Q J Med, 1985 Aug, 56(220), 439 - 50 Streptococcus bovis bacteraemia requires rigorous exclusion of colonic neoplasia and endocarditis; Beeching NJ et al.; Twelve patients presented to the hospitals of the Auckland Hospital Board with bacteraemia caused by Streptococcus bovis in the years 1979-84 . Ten had endocarditis, affecting homograft valves in two cases and the tricuspid valve in one case . Of nine patients who underwent investigation of the large bowel, only one did not have a colorectal tumour . Three had colonic adenocarcinoma and three had colorectal villous adenoma . Two, including a patient with acute hepatic failure from alcoholic cirrhosis, had colonic adenomata . Colonoscopy provided a tissue diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia despite negative radiological studies in three patients . Bacteraemia due to S . bovis should prompt rigorous investigation to exclude both endocarditis and tumours of the large bowel. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 4(4), 386 - 90 Clinical significance of Streptococcus milleri; Van der Auwera P; The clinical features of infection in patients from whom Streptococcus milleri was isolated were analysed in an attempt to determine the clinical significance of this organism . During a four-year period Streptococcus milleri was isolated from 232 hospitalized patients . In 44 patients Streptococcus milleri was isolated in pure culture, in 45 patients together with obligate anaerobes, and in 143 patients together with aerobes with or without anaerobes . The 82 patients in whom isolation of Streptococcus milleri was considered significant had the following infections: bacteremia (8 patients), brain abscess (2), pleural empyema (9), lung abscess (1), maxillary sinusitis (7), intra-abdominal abscess (53), infection of pacemaker (1) and infection of vascular graft (1) . The 150 patients in whom isolation of Streptococcus milleri was considered of questionable significance had the following: upper respiratory tract infection (12 patients), lower respiratory tract infection (6), acute cholecystitis (8), soft tissue abscess, cellulitis and surgical wound infections (83), bone and joint infections (14), genital infection (25) and miscellaneous infections (2) . The overall incidence of infection with Streptococcus milleri was five cases per 1000 admissions . The study showed that Streptococcus milleri is of clinical significance not only in suppurative infections, as previously reported, but also in acute maxillary sinusitis and infection of implant material. Thorax, 1985 Aug, 40(8), 626 - 8 Streptococcus milleri as a cause of pleural empyema; Hocken DB et al.; Review of an annual series of cases of empyema seen at a regional cardiothoracic unit showed that six out of 25 were due to Streptococcus milleri . The details of the cases are summarised . This organism is now an important cause of empyema, occurring much more commonly in men than in women; but since it is highly sensitive to penicillins permanent resolution can be achieved with antibiotic treatment combined with open or closed drainage. Genetics, 1985 Aug, 110(4), 557 - 68 Localized conversion in Streptococcus pneumoniae recombination: heteroduplex preference; Sicard M et al.; In pneumococcal transformation the frequency of recombinants between point mutations is generally proportional to distance . We have recently described an aberrant marker in the amiA locus that appeared to enhance recombination frequency when crossed with any other allele of this gene . The hyperrecombination that we have observed in two-point crosses could be explained by two hypotheses: the aberrant marker induces frequent crossovers in its vicinity or the mutant is converted to wild type . In this report we present evidence showing that, in suitable three-point crosses, this hyperrecombination does not modify the recombination frequency between outside markers, suggesting that a conversion occurs at the site of this mutation . To estimate the length over which this event occurs, we isolated very closely linked markers and used them in two-point crosses . It appears that the conversion system removes only a few base pairs (from three to 27) around the aberrant marker . This conversion process is quite different from the mismatch-repair system controlled by hex genes in pneumococcus, which involves several thousand base pairs . Moreover, we have constructed artificial heteroduplexes using separated DNA strands . It appears that only one of the two heteroduplexes is specifically converted . The conversion system acts upon 5'..ATTAAT..3'/3'. . TAAGTA..5' . A possible role of the palindrome resulting from the mutation is discussed. Am J Gastroenterol, 1985 Aug, 80(8), 621 - 3 Does bacteremia occur during flexible sigmoidoscopy? Goldman GD, Miller SA, Furman DS, Brock D, Ryan JL, McCallum RW. Up to 10% of patients may have bacteremia after rigid sigmoidoscopy . The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of bacteremia accompanying flexible sigmoidoscopy . Blood samples for aerobic and anaerobic cultures were obtained before, during, and after flexible sigmoidoscopy in 100 patients who were examined a mean distance of 49.5 cm, range 15-60 cm, after a bowel preparation of two Fleet enemas . In one patient, a transient bacteremia with Streptococcus intermedius was documented and was attended by no associated clinical manifestations . This organism has been previously isolated from patients with endocarditis, peritonitis, emphysema, and hepatic and appendiceal abscesses . There was no association in our study with bacteremia and such factors as length of bowel examined and duration of procedure, the presence of bowel pathology, performance of endoscopic biopsies, liver disease, and portal hypertension or poor bowel preparation . We conclude that the extremely low incidence of significant bacteremia with flexible sigmoidoscopy may be related to the smaller diameter of the instrument and provides further support for the routine use of flexible rather than rigid sigmoidoscopy. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 131 ( Pt 8), 1981 - 8 Chemical and immunological characterization of a novel amphipathic antigen from biotype B Streptococcus sanguis; Yamamoto T et al.; A new type of amphipathic antigen was extracted from whole cells of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10557 (biotype B, serotype II) by the phenol/water method . The extract was treated with nuclease P1, and was applied to a column of Sepharose 6B . Each fraction was checked by passive haemagglutination (PHA) and immunodiffusion tests against anti-10557 serum which was obtained by immunizing rabbits with whole cells of strain ATCC 10557 . Strong PHA activity was demonstrated in the first hexose-containing peak (peak 1) eluted near the void volume, while the second hexose-containing peak (peak 2) produced a heavy band against anti-10557 serum in an immunodiffusion test . The third peak (peak 3) which partially overlapped with peak 2 reacted with concanavalin A, but not with the antiserum, in agar gel . Peaks 2 and 3 had no PHA activity . Peak 1 contained only 1% phosphorus, indicating that cells of strain ATCC 10557 possess an amphipathic antigen which differs from the lipoteichoic acids that are common in many Gram-positive bacteria . Peak 1 was a fatty acid-substituted heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, glycerol and fatty acids in a molar ratio of approximately 1.0:1.3:2.7:0.3:1.0 . PHA activity was inhibited in the presence of polymerized mannose . Peak 2 was composed of glucose, galactose, rhamnose and N-acetylgalactosamine in a molar ratio of approximately 1.0:1.4:0.8:0.8, which was essentially identical to the serotype II carbohydrate antigen reported previously. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Aug, 61(2), 373 - 8 An idiotypic complementarity between rheumatoid factor and anti-peptidoglycan antibodies? Johnson PM, Phua KK, Evans HB. Groups of BALB/c mice have been repeatedly immunized with sterile affinity-purified human rheumatoid factor (RF) preparations from high-titred seropositive rheumatoid arthritis sera . In all cases, there was an antibody response reactive with Streptococcus pyogenes cell wall peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS) polymer in both immunodiffusion and ELISA . This antibody could be absorbed by either excess RF or PG-PS, but not by isolated human non-RF IgG or IgM preparations . Groups of mice similarly immunized with non-RF IgG or IgM produced no significant anti-PG-PS antibody response compared with pre-immune sera . All immunogens lacked detectable PG-PS . Thus, anti-PG-PS antibody may be produced by RF immunization in the absence of PG-PS . This suggests some idiotypic complementarity between RF and anti-PG-PS antibodies. J Dairy Sci, 1985 Aug, 68(8), 2094 - 9 Control of new intramammary infection at calving by prepartum teat dipping; Schultze WD; Cows were subjected to teat dipping in a commercial iodophor germicide twice daily for at least 7 days immediately before calving to assess efficacy of the practice in reducing new intramammary infection at calving . In a cold season and in a warm season, groups of about 35 cows successively calving were treated and were compared with similarly sized and selected control groups . There were no advantages for teat dipped over control cow groups for incidence of new intramammary infections at calving, for new infections that persisted for longer than 14 days after calving, or for new infections that required antibiotic therapy . Incidence of new infection in warm weather (27.3% of quarters) was twice that in cool weather (13.6%) . The most frequently isolated pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci and Streptococcus uberis . Staphylococcus aureus infections were most likely to persist into the new lactation (83%) than were infections by other pathogens (38 to 57%). J Dairy Res, 1985 Aug, 52(3), 355 - 9 An examination of teat drying with disinfectant impregnated cloths on the bacteriological quality of milk and on the transfer of Streptococcus agalactiae before milking; McKinnon CH et al.; Total bacterial counts of the milk from individual cows were measured for three groups of ten winter housed cows at three milkings . The teats were either (i) left unwashed or (ii) washed with disinfected water (60 ppm available iodine) and dried with individual paper towels or (iii) washed with plain water and then dried with a single fabric cloth impregnated with a polymeric bisguanide and a quaternary ammonium compound . The mean total bacterial counts/ml for the groups were 5820, 2108 and 1116 respectively . Treatments (ii) and (iii) were also compared for their ability to prevent the inter-teat transfer of bacteria . Before teat washing and drying, one teat of each cow was deliberately contaminated with Streptococcus agalactiae . Significantly fewer teats (5/30) became contaminated with Str . agalactiae when treatment (iii) was used for teat washing and drying compared with treatment (ii) (20/30). Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1985 Aug 1, 152(7 Pt 1), 857 - 60 Prevalence of type-specific group B streptococcal antibody in human sera: a study of 405 pregnant women; Skidmore AG et al.; Presence of immunoglobulin G antibody against the five standard serotypes of group B streptococcus was measured by means of indirect immunofluorescence in the sera of 405 women at the time of delivery in the obstetric hospital in Vancouver . Antibody to all five serotypes was present in 22% of women whereas only 9.6% had no detectable antibody to any serotype . Among 47 women with group B streptococcus vaginal colonization, IgG antibody was detected against the homologous colonizing serotype in 100%, 75%, 78%, 89%, and 100% of sera for serotypes Ia, Ib, Ic, II, and III, respectively . This contrasted with the women who had heterologous group B streptococcal vaginal colonization or no colonization in whom 71% had serum IgG antibody to serotype Ia, 36% to Ib, 51% to Ic, 66% to II, and 60% to III . Overall the serum antibody titers were low, and few women had titers greater than 1:20 for any of the five standard serotypes. Immunology, 1985 Aug, 55(4), 621 - 8 In vivo polyclonal stimulation of antibody secretion by two types of bacteria; Levitt D et al.; We previously proposed that one benefit of early polyclonal antibody secretion after bacterial infection might be the formation of antibodies protective against infection by a second pathogen . In order to analyse this possibility, the polyclonal and anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) plaque-forming cell (PFC) response induced by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SA) was compared with the same responses stimulated by unencapsulated Streptococcus pneumonia strain R36a . S . aureus stimulated significant anti-PC PFCs, despite an inability to detect immunoassay-reactive PC on the surface of SA (present on R36a) . The induction of these antibodies appeared very similar to the mechanism for producing polyclonal responses . R36a also stimulated both anti-PC and polyclonal PFCs, but by different means . In summary, our data suggest that each type of bacteria induces polyclonal and anti-PC responses through different mechanisms, and that the polyclonal antibody response stimulated by one group of bacteria can contain antibodies directed towards a second and different genus of bacteria. J Periodontol, 1985 Aug, 56(8), 447 - 56 Bacterial profiles of subgingival plaques in periodontitis; Loesche WJ et al.; In this report over 400 subgingival plaque samples taken from over 110 patients were examined microscopically and culturally for 30 bacterial parameters . The patients could be placed into six disease categories based upon clinical criteria . The bacterial profile of each clinical category was generally distinctive of that category . Periodontal patients who had been successfully treated and maintained had plaques that were populated by significantly higher proportions of Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, A . odontolyticus and S . mutans and significantly lower proportions of B . gingivalis and spirochetes compared to the five untreated disease categories . The spirochetes were the overwhelming microbial type in the plaques of adult periodontitis (AP) patients, averaging about 45% of the microscopic count . The bacteriological results could not distinguish between ADA Type III and IV periodontitis, suggesting that the same type of infection was occurring in an active site in any AP patient . The patients designated as early onset periodontitis (EOP) differed from the other patients by their relative youth and by their significantly higher proportions of Bacteroides gingivalis and/or B . intermedius . Two types of EOP were recognized in which the most diseased variant was characterized by having an average of 49% spirochetes in the plaque . Four localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) patients were notable in not having detectable A . actinomycetemcomitans . The data indicate that the various types of periodontitis, with the possible exception of LJP are specific anaerobic infections involving spirochetes and to a lesser extent B . gingivalis and B . intermedius. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Aug, 38(8), 2139 - 44 {Clinical evaluation of cefotiam in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms in the acute stage}; Kubota M et al.; The treatment of the patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm in acute stage is performed by direct neck clipping and cisternal drainages for preventing vasospasm . The cisternal drainage is carried out for 1 to 2 weeks' duration . The cisternal drainage has higher risk for bacterial infections in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) . In this paper, penetration characteristics of cefotiam (CTM) in CSF were studied . CTM concentrations in CSF were measured at 1, 3 and 6 hours after intravenous drip infusion of CTM (2 g) . CTM concentration in cisternal CSF was higher than that of ventricular CSF . The peak concentration in CSF was higher than 0.78 micrograms/ml and obtained at 3 hours after intravenous drip infusion . Our data suggest that CTM is a useful cephalosporin for treatment of meningitis (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae et al.) . Apart from meningitis, the higher concentration of CTM in CSF was obtained in the cases with the vasospasm . The result may support that the breakdown of blood brain barrier is induced by the peroxidative substance from the cisternal subarachnoid clots which has the vasospastic activity. Acta Odontol Scand, 1985 Aug, 43(4), 231 - 9 Antibacterial properties of and element release from some dental amalgams; Orstavik D; Nine commercial dental amalgams were tested for antibacterial properties in vitro . A bactericidal test on salivary bacteria, a growth inhibition test on Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176, and a time-dependent bactericidal test on Strep . mutans were used . All amalgams displayed some antibacterial properties . Dispersalloy and Revalloy were strongly antibacterial in all tests; ANA 2000 and Sybraloy killed Strep . mutans but were less potent in the salivary test and in the growth inhibition experiments . The copper amalgams, Neo-Silbrin and Cupromuc, were the most active in the salivary test but less inhibitory in the growth curve experiments . Spheraloy, Indiloy, and Amalcap showed intermediate activity in the salivary bactericidal test but were relatively weak in the growth inhibition studies . Analysis of Hg, Ag, and Cu in media from the growth inhibition studies showed release of Hg from the copper amalgams and, particularly, from Revalloy; Indiloy gave off Ag, whereas Neo-Silbrin, Cupromuc, Sybraloy, and ANA 2000 released more Cu than the other brands. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1985 Aug, 13(4), 241 - 3 Streptococcus mutans and caries prevalence in rural Thai; Reichart PA et al.; The prevalence of dental caries was studied in 521 rural Thai using the DMFT index . The oral habit of chewing betel nut was recorded . Samples of drinking water were examined for fluoride concentrations . Plaque material from 500 patients was examined qualitatively for S . mutans . The DMFT (dmft) index score was comparably high for patients under 10 yr of age (4.12); the difference between the DMFT (dmft) score of this age group and the other age groups was statistically significant . The average DMFT (dmft) score was 1.34 +/- 2.67 . There was no relation between oral habits and caries prevalence . Fluoride concentrations of the water samples were between 0.11 and 1.64 ppmF- X 14.2% of 500 plaque samples were positive for S . mutans, predominantly of biotype I . The higher prevalence of caries in children may be attributable to changing patterns of life and nutrition. Scand J Dent Res, 1985 Aug, 93(4), 329 - 35 Salivary Streptococcus mutans count and gingivitis in children after rinsing with a chlorhexidine-fluoride solution with and without strontium; Spets-Happonen S et al.; Thirty schoolchildren, 9-12 yr old with high DMF score, rinsed their mouths twice a day for 3 days with a chlorhexidine-fluoride (CXF) solution or a chlorhexidine-fluoride-strontium (CXFSr) solution . Streptococcus mutans counts (CFU) were made from saliva incubated on MSB agar and the gingival bleeding was recorded both before and after the rinsing period . S . mutans count decreased significantly immediately after the rinsing with each of the solutions (from 650 X 10(3) to 170 X 10(3) CFU/ml by CXF and from 500 to 170 X 10(3) CFU/ml by CXFSr) . Within about 18 days after the rinsing with each solution the salivary S . mutans counts returned to the original level . Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) was significantly reduced by half through the CXF rinsing while the slight reduction by CXFSr was nonsignificant . Both of these changes were temporary . The results suggest that short rinsing periods with the CXF solution may be more advisable than daily rinses as a contribution to the maintenance of oral health in subjects or groups in need of such a prophylaxis . The weaker effect found with the CXFSr solution suggests that the cariostatic effect recently found in rats with the same solution may be due to other mechanisms than reduction of the oral S . mutans count. J Dent Res, 1985 Aug, 64(8), 1051 - 4 Effects of extracellular plaque components on the chlorhexidine sensitivity of strains of Streptococcus mutans and human dental plaque; Wolinsky LE et al.; An in vitro study was undertaken to determine the effects of sucrose-derived extracellular plaque components on the sensitivity of selected oral bacteria to chlorhexidine (CX) . Cultures of Streptococcus mutans HS-6, OMZ-176, Ingbritt C, 6715-wt13, and pooled human plaque were grown in trypticase soy media with or without 1% sucrose . The sensitivity to CX of bacteria grown in each medium was determined by fixed-time exposure to CX and subsequent measurement of 3H-thymidine uptake . One-hour exposure to CX at concentrations of 10(-4) M (0.01% w/v) or greater substantially inhibited subsequent cellular division among all the S . mutans strains and human plaque samples tested . An IC50 (the CX concentration which depressed 3H-thymidine incorporation to 50% of control level) of close to 10(-4) M was noted for S . mutans strains HS-6, OMZ-176, and 6715-wt13 when grown in the presence of sucrose . The same strains grown in cultures without added sucrose showed about a ten-fold greater sensitivity to CX (IC50 close to 10(-5) M) . A three-fold difference was noted for S . mutans Ingbritt C . Only a slight increase in the IC50 was noted for the plaque samples cultured in sucrose-containing media, but their threshold for depression of 3H-thymidine uptake by CX was lower than that for the sucrose-free plaque samples . The study showed that extracellular products confer some protection against CX to the bacteria examined, and provided an explanation for the disparity between clinically-recommended concentrations for plaque suppression and data on in vitro susceptibility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Clin Periodontol, 1985 Aug, 12(7), 553 - 67 Survival analysis of periodontal sites before and after periodontal therapy; Haffajee AD et al.; Periodontal diseases appear to progress with bursts of destructive activity at individual sites . One effect of treatment might be to diminish the frequency of such bursts . Survival analysis was employed to seek such effects on the periodontal sites of 16 individuals with prior evidence of destructive periodontal disease . The subjects were monitored at bi-monthly intervals and actively breaking down sites were detected using attachment level measurements and the tolerance method of analysis . When active sites were detected, control sites of equal pocket depth and attachment loss were selected and microbiological and immunological samples were taken . The subjects were treated by modified Widman flap surgery and systemically administered tetracycline . On completion of therapy, bi-monthly monitoring was reinstituted . Life tables were constructed for periodontal sites in each of the 16 subjects prior to and after therapy . A site losing more than 3 mm of attachment at any time interval was considered to have relapsed or "died" . Survivor functions were calculated for each time period indicating the % of sites which survived at any time . The subjects were divided into 3 categories on the basis of post-therapy survivor functions . The annual hazard rate in 9 good treatment response subjects (group 1) was reduced from 0.10/year to 0.01/year . The hazard rate of 5 intermediate treatment response subjects (group 2A) was reduced from 0.16/year to 0.04/year and that of 2 poor treatment response subjects (group 2B) from 0.15/year to 0.07/year . Group 2A and 2B individuals were combined and differences were sought in clinical, microbiological and immunological parameters between the good and poor treatment response groups . 5 out of 7 of the poor responding individuals showed elevated humoral antibody responses to 3 or more gram-negative subgingival species tested . Many of the elevated responses in this group were to organisms which are widely distributed and return quickly after therapy such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Eikenella corrodens, Bacteroides intermedius and Capnocytophaga sputigena . The predominant cultivable microbiota in subgingival samples taken prior to therapy from the good responding group had significantly greater proportions of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, C . ochracea and B . intermedius than the poor responding group . The latter group showed significantly elevated proportions of F . nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus micros and Streptococcus intermedius. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Aug, 28(2), 357 - 9 Antibiotic resistance and serotypes of 100 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in a children's hospital in Barcelona, Spain; Latorre C et al.; A total of 100 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains with various penicillin G susceptibilities, isolated in Barcelona, Spain, from different pediatric sources during 1983 and the first 4 months of 1984, were tested for susceptibility to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, clindamycin, vancomycin, and rifampin . The isolates were distributed in nine patterns of antibiotic resistance, and 15 different serotypes were encountered . The high incidence of resistance to multiple antibiotics clearly indicates the need to perform antibiotic susceptibility testing of all pneumococcal isolates with proved pathologic significance to avoid therapeutic failure. Infect Immun, 1985 Aug, 49(2), 414 - 6 Cloning and expression of two Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferases in Escherichia coli K-12; Gilpin ML et al.; Chromosomal DNA from Streptococcus mutans strain MFe28 (serotype h) was cloned in the bacteriophage vector lambda L47.1 . Two classes of recombinants were found which expressed glucosyltransferase activity in phage plaques: (i) gtfS, which expressed a glucosyltransferase synthesizing a water-soluble, dextranase-sensitive glucan, and (ii) gtfI, which expressed a primer-dependent glucosyltransferase synthesizing an insoluble glucan. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 50(2), 540 - 2 Construction of cloning, promoter-screening, and terminator-screening shuttle vectors for Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus lactis; van der Vossen JM et al.; Shuttle vectors have been constructed which are suitable both for the selection of regulatory sequences and for gene cloning in Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus lactis . The promoter screening vectors contain a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene; the insertion of suitable DNA fragments upstream of the gene restored the enzyme activity . With a related set of vectors, transcription termination signals can be selected. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Aug, 61(2), 416 - 24 Salivary IgA antibody to glucosyltransferase in man; Smith DJ et al.; Parotid salivas of 97 young adults were screened for IgA antibody to glucosyltransferase (GTF) from laboratory strains of Streptococcus mutans (serotypes c and g) . Antibody levels to GTF from serotype c positively correlated with levels to serotype g GTF among these salivas . GTF's were prepared from S . mutans obtained from a subset of individuals in this population . All but one saliva showed IgA antibody activity to all of the GTF tested . In addition, the relative magnitude of each subject's antibody level was generally the highest to the GTF from their own S . mutans . Fractions, enriched for IgA by ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration, showed patterns of functional inhibition of GTF activity which were consistent with patterns of IgA antibody activity in ELISA of unfractionated salivas . These data indicate that detectable levels of IgA antibody to S . mutans GTF exist in many young adult salivas, while this IgA antibody activity reacts with GTF from different biotypes, subjects generally show the highest secretory IgA antibody levels to their own GTF, and the relative amount of IgA antibody to GTF and the ability to inhibit GTF activity are roughly correlated. J Infect Dis, 1985 Aug, 152(2), 365 - 72 Penicillin tolerance in multiply drug-resistant natural isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Liu HH et al.; Five of six multiply drug-resistant clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from South Africa demonstrated penicillin tolerance . In contrast to the common wild-type strains of pneumococci, treatment of the tolerant strains with penicillin above the minimum inhibitory concentration did not induce cell wall degradation, lysis, or leakage of intracellular components, and the rate of loss of viability was reduced compared with that of nontolerant strains . While these South African strains contained lower specific activity of autolytic enzyme than did nontolerant strains, the residual autolytic activity (15%-26% of the nontolerant wild type) was much more than that found in lysis-defective laboratory mutants of pneumococci (less than or equal to 1%); the rate of penicillin-induced lysis did not correlate with the specific activity of residual autolysin . Also, in contrast to the complete lysis resistance of lysis-defective mutants to all lytic agents, the tolerant South African strains were resistant primarily to lysis by beta-lactam antibiotics but could still be lysed by other cell wall inhibitors (e.g., cycloserine) and detergents . The penicillin resistance and penicillin tolerance traits could be separated by genetic transformation . We suggest that the drug-specific tolerance of the South African pneumococcal strains is related to some alteration in the control of autolysin activity. Infect Immun, 1985 Aug, 49(2), 459 - 62 Immunoglobulin A subclass distribution of naturally occurring salivary antibodies to microbial antigens; Brown TA et al.; The distribution of immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) and IgA2 antibodies to various microbial antigens was determined in human parotid saliva by using monoclonal antibodies to the IgA subclasses in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay . In 12 subjects examined, antibodies to Streptococcus mutans glucosyl transferase, protein antigen I/II, and cell wall carbohydrate, as well as dextrans B1355 fraction S and B512 and phosphorylcholine, occurred predominantly in the IgA1 subclass . In contrast, antibodies to lipoteichoic acid from Streptococcus pyogenes and whole lipopolysaccharides from Bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Escherichia coli were predominantly of the IgA2 subclass . The data indicate that in most individuals naturally occurring antibodies to a given antigen are predominantly associated with one of the two subclasses of IgA. Infect Immun, 1985 Aug, 49(2), 344 - 50 Antibody specificity and antigen characterization of rat monoclonal antibodies against Streptococcus mutans cell wall-associated protein antigens; Ackermans F et al.; Monoclonal antibodies to Streptococcus mutans OMZ175 (serotype f) cell wall-associated antigens (wall-extracted antigens {WEA}) were derived from the fusion of Lou C plasmocytoma rat cells (IR 983 F) and spleen cells from Wistar R inbred rats immunized with WEA . Four cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies directed against a component of S . mutans WEA have been established . All four monoclonal antibodies reacted only with two antigens of WEA from S . mutans OMZ175 by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation techniques, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and competitive ELISA . Western blot analysis of WEA showed that the four monoclonal antibodies recognized two related cell wall-associated proteins with apparent molecular weights of 125,000 and 76,000 . Immunoprecipitation of whole cells with the monoclonal antibodies confirmed the surface localization of the two antigens . The ELISA and competitive ELISA were used to analyze the distribution of the epitopes on seven S . mutans serotypes . All S . mutans serotypes were found to express the recognized epitopes; however, different reactivity patterns could be distinguished among the various strains tested, and the four monoclonal antibodies reacted only weakly with S . mutans serotypes d and g. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1985 Jul 20, 115(29), 1012 - 3 {Significance of deficient bacterial colonization in the pathogenesis of mucosal lesions in experimental blind loop syndrome}; Menge H et al.; A complete evaluation of the bacterial flora in jejunal self-filling blind loops was performed . The results show a significant increase in bacteria of the genera E . coli, Streptococcus and Bacteroides . In further experiments, jejunal self-filling blind loops were created in germ-free animals . In spite of the germ-free state the mucosa displayed marked hyperplasia . The same was true when the blind loops had been contaminated with aerobic bacteria . These results demonstrate that other factors in addition to bacterial overgrowth contribute to the mucosal damage observed in self-filling blind loops. Equine Vet J, 1985 Jul, 17(4), 306 - 10 Serum bactericidal responses to Streptococcus equi of horses following infection or vaccination; Timoney JF et al.; An indirect test based on horse blood was used to study bactericidal responses of the horse to Streptococcus equi following infection or vaccination . Bactericidal antibody appeared in convalescent sera between two and four weeks and high titres were usually attained by eight weeks . Infection without clinical evidence of abscessation was also effective in eliciting strong bactericidal responses . Serum bactericidal activity of horses either recovered from strangles or immunised with commercial bacterin had declined eight months after vaccination . However, horses that developed strangles eight to 10 months after vaccination exhibited rapid and substantial increases in serum bactericidal activity . Groups of yearlings immunised with commercial S equi vaccines consisting either of M protein or bacterin developed clinical strangles within six months of vaccination although the majority of the animals had exhibited strong serum bactericidal activity a few weeks before occurrence of the disease . Similarly, a group of seven yearling ponies hyperimmunised with experimental vaccine, rich in M protein, were found to be highly susceptible to an intranasal challenge of 5 X 10(8) colony forming units of S equi, although their sera exhibited strong bactericidal activity at the time of challenge . These observations suggest that the role of serum bactericidal antibody in protection of the horse against strangles has been overrated. Carbohydr Res, 1985 Jul 1, 140(1), 101 - 10 Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 5; Jansson PE et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide (S5) elaborated by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 5 has been investigated by using n.m.r . spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and various specific degradations . It is concluded that the polysaccharide is composed of pentasaccharide repeating-units having the following structure: (Formula: see text) In this structure, L-PneNAc stands for 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-L-talose (pneumosamine) and D-Sug for 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-hexos-4-ulose . The latter sugar accounts for the lability of S5 towards alkali . N.m.r . spectra indicate heterogeneity in S5, most probably associated with the hexosyl-4-ulose residue. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 131 ( Pt 7), 1625 - 33 Inducible and constitutive formation of fructanase in batch and continuous cultures of Streptococcus mutans; Jacques NJ et al.; The production of extracellular beta-D-fructanase by several strains of Streptococcus mutans was studied in continuous culture . When glucose was the limiting nutrient, S . mutans K1-R and OMZ176 accumulated fructanase to maximum levels at low growth rates (dilution rate 0.05-0.10 h-1), due to the longer residence times of the bacteria in the culture vessel under these conditions . Extracellular fructanase activity was greater than has been previously reported for batch cultures . The rate of fructanase production for both S . mutans strains K1-R and OMZ176 increased with increasing growth rate when glucose was limiting . Under conditions of glucose sufficiency, the rate of fructanase production was always lower than in cultures where glucose was limiting, irrespective of the growth rate . Cultures of S . mutans Ingbritt (serotype c) grown with sorbitol- or glucose-limitation synthesized fructanase at a very low basal rate . When fructose was the limiting carbohydrate the enzyme was induced with a maximum rate of production occurring at a dilution rate of 0.40 h-1 . Strains of S . mutans from other serotypes (a, d, d/g) were either not affected by changing the limiting sugar from glucose to fructose or else fructanase activity was slightly decreased in the fructose-limited medium . Fructanases from various strains of S . mutans readily hydrolysed (2----6)-beta-D-fructans, but all possessed the ability to hydrolyse (2----1)-beta-D-fructans to varying degrees. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1985 Jul-Aug, 94(4 Pt 1), 415 - 8 Hydrolase activity in acute otitis media with effusion; Diven WF et al.; Biochemical studies of middle ear effusions (MEE) from patients with chronic or recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) have demonstrated the presence of significant levels of certain hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes . We have examined MEE from patients with acute OME for the content of a number of lysosomal hydrolases and find no significant differences in the mean values for acid phosphatase, alpha-mannosidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, hexosaminidase, and neuraminidase between purulent and serous effusions . In every case, the mean activities of these enzymes were greater in culture-positive than in culture-negative effusions although this difference was significant only in the case of neuraminidase . Neuraminidase activity was detected in 78% of those MEEs from which Streptococcus pneumoniae could be cultured and in only 32% to 64% of all other effusions . No correlation was observed between the level of neuraminidase released into the extracellular growth medium and the infectivity of various strains of S pneumoniae. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 50(1), 174 - 6 Immunochemical study of triton X-100-soluble surface components of slime-forming, encapsulated Streptococcus cremoris from the fermented milk product viili; Kontusaari SI et al.; Crossed immunoelectrophoresis was used to study Triton X-100-soluble cell components of Streptococcus cremoris T5 from viili . The antiserum was raised against whole cells, and the antigens extracted gave a complex precipitate pattern with 16 prominent and reproducible precipitates . The results of immunoadsorption experiments with whole cells suggest that six antigens are expressed on the cell surface, and the exposure of cell surface antigens is greater on cells from the early stationary growth phase than on those from the late exponential phase. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 50(1), 144 - 51 Seasonal changes in the ruminal microflora of the high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus); Orpin CG et al.; The dominant rumen bacteria in high-arctic Svalbard reindeer were characterized, their population densities were estimated, and ruminal pH was determined in summer, when food quality and availability are good, and in winter, when they are poor . In summer the total cultured viable population density was (2.09 +/- 1.26) X 10(10) cells ml-1, whereas in winter it was (0.36 +/- 0.29) X 10(10) cells ml-1, representing a decrease to 17% of the summer population density . On culture, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens represented 22% of the bacterial population in summer and 30% in winter . Streptococcus bovis represented 17% of the bacterial population in summer but only 4% in winter . Methanogenic bacteria were present at 10(4) cells ml-1 in summer and 10(7) cells ml-1 in winter . In summer and winter, respectively, the proportions of the viable population showing the following activities were as follows: starch utilization, 68 and 63%; fiber digestion, 31 and 74%; cellulolysis, 15 and 35%; xylanolysis, 30 and 58%; proteolysis, 51 and 28%; ureolysis, 40 and 54%; and lactate utilization, 13 and 4% . The principal cellulolytic bacterium was B . fibrisolvens, which represented 66 and 52% of the cellulolytic population in summer and winter, respectively . The results indicate that the microflora of the rumen of Svalbard reindeer is highly effective in fiber digestion and nitrogen metabolism, allowing the animals to survive under the austere nutritional conditions typical of their high-arctic habitat. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 22(1), 127 - 8 Streptococcus pneumoniae type 16A, a hitherto undescribed pneumococcal type; Austrian R et al.; Some properties of a newly recognized pneumococcal capsular serotype, type 16A, are described, bringing the number of capsular types characterized to 84. Am J Pathol, 1985 Jul, 120(1), 13 - 21 Extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen) bind and aggregate bacteria; Vercellotti GM et al.; The normal microbial colonization of sites in the body's tissues by certain bacteria requires that the bacteria first bind to extracellular secreted constituents, cell-surface membranes, or cell matrixes . This study examines two interactions of a variety of bacteria with the cell matrix noncollagenous proteins fibronectin and laminin and with basement membrane (Type IV) collagen . Adherence of bacteria to matrix proteins coated on tissue culture wells was examined with the use of radiolabeled bacteria . Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus sanguis bound well to fibronectin, laminin, and Type IV collagen, whereas a variety of gram-negative organisms did not bind . The interaction of soluble laminin, fibronectin, and Type IV collagen with bacteria was monitored by nephelometry with the use of a platelet aggregometer . S . aureus aggregated in response to fibronectin, laminin, or Type IV collagen . In contrast, gram-negative organisms did not aggregate with these proteins . It appears that fibronectin, laminin, and Type IV collagen can bind and aggregate certain gram-positive bacteria, and this binding is dependent on the surface characteristics of the organism . These adhesion molecules may play a role in the normal colonization of sites by microorganisms and in invasion during infections. J Surg Res, 1985 Jul, 39(1), 53 - 8 Response to immunization after partial and total splenectomy; Dawes LG et al.; Survival after infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae in both animals and man is influenced by the amount of splenic tissue . We investigated the effect of differences in splenic weight upon the antibody response to immunization and the effect of immunization upon survival after pneumococcal challenge . Young Sprague-Dawley rats had either sham operation, hemisplenectomy, splenectomy with splenic autotransplantation, or total splenectomy . Nine weeks later, rats were immunized with a heat- and formalin-killed type-specific pneumococcal vaccine . Antibody response measured by radioimmunoassay was similar in all operative groups and was significantly higher than in nonimmune rats (P less than 0.01) . Splenic weight was less after hemisplenectomy or autotransplantation than in sham-operated animals (P less than 0.01) . Immunization improved survival after live pneumococcal challenge in rats that had autotransplantation and total splenectomy (P less than 0.001) . Our results demonstrate that splenic weight does not affect the antibody response to pneumococcal immunization in rats . Immunization improves survival after bacterial challenge in susceptible animals and minimizes the detrimental effect of reduction in splenic mass. J Infect Dis, 1985 Jul, 152(1), 14 - 23 Digoxin disrupts the inflammatory response in experimental pneumococcal pneumonia; Esposito AL; Digoxin was administered to normal CD-1 mice (4 micrograms/kg per 24 hr), and the mice were inoculated intratracheally with Streptococcus pneumoniae in order to assess the effects of the cardiac glycoside on pulmonary antibacterial mechanisms . Digoxin-treated animals experienced a worse survival rate than did controls (19 of 50 versus 33 of 50; P less than .01) . When challenged with a high inoculum (1 X 10(6) cfu), animals given the glycoside demonstrated a significant impairment in their capacity to clear viable pneumococci from the lungs; the depression in pulmonary clearance was associated with a marked attenuation in the ability of digoxin-treated mice to recruit granulocytes and macrophages into the bronchoalveolar spaces . Following low inoculum challenge (1 X 10(5) cfu), animals treated with the cardiac glycoside exhibited an inefficient pulmonary clearance and a blunted macrophage influx . At clinically relevant concentrations, digoxin demonstrated no effect on the in vitro pneumococcidal activity of resident murine alveolar macrophages . We conclude that digoxin can disrupt host defense against pneumococcus by impeding the normal inflammatory response to organisms deposited into the lower respiratory tract. J Bacteriol, 1985 Jul, 163(1), 46 - 54 Peptidoglycan cross-linking and teichoic acid attachment in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Fischer H et al.; Autolysin-defective pneumococci continue to synthesize both peptidoglycan and teichoic acid polymers (Fischer and Tomasz, J . Bacteriol . 157:507-513, 1984) . Most of these peptidoglycan polymers are released into the surrounding medium, and a smaller portion becomes attached to the preexisting cell wall . We report here studies on the degree of cross-linking, teichoic acid substitution, and chemical composition of these peptidoglycan polymers and compare them with normal cell walls . peptidoglycan chains released from the penicillin-treated pneumococci contained no attached teichoic acids . The released peptidoglycan was hydrolyzed by M1 muramidase; over 90% of this material adsorbed to vancomycin-Sepharose and behaved like disaccharide-peptide monomers during chromatography, indicating that the released peptidoglycan contained un-cross-linked stem peptides, most of which carried the carboxy-terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine . The N-terminal residue of the released peptidoglycan was alanine, with only a minor contribution from lysine . In addition to the usual stem peptide components of pneumococcal cell walls (alanine, lysine, and glutamic acid), chemical analysis revealed the presence of significant amounts of serine, aspartate, and glycine and a high amount of alanine and glutamate as well . We suggest that these latter amino acids and the excess alanine and glutamate are present as interpeptide bridges . Heterogeneity of these was suggested by the observation that digestion of the released peptidoglycan with the pneumococcal murein hydrolase (amidase) produced peptides that were resolved by ion-exchange chromatography into two distinct peaks; the more highly mobile of these was enriched with glycine and aspartate . The peptidoglycan chains that became attached to the preexisting cell wall in the presence of penicillin contained fewer peptide cross-links and proportionally fewer attached teichoic acids than did their normal counterparts . The normal cell wall was heavily cross-linked, and the cross-linked peptides were distributed equally between the teichoic acid-linked and teichoic acid-free fragments. J Bacteriol, 1985 Jul, 163(1), 389 - 91 Generation of purpura-producing principle from pneumococcal cell walls; Chetty C et al.; The in vitro kinetics of muramic acid-alanine bond hydrolysis and pneumococcal purpura-producing principle generation by incubation of Streptococcus pneumoniae cell wall preparations with the bacterial autolysin N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase were similar . The generated purpura-producing principle preparation had a weight-average molecular weight of ca . 2.6 X 10(7) and possessed the glycan and teichoic acid constituents of the pneumococcal cell wall . The results support the idea that the pneumococcal purpura-producing principle is a high-molecular-weight, glycan-teichoic acid fragment released by hydrolysis of the muramic acid-alanine bonds in the bacterial cell wall. Infect Immun, 1985 Jul, 49(1), 1 - 6 Isolation of Actinomyces bacteriophage from human dental plaque; Tylenda CA et al.; Human dental plaque samples were screened for the presence of bacteriophage for Actinomyces viscosus and Streptococcus sanguis . None of the 336 samples yielded phage for S . sanguis, but 10 contained virulent actinomyces phage . A high host cell specificity was observed in that one phage isolate infected only A . viscosus T14V, eight phage isolates infected only A . viscosus MG-1, and one infected both strains . None was capable of productively infecting various other actinomyces strains that represented the six actinomyces coaggregation groups . Because phage-containing samples occurred randomly in this survey, no correlation between the individual collecting the samples, dental clinic, or type of patient and the presence of phage in the sample was noted . Examination of one of the samples that yielded phage for the presence of a natural host strain for that particular phage resulted in the isolation of two strains which were identified as A . viscosus serotype II and Actinomyces naeslundii serotype I . This is the first report of an A . naeslundii host strain and actinomyces bacteriophage of human dental plaque origin . The finding of both phage and host strains in the same dental plaque sample along with the observation of high host cell specificity by these phage provide indicators that support an active role for actinomyces bacteriophage in oral microbial ecology . The use of these freshly isolated phage as probes to study actinomyces coaggregation properties is discussed. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Jul, (7), 35 - 9 {Production of hybridomas synthesizing monoclonal antibodies to streptococcal group A polysaccharide}; Pyt'eva EIu et al.; Nine stable hybridomas synthetizing monoclonal antibodies to the antigenic determinants of polysaccharide A of group A streptococcus were obtained . Three monoclonal antibodies possessed precipitating properties . The formation of hybridomas was found to be influenced by the presence of immune splenocytes and the standard conditions of cell fusion . The highest yield of hybridomas was observed under the conditions ensuring the growth of cell in 80-100% of the wells . Rapid and specific screening was found to be an important stage in obtaining hybridomas. Rev Infect Dis, 1985 Jul-Aug, 7(4), 458 - 67 Group B streptococcal vaccines; Baker CJ et al.; In recent years group B Streptococcus (GBS) has been recognized as a major perinatal pathogen . As with other encapsulated bacteria, protective immunity appears to correlate with serum antibody specific for the homologous capsular polysaccharide antigen of each serotype . Since susceptibility of the young infant to disseminated GBS infection relates to type-specific antibody deficiency in maternal serum, immunization of women with purified GBS type-specific polysaccharides has been proposed as a method for the prevention of infant disease through placental transport of protective antibodies . Candidate native polysaccharides from GBS have been purified, immunochemically and structurally characterized, and employed as immunogen in healthy adult volunteers . Native type Ia, II, and III polysaccharides have been shown to be nontoxic, safe, and immunogenic in approximately 65%, 95%, and 70%, respectively, of nonimmune adults . Antibody response to immunization approaches 100% in previously immune volunteers . Vaccine-induced type-specific antibodies to these candidate polysaccharide vaccines promote in vitro opsonophagocytosis, protect animals given a lethal challenge of homologous organisms, and are predominantly of the IgG isotype . Once similar results can be documented in women immunized during the last half of pregnancy, efficacy of these candidate GBS polysaccharide vaccines in the prevention of neonatal and young infant GBS disease should be evaluated. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1985 Jul, 3(4), 337 - 41 Streptococcus pyogenes as a cause of nosocomial infection in a critical care unit; Lannigan R et al.; A cluster of five cases of Streptococcus pyogenes infection or colonization was identified in an adult critical care unit following the admission of a patient with a severe cutaneous infection . This report deals with the nature of the outbreak and methods of control, and comments on infections of this nature in adult critical care areas. Infect Immun, 1985 Jul, 49(1), 19 - 24 Antibody-independent and -dependent opsonization of group B Streptococcus requires the first component of complement C1; Levy NJ et al.; The role of the classical complement pathway and specifically the first component, C1 in antibody-independent opsonization of type Ia group B Streptococcus (GBS) was investigated . For these studies a radiolabeled bacterial uptake assay was developed that was dependent on time and bacterial concentration and that required an intact classical complement pathway . To directly investigate the role of C1 in opsonization of type Ia GBS, C1 was isolated by chromatography on an immunoglobulin G (IgG) affinity column and further purified by molecular sieve chromatography on an Ultrogel AcA 22 column . When normal human serum was absorbed with 10(9) CFU of type Ia or III GBS, the serum opsonic capacity diminished (33 to 34%) for type Ia GBS compared with unadsorbed serum . Preincubation of the bacteria with purified C1 (10(4)U of C1 per ml) restored the opsonizing capacity of the adsorbed serum . A C1-depleted serum was prepared from the nonadherent fractions of the CH-sepharose 4B IgG column which only contained 5 U of C1 per ml . Substitution of C1-depleted reagent for normal serum in the uptake assay resulted in dramatic decreases in the opsonization of type Ia GBS, but opsonization could be restored by preincubation of the bacteria with purified C1 . Heat-inactivated C1 depleted serum did not support opsonization of type Ia GBS, even with the addition of C1 . Preincubation of type Ia GBS with heat-inactivated hyperimmune sera did not result in opsonization of type Ia GBS in the presence of C1-depleted serum . However, opsonization could be restored by the addition of C1, and the effects of C1 and antibody were additive . These results indicate the critical role of C1 in direct activation of the classical complement pathway by type Ia GBS and in antibody-mediated opsonization of the bacteria. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 22(1), 111 - 5 Detection of C polysaccharide in Streptococcus pneumoniae in the sputa of pneumonia patients by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Holmberg H et al.; The pneumococcal C polysaccharide (PnC) is species specific and believed to be a cell wall component of all pneumococcal types . A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of PnC in sputa has been developed by using a monoclonal antiphosphorylcholine antibody and a polyclonal rabbit anti-PnC antiserum in the test system . A 1-year study of adult hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia was performed . A total of 147 patients with clinical and radiological evidence for pneumonia were accepted for the study . Of these, 105 patients provided a sputum sample upon admission to the ward . The sputa were cultured semiquantitatively as well as tested for the presence of antigen . Of the sputum samples from patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae, 27 of 33 (accounting for a sensitivity of 82%) were positive in the ELISA test . Of the sputum samples from patients with pneumonia of some other known or suspected etiology, 32 of 34 (accounting for a specificity of 94%) were negative . In addition, 7 sputum samples from 31 patients with pneumonia of unknown etiology were positive . The ELISA test described here is in our opinion a sensitive and specific test for detecting PnC from S . pneumoniae in sputa from patients with untreated pneumonia. J Dent Res, 1985 Jul, 64(7), 1016 - 8 Effect of anti-oxidants on growth and lactic acid production by Streptococcus mutans; Kupp LI et al.; The effects of three anti-oxidants--tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)--on both growth and lactic acid production by eight cariogenic strains of Streptococcus mutans were investigated . Synergistic inhibitory effects of potassium sorbate on lactic acid production were also determined . All three anti-oxidants are phenolic derivatives and are commonly used in food systems due to their excellent "carry-through" properties during processing . Growth inhibition was determined by turbidity measurements at 600 nm . Lactic acid was assayed by gas chromatography, and bacterial DNA was assayed by the diphenylamine reaction . There were reduced growth levels of S . mutans due to the anti-oxidants and potassium sorbate for at least 12 hr, with TBHQ and BHA still inhibiting growth at 24 hr . Nearly all concentrations of anti-oxidants and potassium sorbate reduced lactic acid production by S . mutans, but only TBHQ significantly inhibited lactic acid production when the amount of acid per microgram DNA was calculated . A synergistic reduction of lactic acid production by S . mutans does occur in most combinations of potassium sorbate with anti-oxidants. Infect Immun, 1985 Jul, 49(1), 52 - 60 Subcellular localization and further characterization of a new elastase inhibitor from pneumococci; Vered M et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae contains an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase . The agent does not inhibit other proteases, including neutrophil cathepsin G and pancreatic elastase . It is active in the presence of insoluble elastin as well as synthetic elastase substrates . The inhibitor is present in the pneumococcal cell membrane . {125I}elastase binding studies and inhibition experiments with intact bacterial autoplasts suggest that this agent has its elastase-binding site(s) exposed on the outside of the bacterial cell membrane . Native and randomized membrane vesicles also show equal inhibitory activity . Active inhibitor can be solubilized from pneumococcal membranes by treatment with a dipolar ionic detergent and can then be reconstituted, in active form, within artificial liposomes . Complex formation between the neutrophil elastase inhibitor and neutrophil elastase may involve noncovalent associations . Although elastase containing a covalently bound substrate analog no longer binds the pneumococcal inhibitor, the present study shows that complex formation is nevertheless independent of neutrophil elastase catalytic activity . Specific inhibitor activity and inhibitor release during bile salt-stimulated autolysis are greater in a nonnecrotizing pneumococcal strain (type I) than they are in a necrotizing strain (type III) or in Klebsiella pneumoniae . These results may help explain the frequent resolution of some pneumococcal pneumonias, despite the presence in the early pneumonic exudate of many neutrophils containing an elastolytic protease capable of injuring lung connective tissue. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Jul, 38(7), 849 - 55 Steffimycin C, a new member of the steffimycin anthracyclines . Isolation and structural characterization; Brodasky TF et al.; Mother liquors from steffimycin B crystallizations have been processed to yield steffimycin C, a new member of the steffimycin family of anthracyclines . It has been identified, using spectroscopic methods, as 10-deoxysteffimycin B . Steffimycin C has antibacterial activity only against Streptococcus pneumoniae . Whether steffimycin C is a precursor of steffimycin B or a metabolic reduction product is unknown at this time. J Clin Invest, 1985 Jul, 76(1), 225 - 32 Immune complex hyperlipidemia induced by an apolipoprotein-reactive immunoglobulin A paraprotein from a patient with multiple myeloma . Characterization of this immunoglobulin; Kilgore LL et al.; An antibodylike paraprotein has been isolated from a patient with multiple myeloma and autoimmune hyperlipoproteinemia . The paraprotein bound to apolipoprotein B (apo B)-containing lipoproteins that formed macromolecular aggregates, and globules thought to be aggregated complexes of lipoproteins and reactive immunoglobulins were observed circulating within the retinal blood vessels of this patient . This binding specificity permitted purification of the paraprotein from both the agglutinated immune complexes and from the plasma . The protein is an IgA, kappa-immunoglobulin which exists primarily in a polymeric state . Capillary immunoprecipitation demonstrated reactivity with very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low density proteins (LDL), but not with high density lipoproteins (HDL) . Delipidated apo B and apo E, but not apo A or apo C, formed precipitates with this immunoglobulin . In using a radioimmunoassay format, the affinity of the immunoglobulin was greatest for VLDL and decreases sequentially for intermediate density lipoproteins and LDL . No binding occurred with a dispersion of LDL lipids or with HDL . Deglycosylation did not change the binding to LDL . The apolipoproteins B and E bound with similar affinity, but no binding occurred with apo A-I or apo A-II . Weak binding appeared to occur with apo C . This paraprotein immunoprecipitated apo B-containing lipoproteins from all classes of vertebrates tested . Displacement of the lipids of LDL by Triton X-100 resulted in the formation of an apo B-Triton complex which, however, did not bind to the immunoglobulin; apparently the binding site on apo B was lost . Upon enzymatic digestion with the IgA-specific protease from Streptococcus sanguis the immunoglobulin was cleaved into Fc and Fab fragments, and the binding of LDL occurred only with the latter, consistent with the behavior of an immunoglobulin . The immunoreactivity of this paraprotein with apo B and apo E raises the interesting possibility that it may be binding to a site on these apolipoproteins which is reactive with the apo B, E receptor of the plasma membrane, a site which is conserved throughout the vertebrate phylum. J Invest Dermatol, 1985 Jul, 85(1 Suppl), 144s - 148s Human hypersensitivity angiitis, an immune complex disease; Sams WM Jr; Human hypersensitivity angiitis is an immune complex disease in which patients present with palpable purpuric lesions of the skin and may often have multiple organ involvement . The antigen may be derived from an infectious organism such as the hepatitis virus, streptococcus, or a drug, and complexes with antibody . Under circumstances of vascular turbulence or vessel wall dilatation this complex may become fixed, activating the complement sequence with elaboration of chemotactic factors for neutrophils . These cells release lysosomal enzymes resulting in vessel wall destruction . Red blood cells leak into the tissue producing purpura and the inflammatory infiltrate accounts for the palpability . Although many patients have skin lesions only, others may have involvement of joints, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and even the lungs . The central question in the pathogenesis of this disease is why the immune complex is so selective in its site of deposition . Part of the reason must be related to the lattice formation of a particular complex, while other reasons are related to host factors of altered vascular permeability, integrity of clearance mechanisms or even a genetically determined defect of the phagocytic system. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Jul, 28(1), 141 - 3 Tetracycline-resistant Mycoplasma hominis strains contain streptococcal tetM sequences; Roberts MC et al.; Clinical isolates of Mycoplasma hominis resistant to high levels of tetracycline contained DNA sequences homologous to the streptococcal tetracycline determinant, tetM . In contrast, none of the susceptible M . hominis isolates tested carried this determinant . This is the first description of tetM in an unrelated genus and suggests the spread of tetM from Streptococcus spp . to Mycoplasma spp. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 50(1), 94 - 101 Cloning and expression of a Streptococcus cremoris proteinase in Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus lactis; Kok J et al.; Previously, curing experiments suggested that plasmid pWV05 (17.5 megadaltons {Md}) of Streptococcus cremoris Wg2 specifies proteolytic activity . A restriction enzyme map of pWV05 was constructed, the entire plasmid was subcloned in Escherichia coli with plasmids pBR329 and pACYC184 . A 4.3-Md HindIII fragment could not be cloned in an uninterrupted way in E . coli but could be cloned in two parts . Both fragments showed homology with the 9-Md proteinase plasmid of S . cremoris HP . The 4.3-Md HindIII fragment was successfully cloned in Bacillus subtilis on plasmid pGKV2 (3.1 Md) . Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of extracts of B . subtilis carrying the recombinant plasmid (pGKV500; 7.4 Md) showed that the fragment specifies two proteins of the proteolytic system of S . cremoris Wg2 . PGKV500 was introduced in a proteinase-deficient Streptococcus lactis strain via protoplast transformation . Both proteins were also present in cell-free extracts of S . lactis(pGKV500) . In S . lactis, pGKV500 enables the cells to grow normally in milk with rapid acid production, indicating that the 4.3-Md HindIII fragment of plasmid pWV05 specifies the proteolytic activity of S . cremoris Wg2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Jul, 82(13), 4468 - 72 Nucleotide sequence of the Dpn II DNA methylase gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae and its relationship to the dam gene of Escherichia coli; Mannarelli BM et al.; The structural gene (dpnM) for the Dpn II DNA methylase of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is part of the Dpn II restriction system and methylates adenine in the sequence 5'-G-A-T-C-3', was identified by subcloning fragments of a chromosomal segment from a Dpn II-producing strain in an S . pneumoniae host/vector cloning system and demonstrating function of the gene also in Bacillus subtilis . Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the gene and adjacent DNA indicates that it encodes a polypeptide of 32,903 daltons . A putative promoter for transcription of the gene lies within a hundred nucleotides of the polypeptide start codon . Comparison of the coding sequence to that of the dam gene of Escherichia coli, which encodes a similar methylase, revealed 30% of the amino acid residues in the two enzymes to be identical . This homology presumably reflects a common origin of the two genes prior to the divergence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . It is suggested that the restriction function of the gene is primitive, and that the homologous restriction system in E . coli has evolved to play an accessory role in heteroduplex DNA base mismatch repair. Endocrinology, 1985 Jul, 117(1), 180 - 6 The effect of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection on the binding of triiodothyronine to nuclei isolated from rat liver; Little JS; Hepatic nuclei were isolated from control and Streptococcus (S.) pneumoniae-infected rats to determine the effect of S . pneumoniae infection on the binding capacity and affinity of hepatic nuclei for T3 . Infection did not affect the purity or yield of the isolated nuclei . A significant decrease in serum total T3 was observed 40 h after inoculation with S . pneumoniae . Serum free T3 was significantly decreased by 20 h after inoculation, but returned to control levels by 40 h after inoculation . Scatchard analysis of nuclear T3 binding, determined under optimal conditions, confirmed the presence of high affinity, low capacity sites for T3 on nuclei isolated from both control and infected rats . During infection, the maximum binding capacity of the purified nuclei for T3 decreased significantly, but infection had no significant effect on the affinity of the receptor for T3 . These results suggest that the decrease in serum T3 observed during infection is not contributed to by increased hepatic nuclear T3 receptor concentration and that the increased hepatic RNA, protein, and lipid synthesis observed during S . pneumoniae infection in the rat is not the result of increased binding or affinity of T3 to the nuclear receptor. Carbohydr Res, 1985 Jul 1, 140(1), 9 - 20 Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans 6715 glucosyltransferases by sucrose analogs modified at positions 6 and 6'; Binder TP et al.; Sucrose derivatives modified at position 6 (6-deoxysucrose, 6-thiosucrose, 6,6'-dithiodisucrose, and 6,6'-dideoxy-6,6'-difluorosucrose) were tested as inhibitors of the two Streptococcus mutans 6715 glucosyltransferases . 6-Deoxysucrose was the best inhibitor studied, competitively inhibiting the soluble-D-glucan forming enzyme (GTF-S) and the insoluble-D-glucan forming enzyme (GTF-I) with Ki values one order of magnitude lower than the sucrose Km values . 6-Thiosucrose was also a competitive inhibitor for both enzymes . 6,6'-Dithiodisucrose and 6,6'-dideoxy-6,6'-difluorosucrose only inhibited GTF-I; 6,6'-dithiodisucrose gave mixed inhibition and 6,6'-dideoxy-6,6'-difluorosucrose gave uncompetitive inhibition . 