Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1991 Jan, 274(4), 548 - 59 Interaction of Cryptosporidium parvum and Campylobacter jejuni in experimentally infected neonatal mice; Vitovec J et al.; By the method of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the inner mucosal surface of the ileum, ceacum and colon was studied in inbred BALB/c mice . Two-day-old mice were infected with either 10(6) oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum and 10(8) CFU of porcine and human strains of the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni or with a combination of both enteropathogens . Pathological changes in infection with C . parvum were related to enterocytes and villous atrophy appeared . In infection with C . jejuni, pathological changes were related to goblet cells . In combined infections, pathological changes were similar to those in monoinfections and occurred simultaneously within the intestine . Synergistic interaction of C . parvum and C . jejuni manifested itself morphologically in a more intense colonization of the inner surface of the small and large intestine by C . jejuni, in a more intense infection of the caecum and colon by C . parvum, and in prolongation of severe, massive infection of the small and large intestine, and also a prolongation of the patent period. IARC Sci Publ, 1991, (105), 22 - 32 The etiology of gastric cancer; Forman D; We review recent evidence concerning risk factors for gastric cancer . An overview of analytical studies shows convincing evidence of a protective effect of fruit and vegetables . The specific protective constituents have not been firmly established, but micronutrients, especially ascorbic acid, are probably of importance . Other dietary factors that show a consistent pattern of effect in different studies are the moderate risks associated with high intake of preserved foods and salt . Evidence also indicates that gastric cancer is associated with tobacco consumption, although even in continuing heavy smokers the risk does not exceed two fold . Another non-dietary factor of potential importance is infection with the bacterium, Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori . The model of Correa and co-workers currently offers the best working hypothesis to explain the etiology of gastric cancer . Although the endogenous synthesis of N-nitroso compounds is central to the model, it is not yet clear what the rate-limiting steps are . Exposure to nitrate per se does not directly cause gastric cancer. IARC Sci Publ, 1991, (105), 162 - 7 Exposure to N-nitrosamines and other risk factors for gastric cancer in Costa Rican children; Sierra R et al.; The hypothesis that endogenous chemical nitrosation in the normal stomach in early life could play a crucial role in inducing chronic atrophic gastritis/intestinal metaplasia in later life was tested by applying the N-nitrosoproline (NPRO) test to 12-h urine samples from about 50 children (aged 8-14 years) living in high- and low-risk areas for stomach cancer . The median values of NPRO and the sum of four nitrosamino acids analysed were 0.28-0.84 micrograms/12 h and 0.75-1.75 micrograms/12 h, respectively . The NPRO level after proline intake was significantly higher in children from a high-risk area than in those from a low-risk area (p less than 0.04), and markedly reduced after ingestion of ascorbic acid and proline (p less than 0.05) . Urinary nitrate level was lower than that of adults . NPRO levels on the day of proline intake, however, correlated well with nitrate levels (p less than 0.001), indicating that children in a high-risk area in Costa Rica have high endogenous nitrosation potential . Blood samples were also collected from about 300 children (aged 7-20 years) and analysed for antibodies against Campylobacter pylori, a suspected gastritis-causing bacteria . About 71% of children in both high- and low-risk areas for stomach cancer had antibodies . In addition, raw and cooked beans, which are consumed very frequently in Costa Rica, were collected from families in both areas and analysed for levels of nitrite/nitrate, total N-nitroso compounds and genotoxicity in the SOS chromotest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 1991 Jan-Feb, 33(1), 80 - 2 Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori: comparison of an urease test, histological visualization of curved bacteria and culture; Hernandez F et al.; Helicobacter pylori was investigated in 189 patients for culture, microscopic visualization of campylobacter-like organisms (CLO) and a ten minute urease test . In 136 (72%) the bacteria was isolated, and in 98 of them CLO were histologically detected . Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of microscopic visualization of CLO were: 0.77, 0.73, 0.97 and 0.51, respectively; 98 culture-positive patients were urease test positive . Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of the urease test were: 0.83, 0.72, 0.92 and 0.54, respectively . Comparing the urease test with culture of H . pylori combined with microscopic visualization of CLO, its specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values were: 0.95, 0.71, 0.98 and 0.48, respectively . Probably, these values are not real, since bacteria different from H . pylori could be misclassified as CLO. Braz J Med Biol Res, 1991, 24(6), 567 - 72 Use of ampicillin plus ranitidine for Helicobacter pylori gastritis; Ferrari AP et al.; 1 . Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) is now recognized as an etiological factor in gastritis and duodenal ulcers and probably also gastric ulcers . Eradication of the bacteria is fundamental to avoid ulcer relapse . Although bismuth salts have been shown to be effective for treatment, they are not commercially available in Brazil . 2 . We report an attempt to treat patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis with ampicillin (1000 mg twice daily for one month) and compare the results with the conventional treatment used in Brazil (ranitidine, 300 mg daily for one month) and with a combination of the two drugs . We studied 44 patients with histologically confirmed gastritis and with Helicobacter pylori, who were examined at the beginning and after one month of treatment . 3 . Ampicillin associated with ranitidine was better than ampicillin or ranitidine alone for the treatment of gastritis . Although ampicillin may be more efficient in patients with lower acid output we did not find a statistically significant difference between these two groups (ampicillin vs drug combination), perhaps owing to the small number of patients studied . When ampicillin was combined with ranitidine there was 25% normalization of the histological picture of the gastric mucosa . 4 . We conclude that ampicillin in combination with ranitidine may be a useful treatment for Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. Przegl Epidemiol, 1991, 45(3), 171 - 4 {Resistance to chemotherapy of Campylobacter jejuni strains}; Gosciniak G et al.; Sensitivity to 22 different chemotherapeutic agents against 31 Campylobacter jejuni strains, isolated from children was determined . Most of the investigated strains were sensitive to doxycycline, chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin (90-100) and 84-87% of them to oxy-tetracycline augmentation, ofloxacin, erythromycin . All the strains were resistance to: cephalotin, cephadrin, cefuroxime and cefoperazone and 77-87% to ceftazidime, colistin and vancomycin. Acta Vet Scand, 1991, 32(4), 491 - 8 The effect of lactic acid sprays on Campylobacter jejuni inoculated onto poultry carcasses; Cudjoe KS et al.; Spraying poultry carcasses with 1% lactic acid 10 min after inoculation with Campylobacter jejuni, resulted in a significant reduction in the number of the bacteria after 4 h at 4 degrees C . Some of the inoculated cells, however, survived for at least 144 h . Spraying 10 min after inoculation with 2% lactic acid, totally eliminated all inoculated C . jejuni within 24 h . On the other hand, spraying 24 h after inoculation, with either 1% or 2% lactic acid did not eliminate all the bacteria . Inoculated C . jejuni on poultry carcasses not sprayed with lactic acid, survived at 4 degrees C throughout the sampling period (up to 144 h) and showed little tendency to decrease in number even when the carcasses started to deteriorate . Resident campylobacters on poultry carcasses were significantly reduced by the lactic acid treatment . Frozen and thawed chickens appeared to show a graying of the skins immediately after spraying with lactic acid, slightly stronger with 2% lactic acid, but the colour reverted to normal after 24 h . We were not able to observe any colour change on the fresh broiler chickens after lactic acid treatment . Our results indicated that lactic acid had a significant bactericidal effect on C . jejuni on both naturally and artificially contaminated poultry carcasses . This effect, however, became manifest only several hours after acid treatment. Gastroenterol Clin Biol, 1991, 15(10), 723 - 6 Anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG levels in abattoir workers; Husson MO et al.; The aim of our study was to detect antibodies against Helicobacter pylori (H . pylori) in abattoir workers whose activity was variable (pig, poultry-carcasses, poultry-intestinal organs treatment) . An adsorption of all sera with H . pylori and Campylobacter species known to be ubiquitous and responsible for zoonosis was included in the ELISA reaction to eliminate possible cross-reactions between these species . Statistically higher specific titres of IgG antibodies against H . pylori were observed in men and women who had only worked for 1 or 2 years versus matched controls, indicating a possible transmission of H . pylori from animal to man . The role of poultry or pigs as contaminants alone or in association remains to be determined. Yao Xue Xue Bao, 1991, 26(7), 541 - 5 {Development of gentamicin sulfate sustained release tablet remaining-floating in stomach}; Xu WL et al.; Gentamicin sulfate sustained-release tablet remaining-floating in stomach (G-HBS) was developed based on the hydrodynamically balanced system . The dissolution rate of G-HBS was determined by rotary basket method (100 r/min, 37 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 0.1 mol/L HCl) . The release characteristics of G-HBS showed basically first order kinetics with the dissolution rate constant (Kr) of 0.3992 h-1 . The mean dissolution time (MDT) of G-HBS was 2.53 h-1 . The density of G-HBS was found to have no significant influence on dissolution of G-BHS . The gamma-scintiphoto technique was used to examine the gastric retention time of G-HBS and GCT (gentamicin sulfate conventional tablet) . It was shown that the gastric retention time of all subjects taking G-HBS under fed and fasted conditions were all over 4 h, in contrast with GCT, only 1-2 h . The stability of G-HBS was investigated and a tentative two-year expiration date was established . Spectrophotometry for the determination of gentamicin was established . The effect of G-HBS on Campylobacter pyloridis-associated chronic gastritis was examined through clinical trials. J Invest Surg, 1991, 4(4), 499 - 504 Modification to the RITARD surgical model; Davis JA et al.; The Removable Intestinal Tie-Adult Rabbit Diarrhea (RITARD) procedure is the surgical model of choice for studying pathogenesis of diarrheas of Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Aeromonas origin . Other than nonhuman primates, the RITARD rabbit is the only model that closely resembles human infection . Classically, the RITARD model is created by isolating the terminal ileum using umbilical tape placed in a slipknot fashion, and injecting the occluded segment with the organism of choice . The slipknot is removed at 4 h postinoculation and patency of the gut reestablished . We found removal of the umbilical tape to be extremely difficult, usually requiring a second surgery to gently untie the material and prevent destruction of the fragile intestinal tissue . This complication of the described procedure appeared to be related to the absorptive and abrasive nature of the tape material . The modification described uses the same idea, but a different material and a different knot pattern . The tubing was easily removed at the prescribed 4 h postsurgery, without an additional surgery . The tubing did not adhere to or damage the gut, yet did provide the occlusive seal required for a 4-h static gut . Histologically, no evidence of pressure could be found at the tie site. Trop Geogr Med, 1991 Jan-Apr, 43(1-2), 17 - 22 Surveillance of patients attending a rural diarrhoea treatment centre in Bangladesh; Baqui AH et al.; In May 1983, a surveillance system was set up at a rural diarrhoea treatment centre of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) to study a 20% systematic sample of all admissions . Between May 1983 and April 1984, 2,635 patients were studied . A recognized enteric pathogen was detected in 69% of the patients screened, 15% of whom had a mixed infection . Vibrio cholerae 0: 1 was the most common enteropathogen detected (39%), followed by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (14%), Shigella spp . (11%), and Campylobacter jejuni (11%) . Detection of C . jejuni was highest in infants, Shigella spp . in children between 1-4 years and V . cholerae 0:1 in children between 3-9 years of age . 