Antimicrobial

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1989 Feb, 52(2), 223 - 9
Implant infections and antibiotic-impregnated silicone rubber coating; Rushton DN et al.; A method is described for coating silicone rubber-encapsulated implant devices with an outer layer of silicone rubber impregnated with a mixture of gentamicin sulphate and diethanolamine fusidate . A coating of this sort provides bactericidal activity lasting for a few days in the film of fluid surrounding such an implant . When used for coating our implants, the retrospective rate of implant infections believed to have been introduced at the time of surgery was reduced to 0.7% (coated), compared with 10.0% (uncoated), a highly significant difference (p less than 0.001) . Systemic perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis was not shown to confer any such benefit.

Przegl Dermatol, 1989 Jan-Mar, 76(1), 15 - 22
{Activity of the phagocytic process in patients with atopic dermatitis}; Melezynska-Matej M et al.; The phagocytic activity was determined in 18 patients with atopic dermatitis who were treated in the Dermatology Department, Medical Academy in Wroclaw . Reduced phagocytic activity was found in 12 patients . In 3 cases this was caused by a defect in phagocytic cells, in the remaining 9 cases this was due to disturbances of the opsonizing properties of the serum . The serum of these patients caused mainly a fall of the bactericidal activity of the leucocytes, and this was caused more frequently by a deficit of the opsonizing factors than by the presence of inhibitor . In the sera attenuating the engulfing and intracellular killing of bacteria presence of immune complexes was demonstrated . The disappearance of immune complexes during treatment restored normal function of the serum during the process of phagocytosis.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 33(3), 269 - 76
The effect of using T-activin in the therapy of the newborn with suppurative surgical infection; Samsygin SA et al.; A total of 156 newborn infants with suppurative surgical infection (SSI) were observed; 73 of them had sepsis and 83 a severe localized process . In 47 patients with sepsis and 34 with localized infection, T-activin was included in complex therapy while the other infants formed the control group . It has been established that T-activin leads to an increase in the quantity of the active population of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and to enhanced functional activity of T-lymphocytes in the newborn with SSI independent of generalization of the process . Bactericidal activity of circulating phagocytes is improved . The clinical course of SSI is less severe with more pronounced positive changes in the symptoms, hospital stay of the children is shortened, lethality is reduced . The effect of T-activin on the dynamic of the indices of the immune state is more marked in a septic process.

Caries Res, 1989, 23(5), 297 - 302
Elemental surface concentration ratios and surface free energies of human enamel after application of chlorhexidine and adsorption of salivary constituents; Perdok JF et al.; In vitro adsorption of chlorhexidine from a commercially available chlorhexidine-containing (0.12%) mouthrinse (Peridex) on both ground and polished and on saliva-coated enamel was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements . Furthermore, adsorption of salivary constituents was studied on chlorhexidine-treated enamel . Changes in the elemental surface composition obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy clearly demonstrated adsorption of chlorhexidine from the mouthrinse as indicated by increased N and C signals which were in all cases accompanied by a higher enamel surface free energy, estimated from the contact angle data . In addition, it was found that salivary constituents adsorb less to chlorhexidine-treated enamel than to ground and polished enamel and, moreover, that adsorbed salivary constituents were desorbed by chlorhexidine . In vivo, the effect of a 3-week use of chlorhexidine was compared with the use of a placebo and habitual oral hygiene of 10 volunteers by means of clinical contact angle measurements . Also in vivo adsorption of chlorhexidine yielded elevated surface free energies with respect to habitual oral hygiene or a placebo . Thus in vivo, the well-known favourable effects of the bactericidal properties of chlorhexidine completely overrule the unfavourable effects of high enamel surface free energies.

Klin Khir, 1989, (5), 13 - 4
{Dynamics of indices of the natural resistance of patients with cancer of the stomach}; Podil'chak MD; The complement titer, bactericidal serum activity and cation protein content of the peripheral blood granulocytes in gastric cancer, polyps and gastric ulcer disease were studied in dynamics . The most decrease in the indices listed was noted in patients with stage IV gastric cancer . The results of the tests mentioned permit to judge about the state of the non-specific resistance of the body of patients with gastric cancer, and in the complex with the other clinico-laboratory findings are of prognostic value.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1989, 178(4), 199 - 209
Effect of influenza A on phagocytic cell function; Erturk M et al.; The effect of various strains of influenza virus on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) function were studied by chemiluminescence (CL) and bacterial killing assays . All virus strains induced PMNL CL and peak CL correlated with haemagglutination (HA) but not neuraminidase (NA) activity of virus pools . Heat-treatment of virus pools generally had little effect on HA activity or ability to generate a PMN CL response but almost completely destroyed NA activity . Exposure of PMNL to each of the six virus strains resulted in loss of surface-associated sialic acid and a marked depression in both zymosan-induced PMNL CL and PMNL bactericidal capacity . However, there was no correlation between the degree of PMNL functional impairment and virus NA activity and, furthermore, heat treatment of virus pools removed NA activity but generally had little effect on their ability to reduce PMNL function . NA does not appear to play a primary role in impairment of PMNL function by influenza virus.

Caries Res, 1989, 23(2), 78 - 80
Bactericidal efficacy of metronidazole against bacteria of human carious dentin in vivo; Hoshino E et al.; The bactericidal efficacy of metronidazole (MN) against bacteria of carious dentin was estimated by measuring bacterial recovery with or without application of MN to dentinal lesions in vivo . More than 10(3) colony-forming units of bacteria per milligram of sample were recovered from the samples of carious dentin . However, none were recovered from the samples of dentinal lesions which had been covered by alpha-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) cement containing MN in situ for 1 day, 1 month, 1 year and/or 2 years in vivo . Placebo experiments in which carious dentin was covered by TCP cement without MN showed that TCP itself was not bactericidal . Bactericidal efficacy of MN in situ is clearly demonstrated, indicating that MN is a valuable material in caries treatment to disinfect carious dentin.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Jan, 34(1), 48 - 52
{Sensitivity of Pseudomonas mallei to sulfanilamide combinations in vitro}; Lozovaia NA; It was shown that 9 strains of P . mallei were sensitive to sulfanilamides and their combinations with trimethoprim: sulfamonomethoxine + trimethoprim (2.5:1), sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (5:1) and sulfazin + trimethoprim (2.5:1 and 5:1) . In regard to multiple lowering of the minimum bactericidal concentration of both drugs the combinations of sulfazin with trimethoprim (5:1 or 2.5:1) and sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (5:1) or biseptol proved to be the most active . The activity of the sulfamonomethoxine combination with trimethoprim (sulfate) was lower.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Jan, 33(1), 118 - 9
In vitro activities of temafloxacin (A-62254) and four other antibiotics against Chlamydia trachomatis; Segreti J et al.; The in vitro activity of temafloxacin (A-62254), a new quinolone antibiotic, against 13 strains of Chlamydia trachomatis was determined and compared with those of doxycycline, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and difloxacin . Temafloxacin and difloxacin were the most active quinolones tested, with bactericidal activity comparable to that of doxycycline.

Acta Microbiol Bulg, 1989, 24, 21 - 8
{Lipopolysaccharide-containing cytoplasmic membranes as immunostimulants of peritoneal macrophages}; Ivanova E et al.; It was established that cytoplasmic membranes from the stable L-forms of E . coli WF+ induced a 4-5 fold increase of the number of peritoneal exudative cells in mice after single i.p . inoculation . The animals treated with membranes reacted with 4-5 fold higher number of these cells after an i.p . infection by parent form cells or L-form cells, as compared with the reaction of infected, nontreated by membranes mice . The macrophage bactericidal activity was 6-10 fold increased . Using electron microscopy, it was established that the phagosomes containing membranes and their remnants were localized in the peripheral part of the cytoplasm or near the nucleus, without neighbouring lysosomes during the 24-hour interaction . Single cases of phagolysosome fusion were observed.

Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol, 1989, 24(1), 1 - 40
Tuftsin: its chemistry, biology, and clinical potential; Fridkin M et al.; Tuftsin is a tetrapeptide, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, which resides in the Fc-domain of the heavy chain of immunoglobulin G . The peptide originates from a specific fraction of the parent protein through enzymatic processing . Tuftsin possesses a broad spectrum of activities related primarily to the immune system function and exerts on phagocytic cells, notably on macrophages . These include potentiation of various cell functions such as phagocytosis, motility, immunogenic response, and bactericidal and tumoricidal activities . The features of tuftsin, coupled with its low toxicity, make the peptide an attractive candidate for immunotherapy . Tuftsin's capacity to augment cellular activation is mediated by specific receptors that were identified, characterized, and recently isolated from rabbit peritoneal granulocytes . Tuftsin has been chemically synthesized by a variety of techniques, some of which are adequate for large-scale preparations . A multitude of analogs have also been synthesized and extensively studied for structure-function relationships.

APMIS Suppl, 1989, 5, 17 - 22
The pharmacokinetics of sultamicillin; Lode H et al.; Sultamicillin is a mutual prodrug of ampicillin and sulbactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor . When administered orally, sultamicillin is readily absorbed and rapidly hydrolyzed to provide high levels of its two constituents in the peripheral circulation . Peak serum concentrations of ampicillin are achieved that are approximately three and one-half times those obtained with an equivalent amount of oral ampicillin . Equimolar concentrations of sulbactam are also provided, with both ampicillin and sulbactam being widely distributed among various body fluids and tissues . The pharmacokinetic parameters of the two components are similar, both being eliminated primarily by renal excretion . Although the elimination half-lives of ampicillin and sulbactam are each approximately 1 hour, the high serum concentrations achieved coupled with their synergistic bactericidal activity permit twice-daily dosing.

Ophthalmologica, 1989, 198(3), 124 - 8
Successful treatment of metastatic endophthalmitis . Case reports; Wang FD et al.; Endophthalmitis is a well-recognized complication of intraocular surgery, penetrating ocular trauma and systemic infection . Metastatic bacterial endophthalmitis is rare . However, once it happens, the visual outcome is very poor . In order to prevent visual damage, early diagnosis and treatment is essential . Due to the blood-ocular barrier, intravitreal drug concentrations are low after systemic administration . Strong antibiotics with good penetration into the vitrous humor are needed to obtain adequate bactericidal concentrations . We report two cases with liver abscess complicated by septic events to the eye . One was uveitis, and the other was endophthalmitis . They were diagnosed early and were successfully treated with parenteral ceftriaxone and good vision was preserved.

Lasers Surg Med, 1989, 9(6), 585 - 8
Helium-neon laser-induced respiratory burst of phagocytic cells; Karu TI et al.; The effect of He-Ne laser radiation (lambda = 632.8 nm, I = 6.8 W/m2, irradiation time from 5 to 50 sec) on kinetics of spontaneous and Candida ablicans-stimulated chemiluminescence of mouse spleen cells was studied . It was found that laser radiation caused significant enhancement (180-250%) both of spontaneous chemiluminescence and Candida-induced chemiluminescence . The effective dose interval ranges from 100 to 300 J/m2, with a maximum at 200 J/m2 . This finding shows that He-Ne laser irradiation can induce the respiratory burst (generation of reactive oxygen species having bactericidal activity) of phagocytic cells.

Comp Biochem Physiol A, 1989, 94(1), 11 - 9
Iron status, immune capacity and resistance to infections; Dhur A et al.; 1 . The importance of iron on immune functions is reviewed . 2 . The consequences of iron deficiency upon resistance to infection in men (adults and children) and animals are controversial . 3 . Cellular immunity is often altered in iron-deficient humans and in murine species . 4 . Humoral immune responses seem far less affected in iron-deficient humans than is cellular immunity, but is impaired in iron-deficient animals . Results on complement are scarce and controversial . 5 . There is almost no perturbation of phagocytosis but bactericidal activity is decreased in most studies on iron-deficient subjects . 6 . Natural Killer activity is decreased in iron-deficient mice . Iron deficiency also affects lymphokine production in mice and rats.

Vestn Dermatol Venerol, 1989, (1), 50 - 2
{A comprehensive assessment of the phagocytic activity of the blood neutrophils in patients with rubromycosis treated with griseofulvin and nizoral}; Belukha UK et al.; The neutrophilic phagocytic activity (absorption and enzymic bactericidal) is intensified in rubromycosis patients treated with nizoral vs . those administered griseofulvin . it is advisable to combine griseofulvin therapy with biogenic stimulants (pyrogenal, aloe, fiBS, vitreous body).

Dakar Med, 1989, 34(1-4), 78 - 82
{Macrophage activation and Mycobacterium leprae: effect of interferon gamma on the production of oxygen free radicals by phagocytic cells}; Launois P et al.; Activation of the respiratory metabolic channel (F.O.R.), responsible in part for the bactericidal effect, was measured in vitro by a chemoluminescence test on circulating phagocytes . All mycobacteria tested, except for Mycobacterium leprae, induced a significant response . Its effect on lepromatous leprosy pathology is a subject for discussion.

Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 33(10), 877 - 82
Enhancement of phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of neutrophils in miniature pigs by dihydroheptaprenol, a synthetic polyprenol derivative; Araki S et al.; Dihydroheptaprenol (DHP), a synthetic polyprenol derivative, markedly stimulated the generation of peripheral blood neutrophils after intramuscular injection in miniature pigs . The generated neutrophils exhibited enhanced phagocytic activity against latex particles and also enhanced killing activity against Escherichia coli . The effective dose in miniature pigs (1.4 mg/kg) was markedly less than that required in mice (100 mg/kg) . These results indicate that DHP induces resistance to some bacterial infections in pigs, suggesting the applicability of DHP for humans.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 33(1), 19 - 28
Disinfectant effect of Persteril in combination with detergents; Melichercikova V; In laboratory conditions, the microbicidal effect, pH and changes in the content of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide were tested in Persteril at concentrations of 5 ml/l and 0.5 ml/l as well as in mixtures of these Persteril solutions with the detergents Jar, Pur, Hit, Corona, Sapon, Rekord and Universal . The efficiency and stability of Persteril solution in combination with the detergents were similar to those of Persteril aqueous solution . The tested mixtures ensured satisfactory bactericidal effect after 19-day storage . The sporicidal effect could be guaranteed during 5 days only at a concentration of 5 ml/l and provided disinfection was carried out by submerging . The above mixtures of Persteril and detergents have been recommended for one-stage disinfection in all types of medical facilities requiring simultaneous disinfection and washing.

Agents Actions, 1989 Jan, 26(1-2), 158 - 9
Interferon-gamma does not enhance the bactericidal activity of murine macrophages; van Furth R et al.; The results of these studies demonstrated that activation is a much more selective process than previously thought, since the interaction between activated macrophages and micro-organisms depends on the kind of activation and the type of micro-organism.

Perit Dial Int, 1989, 9(4), 267 - 72
Single- and multiple-dose kinetics of ofloxacin in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); Passlick J et al.; To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin, a novel quinolone antibiotic, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), we investigated 6 patients in a single-dose study and 9 patients in a multiple-dose study, all without peritonitis . In the single-dose study, patients received 200 mg ofloxacin orally . Serum concentrations (Cmax) peaked at 3.1 +/- 0.3 mg/L (mean +/- SEM), 1.6 +/- 0.5 h after p.o . administration of the drug . Elimination half-life (t1/2) was 26.8 +/- 2.5 h . Peritoneal clearance accounted for 10% of the total body clearance . After 5-h dwell time, ofloxacin concentrations in the dialysate were 1.5 +/- 0.2 mg/L, which is above the MIC90 for most bacteria responsible for peritonitis in patients on CAPD . In the multiple dose study, 200 mg ofloxacin were administered twice, with a time interval of 12 h, followed by 200 mg for 9 days every morning . Mean trough serum levels were 2.6 +/- 1.0 mg/L, mean peak concentrations were 4.1 +/- 1.7 mg/L . Mean ofloxacin concentrations in the peritoneal effluent were 1.9 +/- 0.9 mg/L . It is concluded that an oral loading dose of 400 mg on the first day and a maintenance dose of 200 mg ofloxacin/day does not lead to significant accumulation, even though the elimination by the peritoneal route is only small . The proposed dosing regimen could be an adequate therapy of peritonitis and exit-site infections in patients on CAPD since levels reached in the dialysate effluent are bactericidal . The clinical usefulness in the treatment of peritonitis has to be proven in further studies.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1989, 37(5-6), 593 - 600
The in vivo effect of colony stimulating factors (CSFs) on phagocytic functions of granulocytes; Szmitkowski M et al.; The effect of commercially available colony stimulating factors and mouse post-endotoxin serum on bactericidal activity and phagocytosis of bacteria by blood neutrophils was tested on mice in vivo after intraperitoneal injection . It was found that tested substances are able to induce phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of blood granulocytes . The similar patterns of these actions during 48 hours were observed for mouse IL-3 and human GM-CSF and for GCT-CM and post-endotoxin serum.

Acta Paediatr Scand Suppl, 1989, 361, 44 - 52
Iron and immunity; Farthing MJ; Review of animal and human studies concerning the impact of iron deficiency on immune function in vivo indicates that in many instances there is no firm consensus of opinion as to the relationship between iron status and immunity . One major problem with almost all human studies is that other micro- and macronutrient deficiencies are inadequately controlled for and thus it is often unclear as to whether reported abnormalities of immune function can be attributed specifically to iron deficiency . Even when abnormalities of immune function have been detected it is often uncertain as to the biological and clinical relevance that these may have for the host . Within these restraints the available studies suggest that iron deficiency may at least contribute to impaired T lymphocyte function as judged by DTH responses in skin and impaired mitogen-induced proliferation . As in protein energy malnutrition, humoral immunity is largely spared in humans, the balance of evidence suggesting that immunoglobulin production and function is normal, as are serum concentrations of complement . The only other abnormality of non-specific immunity which has been reported consistently to be abnormal is that of reduced bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes . The clinical relevance of these abnormalities remains to be established . There is, however, no evidence to suggest that individuals with iron deficiency suffer the devastating infective complications of the well defined immunodeficiency syndromes either congenital or acquired . It seems likely therefore that despite the fundamental importance of iron in maintaining the integrity of immune function, humans can tolerate the extremes of deficiency and excess and survive in a relatively healthy state.

Lab Delo, 1989, (2), 56 - 7
{A new method of determining the bactericidal activity of the skin}; Mal'tsev VN et al.; This method, making use of Coli-bacterin, simplifies the preparation of bacterial test culture, cuts down the time of the test by 24 hrs, and standardizes its technique . The method is convenient for mass screening in a field setting.

J Biol Chem, 1988 Dec 25, 263(36), 19610 - 7
Selective priming of rate and duration of the respiratory burst of neutrophils by 1,2-diacyl and 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl diglycerides . Possible relation to effects on protein kinase C; Bass DA et al.; Both 1,2-diacyl- and 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerols are released during stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) . 1,2-Diacylglycerols have received intense interest as intracellular "second messengers" due to their ability to activate protein kinase C (Ca2+ phospholipid-dependent enzyme) . However, little is known about bioactivities of the alkylacylglycerols . This study compared the ability of 1,2-diacyl- and 1-O-alkyl-2-acylglycerols to modulate the respiratory burst of stimulated PMNL, a response which depends on the activation of an NADPH oxidase to generate bactericidal species of reduced oxygen . Direct stimulation by N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe caused an abrupt release of H2O2 which ceased within 2.5 min . Preincubation with diacylglycerols (1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol,5-30 microM, and 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol,2-5 microM) caused a decrease in lag time, 3-fold increase in initial rate of H2O2 release, and marked prolongation of the response to N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (features characteristic of a priming effect) . Preincubation with alkylacylglycerols (1-O-delta 9-octadecenyl-2-acetylglycerol, 5-30 microM, and 1-O-octyl-2-octanoylglycerol, 20-50 microM) primed initiation (shortened lag time and increased velocity) but, in contrast to diacylglycerols, did not alter duration of H2O2 release . While low concentrations of diacylglycerols (5-30 microM) primed PMNL, higher concentrations (greater than or equal to 70 microM) stimulated the cells directly . In contrast, higher (70-100 microM) concentrations of alkylacylglycerols did not prime the responses but, in fact, inhibited priming (especially of duration) induced by diacylglycerol . The high concentrations of alkylacylglycerol also inhibited direct stimulation induced by high concentrations of diacylglycerol . Direct stimulation by high concentrations of diacylglycerol probably involves activation of protein kinase C, whereas alkylacylglycerol was found to inhibit activation of protein kinase C by diacylglycerol in vitro . Thus, diacylglycerols are complete priming agonists, altering both rate and duration of the response . In contrast, alkylacylglycerols may have biphasic, concentration-related effects in modulation of functions of PMNL . At low concentrations, they may facilitate initiation of functional events; however, as their concentration increases, they may serve to terminate responses . The distinct priming effects of these diglycerides also reveal that priming can involve at least two distinct events: 1) initiation and 2) prolongation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1988 Dec, 20(1), 61 - 74
In vivo activation of equine eosinophils and neutrophils by experimental Strongylus vulgaris infections; Dennis VA et al.; Eosinophils and neutrophils from ponies with Strongylus vulgaris-induced eosinophilia (eosinophilic ponies; activated eosinophils and neutrophils) were assayed in vitro for chemotactic and chemokinetic responses to zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) using the filter system in Boyden chambers, for Fc and complement (C) receptors using the EA and EAC-rosette assays, respectively, and for phagocytic and bactericidal activities using opsonized Escherichia coli and the acridine orange method . The responses of activated eosinophils and neutrophils in the above assays were compared with those of eosinophils and neutrophils from S . vulgaris-naive ponies without eosinophilia (noneosinophilic ponies; nonactivated eosinophils and neutrophils) . Differences in cell density following centrifugation in a continuous Percoll gradient were used to further characterize the heterogeneity of activated eosinophils and neutrophils . Activated and nonactivated eosinophils demonstrated similar chemotactic responses to ZAS while activated and nonactivated neutrophils demonstrated similar chemokinetic responses to ZAS . A higher percentage of activated eosinophils and neutrophils expressed Fc and C receptors compared with nonactivated cells (P less than 0.05) . Generally, higher percentages of eosinophils and neutrophils expressed C than Fc receptors . However, the percentage of neutrophils with both receptors was higher than that of eosinophils . Phagocytosis and killing of E . coli by either type of eosinophil were not consistently observed . Both activated and nonactivated neutrophils phagocytized E . coli and significant differences between the two cell types were not observed . The bacterial activity, however, of activated neutrophils was significantly greater than that obtained using nonactivated neutrophils (P less than 0.05) . Activated eosinophils and neutrophils were both separated into two distinct fractions based on differences in cell densities . A higher percentage of band 2 eosinophils (density of 1.106) expressed C receptors than did band 1 eosinophils (density of 1.049) (P less than 0.05) . A higher percentage of band 1 neutrophils (density of 1.072) expressed both Fc and C receptors and these neutrophils were more phagocytic and bactericidal than were band 2 neutrophils (density of 1.082) (P less than 0.05) . These data suggest that equine eosinophils and neutrophils are activated by chronic S . vulgaris infections.

Cell Immunol, 1988 Dec, 117(2), 239 - 52
Receptor-mediated binding of the acute-phase reactant mouse serum amyloid P-component (SAP) to macrophages; Siripont J et al.; Serum amyloid P-component (SAP) is a major acute phase protein of mice which we have previously shown increases the bactericidal activity of elicited, inflammatory macrophages (M phi) . The presence of specific receptors for mouse SAP on M phi was demonstrated and the receptor-ligand (SAP) interaction characterized . Purified 125I-labeled mouse SAP binds to elicited M phi with the characteristics of a receptor-mediated event, i.e., the binding was saturable, specific, and reversible . A single type of receptor population was detected with an affinity of 5 x 10(-8) M (KD) and the calculated number of receptor sites per cell was approximately 10(5) . Binding of SAP to M phi required Ca2+ or Mg2+ and was inhibited at a pH less than or equal to 5.6 . Activated M phi from mice given BCG bind less SAP than nonactivated M phi . Activation of M phi with mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also decreased their SAP binding capacity . SAP is a glycosylated protein with a high mannose content; therefore mannose and other sugars were tested for inhibition of binding . Specific binding of SAP was inhibited by less than 1 mM concentrations of mannose 6-P, mannose 1-P, and mannose; however, other monosaccharides did not inhibit the binding . Removal of the oligosaccharide from SAP with an endoglycosidase specific for N-linked carbohydrate reduced the binding of SAP to M phi . The pattern of inhibition by sugars, the divalent cation requirement, and the sensitivity to low pH indicate that the receptor binding SAP is the cation-dependent mannose 6-P receptor, or a closely related receptor . The results suggest that SAP may alter or trigger M phi functions associated with inflammation by binding to glycoprotein receptors.

Infect Immun, 1988 Dec, 56(12), 3251 - 61
Killing of Brucella abortus by bovine serum; Corbeil LB et al.; Studies of the serum bactericidal system in bovine brucellosis were undertaken to investigate the role of the humoral immune response in protection of cattle against the facultative intracellular parasite Brucella abortus . Fresh sera from normal control cattle, infected cattle, and cattle immunized with B . abortus cell envelopes were collected before treatment and during the course of immunization or infection . Normal fresh bovine serum or fresh agammaglobulinemic serum from colostrum-deprived calves was effective in killing smooth virulent B . abortus 2308, but rough strains RB51 (a rough mutant of strain 2308) and 45/20 were much more sensitive to serum . The difference in susceptibility to serum was shown to be correlated with differences in lipopolysaccharide chemotype, with the more resistant strain 2308 having O polysaccharide and the more susceptible strains 45/20 and RB51 lacking O side chains . By treatment of fresh serum with MgCl2 and EGTA {ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid} killing was shown to occur via the classical pathway of complement activation . When antibody to B . abortus was present, killing of strain RB51 increased but killing of smooth strain 2308 decreased . The earliest antibody response in serum from infected animals did not interfere with killing . When affinity-purified bovine immunoglobulins specific for B . abortus smooth lipopolysaccharide were added to fresh normal bovine serum, immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2 isotypes blocked killing but IgM and IgA isotypes did not . Thus, it appears that serum from previously unexposed animals or animals early during infection can kill smooth B . abortus, an appropriate defense mechanism before the organism becomes intracellular . At later stages of infection, blocking antibodies predominate.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Dec, 32(12), 1758 - 62
In vitro and in vivo activities of macrolides against Mycobacterium leprae; Franzblau SG et al.; We previously demonstrated the potent in vitro activity of erythromycin against Mycobacterium leprae as determined by its effect on ATP pools and rates of palmitate oxidation and phenolic glycolipid I synthesis . In the present study, the relative in vitro activities of a number of new macrolides with superior pharmacokinetic properties were assessed . In addition, for the most active compounds, concentrations in serum were determined by bioassay during continuous administration in the feed of mice, and in vivo activity against M . leprae was assessed by the kinetic mouse footpad technique . Both clarithromycin and roxithromycin were more potent than erythromycin in vitro, with the former showing the highest activity in accelerating rates of ATP decay and reducing rates of palmitate oxidation . In mice, concentrations of clarithromycin in serum were higher than those of roxithromycin and erythromycin, with the latter undetectable even when administered at 0.1% (wt/wt) in the diet . When administered at 0.01% (wt/wt) in the diet, erythromycin and roxithromycin were unable to inhibit growth of M . leprae in mouse footpads whereas clarithromycin demonstrated bactericidal-type activity . On the basis of these data and other properties of macrolides, a clinical trial of clarithromycin in leprosy is warranted.

Am J Vet Res, 1988 Dec, 49(12), 2034 - 7
Serum resistance and virulence of Escherichia coli isolated from turkeys; Ellis MG et al.; Twenty-five strains of Escherichia coli isolated from turkeys were characterized for their serum resistance and virulence . An in vitro bactericidal assay was used to determine the serum resistance of E coli . Virulence was determined by survival time after IV inoculation of each strain into 3-week-old turkeys . Serum-resistant E coli strains were generally found to be virulent for turkeys, whereas serum-sensitive E coli strains were avirulent . Of the 25 strains, 18 strains were placed in the 2 categories of serum-resistant/virulent and serum-sensitive/avirulent . Five strains were serum-resistant and avirulent, and 2 strains were serum-sensitive and virulent . Serum resistance appears to be an important determinant of virulence for E coli in turkeys; however, the requirement for other virulence factors, in addition to serum resistance, was suggested by the finding that 5 serum-resistant strains were avirulent in turkeys.

Biochemistry, 1988 Nov 29, 27(24), 8706 - 11
Macrophage oxidation of L-arginine to nitrite and nitrate: nitric oxide is an intermediate; Marletta MA et al.; Previous studies have shown that murine macrophages immunostimulated with interferon gamma and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide synthesize NO2-, NO3-, and citrulline from L-arginine by oxidation of one of the two chemically equivalent guanido nitrogens . The enzymatic activity for this very unusual reaction was found in the 100,000g supernatant isolated from activated RAW 264.7 cells and was totally absent in unstimulated cells . This activity requires NADPH and L-arginine and is enhanced by Mg2+ . When the subcellular fraction containing the enzyme activity was incubated with L-arginine, NADPH, and Mg2+, the formation of nitric oxide was observed . Nitric oxide formation was dependent on the presence of L-arginine and NADPH and was inhibited by the NO2-/NO3- synthesis inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine . Furthermore, when incubated with L-{guanido-15N2}arginine, the nitric oxide was 15N-labeled . The results show that nitric oxide is an intermediate in the L-arginine to NO2-, NO3-, and citrulline pathway . L-Arginine is required for the activation of macrophages to the bactericidal/tumoricidal state and suggests that nitric oxide is serving as an intracellular signal for this activation process in a manner similar to that very recently observed in endothelial cells, where nitric oxide leads to vascular smooth muscle relaxation {Palmer, R . M . J., Ashton, D . S., & Moncada, S . (1988) Nature (London) 333, 664-666}.

Infect Immun, 1988 Nov, 56(11), 2782 - 7
T-cell-mediated immunity in persistent Mycobacterium intracellulare infections in mice; Takashima T et al.; Growth of mouse-virulent Mycobacterium intracellulare D673 and TMC 1405 in the lung was affected by T-cell depletion in susceptible C57BL/6 mice . Significant differences also occurred between the growth patterns seen in congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice and their nu/+ littermates . Treatment of the mice with an immunosuppressive regimen of cyclosporin A (75 mg/kg of body weight per day subcutaneously) provided further evidence of the importance of T cells in controlling growth of M . intracellulare in the normal host . Adoptive transfer experiments indicated the presence of a T-cell-mediated specific protective immunity against a subsequent M . intracellulare challenge when transfer was carried out 3 weeks after immunization of the donor host . At this time, cross-protective immunity was also observed against a virulent M . tuberculosis challenge . There was no difference in the rate of growth by M . intracellulare as challenge in Mycobacterium bovis BCG-activated or normal peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 mice tested in vitro during a 7-day period . However, M . tuberculosis growth rates were decreased substantially in the BCG-activated macrophages . These studies suggest that mice infected with M . intracellulare do not eliminate the infection, because this organism can resist the bactericidal activity of the T-cell-activated macrophage better than M . tuberculosis can.

