Environ Mol Mutagen, 1995, 26(1), 79 - 85 Structure-mutagenicity relationships of four amino-imidazonaphthyridines and imidazoquinolines; Vikse R et al.; We tested four isomeric imidazonaphthyridines and one imidazoquinoline compound for mutagenic activity in the Ames/Salmonella mutagenicity assay, using strain TA98 and strain YG1024, an analogue of strain TA98 with elevated O-acetyltransferase levels . Their potency was related to calculated electronic parameters . Five compounds with a linear arrangement of 3 rings showed a positive response in strain YG1024 . Compound 2 (1-methylimidazo{4,5-b}{1,7}naphthyridin-2-amine) is the most mutagenic in both strains, giving specific activities of about 200 and 30 revertants per microgram in strains YG1024 and TA98, respectively . Three of the compounds were weak mutagens, giving a positive dose-response only in strain YG1024, with 3-5 revertants per microgram . A higher response of all five compounds in strain YG1024 as opposed to TA98 indicates that they require O-acetyltransferase activity for their metabolism . Mutagenic potencies in strain YG1024 were positively correlated to the energy of the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) of the nitrenium ion. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1995, 21(2), 85 - 100 Host-microbe interaction in the gastrointestinal tract; Duncan HE et al.; In order for an infection to occur, the target organ must come in contact with sufficient microbes, the microbe must possess specific virulence factors, these virulence factors must be expressed, and the defenses of the organ system must be overcome . This dynamic process, which is ongoing in all living entities, can be described by the following relationship: {formula: see text} The establishment of infection first occurs in a particular organ . This phenomenon is known as tissue trophism and the association of microbes with organ systems governs the practice of clinical microbiology and infectious disease . With some microbes (e.g., Giardia, Cryptosporidium) the interaction with the particular organ is so specific that infections are almost always confined to one site; with others (e.g., Salmonella, enterovirus) the microbe has the potential to become systemic . When attempting to establish health risk assessment from microbes by contact with food and drinking water, one must therefore consider that the gastrointestinal tract is a complex organ system with a variety of specific host defense mechanisms . It is only when the microbe has particular virulence factors for sites in gastrointestinal tract, and the specific host defense mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract are breached, that infection of this organ system occurs . Therefore, the general terms "immunosuppression" or "immunocompromise" are meaningless unless the specific immune defect is known . A description of the microbial virulence factors active against the gastrointestinal tract and the defense mechanisms of this organ system are reviewed to provide a biological basis health risk assessment and future food and drinking water regulations. Med Pr, 1995, 46(2), 161 - 8 {Impact of different solvents on results of genotoxicity studies of airborne dust taken from work environments}; Mielzynska D et al.; Mutagenicity and toxicity of extracts of airborne particulate matters, sampled during electrolysis of aluminium, cooking of coal and low-temperature carbonization processes, were determined by the Salmonella plate incorporation assay with strains TA98 and TA100 . Organic materials were extracted with benzene, cyclohexane or toluene from airborne particles by sonication . The results showed that: a) the extracts were mutagenic only to strain TA98 (without and after metabolic activation); b) there was a similar efficiency of applied solvents in extraction of mutagenic substances detectable with TA98, and c) the toluene extracts were most toxic towards test bacteria TA98. Microbiol Immunol, 1995, 39(3), 169 - 75 In vivo production of various cytokines in splenocytes of sheep erythrocyte-immunized mice after intravenous administration of bacterial lipid A; Mashimo J et al.; The effects of an intravenous administration of lipid A from Salmonella minnesota R595 lipopolysaccharide on the in vivo production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6 in the spleens of mice intravenously immunized with sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antigen were investigated . The increased number of antigen-specific IgM antibody-producing cells and the titer of the IgM serum antibody were measured using the plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Simultaneous injections of SRBC antigen and lipid A adjuvant enhanced IgM-PFC number on days 3 and 4 and the serum IgM titer on days 4 and 5 after the immunization . We found that the enhanced IL-4 and IL-5 levels correlated with the PFC number and IgM titer . When lipid A was injected intravenously 2 days after immunization with SRBC, the PFC number in lipid A-treated groups were similar to those in controls 3 and 4 days after the immunization . However, it was found that a twofold increase in the IgM titer in serum was induced by lipid A 5 days after immunization . In relation to this increase, lipid A stimulated the production of only IL-5 among the cytokines tested. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1995, 21(1), 53 - 83 Salmonellae and food safety; Tietjen M et al.; Salmonella is one of the most important foodborne pathogens around the world . The knowledge that very low numbers of Salmonella cells can be infectious emphasizes the need for stringent food safety measures Traditional methods for isolating and identifying Salmonella in food rely on preenrichment, selective enrichment in selective and differential media, biochemical tests, and serological confirmation . Recent advances in diagnostic technology have considerably altered testing methods for foodborne Salmonella . Many commercial assay systems and kits that use newer technologies are available to facilitate the identification of Salmonella in foods . These systems include miniaturized biochemical tests, new media formulations, automated instrumentation, DNA/RNA probes, antibody-dependent assays, and polymerase chain reaction . The technologies used for these systems are described, and the various kit formats are compared . Among the limitations of detection methods in terms of food safety are timeliness, limits of detection, and differentiation of virulent and nonvirulent isolates . Current efforts of prevention measures and strategies at different links of the food chain such as consumer education and hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) programs are reviewed, Global approaches to food safety are needed.. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1995, 21(1), 31 - 52 Microbiology of fresh and restructured lamb meat: a review; al-Sheddy IA et al.; Microbiology of meats has been a subject of great concern in food science and public health in recent years . Although many articles have been devoted to the microbiology of beef, pork, and poultry meats, much less has been written about microbiology of lamb meat and even less on restructured lamb meat . This article presents data on microbiology and shelf-life of fresh lamb meat; restructured meat products, restructured lamb meat products, bacteriology of restructured meat products, and important foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in meats and lamb meats . Also, the potential use of sodium and potassium lactates to control foodborne pathogens in meats and restructured lamb meat is reviewed This article should be of interest to all meat scientists, food scientists, and public health microbiologists who are concerned with the safety of meats in general and lamb meat in particular. Acta Vet Scand, 1995, 36(1), 21 - 39 Salmonella isolated from animals and feedstuffs in Sweden during 1988-1992; Malmqvist M et al.; The present paper surveys the number of Salmonella isolations in animals and feedstuffs in Sweden during 1988-1992 . It is the eighth in a series of reports published by the National Veterinary Institute (NVI) since 1949 . During the period referred to, 602 outbreaks of Salmonella were reported in animals, both domestic and wild . Compared with the previous 5-year period there was a 20% reduction in the number of outbreaks (760) . Fifty-six different serotypes were reported, 19 of which had never been isolated in any animal in Sweden previously . A temporary increase in the number of outbreaks in poultry was seen in 1991 following an extended sampling before slaughter of layers . A remarkably high prevalence (38%) of Salmonella was observed in snakes in the wild . In 1990, the end-point testing of feeds was replaced by an approach based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles for the monitoring of feed mills . Significantly higher number of Salmonella positive samples were found by using this technique compared with the previous analysis of finished feed . It is concluded that the adopted Salmonella control program has contributed to a reduced number of Salmonella outbreaks in animals in Sweden. Vet Res Commun, 1995, 19(3), 167 - 77 The distribution of invA, pagC and spvC genes among Salmonella isolates from animals; Nolan LK et al.; New molecular diagnostic techniques often rely on hybridization or amplification of specific DNA regions to detect pathogenic bacteria . The choice of genes to be used as probes or as the targets of amplification techniques is critical to the success of these procedures . The genes so used might best be those associated with virulent isolates and having a wide distribution among such isolates . In this study three genes, invA, pagC and spvC, thought to be associated with the virulence of salmonellae, were labelled and used to probe the total DNA from 103 Salmonella isolates from animals in an attempt to determine whether these genes might be useful in diagnostic procedures . pagC was detected in 99% of the Salmonella tested, and invA was detected in 94.2% of the isolates . Both pagC and invA were detected with a significantly higher frequency than spvC in isolates from chickens and swine, but no significant difference in detection of these three genes occurred when bovine isolates were examined . Failure to detect any of these genes occurred in only one isolate . Isolates from apparently healthy or from clinically ill chickens and swine could not be distinguished by detecting these three genes . The genes were not detected in the non-Salmonella strains tested . These results suggest that, of these three genes, pagC may be the best choice for use as a probe or polymerase chain reaction target in future detection protocols. Med Trop (Mars), 1995, 55(2), 135 - 8 {Five cases of non-typhoid salmonellosis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in Senegal}; Morel H et al.; Among the opportunistic infections observed during infection with human immunodeficiency virus, recurrent non-typhoid salmonella bacteriemia has not been widely documented in Black Africa . This retrospective study identified 5 cases of non-typhoid salmonellosis in a series of 27 seropositive patients, i.e . 18.5%, hospitalized over a two-year period in an internal medicine department in Senegal . All 27 patients presented general or digestive manifestations and were in the stage of full-blown AIDS . The diagnosis was salmonella septicemia in 60% of cases . The incidence of salmonella is higher in immunocompromised patients than in healthy subjects, particularly in Africa . These infections frequently lead to bacteriemia, have a strong tendency to recur, and are highly indicative of immunodeficiency . Salmonellosis which is curable should be suspected in seropositive African patients presenting general and/or digestive manifestations. Int J Epidemiol, 1995, 24 Suppl 1, S34 - 8 Outbreak investigation: the need for 'quick and clean' epidemiology; Palmer SR; Epidemiology investigations of outbreaks of infectious disease have to be carried out rapidly but must be methodologically sound . In 14 of 25 consecutive Salmonella outbreaks in Wales from 1986 to 1990 case-control or cohort studies were undertaken . Food vehicles of infection were identified by statistically significant associations with cases in 13 of the 14, including three outbreaks where there were less than 10 cases . The particular problems of epidemiological field investigations are discussed. Stomatologiia (Mosk), 1995, 74(4), 11 - 2 {The immunoadjuvant properties of hydroxyapatite with ultrahigh dispersity}; Zuev VP et al.; Chemically pure hydroxyapatite (HA) with particles less than 140 microns, less than 60 microns, and 0.01 to 0.03 microns was studied . The immunoadjuvant properties were assessed from the count of IgM-secreting cells and titer of IgG antibodies . Mice were immunized with Salmonella Vi antigen, using mixtures of the antigen with HA with different size of particles . Preparations with particles less than 60 microns and 0.01 to 0.03 micron had a reliable immunoadjuvant effect, whereas HA with particles of up to 140 microns in size did not show such an effect; these data are in line with those published elsewhere about HA as a surfactant . At the same time, our findings give grounds to speak about new prospects of HA use as a carrier of immunocorrective properties. Rev Med Interne, 1995, 16(9), 684 - 6 {Systemic lupus erythematosus and Salmonella enteritidis osteomyelitis}; Benamour S et al.; Infections in systemic lupus erythematosus are frequent . However, osteoarticular Salmonella infections are rarely reported . We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed in a 15 year-old girl . Seven months later, she presented with fever and a localized collection of the upper extremity of the left tibia related to a Salmonella enteritidis acute osteomyelitis (sub periosteal abscess) . The out-come was chronic and led to death . The authors emphasize the severity of non