Eur J Biochem, 1987 Feb 16, 163(1), 175 - 9 Two new vitamin B-12 factors from sewage sludge containing 2-methylsulfinyladenine or 2-methylsulfonyladenine as base component; Renz P et al.; Two hitherto unknown vitamin B-12 factors were isolated from sewage sludge . They were degraded with cerous hydroxide to cobinamide and the corresponding nucleoside . The nucleosides were further split with dilute hydrochloric acid to the bases and D-ribose . The structure of the two bases was found to be 2-methylsulfinyladenine and 2-methylsulfonyladenine . This was revealed by mass, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and by comparison with the synthetic compounds . On addition of the synthetic bases to fermentations with Propionibacterium acidi-propionici the vitamin B-12 factors containing the corresponding base were formed . They were identical with the 2-methylsulfonyladenylcobamide and 2-methylsulfonyladenylcobamide originally isolated from sewage sludge. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1987 Feb, 28(2), 259 - 63 Chronic anaerobic bacterial endophthalmitis in pseudophakic rabbit eyes; Nobe JR et al.; Experimental anaerobic bacterial endophthalmitis was produced in pseudophakic and aphakic rabbits by using anterior chamber inoculation of 2.5 x 10(6) Propionibacterium acnes organisms . Clinical inflammation was more intense and prolonged in operated eyes with an intraocular lens in place . The presence of an intraocular lens favors the development of chronic low-grade P . acnes-related inflammation. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Feb, 25(2), 251 - 4 Propionibacterium acnes osteomyelitis: case report and review of the literature; Noble RC et al.; Propionibacterium acnes, a part of the skin flora, caused vertebral osteomyelitis in a man who had recently undergone a microdiskectomy . The identifying characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility pattern are presented for this unusual human pathogen . The relationship of P . acnes to bone infection is summarized for the first time . A typical patient with P . acnes osteomyelitis is an adult male who has had prior surgery . Most patients respond favorably to prolonged antibiotic therapy. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987 Feb, 6(2), 182 - 9 Infectious complications of intraventricular reservoirs in cancer patients; Browne MJ et al.; Drug administration via an intraventricular reservoir is useful in the treatment of leukemic and carcinomatous meningitis that occurs in patients who have previously received lumbar intrathecal chemotherapy . The intraventricular route, however, is associated with a higher incidence of infectious complications compared with therapy given by the lumbar route . To characterize the infectious complications associated with such reservoirs, we reviewed the 10-year experience of the Pediatric Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and Children's Orthopedic Hospital, Seattle, WA, with 61 patients (49 with leukemia, 8 with lymphoma, 4 with solid tumors) who had intraventricular reservoirs placed for administration of chemotherapy . The reservoirs were in place for a median of 36 weeks and were punctured a median of 29.5 times, Infectious complications occurred in 14 of 61 patients (23%) and Propionibacterium acnes was the most common organism recovered from cultures . Twelve patients (19.7%) had 19 episodes of clinically suspected and microbiologically documented meningitis or of positive intraventricular reservoir cerebrospinal fluid cultures without symptoms which were treated successfully . Local cellulitis occurred at the site of intraventricular reservoir placement in 2 patients (3.3%) and removal of the intraventricular reservoir was necessary for successful management . Nine patients had their intraventricular reservoir removed (5 because of associated infection and 4 because of malfunction unassociated with infection).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Infect Immun, 1987 Feb, 55(2), 335 - 41 Induction of murine gamma interferon production by lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-2 in Propionibacterium acnes-induced peritoneal exudate cells; Okamura H et al.; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces high levels of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in the circulation of mice pretreated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes . The following results were obtained in the present study . LPS, as well as interleukin-2 (IL-2), was also able to induce IFN-gamma in vitro in peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from such mice . Splenocytes and lymph node cells from these mice or resident peritoneal cells from control mice produced trace or undetectable amount of IFN-gamma upon exposure to LPS . A synergistic effect on IFN-gamma induction was observed when LPS was added to a culture of PEC together with IL-2 . Indomethacin augmented the induction of IFN-gamma by LPS or IL-2, and prostaglandin E2 reversed its effect . Deprivation of plastic-adherent or nylon wool-adherent cells abolished the induction by LPS or IL-2, whereas it did not affect that by concanavalin A . Culture supernatant of plastic-adherent cells incubated with LPS stimulated the nylon wool-nonadherent cells to produce IFN-gamma in the presence of IL-2, but interleukin-1 or phorbol myristic acetate did not replace the LPS-stimulated supernatant . The ability of PEC to produce IFN-gamma measured as a function of time after P . acnes injection increased in proportion to their natural killer (NK)-like activity against YAC-1 cells . Moreover, treatment of PEC with monoclonal anti-Thy-1 antibody or with anti-asialo GM1 antiserum plus complement eliminated the production of IFN-gamma and the NK-like activity simultaneously, whereas treatment with monoclonal anti-Lyt-2 antibody plus complement did not . These results suggest that IL-2 and some unidentified factor released from plastic-adherent cells by LPS stimulation cooperatively induce IFN-gamma production in activated, Thy-1- and asialo GM1-positive NK-like cells appearing in inflammatory reactions and that prostaglandin E2 regulates IFN-gamma production in these cells. Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki, 1987, (1), 5 - 10 {Effect of cobalamin derivatives on DNA synthesis in cells of Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp . shermanii}; Iordan EP et al.; The increase of DNA-synthesis rate (according incorporation {8-14C}adenine) in B12-deficient cells Propionibacterium shermanii as a result of different cobalamines adding into the cell suspension including metoxyethyladenile analog of adenozilcobalamin and some components of vitamin B12 molecule has been found . The DNA-synthesis rate in B12-deficient cells is nearly twice lower as compared with one in B12-normal cells . Considerable stimulative effect (80-100%) was provided with coenzyme forms of cobalamin . The data confirm the participation of vitamin B12 in DNA-synthesis in Propionibacterium cells. Biomed Pharmacother, 1987, 41(3), 132 - 8 Thermoimmunotherapy of advanced neoplasms . A concept and preliminary results; Szmigielski S et al.; A rationale for the use of local hyperthermia (LH) in cases of advanced neoplasms as well as indications for its therapeutic application are discussed . LH applied alone is of limited use, only about 50% of patients with advanced neoplasms benefit from this therapy, with a complete remission (CR) rate of 10-15% . Thus LH should be considered as a supplementary form of cytoreductive therapy and it should be combined with other antineoplastic modalities . Clinical studies on thermoimmunotherapy (a combination of LH with a potent immunomodulator--Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45) were undertaken in advanced prostatic and breast cancer . The results now available after 1-2 years observation periods indicate that the number of responders is higher in groups treated with thermoimmunotherapy than in those with LH only . Although the observations are still in progress, the authors suggest that thermoimmunotherapy offers a real alternative for advanced neoplasms and opens a new field for experimental and clinical investigations. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 1987, 113(4), 359 - 62 Combined immunostimulation (Propionibacterium avidum KP 40) and anticoagulation (heparin) prevents metastatic lung and liver colonization in mice; Beuth J et al.; The antineoplastic activity of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 and its enhancement by anticoagulation with heparin was studied . In Balb/c mice syngeneic sarcoma L-1 exclusively caused tumor colonization of the lungs . After neuraminidase treatment the organotropism of this tumor was changed, with tumor nodules developing in lung and liver . After single systemic application of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 the number of lung and liver colonies decreased evidently . Combination of this immunomodulating therapy with temporary anticoagulation resulted in further reduction of tumor colonies in lung and liver. Arch Dermatol Res, 1987, 279(3), 190 - 3 Fluorescence from pilosebaceous follicles; Johnsson A et al.; Fluorescence studies were performed on the extrusions from pilosebaceous follicles . Pressure extractions produced follicle samples which showed fluorescence under Wood's light . The samples were then analysed in a fluorometer giving corrected excitation spectra . The structured emission spectra achieved were interpreted as being due to porphyrins produced by Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes) . Details in the spectra showed close resemblance to spectra from cultured P . acnes cells . The emission spectra showed distinct features in all the four subjects investigated (who were different with respect to age, sex, follicle sampling area, and tendency to acne) and dominant peaks due to at least three porphyrins were found . The concentrations of these porphyrins vary from case to case . Excitation spectra were recorded and supported the assumption that the fluorescent emission was partly due to coproporphyrins and metalloporphyrins in the samples . Free protoporphyrins did not seem to be present in the extrusions . The excitation spectra, in particular, vary from person to person but seem to be constant over time in one and the same subject. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1987, 176(2), 75 - 8 The influence of killed Propionibacterium granulosum on experimental infection with Escherichia coli; Hof H et al.; Mice infected subcutaneously with 5 X 10(3) viable cells of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 incorporated in liquified agar developed a systemic infection . Increasing bacterial numbers could be recovered from the liver at several days following infection . Ultimately, the animals died 6 days after infection . Treatment of mice with 1 mg killed Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 lead to an increased spleen weight at day 7 after intraperitoneal injection . Hence, the animals were highly susceptible to the lethal action of endotoxin . They were, however, markedly protected against infection with E . coli, since definitely lower bacterial counts were found in the liver of pretreated mice in comparison to controls. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1987 Jan-Feb, 42(1-2), 123 - 8 Uptake of protoporphyrin and violet light photodestruction of Propionibacterium acnes; Melo TB; The uptake of protoporphyrin IX by Propionibacterium acnes in suspension has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy . Protoporphyrin, after it was injected into a cell suspension, was firstly bound to receptors on the cell surface and in this state protoporphyrin was non-fluorescent . Subsequently, probably as a result of lateral diffusion in the cell wall, these protoporphyrin-receptor complexes formed dimers . The final step in the overall uptake process of protoporphyrin by the cells from the surroundings consisted in a jump of such dimers from waterlike to lipidlike compartments in the cell membrane where protoporphyrin became fluorescent . The lipidlike compartments in the cells had a limited binding capacity of protoporphyrin . The fraction of surviving cells versus light dose has also been studied for varying amounts of protoporphyrin added to the cell suspensions . The survival curves were exponentially decaying with the irradiation time and there was a direct proportionality between the inverse slope of the survival curves and the intensity of protoporphyrin fluorescence form the lipidlike compartments . The relevance of these results to the therapy of Acne vulgaris is also discussed. Dermatologica, 1987, 175 Suppl 1, 133 - 7 Isotretinoin--an explanation for its long-term benefit; Cunliffe WJ et al.; Isotretinoin is of undisputed benefit in the treatment of acne . In doses of 1 mg/kg/day for 4 months the drug produces a highly significant reduction in sebum excretion rate (90 +/- 3%) in comedone formation as measured by assessing follicular casts (70 +/- 5%), and in surface Propionibacterium acnes . However, the mechanisms of long-term clinical remission are not well understood . There are however, risk factors which predetermine the outcome to treatment with isotretinoin . Younger subjects (14-19 years) and those who have had acne for less than 6 years, respond less well than older subjects . Subjects with more truncal acne also fare less well than those with predominantly facial acne . A return of the reduced sebum excretion rate to within 10% of the pre-treatment level also is a poor prognostic factor . This and future studies could lead to development of more logical dose regimes depending, for example, on the age of the patient; duration of acne and its site . However, until proven otherwise, this study confirms our earlier data, and that of the German multi-centres and Strauss et al (1), that the optimum dose schedule for treating acne patients is 1 mg/kg/day regime. Nahrung, 1987, 31(5-6), 553 - 5, 644 {Whipple's disease, an example of interactions between gastrointestinal flora and the macroorganism?