J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Dec, 127 (Pt 2), 295 - 300 The isolation of cell surface mutants of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1; Bayer EA et al.; The isolation of cell surface mutants of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 was demonstrated by a method based on the differential immunoprecipitating properties of wild-type cells and mutants . In the presence of antiserum, about 99% of wild-type cells in suspension sedimented following overnight agglutination . The kinetics of antiserum-induced agglutination was quantified by measuring the time-dependent decrease in turbidity . For mutant isolation, a sample of the cells remaining in the supernatant fluid served as inoculum for a fresh culture . This enrichment procedure of sequential growth and agglutination was repeated until the supernatant fluid following the overnight agglutination step remained turbid . Of the 40 colonies isolated in this manner, 34 exhibited altered agglutination properties . The agglutinability of wild-type cells varied with the phase of growth - cells harvested during the exponential phase were agglutinated better than those in stationary phase . In contrast, the antiserum-induced agglutination of most mutants was poor during the early phases of growth, but improved during late-stationary phase . One mutant failed to agglutinate in the presence of antiserum irrespective of the phase of growth. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Dec, 20(6), 760 - 8 In vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation of cefodizime (HR221), a new semisynthetic cephalosporin; Jones RN et al.; Cefodizime (HR221) is a new alpha-methoxyimino cephalosporin developed by Hoechst-Roussel with a reported serum half-life of over 2 h . In vitro susceptibility studies showed that the cefodizime spectrum includes all those Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, Streptococcus spp., Haemophilus spp., and Neisseria spp . normally susceptible to cefotaxime (HR756) or ceftizoxime (FK749) or both . Cefodizime was less active (two- to eightfold) than cefotaxime or ceftizoxime against some enteric species, but was the most potent drug against some strains of Morganella spp . and Proteus vulgaris . Enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and most Pseudomonas spp . were resistant to cefodizime (median minimum inhibitory concentrations, greater than or equal to 64 microgram/ml) . Acinetobacter spp . and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains required cefodizime concentrations of 32 microgram/ml to inhibit 50% of tested strains . Cefodizime was very stable to hydrolysis by Richmond-Sykes type I, II, III, and IV beta-lactamases, as well as the enzyme derived from Bacillus cereus . The reference PADAC and nitrocefin substrate hydrolysis by a type I beta-lactamase was markedly inhibited (greater than 80%) by cefodizime at concentrations 0.4 to 4% of substrate concentration . Cefodizime was active against 43% of bacteria which were resistant to cephalothin and cefamandole and against 58% of those resistant to aminoglycosides. Am J Gastroenterol, 1981 Nov, 76(5), 420 - 2 Does bacteremia follow upper gastrointestinal endoscopy? Norfleet RG, Mitchell PD, Mulholland DD, Philo J. To determine the risk of bacteremia, 53 patients had blood collected for culture before and five, ten and 15 minutes following fiberoptic endoscopy of the upper digestive tract . One patient had transient bacteremia with Acinetobacter Sp . five minutes after endoscopy . Combining our study with four others, 447 patients have been evaluated of which 6% had bacteremia after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy . Biopsy or other endoscopic operation does not increase the likelihood of bacteremia . We recommend careful attention to instrument and accessory cleaning and prophylactic antibiotics (probably penicillin or oxacillin alone suffices) only for patients with prosthetic heart valves. South Med J, 1981 Nov, 74(11), 1299 - 303 Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy for infective endocarditis; Noble RC et al.; A man with stenosis of the aortic valve acquired endocarditis after abdominal surgery . Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were cultured from his blood . The blood cultures remained positive despite intravenous gentamicin and cephalothin to which the organisms were sensitive in vitro . Ultimately, the blood was sterilized by a combination of gentamicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole taken orally . The course of the patient was complicated by cardiac arrest and pericardial tamponade caused by a valve ring abscess and a dissecting mycotic aneurysm of the coronary sinus of Valsalva . Aortic valve replacement and right coronary artery bypass were performed . A prolonged course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was given postoperatively, and the patient has had no evidence of recurrent infection after five years . Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, in combination with other antibiotics, has been successfully used to treat other patients with bacterial endocarditis and thus may be an alternative for patients in whom conventional therapy has failed. Cancer Res, 1981 Nov, 41(11 Pt 1), 4554 - 8 L-asparaginase pharmacokinetics and asparagine levels in cerebrospinal fluid of rhesus monkeys and humans; Riccardi R et al.; L-Asparaginase has been widely used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia . Therapeutic and toxic effects in the central nervous system have been noted with systemic treatment . In order to better define the relationship between L-asparaginase administration and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) asparagine levels, L-asparaginase and asparagine were measured in the CSF of rhesus monkeys following intrathecal and i.v . administration . Following intrathecal injection, the enzyme activity of Escherichia coli L-asparaginase in the CSF demonstrated a more rapid terminal half-life than did that of 111In-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, a marker of CSF bulk flow {4 +/- 0.7 (S.D.) hr versus 5.8 +/- 0.2 hr} . Intrathecal injection of E . coli asparaginase resulted in complete depletion of CSF asparagine for at least 5 days . A similar period of CSF asparagine depletion was observed following i.v . administration of L-asparaginase . Similar results were found in seven patients undergoing systemic L-asparaginase therapy . The minimal plasma level of L-asparaginase necessary to deplete CSF asparagine in both species was 0.1 IU/ml . Two other enzymes, Erwinia L-asparaginase and succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase, were cleared from the CSF at the same rate as bulk flow . These data indicate that systemic L-asparaginase therapy may be a feasible means of treating central nervous system involvement in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and that there is no therapeutic advantage to using intrathecal L-asparaginase. J Bacteriol, 1981 Nov, 148(2), 508 - 13 Effects of growth substrate and respiratory chain composition on bioenergetics in Acinetobacter sp . strain HO1-N; Ensley BD et al.; The relationship between respiratory chain composition and efficiency of coupling phosphorylation to electron transport was examined in Acinetobacter sp . strain HO1-N . Cells containing only cytochrome o as a terminal oxidase displayed the same stoichiometries of adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis and proton extrusion as cells which contained both cytochromes o and d as terminal oxidases . In addition, CO inhibition and photo-relief of cytochromes o or d did not alter the efficiency of energy coupling . These findings indicate that adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis is coupled to electron transport through both cytochromes o and d in Acinetobacter. Am J Infect Control, 1981 Nov, 9(4), 112 - 9 Persistent carriage of gram-negative bacteria on hands; Larson EL; The hand floras of 103 hospital personnel and 50 controls were studied over a mean of 35 days . One or more of 22 species of gram-negative bacteria (GNB) were found to be carried persistently on the hands of 22 (21%) hospital personnel and 40 (80%) controls (age-adjusted relative risk (RR) 3.2; p less than 0.001) . Males were significantly more often carriers than females (age-adjusted RR 1.8; p less than 0.01), and persons who washed hands less than eight times per day were significantly more likely to persistently carry the same species of GNB on the hands than those who washed more than eight times per day (group-adjusted RR 2.4: p less than 0.001) . Predominant organisms from both groups were species of Acinetobacter (45%) and Klebsiella-Enterobacter (39%) . Twenty-one percent of 541 nosocomial infections over a 7-month period in the study institution were caused by species found on personnel hands . The same distribution of species types between hospital personnel and controls indicated that handwashing regimens used by hospital personnel were reducing numbers of organisms without shifting the ecologic balance of bacterial populations on the hands . It was concluded that such organisms are much more prevalent on normal skin than generally thought. J Bacteriol, 1981 Oct, 148(1), 51 - 7 Role of adherence in growth of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 on hexadecane; Rosenberg M et al.; The high affinity of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 for liquid hydrocarbons permitted the isolation of a spontaneous nonadherent mutant, MR-481 . Strain MR-481 exhibited no significant affinity for three test hydrocarbons, yet resembled the wild type in many properties, including production of the extracellular emulsifying agent emulsan . To study the role of adherence in growth on hydrocarbons, RAG-1 and MR-481 were compared for growth on hexadecane under conditions of limited agitation and at low initial cell densities . Adherent RAG-1 cells were able to grow rapidly under these conditions, whereas nonadherent MR-481 cells failed to grow for at least 54 h . However, the addition of emulsan either initially or at various times after inoculation enabled the nonadherent MR-481 cells to grow on hexadecane . Growth was not the result of reversion of MR-481 from nonadherent to adherent cells . The data demonstrate that adherence is a crucial factor in the growth of A . calcoaceticus RAG-1 on hexadecane in the absence of extracellular emulsification of the substrate. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 42(2), 297 - 302 Microbial flora of in-use, display eye shadow testers and bacterial challenges of unused eye shadows; Dawson NL et al.; We surveyed 15 different brands of eye shadow on display for customer use in different retail stores for microbial contamination . This was the first reported microbial surveillance of in-use eye shadow display testers in retail establishments . Cultures were obtained at each retail store . Sterile dacron swabs were rolled and rubbed over the entire used surface of each shadow, and each inoculum was streaked onto the surfaces of blood agar plates . Of the 1,345 individual samples obtained, 67% were contaminated with one or more species of microorganisms representing the genera Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter, Bacillus, and Moraxella . We also purchased two different brands of water-miscible eye shadows in replicate unit containers . Each brand was challenged separately with a few hundred to several thousand colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . Both brands permitted growth of P . aeruginosa but not growth of S . aureus . A . calcoaceticus was inhibited after inoculation into one brand . With the other brand, the inoculum of Acinetobacter multiplied in one of the two different lots tested . This experimental challenge procedure can serve as a useful model system for studying the behavior of microbes in eye shadows and similar matrices. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 42(2), 277 - 83 Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in drinking water; Armstrong JL et al.; We analyzed drinking water from seven communities for multiply antibiotic-resistant (MAR) bacteria (bacteria resistant to two or more antibiotics) and screened the MAR bacterial isolates obtained against five antibiotics by replica plating . Overall, 33.9% of 2,653 standard plate count bacteria from treated drinking waters were MAR . Two different raw water supplies for two communities carried MAR standard plate count bacteria at frequencies of 20.4 and 18.6%, whereas 36.7 and 67.8% of the standard plate count populations from sites within the respective distribution systems were MAR . Isolate identification revealed that MAR gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus) and MAR gram-negative, nonfermentative rods (Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Moraxella-like group M, and Acinetobacter) were more common in drinking waters than in untreated source waters . Site-to-site variations in generic types and differences in the incidences of MAR organisms indicated that shedding of MAR bacteria living in pipelines may have contributed to the MAR populations in tap water . We conclude that the treatment of raw water and its subsequent distribution select for standard plate count bacteria exhibiting the MAR phenotype. Infect Immun, 1981 Jul, 33(1), 29 - 33 Adherence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 to human epithelial cells and to hexadecane; Rosenberg M et al.; The ability of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 to adhere to human epithelial cells was investigated and compared with its ability to adhere to a test hydrocarbon (hexadecane) . RAG-1, a microorganism originally isolated for growth on hydrocarbon, adhered to epithelial cells when grown under conditions which promote its adherence to hexadecane; similarly, RAG-1 cells adhered poorly to epithelial cells when grown under conditions which cause the cells to possess low affinity towards hexadecane . A mutant derived from RAG-1, MR-481, deficient in its ability to adhere to hydrocarbon, was similarly unable to adhere to epithelial cells . RAG-1 adherence to epithelial cells was not blocked by a number of sugars tested . Streptococcus pyogenes, whose adherence to epithelial cells has been previously attributed to hydrophobic interactions, was also able to adhere to hexadecane . Results suggest that hydrophobic interactions mediate adherence of the strains studied to both epithelial cells and hydrocarbon. Am Fam Physician, 1981 Jul, 24(1), 147 - 51 Etiology of cervical lymphadenitis in children; Sundaresh HP et al.; Thirty children under 17 years of age with cervical lymphadenopathy were evaluated . Lymphadenitis was attributed to Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in 10 of the patients (33 percent), to Staphylococcus aureus in four and to infectious mononucleosis in four . Two patients had both infectious mononucleosis in Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci . One child was affected with Acinetobacter with calcoaceticus (mima) and another with mycobacteria . In eight children (27 percent), no etiologic agent could be found. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Jul, 34(7), 869 - 75 Enzymatic adenylylation of spectinomycin by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus subsp . anitratus; Shimizu S et al.; Spectinomycin (SPC) was inactivated in the presence of adenosine-5'-triphosphate and magnesium ion by an enzyme preparation made from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus subsp . anitratus GN12313 resistant to both SPC and streptomycin . The structure of the inactivated SPC was found to be the adenylylated product of the hydroxy group on C-9 of the actinamine moiety. Nord Vet Med, 1981 Jun-Aug, 33(6-8), 359 - 65 {Histological and bacteriological examination of uterus from the repeat breeder gilt and sow (author's transl)}; Karlberg K et al.; The investigation comprised sexual organs from 25 gilts and 97 sows culled because of repeat breeding . Among the gilts 24.0 per cent and among the sows 25.8 per cent had endometritis . The following germs were present in uterus from gilts and sows with signs of endometritis: Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium pyogenes, alpha-hemolytiske streptococcer, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella sp., Aeromonas sp., Acinetobacter sp . and Citrobacter sp . Among gilts and sows with germs present in uterus 40.9 per cent had endometritis . The corresponding per cent among gilts and sows without germs present was 25.0. Cancer Res, 1981 Jun, 41(6), 2051 - 5 Nitrogen utilization in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor treated with Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase; Kien CL et al.; The effects of Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase (AGA) on protein and energy requirements were evaluated in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumors . In an initial experiment with normal mice, a zero protein diet resulted in a significant decrease in carcass nitrogen, liver nitrogen, and carcass energy relative to the animals on a normal, low, or high protein diet . In a second experiment, mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumors were randomized into diet groups (zero or normal protein) and treatment groups (daily injections of AGA or 0.9% NaCl solution) . In both treatment groups, the zero protein diet resulted in significant decreases in weight, liver nitrogen, carcass nitrogen, and carcass energy . Neither tumor nor AGA treatment affected body composition or the efficiency of nitrogen utilization . By Day 8, either the zero protein diet or AGA treatment significantly reduced ascites volume and tumor nitrogen content relative to controls . In a modification of Experiment 2, AGA treatment was stopped on Day 8, and all animals were given a normal protein diet . AGA, but not the zero protein diet, significantly enhanced ultimate survival . These experiments indicate that the requirements and utilization of energy and nitrogen are normal in mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor whether or not they are treated with AGA. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 13(6), 1114 - 6 Selective medium for isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Bruce SK et al.; Selective media for Klebsiella pneumoniae have been important in studies of hospital-acquired infections . On an agar medium which included ornithine, raffinose, and Koser citrate, K . pneumoniae strains grew as yellow mucoid colonies at 24 h and there was some increase in colony size at 48 h . Other members of Enterobacteriaceae were inhibited or produced small pink colonies on this same medium . Pseudomonas, Providencia, Acinetobacter, and Proteus species did not grow or showed very poor growth . The growth and appearance of these bacteria were not influenced by pH changes over a pH range of 5.2 to 6.4 . Of 368 swabs of body sites cultured on MacConkey agar and on the test medium, 121 K . pneumoniae isolates on MacConkey agar and the same number on the test medium resulted . There were no discrepancies between the two media . Upon direct plating of stool, however, more K . pneumoniae colonies were isolated on the test medium than on MacConkey agar . Colonies on the test medium were more readily selected and identified than the colonies on MacConkey agar . There was also no inhibition of K . pneumoniae growth on the test medium compared with blood agar medium . This medium may be useful for the selective isolation of K . pneumoniae. Cancer Res, 1981 Jun, 41(6), 2056 - 62 Amino acid utilization and urine protein excretion in children treated with succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase; Kien CL et al.; Amino acid utilization was evaluated in seven children with acute lymphocytic leukemia treated with succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase . All patients received food p.o . ad libitum and glucose-electrolyte solutions i.v.; four patients received an i.v . amino acid supplement (1.5 g/kg/day) . Although all patients were in negative energy balance, there was a significant linear regression between nitrogen balance and nitrogen intake during Days 1 to 7 and Days 8 to 14 of the study . The slope of the regression line, reflecting exogenous nitrogen utilization, was not significantly different from that found in healthy young men ingesting adequate or subadequate energy intakes . The Y-intercept (-210 mg/kg/day) indicated an obligatory nitrogen loss that was much greater than normal . Most of the nitrogen loss was due to urinary excretion . Ammonia and urea accounted for 77 to 91% of the urine nitrogen . Urinary glutamate accounted for 4 to 10% of this loss . Urine protein excretion was abnormally high in each of the patients, ranging from 987 to 3440 mg/day . Urine excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta 2-microglobulin was also abnormally high, despite normal blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, suggesting that these children had renal tubular dysfunction . The antileukemic effect of succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase did not appear to be altered by amino acid supplementation . These data indicate that amino acid supplementation can improve nutritional status in patients treated with succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase. Rev Can Biol, 1981 Jun, 40(2), 215 - 27 Antigonococcal and antibacterial spectra of some bacterial isolates of the urogenital flora; Bisaillon JG et al.; The antigonococcal and antibacterial spectra of bacterial isolates of the urogenital flora selected for their in vitro interference of Neisseria gonorrhoeae growth were determined on solid medium . A broad antigonococcal spectrum was found for all the selected isolates when they were tested against gonococcal virulent (T1) strains, penicillinase producing strains and strains belonging to the auxotypes NR, Thi-, Pro- Hyx-, Pro- Meth- Thp-, Arg- Meth- and Arg- Hyx- Ura- . Except for the group D streptococci, all the selected isolates particularly the coagulase negative staphylococci showed a narrow interference spectrum towards aerobic and anaerobic bacterial representatives of the normal urogenital flora . The selected isolates inhibited also the growth of N . meningitidis and N . catarrhalis meaning that they produce antineisserial rather than antigonococcal activities . The crude preparations isolated from cultures of Micrococcus sp . No . 2 and 42, and Acinetobacter sp . No . 13 on solid medium showed similar antigonococcal and antibacterial spectra as those observed with the basal spot/lawn method . These inhibitory activities were characterized for stability to extreme of temperature and pH values, and for susceptibility to different enzyme treatments . Based on ultrafiltration, differences in molecular size were observed between the inhibitors . These substances appear different from the previously reported gonococcal inhibitors of bacterial origin. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 41(6), 1331 - 6 Bacterial survival in a dilute environment; Sjogren RE et al.; Bacteria were isolated from lake water, and their ability to remain viable in a dilute, nutrient-deficient environment was tested by a method that permits suspension of test bacteria between two appressed microporous membranes in an aqueous environment . This approach permitted separation of the lake isolates into two categories . Members of the tribe Klebsielleae were shown to have a prolonged survival rate of 40% or better after 24 h, whereas nonsurvivors were not viable for much longer than 24 h . These nonsurvivors belonged to the genera Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Erwinia, Escherichia, Flavobacterium, and Pseudomonas . Differences in ribonuclease and adenosine triphosphatase levels between Escherichia coli (nonsurvivor) and Klebsiella (survivor) cells were detected . At pH 7.5, stressed E . coli cells contained 14% of the adenosine triphosphatase activity detected in the control, whereas at pH 5.5, in the presence of calcium ions, these same cells contained 50% of the control adenosine triphosphatase levels . At pH 7.2, E . coli cells were strongly inhibited by an adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor, bathophenanthroline (88%); oligomycin (64%); and the proton ionophore carbonyl- cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (67%) . Both sodium azide and valinomycin were only moderately inhibitory (15 and 28%, respectively) . Although the ability to scavenge internal endogenous reserves seems important, we postulate that certain enteric bacteria are capable of utilizing acidic conditions (pH 5.5) as an electrochemical gradient to generate necessary high-energy intermediates for prolongation of survival beyond that possible in environments of near-neutraL pH. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 May, 13(5), 954 - 6 Aerobic bacterial oral flora of garter snakes: development of normal flora and pathogenic potential for snakes and humans; Goldstein EJ et al.; Garter snakes that are used for scientific laboratory studies or kept as exotic pets often become ill and die early in captivity . They may also act as reservoirs of potential human pathogens or transmit infection to man . A total of 126 strains of aerobic and facultative bacteria, most potential human and snake pathogens, were isolated from 82 garter snake oropharyngeal cultures . Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were the most common species isolated . Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var . anitratus, Hafnia alvei, Arizona hinshawii, Salmonella species, Shigella species, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were among the potential pathogens isolated . The spectrum of bacteria with potential for causing oral and pulmonary infections in garter snakes is greater than has been previously appreciated . Garter snakes should also be considered reservoirs of human pathogens, and appropriate precautions should be taken by laboratory personnel and pet owners. Infect Immun, 1981 May, 32(2), 668 - 74 Bactericidal activity of fractionated granule contents from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: role of bacterial membrane lipid; Modrzakowski MC et al.; Granule contents from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were prepared by extraction with 0.2 M acetate, pH 4 . A buffer extract fraction (peak D) obtained by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography demonstrated distinct antimicrobial activity toward Acinetobacte sp . independent of added H2O2 or Cl- . The protein of this fraction had an apparent molecular weight of 9,000 and demonstrated time and dose dependence that was more active against stationary-growth cells than mid-log-phase cells . The bactericidal activity of the fraction was most active at 37 degrees C, with only slight activity demonstrated at 22 degrees C and no activity at 4 degrees C . Boiling the granule fraction for 30 min did not affect the antimicrobial activity . However, pronase or trypsin pretreatment of the peak D fraction reduced its antimicrobial activity . When the membrane lipid composition of Acinetobacter sp . was altered by growth on specific n-alkane carbon sources, the susceptibility to the granule fraction was also altered . Resistance to the activity of the granule fraction increased as the carbon chain length of the growth substrate increased . Liposomes formed from Acinetobacter sp . lipid extracts and containing glucose were made leaky with the addition of the granule fraction (boiled and not boiled), suggesting a membrane-disruptive activity of the granule protein against Acinetobacter sp . membranes. Cancer Res, 1981 Apr, 41(4), 1324 - 8 Enhancement of antitumor activity of glutamine antagonists 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine and acivicin in cell culture by glutaminase-asparaginase; Rosenfeld H et al.; Mouse P388 and L1210 leukemia cells grown in vitro were found to be 4 to 10 times more sensitive to 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine and 3 to 5 times more sensitive to Acivicin than were 3T3 and C57BL x DBA/2 F1 embryonic fibroblasts . The combined actions of succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase and 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine or Acivicin produced synergistic inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis in P388 tumor cells . An uptake system for Acivicin is described . Its properties in P388 and 3T3 cells are similar in their strong temperature dependence, utilization of the "L" transport system, presumably competitive inhibition by glutamine, similar Km's (about 200 microM), and potent inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate, NA+ . However, Acivicin uptake was inhibited in 3T3 (but not in P388) cells by KCN or 2,4-dinitrophenol . At equilibrium in P388 cells, the intracellular level of Acivicin was approximately 57-fold greater than was the extracellular concentration . The accumulated Acivicin was not metabolized by P388 cells, nor does exchange of 3H label into water occur . Rapid efflux of Acivicin occurred with both cell lines at 37 degrees, but efflux from 3T3 cells was greatly diminished at 0 degrees . The rate of efflux was accelerated by including glutamine or unlabeled Acivicin in the extracellular medium. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Apr, 41(4), 915 - 8 Bacterial growth in ground beef prepared from electrically stimulated and nonstimulated muscles; Butler JL et al.; Ground beef samples prepared from electrically stimulated and nonstimulated biceps femoris and infraspinatus muscles were inoculated with Lactobacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., or a mixture of Lactobacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Moraxella sp., Microbacterium thermosphactum, and Erwinia herbicola . There were no significant differences in growth of various bacteria in ground beef made from electrically stimulated and nonstimulated muscles. J Bacteriol, 1981 Apr, 146(1), 398 - 403 Characterization of the predominant Azotobacter vinelandii envelope protein; Schenk SP et al.; A protein with a molecular weight of 60,000 (60K) constitutes approximately 20% of the envelope protein of Azotobacter vinelandii . This protein was removed from cells and purified from other proteins by a simple washing procedure that had no effect on cell viability . Anti-60K antiserum blocked azotophage A-22 adsorption and agglutinated both vegetative cells and cysts; ferritin-conjugated antibodies used in indirect labeling studies bound uniformly to the periphery of vegetative cells . We conclude that 60K is present on the outer surface of vegetative cells and cysts . The protein is similar to the surface protein alpha of Acinetobacter ssp . in molecular weight, reassociation characteristics, and high ratio of acidic to basic amino acids . We propose that 60K forms a layer external to the outer membrane of A . vinelandii. J Bacteriol, 1981 Apr, 146(1), 233 - 8 Evolutionary relationships among gamma-carboxymuconolactone decarboxylases; Yeh WK et al.; gamma-Carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.44) from Azotobacter vinelandii resembled the isofunctional enzymes from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas putida . All three decarboxylases appeared to be hexamers formed by association of identical subunits of about 13,300 daltons . The A . vinelandii and P . putida decarboxylases cross-reacted immunologically with each other, and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the enzymes differed in no more than 7 of the first 36 residues . In contrast, the A . calcoaceticus decarboxylase did not cross-react with the decarboxylase from A . vinelandii or P . putida; the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of these enzymes diverged about 50% from the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the A . calcoaceticus decarboxylase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Apr, 19(4), 634 - 8 In vitro and in vivo antibacterial effects of combinations of beta-lactam antibiotics; Kuck NA et al.; The effects of combining the new broad-spectrum penicillins piperacillin and mezlocillin with cefoxitin, cefamandole, or cephalothin on the antibacterial activities of these antibodies were determined in vitro against 50 to 109 bacterial strains and in six experimental infections in mice . Against strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus, the combinations exhibited synergistic, indifferent, or additive effects, but no antagonism . Against strains of four groups of organisms (Pseudomonas, Serratia, Enterobacter, and indole-positive Proteus), a high incidence of antagonism was observed, particularly with combinations containing cefoxitin (60 to 100%) . The penicillins were antagonized by the cephalosporin antibiotics . In vitro effects were reflected in vivo . Mice infected with cultures associated with synergistic or additive in vitro effects were protected with lower doses of piperacillin when this antibiotic was administered with ineffective doses of cefoxitin than when piperacillin was used alone . Infections with cultures associated with in vitro antagonism required two- to eightfold higher doses of piperacillin and mezlocillin when these antibiotics were used in combination with the cephalosporins . The clinical implications of these effects should be considered. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Apr, 41(4), 1063 - 4 Acinetobacter spp.: distinct morphology on eosin methylene blue agar as an aid to identification in drinking water; Spino DF et al.; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, frequently found in drinking waters and implicated in nosocomial infections, was presumptively identified by its tiny, blue colonial appearance on Levine eosin methylene blue agar . All of the 33 isolates from drinking water showing this distinctive colonial appearance were identified as A . calcoaceticus. J Biol Chem, 1981 Feb 25, 256(4), 1565 - 9 Evolutionarily homologous alpha 2 beta 2 oligomeric structures in beta-ketoadipate succinyl-CoA transferases from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas putida; Yeh WK et al.; Homogeneous beta-ketoadipate succinyl-CoA transferase (EC 2.8.3.6) preparations were obtained from extracts of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas putida . Gel filtration indicated that the respective transferases have similar molecular weights of 108,000 and 109,000; each transferase appears to have an alpha 2 beta 2 oligomeric structure formed by association of nonidentical subunits with a molecular weight of about 25,000 . The subunits were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, and differences in their primary structures were revealed by determination of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the oligomers . The transferases cross-react immunologically and possess similar amino acid compositions . These are remarkably similar to the amino acid compositions of gamma-carboxymuconolactone decarboxylases (EC 4.1.1.44) and beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolases (EC 3.1.1.24), enzymes that mediate consecutive reactions preceding the transferase step in the beta-ketoadipate pathway. Arch Neurol, 1981 Feb, 38(2), 95 - 8 Meningitis caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var anitratus . A specific hazard in neurosurgical patients; Berk SL et al.; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var anitratus caused meningitis in five patients between 1968 and 1978 at two hospitals affiliated with Boston University School of Medicine . All patients had had head trauma or neurosurgical procedures prior to the development of meningitis . The course of the disease was relatively indolent in that fulminant disease did not occur even when initial therapy was inappropriate and bacteria persisted in CSF . All five patients survived . On Gram's stain of CSF, A calcoaceticus may be confused with meningococci, pneumococci, or Haemophilus influenzae and thus cause delay in appropriate diagnosis and therapy. J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Feb, 122(Pt 2), 201 - 9 Quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase from a non-methylotroph, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; Duine JA et al.; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus grown on ethanol contains an NAD(P)+-independent alcohol dehydrogenase which resembles methanol dehydrogenase from methylotrophic bacteria in many respects . Likewise, the prosthetic group of this enzyme appears to be identical to that of methanol dehydrogenase, namely, pyrrolo quinoline quinone . The organism is unable to grow on methanol, which means that quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases are not restricted to methylotrophs . Arguments are presented for the idea that quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases exist in other alkane- or alcohol-grown bacteria . Although the enzyme from A . calcoaceticus can be best compared with that from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila in that both have very low affinities for methanol and are activated by aliphatic amines, the two enzymes are immunologically and electrophoretically unrelated . Furthermore, the A . calcoaceticus enzyme shows the broadest substrate specificity hitherto known for this type of enzyme in that it also oxidizes higher aldehydes . The extent of hydration of aldehydes cannot account for the aldehyde substrate specificity of these enzymes but the concept of a dual substrate specificity for alcohols and aldehydes can explain this very well . The different properties of the two enzymes compared with those of methanol dehydrogenases cannot be ascribed to the presence of iron as both enzymes contained a negligible amount of this metal. J Bacteriol, 1981 Feb, 145(2), 681 - 6 Properties of six pesticide degradation plasmids isolated from Alcaligenes paradoxus and Alcaligenes eutrophus; Don RH et al.; Biophysical and genetic properties of six independently isolated plasmids encoding the degradation of the herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid are described . Four of the plasmids, pJP3, pJP4, pJP5, and pJP7, had molecular masses of 51 megadaltons, belonged to the IncP1 incompatibility group, and transferred freely to strains of Escherichia coli, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, Rhizobium sp., Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . In addition, these four plasmids conferred resistance to merbromin, phenylmercury acetate, and mercuric ions, had almost identical restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns, and encoded degradation of m-chlorobenzoate . The two other plasmids, pJP2 and pJP9, did not belong to the IncP1 incompatibility group, had molecular masses of 37 megadaltons, encoded the degradation of phenoxyacetic acid, and possessed identical restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1981, 21(2), 125 - 30 Characterization of a radiation-resistant Acinetobacter; Nishimura Y et al.; For characterizing the radiation-resistant Acinetobacter strain FO-1 reported in the previous paper (1980), we investigated the structure of cell wall, the cellular fatty acid composition, and the detailed taxonomic characteristics . The results denoted that the cell division occurred by simple constriction with the formation of a slight septum and the intermediate dense layer between the outer membrane and the plasma membrane was seen, the main components of the cellular fatty acids were oleic acid, palmitic acid, and palmitoleic acid, and that the strain was tolerant to salt and could not produce acids from cellobiose, melibiose, lactose, and ribose. Chemotherapy, 1981, 27(4), 239 - 46 A comparison of the in vitro activity of cefoxitin and cephalothin against 7,312 clinical isolates; Lingaas E et al.; The antibacterial activity of cefoxitin and cephalothin was tested against 7,312 clinical isolates of aerobic pathogens . Cefoxitin was found to have a broad spectrum of activity . Among the gram-positive cocci, 99.1% of Staphylococcus aureus, 94.4% of Staphylococcus epidermidis and 98.1% of streptococci group B had a minimal inhibitory concentration of 16 microgram/ml or less, while only 4.6% of enterococci were sensitive to this concentration of cefoxitin . Among the gram-negative rods 94.4% of Escherichia coli, 89.3% of Klebsiella spp., 97.3% of Proteus mirabilis, 97.4% of Proteus vulgaris and 79.3% of Proteus morganii were sensitive to 16 microgram/ml of cefoxitin or less . The effect of Pseudomonas spp . and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was negligible . Cefoxitin was less active than cephalothin against gram-positive cocci, the difference being most pronounced against enterococci . Cephalothin was also found to be more active than cefoxitin against P . mirabilis, while cefoxitin was superior to cephalothin against E . coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., P . vulgaris and P . morganii. Nord Vet Med, 1981 Jan, 33(1), 17 - 22 A study of skin diseases in dogs and cats . VI . Microflora of the major canine pyodermas; Krogh HV et al.; From 40 dogs with pyoderma swabs from areas with representative lesions were examined bacteriologically . Staph . aureus was found in 98% of the areas, beta-hemolytic streptococci in 30%, and Gram-negative organisms, mainly Proteus spp., in 30% (Table I) . Pure infection with Staph . aureus was found in 55% of the areas . Staph . aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococci were found in 15%, Staph . aureus and Gram-negative organisms in 15%, Staph . aureaus and beta-hemolytic streptococci as well as Gram-negative organisms in 13%, and beta-hemolytic streptococci and Gram-negative organisms in 3% (Table II) . Compared to normal and eczematous skin areas, Staph . aureus was found more often, and in greater numbers, in areas with pyoderma, whereas micrococci, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and Acinetobacter spp . were rarer . Gram-negative organisms such as Proteus spp., E . coli, and Pseudomonas spp . were found with equal frequency in eczema and pyoderma, while beta-hemolytic streptococci were almost exclusively associated with suppurative lesions (Tables IV and V). Arkh Patol, 1981, 43(9), 3 - 10 {Pathological anatomy and the pathogenetic problems of acute pneumonias of varying etiology}; Ageev AK; Acute pneumonias comprise a group of infectious diseases of different etiology which determines many features of clinico-anatomic manifestations of some of their forms including the extension of inflammatory lesions in the lungs . Usually developing due to disorders in the draining function of the bronchi, disorders of the phagocytic activity of leukocytes and alveolar macrophages as well as the presence of immunodeficient conditions, acute pneumonias emerge as complications of other diseases . From 1962 to the present time the rate of their detection in fatal cases increased from 11.6% to 42.8% . Their most frequent causative agents are staphylococci resistant to most antibiotics used for treatment, less frequently Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pathogenic fungi . Also, an increased role in the etiology of pneumonias of conditionally-pathogenic flora (Proteus, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Serratia) and frequent pneumonias caused by mixed microflora are observed . Pneumonias were the immediate cause of death in 19.2% of the fatal cases. Curr Eye Res, 1981, 1(7), 409 - 17 BB-K 122: in vitro and in vivo activity against ocular pathogens; Schlech BA et al.; BB-K 122 is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic and an analogue of amikacin . This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo activity of BB-K 122 and gentamicin against important ocular pathogens . BB-K 122 and gentamicin demonstrated generally equivalent in vitro antibacterial activity, except that gentamicin was more active against Streptococcus sp . BB-K 122 showed significant in vitro activity against important ophthalmic pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and species of Klebsiella, Escherichia, Proteus, Haemophilus, and Moraxella . Solutions of BB-K 122 (1%) and gentamicin sulfate (0.3%) were compared in an experimentally induced rabbit keratoconjunctivitis model . Rabbit eyes infected with P . aeruginosa or S . pneumoniae were treated with one of the two antibiotic formulations and evaluated after 24 h . A topical formulation of 1% BB-K 122 was at least as effective as gentamicin sulfate (0.3%) solution against these infections. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1981, 173(5), 293 - 9 Microbial colonization of prosthetic devices . II . Scanning electron microscopy of naturally infected intravenous catheters; Peters G et al.; Forty two nonselected naturally infected intravenous catheters were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and usual bacteriological methods . In many catheter samples an amorphous deposited substance could be detected by SEM investigation, mostly associated with the isolation of staphylococci, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The thickest layers of such a substance were found in catheters infected by coagulase-negative staphylococci . The bacteria seemed to be closely packed and cemented by this matrix . It's possible protective role against the defence mechanisms of the host and chemotherapeutic agents was discussed. Drugs, 1981, 22 Suppl 1, 3 - 12 Cefoperazone: spectrum of antibacterial activity and disc diffusion testing; Thornsberry C et al.; Cefoperazone is a new cephalosporin with a very wide spectrum of antibacterial activity, including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci, streptococci (other than serological group D strains), Neisseria and Haemophilus species (including beta-lactamase positive strains) and some anaerobes . On testing more than 8700 clinical isolates, approximately 93% were inhibited by 16 micrograms/ml of cefoperazone, 95% by 32 micrograms/ml and 98% by 64 micrograms/ml . The drug is less active on Acinetobacter and group D streptococci . We recommend that a disc containing 75 micrograms of cefoperazone be used in the diffusion test with 'breakpoints' of less than or equal to 14 mm for resistant, 15-17 mm for intermediate, and greater than or equal to 18 mm for susceptible bacteria. Chemotherapy, 1981, 27(1), 39 - 43 Combination effect of piperacillin with four aminoglycosides on nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria; Daschner F et al.; The in vitro efficacy of piperacillin in combination with gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and netilmicin against 57 nonfermenting gram-negative bacterial strains was compared by use of the checkerboard agar dilution technique . On average 34% of all nonfermenting strains were inhibited by additive, 13% by synergistic piperacillin-amino-glycoside combinations . Great variation occurred between the different bacterial species . Piperacillin-aminoglycoside combinations were most active on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and least potent on Pseudomonas cepacia . Piperacillin was highly active against P . aeruginosa, P . cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescens-putida and Acinetobacter species. Infection, 1981, 9(6), 290 - 5 Inhibitory activity and bactericidal kinetics of mecillinam/ampicillin combinations against Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter; Fuglesang JE et al.; Mecillinam, ampicillin and combinations of the two were tested against Enterobacteriaceae by traditional agar dilution and under in vitro conditions simulating in vivo pharmacokinetics . Synergy was demonstrated by agar dilution in 30% of the strains . At simulated in vivo conditions, synergy between ampicillin and mecillinam was detected in a high osmolality medium, but not when the osmolality of the medium was low . The bactericidal effect was detected with mecillinam after one hour, while that of ampicillin or the combination was detected after 15 min . Changed bacterial morphology was observed by electron microscopy . Mecillinam produced ovoid spherical cell structures whereas combinations of the two drugs produced larger bacterial spheres. Cancer Res, 1980 Dec, 40(12), 4546 - 51 Phase I evaluation of succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase in adults; Warrell RP Jr et al.; Succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase (SAGA) has broader antitumor activity than Escherichia coli L-asparaginase in experimental systems; moreover, drug resistance does not develop in tumor cell lines initially sensitive to this enzyme . We have investigated the pharmacology and toxicology of SAGA after both single-dose and serial daily dose injections in 20 adult patients . Glutaminase activity in plasma after i.v . injection of single doses did not follow simple first-order kinetics (half-life during the initial 24 hr was 21 +/- 9 hr . A linear relation was observed between increasing doses of SAGA and resultant levels of plasma enzyme activity and blood glutamate . Assay of whole blood which had been deproteinized immediately following phlebotomy showed that single doses of SAGA lowered glutamine only transiently to nondetectable levels; serial daily doses were required to achieve and maintain continuous glutamine depletion . Reversible depression of the central nervous system, ranging from encephalopathy to coma, occurred in a dose-related manner and was dose limiting . Other prominent reactions included respiratory alkalosis, hyperglycemia, nausea, and vomiting . Transient antitumor effects were noted in two patients with solid tumors and in two patients with leukemia . SAGA causes considerable neurotoxicity in adults which requires close patient monitoring . Phase II studies in leukemic patients are in progress. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Dec, 121(Pt . 2), 411 - 8 Naturally occurring plasmids in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: pAV2, a plasmid which influences the fertility of the sex factor pAV1; Hinchliffe E et al.; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain EBF65/65 harbours a cryptic plasmid, pAV2, which has been shown by electrophoretic separation on agarose gels to have a molecular mass of approximately 13.5 megadaltons (Md) . Transfer of the previously described sex factor pAV1 (Hinchliffe & Vivian, 1980 a,b) from the hospital strainJC17 into strains possessing pAV2 occurs only at a low frequency, whereas transfer to similar strains lacking pAV2 occurs at a much higher frequency . In EBF65/65, pAV1 may be present in strains possessing or lacking pAV2; pAV1 strains lacking pAV2 correspond to strains previously described as pAV1a (Hinchliffe & Vivian, 1980b) whereas pAV1 strains which also possess pAV2 correspond to pAB1b strains . The genetic evidence presented here is consistent with the hypothesis that pAV2 specifies a host restriction and modification system that is active against pAV1 . Physical evidence from agarose gel electrophoresis indicates that pAV1 corresponds to a band of approximately 85 Md in strain JC17 . The corresponding band in strains of EBF65/65 is difficult to distinguish because of the presence of a further cryptic plasmid band of approximately 88 Md, designated pAV3 . A small cryptic plasmid of approximately 6 Md, designated pAV4, is reported for EBF65/65. Arch Microbiol, 1980 Dec, 128(2), 263 - 5 Influence of growth phase and carbon source on the content of rubredoxin in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; Claus R et al.; The rubredoxin content of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in dependence on the carbon source (acetate, n-alkanes, succinate, L-malate) and on the growth phase was studied by means of a radioimmunoassay . The method used was specific for rubredoxin and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . The formation of rubredoxin increased with time up to the end of the logarithmic phase when n-alkanes were the sole carbon source . After growth of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus on non-hydrocarbon substrates, rubredoxin was not detected. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Dec, 121(Pt . 2), 425 - 31 Behaviour of bacteriophage Mu in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus EBF65/65; Towner KJ; Transfer of RP4::Mu plasmids from Escherichia coli K12 to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus EBF65/65 was very inefficient compared with RP4 and was only detectable to strains of EBF65/65 lacking pAV2, a cryptic plasmid thought to code for a restriction/modification system . RP4::Mu-derived plasmids transferred from pAV2-strains of EBF65/65 back to E . coli K12 were found to carry defective prophages which had lost the ability to produce detectable phage particles . Re-transfer of these defective plasmids from hsm kappa + and hsm kappa strains of E . coli K12 back to EBF65/65, when compared with the transfer of RP4, provided evidence for a second restriction/modification system in EBF65/65 which affected mainly Mu DNa . Using a mutant Mu prophage, Mu cts62 r23, it was possible to obtain RP4::Mu plasmids in EBF65/65 which were non-defective . These produced viable Mu particles when transferred back to E . coli K12 and could also be thermoinduced in EBF65/65; however, expression of Mu in EBF65/65 was very poor and plaques were only detected on a restrictionless strain of E . coli K12 . 'Plasmid suicide by Mu' may enable the development of a method for directed chromosome mobilization in A . calcoaceticus. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Dec, 121(Pt . 2), 419 - 23 Restriction mediated by pAV2 affects the transfer of plasmids in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; Hinchliffe E et al.; The naturally occurring plasmid pAV2 restricts the entry of the P class plasmid RP4 and the W class plasmids R388 and S-a into Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain EBF65/65 from Escherichia coli . The W class plasmids only transfer from E . coli into pAV2-strains . Plasmid RP4 is modified in the presence of pAV2 such that it is no longer restricted on entry into pAV2 recipients of strain EBF65/65. Rev Can Biol, 1980 Dec, 39(4), 201 - 8 Interference of Neisseria gonorrhoeae growth by aerobic bacterial representatives of the urogenital flora; Bisaillon JG et al.; Aerobic bacterial isolates obtained from endocervical, vaginal and urethral swabbings were tested for interference of neisseria gonorrhoeae growth on solid medium . Simultaneous antagonism was studied using the lawn spotting method, and delayed antagonism by the basal spot/lawn method . From 58 swabbings we recuperated a total of 181 isolates, 71 of those were found interfering with at least one out of four gonococcal strains (G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4) . Similar percentages of interfering isolates were obtained from each of the isolation sites . The identification of the interfering isolates has revealed that similar numbers of coagulase negative staphylococci and identical numbers of group D streptococci were found for each of those sites . The majority of the interfering isolates and also of the inhibitory coagulase negative staphylococci showed only simultaneous antagonism . To complete the interference spectrum, we have tested all the active urogenital isolates against four other gonococcal strains (G-7, G-9, G-10 and G-11) . This spectrum showed clearly that interference is not an all or none phenomenon . While the gonococcal interference spectrum of most of the Gram positive cocci and the Acinetobacter sp . strains is broad, that of all the other isolates is relatively narrow . Gonococcal strains G-7 and G-9 were the most susceptible to inhibition by the interfering urogenital isolates while strain G-3 was the most resistant one. Immunology, 1980 Dec, 41(4), 875 - 81 Isoelectric heterogeneity of immunoglobulin secreted by LPS-activated neonatal and adult pig lymphocytes in vitro; Symons DB et al.; The heterogeneity of immunoglobulin secreted by lymphocytes from neonatal presuckled and from adult pigs after Acinetobacter lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation has been examined by isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional electrophoresis . LPS activation of neonatal and adult cells resulted in secretion of IgM immunoglobulins which were closely similar in their degree of isoelectric heterogeneity . Immunoglobulins secreted by both types of cell after LPS activation were also very similar in their heterogeneity to that secreted by control unstimulated adult cells . LPS therefore appears to be acting polyclonally, with no preferential stimulation of particular spectrotypes . Cell populations from neonatal pigs are antigenically naive and thus devoid of B memory cells: after LPS activation the IgM secreted by neonatal cell preparations was closely similar in its heterogeneity to that secreted by adult cells . Two dimensional electrophoresis has resolved two light chain types (kappa and gamma analogues) in the immunoglobulin secreted by neonatal and adult cells, with a common pattern of light chain spectrotypes underlying individuality in the balance of constituent spectrotypes between different cell samples. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Nov, 18(5), 766 - 72 Comparative antimicrobial activity of O-demethylfortimicin A, a derivative of fortimicin A; Girolami RL et al.; The in vitro antimicrobial activity of O-demethylfortimicin A (ODMF), a derivative of fortimicin A, was compared with those of fortimicin A and gentamicin against a spectrum of 256 organisms . All three antibiotics were active in low concentrations against all strains of Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter sp., and Staphylococcus aureus, with ODMF most active against Proteus mirabilis, indole-positive Proteus, and Providencia and gentamicin most active against other species . Activity of each of the antibiotics against group D streptococci was poor . The overall activity of ODMF was superior to that of fortimicin A for all groups of organisms examined and was most pronounced, approximately three-fold, against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Both ODMF and fortimicin A were resistant to the action of several aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes, with the exception of 3-N-acetyltransferase-I . ODMF and fortimicin A showed similar rapid bactericidal effects at multiples of the minimum inhibitory concentration and equivalent synergistic activity against enterococci when combined with penicillin G . The combination of carbenicillin with ODMF, fortimicin A, or gentamicin was synergistic for approximately 80% of the P . aeruginosa strains tested . Inactivation of ODMF and fortimicin A when combined with carbenicillin in vitro was minimal or absent, whereas gentamicin was substantially inactivated under similar conditions . ODMF, fortimicin A, and gentamicin exhibited protective activity in mice infected with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, S . aureus, or P . aeruginosa . Gentamicin was the most active, followed by ODMF and fortimicin A . The superior in vitro activity of ODMF compared with fortimicin A against P . aeruginosa was confirmed in vivo. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Oct, 12(4), 509 - 16 Evaluation of the Minitek system for identification of nonfermentative and nonenteric fermentative Gram-negative bacteria; Chester V et al.; The Minitek identification system (MT) was compared with a conventional testing battery for the characterization of 735 isolates which included 57 species and groups of nonfermentative (NF) and nonenteric fermentative (NEF) gram-negative bacteria . The MT correctly identified 585 of 616 NF (94,96%) and 115 of 119 NEF (96.65%) bacteria and 700 of 735 strains (95.24%) overall . A total of 31 NF and NEF (4.22%) bacteria were misidentified, and no identification was determined for four strains (0.69%) . All strains of Acinetobacter anitratus, Pseudomonas maltophilia, P . fluroescens, and P . putida and all but one strain of P . aeruginosa were correctly identified . The most frequently misidentified taxa were CDC group Va-1, P . pickettii (Va-2), P . mendocina, and Moraxella urethralis (M-4) . Supplemental tests were needed for the complete identification of 214 strains (29.11%) . An average of 1.54 supplemental tests were used with each of these strains . A total of 134 strains (18.23%) had their identification delayed by 1 day due to supplemental testing . We recommend the use of the 42 degree C growth test with the MT . When used in accord with the manufacturer's instructions and with the MT code book the MT was found to be a valuable system for the identification of a wide variety of common and infrequently encountered NF and NEF bacteria. Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1980 Sep, 16(3), 282 - 7 {Incidence and antibiotic-sensitivity of gram-negative bacteria in the urinary infections (author's transl)}; Lechi A et al.; Urinary tract infections due to low-grade pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria show an increasing prevalence . The frequency of isolation from urinary samples of some of these pathogens (Alcaligenes, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter, Providencia, Serratia) was detected in a group of adult patients . The role of local and systemic predisposing factors was investigated . These bacterial agents accounted for 21% of 1,354 isolated strains . Systemic predisposing factors were found in most patients . Moreover, a high proportion of the isolates was found in the urinary samples of patients receiving prolonged antibacterial therapy . Sensitivity to several antibacterial drugs was examined for each strain . A high degree of drug resistance was commonly found. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 40(3), 480 - 5 Factors affecting inactivation of Moraxella-Acinetobacter cells in an irradiation process; Firstenberg-Eden R et al.; The effect of various stages of the irradiation processing of beef on the injury and inactivation of radiation-resistant Moraxella-Acinetobactor cells was studied . Moraxella-Acinetobacter cells were more resistant to heat inactivation and injury when heated in meat with salts (0.75% NaCl and 0.375% sodium tripolyphosphate) then in meat without salts . These salts had no effect on radiation resistance . Both radiation- and heat-injured cells were unable to form colonies at 30 degrees C in plate count agar containing 0.8% NaCl . Neither unstressed nor heat-stressed cells were able to multiply in minced beef incubated at 30 degrees C for 12 h . Only after the beef was diluted 1:10 with peptone water were the heat-injured cells able to repair and eventually multiply . Heated cells were more sensitive to radiation inactivation and injury than unheated cells . After repair, the cells regained their resistance to both NaCl and irradiation . Freezing and storage at -40 degrees C for 14 days had only a slight effect on either unstressed or heat-stressed cells. Can J Biochem, 1980 Sep, 58(9), 696 - 706 A comparison of the citrate synthases of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter anitratum; Morse D et al.; Citrate synthase has been purified to homogeneity from a strain of the Gram-negative aerobic bacterium Acinetobacter anitratum in a form which retains its sensitivity to the allosteric inhibitor NADH . In subunit size, amino acid composition, and antigenic reactivity the enzyme shows a marked structural resemblance to the citrate synthase of the Gram-negative facultative anaerobe Escherichia coli . Whereas the E . coli enzyme is subject to a strong, hyperbolic inhibition by NADH (Hill's number n = 1.0, Ki = 2 microM), the A . anitratum enzyme shows a weak, sigmoid response (n = 1.6, I0.5 = 140 microM) to this nucleotide . With E . coli, NADH inhibition is competitive with acetyl-CoA, and noncompetitive with oxaloacetate; with A . anitratum, NADH is noncompetitive with both substrates . Acinetobacter anitratum citrate synthase shows hyperbolic saturation with acetyl-CoA (n = 1.8) . The finding of Weitzman and Jones (Nature (London) 219, 270 (1968) that NADH inhibition of the enzyme from Acinetobacter spp . is reversible by AMP, while that from E . coli is not, is explained by the much greater affinity of the E . coli enzyme for NADH . Unlike E . coli citrate synthase, the A . anitratum enzyme does not react with the sulfhydryl reagent 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) in the absence of denaturation . With a second sulfhydryl reagent, 4,4'-dithiodipyridine (4,4'-PDS), the A . anitratum enzyme reacts with 1 equiv . of subunit; this modification induces a partial activity loss (attributable to a arise in the Km for acetyl-CoA) and an increase in the sensitivity to NADH . With the E . coli enzyme, 4,4'-PDS causes complete inactivation . Acinetobacter anitratum citrate synthase is much more resistant to urea denaturation than the E . coli enzyme is; the resistance of both enzymes to urea is greatly improved in the presence of 1 M KCl . It is suggested that the amino acid sequences of the subunits of the citrate synthases of these two bacteria are about 90% homologous, and that the 10% differences are in key residues, perhaps largely in the subunit contact regions, which account for the differences in allosteric properties. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1980 Sep, 171(4-5), 293 - 308 {The dispersal of pathogens from infected patients shown by environmental culturing (author's transl)}; Ohgke H et al.; During a two year's period environmental culturing was done to control hygienic measures, for pedagogical reasons or to trace a source of infection in a large university hospital . Phage typing of Staphylococcus aureus, pyocine typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and resistograms and biotypes of Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter were used to compare patient strains with environmental isolates . It could be shown that the infecting organisms can be cultured not only from the site of infection where samples for bacteriological diagnosis usually are taken . But numerous sites of the patients' environment proved to be contaminated with pathogens indistinguishable from the infecting strains . These sites were for example: the patient's hands and other parts of his healthy skin, the outside of wound dressing, bed linen, clothes, floors and nursing utensils . The results convincingly provided reasons for environmental decontamination and for the institution of barrier nursing techniques. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Aug, 119(Pt 2), 459 - 64 The occurrence of 1,2-propanediol oxidoreductase in micro-organisms and its use as a possible diagnostic marker for Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Takeguchi MM et al.; The cervical microbial flora of 25 females and stock cultures of various micro-organisms which may be present in the human female cervix were examined using a fluorimetric assay for 1,2-propanediol oxidoreductase . Results indicated that only members of the genera Neisseria and Acinetobacter possess appreciable activities of the enzyme, whose physiological function is not yet known . The activity of this enzyme in N . gonorrhoeae appeared to be significantly higher than the activities observed in mot of the other Neisseria species and in the Acinetobacter species . These results indicated that it may be possible to utilize this enzyme as a presumptive diagnostic marker for N . gonorrhoeae in cervical secretions . 1,2-Propanediol oxidoreductase may also be of taxonomic significance for the classification of various bacterial species. J Biol Chem, 1980 Jul 10, 255(13), 6347 - 54 Homologies in the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of gamma-carboxymuconolactone decarboxylases and muconolactone isomerases; Yeh WK et al.; gamma-Carboxymuconolactone decarobxylase (EC 4.1.1.44) and muconolactone isomerase (EC 5.3.3.4) mediate chemically analogous reactions in bacteria . The enzymes are inducible, and different metabolites trigger the respective syntheses of the decarboxylases in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas putida . The decarobxylases share similar oligomeric structures in which identical subunits of about 13,300 daltons appear to be self-associated into hexamers . Identical residues are found in 18 of the first 36 positions of the enzymes' NH2-terminal amino acid sequences . Thus, genetic rearrangements appear to have placed homologous structural genes for the decarboxylases under different transcriptional control in the two bacterial species . The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the decarboxylases and muconolactone isomerases are similar, suggesting that a common ancestral protein gave rise to the enzymes with different (albeit analogous) activities . In addition, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the decarboxylases appear to have been conserved at a second region within the primary structure of the muconolactone isomerases . As has been observed with the two enol-lactone hydrolases (EC 3.1.3.24) of Acinetobacter, the structural genes for the decarboxylases and the isomerases appear to have diverged widely as they were co-selected within a single cell line, In part the divergence appears to have been achieved by mutations in which fragments of DNA within structural genes are replaced with fragments of DNA derived from a co-evolving sequence. J Biol Chem, 1980 Jul 10, 255(13), 6342 - 6 Evolutionary divergence of co-selected beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolases in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; Yeh WK et al.; Muconolactone isomerase (EC 5.3.3.4) and beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.24) mediate consecutive catabolic steps in bacteria . Separately inducible beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolases I and II are formed in representatives of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . When subjected to DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Acinetobacter enol-lactone hydrolase I displays heterogeneous behavior which, in whole or in part, appears to be due to modifications of sulfhydryl groups in the protein; the enzyme is unusual in that its NH2-terminal amino acid is cysteine . Comparison of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of Acinetobacter enollactone hydrolase I, reported here, with the corresponding amino acid sequences of Acinetobacter enollactone hydrolase II and Pseudomonas enol-lactone hydrolase indicates that all three proteins have diverged widely from a common evolutionary origin . Sequence comparisons suggest that divergence of the Acinetobacter enol-lactone hydrolase structural genes was achieved by substitution with DNA derived from an ancestral muconolactone isomerase structural gene. J Biol Chem, 1980 Jul 10, 255(13), 6335 - 41 Repetitions in the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase from Pseudomonas putida; McCorkle GM et al.; Muconolactone delta-isomerase (EC 5.3.3.4) and beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.24) mediate consecutive reactions in the beta-ketoadipate pathway of bacteria . An earlier investigation (Yeh, W.K., Davis, G., Fletcher, P., and Ornston, L.N . (1978) J . Biol . Chem . 