typhoidal salmonellosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Microbios, 1995, 83(334), 59 - 69 Salmonella exclusion in broiler chicks by the competitive action of adult gut microflora; Abu-Ruwaida AS et al.; A series of experiments was carried out to investigate the efficacy of the competitive exclusion technique in the control of Salmonella in broiler chicks . Anaerobic overnight culture obtained using 10(-3) g ml-1 caecal material in VL-broth medium provided total exclusion of a moderate S . enteritidis challenge (1.2 x 10(2) cells/chick) . Increasing the challenge level resulted in less protection, but significant protection occurred at an excessive S . enteritidis challenge level of 1.5 x 10(6) cells/chick . The effectiveness of protection using both moderate and excessive challenges was monitored in newly hatched chicks until they were 22 days old . An improvement in growth performance in terms of higher body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion, in addition to lower mortality, was observed . The use of other control measures such as antimicrobial feed additives or lactose sugar (1.5% w/v) in the drinking water in combination with the competitive microflora treatment resulted in a better overall protection and performance. Biochemistry, 1994 Dec 20, 33(50), 15036 - 45 Solution structure of dimeric Mnt repressor (1-76); Burgering MJ et al.; Wild-type Mnt repressor of Salmonella bacteriophage P22 is a tetrameric protein of 82 residues per monomer . A C-terminal deletion mutant of the repressor denoted Mnt (1-76) is a dimer in solution . The structure of this dimer has been determined using NMR . The NMR assignments of the majority of the 1H, 15N, and 13C resonances were obtained using 2D and triple-resonance 3D techniques . Elements of secondary structure were identified on the basis of characteristic sequential and medium range NOEs . For the structure determination more than 1000 NOEs per monomer were obtained, and structures were generated using distance geometry and restrained simulated annealing calculations . The discrimination of intra- vs intermonomer NOEs was based upon the observation of intersubunit NOEs in {15N,13C} double half-filtered NOESY experiments . The N-terminal part of Mnt (residues 1-44), which shows a 40% sequence homology with the Arc repressor, has a similar secondary and tertiary structure . Mnt (1-76) continues with a loop region of irregular structure, a third alpha-helix, and a random coil C-terminal peptide . Analysis of the secondary structure NOEs, the exchange rates, and the backbone chemical shifts suggests that the carboxy-terminal third helix is less stable than the remainder of the protein, but the observation of intersubunit NOEs for this part of the protein enables the positioning of this helix . The rsmd's between the backbone atoms of the N-terminal part of the Mnt repressor (residues 5-43, 5'-43') and the Arc repressor is 1.58 A, and between this region and the corresponding part of the MetJ repressor 1.43 A. J Biol Chem, 1994 Dec 16, 269(50), 31881 - 4 Distribution of lipid A species between long and short chain lipopolysaccharides isolated from Salmonella, Yersinia, and Escherichia as seen by 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry; Lebbar S et al.; Smooth type endotoxins of Salmonella, Yersinia, and Escherichia were fractionated into long and short chain lipopolysaccharides by silica gel chromatography . Lipid A was prepared from the fractions and analyzed by plasma desorption mass spectrometry . Both Yersinia and Salmonella endotoxins had a large proportion of aminoarabinose-containing lipopolysaccharide molecular species that were found to be concentrated in the long chain fraction . In the Escherichia endotoxin, hypoacylated lipopolysaccharides (lacking the tetradecanoate and one of the four hydroxytetradecanoates) were found mostly in the short chain fraction . Possible implications of these results for the lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic pathway and for studies on the influence of sugar chain length on the biological effects of endotoxins are discussed. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1994 Dec 6, 91(25), 12115 - 9 Group A streptococci efficiently invade human respiratory epithelial cells; LaPenta D et al.; Although infection by group A streptococci is a model of extracellular mucosal pathogenesis, these organisms can be associated with highly invasive infections resulting in sepsis and shock . Over the last 6 yr this species has renewed its reputation as a significant cause of sepsis and has piqued interest in the mechanism by which some strains are better able to breach mucosal barriers to gain access to the bloodstream than are others . An internalization assay was developed on the basis of resistance of intracellular streptococci to penicillin and gentamicin . Experiments showed that stationary-phase, as opposed to logarithmic-phase, bacteria are efficiently internalized and can persist in cultured human cells . Electron microscopy confirmed that streptococci were contained within intracellular vacuoles . Various strains of streptococci revealed significant differences in their capacity to be internalized . Two type M1 streptococci isolated from blood infections were internalized at frequencies equal to those reported for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes and greater than the frequency of a clonal variant from a case of pharyngitis. Br J Rheumatol, 1994 Dec, 33(12), 1136 - 41 Reactive arthritis following an outbreak of Salmonella infection in Finland; Mattila L et al.; The incidence and clinical features of reactive arthritis (ReA) following an outbreak of enteritis caused by Salmonella enterica ssp . enterica serovar 4,5,12:b:-were studied in the autumn of 1992 . The outbreak occurred in several municipalities and originated from sprouted mung beans . A questionnaire on extra-enteric manifestations such as joint and eye symptoms was mailed 2 to 5 months after the outbreak to all bacteriologically proven cases . Two hundred and forty-six of the 272 (90%) subjects responded to the questionnaire; 224 (91%) reported having had enterocolitis, 22 (9%) were asymptomatic . Sixteen subjects fulfilled the criteria for ReA, and one had irities only . Thus, the incidence of ReA/iritis after S . enterica was 6.9% . Only four of the 155 (3%) subjects aged less than 16 yr developed ReA, as compared with 12 of the 91 (13%) older patients (P < 0.001) . The only patient with iritis was also more than 16 yr old . The joint symptoms were oligoarticular in 10 (63%), monoarticular in five (31%) and polyarticular in one (6%) . The most frequently affected joints were the wrists, knees and ankles . Joints of upper extremities only were affected in three (19%), of the lower extremities only in six (37%) and of both in seven (44%) subjects . In the majority of the patients ReA was mild . The joint symptoms persisted for less than 1 month in six, 2 to 6 months in five and more than 6 months in five . Thirteen subjects with ReA/iritis were tissue-typed for HLA; four (33%) had HLA-B27.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Infect Dis, 1994 Dec, 170(6), 1508 - 17 Cytokine production patterns and lymphoproliferative responses in volunteers orally immunized with attenuated vaccine strains of Salmonella typhi; Sztein MB et al.; New recombinant strains of attenuated Salmonella typhi used as live oral vaccines elicit potent immune responses . This study examined the patterns of cytokine production and proliferation to specific S . typhi antigens in subjects orally immunized with attenuated S . typhi vaccines CVD 906, CVD 908, and CVD 908 expressing the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum . After immunization, sensitized lymphocytes were found in subjects' blood that exhibited significantly increased proliferative responses and interferon-gamma production to purified S . typhi flagella when compared with preimmunization levels . Significant negative correlations were observed between interleukin-4 production and both interferon-gamma production and proliferation to S . typhi flagella . These results demonstrate that oral immunization with attenuated S . typhi strains alone or with those carrying a foreign gene elicits strong systemic cell-mediated immunity to purified S . typhi antigens, including the production of cytokines compatible with T1-type responses. Epidemiol Infect, 1994 Dec, 113(3), 411 - 24 Application of physico-chemical typing methods for the epidemiological analysis of Salmonella enteritidis strains of phage type 25/17; Seltmann G et al.; Eighty-nine Salmonella enteritidis phage type 25/17 strains isolated from a localized outbreak in the German state Nordrhein-Westfalen (outbreak NWI) could not be further differentiated by biochemotyping and plasmid pattern analysis . They were submitted to a complex typing system consisting of modern physico-chemical analytical procedures . In lipopolysaccharide pattern analysis the strains proved to be homogeneous . In multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, outer membrane and whole cell protein pattern (WCPP) analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (increasing extent of differentiation in the given order) strains deviating from each basal pattern were found . The extent of correspondence in these deviations was satisfactory . Forty-six strains of the same sero- and phage type, however, obtained from different outbreaks, were additionally typed . The results obtained with them indicate that the data of the first group were not restricted to strains from outbreak NWI, but of general validity . It was found that both WCPP and FT-IR represent valuable methods for the sub-grouping of bacteria. Epidemiol Infect, 1994 Dec, 113(3), 403 - 9 Contamination of hands and work surfaces with Salmonella enteritidis PT4 during the preparation of egg dishes; Humphrey TJ et al.; Salmonella enteritidis PT4 was recovered from fingers following the breaking of intact shell eggs artificially contaminated in the contents with the bacterium . Kitchen utensils used to mix egg dishes were salmonella-positive, sometimes after washing . Following the preparation of batter or the mixing of eggs, S . enteritidis was recovered from work surfaces over 40 cm from the mixing bowl . The bacterium survived well in thin, dry films of either batter or egg and, from an initial level of one cell per cm2, could be recovered from formica work surfaces 24 h after contamination. Epidemiol Infect, 1994 Dec, 113(3), 391 - 402 Genome fingerprinting of Salmonella typhi by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for subtyping common phage types; Nair S et al.; The genomic DNA of 39 strains of Salmonella typhi isolated from local residents and patients who had visited countries in the Asian region was analysed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) . Pulsed-field gel electrophoretic (PFGE) analysis of Xba I- and Spe I-generated genomic restriction fragments established 22 PFGE types whereas phage typing differentiated the 39 isolates into 9 distinct phage types . This study showed that PFGE is more discriminatory than phage typing as it is capable of subtyping S . typhi strains of the same phage types . Genetic relatedness among the isolates was determined . Seven major clusters were identified at SABs of > 0.80 and the remaining 13 isolates were distributed into minor clusters which were related at SABs of less than 0.80 . In conclusion, PFGE analysis in conjunction with distance matrix analysis served as a useful tool for delineating common S . typhi phage types of diverse origins from different geographical locales and separated in time. Infect Immun, 1994 Dec, 62(12), 5545 - 9 Synthesis and some immunologic properties of an O-acetyl pectin {poly(1-->4)-alpha-D-GalpA}-protein conjugate as a vaccine for typhoid fever; Szu SC et al.; Pectin, a plant polysaccharide, is mostly a linear homopolymer of poly(1-->4)-alpha-D-GalpA with < 5% neutral sugars: its molecular size has a broad distribution around 400 kDa, and the degree of esterification is < 5% . The structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi (Vi) differs from pectin in that it is N acetylated at C-2 and O acetylated at C-3, and has a molecular size of approximately 2 x 10(3) kDa . There is no serological cross-reaction between pectin and Vi . Pectin, when O acetylated at C-2 and C-3, is antigenically identical to Vi in double immunodiffusion . Unlike Vi, O-acetylated pectin (OAcPec) is not immunogenic in mice, probably because of its comparatively low molecular weight . After storage at 3 to 8 degrees C for 3 months, there was no change in the O-acetyl content or the M(r) of OAcPec . At 60 degrees C, the M(r) of OAcPec declined more rapidly than that of Vi . OAcPec conjugated to tetanus toxoid elicited Vi antibodies in mice, and reinjection elicited a booster response . The levels of Vi antibodies elicited by OAcPec-tetanus toxoid conjugates were lower than those elicited by Vi conjugates, but these differences were not statistically significant . OAcPec has some advantages because it can be measured by standardized colorimetric assays and because it forms more soluble conjugates with proteins than does Vi . One disadvantage is that its glycosidic bond is not as stable as that of Vi . The use of a plant polysaccharide, pectin, as an immunogen for prevention of a systemic infection caused by a capsulated pathogen (S . typhi) provides a novel approach to improve the preparation and immunogenicity of polysaccharide-based vaccines. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 1994 Dec, 24(3), 211 - 21 Salmonella osteomyelitis and arthritis in sickle cell disease; Anand AJ et al.; Salmonellosis is one of the most frequent serious infections in sickle cell patients and remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this population . Capillary occlusion secondary to intravascular sickling may devitalize and infarct the gut, permitting Salmonella invasion . Reduced function of the liver and spleen, together with interference with reticuloendothelial system function due to erythrophagocytosis, suppresses clearing of these organisms from the blood stream . Abnormal opsonizing and complement function probably also play a role . The expanded bone marrow with sluggish flow leads to an ischemic focus for salmonella localization . The majority of Salmonella infections in sickle cell patients involve bones (especially long bones) and joints and occur most frequently in early childhood . Multiple sites, often symmetrical, are usually involved . It is imperative to distinguish Salmonella osteomyelitis from bone infarctions . While clinical and hematologic data may be suggestive, radionuclide bone imaging studies, particularly combined technetium and gallium scintigraphy and technetium sulphur colloid bone marrow scans, and magnetic resonance imaging appear more sensitive and specific . Salmonella osteomyelitis is best managed medically . Chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole have been used most frequently; however, newer beta lactams and quinolones are more active . Septic arthritis carries a poorer prognosis and often requires aggressive surgical intervention. Genetics, 1994 Dec, 138(4), 993 - 1003 Detecting selective sweeps in naturally occurring Escherichia coli; Guttman DS et al.; The nucleotide sequences of the gapA and pabB genes (separated by approximately 32.5 kb) were determined in 12 natural isolates of Escherichia coli . Three analyses were performed on the data . First, the levels of polymorphism at the loci were compared within and between E . coli and Salmonella strains relative to their degrees of constraint . Second, the gapA and pabB loci were analyzed by the Hudson-Kreitman-Aguade (HKA) test for selective neutrality . Four additional dispersed genes (crr, putP, trp and gnd) were added to the analysis to provide the necessary frame of reference . Finally, the gene genealogies of gapA and pabB were examined for topological consistency within and between the loci . These lines of evidence indicate that some evolutionary event has recently purged the variability in the region surrounding the gapA and pabB loci in E . coli . This can best be explained by the spread of a selected allele through the global E . coli population by directional selection and the resulting loss in variability in the surrounding regions due to genetic hitchhiking. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1994 Dec, 13(12), 1103 - 6 A case of recurrent typhoid fever in the United States: importance of the grandmother connection and the use of large restriction fragment pattern analysis of genomic DNA for strain comparison; Wright PW et al.; An 8-year old girl was infected for a second time with Salmonella typhi by contact with her grandmother, a known typhoid carrier . The S . typhi from both patient and grandmother had closely related genomic pulsed field gel electrophoresis patterns that differed from epidemiologically unrelated strains . The girl responded well to a 14-day course of oral trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole . The grandmother was treated successfully with a 28-day regimen of oral ciprofloxacin . Typhoid fever remains an endemic disease in the United States, largely because of recognized chronic stool carriers . Most of these carriers had typhoid in the preantibiotic era and remain potential sources of disease when they provide meals for others, not uncommonly grandchildren . The importance of this "grandmother" connection to endemic typhoid fever is reviewed, as is the potential use of pulsed field gel electrophoresis pattern analysis for comparison of strains of S . typhi. Am J Vet Res, 1994 Dec, 55(12), 1647 - 51 Production of Salmonella serogroup D (O9)-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antigen; Konrad H et al.; Serologic testing to detect persistent IgG titer directed at Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has proven useful in detecting Salmonella carrier cattle without clinical signs of disease and in seroepidemiologic studies . Although little cross-reactivity exists between most Salmonella serogroups, groups B (O1, 4 {5}, 12) and D (O1, 9, 12) share somatic (LPS cell wall) antigens O1 and O12, which results in some cross-reactions . This may be unimportant in most instances, because group-B and group-D carriers need to be identified and culled . It may be desirable in some situations, such as when trying to control S dublin, to determine which serogroup is present in a given herd . For this reason, a procedure to produce a pure O9 group-D antigen was developed . Salmonella dublin (group D) was grown by use of standard procedures, and LPS was extracted by use of the phenol-water method . The LPS was then oxidized with sodium periodate, dialyzed, reduced with sodium borohydride, cleaved with hydrochloric acid, and again dialyzed . This procedure successfully cleaved the saccharides comprising O antigens 1 and 12, leaving a pure O9 ELISA antigen . Sera from cattle vaccinated or naturally infected with S typhimurium, S agona, and S schwarzengrund (all group B), S montevideo (group C1), and S dublin (group D) were tested by ELISA, using modified and unmodified antigens . When the ELISA antigen used was the chemically modified (pure O9) group-D antigen, elimination of cross-reactions confirmed the structural loss of cross-reacting O1 and O12 antigens. Minerva Ginecol, 1994 Dec, 46(12), 681 - 6 {Screening for Salmonella in pregnancy}; Citernesi A et al.; National and Regional Health Authorities advise a stool culture in pregnant women before term in order to detect Salmonella carriers, prevent the spread of this microorganism to the newborn and avoid outbreaks of this infection in the nurseries . The Tuscany section of the Italian Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists decided to test the usefulness of this Salmonella screening . In 7431 pregnant women at the 36th week a stool sample was examined for the presence of Salmonella . The occurrence of diarrhoea in these women was also investigated . The prevalence of Salmonella excretors in our obstetric population was 0.27% . Thirty per cent of the positive women complained of diarrhoea; that means that the risk of being positive in the presence of this symptom is 11.8 times larger . The positive cases were detected essentially in late summer and fall . No nursery outbreak occurred during the period studied . The Salmonella-carrying mother can not take advantage of an effective antimicrobic therapy and a single stool sample allows the detection of only part of the carriers . Therefore screening can not prevent the possibility of transmission during birth . The unfavorable ratio between costs and benefits suggests that stool culture for Salmonella may be useful only in late summer and fall and in symptomatic women . In order to obtain better results in the prevention of infections among newborns the observance of careful hygienic rules in the delivery rooms and in the nurseries is mandatory. J Clin Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 32(12), 3072 - 4 Comparison of three stool-processing methods for detection of Salmonella serogroups B, C2, and D by PCR; Kongmuang U et al.; Three different stool sample-processing methods (centrifugation, immunomagnetic separation, and selective enrichment cultivation) for the identification of Salmonella serogroups by PCR were studied . The corresponding sensitivities in an ethidium bromide stained-agarose gel were 10(5), 10(3), and 10 bacteria, respectively . The PCR assay with overnight enrichment performed as well as, or even better than, the conventional culture technique . Of 485 clinical stool samples, PCR correctly identified all 230 culture-positive samples as well as mixed Salmonella infections in four cases. J Public Health Med, 1994 Dec, 16(4), 415 - 22 Communicable disease control in England; recommendations from an American; Detels R; The problems associated with the Wakefield salmonella and the Stafford Legionnaires' disease outbreaks and the recommendations of the Acheson Committee formed in response led to the creation of the position of Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) within the District Health Authorities . The reality of the position as implemented differs from that envisaged by the Acheson Committee and has resulted in ambiguities about the role of the CsCDC, the source of their support, and the range of their responsibilities . This paper, by an American invited to review the position, outlines the history of the position, the current status of CsCDC, and the barriers to effective performance of the position . It ends with a series of recommendations for improving disease control within England by solidifying the position, establishing its role in disease control within the National Health Service and recommending an educational/training pathway to attract and prepare physicians for the position. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1994 Dec, 12(10), 484 - 9 {Evaluation of three new culture media: brilliant-glycerol-lactose novobiocin-green agar, modified iron lysin agar and Rambach agar for the isolation of enteropathogenic E . coli, Salmonella sp . in acute gastroenteritis}; Mattar S et al.; BACKGROUND: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is one of the most common diseases in children, particularly in those under the age of 5 years in whom a severe picture of hydroelectrolyte imbalance may be triggered accompanied, in most cases, by leukocyte response . The aim of this study was to evaluate three new culture media for the isolation of enteropathogens in infantile diarrhea . MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April to September, 1993, 170 samples of diarrhea stools from children up to 7 years of age attending pediatric hospitals in Bogota were studied . Three new culture media were used in the isolation of the enteropathogenic bacteria: BGLN, MILA agar, Rambach agar and a conventional agar medium S.S . Biochemical tests were performed to identify the isolated bacteria . RESULTS: A total of 98.5% of enteropathogenic E . coli was isolated in Rambach agar, which also presented excellent recovery rates of Salmonella sp . (100%) versus S.S> (64.3%) and BGLN (77.2%), respectively . The best selectivity for Shigella sp . was observed with BGLN with a 100% recovery rate . Out of the 170 samples 105 showed a leukocyte count of 70-75% and positive isolation for enteropathogenic bacteria . Six samples with the same leukocyte count did not present enteropathogenic bacteria, with the 59 remaining samples with a 20-25% PMN count being negative for enteropathogenic bacteria . CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the new culture media used in this study may have better recovery rates for enteropathogenic bacteria in acute gastroenteritis . Likewise, a correlation was observed between leukocyte count and isolation enteropathogenic bacteria. Indian J Med Res, 1994 Dec, 100, 257 - 61 Development of a conjoint phage typing & biotyping schema for Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg (S . senftenberg) & the correlation of biotypes with phage types; Kumar S et al.; A total of 287 strains of S . senftenberg received from various parts of India during 1969 to 1992 were phage typed using six lysogenic phages . The typability was 90.3 per cent and 14 different phage types could be defined excluding a small group of untypable strains . A biotyping scheme was developed utilising six characters and 13 biotypes could be defined . Stern's glycerol medium proved to be the best discriminatory medium . Diversity indeces of phage typing and biotyping schemes were 0.868 and 0.503 respectively . Better discrimination was obtained when phage types were subdivided into different biotypes with a diversity index of 0.931 . The schemes were found stable, reproducible and epidemiologically useful. Food Chem Toxicol, 1994 Dec, 32(12), 1161 - 6 Modified suspension Ames test for testing proteinaceous substances: an initial step; Verhagen H et al.; The basic Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test) is a valuable primary tool by which to discriminate mutagens from non-mutagens . For a variety of chemical test substances this test is easily conducted according to international guidelines for genotoxicity testing . However, the testing of proteinaceous substances in the basic Ames test may generate false positives owing to the presence of growth-promoting constituents in the test sample, such as histidine or its precursors . It was hypothesized that the growth-promoting capacities of biological test samples might be overcome by testing according to the 'suspension variant' of the Ames test, which uses very rich growth conditions thereby overwhelming any growth-enhancing constituents present in a biological test sample . This hypothesis appeared to be correct, although several important modifications had to be made to the suspension assay . The most important aspect of this 'new suspension Ames test' appeared to be the plating of overnight regrown bacteria in the poorest way possible (by omitting histidine and nutrient broth from the overlay agar) . This study may comprise an initial step in the development of a modified suspension Ames test for testing proteinaceous substances. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 60(12), 4612 - 3 Immunological detection of Salmonella paratyphi A in raw prawns; Korbsrisate S et al.; A slot blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using monoclonal antibodies specific only for Salmonella paratyphi A, to detect S . paratyphi A contamination in raw prawns has been established . When artificially contaminated prawn samples were tested . S . paratyphi A contamination could be identified correctly within 20 h . No false positives from samples artificially contaminated by other microorganisms were obtained . The sensitivity was such that as few as 1 S . paratyphi A organism per g of raw prawn could be detected . Therefore, the assay constituted a promising test for the rapid and specific detection of S . paratyphi A in prawns. Microbiologia, 1994 Dec, 10(4), 357 - 70 New methods in Salmonella genetics; Casadesus J et al.; This review summarizes several recent developments in Salmonella genetics; some of the procedures described can be easily adapted to Escherichia coli and have also potential applications in non-enteric bacteria . The novel methods outlined include genetic mapping procedures, ancillary tools for cloning, a strategy for analyzing DNA-protein interactions in vivo, a method for plasmid curing and a procedure for the detection of bacterial virulence genes. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 19(6), 469 - 72 Pulsed-field gel electrophoretic identification of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium live vaccine strain Zoosaloral H; Schwarz S et al.; Salmonella enterica subsp . enterica serovar Typhimurium (Salm . Typhimurium) live vaccine strain Zoosaloral H was characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) . Each of the two suitable restriction enzymes, XbaI and SpeI, produced a unique restriction fragment pattern for this live vaccine strain which was not shared by field isolates of the same serovar . The characteristic fragment pattern proved to be stable during a 22 month observation period and was also not altered after animal passage of the vaccine strains . Thus PFGE analysis proved to be a helpful tool in the identification of Salm . Typhimurium live vaccine strain Zoosaloral H and its differentiation from wild-type isolates of the same serovar. Shock, 1994 Dec, 2(6), 438 - 44 Glucose, lactate, insulin, and somatostatin responses to endotoxin in developing rats; Yelich MR et al.; The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, and somatostatin responses of 10-day-old (10 d) and 28-day-old (28 d) rats to the effects of an LD90 dose of endotoxin for a 4 h period . Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin was administered to 10 d and 28 d rats at .2 and 30.0 mg/kg, respectively . Hyperglycemia was the initial response to endotoxin, followed by hypoglycemia; this was similar for 10 d and 28 d rats . Lactate levels were significantly elevated in 10 d rats, but only mild hyperlactacidemia was observed in 28 d rats . Hyperinsulinemia was observed in both 10 d and 28 d rats in response to elevated glucose levels; in 10 d rats, decreased insulin levels preceded the hyperinsulinemia . Plasma somatostatin levels were elevated in both 10 d and 28 d rats in response to endotoxin, but the endotoxin-induced somatostatin levels were greater and occurred earlier in 28 d rats than in 10 d rats . The magnitude of the somatostatin response to endotoxin in the developing rats was markedly less than that previously reported in adult rats . Since previous reports indicated that somatostatin supported the glucoregulatory adaptive response to endotoxin in adult rats, the present results suggested that the diminished somatostatin response to endotoxin in developing rats may partially underlie their increased sensitivity to endotoxin and the profound glucose dyshomeostasis that results subsequently. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 1994 Dec, 20(3 Pt 1), 281 - 301 The rodent carcinogenicity bioassay produces a similar frequency of tumor increases and decreases: implications for risk assessment; Davies TS et al.; We examined the overall results of 124 consecutive rodent carcinogenesis assays carried out at the maximum tolerated dose on 37 chemicals reported recently by the Toxicology Program of the United States . In 31 experiments each in male and female F-344 rats and in male and female B6C3F1 mice, tumor increases and decreases occurred in 41 and 46% of the experiments, respectively . In 22 experiments both increases and decreases in tumor incidence were reported . Of the experiments with decreases in tumor incidence, about 70% were associated with lower body weights of the treated animals . However, of the 30 chemicals producing some tumor decreases, 12 showed decreases in some experiments without any association with bodyweight . Ten chemicals that were Salmonella positive produced increases and decreases in tumor incidences and three produced only decreases in tumor incidence . If it is considered that the bioassay provides information relevant to the carcinogenic potential of a chemical, then logically it must also be considered that information about the cancer-preventive potential of a chemical is provided . When a chemical causes increases and decreases in tumors, several questions follow . First, which are more relevant to the health of an exposed individual: tumor increases or tumor decreases? Second, should such a chemical be stigmatized as a "carcinogen," in view of all the legal and economic implications that ensue from such a label? Third, how should one define a carcinogen? Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol, 1994 Dec, 86(3), 347 - 60 The effect of spiroorthocarbonate volume modifier co-monomers on the in vitro toxicology of trial non-shrinking dental epoxy co-polymers; Yourtee DM et al.; A major improvement in dental restoratives is possible through the development of biomaterials that do not shrink upon polymerization, hence, avoid leakage and subsequent breakdown . Polymers containing spiroorthocarbonates (SOCs) show promise in this respect, but their toxicology in copolymerized materials has not been explored . In this study, the in vitro toxicology of these materials in homopolymer form and in two trial non-shrinking epoxy co-polymers was evaluated for cytotoxicity and mutagenicity . Cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT test to measure the lethality effect on mouse L929 cells . Mutagenicity was evaluated using the Ames-Salmonella Test . For comparison, commercial composite and adhesive materials as well as several other materials of current interest in dentistry were also evaluated . Epoxy resin samples containing 5% of either T/T SOC or Dp SOC reduced the cytotoxicity (TC50) from approximately 400 to 800 micrograms/200 microliters . The epoxy-spiro copolymers had more favorable TC50 values than the commercial product Super-Bond . They showed TC50 values on the order of 35% greater than Super-Bond and 45% less than Scotchbond 2, the latter two being materials currently used in the clinic . These two comparatives demonstrated dose response curves with lower doses at maximum cell kill values than the spiro materials . The epoxy formulations all showed weak mutagenesis, but this is attributed to the epoxy formulation and not the SOCs . Although considerable toxicology is yet be conducted, these in vitro results suggest that biocompatible copolymer formulations for spiroorthocarbonates are a developmental reality. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1994 Dec, 20(4), 209 - 11 Multiple-drug-resistant Salmonella gloucester infections in Bangladesh; Hoque SS et al.; We describe three different cases of extraintestinal infections caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella gloucester from Bangladesh that were associated with bad prognoses . These clinical manifestations were not previously reported for S . gloucester. Can J Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 40(12), 987 - 92 The survival and recovery of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its effect upon salmonellae in water: methodology to test bottled water in Canada; Warburton DW et al.; Methodology used to support changes to the Regulations for bottled water in the Food and Drugs Act of Canada, which include criteria for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0 colony-forming units/100 mL of water), was used to assess the survival of P . aeruginosa in inoculated bottled water . The effects of P . aeruginosa on the survival of Salmonella spp . in bottled water were also investigated . The methodology used in the isolation included the use of hydrophobic grid membrane filters, a resuscitation step on tryptic soy agar, and selective plating on P . aeruginosa selective agar for P . aeruginosa and on xylose lysine desoxycholate agar for salmonellae . Pseudomonas aeruginosa and salmonellae proliferated and survived in inoculated water for up to 100 days or longer . Pseudomonas aeruginosa had a synergistic effect on the survival of salmonellae, enabling them to survive for more than 140 days in double distilled water. Int J Food Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 24(1-2), 147 - 60 An approach to reduction of Salmonella infection in broiler chicken flocks through intensive sampling and identification of cross-contamination hazards in commercial hatcheries; Davies RH et al.; A comparative study of salmonella contamination in eleven commercial hatcheries in the UK was carried out during 1992/93 . The sampling protocol involved individual swabbing and culture from surfaces and items of equipment within each premises . This allowed the identification of many areas where salmonella control measures were not successful resulting in a cross-contamination hazard for eggs and chicks . Egg sanitisation and handling methods, design of incubator and whole building ventilation systems, control of dust, fluff and aerosol production, disinfection of surfaces and equipment and handling of waste were areas where improvements could be made . There were examples of successful reduction of salmonella in all key areas and these could be extended to provide general practical protocols for salmonella control . The sampling and culture techniques used in this study required less labour and were more rapid and sensitive than traditional methods so could be used in comparative investigations of other complex high throughput livestock and food processing operations. Int J Food Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 24(1-2), 11 - 31 Salmonella and the international food trade; D'Aoust JY; Non-typhoid Salmonella spp . continue to figure prominently in many national epidemiological registries as the leading cause of bacterial foodborne disease . Although Salmonella enterocolitis is generally a self-limiting illness that may require fluid and electrolyte replacement, the disease can spread systemically and degenerate into a chronic condition such as reactive arthritis, osteomyelitis, cardiac inflammation or neural disorders . Ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole have provided the mainstay of therapy for the clinical management of bacteremic salmonellosis . However, the increasing occurrence of strains that are resistant to one or more of these traditional antibacterial drugs has resulted in the wider use of quinolones for the treatment of Salmonella septicaemia . Successful clinical results with these newer drugs are already being overshadowed by the emergence of salmonellae that are resistant to these therapeutic agents . A rapidly growing international trade in agricultural, aquacultural and manufactured food products has greatly facilitated the introduction of new Salmonella serovars within the geographical boundaries of importing countries . This paper reviews the prevalence of Salmonella in selected food types that are subject to the import-export market and attendant epidemiological overtones . More specifically, the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, cheese, and aquacultural products as vehicles of human infection will be underlined . The potential impact of the widespread use of antibiotics of importance in human medicine in the aquaculture industry will also be discussed . The ubiquitous distribution of Salmonella in the natural environment and its prevalence in the global food chain, the physiological adaptability and virulence of this important human bacterial pathogen, and its potentially serious economic impact on the food industry predicate the need for continued vigilance and stringent controls at all levels of food production. Mol Cell Probes, 1994 Dec, 8(6), 473 - 9 Development of a probe and PCR primers specific to the virulence plasmid of Salmonella enteritidis; Wood MW et al.; Restriction analysis of the Salmonella enteritidis virulence plasmid, followed by hybridisation with radiolabelled S . typhimurium and S . dublin plasmids, revealed a 2-kb Pstl/Bg/l fragment that was specific to S . enteritidis . Colony hybridisation experiments with this fragment detected 29 out of 31 S . enteritidis strains tested . S . blegdam, S . moscow and S . paratyphi C also hybridised with this fragment and a comparison of the plasmids from these serotypes revealed striking similarities . A Pstl/Pvull sub-clone of the 2-kb fragment was used to design primers for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) detection of S . enteritidis from broth culture. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1994 Dec, 25(4), 688 - 92 First isolation of Salmonella blockley in Thailand; Bangtrakulnonth A et al.; The first isolation of Salmonella blockley in Thailand was found in 2 strains of animal feed samples and 3 strains of chicken feather samples from a private poultry company in 1989 . From 1987 to 1992, the number of S . blockley isolates increased and found in various sources . The major sources were the stools of diarrheal patients, mainly children . Another source of S . blockley was frozen chicken meat which increased every year studied . S . blockley isolated from human and other sources showed a high percentage resistance to streptomycin, tetracycline, kanamycin and chloramphenicol and a low percentage resistance to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole . Thus, S . blockley must now be listed as a possible cause of Salmonella food poisoning in Thailand. Biologicals, 1994 Dec, 22(4), 361 - 72 Bivalent vaccines against bacterial enteropathogens: construction of live attenuated vaccine strains with two O-serotype specificities; Viret JF et al.; A considerable interest exists worldwide in the development of live attenuated oral vaccines against diarrhoeal diseases . In addition to vaccination against the corresponding pathogens, such vaccine strains can be used as carriers for the expression of protective antigens from other organisms . The antigenic repertoire of a given vaccine strain may thereby be extended, potentially leading to a bivalent vaccine . The lipopolysaccharide is known to be a major antigenic surface component of bacterial enteric pathogens . The feasibility of the development of combined vaccines based on live attenuated carriers expressing two O-serotype specificities is illustrated here by the development of candidate live oral vaccines against Shigella sonnei using Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae as carriers . Various factors that may limit the potential of such hybrid strains as bivalent vaccines are discussed. Behring Inst Mitt, 1994 Dec, (95), 85 - 96 Outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as vaccine candidates; von Specht BU et al.; We tested the ability of recombinant outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to serve as a protective vaccine against this gram negative pathogen under two main pathophysiological events leading to P . aeruginosa sepsis . i) systemic infection during immunosuppression, and ii) bacterial translocation . A hybrid vaccine was cloned combining protective epitopes of outer membrane protein F (OprF) and outer membrane protein I (OprI) . This vaccine proved to be highly protective against an intraperitoneal challenge with P . aeruginosa in immunosuppressed mice . Oral immunization of mice, with recombinant Salmonella dublin expressing OprI induced s-IgA antibodies in the gut mucosa against OprI and provided protection against translocation of P . aeruginosa in an immunosuppressed mouse model . To test whether OprI is safe for use in humans, recombinant OprI was purified and used for immunization of volunteers . Vaccination was well tolerated and no major side effects were observed . The induction of serum antibodies against OprI was found to be dose-dependent and was observed in total in 65% of the volunteers. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 1994 Dec, 24(3), 190 - 210 Reiter's syndrome and reactive arthritis: a current view; Hughes RA et al.; This paper reviews advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis that have occurred over the last decade . Inflammatory aseptic joint disease has been linked with prior infection initiated by many different species of microorganisms . The presence of intra-articular bacterial antigens has now been firmly established with the demonstration of bacteria, bacterial fragments, DNA, RNA, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide in joints of patients with reactive arthritis . Chlamydia trachomatis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Shigella flexneri have all been detected in the joint by immunological techniques, although there is still some doubt as to the form in which they reach the joint and whether or not they persist . A number of phlogistic bacterial components could be acting as arthritogens . Negative joint culture results from patients with reactive arthritis make it unlikely that bacteria in the joint are viable, although chlamydial DNA has been shown in the joints of patients with sexually acquired reactive arthritis using the polymerase chain reaction . The use of antimicrobial therapy in the treatment of reactive arthritis is under review; data suggests that long-term antibiotic treatment warrants further study . The role of HLA-B27 in disease pathogenesis is discussed as are possible mechanisms of interplay between germ and gene . HLA-B27 might confer disease susceptibility by affecting immune mechanisms other than classical antigen presentation . The immunopathogenesis of joint inflammation in reactive arthritis is explored with reference to studies of humoral and cellular immune responses . Serological evidence to support the concept of molecular mimicry is far from conclusive; the results of relevant studies are summarized . Lymphocyte proliferation experiments suggest that antigen presenting cells play an important role . Finally, our views on reactive arthritis in the 1990s, and areas of new and potentially fruitful future research are presented. Immunology, 1994 Dec, 83(4), 617 - 23 Modulation of lipopolysaccharide binding to human granulocytes; Weersink AJ et al.; Using flow cytometry and fluorescein-labelled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Salmonella minnesota R595 (FITC-ReLPS), we studied the role of membrane proteins in the recognition of LPS by human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) in the absence of serum . Treatment of PMN with trypsin, pronase E or proteinase K reduced both the binding of FITC-ReLPS to PMN at 4 degrees and the response of PMN to LPS at 37 degrees, as measured by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence . Neuraminidase treatment enhanced both activities . Trypsin treatment of PMN after the binding of FITC-ReLPS effectively reduced fluorescence when cells were kept at 4 degrees, while further incubation of FITC-ReLPS-labelled PMN at 37 degrees rendered fluorescence insensible to trypsin . These results indicate a protein structure of the LPS binding site, association of FITC-ReLPS with the cell membrane at 4 degrees and subsequent internalization at 37 degrees . The binding of FITC-ReLPS was not inhibited by the anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 3C10, which recognizes a functional epitope of CD14 . Furthermore, binding of FITC-ReLPS was observed to PMN obtained from a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria who lacked membrane-bound CD14 . Stimulation of PMN with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) or LPS enhanced the binding of FITC-ReLPS at 4 degrees . This was not observed after activation of PMN devoid of granules (cytoplasts), indicating that the binding of LPS at the cell surface is enhanced by mobilization of LPS-binding proteins from intracellular granules . These studies provide evidence that LPS binding and activation of PMN involves protein structures at the cell surface different from CD14, and that granules constitute a pool of LPS-binding proteins that can be translocated to the cell surface upon stimulation. Mutat Res, 1994 Dec, 341(2), 109 - 31 The performance of short-term tests in identifying potential germ cell mutagens: a qualitative and quantitative analysis; Waters MD et al.; A retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess the performance of selected short-term tests in the discrimination of mammalian germ cell mutagens and nonmutagens using data derived from the U.S . Environmental Protection Agency/International Agency for Research on Cancer Genetic Activity Profile (EPA/IARC GAP) and EPA GENE-TOX databases . The short-term tests selected were gene mutation in Salmonella (S . typhimurium), cultured mammalian cell gene mutation and chromosomal aberrations, and mammalian bone marrow cytogenetics (micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations) . These are the first level tests used in the EPA mutagenicity testing guidelines . The results of this analysis showed good sensitivity of short-term in vitro tests for mammalian cell gene mutation (96%) or chromosomal aberrations (92%) in identifying germ cell mutagens, while the sensitivity of tests for gene mutation in S . typhimurium was lower (79%) . Bone marrow micronucleus or chromosomal aberration assays in vivo each displayed a sensitivity of 96% . Thus, both the in vitro and in vivo tests may be used effectively to screen chemicals for potential germ cell mutagenicity . In contrast, the in vitro tests mentioned above performed poorly in discriminating putative germ cell nonmutagens, giving results for specificity at or below what is expected due to chance alone (50-11%) . The bone marrow assays were more efficient in this regard, the micronucleus test yielding a specificity of 63% and the chromosomal aberrations assay 64% . The mouse bone marrow micronucleus test also performed well on a quantitative basis, responding at or below the lowest effective doses tested in the mouse dominant lethal assay . Regression analysis of the mean lowest effective doses of chemicals evaluated in vivo showed approximately 1:1 linear correlations for mouse germ cell assays (heritable translocation vs dominant lethal or specific locus tests) as well as for mouse bone marrow assays (micronucleus vs chromosomal aberration) . The results suggest the value of the bone marrow micronucleus test as an assay for potential germ cell mutagenicity and the dominant lethal test as a relatively inexpensive choice for confirmation of germ cell damage . The sensitivity of the in vitro assays investigated and the discriminatory capability of the in vivo bone marrow assay affirmed the utility of these tests within the framework of the EPA mutagenicity testing guidelines. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1994 Nov 15, 124(1), 1 - 9 Plasmid-mediated virulence genes in non-typhoid Salmonella serovars; Guiney DG et al.; Specific non-typhoid Salmonella serovars carry large virulence plasmids that promote sustained extra-intestinal infections . These plasmids all share a highly conserved 8-kb region containing the spv operon, consisting of the regulatory spvR locus and the four structural spvABCD genes . The SpvR protein belongs to the LysR/MetR family of transcriptional activators, and induces spvABCD expression in the stationary phase in response to nutrient limitation . spv expression also depends on the chromosomal stationary phase sigma factor RpoS (KatF), and is markedly induced when salmonellae enter eukaryotic cells . Additional plasmid genes encode complement resistance including the rck locus which is homologous to ail from Yersinia . Rck blocks formation of the complement membrane attack complex on the bacterial surface . Several loci involved in plasmid replication and stable maintenance have also been identified. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1994 Nov, 60(11), 4009 - 14 Destruction of gram-negative food-borne pathogens by high pH involves disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane; Mendonca AF et al.; High pH has been shown to rapidly destroy gram-negative food-borne pathogens; however, the mechanism of destruction has not yet been elucidated . Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13706, and Listeria monocytogenes F5069 were suspended in NaHCO3-NaOH buffer solutions at pH 9, 10, 11, or 12 to give a final cell concentration of approximately 5.2 x 10(8) CFU/ml and then held at 37 or 45 degrees C . At 0, 5, 10, and 15 min the suspensions were sterilely filtered and each filtrate was analyzed for material with A260 . Viability of the cell suspensions was evaluated by enumeration on nonselective and selective agars . Cell morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy . A260 increased dramatically with pH and temperature for both E . coli and S . enteritidis; however, with L . monocytogenes material with A260 was not detected at any of the pHs tested . At pH 12, numbers of E . coli and S . enteritidis decreased at least 8 logs within 15 s, whereas L . monocytogenes decreased by only 1 log in 10 min . There was a very strong correlation between the initial rate of release of material with A260 and death rate of the gram-negative pathogens (r = 0.997) . At pH 12, gram-negative test cells appeared collapsed and showed evidence of lysis while gram-positive L . monocytogenes did not, when observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy . It was concluded that destruction of gram-negative food-borne pathogens by high pH involves disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1994 Nov 1, 123(3), 311 - 4 Expression of outer membrane proteins by Salmonella enteritidis relating to pH; Chart H et al.; The pH of the environment influenced the expression of outer membrane proteins by S . enteritidis PT4 growing in broth . Growth in broth at pH 5 to 7 resulted in variation in expression of outer membrane proteins of 18 to 22 kDa . Bacteria became acid-fixed and non-viable following prolonged incubation in broth with a pH below 5, and expression of flagella was repressed. Mol Immunol, 1994 Nov, 31(16), 1239 - 46 Acylation of the lipid A region of a Klebsiella pneumoniae LPS controls the alternative pathway activation of human complement; Mey A et al.; Two mechanisms of direct activation of the complement system by LPS have been extensively documented: (i) activation of the alternative pathway (AP) by the polysaccharide region, and (ii) activation of the classical pathway (CP) by the lipid A region . Here we demonstrate that LPS from the Klebsiella pneumoniae I-145 strain activates the AP by a mechanism dependent on the acylation of the lipid A region . Cleavage of C3 by K . pneumoniae LPS in EGTA was blocked by polymyxin B . Two 34 kDa derivatives were prepared from a membrane extract of this K . pneumoniae strain: (i) an acyl-poly (1,3) galactoside containing two galactosamine-bound ester-linked and two amide-linked fatty acids (EFA-APG), and (ii) an acyl-poly (1,3) galactoside devoid of ester-linked fatty acids (APG) . APG and EFA-APG share the structure of LPS molecules, with a long polysaccharidic chain, a core, and a lipid A region . The AP was activated by EFA-APG but not by APG nor by the isolated polygalactose chain GC-APG, indicating a critical role for ester-linked fatty acids in AP activation . Polymyxin B which binds to the lipid A region of LPS completely inhibited AP activation by EFA-APG . A small part of EFA-APG was shown to form aggregates in saline, but aggregation was not decreased by polymyxin B . Furthermore, APG formed aggregates of similar size although it was not able to activate AP . Therefore the role of lipid A acylation in triggering AP activation is not exclusively mediated by aggregation