}; Knoke M et al.; Morbus Whipple is known as a systemic disease caused by bacteria and inducing the formation of mucopolysaccharides which is absorbed by macrophages . In a mucosal bioptate of a 60 years old patient suffering from this disease we could prove numerous rod-shaped bacteria (Propionibacterium) by electronmicroscopy . In the duodenal secretion aerobic and strictly anaerobic bacteria were to be found . Therapy with tetracycline was followed by a fast and distinct improvement of the clinical symptoms of the absorption disturbances but not so clear of the histological findings. J Bacteriol, 1986 Dec, 168(3), 1212 - 9 Isolation of intact chains of polyphosphate from "Propionibacterium shermanii" grown on glucose or lactate; Clark JE et al.; A procedure is presented for the isolation of intact polyphosphate (poly P) from "Propionibacterium shermanii." It is demonstrated, by including {32P}poly P during the extraction, that this procedure does not hydrolyze the poly P, and it is shown that two other widely used procedures do cause breakdown of the poly P . The procedure presented allows isolation of three fractions, short-chain poly P which is soluble in trichloroacetic acid, long-chain poly P which is soluble at neutral pH, and long-chain poly P which is present in volutin granules . Cells which had been grown on lactate did not contain short-chain poly P but did contain a high amount of long-chain poly P, which accumulated to 3% of the cell dry weight . At least 70% of this poly P was present in volutin granules . The poly P ranged in length from 250 to 725 phosphate residues and was the same average size as that synthesized in vitro by the poly P kinase from "P . shermanii" . This indicates that the poly P kinase is responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of the poly P . In contrast to cells grown on lactate, those which had been grown on glucose did not contain volutin granules, did contain short-chain poly P and had 100-fold less long-chain poly P than lactate-grown cells . We propose that during the fermentation of glucose, the amount of poly P is lower than during growth on lactate because it is continuously utilized as a substrate in the phosphorylation of glucose. Infect Immun, 1986 Dec, 54(3), 673 - 82 Immunobiological activities of synthetic lipid A analogs with low endotoxicity; Kotani S et al.; Synthetic lipid A analogs, beta(1-6)glucosamine disaccharide 1,4'-bisphosphates, which possesses four tetradecanoyl groups at the 2- and 2'-amino, and 3- and 3'-hydroxyl groups (LA-17-PP), and each two of the (R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl and tetradecanoyl groups at the 2- and 2'-amino and 3- and 3'-hydroxyl groups, respectively (LA-18-PP), were far less endotoxic than synthetic (506, LA-15-PP) and bacterial Escherichia coli type lipid A's; neither compound showed any detectable lethal toxicity in chicken embryos or preparatory activity for the local Shwartzman reaction in rabbits . Also both compounds were only weakly pyrogenic and comparably less lethally toxic in galactosamine-loaded mice than the reference synthetic and bacterial lipid A's and a synthetic counterpart to biosynthetic lipid A precursor Ia (406, LA-14-PP) . Nevertheless, LA-17-PP and LA-18-PP exhibited definite in vivo immunoadjuvant activity in mice, and the ability to induce a possible tumor necrosis factor and alpha/beta interferon in Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Propionibacterium acnes-primed mice, respectively, although these activities were weaker than those of the reference lipid A's . 4'-Monophosphate analogs of the above two test compounds exhibited neither endotoxic nor beneficial activities, but they showed remarkable in vitro bioactivities comparable to those of the corresponding bisphosphate compounds; the ability to activate the human complement system and the clotting enzyme cascade of horseshoe crab amoebocyte lysate, stimulatory effects on guinea pig and murine peritoneal macrophages, and murine splenocytes. Ophthalmic Surg, 1986 Dec, 17(12), 791 - 3 Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis seven months after extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation; Jaffe GJ et al.; We present a case of endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes seven months following extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation . The markedly delayed clinical course of endophthalmitis associated with this organism appears to be highly stereotypical . Recognition and treatment of this complication of cataract surgery allows an excellent chance at cure. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Dec, 18 Suppl E, 41 - 6 In-vitro sensitivity of Bacteroidaceae, clostridia and propionibacteria to newer antimicrobial agents; Hoffler U; The susceptibility of 220 fresh clinical isolates of Bacteroidaceae, clostridia and propionibacteria to imipenem, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and four further substances were established by agar dilution tests . Imipenem was unique among the seven test antibiotics in that it was active against all the bacteria investigated . Whereas clindamycin suppressed all Gram-positive and 94 X 8% of the Gram-negative strains tested, and metronidazole was effective against all but the propionibacteria, ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin showed satisfactory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria only. Int J Dermatol, 1986 Dec, 25(10), 664 - 7 Comparing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide on inflammatory acne vulgaris; Mills OH Jr et al.; A 2.5% formulation of benzoyl peroxide was compared with its vehicle, and with a 5% and a 10% proprietary benzoyl peroxide gel preparation in three double-blind studies involving 153 patients with mild to moderately severe acne vulgaris . The 2.5% benzoyl peroxide formulation was more effective than its vehicle and equivalent to the 5% and 10% concentrations in reducing the number of inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) . Desquamation, erythema, and symptoms of burning with the 2.5% gel were less frequent than with the 10% preparation but equivalent to the 5% gel . The 2.5% formulation also significantly reduced Propionibacterium acnes and the percentage of free fatty acids in the surface lipids after 2 weeks of topical application. J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Nov, 40(5), 575 - 87 Role of pulmonary macrophages in resistance to experimental metastasis; Jackson RA et al.; Intranasal inoculation of C3H/HeN mice with Propionibacterium acnes activates pulmonary macrophages but not splenic or peritoneal macrophages . When mice so treated were injected IV with tumor cells, no protection against the challenge was seen . Conversely, inoculation of C3H/HeN mice with P . acnes by the IP route activated splenic and peritoneal macrophages but not pulmonary macrophages . When mice with activated splenic and peritoneal macrophages were challenged with an IV injection of tumor cells, the mice demonstrated an increased resistance to the formation of pulmonary tumors . Thus, activation of splenic and peritoneal macrophages correlated better with protection against IV tumor challenge than activation of pulmonary macrophages . Experiments were done that demonstrated that the effect was not due to the augmentation of NK cell activity . The data are consistent with the conclusion that activated pulmonary macrophages alone are not effective in conferring resistance to pulmonary tumor nodule formation in this tumor model. Cell Immunol, 1986 Nov, 103(1), 54 - 64 Macrophage activation in rat models of inflammation and arthritis: determination of markers of stages of activation; Johnson WJ et al.; Disease-associated alterations in macrophage functions were assessed by investigating the stages of activation of peritoneal macrophages obtained from adjuvant-induced arthritic rats . The stages of activation were established by defining several functional parameters in macrophages obtained from normal, sterile-irritant injected and Propionibacterium acnes injected animals . Peritoneal macrophages taken from arthritic rats 17 days post adjuvant injection displayed parameters characteristic of activated, but not elicited or resident macrophages . Specifically, an increased number of macrophages was recovered from arthritic rats which spread readily in culture, exhibited enhanced Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis, increased leucine aminopeptidase ectoenzyme activity, enhanced secretion of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin 1, and ability to lyse tumor cells spontaneously . In addition, these macrophages were impaired in their ability to secrete superoxide anion . These data demonstrate distinct differences in parameters of peritoneal macrophage activation in rats compared to mice and that macrophage activation is associated with disease progression in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Nov, 40(5), 549 - 59 Effects of diethylstilbestrol on Propionibacterium acnes immunomodulation: inhibition of macrophage activation and antitumor activity; Ackermann MF et al.; Exposure of mice to diethylstilbestrol (DES) inhibited Propionibacterium acnes-induced antitumor activity in vivo against the B16F10 subcutaneous tumor . The inhibitory effect was associated with inhibition by DES of the characteristic P . acnes induced splenomegaly and changes in splenic and peritoneal macrophages (M phi) cell populations . The characteristic P . acnes induced reductions in M phi alkaline phosphodiesterase I (APD) ectoenzyme activity and in total RNA synthesis, proposed biochemical markers of tumoricidal M phi, were partially or completely reversed in DES-treated mice . As predicted from these in vivo and in vitro results, DES treatment significantly decreased P . acnes activation of M phi antitumor activity in vitro against B16F10 melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma cells . These data suggest a macrophage activation defect may be involved in the reduced resistance that DES-treated animals exhibit to a variety of neoplastic and microbial challenges. Med J Aust, 1986 Oct 20, 145(8), 408 - 10 Propionibacterium acnes infection in neurosurgical patients . Experience with high-dose penicillin therapy; Collignon PJ et al.; Propionibacterium acnes is an underestimated but significant cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection after neurosurgical procedures and in the presence of prosthetic devices . The most effective therapy for such infections has not been defined . We report here our experience with the use of high-dose penicillin in the treatment of six patients with postoperative infection which was caused by P . acnes . All patients received 3-4 million units of penicillin by the intravenous route every four hours, in combination with surgical drainage and removal of prosthetic devices where appropriate . All but one of the patients recovered from their infection . The remaining patient responded to penicillin but died of a massive intraventricular haemorrhage after 12 days . Isolates of P . acnes had minimal inhibitory concentrations to penicillin that ranged from 0.03-0.12 mg/L . No adverse reactions to penicillin were recorded . We conclude that high-dose intravenous penicillin therapy, in combination with surgical drainage and removal of foreign bodies, constitutes appropriate therapy for CSF infections that are due to P . acnes. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 Oct, 182(5-6), 499 - 514 Antibacterial efficacy of Fabry's tinctura on the resident flora of the skin at the forehead . Study of bacterial population dynamics in stratum corneum and infundibulum after single and repeated applications; Hartmann AA et al.; The in-vivo antibacterial activity of Fabry's tinctura (FT), a 3 w% salicylic acid, 1 w% phenoli liquefacti containing 50 v/v% isopropanol used in dermatology for the treatment of erythrasma, pityriasis versicolor, acne vulgaris a.o . on the human resident skin flora was assessed by a new test method in comparison to 60 v/v% isopropanol . The test method consists of a detergent scrub method (DSM) in combination with the cyanoacrylate method (CAM) thus allowing the quantitative determination of bacterial densities in two depth compartments of human skin, separately for bacterial genera . The most important innovation of this test method is that its arrangement, especially the separate evaluation of the genera of the resident flora, makes it possible to examine the ability of an antimicrobial agent to invade different depth compartments by its bioactivity against the resident flora and to measure short-and-long-term efficacies under physiological conditions . Our findings in 120 volunteers indicate that compared to 60% isopropanol FT is able to reduce bacterial density in superficial and deep skin compartments immediately after a single application equally well, but for a significantly longer period . In repeated applications, 60% isopropanol does not produce a cumulative or long-lasting effect, but it causes an abundant rebound growth of Propionibacterium spp . in the lower skin compartment . FT, however, shows a cumulative antibacterial effect at the surface and in the depth persisting up to four days after the last application . It is concluded that by its salicylic acid and phenolic content FT is an effective drug for the topical antimicrobial therapy of skin diseases. Acta Med Okayama, 1986 Oct, 40(5), 257 - 64 Alveolar lymphocyte proliferation induced by Propionibacterium acnes in sarcoidosis patients; Nakata Y et al.; The proliferation of lymphocytes induced by Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes) was measured by the in vitro incorporation of 3H-thymidine . The mean response rate of alveolar lymphocytes obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage was 2.23 +/- 0.89 in nine untreated sarcoidosis patients, 0.85 +/- 0.17 in five sarcoidosis patients given corticosteroids and 0.78 +/- 0.29 in 11 controls . The proliferation was significantly enhanced in the untreated patients compared to both the treated patients (p less than 0.01) and controls (p less than 0.001), but there was no significant difference in response rates between the treated patients and controls . The response rate of alveolar lymphocytes was significantly higher in four active patients (3.05 +/- 0.61) than in four inactive patients (1.77 +/- 0.44) (p less than 0.05) and in the controls (p less than 0.001) . In sarcoidosis patients, the response rates showed a good correlation with activities of serum lysozyme (r = 0.695, p less than 0.01), and with percentages of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (r = 0.591, p less than 0.05) . There was a low correlation between angiotensin-converting enzyme activities and the response rates (r = 0.508, p less than 0.1) . Neither peripheral blood lymphocytes in sarcoidosis patients nor in controls showed any response to P . acnes, but alveolar lymphocytes of the untreated active sarcoidosis patients were sensitive to P . acnes . The lymphocytes activated by P . acnes may play a central role in the induction of alveolitis in sarcoidosis patients. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1986 Oct, 15(4 Pt 2), 907 - 15 Rational therapy for acne vulgaris: an update on topical treatment; Leyden JJ et al.; Acne vulgaris is a disorder of sebaceous follicles that usually begins at the time of the sharp increase in androgen production that occurs in adolescence . This disease is most prevalent among teenagers, but it does occur in patients in their twenties and thirties . Three major areas of pathophysiology have been identified in acne: hyperkeratinization and obstruction of sebaceous follicles, resulting from abnormal desquamation of follicular epithelium; an androgen-stimulated increase in the production of sebum; and proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes, which generates inflammation . Disruption of the preclinical precursor lesion known as the microcomedo produces inflammation, which leads to the pustules and papules of clinical disease and may eventually result in scarring . Rational therapy for acne should be directed at the three factors involved in the pathophysiology of the disease . Tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) acts to normalize desquamation of follicular epithelium, promote drainage of comedones, and inhibit formation of new ones . Salicylic acid is also comedolytic, but to a much lesser degree . Benzoyl peroxide and topical or systemic antibiotics work by decreasing the follicular population of P . acnes, thus reducing inflammation . Direct injection of corticosteroids may be used to reduce large inflammatory lesions . Physical removal of comedones is also useful . Severe nodulocystic acne and other cases that fail to respond to these measures may be treated systemically with isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid). Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1986 Sep, 13(1-2), 71 - 84 Immunomodulation with killed Propionibacterium acnes in guinea pigs simultaneously vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19; Panangala VS et al.; Immunomodulation with killed Propionibacterium acnes was attempted in guinea pigs simultaneously vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19 . Two groups, each comprised of 9 guinea pigs, were injected by different routes (s.c . and or i.v.) with 1.4 mg of P . acnes and 5 X 10(8) CFU of B . abortus, S-19, while 3 other groups each received either P . acnes, B . abortus S-19, or saline (s.c.) . The antibody titers to B . abortus measured at 6, 10 and 14 weeks after vaccination indicated no significant (P less than 0.01) response in the 2 groups immunopotentiated with P . acnes concurrent with B . abortus S-19 vaccination . The delayed hypersensitivity response to 3 Brucella antigens conducted 8 weeks after immunization did not show a significant difference between the B . abortus S-19 vaccinated group compared with the 2 groups immunopotentiated and vaccinated . However, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to the B . abortus soluble antigen diluted 1:100 indicated significantly enhanced blastogenesis in the (s.c.) immunopotentiated and immunized guinea pigs compared with the B . abortus S-19 vaccinated group . A slightly enhanced response was also observed in the group immunopotentiated (i.v.) and vaccinated (s.c.) . The guinea pigs were challenged with B . abortus strain 2308 and necropsied 4 weeks later . The mean splenic CFU of the Brucella in the group immunopotentiated (i.v.) and vaccinated (s.c.) was significantly decreased when compared with the guinea pigs vaccinated with B . abortus S-19 alone . These findings indicated that P . acnes administered simultaneously with B . abortus S-19 vaccine was able to augment the immune response in guinea pigs . Immunomodulation as evidenced by enhanced clearance of B . abortus from the spleens of immunopotentiated animals was presumably brought about by activated macrophages or a T-cell mediated cytolytic mechanism or both. Mikrobiologiia, 1986 Sep-Oct, 55(5), 750 - 3 {Peroxidase of propionic acid bacteria}; Vorob'eva LI et al.; The peroxidase activity was found in Propionibacterium shermanii . Methods were developed to isolate and purify the enzyme . It was shown to be a heme-containing protein, specific to H2O2, stable at 20 to 30 degrees C and exerting the optimal action at pH 6.8 to 7.0 . The rate of the enzyme-catalysed reaction was studied as a function of the enzyme and substrate concentrations . The Km was determined for H2O2 and o-dianisidine. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1986 Sep-Oct, 41(9-10), 867 - 72 Photodestruction of endogenous porphyrins in relation to cellular inactivation of Propionibacterium acnes; Melo TB et al.; During growth of Propionibacterium acnes on Eagles medium protoporphyrin was accumulated inside the cells and coproporphyrin, both as a free base as metalcontaining, outside the cells . The photochemical processes in the endogenous porphyrins were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy during continuous irradiation of Propionibacterium acnes in suspension . The irradiation caused initially an increase in the content of protoporphyrin in the cells in comparison to that which had been accumulated during growth . Maximum light induced protoporphyrin production was achieved in 5 days old cultures . In old cultures where there was practically no initial protoporphyrin release, the fluorescence intensities from all the porphyrins present in the culture vanished exponentially with the irradiation time . The metal containing form of fluorescent coproporphyrin, with a maximum emission at 580 nm, was photobleached about ten times faster than the free base forms of coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin . Among these three fluorescent substances in the cell culture only the free base forms of the porphyrins have longer lifetimes than the cells themselves irradiated at the same conditions. Biochemistry, 1986 Aug 12, 25(16), 4674 - 81 Carbohydrate substrate specificity of bacterial and plant pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinases; Bertagnolli BL et al.; Pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase from the facultative anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium freudenreichii and from the mung bean Phaseolus aureus has been purified to homogeneity . Potential utilization of carbohydrate substrate analogues for each enzyme was initially screened by using Fourier transform 31P NMR at pH 8 and 25 degrees C and monitoring the appearance of the phosphate resonance in the direction of D-fructose 6-phosphate phosphorylation (forward reaction direction) and, with the bisphosphate analogues, the appearance of the pyrophosphate resonance in the direction of phosphate phosphorylation (reverse reaction direction) . Both enzymes are strict in their requirements for the sugar phosphate substrate, with only D-fructose 6-phosphate, D-sedoheptulose 7-phosphate, and 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol 6-phosphate, or their respective bisphosphates in the reverse reaction direction, utilized as substrates at detectable levels . The dissociation constants for D-psicose 6-phosphate, D-tagatose 6-phosphate, and L-sorbose 6-phosphate are an order of magnitude larger than that for D-fructose 6-phosphate, indicating a stringent steric requirement for the D-threo (trans) configuration at the two nonanomeric furan ring hydroxyl groups . These results strongly suggest that the anomeric, epimeric, and tautomeric form of the sugar phosphate substrates favored by both enzymes is the beta-D-fructofuranose form . Dissociation constants for nonsubstrate analogues were used to provide information on the nature of the active site . Competitive inhibition patterns vs . fructose 1,6-bisphosphate were obtained for a series of 1,n-alkanediol bisphosphates (where n = 2-9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Jpn J Cancer Res, 1986 Aug, 77(8), 825 - 32 The role of anti-asialo GM1 antibody-sensitive cells in the implementation of tumor-specific T cell-mediated immunity in vivo; Yoshioka T et al.; The present study deals with the role of cells sensitive to anti-asialo GM1 antibody treatment in T cell-mediated tumor cell eradication in vivo . Rabbit anti-asialo GM1 antiserum was injected into C3H/He mice . This treatment not only resulted in almost complete abrogation of natural killer (NK) cell activity but also produced a potent inhibiting effect on the generation of activated macrophage activity induced by inoculating Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes) . Such an immunodepressed state lasted for 20 days or more after 5 consecutive injections of anti-asialo GM1 antiserum . These anti-asialo GM1 antibody-treated C3H/He mice were used as recipients in Winn assays, in which the neutralizing activity of spleen cells immunized to syngeneic X5563 tumor cells was assessed . The results demonstrated that anti-X5563 immune spleen cells depleted of asialo GM1-positive cells by the in vitro treatment with anti-asialo GM1 antibody plus complement exhibited potent anti-X5563 tumor-neutralizing activity in antibody-untreated normal recipient mice . In contrast, the X5563-immune spleen cells depleted of asialo GM1+ cells failed to produce tumor protection in asialo GM1 antiserum-treated recipient mice . When T cell-deprived B cell mice were used as recipients in Winn assays, X5563 immune spleen cells depleted of asialo GM1+ cells exhibited or failed to exhibit tumor-neutralizing activity in asialo GM1 antiserum-untreated or -treated recipient B cell mice, respectively . These results indicate that the implementation of T cell-mediated in vivo protective immunity requires the participation of anti-asialo GM1 antibody-sensitive cells, but not necessarily the host's T cells. J Immunol, 1986 Jun 15, 136(12), 4704 - 13 Cytolytic interactions between murine macrophages, tumor cells, and monoclonal antibodies: characterization of lytic conditions and requirements for effector activation; Johnson WJ et al.; Because of recent successes in inducing the effective rejection of neoplasms in vivo by administration of monoclonal antibodies (MAb), we analyzed lytic interactions in vitro that occur between macrophages and several combinations of tumor targets and MAb that can lead to such successful immunotherapy . Murine macrophages, interacting with MAb of the IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 isotypes directed against SW-1116 carcinoma cells, destroyed the tumor targets efficiently over 24 to 48 hr in vitro . Lysis was dependent on both concentration of the MAb and density of the macrophages . Binding and lysis of the targets in the presence of MAb of the IgG2a isotype was dependent on intact Fc gamma 2aR on the macrophages; target binding was necessary but not sufficient for subsequent lysis . The lytic step appeared to have an oxidative basis, at least in part, as shown by inhibition of lysis with a nonspecific scavenger of H2O2 or under either anaerobic or glucose-deprived conditions . TG-elicited or pyran-elicited macrophages, which are incompletely activated for antibody independent kill of tumor cells, were effective in mediating ADCC . By contrast, macrophages fully activated for direct cytolysis by administration of BCG or Propionibacterium acnes in vivo or by MAF and LPS in vitro, had diminished capacity for ADCC . A spectrum of five other tumor cells and antibodies, four of which are also involved in successful models of immunotherapy in vivo, were also killed over 48 hr more effectively by thioglycolate-elicited than by BCG-activated macrophages . Taken together, the data indicate that macrophages can lyse tumor cells in an ADCC reaction that has application to some models of the destruction of tumors in vivo, but that the lysis is slow and requires the macrophages to be activated in a specific way(s). Biochem J, 1986 Jun 1, 236(2), 489 - 94 The subunit structure of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii; Francalanci F et al.; 5'-Deoxyadenosylcobalamin-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase was purified to homogeneity from Propionibacterium shermanii by a simplified procedure . The native enzyme has an apparent Mr of 165,000, similar to the enzyme from other sources but larger than previously reported . It consists of two non-identical subunits, of Mr 79,000 and 67,000 respectively . The smaller subunit is apparently not a proteolytic fragment of the larger one . The final preparation usually contained some inactive mutase, bearing a tenaciously bound cobalamin species . This protein proved to be readily separable from apoenzyme by fast protein liquid chromatography on anion-exchange columns. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 May, 5(1), 87 - 92 Propionibacterium avidum as the etiologic agent of splenic abscess; Dunne WM Jr et al.; Propionibacterium avidum was isolated from an intrasplenic abscess in a patient recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery . This organism has not previously been reported as an etiologic agent of splenic abscess nor has splenic abscess been described as a complication of coronary bypass surgery . This report emphasizes the potential pathogenicity of normal microbial flora following surgical manipulation. J Biol Chem, 1986 Apr 5, 261(10), 4481 - 5 Polyphosphate kinase from Propionibacterium shermanii . Demonstration that the synthesis and utilization of polyphosphate is by a processive mechanism; Robinson NA et al.; The mechanism of synthesis of inorganic polyphosphate by polyphosphate kinase (EC 2.7.4.1) from Propionibacterium shermanii is shown to be processive . Analysis of the synthesized polyphosphate on polyacrylamide gels, which resolve on the basis of molecular weight, proves that the elongation reaction occurs without dissociation of intermediate sizes of the polymer from the enzyme . As a consequence, only high molecular weight polyphosphates are synthesized . The mechanism is processive both in the presence and absence of basic protein . It has been shown previously that basic proteins stimulate the synthesis of polyphosphate (Robinson, N.A., Goss, N.H., and Wood, H.G . (1984) Biochem . Int . 8, 757-769) . In addition, using a similar method, it is shown that the reverse reaction, the utilization of polyphosphate to phosphorylate ADP, occurs by a processive mechanism . Accordingly, polyphosphates formed by polyphosphate kinase in the cell would be entirely high molecular weight. J Biol Chem, 1986 Apr 5, 261(10), 4476 - 80 Polyphosphate glucokinase from Propionibacterium shermanii . Kinetics and demonstration that the mechanism involves both processive and nonprocessive type reactions; Pepin CA et al.; Polyphosphate glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.63, polyphosphate glucose phosphotransferase) has been partially purified (960-fold) from Propionibacterium shermanii . Throughout the purification, the ratio of polyphosphate glucokinase activity to ATP glucokinase activity remained approximately constant at 4 to 1 . It is considered that both activities are catalyzed by the same protein . The mechanism of utilization of polyphosphate by polyphosphate glucokinase was investigated using polyphosphates of limited sizes that were isolated following gel electrophoresis of commercial heterogeneous polyphosphates . The results show that with long chain polyphosphates, the reaction proceeds by a processive type mechanism, and with short polyphosphates, it is nonprocessive . The Km for polyphosphate of chain length 724 is 2 X 10(-3) microM and increases with a decrease in chain length to 3.7 X 10(-2) microM at chain length 138 . Subsequently, there is a very rapid increase of Km and at chain length 30 the Km is 4.3 microM . The rapid change in Km coincides with the shift in mechanism from the processive type mechanism in which there apparently is successive phosphorylation prior to release from the enzyme to a nonprocessive process in which the polyphosphate is released from the enzyme after each transfer . During the nonprocessive process, there is preferential utilization of the longer species . The Vmax is relatively constant with shorter polyphosphates but decreases with chain lengths longer than 347 . In the cell, as a consequence of the low Km, the long chain polyphosphates probably are used preferentially to phosphorylate glucose. Br J Dermatol, 1986 Apr, 114(4), 493 - 9 Topical azelaic acid and the treatment of acne: a clinical and laboratory comparison with oral tetracycline; Bladon PT et al.; Topical azelaic acid and oral tetracycline were compared in a 6-month double-blind study for treatment of acne vulgaris in 45 male subjects with clinical acne . Their acne was graded, inflamed or non-inflamed, lesions were counted and the density of their skin microflora was measured . Both treatments were of benefit and produced only a few minor side-effects . Although oral tetracycline was more effective than azelaic acid, the differences were only just significant . The average reduction in numbers of cutaneous micrococcaceae and Propionibacterium sp . with azelaic acid treatment was 224 and 30-fold, respectively . In a separate group of 11 male subjects with physiological acne the effect of azelaic acid on sebum excretion rate was assessed, and little change was detected. Vaccine, 1986 Mar, 4(1), 21 - 4 Adjuvant and antitumour activities of synthetic lipid A analogues; Ukei S et al.; The biological activities of synthetic glycolipids, which were chemically synthesized and based on the structure of lipid A of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, were examined with special reference to their adjuvant activity on the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity, activity on the induction of tumour necrotic factor (TNF) and tumour regressive activity on line 10 hepatoma in strain 2 guinea pigs . Among them, a compound structurally corresponding to free E . coli lipid A (compound 506) as well as LPS exhibited potent adjuvant activity in the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity in guinea pigs and TNF inducing activity in the sera of mice which were presensitized with Propionibacterium acnes . Compound 506 showed potent lethal toxicity in the intravenous administration of BALB/c mice presensitized with P . acnes . The regressive activity on line 10 hepatoma was observed by the multiple intralesional injection of squalane-treated compounds 504 and 505 in strain 2 guinea pigs. Z Hautkr, 1986 Mar 1, 61(5), 320 - 2 {Proof of the effectiveness of a clotrimazole cream paste in acne vulgaris}; Huber HP et al.; The efficacy of Clotrimazol cream paste containing a penetration enhancer in the treatment of acne vulgaris was objectified by investigating the sebum composition . Following treatment over three and six weeks, the ratio of triglyceride to free fatty acid significantly increased, which indicated an effective reduction of the lipase activity of Propionibacterium acnes within the sebaceous follicle. J Toxicol Environ Health, 1986, 17(4), 347 - 56 Suppressive effects of 3-methylcholanthrene on the in vitro antitumor activity of naturally cytotoxic cells; Lill PH et al.; Transient suppression of splenic natural killer (NK), natural cytotoxic (NC), and peritoneal macrophage cytotoxicity was observed following a single injection of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) into C3H/HeN mice . Natural killer cell activity was depressed by 30-60% 4-6 d after injection of 1.0 mg 3-MC . Levels of NK reactivity returned to normal 8 d post 3-MC injection, and no suppression of natural killing was seen when tested 6 wk after 3-MC treatment . 3-MC did not affect Propionibacterium acnes augmentation of NK cell activity when tested both 6 d and 6 wk after carcinogen injection . The results indicate that the observed suppression of naturally cytotoxic cells may not be important in allowing 3-MC-induced tumors to grow, since suppression is not long-lasting . Therefore, any effect on tumor growth mediated by a suppression of naturally cytotoxic cells would have to be exerted at the earliest stages of tumor development. J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(4), 499 - 513 Activated macrophage hybridomas secreting a cytotoxic factor; Takeda T et al.; Stable activated macrophage hybridomas were generated by somatic cell fusion between Propionibacterium acnes-induced peritoneal exudate cells and NS-1 myeloma cells . Five cell lines were obtained and each was cloned by limiting dilution; 59 clones were obtained . The cells of 2 clones (MP4-4 and MP4-8) which adhered to the culture dishes were selected for further analysis . These hybridomas exhibited non-specific esterase and beta-galactosidase intracellularly, and asialo GM1, Mac-1, Ia antigens and Fc-receptors on their cell surface . They did not, however, show phagocytic activity or secrete lysozyme . These hybridomas (MP4-4 and MP4-8) secreted the cytotoxic factor without any stimulation . Furthermore strong cytotoxic activity was found in ascites and sera from nude mice inoculated with these hybridomas . These activated macrophage hybridomas should be very useful in studies on cancer immunology and the physiology of macrophages. Microbios, 1986, 48(196-197), 165 - 72 Histamine production by Propionibacterium acnes in batch and continuous culture; Allaker RP et al.; Histamine production by Propionibacterium acnes was studied using batch and continuous culture . In batch culture, the culture pH and the production of histamine closely paralleled the pattern of growth, increasing as the growth increased . Continuous culture studies using a chemostat and varying culture pH showed that highest levels of growth of P . acnes occurred at pH 6.0 and that two clear 'peaks' of histamine production were apparent at pH 4.5 and at pH 7.5 . The levels measured at pH 7.5 were approximately one third the maximum value measured at pH 4.5 . When P . acnes was grown at different dilution rates at pH 5.7, the histamine and biomass production rates increased proportionately as the growth rates were increased, except at the lowest relative dilution rate employed (0.75 microrel) where the production rate of histamine was higher than the value predicted by a proportional relationship. Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 22(1), 24 - 30 Antitumor and immunologic effects of a pyridine-extracted fraction of Propionibacterium acnes; Lichtenstein A et al.; The antitumor and immunological effects of a pyridine extractable fraction of Propionibacterium acnes were tested in a murine ovarian teratocarcinoma (MOT) model . Previous studies have demonstrated that tumor rejection in this model depends upon sequential activation of tumoricidal neutrophils (PMNs) followed by cytostatic macrophages . The pyridine extract significantly prolonged the survival of mice challenged with 10(3) or 10(4) MOT cells but had little impact on a 10(5) tumor inoculum . In vivo cytoreduction occurred within the first 24 h following IP treatment which correlated temporally with the influx of tumoricidal PMNs into the peritoneal cavity . Immunotherapy failure in mice challenged with 10(5) MOT cells occurred between 48 and 72 h after treatment when macrophage chemotaxis into the peritoneal cavity was initiated . Although injection of unfractionated bacteria activated MOT-cytostatic macrophages, the pyridine extract was deficient in this regard . Intraperitoneal injection of the pyridine extract resulted in an early (day +1) depression and late (day +5) enhancement of peritoneal NK cytotoxicity . These data suggest that the retention of neutrophil-activating moieties in the pyridine extract are sufficient for antitumor effects against low tumor inocula while the depletion of macrophage-activating determinants results in diminished effects against larger tumor cell challenges. Nahrung, 1986, 30(5), 563 - 4 Substances with biological activity of vitamin B12 formed during cultivation of Propionibacterium freudenreichii in the presence of precursors (short communications); Rauch P et al.; The papers of Kolhouse et al . and Cooper et al . described the occurrence of vitamin B12 analogues of unknown origin in blood serum . Some of these analogues may be derived from slaughter cattle raised on feed supplemented with vitamins and minerals, as was observed by Allen . Herbert et al . found vitamin B12 analogues in multivitamin preparations produced in U.S.A., and Kanazawa et al . in human liver, red cells and brain . It is not clear so far, if and how do vitamin B12 analogues interfere with vitamin B12 metabolism . When P . freudenreichii was cultivated in the presence of o-phenylenediamine and 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole, which may be considered precursors as well as antimetabolites of vitamin B12, the stimulation of biosynthesis of substances with biological activity of vitamin B12 took place . Various signs show that these substances are probably vitamin B12 analogues . During stimulated and nonstimulated production of vitamin B12 by P . freudenreichii, two substances with vitamin B12 biological activity have always been obtained . Their relation was not stable and differed according to the conditions of cultivation . Every attempt to stimulate the biosynthesis of vitamin B12 resulted in the suppression of production of the substance with higher molecular weight, even if the biosynthesis of cobalamin (lower molecular weight) was increased . In our note we want to pay attention to the character of substances arising in the stimulated biosynthesis. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(2), 217 - 24 Interferon production in Propionibacterium acnes treated mice; Cembrzynska-Nowak M et al.; Interferonogenic properties of Propionibacterium acnes (PA) was studied in vivo and in vitro using CBA, BALB/c and 129AoBoy strains of mice . IFN was induced only in CBA strain after i.v . PA injection . BALB/c and 129AoBoy mice did not produce IFN . In the sera of CBA mice, obtained after i.p . injection of PA, interferon was not found . However, spleen cells of these mice produced IFN beginning from the 3rd day after injection . This interferon response lasted until the 10th week . Furthermore, in vivo studies showed enhancement effect of PA i.p . injection on IFN synthesis when NDV was introduced i.v . as inducer . The increased interferon level was also observed in the peritoneal cells isolated from PA--pretreated mice, induced in vitro with NDV or PA. Acta Derm Venereol, 1986, 66(4), 305 - 10 The effect of oral zinc administration on sebum free fatty acids in acne vulgaris; Rebello T et al.; Free fatty acids in sebum arise from lipolytic action of bacterial lipases . We have demonstrated an inhibitory effect of zinc on the lipase of the three Propionibacterium species found in human pilosebaceous follicles . We were also able to show a small corresponding fall in the free fatty acid content of skin surface lipid in vivo in acne patients treated with zinc, though this failed to reach statistical significance. Nat Immun Cell Growth Regul, 1986, 5(4), 200 - 10 Natural immunity to grafts of FLD-3 erythroleukemia cells by irradiated mice; Afifi MS et al.; Mice were irradiated and infused with BALB/c Friend virus-induced FLD-3 erythroleukemia cells . Growth of the cells was estimated by measuring splenic incorporation of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-125I 5 days after cell transfer . BALB/cJ and C3H mice were 'poor responders' in that FLD-3 cells grew well in their spleens, while mice of other strains were 'good responders', resisting the growth of FLD-3 cells . No H-2 or Fv genetic locus was associated with resistance . Athymic nude mice and mice depleted of marrow tissue by 89Sr or estradiol resisted FLD-3 cells, indicating that the effectors were thymus- and marrow-independent . Silica, carrageenan and Propionibacterium acnes organisms all altered resistance, suggesting a function of macrophages . Neither interferon nor anti-interferon serum treatment altered resistance . Anti-asialo GM1 serum inhibited resistance to FLD-3 cells in vivo and inhibited natural cytotoxic (NC) activity against FLD-3 cells in vitro . NC (FLD-3) activity was greatly decreased in spleens 3 days after irradiation, in contrast with NK (YAC-1) and NC(WEHI-164.1) activities . Moreover, a 3-day delay in infusion of FLD-3 cells 'synergized' with silica in weakening genetic resistance in vivo . Thus, natural immunity to FLD-3 cells in vivo differs from that of genetic resistance to normal bone marrow cell allografts, and the lysis of FLD-3 cells in vitro seems to be mediated by cells which do not easily fit into the definition of natural killer (NK) or natural cytotoxic (NC) cells. Infect Control, 1985 Dec, 6(12), 491 - 4 Evaluation of the sterility and stability of insulin from multidose vials used for prolonged periods; Rathod M et al.; Diabetic patients frequently use their insulin vials for prolonged periods, even though antibacterial preservatives used in multidose insulin vials are not required to be effective beyond 28 days . For this reason, we evaluated the antibacterial activity present in multidose insulin vials for up to 50 days . Multidose lente insulin vials were inoculated with S . aureus and P . aeruginosa . Vials incubated at room temperature (21 degrees C) were sterile by 48 hours, whereas when they were incubated at refrigerator temperatures (4 degrees C), S . aureus contamination persisted up to the 17th day and P . aeruginosa were killed after 10 days . The same vials were serially contaminated on days 17, 30, and 50, and a similar antibacterial effect was maintained . Sixty-nine multidose insulin vials used for an average of 53 days were cultured . Eight vials demonstrated bacterial contamination with 1 cfu/ml of S . epidermidis or Propionibacterium acnes . No endotoxin was detected in the multidose vials used for more than 28 days . Insulin assays on 40 multidose insulin vials used for more than 28 days showed an average insulin content of 101.6 +/- 1.9 units/ml . This study did not demonstrate significant bacterial contamination, endotoxin activity, or insulin degradation of multidose insulin in vials used for periods longer than 28 days . In addition, antibacterial preservatives were more effective at room temperature than at refrigerator temperature; thus, the practice of patients not refrigerating insulin vials is sensible. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Dec, 38(12), 3695 - 9 {Clinical experience with aztreonam in the field of obstetrics and gynecology}; Yamada E et al.; Aztreoman (SQ 26,776, AZT), a synthetic monobactam antibiotic, was applied clinically in the field of obstetrics and gynecology . AZT was administered by intravenous drip infusion for 6 to 8 days at a daily dose of 2 g divided in 2 times to 5 cases . Klebsiella in 1 case with puerperal endometritis, Enterococcus, Propionibacterium and Bacteroides in each 1 case with pyometra was isolated . The clinical effect of Klebsiella was excellent . Bacteroides in 1 not-examined case was good . Enterococcus and Bacteroides with pyometra was not effective . Side effects were observed in 2 cases . One case with eclampsia arised LDH and A1-P in serum and 1 case with hepatitis arised GOT and GPT in serum. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Oct, 260(2), 175 - 83 Purification and properties of a proline iminopeptidase from Propionibacterium acnes; Fujimura S et al.; Proline iminopeptidase was extracted from the cells of a strain of Propionibacterium acnes and purified . The molecular weight was estimated to be about 120,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The enzyme showed the highest activity at 50 degrees C-55 degrees C and its optimum pH was found at 7.5-8.0 . The enzyme activity was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate, indicating that this peptidase is a SH-enzyme . Especially prolyl-glycyl-glycine but also prolyl-proline bonds were hydrolyzed by this enzyme, glycyl-proline was not split. J Immunol, 1985 Oct, 135(4), 2483 - 91 Hyporesponsiveness to augmentation of murine natural killer cell activity in different anatomical compartments by multiple injections of various immunomodulators including recombinant interferons and interleukin 2; Talmadge JE et al.; Augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity has been observed after the single administration of a wide variety of biological response modifiers (BRM); however, multiple injections of BRM have resulted in hyporesponsiveness to NK augmentation in both preclinical and clinical studies . In these studies, hyporesponsiveness to augmentation of NK cell activity occurred after multiple injections of interferon (IFN recombinant human IFN-alpha A/D and recombinant IFN-gamma) and interleukin 2 and was found to be systemic (lungs, liver, blood, and spleen) . In contrast, hyporesponsiveness to augmentation by multiple injections of maleicanhydride divinyl ether (MVE-2) or Propionibacterium acnes was limited to the spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes, with continued augmentation of NK cell activity in the peritoneum, lungs, and liver . Despite the hyporesponsiveness to augmentation of NK activity by multiple IFN injections, NK activity could still be augmented by a single injection of another BRM . The NK cell hyporesponsiveness induced in the spleen by MVE-2 was also reversed by a single administration of IFN or polyinosinic-polycytidylic and poly-L-lysine solubilized by carboxymethyl cellulose but not by OK-432 or P . acnes . These results demonstrate that the nature of the hyporesponsiveness to NK augmentation, which is induced by multiple treatments with BRM, varies with the type of agent . The noncytokine BRM that were studied induced hyporesponsiveness only in specific lymphoid compartments but not in major nonlymphoid organs, whereas cytokine BRM induced a systemic hyporesponsiveness . The hyporesponsive state induced by the different types of BRM, also varied in regard to the pattern of susceptibility to augmentation of NK activity by unrelated BRM. Int J Cancer, 1985 Sep 15, 36(3), 395 - 400 Purification and partial amino acid sequence of rabbit tumor necrosis factor; Haranaka K et al.; Good production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the rabbit was obtained using Propionibacterium acnes IID 912 as a priming agent and subsequent administration of lipopolysaccharide . The physicochemical characteristics of rabbit TNF were very similar to those of murine TNF . The molecular weight of rabbit TNF was 39,000 as estimated by gel filtration, and 18,000 by SDS-PAGE . The isoelectric point was determined as pH 4.0 by isoelectric focusing . Rabbit TNF was stable within the pH range of 5.5 to 11.0, and was stable at 56 degrees C for 8 hr . It was digested by trypsin, pancreatic protease and elastase, but was resistant to neuraminidase . The amino acid sequence of rabbit TNF was determined as Ser-Ala-Ser-Arg-Ala-Leu- ... . Monoclonal antibody against rabbit TNF completely inhibited both the in vivo and in vitro activity of rabbit TNF . However, this antibody could not inhibit the action of murine TNF . Antitumor activity of rabbit TNF was shown against murine and human cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, and rabbit TNF was also capable of distinguishing malignant cells from normal cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Sep, 82(17), 5617 - 21 Cloning and expression of the 1.3S biotin-containing subunit of transcarboxylase; Murtif VL et al.; We have cloned the gene coding for the 1.3S biotin-containing subunit of transcarboxylase (EC 2.1.3.1) from Propionibacterium shermanii . Transcarboxylase is a well-characterized enzyme composed of 30 polypeptides of three different types: twelve 1.3S biotinyl subunits, six 5S dimeric outer subunits, and one 12S hexameric central subunit . In propionic acid fermentation, the enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate in two partial reactions . The 1.3S subunit binds the outer and central subunits of the enzyme together, and its biotin serves as carboxyl carrier between subsites on the central and outer subunits where each partial reaction occurs . The cloned gene has been expressed in Escherichia coli, and the 1.3S subunit accumulates to 7% of total cellular protein . The foreign protein is recognized and biotinated by biotin holoenzyme synthetase of E . coli . The identifications of the gene and its product were confirmed by four independent approaches: DNA sequence analysis, immunoprecipitation, incorporation of labeled biotin, and measurement of enzymatic activity in the first partial reaction. Anticancer Res, 1985 Sep-Oct, 5(5), 521 - 6 Local immunotherapy with propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 in advanced breast cancer; Pluzanska A et al.; 50 patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer were matched into 25 "twin" pairs . In each pair, one "twin" received chemotherapy (FAC) and the other received chemoimmunotherapy (FAC + intratumorally Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 (PG)) . The therapeutic effects of this 2-year follow-up study were carefully documented and analysed . The mean survival time of FAC + PG-treated patients was about 17 months as compared to 8.5 months in FAC controls . PG-therapy responders showed increasing values of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood, as well as higher blast transformation indices than nonresponders and controls . The skin reactivity to PHA, Distreptase, and Tuberculin was markedly enhanced in the FAC + PG-group . The incidence rate of hematological and/or infectious complications was significantly lower in PG-treated patients than in the controls . Local PG-immunotherapy was proven beneficial in advanced breast cancer when combined with FAC-chemotherapy, providing better toleration of chemotherapy and lower risk of myelosuppression and infections. J Invest Dermatol, 1985 Sep, 85(3), 255 - 8 Acne-like chronic inflammatory activity of Propionibacterium acnes preparations in an animal model: correlation with ability to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system; De Young LM et al.; The ability of strains and fractions of killed propionibacteria suspensions to produce chronic rat ear inflammation after intradermal injection of 70-micrograms aliquots was highly correlated with production of splenomegaly in the mouse after i.p . injection of 1.4 mg Propionibacterium acnes strains CN 6134, VPI 0009, ATCC 11828, and UCLA SC and N1 produced a 2- to 3-fold increase in rat ear thickness and a 5- to 7-fold increase in mouse spleen weight 15 days post injection . In contrast P . granulosum CN 5888, P . acnes UCLA 6S and periodated, acetylated, or 12-h cultures of VPI 0009 were inactive or weakly active as stimulators of chronic ear inflammation and splenomegaly . Active strains produced in the rat ear a transepidermal elimination response characterized by follicular encapsulation and the formation of secondary comedones . These effects correlated with persistence of phagocytized bacteria within macrophages . Furthermore, when rats were first immunized and then challenged with active strains of P . acnes, an increased sensitivity to low doses of P . acnes and a chronic exacerbation of inflammation was observed. Jpn J Exp Med, 1985 Aug, 55(4), 143 - 53 Suppression and abrogation of suppression of induced nonspecific cytotoxicity against tumor cells; Egawa K et al.; Fresh spleen cells obtained from normal mice of various strains including athymic mice and NK-less beige mice were found to suppress in a H-2-nonrestricted manner nonspecific cytotoxic activity of in vitro-cultured normal mouse spleen cells or that of nonadherent peritoneal exudate cells from mice treated with Propionibacterium acnes . Natural killer-insensitive MM2 ascites tumor cells were used as the target of assay of the cytotoxicity . The suppressive activity of fresh spleen cells was not affected by elimination of glass-adherent cells and of Thy-1.2-positive cells but partly decreased after removal of Sephadex G-10- or nylon wool-adherent cells . The suppressive activity of the cells seemed to be mediated, at less partly, by a soluble factor (or factors) which was released by fresh spleen cells into medium during short term culturing . The suppressive factor was a heat-resistant, dialyzable material which was stable at wide range of pH . Cells did not produce the factor at low temperature and its production was insensitive to indomethacin . Long term culture supernatant of spleen cells contained the suppressive factor and a relatively unstable high molecular weight substance which abrogated its activity . The characteristics of the cells which produced such desuppressive factor seemed to be identical to those of the induced cytotoxic effector cells . Kinetical analyses indicated that these two factors influenced, directly or indirectly, cytolytic activity of the effector cells without changing binding affinity between the effector and the target. