Streptococci

J Clin Microbiol, 1980 May, 11(5), 515 - 21
Antigenic relationships and rapid identification of Peptostreptococcus species; Wong M et al.; Antisera against whole cells of each Peptostreptococcus species (P . anaerobius, P . micros, P . parvulus, and P . productus) were produced in rabbits . When these antisera were reacted against sonically disrupted cells and culture supernatant fluids in Ouchterlony tests, lines of identity were obtained among the antigens from all the species and uninoculated culture medium . When the antisera were subsequently absorbed with the dehydrated culture medium used to grow the peptostreptococci, all cross-reactions in heterologous antigen-antibody combinations were eliminated, leaving only species-specific precipitin arcs . These absorbed antisera, specific for each Peptostreptococcus species by Ouchterlony tests, were used for rapid identification studies . Staphylococcus aureus-bearing protein A was sensitized with each absorbed antiserum . These reagents produced specific coagglutination reactions with suspensions of each Peptostreptococcus reference strain and with 16 clinical isolates . No cross-reactions occurred with the Streptococcus intermedius, Peptococcus magnus, or Peptococcus asaccharolyticus strains tested.

Infect Immun, 1980 May, 28(2), 441 - 50
Local and systemic antibody response to oral administration of glucosyltransferase antigen complex; Smith DJ et al.; The salivary and serum immune responses to orally administered glucosyltransferase antigen complex from Streptococcus mutants strain 6715 were investigated in hamsters . All enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the antibody quantity and isotype, and a {14C}glucosyl-labeled sucrose incorporation assay was used to measure functional inhibition of the enzyme . A total of 21 to 27 daily doses of antigen administered in hamster oral cavities elicited salivary immunoglobulin C and immunoglobulin A antibody responses and functional inhibitory activity . The salivary response increased throughout the immunization procedure, and the amount of salivary antibody was dependent upon the dose of antigen given . The salivary response to a second oral administration of antigen for 4 days showed some features of anamnesis . The response after a second antigen administration was detected sooner than the primary response, and somewhat higher levels of antibody and inhibitory activity were observed . Serum antibody (immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M) and functional inhibitory responses were also elicited by oral administration of the soluble enzyme antigen . These responses were lower than responses induced by local injections of antigen in complete Freund adjuvant . The ability to evoke a salivary immune response to the glucosyltransferase antigen complex may increase the potential of using this antigen in an effective caries vaccine.

Rev Infect Dis, 1980 May-Jun, 2(3), 505 - 17
Congenital disorders of the function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils; Mills EL et al.; This review has concentrated on clinical syndromes for which a congenital basis of polymorphonuclear neutrophil dysfunction has been identified . The first clinical syndrome found to be associated with dysfunctional polymorphs was chronic granulomatous disease of childhood . Identification of a cellular defect in oxidative metabolism and microbicidal activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from patients with CGD stimulated intense investigation of the function of phagocytes in several clinical entities characterized by increased susceptibility to infection . Other diseases with a probable congenital basis for polymorph dysfunction include Chediak-Higashi syndrome, myeloperoxidase deficiency, severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and Down's syndrome . Functional defects have also been identified in neutrophils with morphologic abnormalities, such as the Pelger-Huet anomaly and the May-Hegglin anomaly, and in neutrophils without alkaline phosphatase or with a disorder of the glutathione system . The evidence for a relation between these cellular disorders and susceptibility to infection is tentative . Patients with congenital disorders of polymorphonuclear neutrophil microbicidal function frequently suffer prolonged infections in spite of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and severe lesions recur with discouraging frequency . These lesions are usually soft tissue or bone abscesses, and the etiologic agents are typically staphylococci, gram-negative enteric species, or fungi . The infectious disease problems of patients with phagocytic cell disorders are usually quite distinct from the problems of patients without immunoglobulins or with complement deficiency . Patients with agammaglobulinemia, for example, suffer recurrent septicemia or meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumonia or H . influenzae . Septicemia, especially with the pyogenic bacterial species, is unusual in patients with polymorphoinuclear dysfunction . A major contribution of the currently intense investigation of cells from patients with congenital disorders of phagocyte function has been the greatly increased understanding of the molecular events necessary for the normal function of these cells . The role of the oxidative metabolic burst during phagocytosis has been clearly identified as essential to the microbicidal function of polymorphs and monocytes, and the glutathione system has been identified as essential to the regulation of these oxidative reactions . It is anticipated that these studies may lead to practical methods for "stimulating the phagocytes" in patients with increased susceptibility to infection.

J Immunol, 1980 May, 124(5), 2384 - 9
A comparative investigation of the generation of specific T cell-helper function induced by Streptococcus mutans in monkeys and mice; Lamb JR et al.; Antigen-specific helper cells were induced in vitro in monkeys and mice by using an antigen preparation from Streptococcus mutans . These helper cells were T cells on the basis of their sensitivity to anti-Thy . I and complement, and were not retained on nylon wool . Upon further in vitro culture the helper cells release mediators of help, "helper factor" in the supernatant . The release of helper factor as well as its augmentation of the immune response was antigen specific . Monkey and murine helper factors were similar in their induction, function, and specificity.

J Laryngol Otol, 1980 Apr, 94(4), 425 - 7
Permanent perceptive deafness due to Streptococcus suis type II infection; Shneerson JM et al.; We report a case of meningitis and perceptive deafness caused by Streptococcus suis type II (Group R beta-haemolytic streptococcus) . The illness is known to be an occupational hazard of pigmeat handlers and our patient worked in a pet food factory processing pig meat . His hearing loss was very severe and showed no improvement despite adequate antibiotic treatment . The organism that was isolated is the first to show penicillin resistance . The implications of this for antibiotic treatment are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1980 Apr, 28(1), 118 - 26
Association of protein with the cell wall of Streptococcus mutans; Nesbitt WE et al.; Cell walls from Streptococcus mutans were prepared by conventional technique and subjected to a series of extraction procedures involving classical protein solvents . The extracted walls contained several non-peptidoglycan amino acids and were also amenable to radiolabeling with {125I}sodium iodide and chloramine T . The cell walls could be chemically modified with tetranitromethane and diazo-1H-tetrazole, suggesting the presence of tyrosine or histidine or both . Flourescence spectra of the walls revealed the presence of either tyrosine or tryptophan . Several proteases, including pronase, trypsin, subtilisin, and proteinase K, removed some of the label from the walls . In contrast, treatment of the walls with salts or denaturants did not result in the solubilization of label . When the walls were solubilized with mutanolysin and subjected to chromatography, three peaks of radioactivity with apparent molecular weights of 73,000, 39,000, and 9,600 were observed . Wall digests subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a single band of radioactivity corresponding to an apparent molecular weight of 79,000 . Isoelectric focusing of labeled wall digest gave rise to two major bands of radioactivity with isoelectric points of approximately 2.4 and 5.6 . The results suggest that the cell wall of S . mutans contains tightly and possibley covalently bound polypeptide molecules . We propose that the cell wall polypeptides of S . mutans serve as factors in the attachment of the bacteria to smooth surfaces.

