Streptococcal

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 of patients with infection had antibody levels less than 2 micrograms/ml . Five patients, however, had antibody present at levels ranging from 2.7 to 5.8 micrograms/ml . These findings suggest that "antibody deficiency" was widespread and was not by itself a useful determinant of risk for disease caused by GBS type II.

J Exp Med, 1985 Jun 1, 161(6), 1414 - 31
Deposition of C3b and iC3b onto particulate activators of the human complement system . Quantitation with monoclonal antibodies to human C3; Newman SL et al.; Monoclonal antibodies were used to determine the number and molecular form of C3 bound to particulate activators of the complement (C) system by human serum . Sheep erythrocytes (E) coated with IgM (EIgM) and IgG (EIgG) were used to study activation of the classical pathway (CP) . Yeast (Y), rabbit erythrocytes (ER), and five species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Hemophilus influenzae type b) were used to study activation of the alternative pathway (AP) . The deposition of C3b onto EIgM and EIgG incubated in C7-deficient human serum was dependent on the serum concentration . At all serum concentrations tested, there was complete conversion of C3b to iC3b . Kinetic analysis of C3b deposition and conversion to iC3b indicated that these events occurred almost simultaneously; the reaction was completed by 15 min . The deposition of C3 onto the AP activators ER and Y was also dependent on serum concentration, and ER, but not Y, required the presence of Mg-EGTA and thus the activation of only the AP . C3b deposition and conversion to iC3b on Y was complete in 15 min, with 82% of bound C3 converted to iC3b . For ER, maximum C3 deposition required 30 min in both the presence and absence of Mg-EGTA . However, after 1 h of incubation, 74% of bound C2 was iC3b in the absence of Mg-EGTA, compared with only 52% in the presence of Mg-EGTA . Thus, even on AP activators, a large portion of C3b may be converted to iC3b, and this conversion is probably controlled by elements on the particle's surface . Studies with the five species of bacteria yielded similar results . Approximately 3-5 X 10(4) molecules of C3 were bound per microorganism, with opsonization being completed in 30 min . Remarkably, only 16-28% of bound C3 was in the form of iC3b, even after 2 h of incubation . The presence or absence of Mg-EGTA, or the addition of purified CR1 to the reaction mixture, did not significantly effect the ratio of C3b to iC3b . Finally, SDS-PAGE and autoradiography of particle-bound 125I-C3 fragments confirmed that there was no conversion of iC3b to C3d,g or C3d . The data obtained about the opsonization of bacteria suggest that the predominant form of C3 that is encountered by inflammatory phagocytes may be C3b.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 May 30, 845(2), 242 - 8
31P-NMR studies of the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans: observation of lipoteichoic acid; Roberts MF et al.; We have used 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify phosphorus-containing compounds in whole cells of two serotype c strains of the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans . The major resonance, centered at 0 ppm in whole cells, was attributed to lipoteichoic acid on the basis of its chemical shift, insensitivity to pH changes, cellular localization and a comparison with spectra obtained with purified lipoteichoic acid from S . mutans . The linewidths of resonances observed for intact cells and purified lipoteichoic acid were moderately narrowed by increasing the ionic strength, and substantially broadened in the presence of the lectin concanavalin A . Experiments with purified lipoteichoic acid suggest that this compound in whole cells is complexed with divalent cations such as Mg2+ . Intracellular pools of other phosphorus-containing metabolites were found to be low when compared to the lipoteichoic acid concentration in both starved and glycolyzing cells.

Biochem J, 1985 May 15, 228(1), 211 - 7
Purification and characterization of a saliva-interacting cell-wall protein from Streptococcus mutans serotype f by using monoclonal-antibody immunoaffinity chromatography; Ackermans F et al.; A rat monoclonal antibody, LO SM2, of the immunoglobulin M class, specific for a saliva receptor (SR) from Streptococcus mutans serotype f, was able to precipitate the SR from crude cell-wall-associated antigens (WEA) of this bacteria in presence of a detergent mixture . We have then used the technique of monoclonal-antibody immunoaffinity chromatography to purify the S . mutans SR . Pure SR was obtained from a crude WEA fraction with a single chromatographic step . The active SR could be eluted from the column in a highly purified form with 0.2 M-glycine/HC1, pH 2.8 . The final yield was about 32% in terms of binding activity . Characterization of the SR by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulphate- or 4-30%-native-gradient-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed that the receptor is a single polypeptide chain of Mr approx . 74000 . Native or denaturated forms of the SR adsorbed on to a solid support, such as nitrocellulose, are recognized by monoclonal antibody LO SM2, and both forms are still able to bind the ligand, saliva.

N Engl J Med, 1985 May 9, 312(19), 1229 - 32
Penicillin allergy and desensitization in serious infections during pregnancy; Wendel GD Jr et al.; Penicillin allergy presents a major obstacle to the successful management of some antepartum infections . We studied 15 pregnant women with histories of penicillin allergy confirmed by positive immediate wheal-and-flare skin tests . Thirteen had syphilis, one listeria sepsis, and one Streptococcus viridans endocarditis . Each patient was desensitized over four to six hours by oral administration of increasing doses of penicillin V . At the completion of the procedure, full-dose parenteral therapy with penicillin G or ampicillin was instituted . No extracutaneous reactions were detected . Five of the subjects (33 per cent) experienced pruritus (three) or urticaria (two), but no interruption of desensitization or therapy was necessary . All clinically apparent maternal infections were cured . The pregnancy complicated by listeriosis aborted in the first trimester . The 11 neonates delivered to date are normal . These results indicate that oral desensitization is an acceptably safe approach to therapy in pregnant women who are allergic to penicillin and have infections that require beta-lactam drugs.

J Infect, 1985 May, 10(3), 204 - 10
Aetiology and outcome of severe community-acquired pneumonia; Woodhead MA et al.; Between January 1972 and December 1981, 50 patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia were admitted to the intensive care unit of a district general hospital . A causal pathogen was identified in 41 cases (82%) . Streptococcus pneumoniae (16 cases), Legionella pneumophila (15 cases) and Staphylococcus aureus (5 cases) were the commonest . Assisted ventilation was required in 44 patients, of whom 25 died (57%) . All 5 patients with staphylococcal pneumonia and 12(75%) with pneumococcal pneumonia died . Only 5 (33%) with Legionnaires' disease died . Mortality was significantly associated with age . Recommendations for the management of severe pneumonia are made.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1985 May-Jun, 99(5-6), 630 - 6
Blood flow in the rabbit sinus mucosa during experimentally induced chronic sinusitis . Measurement with a diffusible and with a non-diffusible tracer; Kumlien J et al.; Chronic sinusitis was induced in New Zealand White rabbits . Access to the sinus cavity in question was obtained through a hole drilled in the dorsum of the nose, and for induction of sinusitis either cotton wool together with a suspension of 10(8) Streptococcus pneumoniae was introduced, or this method was combined with blocking of the sinus ostium with methacrylate . In 9 rabbits (weight range 3.6-5.0 kg), blood flow was determined 5 weeks-9 months after the induction of sinusitis, at a point in time when heavy inflammatory signs were present . The blood flow was determined both with radioactively labelled microspheres 16 +/- 1.5 micron in diameter and with Rb86Cl . Cardiac output as determined with the microsphere method was 127 +/- 28 ml X min-1 X 1 000 g-1 . The blood flow in the sinus mucosa was 0.60 +/- 0.16 ml X min-1 X g-1 with the microsphere method and 0.51 +/- 0.20 ml X min-1 X g-1 with use of Rb86Cl . These values did not differ significantly from the corresponding values found previously in healthy rabbits.

Jpn Circ J, 1985 May, 49(5), 545 - 52
Infective endocarditis in children; Naganuma M; The clinical manifestations, infective microorganisms, underlying diseases, complications and prognosis of infective endocarditis (IE) were studied in 17 current patients . Data were compared with 101 previous cases reported in Japan . Most patients with IE (110/118 = 93.2%) had underlying heart diseases . IE was noted most often in patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and tetralogy of Fallot . The incidence of post operative endocarditis was high (29.4% in the present series and 9.0% in the overall series), too . Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus and GNB were the most common etiologic agents with incidences of 28.8% (34/118), 25.4% (30/118) and 9.3% (11/118), respectively . Almost half of the deaths from IE were caused by s . aureus . The mortality was 11.9% (14/118) in both series . The death rate from candida albicans was 100%, from s . aureus 33.3% (10/30) and from str . viridans 5.9% (2/34) in both series . Culture negative patients accounted for 11.9% (14/118) in both series . Complications which did not involve the valves were noted in one patient with cerebral emboli and in two patients with pulmonary infarction in the present series . Cerebral emboli phenomena were seen 8 cases of the overall series, 4 of whom died.

Jpn Circ J, 1985 May, 49(5), 529 - 34
Recent trend of chemotherapy for infective endocarditis in Japan; Kobayashi Y et al.; Out of the 10 patients with infective endocarditis (IE) at Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, 8 had IE due to streptococcus viridans . Out of 8 patients with streptococcus IE, 6 were successfully treated with benzyl penicillin alone or in combination with kanamycin . One patient was cured with cephaloridine . Two hundred and thirty IE patients admitted to hospitals at Kantou District were also studied . Ninety nine of 116 patients with streptococcus viridans IE were successfully treated with potentially active in vitro against streptococcus viridans . Out of 16 staphylococcus IE patients, 11 patients died . Eight patients died within 8 days from the beginning of the antibiotic administration . Out of 7 enterococcal IE patients, 5 were successfully treated with ampicillin alone or in combination with aminoglycosides . Forty three patients were diagnosed as IE despite negative blood culture . The echo cardiogram showed 23 patients had vegetation . Benzyl penicillin was given to 28 patients and 23 were cured . Out of 9 patients with culture negative IE treated with ampicillin, 8 were cured . Four patients were successfully treated with cephems.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 May, 27(5), 841 - 5
Mode of action of the peptide antibiotic nisin and influence on the membrane potential of whole cells and on cytoplasmic and artificial membrane vesicles; Ruhr E et al.; The peptide antibiotic nisin was shown to cause a rapid efflux of amino acids and Rb+ from the cytoplasm of gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus cohnii 22, Bacillus subtilis W 23, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 4698, and Streptococcus zymogenes 24) . It strongly decreased the membrane potential of cells as judged by the distribution of the lipophilic tetraphenylphosphonium cation . Ascorbate-phenazine methosulfate-driven transport of L-proline by cytoplasmic membrane vesicles was blocked after addition of nisin, and accumulated amino acids were released from the vesicles . Soybean phospholipid (asolectin) vesicles were not affected by nisin . The data suggest that the cytoplasmic membrane is the primary target and that membrane disruption accounts for the bactericidal action of nisin.

Immun Infekt, 1985 May, 13(3), 99 - 107
{Serotypes and antibiotic sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) in the cologne area (1980-1982)}; Lutticken R et al.; The commercial availability of a 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine justifies repeated investigations of the prevalent pneumococcal serotypes to estimate the probable efficacy of vaccination for patients at high risk of pneumococcal infection . Immunoprophylaxis of infection with S . pneumoniae appears to gain importance since more and more isolates with reduced sensitivity to antibiotics including penicillin are reported . Our investigation of 324 pneumococcal strains, isolated between October 1980 and December 1982 from various clinical sources at the Institute of Hygiene, Cologne, showed that the distribution of predominant serotypes did not differ substantially from that of 1970 to 1972 . This distribution resembled closely to those reported from other European countries . However, a lower percentage of the Cologne isolates belonged to the serotypes of the 14-valent vaccine . The potential coverage of the vaccine in our area would probably be in the range of about 60% or less . Determination of the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates demonstrated resistances against tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and macrolides . Moreover, 1.7% of the strains were "relatively resistant" to penicillin G (MIC 0.125 to 0.25 mg/l) . Some isolates were multiply resistant.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 May, 49(5), 1270 - 5
Adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis CH3 to polymers with different surface free energies; van Pelt AW et al.; The adhesion of the oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguis CH3 to various polymeric surfaces with surface free energies (gamma s) ranging from 22 to 141 erg cm-2 was investigated . Suspensions containing nine different bacterial concentrations (2.5 X 10(7) to 2.5 X 10(9) cells per ml) were used . After adhesion for 1 h at 21 degrees C and a standardized rinsing procedure, the number of attached bacteria per square centimeter (nb) was determined by scanning electron microscopy . The highest number of bacteria was consistently found on polytetrafluorethylene (gamma s = 22 erg cm-2), and the lowest number was found on glass (gamma s = 141 erg cm-2) at all bacterial concentrations tested . The overall negative correlation between nb and gamma s was weak . However, the slope of the line showing this decrease, calculated from an assumed linear relationship between nb and gamma s, appeared to depend strongly on the bacterial concentration and increased with increasing numbers of bacteria in the suspension . Analysis of the data for each separate polymer showed that the numbers of attached cells on polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene were higher but that those on polycarbonate were lower than would be expected on basis of a linear relationship between nb and gamma s . Desorption experiments were performed by first allowing the bacteria to attach to substrata for 1 h, after which the substrata and attached bacteria were removed to bacterial suspensions containing 10-fold lower bacterial concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Can J Surg, 1985 May, 28(3), 213 - 5
Influence of splenectomy on lethal effects of pneumococcal infection; Loggie BW et al.; To determine whether the splenectomized host is more sensitive to the toxic effects of pneumococcal infection and whether the known clearance defect accounts for the early, increased mortality seen in postsplenectomy infection, the authors studied 8-week-old C57B1 mice . They were divided into two groups: seven control nonsplenectomized mice and six splenectomized mice . All animals were inoculated intravenously with 10(3) colony forming units of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Microaliquots of blood were drawn from the tail of all mice into sterile, heparinized, capillary tubes at 1, 4, 8 and 16 hours . Blood bacteria were quantitated using a drop dilution method . The time to death was recorded . A form of survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model was performed on the data . The infection was uniformly fatal . An early decrease in the numbers of blood bacteria was seen in nonsplenectomized mice followed by a logarithmic linear increase . In splenectomized mice, there was early rapid bacterial growth greater than that in control mice . Splenectomized mice died earlier than control mice (p less than 0.05 at 24 hours, Fisher's exact test) . The bacterial count had a highly significant effect upon mortality overall (p = 0.0017) . A function describing the risk of dying versus bacterial numbers was generated and was the same for both groups . The splenectomized host does not appear to be more susceptible to the toxic effects of pneumococcal infection . Early mortality in bacteremic pneumococcal infection can be attributed to impaired bacterial clearance alone.

Am Surg, 1985 May, 51(5), 269 - 71
Intraperitoneal splenic implants do not alter clearance of pneumococcal bacteremia; Scher KS et al.; The effect of intraperitoneal splenic autotransplants was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats . Twenty animals underwent total splenectomy . Splenectomy was performed in another group of 20 rats, after which the spleen was diced into 15 pieces and replaced within the leaves of the small bowel mesentery . Twelve weeks later pneumococcal bacteremia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 5 X 10(6) Streptococcus pneumoniae . Quantitative blood cultures were obtained from the tail vein 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 240 minutes after injection . Mean bacterial counts with time for animals bearing splenic autotransplants were not significantly different from completely asplenic rats . At autopsy, all animals receiving splenic implants were found to have viable splenic tissue among the leaves of the small bowel mesentery . This study shows that even allowing 12 weeks for maximal regeneration, splenic autotransplants fail to significantly alter the clearance of an established bacteremia.

Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 584 - 6
Recombination-deficient Streptococcus sanguis; Daneo-Moore L et al.; A UV-sensitive derivative was obtained from Streptococcus sanguis Challis . The organism could be transformed with a number of small streptococcal plasmids at frequencies equal to, or 1 logarithm below, the transformation frequencies for the parent organism . However, transformation with chromosomal DNA was greatly impaired in the UV-sensitive derivative.

Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 520 - 7
Microbial ecology of plaque in rats with naturally occurring gingivitis; Isogai E et al.; The microbial ecology of adherent plaque was investigated in relation to the pathological findings of gingivitis in plaque-susceptible rats . Plaque developed in the gingiva of the lower incisor in plaque-susceptible rats, but not in plaque-resistant rats, after they were fed a commercial powder diet . With increase in plaque volume, the total counts of bacteria increased 10(9) to 10(11)/g . In the first 3 months, Bacteroides species increased and became the predominant population . Streptococcus species also increased at the same time . After 9 months, Fusobacterium species and oral Treponema species were recognized in increasing numbers . The anaerobic bacteria increased in proportion with the progression of plaque development . Bacteroides intermedius, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus salivarius, and other species were isolated . Acute gingivitis was observed within 3 months, and subacute-chronic gingivitis was observed between 2 and 12 months . These findings suggest that proportional changes in the gingival plaque flora may uniquely contribute to the development of gingival inflammation in this experimental model.

Br J Nutr, 1985 May, 53(3), 575 - 86
Nutritional availability of methionine, lysine and tryptophan in fish meals, as assessed with biological, microbiological and dye-binding assay procedures; Hewitt D et al.; In vitro assay procedures were applied in the measurement of available amino acids in a selection of fish meals representing good- and poor-quality product . Results were assessed by comparing them with results from chick-growth assays . Available methionine and tryptophan were assayed microbiologically with Streptococcus zymogenes, after predigestion of the test samples with papain or pronase . Results for methionine were correlated with chick-growth assays (r 0.86 for papain, 0.91 for pronase; P less than 0.01) . Compared with the chick assays, papain tended to give lower, and pronase higher, results . Finer milling of the test samples did not influence the pronase values . Results for available tryptophan were also correlated with chick-growth assays (r 0.95 for papain, 0.96 for pronase; P less than 0.001) . Compared with the chick values, papain gave markedly lower results and pronase marginally higher ones . Finer milling of the test samples increased the papain values by about 50% but had no effect with pronase . Available lysine was assayed microbiologically with Tetrahymena pyriformis and with a dye-binding procedure (DBL) . The results correlated with the chick-growth assays (r 0.99 for DBL, P less than 0.001; 0.85 for Tetrahymena, P less than 0.01) but both methods overrated the poorer-quality samples . True nitrogen digestibilities and amino acid digestibilities were determined with chickens by the 'ileal analysis' procedure: the amino acid digestibilities were significantly higher and similar to the corresponding availabilities as measured in chick-growth assays . Ball milling a poor-quality fish meal caused a marked fall in its N digestibility, whereas similar treatment of a good-quality meal caused a slight increase . An explanation for this finding is proposed . Strep . zymogenes assays following pronase digestion of the test samples gave precise and acceptably accurate measures of the biologically available methionine and tryptophan in the test samples . For available lysine, Tetrahymena and DBL values for the poorer-quality samples were notably higher than the chick-growth assay; possible reasons for this are discussed . The ileal analysis procedure underestimated true N digestibility.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 May, 68(5), 1095 - 102
Physiological characteristics of Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis and the effect of the lactoperoxidase complex on their growth in a chemically-defined medium and milk; Mickelson MN et al.; Aerobic or anaerobic degradation of glucose by Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis yielded products qualitatively similar to those observed previously for Streptococcus agalactiae . There were, however, quantitative differences . Though acetoin was formed during aerobic growth of Streptococcus uberis, there was none with Streptococcus dysgalactiae . Differences between Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis in their aerobic metabolism of glucose was in lower oxygen consumption (.5 mol/mol of glucose), greater conversion of glucose to lactic acid, and lower molar growth yields with Streptococcus uberis . Cell suspensions of Streptococcus uberis had strong peroxidase activity, and no hydrogen peroxide accumulated during the respiration on glucose . With Streptococcus dysgalactiae, there was more oxygen consumed during growth (1.5 mol/mol of glucose used), greater conversion of glucose to acetic and formic acids and carbon dioxide, and a cell yield of about 6 g of dry cells more per mole of glucose than with Streptococcus uberis . This increase in molar growth yield with Streptococcus dysgalactiae over Streptococcus uberis could be nearly all accounted for by differences in the amount of substrate level adenosine triphosphate generated . Cell suspensions oxidizing glucose accumulated hydrogen peroxide and showed no peroxidase activity . Streptococcus dysgalactiae showed the same growth relationships in three milk media as Streptococcus agalactiae, although growth and acid formation values were much lower . Growth inhibition by the lactoperoxidase complex was reversed with cystine . Acid formation by Streptococcus uberis was decreased by the lactoperoxidase complex and increased by the addition of cystine; however, neither appeared to affect the growth of the organism.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 May, 131 ( Pt 5), 1053 - 9
Mercuric reductase enzymes from Streptomyces species and group B Streptococcus; Nakahara H et al.; Mercury volatilization (Hg2+ reductase) activity has been found with Hg2+-resistant isolates of three Streptomyces species and with three Hg2+-resistant strains of group B Streptococcus from clinical sources in Japan . Hg2+ reductase activities in crude cell extracts showed the temperature sensitivity, the requirement for an added thiol compound and the characteristic dependence on NAD(P)H cofactors of similar enzymes isolated from other bacteria.

