcus pyogenes by precipitating with 50% to 60% saturated ammonium sulfate . 60F showed cytotoxic activity inhibiting the uptake of 3H-thymidine by S180 sarcoma cells and enhancing 51Cr-release from 51Cr-labeled cells . 60F showed also antitumor activity, depressing tumor growth and prolonging lives of mice bearing S180 sarcoma cells.

Immunobiology, 1986 Aug, 172(1-2), 11 - 20
Immuno- and histochemical studies on galactan and human blood group-related receptors in the bovine lung; Vierbuchen M et al.; Using a monoclonal anti-galactan antibody and streptococcus B type II antibody, the distribution of lung galactan could be demonstrated for the first time in a vertebrate organ . In addition to the immunochemical demonstration of the bovine lung galactan, a human blood group A-like glycoprotein is detectable by lectinological methods in the bovine lung tissue . Various other lectin-receptors, for instance those of the peanut lectin (PNA) or for lectins with L-fucose (UEA) and N-acetyl-lactosamine (ECA) specificity show a typical staining pattern in bovine lung.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Aug, 69(8), 2031 - 7
Resistance of Streptococcus lactis mutants to beta-lactam antibiotics; Parada JL et al.; Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentrations of penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics were determined for Streptococcus lactis in milk and trypteine soy broth . The values were always higher in milk than in broth . Minimal inhibitory concentration of penicillin was higher in solid than in liquid media . Two mutants resistant to penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics were obtained, and their growth rate, proteolysis, and acidification patterns determined . Tolerance toward these antibiotics was found when the mutants were grown in milk but not when they were grown in broth.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Aug, 52(2), 394 - 5
High-efficiency transformation of Streptococcus lactis protoplasts by plasmid DNA; Simon D et al.; Streptococcus lactis IL1403 protoplasts were transformed by plasmid pIL204 (5.5 kilobases), which conferred erythromycin resistance with an average efficiency of 5 X 10(6) transformants per microgram of supercoiled DNA . The procedure used and transformation efficiencies obtained were close to those described for Bacillus subtilis (G . Chang and S . N . Cohen, Mol . Gen . Genet . 168:111-115, 1979).

J Bacteriol, 1986 Aug, 167(2), 522 - 9
N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-ornithine, a new amino acid from the intracellular pool of Streptococcus lactis; Thompson J et al.; Intracellular concentrations of amino acids were determined in cells of Streptococcus lactis 133 during growth in complex, spent, and chemically defined media . Glutamic and aspartic acids represented the major constituents of the amino acid pool . However, organisms grown in spent medium or in defined medium supplemented with ornithine also contained unusually high levels of two additional amino acids . One of these amino acids was ornithine . The second compound exhibited properties of a neutral amino acid by coelution with valine from the amino acid analyzer . The compound did not, however, comigrate with valine or any other standard amino acid by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography . The unknown amino acid was purified by paper and thin-layer chromatography, and its molecular structure was determined by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy . This new amino acid was shown to be N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-ornithine . The 14C-labeled compound was formed by cells of S . lactis 133 during growth in spent medium or defined medium containing {14C}ornithine . Formation of the derivative by resting cells required ornithine and the presence of a metabolizable sugar . N5-(1-Carboxyethyl)-ornithine was synthesized chemically from both poly-S-ornithine and (2S)-N2-carbobenzyloxy-ornithine as a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers . The physical and chemical properties of the amino acid purified from S . lactis 133 were identical to those of one of the synthetic diastereomers . The bis-N-trifluoroacetyl-di-n-butyl esters of the natural and synthetic compounds generated identical gas chromatography-mass spectrometry spectra . A mechanism is suggested for the in vivo synthesis of N5-(1-carboxyethyl)-ornithine, and the possible functions of this new amino acid are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1986 Aug, 53(2), 278 - 84
Inhibition of the interaction of Streptococcus sanguis with hexadecane droplets by 55- and 60-kilodalton hydrophobic proteins of human saliva; Babu JP et al.; The effect of salivary secretions on the hydrophobicity of Streptococcus sanguis was investigated . Pretreatment of the bacteria with paraffin-stimulated whole saliva resulted in a 79% inhibition of adhesion to hexadecane droplets . Column chromatography on Sepharose 4B and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoretic analysis indicated that the inhibitory activity of saliva resided in a fraction containing material of approximately 60,000 molecular weight . The active components, which we have termed the hydrophobic components (HC), bind to octyl-Sepharose beads . Pretreatment of S . sanguis with HC resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the streptococcus-hexadecane interaction that reached a maximum of 85% . Furthermore, HC effectively blocked the ability of S . sanguis to adhere to hydroxyapatite beads coated with either whole saliva or HC . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel analysis indicated that HC eluted from octyl-Sepharose consisted primarily of two proteins (60 kDa and 55 kilodaltons) which could be resolved by high-pressure liquid chromatography . Both of these proteins were able to inhibit the binding of S . sanguis to hexadecane in a dose-dependent manner; however, the 60-kilodalton molecule was slightly more effective in this assay . Amino acid analysis of these proteins showed that both proteins contained a high percentage of nonpolar amino acids . These findings suggest that certain components of saliva influence the interaction of S . sanguis with hydrophobic surfaces.

Mol Gen Genet, 1986 Aug, 204(2), 237 - 42
Isolation, characterization and physiological properties of an autolytic-deficient mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Lopez R et al.; A spontaneous mutation in the gene lyt encoding the pneumococcal autolysin has been characterized . This mutation, named lyt-32, which behaves as a high-efficiency marker in pneumococcal transformation, is a single base pair GC deletion causing the appearance of two consecutive termination codons in the amino terminal part of the sequence of the autolysin gene . The mutant lyt gene did not code for a polypeptide of relative molecular mass corresponding to the pneumococcal E form amidase in Escherichia coli maxicells . Pneumococcal cells containing the lyt-32 mutation (M32) were fully transformable, multiplied at a normal growth rate forming small chains and showed a tolerant response when treated with beta-lactam antibiotics . Strain M32 represents the first example of a mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae completely lacking amidase as a consequence of an alteration in the structural gene coding for the pneumococcal autolysin.

Aktuelle Traumatol, 1986 Aug, 16(4), 158 - 60
{Medium term results of treatment of post-traumatic osteitis and osteomyelitis with gentamycin-PMMA minichains}; Quell M et al.; In 10 cases of posttraumatic osteitis or osteomyelitis gentamicin-PMMA minichains have been used for treatment after radical local debridement . In 8 cases infection could be controlled completely by this regimen, one case needed adjuvant systemic antibiotic treatment and only one case with proved primarily gentamicin-resistant beta-haemolytic-streptococcus could be controlled after removal of PMMA-minichain by systemic antibiotic treatment . 3 to 9 months after therapy all infections were still under control.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Jul 15, 158(2), 289 - 93
Searching for autolysin functions . Characterization of a pneumococcal mutant deleted in the lytA gene; Sanchez-Puelles JM et al.; The first mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae showing a complete deletion in the lytA gene coding for the N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase has been isolated and characterized . This amidase was previously the only autolysin detected in this species . This mutant shows a normal growth rate and can be transformed using either chromosomal or plasmid DNA . The most remarkable biological consequences of the absence of the amidase are the formation of small chains (six to eight cells) and the absence of lysis in the stationary phase of growth . In addition, this mutant exhibits a tolerant response against the beta-lactam antibiotics.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Jul 15, 261(20), 9361 - 7
A Streptococcus mutans superoxide dismutase that is active with either manganese or iron as a cofactor; Martin ME et al.; The superoxide dismutase produced by Streptococcus mutans OMZ176 during aerobic growth in a chemically defined medium (modified FMC) that was treated with Chelex 100 (to lower trace metal contamination) and supplemented with high purity manganese was purified (162-fold) by heat treatment, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and chromatofocusing chromatography . The superoxide dismutase produced during aerobic growth in the same medium, but without manganese and supplemented with high purity iron, was similarly purified (220-fold) . The molecular masses of each holoenzyme were approximately 43,000 with a subunit mass of 20,700, indicating that the enzymes were dimers of two equally sized subunits . The superoxide dismutase from manganese-grown cells was a manganese enzyme (MnSOD) containing 1.2 atoms of manganese and 0.25 atoms of iron/subunit . The superoxide dismutase from iron-grown cells was an iron enzyme (FeSOD) containing 0.07 atoms of manganese and 0.78 atoms of iron/subunit . The amino acid compositions of the MnSOD and the FeSOD were virtually identical, and their amino-terminal sequences were identical through the first 22 amino acids . Dialysis of the FeSOD with o-phenanthroline and sodium ascorbate generated aposuperoxide dismutase with 94% loss of activity; subsequent dialysis of apoenzyme with either manganese sulfate or ferrous sulfate reconstituted activity (recoveries of 37 and 30%, respectively) . Electrophoretic determination of cytoplasmic radioiron distribution indicated that (during aerobic growth) manganese prevented insertion of iron into superoxide dismutase, although the iron levels of at least two other cytoplasmic fractions were not altered by manganese . Therefore, S . mutans used the same aposuperoxide dismutase to form either FeSOD or MnSOD, depending upon which metal was available in the culture medium . Such "cambialistic" enzymes (those capable of making a cofactor substitution) may represent a previously unrecognized family of superoxide dismutases.

Infection, 1986 Jul-Aug, 14(4), 167 - 9
Prophylactic effect of human immunoglobulin against pneumococcal post-splenectomy sepsis in the rat; Offenbartl K et al.; Failure to clear the blood of pneumococci after splenectomy may be corrected by active immunization, but some patients show poor antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination . Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis against post-splenectomy sepsis carries the risk of development of bacterial resistance and low patient compliance . In the present study, using a rat model for post-splenectomy sepsis, human immunoglobulin was given 24 h before challenging the animals with 10(3) Streptococcus pneumoniae . Immunoglobulin at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight was protective . Reducing the immunoglobulin dose to 75 mg/kg did not alter the mortality rate but significantly prolonged the survival time . The results indicate that the new immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use might provide an effective means of reducing the risk of post-splenectomy sepsis, even in the most susceptible patients.

Microbiologica, 1986 Jul, 9(3), 305 - 19
Comparison of effects of penicillin minimal inhibitory and sub-inhibitory concentration on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecium does not support the view that antibiotic sub-inhibitory concentrations can specifically interfere with bacterial virulence; Satta G et al.; The effect of minimal (MIC) and sub-minimal (sub-MIC) inhibitory concentrations of penicillin on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecium were compared . It was found that similar alterations in both cell shape and ultrastructure were found in the presence of penicillin MIC and sub-MICs, the only difference being that while in the presence of penicillin MIC all individual cells were altered, in the presence of sub-MICs the damaged portion was smaller the lower the penicillin concentration and the longer the incubation time . By testing the effect of inoculum size on the penicillin MIC, it was found that penicillin concentrations, which were sub-MICs for rather dense population, turned out to be the MICs for lower density populations . These findings do not support the view that sub-MICs of antibiotics can cause specific damage to bacterial cells which, although not leading to growth inhibition, lowers their virulence . On the contrary, it is suggested that penicillin sub-MICs have no specific effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecium cells, but simply differ from MIC in that they do not inhibit all cells.

Can J Vet Res, 1986 Jul, 50(3), 338 - 41
Streptococcus suis in slaughter pigs and abattoir workers; Breton J et al.; The detection and identification of Streptococcus suis type 2 in 8.1% of 347 pig herds of southwestern Ontario revealed that the infection is widespread in this area . A herd suspected to be infected showed a carrier rate of 9.7% among the 62 animals sampled . These subclinical carriers represent a potential source of infection for slaughterhouse workers . From studies of contamination of hands and knives, it was concluded that eviscerators involved in removing the larynx and lungs from the carcasses have a significantly higher (p less than or equal to 0.05) risk of exposure to Streptococcus suis than other abattoir workers.