Vet Surg, 1988 Nov-Dec, 17(6), 291 - 5
Effects of chlorhexidine diacetate and povidone-iodine on wound healing in dogs; Sanchez IR et al.; To correlate the results of an in vitro study with clinical response, the effects of 0.005 and 0.05% chlorhexidine diacetate and 0.1 and 1.0% povidone-iodine concentrations on wound healing were evaluated in five beagle dogs . Full-thickness skin wounds (2 X 2 cm) were irrigated once daily for 14 days with the antiseptic solutions or physiologic-buffered saline . Chlorhexidine diacetate 0.05% had significantly more bactericidal activity than povidone-iodine and saline, and both chlorhexidine diacetate concentrations had residual effects 6 hours after irrigation . Neither povidone-iodine nor saline had significant bactericidal activity . The percentages of unhealed wound area and wound contraction were calculated 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding . Healed wound area and contraction were similar in wounds treated with chlorhexidine diacetate and povidone-iodine . However, wounds treated with chlorhexidine diacetate had more healed wound area on days 7 and 14 and more contraction on days 7, 14, and 21 than saline-treated wounds . At the concentrations tested, chlorhexidine diacetate irrigations provided bactericidal activity and were more beneficial to wound healing than irrigations with saline alone . These results suggest that concentrations of chlorhexidine diacetate which are cytotoxic to tissue culture fibroblasts in vitro do not interfere with wound healing in vivo.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1988 Nov, 106(11), 621 - 3
{Radioautographic demonstration of the intracellular and extracellular bactericidal action of the neutrophils}; Pal'tsyn AA et al.; The authors described a method of quantitative radioautographic analysis of RNA synthesis level in the bacteria . The method allows to define by inhibition of RNA synthesis a bactericidal action of neutrophils during phagocytosis . The essence of a method consists in the introduction for a short period of a label and development of radioautographs at semithin section by paraphenylenediamine which form a small and numerous silver grains above bacteria which retained an ability to RNA synthesis . Preparations obtained in this way is studied in a light optical microscope using a double illumination: from below through a condenser and from above through an objective.

Presse Med, 1988 Oct 26, 17(37), 1900 - 3
{Theoretical bases for the combination of ceftazidime with other antibiotics . Synergism research}; Drugeon HB et al.; Combinations of antibiotics have always been difficult to study, and the available methods often give discordant results making interpretation uneasy in the absence of in vitro-in vivo correlations . By studying the bactericidal effects of combinations a better definition of interactions between two antibiotics can be obtained if the concept of dominance is taken into account . Ceftazidime, a time-dependent antibiotic, acts synergistically with aminoglycosides, notably against moderately sensitive strains . This synergistic effect results from acceleration of the early bacterial kill and from blockage of the late regrowths . With quinolones, the synergistic effect does not result from blockage of late regrowths . However, the significance of these results needs to be confirmed by clinical trials.

Indian J Lepr, 1988 Oct, 60(4), 581 - 8
Pattern of relapses in pauci-bacillary leprosy patients treated with M.D.T . (W.H.O . 1982); Reddy PK et al.; Out of 92 Pauci-bacillary leprosy patients treated with MDT (WHO 1982), two patients developed indisputable clinical signs of relapse during 10th and 26th month of observation period . Two more patients developed reversal reaction during 8th and 12th month of observation period, which we presume to be early manifestation of relapse . Addition of a more bactericidal drug, rifampicin, appear to have a bearing on the incidence of relapse, though not on it's incubation period . No change of classification was noticed at the time of relapse . Incidence of relapse in female patients was much higher than in male patients.

Acta Diabetol Lat, 1988 Oct-Dec, 25(4), 283 - 8
The influence of increasing glucose concentrations on selected functions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils; Wierusz-Wysocka B et al.; The influence of increasing glucose concentrations on some essential functions in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was evaluated in vitro in 20 healthy persons . PMN chemotaxis, adherence, phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity were estimated . Higher than physiologic glucose concentrations were found to diminish chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity . The results obtained may indicate another possible mechanism that accounts for the increased susceptibility to infection observed in diabetic patients . However, PMN adherence rose parallel with increasing glucose concentrations reaching maximum values at 300 mg/dl (16.6 mmol/l) . The changes of PMN adherence may suggest the participation of these cells in the development of microangiopathic injuries.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Oct, 22 Suppl D, 43 - 7
Rate of bactericidal activity for Branhamella catarrhalis of fleroxacin compared with that of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid; Yourassowsky E et al.; The rate of bactericidal activity of fleroxacin was compared with that of the combination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid (in the proportion of 4 to 1) on beta-lactamase producing strains of Branhamella catarrhalis . The rate of bactericidal activity of 1 mg/l was as rapid as that of 1 mg/l of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination . This rate was not significantly more rapid if the concentrations of fleroxacin were increased to 10 mg/l . In conclusion, the bactericidal activity of fleroxacin is at least as good as that of the combination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid . Fleroxacin showed a bactericidal effect for B . catarrhalis at concentrations that would be achieved in humans.

Immunology, 1988 Oct, 65(2), 293 - 7
The production of a macrophage-activating factor from rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri leucocytes; Graham S et al.; Rainbow trout head kidney and blood leucocytes are shown to be capable of secreting a soluble macrophage-activating factor (MAF) after stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) . The presence of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) as a co-stimulant increased the production of MAF . Both respiratory burst activity (nitroblue tetrazolium, NBT, reduction and H2O2 production) and bactericidal activity were enhanced after incubation of resident or elicited macrophages with the MAF-containing supernatants for 48-72 hr . The target culture period before the addition of MAF did not affect their responsiveness, but a continuous presence of MAF was necessary for maximal stimulation.

Am J Vet Res, 1988 Oct, 49(10), 1657 - 60
Virulence factors and markers in Escherichia coli from calves with bacteremia; Mohamed Ou Said A et al.; Relative pathogenicity of 151 Escherichia coli isolates from 36 calves with bacteremia after necropsy was studied by measurement of the LD50 after mice were inoculated IP with E coli isolates . Study of virulence factors and markers revealed that the pathogenicity of E coli was associated with the production of hydroxamate siderophores and with resistance to serum bactericidal effects . Production of colicins, including colicin V, and of surface antigen 31A was correlated with virulence . The close association between phenotypic expression of virulence factors and markers was consistent with a hypothesis of a localization of genes coding for virulence factors and markers on the same plasmid.

Biochem J, 1988 Sep 15, 254(3), 685 - 92
The inhibition of bacterial growth by hypochlorous acid . Possible role in the bactericidal activity of phagocytes; McKenna SM et al.; The 'respiratory burst' of phagocytes such as neutrophils generates superoxide which forms H2O2 by dismutation . H2O2 and Cl- ions serve as substrates for the enzyme myeloperoxidase to generate hypochlorous acid (HOCl) . HOCl is thought to play an important role in bacterial killing, but its mechanism of action is not well characterized . Furthermore, although many studies in vitro have shown HOCl to be a damaging oxidant with little or no specificity (particularly at high concentrations), bacteria which have been ingested by phagocytes appear to experience a rapid and selective inhibition of cell division . Bacterial membrane disruption, protein degradation, and inhibition of protein synthesis, do not seem to occur in the early phases of phagocyte action . We have now found that low concentrations of HOCl exert a rapid and selective inhibition of bacterial growth and cell division, which can be blocked by taurine or amino acids . Only 20 microM-HOCl was required for 50% inhibition of bacterial growth (5 x 10(8) Escherichia coli/ml), and 50 microM-HOCl completely inhibited cell division (colony formation) . These effects were apparent within 5 min of HOCl exposure, and were not reversed by extensive washings . DNA synthesis (incorporation of {3H}-thymidine) was significantly affected by even a 1 min exposure to 50 microM-HOCl, and decreased by as much as 96% after 5 min . In contrast, bacterial membrane disruption and extensive protein degradation/fragmentation (release of acid-soluble counts from {3H}leucine-labelled cells) were not observed at concentrations below 5 mM-HOCl . Protein synthesis (incorporation of {3H}leucine) was only inhibited by 10-30% following 5 min exposure to 50 microM-HOCl, although longer exposure produced more marked reductions (80% after 30 min) . Neutrophils deficient in myeloperoxidase cannot convert H2O2 to HOCl, yet can kill bacteria . We have found that H2O2 is only 6% as effective as HOCl in inhibiting E . coli growth and cell division (0.34 mM-H2O2 required for 50% inhibition of colony formation), and taurine or amino acids do not block this effect . Our results are consistent with a rapid and selective inhibition of bacterial cell division by HOCl in phagocytes . H2O2 may substitute for HOCl in myeloperoxidase deficiency, but by a different mechanism and at a greater metabolic cost.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Sep, 22(3), 363 - 9
Amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin) antibiotic prophylaxis against wound infections in renal failure patients; Evans CM et al.; A randomized, controlled trial of the use of amoxycillin with clavulanic acid (Augmentin) for prophylaxis against wound infections following major surgery, including transplantation, in patients with chronic renal failure, was undertaken . Six of 22 control patients developed wound infections (27%) whereas no patient in the treatment group (24) developed a wound infection (P less than 0.05) . After the termination of this trial, the next 35 consecutive patients received prophylactic amoxycillin/clavulanate; of these only two developed wound infections associated with leakage from their pancreatic anastomoses . All the wound infections were shown to be caused by bacteria sensitive to amoxycillin/clavulanate . Pharmacokinetic studies in patients have shown that a bactericidal concentration of the drugs was present for up to 20 h post-operatively in patients on dialysis, and in recipients of non-functioning renal transplants . In patients with normal renal transplant function excretion of the drug within 12 h was observed.

Eur J Haematol, 1988 Sep, 41(3), 285 - 8
A case of chronic neutrophilic leukemia with original chromosomal abnormalities; Lorente JA et al.; We report a new case of the unusual myeloproliferative syndrome chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) that met all the criteria generally required for the diagnosis of this entity . The patient presented abnormalities in platelet function not previously reported that may explain the bleeding tendency observed in these patients . The study of neutrophil function suggested also defective mobility and intracellular bactericidal activity . The chromosomal study revealed original abnormalities consisting of multiple chromosomal ruptures and figures . The disease was controlled with busulfan . After 20 months, the patient died of sepsis . An autopsy was performed confirming the diagnosis and ruling out the existence of a cause of a leukemoid reaction, such as cancer or granulomatous disease.

J Cell Biol, 1988 Sep, 107(3), 951 - 8
Response of neutrophils to stimulus infusion: differential sensitivity of cytoskeletal activation and oxidant production; Omann GM et al.; The response of human neutrophils to N-formyl peptides were studied under conditions where ligand binding was controlled by infusing a cell suspension with the peptide over a time period comparable to the normal half-time for binding . Receptor occupancy was measured in real time with a fluorescently labeled peptide using flow cytometry . This binding was approximated by a simple reversible model using typical on (7 X 10(8) M- min-1) and off (0.35/min) rate constants and the infusion rates (0.02-0.2 nM/min) . Under conditions of stimulus infusion intracellular calcium elevation, superoxide generation, and right angle light scatter and F-actin formation were measured . As the infusion rate was decreased into the range of 10 pM/min, lowering the rate of increase of receptor occupancy to approximately 0.5% per min, the calcium and right angle light scatter responses elongated in time and decreased in magnitude . Superoxide generation decreased below infusion rates of approximately 100 pM/min (occupancy increasing at a rate in the range of 5% per min) . This behavior could contribute to differences between chemotactic responses, which appear to require low rates of receptor occupancy over long periods, and bactericidal or inflammatory responses (free radical generation and degranulation), which require bursts of occupancy of several percent of the receptors.

J Lab Clin Med, 1988 Sep, 112(3), 357 - 62
Proinflammatory lipoxygenase products from peripheral mononuclear cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; Colli S et al.; The formation of 5-lipoxygenase products (5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid {5-HETE}, leukotriene B4 {LTB4}, and leukotriene C4 {LTC4}) by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated and compared with the data obtained from a group of control subjects . Although the levels of arachidonic acid metabolites via 5-lipoxygenase pathway by stimulated polymorphonuclear cells were comparable between patients and controls, mononuclear leukocytes from patients synthesized, when stimulated, significantly greater amounts of 5-HETE, LTB4, and LTC4 than did cells isolated from normal subjects . In addition, the release of superoxide anion, stimulated by either a particulate or a soluble stimulus, was increased in mononuclear cells from patients . The enhanced capacity of peripheral mononuclear leukocytes isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis to generate proinflammatory metabolites of arachidonic acid and oxygenated species with bactericidal and tissue-damaging properties may contribute to the pathogenesis of this complex disease.

J Clin Periodontol, 1988 Aug, 15(7), 415 - 24
The mechanism of action of chlorhexidine . A study of plaque growth on enamel inserts in vivo; Jenkins S et al.; Controversy exists concerning the mode of action of chlorhexidine in plaque inhibition . This study attempted to determine whether an oral reservoir of chlorhexidine was necessary for plaque inhibition . Plaque growth on enamel under the influence of topically applied or rinsed chlorhexidine was closely monitored by clinical scoring, bacterial culturing and scanning electron microscopy . Thus, 3 subjects wore removable acrylic appliances containing enamel inserts . In the first regimen, inserts on one side of the appliances were exposed to 0.2% chlorhexidine and on the other, water for 1 min twice a day for 14 days . In the second regimen, subjects rinsed with 0.2% chlorhexidine for 1 min twice a day for 14 days with the appliances in situ . Results demonstrated that plaque growth assessed by the 3 study methods was very small on chlorhexidine-treated inserts by comparison with water-treated specimens . Importantly, inserts treated with chlorhexidine topically or by rinsing could not be distinguished by any method of evaluation . It is concluded that chlorhexidine achieves plaque inhibition as a result of an immediate bactericidal action during the time of application and a prolonged bacteriostatic action as a result of adsorption to the pellicle coated enamel surface . Consistent with other clinical studies, it is apparent that a progressively desorbing oral reservoir of antiseptic is not the mechanism by which chlorhexidine achieves plaque inhibition on teeth.

Behring Inst Mitt, 1988 Aug, (83), 327 - 9
Phase I/II study of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer; Bronchud M et al.; Twelve patients with advanced small cell carcinoma of the bronchus were treated by continuous infusion of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rh G-CSF) at the following dose levels: 1 microgram, 5 micrograms, 10 micrograms, 20 micrograms and 40 micrograms/kg/day for 5 days . No toxicities resulted from the treatment and in all 12 patients the number of peripheral neutrophils increased rapidly to a maximum of 100 x 10(9)/l in one patient at 10 micrograms/kg/day . The neutrophils were shown to be functionally normal in tests of their mobility and bactericidal activity . During the Phase II part of the patients were treated using a combination of i.v . Adriamycin, Ifosfamide and Etoposide . The chemotherapy was repeated every 3 weeks . rh G-CSF was given to each patient for 14 days on alternate cycles of chemotherapy and reduced the period of absolute neutropenia considerably (median of 80%), with a return to normal, or above normal, neutrophil counts within 2 weeks after day 1 of chemotherapy . Ten severe infective episodes were observed during the 20 cycles of chemotherapy which did not include rh G-CSF, while only one infective episode occurred in 20 courses when treated with rh G-CSF . These results demonstrate the utility of rh G-CSF in restoring functional neutrophils to patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

Am J Med, 1988 Jul 25, 85(1A), 3 - 8
Cefoperazone plus mezlocillin for empiric therapy of febrile cancer patients; Jones P et al.; Two dosing regimens of cefoperazone plus mezlocillin were compared in a prospective, randomized trial for therapy of febrile cancer patients . The two regimens were 5 g mezlocillin plus 2 g cefoperazone intravenously every four hours (higher dose) or 3 g mezlocillin plus 1 g cefoperazone intravenously every four hours (lower dose) . Although the overall response rate was higher with the higher dose regimen (78 percent versus 66 percent, p = 0.04), the two regimens were comparable in patients with documented infections (72 percent versus 68 percent) . Likewise, the two regimens were equally effective against those infections in which the pathogen could be determined (82 percent versus 82 percent) . Serum bactericidal titers of at least 1:32 against a known pathogen were associated with a higher response rate than were titers of less than 1:32, but the higher dose regimen did not result in higher serum bactericidal titers . Hypoprothrombinemia was a side effect, especially with the higher dose regimen, before prophylactic vitamin K was routinely administered to patients . Since there were no major benefits with the use of the higher dose regimen of mezlocillin plus cefoperazone, the lower dose regimen is more appropriate for routine usage.

Immunology, 1988 Jul, 64(3), 363 - 8
Hereditary C3 hypocomplementemia in the rabbit; Komatsu M et al.; Hereditary hypocomplementemia of the third component of complement (C3) was found in a strain of rabbits in which hereditary C8 alpha-gamma deficiency was also found . The serum C3 concentration, haemolytic C3 activity and total complement haemolytic activity (CH50) of these animals were, respectively, 6-12%, 8-13% and 27-37% of the normal levels . The haemolytic complement activity in the C3 hypocomplementemic (C3-hypo) rabbit serum was restored in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of purified rabbit C3 . The levels of factor H and properdin and components C2 and C6 were in the normal range, and the levels of factors B and D and component C8 were higher than normal . The low level of serum C3 in C3-hypo rabbits was not due to C3 conversion, partial C3 antigenicity, presence of a C3 inhibitor or hypercatabolism of normal C3 . Furthermore, no change in the ratio of C3 protein levels was observed between C3-hypo and normal rabbits, even after turpentine injection . In addition, the C8 alpha-gamma deficiency condition does not affect C3 activity and C3 catabolism in vivo . Mating tests showed that the C3 hypocomplementemia is transmitted as a simple autosomal co-dominant trait . C3-hypo rabbits have a lower survival at 3 months than normal rabbits . C3-hypo rabbit serum also has a lower bactericidal activity than normal rabbit serum . The PAGE under reducing conditions showed no difference in the molecular weights of C3 alpha and C3 beta chains between C3-hypo, heterozygous and normal animals.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1988 Jul 1, 37(13), 2603 - 6
Mammalian cell toxicity and bacterial mutagenicity of nitrosoimidazoles; Ehlhardt WJ et al.; It is currently believed that the biological activity of such therapeutic 5-nitroimidazoles as metronidazole is mediated by a short-lived, highly toxic species that arises from nitro group reduction . We found that the 5-nitroimidazole, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-nitroimidazole (5-NO2), is at least 1000-fold less cytotoxic for CHO cells and mutagenic for Ames tester strain TA100 than its homologous nitroso compound, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-nitrosoimidazole (5-NO) . Such evidence, along with previous work showing a similar relative bactericidal potency of these compounds, is consistent with the labile nitrosoimidazole being a biologically active species of the nitroimidazole, and indicates that mammalian cells are very susceptible to such an active form . The high potency of both 5-NO and 1-methyl-4-nitroso-5-phenylimidazole (4-NO), in contrast to the lack of potency of 1-methyl-4-nitro-5-phenylimidazole (4-NO2) relative to 5-NO2, is additional evidence to support the suggestion that the activity of a nitroimidazole is determined mainly by the ease with which it is reduced.

Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10 Suppl 2, S377 - 81
Macrophage toxicity and complement sensitivity of virulent and avirulent strains of Legionella pneumophila; Caparon M et al.; Virulent strains of Legionella pneumophila that are preincubated with specific antiserum are cytotoxic for alveolar macrophages when added at a multiplicity of infection of 100 L . pneumophila per macrophage . Under the same conditions, avirulent strains exhibit little cytotoxic activity . Virulent strains are also resistant to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum and fail to bind complement components on the cell surface . In contrast, avirulent strains are serum-sensitive and both C3 and C9 are deposited on the surface . Results of experiments suggest that the shift from virulence to avirulence of L . pneumophila may be the result of the selection of a small number of avirulent cells present in the population of a virulent culture.

Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1988 Jul-Sep, 6(3), 293 - 6
Polymorphonuclear cell functions in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome; Pennec YL et al.; Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell functions were evaluated in twenty-two patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and 45 healthy controls . Adherence, phagocytosis, chemiluminescence and bactericidal ability were not significantly reduced in Sjogren's syndrome patients . Chemotaxis and chemokinesis were markedly reduced in SS patients and the results of the former test correlated well with those of the latter . These observations suggest that the decrease in PMN cell mobility is attributable both to a primary cell abnormality and a serum inhibitory effect.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jul, 22(1), 69 - 74
Once daily administration of netilmicin compared with thrice daily, both in combination with metronidazole, in gangrenous and perforated appendicitis; Fan ST et al.; The safety and efficacy of a single daily dose of netilmicin plus metronidazole after appendicectomy for gangrenous and perforated appendicitis was compared with the traditional thrice daily dosage . Twenty patients were enrolled in each group . The antibiotics were given intramuscularly for seven days after operation . Eradication of infection was observed in all patients and the postoperative wound sepsis was the same for each group . A significantly higher peak serum netilmicin level was achieved in the group receiving a single daily dose but nephrotoxicity was not observed . We concluded that the single daily dose of netilmicin was well tolerated and was as efficacious in this small series as the thrice daily regimen . The single-dose regimen has the advantage of simplicity and potentially increased bactericidal activity.

Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler, 1988 Jul, 369(7), 573 - 8
The effect of Eglin C on the function of human neutrophils in vitro; Suter S et al.; Eglin C is an inhibitor of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G . Recently, it was suggested that Eglin C may inhibit bacterial clearance in an experimental animal model of pneumonia . Since the phagocytic-bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes is most important in the promotion of bacterial clearance, we determined the effect of Eglin C on a variety of functions of isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes such as phagocytic-bactericidal activity, superoxide production, degranulation and chemotaxis . Apart from a partial inhibition of superoxide production, which was shown to be due to a superoxide dismutase-like effect of Eglin C, there was no inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions measured . Eglin C can therefore be considered as a protease inhibitor, which does not interfere with the phagocytic-bactericidal activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jun, 32(6), 886 - 9
Activity of amikacin against Mycobacterium avium complex under simulated in vivo conditions; Gangadharam PR et al.; We studied the activity of amikacin against Mycobacterium avium complex strain 101 by using continuous-level, changing concentrations which simulated levels in serum in a patient, and pulsed exposures . Amikacin at a concentration of 5 or 15 micrograms/ml showed rapid bactericidal action following constant exposure of the organisms . With the in vitro model, using a peak concentration of 10 or 20 micrograms/ml, complete sterilization was obtained by day 7 . In pulsed-exposure studies, a minimum period of contact of 72 or 96 h at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml was needed for complete sterilization.

Eur J Epidemiol, 1988 Jun, 4(2), 164 - 70
Memorandum on the infections hazards of the common communion cup with especial reference to AIDS; Kingston D; Bacteriological studies on the communion cup have shown that there is a low level of contamination with mouth organisms on the rim . The death rate of bacteria on the cup surface would not be significant, but the wine had a bactericidal effect on most but not all organisms tested . However droplets of saliva did not readily mix with the wine . In considering the spread of AIDS, extensive studies of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in hospital or at home have shown that the established routes of spread are the injection of blood or blood products, sexual intercourse or at birth . There are only very rare examples of spread by other means . The virus is rarely isolated from the saliva and a study of homosexuals indulging in oral sexual intercourse suggests that it is very poorly infectious when taken into the mouth or swallowed . It is concluded that the risk of transmission of HIV by the common communion cup can be neglected under ordinary circumstances . Suggestions are made for improving the hygiene of the communion service which may be useful under special circumstances: there is no evidence that disease is spread in this way under normal conditions.

Infect Immun, 1988 Jun, 56(6), 1652 - 4
Acid phosphatase stimulation of the growth of Nocardia asteroides and its possible relationship to the modification of lysosomal enzymes in macrophages; Beaman L et al.; Lysosomal acid phosphatase levels are reduced in murine macrophages by virulent strains of Nocardia asteroides . At the same time, other lysosomal enzymes either remain unchanged or increase in activity, indicating that acid phosphatase is not lost because of degranulation or membrane leakage . This study shows that acid phosphatase was utilized as a sole carbon source by Nocardia asteroides and that acid phosphatase combined with glutamate as a carbon source enhanced nocardial growth . As a consequence, the inverse relationship that was observed between acid phosphatase activity and the bactericidal capacity of macrophages infected with N . asteroides appears to be due to the ability of N . asteroides to preferentially metabolize this lysosomal enzyme during growth within phagocytes.

Arch Surg, 1988 Jun, 123(6), 686 - 8
Neutrophil intracellular kill following thermal injury . Different bactericidal capability for patients' organisms and laboratory organisms; Moran KT et al.; Sixteen patients with septic complications of severe thermal injury were studied with respect to neutrophil intracellular-killing power against clinical isolates from the patients themselves and against other laboratory organisms . Simultaneous measurements of neutrophil chemotaxis, helper/suppressor lymphocyte ratios, and serum IgG concentrations were also carried out . Neutrophils from patients who survived had diminished intracellular-killing capacity for their own organisms, but normal capacity for killing laboratory organisms either matched or unmatched with the patients' own isolate's species . In these patients, the chemotactic index, the lymphocyte helper/suppressor ratio, and the serum IgG concentration remained within normal limits . Neutrophils from patients who died failed to kill their own, as well as laboratory, organisms . In these patients, the chemotactic index, lymphocyte helper/suppressor ratio, and IgG concentration were significantly diminished . The biological implications of these findings are noted.

Ophthalmology, 1988 Jun, 95(6), 796 - 8
Sustained gentamicin release by presoaked medicated bandage contact lenses; Busin M et al.; Current therapeutic regimens for external ocular infections require instillation of antibiotics up to every quarter of an hour in concentrations higher than those commercially available . As an alternative to topically applied gentamicin eye drops, the possibility of sustained gentamicin release by bandage contact lenses was investigated . Ten hydrogel bandage contact lenses (61.4% HEMA and 38.6% water content) were soaked overnight in a 0.5% solution of sterile, unpreserved, commercially available gentamicin, and fitted thereafter on ten eyes of healthy adult volunteers . Gentamicin concentrations in the tear film were determined 10, 30, and 60 minutes, and 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after fitting, using agar diffusion bioassay . Bactericidal concentrations (greater than 1.6 micrograms/ml) were found up to 3 days after contact lens fitting in all subjects . No toxic topical or systemic effects were seen.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Jun, 7(3), 368 - 73
Dialysis fluids and local host resistance in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; van Bronswijk H et al.; The ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes and peritoneal macrophages to mount a respiratory burst in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) fluids was tested in a phorbol-myristate acetate stimulated chemiluminescence assay . Fresh CAPD fluids depressed the chemiluminescence response of all three types of phagocytes tested to less than 18% of their chemiluminescence response in control buffer . When tested in spent CAPD fluids the suppression of chemiluminescence was 30-32% . Oxygen consumption of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was depressed in fresh CAPD fluids to below 40% . Both phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by and bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes were suppressed in fresh CAPD fluids but not in spent effluents . The influence of acidic pH and hyperosmolality on phagocytic functions were studied separately by modifying the acidity or the glucose content of the control buffer . pH values below 6.0 significantly inhibited chemiluminescence but not phagocytosis . Under hypertonic conditions, both phagocytosis and chemiluminescence were inhibited . We conclude that the currently available CAPD solutions are beyond the limits of acid and osmotic tolerance of human phagocytic cells, and may thus compromise the peritoneal defenses of CAPD patients.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1988 Jun, 56(2), 259 - 64
Activity of ofloxacin against Mycobacterium leprae in the mouse; Grosset JH et al.; Mice inoculated with 4800 Mycobacterium leprae in the left hind foot pad were treated from day 62 to day 150 after infection with 50 mg or 150 mg of ofloxacin per kg body weight, 150 mg pefloxacin per kg, or 50 mg prothionamide per kg . These drugs were administered by esophageal cannula 5 days weekly with dapsone (0.01 g per 100 g diet) . Multiplication of M . leprae in the treated and in untreated control mice was assessed by monthly harvests . The treatment of mice with the smaller dosage ofloxacin, with pefloxacin, prothionamide, or dapsone uniformly resulted in a delay of multiplication of 4 months, compared to the multiplication of M . leprae in the untreated controls . The delay of multiplication (4 months) being 1 month longer than the duration of drug administration (3 months), all of the treatments may be considered as bacteriopausal or moderately bactericidal . In contast with these results, treatment of mice with 150 mg ofloxacin per kg resulted in no growth of the organisms whatever as late as 18 months after inoculation, strongly suggesting that, in that dosage, ofloxacin had killed all of the M . leprae . Such a profound killing activity has been observed only with rifampin . Although the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ofloxacin are different in man from those in the mouse, the daily dosage of 150 mg ofloxacin per kg body weight in the mouse is equivalent to 400 mg per day in man which is the usual therapeutic dosage; thus, the results obtained in the mouse may be extrapolated to man . Therefore, ofloxacin appears a very promising drug for the chemotherapy of leprosy.

Am J Surg, 1988 May 31, 155(5A), 86 - 90
Results of a multicenter comparative study of single-dose cefotetan and multiple-dose cefoxitin as prophylaxis in patients undergoing cesarean section; Galask RP et al.; A study to compare the prophylactic efficacy of a single 2 g dose of cefotetan with multiple 2 g doses of cefoxitin in reducing the incidence of postcesarean section infection was evaluated in a multicenter trial of 269 women . No significant differences in clinical or bacteriologic response were detected between the two groups . A successful clinical response rate was achieved in 139 of 162 of the evaluable subjects given cefotetan (86 percent) and in 71 of 79 patients (90 percent) given cefoxitin . The respective satisfactory bacteriologic response rates were 91 percent (135 of 148 patients) and 93 percent (68 of 73 patients) . The incidences of endometritis for cefotetan and cefoxitin (12 percent and 5 percent, respectively) and of postoperative wound infection (3 percent and 5 percent, respectively) were also not significantly different . Bactericidal levels of cefotetan were maintained in plasma in the immediate postpartum period . Both drugs were well tolerated . Single-dose prophylaxis with cefotetan was comparable to multiple doses of cefoxitin in reducing infectious morbidity in women undergoing cesarean section.

Int J Artif Organs, 1988 May, 11(3), 181 - 5
Pyrazinamide and rifampicin regimens for patients on maintenance dialysis; Woo J et al.; We measured pyrazinamide and rifampicin plasma concentrations in five patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and end stage renal failure treated by haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis . Using conventional daily doses of oral pyrazinamide and rifampicin, we found that the drugs were removed efficiently by both dialysis methods, so that plasma levels were sub-optimal for maximal bactericidal action . These findings suggest that in patients with tuberculosis on maintenance dialysis, treatment should be either with higher doses of these two drugs, or with additional replacement doses given after each dialysis . Further detailed pharmacokinetic studies on larger numbers of patients are indicated.

Crit Care Med, 1988 May, 16(5), 540 - 2
Evaluation of rapid drying hand disinfectant preparations in the intensive care unit; Tanaka K et al.; MK412A (0.2% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol) and MK412B (0.2% benzalkonium chloride in 70% ethanol), which are rapid drying and rubbing antiseptic preparations, have been evaluated for hand sterilization over a month by ICU nurses . They have been shown to have effective skin decontaminant efficacy under practical conditions in a busy ICU . There were no adverse reactions except for two cases of mild erythema in the MK412A treatment group . In a comparative in vitro study with Pseudomonas cepacia, 0.2% chlorhexidine solution alone and 0.2% benzalkonium chloride solution alone were less bactericidal than MK412A and MK412B.