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 131 ( Pt 7), 1619 - 24 Effects of dilution rate on biomass and extracellular enzyme production by three species of cutaneous propionibacteria grown in continuous culture; Greenman J et al.; Propionibacterium acnes, P . avidum and P . granulosum were grown in continuous culture at a range of dilution rates on a semi-synthetic medium . Dilution rates were chosen to allow the bacteria to grow at the same relative growth rates as compared to their respective mumax values . The steady-state levels and production rates of biomass and extracellular enzymes were determined . The lipase and hyaluronate lyase of P . granulosum and the proteolytic activity of P . acnes and P . avidum were growth linked enzymes (i.e . they were produced at constant amounts per unit of biomass) . In contrast, the lipase, hyaluronate lyase and acid phosphatase of P . acnes and the lipase of P . avidum were shown to be non-growth linked enzymes. Immunology, 1985 Jul, 55(3), 501 - 9 Macrophage functions in Biozzi mice; Dockrell HM et al.; The faster degradation of antigen by macrophages in Biozzi low (L) responder mice, compared to Biozzi high (H) responder mice, is thought to be responsible for their lower antibody response . We have measured four functions associated with macrophages to see whether macrophages from L mice were generally more active than those from H mice . Peritoneal macrophages obtained from normal mice were compared with those from groups of mice given Mycobacterium bovis BCG or Propionibacterium acnes . Cells from normal H mice gave a stronger oxidative burst when triggered with phorbol myristate acetate, and were more cytotoxic for tumour cells than cells from L mice . Cells from all mice injected with BCG or P . acnes gave a stronger oxidative burst, and were more cytotoxic for tumour cells; again, both responses were higher in H mice than in L mice . By contrast, when groups of mice that had received P . acnes were given endotoxin and bled, higher titres of tumour necrosis factor were found in the sera of L mice . Spleen cells from both lines of mice released similar levels of interleukin-1, both spontaneously and in response to lipopolysaccharide . Our results suggest that these various macrophage responses are expressed independently in H and L mice. Rev Esp Fisiol, 1985 Jun, 41(2), 225 - 33 {Proliferative response of murine lymphocytes caused by the activity of amphiphilic molecules from Propionibacterium acnes}; Melgar MM et al.; Splenic lymphocytes from mice treated with Propionibacterium acnes cells as well as with their cell walls were found to be variably active on the lymphoproliferative responsiveness . Furthermore, the effect of these bacterial agents on the ex vivo Con A response of the lymphocytes showed a certain stimulation that was higher with oral treatments . In the same conditions the influence of these agents on the LPS lymphocytes stimulation was almost without any statistical significance . In vitro blastogenesis experiments were undertaken in order to elucidate the influence of different amphiphilic molecules from peripheric bacterial structures on the lymphoproliferative response of murine splenocytes . Stimulation rates were also determined as a function of the (3H) thymidine incorporation . Combined effects of mitogens (Con A and LPS) with bacterial amphiphilic molecules were also evaluated as a function of the DNA synthesis variations . All cases resulted in a variable inhibition of the mitogenic response which appeared dose-dependent and more active for associations of Con A and amphiphilic molecules . The most effective intrinsic mitogenic activities were detected with teichoic acids and intracellular polysaccharides . These last molecules without purification, assayed as cytoplasmic fractions, appeared modified in the intensity of their action, depending on their carbohydrate/protein ratios. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1985 Jun, 97(6), 1669 - 78 Structure of acidic polysaccharide from cell wall of Propionibacterium acnes strain C7; Nagaoka M et al.; The structure of polysaccharide prepared by lysozyme digestion from the cell wall of Propionibacterium acnes strain C7 was examined . The polysaccharide fraction was composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, galactosamine, and diaminomannuronic acid in a molar ratio of 1:1:0.3:1:2 . By Smith degradation of the polysaccharide, diaminouronic acid-containing fractions were obtained, and the configuration of diaminouronic acid was identified as 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxymannuronic acid {Man(NAc)2A} by means of 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic analyses . The results of analyses involving methylation and partial acid hydrolysis led to the conclusion that the polysaccharide has the repeating unit----6)Gal(alpha 1----4)Man(NAc)2A(beta 1----6)Glc(alpha 1----4)Man(NAc)2A (beta 1----3)GalNAc(beta 1-- . In addition, a portion of the galactose residues were substituted at C-4 by alpha 1----2 linked mannotriose. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1985 Jun, 74(6), 1255 - 60 Relationship of hypoglycemia to tumor necrosis factor production and antitumor activity: role of glucose, insulin, and macrophages; Satomi N et al.; The role of hypoglycemia in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production was examined . TNF was produced from sera of animals presensitized with reticuloendothelial system stimulants after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge . Blood glucose was strongly reduced during TNF production . Glucose administration to presensitized mice (before LPS challenge) caused inhibition of TNF production . Exogenous insulin injection inhibited TNF production in a dose-related manner . Peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from Propionibacterium acnes-primed mice revealed increased glucose consumption during in vitro TNF production but showed no relationship between the degree of glucose consumption and the ability to produce TNF . Insulin addition to the culture medium caused inhibition of TNF production from PEC, which indicated that insulin may block TNF production from macrophages . Administration of highly purified TNF (without concomitant LPS) induced extensive tumor necrosis but did not induce hypoglycemia; LPS induced moderate necrosis with accompanying hypoglycemia; insulin induced hypoglycemia but did not induce tumor necrosis . It is concluded that hypoglycemia does not accompany the action of TNF. J Invest Dermatol, 1985 Jun, 84(6), 496 - 500 Antibody titers to Propionibacterium acnes cell wall carbohydrate in nodulocystic acne patients; Webster GF et al.; In order to determine which structures in Propionibacterium acnes are most antigenic to severe acne patients, we studied the specificity of anti-P . acnes antibodies in serum from 15 nodulocystic acne patients and 5 normals . Complement fixation titers to P . acnes cell wall fractions were determined using guinea pig serum as a complement source . The mean titers of patients and normals to whole cells were 39.6 and 3 (p less than 0.1); to crude cell wall, 138 and 8 (p less than 0.01); and to protein and nucleic acid-free cell wall, 225 and 9.33 (p less than 0.001), respectively . The mean precipitin titer to P . acnes cytosol was 12.7 for patients and 0 for normals . Immunoelectrophoresis of cytosol from 8 P . acnes strains were developed with each of the 15 patient sera . A single broadly migrating anionic antigen was detected . The antigen was also present in P . acnes culture supernatants . Sephadex G-100 chromatography of cytosol revealed a single peak of antigenic reactivity at Mr = 100,000 . Three patients' sera revealed a second weakly reacting antigen in the cytosol preparation . Twentyfold concentration of immunoglobulin from patient sera failed to reveal any other antigenic reactivities . The antigen was found to be resistant to nuclease, pronase, and lysozyme treatment; was precipitable with 70% ethanol; and was destroyed by sodium m-periodate--findings that are consistent with a carbohydrate structure. Jpn J Cancer Res, 1985 May, 76(5), 395 - 9 T cell involvement in production of tumor necrosis factor: reconstitution experiments with nude mice; Niitsu Y et al.; In order to investigate the role of T cells in the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a reconstitution experiment was performed with nude mice (Balb/c, nu/nu) . The results obtained were as follows: 1) The cytotoxic activity of tumor necrosis serum (TNS) from Balb/c, nu/nu mice treated with Propionibacterium acnes-LPS was 1/22 of that from Balb/c, nu/+ mice . 2) TNF activity increased 14 times in reconstituted nude mice as compared to Balb/c, nu/nu mice . 3) The production of the cytotoxic activity per cell was investigated using T cell and macrophage fractions separated from the spleens of both Balb/c, nu/nu and Balb/c, nu/+ mice treated with P . acnes as a priming agent . Elicitation with LPS was done in vitro . Release of cytotoxic activity into the culture medium was observed in the macrophage fraction, but not in the T cell fraction . However, no significant species difference was found . 4) With P . acnes treatment, the population of macrophages in the spleens from Balb/c, nu/+ mice increased 25.5 times, whereas that from Balb/c, nu/nu mice only increased 6.8 times . The above results suggest that the mechanism of the incremental effect of T cells on TNF production was due to the promotion of macrophage proliferation during the priming period after injection of P . acnes. Arch Dermatol, 1985 May, 121(5), 662 - 4 Acne fulminans with osteolytic lesions; Nault P et al.; Multifocal lytic bone lesions were found in a patient with a severe form of acne . The clinical presentation was suggestive of "acne fulminans." Propionibacterium acnes was isolated from a subculture of bone tissue . The association of acne fulminans and osteolytic lesions is rare and the pathophysiology is unknown . However, the use of corticosteroids for systemic effect combined with local measures seems to give excellent treatment results. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1985 Mar-Apr, 21(2), 154 - 60 {Conditions for porphyrin formation by propionic acid bacteria}; Poluliakh OV et al.; Porphyrin production by seven species of propionic acid bacteria (Propionibacterium shermanii, its mutant P . shermanii M-82, P . technicum, P . vannielii, P . rubrum, P . thoenii and P . jensenii) was being studied . All the bacteria were cultivated on a glucose-peptone medium . A positive correlation between the amount of the produced porphyrins and the vitamin B12-synthetizing activity was observed for the most of species . Exogenous delta-aminolevulinic acid stimulated the porphyrin accumulation, but the degree of its utilisation decreased as its content in the culture medium increased from 5 to 200 mg/l . A maximum synthesis of porphyrins by P . shermanii M-82 (mainly of coproporpyrin III) was observed at definite concentrations of glucose and cobalt salts. Jpn J Clin Oncol, 1985 Mar, 15(1), 87 - 94 Prevention of tumor metastasis after surgical removal of primary tumor by using in vitro activated macrophages; Okuno K et al.; In vitro activation of peritoneal macrophages by Propionibacterium acnes and its immunotherapeutic potential for inhibiting metastasis was investigated . C3H/HeN mouse adherent peritoneal exudate cells as a source of macrophages were treated in vitro with P . acnes . These P . acnes-activated macrophages were tested for tumoricidal activity in vitro and antimetastatic activity in vivo . In vitro cytotoxicity tests revealed that they had potent cytotoxicity . Surgical resection of X5563 tumors in syngeneic C3H/HeN mice 10 days after the tumor implantation failed to rescue the hosts from tumor metastasis despite successful removal of the primary tumor . When the activated macrophages were transferred intravenously into C3H/HeN mice following the surgical operation, an appreciable number of mice survived without exhibiting any sign of metastasis . Thus, these results demonstrate that macrophages can be activated in vitro by utilizing appropriate stimulating reagents, and that these activated macrophages have a potent antimetastatic effect. J Immunol, 1985 Feb, 134(2), 1262 - 7 Imbalanced accumulation of ribosomal RNA in macrophages activated in vivo or in vitro to a cytolytic stage; Varesio L; Previous studies have shown that peritoneal murine macrophages activated in vivo and in vitro to a tumoricidal stage have a depressed rate of RNA synthesis . In attempting to clarify the differences in RNA metabolism between noncytotoxic and tumoricidal macrophages, we have studied the relative accumulation of various species of RNA in macrophages activated in vivo and in vitro with the use of agarose gel electrophoresis . Macrophages activated in vitro to a cytotoxic stage with supernatants containing lymphokines (LK) and traces of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have an imbalanced accumulation of mature ribosomal RNA (rRNA), with a decreased accumulation of 28S rRNA compared to 18S rRNA . In contrast, macrophages primed in vitro with LK free of detectable endotoxins that exhibit suppressive rather than tumoricidal activity do not manifest a decreased 28S:18S rRNA ratio . The conclusion that the decreased 28S:18S rRNA ratio was associated with the activation of macrophages to a cytolytic stage was supported by the finding that cytotoxic macrophages activated in vivo by i.p . injection of Propionibacterium acnes (formerly designated C . parvum) also demonstrated a decreased accumulation of 28S comparable with that observed in in vitro-activated macrophages . Moreover, activated macrophages that lost their cytolytic activity upon prolonged in vitro culture had an augmented accumulation of 28S rRNA . These results provide the first direct evidence that the expression of cytolytic activity is associated with modulation of a specific class of RNA . The unbalanced accumulation of rRNA appears to be a late molecular event in the activation process occurring during the transition from primed to cytotoxic macrophages, because inflammatory and primed macrophages had normal rRNA accumulation . A model of macrophage activation accounting for these results is proposed. J Med Microbiol, 1985 Feb, 19(1), 9 - 14 Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of whole-cell proteins of cutaneous Propionibacterium species; Nordstrom KM; Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was applied to the study of whole-cell proteins of cutaneous propionibacteria in an