Infect Control, 1985 May, 6(5), 183 - 5
Should routine throat cultures be done in hospital personnel complaining of a sore throat?
Watanakunakorn C.
In a 750-bed community-teaching hospital with 3,200 employees, throat cultures were routinely done in hospital personnel complaining of a sore throat . During a 3-month period, 323 employees had throat cultures; only 20 (6.2%) of these throat cultures grew group A streptococcus . The prevalence of positive throat cultures was similarly low in employees (6.2%) and adult patients (7.3%) . There was no evidence that employees either had higher prevalence of group A streptococcal pharyngitis or that they spread the infection to patients . It is concluded that routine throat cultures are not warranted in employees complaining of a sore throat, and that throat cultures should be done only selectively in hospital personnel with a high probability of group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 560 - 4
Toxicity of group B Streptococcus agalactiae in adult rats; Warejcka DJ et al.; Several strains of group B Streptococcus agalactiae were found to be lethal for young adult rats . When bacteria were heat killed and then injected intraperitoneally into rats, rapid death (14 to 18 h) of the rats occurred, characterized by labored breathing, hemolyzed serum, hemoglobinuria, and subungual hemorrhages . Sections of tissues from these rats failed to reveal the cause of death . Rats injected with toxic or nontoxic strains of group B S . agalactiae had reduced numbers of circulating leukocytes and low serum C3 levels in comparison with those in control rats . The toxic strains of group B S . agalactiae induced dramatic decreases in platelet numbers, and in plasma fibrinogen levels as well, suggesting that the toxicity was due to disruption of the coagulation system . Rapid death in the absence of infection suggests that group B S . agalactiae may have a cell-associated toxin that induces these changes . Such a toxin may be a contributory factor in the high mortality rate associated with group B streptococcal infections of the human neonate.

Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 280 - 6
Immunochemistry of the Streptococcus mutans BHT cell membrane: detection of determinants cross-reactive with human heart tissue; Ayakawa GY et al.; Cell membranes of Streptococcus mutans BHT serotype b were prepared after glass bead disruption or mutanolysin digestion of whole cells . Immunoblot analyses of BHT membrane extracts revealed major polypeptides of 42,000, 46,000, 62,000, and 82,000 daltons, as well as several minor bands, to be reactive with rabbit anti-human heart immunoglobulins . Heart cross-reactive antigens have been reported in the cell walls and culture fluids of several S . mutans serotypes . This represents the first report of cell membrane-localized heart cross-reactive antigens in this oral pathogen . Positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot reactions were also obtained with heart tissue antigen and anti-BHT sera, indicating mutual cross-reactivity . The major cross-reactive component detected by immunoblotting of human heart extracts was a 69,000-dalton polypeptide.

Am J Hematol, 1985 May, 19(1), 63 - 73
Defective complement activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Heath ME et al.; Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are at an increased risk for infections with bacteria which require complement for osponization . We explored the possibility that patients with CLL have a defect in binding the potent opsonin C3b to bacteria . Bacteria selected for these experiments included Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3, which binds C3 by activating the classical complement pathway (CCP), type 25, which can bind normal amounts of C3b by the alternative complement pathway (ACP), type 14, which can activate both the CCP and ACP, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, both of which activate the CCP . Bacteria were treated with normal serum or serum from 15 patients with CLL, and the bound C3b was quantified spectrophotofluorometrically . Despite normal serum concentrations of C3, C4, Factor B, C-reactive protein, and total hemolytic complement activity, all 15 CLL sera bound reduced amounts of C3b to at least one bacterial species; 9 to S pneumoniae type 3, 8 to types 14 and 25, 11 to S aureus, and 13 to E coli . Mixing normal serum with CLL serum restored C3b binding to all bacteria, suggesting a deficiency rather than an inhibitor of activity . Serum from ten hypogammaglobulinemic CLL patients bound less C3b (62.7 +/- 5% of normal) (means +/- SEM) than those with normal immunoglobulin levels (81.9 +/- 5%) (p less than .005) . Nevertheless, the addition of specific antibacterial antibodies to CLL serum did not enhance C3b binding to any of the bacteria . Serum from patients with a history of a bacterial infection bound less C3b (62.3 +/- 5%) than those without a history of infections (76.1 +/- 6%) (p less than .05) . Thus, there is a defect in either the activation or activity of C3 in CLL serum which may contribute to the increased incidence of infections in these patients.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1985 May, 103(5), 718 - 22
A rat model of bacterial keratitis . Effect of antibiotics and corticosteroid; Badenoch PR et al.; A model of bacterial keratitis in rats was developed to quantify the effect of antibiotics and corticosteroid on the infective process . Corneas were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Streptococcus pneumoniae . The natural history of infection with these organisms was determined . Groups of animals received topical antibiotics and prednisolone acetate . The effect of treatment on the number of leukocytes and viable bacteria in the corneas was determined . Prednisolone did not influence the effect of the antibiotics; however, steroid treatment alone increased the pseudomonad count as much as 20-fold above the count in untreated eyes . In general, both the antibiotic and steroid treatments were more successful when begun eight hours after infection than when begun at 24 hours . a 1% gentamicin sulfate preparation proved effective against each of the infections, including a pneumococcal strain considered resistant on the basis of in vitro tests.

J Bacteriol, 1985 May, 162(2), 633 - 40
Nucleotide sequence of ermA, a macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B determinant in Staphylococcus aureus; Murphy E; The complete nucleotide sequence of ermA, the prototype macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance gene from Staphylococcus aureus, has been determined . The sequence predicts a 243-amino-acid protein that is homologous to those specified by ermC, ermAM, and ermD, resistance determinants from Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguis, and Bacillus licheniformis, respectively . The ermA transcript, identified by Northern analysis and S1 mapping, contains a 5' leader sequence of 211 bases which has the potential to encode two short peptides of 15 and 19 amino acids; the second, longer peptide has 13 amino acids in common with the putative regulatory leader peptide of ermC . The coding sequence for this peptide is deleted in several mutants in which macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance is constitutively expressed . Potential secondary structures available to the leader sequence of the wild-type (inducible) transcript and to constitutive deletion, insertion, and point mutations provide additional support for the translational attenuation model for induction of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance.

Transfusion, 1985 May-Jun, 25(3), 223 - 9
Influence of hydroxyethyl starch on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in mice; Lawrence DA et al.; The immunotoxicity of hydroxyethyl starch (HES), a reagent used in leukocytapheresis or as a plasma expander, was assessed . HES did not significantly alter host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes or Streptococcus pneumoniae . HES (4-32 ml/kg), as well as a physiological saline solution (32 ml/kg), did inhibit the in vitro lymphoproliferation of spleen cells from mice intravenously injected 1 hour prior to removal of the spleens; the proliferation induced by a T-cell and B-cell mitogen was suppressed . However, this suppression was transient, in that, HES and saline injections given 4 and 24 hours prior to removal of the spleens produced no significant inhibition . Unlike the HES effects on lymphoproliferation, HES did suppress the in vivo humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) when given 24 hours prior to antigen, but this inhibition was obtained only with the 32 ml per kg dose . Interestingly, a similar dose of mouse albumin significantly enhanced the response . In vitro analysis of humoral and cell-mediated immune responsiveness with in vivo treated spleen cells produced results that were not dose dependent . Although HES was more suppressive than saline, both saline and HES were inhibitory . The lack of a dose-dependent effect suggests that the in vitro analysis of in vivo treated cells was not a good index of their in vivo reactivities . The greater variability and apparent sensitivity of the in vitro analysis probably reflect the transient effects of in vivo dilution of serum factors by relatively large intravenous injections and/or the transient effects of injection trauma.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1985 Apr 30, 128(2), 906 - 12
Phosphatidyl glycerolphosphate serves as glycerolphosphate donor in polymer synthesis; Chiu TH et al.; Phosphatidyl glycerolphosphate was found to serve as the glycerolphosphate donor for polymer synthesis . When CDP-diglyceride and radiolabeled glycerolphosphate were incubated with the membrane enzyme prepared from Streptococcus sanguis, active syntheses of radiolabeled lipids and polymers were observed . The synthesis of polymer was not inhibited by low concentration of unlabeled phosphatidylglycerol . When {3H, 32P}glycerolphosphate was used, the polymer synthesized contained both 3H and 32P . The lipids formed were characterized as phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidyl glycerolphosphate . The polymers formed from the latter were characterized as lipoteichoic acid like compounds by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1985 Apr 20, 115(16), 555 - 7
{2 strains of pneumococci with reduced penicillin sensitivity in Switzerland}; Wust J; There are numerous reports on resistance or decreased susceptibility of pneumococci to penicillin . Recently, two strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated for the first time in Zurich with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 0.25 and 1.0 mg penicillin G per liter, respectively . One strain was also resistant to chloramphenicol and tetracycline; both isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim . In view of this emergent resistance, routine susceptibility testing of clinically significant pneumococci is to be recommended . However, in the agar diffusion test the use of a penicillin disk may produce false-susceptible results, and therefore the susceptibility test should be performed with a disk containing oxacillin.

Wien Klin Wochenschr, 1985 Apr 12, 97(8), 363 - 9
{Immune complexes: studies on animal models}; Albini B et al.; A review is presented of some selected experiments conducted on animal models of immune complex-mediated diseases . The immune response and kinetics of antigen deposition are analysed in the model of systemic chronic serum sickness of rabbits and chickens . Experimental nephritis, induced by mercuric chloride, illustrates a pathogenesis in which autoantibodies to basement membranes become components of immune complexes . A recently developed Streptococcus mutans-induced nephritis in rabbits should make it possible to obtain some understanding of early pathogenetic mechanisms . These could very well be analogous to aspects of the pathogenesis of streptococcus-associated nephritides of man.

J Radiol, 1985 Apr, 66(4), 309 - 12
{Spondylodiscitis after embolization of an extramedullary intraspinal arteriovenous fistula}; Baudrillard JC et al.; The authors report a case of spondylitis Th11-Th12 occurred 1 month after embolization of an intraspinal extramedullary arteriovenous fistulae; this fistulae was fed by 11th left intercostal artery . The infecting organism isolated from the affected intervertebral disc was streptococcus sanguis a common agent of dental abscess.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Apr, 46(4), 917 - 20
Comparison of peripheral blood and uterine-derived polymorphonuclear leukocytes from mares resistant and susceptible to chronic endometritis: chemotactic and cell elastimetry analysis; Liu IK et al.; The functional competence of peripheral blood and uterine-derived polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from 12 mares were analyzed for chemotactic responsiveness using a chemotactic chamber (filter) assay and for deformability by cell elastimetry analysis . Peripheral blood PMN obtained from control mares and from 8 mares experimentally inoculated via the uterus with 1 x 10(9) Streptococcus zooepidemicus had similar normal chemotactic responsiveness and were highly deformable before and at 12 hours after inoculation . Uterine PMN obtained 12 hours after uterine inoculation with S zooepidemicus from resistant mares were not as deformable as peripheral blood PMN, but were within normal functional limits . The chemotactic responsiveness of uterine PMN from these mares was normal . Uterine PMN obtained from mares considered susceptible to endometritis 12 hours after uterine infection did not have chemotactic responsiveness and were nondeformable . The results indicated profound differences in the functional competence of uterine PMN between mares considered resistant and susceptible to chronic endometritis.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1985 Apr, 93(2), 145 - 9
Addition of xylitol to the growth medium of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176--effect on the synthesis of extractable glycerol-phosphate polymers; Assev S et al.; Addition of 5% xylitol to growing cultures of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 reduced the amount of extractable glycerol-phosphate polymers in these cells compared to S . mutans cultures grown in medium with 5% glucose added . The glycerol-phosphate polymers were extracted from the cells by hot phenol-water-extraction, and separated by column chromatography . Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) was identified by indirect haemagglutination tests and lipid analysis . The amount of LTA extracted from the cells or present in the medium was not significantly different . It is suggested that the accumulation of intracellular xylitol-phosphate observed in a previous study causes an effect similar to glucose starvation, which is known to affect the composition of the cell wall.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 31(4), 361 - 6
Effect of growth temperature on lipid composition of Streptococcus faecium; Ordonez JA et al.; The effect of growth temperature on the lipid and fatty acid composition of Streptococcus faecium has been studied . No differences in the qualitative composition of S . faecium lipids were observed . In all isolated fractions (neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids plus other polar lipids), the major fatty acids were palmitic (C-16:0), palmitoleic (C-16:1), octadecenoic (C-18:1), and cyclopropane (C-19:0) . Changes in the fatty acid composition of the different fractions were observed which depended on growth temperature; the most significant one was the decrease of octadecenoic acid and the increase of palmitic acid in glycolipids and polar lipids as the temperature increased . The level of cyclopropane C-19:0 was approximately eightfold lower at 8 degrees C than at the other temperatures tested (20, 30, and 45 degrees C).

J Clin Pathol, 1985 Apr, 38(4), 452 - 4
Serological identification of Streptococcus sanguis and Str mitior; Ball LC; A total of 165 strains of Streptococcus sanguis and Str mitior were selected on the basis of their biochemical reactions using established identification procedures . These strains were also classified using API Database and were then screened against five candidate grouping sera . Biochemical tests and serological identification were in general complementary, but no regular associations between biotype and serological reaction were observed.

Infect Immun, 1985 Apr, 48(1), 7 - 13
Promotion of Streptococcus mutans glucose transport by human whole saliva and parotid fluid; Germaine GR et al.; Human saliva and parotid fluid have two effects on glucose uptake by Streptococcus mutans: a reduction in the overall rate of uptake, and the promotion of a biphasic mode of uptake . The former effect had been previously shown to result from lactoperoxidase-mediated inhibition of transport or metabolism or both . The objective of the present study was to uncover the basis of the second effect . Biphasic glucose uptake consisted of a rapid phase of low capacity and short duration (approximately 10 to 15 s) followed by a slower phase of high capacity and long duration (several minutes) . The slow phase is typical of cells not exposed to the secretions (control cells) . S . mutans BHT cells pretreated with as little as 10 microM glucose for 10 min at 37 degrees C, followed by its removal, subsequently exhibit biphasic glucose uptake typical of saliva- or parotid fluid-treated cells . Since pretreatment of the organism with glucose, whole saliva supernatant, or parotid fluid supported subsequent transport of the nonmetabolized glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose, we concluded that pretreatments established a relatively stable pool of glycolytic intermediates (i.e., a phosphoenolpyruvate potential) . Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of extracts from {14C}glucose-pretreated cells confirmed the presence of a stable pool of triose phosphates . Dialysis experiments indicated that high-molecular-weight substrates in the secretions were readily utilized by the organism to establish a phosphoenolpyruvate potential, especially when the lactoperoxidase system was rendered inactive . A survey of several carbohydrate constituents of salivary glycoproteins revealed that mannose, galactose, and N-acetylglucosamine, in addition to glucose, established phosphoenolpyruvate potentials in the organisms . Inactive substances included, among others, N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid . In a survey of selected amino acids, arginine alone promoted 2-deoxyglucose accumulation by the organism, albeit feebly . Finally, it is argued that the phenomenon of biphasic glucose uptake provides evidence that the rate limiting step in glucose uptake by S . mutans is glucose metabolism and not glucose transport.

Infect Immun, 1985 Apr, 48(1), 29 - 34
Immunologically reactive proteins of Streptococcus equi; Timoney JF et al.; Immunologically reactive proteins in acid extracts and culture supernatants of Streptococcus equi were recognized through a combination of chromatographic and immunologic procedures . Both high- and low-molecular-weight components of each of these protein preparations were protective for mice and were, therefore, presumed to contain a variety of hydrolytic products or fragments of the M protein of S . equi . Convalescent horse sera that exhibited strong bactericidal activity for S . equi always reacted with polypeptides in the molecular weight range of 24,000 to 29,000, whereas preinfection sera did not . Rabbit antisera to affinity-purified S . equi protein also reacted with these polypeptides, as well as with a polypeptide of about 36,000 to 37,000 molecular weight . M protein in acid extract and culture supernatant did not cross-react in immunodiffusion, but rabbit antiserum to affinity-purified M protein from an acid extract of S . equi reacted strongly with culture supernatant proteins of approximate molecular weights of 67,000, 58,000, and 43,000 . We suggest, therefore, that the M protein in culture supernatant is masked by other sequences that are removed by hot acid during preparation of acid extracts . Polypeptides common to acid extracts of S . equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were also identified . These polypeptides had molecular weights of about 55,000 and 31,000.

Chest, 1985 Apr, 87(4), 486 - 8
Life-threatening bacterial pneumonia in male homosexuals with laboratory features of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; White S et al.; Two male homosexuals with laboratory features of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome developed fulminating pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilatory support despite antibiotic therapy . Pathology consistent with bacterial pneumonia without other opportunistic pathogens were found at open lung biopsy . Cultures from the open biopsy grew Hemophilus influenzae in one, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was seen on Gram stain and sputum culture prior to antimicrobial treatment in the other . Each recovered on continued single antibiotic therapy . Life-threatening bacterial pneumonia may be a feature of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, possibly due to B cell abnormalities.

Am J Dis Child, 1985 Apr, 139(4), 378 - 80
Maternal-fetal transfer of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antibodies; Chudwin DS et al.; Maternal-fetal transfer of IgG antibodies is an important host defense for newborns, who have an increased incidence of bacterial infections . To study the transfer of specific pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PPS) antibodies, we measured the concentrations, in 30 paired maternal and cord serum samples, of IgG and IgM by radial immunodiffusion, of serotype 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae PPS antibodies by radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay, and of opsonic activity to that organism by a radiolabeled bacterial uptake assay . Cord serum had significantly greater total IgG, yet significantly less type 7F PPS IgG antibodies and opsonic activity than maternal serum . Cord serum had low concentrations of total IgM and no IgM type 7F-specific antibodies . Reduced transport of specific IgG antibodies and absent transfer of IgM may contribute to the susceptibility of newborns to bacterial infection.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Apr, 259(2), 244 - 51
Antigen analyses of serotypes of streptococcus mutans using a monoclonal antibody elaborated against serotype g polysaccharide antigen; Okahashi N et al.; A hybridoma (F4B) which produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for serotype g carbohydrate antigen (RRg) of Streptococcus mutans 6715 was obtained . The F4B mAb cross-reacted with purified carbohydrate antigens of serotype d (RRd) and serotype h (TCAh) . In immunodiffusion tests, F4B mAb produced a stable precipitin band with RRg, while the band developed between the mAb and RRd/TCAh in the cold disappeared when incubated at room temperature . The immunoprecipitin reaction between F4B mAb and RRg was strongly inhibited upon addition of lactose.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Apr, 259(2), 179 - 87
Group B streptococcus type II antisera have anti-galactan specificities; Uhlenbruck G et al.; It has been confirmed by immunochemical methods that group B streptococcal capsular polysaccharides of type II contain terminal non-reducing beta-(1-6)-D-galactosyl groups . This immunodominant structure is detected by immune antisera from rabbits . As beta-(1-6)-D-galactosyl residues are the predominant end groups of a number of plant and animal galactans, anti-type II streptococcus antisera can also be used as anti-galactans . On the other side, different anti-galactans from various origins (lectins, myeloma proteins) can be applied to identify group B streptococcal type II strains . In addition, it is shown that other group B streptococcal types can also be recognized by different lectins.

Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss, 1985 Apr, 78(4), 525 - 32
{Cardiac insufficiency in infectious endocarditis}; Petitalot JP et al.; The aim of this study of 101 cases of infective endocarditis was to determine the factors predisposing to cardiac failure, the prognostic factors of this complication and the therapeutic implications . A significant (p less than 0.05) Chi square test was the statistical reference . Fifty-two per cent of patients developed cardiac failure which was biventricular in 48 p . 100 of cases and the presenting symptom in 64 p . 100 . The mean age of the patients with cardiac failure was 56.6 years with a clear male predominance . In 48 p . 100 of cases, cardiac failure complicated a pre-existing cardiac lesion which was usually acquired (84 p . 100) . The commonest condition was valvular insufficiency of the aortic and mitral valves (70 p . 100 of cases with cardiac failure) . Severe cardiac failure was observed more frequently and earlier in aortic than in mitral regurgitation . The commonest infecting organism was the streptococcus (53 p . 100 of cases with cardiac failure) and the most frequent presumed portal of entry was dental (25 p . 100) . Arrhythmias were observed in 51 p . 100 of patients in cardiac failure, the commonest being atrial fibrillation (34 p . 100) complicating mitral valve disease in 56 p . 100 of cases; 17 p . 100 of arrhythmias were ventricular . Conduction defects were observed in 26 p . 100 of cases with cardiac failure, 55 p . 100 of which had aortic valve disease . Valvular vegetations were demonstrated by echocardiography in 43 p . 100 of cases with cardiac failure . Valve replacement had to be performed for resistant cardiac failure in 13 p . 100 of cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Bacteriol, 1985 Apr, 162(1), 224 - 34
Intracellular phosphorylation of glucose analogs via the phosphoenolpyruvate: mannose-phosphotransferase system in Streptococcus lactis; Thompson J et al.; The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar-phosphotransferase system (PTS) mediates the vectorial translocation and concomitant phosphorylation of sugars . The question arises of whether the PTS can also mediate the phosphorylation of intracellular sugars . To investigate this possibility in Streptococcus lactis 133, lactose derivatives have been prepared containing 14C-labeled 2-deoxy-glucose (2DG), 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (2FG), or alpha-methylglucoside as the aglycon substituent of the disaccharide . Two of the compounds, beta-O-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4')-2'-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (2'D-lactose) and beta-O-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4')-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-D-glucopyranose (2'F-lactose), were high-affinity substrates of the lactose-PTS . After translocation, the radiolabeled 2'F-lactose 6-phosphate (2'F-lactose-6P) and 2'D-lactose-6P derivatives were hydrolyzed by P-beta-galactoside-galactohydrolase to galactose-6P and either {14C}2FG or {14C}2DG, respectively . Thereafter, the glucose analogs appeared in the medium, but the rates of sugar exit from mannose-PTS-defective mutants were greater than those determined in the parent strain . Unexpectedly, the results of kinetic studies and quantitative analyses of intracellular products in S . lactis 133 showed that initially (and before exit) the glucose analogs existed primarily in phosphorylated form . Furthermore, the production of intracellular {14C}2FG-6P and {14C}2DG-6P (during uptake of the lactose analogs) continued when the possibility for reentry of {14C}2FG and 2DG was precluded by addition of mannose-PTS inhibitors (N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylmannosamine) to the medium . By contrast, (i) only {14C}2DG, {14C}2FG, and trace amounts of {14C}2FG-6P were found in cells of a mannose-PTS-defective mutant, and (ii) only {14C}2FG and {14C}2DG were present in cells of a double mutant lacking both mannose-PTS and glucokinase activities . We conclude from these data that the mannose-PTS can effect the intracellular phosphorylation of glucose and its analogs in S . lactis 133.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Apr, 162(1), 217 - 23
Lactose metabolism in Streptococcus lactis: studies with a mutant lacking glucokinase and mannose-phosphotransferase activities; Thompson J et al.; A mutant of Streptococcus lactis 133 has been isolated that lacks both glucokinase and phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent mannose-phosphotransferase (mannose-PTS) activities . The double mutant S . lactis 133 mannose-PTSd GK- is unable to utilize either exogenously supplied or intracellularly generated glucose for growth . Fluorographic analyses of metabolites formed during the metabolism of {14C}lactose labeled specifically in the glucose or galactosyl moiety established that the cells were unable to phosphorylate intracellular glucose . However, cells of S . lactis 133 mannose-PTSd GK- readily metabolized intracellular glucose 6-phosphate, and the growth rates and cell yield of the mutant and parental strains on sucrose were the same . During growth on lactose, S . lactis 133 mannose-PTSd GK- fermented only the galactose moiety of the disaccharide, and 1 mol of glucose was generated per mol of lactose consumed . For an equivalent concentration of lactose, the cell yield of the mutant was 50% that of the wild type . The specific rate of lactose utilization by growing cells of S . lactis 133 mannose-PTSd GK- was ca . 50% greater than that of the wild type, but the cell doubling times were 70 and 47 min, respectively . High-resolution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies of lactose transport by starved cells of S . lactis 133 and S . lactis 133 mannose-PTSd GK- showed that the latter cells contained elevated lactose-PTS activity . Throughout exponential growth on lactose, the mutant maintained an intracellular steady-state glucose concentration of 100 mM . We conclude from our data that phosphorylation of glucose by S . lactis 133 can be mediated by only two mechanisms: (i) via ATP-dependent glucokinase, and (ii) by the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent mannose-PTS system.

