Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1980 Feb, 168(1), 49 - 53 Antibody levels in mothers colonised with group B streptococci during pregnancy and in their newborn infants, as measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; Cleat PH et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to measure serum antibodies to group B streptococci in 20 healthy pregnant women before delivery and in their newborn infants . The sera from 10 of these women who were colonised with group B streptococci and umbilical cord sera from their infants, had higher levels of type-specific IgG antibody than the 10 non-colonised controls and their neonates . All the babies remained well . The results demonstrate that infants from colonised mothers receive type-specific antibody . The possibility that this antibody may provide some degree of protection at birth against this potentially lethal organism warrants investigation. Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 444 - 8 Growth characteristics of group A streptococci in a new chemically defined medium; van de Rijn I et al.; A new chemically defined medium for the growth of group A streptococci has been formulated . The advantages of this new medium over previously described defined media are: (i) rates of growth (i.e., doubling times) of 20 strains were comparable to the rates of growth in complex media; (ii) each strain grew to a higher culture density in the new defined medium than in complex media; (iii) transfer from complex media with small inocula was possible without any prior adaptation regimen; and (iv) the production of virulence factors (i.e., M protein and hyaluronic acid) and extracellular enzymes during growth in this new medium was comparable to that in complex media. J Med Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 13(1), 37 - 43 The aetiology of acute cervical adenitis in children: serological and bacteriological studies; Yamauchi T et al.; Acute cervical adenitis was investigated in 26 children over a 33-month period . Lymph nodes were aspirated and cultured to yield Staphylococcus aureus or group-A streptococci or both from 22 (84.6%) of the aspriates . Mycobacterium kansasii was isolated from one child . By combined culture and serial serological tests (antistreptolysin-O, anti-DNAase B, and anti-NADase), 50% of the cases were found to be associated with streptococcal infection . In a few children, S . aureus was the only organism recovered, and appeared to be the aetiological agent. J Med Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 13(1), 133 - 43 The development of a phage-typing system for group-B streptococci; Stringer J; A typing system for group-B streptococci, based on the use of 24 phages, has been evaluated . Used in conjunction with serotyping, it gave highly discriminating and reproducible results. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 11(2), 111 - 3 Serotypes of group B streptococci and their relation to hyaluronidase production and hydrolysis of salicin; Kjems E et al.; A total of 252 strains of group B streptococci were serotyped and examined for their ability to ferment lactose (lac+), to hydrolyze salicin (sal+), and to produce hyaluronidase (hy+) . Of these strains, 67 had been isolated from bacteremia and meningitis in infants less than 2 months old . Eighty-one strains were isolated from bacteremia and meningitis in adults, and 104 strains were from various other infections . Type III was the most common in neonatal disease, especially if isolates from cases of bacteremia in infants less than 10 days of age were not included . Only 6% of the strains were lac+ . Sal+/hy+ strains were never type III, but 91% of the strains belonging to the other serotypes were sal+/hy/ . Results showed that 81% of the sal+/hy- strains and 95% of the sal-/hy+ strains were type III, and sal-/hy+ strains were more than twice as frequent as sal+/hy- strains in serious neonatal infections, in contrast to the other two disease groups, in which the opposite was found to be the case . These reactions may be used as additional markers in epidemiological studies. Radiology . 1980 Feb;134(2):390. Diffuse skeletal involvement of streptococcal osteomyelitis in a neonate; Chilton SJ et al.; A case is presented of a 19-day-old boy who had diffuse skeletal changes of osteomyelitis which were secondary to Group B hemolytic streptococci . The association of multiple osseous lesions with minimal symptomatology is discussed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1980 Feb, 33(2), 157 - 65 Bu-2313, a new antibiotic complex active against anaerobes . I . Production, isolation and properties of Bu-2313 A and B; Tsukiura H et al.; An unidentified oligosporic actinomycete strain, No . E864-61, produced two new antibiotics, Bu-2313 A (C27H35NO9) and Bu-2313 B (C26H33NO9) . Bu-2313 A and B each exhibited a broad antibiotic spectrum against Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria, and showed in vivo activity against experimental infections produced by B . fragilis and C . perfringens . Bu-2313 also inhibited some aerobic bacteria such as streptococci . Bu-2313 B was approximately two-fold more active than Bu-2313 A. Scand J Dent Res, 1980 Feb, 88(1), 40 - 5 Streptococcus mutans-like bacteria from human dental plaque in a Sri Lanka (Ceylon) population; Denepitiya L et al.; This paper reports on the presence of low numbers of Streptococcus mutans among the oral streptococci present in human dental plaque in a Sri Lanka (Ceylon) population, where the caries activity is low and a low sucrose intake is combined with the presence of heavy plaque deposits . Plaque samples of unknown age were collected from 10 individuals in a tea estate, and another 10 samples were collected from dental students 19 days following interruption of oral hygiene . Of 670 such strains of oral streptococci studied, none showed typical "frosted glass" colony morphology on Mitis Salivarius agar . However, when subjected to physiological tests 14 of them were classified as S . mutans. Clin Exp Immunol, 1980 Feb, 39(2), 519 - 25 Leucocyte migration inhibition with human heart valve glycoproteins and group A streptococcal ribonucleic acid proteins in rheumatic heart disease and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis; Gowrishankar R et al.; Leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) tests have been performed with leucocytes obtained from patients with acute rheumatic carditis, established rheumatic valvular disease with and without rheumatic reactivation, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and healthy volunteers, using human heart valve glycoprotein (HVGP) antigens and ribonucleic acid protein antigens (P-RNA) from Group A streptococci, types 5, 6 and 12 and a Group C streptococcus . Significantly increased LMI was observed with HVGP and P-RNA antigens of Group A streptococci in patients with clinical evidence of rheumatic valvular damage . Healthy volunteers and patients with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis did not show any increase in LMI to these antigens . This suggests that cell-mediated immune mechanisms may be involved in the production of tissue lesions in rheumatic fever. Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 686 - 9 Adherence of oral streptococci to keratinized and nonkeratinized human oral epithelial cells; Sklavounou A et al.; The ability of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius to adhere to keratinized versus nonkeratinized human oral epithelial cells was compared . S . mitis and S . salivarius exhibited significantly greater adherence to keratinized cells than to nonkeratinized cells . S . mutans and S . sanguis adhered equally well to either epithelial cell type . It is concluded that keratinization of epithelial cells may be a significant factor in the adherence of certain oral streptococci to the oral mucosa. Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 449 - 54 Mucin model for group B type III streptococcal infection in mice; Fleming DO; An experimental murine infection was established by the intraperitoneal injection of a log-phase culture of a laboratory reference strain of Streptococcus agalactiae, Lancefield group B, type III (strain SS620), suspended in sterile hog gastric mucin . The enhancement of streptococcal virulence was measured by a significantly increased mortality in outbred ICR Swiss mice . An inbred C57BL6 strain of mice was resistant to the mucin-bacterial combination . Mucin, treated with Desferal to chelate the iron, did not lose the capacity to enhance the virulence of group B, type III streptococci in ICR Swiss mice . Iron-dextran was not a suitable substitute for mucin and failed to enhance the virulence of group B, type III streptococci . The results of these studies indicate that iron is not the resistance-lowering factor in this group B, type III streptococci-mucin model. Lancet, 1980 Jan 19, 1(8160), 133 - 6 10 Years of infective endocarditis at St . Bartholomew's Hospital: analysis of clinical features and treatment in relation to prognosis and mortality; Lowes JA et al.; A retrospective survey of patients with infective endocarditis at St . Bartholomew's Hospital in the decade 1966--75 showed a male/female ratio of 1.5/1 . The commonest presenting features were malaise, fever, new cardiac symptoms, heart-failure, splenomegaly, and finger clubbing . The commonest problem during treatment was heart-failure . As in the two previous decades, viridans streptococci were the commonest causative organisms . Acute endocarditis was caused by Staphylococcus aureus . 6 patients' lives were saved by heart-valve replacement during medical treatment . Of 3 patients who relapsed, 1 died . The overall mortality at six months was 20%, compared with 40% in the two previous decades . Of the patients with proven subacute infective endocarditis thought to have received adequate antibiotic treatment, only 5 of 49 (10%) died; in a similar group of patients in the previous decade 19% died . Early surgical intervention probably accounts for the improved prognosis. Infection, 1980, 8 Suppl 2, S205 - 6 The treatment of infection and septicemia in the newborn; Walther M et al.; The authors discuss the reasons for the frequently fatal outcome of infections in the newborn and report their own bacteriological findings in cases of perinatal infections . The predominant organisms were group D streptococci, staphylococcus aureus, E . coli, and anerobic bacteria, most of which were sensitive to clindamycin . Following introduction of clindamycin therapy, in combination with an aminoglycoside or ampicillin, the duration of hospitalization was shortened by an average of six days, and the duration of treatment by an average of three days. Dermatologica, 1980, 161(5), 315 - 26 {Benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of leg ulcers (author's transl)}; Ramelet AA et al.; 40 leg ulcers were treated for 6 weeks by application twice a day of a 20% benzoyl peroxide lotion . Each ulcer was regularly measured and its bacterial flora was determined . Therapeutic results were very satisfactory: the average healing rate of the ulcers was 62.8% of the initial wound area after 4 weeks of treatment and 76.5% after 6 weeks of treatment . The bacterial flora of the ulcers changed during treatments, streptococci and staphylococci disappeared . Pseudomonas aeruginosa became abundant. Microbios, 1980, 27(108), 117 - 24 The effects of fluoride on the growth of oral streptococci; Beighton D et al.; Four species of oral streptococci were examined for their ability to grow in a complex medium supplemented with NaF, and at various pH levels . Streptococcus mutans strains were the most susceptible to inhibition, with Streptococcus mitior and Streptococcus sanguis being the least affected . The S . mutans genotype comprising serotypes c, e and f was more susceptible to inhibition by fluoride than was the genotype comprising serotypes d and g . The results suggest that the fluoride concentration of dental plaque might influence the relative proportions of the species of streptococci found in dental plaque. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Jan, 11(1), 76 - 8 Streptococcus zooepidemicus (group C) pneumonia in a human; Rose HD et al.; Lancefield group C streptococcal pneumonia appeared in a previously healthy young adult . The patient apparently acquired the infection while caring for her sick horse, and experienced a gradual onset of the illness . There was rapid accumulation of pleural fluid and empyema requiring open drainage . Group C pneumonia cannot be distinguished from classic group A pneumonia on clinical grounds . Beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from sputum, transtracheal aspirates, pleural fluid, or blood of patients with pneumonia should be grouped by the precipitin method of Lancefield or one of its more rapid modifications. Microbios, 1980, 28(113-114), 149 - 56 Manganese antagonizes the inhibitory effect of fluoride on the glucose metabolism of Streptococcus mutans; Beighton D; Manganese stimulated the utilization of glucose by Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitior and Streptococcus milleri . S . mutans serotype c strains formed larger amounts of intracellular polysaccharide, lactic acid and produced a lower terminal pH in glucose broth when grown in the presence of 0.5 mM Mn . Manganese stimulated the utilization of glucose by resting cell suspensions of each of the four oral streptococcal species examined . Fluoride inhibited the utilization of glucose by the streptococci and Mn, but not calcium or magnesium, was found to counteract the inhibitory effect of fluoride. G Ital Cardiol, 1980, 10(9), 1228 - 33 {Infective endocarditis: a complication of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (author's transl)}; Mazzoli M et al.; The idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) is thought to be infrequently complicated by infective endocarditis . Because IHSS is a disorder of the myocardium and not endocardium is not generally considered to have increased risk of infective endocarditis . Some Authors found, however, that approximately 5% of patients with IHSS develop bacterial endocarditis, because hemodynamically IHSS is like to valvular diseases . Therefore the incidence of endocarditis in IHSS is the same of valvular diseases . The vegetations can be found on anterior mitral valve leaflet, aortic cusps and subaortic endocardium . Some patients have dental surgery prior to the onset of endocarditis and others are infected with oral streptococci . For these reasons prophylactic antibiotics should be administered to patients with IHSS undergoing dental manipulation and in other settings where the risk of developing bacteremia is high . We describe one case of IHSS complicated with streptococcus viridans endocarditis . Vegetations, determined with echocardiography, were present on anterior mitral valve leaflet, aortic right coronary cusp and interventricular septum . In a review of literature we are been able to find twenty-seven cases of IHSS complicated with endocarditis. Vet Med Nauki, 1980, 17(9-10), 25 - 8 {Differentiation of the streptococci isolated from the milk of cows with mastitis}; Filev F; Differentiation was carried out of a total of 170 strains of streptococci that caused mastitis, which were isolated from 3200 milk samples taken from a farm . Ouchterlony's agar gel precipitation method was employed for the serologic typing of the strains along with the Jonagar No . 2 Oxoid and group antisera . The biochemical behaviour of the strains was followed up with regard to the hydrolysis of esculin and sodium hippurate, the fermentation of lactose, sucrose, glucose, trehalose, mannite, and salicin, and the breakdown of arginine . It was found that 17.05 per cent of the isolated mastitis streptococci belonged to group B, 17.64 per cent belonged to group C, and 62.94 per cent--to group C . Untypeable were as many as 2.37 per cent . The behaviour of these three groups of mastitis causative agents with regard to esculin and sodium hippurate proved most stable in the biochemical differentiation of the strains . In this respect the selective TKT agar medium could be used in a mass scale diagnosis for the rapid differentiation of the most frequently isolated mastitis streptococci on the base of the characteristic morphologic traits. Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 248(3), 314 - 22 Purification and characterization of erythrogenic toxins . II . Communication: in vivo biological activities of erythrogenic toxin produced by streptococcus pyogenes strain ny-5; Hribalova V et al.; Some in vivo biological activities of a purified erythrogenic toxin preparation from strain NY-5 of group A streptococci (ET NY-5) were studied . After intracutaneous administration in a dose of minimally 5 X 10(-8) mg, the toxin provoked a skin reaction in old guinea pigs . No skin reaction could be elicited in young adult rabbits . ET NY-5 was pyrogenic for rabbits; the MPD-4 amounted to 0.017 microgram/kg intravenously . The pyretic response had a delayed onset and then rose gradually up to hour 5 postinjection . Intravenous administration led to changes in circulating leukocyte counts, viz . brisk acute granulocytopenia and protracted lymphopenia . The method of pyrogenic cross tolerance revealed that ET NY-5 contains two types of pyrogenic exotoxin, A and C. Respiration, 1980, 40(6), 323 - 8 Bacterial colonization in intubated newborns; Brook I et al.; The bacteriology of tracheal aspirates from 127 newborns was studied . Specimens were obtained twice a week as long as the newborns were intubated . Each newborn had between one and eight specimens taken (average 1.7) . 127 babies had one specimen taken, 38 had two, 25 had three, 12 had four, and 10 had more than four specimens taken, which made a total of 212 specimens . No bacterial or fungal growth was obtained from 65 specimens, whereas the remaining specimens (147) yielded 209 bacterial and fungal isolates accounting for 1.4 isolates per specimen . The total isolates recovered were 168 aerobes, 36 anaerobes, and 5 Candida albicans . Of this total, 70 specimens yielded one isolate, 48 two isolates, 6 three isolates, 5 four isolates, and one aspirate yielded five isolates . 78 newborns (61%) received antimicrobial therapy . A higher incidence of positive cultures and the presence of more than one organism per culture were found in those infants not receiving antibiotics . More isolates per specimen were noted with increasing time of incubation . The rate of isolation Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae remained constant with increased length of intubation, the rate of recovery of Staphylococcus epidermidis, viridans group streptococci, and Propionibacterium acnes increased, and the rate of isolation of Escherichia coli and anaerobic organisms decreased. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1980, suppl 25, 75 - 82 Cefamandole for treatment of obstetrical and gynecological infections; Cunningham FG et al.; Cefamandole nafate has been shown to have good in vitro activity against a wide spectrum of aerobic and anaerobic pathogens frequently isolated from women with obstetrical and gynecological infections . One hundred and twenty seven women with these infections were treated with cefamandole: 78 had post-cesarean section metritis; 24 acute pelvic inflammatory disease; 18 post-hysterectomy cuff cellulitis/abscess; and 7 had vulvar or abdominal wound abscesses . All but 13% of these women had either polymicrobial aerobic/anaerobic bacterial infections, or had an anaerobic infection alone . Of these 127 women, 116 responded to cefamandole administration alone, and in the other 11 chloramphenicol was added . Of these 11, surgical therapy was necessary to eradicate infection in six women . Phlebitis, mild to severe, was demonstrated in 14% of the women and responded to conservative measures . Of 402 bacterial isolates from these women, 94% were sensitive to cefamandole at 32 microgram/ml, an easily achievable serum level . Anaerobic streptococci were the most common isolate and 94% of these organisms were sensitive at 32 microgram/ml . Of the 43 Bacteroides species isolated, 90% were susceptible at 32 microgram/ml; 84% of Bacteroides fragilis were susceptible ast this concentration . Data now presented indicate that cefamandole given alone is safe and effective for treatment of women with polymicrobial mixed aerobic/anaerobic pelvic infections and approximately 5% will require surgical therapy for eradication of these infections. Zentralbl Gynakol, 1980, 102(18), 1075 - 6 {Impetigo neonatorum congenita caused by B-streptococci (author's transl)}; Kunze W; The growing incidence among newborns of B-streptococcal diseases has been accompanied by the appearance of less common findings, such as Impetigo neonatorum bullosa . The pathological pattern is described . Brief reference is made to literature. J Mal Vasc, 1980, 5(2), 100 - 4 {Lymphoedema and elephantiasis due to filariasis . Pathogenesis and clinical aspects (author's transl)}; Carme B et al.; Adult lymphatic filariae (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi) can cause blocking of lymphatics producing obliterating endolymphitis lesions . The subsequent extravasation of lymph (or chyle when the obstruction is canal) is at the origin of the formation of lymphedema or elephantiasis, in which the main histological finding is great hypertrophy of collagen elements . This theory involving filaria only is not the full picture, and bacterial infection, mainly by streptococci, is an important factor . The association of filaria with microbes is particularly dangerous because the presence of the latter, or its toxins, causes death of local microfilariae and even adult worms, which are known to be more harmful dead than alive . The progression of the disease, especially in cases with lymphedema, which mainly affects the limbs and the genital organs, depends on three factors: the species of filaria, the degree of transmission, and the receptivity of the patient to the parasite . Large differences are found according to the region involved, and in the same endemic zone, according to the individuals affected . However, they almost always occur progressively in areas where there have been recurrent attacks of acute lymphangitis. Scand J Infect Dis, 1980, 12(4), 271 - 5 Relation between maternal urogenital carriage of group B streptococci and postmaturity and intrauterine asphyxia during delivery; Christensen KK et al.; The obstetrical significance of maternal urogenital carriage of group B streptococci (GBS) was investigated in a prospective study comprising 799 parturients and their infants . 128 mothers were GBS carriers . Fetal heart rate recording showing abnormal baseline frequency and concomitant late decelerations during delivery were found in 6 infants born of GBS carriers (5%) and in 7 (1%) of non-carriers (P < 0.01) . The pH of fetal blood was determined in 14 (11%) GBS carriers and in 53 (8%) non-carriers . 6/14 (43%) infants of GBS carriers had pH values below 7.20, in contrast to 4/53 (8%) of the non-carrier group (P < 0.01) . Mothers of infants showing signs of intrauterine asphyxia had the same amount of antibodies to GBS as mothers of infants without signs of asphyxia . Among the GBS carriers, 11/128 (9%) were delivered later than the 42nd week of pregnancy . A smaller proportion of non-carriers, 21/671 (3%), were delivered postterm (P < 0.01). Immun Infekt, 1980, 8(2), 61 - 3 {Methods for differentiation of streptococci: comparison of serological, biochemical methods, triple- and camp-test (author's transl)}; Jaeger U et al.; Methods for group classification of beta-hemolytic streptococci were compared: biochemical versus serological techniques as well as Triple- and CAMP-Test . Attention was mainly put to the Phadebact streptococcus test, based on the co-agglutination principle which is intended to differentiate groups A, B, C and G . This test is easy to conduct and allows grouping within minutes . Classification was done with 50 strains of clinical isolates . Approximately 88% of the strains were identified as group A and B which are the most important in human streptococcal infections . The co-agglutination gave false results with 6 strains (8%), one of which was group A . The others turned out to be S . milleri, they could be identified only by the Lancefield precipitin test . In cases where several Phadebact antisera lead to an agglutination of one strain, the questionable result must be verified by conventional methods. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1980, 74(3), 367 - 70 Group B streptococcal carriage in Nigeria; Onile BA; 1038 patients of different age groups and clinical conditions attending three large hospitals in Ibadan between August 1977 and December 1978 were screened for group B streptococcal carriage . 132 (12.7%) of these patients were found to be colonized by this organism . A breakdown of the colonization rates was: in women--19.3% during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, 17.6% during labour (third trimester) and 19% among STD patients; in adult males--9% among STD patients and nil among patients without STD; in newborns--4.7% . Type III was found most frequently (56.1%)) and there was a high incidence of R and X strains and of strains with only Ic protein . Type Ia streptococci were sensitive to penicillin G, ampicillin, erythromycin and cephalothin . Only 74.2% of the strains were sensitive to tetracycline. Immunogenetics, 1980, 11(2), 145 - 6 Immunogenetics of response to a purified antigen from group A streptococci . I . Complex segregation analysis; Greenberg LJ et al.; A purified, extracellular protein, M . W . 