Streptococci

Arch Dis Child, 1984 May, 59(5), 439 - 43
Neonatal group B streptococcal meningitis; Mulder CJ et al.; Bacteriological and clinical data on 68 children with neonatal group B streptococcal meningitis were analysed as part of a wider study of bacterial meningitis undertaken between 1976 and 1982 . Twenty five per cent of patients died and there was no difference in the mortality rate between early and late onset disease . Sixteen per cent of the infants weighed less than 2500 g at birth but in 50% no predisposing aetiological factor was found . Streptococcus agalactiae type III was isolated in 57% of the patients.

J Dairy Res, 1984 May, 51(2), 239 - 49
Lipid composition of milks from cows with experimentally induced mastitis; Needs EC et al.; Changes in milk lipid composition were measured during the course of mastitis infections induced in cows by infusion of either Escherichia coli endotoxin or Streptococcus agalactiae into 2 quarters of the udder; untreated quarters were used as controls . Experiments were divided into 3 distinct phases: a pre infusion period during which several samples were collected before infusion; a post infusion period following infusion and corresponding to the occurrence of elevated cell counts in milk from infused quarters; a recovery period followed after a short pause and represented the return of the cell count in milk from infused quarters to the level in the corresponding controls . Milk total fatty acid composition was unaffected by the infusion . Free fatty acid (FFA) composition did, however, undergo some alteration . There was a significant increase in long-chain saturated acids in milk from infused quarters relative to the corresponding controls during the post infusion period . FFA concentration (mequiv./100 g fat) also increased significantly during this period although the net increase was only slight . Phospholipid and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher post infusion in milk of infused quarters . The results suggest that changes in concentration and composition of those milk constituents synthesized and secreted by the mammary epithelium occur after secretion in the alveolar lumen and milk ducts.

Infect Immun, 1984 May, 44(2), 287 - 91
Optimization of an hydroxyapatite adhesion assay for Streptococcus sanguis; Eifert R et al.; Previous studies have compared the adhesion of {3H}thymidine-labeled Streptococcus sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (SHA) and buffer-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) beads . Although the hypotonic buffer used in these assays was adjusted to simulate saliva, it does not necessarily provide the optimal parameters for the quantitative estimate of adhesion under in vitro conditions . Optimization is necessary to provide the maximum sensitivity of the assay for detecting the effects of various salivas as well as for quantitating the effect of environmental growth conditions on the adhesion of S . sanguis to SHA and HA . A major distinction between the adhesion of S . sanguis to SHA and HA was observed when the bacterial concentration was varied . At high cell concentrations, the number of cells adhering to SHA was twice the number adhering to HA . Such differences were not detected at low cell concentrations . The optimal pH for the adsorption to both SHA and HA was 6 . Changes in the ionic strength or addition of mono- or divalent cations found in saliva had little effect on adhesion to HA . In contrast, high concentrations of monovalent cations inhibited adhesion to SHA . Anions such as carbonate, chloride, and sulfate did not have specific effects on adhesion, whereas acetate inhibited adhesion to both SHA and HA . Fluoride inhibited adhesion to both SHA and HA, suggesting an interaction between fluoride and hydroxyapatite . These results indicated that 2 mM phosphate buffer at a pH of 6 containing 5 mM KCl and 1 mM CaCl2 was the optimal buffer for studying the in vitro adhesion of S . sanguis to SHA.

J Immunol, 1984 May, 132(5), 2174 - 6
Phosphorylcholine on Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a is responsible for in vitro polyclonal antibody secretion by human peripheral blood lymphocytes; Beckmann E et al.; We have shown that Pc on the C-polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a is responsible for polyclonal PFC responses induced in vitro by this bacterium in humans . R36a grown in media containing EA instead of CL, and therefore having phosphorylethanolamine instead of Pc in their C-polysaccharide, were unable to induce substantial PFC responses . When EA-substituted bacteria were chemically conjugated with Pc, their ability to induce polyclonal PFC was restored . Specific removal of Pc from the surface of the bacteria by the use PLC also resulted in abrogation of the polyclonal antibody response . These data are consistent with our hypothesis that polyclonal activation resulting from R36a stimulation may be mediated by a recently described Pc-binding receptor that is distributed on the surface of a subpopulation of B lymphocytes in humans and mice.

Plasmid, 1984 May, 11(3), 260 - 3
Two plasmid-determined restriction and modification systems in Streptococcus lactis; Chopin A et al.; Two restriction and modification systems were found in Streptococcus lactis strain IL594 which was found to contain 9 plasmids designated pIL1 to pIL9 . On the basis of protoplast-induced curing experiments, we showed that a restriction and modification system was related to the presence of pIL6 or pIL7 . The pIL6-determined restriction and modification system was confirmed by cotransfer of the plasmid and of the restriction and modification system to a plasmid-free, nonrestricting, and nonmodifying derivative of S . lactis IL594.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1984 Apr 27, 786(1-2), 42 - 8
The origin and composition of multiple forms of dextransucrase from Streptococcus sanguis; Grahame DA et al.; Multiple forms of purified dextransucrase have been observed in the presence of low detergent concentrations ( Luzio , G.A., Grahame , D . A . and Mayer, R.M . (1982) Arch . Biochem . Biophys . 216, 751-757) . We now show these forms to arise partly as a result of proteolysis, and partly due to incomplete dissociation of the enzyme . Upon 25 degrees C incubation of the crude enzyme, several new bands appeared with little or no change in total activity . The electrophoretic pattern of aged, crude enzyme was similar to that of partially purified enzyme . Specific detection of dextransucrase on SDS gels revealed a single polypeptide of 174 kDa, which is converted to a 156 kDa protein during the aging process . The observation indicates the occurrence of proteolysis . The polypeptide composition of several of the enzyme forms was determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis . Forms Ia and IIa are composed exclusively of 174 kDa polypeptides . Forms III and IVa consist of 156 kDa units, as does the newly observed form Ic . It is likely that form Ib contains both 174 and 156 kDa polypeptides . The results indicate that incomplete dissociation of aggregates of the 174 kDa unit accounts for all of the bands observed on native gels run on fresh culture extracts . Additional enzyme forms result from aggregation of the 156 kDa proteolysis product alone, and from aggregation with unproteolyzed units to form hybrid aggregates.

Carbohydr Res, 1984 Apr 15, 127(2), 253 - 66
Inter-serotype comparison of polysaccharides produced by extracellular enzymes from Streptococcus mutans; Yakushiji T et al.; The biochemical and morphological characteristics of polysaccharides synthesized from sucrose by extracellular enzymes from D-glucose-grown Streptococcus mutans representing serotypes a-g were compared . The polysaccharides synthesized by the enzymes from serotypes a, d, and g formed visible aggregates and firmly adhered to glass surfaces, whereas those formed by the enzymes from serotypes b, c, e, and f floated homogeneously and were poorly adherent . The enzymes of serotypes a, d, and g produced large amounts of water-insoluble polysaccharides (IPs, D-glucans), and those of serotypes b, c, e, and f water-soluble polysaccharides (SPs, D-glucans and D- fructans ) . As compared with the IPs of serotypes b, c, e, and f, the IPs of serotypes a, d, and g (a) contained a higher proportion of (1----3)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages and alpha-D-(1----3,6) branch linkages; (b) showed higher susceptibility to (1----3)-alpha-D-glucanase (serotype a excepted) and lower (1----6)-alpha-D-glucanase sensitivity; (c) contained larger amounts of high-molecular-weight fractions; (d) showed higher intrinsic viscosities (serotype b excepted); and (e) had lower S . mutans cell-agglutination activities . On electron-microscope observation, the IPs of all serotypes showed two fibrillar components; a double-stranded fibril, with short, fluffy protrusions extending out of its periphery, and a fine, single-stranded fibril . Thus, the serotypes could be divided into two major groups: a, d, and g; and b, c, e, and f . No similar grouping of serotypes was indicated by the chemical and morphological properties of SPs.

N Engl J Med, 1984 Apr 12, 310(15), 982 - 4
Acute respiratory infections in children . A global public-health problem; Chretien J et al.; PIP: Accurate prevalence and incidence figures do not exist on a global basis, yet available data suggest that acute respiratory infections in children represent a problem of enormous magnitude . World Health Organization (WHO) data from 88 countries representing 1/4 of the world's population indicate that there are over 666,000 deaths annual from acute respiratory infections . Assuming that nonreporting countries have similar mortality rates, it can be calculated that there are at least 2.2 million deaths from acute respiratory infections throughout the world each year . Despite the enormity of the problem, relatively little is known about the factors that contribute to these deaths in children or adults, or about the extent to which they are due to unusual severity of the disease, lack of access to the health care system, and institutional or social factors . The causative agents are unknown . More knowledge is needed to mount an effective program for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections . In Costa Rica mortality from this disease is 12 times higher in malnourished infants than in those of normal weight . Data from Papua, New Guinea indicate that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae are common etiologic agents . More data of this kind are needed from different countries . Also needed is information on the availability and use of adequate medical care . People in developed countries run a greater risk of dying from lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases than do people in developing countries, but the chances of dying from acute respiratory infections generally exceed those of dying from lung cancer or cardiovascular disease in the developing countries . When evaluating the seriousness of a public health problem it is important to consider the number of years of life that have been lost as well as morbidity and mortality . If there are 2.2 million deaths in the world from acute respiratory infections in children under the age of 1 year, then each year there are almost 200 million death years lost because of acute respiratory infections in the world . Thus, on a global scale acute respiratory infections represent a public health problem of greater magnitude than either heart disease or cancer . The fact that the annual WHO budget for heart disease is at least 50 times higher than the budget for all forms of respiratory disease represents seriously misplaced priorities . Properly organized research programs into the etiologic agents involved in acute respiratory infection, together with data collection on other contributing factors, are required so that effective prevention and treatment programs can be initiated .

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Apr, 25(4), 527 - 8
Infection caused by vancomycin-resistant Streptococcus sanguis II; Shlaes DM et al.; A patient with bacteremia caused by vancomycin-resistant Streptococcus sanguis II is presented . This rare occurrence suggests that vancomycin may not be a completely reliable antibiotic in the treatment of infections due to viridans species of the genus Streptococcus . Gram-positive isolates from blood and otherwise sterile body fluids should be tested for susceptibility to vancomycin.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1984 Apr, 92(2), 89 - 92
Evidence for presence of a xylitol phosphotransferase system in Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176; Assev S et al.; A cariogenic bacterial strain, Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176, was found to be able to take up xylitol by a phosphotransferase system (pts) in spite of lack of ability to catabolize this pentitol . A metabolite with an Rf value in TLC similar to xylitol 5-phosphate was extracted from resting cells which had been exposed to 14C xylitol . Phosphatase treatment of this metabolite yielded xylitol . It is suggested that the inhibition of growth of Strep . mutans observed in several laboratories can be explained in terms of accumulation of xylitol phosphate (presumably xylitol 5-phosphate) inside the cells . It is furthermore suggested that xylitol is transported and phosphorylated through the fructose pts.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 3(2), 141 - 3
Six cases of acute appendicitis with secondary peritonitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; Heltberg O et al.; In six previously healthy children and adults with typical acute appendicitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from peritoneal swabs or periappendicular pus in pure culture (four patients) or together with intestinal flora . Pneumococci recovered by abdominal paracentesis are not pathognomonic of socalled primary or spontaneous peritonitis.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 3(2), 131 - 5
Efficacy of continuous versus intermittent administration of penicillin G in Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia in normal and immunodeficient rats; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; An experimental Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia was used to study the influence of continuous versus intermittent administration of penicillin G on therapeutic efficacy in normal rats and in rats whose phagocytic capacities were impaired by decomplementation with cobra venom factor . Response to antibiotic treatment was evaluated with respect to numbers of bacteria in left lung, blood and pleural fluid . Penicillin treatment was started 36 h after bacterial inoculation, and continued for four days . With intermittent intramuscular administration of penicillin normal rats were cured after daily doses of 4 mg/kg at 12 h intervals, whereas decomplemented rats recovered only after daily doses of 100 or 102 mg/kg at 12 h or 8 h intervals, respectively . When penicillin was administered by way of continuous infusion, daily doses of 3.5 mg/kg were required for a cure of infections in both normal rats and in decomplemented rats . This treatment resulted in a constant level of 0.05 micrograms of penicillin per ml, which was slightly above the minimum bactericidal concentration for the infecting strain . These findings show that maintenance of bactericidal levels of penicillin were particularly important in curing severe infection in rats with impaired defense.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 47(4), 724 - 30
Isolation and identification of adherent epimural bacteria during succession in young lambs; Mueller RE et al.; Successive changes in aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts and changes in the generic composition of the epimural community in lambs from 1 to 10 weeks were determined . Bacterial culture counts revealed a predominantly anaerobic community, with the mean anaerobic count being 1.4 X 10(7) CFU/cm2 of tissue surface . The aerobic count was highest at 1 week of age and declined significantly thereafter to a mean of 1.8 X 10(4) CFU/cm2, thus representing only 0.13% of the mean anaerobic count after week 1 . Of the 345 strains isolated anaerobically at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age, 47, 32, 12, 32, 2, and 5% were capable of growth in a partially reduced medium, indicating a reduction in the number of facultative anaerobes with time . The majority of isolated strains were identified as belonging to genera commonly isolated from rumen contents . In some instances, however, strains did not correspond to previously described species, and some genera were present in proportions different from those expected in rumen fluid . At three of the sampling times, one genus was dominant, constituting 45 to 55% of the isolates . These dominant isolates were Streptococcus bovis, Bacteroides sp., and an anaerobic Streptococcus sp . for weeks 1, 2, and 10, respectively . During the transition period (weeks 4 to 8), two or more groups were codominant.

Ann Ophthalmol, 1984 Apr, 16(4), 392 - 6
Suppurative interstitial ring keratitis due to streptococcus; Liesegang TJ et al.; Three cases of interstitial ring abscess of the cornea caused by different strains of streptococcus are described . These infections occurred in three different clinical settings: after penetrating trauma at the limbus, after a cataract operation, and in conjunction with keratoconjunctivitis sicca . The acute appearance of a light, interstitial ring not extending to the limbus in the post-traumatized eye should alert the clinician to the possibility that a streptococcus may be responsible . The ring frequently progresses rapidly to a total ring abscess with intraocular extension . The outcome was poor in all three patients.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1984 Apr, 79(4), 287 - 90
Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in two patients with peritoneovenous shunts; Camara DS et al.; We report two patients with cirrhosis and peritoneovenous shunts (LeVeen) in whom fatal Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis and meningitis developed 10 months and 22 days, respectively, after insertion of the shunts . The association between pneumococcal bacteremia and meningitis is well established . The potential implications of a LeVeen shunt in increasing risk for meningitis are discussed.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1984 Apr, 87(4), 493 - 502
Favorable ten-year experience with valve procedures for active infective endocarditis; Nelson RJ et al.; We have reviewed our 1972 to 1982 experience with valve procedures for infective endocarditis in 52 consecutive patients to evaluate the results of an interdisciplinary policy of early operation for uncontrolled complications . There were 47 patients with native valve endocarditis and five with prosthetic valve endocarditis . Twenty-seven were drug addicts and 25 were not . Thirty-seven (71%) required operation during the active phase of the disease and 15 during the inactive phase . Ninety-three percent of the addicts, 41% of the nonaddicts, and all patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis were in the active group . The distribution of infected valves was as follows: aortic, 21 active and 10 inactive; mitral, six active and three inactive; aortic and mitral, five active and two inactive; aortic and tricuspid, one active and none inactive; and tricuspid, four active and none inactive . Streptococcus was the most common infecting organism in both groups--predominantly group D in addicts and non-D in nonaddicts . Staphylococcus, gram-negative rods, and fungi occurred only in the active group . Indications for operation were congestive heart failure alone (19 active and 15 inactive), congestive heart failure and refractory infection or major emboli (nine active and none inactive), and resistant or refractory infection alone or with emboli (nine active and none inactive) . Periannular abscess or aneurysm formation was most frequent at the aortic valve site in patients with native valve endocarditis; it occurred in 13 of 25 patients (52%) in the active group and in one of 12 patients (8%) in the inactive group . Six patients with preoperative stroke syndromes underwent operation without neurological deterioration; two patients had rupture of cerebral mycotic aneurysms postoperatively . Hospital mortality was 8% (3/7) in the active group and 0% in the inactive group . The late actuarial survival rate was 64% at 5 years and 54% at 10 years . Seven of nine deaths in the addict group were related to continued drug use, with five deaths occurring in the first 18 months . These results support a policy of early operation for uncontrolled complications with attention to the particular problems of active endocarditis.

J Med Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 17(2), 189 - 99
M-associated protein antibodies in patients with rheumatic fever; Martin DR et al.; Sequential serum samples obtained from 50 rheumatic fever subjects and from control individuals matched for time, age and geographical location were tested for antibodies against the M-associated protein antigens, MAP I and MAP II . Antibody titres were determined by the complement fixation test with a partially-purified extract of Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M30 as the MAP I antigen and an acid extract of serotype M48 as the MAP II antigen . Titres of MAP I antibody exceeded those of MAP II antibody in all but six rheumatic fever subjects . Anti-MAP I titres in excess of 40 were significantly more common in rheumatic fever subjects than in matched controls (p less than 0.001) or matched subjects with a diagnosis of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (p less than 0.01) . Peak MAP I titres were present at the time of admission to hospital in the sera of 40 of the 50 rheumatic fever subjects . In the remainder peak titres occurred within 10 days . Antibody titres were maintained for a mean of 10.3 weeks before declining . Changes in MAP antibody titres were independent of changes in antistreptolysin O and anti-DNAase B titres . Normal children aged between 6 and 15 had higher MAP antibody titres than 2-5-year-old children . Rheumatic fever subjects had significantly higher mean titres of MAP I antibody than matched controls in each age group.

Infect Immun, 1984 Apr, 44(1), 68 - 75
Biochemical and immunological differences between hydrophobic and hydrophilic strains of Streptococcus mutans; McBride BC et al.; Hydrophobic strains of Streptococcus mutans were compared with paired variants showing reduced hydrophobicity . Extracts of hydrophobic cells contained a number of high-molecular-weight proteins which were not present on cells with decreased hydrophobicity . The proteins were found in purified cell walls, suggesting that they are located on the bacterial surface . Trypsin treatment of whole cells destroyed the proteins and reduced the hydrophobicity . Chemical analysis did not reveal any marked differences in the proportion of cell wall constituents . The amino acid compositions and lipoteichoic acid contents of hydrophobic and hydrophilic cell walls were similar . Culture supernatants from the hydrophilic variants contained high-molecular-weight proteins similar to those extracted from the cell walls of the hydrophobic parent strains, indicating that the variants were impaired in their ability to incorporate the hydrophobicity-associated proteins into the cell wall . The dominant protein had a molecular weight of 190,000, similar to that of antigen I/II (B) of S . mutans.

Infect Immun, 1984 Apr, 44(1), 141 - 4
Isolation of a Streptococcus mutans strain producing a novel bacteriocin; Hillman JD et al.; A strain of Streptococcus mutans has been isolated that produces a bacteriocin with novel properties . Its antibiotic spectrum includes 123 of 124 strains of S . mutans tested and a variety of other gram-positive microorganisms . Experiments with dialysis membranes indicate that the molecular weight of the bacteriocin is less than 1,000 . Mutants of the producer strain were obtained that are deficient in bacteriocin production or produce twofold elevated amounts . The ability of these strains to superinfect or preemptively colonize the oral cavities of rats correlated with the amount of bacteriocin they produced.

J Infect Dis, 1984 Apr, 149(4), 575 - 83
The postantibiotic effect in the treatment of experimental meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in rabbits; Tauber MG et al.; The relevance of a postantibiotic effect in the treatment of pneumococcal meningitis was evaluated in a rabbit model . After administration of a single intravenous bolus of ampicillin at various dosages, such an effect was observed in all animals . The duration of this effect in vivo (2.5-18 hr) was consistently longer than that in vitro (1-4.3 hr); however, in rabbits the postantibiotic effect was eliminated by the administration of intravenous plus intracisternal beta-lactamase . In an assessment of the potential therapeutic benefit of the postantibiotic effect, the efficacy to two regimens of treatment with different intervals between doses was compared . One group of animals received ampicillin every 4 hr and another every 12 hr . With sufficiently high doses, drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid exceeded the minimal bactericidal concentration for most of the 4-hr interval but for only about one-third of the 12-hr interval . The rate of cure was similar for the two regimens and approximated 100% when peak drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid exceeded the minimal bactericidal concentration by at least 10-fold.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1984 Apr, 42(2), 93 - 8
The alkaline and antibacterial effect of seven Ca(OH)2 liners in vitro; Forsten L et al.; The alkaline effect of seven Ca(OH)2 liners was studied, using extractions with unbuffered 0.9% NaCl solutions and buffered bacterial growth media . The antibacterial effect was studied by cultivating Streptococcus mutans in the presence of liner specimens . All liners made the NaCl solutions strongly alkaline (pH greater than 10), although MPC and Reolite released much less Ca than did Dycal, Life, Procal, Renew, and Reocap-E . The weaker alkaline effect of MPC and Reolite was shown by the extractions with the growth media . Consequently, these two liners were not able to prevent the growth of Str . mutans . No growth was observed in the presence of the other five liners, and the media remained alkaline during the 12-h incubation period . Regrowth of the bacteria grown in the presence of these effective liners showed that only Dycal could be considered bactericidal, whereas the four other liners acted bacteriostatically.

Infect Control, 1984 Apr, 5(4), 170 - 2
A potential infection hazard associated with the use of disposable saline vials; Rutala WA et al.; Nosocomial respiratory tract infections have occasionally been associated with contaminated respiratory therapy devices and techniques . In the past two years, our hospital purchased disposable saline squeeze vials for use during suctioning of intubated patients . These vials have a cap which must be flipped or twisted-off by the user before the contents can be instilled into the patient's respiratory tract . We observed use of this item in our intensive care units (ICU) and studied the potential for contamination . ICU nurses use ungloved hand(s) to flip or twist-off squeeze vial cups resulting in skin contact with the vial opening . Cultures of nurses' hands and squeeze vial contents were obtained in the ICU where 24 nurses opened 92 vials in the manner previously described . Twenty-three percent of vial contents were contaminated and cultures revealed S . epidermidis, S . aureus, Streptococcus viridans and enterococcus . On six occasions, organisms recovered from vial contents were believed to be identical to organisms isolated from the hands of the nurse who opened the vial . When nurses used care in removing the saline vial cap, cultures of vial contents were sterile.

J Immunogenet, 1984 Apr, 11(2), 159 - 63
Two unlinked genetic loci interact to control the human immune response to type III group B streptococcal antigen; Pandey JP et al.; Serum samples were collected from 30 healthy adult Caucasian volunteers before and after immunization with native type III polysaccharide of group B streptococcus . Serum antibody to this polysaccharide was measured and sera were typed for several Gm and Km(1) allotypes . A significant interactive effect of Gm(23) and Km(1) was found on immune responsiveness to native type III group B streptococcus polysaccharide antigen.

Can J Biochem Cell Biol, 1984 Apr, 62(4), 151 - 61
The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 15A (American type 30); Caroff M et al.; The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 15A (American type 30) is composed of D-galactose (three parts), D-glucose (one part), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (one part), phosphate (one part), and glycerol (one part) . Hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, methylation, optical rotation, and nuclear magnetic resonance studies showed that the polysaccharide is a high molecular weight linear polymer of a pentasaccharide repeating unit having the structure: (formula: see text)

Infect Immun, 1984 Apr, 44(1), 124 - 9
Type-specific capsular antigen is associated with virulence in late-onset group B Streptococcal type III disease; Klegerman ME et al.; Strain differences have been postulated to explain the observation that group B Streptococcus type III (GBS III) late-onset disease occurs in only a fraction of colonized infants . To determine the distribution of type-specific polysaccharide antigen (Ag) in GBS III, Ag was measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in both supernatant fluids and EDTA extracts and by radial immunodiffusion in multiple HCl extracts of the pellet from cultures of 10 strains of GBS III . Capsular Ag was defined as the sum of Ag in EDTA extracts + Ag in multiple HCl extracts . Both Ag in EDTA extracts and Ag in supernatant fluids correlated with capsular Ag (r = 0.94) . GBS III strains were obtained from the blood of 19 infants with late-onset sepsis, from the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of 22 infants with late-onset meningitis, and from mucosal surfaces of both 18 infants and 12 mothers of infants with low levels of type-specific antibody and asymptomatic colonization . Mean values of Ag in supernatant fluids in strains from infants with late-onset sepsis (1.50 +/- 0.08 micrograms/ml) and late-onset meningitis (1.67 +/- 0.09 micrograms/ml) were significantly greater than those in asymptomatic colonization strains (1.14 +/- 0.05 micrograms/ml; P less than 0.001) . The number of organisms required for a 50% lethal dose in the chick embryo, determined in 29 strains, was inversely related to Ag in supernatant fluids (r = -0.60) . The demonstration that the quantity of capsular Ag produced by GBS III strains is related to their virulence in chick embryos and to their invasiveness in susceptible infants supports the hypothesis that Ag is a virulence factor in humans.

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1984 Apr, 17(1), 29 - 32
Group B streptococcus amnionitis with intact membranes associated with quintuplet delivery; Neri A et al.; Chorioamnionitis is a frequent cause of premature labour and delivery, as well as of maternal and neonatal mortality . Group B streptococcus (GBS) has emerged over the past decade as a common pathogen in the etiology of neonatal sepsis . The case of chorioamnionitis reported here is unusual for three reasons: the premature labour was associated with intact membrane and amniotic fluid infected with GBS; all 5 infants were contaminated with GBS and all infants survived . Chorioamniotitis with intact membranes raises some questions regarding the antepartum use of steroids (potent anti-inflammatory agents), etc . The likelihood of chorioamnionitis in spite of cervical mucus, intact membranes, and the bacteriostatic activity of the amniotic fluid should alert the obstetrician to take special precautions, such as weekly vaginal cultures and appropriate vaginal antimicrobial treatment, in cases of imminent premature delivery.

Scand J Dent Res, 1984 Apr, 92(2), 127 - 33
Slide-scoring method for estimation of Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva; Alaluusua S et al.; A method was developed to facilitate the estimation of S . mutans levels in saliva . Paraffin-stimulated saliva was poured on a special slide coated with mitis-salivarius-sucrose agar . Two discs containing bacitracin (5 micrograms) were placed on the inoculated slide and the growth density of S . mutans around the bacitracin discs was scored after incubation in candle jars at 37 degrees C for 48 h . The obtained score values correlated well with the numbers of CFU of S . mutans per 1 ml of saliva estimated by a conventional method using mitis-salivarius-bacitracin agar . The experimental method was further tested by incubating the slides in an atmosphere created by CO2-generating tables that were placed into the cover tubes of the slides . These score values were similar to those after conventional incubation . The method is suggested for epidemiologic studies and in selecting persons at high risk for caries and in controlling the effectiveness of prophylactic measures of these patients.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 19(4), 550 - 1
Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in lower respiratory tract specimens by anaerobic culture technique; Baesman RK et al.; The relative efficacy of aerobic and anaerobic culture techniques for the recovery of Streptococcus pneumoniae from 1,173 lower respiratory tract specimens was determined . Unlike previous studies, this investigation found no significant difference between the two techniques.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 19(4), 457 - 9
Rapid detection of group B streptococcal antigen by monoclonal antibody sandwich enzyme assay; Morrow DL et al.; Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis . Infants at greatest risk to develop invasive disease are delivered to women colonized with GBS in their birth canals and lacking immunity to the colonizing serotype . We have investigated the sensitivity and specificity of a recently developed monoclonal antibody sandwich enzyme immunoassay for detection of GBS antigen . The sandwich enzyme immunoassay detected types II and III GBS at a concentration of 5 X 10(4) CFU/ml and types Ia and Ib GBS at 5 X 10(5) CFU/ml . No cross-reactions were noted when each of the GBS serotypes was reacted with antibodies of differing serotypes specificities . Type III GBS native antigen was detected at a concentration of 1 ng/ml . The sandwich enzyme assay is more sensitive than other methods currently in use for rapid detection of GBS and is serotype specific . This assay system should prove useful for the detection of GBS colonization during labor and for identification of neonates with invasive disease.

Infect Immun, 1984 Apr, 44(1), 33 - 7
Degradation of human immunoglobulins by proteases from Streptococcus pneumoniae obtained from various human sources; Wikstrom MB et al.; The ability of Streptococcus pneumoniae to degrade human secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), IgG, and IgM was tested in 102 strains by use of the thin-layer enzyme assay cultivation technique . The strains were isolated from patients with acute phases of otitis media, meningitis, and pneumonia as well as from symptomless carriers . An ability to degrade S-IgA, IgG, and IgM was revealed in 50, 84, and 96 strains, respectively . An IgG- and IgM-degrading ability of S . pneumoniae has not previously been reported . A concurrent degradation of the three immunoglobulins was revealed in 38 strains; degradation of two of them was revealed in 54 strains, and degradation of only one of them was revealed in 9 strains . One strain failed to degrade any of the immunoglobulins . Correlations were not found between the ability of the S . pneumoniae strains to degrade S-IgA, IgG, or IgM and the serotype affiliation or between the ability to degrade IgG or IgM and the origin of strains . However, the ability to degrade S-IgA was evident more often in strains isolated from symptomless carriers and from bronchial secretions of patients with acute pneumonia than it was in strains from patients with acute meningitis or acute otitis media or from the blood of patients with acute pneumonia . These latter findings may indicate a biological significance of S-IgA-degrading ability in bacterial colonization of mucosal surfaces.

J Infect Dis, 1984 Apr, 149(4), 568 - 74
Antibacterial activity of beta-lactam antibiotics in experimental meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Tauber MG et al.; In order to define the characteristics of the antibacterial activity of beta-lactam antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial meningitis, the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drug concentrations and the rate of bacterial killing was investigated for penicillin G and four new cephalosporins in an animal model of meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae . All five drugs showed a significant correlation between increasing drug concentrations in CSF and increasing bactericidal rates . Minimal activity was observed in CSF at drug concentrations of approximately the broth minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) . Maximal activity occurred with CSF concentrations 10-30 times higher . In vitro tests did not reproduce the unique correlation of increasing drug concentrations and killing activity found in vivo . When evaluating new beta-lactam antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, it is reasonable to establish a minimum standard of CSF drug concentrations of greater than or equal to 30 times the MBC against the infecting organism.