Aust Vet J, 1985 Apr, 62(4), 114 - 6
Immunogenic properties of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae administered separately and in combination to lactating cows; Opdebeeck JP et al.; Composite bacterins of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae, or either bacterin alone, were administered systemically to groups of lactating cows . The response to each bacterin was unaffected by the simultaneous administration of the antigens when assessed by comparing the antibody levels in milk by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . There was no evidence of cross reactivity of the antigens studied, nor immunopotentiation by either bacteria.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Apr, 259(2), 228 - 43
Chemical properties and immunobiological activities of streptococcal lipoteichoic acids; Hamada S et al.; Lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) were chromatographically purified from crude phenol-water extract of whole cells of some streptococcal species, which included Streptococcus pyogenes Sv, Streptococcus mutans 6715, and Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10556 . Among these, special attention was paid to S . pyogenes LTA for analyses of chemical composition and biological activities . All LTA preparations contained equimolar amounts of glycerol and phosphorus . Chemical analyses showed that S . pyogenes LTA contained glycerophosphate, alanine, glucose, and fatty acids (as palmitic acid) at molar ratio of 1 : 0.1 : 0.1 : 0.25 . The crude phenol-water extract and isolated LTA from S . pyogenes Sv were found to be mitogenic for spleen cells of BALB/c and BALB/c (nu/nu) mice, but not for thymus cells of BALB/c mice . The mitogenicity of deacylated LTA (dLTA) was significantly lower than that of LTA . It was also found that various LTA preparations possessed polyclonal B cell activation ability and adjuvant activity both in vivo and in vitro, as demonstrated by using hemolytic plaque assay . LTA, but not dLTA, induced macrophage activation which resulted in tumor cytotoxicity in mice . Limulus lysate activity of S . pyogenes LTA was approximately 1,000 fold lower than that of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide . These results indicate that streptococcal LTA possesses various immunobiological activities that modulate lymphoreticular system in vivo and in vitro.

Toxicol Lett, 1985 Apr, 25(1), 103 - 10
Effects of toluene inhalation on pulmonary host defenses of mice; Aranyi C et al.; The potential hazards of exposure to vapor-phase toluene on pulmonary host defenses were evaluated . Mice exposed to concentrations ranging from 2.5-500 ppm, including the threshold limit value level of 100 ppm, exhibited increased susceptibility to respiratory infection with Streptococcus zooepidemicus . The no-measurable-effect level for single, as well as for 5 exposures was 1 ppm . Significantly decreased pulmonary bactericidal activity was observed after single exposures to 500, 250, 100 and 2.5 ppm toluene, and after 5 daily 3-h exposures to 1.0 ppm of toluene . A 20-exposure study with toluene at 1 ppm produced no changes in either of the 2 assays.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 131 ( Pt 4), 817 - 20
Reaction components influencing CAMP factor induced lysis; Sterzik B et al.; The reaction components and conditions affecting CAMP factor (Streptococcus agalactiae) induced lysis of target cells have been investigated . Both the amount of sphingomyelinase used and the time of preincubation with sphingomyelinase directly affected the rate of haemolysis by CAMP factor . The CAMP factor induced lysis was temperature dependent between 15 and 30 degrees C and was proportional to the amount of CAMP factor added.

Int J Cardiol, 1985 Apr, 7(4), 391 - 403
Infective endocarditis in adults in Glasgow, 1976-81; Whitby M et al.; Seventy-one cases of endocarditis in adults, defined on strict clinical criteria over a period of 5 years were studied . The demographic profile was similar to other published studies except that no bimodal peak in age distribution was detected . The major presenting features were infection, cardiac failure and embolism . Rheumatic valvular disease (44%) was the most common predisposing condition . Twenty percent of our patients developed endocarditis on an apparently normal valve and 28% presented with prosthetic valve infection . M-mode echocardiography was carried out in only 44% of cases and with a low rate of detection of vegetations . Streptococcus viridans was the most common causal organism . The mortality for the total series (45%) was considerably greater than that in other recent reports . Our study confirmed that failure to show early response to appropriate antimicrobial therapy was an indication to consider immediate valve replacement.

Am J Med, 1985 Apr, 78(4), 569 - 74
Group A streptococcal bacteremia in intravenous drug abusers; Barg NL et al.; The clinical and microbiologic features of group A streptococcal bacteremia are described in 40 patients, all of whom were seen between January 1982 and June 1983 and all of whom were intravenous drug abusers . Eleven patients had endocarditis (two with left-sided and nine with right-sided), and 29 patients had bacteremia without endocardial involvement . Twenty-seven of the 29 patients without endocarditis had soft tissue infections, primarily groin abscesses . Constitutional symptoms were more severe in patients with endocarditis . The two patients with left-sided endocarditis died despite antimicrobial therapy; all nine patients with right-sided endocarditis and all 29 patients without endocarditis were cured of their infection . A predominant strain of group A streptococcus was identified by serologic typing, suggesting a common source for these cases.

Infect Immun, 1985 Apr, 48(1), 257 - 9
Role of fibronectin in attachment of Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli to human cell lines and isolated oral epithelial cells; Stanislawski L et al.; We studied the binding of cells of Streptococcus pyogenes and mannose-sensitive Escherichia coli to human fibroblast cell lines and isolated buccal epithelial cells in relation to the cell-associated endogenous or exogenous fibronectin of the host cells . The degree of bacterial binding to cell lines correlated directly with the content of endogenous fibronectin on the surface of the cultured cells, although the correlation was better with S . pyogenes than with E . coli . The addition of exogenous plasma fibronectin to the cell lines or oral epithelial cells enhanced binding of S . pyogenes but suppressed binding of mannose-sensitive E . coli . These findings are consistent with the notion that exogenously acquired fibronectin on the surface of host cells modulates bacterial adherence by providing attachment sites for certain pathogens, such as S . pyogenes, and by blocking receptors for others, such as mannose-sensitive E . coli.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1985 Apr, 131(4), 559 - 63
Pulmonary elastase activity in response to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Melby K et al.; Elastase activity generated during lung defense against aerobic bacteria was studied in an animal model . Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from hamsters inoculated with bacteria was assayed for elastase activity at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after inoculation using a synthetic substrate of elastase, succinyl-trialanine-nitroanilide (SLAPN) . Streptococcus pneumoniae type 25 inoculation led to a peak elastase activity of 0.72 +/- 0.27 X 10(-3) units, not significantly different from baseline (0.41 +/- 0.08 X 10(-3) units) or saline control (0.33 +/- 0.18 X 10(-3) units) . In contrast, inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO-1 (a species known to produce elastase as well as other virulence factors) produced peak elastase activity of 3.0 +/- 1.2 X 10(-3) units in BAL fluid, significantly higher than either pneumococcus type 25 or saline control (p less than 0.025) . Inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain E-64, an isogenic mutant of PAO-1 that produces a nonfunctional elastase, led to peak levels similar to the PAO-1 strain, suggesting that the presence of bacterial elastase was not the primary factor in BAL fluid elastase activity . Total numbers of granulocytes in BAL fluid from pneumococcus-inoculated animals (144 +/- 31 X 10(6} was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than from either the PAO-1 (74 +/- 31 X 10(6} or E-64 (99 +/- 27 X 10(6} strains of Pseudomonas, Use of selective enzyme inhibitors of elastase, diisopropyl fluorophosphate and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, implied that the majority of elastase activity in BAL fluid was due to a serine protease, of which granulocyte elastase is the primary source.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Scand J Dent Res, 1985 Apr, 93(2), 105 - 11
Role of sucrose in plaque formation; Rolla G et al.; Results are presented which support the concept that the bacterial enzyme glucosyltransferase (GTF) plays a crucial role in sucrose induced plaque formation . GTF was shown to adhere strongly to anionic, hydrophobic and polysaccharide solid materials, and to be able to produce glucans in the adsorbed state . It appears conceivable that GTF adsorb to teeth and produce glucans . Glucan chains on the surface of the bacteria and glucans on the tooth surfaces interact (pack) and form a strong binding mechanism . The rigid alpha 1,3 linked glucans produced by Streptococcus mutans are particularly suited for interaction of this kind . This mechanism could account for sucrose-induced binding of bacteria to enamel, pellicle covered enamel and preformed plaque . S . mutans would adhere particularly strongly to tooth surfaces in the presence of sucrose, according to this model.

Pediatr Res, 1985 Apr, 19(4), 389 - 96
Clinical-histopathological correlations in experimental otitis media: implications for silent otitis media in humans; Giebink GS et al.; Clinical-histopathological correlations were sought in an experimental animal model of otitis media . Among 20 chinchillas inoculated intranasally with wildtype influenza A/Alaska virus (H3N2) and type 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae, 15 animals (18 ears) developed otoscopic and tympanometric signs of otitis media with middle ear effusion . Middle ear inflammation was most intense 10 days after virus inoculation . Twenty-two days after virus inoculation, eight ears showed diffuse middle ear histopathology and contained effusion, which cultured pneumococcus, five ears showed focal histopathology, and four of the five contained no effusion . Clinical manifestations of otitis media had disappeared in four of the 13 ears with pathology at sacrifice; otoscopy was normal in all four ears, tympanometry was normal in three ears, and both otoscopy and tympanometry were normal in one ear . All four of these ears with clinically "silent" middle ear histopathology had shown abnormalities of ear drum appearance or tympanometry between 7 and 14 days after inoculation . Discordance between histopathology and the clinical examination performed at sacrifice was greatest for ears with focal pathology.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Apr, 162(1), 383 - 90
Energy recycling by lactate efflux in growing and nongrowing cells of Streptococcus cremoris; ten Brink B et al.; Streptococcus cremoris was grown in pH-regulated batch and continuous cultures with lactose as the energy source . During growth the magnitude and composition of the electrochemical proton gradient and the lactate concentration gradient were determined . The upper limit of the number of protons translocated with a lactate molecule during lactate excretion (the proton-lactate stoichiometry) was calculated from the magnitudes of the membrane potential, the transmembrane pH difference, and the lactate concentration gradient . In cells growing in continuous culture, a low lactate concentration gradient (an internal lactate concentration of 35 to 45 mM at an external lactate concentration of 25 mM) existed . The cell yield (Ymax lactose) increased with increasing growth pH . In batch culture at pH 6.34, a considerable lactate gradient (more than 60 mV) was present during the early stages of growth . As growth continued, the electrochemical proton gradient did not change significantly (from -100 to -110 mV), but the lactate gradient decreased gradually . The H+-lactate stoichiometry of the excretion process decreased from 1.5 to about 0.9 . In nongrowing cells, the magnitude and composition of the electrochemical proton gradient was dependent on the external pH but not on the external lactate concentration (up to 50 mM) . The magnitude of the lactate gradient was independent of the external pH but decreased greatly with increasing external lactate concentrations . At very low lactate concentrations, a lactate gradient of 100 mV existed, which decreased to about 40 mV at 50 mM external lactate . As a consequence, the proton-lactate stoichiometry decreased with increasing external concentrations of protons and lactate at pH 7.0 from 1 mM lactate to 1.1 at 50 mM lactate and at pH 5.5 from 1.4 at l mM lactate to 0.7 at 50 mM lactate . The data presented in this paper suggest that a decrease in external pH and an increase in external lactate concentration both result in lower proton-lactate stoichiometry values and therefore in a decrease of the generation of metabolic energy by the end product efflux process.

Infect Immun, 1985 Apr, 48(1), 51 - 6
Distinct bacteriocin groups correlate with different groups of Streptococcus mutans plasmids; Caufield PW et al.; A correlation between the presence of 5.6-kilobase plasmids and bacteriocin activity was found in human-derived strains of Streptococcus mutans . Compared with bacteriocin activity of randomly selected clinical isolates of plasmid-negative strains, bacteriocin activity of plasmid-positive strains significantly inhibited not only two laboratory strains of S . mutans, OMZ176 and AHT (P less than 0.0001 and P = 0.038, respectively), but most plasmid-negative clinical isolates as well (P = 0.0005) . Comparisons of inhibition between pairs of plasmid-positive strains revealed two groups, group I and group II, that produced distinct bacteriocins we designated as mutacin I and mutacin II, respectively . Within each group, a strain produced inhibitory activity against all the members of the other group but against no members of its own group . Plasmid DNA from plasmid-positive strains of each group was isolated and analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion . Plasmids from the two groups that were apparently identical in size differed in digestion patterns for EcoRI, HaeIII, and TaqI, even though six TaqI fragments appeared to be common to all . Based on bacteriocin profiles and restriction enzyme digests, two distinct groups of plasmid-positive S . mutans strains emerged . Although the bacteriocin activity of plasmid-positive strain LM7 (serotype e) placed it in group I, clear differences in restriction digests distinguished it from the other plasmid-containing strains.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Apr, 259(2), 165 - 78
The type-specific polysaccharide and the R protein antigens of the L-phase from a group B, type III Streptococcus; Flores AE et al.; The type-specific polysaccharide and the R protein antigens from filtered culture supernatants of the bacterial phase and L-phase of the group B, type III streptococcal strain 76-043 were studied by several immunological methods . In the L-phase of growth, the two antigens were separate and distinct molecules which were found principally in the culture supernatant even on the 254th serial subculture in the cell-wall-defective state . Only trace amounts of these antigens were detected in extracts of L-phase cells . The type III polysaccharide antigens in the supernatant of cultures of the parent bacterium and the L-phase gave reactions of identity in immunodiffusion . Precipitin bands obtained by immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) revealed that the type-specific antigen of the bacterial phase of growth migrated toward the anode, whereas that of the L-phase remained near the antigen well . The R protein antigen in the L-phase supernatant was immunologically identical to the R protein of the supernatant and 1% trypsin-extracted antigens from whole cells of the parent bacterial strain, and other groups A, B and C streptococcal strains sharing a common R antigen . Immunologically, the R antigen appeared to be the species R4 . The R protein of the L-phase and bacterial phase cultures was resistant to 5% trypsin but sensitive to 0.5% pepsin at 37 degrees C/2hr . Antiserum prepared in rabbits against L-phase cells contained an antibody reactive with the R protein antigens of the bacterial and L-phase cultures . The soluble, naturally released type III and R protein streptococcal antigens of the L-phase of growth permitted immunological confirmation of its bacterial origin.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 49(4), 969 - 74
Mechanism of action of lactostrepcin 5, a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus cremoris 202; Zajdel JK et al.; The mechanism of bactericidal activity of lactostrepcin 5 (Las 5), a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus cremoris 202, was investigated . Las 5 did not kill protoplasts of sensitive cells, and its activity was decreased about 10-fold after pretreatment of the cells with trypsin, suggesting the involvement of the cell wall in the activity of this bacteriocin . In susceptible cells, the bacteriocin slowed down and then stopped synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein, although this did not appear to be the primary effect of Las 5 action . Las 5 also inhibited uridine transport in susceptible cells and induced leakage of K+ ions and ATP . Survival of cells treated with Las 5 in phosphate buffer was higher in the presence of K+, CA2+, or Mg2+ ions.

Acta Pathol Jpn, 1985 Mar, 35(2), 459 - 71
Right-sided infective endocarditis combined with mitral involvement in a patient with ventricular septal defect; Itoh N et al.; An autopsy case of right-sided infective endocarditis combined with mitral valvular involvement in a 20-year-old male Japanese with ventricular septal defect (VSD) was reported . The vegetations were found on the endocardium bordering VSD, tricuspid valve, mural endocardium of the right ventricular outflow tract, and even the pulmonic valve, resulting in forming infective aneurysm of the pulmonary trunk . Streptococcus was morphologically identified in the vegetations obtained at autopsy . On the other hand, smaller vegetations were also noted on the mitral valve . The mechanisms of the mitral extending were discussed when right-sided infective endocarditis associated with VSD preceded that on the mitral valve . The authors think that mitral regurgitation in relation to VSD and right to left shunt through VSD which occur even temporarily may be the most important mechanism responsible for the mitral valvular involvement . Several differences between right-sided and left-sided infective endocarditis were also reviewed.

Acta Chir Belg, 1985 Mar-Apr, 85(2), 79 - 88
{Thoracic empyema . Focus on bacteriology and therapy}; Van de Stadt J et al.; Treatment of empyema thoracis is a difficult one, especially when it occurs in a large residual pleural cavity or with a bronchopleural fistula . Sixty three patients have been studied: 39 post-surgical cases (pneumonectomy 21, lobectomy 14, therapeutic pneumothorax 4) and 24 cases without previous surgical procedure . Bacteriologic findings were as follows: 19% of the cultures were negative; Staphylococcus aureus has been isolated in 43% of the positive cultures, Gram negative bacilli in 40%, anaerobic germs in 21.5% and Streptococcus pneumoniae in one case . In 55 patients (87%) initial treatment was pleural drainage and local irrigations associated with systemic antibiotherapy . Enzymatic debridement with streptokinase was necessary in 25 patients (40%) and intrapleural antibiotherapy in 19 patients (30%) . Twenty two patients needed subsequent surgical treatment: 12 pleural debridements, 2 pleuropneumonectomies and 12 open-window thoracostomies were performed . Fourty three patients were cured; 11 died (7 related to the primary disorder) and 8 developed chronic infections . Effective pleural drainage must always be the first treatment in empyema thoracis . When this fails, surgical treatment is imperative . Pleural debridement is the procedure of choice when there is no residual pleural cavity and when the lung can be reexpanded . Pleuropneumonectomy must be reserved to extensive pulmonary destructions . Open-window thoracostomy is the best technique when large residual pleural space or bronchopleural fistula occurs (e.g . after pneumonectomy), and after the failure of all other treatments.

Res Vet Sci, 1985 Mar, 38(2), 184 - 8
Production and biological properties of M-protein of Streptococcus equi; Srivastava SK et al.; The production of M-protein antigen of Streptococcus equi was studied during in vitro growth in equine blood and in various media . Of 11 S equi strains studied, seven which had initially possessed 0.04 mg or less M-protein per 10 mg of streptococcal cell extract showed an increase in M-protein content after successive culture in heparinised horse blood . Maximum proliferation occurred in Todd-Hewitt (TH) medium with added 0.2 per cent w/v glucose when compared with TH medium alone or TH medium with 2 per cent w/v sucrose, starch, neopeptone or normal horse serum . The M-protein of these strains did not change after the addition of either neopeptone or normal horse serum to TH medium but declined with the addition of sugars . In experiments involving phagocytosis of S equi by equine polymorphs, the percentage of polymorphs which engulfed cocci was higher with a capsule-deficient strain (69.0 +/- 11.6 per cent) than with five typical encapsulated strains (21.1 +/- 7.0 per cent to 30.9 +/- 13.3 per cent) . Phagocytosis of five typical strains was greater after growth in a trypsin-containing medium than in medium devoid of trypsin . Trypsin-grown cells took longer to kill mice than did normal cells . It was concluded that M-protein was one of the factors involved in the virulence of S equi.