Mutat Res, 1980 Apr, 70(2), 157 - 65
Lack of SOS repair in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Gasc AM et al.; Wild-type strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were non-mutable by UV radiation and thymidine starvation . Moreover, UV-irradiated pneumococcal omega 2 phages were not reactivated in an irradiated host . This suggests that, in pneumoococcus, there is no efficient inducible repair process similar to the SOS repair described in detail for E . coli . We also report that mutations cannot be induced by a process thought to be linked to competence during transformation with isogenic wild-type DNA either on wild-type strains or in strains in which the hex function of excision and repair of mismatched bases is inactive.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1980 Apr, 98(4), 740 - 2
Cefaclor levels in human aqueous humor; Axelrod JL et al.; In an attempt to investigate penetration of cefaclor into human aqueous humor, we administered 500-mg and 1-g doses of cefaclor to 39 patients about to undergo cataract extraction . Average aqueous humor levels of 0.27, 0.27, and 0.17 microgram/mL were achieved at 1, 2, and 4 hours, respectively, after the 500-mg oral dose . After 1 g orally, we found average aqueous humor levels of 0.61, 0.64, 0.72, 0.4, and 0.31 microgram/mL at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hours, respectively . Therapeutic levels in primary aqueous humor were consistently achieved against Streptococcus pneumoniae and St pyogenes, group A.

Laryngoscope, 1980 Apr, 90(4), 661 - 6
Complications of frontal and ethmoid sinusitis; Morgan PR et al.; A small percentage of patients with acute frontal or ethmoid sinusitis develop orbital, cranial or CNS complications . At selected University of Tennessee affiliated hospitals, from 1974 to 1978, there were 14 such cases which required major surgical intervention in addition to intensive medical therapy . The most common complication in this series was subperiosteal orbital abscess . The most common bacterial isolates were streptococcus and staphylococcus . A discussion of complications associated with frontal and ethmoid sinusitis is included as well as recommendations for medical and surgical management.

Ann Intern Med, 1980 Apr, 92(4), 478 - 81
Characterization of the glomerular antibody in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis; Rodriguez-Iturbe B et al.; Glomerular-fixed antibody was eluted from the kidney of a 17-year-old patient who died 2 weeks after the onset of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis . Elevated titers of antibodies to streptococcal enzymes were found in the serum but not in the glomerular eluate . Streptococcal M protein and anti-M protein reactivity were not detected in the eluate . Immunoglobulin G was the only serum protein demonstrated in the eluate, and it was found to have anti-IgG activity highly concentrated with respect to the serum . These studies appear to indicate that anti-IgG is involved in the immune pathogenesis of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis . Native IgG may be rendered autoimmunogenic by the streptococcus with subsequent antibody production to the neoautoimmunogen . Alernatively, anti-IgG may be produced to the IgG incorporated in an exogenous streptococcal antigen-antibody complex.

Mol Gen Genet, 1980 Apr, 178(1), 191 - 201
Excision and repair of mismatched base pairs in transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Claverys JP et al.; The use of heteroduplex DNA molecules as donors in pneumococcal transformation makes it possible to follow the fate of each DNA strand . The integration efficiency of each strand depends strongly upon the single base changes it carries . The function (hex) which reduces drastically the transformation yield of markers referred to as low efficiency (LE) tends to remove either donor strand without respect ot which one is introduced . In the case of high efficiency (HE) markers the reduction in the transformation yield involves the elimination of only one donor strand . For a given locus it can be either one depending upon the mutation . The reduction in transformation yield can be less drastic for HE markers than for both strands of the LE markers . These data are discussed in terms of differences in the affinity for mismatched base pairs . We have studied the transfer of information from each donor DNA strand to the recipient genome, on the basis of differences in the rates of phenotypic expression of a given marker introduced on opposite strands . Results show that, as in the case of LE markers, the information from HE markers, when introduced on the strand recognized by the hex function, is transmitted to both strands of the recipient molecule . Correction of the recipient strand to homozygosis probably accounts for this information transfer . These results, together with earlier investigations, strongly suggest that the hex function is an excision-repair system acting on donor-recipient base pair mismatches.

Infect Immun, 1980 Apr, 28(1), 65 - 73
Conservation of cell wall peptidoglycan by strains of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis; Mychajlonka M et al.; Turnover of the cell wall peptidoglycan fraction of six different strains of Streptococcus mutans and eight different strains of Streptococcus sanguis was examined . Cells were grown in the presence of {3H}lysine and {14C}leucine for at least eight generations and then chased in growth medium lacking the two labels . At intervals during the chase, samples of cultures were removed, and the amounts of the two labeled precursors remaining in the peptidoglycan and protein fractions were quantitated . Similar experiments were done in which the pulse-labeling technique was used . In addition, cells were labeled in the presence of tetracycline or penicillin, chased with growth medium containing no inhibitor, and assayed at intervals during the chase for the amount of {3H}lysine present in peptidoglycan fractions . Studies of cultures of S . mutans strains FA-1, OMZ-61, OMZ-176, 6715, GS-5, and Ingbritt and of S . sanguis strains 10558, M-5, Wicky, DL-101, DL-1, 71X26, and 71X48 maintained in the exponential phase of growth in a chemically defined medium failed to show evidence of loss of insoluble peptidoglycan via turnover . Similarly, for the strains of S . mutans, insoluble peptidoglycan assembled during 2 h of benzylpenicillin or tetracycline treatment was also conserved during recovery from growth inhibition.

Infect Immun, 1980 Apr, 28(1), 195 - 203
Soluble group- and type-specific antigens from type III group B Streptococcus; Carey RB et al.; Two soluble polysaccharide antigens of a type III group B Streptoccus were isolated from the culture medium after growth of strain M732 in a chemically defined broth supplemented with acid-hydrolyzed casein . The type- and group- specific antigens were isolated from the culture supernatant by anion-exchange chromatography with diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel . Two carbohydrate-containing peaks, which had serological reactivity with group B or type III antiserum, respectively, were eluted with a linear NaCl gradient and further purified by gel filtration . The type III polysaccharide was found to contain glucose, galactose, glucosamine, and sialic acid, whereas the group B polysaccharide contained galactose, glucosamine, and rhamnose . For the type III polysaccharide, sialic acid was shown to be the major immunodeterminant, and for the group B polysaccharide, rhamnose was the immunodominant sugar . Both the type III and group B polysaccharides were obtained in high yields without employing harsh physical or chemical treatment and both were immunologically distinct . By immunoelectrophoresis or counterimmunoelectrophoresis, type III antigen failed to react with group-specific antiserum and the group B antigen failed to react with type III antiserum.

Carbohydr Res, 1980 Apr 1, 80(1), 163 - 77
Specific inhibition of glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus mutans; Inoue M et al.; Clinical dextran, partially oxidized with sodium periodate, acts as a potent inhibitor of the extracellular glucosyltransferases of several cariogenic strains of oral Streptococcus mutans . Preincubation with oxidized dextran resulted in a rapid loss of up to 80% of the ability of the enzyme preparation to synthesize polysaccharide from sucrose, but there was no loss of enzyme activity when the oxidized dextrans were reduced with sodium borohydride before preincubation with enzyme . The presence of unoxidized clinical dextran during the preincubation period afforded the enzymes protection against inhibition by partially-oxidized dextran, but clinical dextran did not readily restore activity when it was added after incubation of the enzyme with oxidized polysaccharide . Fructosyltransferase, and glycogen and starch phosphorylase, activities were not inhibited by oxidized dextran, and the bacterial glucosyltransferases were not inhibited by partially oxidized glycogen and amylose . It is proposed that the potent and specific inhibition of glucosyltransferase by oxidized dextran results from the interaction of dialdehyde groups with reactive functional groups close to the dextran-binding site of the enzyme.