Am J Dis Child, 1988 May, 142(5), 555 - 8
Indomethacin-associated sepsis in very-low-birth-weight infants; Herson VC et al.; Indomethacin sodium promotes closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants . In addition to renal and gastrointestinal side effects, indomethacin may predispose to infection because of inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function . We retrospectively assessed the incidence of sepsis in a group of 58 premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus who received either oral indomethacin, surgery, or usual medical management . A significant increase in the incidence of sepsis was observed in the indomethacin-treated group compared with patients treated with surgery or usual medical management (seven of 31 vs one of 27) . All episodes of sepsis occurred within one week of therapy . Patients in the indomethacin group who developed sepsis were less mature, had more gastrointestinal symptoms, and were less likely to survive than nonseptic indomethacin-treated patients . Nine patients studied prospectively showed no difference in PMN chemotaxis and adherence before and after indomethacin administration . Neither adult nor neonatal cord PMN chemotaxis was inhibited following in vitro incubation with concentrations of indomethacin ranging from 1 to 1000 mg/L . Bactericidal activity of neonatal cord neutrophils was also unaffected by concentrations of indomethacin from 1 to 200 mg/L . These results suggest that oral indomethacin administration may predispose the very-low-birth-weight infant to the development of sepsis shortly after therapy is begun although the mechanism remains unclear.

Infect Immun, 1988 May, 56(5), 1273 - 80
Experimental Escherichia coli endocarditis in rats: roles of serum bactericidal activity and duration of catheter placement; Yersin B et al.; Studies were undertaken to investigate the relationship of the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to the bactericidal properties of serum and the ability of different strains to induce and sustain endocardial infection in rats . Strains of E . coli demonstrated different degrees of serum sensitivity, as determined by a method which employed concentrations of serum from 10 to 95% and periods of incubation as long as 24 h . The greater the serum sensitivity of the E . coli strain, the less able it was to initiate infection and the more rapidly it was spontaneously eliminated from established infections . Endocardial infection with E . coli was established by intravenous challenge in rats with polyethylene catheters passing through the aortic valve into the left ventricle . An E . coli strain of low serum sensitivity was used; the initiation of infection depended upon the length of time the catheter had been in place and, in addition, whether the catheter was in place at the time of bacterial challenge . Removal of the catheter permitted spontaneous sterilization of the endocardial vegetations . The time necessary for sterilization was in direct proportion to the length of time the catheter remained in place following bacterial challenge . If the catheter was not removed, sterilization of the endocardial vegetations did not take place . These studies suggest that serum bactericidal activity is an important host defense mechanism, acting to prevent the initiation of endocarditis in the case of highly serum-sensitive E . coli and to sterilize experimentally induced endocarditis in the case of less-serum-sensitive bacteria . The catheter used to induce nonbacterial endocardial vegetations favored the colonization of vegetations by E . coli, and it delayed the spontaneous sterilization of infected vegetations which occurred in relation to the susceptibility of the strain to the bactericidal properties of the serum . This effect of the catheter was not attributable to bacteria remaining viable in its lumen, nor was it attributable to inhibition of the bactericidal capacity of the serum as measured in vitro . Whatever the mechanism responsible for the catheter effect, experimental studies of the evolution of infections established with this technique must take into consideration the duration of catheter placement and whether and for how long it was present before or after inoculation with test bacteria.

J Leukoc Biol, 1988 May, 43(5), 429 - 35
Protective effects of tumor necrosis factor in experimental Legionella pneumophila infections of mice via activation of PMN function; Blanchard DK et al.; Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was found in the lung lavage fluids of Legionella pneumophila-infected mice within 24 hr of intratracheal (i.t.) inoculation . Since this cytokine has been reported to activate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function, the effect of TNF on the in vitro bactericidal capacity of PMN-enriched cultures was determined . Murine thioglycollate-elicited PMN which were treated with recombinant human TNF demonstrated augmented killing of L . pneumophila bacteria in vitro . Furthermore, treatment of PMN suspensions with cytokine-containing lung lavage fluid was found to enhance the bactericidal activity of PMN . The addition of anti-cachectin/TNF antibodies partially abrogated the stimulatory effects of the lavage fluid, suggesting that in vivo activation of PMN during the course of infection was likely, and that TNF was partially responsible for the enhanced bactericidal activity . In vivo treatment of animals with TNF resulted in significant protection of the animals from mortality . Furthermore, the rate of clearance of bacteria from the lung tissues of infected mice was increased in those animals treated with TNF, and correlated with the ability of this cytokine to protect the animals . These data suggest that the induction of TNF by Legionella bacteria during infection are involved in the non-specific host defense mechanisms, and that PMN activated by the TNF may be instrumental in clearing the organism from infected lung tissues, thereby protecting the animal.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 584 - 6
{Comparative study of 3 methods of evaluation of antiseptic products and disinfectants in quality control}; Vincent F et al.; For choosing a protocol of determination of bactericidal activity of antiseptic and disinfectant products, we have compared a method using an MS2 Abbott system and the classic methods: membrane filtration and dilution-method by transfer loops . The bactericidal-activity of 12 antiseptic solutions are determined . The results shown that there was no significative difference between the automated system and AFNOR specifications . The dilution-method by transfer loops gave higher bactericidal concentrations than the two other methods.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 361 - 5
{In vitro bactericidal effect of cefotetan-aminoside combinations}; Thabaut A et al.; Bactericidal activity of cefotetan-gentamicin combinations was studied on 6 bacterial strains: S . aureus, K . pneumoniae, E . cloacae, S . marcescens, P . vulgaris, P . stuarti . Time kille curves technic was performed with final concentrations of cefotetan: 4 at 32 mg/l, and of gentamicin: 0.25; 0.5; 1; 2; 8 mg/l and with an 10(6) CFU/ml inoculum . Cefotetan at 4 mg/l was not able to obtain a 0.01% (percentage of survivors) bactericidal activity before 24 h . The combination cefotetan-gentamicin (0.25 to 2 mg/l according to the strains) were bactericidal (0.01% of survivors) before 24 h: 1 to 6 h according to the strains, more rapidly than with gentamicin alone at the same concentration . This more rapid bactericidal activity obtained by cefotetan-gentamicin combination seems to indicate this combination in the treatment of severe infections in immunocompromised patients.

In Vivo, 1988 May-Aug, 2(3-4), 195 - 9
Depression factors of neutrophil bactericidal activity with nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test in surgical patients; Yuge O et al.; In this study, background factors were determined in 108 surgical patients who showed depression in phagocytic and bacteriocidal activity with nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test . Control subjects consisted of 4 healthy males and 4 healthy females whose age ranged from 25 to 38 years . The background factors associated with the depressed neutrophil phagocytic and bacteriocidal activity in surgical patients were renal insufficiency, liver cirrhosis, hypoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, long-term administration of steroids and immunosuppressants, obesity, anemia, aging and malignant tumors . These depression factors closely resembled those generally considered to be involved in increased susceptibility to infections.

Tsitologiia, 1988 May, 30(5), 616 - 22
{Effect of UV radiation and the autotransfusion of UV-irradiated blood on the content of cationic proteins in the neutrophilic granulocytes of calves}; Skorina IA et al.; A study was made of the influence of UV-irradiation (254 nm) of blood in vitro, of the autotransfusion of UV-irradiated blood (AUVIB), and of the mixture of UV-irradiated and intact blood in vitro on the content of bactericidal cation proteins (CP) in blood neutrophil of calves suffered from dyspepsia and broncho-pneumonia . Age differences were noticed in CP contents and their decrease in neutrophils following AUVIB in vivo and administration of the mixture of blood in vitro . The decrease in cell CP contents is presumably due to neutrophil degranulation and CP release into the blood plasma . Since the initial mechanisms of neutrophil degranulation are located on the cell surface, the CP release is supposed to result from a membranotropic effect of UV-irradiated blood on the intact autologous blood . This effect may explain the increase in nonspecific resistance of organism after the AUVIB, being one of the main therapeutic phenomena of the AUVIB-therapy.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1988 Apr, 140(4), 14 - 7
{Reaction of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by leukocytes from patients with cancer of the lungs}; Kataeva GV et al.; The investigation of 22 patients with lung cancer has shown that they have elevated indices of the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and lower potentials of bactericidal activity of the cells due to the inhibiting action of tumor tissues.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1988 Apr, 105(4), 461 - 4
{Interferon activation of the production of a factor increasing the bactericidal properties of mouse macrophages}; Ganova LA et al.; It has been established that the administration of homologous interferon to mice activates the production by splenocytes of a factor increasing the bactericidal properties of macrophages in the peritoneal exudate . The activation effect was dose-dependent . The maximum production was noted on day 3 after the injection of interferon, type I, or its inducers . Cell-producers of the factor are mainly lymphocytes.

Indian J Lepr, 1988 Apr, 60(2), 242 - 51
Effect of in vitro formed immune complexes on macrophage functions of Mycobacterium leprae infected mice; Vaishnavi C et al.; Nonspecific macrophage functions were studied in Mycobacterium leprae infected and preformed immune complex (IC) administered normal (NI) and thymectomized/irradiated (TRI) mice at different time periods . Uninfected controls given IC were also included . Significant decrease in the chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal activities of macrophages obtained from infected groups compared to their controls were observed . Phagocytic and chemotactic activities of macrophages were normal but intracellular killing was seen to be depressed in studies conducted in normal and thymectomized immunosuppressed groups (Vaishnavi et al., 1985, Kumar et al, 1987) which were not administered with preformed IC.

Crit Care Clin, 1988 Apr, 4(2), 281 - 98
Burn sepsis; Robson MC; Sepsis in the burned individual can arise from multiple causes . However, the unique source is the burn wound itself . It is clear that health is association with maintenance of a bacterial equilibrium in the wound and that infection is a result of an imbalance in favor of the bacteria . The primary host defense mechanism, an intact epithelial barrier, has been lost at the time of burning . A portal of entry has been created, and the bactericidal defenses have been neutralized . All of the host defense mechanisms associated with inflammation are evoked but may be limited by the avascular isolation of much of the wound . In addition to alteration in vascular response associated with the burns, there are adverse changes in the neutrophils themselves . The alterations in nutrition that may follow burn injury further reduce systemic host resistance . Associated diseases, such as diabetes, may present a further hazard . All of the local factors influencing host resistance are adversely affected in the burn wound . There is necrotic tissue, decreased local tissue perfusion, and loss of the mechanical barrier . Quantitative techniques have demonstrated that bacteria are present in the depths of the wound from the time of injury . Infection and burn wound sepsis are clearly represented by the quantitative increase in bacteria to numbers exceeding 10(5) per gram of tissue . In no other instance has the importance of the "amphibiont" organisms been more clearly demonstrated than in the burn wound . Today's nonpathogen has all too often become tomorrow's killer . As therapeutic control becomes effective against the current organism, the ecologic void is filled by another, which, by definition, is resistant to the treatment being employed.

Med Tekh, 1988 Mar-Apr, (2), 17 - 21
{Study of the coatings of microsurgical instruments}; Loseva VV et al.; The coating of titanium nitride increases the working life a microsurgical instruments by 1.5 times . The coating is resistant to the bactericidal treatment.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 54(3), 741 - 7
Effects of three oxidizing biocides on Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1; Domingue EL et al.; A study was conducted to determine the bactericidal effects of ozone and hydrogen peroxide relative to that of free chlorine on Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 . In laboratory batch-type experiments, organisms seeded at various densities were exposed to different concentrations of these biocides in demand-free buffers . Bactericidal effects were measured by determining the ability of L . pneumophila to grow on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar supplemented with alpha-ketoglutarate . Ozone was the most potent of the three biocides, with a greater than 99% kill of L . pneumophila occurring during a 5-min exposure to 0.10 to 0.30 micrograms of O3 per ml . The bactericidal action of O3 was not markedly affected by changes in pH or temperature . Concentrations of 0.30 and 0.40 micrograms of free chlorine per ml killed 99% of the L . pneumophila after 30- and 5-min exposures, respectively . A 30-min exposure to 1,000 micrograms of H2O2 per ml was required to effect a 99% reduction of the viable L . pneumophila population . However, no viable L . pneumophila could be detected after a 24-h exposure to 100 or 300 micrograms of H2O2 per ml . Attempts were made to correlate the biocidal effects of O3 and H2O2 with the oxidation of L . pneumophila fatty acids . These tests indicated that certain biocidal concentrations of O3 and H2O2 resulted in a loss or severe reduction of L . pneumophila unsaturated fatty acids.

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am, 1988 Mar, 2(1), 159 - 69
Oxygen-independent bactericidal systems . Mechanisms and disorders; Lehrer RI et al.; Neutrophils contain microbicidal proteins packaged in numerous cytoplasmic granules . During phagocytosis, granules fuse to phagolysosomes where the granule contents contribute to the destruction and dissolution of ingested bacteria . The properties of the microbicidal proteins cathepsin G, BPI, and defensins are described and contrasted.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Mar, 85(6), 1912 - 6
The cytolytic C5b-9 complement complex: feedback inhibition of complement activation; Bhakdi S et al.; We describe a regulatory function of the terminal cytolytic C5b-9 complex {C5b-9(m)} of human complement . Purified C5b-9(m) complexes isolated from target membranes, whether in solution or bound to liposomes, inhibited lysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes by whole human serum in a dose-dependent manner . C9 was not required for the inhibitory function since C5b-7 and C5b-8 complexes isolated from membranes were also effective . No effect was found with the cytolytically inactive, fluid-phase SC5b-9 complex . However, tryptic modification of SC5b-9 conferred an inhibitory capacity to the complex, due probably to partial removal of the S protein . Experiments using purified components demonstrated that C5b-9(m) exerts a regulatory effect on the formation of the classical- and alternative-pathway C3 convertases and on the utilization of C5 by cell-bound C5 convertases . C5b-9(m) complexes were unable to inhibit the lysis of cells bearing C5b-7(m) by C8 and C9 . Addition of C5b-9(m) to whole human serum abolished its bactericidal effect on the serum-sensitive Escherichia coli K-12 strain W 3110 and suppressed its hemolytic function on antibody-sensitized, autologous erythrocytes . Feedback inhibition by C5b-9(m) represents a biologically relevant mechanism through which complement may autoregulate its effector functions.

Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Mar-Apr, 10(2), 326 - 41
Depression of neutrophil function induced by viruses and its role in secondary microbial infections; Abramson JS et al.; A large body of evidence has accumulated indicating that viruses can predispose animal and human hosts to secondary local and systemic bacterial and fungal disease . The mechanism by which viruses cause these superinfections involves both a direct effect of viruses on the tissues at the site of infection and alterations in cells involved in immune surveillance . The effect of viruses on lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages has recently been reviewed . A number of viruses have been shown to depress various functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which are critical for controlling bacterial and fungal infections . The alterations in functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by different viruses include abnormalities of adherence, chemotaxis, phagocytic, oxidative, secretory, and bactericidal activities . The effect of various viruses on neutrophils and the role that virus-induced neutrophil dysfunction has in predisposing the host to secondary infections are reviewed.

J Reprod Med, 1988 Mar, 33(3), 307 - 11
Vaginal contraceptives . Effective protection from sexually transmitted diseases for women?
North BB.
The use of vaginal contraceptives reduces the risk of a woman's contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) . Almost two decades of laboratory data have established the virucidal and bactericidal characteristics of the spermicide nonoxynol-9; clinical trials, albeit limited, have confirmed its effectiveness . The use of spermicides in conjunction with mechanical barriers, such as the condom, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge and cervical cap, may provide optimal STD prophylaxis . Such information should be conveyed to women who are at risk of contracting or transmitting STDs.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1988 Mar, 137(3), 711 - 5
Combinations of rifampin or rifabutine plus ethambutol against Mycobacterium avium complex . Bactericidal synergistic, and bacteriostatic additive or synergistic effects; Heifets LB et al.; Ethambutol, when combined with rifampin or rifabutine (ansamycin, LM427), produced an additive inhibitory effect against most of the tested M avium complex strains (12 of 16 with rifampin, 13 of 16 with rifabutine) . The inhibitory effect was synergistic for the remaining 4 of 16 and 3 of 16 strains . This relationship reduced the minimal inhibitory concentrations for each drug in combination . In addition, the minimal bactericidal concentrations of all 3 drugs were reduced because of synergistic bactericidal activity in 6 of 6 strains tested.

J Med Chem, 1988 Feb, 31(2), 323 - 9
Nitrosoimidazoles: highly bactericidal analogues of 5-nitroimidazole drugs; Ehlhardt WJ et al.; It is believed that metronidazole and related 5-nitroimidazoles are activated by reduction of the nitro group and that the active species has a nitrogen functionality of intermediate oxidation state . However, the preparation and isolation of the active forms of the 5-nitroimidazoles used therapeutically have proven elusive . To pursue this problem we have prepared both 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-nitrosoimidazole (3) and 1-methyl-4-nitroso-5-phenylimidazole (5) from 4(5)-nitroso-5(4)-phenylimidazole (1) . We have also prepared the homologous nitroimidazoles . Escherichia coli mutants with defects in DNA repair were found to be sensitive to both 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-nitroimidazole (4) and metronidazole, but fairly resistant to 1-methyl-4-nitro-5-phenylimidazole (6), a finding in accord with the relative biological activity of 4- and 5-nitroimidazoles examined previously . In contrast, all three nitroso compounds are considerably more bactericidal than their analogous nitro compounds under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, a finding that provides direct evidence that reduction of the nitro group is responsible for activation of the nitroimidazoles . Further evidence is also consistent with the possibility that the nitrosoimidazoles are themselves biologically active species derived from nitroimidazoles, although a more conservative interpretation is simply that they are more facilely converted to such active species.

Infect Immun, 1988 Feb, 56(2), 314 - 21
Role of immunoglobulin G in killing of Borrelia burgdorferi by the classical complement pathway; Kochi SK et al.; The antibody and complement requirements for killing of Borrelia burgdorferi 297 by normal human serum (NHS) and NHS plus immunoglobulin G (IgG) were examined . B . burgdorferi activated both the alternative and classical complement pathways in NHS . In NHS chelated with 10 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid plus 4 mM MgCl2 (Mg-EGTA) to block classical pathway activation, consumption (activation) of total hemolytic complement, complement component 3 (C3), and C9 by B . burgdorferi was observed . Furthermore, challenge of unchelated NHS with 297 cells resulted in the consumption of C4, in addition to an increase in C3 and C9 consumption over that observed in chelated serum . In spite of complement activation, B . burgdorferi was resistant to the nonspecific bactericidal activity of NHS . The addition of human anti-B . burgdorferi IgG to NHS, however, resulted in the complete killing of 297 cells . Bactericidal activity of this serum was abrogated if NHS was immunochemically depleted of C1, indicating that killing was mediated by the classical pathway . The manifestation of bactericidal activity was accompanied by a large increase in total complement and C3 consumption over that observed in NHS alone . Under similar conditions, only a minimal increase in C9 consumption was observed . No increase in total complement consumption was observed if NHS plus anti-B . burgdorferi IgG was treated with Mg-EGTA prior to challenge . The results of these experiments demonstrate that B . burgdorferi is resistant to the nonspecific bactericidal activity of NHS, in spite of classical and alternative complement pathway activation . B . burgdorferi is sensitive to serum, however, in the presence of IgG, which mediates bacterial killing through the classical complement pathway.

J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 134 ( Pt 2), 253 - 62
Temperate phages and bacteriocins of the gliding bacterium Cytophaga johnsonae; Richter CA et al.; A collection of 30 independently isolated strains of Cytophaga johnsonae was screened for the presence of temperate bacteriophages . Two strains were found to harbour phages . The newly isolated phages differ in several respects from the 43 previously isolated phages for C . johnsonae . Both phages are polyhedral, approximately 60 nm in diameter, and have no apparent tail structure . They are chloroform sensitive, and plaque formation is inhibited by agar . Both are capable of establishing a stable association with host cells . Twenty-nine of the 30 strains produced diffusible substances that specifically inhibited the growth of other C . johnsonae strains or closely related species and that could not be propagated . These substances appear to be bacteriocins, some of which, like bacteriophages, are active only against motile cells, while other inhibit nonmotile as well as motile cells . One of each of these two types of bacteriocins was partially characterized and both were found to be proteinaceous in nature and bactericidal in effect.

Chest, 1988 Feb, 93(2), 308 - 11
High level of interferon gamma in tuberculous pleural effusion; Ribera E et al.; It has been observed that T-lymphocytes of patients with tuberculosis produce interferon gamma (IFN gamma) in vitro . Based on this idea, we studied IFN gamma in pleural fluid and serum . We studied 80 patients with pleural effusion; 30 patients with tuberculous pleurisy had high IFN gamma concentrations in pleural fluid . Patients with malignant pleural effusions, nonspecific pleural effusion, parapneumonic effusions and pleural transudates had low levels . The IFN gamma levels were higher in those with massive tuberculous effusion and apparent pulmonary lesion on x-ray film . We found that the T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio was higher in pleural fluid than in peripheral blood . Numbers of T3 and T4 lymphocytes were higher in tuberculous pleural effusions compared with those in other patients . There is no correlation between IFN gamma levels and lymphocyte subsets in pleural effusion . Perhaps pleural T-lymphocytes produce IFN gamma after stimulation by mycobacterial antigens and this lymphokine activates macrophages, increasing their bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Inflammation, 1988 Feb, 12(1), 99 - 106
Influence of cationic superoxide generation enhancing protein (SGEP) on phagocytic and intracellular bactericidal activity of human polymorphonuclear cells; Pruzanski W et al.; Cationic fraction III from the lysosomes of normal human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) was found to contain superoxide generation enhancing protein (SGEP) . Herein, we report on the influence of partially purified SGEP obtained from fraction III (subfractions III-5 and III-6), on various phagocytic functions of human PMNs . SGEP markedly enhanced intracellular bactericidal activity of human peripheral PMNs . The enhancement was time and dose dependent . It also reduced adhesiveness of the PMNs . SGEP did not influence chemotaxis, phagocytosis or phagocytic index . These findings are compatible with our original observation regarding superoxide generation enhancement properties of SGEP.

J Leukoc Biol, 1988 Feb, 43(2), 158 - 64
Mannose inhibits the human neutrophil oxidative burst; Rest RF et al.; Stimulated human neutrophils (PMNs) increase their oxygen consumption and secrete reactive oxygen species that are involved in bactericidal activity and inflammation . While studying lectin-mediated bacterial adherence, we observed that D-mannose appeared to inhibit PMN metabolism . Further studies showed that 100 mM mannose inhibited oxygen consumption by 82%, superoxide secretion by 84%, luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) by 98%, and hexose-monophosphate shunt activity by 100% when PMN were stimulated with 1 microM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) . Inhibition was also seen with 0.1 microM formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), and 0.1 microM A23187, reagents thought to stimulate the respiratory burst by different transductional mechanisms . Inhibition was dose-responsive and specific since 100 mM D-galactose, alpha-D-glucose, or alpha-L-fucose only minimally affected PMN oxidative metabolism . Inhibition of PMA-induced superoxide production was seen almost immediately upon the addition of 50 mM mannose and was reversed by washing . Neutrophils remained viable as measured by trypan blue exclusion . These data suggest that mannose inhibits the neutrophil oxidative burst at the level of the hexose monophosphate shunt . Further investigation should elucidate the specific mechanism(s) of this burst inhibition as well as define uses for it as a tool to study oxidative as well as nonoxidative killing by PMN.

Presse Med, 1988 Jan 30, 17(3), 111 - 4
{Pharmacokinetics of netilmicin in cirrhotic patients with or without ascites}; Denis C et al.; The pharmacokinetics of netilmicin after intramuscular injection (2 mg/kg) was investigated comparatively in cirrhotic patients with or without ascites, and in healthy subjects . In patients with ascites, the same pharmacokinetic parameters were measured after the ascites had been cured . Twenty-four hours after intramuscular injection, the residual levels in cirrhotic patients were moderately higher than in controls, showing that liver failure or ascites did not significantly modify the pharmacokinetics of netilmicin . Serum concentrations were bactericidal . The ascitic fluid level was lower than the therapeutic range, but it was sustained for nearly 24 hours after intraperitoneal injection (2 mg/kg) . These results indicate that netilmicin may be administered to cirrhotic patients without peritoneal infection using the same regimen as in healthy subjects . The peritoneal route may be preferable in case of peritoneal infection.

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen, 1988 Jan 20, 108(2), 151 - 4
{The Dalkon shield . The infamous intrauterine device}; Sandvei R et al.; PIP: This paper reviews the history of the Dalkon shield from its introduction in the late 1960s . The design of the Dalkon shield was based on the theory that an IUD with the greatest possible surface area would react with the endometrium in such a way as to inhibit conception . Studies in the early 70s established that there were more cases with complications, especially infections, among women who used IUDs with a thread extending down into the vagina compared with those who used IUDs without a thread . Later studies focused especially upon the multifilament thread used in the Dalkon shield . This thread, which consisted of 200-400 individual filaments within a thin nylon sheath, was found to have a wicking effect in which bacteria-contaminated fluids were transported from the vagina into the uterus . If a Dalkon shield remained in place during pregnancy, the normal expansion of the uterus drew the thread up through the cervix during the mid-trimester of pregnancy . This increased the rate at which bacteria could bypass the bactericidal environment of the endocervix and enter the cavity of the uterus . On the basis of these and other negative studies, the Dalkon shield was removed from the Norwegian market in 1974, although there are documented cases of Dalkon shields being inserted as late as 1980 .

J Arthroplasty, 1988, 3(2), 109 - 16
Prolonged suppression of infection in total hip arthroplasty; Goulet JA et al.; Nineteen periprosthetic infections after total hip arthroplasty were treated with prolonged suppressive antibiotics without removing the components . In 11, antibiotic therapy was monitored with serum bactericidal titers . Eleven had incision and drainage . Indications included patients' refusal of removal or medical contraindications to surgery . Requirements included well-fixed components, highly sensitive organisms, and no systemic sepsis . The follow-up period averaged 4.1 years after treatment . Nine hips showed no deterioration . Seven prostheses failed, five with progressive hip sepsis . Three patients had increasing symptoms without prosthesis removal . Although two-stage reimplantation is preferred, suppressive antibiotics and prosthesis retention can succeed in some patients and may be considered in old, frail patients with an early infection caused by bacteria responsive to oral antibiotic therapy . Suppressive therapy may also be considered for an otherwise compliant patient who refuses removal of an infected prosthesis . The organism must be sensitive to oral antibiotics, and the patient must be tolerant of the antibiotics.

Zentralbl Chir, 1988, 113(6), 391 - 6
{Effect of intraoperative local polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine administration on the risk of wound infection following appendectomy}; Eggert A et al.; A study conducted into 91 appendectomised patients revealed wound infection rates to worsen from eight to 26 per cent (p less than 0.05) in the wake of locally delimited intra-operative application of povidone-iodine solution, two per cent in concentration . No other factors were found to be responsible for that aggravation . Tissue toxicity was found to outweight bactericidal effects, even with application in diluted and PVP-bonded form . Hence, povidone-iodine solutions not even in diluted form should ever be applied to wound treatment.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jan, 32(1), 51 - 6
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cefoperazone-sulbactam in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Johnson CA et al.; This study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetics of the fixed combination antibiotic cefoperazone-sulbactam in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . In addition, the pharmacodynamic profile of this combination was determined by the use of mean bactericidal titers against selected bacterial strains . Six noninfected CAPD patients were given a fixed dose of cefoperazone (2 g) and sulbactam (1 g) either intravenously or intraperitoneally over 10 min in a randomized, two-way crossover fashion . The mean peak cefoperazone concentration in serum after intravenous administration was 280.9 micrograms/ml . The mean peak concentration in serum after intraperitoneal cefoperazone administration was 38.9 micrograms/ml and occurred 2 to 4 h postdose . The mean peak sulbactam concentration in serum after intravenous administration was 82.2 micrograms/ml . The mean peak concentration in serum after intraperitoneal sulbactam administration was 24.4 micrograms/ml and occurred at 6 h . The absolute bioavailability of the intraperitoneal dose was 61% for cefoperazone and 70% for sulbactam . Cefoperazone total body and renal clearances were unaffected by renal failure and dialysis . However, both clearance values for sulbactam were reduced markedly . Only intraperitoneal dosing provided peak inhibitory and bactericidal titers in dialysate for all organisms tested . Intravenous dosing provided satisfactory dialysate titers only for very susceptible bacterial strains . End-stage renal disease and CAPD do not alter cefoperazone pharmacokinetics; however, sulbactam dosing may need to be adjusted.

Ter Arkh, 1988, 60(3), 48 - 52
{Reactivity of the blood phagocytes in patients with chronic bronchitis}; Sidorova LD et al.; Bactericidal and migration activity of neutrophils was investigated in 53 patients with chronic bronchitis by means of a spontaneous and induced (6 stimulators) NBT-test and in 18 patients by means of skin fenestrae . A spontaneous NBT-test (sNBT-test) was shown to reflect the activity of an inflammatory bronchial process and to decrease by the end of therapy indicating complete remission . A stimulation index was in reverse correlation with sNBT-test indices . Response of neutrophils to various stimuli leveled down with an increase in sNBT-test indices . In an inflammatory bronchial process inhibition of neutrophil migration into a zone of inflammation was noted, particularly in patients with lingering exacerbation . Dependence of a stimulating effect on a sNBT-test value and disorder of neutrophil migration activity should be taken into account in administration of one or another immunostimulator.

Biol Neonate, 1988, 53(3), 156 - 62
Neutrophil-mediated killing, opsonization, and serum-mediated killing of Escherichia coli K1 by neonatal rats; Lassiter HA et al.; Neonates are particularly susceptible to infection with Escherichia coli K1 . To investigate the mechanisms which lead to this susceptibility, we examined: (a) the bactericidal activity of neutrophils; (b) opsonization, and (c) the bactericidal activity of serum in developing rats . Neutrophils from adult rats killed E . coli K1 more efficiently than did neutrophils from young animals . Opsonization of E . coli by serum of prematurely delivered rats was poor . Serum from prematurely delivered and term rats promoted growth of E . coli K1, while serum from adult rats killed greater than 95% of the organisms within 90 min . However, the mixture of heat-inactivated serum from adult rats plus serum from prematurely delivered rats killed E . coli K1.

Microbiologica, 1988 Jan, 11(1), 21 - 7
Protection of Escherichia coli K12 structural integrity by Ca2+ and Mg2+ in bactericidal and bacteriolytic tests; Galdiero F et al.; Escherichia coli K12 suspended in different media showed a loss of phospholipids . Mg2+ and Ca2+ 0.01 M prevented phospholipid loss and stabilized Escherichia coli K12 for bactericidal and bacteriolytic assays.