Blood, 1984 Apr, 63(4), 949 - 57
Defective binding of the third component of complement (C3) to Streptococcus pneumoniae in multiple myeloma; Cheson BD et al.; Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at an increased risk for infections with bacteria that require opsonization with complement . Because Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequently encountered pathogen in these patients, we investigated the ability of serum from patients with MM to mediate the binding of C3b, the major opsonin of the complement system, to S . pneumoniae . S . pneumoniae types 3, 14, and 25 were chosen for study, since S . pneumoniae type 3 activates primarily the classical complement pathway (CCP), type 25 primarily the alternative complement pathway (ACP), and type 14 both pathways . S . pneumoniae were treated with normal serum or serum from 17 patients with MM, and the bound C3b was quantified with fluorescein-conjugated anti-C3 in a spectrophotofluorometric assay . Despite normal or elevated serum concentrations of C3, total hemolytic complement, and C-reactive protein in all of the MM sera, factor B in 16/17 such sera, and C4 in 14/17 MM sera studied, all 17 sera demonstrated a defect in C3b binding to type 3 (32.7% +/- 6% of normal) . In addition, serum from 15/17 patients bound decreased amounts of C3b to types 14 (39.6% +/- 8%) and 25 (52.2% +/- 8%) . Mixing normal serum with MM serum restored MM C3b binding activity to all three S . pneumoniae types, suggesting that the defect was related to a deficiency rather than an inhibitor of C3 activation . Although MM patients are unable to produce specific antibodies to bacterial antigens, the addition of anti-S . pneumoniae antibodies to MM serum did not enhance C3b binding to any of the S . pneumoniae types . However, when S . pneumoniae were opsonized in a mixture of MM serum and C3-depleted normal serum, C3b binding was restored to all three S . pneumoniae types, demonstrating that MM C3 functions normally in the presence of other normal serum factors . In the present studies, the MM C3b binding defect appeared to correlate with the incidence of S . pneumoniae infections . Serum from patients with a history of an S . pneumoniae infection bound significantly less C3 (20.5% +/- 4%) than those study patients without a history of an S . pneumoniae infection (55.8% +/- 8%) (p less than 0.0025) . Thus, MM serum has a defect in the activation of C3, and this may contribute to the increased susceptibility of MM patients to S . pneumoniae infections.

Infect Immun, 1984 Apr, 44(1), 76 - 81
Characterization of polysaccharide antigens of Streptococcus mutans B13 grown under various conditions; Linzer R et al.; Bacteria may respond to changes in their environment by varying the synthesis of surface components . This study examined the effects of various culture conditions on two wall polysaccharides of Streptococcus mutans B13 (serotype d): serotype d antigen, a galactose-glucose polymer, and RGP antigen, a rhamnose-glucose polymer . Cells were grown in a chemostat at various dilution rates (D) and pH values, including D = 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 h-1 at pH 6.0 and D = 0.1 h-1 at pH 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.5 . The cells were examined for protein and carbohydrate content by colorimetric assays and gas-liquid chromatography . Rantz-Randall extracts (120 degrees C, 30 min) and M-1 N-acetylmuramidase digests were prepared and examined for the presence of specific antigens by agar gel diffusion and quantitative precipitation assays . Cell preparations did not vary significantly with respect to total protein or carbohydrate content; however, cells grown at D = 0.1 h-1 and pH 7.5 had a significantly higher rhamnose content than did the other preparations . Rapidly growing cultures appeared to be more resistant to M-1 N-acetylmuramidase digestion than did slower-growing cultures . Agar gel diffusion studies demonstrated that both serotype d and RGP antigens were present in all samples, although significantly less RGP antigen was noted in the pH 7.5 culture . These observations were confirmed by quantitative precipitation assays . M-1 N-acetylmuramidase digests of the pH 7.5 culture were lacking in RGP precipitation activity although RGP inhibition activity was demonstrated . The data suggest that the cell content of serotype d antigen was relatively constant under the growth conditions tested, whereas the synthesis of RGP antigen was modified under conditions of high pH.

Am J Med, 1984 Mar 30, 76(3A), 155 - 60
Comparative anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity of chemically modified and native immunoglobulin G (human), and potentiation of antibiotic protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and group B Streptococcus in vivo; Collins MS et al.; Immunoglobulin G intravenous is prepared by controlled reduction and alkylation of approximately four interheavy chain disulfide bonds per molecule . To determine if the protective activity of antibody modified by this process is diminished, mice were treated with identical doses of reduced and alkylated IgG and native IgG prepared from the same plasma pool . Three hours later mice were given a 10 percent body surface burn followed by challenge with the seven Fisher-Devlin-Gnabasik immunotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Against five of the seven immunotypes, the 50 percent protective doses were approximately 100 mg or less per kg body weight . Overall there was no significant difference in protection afforded to the mice by the two immunoglobulin preparations indicating that in vivo the activity of IgG against P . aeruginosa remains unimpaired by reduction and alkylation . In the second part of this study, immunoglobulin G intravenous significantly enhanced the activity of tobramycin and carbenicillin in the treatment of P . aeruginosa infection in burned mice and of penicillin G in the treatment of group B Streptococcus 1C infection in normal mice.

S Afr Med J, 1984 Mar 17, 65(11), 432 - 5
Pyogenic liver abscess caused by Streptococcus milleri . Case reports; Allison HF et al.; In recent years Streptococcus milleri has emerged as an important cause of pyogenic liver abscess . Whether this represents a changing epidemiological pattern or merely reflects the more widespread application of routine anaerobic bacterial culture techniques is unclear . The isolation of Strept . milleri on culture of a blood specimen from a patient presenting with a pyrexial illness should alert the clinician to the possibility of an underlying liver abscess . Although it is isolated anaerobically this organism should not be mistaken for an obligate anaerobe, especially since it is resistant to metronidazole . Two cases of primary pyogenic liver abscess caused by this organism are reported.

Carbohydr Res, 1984 Mar 15, 126(2), 271 - 7
Structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23; Roy A et al.; The capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae Type 23 (S-23) was found to contain D-galactose, D-glucose, L-rhamnose, glycerol, and phosphorus in the ratios of 1:1:2:0.6:1 . Methylation analysis provided information about the linkages of the different sugar units . The sequence of the different sugar residues was confirmed by Smith degradation . Oxidation of S-23 with chromium trioxide indicated that all of the sugar units have the beta configuration . The results suggest the following structure for the repeating unit . (formula; see text)

Arch Inst Cardiol Mex, 1984 Mar-Apr, 54(2), 131 - 6
{Infectious endocarditis in children}; Zghaib A et al.; he recent advances in surgical treatment of congenital heart disease, permits the survival of those cases to adult life . Infective endocarditis in the childhood is becoming increasingly important . We studied 32 cases in the pediatric cardiology ward at the INC between 1977 and 1981 . There was a male predominance of 62.5% . Rheumatic heart disease (40.7%), congenital heart disease (15.6%) and postoperative cases (43.7%) were the underlying conditions . There was an average time of 43 days delay from the first symptom to diagnosis . Blood cultures were taken in 29 cases (90.6%) . Only half of them were positive . Staphylococcus and streptococcus were the commonest isolates . Peripheral and pulmonary embolism (11 cases-34.4%) were the most frequent complications . In those cases with negative blood culture the most successful antibiotic combination was ampicillin or oxacillin plus aminoglucosides (56%) . There were 17 deaths (53%).

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1984 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 129 - 32
Relatively penicillin-resistant pneumococcal infections in pediatric patients; Jackson MA et al.; Two hundred fifty-eight isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae obtained from 232 infants and children at Children's Medical Center, Dallas, from November 1, 1981, to March 31, 1983, were screened for susceptibility to penicillin . On 1-microgram oxacillin disks 21 strains (8%) had zones of inhibition of 17 mm or less, and the tube-dilution minimal inhibitory concentrations of penicillin were from 0.125 to 0.5 micrograms/ml . These strains were designated as relatively resistant S . pneumoniae (RRSP) . Prior therapy with a beta-lactam agent had occurred in 56% of patients with RRSP disease compared with 14% of randomly selected children with infections due to susceptible strains of S . pneumoniae (P = 0.009) . Fifteen children (6%) had diseases due to RRSP ranging from sepsis or meningitis to otitis media or conjunctivitis . Four children, including the two patients with meningitis, had unsatisfactory responses to therapy with a beta-lactam antibiotic . Vancomycin or chloramphenicol is preferred for therapy of disease due to RRSP.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 1984 Mar, 7(1), 39 - 49
Pneumococcal antibodies and complement during and after periods of recurrent otitis; Prellner K et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae frequently accounts for acute purulent otitis media (AOM) episodes . Recurrences are common and are most often caused by pneumococci of groups 6, 19 and 23 . In 15 two-year-old children with recurrent AOM ( rAOM ) complement (C) components and antibodies against various pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides were analyzed during the acute phase of an AOM episode and 6 years later . Comparison was made with findings in non-otitis-prone children of comparable age . In contrast to non-otitis-prone children, 60% of children with rAOM had no detectable IgG antibodies against the pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides 6A or 19F . Analysis of C1 subcomponent complexes together with the finding of relatively low C1q concentrations gave evidence of disturbed C1 function in the acute phase of rAOM . At the 6-year follow-up antibodies against all the investigated pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides had increased in most of the children, but low IgG antibodies to type 6A polysaccharide were still more frequently found in the former rAOM children than in non-otitis-prone children . The C profiles had normalized at follow-up . These findings indicate a reduced ability in rAOM children to respond adequately with IgG antibodies to pneumococcal types encountered in rAOM . The combination of low antibody concentrations and the interference with the complement system and efficient opsonization through classical pathway activation could possibly contribute to the development of rAOM .

J Infect Dis, 1984 Mar, 149(3), 449 - 52
Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures at Boston City Hospital between 1979 and 1982; Barry MA et al.; Serotypes of pneumococci causing bacteremia were examined from January 1979 through December 1982 . Of the 271 isolates recorded, 52% were from adults and 48% were from children . The rate of pneumococcal bacteremia for adults was 2.67 cases per 1,000 admissions; rates were not calculated for pediatric patients . The six most common pediatric types or groups (14, 19, 18, 6, 4, and 9) accounted for 90% of the total pediatric isolates, and the six most common adult types or groups (12, 9, 8, 4, 3, and 6) made up 55.3% of the total adult isolates . More than 96% of the pneumococcal types isolated from the blood cultures of pediatric patients are present in the 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine, compared with 72.7% of the adult isolates . The results demonstrate that most cases of pneumococcal bacteremia are caused by capsular types or groups present in the current vaccine and that minor changes in the types of pneumococci causing bacteremia have occurred during the past decade.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1984 Mar, 97(3), 337 - 43
Infectious crystalline keratopathy; Meisler DM et al.; In three patients (three men, 44, 67, and 83 years old) an unusual keratopathy characterized by white, branching, crystalline stromal opacities produced lesions that were insidious, that increased in size slowly, and that were clinically and histopathologically associated with little corneal inflammation . Intraocular inflammation eventually became evident in two of the patients . The keratopathy developed while the patients were using topical corticosteroids . In two cases, histopathologic studies disclosed accumulations of gram-positive cocci in the corneal stroma; a viridans streptococcus agent was isolated on culture . In one case, the viridans streptococcus was determined to be a dextran producer, which may have contributed to the pathogenesis of the keratopathy . Despite aggressive treatment with a variety of drugs, epithelial healing, and resolution of the corneal infiltrate, residual scarring persisted in two cases and neovascularization and graft edema in one case each.

Am J Kidney Dis, 1984 Mar, 3(5), 371 - 9
Glomerulonephritis in bacterial endocarditis; Neugarten J et al.; For a modern assessment of the clinical and morphologic features of glomerulonephritis accompanying bacterial endocarditis, postmortem and renal biopsy files were reviewed for the years 1965 to 1979, a period of changing epidemiology, etiology, and therapeutic regimens in infective endocarditis . The incidence of glomerulonephritis in 107 patients examined at postmortem was 22.4%; focal glomerulonephritis was present in 8.4%, diffuse glomerulonephritis in 14% . Glomerulonephritis occurred as frequently in acute as in subacute bacterial endocarditis . Staphylococcus aureus, which has replaced Streptococcus viridans as the predominant etiology of fatal bacterial endocarditis, was frequently associated with glomerulonephritis, especially in parenteral drug abusers . Renal functional impairment due to focal glomerulonephritis did not necessitate dialysis or contribute to the death of any patient . Presentation with advanced renal insufficiency due to diffuse glomerulonephritis was associated with both failure of antibiotic therapy to eradicate infection and failure to recover renal function . In patients with diffuse glomerulonephritis and less severe impairment of renal function, antibiotic therapy was successful in achieving bacteriologic cure, and complete recovery of renal function occurred in the majority . Features of persistent glomerular disease were frequent in patients with diffuse glomerulonephritis long after bacteriologic cure of endocarditis.

Infect Immun, 1984 Mar, 43(3), 817 - 21
Oral implantation in humans of Streptococcus mutans strains with different degrees of hydrophobicity; Svanberg M et al.; The more hydrophobic, rough-colony-forming, streptomycin-resistant Streptococcus mutans parent strains GW Smr and LK Smr and the less hydrophobic, smooth-colony-forming, streptomycin-resistant variant strains GW36 Smr and LK36 Smr were implanted in oral cavities . Strains GW Smr and LK Smr implanted significantly better than strains GW36 Smr and LK36 Smr . The hydrophobicity of and the colony morphology formed by the different S . mutans strains did not seem to be affected throughout the experiment.

Infect Immun, 1984 Mar, 43(3), 1106 - 9
Transport of glucose and mannose by a common phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system in Streptococcus mutans GS5; Liberman ES et al.; Decryptified cells of Streptococcus mutans GS5 transport glucose, mannose, and fructose by constitutive phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase systems (PTSs) . Although the non-metabolizable glucose analog 2-deoxyglucose is transported by a PTS, alpha-methylglucose is not taken up by strain GS5 . The transport of {14C}mannose and {14C}glucose was almost totally blocked by the heterologous sugars, indicating that these substrates may share a common PTS permease . {14C}fructose transport, however, was not inhibited by large excesses of glucose, indicating the existence of a separate fructose PTS . All "tight" glucose PTS- mutant clones studied were also unable to transport mannose, whereas some "leaky" glucose PTS- clones also were leaky for mannose phosphorylation . Fructose transport in most of these mutant strains was unimpaired, indicating that genetic lesions did not involve soluble (cytoplasmic) PTS components.

Infect Immun, 1984 Mar, 43(3), 1085 - 7
Activation of human complement by the pneumococcal toxin pneumolysin; Paton JC et al.; Highly purified pneumolysin (at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml) caused significant activation of human complement, as measured by conversion of C3 . Complement activation in the presence of pneumolysin was not observed in sera chelated with a combination of Mg2+ and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid, and activation was only slight in C2-deficient sera . This suggests that the toxin is capable of activating the classical complement pathway . Treatment of normal human serum with pneumolysin also significantly reduced its opsonic activity for Streptococcus pneumoniae.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Mar, 130 ( Pt 3), 483 - 94
The effect of D2O on the growth and transforming activities of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Butler LO et al.; After an initial period of growth in medium made up in D2O, most strains of pneumococcus tested dramatically lost viability, the extent of the loss depending on the strain and on the amount of contaminating H2O in the D2O . This was followed by a recovery period . Once a strain was 'adapted', the ability to grow in D2O-medium without cell death was inherited, even after passage through H2O-medium, indicating the selection of mutants . Cultures that had not reached 'full adaptation' also exhibited cell death if transferred into either D2O-medium or H2O-medium, supporting the conclusion that the presence of hydrogen and deuterium together caused the toxicity . 'Adapted' cells exhibited an increased mutation frequency to a variety of antibiotic resistances, the propensity for this appearing in the death phase of 'adaptation' . The specific transforming activity of DNA preparations from cultures undergoing 'adaptation' decreased before DNA synthesis ceased indicating damage to the DNA . The integration efficiency of a low-efficiency marker also dropped during 'adaptation' before returning to the initial value when measured in a Hex- recipient, but remained constant in a Hex+ recipient, suggesting that the Hex system may be involved in repair of the DNA damage . 'Adapted' organisms showed evidence of possessing higher Hex activity and were also able to repair lesions caused by UV-irradiation better than the wild-type.

Antibiotiki, 1984 Mar, 29(3), 205 - 8
{Protoplast isolation from a nisin-forming culture of Streptococcus lactis strain MGU}; Baranova IP et al.; A procedure for protoplasts of Str . lactis producing nisin was developed . The following lysing factors were used for obtaining the protoplasts: lycozyme, LE enzyme, lysosubtilin and an enzyme isolated from the culture fluid A . levoris . The use of the above factors in different combinations provided an increase in the number of the formed protoplasts from 1-2 in the field of the microscope vision to 15-20, which amounted to 25 per cent of the total number of the cells visible under microscope.

Br Heart J, 1984 Mar, 51(3), 263 - 6
Echocardiographic features of bioprosthetic valve endocarditis; Nagata S et al.; Abnormal echocardiographic findings in seven cases of bioprosthetic valve endocarditis were confirmed in six at operation . The echocardiograms showed three cases with thickening and increased echo intensity (group 1) and four (group 2) in which vegetations were seen initially without either of the two features in group 1 . Two patients in group 1 had vegetations, the causative organism being a streptococcus . Staphylococcus epidermidis was the causative organism in three of the four cases in group 2; in two of these rapidly growing vegetations were detected . The large vegetations obstructed the ostium of the bioprosthetic valve . Thus if vegetations are detected in cases in which staphylococci are the causative bacteria surgery should be performed as soon as possible . In patients who develop a fever after bioprosthetic valve replacement and especially in those with evident bacteraemia echocardiography should be repeated frequently so that lesions may be detected early.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1984 Mar, 37(3), 355 - 62
{Fundamental and clinical studies of ceftazidime in the field of pediatrics}; Terashima I et al.; We have studied ceftazidime (CAZ), a cephem antibiotic of the new generation, for its antibacterial activity against H . influenzae and clinical effects . Antibacterial activity: MICs of CAZ for 142 strains of H . influenzae including 11 ABPC-resistant strains which were clinically isolated, were determined, and the results were good for all the strains . Clinical effects: CAZ was administered to 9 children with infections . Suspected causative organisms were H . influenzae, E . coli, P . aeruginosa, group B Streptococcus and S . pneumoniae . Eradication of these organisms was confirmed in all the strains except for one in which the antibacterial effect of CAZ was unknown . Clinical efficacy was excellent or good in all the cases . No side effect was observed except for eosinophilia noted in 1 case.

J Neurol Sci, 1984 Mar, 63(3), 381 - 91
Cerebrospinal fluid glucose and leukocyte responses in experimental meningitis; Hochwald GM et al.; The fall in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and CSF leukocyte response was studied in cats with experimental meningitis . Klebsiella pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae were injected intracisternally, and the latter organisms were incubated with CSF in vitro . When 10(6)-10(9)K . pneumoniae were incubated with 4 ml of CSF, the time time necessary for the glucose to decrease to less than 10 mg/dl ranged from 6.5 to 2.5 h, at a rate proportional to the size of the inoculum . When the same numbers of bacteria were injected intracisternally, the time ranged from 9 to 3 h, and the CSF leukocyte response did not exceed 1200 WBC/mm3 . At this time, only minimal histological changes in brain and choroid plexus were seen . Twenty hours after intrathecal K . pneumoniae, large numbers of leukocytes (up to 4 X 10(4)/mm3) were recovered from the CSF . Regardless of the number of leukocytes, however, hypoglycorrhachia occurred when the CSF contained more than 10(7) bacteria/ml . At this interval, large numbers of leukocytes were seen invading the stroma of the choroid plexus, leptomeninges and perivascular spaces . When 10(8) S . pneumoniae were injected intracisternally, CSF glucose concentration decreased as rapidly as with K . pneumoniae . The spinal fluid leukocyte response to S . pneumoniae was, however, greater than that to K . pneumoniae . These results suggest that under the conditions of these studies, hypoglycorrhachia of bacterial meningitis is the result of metabolism of the bacteria with little contribution from the leukocytes.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1984 Mar-Apr, 20(2), 285 - 9
{Determination of cell wall amino sugars in Streptococcus on a carbohydrate analyzer}; Bitko SA et al.; A method of determining aminosaccharides (muramic acid, glucosamine and galactosamine) by means of a carbohydrate analyzer "Biotronic" using the cation-exchange resin DC-6 A ("Durrum") was developed . Chromatographic conditions correspond to the conditions of neutral sugar analysis on a column with DCh-4 resin, that enables after a slight modification of the analyzer to pass from the determining of aminosaccharides to the determining of neutral sugars . The method was used for determining the carbohydrate composition of streptococcus cell walls . The results obtained allow to conclude that using this method one can get more information on the hydrocarbon composition of various biological objects than using the method of aminosaccharide determining by means of aminoacid anylyzer, which is widely in practice nowadays.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Mar, 19(3), 366 - 70
Clinical laboratory and epidemiological investigations of a Streptococcus pyogenes cluster epidemic in a newborn nursery; Isenberg HD et al.; Streptococcus pyogenes, nontypable with available M antisera, T type 12, and reactive in the serum opacity test, produced various lesions in 10 newborn infants during a 2-month period . All infants except one were discharged from the nursery before overt disease manifestations . Colonization studies of newborn infants showed a streptococcal carrier rate of 19% (27 of 140) . Only 1 of 154 staff members yielded the same streptococcus from the throat, but it could not be implicated as the source for the outbreak . Cohorting of infants and chlorhexidine gluconate hand washing by staff members helped in terminating this cluster epidemic.

Infect Immun, 1984 Mar, 43(3), 1041 - 6
Two mechanisms of inhibition of human lymphocyte proliferation by soluble yeast mannan polysaccharide; Nelson RD et al.; The literature on chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis contains multiple reports which suggest that loss of cell-mediated immunity in this disease may be related in part to the presence of an inhibitory factor(s) present in patient plasma . One such inhibitory factor has been suggested to be mannan polysaccharide released from the cell wall of the pathogen . The present report describes results of experiments to consider mechanisms by which yeast mannan influences proliferative responses of human lymphocytes . Mannan for these experiments was isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae . We observed that mannan-mediated inhibition of proliferative responses to a battery of stimuli (phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and Candida, mumps, streptococcus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus antigens) was related in part to an effect of copper associated with the mannan and possibly to the superoxide dismutase activity of the mannan-copper complex . Mannan made deficient in copper by use of a copper-chelating resin appeared to inhibit only lymphoproliferation stimulated by the Candida antigen . These results suggest that inhibitory effects of yeast mannans on lymphoproliferative responses may involve at least two mechanisms, one related to hydrogen peroxide production augmented by mannan-copper complexes and another related to still unknown effects independent of the metal ligand . We propose that our results represent a significant novel observation which may be useful in understanding mechanisms of immunoinhibitory effects of C . albicans mannan.

J Immunol, 1984 Mar, 132(3), 1336 - 40
Inhibition of antibody responses to phosphocholine by C-reactive protein; Nakayama S et al.; C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase serum protein in man that binds to the cell wall C-polysaccharide (PnC) of Streptococcus pneumoniae via phosphocholine (PC) determinants . We have previously shown that in mice CRP increases splenic clearance of PnC-coated autologous erythrocytes and S . pneumoniae, and increases survival after pneumococcal infection . Because CRP alters clearance of particulate PnC antigens, we tested its effect on immunization with pneumococci . Pretreatment of mice with 50 to 200 micrograms CRP 30 min before immunization with serotype 3 S . pneumoniae resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of the antibody response to PC . Both serum hemagglutinin and splenic PFC against PC were decreased in CRP-treated mice tested from 1 to 10 days after injection of antigen . CRP treatment had no effect on the antibody response to the serotype 3 capsular polysaccharide, another T-independent antigen . To determine whether CRP inhibition was related to altered processing of particulate antigen, mice were immunized with horse red blood cells (HRBC) conjugated with PC or PnC and the PFC responses to PC and HRBC were determined . CRP treatment resulted in specific inhibition of the PFC response to PC in both cases without affecting the response to HRBC . These results indicate that inhibition of the antibody response by CRP is not the result of altered antigen localization and processing, and that CRP may prevent immunization by masking determinants on bacterial or other surfaces.

J Immunol, 1984 Mar, 132(3), 1305 - 10
TRF requirements for in vitro PFC responses to SRBC and R36a . I . TRF is distinct from IL 2 but indistinguishable from polyclonal BCSF; Eisenberg L et al.; In vitro PFC responses to the thymus-independent (TI) antigen Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a require T cell replacing factor(s) (TRF) . This requirement for TRF is as significant as for the thymus-dependent (TD) antigen SRBC . TRF is shown to be distinct from IL 2 by the following observations: 1) culture supernatants from the cloned T cell line L2, collected over an 8-day period after allogeneic stimulation, transiently contain IL 2 activity but maintain high levels of TRF activity throughout 192 hr; 2) L2V, a variant subclone of L2, produces much higher levels of TRF activity than the parental line but no detectable IL 2 activity; 3) the addition of IL2+, TRF- supernatants from the T cell hybridoma FS6-14.13 does not affect the L2V SF-driven PFC responses to R36a or SRBC; and 4) the addition of contaminating T cells to cultures containing T cell-depleted spleen cells, L2V SF, and antigen does not affect the PFC response . TRF does appear to be indistinguishable from polyclonal B cell stimulating factor (BCSF), which stimulates polyclonal PFC responses in the absence of antigen, mitogen, or anti-Ig . The TRF and BCSF activities of L2V SF could not be separated by ion-exchange, hydrophobic-interaction, and gel-filtration chromatography . TRF and BCSF have an apparent m.w . of approximately 40,000.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Mar, 157(3), 934 - 6
Cloning in Streptococcus pneumoniae of the gene for DpnII DNA methylase; Lacks SA et al.; The gene coding for the pneumococcal DNA adenine methylase that recognizes the sequence 5'-GATC-3' was cloned in a strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae that lacked both restriction endonucleases DpnI and DpnII . The gene was cloned as a 3.7-kilobase fragment of chromosomal DNA from a DpnII-containing strain inserted in both possible orientations in the multicopy plasmid vector pMP5 to give recombinant plasmids pMP8 and pMP10 . Recombinant plasmids were selected by their resistance to DpnII cleavage . Cells carrying the recombinant plasmids modified phage in vivo so that it was restricted by DpnI- but not DpnII-containing hosts . They also showed levels of DNA methylase activity five times higher than that in cells of the original DpnII strain . No DpnII activity was observed in the clones; therefore, it was concluded that the insert did not contain an intact DpnII endonuclease gene and that methylation of host DNA did not turn on a latent form of the gene.

Infect Immun, 1984 Mar, 43(3), 804 - 10
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the streptolysin O determinant from Streptococcus pyogenes: characterization of the cloned streptolysin O determinant and demonstration of the absence of substantial homology with determinants of other thiol-activated toxins; Kehoe M et al.; A gene bank of Streptococcus pyogenes Richards was constructed in Escherichia coli by using the bacteriophage replacement vector lambda L47.1, and hybrid phage expressing streptolysin O (SLO) were identified among the recombinants . DNA sequences encoding SLO were subcloned from an slo+ hybrid phage into a low-copy-number vector plasmid to yield an slo+ hybrid plasmid, pMK157 . This plasmid contains 5.6 kilobase pairs of cloned streptococcal DNA sequences, is stable, and expresses SLO at easily detectable levels in E . coli . Transposon gamma delta insertion mutants and in vitro-generated deletion mutants of pMK157 were isolated and analyzed . This analysis showed that a single gene is sufficient for production of SLO in E . coli and allowed this slo gene to be mapped to within +/- 100 base pairs . Two forms of the slo gene product, with molecular weights of 68,000 and 61,000, were detected in E . coli minicells harboring slo+ plasmids and by immunoblotting of E . coli whole cells harboring slo+ plasmids . Southern blotting hybridization experiments with the cloned SLO DNA sequences as probes failed to demonstrate homology between the cloned SLO determinant and DNA isolated from bacteria expressing thiol-activated cytolysins related to SLO.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Mar, 47(3), 506 - 12
Cytoplasmic proteins of Streptococcus mutans (serotype c) and their interaction with fluoride; Yotis WW et al.; The protein profile of the cytoplasmic proteins of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis . Use of this recently developed, high-resolution analytical tool showed in excess of 140 cytoplasmic proteins . The profile consisted of mostly acidic components with pI values between 3.70 and 5.30 and relative molecular weights mainly in the 13,000 to 90,000 range . With sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the proteins were resolved into 40 to 45 components . The binding of fluoride by the proteins reached a maximum value in 15 min, and it was linear with exogenous F- doses of up to 60 to 80 ppm per mg of protein (60 to 80 micrograms/g) . The proteins bound 22 to 138 times more F- from assay mixtures containing 1 mM CaCl2 than from assay mixtures containing such ions as HgCl2, ZnCl2, CuCl2, MgCl2, MnCl2, or SnCl2 . When NaF, SnF2, NH4F, CsF, (CH3)4NF, and Na2PO3F were used as sources of F- (adjusted to 10 ppm of F- in all cases), the proteins bound 2.1, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, and 0.3 ppm of F- per mg of protein, respectively . Initial fractionation of the plasma proteins by preparative column isoelectric focusing indicated that proteins with pI values of 4.1 to 4.5 as well as those with pI values of 5.0 to 5.3 bound twice as much F- as did the proteins outside these pI values.

J Dent Res, 1984 Mar, 63(3), 407 - 11
Virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans and dental caries prevention; Hamada S et al.; Streptococcus mutans possesses the abilities to adhere to pellicle-coated tooth surfaces and to form acids - two characteristics associated with the cariogenicity of this micro-organism . De novo synthesis of insoluble glucan by S . mutans glucosyltransferase from sucrose is essential in the adherence process . Therefore, agents which interfere with the adherence ability of S . mutans would be useful for controlling dental caries . In the present report, we have summarized our recent findings concerning virulence factors of S . mutans and means for prevention of S . mutans-induced dental caries.

J Dent Res, 1984 Mar, 63(3), 397 - 400
Activity of Streptococcus mutans alpha-D-glucosyltransferases released under various growth conditions; Walker GJ et al.; The effect of a variety of growth conditions on extracellular D-glucosyltransferase (GTF) activity of Streptococcus mutans strains in continuous culture has been studied . Maximum GTF activity was found at low growth rates and at pH 6.5, and under this condition the predominant glucosyltransferase was GTF-S, an enzyme that synthesized soluble dextran . At high growth rates, the proportion of GTF-S decreased, and 50% or more of the total glucosyltransferase was GTF-I, an enzyme that synthesized water-insoluble (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucan . Variation in the relative activities of GTF-S and GTF-I results in such diversity in the glucans synthesized from sucrose that it is virtually meaningless to describe a structural analysis of S . mutans glucan without specifying the conditions of growth of the organism.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Mar, (3), 44 - 6
{Diagnostic pneumococcal sera and the serological typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae}; Raginskaia VP et al.; The technology of the preparation of 20 diagnostic pneumococcal antisera premitting the differentiation of S . pneumoniae by K-antigen in the slide agglutination test and the capsule swelling test has been developed . The data on S . pneumoniae K-types isolated from patients have been obtained.