Infect Immun, 1980 Apr, 28(1), 220 - 4
Regulation and function of ammonia-assimilating enzymes in Streptococcus mutans; St Martin EJ et al.; The ability of Streptococcus mutans to synthesize amino acids was examined . A total of 8 of 12 laboratory strains grew anaerobically on solid-defined medium that contained no amino acids . Several isolates, therefore, assimilated ammonia for the biosynthesis of amino acids . These strains included representatives of five serotypes . One strain, DR0001, was also grown in liquid-defined medium . The enzymes of two pathways by which ammonia can be fixed were detected in this strain DR0001 could use either a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-coupled glutamate dehydrogenase or the combined action of adenosine 5'-triphosphate-driven glutamine synthetase with a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-coupled glutamate synthase to assimilate ammonia for the biosynthesis of amino acids . Evidence that both pathways were functional was provided by an analysis of the influence of the nitrogen source on enzyme levels and by the isolation and characterization of glutamate dehydrogenase-negative mutants.

Med J Aust, 1980 Mar 22, 1(6), 266 - 8
Distribution of types of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in Sydney in 1973--1974 and in 1979; Smith DD et al.; At The Prince of Wales Hospital, 357 pneumococci isolated in the laboratory from September, 1973, to May, 1974, and 268 pneumococci isolated from June to November, 1979, were serotyped . The pneumococci were isolated from patients and carriers in the hospital and in general practice . The type distribution resembled that described by Hansman regarding 1247 pneumococci isolated from 1965 to 1969 . In each of the periods, the same seven predominant types--19, 23, 6, 3, 9, 11 and 15--were isolated in almost exactly the same order of frequency . Of the "epidemic" types--1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 12--only type 12 was not isolated in the present study . This information may be of value in the choice of components for an appropriate polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine for susceptible children and adults in Australia.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Mar, 17(3), 364 - 71
Multiple changes of penicillin-binding proteins in penicillin-resistant clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Hakenbeck R et al.; Penicillin-binding properties and characteristics of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) were investigated in several clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae differing in their susceptibilities to penicillin (minimal inhibitory concentration {MIC}, 0.03 to 0.5 microgram/ml) and compared with the penicillin-susceptible strain R36A (MIC, 0.07 microgram/ml) . Several changes accompanied the development of resistance: the relative affinity to penicillin of whole cells, isolated membranes, and two major PBPs after in vivo or in vitro labeling decreased (with increasing resistance) . Furthermore, one additional PBP (2') appeared in four of five relatively resistant strains with an MIC of 0.25 microgram/ml and higher . PBP 3 maintained the same high affinity toward penicillin in all strains under all labeling conditions.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1980 Mar, 11(1), 32 - 9
Chronic infection of cats with Brugia malayi and streptococcus; Ewert A et al.; An elephantoid condition was seen in the affected limbs of 5 of 6 cats at necropsy 12 to 18 months after initial infection with Brugia malayi . Repeated infection with Brugia and exposure to an opportunistic streptococcus appeared to enhance the production and persistence of edematous and fibrotic tissues surrounding the affected lymphatics.

Infect Immun, 1980 Mar, 27(3), 922 - 7
Effect of growth conditions on sucrose phosphotransferase activity of Streptococcus mutans; Slee AM et al.; Sucrose and glucose phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase (PTS) activities were studied in growing cultures of Streptococcus mutans serotype c and d/g cells adapted to either glucose or sucrose . Both acid production and optical absorbance were used to monitor growth in pH-controlled defined growth medium . The sucrose PTS activity appeared to be significant only under conditions of substrate limitation or slow growth as a result of low environmental pH . However, under environmental conditions which permitted rapid growth sucrose PTS activity appeared to be repressed, and only when the cells approached substrate-limited stationary phase after growth on high sucrose-supplemented medium was significant sucrose PTS activity again observed . A mutant apparently defective in sucrose PTS activity grew rapidly and produced acid under conditions of high environmental sucrose level but showed no sucrose PTS activity when the culture approached stationary phase . The mutant, however, after adaptation to glucose, demonstrated significant glucose PTS once the culture had attained the stationary growth phase . During diauxie growth in the presence of glucose and sucrose, there were sequential apparent inductions and repressions of glucose and sucrose PTS activities corresponding to decreases and increases of growth rate on the two substrates . Thus, S . mutans possesses at least two transport mechanisms for each substrate studied . One system (PTS) functions under conditions permitting slow growth and another functions under conditions permitting rapid growth.

J Bacteriol, 1980 Mar, 141(3), 1298 - 304
Inhibition of transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae by lysogeny; Moynet DJ et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae R6X was lysogenized with bacteriophage 304 isolated after mitomycin induction of an ungrouped alpha-hemolytic streptococcus . Lysogenized pneumococci lost their capacity to undergo genetic transformation: transformability was restored after cells were spontaneously cured of their prophage . Both lysogens and nonlysogens produced activator substance (competence factor), and both bound deoxyribonucleic acid in a deoxyribonuclease-resistant form . However, nonlysogens retained deoxyribonucleic acid after washing, whereas lysogens did not . The latter did not liberate phage nor (unlike nonlysogens) degrade transforming deoxyribonucleic acid and contained normal levels of endonuclease.

J Anim Sci, 1980 Mar, 50(3), 547 - 53
Control of wheat-induced lactic acidosis in sheep by thiopeptin and related antibiotics; Muir LA et al.; Thiopeptin, thiopeptin-like antibiotics and penicillin were shown previously to be highly active in vitro against Streptococcus bovis, the microorganism believed to be responsible for the initiation of ruminal lactic acidosis . The purpose of this work was to determine the efficacy of these antibiotics in preventing lactic acidosis in lambs challenged by intraruminal administration of ground wheat . Lambs, which were fasted and then given ground wheat at 40 g/kg body weight, showed dramatic increases in rumen and plasma lactate over the 30-hr experimental period . Rumen lactate increased from .2 to peak levels of approximately 150 mumoles/ml by 8 to 10 hr after wheat administration . Plasma lactate increased after rumen lactate was elevated and lambs succumbed when plasma levels exceeded 15 mumoles/ml . Ruminal volatile fatty acids were greatly reduced as rumen lactate increased . Over half of the lambs given ground wheat died within 30 hours . Thiopeptin given as a single dose completely prevented lactic acidosis by reducing rumen lactate 80 to 90% . In addition, thiopeptin permitted "normal" rumen fermentation to continue as indicated by a significant increase in volatile fatty acids . The minimum effective dose of thiopeptin to control acute lactic acidosis was .18 mg/kg body weight . Other members of the thiopeptin class, including sulfomycin, sporangiomycin, siomycin and taitomycin, prevented lactic acidosis in a manner similar to thiopeptin . Penicillin, however, inhibited ruminal volatile fatty acid production as well as lactate synthesis . In addition, the effective period for penicillin in the rumen was only 8 to 16 hr, after which lactate fermentation was reestablished . Thus, thiopeptin and thiopeptin-like antibiotics, but not penicillin, appear to provide prophylactic treatment against lactic acidosis in sheep.