17500, from group A streptococci was used in an in vitro model to study genetic aspects of immune responsiveness . Peripheral blood lymphocytes from members of eight nuclear families and one kindred of three generations were isolated and purified by F-icoll-Isopaque flotation and cultured together with varying concentrations of antigen . A summary measure of the antigen response data (measured as CPM) was constructed through a weighted regression analysis of response on dose . Commingling analysis of the standardized regression coefficients provided evidence for the existence of two underlaying distributions . Segregation analysis confirmed that response to this antigen is controlled by a major gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Infection, 1980, 8(2), 54 - 7 Murine resistance to type III group B streptococci; Kretschmer R et al.; We examined the role of serum, complement and the reticuloendothelial system in mouse resistance to type III group B streptococci (GBS) . Normal serum obtained from 21 day-old mice failed to protect chick embryos against a lethal intravenous (IV) inoculation of GBS-III-SS620/50 . Mice that were decomplemented using cobra venom factor remained resistant to intraperitoneal (IP) inoculation of 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) of GBS-III-22620/50, GBS III-Bell and GBS-III-Minnesota . In contrast, mice prepared with IP oleic acid were killed with 10(4) CFU of GBS-III-SS620/50 IP . However, when mice were injected IV with oleic acid, they remained resistant to IP inoculation of GBS-III-SS620/50 . These results suggest that peritoneal macrophages play a role in murine defense against IP infection with GBS-III-SS620/50. Scand J Infect Dis, 1980, 12(2), 105 - 10 Quantitation of serum antibodies to surface antigens of group B streptococci types Ia, Ib, and III: low antibody levels in mothers of neonatally infected infants; Christensen KK et al.; A method has been developed for the detection in human sera of antibodies to surface antigens of group B streptococci (GBS), types Ia, Ib, or III . The sera were absorbed with GBS type II and then added to a suspension of GBS of the type against which antibodies were to be measured . After incubation and washing of the bacteria, the antibodies present on the surface of the cells were quantitated with radiolabelled protein A . Antibodies of IgG class were detected, probably specific for types Ia, Ib, or III, with the exception that the Ib GBS suspension used could detect some antibodies to type Ia . With this method it was found that 6/7 mothers to infants with GBS septicemia had low levels of serum antibodies to the infant's type of GBS . Urogenital carriers of GBS, giving birth to neonatally healthy infants, had higher serum antibody levels against the colonizing type. Scand J Infect Dis, 1980, 12(2), 101 - 4 Serotypes of group B streptococci in urogenital patients; Jensen NE; Isolates of group B streptococci (B-str.) of human urogenital origin were typed by a double diffusion precipitation test in agarose gel . The 114 isolates originated from normal women, gynaecological patients, women and men examined at venereological clinics, and were all typable by this technique . Type III/R was most frequently encountered (41/114), type Ic next (28/114), and then type II/Ic (18/114) . Other types were: Ib (11/114), II/R (8/114), III (3/114), Ibc (3/114), II (1/114) and R (1/114) . When the 4 groups of strains were considered separately a different pattern of distribution was seen in the gynaecological patients, in that 12/26 strains in this material were of type Ic . The Ibc protein antigen, which has been proved to be present also in streptococci other than group B, was widely distributed among the strains examined. J Clin Pathol, 1980 Jan, 33(1), 66 - 71 Bacteriological examination of pus from abscesses of the central nervous system; de Louvois J; The methods used successfully to examine pus from abscesses of the central nervous system are described . The association between direct inoculation of intracranial pus into a liquid anaerobic culture medium and the isolation of viable bacteria is emphasised . Cultural methods for the recognition of the streptococci associated with brain abscess and methods for the assay of antimicrobial drugs in pus are presented . The role of gas liquid chromatography is discussed. J Clin Pathol, 1980 Jan, 33(1), 53 - 7 Use of the API-ZYM system in rapid identification of alpha and non-haemolytic streptococci; Waitkins SA et al.; The API-ZYM method of detecting enzymes was tested using 99 streptococci isolated from clinical material and 14 type species obtained from the National Collection of Type Cultures . We found the method easy and reliable . The results obtained indicate that this method could be a useful identification system in busy routine clinical laboratories. J Clin Pathol, 1980 Jan, 33(1), 47 - 52 A shortened scheme for the identification of indifferent streptococci; Waitkins SA et al.; A shortened biochemical scheme was devised for the reliable identification of the 'viridans' streptococci . It compared favourably with the classical identification system of Colman and could be recommended for use in the busy routine laboratory to investigate streptococcal isolates from clinical sources. Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 6 - 14 Demonstration of specific binding sites for human serum albumin in group C and G streptococci; Myhre EB et al.; A total of 297 bacterial strains belonging to 27 species was tested for quantitative uptake of radiolabeled human serum albumin . Specific binding sites with high affinity for human serum albumin were found exclusively in group C and G streptococci . The albumin binding was found to be a time-dependent, saturable, and displaceable process which obeyed simple kinetic equations . Scatchard analysis revealed that human serum albumin bound to a homogeneous population of receptors with an affinity in the order ot 10(7) liters/mol and that the average bacterial cell carried more than 80,000 binding sites . The albumin receptor is a heat-stable component susceptible to proteolytic digestion . It has a surface localization separate from the receptors for immunolgobulin G, fibrinogen, aggregated beta 2-microglobulin, and haptoglobin . In individual strains, albumin reactivity was also detected independently of these other types of interactions with human proteins. Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 235 - 45 Characterization of tufted streptococci isolated from the "corn cob" configuration of human dental plaque; Mouton C et al.; Streptococci isolated from "corn cob" configurations of human dental plaque possess a polar fibrillar tuft extending 100 to 150 nm from one pole of the cell . The two strains studied were physiologically related to the Streptococcus sanguis-Streptococcus mitior group and were most similar to Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 . The corn cob streptococci were serologically related to S . sanguis serotype 1 . The polar tuft contained at least two antigenically distinct components, one serologically related to the glycerol phosphate backbone of teichoic acid . The other was an electrophoretically slow-moving antigen similar to a component of S . mitis ATCC 903 . It is suggested that the corn cob streptococci in vivo adhere to Bacterionema matruchotii by means of the polar tuft. Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 118 - 23 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for group B streptococcal antibodies; Rote NS et al.; We report here on the development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for antibodies to types II and III group B streptococci . Streptococcal antigens were prepared by trichloroacetic acid extraction and fractional alcohol precipitation . Microtiter wells were coated with antigen in 0.1 M carbonate buffer at pH 9.6 . Lyophilization was found to be an essential step for efficient binding of the streptococcal antigens . After incubation with antibody-containing rabbit serum, bound antibody was detected with peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G . Optimal antigen concentrations were 200 micrograms/ml for type II and 100 micrograms/ml for type III . An ELISA is also described that uses intact bacteria as antigen . Hyperimmune rabbit serum reacted at a titer in excess of 512 against trichloroacetic acid-soluble antigen and 4,096 against whole bacteria . Sera from human subjects were also tested . Most human sera contained antibody which bound to intact bacteria but not to trichloroacetic acid-solubilized streptococcal antigens . Antibody titers in human sera against intact bacteria correlated very well with opsonic antibody activity measured in a chemiluminescence assay. J Exp Med, 1980 Jan 1, 151(1), 56 - 68 Biochemical and immunological characterization of the extracellular nucleases of group B streptococci; Ferrieri P et al.; Nearly all group B streptococcal strains representing the five major serotypes were found to produce extracellular nucleases by screening with an agar-well-diffusion technique in DNA-methyl green agar plates . Three different nucleases have been isolated and partially purified by DEAE-and carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography . They possessed different mobilities on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and different molecular weights . These nucleases, designated I, II, and III, are optimally activated by cations of calcium and manganese and exhibited RNase as well as DNase activity . Despite differences in their physical and biochemical properties, nucleases II and III appear antigenically similar, but distinct from nuclease I . These group B streptococcal nucleases are immunologically different from the nucleases of group A streptococci . Neutralizing activity, probably antibody, to nucleases II and III was found in human sera, and was most prevalent in sera of pregnant women colonized with group B streptococci and in their newborn infants. J Immunol, 1980 Jan, 124(1), 261 - 7 Studies on group A streptococcal M-proteins: purification of type 5 M-protein and comparison of its amino terminal sequence with two immunologically unrelated M-protein molecules; Manjula BN et al.; M-protein was isolated from group A, type 5, streptococci by limited proteolysis with pepsin and purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex followed by gel filtration . The protein thus purified (Pep M5) was homogeneous by SDS-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (apparent m.w.: 19,000), retained the capacity to remove opsonic antibodies from type 5 antiserum, and was capable of eliciting opsonic antibodies in rabbits . Its amino acid composition was very similar to that reported for M-proteins from other streptococcal types . The sequence of the first 29 amino terminal residues of Pep M5 was determined and compared with the reported amino terminal sequences of two immunologically unrelated M-proteins, namely, Pep M6 and Pep M24 . The results revealed that, although the amino terminal sequences fo these three proteins differed from each other, some amino acid residues appeared to be conserved, suggesting a certain degree of structural relatedness among these M molecules . The possibility that this feature forms the molecular basis for the common antiphagocytic behavior of immunologically unrelated M-proteins is discussed. J Oral Rehabil, 1980 Jan, 7(1), 43 - 50 An in vitro model for studying adsorption of oral streptococci to crown and bridge cements; Orstavik J et al.; A sensitive, in vitro method has been developed for the study of bacterial adsorption to dental crown and bridge cements . The method employs heavily radiolabelled cells which adhere to the wall in wells made from the cements . Loss of radioactivity from the bacterial suspension during incubation is used to measure the degree of bacterial adherence to the materials . Strains of Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans adhered in greater numbers than a strain of Streptococcus salivarius to both a zinc phosphate cement and a zinc carboxylate cement . The zinc phosphate cement supported adherence to a greater degree than did the zinc carboxylate cement . Pretreatment of the cement surfaces with human saliva tended to reduce bacterial adherence . Pretreatment of the bacteria with saliva slightly enhanced sorption of S . sanguis and S . salivarius, but tended to impair sorption of S . mutans to both types of cements . When both bacteria and cements had been pretreated with saliva, a strong inhibition of the adherence of S . mutans was observed. Handchirurgie, 1980, 12(3-4), 261 - 4 {Changes in the drug resistance of bacteria from peripheral infections after 5 years}; Pfeiffer KM et al.; The reports of outpatients with surgical infections of the years 1972 and 1977 are compared to demonstrate changes in composition of the spectrum and resistance to antibiotics . In the first period 425 cases could be used for study, in the second only 132 cases could be traced . In the second period phlegmonous infections, caused by streptococci were twice as frequent as in 1972 . In the same year resistance of staphylococci to Penicillin was found in 43% of the cases . Five years later no more resistance was present and in 28,8% Penicillin even proved to be the most efficient drug . Likewise the streptococci had become more sensitive to Penicillin in the second period, but Cephalosporin remained the treatment of choice for this type of infections . Gram negative germs as B . coli were found much less in 1977 than five years before and their sensibility to sulfamethoxazol-trimethoprim was remarkably higher . The study demonstrates the changes in antibiotic resistance of a given germ population as well as the need for close observation of these changes . Standard antibiotic treatment has to be adapted to the modifications of germ behavior. Acta Histochem Suppl, 1980, 22, 331 - 7 {Immunohistology of the antibody-formation against M-protein of Streptococcus pyogenes in Macaca mulatta (author's transl)}; Wagner M et al.; The