Lipids, 1985 Mar, 20(3), 173 - 9
The effect of penicillin on fatty acid synthesis and excretion in Streptococcus mutans BHT; Brissette JL et al.; Treatment of exponentially growing cultures of Streptococcus mutans BHT with growth-inhibitory concentrations (0.2 microgram/ml) of benzylpenicillin stimulates the incorporation of {2-14C} acetate into lipids excreted by the cells by as much as 69-fold, but does not change the amount of 14C incorporated into intracellular lipids . At this concentration of penicillin cellular lysis does not occur . The radioactive label is incorporated exclusively into the fatty acid moieties of the glycerolipids . The increase in the radioactive content of the extracellular lipids reflects an actual net increase in the total fatty acid content as determined by a chemical assay . During a 4-hr incubation in the presence of penicillin, the extracellular fatty acid ester concentration (per mg cell dry weight) increases 1.5 fold, even though there is no growth or cellular lysis . No change is observed in the intracellular fatty acid ester content . An indication of the relative rate of fatty acid synthesis was most readily obtained by placing S . mutans BHT in a buffer containing 14C-acetate . Under these nongrowing conditions free fatty acids are the only lipids labeled, a factor which simplifies the assay . The addition of glycerol to the buffer causes all of the nonesterified fatty acids to be incorporated into glycerolipid . The cells excrete much of the lipid whether glycerol is present or not . Addition of penicillin to the nongrowth supporting buffer system does not stimulate the incorporation of {14C}-acetate into fatty acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Am J Pathol, 1985 Mar, 118(3), 408 - 18
Streptococcus mutans-induced nephritis in rabbits; Albini B et al.; Intravenous administration of disrupted Streptococcus mutans into rabbits over 23-76 weeks led to severe nephritis involving glomeruli, tubules, and interstitium . Light-microscopic observation of glomeruli documented diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis accompanied often (65%) by epithelial crescents . Electron-microscopic observation revealed humps in glomeruli of 70% of kidney specimens . In the glomeruli of some rabbits, extensive fibrin deposits and sclerosis were evident . Immunofluorescence showed linear, granular, often ribbonlike or patchy immune deposits encompassing, in order of decreasing frequency, C3, IgG, streptococcal antigen, IgA, and IgM . The histopathologic and immunohistologic features of the nephritis seen in rabbits given S mutans thus shows many features of Streptococcus-associated nephritides in man, in particular, the diffuse glomerular nephritis encountered in subacute bacterial endocarditis . Further, analysis of nephritis induced by administration of S mutans may have implications for the evaluation and purification of dental caries vaccines.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Mar, 151(3), 535 - 40
The relative role of bacterial cell wall and capsule in the induction of inflammation in pneumococcal meningitis; Tuomanen E et al.; The relative contribution of bacterial components to the induction of inflammation during Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis is unknown . Several strains of pneumococci with differences in cell surface characteristics (capsule or cell wall) were compared for the effect on the inflammatory response evoked during infection of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in vivo . The presence of bacterial capsular polysaccharide was not necessary for bacterial growth in CSF in vivo but correlated with greater CSF bacterial density . CSF inflammatory changes began to appear when the bacterial concentration exceeded 10(5) cfu/ml, regardless of the pneumococcal strain . CSF inflammatory changes could be invoked by cisternal instillation of 10(5)-10(6) cell equivalents of whole, heat-killed unencapsulated strains or their isolated cell walls but not by similar concentrations of heat-killed encapsulated strains or isolated capsular polysaccharide . Hypoglycorrhachia was observed only during inflammation caused by live bacteria . The inflammatory response characteristic of naturally acquired pneumococcal meningitis can be reproduced by challenge with both encapsulated and uncapsulated bacteria . The bacterial cell wall appears to be the most potent pneumococcal surface component in inducing CSF inflammation.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Mar, 161(3), 909 - 12
Modes of integration of heterologous plasmid DNA into the chromosome of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Pozzi G et al.; We compared the efficiencies of two different processes that can direct integration of plasmids into chromosomes of recipient cells during transformation . A donor-recipient system was constructed to allow a single donor plasmid to use either flanking homology, involving an apparent double crossover, or the insertion duplication process that has been described as due to a "Campbell-like" single crossover between the chromosome and a circular duplex . The latter process gave 600-fold fewer insertions that did the former, confirming expectations from prior work showing that insertion of heterologous DNA by use of flanking homology is highly efficient . It has some advantages for cloning and mapping purposes and can be exploited once it is recognized.

Infect Immun, 1985 Mar, 47(3), 623 - 8
Mucosal nasopharyngeal immune responses of horses to protein antigens of Streptococcus equi; Galan JE et al.; Mucosal nasopharyngeal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG responses to proteins of Streptococcus equi were studied in horses after the experimental production of strangles . S . equi-specific IgA and IgG titers in nasopharyngeal mucus were much higher in samples from animals 1 to 2 weeks after challenge than in samples from control animals . Although IgA was the major immunoglobulin in nasal mucus, there was more antibody activity associated with IgG as measured by radioimmunoassay . Great differences between the specificities of antibodies in nasal mucus and in serum were detected . IgA and IgG of mucus origin recognized only two major proteins with molecular weights of about 41,000 and 46,000 in acid extracts of S . equi and gave no detectable reaction with culture supernatant proteins . Only one protein of about 62,000 molecular weight was recognized in acid extracts of an equine strain of S . zooepidemicus . In contrast, immunoglobulins in serum recognized a great variety of proteins in culture supernatants and acid extracts of S . equi and S . zooepidemicus which did not include those proteins recognized by immunoglobulins in mucus . These findings provide good evidence for the independence of the local and systemic immune responses of the horse to S . equi . Horses rechallenged shortly after recovery from the first infection were resistant to challenge with an inoculum of S . equi 10 times greater than that to which they were originally susceptible . This resistance appeared to be independent of the levels of bactericidal antibody in serum . We therefore suggest that immunity to S . equi infection is mediated by locally produced nasopharyngeal antibodies.

Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1985 Mar, 34(3), 275 - 83
Intravenous immune globulin for hypogammaglobulinemia: a comparison of opsonizing capacity in recipient sera; Steele RW et al.; Twelve severely hypogammaglobulinemic patients received infusions of alkylated immune globulin and two other native nonalkylated products . Administration was separated by an interval of 3 weeks . Serum was obtained prior to and at 24 hr and 3 weeks after each infusion for measurement of total IgG, specific and opsonizing antibodies . The latter was accomplished against Streptococcus pneumoniae types 5, 12F and 14 and zymosan using chemiluminescence methodology . Changes in total IgG concentrations were comparable for the three products . Prior to enrollment, IgG levels averaged 115 +/- 72 mg/dl, increasing to 779 +/- 399 at 24 hr postinfusion, and were 337 +/- 200 after 3 weeks . No differences among the products were seen in their ability to produce antibodies against Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, rubella, toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus, or tetanus . However, differences in opsonizing antibody were observed between alkylated and native IgG preparations . Peak chemiluminescence responses of neutrophils following opsonization of S . pneumoniae with native immune globulin were significantly higher than with alkylated IgG, indicating greater functional capacity . These studies suggest that native immune serum globulin provides a greater potential for augmenting host defense mechanisms against pneumococcal infection in hypogammaglobulinemic patients.

Br Heart J, 1985 Mar, 53(3), 341 - 4
Mitral obstruction in bacterial endocarditis; Ghosh PK et al.; Mitral obstruction due to a large vegetation of acute Streptococcus viridans endocarditis occurred in a 47 year old man . Serial echocardiography documented the rapid growth of the vegetation and its haemodynamic effects . Emergency mitral valve replacement was performed too late to reverse the course of fatal septic shock.

Jpn J Cancer Res, 1985 Mar, 76(3), 213 - 23
Purification and characterization of an antitumor principle from Streptococcus hemolyticus, Su strain; Yoshida J et al.; An antitumor principle (SAGP) has been purified from cell-free crude extract (CE) of group A Streptococcus hemolyticus, Su strain . The antitumor activity of each fraction was evaluated by measuring the in vitro growth inhibitory effect on transformed hamster embryonic lung cells (THEL) . CE was subjected to thermal treatment, streptomycin precipitation, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and chromatography on octyl-Sepharose CL-4B, DEAE-cellulose, and Sephadex G-200 in that order . The active fraction from the last chromatography was dialyzed against distilled water . The resulting precipitate was removed and the supernatant was lyophilized (SAGP) . SAGP is a homogeneous glycoprotein as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, immunodiffusion, and PAS-staining . The molecular weight of SAGP was determined to be 140,000 to 150,000 by the gel filtration technique . SAGP is composed of subunits, each of which has a molecular weight of about 50,000 . The isoelectric point of SAGP is 4.3 . Amino acid analysis revealed an abundance of aspartic and glutamic acid residues in SAGP . The 50% growth inhibitory dose of SAGP on THEL was 0.062 micrograms/ml . Intraperitoneal administration of SAGP (20 mg/kg/day X 4) to ICR mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells increased their life span to 254% of the control.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 1985 Mar-Apr, 6(2), 139 - 47
Dyke Award . Evaluation of contrast-enhanced MR imaging in a brain-abscess model; Runge VM et al.; An alpha-streptococcus brain abscess was produced in five dogs and studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (0.5 T) and computed tomography (CT) . Non-contrast- and contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained using gadolinium diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd DTPA) for MR imaging and meglumine iothalamate for CT scanning . Each animal was evaluated in the early and later cerebritis stages of abscess evolution . On MR, the area of cerebritis enhanced after administration of Gd DTPA in a manner similar to that observed with contrast-enhanced CT . However, contrast enhancement was greater on the MR examination . Early lesions in two animals were detected only with contrast-enhanced MR imaging . This experience suggests that intravenously administered agents such as Gd DTPA should increase the diagnostic potential of MR imaging in neurologic diseases, especially those altering the blood-brain barrier.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 21(3), 363 - 5
Measurement of active constitutive beta-D-glucosidase (esculinase) in the presence of sodium desoxycholate; Edberg SC et al.; The hydrolysis of esculin in the presence of bile has been utilized for many years for the identification of bacteria . It is especially useful in differentiating species of the genus Streptococcus . The procedure is a two-step one . First, the bacterium must grow in a particular concentration of bile, and second, it must hydrolyze esculin . The hydrolysis of esculin has traditionally been determined by the brown-black color that results when one of the hydrolysate products, esculetin, reacts with iron in the medium . The procedure requires incubation for 24 h or more . A method was developed based on the measurement of constitutive beta-glucosidase (esculinase) with the repression of this enzyme by bile equivalent (sodium desoxycholate) that required only 30 min . p-Nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside was the esculinase substrate, and sodium desoxycholate was substituted for bile salts . After inoculation, a yellow color was equivalent to the brown-black seen in the 40% bile-esculin reaction . The reagent was dispensed in test tubes and was stable for 6 months . The 30-min procedure correlated well with the conventional 24-h bile-esculin agar tube . Streptococcus pneumoniae could also be identified because of the rapid lysis it exhibited in the substrate solution.

Eur J Epidemiol, 1985 Mar, 1(1), 37 - 41
Production of serum-opacity factor by Streptococcus pyogenes strains isolated from pharyngitis in children . Prevalence of "rheumatogenic" M types among OF-negative strains; Molina AM et al.; Two hundred ten S . pyogenes strains isolated in 1979, 1980 and 1984 from children with pharyngitis were here examined for properties which might be relevant to their rheumatogenic potential . Strains were first tested for the production of streptococcal serum-opacity factor and, among those scored as OF-negative, the presence was then verified of M types which have been epidemiologically related to rheumatic fever . Members of "rheumatogenic" M types are present among strains causing pharyngitis in children, which, however, also include a considerable proportion of OF-positive, probably non-rheumatogenic, strains . The results are discussed in the light of the low incidence of rheumatic fever in this country.

Biochimie, 1985 Mar-Apr, 67(3-4), 377 - 84
Long- and short-patch gene conversions in Streptococcus pneumoniae transformation; Sicard M et al.; In pneumococcal transformation some point mutations are integrated by an excision-repair pathway which switches the heteroduplex DNA into homoduplex . This transfer of information is a gene conversion . We have reviewed some of the properties of this system especially those relating to heteroduplex specificity and given evidence that this extends over several kilobases of DNA . We then describe a new process of conversion in pneumococcal transformation which occurs over a very short distance (5 to 27 base-pairs) and is triggered by a single site mutation resulting from the transversion 5'-ATTCAT...to 5'...ATTAAT.. . Only one of the two heteroduplexes 5'...A...3'/3'...G...5', is converted.

J Reprod Med, 1985 Mar, 30(3 Suppl), 284 - 9
Problems in the cultivation of cervical bacteria; Brown ER et al.; PIP: In clinical practice, the net result of delays between specimen isolation and plating may be inability to grow or identify the organisms present . 2 specimens each from 70 patients at a gynecologic office were prepared for either transport or mailing to a laboratory in order to test the effect of time and less-than-ideal conditions of transport on rates of microbial recovery . The 1st 39 patients were studied for presence of anaerobic bacteria and the remaining 31 for aerobic bacteria, yeast, and Trichomonas vaginalis . Specimens taken to the laboratory at the end of office hours had a maximum lag time from collection to plating of 9.0 hours, with a mean of 4.5 hours, while specimens mailed at the end of office hours were received by the laboratory 2-5 days later . Standard microbiologic techniques as described in the Centers for Disease Control Laboratory Manual were used throughout the study . Pretests of microbiologic materials for sterility showed that 10 of 30 control mailing envelopes cultured positive for a variety of organisms while 8 aerobic transport media showed no growth . Control culture plates opened at a variety of sites for no longer than 10 minutes showed growth of E . coli in 2 of 10 plates in a laminar flow hood, 5 of 10 in a laboratory, 3 of 10 in Cook County Hospital, and none of 10 in an obstetrics and gynecology clinic, indicating that airborne contamination is a real possibility in clinical settings . Cultures were positive for anaerobes in 14 of 39 transport samples (36%) versus 2 of the mailed samples (5%) . All 31 cultures were positive for growth of aerobes after transport, whereas 22 of 31 (71%) were positive after mailing . After transport the number of species isolated per woman ranged from 1 to 5 with a mean of 31, but after mailing 18 samples were positive for 1 organism and only 4 for 2 organisms . Streptococcus organisms were isolated in 74% of transported but only 23% of mailed cultures, and gram-negative rods were found in 68% of transported and 25% of mailed cultures .

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1985 Mar, 33(3), 213 - 6
Detection of bacteremia in leukemic patients by early subcultures with a slide blood culture system; Richet H et al.; During a three month study, 433 sets of blood culture were collected from 140 patients hospitalized in the hematology unit, most of these blood cultures were collected from leukemic patients being treated by chemotherapy producing aplasia . Blood was distributed into three bottles, one containing Schaedler Broth and the others tryptic soy broth (TS) . We tried to compare two different blind subculture systems: conventional subculture (CS) onto Petri dishes chocolate agar and a coated agar slide (slide) attached onto the TS bottle, thus the blood culture broth can be subcultured by tipping the bottle . The first subculture was performed at the same time for both bottles after a mean time of incubation of 12,4 hours (st . dev . 3.3 hours) . There was no statistically significant difference for the recovery of pathogens, 30 with the slide and 29 with CS . Among the 30 slide positive blood cultures, six: 4 pseudomonas, 2 streptococcus, were detected by direct observation of colonies before any evidence of broth disturbance . When comparison was made according to the detection observed with the first, second or third subculture, a slight advantage was obtained with CS since 72.4% of them were positive with the first subculture versus 60% with the slide . During the first round of evaluation an higher contamination rate was observed with the slide 6.4% versus 2% for CS . The great majority of contaminated bottles were collected in one of the three hematology subunits . Contamination rate dropped following a teaching campaign bout aseptic collection and distribution of blood into the bottles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pediatr Res, 1985 Mar, 19(3), 297 - 9
Newborn sepsis following antepartum group B streptococcal maternal infection in rats; Noel GJ et al.; Group B streptococcus is an important pathogen in man and infection due to this bacteria is responsible for significant mortality and morbidity in neonates . An animal model of neonatal infection caused by group B streptococcus that results from vertical transmission is described . Nine pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal inoculation of 10(9)-10(10) colony forming units of group B streptococcus on day 20 or 21 of gestation . Four of nine rats died following inoculation . A total of 51 pups was born to the surviving five mothers . Pups were sacrificed at 4- to 8-h intervals and cultures of blood, brain, liver, and spleen were obtained . Nineteen of 51 pups (37%) had group B streptococcus isolated from blood or tissues within the first 48 h of life . Results suggest that antepartum systemic infection in rats can result in vertical transmission of disease . This animal model can be used to further study the mechanisms of transmission of group B streptococcus and the pathogenesis and treatment of neonatal sepsis caused by this pathogen.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Mar, 161(3), 1093 - 102
Molecular analysis of DNA and construction of genomic libraries of Mycobacterium leprae; Clark-Curtiss JE et al.; Molecular analysis of DNA from Mycobacterium leprae, "Mycobacterium lufu," and Mycobacterium vaccae has demonstrated that the G + C (guanine plus cytosine) contents of the DNAs are 56, 61, and 65%, respectively, and that the genome sizes are 2.2 X 10(9), 3.1 X 10(9), and 3.1 X 10(9) daltons, respectively . Because of the significant differences in both G + C content and genome size among M . leprae, "M . lufu," and M . vaccae DNAs, these species are not related, although hybridization experiments under nonstringent conditions, with two separate cloned M . leprae DNA inserts as probes, indicate that there are some conserved sequences among the DNAs . The G + C content of Dasypus novemcinctus (armadillo, the animal of choice for cultivating M . leprae) DNA was determined to be 36% . Genomic libraries potentially representing more than 99.99% of each genome were prepared by cloning into the cosmid vector, pHC79, in Escherichia coli K-12 . A genomic library representing approximately 95% of the genome of M . vaccae was prepared in pBR322 . M . leprae DNA was subcloned from the pHC79::M . leprae library into an expression vector, pYA626 . This vector is a 3.8-kilobase derivative of pBR322 in which the promoter region of the asd (aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase) gene from Streptococcus mutans has been inserted in place of the EcoRI-to-PstI fragment of pBR322 . Several (44% of those tested) pYA626::M . leprae recombinants and one pBR322::M . vaccae recombinant synthesized new polypeptides in minicells of E . coli, indicating that mycobacterial DNA can be expressed in E . coli K-12, although expression is probably dependent upon use of nonmycobacterial promoters recognized by the E . coli transcription-translation apparatus.

J Immunol, 1985 Mar, 134(3), 1926 - 9
Regulation of idiotope expression . I . The effect of antigen dose on expression of certain T15 idiotopes during primary IgM response to S . pneumoniae R36a; Stout JT et al.; Clonal heterogeneity among B cells reactive to the same epitope may be determined through differences in idiotypy . It appears that clones bearing distinct idiotopes may constitute functionally distinct subpopulations . Data suggest that idiotopically distinct clones of PC-reactive B cells may be regulated independently of one another . We have looked to see whether individual T15+ clones may also differ in their requirements for activation . Here we examine the effect of immunizing doses of antigen on expression of two T15 idiotopes, B36-82 and B39-38, during both in vivo and in vitro primary responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a (Pn) in CB-20 mouse strain . The idiotopes were detected on the specific antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) by using monoclonal anti-idiotopic antibodies . We find that distinct patterns of idiotope expression are generated by stimulation with different doses of antigen . Immunization with suboptimal and super-optimal doses of Pn produced responses dominated by PFC expressing both idiotopes, whereas PFC induced by optimal antigen concentrations were primarily B36-82+ and B39-38- . These data indicate that the varying of antigen concentration may induce the response of different B cells bearing distinct idiotypes.

J Dent Res, 1985 Mar, 64(3), 405 - 10
The effects of different concentrations of sucrose, fructose, and glucose on pH changes by Streptococcus mitior in an artificial mouth; Lagerlof F et al.; The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the initial sucrose (S) concentration, as well as those of fructose (F), glucose (G), and invert sugar (F/G), on the pH developed by a layer of S . mitior, to represent dental plaque, in an artificial mouth which simulates the process of oral sugar clearance . At S, F . G, and F/G concentrations of 2% and with normal oral sugar clearance rates, the bacteria produced a smaller pH fall from S than from the other sugars; at initial concentrations of 20%, however, the differences were not significant . With constant S concentrations of 0.5-35%, the minimum pH reached was 4.03 +/- 0.14 (S.D.); with S concentrations of 50% and above, slightly but significantly higher values (4.41 +/- 0.34) occurred . However, with normal sugar clearance, the pH fall was much less than with a constant concentration and was dependent on the S concentration over the range of 0-10%, but was independent at higher concentrations . Exposure of the bacteria to S for as short a period as two min during normal sugar clearance gave a nearly maximum pH fall . This suggests that rinsing the mouth with water more than two min after consumption of sucrose in liquid form will have very little effect in reducing the pH fall in dental plaque . A more appropriate method for reducing acid formation by dental plaque would be consumption of a salivary stimulant which would increase the flow rate and buffer capacity of the saliva.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 131 ( Pt 3), 553 - 9
Purification and properties of extracellular glucosyltransferase synthesizing 1,3-alpha-D-glucan from Streptococcus mutans serotype a; Tsumori H et al.; Extracellular 1,3-alpha-D-glucan synthase (sucrose: 1,3-alpha-D-glucan 3-alpha-D-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.-) of Streptococcus mutans HS6 (serotype a) was purified from culture supernatant by ultrafiltration, DEAE-Sepharose chromatography and preparative isoelectric focusing . The enzyme had a molecular weight of 158 000 by SDS-PAGE and an isoelectric point of pH 5.2 . The specific activity of the enzyme was 48.3 i.u . (mg protein)-1 . The Km for sucrose was 1.2 mM and the activity was optimal at pH 6.0 . The enzyme activity was stimulated about 20-fold in the presence of dextran T10 . Glucan was synthesized de novo from sucrose by the enzyme and characterized as a linear 1,3-alpha-D-glucan by GC-MS.