J Clin Psychiatry, 1986 Jul, 47(7), 383 - 4
Amnesia as a presenting symptom in subacute bacterial endocarditis; Grillo RA Jr et al.; A 33-year-old woman presented with an atypical form of amnesia . The amnesia completely resolved after treatment with intravenous penicillin for subacute bacterial endocarditis secondary to a viridans streptococcus . Neuropsychiatric presentations of bacterial endocarditis and the unique aspects of this case are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1986 Jul, 53(1), 95 - 8
Antibodies to bacterial vaccines demonstrating specificity for human choriogonadotropin (hCG) and immunochemical detection of hCG-like factor in subcellular bacterial fractions; Domingue GJ et al.; Investigations were done to determine whether vaccines prepared with chemically killed Staphylococcus haemolyticus RU1 and Streptococcus bovis AV46 (bacteria that have been demonstrated to express human choriogonadotropin {hCG}-like material on their surface) elicited antibodies in rabbits with specificity for hCG determinants . In addition, the anatomical locus of the hCG-like factor was determined by separation of bacterial subcellular fractions . The results demonstrated that these bacterial vaccines elicited antibodies immunologically similar to those antibodies produced in response to the whole human trophoblastic hormone, a similarity extending even to cross-reactivity with human luteinizing hormone . The bacterial hCG-like material appeared to be localized in the membranes of the cell wall, and most was present in the soluble membranous and cytoplasmic constituents . Its expression in bacteria was a strain characteristic and not a species characteristic.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 Jul, 5(2), 171 - 6
Infective endocarditis due to penicillin-tolerant Streptococcus bovis; Fung JC et al.; Two Streptococcus bovis isolates obtained from patients with endocarditis were found to be tolerant to penicillin and other cell wall active agents . By time-kill analysis, penicillin and streptomycin acted synergistically against these strains . The existence of tolerant S . bovis strains should be considered when initially choosing antibiotics for the treatment of serious S . bovis infections.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jul, 30(1), 57 - 63
Alterations in kinetic properties of penicillin-binding proteins of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae; Handwerger S et al.; Earlier studies have shown that the highly penicillin-resistant South African Strains of pneumococci contain altered penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) (S . Zighelboim and A . Tomasz, Antimicrob . Agents Chemother . 17:434-442, 1980) . We now describe a detailed quantitative characterization of the reaction of radioactively labeled penicillin with the PBPs of the penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant pneumococci and several intermediate-resistance-level genetic transformants as well . The altered binding of the antibiotic by the PBPs of resistant cells appears to be due to a combination of two factors: lower drug affinity and change in the cellular amounts of PBPs . No alteration in the rates of deacylation of the penicilloyl-PBPs of the resistant cells was detected.

Pediatrie, 1986 Jul-Aug, 41(5), 425 - 8
{Carotid artery occlusion in meningitis due to Streptococcus B}; Delmas MC et al.; A 14 days old neonate presented an occlusion of the right internal carotid artery complicating a Streptococcus B meningitis . We discuss the mechanism of this rare complication of purulent meningitis, usually due to hemophilus influenzae.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1986 Jul, 36(7), 1085 - 8
{Animal experiment and cell biology study of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen CBS 5926 in the non-specific enhancement of resistance to infection}; Petzoldt K et al.; In an animal experimental study the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.c.) Hansen CBS 5926 (Perenterol) on bacterial infections has been investigated using different forms of application . A significant protective effect after oronasal, intragastric and subcutaneous application of S.c . Hansen CBS 5926 has been found by challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli . In order to investigate the possible mode of action the effect of S.c . Hansen CBS 5926 on chemiluminescence activity of polymorphonuclear cells from porcine blood has been studied . Isolated cells as well as cells in whole blood showed a significant induction of chemiluminescence . In comparison to Zymosan A the yeast cells originating from the commercial formulation showed a less pronounced ability to stimulate the chemiluminescence of blood cells . However, the stimulation was significantly enhanced after inactivation by heat.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 Jul, 261(4), 454 - 60
Effect of streptolysin S from Streptococcus pyogenes on contact sensitivity in mice; Hryniewicz W et al.; Streptolysin S, a hemolytic toxin produced by strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, was examined for its effect on cellular immune reaction in mice . The toxin given intraperitoneally for six consecutive days did not influence intensiveness of delayed hypersensitivity to oxazolone which has been used as a model of cellular immune reaction . Streptolysin S injected subcutaneously, closely to lymph nodes directly involved in immune response, markedly suppressed delayed hypersensitivity . Significant inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by streptolysin S was observed both in vivo as well as in vitro experiments.

Infection, 1986 Jul-Aug, 14(4), 181 - 5
Meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis: case report and review of the literature; Lutticken R et al.; A case of purulent meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis type 2 (group R streptococcus) is described . It occurred in a 69-year-old farmer's wife who raised pigs on her farm . Here, as well as in nearly all other cases of S . suis meningitis reported to date, close occupational contact with pigs or pork preceded the infection; this epidemiological link can be explained by the frequent occurrence of S . suis as a commensal and opportunistic pathogen in pigs . Up until now, S . suis infection in man has been rare and has had a good prognosis . However, disturbances of the eighth cranial nerve have been found in many patients, even causing permanent deafness in some . These and other clinical, epidemiological and microbiological features of S . suis disease in man are discussed here.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Jul, (7), 51 - 5
{Isolation and characteristics of an antibacterial substance produced by a strain of Streptococcus sp . Thom-1606 . A study of the biological activity of the metabolic products of Streptococcus sp . Thom-1606}; Eremin VI et al.; The data on the biological properties of the culture fluid of Streptococcus strain sp . TOM-1606 are presented . The native preparation has been shown to possess the capacity for stimulating the rate of the clearance of the peritoneal cavity of mice from Staphylococcus aureus cells, strain MT-1, rif . r., found to be insensitive to the action of the above-mentioned preparation in vitro . The crude preparation produces a transitory bacteriostatic effect on the streptococcal and staphylococcal strains under study . The preparation produces a prolonged bacteriostatic effect only on Micrococcus luteus test strain . All these data suggest that the crude preparation contains at least two active principles.

Surv Ophthalmol, 1986 Jul-Aug, 31(1), 69 - 72
Infectious crystalline keratopathy; Reiss GR et al.; A 57-year-old white female was noted to have unusual intrastromal crystalline-like opacities in her failing right corneal graft five months after transplant surgery . Cultures grew Streptococcus viridans; since the graft was failing it was replaced and sent for pathologic examination . H&E stains revealed intrastromal pockets of basophilic material between the lamellae; there was a notable absence of inflammatory cells . Gram's stain showed the basophilic material to be gram positive and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of intrastromal pockets of bacteria . The term "infectious crystalline keratopathy" was coined by Meisler for this entity, which occurs following longterm topical steroid usage . The quite clinical appearance may make its infectious etiology unapparent . Management consists of discontinuation of the steroids and the administration of antibiotics; continued infection, corneal scars, or graft failure may occur and transplantation is then required.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Jul-Aug, 8 Suppl 3, S237 - 59
beta-Lactam antibiotics: structural relationships affecting in vitro activity and pharmacologic properties; Neu HC; The essential nucleus of beta-lactam antibiotics is the four-membered ring, which can exist fused to form bicyclic ring structures or with moieties alone affixed to the four atoms . Penicillins, penems, carbapenems, and clavams have asymmetric centers at C-5 and C-6; cephalosporins and oxacephems have asymmetric centers at C-6 and C-7 . Penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams require a beta-acylamino group for antimicrobial activity . Cephalosporins can undergo modification at C-3 and C-7 in both the alpha and beta position . Sulfur can be replaced with oxygen to achieve a more reactive nucleus . The most useful 7-beta-acylamino groups have been a 2-aminothiazolyl and an iminomethoxy or carboxypropyl group . Substitutions on the 7-alpha position increase beta-lactamase stability but decrease activity against staphylococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae . C-3 substitutions, particularly pyridinium groups, increase activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . Carbapenems possess 6-alkyl substitutions in a trans configuration and inhibit aerobic, anaerobic gram-positive, and gram-negative bacteria . Monobactams are activated by sulfonic, phosphoric, or carboxyl groups, and their properties are related to the C-3-acyl side chain and their beta-lactamase stability to the C-4 grouping . beta-Lactamase inhibitors acylated by beta-lactamases can be penicillanic acid derivatives or clavulanates.

Microbiologica, 1986 Jul, 9(3), 393 - 8
Coaggregation between Actinomyces viscosus with Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae; Chisari G et al.; Interbacterial coaggregation between Actinomyces viscosus indigenous to the human mouth and Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae was studied . Fifteen of twenty-six strains of Streptococcus pyogenes and thirteen of thirty-one Streptococcus agalactiae showed a coaggregation with Actinomyces viscosus strain . The results show that the coaggregation mechanism required calcium and was dependent on pH . Some coaggregations were inhibited by 0.06 M . lactose and by 1 M . NaCl.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1986 Jul, 20(3), 196 - 9
{Treatment of infectious endocarditis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and cardiac surgery}; Tokatli A et al.; A 12 year old boy was admitted to hospital with fever, general malaise, cough and peripheral edema . The patient who have had rheumatic heart diseases-mitral insufficiency was found to be in congestive cardiac failure . In blood cultures Staphylococcus aureus and Alpha-hemolytic streptococcus grew . The regimens of Cephalothin-Gentamicin, Methicillin-Tobramicin, to which the organism were sensitive were given intravenously . On these therapy the patient continued to have fever . He was put on Trimethoprim-Sulfomethoxazole intramuscularly . He became afebril for the first time . After two weeks fever recurred . In spite of medical treatment, the infection persisted and the indication for surgery was considered . Mitral valve replacement with a Starr-Edwards prosthesis was carried out . Postoperatively, the patient was treated with TMP-SMZ . For the past 10 months the patient has remained afebril and without evidence of congestive heart failure.

J Pediatr Surg, 1986 Jul, 21(7), 628 - 32
Postsplenectomy sepsis and other complications following staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease in childhood; Hays DM et al.; This is a survey of 234 pediatric patients in whom staging laparotomy/splenectomy was carried out (1975 to 1981) in the course of the Intergroup Hodgkin's Disease in Childhood Study (IHDCS) . Relapse has occurred in 44 of these patients, and 12 have died, 7 secondary to extension of lymphoma, 2 with herpes or pneumocystis infections, 2 with leukemia, and 1 from an unrelated accident . During the period of surveillance (mean 5.5 yr), five episodes of bacterial sepsis (positive blood cultures) have occurred, including two due to Streptococcus pneumoniae; and three, to Hemophilus influenzae . The former occurred in the small group of patients in this series who had not received the prescribed pneumococcal vaccination . No fatalities were associated with these septic episodes . Intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesions (benign) occurred in eight patients and was managed without intestinal resection or mortality . One patient required operative release of an obstructed ureter following laparotomy, and one, oophorectomy for an infarcted (transposed) ovary.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Jul, 13(6), 625 - 37
Frequency distributions of periodontal attachment loss . Clinical and microbiological features; Haffajee AD et al.; The present investigation attempted to determine if the pattern of past periodontal destruction could be concisely summarized, and related to other clinical and microbiological parameters . 61 subjects between the ages of 12 and 61 years with destructive periodontal disease were evaluated at 6 sites per tooth for redness, plaque, suppuration, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and attachment level . The frequency distribution of baseline attachment level measurements was computed for each individual . A curve fitting algorithm was used to fit the frequency distribution to 1-, 2-, and 3-term normal distributions . The parameters of the fit could be used to summarize concisely all of the frequency distributions . 3 major patterns of attachment loss could be distinguished . Pattern I required a two-term distribution with localized destruction at less than 34% of sites and was further divided into 3 groups, depending on average attachment loss at diseased sites . The means of the second peak for the subgroups were 2.7, 5.3, and 8.6 mm, respectively . Pattern II exhibited more widespread disease (greater than 33% of sites affected) with multiple peaks in the frequency distribution requiring a 3-term distribution for satisfactory fit . However, a significant proportion of sites was not affected . Pattern III exhibited a single-peaked normal distribution in which virtually all sites were affected . Mean attachment levels of the peaks in this group ranged from 2.7 to 8.4 mm . 23 of the 61 subjects showed significant attachment loss at 1 or more sites during the course of bi-monthly monitoring, as determined by the tolerance method of analysis . Subgingival plaque samples were taken from these active sites and matched with control sites prior to therapy . The proportions of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus intermedius, and Eikenella corrodens were significantly elevated in active and control sites of subjects in groups II and III combined (the widespread disease groups), and proportions of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Propionibacterium acnes were elevated in active and control sites of the more localized disease group I subjects . Group I subjects showed a 13- to 15-fold decrease in hazard rates of periodontal sites after Widman flap surgery and systemic tetracycline, whereas groups II and III subjects showed 2-to 6-fold decreases.