attempt to characterise possible protein patterns that may be typical for strains isolated from acne skin . Isolates were obtained from the faces of 33 individuals aged 7-16 years . Some of these subjects had apparently normal healthy skin, whereas others had acne vulgaris of varying severity . Twenty-five facial isolates of Propionibacterium acnes and eight of P . granulosum were studied . A further seven axillary strains of P . avidum were included for purely taxonomic interest . No particular protein pattern was characteristic of an isolate from acne skin; in fact the P . acnes strains from all sources appeared to be identical. Arch Dermatol Res, 1985, 278(2), 107 - 13 Application of computer taxonomic techniques to the study of cutaneous propionibacteria and skin-surface lipid; Nordstrom NK et al.; Colonisation of the forehead by propionibacteria and the composition of both free fatty acid and fatty acid of the triglyceride fraction of skin-surface lipid were studied, and the results were analysed using numerical taxonomic techniques . The density and prevalence of propionibacteria increased with age in a population of 230 children aged 5-18 years . The fatty-acid composition of casual sebum on the forehead changed with age, suggesting that the prevalence and density of organisms may be related to lipid composition . Cluster-analysis techniques revealed groups of individuals who resembled each other with respect to their triglyceride and free-fatty-acid profiles . These groups tended to consist of subjects who were of a similar age and maturity, and who were similarly colonised with propionibacteria . However, no relationship was evident between the composition of lipid and clinical acne. Mikrobiologiia, 1985 Jan-Feb, 54(1), 166 - 7 {Solubilizing effect of anionic detergents on cobalamin-protein compounds in Propionibacterium shermanii cells}; Eliseev SA et al.; The effect of some anionic detergents on Propionibacterium shermanii cells was studied . The correlation was investigated between detergent concentrations and the content of solubilized protein in cell-free extracts . Sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium deoxycholate and sodium cholate were shown to be capable of extracting cobalamin-protein and flavin-protein compounds from P . shermanii cells. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1985 Jan-Feb, 40(1-2), 125 - 8 Photodestruction of Propionibacterium acnes porphyrins; Melo TB et al.; The fluorescence spectra of colonies of Propionibacterium acnes were studied under various experimental conditions . The spectra contained peaks at 580 nm and 620 nm . These bands were due to two different components; the 580 nm component was likely to be a metalloporphyrin, and there are indications that the 620 nm component could be a coproporphyrin . The 580 nm fluorescence was destroyed by the combined action of light and oxygen (no destruction under strict anaerobic conditions) . A dark period interrupting the bleaching light stopped the destruction of this component for the time of the dark period . The initial production of the 620 nm component was due to the oxygen exposure . Upon light irradiation this component was later destroyed by the combined action of oxygen and light. Jpn J Cancer Res, 1985 Jan, 76(1), 53 - 60 Cytotoxic lymphocytes in rat tumor in situ: effect of intraperitoneal injections of Propionibacterium avidum; Hojo H et al.; In vitro cytotoxicity against tumor cells of lymphocytes in sc implanted BC47 bladder tumor of ACI/N rats with or without Propionibacterium avidum (P . avidum) treatment was studied . Tumor-associated lymphoid cells (TAL) were obtained from tumor tissues by mechanical treatment (NDi fraction) and by enzymatic treatment with Dispase I, a proteolytic enzyme (Di fraction), followed by passage through glass wool columns to deplete tumor cells . NDi fraction of TAL from P . avidum-treated animals showed a significant cytolytic activity against BC47 cells, but not against other ACI/N bladder tumor cell lines, BC12 and BC50 . These TAL lost the cytolytic activity on treatment with anti-rat thymocyte serum or anti-rat T cell monoclonal antibodies, R1-3B3 and R1-10B5, and complement . Natural killer activity determined with YAC-1 cells was low in the cells of NDi fraction and scarcely detectable in the cells of Di fraction from both P . avidum-treated and untreated rats . These results indicate that the antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells in the tumor in situ are induced by in vivo P . avidum treatment . On the other hand, P . avidum treatment augmented nonspecific cytolytic activity of peripheral lymphoid cells such as plastic-nonadherent peritoneal cells, spleen cells and blood lymphocytes in normal and BC47-bearing rats . However, the antigen-specific cytolytic T cells were predominantly induced and recovered in the plastic nonadherent peritoneal cells of BC47-bearing rats by the treatment with P . avidum. Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1985, 20(1), 6 - 10 Tumour necrosis factor and the lysosomal enzymes of macrophages or macrophage-like cell line; Sakurai A et al.; The relationship between tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and macrophages or macrophage-like cell line, especially the lysosomal enzymes was investigated . The serum lysosomal enzymes and LDH activities were increased in proportion to the TNF production even in different strains of mice . Lysosomal enzymes and TNF activity were released into the supernatant of the culture medium of macrophage-enriched peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) or spleen cells derived from Propionibacterium acnes-primed mice after addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . After passage through a Sephadex G-10 column, TNF activity could not be detected in the supernatant of these spleen cells after addition of LPS . Also TNF activity could not be detected in the supernatant following destruction of PEC . These results suggest that TNF producibility is strongly related to the degree of activation of macrophages, especially the lysosomal enzymes . The murine macrophage-like cell line, J774, also released TNF activity and lysosomal enzymes after addition of LPS. Arch Dermatol Res, 1985, 277(3), 225 - 9 Isolation of an acidic polysaccharide antigen from Propionibacterium acnes; Iversen OJ et al.; An acidic polysaccharide antigen is released from Propionibacterium acnes I and II during growth . The molecular weight of the antigen was heterogeneous and when fractionated on a Sepharose CL-6B column, the antigen was detected at Kav values of between 0.1 and 1.0 . The pI of the antigen was below 3.5 . Rabbit antiserum raised against purified acidic-polysaccharide agglutinated P . acnes showing that the polysaccharide was a surface antigen . Human antibodies towards whole P . acnes-II organisms were quantitated by an agglutination technique, and antibodies towards purified acidic polysaccharide were quantitated by single radial immunodiffusion . A high prevalence of antibodies against whole bacteria and the acidic polysaccharide was found in sera from healthy individuals . The antibody titre in sera from acne patients was significantly higher than that in sera from blood donors. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 1985, 109(1), 72 - 7 Small-cell lung cancer and immunochemotherapy with Propionibacterium granulosum KP 45; Roszkowski K et al.; Seventy-nine patients with small-cell lung cancer were treated with vincristin, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide in inductive therapy and with methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and procarbazine in maintenance therapy . Patients were divided at random into two groups: one group received chemotherapy alone and the second group was additionally subjected to systemic immunotherapy with Propionibacterium granulosum strain KP-45 . In general, differences in the frequency of therapy response and in duration of remission could not be stated between the two groups of patients, but patients responding to chemotherapy showed a significantly longer remission time and lower complication rates . This benificial effect of chemoimmunotherapy is not related to a direct antitumor activity of the immunomodifier used, but to the lowered risk of myelosuppression and infections . Immunomodulation in combination with chemo- and/or radiotherapy can be recommended for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer. Acta Derm Venereol, 1985, 65(5), 428 - 32 Enzyme production of propionibacteria from patients with acne vulgaris and healthy persons; Hoffler U et al.; 375 strains of propionibacteria isolated from pustules, comedones, and from normal skin of patients with acne vulgaris and from healthy persons have been examined for their enzymatic activity . In contrast to healthy individuals, protease and caseinase production of strains from acne patients was significantly lower . On the other hand, DNA'ase production of strains from acne lesions was increased, and lecithinase could be demonstrated in strains from acne patients only. J Med Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 18(3), 365 - 9 Isolation of obligate anaerobic bacteria from bovine abscesses in sites other than the liver; Kanoe M et al.; A survey in Japan showed that of 2036 slaughtered cattle 58(3%) had abscesses in sites other than the liver . In 21 of the affected animals the lesions were pulmonary and in 32 abdominal (excluding hepatic); in five animals the lesions were found elsewhere (muscle 2, skin 2, bone 1) . Nineteen (33%) of the 58 cattle also had abscesses in the liver . Obligate anaerobes alone were isolated from 17(29%) of the affected animals (Fusobacterium necrophorum 14, Bacteroides spp . 2, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius 1) . A mixture of obligate anaerobes and aerobes or facultative anaerobes was isolated from 31 affected cattle: of these animals 21 yielded large and five small numbers of F . necrophorum; three yield fusobacteria other than F . necrophorum; and two yielded Propionibacterium acnes . The remaining 10 affected animals yielded only aerobes or facultative anaerobes . The numbers of viable obligate anaerobes in pus specimens were in the range 10(3)-10(9)/ml. Immunobiology, 1984 Oct, 167(4), 328 - 37 Stimulatory effect of Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45, glucan and pyran copolymer on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in murine lungs; Janiak M et al.; Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45, glucan and pyran copolymer stimulated the elimination of 75Selenomethionine-labelled 3LL tumor cells from murine lungs, as measured 4 hr after intravenous injection of these cells into 16- to 25-week-old B6DF1 mice . This effect was most pronounced 4 to 6 days following intravenous administration of the above biological response modifiers and disappeared 6 to 8 days later . Intraperitoneal injection of all three agents produced only insignificant stimulation results . Spontaneous clearance of 3LL cells from lungs of 8-week-old B6DF1 mice was significantly more effective than in animals over 16 weeks old . Cyclophosphamide suppressed the elimination of tumor cells from lungs in both young and older mice and neutralized the stimulatory effect of P . granulosum KP-45 and glucan . The results suggest that the effector cells responsible for the clearance of radiolabelled 3LL cells from lungs of B6DF1 mice are at least similar to natural killer (NK) lymphocytes. Int J Oral Surg, 1984 Oct, 13(5), 363 - 85 Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible; Jacobsson S; The medical care of patients with diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) of the mandible has been unsatisfactory . The main reasons for this have been insufficient knowledge of the disease and its natural history, difficulties in establishing the correct diagnosis, and the unknown etiology . The clinical features and natural history of the disease were studied by means of repeated radiographic and scintigraphic recordings . The biopsy technique was improved by using a slowly rotating coarse trepan bur . Histological and enzyme histochemical investigations were performed for determination of the histopathological diagnosis . Orthopantomograms in combination with intraoral views and 99mTc-scintigraphy were used for the radiographic diagnosis and follow-up studies . Bacteriological and serological investigations were performed in attempt to clarify the obscure etiology . The occurrence in the patients' sera of antibodies to antigens prepared from cultured bacteria was studied . ASTA, IgM, IgG, and IgA were determined and lymphocyte stimulation tests were performed . The investigations made it possible to distinguish DSO as a separate entity with rather characteristic clinical, histological and radiographic features . The histological diagnosis was facilitated by an improved biopsy technique and enzyme histochemical recordings . Different rather unspecific tissue reactions were together found to form a pattern which was strongly indicative of DSO . The radiographic and scintigraphic investigations gave valuable findings which increased the diagnostic accuracy and improved the prognostic and therapeutic judgements . The bacteriological and serological investigations indicated that propionibacterium acnes and peptostreptococcus intermedius were of etiological importance but could not explain the chronicity of the disease . The results of the different investigations gave a better understanding of DSO and made it possible to provide more appropriate care for patients in different stages of the disease . Long-term antibiotic therapy was found to have a positive influence on the course of the disease in its early stages, while cortisone therapy, and sometimes decortication, were found to be more effective in chronic stages. Br J Cancer, 1984 Oct, 50(4), 471 - 8 Differences in tumour necrosis factor productive ability among rodents; Haranaka K et al.; Large differences in tumour necrosis factor (TNF) productive ability 05337257erved among various strains of mice . DDY, CD-1, ICR and DBA/2 mice could