Vaccine, 1985 Mar, 3(1), 65 - 8
Immunization against dental caries; Lehner T; Prevention of dental caries has been investigated by immunization with Streptococcus mutans in rodents and subhuman primates . In addition to cells and cell walls of S . mutans, the enzyme glucosyl transferase and purified protein antigens prepared from S . mutans were successfully used in immunization against dental caries . Subcutaneous immunization of rhesus monkeys elicits significant levels of serum IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies, lymphorproliferative response and T cell helper activity to S . mutans cells and to streptococcal antigen (SA) I/II . These immune responses are associated with significant reduction of caries and colonization by S . mutans . However, oral immunization induced only a modest increase in salivary IgA antibodies to S . mutans and a small reduction in caries . Successful immunization in sub-human primates requires optimal T cell helper and minimal suppressor activities in order to elicit high titre and avidity of IgG antibodies . The SA dose required to elicit an optimal T cell helper function in man is HLA-DR dependent . Serum IgG antibodies pass through the gingival crevicular epithelium onto the tooth surface, where they may opsonize S . mutans for phagocytosis by the local neutrophils and prevent adherence of S . mutans, thereby preventing the development of caries.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Mar, 161(3), 989 - 94
Enhanced secretion of glucosyltransferase by changes in potassium ion concentrations is accompanied by an altered pattern of membrane fatty acids in Streptococcus salivarius; Markevics LJ et al.; Growth of Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 25975 in a Na+-based medium containing 1 to 50 mM K+ enhanced extracellular glucosyltransferase production by 3.7-fold over the level of enzyme found in a K+-based medium containing 184 mM K+ . Enzyme synthesis and secretion were further enhanced in a nonlinear manner with respect to the concentration of K+ in the medium when cells were cultured from an inoculum grown in the presence of 1 mM K+ . This concentration of K+ was the minimum required to maintain a near-maximum growth rate for S . salivarius in medium where K+ was limited . A maximum sevenfold stimulation of glucosyltransferase production occurred at 18 mM K+ under these conditions . Analysis of the total membrane lipids showed that the composition of octadecanoic acid increased with decreasing K+ concentration essentially at the expense of the octadecenoic acid moiety . Extracellular glucosyltransferase production was found to be directly related to the ratio of these two fatty acids . Similar confirmatory results over a greater range of enzyme production were obtained with nonproliferating cell suspensions.

J Hosp Infect, 1985 Mar, 6(1), 98 - 101
Hospital-acquired infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae; Davies AJ et al.; A prospective survey was carried out in the winter of 1983-84 to determine the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumococcal chest infection in a district general hospital . Twenty-one patients (of a total of 103 infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae) were assessed as having hospital-acquired infection . The implication of this and the need for further studies are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1985 Mar, 47(3), 752 - 9
Surface properties of Streptococcus sanguis FW213 mutants nonadherent to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite; Fives-Taylor PM et al.; Seventeen mutants of Streptococcus sanguis FW213 nonadherent to saliva-coated spheroidal hydroxyapatite were isolated after mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate, nitrosoguanidine, nitrous acid, hydroxylamine, or 2-aminopurine . Enrichment for nonadherent mutants was accomplished by successive adsorptions of the adherent strains to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite . After enrichment, variant colonial morphology on tryptic agar was used as a screening technique for selection of nonadherent mutants, with loss of colonial opacity frequently associated with loss of adherence ability . These mutants were further characterized for additional surface properties, including twitching motility, saliva-induced aggregation, coaggregation with Actinomyces species, surface hydrophobicity, and presence of fimbriae . Results from these assays indicated that the nonadherent mutants fell into six phenotypic groups . A correlation between the loss of adherence ability, a decrease in cell fimbriation, and a decrease in surface hydrophobicity is apparent.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 131 ( Pt 3), 533 - 41
Competence-specific autolysis in Streptococcus sanguis; Horne D et al.; Streptococcus sanguis strain Wicky activated to competence for genetic transformation is known to undergo a rapid decrease in optical density upon transfer to an alkaline buffer containing reducing agents . We studied the mechanism of this autolysis-like process and made the following observations . The process was specific because preincubation of the competence inducing factor with a specific inactivating protein prevented both cellular lysis and acquisition of competence for genetic transformation . The optical density decrease of competent bacteria involved the release of a large fraction of intracellular protein, RNA and lipid . However, no hydrolysis of phospholipid and no degradation of cell wall polymers including peptidoglycan could be detected . No peptidoglycan hydrolase activity capable of degrading radiolabelled S . sanguis cell walls was detected in unfractionated S . sanguis extracts . It is suggested that autolysis of competent S . sanguis involves the activity of a novel type of murein hydrolase that introduces only a limited number of bond breaks into the peptidoglycan.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Feb, 38(2), 415 - 22
{Experimental and clinical studies of BRL 25000 (clavulanic acid-amoxicillin) granules in the field of pediatrics}; Minamitani M et al.; BRL 25000 granules, a formulation consisting of amoxicillin (AMPC) and clavulanic acid (CVA), was evaluated in the field of pediatrics . In a pharmacokinetic study, serum concentrations were determined in a patient after oral administration of BRL 25000 granules in the non-fasting state at a dose of 11.76 mg/kg . The serum levels of amoxicillin (AMPC) and clavulanic acid (CVA) 1 hour after administration were 7.76 micrograms/ml and 6.64 micrograms/ml, with biological half-lives of 0.86 hour and 0.88 hour respectively . The serum concentration profile at a dose of 31.58 mg/kg showed almost the same tendency as at 11.76 mg/kg, although the peak level and biological half-life of the serum concentrations were not obtained . These serum levels and their peak levels were considered reasonable compared with those obtained in adults at similar dose levels . In clinical studies, 34 patients were evaluated including 8 patients with acute pharyngitis or acute tonsillitis, 1 patient with acute bronchitis, 1 patient with bronchopneumonia, 23 patients with scarlet fever and 1 patient with pertussis . BRL 25000 granules were administered orally 3-4 times per day for 4-8 days to 2 patients at doses of 20 approximately less than 30 mg/kg/day, to 18 patients at doses of 30 approximately less than 40 mg/kg/day, to 11 patients at doses of 40 less than approximately 50 mg/kg/day, and to 3 patients at doses of 50-60 mg/kg/day . The clinical response was assessed excellent in 13 cases and good in 21 cases giving an overall clinical efficacy rate of 100% (34/34) . The causative organisms were isolated in 17 cases and included 12 strains of Streptococcus group A, 2 S . pneumoniae, 3 H . influenzae and 1 H . parainfluenzae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Med Hypotheses, 1985 Feb, 16(2), 133 - 46
Elevated natural killer (NK) cell activity: a possible role in resistance to infection and malignancy in immunodeficient splenectomized patients; Ferrante A et al.; Splenectomized patients, who have had their spleens removed following trauma, have immune deficiencies . However, the risk of infection (with one exception--septicaemia caused mainly by Streptococcus pneumoniae) and malignancy in these patients appears to be comparable to that of healthy individuals . We propose that a compensatory increase in the activity of effector cells, such as natural killer cells (NK) and macrophages, may protect against infection and malignant diseases in splenectomized individuals.

Chemioterapia, 1985 Feb, 4(1), 113 - 5
Shifting of the penicillin binding proteins that are the target for inhibition by beta-lactams as a likely mechanism of resistance to antibiotics during therapy; Satta G et al.; The penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) that in Streptococcus faecium are the targets for inhibitory activity of beta-lactam antibiotics were analyzed both in cells growing at their fastest and at reduced rates . It was found that while under the former conditions the PBPs showed the highest affinity for penicillin, under the latter the target is shifted to PBP (PBP5) that has a very low affinity for penicillin and other beta-lactams . The possibility that conditions met by Enterococci in human infections cause a shifting of the penicillin target and the possible role of such shifting in resistance to beta-lactams during therapy are discussed.

South Med J, 1985 Feb, 78(2), 159 - 61
Type 8 pneumococcal pneumonia: an outbreak on an oncology ward; Berk SL et al.; An outbreak of four cases of type 8 Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia occurred on an Oncology Ward during a five-day period . All four patients had underlying malignancy and were in close proximity to each other on an open ward . No other patients or hospital personnel had type 8 S pneumoniae on throat or nasopharyngeal cultures . The implications of the outbreak with respect to transmission of this disease and role of pneumococcal vaccination are discussed.

J Pediatr Surg, 1985 Feb, 20(1), 6 - 7
Streptococcus milleri in appendicitis in children; Madden NP et al.; A retrospective survey of 253 appendectomies performed on children over a period of one year was carried out . Streptococcus milleri was isolated from pus in 11 (29%) of the 38 children who developed postoperative infections; it was the most commonly identified pathogen in these children . It is concluded that S milleri is a significant pathogen in childhood appendicitis, and that this fact should be taken into account when antibiotic therapy is being planned.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Feb 1, 186(3), 283 - 4
Tracheal compression secondary to abscessation of cranial mediastinal lymph nodes in a horse; Rigg DL et al.; Respiratory distress and laryngeal paralysis were found to be caused by a Streptococcus equi abscess of cranial mediastinal lymph nodes, putting pressure on the trachea at the thoracic inlet . Surgical drainage was required to relieve the compression, and long-term antibiotic therapy was used to treat the bacterial infection . The trachea returned to normal diameter but left laryngeal hemiplegia persisted . Peritracheal abscesses should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inspiratory dyspnea of the horse.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1985 Feb, 131(2), 290 - 1
Transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of pneumonia in a canine model; Shure D et al.; We evaluated the risk, sensitivity, and specificity of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in a canine model of unilateral Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia and compared the results with our previous studies of these parameters in transthoracic needle aspiration (TTN), a catheter-brush (CB), and transbronchial biopsy (TBB) in the same model . The TBNA was performed in 10 dogs with right lower lobe S . pneumoniae pneumonia . The procedure was uncomplicated, but both the sensitivity and specificity were low (3 of 10 cultures yielded S . pneumoniae; only 1 of the 3 was a pure culture) . This compares unfavorably with our experience with the other procedures: 9 of 10 cultures were pure with TBB and CB, and the remaining culture was sterile; 10 of 10 were pure with TTN . Given the present unprotected form of the bronchoscopic aspirating needle, TBNA does not appear to be useful in the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia despite its usefulness in the diagnosis of intrathoracic malignancy.

Ann Emerg Med, 1985 Feb, 14(2), 126 - 30
Rat bites: fifty cases; Ordog GJ et al.; A prospective study of 50 patients with uninfected rat bite wounds was undertaken to determine the natural incidence of wound infection without prophylactic antibiotics . All open wounds were cultured; bacterial isolates were cultured from 30% of wounds . Of bacterial isolates, 43% were Staphylococcus epidermidis and the remainder were Bacillus subtillus, diphtheroids, and alpha hemolytic Streptococcus . Only one patient (2%) developed an infection . Seventy-two percent of the bites occurred while the patient was sleeping, probably accounting for the fact that 84% of the wounds were on the exposed areas of the upper extremities and face . Treatment recommendations include good surgical management and avoidance of prophylactic antibiotics due to a low natural infection rate . If the wounds become infected, then a cephalosporin or penicillinase-resistant penicillin should be sufficient for treatment with appropriate surgical care of the wounds . Rabies prophylaxis usually is not required, but we suggest that tetanus prophylaxis is mandatory because most of our patients were deficient in this regard.

J Dairy Res, 1985 Feb, 52(1), 113 - 21
Lysin production by phi C2(W), a prolate phage for Streptococcus lactis C2; Mullan WM et al.; A bacteriophage, phi C2(W), which attacked Streptococcus lactis strains C2, ML3 and 712, is described . It had a prolate head and non-contractile tail and produced large haloes around plaques . Infection of eight paired-strain cultures, each containing Str . lactis C2, with phi C2(W) resulted in marked inhibition of acid production for six cultures . Direct phage-nonhomologous "host' contact was not required for inhibition . Lysates of phi C2(W) contained a phage-induced lysin . Evidence is presented that the inhibitory effect of phi C2(W) against paired and multi-strain cultures is due to the lysis of phage-insensitive strains by phage lysin . An isometric phage, phi 712, was shown not to produce such a lysin.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1985 Feb, 93(1), 15 - 20
Binding of lectins to Streptococcus mitis cells . Studies of the specificity of ligand mediated aggregation; Abaas S; Previous studies have shown that the mechanism of spontaneous aggregation of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 depends on a lectin-ligand type interaction . To study the specificity of the ligand, the binding of a number of lectins of different sugar specificities to the surface of untreated, trypsin and beta-galactosidase-treated bacteria was studied by assessing aggregation . Untreated bacteria were rapidly aggregated by concanavalin A (Con A), wheat-germ agglutination (WGA) and helix pomatia lectin (HPL) . Other lectins tested, e.g . peanut agglutinin and soy bean lectin, did not induce aggregation . Lectin-induced aggregation was distinguished from the spontaneous one by recording the course of aggregation and inhibition of lectins by specific sugars . Trypsin-treated bacteria lost their ability for both spontaneous and lectin-induced aggregation . beta-galactosidase-treated bacteria were aggregated only in the presence of Con A and HPL . The bacteria retained their ability for spontaneous aggregation after removal of lectins and inhibitory sugars . These findings suggest that ligand is of glycoprotein nature, since it was removed from the bacterial surface by treatment with trypsin, as shown by the inability of treated cells for both spontaneous and lectin-induced aggregation . Partial degradation of the carbohydrate part of the ligand is indicated by the ability of beta-galactosidase-treated bacteria to aggregate in the presence of Con A and HPL.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Feb, 151(2), 217 - 20
Immune globulin for intravenous use: enhancement of in vitro opsonophagocytic activity of neonatal serum; Givner LB et al.; Neonates born with less-than-protective levels of transplacentally derived specific antibody are at risk for the development of disease due to type III, group B Streptococcus (III-GBS) . The effect of immune serum globulin modified for intravenous use (MISG) on in vitro opsonophagocytosis of III-GBS was evaluated . Cord blood was obtained from 13 healthy, full-term neonates, and bactericidal activity for III-GBS was measured . Before the addition of MISG, one of three serum specimens with moderate levels of antibody to III-GBS, and eight of 10 specimens with low antibody levels demonstrated no bactericidal activity . The mean bactericidal index increased from 27.1% before the addition of MISG to 96.5% with MISG added in a volume equal to that of serum . The effect of MISG on opsonophagocytosis decreased with its dilution in buffer, and no effect was shown at dilutions greater than or equal to 1:4 . Thus, MISG can substantially increase in vitro opsonophagocytosis of III-GBS in sera from newborns.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 Feb, 68(2), 462 - 5
Efficacy evaluation of two new teat dip formulations under experimental challenge; Pankey JW et al.; Two new teat dip formulations were evaluated against Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus in half-udder, experimental challenge studies . The first product contained a combination of 1.9% linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid - .55% iodophor . Incidence of infection was reduced 52.7 and 70.7% for Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus in dipped quarters compared to undipped controls . The second formulation was a barrier-type product consisting of milk protein solubilized with lauryl sulfate, a surface active detergent and 4.8% glycerin . Rates of infection were reduced 60.3 and 67.9% for Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus.

J Dairy Res, 1985 Feb, 52(1), 149 - 57
Role of oxygen radicals in the bacteriostatic effect of whey and production of bacterial growth by free radical scavengers; Mattila T; The involvement of toxic oxygen intermediates in the bacteriostatic effect of milk was determined by producing bacterial growth curves using turbidimetry in the presence and absence of oxygen radical-scavenging substances . Using whey as substrate, catalase, haemoglobin combined with ascorbic acid and xanthine oxidase inhibitors all provided protection against oxygen toxicity for a strain of Staphylococcus aureus and of Streptococcus agalactiae . Superoxide dismutase and mannitol were less effective . This was evident in whey alone and in the presence of oxygen radicals produced exogenously by the t-butylhydroperoxide, H2O2 and xanthine/xanthine oxidase systems.

Arch Intern Med, 1985 Feb, 145(2), 297 - 300
Immunofluorescence studies of cardiac valves in infective endocarditis; Williams RC Jr et al.; Mitral and aortic valves removed at emergency cardiac surgery from a patient with infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus viridans were studied by immunofluorescence to ascertain the extent and pattern of various immune reactants within the large valvular vegetations . Heavy intravalvular deposits of IgG as well as bacterial antigen were present . Much more focal interstitial IgM and C3 deposits were noted within vegetations and valve substance . Diffuse endocardial and subendocardial deposition of C5b-C9 and C9 complement neoantigens was present . Direct staining of valvular tissues and vegetations for rheumatoid factor showed extensive interstitial tissue deposition . These findings emphasize the large amounts of immune reactants and constituents of immune complexes present in valves and vegetations of patients with infective endocarditis.

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1985 Feb, 77(2), 219 - 29
The effect of dimethylnitrosamine on host resistance and immunity; Thomas P et al.; Adult female B6C3F1 mice were injected ip with 0.2 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only or PBS containing 1.5, 3, or 5 mg dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)/kg body wt daily for 14 days . On Day 16, mice were evaluated for changes in immune status as measured by the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), blastogenesis to T- and B-cell mitogens, natural killer (NK) cell function, delayed hypersensitivity, and alveolar macrophage (AM) bactericidal activity; and for changes in host resistance following challenge with various microorganisms or tumor cells . DMN-exposed animals exhibited reduced humoral antibody responses, T-cell mitogenesis, and AM bactericidal activity . B-cell mitogenesis, NK cell activity, and delayed hypersensitivity were increased . Resistance to challenge with Listeria monocytogenes, Trichinella spiralis, or Herpes simplex types 1 or 2 virus (HSV-1, HSV-2) was not significantly impaired, while that to Streptococcus zooepidemicus and influenza virus was significantly reduced . Resistance to B16-F10 tumor challenge was enhanced following DMN exposure . The data show that DMN treatment altered humoral immunity and antibody-mediated host defense mechanisms . Increased NK cell activity may account for the increased resistance to challenge with Herpes virus and B16-F10 tumor cells.

JAMA, 1985 Feb 1, 253(5), 679 - 81
Food-borne streptococcal pharyngitis in a hospital pediatrics clinic; Decker MD et al.; After a potluck luncheon, more than half the staff of a hospital pediatrics clinics became ill . Group A Streptococcus (M precipitin, nontypable; T agglutination type, 8/25; and serum opacity reaction, positive) was isolated from 12 of the 20 ill persons . Food-consumption analysis implicated a rice dressing as the vehicle of transmission . The dressing was prepared by a clinic employee in whom pharyngitis had developed three weeks before the luncheon . This is an unusual outbreak in that the implicated food product was not institutionally or commercially prepared and was not preponderantly composed of milk, eggs, or meat.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Feb, 161(2), 620 - 6
Structural organization of a 67-kilobase streptococcal conjugative element mediating multiple antibiotic resistance; Inamine JM et al.; The molecular organization of the conjugative cat-erm-tet region of Streptococcus agalactiae B109 was examined by cloning large contiguous portions of the strain B109 chromosome, using a cosmid vector system . The organization of this region was compared with pDP5, a plasmid which acquired this resistance element by transposition . Both the chromosomal copy and the transposed copy of the resistance region were found to be 67-kilobases long, although sequences at the boundary of the transposed copy of the element showed some rearrangement . In addition to the stable chromosomal state, we present evidence which suggests the presence of a circular form of the element.

Scand J Dent Res, 1985 Feb, 93(1), 23 - 9
Scanning electron microscopic study of Streptococcus mutans BHT lysed by lysozyme; Twetman S et al.; The effects of purified salivary lysozyme (HSL) and hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) on the surface structure of Streptococcus mutans BHT were studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy . In parallel experiments bacteriolysis was monitored by liberation of 3H-thymidine incorporated into the bacteria . Control cells maintained their shape and had intact cell walls during the experimental period . Exposure of the cells to HSL (5.0 U/ml) or HEWL (5.0 micrograms/ml) for 3 and 18 h resulted in progressive destruction of cell structure . Some cells exhibited ruptures of the cell walls on top of spherical swellings, predominantly located at the ends of the bacteria . After 18 h the majority were disrupted in the septal area leaving numerous empty cup shaped cell walls in the preparations . The findings of the electron microscopic examination were confirmed in the biochemical assay.

Scand J Dent Res, 1985 Feb, 93(1), 13 - 6
Effect of antibody preparations on glucose uptake by a cariogenic Streptococcus; Rolla G et al.; The effect of antisera to whole cells or cell wall components on glucose uptake by S . mutans 6715 was examined . Early stationary phase 6715 cells were treated with test serum and incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of 14C-glucose . Samples were removed at timed intervals and measured in a liquid scintillation counter for radioactive uptake . Antisera to both whole cells and components known to be present on the surface of the cells reduced glucose uptake relative to normal serum . It is suggested that inhibition of glucose uptake may be one mechanism by which a caries vaccine may operate.

