Br J Surg, 1981 Sep, 68(9), 635 - 8 Delayed primary wound closure in gangrenous and perforated appendicitis; Pettigrew RA; A prospective randomized trial was performed on 122 patients with perforated or gangrenous appendicitis to determine whether delayed primary wound closure lowered morbidity from wound infection . The 54 per cent wound infection rate with delayed primary closure was significantly inferior to the 18 per cent infection rate for primary closure with topical ampicillin powder (P = 0.0082), but not significantly different from the 37 per cent infection rate for primary closure alone . Furthermore, patients disliked delayed primary closure, their hospital stay was prolonged and 17 per cent of their wounds became contaminated with Staphylococci before being closed . Delayed primary wound closure should not be used in treating perforated and gangrenous appendicitis wounds. JAMA, 1981 Aug 14, 246(7), 741 - 8 Clinical manifestations of toxic shock syndrome; Chesney PJ et al.; Twenty-two women aged 13 to 44 years (mean, 22 years) with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) were hospitalized in Madison, Wis, between Aug 1, 1977, and Sept 1, 1980 . Disease onset occurred during menses in 21 patients; all recovered . Notable sequelae included vocal cord paralysis and impaired finger sensation in two patients and recurrent disease in three . Coagulase-positive staphylococci were grown from the cervix or vagina in 11 of 12 women cultured . Previously undescribed features included vulvar cellulitis, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, hypocholesterolemia, hyponatremia, lymphocytopenia, hypoferrinemia, and late convalescent hair and nail loss . Patients requiring dopamine hydrochloride had worse renal function, longer hospitalizations, and higher total serum bilirubin levels, and clinical onset earlier in menses . Originally reported in children, TSS now appears to be primarily a disease of menstruating women in whom recurrences are possible. Antibiotiki, 1981 Aug, 26(8), 623 - 8 {Structural changes in renal tissue in experimental staphylococcal septicopyemia}; Botkina EM et al.; The structure of the kidney tissue in mice with staphylococcal septicopyemia due to intraperitoneal introduction of Staph . aureus in various doses was studied . It was found that the level of acute purulent inflammation in the kidney tissue was different depending on the site of the affection: the purulent component predominated in the cortical layer, while the necrotic component in the medullary layer and papillae . The most gross changes in the glomerular filter developed in the presence of a swarm of staphylococci and deposition of electron-dense material in the basal capillary layers . It is noted that the study on the ultrastructural changes in the kidney tissue makes it possible to use them for estimation of highly active antibacterial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Aug, 20(2), 267 - 9 Effect of mixing on rifampin bactericidal activity against staphylococci; Zinner SH et al.; Minimal bactericidal concentrations of rifampin were significantly increased, and serum bactericidal activity from volunteers receiving this drug was significantly decreased by vigorous mixing of microtiter plates before sampling when tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis at 10(5) and 10(6) colony-forming units per ml . These results suggest that microtiter estimates of the bactericidal activity of rifampin against staphylococci should be performed after vigorous shaking. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 14(2), 195 - 200 Comparison of methods for identifying Staphylococcus and Micrococcus spp; Gunn BA et al.; Three methods employed to distinguish staphylococci from micrococci were compared, using clinical and environmental strains . When these methods are used, misinterpretation of results, as well as erratic results, may occur, and suggestions for eliminating these problems are provided . The most sensitive test that combines ease of use and speed in obtaining results for distinguishing the two genera is the lysostaphin susceptibility test . Two other tests, facultatively anaerobic growth in semisolid thioglycolate agar and fermentation of dextrose, may also be used to distinguish these two genera, but results are often slow in developing, are subject to technical difficulties, and may lead to incorrect assignment of certain species of staphylococci and micrococci to their proper genera. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1981 Aug, 89(4), 275 - 80 Staphylococcal protein-A agglutination assay for avian viruses; Pandya BV et al.; Protein-A rich staphylococci were used to develop an agglutination assay for the detection and quantitation of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) and Herpes virus of turkeys (HVT) . Rabbit anti-REV or anti-HVT were used to coat the staphylococci and these reagents were mixed with REV or various other viral antigen preparations . An agglutination titer was determined for antigen preparations of varying purity and the results indicated that in addition to being rapid, this assay allows the detection of as little as 0.3 to 0.5 microgram of partially purified viral antigens . No crossreactivity was observed with the two antisera and the various antigen preparations . This study also confirmed the reports in the literature that chicken immunoglobulins do not bind to protein-A of the Cowan I strain of Staph . aureus. Med Clin (Barc), 1981 Jul 15, 77(3), 104 - 7 {Perinephritic abscesses: a review of 50 cases (author's transl)}; Pigrau Serrallach C et al.; Accumulation of pus in the perinephritic cavity often gives rise to doubtful clinical manifestations, which hinder and delay prompt diagnosis of this severe process . The clinical, biological, radiological and therapeutic characteristics of 50 cases are reviewed; all were confirmed by either surgery or necropsy . The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever, lumbar pain and signs of localized inflammation . Biological data showed ESR elevation and left shift of leukocytes as the most constant finding . Pyelograms were abnormal in 90% with blurring of the psoas and contour of the kidney the most frequent finding . Gram-negative organisms were frequently isolated, with staphylococci accounting for 10% . Only surgical treatment had a definite effect on evolution . The mortality rate was high, due to incorrect or delayed diagnosis. Vopr Pitan, 1981 Jul-Aug, (4), 56 - 9 {Effect of various factors on staphylococcal multiplication during the production of curd}; Petrushina LI et al.; The paper is concerned with modeling of contamination of cheese granules with staphylococci in different stages of granule preparation under laboratory conditions . It has been shown that especially hazardous is the raw material contamination in the stages of fermentation and crushing of the curd before heating. Antibiotiki, 1981 Jul, 26(7), 488 - 92 {Directed screening of aminoglycoside antibiotic producers on selective media with gentamycin}; Bibikova MV et al.; The method of directed screening of aminoglycoside antibiotics is based on the natural phenomenon that fresh isolates of Micromonospora are highly resistant to the antibiotics produced by them . The method consists of plating of the soil samples on selective media with gentamicin (10--25 micrograms/ml) . The frequency of Micromonospora against the total number of the isolated actinomycetes increased from 3.3--11.4 to 30.6--78 per cent . The number of the cultures isolated from the control medium and active against gramnegative test-bacteria amounted to 13.4 per cent, while the number of Micromonospora isolated from the selective medium with gentamicin and active against gramnegative test-bacteria amounted to 69.4 per cent . 37 crude antibiotics were isolated with the method of ion exchange concentration usually used for aminoglycoside antibiotics . The new antibiotics were identified as 2-desoxy amine-containing aminoglycosides by cross resistance of aminoglycoside resistant strains of Staphylococci to them, the methods of paper and thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry . The majority of the aminoglycosides belonged to the gentamicin group . 2 compounds with molecular weights not described in the literature for aminoglycosides were isolated. Z Hautkr, 1981 Jul 1, 56(13), 843 - 6 {The activity of imidazole derivatives in the presence of human plasma (author's transl)}; Raab W et al.; By Warburg technique using yeasts and staphylococci, any decrease in antimicrobial activity of the imidazole derivatives could be excluded in the presence of human plasma . Econazole nitrate, the classical topical imidazole derivative, and ketoconazole, an oral active antifungal, were tested . The compatibility between imidazole derivatives and human plasma is of practical importance for obtaining optimal therapeutic results in treating human mycoses. Infect Immun, 1981 Jul, 33(1), 193 - 8 Immunological properties of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxins: development of a radioimmunoassay specific for heat-stable enterotoxins with suckling mouse activity; Frantz JC et al.; Antiserum was raised against the purified heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain 431, a class II porcine enteropathogen . The antiserum was used to examine the antigenic determinants of STs produced by enterotoxigenic strains of different host origins and develop a sensitive radioimmunoassay specific for ST having biological activity in suckling mice and piglets (STA) . The antiserum neutralized one effective dose of toxin at a dilution of 1:5,000 and neutralized approximately 40 microgram of toxin per ml of serum . In the radioimmunoassay, protein A-bearing staphylococci was used as the primary solid-phase adsorbent . The purified STs produced by a class I enteropathogen (strain 667) and by a bovine enterotoxigenic strain (B-41) exhibited patterns of competitive inhibition identical to those of homologous unlabeled strain 431 ST in the radioimmunoassay when specific antibody to strain 431 ST was used . The levels of ST in culture supernatants determined by the suckling mouse assay correlated with the concentrations of toxin measured by the radioimmunoassay . The antiserum was specific for STA produced by enterotoxigenic E . coli of porcine, bovine, and human origins and did not react with heat-labile enterotoxin or with ST that had biological activity in piglets but not in suckling mice (STB) . These results suggest that STA molecules having different host origins share at least one antigenic determinant. Klin Wochenschr, 1981 Jun 1, 59(11), 571 - 3 Selective inhibition of human neutrophil chemotaxis by ECHO-virus, type 9; Bultmann B et al.; Preincubation (37 degrees C, 60 min) of human neutrophilic granulocytes with various concentrations of infectious ECHO virus, type 9, strain A . Barty resulted in virus-dose dependent inhibition of neutrophil chemotactic reactivity (Boyden-chamber assay) to chemoattractants (F-Met-Leu-Phen: zymosan-activated human serum) . Other cellular functions-phagocytosis, increase of oxidative cell metabolism, intracellular killing of live staphylococci--remained intact . This selective inhibition of human neutrophilic chemotaxis was due to viral induced cytotoxicity or competitive inhibition of chemotactic cell surface receptors. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 13(6), 1031 - 5 Modified oxidase and benzidine tests for separation of staphylococci from micrococci; Faller A et al.; Two simple and rapid methods for the separation of staphylococci from micrococci are described . They are based on modified oxidase and benzidine tests . Micrococci and Staphylococcus sciuri yield a blue color with a 6% solution of tetramethylphenylenediamine in dimethyl sulfoxide, whereas all of the other staphylococci exhibit no coloration . Best's results were obtained with overnight cultures on blood agar . The presence of c-type cytochromes i micrococci and S . sciuri could be detected with benzidine; all noncovalently linked heme groups are removed before the addition of the benzidine reagent . The oxidase test is the simplest and most rapid method for the separation of staphylococci (except S . sciuri) from micrococci, if the nutritional requirements and the time of incubation are strictly followed . This test is especially recommended for the examination of clinical material in which S . sciuri is usually not found. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 13(6), 1023 - 5 Lysostaphin disk test for routine presumptive identification of staphylococci; Poutrel B et al.; The sensitivity of the lysostaphin disk test was evaluated for routine differentiation of staphylococci from micrococci . Lyophilized paper disks impregnated with 10 micrograms of lysostaphin were placed on a Mueller-Hinton agar plate inoculated with 10 species of staphylococci and 7 species of micrococci . After 16 h of incubation at 37 degrees C, a circular zone of growth inhibition was noted for all staphylococci species tested . By contrast, all the micrococci species were resistant . The activity of the impregnated disks was not diminished by storing them at 4 degrees C for 3 months . With disks impregnated by 10, 6.6, 5, and 2.5 micrograms of lysostaphin, diameters of the growth inhibition zone for S . aureus Cowan 1 NCTC 8530 strain were proportional to the logarithm of the quantity of lysostaphin present in each disk. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1981 Jun, 59(3), 387 - 401 The conjunctival and contact lens bacterial flora during lens wear; Hovding G; The conjunctival bacterial flora in wearers of hydrophilic, hard and silicone lenses and in a non-lens control group has been studied . Cultures were also taken from the posterior surface of the various contact lenses . Coagulase negative staphylococci were the most commonly occurring microorganisms both on the conjunctiva and on the lenses . Further identification of these bacteria showed Staph . epidermidis to be the predominant species . Compared with control group a significantly increased frequency of negative conjunctival cultures was found among the lens wearers (P = 0.020) . The occurrence of coagulase negative staphylococci was reduced, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.08) . Gram-negative bacilli were more frequently found during lens wear (P = 0.012), but were mainly species which are traditionally regarded as apathogenic . The possible influence of lens disinfection, duration of lens wear and eye/lid hygiene on the conjunctival bacterial flora is discussed. J Bacteriol, 1981 Jun, 146(3), 1020 - 9 Intracellular mannitol, a product of glucose metabolism in staphylococci; Edwards KG et al.; Mannitol (Mtl), not previously reported as an intracellular component of bacteria, although it has been found as an extracellular end product of anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism, accumulated within strains of all 10 staphylococcal species tested after aerobic incubation of washed cell suspensions in phosphate-buffered 1% glucose for 2 h . Phenol extracts of the cells, before and after incubation, were analyzed for Mtl content by periodate utilization and paper chromatography and for Mtl 1-phosphate content, with Mtl 1-phosphate dehydrogenase . In Staphylococcus aureus Towler, the content of Mtl increased from a 0-h value of less than 2.4 to 16 mumol/g (dry weight) after incubation, and the level of Mtl 1-phosphate increased from a 0-h value of 1 to 8 mumol/g . The identification of Mtl was confirmed as the per-O-acetyl ester by gas-liquid chromatography and as the per-O-methyl ether by mass spectrometry . Also tested were 5 additional S . aureus strains and 32 coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains . All strains accumulated Mtl, even those strains that could not utilize exogenous Mtl during aerobic growth, usually in the range 4 to 25 mumol/g . Furthermore, three strains accumulated very high Mtl levels . Bacteria from several other genera were tested, and some were found to accumulate low to moderate levels of Mtl under similar incubation conditions . The metabolic conversion of glucose to intracellular Mtl, probably via Mtl 1-phosphate, is a common feature of staphylococci and also occurs in some other bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Jun, 78(6), 3738 - 42 Assignment of the human gene for liver-type 6-phosphofructokinase isozyme (PFKL) to chromosome 21 by using somatic cell hybrids and monoclonal anti-L antibody; Vora S et al.; Human 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK; ATP:D-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11) is under the control of structural loci that code for muscle (M), liver (L), and platelet (P) subunits, which are variably expressed in different tissues; human diploid fibroblasts and leukocytes express all three genes . Random tetramerization of these subunits produces various isozymes, which can be distinguished from one another by ion exchange chromatography or by subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies . We have examined 17 somatic cell hybrids established between Chinese hamster cells and human diploid fibroblasts or leukocytes for the expression of L-type subunits of human PFK . As electrophoresis does not distinguish between Chinese hamster PFKs and human PFKs, we used an anti-human L-subunit-specific monoclonal antibody, which does not react with chinese hamster PFKs . The expression of human L subunits in the hybrids was detected by the enzyme-immunoprecipitation technique using staphylococci bearing protein A as an immunoadsorbent . Twelve out of 17 hybrids expressed human L subunits and retained chromosome 21, as determined by chromosome and isozyme marker analysis, whereas 5 did not express human PFKL and lacked chromosome 21 . The mean erythrocyte PFK of seven individuals with trisomy 21 was found to be elevated (147% of normal) . A specific increase in L subunits in trisomic erythrocytes was evident chromatographically by a striking increase in L4 species (50%; normal 10%) and immunologically by decreased precipitation with anti-M monoclonal antibody (50%; normal 80%) . We conclude from these data that PFKL is located on chromosome 21 and that the previously noted elevation of erythrocyte PFK activity in individuals with trisomy 21 is due to a gene-dosage effect. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Jun, (6), 52 - 5 {Phosphatase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis}; Kuz'minskii SN; As a result of the study of a number of additional characteristics, more than a half of the cultures, formerly identified as phosphatase-negative S . epidermidis according to the scheme of the International Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Staphylococci and Micrococci, have been shown to be more similar to S . Hominis and S . captis on account of their properties . The study of correlation between the main differentiating characteristics of S . epidermidis has shown that it is poorly pronounced . For this reason the decision to classify a phosphatase-negative culture with S . epidermidis should be based on the study of additional characteristics which differentiate this species not only from S . saprophyticus, but also from other phosphatase-negative staphylococci. Thorax, 1981 May, 36(5), 355 - 9 Catheter tip cultures on open-heart surgery patients: associations with site of catheter and age of patients; Freeman R et al.; The results of culture of 668 catheter tips from 422 patients are analysed with relation to the site of the catheter and the age of the patient . Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common bacterial isolate, but Gram-negative bacilli were found in the venous lines, femoral artery lines, and peripheral lines . Isolations of Gram-negative bacilli were associated with age, being found mainly in those under 1 year and those over 40 years of age . Typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci revealed that Staphylococcus epidermidis is the only variety found in peripheral lines and in lines inserted after operation for complications (central venous, sub-clavian, and long lines), whereas other types occur (along with Staphylococcus epidermidis) in the other lines (left atrial, arterial, and venous) . Use of extra lines for the management of postoperative complications thereby increases the risk of Staphylococcus epidermidis gaining access to the circulation . A subgroup of venous lines used to administer inotropic agents was found to be sterile on culture, and this was the result of the anti-oxidant (sodium metabisulphite) in the inotrope solution acting as an antiseptic. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 May, (5), 76 - 8 {Species makeup of coagulase-negative staphylococci of clinical origin}; Kuz'minskii SN et al.; The classification of Kloos--Schleifer was used for the identification of 175 clinical strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci . The species of staphylococci in 50.3% of the cultures were determined; as a result, S . epidermidis and S . saprophyticus were not found to be in the majority among them . The authors concluded that the above-mentioned scheme, as well as its short variant proposed by the International Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Staphylococci and Micrococci could not be recommended for practical use. Am J Dis Child, 1981 May, 135(5), 427 - 30 Sources and susceptibilities of staphylococci isolated from children . A seven-year survey; Dillon HC Jr et al.; A seven-year surveillance was done of the antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients seen in The Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Ala . There were no outbreaks of hospital-acquired staphylococcal infection during this time . Of 5,479 strains, 2,685 were from hospitalized children; 2,794 of 5,479 were from outpatients . The incidence of penicillin resistance increased from 76% to more than 85% between 1973 and 1979, with no significant difference noted between inpatient and outpatient strains . Penicillin resistance was similar, regardless of the clinical source (site of isolation) of staphylococci . Skin lesions, soft tissue, wounds, and abscess perennially accounted for the greatest proportion of isolates . Thus, skin lesions represent an important reservoir for penicillin-resistant staphylococci . Nearly all strains were susceptible to the other antibiotics tested; multiple resistance was rare . Susceptibility to clindamycin, erythromycin, cephalothin, sodium, and nafcillin sodium remained stable through the years . These agents provide effective therapeutic regimens for patients with staphylococcal infection, including those with penicillin allergy. J Med Microbiol, 1981 May, 14(2), 185 - 94 Survival of Staphylococcus aureus in intraperitoneal abscesses; Dye ES et al.; An examination of 10 strains of Staphylococcus aureus for survival within abscesses developing in the peritoneal cavity of mice revealed three distinct patterns of survival . Although non-haemolytic mutants were destroyed more rapidly than were their parent strains, this difference could not be attributed to any particular haemolysin . In abscesses generated with mixtures of non-haemolytic variants and their parent strains, the former were preferentially eliminated; this suggests that the non-haemolytic variants were inherently more sensitive to the conditions within these lesions . Subsequent studies confirmed that abscess homogenates were cidal for staphylococci and that this activity resided in the insoluble fraction of the homogenates . Staphylococci added to abscess homogenates were killed, but only after a lag . This lag could be shortened or eliminated by incubating homogenates before adding the test organism . After development of a suitable assay, it was found that the cidal activity in abscess homogenates could be increased 3-20-fold by pre-incubation . Staphylococcal strains differed in their relative sensitivities to the cidal material; those strains rapidly destroyed within abscesses were the most sensitive and strains capable of better survival were more resistant . The results support the concept that the cidal material is responsible for destruction of staphylococci within such lesions. Infect Control, 1981 May-Jun, 2(3), 251 - 2 Endemic staphylococcal pseudobacteremia; Stratton CW; Endemic staphylococcal pseudobacteremia is defined as a situation in which coagulase-negative staphylococci are isolated from blood cultures more frequently than would be expected . Such false-positive blood cultures may influence patient care significantly and add considerably to its cost . This appears to be a more common phenomenon in hospitals in which blood cultures are drawn by house staff, but many occur in any hospital . A survey of all positive blood cultures will identify this problem . Careful attention to the proper procedure for collecting blood cultures should help prevent this phenomenon of endemic coagulase-negative staphylococcal pseudobacteremia. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1981 May, 123(5), 524 - 8 Lung defenses against viral and bacterial challenges during immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide in mice; Jakab GJ et al.; Pulmonary virus infections predispose to secondary bacterial pneumonias by suppressing the antibacterial defenses of the lung . Cyclophosphamide (CY) treatment interferes with antiviral defenses and also impairs pulmonary bactericidal activity . To determine whether CY aggravates secondary bacterial pneumonias, mice were infected by aerosol inhalation with para-influenza 1 (Sendai) virus and injected intraperitoneally with either 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg of CY on Days 1 and 5 of the infection . On Day 7, the lungs of control (CY-treated but not infected) and virus-infected mice were lavaged and the total and differential number of free pulmonary cells quantitated . At the same time, other groups of mice were challenged aerogenically with Staphylococcus aureus and the number of initially viable bacteria remaining in their lungs quantitated at 4 and 24 h thereafter . The CY treatment induced a dose-dependent neutropenia, which was paralleled by the number of free pulmonary cells recovered from the lungs . Pulmonary bactericidal activity was also suppressed by CY treatment, with the percentage of staphylococci remaining at 24 h in the lungs of control animals being 0.5 +/- 0.2% and 1.5 +/- 0.5%, 4.0 +/- 1.5%, 8.5 +/- 2%, and 36 +/- 5%, respectively, for the increasing doses of CY . In virus-infected animals, CY treatment suppressed the inflammatory response in a dose-dependent manner, with the total number of free lung cells recovered from the highest dose group being only 5% of that recovered from untreated animals . Virus infection depressed the antibacterial defenses of the lung so that in untreated animals, 80 +/- 9% of the staphylococcal remained at 24 h . Treatment with the 2 higher doses of CY caused the bacteria to proliferate extensively in the lungs to 280 +/- 53% and 792 +/- 112%, respectively, for the 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg CY doses . In contrast, treatment with 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg of CY significantly enhanced the intrapulmonary killing of S . aureus in virus-infected lungs so that the bactericidal values at 24 h were 28 +/- 3% and 21 +/- 2%, respectively . These data demonstrated that immunosuppression modulates virus-induced suppression of pulmonary antibacterial defenses with high doses of CY aggravating and low doses ameliorating the defect. Lab Invest, 1981 May, 44(5), 403 - 9 Activation of lysosomal acid phosphatase of eosinophil leukocytes; Bass DA et al.; Acid phosphatase (AP) within the specific granules of eosinophils is held in a latent, inactive form prior to degranulation . Eosinophils responded to membrane stimuli with activation of AP throughout the granules of the cell, prior to degranulation . Activation occurred within the time required for fixation of the cells by glutaraldehyde . Whereas resting normal eosinophils demonstrated AP activity in 7.8 +/- 1.2 per cent of the granules, cells stimulated with opsonized staphylococci demonstrated activity in 78.9 +/- 5.0 per cent of the granules, and the amount of lead phosphate reactant deposited per active granule was considerably more intense in the stimulated than in the unstimulated cells . A similar stimulation of AP activity in eosinophils occurred with exposure to the surface-active agent phorbol myristate acetate or the calcium ionophore A23187 . Activation was not altered by 5 microgram . per ml . of cytochalasin B or 4 x 10(-6) M colchicine . These aspects of the response closely parallel the stimulation of oxidative metabolism of eosinophils; however, the two were separable . Eosinophils obtained from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease, although unable to activate the normal oxidative metabolic burst, demonstrated a normal activation of AP. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1981 Apr 15, 106(8), suppl 3:91 - 7 Phagocytosis and destruction of Staphylococcus aureus; Verbrugh HA; A review is presented for the phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes . Recruitment of adequate numbers of leukocytes to the site of infection occurs through the process of chemotaxis . Recognition of invading staphylococci by the phagocytic cells is mediated through bacterial opsonization . Both processes depend upon the activation of the heat-labile complement system which generates the majority of chemotactic (C5a) and opsonic (C3b) molecules for S . aureus phagocytosis . The key role of peptidoglycan in the cell wall of staphylococci in these events is stressed . Attachment and ingestion of opsonized staphylococci occurs via poorly-defined receptors for opsonins in the membrane of the leukocyte . The greater phagocytic capacity of neutrophils as compared to monocytes is not reflected in differences in their membrane receptors for staphylococcal opsonins . Once ingested, staphylococci are rapidly destroyed by oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent bactericidal mechanisms of the phagocytes . Small numbers of S . aureus may survive within the leukocyte . Special attention is focused on the numerous ways S . aureus is able to hinder, evade, and directly damage the phagocytic defense mechanisms of the host. Nature, 1981 Apr 2, 290(5805), 406 - 9 The respiratory burst of phagocytic cells is associated with a rise in vacuolar pH; Segal AW et al.; Neutrophil leukocytes are the body's major defence against bacteria, which they phagocytose and kill . It has been found that phagocytosis and killing are accompanied by a dramatic rise in non-mitochondrial respiration; and that the efficiency of killing is impaired in the absence of oxygen . It is also impaired in neutrophils from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), where the respiratory burst is absent . This has been difficult to reconcile with their normal content of granule proteins that kill bacteria in vitro . Indeed, CGD cells are essentially normal both morphologically and constitutionally except that they lack a functional very low potential cytochrome b (b-245), which is a component of the oxidase system responsible for the respiratory burst of normal cells . Activation of the oxidase is associated with the generation of various reduced oxygen species which have been widely thought to be responsible for the killing of phagocytosed microorganisms either directly, or by acting as substrates for myeloperoxidase-mediated halogenation . We report here, however, that a major consequence of the defective function of this oxidase in neutrophils and monocytes from CGD patients is an absence of the normal initial rise, and an unusually rapid and extensive fall in pH which is itself associated with the impairment of the killing and digestion of intracellular staphylococci. J Hyg (Lond), 1981 Apr, 86(2), 183 - 7 Transfer of gentamicin resistance between coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci on skin; Naidoo J et al.; The transfer of gentamicin resistance between a coagulase-negative S . hominis strain and various coagulase-positive S . aureus strains on human and murine skin in the absence of a selective agent is described . Transfer occurs at higher frequency on skin than in broth . Skin transfer may account for the apparently explosive occurrence of gentamicin resistant staphylococci in hospitals. Phlebologie, 1981 Apr-Jun, 34(2), 277 - 81 {Considerations after 10 years of treating leg ulcers}; Brami C; There are four times as many varicose ulcers as arterial ulcers, this being basically the case of patients over 50 . Venous thrombosis is responsible for about one-third of the varicose ulcers, and atherosis causes more than one-third of the arterial ulcers . The latter often involve metabolic disorders: this is not the case with varicose ulcers . When there is superinfection, pyocyanic is rampant and is followed by yellow staphylococci . Arterial ulcers are very often painful and cicatrisation is slow, often even hopeless, whereas varicose ulcers heal when the responsible varices are cured. Med Hypotheses, 1981 Apr, 7(4), 433 - 54 "Mycococcus" of the ascomycete mold and carcinogenesis; White MW; There is a time in history when it becomes necessary to coin a term to describe a newly discovered identity . According to our research findings there is now the need to add a new term to medical microbiology . Our studies indicate that there is consistently present, determined though revised culturing procedures of aseptic freshly collected cancerous tissue, a micro-organism which resembles and/or is identified as staphylococci, micrococci, enterococci, etc . Our work indicates that these microbes are the absent outside cell wall, enzyme and hormone-deficient aberrant form of the ascomycete mold . They could be listed as the asexual conidial bodies . However, because they multiply in cancerous tissue, as a separate entity, with absolutely no evidences of phialedes or hyphal elements being present, and because they are predominantly cocci in appearance, I wish to suggest that we use the term "mycococcus" . On occasions some cultures will reveal microbes which give an alternating rod to oval-like movement and appearance . Sometimes the rods may be small and chain-like . These ultimately turn out to be the altered microbes such as aspergillus of the branching type fungus . The term in this instance may be considered as "mycomicrobe" or "mycobacillus". J Clin Pathol, 1981 Apr, 34(4), 443 - 7 Clinical distribution and antibiotic sensitivities of staphylococcal strains isolated over an eight-month period; Varaldo PE et al.; A total of 842 staphylococci isolated from clinical material over an eight-month period and regarded as probable pathogens were identified according to lyogroup . Almost half the isolates belonged to lyogroups other than lyogroup I (Staphylococcus aureus), suggesting that coagulase-negative staphylococci are increasingly involved in human infections . All isolates were tested for sensitivity to 12 antibiotics . A greater resistance was observed in non-lyogroup I isolates, which again suggests a pathogenic significance of coagulase-negative staphylococci . Only lyogroup I strains, however, were obtained more frequently from clinical isolates than from healthy human skin . The distribution of the isolates in each lyogroup according to their clinical source is reported. Isr J Med Sci, 1981 Apr, 17(4), 245 - 8 Coagglutination and indirect hemagglutination in the detection of an excreted immunologically active substance from Leishmania; Dishon T et al.; The methods of coagglutination and indirect hemagglutination were used to detect the production of the immunologically active excreted factor (EF) of Leishmania . Staphylococci, rich in protein A and sensitized with specific anti-Leishmania antibodies, coagglutinated with supernatant fractions of cultures, thus enabling continuous monitoring of the excretion of EF by multiplying parasites . Papain-treated human red blood cells, sensitized with crude or purified EF, also agglutinated with the coagglutination reagent . The sensitized papain-treated red blood cells may be employed in indirect hemagglutination to detect specific antibodies to Leishmania in rabbit and human sera . As the EF is specific for each Leishmania serotype group, coagglutination and indirect hemagglutination offer the possibility of rapid, easy, sensitive and specific diagnostic tools in the determinations of both antigen and antibody in specimens from suspected cases of leishmaniasis. Am J Med Technol, 1981 Apr, 47(4), 237 - 9 Free coagulase and thermostable nuclease reactions of staphylococci: a comparison; Sukroongreung S et al.; Two-hundred-fifty-five staphylococcal isolates (clinical) were tested for both free coagulase (CGase) and thermostable nuclease (TNase) production . Two-hundred-ten of the 255 isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus when both strongly positive TNase and CGase reactions (human and rabbit plasma) were observed with these strains . Forty-five of the 255 isolates were identified as Staphylococcus species, other than S . aureus when either weakly positive TNase and CGase (rabbit plasma) reactions or negative TNase and CGase (rabbit and human plasma) reactions were observed . This experiment suggest that the identification of staphylococcal isolates as S . aureus can be based upon demonstration of both strongly positive TNase and CGase reactions. Antibiotiki, 1981 Apr, 26(4), 264 - 8 {Characteristics of the effect of egg lysozyme on micrococci and staphylococci}; Safonova TB et al.; The nature of the optical density of suspensions of Staph . aureus and M . luteus cells at various concentrations of chicken egg albumin lysozyme and two products of its chemical transformation was studied comparatively . The experiments were performed in 1/15 M Na-phosphate buffer at pH 6.2 and a temperature of 20-22 degrees C . It was shown that the decrease in the optical density of the suspensions observed at relatively low concentrations of lysozyme, i.e . 0.032-0.064 mg/ml, was due to lysis of both microbial species . The increase in the optical density of the suspensions at higher (0.5-2.0 mg/ml) concentrations of lysozyme was connected with formation of insoluble aggregates of an electrostatic character . Lysozyme in such aggregates is the positively charged component and the microbial cell material is the negatively charged component . When M . luteus strains are sensitive to lysozyme, the aggregates are formed from the cell fragments or lysis acid products . When Staph, aureus strains have higher resistance levels, the aggregates are formed from both the lysis products and the intact live cells which is of special interest. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Apr, (4), 39 - 42 {Activity of T- and B-system lymphocytes in generalized purulent infections}; Malafeeva EV et al.; The comparison of the results obtained in the study of blood samples taken from 37 septic patients and 60 healthy persons has revealed that general purulent infection is accompanied by a drop in the percentage and absolute content of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, by a rise in the level off D-lymphocytes, by a considerable increase in the number of O-cells . At the same time the patients with general purulent infection show a change in the functional activity of the B-system of lymphocytes, which is manifested by a decrease in the amount of IgM and IgG, an increase in the titers of antibodies to staphylococci, strain 209p . These data suggest that in general purulent infection profound disturbances occur in the immune system of the body. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Apr, 13(4), 609 - 12 Capsular typing of klebsiellae by coagglutination and latex agglutination; Onokodi JK et al.; A simple method for capsular serotype determination of Klebsiella is described, using staphylococci or latex particles coated by specific antibodies and the supernatant of a bacterial suspension in saline as antigen . These methods may be at least as reliable as other methods and easier to perform and less expensive than other methods. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1981 Apr, 89(2), 133 - 5 Staphylococci producing a non-immune precipitation line with human serum; Osland A; When grown on brain heart agar plates, Staphylococcus capitis, S . warneri and S . xylosus produced a precipitation line with normal human serum in the double diffusion test . Eight other staphylococcal species did not produce this line . Of 20 strains of S . capitis, all produced the precipitation line, and the type strain of S . capitis produced the precipitation line against the sera from eight animal species . The precipitation is not caused by protein A and it is not an immune reaction because the serum component is in the albumin fraction of serum when fractionated on Sephadex G-200. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1981 Mar, 14(1), 1 - 9 Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; Deng LJ et al.; The susceptibilities of 100 clinically significant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 45 clinically significant isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis against various antibiotics were determined by the agar dilution method . Rifampin was the most active of all agents tested against both S . aureus and S . epidermidis . Among the beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillin G was least active, but had the lowest MIC in range . All strains of S . aureus were susceptible to cloxacillin and cephalothin at concentrations of 2 and 4 mcg/ml, respectively . Cloxacillin was less active against S . epidermidis, while cephalothin was more active . Minocycline was more active than doxycycline and tetracycline . Chloramphenicol was not only almost as poor in activity against S . aureus as tetracycline, but also the least active of all agents tested against S . epidermidis . Gentamicin was the most active aminoglycoside . Erythromycin, lincomycin and clindamycin showed the bimodal pattern of susceptibility . These results suggest the marked variability in antibiotic susceptibility of staphylococci. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Mar, (3), 45 - 50 {Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from patients . II . Species diversity of the strains}; Akatov AK et al.; Of 403 coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains isolated from patients with different forms of infection 68,1% of the cultures could be identified in accordance with the scheme proposed by Akatov and Devriese . Of these, S . epidermidis constituted 55.1%, S . saprophyticus 13.5%, S . sciuri, S . warneri, S . cohnii, etc., 0.4% to 5.5% . A small group (8,2%) of novobiocin-resistant S . epidermidis and S . hominis strains was detected . S . epidermidis and S . warneri were isolated mostly in septicemia, conjunctivitis, purulent processes; S . saprophyticus and S . sciuri from infected wounds, nonidentified Staphylococcus spp., group I, in urological diseases . The cultures of S . epidermidis sensu stricto belonged, as a rule, to biotype 1, S . epidermidis according to Baird-Parker, S . hominis and S . stimulans belonged to biotype 4 . No strains of biotype 2 were detected. Can J Microbiol, 1981 Mar, 27(3), 271 - 8 Plasmid composition of Staphylococcus species; Kloos WE et al.; A total of 342 staphylococci representing 13 different recognized species were screened for plasmid composition using agarose gel electrophoresis techniques . Plasmids of molecular weight (MW) 30 x 10(6) or larger in size were uncommon in staphylococci . Moderately large plasmids of MW 15 x 10(6) to 29 x 10(6) were not or only occasionally found in the species Staphylococcus sciuri, S . intermedius, S . hyicus, or S . simulans, but were common in S . aureus (55%) and members of the S . epidermidis (79%) and S . saprophyticus (86%) species groups . Small plasmids were common in most of the species . They produced more complex profiles in simian subspecies or biotypes than in human subspecies or biotypes, e.g., in the species S . warneri, S . haemolyticus, S . cohnii, S . xylosus, and S . aureus . Although some of the species appeared to have rather unique plasmid patterns, we would currently hesitate to use this feature as a taxonomic character, considering the occurrence of exceptional strains and possible plasmid transfer between species. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1981 Mar, 47(1), 41 - 51 Rapid distinction between micrococci and staphylococci with furazolidone agars; von Rheinbaben KE et al.; Furazolidone agar proved to be a suitable medium for separating strains of the genera Micrococcus and Staphylococcus . 720 isolates (including 24 type strains) of gram- and catalase-positive cocci were tested for growth on tryptone soya and peptone agar with the addition of 50 microgram/ml furazolidone . The results were compared with the classification obtained by the standard-O/F-test and by the test system of Schleifer and Kloos . For routine identification and separation of staphylococci from micrococci a peptone agar with 20 microgram furazolidone/ml is recommended. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1981 Mar, 4(1), 33 - 8 The in vitro resistance of canine staphylococci to trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole alone and in combination; Hinton M et al.; The in vitro resistance of 40 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dogs to trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole and co-trimoxazole (SXT) was assessed using the disc diffusion technique on Diagnostic Sensitivity Test Agar (DSTA), DSTA with 5% lysed horse blood (DSTA + B), IsoSensitest Agar (ISTA) and Wellcotest Sensitivity Test Agar (WSTA) . When sensitivity was based on a zone width of greater than or equal to 4 mm all 40 strains were sensitive to SXT on DSTA + B and ISTA, 39 were sensitive on WSTA while only 31 (77.5%) were sensitive on DSTA . A comparison of the results obtained for each strain for trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole with those obtained with the Oxford strain of S . aureus and using a scheme for interpretation recommended by Garrod & O'Grady (1971) indicated that the proportion of strains classed as sensitive for therapeutic purposes was 5%, 55%, 47.5% and 15% respectively on DSTA, DSTA + B, ISTA and WSTA. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1981 Mar, 126(3), 16 - 9 {Pathogenesis of acute destructive lung processes of staphylococcal etiology}; Muromskii IuA et al.; Destructive processes in the lungs caused by staphylococci (SDL) were found to result in changes to the lipid metabolism in the lung parenchyma and organism of the patient which seemed to bring about disturbances in the pulmonary surfactant . Complex therapy made it possible to decrease the mortality rate in a group of 200 patients with SDL from 24% to 7%. J Gen Virol, 1981 Mar, 53(Pt 1), 189 - 92 The adsorption of phage by Staphylococcus spp; Barnard L et al.; Phages for coagulase-negative staphylococci were adsorbed to heat-killed cells . The phages showed equal affinities for all the cells, which appeared to have an equal number of binding sites for all the phages tested . This number is estimated at 1.2 x 10(6) sites/cell . Competition for binding sites could be demonstrated between a pair of phages . It is concluded that coagulase-negative staphylococci have only a single series of binding sites for phage, probably the outer 20% or so of the wall teichoic acids . These organisms therefore bind all 'coagulase-negative' phages whether or not they are sensitive to them. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Mar, 19(3), 490 - 2 In vitro comparison of third-generation cephalosporins, piperacillin, dibekacin, and other aminoglycosides against aerobic bacteria; Pulliam L et al.; The in vitro activities of four new beta-lactam antibiotics and dibekacin against aerobic bacteria were compared . The new cephalosporins were more broadly active against gram-negative bacteria than were presently available cephalosporins, but were less active against staphylococci. J Med Microbiol, 1981 Feb, 14(1), 41 - 9 Sensitivity of staphylococci to fatty acids: novel inactivation of linolenic acid by serum; Lacey RW et al.; The inhibition of coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus of human or animal origin by most free fatty acids was similar, but coagulase-positive staphylococci were sensitive and coagulase-negative cultures were resistant to linolenic acid . Animal strains of S . aureus were more sensitive to linolenic acid than were human strains . These differences were reflected in the relative abilities of the three categories of strains to survive on human skin . The antibacterial effects of 20 mg of linolenic acid were inactivated by 1 ml of serum in vitro . A test organism seeded on to skin also survived better if first suspended in serum . The mechanism of the interaction between serum and linolenic acid may be due to a detergent effect of the serum and could account for colonisation of diseased skin with S . aureus . Cultures of S . aureus seeded on to human skin were rapidly killed after the skin has been covered with linolenic acid . The possibility of therapeutic use of linolenic acid as an antibacterial agent should be explored. Prostaglandins Med, 1981 Feb, 6(2), 131 - 4 Haematogenous osteomyelitis and Staphylococcus aureus; Dekel S et al.; Some 80 - 90% of all acute haematogenous osteomyelitis is caused by staphylococcus aureus . We suggest that this is due to the special ability of staphylococci to synthesise prostaglandins from appropriate precursors such as arachidonic acid . Prostaglandins, especially of the E series, are potent stimulators of bone resorption . Establishment of osteomyelitis could thus result from minor bone trauma and local release of prostaglandins and their precursors, followed by adventitious infection . Infection by staphylococcus aureus, but not by other bacteria, could then lead to a sudden surge in prostaglandin production and so bone destruction, facilitating the formation of an osteomyelitic focus. J Clin Pathol, 1981 Feb, 34(2), 203 - 7 Effects of test conditions on the susceptibility of staphylococci in vitro to cephradine, cephaloridine, cephalexin, and cefuroxime; Bayston R et al.; Methicillin-resistant staphylococci were tested for susceptibility to cephradine, cephaloridine, cephalexin, and cefuroxime and 30 degree C and 37 degree C on ordinary media and on media of enhanced osmotic strength . The coagulase-negative strains were divided into Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus hominis . Generally the number of susceptible strains decreased with low incubation temperature and osmotic support . When Staphylococcus aureus was tested against cephalexin and cefuroxime, most were susceptible at 37 degree C whereas all were resistant at 30 degree C . A similar trend was found in the case of cephradine, where it was accentuated by osmotic support . While almost all strains of Staph . epidermidis were sensitive to all four drugs under all test conditions, the susceptibility of Staph . hominis was generally decreased by either lower incubation temperature or osmotic support or both. J Infect Dis, 1981 Feb, 143(2), 247 - 51 Effect of ozone on concentrations of lysozyme in phagocytizing alveolar macrophages; Kimura A et al.; Demonstration of lysozyme by the immunoperoxidase method was used to determine whether ozone-induced defects in phagocytic killing of inhaled Staphylococcus aureus by rat alveolar macrophages were associated with absence of this important bactericidal enzyme . Rats were infected with aerosols of S . aureus and then exposed for 5 hr to 2.5 ppm of ozone . Left lungs were cultured for staphylococci; right lungs were stained for lysozyme and bacteria . Compared with control animals, rats exposed to ozone showed diminished rates of bacterial killing; a larger percentage of extracellular, uningested bacteria; an increased number of intracellular staphylococcal clumps; and absence of lysozyme in macrophages permitting staphylococcal proliferation . These results, in which absence of enzyme activity occurred in macrophages subjected to the dual insults of ozone exposure and ingested bacteria, provide an explanation for the inability of phagocytes to kill ingested bacteria after exposure to ozone. Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1981 Feb, 248(4), 463 - 8 {Penicillin-resistance as indicator of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus towards cephalosporines and structure-related substances (author's transl)}; Hirschl A et al.; 81 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (41 methicillin-resistant and 40 -sensitive ones) were tested against older and newer cephalosporines in both broth-dilution and agardiffusion-tests using Mueller-Hinton (MH)-broth and MH-agar respectively in order to establish the degree of parallel-resistance . The substances used were cephalothin, cefazolin, cephalexin, cefamandol, cefuroxim, cefoxitin, cefotaxim and cefsulodin . Furthermore, for reasons of comparison the relatively new substance "Oxabetalaktam" was included in the investigation . As shown in Fig . 1 and Table 1 all methicillin-resistant strains required at the average at least 10 times the concentrations of cephalosporine (excepting cefsulodin) which was necessary to inhibit methicillin-sensitive strains . Again excepting cefsulodin, for each cephalosporine there was a clear bimodal distribution indicating a clear separation of both populations of strains: methicillin-sensitive and -resistant ones . Cephalothin cannot be used as test substance in agardiffusion-tests with staphylococci as there is no correlation between MIC and the inhibition zone size (Fig . 