Ann Plast Surg, 1986 Jul, 17(1), 87 - 90
Fournier's gangrene of the penis: a report of two cases; Schneider PR et al.; Fournier's gangrene is a rare disease involving the scrotum and penis with occasional extension up the abdominal wall . Both of our cases were unusual in that only the penis was involved . In addition, the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in an area previously affected by Fournier's gangrene has never been reported . The usual organism is an anaerobic streptococcus synergistic with some second organism . Early therapy is key, including debridement of the entire shaft of the penis distal to the devastated area, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, and skin grafting.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 Jul, 182(4), 401 - 6
Phagetypes of human and bovine Streptococcus agalactiae isolates in Slovenia; Brglez I et al.; In two rural areas 34 human (colonization) and 2 bovine (mastitis) Str . agalactiae strains were isolated . Identical serotypes and phagetypes in persons and cows were established: serotype R with phagetype 14/27/30/31 in two persons and one cow from two neighbouring villages, and serotype Ic with phagetype 4/12/16/18/20 in a child and a cow from the same household . Identical serotypes and phagetypes were also found in two married couples and in members of other families . Serotypes with phagetypes confirm the transmission of Str . agalactiae from person to person, but also show, that the transmission from cows to humans might be possible.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 Jul, 182(4), 360 - 71
Post-mortem bacterial culture of bronchial mucus and heart blood in hospital and non-hospital autopsies: effect of morgue time and length of hospitalization; Paakko P et al.; We studied cultures of 109 bronchial mucus and 67 heart blood specimens from unselected hospital autopsies and 40 bronchial mucus and heart blood specimens from unselected non-hospital (forensic) autopsies, performed 1-11 days after death . The most prevalent bacterium was Streptococcus viridans . No association was found between morgue time and the number of species isolated from each bronchial mucus or heart blood specimen in either hospital or non-hospital autopsies, nor between morgue time and the number of occasions different species were isolated from the bronchial mucus or heart blood specimens in either series . Bronchial mucus and heart blood cultures from the hospital autopsies gave more often gram negative rods and less often other microbes in result than those from the non-hospital autopsies (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.025 respectively) . There was a highly significant association between the length of hospitalization and the occurrence of gram negative rods both in the bronchial mucus and heart blood (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.0001 respectively), a result which probably reflects the ante-mortem colonization of the respiratory tract with gram negative bacilli among hospitalized patients.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Jul, (7), 56 - 9
{Antigenic structure of the polysaccharide capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in Leningrad 1978-1984}; Vishniakova LA et al.; The serotyping of 826 S . pneumoniae strains, isolated in conditionally diagnostic concentrations from the bronchial contents of patients with acute and chronic inflammatory pulmonary diseases during 1978-1984 in Leningrad, was made . The study revealed the prevalence of serotypes and groups 6, 23, 9, 3, 19, 15 and the undulant character of fluctuations in their annual occurrence . The specific proportion of the prevailing serotypes of S . pneumoniae among the cultures isolated from patients with acute pneumonia and acute bronchitis (6 and 19) was found to differ from that among S . pneumoniae strains isolated from patients with chronic bronchitis; in the latter patients serotypes 3 and 9 occurred more frequently (P less than 0.01).

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1986 Jun 30, 84(2), 209 - 19
Modulation of serum complement levels following exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins; White KL Jr et al.; Subchronic 14-day exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suppressed serum total hemolytic complement activity (CH50) in female B6C3F1 mice at doses of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms/kg . Serum levels of complement component C3 were also suppressed at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms/kg . Another dioxin isomer, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HCDD), also produced dose-dependent suppression of complement activity at doses of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 micrograms/kg with decreased C3 levels at 10 micrograms/kg . Both TCDD and HCDD enhanced susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterial pathogen whose host defense is complement mediated . Recovery studies demonstrated that complement activity in TCDD (1 microgram/kg) and HCDD (10 micrograms/kg)-treated animals was suppressed until 50 days post-treatment, while low doses of HCDD (0.1 and 1.0 micrograms/kg) elevated CH50 levels . Acute exposure to TCDD (14 micrograms/kg) also suppressed complement CH50 and C3 levels . These studies demonstrate that the complement system and innate immunity represent potential target sites for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins.

J Immunol Methods, 1986 Jun 24, 90(2), 257 - 64
A quantitative fluorescent method for measurement of bacterial adherence and phagocytosis; Sveum RJ et al.; We have developed a new two-color fluorescent method for the quantitative measurement of adherence and ingestion of Streptococcus pneumoniae by human monocytes . The method employs a fluorescent naphthalimide, Lucifer Yellow VS, that has been covalently linked to the bacterial cell wall . Bacteria were opsonized and allowed to adhere to monocytes . Lucifer Yellow did not alter the bacterial interaction with complement in serum or with the phagocytic cell . The ability of monocytes to ingest the adherent bacteria was tested under a variety of conditions . Rabbit antibody to Lucifer Yellow derivatized with Texas Red was used to detect monocyte-bound, but uningested bacteria . Dual laser flow cytometry simultaneously quantitated the total number of monocyte-associated S . pneumoniae and the number that remained surface adherent . This method allows separate analysis of the opsonins and receptors involved in bacterial adherence to phagocytes and in the ingestion process.

N Engl J Med, 1986 Jun 19, 314(25), 1593 - 9
Prophylaxis with oral penicillin in children with sickle cell anemia . A randomized trial; Gaston MH et al.; Children with sickle cell anemia have an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, especially to those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae . We therefore conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to test whether the regular, daily administration of oral penicillin would reduce the incidence of documented septicemia due to S.pneumoniae in children with sickle cell anemia who were under the age of three years at the time of entry . The children were randomly assigned to receive either 125 mg of penicillin V potassium (105 children) or placebo (110 children) twice daily . The trial was terminated 8 months early, after an average of 15 months of follow-up, when an 84 percent reduction in the incidence of infection was observed in the group treated with penicillin, as compared with the group given placebo (13 of 110 patients vs . 2 of 105; P = 0.0025), with no deaths from pneumococcal septicemia occurring in the penicillin group but three deaths from the infection occurring in the placebo group . On the basis of these results, we conclude that children should be screened in the neonatal period for sickle cell hemoglobinopathy and that those with sickle cell anemia should receive prophylactic therapy with oral penicillin by four months of age to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with pneumococcal septicemia.

Biochem J, 1986 Jun 15, 236(3), 721 - 7
Purification of the fructose 1,6-bisphosphate-dependent lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus uberis and an investigation of its existence in different forms; Williams RA et al.; The fructose 1,6-bisphosphate {Fru(1,6)P2}-dependent lactate dehydrogenase in cells of Streptococcus uberis N.C.D.O . 2039 was purified by a procedure that included chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Blue Sepharose CL-6B in phosphate buffers . The enzyme appeared to interact with Blue Sepharose through NADH-binding sites . The homogeneous enzyme had catalytic properties that were generally similar to those of other Fru(1,6)P2-dependent lactate dehydrogenases, and it had no catalytic activity in the absence of Fru(1,6)P2 . Its existence in different forms, depending on conditions, was investigated by ultracentrifugation, analytical gel filtration and activity measurements . It consisted of subunits with Mr 35,900 +/- 500 and, in the presence of adequate concentrations of Fru(1,6)P2, phosphate or NADH, it existed as a tetramer, whereas when these ligands were in lower concentrations or absent, the subunits were in a concentration-dependent association-dissociation equilibrium . Dissociation occurred slowly and inactivated the enzyme, and although added ligands reversed the dissociation, the lost activity was at best only partly restored . An exception occurred when dissociation was caused by a decrease in temperature, in which case the lost activity was fully restored at the original temperature . The tetramer also lost activity at certain ligand concentrations without dissociating . The results together indicated the presence on the enzyme of two classes of binding site for both Fru(1,6)P2 and NADH, and the likelihood that phosphate bound at the same sites as Fru(1,6)P2 . Two different ligands together were much more effective at preventing inactivation and dissociation than was expected from their effectiveness when present separately . It was concluded that tetrameric forms of the enzyme rather than the enzyme in association-dissociation equilibrium were involved in the regulation of its activity in vivo.

J Immunol, 1986 Jun 15, 136(12), 4617 - 22
Oxidative inactivation of pneumolysin by the myeloperoxidase system and stimulated human neutrophils; Clark RA; Pneumolysin, a hemolytic toxin from Streptococcus pneumoniae, is a member of the group of thiol-activated, oxygen-labile cytolysins produced by various Gram-positive bacteria . The toxin activity of pneumolysin, as determined by lysis of 51Cr-labeled human erythrocytes, was destroyed on exposure to the neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and a halide (chloride or iodide) . Detoxification required each component of the myeloperoxidase system and was prevented by the addition of agents that inhibit heme enzymes (azide, cyanide) or degrade H2O2 (catalase) . Reagent H2O2 could be replaced by the peroxide-generating enzyme system glucose oxidase plus glucose . The entire myeloperoxidase system could be replaced by sodium hypochlorite at micromolar concentrations . Toxin inactivation was a function of time of exposure to the myeloperoxidase system (less than 1 min), the rate of formation of H2O2 (0.05 nmol/min), and the concentration of toxin employed . Toxin that had been inactivated by the myeloperoxidase system was reactivated on incubation with the reducing agent dithiothreitol . Pneumolysin was also inactivated when incubated with human neutrophils (10(5)) in the presence of a halide and phorbol myristate acetate, an activator of neutrophil secretion and oxygen metabolism . Toxin inactivation by stimulated neutrophils was blocked by azide, cyanide, or catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase . Neutrophils from patients with impaired oxygen metabolism (chronic granulomatous disease) or absent myeloperoxidase (hereditary deficiency) failed to inactivate the toxin unless they were supplied with an exogenous source of H2O2 or purified myeloperoxidase, respectively . Thus, inactivation of pneumolysin involved the secretion of myeloperoxidase and H2O2, which combined with extracellular halides to form agents (e.g., hypochlorite) capable of oxidizing the toxin . This example of oxidative inactivation of a cytolytic agent may serve as a model for phagocyte-mediated detoxification of microbial products.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986 Jun 13, 137(2), 614 - 9
Molecular characterization of an autolysin-defective mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Garcia JL et al.; The mutant gene lyt-4 of the autolysin-defective mutant R6ly4-4 of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which synthesized a temperature-sensitive autolytic enzyme, has been cloned in Escherichia coli . The nucleotide defect of the lyt-4 mutation has been characterized as a CG to TA transition . This transition causes the appearance of a glutamic acid instead of a glycine in the amino acid sequence of the autolysin, altering the hydropathic profile of the protein . This alteration might explain the observed thermosensitivity of the mutated autolytic enzyme . The present work represents the first molecular characterization of a mutation in the structural gene of a bacterial autolysin.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1986 Jun, 94(3), 105 - 11
Optimal conditions for the opsonophagocytosis test with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 3, 6A, 7F and 19F and human granulocytes; Silvennoinen-Kassinen S et al.; There are great variations in test systems used to measure pneumococcal opsonophagocytosis; therefore, in the present study, a detailed analysis of the human granulocyte opsonophagocytosis test with pneumococci was made . Variables affecting the test were evaluated . These were the amount of bacteria, the amount of antipneumococcal antibody and complement in the test . Correlation between phagocytosis percentage (percentage of cells taking part in the phagocytosis) and phagocytosis index (mean amount of bacteria phagocytosed per cell) was shown . The conclusion is that, after precise test-adjustment, weak phagocytosis is better detected by phagocytosis percentage and high phagocytosis activity is best shown by phagocytosis index.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Jun, 5(3), 282 - 6
Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with coagglutination and latex agglutination for rapid diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia by detecting antigen in sputa; Holmberg H et al.; A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detecting the species-specific pneumococcal C polysaccharide was compared to latex agglutination and a coagglutination test which detected capsular pneumococcal antigens in sputum specimens with regard to specificity and sensitivity . Specimens from 52 patients with clinical and radiological evidence for pneumonia were tested . Twenty-one patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in sputum and 31 patients with a non-pneumococcal etiology were included . The predictive values for a positive test by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 0.91 and for a negative test 0.97, by latex agglutination 0.90 and 0.91, and by coagglutination 0.84 and 0.85 respectively; these values did not show a statistically significant difference . Whereas agglutination tests are technically more simple and can be performed more rapidly, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has the advantage of detecting pneumococcal C polysaccharide, an antigen common to all pneumococci . Thus it provides an interesting alternative to tests based on serum containing antibodies to all 83 different capsular polysaccharides.