J Dent Res, 1985 Feb, 64(2), 85 - 9
Effect of environmental conditions on the fluoride sensitivity of acid production by S . sanguis NCTC 7865; Marsh PD et al.; Growth and environmental conditions affected the fluoride (F) sensitivity of acid production by Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7865 . Cells grown glucose-limited in a chemostat were generally more sensitive than those harvested from cultures in which there was an excess of glucose (amino acid-limited) . There was no consistent relationship between the growth rate of cells and their F sensitivity . Slower-growing cells (mean generation time = 14 hr) were more sensitive than those growing quickly when glucose was the limiting nutrient, whereas the faster growing cells from the glucose-excess culture were most susceptible . The pH of the environment markedly affected the F sensitivity of cells: 2 mM F- was sufficient to abolish acid production by cells incubated at pH 5.0, whereas 24 mM F- did not totally inhibit glycolysis at pH 7.0 or 8.0 . Regardless of pH and growth conditions, the cationic composition of the environment had the most pronounced effect on acid production and fluoride sensitivity . Cells washed and re-suspended in KCl were more acidogenic and more sensitive to F than the same cells treated with saline . At pH 7.0 and 8.0, saline-washed cells were comparatively unaffected by F, while glycolysis by the same cells at the same pH but washed in KCl could be inhibited by up to 80% . These results suggested that F inhibition could not be explained merely on the basis of HF uptake at low pH values . Since it has been shown previously that the activity of the energized membrane is maintained by K+ and dissipated in the presence of Na+, it was proposed that proton motive force (pmf) might be involved in the uptake of F-.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Feb, 27(2), 141 - 5
Antimicrobial therapy of experimental meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae strains with different susceptibilities to penicillin; McCracken GH Jr et al.; The pharmacokinetics and bacteriological efficacies of penicillin G, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and imipenem were determined in rabbits with experimental meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae strains with different penicillin susceptibilities . Drug dosages were adjusted to attain peak concentrations in serum that were similar to those observed in infants and children . In animals infected with a penicillin-susceptible (MBC, 0.008 micrograms/ml) pneumococcus, penicillin G and ceftriaxone reduced the number of organisms in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by greater than or equal to 4.14 log10 CFU/ml after single doses and after 9-h continuous infusions . A single large dose (50 mg/kg) of penicillin G was comparatively ineffective (-2.15 log10 CFU/ml) against a relatively penicillin-resistant (MBC, 0.5 micrograms/ml) strain, whereas ceftriaxone therapy resulted in a 3.66- and 4.77-log10 CFU/ml reduction after single doses and 9-h continuous infusions, respectively . In animals in which meningitis was caused by a penicillin-resistant (MBC, 8.0 micrograms/ml) pneumococcus, a single dose of penicillin (50 or 150 mg/kg) or of ceftriaxone failed to lower the number of organisms in CSF . Vancomycin and imipenem reduced the counts in CSF by at least 2.19 and 4.10 log10 CFU/ml after single doses and 9-h infusions, respectively . In all experiments, a bactericidal titer of greater than or equal to 1:8 in CSF was necessary to achieve a maximal bacteriological effect.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Feb, 131 ( Pt 2), 295 - 9
Expression of a gene for glucan-binding protein from Streptococcus mutans in Escherichia coli; Russell RR et al.; The structural gene for a glucan-binding protein (GBP) of Streptococcus mutans has been inserted into a bacteriophage lambda vector and expressed in Escherichia coli K12 . Lysates of E . coli infected with the recombinant phage contain an antigenic protein of the same size as S . mutans GBP . The GBP synthesized in E . coli can be affinity-purified on immobilized glucan and antiserum raised against it has been shown to precipitate fructosyltransferase activity from S . mutans.

J Dent Res, 1985 Feb, 64(2), 96 - 101
Contribution of stereochemical interactions in the adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis C5 to experimental pellicles; Gibbons RJ et al.; Parameters for the adsorption of Streptococcus sanguis C5 to experimental salivary pellicles were determined to assess the relative contributions of stereochemical and less specific hydrophobic-electrostatic interactions in this process . S . sanguis C5 cells possess hydrophobic surfaces and also an adhesin which exhibits stereochemical binding to sialic acid-containing salivary receptors . The adsorption of S . sanguis C5 to untreated pellicles was significantly better described by a two-site adsorption model than by a one-site model (p less than 0.001) . One class of binding sites had an affinity for the organism that was more than 400 times that of the second class of binding sites . However, adsorption of the organism was better described by a one-site model to asialo pellicles prepared by neuraminidase treatment which destroyed the receptors for the organism's adhesin . The affinity of the organism to sites in asialo pellicles was low, and approximated that to the low-affinity sites in untreated pellicles . These observations suggest that, in the absence of stereochemical interactions involving the organism's adhesin and specific salivary receptors, S . sanguis C5 cells only exhibit low-affinity binding to experimental pellicles . This was substantiated by studies which showed that adsorption of the organism to albumin-coated hydroxyapatite and to polystyrene beads was also better described by a one-site model, and it occurred with only low affinity.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Feb, 131 ( Pt 2), 285 - 93
Purification and characterization of glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans 6715; Furuta T et al.; A water-soluble glucan-synthesizing glucosyltransferase (GTase-S) and a water-insoluble glucan-synthesizing glucosyltransferase (GTase-I) were purified from culture supernatant of Streptococcus mutans 6715 (serotype g) by ammonium sulphate precipitation, chromatofocusing on a Polybuffer exchanger PBE 94 column, and subsequent phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B or hydroxyapatite column chromatography . The GTase-S and GTase-I activities were purified 4019- and 4714-fold, respectively, and the molecular weights were calculated to be 160000 and 165000, respectively . GTase-S had a pH optimum of 5.0, a Km of 8.8 mM for sucrose in the presence of 20 microM-dextran T10, and an isoelectric point of pH 4.3 . GTase-I had two pH optima of 5.0 and 7.0, Km values of 4.9 mM (at pH 5.0) and 7.0 mM (at pH 7.0), mM (at pH 7.0), and an isoelectric point of pH 4.9 . Methylation analysis indicated that the water-soluble glucan produced by GTase-S was a highly branched 1,6-alpha-linked D-glucan with 1,3-linked glucose residues, and that the water-insoluble glucan synthesized by GTase-I was composed of 1,3-alpha-linked glucose units.

J Dent Res, 1985 Feb, 64(2), 90 - 5
Reduction of acidurance of streptococcal growth and glycolysis by fluoride and gramicidin; Bender GR et al.; The acidurance of glycolysis by intact cells of Streptococcus mutans GS-5, Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 25925, and Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 10904 was found to be highly dependent on membrane functions affected by gramicidin, which increases the proton permeability of cell membranes . Plots of % glucose utilized during two hours against suspension pH values for cells suspended in 100 mM phosphate buffer plus 1 mM MgCl2 plus 13.9 mM glucose indicated, for 50% glucose utilization, pH values of 5.0 for S . mutans, 5.7 for S . salivarius, and 6.2 for S . sanguis . Gramicidin treatment shifted these values to 6.0, 6.3, and 6.9, respectively . Growth of S . mutans and S . salivarius in complex media proved to be more acid-sensitive than was glycolysis, and in batch cultures, there was a well-defined, post-growth phase of glycolysis . Minimum pH values for growth and for glycolysis in medium with excess glucose were approximately 4.8 and 4.4, respectively, for S . mutans, and 4.9 and 4.3 for S . salivarius . S . sanguis was less aciduric and showed little differential acid sensitivity, with minimum pH values of about 5.2 for both growth and glycolysis . Fluoride acted to eliminate the differences in acidurance of growth and glycolysis for S . mutans or S . salivarius and to render both processes more acid-sensitive . Thus, glycolysis was more fluoride-sensitive than was growth . Growth was found to be acid-limited in media with initial glucose levels greater than 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5% (weight/volume) for S . sanguis, S . mutans, and S . salivarius, respectively, and to be glucose-limited at lower levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1985 Feb, 99(2), 181 - 3
{Determination of antibodies to Streptococcus group A polysaccharide in human sera by an immunoenzyme method}; Kolesnikova VIu et al.; Use was made of the ELISA to develop a highly sensitive quantitative method for detection of antibodies against Streptococcus group A polysaccharide (polysaccharide A) in human sera . The main advantage is that one can use only one optimal dilution of the sera together with the reference serum . Sera of 53 healthy volunteers and 77 patients with a history of Streptococcus group A infections were screened for the presence of polysaccharide A antibodies . Highly reproducible results were obtained in 97% of cases . The specificity of the method was shown with the polysaccharide A-induced inhibition of the reaction . Positive reactions obtained with the tested sera in gel immunodiffusion correlated with the data derived by the ELISA . Using the latter high level of specific antibodies was found in some of the sera that yielded negative reactions when tested by gel immunodiffusion . This may be associated with the presence of non-precipitating antibodies.

J Immunol, 1985 Feb, 134(2), 1039 - 47
Natural killer (NK) cell activating factor released from murine thymocytes stimulated with an anti-tumor streptococcal preparation, OK-432; Shitara K et al.; Natural killer (NK) activity of mouse splenocytes was significantly augmented when the splenocytes were incubated for 3 to 4 hr with culture supernatants of mouse thymocytes stimulated by OK-432, an antitumor preparation from the Streptococcus pyogenes SU-strain . Antiviral activity was also detected in the culture supernatants, but IL 2 activity was not . When the culture supernatants of thymocytes stimulated by OK-432 were fractionated on a column of Blue Sepharose CL-6B, NK enhancing activity and antiviral activity were observed in partly overlapping fractions that bound to the column . However, the antiviral activity in the Blue Sepharose-bound fraction was neutralized completely by treatment with anti-IFN (alpha, beta) antiserum, whereas significant NK cell enhancing activity was still observed after treatment with anti-IFN (alpha, beta) antiserum . When the Blue Sepharose-bound fraction was subjected to gel filtration, the NK cell enhancing activity was detected in the 25,000 to 35,000 and 40,000 to 67,000 m.w . regions, but antiviral activity was observed in the over 67,000 m.w . region . These results indicate that a new kind of lymphokine, called natural killer cell activating factor (NKAF), distinct from IFN and IL 2, was found . The NKAF was found to have the following properties: its pI value is between pH 5.5 and 6.5, it binds to concanavalin A- and lentil agglutinin-Sepharose, and it is stable with pH 2-24 hr treatment . In addition, NKAF-producing cells were peanut agglutinin (PNA)-thymocytes when thymocytes were fractionated by the agglutination-sedimentation method with the use of PNA.

Eur J Biochem, 1985 Jan 15, 146(2), 417 - 27
Interaction of the pneumococcal amidase with lipoteichoic acid and choline; Briese T et al.; The choline-containing lipoteichoic acid (LTA, Forssman Antigen) of Streptococcus pneumoniae suppresses the activity of the pneumococcal autolysin, an N-acetyl-muramoyl-L-alanine-amidase (amidase) in aqueous solution {Holtje and Tomasz (1975) Proc . Natl Acad . Sci . USA 72, 1690-1694} . The interaction between LTA and enzyme was used to establish a purification by affinity chromatography on LTA-Sepharose . The amidase could be eluted from the column with choline only . This implies that binding of the enzyme to LTA is mediated via the choline residues of the LTA . Upon binding to the LTA-Sepharose, the amidase converted from the applied E-form (an inactive form of the amidase) to the active C-form, a process which up to now was known to be mediated only by the pneumococcal choline-containing wall teichoic acid . Similar interactions between LTA and amidase seemed to occur in membrane fractions derived from choline-grown cells: the membrane-associated enzyme was present in the C-form and could be detached completely with choline, suggesting that the amidase is bound to the membrane attached LTA rather than being a membrane protein itself . This was supported by the absence of amidase activity in membrane fractions derived from ethanolamine-grown pneumococci, in which choline containing LTA is absent . The LTA-Sepharose-associated amidase was not inhibited, but retained its activity . The enzyme was also not inhibited by lipase-digested LTA . Both are conditions where the LTA is not present in micelles, unlike in aqueous solution . Therefore, mere binding to the LTA is probably not responsible for the inhibitory effect, but inhibition is a manifestation of an inaccessibility of the substrate for the amidase when bound to micellar LTA . When the interactions between choline and amidase were investigated, it was found that high choline concentrations (2%) inhibited the enzyme completely . Even in vivo, 2% choline in the culture medium led to phenotypically amidase-deficient pneumococci . Furthermore, in vitro, low choline concentrations (0.1%) suppressed the wall-mediated conversion . On the other hand, with high choline concentrations (2%) conversion took place in the absence of cell walls . Depending on how the amidase has been converted, the apparent Mr of the resulting C-amidase was different: the cell-wall-converted enzyme was of high Mr, whereas the choline-converted and the LTA-Sepharose-eluted enzyme showed an apparent low molecular mass known for the E-form, when analyzed on sucrose gradients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Eur J Biochem, 1985 Jan 2, 146(1), 179 - 83
Kinetics of activation of L-lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus lactis by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate; Hardman MJ et al.; A lag is observed before the steady state during pyruvate reduction catalysed by lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus lactis . The lag is abolished by preincubation of enzyme with the activator fructose 1,6-bisphosphate before mixing with the substrates . The rate constants for the lag phase showed a linear dependence on fructose-1,6-bisphosphate concentration, with a second-order rate constant of 2.0 X 10(4) M-1 s-1, but were independent of enzyme concentration . Binding of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate produces a decrease in the protein fluorescence of the enzyme . The second-order rate constant for the fluorescence change is twice that for the lag in pyruvate reduction . The results suggest that binding of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate induces a conformational change in the enzyme, producing a form with reduced protein fluorescence and increased activity towards pyruvate reduction.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1985, 136(7), 539 - 46
{Cardiac complications of infectious endocarditis}; Petitalot JP et al.; Factors predisposing to cardiac complications and influencing hospital survival, were analysed in a retrospective study of 101 cases of infective endocarditis . Heart failure occurred in 52 p . 100 of our patients . A significantly greater incidence of heart failure was observed in endocarditis with no preexisting heart disease (p less than 0.01), aortic and mitral valve involvement (p less than 0.01), staphylococcus aureus infections (p less than 0.05), arrhythmias (p less than 0.001), and conduction disturbances (p less than 0.01) . Significantly more patients with congestive cardiac failure died in hospital (51 p . 100) than those without congestive cardiac failure (17 p . 100) (p less than 0.001) . Severe heart failure before treatment (p less than 0.05), streptococcus D endocarditis (p = 0.05), supraventricular arrhythmias (p less than 0.05), and intracardiac conduction disturbances (p less than 0.05), significantly increased the hospital mortality in patients with congestive heart failure . Electrocardiographic findings revealed arrhythmias in 34 p . 100 of cases, more commonly with mitral valve involvement (71 p . 100) and 52 p . 100 died in hospital . The development of intracardiac conduction disturbance during the course of 18 cases of endocarditis (aortic valve in 11 cases) was associated with a hospital mortality rate of 60 p . 100 . The incidence of pericarditis and pulmonary embolism was 4 and 7 p . 100 respectively, and all patients died in hospital . Acute inferior myocardial infarction compatible with coronary embolism was suspected in one patient . Early cardiac valve replacement improved the hospital survival in patients with cardiac complications of infective endocarditis.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1985, 17(4), 401 - 6
Clinical evaluation of lysis-centrifugation technique and a biphasic bottle system for blood culture; Malmvall BE et al.; The lysis centrifugation technique (Isolator, DuPont) for blood culture was compared with a system with biphasic medium in bottles . The Isolator was filled with 10 ml of blood once . One aerobic and one anaerobic bottle were injected 3 times with 2.5 ml of blood each . Organisms were detected in 90/748 blood cultures; 26 of which were contaminants . 34 pathogens were detected by both methods, 12 with the Isolator only and 18 with the 3 bottle pairs only . The first pair of bottles revealed 45/52 isolates, the second and third pairs gave an additional 6 and 1 isolate respectively . The contamination rate was 2.3% for the Isolator, which is lower than earlier reported, and 1.3% for the bottles . The most common pathogens were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae . The Isolator gave a faster diagnosis in 23 of the 34 cases . No decrease in the recovery rate was seen after 8 h, the longest recommended transport time for the Isolator tubes . One Isolator gave the same yield as the first pair of bottles and combining the methods increased the yield 25% compared to either method alone.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1985, 17(4), 377 - 86
Severe community-acquired pneumonia: factors influencing need of intensive care treatment and prognosis; Ortqvist A et al.; 53 patients with community-acquired pneumonia requiring treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were studied retrospectively . The majority of patients (77%) had some predisposing factor: illness, smoking or alcoholism . A cause of pneumonia was established in 53% of the cases; Streptococcus pneumoniae was the dominating pathogen . Immediate active treatment was required in 70% of the patients and 58% were treated with mechanical ventilation . The overall mortality was 25% (32% among patients treated with mechanical ventilation) and rose to 39% when a follow-up period of 3.25 years on average was included . A significantly higher mortality rate was seen among elderly patients and among those who were previously immunocompromised or who had a leukocyte count of less than or equal to 9 X 10(9)/l on admission to hospital . It is concluded that although the mortality rate was considerable among the 53 ICU-treated patients with severe community-acquired pneumonias, several were saved by intensive care treatment . Most of those who survived their pneumonia eventually recovered fully.

Gene, 1985, 39(1), 41 - 8
A plasmid vector allowing positive selection of recombinant plasmids in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Prats H et al.; A new plasmid, pSP2, was constructed as a cloning vector for use in Streptococcus pneumoniae . It allows direct selection of recombinant plasmids, even for DNA fragments not homologous to the S . pneumoniae chromosome, as based on the failure to maintain long inverted repeats (LIRs) hyphen-free in bacterial plasmids . Plasmid pSP2 contains a 1.4-kb BamHI fragment ("hyphen") flanked by 1.9-kb LIRs . The removal of the 1.4-kb BamHI fragment followed by ligation creates a plasmid containing a 1.9-kb insert-free LIR; plasmids with such non-hyphenated LIRs were not established when transferred into S . pneumoniae . Replacement of the original 1.4-kb insert by other restriction fragments restored plasmid viability . Investigation of plasmid transfer by transformation suggests that intrastrand synapsis between the LIRs could occur, thus facilitating plasmid establishment (a process we call self-facilitation) . Such an intrastrand synapsis could also account for rare occurrences of insert-inversion noticed upon transfer as well as for the formation of palindrome-deleted derivatives at low frequency . Plasmid pSP2 carries two selectable genes, tet and ermC, and can be used for cloning of fragments produced by a variety of restriction enzymes (BamHI, Bg/II, Bc/I or Sau3A, and Sa/I or XhoI).

Semin Surg Oncol, 1985, 1(3), 105 - 15
Immunochemosurgery for gastric cancer; Kim JP; The effects of immunochemosurgery on 73 patients with stage III gastric cancer who were treated with radical subtotal gastrectomy followed by immunochemotherapy for 18 months during the 5-year period between 1975 and 1980 were compared to the effects of therapy on 64 patients with stage III gastric cancer treated with radical subtotal gastrectomy alone during the period between 1970 and 1980 . For immunotherapy, picibanil (streptococcus pyogenes preparation) was intramuscularly given weekly, and for chemotherapy, either MFC (mitomycin-C, 5-FU, and cytosine arabinoside) regimen I.V . ten times followed by oral 5-FU or FME (5-FU and methyl-CCNU) regimen was given . The percentage of survivors who received postoperative immunochemotherapy compared to that of survivors who received surgery alone differed by approximately 15% . This difference was rather constant with more than 5 years of follow-up . The 5-year survival rate in the immunochemosurgery group was 38.1%, whereas that in the surgery alone group was 24.8%, which was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) . Various immune parameter studies such as 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) test, T lymphocyte count and percent, PHA- and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphoblastogenesis, and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity showed more favorable data in the immunochemosurgery group than in the surgery alone group . The effects of early postoperative immunochemotherapy (immunotherapy from the fourth to fifth postoperative day, and chemotherapy from the eighth to tenth postoperative day) after radical gastrectomy seems to be superior to that of surgery alone for stage III gastric cancer . For stage I and II gastric cancer, radical gastrectomy and postoperative immunotherapy for 3 months would be the best treatment.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1985, 7(4), 465 - 71
Effect of thymosin alpha one on specific antibody response and susceptibility to infection in young and aged mice; Ershler WB et al.; The antibody response to a variety of antigens has been shown to diminish with age . We investigated the capacity for Thymosin Alpha One (T alpha 1) treatment to augment antibody production in tetanus toxoid (TT) and pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PN) inoculated young and old mice . We also measured survival of these immunized mice after aerosol exposure to Streptococcus pneumoniae . As predicted antibody response to TT, but not PN, was significantly reduced in the old animals and T alpha 1 augmented antitetanus antibody in both young and old mice . T alpha 1 did not have an effect on anti pneumococcal antibody production . All mice that had received PN did have an antibody response, yet survival after exposure to the organism was strikingly less in the old animals . Our data support the contention that antibody response to T-dependent antigens (such as tetanus toxoid) falls with aging but can be reconstituted somewhat by thymic factors . Furthermore, for T-independent antigen (such as pneumococcal capsular antigens) the age-related changes are less evident . In the latter situation, the presence of a brisk antibody response after vaccination was not sufficient to prevent pneumonia and death in old animals.

Exp Cell Biol, 1985, 53(5), 260 - 4
Biological activity of synthetic subunits of streptococcus peptidoglycan . III . Relationship of subunit and analogue structure to adjuvant activity in cell-mediated immunity; Pekarek J et al.; Each of a series of synthetic peptidoglycan subunits and subunit analogues was injected in combination with streptococcus type M24 antigen extract . The substances tested were: (8a) N-acetylmuramyldipeptide (MDP) and the following derivatives thereof: MDP modified in positions C3 and C4, or with L-alanine substituted by L-2-aminobutyric acid or with the peptide chain prolonged (by three lysines or a polylysine); (b) some synthetically prepared peptides: a hexapeptide, a tridecapeptide and an octadecapeptide . Configurations in positions C3 and C4 were found essential for the adjuvant effect . Adjuvant activity, though somewhat lower than in MDP, was pronounced in the analogue containing the L-2-aminobutyryl residue . Surprisingly, potent adjuvant effect was displayed by the hexapeptide; prolongation of the peptidic chain was not effective . The use of a polymeric carrier for MDP increased the adjuvant effect . Contrary to expectation, streptococcal antigens used with immunoadjuvant materials showed that induced delayed hypersensitivity was type related.