Obstet Gynecol, 1980 Mar, 55(3 Suppl), 97S - 98S
Bartholinitis--an unusual etiologic agent; Morton BD 3rd et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae type 4 was isolated in pure culture from a Bartholin's gland abscess in a 26-year-old woman, gravida 3 . To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report describing this agent as a cause of bartholinitis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 11(3), 263 - 5
Comparison of slide coagglutination test and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis for detection of group B streptococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid from infants with meningitis; Webb BJ et al.; The usefulness of Phadebact streptococcus reagents for the detection of group B streptococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid was evaluated in 54 infants with meningitis and in 22 normal infants . Antigens was detected by slide coagglutination in 19 (82.6%) and by countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis in 20 (87.0%) of 23 cerebrospinal fluid specimens from infants with group B streptococcal meningitis at admission . After initiation of antimicrobial therapy, antigen could be detected in 11 of 19 (by slide coagglutination) and 7 of 18 (by countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis) cerebrospinal fluids . False-positive reactions were noted by slide coagglutination in one infant with S . bovis meningitis and one with group B streptococcal bacteremia without meningitis; none occurred with countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis . The commercial availiability, simplicity, sensitivity (82.6%), and specificity (96.4%) of the Phadebact slide coaggluatination test for detecting group B streptococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid suggest that it may be useful for the early and rapid diagnosis of group B streptococcal meningitis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 11(3), 205 - 8
Comparison of selective broth and plating methods for isolation of Streptococcus mutans from root surface dental plaques; Ellen RP et al.; Approximately 150 sound root surfaces in 44 subjects prone to root surface caries were sampled longitudinally to determine the microbial flora associated with root caries initiation . During the first 16 months of the study, a comparison of Streptococcus mutans recovery was made by using three bacteriological media: mitis-salivarius agar (MSA), mitis-salivarius-bacitracin-sucrose agar (MSB), and a partially selective mannitol-containing broth . Total streptococcal and S . mutans populations were found to be much lower than in previous reports . MSB was more selective; S . mutans was detected in many samples when its numbers were too low for isolation on MSA . However, recovery of S . mutans was greater on MSA than on MSB for most samples yielding colonies on both media . Mannitol-containing broth used as an enrichment medium yielded the highest frequency of S . mutans isolation among the three media.

J Infect Dis, 1980 Mar, 141(3), 370 - 81
Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence for evaluation of type III group B streptococcal opsonins in human sera; Anderson DC et al.; A luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) assay was developed to evaluate type III group B streptococcal opsonins . Sera from 11 adults that contained high (greater than 25 microgram/ml), intermediate (3-24 microgram/ml), or low (less than 2 microgram/ml) antibody concentrations were assessed by CL, indirect immunofluorescence (IF), and bactericidal assays . Total CL activity correlated with antibody concentration (P less than 0.005), IgG- and C3-IF values, and phagocytic and bactericidal indices . Heat-stable CL activity correlated with antibody concentration (P less than 0.0001) and was related to IgG-IF values and phagocytic indices . Significant bactericidal activity was demonstrated in all sera containing greater than 2 microgram of antibody/ml, but no bactericidal activity was observed in heat-inactivated sera . Adsorption of heated sera with type III group B Streptococcus abolished CL activity, whereas CL values of MgEGTA-chelated sera were approximately 80% of untreated sera . Thus, type-specific antibody in addition to heat-labile serum factors, including those of the alternative complement pathway, contribute to opsonization of type III group B Streptococcus.

Obstet Gynecol, 1980 Mar, 55(3), 315 - 8
Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus: randomized controlled treatment study at term; Merenstein GB et al.; A randomized controlled investigation was undertaken to evaluate the role of maternal oral antibiotic therapy in decreasing the incidence of maternal and neonatal colonization at term with group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GB-BHS) . Data were collected to determine the optimum transfer media and the colonization rate in the study population . At delivery 1441 maternal-infant pairs were evaluated . One hundred sixty-eight women (11.6%) and 55 infants (3.8%) were colonized . Forty-four women colonized with GB-BHS at 38 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to a treatment (500 mg potassium penicillin or erythromycin ethylsuccinate q.i.d.) or a control group to determine the value of antepartum oral antibiotic therapy in preventing infant colonization . There was a significant reduction in maternal (P = 0.008) and infant (P = 0.004) colonization rates in the treatment group . There were no observed complications of antibiotic therapy in mothers or infants . This study suggests that routine cultures for GB-BHS should be done at 38 weeks' gestation . Mothers colonized at this time may be considered candidates for prophylactic antibiotic treatment.

Invest Urol, 1980 Mar, 17(5), 386 - 9
Adjuvant immunotherapy with a S . pyogenes preparation (OK432) in urogenital cancer patients; Nakagami Y et al.; We evaluated the immunostimulative activity of a Streptococcus pyogenes preparation (OK432) in 50 patients with urogenital carcinoma . Differential lymphocyte blastogenic response to mitogens and quantitation of the lymphocyte subpopulation bearing Fc receptor sites were the two immunoparameters used in this study to assess the status of the cancer-bearing host . Using these immunoparameters, we observed a pattern whereby a substantial deviation from unity in the mitogen reactive ratio and an increase in the number of IgGFcR+T cells were correlated with malignant progression; administration of the immunopotentiator OK432 had a marked effect on immunoparameters reflected by our assays, with a trend toward return to normal values with progression of immunotherapy.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Mar, 17(3), 434 - 42
Penicillin-binding proteins of multiply antibiotic-resistant South African strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Zighelboim S et al.; Multiply drug-resistant South African pneumococci (with penicillin minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 12.5 microgram/ml) showed several types of major alterations in their penicillin-binding protein (PBP) pattern compared with that of a penicillin-susceptible laboratory strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae (R6; penicillin minimal inhibitory concentration = 0.006 microgram/ml) . Genetic transformants were obtained by using South African pneumococcus (strain 8249) deoxyribonucleic acid as donor and the competent cells of strain R6 as recipient; seven classes of transformants with progressively higher penicillin resistance were isolated, and their PBPs were tested . The PBP patterns exhibited a gradual shift from a pattern similar to that of the recipient to a pattern resembling that of the donor strain as the level of penicillin resistance increased.