Infect Immun, 1984 Mar, 43(3), 876 - 8
Phosphorylcholine determinants in six pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides detected by monoclonal antibody; Sorensen UB et al.; The presence of phosphorylcholine in pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides was examined by using monoclonal antiphosphorylcholine antibody . Of the 83 known capsular types of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 6 types, viz., 24A, 27, 28F, 28A, 32F, and 32A, gave a positive capsular reaction (quellung) which could be inhibited by phosphorylcholine . The capsular polysaccharides of these six types, therefore, contain phosphorylcholine.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Feb 25, 259(4), 2662 - 6
Free alpha-like material from bovine pituitaries . Removal of its O-linked oligosaccharide permits combination with lutropin-beta; Parsons TF et al.; Further characterization of the free alpha subunit immunoreactive material, not combined with beta subunit in extracts of bovine pituitaries, shows that the only significant modifications, relative to alpha subunits themselves, are the oligosaccharide O-linked to threonine-43, and heterogeneity of the carboxyl terminus . Removal of the O-linked carbohydrate with a mixture of glycosidases from Streptococcus pneumoniae results in an alpha-like material capable of combining with lutropin beta subunit and, thus, the presence of the oligosaccharide is responsible for the inability of the free alpha-like material to combine with beta subunits . Amino acid compositions of tryptic peptides spanning the entire sequence indicate no change in amino acid sequence of the free alpha-like material as compared to lutropin alpha . Further, based on the similar behavior reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography of the tryptic peptides as compared to their lutropin alpha counterparts, it is concluded that no additional post-translational modifications are present . The N-linked oligosaccharides of the free alpha-like material most likely contain terminal O-sulfated N-acetylhexosamines (as do the asparagine-linked carbohydrates from the pituitary hormones) as indicated by the presence of 3 mol of sulfate/mol of free alpha-like material and the resistance of these oligosaccharides to enzymatic deglycosylation . The O-linked oligosaccharide does not contain sulfated residues.

J Dairy Sci, 1984 Feb, 67(2), 367 - 71
Mastitis therapy for cows elevated somatic cell counts or clinical mastitis; Timms LL et al.; Intramammary treatment with a broad spectrum antibiotic was evaluated for cows treated after a single high monthly somatic cell count of for cows with clinical mastitis . Forty-three quarters of 36 cows were treated after a high somatic cell count, and 56 quarters of 48 cows were treated after clinical symptoms . There was no significant decrease of cell count in response to treatment in the high somatic cell group . Organisms were isolated from 70% of the pretreatment quarter samples, but only 13% of the isolates were major pathogens . Bacteriological cure rate for major and minor pathogens combined was 23.3% . Treatment costs (antibiotics and discarded milk) were $38.19 per animal treated . Organisms were isolated from 70% of the pretreatment quarter samples of the clinical group . Forty-nine percent of the isolates were major pathogens . Bucket and quarter somatic cell counts decreased following treatment . Production rose posttreatment almost back to normal . Bacteriological cure rate was 21.6% for major and minor pathogens combined with 37% of the cured quarters becoming reinfected with minor pathogens during the monitoring period . The predominant minor pathogens isolated micrococci and coagulase negative staphylococci . The predominant major pathogens were Streptococcus uberis and coliforms.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Feb, 25(2), 289 - 91
Broad host range of streptococcal macrolide resistance plasmids; Buu-Hoi A et al.; Four macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance plasmids transferred into 13 recipients belonging to Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Listeria genera . The plasmids were stably maintained in all new hosts except Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria innocua and were identical to those found in the corresponding donor strains.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Feb, 25(2), 263 - 7
Role of granulocytes in the prevention and therapy of experimental Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis in rabbits; Meddens MJ et al.; The contributions of granulocytes to the prevention and therapy of Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis with procaine benzylpenicillin (PBP) was investigated in rabbits . Depletion of granulocytes by treatment with mechlorethamine appeared to have no significant effect on either the prophylactic or therapeutic activities of PBP . Administration of 3,000 IU of PBP before inoculation with S . sanguis retarded the course of the endocarditis for only 24 h whether granulocytes were normal or depressed in numbers . Prophylaxis with either 15,000 or 30,000 IU of PBP was equally effective in non-granulocytopenic and granulocytopenic rabbits . Treatment of established infections with PBP at doses of 3,000 to 300,000 IU of PBP at 12-h intervals for 48 h was equally effective in rabbits with normal and depressed numbers of granulocytes . The effect of 3,000 IU of PBP was equivalent, however, to that of granulocytes alone, as shown by the fact that the numbers of CFU per gram of vegetation in the granulocytopenic rabbits treated with this dose of PBP and in the non-PBP-treated control rabbits were not significantly different.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Feb, (2), 28 - 32
{Problems in dissociating strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae}; Vishniakova LA et al.; The processes of dissociation occurring under the influence of soluble starch and some substances with surface activity (Tween-80, cattle bile and sodium desoxycholate) in 4 pneumococcal strains (Nos . 204, 205, 1225, 1317) isolated from patients with acute and chronic inflammatory lung diseases have been studied in vitro . Stable pneumococcal R-forms have been obtained by treatment with 0.1% sodium desoxycholate and 0 . 5% bile and subsequent selection . The colonies of pneumococcal R-forms are characterized by a large size, a rough surface, uneven edges and pronounced alpha-hemolysis . The features typical of the population of these cultures are the polymorphism of cell element, the formation of long diplococcal chains, the almost complete disappearance of the capsule, as well as the negative results of the slide agglutination test and Neufeld s test with "omni" and typing pneumococcal antisera . Besides, the pneumococcal R-forms thus obtained have proved to be resistant to optochine (6 micrograms/ml) and bile (10-20%) and to possess low virulence.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Feb, 56(1), 179 - 81
A note on a modified membrane-Bovis agar for the enumeration of Streptococcus bovis by membrane filtration; Oragui JI et al.; A modified membrane-Bovis agar, containing a reduced quantity of sodium azide, for the isolation and enumeration of Streptococcus bovis is described and evaluated . Higher counts, with larger colonies, were obtained from water and sewage samples with this medium than with the original formulation.

Antibiotiki, 1984 Feb, 29(2), 129 - 32
{Use of antibiotics and nitrofurans in treating acute and chronic cholecystitis}; Venger IK; Sixty-two patients with acute cholecystitis and 108 patients with chronic calculous cholecystitis were examined . High levels of contamination of the bile, gallbladder mucosa and gallstones were shown . E . coli, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were most frequent among 20 species of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Preoperative sanation of the hepatoduodenal area with antibiotics did not result in complete elimination of the bacteria in the bile, gallbladder mucosa and gallstones . The use of nitrofurans and especially furazolidone and furagin in the preoperative period prevented the microbial growth in the specimens collected during the operations . The data of the study allow recommending the use of furazolidone and furagin for preoperative sanation of the biliferous tract.

Antibiotiki, 1984 Feb, 29(2), 127 - 9
{Suppression of the adhesive properties of mucosal microflora by ampicillin in peptic ulcer}; Sytnik SI; Persistence of mucous bacteria in the mucosa of the stomach and duodenum was studied bacteriologically and electron microscopically in 132 patients with peptic ulcer . 235 microbial strains were isolated from the mucosa and its surface in 96 per cent of the patients . 80.8 per cent of the isolates belonged to different species of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus . The other 19.2 per cent of the isolates belonged to 9 rare bacterial species . 235 antibioticograms were analysed and it was shown that the predominating part of the isolates was mainly sensitive to ampicillin . Then follow ampiox, dicloxacillin and benzylpenicillin . Ampicillin was recommended for preoperative sanation of the stomach mucosa . 30 patients were given ampicillin orally in a dose of 0.25 g 4 times a day for 3 days before operations . It was found that the drug inhibited the adhesive properties of the mucous bacteria and even killed them.

Virology, 1984 Feb, 133(1), 166 - 71
Nucleotide sequence at the termini of the DNA of Streptococcus pneumoniae phage Cp-1; Escarmis C et al.; The 5' ends of Cp-1 DNA, which have a covalently linked terminal protein, can be partially unblocked by treatment with 1 M NaOH (E . Garcia, A . Gomez, C . Ronda, C . Escarmis, and R . Lopez (1983) Virology 128, 92-104) and labeled with polynucleotide kinase and {gamma-32P}ATP . The sequence of the first 444 and 520 nucleotides at the termini of Cp-1 DNA has been determined . A 236-nucleotide-long inverted terminal repeat was found and, in addition, the 116 nucleotides following the repeat show 93% homology . The first 352 nucleotides at both ends have an adenine plus thymine content of 75% . More than 50% of the nucleotides of the sequenced regions are involved in repeats of a minimum of 8 nucleotides . Three promoter-like sequences were also found at each end of Cp-1 DNA.

Am J Dis Child, 1984 Feb, 138(2), 186 - 91
Recurrent sepsis with deficiencies of C2 and galactokinase; Borzy MS et al.; A 4-year-old girl with recurrent, severe bacterial infections and absence of both the second component of complement and galactokinase was investigated for immunodeficiency . The C2 deficiency (C2D) was diagnosed after four major pyogenic infections . Results of studies of cellular and humoral immunity were normal, as were polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis and bactericidal activities and alternative-pathway hemolytic activity . Serum chemotactic and opsonic activities were deficient in this patient and in an older, asymptomatic sibling with C2D . Fresh-frozen plasma, administered during an episode of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, enhanced serum opsonic activity at 12 hours after infusion . To our knowledge, this is the first description of C2D in a patient with a documented second, unusual genetic defect.

Can J Ophthalmol, 1984 Feb, 19(1), 25 - 8
Endophthalmitis and pars plana vitrectomy; Majerovics A et al.; A review of all cases of suspected endophthalmitis following cataract extraction seen at one referral hospital between 1979 and 1983 was conducted . Of the 13 cases, 7 were proven by culture to be bacterial endophthalmitis when organisms were grown from aspirates of the aqueous, the vitreous or both . Antibiotic therapy was administered by intravitreal, periocular, topical and systemic routes . In some cases vitrectomy was performed immediately after the diagnostic aspiration or within 24 hours . Poor visual outcome was associated with a long interval between onset of symptoms and admission to hospital, expulsive hemorrhage, retinal detachment or resistance of the microorganism to the intraocularly administered antibiotic . The two eyes that yielded gentamicin-resistant Streptococcus viridans and ended up with no light perception demonstrate the need for simultaneous intravitreal injection of two antibiotics.

J Dent Res, 1984 Feb, 63(2), 111 - 3
Neuraminidase activity: a biochemical marker to distinguish Streptococcus mitis from Streptococcus sanguis; Murray PA et al.; Selected reference and freshly isolated strains of Streptococcus mitis (mitior) and Streptococcus sanguis were assayed for cell-associated neuraminidase activity by their ability to hydrolyze {3H-} sialyllactitol . A cell-associated neuraminidase was detected with S . mitis and S . sanguis serotype II (reclassified as S . mitis) but not with S . sanguis serotypes I and III . Neuraminidase activity of S . mitis correlated with this organism's inability to hydrolyze arginine, aesculin, and few, if any, sugars . The findings indicate that the presence of cell-associated neuraminidase activity is useful for the taxonomic classification of S . mitis.

J Dairy Sci, 1984 Feb, 67(2), 421 - 6
Evaluation of a surfactant mixture C31G as a teat dip by a modified excised teat model; Amin MM et al.; A mixture of amphoteric surfactants with antimicrobial properties, C31G, was evaluated as a teat dip by a modified excised teat model . The model was modified to avoid misinterpretation of results from indigenous bacterial microflora on teats . In three experiments, bacterial numbers recovered from teats dipped in .75, 1.5, and 3.0% solutions of C31G were compared with bacteria recovered from undipped teats (negative controls) and teats dipped with 1.0% iodophor (an effective teat dip) . Mean log reductions of teat end concentrations of Staphylococcus, aureus, Streptococcus fecalis, and Escherichia coli were determined in each experiment . Efficacy was greatest for the 3.0% solution of C31G with mean log reductions (Log reduction = Log 10 of controls - Log 10 of dipped teats) 3.53 for Staphylococcus aureus, 2.89 for Streptococcus fecalis, and 3.16 for Escherichia coli . Iodophor (1%) yielded mean log reductions of 3.26 for Staphylococcus aureus, 2.16 for Streptococcus fecalis, and 2.83 for Escherichia coli . For all three organisms, number of viable organisms decreased with increasing concentrations of C31G . The efficacy of C31G should be evaluated in vivo.

Infect Immun, 1984 Feb, 43(2), 536 - 42
Role of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent glucose phosphotransferase system of Streptococcus mutans GS5 in the regulation of lactose uptake; Liberman ES et al.; When Streptococcus mutans GS5 was grown in equimolar (5 mM) amounts of glucose and lactose, a classical diauxic growth curve was obtained . Glucose was taken up during the first growth phase, followed by a 60-min lag, and then lactose was transported . Synthesis of lactose phosphotransferase system (PTS) enzymes was repressed until the complete exhaustion of glucose, indicative of an inducer exclusion mechanism of repression . The enzyme phospho-beta-galactosidase, however, was found in small amounts even in the presence of glucose . Repression was not observed when GS5 was grown in equimolar amounts of fructose and lactose . Although fructose was taken up preferentially, synthesis of the lactose PTS occurred from the onset of growth in these sugars . It is proposed that a component of the glucose PTS may be a regulatory factor in lactose transport . Glucose PTS- mutants did not display diauxic growth in glucoselactose mixtures and, in fact, transported the disaccharide preferentially.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1984 Feb, 23(2), 113 - 4
Purpura in occult pneumococcal bacteremia; Stern HP et al.; An unusual case of occult pneumococcal bacteremia is reported . A 4-month-old female presented with ascending purpura on the lower extremities as the only abnormal physical finding . All initial laboratory studies were normal; however, Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6 was cultured from her blood within 18 hours and subsequently from the nasopharynx . This is the first reported case in humans of occult pneumococcal bacteremia presenting with the primary clinical finding of purpura . This entity has a well defined animal model in mice.

Lab Anim Sci, 1984 Feb, 34(1), 86 - 90
Clinicopathologic study of six cases of meningitis and meningoencephalitis in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes); Solleveld HA et al.; Three fatal cases of purulent meningitis and one fatal case of thromboembolic necrotizing meningoencephalitis occurred in chimpanzees from the Primate Center TNO, The Netherlands . In addition, two apes had clinical signs of meningitis and were successfully treated . The severity of the residual hemiparesis and dysphagia in one of these two apes was such that it was killed for humane reasons . The histopathological diagnosis was chronic active meningoencephalitis . Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from five apes and Klebsiella pneumoniae from one . In the majority of cases, the primary site of infection was the upper respiratory tract . After reducing the population density, initiating a vaccination program using a commercially available human polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine, and changing the cleaning procedure of the animal facilities, no other cases of meningitis or meningoencephalitis have occurred in the chimpanzee colony in the ensuing 3.5 years.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Feb, 47(2), 338 - 42
Cystine antagonism of the antibacterial action of lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide on Streptococcus agalactiae; Mickelson MN et al.; Cystine reduction in Streptococcus agalactiae, resulting in sulfhydryl formation, may account for antagonism of the antibacterial effect of lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide when cystine is present in excess of the amount needed for maximum growth . Accumulation of cystine by S . agalactiae and its reduction to form sulfhydryl compounds were demonstrated . The reduction of cystine appeared to occur by a couple reaction between glutathione reductase and glutathione-disulfide transhydrogenase activity, both of which were found in the supernatant fraction from cell homogenates . NADPH-specific glutathione reductase activity was found in the pellet and supernatant fractions from cell homogenates . Two sulfhydryls were formed for each mole of NADPH used during cystine reduction . The information presented offers a plausible explanation of how cystine, when present in excess of growth needs, may be reduced to generate sulfhydryl compounds which neutralize the antibacterial effect of lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide on S . agalactiae.

Infect Immun, 1984 Feb, 43(2), 670 - 7
Teichoic acids of Streptococcus agalactiae: chemistry, cytotoxicity, and effect on bacterial adherence to human cells in tissue culture; Goldschmidt JC Jr et al.; The ratio of teichoic acid to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in a strain of Streptococcus agalactiae type III was found to be 8:1, with the total amount of LTA being 0.1% of the dry weight of the organism . Purified teichoic acid contained D-alanine and possibly a small amount of D-glucose and was approximately 22 glycerol phosphate units in length . The linkage between each of these units was 1-3 . In addition, LTA contained a complex lipid, more glucose, and an unusually high content of a short-chain fatty acid, tridecanoic acid . This LTA was cytotoxic for a variety of human cell monolayers in tissue culture, including one derived from the human central nervous system . Established human cells were more sensitive than primary cell monolayers to this LTA, with as little as 12.5 micrograms of LTA per ml being cytotoxic for HeLa cells . Teichoic acid (250 micrograms/ml) was nontoxic under identical conditions . These cytotoxicity results suggest an LTA involvement in group B streptococcal pathogenesis . Also, the first model system for the study of group B streptococcal adherence to primary human embryonic amnion cells in tissue culture is detailed . This system was used to quantitate pronounced differences in tissue tropism between S . agalactiae and Streptococcus pyogenes and showed enhanced binding by this group A coccus over that of S . agalactiae for amnion cell monolayers . The adherence of both streptococcal species to only a portion (40%) of these amnion cells suggested that host cell receptor expression may vary for primary cells in vitro . Finally, this strain of S . agalactiae was shown to adhere to amnion cells by a non-LTA-mediated mechanism . The possibility of an LTA-mediated versus a protein-mediated adherence mechanism for host cells that is related to the virulence of S . agalactiae is discussed.

Arch Neurol, 1984 Feb, 41(2), 214 - 6
Group B streptococcal meningitis appearing as acute deafness in an adult; Harburg TD et al.; A case of group B streptococcal meningitis developed in a previously healthy adult . The group B streptococcus may be underrecognized as a pathogen in human disease . Survival is good after appropriate therapy, with only six fatalities in 33 cases reported in the literature . However, our patient showed the unusual neurologic complication of bilateral deafness in group B meningitis in adults.

Urol Clin North Am, 1984 Feb, 11(1), 131 - 9
Maternal and infant sexually transmitted diseases; Alexander ER; Sexually transmitted infection may result in serious damage to the reproductive tract of the mother, damage to the fetus, wastage of pregnancy, or illness or death of the infant . The effects of gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, mycoplasmal infections, group B streptococcus infections, syphilis, and viral infections are discussed separately for both mother and infant.

Infect Immun, 1984 Feb, 43(2), 656 - 63
Adherence of Streptococcus sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite: evidence for two binding sites; Morris EJ et al.; The characteristics of bacterial adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite were examined for a salivary aggregating strain of Streptococcus sanguis, strain 12, and for its nonaggregating variant, strain 12na . Both strains were found to adhere in similar numbers to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite that had been preincubated at 4 degrees C overnight . Preincubation of saliva-coated hydroxyapatite overnight at 37 degrees C reduced subsequent adherence of S . sanguis 12 by approximately 10%, whereas adherence of S . sanguis 12na was reduced by over 80% . Preincubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of neuraminidase reduced adherence of S . sanguis 12 by over 90% and caused some additional reduction in adherence of S . sanguis 12na . The data were analyzed with Langmuir isotherms, Scatchard plots, and Hill plots . Some evidence of cooperativity was seen . A peak in the Scatchard plot for S . sanguis 12 binding to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite preincubated at 4 degrees C disappeared after preincubation at 37 degrees C, suggesting the loss of a salivary receptor . Many more organisms were found to bind when adherence was measured by assays counting the number of organisms remaining in suspension after the beads had settled . These weakly binding organisms, which were removed by washing, demonstrated adherence characteristics similar to those of the firmly bound organisms . Both strains were strongly hydrophobic . It is proposed that the binding of S . sanguis 12 and 12na involves two types of receptor on the salivary pellicle . One type of receptor is stable at 37 degrees C, but sensitive to neuraminidase; the second type is inactivated by prolonged incubation at 37 degrees C . S . sanguis 12 may bind to both types of receptor, whereas S . sanguis 12na binds only to the second type . The neuraminidase-sensitive receptor might be involved in saliva-mediated aggregation.

Endocrinology, 1984 Feb, 114(2), 411 - 7
The effect of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection on the binding of thyroxine to purified rat liver plasma membranes; Little JS; Hepatic plasma membranes were isolated from control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats in order to determine the effect of S . pneumoniae infection on the binding capacity and affinity of hepatic plasma membranes for T4 . Infection did not affect the purity or the yield of isolated membranes . A significant decrease in both total and free serum T4 was observed during infection . Scatchard analysis of membrane binding, determined under optimal conditions, confirmed the presence of high affinity, low capacity sites, as well as low affinity sites for T4 on membranes isolated from both control and infected rats . T4 maximum binding capacity (MBC) of the high affinity sites decreased significantly as the infection became more severe . However, the affinity of these receptors did not change . Neither MBC nor affinity of the low affinity sites was altered by infection . The observed decrease in the MBC of the high affinity binding sites for T4 on hepatic plasma membranes cannot account for the decrease in serum T4 or the hepatic metabolic alterations also known to occur during S . pneumoniae infection.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1984 Feb, 43(1), 1 - 7
Infection and interferon production in systemic juvenile chronic arthritis: a prospective study; de Vere-Tyndall A et al.; Twenty-four episodes of disease exacerbation in 19 children suffering from systemic juvenile chronic arthritis were studied . Sixteen of these were preceded by an infection (chi 2 = 20.14, p less than 0.001), mostly of the upper respiratory tract . In the 10 cases seen during an infection causative agents were identified in 5 (herpes simplex, rhinovirus, and on 3 occasions streptococcus) . The total number of infections was not increased when compared with infection rates predicted by several reported studies . In the absence of clinical infection, specific antibody titres to a panel of microbial antigens were similar to those of a control group but with a trend toward higher titres in patients with hypergammaglobulinaemia . Interferon (IFN) responses were not defective, though sequential in-vitro IFN production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) fluctuated considerably in the same patients, occasionally being absent with no obvious clinical correlate . IFN-alpha was induced by stimulation with Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and the mean responses of the patients were significantly greater than those of controls . IFN-gamma production on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was similar in patients and control groups . IFN was not detected in any of the sera from patients or controls.

Microbiol Immunol, 1984, 28(4), 407 - 13
Immunochemical characteristics of Streptococcus mutans serotype h carbohydrate antigen; Okahashi N et al.; Serotype h carbohydrate antigen was prepared from cell walls of Streptococcus mutans strain MFe28 of monkey origin . The h antigen was extracted from the cell walls with 5% trichloracetic acid at 4 C, and purified by DEAE-Sephadex A-25 ion exchange chromatography followed by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration . The purified antigen was composed of galactose (75%), glucose (16%), and rhamnose (3%) . Although the antiserum against whole cells of S . mutans MFe28 gave a strong cross reaction with serotype d S . mutans, serotype h-specific antiserum could be obtained by adequate adsorption . The precipitin reactions and hapten inhibition test using serotype h-specific antiserum showed that galactose, glucose, and their derivative sugars were markedly potent inhibitors . It was concluded that the serotype h antigen is immunologically distinguishable from the known serotypes of S . mutans, although it is closely related to serotype d antigen of S . mutans.

Microbios, 1984, 40(159), 41 - 4
Uptake of U-14C-glucose by Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saccharin; Linke HA et al.; The uptake of U-14C-glucose by resting cells of Streptococcus mutans OMZ-176 was studied in the presence of the artificial sweetener saccharin as well as sodium chloride . Glucose grown cells were resuspended in phosphate buffer (0.05 M, pH 7.8), and the uptake of U-14C-glucose was observed for 150 min in time intervals of 30 min, in the presence of 0.02 and 2.00 mg/ml of sodium saccharin as well as sodium chloride . As compared to the control and the sodium chloride treatments, sodium saccharin at the highest concentration range more than doubled the accumulation of radioactive labelled carbon within the cells.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1984, 172(4), 215 - 22
A Streptococcus mutans immunogen that reacts equally with S . mutans antibody of all serotypes; Everhart DL et al.; We have studied a possible immunogen from S . mutans that has the capability of producing antibody to S . mutans which reacts equally well with all serotypes . This immunogen, a ribosomal preparation, is immunogenic in mice, is antigenic with rabbit anti-S . mutans, and is antigenic with the human antibody that also reacts with S . mutans . The human antibody is of the IgG class and S-IgA class.

Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1984, 11(1-2), 43 - 8
Vaginal and endocervical bacterial contamination in IUD users; Marino L et al.; The use of intrauterine devices is clearly related to a new aspect of infective pathology: bacterial contamination of the uterine cavity and its repercussions throughout the genital apparatus . Therefore the Authors decided to carry out a study of the vaginal and endocervical flora of 61 IUD users . This study has shown that pathogenic germs are present to a significant extent (82.3%) even when no clinical symptoms can be detected . The Group B streptococcus was detected in a high number of cases (10.6%) in the vaginal (9.8%) or endocervical tampon (11.5%).

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1984 Jan, 129(1), 87 - 91
Early pulmonary granulocyte recruitment in response to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vial WC et al.; Although polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are a conspicuous histologic feature of clinical and experimental pneumococcal pneumonia, neither the mechanism nor the magnitude of recruitment of these cells to the lung following lesser pneumococcal challenge is known . We have, therefore, investigated the early process of recruitment of PMN to alveolar spaces after pulmonary inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in doses less than those causing pneumonia . We injected Balb/c mice with water and varying inoculums of pneumococci via an endobronchial catheter . Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on the inoculated lung at 0, 2, or 4 h after injection . Cellular response was measured and chemotactic activity was assayed on BAL supernatants at each time interval using the migration of human PMN through 3-micron filters in modified Boyden chambers by the leading front techniques . The BAL of normal and control animals (inoculum of sterile water only used for the control animals) yielded 5.03 +/- 1.51 X 10(2) and 0.17 +/- 0.04 X 10(5) PMN, respectively . The PMN recruitment at 4 h as a function of pneumococcal inoculum was described by the following equation: log PMN = 0.751 log Pn + 1.119 (r2 = 0.82, p less than 0.001) . The PMN were, therefore, recruited in a dose-dependent manner . That recruitment may be caused by chemotactic substance(s) was suggested by the significant correlation between the PMN response and the distance of in vitro migration: log PMN = 0.057 micron + 0.52 (r = 0.77, p less than 0.005) . We have defined quantitatively the recruitment of PMN to the lung after pneumococcal challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1984 Jan, 129(1), 82 - 6
The role of C5 in polymorphonuclear leukocyte recruitment in response to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Toews GB et al.; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play an important functional role in early pulmonary clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae . The factors responsible for PMN recruitment to the lung after challenges with this organism are poorly defined . We used congenic C5-sufficient B10.D2/nSn (C5+) and C5-deficient B10.D2/oSn (C5-) mice to determine the importance of the C5 molecule in the PMN response to S . pneumoniae . The C5+ and C5- mice were injected with water and varying inoculums of pneumococci via an endobronchial catheter . Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on the inoculated lung at 0 and at 4 h after injection . Cellular response was measured and chemotactic activity was assayed in BAL supernatants at each time interval using human PMN in modified Boyden chambers by the leading front technique . Clearance of bacteria was studied by quantitative lung culture . The C5+ mice recruited significantly more PMN after challenges with both 10(4) and 10(6) pneumococci than did the C5- mice (p less than 0.05), but significant PMN accumulation did occur in C5- mice . Similarly, C5+ mice generated significantly more intraalveolar chemotactic activity than did C5- mice (p less than 0.05) but chemotactic activity was present in both C5+ and C5- mice in checkerboard assays . Pulmonary clearance of bacteria was significantly impaired in the absence of C5 at both inoculums (p less than 0.05) . Our results indicate that the C5 molecule yields important PMN chemotaxins during the early time period after intrapulmonary inoculation of S . pneumoniae . However, PMN recruitment after this insult also results from other chemotaxins because both chemotactic activity and PMN recruitment occur within the alveoli of C5- mice.

Am J Med Sci, 1984 Jan-Feb, 287(1), 65 - 70
Acute epiglottitis in adults; Khilanani U et al.; We treated four adults whose upper airway was compromised due to acute epiglottitis . We also reviewed the English literature for all reports of this condition in adults (18 years and older) . Among the 158 cases, the infectious etiology was identified in 29 (H . influenzae 20, Streptococcus pneumoniae six, H . parainfluenzae two, Streptococcus pyogenes one) . In the remaining cases, the etiology was uncertain . Bacteremia was documented in 23/32 patients (71.9%), but extra-epiglottic infections were strikingly rare (X = six) . The clinical manifestations were sore throat (100%), fever (88%), dyspnea (78%), dysphagia (76%), anterior neck cellulitis or tenderness (27%), hoarseness (21%), pharyngitis (20%) and anterior cervical lymphadenopathy (9%) . Complete airway obstruction ensued in 23 out of the 119 subjects (18.3%) who had respiratory difficulty . Overall mortality rate was 17.6% but it was 6.4% among the patients who were semi-electively tracheostomized or endotracheally intubated . These findings illustrate that antibiotics therapy active against H . influenzae is required in the treatment of acute epiglottitis in adults . Additionally, airway patency should be established when inspiratory stridor appears assuring uncomplicated recovery.

J Fam Pract, 1984 Jan, 18(1), 117 - 8, 123-7
Bacterial sinusitis; Meyers BR; Sinusitis may occur secondary to infectious agents, allergens, or pollutants . Bacteriologic studies carried out from sinus punctures revealed that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae are the most common bacterial pathogens isolated . Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are not uncommon pathogens . Complications of sinusitis, including orbital cellulitis, usually are due to infection with Staphylococcus aureus and H influenzae . The recent increase in certain areas of the country of beta-lactamase-producing strains of H influenzae is noted . When the etiology remains to be determined in the patient with acute bacterial sinusitis, initial therapy with an oral cephalosporin seems warranted.