Exp Clin Immunogenet, 1988, 5(4), 226 - 37
Macrophage oxidative activation potential in normal and endotoxin-treated Biozzi high and low antibody responder mice; Descamps-Latscha B et al.; The present study is an attempt to verify the hypothesis that high (HI) and low (LI) antibody responder Biozzi mice, which differ strikingly in their macrophage capacities to catabolize antigens and to exert bactericidal activity (the LI being more potent than the HI line), demonstrate a similar genetic disparity in their macrophage oxidative metabolism activation potential . The production of reactive oxygen intermediates was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in cell suspensions from various sources including: bone marrow, peripheral blood, spleen, peritoneal exudate, thymus, and mesenteric lymph nodes . Chemiluminescence was determined both in the absence and presence of particulate (opsonized zymosan and latex) and soluble (phorbol myristate acetate and concanavalin A) membrane-stimulating agents . Lastly this investigation was conducted both in normal and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli) treated HI and LI mice in an attempt to unmask the hypothesized difference by increasing the macrophage oxidative response capacity . Results obtained did not show the expected interline differences in reactive oxygen intermediate production regardless of cell origin, stimulating agent or lipopolysaccharide in vivo treatment . On the other hand, the well-documented enhancing effect of lipopolysaccharide on macrophage oxidative metabolism depended on the origin of the cell suspension . Indeed, it was not observed in bone marrow and peripheral blood from either HI or LI mice, was clearly demonstrated in the spleen and peritoneal exudate from both mouse lines, and surprisingly, in the thymus and lymph nodes from HI but not LI mice.

Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 1988, 35(6), 637 - 42
Dosage guidelines for the use of vancomycin based on its pharmacokinetics in infants; Lisby-Sutch SM et al.; The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin and to develop optimal dosage guidelines in infants . Thirteen infants between the ages of 13 to 183 days were enrolled . All had been born prematurely, and average gestational age, postconceptional age, and actual body weight were 29.8 weeks, 38.2 weeks, and 2.1 kg respectively . Multiple blood samples were obtained from each patient after 72 h of therapy . Serum inhibitory and bactericidal titres were determined for peak and trough samples . There were good correlations between total body clearance of vancomycin and both postconceptional age (r = 0.86) and actual body weight (r = 0.87) . This information was used to develop vancomycin dosage guidelines in premature infants . The regression line for vancomycin daily dosage requirements vs postconceptional age may be useful for determining initial dosage recommendations . There were also good correlations between vancomycin serum concentrations and serum inhibitory and cidal titres . Peak and trough concentrations in the therapeutic range (peak, 25-35 micrograms/ml; trough, 5-10 micrograms/ml) corresponded to titres of greater than or equal to 1:8 and 1:2 to 1:8 respectively . Based on these data we suggest the following dosage guidelines for vancomycin: 10 mg/kg 12 hourly for 30-34 weeks postconceptional age and less than 1.2 kg actual body weight; 10 mg/kg 8 hourly for 30-42 weeks postconceptional age and greater than 1.2 kg actual body weight; 10 mg/kg 6 hourly for greater than 42 weeks postconceptional age and greater than 2.0 kg actual body weight . Thus, doses which are lower than currently recommended are needed for infants born prematurely.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microbiol Immunol, 1988, 32(7), 645 - 52
Resistance of Pseudomonas pseudomallei to normal human serum bactericidal action; Ismail G et al.; The effect of human normal serum (HNS) on Pseudomonas pseudomallei was determined . It is apparent from our data that the organism is resistant to the normal serum bactericidal mechanism . Ancillary experiments to confirm this serum-resistant property of P . pseudomallei were done by examining the effects of growth phase conditions of the bacteria (i.e., logarithmic and stationary phases) and different buffered systems used as diluent in our bactericidal assay . Results obtained showed similar degree of resistance to serum bactericidal killing by 5 strains of the organisms tested . The possible survival advantage of serum-resistance property to P . pseudomallei as bacterial pathogens known to invade the blood stream is discussed.

Arkh Patol, 1988, 50(7), 38 - 45
{Nonspecific resistance and inflammation in patients with odontogenic phlegmons of the maxillofacial area}; Rogov KA et al.; Presented are data on morphological characteristics of maxillofacial odontogenic phlegmons observed in 98 patients with chronic periodontitis . The phlegmons have arisen in the presence of chronic inflammation of the soft tissue . Microbial flora in the inflammation focus proved opportunistic, abundant in nonclostridial anaerobic agents . Its composition contributed to morphological varieties of the phlegmons . There is a relationship between apparent destructive fasciitides and myositides and aerobic-anaerobic associations . Mechanisms of resistance to infection involve inhibited bactericidal activity of nonenzymatic cationic proteins of polymorphonuclear leukocytes reflecting nonspecific resistance in inflammation . Immunity status of the organism seems normal.

Arkh Patol, 1988, 50(7), 23 - 30
{Ultrastructural manifestations of the membrane activity of neutrophilic leukocytes}; Galankin VN et al.; Phagocytic function of neutrophils is associated with activation of cell membranes . Neutrophil membranous activity is considered for patients with inflammatory and purulent diseases . It appeared not uniform and served the basis for division the neutrophils into three groups . Group I neutrophils are inactive, being not involved in phagocytosis, but bearing bactericidal potential; their membranes are stable . Group II neutrophils show moderate activity, phagocytizing and inactivating bacteria; phagocytosis proceeds without cell destruction . Group III neutrophils cause membranes hyperactivation with resultant dysfunction of phagocytes, phagocytosis involves both bacteria and surrounding protein substrates, immature phagosomes and vacuoles are produced, membranes are unstable . With aggravation of the inflammation and suppuration, the number of blood hyperactivated neutrophils increases.

Eur J Nucl Med, 1988, 14(3), 159 - 64
Evaluation of 111In labelled white blood cells by in vitro functional tests and electron microscopy . Comparison of three labelling methods; Mortelmans L et al.; We have studied the influence of granulocyte labelling with commercially available 111In-oxine, tropolone (trop) or home made 111In-Mercapto pyridine (Merc) prepared by the method of Thakur (1985) on the cell structure by electron microscopy and on the cell function by enzymatic tests, random migration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal activity . The granulocytes were labelled with 400 microCi 111In-oxine in saline or 111In-trop or Merc in plasma . The effect of the chelating agents with and without addition of the tracer was studied (n = 4) with varying concentrations: 5-10 micrograms/ml oxine, 10-160 micrograms/ml trop and 1-4 micrograms/ml Merc . Chemotaxis and random migration were not affected by 111In-trop and clearly suppressed by 111In-oxine and Merc; the other tests were normal . The cell structure was disturbed by Merc . The labelling efficiency was excellent with oxine (90%), acceptable with trop (30%-80%) and poor with Merc (10%-25%) . Without 111In, chemotaxis and random migration were normal up to a concentration of 80 micrograms/ml trop, 8.5 micrograms/ml oxine and 1 microgram/ml Merc . With addition of 111In, chemotaxis and random migration were unaffected up to 80 micrograms/ml by trop and markedly suppressed by Merc and oxine . It is concluded that labelling with 111In-trop assures intact cells.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1988, 17(7), 861 - 8
{Non-specific immune defenses present in pregnancy}; Vinatier D et al.; The state of pregnancy changes the immune system by allowing the trophoblast to go on developing without letting the mother's body be invaded by it, and by keeping intact immune defences against the usual assaults . The non specific immune system is the first bulwark against invaders . The elements of this system, which do not depend on immunological memory, are: the macrophage-monocyte system, Natural Killer cells (NK), the complement component and other bactericidal substances such as lysozyme, fibronectin and interferon . Pregnancy improves the working of the monocyte-macrophage system . In fact, the macrophages of th reticulo-endothelial system, which can be found in different strategic places in the body, phagocytose abnormal particles more intensely . The monocytes in the circulation are more aggressive in pregnancy . They are drawn to the feto-placental interface where they are activated by different lymphokines and cytokines which can be found in quantity at this site . The role of these local active monocytes is not limited only to phagocytosis because among the hundred substances that they can elaborate are some that will regulate trophoblastic proliferation . The activity of the Natural Killer cells that are circulating and which can control tumour cell growth and cells infected by viruses is lowered in pregnancy . The serum taken from pregnant women seems to have a substance that counters the maturation of the Natural Killer cell lines . The complement system of protein synthesis, which normally acts to lyse bacteria in the chemotaxis during opsonisation, is raised in pregnancy . At the feto-placental interface it does seem to activate this system but not elsewhere in the general circulation . Interferon, which is a molecule that normally activates NK cells, has been found at the feto-placental site, without seeming to have a particular role . Pregnancy changes the quantity and the distribution of other elements in the non specific immune system such as transferrin , fibronectin and beta-lysin.

Clin Microbiol Rev, 1988 Jan, 1(1), 54 - 9
Failure of aminoglycoside antibiotics to kill anaerobic, low-pH, and resistant cultures; Schlessinger D; The critical inhibition of ribosome function by aminoglycosides has long been established . But the binding of drug to ribosomes is reversible: why then are aminoglycosides bactericidal? Several groups have shown that irreversible action (lethality) results from irreversible uptake into susceptible cells; conversely, resistance in cases such as anaerobiosis is associated with the failure of uptake . Oddly, the pattern of results excludes all traditional transport mechanisms; most unusual is the apparent dependence of uptake on the interaction of drug with ribosomes . A traditional view that ribosomes may function during uptake as a "sink" for aminoglycosides cannot explain all the data . Instead, the alternative is considered that cycling ribosomes at the cell membrane help to induce "one-way endocytic pores." Although no detailed mechanism is formulated, the results do suggest a way that the permeation of antibiotics might be systematically controllable to render them more cidal.

Clin Nephrol, 1988, 30 Suppl 1, S41 - 4
Immunologic patterns in CAPD patients with peritonitis; Lamperi S et al.; Alterations of peritoneal defense mechanisms, i.e . opsonization, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing, may be responsible for the high peritonitis rate in a subgroup of CAPD patients . Peritonitis incidence and in vitro bacterial opsonization has been shown to depend on IgG concentrations in the dialysate and on the ability of macrophages to produce fibronectin . Additionally, a high peritonitis incidence is associated with decreased bactericidal activity of macrophages; thus infective organisms may survive intracellularly despite intact phagocytosis . In some CAPD patients a disturbance in lymphokine and monokine release may be responsible for the reduced ability of their macrophages to kill bacteria.

Caries Res, 1988, 22(5), 280 - 2
Bactericidal efficacy of metronidazole against bacteria of human carious dentin in vitro; Hoshino E et al.; The bactericidal efficacy of metronidazole against bacteria in carious dentin was clarified by measuring (1) the difference between bacterial recovery from suspensions of carious dentin on metronidazole-containing BHI-Blood agar plates (10 micrograms/ml) and control plates and (2) the difference between bacterial recovery from carious lesions of freshly extracted teeth, covered by alpha-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) cement containing metronidazole (5%) for 1-3 days and that covered by TCP only . More than 10(3) bacteria per milligram sample were recovered from carious dentin . More than 99% of the bacteria were, however, not recovered when samples were inoculated on metronidazole-containing BHI-Blood agar plates or when the lesions were covered by TCP cement containing metronidazole, indicating that metronidazole effectively disinfected the carious dentin.

Biomater Artif Cells Artif Organs, 1988, 16(1-3), 135 - 40
Removal of bacteria from blood by charcoal hemoperfusion; Marks DH et al.; E . coli bacteria were successfully removed from contaminated RBC/plasma by using a special matrix of micro-encapsulated albumin activated charcoal (ACAC) . Efficacy of removing the bacteria was directly related to the amount of time the contaminated blood was in contact with the charcoal . The data indicated that the bacteria adhered to the ACAC, but that the charcoal was not bactericidal.

Oncology, 1988, 45(2), 79 - 83
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils function in untreated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia; Wysocki H et al.; Morphologically mature polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from the peripheral blood of 30 patients were examined . These cells manifested the diminution of phagocytosis, random migration, chemotaxis, thermotaxis and bactericidal capacity . The surface charge of circulating PMN and the percent representation of cells with receptor for Fc IgG were significantly decreased . Stimulated as well as unstimulated oxygen consumption, production of O2- and H2O2 were significantly decreased, whereas the hexose monophosphate shunt activity was similar to that noticed in controls . The aggregation of leukemic PMN was practically normal, however their adherence was significantly higher . The possible mechanisms responsible for the observed PMN defects are discussed.

Am J Dis Child, 1988 Jan, 142(1), 79 - 83
Inherited C3 deficiency with recurrent infections and glomerulonephritis; Borzy MS et al.; A 10-year-old Laotian boy had homozygous deficiency of the third component of complement and recurrent bacterial infections beginning at age 5 months . Cellular and humoral immunity were normal, as were polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis and bactericidal activities . Serum complement-mediated hemolytic, chemotactic, and opsonic activities were deficient . In vitro addition of purified C3 to patient serum restored hemolytic complement to normal levels, and plasma infusion during each of four episodes of pneumonia significantly enhanced serum opsonic activity for as long as 36 hours . A renal biopsy specimen revealed mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis, although significant levels of circulating IgG immune complexes were not detected . These findings further support the association of C3 deficiency with immune-complex disease and suggest that plasma infusion may be an adjunct to antibiotic therapy in the management of severe pyogenic infections in patients with C3 deficiency.

Comp Biochem Physiol A, 1988, 90(4), 543 - 9
Na+/H+ exchange and the regulation of intracellular pH in polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Grinstein S et al.; 1 . Regulation of the cytoplasmic pH(pHi) was studied in quiescent and activated human neutrophils . Acid-loaded unstimulated cells regulate pHi by activating an electroneutral Na+/H+ exchange . 2 . When activated, neutrophils undergo a biphasic change in pHi: an acidification followed by an alkalinization . The latter is due to stimulation of the Na+/H+ antiport . 3 . The acidification, which is magnified in Na+-free or amiloride-containing media, is associated with net H+ efflux from the cells . 4 . A good correlation exists between cytoplasmic acidification and superoxide generation: inhibition of the latter by adenosine, deoxyglucose or pertussis toxin also inhibits the pHi changes . 5 . Moreover, acidification is absent in chronic granulomatous disease patients, which cannot generate superoxide . 6 . Regulation of pHi is essential for neutrophil function . The oxygen dependent bactericidal activity is inhibited upon cytoplasmic acidification . This can result from impairment of Na+/H+ exchange, or from influx of exogenous acid equivalents . 7 . The latter mechanism may account for the inability of neutrophils to resolve bacterial infections in abscesses, which are generally made acidic by accumulation of organic acids that are by-products of bacterial anaerobic metabolism.

Presse Med, 1987 Dec 16, 16(43), 2172 - 5
{Combination of a 3d-generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime or ceftazidime) and a new quinolone (pefloxacine) in the treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic diseases (37 cases)}; Guy H et al.; The combination of beta-lactam antibiotics and new quinolones is a form of broad spectrum antibiotic therapy rapidly bactericidal in vitro which could be an alternative to the classical combination of beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in the first line treatment of febrile episodes in patients with neutropenia . The treatment of 37 initial febrile episodes (12 cases of septicemia, 7 infectious sites and 38 cases of fever of unknown origin) in 33 neutropenic patients (PMN leucocytes less than 500/mm3) using the combination of a third generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime or ceftazidime) and a new quinolone (pefloxacin) resulted in an 86% immediate success rate (32 cases/37) . Results and course during treatment were similar in both groups (cefotaxime or ceftazidime) . A second febrile episode occurred in 11 cases (4 superinfections, 2 chest infections, 5 fevers of unknown origin) . Clinical acceptability was satisfactory in both groups . Minimal and transient changes in liver function tests were observed in 19% of the successfully treated patients . Study of quantitative aerobic stool cultures revealed the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, essentially Pseudomonas sp . (6 cases) . More extensive trials should provide a better view of the role of this new combination in the first line treatment of febrile episodes in the neutropenic patient.

Inflammation, 1987 Dec, 11(4), 401 - 16
Effects of storage and radiation on human neutrophil function in vitro; Buescher ES et al.; To better understand the process of time-related functional deterioration which occurs in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), we examined the effects of in vitro storage on multiple functional parameters of human PMNs . Single-donor, phlebotomy-collected PMNs were stored at both room temperature and 37 degrees C for 24 and 48 h, then compared to fresh cells from the same donor . Similar numbers of cells were recovered from each storage condition . Cell viability decreased after 37 degrees C storage for 48 h . Cells stored at room temperature for 24 h showed significant depression of multiple functions (bactericidal activity, chemotaxis, aggregation, superoxide production, and oxygen consumption) compared to fresh cells . They contained less vitamin B12 binding protein activity than fresh cells, and by fluorescence-activated cell-sorter analysis, their forward light scatter and membrane depolarization responses were abnormal . For all parameters examined, cells stored at 37 degrees C were more abnormal than cells stored at room temperature . Stored cells from a patient with myeloperoxidase deficiency lost bactericidal and chemotactic activity after storage at 37 degrees C for 24 h, but cells from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease retained their original bactericidal and chemotactic activity after 37 degrees C storage for 24 h . Radiation, in doses used to prevent graft vs . host disease in leukocyte-transfusion recipients (2500-5000 rads) caused a significant decrease in the mean percentage of continuous flow centrifugation leukapheresis (CFCL) collected PMNs capable of reducing nitroblue tetrazolium . Human PMNs show deterioration of multiple in vitro functions when they are stored and are susceptible to damage by radiation when they are collected by CFCL.

Horm Metab Res, 1987 Dec, 19(12), 642 - 7
Polymorphonuclear cell derangements in type I diabetes; Tater D et al.; Polymorphonuclear cell function had been studied in 58 Type I diabetic subjects . Chemotaxis, phagocytosis, adherence, bactericidal activity, NBT reduction capacity were evaluated . We enumerated gamma Fc receptor bearing polymorphonuclear cells and the percentage of immune complexes containing polymorphonuclear cells . These data were studied in accordance with glycemic levels and the presence of infections . All polymorphonuclear functions were decreased compared to non-diabetic subjects with the exception of phagocytosis . The efficiency of the diabetic sera on normal subjects polymorphonuclear cells was decreased (bactericidal activity, chemotactic index and phagocytosis) . These abnormalities were independent of the presence of infection . No correlation was found with glycemic level . The percentage of cells bearing an Fc gamma receptor was less in diabetics than in normal (70.1 +/- 17.4 vs 80.2 +/- 7.8%) . The percentage of immune complexes containing polymorphonuclear cells was increased (n = 16, 9.06 +/- 4.7 vs 4.75 +/- 2.1% in normals) . There again, these data are without correlation with the presence of infections or glycemic level.

Semin Respir Infect, 1987 Dec, 2(4), 222 - 7
Pathogenesis and pathology of legionellosis; Pasculle AW; Infection with members of the genus Legionella can produce a wide spectrum of disease ranging from a self-limiting febrile illness to life-threatening pneumonia . The primary site of infection in the pneumonic form of the disease appears to be the lung, but dissemination to other organs is possible . Infection results in an intense alveolitis with infiltration by large numbers of mixed inflammatory cells . The legionellae are facultative intracellular pathogens which multiply within host phagocytic cells, primarily alveolar macrophages, and disrupt the bactericidal mechanisms of these cells . The role of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte is less clearly understood . Many members of the genus produce a number of toxins which may be responsible for some of the pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations of disease.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 Dec, 35(10 Pt 2), 1389 - 94
{Functions of neutrophils in vivo on the human skin . Applications to the study of psoriasis and anti-inflammatory agents}; Dubertret L et al.; A reproducible method for sequential study of migration out of human skin, phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of neutrophils is described . Untreated psoriatics exhibit an early increase of chemotactic activity (0-8 h, p less than 0.02) and subsequently a strong inhibition of chemotaxis (8-24 h, p less than 0.01), a slight decrease of phagocytosis and a decrease in bactericidal activity (20 mn, p less than 0.02; 30 mn, p less than 0.003); 60 mn, p less than 0.001; 120 mn, p less than 0.001) as compared with controls . After clearing of skin lesions, the early increased chemotactic activity returned to normal values but the subsequent chemotactic inhibition remains as strong as before treatment . Phagocytosis increased to normal values (p less than 0.02) and bactericidal activity also increased but remained significantly low . The abnormalities were more evident in migrating than in circulating neutrophils, underlining the sensitivity of the described method . Using the same method we have shown that the aromatic retinoid etretinate (Ro 10-9359) and its main metabolite (Ro 10-1670) significantly inhibit the migration of neutrophils from the blood to tissues when applied into skin chambers (0.1 mg/ml) or when given orally (1 mg/kg/day) for 8 days to normal volunteers . This pharmacological property could be closely linked to the antipsoriatic properties of these drugs.

Br J Cancer, 1987 Dec, 56(6), 809 - 13
Phase I/II study of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer; Bronchud MH et al.; Twelve patients with advanced small cell carcinoma of the bronchus were treated by continuous infusion of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) at the following dose levels: 1 microgram, 5 micrograms, 10 micrograms, 20 micrograms and 40 micrograms kg-1 day-1 for 5 days . No toxicities resulted from the treatment and in all 12 patients the number of peripheral neutrophils increased rapidly to a maximum of 100 x 10(9) l-1 at 10 micrograms kg-1 day-1 . The neutrophils were shown to be functionally normal in tests of their mobility and bactericidal activity . During the phase II part of the study the patients were treated by a combination of intravenous adriamycin 50 mg m-2, ifosfamide 5 g m-2 by i.v . infusion with mesna 8 g m-2 on day 1, and etoposide 120 mg m-2 on days 1, 2 and 3 also intravenously . The chemotherapy regime was repeated every 3 weeks . RhG-CSF was given to each patient for 14 days on alternate cycles of chemotherapy and reduced the period of absolute neutropenia considerably (median of 80%), with a return to normal, or above normal, neutrophil counts within 2 weeks after day 1 of chemotherapy . Six severe infective episodes were observed during the cycles of chemotherapy which did not include rhG-CSF, while no infective episodes occurred when patients were treated with rhG-CSF . These results demonstrate the utility of rhG-CSF in restoring functional neutrophils to patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1987 Nov, 104(11), 637 - 8
{Electron-autoradiographic demonstration of intra- and extracellular bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes}; Pal'tsyn AA et al.; A technique for the determination of intra- and extra-cellular bactericidal activity of neutrophils has been suggested . A mixture of neutrophils and bacteria was incubated for 30 min and subsequently 3H-uridine was added to the incubated mixture . If phagocytized and extracellularly located bacteria remain alive they incorporate 3H-uridine . Killed bacteria fail to incorporate 3H-uridine . Intra- and extracellular killing capacity of neutrophils is determined by the content of labelled and unlabelled bacteria in radioautographs.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1987 Nov, 44(5), 508 - 13
Infection prophylaxis in pulmonary surgery: a randomized prospective study; Tarkka M et al.; A prospective randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis against postoperative infections was carried out on 120 patients undergoing pulmonary operations . The patients were randomized into two groups of 60 patients each . One group received doxycycline (deoxytetracycline) prophylaxis for five days, and the other received cefuroxime (a second-generation cephalosporin) for one day . The groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, common risk factors, diagnosis, and operative procedures . A reduction in the infection rate was noted in the cefuroxime group (10/60) compared with the doxycycline group (19/60), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.055) . In major infections (empyema and pneumonia) there was no difference between the groups (4/60 in the cefuroxime group and 5/60 in the doxycycline group), but a significant (p less than 0.05) reduction was noted in minor infections (6/56 and 14/55, respectively) such as lower respiratory tract infections and prolonged fever . There were no wound infections in the two study groups . There were significantly (p less than 0.05) fewer postoperative fever reactions (axillary temperature greater than 37.5 degrees C) in the cefuroxime group (30/60) compared with the doxycycline group (44/60) . Both antibiotics were effective in preventing wound infections, but cefuroxime may also be beneficial in preventing minor respiratory infections . The bactericidal effect of cefuroxime may explain this finding.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1987 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 521 - 8
Effects of fish oil on postburn metabolism and immunity; Trocki O et al.; The metabolic effects and immune responses of different levels of fish oil in enteral formulas for postburn nutritional support were studied . Thirty-seven burned guinea pigs with previously placed gastrostomy feeding tubes were given diets containing 5, 15, 30, or 50% of nonprotein calories as fish oil . These diets were isonitrogenous, isocaloric, and contained identical amounts of vitamins and minerals . After 14 days of enteral feeding, there were no significant differences in resting metabolic expenditure, serum transferrin, and albumin levels . Weight loss was significantly greater in groups receiving 30 and 50% of fish oil compared to groups which received 5 and 15% of fish oil . Carcass weights and liver weights of animals in the two groups that received diets with higher lipid content were also significantly lower . Cell-mediated immunity, macrophage bactericidal indices, and opsonic indices were not different among the groups . This study confirms that diets containing lower levels of lipids are more effective for enteral nutritional support than those containing higher levels . In contrast to linoleic acid rich lipid sources, higher levels of fish oil did not show adverse effects on immunity possibly because it contained high concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids which are not precursors of immunosuppressive prostaglandin E2.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Nov, 16(3-4), 173 - 84
Assessment of neutrophil migration, phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity in neonatal foals; Morris DD et al.; Comparison of neutrophil function was made between 8 clinically normal pony foals (3 to 7 days of age), and their dams . Random migration, stimulated migration to zymosan-activated serum, bacterial phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils were determined in vitro . Random migration was greater (P less than 0.01) and stimulated migration was less (P less than 0.01) in foals than in their dams . Bacterial phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils were not different (P greater than 0.05) between foals and mares . Results of this study suggested that neonatal foals have altered neutrophil locomotion, when compared to their dams.

J Pediatr Orthop, 1987 Nov-Dec, 7(6), 652 - 5
Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children; Vaughan PA et al.; We reviewed the cases of 60 children with acute osteomyelitis with an average follow-up of 34 months . All patients were treated initially with high-dose intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics . Eight patients did not respond to this treatment within 48 h and had surgical drainage . The remaining 52 patients were divided into two subgroups: (a) 35 patients received i.v . antibiotics for an average of 21 days; (b) 17 patients received i.v . antibiotics for an average of 8 days followed by 4 weeks of oral therapy with monitoring of serum bactericidal levels . The incidence of chronic infection (12% for the operatively treated group and 4% for the nonoperatively treated group) depended more on the time interval between the presentation of symptoms and the onset of treatment than it did on the route of antibiotic administration.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1987 Nov, (11), 12 - 6
{Comparative study of the morphology and sensitivity to damaging factors of capsular and acapsular variants of Escherichia coli CA 189}; Puchkov EO et al.; E . coli strain SA 189 has been isolated from a calf with E . coli infection . The cultivation of this strain on a solid culture medium has resulted in its dissociation into two variants due to the loss of the capsule by the cells of the initial culture . Both variants of E . coli strain SA 189 (capsular and acapsular) are equally sensitive to antibiotics . The capsular variant has a narrower range of sensitivity of colicins and shows greater resistance to the bactericidal action of normal blood serum than the acapsular one . Bacteria belonging to these two variants differ perceptibly in the kinetics of disturbances in the barrier properties of their membrane apparatus under the action of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, a cation detergent . The conditions permitting the differentiation of the capsular and acapsular forms of E . coli strain SA 189 by the kinetics of the damaging action of this detergent have been experimentally selected.

Rev Infect Dis, 1987 Nov-Dec, 9(6), 1127 - 39
Immunodeficiency of the elderly; Saltzman RL et al.; The elderly are at risk for an increased incidence and severity of certain infections . The contribution of age-related immunologic impairment to the pathogenesis of these infections has been difficult to determine because of a number of confounding variables associated with aging . Nevertheless, studies in vitro and in animals support the hypothesis that immunodeficiency accompanies the aging process . Multiple factors may be responsible for altered cell-mediated immunity in the elderly, including thymic involution, reduced levels of thymic hormones, and an increase in the number of immature T lymphocytes . While studies of T cell subpopulations have yielded conflicting results, it appears that T cell proliferative responses are diminished . Aging is also associated with abnormalities of humoral immunity . Although the number and functional activities of neutrophils from healthy elderly persons are relatively intact, diminished bactericidal activity and altered oxygen metabolism have been reported in extremely old individuals . While the relative importance and clinical impact of these immunologic abnormalities remain unclear, future studies may provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of infections in this rapidly growing segment of the population.

Infect Immun, 1987 Nov, 55(11), 2662 - 8
Contribution of capsular polysaccharide and surface properties to virulence of Escherichia coli K1; Allen PM et al.; We examined the surface properties, susceptibility to the bactericidal activity of serum, and susceptibility to phagocytosis of Escherichia coli K1, a laboratory strain of E . coli (LE392), and strain LE392 carrying a plasmid (pKT274) incorporating a 17-kilobase insert of DNA that encodes the ability to produce surface K1 antigen . As determined by electron microscopy, LE392 was nonencapsulated but both E . coli K1 and LE392(pKT274) possessed a thin capsule . By using charged aqueous two-phase polymer systems, both E . coli K1 and LE392(pKT274) were shown to be significantly more negatively charged than LE392 . E . coli K1 was resistant to the bactericidal activity of serum, but both LE392 and LE392(pKT274) were completely inhibited by neonatal serum at a concentration of 20% (vol/vol) . As measured by counting endocytosed and nonendocytosed bacteria and by chemiluminescent response, E . coli K1 was highly resistant to phagocytic uptake by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, whereas LE392 was rapidly taken up by such cells; LE392(pKT274) was resistant to endocytosis, although less so than E . coli K1 . Most intraphagocytic E . coli LK1 remained structurally intact for up to 60 min, whereas both LE392 and LE392(pKT274) were rapidly degraded.

Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 1987 Nov, 4(1), 27 - 35
The effect of diabetes mellitus on chemotactic and bactericidal activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Naghibi M et al.; We studied the bactericidal activity (against P . aeruginosa) and chemotactic ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 26 diabetic patients in three treatment groups (oral hypoglycemic, daily insulin, and continuous insulin infusion) . Patients were studied before entry into intensified management protocols, and after intensified management in 11 of the 26 patients . Diabetic serum had a persistent inhibitory effect on both diabetic and normal white cells, but normal serum was unable to fully correct diabetic white cell killing to control values . After intensified management of diabetes, there was an improvement in bactericidal function of diabetic patient white cells, but not in the effect of diabetic serum . Diabetic serum, and to a lesser extent diabetic white blood cells, are defective mediators of killing of P . aeruginosa . Chemotaxis was normal in all patient groups . These findings confirm the earlier work of others showing that some patients with diabetes mellitus have a defect in host defense against infection with bacteria.

Infect Immun, 1987 Nov, 55(11), 2777 - 82
Gamma interferon reverses inhibition of leukocyte bactericidal activity by a 25-kilodalton fraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Wadee AA et al.; In this study we examined the effects of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell extracts on the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and cultured peripheral blood monocytes . M . tuberculosis cell extracts were fractionated on Sephacryl S-200 columns, and a 25-kilodalton glycolipoprotein was shown to inhibit the intracellular killing ability of these leukocytes but had no effect on their phagocytic potential . This same fraction inhibited fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes, as assessed by noting the transfer of acridine orange from lysosomes to phagosomes . This fraction was shown to have a maximal inhibitory effect when it was in the form of an intact carbohydrate-lipid-protein complex . Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), but not IFN-alpha, reversed the inhibitory effect of the mycobacterial component on bactericidal activity and on fusion of phagosomes and lysosomes . Thus, this 25-kilodalton fraction of M . tuberculosis cell extract may be important in protecting organisms against phagocytic degradation, an effect which can be reversed by IFN-gamma.