Biochem Int, 1986 Jun, 12(6), 881 - 7
Coordinate repression of arginine aminopeptidase and three enzymes of the arginine deiminase pathway in Streptococcus mitis; Hiraoka BY et al.; Streptococcus mitis contains two arginine aminopeptidases (I and II) as an arginine-supplying system and the arginine deiminase pathway as an arginine-utilizing system . The levels of arginine aminopeptidase I and three enzymes of the arginine deiminase pathway were suppressed by glucose in an apparently coordinate manner . Enzyme II appeared to be constitutive.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Jun, 47(6), 1207 - 10
Antibacterial activity of dilute povidone-iodine solutions used for ocular surface disinfection in dogs; Roberts SM et al.; Bacterial cultures of specimens from healthy canine eyelids and ocular surfaces were found to demonstrate bacterial growth in 69.7% (53/76) of the eyes sampled . Organisms most commonly isolated included: Staphylococcus aureus, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus sp, S epidermidis, and Escherichia coli . Evaluation of dilute povidone-iodine solutions for effectiveness as ocular surface disinfectants was conducted . Bacterial growth initially detected in 32 of 46 eyes was not detected after disinfection with a 2-minute scrub and 2-minute soaking procedure, using 1:2, 1:10, or 1:50 dilutions of a povidone-iodine solution that contained 1% available iodine . The eyelid and ocular surfaces of 16 eyes were disinfected with 1:100 povidone-iodine solution . Bacterial growth initially present in 10 of 16 eyes was present in 1 eye after disinfection and consisted of a single colony of E coli . After eyes were disinfected with 1:10, 1:50, or 1:100 povidone-iodine solutions, there was no evidence of corneal epithelial edema or sloughing . In 15 eyes subjected to disinfection with the 1:2 dilution, one instance of epithelial corneal edema was noticed . A 1:50 dilution of povidone-iodine is recommended as an ocular surface disinfectant for use in presurgical situations.

Arch Intern Med, 1986 Jun, 146(6), 1174 - 6
Pneumococcal pericarditis . Diagnostic usefulness of counterimmunoelectrophoresis and computed tomographic scanning; Starling RC et al.; Although counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid has proved useful in the diagnosis of meningitis, there has been little experience with its use in analyzing pericardial fluid . We describe two patients with pneumococcal pneumonia whose hospital course was complicated by purulent pericarditis . In one patient, results of a computed tomographic scan were important in suggesting the diagnosis . Results of a Gram's stain and culture of pericardial fluid failed to yield any organisms, presumably because both patients had received nine days of beta-lactam antibiotic therapy . However, the results from CIE analysis of pericardial fluid in both cases were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae . In one patient, for whom capsular typing of the organism was performed, the pneumococcus type isolated from pericardial fluid matched the type isolated previously from a blood sample . The results of CIE can allow focused antibiotic therapy by establishing the correct diagnosis.

Infect Immun, 1986 Jun, 52(3), 682 - 7
Local active gingival immunization by a 3,800-molecular-weight streptococcal antigen in protection against dental caries; Lehner T et al.; Local gingival immunization was attempted in an effort to confine the immune response to the oral cavity and bypass the systemic immune response . A low-molecular-weight (3.8K) streptococcal antigen (SA) I/II was applied 10 times over a period of 1 year to the gingival crevices of rhesus monkeys . The antigen was maintained in situ by means of silicone rubber appliances . Serial examinations over a period of 1 year showed that topical gingival immunization with the 3.8K SA results in a significantly lower incidence of dental caries and colonization of Streptococcus mutans compared with that of the sham-immunized controls . This was associated with an increase in gingival crevicular immunoglobulin G and salivary immunoglobulin A anti-SA I/II antibodies, whereas no change occurred in serum antibodies to SA I/II . The immune mechanism which prevents the colonization of S . mutans and the development of caries may involve antibodies that prevent the adherence of S . mutans to the teeth and facilitate phagocytosis and killing by the local neutrophils . This novel route of local immunization is noninvasive, does not cause side effects, and bypasses systemic immunization.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Jun, 153(6), 1038 - 45
Endometrial cultures obtained by a triple-lumen method from afebrile and febrile postpartum women; Eschenbach DA et al.; Transfundal endometrial cultures obtained from afebrile women who delivered vaginally were uniformly free of bacteria and contained Ureaplasma urealyticum in only 2 of 14 women . A protected triple-lumen transcervical method to obtain an endometrial culture recovered organisms from 6 (43%) of the 14 women . Compared with cultures from afebrile women, organisms were recovered from 51 (93%) of 55 febrile postpartum women by using the triple-lumen transcervical culture method (P less than .001) . Among febrile women there was a correlation between the recovery of group B Streptococcus, enterococcus, Gardnerella vaginalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and anaerobic bacteria from the cervix and their recovery from the endometrium . Protected transcervical methods used to obtain postpartum endometrial cultures reduce cervical contamination, but semiquantitation of the culture is useful to further increase culture specificity.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Jun, 153(6), 1028 - 37
Polymicrobial early postpartum endometritis with facultative and anaerobic bacteria, genital mycoplasmas, and Chlamydia trachomatis: treatment with piperacillin or cefoxitin; Rosene K et al.; A protected, triple-lumen transcervical culture method was used to recover organisms from the endometrium . At least one facultative or one anaerobic species of bacteria was recovered from 82% of the patients, and genital mycoplasmas were recovered from 76% of the women with endometritis . Bacteria together with genital mycoplasmas were present in 61% of the women, bacteria alone were present in 20%, genital mycoplasmas alone were present in 16%, and Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 2% of the patients . The most common organisms included Gardnerella vaginalis, Peptococcus spp., Bacteroides spp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, group B Streptococcus, and Ureaplasma urealyticum . A randomized, double-blind regimen of either piperacillin or cefoxitin was equally successful in treating the postpartum endometritis.

Clin Pharm, 1986 Jun, 5(6), 517 - 21
Pneumonia caused by a relatively resistant strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Davis RL et al.; A patient with pneumonia caused by a relatively resistant strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae that did not respond to prolonged therapy with intravenous ampicillin is described, and general principles of treatment for such cases are reviewed . The patient was a 16-month-old, 10-kg girl who was admitted to a hospital for treatment of severe smoke inhalation and burns . The patient was intubated immediately, but her respiratory status remained unstable . Chest roentgenograms showed numerous episodes of pneumonia; the organism was later identified as Strep . pneumoniae . Despite empiric therapy with ampicillin and tobramycin followed by a prolonged course of ampicillin and subsequent treatment with cefazolin, the patient's respiratory status did not improve, and she continued to have elevated temperatures . Strep . pneumoniae isolated from her blood was identified as relatively resistant to penicillin but sensitive to chloramphenicol . After a seven-day course of chloramphenicol, the patient recovered and was later discharged . Relatively resistant Strep . pneumoniae (RRSP) infections often occur at sites where high antibiotic concentrations are not achieved, such as in the CNS . Prior antibiotic therapy may increase or have no effect on the incidence of RRSP . The mechanism for RRSP is unknown, and these infections often are not detected until a patient has failed to respond to conventional therapy . Also, the incidence of RRSP has not been determined because many hospitals do not perform susceptibility tests for pneumococcal isolates routinely . Vancomycin or chloramphenicol may be alternates to penicillin for the treatment of RRSP, but antibiotic sensitivities should be determined for each isolate to ensure susceptibility.

Immunol Lett, 1986 Jun, 12(5-6), 313 - 9
Preferential secretion of a common anti-DNA idiotype (16/6 Id) and anti-polynucleotide antibodies by normal mononuclear cells following stimulation with Klebsiella pneumoniae; el-Roiey A et al.; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from 6 normal subjects were incubated with 5 polyclonal activators (pokeweed mitogen, Epstein-Barr virus, group-A Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae . After 7 days of incubation, the supernatants were examined for immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) production, the level of a common anti-DNA idiotype (16/6 Id) and autoantibody activity against ssDNA, dsDNA, poly(I), poly(dT) and cardiolipin . Significantly increased levels of the 16/6 Id were recorded only with the Klebsiella stimulated MNC . Increased immunoglobulin levels and autoantibody reactivity were noted with all 5 polyclonal activators . The Klebsiella cell membrane preparation induced the highest values . No correlation was found between the 16/6 levels, autoantibody activity and the absolute concentrations of IgG or IgM . This study, together with previous reports, suggests a role for Klebsiella in the etiology of autoimmune diseases . We suggest that Klebsiella can induce anti-DNA-like autoantibodies not only by polyclonal activation, but also by a more specific stimulus.

Eur Heart J, 1986 Jun, 7(6), 520 - 7
Fibrinolytic therapy in bacterial endocarditis: experimental studies in dogs; Dewar HA et al.; An investigation was undertaken to assess the value of adding streptokinase therapy to standard penicillin treatment of artificially induced infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus sanguis . In pigs a low-grade infection could be induced which closely simulated streptococcal endocarditis in man, but for technical reasons this model proved unsatisfactory for further experimentation . In dogs the induction of S . sanguis endocarditis produced a more severe illness with a short natural history . Dogs were divided into two groups, one treated with penicillin alone, the other with penicillin and streptokinase . A five-day course, in which twice daily injections of an acylated streptokinase-plasminogen complex were given, caused a substantial reduction in the size of vegetations and possibly a higher proportion of cures and less damage to the valves . Infarction of the brain, almost certainly due to embolism, was significantly greater in the streptokinase treated group, but the same was not true of the kidneys . The possible value of such treatment for certain kinds of bacterial endocarditis in man, especially in the right side of the heart, is discussed.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Jun, 47(6), 1211 - 3
Monoclonal antibodies produced to Streptococcus agalactiae; Ainsworth AJ et al.; Two monoclonal antibodies produced against Streptococcus agalactiae were studied for their specificity and sensitivity . Both reacted strongly in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect fluorescent antibody test with S agalactiae, but did not react with other gram-positive organisms frequently found in test herds in Mississippi . A procedure for using monoclonal antibodies in the detection of S agalactiae-infected milk samples is proposed.

Pediatrics, 1986 Jun, 77(6), 795 - 800
Comparative effectiveness of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium in acute paranasal sinus infections in children: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; Wald ER et al.; This study compared the relative effectiveness of two antimicrobial preparations, amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium (Augmentin), in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in children 2 to 16 years of age . Of 171 children with persistent (ten to 30 days' duration) nasal discharge or daytime cough or both, 136 (80%) had abnormal maxillary sinus radiographs . These children were stratified by age and severity of symptoms and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, or placebo . After the exclusion of 28 children with throat cultures positive for group A Streptococcus and 15 who did not complete their medication, the remaining 93 children were evaluated: 30 received amoxicillin, 28 received amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and 35 received placebo . Clinical assessment was performed at three and ten days . On each occasion, children treated with an antibiotic were more likely to be cured than children receiving placebo (P less than .01 at three days, P less than .05 at ten days) . The overall cure rate was 67% for amoxicillin, 64% for amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and 43% for placebo.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Jun, 153(6), 1092 - 7
Functional activities of various preparations of human intravenous immunoglobulin against type III group B Streptococcus; Kim KS et al.; Two preparations of human immunoglobulin modified for intravenous use (iv immunoglobulin) by different methods (reduction-and-alkylation, or pH 4 treatment) were evaluated for in vitro and in vivo activity against a strain of type III group B Streptococcus (GBS) . Both preparations contained similar amounts of total IgG and specific IgG antibody against the type-specific polysaccharide . In vitro, opsonophagocytic studies revealed that pH 4-treated iv immunoglobulin was significantly more effective than reduced-and-alkylated iv immunoglobulin in supporting neutrophil-mediated killing of the type III GBS strain . In vivo, both preparations resulted in similar levels of serum antibody in newborn rats, but pH 4-treated iv immunoglobulin was significantly more protective against the type III GBS strain . This was demonstrated by the lower magnitude of bacteremia, improved survival, and lower protective dose (PD50) in recipients of pH 4-treated iv immunoglobulin . Thus, reduced-and-alkylated iv immunoglobulin was less effective in vitro and in vivo against the strain of type III GBS than was pH 4-treated iv immunoglobulin . Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms for this apparent discrepancy in functional activities of iv immunoglobulin.