Int J Cardiol, 1984 Jan, 5(1), 98 - 101
Aortic valve endocarditis complicated by complete heart block; Dunn HM et al.; A 34-year-old man with severe aortic incompetence caused by Streptococcus viridans developed severe central chest pain followed by complete heart block, multifocal ventricular extrasystoles, lengthening of the QTc and signs of cerebral emboli and pulmonary oedema . Early antibiotic therapy along with pacing, non-invasive investigations coupled with early surgery contributed significantly to the patient's survival.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Jan, 19(1), 83 - 4
Identification of group C streptococcal antigen extracts with lectin-bound polystyrene particles; Slifkin M et al.; Crude extracts of Dolichos biflorus can be coupled to polystyrene particles to yield an agglutination reagent for the detection of group C streptococcal antigen extracts . The reagent is relatively inexpensive and simple to prepare and can be employed for the definitive identification of this beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Jan, 157(1), 240 - 6
Disulfide reduction and sulfhydryl uptake by Streptococcus mutans; Thomas EL; Incubation of Streptococcus mutans cells with certain disulfide compounds resulted in accumulation of reduced sulfhydryl compounds in the extracellular medium or in both the medium and the cells . Oxidized lipoic acid and lipoamide competed for reduction . At high concentrations, these compounds were reduced at rates comparable to that of glucose metabolism, and all of the increase in sulfhydryls was in the medium . Cystamine did not compete with these compounds for reduction but was also reduced at high rates and low apparent affinity, and all of the cysteamine produced from cystamine accumulated in the medium . In contrast, glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and L-cystine were reduced slowly but with high apparent affinity, and 60 to 80% of the increase in sulfhydryls was intracellular . NADH-dependent lipoic acid or lipoamide reductase activity was present in the particulate (wall-plus-membrane) fraction, whereas NADPH-dependent GSSG reductase activity was present in the soluble (cytoplasmic) fraction . Two transport systems for disulfide and sulfhydryl compounds were distinguished . GSSG, L-cystine, and reduced glutathione competed for uptake . L-Cysteine was taken up by a separate system that also accepted L-penicillamine and D-cysteine as substrates . Uptake of glutathione or L-cysteine, or the uptake and reduction of GSSG or L-cystine, resulted in up to a 10-fold increase in cell sulfhydryl content that raised intracellular concentrations to between 30 and 40 mM . These reductase and transport systems enable S . mutans cells to create a reducing environment in both the extracellular medium and the cytoplasm.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1984, 16(1), 73 - 8
Frequency and type distribution of pneumococcal strains in the Stockholm region with resistance or reduced susceptibility to antibiotics; Kalin M et al.; Of 191 consecutive clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae tested for antibiotic susceptibility with the agar dilution technique 87% were fully sensitive to all of 11 antimicrobial agents examined . 90% of the strains were inhibited by 0.016 micrograms/ml of benzylpenicillin, by 0.032 micrograms/ml of ampicillin, cefuroxime, erythromycin, clindamycin or rifampicin, by 0.13 micrograms/ml of cephalothin, oxacillin or doxycycline, by 4.0 micrograms/ml of chloramphenicol and by 8.0 micrograms/ml of cotrimoxazole . 18 strains exhibited a reduced susceptibility to one (11 strains) or more (7 strains) of erythromycin, doxycycline, chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole . One of these strains also showed a reduced susceptibility to all 5 examined beta-lactam antibiotics, as did another 4 strains . Two of these 5 strains were isolated from small children recently adopted from 2 Asian countries . Cotrimoxazole-resistant strains were significantly more often isolated from children 1 yr of age or less than from older patients . All strains were fully sensitive to clindamycin and rifampicin . The existence of pneumococcal strains with resistance or reduced susceptibility to antibiotics commonly used for treatment of pneumococcal infections is important to bear in mind and necessitates antibiotic susceptibility testing of strains isolated from patients with severe infections.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(12), 993 - 9
Potential cariogenicity of Lycasin 80/55 before and after repeated transmissions of the dental plaque flora in rats; Havenaar R et al.; Five successive experiments, with rats fed ad libitum on diets containing sucrose or Lycasin 80/55, were carried out . In experiment I, the rats were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans alone or with Strep . mutans in combination with Actinomyces viscosus . In three successive transmission experiments (II, III, IV), the rats were inoculated with plaque of the rats of the preceding experiment . The rats of experiment V were inoculated with the original strains or with plaque derived from experiment IV . After five successive transmissions of the plaque flora, no alterations were demonstrated in the numbers and percentages of Strep . mutans and A . viscosus or in the fermentation rate of Lycasin by the plaque flora in vitro . Lycasin 80/55 was virtually non-cariogenic compared with sucrose (p less than 0.001) irrespective of whether the rats were inoculated with Strep . mutans alone or in combination with A . viscosus, with the original strains or with plaque from the preceding experiments with rats on a Lycasin 80/55-containing diet.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(12), 1023 - 31
In-vivo dental plaque-forming ability and relative cariogenicity of the bacteria Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus sanguis I and II in mono-infected gnotobiotic rats; Drucker DB et al.; Sixteen strains of Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguis I and Strep . sanguis II were tested for cariogenic potential and in-vivo plaque-forming ability in a gnotobiotic WAG/RIJ rat test system . All strains produced far less fissure plaque in vivo than strains of Streptococcus milleri or Streptococcus mutans . There was less extracellular matrix around cells of Strep . mitis or Strep . sanguis than around Strep . mutans, in the fissures . Dense sheets of cells were observed only with Strep . mutans . Some localized colonization of exposed smooth surfaces occurred with most strains . Strep . mitis produced no caries in three tests, low-caries scores in two tests and high-caries scores in one test . A single strain of Strep . mitis produced a highly-cariogenic variant able to ferment raffinose . Strep . sanguis I induced low-levels of caries in 12 tests; one test of NCTC 7865 produced moderate levels of caries, and another test of 311 produced no caries . Strep . sanguis 311 was dextran-negative . Strep . sanguis II strains induced no caries in three tests, low caries scores in six tests and moderate levels of caries with Strep . sanguis 402 . No strain of Strep . mitis or Strep . sanguis was able to induce smooth-surface lesions.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1984, 42, 122 - 8
Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory airways and beta-lactam antibiotics; Lundberg C; Infections of the upper respiratory tract, including the middle ear cleft, still create therapeutic problems . Although rhinitis is usually a virus infection, the infection of the paranasal sinuses are almost invariably of bacterial origin . Pneumococci, H . influenzae and anaerobes are the bacterial species most frequently isolated . In acute otitis media, pneumococci, H . influenzae and as demonstrated during the last few years, Branhamella catarrhalis constitutes the main pathogens . Anaerobes dominate the isolates in chronic otitis media, characterized by tissue destruction and sometimes intracranial complications . In acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis, Streptococcus pyogenes is the main bacterial pathogen whereas anaerobes are encountered in Vincent's angina, peritonsillar and parapharyngeal abscesses . The role of Branhamella in pharyngeal infections is still a subject of some dispute . In acute epiglottitis of children, H . influenzae is almost invariably isolated from the throat swabs and blood cultures . In adults, Streptococcus pyogenes and anaerobic bacteria also have to be considered as likely pathogens . The acute laryngitis has hitherto been regarded as a nonbacterial inflammation but there are reports indicating that Branhamella catarrhalis can be involved . Apparently the bacteriology of the upper respiratory tract infections have changed but little during the decades . The therapeutical problems of today are mainly due to decreased antibiotic susceptibility among the established pathogens, the presence of beta-lactamase production among bacterial species that establish the normal throat flora and lack of knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of infections of the mucous membranes.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 197(3), 467 - 71
Effect of mismatched base pairs on the fate of donor DNA in transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Mejean V et al.; Investigation of the mechanism that discriminates against mismatched base pairs in transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae of genotype hex+ was based on the use of a radioactively labeled cloned fragment of pneumococcal DNA as donor in transformation . The fate of the donor label was followed by lysis of the transformed cells and separation by agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments generated by restriction endonucleases . As a result of Hex action, most of the donor DNA fragment, which was a few kilobases in length, was lost when a mismatched base pair occurred between donor and recipient DNA . This was not observed in hex- recipient cells . Kinetic studies of mismatch-induced donor DNA loss showed that the process is faster in strain 800, an R6 derivative, than in DP1601, a strain of different origin . In the latter strain, the amount of donor label that becomes double stranded rises substantially, indicating extensive formation of donor-recipient heteroduplex structures, before falling to the expected level . At 30 degrees C the process is essentially completed 15 min after entry.

Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac, 1984, 85(6), 484 - 7
{Anaerobic microbes in perimandibular inflammation}; Danielewiczowa K et al.; Studies conducted in 16 patients with perimandibular inflammation included bacteriological examinations and tests of the resistance of the bacterial flora to 6 antibiotics:davercin, erythromycine, penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol . A total of 73 strains (47 anaerobic and 26 aerobic) were isolated, including 47 Gram - and 26 Gram's strain + . Anaerobic Gram - ve bacteria appear to be the principal cause of perimandibular inflammatory lesions, streptococcus viridans being identified more frequently in these cases than in the normal buccal cavity . Bacterial flora of dental origin was more sensitive to davercin than to the other 5 antibiotics tested.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(11), 859 - 63
Partial chemical characterization and biological activities of sulphated glycoproteins isolated from in-vivo pilocarpine-stimulated secretions of rat minor salivary glands; Green DR et al.; Following the incorporation of {35S}-sulphate into rats, 35S-labelled sulphated glycoproteins were isolated from the minor salivary gland secretions of pilocarpine-stimulated, immobilized animals . The secretory products were initially resolved on Sepharose 4B into two major radioactive fractions, one of which appeared at the void volume and represented only 7 per cent by weight of the applied fraction . The bulk of the products were of lower molecular weight and were further resolved by DEAE-Sephacel anion-exchange chromatography . Four distinct radioactive fractions were obtained all of which possessed blood-group A reactivity and aggregated Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7864 but not Streptococcus mutans OMZ61 . The radioactive fractions possessed protein/carbohydrate ratios in the range 1.6:1-5.8:1 . Ester-sulphate contents ranged from 2.5 to 5.3 per cent with a higher value of 14.0 per cent being obtained for the most anionic fraction . Sialic acid was in the range 5.1 to 21.6 per cent . None of the fractions tested contained sulphated glycosaminoglycans.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(9), 713 - 9
A simple method for extracting human lymphocyte stimulants from human dental plaque bacteria of the genus Actinomyces; Baker JJ; The effect of acid concentration on the hot-acid extraction of antigens from Actinomyces viscosus that stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro was tested . The optimum pH for release of these antigens in a soluble low molecular-weight form was pH 2.3 . Preliminary purification on Sepharose 4B demonstrated that most of the lympho-stimulatory material (about 90 per cent) had a mol . wt of about 100,000 . This partially-purified antigenic material was mainly protein . The pH 2.3 hot-acid extraction was also suitable for extracting antigens that stimulate cellular immune responses from three strains of Actinomyces naeslundii and 1 strain of Actinomyces israelii, but did not release lympho-stimulatory material from Streptococcus sanguis which is a poor human peripheral-blood lymphocyte-stimulant and was used to demonstrate that the hot-acid extraction is not simply extracting a mitogenic macromolecule common to all bacteria . As good yields of soluble, biologically-active antigens were obtained from all of the Actinomyces, the procedure described will facilitate the purification and characterization of these antigens.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(10), 751 - 7
The adsorption of human salivary components to strains of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Douglas CW et al.; Using strains of Streptococcus mutans suspended in human saliva, the salivary proteins capable of binding to the surface of the bacteria were identified by immunological and electrophoretic techniques . Six binding components were recognized: IgA, lysozyme, some high molecular weight material (greater than 400,000), probably a glycoprotein, a low molecular weight component (11-13,000), a 150,000 mol . wt protein, and one major component, mol . wt 20-25,000 which did not resolve fully on SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis . All these salivary components could be desorbed from the bacteria with 1 M NaCl, and subsequent extraction of the same cells with 6 M guanidine-HCl did not release any more salivary material . The significance of the binding of these salivary components is unknown but some may modify the behaviour of the organisms in vivo.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 196(2), 360 - 3
Expression of a streptokinase gene from Streptococcus equisimilis in Streptococcus sanguis; Malke H et al.; Using recombinant DNA techniques, we introduced a previously cloned streptokinase gene from Streptococcus equisimilis into the Challis strain of S . sanguis (group H) . The gene was expressed in the new host under the control of its own promoter and the gene product had biological properties identical to authentic streptokinase . However, the molecular weight of cloned streptokinase (42 K) as expressed by S . sanguis was substantially lower than that of authentic streptokinase (47 K) . Since the cloned streptokinase gene encoded a 47 K mature protein, the lowered molecular weight of S . sanguis streptokinase may reflect posttranslational proteolytic cleavage, which leaves the biological activity of the gene product and its serological reactivity unimpaired.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 196(1), 91 - 6
Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae mismatch repair genes by an additive transformation approach; Claverys JP et al.; During transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae, mismatch repair occurs on donor-recipient heteroduplexes harboring some mismatched base pairs . A few mutants defective in mismatch repair have been isolated and termed hex- . However, neither the number of genes involved nor their products have yet been identified . In an attempt to characterize such genes we have used an additive transformation approach--that is the inactivation of genes by insertion of chimeric plasmids . Pneumococcal DNA fragments were joined in vitro to a plasmid derivative of pBR325 that carries an erythromycin resistance determinant and does not replicate autonomously in S . pneumoniae . Ery-r transformants obtained with such a ligation mixture arise via homology-dependent integration of the chimeric plasmids into the chromosome . Hex- mutants have been selected among the ery-r population . Comparison of these mutants by Southern blot hybridization with a vector probe reveals that at least two genes are involved in mismatch repair.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(6), 453 - 60
Multiple types of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the human mouth and their intra-family transmission; Davey AL et al.; To identify the source of infection with the potentially cariogenic Streptococcus mutans, unstimulated saliva and two approximal plaque samples were examined from each member of 10 families, five of which were re-sampled 6 months later . Each morphological type of Strep . mutans appearing on SB-20 medium was identified by a biochemical micromethod and by bacteriocin typing . Ninety-three per cent of the 46 subjects harboured Strep . mutans and multiple types were detected in 78 per cent of adults and 46 per cent of infected children . Each mouth yielded c/e/f biotypes and 46 per cent also carried d/g types . Generally, saliva types were the same as those in plaque and the second sampling confirmed the first . Most fathers did not share strains with others in the family but all the infected children shared at least one common strain with the mother . The mother as the major source of Strep . mutans infection in young children was confirmed.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(5), 385 - 93
A comparison of the acid-base and aciduric properties of various serotypes of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans associated with dental plaque; Denepitiya L et al.; Of the 20 strains tested, Strep . mutans Ingbritt (c), LM-7(e), QP50 -1(f) and K-1R(d/g) produced the largest decreases in pH with glucose, sucrose and starch whereas E-49(a), OMZ-61(a), FA-1(b), BHT(b), GS-5(c) and OMZ-176(d/g) produced the least . In the absence of saliva, catabolism of starch was less than catabolism of either glucose or sucrose but, with saliva present, the differences were considerably reduced . The strains varied in ability to accumulate and degrade stored polysaccharide (a means of producing a more acidic pH), but without relation to serotype . No strains showed pH-rise activity with saliva supernatant, sialin or urea but the b serotypes showed pH rise with arginine and lysylarginine . All strains showed activity from endogenous substrates . Aciduricity was determined by assessing the ability to grow on brain-heart-infusion agar adjusted to pH 5.0 to 7.0 . All strains grew better at pH 7.0 than 5.0 . Among the least aciduric strains were those of b serotype which being among those least able to decrease the pH with fermentable carbohydrate and the only one to raise pH with arginine and arginine peptide, suggested that this serotype might appear more often in caries-free than in caries-active plaques and in plaques showing a less acidic Stephan pH response . The acid-base and aciduric properties of the non-b serotype strains indicated that any one or more of these could be associated with caries-active plaques.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(5), 369 - 72
The establishment of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque and the induction of caries in macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) fed a diet containing cooked-wheat flour; Beighton D et al.; A diet containing 50.7 per cent cooked wheat flour (78 per cent starches and dextrin) was fed to 82 monkeys from weaning for up to 407 days . Streptococcus mutans became established naturally and remained at a high level (25-40 per cent of the total anaerobic colony count) in the dental plaque of the majority of animals but in only 2 were carious lesions detected . The predominant Strep . mutans serotypes isolated from plaque were c, e and h, which produced acid when incubated with the diet in vitro . Twenty-five monkeys were switched to a cariogenic high sucrose diet, and 6 months later 72 per cent of them had carious lesions (mean +/- SD = 6.5 +/- 6.6 carious lesions per monkey) . The failure of the starch diet to promote tooth decay in monkeys supports the general conclusion that starch and starch products are virtually non-cariogenic for man.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(5), 343 - 8
Exchange of fluoride between bovine enamel and the surface-related cells of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Luoma H et al.; Standard areas of intact bovine enamel surface were fluoridated with dental F-varnish for 24 h and then cleaned from varnish residues and thoroughly rinsed with distilled water . Sucrose fermentation by a plaque-like layer of Streptococcus mutans cells covering such an enamel surface was accompanied by a rapid but transient accumulation of F of enamel origin by the Strep . mutans cells and by a pH drop in the plaque to pH 4.0 . The uptake of F from the surface by the control cells, utilizing their carbohydrate stores and causing a smaller pH-drop, was slow but no release of F back to the cell exterior took place within 18 h . In a second experiment, F- varnished and placebo- varnished bovine enamel granules were used as above, but they were not thoroughly washed after being varnish-treated and cleaned . Both the sucrose-fermenting and the control layer of Strep . mutans rapidly released appreciable but equal amounts of fluoride from the F-treated enamel . The accumulation of F of enamel origin by the Strep . mutans cells with or without sucrose was rapid and of almost the same magnitude . In the model with the sucrose-utilizing Strep . mutans and the F-treated enamel granules, the plaque pH-drop was less and the dissolution of the enamel Ca and P completely prevented compared to the respective changes in the sucrose-utilizing model with placebo-treated enamel granules.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(3), 231 - 6
The effects of mutual interaction and host diet on the growth rates of the bacteria Actinomyces viscosus and Streptococcus mutans during colonization of tooth surfaces in di-associated gnotobiotic rats; Beckers HJ et al.; The bacteria were simultaneously inoculated into the mouths of germ-free rats . The maximum growth rates attained by Strep . mutans (doubling time td = 1.4 h) or A . viscosus (td = 2.7 h) were approximately the same as in mono-associated gnotobiotic rats {td = 1.1 and 2.8 h, respectively (Beckers and van der Hoeven, 1982a)} . The presence of glucose or sucrose did not affect the maximum growth rates . In starved rats, the accumulation of microorganisms tended to decline sooner, suggesting that the growth was limited by the availability of nutrients . No interaction between the two organisms was detected at the stage of initial adherence to the tooth surfaces or during the first 24 h of growth . After that, the increase of A . viscosus was retarded in the presence of Strep . mutans T2, but not with Strep . mutans OMZ176 . The retardation was more pronounced in the rats fed on glucose than on sucrose . Yet, at 24 days after inoculation . A . viscosus had increased in the glucose more than in the sucrose group . Hence sucrose did not stimulate the accumulation of Strep . mutans more than glucose.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(3), 191 - 4
Human serum precipitins to oral bacteria related to dental caries; Levine M et al.; Adults aged 20-38 years were classified by a positive (+) or negative (-) precipitating serum antibody response to D-alanyl glycerol teichoic acid (S), or an antigen from Actinomyces spp . (A) . Culture filtrates of Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces viscosus were used to detect the respective specific antibodies by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion when present in serum at a concentration of more than 0.05 mg/ml . Among subjects who had grown up in fluoridated areas, A+ subjects exhibited significantly fewer decayed, missing and filled teeth or teeth surfaces compared to A- subjects (p less than 0.02) . For the whole population examined, caries severity increased with age and decreased with length of residence in a fluoridated area (p less than 0.01) . When classified by A and S antibody response, only S-subjects showed a significant increase in caries score with age (p less than 0.02) and only A+S+ subjects a significant decrease in score with length of exposure to fluoridated water (p less than 0.05) . It is concluded that the severity of caries in relation to age and fluoride exposure may differ in subjects with the different antibody specificities.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(2), 147 - 50
The effect of growth rate on the adhesion of the oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus milleri; Rogers AH et al.; As a preliminary to measuring the hydrophobicity of continuous-culture cells, batch-grown cells of a number of Streptococcus mutans strains were tested for their ability to adhere to hexadecane . The hydrophobic properties of such cells were markedly affected by experimental variables such as the composition of the growth medium and the buffer in which the cells were subsequently suspended . For example, the replacement of glucose by fructose in a chemically-defined growth medium (CDM) increased cell hydrophobicity . Strep . mutans B13 and Streptococcus milleri B448 were separately grown glucose-limited in the CDM at various dilution rates from D = 0.04 h-1 to D = 0.7 h-1, corresponding to mean generation times of 17 and 1 h . Slow-growing cells of both strains were more hydrophobic than fast-growing cells, which, in conjunction with previous studies, supports the suggestion that hydrophobic bonding may play a role in bacterial adherence.

J Fam Pract, 1984 Jan, 18(1), 69 - 73
Therapeutic alternatives and clinical outcomes in peritonsillitis; Ellsbury KE; A retrospective study was conducted on 32 patients with the discharge diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess or peritonsillar cellulitis . Three had pre-existing chronic conditions that may have contributed to the peritonsillitis . The average duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 7.4 days . Most patients responded to penicillin given parenterally until the patient were able to take medication orally . Pus was obtained in 88 percent of the patients who underwent drainage procedures . Eight patients were treated with parenteral antibiotics without drainage, including three from whom pus was aspirated . All eight recovered without complication . The most common organism cultured was beta-hemolytic streptococcus, group A (seen in 31 percent) . There was no association between the dose or type of oral antibiotic used prior to diagnosis of peritonsillar cellulitis . The clinical outcome suggests that some patients with peritonsillitis may respond to parenteral antibiotics without drainage procedures or tonsillectomy.

J Dent Res, 1984 Jan, 63(1), 56 - 8
Streptococcus mutans and caries prevalence in Lisu and Karen of northern Thailand; Reichart P et al.; The prevalence of dental caries was studied in 139 Lisu and 167 Karen using the DMF-T index . Oral habits were recorded, including the chewing of betel nut . Samples of drinking water and betel constituents were collected and assayed for fluoride concentrations . Plaque material from 100 randomly selected individuals from each village was examined qualitatively for S . mutans . The DMF-T index scores for both tribal groups were low (0.00-1.00), and there was no significant difference in caries prevalence between betel chewers and non-chewers . Fluoride concentrations of the water samples were comparably low (0.02-0.29 ppm F) . 30% of 200 plaque samples were positive for S . mutans, mostly of Biotype I.

J Dent Res, 1984 Jan, 63(1), 52 - 5
Streptococcus mutans levels and biotypes in Egyptian and Saudi Arabian students during the first months of residency in the United States; Farghaly MM et al.; Several studies indicated that serotype/biotype c strains are the most common on a global basis, but that regional differences may occur relative to other serotype/biotypes . Of particular interest is the observation that individuals residing in the Middle East have higher incidences of serotype e and d strains relative to their levels in American citizens . This could reflect exposure to different Streptococcus mutans serotypes during the period in which the teeth are colonized, or might reflect other factors local to the region, such as diet . The purpose of the present study was to observe Egyptian and Saudi Arabian students during the first four months after their arrival in the United States, in order to determine whether this change in habitat affected the levels and biotypes of S . mutans . The results of this study showed that biotype c strains were the most prevalent in saliva and plaque of these Egyptians and Saudi Arabian students, followed by biotype e and biotype d . There was a drop in the number of S . mutans in the saliva and the proportions of S . mutans in the plaque after two months of residence in the United States, followed by a significant increase after four months of residence . This increase was most noticeable in subjects who had a higher number of decayed surfaces . In these subjects, the percentage of S . mutans in pooled occlusal plaque increased significantly, from 6.1 to 13.2%.

J Dent Res, 1984 Jan, 63(1), 2 - 5
The effects of fatty acids and their monoesters on the metabolic activity of dental plaque; Hayes ML; We examined the effects of the saturated series of fatty acids and their esters on plaque bacterial metabolism . Fatty acids with a chain length of 8-15 carbons inhibited Streptococcus mutans and dental plaque in vitro . The glycerol monoesters with a fatty acid chain of 10-14 carbons were inhibitory to a similar extent . The glycolipid (sucrose monolaurate) reduced plaque bacterial glycolysis and sucrose oxidation in a non-competitive manner but stimulated sucrose incorporation at low sucrose concentrations . The relationship between surface activity and inhibition is discussed, since this may help to explain the anti-caries effects of these compounds.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1984 Jan-Feb, 93(1 Pt 1), 76 - 84
Neuraminidase activity in middle ear effusions; LaMarco KL et al.; Analyses of Streptococcus pneumoniae culture filtrates and middle ear effusions (MEE) containing S pneumoniae for various hydrolytic enzymes have demonstrated substantial levels of neuraminidase activity when measured employing a sensitive fluorometric assay . S pneumoniae neuraminidase exhibits optimum activity near neutral pH (6.0 to 6.5), and catalyzes the cleavage of sialic acid residues from glycoproteins, gangliosides and mucopolysaccharides . S pneumoniae begins secreting large amounts of neutral neuraminidase (mean {means} = 43.3 units/mL culture filtrate) when cells enter the stationary phase . Nearly all (96%) human chronic MEEs yielding positive cultures for S pneumoniae contain neuraminidase activity (means = 0.200 units/mg protein), while only 21.1% to 45.5% of all other effusions contain the enzyme . Middle ear effusions obtained from S pneumoniae infected-chinchillas contained large amounts of neuraminidase activity (approximately 200 units/mL), which decayed exponentially in vivo with an apparent half-life of 8 1/2 days . Three neuraminidase isoenzymes (designated I-III) were identified in S pneumoniae culture filtrates, as well as in MEEs from chinchillas infected with the organism, using a combination of ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography . With 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid serving as substrate, preparation I from both culture filtrates and MEEs was characterized by a high Michaelis constant (Km), while forms II and III had low Km values . Preferred substrates were orosomucoid and neuramin-lactose; gangliosides, thyroglobulin, and bovine submaxillary mucin were poorer substrates.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1984, 63(8), 731 - 2
Prosthetic valve endocarditis in pregnancy; Zimmerman J et al.; A case of prosthetic valve endocarditis is described, caused by Streptococcus viridans in the third trimester of pregnancy . During her illness, the patient gave birth to a normal baby in an uncomplicated vaginal delivery . She had recurrent post-partum vaginal bleeding . Aspects relevant to the management of the case are discussed.

Ter Arkh, 1984, 56(10), 32 - 4
{Viral-microbial associations and the function of humoral factors of natural immunity in acute pneumonia patients}; Volkova VV et al.; A total of 359 patients with acute pneumonia and 152 practically healthy subjects comprising the control group were examined . Immunofluorescence was used to investigate nasopharyngeal washings for detecting antigens of influenza and parainfluenza viruses, respiratory-syncytial virus, adenoviruses, whereas serological studies according to the hemagglutination delay test with diagnostic agents for detecting influenza A1, A2, B, types 1, 2 and 3 parainfluenza, and the complement fixation test were made to detect antibodies against adenoviruses . Serological (65%) and immunofluorescence (63%) studies revealed associations of different viruses: type 3 and 1 parainfluenza, respiratory-syncytial virus (73%) with adenoviruses, influenza B, A2, type 2 parainfluenza . Association of different bacteria was observed in 67% of patients: hemolytic staphylococcus (65%), hemolytic streptococcus (50%), pneumococci (45%), P . aeruginosa (40%), P . mirabilis (35%), E . coli (30%), enterococci (25%) . Associations of 3-2 causative agents were predominant (53%) . Marked decrease in the content of complement and beta-lysins, elevation of the level of lysozyme were observed in patients with viral-bacterial and viral pneumonias as compared to the same characteristics in patients with bacterial pneumonia and in control group subjects.

Circ Shock, 1984, 14(1), 39 - 47
Effect of red blood cell stroma on the reticuloendothelial system clearance and killing of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Grover GJ et al.; Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that thermal injury can cause sufficient intravascular hemolysis to depress reticuloendothelial system (RES) phagocytic function and that the injection of red blood cell (RBC) stroma depresses RES function and increases susceptibility to experimental shock . The present study evaluated the effect of thermal injury and RBC stroma on susceptibility to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae as well as the effect of RBC stroma on the RES clearance and killing of the bacteria . The mortality rate following pneumococcal infection was increased after thermal injury from 0% to 100% (P less than .01), and with the injection of RBC stroma (0.5 ml/100 g) mortality increased from 20% to 80% (P less than .01) . Hepatic uptake of heat-killed S . pneumoniae was depressed from 64% to 44% of the injected dose following the injection of RBC stroma . RBC stroma depressed complement CH50 levels by 31% . The reduction in the number of viable S . pneumoniae present in the liver between 30 min and 4 hr following bacterial challenge was decreased in animals receiving RBC stroma . This was interpreted as an indication of impaired hepatic bactericidal function and was associated with an increase in the number of circulating viable S . pneumoniae . It is concluded that the increased susceptibility to pneumococcal infection induced by RBC stroma was probably due to an impairment in hepatic clearance and killing of the bacteria . The depressed bacterial clearance could have been contributed to by the stroma-induced decrease in complement levels . This study further supports the hypothesis that the intravascular hemolysis caused by thermal injury contributes to the increased susceptibility to infection following this form of injury.

Clin Ther, 1984, 6(4), 518 - 23
In vitro susceptibility of Streptococcus bovis to six antibiotics; Klein RS et al.; A recent report of two isolates of Streptococcus bovis resistant to killing by low levels of penicillin G prompted this study of the in vitro susceptibility of 100 clinical isolates of S bovis to six antibiotics . Using a microdilution method, we found the minimum bactericidal concentrations for 99% of the isolates to be as follows: penicillin G, 0.5 microgram/ml; methicillin, 16 micrograms/ml; ampicillin, 0.5 microgram/ml; cephalothin, 2 micrograms/ml; clindamycin, 2 micrograms/ml; and vancomycin, 2 micrograms/ml . The high-level resistance of S bovis to penicillin G previously described was not seen . This study suggests that penicillin G can still prove effective in treating most infections caused by S bovis, including infective endocarditis, and that cephalothin and vancomycin are useful alternative agents.

J Emerg Med, 1984, 1(6), 489 - 93
Cutaneous abscesses: natural history and management in an outpatient facility; Llera JL et al.; This study investigated the natural history and treatment of cutaneous abscesses in an outpatient setting . Incision, drainage, aerobic and anaerobic cultures were done on all 78 patients entered in the study . Tenderness and fluctuance were noted in more than 80% of the patients; erythema and induration in more than 60% . Forty-one percent of all abscesses were in the anogenital region . Forty-two percent of cultured abscesses grew aerobes exclusively, 28% grew anaerobes exclusively, and 27% grew a mixture of aerobes and anaerobes . The predominant aerobic organisms were Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which were mostly isolated from the head/neck, extremities, and axillary regions . The predominant anaerobic organisms were Peptococcus and Bacteroides, which were primarily isolated from the anogenital regions . Nearly 60% of the patients returned for reevaluation . They were equally divided between those patients taking antibiotics and those not on antibiotics . However, all patients were clinically improved.

Rev Argent Microbiol, 1984, 16(2), 67 - 74
{Trials of cheese-making using concentrated bacterial starters}; Garat MH et al.; Studies about cheese preparation with frozen and concentrated bacterial starters have been carried out . The Pategras cheeses were obtained from raw milk . The starters were prepared with a selected strain of Streptococcus lactis, concentrated until reaching a value of 3.10(9) colony forming units/ml and resuspended in milk previously supplemented with 8% of yeast extract . These concentrates were frozen at -40 degrees C and kept at -20 degrees C for 60 days . Three kinds of starters were tested: one thawed by placing the flask in a 40 degrees C water bath, another added to the cheese vat without previous thawing and a control sample prepared in steamed reconstituted milk . In order to evaluate the convenience of each technique several chemical and microbiological analysis were performed during the preparation (Table 1 and 2) and the ripening of the cheese (Table 3) . The results have showed that the direct use of thawed frozen concentrates in the cheese vat allows the obtaining of high quality cheese . On the other hand, the technique based on thawing through a water bath did not lead to good results.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(12), 1001 - 7
Immunogenicity, biochemical and serological characterizations of ribosomal preparations from human oral strains of serotypes c and d of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Huis in 't Veld J et al.; Crude ribosomal preparations of Streptococcus mutans C67-1 (serotype c) and 50B4 (serotype d) contain protein RNA and carbohydrate . Sepharose CL-2B column chromatography of preparations yielded two distinct peaks . Cell-wall carbohydrates were predominantly present in peak I; the serological activity resided mainly in peak II . The preparations contained antigens which cross-reacted with several streptococcal Lancefield antisera . Antisera prepared against the preparations cross-reacted with cell-wall proteins (NaCl extracts) and Ag I/II, but not with cell-wall carbohydrate antigens (Rantz-Randall extracts) . Thus, cell-envelope protein antigens in the preparations appear to be responsible for the serological activity . The unique properties of ribosomal preparations may, apart from serological cross-reactivity, be useful in the immunological protection against dental caries.