2) . This is not necessary, anyway, since all methicillin-resistant strains must be regarded as resistant against virtually all cephalosporines available on the market (with the possible exception of cefamandol) . By contrast, all methicillin-sensitive strains may be attacked successfully by concentrations of cephalosporines that are thought to be also effective in vivo . Since in agardiffusion-tests methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus are recognizable as easily as are otherwise merely penicillinase-producing ones (5) by using a paper disk loaded with 6 microgram benzyl-penicillin and since infections due to other grampositive organisms than staphylococci are no indication for treatment with cephalosporines there is no need to test any other betalactam-antibiotic than benzyl-penicillin with gram-positive organisms. Ann Rech Vet, 1981, 12(3), 327 - 32 Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains from rabbits; Devriese LA et al.; Clumping factor- (slide coagulase-) and DNase-positive staphylococci isolated from lesions and carrier sites in rabbits in Belgium, France and the Netherlands all belonged to the species Staphylococcus aureus . Their biotype characteristics were heterogenic . The great majority of the strains could be allotted to 3 biotypes . One ground showed the characteristics of human S . aureus strains . Other strains belonged to a second group which cannot be associated with a specific host species and the features of most strains which belonged to the third group were similar to those of strains commonly found in pigs . The third group was associated which cutaneous staphylococcosis in young rabbits . Geographic differences in the prevalence of these groups were noted . Many strains were epidemiologically related or belonged to a single phage type which showed evidence of epidemic spread. Vet Med Nauki, 1981, 18(9), 55 - 9 {Microbiological studies of slaughterhouse broilers}; Georgiev L et al.; Studied were a total of 187 broilers after the completion of their slaughter processing, with special reference to the correlation between the weight and the quality of the slaughtered birds and their bacterial contamination . It was found that with the increase in the weight of the slaughtered and processed broilers the total bacterial count with them progressively dropped . The quality of the slaughtered broilers was found to correlate with their bacterial contamination . Least contaminated were broilers of first quality, and the broilers of second quality and those that were not standard were 2.2 and 19.6 times more strongly contaminated, respectively . The microbiologic study of slaughtered broilers varying in weight and quality revealed that the count of coliforms was highest followed by that of the proteolytic organisms and staphylococci. Vet Med Nauki, 1981, 18(9), 51 - 4 {Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from the milk of cows with subclinical mastitis}; Karadzhov Ia et al.; Studied were a total of 450 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci, 60.2 per cent of which were sensitive to novobiocin, and 37.1 per cent were producing delta toxin, 35.2 per cent were yielding lysosime, and 27.8 per cent - fibrinolysin . As compared to staphylococci isolated from normal cows they showed higher protease, DN-ase, and lecitinase activity . A scheme is suggested for the differentiation of the coagulase-negative mastitis staphylococci, of primary importance being the evaluation of their virulence to chick embryos or cell cultures. Dermatologica, 1981, 163(6), 433 - 54 {Lyell's disease (author's transl)}; Kint A et al.; In Lyell's disease different clinical patterns can be observed: (a) an acute scarlatiniform erythema, on which more or less extended bullae rapidly appear; (b) a morbilliform erythema, with bullae; (c) the dermatosis can start under the features of an erythema exsudativum multiforme; (d) the eruption may begin as a psoriasis pustulosa . From an internal point of view, disturbances of the liquid balance and the blood electrolyte level may appear as a consequence of the important loss of water and serum . Toxic hepatitis, nephritis or myocarditis are possible complications . The origin of the disease is toxic or bacterial . This differentiation is important because the prognosis is much more favorable when the origin is bacterial than when the disease is due to medicines . A differential diagnosis between both etiologies may be achieved by histological examination: when the origin is a toxic one, we can find subepidermal blisters, while the blisters are located under the horny layer when the disease is of bacterial origin . The disease process is not clear in the toxic form . In cases induced by staphylococci, the epidermal lesions are caused by an epidermolytic toxin . The treatment will especially tend to restore the fluid and electrolyte balance; if there is a bacterial etiology, antibiotics will be necessary . Corticoids are to be avoided. Scand J Infect Dis, 1981, 13(2), 115 - 9 Recurrent staphylococcal furunculosis . Bacteriological findings and epidemiology in 100 cases; Hedstrom SA; During about 3 years 100 cases of recurrent staphylococcal furunculosis were studied with reference to phage-types of strains from lesions, nares, perineum and groins in relation to possible contamination sources . Phage group II staphylococci were found in 58% of the cases . In about half of the patients the same phage type was found in the nares as in the lesion but in the perineum and/or groins in only 14% . In two thirds of these cases the strains belonged to phage group II . Phage group II strains were isolated mainly from patients after supposed contamination outside hospital, while these strains were not dominating in patients probably infected in hospital . An epidemiological study revealed that recurrent furunculosis mostly has its origin outside hospital . Phage typing of lesion and nares strains is essential for the epidemiological analysis of recurrent furunculosis. J Immunol Methods, 1981, 47(1), 99 - 107 Measurement of staphylococcal protein A and detection of protein A-carrying staphylococcus strains by a competitive ELISA method; Fey H et al.; A competitive ELISA for the estimation of staphylococcal protein A is described . Tetanus toxoid is insolubilized on polystyrene and incubated with human antitoxin, which renders the Fc-piece of this antibody freely accessible to protein A . The binding of the latter is demonstrated by its competition with protein A-phosphatase conjugate . The method has been shown to be sensitive and reproducible . It has been used for the detection of protein A in culture supernatants and on living pathogenic staphylococci . The test could therefore be of diagnostic value . Protein A is also present in extracts of food contaminated with enterotoxic staphylococci . It can be eliminated by a simple absorption with insoluble porcine IgG. Arkh Patol, 1981, 43(9), 10 - 6 {Role of the immunoglobulin coat in the process of microorganism phagocytosis}; Bykov AS et al.; Comparative electron microscopic examinations of staphylococcus aureus under different conditions (in a pulmonary abscess of a patient, in a short-time contact with serum and blood cells of a donor, and experimental infection of white mice) revealed dissimilar possibilities of formation of an immunoglobulin coat on the surface of bacterial cell wall . Upon a short-time contact of S . aureus with human blood serum in vitro an immunoglobulin coating appeared on the bacterial cell wall . In control experiments with staphylococci killed with glutaraldehyde and treated with methycilline the possibility of formation of microcapsule by staphylococci was excluded . No immunoglobulin coating was detected in a protracted suppurative process . In the pulmonary abscess, different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were found. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1981, 173(5), 300 - 7 Microbial colonization of prosthetic devices . III . Adhesion of staphylococci to lumina of intravenous catheters perfused with bacterial suspensions; Locci R et al.; Intravenous catheters, artificially infected with staphylococci by perfusion experiments were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), to demonstrate the mode of adhesion . It seemed to be clear, that the first step of bacterial attachment was associated with the different irregularities of the inner surface of the catheter . With longer perfusion times and/or heavier inoculum cell adherence took place also in apparently smooth regions of the catheter lumen . The possible utilization of catheter material was discussed. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1981, 60(1), 21 - 5 The estimation of extracellular protein production in detecting enterotoxigenic staphylococci; Azzi A et al.; 294 strains of staphylococci isolated from feces, throat and nasal swabs were assayed for production of enterotoxin, coagulase, thermostable deoxyribonuclease (thermonuclease) and high levels of global extracellular protein (ECP) . The relationship observed among these biochemical features suggested that the determination of ECP can be an useful test in detecting enterotoxigenic staphylococcal strains which do not exhibit coagulase and thermonuclease production . In fact, among 17 strains which produced large amounts of ECP, but were coagulase- and thermonuclease-negative, 4 were found to be enterotoxigenic, while of 95 strains which produced low levels of ECP and were coagulase and thermonuclease-negative, none was enterotoxigenic. Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1981, 35(2), 277 - 83 Detection of lysozyme production using modified technique as an aid for the identification of pathogenic staphylococci causing some animal and human diseases; Seleim SA et al.; Lysozyme production is an essential character of the potentially pathogenic staphylococci . In the present work 88 strains of animal origin and 40 strains of human origin were tested . Of 103 strains isolated from pathogenic cases of human and animal origin 89 (86.4%) were lysozyme producers and 86 (83.5%) were coagulase positive . Out of 75 strains isolated from pathogenic cases of animal origin 75 (100%) were lysozyme producers and 71 (94.6%) were coagulase positive . On the other hand out of 28 strains isolated from pathogenic human cases 14 (50%) were lysozyme producers and 15 (53.6%) were coagulase positive . This indicates that lysozyme production could be a better index of pathogenic staphylococci than the coagulase measurement specially in cases of animal origin strains . The method used in this work for the determination of the lysozyme production seems to be a simple one if compared with other used methods. Natl Inst Anim Health Q (Tokyo), 1981 Spring, 21(1), 14 - 20 Cellular fatty acid composition in staphylococci isolated from bovine milk; Sincoweay H et al.; Cellular fatty acid composition was examined in 61 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci of bovine milk origin and 19 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis serving as reference strains . The 61 strains had been divided into 9 species in accordance with the classification of Kloos & Schleifer . When S . aureus and the coagulase-negative staphylococci were examined, they contained iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, C18:0, and C20:0 as main fatty acids . There was no marked difference in the cellular fatty acid composition between any two staphylococcal species . The percent cellular fatty acid composition of each species was regarded as one of the quantities of continuity and subjected to the analysis of variance by the unary configuration method . As a result, S . capitis, S . cohnii, S . epidermidis, and S . xylosus seemed to have a cellular fatty acid composition a little different from that of any other species . When similarity values among all the strains were calculated, they were 0.89 or more and made it possible to divide all the strains into two large groups at the similarity value of 0.90 . In the one group the iso-C15:0 was a characteristic fatty acid . In the other group the anteiso-C15:0 was a characteristic fatty acid . To the first group belonged S . hyicus and S . lentus . To the second group belonged S . cohnii, S . epidermidis, S . haemolyticus, S . hominis, S . saprophyticus, and S . warneri . In the two groups were distributed S . aureus, S . capitis, S . simulans, and S . xylosus. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Jan, (1), 17 - 21 {Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from patients . I . Biological properties and biotyping of the strains}; Akatov AK et al.; A total of 403 coagulase- and DNAase-negative staphylococcal strains isolated from patients with conjunctivitis, urological diseases, purulent inflammatory processes, septicemia, infected traumas, pyodermia were investigated in 18 biological tests . In a vast majority of cases the absence of correlation between the individual biological characteristics of the strains was revealed . The identification of S . epidermidis and S . saprophyticus, carried out by Akatov et al . in accordance with the schemes of the International Subcommittee, Digranes and Oeding, allowed to determine the species the organisms under test belonged to in 26%, 38% and 64% of the strains, respectively . Most of the identified strains belonged to S . epidermidis . Their biological typing by the methods of Baird-Parker and Akatov-Khatenever allowed the biotype to be determined in 79% and 69% of the cultures . Strains belonging to biotype 1 according to Baird-Peter were most frequently isolated in conjunctivitis, purulent processes and pyodermia, while strains belonging to biotype 2 according to Akatov-Khatenever were prevalent in urological diseases. Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic, 1981 Jan, 48(1), 69 - 76 {Articular infections in adults . Peripheral and vertebral involvement with common bacteria and tubercle bacteria}; David-Chausse J et al.; 2,166 cases of joint infection in adults were reviewed during a national inquiry . The peripheral infections due to common germs (1,080 cases) and tubercle bacilli (260 cases) were characterised by their frequency after the age of 60, the role of corticotherapy in onset of the infection and the predominance of staphylococci (60%) in pyogenic infections, the low proportion of deaths (4%) and the necessity of early treatment to observe better functional results . The vertebral lesions due to common bacteria (491 cases) were mainly localised in the lumbar regions (70%) whereas tuberculous infections (335 cases) usually affect the lower dorsal vertebrae (50%) . Neurological signs and abscess were more frequent during tuberculous involvement . Needle puncture of the vertebral focus should be recommended owing to its help in etiological diagnosis . A cure was generally obtained without operation in the form of complete or incomplete block, this appearance is, however, less frequent than radiological signs of fixed osteolysis . The mortality is just as low as in peripheral infections. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981, 249(4), 452 - 9 {Antigenic effects of Staphylococcus aureus with modified surface-structures (author's transl)}; Wleklinski CG et al.; Antigenic effects of preparations from Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 31243 and Rd 4 (Table 1) with partially different activities of "clumping factor" (CF) and protein A (PA) were compared (Table 2) . The (3 h, 60 degrees C) heat-inactivated (hi) as well as the guanidinium-chloride-extracted (gu) staphylococci retained full activity of CF and PA . Acetylation with N-acetylimidazole inactivated completely CF and partially PA . Treatment of the staphylococci with pronase (pron) removed CF and PA . The hi-, gu- and pron-preparations of both S . aureus strains had similar antigenic properties which differed from those of the acetylated staphylococci, when antisera against all preparations were examined in the agglutination (Table 3) and "growth"-agglutination-tests (Fig 1) . Acetylation apparently affected the staphylococcal surface to a larger extent than the other procedures applied in these studies. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981, 249(4), 431 - 7 Characterization of staphylococci isolated fro goats . 1 . Coagulase activities and antibiotic susceptibility patterns; Adegoke GO; Whilst Staphylococci isolated from goats may possess "bound" coagulase, they do not seem to produce "free" coagulase . Of the 85 isolates that gave positive slide-coagulase test with human plasma, only 13 (15.3%) gave positive tube-coagulase tests . When goat's plasma was used, 78 isolates gave positive slide-coagulase test and 9 (10.3%) gave positive tube-coagulase tests . 16 (13.22%) of the isolates which showed complete haemolysis on human blood agar, gave positive slide-coagulase tests . The 120 isolates obtained from clinically healthy and sick goats were tested for sensitivity to 12 chemotherapeutic agents . They were most sensitive to kanamycin, cephaloridine and ampicillin . Resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin was prominent . The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of on the antibiotics to which the isolated were resistant ranged from 500, 250, 125 to 0.0448 mcg/ml for streptomycin and chloramphenicol whilst the (MIC) of the isolates for tetracycline and penicillin G ranged from 5.0, 2.5, 1.25 to 0.009 mcg/ml and units/ml respectively. Arzneimittelforschung, 1981, 31(8), 1295 - 8 {On the combination of clindamycin with beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides (author's transl)}; Adam D et al.; With the checkerboard-technique, it was found in vitro, that methyl-{7-chloro-6,7,8-tridesoxy-6-trans-(1-methyl-4-propyl-L-2-pyrrolidincarboxamido)-1-thio-L-threo-alpha-D-galacto-octopyranoside} (clindamycin) in combination with cefoxitin, cefotaxim, mezlocillin, azlocillin, gentamicin and amikacin has no antagonistic effects against common infective microorganisms such as staphylococci, enterococci and E . coli . In most cases the combination was found to be synergistic . If the results of the in vitro experiments are calculated with the FIC-indices (fractional inhibitory concentration), only the combination of clindamycin with cefoxitin and clindamycin with cefotaxime showed no synergistic efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus . Only 20% of the enterococci strains were inhibited synergistically with the combination clindamycin and gentamicin or with amikacin, respectively . All the other strains tested were inhibited synergistically by the combinations of clindamycin with the antibiotics mentioned above . In clinical use clindamycin can be administered in combination with cefoxitin, cefotaxime, mezlocillin, gentamicin and amikacin, respectively, without any loss in its activity against the microorganisms tested in this study. J Immunol Methods, 1981, 42(1), 67 - 77 An improved technique for the isolation and analysis of immune complexes; Gilead Z et al.; A technique for isolating and analyzing immune complexes (IC) using rheumatoid factor (RF) as immunoadsorbent is described . It contains several modifications to a previously published original method and has given greatly improved results: a small amount of BSA-anti-BSA (aBSA) model IC was added to human serum and the mixture was filtered through a column of Sephacryl S-300, the large molecular weight fraction was concentrated and added to tubes coated with RF . The bound IC were eluted, radioiodinated and freed to the major contaminants (HSA and immunoglobulins) by adding the corresponding antisera and removing the resulting complexes by coprecipitation or with the aid of protein A-containing Staphylococci . The purified preparations were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and autoradiography . BSA was clearly identified in the autoradiograms . An example is given of the application of this technique to the isolation and analysis of IC from an abdominal effusion obtained from a patient with ovarian cancer. Arzneimittelforschung, 1981, 31(1), 1 - 5 Binding characteristics of various penicillins in Staphylococcus aureus; Bruns W et al.; Binding studies with penicillins other than penicillin G are rare in staphylococci . Therefore the binding of a series of penicillins to the isolated cytoplasmic membrane of S . aureus H was examined indirectly by inhibition of (14C)-penicillin G binding . Biphasic inhibition curves were obtained with the beta-lactamase-insensitive penicillins as well as with ampicillin, ciclacillin, and 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) indicating that there are at least two types of targets . 60--75% of them were those with a high affinity of 10(7)--10(8) l/mol, the affinities of the second type of binding sites being in the range of 10(4)--10(5) l/mol (except 6-APA: 10(5) l/mol resp.) . Monophasic binding curves were produced by penicillin G, penicillin V, propicillin, mezlocillin, azlocillin, carbenicillin, ticarcillin and mecillinam . With both groups of penicillins reversible binding to some extent was found . From comparative analysis of the binding of particular penicillins it can be finally concluded that there exist four types of binding sites in staphylococcal membranes . This agrees with the current state of knowledge in the field of penicillin-binding proteins . A good correlation was found between the 50% binding value and the minimum inhibitory concentration for most of the penicillins . As half saturation also with the "biphasic" penicillins was always achieved by (irreversible) binding to the high-affinity targets, it may be suggested that the low-affinity binding sites are probably not related to the antibacterial action of penicillins in staphylococci. Blut, 1981 Jan, 42(1), 13 - 21 {Formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles of phagocytizing polymorphonuclear leukocytes in O2-and N2-atmosphere in in vitro-experiments (author's transl)}; Eschenbach C et al.; During O2 and N2 gasification in vitro, neutrophilic granulocytes ingest killed staphylococci with equal intensity . O2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes form significantly more cytoplasmic vacuoles than N2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes in absolute terms an in relation to the number of ingested staphylococci . The cytoplasmic vacuoles of O2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes occupy a larger surface in smear preparations than those of N2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes . The results make it probable that the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in neutrophilic granulocytes is an O2-dependent process . This interpretation is in agreement with concepts on the peroxidation of membrane lipids and membrane destabilization . It is consistent with the process of membrane fusion and thus the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, which are to be regarded as phagolysosomes. J Bacteriol, 1981 Jan, 145(1), 74 - 81 Plasmid transfer and genetic recombination by protoplast fusion in staphylococci; Gotz F et al.; The experimental conditions for plasmid transfer and genetic recombination in Staphylococcus aureus and some coagulase-negative staphylococci by protoplast fusion are described . Protoplasts were prepared by treatment with lysostaphin and lysozyme in a buffered medium with 0.7 to 0.8 M sucrose . Regeneration of cell walls was accomplished on a hypertonic agar medium containing succinate and bovine serum albumin . Transfer of plasmids occurred after treatment of the protoplast mixtures with polyethylene glycol (molecular weight, 6,000) not only between strains of the same species but also between parents of different species, although at approximately 100 times lower frequency in the latter case . Recombination of the chromosomal genes in fused protoplasts required simultaneous treatment of the mixed protoplasts with polyethylene glycol and CaCl2 . A method was developed for isolation of recombinants after fusion between mutants of S . areus carrying unselectable markers . Antibiotic resistance plasmids were introduced into the parental strains and used as primary markers to detect protoplast fusion . Chromosomal recombinants were found among the clones with both parental plasmids at a high frequency . The method appears to have simple applications in the construction of strains with multiple mutant characters. Acta Neuropathol Suppl (Berl), 1981, 7, 160 - 1 Cerebral ventriculitis in the hydrocephalic mouse: a histological and scanning electron microscope study; Weller RO et al.; Staphylococci are the commonest organisms found in infected cerebrospinal fluid shunts in hydrocephalic patients . In the present study, staphylococcus albus was injected (1200-500,000 organisms in 10 microliters saline) into the ventricles of the hydrocephalic mouse SUMS - hy - 3/+ (temporary strain name) . The bacteria appeared to have little direct effect upon the ependymal cells lining the ventricles and were not found as free organisms in the subependymal tissue . Staphylococci were phagocytosed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes which entered the ventricle from the choroid plexus and through the ependyma from subependymal vessels . Macrophages on the lining of the hydrocephalic ventricles also played a significant role in the phagocytosis of bacteria in the early stages of infection. Medicine (Baltimore), 1981 Jan, 60(1), 62 - 9 The prevalence of high-level methicillin resistance in multiply resistant hospital staphylococci; Grieble HG et al.; This study was prompted by observing in the summer of 1975, five lethal septicemias caused by methicillin resistant staphylococci . Among the 17 initial S . aureus strains, only 36% were killed at 250 micrograms per ml of methicillin . One phage type of S . aureus predominated (85, group III) . Methicillin resistance was found in 17 of 102 S . aureus and in 28 off 102 S . epidermidis septicemias; the mortality among methicillin resistant S . aureus cases was 52.9%, corresponding to 39.3% for S . epidermidis sepsis . Antibiograms revealed methicillin resistance in 59/400 S . aureus and 94/400 S . epidermidis isolates . Cross-resistance to other drugs was common . It is concluded that the emergence of methicillin and gentamicin-tobramycin resistance among hospital staphylococci represents a serious, persistent problem . Certain microbiologic characteristics of these resistant strains differ from results heretofore reported by others. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981, 249(4), 443 - 51 {Protein A-activity of Staphylococcus hyicus in comparison to protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (author's transl)}; Muller HP et al.; Protein A (PA)-Activity was demonstrated in 44 (93.6%) of 47 Staphylococcus hyicus-cultures . PA from S . hyicus, as well as PA from S . aureus, could be released by extraction with concentrated formic acid or by treatment of the staphylococci with lysostaphin . PA was also demonstrable in the culture medium . Purification of PA from S . hyicus and S . aureus could be achieved by affinity-chromatography on IgG-Sepharose . In Ouchterlony-tests both PA-preparations gave single lines of identity with normal sera from man, pig, dog and guinea pig (Fig . 