J Immunol, 1986 Jun 1, 136(11), 4157 - 62
Surface-bound capsular polysaccharide of type Ia group B Streptococcus mediates C1 binding and activation of the classic complement pathway; Levy NJ et al.; The role of surface-bound type Ia group B Streptococcus (GBS) capsular polysaccharide in antibody-independent binding of C1 and activation of the classic complement pathway was investigated . In a radiolabeled bacterial-polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) association assay, a measure of bacterial opsonization, preincubation of 3H-type Ia GBS with purified F(ab')2 to the organism blocked the association of the bacteria with PMN', and the inhibitory effect was dose dependent . The specificity of F(ab')2 blocking was shown after adsorption of F(ab')2 with type Ia polysaccharide-sensitized erythrocytes . Polysaccharide-adsorbed F(ab')2 had a 70% decrease in ability to block the association of bacteria with PMN . Evidence for the requirement of the capsular polysaccharide in classic complement pathway activation came from a C1 transfer assay with the use of neuraminidase-digested type Ia GBS . Neuraminidase digestion removed 80% of the terminal sialic acid residues from the native polysaccharide . These neuraminidase-digested organisms had a 72% decrease in binding and transfer of purified C1 compared with non-enzyme-treated organisms . Type Ia capsular polysaccharide bound to sheep erythrocytes promoted classic complement pathway-mediated hemolysis of the cells . The role of C1 inhibitor (INH) in modulation of C1 activation by the organisms was investigated . The possibility existed that the C1 INH could be bound by the bacteria, allowing C1 activation to occur in the fluid phase . The inhibitor was purified from human serum, and its activity was measured before and after incubation with type Ia GBS . The organisms had no effect on C1 INH activity . Thus surface-bound capsular polysaccharide of type Ia GBS mediates C1 binding and classic pathway activation, and this does not involve the C1 INH.

Eur J Epidemiol, 1986 Jun, 2(2), 90 - 4
Transformation as a tool for studying the epidemiology of tet determinants in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Pozzi G et al.; Transformation of pneumococcus was used to detect homology among tetracycline resistance determinants of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae . A strain of pneumococcus containing a mutated tet determinant (tet-3), of class M, integrated into the chromosome was used as a recipient in transformation experiments, where donor DNA was from the tetracycline resistant isolates . 34/34 strains appeared to have tet determinants homologous to tet-3 (i.e . tet M) . Still using transformation it was possible to determine that the tet-3 transforming activity of DNA from Tn916 and S . pneumoniae BM6001 was contained in a 5 kb HincII fragment . For this purpose a transformation technique where donor DNA was directly taken from low melting point agarose gels was standardized and used.

J Dent Res, 1986 Jun, 65(6), 918 - 23
The intra-oral effect on enamel demineralization of extracellular matrix material synthesized from sucrose by Streptococcus mutans; Zero DT et al.; The role of extracellular matrix material (EMM) synthesized from sucrose (S) by Streptococcus mutans IB-1600 in altering the demineralizing potential of artificial plaque was evaluated with an intraoral enamel demineralization test (IEDT) . The artificial plaque samples were prepared from cells cultivated in Todd-Hewitt broth (THB) supplemented with various S concentrations and by mixing THB-grown cells with increasing proportions of EMM (heat-killed THB + 2% S-cultivated cells) . The samples were also evaluated for cell density (DNA content) and acidogenicity in vitro (pH-stat), as well as for in situ pH changes during a 45-minute intra-oral test following a 10% glucose rinse . An increase in the proportion of EMM relative to cell density was associated with an increase in enamel demineralization . This trend reversed when the ratio of cells to EMM was less than 1:19 . Experiments involving strains of S . mitis, S . sanguis, and S . salivarius suggested a similar effect of EMM . The intra-oral pH data suggest that the presence of EMM may enhance demineralization by altering diffusion properties of plaque.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1986 Jun, 34(5 Pt 2), 676 - 9
{Intestinal decontamination in the neutropenic patient . Apropos of a prospective randomized study}; Pellegrin JL et al.; Sixty-five patients undergoing remission-induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia in a protected environment unit were randomly assigned to selective antimicrobial modulation of the intestinal flora (SAM) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or total antibiotic decontamination (TAD) with gentamicin, vancomycin and colimycin . Digestive tract colonization with Streptococcus D was more prevalent in the SAM group (p less than 0.01); colonization with yeasts was more prevalent in the TAD group (p less than 0.001) . However, there was no difference between the two groups as regards to clinically and microbiologically documented infections, septicemias and survival . Selective antimicrobial modulation with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is as effective and cheaper than total antibiotic decontamination with gentamicin, vancomycin and colimycin.

J Dent Res, 1986 Jun, 65(6), 906 - 8
Comparative recovery of Streptococcus mutans on five isolation media, including a new simple selective medium; Schaeken MJ et al.; For the isolation of Streptococcus mutans, several selective media have been developed, of which Mitis-Salivarius Sucrose Bacitracin agar (MSB) is the most widely used (Gold et al., 1973) . Recently, the Trypticase Yeast-Extract Cystine agar medium (TYC, de Stoppelaar et al., 1967) was modified into a selective medium for S . mutans, called Trypticase Yeast-Extract Cystine Sucrose Bacitracin (TYCSB, van Palenstein Helderman et al., 1983) . The aim of this study was to compare the recovery of S . mutans from clinical samples on Mitis-Salivarius agar (MS), MSB, TYC, and TYCSB . Further, a new simple selective medium for S . mutans was introduced . This medium, called TSY20B, was supposed to have the same qualities as TYCSB, but its preparation is less laborious . One hundred eighty-five plaque and saliva samples from 37 subjects were plated on MS, MSB, TYC, and TYCSB, and 285 samples from 23 subjects were plated on TYCSB and TSY20B . All plates were incubated at 37 degrees C in a 91% N2, 5% CO2, 4% H2 atmosphere for five days . The S . mutans counts on TYC and TYCSB were significantly higher than on MS or MSB by almost a factor of 10 . Seventy-seven percent of the samples gave higher S . mutans counts on TYCSB than on MSB . Especially, samples with high S . mutans d/g numbers gave lower S . mutans counts on MSB . These data clearly indicate that MSB agar is inhibitory for S . mutans and should not be used . An additional advantage of TYCSB over MSB agar is the possibility of distinguishing S . mutans serotypes d/g from other serotypes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Jun, 132 ( Pt 6), 1575 - 89
Cell-surface proteins of Streptococcus sanguis associated with cell hydrophobicity and coaggregation properties; Jenkinson HF; Incubating cells of Streptococcus sanguis with sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, under conditions that did not cause lysis, solubilized material comprising 5-8% of the cell dry weight . The treatment reduced cell hydrophobicity, and reduced the ability of the cells to coaggregate with Actinomyces spp . The extract contained about 20 polypeptides and these were identified as being cell-surface components on the basis of one or more of the following criteria: being degraded when cells were incubated with protease; being labelled when cells were iodinated using a lactoperoxidase-catalysed reaction; reacting with antibodies raised to fixed whole cells . Eight of the polypeptides accounted for more than 70% of the total protein extracted, and one component (molecular mass 16 kDa) was hydrophobic . The cell-surface proteins described are implicated in cell hydrophobicity and coaggregation.

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1986 Jun, 34(3), 149 - 52
Valve replacement in acute native valve endocarditis; Soyer R et al.; From 1974 to 1984, 46 patients underwent emergency surgery for acute native valve endocarditis . Urgent valve replacement was necessary because of rapid hemodynamic deterioration in 34 (73%), uncontrolled sepsis plus heart failure in 9 (19%), and life-threatening emboli in 3 (7%) patients . At the time of surgery 23 patients (50%) were in NYHA functional class IV, 20 in Class III, and 3 in class II . Streptococcus was the most common organism encountered, followed by staphylococcus . Thirty-four cases presented severe aortic regurgitation, 3 mitral incompetence, 8 mitral plus aortic insufficiency, and one aortic plus tricuspid insufficiency . Operative mortality rate was 17% (8/46) . Most deaths were due to preoperative multiple system deterioration, especially in cases with lesions of both the aortic and mitral valves, and were unrelated to the duration of preoperative antibiotic therapy . The postoperative observation period of long-term survival is from 6 to 102 months (= 44 months) . There were 7 late deaths . The actuarial survival, including operative mortality, is 67% . Twenty-two patients are now in NYHA class II, 6 in class III . The duration of postoperative antibiotic treatment (6 weeks in our series) seems to be important for the prevention of reinfection, early surgery is of great benefit; our 31 survivors showed an excellent clinical improvement.

Vet Rec, 1986 May 17, 118(20), 549 - 52
Observations on the incidence of clinical bovine mastitis in non-lactating cows in England and Wales; Francis PG et al.; Epidemiological features of clinical mastitis in dry cows from a three year prospective study are described . Two hundred and seventy-three herds in England and Wales participated in the first year (1980) and 209 and 159 of them continued in the study in the subsequent two years . Clinical mastitis was recorded in 1.5 per cent of cows during the dry period in each of the three years . These cases represented between 3.6 and 4.2 per cent of samples from all clinical cases examined . The incidence of clinical mastitis in dry cows increased during the winter housing period (October to March), a peak occurring at the end of this period . A secondary peak in incidence was recorded in August . Streptococcus uberis was the predominant pathogen . Variations in the monthly incidences of cases associated with the major mastitis pathogens were observed . A greater proportion of cases which occurred during the dry period exhibited systemic signs than of cases which occurred during lactation, with the exception of cases associated with Escherichia coli . The risk of clinical mastitis was apparently higher during the last 30 days of the dry period than during the earlier stages of the dry period.

J Biol Chem, 1986 May 15, 261(14), 6338 - 45
Studies on the antibacterial activity of dodecylglycerol . Its limited metabolism and inhibition of glycerolipid and lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis in Streptococcus mutans BHT; Brissette JL et al.; Growth-inhibitory concentrations of racemic sn-1(3)-dodecylglycerol inhibit the incorporation of {14C} glycerol into lipids and lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus mutans BHT and alter the per cent composition of the glycerolipids . Increases in phosphatidic acid and diphosphatidylglycerol (at the expense of phosphatidylglycerol) contribute the most to the change in lipid composition . No cellular lysis occurs under these conditions . Radioactive racemic sn-1(3)-dodecylglycerol is readily taken up by the cell and is metabolized primarily to lysophosphatidic acid and phosphatidic acid with smaller amounts converted to phosphatidylglycerol and diacylglycerol . The accumulation of phosphatidic acid and the loss of viability respond in parallel to different concentrations of dodecylglycerol . An increase in CTP is also observed which together with the increase in phosphatidic acid suggests a possible impairment in the synthesis of CDP-diacylglycerol.

J Immunol, 1986 May 15, 136(10), 3597 - 606
Rapid changes in the regulatory potential of autologous anti-idiotopic T cells during an antigen-driven primary response; Cerny J et al.; The antibody response of C57BL/6 strain mice to Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a (Pn) is dominated by the T15 idiotype, but the responding cells appear to be idiotypically heterogeneous, in that individual antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) may express some but not all idiotopes (Id) of the T15 complex . The presence of these distinct Id on the PFC was detected by a plaque-inhibition assay with three different monoclonal anti-Id antibodies, designated AB1-2, MaId5-4, and B36-82 . A periodic change in the expression of AB1-2 and MaId5-4 Id was observed during primary (IgM) antibody response to Pn in the spleen . Those two Id were poorly expressed in the log phase of the response between day 2 and day 4 after immunization (few PFC in the spleen bore the Id), but they became detectable on the majority of PFC at the peak of the response, day 5 to day 7 . The proportion of the Id-(AB1-2 or MaId5-4) positive PFC declined, again at day 10 after immunization . In contrast, the B36-82 Id was expressed on greater than or equal to 80% PFC throughout the entire primary response . The possibility that the apparent changes in the Pn-reactive cell populations are regulated by autologous anti-Id T cells was tested in vitro . Normal, unimmunized B cells were cultured with Pn, either alone or in the presence of syngeneic T cells isolated from the spleen of mice at the appropriate intervals after immunization: day 2 (T2), day 5 (T5), and days 10 to 14 (T10 to T14); T cells from unimmunized donors (T0) served as a control . The specific response after 4 days in culture was determined in regard to the total PFC as well as the proportion of PFC expressing the Id . Pn-stimulated B cells, alone or with the control T0 cells, produced moderate, variable levels of AB1-2+ and MaId5-4+ PFC . The expression of these two Id in the assay cultures was suppressed by addition of either T2 cells or T10-14 cells, but it was enhanced if T5 cells were added . However, these various T cell populations did not differ in their effect on the total PFC response . Also, the proportion of PFC bearing the third Id, B36-82 was high, and it was not consistently influenced by the added T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Am J Emerg Med, 1986 May, 4(3), 225 - 6
Pneumococcal cellulitis; Dhaene M et al.; A 42-year-old man with pneumonia was admitted for rhabdomyolysis . Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the cellulitis surrounding the muscular necrosis . Subcutaneous localisation of S . pneumoniae in the course of a septicemia has never been described, although rhabdomyolysis may be associated with bacterial infections.