Int J Sports Med, 1987 Oct, 8(5), 309 - 14
Effect of physical exercise on some parameters of immunity in conditioned sportsmen; Lewicki R et al.; The studies were performed on 20 conditioned cyclists and 19 untrained men . At rest absolute and percent number of neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes, neutrophil bactericidal activity, and blood plasma beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were similar in sportsmen and untrained men, while neutrophil adherence was lowered in sportsmen . Maximal physical exercise induced significant rises in absolute numbers of neutrophils and monocytes in both groups . In sportsmen, adherence of neutrophils and monocytes and neutrophil bactericidal activity significantly decreased under the influence of exercise, while neutrophil phagocytic activity did not change . On the other hand, in untrained men, maximal physical exercise did not induce significant changes in neutrophil and monocyte adherence and bactericidal activity of neutrophils, but their phagocytic activity increased . Blood plasma beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, and LDH activities increased during exercise in both groups . The changes observed tended to normalize during 2-h recovery . The results obtained suggest that intensive physical exercise tends to depress nonspecific immunity, which may render sportsmen more susceptible to infections.

J Trauma, 1987 Oct, 27(10), 1146 - 54
Stress hormones modulate neutrophil and lymphocyte activity in vitro; Deitch EA et al.; There is increasing evidence that stress hormones and neurotransmitters may represent an information channel between the immune, endocrine, and central nervous systems . The goal of this investigation was to determine the in vitro effect of selected stress hormones on neutrophil and lymphocyte function using leukocytes from healthy volunteers . The following hormones were tested using a complete dose response curve including dosages within the physiological range; cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucagon . Cortisol did not affect neutrophil function, but did suppress lymphocyte blastogenesis . The catecholamines, epinephrine, and norepinephrine inhibited only neutrophil chemotaxis, while glucagon impaired both neutrophil chemotactic and bactericidal activity . When the individual hormones were combined into hormone cocktails, the inhibitory effect of both epinephrine and glucagon on neutrophil function was lost, while the inhibitory effect of cortisol on lymphocyte blastogenesis was greatly reduced . In fact, incubation of neutrophils in the stress hormone cocktail resulted in the neutrophils becoming hypermetabolic . Although the in vitro effects of these hormones on neutrophil and lymphocyte function do not fully correlate with the in vivo effect of trauma on immune function, these studies do support the general concept that the stress hormones may represent a link between the immune and endocrine systems.

South Med J, 1987 Oct, 80(10), 1296 - 302
Chronic granulomatous disease in an adult; Nerurkar LS et al.; We have described a 49-year-old man with chronic granulomatous disease . The diagnosis was established by a deficiency of NBT dye reduction by neutrophils, in addition to impairment in 14C-1-glucose utilization, 125I-iodination of zymosan, chemiluminescence, superoxide radical generation, and bactericidal activity toward S aureus . This adult patient exhibits many characteristics of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood but of less severity, which may explain his unusually long survival . It is thus important to consider the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease not only in children but also in adult patients having the characteristic pattern of recurrent infections.

Avian Dis, 1987 Oct-Dec, 31(4), 888 - 94
Effects of Newcastle disease virus infection on the binding, phagocytic, and bactericidal activities of respiratory macrophages of the turkey; Ficken MD et al.; Effects of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection on the binding, phagocytic, and bactericidal activities of turkey respiratory macrophages were studied . Respiratory macrophages of the turkey demonstrated the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and complement receptors but lacked IgM receptors . Respiratory macrophages from NDV-infected turkeys showed little or no depression of binding of sheep erythrocyte-IgG complexes and sheep erythrocyte-IgM-complement complexes to their appropriate membrane receptors . In contrast, respiratory macrophages from NDV-infected turkeys showed significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) depression of phagocytosis of similar complexes . Bacterial killing by respiratory macrophages from NDV-infected turkeys was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) inhibited.

Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987 Oct, 6(10), 951 - 3
New era for orally administered antibiotics: use of sequential parenteral-oral antibiotic therapy for serious infectious diseases of infants and children; McCracken GH Jr; Removal of the intravenous line, improvement of attitude and appetite and early discharge from the hospital can be achieved when sequential parenteral-oral antibiotic therapy is used appropriately to treat children with certain moderate to severe infections . Such antibiotic regimens are potentially indicated for suppurative skeletal infections, bacterial endocarditis, pneumonia with or without empyema, pyelonephritis and, perhaps, meningitis . To be effective, serum bactericidal activity against the causative pathogen after oral therapy must be comparable to that achieved after parenteral administration . Patient and parent compliance, adequate absorption and drug interactions are some of the factors that should be considered to assure a successful course of parenteral-oral antibiotic therapy.

J Pediatr Surg, 1987 Oct, 22(10), 967 - 72
Impaired polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in biliary atresia: role of bilirubin and bile acids; Iwanaga M et al.; Our previous study suggested that impaired bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in patients with biliary atresia might be due to decrease in superoxide-generating activity and that serum factors may play an important role . In the present study, analysis of the patients' serum revealed that, among 15 bile acids, glycine or taurine conjugated chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid were markedly elevated . To examine the effects of bilirubin and these bile acids and conjugated lithocholic acids on the leukocyte function, we measured cytolysis, phorbol myristate acetate-induced superoxide generation, and myeloperoxidase activity, using normal human polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Bilirubin ranging from 5 to 20 mumol/L was cytolytic and more potently inhibited the superoxide generation . The inhibition by bilirubin was also observed in the presence of 10% human serum or 2.0% human serum albumin, though the cell viability was almost completely preserved . On the other hand, conjugated chenodeoxycholic acids and cholic acids, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mmol/L or conjugated lithocholic acids, ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 mmol/L, did not inhibit the superoxide generating activity, though the conjugated chenodeoxycholic acids and lithocholic acids did induce cytolysis . Myeloperoxidase activity was little affected, except in the case of conjugated lithocholic acids . These results suggest that in patients with biliary atresia, bilirubin, probably the unconjugated form, more than bile acids might be one of the influential factors in the suppression of bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, by inhibiting the superoxide-generating activity.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Sep, 16(1-2), 107 - 21
Cellular and humoral defence mechanisms in mares susceptible and resistant to persistent endometritis; Watson ED et al.; Both random and directional migration of blood neutrophils from 9 mares susceptible to persistent endometritis were significantly less (p less than 0.05) than neutrophils from 8 resistant mares . Serum from susceptible mares had significantly more (p less than 0.01) chemotactic activity than serum from resistant mares . Although phagocytosis of yeast blastospores by blood neutrophils from 4 resistant and 3 susceptible mares was similar, uterine neutrophils from susceptible mares were significantly worse (p less than 0.01) at phagocytosis than uterine neutrophils from resistant mares . Uterine washings from 17 susceptible mares were significantly better at opsonising yeast blastospores than washings from 14 resistant mares; however, washings from both groups had a similar ability to promote killing of S . zooepidemicus by neutrophils . When an immunologically non-specific endometritis was induced, washings from 3 susceptible mares were significantly worse at promoting bactericidal activity by 144 h than washings from 4 resistant mares (p less than 0.01) . Haemolytic complement activity was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) in washings from 17 susceptible mares than from 14 resistant mares . Induction of acute endometritis resulted in high levels of haemolytic complement activity in 2 of 3 susceptible mares at 24 and 144 h, but only in small increases in 4 resistant mares . Thus, some abnormalities in neutrophil function were detected and a possible defect in promotion of neutrophil bactericidal activity by uterine secretions from susceptible mares but there was no evidence for any deficiency in haemolytic complement activity.

Immunology, 1987 Sep, 62(1), 145 - 7
A reason for the cytolytic inefficiency of murine serum; Sassi F et al.; Murine serum exhibits very poor haemolytic and bactericidal activity . We report that this is due, at least in part, to the presence of a potent, naturally occurring plasma inhibitor of the terminal complement sequence . The inhibitor is a heat-stable euglobulin . It is highly effective in suppressing haemolysis following complement activation on target erythrocytes with heterologous serum . It also inhibits C3-independent reactive haemolysis of guinea-pig erythrocytes with human C5b-9 . Current evidence indicates that the inhibitory factor acts at the C5b-7 stage by preventing binding of the terminal complement complex to cells undergoing complement attack . In this respect, the inhibitor differs from the previously recognized regulators of the terminal complement sequence including plasma S-protein . The inhibitor does not protect C5b-7-laden cells from the action of C8 and C9, and also does not suppress formation of haemolytically inactive SC5b-9 in the fluid phase . The action of murine inhibitory factor is not confined to the red cell, and its presence can totally abolish the bactericidal activity of human serum on a sensitive, rough E . coli K12 strain.

Infect Immun, 1987 Sep, 55(9), 2142 - 7
Respiratory burst facilitates the digestion of Escherichia coli killed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Weiss J et al.; We examined factors that may limit degradation of bacterial protein of Escherichia coli S15 killed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) . Both human and rabbit PMN degraded up to 40% of {14C}amino acid-labeled protein of ingested and killed E . coli in 2 h as determined by loss of acid-precipitable radioactivity . In contrast, equally bactericidal broken-PMN preparations or isolated granules degraded only about 10% of bacterial protein regardless of pH . To determine whether activation of the respiratory burst contributes to digestion, we compared degradation by intact PMN in room air and under N2 . Depletion of O2 by N2 flushing had no effect on the bactericidal activity of either human or rabbit PMN but reduced degradation by approximately 50% . Protein degradation during phagocytosis was also reduced in the presence of cyanide or azide, inhibitors of myeloperoxidase (MPO) . PMN of two patients with chronic granulomatous disease ingested and killed E . coli S15 as well as did normal PMN but degraded bacterial protein as did normal PMN incubated under N2 . The low degradative activity of PMN disrupted by sonication could be raised to nearly the level of intact PMN incubated in room air by preincubation of the PMN with 10(-7) M formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) before sonication and by pretreatment of E . coli with MPO . Depletion of O2 or chloride during these preincubations with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine respectively, virtually abolished and markedly diminished stimulation of bacterial protein degradation . We conclude that enhanced MPO-mediated O2 metabolism of intact PMN plays a role in the digestion of killed E . coli.

Tubercle, 1987 Sep, 68(3), 183 - 93
In vitro observations on the suitability of new rifamycins for the intermittent chemotherapy of tuberculosis; Dickinson JM et al.; The bactericidal activity of six new rifamycin derivatives--rifabutin (RBU), FCE 22250 (F22), rifapentine (RPE), CGP 29861 (C29), CGP 7040 (C70) and CGP 27557 (C27) and rifampicin (RMP)--have been measured against log phase and, as a better test of sterilising activity, against stationary phase cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, H37Rv . The order of activity of 1.0 and 0.2 mg/l rifamycin against log phase cultures was RMP greater than RPE & C27 greater than RBU & C29 greater than C70 . The order of activity of 1.0 and 0.4 mg/l, adjusted for stability of the rifamycin, against stationary phase cultures was F22 & RMP greater than RBU greater than RPE greater than C27 & C29 greater than C70 . Viable counts were done during and after pulsed exposures of 6, 24 or 96 h to C29 and RMP . The curves were similar though C29 was less bactericidal and the lag period before recovery was 1-2 days longer . F22, having high bactericidal activity against stationary organisms and a long half-life, was considered likely to be the most effective sterilising drug.

Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi, 1987 Sep, 39(9), 1592 - 8
{A study on the ability of leukocytes in the cervical mucus of pregnant women to produce superoxide anions using the histochemical nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test}; Yonemoto Y et al.; We performed the histochemical nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test for leukocytes in cervical mucus and peripheral blood in women in pregnancy to investigate the leukocyte functions in the uterine cervix during pregnancy . The results were as follows . (1) With regard to leukocytes in cervical mucus, the proportion of NBT positive leukocytes was significantly highest in women in the third trimester and was higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women . (2) With regard to leukocytes in peripheral blood, the ability of leukocytes to reduce NBT in pregnant women was significantly greater than that of leukocytes in non-pregnant women . These results suggest that the bactericidal activity of leukocytes in cervical mucus during pregnancy is probably more accelerated than that of leukocytes during non-pregnancy.

J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Sep, 133 ( Pt 9), 2639 - 46
The potential protective effect of monoclonal antibodies to gonococcal outer membrane protein IA; Virji M et al.; Hybrid cell lines were derived which produced monoclonal antibodies directed against gonococcal outer membrane protein IA . One antibody, SM101, recognized 24 P.IA-expressing strains out of 25 tested--the rest exhibited relatively less cross-reactivity . Competitive radioimmunoassays revealed that each antibody could effectively inhibit binding of the others, suggesting close proximity of the epitopes recognized . The antibodies were used in assays in vitro to investigate their potential efficacy in protection against gonococcal infection . In a cytotoxicity assay, the antibodies afforded some protection to epithelial cells challenged with gonococci . They were very effective at bactericidal killing in the presence of complement and, in addition, were opsonic for homologous and heterologous strains . The cross-reacting antibody, SM101, was one of the most effective in both assays . The results show that the conserved epitope on P.IA recognized by antibody SM101 is potentially an effective target on the gonococcal surface for immunoprophylaxis.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1987 Aug 15, 920(3), 221 - 5
Relation between binding and the action of phospholipases A2 on Escherichia coli exposed to the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein of neutrophils; Forst S et al.; Exposure of Escherichia coli to the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) of neutrophils renders the bacterial phospholipids susceptible to hydrolysis by only a few of numerous phospholipases A2 tested . To explore further the determinants of hydrolysis we measured the binding of 125I-labeled phospholipase A2 to E . coli in the presence and absence of BPI . Phospholipases A2 from Aqkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus venom and pig pancreas neither degraded nor bound to BPI-treated E . coli . In contrast, the phospholipases A2 from Aqkistrodon halys blomhoffii and Aqkistrodon halys palas venoms actively hydrolyzed the phospholipids of BPI-treated E . coli: they also bound to E . coli in the presence but not in the absence of BPI . Carbamylation of lysines of the A.h . blomhoffii phospholipase A2 progressively reduced binding in parallel with reduced phospholipid hydrolysis . Both binding and hydrolysis increased with increasing BPI dose . However, maximal binding occurred at 25% of the BPI dose that produced optimal hydrolysis . Thus, binding may be necessary but is not sufficient for maximal BPI-mediated phospholipid hydrolysis . Comparison of the NH2-terminal amino sequences of the active and inactive phospholipase A2 suggests that this portion of the phospholipase A2 molecule plays a role in BPI-independent binding and hydrolysis.

Am J Vet Res, 1987 Aug, 48(8), 1187 - 93
Evaluation of granulocyte transfusion in healthy neonatal pony foals; Morris DD et al.; Granulocyte transfusions (GT), 0.98 X 10(9) neutrophils/kg of body weight, were performed on 7 healthy pony foals between 2 and 7 days old . The mean neutrophil count of the foals was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater than base line (4,830 +/- 1,260/microliter) 1 hour after GT (8,870 +/- 3,350/microliter) and was similar to base line by 15 to 18 hours after GT (6,550 +/- 2,310/microliter) . Leukocyte concentrates (LC) used for GT were harvested from clinically normal adult horses by continuous-flow centrifugation leukapheresis (CL), 3 to 6 hours after hydrocortisone sodium succinate was administered to increase the blood neutrophil count . The mean neutrophil count of the LC used for GT was 68,050 +/- 13,990/microliter, and the mean LC volume was 377.4 +/- 79.2 ml (14.82 +/- 3.54 ml/kg) . The mean time required to collect the LC used for GT was 232.1 +/- 73.4 minutes . Neutrophils from LC had significantly reduced in vitro stimulated migration to zymosan-activated serum, when compared with peripheral blood neutrophils of the donors (P less than 0.05) . Neutrophil phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity were not significantly changed in LC . Mean neutrophil migration indices were not significantly different in foals after GT . Mild depression and transient diarrhea was noticed in 1 foal 30 minutes after the start of the GT . The donor of LC for this foal and 1 other donor experienced depression, piloerection, and muscle tremors during CL, indicating that complement had been activated . Problems were eliminated by the use of new disposable plastic materials for blood processing in each CL procedure.

J Leukoc Biol, 1987 Aug, 42(2), 156 - 62
Neutrophil dysfunction in the rabbit model of spur cell anemia; Lichtenstein IH et al.; In the rabbit model for spur cell anemia, animals fed a 5% cholesterol diet develop marked hypercholesterolemia and hemolytic spur cell anemia after several weeks on the diet . In vitro tests of granulocytes showed a 15% increase in cholesterol: phospholipid ratio, and decreased membrane fluidity measured with a fluorescent probe . Function tests revealed impairment of adherence, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis . Both a plasma factor and an intrinsic cellular defect appeared to contribute to the abnormal adherence . Bactericidal activity was normal . In vivo demargination in response to epinephrine was increased in animals on the diet, but exudation of granulocytes into sterile peritonitis fluid was diminished to 39.4% of control at 8 hours . Therefore, rabbits with experimental spur cell anemia have impaired in vitro and in vivo granulocyte function . The clinical significance of these findings for patients with spur cell anemia and less severe alcoholic liver disease is uncertain.

Am J Med, 1987 Aug, 83(2), 218 - 22
Multicenter collaborative evaluation of a standardized serum bactericidal test as a predictor of therapeutic efficacy in acute and chronic osteomyelitis; Weinstein MP et al.; Forty-eight episodes of osteomyelitis, 30 acute and 18 chronic, were evaluated in a prospective multicenter collaborative study to determine whether a standardized serum bactericidal test could predict outcome of infection . All centers used a microdilution test method that defined the recognized important test variables, including inoculum size, culture medium, dilution technique, incubation time, method of subculture, and bactericidal endpoint . In patients with acute osteomyelitis, peak serum bactericidal titers had no predictive value; however, trough titers of 1:2 or greater accurately predicted cure, whereas trough titers of less than 1:2 predicted therapeutic failure . In patients with chronic osteomyelitis, peak serum bactericidal titers of 1:16 or greater and trough titers of 1:4 or greater accurately predicted cure, whereas peak titers of less than 1:16 and trough titers of less than 1:2 accurately predicted failure . It is concluded that this standardized serum bactericidal test provides good prognostic information in patients with osteomyelitis, and it is recommended that patients with acute osteomyelitis have serum bactericidal titers of 1:2 or greater at all times and that patients with chronic osteomyelitis have serum bactericidal titers of 1:4 or greater at all times.

Am J Vet Res, 1987 Jul, 48(7), 1054 - 62
Rhinitis, pneumonia, and defective neutrophil function in the Doberman pinscher; Breitschwerdt EB et al.; Eight closely related Doberman Pinschers with chronic rhinitis and pneumonia had normal or increased numbers of structurally normal leukocytes . Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins and complement were above or within normal ranges . Lymphocyte transformation indices for 3 mitogens were normal in 7 of the 8 dogs; the remaining dog had low values for all mitogens . Neutrophils phagocytized bacteria normally, but had impaired bactericidal ability . The bactericidal defect may have been related to the inability of neutrophils to generate normal numbers of oxygen radicals after stimulation, as determined by decreased ability of neutrophils to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium and to produce superoxide following opsonized zymosan stimulation . These observations, plus finding chronic inflammatory disease in the lungs of one dog, indicated that the disease may have some similarity to chronic granulomatous disease or to complement receptor deficiency in man.

Rev Infect Dis, 1987 Jul-Aug, 9 Suppl 4, S412 - 9
Fibronectin: an enhancer of phagocyte function; Proctor RA; Although fibronectin does not act as a direct opsonin as originally described, it does mediate important interactions with phagocytes throughout the inflammatory process . Fragments of fibronectin released by neutrophil proteases are chemoattractants for monocytes . Moreover, subendothelial matrix fibronectin and "inflammatory" fibronectin released from phagocytes enhance phagocyte adherence to host tissues at an inflammatory site . Fibronectin also increases chemokinesis . Once the phagocyte enters tissues, fibronectin promotes C3- and Fc-receptor activation, allowing complement-coated bacteria to be ingested . Finally, fibronectin enhances the bactericidal activity of monocytes . Thus, fibronectin plays an important, but indirect role, in the activities of phagocytes.

Mol Microbiol, 1987 Jul, 1(1), 82 - 5
DNA sequence analysis of three missense mutations affecting colicin E3 bactericidal activity; Escuyer V et al.; We have determined the nucleotide sequence changes caused by three missense mutations leading to the production of inactive colicin E3 proteins . The ceaC1 mutation, affecting the translocation of colicin E3 through bacterial membranes, is caused by a serine to phenylalanine change at position 37 within the glycine-rich region at the N-terminal part of colicin E3 . This confirms previous results suggesting a role for this domain in colicin uptake by sensitive cells . The ceaC2 and ceaC3 mutations, abolishing colicin E3 RNase activity, affect the C-terminal enzymatic domain of the molecule . In the ceaC2 mutant, serine at position 529 was converted to leucine . The ceaC3 mutation replaced a glycine residue at position 524 with an aspartic acid residue . The two mutations ceaC2 and ceaC3 yield information on the amino acid residues involved in the RNase activity of colicin E3.

J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1987 Jun, 58(2), 77 - 80
Antibiotic serum activities against bacterial isolations from cases of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis in feedlot calves; Van Amstel SR et al.; The serum bactericidal activity test was carried out in two groups of 7 calves each suspected to be suffering from pneumonic pasteurellosis . The diagnosis was based on clinical signs, endoscopic examination and bacteriological investigations . The first group of seven calves received oxytetracycline at a dosage rate of 10 mg kg-1 once a day . A second similar group received penicillin at 30,000 IU kg-1 once a day . Results showed that the correlation between antibiograms, serum bactericidal activity and clinical response may be good for oxytetracyclines and poor for penicillin . The serum bactericidal activity test may be a good method to establish effective dosages for certain antibiotics in the treatment of pneumonic pasteurellosis.

Ther Drug Monit, 1987 Jun, 9(2), 148 - 53
Therapeutic aminoglycoside monitoring in renal failure patients; Keller F et al.; In patients with normal renal function, defined peak (5-10 mg/L) and trough levels (less than 2 mg/L) for gentamicin, tobramicin, and netilmicin are considered therapeutic . Netilmicin peak and trough levels were investigated in 50 patients requiring hemodialysis due to acute (70%) or permanent (30%) renal failure . Netilmicin was given at a dosage interval of 24 h, with a loading dose on the first day (1.5 mg/kg) and a reduced daily maintenance dose (0.5 mg/kg) supplemented to the posthemodialysis dosage (1.3 mg/kg) after each hemodialysis . As compared with studies on patients not requiring hemodialysis, mortality (44%) was higher, mainly due to uncontrolled infection, whereas ototoxicity (17%) was not . Peak (5.9 +/- 1.7 mg/L) and trough plasma levels (3.0 +/- 0.9 mg/L) were significantly lower in patients who did not respond and died than were peak (8.2 +/- 2.5 mg/L) and trough (3.8 +/- 1.2 mg/L) levels in patients responding to aminoglycoside treatment . In renal failure patients, there is obviously not only the risk of overdosing and toxic side effects but also the risk of insufficient bactericidal effect as a result of underdosing . Consequently, by use of an aminoglycoside dosage similar to the present schedule, peak levels (5-10 mg/L) as desired in normal subjects but trough levels (2.5-5 mg/L) that are considerably higher than in normal subjects should be the target concentrations for patients with advanced renal failure.

J Trauma, 1987 Jun, 27(6), 587 - 95
Neutrophil chemiluminescence in burned patients; Sheng ZY et al.; Phagocytic and bactericidal assays showed that a close correlation was present between bactericidal activity and neutrophil chemiluminescence (PMN-CL) (r = 0.81; p less than 0.01) . This suggested that the microbicidal action of the neutrophil depends metabolically on the generation of oxygenating agents . PMN-CL and opsonic index (OI) were measured in 36 burned patients . The levels of serum transferrin (Tf) were examined simultaneously by nephelometric method in order to determine the correlation between humoral-phagocyte axis of immune system and nutritional status . It was found that PMN-CL and OI were generally lower in the greater than 35% TBSA burn group (PMN-CL, 1.85 +/- 0.21 cpm X 10(3), OI, 0.69 +/- 0.06) compared with control subjects (PMN-CL, 3.55 +/- 0.15 cpm X 10(3), OI, 1.05 +/- 0.04) . It suggested that both neutrophil oxygenation activity and opsonic activity were impaired following severe burns . PMN-CL was higher in the smaller than 30% TBSA burn group during infection phase as compared with control subjects (5.61 +/- 0.26 cpm X 10(3) vs . 3.55 +/- 01.5 cpm X 10(3); p less than 0.01) . It remained high in patients with persistent infection, but fell to normal if appropriate therapy was instituted . This result indicated that the neutrophils of the majority of patients with minor burns during acute infection were in an activated state both metabolically and functionally . The occurrence of sepsis was associated with a marked lowering of PMN-CL and OI values, but no difference was noted before and after the development of sepsis . The incidence of sepsis was 85.7% when PMN-CL was lower than 2 cpm X 10(3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 Jun, 35(5 Pt 2), 887 - 90
{Value of a standard exudate in the in vitro study of antiseptics}; Cremieux A et al.; Bactericidal activity of antiseptics is generally determined in France according the AFNOR norms the principles of which have recently been reconsidered by the Pharmacopoeias . These norms preconize the use of either hard water (12 Ca++ milliequivalents) or a mixture of proteins (albumin-yeast extract) to appreciate any loss of activity by interference . However these two interfering substances are very different from exudates on wounds or burns . This is why we have prepared a standard exudate composed of dried bovine albumin (Cohn fraction V for bacteriology) 4% m/V; Ca++ 0.01% m/V and Mg++ 0.003% m/V . These protein and ion concentrations correspond to the percentage of these elements in plasma . A first sequence of assays on two antiseptics, one with a chlorhexidine base, the second with a iodine polyvidon base allowed us to study individually the interference of proteins, of ions, and that of the standard exudate . The first results showed that for the iodine polyvidon the effect of ions was slight compared with the effect of proteins whereas for chlorhexidine the effect of ions was a strong as that of proteins . Therefore we have used this standard exudate in the study of other antiseptics according to the protocol of the norms NF T 72-170 . Results showed that the standard exudate strongly inhibits the bactericidal activity of antiseptics . We propose that its use be generalised in the in vitro study of antiseptics destined for cutaneous or mucous lesions.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 Jun, 35(5 Pt 2), 896 - 900
{Value of the germ-carrier method for testing of the activity of disinfectants against mycobacteria strains}; Gevaudan MJ et al.; We investigated bactericidal activity of four disinfectants against mycobacterium smegmatis and others mycobacteria species such as those responsible for respiratory and lymphadenitis diseases . We used the germ carried method according to all the AFNOR requisites changing only the strains culture conditions and for some studies time of contact (15 and 30 minutes) . In addition we realized a preliminary essay to control efficacy of washing in order to maximally eliminate the product after the time of contact . Under AFNOR standard conditions (15 minutes) only phenolic complex and glutaraldehyde solution were bactericidal for all strains including M . tuberculosis . Another series of test with contact during 30 minutes showed that with aldehyde and quaternary ammonium compounds bactericidal activity was limited against M . fortuitum and M . chelonei and nearly non existent at usual concentrations against M . kansasii, M . avium and M . tuberculosis.

J Invest Dermatol, 1987 Jun, 88(6), 736 - 40
Effect of mupirocin on the growth and lifespan of human fibroblasts; Balin AK et al.; We have examined the effect of the antibiotic mupirocin on the growth and proliferative lifespan of human fibroblasts . Human embryonic lung fibroblasts were grown in Dulbecco's minimal essential medium, containing 10% fetal bovine serum and various concentrations of mupirocin ranging from 0.5-756 micrograms/ml . There is little difference in the rate of exponential growth and the final saturation density reached between control cultures and those grown in 0.5 microgram, 72 micrograms, or 76 micrograms/ml mupirocin . Growth was retarded or inhibited in cultures containing 650-750 micrograms/ml mupirocin . The proliferative lifespan of adult skin fibroblasts was examined in cultures serially subcultivated in medium containing either 7 micrograms/ml or 100 micrograms/ml mupirocin . Cultures incubated in these concentrations of mupirocin were capable of reaching their full proliferative potential . This study shows that the growth and proliferative lifespan of human fibroblasts is unaltered in the presence of at least 100 micrograms/ml mupirocin although growth of human fibroblasts is inhibited by 700 micrograms/ml mupirocin . These observations suggest that long-term use of low but bactericidal concentrations of mupirocin will not impair growth of fibroblasts in healing wounds.

