Trop Med Int Health, 1999 Mar, 4(3), 211 - 5 Outcome in three groups of patients with typhoid fever in Indonesia between 1948 and 1990; van den Bergh ET et al.; The outcome in three groups of patients with bacteriologically confirmed typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi, treated during three episodes between 1948 and 1990 in Java, Indonesia, was compared by retrospective analysis of hospital records . The study population consisted of three groups of patients . Group I (n = 50) was treated in Batavia (the present Jakarta) from 1948 to 1950, Group II (n = 61) in Yogyakarta from 1952 to 1956, Group III (n = 105) in Semarang from 1989 to 1990 . Main outcome measures were days until defervescence, early relapses during hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, complications and mortality . Group I received supportive treatment only, Group II low doses of chloramphenicol (total 12.5 g) and Group III full doses of chloramphenicol (total 27 g); occasionally other antibiotics were used . In Group I, II and III the mean number of days until defervescence was 16, 8 and 6 and the mean number of days in hospital 43, 47 and 15, respectively . Mortality was 26%, 10% and 5% and complications occurred in 38%, 18% and 13%, respectively . Between Group I and Group II the differences in mortality and complications were statistically significant (P < 0.05) . Compared to Group I the proportion of early relapses was higher in Group II, but was zero in Group III . There were significantly fewer gastrointestinal complications in Group II than in Group I (P < 0.01) and even fewer in Group III . When no antibiotic against S . typhi was available, typhoid fever had a protracted course, and only 74% of patients survived . Even with low dosages of chloramphenicol, defervescence was earlier and mortality and complications decreased dramatically, but early relapses were frequent . Full doses of chloramphenicol for a sufficient period of time only slightly reduced mortality and complications further, but eliminated early relapses completely. J Colloid Interface Sci, 1999 May 15, 213(2), 557 - 564 Thermodynamics and Structural Studies of the Interaction of Polymyxin B with Deep Rough Mutant Lipopolysaccharides; Koch PJ et al.; Deep rough mutant lipopolysaccharide (ReLPS) dissolved in aqueous solution spontaneously forms supramolecular structures which mainly consist of vesicles . Addition of Polymyxin B (PmB) to these ReLPS vesicles influence the shape of these structures as demonstrated here by electronmicroscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques . The main phase transition of the ReLPS is found at 21.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C for ReLPS from Escherichia coli and at 24.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C for ReLPS from Salmonella minnesota by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) . Using isothermal differential titration calorimetry (ITC), the thermodynamic behavior of the interaction of PmB with ReLPS vesicles has been studied . The stoichiometric ratio for the binding of PmB to ReLPS was found to lie between 0.6 and 1, as determined from ITC and monolayer experiments . No phase transition was observed for ReLPS monolayers saturated with PmB . The results indicate specific interaction of PmB with ReLPS . We propose a two-step mechanism for this interaction, which involves electrostatic attraction between charged parts of the molecules and, in the second step, hydrophobic interactions between the nonpolar parts of both compounds . J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino), 1999 Feb, 40(1), 31 - 5 Primary aorto-duodenal fistula secondary to infected abdominal aortic aneurysms: the role of local debridement and extra-anatomic bypass; Pagni S et al.; Gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to spontaneous rupture of an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm into the duodenum is a rare and highly lethal clinical occurrence, representing roughly a third of all primary aortoduodenal fistulas . Diagnosis is problematic due to the subtleties in the clinical presentation and course, and surgical treatment is usually delayed, representing a challenge even for the experienced vascular surgeon . The overall mortality is over 30% and the operative approaches are still controversial . Two cases of ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysms complicated with aortoduodenal fistula were recently treated at our institution . Bacterial aortitis was documented by arterial wall cultures positive for Klebsiella and Salmonella species respectively . The clinical courses and outcomes of the two patients (one survivor ) treated with retroperitoneal debridement and extra-anatomic bypass and a review of the modern surgical treatment are herein described. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1999 Apr 1, 173(1), 27 - 33 Genetic and biochemical characterization of an operon involved in the biosynthesis of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid in Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Walsh AG et al.; A Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O5 (PAO1) genomic DNA fragment that was able to complement a temperature-sensitive mutation in the 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) 8-P synthase gene (kdsA) of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium was cloned . Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed the presence of a potential operon with the gene order pyrG, kdsA, eno . PyrG catalyzes the synthesis of the nucleotide cytidine triphosphate, while Eno catalyzes the formation of phosphoenolpyruvate from phosphoglycerate during glycolysis . Phosphoenolpyruvate is one of the substrates for Kdo-8-P biosynthesis by KdsA and cytidine triphosphate is the nucleotide used to activate Kdo prior to its transfer to lipid A . pyrG and eno are important for many metabolic pathways and it is interesting to find them linked to kdsA . A sigma 70-like promoter was found upstream of pyrG and evidence was provided to show that this promoter was responsible for the initiation of transcription of the genes in this operon . These genes mapped to 28.2-29.9 min on the 75-min PAO1 chromosome, unlinked to other lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic gene clusters. Avian Dis, 1999 Jan-Mar, 43(1), 39 - 47 Evaluation of Salmonella serotype distributions from commercial broiler hatcheries and grower houses; Byrd JA et al.; By conventional trayliner (hatcheries) and drag swab assembly (broiler houses) culture methods, the isolation distribution of Salmonella serotypes from five commercial broiler hatcheries (three sample times) and 13 broiler farms (eight sample times) was evaluated . A total of 11 different Salmonella serotypes were isolated from hatcheries, with Salmonella heidelberg (9/30) and Salmonella kentucky (6/30) accounting for 50% of the total isolations . Of 700 chick paperpad trayliners sampled, regardless of lot (breeder flock source) or hatchery, 12% were positive for Salmonella . When 10 individual trayliners were cultured from individual lots (same breeder flock source), Salmonella was detected in 24/57 lots (42%) . Multiple serotypes were simultaneously isolated from the same lot on three occasions (6%) . Of the 21 lots that were serially sampled, the Salmonella serotype detected was different within lots eight times (38%) on at least one occasion of two or more sampling times . Of the 196 individual broiler houses sampled, 44 were positive for Salmonella (42%) . Twelve different serotypes were isolated from broiler houses during this study . The serotypes isolated most frequently were S . heidelberg (34/94) and S . kentucky (22/94) . These two serotypes accounted for 59.6% (56/94) of the total broiler house isolations . Of the 38 houses that were serially sampled, two or more serotypes were detected in the same broiler house on 20 occasions (53%) . Of the 38 serially sampled houses (four or more times), a consistent Salmonella serotype was detected in five houses (13%) . In only 5 of the 38 (13%) serially sampled houses did we fail to detect Salmonella on four or more samplings . No significant difference in Salmonella isolation frequency was observed between poultry houses using new or used litter . These data support previous findings indicating that paratyphoid Salmonella serotypes are prevalent in some broiler hatcheries and houses . Further, the observation of multiple serotypes simultaneously and serially isolated from the same breeder hatchery lots suggests that breeder flocks may be infected with more than one serotype, possibly providing a source for multiple serotype infections in progeny grower flocks. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1999 Feb, 73(2), 110 - 21 {Bacteriological studies of traveller's diarrhoea (6) . Analysis of enteropathogenic bacteria at Kansai Airport Quarantine Station from September 4th, 1994 through December 1996}; Ueda Y et al.; During the period of investigation from Sept . 4, 1994 to Dec, 1996, a total of 11,446,534 overseas travellers were quarantined at Kansai Airport Quarantine Station, and 22,187 voluntarily reported of episodes suffering from diarrhoea . Bacteriological examination of the stools a total of 9,299 individuals' was performed, and the following results were obtained . 1) Various enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated from 33.3% of the stools examined . Bacterial species isolated were as follows: Plesiomonas shigelloides, 2,066 cases (66.7%); Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 358 cases (11.6%); Aeromonas sobria, 360 cases (11.6%); Shigella spp., 291 cases (9.4%); Salmonella spp., 183 cases (5.9%); A . hydrophila, 126 cases (4.1%); and V . cholerae non-O1, 121 cases (3.9%) . However, ETEC was not done with an object of test . 2) In 502 cases (16.2%), plural enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated from single patient, suggesting high frequency of a mixed infections . 3) From Feb . to Mar . 1995, thirteen cases cholera were found from patients who had travelled to Bali, Indonesia . Cases with enteropathogenic bacteria other than V . cholerae O1 were found without any seasonal variation . 4) The major regions where the travellers were infected with the pathogens are as follows: Vibrio spp., were from only Asia; Shigella, widely distributed but especially in India and Indonesia; P . shigelloides and Salmonella, widely distributed . 5) Among the Shigella strains, S . sonnei were isolated the most, followed by S . flexneri, S . boydii and S . dysenteriae . A strain of S . boydii provisional serovar E 16553 was isolated from a patient infected in India . 6) Among the Salmonella serovars, Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated the most frequently (49 cases, 25.7%) . 7) 265 (89.2%) of 297 Shigella strains, 52 (27.2%) of 19} Salmonella strains, and 19 (95.0%) of 20 V . cholerae O1 were resistant to one or more drugs tested (SM . CP . TC . KM . ABPC . NA . OFLX) . 8) All of the 20 V . cholerae O1 strains were Ogawa, E1 Tor . All of them were toxigenic strains . 9) The most frequently isolated serovar of V . parahaemolyticus was O3: K6 . 89.8% of all V . parahaemolyticus strains were positive for thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) gene, and 14.6% of them were positive for TDH-related hemolysin (TRH) gene by DNA-probe or PCR method. J Appl Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 86(4), 583 - 90 Development of a surface adhesion immunofluorescent technique for the rapid detection of Salmonella spp . from meat and poultry; Cloak OM et al.; A rapid method based on bacterial adhesion was developed for the detection of Salmonella in an enriched meat system . Minced beef samples inoculated with Salm . enteritidis (10 cfu g-1) were incubated overnight (18 h) at 37 degrees C in buffered peptone water . Salmonella enteritidis cells were isolated from the enriched meat sample by surface adhesion onto a polycarbonate membrane attached to a glass slide . The organisms attached to this polycarbonate membrane were subsequently visualized using immunofluorescent microscopy . The technique had a detection level of log10 3.5 Salmonella ml-1 . The surface adhesion immunofluorescent technique correlated well with Salmonella plate counts (r2 = 0.99) . Application of the rapid method to retail beef and poultry samples (n = 100) confirmed the correlation between this technique and traditional microbiological procedures . Thirty-one retail samples were reported positive for Salmonella species . No false positives or negatives were recorded for the rapid method. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1999 Mar, 112(3), 100 - 3 {Coupling of immunomagnetic separation and polymerase chain reaction for the rapid detection of salmonellae in minced meat and chicken giblets}; Erol I et al.; Coupling of immunomagnetic separation and polymerase chain reaction was used after preenrichment for the rapid detection of salmonellae in minced meat and chicken giblets . The primers used are specific to the origin of DNA replication (oriC) on the Salmonella chromosome and produce a 163 bp DNA fragment . The method allowed a screening of Salmonella free samples within 24 hours . It detected 5 serovars when inoculated in minced meat at a contamination level of 1 to 4 cfu/g . Compared with the method L 00.00-20 of the Official Collection of Methods of Analysis according to section 35 of the German Law on Food and Commodities it showed a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 87.5% for the examination of chicken giblets (n = 45) and a specificity of 100% for the examination of minced meat (n = 63). Mol Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 31(6), 1695 - 707 Insertion of EspD into epithelial target cell membranes by infecting enteropathogenic Escherichia coli; Wachter C et al.; Diffusely adhering Escherichia coli (DAEC) strains have been implicated in epidemiological studies as a cause of diarrhoea in children . However, the molecular interactions of these pathogens with target cells have remained largely obscure . We found that some DAEC strains contain homologues of the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island and secrete EspA, EspB and EspD proteins necessary for the formation of the attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions . To characterize the function of the EspD protein further, we cloned and sequenced the espD genes of two DA-EPEC strains and compared their deduced amino-acid sequences with known EspD sequences . A pattern of two conserved transmembrane regions and one conserved coiled-coil region is predicted in EspD and also in the type III system secreted proteins YopB, PopB, IpaB and SipB of Yersinia, Pseudomonas, Shigella and Salmonella respectively . The EspD protein is inserted into a trypsin-sensitive location in the HeLa cell membrane at sites of bacterial contact, but is not translocated into the cytoplasm . Secretion of EspD increases upon contact with host cells . We propose that the membrane-located EspD protein is part of the translocation apparatus for Esp proteins into the target host cell performing functions similar to YopB in Yersinia. Acta Trop, 1999 Mar 15, 72(2), 175 - 83 Rapid and reliable serological diagnosis of enteric fever: comparative sensitivity and specificity of Typhidot and Typhidot-M tests in febrile Malaysian children; Choo KE et al.; The Typhidot test, which detects IgM and IgG antibodies to a Salmonella typhi-specific outer membrane protein, is as sensitive as, and more specific than, the Widal test in the diagnosis of enteric fever in Malaysian children . It is easier and quicker to perform . In order to increase diagnostic accuracy in an area of high endemicity, the Typhidot-M test has been developed in which IgG is first removed . This theoretically allows improved detection of IgM, and thus would differentiate new from recent infections . We evaluated both tests in 134 unselected febrile children admitted to the General Hospital Kota Bharu, Malaysia . The children were divided into two groups: (i) those who were blood and/or stool culture positive for S . typhi and/or who had clinical features strongly suggestive of enteric fever (n = 62); and (ii) those who were both culture-negative and had clinical evidence of another diagnosis (n = 72) . The sensitivity and specificity of the Typhidot and Typhidot-M tests were identical at 90.3 and 93.1%, respectively . Both tests had comparable sensitivity but greater specificity than those of the Widal test (91.9 and 80.6%, respectively) . When used together, a positive result for Typhidot and/or Typhidot-M was more specific than either test alone (95.2%) but specificity was lower (87.5%) . We conclude that the Typhidot and Typhidot-M tests have comparatively high diagnostic accuracy, suggesting that IgM can be detected in children who may have a predominant IgG response to S . typhi . Using these tests in combination increases the negative predictive value but at the cost of a lower positive predictive value. Eur J Pharmacol, 1999 Mar 12, 369(1), 49 - 55 The lazaroid, U-74389G, inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, reverses vascular failure and protects against endotoxin shock; Altavilla D et al.; The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of the 21-aminosteroid U-74389G {21- < 4-(2,6-di-1-pyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl-pregna-1,4,9,(11) triene-3,20-dione(z)-2-butenedionate} on the l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway in a rat model of endotoxin shock . Endotoxin shock was produced in male rats by a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of 20 mg/kg of Salmonella Enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Rats were treated with U-74389G (7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg i.v.) or vehicle (1 ml/kg i.v.) 5 min after endotoxin challenge . Lipopolysaccharide administration reduced survival rate (0%, 72 h after endotoxin administration) decreased mean arterial blood pressure, enhanced plasma concentration of bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase and increased plasma nitrite concentrations . Lipopolysaccharide injection also increased the activity of inducible NO synthase in the liver and in the aorta . Furthermore aortic rings from shocked rats showed a marked hyporeactivity to phenylephrine (1 nM-10 microM) . In addition lipopolysaccharide (50 microg/ml for 4 h) in vitro stimulation significantly increased nitrite production in peritoneal macrophages harvested from normal rats . Treatment with U-74389G (15 and 30 mg/kg i.v., 5 min after endotoxin challenge) significantly protected against lipopolysaccharide-induced lethality (90% survival rate 24 h and 80% 72 h after lipopolysaccharide injection, respectively, following the highest dose of the drug), reduced hypotension, ameliorated liver function, decreased plasma nitrite levels, restored the hyporeactivity of aortic rings to their control values and inhibited the activity of inducible NO synthase in the liver and in the aorta . Finally, U-74389G in vitro (12.5, 25 and 50 microM) significantly inhibited nitrite production in endotoxin stimulated peritoneal macrophages . The data suggest that U-74389G may exert beneficial effects in an experimental model of septic shock by inhibiting the activity of the inducible NO synthase. Vet Rec, 1999 Mar 13, 144(11), 283 - 7 Salmonella pullorum in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus); Pennycott TW et al.; In 1996, pullorum disease due to Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar pullorum (Salmonella pullorum) was diagnosed in pheasants on a gamebird rearing enterprise in south-west Scotland . The gross pathology and bacteriological findings are described, as are the results of screening for S pullorum on the site in 1997 . The causal organism was readily isolated from the lung, liver, yolk sac and heart blood on direct culture, but less readily from the digestive tract or by the use of selective media . The bacteria recovered from the pheasants were identified as S pullorum phage type 7, a phage type previously associated with pheasants rather than domestic fowl, and the organisms were most probably introduced to the site by the movement of carrier pheasants. J Clin Microbiol, 1999 May, 37(5), 1348 - 51 Detection of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium DT104 based on a gene which confers cross-resistance to florfenicol and chloramphenicol; Bolton LF et al.; Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium (S . typhimurium) DT104 (DT104) first emerged as a major pathogen in Europe and is characterized by its pentadrug-resistant pattern . It has also been associated with outbreaks in the United States . The organism typically carries resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline . The mechanism of chloramphenicol resistance in DT104 was determined by producing antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli host strain clones from DT104 DNA . DNA from chloramphenicol-resistant clones was sequenced, and probes specific for the genes floS . typhimurium (floSt), int, invA, and spvC were produced for colony blot hybridizations . One hundred nine Salmonella isolates, including 44 multidrug-resistant DT104 isolates, were tested to evaluate the specificities of the probes . The gene floSt, reported in this study, confers chloramphenicol and florfenicol resistance on S . typhimurium DT104 . Florfenicol resistance is unique to S . typhimurium DT104 and multidrug-resistant S . typhimurium isolates with the same drug resistance profile among all isolates evaluated . Of 44 DT104 isolates tested, 98% were detected based on phenotypic florfenicol resistance and 100% had the floSt-positive genotype . Resistances to florfenicol and chloramphenicol are conferred by the gene floSt, described in this paper . Presumptive identification of S . typhimurium DT104 can be made rapidly based on the presence of the floSt gene or its resulting phenotype. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1999 Apr, 220(4), 239 - 43 Cancer chemopreventive mechanisms of tea against heterocyclic amine mutagens from cooked meat; Dashwood RH et al.; Cooking meat and fish under normal conditions produces heterocyclic amine mutagens, several of which have been shown to induce colon tumors in experimental animals . In our search for natural dietary components that might protect against these mutagens, it was found that green tea and black tea inhibit the formation of heterocyclic amine-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the rat . Since ACF are considered to be putative preneoplastic lesions, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of tea against the heterocyclic amines . In the initial studies using the Salmonella mutagenicity assay, green tea and black tea inhibited according to the concentration of tea leaves during brewing and the time of brewing; a 2-3-min brew of 5% green tea (w/v) was sufficient for >90% antimutagenic activity . N-hydroxylated heterocyclic amines, which are direct-acting mutagens in Salmonella, were inhibited by complete tea beverage and by individual components of tea, such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) . Inhibition did not involve enhanced mutagen degradation, and EGCG and other catechins complexed only weakly with the mutagens, suggesting electrophile scavenging as an alternative mechanism . Enzymes that contribute to the metabolic activation of heterocyclic amines, namely microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and N, O-acetyltransferase, were inhibited by tea in vitro . Studies in vivo established that tea also induces cytochromes P450 and Phase II enzymes in a manner consistent with the rapid metabolism and excretion of heterocyclic amines . Collectively, the results indicate that tea possesses anticarcinogenic activity in the colon, and this most likely involves multiple inhibitory mechanisms. J Immunol, 1999 Apr 1, 162(7), 4220 - 5 Lipopolysaccharide-coated erythrocytes activate human neutrophils via CD14 while subsequent binding is through CD11b/CD18; Troelstra A et al.; Interaction of LPS with monocytes and neutrophils is known to occur via CD14 and is strongly enhanced by LPS-binding protein (LBP) . Integrins as well as CD14 play a role in the interaction of erythrocytes (E) coated with LPS or whole Gram-negative bacteria with phagocytes . We reasoned that the density of LPS on a particle is an important determinant in these interactions . Therefore, E were coated with different concentrations of LPS (ELPS) . The binding of these ELPS to neutrophils was evaluated by flow cytometry . Simultaneously, we measured fMLP receptor expression to evaluate neutrophil activation . ELPS only bound to neutrophils in the presence of LBP . Blocking CD14 inhibited both activation and binding, whereas blocking complement (C) receptor 3 (CR3) inhibited binding but not activation . TNF activation restored ELPS binding in CD14-blocked cells but not in cells in which CR3 was blocked . Salmonella minnesota did bind to neutrophils independent of CR3 or CD14 . The addition of LBP enhanced binding twofold, and this surplus was dependent upon CD14 but not on CR3 . We conclude that ELPS interact with neutrophils via CD14, initially giving rise to cell activation; subsequently, binding is solely mediated by activated CR3. J Immunol, 1999 Apr 1, 162(7), 3830 - 9 Common intra-articular T cell expansions in patients with reactive arthritis: identical beta-chain junctional sequences and cytotoxicity toward HLA-B27; Dulphy N et al.; Spondyloarthropathies constitute a group of autoimmune diseases of special interest because of their tight association with the MHC class I molecule HLA-B27 and the bacterial triggering of some clinical forms called reactive arthritis (ReA) . One current hypothesis is the presentation by HLA-B27 of a so-called arthritogenic peptide to T cells . To better focus on the relevant T cell populations within the joint, we performed an extensive beta-chain T cell repertoire analysis of synovial fluid compared with PBL in seven patients, four of whom were characterized as having ReA triggered by Yersinia enterocolitica, Chlamydia trachomatis, or Shigella sonnei . Analysis of the size diversity of the beta-chain complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) allowed us to evaluate the degree of T cell clonality in the samples . Oligoclonal T cell expansions were frequently observed in the joint . In one patient, CDR3 amino acid sequences of major expansions using two different BV genes were identical . One dominant T cell expansion and several CDR3 amino acid sequences were identical in two different patients . Furthermore, one sequence was identical with a sequence reported independently in a Salmonella-induced ReA patient . Together, these data indicate a surprisingly high degree of conservation in the T cell responses in recent-onset ReA triggered by different micro-organisms . A CD8+ synovial line expressing shared clonotypes was established and reacted toward several B*2705 lymphoblastoid cell lines, therefore supporting a molecular mimicry phenomenon at the T cell level in the disease mechanism. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1999 Apr 1, 214(7), 1042 - 7 Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for impaction of the small colon in horses: 84 cases (1986-1996); Rhoads WS et al.; OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical findings and compare effects of treatment and outcome for horses treated medically or surgically for impaction of the small colon . DESIGN: Retrospective study . ANIMALS: 84 horses with impaction of the small colon . PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, treatment, response to treatment, complications, out-come, and necropsy findings . RESULTS: 47 horses were treated medically and 37 horses were treated surgically . Significant differences between groups were not identified for duration of clinical signs, physical examination findings, or laboratory values . Horses treated surgically were hospitalized longer than horses treated medically . Complications recorded during hospitalization included diarrhea, jugular thrombophlebitis, recurrent colic, fever, and laminitis . Salmonella organisms were isolated from 20 horses . Horses treated surgically were more likely to have signs of moderate abdominal pain, gross abdominal distention, and positive results for culture of Salmonella spp than horses treated medically . Follow-up information was available for 27 horses treated medically and 23 horses treated surgically . Twenty-four (72%) and 21 (75%) of the horses, respectively, survived and were being used for their intended purpose at least 1 year after treatment . CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Colitis may be a predisposing factor for impaction of the small colon in horses . Prognosis for horses treated surgically or medically is fair. J Bacteriol, 1999 Apr, 181(8), 2548 - 54 Accessory DNA in the genomes of representatives of the Escherichia coli reference collection; Hurtado A et al.; Different strains of the Escherichia coli reference collection (ECOR) differ widely in chromosomal size . To analyze the nature of the differential gene pool carried by different strains, we have followed an approach in which random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to generate several PCR fragments . Those present in some but not all the strains were screened by hybridization to assess their distribution throughout the ECOR collection . Thirteen fragments with various degrees of occurrence were sequenced . Three of them corresponded to RAPD markers of widespread distribution . Of these, two were housekeeping genes shown by hybridization to be present in all the E . coli strains and in Salmonella enterica LT2; the third fragment contained a paralogous copy of dnaK with widespread, but not global, distribution . The other 10 RAPD markers were found in only a few strains . However, hybridization results demonstrated that four of them were actually present in a large selection of the ECOR collection (between 42 and 97% of the strains); three of these fragments contained open reading frames associated with phages or plasmids known in E . coli K-12 . The remaining six fragments were present in only between one and four strains; of these, four fragments showed no similarity to any sequence in the databases, and the other two had low but significant similarity to a protein involved in the Klebsiella capsule synthesis and to RNA helicases of archaeal genomes, respectively . Their percent GC, dinucleotide content, and codon adaptation index suggested an exogenous origin by horizontal transfer . These results can be interpreted as reflecting the presence of a large pool of strain-specific genes, whose origin could be outside the species boundaries. Vaccine, 1999 Mar 26, 17(13-14), 1667 - 73 The attenuated Salmonella vaccine approach for the control of Helicobacter pylori-related diseases; Gomez-Duarte OG et al.; The Gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a widespread human pathogen that colonizes the gastric mucosa and is associated with gastro-intestinal illnesses such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric lymphoma and gastric cancer . Current pharmacological therapies are becoming less reliable for the control of H . pylori due to the elevated costs and to the increasing number of antibiotic resistant strains . New vaccination strategies utilizing H . pylori antigens combined with adjuvants or delivery of antigens by attenuated Salmonella strains have been successful in protecting mice against H . pylori infections . Oral immunization with single doses of urease-expressing Salmonella vaccine strains elicits mucosal and systemic antibody responses and fully protects different mouse strains against challenge infections with H . pylori . The high efficacy in the mouse model, combined with remarkable immunogenicity, safety and low-cost production, makes attenuated live recombinant Salmonella promising vaccine candidates for the control of H . pylori-related diseases in humans. Bioessays, 1999 Feb, 21(2), 99 - 104 Mosaic bacterial chromosomes: a challenge en route to a tree of genomes; Martin W; In a recent analysis J.G . Lawrence and H . Ochman {Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1998;95:9413-9417 (Reference 1)} surmised that about 10% of the current E . coli genome consists of genes that were acquired in over 200 events of lateral gene transfer, which occurred subsequent to the divergence of E . coli and Salmonella some 100 million years ago . Overall, the data suggest that no less than 18% of E . coli's genes might be relatively recent foreign acquisitions, and that the average rate of acquisition may be close to about 16 kb per million years . These quantitative estimates of comparatively recent genome flux have profound impact on evolutionary genome comparisons . They tend to suggest that a search should be on to identify principles that might ultimately govern gene distribution patterns across prokaryotic genomes. Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1999 Feb, 22(2), 79 - 81 {Spontaneous bacteremia due to Salmonella hadar in liver cirrhosis with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt}; Barrio J et al.; Bacteriemia is a frequent infection in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, which is associated with a high mortality . Spontaneous bacteriemia is generally caused by gramnegative bacilli . We present an episode of Salmonella hadar's spontaneous bacteriemia in a patient with cirrhosis of the liver and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt . The role of the prosthesis in the pathogenesis of bacteriemia in hepatic cirrhosis is discussed. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1999 Feb, 112(2), 41 - 3 Antibiotic resistance pattern of foodborne Salmonella isolates in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia); Molla B et al.; A total of 39 Salmonella cultures isolated from raw minced beef and chicken (gizzard, liver, and heart) samples in Addis Ababa were examined for susceptibility to a group of 10 selected antimicrobials . 34 isolates (87.2%) were resistant to one or more antibiotics . The antibiotics to which isolated Salmonella strains were most often fully resistant included nitrofurantoin (48.7%), furazolidone (48.7%) and streptomycin (46.2%) . Only 4 antimicrobials (gentamycin, kanamycin, rifampicin and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim) were effective against all Salmonella isolates with the exception of 2 which were intermediate in resistance to kanamycin (1) and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim (1) . 77.8% of the S . Enteritidis strains showed multiple resistance to up to four antibiotics followed by S . Typhimurium (60.0%) and S . Dublin (33.3%) . The high level of antibiotic resistance of foodborne Salmonella isolates in the study area is an indication of indiscriminate and continuous use of subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics in animals. Vet Microbiol, 1999 Mar 12, 65(3), 227 - 31 Monophasic group B Salmonella species infecting harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) inhabiting Scottish coastal waters; Foster G et al.; A monophasic strain of Salmonella group B having the antigenic structure 4, 12: a: - was isolated in culture from various tissues of 39 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) . The tissue from which the organism was recovered most frequently was lung in 33 animals and intestine in 16 animals, but it was also isolated from heart valve, liver, kidney, spleen, mesenteric lymph node, pulmonary lymph node, hepatic lymph node, urethra, sheath and epididymis . As far as we are aware this is the first record of this strain from an animal source, raising the possibility that it may be host-adapted to harbour porpoises . The possible modes of transmission of monophasic group B Salmonella between porpoises are discussed. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 65(4), 1610 - 8 Ferrioxamine-mediated Iron(III) utilization by Salmonella enterica; Kingsley RA et al.; Utilization of ferrioxamines as sole sources of iron distinguishes Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium and Enteritidis from a number of related species, including Escherichia coli . Ferrioxamine supplements have therefore been used in preenrichment and selection media to increase the bacterial growth rate while selectivity is maintained . We characterized the determinants involved in utilization of ferrioxamines B, E, and G by S . enterica serotype Typhimurium by performing siderophore cross-feeding bioassays . Transport of all three ferric siderophores across the outer membrane was dependent on the FoxA receptor encoded by the Fur-repressible foxA gene . However, only the transport of ferrioxamine G was dependent on the energy-transducing protein TonB, since growth stimulation of a tonB strain by ferrioxamines B and E was observed, albeit at lower efficiencies than in the parental strain . Transport across the inner membrane was dependent on the periplasmic binding protein-dependent ABC transporter complex comprising FhuBCD, as has been reported for other hydroxamate siderophores of enteric bacteria . The distribution of the foxA gene in the genus Salmonella, as indicated by DNA hybridization studies and correlated with the ability to utilize ferrioxamine E, was restricted to subspecies I, II, and IIIb, and this gene was absent from subspecies IIIa, IV, VI, and VII (formerly subspecies IV) and Salmonella bongori (formerly subspecies V) . S . enterica serotype Typhimurium mutants with either a transposon insertion or a defined nonpolar frameshift (+2) mutation in the foxA gene were not able to utilize any of the three ferrioxamines tested . A strain carrying the nonpolar foxA mutation exhibited a significantly reduced ability to colonize rabbit ileal loops compared to the foxA+ parent . In addition, a foxA mutant was markedly attenuated in mice inoculated by either the intragastric or intravenous route . Mice inoculated with the foxA mutant were protected against subsequent challenge by the foxA+ parent strain. Microbiol Immunol, 1999, 43(1), 69 - 71 Prolonged incubation period of salmonellosis in an outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis infection; Nagai K et al.; An outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis infections occurred in Otaru, Japan, in September 1997 . A total of 143 cases of salmonellosis were reported to the local Public Health Center . In this outbreak, one case had a 214-hr incubation period . We investigated 5 isolates including this case by phage typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine the genetic heterogeneity of S . enteritidis . Five isolates were phage typed as reacted, but did not conform (RDNC) with identical reaction patterns and had quite similar PFGE patterns . Thus, the prolonged incubation period may not be attributed to genetic heterogeneity of the organism but rather to other factors. Epidemiol Infect, 1999 Feb, 122(1), 103 - 10 Automated outbreak detection: a quantitative retrospective analysis; Stern L et al.; An automated early warning system has been developed and used for detecting clusters of human infection with enteric pathogens . The method used requires no specific disease modelling, and has the potential for extension to other epidemiological applications . A compound smoothing technique is used to determine baseline 'normal' incidence of disease from past data, and a warning threshold for current data is produced by combining a statistically determined increment from the baseline with a fixed minimum threshold . A retrospective study of salmonella infections over 3 years has been conducted . Over this period, the automated system achieved > 90% sensitivity, with a positive predictive value consistently > 50%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the combination of statistical and heuristic methods for cluster detection . We suggest that quantitative measurements are of considerable utility in evaluating the performance of such systems. Epidemiol Infect, 1999 Feb, 122(1), 33 - 9 Molecular typing of Salmonella serotype Thompson strains isolated from human and animal sources; Chisholm SA et al.; One-hundred-and-thirteen isolates of Salmonella serotype Thompson from diverse sources in seven countries were characterized by PvuII ribotyping and IS200 fingerprinting . Ten PvuII ribotypes were observed . The predominant PvuII ribotype 1 represented a major clone of world-wide distribution but was not found in Australia; PvuII ribotypes 2 and 3 represented minor clones . HincII ribotyping discriminated subtypes within PvuII ribotype 1: HincII ribotype 1 was distributed widely but HincII ribotype 2 was found mainly in Scottish isolates . None of 101 isolates of PvuII ribotypes 1-3 contained copies of IS200 . All 12 isolates of PvuII ribotypes 4-10 were from Australia and 7 of them contained copies of IS200 of 5 different profiles . These results suggest the existence of at least two lineages of Salmonella Thompson with a different geographical distribution . The finding that most isolates from man and poultry in Scotland belonged to the same ribotype (PvuII 1/HincII 2) and were IS200-negative suggests that poultry is an important source of human infection in Scotland. Epidemiol Infect, 1999 Feb, 122(1), 19 - 22 Phage type conversion in Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis caused by the introduction of a resistance plasmid of incompatibility group X (IncX); Brown DJ et al.; The plasmid pOG670, a 54 kb, conjugative plasmid that specifies resistance to ampicillin and kanamycin and belonging to the incompatibility group X (IncX), was transferred into 10 isolates of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis belonging to 10 different phage types (PT1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 9b, 10, 11 and 13) . Acquisition of the plasmid by these strains did not result in the loss of any resident plasmids but resulted in phage type conversion in 8 of the 10 strains (PT1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 9b, 10 and 11) . The observed changes in phage type were found to result from the loss of sensitivity to 3 of the 10 typing phages used (phages 3, 5 and 7) . Where the conversion resulted in a change to a defined phage type, both the new and original PTs belonged to the same, previously described, evolutionary lines . Enteritidis PTs 1, 4 and 8, commonly associated with poultry world-wide, were converted to PTs 21, 6 and 13a respectively . The results indicate a different route for phage type conversion Enteritidis from others reported in the literature and, although IncX plasmids are not normally present in PT8 or PT13a, may suggest a possible mechanism/link connecting these phage types. J Bacteriol, 1999 Apr, 181(7), 2158 - 65 A periplasmic D-alanyl-D-alanine dipeptidase in the gram-negative bacterium Salmonella enterica; Hilbert F et al.; The VanX protein is a D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala) dipeptidase essential for resistance to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin . While this enzymatic activity has been typically associated with vancomycin- and teicoplainin-resistant enterococci, we now report the identification of a D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptidase in the gram-negative species Salmonella enterica . The Salmonella enzyme is only 36% identical to VanX but exhibits a similar substrate specificity: it hydrolyzes D-Ala-D-Ala, DL-Ala-DL-Phe, and D-Ala-Gly but not the tripeptides D-Ala-D-Ala-D-Ala and DL-Ala-DL-Lys-Gly or the dipeptides L-Ala-L-Ala, N-acetyl-D-Ala-D-Ala, and L-Leu-Pro . The Salmonella dipeptidase gene, designated pcgL, appears to have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer because pcgL-hybridizing sequences were not detected in related bacterial species and the G+C content of the pcgL-containing region (41%) is much lower than the overall G+C content of the Salmonella chromosome (52%) . In contrast to wild-type Salmonella, a pcgL mutant was unable to use D-Ala-D-Ala as a sole carbon source . The pcgL gene conferred D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptidase activity upon Escherichia coli K-12 but did not allow growth on D-Ala-D-Ala . The PcgL protein localizes to the periplasmic space of Salmonella, suggesting that this dipeptidase participates in peptidoglycan metabolism. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1999 Mar, 18(3), 245 - 8 A comparative study of ofloxacin and cefixime for treatment of typhoid fever in children . The Dong Nai Pediatric Center Typhoid Study Group; Cao XT et al.; BACKGROUND: Despite concerns about safety in children, fluoroquinolone antibiotics have become the treatment of choice in patients with multidrug-resistant typhoid fever in Vietnam . However, quinolone-resistant strains of Salmonella typhi have recently been reported from Vietnam; and if quinolone resistance becomes established, alternative oral treatment options will be needed . OBJECTIVE: Cefixime, an orally administered third generation cephalosporin, was compared with ofloxacin for the treatment of uncomplicated typhoid fever in children . METHODS: In an open trial children with suspected typhoid fever were randomized to receive either ofloxacin (10 mg/kg/day in two divided doses) for 5 days or cefixime (20 mg/kg/day in two divided doses) for 7 days . RESULTS: S . typhi was isolated from 82 patients (44 in the cefixime group, 38 in the ofloxacin group) and 70 (85%) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant . Median (95% confidence interval, range) fever clearance times were 4.4 (4 to 5.2, 0.2 to 9.9) days for ofloxacin recipients and 8.5 (4.2 to 9, 1.8 to 15.2) days for cefixime-treated patients (P < 0.0001) . There were 11 treatment failures (10 acute and one relapse) in the cefixime group and 1 acute treatment failure in the ofloxacin group (mean difference, 22%; 95% confidence interval, 9 to 36%) . CONCLUSION: Short course treatment with cefixime may provide a useful alternative treatment in cases of uncomplicated typhoid fever in children, but it is less effective than short course treatment with ofloxacin. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1998 Jun, 13(3), 150 - 7 Antigenic components of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide recognized by sera from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis; Gu K et al.; The dominant antigen of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans recognized by high-titer sera from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis is the serotype antigen located in the O-side chains of lipopolysaccharide . Whether such sera contain antibodies reactive with other epitopes in lipopolysaccharide, as is the case for patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis, remains unknown . We prepared and characterized by gas liquid chromatography lipopolysaccharide, lipid A, core carbohydrate with no or few O-side chains (core) and high-molecular-mass carbohydrate-rich in O-side chains (oligosaccharide) from A . actinomyce-temcomitans ATCC 43718 (serotype b, Y4) . Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), sera from 36 patients with localized juvenile periodontitis were surveyed using whole-cell sonicate as plate antigen . The seven highest titer sera were selected for further study . Specific IgG antibody binding was observed to intact lipopolysaccharide and to all the lipopolysaccharide fractions . The mean titers were highest for intact lipopolysaccharide (138.8 ELISA units), and lipid A (122 ELISA units), followed by the core fraction (81 ELISA units) and the oligosaccharide fraction (69.5 ELISA units) . ELISA inhibition revealed that the core fraction at a concentration of 10 micrograms/test well inhibited antibody binding to A . actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide by a mean value of 56.7% . To further characterize antibody binding to the core fraction, ELISA inhibition was performed using as inhibitor the core carbohydrate fraction of the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota, which is known to contain only alpha-keto-3-deoxyoctonate residues and phosphate . This fraction at 10 micrograms/test well inhibited binding of antibodies from 6 of 7 test sera with a mean value of 49.2% . Thus, sera from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis contain antibodies that bind to the O-side chains of lipopolysaccharide, as has been previously reported, but they also contain antibodies that bind to lipid A and to lipopolysaccharide core polysaccharide epitopes, specifically to alpha-keto-3-deoxyoctonate moieties . The humoral immune response to A . actinomycetemcomitans in patients with localized juvenile periodontitis is more complex than previously reported and is very similar to that of patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis. Indian J Exp Biol, 1998 Dec, 36(12), 1245 - 52 Purification and characterization of phospholipase C of Salmonella gallinarum; Singh BR et al.; Phospholipase C was isolated from an outbreak strain of Salmonella gallinarum with ciprofloxacin extraction, dialysis, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and chromatofocussing . Purified phospholipase C (mol wt . 65 KDa; isoelectric point, pI 3.5) was resistant to pasteurization, stomach enzyme (pepsin), bacterial protease and lipase but lost its activity on trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment . It was sensitive to pH > or = 8.0 . It was haemolytic, embryotoxic, enterohaemorrhagic, lethal to birds, cytotoxic to Vero and MDBK cells, dermonecrotoxic in rabbit and antigenically active protein . Antisera raised against purified phospholipase C neutralized its all biological activities and agglutinated the producer Salmonella strains . Serologically it was proved similar to phospholipase C of Klebsiella pneumoniae and S . weltevreden . Fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) was standardized to detect phospholipase producer strains. Indian J Exp Biol, 1998 Dec, 36(12), 1233 - 9 Role of bone marrow and thymus secretory protein in maintaining immune homeostasis and haemopoiesis in control and malnourished mice; Datta S et al.; Injection of Salmonella typhi 'H' antigen was observed to produce a differential effect on bone marrow and thymus secretory profile depending upon the nutritional status of the host . The paracrine effect of Thy F1 (thymus fraction 1) was more significant (P < 0.01) than the autocrine effect of BIM (Bone marrow immunomodulator) in malnourished mice . BIM moreover, also had a paracrine effect on thymus irrespective of the nutritional status of the host . An improvement in neutrophil population (P < 0.01) and phagocytic myeloperoxidase activity (P < 0.01) was observed in BIM treated malnourished immuno-suppressed mice, whereas no appreciable change was observed by Thy F1 . However, Thy F1 irrespective of the nutritional status of the host improved large lymphocyte population in circulation (P < 0.01) . These findings indicate that both bone marrow and thymus play a major role in haemopoietic microenvironment of BDF (basal diet fed) control and malnourished mice. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 1999 Feb, 3(2), 169 - 73 Identification of Mycobacterium shimoidei by molecular techniques: case report and summary of the literature; Mayall B et al.; A 53-year-old woman from Melbourne, Australia, with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus was shown by computed tomography (CT) scan to have a left apical cavity and inflammatory changes in the right lung consistent with aspiration . Acid-fast bacilli isolated from bronchial washings were identified biochemically first as Mycobacterium terrae, but later as M . shimoidei on the basis of 1) restriction fragment analysis and 2) sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified 16S rDNA . Nine other descriptions of patients with M . shimoidei isolates were collated . The salient feature of isolates considered to be pathogenic was pulmonary cavitation . Most patients had underlying lung disease, including past tuberculosis or malignancy . Six of eight patients died of progressive respiratory illness, although the contribution of M . shimoidei was not always clear, and two patients improved . One patient with the acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) died with Salmonella enteritidis and M . shimoidei isolated from blood cultures . One isolate was regarded as a coloniser . There are insufficient clinical or sensitivity data on which to base recommendations for therapy, but a combination of ethambutol, rifabutin and pyrazinamide could be considered. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 1999 Mar, 55 ( Pt 3), 706 - 8 Purification, crystallization and preliminary structural studies of dTDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose 3,5-epimerase (RmlC), the third enzyme of the dTDP-L-rhamnose synthesis pathway, from Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium; Giraud MF et al.; L-Rhamnose is an essential component of the cell wall of many pathogenic bacteria . Its precusor, dTDP-L-rhamnose, is synthesized from alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate and dTTP via a pathway requiring four distinct enzymes: RmlA, RmlB, RmlC and RmlD . RmlC was overexpressed in Escherichia coli . The recombinant protein was purified by a two-step protocol involving anion-exchange and hydrophobic chromatography . Dynamic light-scattering experiments indicated that the recombinant protein is monodisperse . Crystals were obtained using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method with ammonium sulfate as precipitant . Diffraction data were collected on a frozen crystal to a resolution of 2.17 A . The crystal belongs to either space group P3121 or P3221, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.56, c = 183.53 A and alpha = beta = 90, gamma = 120 degrees. J Infect, 1999 Jan, 38(1), 24 - 5 Convalescent excretion of Salmonella enteritidis in infants; Balfour AE et al.; OBJECTIVES: To review the excretion of Salmonella enteritidis PT4 in the faeces of infants involved in a point-source outbreak in a nursery, and to relate these findings to advice given by the Outbreak Control Team (OCT) . METHODS: Retrospective laboratory-based survey . RESULTS: Infection with S . enteritidis PT4 was microbiologically confirmed in 33 primary cases and one secondary case . Of the faeces submitted 4 weeks from exposure, 96% remained positive . None of the infants was symptomatic by this time, and none received antimicrobial treatment . Two infants aged less than 1 year were still excreting 22 weeks after the onset of the outbreak . CONCLUSIONS: As for other serotypes, S . enteritidis PT4 causes prolonged symptomless excretion after infection, particularly in infants aged less than 1 year . Infection control measures, including exclusion criteria, may need to be modified as an outbreak progresses. J Food Prot, 1999 Mar, 62(3), 284 - 6 Broiler skin sampling for optimum recovery of Salmonella spp; Kotula KL et al.; The objective of this research was to determine the appropriate sample size (1, 5, or 10 g) and location (neck, breast, or vent) from which to sample processed poultry skin for Salmonella spp . Postkill, prescald broiler carcasses were used to help ensure that Salmonella spp . would be found . Mean Salmonella spp . counts from skin samples of 1 g (2.91 log10 CFU/g) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than skin samples of 5 and 10 g: 3.52 log10 CFU/g and 3.42 log10 CFU/g, respectively . Mean Salmonella spp . counts from breast (3.62 log10 CFU/g) or neck (3.40 log10 CFU/g) skin samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than counts from vent skin samples (2.84 log10 CFU/g) . Neck skin is the preferred sampling location because it contained a representative number of Salmonella spp., it had a slightly higher incidence of Salmonella spp . than vent skin, and removal of neck skin for microbiological testing did not decrease the quality grade of the bird, as would the removal of breast skin . Research results will increase the accuracy and precision of the microbiological analytical procedures for processed poultry by providing guidelines for the amount and location of skin to be sampled, as well as the preparatory procedures involved to release the Salmonella spp . from the skin samples. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1999 Feb, 46(1), 9 - 23 Detection of antibodies to S . enteritidis in broilers by means of indirect ELISA and chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA); Zamora BM et al.; This study was conducted to develop a serological detection system for the monitoring of broiler flocks for Salmonella enteritidis infections . A specific S . enteritidis antigen (FG-Antigen) was used to compare the sensitivity and the specificity of the chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) with those of the indirect ELISA . This comparison was performed using a total of 578 sera, which, depending on the microbiological and vaccination history, were categorized into groups . Most of the serum samples which were classified as positive showed higher titers in CLIA than in ELISA . Using the prevalence of positive reactors, significant differences between Groups were additionally demonstrated . The absorbance values of the passively immunized group showed the highest and those of the Salmonella-negative group the lowest correlation-coefficient . Using the mean net absorbance of the prevalence group, the ELISA system exhibited a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96.2%, while CLIA had a sensitivity and a specificity of 85.7% and 96.2%, respectively . ELISA and CLIA can be used in the examination of non vaccinated flocks for S . enteritidis-infections as alternative to the bacteriological culture method . CLIA is distinguished for its fast and convenient procedure as well as for its wider measurement spectrum, while the indirect ELISA is almost as efficient as CLIA and requires less investment. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1997 Oct, 110(10), 373 - 7 {Efficacy of maternal Salmonella antibodies and experimental oral infection of chicks with Salmonella enteritidis}; Methner U et al.; Distribution of maternally transmitted Salmonella antibodies and their protective effects were studied in the progeny of broiler breeder birds which had been vaccinated with live S . Typhimurium and inactivated S . Enteritidis vaccines . Vaccination resulted in a significant increase of the antibody concentration in yolk of hatching eggs and in serum and jejunum of the progeny of immunized breeder birds . Higher antibody titres for isotypes IgG and IgA were still seen on day 21 of age . Antibody production of isotypes IgA and IgM by the chickens themselves was found between 14 and 21 days of age . Two challenge models (10(2) cfu/bird on day 1 of age and a seeder bird model, respectively) were used to evaluate the efficacy of maternal antibodies against challenge with S . Enteritidis . Using both models numbers of challenge organisms were lower in the caeca of the progeny of immunized parent birds between day 7 and day 21 of age (maximum about 1.5 log10 units) compared with control chicks . The results indicate the efficacy of maternally transferred antibodies but it remains the question of their practical relevance . The effects of acquired maternal antibodies on an active immunization of the progeny of immunized breeder birds with live Salmonella vaccines are discussed. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1997 Oct, 110(10), 369 - 72 {In vitro studies of adhesion and invasion by Salmonella strains of bovine epithelial cells}; Dinjus U et al.; 24 Salmonella strains were divided into three groups according to the circumstances of isolation . The adhesion and invasion abilities of the strains were determined using two permanent cell lines (IEC-6, VERO) and an epithelial cell line from the small intestine of a calf fetus (pKD) . Strains of different groups showed no differences in their ability to adhere to the cells tested . Significant differences were found for the invasion ability . Strains isolated from organs of calves suffering from salmonellosis showed a significant higher invasiveness for permanent cell lines and a considerable higher invasiveness for pKD cells than strains of the other groups. Natl Med J India, 1998 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 266 - 7 Changing pattern of antibiotic sensitivity of Salmonella typhi; Ranju C et al.; BACKGROUND: The emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi led to the use of quinolones as the first-line drug in the treatment of adult patients with typhoid fever . However, over the last few years there has been an impression that patients on ciprofloxacin tended to take longer to defervesce . We studied the response and antibiotic sensitivity patterns during 2 time periods to assess the changes that may have occurred . METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done of blood culture-positive patients with Salmonella typhi infection during 1991 and 1996-97 . The mode of presentation treatment history, antibiotic sensitivity pattern, antibiotics administered, response to therapy and the complications that ensued were studied . RESULTS: In vitro sensitivity to ciprofloxacin was found to be 100% in both the study groups . It was found that a greater number of patients were sensitive to ampicillin (80%), chloramphenicol (80%) and co-trimoxazole (80%) during 1996-97 as compared to 1991, when sensitivity to ampicillin was 63%, chloramphenicol 65% and co-trimoxazole 65% . The mean (SD) defervescence period in 1991 was 6 (2.3) days and in 1996-97 was 6 (2) days (p > 0.05) . CONCLUSION: In vitro sensitivity of Salmonella typhi to ciprofloxacin remains 100% . There was an increase in the sensitivity to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and co-trimoxazole which have been rarely used over the past few years . There was no significant difference in the time taken to defervesce between the two study periods. Mutat Res, 1999 Mar 10, 425(1), 153 - 67 Thalidomide and metabolites: indications of the absence of 'genotoxic' carcinogenic potentials; Zhu X et al.; Because of the reintroduction into human therapeutics of thalidomide, a recognized developmental toxicant in humans, there has been concern about its potential for inducing other health effects as well . The present study is concerned with the possible mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of this chemical . Using the expert system, META, a series of putative metabolites of thalidomide was generated . In addition to the known or hypothesized metabolites of thalidomide (N=12), a number of additional putative metabolites (N=131) were identified by META . The structures of these chemicals were subjected to structure-activity analyses using predictive CASE/MULTICASE models of developmental toxicity, rodent carcinogenicity and mutagenicity in Salmonella . While thalidomide and some of its putative metabolites were predicted to be developmental toxicants, none of them were predicted to be rodent carcinogens . Putative metabolites containing the hydroxamic acid or hydroxylamine moieties were predicted to be mutagens . None of the 'known' metabolites of thalidomide contained these reactive moieties . Whether such intermediates are indeed generated or whether they are generated and are either unstable in the presence of oxygen or react rapidly with nucleophiles is unknown . Mutat Res, 1999 Mar 10, 425(1), 29 - 46 Mutant yields and mutational spectra of the heterocyclic amines MeIQ and PhIP at the S1 locus of human-hamster AL cells with activation by chick embryo liver (CELC) co-cultures; Waldren CA et al.; Cooking meat and fish at high temperature creates heterocyclic amines (HA) including 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo{4,5-f}quinoline (MeIQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo{4,5-b}pyridine (PhIP) . Several HA are mutagens in the Ames' S9/Salmonella assay . While PhIP is a substantial Ames' test mutagen, it is 1000-fold less active than the extraordinarily potent MeIQ . In contrast, MeIQ is significantly less mutagenic than PhIP in several mammalian cell assays, especially in repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells . HA are suspect human carcinogens on the basis of (i) epidemiological evidence, (ii) induction of tumors in rodents and monkeys, (iii) DNA adduct formation and (iv) mutagenic capacity . In this study, MeIQ and PhIP were significant mutagens at the S1 locus of co-cultivated human/hamster hybrid AL cells following metabolic activation by beta-napthoflavone (betaNF)-induced chick embryonic liver cultures (CELC) . MeIQ was more mutagenic than PhIP in the CELC+AL cell assay . The mutant response curves increase with dose and then plateau (PhIP), or decrease (MeIQ) . The inflections in these response curves coincide with dose-dependent decreases in cytochrome CYP1A1 activity . Molecular analysis of S1- mutants indicates that a substantial fraction, >65%, of the mutations induced by PhIP are deletions of 4.2 to 133 (Mbp); half are larger than 21 Mbp . Mutations induced by MeIQ were smaller, most (56%) being less than 5.7 Mbp . When appropriate metabolic activation is combined with a target locus, which can detect both small and large chromosomal mutations, both MeIQ and PhIP are significant mutagens and clastogens in repair proficient mammalian cells . Vet Res, 1999 Jan-Feb, 30(1), 27 - 37 Technical and economic evaluation method for use in improving infectious animal disease surveillance networks; Dufour B; With hope of improving the increasing number of epidemiological surveillance networks for animal diseases set up in recent years, a qualitative and quantitative technical and economic evaluation tool was developed and then applied to three epidemiological surveillance networks: RENESA (a French surveillance network for salmonella and mycoplasma contamination in poultry production units subject to official sanitary controls), the French Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemiovigilance Network and REPIMAT (the epidemiological surveillance network in Chad for major cattle diseases) . We identified critical points in epidemiological surveillance networks using a modified version of the hazard analysis: critical control point (HACCP) method . An evaluation grid was then developed and validated by experts who were consulted in accordance with the Delphi method . A questionnaire to collect the information required for the evaluation and a scoring guide were then designed . Our evaluation procedure also included a calculation of the annual operating costs for two of the three networks studied . On the basis of the detailed results of the technical and economic evaluation, we formulated specific suggestions for improving the networks . The cost of implementing these proposals was calculated . We then simulated the effects of implementing each of the proposed improvements and a new global evaluation score was determined for each network . The 'cost per point' of each improvement was then calculated and discussed . This tool for the technical and economic evaluation of epidemiological surveillance networks for animal diseases is proposed so that it may be tested on a far wider scale and eventually be used in improving the functioning of such networks and for risk analysis in international trade. Vet Microbiol, 1999 Mar 1, 65(2), 133 - 43 Enhancement of phagocytosis and bacterial killing by heterophils from neonatal chicks after administration of Salmonella enteritidis-immune lymphokines; Genovese LL et al.; During the first week post-hatch, chickens demonstrate an increased susceptibility to infection by bacteria such as Salmonella . The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of immune lymphokines on phagocytosis and killing activities of heterophils in chicks during the first 1-7 days of life . Lymphokines isolated from chicken splenic T-cells harvested from Salmonella enteriditis (SE)-hyperimmunized hens (SE-ILK), have in past experiments, demonstrated augmentation of heterophil activity in day-of-hatch chicks resulting in protection from SE organ invasion . The present experiments reveal significant increases (p<0.05) in heterophil phagocytosis and killing when comparing chicks treated with SE-ILK to control groups in vitro . In SE-ILK-treated groups, a two-fold or greater increase is noted in heterophil phagocytosis within I h of incubation as compared to controls . Heterophils isolated from 1-day-old and 4-day-old chicks treated with SE-ILK killed significantly greater numbers (p<0.05) of SE than heterophils isolated from control groups . By Day 7 post-hatch, significance is not noted in the killing activity of heterophils from treated groups when compared to control groups . However, heterophils from SE-ILK groups continue to kill greater numbers of SE than control groups . These data support SE-ILK augmentation results in an enhanced heterophil function in chicks during the greatest period of susceptibility to Salmonella invasion. Bull Soc Pathol Exot, 1998, 91(5 Pt 1-2), 456 - 60 {Traveller's diarrhea: which vaccines?