Am J Dis Child, 1986 May, 140(5), 428 - 32
Pneumococcal septicemia despite pneumococcal vaccine and prescription of penicillin prophylaxis in children with sickle cell anemia; Buchanan GR et al.; Although polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine and prophylactic penicillin are used to prevent overwhelming Streptococcus pneumoniae septicemia in infants and young children with sickle cell anemia, infection rates remain high . We have reviewed our seven-year experience with a regimen of twice daily oral penicillin V potassium prophylaxis in 88 affected children . The median age at the start of prophylaxis was 10 months, and the median duration of prophylaxis was 29 months (range, three months to seven years) . The total period of observation of patients who were prescribed penicillin was 248 person-years . Most patients also received one or two doses of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine . Despite penicillin prophylaxis and pneumococcal vaccine, eight episodes of S pneumoniae septicemia have occurred and three have been fatal . Four episodes were in children older than 3 years . Suboptimal compliance with the prescribed oral penicillin regimen was usually apparent . With one possible exception, the infections occurred when penicillin had not been taken during the previous 24 hours . The S pneumoniae septicemia rate in this patient population, 3.2 per 100 person-years, is somewhat less than that described in previous reports of children not receiving penicillin but is still unacceptably high . Vigorous advocacy of a penicillin prophylaxis regimen does not eliminate the risk of pneumococcal septicema in this patient population.

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), 1986 May-Jun, 14(3), 183 - 8
Effect of extracellular products of Streptococcus on macrophage Fc receptors for IgG; Martinez RD et al.; The effect of the extracellular products of Streptococcus (EPS) on the receptors for Fc of IgG of dog alveolar macrophage (AM) was evaluated by the rosette test . The AM controls produced 80 per cent rosettes; those treated with EPS, a reduced number of rosettes, which was directly related with the concentration of EPS . The adhesion of EPS treated AM to glass was less than that of the AM controls . Incubation of AM with streptokinase-streptodornase did not modify the amount of rosettes . The data support the possibility that streptolysin-O is the substance which modifies, or destroys the Fc receptors, or the integrity of the cell membrane . Ouabain did not alter the capacity of the dog alveolar macrophages to form rosettes, suggesting that cellular energy is not required for the interaction between the Fc receptor and the IgG.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 May, 261(3), 287 - 98
Isolation and mode of action of a cell-free bacteriocin (mutacin) from serotype g Streptococcus mutans MT3791; Hamada S et al.; A bacteriocin, mutacin MT3791, was isolated from the culture supernatant of a dialysate medium of Tryptose phosphate broth cultures of Streptococcus mutans MT3791 (serotype g), a clinical isolate from a carious lesion of a Japanese child . The mutacin was found to inhibit the growth of most indicator strains of S . mutans and S . salivarius by the drop assay method . The mutacin was purified 1,450 fold from culture supernatant of S . mutans MT3791 by 60% saturated ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by ultracentrifugation at 300,000 X g for 18 h . Gel filtration studies using Sepharose 4B indicated that the mutacin was highly aggregated, but could be dissociated by addition of 1% (final concentration) Tween 80 or 6M urea . The mutacin was heat stable, but the activity was destroyed after autoclaving at 120 degrees C for 60 min . It was susceptible to the enzymatic action of papain and pronase, but not trypsin, lipase or nucleases . The mutacin was adsorbed to whole cells of most strains of S . mutans . Mutacin MT3791 was bactericidal for an indicator strain, S . mutans MT703R (serotype e) . The mutacin inhibited the incorporation of isotope-labelled precursors of protein, DNA, and RNA . Furthermore, mutacin MT3791 selectively and markedly suppressed the growth of S . mutans present in the dental plaque obtained from active carious lesions in the teeth of children . Possible role of mutacin in vivo was discussed with special reference to oral microbial ecology.

Equine Vet J, 1986 May, 18(3), 183 - 6
Isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the respiratory tract of horses; Burrell MH et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs and tracheal washings taken from Thoroughbred horses in training at three of four separate stables that were sampled during investigations into respiratory disease . The growth of Strep pneumoniae in culture was enhanced by an environment enriched with carbon dioxide . In one stable, five of 15 horses that were sampled repeatedly were found to carry the organism for at least four months . There was an apparent association between lower respiratory tract inflammatory disease and heavy growths (10(6) to 10(8) colony forming units/ml) predominantly of Strep pneumoniae or of that organism together with large numbers of Strep zooepidemicus obtained from tracheal washings . Twelve strains of Strep pneumoniae isolated from three stables were all of capsule Type 3 . Only one strain, which was of capsule Type 9, was isolated from nose and throat swabs taken from 32 staff working in one of the stables and suggested an absence of cross infection between horses and their handlers in this instance.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 May, 51(5), 910 - 4
Kinetics of adhesion of the oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguis CH3 to polymers with different surface free energies; Busscher HJ et al.; The kinetics of adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis CH3 from suspension to polymers with different surface free energies were studied by using three bacterial concentrations (2.5 X 10(7), 2.5 X 10(8), and 2.5 X 10(9) cells per ml-1) . Substratum surface free energies (gamma s) ranged from 18 to 120 erg cm-2 . The kinetics of bacterial adhesion to these surfaces showed a typical two-step adhesion process, indicating an equilibrium in both steps . In the initial adhesion step (step 1), low equilibrium numbers of adhering bacteria were counted on substrata with surface free energies lower than 55 erg cm-2 . A maximal number adhered on substrata with higher surface free energies . At the lowest bacterial concentration tested, the highest number of bacteria were found on substrata with a surface free energy around 55 erg cm-2 . For each substratum, step 2 started after a characteristic time interval tau, being short (30 min) for gamma s less than 50 and long (120 min) for gamma s greater than 50 erg cm-2 . The relationship between the substratum surface free energy and the number of bacteria adhering at equilibrium after step 2 was similar to, although less distinct than, that during step 1 with a slight indication of a bioadhesive minimum around gamma s = 35 erg cm-2 . The results are indicative of a two-step adhesion model, in which step 1 is controlled by macroscopic substratum properties.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 May, 29(5), 909 - 12
Comparative capacity of orally administered amoxicillin and parenterally administered penicillin-streptomycin to protect rabbits against experimentally induced streptococcal endocarditis; Pujadas R et al.; A single-intramuscular-dose immunization regimen with a penicillin G-streptomycin combination was compared with three oral-dose amoxicillin regimens for the capacity to prevent Streptococcus sanguis infections of experimentally induced valvular heart lesions in rabbits . Challenge doses of 10(4), 10(6), and 10(8) CFU of a strain of S . sanguis equally susceptible to penicillin and amoxicillin were used in this study . Measured by recovery of test organisms from endocardial lesions, the lowest concentration of these inocula was infective for 60% of the recipients; the two higher-concentration inocula were infective for all recipients . The penicillin G-streptomycin combination provided complete protection against infection with inocula of all sizes . A single-oral-dose amoxicillin regimen (50 mg/kg of body weight) prevented endocarditis when rabbits were challenged with 10(4) CFU, but protection diminished with increasing inoculum concentrations . Similar results were achieved when five oral doses of amoxicillin (8.5 mg/kg of body weight) added at 8-h intervals were included in the single-oral-dose regimen . In contrast, when rabbits received two oral doses of amoxicillin (50 mg/kg of body weight) with a 10-h interval between doses, prophylaxis was fully effective with even the highest inoculum concentration.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1986 May-Jun, 95(3 Pt 1), 304 - 8
Experimental alteration of chinchilla middle ear mucosae by bacterial neuraminidase; LaMarco KL et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae secretes a variety of extracellular glycosidase including a neuraminidase which has been found in middle ear effusion from patients with both acute and chronic otitis media . This enzyme cleaves sialic acid from membrane glycoproteins, thereby exposing galactose residues, the penultimate sugar . The ability of partially purified neuraminidase to alter the middle ear mucosa was investigated in the chinchilla . After incubation with neuraminidase, chinchilla middle ears were removed and exposed to galactose residues labeled with tritium . Membrane glycoproteins were solubilized and separated according to molecular weight by sodium dodecylsulfate electrophoresis . Increases in tritium incorporation, when compared to control incubations, indicated that galactose residues had been exposed and sialic acid residues removed from glycoproteins of both high and low molecular weight . Such membrane destruction could contribute significantly to the pathology of otitis media with effusion.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 May, 5(1), 77 - 80
Vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae: a pathophysiologic understanding; Schleiter G et al.; Osteomyelitis secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae in any location is rare . We present herein a patient with pneumococcal vertebral body osteomyelitis following prior trauma to the same region . Trauma is an important predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of vertebral osteomyelitis.

Am J Kidney Dis, 1986 May, 7(5), 428 - 33
Immunosuppressive therapy and plasmapheresis in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with bacterial endocarditis; Rovzar MA et al.; A 25-year-old male presented with new cardiac murmurs and acute renal insufficiency . Blood cultures grew Streptococcus viridans and appropriate antibiotic therapy was initiated . A renal biopsy revealed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescents involving more than 50% of the glomeruli . Treatment with antibiotics, plasmapheresis, and steroids resulted in renal recovery that paralleled reductions in circulating immune complexes . The rationale for this therapeutic approach is discussed, as well as a review of two similar case reports . These experiences suggest a possible role for plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive drugs in patients who develop rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis as a complication of bacterial endocarditis.

Infect Immun, 1986 May, 52(2), 628 - 30
Monoclonal antibody to Streptococcus mutans type e cell wall polysaccharide antigen; Kato H et al.; A monoclonal antibody against the polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus mutans serotype e was prepared . It was found that beta-methyl-D-glucopyranoside and cellobiose markedly inhibited the precipitin reaction, whereas maltose showed no inhibition . The beta-glucosyl moiety of the type e polysaccharide seems to be the predominant antigenic determinant of the antigen.

Infect Immun, 1986 May, 52(2), 484 - 7
Influence of body temperature on bacterial growth rates in experimental pneumococcal meningitis in rabbits; Small PM et al.; We examined the role of fever as a host defense in experimental pneumococcal meningitis in rabbits . Twelve hours after intracisternal inoculation of an encapsulated type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain, body temperature was manipulated by using two different anesthetic drugs: pentobarbital, which did not affect temperature, and urethane, which mitigated the febrile response to infection . Growth rates of pneumococci in cerebrospinal fluid were dramatically influenced by modification of the febrile response . Rabbits whose fever was not suppressed had mean bacterial doubling times of 2.76 +/- 1.43 h . Animals with a blunted febrile response had a significantly faster mean bacterial growth rate (doubling time = 1.10 +/- 0.27 h; P less than 0.02) . When the antipyretic effect of urethane was counteracted by raising the ambient temperature, animals also showed a marked reduction in pneumococcal growth rates . In vitro, the pneumococci grew well at 37 degrees C in Trypticase soy broth (doubling time = 0.61 +/- 0.05 h) and in pooled rabbit cerebrospinal fluid (doubling time = 0.85 +/- 0.07 h) . However, at 41 degrees C neither medium supported growth . Thus, body temperature appears to be a critical determinant of pneumococcal growth rates in experimental meningitis, and fever could be a host defense in this disease.

