Infection, 1979, 7 Suppl 2, S216 - 9 Antibiotic resistance in various medical services; Krcmery V et al.; The analysis of differences in occurrence of antibiotic-resistant strains belonging to ten species of "problem" bacteria was performed by means of a computer program in more than 150,000 bacterial strains isolated in Slovakia in 1977 . In all respects, strains isolated in general medical practice were considerably more sensitive to classical as well as to newer antibiotics . Marked differences in resistance within individual medical services could be a reflection of both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the use of a given antibiotic . Urological and surgical wards, and in some respects pediatric and infectious diseases services, rendered the highest percentage of strains resistant to various drugs . There are still several antibiotics which are effective in vitro against staphylococci, while gentamicin, collistin and cotrimoxazole are the only antibiotics displaying more general activity against gram-negative "problem" bacteria . Nevertheless, strains from general practice show a good response in vitro, even to older antibiotics, despite the fact that these have been widely used for decades in general practice. South Med J, 1979 Jan, 72(1), 90 - 1 Failure of routine methods in the diagnosis of chronic brucellosis; Carpenter JL et al.; A young man who was raised on a farm and developed recurrent subcutaneous abscesses is described . Multiple cultures revealed either no growth or normal skin flora . Routine serologic evaluation for Brucella agglutinins was negative, including serial dilution to greater than 1:1,000 of the patient's sera . Brucella abortus infection was documented by the use of a binding antibody assay to measure the patient's class-specific serologic response and obtaining a positive culture by incorporating methicillin into the culture media to suppress overgrowth of staphylococci . Thus, the potential difficulty in making the diagnosis of brucellosis is demonstrated, and the use of extraordinary means, namely, specific selective media and a binding antibody assay, to make the diagnosis is emphasized. Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1979, 134(4), 293 - 300 Effect of DDT and gamma-HCH on the biological properties of staphylococci; Lukasova J et al.; The effect of DDT and gamma-HCH in concentrations of 100, 50, and 10 micrograms on the biological properties of staphylococci was studied . Both substances proved to be inhibitory to coagulation of rabbit plasma and to penicillinase production, causing depigmentation of the colonies . The morphological structure of cells is affected by these substances as well . The growth of the strain is not substantially influenced . Gas chromatography proved that staphylococci do not participate in the DDT and gamma-HCH degradation in the medium. J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Jan, 9(1), 141 - 3 Thermonuclease seroinhibition test for distinguishing Staphylococcus aureus from other coagulase-positive staphylococci; Victor R et al.; Since coagulase-positive staphylococci from animals are heterogeneous, another test is necessary to distinguish Staphylococcus aureus from them . Staphylococcal thermonucleases appear to be heterogeneous; antisera raised against S . aureus isolated from humans inhibit thermonuclease activity as demonstrated by the metachromatic well-agar diffusion method . The serological specificity of the thermonuclease elaborated by S . aureus of human origin was demonstrated using three antisera and 407 strains of staphylococci from diverse human and animal sources. Ann Anesthesiol Fr, 1979, 20(6-7), 625 - 31 {Epidemiology of infections on a thoracic surgery service}; Laxenaire MC et al.; The aim of the present work is to discover the origin of the post-operative infections presented by certain patients following surgery for pulmonary exeresis in a surgical unit that deals both with thoracic and general surgical patients (most commonly cancer surgery) . A prospective epidaemiological investigation of 54 pulmonary cases was thus undertaken, lasting for a period of 6 months . This consisted in obtaining multiple microbiological specimens from the patient himself, but also from the patient's environment and from the hospital staff (more than 1000 specimens were examined) . The study begins at the stage of entry of the patient to the hospital department and follows him through the operation theatre stage and the post-operative period in the intensive care unit . In the intensive care unit the patients will come into contact with other patients who have been admitted urgently . These cases may or may not be of a pulmonary nature . Among the 54 subjects studied, 19 presented with infectious post-operative complications that led to 2 deaths . In 9 cases the infection was due to auto-contamination . It would appear that the environment plays a very small role as a factor leading to the development of post-operative infection since very few of the specimens taken were postive and usually the staphylococci were of various different lysotypes and never corresponding to the lysotype of the infective organism . Some predisposing factors to infection were demonstrated: an association with alcoholism and chronic bronchitis, pre-operatory bronchial suppuration, and widespread pulmonary exeresis was found. Ann Anesthesiol Fr, 1979, 20(6-7), 535 - 42 {Prevention of post-operative infection in heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation (apropos of 295 cases)}; Hubscher C et al.; From April 1977 to November 1978, 295 patients were operated on using artificial circulation . 31 p . 100 of these developed a post-operative infectious complication, 7.3 p . 100 being of a serious nature (3.3 p . 100 suffered from mediastinitis, and 4 p . 100 from septicaemia) . The organisms responsible are, in the case of the mediastinal infections the staphylococcus Citreus, and Gram negative bacilli in the case of the septicaemias . A retrospective analysis shows that there are two successive periods and that in the course of the second there is a decrease in the occurence of all of the infections and particularly in the cases of mediastinitis . This improvment would seem on superficial analysis to correspond with a change in the preventive antibiotic treatment, the cephradine--gentamicin combination having replaced penicillin G . However, the statistical study shows that other factors were altered between the two periods (type of antiseptic, duration of treatments, time of postoperative intubation) and that these equally contributed to the fall in the incidence of infection . In the light of this study, it would seem that if prophylactic antibiotic treatment essentially directed against staphylococci has a place in cardiac surgery with artificial circulation, it can only be regarded as one of several preventive factors . The statistical data gathered so far is not sufficient to prove the efficacy of this treatment. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Dec, 242(4), 431 - 5 Production of coagulase, deoxyribonuclease and heat-stable deoxyribonuclease by canine isolates of staphylococci; Wierup M; Staphylococci isolated from different infections in dogs have been investigated for production of coagulase, deoxyribonuclease (DNase) and heat-stable DNase . Alll coagulase-positive strains (220) also produced DNase and heat-stable nuclease . However, 4 out of 15 coagulase-negative strains were also positive in both the DNase and the heat-stable DNase tests . Several tests for DNase and heat-stable DNase were evaluated . No strains were DNase-positive, heat-stable DNase-negative, or vice-versa. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Dec, 242(4), 530 - 6 {Experimental studies to culture bacteria from blood specimen with an addition of ampicillin in various nutrient media (author's transl)}; Metz H et al.; Ampicillin-sensitive or -resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella strains were cultured in various nutrient media as prototypes of the agents of sepsis isolated in bacteriological routine analysis . In each case, 2 ml of defibrinated human blood containing 100 and 1000 cells, 8 gamma and 80 gamma ampicillin/1 ml blood respectively were added to 50 ml of nutrient medium . The following media were used . 1 . casein soya-bean meal peptone broth (Oxoid), 2 . tryptose-phosphate medium (Oxoid), 3 . dextrose broth (Oxoid), 4 . brain-heart-dextrose medium (Oxoid), 5 . brain-heart infusion, autoclaved (Difco), 6 . brain-heart infusion, after sterile filtration (Difco), 7 . vacutainer culture bottles (BD) prepared medium, 8 . micrognost blood culture bottles (Biotest) prepared medium . While the sensitive staphylococcus strain exhibited a slower growth than the sensitive Klebsiella strain in all nutrient media, the growth rate of the two resistant variants was approximately the same for an initial count of 100 cells per ml of blood . Among the resistant staphylococci the higher initial count of the inoculum resulted in an improved growth . After addition of 8 gamma or 80 gamma ampicillin/1 ml blood the sensitive staphylococcus strain did not show any grwoth irrespective of the inoculated number of cells while the sensitive Klebsiella strain multiplied irrespective of the initial number of cells . After 24 hours the resistant staphylococci and Klebsiella strains of which 1000 cells each had been used for inoculation exhibited growth in almost all media used. Immun Infekt, 1978 Dec, 6(6), 260 - 6 {Microcalorimetric Investigations, regarding the antibacterial efficiency of chemotherapeutics (author's transl)}; Semenitz E; An investigation method is described by which microcalorimetry and continuous density measurement are used to show the antibacterial efficiency of chemotherapeutics . Oleandomycin, erythromycin, both macrolide antibiotics, and doxycycline, a tetracycline, blockers of the protein synthesis, have the same effect on the microcalorimetric curve of a staphylococcus strain . Among the aminoglycosides tobramycin and gentamicin influenced the microcalorimetric activity of a growing E . coli strain in the same way, spectinomycin produced different curves . Penicillins interfere with the synthesis of the cell membrane by blocking the enzyme transpeptidase . Epicillin, penicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, carbenicillin, and azlocillin influence the microcalorimetric activity of staphylococci in a typical way which is different from that of the blockers of the protein synthesis. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1978 Dec, 86B(6), 361 - 7 The microbiological swab sampler--a quantitative experimental investigation; Nystrom PO; The aim of the investigation was to give an in vitro experimental account of the commonly used cotton swab as a sampler for quantitative determination of bacteria in operation wounds . The transfer of staphylococci with the swab from an inoculated to a non-inoculated agar culture plate was used as a model, and three different ways of swab handling were tested . A direct transfer of 19 per cent staphlococci from the inoculated to the non-inoculated plate was found . When the swab was rinsed in a small volume of saline and the rinsing fluid was plated, 39 per cent were transfered . When the swab was kept in a Stuart transport medium, as is the usual procedure in clinical practice, only 4 per cent were transfered . Quantitative wound swab cultures depend on a thorough sampling of the wound and an efficient recovery of bacteria from the swab . It is concluded that the use of a Stuart transport medium would appear to hamper quantitative determination, and a rinsing procedure should be preferred. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Dec, 242(4), 446 - 55 A comparison of the lytic activity of poultry, human, and bovine phages with staphylococci of different origin; Hajek V et al.; The total of 625 staphylococcal strains of different origin were typed with 22 Shimizu's poultry phages . For comparison all these strains were also investigated with the 24 phages of the international basic set for typing human staphylococci and with the 12 phages for typing bovine staphylococci . Of the 325 Staphylococcus aureus strains 50 from humans belonged to A biotype, 100 from chickens to B biotype and further 175 animal strains (of swine, rabbit, bovine, sheep, and hare provenance) to B, C, and D biotypes . Lytic activity of the poultry phages used at routine test dilution showed marked specificity related to the chicken strains were lysed . They were predominantly susceptible to phages CH4, CH14, CH15, CHA1, CHA2, CHA3, and CHA4 . Most of the strains thus belonged to phage group I (74.0%), the others to phage groups II and III (18.0% and 2.0%) . The examined strains of the other origins were either typable only sporadically (human in 4.0%, rabbit and bovine in 6.7%) or completely resistant . When the poultry phages were used at 100 x RTD the number of typable strains increased more significantly only in swine, rabbit, and bovine strains (23.3%, 60.0%, and 56.6%) . On the contrary, human and bovine phages lysed chicken strains merely in 14.0% and 1.0% at RTD and in 20.0% and 3.0% at 100 x RTD respectively . All the 200 Staphylococcus intermedius and 100 Staphylococcus hyicus strains were resistant to the used 58 phages at RTD . When examined at 100 x RTD three Staph . hyicus strains were typable with the group IV phage CH11 from the poultry set, only. J Invest Dermatol, 1978 Dec, 71(6), 378 - 81 Effect of prolonged occlusion on the microbial flora, pH, carbon dioxide and transepidermal water loss on human skin; Aly R et al.; The effects of prolonged occlusion on the normal microbial skin flora, pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and carbon dioxide emission rate (CDER) were studied . The total average counts before occlusion were 1.8 X 10(2)/cm(2) and increased to 4.5 X 10(6) on day 5 . The highest counts were noted on day 4(9.8 X 10(7)/cm(2)) . The composition changed: controls comprised of 63% coagulase negative staphylococci, 6% micrococci, 17% diphtheroids and 6% bacilli . After 5 days of occlusion, the percent compositon was: 63% coagulase negative staphylococci, 11% micrococci, 4% diphtheroids, 19% lipophilic diphtheroids and less than 0.003% gram negative rods . The pH of the skin before occlusion was 4.38 and increased to 7.05 on day 5 . After 5 days of occlusion TEWL increased from 0.56 mg/cm2/hr to 1.87 mg/cm2/hr and CO2 emmission increased from 25 nl/cm2/min to 118 nl/cm2/min. Lancet, 1978 Nov 25, 2(8100), 1116 - 8 Toxic-shock syndrome associated with phage-group-I Staphylococci; Todd J et al.; Seven children (aged 8--17 years) presented with a high fever, headache, confusion, conjunctival hyperaemia, a scarlatiniform rash, subcutaneous oedema, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, oliguria, and a propensity to acute renal failure, hepatic abnormalities, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and severe prolonged shock . One patient died, one had gangrene of the toes, and all have had fine desquamation of affected skin and peeling of palms and soles during convalescence . Five patients were studied prospectively . Staphylococcus aureus related to phage-group I was isolated from mucosal (nasopharyngeal, vaginal, tracheal), or sequestered (empyema, abscess) sites, but not from blood . This organism produces an exotoxin which causes a positive Nikolsky sign in the newborn mouse and which is biochemically, pathologically, and immunologically distinct from phage-group-II stapphylococcal exfoliatin. Am J Vet Res, 1978 Nov, 39(11), 1771 - 3 Enterotoxigenic Staphylococci of canine origin; Kato E et al.; Enterotoxigenic staphylococci were isolated from cecum and rectum from 26 (5.8%) of 451 dogs . Of the 30 enterotoxigenic staphylococci isolated, 14 (46.7%) belonged to biotype E, which has been considered to be of canine origin (Baird-Parker's classification modified by Hajek and Marsalek) . They produced exclusively enterotoxin type C . This is the first evidence of enterotoxigenic staphylococci of canine origin. Antibiotiki, 1978 Nov, 23(11), 987 - 9 {Dynamics of the changes in the level of antibiotic sensitivity of staphylococci isolated in 1959-1977}; Imshenetskaia VF et al.; The study of antibiotic sensitivity in staphylococci isolated from the patients in the clinic of the N . N . Burdenko Research Institute of Neurosurgery of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences in 1977 showed that in this stationary in 1977 predominated cultures resistant to benzylpenicillin . The number of the isolates resistant to streptomycin, levomycetin and erythromycin was high . The percentage of the strains resistant to tetracycline was the least . Still up to 1973 the resistance level to tetracycline among staphylococci was high . Possibly such a dynamics of the changes in the staphylococcal sensitivity to tetracycline was relative and mainly defined by the changes in the system of the results estimation using the paper disc procedure. Antibiotiki, 1978 Nov, 23(11), 981 - 6 {Stability of drug resistance in staphylococci under various conditions and the effect on it of prolonged culture storage on artificial nutrient media}; Zueva VS et al.; The literature and experimental data on stability of resistance ot benzylpenicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, kanamycin and methicillin in staphylococci stored for prolonged periods of time on artificial nutrient media were systematized . When the staphylococcal cultures were not in contact iwth the antibiotics for 5 to 18 months, sensitive cells to separate drugs were detected in 51.0--67.4 per cent of the strains . The number of such cells in the populations of some strains ranged from 1 to 100.0 per cent . The effect of the resistance multiplicity on the stability of resistance to benzylpenicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and erythromycin was not observed. J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Nov, 8(5), 503 - 8 Micromethod for biochemical identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci; Brun Y et al.; We have endeavored to elaborate a suitable method for easy and rapid identification in clinical microbiology laboratories of the different species of infection-inducing, coagulase-negative staphylococci . Ten type strains described by Kloos and Schleifer and 269 strains isolated from 95 patients were tested; the classical tests were used for determination of Staphylococcus species . Strains were identified by using the Kloos-Schleifer reference method and the micromethod simultaneously . After preliminary tests on 77 substrates, 19 were retained, 15 for determination of species and 4 to reveal biotypes . The substrates were placed in wells in a rigid strip of inert plastic . Inoculation of wells was carried out with rich microbial suspensions in a special medium; reading of substrate reactions was done after incubation for 48 h at 35 degree C . The intrasystem reproducibility was excellent, from 91 to 100% for the 19 substrates . It was in excellent agreement with the reference method, 100% for type strains and 97.9% for hospital-isolated strains . Because it is simple and easy to reproduce, the micromethod will be most useful in clinical and ecological microbiology laboratories. Can J Microbiol, 1978 Oct, 24(10), 1135 - 9 Evaluation of staphylococcal thermonuclease (TNase) assay as a means of screening foods for growth of staphylococci and possible enterotoxin production; Park CE et al.; Samples of food, naturally and artificially contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, were analyzed for enterotoxin and thermonuclease (TNase) . With the exception of egg, all naturally contaminated foods with detectable amounts of staphylococcal enterotoxin were positive for TNase . The enzyme was also present in the majority of foods with over 1 million S . aureus cells per gram . In artificially contaminated foods . TNase was detected in all samples except egg, acidic foods in which growth of S . aureus was suppressed, and some samples of raw ground beef . Recovery of TNase was influenced by the type of food. Circulation, 1978 Oct, 58(4), 585 - 8 Valve replacement in patients with active infective endocarditis; Wilson WR et al.; Eleven of 138 patients with infective endocarditis (IE) who underwent cardiac valve replacement for IE during a 12 1/2-year period had active IE . Eight of the 11 (all with aortic IE) had positive blood cultures within 48 hours preoperatively; six of the eight had positive Gram stains and cultures of the excised cardiac tissue . All 11 patients had Class IV cardiac functional disability (New York Heart Association classification) at the time of surgery . Staphylococci (three patients with Staphylococcus aureus and one with S . epidermidis) were the most frequent isolates . Three patients died; two of these three deaths occurred in patients who had a sudden onset preoperatively of severe aortic regurgitation and heart failure . In one patient (S . epidermidis infection) prosthetic valve endocarditis developed . Cardiac valve replacement may be performed successfully in patients with active IE even when blood cultures are positive in the immediate perioperative period . The hemodynamic status of patients with IE should be the determining factor in the timing of cardiac valve replacement, rather than the activity of the infection or the length of preoperative antimicrobial therapy . A radical surgical procedure may be necessary in patients with myocardial or aortic abscesses in whom conventional aortic valve replacement is not possible. Antibiotiki, 1978 Oct, 23(10), 896 - 902 {Effect of the anthracycline group antibiotics, mitomycin C and bruneomycin, on the transduction of drug resistance in staphylococci}; Ponomareva TR et al.; The effect of various concentrations of antitumor antibiotics, such as carminomycin, rubomycin, adriamycin, mitomycin C and bruneomycin on transduction of erythromycin resistance from the donor strain 8325 P II/de of Staph, aureus to the recipient strain 8325-I in different transduction systems was studied . It was shown that the above antibiotics inhibited the transduction in the systems with constant presence of the drugs . Preliminary treatment of the recipient cells with the drugs in the subbacteriostatic doses did not decrease the transfer frequency . The preliminary treatment of the donor cells resulted in an increase in the phase titer and the transfer frequency in the "preliminary-treated donor + recipient" system. Surgery, 1978 Oct, 84(4), 534 - 41 Cyclic variations in emerging phage types and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus; Altemeier WA et al.; Data are presented showing phage types and antibiotic-resistant patterns of Staphylococcus aureus over the last 20 years . The spontaneous emergence of different phage types associated with increases and decreases in antibiotic resistance has been shown to be cyclic in nature with prevalence for 5 to 8 years, followed by spontaneous disappearance . Staphylococci resistant to almost all antibiotics and with specific phage types now are being isolated with increasing frequency and pose a serious and sometimes life-threatening situation in surgical patients. J Clin Pathol, 1978 Oct, 31(10), 913 - 8 Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from sputum in cystic fibrosis; Sparham PD et al.; The success in the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus of different methods of sputum processing was investigated in 60 specimens collected from 14 patients with cystic fibrosis during a seven-month period . Fifty specimens (83%) from 11 patients yielded Staph . aureus by one or more methods . Direct plating of purulent portions of sputum on to media designed for general use in respiratory infections gave unsatisfactory results (35% yield of Staph . aureus) . Some increase in isolations was obtained with preliminary liquefaction of sputum; but the best results were given by the addition of a medium selective for staphylococci (mannitol salt agar, BBL) or by initial sonication of sputum (each 83% yield) . Seven of the 11 strains of Staph . aureus were thymidine-dependent and otherwise atypical in laboratory characteristics; these were isolated from patients who had received co-trimoxazole. J Immunol, 1978 Oct, 121(4), 1334 - 40 Immunoglobulin M synthesized by human lymphoblastoid cells: interaction with Staphylococcus aureus and protein A; Howell-Saxton E et al.; Immunoglobulin M synthesized by a human lymphoblastoid cell line, LA173, was found to bind specifically to the protein A-bearing Cowan I strain of Staphylococcus aureus . The (3H)-leucine-labeled, secreted IgM from these LA173 cells also formed precipitin complexes with purified protein A . Soluble complexes formed at high protein A/IgM ratios retained the ability to bind to the bacterial surface . Precipitin complexes also were observed in double diffusion Ouchterlony gels with a line of identity formed between the IgM, protein A, and anti-IgM in adjacent wells . Intracellular IgM species from detergent-lysed LA173 cells were bound to S . aureus . Labeled 19S pentamers, 8S monomers, and HL subunits were eluted from the bacteria and identified by velocity sedimentation and SDS agarose-acrylamide gel electrophoresis . In addition, several intermediates migrating between 8S and 19S were detected and shown to contain authentic H and L chains . Binding of the labeled IgM 19S pentamers to staphylococci was not inhibited by prior treatment of the bacteria with an excess of unlabeled human IgG . However, S . aureus saturated with unlabeled IgG did not bind either labeled IgM monomers or labeled IgG . The interaction of this human IgM with S . aureus exhibited a high degree of specificity with quantitative recovery of secreted 19S IgM . Intracellular IgM species were bound selectively by the bacteria with little if any contamination by other cytoplasmic proteins. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Sep, (9), 98 - 101 {Importance of carbohydrate tests for interspecies differentiation of staphylococci}; Safonova TB et al.; The authors present the results of interspecies identification of coagulaso-negative staphylococci isolated from different sources . Modification of the method of aerobic carbohydrate and alcohols fermentation of hard media is described . Use of the latest recommendations of the International Subcommittee on taxonomy of staphylocossi and micrococci permitted to identify the greater part of 120 strains studied as Staph . epidermidis and Staph . saprophyticus; however, 1/3 of the cultures differed from these species ("intermediate" strains) . Galactose and mannose fermentation was characteristic of Staph . epidermidis, and the absence of fermentation of these carbohydrates--of Staph . saprophyticus . The differences in the fermentation of mannite and tregalose, on the one hand, and on mannose and galactose--on the other, were characteristic of 57% of the "intermediate" strains . The data obtained permitted to draw a conclusion on nonhomogeneity of the group of coagulase-negative staphylococci by their reference to different carbohydrates and alcohols, and on a possibility of existence of not only of different species of these staphylococci, but also of their biochemical variants. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Sep, 241(3), 279 - 85 Evaluation of S . aureus serotyping method; Flandrois JP et al.; This study describes the reproducibility of antigen detection in staphylococci, and the discriminating capacity of the serotyping method . The reproducibility of the antigen detection in staphylococci has been studied by multiple determination of the antigenic formula of 700 wild strains . The discriminating capacity of the serotyping method has been estimated on 415 strains selected to exclude strains from the same origin . Good reproducibility (over 80%) is obtained for the detection of 12 antigens; improvement of the method for the others is under way . The method is highly discriminative; only 1.4% of strains are not typable . 90.8% of strains can be classified in one of the 6 groups identified by a major antigen; groups A, D and E are the most important under our ecological conditions. Diabete Metab, 1978 Sep, 4(3), 163 - 7 Humoral antibacterial immunity in first degree relatives of insulin-dependent diabetics; Schernthaner G et al.; Humoral immunity to bacterial antigens was investigated in 68 tissue typed and glucose tolerance tested first degree blood relatives of insulin dependent diabetics (IDD) . The data were compared with those obtained in 60 IDDs and in 55 healthy controls . The prevalence of bacterial antibodies to E . coli, staphylococci, pertussis and diphtheria toxins were just slightly, but not significantly reduced in the blood relations compared with controls . Incidence of antibacterial antibodies was almost identical in blood relations with impaired and in those with normal glucose tolerance . By contrast, antibody formation to E . coli and staphylococci (p less than 0,0005, p less than 0,0005) respectively was significantly impaired in IDD . No correlation between genes of the major histocompatibility complex and humoral antibacterial immunity could be observed in IDD and blood relations . In conclusion, antibacterial antibody formation was found to be severely impaired in IDD patients but to be almost normal in blood relations of insulin dependent diabetics . These findings suggest that the humoral antibacterial immunodeficiency observed in IDD is a disease associated process probably independent of major histocompatibility complex linked genes. Antibiotiki, 1978 Sep, 23(9), 809 - 13 {Effect of the chromosome markers of antibiotic resistance on the aggressiveness of Staph . epidermidis}; Mamykina VM et al.; Elucidation of antibiotic resistance correlation with manifestation of the pathogenic properties and aggressiveness in particular is of definite importance . Because of a wide spread of antibiotic resistance among staphylococci and ever increasing in pathology the role of S . epidermidis, the changes in penetration of the internal organ tissues, activity and intensity of capture and digestion by phagocytes of S . epidermidis mutants D-5/240 carrying the chromosome markers of penicillin and erythromycin resistance were analyzed . It was shown that the chromosome markers of the antibiotic resistance in staphylococci promoted their more active penetration into the tissues of the internal organs, affected permeability of the cell membranes, changed the activity of the digestion enzymes in the phagocyting cells (lowering the number of the acid phosphatase), prevented phagocytosis completeness and decreased the microorganism immunogenic properties. J Infect Dis, 1978 Sep, 138(3), 392 - 5 The phage adsorption test: a simple method for differentiation between staphylococci and micrococci; Schumacher-Perdreau F et al.; A simple phage adsorption test is recommended for differentiation between staphylococci and micrococci . All 132 strains of Staphylococcus tested inactivated phage U16 significantly, whereas of 123 strains of Micrococcus tested, only three strains of Micrococcus candicans were able to adsorb this staphylococcal phage . There are special problems in the taxonomy of M . candicans. S Afr Med J, 1978 Aug 5, 54(6), 225 - 9 Community versus hospital Staphylococcus aureus . Antimicrobial susceptibilities and some features of nasal carriage and acquisition; Block CS et al.; Susceptibility of community and hospital isolates of Staphylococcus aureus to 15 drugs has been tested . The organisms were isolated from the noses of White adults admitted to two general surgical units . Approximately half of each group were resistant to beta-lactamase-labile penicillins . Hospital staphylococci displayed a greater degree of multiple drug resistance and resistance to methicillin and erythromycin than did community strains . A nasal carriage rate of 28.6% was found among White patients admitted . A comparative survey of 54 Black adults from a rural community revealed a significantly lower rate (14.8%) . On non-carriers admitted to hospital, 21.9% acquired S . aureus nasally. Aust Vet J, 1978 Aug, 54(8), 374 - 8 Immunity to experimental staphylococcal mastitis--comparison of live and killed vaccines; Watson DL et al.; Eleven pregnant Merino ewes were immunised with either a killed Staphylococcus aureus cell-toxoid vaccine (intramuscularly) or a living culture of the same organism (subcutaneously) . A further 3 animals were used as non-immunised controls . There were no significant differences between the vaccinated groups for agglutinating antibody to staphylococci or for anti-alpha-haemolysin in either serum or whey . Three weeks after lambing the ewes were challenged by intramammary infusion of virulent staphylococci . All animals developed an acute mastitis with significant decreases in milk yields being recorded 48 hours post-challenge . Seven days after challenge the mean milk production of ewes given the live vaccine had recovered to within 5% of the pre-challenge mean yield . However, milk productions of controls and ewes given the killed vaccine had further decreased and were significantly lower than for animals vaccinated with live staphylococci . There were no significant differences between the two vaccinated groups for numbers of bacteria or leucocytes in milk samples collected after challenge . The ewes were killed 7 days post-challenge and mammary tissues were examined for immunoglobulin-containing cells . Large numbers of IgA-containing cells, and few IgM-containing cells were found, but there were no significant differences between the treatment groups for these parameters. Br J Exp Pathol, 1978 Aug, 59(4), 416 - 31 The preparation, properties and action on Staphylococcus aureus of purified fractions from the cationic proteins of rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes; Walton E; A micropreparative electrophoresis system for purifying the major staphylocidal fractions of cationic proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes is described . The most staphylocidal fraction prepared is also the most cationic and contains two bands migrating immediately behind protamine sulphate on analytical acid gel electrophoresis . SDS gel electrophoresis indicates that these proteins have low molecular weights between 3,500 and 14,400 . The staphylocidal activity of the fraction is affected in the same manner as a crude extract of rabbit PMN granules by iron compounds, respiratory inhibitors, and compounds affecting energy transfer and oxidative phosphorylation . It is stable to heating up to 80 degrees and amino acid analysis shows that it contains 24% arginine . Electron microscopy of staphylococcal spheroplasts treated with the purified fraction or with the crude extract shows that they both have a very marked "blebbing" and distorting action on the double membrane . Comparisons are made between the action of the purified fraction and protamine, and it is concluded that they have very similar, although not identical, properties and actions on staphylococci. Br J Exp Pathol, 1978 Aug, 59(4), 381 - 5 Use of lysostaphin to remove cell-adherent staphylococci during in vitro assays of phagocyte function; Easmon CS et al.; Lysostaphin, a bacteriolytic enzyme, has been used to remove cell-adherent and extracellular Staphylococcus aureus from phagocyte-bacterial mixtures in vitro . Lysostaphin kills S . aureus more rapidly than penicillin, is not toxic for phagocytic cells and, when used for short periods at low concentrations, appears to enter neither human nor mouse mononuclear phagocytes . The use of lysostaphin provides the basis of a simple reliable direct in vitro assay for measuring the attachment and ingestion of S . aureus by phagocytic cells. Arch Microbiol, 1978 Aug 1, 118(2), 185 - 92 Specific antibodies to the N-termini of the interpeptide bridges of peptidoglycan; Seidl PH et al.; The synthetic peptides Gly5-epsilon-Ahx and L-Ala3-epsilon-Ahx, with structural similarity to the interpeptide bridge peptides of staphylococci or micrococci, respectively, were convalently linked to human serum albumin via their carboxylgroups . Antisera to these synthetic peptidyl-protein antigens contained fairly high amounts of antibodies with specificity to the N-terminal parts of the peptide chains attached to the carrier proteins . Antisera to (Gly5-epsilon-Ahx)20-albumin gave, without exception, strong precipitin reactions in latex-agglutination with staphylococcal peptido-glycans . The antisera completely failed, however, in any reaction with peptidoglycans of micrococci or other bacteria which did not have these oligo-glycine peptides typical for staphylococci . On the contrary, antisera to (l-Ala3-epsilon-Ahx)22-albumin strongly precipitated micrococcalpeptidoglycans with oligo-L-alanine interpeptide bridges (e.g . Micrococcus varians . Micrococcus roseus), but showed no significant reaction with peptidoglycans of staphylococci or other bacteria lacking oligo-L-alanine interpeptide bridges. J Hyg (Lond), 1978 Aug, 81(1), 125 - 30 Antibiotic resistant staphylococci acquired during the first year of life; Burr ML et al.; Nasal swabs were taken from 492 babies born consecutively to residents of two South Wales towns soon after their discharge from maternity hospitals . Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 352 babies (72%) and in 79 (22%) of these it was resistant to at least one antibiotic . By the time these babies were a year old the prevalence of both sensitive and resistant strains had fallen, so that only 12% still carried nasal staphylococci, but 64% of these organisms were then resistant to penicillin . Administration of penicillin to the baby seemed to be a more important factor in selecting resistant organisms than other antibiotics given to the baby, any antibiotic treatment to other members of the household, or discharge from hospital. Antibiotiki, 1978 Aug, 23(8), 714 - 8 {Drug resistance stability in staphylococci under different conditions . The mechanism of the recovery of streptomycin sensitivity of a staphylococcal population in patients 7 months after hospital discharge}; Zueva VS et al.; A method for analysis of antibiotic sensitivity restoration in staphylococcal populations in humans is described . The mechanism of streptomycin sensitivity restoration in staphylococcal populations on the nasal mucosa of 59 patients 7 months after discharging from surgical stationary was studied . Quantitative estimates for loss of superinfecting streptomycin-resistant staphylococci, initial streptomycin-resistant staphylococci and resistance determinants by the initial streptomycin-resistant staphylococci are presented. Lab Invest, 1978 Aug, 39(2), 128 - 32 The role of protein A in the attachment of staphylococci to influenza-infected cells; Austin RM et al.; The adherence of staphylococcal protein A-containing Cowan I bacteria to influenza-infected cells was enhanced up to 5 times following incubation of the monolayers with antiinfluenzal serum, but not following treatment with nomimmune serum . Significantly increased binding of Cowan I bacteria was detected at antiinfluenzal serum dilutions as high as 1:40,960 . None of the several antibody concentrations tested enhanced the binding of staphylococcal protein A-negative staphylococci . In addition, extracellular staphylococcal protein A was found to inhibit complement-mediated cytolysis of antibody-coated, virus-infected cells . The possible significance of staphylococcal protein A in the synergistic interaction between staphylococcal and influenza virus infections is discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1978 Aug, 167(1-2), 38 - 47 {Evaluation of procedures for hygienic disinfection of hands: comparison of two methods, for artificially contaminating hands and use of an automatic colony-counter (author's transl)}; Koller W et al.; Testing procedures for the Hygienic Disinfection of hands, two kinds of artificial contamination have been compared: Application of one drop of bacterial suspension onto each fingertip as described in the DGHM-"Richtlinien" and immersion of hands as described in our previous papers . When using our method, fingertips released higher numbers of testbacteria . Since pre- as well as post-values were elevated, disinfection-tests applying one of each contamination method resulted in log10 reductions which did not differ significantly . Using an automated scanning colony counter we were able to save 2/3 of time otherwise required for manual counts . Up to 10(2) colonies per plate manual counts were practically identical with the counters results, whereas with higher colony-numbers the counter showed an increasing tendency to under-estimate the numbers of colonies . Since colonies of skin-staphylococci are not recognised by the automated counter, we cultured our rinsing-fluids on nutrient agar containing 0.05% of sodium-desoxycholate in order to inhibit the autochthonous skin flora . This supplement influenced the colony counts of our test-bacterium to a very minor degree only, the reduction factors were not at all altered. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Aug, (8), 96 - 100 {Comparative study of allergenic fractions extracted from different strains of staphylococci}; Runova VF et al.; Various methods for obtaining staphylococcus allergens were approbated . Biological activity of the preparation proved to depend on the method of obtaining it determining the chemical compostition of the preparation, and on the properties of the strain used . A method of alkaline extraction and a strain with marked pathogenicity signs (strain 209) can be recommended for the preparation of staphylococcus allergen . Biological activity of the allergen in case of its approbation in the same dose by protein on laboratory animals and patients proved to be the same. Fortschr Med, 1978 Jul 20, 96(26-27), 1361 - 5 {Staphylococcal toxic epidermal necrolysis}; Fritsch P; Staphylococcal toxic epidermal necrolysis is a well defined disease and can be ideally reproduced in a mouse model . It is due to the action of a staphylococcal exotoxin (exfoliatin) which is produced by phage group2 staphylococci . Exfoliatin acts on a hitherto unknown target site which is likely to be located in the cell membrane of keratinocytes of the subgranular layer . Sensitivity to exfoliatin is common to only few mammals and appears to be genetically determined . Exfoliatin leads to loss of intercellular adherence resulting in acantholysis; cellular morphology and function remains unimpaired . The action of exfoliatin on the epidermis is not influenced by serum factors nor by the mesenchyme . It is also not age dependent although adult humans as well as adult mice do not develop systemic disease . This is due to suppression of growth of staphylococci and rapid renal excretion of exfoliatin in the mature, immunologically competent organism. Am J Med Sci, 1978 Jul-Aug, 276(1), 67 - 75 Staphylococcal infections in a hemodialysis unit; Linnemann CC Jr et al.; Experience with Staphylococcus aureus infections in a hemodialysis unit in which arteriovenous fistulas were used routinely for dialysis is reviewed, including an epidemic involving multiple bacteriophage types . Most infections involved the fistula site and were associated with bacteremia, although bacteremia without an obvious fistula infection did occur . Despite recurrent bacteremia, endocarditis was not documented, and patients did not develop teichoic acid antibodies as measured by an immunodiffusion technique . Patients with fistula infections responded to antibiotic therapy and did not require removal of the fistula except in two patients whose fistulas ruptured . Patients with shunt infections had to have their shunts removed to control infection . The epidemic developed after the hemodialysis unit was moved into a larger area to facilitate an increasing number of patients and after diabetic patients were admitted to the dialysis program . Both autoinfection and cross-infection contributed to the epidemic, which resolved with improvements in aseptic techniques . A culture survey indicated that the nasal carriage of staphylococci was not unusually high during the epidemic . This report emphasizes that staphylococcal infections remain a problem in continually changing hospital environments. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Jul, (7), 118 - 20 {Mechanism of staphylococcin formation}; Ivanov NA; The author studied the optic density and the viable cell count in 2 strains of bacteriocinogenic staphylococci and their variants in which the bacteriocinogenicity factor was eliminated . Latent phase was prolonged in strains devoid of bacteriocinogenic factor; it was practically absent in bacteriocinogenic cultures . Bacteriocin production began on the 60th minute and this was accompanied by the death of cells and their lysosomes . With further culture growth bacteriocin formed in jerks and this was accompanied by the death of cells and their lysosomes. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 46 - 59 Experiences with the typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci; de Saxe MJ et al.; Strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci from many sources were biotyped and tested with a set of 20 phages, 19 of which were described by Dean et al . Strains resistant to many antibiotics were generally untypable with these phages . Nearly 50% of untypable strains could be typed by "reverse" typing--the characterisation of strains by the pattern of lysis given by their supernates on the propagating strains for the typing phages . This method was also used to clarify the relationship between isolates from an outbreak of septicaemia in a cardiac unit. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 36 - 45 Detection and preliminary characterization of extrachromosomal DNA in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; Laufs R et al.; Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis frequently harboured extrachromosomal DNA . From the 20 Staphylococcus aureus strains examined 85% contained extrachromosomal DNA and 65% carried more than one plasmid DNA species . The results obtained with the 19 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains analyzed were similar, 84% of the strains had extrachromosomal DNA and 68% contained several DNA species . The agarose gel electrophoresis of the DNA obtained from cleared lysates of the staphylococci proved to be efficient for the detection of plasmids and the determination of their molecular weights . The gel method appeared therefore to be suitable for the establishment of the role of plasmids in the phage typability of staphylococci . Using a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain as an example it was shown by electron microscopy that the extrachromosomal DNA demonstrated by the agarose gel electrophoresis represented covalently closed circular plasmid DNA . This plasmid DNA could be sufficiently labeled with 3H-thymidine to undertake studies on the relationship and molecular characterization of staphylococcal plasmids. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 140 - 56 Ivestigation of coagulase-negative staphylococci from infections in surgical patients; Marples RR et al.; All available isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci from patients admitted to a unit for cardiac surgery during a 14-month period were examined . During this time 382 operations, in 220 of which a prosthetic valve was implanted, were performed . 65 patients suffered 76 episodes of postoperative infection . All coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated were classified by biochemical typing, bacteriophage typing and testing of anitbiotic susceptibility . The results of this investigation were reported and discussed especially from an epidemiological point of view. Vopr Pitan, 1978 Jul-Aug, (4), 77 - 9 {Experimental study of pathogenic staphylococcal multiplication and of enterotoxin formation times during the manufacture and maturing of "Rossiĭskiĭ"-type cheese}; Bugrova VI et al.; In an experimentit the dynamics of propagation and dying out of the staphylococci throughout the technological process along with the time needed for development and continued presence of enterotoxin in cheeses of the "Rossiisky" are shown . These data are of importance for prophylaxis of food poisonings of staphycoloccal etiology. Antibiotiki, 1978 Jul, 23(7), 600 - 5 {Bacteriostatic and bactericidal action of bile acids and antibiotics on staphylococci}; Sytnik IA et al.; It was found in vitro that desoxycholic, cholic, glycocholic and choleinic acids inhibited the growth and development of staphylococci . The staphylococci isolated from bile were more resistant to the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect of bile acids than the microorganisms isolated from other sources not containing cholates . Under the effect of these substances the activity of some antibiotics especially those from the group of aminoglycosides markedly increased. Acta Otolaryngol, 1978 Jul-Aug, 86(1-2), 110 - 4 Bacteriology of the chronically discharging middle ear; Karma P et al.; Suitable bacteriological techniques revealed anaerobic bacteria in 38 (33%) of 114 chronically discharging middle ears . The genus Bacteroides was cultured from 25 ears . Aerobic bacteriology showed the predominance of staphylococci, facultative enteric gramnegative rods, diphtheroid bacilli and Pseudomonas species . Anaerobic bacterial cultures were always mixed with aerobic bacteria . 12 ears were culture-negative, and 9 of the 108 Gram-stained smers revealed no bacteria . No significant difference in bacteriology was noted between ears with or without local antimicrobial treatment, or between profusely draining or only moist ears . The ears with postoperative recurrent infection or with clinical suspicion of cholesteatoma grew anaerobes significantly more often, and were seldom sterile . Because anaerobic bacteria are frequently associated with chronic otitis media, their characteristics with regard to susceptibility to antimicrobials and to air must be remembered in the choice of therapy. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 83 - 94 A proposal for further modification of the phage-typing system for coagulase-negative staphylococci; Pillich J et al.; Our phage-set, published in 1975 (6) was modified in that other staphylococcal hoststrains were found more suitable for the propagation . This new typing set of 15 phages should replace our old phage-sets . In comparing the phage-sets of Dr . Verhoef, Dr . Parisi and Dr . Blouse with our phages, the advantages of our new phage-set could be demonstrated . Lysogeny induction experiment with mitomycin C and UV-rays showed all staphylococcal host strains to be lysogenic . Conclusions of the studies performed were derived from and discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 8 - 16 Electron microscopic morphology of phages of coagulase-negative staphylococci; Tkadlecek L et al.; Nine phages of coagulase-negative staphylococci were studied carefully with regard to their electron microscopic morphology . Two different groups of phages were detected: the larger phages showed heads of 121 nm diameter on average and tails with 229 nm length and 23 nm width . The smaller phages were characterized with heads of about 76 nm diameter and tails of about 177 nm length and 13 nm width (negatively stained with KPT). Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 78 - 82 Phage typing and biotyping of coagulase-negative staphylococci; Nord CE et al.; A total of 211 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from clinical materials were tested by use of 16 phages of PULVERER's set and biochemical methods proposed by KLOOS and SCHLEIFER . It appeared that 75% of tested strains was typable by used phages and ninety different phage patterns were observed . Most strains were classified as Staphylococcus epidermidis and the rest as S . warneri, S . simulans, S . hominis, Single strains represented species: S . capitis, S . haemolyticus and S . cohnii . No segregation of different phage patterns into particular species was found. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 72 - 7 Preliminary results of phage typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci with the set of typing phages of Pulverer and co-workers; Brandis H et al.; 120 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from clinical material were typed with the set of 16 test phages described by Pulverer et al . (1975) . 58 (48%) strains were typable with RTD and additionally 12 strains with 100 times RTD . The pattern Ph10/U14/U16 was observed most common (36 strains), followed by the pattern U14/U16 (11 strains) . One strain showed lysis reactions with all typing phages . With 61 strains phage U14 gave a lysis whereas phage U20 reacted only with 4 strains . The S . epidermidis phages were not specific for this species, at least some of these showed lysis reactions with S . aureus strains . The lysis pattern most often observed was Ph10/U14/U16 . There was no correlation between the patterns given by the S . aureus test phages and those by the S . epidermidis phages. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 68 - 71 Phage typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci; Holmberg O; 218 bovine and 116 human strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 46 bovine Staphylococcus aureus strains were typed with the Verhoef-phage set for human staphylococci and the Holmberg-set for bovine staphylococci . 22.5% of the bovine strains were lysed by the bovine phages and only 3.2% by the human phages . None of the bovine Staph . aureus strains could be typed . 21% of the human strains tested were lysed by the human phages and only 5.2% by the bovine phages . These results clearly demonstrate the need of separate phage sets for the typing of bovine and human coagulase-negative staphylococci. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 3 - 7 Cell wall structure of coagulase-negative staphylococci and its relation to adsorption of phages; Schumacher-Perdreau F et al.; The coagulase-negative staphylococcal species S . xylosus and S . saprophyticus are able to inactivate phages of the International Basic Set for S . aureus . The cell wall teichoic acids of these species contained two polyols: glycerol and ribitol . Removal of ribitol teichoic acid resulted in a parallel decrease in the ability of the cell walls to inactivate the phages. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 24 - 9 Activity spectrum of micrococcal and staphylococcal phages; Bauske R et al.; The activity spectrum of 4 polyvalent Staph . aureus-phages, of 22 phages from coagulase negative staphylococci and of 64 micrococcal phages was established on 20 Staph . aureus-strains, 116 coagulase-negative staphylococci and 142 micrococci . Staphylococcal phages showed to be only active on strains of the genus Staphylococcus and on cocci related to this genus . Micrococcal phages on the other hand lysed only micrococci. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 17 - 23 Serological characterization of phages of coagulase-negative staphylococci; Pillich J et al.; Selected 22 phages of coagulase-negative staphylococci were tested against group-specific antisera for Staphylococcus aureus phages using a neutralization test . Fourteen of the tested phages were classified into the serological group B and one into the group F . All other phages were resistant to the antisera against S . aureus phages but cross-reacted with the antisera produced against themselves . Therefore they could be joined together into a new serological group of the staphylococcal phages. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 157 - 64 Use of a phage set for the ecological typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci; Heczko PB et al.; The staphylococcal flora of skin and acne lesions of 98 patients was analysed by the use of phage typing and biotyping methods . It appeared that in some individuals a relatively stable staphylococcal flora was present while others harboured 7 or more different strains . The same S . epidermidis strains were found on different skin sites and in acne lesions of a given individual . Examples of different carriage patterns were given. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 136 - 9 Comparison of "invasive" and "non-invasive" strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis by phage typing; Fridhandler I et al.; Seventy strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from blood of patients together with 41 strains of these bacteria isolated from the skin were typed by three different phage sets . Different percentages of phage typability by compared phage sets were found . Blood culture strains showed phage pattern Ph10/U14/U16 while other strains were of different phage patterns. Antibiotiki, 1978 Jul, 23(7), 605 - 9 {Increase in tetracycline activity by using surface-active substances}; Anan'eva EP et al.; The antimicrobial effect of cationic and anionic surface-active substances, i.e . catamine AB and sulphonol NP-3 respectively was studied in vitro with respect to gramnegative bacteria . In non-bactericidal concentrations catamine AB significantly increased the efficacy of tetracyclines, while the anionic compound had no such effect . The increase in the tetracycline activity was due to the antibiotic increased absorption (14C-oxytetracycline as an example) on the treatment of gramnegative bacteria with catamine AB and staphylococci with catamine AB and sulphonol NP-3, which was mainly associated with impairement of the cell membrane permeability by the surface-active substances. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jun, 240(4), 447 - 65 {Epidemiological investigation of staphylococcal infections in stocks of SPF-animall (author's transl)}; Lenz W et al.; The occurrence and spread of staphylococcal infections in stocks of SPF-animals were studied over a period of more than three years . The results were compared with observations made by other authors . Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from both sick and healthy animals (mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs) as well as from veterinary staff were lysotyped with the international phage set for epidemiological investigations . The majority of the lysotypes demonstrated in sick mice and rats belonged to lysogroup III (77% and 96% respectively) . S . aureus strains with the phage patterns III 6/42E/47/53/54/75/83A/ +, III 54/83A and III 54/83A/85 were most common amongst these animals . The lysotype 80/3c/47/53/54/75/84/85 + occurred in rabbits and guinea pigs only . S . aureus strains of lysogroup I and II, which are frequently involved in skin infections of man, were either found only very scarcely or not at all discovered in the animals tested . Among the veterinary personnel staphylococcal strains of the lysogroups I and III as well as non-classificable strains occurred at a similar rate of approximately 25% each . Several lysotypes (I 29, III 42E/47/53/54/75/77/84/ + M 187) persisted in members of the staff over a stretch of two to three years without causing infection to the animals under their charge . On the other hand, lysotypes isolated from infection sites (abscesses) in the animals were mostly found also in swabs from the nasopharynx of healthy animals and the personnel . The implications of the importation and the spreading of Staphylococci in animal stocks by veterinary staff are pointed out . Factors promoting staphylococcal diseases in animals and measures to prevent S . aureus infection from SPF-animal stocks are discussed. Nord Vet Med, 1978 Jun, 30(6), 267 - 73 Characterization of Micrococcaceae isolated from post mortem examined pigs; Riising HJ; The investigation comprised 170 cases of infections due to Micrococcaceae among post mortem examined pigs that died during the preweaning period . The incidence was 3.1 promille of the live-born pigs . The infection was most frequent among pigs less than 4 weeks of age (Table I) . ACute and subacute generalized infections occurred in 43.5% of the cases (Table II), and exudative epidermitis was the cause of death in 23.5% . In the remaining 32.9% of the cases, the post mortem findings included a variety of debilitating conditions, such as undersize, malformation, starvation or traumata . In all 248 strains of Micrococcaceae were isolated . A preliminary differentiation revealed 41.5% of the strains as Staphylococcus aureus and 34.5% as S . epidermidis and 22.6% as Micrococcus (Table III) . A further characterization on 43 of the strains was performed (Table IV and V) . Totally 19 different fermentation pattern were observed . In Table IV the strains are grouped into six groups . Fourteen strains were identified as S . aureus and 15 strains as S . epidermidis biotype 2, s . S . hyicus (Table VI) . The distribution of the non-haemolytic strains according to biotypes is shown (Table VII) . By this grouping, the 15 S . hyicus strains were designated type III B . It is concluded that various staphylococci may be isolated in pure culture from different pathological lesions in preweaned pigs . Biochemical characterization of the strains showed that part of the strains could not be classified by the previously described grouping systems. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Jun, 31(6), 546 - 60 Diastereomeric 7-ureidoacetyl cephalosporins . I . Superiority of 7alpha-H-L-isomers over D-isomers; Breuer H et al.; The synthesis and in vitro structure-activity relationship of 7-ureidoacetyl cephalosporins carrying various substituents in the 3-position, compounds that showed an enhanced broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, has been outlined . Contrary to most of the previous observations with diastereomeric isomers of cephalosporins, it has been found that the L-side chain isomers also are very potent antibiotics and are even more active inhibitors of certain beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria than the corresponding D-side chain isomers . SQ 69,613, 7beta-{{L-{(aminocarbonyl)amino}-2-furanylacetyl}amino}-3-{{(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) thio}methyl}-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo{4.2.0}oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt, the most active compound tested, except for activity against staphylococci, was as active in vitro as cefamandole. J Clin Pathol, 1978 Jun, 31(6), 539 - 45 Phagocytosis and killing of staphylococci by human polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leucocytes; Verbrugh HA et al.; The phagocytosis and killing of 3H-thymidine-labelled Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) and monocytes (MNs) obtained from 50 health donors were evaluated . In addition, extracellular factors that might influence phagocytosis and killing were studied . The method described gave highly reproducible results . No significant difference was observed in the phagocytic and killing functions of a single donor's PMNs and MNs when studied several times in one day and longitudinally over a period of 1-12 weeks for six donors tested . Likewise, no signigicant difference in uptake and killing was observed when bacteria were opsonised with sera from 11 different normal donors . When Staph . aureus opsonised with normal serum was added to the leucocytes in a ratio of 10 bacteria: 1 leucocyte, the uptake by PMNs and MNs from 50 donors after 20 minutes' incubation was 85% +/- 7 standard deviation (SD) (range 75-98%) and 69% +/- 11 SD (range 54-90%), respectively . The rate of uptake by MNs in the first three minutes of the assay period was only 60% of that by PMNs. Infect Immun, 1978 Jun, 20(3), 770 - 5 Dichotomy between opsonization and serum complement activation by encapsulated staphylococci; Peterson PK et al.; Previous studies have demonstrated that encapsulated Staphylococcus aureus strains are not effectively opsonized by the serum complement system . Encapsulated staphylococci thereby "resist phagocytosis." To test whether this phenomenon might be explained by an inability of encapsulated strains to activate complement, the relationship between staphylococcal opsonization and serum complement activation was studied . Although encapsulation was found to interfere with opsonization by pooled human serum (human polymorphonuclear leukocytes phagocytized significantly fewer encapsulated bacteria than unencapsulated bacteria after incubation in this opsonic source), encapsulated (S . aureus M and Smith diffuse) and unencapsulated (S . aureus M variant and Smith compact) strains had similar capacities for complement activation as measured by C3-C9 consumption . When C2-deficient and immunoglobulin-deficient sera were studied, again C3-C9 consumption was not influenced by the presence or absence of a capsule . In addition, C3 was detected on the surface of both S . aureus M and M variant strains after incubation in pooled serum and staining with fluorescein-conjugated anti-C3 antibody . Thus, encapsulated staphylococci are not effectively opsonized even though complement is activated and C3 is present on the bacterial surface . The exact mechanism by which the capsule interferes with opsonization is still not known; however, inhibition of complement activation appears not to be the explanation of this phenomenon. Ann Intern Med, 1978 Jun, 88(6), 813 - 8 Vancomycin revisited; Cook FV et al.; Vancomycin, virtually discarded after development of antistaphylococcal penicillins, has recently been receiving renewed attention . There are several clinical situations in which it appears to offer advantages over other available antimicrobial agents: infections due to methicillin-resistant staphylococci; bacterial endocarditis in patients allergic to penicillin; staphylococcal enterocolitis; staphylococcal infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis; infections caused by penicillin-resistant diphtheroids; and prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis in patients with prosthetic valves or penicillin allergy . Its penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid suggests that vancomycin may be useful in treating certain infections of the central nervous system . Although its ototoxic and nephrotoxic potential cannot be ignored, these problems can be minimized by keeping the serum concentration at the proper level. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1978 May 31, 57(2), 212 - 27 The problem of the identification and classification of staphylococci; del Piano M; The Bergey's and ICSB schemes for the classification of staphylococci have been analyzed and in our opinion, it seems that we are still far from the final solution of the problem. Arch Dermatol Res, 1978 May 31, 261(3), 295 - 302 Staphylococci of the normal human skin flora . Variety of biotypes and antibiograms without direct correlations; Hartmann AA; 352 strains of Staphylococci of the normal human skin flora were sampled from one volunteer by single scrabbing in a ca . 3 cm2 measuring area . They were biotyped by the scheme of Pelzer et al.