75% of patients presented with watery diarrhoea, a presentation that was significantly more common in patients infected with V . cholerae 0:1 (94%) and ETEC (88%) . Bloody diarrhoea was the presenting complaint in 18% of all patients, but in 65% of patients in whom Shigella spp . was isolated . Although 91% of patients reported that they had prior experience of use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT), 54% of the patients came to the treatment centre with no or mild dehydration and more than half of them did not use ORT before coming to the treatment centre . Most of these patients could have been safely treated at home if ORT could be made available and acceptable. Sov Med, 1991, (9), 11 - 5 {Morphological and morphometric characteristics of the large-intestinal mucosa in Campylobacter infections}; Shcherbakov IT et al.; Twenty-two biopsy specimens of colon mucosa were obtained from 16 patients with gastrointestinal campylobacteriosis histologically, histochemically and morphometrically . At the height of the disease colon mucosa of these patients showed a morphological picture of acute hemorrhagic and erosive--hemorrhagic colitis . When compared with such for other intestinal infections (shigellosis, salmonellosis, rotaviral gastroenteritis), the morphological features appeared to vary permitting a differential diagnosis with acute colitis due to above infections, but objective criteria to differentiate campylobacter-induced colitis from colitis in aggravation of nonspecific ulcerative one and Crohn's disease still remains to be found. Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1991 Jan, 41(1), 88 - 103 Revision of Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and Wolinella taxonomy: emendation of generic descriptions and proposal of Arcobacter gen . nov; Vandamme P et al.; Hybridization experiments were carried out between DNAs from more than 70 strains of Campylobacter spp . and related taxa and either 3H-labeled 23S rRNAs from reference strains belonging to Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter concisus, Campylobacter sputorum, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter nitrofigilis, an unnamed Campylobacter sp . strain, and a Wolinella succinogenes strain or 3H- or 14C-labeled 23S rRNAs from 13 gram-negative reference strains . An immunotyping analysis of 130 antigens versus 34 antisera of campylobacters and related taxa was also performed . We found that all of the named campylobacters and related taxa belong to the same phylogenetic group, which we name rRNA superfamily VI and which is far removed from the gram-negative bacteria allocated to the five rRNA superfamilies sensu De Ley . There is a high degree of heterogeneity within this rRNA superfamily . Organisms belonging to rRNA superfamily VI should be reclassified in several genera . We propose that the emended genus Campylobacter should be limited to Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter hyointestinalis, Campylobacter concisus, Campylobacter mucosalis, Campylobacter sputorum, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, and "Campylobacter upsaliensis." Wolinella curva and Wolinella recta are transferred to the genus Campylobacter as Campylobacter curvus comb . nov . and Campylobacter rectus comb . nov., respectively . Bacteroides gracilis and Bacteroides ureolyticus are generically misnamed and are closely related to the genus Campylobacter . Campylobacter nitrofigilis, Campylobacter cryaerophila, and an unnamed Campylobacter sp . strain constitute a new genus, for which the name Arcobacter is proposed; this genus contains two species, Arcobacter nitrofigilis comb . nov . (type species) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus comb . nov . Wolinella succinogenes so far is the only species of the genus Wolinella . The genus Helicobacter is also emended; Campylobacter cinaedi and Campylobacter fennelliae are included in this genus as Helicobacter cinaedi comb . nov . and Helicobacter fennelliae comb . nov., respectively . The genus "Flexispira," with "Flexispira rappini" as the only species, is closely related to the genus Helicobacter . The free-living, sulfur-reducing campylobacters do not belong to any of these genera; they probably constitute a distinct genus within rRNA superfamily VI. Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1991 Jan, 41(1), 31 - 8 Phylogeny of Helicobacter felis sp . nov., Helicobacter mustelae, and related bacteria; Paster BJ et al.; Strain CS1T (T = type strain) is a gram-negative, microaerophilic, urease-positive, spiral-shaped bacterium that was isolated from the gastric mucosa of a cat . Additional strains which possessed biochemical and ultrastructural characteristics similar to those of strain CS1T were isolated from the gastric mucosa of cats and dogs . The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA of strain CS1T was 42.5 mol% . The 16S rRNA sequences of strain CS1T, strain DS3 (a spiral-shaped isolate from a dog), and Helicobacter mustelae were determined by direct RNA sequencing, using a modified Sanger method . These sequences were compared with the 16S rRNA sequences of Helicobacter pylori, "Flexispira rappini," Wolinella succinogenes, and 11 species of campylobacters . A dendrogram was constructed based upon sequence similarities . Strains CS1T and DS3 were very closely related (level of similarity, 99.3%) . Two major phylogenetic groups were formed; one group consisted of strains CS1T and DS3, H . mustelae, H . pylori, "F . rappini," and W . succinogenes, and the other group contained the true campylobacters . The average level of similarity between members of these two groups was 84.9% . Within the first group, strains CS1T and DS3, H . pylori, and H . mustelae formed a cluster of organisms with an interspecies similarity level of 94.5% . The phylogenetic positions of W . succinogenes and "F . rappini" were just outside this cluster . On the basis of the results of this study, we believe that strains CS1T (= ATCC 49179T) and DS3 represent a new species of the genus Helicobacter, for which we propose the name Helicobacter felis. Ter Arkh, 1991, 63(2), 9 - 12 {Clinical course and treatment of duodenal ulcer in women}; Orlovskii VF et al.; Overall 260 women and 202 men were examined comparatively during duodenal ulcer exacerbation . 53.8% of the women demonstrated an atypical disease course . Fibrogastroscopy is a method of early diagnosis of duodenal ulcer in women . As compared to men, the size and depth of ulcers in women was less . Acid and peptic factor was also less pronounced . The four-week treatment with the use of the diet, antacids, gastrozepine and repair agents brought about ulcer healing in 82% of the women . The single and daily doses of antacids administered to women were 1.5 times less than in men . The use of H2-blockers is indicated in women with a severe course of peptic ulcer . The inclusion of antibacterial agents is indicated if the mucous membrane of the antral part of the stomach demonstrates Campylobacter pylori. Lancet, 1990 Dec 8, 336(8728), 1425 - 7 Bird attack on milk bottles: possible mode of transmission of Campylobacter jejuni to man; Southern JP et al.; A case-control study was carried out to test the hypothesis that the rise in the rate of Campylobacter jejuni infection in the Brigend area of South Wales during May was due to the consumption or handling of milk from bottles that had been attacked by birds . 32 of 36 cases meeting the case definition were interviewed, along with 2 controls per case, matched for age, sex, and area of residence . There were strong associations between campylobacter infection and doorstep delivery of milk bottles, a history of milk bottle attack by birds, milk bottle attack by birds during the week before illness, and consumption of milk from attacked bottles during the week before illness . There was a very strong dose-response relation between frequency of bird attack and illness . Controls with a history of milk bottle attack by birds were more likely than cases to have taken preventive measures against bird attack and consumption of contaminated milk . Although few people witnessed the attacks, the likely culprits are magpies (Pica pica) and jackdaws (Corvus monedula). N Engl J Med, 1990 Dec 6, 323(23), 1587 - 93 A newly recognized fastidious gram-negative pathogen as a cause of fever and bacteremia; Slater LN et al.; BACKGROUND . We identified a motile, curved, gram-negative bacillus as the cause of persistent fever and bacteremia in two patients with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection . The same organism was subsequently recovered from a bone marrow-transplant recipient with septicemia and from two immunocompetent persons with week-long febrile illnesses . All the patients recovered after antimicrobial therapy . METHODS AND RESULTS . Primary cultures of blood processed by centrifugation after blood-cell lysis yielded adherent, white, iridescent, morphologically heterogeneous colonies in 5 to 15 days . Subcultures grew in four days on chocolate, charcoal-yeast extract, or blood agar . The organisms stained weakly with safranin and were not acid-fast . Fluorescent-antibody tests for legionella and francisella were negative . Biochemical reactivity was minimal and difficult to ascertain . Agar-dilution testing revealed in vitro susceptibility to most antimicrobial agents tested . The cellular fatty acid composition of the isolates was similar, resembling that of Rochalimaea quintana or brucella species, but not Helicobacter pylori or species of campylobacter or legionella . As resolved by gel electrophoresis, cell-membrane preparations of all isolates contained similar proteins, with patterns that differed from that of R . quintana . Patterns of digestion of DNA from all isolates by EcoRV restriction endonuclease were virtually identical and also differed from that of R . quintana . On immunodiffusion, serum from one convalescent patient produced a line of identity with sonicates of all five isolates . CONCLUSIONS . This pathogen may have been unidentified until now because of its slow growth, broad susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, and possible requirement of blood-cell lysis for recovery in culture . It should be sought as a cause of unexplained fever, especially in persons with defective cell-mediated immunity. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Dec, 26 Suppl F, 47 - 53 Treatment of typhoid fever and infectious diarrhoea with ciprofloxacin; Pithie AD et al.; Ciprofloxacin and other related fluorinated 4-quinolones have microbiological and pharmacokinetic properties that suggest they could be useful agents in the management of typhoid fever and bacterial gastroenteritis . Initial studies confirm that this is the case . Against fully sensitive Salmonella typhi ciprofloxacin is clinically as effective as chloramphenicol or co-trimoxazole . It is also effective treatment for antibiotic-resistant strains which cause epidemic and endemic infection throughout the world . Furthermore, ciprofloxacin appears to eliminate chronic carriage of Salm . typhi more efficiently than other antibiotics . Ciprofloxacin has excellent in-vitro activity against all the bacterial pathogens that commonly cause infective diarrhoea . There are limited data concerning its use in the treatment of shigella dysentery but, in appropriate situations, ciprofloxacin is effective treatment for salmonella enteritis and is also effective in infections complicated by septicaemia and bone and liver abscesses . Ciprofloxacin appears to be of benefit in Campylobacter jejuni enteritis and is effective in the treatment of travellers' diarrhoea were enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and shigellae are most important. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Dec, 28(12), 2641 - 6 Serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood; Thomas JE et al.; Sera from 100 children (ages, 6 to 16 years) presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms were examined for antibodies to Helicobacter pylori by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on crude, loosely cell-associated antigens and a partially purified urease antigen preparation . All children underwent endoscopy, and 20 children were shown to have H . pylori infection by histology or direct culture . Serum anti-H . pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (crude antigen) were clearly raised in the infected group, particularly after preabsorption of sera against a Campylobacter jejuni antigen preparation, while IgM and IgA ELISA determinations did not discriminate between infected and H . pylori-negative patients . Only 14 children in the infected group had raised anti-urease IgG levels . Two patients in whom the organism was not demonstrated or cultured had raised specific IgG levels against both crude and urease antigens and pathological features consistent with H . pylori disease . Immunoblotting studies did not reveal any single protein antigen or simple combination of antigens that could be considered as a candidate for a more defined serodiagnostic reagent . Anti-H . pylori antibody determinations (crude antigen) performed on posttreatment samples from children in whom the organism could no longer be demonstrated suggested that sustained IgG levels may not be a reliable index of treatment failure . An IgG ELISA based on crude, loosely cell-associated antigens of H . pylori can be used for the serodiagnosis of H . pylori infection in childhood. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1990 Dec, 43(6), 608 - 13 A comparative study of gastrointestinal infections in United States soldiers receiving doxycycline or mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis; Arthur JD et al.; A double blind study of daily doxycycline (100 mg) vs . weekly mefloquine (250 mg) was performed on United States soldiers training in Thailand to assess the effect of doxycycline malaria prophylaxis on the incidence of gastrointestinal infections . During a 5 week period, 49% (58/119) of soldiers receiving doxycycline and 48% (64/134) of soldiers receiving mefloquine reported an episode of diarrhea . Infection with bacterial enteric pathogens was identified in 39% (47/119) of soldiers taking doxycycline and 46% (62/134) of soldiers taking mefloquine . Forty-four percent (59/134) of soldiers receiving mefloquine and 36% (43/119) of soldiers receiving doxycycline were infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), while 9% (12/134) of soldiers receiving mefloquine and 4% of soldiers receiving doxycycline were infected with Campylobacter . Side effects from either medication were minimal . After 5 weeks in Thailand, the percent of non-ETEC strains resistant to greater than or equal to 2 antibiotics increased from 65% (77/119) to 86% (95/111) in soldiers on mefloquine and from 79% (84/106) to 93% (88/95) in soldiers on doxycycline . Doxycycline prophylaxis did not prevent or increase diarrheal disease in soldiers deployed to Thailand where ETEC and other bacterial pathogens are often resistant to tetracyclines. J Med Microbiol, 1990 Dec, 33(4), 277 - 84 Soluble and cell-associated haemagglutinins of Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori; Robinson J et al.; Some plate-grown strains of Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori that were harvested into phosphate-buffered saline and left for 1 h released soluble haemagglutinins . These caused high-titre agglutination of human and guinea-pig erythrocytes, whereas chicken, sheep and bovine erythrocytes were agglutinated at various titres . Six of 10 strains which had been subcultured repeatedly did not possess soluble haemagglutinins . Slide agglutination of bacterial suspensions demarcated the strains into two groups; Group 1 gave strong agglutination with most types of erythrocyte, Group 2 did not . By microtitration assay, all Group-1 strains but only two Group-2 strains produced a soluble haemagglutinin . Cell-associated haemagglutinins were found by microtitration assay in all strains of H . pylori, but higher titres were found within Group-1 strains . The supernates of broth-grown, shaken cultures also showed the presence of soluble haemagglutinins, with higher titres for recently isolated strains . Pre-treatment of human erythrocytes with neuraminidase from Arthrobacter ureafaciens and Clostridium perfringens abolished haemagglutination by the soluble, but not by the cell-associated haemagglutinin . The soluble haemagglutinin was inhibited by sialoproteins containing predominantly the N-acetylneuraminyl (2-3) galactopyranosyl {NeuAc(2-3)Gal} structure, fetuin, glycophorin and bovine N-acetylneuraminyl-lactose (NeuAc-Lac) . Transferrin and human NeuAc-Lac, which contain predominantly the N-acetylneuraminyl (2-6) galactopyranosyl {NeuAc(2-6)Gal} structure were not inhibitory . However, bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) was strongly inhibitory; it contains several structures with sialic acid linked 2-6 to oligosaccharides . These results suggest that the soluble haemagglutinin recognises a NeuAc(2-3)Gal structure, but has high affinity for another, as yet undetermined, sialic acid-containing structure. Neurology, 1990 Dec, 40(12), 1900 - 2 Acute axonal polyneuropathy associated with anti-GM1 antibodies following Campylobacter enteritis; Yuki N et al.; We report 2 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) following Campylobacter jejuni enteritis . Electrophysiologic studies indicated that the predominant process was axonal degeneration of motor nerves, and clinical recovery was poor . Serum testing by thin-layer chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the sera from both patients contained high titers of IgG antibody against GM1 ganglioside . These cases may represent a subgroup of GBS as acute axonal polyneuropathy following C jejuni enteritis associated with anti-GM1 antibodies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1990 Dec, 71(6), 1658 - 62 Gastrointestinal side-effects of octreotide during long-term treatment of acromegaly; Plockinger U et al.; Gastrointestinal side-effects of prolonged therapy (greater than 2 yr) with the long-acting somatostatin analog octreotide were studied in 10 acromegalic patients . After 2 yr of therapy, 6 of 10 patients had newly developed gallstones, complicated by cholangitis and jaundice in 1 . Serum vitamin B-12 concentrations declined in all 10 patients {from 380 +/- 32 to 172 +/- 21 pmol/L (mean +/- SE); P = 0.023} and became abnormally low in 4 . Gastric biopsy specimens, obtained during gastroscopy (9 patients), showed moderate to severe active gastritis, with damage to the superficial and deeper layers of the mucosa in 9 of 9 and focal atrophy in 7 of 9 patients . Campylobacter pylori was found in the antral mucosa in 8 of 9 patients . Although information is lacking on similar studies in untreated acromegalic patients, we suggest that patients receiving chronic octreotide therapy be closely monitored for these and possible other side-effects related to gastrointestinal actions of octreotide. Gastroenterology, 1990 Dec, 99(6), 1558 - 64 Natural history of congestive gastropathy in cirrhosis . The Liver Study Group of V . Cervello Hospital; D'Amico G et al.; In a prospective study of the natural history of congestive gastropathy, 212 consecutive cirrhotic patients (75 treated with sclerotherapy) were included . Mean follow-up was 46 months . Mild gastropathy (mosaiclike pattern) was found in 110 patients and severe gastropathy (granular mucosa with cherry spots) was found in 20 . Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, formerly Campylobacter pylori, was 50% in patients without, 43% in those with mild, and 28% in those with severe gastropathy . Congestive gastropathy was significantly more frequent in patients treated with sclerotherapy (83% vs . 50%, P less than 10(-5)) . Sixty-month actuarial proportions of patients free of anemia (in the absence of hematemesis or melena), were 17% with severe, 62% with mild, and 93% without gastropathy (P less than 10(-8} . Corresponding figures for overt bleeding were 25%, 73%, and 87% (P less than 10(-7}, whereas those for survival were 46%, 72%, and 85% (P = 0.0005), respectively . A multivariate regression analysis supported the following conclusions: (a) sclerotherapy and the presence of large esophageal varices significantly increase the risk of congestive gastropathy, which (b) is a significant risk indicator of both chronic and overt bleeding but does not independently affect survival. Afr J Med Med Sci, 1990 Dec, 19(4), 275 - 80 Acidity and intestinal bacteria: an in-vitro assessment of the bactericidal activity of hydrochloric acid on intestinal pathogens; Rotimi VO et al.; The bactericidal activity of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on different intestinal bacteria was evaluated at various pH values and time intervals . The effect of HCl was highest at pH 2 and pH 3 on strains of Campylobacter jejuni, Aeromonas hydrophila, Plesiomonas shigelloides, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella spp . and Shigella spp., producing complete killing after 60 min incubation . However, at higher pH values (pH 4 and above), these organisms not only survived but they also showed evidence of rapid multiplication . In contrast, clinical and standard strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to all the pH values . Highest sensitivity to HCl was observed with strains of Shigella spp . and Salmonella spp . It is conceivable that patients with normal gastric acidity should not suffer from gastroenteritis caused by these intestinal pathogens. Malays J Pathol, 1990 Dec, 12(2), 97 - 100 Detection of Helicobacter pylori from endoscopic biopsies and the biochemical characteristics of these isolates; Cheong YM et al.; Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) has been recently described as a gastritis-associated bacterium . We examined endoscopic biopsies of 100 patients with dyspepsia and found H . pylori in the gastric antrum of 34 (34%) by either culture, urease tests and/or histology . Thirty-one out of 41 patients (75.6%) confirmed to have chronic active gastritis histologically had H . pylori in their gastric antrum compared to 3 out of 59 patients (5.1%) with dyspepsia but normal histology (p less than 0.01) . Histological examination, using gram stain and the Warthin-Starry Silver stain, detected 29 of the 34 positive cases (85.3%); urease test, 26 cases (76.5%) and culture, 22 cases (64.7%) . A combination of histological examination and urease test increased the detection rate to 97.1% . Therefore we felt that for the detection of H . pylori in endoscopic biopsies, culture, which is time consuming and expensive, is not necessary in routine diagnosis as it did not improve the diagnostic rate over a combination of histology and urease test . A comparative study on three media (blood agar, chocolate agar and Skirrow's agar) used in the isolation of the organism showed that non-selective blood agar and chocolate agar were superior to Skirrow's agar . The strains isolated appeared to be homogeneous in their morphological and biochemical characteristics. Microb Pathog, 1990 Dec, 9(6), 427 - 39 Adherence of Helicobacter pylori cells and their surface components to HeLa cell membranes; Fauchere JL et al.; Four Helicobacter pylori strains were used to develop in vitro methods to assess adherence to HeLa cells . Using direct detection by microscopy, adhesion scores increased with the initial bacteria-to-cell ratio . The urease method assessed H . pylori bound to HeLa cells by their urease activity . The percentage of the original inoculum adhering to HeLa cells remained constant for initial ratios from 10(2) to 10(5) bacteria per cell . An ELISA using anti-H . pylori serum assessed whole bacteria or components bound to HeLa cell fractions . By all three methods, the four H . pylori strains were adherent to HeLa cells or membranes whereas Campylobacter fetus and Providencia control strains were not . The adherence of H . pylori whole cells decreased following extraction with saline, water, or glycine buffer and most of the superficial adhering material (SAM) was present in the saline or water extracts . SAM bound better to HeLa membranes than to calf fetuin or bovine serum albumin (BSA); binding was inhibited by preincubation of SAM with HeLa membranes but not with fetuin or BSA or by pretreatment of HeLa membranes with neuraminidase . These data indicate that SAM has a specific receptor on the HeLa cell membranes . By gel exclusion chromatography of bacterial extracts, the most adherent components were found in the fractions which also contained the highest urease activity; these fractions included urease subunit antigens . We conclude that adherence of H . pylori can be assessed by microtiter assays and involves bacterial surface material which co-purifies with urease and is different from the N-acetyl-neuraminyl-lactose binding hemagglutinin. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1990 Dec, 37(10), 774 - 6 Phallus-inflammation of ganders: clinical observations and comparative bacteriological examinations of healthy and altered organs; Behr KP et al.; The examination of acute or chronically altered phallus-tissues of ganders revealed microorganisms belonging to the genera Mycoplasma, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Campylobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Candida and to the family Pasteurellaceae, isolated in different frequencies . Bacteriologic examinations of the phallus-tissues and cloacal mucous membranes of healthy juvenile ganders showed microorganisms of the same genera or family, except Mycoplasma and Candida spp . Pathogenesis and possibilities of treating phallus-inflammations in ganders are discussed. Rinsho Byori, 1990 Dec, 38(12), 1368 - 72 {Evaluation of a latex agglutination method for the rapid identification of Campylobacter jejuni/coli}; Yamazaki E et al.; A latex agglutination assay was developed to identify Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli . We evaluated the specificity, reproducibility and utility of the assay for clinical use and the following results were obtained . 1) To prepare standardized antigen, bacterial cells must be suspended to a density of 1 to 5 McFarland unit, and heated at 121 degrees C for 10 to 30 min . 2) Bacterial cells may be suspended either in the solution provided with the kit, or in physiological saline, without affecting the results . 3) Of C . jejuni, 94 strains, 6 of C . coli, and 3 of "Campylobacter upsaliensis", all tested positive without exception . All other Campylobacter species, encompassing 13 species and 80 strains, were negative . An additional 9 species and 30 strains, of non-Campylobacter gram negative bacteria, isolated on the Campylobacter selection agar medium, also were uniformly negative . Based on these results, we conclude that bacteria testing positive with the kit can be identified as C . jejuni/coli . Interestingly, "C . upsaliensis", although isolated very rarely from the clinical specimens, also tested positive. Hepatogastroenterology, 1990 Dec, 37 Suppl 2, 38 - 44 Epidemiology and treatment of gastric Campylobacter pylori infection: more questions than answers; Iserhard R et al.; Two-hundred and ten consecutive patients undergoing routine gastroscopy were additionally investigated for evidence of Campylobacter pylori (C.p.) . 