J Dent Res, 1985 Jan, 64(1), 58 - 61 The more Streptococcus mutans, the more caries on approximal surfaces; Kristoffersson K et al.; The relationship between the presence of Streptococcus mutans and caries on approximal tooth surfaces was studied in a group of 28 children who were 13 years old at baseline . 700 surfaces in the pre-molar and molar region were studied . Sampling of S . mutans was performed with a toothpick method at the beginning of the study and after one and two years . From bite-wing radiographs, the approximal surfaces were recorded as caries-free, decayed, or restored . Progression of lesions during the two years was also studied . More new caries lesions and progression caries lesions were found on surfaces positive for S . mutans than on surfaces without, and the more S . mutans, the more lesions, 52% of the surfaces with positive S . mutans findings at all three sampling occasions became carious or had caries in a progressive form . Among the surfaces with no detectable S . mutans, the corresponding figure was 8% . 80 out of the 530 surfaces diagnosed as intact at the start of the study became carious over the two-year period . 69 of these were S . mutans-positive at the first and/or second sampling. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1985 Jan, 131(1), 131 - 3 A new elastase inhibitor from Streptococcus pneumoniae protects against acute lung injury induced by neutrophil granules; Vered M et al.; A neutrophil elastase-inhibitor isolated from lysed pneumococcal cells, as well as trypsin-digest peptides derived from this factor, were tested for their ability to suppress acute lung injury in mice treated with human neutrophil granule extracts . Injury was assessed by measuring pulmonary sequestration of circulating 125I-labeled albumin, lung water, and lung hemoglobin . Both the native inhibitor and the tryptic-peptides gave good protection when preincubated with granule extract for brief periods before intrapulmonary instillation . Lesser, but still significant, protection was observed in the absence of preincubation . Protection was not simply due to addition of exogenous proteins to the granule extract because substitution of goat immunoglobulin for pneumococcal fraction was ineffective . These results suggest that pneumococcal elastase-inhibitors, recently described by us, may play a role in minimizing lung injury during pneumococcal pneumonia. Microbios, 1985, 44(181S), 223 - 32 Transmission of Streptococcus mutans in some selected families; Masuda N et al.; The aim of the present study was to determine the source and transmission route of Streptococcus mutans . The frequency of this organism in saliva and plaque samples was compared among fifteen pairs of mothers and their children . The results showed that most of the mothers harboured almost equal or greater levels of S . mutans than their children . Similarities of the distribution of various serotypes and mutacin types were observed between these mothers and their offspring . Samples were also collected from plaque and/or carious lesions of the relatives of the subjects who carried one of the serotypes other than serotype c as the dominant S . mutans . The strains of the same serotypes of S . mutans which possessed similar mutacin patterns were predominantly detected in the siblings and mothers of each subject . However, a similar distribution of S . mutans strains was not clearly observed in other relatives including fathers, aunts, uncles and grandparents. J Fr Ophtalmol, 1985, 8(12), 773 - 7 {The Posner-Schlossmann syndrome and allergy}; Demailly P et al.; In 13 cases of Posner Schlossmann Syndrome, the authors have performed a systematic and full allergologic investigation . They were able to demonstrate in all cases an atopic constitution . The immunity tests in vivo associated with a rhinomanometric inhalation of the responsible allergen have shown positive responses to the pneumallergens and to the streptococcus hemolyticus by the way of a focal infection . In almost all cases secondary syndromic reactions were present . Specific desensitization carefully managed, closely supervised, makes possible in early detected cases the attacks to become less frequent and eventually to disappear. Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(12), 1163 - 73 Effect of mutacin administration on Streptococcus mutans-induced dental caries in rats; Ooshima T et al.; A bacteriocin from serotype c Streptococcus mutans strain C3603 was examined for its inhibitory effect on experimental dental caries in rats infected with S . mutans MT8148R (serotype c) . Significant reduction in the incidence of dental caries was found only when bacteriocin was incorporated both in the drinking water and in the diet at a high concentration . However, caries reduction was not as great as expected and the addition of bacteriocin to drinking water alone had no effect on the recovery of S . mutans, plaque deposition or caries incidence . The bacteriocin activity must have been reduced in the oral cavity of rats, and the reasons were examined . Bacteriocin-resistant mutants were not detected and the bacteriocin was not inactivated by saliva . Whereas the bacteriocin did not kill the S . mutans cells grown in a sucrose-containing medium, it completely killed the cells grown in a sucrose-free medium. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jan, 131 ( Pt 1), 67 - 72 Does an increase in membrane unsaturated fatty acids account for Tween 80 stimulation of glucosyltransferase secretion by Streptococcus salivarius? Jacques NA, Jacques VL, Wolf AC, Wittenberger CL. When Streptococcus salivarius was grown in batch culture in the presence of various Tween detergents, the fatty acid moiety of the detergent was incorporated into the lipids of its membrane . Tween 80 (containing primarily oleic acid) markedly stimulated the production of extracellular glucosyltransferase and also increased the degree of unsaturation of the membrane lipid fatty acids . The possibility that an increase in membrane unsaturated fatty acids promoted extracellular glucosyltransferase production was examined by growing cells at different temperatures in the presence or absence of Tween 80 . The membrane lipids of cells grown at 30 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 40 degrees C without Tween 80 exhibited unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratios of 2.06, 1.01 and 0.87 respectively . A significant increase in the production of extracellular glucosyltransferase was observed at 30 degrees C compared to cells grown at 40 degrees C . However, cells produced much more exoenzyme at all temperatures when grown with Tween 80 . The results indicated that an increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content of the membrane lipids was not by itself sufficient to account for the stimulation of extracellular glucosyltransferase production by Tween 80, but that the surfactant also had to be present. Pediatr Pathol, 1985, 4(3-4), 247 - 55 Fatal adenovirus pneumonia in two newborn infants, one case caused by adenovirus type 30; Sun CC et al.; Adenovirus rarely causes pneumonia in the newborn infant . We added 2 cases of fatal adenovirus neonatal pneumonia to the 3 cases previously reported . One of our cases was caused by adenovirus type 30, which is not previously known to be a pathogen . While the pneumonia could have been acquired in the nursery, the presence of chorioamnionitis and mixed infection with group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus suggests that an ascending infection from the birth canal might be another mode of transmission for neonatal adenovirus pneumonia. Ter Arkh, 1985, 57(9), 49 - 56 {Viral myocarditis (the etiologic, clinical, diagnostic and treatment problems)}; Novikov IuI et al.; To elucidate the etiology of respiratory infection and pharyngitis associated myocarditis a serological study was made of 201 patients who were successively admitted with a clinical diagnosis of myocarditis . Coxsackie viral infection of group B, influenza A and B, para-influenza and adenoviral infection and beta-hemolytical streptococcus of group A were determined . Preceding Coxsackie infection was established in 38,3% of the patients, influenza A and B in 27.5%, adenoviral infection in 3.6% and para-influenza in 1.7% . beta-hemolytical streptococcus as the cause of myocarditis was detected in 4.9% of the patients only . In view of the viral etiology of most cases of myocarditis the authors discussed the problems of its pathogenesis, clinical course and therapy. Gene, 1985, 36(3), 341 - 8 Inverted terminal repeats and terminal proteins of the genomes of pneumococcal phages; Escarmis C et al.; The nucleotide (nt) sequence at the ends of the genomes of the Streptococcus pneumoniae phages Cp-5 and Cp-7 has been determined and compared with the corresponding sequence of phage Cp-1 . The genomes of phages Cp-5 and Cp-7 have inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) 343 and 347 bp long, respectively . In Cp-1 DNA the ITR is 236 bp long and the following 116 bp are 93% homologous . Some regions within the ITRs are conserved in the three genomes although the complete sequence of the ITRs is no more conserved than the rest of their genomes . The chromatographic behavior of their tryptic peptides suggests that the terminal proteins (TPs) of at least two of the phages are similar and that the TPs of the three pneumococcal phages differ markedly from that of the Bacillus subtilis phage psi 29. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 200(3), 482 - 9 The hexB mismatch repair gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae: characterisation, cloning and identification of the product; Prats H et al.; A second gene involved in mismatch repair in Streptococcus pneumoniae, the hexB gene, has been characterised . The gene was cloned into a multicopy plasmid vector . The cloned hexB gene is expressed as judged by its ability to complement a chromosomal hexB- allele . Its direction of transcription and its functional limits were defined . Comparison of the proteins encoded by recombinant plasmids and by restriction fragments allowed us to identify an Mr 83,000 protein as the probable product of the hexB gene . We offer evidence that this gene together with the hexA gene is essential for repair of transition as well as frameshift mismatches. Gene, 1985, 34(2-3), 357 - 62 Nucleotide sequence of the streptokinase gene from Streptococcus equisimilis H46A; Malke H et al.; The entire nucleotide sequence of a cloned 2568-bp PstI fragment from the genome of Streptococcus equisimilis H46A encoding the streptokinase gene (skc) has been determined . The longest open reading frame comprises 1320 bp which code for streptokinase . The protein is synthesized with a 26-amino acid residue N-terminal extension having properties characteristic of a signal peptide . Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with the available amino acid sequence of a commercial streptokinase reveals minor primary structure differences . The nucleotide sequencing of skc does not support the hypothesis that the gene has evolved by duplication and fusion, as suggested by internal twofold amino acid homologies of its product . Furthermore, the skc gene sequence shows no extended regions homologous to the staphylokinase gene . Upstream from the skc gene, the putative skc promoter and the ribosome-binding site sequence have been identified; downstream from the coding region, inverted repeat sequences thought to function as transcription terminators have been detected. Gene, 1985, 34(2-3), 293 - 303 Cloning of the hexA mismatch-repair gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae and identification of the product; Martin B et al.; The hexA mismatch repair gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been cloned into multicopy plasmid vectors . The cloned hexA gene is expressed as judged from its ability to complement various chromosomal hexA- alleles . Its direction of transcription was defined and the functional limits were localized by original methods relying on homology-dependent integration of nonautonomous chimeric plasmids carrying chromosomal inserts into the chromosome . Comparison of the proteins encoded by recombinant plasmids and by restriction fragments allowed us to identify an Mr 94 000 protein as the probable product of the hexA gene. Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(11-12), 821 - 6 In-vitro inhibition of glucosyltransferase from the dental plaque bacterium Streptococcus mutans by common beverages and food extracts; Kashket S et al.; Some fruit juices and beverages inhibit the glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans . Inhibition by cocoa, coffee and tea was due partly to gelatin-precipitable tannins and partly to components that exhibited properties of monomeric polyphenols . Charcoal treatment removed all inhibitory activity . Catechin, a known constituent of these beverages, was an effective inhibitor of the enzymes . The effects of the fruit juices were attributable mainly to the inhibition of the glucosyltransferases by the endogenous fructose and glucose . The findings show that naturally-occurring constituents of foods can inhibit extracellular polysaccharide formation from sucrose . Such constituents may play a role in regulating dental plaque formation in vivo and, thereby, may have long-term effects on the development of dental caries. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 201(2), 225 - 30 Cloning and expression of the pneumococcal autolysin gene in Escherichia coli; Garcia E et al.; A 7.5 kb BclI-fragment of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA has been cloned in Escherichia coli HB101 using pBR322 as a vector . The new plasmid (pGL30) of 12.0 kb expresses a protein that has been characterized by biochemical, immunological and genetic methods as the inactive form (E-form) of the pneumococcal N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl amidase (EC 3.5.1.28) . Our results demonstrate that the E-form is the primary product of the lyt gene of S . pneumoniae . The inactive E-form can be converted to the active C-form in vitro by incubation of the E-form enzyme with choline-containing pneumococcal cell walls at low temperature in a similar way to enzyme production in the homologous system . The production of this protein in E . coli HB101 was 500-fold higher than in the homologous host . E . coli CSR603 containing pGL30 and labeled with {35S}methionine synthesized a 35 kd protein . pGL30 can transform at high frequency an autolysin-defective mutant of S . pneumoniae to the lyt+ phenotype. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1985 Jan-Feb, 136A(1), 63 - 6 The autolytic peptidoglycan hydrolases of Streptococcus faecium; Shockman GD et al.; Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 possesses two peptidoglycan hydrolase activities . The first enzyme, an N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase, has been purified and has been shown to be a glucoenzyme . Studies of hydrolysis of soluble, linear uncross-linked peptidoglycan chains showed that the enzyme bound strongly to the non-reducing ends of the chains and then sequentially (processively) hydrolysed susceptible bonds in that chain . The second peptidoglycan hydrolase does not appear to be a glycoprotein and differs from the first enzyme in substrate specificity and mechanism of hydrolysis . The presence of two partially redundant activities which may play different roles in surface growth and division could, at least in part, explain previous difficulties in obtaining mutants which completely lack autolytic activity. J Bacteriol, 1985 Jan, 161(1), 18 - 24 Pneumococcal Forssman antigen: enrichment in mesosomal membranes and specific binding to the autolytic enzyme of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Horne D et al.; The choline-containing pneumococcal membrane teichoic acid (Forssman antigen) can be isolated with the membrane fractions of the bacteria . The small vesicle (mesosomal) fraction generated during the formation of protoplasts seems to be highly enriched in this material . Forssman antigen was identified in cell fractions on the basis of (i) radioactive choline label, (ii) autolysin-inhibitory activity, and (iii) the sedimentation profile in sucrose density gradients with and without detergent . A membrane teichoic acid could also be isolated from pneumococci grown in medium in which choline was replaced by ethanolamine as the nutritionally required amino alcohol . This material contained radioactive ethanolamine label and behaved similarly to the choline-containing membrane teichoic acid during centrifugation in detergent-containing and detergent-free density gradients . On the other hand, the material had only low autolysin-inhibitory activity . Binding of pure pneumococcal autolysin to micelles of purified Forssman antigen could be demonstrated by mixing these components in vitro and analyzing them by sucrose density gradients and by agarose chromatography . No binding could be observed between the pneumococcal enzyme and the micellar forms of either cardiolipin or polyglycerophosphate-type lipoteichoic acid isolated from Streptococcus lactis. South Med J, 1985 Jan, 78(1), 65 - 6 Subdural empyema and group C Streptococcus; Layon J et al.; We have described a case of subdural empyema in a 13-year-old boy whose presentation was not atypical for the disease . The unusual organism cultured from his blood, frontal sinuses, middle ear, meninges, and epidura was group C beta-hemolytic Streptococcus. Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(3), 295 - 8 The effects of basic and acidic synthetic polypeptides on the adherence of the oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis, to hydroxyapatite; Lamberts BL et al.; Two basic and two acidic synthetic polypeptides that bind strongly to hydroxyapatite at neutral pH were tested to determine their influence on adsorption of two Streptococcus mutans and two Streptococcus sanguis strains to hydroxyapatite . The adsorption of the strains was significantly enhanced or reduced by the basic and acidic agents, respectively . Study of acidic polypeptides provided evidence of competition between the polypeptides and the bacterial cells for hydroxyapatite adsorption sites. Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(3), 207 - 12 Comparative immunogenicity and protective effect against dental caries of a low (3800) and a high (185,000) molecular weight protein in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta); Lehner T et al.; The immunogenicity and protective effect of two peptides derived from the human oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans (serotype c) was examined . Furthermore, the effect of immunization was examined in monkeys previously given fluoride in their diet and which had developed a low incidence of dental caries when offered a human type of diet containing about 15 per cent sucrose . The 3800 peptide streptococcal antigen (SA) has two major antigenic determinants, similar to those in the 185,000 SA I/II . Immunization with 10 (or 1) micrograms of the 3800 SA, made up in an aluminium-hydroxide adjuvant, induced a consistent increase in serum IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to SA I/II throughout the period of investigation . Salivary-IgA antibodies were only slightly raised . Sequential examination up to 76 weeks showed a significantly lower incidence of dental caries and a lower proportion of Strep . mutans in the immunized compared with sham-immunized, control monkeys . Thus immunization with the 185,000 or 3800 SA can almost completely prevent dental caries in rhesus monkeys which otherwise develop a low incidence of caries. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1985, 51(2), 227 - 40 RNase-sensitive and RNase-insensitive protective components isolated from Listeria monocytogenes; Antonissen AC et al.; Crude ribosomes were isolated from Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b and separated into two fractions by molecular sieve chromatography . Chemical analysis indicated that fraction I contained cell envelope components while fraction II contained the ribosomes . Both fractions protected mice against Listeria, but only in combination with the adjuvant dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) . RNase-treatment, but not proteinase K-treatment destroyed the protective properties of fraction II, and RNA purified from fraction II also induced protection . Protection induced by fraction I was not affected by either RNase- or proteinase K-treatment . Both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal, but not intravenous administration of fraction I, fraction II, or purified RNA induced significant protection against intraperitoneal infection, the intraperitoneal route of administration being the most effective . All preparations induced high levels of protection 3 to 7 days after administration, but protection was already decreased after 14 days . Protection induced with RNA appeared to be biphasic, because it also protected mice 1 day, but not 2 days after administration . Protection induced with both fraction I and RNA was at least in part non-specific, because both preparations also protected mice against L . monocytogenes serotype 3, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Results are discussed in relation to previous work with analogous preparations from P . aeruginosa. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1985 Jan-Feb, 136A(1), 59 - 62 Analysis of nutritional shift-up of Streptococcus faecium; Higgins ML et al.; Three-dimensional reconstruction methods were applied to electron micrographs of Streptococcus faecium to study the initiation of cell wall growth sites during a nutritional shift-up experiment . Upon lowering the mass doubling time from 76 to 33 min by the addition of excess glutamate, the formation of new cell wall growth sites was studied in relation to other growth parameters (autolytic capacity, cell number, mass, RNA, DNA and peptidoglycan) . The findings from these studies, to be described below, support a model in which new sites are introduced when cells grow to a relatively constant, growth-rate-independent size, while the rate at which sites form and grow increases with growth rate . In this model, chromosome synthesis does not regulate the formation of new sites of cell wall growth, but existing sites cannot be completed until rounds of chromosome synthesis are completed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1984 Dec 20, 802(3), 385 - 9 Human mononuclear leukocyte transglutaminase activity is enhanced by streptococcal erythrogenic toxin and a staphylococcal mitogenic factor associated with toxic shock syndrome; Zettergren JG et al.; Transglutaminase activity in human peripheral lymphocytes is enhanced after incubation of the cells with concanavalin A . Streptococcal proliferative factor toxin (erythrogenic toxin) from Streptococcus pyogenes and Toxic shock syndrome toxin from Staphylococcus aureus were purified and tested for their ability to enhance transglutaminase activity . Mononuclear leukocyte transglutaminase activity was enhanced 3-5-fold 30 min after incubation with either toxin . Enhancement occurred only when toxin was incubated with intact cells; addition of toxin to cell lysates was without effect . Transglutaminase was not measurable extracellularly . Histamine and dansyl cadaverine, competitive substrates for transglutaminase, inhibited {3H}putrescine incorporation into casein and {3H}thymidine incorporation into DNA . Incubation of lymphocytes with cycloheximide and either toxin or concanavalin A did not inhibit enzyme activity . These bacterial toxins, like phytomitogens, may perturb the cellular membrane and mediate their effect by transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking of membrane proteins. Science, 1984 Dec 14, 226(4680), 1325 - 6 Monoclonal idiotope vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection; McNamara MK et al.; A monoclonal anti-idiotope antibody coupled to a carrier protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice against a lethal Streptococcus pneumoniae infection . Vaccinated mice developed a high titer of antibody to phosphorylcholine, which is known to protect against infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae . Measurement of the median lethal dose of the bacteria indicated that anti-idiotope immunization significantly increased the resistance of BALB/c mice to the bacterial challenge . Antibody to an idiotope can thus be used as an antigen substitute for the induction of protective immunity. N Z Med J, 1984 Dec 12, 97(769), 849 - 51 Thoracic empyema due to Streptococcus milleri: four cases; Frankish PD et al.; Four cases of Streptococcus milleri empyema occurring over a six month period are reported . Empyema was post-pneumonic in three patients and followed blunt abdominal and chest trauma in one patient . There was an absence of serious underlying disease in these patients and management consisted of tube drainage, lavage of the pleural space and prolonged intrapleural and systemically administered antibiotic therapy . Complete recovery was achieved in three patients and a satisfactory result in the other without surgical intervention . The clinical and microbiological features of this group of patients are reviewed. Health Policy, 1985, 5(2), 159 - 64 Cost-effective control of rheumatic fever in the community; Strasser T; Rheumatic fever is declining rapidly in importance in the developed countries, but is still a major public health problem in the developing countries . Primary prevention techniques, consisting of the detection and antibiotic treatment of streptococcal infections of the pharynx, are both feasible and effective, but are also costly, as only 10-20% of all pharyngeal infections are due to the beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, and only a small proportion of those actually develop into rheumatic heart disease . A different concerted approach, which is both effective and economically entirely justifiable, is to use antibiotics as a prophylaxis to prevent secondary infection, i.e . relapses of rheumatic fever . A multi-centre study conducted by the WHO has shown that the cost of antibiotics used for secondary prevention was less than the savings resulting from the lower incidence and shorter hospital stays of recurrencies of rheumatic fever . Given economic restrictions, therefore, priority is given to organized and systematic secondary prevention. Scand J Dent Res, 1984 Dec, 92(6), 533 - 8 Influence of bacterial cell concentration and inorganic anions on lysis of Streptococcus mutans BHT by salivary lysozyme; Twetman S et al.; The aim of this work was to study the influence of bacterial cell concentrations and inorganic anions on lysis of Streptococcus mutans BHT by human salivary lysozyme (HSL) . HSL was partly purified from saliva by ion exchange chromatography . The bacteria were grown in a synthetic medium containing 3H-thymidine to monitor DNA release . The experiments demonstrated that release of 3H-thymidine was dependent on the bacterial cell concentration and an apparent Km-value corresponding to approximately 2.9 X 10(8) cells/ml was calculated . The influence of I-, Br-, Cl-, F-, HCO3- and SCN- on bacteriolysis was studied . All anions tested were slightly inhibitory on the action of HSL . The inhibition varied from 7 to 76% depending on the ion and ionic strength . The order of addition of HSL and sodium chloride caused different lytic responses . This was reflected by the amount of HSL adsorbed by the bacteria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Dec, 26(6), 933 - 4 Susceptibility of multiply antibiotic-resistant pneumococci to the new quinoline antibiotics, nalidixic acid, coumermycin, and novobiocin; Gombert ME et al.; The susceptibility of 10 multiply antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae to several quinoline antibiotics and to coumermycin, novobiocin, and penicillin was determined . The MIC of penicillin for all test isolates was greater than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml . Ciprofloxacin was the most active quinoline derivative tested, followed by norfloxacin . These isolates of S . pneumoniae were not inhibited by the remaining quinolines at achievable concentrations in serum . Coumermycin and ciprofloxacin were the most active antibiotics tested in this study. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1984 Dec, 130(6), 1118 - 24 Inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase in extracts of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vered M et al.; Alveolar architecture is spared during most pneumococcal pneumonias, despite the presence in pneumonic exudate of many neutrophils containing a potent elastase . We explored the possibility that pneumococci might contain an inhibitor of this enzyme . We found that pneumococcal extracts prepared by sonication or by lysis with sodium deoxycholate contained 2 different inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase . Both inhibitors were specific for neutrophil elastase and did not affect pancreatic elastase or trypsin . Inhibitor I was partly purified by affinity chromatography and preparative acrylamide gel electrophoresis and shown to be a negatively charged, low molecular weight substance that inhibited competitively (Lineweaver-Burk analysis) . Inhibition depended on ionic interaction with the cationic enzyme and could be blocked by 0.15 M NaCl . For this reason, the first agent seemed unlikely to play an important role in modulating neutrophil elastase activity in inflammatory exudates and was not studied further . The second agent (Inhibitor II) eluted in the high molecular weight fraction during Sephacryl S-300 chromatography . Gradient SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of partly purified Inhibitor II revealed an apparent molecular weight of 140,000 daltons . This agent inhibited noncompetitively and remained active in the presence of 0.15 M NaCl . Prolonged incubation with TPCK-trypsin resulted in cleavage of Inhibitor II into smaller fragments, which could be further dissociated by reduction with dithiothreitol . Inactivation of neutrophil elastase with N-acetyl-alanyl-alanyl-prolyl-valyl-chloromethyl ketone prevented complex formation between this enzyme and Inhibitor II, suggesting that an unblocked binding pocket in neutrophil elastase is required for its complexation to the noncompetitive pneumococcal inhibitor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Dairy Sci, 1984 Dec, 67(12), 3075 - 80 Evaluation of experimental teat dip containing sodium chlorite and lactic acid by excised teat assay; Schmidt AL et al.; An experimental teat dip containing sodium chlorite and lactic acid, diluted in water, was evaluated by excised teat protocol . The teat dip was tested against 21 microorganisms . Included were: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Numerous strains were tested for strain differences . Environmental bacteria were included because of their increasing importance as a cause of bovine mastitis . All excised teats were dipped in a bacterial suspension containing about 1 X 10(8) cfu/ml . Negative control teats were not dipped in a germicidal compound . Positive controls were dipped in 1% iodophor . Effectiveness of the experimental teat dip was expressed as the percent reduction in mean log of bacteria recovered from dipped teats as compared to numbers recovered from control teats . The sodium chlorite - lactic acid dip caused a greater percent log reduction than iodophor for 14 of 21 strains tested . However, differences were generally slight . The experimental teat dip appeared effective against Gram-negative bacteria . Some differences in percent log reduction were observed between strains of the same species . Lowest effectiveness and greatest strain variation were observed with Staphylococcus aureus for both dips tested. Can J Biochem Cell Biol, 1984 Dec, 62(12), 1309 - 20 Structural analysis of the specific polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9L (American type 49); Richards JC et al.; The specific capsular polysaccharide produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9L (American type 49) is composed of D-galactose (one part), D-glucose (one part), D-glucuronic acid (one part), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose (one part), and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (one part) . Partial acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, nitrous acid deamination, optical rotation, methylation, and 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies showed that the polysaccharide is an unbranched high molecular weight linear polymer of a repeating pentasaccharide unit having the structure: (formula; see text). Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Dec, (12), 24 - 7 {Isolation and characteristics of an antibacterial substance produced by strains of Streptococcus sp . Thom-1606 . I . Study of the conditions for increasing the synthesis of an antibacterial substance during the stab cultivation of Streptococcus sp . TOM-1606}; Savranskaia SI et al.; In the process of investigations the antibacterial substance released by the producer strain has been found to be the secondary product of biosynthesis . The substance is synthetized under the conditions of low carbohydrate concentration in the culture fluid . The addition of glutamine into the culture medium at a concentration of 25 micrograms/ml increases the accumulation of the target product 4-fold in comparison with the control . The maximum synthesis of the antibacterial substance is shown to occur at the lowest rate of sucrose utilization. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Dec, 26(6), 903 - 8 Effect of exchange transfusion with an oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluid on the efficacy of penicillin therapy of pneumococcal infection in rats; Hodges GR et al.; The effects of exchange transfusion with Fluosol DA (FDA) or stroma-free hemoglobin on the outcome of pneumococcal infection in rats were determined . Rats were sham transfused or exchange transfused with 25 ml of FDA or stroma-free hemoglobin . They were then challenged intraperitoneally with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 and treated with penicillin for 120 h . Only 2 of 15 (13.3%) FDA-transfused rats were alive at 312 h compared with 11 of 15 (73.3%) concurrently studied sham-transfused control rats (P = 0.0016) . Of 10 stroma-free hemoglobin-transfused rats and 10 concurrently studied sham-transfused control rats (P = 0.98), 8 from each group (80%) were alive at 312 h . Penicillin therapy only suppressed pneumococcal infection in FDA-transfused rats, and relapse occurred after therapy was stopped . This effect could not be attributed to interference with the bactericidal activity of penicillin against pneumococci, to an alteration in the pneumococcal burden before penicillin therapy or to an alteration of the leukocyte and polymorphonuclear leukocyte response by FDA . In contrast, pneumococcal infection in stroma-free hemoglobin-transfused rats was cured with penicillin therapy . These data showed that FDA altered the ability of rats to respond to pneumococcal infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Dec, 26(6), 807 - 10 pH-dependent bactericidal effects of acidulated fluoride gels on preformed plaque aggregates of Streptococcus mutans 6715; Caufield PW et al.; The anticaries action of topically applied sodium fluoride (NaF) preparations has been attributed, at least in part, to the antibacterial effect of fluoride on cariogenic bacteria . In this report we examined the bactericidal activity of acidulated NaF gels against preformed plaque aggregates of Streptococcus mutans 6715 . Both commercially available and laboratory-prepared gels were tested . Prepared NaF gels were acidified to various pH levels with HCl, H3PO4, or HF . The aggregates of S . mutans were immersed in the various fluoride gels for 5 min and then monitored for viability . None of the commercially available NaF gels with pHs of 3.5 to 4.5 and fluoride concentrations of 5,000 to 12,300 micrograms/ml were capable of exerting complete bactericidal activity against aggregates of S . mutans . For the laboratory-prepared NaF gels, neither the source of hydrogen ion nor the source of fluoride influenced the outcome when fluoride was present at the appropriate MBC and pH . NaF gels with a fluoride concentration of 37,000 micrograms/ml were bactericidal to S . mutans at pH 3.0 . At pH 2.5 and 2.0, approximately 12,000 and 1,100 micrograms of fluoride per ml, respectively, was bactericidal . Results from this study suggest that the bactericidal properties of acidulated NaF gels can be enhanced by lowering their pHs to below 3.0. Vet Rec, 1984 Dec 1, 115(22), 562 - 4 Monitoring herds for Streptococcus suis type 2 by sampling tonsils of slaughter pigs; Clifton-Hadley FA et al.; Heads were removed soon after slaughter from the dressed carcases of 155 pigs belonging to 12 herds with a history of streptococcal meningitis and from 180 pigs from four herds believed to be free from this disease . Deep scrapings from both tonsils were sown on two selective media . Streptococcus suis type 2 was detected in a proportion of pigs from the 12 herds with a history of the disease, including three herds in which no cases were noted during the year this study was made . Pigs in six of these herds had received therapeutic levels of certain antibiotics in their feed as growers . The confirmed detectable tonsillar carrier rates varied between these 12 herds from 20 to 90 per cent and between batches of heads from one herd from 0 to 100 per cent . Carrier rates could not be correlated with disease levels, herd size or husbandry system . S suis type 2 was also detected in pigs from two herds thought to be free of the disease, at rates of 20 and 1.5 per cent. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1984 Dec 1, 114(48), 1758 - 60 {Dosage interval and in vivo action of penicillin against pneumococci}; Gerber AU et al.; The relationship between dosage intervals of penicillin and bactericidal efficacy was investigated in an experimental model using normal and granulocytopenic mice and Streptococcus pneumoniae . Pulsdosing at 4-hour intervals proved to be significantly less efficient than fractional doses of the same total amount of penicillin injected at 1-hour intervals. J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 20(6), 1028 - 30 Isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 from equine species; Benson CE et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 was isolated from seven tracheobronchial aspirates and one pleural tap of seven adult horses and one foal . There was no direct evidence in these horses that isolation of the pneumococcus was related to a specific disease syndrome . Presenting complaints included two horses with chronic cough, two horses with decreased exercise tolerance, one horse with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and three horses with pneumonia . Antibiotic therapy resolved the primary clinical complaint . This is the first report of the isolation of S . pneumoniae type 3 from adult horses. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1984 Dec, 130(6), 1174 - 6 Streptococcus pneumoniae infections and bacteremia in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, with report of a pneumococcal vaccine failure; Simberkoff MS et al.; Five patients had Streptococcus pneumoniae infections among the 35 hospitalized with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) at the New York Veterans Administration Medical Center between January 1, 1982, and June 30, 1983 . Three of these patients had pneumococcal bacteremia and 2 had pneumonia without bacteremia . Twenty-seven bacteremic S . pneumoniae infections occurred among 5,143 patients without AIDS admitted to the Medical Service of this hospital during the same period . Thus, pneumococcal bacteremia was more likely to occur in patients with AIDS than in the general hospitalized population (x2 = 26, p = less than 0.001) . Two of the bacteremic infections were caused by S . pneumoniae type 4 . One of these occurred in a patient who had been inoculated with the 14 valent pneumococcal vaccine 5 months earlier . There were no significant differences in concentrations of radioimmunoassay antibody to type 4 pneumococcal polysaccharide in sequential serum samples collected from this patient, and opsonic titers to this organism were not detected . It is concluded that pneumococcal infections are very common among patients with AIDS, and may not be prevented by active immunoprophylaxis. South Med J, 1984 Dec, 77(12), 1602 - 3 Primary subcutaneous abscess due to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Gleich S; A primary subcutaneous abscess and associated bacteremia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, type 9V, occurred in a healthy 23-year-old man . Penicillin therapy and surgical drainage were curative. J Lab Clin Med, 1984 Dec, 104(6), 977 - 86 Opsonic activity of immunoglobulin prepared for intravenous use; Hetherington SV et al.; The opsonic activity of two immunoglobulin preparations modified for intravenous infusion was tested against Streptococcus pneumoniae types 3, 7F, and 14 and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear leukocyte uptake of 3H-thymidine-labeled bacteria . Reduced and alkylated immunoglobulin (Chem-IgG) and immunoglobulin prepared by chromatography with diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex (DEAE-IgG) were evaluated with and without complement and compared with the opsonic activity of immune serum globulin and heated pooled human serum . Opsonic activity of DEAE-IgG was greater than that of Chem-IgG and equivalent to the activity