Swed Dent J, 1984, 8(3), 125 - 35
The effect of sugar alcohols on plaque and saliva level of Streptococcus mutans; Loesche WJ; The usage of sucrose substitutes such as polyols in snack-type foods is a logical and practical means of reducing caries incidence without perturbing normal dietary eating patterns . S . mutans and L . casei can ferment mannitol and sorbitol, but are inactive towards xylitol . This ability of these cariogenic organisms to ferment the hexitols does not seem to be of concern when gums containing them are used at the normal rate . However, when hexitol gum usage is excessive, the S . mutans levels may increase . In contrast to the hexitols, excessive usage of gums sweetened with xylitol caused a significant decrease in the levels and proportions of S . mutans in saliva and plaque . While this effect on S . mutans may be an indirect one, this finding provides added evidence for the superiority of xylitol as a sucrose substitute in dentistry.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 195(3), 403 - 10
Physical structure and genetic expression of the sulfonamide-resistance plasmid pLS80 and its derivatives in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis; Lopez P et al.; The 10-kb chromosomal fragment of Streptococcus pneumoniae cloned in pLS80 contains the sul-d allele of the pneumococcal gene for dihydropteroate synthase . As a single copy in the chromosome this allele confers resistance to sulfanilamide at 0.2 mg/ml; in the multicopy plasmid it confers resistance to 2.0 mg/ml . The sul-d mutation was mapped by restriction analysis to a 0.4-kb region . By the mechanism of chromosomal facilitation, in which the chromosome restores information to an entering plasmid fragment, a BamHI fragment missing the sul-d region of pLS80 established the full-sized plasmid, but with the sul-s allele of the recipient chromosome . A spontaneous deletion beginning approximately 1.5 kb to the right of the sul-d mutation prevented gene function, possibly by removing a promoter . This region could be restored by chromosomal facilitation and be demonstrated in the plasmid by selection for sulfonamide resistance . Under selection for a vector marker, tetracycline resistance, only the deleted plasmid was detectable, apparently as a result of plasmid segregation and the advantageous growth rates of cells with smaller plasmids . When such cells were selected for sulfonamide resistance, the deleted region returned to the plasmid, presumably by equilibration between the chromosome and the plasmid pool, to give a low frequency (approximately 10(-3) of cells resistant to sulfanilamide at 2.0 mg/ml . Models for the mechanisms of chromosomal facilitation and equilibration are proposed . Several derivatives of pLS80 could be transferred to Bacillus subtilis, where they conferred resistance to sulfanilamide at 2 mg/ml, thereby demonstrating cross-species expression of the pneumococcal gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1984, 139(2), 135 - 41
Factors affecting germination and growth of Bacillus cereus spores in milk; Helmy ZA et al.; The effect of salt concentration, acidity, and storage temperature on the spore germination of Bacillus cereus and the growth rate of the organism was investigated . Increasing the amount of salt to more than 5% or acidifying the milk to pH 5.0 or 4.5 greatly affected the germination and growth of B . cereus spores . When a culture of Streptococcus lactis was used as an acidifying agent, B . cereus showed a normal growth rate during the first 12 h, followed by a sharpe reduction in numbers . When B . cereus spores were inoculated in reconstituted dry milk or baby food, a higher multiplication rate was obtained at 30 degrees C than at 8 degrees C.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Jan, 47(1), 68 - 74
Conjugative 40-megadalton plasmid in Streptococcus lactis subsp . diacetylactis DRC3 is associated with resistance to nisin and bacteriophage; McKay LL et al.; Streptococcus lactis subsp . diacetylactis DRC3 was examined for plasmid DNA and found to contain a previously unreported plasmid of 40 X 10(6) daltons . This plasmid, designated pNP40, was conjugally transferred to a plasmid-cured derivative of S . lactis C2 . Transconjugants containing pNP40 acquired resistance to nisin produced by strains of S . lactis and to commercially available nisin when assay plates were incubated at 21, 32, and 37 degrees C . In addition, c2 phage growth was completely restricted in transconjugants containing pNP40 at 21 and 32 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C . This result suggests that pNP40 may be coding for a temperature-sensitive enzyme that restricts phage growth at 21 and 32 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C . Eight consecutive transfers of a transconjugant containing pNP40 in Elliker broth at 37 degrees C resulted in 100% loss of resistance to c2 phage when colonies were tested at 32 degrees C . These phage-sensitive isolates had lost pNP40 and had also become sensitive to nisin . This result suggests that pNP40 may also be thermosensitive in its replication . The finding of a phage resistance determinant located on a conjugative plasmid should prove useful in constructing phage-resistant variants for dairy fermentation processes.

Transfusion, 1984 Jan-Feb, 24(1), 28 - 30
Acquisition of K:1-like antigen during terminal sepsis; McGinniss MH et al.; This report describes a patient whose own and transfused K:-1 red cell populations became strongly K:1 during a terminal episode of sepsis due to a group D streptococcus organism, Streptococcus faecium . Subsequent in vitro studies using normal K:-1 red cells inoculated with that organism showed that it could render the red cells agglutinable by reagents containing IgG anti-K1 . In addition, disrupted S . faecium organisms rendered Jkb-negative red cells agglutinable by those reagents.

Infect Immun, 1984 Jan, 43(1), 122 - 6
Induction of human gamma interferon by structurally defined polypeptide fragments of group A streptococcal M protein; Weigent DA et al.; The presence of interferon (IFN) has been demonstrated previously (i) in fluids obtained from the middle ears of children with Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, (ii) from the serum of mice injected intraperitoneally with either S . pneumoniae or Streptococcus pyogenes, and (iii) from human lymphoid cell cultures treated with a variety of bacteria . In this study, we showed that highly purified peptic extracts of three different serotypes of group A streptococcal M protein (pep M5, pep M6, and pep M24) stimulated human peripheral leukocytes to produce IFN . IFN production was apparent by 10 h and peaked 24 h after exposure . Dose-response experiments indicated that IFN could be detected in cultures treated with concentrations of M protein as low as 6 micrograms/ml, whereas maximum IFN production occurred at a concentration of 200 micrograms/ml . The IFN had antigenic and physicochemical characteristics of IFN-gamma . Preliminary leukocyte fractionation studies revealed that the IFN-producing cell was a nonadherent lymphocyte with receptors for sheep erythrocytes (T cell) . Rabbit antisera specific for these structurally defined polypeptide fragments of streptococcal M protein (pep M5, pep M6, and pep M24) blocked IFN induction by each of the polypeptides . The data suggest that the different serotypes of streptococcal M protein may induce IFN by a common structural determinant shared by each of the polypeptide fragments tested.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1984, 43, 17 - 23
Clindamycin and its action on the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to phagocytosis; Gemmell CG; The role of various surface virulence factors in bacterial resistance to opsonophagocytosis has been investigated in relation to the effect of clindamycin at concentrations below those which inhibit growth (sub-MIC) . In each case studied (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacteroides fragilis) contact with the drug under these conditions potentiated complement-mediated opsonization of the bacterial cells resulting in a greater and more rapid deposition of C3 as C3b on the cell surface . Several other features of the phagocytic process were enhanced in consequence.

Infection, 1984, 12 Suppl 1, S44 - 51
Recent advances in management of bacterial meningitis in neonates; Klein JO; The current incidence of neonatal sepsis in the United States varies from less than 1 to 8.1 per 1000 live births . The incidence of bacterial meningitis is about one-third of the number of infants with sepsis . The mortality is 20 to 30% and many survivors are severely impaired . Group B streptococcus and Escherichia coli are the most frequent causes of meningitis . Because of the difficulty of clinical diagnosis, many infants receive presumptive therapy for suspected sepsis or meningitis although few have documented infection . Between 5 and 10% of newborn infants born in the United States receive antimicrobial agents in the nursery, usually a penicillin and an aminoglycoside . To lower the continued high mortality and morbidity of meningitis due to gram-negative enteric bacilli, collaborative randomized trials evaluated the efficacy of gentamicin administered via the intrathecal route, gentamicin administered into the ventricle and most recently, the efficacy of moxalactam . Neither intrathecal or intraventricular drug, both in combination with parenteral drug, was advantageous when compared with parenterally administered drug alone . The mortality rate and number of days of culture positive cerebrospinal fluid were similar in infants who received moxalactam and ampicillin and infants who received amikacin and ampicillin . Adjunctive therapies including granulocyte transfusion, administration of hyperimmune gamma globulin and exchange transfusion are now under investigation . Initial studies of prevention of systemic bacterial infection by prophylactic ampicillin administered to the mother at delivery and use of group B streptococcal vaccine administered to susceptible women in the child bearing age show promise.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1984, 50(5-6), 789 - 98
Pathogenic synergy: mixed infections in the oral cavity; van Steenbergen TJ et al.; In almost all infections in the oral cavity, mixed populations of bacteria are present . However, recent evidence points to a certain specificity in these infections: Streptococcus mutans is related to caries and black-pigmented Bacteroides species are suspected pathogens in periodontal disease . Periodontal diseases, endodontic infections and submucous abscesses in the oral cavity are probably mixed infections in which anaerobic bacteria together with facultatives or other anaerobes are present . In experimental mixed anaerobic infections black-pigmented Bacteroides strains have been shown to play a key role . Little is known about the pathogenic synergy between the bacteria involved in mixed infections . Important mechanisms could be nutritional interrelationships and interactions with the host defense . Within the group of black-pigmented Bacteroides B . gingivalis seems to be the most virulent species . These bacteria possess a great number of virulence factors, which might be important in the pathogenesis of oral infections.

J Immunopharmacol, 1984, 6(4), 323 - 8
Compensation of cyclophosphamide immunosuppression by a bacterial immunostimulant (Broncho-Vaxom) in mice; Bosch A et al.; The compensatory effect of a bacterial lysate, Broncho-Vaxom (BV) on the immunosuppressive action of cyclophosphamide (CY) was investigated . In CY immunosuppressed mice, BV treated animals recovered to normal levels of IgM and IgG in serum as well of IgA and IgG in gut secretions significantly earlier than controls . Furthermore, normal cell proliferation in thymus, as estimated by measuring the relative size of this organ was achieved earlier in BV treated mice than in control mice . Oral treatment with BV restores the number of IgM anti SRBC producing cells in spleen, in CY immunosuppressed mice . Since immunosuppression induced by CY increases the susceptibility to various infections, we tested in immunosuppressed animals the protective effect of BV towards IP challenge infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae var ozaenae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans . BV led to an enhanced resistance towards both pneumococci and staphylococci challenge infections but not to the other challenge microorganisms.

Ann Fr Anesth Reanim, 1984, 3(6), 456 - 7
{Severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumopathy in an adult}; Manoury B et al.; A previously well 56 year-old woman presented with an adult respiratory distress syndrome which worsened under penicillin treatment, responding only to erythromycin and rifampicin, as well as CPAP ventilation . Diagnostic serology was positive to Chlamydia psittaci . Psittacosis is not a frequent cause of primary extensive pneumonia in intensive care units; other diseases should be looked for in the presence of these non-specific clinical and biological pictures (Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae) . Pneumocystis should also be looked for in a typical pneumonia; erythromycin is the antibiotic of first choice in the treatment of primary extensive pneumonia.

Crit Rev Microbiol, 1984, 11(3), 187 - 208
Complement and the host's defense against the pneumococcus; Winkelstein JA; The complement system plays a critical role in resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae . In the last two decades, a great deal of new knowledge has been generated on both the complement system and on the pneumococcus . Not only has this new knowledge helped produce a better understanding of how the complement system serves the host in its defense against S . pneumoniae, but in a more general fashion, the lessons learned from the interaction of complement and the pneumococcus have also provided insight into how the complement system functions in the defense of the host against a wide variety of other microorganisms . The following review will attempt to summarize current knowledge about the complement system, how it interacts at the molecular level with the pneumococcus, the biologic consequences of that interaction, and their significance in pneumococcal infections.

Microbiol Immunol, 1984, 28(8), 863 - 71
Ability of various oral bacteria to bind human plasma fibronectin; Imai S et al.; The present study describes the ability of various oral bacteria to bind human plasma fibronectin (PFN) . Avid binding of 125I-PFN was found for Streptococcus mutans (serotypes a to h), Streptococcus sanguis, group A Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, while other gram-positive bacterial species tested demonstrated only weak or negligible PFN binding ability . Two gram-negative bacterial species, Bacteroides gingivalis and Escherichia coli, did not significantly bind PFN . 125I-PFN binding to S . mutans 6715 cells was decreased by pretreatment with unlabeled PFN, and the radiolabeled PFN bound to the cell surface was released on addition of unlabeled PFN . Strong inhibition of 125I-PFN binding to S . mutans 6715 cells was obtained by protease pretreatment, while partial inhibition was also observed following treatment with acid, alkali, lipase, and monoclonal anti-polyglycerophosphate . These results suggest that PFN binding to S . mutans cells is reversible and that PFN receptors on the cell surface appear to be heat-stable multiple proteins.

Microbios, 1984, 40(161-162), 145 - 52
Effect of dextranase and protease enzymes on aggregation of Streptococcus mutans: colorimetric and electron microscopic studies; Graves W et al.; Sucrose-induced aggregation of Streptococcus mutans was ascertained by measuring the decrease in optical density of a cell suspension after 20 h incubation . The optimum sucrose concentration for the aggregation assay was 5% w/v, at an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C . Dextranase and protease enzymes were added to the suspensions to determine their effects on aggregation . Dextranase treatment decreased aggregation . Electron microscopic studies revealed a reduction in the amount of a diffuse coat which surrounded cells in the absence of the enzyme but in the presence of sucrose, and a degradative effect on fibrous extracellular material . Protease treatment of suspensions produced an increase in optical density; cell aggregates were not apparent . Electron microscopic studies revealed extensive cell damage and lysis . The success of these enzymes in decreasing aggregation would indicate a role in both caries and plaque control in vivo.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1984, 13(2), 109 - 16
{Neonatal infection caused by the beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group B: review}; Thomas D et al.; This review of the literature on the pathogenicity of B group beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection in perinatology first describes the clinical symptomatology of the illness in the newborn and its incidence . One per cent of all babies born to mothers with the infection are seriously affected themselves . Between one and three infants per thousand births die of it . B Group beta-haemolytic streptococcus is, together with E . Coli, the principal cause of neonatal death from infection . The techniques for identifying the bacteria are more reliable when the appropriate transport media and the selected culture media described in the text are used . The different therapies that have been put forward by different authors are described together with their results . In the conclusions reached the essential features that can be used to serve as a guide for the clinician in his choice of preventive or curative therapy are pointed out.

Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1984, 11(3), 90 - 5
The role of the vaginal colonization of the medical and paramedical staff in the nosocomial transmission of group-B streptococcus; Concia E et al.; The authors consider the presence of streptococcus of group B in the vaginal flora of the medical and paramedical staff who work at the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Clinic and at the Department of Neonatology at the S . Matteo Polyclinic . The identification of fellows (6 cases, 6.8%) colonized by GBS improves the hypothesis of the possibility of a hospital-transmission of the microorganism , and this transmission explains the possible bacterial colonization of newborns, whose mothers are GBS negative . The importance of such a type of transmission has to be referred overall to the possible onset of a neonatal meningitis, in regard to its mortality (20-30%) and to the neurological complications, which can be observed in the child even later on.

Microbios, 1984, 39(155), 7 - 17
Stabilization and polysaccharide storage in group A Streptococcus pyogenes; McFarland CR et al.; Water-shock treatment of group A Streptococcus pyogenes released a mixture of nucleotide-like substances and small amounts of protein . The amount of protein was much less than found with osmotic shock of Gram-negative bacteria . In group A S . pyogenes the osmolytes released exhibited as much as a 6-fold change in respect to different growth phases . Osmolyte release was dependent on the stabilization agent used and independent of cellular metabolic activity . The released osmolytes were found to be required for optimal intracellular iodophilic polysaccharide (IPS) storage . Stabilization of washing solutions, and IPS storage medium with metabolically inert non-ionic organic compounds prevented osmolyte loss and enhanced IPS storage . Polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethyleneglycol (MW greater than 1000) exhibited the same protective effects as found with calf serum . Smaller non-ionic organic compounds provided similar protective action but the bacteria were more susceptible to osmotic stress.

Dermatologica, 1984, 168(3), 150 - 1
Synergistic bacterial gangrene caused by a group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus and a Staphylococcus aureus; Colebunders R et al.; A patient who developed a synergistic bacterial gangrene caused by a group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus and a Staphylococcus aureus is described.

Q J Med, 1984 Winter, 53(209), 109 - 18
Patterns of glomerulonephritis in Zimbabwe: survey of disease characterised by nephrotic proteinuria; Seggie J et al.; Ninety-eight Zimbabweans with glomerulonephritis characterised by nephrotic proteinuria were studied . There was no evidence to implicate Schistosoma mansoni or S . haemotobium in the aetiology, although schistosomiasis was diagnosed in 54 patients in the series . Similarly, Plasmodium malariae proved unimportant as a cause of the nephrotic syndrome, only one patient showing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis which was associated with subclinical quartan malarial infection . Nevertheless, infections were shown to play a major role in the genesis of glomerulonephritis which was associated with beta-haemolytic streptococcal, hepatitis B and syphilitic infection in 45 patients in the series . The major patterns of disease in childhood proved to be membranous glomerulopathy associated with hepatitis B antigenaemia . In young adults post-streptococcal proliferative glomerulonephritis constituted the commonest disease pattern . In older adult patients a miscellany of primary and secondary glomerulonephritides was encountered but proliferative glomerulonephritis, which was both idiopathic and streptococcus-related, predominated.

Arch Dermatol, 1984 Jan, 120(1), 85 - 6
Cutaneous group B streptococcal infection; James WD; A 20-year-old man had a penile ulceration from which a pure, heavy growth of group B streptococcus was cultured . Cutaneous infection with this organism is unusual, and it is most often reported in postpartum women, diabetic patients, and immunocompromised individuals . Vaginal colonization with group B streptococcus is common . Since traumatic erosions or ulcerations of the penis are not uncommon, it is likely that a certain number of unrecognized infections of this type occur.

Pediatrics, 1984 Jan, 73(1), 27 - 30
Rapid diagnosis of group B streptococcal infection utilizing a commercially available latex agglutination assay; Friedman CA et al.; The Wellcogen Strep B latex assay rapidly identifies all cases of culture-positive sepsis and meningitis and may be more sensitive than standard culture techniques for identifying group B Streptococcus disease and assessing the degree of severity . The quantitation of antigen concentration combined with the peripheral WBC count proves helpful in predicting poor outcome.

J Mol Cell Immunol, 1984, 1(5), 305 - 9
The effects of subclass on the ability of anti-phosphocholine antibodies to protect mice from fatal infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae; Briles DE et al.; We have compared the abilities of IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG3 antibodies to protect mice against infection with a bacterial pathogen for which antibody-mediated protection is thought to be a function of killing by phagocytes rather than complement-mediated lysis . For this study, we used anti-phosphocholine (PC) antibodies of the T15 idiotype, since they are known to have very similar binding sites and have the ability to protect mice from Streptococcus pneumoniae infection . Our results indicated that antibodies with the three different IgG constant regions gave similar degrees of protection . This finding was surprising, since earlier data showed a strong restriction of anti-carbohydrate and anti-PC antibodies to the IgG3 subclass . Our data raise the possibility that the restriction of most immune responses to particular IgG subclasses may be more to allow isotype-specific regulation than to utilize special effector functions of different IgG isotypes.

Res Vet Sci, 1984 Jan, 36(1), 52 - 6
Haem compounds as bacterial growth promoters in whey: a possible application to bovine mastitis; Mattila T et al.; The enhancing effect of haem compounds on the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in whey cultures was studied turbidometrically . Catalase, myoglobin and haemoglobin in concentrations 10(-5) to 10(-3) M enhanced bacterial growth . One explanation of this was the availability of iron by these haem compounds for the bacteria . However, evidence from experiments on free radical generating systems by t-BHP and hydrogen peroxide indicated that haem compounds scavenge activated oxygen products and so protect bacteria from oxygen toxicity.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Jan, 130 ( Pt 1), 77 - 82
Inhibition of the synthesis and secretion of extracellular glucosyl- and fructosyltransferase in Streptococcus sanguis by sodium ions; Keevil CW et al.; The influence of Na+ and K+ on the synthesis and secretion of extracellular glucosyltransferase (GTF; EC 2.4.1.5) and fructosyltransferase (FTF; EC 2.4.1.10) by Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7865 and Streptococcus sanguis Challis NCTC 7868 has been determined . No FTF and little or no mutansucrase (GTF-I) activities were detectable during growth on glucose or sucrose unless the Na+/K+ ratio of the cultures was kept low . Increasing K+ concentrations stimulated the production of FTF and dextransucrase (GTF-S), but all glycosyltransferase activities decreased in high K+ media when the growth pH was maintained with NaOH instead of KOH, indicating that the Na+/K+ ratio effect was due principally to Na+ inhibition . Significant GTF and FTF activities were detected in a putative GTF- mutant of strain Challis grown in high K+ medium but not in high Na+ medium, suggesting that the mutant might be defective in a regulatory gene.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Jan, (1), 47 - 50
{Antibiotic sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from the bronchial contents of patients with inflammatory lung diseases}; Shkirmantova IV et al.; The study of the sensitivity of 2681 pneumococcal strains to antibiotics, carried out in 1976-1982, demonstrated that most of these strains circulating in Leningrad were sensitive to penicillin, levomycetin, erythromycin and oleandomycin . Penicillin-resistant pneumococcal strains were found to appear in 1980 and later showed a definite increase in number, reaching 4.4% of all strains in 1982 . Simultaneously the appearance of levomycetin- and erythromycin-resistant strains and the increase of their relative significance were established . Most of the pneumococcal strains isolated in Leningrad were not sensitive to monomycin, streptomycin and tetracyclin.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(3), 179 - 84
Natural antibodies in man to a protein antigen from the bacterium Streptococcus mutans related to dental caries experience; Challacombe SJ et al.; Serum antibodies to a cell-wall protein antigen derived from Streptococcus mutans (SA I/II) were examined in 108 subjects by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay . As a control, antibodies to lipoteichoic acid and to Strep . mutans whole cells were examined and the relationship to dental caries of isotype-specific antibodies to both antigens determined . Serum-IgG antibodies to SA I/II and to Strep . mutans were significantly greater in subjects of low caries experience than in subjects of high caries experience, whereas serum-IgG antibodies to LTA showed no relationship . Serum-IgM antibodies to SA I/II were depressed in subjects with carious lesions, whereas IgM antibodies to Strep . mutans in the same subjects were raised . IgA antibodies against any antigen were not related to caries . Serum antibodies of each isotype to SA I/II were generally positively-correlated with antibodies to LTA but inhibition experiments demonstrated specificity of antibodies for each antigen . The relationship between antibodies to SA I/II and dental caries are consistent with those reported with antibodies to whole cells of Strep . mutans and suggest that high-serum IgG antibodies to SA I/II may be associated with protection against dental caries in man.

Scand J Immunol, 1984 Jan, 19(1), 1 - 10
In vitro plaque-forming cell responses induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae in humans; Beckmann E et al.; When peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were stimulated in vitro with the rough form of type 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a, the resulting plaque-forming cells (PFC) did not produce antibodies directed against phosphorylcholine, a major antigenic determinant of the cell wall C-polysaccharide . Instead, R36a stimulated polyclonal PFC in PBL and splenic lymphocytes . We compared the polyclonal responses stimulated by R36a with those induced by two well-characterized polyclonal activators (PA), Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) . We found that R36a was a poor mitogen for PBL, whereas the other two PA were potent mitogens; that the predominant isotype produced in response to all three PA was IgM; that adherent cells strongly inhibited the polyclonal PFC response to both R36a and Staph . aureus but not PWM; and that T cells were necessary for induction of polyclonal antibody-secreting cells by all three stimuli.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Jan, 157(1), 64 - 72
Streptococcus salivarius strains carry either fibrils or fimbriae on the cell surface; Handley PS et al.; Strains of Streptococcus salivarius were screened by negative staining for the presence of surface structures . Two structural subgroups were found, carrying either fibrils or fimbriae, projecting from the cell surface . Eight strains carried a very dense peritrichous array of fibrils of two distinct lengths . Long fibrils had an average length of 175 nm, and short fibrils had an average length of 95 nm . Two strains carried only long fibrils, one strain carried only short fibrils, and another strain carried a lateral tuft of very prominent fibrils of two lengths, with a fibrillar fuzz covering the remainder of the cell surface . In all the strains in which they were present, the long fibrils were unaffected by protease or trypsin treatment . In contrast, the short fibrils were completely digested by protease and partially removed by trypsin . Neither long nor short fibrils were affected structurally by mild pepsin digestion or by lipase . The Lancefield extraction procedure removed both long and short fibrils . These twelve fibrillar strains were therefore divisible into four structural subgroups . Extracts of all the fibrillar strains reacted with group K antiserum . The second main structural subgroup consisted of nine strains of S . salivarius, all of which carried morphologically identical, flexible fimbriae arranged peritrichously over the cell surface . The fimbriae were structurally distinct from fibrils and measured 0.5 to 1.0 micron long and 3 to 4 nm wide, with an irregular outline and no obvious substructure . There was no obvious reduction in the number of fimbriae after protease or trypsin treatment . Extracts of the fimbriated strains did not react with the group K antiserum . The two serological and structural subgroups could also be distinguished by colony morphology.

Cornea, 1984, 3(1), 27 - 32
Evaluation of BL-P1654: a semisynthetic penicillin as a topical ocular therapy; Cagle GD et al.; BL-P1654 is a new semisynthetic penicillin that possesses broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa . An in vitro profile of BL-P1654 was established against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, three bacteria frequently associated with infections of the eye . The effectiveness of BL-P1654 in preventing the development of experimentally-induced keratitis by each of these bacteria was determined . The results of these experiments show BL-P1654 to be more effective than gentamicin and support further evaluation of the semisynthetic penicillin for ophthalmic indications.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1984, 50(5-6), 545 - 55
The interaction between electron transfer, proton motive force and solute transport in bacteria; Konings WN et al.; The properties of proton solute symport have been studied in Streptococcus cremoris, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Escherichia coli . In the homolactic fermentative organism S . cremoris the efflux of lactate is a membrane protein-mediated process, which can lead to the generation of a proton motive force . These observations support the energy-recycling model that postulates the generation of metabolic energy by end-product efflux . Studies with oxidants and reductants and specific dithiol reagents in E . coli membrane vesicles demonstrated the presence of two redox-sensitive dithiol-disulphide groups in the transport proteins of proline and lactose . The redox state of these groups is controlled by the redox potential of the environment and by the proton motive force . One redox-sensitive group is located at the inner surface, the other at the outer surface of the membrane . In Rps . sphaeroides and E . coli the activity of several transport proteins depends on the activity of the electron transfer systems . On the basis of these results a redox model for proton solute transport coupled in parallel to the electron transfer system is postulated.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(11), 871 - 8
Evidence that glucose and sucrose uptake in oral streptococcal bacteria involves independent phosphotransferase and proton-motive force-mediated mechanisms; Keevil CW et al.; Sugar transport and glycolysis in Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7865, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903, Streptococcus salivarius NCTC 8606 and several strains of Streptococcus mutans were investigated by following the rate of acid production by washed bacteria at a constant pH of 7.0 . The phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system (PTS) was inhibited by low concentrations of chlorhexidine . When this PTS-inhibitory concentration of chlorhexidine was added to cells washed and re-suspended in KCl, glucose uptake and glycolysis continued at a greatly-reduced rate . Chlorhexidine abolished glucose and sucrose uptake and metabolism in bacteria washed and incubated in saline . The Na+-inhibition was reproduced in KCl-washed bacteria using the cyclic peptide ionophores, valinomycin and gramicidin, to dissipate K+ and H+ gradients across the cell membrane . Glucose metabolism by Strep . mutans B13 was more resistant to chlorhexidine than that of Strep . mutans NCTC 10449 or Strep . sanguis but was more sensitive to the ionophores . Valinomycin had a greater inhibitory effect on strain B13 than the other two . That ion gradients are important in the chlorhexidine-resistant glucose-uptake mechanism was confirmed using the classical uncoupling agents, carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone, 2,4-dinitrophenol and KSCN . Glucose metabolism was inhibited in the presence of both the uncouplers and the PTS-inhibitory concentration of chlorhexidine and significant inhibition was also observed in the absence of the PTS inhibitor . Lactate or the ATPase inhibitor, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCCD), had similar inhibitory effects on the non-PTS uptake system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 197(1), 67 - 74
Restriction cleavage maps of the DNAs of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteriophages containing protein covalently bound to their 5' ends; Lopez R et al.; Several pneumococcal bacteriophages showing a morphology similar to that previously described for Cp-1 (Ronda et al . 1981) have been isolated and purified from throat samples taken from healthy children . Three of these phages (Cp-5, Cp-7 and Cp-9) have been studied in detail and compared to Cp-1 . The four phages differed in several respects, e.g . size, structural polypeptides, restriction enzyme cleavage patterns, etc . The DNA of Cp-5, Cp-7 and Cp-9 showed protease-sensitive transfecting activity . This, together with the results obtained by electrophoretic analyses as well as by isotopic labelling of these DNAs with {gamma-32P}ATP and polynucleotide kinase indicated that all these new phages have a protein covalently linked to the 5' ends of their DNAs as in the case of Cp-1 (Garcia et al . 1983) . Restriction enzyme cleavage maps of Cp-1, Cp-5, Cp-7 and Cp-9 have been constructed.

Acta Anthropogenet, 1984, 8(3-4), 217 - 21
Blood groups, salivary secretion and other immunologic variables in rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease; Robinson WM et al.; A total of 100 patients and carefully matched controls were studied in relation to six genetic systems (ABO, MN, Rh, haptoglobin, ABH secretion and amylase types), as well as for serum and saliva antibody and ABH antigen levels . The differences observed between patients and controls were generally small and statistically non-significant, the previously reported association between haptoglobin types and reactions to streptococcus infections being not confirmed here . The A/O, B/O and secretor/non-secretor relative incidences, however, occurred in the expected direction considering previous investigations.

Microbiol Immunol, 1984, 28(9), 1009 - 21
Characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific for lipoteichoic acid from various gram-positive bacteria; Hamada S et al.; A hybrid cell line, 3G6, producing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the polyglycerophosphate (PGP) backbone of lipoteichoic acids has been derived by the polyethylene glycol-induced fusion of mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells from mice immunized with partially purified glucosyltransferase from culture supernatant of Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 . Immunodiffusion tests and ELISA revealed that the antibody reacted with purified PGP from group A Streptococcus pyogenes strain Sv as well as crude phenol-water and saline extracts of various gram-positive bacteria except for a few species such as biotype B S . sanguis, Micrococcus sp., and Actinomyces viscosus . Whole cells of serotype b S . mutans and Staphylococcus epidermidis were agglutinated upon addition of 3G6 mAb, while those of most other species were not significantly affected by this procedure . A hapten inhibition study showed that glycerophosphate was only a potent inhibitor of passive hemagglutination reactions between LTA coated sheep erythrocytes and 3G6 mAb.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Dec 28, 117(3), 908 - 15
Antibody responses elicited by a polyvalent vaccine containing synthetic diphtheric, streptococcal and hepatitis peptides coupled to the same carrier; Chedid L et al.; Three synthetic peptides copying fragments of the diphtheria toxin, the M protein of the streptococcus type 24 and the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBs) have been conjugated together to the tetanus toxoid . This polyvalent vaccine has been administered to mice . High antibody titers were obtained against the three antigens . No cross-reactivity could be observed between them as demonstrated by the ability of each peptide to inhibit only the antibodies against the natural M protein and the synthetic M protein peptide indicated that the avidity of the antibodies raised against a monovalent streptococcal vaccine were identical to those raised following injection of the polyvalent vaccine . Antibodies raised against the polyvalent streptococcal vaccine were also protective as shown by opsonophagocytic assays.