Metabolism, 1980 Mar, 29(3), 201 - 12
Glucose and alanine metabolism during bacterial infections in rats and rhesus monkeys; Wannemacher RW Jr et al.; To investigate the effects of bacterial infection on glucose and alanine metabolism, a variety of studies were carried out in rat and monkey models . These included glucose turnover by a pulse-dose technique in infected rats; alanine and glucose production and utilization in control and septic monkeys; in vivo measurement of gluconeogenesis in rats, with and without an alanine load; the in vitro rate of glucose formation from various substrates by isolated liver perfusion and hepatic cells; and in vivo rates of oxidation of glucose labeled with 14C at the 1 or 6 carbon position . In rats, glucose turnover was markedly accelerated 24 hr after inoculation of either 10(4) or 10(7) Streptococcus pneumoniae . Glucose utilization and production were also accelerated during illness and early recovery from a pneumococcal infection in monkeys . The rates of gluconeogenesis as measured by either a pulse technique in rats or continuous infusion of labeled alanine in monkey were significantly elevated during pneumococcal septicemia . During the agonal stages (10(7) of the pneumococcal infection in rat, an alanine load resulted in a decreased rate of labeled glucose production and an increase in plasma glucose when compared to values of fasted control rats . However, early illness caused similar or increased rates of glucose production from alanine in vivo . Similar reduced rates of glucose formation were observed when the isolated livers or hepatocytes from rats during the agonal stages of infection were perfused with excess quantities of gluconeogenic substrates . Thus, in the rat, gluconeogenic capacity (ability to form glucose from excess substrates) appears to decrease only during the agonal stages of pneumococcal infection . During acute pneumococcal sepsis in the rhesus monkey, alanine production and utilization were significantly elevated and it was estimated that over 90% of the newly produced alanine was utilized for glucose synthesis . When arterial--venous differences were measured across the hindquarters, significantly more alanine was released, presumably from skeletal muscle of the septic monkey, compared to the recovery period or in the control groups . Thus, the increase in glucose synthesis in both rat and monkey appears to be correlated with substrate availability and kinetic rate, rather than gluconeogenic capacity of the liver . The major increase in glucose utilization during both S . pneumoniae and Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) infections in rat was a progressive elevation in the rate of oxidation via the pentose phosphate shunt in the rat . Further, the rate of oxidation appeared to be correlated with the magnitude of the bacteremia, which is an indication of the severity of the infection...

J Dairy Sci, 1980 Mar, 63(3), 464 - 70
Chemical changes in bovine colostrum preserved with formalin or by fermentation; Bush RS et al.; Fresh bovine colstrum from second and third milkings postpartum was inoculated with either a yogurt culture or Streptococcus lactis or preserved with .1% formalin in two separate experiments . There was a rapid decrease in pH of the fermented samples which corresponded to decreased lactose concentrations and increased lactate and titratable acidity . Titratable acidity in the fermented colostrums increased further after 10 days from the production of volatile fatty acids, but pH did not decrease . The pH of the yogurt fermentations in Experiment 2 decreased to 3.8, and the continued increase in titratable acidity was from lactic acid rather than volatile fatty acids . The lowest pH of all other fermentations was 4.1 . The extent of metabolism of the formalin-preserved colostrum was much less than for the colostrum fermented by either culture.

Biokhimiia, 1980 Feb, 45(2), 329 - 36
{Isolation and characterization of endo-N-acetylmuramidase produced by Actinomyces levoris}; Savel'ev EP et al.; Precipitation by ammonium sulfate and a subsequent purification of the culture fluid of Actinomyces levoris by gel-filtration through Sephadex G-25, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose resulted in an enzyme which activley lyzes the cell walls of a hemolytic streptococcus of group A . The molecular weight (12,500), isoelectric point (pI 10,6) and amino acid composition of the enzyme were determined . The enzyme specificity was assayed using peptidoglycane isolated rom the cell walls of streptococcus of group A used as a substrate . An analysis of the hydrolysis products of peptidoglycane showed that the enzyme under study is an endo-beta-N-acetylmuramidase (EC 3.2.1.17).

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Feb, 17(2), 254 - 7
Treatment of cellulitis with ceforanide; Musher DM et al.; Thirty-five patients with cellulitis were treated with ceforanide, 1 g every 12 h, intramuscularly . A good clinical response was observed in 33 cases . Drug failure in the remaining two patients was thought to be due to the lack of surgical debridement . Drug concentrations well in excess of inhibitory levels for Streptococcus pyogenes were generally present throughout the treatment period; although this was not true of ceforanide concentrations relative to inhibitory levels for Staphylococcus aureus, the clinical response in patients with staphylococcal infection still appeared to be entirely satisfactory . Killing of S . pyogenes by 5, 50, and 500X the minimum inhibitory concentration of ceforanide proceeded at the same rate in vitro as did killing by 5, 50, and 500X the minimum inhibitory concentration of penicillin.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1980 Feb, 50(1), 7 - 12
Comparative experiments with hemolytic streptococcus and its anticancer preparations (OK-431 and OK-432) for their cytolytic activity; Higuchi Y et al.; The comparative in vitro cytolytic effects of living hemolytic streptococcus, a low virulent su-strain, and its streptococcal preparations (OK-431 and OK-432) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells were investigated . It was shown that living cocci and OK-431 released 51Cr from 51Cr-labeled tumor cells by contact in vitro, but OK-432 did not release 51Cr at all . Moreover, the effects of living cocci, OK-431 and OK-432 were also examined by assay of the release of RNA and DNA from the tumor cells . It was confirmed that living cocci released RNA and DNA, but OK-431 released slightly RNA, not DNA from the tumor cells, whereas OK-432 did not cause these release at all . Consequently, it appeared that living cocci of Su-strain have more cytolytic activity than OK-431, and that OK-432 have no cytolytic activity in tumor cells.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 697 - 9
Virulence of Streptococcus mutans: immunochemical characterization of a serotype g-defective mutant (C307); Hirasawa M et al.; A mutant of Streptococcus mutans 6715 wild type designated C307 has been shown to possess a small amount of either Lancefield- or Rantz-Randall-extractable serotype antigen . Quantitative analysis employing combined immunoabsorption and radial immunodiffusion of anti-S . mutans serotype-specific serum demonstrated that C307 exhibited less than 1% of the amount of serotype g antigen normally expressed in S . mutans 6715 wild type.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 556 - 62
Excretion of extracellular lipids by Streptococcus mutans BHT and FA-1; Cabacungan E et al.; Streptococcus mutans BHT and FA-1, when grown to log phase on chemically defined medium containing {14C}glycerol, excreted 15% of the total biosynthesized 14C-lipid into the medium . When grown to early stationary phase, 28 to 33% of the 14C-lipid was found in the medium . The radioactive lipids of these varieties of S . mutans were identified as diacylglycerol, diglucosyl diacylglycerol (DGD), monoglucosyl diacylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and smaller amounts of two other lipids tentatively were identified as amino acyl-PG and glycerol phosphoryl-DGD . All lipids were found as extracellular and intracellular components from cells grown to either log or stationary phase . However, there were some shifts in the relative percentage of these lipids as the cells changed from log to stationary phase . For example, the intracellular lipid content of log-phase S . mutans BHT was composed of 49% PG and 19% DGD, but these percents shifted to 18% PG and 57% DGD when the cells were grown to stationary phase . However, the extracellular lipids of this organism contained 50 to 60% PG and 20% DGD in both log and stationary phases.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 411 - 7
Immunoglobulin G and M antibodies to pneumococcal polysaccharides detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Barrett DJ et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed to detect serum immunoglobulin G and M antibodies against pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens . Parameters affecting the specificity and sensitivity of the assay are described . A vigorous antibody response involving both the immunoglobulin G and M classes was demonstrated after pneumococcal polysaccharide immunization in normal adults . Studies with this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique will allow further understanding of the biology of the primary and secondary immune response to Streptococcus pneumoniae in normals as well as in those persons most susceptible to infection with that organism.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 391 - 6
Biphasic protection against bacterial infection in mice induced by vaccination of Propionibacterium acnes; Kobayashi F et al.; A single intraperitoneal injection of the phenol-treated cells of Propionibacterium acnes into mice showed nonspecific resistance against subsequent lethal doses of an intraperitoneal challenge of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes . The protection showed a biphasic pattern . The maximum protection, designated as the early phase protection, was seen in mice injected with P . acnes vaccine 1 to 2 days before the challenge, whereas the late phase protection was seen in mice vaccinated 16 to 22 days before the challenge . The activity of the reticuloendothelial system in mice after vaccination also showed a biphasic pattern with the peak on days 4 and 12 . The delayed activation of the reticuloendothelial system lasted up to 3 weeks and coincided with the period of the late phase protection . The early phase resistance was markedly impaired by the treatment with hydrocortisone and carrageenan, but not by the treatment with anti-thymocyte serum, actinomycin D, or cyclophosphamide . The number of peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vaccinated mice increased on days 1 to 2 . The number of macrophages also increased at 2 to 21 days after vaccination and reached its maximum on day 14 . Total activities of acid phosphatase, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium reduction, and the phagocytic activities of peritoneal exudate cells were also enhanced on and after day 1 after the injection of P . acnes vaccine.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1980 Feb, 88(1), 61 - 3
Growth inhibition of Streptococcus mutans strain OMZ 176 by xylitol; Assev S et al.; The present study showed that xylitol exhibited a dose-related inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus mutans in a Brain Heart Infusion medium . It is suggested that the mechanism involved may be an effect of the translocation of glucose across the bacterial cell membrane . Sorbitol showed no similar effect but caused a delay in the reaching of the stationary phase.