}; Ivanoff B; Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of child morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries . It is estimated that diarrheal diseases and typhoid fever cause around 2.5 million deaths per year in the world . Four bacteria and one virus share this responsibility: Shigella spp, Escherichia coli ETEC, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi and rotavirus . People travelling in countries with high endemicity of diarrhoeal diseases risk facing these four bacteria or the less common rotavirus, which is usually active in infants, even though some cases of diarrhoea due to rotavirus have already been reported in adults . The usual recommendations concerning basic measures of hygiene are most of the time quickly forgotten and followed only by a small number of travellers (12) . Therefore, apart these useful recommendations, it is therefore necessary to consider complementary actions for controlling these diseases which are mainly transmitted by contaminated water and food . This article aims at giving an overview of currently available and future vaccines for preventing travellers' diarrheas. Bull Soc Pathol Exot, 1998, 91(5 Pt 1-2), 402 - 5 {The role of bacterial diarrhea in developing countries}; Dosso M et al.; Bacterial diarrheas in developing countries remain a major public health problem . Cholera is endemo-endemic since 1970 . Clusters of Shigella infections are commonly observed during the rainy season . Other enteropathogen cause nosocomial infections and foodborne diseases . The HIV epidemic determined the emergence of a new trend of enteric diseases caused by opportunistic bacteria such as Salmonella Enteritidis, S . Typhimurium . The risk factors associated with these infections remains almost unknown . Treatment failure is related to an incre of high level resistance strains. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1999 Feb 1, 67(2), 185 - 93 Secretion of Salmonella-specific antibodies in the oviducts of hens experimentally infected with Salmonella enteritidis; Withanage GS et al.; The production and secretion of Salmonella enteritidis whole cell antigen-specific antibodies in the oviducts and in the serum of laying hens experimentally infected with Salmonella enteritidis, was analyzed by ELISA . The dynamics of the antibody levels in the oviducts were identical to that in the serum . Subclasses of antibodies (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in the infected hens were found to increase significantly (p < 0.01) compared to those in the control uninfected hens throughout the experiment . IgG and IgM levels in both oviducts and in sera reached to a peak by 14 days post-inoculation, and remained elevated throughout . The secretion of IgA seemed to be transient since the IgA levels increased to a peak 7 days after both primary and secondary inoculations, and declined rapidly . The elevated levels of antibodies were followed by partial clearance of Salmonella organisms from the oviducts . The present results indicate a significant local immune reaction against the Salmonella infection and suggest an association of the local antibodies with the clearance of Salmonella from the oviducts at least partially. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1999 Feb, 23(2), 165 - 73 Live antigen carriers as tools for improved anti-tuberculosis vaccines; Hess J et al.; Recombinant (r) Mycobacterium bovis BCG strains have been constructed which secrete biologically active listeriolysin (Hly) fusion protein of Listeria monocytogenes . In human and murine macrophage-like cell lines, intracellular persistence of these r-BCG strains was reduced as compared to the parental BCG strain . By immunogold labelling Hly was detected in membrane structures and within the phagosomal space of macrophages . Hly fusions consistently co-localized with a lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein (LAMP-1) suggesting that membrane attack conformation of Hly was not altered . Although r-BCG microorganisms apparently did not egress into the cytoplasmic compartment of host cells, they both improved major histocompatibility complex class I presentation of co-phagocytosed soluble ovalbumin as compared with wild-type BCG microbes . These data suggest that Hly secretion endows BCG with an improved capacity to stimulate CD8 T cells . Because CD8 T cells play a major role in protection against tuberculosis such Hly-secreting r-BCG constructs are anti-tuberculosis vaccine candidates . In addition, we report on our r-Salmonella typhimurium expression system combined with the HlyB/HlyD/ TolC export machinery for delivering the prominent mycobacterial antigen Ag85B for immune recognition. J Microbiol Methods, 1999 Feb, 35(1), 77 - 84 A PCR-based strategy for simple and rapid identification of rough presumptive Salmonella isolates; Hoorfar J et al.; The purpose of the present study was to investigate the application of ready-to-go Salmonella PCR tests, based on dry chemistry, for final identification of rough presumptive Salmonella isolates . The results were compared with two different biotyping methods performed at two different laboratories . The sensitivity of the BAX Salmonella PCR test was assessed by testing a total of 80 Salmonella isolates, covering most serogroups, which correctly identified all the Salmonella strains by resulting in one 800-bp band in the sample tubes . The specificity of the PCR was assessed using 20 non-Salmonella strains, which did not result in any DNA band . A total of 32 out of the 36 rough presumptive isolates were positive in the PCR . All but one isolate were also identified as Salmonella by the two biochemical methods . All 80 Salmonella strains were also tested in the two multiplex serogroup tests based on PCR beads . All strains belonging to the serogroups B, C1, C2-C3, and D were grouped correctly . Among the 32 rough presumptive isolates identified, 19 isolates resulted in a band of 882 bp (serogroup B), 11 isolates resulted in a band of 471 bp (serogroup C1), and two isolates showed a band of 720 bp (serogroup D) . In conclusion, rough presumptive Salmonella isolates can be conveniently confirmed to the serogroup-level, using the pre-mixed PCR tests . The system can be easily implemented in accredited laboratories with limited experience in molecular biology. JAMA, 1999 Mar 3, 281(9), 811 - 7 Epidemiology, etiology, and impact of traveler's diarrhea in Jamaica; Steffen R et al.; CONTEXT: Traveler's diarrhea (TD) can incapacitate travelers . Characteristics of TD could be helpful in identifying individuals who might benefit from a vaccine against TD . OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiology, etiology, and impact of TD in Jamaica . Design Two-armed, cross-sectional survey conducted between March 1996 and May 1997 . SETTING: Sangster International Airport and 10 hotels in Montego Bay area, Jamaica . SUBJECTS: To investigate epidemiology and impact, 30369 short-term visitors completed a questionnaire just before boarding their homebound aircrafts . To investigate etiology, 322 patients (hotel guests) with TD provided stool samples . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Attack and incidence rates of reported diarrhea and of classically defined TD (> or =3 unformed stool samples in 24 hours and > or =1 accompanying symptom), incapacity, risk factors, and etiology . RESULTS: The attack rate for diarrhea was 23.6% overall, with 11.7% having classically defined TD . For a mean duration of stay of 4 to 7 days, the incidence rate was 20.9% (all TD) and 10.0% (classic TD) . Among airport respondents, the incapacity lasted a mean of 11.6 hours . Less than 3% of all travelers avoided potentially high-risk food and beverages . The most frequently detected pathogens were enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Rotavirus, and Salmonella species . CONCLUSIONS: A realistic plan for reducing TD is needed . Preventive measures such as the improvement of hygienic conditions at the destination, and/or the development of vaccines against the most frequent pathogens associated with TD may contribute toward achieving this goal. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 1999 Feb, 14(2), 353 - 9 Decreased IgA1 response after primary oral immunization with live typhoid vaccine in primary IgA nephropathy; Roodnat JI et al.; INTRODUCTION: Patients with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) have an increased level of immunological memory to certain parenteral recall antigens . We recently found a deficient IgA1 immune response after intranasal challenge with a neo-antigen: cholera toxin subunit B . In the present study, we assessed the specific IgA1 and IgA2 antibody response in plasma, peripheral blood cells and mucosal secretions after primary enteral immunization . METHODS: Twenty eight IgAN patients, 26 patients with non-immunological renal disease and 32 healthy subjects were immunized orally with three sequential doses of live, attenuated, Salmonella typhi Ty21a . The humoral immune response in body fluids and antibody synthesis by circulating B cells was assessed in specific ELISAs and ELIPSAs respectively . RESULTS: Oral immunization resulted in significantly (P<0.0001) increased IgM, IgG, IgA, IgA1 and IgA2 responses in all groups, both in plasma and in circulating B cells in vitro . The IgA1 response in plasma was significantly (P<0.05) lower in IgAN patients, while no significant differences in IgM (P=0.36), IgG (P= 0.79) or IgA2 (P=0.45) responses were found as compared with matched control groups . The amount of IgA1 synthesized by circulating B cells tended to be lower in IgAN patients . No significant IgA response after oral immunization with S . typhi Ty21a was found in saliva (P=0.11) or tears (P=0.10) . CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an IgA1 hyporesponsiveness in patients with IgAN that is not only apparent after primary challenge of the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue but also after presentation to the gut . Previous results after parenteral recall immunization may be explained by assuming that IgAN patients require more frequent and/or longer exposure to IgA1-inducing antigens on their mucosal surfaces before they reach protective mucosal immunity . As a consequence, overproduction of IgA1 antibodies occurs in the systemic compartment, accompanied by an increased number of IgA1 memory cells. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1999 Jan, 17(1), 9 - 14 {Distribution of Salmonella spp . serotypes isolated in Spain during a 4-year period (1993-1996)}; Echeita MA et al.; BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the epidemiology of salmonellosis over time is the main tool for public health care control of this disease which is the main cause of alimentary toxic infections in Spain . The epidemiologic marker of choice in this genus is the stable, simple technique of serotyping, which, given its wide use allows the follow up of the main serotypes over the years . This study analyzes the seasonal trends of the main serotypes of Salmonella received in the National Reference Laboratory of Salmonella and Shigella in Spain (LNRSSE) from 1993-1996 . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serotyping of the strains of Salmonella received in the LNRSSE during the years of the study with sera induced in our laboratory and commercial laboratories was undertaken . The strains of human origin the trends of the main serotypes were evaluated with the Mantel-Haenszel chi 2 test . RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Nineteen thousand seven hundred forty-one strains of Salmonella from most of the autonomous communities of Spain were analyzed . Ninety-two point one two percent of the strains of human origin were received from laboratories that sent strains throughout at least three of the four years of the study, thereby allowing evaluation of the serotype trends for this group of strains . The enteritidis and typhimurium serotypes were the most frequently observed . In these serotypes the strains of human origin were typed with double the frequency of that found among those from food and three-fold greater than that found among the strains of environmental origin . Typhimurium was the more frequently found than enteriditis in the group of strains from diseased animals . Finally, the significant statistical increase of the hadar serotype, which surpassed the virchow serotype in recent years, is of note. Vaccine, 1999 Feb 26, 17(7-8), 770 - 8 Expression of a pilin subunit BfpA of the bundle-forming pilus of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in an aroA live salmonella vaccine strain; Schriefer A et al.; Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major cause of childhood diarrhea in developing countries and is a leading cause of severe diarrheal illness among Brazilian infants . As one approach to constructing a vaccine candidate against diarrhea caused by EPEC, we evaluated whether the pilin subunit (BfpA) of the bundle-forming pilus (BFP) could be expressed by a live Salmonella vaccine strain . Several copies of the coding region of BfpA (bfpA) were amplified by PCR from a preparation of the EAF plasmid of EPEC strain B171 and cloned into plasmid vectors . An intact copy of bfpA was subcloned into the heat inducible prokaryotic expression vector pCYTEXP1, and the resulting pBfpA was used to transform the aroA S . typhimurium strain SL3261, generating SL3261(pBfpA) . The recombinant vaccine strain was able to express, but not to process, rBfpA as evidenced by a prominent 21 kDa protein that crossreacted with anti-BFP antiserum found only in extracts of heat-treated SL3261(pBfpA), but not in strains of untreated SL3261(pBfpA) or SL3261 not carrying the plasmid . Furthermore, rBfpA accumulation was not toxic to the Salmonella host, as evidenced by similar plating efficiencies between induced and uninduced strains of SL3261(pBfpA) . Finally, SL3261(pBfpA) orally administered to BALB/c mice was capable of eliciting a sustained and vigorous humoral immune response to BfpA, achievable even with a single oral dose of approximately 10(9) organisms . Therefore, this pilin product may serve as a potential immunogen as part of a live combined vaccine strategy to prevent two of the major public health problems in Brazil--salmonellosis and EPEC childhood diahrrea. Immunol Lett, 1999 Jan, 65(1-2), 81 - 4 Impact of intracellular location of and antigen display by intracellular bacteria: implications for vaccine development; Kaufmann SH et al.; Intracellular bacteria are primarily controlled by T-lymphocytes . The 'phagosomal' bacteria such as Salmonella enterica and Mycobacterium bovis BCG remain in the phagosome . These microbes primarily stimulate CD4 T-cells via antigen presentation through MHC class II molecules . In contrast, Listeria monocytogenes egresses from the phagosome into the cytoplasm by virtue of listeriolysin . This 'cytoplasmic' pathogen is controlled by CD8 T-cells through MHC class I antigen presentation . Some bacterial pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis presumably remain in the phagosome but apparently 'perforate' the phagosomal membrane and thus stimulate both CD4 and CD8 T-cells . We have constructed S . enterica and M . bovis BCG vaccine carriers which secrete listeriolysin . Such constructs are capable of introducing antigens into the MHC class II and MHC class I pathway, resulting in stimulation of both CD4 and CD8 T-cells . Moreover, we constructed S . enterica vaccines which display one and the same listerial antigen in secreted and somatic form . Secreted antigen display was found to be superior to somatic antigen display . Hence, we consider antigen secretion a major prerequisite of an effective vaccine against intracellular bacteria. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1998 Dec, 17(12), 880 - 3 High rates of antimicrobial resistance among clinical isolates of nontyphoidal Salmonella in Taiwan; Yang YJ et al.; To assess trends in antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella infections from 1989 to 1996 in southern Taiwan, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 14 antibiotics or antibiotic combinations were determined by the agar dilution method for 297 clinical isolates of nontyphoidal Salmonella . The rates of resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline were 65, 67, and 78%, respectively . Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) increased from 25% in 1989-1992 to 35% in 1993-1996 (P=0.057) . For new quinolones and extended-spectrum cephalosporins, no resistant strains were encountered . Multiple resistance to more than five antimicrobial drugs doubled from 10.6% in 1989-1992 to 19.7% in 1993-1996 . Multiply resistant salmonellae were isolated more commonly from blood samples than from feces (30% vs . 14%, P<0.05) . In Taiwan, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and even TMP-SMX are no longer the drugs of choice for treatment of serious nontyphoidal Salmonella infections . Extended-spectrum cephalosporins are now the preferred drugs in Taiwan for treatment of invasive Salmonella infections in children. Indian Heart J, 1998 Sep-Oct, 50(5), 516 - 9 Clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis: 15 years experience; Jalal S et al.; Four hundred and sixty-six patients (277 males, 189 females; mean age 23.2 years) diagnosed as cases of infective endocarditis during the past 15 years were retrospectively analysed . Two-thirds of patients belonged to the 15 to 35 years age group . The most common predisposing cardiac lesion was rheumatic heart disease seen in 73.4 percent patients . Mitral valve prolapse and right-sided endocarditis were infrequent, seen in four patients each . Blood culture positivity was 28.7 percent in adults and 61 percent in children . Commonest organism isolated was staphylococcus aureus in adults (39.3%) and streptococcus viridans in children (48%) . Salmonella typhi was detected in 17 patients and showed excellent response to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin . Overall mortality was 13.9 percent and resistant heart failure was the leading cause of death . Our study presents the clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis and highlights the comparison with western studies. Gastroenterol Clin Biol, 1998 Dec, 22(12), 1102 - 5 {Calcified splenic abscess, colonic fistula and ascites in a chronic carrier of Salmonella typhi}; Debat Zoguereh D et al.; We report the unusual case of a patient with chronic carriage of Salmonella typhi who presented with partially calcified splenic abscess linked to colic fistula and ascitis . The colic fistula could be secondary to ischemic necrosis by left colon compression due to spleen large abscess . Fistula was evidenced by abdominal computed tomography scan and confirmed by barium enema . The possible etiologies of ascitis are either tuberculosis or ascitic peritonitis secondary to the fistulisation; nevertheless, the role of segmentary portal located hypertension cannot be completely excluded . The splenic abscess was probably due to Salmonella typhi which was only isolated from stool specimens . The calcified splenic abscess was the evidence that the infection had occurred first . In addition, the isolation of Salmonella typhi in stool cultures six months after the subject had returned from the Comores proved the chronic carriage . Treatment by splenectomy and left colectomy was successful in this patient. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1999 Mar 2, 96(5), 2396 - 401 The Salmonella invasin SipB induces macrophage apoptosis by binding to caspase-1; Hersh D et al.; Recently, Salmonella spp . were shown to induce apoptosis in infected macrophages . The mechanism responsible for this process is unknown . In this report, we establish that the Inv-Spa type III secretion apparatus target invasin SipB is necessary and sufficient for the induction of apoptosis . Purified SipB microinjected into macrophages led to cell death . Binding studies show that SipB associates with the proapoptotic protease caspase-1 . This interaction results in the activation of caspase-1, as seen in its proteolytic maturation and the processing of its substrate interleukin-1beta . Caspase-1 activity is essential for the cytotoxicity . Functional inhibition of caspase-1 activity by acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethyl ketone blocks macrophage cytotoxicity, and macrophages lacking caspase-1 are not susceptible to Salmonella-induced apoptosis . Taken together, the data demonstrate that SipB functions as an analog of the Shigella invasin IpaB. Intensive Care Med, 1999 Jan, 25(1), 52 - 7 Endotoxin inhibits heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with severe sepsis; Schroeder S et al.; OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ex vivo endotoxin-inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with severe sepsis in order to assess the capacity of this potentially protective response during systemic inflammation . DESIGN: Prospective observational study in consecutive patients with severe sepsis and healthy blood donors . SETTING: Surgical intensive care unit in a university hospital . PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Eleven patients with the diagnosis of severe sepsis, one patient who had recovered from severe sepsis and 13 healthy blood donors . INTERVENTIONS: None . MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We studied the inducibility of HSP70 expression in the PBMC of patients with severe sepsis and healthy blood donors ex vivo . Human whole blood was incubated with variable lipopolysaccharide (LPS from Salmonella minnesota Re 595) concentrations (0; 0.1; 10; 100 ng/ml) for different periods of time (0.5; 2; 4; 10 h) . The PBMC were separated by Ficoll density gradient and then disrupted by hypotonic lysis . HSP70 was measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . We found a LPS dose- and time-dependent inhibition of ex vivo HSP70 expression in the PBMC of both patients with severe sepsis and healthy individuals . However, the levels of HSP70 expression in patients were significantly lower compared to those of healthy individuals at all LPS concentrations and incubation times . On average, HSP70 expression in the PBMC of healthy controls was 2.8 (range 1.2-3.9) times higher than in patients . HSP70 expression was inducible by thermal heat shock in the PBMC of both patients and healthy individuals . CONCLUSIONS: Endotoxin inhibits HSP70 expression in PBMC ex vivo . In vivo, the suppression of HSP70 expression induced by endotoxin and high levels of proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to the cellular dysfunction of immunocompetent cells concerning antigen presentation, phagocytosis and antibody production associated with decreased resistance to infectious insults during severe sepsis. Poult Sci, 1999 Feb, 78(2), 211 - 4 Effect of lactose administration in drinking water prior to and during feed withdrawal on Salmonella recovery from broiler crops and ceca; Barnhart ET et al.; Salmonella contamination of the chicken crop has been reported to increase markedly and significantly during feed withdrawal, probably due to coprophagy, and may contribute to carcass contamination at processing . The effect of prolonged lactose administration (2.5%) in the drinking water on the incidence of Salmonella recovery from broiler crops or ceca was evaluated in seven experiments . In these experiments, all or a percentage (providing seeders and contacts) of 7-wk-old broilers were challenged with approximately 1 x 108 cfu Salmonella enteritidis and provided lactose for 5 or 11 d prior to and during an 18 or 24 h feed withdrawal period . A small but significant lactose-mediated reduction in Salmonella contamination of crops was observed in one of two identical experiments with 18 h feed withdrawal . Extending the feed withdrawal period to 24 h did not improve the ability of lactose to affect Salmonella recovery from crops or ceca . Similarly, lactose did not affect Salmonella recovery when the percentage of birds challenged was reduced to 3 out of 16 and Salmonella recovery from crops or ceca of unchallenged, contact broilers was measured . Extending the duration of exposure to 2.5% lactose in the drinking water from 5 to 11 d did not improve the ability of lactose to affect Salmonella recovery . Taken together, these data suggest that provision of 2.5% lactose in the drinking water during the last 5 to 11 d of growout prior to slaughter will not be useful in an integrated Salmonella control program under commercial conditions. Int J Food Microbiol, 1999 Jan 12, 46(1), 37 - 44 Rapid detection of stressed Salmonella spp . in dairy and egg products using immunomagnetic separation and PCR; Rijpens N et al.; The rapid detection of an average of 5.9 stressed Salmonella cells in 25 g of food product using immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and PCR is described . For pasteurised egg yolk, egg yolk powder, ice-cream, whole egg, egg white and cheeses made from pasteurised milk PCR was applied after 16 h of preenrichment in buffered peptone water (BPW) using IMS and alkaline lysis as sample preparation method . For whole egg and egg white the BPW was supplemented with iron . For milk powder, and raw milk cheeses, the 16-h preenrichment in BPW was followed by IMS and a 4-h enrichment in Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth . In the latter case, PCR was applied on the enrichment medium after centrifugation and alkaline lysis . For PCR the primers ST11 and ST15 (Aabo et al., 1993) producing a fragment of 429 bp were used . An internal PCR control, designed to be co-amplified with the target DNA using the same primers but producing a smaller fragment of 240 bp, was used. Asia Pac J Public Health, 1996-97, 9, 1 - 5 Salmonella serotypes isolated in Malaysia over the ten-year period 1983-1992; Yasin RM et al.; From January 1983 to December 1992 a total of 20,874 salmonella were serotyped in the Bacteriology Division IMR, which showed an increase of 100% compared to the previous ten-years . There were 97 serotypes which belonged to 22 Kauffmann-white groups . Twenty two serotypes hitherto were seen in this study period . S . typhi was the commonest serotype isolated . Overall there was a rise in the isolation of non-typhoidal salmonella particularly S . enteritidis which increased by 760% and S . blockley which increased by 720% . However there is a drop in the isolation of S typhimurium by 223% and S . paratyphi B by 319%. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 65(3), 1312 - 5 Pulsed-light inactivation of food-related microorganisms; Rowan NJ et al.; The effects of high-intensity pulsed-light emissions of high or low UV content on the survival of predetermined populations of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated . Bacterial cultures were seeded separately on the surface of tryptone soya-yeast extract agar and were reduced by up to 2 or 6 log10 orders with 200 light pulses (pulse duration, approximately 100 ns) of low or high UV content, respectively (P < 0.001). Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 65(3), 1055 - 60 Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of three Salmonella rapid detection kits using fresh and frozen poultry environmental samples versus those of standard plating; Peplow MO et al.; To reduce human exposure to Salmonella spp . in poultry products, broiler chicken flocks have been tested by culture methods . Since the standard techniques may take 3 to 5 days, rapid detection methods have been developed . In this study we tested the performance of three rapid tests originally developed for food samples by using environmental samples obtained from poultry houses . These rapid tests were Reveal, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from Neogen Corp.; BIND, a bacterial ice nucleation detection method from Idetek Corp.; and a filter monitor method from Future Medical Technologies, Inc . For the standard culture, brilliant green with novabiocin and xylose-lysine-tergitol-4 agar were used for presumptive identification, and identities were confirmed by using poly-O antisera . Environmental samples were collected from farms belonging to an integrated poultry company prior to chick placement and 1 week before slaughter . Sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values with 95% confidence intervals were calculated . Statistical differences were determined by using McNemar's chi square test . The sensitivities of the different tests were not stable, varying widely between sample times, and were affected by freezing of the samples . All of the rapid tests had low sensitivities, which led to many false-negative results . All tests were able to detect Salmonella spp . at a concentration of 10 CFU/ml in at least one of four trials . The BIND and Reveal tests were simple to use with multiple samples and reduced laboratory time by up to 1 day . Based on our results, we do not recommend that any of these rapid tests, in their present state of development, be utilized with environmental samples collected with drag swabs. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 1998 Dec, 28(3), 199 - 211 Regulatory action criteria for filth and other extraneous materials . III . Review of flies and foodborne enteric disease; Olsen AR; Forty-seven species of flies have been reliably associated with filthy conditions that might allow the spread of foodborne pathogens . These are categorized as "filth flies." Of that 47, only 21 species represent a potential threat to human health as scientifically proven causative agents of foodborne myiasis or as carriers of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and other foodborne pathogens . These 21 species are categorized as "disease-causing flies" based on strict scientific criteria . The criteria are association with E . coli, Salmonella, AND Shigella; synanthropy; endophily; communicative behavior; attraction to both excrement and food products; and recognition by authorities as a potential health hazard . Within Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point and other U.S . Food and Drug Administration regulatory frameworks, disease-causing flies are contributing factors to the spread of foodborne disease that require preventive and corrective actions as appropriate under Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices, or pest control programs. J Bacteriol, 1999 Mar, 181(5), 1630 - 5 Molecular survey of the Salmonella phage typing system of Anderson; Schmieger H; Typing phages for Salmonella and the prophages of their typical propagation strains were analyzed at the DNA level . Most of them belong to the P22 branch of the lambdoid phages . Acquisition of new plating properties of the typing phages by propagation in particular strains can be due to different host specific modifications of the DNA or to recombination events with residing prophages which are reflected by changes in the respective DNA restriction patterns . It is concluded that the actually available set of typing phages is a historically unique combination of strains. J Bacteriol, 1999 Mar, 181(5), 1388 - 94 Components of the Salmonella flagellar export apparatus and classification of export substrates; Minamino T et al.; Until now, identification of components of the flagellar protein export apparatus has been indirect . We have now identified these components directly by establishing whether mutants defective in putative export components could translocate export substrates across the cytoplasmic membrane into the periplasmic space . Hook-type proteins could be exported to the periplasm of rod mutants, indicating that rod protein export does not have to precede hook-type protein export and therefore that both types of proteins belong to a single export class, the rod/hook-type class, which is distinct from the filament-type class . Hook-capping protein (FlgD) and hook protein (FlgE) required FlhA, FlhB, FliH, FliI, FliO, FliP, FliQ, and FliR for their export to the periplasm . In the case of flagellin as an export substrate, because of the phenomenon of hook-to-filament switching of export specificity, it was necessary to use temperature-sensitive mutants and establish whether flagellin could be exported to the cell exterior following a shift from the permissive to the restrictive temperature . Again, FlhA, FlhB, FliH, FliI, and FliO were required for its export . No suitable temperature-sensitive fliQ or fliR mutants were available . FliP appeared not to be required for flagellin export, but we suspect that the temperature-sensitive FliP protein continued to function at the restrictive temperature if incorporated at the permissive temperature . Thus, we conclude that these eight proteins are general components of the flagellar export pathway . FliJ was necessary for export of hook-type proteins (FlgD and FlgE); we were unable to test whether FliJ is needed for export of filament-type proteins . We suspect that FliJ may be a cytoplasmic chaperone for the hook-type proteins and possibly also for FliE and the rod proteins . FlgJ was not required for the export of the hook-type proteins; again, because of lack of a suitable temperature-sensitive mutant, we were unable to test whether it was required for export of filament-type proteins . Finally, it was established that there is an interaction between the processes of outer ring assembly and of penetration of the outer membrane by the rod and nascent hook, the latter process being of course necessary for passage of export substrates into the external medium . During the brief transition stage from completion of rod assembly and initiation of hook assembly, the L ring and perhaps the capping protein FlgD can be regarded as bona fide export components, with the L ring being in a formal sense the equivalent of the outer membrane secretin structure of type III virulence factor export systems. Curr Opin Microbiol, 1999 Feb, 2(1), 46 - 50 Interaction of Salmonella with host cells through the centisome 63 type III secretion system; Galan JE; Salmonella enterica engages host cells in a complex two-way biochemical interaction that results in a variety of responses from both the bacteria and the host cell . Central to this interaction is the function of a type III protein secretion system that delivers effector proteins into the host cell . During the past year we have seen major advances in our knowledge of both the bacterial determinants and the host-signal transduction pathways involved in these interactions . A coherent picture of the mechanisms by which Salmonella engages the host cell is now beginning to emerge. Mo Med, 1999 Feb, 96(2), 62 - 6 Salmonella outbreaks in the Kansas City metropolitan area: varying presentations; Wilkinson TH et al.; Four outbreaks of Salmonella in the Kansas City metropolitan area between 1996 and 1998 are used to illustrate changes in the epidemiology of foodborne diseases and recognition by public health authorities . Physicians are the critical link in the recognition of foodborne outbreaks, and that linkage is tied directly to their index of suspicion and the appropriate collection and testing of specimens from their patients, as well as notification of the local health department. Mutat Res, 1999 Jan 13, 438(2), 145 - 53 Assessment of the utility of the micronucleus test for petroleum-derived materials; Przygoda RT et al.; The micronucleus test is a commonly used in vivo assay for chromosomal damage and is an integral part of many mutagenicity testing strategies . The present report describes an assessment of the micronucleus test for the detection of mutagenic potential of petroleum-derived materials . To this end, studies were conducted with catalytically cracked clarified oil (CCCO) . This material contains high levels of polycyclic aromatic constituents (PAC) and is a very potent inducer of mouse skin tumors . CCCO is also active in the Salmonella assay and other in vitro tests . As CCCO is the most potent of the various petroleum-derived materials in other assays, it was assumed to be the most easily detectable in the micronucleus test . CCCO was tested in standard mouse micronucleus tests utilizing oral and intraperitoneal injection for test material administration . All of these studies were negative, although DMBA, tested at roughly equivalent levels based on potency in the Salmonella assay, produced statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency . In a second series of studies, aromatic fractions of CCCO were prepared and tested at up to acutely toxic levels . Results of these studies were also negative . Finally, another petroleum-derived material which is carcinogenic and contained PAC was tested in the micronucleus assay . It also produced negative results . Thus, it was concluded that petroleum-derived materials do not produce clastogenic effects in vivo in the mouse micronucleus test, despite the fact that some pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are quite active in this assay . Mutat Res, 1999 Jan 13, 438(2), 109 - 23 Chemical behaviour of seven aromatic diisocyanates (toluenediisocyanates and diphenylmethanediisocyanates) under in vitro conditions in relationship to their results in the Salmonella/microsome test; Seel K et al.; There are conflicting results on the mutagenicity of toluenediisocyanate (TDI) and diphenylmethanediisocyanate (MDI) . It was found that the organic solvent chosen to dissolve the compounds dictates the outcome of the bacterial tests . The Salmonella/microsome tests showed uniformly mutagenic effects for all the compounds that were predissolved in DMSO . Due to the instability of aromatic diisocyanates in DMSO this solvent was replaced by ethyleneglycoldimethylether (EGDE) . TDI and MDI endured the dissolving and were therefore still available for the subsequent bacterial tests . Furthermore, no aromatic diamines (TDA or MDA) could be detected in EGDE prior to the start of the assays . The Salmonella/microsome tests, however, revealed unexpected differences between TDI and MDI . As previously published the four types of MDI showed negative results, whereas the data presented in this paper demonstrated mutagenic effects of all three types of TDI if EGDE is the solvent . To gain deeper insight into the chemical changes that occurred during the Salmonella/microsome test, the possible reactions were modelled in the laboratory by mixing predissolved diisocyanates with a defined surplus of water and monitoring the progress of the chemical reactions by analytical methods . Additionally, the quality of the model was checked by exposing solutions of 2,6-TDI and 4,4'-MDI to the real biological test environment . In both cases, the reaction patterns of TDI were different to those of MDI . Within 1 min, which is the maximum time needed to mix the predissolved compounds with water before they are poured onto the agar plate, the TDI content was reduced in favour of different ureas and TDA . In addition water was replaced by the complete set of test ingredients . While the TDA content remained more or less constant, the amount of residual TDI was reduced considerably . Reactions of MDI were markedly slower than those of TDI . More than 90% of the predissolved MDI remained intact when it was mixed with water . The biological test ingredients accelerated the reduction of the MDI content . Within 45 s, more than two thirds of the MDI disappeared . Evidently, the chemical reactions continue during incubation . It is assumed that the contrasting results of TDI and MDI in the Salmonella/microsome test are due to the different reaction patterns-and reaction products-of the predissolved diisocyanates created under the specific conditions of the test . These findings indicate that the chemical interactions between reactive test compounds and solvents or test media need to be considered in the interpretation of the relevance of test results . J Ethnopharmacol, 1998 Dec, 63(3), 201 - 8 Jamu Gendong, a kind of traditional medicine in Indonesia: the microbial contamination of its raw materials and endproduct; Limyati DA et al.; An examination on the microbiological quality of seven kinds of Jamu Gendong (JG) and their raw materials has been conducted according to the requirements of microbial contamination in traditional medicine, issued by the Department of Health of Indonesia in 1986 . Samples of JG and their raw materials were taken from producers in three districts of Surabaya . The samples were subject to the following examinations: total plate count (TPC), MPN coliform, the enumeration of molds and yeasts, the presence or absence of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Vibrio . Each time the JG samples were taken from different producers together with their raw materials . The results of this investigation showed that most of the JG samples were heavily contaminated with bacteria, yeasts and molds . For bacteria, taken from the TPC results, their numbers were ranging from 7.7 x 10(2) microorganisms/ml to too many to count (TMTC) . For yeasts and molds the numbers showed variations from 0 microorganisms/ml to TMTC . Contamination with Coliform in 1 ml of JG were ranged from 0 to > 2.4 x 10(6) microorganisms . In most of the samples pathogenic Staphylococci, Salmonella sp . and Vibrio sp . were not detected, so that a conclusion can be drawn that most of the contamination in JG are saprophytic, only a few pathogenic . The results also show that it is possible to have JG which fulfill the government's requirements . Similar results were obtained with the plant material constituents of JG such as rhizomes, leaves, herbs and fruits of Piper nigrum and Piper retrofractum, with the exception of Piper betle leaves and P . retrofractum fruits, both showing low contamination of Coliform bacteria . However, the fruits of Citrus aurantifolia and Morinda citrifolia were less contaminated, just like seeds of Oryza sativa, Parkia roxburghii, bulbs of Allium sativum and the pulp of Tamarindus indica . With these plant constituents of JG, it might be of interest to screen their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Epidemiol Infect, 1998 Dec, 121(3), 561 - 7 Risk factors for the occurrence of sporadic Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis infections in children