of the molecule . LPS from the rough strain of Salmonella minnesota (Sm Re LPS) directly activates the CP but not the AP . However, when mixed with the polygalactose chain GC-APG, Sm Re LPS activated the AP . The data demonstrate a cooperation between the lipid A region and the polysaccharidic chain in activation of the AP . Similar cooperation may occur with other LPS molecules. J Exp Med, 1994 Nov 1, 180(5), 1741 - 52 Human natural resistance-associated macrophage protein: cDNA cloning, chromosomal mapping, genomic organization, and tissue-specific expression; Cellier M et al.; Natural resistance to infection with unrelated intracellular parasites such as Mycobacteria, Salmonella, and Leishmania is controlled in the mouse by a single gene on chromosome 1, designated Bcg, Ity, or Lsh . A candidate gene for Bcg, designated natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp), has been isolated and shown to encode a novel macrophage-specific membrane protein, which is altered in susceptible animals . We have cloned and characterized cDNA clones corresponding to the human NRAMP gene . Nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence analyses indicate that the human NRAMP polypeptide encodes a 550-amino acid residue membrane protein with 10-12 putative transmembrane domains, two N-linked glycosylation sites, and an evolutionary conserved consensus transport motif . Identification of genomic clones corresponding to human NRAMP indicates that the gene maps to chromosome 2q35 within a group of syntenic loci conserved with proximal mouse 1 . The gene is composed of at least 15 exons, with several exons encoding discrete predicted structural domains of the protein . These studies have also identified an alternatively spliced exon encoded by an Alu element present within intron 4 . Although this novel exon was found expressed in vivo, it would introduce a termination codon in the downstream exon V, resulting in a severely truncated protein . Northern blot analyses indicate that NRAMP mRNA expression is tightly controlled in a tissue-specific fashion, with the highest sites of expression being peripheral blood leukocytes, lungs, and spleen . Additional RNA expression studies in cultured cells identified the macrophage as a site of expression of human NRAMP and indicated that increased expression was correlated with an advanced state of differentiation of this lineage. J Bacteriol, 1994 Nov, 176(22), 7005 - 16 Sequence analysis and molecular characterization of genes required for the biosynthesis of type 1 capsular polysaccharide in Staphylococcus aureus; Lin WS et al.; We previously cloned a 19.4-kb DNA region containing a cluster of genes affecting type 1 capsule production from Staphylococcus aureus M . Subcloning experiments showed that these capsule (cap) genes are localized in a 14.6-kb region . Sequencing analysis of the 14.6-kb fragment revealed 13 open reading frames (ORFs) . Using complementation tests, we have mapped a collection of Cap- mutations in 10 of the 13 ORFs, indicating that these 10 genes are involved in capsule biosynthesis . The requirement for the remaining three ORFs in the synthesis of the capsule was demonstrated by constructing site-specific mutations corresponding to each of the three ORFs . Using an Escherichia coli S30 in vitro transcription-translation system, we clearly identified 7 of the 13 proteins predicted from the ORFs . Homology search between the predicted proteins and those in the data bank showed very high homology (52.3% identity) between capL and vipA, moderate homology (29% identity) between capI and vipB, and limited homology (21.8% identity) between capM and vipC . The vipA, vipB, and vipC genes have been shown to be involved in the biosynthesis of Salmonella typhi Vi antigen, a homopolymer polysaccharide consisting of N-acetylgalactosamino uronic acid, which is also one of the components of the staphylococcal type 1 capsule . The homology between these sets of genes therefore suggests that capL, capI, and capM may be involved in the biosynthesis of amino sugar, N-acetylgalactosamino uronic acid . In addition, the search showed that CapG aligned well with the consensus sequence of a family of acetyltransferases from various prokaryotic organisms, suggesting that CapG may be an acetyltransferase . Using the isogenic Cap- and Cap+ strains constructed in this study, we have confirmed that type 1 capsule is an important virulence factor in a mouse lethality test. Eur J Biochem, 1994 Nov 1, 225(3), 863 - 72 In vitro synthesis of CDP-d-abequose using Salmonella enzymes of cloned rfb genes . Production of CDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose, CDP-3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose and CDP-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose, and isolation by HPLC; Lindqvist L et al.; In vitro enzymic synthesis of CDP-D-{U-14C}abequose, CDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose and CDP-3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose was achieved using enzymes from cell extracts of cultures of Escherichia coli strains harbouring and expressing genes of the rfb gene cluster of Salmonella enterica LT2 . From an initial synthesis step, CDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose was isolated after 30 min reaction, using CDP-D-glucose, NAD and CDP-glucose 4.6-dehydratase, followed by protein precipitation and desalting by gel chromatography (yield 90.6%) . From that intermediate, CDP-3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose was produced in a reaction using NADH and a crude extract containing the required enzymes . CDP-D-abequose synthesis was performed either in the presence of excess NADH and NADPH or using an enzymic system which regenerates low concentrations of the coenzymes . In a two-step reaction, CDP-D-glucose was first converted to CDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose, then, following addition of the required coenzymes and enzymes, CDP-D-abequose was formed from this intermediary product in a 1-h incubation . Starting from 250 mg CDP-D-glucose, the molar yield of CDP-D-abequose after protein precipitation and HPLC was 82%, corresponding to more than 200 mg . CDP-D-{U-14C}abequose was synthesised from alpha-D-{U14C}glucose 1-phosphate and CTP using purified glucose-1-phosphate cytidylyltransferase in a reaction preceding the later steps . GC-MS and NMR revealed that the hexose part of the end product was 3.6-dideoxy-D-galactose (abequose) and that the corresponding intermediates were 4-keto-6-deoxy-D-xylo-hexose and 4-keto-3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-hexose, respectively . The synthesized CDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose exhibited the characteristic ultraviolet light absorption at 318 nm but no corresponding absorption was found for CDP-3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose . A HPLC technique, where the four CDP-sugars were baseline separated, was developed and used for enzyme assays and for the analysis of synthesized products. Clin Orthop, 1994 Nov, (308), 187 - 91 Hematogenous Salmonella typhi osteomyelitis of the radius . A case report; Carlson DA et al.; Salmonella typhi osteomyelitis is an uncommon disease, usually associated with sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies, as well as with other disease states . In this case, Salmonella osteomyelitis was apparently caused by hematogenous spread after typhoid or enteric fever . After bone debridement, a segmental defect of the midradius resulted . Normal function was restored after radical debridement, intravenous antibiotics, and delayed tricortical iliac crest bone grafting of the segmental defect. Infect Immun, 1994 Nov, 62(11), 4881 - 6 Structural characteristics of polysaccharides that induce protection against intra-abdominal abscess formation; Tzianabos AO et al.; Bacteroides fragilis is the anaerobe most commonly isolated from clinical cases of intra-abdominal sepsis . In a rodent model of this disease process, intraperitoneal injection of the capsular polysaccharide complex (CPC) from B . fragilis provokes abscess formation, while subcutaneous administration of this complex confers protection against B . fragilis-induced intra-abdominal abscesses . The CPC consists of two discrete polysaccharides, polysaccharides A and B (PS A and PS B), each possessing oppositely charged structural groups critical to the ability of these carbohydrates to induce the formation of abscesses . Other bacterial polysaccharides that possess oppositely charged groups (such as the group antigen or capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 strains) also exhibited potent abscess-inducing capabilities . We report here that positively and negatively charged groups on polysaccharides are also essential for inducing protection against abscess formation . Vaccination of rats with B . fragilis PS A, PS B, or the S . pneumoniae type 1 capsule protected against intra-abdominal abscesses subsequent to intraperitoneal challenge with each of these polysaccharides . Chemical conversion of the free amino or carboxyl groups on PS A to uncharged N-acetyl or hydroxymethyl groups, respectively, abrogated the ability of this polymer to confer protection against polysaccharide-mediated abscess formation . Adoptive transfer of splenic T cells from polysaccharide-vaccinated rats to naive animals demonstrated that T cells mediated this protective activity . T cells transferred from animals vaccinated with a polysaccharide repeating unit (Salmonella typhi Vi antigen) that normally contains one carboxyl group but was chemically converted to a polymer that possesses both free amino and carboxyl groups (accomplished by de-N-acetylating the Vi antigen) protected naive T-cell recipients against polysaccharide-induced abscesses . These results demonstrate that a distinct structural motif associated with the B . fragilis polysaccharides is necessary for induction of protective immunity against abscess formation associated with intra-abdominal sepsis . However, protection is not antigen specific in a traditional sense . Rather, the protective ability of these structurally dissimilar polysaccharides is conferred by, and perhaps specific for, a motif of oppositely charged groups. Infect Immun, 1994 Nov, 62(11), 4747 - 54 Vaccination of chickens with strain CVL30, a genetically defined Salmonella enteritidis aroA live oral vaccine candidate; Cooper GL et al.; Newly hatched chicks were vaccinated orally with a genetically defined Salmonella enteritidis aroA candidate, strain CVL30 . In chickens immunized with 10(5) or 10(9) CFU and challenged by the intravenous route with 10(8) CFU of S . enteritidis 109 Nalr at 8 weeks old, there were similar reductions in colonization of the spleens, livers, and ceca of vaccinees compared with unvaccinated controls . Two groups of newly hatched female chicks were vaccinated orally with 10(9) CFU of strain CVL30, and one group was revaccinated intramuscularly with 10(9) CFU at 16 weeks old . When challenged intravenously with S . enteritidis 109 Nalr at 23 weeks old, there was a reduction in the colonization of spleens, livers, ovaries, and ceca compared with unvaccinated controls . Inclusion of the intramuscular booster gave increased protection to the ovary, although the vaccine strain was isolated on one occasion from a batch of eggs laid at 20 weeks old . In chickens immunized with 10(9) CFU of strain CVL30 and challenged orally with 10(9) CFU of S . enteritidis 109 Nalr, there was a reduction in intestinal shedding of the challenge strain from vaccines compared with unvaccinated controls . Circulating immunoglobulin G antibodies to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were detected in unvaccinated controls within 7 to 10 days of oral challenge . In contrast, circulating immunoglobulin G antibodies to LPS in vaccinees were not altered by the oral challenge, which suggested that vaccination reduced or prevented invasion by the challenge strain from the gut or multiplication of the challenge strain in the tissues . Newly hatched chicks were vaccinated orally with ca . 10(9) CFU of strain CVL30, and 1 day later, the vaccines and unvaccinated controls were challenged orally with 10(5) or 10(9) CFU of S . enteritidis 109 Nalr . Colonization of the ceca and invasion from the gut by the S . enteritidis challenge strain was reduced in the vaccines up to 5 days postchallenge compared with controls . In a second trial, vaccinees and controls were challenged orally with 10(7) or 10(9) CFU of S . typhimurium 2391 Nalr . In contrast to the challenge with S . enteritidis, colonization of the ceca and invasion by the S . typhimurium strain were not greatly reduced. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1994 Nov, 116(5), 948 - 54 Establishment of monoclonal antibodies specific for ganglioside GM1: detection of ganglioside GM1 in small cell lung carcinoma cell lines and tissues; Watarai S et al.; Three kinds of anti-GM1 monoclonal antibodies, AGM-1, -2, and -3, of the IgM class were produced by the immunization of BALB/c mice with ganglioside GM1 inserted into liposomes with Salmonella minnesota R595 lipopolysaccharides and fusion of the spleen cells with a mouse myeloma cell line . The specificities of the monoclonal antibodies obtained were elucidated through complement-dependent liposome immune lysis assay and enzyme immunostaining on thin-layer chromatograms . All of the monoclonal antibodies reacted only with ganglioside GM1, and structurally related glycosphingolipids, such as fucosyl-GM1, asialo-GM1, GM2, and GD1b, and the other gangliosides (GM3 and GD1a) tested showed no reactivity to the 3 monoclonal antibodies . These findings suggest that the monoclonal antibodies obtained may be specific for ganglioside GM1 . These anti-GM1 monoclonal antibodies were used to define the expression of ganglioside GM1 on small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines and tissues . In flow cytometric analysis and immunostaining studies, we observed that ganglioside GM1 was highly expressed on the SCLC cell lines . Results obtained with flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry agreed well with the immunochemical determination of ganglioside GM1 in lipid extracts of cell lines . Furthermore, expression of ganglioside GM1 in tumor tissues from patients with SCLC was ascertained by the immunohistochemical examination of acetone-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections . Ganglioside GM1 was detected in 5 of 19 SCLC tissues . These results suggest that ganglioside GM1 is expressed in SCLC cells. Clin Infect Dis, 1994 Nov, 19(5), 871 - 5 Salmonellal splenic abscess in the antibiotic era: a Latin American perspective; Torres JR et al.; Ten cases of salmonellal splenic abscesses recently documented in various Latin American countries are discussed . All patients were adults; the mean age was 32.6 years, and there was a predominance of males (seven) . Predisposing conditions were identified in four cases . All 10 cases were documented by diagnostic imaging techniques; in one case, exploratory diagnostic laparotomy was also performed . Splenectomy was performed on eight patients, while two other patients responded to long courses of intravenous antimicrobial therapy alone . One patient died as the result of perioperative splenic rupture, and two patients underwent second laparotomies because of left subphrenic abscesses . Except for one human immunodeficiency virus-infected individual, all patients were immunocompetent and had large solitary lesions . Salmonella typhi was the predominant organism isolated and was recovered in six of the 10 cases. Vaccine, 1994 Nov, 12(15), 1372 - 8 Immunogenicity of the Escherichia coli fimbrial antigen K99 when expressed by Salmonella enteritidis 11RX; Bertram EM et al.; Salmonella strains expressing the Escherichia coli fimbrial protein K99 were used to immunize adult mice, and the resulting anti-K99 T-cell responses were examined . Immunized animals displayed delayed-type hypersensitivity responses when challenged with K99 in the footpad . Lymphoid cells from immunized animals proliferated and released cytokines when cultured in vitro with K99 or peptides generated by cyanogen bromide treatment; the T cells which responded had the CD4+ phenotype. Mol Microbiol, 1994 Nov, 14(3), 443 - 52 Plasminogen, absorbed by Escherichia coli expressing curli or by Salmonella enteritidis expressing thin aggregative fimbriae, can be activated by simultaneously captured tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA); Sjobring U et al.; Curli are fimbrial structures expressed by Escherichia coli that specifically interact with matrix proteins such as fibronectin and laminin . Similar structures are also expressed by Salmonella enteritidis and have been denoted thin aggregative fimbriae . Bacteria expressing curli and thin aggregative fimbriae were found to bind radiolabelled plasminogen as well as the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) . By contrast, E . coli carrying a gene locus with an insertionally inactivated chromosomal curlin subunit were unable to bind the two human proteins . The purified subunit polypeptides of curli and thin aggregative fimbriae bound plasminogen and t-PA with high affinity (1 x 10(8) to 2 x 10(8) M-1) . The binding of plasminogen and t-PA to curli-expressing E . coli was only partially inhibited by fibronectin and laminin . Plasminogen absorbed from human plasma by curli-expressing E . coli was readily converted to plasmin by t-PA; both plasmin and t-PA were functionally active when bound to the bacteria . A simultaneous binding of fibrinolytic proteins and matrix proteins to fimbriae of E . coli and S . enteritidis could provide these pathogens with both adhesive and invasive properties. Am J Vet Res, 1994 Nov, 55(11), 1516 - 20 Enteric pathogens in intensively reared veal calves; McDonough SP et al.; Observations were made on development of diarrhea in special-fed calves (n = 460) on 8 commercial facilities during 2 successive 16-week production cycles at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 . A total of 23% were affected, with peak number of calves with diarrhea observed at week 0 . Suspected enteropathogens were identified in 86% of these calves, most commonly cryptosporidia, coronavirus, and rotavirus . Identified potential zoonotic pathogens included Giardia and Salmonella spp and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli . Noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from 6 calves that had repeated bouts of illness . Only 22% of calves entering the veal facilities had adequate transfer of passive immunity . At week 0, serum IgG concentration in calves that subsequently died or had diarrhea was lower (P < 0.001) than that in healthy calves . All calves that died (n = 6) during the first 4 weeks of production had complete failure of transfer of passive immunity. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1994 Nov, 10(1), 31 - 8 Differing signal requirements for the activation of macrophages from C3H/HeJ and C3H/OuJ mice; Abu-Lawi KI et al.; Endotoxin-associated protein (EP) from Salmonella typhi stimulated the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interferon (IFN) activity in macrophages from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responder C3H/OuJ mouse strain . However, only PGE2 and IL-1 were stimulated by EP in macrophages from the LPS nonresponder C3H/HeJ mouse strain . LPS stimulated the release of PGE2, IL-1 and IFN activity in C3H/OuJ macrophages, but not in C3H/HeJ macrophages . The protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol myristic acid (PMA) stimulated PGE2 production in both strains but not IL-1 production, suggesting that signalling pathways other than PKC may be involved in IL-1 production . The calcium ionophore ionomycin stimulated PGE2 production in C3H/OuJ but not C3H/HeJ macrophages, suggesting a defective calcium-related pathway in the C3H/HeJ macrophages as compared to the C3H/OuJ cells. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1994 Nov, 107(11), 382 - 4 {The effect of coccidiostats on the growth capacity and the survival ability of Salmonella live vaccine agents}; Martin G et al.; Anticoccidial agents are obligatory feed additives during several rearing periods of poultry . The success of an oral immunization of young chicken with Salmonella live vaccines depends on the insensitivity of the vaccine strain against such anticoccidial agents because the vaccination success depends on the survival of the vaccine strain in the gut of the chick and the temporary colonization of lymphatic tissue . We investigated the in vitro sensitivity of the vaccine strain in the S . typhimurium live vaccine "Zoosaloral H" registered for the vaccination of poultry in Germany in connection with often used anticoccidial agents (Diclazuril, Monensin, Narasin and Salinomycin) . No differences in growth and survival between the samples containing and lacking anticoccidial agents were found even by using double amounts of the permitted concentration of the anticoccidial agents . No negative effects of the tested anticoccidial agents on Salmonella being used as oral live vaccines in poultry should be expected. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1994 Nov, 107(11), 361 - 7 {Microbiological quality of fresh and stored ground meat from commercial production}; Klein G et al.; In the last quarter of 1993 we investigated 295 samples of minced meat on 59 days of production (5 samples each day) . EC-regulations (88/657/EEC, changed by 92/110/EEC) were considered . We looked for the total aerobic count, E . coli, Staph . aureus and Salmonella . Factors that could influence the results were examined as day of sampling, storage under defined conditions, ph-value etc . Most important for the microbiological quality of the product was the quality of the processed meat . In most cases samples fulfilled the strict microbiological requirements of the EC-regulation . After storage for 2 days at 2 degrees C there was no detectable alteration of the microflora of minced meat . Beginning with the third day total aerobic count increased significantly explainable by the increase of pseudomonads . There were problems with minced meat produced from beef, that was of lower quality and not fresh . EC-regulations can be fulfilled and are reasonable in case of industrial production when considering the quality of the processed meat and seasonal differences . Therefore microbiological quality control is justified. Mutagenesis, 1994 Nov, 9(6), 517 - 21 Evaluation of the genotoxicity of 4-diethylamino-4'-nitroazobenzene and seven analogues; Elliott BM et al.; A series of eight nitroaromatic azo compounds based on 4-diethylamino-4'-nitroazobenzene has been examined for genotoxic activity in a collaborative study conducted under the auspices of the Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigments Manufacturers (ETAD) . The evaluation has been conducted in two parts, firstly an examination in vitro to assess any intrinsic genotoxic activity of the compound . The chemicals were examined in the Salmonella assay in a standard plate incorporation protocol in both the presence and absence of S9 and in a minimum of the four tester strains recommended in the OECD guideline for this assay, i.e . TA1535, TA1537, TA98 and TA100 . All of the compounds were mutagenic in one or more of the Salmonella tester strains, and all were positive in TA98 with S9 . A considerable range of potency was seen in this assay . The chemicals were further examined in vitro for mammalian cell gene mutation at either the HGPRT or TK locus in a standard (CHO, V79 or L5178Y) cell system . Only one of the chemicals was mutagenic and only with S9 . This chemical also showed the most potent response in the Salmonella assay . The second part of the study was an examination in vivo to see whether any genotoxic activity was expressed in the whole animal . The in vivo rat liver DNA repair (unscheduled DNA synthesis; UDS) assay was chosen as being the most likely to be sensitive to aromatic nitroazo compounds . All of the materials were negative when tested alongside a structurally related positive control . The chemicals were also examined in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay in order to provide a second in vivo assessment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Acta Paediatr, 1994 Nov, 83(11), 1230 - 1 Reactive arthritis due to Salmonella enteritidis complicated by carditis; Huppertz HI et al.; Reactive arthritis following infection with enteropathogenic bacteria is usually a self-limiting disease that disappears after a few months without sequela . We describe two girls who developed carditis shortly after the onset of reactive arthritis due to infection with Salmonella enteritidis . The carditis presented with fatigue and arrhythmia and involved the aortic valve in both patients leading to definite aortic regurgitation in one . A similar pattern of cardiac involvement is found in other spondyloarthropathies, including Reiter's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis . We conclude that Salmonella reactive arthritis may be complicated by carditis. Farmaco, 1994 Nov, 40(11), 713 - 9 Biological studies on 2,1-benzisothiazole derivatives . II . Evaluation of antimicrobial and genotoxic properties of bz-nitro-, 3-ethylacetate-, 3-amino- and 3-substituted amino 2,1-benzisothiazoles; Zani F et al.; The in vitro antimicrobial activity of bz-nitro-, 3-ethylacetate-, 3-amino- and 3-substitutedamino 2,1-benzisothiazoles was evaluated . The compounds studied were found to display a very low activity against bacteria and fungi, with the exception of compound 61, which exhibited a relatively high activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . As for genotoxic properties, compounds 1-3, 5 and 6 showed DNA-damaging activity in the Bacillus subtilis rec-assay . The Salmonella-microsome assay confirmed the genotoxicity of these compounds and also revealed the mutagenicity of compounds 4, 7-12, 23, 24, 31, 33-35, 38, 39, 44, 49, 51, 53, 57-63 . Structure-activity relationships showed all the compounds containing an aromatic nitro group or an unsubstituted amino group to possess genotoxic properties . Whereas most of the 3-acylamino-, 3-acylalkylamino- and 3-azomethynderivatives showed mutagenic activity, none of the 3-alkylamino-2,1-benzisothiazoles was active . None of the 1,2-isomers studied showed genotoxic properties. J Pak Med Assoc, 1994 Nov, 44(11), 253 - 5 Emergence of multi-drug resistance among beta-lactamase producing Salmonella; Rehman N et al.; Multi-drug resistant strains of Salmonella isolated from blood and bone marrow cultures of pyrexial patients received from physicians, hospitals and different clinics were studied from May to November, 1993 . Of 2143 samples collected, 424(20%) cases yielded the growth of different organisms . Out of these 266(63%) were positive for Salmonella strains . The strains isolated were Salmonella typhi 239(90%) and Salmonella paratyphi A 27(10%) . Two hundred twenty (82%) strains of Salmonella showed increased beta-lactamase activity and an alarming increase in resistance against commonly used antibiotics for enteric fever. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1994 Nov, 68(11), 1352 - 8 {Tetracycline-resistant plasmid of Salmonella enteritidis isolated in Kumamoto City}; Honda R et al.; We isolated Salmonella choleraesuis subsp . choleraesuis serovar . Enteritidis (S . Enteritidis) from a mass of cases which broke out in September, 1991 in Kumamoto City . The isolates were shown to hold plasmids on which a tetracycline (TC)-resistant gene was located . The plasmid, about 9 kb in size, was capable of expressing the gene in Escherichia coli, unstable in S . Enteritidis and Escherichia coli . Thus in order to investigate the creeping prevalence of the TC-resistant plasmid in Kumamoto City and its spreading in other areas, the strains, a total of 41, including 37 isolates from sporadic cases with diarrhea in Kumamoto City, 3 isolates from 3 cases of food poisoning in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka and Chiba, and one strain isolated from egg solution in Kumamoto City, were examined by the hybridization test with this plasmid as a probe, as well as for their drug sensitivity and plasmid profile . As a result, 28 strains of 37 tested from the sporadic cases, the strains from food poisoning in Kitakyushu, Chiba and the one from egg solution, all harbored the same 9 kb TC-resistant plasmid . From the above observations, it was assured that, at the time of investigation, July to September in 1992, the prevalence of S . Enteritidis in Kumamoto City was Predominated by its strain carrying the TC-resistant plasmid . Furthermore, considering the fact that the strain harboring this plasmid was also found in the food poisoning in Kitakyushu and Chiba, it was suggested that spreading of this strain was not restricted to localities and was also associated with Chicken eggs according to its detection from the egg solution. J AOAC Int, 1994 Nov-Dec, 77(6), 1681 - 4 Effectiveness of a one-day procedure for recovery of Salmonella from milk powders; Hammack TS et al.; A rapid procedure for enumerating Salmonella in milk powders was evaluated . Dry whole milk and instant nonfat dry milk were rehydrated, artificially inoculated with various numbers of Salmonella cells, and stomached . Test portions were then treated with Tween 80 and pancreatic trypsin, and incubated for 1 h at 30 degrees C . The incubated test portions were centrifuged at 10,000 x g for 15 min at 5 degrees C, and the resuspended pellets were plated on xylose lysine desoxycholate agar . The effectiveness of the procedure was expressed in terms of percentage recovery of the inoculum . The procedure, which was evaluated in 76 trials using 7 Salmonella serovars, recovered < or = 73% of the inoculum for half of the trials conducted . Its effectiveness was dependent on the serovar, level of inoculation, and type of milk powder used. J AOAC Int, 1994 Nov-Dec, 77(6), 1490 - 1 Detection of Salmonella in dry foods using refrigerated pre-enrichment and enrichment broth cultures: summary of collaborative study; D'Aoust JY et al.; A collaborative study was conducted to compare the productivity of refrigerated pre-enrichment and enrichment broth cultures with the U.S . Food and Drug Administration culture methods for detection of Salmonella . The refrigerated pre-enrichment and selective enrichment broth culture methods for detection of Salmonella in dry foods have been adopted first action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Gesundheitswesen, 1994 Nov, 56(11), 606 - 10 {The 1990 salmonella epidemic in the commercial city of Lübeck--an epidemiologic study as a contribution to determining the etiology of the salmonella outbreak}; Schulte T; In 1990 in Germany for the first time more than 100,000 cases of enteric infections (mostly salmonella enteritidis) were registered . The incidence is still increasing . As only one of ten cases is reported the yearly overall loss to general economy is estimated up to DM 600,000,000 . Many hypotheses on causes were suggested but none could be verified (e.g . mass-breeding of animals, modernistic habits of eating and drinking, introduction of microwave-cooking, deterioration of hygiene in kitchens, insufficient cooling of food) . This paper reports on the result of retrospective interviews with regard to food- and kitchen-hygiene of persons suffering from salmonellosis during an epidemy in Lubeck in autumn 1990 . As no systematic violations of rules of hygiene could be detected we concluded that in future prevention and research should again be concentrated especially on the control of animal feed imports, poultry breeding, cooling and technical processing of eggs and garbage-sanitation . In Sweden consistent elimination of infected poultry stock showed effect . In the Federal Republic of Germany more drastic steps in regard of planed EC-Guidelines on the control of zoonoses are demanded. Mol Biol Evol, 1994 Nov, 11(6), 829 - 38 Evidence for effect of random genetic drift on G+C content after lateral transfer of fucose pathway genes to Escherichia coli K-12; Aoyama K et al.; The cps cluster of Escherichia coli K-12 comprises genes involved in synthesis of capsular polysaccharide colanic acid . Part of the E . coli K-12 cps region has been cloned and sequenced and compared to its Salmonella enterica LT2 counterpart . The cps genes from the two organisms are homologous; in the case of the LT2 genes, with G+C content of 0.61 and codons characteristic of high G+C species, it seems clear that they have been acquired relatively recently by lateral transfer from a high G+C species . The K-12 form of these cps genes is closely related to those of LT2 so must derive from the same high G+C species, but it appears to have transferred much earlier such that random genetic drift has brought P3 (the corrected G+C content of codon base 3) down from 0.77 to 0.64, more than halfway to the E . coli average of 0.57 . We estimate, using an equation developed by Sueoka, that the lateral transfer to E . coli took place approximately 45 million years ago . This is the first report we are aware of demonstrating the expected adjustment of P3 after lateral transfer between species with different G+C content DNA. Mol Biol Evol, 1994 Nov, 11(6), 813 - 28 Molecular evolution in the gnd locus of Salmonella enterica; Thampapillai G et al.; The gnd gene, the structural gene for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, was sequenced and analyzed in 34 isolates from different serovars of the seven subspecies of Salmonella enterica to provide comparative information on the evolution in this gene, which has been studied extensively in Escherichia coli . The gene tree obtained by the neighbor-joining method in general gave separate branches for each subspecies, with the few exceptions readily explained by recombination . There is evidence of recombination involving transfer of long (more than 400 bp) and short (30-150 bp) segments of DNA . Four of the six long-segment transfers detected are at the 5' end of the gene, and in all four cases a variant of the chi sequence is located close to the recombination junction and appears to have mediated the recombination events . We suggest that in these four cases and in a fifth case with intersubspecies transfer of the whole gnd gene, the adjacent rfb (O antigen) locus may have been transferred in the same event . The estimates of the number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site, KS, and the number of nonsynonymous substitutions per nonsynonymous site, KA, within the E . coli and S . enterica gnd genes, and also between the two species show an interesting distribution, with KS being lower toward the ends of the gene and KA in particular being lower in the first than in the second domain . In S . enterica, synonymous sites also seem to be subjected to negative selection . The ratio of KA to KS was higher within S . enterica and E . coli than between them, which may indicate that intraspecies variation is essentially between clones and that mildly deleterious mutations can be fixed within clones, which would thus raise KA within species. J Invertebr Pathol, 1994 Nov, 64(3), 221 - 7 A lipopolysaccharide-binding hemagglutinin with specificity for acetylated aminosugars in the serum of the hermit crab Diogenes affinis (Henderson); Murali S et al.; A naturally occurring hemagglutinin was detected in the serum of the hermit crab Diogenes affinis, and its erythrocyte (RBC) binding activities, physicochemical properties, and carbohydrate binding specificity were characterized . Both the hemagglutination profile and the pattern of cross-reactivity of the serum with different RBC types in cross-adsorption tests suggested a strong affinity of the serum agglutinin for rat RBC . Further analysis revealed that the agglutinin was specifically dependent on Ca2+ for its hemagglutinating activity and reversibly sensitive to EDTA . The activity was found to be stable between pH 6.0 and 7.5, heat-labile, and completely precipitable by ammonium sulphate or TCA, suggesting the proteinaceous nature of the serum agglutinin . In hemagglutination-inhibition assays, the serum agglutinin of D . affinis showed a distinct and unique specificity for acetyl group-containing carbohydrates and glycoprotein . Furthermore, the hemagglutinating activity of the serum agglutinin was also inhibited by lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella abortus equi, which might indicate a significant role of humoral agglutinin in the immune response of crustaceans against bacterial infection. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1994 Nov, 281(4), 442 - 50 Use of ribotyping, IS200 typing and plasmid analysis for the identification of Salmonella enterica subsp . enterica serovar Typhimurium vaccine strain Zoosaloral H and its differentiation from wild type strains of the same serovar; Schwarz S et al.; Fifty Salmonella enterica subsp . enterica serovar Typhimurium (S . Typhimurium) isolates obtained from one vaccinated and three non-vaccinated poultry flocks as well as the commercially available vaccine strain Zoosaloral H and a S . Typhimurium reference strain were characterized genotypically to differentiate between S . Typhimurium live vaccine strain Zoosaloral H and wild type strains of the same serovar . Ribotyping revealed five different patterns one of which exclusively occurred in the vaccine strain . Seven different hybridization patterns could be observed by IS200-typing of the S . Typhimurium isolates; one of them was only detectable in the vaccine strain . Plasmid analysis showed that 51% of the S . Typhimurium isolates including the vaccine strain harboured large plasmids of approximately 60 MDa . Hybridization with a virulence gene probe identified only 48% of these large plasmids, including that of the vaccine strain, to carry this virulence-associated gene . However, restriction endonuclease analysis of the hybridizing plasmids showed that the virulence gene was located on HindIII fragments of different sizes in the plasmid of the S . Typhimurium vaccine strain Zoosaloral H and in the plasmids of the respective wild type S . Typhimurium isolates . Thus, ribotyping, IS200-typing and plasmid analysis represent at least three independent systems which allow the genotypic identification of the S . Typhimurium vaccine strain Zoosaloral H and its differentiation from wild type isolates of the same serovar. Bioorg Med Chem, 1994 Nov, 2(11), 1221 - 9 Modulation of antibody affinity by synthetic modifications of the most exposed pyranose residue of a trisaccharide epitope; Bundle DR et al.; When the Salmonella trisaccharide epitope, methyl 3-O-(3,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl)-2-O-(alpha-D-galactopyra nos yl)- alpha-D-mannopyranoside 12 is bound by a monoclonal antibody Se155.4, the 3,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-hexose is completely buried, while the galactopyranosyl mannopyranosyl units lay across the protein surface . Crystallography of an antibody complexed with 12 also shows that the galactose residue is the most exposed saccharide . A simplified strategy to synthesize 12 and analogues modified at the galactose residue is described . Monosaccharide building blocks containing benzyl ether and ester protecting groups were used for efficient assembly of trisaccharides that can be deprotected by a single hydrogenolysis step, or occasionally preceded by a transesterification stage . Glycosylation of methyl 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D- mannopyranoside 4 by 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3,6-dideoxy-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl chloride 8 affords after transesterification the disaccharide acceptor 10 . This disaccharide serves as a universal acceptor for glycosylation by glycosyl donors that lead, following facile deprotection, to the alpha- and beta-D-galacto, alpha- and beta-D-gluco, and 2-amino-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galacto trisaccharides 12, 14, 17, 18 and 21 . Only a small change in binding energy delta (delta G) occurs when the alpha-D-galactopyranosyl residue of 12 is replaced by either an alpha-D-glucopyranosyl 17 or a 2-amino-2-deoxy alpha-D-galactopyranosyl unit 21 . Whereas binding of the beta-D-glucopyranose congener 18 was tolerated by the antibody, the beta-D-galactopyranose analogue 14, showed a 250 fold loss of affinity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Mutat Res, 1994 Nov, 341(1), 57 - 69 Substituent effects on the genotoxicity of 4-nitrostilbene derivatives; Hooberman BH et al.; 4-Nitrostilbene and twelve of its derivatives (eleven E-stilbenes and two Z-stilbenes) were examined for possible quantitative structure-activity relationships of their in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity . Relative mutagenicity was studied with and without S9 activation in Salmonella strains TA98 and TA100, as well as in the nitroreductase deficient strains TA98/NR and TA100/NR . Chromosomal aberrations in the bone-marrow cells of mice following intraperitoneal administration of the nitrostilbenes were observed as an indicator of in vivo genotoxicity . All of the compounds were active in TA98 and TA100 without S9 activation, with the exception of 4-amino-4'-nitrostilbene in TA100 . Mutagenic activity was greatly reduced or eliminated in the NR strains, which is consistent with metabolic activation of the compounds by bacterial reductase . The presence of S9 lowered the activity of most of the nitrostilbenes presumedly by enzymatic detoxication . Hammet values of substituents, partition coefficients and frontier orbital energies (ELUMO and EHOMO) were studied for correlations with mutagenicity of the eleven E-stilbenes . Correlations could be