immunohistology of the antibody synthesis against M proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) was studied in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) . For the immunoelectron microscopic detection of antibody producing cells peroxidase-labelled M protein was used . Cryostat sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed lymphoid organs were incubated with the peroxidase-conjugate followed by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and H2O2 . The labelled tissue sections were further processed for the electron microscopy . Two sites of specific labelling were observed: 1) The cell membrane of lymphocytes and transformed lymphocytes and 2) the endoplasmic reticulum of plasma cells, proplasmocytes and transformed lymphocytes. Infection, 1980, 8 Suppl 3, 321 - 6 {Clinical differentiation between idiopathic respiratory distress, neonatal septicemia caused by group B streptococci and septicemia caused by other pathogens (author's transl)}; Roos R et al.; Since bacterial infection in newborns must be treated as specifically and as early as possible, it is important to confirm a diagnosis of suspected infection based on clinical symptoms and to take possible pathogens into consideration when choosing therapy . RDS and septicemia with Group B streptococci can present very similar clinical symptoms, but leucopenia on the first day of life is most probably an indication of septicemia with Group B streptococci . Septicemia caused by other pathogens, however, usually has a much later onset . In the days following birth a raised cardiothoracic index indicates RDS . Other differential criteria are being investigated. Immunogenetics, 1980, 11(2), 161 - 7 Immunogenetics of response to a purified antigen from group A streptococci . II . Linkage of response to HLA; Greenberg LJ et al.; Employing an in vitro blastogenesis model, evidence has been set forth for a major gene locus which controls response to a purified, extracellular antigen from group A streptococci . Response to this antigen is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner . Analysis of the data for linkage to HLA was done with the computer program LINKAS which can resolve pleiotropy from linkage and can detect and estimate recombination in the presence of etiological heterogeneity . Maximum likelihood estimation and likelihood ratio tests were used to assess the relative support for competing hypotheses . The results of this analysis indicate that at least two loci are involved in one of two ways: one locus that is closely linked to HLA and one locus that is unlinked; or a two-locus system of complementary alleles which are both tightly linked to HLA. J Dairy Sci, 1980 Jan, 63(1), 15 - 24 Hydrolysis of beta-casein and peptides by intracellular neutral protease of Streptococcus diacetylactis; Zevaco C et al.; The endopeptidase activity of mesophilic streptococci was characterized further by investigating the specificity of an intracellular endopeptidase from Streptococcus diacetylactis for beta-casein, derived peptides, and bradykinin . The inhibitory action of phosphoramidon as well as direct determinations of metal content showed this enzyme was a metalloprotein . Hydrolysis of native beta-casein was relatively low . Peptides obtained from the fraction soluble at pH 4.6 led to the demonstration that Pro186-Ile187 and Ala189-Phe190 were hydrolyzed by the enzyme . Two peptides derived from beta-casein by the action of chymosin were hydrolyzed efficiently: we observed hydrolysis of Lys176-Ala177, Lys169-Val170, and Pro206-Ile207 . The Pro7-Phe8 bond of bradykinin was hydrolyzed rapidly, showing that this enzyme was efficient for the hydrolysis of prolyl peptide bonds . The protease was slightly less sensitive to phosphoramidon than was thermolysin . Metal analyses showed the enzyme contained 580 microgram of zinc and 4,760 microgram of calcium per gram protein . This protease is thus a true metalloenzyme (E.C.3.4.24.4), and its action may complete the hydrolysis initiated by chymosin remaining active in cheese curd by hydrolyzing peptides released by chymosin. Scand J Infect Dis, 1980, 12(1), 33 - 5 Prevalence of group B beta-hemolytic streptococci in the male urethra; Manuel FR et al.; To evaluate the carrier rate of group B beta-hemolytic streptococci in males, we studied urethral swabs collected from 116 venereal disease (V.D.) clinic patients and 90 medical students . The prevalence rates for colonization in these groups were 8.6 and 2.2% respectively (statistically significant difference) . The colonization rate in V.D . patients was higher in those with gonococcal infection than in those without but the difference was not statistically significant . Rates in patients with and without urethral symptoms were the same. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1980, 61(2), 192 - 202 The nature of secretory agglutinins and aggregating factors . I . Secretory conglutinin-like factor, secretory bacterial aggregating factors and secretory IgA antibody in human saliva and amniotic fluid; Eggert FM; Secretory conglutinin-like factor (SKF), secretory bacterial aggregating factors (SBAF) and 11S secretory IgA antibodies of human saliva and full term amniotic fluid were quantitated by microtitration and partially characterized . The SBAF of both saliva and amniotic fluid aggregated a variety of oral streptococci, but no secretory IgA antibodies were found in amniotic fluid . The SKF and SBAF are distinguished from 11S IgA antibodies by being inhibited with EDTA and by being more susceptible to inhibition with reducing agents . These active factors are also distinguished from submaxillary mucins . Components of normal serum inhibit both SKF and SBAF, but blood-group reactive sugars cannot block either SKF or SBAF. J Med Virol, 1980, 6(1), 37 - 44 New bacterial absorption method for determination of hepatitis A IgM and IgA antibodies; Lofgren B et al.; Antibodies against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) can be determined by a commercially available radioimmunoassay (RIA) (HavabTM, Abbott) . To discriminate between recent and past hepatitis A infection this RIA was used in combination with absorption with protein A-containing staphylococci . However, nonabsorbable anti-HAV was repeatedly detected in late-convalescent sera using this methods . The nature of these antibodies was studied in serum samples from 12 such patients . In all patients, the late-convalescent sera contained no IgM class anti-HAV as judged by sucrose density gradient centrifugation . The restricted specificity of staphylococcal protein A explains the lack of absorption . Some recently described streptococcal strains capable of binding all IgG subclasses (including IgG3) as well as both IgA subclasses were, therefore, added to the staphylococci . Absorption studies using these strains indicated that the previously nonabsorbable anti-HAV in these 12 patients was mainly of the IgA class . A bacterial mixture including IgA-binding streptococci seems preferable to routine determination of IgM anti-HAV in acute hepatitis A diagnosis . The results also indicate that IgA anti-HAV in serum can persist for more than two years after a hepatitis A infection. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1980, 29(2), 135 - 44 Evaluation of lactic acid Streptococci for the preparation of frozen concentrated starter cultures; Jakubowska J et al.; Eight strains of Streptococcus diacetilactis and Streptococcus lactis were examined for viability, growth rate, lactic acid and diacetyl production in milk and proteolytic activity before and after freezing at --30 degrees C . Concentrations of yeast autolysate, peptone, lactose and citrate as well as the usefulness of milk and whey culture media for active biomass production were investigated . After freezing and storage at --30 degrees C, with the use of non-fat milk as a cryoprotective agent, high survival and endocellular proteolytic activity of the frozen concentrate was achieved . S . diacetilactis sp . and S . lactis 115 were shown to be more biologically active than other strains . Their physiological properties remained unaffected by freezing. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1980 Jan-Feb, 17(4), 393 - 5 Neonatal septicemia resulting from group B streptococci: a case report; Onile BA et al.; A case of neonatal septicemia resulting from group B Streptococcus, type Ic is reported . The infection occurred in a premature infant delivered by cesarean section, which followed fetal distress . The same organism was isolated from a high vaginal swab taken from the mother who had had premature rupture of the membranes 48 hours before admission to the hospital . Both infant and mother made satisfactory recoveries . This is the first case of neonatal group B streptococcal infection reported from Nigeria. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1979 Dec 7, 104(49), 1748 - 50 {Acute bacterial endocarditis caused by streptococci of Lancefield group C (author's transl)}; Hess OM et al.; An Angell-Shiley heterograft valve was implanted in a 32-year-old woman with severe aortic regurgitation and stenosis . Post-operatively acute bacterial endocarditis occurred, due to group C streptococci . Because of severe acute aortic insufficiency with partial dehiscence of the heterograft valve and increasing left heart failure re-operation was necessary . After successful replacement of the valve an aortocoronary bypass was connected to the left circumflex artery because of displacement of the left coronary ostium . In addition, an aortoplasty was performed for spontaneous aortic rupture . Because of severe left heart failure with myocardial infarction in the course of the operation circulatory support with a paracorporeal artificial heart was necessary for 60 hours postoperatively . Despite transitory improvement the patient died from septic shock 30 days after the re-operation. J Clin Pathol, 1979 Dec, 32(12), 1228 - 33 Serological grouping of streptococci by slide agglutination; Efstratiou A et al.; Streptococcal grouping sera for groups A, B, C, and G prepared for conventional testing by precipitation were made specific by absorption and used to identify streptococci by slide agglutination with and without staphyloccocal coagglutination . Trypsinised suspensions of 1055 strains, identified by precipitation as belonging to group A, B, C, or G, were tested by slide agglutination . Of these, 998 were correctly identified using a streptococcal suspension and antisera alone and a further 65 were identified when a loopful of protein A-positive staphylococci was added . Suspensions of 88 strains not of groups A, B, C, or G gave no reaction in the agglutination test with or without the addition of staphylococci . Group polysaccharide extracted by conventional methods also caused agglutination of staphylococci on a slide when specific antiserum was added . Growth from primary or secondary cultures digested in streptomyces enzyme for only 15-30 minutes provided an excellent antigen for a quick and simple method of streptococcal grouping using non-sensitised staphylococcal suspension and specific antisera for coagglutination. J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 1112 - 5 Rapid screening procedure for detection of plasmids in streptococci; Leblanc DJ et al.; An enrichment procedure, yielding plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid preparations normally containing less than 5% chromosomal contamination, has been devised for the isolation of plasmids from virtually all species of streptococci . The procedure is rapid, reproducible, and inexpensive, requiring no radioisotopes or density gradient centrifugation . The procedure can be used for routine screening of several hundred isolates in a short period of time, and plasmids obtained from 10- to 20-ml cultures can readily be visualized in agarose gels. Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 1214 - 7 Inhibition of adsorption of Streptococcus mutans strains to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite by galactose and certain amines; Gibbons RJ et al.; Adsorption of all of eight strains of Streptococcus mutans to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite (S-HA) surfaces was inhibited by galactose and melibiose, but not by other neutral sugars tested . This observation supports the hypothesis that lectin-like components participate in the attachment of these streptococci to salivary glycoproteins on saliva-treated hydroxyapatite surfaces . Adsorption of all strains was also inhibited by iodoacetate and spermine; other amines tested reduced adsorption of some strains, but not others. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Dec, 10(6), 919 - 22 More sensitive test agar for detection of dextranase-producing oral streptococci and identification of two glucan synthesis-defective dextranase mutants of Streptococcus mutans 6715; Donkersloot JA et al.; A more sensitive test agar was developed to detect oral microbes with relatively low dextranase activity and to identify dextranase-negative mutants . Several oral streptococci that had previously been scored as dextranase negative readily decolorized the new, blue dextran-containing medium . To assess whether dextranase plays a role in glucan synthesis by oral streptococci, various glucan synthesis-defective mutants were tested for dextranase activity on the new medium . Mutants 4 and 27, which do not cause smooth-surface caries and which synthesize more soluble glucan than their parent, Streptococcus mutans 6715-13, were markedly deficient in these dextranase activity tests. J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 1090 - 7 Hyaluronic acid capsule: strategy for oxygen resistance in group A streptococci; Cleary PP et al.; Unencapsulated variants of encapsulated, M-protein-positive group A streptococci are oxygen sensitive and secrete inhibitory concentrations of hydrogen peroxide when grown in aerated broth cultures . The organisms were equally sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, and neither exhibited catalase or peroxidase activity, suggesting that differences in oxygen sensitivity reflect dissimilarity in oxygen uptake . The encapsulated parental culture was found to grow in aggregates that take up oxygen more slowly than unencapsulated, oxygen-sensitive derivatives . Moreover, the latter grow in an unaggregated, homogenous suspension . The enzyme hyaluronidase was able to disrupt aggregates of the encapsulated strain increase the rate that these cells take up oxygen, and cause the accumulation of toxic concentrations of hydrogen peroxide earlier in their growth cycle . The evidence presented shows that the aggregation of streptococcal cells by their hyaluronic acid capsule provides this organism with a novel means to avoid self-destruction by oxygen metabolites--cells are shielded from oxygen . The reduced surface-to-volume ratio and limited diffusion of oxygen into the interior of aggregates are proposed as the protective mechanism. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1979 Dec, 127(12), 720 - 3 {Group B streptococci: the most common cause of neonatal septicemia (author's transl)}; Schroder H et al.; Between 1965--78 118 newborns with septicemia have been treated in the Children's Hospital of the Free University Berlin . Microorganisms identified were streptococci in 32 cases, 27 of which were group B streptococci (increasing number since 1973) . In 1978 group B streptococci were responsible for 44% of all the septicemia cases as well as for 12% of all newborn deaths . The incidence of group B streptococcal septicemia in newborn babies is 1/1000 live births for the Berlin region . 2 patients presented the late-onset type of group B streptococcal neonatal sepsis; both survived having neurological sequelae . 25 newborns belonged to the early-onset group, the mortality rate in this group is 56% . The clinical features, bacteriological findings and risk factors are summarized in table form . There could be an influence related to the maternal blood type . Histological examinations in 5 placentae revealed signs of amniotic infection. J Exp Med, 1979 Dec 1, 150(6), 1498 - 509 Characterization and localization of the enzymatic deacylation of lipoteichoic acid in group A streptococci; Kessler RE et al.; Protoplasts of a group A streptococcal strain were shown to contain enzymatic activity capable of converting lipoteichoic acid (LTA) to deacylated lipoteichoic acid (dLTA) . The enzyme(s) appear to be located mainly in the membrane, although activity was also found in the cytoplasm . Determination of the sites of cleavage within the LTA molecule was approached by comparing the chemical composition of LTA and native dLTA . Native dLTA, as distinguished from chemically deacylated LTA, was isolated from buffer in which live streptococci had been resuspended and incubated . The chemical data suggest that the enzyme(s) was(were) lipolytic in nature; that is, the conversion of LTA to dLTA was the result of cleavage of the ester linkages between the fatty acids and the remainder of the LTA molecule. Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 1172 - 6 Alternate complement pathway activation by group A streptococci: role of M-protein; Bisno AL; Avirulent strains of group A streptococci readily activate the complement system in normal human serum via the alternate complement pathway (ACP) . Virulent M-positive group A streptococci are much less potent as activators of the ACP . The ability of M-positive streptococci to activate the ACP is enhanced by trypsinization or mild peptic digestion . The latter treatment removes the serologically active and antiphagocytic type-specific moieties of M protein, but retains the surface fuzzy layer . The phagocytosis of avirulent streptococci is markedly enhanced by preopsonization in serum chelated with Mg-ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (classic complement pathway blocked) but not in serum devoid of heat-labile factors . These studies suggest that the function of M protein as a virulence factor may be mediated, at least in part, by its ability to retard interaction of ACP components with structures present on the streptococcal cell surface. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Dec, 10(6), 910 - 8 Simple inoculum standardizing system for antimicrobial disk susceptibility tests; Barry AL et al.; A collaborative study was undertaken to evaluate a simple, convenient device which expedites inoculum standardization for antimicrobial disk susceptibility tests . The Inocupac system (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing {3M} Co., St . Paul, Minn.) was used to perform disk tests in parallel with the standard Bauer-Kirby method . Five investigators tested 100 selected isolates, each in triplicate . Inter- and intralaboratory precision of both disk procedures was essentially comparable . The Inocupac system failed to consistently provide satisfactory growth with some streptococci, but when testing common gram-negative bacilli, staphylococci, and most enterococci, the Inocupac system gave zones about the same size (+/-2 mm) as the Bauer-Kirby procedure . Interpretive agreement between the two test systems varied from 90 to 99% with different antimicrobial agents, and repeated tests with the Bauer-Kirby method demonstrated the same degree of interpretive agreement . The Inocupac system is a valid alternative method for inoculating disk susceptibility tests. Br Med J, 1979 Nov 24, 2(6201), 1320 - 2 Bacterial contamination of expressed breast milk; Jones CL et al.; In a study of breast milk collected into sterile bottles rinsed in 1% hypochlorite solution the hypochlorite solution adherent to the sides of the bottles apparently caused a large reduction in bacterial contamination of the milk after storage at 4 degrees C for up to four hours . Heating expressed breast milk at 62.5 degrees C for five minutes destroyed over 90% of the Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and group B beta-haemolytic streptococci inoculated into the milk samples . Rinsing collecting bottles with hypochlorite solution may be valuable in collecting milk with a low bacterial content for human-milk banks . Furthermore, the currently accepted pasteurisation time of 30 minutes may be excessive. Rev Infect Dis, 1979 Nov-Dec, 1(6), 955 - 66 Viridans streptococcal endocarditis: the role of various species, including pyridoxal-dependent streptococci; Roberts RB et al.; The viridans streptococci are a heterogeneous group of organisms frequently associated with microbial endocarditis . Isolates from consecutive patients with endocarditis due to viridans streptococci who were seen at The New York Hospital from 1944 to 1955 and from 1970 to 1978 were speciated, and the relative frequencies and patterns of sus ceptibility to penicillin were determined . Vitamin B6-dependent streptococci, classified as Streptococcus mitior, accounted for 5%-6% of microbial endocarditis in both time periods . Since these nutritional variants require the active forms of vitamin B6 for growth in routein media, they can be responsible for culture-negative endocarditis . Media must be supplemented with either pyridoxal hydrochloride or pyridoxamine dihydrochloride (the active forms of vitamin B6) for isolation, identification, and subsequent testing of susceptibility to antimirobial agents . Pyridoxine hydrochloride does not support the growth of these organisms in vitro. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 10(5), 758 - 9 Group G streptococcal pneumonia and sepsis in a newborn infant; Ancona RJ et al.; A case of neonatal pneumonia and sepsis caused by a group G Streptococcus is described . Clinical and microbiological aspects of group G streptococci are compared with those of group B streptococci. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 10(5), 641 - 6 Evaluation of commercial latex agglutination reagents for grouping streptococci; Facklam RR et al.; A total of 155 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci were serologically grouped by conventional techniques (Lancefield extraction and capillary precipitin testing) and by latex agglutination (LA) . Agreement between conventional and LA techniques was 97% when the instructions of the manufacturer for the LA technique were followed . Agreement of 99% was obtained when modified autoclave extracts were used as antigens in the LA procedure . A total of 82 strains of non-beta-hemolytic streptococci were also tested by conventional, prescribed LA, and modified autoclave procedures . The agreement between conventional techniques and both LA procedures was 76% . However, when serological cross-reactions in the conventional grouping procedures were considered as errors, the accuracy of identification of both LA procedures was 88% among the non-beta-hemolytic strains . Of 13 strains of Streptococcus bovis, 10 did not react with the LA group D reagent but were serogroup D by conventional techniques . More S . bovis strains were grouped by the LA technique when extracts of 20 ml of broth cultures were used as antigens; however, cross-reactions were observed with non-group D strains when this technique was applied to them. Arch Environ Health, 1979 Nov-Dec, 34(6), 424 - 31 Effect of near ambient exposures to sulfur dioxide and ferrous sulfate particles on murine pulmonary defense mechanisms; Goldstein E et al.; An infectivity model was used to test the safety margins for presently established air quality standards for sulfur dioxide and sulfate particles . Mice and rats were exposed to atmospheres of sulfur dioxide and mono-disperse ferrous sulfate particles from 3 to 6 times the standard for 17 hr prior to, or 4 hr after infection with aerosols of Staphylococcus aureus or Group C Streptococci . Exposure to these concentrations of pollutants did not impair the rodents' ability to ingest and inactivate the minimally virulent Straphylococcus or enhance the virulence of the Group C Streptococci . Insofar as these results can be extrapolated to man, the present air quality standards for sulfur dioxide and sulfate particles are protective in regard to respiratory bacterial infection. Rev Infect Dis, 1979 Nov-Dec, 1(6), 988 - 86 Rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and the streptococcal connection: the role of streptococcal antigens cross-reactive with heart tissue; Kaplan MH; The role of streptococcal infections in initiating the diverse clinical and pathological manifestations of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease is considered in relation to the multiple cross-reactive relations of group A Streptococcus and tissue antigens . Autoantibodies to the following shared antigens have been demonstrated in sera of patients wit rheumatic fever: (1) cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle; (2) heart valve fibroblasts; (3) neurons in basal ganglia; and (4) a group A carbohydrate-related determinant in connective tissues . Circulating autoantibodies to these different antigens were present in higher titer or occurred more frequently in patients with rheumatic fever than in those with uncomplicated streptococcal infections . A direct correlation of the presence of these autoantibodies with carditis could not be established . The pathogenetic mechanisms that link streptococcal infection to rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are not yet clear . Among the possibilities to be considered within the above frame of reference are combined cell-mediated and humoral autoimmune mechanisms directed to one or more cross-reactive antigens in the tissues, selective binding of streptococci to tissues, role of circulating immune complexes, and linkage with histocompatibility antigens. Rev Infect Dis, 1979 Nov-Dec, 1(6), 967 - 75 Changes and changing concepts in the biology of group A streptococci and in the epidemiology of streptococcal infections; Wannamaker LW; Concepts of the cellular structure of group A streptococci have been modified by the recognition of surface fimbriae and by problems with the older view of a layered arrangement of cell wall components . Evidence of genetic drift of serologic types and of some increase in the prevalence of erythromycin-resistant strains has appeared . A curiois bimodal age distribution for streptococcal pharyngitis and an increase in the prevalence of non-group A strains has been detected . Despite repeated challenges, the value of throat cultures for confirming the possibility of streptococcal pharyngitis remains firmly established; throat cultures are