of immune serum globulin and pooled human serum against S . aureus 502A and type 3 pneumococcus . Both intravenous immunoglobulins had lower opsonic activity than either pooled human serum or immune serum globulin against type 14 pneumococcus . There were no differences in antibody avidity for pneumococcal antigen among the immunoglobulins tested . All four opsonins had similar opsonic activity against the protein A-deficient S . aureus Wood 46 . Modification of immunoglobulin for intravenous infusion by chemical alteration may adversely affect opsonic activity by changing the Fc portion of the antibody molecule. J Bacteriol, 1984 Dec, 160(3), 849 - 53 Alteration of Streptococcus pneumoniae membrane properties by the folate analog methotrexate; Trombe MC; The antifolate compound methotrexate (MTX) is toxic to the gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae . Interaction of MTX with this bacterium resulted in an increase in the electric transmembrane potential (delta psi) and enhanced the delta psi-dependent uptake of isoleucine and MTX . In contrast, delta psi-independent uptake of glutamine was not changed . Folate, a nontoxic analog of MTX, did not exhibit these membrane effects, nor did it prevent the effect of MTX, suggesting that the NH2 in position 4 of the pteridine ring of the MTX molecule is involved in the MTX response . A strain bearing the nonsense mutation amiA9, selected for MTX resistance, did not exhibit increased membrane potential after MTX pretreatment . This suggests that MTX interacts with a specific membrane component in S . pneumoniae . A resulting change in ion permeability could lead to changes in the magnitude of the delta psi . The MTX-sensitive component is altered or absent in mutant amiA9. Infect Immun, 1984 Dec, 46(3), 870 - 2 D-Alanyl-substituted glycerol lipoteichoic acid in culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans strains GS-5 and BHT; Levine M et al.; The content and D-alanyl ester complement of lipoteichoic acid from stationary-phase culture filtrates of Streptococcus mutans (strains BHT and GS-5; serotypes b and c) were determined chemically and serologically . A third less lipoteichoic acid was obtained from strain GS-5 than from strain BHT . This lipoteichoic acid had an increased mobility on immunoelectrophoresis after exposure overnight at pH 8 and a 10-fold greater content of alanine per mole of glycerol. Infect Immun, 1984 Dec, 46(3), 854 - 6 Identification and properties of distinct sucrose and glucose phosphotransferase enzyme II activities in Streptococcus mutans 6715g; Jacobson GR et al.; We investigated phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system enzyme II activities for sucrose and glucose in Streptococcus mutans 6715g . Two integral membrane proteins, enzyme IIscr and enzyme IIglc, each specific for its sugar substrate, sucrose or glucose, were identified by their abilities to catalyze specific sugar:sugar-phosphate exchange reactions . Some of the properties of these two transport proteins are also presented. Br J Exp Pathol, 1984 Dec, 65(6), 683 - 90 Reduction of the susceptibility to infective endocarditis with time in animals with endocavitary catheters; Pujadas-Capmany R et al.; In a previous study we showed that the lesions of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis induced by means of implantation of a catheter in the left ventricle (LV) of the rabbit, undergo inner connectivization and surface endothelialization, which are completed within 2-3 months . In the present study we have investigated whether these histological changes lead to a variation in susceptibility to infective endocarditis (IE) . After studying two control groups, we compared the incidence of IE in four groups of 15 rabbits each, inoculated with Streptococcus mitis I, 10, 35 and 70 days after implantation of a catheter in the LV . The frequency of infection was shown to be progressively reduced from 100% to 26.7% . This demonstrates that endothelialization of the catheter and the sterile vegetations protect the animals from IE. J Immunol, 1984 Dec, 133(6), 3308 - 12 Blood clearance by anti-phosphocholine antibodies as a mechanism of protection in experimental pneumococcal bacteremia; McDaniel LS et al.; Previous studies have demonstrated that monoclonal IgG and IgM antibodies to phosphocholine (PC), a determinant in the cell wall of Streptococcus pneumoniae, can protect mice from fatal infection with S . pneumoniae . In this study we demonstrate that both passive and naturally occurring anti-PC antibodies promote the clearance of S . pneumoniae from the blood . The bulk of the cleared pneumococci are apparently killed, because they fail to accumulate in reticuloendothelial tissues . These findings suggest that their protective effect is probably dependent on their ability to promote phagocytosis . We have found that on a weight basis IgG antibody is more effective at promoting blood clearance than IgM antibody . This observation fits with our earlier findings that IgG anti-PC antibody is more protective against i.v . infection than IgM anti-PC antibody . We have also demonstrated that anti-PC antibodies are protective against S . pneumoniae infection when given as late as 24 hr postinfection . This finding makes it unlikely that the ability to protect against pneumococcal infection with anti-PC antibody is dependent on an artifact associated with either their in vitro growth or the harvesting procedure. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 Dec, 258(4), 449 - 56 {T-proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes . IV . Isolation of T1-protein using affinity chromatography on immobilized fibrinogen}; Schmidt KH et al.; T-protein of Streptococcus pyogenes, type 1 (strain SF 130 Griffith) was extracted by enzymatic treatment of the cells with trypsin and partially purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose and gel chromatography on ultrogel ACA 44 . The crude T protein still showing serologically type specific and cross reactions finally was applied to a fibrinogen sepharose column . Components eluted with the neutral buffer (0.05 M phosphate, 0.2 M NaCl, 0.02% NaN3, pH 7.0) reacted serologically in the same manner as the crude T protein . By using 0.1 M citrate, 6 M urea pH 3.0 buffer a type specifically reacting protein (T1-TRYP-F) was eluted from the fibrinogen column . T1-TRYP-F showed identical precipitation lines with the recently characterized T1-protein (T1-TRYP-I) purified by immunochromatography on type specific anti-T antibodies . Comparison of the SDS-patterns of T1-TRYP-F and T1-TRYP-I revealed a less complex molecular size subunit structure for the fibrinogen binding T1-TRYP-F (two bands of 60000 and 70000) as found for T1-TRYP-I, which showed serologically active peptides between 30000 to about 500000 . It is discussed that T protein also may be linked covalently with fibrinogen receptors as it has been reported for M protein. J Med Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 18(3), 377 - 84 The variable response of bacteria to free haemoglobin in the tissues; Maskell JP et al.; The local enhancement of infection by exogenous ferric iron, as ferric ammonium citrate, and by ferrous iron as guinea-pig haemoglobin, was assessed in studies with 55 strains of bacteria injected into the skin of guinea-pigs . The test organisms included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Four strains of Bacteroides spp . were tested with haemoglobin only . As previously reported with other strains, enhancement of infection by members of a given species by ferric iron was variable; in this study infection with only 11 of 59 strains was enhanced . Haemoglobin either of equal or lesser iron content was a more potent enhancer, affecting 27 of the 59 strains . The enhancement ranged from two-fold to 80-fold, the higher figures on the whole being characteristic of haemoglobin enhancement . Some few instances of depression by both haemoglobin and ferric ammonium citrate were noted . A few tests were made with systemic haemoglobin but the concentrations attainable were largely ineffective . Enhancement of infection did not appear to be related to the capacity of a strain to lyse or digest host red blood cells . In so far as guinea-pigs, whose antibacterial defences are lowered by ferric or ferrous iron, represent human subjects at risk of infection because of clinical circumstances characterised by excess of available iron--either exogenous or as a result of haemolysis--our results with organisms of a kind commonly associated with infection in hospitals suggest that only a small proportion of environmental bacteria can take advantage of any decreased resistance associated with iron excess. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 3(6), 506 - 9 Pyogenic liver abscess: diagnosis, bacteriology and treatment; McDonald MI; Pyogenic liver abscess is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease . The accuracy of diagnosis made on clinical grounds can now be greatly improved with the use of modern organ-imaging techniques . The condition is often polymicrobial: Escherichia coli and other enteric gram-negative rods are major pathogens, with anaerobic gram-negative rods and Streptococcus milleri being increasingly recognised . Staphylococcal liver abscesses are less common, often arising in association with neutrophil disorders . Open surgical drainage along with antimicrobial chemotherapy has long been regarded as standard treatment, however, in many centres it is being displaced by percutaneous drainage under the guidance of computed tomography or ultrasound . Some patients have been successfully treated with antimicrobial chemotherapy alone . Once specimens have been taken for culture, empiric antimicrobial therapy should include a combination of an anti-anaerobe agent, an aminoglycoside and a beta-lactam drug such as ampicillin . Early diagnosis and treatment of this condition is essential for patient survival. J Dent Res, 1984 Dec, 63(12), 1343 - 7 Chemical analyses of membranes isolated from Streptococcus mutans BHT; Crowley PJ et al.; Cell membranes of Streptococcus mutans BHT (serotype b) were prepared following glass-bead disruption or mutanolysin digestion of whole cells . Major constituents of purified BHT membranes included: protein (60-65%), fatty acids (10%), glucose (3%), and phosphorus (0.5%) . The principal amino acids measured were glutamate, aspartate, lysine, alanine, and leucine . The principal fatty acids measured were octadecenoic, palmitoleic, palmitic, and eicosenoic acids; smaller amounts of eicosanoic acid were also detected . Chemical analyses of membranes from cells grown to four different growth phases revealed no major shifts in composition during batch growth under our experimental conditions . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of these four membrane preparations confirmed the apparent compositional stability of cell membranes during growth. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1984 Dec, 98(12), 708 - 10 {Cross-reacting antigen of Streptococcus group A and of the stromal fibroblasts of lymphoid organs}; Kochetkova EV et al.; It has been demonstrated by the indirect immunofluorescent method that sera of rabbits immunized with nontype-specific (NTS) proteins of the group A streptococcal cell wall react with cultivated fibroblasts . These fibroblasts were explanted from human and guinea-pig lymphoid organs . The same reactions were observed with F(ab')2 fragments of IgG obtained from antisera to NTS-proteins . Fractions containing NTS-antigens inhibited these reactions . A possible role of the cross-reactive streptococcal antigen in common with the antigen of lymphoid organs during thymic damage and the development of the autoimmune process in rheumatic fever is discussed. Infect Immun, 1984 Dec, 46(3), 703 - 9 Effect of peroral immunization of humans with Streptococcus mutans on induction of salivary and serum antibodies and inhibition of experimental infection; Cole MF et al.; Naturally occurring antibodies reactive with Streptococcus mutans whole cells were assayed in whole saliva, parotid saliva, and blood samples collected from eight human volunteers . The levels and serotypes of indigenous S . mutans in plaque and whole saliva samples were also determined . After baseline sampling the teeth were cleaned and the subjects were inoculated with streptomycin-resistant S . mutans strains Ingbritt (serotype c) and OMZ65 (serotype g) . The level of implantation and duration of colonization were determined in plaque and saliva, and antibodies reactive with these strains were monitored in saliva and serum . After the implanted bacteria were shed, the subjects wee immunized by the daily ingestion of an enteric-coated capsule containing 25 mg of Formalin-killed, freeze-dried OMZ65 cells for 3 days and inoculation was repeated . The levels of antibodies and of implantation and the duration of colonization were monitored as before . One month after the bacteria could no longer be detected, the immunization and inoculation cycle was repeated except that the subjects were immunized for 7 days . Five of the eight subjects were successfully colonized by strains Ingbritt and OMZ65 . The remaining three did not become colonized with either strain . Strain OMZ65 implanted at a higher level than did strain Ingbritt . Oral immunization did not result in a detectable antibody response in saliva or serum to whole bacterial cells . However, after both the first and second immunizations there were marked reductions in the peak levels of infection and the duration of colonization of both OMZ65 and Ingbritt. Infect Immun, 1984 Dec, 46(3), 754 - 8 Extracellular stimulation by serum proteins required for maximal intracellular killing of microorganisms by mouse peritoneal macrophages; Leijh PC et al.; Intracellular killing of catalase-positive Staphylococcus aureus by resident mouse peritoneal macrophages was very low in the absence of serum but maximal in the presence of fresh normal serum . A large proportion of catalase-negative Streptococcus pyogenes were killed in the absence of extracellular serum, and maximal killing was reached only when serum was present extracellularly . Further investigations revealed that stimulation of intracellular killing by extracellular serum is dependent on the interaction of immunoglobulin G and Fc receptors and of complement component C3b with C3b receptors in the macrophage membrane. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1984 Dec, 92(6), 283 - 9 Genetic transformation in Streptococcus sanguis . Simultaneous variation of surface-spreading, competence, hemagglutination and polar fimbriation in selected strains; Gaustad P et al.; Strains of Streptococcus sanguis expressing spreading zones around the colonies and competence in genetic transformation, were subcultivated in the laboratory, and in three strains a variation to non-spreading colony morphology on human blood agar plates was observed . These variants were isolated and compared with the original strains by genetic transformation, hemagglutination and electron microscopy . In genetic transformation with streptomycin resistance as genetic marker, the non-spreading variants showed a decrease to 1/50 or less of the transformation frequencies compared to the wild types . Hemagglutination of guinea-pig erythrocytes is a common characteristic of S.sanguis strains, but the non-spreading variants did not hemagglutinate . In electron microscopy studies the wild-type strains of S.sanguis, but not the non-spreading variants, presented long, polar fimbriae . One of the non-spreading variants had short, peritrichous fimbriae . The co-variation in surface-spreading, competence in genetic transformation, hemagglutination and polar fimbriation is discussed. J Bacteriol, 1984 Dec, 160(3), 935 - 42 Analysis of initiation of sites of cell wall growth in Streptococcus faecium during a nutritional shift; Gibson CW et al.; Three-dimensional reconstruction methods were applied to electron micrographs of Streptococcus faecium to study the initiation of cell wall growth sites during a nutritional shift experiment . Upon lowering the mass doubling time from 76 to 33 min by the addition of excess glutamate, the formation of new cell wall growth sites accelerated above the old steady-state rate at about the same time (10 to 15 min) as did mass, RNA, protein, cell numbers, and autolytic capacity but considerably before DNA (30 min) and peptidoglycan (20 min) synthesis did . During the shift, the average range of cell volumes over which new wall growth sites were introduced did not change significantly . However, upon the shift there was an increase in the frequency of cells having new sites, which was due to the faster-growing cells initiating more new sites in peripheral locations before division . After a transition period, the number of new sites per milliliter of culture increased at a rate that paralleled that of the culture mass . These findings support a model in which new sites are introduced when cells grow to a relatively constant, growth rate-independent size, while the rate at which sites form and grow increases with the growth rate . In this model, chromosome synthesis does not regulate the formation of new sites of cell wall growth, but existing sites cannot be completed until rounds of chromosome synthesis are completed. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1984 Dec, 14(6), 653 - 60 Ceftriaxone in acute purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis; Maesen FP et al.; A group of 36 patients, admitted to hospital because of acute purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, were treated with once daily injections of ceftriaxone for 10 days, 17 receiving 1 g injections and 19 patients 2 g doses . At the end of treatment (day 11) six patients remained infected (three with Branhamella catarrhalis and three with Pseudomonas aeruginosa) but during the 7 follow-up days 12 patients developed infections with beta-lactamase producing strains of Bran . catarrhalis, Ps . aeruginosa was cultured from 2 patients and Streptococcus pneumoniae from 3 more . Kinetic studies confirmed the long half-life of ceftriaxone (13 to 14 h in this patient group) and showed average peak serum concentrations of 31 mg/l after 1 g and 43 mg/l after the 2 g dose . The comparable sputum concentrations were 3.5 and 4.8 mg/l, respectively . However, four patients failed to show any ceftriaxone in the sputum despite simultaneous blood concentrations of between 32 and 50 mg/l and in two patients ceftriaxone only appeared in the sputum 12 h after the injection . All except one harboured beta-lactamase-producing Bran . catarrhalis in the sputum, and the possibility of breakdown of ceftriaxone by branhamella beta-lactamases is suggested. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1984 Dec, 235(2), 385 - 92 Characterization of the group-specific polysaccharide of group B Streptococcus; Pritchard DG et al.; The group-specific polysaccharide of the group B Streptococcus was isolated by nitrous acid extraction followed by gel filtration on Sepharose 6B and chromatography on DEAE-Bio-Gel A . It was composed of rhamnose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, and glucitol phosphate . Mild periodate oxidation of the polysaccharide resulted in a rapid reduction in molecular weight, indicating that the glucitol was located in the backbone of the polymer . High-resolution 31P NMR showed the presence of a single type of phosphodiester bond in the molecule . Methylation analysis and several specific chemical degradations were done to determine sugar linkages . The basic structure of the group B polysaccharide consists of a backbone of 2-linked rhamnose, 2,4-linked rhamnose, and glucitol phosphate, and side chains of rhamnose(1----3)galactose(1----3)N-acetylglucosamine linked to the 4-position of a rhamnose in the backbone. J Bacteriol, 1984 Dec, 160(3), 867 - 73 Ectopic integration of chromosomal genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Mannarelli BM et al.; When a DNA fragment containing a marker gene was ligated to random chromosomal fragments of Streptococcus pneumoniae and used to transform a recipient strain lacking that gene, the gene was integrated at various locations in the chromosome . Such ectopic integration was demonstrated for the malM gene, and its molecular basis was analyzed with defined donor molecules consisting of ligated fragments containing the malM and sul genes of S . pneumoniae . In a recipient strain deleted in the mal region of its chromosome, these constructs gave Mal+ transformants in which the malM and sul genes were now linked, with malM located between duplicate sul segments . Ectopic integration was unstable under nonselective conditions; mal(sul) ectopic insertions were lost at a rate of 0.05% per generation . Several possible mechanisms of ectopic integration were examined . The donor molecule is most likely to be a circular form of ligated homologous and nonhomologous fragments that, after entry into the cell, undergoes circular synapsis with the recipient chromosome at the site of homology, followed by repair and additive integration. J Immunol Methods, 1984 Nov 30, 74(2), 205 - 15 A computer program for the evaluation of ELISA data obtained using an automated microtiter plate absorbance reader; Caulfield MJ et al.; A new computer program is described which calculates titers and antibody concentrations from ELISA data . Optical densities are measured in 96-well microtiter plates using an automated colorimeter and simultaneously fed into a microcomputer . The data can then be arranged and printed in an 8 X 12 format corresponding to the format of a 96-well microtiter plate . The computer program can also compute the titers of samples if the samples are arranged and titrated in one of the suggested formats . In addition, the titers of unknown samples can be automatically compared with the titer of a standard to obtain concentrations . An ELISA designed to measure the concentration of murine antibodies to the cell wall polysaccharide (PnC) extracted from Streptococcus pneumoniae was performed to document the use of the program. Eur J Biochem, 1984 Nov 2, 144(3), 637 - 41 Penicillin-binding proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae: characterization of tryptic peptides containing the beta-lactam-binding site; Ellerbrok H et al.; Penicillin-binding proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae were labeled with {3H} propionyl-ampicillin and treated with trypsin . The fragments were separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels, and peptides containing the beta-lactam-binding site visualized by fluorography . From native penicillin-binding proteins (PBP), either membrane-bound or solubilized with Triton X-100, relatively stable end products of proteolysis were obtained . The smallest radioactive peptides from PBP 1a (92 kDa), PBP 2b (77 kDa), and PBP 3 (43 kDa ) had sizes of 36.5 kDa, 26 kDa, and 29 kDa, respectively . When the PBP were trypsin treated prior to labeling with the radioactive beta-lactam, these small peptides were still able to bind the antibiotic . Under conditions of limited proteolysis, membrane-bound PBP 2b and PBP 3 were converted into soluble, hydrophilic derivatives after loss of a peptide of only 2 kDa and 1.5 kDa, respectively . These two PBP are therefore anchored in the membrane by a small terminal peptide . In contrast, PBP 1a could be digested to a Mr of 48000 without becoming water-soluble; the only hydrophilic tryptic peptide that could be found was the 36.5 kDa fragment . Therefore, large domains of this PBP seem to be embedded in the membrane. J Dent Res, 1984 Nov, 63(11), 1293 - 7 Screening of sugars inhibitory against sucrose-dependent synthesis and adherence of insoluble glucan and acid production by Streptococcus mutans; Imai S et al.; Various sucrose derivatives and a sucrose analogue were enzymatically synthesized on the assumption that structural similarities of the sugars to sucrose would endow them with an ability to inhibit the cariogenicity of sucrose . The effect of these sugars on sucrose-dependent synthesis and adherence of insoluble glucan and on acid fermentation of sucrose by Streptococcus mutans was examined in vitro . Although none of them inhibited the acid fermentation, several sugars not only inhibited the synthesis and adherence of insoluble glucan, but were themselves only slightly fermented as well. J Dent Res, 1984 Nov, 63(11), 1266 - 70 Salivary clearance of sugar and its effects on pH changes by Streptococcus mitior in an artificial mouth; Lagerlof F et al.; We recently developed a computer model of oral sugar clearance (Dawes, 1983), and an artificial mouth has now been constructed which will allow variation in the salivary parameters identified in the model and the study of their effects on bacterial acid production . Using a thin layer of S . mitior, strain 572, over a miniature Sb electrode to measure bacterial pH changes during sugar clearance from the "mouth", we found that three consecutive sets of "Stephan curves" could be obtained with the same bacteria during one day . In each of several experimental series, one salivary parameter was varied, while other parameters were held constant . The maximum pH decrease and the surface area of the registered Stephan curve (delta pH.min) were used as measures of acid production . The results indicate that the volume of "saliva" in the mouth before and after swallowing, the unstimulated salivary flow rate, and the buffer capacity had significant influences on the extent of the pH changes . Other factors, such as the maximum flow rate, the delay between start of stimulation and maximum flow, the volume of saliva in the mouth at time zero, and the taste threshold for sugar, were of lesser importance, confirming some predictions from the computer model. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1984 Nov, 85(11), 1479 - 89 {Experimental study on the antitumor activity of regional lymph nodes during immunotherapy}; Kawata H; In ascites hepatoma MH134-bearing C3H/He mice, the hemolytic streptococcus preparation OK-432 was administered as model immunotherapy for malignant tumors, and the significance of the presence of regional lymph nodes and changes in cellular immunological competence were investigated . The antitumor effects of OK-432 were greater in tumor-bearing mice in which the regional lymph nodes were preserved than in those lacking regional lymph nodes, showing the significance of the presence of regional lymph nodes during immunotherapy . Regarding lymphocytes in the regional lymph nodes, the Thy 1,2 antigen positive cell ratio, PHA blast formation reaction, cytotoxic activity against YAC-1 cells and MH134 cells as the target cells were determined . Although these values were decreased in proportion to the progress of the tumor, the administration of OK-432 suppressed the decrease . In terms of the increase ratio of the values after the administration of OK-432, the effects of OK-432 on the regional lymph nodes were greater than those on other lymph nodes . It is presumed that immunotherapy suppressed a decrease in cellular immunological competence of regional lymph nodes in proportion to the progress of the tumor and allowed the recovery of the antitumor activity. Infection, 1984 Nov-Dec, 12(6), 369 - 71 Enhancement of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function against gram-positive aerobic organisms grown in the presence of lincomycin; Bassaris HP et al.; The effect of pre-incubating Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes with subinhibitory concentrations of lincomycin was studied with respect to polymorphonuclear leukocyte function against these organisms . Culturing the above organisms in the presence of lincomycin (1/4 MIC) resulted in a significant enhancement of polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal activity against these