6-Thiosucrose was a substrate for both enzymes to produce acceptor products when acceptors were present . GTF-I synthesized de novo a water-insoluble, (1----3)-6-thio-alpha-D-glucan from 6-thiosucrose. Am J Med, 1985 Jun 28, 78(6B), 32 - 7 Epidemiology of community-acquired respiratory tract infections in adults . Incidence, etiology, and impact; Garibaldi RA; Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common types of infectious diseases among adults . It is estimated that each adult in the United States experiences two to four respiratory infections annually . The morbidity of these infections is measured by an estimated 75 million physician visits per year, almost 150 million days lost from work, and more than $10 billion in costs for medical care . Serotypes of the rhinoviruses account for 20 to 30 percent of episodes of the common cold . However, the specific causes of most upper respiratory infections are undefined . Pneumonia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality for nonhospitalized adults despite the widespread use of effective antimicrobial agents . There are no accurate figures on the number of episodes of pneumonia that occur each year in ambulatory patients . In younger adults, the atypical pneumonia syndrome is the most common clinical presentation; Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most frequently identified causative agent . Other less common agents include Legionella pneumophila, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and Chlamydia . More than half a million adults are hospitalized each year with pneumonia . Persons older than 65 years of age have the highest rate of pneumonia admissions, 11.5 per 1,000 population . Pneumonia ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States . The pathogens responsible for community-acquired pneumonias are changing . Forty years ago, Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for the majority of infections . Today, a broad array of community-acquired pathogens have been implicated as etiologic agents including Legionella species, gram-negative bacilli, Hemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and nonbacterial pathogens . Given the diversity of pathogenic agents, it has become imperative for clinicians to establish a specific etiologic diagnosis before initiating therapy or to consider the diagnostic possibilities and treat with antimicrobial agents that are effective against the most likely pathogens. Am J Med, 1985 Jun 28, 78(6B), 157 - 62 Changing pattern of infective endocarditis; Kaye D; There has been a significant trend toward an increase in the age of patients with endocarditis, and it seems likely that the age of these patients will continue to increase as the population ages . The proportion of patients with endocarditis who have rheumatic heart disease as an underlying lesion has decreased from about 40 percent in patients studied from 1950 to 1970 to about 25 percent in more recent series, and this trend will probably continue . Prosthetic valves and degenerative heart disease will undoubtedly become increasingly important underlying heart lesions in patients with endocarditis . Another large group of patients with infective endocarditis have no diagnosable underlying heart disease and comprise an increasing proportion of patients with endocarditis . Because of the aging of the population, more Streptococcus bovis and enterococcal endocarditis should be expected . With more prosthetic valves and with the aging of the population, more staphylococcal endocarditis should be anticipated . Economic forces will probably result in earlier discharge from the hospital, with either shorter courses of therapy or completion of therapy at home and perhaps more valve replacements. Am J Med, 1985 Jun 28, 78(6B), 138 - 48 Indications for cardiac surgery in patients with active infective endocarditis; Alsip SG et al.; Currently, absolute indications for valve replacement during active infective endocarditis include severe heart failure, the presence of an infecting microorganism that is not susceptible to available antimicrobial agents, and, in patients with an infected prosthetic valve, an unstable device . Relative indications include an etiologic microorganism other than a susceptible Streptococcus, relapse after presumed effective therapy, evidence of intracardiac extension of the infection, two or more systemic emboli, vegetations large enough to be demonstrated by echocardiography, and, in patients with an infected prosthetic device, early disease and periprosthetic leak . With use of data from the medical literature, a study generated by the cardiovascular surgical group at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, and a brief cost analysis, a point system was constructed to assist in decision-making concerning surgery in patients with active infective endocarditis . The usefulness of this system will depend on experience generated from its utilization in a larger number of patients as well as new data relative to a more complete understanding of the risks and benefits of surgery in this condition. Carbohydr Res, 1985 Jun 15, 139, 75 - 83 Identification of the tetrasaccharide repeating-unit of the Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23 polysaccharide by high-field proton n.m.r . spectroscopy; Jones C; One- and two-dimensional 500-MHz 1H-n.m.r . studies of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23 have been used to determine its structure, which was confirmed by limited degradation . The proposed structure (1) differs from those suggested previously and the phosphate group has been located tentatively at position 3 of the glucosyl residue . (Formula: see text). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Jun 15, 186(12), 1319 - 22 Use of 111In-labeled autologous leukocytes to image an abdominal abscess in a horse; Koblik PD et al.; Indium 111-labeled autologous leukocytes were used to image an abdominal abscess in a horse with a palpable abdominal mass and history of Streptococcus equi infection . A focal area of radioactivity was identified in the location corresponding to the abscess . Imaging of this focal uptake was optimal 48 hours after injection . Similar scans obtained in 2 clinically normal horses revealed no evidence of focal radioactivity in this region . The cell labeling procedure gave acceptable labeling efficiency (87.5%) but an excessive number of damaged WBC, resulting in persistent lung radioactivity on all images . No adverse effects were noted . Radiation measured in the horse and its excreta were well within acceptable limits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1985 Jun 14, 129(2), 568 - 75 Reconstitution of phosphate-linked antiport from Streptococcus lactis; Ambudkar SV et al.; Membrane protein solubilized by octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside in the presence of dispersed phospholipid was incubated with bath-sonicated liposomes and additional detergent . The proteoliposomes formed on dilution showed transport and exchange properties consistent with a reconstitution of phosphate:sugar 6-phosphate antiport . Thus, phosphate self-exchange was found only when protein from induced cells was used; this exchange was blocked by a sugar 6-phosphate, not by a sugar 1-phosphate; and proteoliposomes supported an accumulation of 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate with no added source of energy . Solubilization and reconstitution of protein was most effective when performed in the presence of gram-positive phospholipids. J Biol Chem, 1985 Jun 10, 260(11), 6907 - 15 Kinetic studies on dextransucrase from the cariogenic oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Mooser G et al.; The kinetic mechanism of dextransucrase was studied using the Streptococcus mutans enzyme purified by affinity chromatography to a specific activity of 36.9 mumol/min/mg of enzyme . In addition to dextran synthesis, the enzyme catalyzed sucrose hydrolysis and isotope exchange between fructose and sucrose . The rates of sucrose hydrolysis and dextran synthesis were partitioned as a function of dextran concentration such that exclusive sucrose hydrolysis was observed in the absence of dextran and exclusive dextran synthesis at high dextran concentrations . An analogous situation was observed with fructose-dependent partitioning of sucrose hydrolysis and fructose exchange . Steady state dextran synthesis and fructose isotope exchange kinetics were simplified by assay at dextran or fructose concentrations high enough to eliminate significant contributions from sucrose hydrolysis . This limited dextran synthesis assays to dextran concentrations above apparent saturation . The limitation was diminished by establishing conditions in which the enzyme does not distinguish between dextran as a substrate and product which allowed initial discrimination among mechanisms on the basis of the presence or absence of dextran substrate inhibition . No inhibition was observed, which excluded ping-pong and all but three common sequential mechanisms . Patterns of initial velocity fructose production inhibition and fructose isotope exchange at equilibrium were consistent with dextran synthesis proceeding by a rapid equilibrium random mechanism . A nonsequential segment was apparent in the exchange reaction between fructose and sucrose assayed in the absence of dextran . However, the absence of detectable glucosyl exchange between dextrans and the lack of steady state dextran substrate inhibition indicate that glucosyl transfer to dextran must occur almost exclusively through the sequential route . A review of the kinetic constants from steady state dextran synthesis, fructose product inhibition, and fructose isotope exchange showed a consistency in constants derived from each reaction and revealed that dextran binding increases the affinity of sucrose and fructose for dextransucrase. Am J Med, 1985 Jun 7, 78(6A), 104 - 9 Pneumonia treated with imipenem/cilastatin; Salata RA et al.; In an open, prospective, multicenter trial the efficacy and tolerance of imipenem/cilastatin for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia was investigated . Forty-three adults were studied: 29 with nosocomial and 14 with community-acquired infections . Significant underlying disease was present in 91 percent of patients . Nosocomial infection was frequently associated with endotracheal intubation (48 percent), prior antibiotic therapy (48 percent), and recent surgery (31 percent) . Most frequent sputum isolates included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10, all nosocomial), Hemophilus influenzae (10), Escherichia coli (eight), Staphylococcus aureus (seven), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (six) . Treatment with imipenem/cilastatin was associated with clinical cure in 93 percent of patients . Two of three failures and one superinfection occurred in association with isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to imipenem . Overall, six of 10 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated prior to therapy developed resistance to imipenem after an average of 10 days of therapy . Adverse effects occurred in nine patients (21 percent) and included one case of pseudomembranous colitis . Monotherapy with imipenem/cilastatin of serious lower respiratory tract infections was relatively safe and highly effective with the exception of disease associated with P . aeruginosa. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Jun, 38(6), 1468 - 508 {Clinical evaluation of lenampicillin in oral and maxillofacial infections}; Sasaki J et al.; Clinical efficacies of newly developed synthetic oral ampicillin prodrug lenampicillin (LAPC, KBT-1585) applied to 109 cases of oral infection were studied . There were 7 dropout cases . The results as determined on a point system are as follow: Remarkably effective, 26 cases; effective, 63 cases; and not effective, 13 cases, for an efficacy rate of 87.3% . When rated by the subjective judgement of the doctors in charge, these figures are as follow: remarkably effective, 21 cases, effective, 67 cases; slightly effective, 10 cases; and not effective, 4 cases . The rate of efficacy in this way being 86.3% . In either way, the results obtained were favorable . Among 102 cases in this study, pus was aspirated with sterile needle from obstructed abscesses in 65 cases, with the result that 161 strains of bacteria were isolated and identified . Most of infections were found mixed type by aerobic Gram-positive cocci and anaerobes . Especially, cases caused by alpha-Streptococcus were observed in 48 out of 55 mixed infective cases . LAPC's MIC distribution against the detected bacteria showed strong antibacterial effect as follows: against Gram-positive cocci, less than 0.39 micrograms/ml; against Gram-negative bacteria (excluding some insusceptible strains), less than 3.13 micrograms/ml . Thus, LAPC demonstrated a superiority when compared to CEX by 4 approximately 128-fold, and when compared to AMPC by about 2-fold . Adverse reactions among the 109 cases consisted of 6 cases of gastro-intestinal disorders including 3 cases of diarrhea . Recognized cases of abnormal laboratory findings were 3 cases out of 76 (3.9%), but none were serious. J Appl Bacteriol, 1985 Jun, 58(6), 585 - 96 The rumen microbiology of seaweed digestion in Orkney sheep; Orpin CG et al.; The microbial populations of the rumens of seaweed-fed and pasture-fed Orkney sheep were examined . The populations in the pasture-fed sheep were similar to those of other domestic ruminants fed on land plants, but those of the seaweed-fed animals showed major differences in the dominant species . Total ciliate populations were quantitatively similar, but in the seaweed-fed animals Dasytricha ruminantium was one of the most dominant species . No phycomycete fungi or cellulolytic bacteria were found in the seaweed-fed animals, and the bacterial population was dominated by Streptococcus bovis, Selenomonas ruminantium, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and lactate-utilizing species . Electron microscopy revealed that spirochaetes and an unidentified filamentous bacterium were probably of major significance in seaweed digestion . The ability of bacterial strains from both groups of animals to metabolize plant and algal constituents was examined. Postgrad Med, 1985 Jun, 77(8), 215 - 8, 221, 224-6 Postsplenectomy sepsis syndrome . How to identify and manage patients at risk; Brigden ML; Established postsplenectomy sepsis syndrome, although infrequent, may carry a mortality rate of over 90% . Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) has been the infective organism in more than 50% of published cases . Certain groups, such as infants, patients with hematologic malignancy, and those with compromised humoral immunity, may be especially susceptible . However, even healthy individuals who have been splenectomized because of trauma may be affected . Within the general population there is a significant pool of asplenic or functionally hyposplenic patients who are not aware of their condition . Efforts must be made to identify any such individual at risk for the postsplenectomy sepsis syndrome . The new 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine should be made available to any asplenic or functionally hyposplenic individual . A high index of suspicion must be maintained for febrile illness in asplenic patients, and if such an illness occurs, a vigorous investigation is mandatory. J Bacteriol, 1985 Jun, 162(3), 979 - 84 Heteroduplex DNA mismatch repair system of Streptococcus pneumoniae: cloning and expression of the hexA gene; Balganesh TS et al.; Mutations affecting heteroduplex DNA mismatch repair in Streptococcus pneumoniae were localized in two genes, hexA and hexB, by fractionation of restriction fragments carrying mutant alleles . A fragment containing the hexA4 allele was cloned in the S . pneumoniae cloning system, and the hexA+ allele was introduced into the recombinant plasmid by chromosomal facilitation of plasmid transfer . Subcloning localized the functional hexA gene to a 3.5-kilobase segment of the cloned pneumococcal DNA . The product of this gene was shown in Bacillus subtilis minicells to be a polypeptide with an Mr of 86,000 . Two mutant alleles of hexA showed partial expression of the repair system when present in multicopy plasmids . A model for mismatch repair, which depends on the interaction of two protein components to recognize the mismatched base pair and excise a segment of DNA between strand breaks surrounding the mismatch, is proposed. Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 704 - 12 Cloned gtfA gene of Streptococcus mutans LM7 alters glucan synthesis in Streptococcus sanguis; Pucci MJ et al.; Streptococcus mutans LM7 (Bratthall serotype e) chromosomal DNA was partially digested with EcoRI and ligated into the positive-selection plasmid vector pOP203(A2+) . The ligation mixture was transformed into Escherichia coli, and transformants were selected for tetracycline resistance . Recombinant-bearing clones were screened for their ability to ferment raffinose, using the procedure of Robeson et al . (J . Bacteriol . 153:211-221, 1983) . One raffinose-fermenting clone was isolated and found to contain a plasmid with an insert consisting of four EcoRI fragments totalling approximately 10.3 kilobases (kb) . This strain was capable of growth on defined medium plus raffinose or sucrose and generated reducing sugars from a sucrose substrate . Southern hybridization analysis of the four EcoRI fragments revealed homology not only to S . mutans LM7 chromosomal DNA but also to S . mutans serotypes b, c, and f . Subcloning of this fragment array into a streptococcal E . coli shuttle vector indicated that a 2.4-kb EcoRI fragment was essential for sucrase activity . E . coli minicell experiments revealed a gene product of 55 kilodaltons . These data along with restriction endonuclease analysis and Southern hybridizations suggested that the cloned S . mutans LM7 gene was closely related to the gtfA gene cloned by Robeson et al . from S . mutans PS13 (Bratthall serotype c) . The shuttle plasmid containing the 2.4-kb fragment was transformed into Streptococcus sanguis, which subsequently displayed increased sucrase activity in both intracellular and extracellular fractions . Elevated levels of synthesis of alcohol-insoluble and water-insoluble glucans were observed with crude extracellular fractions of the S . sanguis strain bearing the 2.4-kb fragment . An isolate cured of the shuttle plasmid plus the 2.4-kb fragment displayed wild-type S . sanguis glucan synthesis . In S . sanguis, this gtfA allele may play a role in glucan synthesis by interacting with extant high-molecular-weight glucosyltransferases. Environ Res, 1985 Jun, 37(1), 84 - 92 Inhalation studies of Mt . St . Helens volcanic ash in animals . III . Host defense mechanisms; Grose EC et al.; The effects of inhalation exposure of mice or rats to 9.4 mg/m3 volcanic ash, 2.5 mg/m3 SO2, or both on host defense mechanisms were assessed . Cytologic changes in pulmonary lavage fluid included an increase in percentage polymorphonuclear leukocytes due to SO2 exposure and an increase in eosinophils due to ash . SO2 and ash also produced decreases in percentage alveolar macrophages . In the case of ash-exposed animals, this decrease was offset by an increase in lymphocytes . Total cell counts and viability were not affected by any of the exposures . Pulmonary clearance mechanisms were affected in that there were both decreased alveolar macrophage phagocytic capability following ash and ash + SO2 exposures and depressed ciliary beat frequency attributable to ash exposure . None of the inhalation exposures caused increases in susceptibility to an immediate or 24 hr postexposure aerosol challenge with Streptococcus . However, intratracheal instillation of both fine- and coarse-mode volcanic ash caused slight but significant increases in mortality due to bacterial challenge 24 hr after the instillation . The phytohemagglutinin-induced blastogenic response of splenic lymphocytes from exposed animals did not differ significantly from that of control lymphocytes, although the lipopolysaccharide-induced blastogenic response was enhanced . Ash exposure had no effect on susceptibility to murine cytomegalovirus . In summary, volcanic ash alone or in combination with SO2 had only minimal effects on certain host defense mechanisms. J Immunol, 1985 Jun, 134(6), 4041 - 7 Preparation and characterization of murine monoclonal antibodies that express both cold agglutinin and cryoglobulin activities; Patel RD et al.; To obtain murine cold agglutinin (CA) and cryoglobulin antibodies, BALB/c mice were hyperimmunized with heat-killed type XIV Streptococcus pneumoniae . The spleen cells of these mice were fused with either the P3 NS1/Ag4 . 1 or P3 X63/Ag.653 cell line . Several stable hybridomas were obtained that produced monoclonal antibodies (Mab) that reacted with rabbit and human erythrocytes only at temperatures below 37 degrees C . Three of these Mab were also cryoglobulins, as evidenced by their insolubility at reduced temperature . All of the antibodies studied were IgM(k) and reacted with purified type XIV S . pneumoniae polysaccharide at room temperature . With one exception, all antibodies were specific for N-acetyl-lactosamine, the immunodominant sugar residue expressed on type XIV polysaccharide . Inhibition experiments demonstrated that both CA activity and cryoprecipitation were inhibited by the same sugar compounds in the same order of efficiency . The data presented strongly suggest these CA antibodies are cross-reactive members of a S . pneumoniae-specific population . Cryoprecipitation persisted in antibodies purified under conditions that would exclude the presence of trapped serum antigens . It is therefore proposed that the cryoprecipitation observed is a result of the interactions of the antibody combining sites with carbohydrate residues of adjacent antibody molecules. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jun, 131 ( Pt 6), 1531 - 41 Conjugal transfer from Streptococcus lactis ME2 of plasmids encoding phage resistance, nisin resistance and lactose-fermenting ability: evidence for a high-frequency conjugative plasmid responsible for abortive infection of virulent bacteriophage; Klaenhammer TR et al.; Streptococcus lactis ME2 exhibits at least three mechanisms which confer resistance to virulent bacteriophage . These include plasmid-induced interference with phage adsorption, host-controlled restriction and modification activities, and a heat-sensitive mechanism which suppresses development of virulent phage . Conjugal mating experiments were done with S . lactis ME2 to determine if phage-defence mechanisms present in this strain could be mobilized, associated with plasmid DNA elements and phenotypically characterized in transconjugants . Agar-surface matings of S . lactis ME2 with S . lactis LM0230 demonstrated that lactose-fermenting ability (Lac+) was transferred in a conjugation-like process at frequencies of 10(-6) per donor cell and was associated with a 40 MDal plasmid designated pTR1040 . Resistance to nisin (Nisr) was acquired or lost simultaneously with Lac+, indicating that pTR1040 carried determinants for both phenotypes . Lac+ Nisr transconjugants that carried a 30 MDal plasmid (pTR2030) exhibited a heat-sensitive phage-defence mechanism (Hsp+) which limited the burst size and plaque size of phage c2 without altering the efficiency of plaquing (e.o.p.) or the level of adsorption . The ability of phage c2 to initiate plaquing at an e.o.p . of 1.0 indicated that DNA injection and early viral gene expression are not affected in the Hsp+ transconjugants . We suggest, therefore, that the Hsp+ phenotype may result from plasmid-induced abortive infection of phage dependent on the presence of pTR2030 . Hsp+ transconjugants carrying pTR2030 also promoted high-frequency conjugal transfer of Lac+ Nisr associated with pTR1040 (greater than 10(-1) per donor cell) . It was concluded that Hsp+ and determinants for conjugal transfer ability (Tra+) are located on pTR2030. Vet Med (Praha), 1985 Jun, 30(6), 373 - 8 {Hyaluronidase test in the diagnosis of staphylococci}; Skalka B; Using the Streptococcus equi decapsulation test, 879 strains of S . aureus, 212 strains of S . intermedius and 214 coagulase-negative staphylococci were examined for hyaluronidase production; six of the coagulase-negative staphylococci belonged to S . hyicus subsp . hyicus . Positive hyaluronidase production was recorded in all strains of S . aureus and in the strains of S . hyicus subsp . hyicus . No hyaluronidase was produced by 208 coagulase-negative staphylococci and the strains of S . intermedius . The decapsulation test is recommended as a reliable method of the differentiation of S . aureus and S . intermedius. Arch Dis Child, 1985 Jun, 60(6), 542 - 6 Neonatal septicaemia; Vesikari T et al.; A total of 410 proved cases of neonatal septicaemia from seven Finnish hospitals seen between 1976 and 1980 were reviewed . The annual incidence of neonatal septicaemia was 3 per 1000 births, and overall mortality was 23% . Onset was early in most patients . Symptoms of septicaemia occurred within the first 24 hours of life in 44% and within the first week of life in 90% . In the very early onset disease (within 24 hours) mortality was 30%, compared with 17% in all other cases . Group B streptococcus was the leading cause in very early onset disease (52%) but mortality from infection with this organism was similar to that in other very early onset cases . It is concluded that very early onset neonatal septicaemia, probably of intrauterine origin and caused by group B streptococcus in one half of the cases, constitutes the major form of neonatal septicaemia in Finland and should receive the highest priority in preventive measures. Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 832 - 8 Suppression of lymphocyte proliferation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: mediation by Pseudomonas-activated suppressor monocytes; Issekutz TB et al.; Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown to suppress cell-mediated immunity in experimental animals, but recent reports have also demonstrated that there is a strong T-cell response to this bacteria . Our studies of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a great variation in the in vitro proliferative response to killed P . aeruginosa, so we examined the interaction of the different mononuclear cells in cultures with this bacteria . P . aeruginosa stimulated the proliferation of T lymphocytes, specifically the surface-immunoglobulin-negative, T8- subset, which are felt to be T helper cells . P . aeruginosa added in coculture experiments to peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or tetanus toxoid suppressed the proliferation to these latter antigens . This proliferation was not affected by the depletion of adherent monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the suppression was restored when monocytes were added back to these cultures . Moreover, monocytes pulsed with P . aeruginosa but not with S . aureus suppressed the antigen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells . This monocyte suppression was not inhibited by indomethacin and was unlikely to be the result of prostaglandin synthesis by these cells . Thus, P . aeruginosa can induce monocytes to suppress antigen-stimulated T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, and these suppressor cells may facilitate the growth of this organism in disorders such as cystic fibrosis. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Jun, (6), 82 - 7 {Characteristics of the immunological reactivity of the body in the streptococcal carrier state}; Oleinikova EA et al.; The use of the discrete dynamic method for the treatment of data obtained in the survey of streptococcus carriers has made it possible to find out that their immune status is determined not so much by the quantitative changes in the results of individual immunological tests (for the bactericidal activity of the blood serum, lysozyme, IgG, IgM, IgA and the phagocytic activity of neutrophils), but, to a greater extent, by the interrelations of these characteristics . Significant differences in the interrelations of various humoral characteristics and in their relationship to the phagocytic process have been detected in the group of carriers as compared with the control group. J Appl Bacteriol, 1985 Jun, 58(6), 563 - 9 A new apparatus for continuous cultivation of bacterial plaque on solid surfaces and human dental enamel; Noorda WD et al.; A new apparatus for the continuous cultivation of mono and mixed bacterial plaque on solid surfaces is described . The features are: easy preparation and handling; freedom from technical problems and microbial contamination; self-sufficient for periods of up to 56 d; 12 samples are taken simultaneously; programmable supply inlet . Experiments were performed with Streptococcus mutans C 67-1 for mono bacterial inoculation and in combination with Veillonella alcalescens V-1 for mixed bacterial inoculations . The results showed that the controlled conditions and versatility of the apparatus make possible the study of plaque-development and lesion production on a time-dependent basis . It is concluded that the apparatus is suitable for a wide range of dental and non-dental applications. J Dairy Sci, 1985 Jun, 68(6), 1523 - 30 Field studies on linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid teat dip; Pankey JW et al.; A teat dip containing 1.94% linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid and 12% glycerine, an anionic detergent formulation, was evaluated in two field trials on a commercial dairy . In Trial 1, the teat dip was compared to an undipped control in a split-herd design . Incidence of infection with Streptococcus agalactiae was reduced 57.8%; infections with presumptively identified Staphylococcus aureus were not reduced . Milking machine function and milking procedures may have affected teat dip effectiveness and incidence of udder infection . Streptococcus agalactiae was eradicated prior to Trial 2 in which the detergent teat dip was compared to a 1% iodophor product of proven efficacy . Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infection was 40.5% lower in the detergent than in the iodophor group . Taxonomic studies on Staphylococcus species indicated that presumptive microbial identification resulted in erroneous conclusions concerning efficacy of the teat dip products . Importance of speciation of staphylococcal isolates is discussed. J Biol Buccale, 1985 Jun, 13(2), 105 - 12 Immunoelectrophoretic study of cell surface antigens from different Streptococcus mutans serotypes and Streptococcus sanguis; Ogier JA et al.; Antigens prepared from culture supernatants or whole cells of several cariogenic strains were examined by immunoelectrophoresis for their crossed antigenicity, with reference to Streptococcus mutans OMZ175, serotype f . Crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed a crossreactivity between soluble extracellular and wall associated antigens of six strains of Streptococcus mutans and one strain of Streptococcus sanguis . Protease destroyed the immunoreactivity of crossreactive antigens . One of them was shown to be localized on the bacterial surface. Vet Rec, 1985 Jun 1, 116(22), 581 - 4 Duration of bovine intramammary infections in commercial dairy herds; Grommers FJ et al.; Data on the infection status of cows on seven commercial dairy farms were collected over 492 full lactations . Foremilk samples were taken at an average interval of five weeks . A total of 249 streptococcal and 433 staphylococcal infections were diagnosed . Spontaneous elimination occurred in 49 per cent of all streptococcal infections and in 54 per cent of Staphylococcus aureus infections . The average duration of spontaneously eliminated infections was 10.8 weeks for Streptococcus agalactiae, 9.9 weeks for Strep dysgalactiae, 10.4 weeks for Strep uberis and 12.8 weeks for Staph aureus . The average duration of infections persisting until drying off was 19.3 weeks for Strep agalactiae, 18.7 weeks for Strep dysgalactiae, 18.5 weeks for Strep uberis and 25.2 weeks for Staph aureus . The method and rate of elimination of infection as found in this analysis are of value for estimating new infection rates and selecting quarters for dry cow therapy. Br J Exp Pathol, 1985 Jun, 66(3), 317 - 23 Opsonization of group B Streptococcus type III: studies using clinical strains and maternal sera; Hastings MJ et al.; Luminol-dependent phagocytic chemiluminescence was used to measure opsonins to group B Streptococcus type III in serum samples from pregnant women . Mean levels were similar amongst patients colonized with this organism and those who were not . Values remained fairly constant for individual women during pregnancy apart from a small, but consistant fall in cord blood samples . Again using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, 54 clinical isolates of group B Streptococcus type III were evaluated for susceptibility to serum opsonization . Six were found to be resistant and these originated from both colonized babies and babies with systemic GBS infections . Further studies demonstrated strain-to-strain variation in the degree of dependence on both heat-labile and heat-stable opsonins. Obstet Gynecol, 1985 Jun, 65(6), 802 - 6 Short-term responses in neonatal lambs after infusion of group B streptococcal extract; O'Brien WF et al.; Short-term (0 to 30 minutes) physiologic responses of neonatal lambs infused with a trichloroacetic extract of a type III (strain 878) group B streptococcus (878-TCA) were studied . Bolus injections of 878-TCA were associated with pulmonary hypertension, peripheral arterial hypoxemia, and reductions in circulating white blood cell and platelet counts . These events were associated with a rise in plasma levels of prostaglandins F2 alpha and E and could be prevented by proper treatment with ibuprofen . Continuous infusions of 878-TCA were associated with a dose-dependent rise in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures and a fall in arterial PO2 . During infusion, inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis resulted in a return toward preinfusion values . The authors conclude that venous infusions of extracts of 878-TCA induce significant pulmonary and systemic arterial vascular perturbations in the neonatal lamb and that some of these alterations are associated with the release of prostaglandins or other arachidonic acid metabolites. Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 741 - 6 Coaggregation of oral Bacteroides species with other bacteria: central role in coaggregation bridges and competitions; Kolenbrander PE et al.; Seventy-three freshly isolated oral strains representing 10 Bacteroides spp . were tested for their ability to coaggregate with other oral gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria . None coaggregated with any of the gram-negative strains tested, which included Capnocytophaga gingivalis, C . ochracea, C . sputigena, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans . Strains of Bacteroides buccae, B . melaninogenicus, B . oralis, and B . gingivalis failed to coaggregate with any of the gram-positive strains tested . However, six Bacteroides spp . coaggregated with one or more species of gram-positive bacteria . Most isolates of B . buccalis, B . denticola, B . intermedius, B . loescheii, B . oris, and B . veroralis coaggregated with strains of Actinomyces israelii, A . viscosus, A . naeslundii, A . odontolyticus, Rothia dentocariosa, or Streptococcus sanguis . The strongest coaggregations involved B . denticola, B . loescheii, or B . oris; 22 of 25 strains coaggregated with A . israelii . Only B . loescheii interacted with certain strains of S . sanguis; these coaggregations were lactose inhibitable and were like coaggregations between A . viscosus and the same strains of S . sanguis . In fact, B . loescheii and A . viscosus were competitors for binding to S . sanguis . Many bacteroides also acted as coaggregation bridges by mediating coaggregations between two noncoaggregating cell types (e.g., S . sanguis and A . israelii) . Evidence for binding-site competition and coaggregation bridging involving noncoaggregating cell types from three different genera provides support for the hypothesis that these intergeneric cell-to-cell interactions have an active role in bacterial colonization of the oral cavity. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jun, 131 ( Pt 6), 1273 - 8 Entry of methotrexate into Streptococcus pneumoniae: a study on a wild-type strain and a methotrexate resistant mutant; Trombe MC; Entry of methotrexate (MTX) into the folate prototrophic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae was poorly inhibited by folate or its natural derivative folinic acid, suggesting that if MTX is transported via a folate transporter, the affinity of that transporter for MTX is higher than for folate . In the range of concentrations tested, MTX uptake was non-concentrative and decreased in ATP-depleted bacteria . When the external concentration of MTX was increased from 1 X 10(-7) M to 1 X 10(-6) M, uptake became saturated and was insensitive to ionophores . However when external MTX concentrations were increased to 1 X 10(-5) M, uptake increased linearly, and was inhibited by the ionophores carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and valinomycin, suggesting that the process was energized by the protonmotive force (delta p) at this concentration . A model for MTX entry in S . pneumoniae is proposed with respect to these results . The high level of resistance to MTX of the nonsense mutant amiA9 cannot be entirely explained by a decrease in MTX uptake. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1985 Jun, 59(6), 585 - 9 Serum antibody responses to indigenous oral mucosal antigens and selected laboratory-maintained bacteria in recurrent aphthous ulceration; Lindemann RA et al.; Sera from subjects with recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) and control subjects were tested for relative levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies against eight selected laboratory-maintained bacteria, including Streptococcus sanguis which has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of RAU . There were no differences in relative serum antibody levels for any isotype against any bacteria between control and RAU groups . RAU subjects with active lesions were then paired with control subjects, and each serum was tested against sedimentable material derived from the oral mucosa of each pair member . The analysis of data indicated that RAU and control subjects had similar levels of serum antibodies to indigenous mucosal antigens, but RAU subjects had significantly less antigenic material than control subjects. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Jun, 21(6), 880 - 3 Ciprofloxacin disk susceptibility tests: interpretive zone size standards for 5-microgram disks; Barry AL et al.; Evaluations of 5-microgram ciprofloxacin disk diffusion susceptibility tests were performed independently by seven different investigators . The results of the separate tests were combined to increase the number of resistant strains in the challenge set of microorganisms . Based on data with 2,652 isolates, the following interpretive breakpoints are tentatively proposed for use in ongoing clinical trials of ciprofloxacin: less than or equal to 15 mm, resistant (MIC greater than 2.0 micrograms/ml); 16 to 20 mm, intermediate (1.0 less than MIC less than or equal to 2.0 micrograms/ml); and greater than or equal to 21 mm, susceptible (MIC less than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/ml) . Disk tests with Streptococcus spp . and with Pseudomonas maltophilia were not reliable; other microorganisms were accurately categorized by the disk diffusion test. Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 617 - 24 Antibodies that bind to fimbriae block adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite; Fachon-Kalweit S et al.; Antibodies raised against a fimbriated, adhesive strain of Streptococcus sanguis (FW213) were found to block the adhesion of this organism to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite . Antibodies were made specific for adhesion antigens by adsorption with isogenic, nonadhesive mutants (for rabbit polyclonal adsorbed antibody) or selection based on nonreactivity with two nonadhesive mutants (for monoclonal antibody) . Rabbit antibody raised against isogenic, nonfimbriated nonadhesive mutants served as a control for antibodies present, but not related to fimbriation . Adsorbed antibody and monoclonal antibody were shown to be specific for fimbriae (antigen 1), since both antibodies could be seen by immune electron microscopy to bind 3.6-nm fimbriae, reacted only with the fimbriated parent and not the mutants in a whole bacterial cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and could immunoprecipitate fimbriae from fimbrial extracts of FW213 . Antibodies isolated from preimmune and mutant sera did not react with fimbriae in any of the above assays . Only adsorbed antibody and monoclonal antibody were capable of blocking the adhesion of FW213 to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite . Adsorbed antibody, purified to immunoglobulin G (IgG), was an effective inhibitor of adhesion without causing interfering cellular aggregation . Monoclonal IgG, papain-cleaved to Fab fragments to prohibit cell-to-cell cross-linking, was also a potent inhibitor of S . sanguis FW213 adhesion . Both IgG from mutant sera and Fab fragments from normal mouse IgG could not be shown to block adhesion . These data further support the hypothesis that S . sanguis fimbriae are involved in adhesion. J Infect Dis, 1985 Jun, 151(6), 1073 - 80 Seroepidemiological studies of group B Streptococcus type II; Gray BM et al.; In the course of prospective epidemiological studies of group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization and infection, we surveyed 401 paired maternal and cord sera (obtained at delivery) and 23 sera from patients with systemic type II infection for IgG antibody to GBS type II . Type II carriers were more likely to have antibody (greater than 2 micrograms/ml) than were those carrying other GBS types, whereas noncolonized patients were the least likely to have antibody . The overall prevalence of levels of antibody greater than 2 micrograms/ml was estimated to be approximately 6%, on the basis of assay results of the 401 maternal-cord pairs and adjusted for known-colonization status for the entire population of 8,928 deliveries that occurred during the study period . The majority