J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 11(2), 198 - 9
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides; Russell H et al.; The development of an assay to measure the human immune response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides is described.

J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 11(2), 135 - 40
Detection of Pneumococcal Capsular polysaccharide antigens by latex agglutination, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and radioimmunoassay in middle ear exudates in acute otitis media; Leinonen MK; The presence of pneumococcal antigen in middle ear exudates during acute otitis media was studied by latex agglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis . The positive antigen findings were confirmed by radioimmunoassay . Latex agglutination gave a positive result in 63% and counterimmunoelectrophoresis in 76% of samples that grew Streptococcus pneumoniae . The methods were complementary; the antigen was detected by one or both of the methods in 88% of these samples . Pneumococcal antigen was further detected in 15% of samples that grew other otitis pathogens and in 33% of samples in which no pathogenic bacteria were recovered by culture . The distribution of pneumococcal serotypes found by immunochemical methods only corresponded to that found by culture.

J Dairy Res, 1980 Feb, 47(1), 27 - 31
Post-milking iodine teat skin disinfectants . 2 . New intramammary infection rates; Sheldrake RF et al.; Use of an iodine teat dip containing 5000 mg available iodine/l (mg avI/l) resulted in a significant reduction in the number of new Staphylococcus aureus infections in a lactating herd, while no significant reduction was found with a disinfectant containing only 1000 mg avI/l . When Streptococcus dysgalactiae was used as the challenge organism, the rate of new infection was extremely low, and no reduction in levels of new infection were found with either disinfectant . The pathogenicity of the Str . dysgalactiae strain was high, as 60% of the quarters becoming infected produced clinical symptoms.

J Dairy Res, 1980 Feb, 47(1), 19 - 26
Post-milking iodine teat skin disinfectants . I . Bactericidal efficacy; Sheldrake RF et al.; An iodine teat skin disinfectant tested in lactating cows over a range of concentrations, 100 to 10 000 mg available iodine/l(mgavI/l) was found bactericidally effective against Staphylococcus aureus when containing 1000 mg avI/l or greater . Against Streptococcus dysgalactiae 5000 mg avI/l or greater was bactericidally effective . The addition of glycerine to a disinfectant containing 5000 or 1000 mg avI/l at levels of 225 ml/l and 105 ml/l, respectively, resulted in a reduction in bactericidal efficacy of the disinfectant . Emulsified paraffin added at concentrations of between 50 and 500 ml/l had no effect on the efficacy of the 5000 mg avI/l disinfectant, but the addition of 200 ml/l emulsified paraffin to a 1000 mg avI/l disinfectant significantly reduced its efficiency . Iodine disinfectants containing emulsified paraffin phase separated rapidly during storage, and the bactericidal efficacy of the phases differed significantly and diminished with time.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Feb, 17(2), 151 - 6
Mutational loss of sensitivity to mutacin GS-5 in Streptococcus pyogenes: characterization of a mutant deficient in receptor protein; Franker CK; By means of a stepwise selection procedure, mutants capable of growing in the presence of relatively high multiplicities of a bacteriocin from Streptococcus mutans GS-5 were obtained from a sensitivie strain of Streptococcus pyogenes . Mutacin-neutralizing activity of cell extracts containing receptor protein was examined in one variant that adsorbed 1/6 the amount of bacteriocin adsorbed by the parent strain under conditions equivalent to "saturation." Partially purified receptor protein from both parent and mutant cells neutralized an equivalent amount of bacteriocin on a weight-to-weight basis, indicating that in vitro there was no significant difference in affinity for the mutacin between the respective receptor fractions . Cell extracts from the mutant, solubilized by treatment with trichloroacetic acid, neither neutralized mutacin activity nor interfered with receptor protein-mediated mutacin neutralization in vitro . The mutant phenotype may thus represent a cell surface density of receptor protein which results in the adsorption of sublethal amounts of mutacin . The mutant retained its sensitivity to other mutacins, e.g., those produced by strains LM-7 and BHT of S . mutans, and did not differ from wild-type cells with respect to either detergent sensitivity (sodium lauryl sulfate and Triton X-100) or to inhibition by penicillin, rifampin, bacitracin, erythromycin, and tetracycline.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 576 - 88
Evidence for an immunological relationship between Streptococcus mutans and human cardiac tissue; Hughes M et al.; Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, indirect immunofluorescence, and radioimmunoassay were used to demonstrate that antisera from rabbits immunized with some strains of Streptococcus mutans contain antibodies that cross-react with human cardiac tissue . These rabbits were sensitized to a shocking dose of human heart antigen, and anaphylactic deaths were sometimes produced . Myocarditis was also a result of the immunization procedure . Data obtained with all five techniques were comparable . Cross-reactivity could be associated with three antigens designated ID, IF, and HL . Antigens ID and IF were major immunogens of S . mutans Ingbritt, but HL antibodies were produced only after hyperimmunization . Corss-reactivity was of an immunological nature and not the result of nonspecific factors such as bacterial Fc reactive components or antibody elicited to growth medium constituents . These findings support the hypothesis that immunization with S . mutans can induce autoimmune reactions and indicate that antigens must be selected with caution before formulating any dental caries vaccine.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 563 - 8
Immunoglobulin E antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus cell walls in the sera of patients with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E and recurrent staphylococcal infection; Schopfer K et al.; The specificity of antistaphylococcal antibodies of the IgE class in five patients with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E and recurrent staphylococcal infection has been investigated . Purified cell walls were prepared from various staphylococcal strains, and serum immunoglobulin E binding was measured by using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay . Immunoglobulin E binding occurred only with cell walls from Staphylococcus aureus strains, including walls from a teichoic acid-deficient mutant . Immunoglobulin E did not bind to cell wall preparations from the coagulase-negative species S . capitis, S . sciuri subsp . lentus, S . simulans, S . xylosus, staphylococcal strains RB-11 and Armour, and from a group A streptococcus strain CS44 . Since the glycan backbone and the tetrapeptide (pentapeptide) subunit of the peptidoglycan of all staphylococcal strains tested are believed to be identical, it is suggested that IgE binding is related to either the peptidoglycan interpeptide bridge or an unknown antigenic structure within the cell wall of S . aureus . The pathophysiological significance of antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin E antibodies in the disorder studied is at present unknown . The formation of immunoglobulin E antibodies to S . aureus cell wall components may be a manifestation of an aberrant immunological response to S . aureus related to the undue susceptibility to staphylococcal infections in these patients.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1980 Feb, 73(2), 177 - 82
Penicillin susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in 1978 . Screening for resistance by disk testing; Maki DG et al.; Recently, strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae with greatly increased resistance to penicillin (minimal inhibitory concentrations or MICs, 1--8 microgram/ml) were recovered in cultures of blood from patients in South Africa and from one in Minnesota who had serious pneumococcal infections . The authors undertook a study to determine whether these resistant strains have become prevalent in their locale . Between January and July 1978, the laboratories of hospitals serving the greater Madison, Wisconsin, area (population 200,000) contributed 243 pneumococcal isolates for susceptibility testing by an agar dilution technic . Strains with greatly increased resistance (MICs greater than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml) were not found; only six strains (2.4%) had relative resistance to penicillin (MICs .125--.50 microgram/ml), a range of susceptibility that has been associated with inconsistent clinical responses to treatment with penicillin . Overall, the susceptibility patterns of these 243 isolates are similar to those reported from other centers in North America over the past 30 years . Routine susceptibility testing of pneumococci by hospital laboratories in our area does not appear to be necessary now, but laboratories are advised to screen blood and spinal fluid isolates by a disk-diffusion method . Studies of these 243 isolates and seven South African multiply-resistant strains using a modified Kirby-Bauer technic, showed that a zone of inhibition less than 35 mm around a 10-unit penicillin disk, or better, less than 17 mm around a 1-microgram oxacillin disk, correlates strongly (P less than .001) with resistance to penicillin (MIC greater than or equal to .1 microgram/ml).