organisms. J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Nov, 20(5), 945 - 7 Carrier rate of Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 in palatine tonsils of slaughtered pigs; Arends JP et al.; Palatine tonsils of 143 slaughtered pigs aged 4 to 6 months were investigated for the presence of Streptococcus suis type 2 . Slices (50 micron) of frozen tonsils were cultured on a selective agar medium containing antibodies against S . suis type 2 in which colonies of this bacterium showed a halo of immunoprecipitation . When tonsils were sectioned in one plane S . suis type 2 was found in 45 of 143 pigs (32%) . This percentage increased to 50% when tonsils were sectioned in more then one plane, which was done on 55 tonsils . The first 45 strains showing a ring of immunoprecipitation were studied and found to be biochemically identical to our reference strain 735 (de Moor) and to 23 isolates from human patients with meningitis . In slices incubated for 24 h at 37 degrees C on selective agar plates and stained with hematoxylin and eosin after fixation, it could be demonstrated that S . suis type 2 was confined to the crypt lumen . The same was true in sections fixed directly (without incubation) that were stained by an indirect immunoperoxidase method with a rabbit anti-S . suis type 2 serum. Biochem J, 1984 Nov 1, 223(3), 823 - 30 Reversible inhibition of bacterial growth after specific inhibition of spermidine synthase by dicyclohexylamine; Mattila T et al.; The effect of dicyclohexylamine on seven freshly isolated bacterial strains of mastitis pathogens was studied . Streptococcus uberis was the most sensitive strain investigated, since 5 mM-dicyclohexylamine totally arrested its growth and 1.25 mM of the drug caused 60% growth inhibition . The Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were also sensitive to the drug, but less so than Strep . uberis, since 5 mM drug caused only partial inhibition of growth . Micrococcus sp . and Klebsiella sp . grew in the presence of 10.0 mM-dicyclohexylamine, and, finally the growth of Streptococcus agalactiae was not at all affected by dicyclohexylamine . These different sensitivities towards dicyclohexylamine in vivo were paralleled by different sensitivities of the bacteria's spermidine synthase to the drug in vitro, and also by the ability of the drug to lower spermidine concentration in bacterial cells . Spermidine synthase from sensitive bacteria was inhibited by more than 90% by 50 microM-dicyclohexylamine in vitro, and the concentration of spermidine was decreased in E . coli and Ps . aeruginosa by 70% and in Strep . uberis by 95%, whereas in Strep . agalactiae 5 mM-dicyclohexylamine did not affect the concentration of spermidine at all . Dicyclohexylamine treatment led to the accumulation of putrescine in Strep . uberis . Spermidine synthesis catalysed by the extracts of Micrococcus sp . required 500 microM-dicyclohexylamine for 90% inhibition, and Strep . agalactiae contained a spermidine synthase that was still active at 1000 microM-dicyclohexylamine, The observed inhibition of growth was totally reversed by adding 50 microM-spermidine (final concentration) to the medium . Putrescine reversed the inhibition only when bacteria had a spermidine synthase activity insensitive to dicyclohexylamine . Spermine did not overcome the inhibition of growth caused by dicyclohexylamine, probably because it was not taken up by the bacterial cells used in this study . The inhibition of the growth by dicyclohexylamine (even in the case of Strep . uberis) was reversible in the sense that addition of 50 microM-spermidine 18 h after dicyclohexylamine still restored the growth rate of untreated controls. Am J Surg, 1984 Nov, 148(5), 618 - 20 A bacteriologic study comparing closed suction and simple conduit drainage; Raves JJ et al.; A simple experimental study was designed to determine if closed suction drainage reduces the migration of pathogenic bacteria along a drain tract . Sixty New Zealand rabbits, equally divided into three groups, were splenectomized through midline incisions . Group I served as the control group and received no drainage . Groups II and III had drainage of the splenic bed with simple latex conduit drains (Penrose drains) and closed suction drains (Jackson-Pratt drains), respectively . The skin near the drain exit site was inoculated with a Streptococcus organism . The animals were sacrificed after 72 hours, and intraperitoneal culture specimens were obtained . None of the control rabbits had positive cultures on intraperitoneal specimens . Eighteen of 20 rabbits (90 percent) in Group II (Penrose) had positive cultures on specimens from the splenic bed, whereas 75 percent had positive cultures on drain specimens . Only 4 of 20 (20 percent) of the Group III rabbits had positive cultures on the drain or splenic bed specimens . This difference was statistically significant by chi-square analysis (p less than 0.001) . Retrograde migration of bacteria along a drain tract does occur with relatively high frequency with simple conduit drainage and is significantly less with closed suction drainage. J Surg Oncol, 1984 Nov, 27(3), 186 - 8 Streptococcus bovis subacute bacterial endocarditis as a presenting symptom of occult double carcinoma of the colon; Trajber I et al.; A case of double carcinoma of the colon is presented in association with subacute bacterial endocarditis due to Streptococcus bovis . The presence of Streptococcus bovis septicemia is a strong pointer in favour of associated colon carcinoma even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptomatology. J Infect Dis, 1984 Nov, 150(5), 653 - 61 The biochemistry of opsonization: central role of the reactive thiolester of the third component of complement; Hostetter MK et al.; In these studies, we have defined the mechanism by which the opsonic fragment of the third component of complement (C3) binds to pathogenic bacteria . With use of purified human C3 to reconstitute the alternative pathway in human serum in which both C3 and C4 had been chemically inactivated, we showed that opsonization of pathogenic serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotypes 3, 4, 6A, 14, and 18C) requires the reactive thiolester of native C3 . When purified human C3 (thiolester intact) is added to serum deficient in C3 and C4, phagocytic uptake of 3H-labeled pneumococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes from normal adults is fully reconstituted . However, hydrolysis of the thiolester or reaction of the thiolester with the inhibitor methylamine abolishes opsonization and phagocytosis . Finally, by characterizing those C3 fragments released from pneumococcal surfaces after treatment with 1.0 M hydroxylamine, we have defined a role for covalent-bond formation in the opsonic interaction . Therefore, the presence of the reactive thiolester of C3 is an absolute requirement for the opsonic and covalent binding of the C3b molecule to pathogenic bacteria. Infection, 1984 Nov-Dec, 12(6), 361 - 6 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-streptococcal protoplast membrane antibodies; Banchuin N et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is described for the quantitative determination of circulating antibodies to streptococcal protoplast membranes (SPM) in human sera . The assay was used to study the prevalence of antibodies to SPM of M types 6 and 12 Streptococcus pyogenes in sera from 55 patients with recent streptococcal infection, and 30 normal individuals without clinical evidence of streptococcal infection . No correlation was found between levels of anti-SPM antibodies and ASO titres . However, in serial serum samples from one patient with uncomplicated streptococcal sore throat, it was possible to demonstrate that the increase in the level of anti-SPM antibody paralleled the rise in ASO titre . The anti-SPM antibody level and the ASO titre in this patient persisted throughout a six-month period of follow-up. Pediatr Infect Dis, 1984 Nov-Dec, 3(6), 510 - 3 Immediate postmortem cultures in an intensive care nursery; Pierce JR et al.; The results of several published studies suggest that bacterial infection plays an important role in the mortality of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients . To evaluate more thoroughly this role we have routinely performed postmortem cultures of blood and cerebrospinal fluid on all infants who die in our NICU . During a 5-year review period 25.9% of infants who died had one or both cultures positive for an organism considered to be pathogenic in the neonate . The organisms most commonly cultured were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Group B Streptococcus . Of those infants who had positive postmortem cultures and who had an autopsy, 95% had histologic evidence of infection . Forty-three percent of our infants with positive postmortem cultures were not suspected of having a serious infection and had not received antibiotics before death . Postmortem cultures appeared to be helpful in identifying NICU patients in whom serious infection may have played a role in mortality . Unsuspected serious infection is a common finding in infants who die in a neonatal intensive care setting. J Pediatr Orthop, 1984 Nov, 4(6), 756 - 8 Streptococcal osteomyelitis associated with varicella virus infection: a case report and review of the literature; Liebergall M et al.; A case in a child with varicella associated with osteomyelitis caused by Streptococcus hemolyticus group B is reported . The complication of bacterial osteomyelitis in varicella is rare, and only three cases have been reported in the English literature. Infect Immun, 1984 Nov, 46(2), 585 - 9 Inhibition of in vitro human lymphocyte response by the pneumococcal toxin pneumolysin; Ferrante A et al.; The effects of pneumolysin, a sulfhydryl-activated cytolytic toxin produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae, on the in vitro human lymphocyte response was examined . The toxin, at concentrations of one to five hemolytic units per ml, caused marked inhibition of the response of lymphocytes to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and protein A . The response was assessed by measuring both {3H}thymidine incorporation and the ability of lymphocytes to produce immunoglobulins and lymphokine activity . The effects of pneumolysin were irreversible, could be prevented by pretreatment of the toxin with cholesterol, and were not related to a direct cytotoxic effect on the lymphocytes . Pneumolysin appeared to act at the initiation phase of the immune response and had no effect on lymphocytes committed to DNA synthesis or to the synthesis and secretion of immunoglobulins . Furthermore, pneumolysin-mediated inhibition of the lymphocyte response was not due to the inhibition of binding of mitogens to leukocytes and is likely to be related to effects on membrane-mediated signals essential for lymphocyte triggering . This may be one means by which pneumolysin plays a role in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal infections. Infect Immun, 1984 Nov, 46(2), 526 - 30 Agglutination of Streptococcus mutans by low-molecular-weight salivary components: effect of beta 2-microglobulin; Ericson D; Radiolabeled monomeric human beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) was tested for binding to Streptococcus mutans strains in buffers containing 1 mM calcium (Ca2+) . Binding was seen to strains with a previously established binding capacity of aggregated beta 2m . Monomeric beta 2m agglutinated beta 2m-binding strains when Ca2+ was present . At Ca2+ concentrations of 1.4 mM, 0.032 micrograms of monomeric beta 2m per ml caused bacterial agglutination . Parotid saliva was gel filtered on a Sephadex G-75 column, and low-molecular-weight fractions containing beta 2m could agglutinate S . mutans cells . Five of six strains that could bind beta 2m were agglutinated by these fractions, but only one of five nonbinding strains was . All strains tested were agglutinated by void volume fractions . A new method for the measurement of turbidity in bacterial agglutination inhibition experiments with parotid saliva was used . Suspensions containing parotid saliva, bacteria, and control serum were directly compared in a spectrophotometer with test suspensions containing goat anti-human beta 2m, bacteria, and saliva . Thus, the spectrophotometer directly read the difference in agglutination of the two suspensions, and the result was presented as one curve by the recorder . Agglutination of five beta 2m-binding strains of S . mutans was inhibited or decreased by the addition of goat anti-human beta 2m as compared with control serum . The agglutination of two beta 2m-nonbinding strains and one with variable binding was not inhibited . Thus, salivary beta 2m may contribute to agglutination of S . mutans cells in parotid saliva. Am J Dis Child, 1984 Nov, 138(11), 1058 - 61 Primary peritonitis in previously healthy children; Freij BJ et al.; In a review of 22 years of clinical experience, we found seven previously healthy children with primary peritonitis . The diagnosis was made at laparotomy in all patients . Their symptoms included diffuse abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea . Abdominal tenderness was maximal in the right lower quadrant in five children, which led to confusion with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis . Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified as the etiologic agent in three patients and group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in one patient . The remaining three patients all had prior antibiotic therapy, and peritoneal fluid cultures were sterile . All children had a prompt response to treatment with antibiotics and recovered without complications . Long-term follow-up (4 1/2 to 15 years) was available for three patients; all three remained healthy. Eur J Immunol, 1984 Nov, 14(11), 1027 - 30 The effects of idiotype on the ability of IgG1 anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies to protect mice from fatal infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae; Briles DE et al.; Anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibodies of the mouse are found in three different idiotype families: T15, M603 and M511 . These subgroups exhibit different specificities for PC analogs and utilize light chains of different VL subgroups . In this study we have found that IgG1 antibodies of the T15 idiotype are much more protective against pneumococcal infection than IgG1 antibodies of the M511 or M603 idiotypes . This finding provides additional evidence that the T15 VH and VL genes may have evolved to protect mice from infection with PC-bearing pathogens. Pediatr Res, 1984 Nov, 18(11), 1127 - 31 Characteristics and functional capacities of human cord blood granulocytes and monocytes; Marodi L et al.; Cord blood phagocytic cells were characterized with respect to cytochemical activities, Fc gamma and C3b receptors, and capacity to phagocytose and kill various species of bacteria . The percentages of peroxidase-positive granulocytes and monocytes from neonates and adults were comparable; the percentage of esterase-positive cord-blood monocytes was about two-thirds of that of adults' blood monocytes . The numbers of cord blood and adults' monocytes with Fc gamma and C3b receptors were similar . Phagocytic and intracellular killing capacities of cord blood granulocytes and monocytes were investigated for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, and group B Streptococcus type III . The rates of phagocytosis and intracellular killing by granulocytes from newborns proved to be comparable to the corresponding values for granulocytes from adults . Cord blood monocytes phagocytosed E . coli, S . aureus, and S . pyogenes at a normal rate, and killed ingested E . coli and S . pyogenes intracellularly at the same rate as adults' monocytes did . However, S . aureus was killed at a much lower rate by cord blood monocytes than by monocytes from adults . Phagocytic activity for group B Streptococcus was impaired and killing of these bacteria by cord blood monocytes was virtually nil . The latter finding might partially explain the frequent streptococcal infections in newborns. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1984 Nov, 130(5), 857 - 62 Aspirin impairs antibacterial mechanisms in experimental pneumococcal pneumonia; Esposito AL; Normal CD-1 mice were inoculated intratracheally with Streptococcus pneumoniae and treated with aspirin in order to assess the effects of that drug on pulmonary antibacterial mechanisms . Animals pretreated for 72 h with aspirin prior to bacterial challenge and animals given aspirin immediately after infection experienced worse survival rates than did control mice (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively) . When challenged with a sublethal inoculum, pretreated and immediately treated animals demonstrated significant impairments in their ability to clear viable pneumococci from the lungs; the inefficient pulmonary clearance was associated with a marked attenuation in the ability of aspirin-treated mice to recruit granulocytes and macrophages into the bronchoalveolar spaces . Survival in mice administered aspirin 6 h after pneumococcal challenge was not adversely affected; however, the pulmonary clearance and cellular response were significantly impaired . We conclude that aspirin can disrupt host defense against pneumococci by blunting the normal pulmonary inflammatory reaction to organisms deposited into the lower respiratory tract. J Invest Dermatol, 1984 Nov, 83(5), 394 - 8 Intradermal injection of Propionibacterium acnes: a model of inflammation relevant to acne; De Young LM et al.; The intradermal injection of 140 micrograms of Propionibacterium acnes (CN 6134) into the ears of female Sprague-Dawley rats produced a chronic inflammation with formation of acneiform lesions . Inflammation was characterized by more than a doubling of ear thickness at 24 h and a peak of 3-4 times control levels at day 21 . At 42 days post injection ears were still 3 times normal thickness . Histologically there was early polymorph accumulation giving way to macrophages and lymphocytes by day 7 . Pilosebaceous follicles overlying the inflamed area lost their sebaceous glands and became hyperplastic cords of cells that grew down and encapsulated inflammatory loci . By day 9 many of these follicles had become secondary comedones . Three isolates of P . acnes from inflammatory acne lesions and 4 of 5 isolates from non-acne patients produced results similar to that of the strain CN 6134 . In these cases the number of histologically evident secondary comedones was correlated with ear thickness . In contrast, samples of Streptococcus lactis, Escherichia coli B, and Staphylococcus epidermidis failed to produce this combination of chronic inflammation and high lesion count . Benzoyl peroxide, tetracycline, erythromycin, phenidone, naproxen, and cis and trans retinoic acid were inactive as inhibitors of P . acnes CN 6134-induced ear thickening . The corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide produced dramatic suppression of inflammation, but upon cessation of treatment the ears returned to inflamed levels . The specificity for P . acnes, the formation of acneiform lesions, and the recalcitrance of the inflammation suggest our model is indeed relevant to acne. J Bacteriol, 1984 Nov, 160(2), 556 - 63 Characterization and expression of a cloned tetracycline resistance determinant from the chromosome of Streptococcus mutans; Tobian JA et al.; A chromosomal tetracycline resistance (Tcr) determinant previously cloned from Streptococcus mutans into Streptococcus sanguis (Tobian and Macrina, J . Bacteriol . 152:215-222, 1982) was characterized by using restriction endonuclease mapping, deletion analysis, and Southern blot hybridization . Deletion analysis allowed localization of the Tcr determinant to a 2.8-kilobase region of the originally cloned 10.4-kilobase sequence . This cloned determinant hybridized to a representative of the tetM class of streptococcal Tcr determinants but not to representatives of the tetL and tetN classes and, like other tetM determinants, mediated high-level resistance to tetracycline and low-level resistance to minocycline . A portion (approximately 3 kilobases) of the isolated streptococcal fragment was subcloned into Escherichia coli, where it conferred resistance to tetracycline and minocycline . Two proteins with apparent molecular weights of 33,000 and 35,000, encoded by the S . mutans DNA, were synthesized in E . coli minicells . Insertion of DNA into a unique SstI site of the cloned S . mutans fragment resulted in inactivation of Tcr expression in E . coli and S . sanguis, as well as loss of production of both the 33,000- and 35,000-dalton proteins in E . coli minicells . Incubation of minicells in subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline did not result in changes in the levels of synthesis of either protein . Our data suggest that at least one of these proteins is involved in the expression of Tcr. Mycopathologia, 1984 Oct 30, 88(1), 27 - 9 Fate of aflatoxin B-1 in fermented dairy products; Megalla SE et al.; Polyacrylamide gel electropheresis and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were applied to detect the fate of aflatoxin B-1 in milk fermented with an active culture of Streptococcus lactis (ATCC-11454) . TLC analysis revealed the formation of two fluorescent metabolites (B2a and R0) in fermented milk . Electropheretic analysis of both casein and whey protein showed fluorescent bands in the region of Kappa-casien and immunoglobulin which are glycoproteins in nature . The transformation of B-1 to the nontoxic metabolite B2a and the less toxic compound aflatoxicol (R0) reflects the preference for fermented dairy products in consumption in order to reduce chances of toxicity. J Biol Chem, 1984 Oct 25, 259(20), 12576 - 85 Characterization of phosphate:hexose 6-phosphate antiport in membrane vesicles of Streptococcus lactis; Ambudkar SV et al.; Membrane vesicles of Streptococcus lactis were used to characterize a novel anion exchange involving phosphate and sugar 6-phosphates . For vesicles loaded with 50 mM phosphate at pH 7, homologous phosphate:phosphate exchange had a maximal rate of 130 nmol/min/mg of protein and a Kt of 0.21 mM external phosphate; among phosphate analogues tested, only arsenate replaced phosphate . Heterologous exchange was studied by 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate entry into phosphate-loaded vesicles; this reaction had a maximal velocity of 31 nmol/min/mg of protein and a Kt of 26 microM external substrate . Sugar phosphate moved intact during this exchange, since its entry led to loss of internal 32Pi without transfer of 32P to sugar phosphate . Inhibitions of phosphate exchange suggested that the preferred sugar phosphate substrates were (Kiapp): glucose, 2-deoxyglucose, and mannose 6-phosphates (approximately 20 microM) greater than fructose 6-phosphate (150 microM) greater than glucosamine 6-phosphate (420 microM) greater than alpha-methylglucoside 6-phosphate (740 microM) . Stoichiometry for phosphate:2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate antiport was 2:1 at pH 7, and since initial rates of exchange were unaffected by charge carrying ionophores (gramicidin, valinomycin, a protonophore), this unequal stoichiometry indicated the electroneutral exchange of two monovalent phosphates for a single divalent sugar phosphate. Am J Med, 1984 Oct 19, 77(4C), 54 - 8 Tolerance study of ceftriaxone compared with amoxicillin in patients with pneumonia; Baumgartner JD et al.; The safety of ceftriaxone was compared with that of amoxicillin in a randomized study of 91 patients with community-acquired pneumonia . The origin of infection was similar in the two groups . It was proven or probable Streptococcus pneumoniae in 50 percent of the patients and remained uncertain in 40 percent . Ninety percent of the patients who received ceftriaxone were clinically cured compared with 69 percent of those given amoxicillin (p less than 0.05) . However, this difference was not apparent among the patients with proven or probable pneumococcal pneumonia . No severe clinical side effects were observed . Cutaneous reactions were more prevalent in the amoxicillin group, whereas mild diarrhea and mucosal candidiasis were more frequent in the ceftriaxone group . Reversible neutropenia was observed in two patients treated with ceftriaxone and none of those treated with amoxicillin. J Biol Chem, 1984 Oct 10, 259(19), 11818 - 27 The mechanism of soluble peptidoglycan hydrolysis by an autolytic muramidase . A processive exodisaccharidase; Barrett JF et al.; The action of purified N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase (muramidase, EC 3.2.1.17) of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 on linear, uncross-linked, soluble, peptidoglycan chains produced by the same organism in the presence of benzylpenicillin was characterized as a processive exodisaccharidase . Specific labels, one {( 14C}Gal) added to the nonreducing ends of chains, and the other (3H from {3H}NaBH4) incorporated into the reducing ends of the chains, were used to establish that an enzyme molecule binds at the nonreducing terminus and sequentially hydrolyzes the glycosidic bonds, releasing disaccharide-peptide units . An enzyme molecule remains bond to a chain, and is not released at a detectable rate, until hydrolysis of that chain is complete . Reaction rates increased with the length of the polymer chain to give a maximum of 91 bonds cleaved/min/enzyme molecule for hydrolysis of a continuous polymeric substrate . The relationship between hydrolytic rate and glycan chain length is consistent with hydrolysis of bonds within the chain followed by slow release of enzyme from the distal, reducing terminus . This mechanism was experimentally confirmed by analysis of product formation during hydrolysis with stoichiometric mixtures of enzyme and soluble peptidoglycan chains . Kinetic analyses showed an apparent Km of 0.17 microM for the enzyme, independent of substrate polymer length . The dissociation constant for the initial enzyme-substrate complex was calculated to be 1.5 nM . Kinetic analyses are consistent with one catalytic site per enzyme molecule . The Kcat/Km value of 9 X 10(6) M-1 S-1 is near the limit imposed by diffusion for the initial hydrolytic events when long chains are hydrolyzed . The kinetic and physical properties of this muramidase are highly consistent with its location outside of the cellular permeability barrier and its ability to remain with and hydrolyze appropriate bonds in the cell wall in such an environment. N Z Med J, 1984 Oct 10, 97(765), 678 - 80 Patients with rheumatic fever recurrences; Newman JE et al.; An evaluation is made as to the effectiveness of a rheumatic fever followup clinic in preventing recurrences . Forty-nine recurrences are known to have occurred in 228 patients . Oral rather than intramuscular benzathine penicillin prophylaxis, positive oral or pharyngeal culture of Streptococcus pyogenes and large sibship were found to be associated with recurrences. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1984 Oct, 58(4), 394 - 6 Hospital personnel with penicillin-resistant Streptococcus viridans . A case for special consideration in the prevention of bacterial endocarditis; Leviner E et al.; Penicillin is the drug of choice for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis (BE) resulting from dental treatment . The susceptibility of Streptococcus viridans to this antimicrobial agent was studied . A representative sample of hospital personnel (N = 76) was compared to a control group of seventy-six subjects who were not associated with the hospital . Twenty-four of the hospital personnel worked in wards that consume 0.13 to 1.64 (mean +/- SD = 0.88 +/- 0.64) gm penicillin per day per position (low consumption group = LCG) and fifty-two worked in wards that consume 2.27 to 3.67 (mean +/- SD = 3.04 +/- 0.55) gm penicillin per day per position (high consumption group = HCG) . Antibiograms of oral isolates showed that, while 48.08% of the subjects from the HCG revealed penicillin-resistant S . viridans only 8.33% of the subjects from the LCG and 7.89% of the control group presented such results . The data presented suggest that there are subjects who may unknowingly carry penicillin-resistant S . viridans as part of their oral flora . It is therefore recommended that the preferable antibiotic used for the prevention of BE should be determined by an antibiogram. J Dent Res, 1984 Oct, 63(10), 1186 - 9 A model for producing caries-like lesions in enamel and dentin using oral bacteria in vitro; Clarkson BH et al.; Subsurface enamel lesions and root surface caries-like lesions were consistently produced in vitro using Streptococcus mutans FA1 cultured in thioglycollate broth containing 3.5% w/v dextrose and 2% w/v gelatin . When viewed in polarized light and after imbibition in water, the enamel lesions had a negatively birefringent surface zone and positively birefringent body of the lesion . Those lesions produced after six weeks, after imbibition in quinoline, exhibited a dark zone . The root surface caries-like lesions exhibited a less-radiolucent surface zone above a heavily demineralized body of the lesion . However, no reactionary dentin was seen in the in vitro lesions. Eur Heart J, 1984 Oct, 5 Suppl C, 29 - 32 Bactericidal activity of five combinations of penicillin G with aminoglycosides against Streptococcus faecium; Le Bouguenec C et al.; Combinations of penicillin G and five aminoglycosides were tested against 7 strains of S . faecium . For all the strains that had a low-level of resistance to streptomycin, the combination of penicillin G with streptomycin was synergistic . Penicillin combined with either kanamycin or netilmicin was ineffective against all strains . The combination of penicillin and amikacin was synergistic against only one of the aminoglycoside-susceptible strains and ineffective against all the other strains . Penicillin G with gentamicin was the only combination synergistic against all strains . The clinical implications of these findings for the treatment of bacterial endocarditis caused by S . faecium are discussed. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 48(4), 895 - 6 Plasmid associated with diplococcin production in Streptococcus; Davey GP; The ability to produce diplococcin (Dip+) was transferred by conjugation from Streptococcus cremoris 346 to two plasmid-free S . cremoris recipients at a high frequency (10(-1) per donor) . Dip+ transconjugants from each mating gained a 54-megadalton plasmid . Spontaneous loss of this plasmid restored the Dip- phenotype. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Oct, (10), 69 - 71 {Streptococcus pneumoniae multiplication in the allantoic cavity of developing chick embryos}; Iakovleva NV et al.; The possibility of the active multiplication of S . pneumoniae (serotypes 1, 3, 6 and 19) in the allantoic cavity of chick embryos has been demonstrated . This multiplication is accompanied by the development of characteristic changes whose intensity and time of manifestation have been found to depend on the infective dose and the age of the embryo . The accumulation of S . pneumoniae in the allantoic cavity of chick embryos in the absence of visible changes in the biological properties of the infective agent after 5 successive subcultures makes it possible to recommend chick embryos as a model for the study of experimental pneumococcal infection. Eur Heart J, 1984 Oct, 5 Suppl C, 81 - 5 Mitral valve prolapse and infective endocarditis; Roucaut G et al.; In a review of 350 consecutive patients with infective endocarditis (IE) 14 patients were found to have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral IE between 1970 and 1982 in our institution . We first describe the clinical features, laboratory findings and follow up of this group; then we compare it with the data obtained in patients with IE with other types of mitral regurgitation (MR) . All patients with MVP had a murmur or a click with a murmur before the acute episode of IE, the most frequent consecutive organism was Streptococcus (nine cases) and the response to antimicrobial therapy was good; only one patient died and three others needed a mitral valve replacement from one month to 12 years later . The comparison with other types of mitral regurgitation with IE was done by sex, age, duration of symptoms before IE diagnosis, frequency of atrial fibrillation, number of congestive heart failures, heart volume on chest X-ray, number of echographic vegetations and echographic left ventricle size, and number of mitral valve replacements and deaths . None of these items differed significantly, but the duration of symptoms before diagnosis was shorter in the group of patients with MVP. Bioorg Khim, 1984 Oct, 10(10), 1376 - 84 {A carbohydrate-containing copolymer with the specificity of a capsular polysaccharide of type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae}; Cherniak AIa et al.; The synthesis of allyl beta-glycoside of cellobiuronic acid by chemical modification of cellobiose was described . The carbohydrate-containing polymers with different content of determinant groups were obtained via radical copolymerization of this hapten with acrylamide . The copolymer which contained 27% carbohydrates and had molecular mass about 100-300 kilodaltons had the serological specificity of the capsular polysaccharide Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 as shown by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Oct, 57(2), 345 - 53 Changes in metabolism of the rumen bacterium Streptococcus bovis H13/1 resulting from alteration in dilution rate and glucose supply per unit time; Silley P et al.; Streptococcus bovis H13/1 was grown in a glucose-limited chemostat . A concomitant increase in dilution rate and glucose supply per unit time caused both an increase in lactate production per mole of glucose fermented and a linear increase in growth yield over the dilution rate range 0.052 to 0.141/h . When the dilution rate was increased with no change in glucose supply per unit time there was a reduction in lactate production and an increase in that of acetate and ethanol coinciding with a non-linear increase in growth yield . YMaxglu = 38.6 and a maintenance coefficient, ms = 0.290 mmol/l glucose/g cells/h were calculated . The results also suggested an interaction between the formate and CO2 pools. J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Oct, 57(2), 229 - 36 Heat injury and recovery of Streptococcus faecium associated with the souring of chub-packed luncheon meat; Bell RG et al.; The presence of NaCl in the heating medium provided some protection from lethal heat damage for cells of a Streptococcus faecium strain isolated from luncheon meat whereas the presence of NaNO2 either alone or in addition to NaCl, had no significant effect on cell survival . Subsequent recovery and growth of heat-damaged cells was retarded by the presence of NaCl . When NaNO2 was present in addition to NaCl the inhibitory effect of the latter was reduced . These principal components of the luncheon-meat-cure are apparently opposed in their activities on post-heating recovery and growth of Strep . faecium . Product stability, i.e . duration of the lag before growth occurs, is directly related to the severity of the heat treatment and to the concentration of NaCl in the product . Therefore the resistance of pasteurized chub-packed luncheon meat to streptococcal spoilage during storage at temperatures conducive to microbial growth results from a prolonged heat-induced salt-maintained pre-growth adjustment phase rather than to any inherent inhibitory property of the luncheon meat to the growth of non-heat-damaged Strep . faecium cells. Am J Vet Res, 1984 Oct, 45(10), 1933 - 6 Immune response of swine vaccinated with a group E Streptococcus whole-culture bacterin; Wood RL et al.; Swine (n = 10) were given a concentrated whole-culture adsorbate bacterin made from group E Streptococcus (GES) . Two doses of bacterin were given subcutaneously 3 weeks apart . Control swine (n = 10) were given a blank preparation made from sterile culture medium . Swine were challenge exposed 3 weeks after the 2nd injection of bacterin by being penned continuously for 8 weeks with carrier swine infected with GES . A significant (P less than or equal to 0.009) immune response to vaccination with the bacterin was observed . Vaccinated swine, but not control swine, developed antibodies to an antiphagocytic factor (as detected with bactericidal and long-chain tests) before challenge exposure . Vaccinated swine also developed 51.2% (20 vs 41) fewer abscesses after challenge exposure than did control swine . Control swine developed a greater serologic response to challenge exposure, indicating a more extensive infection with GES. J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 20(4), 653 - 9 Glucose-sucrose-potassium tellurite-bacitracin agar, an alternative to mitis salivarius-bacitracin agar for enumeration of Streptococcus mutans; Tanzer JM et al.; An agar medium for selective recovery and enumeration of Streptococcus mutans was developed as an alternative to mitis salivarius-bacitracin (MSB) agar . Combinations of dyes, antibiotics, and tellurite were added to a nonselective medium which, because of its sucrose content, allowed easy recognition of S . mutans colonies . Candle jar incubation for 2 days, by comparison with anaerobic incubation, reduced background flora but did not diminish S . mutans recoveries from clinical samples . Quantitative comparisons were made of the simultaneous recoveries of a number of authentic S . mutans serotype representatives and fresh clinical isolates, using various glucose-sucrose-potassium tellurite-bacitracin (GSTB) formulations and mitis salivarius, MSB, and blood agars . Mitis salivarius counts were not detectably different from blood counts, but counts on MSB were distinctly lower . A formulation of the new medium containing 5% glucose 5% sucrose, 0.001% potassium tellurite, 0.3 U of bacitracin per ml (hence GSTB), and 2% agar gave recoveries nearly equal to those on mitis salivarius agar and much greater than those on MSB . The medium yielded readily recognized S . mutans colonies and facilitated detection of intracellular polysaccharide formers upon flooding with I2 reagent . Freshly isolated serotype c, E, and f colonies could often be distinguished from serotype d and g colonies, a distinction made reliable by testing for intracellular polysaccharide . A study of 300 salivary samples revealed GSTB to give significantly higher recoveries than MSB . About 72% of all samples were substantially underestimated for S . mutans with MSB, and 6.7% of samples were falsely negative for S . mutans with MSB . Recovery of background flora on GSTB was as low or lower than on MSB, and both types of agar could be stored for at least 9 weeks without notable change of selectivity . Thus, GSTB agar appears to be simple and reliable to use and requires no anaerobic incubation . Caution is voiced about interpretation of data previously reported which evaluated S . mutans on MSB agar. Forensic Sci Int, 1984 Oct, 26(2), 131 - 7 Analytical pyrolysis of Streptococcus salivarius as an aid to identification in bite-mark investigation; Elliot TR et al.; The use of pyrolysis mass spectrometry (Py-MS) and statistical analysis of mass spectra is introduced as a method for "finger-printing" strains of Streptococcus salivarius . The objective is to provide correlative evidence regarding the identity of suspects in cases of assault or rape involving bite-marks . The results of the analysis of isolates from two individuals are presented, illustrating the differentiation of S . salivarius at strain level according to the origin of the isolate. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1984 Oct, 11(10), 2163 - 9 {Adjuvant immunochemotherapy with long-term OK-432 administration in colorectal cancer}; Kikkawa N et al.; A new clinical trial on immunochemotherapy as an adjuvant therapy of surgery for colorectal cancers was studied . Results were retrospectively evaluated against previous controls treated by chemotherapy alone . As an immunotherapeutic agent, a streptococcal preparation, OK-432 was used . The maintenance dosage of OK-432, was 5 KE once a week and was continued for at least 2 years after surgical resection . As chemotherapeutic agents, mitomycin C for 2 weeks postoperatively and tegafur for 1 year were administered . Delayed skin reactivity to SU-polysaccharide (SU-PS) extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes SU-strain and lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinins (PHA) were significantly enhanced in the OK-432, immunochemotherapy group . Disease-free interval in the immunochemotherapy group (n = 49) was prolonged compared to that in the control group (n = 129), especially in the curative resection cases of Duke's C stage . There was statistical significance between the two groups (p less than 0.05) . These results suggested that long-term administration of OK-432 after surgical resection of colorectal cancer was effective on growth inhibition of micrometastasis and could increase the postoperative survival rate. Surgery, 1984 Oct, 96(4), 775 - 83 Factors influencing the risk of early and late serious infection in adults after splenectomy for trauma; Malangoni MA et al.; We reviewed the clinical course of 245 adults who underwent splenectomy for trauma to assess the risk of both early and late serious infection . Twenty-one patients (9%) had an early serious infection (sepsis) during hospitalization for splenectomy . The mortality rate was 62% in patients with early sepsis, and encapsulated bacteria were isolated from the blood of 43% of patients with sepsis . Only one of 58 patients with isolated splenic injury had sepsis (2