106 patients were positive in one or more tests: 99.1% using a rapid urease detecting test (CLO-test), 80.2% histology, 78.3% cytology and 60% culture . We found no difference between the CLO-test results from biopsies taken from different parts of the stomach in individual patients . C.p . was found in 100% of patients with significant chronic antral gastritis, 67.7% with gastric ulcers, 65% with duodenal ulcers and in 12.1% of normal individuals . The C.p . infection was apparently eliminated in 50% of cases treated with bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) for four weeks . The combination of BSS with amoxicillin, tinidazole or an H2-receptor antagonist offered no advantage over BSS alone . Treatment with BSS led to improvement in symptoms and histological findings including healing of ulcers in patients with or without persistent C.p . infection . The recurrence of C.p . infection after apparently successful treatment was, however, 75% in 4 weeks . In conclusion, C.p . infection correlates strongly with the presence of chronic gastritis, and significantly with gastric and duodenal ulceration . The best diagnostic approach is the combination of a rapid urease detecting test and histology . C.p . infection is of long duration and difficult to eliminate . The most effective treatment for C.p . infection remains BSS as single agent. Med Clin (Barc), 1990 Nov 17, 95(17), 648 - 52 {Characteristics of Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori infection in our field}; Garcia-Rodriguez JA et al.; The presence of helicobacter pylori in the stomach in patients with clinical signs of gastroduodenal disease and its possible relationship with several clinical, endoscopic and anatomopathologic characteristics of the illness were prospectively evaluated in 359 patients . H . pylori was isolated from 388 samples in 216 patients (60% of colonization) . In patients with endoscopic and, or, anatomopathologic evidence of gastroduodenal alterations the microorganism was isolated in 67% of the instances whereas it was observed in only 7% of the patients free of such alterations (p less than 0.001) . The prevalence was 100% in cases of bulboduodenitis, 77% in patients with peptic ulcer, 66% in cases of gastritis, and 20% in neoplastic patients . The colonization index for duodenal ulcer was 80% and that of gastric ulcer 70% . Among the cases with gastritis the highest index corresponde to the superficial chronic gastritis (82%) . We failed to observe clinical signs that allowed to envisage the presence or absence of H . pylori in the gastric mucosa. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax, 1990 Nov 13, 79(46), 1410 - 1 {Lymphocytic gastritis}; Realini S et al.; Lymphocytic gastritis is characterised by an accumulation of lymphocytes in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa . This form accounts for 4.5% of chronic B-gastritis and manifests itself by dyspepsia, anorexia and weight loss . The course is benign, as 12 of 19 patients recovered within 24 to 36 months in Haot's studies . Macroscopically it appears with nodules, erosions, thickened mucosal folds, or diffuse varioliform pattern . The gastric corpus is preferentially involved . The etiology is unknown . Some authors have hypothesized an abnormal immune response to a local antigen, i.e . Campylobacter pylori. Nucleic Acids Res, 1990 Nov 11, 18(21), 6211 - 4 Size and physical map of the Campylobacter jejuni chromosome; Nuijten PJ et al.; The chromosome of Campylobacter jejuni is circular and approximately 1700 kb in circumference . The size of the genome was determined by field inversion gel electrophoresis of restriction endonuclease fragments using lambda DNA concatamers and yeast chromosomes to calibrate the size of the fragments . In view of the low (32-35%) G + C content of the campylobacter genome, enzymes that recognizes GC-rich sequences were used . Of the enzymes tested BssHII (G/C(G)CGC), NciI (CC/CGCG) and SalI (G/TCGAC) appeared to be usable . Hybridization of labeled fragments with two or more fragments from digests with a different restriction enzyme gave the information to order the fragments on the C jejuni chromosome . The localization on the genome of the flagellin and ribosomal gene clusters was determined. S Afr Med J, 1990 Nov 3, 78(9), 524 - 7 Some early observations on HIV infection in children at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban; Bobat RA et al.; Nine black children aged between 3 months and 30 months of age, with human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) infection are described to draw the attention of health professionals in southern Africa to special clinical characteristics useful for recognising this problem, which has many shared features with common diseases of infancy and childhood in the Third World . The main presenting complaints were chronic cough and persistent diarrhoea and vomiting . These children frequently had diarrhoea (8 of 9 patients), mucocutaneous candidiasis (8), pneumonia (7), hepatosplenomegaly (9), significant lymphadenopathy (5) and wasting (5) . All were infected by common bacteria, such as Gram-negative organisms, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Campylobacter jejuni, or by opportunistic infections such as Candida or cytomegalovirus (CMV), or by both bacterial and opportunistic organisms . A raised total serum globulin level, anaemia, lymphopenia and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis were frequent findings . Incomplete data on parental HIV status suggest perinatal transmission . Three of the children were HIV-antigen positive . The diagnosis of full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), using the stringent Centers for Disease Control criteria, is difficult in our situation because of limited diagnostic resources; however, using these criteria, and the clinical case definition for AIDS recommended by World Health Organisation, it is thought that probably 4 of these children could be considered as having AIDS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1990 Nov, 64(11), 1462 - 7 {Two cases of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in children}; Wada N et al.; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Y . pseudotuberculosis) infection is an intestinal infectious disease comparable in importance as those with Campylobacter or Salmonella . Clinical symptoms of Y . pseudotuberculosis infection vary . In this report, we will describe the clinical symptoms and immunological conditions of the patients with Y . pseudotuberculosis infection, including 2 or our own cases . Case 1 was a 4 years old male infant admitted to the hospital with major complaints of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting . Kawasaki disease was the most suspected diagnosis from the clinical viewpoint . These symptoms improved by symptomatic treatments . Serum examination during hospitalisation revealed the infection of Y . pseudotuberculosis 4a . Case 2 was a 7 months old male baby with psychomotor developmental delay . The patient was admitted to hospital with major complaints of fever and eruptions . The patient was diagnosed to have a severe infectious disorder based on the clinical symptoms and findings of laboratory tests . Treatments with antibiotics improved the conditions . Serum examination during hospitalisation also revealed the Y . pseudotuberculosis 5a infection . Both of these cases showed decreased cellular immunity during the acute phase of the infection which was normalized with the improvement in clinical conditions . It was thus suggested that Y . pseudotuberculosis had a possibility to influence the cellular immunity of hosts transiently but significantly. J Clin Pathol, 1990 Nov, 43(11), 957 - 60 Lectin typing of Campylobacter isolates; O'Sullivan N et al.; Isolates of Campylobacter jejuni, C coli, C fetus and C laridis were tested for agglutination reactions with a panel of five lectins: Arachis hypogaea, Bauhinia purpurea, Solanum tuberosum, Triticum vulgaris and Wisteria floribunda . Twenty three patterns of agglutination (lectin types) were recorded among 376 isolates . Patterns were consistent and reproducible . Only 4.5% of isolates were untypable because of autoagglutination . Some lectin types were found exclusively or predominantly in a species, but others were shared between species . Forty two per cent of C jejuni and 35% of C coli isolates belonged to lectin type 4 . There was no apparent correlation between lectin type and serotype; different lectin types were found among strains of single Penner and Lior serotypes . Lectin typing is a simple and economical procedure suitable for use in non-specialist laboratories, either as an adjunct to serogrouping or, after further development, as a sole typing scheme. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino), 1990 Nov-Dec, 31(6), 756 - 9 Campylobacter fetus infection of abdominal aortic aneurysm; Kato R et al.; A 61-year-old man with Campylobacter fetus infection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm treated surgically is presented herein, the fifth survival case reported in the literature . Fever and back pain preceded the enlargement of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm . The patient tolerated satisfactorily total excision of the aneurysm followed by axillo-femoral prosthetic bypass . Antibiotic therapy consisted of intravenous infusion of fosfomycin and gentamicin and oral administration of minocycline . The organism cultured from the aneurysmal wall and intraluminal thrombi was identified as Campylobacter fetus from its typical characteristics . It is concluded that this organism should be considered in all cases of infected aneurysm in elderly or debilitated patients. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Nov, 28(11), 2507 - 10 Importance of salmonellae and Campylobacter jejuni in the etiology of diarrheal disease among children less than 5 years of age in a community in Bangkok, Thailand; Varavithya W et al.; The etiology of diarrhea in children less than 5 years of age in a low-income housing project in Bangkok, Thailand, was determined over 1 year . Nontyphoidal salmonellae (13%), Campylobacter jejuni (12%), rotavirus (12%), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (7%), shigellae (6%), E . coli that hybridized with the enteropathogenic E . coli adherence factor probe (3%), and enteroinvasive E . coli (1%) were identified in 345 episodes of diarrhea in children less than 5 years of age . Salmonellae were identified in 17% and C . jejuni was identified in 15% of 54 children less than 6 months of age with diarrhea . Shigellae, enteroinvasive E . coli, enteropathogenic E . coli adherence factor, and enterotoxigenic E . coli were not isolated from children less than 6 months of age . Since salmonellae and C . jejuni were the most common bacterial pathogens identified in children less than 6 months of age, efforts to prevent transmission of salmonellae and campylobacter to young children should be a public health priority in Bangkok. J Med Microbiol, 1990 Nov, 33(3), 171 - 82 Hepatotoxic activity of Campylobacter jejuni; Kita E et al.; Hepatotoxic factor(s) were isolated from whole-cell lysates of Campylobacter jejuni GIFU 8734 and purified by chromatography . A single intravenous injection of 10 micrograms of this factor reproducibly produced hepatitis in mice, as determined by histology and liver function tests . The hepatic lesions were very similar to those evoked by C . jejuni infection . Tissue-culture studies with mouse hepatocytes demonstrated that low concentrations of the factor caused release of hepatic enzymes into the medium without appreciable cytolysis . High concentrations of the factor induced cytolysis . These effects were neutralised by antiserum to the factor, but not by antisera to the lipopolysaccharide of C . jejuni or to the heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli . Among 20 clinical isolates of C . jejuni, only four evoked hepatitis in mice and produced the hepatotoxic factor. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1990 Nov, 9(11), 822 - 4 In vitro susceptibility of "Campylobacter upsaliensis" to twenty-four antimicrobial agents; Preston MA et al.; The in vitro susceptibility of 41 strains of "Campylobacter upsaliensis" to 24 antimicrobial agents was determined using a broth microdilution procedure . Most isolates were susceptible to the fluoroquinolones and beta-lactam antibiotics tested, but all strains were resistant to trimethoprim (MBCs greater than or equal to 128 micrograms/ml) and teicoplanin (MBCs greater than or equal to 32 micrograms/ml) . These agents may be useful in a selective isolation medium for "Campylobacter upsaliensis". Sb Lek, 1990 Nov-Dec, 92(11-12), 349 - 53 {Campylobacter pylori--relation to gastric pathology and the effect of bismuth therapy}; Huslarova A et al.; Twenty-four patients with symptoms of gastric dyspepsia and active chronic gastritis in the antral mucosa were examined for the presence of Campylobacter pylori before and after treatment with bismuth salts (12 patients) and antacids (12 patients) . Bismuth, contrary to the used antacid, significantly reduced the finding of C . pylori in the antral mucosa and had a favourable effect on the active form of chronic antral gastritis. Sb Lek, 1990 Nov-Dec, 92(11-12), 343 - 8 {Determination of antibodies to Campylobacter pylori in children and adolescents with gastroduodenal disorders}; Chvalova M et al.; Serological examination of antibodies against Campylobacter pylori was made in 195 boys and girls aged 9-20 years . In all on account of gastrointestinal complaints endoscopy was indicated . The results of microbiological and histological finding), in particular in the antrum and corpus of the stomach) . Positive titres antrum and body of the stomach were compared with results of the complement fixation test and the ELISA reaction . Antibodies against C . pylori were detected in 64 of the examined subjects . The titres assessed by the complement fixation and ELISA test were in good agreement . Patients with positive sera had significantly more often a positive endoscopic finding (bacteria, chronic gastritis) and bacteriological finding), in particular in the antrum and corpus of the stomach) . Positive titres of the complement fixation reaction persisted frequently for 15 months after the first examination . From the results ensues that serological examination of antibodies against C . pylori can be considered a sparing examination method which in patients with gastrointestinal complaints should precede endoscopic examination and moreover it can be used to follow up the course of the disease and success of therapy. Sb Lek, 1990 Nov-Dec, 92(11-12), 337 - 42 {Cytotoxic changes in cell cultures induced by newly isolated strains of Campylobacter pylori}; Korych B et al.; Suspensions of primocultures of two strains of Camplyobacter pylori, isolated from bioptic materials collected from patients with nodular hyperplasia of the pyloric antrum and with gastric ulcers were inoculated to 20-hour confluent or almost confluent cell cultures line VERO, McCoy and MA 104 in test tubes and Petri dishes . Both strains of C . pylori adhered markedly to cell lines VERO and McCoy and after 72 hours led to marked morphological changes of the cells . The changes were characterized in VERO cells by the presence of polygonal to star-shaped cells with processes, a reduced cytoplasm and only in the final stages by the formation of circular cells separating from the medium . Some cells were vacuolized . Cells of the McCoy line responded to the infection with C . pylori by a similar morphological picture, changes in the cell periphery were, as compared with the VERO line, more marked in the early stages . Cells of line MA 104 did not respond to infection with C . pylori by any morphological changes, not even after six days . The intensity of morphological changes was more marked in cell cultures line VERO infected with a strain isolated from a patient with a gastric ulcer, as compared with changes caused by a strain of C . pylori isolated from a patient with nodular hyperplasia of the pyloric antrum . The possibility to induce morphological changes of some stable lines supports the idea of the pathogenic action of Campylobacter pylori on the gastric mucosa. Sb Lek, 1990 Nov-Dec, 92(11-12), 331 - 6 {Can epigastric pain and non-ulcerative dyspepsia in children and adolescents be Campylobacter pylori infection?