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.