Inflammation, 1987 Jun, 11(2), 211 - 27
Studies of phagocytosis in chronic granulomatous disease; Gaither TA et al.; Abnormal phagocyte function in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is associated with decreased bactericidal activity . Ingestion of serum-opsonized organisms is reported to be normal in these patients . We previously showed that in CGD the expression of C3b receptors (CR1) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) is significantly depressed . In this study, we compared the phagocytic activity of the PMNs from normal healthy controls with that of CGD patients and one individual with myeloperoxidase (MPO) deficiency . The ingestion of sheep erythrocytes (E) by PMNs adherent to a glass surface was examined; the E were coated either with excess IgG (E-IgG) or with C3b plus limited IgG (EAC3b-IgG) . The PMNs, both in CGD and in MPO deficiency, ingested E-IgG and EAC3b-IgG at levels markedly above normal . C3b-coated erythrocytes were not phagocytosed . Preincubating the PMNs with sodium azide, which blocks MPO, or catalase, a scavenger of H2O2, caused a marked increase in phagocytosis by normal PMNs . Azide had a variable effect on PMN activity in CGD and no effect on the activity in the subject with MPO deficiency . Even in the presence of azide, the ingestion of EAC3b-IgG by the PMNs from the CGD patients was significantly greater than that seen in paired normals {mean phagocytic index (PI), 2.13 for CGD vs . 1.48 for normals; P less than 0.05 by the paired sample t test} . Similar results were obtained with ingestion of E-IgG . Notably, ingestion of serum-opsonized Candida organisms (relatively nondegradable particles) was markedly above normal with CGD PMNs and, in normal PMNs, azide treatment also evoked an increase . In addition, rosette formation of the adhered PMNs with E-IgG was enhanced with CGD and the azide-treated normal PMNs . We demonstrated that this increased activity was not the result of increased Fc receptor (FcR) number, as determined from the binding of a monoclonal anti-FcR antibody . Both the E-IgG rosette formation and the ingestion by CGD PMNs were abrogated in the presence of an H2O2-generating system . In contrast, the phagocytic activity of MPO-deficient PMNs was not altered by exogenous H2O2 . These findings suggest that cellular products generated by the H2O2-MPO-halide system down-regulate the rosette-forming and phagocytic activity of PMNs from normal healthy individuals, but not that from CGD and MPO-deficient patients.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Jun, 15(3), 253 - 65
Influence of isoprinosine on bovine herpesvirus type-1 infection in cattle; Blecha F et al.; A study was conducted to determine the in vivo efficacy of isoprinosine (ISO) in calves infected with bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) . Calves were infected with BHV-1 on day 0 and received ISO daily for 14 days . Clinical signs of disease, shedding of BHV-1, lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogens, interleukin-2 production, and alveolar macrophage bactericidal activity were monitored during the study . Rectal temperatures were increased (P less than 0.05) in BHV-1 and ISO-BHV-1 calves at days 3 to 7 postinfection (PI) . Isoprinosine did not influence BHV-1 shedding in calves . Lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were lower (P less than 0.01) in BHV-1 calves when compared to control or ISO calves at day 4 PI, but ISO did not ameliorate this effect . Interleukin-2 activity was greater (P less than 0.05) in ISO-BHV-1 calves on days 4 and 8 PI in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes and on day 8 PI in concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes when compared to control, ISO or BHV-1 calves . Isoprinosine treatment of BHV-1-infected calves tended to decrease alveolar macrophage bactericidal activity . These data suggest that ISO does not reverse BHV-1 suppression of lymphocyte proliferation, but may enhance IL-2 production in BHV-1 infected calves.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1987 May, 164(5), 423 - 30
A prospective study of thymopentin in severely burned patients; Waymack JP et al.; A randomized prospective double-blind study of thymopentin was performed upon 24 severely burned patients to evaluate its efficacy in correcting postburn immunologic abnormalities and preventing infectious morbidity and mortality . Patients in the treated group received 50 milligrams of thymopentin daily for the first two weeks after injury and three times weekly thereafter until the patient was no longer at risk for having infections develop . The placebo group received saline solution intravenously . The rate of infectious complications was recorded . Immunologic tests used at least weekly were: white blood cell counts, OKT4 to OKT8 ratios, lymphocyte blastogenesis and neutrophil bactericidal index . There were no differences noted in patient mortality, infectious complications or antibiotic use . There were two significant differences noted among the immunologic tests . First, there was a decreased lymphocyte blastogenic response in the treated group at two weeks after injury without a difference in T4 to T8 ratios . Second, there was less leukopenia during the first week after injury in the treated group.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 May, 35(5), 599 - 602
{Importance of the study of the minimal bactericidal time of serum in the choice of optimal treatment of neonatal septicemias}; Bingen E et al.; Rapid eradication of bacteria in bloodstream is critical for the outcome in neonatal bacterial sepsis . Two groups of neonates with E . coli K1 sepsis without purulent meningitis were studied . Group I (n = 14) received cefotaxime IV (100 mg.kg-1 D-1) plus netilmicin (4 mg.kg-1 D-1); group II (n = 8) received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid IV (100/10 mg.kg-1 D-1) plus netilmicin (4 mg.kg-1 D-1) . Both groups were identical . For all strains MICs of cefotaxime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, netilmicin were less than 0.2, 4 and 1 mg/l respectively . Serum bactericidal activity (SBA) was determined for each patient (peak sample) . The SBA was defined as the greatest dilution in which 99,99% of the inoculum was killed . Time-kill curves were performed with 1:16 dilutions of peak serum samples to measure the kinetic of bacterial killing . The minimal bactericidal time of serum (MBTS) was defined as the minimal time required to observe a decrease of more than 4 log CFU/ml of the bacterial inoculum . Samples (10 microliters) were taken at 1 h intervals over a 6 h period and at 24 h for quantitative culture . All patients cured . Median SBA were respectively 1/128 and 1/64 for group I and II . However, mean MBTS for groups I and II were respectively 1.2 h +/- 0.8 and 3.9 h +/- 1.4 . Killing was more rapid in group I (p less than 0.01) . The MBTS may be a clinically useful adjunctive test when optimal therapy would be expected.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 May, 35(5), 461 - 5
{Comparison of the bactericidal activity of three aminosides: gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin}; Juvin ME et al.; Bactericidal action of antibiotics seems to be a test for the choice of antibiotic used and its dosage's adjustment . However, its use is limited by the determination's methods employed until now . By a viable bacteria counting micromethod, bactericidal action of three aminoglycosides: gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin, is studied towards 48 bacterial strains . For each strain and each antibiotic, 11 antibiotic's concentration have been used, in a dilution range varying from 0.06 to 256 mg x l-1 . Viable bacteria counting is executed after 1.5 h, 3 h and 5 hours of incubation . These antibiotics have a dose-dependent action . Regarding the smallest concentration of antibiotic permitted to lower to 3 log10 the bactericidal initial population, one can see that a concentration of 4 mg x l-1 is sufficient for 50% of strains with gentamicin and tobramycin, while a concentration of 16 mg x l-1 is necessary for amikacin . This result is corroborated by a statistical analysis carrying out by a variance analysis: it is showing a little significant difference between gentamicin and tobramycin, and very much significant differences between amikacin and the two others antibiotics.

Mutat Res, 1987 May, 188(1), 35 - 43
Mutagenic activity of chloramines; Thomas EL et al.; Mutagenesis by chloramines and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) was studied to determine whether these agents could contribute to the mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic activity of stimulated leukocytes and whether environmental exposure to these agents is a cause for concern . Mutagenic activity was measured using the S . typhimurium TA97a, TA100 and TA102 tester strains . Because chloramines and HOCl are bactericidal, react rapidly with cell components, and can destroy the histidine and biotin required for the mutagenesis assay, activity can't be compared directly with that of less toxic or reactive agents . Nevertheless, chloramines were mutagenic when tested under appropriate conditions . TA100 was the most sensitive strain, and the most active mutagens were lipophilic dichloramines (RNCl2) including derivatives of histamine, ethanolamine and putrescine . Lipophilic monochloramines (RNHCl) such as histamine-monochloramine and NH2Cl were less active . Hydrophilic chloramines such as taurine-chloramines had low activity, and HOCl was inactive . The metabolic state of the bacteria was critical . Chloramines were mutagenic when added to bacteria with glucose at 37 degrees C, but killing predominated when chloramines were added at 4 degrees C or 25 degrees C, or at 37 degrees C without glucose . Production of chloramines and HOCl by leukocytes in vivo could contribute to the association of chronic inflammation and cancer as a result of: (1) the entry of membrane-permeable chloramines into normal cells followed by attack on intracellular components including DNA, and (2) the production of secondary mutagens such as compounds with carbonyl groups or carbon-chlorine bonds . On the other hand, chlorination of water supplies is perhaps more likely to destroy than create mutagens, and chloramines from the environment are unlikely to penetrate the skin and mucous membranes.

Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic, 1987 Apr, 54(4), 315 - 8
{Different effects of diclofenac and ketoprofen on the bactericidal action of polynuclear neutrophils in rheumatoid polyarthritis}; Youinou P et al.; The bactericidal action of neutrophil polynuclear cells (NP) is significantly lower in the presence of diclofenac than in the presence of ketoprofen in patients with rheumatoid polyarthritis . This effect perhaps takes place through a serum factor, since the bactericidal action of normal NPs is diminished when the cells are incubated in the serum of patients treated with diclofenac or in the serum of healthy individuals after ingestion of diclofenac, but it is not decreased when the cells are incubated in the serum of patients treated with ketoprofen or the serum of healthy volunteers after ingestion of ketoprofen.

Burns Incl Therm Inj, 1987 Apr, 13(2), 159 - 63
The use of silver nitrate-incorporated amniotic membrane as a temporary dressing; Haberal M et al.; Human amniotic membrane is one of the most effective biological dressings used in burn treatment . Since 1978, we have been using human amniotic membrane incorporating 0.5 per cent silver nitrate . Studies in 96 patients using this method showed that the silver-incorporated membranes gave a better therapeutic effect than plain amniotic membranes . It was noted that 0.5 per cent silver nitrate incorporated into the membranes increased their manageability, provided easier application to the burned area and created a bactericidal effect, therefore reducing the risk of contamination and infection . One of the main advantages of wound coverage with amniotic membrane is that it does not appear to discourage re-epithelization, reduces fluid, protein, heat and energy loss, increases mobility and most important this may be the ideal wound cover next to the patient's own skin . Therefore, we highly recommend the use of 0.5 per cent silver nitrate-incorporated amniotic membrane, since it is readily available and freely obtainable, has low preparation and storage costs that make it an ideal dressing to use, especially in countries where economic factors prevent the purchase of other types of dressings.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1987 Apr, 53(4), 737 - 9
Use of membrane filters for measurement of mycobactericidal activity of alkaline glutaraldehyde solution; Collins FM; Bactericidal assays of 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde solution were carried out using Millipore membranes, and the rate of kill was compared with that of mycobacteria in suspension and on Penicylinder surfaces when using the methods recommended for the official tuberculocidal test . The rate of inactivation observed on the membrane filter surface was similar to that achieved using Penicylinders . The absence of visible colonies on the treated membranes provided a direct demonstration of sterility . The use of filter membranes in tuberculocidal tests provides a simple quantitative assay.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Apr, 31(4), 497 - 504
E-0702, a new cephalosporin, is incorporated into Escherichia coli cells via the tonB-dependent iron transport system; Watanabe NA et al.; E-0702, a new cephalosporin with a potent antipseudomonal action, was synthesized . In the study of the mode of action of this antibiotic in Escherichia coli, it was found that mutants which acquired resistance to E-0702 were isolated spontaneously and could be shown to be susceptible to its closely related derivatives, E-0702-060 and E-0702-061, and other representative beta-lactam antibiotics . In these mutants, no increased production of beta-lactamase was detectable . No apparent differences between the resistant mutants and the parental strains were observed in the affinity of E-0702 for penicillin-binding proteins . Furthermore, no significant reduction in or loss of both OmpF and OmpC porin proteins in the outer membrane was observed . The mutation was mapped to the tonB gene, which is known to be essential for the iron transport system of bacteria . The bactericidal action of E-0702 was rapidly expressed against iron-starved cells in which the iron transport system was induced, whereas the bactericidal action against iron-supplemented cells was ineffective . It is suggested that E-0702 is incorporated into bacterial cells as a chelator of iron via the tonB-dependent iron transport system, after which its strong and rapid bactericidal action is manifested.

Transfusion, 1987 Mar-Apr, 27(2), 165 - 6
Studies on granulocyte preservation . III . Effect of agitation on granulocyte concentrates; Miyamoto M et al.; The effect of agitation on granulocyte storage was examined . Granulocyte concentrates were obtained as buffy coats from fresh blood by centrifugation and stored for up to 48 hours at 22 degrees C with or without horizontal agitation (80 rpm) . The cell counts, mean cell volumes, morphologic changes, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity of the stored granulocytes did not differ significantly . However, chemotaxis was maintained better in granulocytes that were agitated . At 48 hours, the ability of unagitated cells to adhere to both immunoglobulin-coated and uncoated glass surfaces increased, and clumps were observed on the surfaces . These results seem to be related to the decrease in chemotaxis . The pH of unagitated sedimented cells was more acid . To avoid the decrease of this local pH, stored granulocytes need gentle agitation.

J Reprod Fertil, 1987 Mar, 79(2), 531 - 7
Effect of ovarian hormones on promotion of bactericidal activity by uterine secretions of ovariectomized mares; Watson ED et al.; The bactericidal and phagocytic activities of blood neutrophils suspended in uterine washings and the mobilization of neutrophils into the uterine lumen were studied in ovariectomized mares receiving oestradiol benzoate (N = 4), progesterone (N = 4) or oily vehicle (N = 4) . Uterine lavage was performed sequentially up to 144 h after induction of endometritis by intrauterine infusion of glycogen (1%) . There was no significant difference between the 3 groups in speed of mobilization of neutrophils into the uterus in the first 6 h after infusion but there were significantly more uterine luminal neutrophils in progesterone-treated than in oestradiol-treated mares by 24 h after infusion (P less than 0.01) . Uterine washings collected from progesterone-treated mares at 0, 24 and 144 h were significantly worse at promoting bactericidal activity by neutrophils than washings from oestradiol-treated and control mares (P less than 0.001) . In oestrogen-treated and control mares bactericidal activity had increased by 144 h but in progesterone-treated mares bactericidal activity remained low . Neither treatment nor time affected the ability of washings to opsonize yeast blastospores . Elevated concentrations of progesterone in plasma were therefore associated with decreased bactericidal activity of neutrophils suspended in uterine washings but the generation of C3b in washings did not appear to be affected by hormone treatment.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1987 Mar, 55(1), 78 - 82
Further studies of the killing of M . leprae by aminoglycosides: reduced dosage and frequency of administration; Gelber RH; The bactericidal activity of the aminoglycoside antibiotics streptomycin and kanamycin for Mycobacterium leprae in mice was assessed, both alone and in combination with rifampin, utilizing various dosage schedules . As in previous studies, 100 mg/kg five times weekly of streptomycin and kanamycin resulted, respectively, in 96% +/- 2% and 89% +/- 6% bactericide . Reducing the dosage of streptomycin to 50 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, and even 12.5 mg/kg resulted in less but significant bactericidal activity . Such a reduction of kanamycin dosage resulted in no significant bactericidal activity . Reducing the frequency of administration of streptomycin (100 mg/kg) to twice weekly and once weekly resulted in a decreased but still significant killing of M . leprae; for kanamycin such a reduction in frequency of administration resulted in loss of bactericidal activity . Streptomycin when combined with rifampin was found more bactericidal than either drug alone, even when each was administered only once monthly.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1987 Mar, 26(3), 132 - 4
Onset of Hemophilus influenzae type-b meningitis during cefaclor therapy for preseptal cellulitis; Brady MT et al.; Second generation cephalosporins are frequently used for the treatment of bacteremic Hemophilus influenzae type b infections . "Breakthrough" meningitis during cefamandole therapy has documented the need for adequate cerebrospinal fluid penetration by these antibiotics if they are to be used in the therapy of Hemophilus infections . A child with H . influenzae type b preseptal cellulitis is reported who initially responded to treatment with intravenous cefuroxime and oral cefaclor . However, while still receiving cefaclor, the child was readmitted with H . influenzae meningitis . Microtiter broth dilution susceptibility testing performed during the second admission showed the isolate to be relatively resistant to cefuroxime (minimum bactericidal concentration {MBC} = 4 micrograms/ml) and resistant to cefaclor (MBC greater than 16 micrograms/ml) . This experience documents the need to monitor the clinical response closely during therapy of H . influenzae bacteremic infections with these second generation cephalosporin treatment regimens . In addition, attention should be paid to minimum inhibitory concentrations of these cephalosporins, since variations in H . influenzae type b susceptibility to these agents may limit their efficacy.

J Infect Dis, 1987 Mar, 155(3), 518 - 23
Dose response of experimental Pseudomonas endophthalmitis to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and imipenem: evidence for resistance to "late" treatment of infections; Davey PG et al.; Single intravitreal doses of ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, or imipenem were administered to rabbits with pseudomonas endophthalmitis for determination of the maximally effective dose . Treatment was given 24 hr ("early") or 48 hr ("late") after infection . With early treatment the dose-response relationship between the drug concentration and the diminution in bacterial counts in the vitreous humor was linear with all three drugs . By contrast, with late treatment the same vitreal concentrations had no significant effect on bacterial counts . The failure of late treatment was not due to an increased rate of clearance of drugs from the eyes and could not be reproduced with a similar bacterial inoculum in vitro . Bacteria cultured from treated eyes were fully sensitive when plated directly onto drug-containing agar . The poor bactericidal effect of late treatment may in part be related to transient phenotypic alterations in the bacteria in response to changes in the environment of infection such as hypoxia, low pH, and exhaustion of critical bacterial nutrients.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1987 Mar, 19(3), 331 - 41
Cefodizime (HR 221) potentiation of human neutrophil oxygen-independent bactericidal activity; Labro MT et al.; The enhanced bactericidal activity of human neutrophils induced by cefotaxime and cefodizime, two methoxy-imino-amino- 2-thiazolyl cephalosporins, is linked to the cell stimulation of oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent killing systems, respectively . Cefotaxime enhances both the killing and the oxidative response of neutrophils to opsonized particulate stimuli (bacteria for both activities and opsonized zymosan for the oxidative burst) . These effects were not observed with non-opsonized particles (bacteria or zymosan) or soluble stimuli . On the contrary, cefodizime enhances killing of opsonized and non-opsonized bacteria by neutrophils regardless of treatment with phenylbutazone which blocks neutrophil oxidative metabolism . Cefodizime does not universally alter the oxidative burst induced by various stimuli, but has been shown to enhance the bactericidal activity of crude extracts of neutrophil granules . The data suggest that cefodizime and non O2-dependent killing systems of neutrophils cooperate in killing bacteria.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1987 Feb, 93(2), 253 - 60
Influence of operations with cardiopulmonary bypass on polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in infants; Burrows FA et al.; To determine the effect of operations with cardiopulmonary bypass on the immunologic function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in infants, we studied polymorphonuclear leukocyte function and immunologic profile in 16 infants undergoing repair of congenital heart lesions . An oxygen/air/high-dose fentanyl anesthetic was used for all patients . Absolute neutrophil count increased significantly (p less than 0.05) after bypass and remained increased 48 hours afterward . Chemotaxis, random migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and phagocytic index were unaffected, but bactericidal capacity decreased significantly immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass and remained decreased 48 hours later . Serum opsonizing capacity to bacterial and fungal antigens was variably altered, and complement factors 3 and 4 decreased significantly after cardiopulmonary bypass . Total hemolytic complement decreased significantly immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass and returned to normal by 48 hours . These data suggest that operations with cardiopulmonary bypass in infants significantly affect the immunologic function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and result in consumption of complement.

J Immunol, 1987 Feb 1, 138(3), 842 - 8
Multimeric C9 within C5b-9 is required for inner membrane damage to Escherichia coli J5 during complement killing; Bloch EF et al.; We have shown recently that an average of three or more C9 molecules must bind to C5b-8 on Escherichia coli strain J5 to cause direct complement killing in the absence of serum lysozyme . We initially confirmed and extended this observation by showing that deposition of a large number of C5b-9 complexes bearing 1C9 per C5b-8 was not bactericidal for J5 . To identify the target site for bactericidal C5b-9 deposition, we measured release of periplasmic and cytoplasmic markers of different size from J5 as the C9:C5b-8 ratio was changed, because the diameter of the C5b-9 channel is known to increase as the C9:C5b-8 ratio increases . To facilitate measurement of release of the periplasmic marker beta-lactamase (BLA), J5 was transformed for high level constitutive TEM-1 BLA production (J5-Amp) . Multimeric C9 within C5b-9 (C9:C5b-8 greater than 3) was required to release BLA (m.w . 28,900) from J5-Amp regardless of whether cells bore 310, 560, or 890 C5b-9/organism . Curves of both BLA release and killing vs C9:C5b-8 ratio were sigmoidal and nearly superimposable . Release of the small cytoplasmic marker 86Rb, a potassium analog, also required a minimum C9:C5b-8 ratio of 3:1; specific 86Rb release did not occur in the absence of killing . Release of the large cytoplasmic marker beta-galactosidase (m.w . 505,000) did not occur even at the highest achievable C9:C5b-8 ratio of 11:1, despite greater than 99.9% killing, indicating that there was no dissolution of the peptidoglycan layer due to incomplete removal of serum lysozyme . Complement-mediated killing of J5 requires sufficient damage to the outer membrane or formation of a sufficiently large C5b-9 channel to release the large periplasmic marker BLA . The requirement of multimeric C9 for 86Rb release suggests that at low C9:C5b-8 ratios, either C5b-9 does not have access to the cytoplasmic space or that the J5 K+ transport systems are able to compensate for putative C5b-9 channels.

J Immunol, 1987 Feb 1, 138(3), 765 - 74
Immune interferon enhances functional properties of human granulocytes: role of Fc receptors and effect of lymphotoxin, tumor necrosis factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; Perussia B et al.; We report here a comparative study of the effects of several cytokines known to affect myeloid cell differentiation on functional properties of human mature granulocytes . We show that recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), recombinant granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (rGM-CSF), recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF), and lymphotoxin (LT) purified to homogeneity are potent stimulators of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) activity . All cytokines enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (Ab-CMC) mediated by human PMN; however, rGM-CSF, rTNF, and LT have an immediate and short-lived effect on the PMN, whereas the activation by rIFN-gamma requires several hours of induction but can be observed up to 24 to 48 hr of culture . Only the effect of rIFN-gamma is in part dependent on induction of a high-affinity FcR for monomeric IgG on PMN, as suggested by two-color sorting analysis, and on mechanisms that result in prolonged survival of PMN in a functionally active state to mediate oxidative burst, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity . Greater enhancement of Ab-CMC is obtained by using rIFN-gamma in combination with the other cytokines . Our data indicate that cytokines previously defined on the basis of their cytotoxic effects mediate a wide spectrum of activities on mature myeloid cells and provide evidence for their possible role in vivo, alone or in combination with rIFN-gamma, in modulating functional activities of cells responsible for non-adaptive systems of defense.

J Bacteriol, 1987 Feb, 169(2), 844 - 8
Cell-density-dependent killing of Myxococcus xanthus by autocide AMV; Gelvan I et al.; Autocide AMV of Myxococcus xanthus was purified and identified as phosphatidylethanolamine . Alkaline hydrolysis of AMV yielded a high proportion of mono- and diunsaturated fatty acids . The bactericidal activity of AMV on M . xanthus depended upon the density of target cells: the greater the cell density, the greater the killing by AMV . For example, at 2 U of AMV per ml, 0, 50, and 99% killing was measured with 2 X 10(4), 2 X 10(5), and 2 X 10(7) target cells per ml, respectively . The cell-density-dependent activity of AMV was also observed on solid medium . Studies with model lipid compounds suggest that the inhibitory activity of AMV is due to the fatty acid moiety, released from phosphatidylethanolamine by the concerted (enzymatic) activity of many cells . Mutants of M . xanthus selected for resistance to AMI (a mixture of fatty acids) were also resistant to AMV . The possible role of AMV in developmental lysis is discussed.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1987 Jan, 46(1), 46 - 50
Drug induced impairment of polymorphonuclear cell bactericidal ability in rheumatoid arthritis; Youinou P et al.; Thirty three patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated only with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were divided into two groups according to the drug received (group A: diclofenac, group B: indomethacin or ketoprofen), and their polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell functions were investigated . We found that bactericidal ability was the only function significantly impaired in group A as compared with group B patients and normal controls . This modification correlated well with the reduction of control PMN bactericidal ability when this test was carried out in patient plasma . These differences between drug effects might explain some of the discrepancies between reports of PMN cell functions in RA.

Anesthesiology, 1987 Jan, 66(1), 60 - 3
Etomidate reversibly depresses human neutrophil chemiluminescence; Gelb AW et al.; The effect of etomidate on human neutrophil chemiluminescence was evaluated . The latter is an index of oxygen free-radical generation, which is an important bactericidal mechanism . Five drug concentrations representing the free plasma concentrations ranging from deep anesthesia (0.5 microgram/ml) to the plasma level that may be found approximately 1 h after an etomidate anesthetic (0.0156 microgram/ml) were studied . The importance of the duration of drug incubation was assessed by incubating the neutrophils with the drug concentrations for 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 min before stimulation . The reversibility of any depression in chemiluminescence was assessed by gently washing the cells twice after incubation and then stimulating them . The two higher etomidate concentrations (0.5 microgram/ml and 0.125 microgram/ml) produced reductions in chemiluminescence of 43% and 35%, respectively (P less than 0.05) . The reductions in activity only occurred when the cells had been incubated with etomidate for 50 min and were completely reversed by washing . These results show that clinically relevant concentrations of etomidate will reversibly depress neutrophil chemiluminescence in vitro when the cells are exposed to the drug for more than 50 min.

Arkh Patol, 1987, 49(9), 39 - 44
{Functional activity of neutrophilic leukocytes of the blood in patients with phlegmons of the maxillofacial area}; Galankin VN et al.; Phagocytic capacities of segmented and rod neutrophils were examined in in vitro studies of whole blood samples taken at weekly intervals from 32 patients with mild to severe phlegmons of odontogenic origin; 25 blood donors served as controls . The ability of neutrophils to take up and digest bacteria was found to be less marked the more severe the disease although the number of actively phagocytizing cells was increased . In some cases of purulent inflammation, though, the neutrophils showed a higher bactericidal potential as compared to the controls . During recovery, the phagocytic function of neutrophils improved, approaching (but never reaching) the normal level by the time of full clinical recovery . At the light-microscopic level, neutrophils from phlegmon-affected patients displayed cytoplasmic granulation and vacuolation of a degree that correlated with the severity of the disease.

Vox Sang, 1987, 53(1), 19 - 22
Effects of plasticizers and plastic bags on granulocyte function during storage; Miyamoto M et al.; The influence of the plasticizers, di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and tri-(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate (TOTM), on granulocyte function was examined . Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags with DEHP (DEHP-PVC) leaked DEHP into plasma, but TOTM did not dissolve in plasma under the same conditions . Glow discharge treatment inhibited the leakage of DEHP from DEHP-PVC bags . Depending on the amount of DEHP added into granulocyte suspension, chemotaxis and bactericidal activity decreased, but cell counts and phagocytosis were not affected . During storage for 24 h at 22 degrees C, granulocyte function decreased greatly in DEHP-PVC, but was well maintained in the bags which did not leak plasticizers, TOTM-PVC and glow-discharged DEHP-PVC.

Toxicon, 1987, 25(4), 401 - 9
Characterization of the structure and function of three phospholipases A2 from the venom of Agkistrodon halys pallas; Chen YC et al.; Three monomeric phospholipases A2 with isoelectric points 4.5, 6.9 and 9.3 were purified from the venom of Agkistrodon halys pallas . The complete amino acid sequence of the acidic enzyme and partial amino acid sequences of the neutral and basic phospholipases were determined in order to relate differences in enzymatic reactivities, pharmacologic activities and cytotoxicities to aspects of structure . Studies reported here and elsewhere demonstrate that the three phospholipases A2 exhibit pronounced differences relative to function . The acidic enzyme maintains the highest reactivity toward hydrolysis of monolayers at the air-water interface and may share a feature in common with the acidic enzyme from A . h . blomhoffii, namely the inhibition of platelet aggregation . The neutral phospholipase A2 designated agkistrotoxin, is characterized by potent activity as a pre-synaptic neurotoxin . Agkistrotoxin is the first single polypeptide chain, neurotoxic phospholipase A2 to be documented with a Group II disulfide pattern and, in several respects, may be considered functionally and structurally analogous to notexin from the Australian tiger snake venom . Finally, the basic membranes in the presence of a bactericidal-permeability-increasing protein from neutrophil sources.

Lab Anim, 1987 Jan, 21(1), 53 - 9
A technique for rearing germfree piglets obtained without surgery; Ratcliffe B et al.; A relatively simple procedure is described for obtaining germfree piglets which does not involve hysterectomy or hysterotomy . Newborn pigs were delivered into an isolator and their freedom from microbial contamination was ensured by applying bactericidal solutions externally and a combination of antibiotics in solution per os . 40 piglets so derived have been maintained free from detectable micro-organisms, some for up to 140 days . Equipment is described which allowed the long-term holding of these animals so that nutritional balance studies could be completed.

Acta Paediatr Scand, 1987 Jan, 76(1), 37 - 41
Complement-dependent bactericidal activity for E . coli K12 in serum of preterm newborn infants; Fietta A et al.; Complement-dependent serum bactericidal activity for E . coli K12 was assessed in 12 term infants and in 16 preterm infants . In both groups of newborns, at birth, bactericidal reaction by the classical pathway of complement activation was impaired with respect to normal controls at less than 0.001 level of significance (as estimated by Student's t-test) . The serum bactericidal reaction by the alternative pathway of complement activation was significantly impaired only in preterm newborns, being normal in term infants . At a time corresponding to 40 weeks' gestational age also in preterm newborns alternative pathway mediated bactericidal activity for E . coli K12 was found normal . Classical pathway mediated bactericidal activity became normal only at an age corresponding to 52 weeks' gestational age.

Radiobiologiia, 1987 Jan-Feb, 27(1), 118 - 21
{Methods of enhancing the radioprotective efficacy of serum immunoglobulin}; Shal'nova GA et al.; In this work the authors propose three ways of increasing the radioprotective efficiency of immunoglobulin: in vitro irradiation with gamma-quanta (60Co, 20,000 Gy), increasing the time of storage of whole blood (raw material for immunoglobulin production) up to 5-7 days at +4 degrees C, and the application of immunoglobulin with antibiotics . In experiments in vitro it was first shown that a combination of immunoglobulin with gentamicin exerted a pronounced bactericidal effect on E . coli . The effect was absent with immunoglobulin and markedly less pronounced with gentamicin used separately.

Int J Tissue React, 1987, 9(2), 151 - 6
The role of benzydamine in the topical treatment of the so-called non-specific vaginitis; Magliano EM et al.; The authors report the preliminary results of their investigation of the efficacy of benzydamine in the treatment of the so-called non-specific vaginitis . An initial in vitro study to test its bacteriostatic and/or bactericidal activity on Gardnerella vaginalis showed that the drug has high activity even at the lowest concentrations, and completely inhibits this micro-organism at 1000 micrograms/ml which is the usual concentration employed in therapy . The first pilot study performed in vivo on 14 selected vaginitis cases which were found positive for G . vaginalis by culture test appears to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of benzydamine; however, this confirmation must await the results of a double-blind clinical trial which is still in progress.

Vet Med Nauki, 1987, 24(8), 41 - 3
{Bactericidal and phagocytic activity in cows with a normal puerperium}; Radoslavov V et al.; Investigations were carried out to follow up the changes in the bactericidal and the phagocytic activity of the blood in cows with normal puerperal period . The experimental work was done with 70 cows of the Bulgarian Brown breed, blood for investigations being sampled on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and twelfth day following calving . It was found that with cows having normal calving and puerperium the bactericidal activity of the blood serum and the phagocytic activity of the neutrophilic leukocytes were highest during the first three days following calving, after which they dropped.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1987 Jan, 19(1), 119 - 25
Chequerboard titrations: the influence of the composition of serial dilutions of antibiotics on the fractional inhibitory concentration index and fractional bactericidal concentration index; Horrevorts AM et al.; Chequerboard titrations carried out with modified serial dilutions of antibiotics such that consecutive concentrations in these series were four times smaller than those in two-fold serial dilutions enable MICs and MBCs to be determined with greater accuracy . Interaction indices calculated by this method can differ markedly from those calculated on the basis of two-fold serial dilutions . The differences calculated in this study ranged from -0.30 to +1.06.