}; Sedlackova M et al.; The authors examined 263 children and adolescents aged 5-20 years who suffered from so-called non-ulcerative dyspepsia or epigastric pain, because of the suspected presence of Campylobacter pylori . In 31.9% of the examined subjects direct microbiological methods revealed its presence in the gastroduodenal mucosa . The confidence limit of positive results of Campylobacter pylori in the population is between 27.58% and 38.84%, the probability being 95% . The authors proved a mutual correlation between endoscopic, histological, serological findings and detection of Campylobacter pylori by microbiological methods . The statistical significance of the correlation of campylobacter pylori and chronic gastritis B (mostly inactive) provides further support for the hypothesis of the aetiological role of Campylobacter pylori in the development of chronic gastritis B in children and adolescents . From the investigation it does not ensue, however, that colonization with Campylobacter pylori is associated with certain clinical symptoms in all instances . However, in the differential diagnosis of so-called non-ulcerative dyspepsia and epigastric pain in children and adolescents we must include infection with Campylobacter pylori among their possible causes. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 1990 Nov-Dec, 32(6), 414 - 8 Chicken carcasses as a source of Campylobacter jejuni in Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Dias TC et al.; The presence of Campylobacter jejuni was investigated in stool specimens from chicken meat workers and in ready-for-market chicken carcasses from one industrial and nine non industrial slaughters in Belo Horizonte . In the latter C . jejuni was isolated from 19 (38.0%) of the 50 chicken carcasses and from 2 (13.3%) of the stool specimens obtained from 15 chicken meat workers . In the industrial slaughter it was found in only 1 (2.0%) of the 50 chicken carcasses and it was not isolated from any of the 40 stool specimens . There was a significant difference between industrial and non industrial slaughter in regard to the frequency of C . jejuni isolation from carcasses (p = 0.000002), probably due to the low hygiene conditions present in non industrial slaughters . The results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests, SDS gel electrophoresis and biotyping of the strains isolated from stool specimens obtained from chicken meat workers were similar to those observed in strains isolated from chicken carcasses which suggest that chicken could be the source of C . jejuni for the workers and both, chicken and workers, could be implicated in the transmission of C . jejuni infection in Belo Horizonte. Rev Biol Trop, 1990 Nov, 38(2B), 481 - 2 The first cases of Helicobacter pylori (Campylobacter pylori) reported from Costa Rica; Hernandez F et al.; Two gastric antrum biopsies of each of 92 consecutive patients undergoing gastroendoscopy were studied . The first biopsy was cultured for Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori . The second specimen was fixed and processed for histopathological analysis . The bacteria were isolated from 34 (81%) of 42 patients with nonspecific chronic gastritis, 19 (90%) of 21 cases of duodenal or gastric peptic ulcer, and from 3 (23%) of 13 normal patients . The overall frequency of isolation was 62 (67%) of the 92 cases. Cesk Pediatr, 1990 Nov, 45(11), 651 - 4 {A 3-year follow-up study of the incidence of campylobacteriosis in a pediatric population}; Hofstetr A et al.; The authors investigated the incidence of campylobacteriosis in the population of five paediatric health communities of the Jihlava policlinic (5831 children) for a period of three years . A total of 2408 specimens faeces from 1501 subjects were examined . Campylobacter jejuni was detected in 151 subjects (10.1%), Salmonella sp . in 47 (3.1%), Shigella sp . in 18 (1.2%), Yersinia enterocolitica in 12 (0.8%) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in five subjects (0.3%) . The total incidence of campylobacteriosis in the investigated group was 863 cases per 100,000 subjects per year . The incidence of campylobacteriosis was seasonal with a maximum during the summer months . To elucidate the source of infection and way of transmission 323 smears from animals, animal products and from the environment were made . Seventy were positive . Campylobacterosis is transmitted to man most frequently by ingestion of primarily or secondarily contamined food, by contact with animals and even interhuman transmission cannot be ruled out . The most frequent clinical symptoms of campylobacteriosis were diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting . Seventeen children were hospitalized . For treatment most frequently Endiaron was used and dietotherapy . Campylobacteriosis affects significantly more frequently children of gipsy origin. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1990 Nov, 274(2), 246 - 9 Synergism between clindamycin and colloidal bismuth subcitrate against Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori in vitro; Vogt K et al.; A combination of clindamycin and colloidal bismuth subcitrate was evaluated for synergistic inhibition of Helicobacter pylori employing the agar dilution method . A total of 47 clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori were examined . Synergistic interaction was observed in 36%, additive behaviour in 64% of the strains . No antagonism could be detected. Z Rheumatol, 1990 Nov-Dec, 49(6), 364 - 8 {Value of microbiologic studies for diagnosis of post-enteritis reactive arthritis}; Muller KD; Reactive arthritis may develop within a period of some days until upto 3 weeks after infections with Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Shigella and Salmonella . Intestinal infections with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Cryptosporidium, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia saginata and Schistosoma mansoni are, in some cases, considered to be responsible for reactive arthritis . Detection of pathogenic bacteria in feces is generally most successful in the early stage of the infection . A large spectrum of special tests is required in order to detect all the causative agents and to ensure reliable results . It is therefore necessary that the laboratory is provided with information about the diagnostic object and the tentative diagnosis . The detection of serum antibodies to Y . enterocolitica, Y . pseudotuberculosis, C . jejuni/coli, and Schistosoma may suggest connections between infection and reactive arthritis. Infection, 1990 Nov-Dec, 18(6), 381 - 2 Six enteropathogens isolated from a case of acute gastroenteritis; Albert S et al.; Isolation of six different gastrointestinal pathogens (Entamoeba histolytica, Plesiomonas shigelloides, Campylobacter jejuni and three different Salmonella species {Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella blockley and Salmonella hadar}) in the feces of a German female tourist suffering from acute diarrhoea after a trip to Bali. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Nov, (11), 69 - 72 {The specificity of Campylobacter jejuni antigens in immunoenzyme analysis}; Kapeliush EV et al.; The surface antigen has been obtained from C . jejuni culture and its immunochemical analysis has been carried out by the methods of immunoelectrophoresis, double diffusion with homologous and heterologous rabbit sera . The protein profile of this antigen has been studied by means of vertical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel with sodium dodecyl sulfate, and the molecular weight of the protein components of the antigen has been determined . The presence of anti-Campylobacter antibodies has been revealed in a number of rabbit sera by enzyme immunoassay techniques . The results thus obtained indicate the possibility of developing the enzyme immunoassay for the determination of antibodies in the sera of patients with Campylobacter infection. J Biol Chem, 1990 Oct 15, 265(29), 17798 - 804 Structural and functional analysis of two Campylobacter jejuni flagellin genes; Nuijten PJ et al.; The purpose of this study was to characterize the flagellin gene of Campylobacter jejuni and to study the structure of this protein and the regulation of its synthesis . A part of the flagellin gene of C . jejuni strain 81116 was recently cloned by us . This DNA fragment was used as a probe to isolate the other homologous flagellin sequences from genomic libraries . The flagellin nucleotide sequence was determined from overlapping clones . Two copies of the flagellin gene were identified: genes fla A and fla B consisted of 1731 base pairs each, occurred as tandem repeats, and were 95% identical . Only mRNA that was transcribed from gene A was detected in flagellate cells . sigma 28-specific promoter sequences were found upstream of the transcription initiation site . Analysis of the flagellin protein sequence showed that the amino-terminal and the carboxyl-terminal regions were highly similar to other bacterial flagellins . The conserved regions can form alpha-helices with a nonpolar backbone at one side . We suggest that because these domains were conserved (i) they may be involved in polymerization or transport of flagellins or both, and (ii) they are important for maturation and stability of the flagellum. J Infect Dis, 1990 Oct, 162(4), 888 - 95 Invasion-related antigens of Campylobacter jejuni; Konkel ME et al.; A HEp-2 cell culture model was used to investigate the antigens required for epithelial cell penetration by Campylobacter jejuni . Penetration of HEp-2 epithelial cells by C . jejuni was significantly inhibited (P less than .05) with C . jejuni lysate and a monoclonal antibody (MAb 1B4) in competitive inhibition assays . Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that MAb 1B4 bound to the flagella and cell surface of low-passage (invasive) C . jejuni M 96, whereas only the flagella of high-passage (noninvasive) C . jejuni M 96 were labeled . Western blot analysis revealed that MAb 1B4 identified an epitope on antigens of 64-44 kDa in lysates prepared from invasive and noninvasive isolates . In addition, antigens of 42-38 kDa were recognized in lysates prepared from only invasive C . jejuni strains . Proteinase K and sodium meta-periodate chemical treatment of C . jejuni M 96 lysate changed the mobility of antigens recognized by MAb 1B4 . The increase in mobility demonstrated a decrease in size of molecules and suggested that antigens required for HEp-2 cell invasion by Campylobacter species may be glycoprotein in nature. Scand J Dent Res, 1990 Oct, 98(5), 412 - 21 Microbial patterns in pooled subgingival plaque samples from young adults with advanced marginal periodontitis; Fiehn NE et al.; Different bacterial profiles of subgingival plaque have been described for different clinical categories of marginal periodontitis . In the present investigation the subgingival microflora was studied in young adults with advanced marginal periodontitis . From 12 patients pooled subgingival plaque samples from 5 advanced stages of diseased sites were examined by direct differential phase-contrast microscopy and by cultivation on enriched and selective media . The proportions of the following genera and species were calculated: black-pigmented Bacteroides sp., B . gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Veillonella sp., Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga sp., Eikenella corrodens, Campylobacter sp., and Candida sp . Spirochete identification was carried out ultrastructurally . Calculated percent minimum similarity levels between the individuals revealed that each patient harbored its characteristic cultivable subgingival microflora different from the other individuals . The spirochetes seemed to constitute the subgingival bacterial group with the smallest variation as certain morphotypes were dominating in almost all individuals. J R Coll Surg Edinb, 1990 Oct, 35(5), 296 - 8 Incidence of Campylobacter pylori in a consecutive series of surgical patients referred for endoscopy; Aitchison M et al.; Over a 9-month period, 109 consecutive patients referred from general surgical out-patient clinics for endoscopy were studied . The presenting symptoms, endoscopic diagnosis, clinical history and degree of histological gastritis were determined . The presence of the organism Campylobacter pylori in oesophageal, antral and duodenal biopsies was detected by a combination of culture, histology and fluorescence microscopy . C . pylori was identified in 49.5% of patients by at least one of the methods described . The organism was present only in antral biopsies in patients with both normal and abnormal endoscopies . The presence of C . pylori was significantly associated with the symptom of dyspepsia, and endoscopic diagnosis of peptic ulceration and a greater degree of histological gastritis . Analysis of the clinical history of the patients with a normal endoscopy suggests that a proportion of these patients (7 of 20) had previous evidence of peptic ulceration . Treatment with H2-receptor antagonists may heal ulceration but fails to eradicate C . pylori. J Gen Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 136 ( Pt 10), 1995 - 2000 Investigation of the structure and localization of the urease of Helicobacter pylori using monoclonal antibodies; Hawtin PR et al.; The urease of Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) has been partly purified by fast protein liquid chromatography . This material contained 10 nm doughnut-like structures when examined by electron microscopy and comprised three major polypeptides (61 kDa, 56 kDa and 28 kDa) . Only two of these polypeptides (61 kDa and 28 kDa) were observed in urease-containing material isolated by preparative non-denatured PAGE . Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced which were directed against two of these polypeptides (56 kDa and 28 kDa) . Only mAbs directed against the 28 kDa polypeptide inhibited or captured urease activity . These results suggest that the 56 kDa polypeptide is not essential for enzyme activity . Anti-urease mAbs were used in an indirect immunogold technique to localize the enzyme at the ultrastructural level . In both prefixed bacteria and ultrathin cryosectioned bacteria the enzyme was located on the cell surface and in material apparently shed from that surface. Hepatogastroenterology, 1990 Oct, 37(5), 503 - 6 The efficacy of furazolidone and metronidazole in the treatment of chronic gastritis associated with Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial; Xiao SD et al.; Seventy-two patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis were randomized to a 3-week oral treatment with furazolidone 0.1g t.i.d . or metronidazole 0.2g t.i.d . or placebo . Endoscopy was performed before and after treatment, and biopsy specimens were taken from the antrum of the stomach for histological examination and culture of Helicobacter pylori . Disappearance rates of Helicobacter pylori in furazolidone, metronidazole and the control groups were 74% (20/27) if considering completion of therapy, the 20/25 or 80%, 33.3% (8/24) and 14.3% (3/21) respectively . There was a significant difference in the disappearance rate of Helicobacter pylori between furazolidone and metronidazole, and between furazolidone and the placebo group (p less than 0.01), but there was no such difference between metronidazole and the placebo group (p greater than 0.05) . In the patients receiving furazolidone, the eradication of Helicobacter pylori was accompanied by marked improvement in both inflammatory infiltration in the gastric mucosa and symptoms . These results reasonably suggest that Helicobacter pylori may play an etiological role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, and that furazolidone is effective in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis. Can J Vet Res, 1990 Oct, 54(4), 432 - 7 Reproductive failure in mink and ferrets after intravenous or oral inoculation of Campylobacter jejuni; Bell JA et al.; Four pregnant mink and seven pregnant ferrets, including five with previous exposure and specific antibody, were injected intravenously with 10(8)-10(10) colony-forming units of Campylobacter jejuni . All 11 pregnancies failed 1-16 days after infection, with results ranging from fetal resorption to expulsion of dead or premature living kits . In every case, uterine contents (placenta, uterine fluid and/or kits) were culture-positive for C . jejuni . Three pregnant mink and nine pregnant ferrets, including four with previous exposure and antibody, were fed 10(9)-10(11) C . jejuni . Two of the mink aborted; kits of all three were culture-positive, but those of one female survived . Seven of the nine ferrets aborted, with two having culture-positive uterine contents . None of 28 uninfected ferret control pregnancies ended in abortion . The most prominent histological feature observed was severe placentitis, which appears to be a more likely cause of Campylobacter-induced abortion than direct pathogenic effects on infected kits . These results suggest that infection of mink or ferrets with C . jejuni during pregnancy poses a serious risk of reproductive failure, even for previously exposed females. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1990 Oct, 11(3), 310 - 6 Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastritis: clinical, serological, and histologic correlations in children treated with amoxicillin and colloidal bismuth subcitrate; De Giacomo C et al.; Twenty-three children with Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori-associated chronic gastritis are reported . Family history of peptic disease, previous digestive procedures, and nonspecific epigastric pain were the most frequently encountered clinical features . Antral nodularity at endoscopy and histologic evidence of follicular gastritis were characteristic morphological aspects . Rapid urease tests suggested the diagnosis in 90% of patients . Significant increases of serum IgG and IgA against Helicobacter pylori allowed the identification of infected children with 95% cumulative sensitivity . Treatment with amoxicillin and bismuth subcitrate eradicated the infection and improved gastritis in 13 of 19 children . These findings provide further evidence for the etiologic role of Helicobacter pylori in chronic antral gastritis in children. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 28(10), 2370 - 1 Campylobacter-like organisms are uncommon pathogens in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus; Wilcox CM et al.; Over a 25-month period, we prospectively evaluated 36 patients with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus disease (including 27 with unexplained chronic diarrhea) by flexible sigmoidoscopy for the presence of Campylobacter-like organisms . No Campylobacter-like organisms were isolated . Campylobacter-like organisms appear to be an uncommon cause of idiopathic chronic diarrhea in symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus disease. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 28(10), 2335 - 9 Evaluation of the indoxyl acetate hydrolysis test for rapid differentiation of Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and Wolinella species; Popovic-Uroic T et al.; A total of 410 well-defined Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and Wolinella strains, comprising 26 named species, subspecies, and defined groups, were tested for indoxyl acetate hydrolysis by a disk method by using disks prepared at the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga . All C . coli (43 strains), C . cryaerophila (34 strains), C . fennelliae (5 strains), C . fennelliae-Campylobacter-like organism 3 (2 strains), C . jejuni (66 strains), C . jejuni subsp . doylei (3 strains), hippurate-negative C . jejuni-C . coli (15 strains), "C . upsaliensis" (39 strains), H . mustelae (5 strains), W . curva (1 strain), and W . recta (1 strain) hydrolyzed indoxyl acetate . Four strains gave weak positive reactions, and the remaining 196 strains, which belonged to 15 species, subspecies, and defined groups, gave negative reactions . Of the 410 study strains, 246 and 125 strains were tested for indoxyl acetate hydrolysis by a disk method and a tube method, respectively, by using commercially produced disks . The disk method, regardless of source, required less time and interpretation than the tube method did . Better differentiation between Campylobacter spp . was obtained with the indoxyl acetate test than with the trimethylamine N-oxide test . The indoxyl acetate disk distinguished C . lari from C . jejuni and C . coli, C . cinaedi from C . fennelliae, and H . pylori from H . mustelae and suggested that W . succinogenes could be differentiated from W . recta and W . curva . The indoxyl acetate disk method could be performed in 5 to 30 min, was easy to read and interpret, and should be useful as a routine diagnostic test for identification of Campylobacter spp. Arch Intern Med, 1990 Oct, 150(10), 2053 - 5 The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in nonulcer dyspepsia . Importance of stratification according to age; Greenberg RE et al.; Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) is causally related to active antral gastritis and is highly associated with duodenal and gastric ulcers . However, the relationship of H pylori to nonulcer dyspepsia is less clear . We determined the presence of H pylori in unselected patients who were undergoing upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, and we found a prevalence of 37% in 110 patients with nonulcer dyspepsia that was similar to previous data . Patients with nonulcer dyspepsia who had H pylori were found to be significantly older than patients with nonulcer dyspepsia who did not have H pylori . In addition, when stratified according to age, we detected an increased prevalence of H pylori in patients with nonulcer dyspepsia with increasing age, similar to that reported for asymptomatic control populations . This finding casts doubt as to the causal role of H pylori for most patients with nonulcer dyspepsia and stresses the importance of considering epidemiologic factors, such as age, when evaluating the role of H pylori in specific disease states. J Indian Med Assoc, 1990 Oct, 88(10), 276 - 8 Aetiology of bacterial diarrhoea in north Indian children with special reference to Campylobacter jejuni; Verma M et al.; A total of 184 cases of acute diarrhoea, in patients aged 1-36 months, were studied clinicobacteriologically . Enteropathogens were isolated in 22.28% cases . Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 2.17% cases only . Salmonellae were isolated from 7.6% cases and 64.28% of them were S typhimurium . More than 75% of all isolates of salmonellae, shigellae, Esch coli and Campylobacter jejuni were sensitive to gentamicin and cephaloridine . Secondary lactose intolerance was noted in 6.52% cases only. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 Oct, 190(4), 357 - 64 Identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from waste water by SDS-disc-page of whole cell protein; Jacob J et al.; Analysis of the electrophoretic profiles of whole cell proteins of Campylobacter strains from waste water was used to differentiate C . jejuni from C . coli . The results show, that biotyping of campylobacters from waste water may results in a false species differentiation . Some of the Campylobacter strains originally typed as C . coli, were proved to be atypical C . jejuni strains . Therefore, in addition to biotyping and serotyping, electrophoretic typing is recommended to ensure correct identification of Campylobacter, especially from environmental sources. Epidemiol Infect, 1990 Oct, 105(2), 265 - 75 DNA restriction digest and ribosomal RNA gene patterns of Campylobacter jejuni: a comparison with bio-, sero-, and bacteriophage-types of United Kingdom outbreak strains; Owen RJ et al.; DNA restriction endonuclease (Hae III and Hind III) total digest and 16S and 23S ribosomal (r)RNA gene patterns (ribopatterns) were determined for 18 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from three separate outbreaks of diarrhoea in the north of England . Strains were also characterized by biotyping, serotyping and phage typing . Comparisons of the DNA patterns by visual and numerical methods revealed five distinct strain groupings with clear differences between isolates from different outbreaks as well as some heterogeneity between strains within the community outbreak and one of the school outbreaks . An excellent correlation was observed between the genomic DNA fingerprints data and the Preston bacteriophage group, both of which gave better discrimination than biotyping and serotyping alone or in combination . Only one phage group (PG 37) was not confirmed by the DNA data . DNA fingerprints therefore provide additional information of value in studying the epidemiology of outbreaks of C . jejuni. Gene, 1990 Sep 28, 94(1), 23 - 8 Chloramphenicol resistance in Campylobacter coli: nucleotide sequence, expression, and cloning vector construction; Wang Y et al.; A chloramphenicol-resistance determinant (CmR), originally cloned from Campylobacter coli plasmid pNR9589 in Japan, was isolated and the nucleotide sequence determined, which contained an open reading frame of 621 bp . The gene product was identified as Cm acetyltransferase (CAT), which had a putative amino acid sequence that showed 43% to 57% identity with other CAT proteins of both Gram+ and Gram- origin . Although expression of the cat gene was constitutive in both C . coli and Escherichia coli, results of primer extension experiments indicated that transcription was initiated at different sites in these two species . A kanamycin-resistance determinant, identified as the aphA-3 gene, was located downstream from the cat gene . The codon usage of the cat gene is very different from that used in E . coli, however, the CAT polypeptide was synthesized in large amounts in E . coli maxicells . Therefore, the codon usage bias is not one of the obstacles which affects Campylobacter spp . gene expression in E . coli . New Campylobacter cloning vectors were constructed in this study. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1990 Sep 22, 120(38), 1385 - 9 {The histological diagnosis of chronic gastritis . A German proposal for an integrated nomenclature}; Stamm B; The Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the German Pathological Society has drawn up a proposal for a unifying nomenclature for the graduation and classification of gastritis . The severity of chronic gastritis is divided into 4 grades (minimal, light, moderate and severe) and the activity of the process is characterized by 3 grades (grade 1, 2 and 3 activity) . In addition, the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori), the extent and type of intestinal metaplasia, and the degree of glandular atrophy are recorded . To the two already well established types of gastritis (type A and type B) a third type is added, type C gastritis due to biliary reflux or other chemical, mechanical or toxic influences. Infect Immun, 1990 Sep, 58(9), 2738 - 44 Surface array proteins of Campylobacter fetus block lectin-mediated binding to type A lipopolysaccharide; Fogg GC et al.; Campylobacter fetus strains with type A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a surface array protein layer (S+) have been found to be pathogenic in humans and animals . Spontaneous laboratory mutants that lack surface array proteins (S-) are sensitive to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum . The ability of lectins to determine the presence of the S-layer and differentiate LPS type was assessed . We screened 14 lectins and found 3 (wheat germ agglutinin, Bandeiraea simplicifolia II, and Helix pomatia agglutinin) that agglutinated S- C . fetus strains with type A LPS but not S- strains with type B or type C LPS or S+ strains . However, the S+ type A strains were agglutinated after sequential water extraction, heat, or pronase treatment, all of which remove the S-layer, whereas there was no effect on the control strains . Specific carbohydrates for each lectin and purified LPS from a type A C . fetus strain specifically inhibited agglutination of an S- type A strain . In a direct enzyme-linked lectin assay, binding to the S- type A LPS strain was significantly greater than binding to the S+ strain (P = 0.01) or to a Campylobacter jejuni strain (P = 0.008) . Consequently, these results indicate that the three lectins bind to the O side chains of C . fetus type A LPS but that the presence of the S-layer on intact cells blocks binding. Gastroenterology, 1990 Sep, 99(3), 697 - 702 Urea protects Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori from the bactericidal effect of acid; Marshall BJ et al.; Colonization of the stomach with Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori is common in patients with duodenal ulcer disease, which is known for its high acid secretion . Although the bacterium is usually isolated by culture of a gastric biopsy specimen, viable organisms may sometimes be found in the acidic gastric juice . It was postulated that urease, by generating ammonia, protected H . pylori from acid . To test this hypothesis, the pH susceptibility of H . pylori, Proteus mirabilis, and the urease-negative Campylobacter jejuni was examined in the presence and absence of urea . It was found that without urea the three bacteria were all highly susceptible to acid . In striking contrast, the addition of 5 mmol/L of urea completely protected H . pylori but not P . mirabilis or C . jejuni from pH values as low as 1.5 . Furthermore, the protective effect of urea on H . pylori was found with urea concentrations as low as 0.05 mmol/L . It is concluded that the high urease activity of H . pylori enables it to survive in gastric acid. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1990 Sep-Oct, 13(5), 367 - 9 "Campylobacter upsaliensis" sepsis in a boy with acquired hypogammaglobulinemia; Chusid MJ et al.; A 16-year-old boy with lupus erythematosus and hypogammaglobulinemia developed bacteremia with "Campylobacter upsalinesis," a recently described Campylobacter species with minimal catalase activity . Because "C . upsaliensis" Gram stains poorly and because it is susceptible to antibiotics in standard selective media, it may be overlooked in routine handling of blood cultures. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Sep 1, 59(1-2), 225 - 30 Identification of flagellar and associated polypeptides of Helicobacter (formerly Campylobacter) pylori; Luke CJ et al.; Flagella of Helicobacter pylori were isolated from intact organisms by shearing and differential centrifugation . Treatment of the flagella with the detergent Triton X-100 removed the flagellar sheath, which was confirmed by electron microscopy, and the remaining naked flagella were shown by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to consist primarily of a single 54 kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide . This was confirmed by immunogold labelling and electron microscopy of detergent treated whole organisms, using a mouse antiserum specific for the 54 kDa polypeptide . Polypeptides solubilised from crude flagellar preparations by detergent treatment were found to have molecular weights of 26, 30, 58, 62, 66 and 80 kDa . These polypeptides are possible components of the flagellar sheath and they may represent outer membrane proteins, based on the assumption that the flagellar sheath is related in composition to the outer membrane of the organism . Analysis and definition of these components of the surface structures of the organism are important in understanding the interaction between the organism and its host in pathogenesis. Jpn J Antibiot, 1990 Sep, 43(9), 1629 - 48 {Basic and clinical studies on norfloxacin in the pediatric field}; Iwai N et al.; Pharmacokinetic , bacteriological and clinical studies on norfloxacin (NFLX), a quinolone-carboxylic acid antibacterial agent, were conducted in the pediatric field . 1 . Serum concentrations and urinary excretion of NFLX after single dose of 2.2 approximately 5.6 mg/kg (mean 4.4 +/- 1.2 mg/kg) were determined in 13 children with ages between 6 and 11 years . The mean peak serum concentration of the drug was 0.37 +/- 0.20 micrograms/ml at 2 hours after administration . The mean half-life of the drug in serum was 2.8 +/- 0.4 hours and the serum concentration at 8 hours was 0.11 +/- 0.06 micrograms/ml . The mean urinary concentration reached a maximum of 125.2 +2- 166.2 micrograms/ml in pooled urine from 0 to 2 hours and the mean urinary recovery rate in the first 8 hours after administration was 22.1 +/- 6.0% . A dose-response relationship was observed between doses/body weight and peak serum concentrations . 2 . The clinical efficacy, bacteriological efficacy and the safety of NFLX were evaluated in 65 pediatric patients with ages between 2 years 10 months and 15 years 7 months with infections . In 62 assessable cases (acute purulent tonsillitis 9 cases, acute pneumonia 3 cases, chronic rhinitis 1 case, urinary tract infections 15 cases, and acute colitis 34 cases), clinical efficacies were excellent in 48 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 1 case with an overall efficacy rate of 98.4% . Staphylococcus aureus 1 strain, Staphylococcus epidermidis 1 strain, Escherichia coli 10 strains, Salmonella sp . 5 strains, Morganella morganii 1 strain, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3 strains, Haemophilus parainfluenzae 1 strain and Campylobacter jejuni 12 strains were isolated from the patients as pathogens . Bacteriologically, all of these strains were eradicated except that 3 strains of C . jejuni only decreased . With regard to side effects, dizziness and nausea were observed in 1 case each but they were slight and the continuation of the treatment was possible . No abnormal laboratory test data were observed . From the above results, NFLX was considered to be a useful drug for the treatment of pediatric infections. Vet Microbiol, 1990 Sep, 24(3-4), 367 - 79 Species-specific DNA probes for Campylobacter species isolated from pigs with proliferative enteritis; Gebhart CJ et al.; Cloned, chromosomal DNA probes from porcine isolates of Campylobacter hyointestinalis and C . mucosalis were developed for the detection and identification of these putative swine enteric pathogens . High molecular weight chromosomal DNA from each species was used to construct genomic libraries in plasmids . Recombinants were selected which hybridized strongly to the homologous organism, but not to any other species of Campylobacter . Species-specific recombinants were labeled with phosphorus-32 and tested for sensitivity by dot blot hybridization to various dilutions of DNA and bacteria from each swine species, including C . hyointestinalis, C . mucosalis, C . coli and C . jejuni . Specificity was tested by hybridizing these probes against various strains of C . hyointestinalis or C . mucosalis, and against reference strains of all other described Campylobacter species . A C . hyointestinalis-specific probe and a C . mucosalis-specific probe were identified which were capable of detecting 1 ng of DNA or 10(4) cfu by bacterial spot blotting on nylon membranes . These probes hybridized to intestinal mucosal scrapings containing C . hyointestinalis and C . mucosalis obtained from pigs with proliferative enteritis, but not to material from normal pigs . Thus, cloned, chromosomal DNA probes may be useful in the detection and identification of bacteria involved in swine proliferative enteritis. Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1990 Sep-Oct, 20(5), 329 - 36 Histologic characteristics of Campylobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori) mediated gastritis; Madan E et al.; One hundred-nineteen specimens were reviewed to determine whether or not there were histologic changes specific for Campylobacter pylori (CP), (Helicobacter pylori) mediated gastritis . Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Brown-Hopp, and Wright-Giemsa stained sections were examined independently by two pathologists for (a) the presence of acute cryptitis, (b) percent and degree of crypt involvement, and (c) spectrum of inflammatory cells within the lamina propriae . The amount of mucus was quantified on the Periodic Acid Schift (PAS)-Alcian Blue stain sections . Changes in the character of the mucus were noted by using both the PAS-Alcian Blue and the High Iron Diamine-Alcian Blue . A positive specimen for Campylobacter pylori (CP+), (Helicobacter pylori) was defined as one in which curved or spiral shaped microbes were identified on Wright-Giemsa and Brown-Hopp stain . Seventy-eight specimens were CP+ and 41 CP- . Statistically significant histologic findings included the extent and degree of superficial cryptitis and the preponderance of plasma cells in CP+ cases . These findings confirm aspects seen in an animal model and suggest that there is an histologic pattern consistent with C . pylori (Helicobacter pylori) mediated gastritis. Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi, 1990 Sep, 87(9), 1815 - 21 {Correlation between Campylobacter pylori and chronic atrophic gastritis}; Ito S et al.; The correlation between urease activity of Campylobacter pylori and atrophic gastritis was studied . On the basis of fundamental study on the optimal pH of C . pylori urease activity, urease activity of 38 biopsied specimens were measured under pH 5 condition, and compared with the positive ratio of C . pylori . In this study, sensitivity was 86.7%, and specificity was 87.0%, respectively . Mean urease activity of C . pylori positive specimens was 3.69 mIU/mg protein, and under this condition, C . pylori was likely to produce ammonia of 0.0218 mumole per minute, enough to damage the gastric mucosa . In addition, there was encountered high urease activity in the specimens which showed moderate glandular atrophy and severe mucosal inflammation . In conclusion, urea-urease-NH3 sequence is most likely to have some association with gastric glandular atrophy. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1990 Sep 1, 103(9), 302 - 5 {The pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni as a monoinfection and as a mixed infection with Escherichia coli 078:K80 in broilers}; Glunder G et al.; Two week old broilers (n = 61) with a monoinfection with Campylobacter jejuni (0.5 ml of suspension containing 10(5) CFU/ml per os) showed reduced increase in weight during week 3 after infection compared to the control group . An other group of chickens (n = 31) was additionally infected with a suspension of Escherichia (E.) coli O78:K80 via drinking water from day 4 to 6 after the primary infection . This mixed infection provoked clinical signs of a disease and reduced increase in weight during the first two weeks of the experiment . Seven broilers of this group showed a fibrinous pericarditis and/or perihepatitis . Four of these chickens died . It can be concluded from the experiment that an infection with Campylobacter causes reduced weight gain and supports a systemic infection with E . coli. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1990 Sep, 38(7), 700 - 4 {Identification of Campylobacter jejuni by using a biotinylated probe}; Bollet C et al.; A DNA biotinylated probe for the rapid identification of Campylobacter jejuni in culture (Enzo Biochem, New York) has been evaluated . The hybridized biotinylated DNA probe is detected by its interaction with streptavidin linked to horseradish peroxidase . Sixteen strains of C . jejuni, including type strain . 