1) . Immunoelectrophoretic analysis indicated a significantly faster migration towards the anode for PA from S . hyicus than PA from S . aureus (Fig . 2) . Isoelectric focusing revealed maximal activity for PA from culture supernatant of S . hyicus about pH 4.3 and for that of S . aureus at pH 5.0 (Fig 3) . Gelchromatographic experiments indicated a lower molecular weight for PA from S . hyicus than for PA from S . aureus (Fig . 4). J Immunol Methods, 1981, 40(1), 79 - 88 A rapid quantitative staphylococcal co-agglutination assay . Utilization for the assay of bovine factor VIII-related antigen; Pandya BV et al.; A simple and rapid technique to measure bovine factor VIII-related antigen has been developed which utilizes protein A-bearing staphylococci and monospecific rabbit antiserum to bovine factor VIII . Staphylococci coated with a specific antibody agglutinate when they are mixed with the specific antigen . We have used an aggregometer to detect an quantitate the agglutination of the antibody-coated staphylococci . The assay has been optimized with respect to amount of antiserum needed for coating staphylococci, concentration of antibody-coated staphylococci, pH and ionic strength of the assay system, and stirring speed of the aggregometer . The staphylococcal co-agglutination assay as monitored by an aggregometer is at least 10 times more sensitive than the conventional slide agglutination method, and can detect as little as 0.1 microgram/ml of factor VIII antigen . It however, cannot be used to quantitate factor VIII-related antigen in plasma, since plasma contains some components which can non-specifically agglutinate staphylococci. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 13(1), 184 - 94 Evaluation of the Sceptor microdilution antibiotic susceptibility testing system: a collaborative investigation; Jones RN et al.; A multiwell, dried antimicrobial agent susceptibility test system, Sceptor (BBL Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.), was tested . The system was compared directly with a reference microdilution method by using two collections of stock cultures and 305 fresh clinical isolates . Sceptor was found to be in agreement (+/- log2 dilution) with the reference microdilution method in 96.9 to 98.3% of 9,840 minimal inhibitory concentration determinations performed on stock strains and 95.0% of 7,308 minimal inhibitory concentrations obtained from the clinical isolates . The intralaboratory and interlaboratory reproducibility on stock strains was 97.6 and 97.2%, respectively . The intralaboratory reproducibility for the clinical isolates was 96.9% . Sceptor accurately categorized representative challenge strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococci, beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, organisms producing other antimicrobial agent-inactivating enzymes, and permeability mutants as resistant . Only 0.2% very major errors (false-sensitive minimal inhibitory concentrations by Sceptor) were identified among the clinical isolate test results, the majority being clinically insignificant . The product is accurate and reliable, has a long shelf life, and seems applicable for routine use in clinical laboratories. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981, 249(4), 438 - 42 Characterization of staphylococci isolated from goats . 2 . Differentiation from human strains: fibrinolytic activities and beta-haemolysin production; Adegoke GO et al.; Thirty-six out of 120 isolates of coagulase-positive (c.p.) and coagulase-negative (c.n.) staphylococci isolated from clinically healthy and sick goats were characterized to be of animal origin on the basis of beta-haemolysin production and not a fibrinolysin (Minett, 1936; Elek and Levy, 1950; Marandon and Oeding, 1966), although the specific animal reservoir could not be determined . There was a correlation between beta-haemolysin production on 7 per cent human blood agar and 7 per cent sheep blood agar . "hot-cold" lysis phenomenon (Buxton and Fraser, 1977) was observe in 7.5 per cent of the isolates . Isolates characterized show single and multiple antibiotic resistance (Adegoke, 1981). Mikrobiyol Bul, 1981 Jan, 15(1), 55 - 63 {Isolation of coagulase-positive staphylococci from cheese and ice-cream samples sold in Ankara and some biochemical properties of the isolates}; Bastepe S et al.; Coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from different kinds of cheese and ice-cream sold in Ankara and some biochemical properties of these isolates were determined . 55 cheese, 52 ice-cream (107 samples) were examined for the presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci . Baird Parker Medium was used and 26 samples constituting of 13 cheese and 13 ice-cream were found to be contaminated with coagulase-positive staphylococci and ratio of the contaminated samples to the total was calculated as 24.3% . Highest count was determined to be 176, 166/g in Izmir Tulum Cheese, whereas none of the other tulum cheese samples yielded this bacteria . In general, coagulase-positive staphylococci of cheese samples were higher than ice-cream samples . Among the ice-cream samples highest coagulase-positive staphylococci count was obtained in nutty ice-cream . From the 26 contaminated samples 164 coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated . Results indicate that an important number of the coagulase forming isolates were also phosphatase positive, forming pigment and haemolysin, able to utilize mannitol . No relation could be observed between the coagulase formation and ability to produce lysin. Br J Exp Pathol, 1980 Dec, 61(6), 644 - 7 Inhibition of Dermatophilus congolensis infection in a mouse model by antibiotic-producing staphylococci; Noble WC et al.; In an acute model of skin infection with Dermatophilus congolensis in the mouse, lesions can be prevented by simultaneous application of staphylococci which produce antibiotics; non-producer staphylococci fail to inhibit lesion formation. J Clin Pathol, 1980 Dec, 33(12), 1169 - 73 Role of coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci in ocular disease; Mahajan VM et al.; Forty-nine strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 26 strains of micrococci isolated from human eyes were classified by the Baird-Parker system of 1966 . The staphylococci belonged to subgroups II, III, IV, and V with one strain each in subgroups III and IV . However, when biotyped by Baird-Parker's system of 1974, less than 50% (23/49) of strains were typable and they belonged to biotypes 1 and 2 . With our proposed modified classification all strains could be classified into biotypes 1, 2, and 3 . All the 26 strains of micrococci belonged to subgroup VII . Staphylococci isolated from diverse sources produced, qualitatively and quantitatively, different corneal pathology in rabbits when compared to those isolated from healthy conjunctiva . This bore no relation to the present system of subtyping based on biochemical reactions . Micrococci were incapable of producing experimental corneal lesions in the rabbit. Immunology, 1980 Dec, 41(4), 921 - 7 T-cell independence of immunoglobulin synthesis by human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with SpA-containing staphylococci; Romagnani S et al.; Unfractionated and T-cell depleted human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were cultured in vitro in the presence of pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I (StaCw) . After 7 days of culture, the cells were assayed for cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (Cyto-Ig) by direct staining using fluorescein-labelled F(ab')2 fragments prepared from specific antisera against human IgG F(ab')2 . The amount of immunoglobulin of the IgM and IgG class released into the cell-free supernatants was also measured by radioimmunoassay . In unfractionated PBL StaCw, like PWM, was able to induce a significant increase of either the number of Cyto-Ig containing cells for the amount of IgM and IgG secreted into the supernatant . In contrast, the amount of IgM and IgG immunoglobulin released into the supernatant of T-cell depleted suspensions stimulated with PWM was significantly reduced in comparison with that of unfractionated populations, whereas it was unchanged in T-cell depleted vs unfractionated suspensions stimulated with StaCw . The addition of a few T lymphocytes restored the ability of T-cell depleted suspensions to produce Ig in the presence of PWM, whereas despite addition of high numbers of T cells no further augmentation of the Ig production induced by StaCw on T-cell depleted suspensions was observed . Cultures of umbilical cord blood lymphocytes (UCBL) stimulated with PWM did not generate Ig-producing cells, whereas UCBL stimulated with StaCw showed significant production of Ig of both IgM and IgG classes . The results indicate that T lymphocytes are probably not involved either with stimulation or with the suppression of Ig production induced by StaCw. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1980 Nov-Dec, 131B(3), 261 - 6 Two new types of resistance to lincomycin in pathogenic staphylococci from animals; Devriese LA; Staphylococcus aureus strains from poultry and S . intermedius strains from dogs were highly resistant to lincomycin and sensitive to the macrolide and streptogramin antibiotics . They were shown to degrade lincomycin and clindamycin . Their sensitivity levels to clindamycin were only marginally higher than those of sensitive control strains . S . aureus strains from pigs and cattle and one S . hyicus strain isolated from a pig showed how level resistance to lincomycin and the virginiamycin factor M . They were sensitive to clindamycin, macrolide antibiotics and virginiamycin factor S. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Nov, 18(5), 807 - 13 Killing of oxacillin-exposed staphylococci in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Lorian V et al.; Twelve strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients and two collection strains were grown on membranes placed on agar containing subminimal inhibitory concentrations of oxacillin . Clusters of staphylococci held together by thick cross walls resulted . These organisms, as well as the same strains grown in the same way on drug-free medium (control), were eluted from the membranes and were incubated with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from various donors . Phagocytosis was comparable for both staphylococci exposed to oxacillin and control staphylococci, but the killing effect was different . The staphylococci grown on membranes in the presence of oxacillin were less susceptible to killing than the control staphylococci, but the killing effect was different . The staphylococci grown on membranes in the presence of oxacillin were less susceptible to killing than the control staphylococci . After 0.5 and 1 h of incubation with PMNs, the killing rates for oxacillin-grown versus control staphylococci were 52 and 70% and 65 and 85%, respectively (P < 0.01) . After 2 and 3 h of incubation, the killing was similar . Most clusters of staphylococci contain a few individual cells that are located in the center of the cluster and are surrounded by other staphylococci; therefore, they are protected from adverse agents in the environment . This could explain why the phagocytized clusters are less susceptible than control staphylococci to the killing effect of PMNs during the first hour of incubation . Oxacillin does not penetrate into PMNs and in the absence of the drug the cross walls lyse, liberating the constituent staphylococci . This coincides with the increase in the percentage of cluster killing by PMNs after 2 and 3 h of incubation. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Nov, (11), 56 - 9 {Distribution of enterotoxinogenic strains among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various sources}; Akatov AK et al.; A total of 406 S . aureus strains isolated from wound and mammal secretions in patients with wound infections and mastitis, from the throat of healthy children and those with respiratory disease, as well as during an outbreak of alimentary toxicoinfection, were studied . The capacity of these strains for the production of enterotoxins A, B, C, D, E, as well as the phage groups and phage types of these strains were determined . 34.2% of the strains were enterotoxigenic; the occurrence of this characteristic in staphylococci did not depend on the source of their isolation, but correlated with the results of their phage typing . Enterotoxigenic strains were detected most frequently (56.5--68.0%) in phage groups III, I/III and among staphylococci lyzed by additional phages (Nos . 88--96) . Almost half of these strains produced enterotoxin A, each of other enterotoxins was produced by 12--14% of the strains . The isolated from the patients were found to produce mostly enterotoxins A and D, and those from healthy persons B and C . The relatively frequent production of enterotoxin D was found to be characteristic of staphylococci belonging to epidemic phagotype 80/81 isolated in mastitis. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Nov, 12(5), 641 - 3 Rapid and reliable identification of Staphylococcus aureus by a latex agglutination test; Essers L et al.; A latex slide agglutination test detecting clumping factor and protein A simultaneously is recommended for rapid and reliable routine identification of Staphylococcus aureus . Strains (836) of staphylococci isolated from clinical specimens were examined, all S . aureus strains identified by conventional methods were correctly differentiated by the latex test, and no false-positive results occurred with other staphylococci . The reagent is easy to prepare since plasma is the coating material. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1980 Nov-Dec, 16(6), 841 - 7 {Comparative study of the proteolytic activity of staphylococci and detection of a specific protease}; Degteva GK et al.; Staphylococci of 194 strains and of different origin were tested for the presence of active extracellular protease . Activity of protease from Staphylococcus aureus was found to be significantly higher than that of Staphylococcus epidermidis . The culture that was isolated and characterized proved capable to produce an enzyme of high activity and narrow substrate specificity towards bonds formed by the COOH-group of dicarboxylic amino-acids . The protease within the staphylococcal cell was shown to be linked with the peripheral integral membrane proteins solubilized by 1% Triton X-100. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Nov, 33(11), 1247 - 51 {Fundamental and clinical evaluations of 9, 3"-diacetylmidecamycin in the field of surgery (author's transl)}; Yokoyama T et al.; The distribution of sensitivity to 9,3"-diacetylmidecamycin (MOM) was examined of 10 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from foci in our hospital . A level of less than 3.13 mcg/ml was seen distributed in the majority of 7 cases, and it could be assumed that MOM would be sufficiently effective against infections by Staphylococci in clinical practice . In the comparison with other antibiotics popularly used, the sensitivity of the 10 strains to them was comparable to those against MDM, but were slightly inferior to cephalexin (CEX) and lincomycin (LCM), and slightly better than ampicillin (ABPC) . The evaluation of clinical results revealed that, of the 20 cases with surgical and superficial infections, 6 and 10 were markedly and moderately effective, respectively, while 3 and 1 were fairly and poorly effective, respectively . It was therefore concluded to be an effective remedy for treatment of surgical and superficial infections in which Gram-positive cocci share the majority of the etiological factors . Of the side effects, there was none showing symptoms in digestive tracts or abnormalities such as rash, nor was there any patient for whom further administration of the agent had to be suspended due to side effects . No abnormality was seen in the test results between the premedication and postmedication findings on the hemogram, or hepatic and renal functions . It was therefore conjectured that this agent has a large margin of safety in its application. Agents Actions, 1980 Nov, 10(5), 445 - 50 Acute inflammatory responses in rats with protein-calorie malnutrition; Leme-Brasil MR et al.; An animal model of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) was produced by keeping rats on a protein-free diet during the 13-day interval which followed the period of normal lactation . Malnutrition was characterized by reduction in body weight, in plasma proteins, cholesterol, haemoglobin and leucocyte counts, relative to controls from the same litter receiving a balanced diet . Acute inflammatory responses induced in these animals by carrageenin or staphylococci suspensions, differed markedly from those evoked in matching controls: the resulting oedema developed more slowly and yet persisted for longer intervals; Evans blue, injected i.v., leaked into the inflamed areas in smaller quantities; reduced cell migration to the site of the lesion was observed . The slow development of the response was attributed to the decreased levels of circulating proteins and its persistency to a defective drainage of exuded material . It is concluded that PCM can impair the capacity of response to noxious stimuli, thus rendering the animals more susceptible to infections. Vet Med (Praha), 1980 Nov, 25(11), 691 - 5 {Microbiological quality of dried milk products for child nutrition in Czechoslovakia}; Jarchovska H et al.; In the course of four years, 20 175 samples of milk powder products for baby foods were examined . On an average, 1.18% of the products did not comply with the requirements of the Czechoslovak State Standards . Total microbe number higher than required by the standard was found in 0.36% of the samples, on an average, higher counts of enterococci in 1.02%; coliform micro-organisms were found in 0.78% of the samples . Staphylococci and salmonellae were absent . Moulds were present in 34 samples (Aspergillus flavus without the production of aflatoxin). Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1980 Oct 31, 105(44), 1541 - 3 {Comparison of activity of fosfomycin, oxacillin and penicillin G against staphylococci and micrococci (author's transl)}; Peters G et al.; The in vitro sensitivity against fosfomycin, oxacillin and penicillin G was tested in 65 Staphylococcus aureus strains, 71 coagulase negative staphylococci and 46 micrococci . Fosfomycin was very effective against staphylococci . Cross resistance with simultaneously tested penicillins could not be demonstrated . Fosfomycin was only partially effective against micrococci for which penicillin G was most effective. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Oct, (10), 88 - 90 {Secretory antibodies to homologous and heterologous strains of staphylococci in rabbit colostrum}; Verrshigora AE et al.; The titers of agglutinins to homologous and heterologous staphylococcal strains in the colostric sera of female rabbits immunized into the mammary gland tissue and in the colostric and blood sera of the control female rabbits were studied . Immunization into the mammary gland tissue induced an increase in the titers of colostric antibodies to both homologous and heterologous staphylococcal strains (1:320 and 1:160, respectively) . Secretory IgA were predominant among antistaphylococcal antibodies in rabbit colostrum. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Oct, (10), 57 - 61 {Quantitative determination of protein A in strains of staphylococci isolated in the course of different clinical states and localization of the process}; Fomenko GA; The main properties of 370 staphylococcal strains isolated from the blood, pus, sputum and the throat washings of patients were studied, and the identification of these strains was carried out . The level of cell-bound protein A in the strains was determined in the hemagglutination test with erythrocytes sensitized with hemolytic serum . Out of 269 S . aureus strains 93.7% formed protein A, out of 90 strains of plasmocoagulasonegative staphylococci, including S . epidermidis, S . saprophyticus and strains with intermediate properties, 88 strains were protein A-negative, 2 S . epidermidis strains yielded unstable and faintly pronounced reaction to protein A . In the presence of correlation between the test for protein A and other pathogenicity tests no relationship between the quantitative content of protein A and the character of the pathological process was established. Infect Immun, 1980 Oct, 30(1), 204 - 11 Formation of intraperitoneal abscesses by Staphylococcus aureus; Kapral FA et al.; Certain Staphylococcus aureus strains, when inoculated into the peritoneal cavity of mice, were clumped and surrounded by a thick layer of leukocytes . After being enclosed with a connective tissue capsule, the structures histologically resembled staphylococcal abscesses . Of four strains examined, all were destroyed within abscesses, although at different rates . Abscess homogenates possessed bactericidal activity toward staphylococci, and this activity was associated with the sedimentable fraction of the homogenates . Leukocytes did not appear to be responsible for the bactericidal activity . Appreciable quantities of alpha toxin accumulated in these abscesses even without multiplication of the organisms . This model infection offers opportunities for studying some aspects of staphylococcal host-parasite interactions occurring in localized lesions. Thorax, 1980 Oct, 35(10), 754 - 8 Bacterial culture of perfusion blood after open-heart surgery; Freeman R et al.; The results of routine culture of 595 consecutive specimens of perfusion blood are presented . Ten per cent of the specimens yielded bacteria overall, but it was found that the isolation rate was increased to 17.7% when the prophylactic antibodies being given during the bypass were specifically neutralised . Coagulase-negative staphylococci and diphtheroids formed the majority of organisms isolated, but Gram negative bacilli or "coliform" type were also occasionally found . A comparison of the relative findings in patients receiving prophylactic flucloxacillin or cephradine showed that the isolation rates of coagulase-negative staphylococci and diphtheroids were lower in the group receiving flucloxacillin . The origin of the bacteria isolated from perfusion blood remains uncertain but speciation of coagulase-negative staphylococci from perfusion blood and similar organisms isolated subsequently from catheter tips in the same patients revealed no evidence that the two sources of organisms were linked . Although organisms are easily and commonly found in perfusion blood, the relevance of this phenomenon to post-operative endocarditis is not clear. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Oct, (10), 72 - 6 {Bacterial lesions of the biliary tract in viral hepatitis}; Andreichin MA; Various microorganisms, mostly staphylococci in association with E . coli and fungi of the genus Candida, were isolated from the bile of most of the viral hepatitis and angiocholecystitis patients . The bile was found to have a weak antibacterial effect on staphylococci . In the presence of bile changes occurred in the bactericidal properties of a number of antibiotics, this effect depending on the type and the concentration of the secretion . These data should be taken into consideration while choosing chemotherapeutic preparations for the treatment of the bacterial lesions of the biliary tracts. J Hyg (Lond), 1980 Oct, 85(2), 193 - 203 Effectiveness of hand washing and disinfection methods in removing transient bacteria after patient nursing; Ojajarvi J; The effectiveness of various hand washing and disinfection methods in removing transient skin bacteria was studied in hospital after dry or moist contamination of the hands when nursing burn patients . The results were compared with those of laboratory tests with volunteers . A fairly good correlation of the bacterial reductions existed between hospital and laboratory tests . All other methods removed Staph . aureus from the hands more effectively than liquid soap . Gram-negative bacilli were more easily removed than staphylococci, even with soap wash alone . In hospital, none of the washing and disinfection methods always removed all patient-borne bacteria from the hands . After dry or moist contamination and subsequent washing with soap only, colonies of Staph . aureus were often detected in finger-print samples . Staphylococci were more often completely removed by a 4% chlorhexidine detergent scrub and alcoholic solutions (either with or without previous soap wash) than by liquid soap, hexachlorophene or iodophor preparations . Gram-negative bacilli were more easily removed by all the washing and disinfection methods . After moist contamination, Gram-negative bacilli were more often completely removed from the hands by ethanol than by other treatments . The results of the present study emphasize the importance of always using gloves when nursing a profuse spreader of bacteria or one who must be protected from infection. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Oct, (10), 44 - 7 {Comparative immunochemical and immunoallergologic characteristics of staphylococci varying in pathogenicity . I . Immunochemical characteristics of the antigenic composition of S . aureus and S . epidermidis}; Beilbaeva ML et al.; Chemical extracts and fractions prepared from pathogenic and nonpathogenic staphylococcal strains were studied with immunodiffusion . Antigens were detected reacting with both homologous and heterologous antisera against the intact coccal cells . The allergens obtained by acidic and alkaline extraction were highly active antigens . The preparation of S . epidermidis obtained by the method of Ando-Verzhikovsky had the lowest antigen level. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Sep, (9), 39 - 43 {Development and experimental study of a dry selective medium for staphylococci}; Raskin BM et al.; A new dried selective medium for the cultivation of staphylococci has been developed . The medium is based on the mixture of hydrolysin past its expiration date and aminopeptide . To inhibit extraneous microflora, sodium chloride in a high concentration is introduced into the medium . The possibility of using this selective medium in the form of milk-yolk-salt agar for the determination of the pigment formation and lecithinase activity of staphylococci is shown. Am J Epidemiol, 1980 Sep, 112(3), 352 - 61 Gentamicin resistant and sensitive strains of S . aureus . Factors affecting colonization and virulence for infants in a special care nursery; Holzman RS et al.; During an eight month period in 1978, a large number of infants in a special care nursery at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, were found to carry a Staphylococcus aureus which was resistant to gentamici