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 1985, 103(6), 417 - 8
Septic arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint; Blankstein A et al.; A patient with isolated pyogenous arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint (A-C joint) caused by Streptococcus viridans is described . The patient had no underlying disease . Minor trauma preceded shortly the development of the septic process . The patient was treated successfully with surgical drainage and antibiotics . To our knowledge this is the first case report of septic arthritis of the A-C joint caused by Streptococcus viridans . The A-C joint is rarely involved in septic processes . Even conditions such as intravenous drug abuse {3, 6} and renal dialysis {4, 7} which tend to infect unusual joints {5} have only rarely been described in association with A-C septic arthritis.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1985, 174(1), 51 - 8
Pneumococcal antibodies (IgG, IgM) in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease 3 years after pneumococcal vaccination; Kraus C et al.; An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to determine serum content of IgG and IgM antibodies against eight capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae in 19 patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases 3 years after inoculation with a polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine (Moniatrix); 21 unvaccinated patients with comparable diseases served as the control group . The vaccinated group showed slightly more pronounced IgG antibody reactions than the unvaccinated group, but the differences were not statistically significant . These results show that pneumococcal vaccination does not provide long-term protection at least for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1985, 17(1), 33 - 5
Neonatal infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae; Bergqvist G et al.; Three cases of neonatal Streptococcus pneumoniae infections acquired during delivery are described . The cases resembled clinically group B streptococcal infections, presenting either as an early septic-pneumonic type, or as a milder disease.

J Pharm Sci, 1985 Jan, 74(1), 79 - 81
Anticariogenic activity of licorice and glycyrrhizine I: Inhibition of in vitro plaque formation by Streptococcus mutans; Segal R et al.; The effect of licorice and its active sweet component glycyrrhizin was tested on the growth and adherence to glass of the cariogenic Streptococcus mutans . Neither licorice nor glycyrrhizin promoted growth or induced plaque formation . In the presence of sucrose, glycyrrhizin did not affect bacterial growth, but the adherence (plaque formation) was markedly inhibited . At 0.5-1% glycyrrhizin, inhibition was almost complete . These results support our previous suggestions that glycyrrhizin might serve as an efficient vehicle for topical oral medications.

J Clin Immunol, 1985 Jan, 5(1), 55 - 62
Prevention of Streptococcus mutans colonization by salivary IgA antibodies; Gregory RL et al.; The levels of salivary and serum IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies to the seven serotypes (a-g) of Streptococcus mutans were established in 12 laboratory volunteers using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Salivary IgA antibody levels to the serotype c organism were significantly lower (P less than 0.005) than antibody levels to the other six serotypes of S . mutans . Similar results were found with a purified S . mutans serotype c carbohydrate . Serum IgG and IgM antibody titers to the serotype c whole cells were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than to four other S . mutans serotypes (a, e-g) . The abilities of S . mutans serotypes c and d to colonize molar tooth surfaces were examined in eight volunteers . S . mutans serotype d was cleared from the tooth surfaces within 24 hr of challenge, whereas S . mutans serotype c was detected in six of the eight volunteers after 2 weeks and in three of eight after 3 weeks . These results provide additional evidence for the role of salivary IgA antibodies in regulating S . mutans infection and suggest that the low levels of salivary IgA antibodies to S . mutans serotype c may contribute to the predominance of this serotype in the U.S . population.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Jan, 15 Suppl A, 297 - 302
Successful prophylaxis of experimental streptococcal endocarditis with single doses of sublethal concentrations of penicillin; Francioli P et al.; Penicillin prophylaxis against experimental endocarditis due to a strain of Streptococcus intermedius isolated from a patient with endocarditis was studied in rats . The minimum bactericidal concentration of penicillin for this strain was more than 64 mg/l and was higher than the peak penicillin serum level obtained in rats 30 min after the iv injection of 60 mg/kg, and in man after an oral dose of 2 g of phenoxymethyl penicillin . Moreover timed kill curves performed in the presence of 64 mg/l of penicillin showed no decrease in the number of colony-forming units during the first 6 h of incubation and only a 95% decrease after 24 h . In addition, no bactericidal activity could be detected in the serum 30 min after penicillin injection, that is at the time of bacterial challenge . Using the minimum bacterial inoculum needed to produce endocarditis in 90% of control animals (ID90), penicillin successfully prevented endocarditis due to this strain . We conclude that penicillin may prevent streptococcal endocarditis by other mechanisms than bacterial killing.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Jan, 15 Suppl A, 147 - 52
Effect of antibiotics eliminated by first order kinetics; Bergan T et al.; We wanted to simulate the conditions within the body where bacteria are exposed to antibiotics at concentrations which diminish exponentially and thus do not remain constant as in the usual test systems for determination of the minimum inhibitory or bactericidal concentrations (MIC, MBC) . For this purpose we employed a model with a glass chamber containing a constant volume of culture which was supplied continuously with medium at a constant rate . We studied the pattern of bacterial response using a series of bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents added to the system at various multiples of the MIC of several bacterial strains, and using different rates of elimination of the antibacterial agent . Strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes were exposed to amoxicillin, ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, carbenicillin, cefazolin, chloramphenicol, flucloxacillin, gentamicin, or oxytetracyclin . The bacteria were killed or maintained at their initial density depending on the antibiotic and its concentration . The main findings were: for most drugs drop in bacterial number persisted while the concentration of the chamber remained above MIC, a period of time elapsed before recovery and bacterial multiplication resumed at the same rate as in control cultures, the period of antibacterial postantibiotic effect lasted longer with Gram-positive than with Gram-negative species, the point in time when the bacteria resumed multiplication corresponded to the IC50 . We observed only minor differences in the pattern of bacteria during exposure to potentially bactericidal agents compared to antibiotics with mainly bacteriostatic effects.

Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris), 1985 Jan, 34(1), 1 - 3
{Prevention of bacterial endocarditis}; Bouvet A et al.; Prevention of bacterial endocarditis is aimed at limiting the frequency, size, and duration of transient bacteremia with subsequent bacterial implantation on valvular endothelium in patients with cardiopathy . Any procedure involving mucosa rich in normal flora or an infectious site can result in bacteremia, which can be minimized by selecting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which are least traumatic . In addition, proper antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered according to the most frequently encountered bacteria: Streptococcus viridans during dental manipulations, enterococci during urogenital or intestinal procedures, and staphylococcal species from skin lacerations or cardiac surgery . The different antibiotic prophylactic regimens suggested at the present time vary according to the patient and the particular circumstances surrounding his illness . These regimens should be modified according to future epidemiologic findings in bacterial endocarditis.

Immunology, 1985 Jan, 54(1), 189 - 93
Local and systemic immune response to orally administered liposome-associated soluble S . mutans cell wall antigens; Wachsmann D et al.; The aim of the present study was to develop an immunization procedure which preferentially stimulated the IgA system of rats, with release of IgA in secretions . Rats immunized by intragastric route with liposome-associated soluble antigen extracted from Streptococcus mutans cell wall, showed a significantly higher IgA (and IgG) response than did rats injected with the soluble antigen alone . In saliva, maximal antibody titres were obtained 11 days after the beginning of intubations for IgA, and 16 days for IgG . After a booster immunization, the secondary response occurred very quickly in saliva and, like the primary response, it was almost exclusively of the IgA class . This demonstrates, on one hand the existence of immunological memory in the IgA system and, on the other, the efficiency of liposomes as insoluble adjuvants in eliciting an immunological response.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jan, 47(1), 277 - 81
Anaerobic phagocytosis, killing, and degradation of Streptococcus pneumoniae by human peripheral blood leukocytes; Thore M et al.; Encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae of serotypes 2, 9N, 14, 21, and 23F and an unencapsulated variant of type 2 pneumococci were efficiently phagocytosed by both aerobically and anaerobically incubated human leukocytes . In the presence of O2, the pneumococci rapidly lost their viability, whereas during anaerobiosis, killing was considerably delayed . Type 14 pneumococci radiolabeled with {14C}choline or {14C}ethanolamine for cell wall teichoic acid, {14C}uracil for nucleic acids, or {14C}arachidonic acid for unsaturated cytoplasmic membrane lipids were used in studies of the fate of bacterial macromolecules after phagocytosis . The degradation of teichoic acid, RNA, and DNA during anaerobiosis approached that recorded in air at 60 min of incubation (45 to 70% and 55 to 75%, respectively) . In contrast, the marked loss of {14C}arachidonic acid from pneumococcal membrane lipids observed in aerobic leukocytes did not occur during anaerobic incubation . Hence, lipid peroxidation could be involved in the rapid aerobic leukocyte killing of pneumococci, whereas a different leukocyte function of as yet unknown nature appears to be responsible for the killing seen in anaerobiosis . Autolysis-resistant type 14 pneumococci were obtained by substituting ethanolamine for choline in a defined culture medium . Differences between such bacteria and normal (autolytic) pneumococci in their killing and degradation by leukocytes were not detected in either the presence or the absence of O2 . The aerobic and anaerobic handling of phagocytosed pneumococci by human blood leukocytes thus proceeded independently of the bacterial autolytic system.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jan, 47(1), 271 - 6
Purification and preliminary characterization of exo-beta-D-fructosidase in Streptococcus salivarius KTA-19; Takahashi N et al.; Streptococcus salivarius fructosidase (beta-D-fructan fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.80) was purified to homogeneity . The molecular weight of the fructosidase was estimated to be 83,000 to 85,000 by gel filtration and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The pH optimum of the enzyme was 7.0, and the isoelectric point was pH 4.7 . The purified enzyme preparation hydrolyzed levan, inulin, and several 2-beta-linkage-containing oligosaccharides such as sucrose and raffinose, but not melezitose, dextran, and pseudonigeran . The fructosidase was inhibited by Fe3+, Cu2+, Hg2+, and Ag+, but not by Ca2+, Co2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+, at a concentration of 10(-3) M . Mn2+ was particularly effective in stimulating activity at the same concentration . The presence of either EDTA or KCN also increased fructosidase activity by 20 to 30% . The enzyme was susceptible to sulfhydryl reagents since p-chloromercuribenzoate (10(-7) M) produced 63% inhibition of the activity . However, this inhibition was overcome in the presence of cysteine . This enzyme acts as an exofructosidase since thin-layer chromatographic analysis revealed that D-fructose was formed from levan or inulin by the action of the enzyme.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jan, 47(1), 217 - 27
Surface structures (peritrichous fibrils and tufts of fibrils) found on Streptococcus sanguis strains may be related to their ability to coaggregate with other oral genera; Handley PS et al.; We screened 36 strains of Streptococcus sanguis biotype I and 8 strains of S . sanguis biotype II for the presence of surface structures and for their ability to coaggregate with Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Fusobacterium nucleatum . Negative staining under an electron microscope revealed detectable surface structures on all S . sanguis strains . The majority of strains (38 of 44) carried peritrichous fibrils, which have an irregular profile and no distinct width . They usually appeared as a fringe with a constant width around the cell . Strains selected for measurement had a fringe with an average length of 72.4 +/- 8.5 nm on biotype I strains and 51.6 +/- 3.3 nm on biotype II strains . Some fibrillar biotype I strains carried an additional, longer (158.7 +/- 33.1 nm) type of fibril projecting through the shorter fibrils . Fibrillar density was characteristic for each strain, ranging from very dense on all cells in a population to very sparse on a few cells in a population . A small group of six strains carried tufts of fibrils in a lateral or polar position on the cell . Either one or two lengths of fibril were present in the tuft depending on the strain . One strain carried both peritrichous fibrils and fimbriae . Fimbriae are flexible structures with a constant width (4.5 to 5.0 nm) all along their length but very variable lengths (less than or equal to 0.7 micron) on each cell . S . sanguis I and II both included strains with peritrichous fibrils and tufts of fibrils, but the mixed morphotype strain was confined to biotype II . Fibrils were present on cells at all stages throughout the growth cycle for the strains tested . Freshly isolated fibrillar strains coaggregated consistently well with A . viscosus and A . naeslundii, although some fibrillar reference strains lacked the ability . In addition, all tufted strains could not coaggregate, but the strains with the mixed morphotype coaggregated well . Coaggregation with F . nucleatum was very strong for the fibrillar strains, but less strong for the tufted strains . We discuss the possible correlation between S . sanguis surface structure and ability to coaggregate.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jan, 47(1), 129 - 34
Effects of oxygen on pyruvate formate-lyase in situ and sugar metabolism of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis; Yamada T et al.; The strictly anaerobic metabolism of sugar in strains of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis was studied because deep layers of dental plaque are strictly anaerobic . Galactose-grown cells of these streptococcal strains had higher pyruvate formate-lyase activity than did glucose-grown cells . Among these strains, two strains of S . mutans had a significantly higher pyruvate formate-lyase activity than did the others . This enzyme is extremely sensitive to oxygen, and even in situ the enzyme was inactivated by exposure of the cells to air . Lactate was less than 50% of the total end product of the strictly anaerobic incubation of the galactose-grown cells of S . mutans with excess glucose, and a significant amount of formate, acetate, and ethanol was produced through the catalysis of pyruvate formate-lyase . But the cells exclusively produced lactate when exposed to air for 2 min before the anaerobic incubation . The metabolism of sorbitol by S . mutans was seriously impaired by the exposure of the cells to oxygen, and the metabolic rate was reduced to less than 1/20 of that found under strictly anaerobic conditions because of the inactivation of pyruvate formate-lyase . S . sanguis produced a smaller amount of the volatile products from glucose than did S . mutans because of the low level of pyruvate formate-lyase . However, the pyruvate formate-lyase in situ in S . sanguis was less sensitive to oxygen than was that in S . mutans . Because of this low sensitivity, S . sanguis metabolized glucose more rapidly under aerobic conditions, whereas the rates of the aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of glucose by S . mutans were similar, which suggests that S . mutans rather than S . sanguis can sustain the rapid sugar metabolism in the deep layers of dental plaque.

Rev Argent Microbiol, 1985, 17(1), 41 - 6
{Immunologic identification of Streptococcus mutans using microimmunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis technics}; Borgarelli MB et al.; The St . mutans strains studied were: HS6 "a"; BHT "b"; IB "c"; B13 "d"; LM7 "e"; OMZ175 "f"; OMZ65 "g"; SL1 "SL"; 6715 "d/g" . Immune sera and antigen preparation as well as antigen-antibody reactions were performed using the above-mentioned strains . The immune sera were obtained following Knox technique, including formolated immunogen with and without adjuvant . Linzer method was followed for rabbit immunization . The antigen extract were prepared according to Rantz and Randall method . The antigen-antibody reaction were carried out by microimmunodiffusion (MID) Ouchterlony technique and by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) according to De Torres method . A good correlation was found in the antigen-antibody reactions for the serotypes studied . MID and CIE revealed some cross-reactions, as already described by many investigators . The results obtained are compatible with St . mutans antigenic instability . The eight serotypes from St . mutans could possibly be reduced to four related groups: Group 1: serotypes "a-d-g-SL"; Group 2: serotype "e-f"; Group 3: serotype "c" (uncertain position: it can be related with group 1 or 2); Group 4: serotype "b" . CIE is a convenient technique to be incorporated for immunological determination.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1985, 136(2), 91 - 6
{Current aspects of infectious endocarditis . Review of 101 cases}; Allal J et al.; One hundred and one cases of infectious endocarditis were reviewed, from 1966 to 1982 . The mean age of the patients was 56.3 +/- 15 years . There was a marked predominance of men (70.2 p . 100); the commonest portal of entry was dental (45.9 p . 100); the number of iatrogenic portals of entry and cases of endocarditis on prosthetic valves has been increasing in recent years . Blood cultures were positive in 83 p . 100 of cases; the commonest responsible organism was the non-D streptococcus (31 p . 100 of cases) followed by the D streptococcus (18.8 p . 100), the staphylococcus aureus (17.8 p . 100), and the staphylococcus epidermidis (2.9 p . 100) . Gram-negative bacilli were isolated in 9.9 p . 100 of cases . Rare and slow growing organisms have been isolated since 1977 . Echocardiography was then introduced and helped the diagnostic in 70 p . 100 of cases . Circulating immune complexes were measured in 25 patients and were found to be raised in 14 cases (56 p . 100) . The commonest complication was cardiac failure (43 p . 100) which led to valve replacement in the acute phase in 14 p . 100 of cases . The occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias was a poor prognostic factor . The other complications were neurological (15 p . 100), renal (10 p . 100), embolic (19 p . 100), and pulmonary (9 p . 100) . The mortality rate in the acute phase was 30 p . 100 and the probability of a five year survival was 54 p . 100.

Gene, 1985, 38(1-3), 103 - 10
N-Methyl transferase of Streptomyces erythraeus that confers resistance to the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antibiotics: amino acid sequence and its homology to cognate R-factor enzymes from pathogenic bacilli and cocci; Uchiyama H et al.; The nucleotide sequence of a structural gene ermE for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) N6-amino adenine N-methyl transferase (NMT) of Streptomyces erythraeus, cloned by Thompson et al . {Gene 20 (1982) 51-62}, has been determined . The NMT amino acid (aa) sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence contains extensive homology to aa sequences of cognate NMTs specified by: (1) plasmid pE194 from Staphylococcus aureus, 30% G + C, ermC; (2) plasmid pAM77 from Streptococcus sanguis, 43% G + C; as well as to (3) a chromosomal determinant from Bacillus licheniformis 759, 46% G + C, ermD, cloned in a recombinant plasmid pBD90 . These findings suggest that all four NMT structural genes could have evolved from a common progenitor sequence despite the wide range of % G + C of the erm genes reflecting their current respective hosts . Comparison of the four NMT sequences with respect to localized hydrophobicity averaged over a moving window of 11 aa indicates that the common features of localized hydrophobicity that characterize the C-terminal portion of the ermE and ermD proteins are distinguishable from a contrasting pattern of hydrophobicity that characterizes the ermC and pAM77-coded proteins.

C R Acad Sci III, 1985, 300(18), 679 - 84
{Simultaneous immunocytochemical demonstration of the centrosphere and nucleolar organizer in cultured human cells}; Maunoury R; A rabbit showing natural centrosphere-immunoreactivity was immunized with streptococcus pyogenes type 24 (S 24) . During the immunization, an additional NOR-immunoreactivity appeared . This reactivity was not inhibited after the serum absorption by S 24 and seems fortuitous . The simultaneous immunoperoxidase technique staining centrosphere and NOR is described and illustrated during successive phases of mitosis . Unique as of this date, this serum may serve as a useful tool to study the centrosphere and NOR.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1985 Jan-Feb, 94(1 Pt 1), 14 - 7
Inefficacy of penicillin V in acute laryngitis in adults . Evaluation from results of double-blind study; Schalen L et al.; Patients with acute laryngitis following an upper respiratory tract infection are often treated with antibiotics for their voice complaints, although, to our knowledge, the effect of such therapy has not been examined . In the present study, comprising 100 adults with laryngitis, the rate of resolution of vocal symptoms, as estimated from voice recordings or subjectively by the patients, was the same in patients who received penicillin V (pcV) as in those who received placebo . Similarly, the degree of rhinorrhea/nasal congestion and cough was not significantly influenced by pcV treatment . At the acute visit, nasopharyngeal cultures revealed Branhamella catarrhalis in 50%, Hemophilus influenzae in 15% and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 1% of the patients; the rate of elimination of these bacteria was the same in the pcV as in the placebo group . Thus, while suggesting that B catarrhalis and H influenzae are important for the pathogenesis of the disorder, our results do not provide support for the use of pcV in acute laryngitis.

Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl, 1985, 92, 45 - 7
How to detect bacterial contamination prior to transplantation; Buchholz B et al.; The mortality of kidney transplantation generally amounts to 10% due to infections and GIT complications . Once grafting a Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus contaminated kidney the recipient had to undergo emergency surgery four times . Hence it has become our routine to sample the perfusate on blood culture media . Among 145 donor nephrectomies the microbiologic examination of the kidney perfusate in which the graft is stored and transported turned out to be positive in 28% . Four out of five germs isolated after incubation on blood culture media were of the non-pathogenic type seen in the normal flora of the skin . Making use of the CIT (24-30 hours) we cultured the perfusate on blood media . Since the temporary results of the microbiological examination are obtained within 12 hours we can initiate the first choice antibiotic therapy already at the time of transplantation . Though there was proof of highly pathogenic bacteria clinical infection occurred in none of our patients among a total of 114 grafts . The outstanding clinical importance of this diagnostic tool arises from the time sparing information of any contamination and the early hint at the first choice of antibiotics . The distinct application of antibiotics according to the result of the perfusate culture on blood culture media is superior to a general antibiotic cover.

Ter Arkh, 1985, 57(8), 118 - 21
{Antibodies to polysaccharides of group A Streptococcus in patients with rheumatism after mitral commissurotomy}; Sukharev AM et al.; Gel precipitation was employed to detect antibodies to the A-polysaccharide specific antigenic determinant in blood serum of 131 patients with different versions of rheumatic fever . 21 patients with non-rheumatic myocarditis, 25 convalescents following quinsy, and 58 donors . It was established that high titers of antibodies to A-polysaccharide in patients with protracted and latent rheumatic fever correlate with the clinical and morphological signs of the process activity . Elevation of the antibody titers after mitral commissurotomy made to 107 patients was recorded only in those with exacerbation or activation of rheumatic fever . During the first year after mitral commissurotomy as well as at the preoperative period, the titers of antibodies to A-polysaccharide in patients with protracted rheumatic fever were higher than in those with latent and inactive disease patterns.

Int J Biochem, 1985, 17(7), 767 - 73
Uptake of iron from hemoglobin and the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex by hemolytic bacteria; Francis RT Jr et al.; The abilities of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes to remove iron from mouse 59Fe hemoglobin that was either in free form or complexed with human haptoglobin, were evaluated . 59Fe hemoglobin from the amphibian Taricha granulosa was also used in free form or complexed with the amphibian's hemoglobin-binding proteins . Contrary to what was reported from a study using pathogenic Escherichia coli, haptoglobin failed to exhibit a bacteriostatic influence when complexed with hemoglobin . In our study, more 59Fe was removed by the bacteria from the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex than from free mouse hemoglobin . The hemoglobin and hemoglobin-plasma protein complexes of Taricha were stripped of 59Fe at similar rates and extents by both bacterial species.