(1973)--a modified Baird-Parker-Scheme (1963)--and the resistance to antibiotics was investigated by the method of Bauer et al . (1966) . All the nine biotypes of Staphylococci were found in variable quantities . It seems problematic to call one biotype as the main type . Morphologically identical colonies of Staphylococci from the indigenous flora of the human skin were not identical in their biotypes as previously described by Pelzer (1976) . Only the investigation of all Staphylococci colonies from the culture plate can evaluate all biotypes of Staphylococci of the normal human skin flora, and can give the right quantitative correlation . Staphylococci were found to be sensitive and resistant up to four antibiotics, and one biotype did not show one type of antibiogram. Arch Microbiol, 1978 May 30, 117(2), 183 - 8 Deoxyribonucleic acid reassociation in the classification of coagulase-positive staphylococci; Meyer SA et al.; DNA-DNA reassociation studies were performed with coagulase-positive staphylococci belonging to the biotypes A, B, C, D, E and F . These studies present genetic evidence for the existence of at least two distinct species within this group of organisms . The common Staphylococcus aureus strains were represented by organisms from biotypes A to D, and their DNA revealed over 80% nucleotide sequence homology under restrictive conditions . Less than 15% DNA homology was detected between strains from biotypes A to D (S . aureus) and those from biotypes E and F . The DNA of organisms from either the biotypes E or F displayed over 70% homology . Together, both biotypes are considered to represent the species S . intermedius . However, DNA homology values dropped to 50--65% between strains from different biotypes . This may justify the separation of S . intermedius biotypes E and F on a subspecies level. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1978 May 26, 165(1), 29 - 41 Determination of IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae by an indirect staphylococcal radioimmunoassy; Brunner H et al.; An indirect staphylococcal radioimmunoassay (SRIA) has been developed for determination of M . pneumoniae antibodies . This test allows the detection of antibodies in various immunoglobulin (Ig) classes similar to the previously described radioimmunoprecipitation test (RIP) . SRIA has two advantages over RIP: first, it uses 100-fold less anti-Ig reagents than RIP; second, bound can be separated from unbound antigen more easily by the relatively heavy staphylococci . SRIA antibodies, belonging to the IgA class of Ig, could be detected in nasal secretions of volunteers infected intranasally with ts H43 of M . pneumoniae . In sera of patients with M . pneumoniae pneumonia antibodies to the IgG or the IgM class of Igs could be determined separately . This is especially important for an early diagnosis of M . pneumoniae disease. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 May, (5), 86 - 93 {Local experimental infection caused by S . epidermidis sensitive to penicillin under the action of the antibiotic and acridines}; Mamykina VM et al.; S . epidermidis D-5/48, D-5/240, and S . aureus 209 P caused a local infectious process with an analogous course in intrascrotal infection of male albino mice; this process was characterized by the changes of the relative weight coefficient of the affected tissues, positive staphylococcus culture, and exudative inflammation . This confirmed the role of epidermal coagulase-negative staphylococci in the infectious pathology . Benzylpenicillin treatment of local staphylococcus infection proved to be ineffective, although the staphylococcus strains used for the infection were sensitive to this antibiotic . This treatment led to the selection of the antibiotic-resistant forms of the microorganisms and to the aggravation of the infectious process, suggesting greater virulence of the antibiotic-resistant strains . The minimal suppressive acridines concentrations prevented the development of penicillin resistance and selection of resistant staphylococci, increased the therapeutic efficacy of this antibiotic. J Immunol, 1978 May, 120(5), 1580 - 6 Trypan blue inhibits complement-mediated phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Guckian JC et al.; Trypan blue completely inhibited attachment of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to Sepharose beads coated with C3 ant to sheep erythrocytes coated with IgM plus C3, but it did not inhibit attachment to erythrocytes coated with IgG . These results suggested that trypan blue inhibited C-mediated attachment to PMN membranes . Corroborative studies were performed with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that requires C but not antibody, for opsonization and that activates the alternative pathway . Trypan blue was not toxic to PMN or bacteria, did nto interfere with immunoglobulin or C interactions, and did not affect attachment of opsonins to bacteria . However, the dye impaired PMN killing of S . aureus in normal nonimmune serum by inhibiting bacterial attachment to and ingestion by PMN . Further evidence that the inhibition was at the C3 receptor level came from the observations that, 1) once staphylococci were attached to PMN at either 37 degrees C or 0 degrees C, addition of trypan blue did not inhibit killing; and 2) trypan blue inhibited killing of bacteria opsonized with serum sufficient in C but previously absorbed at 0 degrees C with the same strain of organism to deplete specific antibody . Further studies with this agent may elucidate the roles of opsonic receptors on human phagocytes. Antibiotiki, 1978 May, 23(5), 428 - 30 {Elimination of penicillinase plasmids by the new acridine derivative, Dimer}; Shraer DP et al.; The possibility of eliminating the drug resistance determinants in penicillinase-producing staphylococci under the effect of an acridine "dimer", synthesized by French scientists was studied . Comparison of the eliminating activity of a number of acridine compounds, such as acrichin, acriflavine, proflavine and "dimer" showed that the new derivative of acridine as well as the other acridines used in the experiments induced elimination of the penicillinase plasmids when used in the sublethal concentrations. J Clin Pathol, 1978 May, 31(5), 434 - 6 Use of polyvinylpyrrolidone in the testing of staphylococci for sensitivity to methicillin and cephradine; Bayston R; The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone, an inert polymer resembling plasma proteins in its colligative effects, in the testing of micrococcaceae for sensitivity to methicillin and cephradine is described . Generally results are quite comparable with those of conventional methods . The absence of any inhibitory effect of the polymer compared to sodium chloride, and its physiological inertia compared to sucrose, along with its suitability for sterilisation by autoclaving are seen as advantages . It is suggested that the use of this substance may give results which are more applicable to the in vivo situation . This may apply particularly in the case of cephradine. J Dairy Sci, 1978 May, 61(5), 592 - 5 Simplified resazurin rennet test for diagnosis of mastitis; Kobayashi Y; A simplified resazurin rennet test for diagnosis of bovine mastitis was devised . A tablet of resazurin and rennet was placed in a sterile test tube to which 10 ml of milk were added directly from a teat . The test tube was incubated for 1 h at 37 C . After incubation the change in color of resazurin and the time required for coagulation by the rennet were observed . From the results the milk samples tested were classified into four types . Cell count, modified California Mastitis Test, coagulase positive staphylococci, and contents of solids-not-fat, lactose, and protein differed among the four types . This method is simple and practically useful for diagnosis of bovine mastitis. Minerva Med, 1978 Apr 28, 69(20), 1383 - 8 {Comparative findings on the spread of healthy carriers of coagulase-positive staphylococci in a hospital milieu}; Finzi G et al.; A comparative search was made for healthy carriers of pathogenic staphylococcus among the kitchen, canteen and scullery staff of the Malpighi Hospital and the paramedical personnel of its geriatrics, out-patient and nephrology sections . The following percentages of healthy carriers were observed: out-patient section 37.5%, nephrodialysis section 23%, kitchen 17.9%, and geriatrics section 14.2% . All staphylococcus strains were tested for their sensitivity to antibiotics . 25% were resistant to ampicillin, 21.8% to penicillin, and 21.8% to streptomycin. J Infect Dis, 1978 Apr, 137(4), 490 - 3 Comparative beta-lactamase resistance and antistaphylococcal activities of parenterally and orally administered cephalosporins; Farrar WE Jr et al.; Two parenterally administered cephalosporins (cephalothin and cephapirin) and four orally administered cephalosporins (cephalexin, cephradine, cefatrizine, and cefaclor) were investigated by use of 29 beta-lactamase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus for determination of their relative rates of hydrolysis (RH) by beta-lactamase (RH of penicillin G =100) and their antistaphylococcal activities . Cephalothin (RH less than 0.01) and cephapirin (RH = 0.1) were relatively stable in the presence of staphylococcal beta-lactamase . Cephalexin and cephradine (RH of each = 0.3) were less stable than cephalothin and cephapirin but more stable than cefatrizine (RH = 1.4) and cefaclor (RH = 3.4) . Agents that were more resistant to hydrolysis were affected less by the size of the inoculum when tested against large ;(10(7)) and small (10(3)) inocula of beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci than those that were hydrolyzed rapidly . Cephalothin and cephapirin were four to eight times more active than the orally administered cephalosporins against 10(3) staphylococci . Cephalosporins that are relatively stable in the presence of staphylococcal bata-lactamase may be preferable to less stable ones for treatment of serious infections due to beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci. Antibiotiki, 1978 Apr, 23(4), 330 - 3 {Action of lincomycin, chymotrypsin and their combinations on the course of experimental staphylococcal infection}; Daniushchenkova NM et al.; The culture of Staphylococcus aureus was administered intraperitoneally in a dose of LD30 to albino mice . The animals of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups were treated with lincomycin, chymotripsin and combination of lincomycin with chymotripsin respectively . The animals of the 4th group were used as control and were not subjected to the treatment with the drugs . A part of the animals from every group was killed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st and subsequent days and their organs were investigated microscopically and bacteriologically . It was found that staphylococci was isolated from the control mice during a 50-day period after inoculation . Complete liberation of the organs from the causative agent within 25 days from the beginning of the experiment was registered in the animals treated with lincomycin . Isolation of the staphylococci was over by the 27th day in the animals treated with chymotrypsin . Liberation of the organs from the causative agent by the 17th day was observed in the albino mice treated with the combination of lincomycin with chymotrypsin . The combined use of lincomycin with chymotrypsin proved to be most effective: no death was registered among the albino mice, the levels of the pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance in the pathogenic staphylococci decreased. Antibiotiki, 1978 Apr, 23(4), 326 - 30 {Combined action of aminoglycoside group antibiotics and bile acids on staphylococci}; Sytnik IA et al.; The results of in vitro studies on the potentiating effect of cholic, taurocholic, glycocholic and desoxicholic acids on the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of aminoglycoside antibiotics are presented . Ten fresh isolates of staphylococci were used in the experiments . Sensitivity of the isolates to the antibiotics and bile acids and their combinations was determined by the method of serial dilutions . Investigation of the combined effect of gentamicin, monomycin, kanamycin and neomycin with the bile acids showed that all of them had potentiating effect on the antimicrobial activity of the antibiotics . The potentiating effect of different acids and antibiotics was not the same . The highest potentiating activity was observed with the use of gentamicin or neomycin in combination with desoxycholic and cholic bile acids . Desoxycholic acid increased the bacteriostatic activity of gentamicin and neomycin by 781.3 and 2083.3 times respectively and cholic acid increased it by 382.7 and 2083.3 times . Cholic and desoxycholic acids potentiated also the bactericidal effect of gentamicin and neomycin . Taurocholic and glycocholic acids produced potentiation of various antibiotics by 8 to 60 times. J Gen Microbiol, 1978 Apr, 105(2), 275 - 85 Characterization and identification of coagulase-negative, heat-stable deoxyribonuclease-positive staphylococci; Gramoli JL et al.; Various characteristics of 13 coagulase-negative, weakly heat-stable deoxyribonuclease-positive staphylococci from human, veterinary and food sources were determined in an effort to identify them . Nine of the isolates were identified as coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus (2), Staphylococcus xylosus (2), Staphylococcus simulans (3), Staphylococcus capitis (1) and Staphylococcus sciuri subsp . lentus (1); the other four isolates, from food and veterinary sources, could not be identified as currently accepted or proposed species . Teichoic acid and peptidoglycan compositions were used as key taxonomic characteristics . The determination of heat-stable deoxyribonuclease activity can be useful to detect coagulase-negative S . aureus strains . However, this activity also appears to be present in strains of other staphylococcal species. Pahlavi Med J, 1978 Apr, 9(2), 182 - 92 Resistance of staphylococci to penicillin-G and cloxacillin; Kimberlin C et al.; Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis species from patient cultures and hospital environmental samples were studied for resistance to Penicillin-G and Cloxacillin, a penicillinase resistant penicillin . Only 4--7% of the 232 Staphylococcus aureus strains were sensitive to Penicillin-G; 40--41% were sensitive to Cloxacillin . Patient strains (57) of Staphylococcus epidermidis were sensitive to Penicillin-G in 29% and to Cloxacillin in 53% of the cases . The incidence of sensitivity of the hospital strains (50) of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Penicillin-G was 78% and to Cloxacillin was 93% . In view of their high resistance to Cloxacillin, the strains were evaluated for sensitivity to Gentamicin, an alternate choice for antibiotic therapy . Approximately 90% of the Staphylococcus aureus strains were sensitive to Gentamicin while 99% of the Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were sensitive . This study indicates that differences may exist in regard to antibiotic resistance patterns in various localities and this should be evaluated. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1978 Mar 24, 120(12), 395 - 400 {Polymorphous Juvenile Acne (author's transl)}; Cerimele D et al.; Many factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of acne, the most important of them lie in the sebaceous follicle, in disturbances of the cornification of the follicular channels and in the bacterial flora of the hair follicles . The latter consists of a yeast (pityrosporon ovale), coagulase-negative aerobic staphylococci and propionibacterium acnes . P . acnes is found in the depth of the follicle . It is of particular importance for the pathogenesis because it produces a lipase which releases fatty acids which stimulate the formation of comedones . Many questions are still unanswered . Presently, treatment consists of administration of estrogens or combination preparations of estrogen and progesterone (only recommended for women), of vitamin A acid and antibiotics . Tetracycline and its derivatives have proved particularly valuable for this purpose. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1978 Mar 15, 172(6), 708 - 11 Canine vaginal and uterine bacterial flora; Olson PN et al.; Vaginal swab specimens were obtained from 41 prepuberal and 81 postpuberal bitches . Uterine swab specimens were obtained from 22 bitches at ovariohysterectomy and from 4 bitches during cesarean section . The specimens were cultured for aerobic bacteria . Most bitches harbored some type of bacteria in the vagina, but coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated more frequently from prepuberal bitches than from postpuberal bitches . Postpuberal bitches were placed in various groups, based on the stage of the estrous cycle at the time specimens were obtained . Differences in bacterial types isolated from the postpuberal groups were not statistically significant . Uterine culture results suggested that bitches do not normally harbor aerobic bacteria in the uterus. Med Trop (Mars), 1978 Mar-Apr, 38(2), 155 - 9 {Homozygotic drépanocytemia (author's transl)}; Sirol J et al.; A clinical description according to four age groups: before 5 with hand and foot syndrome, hemolytic chronic and sometimes acute anemia; after 5 with frequent surgical-like abdominal syndromes and development troubles; after puberty with patent dystrophia and anemia; adult age group of rare surviving patients . The drepanocytic condition is aggravated by various infections and reversly facilitate lung infections and osteitis caused by staphylococci or salmonellae . Malaria trophozoite is suspected of inducing sickling which gives way to a rapid phagocytosis of both sickle cell and Plasmodium. Inflammation, 1978 Mar, 3(1), 103 - 10 A new sensitive method for detecting human endogenous (leukocyte) pyrogen; Bodel P et al.; Endogenous, or leukocyte pyrogen (EP), the mediator of fever, is currently detected by injection of pyrogen-containing supernatants into rabbits . This assay has been of little value in the study of human fever because it required injection of relatively large amounts of pyrogen . We now report that injection of medium containing human EP produces fever in mice . Supernatant from 1 c 10(5) granulocytes, stimulated by phagocytosis of staphylococci and incubated overnight, or 1 x 10(4) monocytes similarly treated, produce clear pyrogenic responses . This method for detecting EP is about 100-fold more sensitive than the rabbit assay, and it appears to be specific for EP . Preliminary studies of EP released by small samples of needle liver biopsies from febrile and afebrile patients suggests that this sensitive assay may be useful for investigations into the mechanisms of clinical fever. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Mar, (3), 120 - 4 {Characteristics of several epidemiologic features of suppurative-septic diseases of staphylococcal etiology in obstetric institutions}; Molotilov VF et al.; The authors studied the frequency of the purulent-septic diseases in puerperants and neonates and the percentage among them of affections of staphylococcus etiology, their seasonal incidence and nidality . The phage-type reference of the strains of staphylococci circulating at the maternity home, and their connection with the staphylococcus carrier state among the personnel and the extent of spread of the purulent-septic diseases was determined . There was revealed an interrelationship between the incidence of recording of the purulent-septic diseases at the maternity home and the level of staphylococcus carrier state among the medical personnel . The sum total positive culture percentage in serous mastitis, endometritis and in case of suture disjunction due to purulent complications was 63.5, and in case of purulent-septic diseases of neonates -- 55--65 . Strains belonging to the "epidemic" phage types are widespread at the maternity homes. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Mar, 35(3), 479 - 82 Rapid test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci; Seidl PH et al.; A simple test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci is described, which is based on the quite different cell wall peptidoglycan structures of these two genera . Antisera to (pentaglycyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)20-albumin agglutinated without exception all staphylococci and gave no positive reaction with micrococci or other bacterial cells . To obtain a good reaction, it was necessary to extract the cells with hot trichloroacetic acid for 30 min . Antisera to (tri-L-alanyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)22-albumin reacted strongly with micrococci containing oligo-L-alanine bridges in their peptidoglycan, but did not agglutinate staphylococci or other bacteria lacking alanine interpeptide bridges. Antibiotiki, 1978 Mar, 23(3), 259 - 64 {Increased streptomycin sensitivity and its associations with microbial allergy}; Ermekova RK et al.; Regularities of streptomycin hypersensitivity development and its association with microbial allergy were studied on 75 guinea pigs . A model of retarded allergy was obtained by the animal sensitization with streptomycin in doses of 20 000 gamma per 1 kg of the body weight . Two procedures were used for the animal sensitization, i.e . with the use of the Freund adjuvant or without it . Positive skin-allergic tests to streptomycin (mainly 24-hour) were registered 2 weeks after discontinuation of the sensitization and persisted for the whole observation period (up to 6--8 weeks) . The tests for the leucocyte migration were also positive and precipitating antibodies were found in the serum according to the Hoigne method . Simultaneous sensitization with streptomycin and staphylococci resulted in some suppression of the development of retarded hypersensitivity to the microbial antigen . Subsequent sensitization at first with staphylococci and then with streptomycin favoured a mutual increase in the allergic reconstruction to both antigens . The histomorphological studies confirmed the data of the immunoallergological examination. J Infect Dis, 1978 Mar, 137(3), 245 - 50 In vitro activity of cephalosporins against methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci; Laverdiere M et al.; The in vitro activity of five cephalosporins, gentamicin, and vancomycin was determined against 41 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci . Results obtained with disk diffusion and agar dilution methods failed to show complete cross-resistance between methicillin and four of the five cephalosporins despite the use of a high-salt medium and a large inoculum . Thirty-six (88%) of the 41 isolates were sensitive to cephalothin by a standardized disk diffusion method, whereas 23 isolates (56%) were sensitive to cephalothin with use of an agar dilution method and a large inoculum . Of these 23 isolates, only 11 (47%) were both inhibited and killed by less than or equal to 6.25 microgram of cephalothin/ml . The inhibitory and bactericidal activity of gentamicin was greater than that of vancomycin and cephalothin . These results suggest that the disk diffusion technique has limitations in determining the in vitro activity of cephalosporins against methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci and that cephalothin exhibits poor bactericidal activity against these same isolates. Arch Intern Med, 1978 Mar, 138(3), 487 - 8 Septic shock with Micrococcus luteus; Albertson D et al.; Micrococcus luteus is considered a non-pathogenic saprophyte of human skin and eye . Disease in man caused by this organism is not recorded in medical literature . We present a case of septic shock cause by M luteus . The value of this report is to document the pathogenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci in patients without valvular heart disease, surgically implanted artifificial prosthetic devices, or polyethylene intravenous catheters. Genetika, 1978 Mar, 14(3), 554 - 7 {Elimination of extrachromosomal streptomycin resistance in staphylococci by experimental variations in geomagnetic field intensity}; Pavlovich SA et al.; The article comprises the data on the elimination of streptomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus after its passage for a long time in a low permanent magenetic field (PMF) with H = 0.5 oe and in a space screened from the geomagnetic field in a permaloy chamber (H = 10(-2) . Under these conditions the eliminating effect of the geomagnetic field intensity on the streptomycin resistance of Staphylococci became perceptible after 5--10 their passage under unusual conditions . At the next stages of investigation the eliminating effect of low PMF and of screening was enhanced . At the end of the experiment after 25--40 passages of Staphylococcus aureus throung MF of different intensity the elimination of streptomycin resistance was recorded in all the 11 cultures studied . The quantity of eliminates in populations of experimental substrains of Staphylococcus increased by 1.5--10 and more times as compared to the control. Antibiotiki, 1978 Mar, 23(3), 268 - 72 {Results of 10 years of use of lincomycin (1966-1976) in the clinics of the N . N . Priorov Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics}; Mel'nikova VM et al.; During 10 years 1063 patients were treated with lincomycin used parentally or orally at the N . N . Priorov Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedy . The doses and the rate of its use depended on the state of the patient, its age and weight . Lincomycin was used for the treatment of patients with osteomyelitis or purulent wound infection, as well as for prophylaxis of suppuration . The drug was used for a long period of time under conditions of the same hospital, and it was shown that it remained up to the present days highly effective in therapy of infections and especially bone infections caused by staphylococci sensitive to it . The 10-year study of staphylococcal sensitivity to lincomycin revealed an insignificant increase in the development of resistance to it . The paper presents data on the importance of adequate surgical interventions in addition to the antibiotic therapy in cases with bone infections . A possibility of lincomycin combined use with other antibiotics and gentamicin or kanamycin in particular was shown . Complications, such as diarrhea and urticaria were registered in 11 patients. Am J Vet Res, 1978 Mar, 39(3), 485 - 9 Collection and cultivation of and phagocytosis by pulmonary macrophages obtained from hysterectomy-derived pigs; Williams PP; Methods were developed for procuring phagocytically active macrophages from porcine lung with minimal damage to respiratory tissues . Procedures included anesthetizing, surgically introducing a T-shaped tracheal catheter, and repeatedly flushing the respiratory tract . Macrophages collected in this manner were characterized as to numbers, types, and phagocytic activity, nonselective lavage of the pulmonary airways of unstimulated and stimulated (evoking agent: thioglycolate medium) animals yielded 5 X 10(7) and 11 X 10(7) respiratory cells per pig, respectively . Because sufficient quantities (300 to 600 cells/test) of unstimulated cells were collected, stimulated cells contaminated with thioglycolate were not further tested . Morphologically, unstimulated macrophages were mainly spherical and mononucleated by variable in size, ranging from 9 to 30 micrometer . Culturally, macrophages adhered to plastic or glass surfaces and readily phagocytized fungal spores, staphylococci, and latex particles in an enrichment medium containing greater than or equal to 20% bovine fetal serum . Macrophages failed to replicate during a 3-week maintenance period . The data suggest that porcine phagocytes of the pulmonary system comprise a free-cell population that is a major surface-constitutive part of the luminal surface of the airways. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Feb, 35(2), 264 - 8 Identification of enterotoxigenic staphylococci from sheep and sheep cheese; Hajek V; The total of 127 Staphylococcus aureus strains obtained from sheep and sheep cheese were examined for their biochemical activities, biotypes, phage patterns, and ability to produce enterotoxins . Of the 83 staphylococcal strains isolated from animals 77 (93%) were classified as the C biotype . Of this group of sheep-adapted strains, 61 (79%) were sensitive to phage 78, and 46 (60%) produced enterotoxin C exclusively . The three isolated belonging to the A biotype produced enterotoxin D, and two of the three unclassifiable strains produced enterotoxin A . Of the 44 staphylococcal strains isolated from sheep cheese, there were 37 (84%) identified as the C biotype . From this series, 31 (84%) strains were lysed with phage 78, 6 (16%) strains produced enterotoxin C, and 1 strain produced enterotoxin A . One of the six strains determined as the A biotype produced enterotoxin D . C biotype strains, especially of ovine origin, are an exception among animal staphylococci, because a large number of them are enterotoixgenic . The C antigenic type is the most usual of the known enterotoxins in staphylococci of animal provenance. J Clin Pathol, 1978 Feb, 31(2), 153 - 5 Effect of bacterial flora on staphylococcal colonisation of the newborn; Speck WT et al.; The umbilical and nasopharyngeal flora of newborn infants was examined on days 3, 14, and 42 of life . An analysis of the bacteriological findings suggests that colonisation by either Staphylococcus aureus or Staph . epidermidis prevents colonisation by the other staphylococcus . Similarly, colonisation by Gram-negative bacteria prevents colonisation by staphylococci . Further, this bacterial interference lasts for as long as 42 days, which suggests the possibility of artificially colonising newborns with nonpathogens to prevent subsequent colonisation and disease by virulent microorganisms. J Immunol, 1978 Feb, 120(2), 607 - 12 Transplantation in minature swine . IV . Chemical characterization of MSLA and Ia-like antigens; Lunney JK et al.; Immunochemical analyses of radioactively labeled lymphocyte antigens from miniature swine of three different homozygous major histocompatibility (MHC) types, AA, CC, and DD, have been performed . Anti-MHC sera were incubated with lentil lectin purified Nonidet P-40 swine lymphocyte extracts . Antigen-antibody complexes were then precipitated with protein A bearing staphylococci, eluted, and electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels . Analysis of antigens from AA or DD cells revealed peaks of 42,000, 31,000, 25,000, and 11,000 dalton m.w . Platelet absorption of the anti-MHC sera yielded antibodies that only precipitated the intermediate m.w . molecules and lysed a subpopulation of swine peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting that these molecules were the miniature swine analogues of murine Ia antigens . Antibodies eluted from platelets lysed all lymphocyte populations and precipitated only the 42,000 and 11,000 dalton peaks, indicating that these molecules represent the analogue of murine H-2 histocompatibility antigens, containing a heavy chain and putative swine beta2-microglobulin. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1978 Feb, 56(1), 11 - 9 Cloxacillin distribution in the rabbit eye after intravenous injection; Salminen L; Distribution of isotopically labelled and intravenously injected cloxacillin was studied in rabbit eye . The antibiotic concentration determined by liquid scintillation counting proved to be a reliable measure of the total antibiotic concentration when controlled by microbiological assay . In the rabbit eye after an intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg of cloxacillin sodium, longlasting antibiotic concentration regarded as therapeutic against penicillinase producing staphylococci was obtained in all vascularized ocular structures and in the cornea . The antibiotic present in the iris and ciliary body, and in the retina and choroid preparations, proved to be partly intravascular, whereas it penetrated better into the extravascular tissue compartment of the sclera and limbal area . Cloxacillin failed to achieve a therapeutic antibiotic concentration in the vitreous body and in the lens . Administration of probenecid had an enhancing effect on ocular cloxacillin concentration allowing improved drug diffusion into the eye by means of an elevated plasma concentration . No specific ocular effect of probenecid was noticed . Therapeutic concentration of cloxacillin in the aqueous humour, otherwise barely achieved, was more satisfactorily obtained with a previous injection of probenecid. Lab Anim Sci, 1978 Feb, 28(1), 85 - 8 Bacterial endocarditis with obstruction of the right atrioventricular orifice and the pulmonary outflow trace in an African monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops); Wood LL et al.; A 7 to 8-year-old male African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) was found moribund in his cage . Fluid and antibiotic therapy were administered, but the monkey dies 2 hours later . At necropsy, large septic mural thrombi obstructed the right atrioventricular orifice and the pulmonary outflow tract, and smaller septic thrombi were attached to the leaflets of the pulmonary and mitral valves . Staphylococci were isolated from the large thrombus occluding the atrioventricular orifice . Large abscesses were present in the upper and lower lobes of the right lung, and small, wedge shaped infarcts were present in the lungs and kidneys . The clinical and pathologic findings were consistent with a rapidly progressive form of bacterial endocarditis . This was the only case of vegetative bacterial endocarditis seen at this instituion in 700 necropsies of nonhuman primates. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1978 Feb, 86(1), 33 - 5 An indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for determination of Rubella virus specific IgM antibodies . Elimination of secondary IgM rheumatoid factor staining after absorption of serum IgG with Staphylococcal protein A; Skaug K et al.; Absorption of sera with protein A rich staphylococci eliminated unwanted secondary IgM staining caused by rheumatoid factors in the indirect immunofluorescence test for rubella virus antibodies . The absorption did not lower the sensitivity for IgM rubella antibodies as compared with the haemagglutination inhibition test on the IgM serum fractions obtained by ultracentrifugation. Arch Virol, 1978, 57(3), 271 - 82 Assay of antibodies to caliciviruses by radioimmune precipitation using staphylococcal protein A as IgG adsorbent; Soergel ME et al.; A radioimmune assay method designated St-RIP using a staphylococcal IgG adsorbent, which potentially has broad applications to viral (and nonviral) antigen-antibody systems, was applied to detection of calicivirus antibodies . Purified 125I-labeled virions of San Miguel sea lion virus serotypes 4 (SMSV-4) and 5 (SMSV 5) were incubated with sera; the immune complexes were reacted with an immunoadsorbent, formaldehyde-fixed staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus protein A producer, strain Cowan I), and collected by centrifugation . Broad cross-reactivity was observed among serotypes of SMSV and vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV), but there was no reaction with antisera to six noncaliciviruses . Antibody production in a rabbit inoculated with SMSV-5 polypeptide was monitored by St-RIP assay; reactivity with intact SMSV-4 virion antigen was slightly less than, but closely paralleled, reactivity with SMSV-5 virion antigen . Applicability of the St-RIP test to serologic survey was demonstrated with pinniped, swine, and human (laboratory personnel) sera; numerous positive St-RIP reactions suggested the occurrence of widespread contacts with caliciviruses. J Immunol Methods, 1978, 22(1-2), 91 - 7 II . Ultrastructural differences in attachment patterns of indicator cells to target cells in the rosette-forming process; Mandache E et al.; A comparison was made of the electron microscopic appearances of rosettes formed between mouse spleen lymphocytes and indicator cells with the ligands exposed on their surfaces either in clusters or in continuity . Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) coated with protein A of Staphylococcus aureus or human IgG by the chromium chloride technique were used as indicator cells with cluster distribution of the ligand . RBC coated with rabbit IgG anti-sheep red blood cells or staphylococci were used as indicator cells with uniform distribution of the ligand . Results show that the appearance of the zones of contact (point attachment or broad zone attachment) between lymphocytes and indicator cells are mainly influenced by the distribution of the specific ligands on the surface of the indicator cells and do not reflect the pattern of distribution of receptors on lymphocytes. Vopr Med Khim, 1978 Jan-Feb, 24(1), 35 - 42 {Activity of myocardial, kidney and serum isoenzymes in experimental staphylococcal infection}; Kashkin KP et al.; Alteration in activity and spectrum of multiple forms of some enzymes were studied in rat blood serum, myocardium and kidney cells in dynamics of staphylococcal infection as well as after administration of exo- and intracellular protein of staphylococci into animals . In the infection intracellular distribution of enzymes was impared in animal tissues studied and "tissue" isoforms of enzymes were accumulated in blood . Staphylococcal exo- and intracellular substances were found to effect dissimilarly on spectrum and activity of isoenzymes from rat kydney, myocardium and blood serum. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1978 Jan, 60(1), 167 - 72 Enhancement of growth of allogeneic mouse tumor by the IgG1 fraction of alloantibody preparations; Harris TN et al.; Because staphylococcal protein A binds all the known subclasses of mouse IgG except IgG1, ethanol-fixed staphylococci were used as an adsorbent to prepare IgG1 fractions of anti-BALB/c alloantibody-containing globulins and normal globulins of the same strains . The loss of more than 99% of the IgG2 as a result of this adsorption was demonstrated by immunodiffusion . The IgG1 fractions of C3H and CBA anti-BALB/c globulins were tested for their effect on growth of the BALB/c plasmacytomas MOPC-315 and MOPC-460 in C3H and CBA mice by incubation with the tumor cells before transplantation and by injection periodically thereafter into the hosts . With alloantibody-containing globulins that showed slight enhancement of growth of these tumors, or none, the IgG1 preparations caused considerable enhancement of tumor growth . Control preparations of normal C3H or CBA globulins, or IgG1 fractions similarly prepared from the normal globulins, showed no enhancing effect on the growth of these tumors. Arch Virol, 1978, 56(1-2), 177 - 80 Further studies on the Cowan strain of Staphylococcus aureus as an aid for the diagnosis of influenza; Zalan E et al.; Standardization of procedures leading to the identification of influenza viruses with the aid of sensitized staphylococci and also comparative studies between coagglutination and HI during 1976/77 influenza season are described. Nord Vet Med, 1978 Jan, 30(1), 15 - 17 In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic milk; Bakken G et al.; The antibiotic susceptibility of 2297 strains of Staphylococci aureus isolated from mastitic milk has been tested . The percentage of strains of S . aureus "resistant" to penicillin was 16.5% . Approximately 97% of these strains were susceptible both to tetracyclines and sulfonamides . The frequency of "resistant" strains is in good agreement with the results from a comparable survey done ten years ago . In this investigation, however, the strains of S . aureus showed great variation in their sensitivity to penicillin according to their geographical origin . Thus, the percentage "resistant" strains within counties varied from a minimum of 9.26 to a maximum of 53.05. J Immunol Methods, 1978, 20, 241 - 53 Use of staphylococcal protein A as an immunological reagent; Goding JW; This brief review summarises the major uses of staphylococcal protein A in immunology . Protein A is covalently linked to the cell wall of most strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and binds immunoglobulin molecules with high affinity . The principal molecule bo-nd is IgG, although in many cases binding is restricted to ce