24 strains of other Campylobacter and Helicobacter species, and 59 strains of other general have been studied . The probe was highly sensitive (100%) and specific (100% inside the genera Campylobacter and Helicobacter) . All Campylobacter strains gave strong signals, and only three weak signals have been observed with non-Campylobacter strains . Our results indicate that specific recombinant DNA probe should offer a reliable and rapid method for routine diagnosis of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis. Minerva Med, 1990 Sep, 81(9), 601 - 3 {Campylobacter pylori infection . Results of an investigation of 130 patients}; Ferrero D et al.; After recalling the main data on diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment of CP infection, the results of a study on 130 patients are presented. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1990 Sep 1, 120(35), 1253 - 6 {Etiology of diarrheal diseases in immunocompetent and HIV-positive patients}; Steinmann E et al.; In 1986 and 1987 the stool samples of 206 patients of the Medical Outpatient Clinic Basel were examined prospectively for bacteria, protozoa and worms . Clinical data of the patients were recorded by questionnaire . The patient group comprised 63 immunocompetent patients as well as 23 HIV-infected patients, all with symptoms of acute enteritis . The control group consisted of 120 healthy persons . Pathogenic organisms were found in the stools of 17.5% of the immunocompetent patients with enteritis . The most common germs were Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia lamblia and Salmonella enteritidis . Isospora belli, found in 2 cases (8.7%), was the only pathogen found in HIV-infected patients . The most frequent pathogen found in 7.5% of the control group was Giardia lamblia . The facultative pathogenic protozoon Blastocystis hominis was found in 16.7-19.0% of the 3 groups . There was no correlation between clinical symptoms and the results of stool examinations . Stool examinations in the immunocompetent patients corresponded to the known distribution of pathogenic germs in Switzerland . The homogeneous distribution of Blastocystis hominis in the 3 groups examined proves the high rate of infection . There is no evidence of a significant correlation between clinical symptoms of enteritis and infection with Blastocystis hominis in immunocompetent patients. J Bacteriol, 1990 Sep, 172(9), 5211 - 7 Use of pulsed-field agarose gel electrophoresis to size genomes of Campylobacter species and to construct a SalI map of Campylobacter jejuni UA580; Chang N et al.; To determine the physical length of the chromosome of Campylobacter jejuni, the genome was subjected to digestion by a series of restriction endonucleases to produce a small number of large restriction fragments . These fragments were then separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with the contour-clamped homogeneous electric field system . The DNA of C . jejuni, with its low G+C content, was found to have no restriction sites for enzymes NotI and SfiI, which cut a high-G+C regions . Most of the restriction enzymes that were used resulted in DNA fragments that were either too numerous or too small for genome size determination, with the exception of the enzymes SalI (5' .. . G decreases TCGAG .. . 3'), SmaI (5' ... . CCC decreases GGG ... . 3'), and KpnI (5' .. . GGTAC decreases C ... . 3') . With SalI, six restriction fragments with average values of 48.5, 80, 110, 220, 280, and 980 kilobases (kb) were obtained when calibrated with both a lambda DNA ladder and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome markers . The sum of these fragments yielded an average genome size of 1.718 megabases (Mb) . With SmaI, nine restriction fragments with average values ranging from 39 to 371 kb, which yielded an average genome size of 1.726 Mb were obtained . With KpnI, 11 restriction fragments with sizes ranging from 35 to 387.5 kb, which yielded an average genome size of 1.717 Mb were obtained . A SalI restriction map was derived by partial digestion of the C . jejuni DNA . The genome sizes of C . laridis, C . coli, and C . fetus were also determined with the contour-clamped homogeneous electric field system by SalI, SmaI, and KpnI digestion . Average genome sizes were found to be 1.714 Mb for C . coli, 1.267 Mb for C . fetus subsp . fetus, and 1.451 Mb for C . laridis. Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao, 1990 Sep, 21(4), 427 - 9 {Primary study on pathogenesis of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis}; Deng X et al.; The invasiveness and heat-labile enterotoxin of 11 human strains of C . jejuni were detected in NIH mice inoculated with the C . jejuni strains; the methods of plate immunological hemolysin test and SPA-coagglutination test were employed . Ten strains of the bacteria invaded the intestine; 7 strains (45.46%) were positive in SPA-coagglutination test; and 4 (36.36%) produced enterotoxin . C . jejuni in Chengdu area possess multiple pathogenicity, e.g invasiveness and heat-labile enterotoxin, but we did not find definitive correlations between the clinical manifestation and resource of strains. Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao, 1990 Sep, 21(4), 390 - 3 {Comparative study of Campylobacter pyloridis and Campylobacter jejuni under electron microscope}; Wang Y et al.; Specimens were made by preparing the ultrathin sections after negative staining and ruthenium red staining . The specimens were observed under electron microscope . Results revealed that the shapes of Campylobacter pyloridis (Cp) and C . jejuni (Cj) were similar, but distinctive differences in their structures were observed . Cp had one to five sheathed flagella at one end with bulbous tips . Cj had only one unsheathed flagellum on each end without a bulbous tip . The cell body of Cp was longer than that of Cj . A layer of thick and dense delicate filament-like substance was attached to the surface of the cell body of Cp in the ultrathin sections with ruthenium red staining, in the case of Cj only a little of such a substance could be noted. J Assoc Physicians India, 1990 Sep, 38 Suppl 1, 695 - 8 Unusual features of Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori--associated gastritis in India . A study of 200 cases; Nanivadekar SA et al.; Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori has been cultured from the antral biopsies of 85-90% of patients of gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer at different centres . Studies conducted all over the world have firmly implicated this organism in the aetiology of active superficial gastritis and recurrences of duodenal ulcer . Two hundred patients with upper abdominal pain, distension, vomiting and/or haemetemesis were subjected to OGD scopy . In 163 of these patients there was endoscopic evidence of gastritis; in 24 there was DU; in 3, GU and in 10 it was normal . Diagnosis of H pylori infection was made by the rapid biopsy urease test which is nearly 100% specific and 98% sensitive . 170 out of 200 patients were positive for H pylori . Among these were 138 patients of gastritis (84.6%); 22 cases of DU (91.6%); 2 cases of GU (66.6%) and 8 in whom endoscopy was normal . Histological examination of the antral biopsy specimens showed mild to severe infiltration of mucosa with lymphocytes and plasma cells . None of the 170 H pylori positive cases showed polymorphonuclear infiltration which has been stressed repeatedly by most Western authors to be characteristic of "active" superficial gastritis associated with H pylori infection . Even in those with a history of dyspepsia of barely 4 weeks duration or less there was no PMN infiltration in the mucosa . Thus the local response to infection by H pylori of the gastric mucosa is different in Indian patients. J Assoc Physicians India, 1990 Sep, 38 Suppl 1, 689 - 91 Relative merits of various rapid biopsy urease tests for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (Campylobacter pylori); Bhasin DK et al.; Three rapid urease tests, i.e., liquid urea broth containing phenol red as indicator, liquid urea broth containing bromothymol blue as indicator and CLO gel were compared in 109 patients of dyspepsia for the diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori) infection . Mean time taken for positive reaction in liquid broth with phenol was 3 minutes (range 0.6 to 5.3 minutes) with bromothymol blue was 3.5 minutes (range 0.4 to 5.5 minutes) while with CLO gel it was 101 minutes (range 11-261 minutes) . There was no difference in results of liquid urea broth containing phenol red and bromothymol blue . The difference in timing of urea broth containing phenol red and bromothymol blue was statistically significant as compared to CLO gel (p less than 0.05) . Rapid urease tests employing liquid urea broth are quick, simple and reliable for the diagnosis of Helicobacer pylori infection. Jpn J Med, 1990 Sep-Oct, 29(5), 542 - 4 Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus meningitis with chronic alcoholism and diabetes mellitus; Kato H et al.; A case of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus meningitis is reported . The patient had underlying diseases, namely chronic alcoholism and diabetes mellitus . The infection did not respond to Piperacillin and Cefotaxime, but did respond to Ampicillin and Moxalactam . The patient was discharged on the 33rd hospital day showing no neurological deficit complications, and has remained free of recurrent disease for one month after the discontinuation of therapy. Pediatr Med Chir, 1990 Sep-Oct, 12(5), 447 - 51 {Reactive arthritis}; Gerloni V et al.; The term reactive arthritis was introduced to describe an acute non-purulent arthritis complicating an infection elsewhere in the body . Reactive arthritis can also be classified into HLA-B27 associated and non-associated forms . Rheumatic fever is an example of the HLA-B27 non-associated forms with genetic factors other than HLA-B27 involved . HLA-B27 associated reactive arthritis includes enteric, urogenic and idiopathic arthritides . The bacteria known to trigger post-enteritic reactive arthritis are: Yersinia, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile and Brucella; those known to trigger post-urethritic reactive arthritis are Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, but often the germ remains unidentified . Mechanisms through which susceptibility to reactive arthritis is linked to HLA-B27 antigen are still incompletely understood, but a clue could be cross-reactivity between B27 and a surface antigen of pathogenic germs . The clinical profile of the disease is characterized by an asymmetrical oligoarthritis with involvement particularly of the peripheral joints of the lower limbs . The arthritis generally recovers without sequelae within a few weeks or months . Accompanying features can be the involvement of enthesis and tendon sheets in form of a talalgia or dactylitis . In some cases the arthritis can relapse and chronicize . In some cases, in addition, involvement of the axial skeleton can occur (spondylitis and/or sacroiliitis) . Another feature of the disease is the frequent association with typical extra-articular manifestations such as uveitis and muco-cutaneous lesions. J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1990 Sep-Oct, 5(5), 514 - 7 Rapid diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori infection by urea test paper; Yu Z et al.; Antral biopsy specimens from 106 patients were examined by culture, Gram stain and silver stain for Campylobacter pylori . Biopsies were also examined by a urea test paper test (UTPT) . Of 106 patients studied C . pylori was detected in 68 (64.2%) by Gram stain, silver stain and culture . The UTPT was positive in 63 (59.4%) specimens . Five had false negative results using the UTPT with no false positive subjects . Thus, UTPT has a sensitivity of 92.6% (63/68) and a specificity of 100% . Of the 63 specimens that were UTPT positive, 45 were positive within 1 min, 58 were positive within 5 min . The remainder became positive between 5 and 15 min . There was a negative correlation between the time required for positive UTPT and the number of C . pylori per pit as seen on silver stained sections (P less than 0.05) . UTPT is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting C . pylori in gastric mucosa . This enables early therapy, if indicated, before discharge from hospital . Moreover, the urea test paper method is cheap and easily stored. J Bacteriol, 1990 Sep, 172(9), 5035 - 43 Antigenic differences among Campylobacter fetus S-layer proteins; Dubreuil JD et al.; Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of S-layer proteins extracted from Campylobacter fetus strains by using acid glycine buffer showed that the predominant S-layer proteins of different strains had subunit molecular weights in the range of 90,000 to 140,000 . Electron microscopy revealed oblique S-layer lattices with a spacing of approximately 5.6 nm (gamma = 75 degrees) on wild-type strains VC1, VC119, VC202, and VC203 . Three variants of C . fetus VC119 producing a predominant S-layer subunit protein of different molecular weight (Mr) from that of the parent were also examined . Each variant produced an oblique lattice morphologically indistinguishable from that of the parent . Amino-terminal sequence analysis showed that the S-layer proteins of the VC119 parent and variants were identical up to residue 18 and that this sequence differed from but was related to the first 16 N-terminal residues shared by the S-layer proteins of the three other wild-type C . fetus isolates . Western immunoblot analysis with an antiserum prepared to the VC119 protein and an antiserum prepared to C . fetus 84-40 LP (Z . Pei, R . T . Ellison,