C R Acad Sci III, 1987, 304(1), 1 - 4
{Protective effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) obtained by genetic recombination against experimental bacterial or fungal infection}; Parant M et al.; Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rHuTNF) enhanced nonspecific resistance of mice to various bacterial and fungal infections, indicating that the protective effect previously reported by us with serum TNF (sTNF) prepared in mice, could be attributed to this macrophage-derived factor . Comparative assays with both TNF preparations have shown that the protection against the infections challenges was largely correlated with antitumor activity . The protective effect of the rHuTNF preparation, expressed from a cDNA clone in Escherichia coli, was not due to contaminating endotoxin products . Since recombinant TNF and sTNF have no direct bactericidal or anti-fungal activity, the enhanced resistance to infections can be explained by the action of TNF on macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells . The experimental data support the interpretation that TNF has an important role in nonspecific immunity.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Jan, 14(1), 67 - 76
Neutrophil function in sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukemia virus; Walker AF et al.; In vitro neutrophil adherence, random migration, chemotaxis, resting and phagocytosis-associated oxygen consumption and bactericidal responses were assessed in sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) . Neutrophil function was examined in two groups of 9 control and 9 BLV-infected sheep at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 15 weeks post-infection . Enhanced neutrophil adherence, chemotaxis and resting oxygen consumption responses were found in the infected group at 2, 11 and 15 weeks respectively . Significant alterations between groups were not demonstrated during the other time intervals.

Physiol Chem Phys Med NMR, 1987, 19(3), 147 - 51
Effects of in vitro and in vivo supplementation with zinc on superoxide anion production in leukocytes; Nakamura T et al.; The effects of zinc on the rate of production of bactericidal O2- of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in response to three different types of stimulating agents (serum-treated zymosan (STZ), Con A, and myristate) were studied . The percentage reduction of O2- production of PMN stimulated by STZ, Con A, and myristate were all reduced in response to Zn, irregardless of whether Zn was added to the reaction mixture immediately before SZT addition or following a prior 20 min . incubation of PMN in the presence of Zn . However, when Zn was introduced intraperitonially into guinea pigs before the collection of PMN from the animal, zinc treatment produced inhibition only in STZ-activated PMN; it produced no effect in O2- production of PMN stimulated by myristate, and it further augmented the O2- production stimulated by Con A.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1987, 35(4), 463 - 71
Cell phenomena in experimental viral-bacterial infections in mice . IV . Bactericidal activity of peritoneal granulocytes in experimental viral and viral-bacterial infections; Denys A et al.; Bactericidal activity of mouse peritoneal granulocytes was examined on the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 14th day after infection . 18-hour-old S . aureus 209P culture was used for examination . Human serum of AB group was used for opsonization . The mixture of bacteria, leukocytes and serum was placed at 37 degrees C for 2 h . Every 30 minutes the samples were taken to estimate the total number of living bacteria and the number of live intracellular bacteria . In the group of animals infected with bacteria as well as in the animals infected with non-adapted influenza viruses, granulocytes showed increased intracellular killing of test bacteria . The decrease of bactericidal activity of granulocytes was observed when they were taken from mice infected with adapted influenza viruses . In mixed infections, with the use of non-adapted virus and bacteria, the decrease of bactericidal activity of granulocytes was observed on the 6th and 9th day after infection . In the group of animals infected simultaneously with non-adapted virus and bacteria, increased bactericidal activity of granulocytes was observed in the initial period of infection . At the same time, on the 14th day this ability significantly decreased.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1987, 511, 17 - 29
Efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in rhesus monkeys; Mayer P et al.; The glycosylated and the non-glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rh GM-CSF) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and E . coli, respectively, were administered in rhesus monkeys either by the subcutaneous (three times daily) or intravenous route (6-hr infusions) for seven consecutive days . Within 24 hr peripheral white blood cells (WBC) increased 2-3 fold over normal values . Thereafter, the WBC increased steadily in a dose-dependent manner to reach maximum levels on the last day of or one day after the treatment period . The differential counts showed that neutrophils contributed to 50-80%, eosinophils to 10-20%, monocytes to 2-7%, and lymphocytes to 15-30% of the WBC rise . No effect was found on platelets and erythrocytes . After termination of treatment, WBC counts returned to normal levels within one week . Subcutaneously administered CSF was more effective in inducing leukocytosis than that injected intravenously In addition to the rise in WBC, the administered rh GM-CSF also enhanced the oxidative metabolism and bactericidal activity of the circulating mature granulocytes isolated from the blood of monkeys treated with rh GM-CSF . These results show that glycosylated or non-glycosylated rh GM-CSF is both an effective stimulator of leukocytosis and a potent activator of the functional activity of mature granulocytes in vivo.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1987, 53(6), 461 - 4
Immunobiology of gonococcal outer membrane protein I; Heckels JE et al.; Monoclonal antibodies have been obtained which react with gonococcal outer membrane protein I . One antibody recognised the majority of strains expressing P.IA and another recognised the majority of strains expressing P.IB . In in vitro tests both antibodies were bactericidal in the presence of complement, opsonic for phagocytosis by human PMN and protected epithelial cells against gonococcal invasion . Thus conserved epitopes on P.I . are potentially effective targets for immunoprophylaxis.

Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(10), 975 - 84
Effect of antibiotics on immediate hypersensitivity reactions in vitro: suppression of IgE-mediated histamine release from peripheral blood basophils by fosfomycin; Ida S et al.; The effect of antibiotics on allergic reactions was studied in vitro using the release of histamine from human peripheral blood leukocytes (basophils) after incubation with anti-IgE . For the several antibiotics we tested, including beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, none had the capacity to enhance antigen-induced histamine release, but some of them (minocycline, polymyxin B, and fosfomycin) suppressed the release of histamine in a dose-dependent manner . Since fosfomycin has proved to be capable of suppressing IgE-mediated histamine release non-cytotoxically, the effect of fosfomycin on histamine release induced by other secretagogues was further studied . The suppression of histamine release was also demonstrated when the leukocytes, preincubated with fosfomycin, were challenged with either Ca ionophore A 23187 or a synthetic peptide, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) . We concluded that some antibiotics, particularly fosfomycin, have the capacity to suppress histamine release mediated by various secretagogues, suggesting they may possess an anti-allergic property as well as a bactericidal activity.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1987, 36(3), 201 - 5
Influence of interactions between plasmids R . Vir and antigen K31 on the susceptibility of Escherichia coli strains to the normal rabbit serum; Abul-Milh M et al.; K31 antigen is the important element of outer membrane in resistance of E . coli H209 to the bactericidal activity of normal rabbit serum . The strains more resistant to the effect of serum are those containing simultaneously K31 and other factors, R plasmids (like R100 . 1 and pAM588-Ia) or virulence plasmids (Vir) . Mutant strains lacking of K31 antigen are strongly killed by the serum but this effect is delayed when these strains had one of the above plasmids.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1987, 36(3), 193 - 200
Influence of plasmids on bacterial susceptibility to the bactericidal activity of sera . II . Relation between transfer frequency of R plasmids and their protective activity to the lethal effect of normal rabbit serum; Abul-Milh M et al.; The plasmid pAM-Ia separated from the aggregate R588 protected E . coli K12 cells from the bactericidal action of normal rabbit serum much stronger when carried alone than in the aggregate . When aggregated with R100.1, its protective effect was also weakened . These decreases in protective effect are correlated qualitatively with inhibition of conjugational fertility . On the other hand the plasmid aggregate causing increase in protective activity showed no influence on their fertility.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1987, 36(3), 179 - 91
Influence of plasmids on bacterial susceptibility to the bactericidal activity of sera . I . Characteristic of R plasmids of enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli isolated from clinical cases; Abul-Milh M et al.; The 47 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from the cases of infant diarrhoea were characterized from the point of view of antigenic structures and drug resistance . Six R plasmids were obtained from these strains and were tested for protective activity of E . coli K12 W 1485 against lethal action of sera . Out of three sera tested, the investigated plasmids showed the most evident protective activity upon lethal action of neonatal serum . One of the plasmids appeared even more efficient than R100.1.

Folia Haematol Int Mag Klin Morphol Blutforsch, 1987, 114(3), 390 - 7
Does ceftazidime or latamoxef affect the phagocytic capabilities of human granulocytes?
Prokopowicz J, Dabrowska M, Wysocka J, Wolosowicz N, Gabryelewicz A.
In comparative studies made in patients with pneumonia we have treated 14 cases with Latamoxef and 16 cases with Ceftazidime . We have focused attention on the side effects of these drugs and on the phagocytic capacity of granulocytes . In our patients we have noted a decrease of bactericidal activity of plasma and granulocytes and an elevated NBT reduction capability of resting granulocytes . The other tested function of the granulocytes exhibited only small variations . The applied therapy caused the bactericidal activity to be increased in granulocytes and plasma . Both drugs had no harmful effect on the phagocytic activities of granulocytes.

Acta Derm Venereol, 1987, 67(2), 154 - 9
Can the clinical efficacy of different antibiotic dosage regimens in gonorrhoea be predicted from the gonocidal effect of the corresponding plasma level profiles simulated in vitro?
Korting HC, Ollert M, Lukacs A, Schafer-Korting M.
Two different gonococcal strains with equal minimum inhibitory concentrations of ceftriaxone are exposed to continuously changing concentrations of this antibiotic simulating the ones found in man after the single intramuscular application of different doses (1,000, 250, 125, 50 and 25 mg) . In general the bactericidal effect on both strains decreases more or less steadily with decreasing concentrations of ceftriaxone . One of the strains, however, shows a markedly dropped bactericidal effect as soon as the dosage is further reduced from 250 mg . These findings agree with previous experience from clinical dose-range finding studies . Thus the in vitro model presented here may be valuable for predicting both the optimum dosage and the clinical efficacy of new treatment protocols for gonorrhoea.

Biochemistry, 1986 Dec 30, 25(26), 8381 - 5
Structural and functional properties of a phospholipase A2 purified from an inflammatory exudate; Forst S et al.; The cell-free supernatant of sterile inflammatory peritoneal exudates contains a phospholipase A2 that participates in the digestion of Escherichia coli killed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes or by the purified bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI) of these cells . This phospholipase A2 has been purified, and the sequence of the NH2-terminal 39 amino acids has been determined and compared with sequences of both BPI-responsive and BPI-nonresponsive phospholipases A2 from snake venoms and mammalian pancreas . The high concentration and location of basic residues in the NH2-terminal region is a common feature of BPI-responsive phospholipases A2 and may characterize those phospholipases A2 participating in inflammatory events.

Biochemistry, 1986 Dec 2, 25(24), 8042 - 8
Role of free radical processes in stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Thomas MJ et al.; Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes produce large quantities of superoxide when they attack and kill bacteria . However, superoxide is a weak oxidizing and reducing agent, and other more reactive oxygen species derived from reactions of superoxide are suggested to participate in the killing processes . To test the hypothesis that a reactive free radical or singlet oxygen is involved in bactericidal activity, human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were exposed to phagocytozable particles containing lipids that contain the easily autoxidized 1,4-diene moiety . After incubation the preparations were extracted and the extracts reduced with NaBH4 to convert hydroperoxides to stable alcohols . Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to analyze the extracts, we were unable to detect products unless iron salts were added to the medium . The products obtained by extraction are those that would be expected if both free radical chain autoxidation and 1O2 oxidation were taking place . In summary, we find that polymorphonuclear leukocytes do not cause peroxidation, implying that formation of strongly oxidizing free radicals is not an intrinsic property of the leukocyte . Added iron catalyzes peroxidation by activated leukocytes yielding an unusual distribution of hydroxylated products.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1986 Dec, 134(6), 1225 - 8
The pulmonary disposition of theophylline and its influence on human alveolar macrophage bactericidal function; O'Neill SJ et al.; We studied the pulmonary disposition of theophylline by performing bronchoalveolar lavage on 19 normal, nonsmoking volunteers who had taken theophylline orally for 14 days . In addition, we determined the influence of theophylline on human alveolar macrophage bacterial phagocytosis, intracellular killing, and hydrogen peroxide release . We found a 1:1 relationship between serum and bronchoalveolar lavage theophylline concentrations when lavage fluid concentrations were corrected for saline dilution . We found marked impairment of the bactericidal activity of alveolar macrophages from theophylline-treated subjects (intracellular killing efficiency of 24.7 +/- 1.5% compared with 60.2 +/- 0.9% by macrophages from control subjects; p less than 0.001) . This defect in alveolar macrophage bactericidal activity was inversely correlated with the bronchoalveolar lavage theophylline concentrations, and was corrected after the alveolar macrophages were cultured under serum-free conditions for 48 h . Theophylline significantly impaired alveolar macrophage release of hydrogen peroxide . Hence, theophylline may compromise lung host defenses by suppressing alveolar macrophage bactericidal activity and oxidative metabolite release.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1986 Dec, 44(6), 877 - 82
Effect of iron therapy on phagocytosis and bactericidal activity in neutrophils of iron-deficient infants; Walter T et al.; Phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils were measured in 10 iron-deficient infants age 6-23 mo . All infants had hemoglobins less than 11 mg/dL with low saturation of transferrin and serum ferritin but were otherwise in good health . Neutrophil function and iron status were assessed at 0, 3-5, 15, 30, and 90 days of oral iron therapy . Phagocytosis was unaffected in iron deficiency and remained unchanged during therapy . Bactericidal capacity was severely impaired prior to treatment . After 3-5 days of ferrous sulfate administration, there was no significant improvement . At day 15 it returned to normal ranges and remained so at days 30 and 90 . The sequence of events suggests that iron does not have a direct effect upon circulating neutrophils but, rather, that it is required during the development of neutrophils in the bone marrow.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1986 Dec, 54(4), 563 - 77
Antimycobacterial activities of two newer ansamycins, R-76-1 and DL 473; Ji BH et al.; The antimycobacterial activities of two newer ansamycins, isobutylpiperazinylrifamycin SV (R-76-1) and cyclopentylrifamycin SV (DL 473), were compared with those of rifampin (RMP) both in vitro and in vivo . In terms of minimal inhibitory concentrations against a number of cultivable mycobacteria, R-76-1 was about eight times more active in vitro than RMP; whereas DL 473 was only slightly more active than RMP . Therapeutic activities of R-76-1 versus RMP and DL 473 versus RMP were compared, respectively, in the experimental infection of mice with Mycobacterium lepraemurium by different treatment schedules (immediate and delayed) and dosage regimens . R-76-1 appeared to have been three times more effective than RMP; DL 473 was also more effective than RMP in that an equivalent therapeutic effect could be obtained by fewer doses of DL 473 than of RMP, and in that DL 473 exerted a more prolonged activity than RMP . With the kinetic method and a dosage of 0.001% in the diet, R-76-1 demonstrated a bactericidal-type effect against M . leprae whereas RMP did not; with the proportional bactericidal method, R-76-1 possessed about three times the bactericidal activity of RMP against M . leprae . When drugs were administered once in 4 weeks, the RMP dose required to prevent multiplication of M . leprae in the foot pads of half of the mice was in the range of 1.25 to 2.5 mg/kg; whereas that of DL 473 was less than 0.625 mg/kg . With the proportional bactericidal method, even a single dose of 1.25 mg DL 473 per kg was active against M . leprae; whereas the smallest single active dose of RMP was 10 mg/kg . DL 473 in single doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg was significantly more effective than RMP in equal doses and, among the intermittent regimens administered four times, once every 4 weeks, no significant differences of bactericidal activity were observed between RMP at 20 mg/kg and DL 473 at 0.625 mg/kg . A preliminary clinical trial of R-76-1 in 20 patients with lepromatous leprosy showed that the compound, administered in a dosage of 150 mg daily, was very effective.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1986 Dec, 54(4), 560 - 2
In vitro and in vivo activities of ofloxacin against Mycobacterium leprae infection induced in mice; Saito H et al.; Ofloxacin, a new quinolone, exhibits bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium leprae in mice, both in vivo and in vitro.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Dec, 18 Suppl E, 61 - 5
Effect on growth curves and killing curves of brief exposure of Escherichia coli to imipenem and piperacillin; Yourassowsky E et al.; Escherichia coli was exposed to various concentrations of imipenem and piperacillin . As with the majority of beta-lactam antibiotics, the kinetic turbidometric growth curves showed, during the first few hours, an increase in optical density (OD) before lysis . This increase in OD depended on the concentration of imipenem and was independent of the concentration of piperacillin . A good correlation was found between the pre-lytic increase in OD and the killing curve . The bactericidal activity rate of imipenem was concentration-dependent . Imipenem was rapidly bactericidal, in contrast to piperacillin.

Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1986 Dec, 36(4), 662 - 77
{Influence of protein malnutrition on the phagocytic function of neutrophils in rats}; Garcia PB et al.; A study was carried out to determine the effect of protein deficiency on the phagocytic function of blood neutrophils and of peritoneal exudate of rats . The deficient animals exhibited significantly lower leukocyte and neutrophil values, as well as NBT reduction and diminished peroxidase and bactericidal capacity . Englobement of S . aureus and latex particles was found to be normal in both groups . Alkaline phosphatase activity in the neutrophils appear to be increased in the deficient animals.

Cryobiology, 1986 Dec, 23(6), 525 - 30
Effects of storage and incubation conditions on human granulocyte phagocytic, bactericidal, and chemotactic functions; Hammer MC et al.; This study was undertaken to determine the effects of different incubation conditions on human granulocyte (PMN) bactericidal, phagocytic, and chemotactic functions . Specifically, (1) how long may a patient's blood be held before assay and maintain original PMN function, and (2) how long may isolated PMNs be incubated for the purpose of exposure to various agents and still maintain original function? PMNs isolated following storage of whole heparinized blood at 4 degrees C for 24 and 48 hr phagocytized as well as fresh cells and their bactericidal activity was 96 and 85% of control values after 24 and 48 hr, respectively . Chemotaxis decreased to 62% of control after 24 hr . The bactericidal capacity of isolated PMNs stored at 4 degrees C for 24, 48, and 72 hr decreased to 85, 81, and 78% of controls, respectively . Phagocytosis after 24 hr storage was equal to controls . Chemotaxis was decreased to 59 and 34% of controls after 24 and 48 hr, respectively . Isolated PMNs incubated at 37 degrees C demonstrated impairment in phagocytic capacity after only 4 hr.

Pediatr Dermatol, 1986 Nov, 3(5), 376 - 9
Discoid lupus erythematosus and X-linked chronic granulomatous disease; Barton LL et al.; X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a defect of leukocyte bactericidal capacity, was seen in three generations of a large kindred . The association of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) with CGD was noted . Recurrent antigenic stimulation leading to autoantibody formation may explain the apparently increased frequency of DLE in female carriers of CGD . A screen for CGD, the nitroblue tetrazolium test, is suggested for females with DLE who have experienced suppurative infections or who have a family history of early childhood deaths or recurrent infections.

Am J Hematol, 1986 Nov, 23(3), 191 - 6
Serum bactericidal and opsonic activities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma; Kansu E et al.; Susceptibility to infection is widely recognized as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CLL and MM . The present study was designed to investigate the serum bactericidal (SBA) and serum opsonic activities (SOA) in 12 CLL and 12 MM patients, and results were compared to 20 normals . SBA and SOA were measured by a new radiometric assay . SBA was found to be normal in 11 patients with CLL and in all 12 patients with MM . In contrast, SOA was significantly lower in 11 out of 12 patients with CLL . Ten of twelve patients with MM also had significantly lower SOA compared to those of controls . No correlation was detected between the serum immunoglobulin and complement levels of the patients or between the degree of the opsonic defect and the incidence of infection . In mixture experiments, untreated normal serum partially corrected the opsonic activity of CLL and MM serum . The results suggest the presence of a possible inhibitor in the serum of patients with two well-known B-lymphocyte-derived disorders.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1986 Nov, 34(9), 997 - 1000
{Antibiotic combinations and serum concentrations: a study using a computer program}; Fosse T et al.; An original computer program developed to study antibiotic combinations is presented . In vitro combination effects were determined by broth microtiter checkerboard method . Inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations for each antibiotic alone and in combination were registered on a microcomputer (Apple Lisa) . The program (Pascal UCSD) allowed to determine FIC and FBC index and a therapeutical index (IFT) based on reduction of concentrations under mean serum levels for the two antibiotics . An IFT less than 1 correlated to a combination of antibiotics with achievable therapeutic levels . More the IFT was low more the combination was effective . This therapeutical index was calculated for various combinations of antibiotic concentrations.

Am J Med Sci, 1986 Nov, 292(5), 306 - 9
Recent advances in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis; Quagliarello VJ et al.; Bacterial meningitis continues to account for worldwide morbidity and mortality despite the advent of effective bactericidal antibiotic therapy . Recent advances over the past 10 years in the development of experimental animal models as well as basic investigation into critical bacterial surface virulence factors have begun to clarify a conceptual framework for understanding the mechanism of meningitis development in humans . Basic observations regarding competing host defenses and bacterial virulence factors have supported a pathogenetic sequence of mucosal colonization with a meningeal pathogen; systemic host invasion with intravascular replication; blood brain barrier penetration and unimpeded CSF proliferation amid the impaired host defenses in the CSF milieu; and pathophysiologic sequelae including vasogenic, cytotoxic, and interstitial brain edema (and other processes) accounting for irreversible neuronal injury and death . Only through continued basic investigation into each of these pathogenetic steps will significant reductions in morbidity and mortality ensue.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Nov, 18(5), 557 - 63
Polymyxin B and polymyxin B nonapeptide alter cytoplasmic membrane permeability in Escherichia coli; Dixon RA et al.; The effects of polymyxin B and polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN) on the permeability of the Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membrane were investigated . Both compounds caused loss of free amino acids, uracil and K+ from E . coli . The rates of loss promoted by polymyxin B were one and a half to two-fold greater than those caused by PMBN . Although PMBN mediated loss of low molecular weight substances from E . coli, it was not bactericidal . In contrast, polymyxin B treated E . coli lysed and rapidly lost viability . We suggest that the bactericidal activity of polymyxin B may be related to its previously reported ability to release cytoplasmic proteins from bacteria.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Nov-Dec, 8 Suppl 5, S639 - 43
Efficacy and safety of sequential treatment with parenteral sulbactam/ampicillin and oral sultamicillin for skeletal infections in children; Aronoff SC et al.; Nine children with osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis were treated sequentially with parenteral sulbactam/ampicillin and oral sultamicillin . Causative pathogens were identified in six cases; all were susceptible to the combination of ampicillin and sulbactam . The mean duration of parenteral therapy was 7.1 days (6-11 days), and the average hospital stay was 10.3 days (6-18 days) . Peak serum bactericidal titers of greater than or equal to 1:8 were achieved in all patients during parenteral therapy; only one child receiving oral therapy did not achieve a titer of greater than or equal to 1:4 . At follow-up, all of the children were cured clinically and there was no evidence of relapse . Adverse reactions to oral therapy were minimal . The regimen of parenteral sulbactam/ampicillin and oral sultamicillin used sequentially is effective and safe for the treatment of skeletal infections in children . The use of this approach significantly reduced the duration of hospitalization.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1986 Oct, 100(4), 1087 - 9
Facile release of NADPH oxidase from polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane by mild pressure treatment; Katayama T et al.; NADPH oxidase, a complex enzyme system in the cell membrane responsible for the bactericidal function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes through the production of superoxide anion, was facilely released by mild treatment with a press . At the pressure where almost all NADPH oxidase activity was released, releases of the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, 5'-nucleotidase, lysozyme, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and of the amount of total protein were negligible . This method can be useful for the elucidation of NADPH oxidase.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1986 Oct, 137(10), 96 - 8
{Bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties of Acryloxide copolymer in articular endoprosthesis}; Plotkin GL et al.; Based upon bacteriological investigations the authors have proved bacteriostatic and sometimes bactericidal effects of the polymer material "Acryloxide" . Endoprostheses made of it do not require sterilization which was demonstrated in operations of endoprosthesis of joints on 225 patients.

Eur J Pediatr, 1986 Oct, 145(5), 418 - 21
Phagocytic activities in neonatal monocytes; Speer CP et al.; Monocytes play an essential role in cellular host defense as circulating phagocytes, as well as precursors of macrophages . We investigated the principal phagocytic activities in monocytes from cord blood of term infants by analysing adherence, random migration, chemotaxis, bactericidal activity, phagocytosis-associated chemiluminescence, production of superoxide anion (O-2) and generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) . All phagocytic functions of monocytes from neonates were shown quantitatively to be comparable to those of cells from healthy adult volunteers . The increased susceptibility of the human neonate to serious systemic infections cannot be related to an abnormality in monocyte function.

Pediatr Res, 1986 Oct, 20(10), 937 - 42
IgG subclass deficiency in children with IgA deficiency presenting with recurrent or severe respiratory infections; Beard LJ et al.; A group of 22 children presenting with recurrent or severe respiratory tract infections who had low IgA levels (more than 2 SD below the mean for age) were examined for IgG subclass deficiency . Patients were screened for possible defects in neutrophil chemotaxis, bactericidal, fungicidal, and quantitative iodination activity, as well as for complement function . The majority of the patients showed IgG subclass levels below the mean for age . Nine of the children showed definite IgG subclass deficiency and at least two showed definite deficiency of more than one IgG subclass . The predominant subclass deficiency was found to be IgG1 . While nine children showed IgG4 levels below the level detectable by the technique used, it is not possible to assess whether these patients are deficient in this isotype since some healthy subjects also give values below the level of detection . Most of the patients who had very low (1-6 mg/dl) or undetectable (less than 1 mg/dl) levels of serum IgA did not show IgG subclass deficiencies, while IgG subclass deficiencies were common among those with borderline low IgA levels (slightly more than 2 SD below the mean for age) . Nine children showed total IgG levels close to 2 SD below mean for age, and at least six of these showed IgG subclass deficiency . The result suggests that patients with recurrent and/or severe respiratory infections who have borderline IgA and IgG levels may have IgG subclass deficiencies and if they do could benefit from immunoglobulin therapy.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Sep 15, 261(26), 12222 - 5
Topology of outer membrane pore protein PhoE of Escherichia coli . Identification of cell surface-exposed amino acids with the aid of monoclonal antibodies; van der Ley P et al.; Monoclonal antibodies which recognize the cell surface-exposed part of outer membrane protein PhoE of Escherichia coli were used to select for antigenic mutants producing an altered PhoE protein . The selection procedure was based on the antibody-dependent bactericidal action of the complement system . Using two distinct PhoE-specific monoclonal antibodies, seven independent mutants with an altered PhoE protein were isolated . Among these seven mutants, five distinct binding patterns were observed with a panel of 10 monoclonal antibodies . DNA sequence analysis revealed the following substitutions in the 330-residue-long PhoE protein: Arg-201----His (three isolates), Arg-201----Cys, Gly-238----Ser, Gly-275----Ser and Gly-275----Asp . It is argued that amino acid residues 201, 238, and 275 are most likely directly involved in antibody binding and, therefore, exposed at the cell surface . Together with Arg-158, which was previously shown to be cell surface exposed as it is changed in phage TC45-resistant phoE mutants, these four positions show a remarkably regular spacing, being approximately 40 residues apart . A model is suggested in which the PhoE polypeptide repeatedly traverses the outer membrane in an antiparallel beta-pleated sheet structure, exposing eight areas to the outside which are all separated by approximately 40 residues.

An Esp Pediatr, 1986 Sep, 25(3), 161 - 4
{Effectiveness of rectal metromidazole in acute infantile appendicitis}; Puig I et al.; Thirty two consecutive children who underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis, were treated with prophylactic metronidazole suppositories . A serum sample was taken at surgery to determine the serum concentration of the drug . After a preoperative dose of 15-20 mg/kg the minimal bactericidal concentration was achieved in almost all cases at the time of anesthetic induction . This drug showed an optimal biodisponibility when used rectally and no side-effects was noted . Neither a wound-infection, nor a wound-sepsis was reported and a satisfactory outcome was registered . We conclude that rectal dosing with metronidazole is effective for prophylactic wound infection in acute appendicitis.

J Surg Res, 1986 Sep, 41(3), 264 - 73
Neutrophil chemiluminescence and opsonic fibronectin levels following blunt trauma; Lanser ME et al.; Trauma is known to result in depression of opsonic fibronectin levels as well as abnormalities in neutrophil function . Neutrophil oxidative metabolism, important for bactericidal activity, has not been investigated following injury . Since fibronectin has been reported to increase neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL), we examined the relationship between neutrophil oxidative metabolism (as measured by chemiluminescence) and opsonic fibronectin levels following blunt trauma . Sera from 11 nonseptic and 9 eventually septic-trauma patients were studied . Normal neutrophils incubated in septic-trauma serum had decreased CL responses compared to incubation in nonseptic serum (P less than 0.0001) . This difference was apparent immediately after injury, prior to the onset of sepsis . This depression was due to the presence of a serum suppressor of neutrophil chemiluminescence and not to the absence of a serum factor . This suppressor has been partially characterized as a protein of greater than 30,000 Da . Opsonic fibronectin levels were also depressed in septic-trauma sera compared to nonseptic-trauma sera (P less than 0.0001) . However, no correlation could be demonstrated between the CL response and opsonic fibronectin levels . Addition of fibronectin to buffer increased the CL response, while addition of fibronectin to nonseptic-trauma serum had no effect . In contrast, addition of fibronectin to septic-trauma sera actually decreased the CL response (P less than 0.05), perhaps by forming complexes with abnormal proteins and interfering with membrane-particle interaction.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1986 Sep, 102(9), 319 - 21
{Study of alveolar macrophages stimulated with zymosan in vivo using fluorescent probes}; Shishkina LN et al.; Zymosan granules injected intravenously (100 mg per kg of body weight) to Wistar rats induced strong stimulation of mononuclear phagocyte system . On day 5 zymosan-induced recruitment of monocyte-like cells with high consuming and bactericidal activity into lung spaces could be observed . Using fluorescent probes, it was discovered that the size of alveolar cell membranes in zymosan-stimulated or non-stimulated animals was similar, while the viscosity of membrane lipids of alveolar macrophages was considerably lower in zymosan-stimulated rats . These variations are suggested to be responsible for antiinflammatory and bactericidal macrophage potentials.

Infect Immun, 1986 Sep, 53(3), 702 - 6
Functional and ultrastructural changes in alveolar macrophages from rabbits colonized with Bordetella bronchiseptica; Zeligs BJ et al.; Alveolar macrophages from rabbits colonized with Bordetella bronchiseptica in their respiratory tract exhibited significant decreases in cell adherence, phagocytic uptake, and bactericidal activity compared with macrophages from uncolonized animals . These dysfunctions were accompanied by ultrastructural changes, including a decrease in overall cell density, a vacuolation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and an increase in organelle-poor cell surface projections.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Sep, 47(9), 1961 - 2
Hemolytic and bactericidal activities of bovine complement in mammary secretions of cows during the early nonlactating (dry) period; Poutrel B et al.; Hemolytic and bactericidal complement-dependent activities were measured in quarter mammary secretions obtained during the first 21 days of the nonlactating (dry) period from 8 Holstein-Friesian cows . We demonstrated an inhibition of hemolytic activity and bactericidal activity against a serum-sensitive Escherichia coli strain . Both hemolytic and inhibitory titers increased markedly during active involution . The bactericidal activity of dry secretions required a minimal threshold of complement and an inhibitory titer lower than the hemolytic titer.