superior to saliva cultures, which more frequently detect non-group A streptococci . Difficulties in detecting subclinical steptococcal infections and in defining streptococcal infection in children in endemic situations (particularly in separating true streptococcal infection from carriage of streptococci in individuals whose illness is due to some other agent) continue to present problems to clinicians and epidemiologists . The value of school culture surveys and of treatment of asymptomatic family contacts of cases remains uncertain . A 20% bacteriologic failure rate has been reported after intramuscular treatment with benzathine penicillin, but no in vitro evidence of resistance to penicillin has appeared . No adequate explanations are available for the decline in the problem of rheumatic fever in industrialized countries, for its increased recognition in tropical countries, for the failure of rheumatic fever to occur after streptococcal pyoderma, or for the emergence of group B Streptococcus as a predominant bacterial pathogen in newborn infants. Rev Infect Dis, 1979 Nov-Dec, 1(6), 935 - 45 Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis following pyoderma; Dillon HC Jr; Studies of the epidemiology of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) following pyoderma reported over the past 15 years have been reviewed . Investigations in Alabama, at Red Lake in Minnesota, and in Trinidad proved of special interest because they contribute new information concerning the natural history of streptococcal skin infections and the role of such infections in AGN . Interesting contrasts between streptococcal infections of the skin and those of the throat are now apparent . Compared with pharyngeal infections, skin infections are more common in young preschool children, are caused by different serotypes, and differ in the nature of the streptococcal antibody response . A number of new M-serotypes of group A streptococci, including several of importance in AGN, were found in studies of pyoderma . In contrast to M-types 1 and 12 (those of major importance in AGN followng pharyngitis), M-types 2, 49, 55, 57, and 60 are now recognized to be of major importance in AGN following pyoderma . Although streptococcal skin infections are quire important in AGN, they do not result in acute rheumatic fever. Infect Immun, 1979 Nov, 26(2), 599 - 603 Experimental vaginal colonization and mother-infant transmission of group B streptococci in rats; Ancona RJ et al.; An animal model for group B streptococcal vaginal colonization and neonatal acquisition was developed with albino rats . Intravaginal inoculation of genital isolates of group B streptococci of serotypes Ia, II, and III either once or on 3 successive days resulted in carriage of the organisms for 7 days or longer in 26% of the virgin animals and 43% of the pregnant animals . Throat and perianal cultures of the offspring of pregnant rats revealed that 51% of the rat pups acquired the organisms at some time . Litter exchange studies were done to explore the contributions of environmental and intralitter spread . Significantly more infants born to mothers with positive vaginal cultures acquired the organisms than infants of culture-negative mothers who were suckled by positive adoptive mothers . However, 13% of the offsprinital cultures acquired group B streptococci . This model may be valuable in understanding the dynamics of vaginal carriage and mother-infant transmission of group B streptococci. Acta Paediatr Scand, 1979 Nov, 68(6), 819 - 23 Group B streptococcal colonization of pregnant women and their neonates . Epidemiological study and controlled trial of prophylactic treatment of the newborn; Gerard P et al.; Colonization with group B streptococci of the genital tract was studied in 1 115 women during the last trimester of pregnancy . 76 or 6.82% were found to harbour this bacterium . The incidence of contamination was significantly higher among Belgian women than among parturients of Mediterranean origin (p less than 0.001) . It was also more frequent in primigravidae (p less than 0.05) and in the poorer (0.10 less than p greater than 0.05) . At the time of admission in the delivery room, it was noticed that rupture of the amniotic membranes for more than 24 hours was more often associated with group B streptococcal carriage by the mother (p less than 0.001) . 29 out of 68 (42.6%) infants born to group B streptococci positive mothers were colonized at birth . 67 of them were submitted to a controlled trial of immediate versus delayed penicillin therapy . 44.8% and 42.1% of the neonates were contaminated at birth in each group of treatment respectively . No instance of group B streptococcal infection developed in either group . This suggests that immediate therapy with penicillin of infants of group B streptococci positive mothers has no definite advantage upon delayed treatment. J Infect Dis, 1979 Nov, 140(5), 682 - 9 Human immunity to group B streptococci measured by indirect immunofluorescence: correlation with protection in chick embryos; Vogel LC et al.; An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay has been developed as a useful semiquantitative method for determination of type-specific IgG antibody in human sera to the five serotypes of group B Streptococcus . Antibody titers measured by IF correlated with passive protection in chick embryos, and antibody titers associated with chick embryo protection were delineated . Except for types Ia and Ic, IF antibody to each of the streptococcal types was completely absorbed by homologous strains, and antibody titers were unchanged by incubation with heterologous bacteria . For types Ia and Ic, IF antibody was absorbed by either the Ia or the Ic strain and by native Ia carbohydrate antigen . Antibody titers measured by IF and chick embryo protection against types Ia and Ic were similar, but were divergent for Ib and Ic, a finding suggesting that antibody is predominantly directed to the major carbohydrate determinants . In addition, 29 of 31 sera that had been tested in chick embryos yielded comparable results in mice against challenge with type Ia group B Streptococcus, a finding further validating the chick embryo assay . Sera from all of 43 mothers of infants infected with group B streptococci had antibody titers by IF that were less than titers associated with protection in chick embryos. J Infect Dis, 1979 Nov, 140(5), 676 - 81 Production of pyrogenic exotoxin by groups of streptococci: association with group A; Schlievert PM et al.; Several groups of streptococci were tested for production of pyrogenic exotoxins (SPE) with Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, a newly developed passive hemagglutination inhibition assay, and an assay for pyrogenicity and capacity to enhance lethal endotoxin shock . With use of these assays, 68 (91%) of 75 group A streptococcal strains were positive for one or more of SPE types A, B, and C; seven were negative for both the known SPE types and antigenically unrelated pyrogenic exotoxins . Group A strains producing both SPE B and C were the most common, and strains producing A alone or AB and AC together were the least common . All of 11 rheumatogenic group A streptococci elaborated SPE C either alone or together with one or both of SPE types A and B . The 10 nephritogenic strains tested were positive for SPE B; five were positive for B alone . In contrast to group A streptococci, non-group A strains (41 tested) did not produce the known SPE types, and 19 of 19 tested were negative for antigenically unrelated pyrogenic exotoxins . Group A strains from Holland, India, and Japan also elaborated SPE . Several group A streptococci used widely in laboratory experiments were tested for SPE types produced. J Med Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 12(4), 413 - 27 Production of a bacteriocine-like substance by group-A streptococci of M-type 4 and T-pattern 4; Johnson DW et al.; A unique and characteristic bacteriocine-like inhibitor elaborated by M-type 4, T-pattern 4, group-A streptococci was isolated and partially purified . This inhibitor was found to be produced optimally in Todd-Hewitt broth; after extraction and concentration, was shown to be protein in nature, and to have a m.w . of c . 8000 . It was extremely heat stable and acid tolerant, but was quickly inactivated in alkaline conditions . It could be demonstrated in cell-bound form, but 99.5% was found in culture supernates . It was specifically adsorbed by viable sensitive cells, and its mode of action was bacteristatic. J Clin Pathol, 1979 Nov, 32(11), 1168 - 73 Identification of viridans streptococci on the Minitek Miniaturised Differentiation System; Holloway Y et al.; A total of 227 strains of viridans streptococci were simultaneously identified on the Minitek Miniaturised System (BBL) and by a conventional method according to Colman and Williams . The Minitek discs were each overlaid with a drop of sterile liquid paraffin, and the trays were incubated in GaSPak jars (BBL) with CO2 generator envelopes . Identification was possible three to four days earlier than with the conventional method . The results were found to be in agreement with the conventional method . Compared to the identification schemes of Cowan and Steel and of Facklam, the results were also in good agreement . Minor differences were found in the number of positive and negative results in those reactions that are variable in all three schemes. Am J Dis Child, 1979 Nov, 133(11), 1143 - 5 Sensitivity of group A streptococci to antibiotics . Prevalence of resistance to erythromycin in Japan; Maruyama S et al.; More than 60% of all strains of group A streptococci isolated during the period from 1974 to 1975 from children with streptococcal infections in Hokkaido district, Japan, were highly resistant to erythromycin . These strains were found to be multiply resistant to lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline, and were exclusively type 12 by T-protein typing . The clinical symptoms produced by these organisms were rather mild, responded to penicillin well, and were rarely complicated with glomerulonephritis . The high prevalence of resistant group A streptococci was nationwide, which may have been related to recent excessive use of erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics . Erythromycin can no longer be considered the drug of choice in the management of streptococcal infections in Japan . This suggests that a periodic surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity of streptococcal isolates may be necessary in other countries in which macrolide antibiotics are frequently prescribed. Pediatrics, 1979 Nov, 64(5 Pt 2 Suppl), 787 - 94 Neonatal cellular and humoral immunity to group B streptococci; Hill HR et al.; The mechanisms of host resistance to group B streptococci have not been defined precisely . In the studies reported here we have assessed the contributions of both humoral and cellular factors in protection against strains of this group . With assays of specific opsonic activity based upon the production of polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemiluminescence and radiolabeled bacterial uptake, we have demonstrated that specific heat-stable antibody and the classic complement pathway are major factors in opsonization of these organisms . In the absence of specific antibody, fresh serum resulted in markedly reduced bacterial uptake indicating, at best, a minor role for the alternative complement pathway . Additional studies have indicated that strain-specific antiphagocytic factors as well as type-specific ones may play a role in the virulence of these organisms . Neonates who developed group B streptococcal sepsis usually lacked opsonic activity in their infecting strain . In addition, polymorphonuclear leukocytes from normal term and stressed neonates showed impaired metabolic activation as measured in the chemiluminescence assay following exposure to opsonized group B streptococci . These results suggest that neonates who develop group B streptococcal disease may have defects in both the humoral and cellular aspects of their acute inflammatory response which may contribute to the high mortality observed in this most fulminant of bacterial infections. Lab Invest, 1979 Nov, 41(5), 379 - 84 Cathepsin B activity in stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages; Morland B et al.; The activity of cathepsin B was assayed in murine resident peritoneal macrophages, and after stimulation of the cells in vivo and in vitro . The resident cells showed a very low activity of the enzyme, compared to the activities of three other lysosomal enzymes: cathepsin D, acid phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase which were tested simultaneously . Endocytosis of carrageenan, latex, or carbon particles in vitro induced a prominent rise in intracellular cathepsin B activity . Addition of endotoxin from Escherichia coli in vivo or in vitro, or cell wall products from streptococci in vitro caused no change in cathepsin B activity . There was a release of enzyme activity to the medium after a 72-hour culture of macrophages . However, the release, calculated as a percentage of total activity, was not influenced by any treatments mentioned . All significant rises in enzyme activity