S Afr Med J . 1983 Dec 24;64(27):1074.
Aortic and mitral valve replacement for bacterial endocarditis in pregnancy . A case report; O'Donnell D et al.; A 24-weeks pregnant woman presented with bacterial endocarditis due to Streptococcus viridans and severe aortic and mitral valve incompetence . Progressive deterioration in haemodynamic function and the presence of systemic emboli necessitated the urgent performance of aortic and mitral valve replacement; both the patient and the fetus survived . Double valve replacement for infective endocarditis in pregnancy has not previously been reported.

Carbohydr Res, 1983 Dec 23, 124(2), 235 - 45
Structural determination of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 19A (57); Katzenellenbogen E et al.; The structure of the Pneumococcus type 19A (57) capsular polysaccharide has been reinvestigated by using methylation analysis and n.m.r . spectroscopy . It is composed of residues of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose, D-glucose, L-rhamnose, and phosphate in the molar ratios of 1:1:1:1 . The polysaccharide is linear, and is composed of these components in a repeating unit of the following structure . ---- 4)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1 ---- 4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 ---- 3)-alpha-L- Rhap-(1-PO4-) ---- The type 19A polysaccharide (Na+ salt) was depolymerized by heating it in water at 100 degrees, conditions that also hydrolyzed the newly formed phosphoric monoesters.

Carbohydr Res, 1983 Dec 23, 124(2), 253 - 63
Isomeric, anti-rhamnose antibodies having specificity for rhamnose-containing, streptococcal heteroglycans; Pazur JH et al.; L-Rhamnose (6-deoxy-L-mannose) is a constituent carbohydrate unit of microbial, immunogenic heteroglycans and lipopolysaccharides, and often functions as the immunodeterminant group of such immunogens . Two types of anti-rhamnose antibody have now been isolated by affinity chromatography of immune sera obtained from rabbits immunized with vaccines of Streptococcus mutans, strain KI-R, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, type 32 . The antibodies of one type were directed at a glycan of L-rhamnose, D-glucose, and D-galactose in the cell wall of S . mutans, and those of the other type, against a capsular glycan of L-rhamnose and D-glucose from S . pneumoniae . The two types of anti-rhamnose antibody were immunologically distinct, and showed no reciprocal cross-reactivity . Additional properties of the two types of antibody were determined; thus, both types of antibody were of the IgG class of immunoglobulins, both possessed molecular weights of 1.45 X 10(5), and both consisted of multiple or isomeric forms.

Sem Hop, 1983 Dec 22, 59(48), 3347 - 50
{Intracranial subdural empyema . 3 cases}; Leys D et al.; With reference to three cases the main features of subdural empyema are recalled . These collected suppurations are often secondary to frontal or maxillary sinusitis due to a streptococcus . Clinical features are those of meningo-encephalitis but signs of cortical damage are more prevalent . Many cases of subdural empyema which would have been unrecognized by conventional procedures are now diagnosed by CT scan . CT scan has also improved monitoring; thus, two of the three patients could be given medical treatment alone . The authors believe that non-surgical treatment would ensure recovery in many cases of subdural empyema . Surgery should be restricted to patients with severe intracranial hypertension or persistence of a large mass after several weeks of antibiotic treatment . Non-surgical treatment may improve prognosis.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Dec, 24(6), 941 - 6
Correlation of microenvironmental drug concentration with inhibition of growth of microorganisms on surfaces; Cesar EY et al.; Methodologies have been developed to study the concept of microenvironmental drug concentration (C*) near or around microorganisms . C* may be calculated from data on drug release from a depot site by using appropriate diffusion relationships . By following C* and correlating this with the minimum inhibitory concentration (CMIC), one could attempt to predict the effectiveness of an antiplaque agent . When C* is less than CMIC, growth would be expected to occur; when C* is higher than or equal to CMIC, growth would not be expected . Chlorhexidine diacetate was chosen for this study, which used a system involving microorganisms present on the surface of drug-treated hydroxyapatite pellets . CMIC, defined as the lowest concentration to inhibit bacterial growth, was determined independently and under conditions similar to those used in the C* experiments . Surface growth of adhering microorganisms (Streptococcus mutans SL1) was followed by scanning electron microscopy . The parameters used in the calculation of C* were determined independently . Diffusion coefficients of the drugs and the diffusion layer thickness were determined under conditions similar to those employed in the release rate studies . Surface growth was generally found to be inhibited whenever C* was significantly greater than CMIC, and growth occurred whenever C* was significantly smaller than CMIC . These findings demonstrate how C* may determine the action of a topically administered antimicrobial agent and how the various physical and chemical factors play roles in influencing this quantity.

J Surg Res, 1983 Dec, 35(6), 474 - 9
Protective effect of nonspecific immunostimulation in postsplenectomy sepsis; Browder W et al.; The enhanced risk of severe sepsis following splenectomy is now well recognized in both adult and pediatric patients . Prophylactic antibiotics and bacterial vaccines have been utilized with limited success to inhibit the high morbidity and mortality . This study reports the use of glucan, a beta-1,3-polyglucose, as a nonspecific immunostimulant for postsplenectomy pneumococcal sepsis . ICR mice were treated with glucan or glucose (5% w/v) following splenectomy or sham operation . Mice were then challenged with 1 X 10(9) Streptococcus pneumoniae intranasally . Glucan significantly increased survival in the splenectomy group (75%) compared to controls (27%) . Phagocytic function, as measured by the clearance of 131I-triolein-labeled reticuloendothelial test lipid emulsion, was increased in the glucan group when compared to control glucose animals, both in the presence and absence of pneumococcal infection . Splenectomy alone did not significantly decrease phagocytic function . An increased leukocytosis in response to pneumococcal infection was observed in splenectomized glucan-treated animals . Nonspecific immunostimulation appears to have significant potential as a treatment strategy against postsplenectomy infection.

South Med J, 1983 Dec, 76(12), 1588 - 9
Streptococcus bovis septicemia and meningitis associated with chronic radiation enterocolitis; Jadeja L et al.; We describe the first patient with simultaneous S bovis septicemia and meningitis associated with chronic radiation enterocolitis . This case underlines the value of a thorough gastrointestinal evaluation of all patients with S bovis infection, and the need for a neurologic investigation even with minor neurologic manifestations.

J Exp Med, 1983 Dec 1, 158(6), 2108 - 26
The Legionnaires' disease bacterium (Legionella pneumophila) inhibits phagosome-lysosome fusion in human monocytes; Horwitz MA; The interactions between the L . pneumophila phagosome and monocyte lysosomes were investigated by prelabeling the lysosomes with thorium dioxide, an electron-opaque colloidal marker, and by acid phosphatase cytochemistry . Phagosomes containing live L . pneumophila did not fuse with secondary lysosomes at 1 h after entry into monocytes or at 4 or 8 h after entry by which time the ribosome-lined L . pneumophila replicative vacuole had formed . In contrast, the majority of phagosomes containing formalin-killed L . pneumophila, live Streptococcus pneumoniae, and live Escherichia coli had fused with secondary lysosomes by 1 h after entry into monocytes . Erythromycin, a potent inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis, at a concentration that completely inhibits L . pneumophila intracellular multiplication, had no influence on fusion of L . pneumophila phagosomes with secondary lysosomes . However, coating live L . pneumophila with antibody or with antibody and complement partially overcame the inhibition of fusion . Also activating the monocytes promoted fusion of a small proportion of phagosomes containing live L . pneumophila with secondary lysosomes . Acid phosphatase cytochemistry revealed that phagosomes containing live L . pneumophila did not fuse with either primary or secondary lysosomes . In contrast to phagosomes containing live bacteria, the majority of phagosomes containing formalin-killed L . pneumophila were fused with lysosomes by acid phosphatase cytochemistry . The capacity of L . pneumophila to inhibit phagosome-lysosome fusion may be a critical mechanism by which the bacterium resists monocyte microbicidal effects.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1983 Dec 1, 183(11), 1182 - 4
Causes of death of infant rhesus and squirrel monkeys; Padovan D et al.; The necropsy records of 144 infant rhesus monkeys and 38 infant squirrel monkeys that died during a 2-year period at the Delta Regional Primate Research Center were reviewed for causes of deaths and other clinically important findings . Bronchopneumonia, enteric diseases, and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections were the most frequent causes of death in infant rhesus monkeys . Trauma was the most frequent cause of death in squirrel monkeys less than 1 month old and bronchopneumonia was the most frequent cause of death in older squirrel monkey infants.

Infect Immun, 1983 Dec, 42(3), 853 - 62
Role of monocytes in polyclonal immunoglobulin production stimulated by sonicates of periodontally associated bacteria; Carpenter AB et al.; These studies were initiated to investigate monocyte regulation of polyclonal antibody responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by sonicates of periodontally associated bacteria . With pokeweed mitogen (PWM) as a positive reference, the role of monocytes in the peripheral blood lymphocyte response to Streptococcus sanguis and Wolinella HVS was examined by manipulating the number of monocytes and lymphocytes in culture . In comparison to PWM, optimal responses to the bacterial sonicates required very few monocytes (0.3% of the total cultured cells) . Restoration of monocytes to physiological levels resulted in suppression of the response . PWM-stimulated responses were optimal at 5 to 15% monocyte content and were abolished after monocyte depletion . Individuals who were low responders or nonresponders to bacterial sonicates responded at normal levels after manipulation of monocyte concentration . Nonresponders produced normal levels of antibody when the monocyte concentration was reduced to 0.3% but were inhibited after monocyte reconstitution . The effects of monocyte concentration were tested over a wide dose range of bacterial sonicate and found to conform to the observed pattern throughout the dose range tested (10 to 1,000 micrograms/ml) . The contrasting monocyte requirement of peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with PWM versus bacterial sonicates may reflect a quantitative difference in optimal macrophage concentration or may be due to a qualitative difference in lymphocyte-monocyte interactions in response to these activators.

Infect Immun, 1983 Dec, 42(3), 1006 - 12
Association of neuraminidase-sensitive receptors and putative hydrophobic interactions with high-affinity binding sites for Streptococcus sanguis C5 in salivary pellicles; Gibbons RJ et al.; The relationship of neuraminidase-sensitive receptors and putative hydrophobic interactions to high- and low-affinity binding sites in experimental salivary pellicles for Streptococcus sanguis C5 was investigated . NaSCN, an inhibitor of hydrophobic interactions, reduced the number of cells which adsorbed to pellicles to a greater extent than NaCl or KCl when both low and high streptococcal concentrations were used in assays . However, NaSCN was not more effective than NaCl or KCl in desorbing 3H-labeled salivary pellicle components from hydroxyapatite, and NaSCN pretreatment of either strain C5 cells or the salivary pellicles did not destroy or remove either the streptococcal adhesions or the pellicle receptors . Neuraminidase treatment of pellicles or the presence of sialic acid-containing gangliosides only inhibited S . sanguis adsorption when low streptococcal concentrations were used . At these concentrations, S . sanguis adsorbs primarily to high-affinity pellicle binding sites . Adsorption isotherms indicated that neuraminidase-sensitive interactions were mainly responsible for the high affinity of these binding sites, whereas putative hydrophobic interactions inhibitable by NaSCN were mainly associated with the numbers of binding sites available . Sugar inhibition studies suggested that the two classes of binding sites previously demonstrated in untreated salivary pellicles for S . sanguis C5 are not the result of a partial conversion of high-affinity sites to low-affinity sites due to removal of sialic acid residues.

Dis Colon Rectum, 1983 Dec, 26(12), 823 - 4
Splenic abscess associated with Streptococcus bovis septicemia and neoplastic lesions of the colon; Belinkie SA et al.; Streptococcus bovis bacteremia is known to be associated with gastrointestinal disease, especially colon lesions . Two patients are presented with a previously unreported syndrome: S . bovis bacteremia, endocarditis, colon neoplasms, and splenic abscess . In one case, the colonic lesion was occult and required colonoscopy for identification (normal barium enema) . S . bovis bacteremia is an important marker for occult gastrointestinal neoplasia.

Scand J Dent Res, 1983 Dec, 91(6), 453 - 7
Streptococcus mutans establishment and dental caries experience in children from 2 to 4 years old; Alaluusua S et al.; 39 children were studied longitudinally at the age of 2, 3, and 4 yr for the colonization of S . mutans in plaque and saliva and for caries experience . S . mutans was found in 38% of the children, and the predominant serotype group was c/e/f . A total of 16 children got caries before the age of 4 . Children who harbored S . mutans in their plaque at the age of 2, appeared to be the most caries-active individuals . Their caries index values (number of decayed, missed and filled surfaces, dmfs = 10.6 +/- 5.3) at the age of 4 differed significantly from the values of children who harbored S . mutans later (dmfs = 3.4 +/- 1.8, P less than 0.005) or remained free from S . mutans infection (dmfs = 0.3 +/- 1.1, P less than 0.0003) . It was thus concluded that the early establishment of S . mutans in the plaque of primary incisors indicated early and extensive caries attack in young primary dentition.

Scand J Dent Res, 1983 Dec, 91(6), 448 - 52
Ultrastructural visualization of the adherence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius to hydroxyapatite; Meurman JH et al.; S . mutans and S . salivarius adherence to saliva-coated and saliva-uncoated hydroxyapatite was studied by transmission and high resolution scanning electron microscopy . No difference was observed between the saliva-coated and saliva-uncoated study series of adherence . The attachment of individual bacteria to apatite crystals was found to be mediated by cell wall projections . These electron-dense structures were characteristically well formed in S . mutans, and even in S . salivarius the projections appeared to link the bacteria to the apatite . The site of attachment in the bacterial cell wall was always at the division area . We suggest that the possible metabolic activity at the cell wall division site, therefore, also works in the adherence process.

J Med Chem, 1983 Dec, 26(12), 1733 - 41
Chloralanyl and propargylglycyl dipeptides . Suicide substrate containing antibacterials; Cheung KS et al.; A set of dipeptides containing the amino acid residues beta-chloroalanine and propargylglycine, which are mechanism-based inactivators of purified microbial enzymes (alanine racemase and cystathionine gamma-synthase, respectively), have been synthesized, and their antibacterial properties in vitro have been evaluated . Dipeptides containing a single beta-chloro-L-alanyl residue (e.g., 3, 5, 9, and 10) or a single L-propargylglycyl residue (e.g., 12 and 15) are potent antibacterials . The in vitro antibiotic activity of beta-chloro-L-alanine and of L-propargylglycine is increased as much as 4000-fold by incorporation of these residues into a dipeptide . Compounds that contain only a single enzyme-inactivating amino acid together with a second L-alanyl residue (3, 5, 12, and 15) have a restricted range of activity: of the species tested, only Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis are sensitive . However, peptides that contain two suicide-substrate residues {e.g., beta-Cl-LAla-beta-Cl-LAla (8) or LppGly-LppGly (18)} are broad-spectrum antibacterials; as many as 12 different species of the 16 surveyed are sensitive . Dipeptides that contain an amino-terminal L-methionyl (9) or an L-norvalyl (10) residue and a carboxy-terminal beta-chloro-L-alanyl unit are also effective against a large number of organisms; the spectra of activity are like those seen for 8 and 18 . A "mixed" dipeptide {beta-Cl-LAla-LppGly, (21)} gives apparent synergism of antibiotic action of beta-chloro-L-alanine and of L-propargylglycine when these two residues are incorporated into a single structure . Peptides of the D,D configuration (4, 6, 13, 16, and 20) and ones of L,D stereochemistry (e.g., 7) are not antibacterials . Peptides containing one (11 and 14) and two (17) D,L-propargylglycyl residues are unresolved sets of diastereomers; the mixtures of compounds are between two- and fourfold less active than the correspondingly resolved L,L dipeptides (12, 15, and 18) . These findings are consistent with a mechanism of action for these antibiotics involving stereoselective processing of the peptidyl unit in vivo.

J Immunol, 1983 Dec, 131(6), 3021 - 7
Serology and tissue lesions in rabbits immunized with Streptococcus mutans; Stinson MW et al.; Rabbits were immunized i.v . or i.d . with sterile suspensions of disrupted Streptococcus mutans strain MT703 or K1R . Indirect immunofluorescence assays indicated that sera from four of 10 rabbits immunized i.d . contained antibodies reactive with monkey and human heart and kidney components; 19 of 24 rabbits immunized i.v . had antibodies reactive with these tissues . Heart-reactive antibodies were also detected by immunoelectrophoresis and indirect radioimmunoassay . These antibodies were absorbed well by cytoplasmic membranes, a whole cell extract, and an alkali extract of S . mutans but only weakly by intact bacteria . Between 6 and 8 weeks after the first i.v . administration of S . mutans vaccines, rabbits developed proteinuria and hematuria with subsequent weight loss and lethargy . Approximately 25% of the animals died from illness between the fifth and sixth month of immunization . In 13 of 15 rabbits, immune deposits of C3 and IgG, IgM, or IgA and fibrinogen were seen in kidneys within the glomeruli, basement membranes of the peritubular capillaries, and in the interstitium . In the heart, deposits were seen along the capillaries of the myocardium . In 8 of 14 rabbits, focal deposits of S . mutans antigen were detected in glomeruli and in the kidney interstitium . The kidneys showed gross pathologic and histopathologic changes . Most kidneys were pale and enlarged . Microscopic examination revealed hypercellularity of the glomeruli, presence of neutrophils, thickening of glomerular and tubular basement membranes, tubular atrophy, edema, and fibrosis of the interstitium . The kidney disease presented features of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis . Microscopic examination of heart sections revealed mild perivascular infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma cells in some of the rabbits.

Clin Rheumatol, 1983 Dec, 2(4), 427 - 9
Group B streptococcus arthritis; Colebunders R et al.; Serious infections with group B streptococcus (streptococcus agalactiae) are rare in adults . A 81-year-old patient with cirrhosis who developed a septic arthritis due to this germ, is described . Only eleven cases of group B streptococcal arthritis have been previously reported.

Pediatrie, 1983 Dec, 38(8), 553 - 9
{Streptococcus group B neonatal infection and postnatal diaphragmatic hernia}; Montoya F et al.; The authors report a case of post natal hernia with group B beta hemolytic streptococcus infection . The frequency of such an association compared to the rarity of delayed onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia may constitute a reflexion subject . The literature is reviewed and a concept of pathogenesis is discussed.

Br Heart J, 1983 Dec, 50(6), 506 - 12
The teeth and infective endocarditis; Bayliss R et al.; During 1981 and 1982 544 cases of infective endocarditis were investigated retrospectively by means of a questionnaire . Only 13.7% had undergone any dental procedure within three months of the onset of the illness, and in 42.5% there was no known cardiac abnormality before the onset of the disease . Furthermore, the number of cases occurring annually was about the same as or more than it was before the introduction of penicillin . The mouth and nasopharynx were the most likely sources of the commonest organism, Streptococcus viridans, and it is suggested that it is not dental extractions themselves which are of importance but good dental hygiene . In most patients with infective endocarditis the portal of entry of the organism whatever its nature cannot be identified . If this is so antibiotics are being given to only a small proportion of those at risk, and this would explain why the number of cases is much the same as it was before the introduction of penicillin . Furthermore, the large proportion of patients with no known previous cardiac abnormality adds to the difficulty of providing effective prophylaxis . The evidence suggests that antibiotic prophylaxis should still be given before dental procedures, and a schedule is appended . Much more importance should be given, however, to encouraging people to seek better routine dental care . We also believe that doctors and dentists should appreciate that the pattern of the disease has changed considerably in the past 50 years and that the information given here warrants a revised approach to the problem.

Infect Immun, 1983 Dec, 42(3), 1144 - 51
Morphological changes and pathology of mouse glomeruli infected with a streptococcal L-form or exposed to lipoteichoic acid; Tomlinson K et al.; The morphology and pathology of cultured mouse glomeruli were examined at the cellular and subcellular levels after infection with a physiological isotonic L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes type 12 or exposure to streptococcal lipoteichoic acid . These changes, as viewed by light microscopy, were identical regardless of the method used to induce glomerular cytotoxicity . They were characterized by an initial reduction in the outgrowth of cells, some cellular granulation, and later, destruction of the confluent monolayer . Once initiated, cytotoxicity could not be reversed by refeedings, and complete glomerular destruction resulted after 2 weeks . Electron microscope studies revealed that the basement membrane of intact glomeruli exposed to streptococcal lipoteichoic acid had become greatly thickened (two- to fourfold) and electron dense . Our recent biochemical findings have shown that streptococcal lipoteichoic acid increases the amount of collagen formed and retained by mouse fibroblasts in tissue culture as well as causing a reduction in the hydroxylation of proline in both intracellular and secreted collagenous material (Leon and Panos, Infect . Immun . 40:785-794, 1983) . These results, together with the present findings, suggest that the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane may be due to defective collagen biosynthesis as a result of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid . The use of cultured glomeruli as a model system for studying the earliest basement membrane alterations in the absence of an immune response as a result of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid is suggested.

Infect Immun, 1983 Dec, 42(3), 1073 - 80
Aggregation of Streptococcus sanguis by a neuraminidase-sensitive component of serum and crevicular fluid; Morris EJ et al.; A number of strains of Streptococcus sanguis were found to aggregate in nonimmune serum and in crevicular fluid . All strains which aggregated in serum also aggregated in saliva, but some strains which aggregated in saliva did not aggregate in serum . Aggregation was destroyed by treatment of serum or crevicular fluid with neuraminidase and was inhibited by gangliosides . Treatment of serum with proteases reduced aggregating activity . Adsorption of serum to hydroxyapatite did not reduce the aggregating activity . The aggregating factor was partially purified by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was found to be an acidic glycoprotein with a molecular weight of greater than 200,000, comprised of subunits with molecular weights of approximately 100,000 . It did not appear to be an immunoglobulin and could not be identified with any other serum component tested . The possible role of the aggregating factor in providing nonimmune protection against colonization of S . sanguis in the gingival crevice and blood is discussed.

J Virol, 1983 Dec, 48(3), 721 - 30
Protease-sensitive transfection of Streptococcus pneumoniae with bacteriophage Cp-1 DNA; Ronda C et al.; The transfecting activity of pneumococcal phage Cp-1 DNA was destroyed by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, although these enzymes did not affect transfection with bacteriophage Dp-4 DNA . This transfection was stimulated by calcium ions . Protease-treated Cp-1 DNA competes for binding and uptake with transforming pneumococcal DNA as well as with transfecting Dp-4 DNA to approximately the same extent as does untreated Cp-1 DNA . In addition, {3H}thymidine-labeled Cp-1 DNA, treated with proteases or untreated, was absorbed with the same efficiency . These data suggest that uptake of Cp-1 DNA is not affected by protease treatment . {3H}thymidine-labeled Cp-1 DNA showed remarkable resistance against surface nuclease activity of competent wild-type cells . The monomeric form of the Cp-1 DNA-protein complex showed a linear dose response in transfection.

J Virol Methods, 1983 Dec, 7(5-6), 287 - 95
False positive results occurring in a radioimmunoassay for hepatitis A IgM antibody of the IgM class; Bucens MR et al.; The diagnosis of hepatitis A infection is usually based on the presence of hepatitis A specific IgM in a single serum sample . The fortuitous observation in one patient that this reactivity was apparently still present 19 mth after her original illness led to the discovery that the ABBOTT HAVAB-M kit method may produce false positive results . A series of patients who had previously had hepatitis A was retested and false positive results were found in 6% of this group . Control groups consisted of patients with other acute and chronic liver disorders and other acute viral diseases . No reactivity was detected in the control sera . Sucrose gradient fractionation revealed that the factor responsible for the false positive results was associated only with serum fractions containing IgA and IgG and that it could be removed by absorption of sera with staphylococcal protein A but not by absorption with streptococcus AR1 or by 2-mercaptoethanol treatment . It was concluded that following hepatitis A infection some patients produce a rheumatoid factor-like substance (not of IgM class) which is cleared from the serum in 2-3 yr . The presence of this factor may lead to a misdiagnosis in patients presenting with jaundice.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1983 Dec, 91(6), 373 - 82
Demonstration of a receptor for mouse and human serum albumin in Streptococcus pyogenes; Wideback K et al.; A new type of surface receptor for serum albumin was detected in strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A) . This receptor, called type e, was different from albumin receptors in other streptococcal species . Only mouse and human serum albumin was bound to the receptor . The albumin-binding capacity was high: 2 X 10(8) bacterial organisms bound 11 micrograms of mouse albumin . The receptor was stable even when treated at 100 degrees C for 5 min . Binding of albumin was not mediated by lipoteichoic acid (LTA) because of lack of correlation to surface LTA, restricted albumin reactivity, and positive binding in presence of 2% Tween 20 . Presence of albumin receptor type e correlated to presence of M-protein as measured by growth in the bactericidal test . All 51 M-protein positive group A streptococcal strains tested could bind mouse albumin whereas only 3 out of 8 M-protein negative strains showed positive binding (P less than 0.001) . The sensitivity to trypsin digestion suggests that the albumin receptor is of protein nature or mediated by a protein.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1983 Dec, 91(6), 419 - 24
Specificity of cellular interaction in Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 . Inhibition of aggregation by carbohydrates; Abaas S et al.; To demonstrate the specificity of cellular interaction in the spontaneous aggregation of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 the inhibitory effect of various sugars was studied . More than 90% inhibition was recorded in 0.1 M concentrations of D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine and D-mannosamine . A reduction of the inhibition by more than 50% was observed when the N-acetylated derivatives of the hexosamines were tested . Polymers containing hexosamines such as hyaluronic acid, heparin and fetuin were potent inhibitors, in contrast to dextrans of different molecular weights . Inhibition was less than 20% in lactose, melibiose, cellobiose, methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside and a number of other sugars tested in 0.1 M concentration . The bacteria retained their ability to aggregate after removal of the inhibitory sugars by washing in phosphate buffer . These findings support the hypothesis that the specific nature of the spontaneous aggregation of S.mitis ATCC 903 depends on a lectin-ligand type interaction.

Immunology, 1983 Dec, 50(4), 651 - 8
Identification, purification and characterization of a streptococcal protein antigen with a molecular weight of 3800; Giasuddin AS et al.; A small molecular weight streptococcal antigen of about 3800 was isolated from Streptococcus mutans . The peptide was obtained by gel filtration of a predominantly 185,000 mol . wt . antigen preparation, with two major antigenic determinants (I/II), on Sephacryl S-200, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) . The 185,000 mol . wt . antigen was prepared from the culture supernatant of S . mutans by ammonium sulphate precipitation, DEAE cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on Sepharose 6B . The 3800 mol . wt . material gave a single band on SDS/polyacrylamide gel and reacted with antisera to streptococcal antigen I/II, I and II but not III . Furthermore, it was digested by pronase, contained only traces of carbohydrate and lipids were not detected . It is suggested that SA I/II is either synthesized in a range of molecular sizes from 185,000 to 3800 or the former is broken down by streptococcal proteases into smaller fragments.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1983 Nov 30, 62(5), 433 - 44
Antipolysaccharide group-specific antibodies of Streptococcus pyogenes in children; Razon Veronesi S; Evaluation of a new microtest for the detection of Streptococcus pyogenes group A antipolysaccharide antibodies in 996 control children and 562 streptococcal infections from 0 to 12 years . The case-list was divided in 4 groups, years 0-2 . 2-4 . 4-8 . 8-12 for the evaluation of the age-related normality range . Under 2 years normal values between 60 and 120 U, from 2 to 12 years normal values under 240 U . In streptococcal infections identical patterns for the pathological values in the 4 age-ranges considered, with positivity percentage from 85% to 95%, thus confirming the same antibody response also in breast-fed children, unlike what occurs for ASO under 2 years, when the response is present only in 25% of the cases and in the 2-4 years age-range in 33.3% . Evident diagnostic superiority of MSK as compared with ASO in adenitis, pyodermic infections, bronchopneumopathies, acute tonsillitis at the onset of symptomatology . In rheumatic disease the percentage of positivity for MSK and ASO is similar, in post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and in Schoenlein-Henoch syndrome the percentage of positivity for MSK is higher than for ASO . It is suggested the utility of insertion of MSK test in the routine assay for streptococcal infections diagnosis above all in children under 4 years and in infections with low or slow antigenic charge for 0-streptolysin.

Science, 1983 Nov 25, 222(4626), 927 - 9
Serologic evidence of chlamydial and mycoplasmal pharyngitis in adults; Komaroff AL et al.; In a study of 763 adult patients we found serologic evidence of infection (a fourfold increase in antibodies) with Chlamydia trachomatis in 20.5 percent of the patients and with Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 10.6 percent, but with group A streptococcus (by culture) in only 9.1 percent . Pharyngitis, the most common problem for which patients seek medical care in the United States, may be caused by nonviral, potentially treatable organisms more often than had been suspected.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1983 Nov 11, 11(21), 7569 - 77
Unusual structural features of the 5S ribosomal RNA from Streptococcus cremoris; Neimark H et al.; The nucleotide sequence of the 5S ribosomal RNA of Streptococcus cremoris has been determined . The sequence is 5' (sequence in text) 3' . Comparison of the S . cremoris 5S RNA sequence to an updated prokaryotic generalized 5S RNA structural model shows that this 5S RNA contains some unusual structural features . These features result largely from uncommon base substitutions in helices I, II and IV . Some of these unusual structural features are shared by several of the known 5S RNA sequences from mycoplasmas . However, the characteristic bloc of deletions found in helix V of these mycoplasma 5S RNAs is not present in the 5S RNA of S . cremoris.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Nov 10, 258(21), 13250 - 7
Repeating covalent structure and protective immunogenicity of native and synthetic polypeptide fragments of type 24 streptococcal M protein . Mapping of protective and nonprotective epitopes with monoclonal antibodies; Beachey EH et al.; The complete amino acid sequences of three cyanogen bromide peptide fragments (CB3, CB4, and CB50 of type 24 M protein extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes by limited pepsin digestion were determined by automated Edman degradation of the uncleaved peptides and their tryptic peptides . CB3 and CB4 each contain 35 amino acid residues, whereas CB5 contains 37 . The sequence of CB3 was found to be: (formula: see text) (where Hse represents homoserine) . The sequence of CB4 was identical except for amino acid substitutions of arginine and glutamine at positions 23 and 24, respectively . The sequence of CB5 also was identical with that of CB3 except for substitutions of aspartic acids at positions 28 and 29; leucine, glutamic acid, and glycine at positions 33, 34, and 35, respectively; and an additional two amino acids, alanine and homoserine, at positions 36 and 37, respectively . A comparison of the structures of these three peptide fragments with those previously reported for CB6 and CB7 revealed as few as one to six amino acid substitutions among the five repeating peptides; CB4 and CB6 differed only by a single Asp/Glu substitution at position 26 . When covalently linked to polylysine and injected as an emulsion in complete Freund's adjuvant, CB3, CB4, and CB5 each evoked high titers of type-specific opsonic and bactericidal antibodies in rabbits . A chemically synthesized peptide identical with native CB3 except that it contained methionine instead of homoserine at its COOH terminus was similarly immunogenic . None of the conjugated native or synthetic peptides raised antibodies at reacted in immunofluorescence tests with sarcolemmal membranes of human heart tissue . Mapping studies with monoclonal antibodies revealed a number of distinct protective and nonprotective epitopes . The single Asp/Glu substitution between CB4 and CB4 rendered the 35-residue peptide unrecognizable by protective monoclonal antibodies but recognizable by a nonprotective one . Our studies demonstrate that the repeating covalent structures of native and chemically synthesized polypeptide fragments of streptococcal M protein possess several unique as well as repeating epitopes that evoke opsonic and presumably protective, but not heart cross-reactive, antibodies against a rheumatogenic strain of S . pyogenes.