J Med Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 22(2), 143 - 9
Bactericidal, bacteriolytic and opsonic activity of human serum against Escherichia coli; Rozenberg-Arska M et al.; The effect of human serum on Escherichia coli was studied with serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains . The bactericidal effect of human serum on serum-sensitive strains of E . coli depended on the activation of the classical complement pathway . The role of activation of the alternative pathway was less important . After incubation in sub-bactericidal concentrations of serum these strains were also easily phagocytosed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) . Strains of E . coli of certain O-types required not only an intact classical pathway but also the presence of specific antibodies for effective killing by serum and effective phagocytosis by PMNL, despite rapid activation of complement and rapid deposition of C3 on the bacterial surface in the absence of antibody . Capsulate strains O1K1 and O78K80 resisted the bactericidal effect of serum even in the presence of specific antibodies; phagocytosis by PMNL only occurred after opsonisation with specific antibodies.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Sep, 154(3), 497 - 503
Role of lipopolysaccharide and capsule in the serum resistance of bacteremic strains of Escherichia coli; Cross AS et al.; To define the relative roles of capsule and lipopolysaccharide in the virulence of Escherichia coli obtained from blood, we compared the behavior of K1- and K5-encapsulated strains in serum bactericidal and rat virulence assays . Unencapsulated isogenic mutants selected from five parent strains of E . coli O12:K1, but not of O18:K1 or O7:K1 (all rough-specific phage insensitive), were lysed by normal human sera . In contrast, isogenic mutants from strains of serotypes O6:K5 and O18:K5 retained the serum resistance of the parent strains . There was a greater than 10(5) difference in LD50 in newborn rats between K1-positive and K1-negative pairs of E . coli serotypes O18 and O7 and a greater than 1 log difference between isogenic pairs of serotype O12; however, the K5 isogenic pairs had a similar LD50 . Some non-O6 O serotypes, however, required the K5 capsule for serum resistance . We conclude that some O serotypes require encapsulation for optimal virulence but that other O serotypes may not.

J Immunol, 1986 Aug 15, 137(4), 1329 - 35
The interaction of Escherichia coli with normal human serum: the kinetics of serum-mediated lipopolysaccharide release and its dissociation from bacterial killing; Tesh VL et al.; We have examined the killing of E . coli and kinetics of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) release after the exposure of the bacteria to normal human serum (NHS) and sera deficient in complement components, or with inactivated complement components . LPS of the galactose epimerase-deficient strain E . coli J5 were specifically radiolabeled by growing the bacteria in a medium containing {3H}galactose . Exposure of the washed bacteria to NHS resulted in a significant reduction (greater than 99%) in viability within 15 min and the concomitant release of radiolabeled LPS . However, maximal release of LPS was consistently 30% of the total radiolabel incorporated into the LPS molecules . The amount of tritium-labeled LPS released was shown to be directly proportional to the concentration of bacteria exposed to NHS, suggesting that release of LPS was not limited by the availability of some critical serum component(s) . The consumption of complement in NHS by incubation with E . coli was demonstrated by decreased alternative and classical pathway-specific hemolytic activity . The use of Factor D-depleted and VEM-treated human sera demonstrated that, with these bacteria, both the alternative and classical pathways of complement contribute to bacterial killing and release of LPS . It is noteworthy that, in VEM-treated and Factor D-depleted sera, the rate of killing and the kinetics of LPS release were somewhat slower as compared to control serum . Bacterial killing in C7-depleted and C9-deficient human sera was minimal . Neither killing nor LPS release occurred in heat-inactivated (56 degrees C, 30 min) human serum . The amount of {3H}LPS released by C9-deficient serum was qualitatively similar to the amount released by the action of NHS . Tritium-labeled LPS was not released in C7-depleted serum . These data indicate that bacterial killing can be dissociated from LPS release, and suggest that, whereas LPS release may be necessary for the bactericidal effects of serum complement, it is probably not sufficient to effect killing . Furthermore, a significant fraction of LPS can be removed from the outer membrane of the bacteria without an apparent affect on viability.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1986 Aug, 62(2), 191 - 7
Comparative study of the configuration and the cleanliness level of root canals prepared with the aid of sodium hypochlorite and bis-dequalinium-acetate solutions; Kaufman AY et al.; Bis-dequalinium acetate (BDA), a quaternary ammonium compound, was introduced as a bactericidal and chemotherapeutic agent for endodontic use . This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of this compound to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in the cleansing and shaping of root canals . One hundred twenty freshly extracted teeth were divided into three groups . Each group was treated with the aid of the test material; saline solution was used as a control . After completion of the endodontic preparation, a silicone imprint of the canals was performed and the teeth were decalcified . The imprints were examined three-dimensionally to determine the amount of debris and canal configuration due to defective preparation and anatomic variation . No significant difference could be observed between the tested materials with respect to cleanliness and the shape of the canals . At the apical third, however, the BDA-treated canals showed more favorable results with respect to cleanliness . On the basis of the present and previous findings, it was concluded that BDA might be a favorable replacement for sodium hypochlorite as an irrigation solution.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1986 Aug, 67(4), 587 - 96
Recombinant interferon-gamma and chemotherapy with isoniazid and rifampicin in experimental murine tuberculosis; Khor M et al.; Viable bacterial counts in the lungs and spleens of mice infected intravenously with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, strain H37Rv were reduced by intravenous recombinant murine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) 1000-5000 u, but not by 200 u . Reduction in counts was greatest when IFN-gamma was given 1 day before infection and was not increased by additional doses in the preceding 2 days . The effect was complete in 1 day and was not increased by successive doses during the next week . Giving IFN-gamma in multilamellar liposomes further reduced the spleen viable counts, but this appeared due to the liposomes themselves and not to encapsulation of IFN-gamma within them . Only a minimal reduction in organ viable counts, not statistically significant, occurred when IFN-gamma was given 5 days after infection . Although IFN-gamma alone and isoniazid 25 mg/kg alone reduced the organ viable counts, combined treatment with IFN-gamma and isoniazid was no more bactericidal than isoniazid alone . Similarly, the bactericidal activity of rifampicin 25 mg/kg was not increased by simultaneous administration of IFN-gamma . There seems little likelihood that IFN-gamma would increase the efficacy of the early stages of the chemotherapy of tuberculosis.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Aug, 83(16), 6164 - 8
Misread protein creates membrane channels: an essential step in the bactericidal action of aminoglycosides; Davis BD et al.; Among the pleiotropic effects of aminoglycosides, their irreversible uptake and their blockade of initiating ribosomes have appeared to explain their bactericidal action, while the contributions of translational misreading and membrane damage and the mechanism of that damage have remained uncertain . We now present evidence that incorporation of misread proteins into the membrane can account for the membrane damage . The bactericidal action thus appears to result from the following sequence, in which each step is essential: slight initial entry of the antibiotic; interaction with chain-elongating ribosomes, resulting in misreading; incorporation of misread protein into the membrane, creating abnormal channels; increased (and irreversible) entry through these channels, and hence increased misreading and formation of channels; and, finally, blockade of initiating ribosomes . This mechanism can account for several previously unexplained observations: that streptomycin uptake requires protein synthesis during, but not after, the lag before the membrane damage; that streptomycin-resistant cells, which fail to take up streptomycin, can do so after treatment by another aminoglycoside; and that puromycin at moderate concentrations accelerates streptomycin uptake, while high concentrations (which release shorter chains) prevent it . In addition, puromycin, prematurely releasing polypeptides of normal sequence, also evidently creates channels, since it is reported to promote streptomycin uptake even in streptomycin-resistant cells . These findings imply that normal membrane proteins must be selected not only for a hydrophobic anchoring surface, but also for a tight fit in the membrane.

Can J Hosp Pharm, 1986 Aug, 39(4), 102 - 4, 108
Evaluation of a newsletter in altering physicians' prescribing patterns; Phillips L et al.; Various techniques have been utilized by pharmacists to alter physicians' prescribing patterns in order to reduce drug costs . This study was designed to determine if a pharmacy newsletter alone could persuade physicians to change from intravenous to oral metronidazole as soon as clinically indicated . Oral metronidazole is well absorbed, reaches adequate bactericidal levels in the serum, and is approximately one-tenth the cost of the intravenous form . Thirty-four patients' charts were examined retrospectively over a two month period to determine the incidence of overprescribing of intravenous metronidazole . It was found that 31% of intravenous doses could have been given orally . This would have resulted in a cost saving of $1,863.25 . Metronidazole's excellent oral bioavailability and the projected cost savings of using oral rather than IV metronidazole were presented in a newsletter distributed to all physicians . The charts of 24 patients who received intravenous metronidazole within two months after the newsletter's distribution were reviewed . There was no significant change in the prescribing of intravenous metronidazole . Further study is required to determine the cost-effectiveness of a newsletter as the sole method of influencing physician prescribing patterns.

Hum Toxicol, 1986 Jul, 5(4), 237 - 41
Assessment of polymorphonucleate leucocyte functions in adult epileptic patients undergoing long-term phenytoin treatment; Ricevuti G et al.; Twelve patients given more than 1 year phenytoin monotherapy and 12 healthy control subjects taking no drugs and matched for sex and age were examined for polymorphonucleate (PMN) functions . To assess PMN activity, cell locomotion and directed migration, phagocytosing ability and bactericidal activity were investigated . No change either in the absolute or relative counts of PMN leucocytes was found in the patients . However, a significant impairment of both PMN chemotaxis and stimulated Nitro Blue Tetrazolium reduction or superoxide anion generation was observed in the patients as compared with the control group of subjects.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1986 Jul, 86(1), 33 - 49
Leukocyte granulation abnormality associated with normal neutrophil function and neurologic impairment; Gale PF et al.; This article describes studies of two unrelated patients, ages 5.5 and 26 years, with leukocyte granulation abnormalities similar to those in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome . Both patients presented with neurologic manifestations characterized by psychomotor impairment, but neither had any evidence of oculocutaneous albinism, photophobia, or increased susceptibility to pyogenic infection . The leukocytes were studied for cytochemical, ultrastructural, ultrastructural cytochemical, and functional characteristics . Abnormal granules were present in neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes; in the neutrophil series the abnormalities involved both the azurophilic and specific granules . On ultrastructural examination, the abnormal granules in the neutrophils were found to result from fusion of both peroxidase-positive and peroxidase-negative granules . Large numbers of normal granules were also present . The abnormal large granules in the eosinophils and basophils were the result of fusion of normal granules . The neutrophil function studies showed normal chemotaxis, chemiluminescence, bactericidal activity, and nitro-blue tetrazolium reduction . The normal neutrophil function studies were paralleled by the clinical histories in that neither patient had a history of severe infectious episodes.

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1986 Jul-Aug, 5(4), 402 - 7
Cefotaxime vs . conventional therapy for the treatment of bacterial meningitis of infants and children; Odio CM et al.; Eighty-five infants and children were prospectively randomized to receive cefotaxime or ampicillin and chloramphenicol for therapy of bacterial meningitis . The two therapy groups of patients were comparable as to sex, age, clinical status on admission, prior administration of antibiotics and etiology . Three infants (7%) died in each therapy group . Mean number of days of positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures, time to defervescence and duration of treatment and of hospital stay and complications developing during treatment were similar for the two treatment regimens . Median cerebrospinal fluid bactericidal titers against the patients' pathogens in cefotaxime-treated patients (1:64) were larger than those in patients who received conventional therapy (1:8) . Mild to moderate motor sequelae were more frequent in those given conventional therapy at the time of discharge only, and not at 4 months or longer of follow-up . We conclude that cefotaxime has similar efficacy when compared with conventional therapy for the management of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Jul-Aug, 8 Suppl 3, S279 - 91
Phenotypic tolerance: the search for beta-lactam antibiotics that kill nongrowing bacteria; Tuomanen E; beta-Lactam antibiotics rapidly kill bacteria during logarithmic growth but fail to kill nongrowing cells . This trait is the most universal example of phenotypic tolerance (the ability of bacteria to evade the bactericidal activity of antibiotics) . Both nongrowing and slowly growing bacteria are found very frequently during infection in vivo, and phenotypic tolerance to the bactericidal activity of antibiotics as a consequence of reduced growth rate can be detected in vivo . With the use of an in vitro model system of nongrowing bacteria, a select group of beta-lactam antibiotics has been found that demonstrates a striking and unusual ability to kill nongrowing bacteria despite phenotypic tolerance to conventional beta-lactam antibiotics . These same compounds also effectively kill phenotypically tolerant cells in cerebrospinal fluid and serum . The extension of bactericidal activity to nongrowing and slowly growing bacteria may be a major advance in efforts to improve the chemotherapy for infectious diseases.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Jul, 40(1), 55 - 64
Enhanced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of stimulated rat alveolar macrophages by pretreatment with alveolar lining material; Webb DS et al.; Previous reports indicate that the in vitro bactericidal activity of rat alveolar macrophages (AM) is dependent on the lipid fraction (ALM-L) of the alveolar lining material (ALM) . The present study demonstrates that luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of stimulated rat AM is increased when rat AM are preincubated in the ALM or in the ALM-L . Evidence is presented that oxidation of the unsaturated lipids is responsible for the increase . In addition to pretreatment with the ALM, cells were also pretreated in commercial preparations of several lipids found to be present in the ALM . Preincubation in these lipids produced a significant increase in the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response . However, when a saturated lipid, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, was used no increase was found . Pretreatment in ALM did not increase the nitro blue tetrazolium dye reduction by the AM, nor was the phagocytosis of latex beads by the AM altered by the addition of the ALM.

Nucl Med Commun, 1986 Jul, 7(7), 505 - 10
Formation of labelled colloid in 99Tcm-DMSA due to the presence of bactericidal fluid; Murray T et al.; The possibility that traces of bactericidal fluid in 99Tcm-DMSA could lead to the formation of labelled colloid, was explored . In vitro investigations were undertaken using ultracentrifugation techniques and photon correlation spectroscopy . The latter showed that both contaminated and uncontaminated DMSA contained colloidal (or particulate) material . However the presence of 10 microliters bactericidal fluid as contaminant was shown by ultracentrifugation to result in labelling of this colloidal material when 99Tcm was added to DMSA . Studies in a normal volunteer confirmed the results of the in vitro studies, in that significant liver and spleen uptake was observed after the administration of contaminated 99Tcm-DMSA.

Diabetologia, 1986 Jul, 29(7), 426 - 9
Bactericidal proteins and neutral proteases in diabetes neutrophils; Oberg G et al.; Reduced bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leucocytes has been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus . Whether this is due to reduced content of bactericidal granular proteins has not been determined . We therefore immunochemically measured the content of myeloperoxidase, lactoferrin, lysozyme, cathepsin G and elastase in polymorphonuclear leucocytes from 50 insulin-treated diabetic patients . The peroxidase activity was also measured . Normal contents of myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin as well as normal peroxidase activity were found . The average contents of cathepsin G, elastase and lysozyme were 2.5, 3.2 and 2.6 micrograms/10(6) polymorphonuclear leucocytes, respectively, and thus 14, 45 and 18% higher than the contents of normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes . The results indicate that reduced intracellular killing of bacteria demonstrated in previous studies in diabetic patients does not appear to be related to a reduction in the content of bactericidal proteins.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1986 Jun, 54(2), 236 - 44
Prospective study on the relationship between intensive bactericidal therapy and leprosy reactions; Groenen G et al.; A systematic study was performed on the reactions occurring during several short-course therapy regimens for the treatment of paucibacillary and multibacillary patients . Most type 1 upgrading reactions in paucibacillary (PB) leprosy were mild to moderate and of short duration, while the time of onset was extremely variable . Their incidence was higher in the regimen rifampin (RMP) 900 mg once weekly for ten weeks than when a single dose of RMP 40 mg/kg body weight was given or 1500 mg in one dose followed by one year of dapsone (DDS) 100 mg daily . In multibacillary (MB) leprosy, three regimens were compared: MB-WHO regimen; regimen C, consisting of daily RMP 600 mg, ethionamide (ETH) 500 mg, and DDS or clofazimine (CLO) 100 mg for six months, followed by six months of daily DDS or CLO; and regimen D, identical to regimen C but comprising daily DDS or CLO plus ETH 500 mg during the second semester . Type 1 upgrading reactions occurred more frequently in MB patients and were more severe than in PB patients . They occurred more frequently and were more severe in regimens C and D than in the MB-WHO regimen . CLO 100 mg daily prevented type 1 reactions in MB patients and rendered them less severe . ENL was also more frequent in regimens C and D and was not prevented by CLO in the dosage used . Although there is some correlation between type 1 reactions and the total amount of RMP administered, other aspects of RMP administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1986 Jun, 34(5 Pt 2), 639 - 42
{Activity of an antiseptic against mycobacteria}; Bonnaveiro N et al.; Since the publication of Afnor standards for the determination of bactericidal activity we have studied different antiseptics . Most were inactive on the test strains of Mycobacteria, M . smegmatis . We investigated one antiseptic that did exhibit bactericidal activity against M . smegmatis to find out whether this product's spectrum included other mycobacteria such as those responsible for skin diseases (M . marinum, M . ulcerans, M . chelonei and M . fortuitum) . We used the dilution-neutralization method (NF T 72-150) according to all the Afnor requisites, changing only the strains (5 mycobacterial strains recently recovered from clinical specimens), culture conditions, and, for some studies, temperature (21 degrees C and 32 degrees C) and time of contact (5 and 30 minutes) . Under Afnor standard conditions (5 mn at 21 degrees C), the tested antiseptic in a concentration of 90% was bactericidal only for M . smegmatis . For the other strains, inhibition was limited (M . fortuitum) or nearly non-existent (M . chelonei) . Another series of tests at 32 degrees C showed bactericidal activity (5 log reduction) in 5 minutes for all strains including M . marinum . Despite the fact that these results are of limited practical usefulness, they show 1) that trials under strict conditions can be carried out with all Mycobacteria (including slow growing species), and 2) that broad spectrum bactericidal antiseptics are available.

Eur J Clin Invest, 1986 Jun, 16(3), 262 - 70
Altered functions of peripheral blood monocytes in homosexual males and intravenous drug users with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy; Roux-Lombard P et al.; Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) is observed predominantly in subjects at risk of developing AIDS . Twenty-seven individuals belonging to such groups: twelve homosexual males and fifteen intravenous drug users, were investigated for immunological abnormalities with particular attention to monocyte functions . They were compared with five AIDS patients . Twenty out of twenty-two individuals had anti-LAV/HTLV-III antibodies and most had abnormalities characteristic of AIDS: polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, decreased cell-mediated immunity, inverted T-cell helper/suppressor ratio and histological alterations of lymph nodes . As for peripheral blood monocyte functions, phagocytic capacity and production of O2- were normal and bactericidal capacity was decreased . Monocytes cultured in the presence of concanavalin A produced less PGE2 and more IL-1/MCF than normal monocytes . Similar abnormalities were found using monocytes from AIDS patients . These data suggest that monocytes from patients with PGL have functional alterations that may be either intrinsic or secondary to lymphocyte dysfunction(s); these alterations do not account for the decreased capacity of lymphocytes to respond to mitogens but may explain the uncontrolled activation of B cells.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Jun, 132 ( Pt 6), 1621 - 9
Monoclonal antibodies to gonococcal outer membrane protein IB: use in investigation of the potential protective effect of antibodies directed against conserved and type-specific epitopes; Virji M et al.; Several monoclonal antibodies directed against gonococcal outer membrane protein IB have been used in in vitro assays to investigate their potential efficacy in protection against gonococcal infection . In a cytotoxicity assay, virulence of the variant P9-17 for epithelial cells in tissue culture was reduced in the presence of three of the four antibodies which recognized type-specific epitopes . Similarly, virulence of P9-17 as well as a recent isolate was reduced in the presence of the one antibody, SM24, which reacted with a conserved epitope . This antibody was also bactericidal in the presence of complement, and in addition was opsonic for several protein IB-expressing strains as determined by polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemiluminescence measurements . Similarly, all the type-specific antibodies were opsonic for P9 variants . However, only two of these antibodies mediated complement-dependent killing although those which were ineffective were nevertheless complement-fixing antibodies . These results indicate that antibodies to closely positioned epitopes on protein I vary in their biological activities and that the conserved epitope recognized by the antibody SM24 is potentially an effective target on the gonococcal surface for immunoprophylaxis.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986 May 14, 136(3), 885 - 90
Studies on binding of toromycin, an antitumor antibiotic, to DNA; Shishido K et al.; Toromycin, an antitumor, bactericidal and antiviral compound, was found to bind to DNA in such a way as to interfere with the dissociation of double helix at an elevated temperature . The antibiotic did not introduce strand scission into DNA . Single-strand-specific nuclease S1-susceptibility of negatively supercoiled DNA was not influenced by its binding . The antibiotic was shown to bind to both of the alternating purine-pyrimidine copolymers, poly(dG-dC):poly(dG-dC) and poly(dA-dT):poly(dA-dT) . The unique C-glycoside molecule of toromycin interacted with single-stranded DNA, but was found to have no affinity for RNA.

Mikrobiologiia, 1986 May-Jun, 55(3), 386 - 90
{Characteristics of mutagenesis and repair following UV irradiation in the methylotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas methanolica}; Naumov GN et al.; The methylotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas methanolica was shown to be very resistant to the bactericidal and mutagenic action of UV irradiation . The activity of reparation processes after UV irradiation was also detected as well as a weak photoreactivating activity in P . methanolica . The decrease in the survival rate of irradiated cells under the action of caffeine and acriflavine, reparation inhibitors, is indicative of the activity of the excision reparation systems and, possibly, the recombination branch of postreplicative reparation . No activity of the inducible reparation system was found . It has been concluded that the elevated resistance of P . methanolica cells to the bactericidal and mutagenic action of short-wavelength UV irradiation is associated with the activity of the reparation systems.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 May, 132 ( Pt 5), 1297 - 304
The rate of killing of Escherichia coli by beta-lactam antibiotics is strictly proportional to the rate of bacterial growth; Tuomanen E et al.; Nongrowing bacteria evade the bactericidal activity of beta-lactam antibiotics . We sought to determine if slow growth rate also alters bactericidal activity . The bactericidal activity of two beta-lactams on Escherichia coli grown in glucose limited chemostats was compared for generation times ranging from 0.7 to 12 h . The degree of killing varied with drug structure and with E . coli strain . However, all killing rates were a constant function of the bacterial generation time: slowly growing bacteria became progressively more phenotypically tolerant to beta-lactam antibiotics as the generation time was extended.

Pediatr Res, 1986 May, 20(5), 438 - 42
Impaired chemotaxis and neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte) function in glycogenosis type IB; Koven NL et al.; Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function was investigated in two patients with glycogen storage disease type IB and neutropenia . Glycogen storage disease type IB was documented by liver biopsy and a normal amount of latent glucose-6-phosphatase activity . Patient A had stomatitis, skin infections, and septicemia; patient B had respiratory infections, periodontitis, and oral candidiasis . Absolute neutrophil counts ranged from 114 to 2580/mm3 . Diminished and delayed migration of PMN into a skin "window" occurred in B . Random and directed PMN migration under agarose toward f-Met-Leu-Phe, pepstatin A, and zymosan-activated serum were severely diminished in both patients . At 10(-7) M f-Met-Leu-Phe, mean random and directed migration were 52 and 23% (A, n = 3) and 48 and 13% (B, n = 4) of controls . These results were independent of incubation time and chemoattractant concentration . Patients' PMN had diminished quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium reduction compared to controls . B had a significant defect in PMN bactericidal activity with Escherichia coli with less than 0.2 log killing at 2 h . These results further characterize the defect in PMN migration reported by Beaudet et al . (J Pediatr 97:906, 1980) . The finding of other abnormalities of PMN function suggests a metabolic defect in the neutrophil which may be related to the microsomal membrane defect in hepatocytes in glycogen storage disease type IB.

J Bacteriol, 1986 May, 166(2), 693 - 6
Interaction of fructose with the glucose permease of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp . strain PCC 6803; Flores E et al.; Fructose was bactericidal for the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp . strain PCC 6803 . Each of ten independently isolated fructose-resistant mutants had an alteration of the glucose transport system, measured as uptake of glucose or of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose . In the presence of the analog, the wild-type Synechocystis strain was protected against fructose . Two mutants altered in photoautotrophy were also isolated.

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1986 May, 77(5), 653 - 62
Neutrophil granules in health and disease; Falloon J et al.; The granules of the neutrophil, in addition to contributing to its distinctive morphologic appearance, are critical to its unique functions . Specific granules appear necessary for neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation, for upregulation of receptors important in the control of chemotaxis and the respiratory burst, for disaggregation, for bactericidal activity, and for chemoattractant generation . The azurophilic granules supply enzymes for digestive and bactericidal functions and supply MPO to the MPO-halide-hydrogen peroxide bactericidal system . Azurophilic granule contents also regulate inflammation by degrading inflammatory products . Both granules may play a role in intracellular calcium regulation . In addition to these activities that protect the host from infection, granules also, under certain circumstances, contribute to disease processes . For these reasons, greater knowledge about granule contents, control of degranulation, inactivation of toxic granule contents and products, and the role of granules in neutrophil membrane events and function has widespread implications for treatment of patients with neutrophil dysfunction syndromes and patients with multiple other systemic diseases.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 May, 17(5), 651 - 9
Teicoplanin as a prophylactic antibiotic for dental bacteraemia; Maskell JP et al.; The potential of teicoplanin, a new glycopeptide antibiotic, was assessed according to its ability to decrease the occurrence and severity of bacteraemia following dental extraction . Preliminary studies with ten volunteers showed that mean peak serum concentrations of teicoplanin were reached 3 hours after intramuscular administration and were 2.6 mg/l (1.5 mg/kg regimen) and 5.0 mg/l (3 mg/kg regimen) . Three groups of ten patients participated in the bacteraemia study . Group one received no prophylaxis whereas groups two and three received 200 mg of teicoplanin intramuscularly, or 3 g amoxycillin orally respectively, 1 h prior to extraction . Sequential blood cultures were inoculated at timed intervals from a single venous blood sample taken 2 min after commencing surgery . Bacteraemia was detectable in all patients who received no prophylaxis whereas those given teicoplanin and amoxycillin had detectable bacteraemia in 6/10 and 4/10 cases, respectively . Teicoplanin was clearly effective in reducing the incidence and degree of post dental extraction bacteraemia although apparently rather less so than amoxycillin . In-vitro tests of susceptibility and bactericidal activity showed that teicoplanin possesses comparable activity to those antibiotics which are either in use or have been used for the suppression of bacteraemia following dental extraction.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Apr, 29(4), 699 - 700
Failure of vancomycin prophylaxis and treatment for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis; Eng RH et al.; Reported is a case of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis which developed after dental prophylaxis with vancomycin and erythromycin . In vitro results indicated that this isolate and 20 additional isolates were resistant to vancomycin and that potentially useful bactericidal antibiotics for the prophylaxis and treatment of A . actinomycetemcomitans infections included gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, cefotaxime, and ciprofloxacin.

Mol Cell Biochem, 1986 Apr, 70(1), 21 - 9
Salivary peroxidases; Banerjee RK et al.; Peroxidases are known to be involved in the intracellular metabolism of H2O2 coupled with various physiological functions . Apart from the thyroid gland, the enzyme has been isolated from various extrathyroidal sources of which salivary gland is one of the richest sources of the enzyme . The enzyme from bovine and goat submaxillary gland has been extensively studied in terms of their molecular, spectral, kinetic, catalytic and immunological properties and compared with the lactoperoxidase which is similar to the salivary peroxidase . The modulation of the salivary peroxidase by various factors and the probable mechanism of the modulation has been described . The enzyme has also been compared with the thyroid peroxidase as regards their physicochemical properties as well as on the immunological and functional aspects . The similarities and dissimilarities have been incorporated . The possible function of the enzyme in iodine metabolism and in bactericidal action has been discussed.

J Dermatol Surg Oncol, 1986 Apr, 12(4), 386 - 8
Nobecutane spray as a temporary dressing of skin graft donor sites; Brodovsky S et al.; Various methods have been used for managing split-thickness skin graft donor sites . Open and closed techniques have been suggested by various authors with the purpose of achieving smooth and rapid healing of the wound . There is growing evidence to suggest that the site and quality of the healing is improved when the wound is protected from dehydration and further mechanical trauma . A recent method is the spraying of Nobecutane Spray on the donor site . Nobecutane sprayed on a wound forms a plastic film which serves as a dressing material . It contains specially modified acrylic resin in an organic solvent (ethyl acetate) and TMTD (tetramethylthiuram disulphide) which is strongly bactericidal and fungicidal . We employed this method on 50 patients and found it to be effective in achieving rapid and painless healing . The dressing is transparent, permits easy follow-up of healing in the donor site, protects the wound against infection, and does not inconvenience the patient . The treatment is simple, economical, and does not require special skills . The dressing peels off spontaneously after epidermal regeneration of the wound is completed . No complications or allergic reaction were observed with this treatment.

Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1986 Apr, 87(4), 375 - 86
{Superoxide production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in malnourished patients with cancer of the digestive organs}; Nakagoe T; In malnourished patients, little is known about production of superoxide anion which plays an important role in bactericidal activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) . In this study, superoxide production of RMNs was assayed in 98 malnourished patients with cancer of digestive organs, in preoperative and untreated state, in order to evaluate the bactericidal capacity, and following results were obtained . Superoxide production of PMNs in patients with cancer was significantly decreased in comparison with healthy controls, especially in advanced cancer patients . Furthermore, superoxide production of PMNs in cancer patients who were suffered from postoperative septic complications was significantly decreased in comparison with the controls and no complication group . Patients with advanced gastric cancer were evaluated as a state of malnutrition in nutritional assessment . Superoxide production of PMNs in malnourished patients with cancer of digestive organs was depressed . In gastric cancer patients, there were no differences in superoxide production of PMNs among clinical stages in well-nourished patients . On the other hand only in stage IV group of malnourished patients low values were presented . These results may suggest that the decrease in superoxide production of PMNs in patients with cancer contributes to high susceptibility to postoperative infection and is induced by malnutrition.

Gastroenterol Jpn, 1986 Apr, 21(2), 112 - 21
Superoxide production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in surgical patients with gastric cancer; Nakagoe T et al.; Superoxide production (SOP) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in 65 gastric cancer patients, who were in preoperative state and had received no medical therapy, was assayed in order to evaluate the bactericidal activity of PMNs in cancer patients, as well as to determine the correlation of SOP by PMNs with postoperative prognoses and several factors by which extent of disease and the clinical or histological character of gastric carcinoma were defined . Patients with stage II disease had a tendency to have an increased SOP by PMNs, and furthermore, as the disease progressed, the SOP by PMNs decreased with significant depression being noted in stage III and IV cases compared to healthy controls . Significantly reduced SOP by PMNs was observed in n2 and n3 cases and with se, si, sei and/or ps(+) pathological invasion . SOP by PMNs in patients with Borrmann II type and/or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was significantly depressed . Patients who suffered from septic complications showed a significant depression in SOP by PMNs compared with the controls and no complication group . These results suggest that advanced gastric cancer patients may have defective oxidative PMN metabolism, and that a decrease of SOP is a contributory cause of high susceptibility to postoperative infection in cancer patients.

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