Cancer, 1980 Feb, 45(3), 476 - 83
Clinical studies on cell-mediated immunity in patients with malignant disease . I . Effect of immunotherapy with OK-432 on lymphocyte subpopulation and phytomitogen responsiveness in vitro; Uchida A et al.; Immunotherapy with daily intradermal injections of OK-432, penicillin- and heat-treated lyophilized powder of Su-strain of streptococcus pyogens A3, for over a period of four weeks resulted in quantitative and qualitative effectiveness on impaired cell-mediated immunity even in many patients with far advanced cancer of the stomach or lung . In vitro lymphocyte studies following immunotherapy with OK-432 demonstrated restoration of circulating lymphocyte counts to more than 1,500/microliters, a level associated with normalized subpopulation constitution and increases of phytomitogen blastogenesis . Furthermore, a delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to PPD was boosted or converted into a positive reaction in some cases . There was, however, no detectable, definite effect on humoral immunity after the therapy . Survival rates at three and six months after the initiation of immunochemotherapy using OK-432 and another chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil, in 40 patients with cancer were significantly longer than those of matched control patients given chemotherapy alone.

J Exp Med, 1980 Feb 1, 151(2), 289 - 300
Thymic requirement for cyclical idiotypic and reciprocal anti-idiotypic immune responses to a T-independent antigen; Kelsoe G et al.; The role of the thymus in the cyclical appearance of the dominant idiotype of the myeloma protein secreted by the TEPC-15 plasmacytoma (T-15)-bearing plaque-forming cells (PFC) and anti-idiotypic cells (i.e., cells with receptors for T-15) in the spleen during a primary response to the phosphorylcholine determinant of Streptococcus pneumoniae, strain R36a (Pn) was studied using normal mice, thymus-deficient nude mice, and thymus gland-grafted nude mice (TG-nude) . The nude mice and their phenotypically normal littermates (LM) were backcrossed on the BALB/c genetic background . The kinetics of the anti-Pn PFC response of BALB/c inbred mice, littermates of nude mice, and TG-nude mice were essentially the same . There was an initial peak on day 5-6 followed by a decline to near background, and then a second peak on day 12 . In nude mice, the first peak of anti-Pn PFC (day 5) was comparable in magnitude to that of mice with an intact thymus; however, there was no second peak . In contrast to the cellular response measured at the level of PFC, the serum antibody response to Pn (assayed by passive hemagglutination of sheep erythrocytes coated with Pn polysaccharide) was comparable in all groups of mice and did not show a measurable oscillation . The anti-idiotypic cellular activity was determined by the ability of spleen cells to bind radiolabeled (125I) TEPC-15 myeloma protein (IgA, kappa) which carries an idiotypic determinant indistinguishable from that of most anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies in BALB/c mice . Binding of radiolabeled McPC-603 (IgA, kappa) and MOPC-315 (IgA, lambda 2) myeloma proteins (which lack the T-15 idiotypic determinant) served as controls . The changes in T-15 binding by splenic lymphocytes following the Pn immunization differed between normal and athymic mice . BALB/c, LM, and TG-nude mice showed a biphasic pattern with peaks at days 3--4 and 10--11 that was nearly reciprocal to the PFC curve . On the other hand, T-15 binding in nude mice either declined and remained depressed or was not affected by the ongoing anti-Pn response . These observations demonstrate that mature T cells are required for cyclical idiotypic and anti-idiotypic responses to immunization with a T-independent antigen and suggest that the cyclical immune response may result from an interaction between idiotypic and anti-idiotypic cell clones.

Scand J Dent Res, 1980 Feb, 88(1), 76 - 8
Streptococcus mutans in plaque after mouth-rinsing with buffers of varying pH value; Svanberg M; After a period of mouthrinsing with a phosphoric buffer solution with low pH the proportional distribution of Streptococcus mutans in plaque from occlusal retention sites was significantly higher than after a control period . This indicates that colonization with S . mutans may be favored or that other microorganisms competing with S . mutans are inhibited under these circumstances.

Scand J Dent Res, 1980 Feb, 88(1), 28 - 33
Effects of chlorhexidine and iodine on in vitro plaques of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis; Maltz-Turkienicz M et al.; Both chlorhexidine and iodine showed greater antimicrobial effect on in vitro grown S . mutans plaque than on plaque composed of S . sanguis . One treatment with iodine for 8 min inhibited the acid production of S . Mutans plaque whereas S . sanguis plaque required 20 min to be similarly affected . In contrast one treatment with chlorhexidine for up to 20 min did not completely inhibit the acid production of plaque of either microorganism . Repeated short term exposures increased the bactericidal effect of chlorhexidine but not that of iodine . The difference in antimicrobial effect between chlorhexidine and that of iodine on S . mutans and S . sanguis should be investigated in persons heavily infected by S . mutans.