J Basic Microbiol, 1985, 25(6), 393 - 400
Expression in Escherichia coli of streptococcal plasmid-determined erythromycin resistance directed by the cat gene promoter of pACYC 184; Malke H et al.; The streptococcal erythromycin resistance (Emr) plasmid pSM7 (6.4 kb) and the E . coli vector pACYC184 (4.0 kb) were fused at their single EcoRI sites to form the bifunctional chimeric plasmid pSM7184 (10.4 kb) in which the Emr determinant was placed under control of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat) promoter of pACYC184 . In the sense orientation (orientation I) of pSM7, the cat promoter directed expression of Emr in the E . coli host strains 294 and DB11 more efficiently than did the indigenous transcription signals of pSM7, which were functional in the opposite orientation II . In Streptococcus sanguis (Challis), the level of Emr was independent of the orientation of pSM7 in pACYC184, showing that the cat promoter was not recognized in the gram-positive host . The growth of E . coli (pSM7184I) in a defined medium containing glycerol as carbon source, or containing glucose plus extraneous cyclic 3'-5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) led to an Emr level which was 15-30 times higher than that of cultures grown on glucose . These results showed that under control of the cat promoter, Emr is subject to cAMP-mediated catabolite repression and provided conclusive evidence that the enhancement of Emr expression in E . coli carrying pSM7184I is controlled at the transcriptional level . Besides enabling us to determine the orientation of transcription of the Emr gene in pSM7 and related vectors, this work also made available new bifunctional cloning vehicles able to replicate in both E . coli and S . sanguis.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1985, 64(2), 95 - 102
{Use of muramyl dipeptides in models of synthetic vaccines}; Audibert F; Vaccination represents a great success in clinical immunology and new approaches for designing vaccines of the future are now available . Protective antigens could be obtained by recombinant DNA technology or by synthesis . These new immunogens are likely to be poor immunogens and require the use of carrier and adjuvants . Both carrier and adjuvant present some limitations . In this report we consider how synthetic glycopeptides analogous to muramyl dipeptide (MDP) can be used as adjuvants under suitable conditions and can also overcome some problems due to the carrier . Muramyl dipeptides and chiefly Murabutide (NAcMur-L-Ala-D-Gln-alpha-n-butyl-ester) which is a derivative currently undergoing clinical trials can enhance the immune response to conventional purified vaccines . They can be also used in synthetic vaccines . In this case they are more active when covalently linked to the immunogen . Several examples of semisynthetic monovalent and polyvalent vaccines (Streptococcus, diphtheria toxin, Hepatitis B, Plasmodium) are described as well as totally synthetic vaccines (LH-RH, Foot-and-Mouth disease virus) . They demonstrate that by using Murabutide biologically active antibodies can be produced under conditions applicable to human use.

Gynecol Obstet Invest, 1985, 19(3), 124 - 9
Rapid in vitro replication of group B streptococcus in term human amniotic fluid; Hemming VG et al.; 4-hour in vitro growth curves of a type III group B streptococcus (GBS) and Escherichia coli were examined in sterile term human amniotic fluid specimens . Both bacterial strains proliferated despite ratios of phosphate to elemental zinc in the range reportedly inhibitory for E . coli . After 4 h of incubation, despite comparable inocula, GBS numbers exceeded those of E . coli by 10-fold . The strikingly rapid growth of some GBS strains in amniotic fluid may represent yet another factor responsible for perinatal GBS infection of the human neonate.

J Pediatr Orthop, 1985 Jan-Feb, 5(1), 101 - 3
Group A streptococcal postvaricella osteomyelitis; Griebel M et al.; Osteomyelitis as a complication of varicella has been rarely reported . We report two individual cases of postvaricella osteomyelitis in which group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was implicated . In the first case group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was isolated from blood cultures and bone aspirate cultures from the femoral metaphysis . The second case of postvaricella osteomyelitis involved the distal fibula and was diagnosed by characteristic radiographic changes in the distal fibula, a positive bone scan, purulent varicella lesions that contained group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, and a prompt response to penicillin therapy . These cases have implications for the choice of appropriate antimicrobial therapy in the treatment of osteomyelitis complicating varicella.

Circ Shock, 1985, 15(2), 123 - 9
Unsuspected mesenteric hypoperfusion despite apparent hemodynamic recovery in the early phase of septic shock in piglets; Meadow WL et al.; We have developed an animal model of group B beta Streptococcal sepsis especially conducive to observation of hemodynamic sequelae of the early phases of septic shock . In piglets (N = 7), direct continuous measurements were made of aortic pressure (AOP), left atrial pressure (LAP), central venous pressure (CVP), mesenteric artery blood flow (QMES), and pulmonary artery blood flow, equivalent to cardiac output (CO) . Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and regional mesenteric vascular resistance (MVR) were calculated . Sepsis was induced by bolus intravenous administration of live, washed, type 1b group B beta Streptococcus (GBS) at approximately 1 X 10(10) organisms/kg . Early in septic shock, AOP, LAP, CO, and QMES fell to 66%, 20%, 62%, and 34% of pre-GBS levels, respectively, while SVR and MVR rose to 139% and 224% of control . The decrease in QMES and increase in MVR were significantly more extensive than the fall in CO or the rise in SVR, respectively . Subsequently, systemic hemodynamic function improved over time while regional mesenteric circulation did not . AOP and CO recovered to 86% and 88% of pre-GBS levels, respectively, and SVR returned to 105% of baseline . However, QMES remained only 48% of control, and MVR continued at 173% of pre-GBS levels . Mesenteric blood flow could not accurately be inferred from measurements of either AOP or CO during sepsis in these piglets . Relative mesenteric hypoperfusion persisted despite systemic hemodynamic recovery during this GBS sepsis protocol.

Biochem J, 1985 Jan 1, 225(1), 107 - 11
Human serum amyloid P component, a circulating lectin with specificity for the cyclic 4,6-pyruvate acetal of galactose . Interactions with various bacteria; Hind CR et al.; Serum amyloid P component (SAP), a normal plasma glycoprotein, has recently been shown to have Ca2+-dependent binding specificity for methyl 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (MO beta DG) {Hind, Collins, Renn, Cook, Caspi, Baltz & Pepys (1984) J . Exp . Med . 159, 1058-1069} . SAP was found to bind in vitro to Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, the cell wall of which is known to contain this particular cyclic pyruvate acetal of galactose . SAP also bound in similar amounts (approx . 6000 molecules per organism) to group A Streptococcus pyogenes, but very much less was taken up on Xanthomonas campestris, which contains the 4,6-cyclic pyruvate acetal of mannose . No SAP bound to Escherichia coli, which contains the 4,6-cyclic pyruvate acetal of glucose, or to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 4, which contains the 2,3-cyclic pyruvate acetal of alpha- rather than beta-galactopyranoside, or to other organisms (Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis), the carbohydrate structures of which are less well characterized . Binding of SAP to those organisms which it did recognize was completely inhibited or reversed by millimolar concentrations of free MO beta DG . SAP, a human plasma protein, thus behaves as a lectin and may be a useful probe for its particular specific ligand in the cell walls of bacteria and other organisms.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Jan, 49(1), 115 - 9
Streptococcus-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pSA3 and its use in the cloning of streptococcal genes; Dao ML et al.; A shuttle vector that can replicate in both Streptococcus spp . and Escherichia coli has been constructed by joining the E . coli plasmid pACYC184 (chloramphenicol and tetracycline resistance) to the streptococcal plasmid pGB305 (erythromycin resistance) . The resulting chimeric plasmid is designated pSA3 (chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracycline resistance) and has seven unique restriction sites: EcoRI, EcoRV, BamHI, SalI, XbaI, NruI, and SphI . Molecular cloning into the EcoRI or EcoRV site results in inactivation of chloramphenicol resistance, and cloning into the BamHI, SalI, or SphI site results in inactivation of tetracycline resistance in E . coli . pSA3 was transformed and was stable in Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans in the presence of erythromycin . We have used pSA3 to construct a library of the S . mutans GS5 genome in E . coli, and expression of surface antigens in this heterologous host has been confirmed with S . mutans antiserum . A previously cloned determinant that specifies streptokinase was subcloned into pSA3, and this recombinant plasmid was stable in the presence of a selective pressure and expressed streptokinase activity in E . coli, S . sanguis (Challis), and S . mutans.

J Am Acad Dermatol, 1985 Jan, 12(1 Pt 2), 161 - 4
Eosinophilic panniculitis; Burket JM et al.; A patient is described who developed sore throat, palpable purpura, and a distinctive panniculitis . The pathologic alterations in the subcutis were similar to what Wells described in the dermis as eosinophilic cellulitis . In our experience the presence of such a picture primarily in the subcutis is unique . Streptococcus is implicated as a possible antigenic stimulus for the process in this patient.

South Med J, 1985 Jan, 78(1), 67 - 8
Group B streptococcal cellulitis; Pathak A et al.; We have described a 2-week-old infant with cellulitis in the left submandibular region due to beta hemolytic Streptococcus, group B, and presented 16 additional cases compiled from the literature.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(11-12), 863 - 4
Transmission of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans to young Macaca fascicularis monkeys from human nursery attendants; Jordan HV et al.; Streptococcus mutans was detected in the mouths of 2 out of 7 infant monkeys that had been delivered by caesarian section and nursery-reared without contact with their mothers or other monkeys . Their human nursery attendants all harboured Strep . mutans biotype c (c serotype) as found in the monkeys . Bacteriocin studies also indicated similarity between the animal and human isolates . These findings suggest that the infant monkeys acquired Strep . mutans from the nursery personnel . Evidence for the reverse transmission of enterococci, from monkeys to man was also obtained.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(11-12), 777 - 80
The cariogenicity of sucrose, glucose and maize starch in gnotobiotic rats mono-infected with strains of the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus milleri; Horton WA et al.; Twenty-one-day-old weanling gnotobiotic WAG/RIJ rats were mono-infected with Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832, Streptococcus salivarius JMB or Streptococcus milleri NCTC 11169, and maintained on a high carbohydrate diet containing sucrose, glucose or maize starch for 21-days . Fissure caries developed with all combinations of streptococcal strain and carbohydrate except maize starch/Streptococcus salivarius JMB . Caries incidence was highest with Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 . For all species, the ranking of carbohydrates by cariogenic potential was sucrose greater than glucose greater than maize starch.

Swed Dent J, 1985, 9(4), 149 - 55
Cariogenicity of isomaltulose (palatinose), sucrose and mixture of these sugars in rats infected with Streptococcus mutans E-49; Sasaki N et al.; Each of three groups of Wistar rats, 19-20 animals per group, was fed an experimental diet containing either (1) isomaltulose 56%, (2) sucrose 56%, or (3) a mixture of isomaltulose and sucrose (17.5% + 38.5%) . The animals were infected with Streptococcus mutans E-49 and one half of the animals was kept on the diet for 8 weeks and the other half for 14 weeks . Only sulcal caries was found in the isomaltulose animals after 8 weeks and 14 weeks . the group fed sucrose had high numbers of carious bucco-lingual, proximal and sulcal surfaces . The group fed the mixture of sucrose and isomaltulose had fewer lesions than the sucrose group on bucco-lingual surfaces after the 8 week experiment (P less than 0.01) and fewer bucco-lingual and proximal surfaces (P less than 0.01) after the 14 week experiment.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(8), 635 - 9
Relationship of adhesion in vitro and cariogenicity of oral Streptococcus species in germ-free rats; Willcox MD et al.; Thirty-two strains of Streptococcus spp., of known cariogenicity in the gnotobiotic WAG/RIJ rat, were tested for their in vitro adhesion properties . Computerized image analysis measured percentage coverage by, and clump size of, cells adhering to saliva-coated glass . An analysis of variance revealed significant differences for percentage coverage for the majority of species-pairs . There were fewer significant differences for mean clump size between species-pairs . Within the Strep . mutans group there was a highly-significant difference between Strep . mutans/Strep . cricetus (p less than 0.01) with respect to mean clump size . There was a significant correlation between cariogenicity and percentage coverage (p = 0.05) but not clump size (p = 0.359) for pooled strains of Strep . mitis and Strep . sanguis combined.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(5), 381 - 4
Anti-dental caries effect in rats and man of a bacteriocin purified from the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans C3603; Ikeda T et al.; Specific pathogen-free rats infected with Streptococcus mutans PS-14 (serotype c) and fed a cariogenic diet containing 380 parts/10(6) of bacteriocin, purified from Strep . mutans C3603, developed significantly fewer carious lesions than controls infected with Strep . mutans and fed the same diet without bacteriocin . The caries-inhibitory effect was 58.7 per cent . Oral appliances fixed with bovine enamel slabs were worn by volunteers to test bacteriocin C3603 . The enamel slabs were treated with 500 parts/10(6) bacteriocin in 3 per cent sucrose solution for 10 min, 4 times daily, or with 3 per cent sucrose solution, 3 times daily, for 10 min and just before bedtime with 500 parts/10(6) bacteriocin once for 1 min . The bacteriocin exerted a strong inhibition of cariogenicity of sucrose.

Swed Dent J, 1985, 9(2), 81 - 7
Palatinose--a sucrose substitute . Pilot studies; Takazoe I et al.; Pilot studies on isomaltulose, (Palatinose), a sucrose substitute, including acid production in plaques, acid production in suspensions of dental plaque material or of Streptococcus mutans were performed, as well as studies on the effect of isomaltulose on glucan synthesis, by Strep . mutans . Also an experimental caries study in the rat was carried out in a few animals . The results indicated that isomaltulose is only slowly fermented in the oral cavity and that glucan formation from isomaltulose, if any, is very small . Sulcal caries only was found in rats challenged with isomaltulose . Since the animals developed very well on the isomaltulose diet and did not have stomach disorders, isomaltulose is considered to be of great interest as a sucrose-like, low-cariogenic and nontoxic sucrose substitute.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(4), 377 - 9
Mouth-to-mouth transmission of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans between mother and child; Berkowitz RJ et al.; The production of bacteriocins by 314 Streptococcus mutans isolates from 20 mother-infant pairs was studied to test the likelihood of maternal transmission of this species . The patterns of inhibition were sufficiently different to allow differentiation of the 314 isolates into 41 bacteriocin types . The bacteriocin codes of isolates within one pair did not correspond to the codes of strains isolated from any other pair . The number of infant strains (per infant isolates) matching maternal strains within each mother-infant pair were 10/10, 10/10, 10/10, 12/12, 2/3, 10/10, 10/10, 10/10, 3/3, 5/10, 8/8, 3/3, 8/8, 3/3, 7/7, 4/4, 3/3, 8/8, 3/3 and 4/4 for pairs 1-20, respectively . Statistical analysis, utilizing a randomization test, generated a p value less than 0.0001, which is 12 standard errors above the level expected if the pairings were random.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(4), 365 - 71
The effects of heat inactivation, tortuosity, extracellular polyglucan and ion-exchange sites on the diffusion of {14C}-sucrose in human dental plaque residue in vitro; Tatevossian A; Human dental plaque, accumulated for up to 24 h in vivo was packed into polyethylene tubing (0.5 mm, i.d.) by centrifugation at 5000 g for 15 min at 4 degrees C . {U-14C}-sucrose and carrier sucrose were diffused horizontally from one end and after 6 h, the {14C}-sucrose profile along the tube was quantified by liquid-scintillation counting and a diffusion coefficient was calculated . Compared with water, dental plaque significantly retarded the diffusion of sucrose . In live plaque, retardation of sucrose was less than in killed plaque, due to metabolism of sucrose to faster-diffusing species . Increasing the plaque tortuosity by increasing the centrifugal force used for packing reduced the diffusion rate further . Experimental conditions which increased the concentrations of water-insoluble, ethanol-precipitable extracellular glucan, EPG, in the plaque effected a reduction in the diffusion rate of sucrose . In contrast, an increase in EPG in batch cultures of Streptococcus mutans, serotype c, was associated with an increased rate of diffusion . The presence of ion-exchange sites did not affect the diffusion of sucrose in Sephadex gel models although the tortuosity of their pore structure resulted in a 6.5-fold reduction in the diffusion rate compared with water . Thus the retardation of the diffusion of sucrose in dental plaque is largely explained by the tortuosity of the available diffusion channels and the retardation of diffusion effected by EPG is probably of greater significance in older, thicker and more tightly-packed dental plaque.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(4), 345 - 51
Infectivity and natural transmission of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans in monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at different ages; van Houte J et al.; Oral inoculation of adolescent monkeys with laboratory strains of Streptococcus mutans resulted in only sporadic implantation . Oral colonization of all strains, except possibly one, was not enhanced by dietary sucrose compared with glucose nor by precleaning of accessible tooth surfaces . Infant animals were more susceptible to implantation by laboratory-maintained strains of Strep . mutans than adolescent or adult animals . This difference was magnified when in-vivo maintained Strep . mutans strains were used . Strep . mutans was readily acquired by uninfected adolescent animals from infected cage mates . Strep . mutans-free adolescent monkeys exhibited significant-salivary IgA and serum-IgG response to Strep . mutans antigen, possibly representing a cross-reaction to indigenous Streptococcus sanguis . Uninfected infant animals showed no salivary or serum response to Strep . mutans . There was no change in salivary IgA antibody to Strep . mutans in adolescent animals after implantation or in recipient animals after acquisition of Strep . mutans.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(4), 331 - 5
Serum antibodies against oral Streptococcus mutans in young children in relation to dental caries and maternal close-contacts; Aaltonen AS et al.; Thirty-six children aged 2.6-4.9 years were studied with respect to dental caries, Streptococcus mutans counts in dental plaque, and the estimates of total amount and avidity of serum IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against Strep . mutans 10449, serotype c . A significant positive correlation (r = 0.49, p less than 0.01) was found between the number of Strep . mutans and caries-index in children . Two children with dental caries had no oral Strep . mutans . In median tests, high antibody titre and avidity of serum IgG antibodies against Strep . mutans were associated (p less than 0.05) with low counts of Strep . mutans . No such relationship was found with IgM or IgA antibodies . Children who had had frequent maternal close-contacts in their first year had significantly more (p less than 0.05) IgG antibodies against Strep . mutans than children with rare close-contacts.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(4), 319 - 24
In-vitro acid production by the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans 10449 in various concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose; Duguid R; At intermediate and high concentrations, the results with the sugars were similar, with lactic acid as the main end product . Over 4 h, the pH fell from approx . 7 to 4 . At low monosaccharide concentrations (2 mM glucose, 2 and 5 mM fructose), after an initial pH drop and period of lactic-acid production, evidence of pH rise and lactic-acid consumption were noted . This did not happen when sucrose was added to the bacteria . There was evidence of a heterolactic-acid fermentation pattern at low-sugar concentrations, lactic, acetic and formic acids being produced in similar amounts . The results suggest that, when low-sugar concentrations are present in dental plaque, Strep . mutans is capable of consuming previously-formed lactic acid.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(3), 265 - 8
The relationship between the bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the saliva and dental caries in children in Mozambique; Carlsson P et al.; Four hundred and sixty-two children, aged 10-14 years, from eight areas were examined for Streptococcus mutans in saliva and for dental caries . Strep . mutans strains from some samples were further characterized by serological and biochemical methods . Strep . mutans was identified in 98 per cent of the children and 40 per cent showed high counts . Serotypes c and d dominated among the strains . The distribution of Strep . mutans among the children varied between the eight areas but was not correlated with the difference in caries prevalence which ranged from 38 to 88 per cent . In individual children, however, there was an association between high counts of Strep . mutans and the presence of dental caries . Thus, Strep . mutans can be widely distributed and occurs in high numbers in a population with a low prevalence of caries.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(1), 85 - 8
The relationship between the number of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans at discrete sites on the dentition of macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and the subsequent development of dental caries; Beighton D et al.; Sixteen consecutively-born monkeys were used in a longitudinal study to determine the changes occurring in the total number of bacteria in the palatal grooves of the upper left first deciduous molar teeth, following the introduction of a sucrose-based diet . The total number of bacteria recovered from the grooves increased significantly following the diet change . Twenty-nine days after the diet change, the number of Streptococcus mutans had increased from a median value of less than 10(2) to approx . 10(7) per groove, and the number of Streptococcus sanguis decreased . These changes in the number of Strep . mutans occurred prior to the detection of dental caries . Grooves that became carious harboured significantly more bacteria and more Strep . mutans than did grooves remaining caries-free six months after the diet change.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(2), 141 - 6
Some factors affecting the diffusion of {14C}-lactate in human dental plaque; Tatevossian A; The apparent diffusion rate, D, of lactate was significantly retarded in dental plaque fluid and a simulated plaque fluid consisting of a chemically-defined solution of salts, amino acids and albumin in phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 . Metabolic utilization of lactate in live plaque residue reduced D for lactate into such samples of residue, compared with killed samples . D in plaque residue was lower than in a previous study . Increasing the packing density of killed plaque residue of Streptococcus sanguis cells reduced D . Pre-incubation of plaque residue with sucrose or sucrose + NaF reduced D for lactate . No such relationship was found when Streptococcus mutans was so treated, but D for lactate was lower when the cells were grown in tryptone-soy broth supplemented with 5 per cent sucrose compared with unsupplemented broth . The retardation of lactate increased with an increase in ion-exchange capacity of cation- and anion-exchange Sephadex gel-model systems . Thus, the apparent diffusion coefficient of lactate in dental-plaque residue is influenced by the chemical composition of the plaque aqueous phase, by metabolism of lactate, by plaque tortuosity, sucrose metabolism and ion-exchange interactions.

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