could be inhibited by the addition of cycloheximide, and it was concluded that increased enzyme activity was dependent on new protein synthesis. Ann Ophthalmol, 1979 Nov, 11(11), 1775 - 8 Bacterial endophthalmitis associated with vitreous wick; Lindstrom RL et al.; A culture proven case of bacterial endophthalmitis (alpha streptococci, not Group D, and coagulase-negative staphylococci) occurred in association with a vitreous wick 26 days following uncomplicated intracapsular cataract extraction . Despite intensive antibiotic therapy, the eye was lost to infection . Immediate surgical repair of vitreous wicks which communicate with the external ocular surface is recommended. J Infect Dis, 1979 Nov, 140(5), 747 - 57 Genetic variation in the M antigen of group A streptococci: reassortment of type-specific markers and possible antigenic drift; Cleary P et al.; The phylogenetic relationships of 73 strains of group A Streptococcus isolated over a six-year period from a population with a high prevalence of streptococcal infections were analyzed with use of four serotype-specific markers: the serum opacity factor (OF), the T antigen, the determinant of the M antigen that precipitates with antibody, and the M antiphagocytic determinant . OF inhibition tests divided the strains into five subtypes: a, b, c, d, and e . Strains within subtypes a, b, and c shared a previously unidentified M precipitin . The identification of this new common M precipitin was based on absorption studies, double agar immunodiffusion, and immunoelectrophoresis analysis . Antisera directed against representative strains from subtypes a, b, and c contained cross-reactive bactericidal antibody, and absorption studies indicated that determinants of the M precipitins were identical, whereas determinants of resistance to phagocytosis were closely related but not identical . The association of a common M precipitin with three different OF antigens, two different T antigens, and three different, yet similar, antiphagocytic determinants is discussed in light of the possibility that the genes that code for these antigens have reassorted or recombined . Moreover, the possibility that differences in the antiphagocytic determinants of these strains have resulted from antigenic drift in a common gene is considered. Infect Immun, 1979 Nov, 26(2), 441 - 7 Factors influencing adherence of group B streptococci to human vaginal epithelial cells; Zawaneh SM et al.; Factors affecting the adherence of group B streptococci to human vaginal epithelial cells in vitro were examined . Maximal adherence was achieved within 15 min of incubation of bacteria with epithelial cells . Adherence was temperature and pH dependent; maximal adherence occurred at 37 degrees C and pH 5.5 . Killing of streptococci with ultraviolet light or penicillin did not affect adherence . Similarly, adherence was not altered by preincubating epithelial cells at 65 degrees C for 30 min . Thus neither bacterial nor epithelial cell viability appears to be a prerequisite for adherence . Preincubation of streptococci at 65 degrees C for 30 min resulted in a marked decrease in adherence, whereas preincubation of group B streptococci with neuraminidase was associated with a significant increase in adherence . The adherence of strains belonging to five different group B streptococcal serotypes was not altered by group-specific or type-specific rabbit antisera . These findings suggest that the site for adherence on the bacterial cell wall is heat sensitive and is marked by sialic acid, but is not related to either group-specific or type-specific antigens. J Med Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 12(4), 397 - 411 "Fingerprinting" beta-haemolytic streptococci by their production of and sensitivity to bacteriocine-like inhibitors; Tagg JR et al.; A scheme for the "fingerprinting" of streptococci according to their production of (P typing) and sensitivity to (S typing) bacteriocine-like inhibitory substances has been developed . P typing of 450 beta-haemolytic streptococci by their action on a set of nine standard indicator strains revealed that 80% of strains produced one or more detectable inhibitors, and that 17 different P types could be recognised . Production of some inhibitors seemed to be a property of strains of a particular serological group or type . Bacteriocine-like substances were produced by streptococci of serological groups, A, B, C, D, E, F and G . Nine strains were selected as standard producers for S typing . These strains differed in their spectra of inhibition, but all seemed to be active only against gram-positive bacteria . One producer, a group-F streptococcus, specifically inhibited group-A streptococci . The conditions of incubation were critical for demonstration of inhibitor production . A requirement for blood and for incubation at 32 degrees C were important factors . None of the inhibitors was induced by ultraviolet irradiation . The observed inhibitory effects were not attributable to either hydrogen peroxide or low pH, but to the production of a variety of substances having diverse physicochemical properties and production requirements . Most of the inhibitors do not seem to be produced in liquid media . The "fingerprinting" procedure is simple and inexpensive, and provides a reliable means of subdividing streptococcal strains that may find application as a supplement to the existing serological typing schemes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1979 Oct, 16(4), 514 - 8 In vitro antimicrobial inhibition patterns of nutritionally variant streptococci; Cooksey RC et al.; Twenty-four isolates of nutritionally variant streptococci, previously categorized as species included among the viridans streptococci, were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents . Minimum inhibitory concentrations for these isolates and for a control group of viridans streptococci with no apparent nutritional deficiencies were determined in two microdilution systems . Pyridoxal hydrochloride, which enhances growth of the nutritional variants, was added to one of these microdilution systems but not to the other . An agar dilution method was also used to test the nutritionally variant isolates . Minimum inhibitory concentrations determined by the three methods compared favorably . Penicillin, nafcillin, methicillin, and clindamycin were less effective in vitro against the nutritional variants than were the other antibiotics tested . Streptomycin, however, was less effective against the control isolates. Arch Intern Med, 1979 Oct, 139(10), 1125 - 30 Infectious arthritis; Sharp JT et al.; One hundred thirteen patients with 120 episodes of septic arthritis were seen during a 14-year period . The most common bacteria cultured from joint fluid or blood during the acute episodes were gonococci, staphylococci, and streptococci . Seventeen other bacteria were the infecting organisms in one or more cases each . Other infections and medical conditions frequently were present . In some instances the septic arthritis was a complication of another infection . In other patients septic arthritis appeared to occur because of diminished resistance to infection . The majority of patients responded well to medical treatment, but eight died and 26 had persistence of articular pain at follow-up examination. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 1979 Oct, 95(1-2), 23 - 6 Spontaneous fascial necrosis of the upper thigh by beta-hemolytic streptococci; Thelen E et al.; This is a case-report of a gangrene involving muscle and fascia of the left femur due to group A of beta-hemolytic streptococci without visible injury of the skin . The diagnosis was derived from germ-evidence and by course of anti-desoxyribonuclease-B titer. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1979 Oct, 87(5), 301 - 2 Group L streptococci as the cause of bacteraemia and endocarditis . A case report; Bevanger L et al.; A beta-haemolytic streptococcus was isolated from multiple blood cultures in a 56-year-old woman suffering from thrombophlebitis in a leg and from a 42-year-old man with endocarditis . Both strains were identified as group L streptococci by precipitation testing . Initially they were identified as group A streptococci on the basis of cultural characteristics, bacitracin sensitivity and fluorescent staining with an anti-group A conjugate . The two cases are an addition to the few existing reports on proved infection in humans by group L streptococci. J Clin Pathol, 1979 Oct, 32(10), 1066 - 9 Evaluation of bacteriological swabs and transport media in the recovery of group B streptococci on laboratory media; Cumming CG et al.; The survival of group B streptococci on a variety of swabs, held either in their containers or in transport media for periods of up to 48 hours, at room temperature and at 4 degrees C, has been assessed . Results indicated that holding swabs in transport media did not favour prolonged survival of the streptococci and that the yield of organisms was much greater from swabs held in their ordinary plastic tubes . A holding temperature of 4 degrees C rather than room temperature is recommended if any delay in plating out swabs is anticipated. J Exp Med, 1979 Oct 1, 150(4), 862 - 77 Human immune response to immunization with a structurally defined polypeptide fragment of streptococcal M protein; Beachey EH et al.; We tested the ability of pepsin-extracted, highly purified M protein to induce type-specific immunity in experimental animals and humans . M protein was prepared from limited peptic digests of whole group A type 24 streptococci and was purified to chemical homogeneity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, quantitative amino acid analysis, and Edman degradation . For vaccination, the lyophilized M24 protein preparation (pep M24) was precipitated in aluminum hydroxide . When injected into laboratory animals, alum-precipitated pep M24 produced type-specific protective antibodies and was free of non-type-specific immunoreactivity . In man, skin tests with 1-microgram doses of pep M24 were negative in all 37 adults tested . 12 adult human volunteers received two-four subcutaneous injections of 100-200 micrograms of alum-precipitated pep M24 at intervals of at least 2 wk . The immune response to pep M24 was measured by a variety of assays designed to detect (a) type-specific humoral antibodies (opsonophagocytic, long chain, and mouse protection tests); (b) total humoral antibodies (complement fixation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay); (c) cellular immunity (skin tests); and (d) heart cross-reactive antibodies (immunofluorescence) . Type-specific opsonic antibodies developed in 10 of the 12 vaccinees, and positive delayed-type skin tests developed in 11 . Immune sera from two of the vaccinees were effective in mouse-protection tests against challenge with M24 but not M6 streptococci . None of the volunteers developed heart-reactive antibodies or antibodies to non-type-specific M protein antigens . Alum-precipitated pep M24 was well-tolerated in man, and no serious local or systemic reactions were observed . Thus, pep M24 induces type-specific, protective antibodies in doses that are well-tolerated in man. Pediatr Res, 1979 Oct, 13(10), 1093 - 6 Defective activation of the third component of complement in the sera of newborn infants; Winkelstein JA et al.; The activation of the terminal complement components, C3--9, plays an important role in the host's defense against infection . In the present study, the ability of bacteria to activate the third component of complement (C3) in newborn serum was examined . A variety of bacteria were incubated in test sera at 37 degrees C for 30 min and the percent of available C3 that was activated was measured . Using one strain of Escherchia coli (no . 