Infect Immun, 1986 May, 52(2), 408 - 13
Serum and salivary antibody responses in rats orally immunized with Streptococcus mutans carbohydrate protein conjugate associated with liposomes; Wachsmann D et al.; In this study we describe the preparation of a Streptococcus mutans vaccine consisting of a purified polysaccharide antigen, derived from S . mutans OMZ175 serotype f, covalently coupled through reductive amination to a previously isolated 74,000-molecular-weight (74K) cell wall protein which interacts with saliva proteins (74K-SR) . We also investigated the local and systemic immune response to the poly-74K-SR conjugate after oral administration of the conjugate associated with liposomes . Intragastric administration of liposome-associated poly-74K-SR conjugate in rats produced a local immunoglobulin A (IgA) response directed against the polysaccharide and the cell surface protein, whereas liposome-associated polysaccharide was unable to induce any detectable local IgA response . The antigenicity of the polysaccharide in the conjugate was not affected by the coupling reaction, while that of the cell surface protein was reduced . We showed that the immunogenicity of S . mutans polysaccharide could be improved by chemical coupling with a carrier cell surface protein . If such a conjugate were orally administered with liposomes it could constitute a potential vaccine against dental caries.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1986 May, 34(5), 476 - 8
{Curative activity of spiramycin adipate by parenteral route in experimental septicemia in mice . Comparison with orally administered basic spiramycin}; Rolin O et al.; Experimental septicemia was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10 to 100 lethal doses of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae . Animals were treated by a mixture of adipic acid and spiramycin (subcutaneous route) or by spiramycin base (oral route), 1 and 6 hours after infection . To determine the effective dose 50% that achieves survival of half the mice after 7 days, each drug was used in 6 dosages (mg/kg) and each dosage was given to 12 mice . In 21 independent experiments, ED50S of spiramycin adipate by the subcutaneous route were found to be 5 to 50 times lower than those of spiramycin base per os . These results are consistent with the high serum peak concentrations of spiramycin adipate observed following subcutaneous administration.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1986 May, 34(5), 451 - 6
{Clinical evaluation of ceftriaxone in severe infections in adults}; Lacut JY et al.; Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female; age 17 to 84 years; normal renal function in 23 cases) with severe bacterial infections were treated with ceftriaxone . The infections was septicemia in 20 cases, a septicemia-like condition in 2 and a focal infection in 8 (2 abscesses of the lung, 2 pyelonephritis, 1 abscess of the liver, 1 subphrenic abscess, 1 meningitis developed from an abscess of the brain and 1 acute intestinal infection) . 25 infections were bacteriologically documented, with recovery of the following pathogens: 20 Gram negative rods (including 10 E . coli) that were all susceptible to ceftriaxone (MIC = 0.02 to 0.5 mg/l) except 2 (1 Pseudomonas and 1 E . cloacae), 5 susceptible Gram positive cocci (3 Pneumococcus, 1 Streptococcus and 1 Staphylococcus epidermidis) and 3 susceptible anaerobes (2 B . fragilis and 1 B . melaninogenicus) . Ceftriaxone was given alone in 15 cases and in association with another antibiotic in 15 cases (aminoglycoside in 10 cases, nitroimidazole in 4 and fosfomycin in 1) . The dose of ceftriaxone was 1 to 2 g per day in 28 cases, 3 g per day in 1 case (meningitis with abscess of the brain) and 1 g every other day in 1 case (chronic renal failure under hemodialysis) . Duration of treatment ranged from 10 to 62 days (average 17 days) . The usual routes of administration were IV and IM; the SC route was used on 4 occasions . Pharmacokinetic studies of serum levels were carried out in several patients including two who had ceftriaxone subcutaneously; results were consistent with those previously reported in the literature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1986 May, 26(2), 138 - 41
Perinatal colonization of group B streptococcus--an epidemiological study in a Chinese population; Liang ST et al.; An epidemiological study of perinatal colonization of group B streptococcus (GBS) was carried out prospectively in a Chinese population . One hundred and sixty-eight mother-infant pairs were studied . Maternal carriage rate from multiple sites was 19.0%, with an overall neonatal colonization rate of 19.6% . There was no neonatal sepsis due to GBS . No obstetrical risk factors that could influence material carriage could be identified . Neonatal colonization was associated with premature/prolonged rupture of membranes, increased duration of rupture of membranes and intrapartum pyrexia . The number of infected sites and the density of organism in each site in the infant were directly proportional to the number and density of organisms in the culture-positive sites in the mother . Serotypical study showed a complete absence of type II GBS in this population . Since the vertical transmission rate was only 37.5%, it is postulated that nosocomial spread of the organism contributed significantly towards colonization of the infants in our study population.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 May-Jun, 8(3), 411 - 22
Streptococcal puerperal sepsis and obstetric infections: a historical perspective; Charles D et al.; The streptococcus, responsible for inestimable morbidity and mortality among parturient women since the 16th century, is no longer a significant cause of puerperal infection . Although the problem of the group A streptococcus in obstetrics has abated, the obstetrician is now confronted with the group B streptococcus, which is a major cause of fetal, neonatal, and maternal morbidity and mortality . Some historical insight into the infectious disease problems encountered by obstetric practitioners during the last four centuries allows comparison and contrast between the historic scourge of childbed fever and present day obstetric infections.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 May, 13(5), 461 - 75
Attachment level changes in destructive periodontal diseases; Haffajee AD et al.; The present communication attempts to summarize some of the features of attachment loss which are of interest to the clinician and the statistician analyzing data from clinical trials . These include the measurements employed to detect changes in attachment level, the nature of the destructive disease process and the effects of therapy on the attachment level measurements . Although there are several difficulties associated with the attachment level measurement, at the present time it appears to be the best estimator of periodontal attachment available . The overall standard deviation of this measurement in greater than 46,000 replicate measurements at periodontal sites in 58 subjects was 0.78 mm (range 0.4 to 1.2 mm) . In the periodontally healthy subject, the length of the attachment measured around 28 teeth is approximately 700 mm . Therefore, there are approximately 1400 adjacent points along the periodontal attachment where a measurement could be made using a periodontal probe with a 0.5 mm diameter tip . If 6 measurements were recorded per tooth, then approximately 12% of the possible probable points would be evaluated . Recent data indicate that destructive periodontal diseases progress with acute bursts of activity rather than as slowly progressive, continual processes . Such findings suggest new models of attachment loss progression . In one likely model, destructive periodontal diseases would progress by asynchronous bursts of activity at individual sites which occur with greater frequency during a finite period of time in an individual's life . 3 major patterns of attachment loss could be distinguished when frequency distributions of attachment level measurements were constructed for 61 destructive periodontal disease subjects . Pattern I (30 subjects) exhibited a bimodal distribution with localized destruction occurring at less than 34% of sites . Pattern II (14 subjects) exhibited more widespread disease (greater than 33% of sites affected) with a trimodal frequency distribution . Pattern III (17 subjects) exhibited a unimodal distribution in which virtually all sites were affected . The proportions of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus intermedius and Eikenella corrodens in subgingival plaque samples were significantly elevated in sites of subjects with patterns II and III (the widespread disease groups) . Bacteroides intermedius, Streptococcus uberis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were elevated in sampled sites of localized disease subjects (pattern I) . The effects of therapy by Widman flap surgery and systemic tetracycline were examined by several statistical analyses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 May, 13(5), 345 - 59
Gingivitis; Page RC; Gingivitis is caused by substances derived from microbial plaque accumulating at or near the gingival sulcus; all other suspected local and systemic etiologic factors either enhance plaque accumulation or retention, or enhance the susceptibility of the gingival tissue to microbial attack . Microbial species specifically associated with gingival health include Streptococcus sanguis 1, S . D-7, and Fusobacterium naviforme . Bacteria involved in the etiology of gingivitis include specific species of Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Actinomyces, Veillonella, and Treponema and possibly Bacteroides, Capnocytophaga, and Eikenella . Microbial colonization and participation is sequential, with the complexity of the associated flora increasing with time . The pathogenesis has been separated into the initial, early, and established stages, each with characteristic features . The initial lesion is an acute inflammation which can be induced experimentally by application of extracts of plaque bacteria to normal gingiva . The early lesion is characterized by a lymphoid cell infiltrate predominated by T lymphocytes, characteristic of lesions seen at sites of cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions . The early lesion can be induced by application of purified contact antigens to the gingival tissues of previously sensitized animals . As the clinical condition worsens, the established lesion appears, predominated by B lymphocytes and plasma cells . Established lesions may remain stable for indefinite periods of time, they may revert, or they may progress . Periodontal destruction does not result from the conversion of a predominantly T cell to a predominantly B cell lesion as has been suggested, but rather from episodes of acute inflammation . Clinical manifestations of gingivitis are episodic phenomena characterized by discontinuous bursts of acute inflammation . Most lesions are transient or persistent but not progressive . Attachment loss may precede alveolar bone loss and may occur without the manifestations of a concurrent or a precursor gingivitis . On the other hand, the evidence indicates that a portion of gingivitis lesions can and does progress to periodontitis . Gingivitis and the periodontal microflora differ in children and adults . Clinical signs of gingivitis either do not appear as plaque accumulates, or they are greatly delayed in children, and the inflammatory infiltrate consists mostly of T lymphocytes . The conversion to a B cell lesion does not appear to occur . The evidence supports the conclusion that gingivitis is a disease, and that control and prevention is a worthwhile goal and a health benefit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Fundam Appl Toxicol, 1986 May, 6(4), 713 - 20
The effects of inhalation of organic chemical air contaminants on murine lung host defenses; Aranyi C et al.; The potential health hazards of exposure to threshold limit value (TLV) concentrations of acetaldehyde, acrolein, propylene oxide, chloroform, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, allyl chloride, methylene chloride, ethylene trichloride, perchloroethylene, benzene, phenol, monochlorobenzene, and benzyl chloride, compounds which may be present in the ambient or work room atmosphere were investigated . The effects of single and multiple 3-hr inhalation exposures were evaluated in mice by monitoring changes in their susceptibility to experimentally induced streptococcus aerosol infection and pulmonary bactericidal activity to inhaled Klebsiella pneumoniae . When significant changes in these parameters were found, further exposures were performed at reduced vapor concentrations until the no-measurable-effect level was reached . Multiple exposures on 5 consecutive days were then performed at this concentration . Significant increases in susceptibility to respiratory streptococcus infection were observed after single 3-hr exposure to TLV concentrations of methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, and ethylene trichloride . For methylene chloride and perchloroethylene, these exposure conditions also resulted in significantly decreased pulmonary bactericidal activity.

Clin Geriatr Med, 1986 May, 2(2), 241 - 68
Pneumonia in the elderly; Niederman MS et al.; Pneumonia from bacterial and viral agents is the fourth leading cause of death in persons over age 65, accounting for 169.7 deaths per 100,000 persons per year . This high incidence of infection is the result of aging itself as well as age-related coexisting illnesses and their therapies . These factors combine to affect upper and lower respiratory tract host defenses adversely against invading pathogens . Gram-negative colonization of the oropharynx, followed by the spread of bacteria to the tracheobronchial tree, commonly precedes the development of pneumonia . Bacterial adherence is one important and modifiable pathogenetic factor that leads to colonization at both of these sites . Diagnosis of pneumonia in the elderly is often thwarted by difficulties in recognizing infection, as signs and symptoms differ from those observed in younger patients . Therapy is confounded by the frequent inability to obtain adequate culture material to establish a likely pathogen and by altered drug metabolism . In this instance epidemiologic data may be helpful in guiding therapy . Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common pathogen in community patients, followed by Legionella pneumophila and enteric gram-negative bacilli . Hospitalized and institutionalized individuals are commonly infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae and other enteric gram-negative bacilli, and Legionella pneumophila and Streptococcus pneumoniae are also found . Because recognition of pneumonia may be difficult and therapy is fraught with problems, mortality is high in the elderly . Accordingly, serious attention must be paid to prevention . Prophylaxis includes the use of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines as well as careful attention to the patient's host defense status . Disease states leading to impairment of the immune system should be sought, and efforts should be made to improve host factors that assist the individual in removing invading pathogens.

Arch Intern Med, 1986 May, 146(5), 868 - 71
Bacteriology of hospital-acquired pneumonia; Bartlett JG et al.; Hospital-acquired pneumonia was studied prospectively for 3 1/2 years in a 549-bed facility with acute medical-surgical care wards, convalescent wards, and a chronic care unit . Bacteriological studies were limited to transtracheal aspirates, pleural fluid, and blood cultures . The predominant isolates in 159 patients were gram-negative bacilli (47%), anaerobic bacteria (35%), Staphylococcus aureus (31%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (26%) . Nearly half of all specimens yielded a polymicrobial flora with more than one potential pathogen . Distribution of pathogens was similar with analysis of all patients, including patients with a monomicrobial infection and patients with bacteremic pneumonia . The prevalence of cases and distribution of bacteria were similar for patients located on acute medical-surgical wards and those in the nursing home care unit . Nosocomial pneumonia was judged directly responsible for lethal outcome in 19% of patients and a contributing factor to death in another 13%.

J Urol . 1986 May;135(5):1015.
Balanitis caused by group B streptococcus; Lucks DA et al.; The Lancefield group B streptococcus is a cause of serious genitourinary tract infections in peripartum women . However, it rarely has been implicated as a pathogen in genital infections of male subjects . We report severe recurrent balanitis owing to group B streptococcus in a sexually active young man . Group B streptococcus was cultured from the vagina of his asymptomatic consort on 1 occasion . It is postulated that penile cellulitis developed by invasion of group B streptococcus through a traumatic abrasion acquired during sexual intercourse . The preferred antibiotic treatment for balanitis caused by group B streptococcus is penicillin or erythromycin . Prevention of additional episodes may be difficult, since therapy of the female carrier state with antibiotics has not provided long-term eradication of group B streptococcus.