produce a high titre of TNF activity, whereas Balb/c, C3H/HeJms and A/J mice produced a low titre of TNF activity . Administration of 200 micrograms/mouse of LPS to some strains of mice, i.e . DDD and C57B1/6J resulted in good production of TNF . ICR nu/nu mice produced the highest TNF activity among the nude mice . Balb/c nu/nu and DDD nu/nu mice exhibited very low titres of TNF activity . Nude mice required a rather higher dose of the priming agent, Propionibacterium acnes, than heterozygote littermates . Although it is commonly accepted that dual stimulation is necessary for TNF production, TNF activity was detected without the priming agent in SD rats and Golden hamsters by single injection of LPS . In these animals, much higher TNF production was observed after Propionibacterium acnes treatment than after a single injection of LPS . Large differences in TNF productive ability also existed among strains of rats . Although all animals receiving priming agents revealed hyperplasia of reticuloendothelial system, the sensitivity of the animals to LPS is considered to be the most important factor in their TNF productive ability. Biochemistry, 1984 Aug 28, 23(18), 4101 - 8 Kinetic mechanism of pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase from Propionibacterium freudenreichii; Bertagnolli BL et al.; Inorganic pyrophosphate dependent D-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase from Propionibacterium freudenreichii was purified to apparent homogeneity by the criterion of silver staining on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels . In the direction of phosphorylation of fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), an intersecting initial velocity pattern is obtained when MgPPi is varied at several levels of F6P . In the reverse reaction direction, the reactants are Mg2+, Pi, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FDP) . Variation of Pi at several levels of Mg2+ and a single level of FDP gives an intersecting pattern . When this pattern is repeated at several additional FDP levels, data are consistent with a fully random terreactant mechanism at pH 8.0 and 25 degrees C . The Keq calculated from the Haldane relationship {(5 +/- 1.5) X 10(-3) M} agrees with that determined directly from 31P NMR of the equilibrium mixture {(7 +/- 2) X 10(-3) M} . Product inhibition by Pi is competitive vs . either MgPPi or F6P with the other reactant saturating but changes to noncompetitive inhibition when the fixed reactant is decreased to Km levels . Product inhibition by MgPPi is competitive vs . either Pi or FDP with the other reactant saturating but changes to noncompetitive when the fixed reactant is decreased to Km levels . Tagatose 6-phosphate is competitive vs . F6P and noncompetitive vs . MgPPi . Methylenediphosphonate is competitive vs . MgPPi and noncompetitive vs . F6P . Sulfate is competitive vs . Pi and noncompetitive vs . FDP, while 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol 1,6-bisphosphate is competitive vs . FDP and noncompetitive vs . Pi. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1984 Jul, 11(1), 86 - 9 Acne treatment with topical erythromycin and zinc: effect of Propionibacterium acnes and free fatty acid composition; Strauss JS et al.; A double-blind investigation has been conducted to examine the effect of topical 4% erythromycin/1.2% zinc acetate solution and its vehicle on quantitative bacterial counts (skin surface washings) of propionibacterium acnes and the free fatty acids of the skin surface . The logarithmic counts for P . acnes in the erythromycin/zinc group showed a significant reduction (98%) following 10 weeks of therapy . This compared with a 43% change shown for the vehicle-control group . A significant reduction (69%) in the percentage of free fatty acids in the surface lipids was seen at week 4 in the erythromycin/zinc group as compared to the control group . Triglyceride levels were significantly increased at all time points for the erythromycin/zinc group as compared to the control group . There was also a significant decrease (69%) in inflammatory lesions shown for the erythromycin/zinc treatment group at week 8 as compared to a 9% reduction in the control group. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 47(6), 1360 - 2 Colonization of the axilla by Propionibacterium avidum in relation to age; Nordstrom NK et al.; The prevalence of Propionibacterium avidum in the axillae of 248 individuals aged 5 to 18 years was studied . Both caucasoids and negroids, males (132) and females (116), were included . The frequency of recovery of the organism increased with age and was associated with the onset of puberty . The organism was recovered from only 2 of 40 females (5%) aged 5 to 10 years and from 1 of 22 males (4.5%), whereas 45% of females and 58% of males aged 15 to 16 years were colonized . Females tended to become colonized at an earlier age than males did . It appeared that negroids carried the organism more frequently than caucasoids, but the difference in prevalence was not statistically significant in matching age groups . It is suggested that the increase of hydration of the axilla with age and increase in substrate availability play an important part in the colonization process. Hepatogastroenterology, 1984 Jun, 31(3), 109 - 18 Immunotherapy of chronic active viral hepatitis B with propionibacterium granulosum; Gil J et al.; 12 HBsAg-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis B were treated monthly with cell walls (5 or 10 mg) of Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 (PG) intravenously administered for a period of 6-10 months . The clinical state was evaluated according to an arbitrary 6-grade scale based on serum biochemical tests, HBV markers and the morphology of liver biopsy samples . Intravenous administration of PG was well tolerated, and no serious side effects were observed . All patients exhibited complete or partial normalization of biochemical parameters and HB5AG and DNA-polymerase levels were decreasing after 6 months of therapy . Prior to treatment, HBeAG was detected in 9 patients, in 4 of whom seroconversion occurred with appearance of anti-HBeAg . Excellent results were seen in 3 patients and beneficial results in a further 3 patients; signs of improvement were seen in 5 patients, and only one patient did not react in a clearly positive way . In 11 of these patients, before and during treatment, isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated for their ability to show rosette E formation, their reactivity to phytomitogens (PHA, ConA), and their suppressor T lymphocyte activity . In five patients interferon levels were investigated. Biochem Int, 1984 Jun, 8(6), 757 - 69 Polyphosphate kinase from Propionibacterium shermanii: formation of an enzymatically active insoluble complex with basic proteins and characterization of synthesized polyphosphate; Robinson NA et al.; Polyphosphate kinase, which catalyzes the synthesis of polyphosphate from ATP, has been partially purified from Propionibacterium shermanii . The reaction is unusual in that addition of basic protein causes the enzyme to precipitate and the insoluble form has optimal activity . The synthesized {32P}polyphosphate is non-covalently bound to the precipitated material and was isolated from the complex by proteolysis . The gel electrophoresis procedure of Maxam and Gilbert was adapted to sizing polyphosphates . When polyphosphate was treated with alkali, polyphosphates ranging from 1-100 phosphate residues were obtained as individual bands . The untreated enzymatically synthesized polyphosphate migrated as a species in excess of 200 phosphate moieties. Br J Dermatol, 1984 May, 110(5), 593 - 9 Correlations between human skin bacteria and skin lipids; Kearney JN et al.; Correlation matrices were constructed for various human skin variables (propionibacteria, micrococcaceae, sebum excretion rate, percentage of free fatty acids and free fatty acid production rate) . Two independent populations were studied (n = 87 and n = 103), and a subpopulation (n = 30) was investigated on three occasions at intervals of I month . In this way consistently high correlations could be differentiated from 'fortuitous' correlations . Propionibacteria versus micrococcaceae showed the highest correlation coefficient and propionibacteria versus percentage free fatty acids was also highly correlated . A scatter diagram indicated a relationship between the lower threshold of microbial density and sebum excretion rate . An explanation based on relative duct and gland size is presented. Cancer Res, 1984 May, 44(5), 1871 - 5 Immunotherapy with biochemically dissociated fractions of Propionibacterium acnes in a murine ovarian cancer model; Berek JS et al.; The antitumor effect of two strains of Propionibacterium acnes (PAI and PAII) and chemically derived fractions from the whole bacterial cell were studied using a murine ovarian teratocarcinoma (MOT) model . When injected i.p . in high doses (700 to 1400 micrograms/mouse), both strains produce survival of a significant proportion of tumor-bearing mice (30 to 90%) . On a weight to weight basis, however, PAI was significantly more effective than PAII . PAI and PAII were extracted using pyridine, which yielded four fractions, i.e., pyridine-extracted strains PAI and PAII (PA-PEI and PA-PEII, respectively) which are composed of the cell wall material extracted by pyridine, and the residues of PA-PEI and PA-PEII (PA-RI and PA-RII, respectively) which are composed of the residue material following the chemical extraction . The chemical composition of PA-PEI was different from that of PA-PEII (the latter had proportionately three times as many carbohydrates and one-third of the protein content of the former) and so were their antitumor properties in the MOT model . PA-PEI had markedly reduced antitumor effect when compared to the untreated cell on a per weight basis . Furthermore, curability was only seen when using a high dose (1400 micrograms/mouse) . By contrast, the cell wall components extracted by pyridine from PAII (PA-PEII) had powerful antitumor effects, i.e., greater than 50% of mice given 1400-micrograms injections survived . The material contained in PA-PEII was further fractionated on the basis of its organic solubility in chloroform:methanol solvent . The water-soluble and solvent-insoluble fractions retained most of the antitumor effects of PA-PEII, while the water-insoluble and solvent-soluble fractions were only moderately effective, suggesting that the active moiety(ies) was associated with the nonlipid components of this fraction . Both residue fractions (PA-RI and PA-RII) were as effective on a per weight basis in controlling the growth of 10(5) tumor inoculum as were whole untreated cells . However, periodate oxidation of PA-RI resulted in complete loss of its antitumor effects . When surviving mice that had no evidence of tumor persistence following a tumor challenge (10(5) MOT cells) and i.p . treatment with PA were subsequently rechallenged with 10(4) tumor cells, survival was significantly prolonged, as compared to tumor-challenged (10(4) MOT) naive mice . In addition, 10 to 20% of these rechallenged mice had complete eradication of the tumor inoculum (no evidence of disease for greater than 120 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 May, 257(1), 20 - 6 Phospholipase C of an oral strain of Propionibacterium acnes purification and partial characterization; Nakamura T et al.; Phospholipase C of the oral Propionibacterium acnes strain D 7 was purified from culture supernatants and partially characterized . The molecular weight was found to be 32.000 and the optimum pH was situated between 7.0 to 8.0 . This nonhemolytic enzyme hydrolyzed relative intensively acidic glycerophospholipids and produced 1,2-diglyceride from phosphatidyl choline. Fortschr Med, 1984 Apr 26, 102(16), 449 - 54 {HBs-antigen-positive chronic aggressive hepatitis}; Muller R et al.; In the treatment of HBs-Ag positive, chronic aggressive hepatitis three therapeutic methods can principally be applied: immunosuppression, immunostimulation and an attempt at medicamentous inhibition of the virus propagation . According to the present view, the immunosuppressive treatment with glucocorticoids and azathioprine is very risky in the antigen positive form and doubtful as far as the application is concerned; it simply suppresses the defensive reaction of the organism, thus encouraging the virus replication . In individual cases remissions could be achieved by immuno-stimulation with BCG vaccine or cell wall preparations of the Propionibacterium granulosum, or by an abrupt discontinuation of an immunosuppression . Neither has the virostatic treatment with vidarabin and its monophosphatester , which was introduced in the last few years, brought any new breakthroughs . Under treatment it is mostly possible to block the virus propagation, however, after discontinuation relapses are usually the rule and lasting therapeutic successes the exception to the rule. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 Apr, 256(4), 518 - 22 Immunomodulation by Propionibacterium granulosum KP 45 and experimental trichinellosis in mice; Bany J et al.; Swiss mice were infected orally with 200 Trichinella spiralis larvae and injected intraperitoneally with a potent immunomodulator (isolated cell walls of Propionibacterium granulosum strain KP 45) . In control mice 22 871 +/- 9913 larvae were found in the whole body, whereas in mice treated with P . granulosum KP 45 on the day of inoculation 9450 larvae +/- 8244 larvae were counted (p less than 0.01) . Immunomodulation 7 days before or 7 days after T . spiralis inoculation gave less pronounced effects but the decreasing number of larvae was still significant . It is suggested that the above effects are due to an activation of macrophages. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 Apr, 256(4), 541 - 7 Frequent isolation of Propionibacterium acnes from sarcoidosis lymph nodes; Abe C et al.; Isolation of Propionibacterium acnes from biopsied lymph nodes of sarcoidosis patients and from the lymph nodes or other tissues of non-sarcoidos