JAMA, 1983 Nov 4, 250(17), 2307 - 12
Streptococcal pharyngitis and acute rheumatic fever in Rhode Island; Holmberg SD et al.; A comprehensive survey of physicians, laboratories, and hospital records in Rhode Island showed that more than 157,000 throat cultures for a population of 930,000 people were done in 1980 . Eighty-seven percent of primary care physicians prescribed antibiotic therapy before culture results were known, and almost 40% continued antibiotic therapy for ten days regardless of culture results . The throat culture positivity rate for beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was 17% statewide in 1980 . Only three definite and seven possible cases of acute rheumatic fever were identified by hospital chart reviews and a physician survey covering the five years 1976 through 1980 . Current throat culture practices probably have little influence on treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis and control of rheumatic fever in the state.

Infection, 1983 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 302 - 6
Endocarditis due to a penicillin-tolerant streptococcus bovis: microbiological findings and echocardiographic follow-up; Mittermayer H et al.; We are presenting a case of endocarditis due to a penicillin-tolerant Streptococcus bovis in a 65-year-old patient . The minimal bactericidal concentration of penicillin (40 mg/l) was more than 100-fold the minimal inhibitory concentration (0.08 mg/l) . The MBC of penicillin was 0.31 mg/l in the presence of 1.25 mg/l gentamicin . Cross-sectional echocardiography revealed endocarditis of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve and a vegetation on the aortic valve which appeared to be pedunculated and which prolapsed into the left ventricular outflow tract during diastole . During therapy, the pedunculated part of the vegetation disappeared without signs of embolization . After initial clinical improvement, the patient died of cerebral bleeding caused by a mycotic aneurysm of the left median cerebral artery . The patient's final outcome suggested an asymptomatic embolus . Cross-sectional echocardiography was distinctly superior to M-mode echocardiography in estimating changes in the size and shape of the valve vegetation . The results of the post-mortem examination of the aortic and tricuspid valves corresponded to the echocardiographic findings.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Nov, 18(5), 1102 - 7
Epidemiological studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants: development of antibody to phosphocholine; Gray BM et al.; The pneumococci possess, in addition to type-specific capsular polysaccharides, a number of antigens common to the species . Antibodies to phosphocholine (PC), a major determinant of the C-carbohydrate, have been shown to protect mice from experimental pneumococcal infection, but little is known of the role of anti-PC antibodies in humans or the extent to which anti-PC levels are affected by carriage or infection . We examined 115 sera from 30 infants, who were followed prospectively from birth through 4 years of age, for the presence of immunoglobulin M antibody to PC, using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay method . Infants were found to develop antibody to PC in response to pneumococcal carriage and infection, and nearly all infants developed some antibody . Antibody levels increased with age . By using a regression model including both age and nasopharyngeal carriage of pneumococci, anti-PC levels were found to be highest after exposure to two or three different types of pneumococci; levels were highest soon after acquisition of pneumococci and declined thereafter.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 842 - 4
Preparation of a semisynthetic vaccine to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3; Snippe H et al.; A semisynthetic vaccine to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 has been developed . The hexasaccharide {leads to 3)GlcpA beta(1 leads to 4)Glcp beta(1 leads to}3 was isolated from a partial acid hydrolysate of the capsular polysaccharide S3 . It was coupled to stearylamine by reductamination with NaCNBH3 and then incorporated into liposomes . These haptenated liposomes were tested for immunogenicity in mice . They induced protection to a lethal dose (25 50% lethal doses) of S . pneumoniae type 3 and gave rise to immunoglobulin M antibodies . No cross-protection was observed against S . pneumoniae type 11.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 659 - 67
Relationship between oxygen tension and subgingival bacterial flora in untreated human periodontal pockets; Loesche WJ et al.; The predominance of anaerobic bacteria in subgingival plaque samples suggests that the pocket environment is anaerobic . In the present investigation, a small oxygen tension (pO2) electrode was inserted into the base of the pocket and the pO2 was recorded . In addition, the plaque in these pockets was examined culturally and microscopically . The oxygen tension at the bottom of 36 pockets (5 to 10 mm in depth) ranged from 5 to 27 mmHg (1 mmHg congruent to 133.3 Pa) with a mean value of 13.3 mmHg . Moderate pockets (5 and 6 mm) exhibited a mean pO2 of 15.7 mmHg, which was significantly higher than the 12.0 mmHg found in the deeper pockets . The deep pockets had higher percentages of spirochetes and Bacteroides intermedius, whereas the moderate pockets had elevated proportions of Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus mutans . The sites with oxygen tensions equal to or less than 15 mmHg had significantly higher percentages of spirochetes, whereas the microaerophilic Capnocytophaga species were found in pockets with a pO2 greater than 15 mmHg . The presence of bleeding in the pocket was associated with higher proportions of B . intermedius, Capnocytophaga sp., and A . naeslundii . These pO2 readings of periodontal pockets indicated that there is a spectrum of pO2 values which seem to define, in a general way, the microbiological composition of the pocket.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 558 - 66
In vitro and in vivo complementation of Streptococcus mutans mutants defective in adherence; Larrimore S et al.; Previous studies have shown that adherence-defective mutants of Streptococcus mutans PS14, serotype c, can be grouped into several different phenotypic groups . In this study a method was developed to test for complementation between pairs of nonadhering mutants which possess different genotypic defects . Mutant strains UAB95 and a spectinomycin-resistant derivative of UAB95 (UAB516) were found to exhibit increased levels of adherence when grown together with UAB230 in media containing sucrose as compared to the adherence of each strain grown separately . An increase in caries was also observed in gnotobiotic rats mixedly infected with the two mutants as compared to either strain alone . Tests revealed that UAB95 produced more water-insoluble glucan than its parent strain but had a defect in glucan binding . UAB230 was found to produce levels of a defective glucan that could not be bound by mutant or wild-type cells . Our results suggest that UAB95 produces a water-insoluble glucan which is bound by UAB230, thus allowing complementation for adherence and caries production.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1983 Nov, 128(5), 862 - 7
Age-dependent effects of aminobutyryl muramyl dipeptide on alveolar macrophage function in infant and adult Macaca monkeys; Jacobs RF et al.; We compared the antimicrobial function of alveolar macrophages (AM) from adult and 3- to 5-wk-old infant primates (Macaca nemestrina) and the effects of the immunomodulator, aminobutyryl muramyl dipeptide (abu-MDP) on this function . Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and group B streptococcus (GBS) by adult and infant AM was comparable . Adult and infant AM killed SA equally within 15 min of incubation; however, after 45 min, with phagocytosis of additional bacteria, adult AM had greater bactericidal activity (p less than 0.01) . The bactericidal activity of infant and adult AM against GBS was comparable after 45 min of incubation; infant AM had slightly but significantly greater bactericidal activity with short incubation (15 min; p less than 0.025) . The bactericidal activity of abu-MDP-treated infant AM against SA (p less than 0.01) and GBS (p less than 0.05) was greater than that of untreated infant AM and untreated or abu-MDP-treated adult AM . The abu-MDP did not significantly (p greater than 0.2) enhance the antimicrobial activity of adult AM . Catalase, but not superoxide dismutase or mannitol, significantly (p less than 0.005) increased survival of GBS in infant AM; this effect was comparable in abu-MDP-treated and in untreated AM . The abu-MDP-treated infant, but not the adult AM, released more acid phosphatase when triggered by opsonized zymosan than did untreated AM, but superoxide anion release by infant or adult AM was not affected by incubation with abu-MDP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Bacteriol, 1983 Nov, 156(2), 644 - 8
Fate of DNA in eclipse complex during genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vijayakumar MN et al.; Uptake of DNA and genetic recombination proceeded normally in competent Streptococcus pneumoniae despite inhibition of DNA replication by 6-(p-hydroxyphenylazo)-uracil . Immediately after a brief uptake period, 68% of donor DNA label was in eclipse complex form, and 22% was in low-molecular-weight products; by the completion of integration at 10 min, 23% was integrated into the chromosome, and the rest was lost from the cell . Throughout the process, less than 1% was found as free single strands . The DNA in eclipse complex is therefore an intermediate in the integration process.

Crit Care Med, 1983 Nov, 11(11), 906 - 7
Early pneumococcal sepsis after pulmonary aspiration and the adult respiratory distress syndrome; Kanter RK et al.; Bacterial pneumonia often complicates recovery several days after aspiration of gastric and oropharyngeal contents . Two children aspirated vomitus resulting in adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and suffered life-threatening pneumonia and septicemia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae on the 2nd day after aspiration . We presume that inoculation of oropharyngeal bacteria into severely injured lung resulted in unusually rapid progression of infection . A high index of suspicion is necessary to detect this early complication because clinical signs of infection were obscured by ARDS.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 668 - 74
Distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells in normal and neonatally thymectomized rats; Ebersole JL et al.; The distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells (ICC) of the immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, and IgM isotypes was examined in various lymphoid and secretory tissues of rats . The effect of neonatal thymectomy of rats on T cells, B cells, and ICC in these tissues was determined by immunofluorescence . The results showed that although T cells were severely depleted in both lymphoid and secretory tissues of the thymectomized (Tx) rats, Tx and normal rats showed comparable numbers of B cells staining for IgA, IgG, and IgM . After neonatal thymectomy, IgA ICC in both lymphoid and secretory tissues were significantly decreased . However, the Tx rats exhibited a compensatory increase in IgM ICC in the identical tissues . Local injection of normal and Tx rats with Streptococcus mutans 6715 resulted in an increase in all isotypes of ICC in the secretory tissues . Although the primary increase in normal rats was due to IgA ICC, Tx rats exhibited the greatest change in the number of IgM ICC.

J Clin Periodontol, 1983 Nov, 10(6), 636 - 42
Potential cariogenicity of low and high sucrose dietary patterns; Graf H; In vivo daytime plaque pH telemetry during 2 week periods was combined with measurement of changes in enamel microhardness and analysis of microbial plaque composition in 2 human subjects . Well defined sucrose rich and sucrose poor diets were used as variables . During the 2 weeks of the high sucrose diet (50-80 g/day), a high cariogenic acid attack calculated from pH changes in "Proton hours" was associated with a marked progressive decrease in enamel microhardness . The low sucrose diet (2-6 g/day) showed a low "Proton hour" acid attack during the entire 2 weeks . The decrease in enamel microhardness, however, was low only during the first week . After day 7 a marked decrease could be observed . It could not be explained by the glycolytic activity of the plaque, which was low . Streptococcus mutans was present in all microbial samples.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Nov, 256(1), 37 - 48
Isolation and immunochemical characterization of carbohydrate antigens prepared from group A Streptococcus pyogenes; Hamada S et al.; Group A carbohydrate antigens were prepared from isolated cell walls or whole cells of Streptococcus pyogenes strain Sv (group A, M type 3) . Cell walls were lysate by the enzymatic action of M1 endo-N-acetylmuramidase . The cell wall lysate was concentrated and chromatographed on a Sephadex G-100 column . Two fractions reactive with group A antisera were obtained . These were composed of N-acetylglucosamine, rhamnose, and peptidoglycan components such as glutamic acid, lysine, alanine, N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine . For comparison, hot TCA extract of the cell walls (TCAgA) or Rantz and Randall extract of the whole cells (RRgA) was purified chromatographically . The latter two also contained rhamnose and glucosamine, and were reactive with group A antisera . The molecular weights of M1gA antigens were larger than those of TCAgA and RRgA . Hapten inhibition study indicated that N-acetylglucosamine was the most potent inhibitor.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 696 - 700
Purification and immunochemical characterization of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10557 serotype II carbohydrate antigen; Koga T et al.; Cell wall carbohydrate antigen of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10557 (serotype II/biotype B) was extracted from purified cell walls by treatment with 5% trichloroacetic acid at 4 degrees C for 8 h . The extract was purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Sephadex G-100 columns . The purified carbohydrate antigen produced a single precipitin band against anti-type II serum, which fused with the band produced by the autoclaved extract or the phenol-water extract of the S . sanguis cells . The type II antigen was a polysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, rhamnose, and N-acetylgalactosamine in a molar ratio of approximately 3:6:3:2 . Quantitative precipitin inhibition tests with various haptenic sugars indicated that N-acetylgalactosamine was a major determinant of the type II antigen.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1983 Nov, 10(11), 2370 - 6
{Short-term intensive chemotherapy (STIC) combined with intravenous hyperalimentation in advanced stomach cancer}; Maeta M et al.; A short-term intensive chemotherapy (STIC) consisting of large dose of mitomycin C (MMC), tegafur (FT-207), streptococcus preparation picibanil (OK-432) and Krestin (PSK), combined with IVH was performed in 72 patients with advanced gastric cancer . Thirty-three patients were unresectable and 39 patients were recurrent . In this modality, an intensive chemotherapy was able to carry out, maintaining, or increasing in host immunologic parameters and body weight in spite of their disturbed condition in oral food take . Partial response was obtained in 10 of 51 evaluable cases (19.6%) and the survival period on STIC was superior to that on controls . However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups . Four patients had become to be able to take full oral food again by STIC and resulted in the removal of IVH . Hyperglycemia and septicaemia induced by IVH were observed in 9 of 72 patients (12.5%), one died of septicaemia . Full attention should be paid in the management of IVH for patients with advanced cancer.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1983 Nov-Dec, 19(6), 795 - 803
{Antifungal and antimicrobial activity of beta-ionone and vitamin A derivatives}; Mikhlin ED et al.; The antifungal and antimicrobic activity of some derivatives of beta-ionon and vitamin A was studied . These compounds (citral, pseudo-ionon . beta-ionon aldehyde C14, ketone C18 and its derivatives--4,18-diketone, alcohol C18, semicarbazide ketone C18), as well as vitamin A and its derivatives--retinal, acetate, retinoic acid--differ in composition, structure and substituents of C-atoms in beta-ionon ring and in polyenoic chain . Fusarium solani, Botrytis cenerea and Verticillum dahliae II, race 447 were used as test organisms when studying the antifungal activity . When studying the antimicrobic activity, ketone C18 and alcohol C18 were tested using the museum strains Staphylococcus aureus 209 P, hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes FF-38, Streptococcus sp . TOM-1606, Micrococcus luteus 2665, as well as the strains Staphylococcus aureus isolated from pyoderma patients . The antifungal activity was determined by inhibition of spore germination, and the antimicrobic activity--by the value of areas of growth inhibition of the test organisms on the agar medium . All the compounds mentioned above possessed the antifungal activity against all the phytopathogenes used . The degree of this activity depends on the composition and structure of both the cyclic part and polyenoic chain . on the number of conjugated unsaturations, substituents and end groups of C-atom . Ketone C18 is the most active one . It inhibits spore germination by 100-94% at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.005% and 24 h exposure, and by 100% at the concentration of 0.1% and 72 h exposure . Alcohol C18 possesses almost the same antifungul activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Dairy Sci, 1983 Nov, 66(11), 2303 - 11
Fractionation of a whey growth factor for Streptococcus agalactiae into two active components containing proteins; Brown RW et al.; Previously three factors (F-1, F-2, F-3) that stimulated in vitro growth of Streptococcus agalactiae were separated from wheys of milk and colostrum by chromatographic procedures . Now F-1 was separated further into two active components, F-1a and F-1b, when rechromatographed on an anion exchange resin with distilled water as eluent . The stimulatory activity was associated with two protein peaks whereas a third protein peak that was eluted in those fractions containing lactose was not stimulatory . Most of the stimulatory activity (76 to 80%) and protein (90 to 93%) were retained by a filter with retention of greater than 1,000 MW . Two stimulatory factors were confirmed by separation of F-1 fractions by step-gradient elution on a column of octadecylsilica; one protein peak was found for each of the three solvents . Samples with protein eluted with .1 N formic acid and formic acid: methanol (1:1) had stimulatory activity, whereas the sample with protein eluted with 100% methanol was inactive . Results were similar when F-1 fractions were applied to Sep-Pak (muBondapack C18) cartridges and eluted with water, 50% methanol, and 100% methanol . Proteins in the Sep-Pak eluates with stimulatory activity (water and 50% methanol) were heterogeneous and different when separated by high-voltage paper electrophoresis . Proteose-peptone preparations with added lactose were chromatographed on columns of anion exchange resin, with distilled water as eluent, and produced two peaks of protein with elution volumes comparable to peaks 1 and 3 . Lactose appeared to be a major factor in eluting the second protein peak.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Nov, 80(22), 6790 - 4
ATP-dependent protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of a seryl residue in HPr, a phosphate carrier protein of the phosphotransferase system in Streptococcus pyogenes; Deutscher J et al.; HPr, a phosphate carrier protein of the streptococcal phosphotransferase system, is phosphorylated at the N-1 position of a single histidyl residue in a reaction requiring phosphoenolpyruvate (P-ePrv), Mg2+, and enzyme I (P-ePrv-HPr phosphotransferase, EC2.7.3.9) . We demonstrate that in addition to this reaction, a seryl residue within HPr can be phosphorylated in an ATP-dependent process . This reaction is catalyzed by a protein kinase with an approximate Mr of 20,000 . In whole cells the kinase activity is stimulated by glucose, whereas in crude extracts the activity is stimulated by glycolytic intermediates such as glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 1,6-diphosphate, and 2-phosphoglycerate . P-(Ser)-HPr cannot transfer its phosphate group via enzyme II to a sugar as does the P-(His)-HPr . Instead, a phosphatase (Mr = 70,000) was found to hydrolyze the phosphate group of P-(Ser)-HPr . The phosphatase reaction is strongly inhibited by the addition of P-ePrv and enzyme I . Protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of the enzyme constituents of the phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli has also been demonstrated . These observations lead us to suggest that phosphorylation of a seryl residue in HPr is involved in the regulation of sugar transport in the bacteria cell.

Am J Dis Child, 1983 Nov, 137(11), 1052 - 4
Bacterial meningitis in older neonates; Baumgartner ET et al.; During a five-year period, 24 patients' conditions (age range, 2 to 6 weeks) were diagnosed, and they were treated for bacterial meningitis . Organisms recovered from the CSF included group B Streptococcus (n = 6), Escherichia coli (n = 5), Listeria monocytogenes (n = 5), Hemophilus influenzae (n = 4), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 2), and group D and group A Streptococcus (one each) . Initial antimicrobial therapy must include antibiotics that are effective across this spectrum of potential pathogens . Symptoms and signs were often subtle . Six children (25%) experienced major neurologic residua, including five patients (21%) in whom hydrocephalus developed . Ultrasound examination of the head at the end of therapy was an effective technique for early assessment of neurologic sequelae.

Gene, 1983 Nov, 25(1), 145 - 50
Novel shuttle plasmid vehicles for Escherichia-Streptococcus transgeneric cloning; Macrina FL et al.; A novel plasmid vector that is able to replicate both in Escherichia coli and in Streptococcus sanguis is described . This 9.2-kb plasmid, designated pVA856, carries Cmr, Tcr, and Emr determinants that are expressed in E . coli . Only the Emr determinant is expressed in S . sanguis . Both the Cmr and the Tcr of pVA856 may be insertionally inactivated . This plasmid affords several different cleavage-ligation strategies for cloning in E . coli followed by subsequent introduction of chimeras into S . sanguis . In addition, we have modified a previously described E . coli-S . sanguis shuttle plasmid {pVA838; Macrina et al., Gene 19 (1982) 345-353}, so that it is unable to replicate in S . sanguis . The utility of such a plasmid for cloning and selecting sequences enabling autonomous replication in S . sanguis is demonstrated.

Poult Sci, 1983 Nov, 62(11), 2218 - 23
Effect of fat retention on the rachitogenic effect of rye fed to broiler chicks; Campbell GL et al.; Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of fat retention on bone mineralization and amino acid retention for broiler chicks fed rye diets containing marginal levels of vitamin D3 . In Experiment 1, rye diets containing tallow were supplemented with high vitamin D3, bile salt (sodium taurocholate), or a detergent (sodium lauryl sulphate) . Fat retention and tibia ash were improved (P less than .05) with bile salt addition, and tibia ash alone (P less than .05) was improved when high vitamin D3 or the detergent was added to the diet . In Experiment 2, rye diets contained tricaprylin (TC), tristearin (TS), or triolein (TO) as a fat source . Both fat retention (TS less than TO less than TC) and tibia ash (TS less than TC less than TO) showed a significant (P less than .05) treatment effect . The results of both experiments support the hypothesis that the rachitogenic effect of feeding rye may be related to inadequate fat digestion . There was no significant treatment effect on amino acid retention in either experiment . A third experiment indicated a similar bile acid pool size for chicks fed rye as opposed to wheat; however, bile acid concentration of jejunal fluid was lower (P less than .05) for chicks fed rye . A possible microbial involvement in the disturbance of bile acid metabolism was indicated by the capacity of Streptococcus organisms derived from chick small bowel to degrade sodium taurocholate.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Nov, 156(2), 920 - 1
Introduction of a Streptococcus cremoris plasmid in Bacillus subtilis; Vosman B et al.; Streptococcus cremoris Wg2 plasmid pWV01 was introduced in Bacillus subtilis by protoplast transformation . The yield of pWV01 isolated from B . subtilis was low . pWV01 contains a unique site for the restriction endonuclease MboI.

J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Nov, 129 ( Pt 11), 3293 - 302
Membrane perturbation by cerulenin modulates glucosyltransferase secretion and acetate uptake by Streptococcus salivarius; Jacques NA; Cerulenin and dodecanoic acid prevented the synthesis and secretion of glucosyltransferase in non-proliferating cell suspensions of Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 25975 under conditions that also inhibited the incorporation of radioactively labelled acetate into the cell . In the presence of Tween 80, acetate incorporation was not markedly affected by cerulenin despite the fact that glucosyltransferase secretion was still inhibited . Cerulenin and dodecanoic acid were found to prevent the incorporation of radioactively labelled acetate by affecting the uptake of acetate by the cell . In the case of cerulenin, the inhibition of uptake of acetate by the cell was partially relieved by the addition of Tween 80 . These and other observations strongly suggested that cerulenin inhibited glucosyltransferase secretion and acetate incorporation by perturbing the membrane, rather than by directly inhibiting lipid synthesis.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 763 - 70
Insoluble glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans serotype c strains; Kuramitsu HK et al.; Both dextransucrase and mutansynthetase activities have been purified from the culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 (serotype c) . Although homogeneous dextransucrase preparations normally synthesize little insoluble glucan, essentially all of the glucan synthesized by this enzyme in the presence of 1.5 M (NH4)2SO4 was water insoluble . Linkage analysis of the insoluble glucans indicated that the presence of NH4+ increased the portion of alpha-1,3-glucose linkages relative to alpha-1,6-glucose units in the product . Chromatofocusing of aggregated glucosyltransferase fractions synthesizing predominantly insoluble glucan yielded primarily dextransucrase activity separable from relatively low levels of mutansynthetase activity . The latter enzyme was detected only in 18-h assays and synthesized primer-dependent insoluble glucan, which was decreased in the presence of NH4+ . In the absence of primer dextran T10, the addition of dextransucrase also stimulated insoluble glucan synthesis by mutansynthetase . Dextransucrase and mutansynthetase appear to be distinct enzymes, since the latter possesses a higher molecular weight (155,000 compared to 140,000), a much lower isoelectric point, and did not cross-react with antibody directed against dextransucrase . These results are discussed relative to the mechanism of insoluble glucan synthesis by S . mutans serotype c strains.

J Immunol, 1983 Nov, 131(5), 2576 - 9
"Nonspecific" immunoenhancing T cells in tumor-bearing mice include anti-idiotypic subsets; Behforouz N et al.; Splenocytes from DBA/2 mice inoculated 3 wk earlier with syngeneic P815 mastocytoma tumor cells produce increased numbers of antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) when stimulated with either sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or phosphorylcholine (PC) on Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a in vitro . The nature of this nonspecific hyperreactivity was investigated in mixed cultures of purified splenic T and B cells . The addition of T cells from P815 tumor-bearing mice (TP815) into the cultures of normal B cells produced a significant enhancement of the PFC response to both SRBC and PC, when compared with the effect of normal T cells added to control cultures . The idiotypic profile of the enhanced anti-PC response was studied by a PFC-inhibition assay with monoclonal antibodies against two distinct idiotopic determinants (Id) of the T15 family . Normal B cells produced greater than 90% of T15 Id-positive (Id+) PFC . Addition of normal T cells diminished the proportion of T15 Id+ PFC to approximately 60%, whereas the rest of PFC were Id- . Addition of the immunoenhancing TP815 cells into the normal B cells cultures elevated the number of both T15 Id+ and Id- PFC responses, proportionally . However, when TP815 cells were first incubated on T15 protein-coated dishes and the non-adherent fraction was added to B cell cultures, the anti-PC PFC response remained enhanced but consisted of predominently T15 Id- PFC . These observations suggest that the early stage of P815 tumor growth activates various populations of specific helper/amplifier T cells including subsets with anti-idiotypic activity and that the generalized increase of antibody response to various antigens in tumor-bearing mice may be regarded as a polyclonal activation of specific T cells.

J Immunol, 1983 Nov, 131(5), 2468 - 76
The asymmetry in idiotype-isotype expression in the response to phosphocholine is due to divergence in the expressed repertoires of Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5- B cells; Wicker LS et al.; The X-linked CBA/N immune defect was used to investigate the roles of Lyb-5- and Lyb-5+ B cells in the memory response to PC-KLH (phosphocholine-conjugated keyhole limpet hemocyanin) . (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 (CB) male mice express the xid mutation and thereby lack the Lyb-5+ B cell subset, whereas their female littermates are normal and express both Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5- B cells . After priming with PC-conjugated hemocyanin (PC-Hy) in complete Freund's adjuvant, female B cells produce three phenotypic sets of PC-KLH-specific antibody . The first set (group I) is dominated by T15+, IgM, IgA, and IgG3, PC-specific antibodies . The second subset (group II) is specific for phenylphosphocholine (PPC), and is dominated by T15-, IgG1, and IgG2 antibodies . The third set (group III) recognizes an epitope(s) composed of both the PPC hapten and carrier determinants . PC-Hy-primed B cells from immune defective CB male mice produce the same number of IgG1 and IgG2 plaque-forming cells (PFC) as do PC-Hy-primed normal female cells, and these PFC are also predominantly T15- and PPC specific (group II) . In addition, a significant amount of group III IgG1 and IgG2 antibody is observed in the immune defective male response . In contrast to female B cells, immune defective male B cells produce a low IgM, IgA, and IgG3 memory response that is not composed of PC-specific (group I) antibodies; in fact, most of these antibodies arise from group III precursors and are not inhibited by either PC or PPC . PC-specific antibodies usually represent less than 25% of the anti-PC-KLH response in immune defective mice; however, these PC-specific antibodies are predominantly T15- . These data suggest that the Lyb-5-B cells in both normal and immune defective mice produce the T15-, IgG1, and IgG2 antibodies that dominate the secondary immune response to PC-KLH, and that the Lyb-5+ B cells produce the T15+, IgM, IgA, and IgG3 portion of the secondary response in normal mice . This hypothesis was confirmed by priming normal mice with the R36a strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae or with PC-Hy in saline . These forms of PC-antigen prime only the Lyb-5+ B cell subset . The adoptive transfer of these two B cell sources results in an anti-PC-KLH response that is T15 dominant and totally PC inhibitable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Immunology, 1983 Nov, 50(3), 407 - 13
Local and systemic immune response in aged hamsters; Smith DJ et al.; Immunoglobulin levels in serum and saliva were measured in 2-3-month-old hamsters and in approximately 2-year-old hamsters . Salivary IgA concentrations in aged hamsters were slightly, but not significantly, higher than in young hamsters . Salivary volumes were generally greater in aged hamsters, resulting in a significantly increased total amount of IgA secreted per unit time . Serum IgG levels were somewhat elevated in aged hamsters while serum IgM levels were generally higher in the young hamsters . Serum IgA levels were markedly elevated in aged hamsters . Immune responses to the soluble protein enzyme, glucosyltransferase, from Streptococcus mutans strain 6715, were measured after injection of this antigen incorporated into Freund's complete adjuvant in the salivary gland vicinity . Salivary IgA responses were measured by an ELISA procedure and were lower in aged hamsters compared with young hamsters, after primary or secondary immunization . The serum IgG, IgA and IgM antibody responses were in general not significantly different between the two groups of animals . Sera from young and aged hamsters did not differ in their capacity to inhibit the ability of GTF to synthesize glucan from sucrose.

J Dent Res, 1983 Nov, 62(11), 1174 - 8
Acid sensitivity of glycolysis in normal and proton-permeable cells of Streptococcus mutans GS-5; Thibodeau EA et al.; Gramicidin, an ionophoric antibiotic which enhances proton permeability of cell membranes, was found to increase the acid sensitivity of glycolysis by intact cells of Streptococcus mutans GS-5, to inhibit uptake of 2-deoxyglucose at pH values of 5.5 or less, and to cause a decrease in the intracellular levels of early intermediates of glycolysis . The inhibitory effects of the antibiotic on glycolysis at low pH values were related to inhibition of sugar uptake via the phosphotransferase system.

Am J Otolaryngol, 1983 Nov-Dec, 4(6), 389 - 92
Aerobic and anaerobic bacteriologic features of serous otitis media in children; Brook I et al.; Aspirates of serous ear fluids from 57 children were examined for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Bacterial growth was noted in 23 patients (40 per cent) . Aerobic organisms only were recovered in 13 aspirates (57 per cent of the culture-positive aspirates); anaerobic bacteria in four (17 per cent); and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in six (26 per cent) . A total of 45 bacterial isolates were recovered, accounting for 2.0 isolates per specimen (1.4 aerobes and 0.6 anaerobe) . There were a total of 31 aerobic isolates, including Hemophilus influenzae (eight isolates), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae (five of each), and Staphylococcus epidermidis and alpha-hemolytic streptococcus (four of each) . Fourteen anaerobes were recovered, including anaerobic gram-positive cocci and Bacteroides melaninogenicus (five isolates each) and Propionibacterium acnes (three isolates).