253, 4920-4923) revealed that the respective NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of Pseudomonas putida muconolactone isomerase and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase II are evolutionarily homologous . In this report, we describe the purification of Pseudomonas beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase and present evidence indicating that the protein is a trimer composed of identical 11,000-dalton subunits . The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of Pseudomonas muconolactone isomerase and Pseudomonas enol-lactone hydrolase have diverged widely from each other, yet the two sequences contain different fragments of an ancestral sequence which is represented in Acinetobacter enol-lactone hydrolase II . The widely divergent Pseudomonas muconolactone isomerase and Pseudomonas enol-lactone hydrolase sequences each contain unique sets of repeated peptides . In principle, the repetitive sequences might have been introduced by elongation mutations which occurred early in the evolution of the proteins . However, the divergence of Pseudomonas muconolactone isomerase and Pseudomonas enol-lactone hydrolase is so extreme that the observed sequence repetitions cannot have been conserved from ancestral duplication mutations . Rather, the data favor the interpretation that copies of DNA were substituted into structural genes for the enzymes as they diverged. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jul, 119(1), 117 - 22 Gene transfer in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: fertility variants of the sex factor pAV1; Hinchliffe E et al.; The naturally occurring transmissible plasmid pAV1 mediates chromosome transfer and can exhibit two distinct levels of transmissibility in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain EBF65/65 . The two states of pAV1 have been arbitrarily designated pAV1a (low frequency variant) and pAV1b (high frequency variant) . Both variants have the same incompatibility and host range properties and each mobilizes two non-transmissible resistance determinants for tetracycline and neomycin . Sex factor activity has been shown to be stable: however, pAV1b fertility variants can be derived from pAV1a donors following conjugal transfer of pAV1 into new recipient strains of EBF65/65. Ann Intern Med, 1980 Jul, 93(1), 32 - 5 Pyrogenic reactions after inadvertent infusion of endotoxin during cardiac catheterizations; Reyes MP et al.; In April 1976 the attack rate of chills and fever with or without falls in blood pressure increased in association with cardiac catheterizations . Fevers were associated with coronary angiography and right and left heart catheterizations . Blood cultures were negative, and reactions did not correlate with amounts of contrast materials infused or with procedures done by a single operator . Significant numbers of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (var . anitratus) and a Pseudomonas species were cultured from hospital-reservoir distilled water when it was flushed through a catheter before gas sterilization . This same water after ethylene oxide sterilization contained 2 x 10(5) ng/mL of endotoxin by limulus lysate test and was positive by rabbit pyrogen test . When washed reusable cardiac catheters were sterilized daily or when disposable catheters were substituted, febrile reactions ended . Pyrogenic reactions in patients undergoing cardiac catheterizations correlated with emptying retained endotoxin with injected contrast material from reused washed-sterilized catheters. J Bacteriol, 1980 Jun, 142(3), 859 - 68 Influences of growth substrates and oxygen on the electron transport system in Acinetobacter sp . HO1-N; Ensley BD Jr et al.; The electron transport system of Acinetobacter sp . HO1-N was studied to determine the specific cytochromes and to measure changes in the composition of the respiratory system due to growth in various concentrations of oxygen or types of growth substrates . Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that the quantity and types of cytochromes changed in response to growth under various concentrations of oxygen . Growth on alkane and nonalkane substrates resulted in only minor differences in cytochrome composition or oxidase activities . Membranes prepared from cells grown under oxygen-limiting conditions contained at least one b-type cytochrome, cytochrome o, cytochrome d, and slight traces of cytochrome a1, whereas membranes prepared from cells grown in the presence of high oxygen concentrations contained only low levels of cytochromes b and o . Polarographic measurements, electron transport inhibitor studies, and photoaction spectrum analyses indicated that cytochromes o, a1, and d were potentially capable of functioning as terminal oxidases in this organism . These experiments also revealed that all three cytochromes may be involved in the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, succinate, or N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 26(3), 281 - 6 Purification and characterization of rhodanese from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; Vandenbergh PA et al.; Rhodanese (thiosulfate : cyanide sulfur transferase, EC 2,8,1,1) was found to be contitutively present as an intracellular enzyme in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . The soluble enzyme was purified 40.9-fold by a procedure which included ultracentrifugation, ethanol precipitation, CM-Sephadex batchwise separation, QAE-50 ion exchange chromatography, and socrose density gradient ultracentrifugation . The enxyme had a molecular weight of approximately 35000 with a pH optimum of 8-8.5 . Activity was substantially enhanced by supplements of 2-mercaptoethanol and to a lesser extent by cysteine-HCl or reduced gluthatione . No degradation of the enzyme into smaller subunits was observed when treated with 2-mercaptoethanol. Postgrad Med J, 1980 Mar, 56(653), 169 - 72 A common source outbreak of Acinetobacter pulmonary infections traced to Wright respirometers; Cunha BA et al.; Over a 30-day period, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var . antiratus was the responsible pathogen for hospital-acquired pneumonia in 10 patients, and resulted in the colonization of the upper respiratory tract in an additional 9 patients . Wright respirometers contaminated by this organism were shown to be the common source for the outbreak as indicated by the recovery of a single serotype (8J), the inability to recover Acinetobacter from any other environmental source, and the demonstration that moisturized Wright respirometers are capable of "aerosolizing" fluids containing Acinetobacter. Respir Care, 1980 Feb, 25(2), 232 - 7 An outbreak of acinetobacter infection associated with the use of a ventilator spirometer; Irwin RS et al.; Although respiratory therapy equipment is a well-known source of nosocomial infection, ventilator spirometers have not been previously implicated . We report 17 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus variety anitratus infections traced to contaminated spirometers . Isolates from infected patients were recovered from urine, sputum, wounds, and blood . A review of attack rates for Acinetobacter was prompted by a dramatic increase in blood culture isolates . Prospective surveillance of intensive care environment, personnel, and patients established that Bennett MA-1 spirometers constituted the major reservoir of infecting organisms . Despite daily sterilization, 30% of spirometers in use were found to be contaminated . The hands of 12% of intensive care nurses and 10% of respiratory therapists cultured were found to be colonized . In addition to the infected patients, 28 other patients on spirometer-equipped ventilators were judged to be colonized by Acinetobacter following examination of sputa and/or mouthwashings . Following discontinuation of spirometer use and following increased emphasis on proper handwashing, the incidence of Acinetobacter infections dropped dramatically . Antibiosis in the intensive care environment and a deterioration in aseptic awareness serve to make Acinetobacter an environmental opportunist of increasing importance. Biochemistry, 1980 Jan 8, 19(1), 149 - 55 Intergeneric evolutionary homology revealed by the study of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase from Azotobacter vinelandii; Durham DR et al.; Protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (EC 1.13.1.3) was purified to homogeneity from extracts of Azotobacter vinelandii . The molecular weight of the oligomeric protein was estimated to be 510 000 by gel filtration and 480 000 by ultracentrifugation . The oligomer appears to be formed by association of equal amounts of nonidentical subunits which were estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis to have respective molecular weights of 23 300 and 25 250 . Ten gram-atoms of iron was associated with each mol of oligomer . Therefore, the enzyme appears to be a decamer with the structure 10(alpha beta Fe) . T-HE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF Azotobacter protocatechuate oxygenase closely resembles the amino acid compositions of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Thiobacillus sp . These proteins from P . aeruginosa and P . putida are known to be formed by association of nonidentical subunits of a physical size similar to the subunits of the Azotobacter enzyme . Furthermore, antisera prepared against the Azotobacter oxygenase cross-reacted strongly with the isofunctional enzymes from the two fluorescent Pseudomonas species . A weak immunological cross-reaction was observed when the antisera were tested against protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . The results favor the conclusion that the bacterial protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenases were derived from a common ancestral protein. J Dial, 1980, 4(2-3), 101 - 7 Symptomatic Acinetobacter calcoaceticus peritonitis . "A complication of peritoneal dialysis"; Said R et al.; Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus peritonitis was seen during the course of peritoneal dialysis in two patients with end-stage kidney disease within a 3-month period . In one patient, the isolate was A . Calcoaceticus Varient Anitratus (formerly Herellea Vaginicola) and in the other it was A . Calcoaceticus Lwoffi (formerly Mima Polymorpha) . Both were successfully treated with continuous peritoneal antibiotic lavage. Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 246(4), 512 - 40 {On the taxonomy of Actinobacillus, Haemophilus, and Pasteurella: DNA base composition, respiratory quinones, and biochemical reactions of representative collection cultures (author's transl)}; Mannheim W et al.; In a comparative study, 63 collection cultures representing 38 nomenspecies of, or assigned to, the genera Actinobacillus, Haemophilus, or Pasteurella were characterized by phenotypical features and deoxyribonucleic acid base composition . The latter was calculated from the thermal denaturation point . Biochemical reactions were tested in differential media commonly used for Enterobacteriaceae, and two test procedures were compared: (i) pure cultures with haematin and nicotine adenine dinucleotide added, where necessary, and (ii) xenocultures with an asaccharolytic Acinetobacter strain (ST 661/60) . Furthermore, the respiratory quinones, and the effect of fumarate on oxygen-limited growth were considered . On the basis of these and some additional physiological and morphological criteria, a definition of the Actinobacillus-Haemophilus-Pasteurella group as a whole was established which appears to rank as a family . Several misclassified species, i.e . the so-called Actinobacillus actinoides, Haemophilus piscium, Haemophilus vaginalis, Pasteurella anatipestifer, and the organisms of the Bovine Lymphangitis group were eliminated, and the position of so-called Pasteurella piscicida was questioned . Some principles of subdivision of the group, and some of the practical identification procedures were discussed. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jan, 116(1), 75 - 80 Naturally occurring plasmids in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: a P class R factor of restricted host range; Hinchliffe E et al.; A naturally occurring transmissible plasmid, designated pAV1, has been isolated in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . It specifies resistance to sulphonamides and is capable of mobilizing two non-transmissible resistance determinants for tetracycline and neomycin, respectively, within strains of A . calcoaceticus . It is incompatible with the P class R factors RP4 and R751 in A . calcoaceticus . On this basis we conclude that pAV1 is a member of the P incompatibility group . However, unlike most other P group R factors, pAV1 is not transmissible to strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella or Proteus mirabilis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Jan, 17(1), 30 - 6 Evidence of plasmid-mediated production of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes not previously described in Acinetobacter; Murray BE et al.; Two blood culture isolates of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus subsp . anitratus (Herellea vaginicola) were recently observed to be unusually resistant to aminoglycosides . Each strain was found to contain aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes which have not been described previously in this species, including 2"-adenylyltransferase, 3"-adenylyltransferase, 3'-phosphotransferase-III, and 3-acetyltransferase . Treatment of one strain (H-S) with novobiocin led to a loss of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents and a loss of two aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; agarose gel electrophoresis of lysates of this strain revealed that the loss of resistance markers was associated with the loss of a large-molecular-weight plasmid . Treatment of the second strain (H-D) with novobiocin produced derivative strains with three different resistance patterns . Agarose gel electrophoresis of deoxyribonucleic acid from crude lysates and from cesium chloride-ethidium bromide gradients of this strain showed only a small plasmid (molecular weight, 5 X 10(6)) common to all variants and failed to explain the loss of resistance markers. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Jan, 39(1), 159 - 64 Thermal inactivation and injury of Moraxella-Acinetobacter cells in ground beef; Firstenberg-Eden R et al.; The thermal inactivation and injury (sensitivity to 0.8% NaCl) of a radiation-resistant culture of Moraxella-Acinetobacter mixed in minced beef were determined . Survival curves for Moraxella-Acinetobacter cells in beef had an initial shoulder preceding a logarithmic decline when the cells were heated at 65, 70, and 75 degrees C, but not at 80 degrees C . In all cases, the experimental points not included in the shoulder were linearized by means of a least-squares straight line, and the latter was used to determine D values . Shoulder values of 12.2, 4.1, and 0.6 min at temperatures of 65, 70, and 75 degrees C were added to the respective D values of 35.4, 6.6, and 1.4 min to determine the time required to destroy one log cycle . The Z value was 7.3 degrees C . Moraxella-Acinetobacter cells in meat were more rapidly injured than inactivated, on initial exposure to heat . The number of cells injured by this initial exposure increased as the temperature was increased . At 65 degrees C the percentage of injured cells increased more rapidly with exposure time than did the inactivated cells . As the temperature was increased, the rates of inactivation and injury became more and more similar. Clin Ther, 1980, 3(Spec Issue), 89 - 97 In vitro activity of a new semisynthetic cephalosporin: cefoperazone; Auckenthaler R et al.; Cefoperazone is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin with excellent antibacterial activity . This study included more than 1,500 clinical isolates whose susceptibility to cefoperazone was determined by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) . Cefoperazone was highly active against Enterobacteriaceae including indolepositive Proteus, Serratia and Enterobacter sp . Particularly noteworthy was the high activity of cefoperazone against Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter strains, which are usually resistant to first- and second-generation cephalosporins . The activity of cefoperazone against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, group D streptococci and Haemophilus was also determined . In general, the differences between MIC and MBC were minimal . Additional studies were carried out to determine the effect of inoculum size on cefoperazone activity. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Dec, 10(6), 819 - 22 Serological cross-reactions between Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and chlamydiae; Brade H et al.; A cross-reaction between Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and chlamydiae is described . A water-soluble, heat stable, non-dialyzable antigen was extracted from Acinetobacter species by boiling . This antigen fixed complement in the presence of homologous hyperimmune sera from rabbits or guinea pigs and in the presence of heterologous human or hyperimmunized animal sera containing chlamydial antibodies . Hyperimmune antisera to the extracted antigen, or to suspensions of live acinetobacters, also reacted in complement fixation with a group-specific antigen. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1979 Nov, 16(5), 690 - 2 In vitro activity of three tetracycline antibiotics against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus subsp . anitratus; Crues JV 3rd et al.; The in vitro activity of three tetracycline antibiotics against 127 strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (Herella vaginicola) were compared . Almost all strains were susceptible to minocycline and doxycycline, whereas most strains were resistant to tetracycline. Am J Clin Pathol, 1979 Nov, 72(5), 858 - 60 In-vitro activities of cefamandole and cephalothin against 1,881 clinical isolates . A multi-center study; Barry AL et al.; By use of an agardilution technic, 1,881 clinical isolates were tested against cefamandole and cephalothin . The isolates represented 18 genera, recovered in five geographically separate centers within the United States . The majority of strains were susceptible (MICs less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml) to both drugs . Cefamandole showed greater activity against most of the bacterial pathogens . Enterococci, Serratia spp., and Acinetobacter spp . were resistant to both drugs . Cephalothin was more active against Staphylococcus aureus, and both cephalosporins were relatively inactive against methicillin-resistant strains of S . aureus . Enterobacter spp . and indole-positive Proteus spp . were susceptible to cefamandole but resistant to cephalothin. J Bacteriol, 1979 Nov, 140(2), 707 - 12 Partition of alkane by an extracellular vesicle derived from hexadecane-grown Acinetobacter; Kappeli O et al.; The enhanced solubility of hexadecane in the growth medium of hexadecane-grown Acinetobacter species has been related to the accumulation of an extracellular vesicular component . The partition of hexadecane was determined by measuring the amount of {3H}hexadecane bound to the vesicular particle . The vesicle was characterized as a phospholipid-rich, lipopolysaccharide-rich particle with a polypeptide composition similar to the outer membrane of Acinetobacter . The accumulation of an extracellular vesicular component that binds hexadecane in the form of a microemulsion represents another example of molecules produced by microorganisms in response to paraffinic substrates. Immunology, 1979 Nov, 38(3), 601 - 7 Acinetobacter and E . coli lipopolysaccharide preparations comparative mitogenicity and induction in vitro of immunoglobulin synthesis in adult and neonatal pig lymphocytes; Symons DB et al.; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was prepared by phenol/water extraction of bacterial membranes prepared from Acinetobacter and Escherichia coli . The mitogenicity of laboratory-prepared LPS was significantly greater than that of commercial E . coli LPS for pig, sheep, calf and rat lymphocytes, assayed as {3H}-thymidine incorporation . Mouse lymphocytes responded well to commercial LPS and no greater response was obtained with other LPS preparations . A small proportion (14%) of the Acinetobacter LPS preparations was soluble in aqueous medium, the remainder comprising membraneous fragments of variable form and size . It is suggested that the insoluble presentation of LPS to cells may contribute to the improved mitogenicity compared with wholly soluble LPS . Acinetobacter LPS preparations were used to induce synthesis and secretion in vitro of immunoglobulin by adult blood lymphocytes and pre-suckled, neonatal spleen cells of the pig . IgM was the dominant class of immunoglobulin secreted . This work thus demonstrated that virgin, unprimed B cells could be induced into immunoglobulin secretion by mitogen stimulation. J Pediatr, 1979 Nov, 95(5 Pt 1), 801 - 6 Intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of serious infections in children; Ardati KO et al.; Intravenous TMP-SMZ was used to treat 19 infectious episodes in 18 patients ranging in age from 3 weeks to 13 years . Thirteen patients with various soft tissue or skeletal infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus . Streptococcus pyogenes, or Acinetobacter anitratus were successfully treated . Three children with four episodes of CSF shunt infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci were treated successfully also . The only treatment failures were in two newborn infants with enteric gram-negative bacterial ventriculitis . TMP-SMZ was given at a daily dose of 10 and 50 mg/kg, respectively, every six hours . The drug was administered intravenously for a mean duration of 10 days (range 4 to 32); in 11 patients this was followed by oral administration for a mean of nine days (range 2 to 18) . Half-life of TMP after intravenous administration was 5 1/4 hours; that of SMA was 8 1/2 hours . Levels determined three to four days after starting therapy were generally higher than levels obtained at corresponding times after the first dose . CSF/blood TMP and SMA ratios, determined in four patients, were 0.6 and 0.5, respectively . Side effects were observed in 14 patients, and neutropenia was the most common adverse reaction . Intravenous TMP-SMZ is an effective antimicrobic agent in the treatment of infections due to susceptible organisms . The frequent side effects, although reversible and of no major clinical consequence, suggest that future use of TMP-SMZ should be monitored closely. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 25(11), 1252 - 7 Differential toxicities of mercury to bacteria and bacteriophages in sea and in lake water; Babich H et al.; Mixtures of anionic HgCl3-/HgCl4(2)-complexes were less toxic to terrestrial bacteria (Erwinia herbicola, Agrobacterium tumefaciens), to marine bacteria (Acinetobacter sp., Aeromonas sp.), and to bacteriophages (phi 11 M 15 of Staphylococcus aureus and P1 of Escherichia coli) than were equivalent concentrations of Hg as cationic Hg2+ . The toxicity of 1 ppm Hg to A . tumefaciens . Aeromonas sp., and phi 11 M 15 was less in seawater than in lake water . Inasmuch as the Hg-Cl species are formed in environments of high chloride concentration, it was postulated that the lower toxicity of Hg in seawater was a result of the formation of HgCl3-/HgCl4(2)-complexes. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 38(4), 667 - 72 Bacterial flora of the schistosome vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata; Ducklow HW et al.; The aerobic heterotrophic bacterial flora in over 200 individuals from 10 wild populations and 3 laboratory colonies of the schistosome vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata was examined . Internal bacterial densities were inversely proportional to snail size and were higher in stressed and laboratory-reared snails . The numerically predominant bacterial genera in individual snails included Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Vibrio, and several members of the Enterobacteriaceae . Enterobacteriaceae seldom predominated in laboratory colonies . Our data suggest that Vibrio extorquens and a Pasteurella sp . tend to predominate in high-bacterial-density snails . These snails may be compromised and may harbor opportunistic snail pathogens. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1979 Oct, 32(10), 1019 - 24 Comparative in vitro activity of LY 127935 (6059-S), seven cephalosporins, three aminoglycosides, carbenicillin, and ticarcillin; Watanakunakorn C et al.; LY 127935 (6059-S), a new semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic was tested simultaneously with 6 cephalosporins, 3 aminoglycosides, carbenicillin and ticarcillin against 398 clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci . Many of the organisms were selected for study because of known resistance to one or more of the clinically available antibiotics tested . Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Serratia and Providencia were susceptible to LY 127935 . Some resistant strains of Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter were also resistant to LY 127935, but many of the strains resistant to other antibiotics were susceptible to LY 127935 . The activity of LY 127935 against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans and Streptococcus bovis was similar to that of cephalexin and cephradine . LY 127935 was not active against methicillin-resistant S . aureus nor enterococcus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1979 Oct, 16(4), 444 - 51 Alafosfalin, a new inhibitor of cell wall biosynthesis: in vitro activity against urinary isolates in Japan and potentiation with beta-lactams; Maruyama HB et al.; A new phosphonopeptide, alafosfalin, was evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity and for synergism with beta-lactams, using 475 Japanese clinical isolates from urinary tract infections . Alafosfalin was found to be highly active against Escherichia coli and moderately active against Serratia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter, but less active against gram-positive organisms than were beta-lactams such as cephazolin or ampicillin and inactive against indole-positive Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter . Potentiation with the two beta-lactams (fractional inhibitory concentration less than or equal to 0.5) was found in 10 to 40% of susceptible strains in 4:1 and 1:4 combinations, and to a lesser extent in those species or genera that were insensitive to alafosfalin alone . No cross resistance was seen between alafosfalin and the beta-lactams or any other commonly used antibacterial agents tested . Effect on selected ampicillin-resistant strains, differential sensitivity to alafosfalin among resistant strains of various types, and sensitivity of alafosfalin-insensitive E . coli and Klebsiella to other antibiotics are also discussed. Jpn J Antibiot, 1979 Oct, 32(10), 998 - 1002 {Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas cepacia (author's transl)}; Igari J et al.; The yearly changes of relative frequency of glucose-nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli except for P . aeruginosa isolated from various clinical specimens over the past 5 years were studied . Acinetobacter anitratum was the most commonly encountered strain and P . maltophilia and P . putida were also frequently encountered during 1974 through 1977 . In 1978, P . cepacia became a significantly predominant strain, which was 44.6% of all nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli excluding P . aeruginosa isolated in Juntendo Hospital . Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 59 similar to 61 clinical isolates of P . cepacia in 1978 were studied by agar dilution method, standardized by the Japan Society of Chemotherapy . Miloxacin and minocycline inhibited more than 95% of the strain by the concentration of 6.25 micrograms/ml . Nalidixic acid and sulfamethoxazole were sensitive to approximately 52% and 75% of the strains respectively . The minimal inhibitory concentration of gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, kanamycin, apalcillin, piperacillin and pipemidic acid for most strains was more than 1.25 micrograms/ml . More than 90% of the strains were highly resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, sulbenicillin, ticarcillin, cefazolin, cefotiam, tetracycline, clindamycin and colistin. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Oct, (10), 88 - 91 {Immunological characteristics of the protein antigens of the family Neisseriaceae . II . The importance of an immunochemical analysis of the protein complexes for a study of taxonomy problems}; Lukashkov VM et al.; The study of antigenic interrelations in the family Neisseriaceae resulted in the isolation of 2 main immunologically separated variants of protein complexes: the first variant was characteristic of nonpathogenic and pathogenic species of the genus Neisseria as well as of 7 taxonomically undefined Neisseria species (N . lactamicus, N . cuniculi, N . ellongata, N . ovis, N . animalis, N . cinerea, N . canis) and Gemella haemolysans; the second variant was represented by the genera Branhamella and Acinetobacter . N . caviae and 3 out of 14 Neisseria strains of undefined species had no common antigens with the genera Neisseria and Branhamella . The importance of the immunotyping of protein complexes for studying the problems connected with the taxonomy of the family Neisseriaceae was considered. Biochem J, 1979 Sep 15, 182(3), 827 - 36 Biosynthesis of ethylene from methionine . Isolation of the putative intermediate 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate from culture fluids of bacteria and fungi; Billington DC et al.; Methods are described for identifying the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones of 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate by means of t.l.c., n.m.r . and mass spectroscopy . By using these methods 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate, a putative intermediate in the biosynthesis of ethylene from methionine, has been identified in culture fluids of Aeromonas hydrophila B12E and a coryneform bacterium D7F grown in the presence of methionine . Relative to 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate, the yield of 3-(methylthio)propanal (methional) from the same cultures was less than 1% . Because 4-{2H}methylthio-2-oxobutanoate was obtained from cultures grown on {Me-2H}methionine, the 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate must be derived from methionine . By means of t.l.c . alone, 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate was identified in the culture fluids of a range of bacteria, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungus Penicillium digitatum . A photochemical assay developed for 4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoate shows it to be a product of the metabolism of methionine by Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Rhizobium and Corynebacterium species. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1979 Sep, 5(5), 549 - 53 In vitro combination of mecillinam with cephradine or amoxycillin for organisms resistant to single agents; Chattopadhyay B et al.; Of 36 multi-resistant Gram-negative bacilli isolated from different cases of urinary tract infection, 18 strains of Escherichia coli, klebsiella, enterobacter, proteus, providencia and serratia with the exception of Acinetobacter species showed synergy when mecillinam was combined with cephradine or amoxycillin in the ratio of 1:1 . Combination with cephradine was synergistic on sixteen occasions and amoxycillin on six . Synergy, which might have clinical relevance, was demonstrated only when the test organism was either fully or moderately sensitive to one of the two antibiotics combined but not when resistant to both. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Aug, 10(2), 147 - 54 Nonfermentative bacilli: evaluation of three systems for identification; Otto LA et al.; Three systems for the identification of nonfermentative bacilli were evaluated for their rapidity and accuracy of identification of 217 strains . Two of the systems, API 20E (API) and Oxi/Ferm tube (OxiF), are available as kits; the oxidative attack (OA) system is not commerically available . The overall accuracies of the OA, API, and OxiF systems were 91, 69, and 50%, respectively . Identification within 48 h was achieved for 98% of the strains by OA, for 50% by API, and for 18% by OxiF . Most of the organisms that were either misidentified or not identified by API and OxiF were those nonfermentative bacilli which are relatively more fastidious or rarely encountered or both . All three systems accurately identified nonfermentative bacilli commonly isolated at Olive View Medical Center, namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter anitratus, Pseudomonas maltophilia, Acinetobacter lwoffi, saccharolytic flavobacteria (CDC IIb), moraxellae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas putida . The OA system identified 100% of the above organisms correctly, API identified 99.4%, and OxiF identified 99.3% . Since these organisms comprise 92% of the total number of nonfermentative bacilli isolated at Olive View Medical Center, we conclude that both API and OxiF may be useful alternatives to conventional methods, based on accuracy of identification alone . These two systems were considered substantially inferior to the OA system when both accuracy and rapidity of identification were taken into account. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Aug, 38(2), 301 - 10 Effect of chlorine substitution on the bacterial metabolism of various polychlorinated biphenyls; Furukawa K et al.; Of 36 pure isomers (chlorine numbers 1 to 5) of polychlorinated biphenyls examined, 23 compounds were metabolized by Alcaligenes sp . strain Y42, and 33 compounds were metabolized by Acinetobacter sp . strain P6 . The major pathway of many polychlorinated biphenyl isomers examined was considered to proceed through 2',3'-dihydro-2',3'-diol compounds, concomitant dehydrogenated 2',3'-dihydroxy compounds, subsequently the 1',2'-meta-cleavage compounds (chlorinated derivatives of 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoic acids), and then chlorobenzoic acids . The meta-cleavage products were usually converted to chlorobenzoic acids upon further incubation in many polychlorinated biphenyls, but they accumulated specifically in the metabolism of 2,4'-, 2,4,4'-, and 2,5,4'-chlorobiphenyls, which are all chlorinated at the 2,4'-position in the molecules in common . Dihydroxy compounds accumulated mainly in the metabolism of 2,6-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,2',5'-, 2,5,2',5'-, and 2,4,5,2',5'-chlorobiphenyls by Acinetobacter sp . P6 . The 2,3,2',3'-, 2,3,2',5'-, and 2,4,5,2',3'-chlorobiphenyls, which are chlorinated at the 2,3-position of one of the rings, were metabolized in a different fashion . Two major metabolites of a chlorobenzoic acid and an unknown compound accumulated always in the metabolism of this group of polychlorinated biphenyls . 2,4,6-Trichlorobiphenyl was metabolized quite differently between the two organisms . Alcaligenes sp . Y42 metabolized this compound very slowly to trichlorobenzoic acid by the major oxidative route . In contrast, Acinetobacter sp . P6 metabolized it to a trihydroxy compound via a dihydroxy compound. Am J Med, 1979 Jul, 67(1), 39 - 43 Community-acquired acinetobacter pneumonia; Rudin ML et al.; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var anitratus, a nonfermentative grampnegative bacillus, has been infrequently reported as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia . In this paper we describe the course of six recent patients with community-acquired, bacteremic pneumonia due to this organism and review the six previously reported cases . Our experience suggests this organism is a more common cause of community-acquired pneumonia than previously thought . Acinetobacter pneumonia occurs in older persons with chronic disease, especially alcoholism . It is a fulminant illness with respiratory distress, hypoxemia, leukopenia and shock . Chest roentgenograms reveal a lobar or bronchopneumonic infiltrate which often becomes bilateral within 24 hours of admission to the hospital . Pleural effusions are common . The mortality rate is 43 per cent . Factors that predict a fatal outcome are granulocytopenia, empyema and therapy with inappropriate antibiotics . Therapy with appropriate antibiotics, especially carbenicillin and an aminoglycoside, increases survival. Am J Med Technol, 1979 Jul, 45(7), 618 - 27 A five-hour system for identification of bacteria; Lorian V et al.; A five-hour protocol was compared with routine methods for identification and antibiotic susceptibility determination of bacteria from clinical specimens . A total of 9551 urine, wound, sputum, and throat cultures were processed using both procedures . The identifications reported less than 24 hours after the laboratory received the specimen were comparable to those obtained by routine methods for 87 to 95 percent of the Enterobacteriaceae, 90 percent of the staphylococci and enterococci, but less than 50 percent of the unusual species such as Providencia, P . maltophilia, or Acinetobacter . Susceptibility test results were reported after five hours' incubation for 97 percent of all stains examined except for P . aeruginosa where early results were obtained for only 71 percent of the strains . This protocol allows bacteriologic identification and antibiotic susceptibility determination within 24 hours of specimen receipt; therefore, appropriate antibacterial therapy for the patient's immediate needs can be started in a shortened period. N Z Med J, 1979 Jun 13, 89(637), 426 - 9 Gentamicin resistance in Christchurch hospitals; Faoagali JL; Prior to June 1976, the isolation of gentamicin resistant organisms was an infrequent occurrence in North Canterbury Hospital Board institutions . During July 1976, 20 different gentamicin resistant organisms were isolated from patients in Christchurch Hospital . Gentamicin resistant organisms hav e been continually isolated from an increasingly wide area since then . The organisms involved are: providence species; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Klebsiella species; E coli; Staphyloccus aureus; Proteus mirabilis; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Acinetobacter species; Enterobacter species; Haemophilus influenzae; Pseudomonas maltophilia CDC II F; Citrobacter species; Alcaligenes odorans and Pseudomonas species . The spread of gentamicin resistant organisms has occurred rapidly in the hospital environment . The importance of the urinary tract as a reservoir of microorganisms is indicated in this report. Cancer Treat Rep, 1979 Jun, 63(6), 1109 - 14 Enhanced effect of an L-glutamine antagonist, L-(alphaS,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid, by Acinetobacter L-glutaminase-L-asparaginase; Holcenberg JS; The effect of L-glutamine and L-asparagine depletion by Acinetobacter L-glutaminase-L-asparaginase on the toxicity and antitumor activity of L-(alphaS,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (NSC-163501) was tested in mice . The LD50 of six daily doses of NSC-163501 in BDF1 female mice decreased from 7.5 to 0.3 mg/kg/day by combination treatment with the enzyme . Enzyme therapy also decreased the dose of NSC-163501 needed for maximal prolongation of survival in these mice inoculated with L1210 leukemia . Nevertheless, the combination did not prolong survival in L1210-bearing mice beyond that of higher doses of NSC-163501 alone . In contrast, the combination of enzyme plus NSC-163501 inhibited the growth of established sc implanted Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in ICRf male mice much more than either agent alone . Treatment with Acinetobacter L-glutaminase-L-asparaginase decreased the L-asparagine and L-glutamine levels in acid extracts of the Ehrlich tumor . NSC-163501 did not affect the amide levels or alter the decrease produced by enzyme therapy. Clin Orthop, 1979 May, (140), 184 - 8 A hand infection from A . calcoaceticus (M . polymorpha); Schneider JR et al.; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (Mima polymorpha) is not a well known organism, and its identification can be confusing due to its variable morphology and sensitivity pattern . In a joint infection, delay in identification or appropriate treatment can result in added morbidity . An A . calcoaceticus (Mima) infection in the hand seems not to have been previously reported . The present case involving a finger joint infection illustrates the pathogenicity of A . calcoaceticus (Mima) and problems of treatment . Minocycline is recommended as the drug of choice in subsequent A . calcoaceticus (Mima) and (Herella) infections. J Clin Pathol, 1979 May, 32(5), 497 - 9 The skin as the source of Acinetobacter and Moraxella species occurring in blood cultures; Al-Khoja MS et al.; A study was made of the flora of the skin in hospital inpatients and healthy people to demonstrate the presence of non-fermenting Gram-negative rods of the Acinetobacter and Moraxella group . These organisms were found to be present on the skin of 34.3% of inpatients and occurred even more commonly in those patients with kidney disease . It was also present on the skin of 20% of a group of healthy members of staff . This rather high rate of skin carriage is thought to account for the not infrequent occurrence of this organism in blood cultures. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1979 May-Jun, 130 A(4), 435 - 40 {Attachment of a collagenolytic strain to its substrate (author's transl)}; Monboisse JC et al.; The bacterial collagenolytic strain Acinetobacter sp . CRZV2 adheres to insoluble collagen fibers when this substrate is introduced into the growth medium . This attachment occurs during the exponential growth . Proteolytic enzymes such as pronase and trypsine activate the adherence of bacterial cells to collagen fibers. Can J Microbiol, 1979 May, 25(5), 611 - 7 {Induction and repression of the collagenase synthesis in Acinetobacter sp.}; Monboisse JC et al.; The synthesis of collagenase in Acinetobacter