3), 32% (mean) of the available C3 was activated in sera from 18 newborns, as compared to 85% in sera from their mothers and 79% in sera from 13 normal adults (P less than 0.005) . In contrast, using another strain of E . coli (N70), the percent of C3 activated in newborn sera (83%) was the same as in sera from their mothers (81%) or in sera from normal adults (73%) . The defective activation of C3 in newborn sera by E . coli was not related to the presence of the K1 antigen . Newborn sera were also challenged with other bacterial species and the activation of C3 was deficient when tested with klebsiellae, but not with staphylococci or streptococci . The defect in newborn sera appeared to be due to a deficiency of a serum factor rather than to the presence of an inhibitor. Infect Immun, 1979 Oct, 26(1), 316 - 21 Binding of lipoteichoic acid of group A streptococci to isolated human erythrocyte membranes; Chiang TM et al.; The spontaneous binding of group A streptococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) to mammalian cell membranes was studied in isolated membranes of human erythrocytes . The binding of radiolabeled LTA to erythrocyte membranes was dependent on membrane concentration and time . Binding approached a maximum within 30 min of incubation . The bound LTA could be displaced by adding a 50-fold excess of unlabeled LTA . The displaced LTA was eluted from a column of Sepharose 6B in a position identical to that of authentic LTA, suggesting that binding did not alter the size of the molecule . A dissociation constant of 42 micrometers was calculated, and only one population of approximately 5.5 X 10(6) binding sites per erhtyrocyte membrane was detected . Since these results suggested that erythrocyte membranes possess specific binding sites for LTA, an attempt was made to localize the putative receptors to the outside or the inside surface of the erhtyrocyte membrane . Assays of the binding of LTA to resealed right-side-out and inside-out membrane ghosts demonstrated that the outside surface was able to bind over 10 times more LTA than the inside surface . These results support the concept that the membranes possess specific binding sites for LTA and inciate that these binding sites are located almost entirely on the outside surface of erythrocyte membranes. Infect Immun, 1979 Oct, 26(1), 287 - 93 Group B streptococcal type Ia sepsis in mice after intranasal inoculation and the effect of infection on lungs; Wennerstrom DE; The intranasal inoculation of adult mice with saline suspensions of virulent group B streptococci serotype Ia resulted in septicemia which was lethal . Decreasing the inoculation dose of streptotocci increased the time required for their appearance in the blood and the mean time to death of the mice . Before the appearance of septicemia, the number of organisms in the lungs decreased to about 1% of the inoculation dose, and the majority could be recovered by lavage of the lungs through the trachea . In contrast, most of the organisms remained in the lavaged lungs of bacteremic mice after intranasal or intravenous inoculation . Lung surfactant obtained from infected mice was altered by a reduction in lipid and by an increase in protein . The organisms in vitro did not attack surfactant lipid labeled with {1-14C}palmitic acid, but their pathogenesis in vivo affected the permeability of the air-blood barrier, as shown by the leakage into the air spaces of plasma albumin labeled by the intravenous injection of Evans blue dye. J Dent Res, 1979 Oct, 58(10), 2019 - 27 Differential utilization of proteins in saliva from caries-active and caries-free subjects as growth substrates by plaque-forming streptococci; Cowman RA et al.; Mixed or parotid saliva from caries-active individuals consistently supported better growth of Streptococcus mutans (type c) than that from caries-free individuals . Electrophoretic studies revealed that certain proteins in caries-active salivas were susceptible to microbial attack, but similar proteins in caries-free salivas were refractory. Cancer, 1979 Oct, 44(4), 1226 - 7 Septicemia due to Streptococcus equisimilis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Appelbaum PC et al.; A 4-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in relapse with documented septicemia due to group C Streptococci (Streptococcus equisimilis) is described . The patient responded well to therapy with appropriate cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents . There is a general lack of recognition of the pathogenicity of group C Streptococci in man . The potential opportunistic nature of these organisms in immunocompromised hosts and the need for early recognition and appropriate treatment of such infection is emphasized. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1979 Oct, 57(5), 521 - 7 A comparison of four methods for the serotyping of group B streptococci; Triscott MX et al.; Group B streptococci are implicated in a wide range of clinical conditions in human adults and neonates . The Group is subdivided into five serotypes Ia, Ib, Ic, II and III, which are differentiated on the basis of capsular polysaccharides . In the interests of epidemiology and efficiency a cheap, rapid method which is easily interpreted would be advantageous . In this study four methods of serotyping, namely, counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), microimmunodiffusion (MID), coagglutination (COA), and the Lancefield capillary precipitin (CP) test were compared in terms of ease of operation and interpretation, accuracy and rapidity . Todd Hewitt Broth (THB) cultures and acid extracts of the group B streptococcal strains were used as antigens for these methods . It was concluded that COA using THB cultures allows cheap and rapid screening for presumptive serotyping, having a 93-96% correlation with the CP test . MID gives an accurate (100% correlation with the CP test) and unambiguous confirmatory diagnosis of serotype. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 10(4), 409 - 14 Comparison of Minitek and conventional methods for the biochemical characterization of oral streptococci; Setterstrom JA et al.; Fifty-six strains of viridans streptococci were tested in the Minitek system (BBL Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.), and the results were compared with those obtained by conventional methods . An overall agreement of 98.9% was obtained when the Minitek tests were performed as follows . (i) All disks were incubated anaerobically for 48 h except for esculin and arginine, which required 5 to 7 days . (ii) The arginine disks were overlaid with 0.1 ml of sterile mineral oil even though incubated anaerobically . (iii) The Voges-Proskauer tests were performed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . (iv) All tests for carbohydrate fermentation except for raffinose and salicin were read after the addition of 2 to 3 drops of 0.025% phenol red (pH 7.2) . Of all the tests performed, only the fermentation of starch resulted in such poor agreement as to be considered unreliable . Results for inulin (unavailable in the Minitek system) were obtained by conventional methods. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1979 Oct, 87(5), 303 - 10 Fibrinogen binding structures in beta-hemolytic streptococci group A, C, and G . Comparisons with receptors for IgG and aggregated beta 2-microglobulin; Kronvall G et al.; Binding of radiolabelled fibrinogen was measured to 197 strains of 16 different bacterial species . All streptococcal strains belonging to groups A, C, and G isolated from human sources were strongly positive . S . aureus strains showed low binding values . Occasional group B streptococci were positive . Reactive strains were also noted among group C streptococci of animal origin, Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Str . equii, and bovine beta-hemolytic group G streptococci . Bovine alpha-hemolytic group G strains as well as the remaining seven species of human origin were all negative . Inhibition experiments and correlation studies indicated that the streptococcal receptor for fibrinogen was different from immunoglobulin Fc binding reactivity . Comparisons with the newly discovered beta 2-microglobulin binding factor showed that trypsin concentrations which destroyed this receptor left the fibrinogen receptor intact . Although the two receptors correlate in strain population studies and show competition for binding the difference in trypsin sensitivity indicates that they represent two different structural entities . Both receptors might serve as basic markers for M-protein like surface components of Gram positive cocci. Lab Anim Sci, 1979 Oct, 29(5), 645 - 51 The pathology of the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): a review; Vincent AL et al.; Both naturally occurring disease processes and experimental models of human disease in the Mongolian gerbil were reviewed . The gerbil was highly susceptible to cerebral infarction following unilateral ligation of one common carotid artery and was useful in studies of the pathogenesis of stroke . Spontaneous epileptiform seizures mimicked those of human idiopathic epilepsy, and both seizure-sensitive and resistant strains have been bred . Perhaps because of its more efficient nephron, the gerbil accumulated four to six times as much renal lead as the rat, and the gerbil has been proposed as an experimental model of lead nephropathy . On standard diets, about 10% of the animals became obese, and some showed decreased glucose tolerance, elevated serum immunoreactive insulin and diabetic changes in the pancreas and other organs . Some breeders exhibited hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex associated with hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and degenerative vascular disease . Although dietary supplements of cholesterol were toxic and did not induce atherosclerosis, the gerbil was useful in other studies of cholesterol absorption and metabolism . Spontaneous, insidious periodontal disease became evident after about 6 months on standard diets, and dental caries were induced by cariogenic diets or by pathodontic streptococci . Spontaneous neoplasia occurred in 8.4--24% of gerbils, usually after 2 years of life . Adrenal cortical, ovarian and cutaneous tumors were the most consistently reported neoplasms. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Oct, 245(1-2), 44 - 7 The role of M protein in phagocytosis . II . Opsonization of Streptococcus pyogenes in vitro; Tylewska S et al.; Opsonization of two different streptococcal group A type 12 strains was investigated . The strains differed only in M protein presence . It was observed that after the treatment of bacteria with fresh normal rabbit serum M positive strains bind to their surface IgG only whereas M negative strains solely some complement components . These results may suggest that streptococci lacking M protein are able to activate complement by alternate pathway. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Oct, 245(1-2), 17 - 24 {The production of streptolysin O by beta-hemolytic streptococci of group A (author's transl))}; Tiesler E et al.; 128 M- and 15 T-typed strains of A-streptococci were investigated in respect of their streptolysin O production . The peak of streptolysin O production was reached after the logarithmic growth-phase and persisted for more than 24 h . The strains were classified in very weak 44% (0-1,0 E/ml), weak 30% (1,5-3,0 E/ml), medium 21% (4-8,0 E/ml) strong 5% (12-48 E/ml), 9 strains (7%) produced no detectable streptolysin O . The amount of streptolysin O necessary for antigen stimulation is discussed . A connection of growth character and enzyme production was not observed. Am J Med Technol, 1979 Oct, 45(10), 835 - 9 Susceptibility of streptococci to newer tetracyclines and cephalosporins and to other antimicrobial agents; Freundlich LF et al.; Two hundred and thirty-nine strains of Streptococcus including 71 strains of Group A, 81 strains of Group B, 69 strains of enterococci, and 18 strains of S . pneumoniae were tested against 12 antimicrobial agents using an agar dilution method . Cefamandole was the most active cephalosporin tested . Doxycycline and minocycline were more active than tetracycline, although the tetracyclines were considerably less inhibitory than the cephalosporins . Regression line analysis of zones of inhibition versus minimal inhibitory concentration values for tetracycline and minocycline showed the tetracycline disc to be unacceptable for predicting the susceptibility of the Group A Streptococcus to minocycline . Minimal inhibitory concentrations for clindamycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, and spectinomycin are also given. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1979 Sep 30, 58(4), 290 - 4 {Bacterial antagonism of oral secretions towards staphylococci}; Sbaffi A et al.; Bacterial antagonism may be one of the mechanism which regulates the bacterial flora of the pharynx . We have investigated the bacterial antagonism exerted in oral secretion by alpha-hemolytic streptococci against S . aureus and S . epidermidis . We cultured viridans streptococci and staphylococci in human saliva and we noted a bactericidal activity towards staphylococci . Such activity, referable to the salivary system (peroxidase-thiocyanate) activated by hydrogen peroxide produced by streptococci, was greater on S . epidermidis . The remarkable sensitivity of S . epidermidis could explain the rare presence of this species in pharynx and oral cavity. J Infect Dis, 1979 Sep, 140(3), 392 - 6 Extracellular factors, blood group antigens, and bacteriophage of nephritogenic and nonnephritogenic strains of M-type 12 streptococci; Potter EV et al.; Strains of M-type 12 streptococci from 18 patients with acute glomerulonephritis and 18 patients with uncomplicated pharyngitis were analyzed for in vitro production of streptolysin O, diphosphopyridine nucleotidase, hyaluronidase, streptokinase, streptolysin S, proteinase, hyaluronic acid, and fibrinogen-precipitating factor . In addition, relations to blood group antigens, lysogeny, and susceptibility to bacteriophage were determined . No significant differences were found between strains from nephritic and nonnephritic patients . By not indicating a role in the pathogenesis of poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis for any of the factors studied, these observations diminish the probability that these factors are of specific importance in this disease and thus direct our attention elsewhere. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 10(3), 326 - 30 Physiological characterization of nutritionally variant streptococci; Cooksey RC et al.; Twenty-five isolates of nutritionally variant streptococci submitte