Mol Gen Genet, 1986 May, 203(2), 269 - 73
Frame-shift mutants induced by quinacrine are recognized by the mismatch repair system in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Gasc AM et al.; We describe the isolation of amethopterin-resistant mutants induced by quinacrine treatment of exponentially growing cultures of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Only mutants located by recombination analysis in a few hundred base pairs were further studied . They were cloned and their DNA sequences show that most of them are +/-1-base frame-shift mutants . They are excised and repaired to a degree similar to transition mutants (low efficiency class), suggesting that the mismatches resulting from a transition or a +/-1-base mutation are similar substrates for the Hex mismatch repair system.

Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1986 May, 31(5), 337 - 41
{3-component nutrient medium for the nisin producer Streptococcus lactis strain MGU}; Egorov NS et al.; The methods of mathematical desing of experiments such as Box and full factorial design were used in the study . As a result a three-component medium including 1-2 per cent of mollases, 10-20 mg% of yeast autolysate and 1-2 per cent of KH2PO4 was recommended for biosynthesis of nisin.

Clin Orthop, 1986 May, (206), 90 - 3
Treatment of septic olecranon and prepatellar bursitis with percutaneous placement of a suction-irrigation system . A report of 12 cases; Knight JM et al.; Ten cases of septic olecranon bursitis and two cases of septic prepatellar bursitis were treated in the period from 1975 to 1980 with antibiotics and percutaneous tube placement for suction-drainage and local antibiotic irrigation . All patients had positive bacterial cultures: Staphylococcus aureus in nine, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in two, and Staphylococcus epidermidis in one . Intravenous antibiotics, local suction-drainage, and irrigation with a solution of 1% kanamycin and 0.1% polymyxin controlled the infection in each case . The antibiotic treatment averaged 19 days, compared with 24 days in a series in which suction-irrigation was not used . In contrast with studies in which aspiration or incision and drainage were performed, there were no complications or recurrences . Percutaneous suction-irrigation appears to be a safe, effective method of treatment that is particularly beneficial in severe cases of septic bursitis in which continuous drainage is desirable.

J Bacteriol, 1986 May, 166(2), 426 - 34
Molecular cloning and characterization of scrB, the structural gene for the Streptococcus mutans phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase system sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase; Lunsford RD et al.; A DNA fragment encoding the sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase component of the Streptococcus mutans phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase system has been recovered from a plasmid-based genomic library of strain GS5 . The locus, designated scrB, was found to reside within a 2.9-kilobase-pair restriction fragment present on the chimeric molecule pVA1343 (7.3 kilobase pairs) . Minicell analysis of pVA1343-directed translation products revealed that the scrB product synthesized in Escherichia coli V1343 was a single peptide of Mr 57,000 . This polypeptide was reactive with antiserum prepared against S . mutans intracellular invertase, which has been previously shown to have an Mr of 43,000 to 48,000 . The basis of this difference in Mr was not established but may represent a posttranslational proteolytic event which occurred in S . mutans but not in recombinant V1343 . Sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase purified to homogeneity from V1343 exhibited Michaelis constants of 180 mM for sucrose and 0.08 mM for sucrose-6-phosphate . Deletion analysis of pVA1343 facilitated the assignment of a coding region for the hydrolase within the insert, as well as an orientation for the transcription of scrB . scrB-defective strains of S . mutans constructed by additive integration of an insertionally inactivated scrB locus exhibited the sucrose sensitivity characteristic of this mutant class . Similar loci were detected by DNA-DNA hybridization in additional strains of S . mutans and two strains of Streptococcus cricetus, but not in single strain representatives of S . rattus, S . sobrinus, S . sanguis I and II, S . salivarius, or S . mitis.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 May, 132 ( Pt 5), 1401 - 5
Mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae that contain a temperature-sensitive autolysin; Garcia P et al.; Two mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae deficient in autolysin activity produced a protein that showed immunological identity with the N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-amidase present in the wild-type strain, when tested with antiserum obtained against this enzyme . The protein was produced by the mutant cultures grown either at 37 degrees C or at 30 degrees C, although only the cell extracts obtained at 30 degrees C showed significant cell wall hydrolysing activity . In contrast to the lysis resistance of these bacteria grown at 37 degrees C, mutant cultures grown at 30 degrees C exhibited significant degrees of autolysis when treated with detergent or cell wall inhibitors . Extracts of the mutant cultures contained a cell wall hydrolysing activity that was rapidly inactivated during incubation at 37 degrees C.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 May, 261(3), 311 - 21
Differentiation of Gemella haemolysans (Thjøtta and Bøe 1938) Berger 1960, from Streptococcus morbillorum (Prevot 1933) Holdeman and Moore 1974; Berger U et al.; Recently, G . haemolysans and S . morbillorum were postulated to be identical organisms, so that consequently their names were synonyms . In the present paper it was demonstrated, that, in spite of many similarities, both species can be differentiated by nitrite reduction, lacking in S . morbillorum, and some further enzymatic activities as well as by antigenic specificity and certain dissimilarities in morphology, growth conditions and their ability to induce beta-hemolysis . S . morbillorum apparently represents a group of strains with divergent properties and might be assigned to the genus Gemella rather than to Streptococcus.

Infect Immun, 1986 May, 52(2), 555 - 61
Strains of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus attach to different pellicle receptors; Gibbons RJ et al.; We compared the levels of adsorption of Streptococcus mutans JBP and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 to experimental pellicles formed from unsupplemented and glucosyltransferase (GTF)-supplemented saliva . Pellicles formed on hydroxyapatite beads from GTF or from saliva-GTF mixtures possessed detectable GTF activity . Low levels of GTF activity were also detected in clarified whole human saliva, but not in samples of submandibular saliva . The adsorptive behavior of S . mutans JBP to pellicles formed from saliva or saliva-GTF mixtures was strikingly different from that of S . sobrinus 6715 . S . mutans JBP adsorbed in higher numbers to pellicles formed from whole or submandibular saliva than to buffer-treated hydroxyapatite under the assay conditions used, in which blocking with albumin was used . In contrast, S . sobrinus 6715 attached in lower numbers and did not show enhanced adsorption to pellicles prepared from saliva . Pellicles prepared from the high-molecular-weight mucin fraction of submandibular saliva effectively promoted adsorption of S . mutans JBP, but none of the saliva fractions tested enhanced the attachment of S . sobrinus 6715 above the levels of buffer controls . Exposure of pellicles which contained GTF to sucrose to permit in situ synthesis of glucan markedly enhanced attachment of S . sobrinus 6715 but not attachment of S . mutans JBP . Also, the presence of sucrose throughout the adsorption period did not enhance attachment of S . mutans JBP . Both organisms possessed cell-associated GTF, and GTF preparations derived from S . sobrinus 6715 and Streptococcus sanguis FC-1 behaved like GTF derived from S . mutans JBP . S . sobrinus 6715 attached in high numbers to dextran-treated hydroxyapatite, whereas S . mutans JBP did not . These observations suggest that S . mutans JBP cells possess an adhesin which binds to salivary components in the pellicles . In contrast, S . sobrinus 6715 cells appear to possess an adhesin which binds to glucan in the pellicles . Four additional strains of S . mutans and four additional strains of S . sobrinus behaved qualitatively like strains JBP and 6715, respectively, and thus the differences observed appear to be representative of these species . Collectively, our data indicate that S . mutans and S . sobrinus attach to different receptors in experimental pellicles.

Am J Med, 1986 Apr, 80(4), 735 - 7
Streptococcus bovis catheter infection and the short bowel syndrome; Kaye BR et al.; Streptococcus bovis bacteremia has been associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, most notably carcinoma of the colon . This report describes a 57-year-old woman with short bowel syndrome in whom S . bovis bacteremia and an infection of an indwelling parenteral nutrition catheter developed . A barium enema revealed diverticula and a foreshortened small intestine . This case implicates the short bowel syndrome in the pathogenesis of S . bovis bacteremia and supports empiric antibiotic coverage for both skin flora and enteric pathogens in patients with Hickman catheter sepsis and known gastrointestinal pathologic conditions.

Infect Immun, 1986 Apr, 52(1), 166 - 70
Isolation and characterization of a fructosyltransferase gene from Streptococcus mutans GS-5; Sato S et al.; A fructosyltransferase (FTF) gene from Streptococcus mutans GS-5 has been isolated from a lambda L47.1 clone bank . The gene was contained on an 11.7-kilobase GS-5 DNA fragment and was initially subcloned into plasmid pACYC184 as a 5.4-kilobase HindIII fragment . However, further analysis revealed that transcription of the FTF gene was initiated at the P1 promoter contained on the vector . It was possible to subclone the FTF gene with its presumed promoter as a 3.4-kilobase EcoRI fragment to produce the chimeric plasmid pSS22 expressing FTF activity . The cloned enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity after ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and DEAE-Bio-Gel-A chromatography followed by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The purified enzyme displayed a lower molecular weight (63,000) compared with the multiple activities detected in the culture fluids of strain GS-5 . In addition, storage of the purified enzyme resulted in the formation of even lower-molecular-weight enzymatically active species . These results suggested that proteolytic degradation of the FTF occurs both in S . mutans and in Escherichia coli . In addition, a comparison of the properties of the cloned enzyme with those previously characterized from another serotype c S . mutans strain suggests that multiple FTF genes may be present in these organisms.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1986 Apr, 94(2), 97 - 102
Further studies on the growth inhibition of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 by xylitol; Assev S et al.; Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of extracts of cells which had been exposed to 14C-xylitol indicated that xylulose-phosphate is produced by the cells in addition to the previously reported xylitol-phosphate . Resting cell cultures of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 pretreated with xylitol were exposed to 14C-glucose and glycolytic metabolites identified by TLC of boiling water extracts of the cells . The developed TLC-sheets showed an accumulation of 14C-hexose-6-phosphates in the xylitol-treated bacteria . This could indicate that a xylitol metabolite, or metabolites, compete with fructose-6-phosphate for the phosphofructokinase, since the glycolysis is inhibited at this step . It was also shown that after accumulation of xylitol-5-phosphate, the bacteria were able to expel xylitol, presumably after and intracellular dephosphorylation of xylitol-5-phosphate; a "futile cycle" is thus present in these cells . Xylitol is taken up and phosphorylated, and at a later step dephosphorylated and expelled . The most important inhibition mechanism was judged to be the competitive inhibition of the glycolysis at the fructose-6-phosphate level.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1986 Apr, 94(2), 85 - 8
Coumermycin: in vitro activity against 251 clinical isolates of bacteria compared with the activities of eight other antibacterial agents; Digranes A et al.; The in vitro activity of coumermycin has been compared with those of ampicillin, clindamycin, cloxacillin, doxycycline, erythromycin, netilmicin, penicillin G and vancomycin . A total of 251 clinical isolates of Gram-positive cocci were examined . The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by an agar dilution method . Clindamycin, coumermycin and erythromycin were the most active drugs against Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis on a weight-for-weight basis . All the staphylococcal isolates were inhibited by coumermycin at a concentration of 0.12 mg/l or less . Netilmicin seemed to be somewhat more active against S . epidermidis than against S . aureus . The MICs of vancomycin for the staphylococcal isolates were clustered around 1 mg/l . Streptococcus pneumoniae, S . pyogenes and S . agalactiae were highly susceptible to penicillin G and erythromycin; most isolates were inhibited by 0.03 mg/l or less of either drug . Coumermycin showed poor activity against S . pyogenes, S . agalactiae and enterococci . Most of the S . pneumoniae isolates had also high MICs, although a wide range of sensitivities was found.

Vet Microbiol, 1986 Apr, 11(4), 349 - 55
Identification and characterization of Streptococcus suis; Hommez J et al.; A total of 188 Streptococcus suis strains isolated from pigs with various lesions, mainly bronchopneumonia, were identified using classical biochemical methods and using the API 20 STREP system . The serological classification was performed by precipitation reactions after Lancefield extraction, slide-coagglutinations and capsular reaction tests . Fifty-nine strains belonged to Types 1, 1/2 or 2, 78 strains to Types 3-8 and 51 strains were non-typable . The results of the different tests and the biochemical differences between the different serotypes are discussed.

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