Vet Rec, 1983 Oct 29, 113(18), 415 - 20
Mastitis in a large, zero-grazed dairy herd; Faull WB et al.; A zero-grazed herd of approximately 400 cows had a significant mastitis problem associated with Escherichia coli and Streptococcus uberis during a study over three and a half years . Dry cow therapy and post-milk teat dipping effectively controlled staphylococci and the bulk milk cell count averaged less than 400 X 10(3) cells/ml, but over 1800 clinical cases of mastitis occurred over this period, 32 per cent of which were associated with E coli and 25 per cent with Str uberis . Only 8 per cent of the cases associated with E coli showed obvious systemic disturbance and 75 per cent were cured following penicillin and streptomycin treatment . The incidence was highest during spring and summer when the housed cows were dirtiest . Gross teat-end contamination came mainly from sources other than cubicle bedding, and changing the bedding from sawdust to sand did not alter the incidence of clinical mastitis . It was not possible to maintain adequate cleanliness either inside or outside the parlour, nor maintain a trouble-free milking apparatus . The costs of mastitis in this herd during one year are calculated.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Oct 25, 258(20), 12465 - 71
A neuraminidase from Streptococcus sanguis that can release O-acetylated sialic acids; Varki A et al.; The naturally occurring sialic acids can have different types of N- and O-substitutions, resulting in more than 20 known isomers and compounds . Most methods for the detailed study of these various sialic acids require that the molecules be first released from their alpha-glycosidic linkage . When mild acid hydrolysis is used for this purpose, significant destruction of O-substituent groups occur . On the other hand, the presence of O-substituent groups renders the sialic acid molecule partially or completely resistant to the action of the currently known neuraminidase . To circumvent this problem, we searched for a neuraminidase whose activity is not affected by O-substitution . We reasoned that because Streptococcus sanguis from the human oral cavity is continually exposed to O-substituted sialic acids, its extracellular neuraminidase might not be blocked by O-substitution . We therefore purified this enzyme 3100-fold (56% yield) using ammonium sulfate precipitation, N-(p-aminophenyl)oxamic acid-agarose affinity chromatography, and chromatography on quaternary aminoethyl (QAE)-Sephadex, sulfopropyl (SP)-Sephadex, and Sephacryl S-200 . The purified preparation is free of other significant glycosidase activities and proteolytic activities . It is capable of quantitatively releasing all the O-acetylated sialic acids that we studied with the single exception of the 4-O-acetylated sialic acid of equine submaxillary mucin . The activity of the enzyme is also not restricted by the type pf sialic acid linkage or the nature of the underlying oligosaccharide . However, it has maximal activity on gangliosides only in the presence of detergents . The general properties of this enzyme are described and its substrate specificities are contrasted with those of the commonly used neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae.

Pediatrie, 1983 Oct-Nov, 38(7), 465 - 74
{Role of Streptococcus group D in infections in newborn infants}; Peskine F et al.; Our investigation concerns 14 streptococcus D sepsis neonates, thirteen of which were collected over a six year period during which eighty-two neonate infections were recorded . This rate slightly higher than generally recorded and may be due to the initial prescription of third generation cephalosporin to the mothers . The clinical, hematological and biological data are not specifically those of group D streptococcus . The issue was unfavourable in 15% of our cases and in 8 to 33% of the recorded cases . The sensitivity to antibiotics varies depending on the species of group D streptococcus . The effectiveness of Amoxicillin, of Mezlocillin and of Ampicillin justifies the initial prescription in association with an aminoglycoside because of the possibility of synergy; cephalosporins are contraindicated as they are inactive on this germ.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1983 Oct, 91(5), 365 - 9
Leukocyte chemotaxis induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae and serum; Rosen C et al.; The effects on normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) of chemotactic factors in sera incubated with five types of S . pneumoniae commonly encountered in otitis media and other respiratory infections (types 3, 6A, 14, 19F and 23F) and five types that rarely cause infections (types 31, 35, 36, 42 and 43) were compared by the means of migration under agarose technique . All the types frequent in otitis media and some of the types that are less frequent, viz . 31 and 36, showed a good chemotactic activation in pooled serum . No correlation between tendency to cause otitis media and ability to regenerate chemotactic activity in serum was found . Impaired generation of chemotactic activity was found in C2-deficient serum, Mg2 + EGTA-chelated serum and properdin-deficient serum, indicating the significance of both the classical and the alternative complement pathways for production of chemotactic factors by pneumococcal types.

Toxicol Lett, 1983 Oct-Nov, 19(1-2), 63 - 72
The effects of intratracheally administered coarse mode particles on respiratory tract infection in mice; Aranyi C et al.; Because coarse mode particles are rarely studied in their existing size ranges (greatest mass about 5-7 microns, aerodynamic diameter), we investigated the effects of four such particles, quartz, ferric oxide, calcium carbonate, and sodium feldspar, on host defenses against bacterial pulmonary infection . Mice which received intratracheal instillations of 10, 33, and 100 micrograms/mouse were exposed within an hour to aerosols of viable Streptococcus, and pneumonia-induced mortality was measured . At 33 and 100 micrograms/mouse, all particles significantly increased mortality . At the lower dose, only Fe2O3 caused a significant increase in mortality . To evaluate potential delayed effects, mice were challenged with the bacteria 24 h after exposure to 100 micrograms particles/mouse . Delaying the challenge did not significantly alter the response, except for the sodium feldspar group for which a partial recovery was observed . When mice exposed to 100 micrograms particles/mouse received aerosols of Klebsiella pneumoniae 24 h later, there was no significant effect on pulmonary bactericidal activity . For the model system used, it appears that Fe2O3, CaCO3, and sodium feldspar have effects roughly equivalent to quartz.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1983 Oct, 94(4), 1201 - 8
Purification and characterization of two novel arginine aminopeptidases from Streptococcus mitis ATCC 9811; Hiraoka BY et al.; Two novel aminopeptidases (I and II) which have specificity for amino-terminal arginine residues and strong sensitivity to divalent cations were purified from Streptococcus mitis ATCC 9811 by a procedure that involved treatment with a lytic enzyme for bacterial cell walls, followed by a series of chromatographies . Enzyme I was obtained as a homogeneous protein as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and had a specific activity of 484.8 units per mg protein using L-arginine-2-naphthylamide as substrate; its Km value was 2.6 X 10(-5) M . The molecular weight was estimated to be 62,000, and its isoelectric point was pH 4.4 . Enzyme II was purified to a specific activity of 128.0 units per mg protein and had a Km value of 3.8 X 10(-5) M . The molecular weight was estimated to be 360,000, and its isoelectric point was pH 5.7 . The pH optima of enzymes I and II were 8.6 and 7.6, respectively . Both enzymes were inactivated by sulfhydryl reagents and metal ions but were markedly activated by EDTA . The chloride ion had an inhibitory rather than a stimulatory effect on the activity of both enzymes . Substrate specificity studies indicated that both the enzymes specifically hydrolyze N-terminal arginine residues from a-aminoacyl 2-naphthylamides and peptides, but they could not attack the L-arginyl-L-prolyl-peptide.

Can J Biochem Cell Biol, 1983 Oct, 61(10), 1102 - 7
Structural elucidation of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9N; Rosell KG et al.; The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9N (American type 9) contains D-glucose, D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose in the molar ratio of 2:1:1:1 . Accumulated data from spectroscopic (13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance) and methylation analyses of the native and specifically degraded polysaccharide indicated that it was linear and composed of the following pentasaccharide repeating unit; -4)-alpha-D-GlcpA-(1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 leads to 3)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1 leads to 4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 leads to 4)-beta-D -GlcpNAc(1 leads to . Structural regions in the type 9N polysaccharide common to those of types 9A, 9L, and 9V have been identified which account for the cross-reactivity of this groups of polysaccharides.

Tohoku J Exp Med, 1983 Oct, 141(2), 155 - 61
Sequential mutagenesis of drug resistance in Streptococcus mutans during synchronous replication; Rikiishi H et al.; The frequency of nitrosoguanidine-induced mutation for streptomycin-, bacitracin- and rifampicin-resistance was measured in Streptococcus mutans during synchronous replication after release from chloramphenicol inhibition . A clear peak of mutagenesis for each marker was observed at certain times during synchronous replication . These times were different for individual markers; the times of peaks for streptomycin-, bacitracin- and rifampicin-resistance were 13, 22 and 12 min, respectively . At a definite time after the first peak, there was a second one . The distances between the first and second peaks during the synchronous replication were identical for all markers and approximately 50 min which represents the doubling time of the organisms . These results indicate that nitrosoguanidine causes sequential mutagenesis for these three markers in Streptococcus mutans when the growth is resumed after chromosome alignment, so that the methods may be useful in determining the sequence of gene replication for various markers in Streptococcus mutans.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Oct, 18(4), 978 - 80
Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains by coagglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis; Trollfors B et al.; A total of 217 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were serotyped by coagglutination (COA) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) . With all strains tested, there was full agreement between results obtained by COA and CIE, except for strains belonging to serotypes 7, 14, 33, and 37, which could not be typed by CIE . These strains were serotyped by passive immunodiffusion, results of which were in full agreement with those obtained by COA . Besides having the advantage of identifying strains belonging to all serotypes, COA was also more rapid and economical than CIE.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Oct, 18(4), 770 - 4
Bacteriology of dental abscesses of endodontic origin; Williams BL et al.; Aspirates have been cultured from 10 dental abscesses of endodontic origin, all of which had penetrated beyond the bony alveolus to produce fluctuant swelling . Sampling was by syringe aspiration . Strict anaerobic techniques, including the use of an anaerobic chamber, were used for serial dilution and plating . Randomly selected colonies (100) from each culture were purified, characterized, and identified . Seventy percent of the bacterial isolates were either strict anaerobes or microaerophilic . One abscess yielded a pure culture of a viridans streptococcus, Streptococcus milleri . Streptococcus intermedius dominated the flora in a second abscess . The common oral streptococcus, Streptococcus sanguis, constituted only 2% of the isolates from one additional infection . Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides melaninogenicus, other Bacteroides including B . oralis and B . ruminicola, anaerobic diphtheroids, Peptostreptococcus micros, and Staphylococcus epidermis were other predominant isolates.

South Med J, 1983 Oct, 76(10), 1321 - 2
Streptococcus milleri empyema; Plump DH et al.; A 58-year-old woman who had recurrent aspiration due to atlantoaxial subluxation, a complication of rheumatoid arthritis, had S milleri empyema . This organism has been associated with purulent disease in previous series, and may be a relatively common but unrecognized cause of empyema.

South Med J, 1983 Oct, 76(10), 1297 - 8
Streptococcus MG-intermedius (S milleri) hepatic abscesses in two patients with regional enteritis; Brasitus TA et al.; Two patients with relatively quiescent regional enteritis had liver abscesses caused by S MG-intermedius . The occurrence of two such cases in a single hospital in the space of a few weeks, while possibly coincidental, suggests that infections with this organism, particularly hepatic abscesses, may be more common in patients with regional enteritis than previously realized.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 450 - 4
Local anesthetics block transient expression of inducible functions for transformation in Streptococcus sanguis; Raina JL; Procaine and tetracaine reversibly inhibit transformation by preventing the transient expression of competence-specific, inducible functions, which are usually triggered in response to cellular stimulation with competence protein . Affinity studies with 14C-labeled procaine showed that the anesthetic bound to cell surface macromolecules specifically in the initiation phases of competence-specific events and blocked transfer of information imparted by cellular membrane receptor(s) upon interaction with competence protein.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 281 - 90
Isolation and characterization of three new classes of transformation-deficient mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae that are defective in DNA transport and genetic recombination; Morrison DA et al.; Transformation-deficient mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated after nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis . Seventeen mutants developed normal peaks of competence, as tested by their ability to degrade one strand of donor DNA, but they yielded transformants for chromosomal point markers at efficiencies from less than 0.001 to 0.04 that of the wild type . Some of the mutants were defective in DNA uptake and are described as entry defective (Ent-) . Others took up DNA in normal quantities, but they failed to give stable transformants and are described as recombination defective (Rec-) . In two of the Rec- mutants, normal levels of transformation by plasmid DNA occurred; in the others, it was reduced as much as chromosomal transformation . Conjugative transfers of a chromosomal omega (cat tet) element and of the plasmid pIP501 occurred at normal levels both to and from Rec- mutants . Transfer of chloramphenicol resistance by transformation with omega (cat tet) donor DNA, however, was blocked in Rec- mutants to about the same extent as was transformation for point markers.

Infect Immun, 1983 Oct, 42(1), 231 - 6
Isolation and properties of levanase from Streptococcus salivarius KTA-19; Takahashi N et al.; Fructan-hydrolyzing enzyme from Streptococcus salivarius KTA-19 isolated from human dental plaque was investigated . The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone fractionation, and column chromatography on Bio-Gel and DEAE-cellulose . The purified enzyme showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing . Its molecular weight was 100,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The enzyme exhibited an optimum pH of 6.5 and decreased its activity from pH 6.0 and especially below pH 5.5 . The optimum temperature was 40 to 50 degrees C, and enzyme activity was reduced by 90% at 55 degrees C . Enzyme activity was markedly inhibited by Hg2+, Ag+, Cu2+, and p-chloromercuribenzoate at a concentration of 10(-3) M, but not by other metal ions or chemical effectors . Fructose was the only by-product of the enzyme action on levan . These results indicated that the levanase of S . salivarius KTA-19 is an exo-beta-(2,6)-fructofuranosidase.

Infect Immun, 1983 Oct, 42(1), 19 - 26
Carbohydrate metabolism by Actinomyces viscosus growing in continuous culture; Hamilton IR et al.; A human oral strain of Actinomyces viscosus, GN431/75, was grown anaerobically in a defined medium in continuous culture with a glucose limitation at dilution rates (D) between 0.025 and 0.2 h-1 and with a nitrogen limitation at D = 0.005 and 0.1 h-1 . With 5 mg of glucose per ml, the culture was limited for carbon at D = 0.025 and 0.05 h-1, but became nitrogen limited (asparagine) at D = 0.1 and 0.2 h-1 . The molar growth yield (Yglucose) decreased from 50.0 to 40.9 g of cells per mol of glucose as the dilution rate was increased from 0.025 to 0.2 h-1, reflecting the limitation of asparagine . With high glucose and low amino acid concentrations (nitrogen limited), the cell yields at D = 0.05 and 0.1 h-1 were 37 to 33% lower than in the glucose-limited culture . The major products of metabolism were succinic and lactic acids with lesser amounts of acetic and formic acids and ethanol . The rate of glucose fermentation by resting cells removed from the glucose-limited culture and assayed in a pH stat increased with the dilution rate and was always higher than that for the fermentation of sucrose (60%) and fructose (40%) . Activity for the glucose-P-enolpyruvate phosphotransferase system was observed in whole homogenates, with the highest activity evident at D = 0.1 h-1 with the glucose-limited culture . The observed activity was significantly lower than the rate of glucose metabolism at each dilution rate, suggesting that glucose-P-enolpyruvate phosphotransferase system was underestimated or that an additional transport system exists in the organism . The glucose-limited culture showed considerable ability to synthesize glycogen during the transition from carbon to nitrogen limitation, when 35% of the cell mass was present at this polymer . The organism was shown to possess the glycogen synthetic enzymes ADP glucose synthase and ADP glucose transferase, as well as the degradative enzyme maltodextrin phosphorylase . Washed cells of A . viscosus GN431/75 were shown to be relatively insensitive to the inhibiting actions of NaF in pH-fall and constant-pH experiments at all dilution rates . At pH 7.0, 25 mM NaF was required to completely inhibit glycolysis by glucose-limited cells at D = 0.05 h-1, whereas a concentration of only 11 mM NaF was required with cells of Streptococcus mutans grown and incubated under identical conditions . An interesting feature of the growth of A . viscosus GN431/75 in the chemostat was the shift from individual nonadherent cells at the low dilution rates to the appearance at D = 0.2 h-1 of large cell aggregates forming tenacious adherent films reminiscent of its characteristics in the oral cavity.

J Periodontol, 1983 Oct, 54(10), 580 - 5
Tetracycline and its derivatives strongly bind to and are released from the tooth surface in active form; Baker PJ et al.; Several antibiotics were found to adsorb to saliva-coated enamel and to inhibit in vitro plaque formation by pure cultures of oral bacteria: Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus mutans . Tetracycline, minocycline and oxytetracycline adsorbed to the greatest degree, showing 100-fold higher adsorption than spiramycin, the test antibiotics with least adsorption . Inhibition of in vitro plaque formation was found to require both drug substantivity (capacity for adsorption) and antimicrobial activity . Inhibition of plaque formation in the in vitro assay employed correlated well with clinical efficacy.

J Dent Res, 1983 Oct, 62(10), 1033 - 7
Detection of antigens in enzymic lysates of cell wall from Streptococcus mutans strains; Knox KW et al.; Lysis of cell wall preparations from strains representing serotypes a - g of Streptococcus mutans has provided a convenient and efficient means of obtaining the typing antigens in a soluble undegraded form, and has demonstrated that, in each case, the antigen is a cell wall component in the strict sense of a component joined covalently to peptidoglycan . This influences the choice of extraction procedures.

Can J Comp Med, 1983 Oct, 47(4), 436 - 9
Phenoxymethyl penicillin in the horse: an alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin; Ducharme NG et al.; This preliminary study evaluated phenoxymethyl penicillin (Penicillin V) as an alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin in horses . Penicillin V was administered orally to five horses at two different doses and plasma levels of the drug were determined at timed intervals . The results were evaluated by regression analysis . Following the administration of penicillin V at a dose of 66,000 IU/kg or 110,000 IU/kg, the mean peak plasma levels obtained were 1.55 micrograms/mL and 2.34 micrograms/mL respectively . A plasma level two to four times above the minimal inhibitory concentration level of Streptococcus equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus was maintained for 325 minutes at 66,000 IU/kg and 349 minutes at 110,000 IU/kg . Penicillin V given orally was thus shown to be an acceptable alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin in the horse.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1983 Oct, 91(5), 311 - 6
Ion interactions in the aggregation of Streptococcus mitis; Abaas S et al.; Spontaneous aggregation of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 was highly dependent on various electrolytes such as sodium chloride, sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate with an optimum at 10 mM concentration . No aggregation was obtained in distilled water . Addition of a number of mono- or divalent ions to bacteria incubated in 10 mM phosphate or tris-maleate buffers resulted in an inhibition of aggregation . A 50% inhibition of aggregation was obtained at low concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sulphate and carbonate ions . Other mono- and divalent ions tested were needed in significantly higher concentrations in order to obtain the same inhibition . Aggregation inhibition by calcium or magnesium salts was reversed by chelation with EDTA . Washing bacteria previously treated with magnesium or calcium salts resulted in a complete recovery of aggregating ability . Spontaneously aggregated cells were completely dissociated at 10 mM magnesium sulphate or 100 mM sodium chloride . The results indicate that electrostatic interactions are of major importance for aggregation of S . mitis ATCC 903 whereas hydrophobic interaction plays a minor role.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 236 - 42
Involvement of lactose enzyme II of the phosphotransferase system in rapid expulsion of free galactosides from Streptococcus pyogenes; Reizer J et al.; Streptococcus pyogenes accumulated thiomethyl-beta-galactoside as the 6-phosphate ester due to the action of the phosphoenolpyruvate:lactose phosphotransferase system . Subsequent addition of glucose resulted in rapid efflux of the free galactoside after intracellular dephosphorylation (inducer expulsion) . Efflux was shown to occur in the apparent absence of the galactose permease, but was inhibited by substrate analogs of the lactose enzyme II and could not be demonstrated in a mutant of S . lactis ML3 which lacked this enzyme . The results suggest that the enzymes II of the phosphotransferase system can catalyze the rapid efflux of free sugar under appropriate physiological conditions.

Isr J Med Sci, 1983 Oct, 19(10), 900 - 2
Perinatal group B streptococcal infections in Israel; Weintraub Z et al.; Among 12,500 babies born in our hospital from 1977 to 1982, there was one case of neonatal sepsis due to Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GBS), an incidence which is significantly lower than that reported in Western countries (3 to 6 per 1,000 live births) . Among 385 pregnant women from Jerusalem and Haifa, the vaginal colonization rate with GBS was 2.8%, in contrast with 4.6 to 36% reported in Western countries . Umbilical and ear cultures were obtained from the infants of the 85 mothers who were examined in Haifa . These cultures were repeated at 3 to 5 days of age in 60 of the 85 babies . From the above data, mother-to-infant transmission rates and neonatal nosocomial infection rates with GBS were found to be 66 and 6.6%, respectively, which correlates well with 60 to 75% and 12 to 27% reported in the literature . The low incidence of GBS neonatal sepsis in our survey may be related to the low maternal colonization rate with GBS . The low maternal colonization rate could be related to still unidentified epidemiological and environmental factors.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1983 Oct, 91(5), 317 - 24
Aggregation of enzymatically modified Streptococcus mitis indicating involvement of lectin-ligand type interaction; Abaas S et al.; The aggregation properties of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 cells modified by treatment with heat or different enzymes was investigated . Bacteria that had the ability to aggregate spontaneously lost this capacity by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, beta-galactosidase or heat . Cells subjected to different types of modification were mixed in various proportions and their aggregation properties were recorded . To discriminate between the two kinds of cells in the suspension, one partner in the aggregation reaction was labelled with 14C-palmitic acid . Bacteria treated with beta-galactosidase co-aggregated with spontaneously aggregating cells (not modified) and with cells treated with heat . Heat-treated cells co-aggregated with spontaneously aggregating cells and with cells treated with beta galactosidase . Cells treated with trypsin did not co-aggregate either with spontaneously aggregating cells or cells treated with heat or beta-galactosidase . These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that two surface components are required for specific aggregation of S . mitis cells . We suggest that both components are degraded or released from the bacterial surface by treatment with trypsin (and other proteolytic enzymes) as shown by the inability of these cells to take part in any co-aggregation with spontaneously aggregating cells . Treatment with beta-galactosidase degrades a carbohydrate receptor constituting the terminal part of a glycoprotein . Heat treatment inactivates a protein lectin . The fact that heat-treated bacteria and bacteria treated with beta-galactosidase aggregate when mixed supports the assumption that two components take part in the aggregation reaction.

J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Oct, 129 (Pt 10), 3271 - 9
Protoplast and cytoplasmic membrane preparations from Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans; Scholler M et al.; Protoplasts were prepared from Streptococcus sanguis and some S . mutans serotypes by use of lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) under particular conditions: cells had to be grown in DL-threonine (20 mM) and harvested in early exponential phase . The efficiency of protoplast formation was enhanced by two additional steps: plasmolysis (in 12% PEG), prior to addition of lysozyme, and a swirling phase, after the enzymic action . This procedure allowed us to obtain clean protoplasts, with only 0.5% contamination by bacterial cell walls . Up to 90% protoplast lysis was obtained in 0.5 M-NaCl . Cytoplasmic membrane purification was achieved by centrifugation on a glycerol cushion.

J Hyg (Lond), 1983 Oct, 91(2), 203 - 9
The incidence of scarlet fever; Perks EM et al.; This study attempted to find the incidence of scarlet fever in the Oxford region, including the proportion of patients from whom Streptococcus pyogenes could be isolated . General practitioners collected throat swabs from patients with suspected scarlet fever . The swabs were examined for viral and bacterial pathogens . Children admitted to hospital were used as controls . Twenty-five of 105 patients with suspected scarlet fever grew Str . pyogenes; M type 4 was the commonest type . The clinical diagnosis of scarlet fever was not always confirmed by throat culture . The annual incidence of scarlet fever was estimated to be 0.3 cases per 1000 per year.

Immunol Commun, 1983 Oct, 12(5), 491 - 500
Cleavage of protein A-binding IgA1 with IgA1 protease from Streptococcus sanguis; Biewenga J et al.; Protein A-binding fractions of two IgA1 myeloma proteins failed to produce Fc fragments on digestion with IgA1 protease from Streptococcus sanguis . A polymeric protein A-binding IgA1 fraction yielded a protein A-non-binding monomer, which was further cleaved into Fab fragments but it did not yield Fc fragments . The protein A-binding fraction of a monomeric IgA1 yielded an IgA molecule lacking one Fab fragment . Subsequently, the remaining part of its cleaved alpha chain was degraded . Further digestion yielded Fab but not Fc fragments . Similarly, F(abc)2 and Fabc fragments, which lack the CH3 domain (8), yielded Fab fragments but not CH2 domains . Thus, the enzyme in addition to cleaving IgA in the hinge region, under certain conditions, also degrades its Fc fragments.

J Infect Dis, 1983 Oct, 148(4), 648 - 55
Estimation of the protective level of human IgG antibody to the type-specific polysaccharide of group B Streptococcus type Ia; Klegerman ME et al.; Human IgG antibody to the type-specific polysaccharide antigen of group B Streptococcus type Ia in the sera of mice was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, previously standardized by quantitative precipitation, 24 hr after passive immunization with human serum or affinity-chromatographed antibody . The concentrations of antibody needed to protect mice against 90% lethal dose challenge varied with the bacterial inoculum and ranged from 0.25 to 1 microgram/ml using five strains of group B Streptococcus type Ia . Affinity-chromatographed antibody gave results comparable to serum, indicating the specificity of the antibody and the absence of other humoral factors in protection with this serum . Sera from 11 infected infants and their mothers had concentrations of antibody of less than or equal to 0.17 micrograms/ml, below the protective level delineated in the experimental model . Twelve percent of 50 adult women and 36% of 25 women colonized with group B Streptococcus type Ia had antibody levels of greater than or equal to 1 microgram/ml.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Oct, 36(10), 2721 - 9
{Clinical experience with cefotiam in otorhinolaryngologic infections}; Yajin K et al.; Clinical studies of cefotiam (CTM), a new cephalosporin derivative, in otorhinolaryngological field were performed, and the results were summarized as follows . CTM was intravenously injected to 31 cases of otorhinolaryngological infections in daily dose of 1--4 g . Clinical efficacy was 33.3% in acute otitis media and chronic otitis media (acute exacerbation) (6 cases), 90% in acute tonsillitis (including peritonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess) (20 cases), 50% in acute pharyngitis (2 cases), 100% in acute sinusitis (2 cases) and 100% in epiglottis abscess (1 case), respectively . Bacteriological efficacy was 80% for beta-Streptococcus, 100% for K . pneumoniae, 50% for P . aeruginosa, and 85.7% for Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus, respectively . No difference was observed in various daily doses for clinical efficacy . As for side effects and laboratory findings, eruption in 1 case, elevation of GOT in 1 case and elevation of GOT, GPT in 2 cases were observed . But, all of the cases were normalized after stoppage of administration or postadministration.

J Biol Stand, 1983 Oct, 11(4), 333 - 9
The development by the Centers for Disease Control of a specification for streptococcal serogrouping kits and its application to Streptex and to the Phadebact Streptococcus Test; Evins GM et al.; A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) specification for evaluating commercially produced streptococcal agglutination reagents was developed and used to test Streptex and Phadebact Streptococcus Test kits . Evaluation methods and performance requirements were based on product claims made in the package labelling . Except for the reagent for Streptococcus group D, reagents of both systems identified 100% of the blind-coded reference strains when follow-up methods were done according to the manufacturers' directions . Streptex group D reagent did not identify all group D strains, but the manufacturer instructed the user to test with other methods in certain circumstances . The interaction of personnel of the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), CDC, with commercial producers and consumers in a pre-market evaluation program is described.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 70 - 80
Intracellular hexose-6-phosphate:phosphohydrolase from Streptococcus lactis: purification, properties, and function; Thompson J et al.; An intracellular hexose 6-phosphate:phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.2) has been purified from Streptococcus lactis K1 . Polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme revealed one major activity staining protein and one minor inactive band . The Mr determined by gel permeation chromatography was 36,500, but sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a single polypeptide of apparent Mr 60,000 . The enzyme exhibited a marked preference for hexose 6-phosphates, and the rate of substrate hydrolysis (at 5 mM concentration) decreased in the order, galactose 6-phosphate greater than 2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate greater than fructose 6-phosphate greater than mannose 6-phosphate greater than glucose 6-phosphate . Hexose 1-phosphates, p-nitrophenylphosphate, pyrophosphate, and nucleotides were not hydrolyzed at a significant rate . In addition, the glycolytic intermediates comprising the intracellular phosphoenolpyruvate potential in the starved cells (phosphoenolpyruvate and 2- and 3-phosphoglyceric acids) were not substrates for the phosphatase . Throughout the isolation, the hexose 6-phosphate:phosphohydrolase was stabilized by Mn2+ ion, and the purified enzyme was dependent upon Mn2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, or Co2+ for activation . Other divalent metal ions including Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, and Ni2+ were unable to activate the enzyme, and the first four cations were potent inhibitors . Enzymatic hydrolysis of 2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate was inhibited by fluoride when Mg2+ was included in the assay, but only slight inhibition occurred in the presence of Mn2+, Fe2+, or Co2+ . The inhibitory effect of Mg2+ plus fluoride was specifically and completely reversed by Fe2+ ion . The hexose 6-phosphate:phosphohydrolase catalyzes the in vivo hydrolysis of 2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate in stage II of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent futile cycle in S . lactis (J . Thompson and B . M . Chassy, J . Bacteriol . 151:1454-1465, 1982).

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Oct, 80(19), 5956 - 60
Mismatch repair in Streptococcus pneumoniae: relationship between base mismatches and transformation efficiencies; Claverys JP et al.; Genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae involves the insertion of single-stranded pieces of donor DNA into a recipient genome . Efficiencies of transformation strongly depend on the mutations (markers) carried by donor DNA . Markers are classified according to their transforming efficiencies into very high, high, intermediate, and low efficiency . The last is approximately 1/20th as efficient as the first . This marker effect is under the control of the Hex system, which is thought to correct mismatches at the donor-recipient heteroduplex stage in transformation . To investigate this effect, wild type, mutant, and revertant DNA sequences at five genetic sites within the amiA locus were determined . The results show that low-efficiency markers arise from transitional changes A . T to G . C . The transversion A . T to T . A corresponds to an intermediate-efficiency marker . Transversions G . C to T . A and G . C to C . G lead to high-efficiency markers . Among the eight possible mismatches that could exist transiently at the heteroduplex stage in transformation, only two--namely, A/G and C/C--are not corrected by the Hex system . It is noteworthy that the four possible base pairs (A . T, T . A, G . C, and C . G) have been encountered at the very same site (amiA6 site), which constitutes a good illustration of the marker effect . DNA sequence analysis also reveals that short deletions (33 or 34 bases long) are integrated with very high efficiencies . These results confirm that the Hex system corrects point mismatches harbored in donor-recipient heteroduplexes thousands of bases long . The correction pattern of the Hex system toward multiple-base mismatches has also been investigated . Its behavior toward double-base mismatches is complex, suggesting that neighboring sequences may affect the detection of mispaired bases.

Microbiologica, 1983 Oct, 6(4), 327 - 37
Streptococcal receptors for human immunoglobulins; Savoia D et al.; Six streptococcus strains with a high affinity for human serum Ig were examined under various experimental conditions to correlate their structures with specific IgG and IgA receptors . Treatment at 80 degrees C for 5 min appeared to have no effect on their ability to bind IgG and/or IgA, while long maintenance in culture determined a dissimilar partial loss of IgG and IgA binding ability . Proteolytic enzymes and hot HCl reduced the ability of these strains, especially those in group A, to absorb both IgG and IgA . It would seem that the protein most involved in this type of bond is the T protein.

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