J Dent Res, 1980 Feb, 59(2), 159 - 67
Effect of sodium fluoride on the viability and growth of Streptococcus mutans; Brown LR et al.; A fluoride-sensitive (FS) strain of Streptococcus mutans and a laboratory-induced fluoride-resistant (FR) offspring were compared for the effects of sodium fluoride on viability and growth . There was a significant fluoride-related loss of viability in resting cell suspensions of the FS strain during a 47-hour exposure to fluoride levels above 75 ppm that was not encountered with the FR strain . The addition of 300 ppmF to actively growing six-hour broth cultures almost totally arrested the growth of the FS strain, while only slightly reducing that of the FR culture . The addition of 600 ppmF immediately terminated FS growth, and greatly reduced the rate and maximum growth of FR cultures.

J Dent Res, 1980 Feb, 59(2), 151 - 8
Fluoride resistance and adherence of selected strains of Streptococcus mutans to smooth surfaces after exposure to fluoride; Streckfuss JL et al.; The fluoride resistance and smooth surface adherence characteristics of Streptococcus mutans were examined using tooth model and radioactive cell assays . Resistance to 600 ppmF by S . mutans isolated from the plaque of radiation-induced xerostomia patients receiving daily topical applications of a caries preventive 1% NaF gel was transient . Resistance induced in vitro in two strains of S . mutans by exposure to gradually increasing levels of NaF was apparently permanent . Smooth surface adherence by both fluoride-sensitive and -resistant strains of S . mutans 6715 in a tooth model system was slightly diminished by 1% NaF gel . Fluoride-resistant strains retained 89 to 93% of their adherence capability in 600 ppmF, as determined by the cell radiolabeling assay.

J Dairy Res, 1980 Feb, 47(1), 131 - 9
Resistance of 17 mesophilic lactic Streptococcus bacteriophages to pasteurization and spray-drying; Chopin MC; For 17 phages active against Streptococcus cremoris, Str . lactis and Str . lactis subsp . diacetylactis, the killing efficiency of pasteurization (log No/N) at 72 degrees C for 15 s in skim-milk showed large variations from greater than 6 to 0; the efficienty of killing during spray-drying ranged from 3.7 to 0.2 and phages survived well storage of milk powder at room temperature . Destruction in a heat exchanger was found to be greater than that calculated from biphasic curves obtained by heating phages in sealed ampoules . No relationship was established between lytic classification of phages and their heat resistance.

Am J Cardiol, 1980 Feb, 45(2), 383 - 5
Mitral valve prolapse: jet stream causing mural endocarditis; Ringer M et al.; A 53 year old man died of cerebral hemorrhage while being treated for Streptococcus mutans endocarditis . At autopsy the only endocarditic lesion was on the left atrial mural endocardium . The noninfected mitral valve demonstrated prolapse and mucinous degeneration . The latter had led to rupture of several chordae tendineae, with the resultant jet stream predisposing to endocarditis at its point of atrial impact . The case provides confirmation of current concepts of the pathogenesis of endocarditis and has important therapeutic implications.

J Hyg (Lond), 1980 Feb, 84(1), 71 - 5
An outbreak of streptococcal infection in a chicken factory; Barnham M et al.; A large outbreak of streptococcal skin infection occurred late in the summer of 1978 in a factory which undertakes the slaughter, preparation and packing of chickens . In all, 103 episodes of infection occurred in 82 workers from a total factory establishment of 347 . The highest incidence of infection was in the packing department where there was an attack rate of 44% . The routes of introduction of infection into and spread within the factory remain mostly unknown . Following the identification of cases and carriers and the institution of appropriate treatment and control measures the outbreak quickly declined . The responsible organism in the outbreak was Streptococcus pyogenes T-type 3/13/B3264, provisional M-type 'R78/55' . This is the first poultry factory outbreak in England to be reported.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 424 - 30
Immunogenicity of ribosomes from enzymatically lysed Streptococcus pyogenes; Green BA et al.; Ribosomal fractions isolated from Streptococcus pyogenes by physical and enzymatic disruption of the cell wall were found to provide protection in mice against challenge with the homologous M type . Although ribosomal fractions isolated by physical disruption of the cells also provided protection against challenge with several heterologous M types, ribosomal fractions from enzymatically lysed cells did not provide protection against any of the heterologous M types . Ribosomes isolated by either method were found to be contaminated with cell surface proteins . Chemical analysis of the ribosomes showed a greater protein:ribonucleic acid ratio in ribosomes from physically disrupted cells than in ribosomes from enzymatically disrupted cells (2:1 versus 1:1) . Antisera to ribosomes isolated from physically disrupted cells detected many more antigenic determinants on ribosomes isolated from enzymatically disrupted cells than did the corresponding homologous antisera . Immunodiffusion analysis suggested that ribosomes isolated from physically disrupted cells may contain cell wall antigenic determinants which are present on ribosomes isolated from enzymatically disrupted cells in a partially degraded form . Washing of ribosomes in high-molarity salt solutions suggested that some of the contaminating cell wall proteins are tightly bound to the ribosomes.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1980, 131(6), 375 - 7
{Bacterial endocardiitis complicating fibroplastic endocarditis: a case report (author's transl)}; Patri B et al.; A young Protugese man, who had never travelled outside of Europe, was found to have a bacterial complication of a fibroplastic endocarditis . The onset was by a spontaneous chest pain, associated with a posterolatero-apical subepicardial ischemia and giant T waves in V3, V4, and calcification in the apex of the heart on radiography . Diagnosis was confirmed by intracardiac explorations: ventricular telediastolic pressures were increased; the lower border of the right ventricle was smooth, the left ventricle had a globular appearance with a smooth anterior border, the apex appearing to be completely excluded; coronarography was normal . Histological examination confirmed the presence of fibrosis . Anticoagulant treatment was started . Four months after the onset of the disease, a high fever, an apical systolic murmur, and nine positive blood cultures for a streptococcus mitis, suggested the development of a bacterial endocarditis, though no direct evidence was discovered . Improvement occurred after appropriate antibiotic therapy, and the anticoagulants were continued . Cardiac ultrasonography recordings were normal following this episode . This case-report is of two-fold interest: on the one hand it represents an early form of fibroplastic endocarditis, diagnosed by intracardiac exploration, and on the other hand it emphasizes the rare nature of bacterial complications of this affection . Authors differ in their evaluation of the frequency of chest pain, but their inaugural and isolated nature are rarely described . In most cases the presence of the disease is revealed by a progressive cardiac insufficiency . A very positive factor is the presence of calcifications, and the absence of an eosinophilia does not exclude the diagnosis . Electrical anomalies of the ischemic type are possible, but are rarely isolated findings, and the giant appearance of the T waves in this case is rather atypical . Bacterial complications are rare, and are only reported in 12 of the 218 cases described in the published literature . They are rarely diagnosed during the life of the patient (1 case only) . The infection affects the cords, the valves, the thrombus, or the fibrosis itself.

Am J Hematol, 1980, 8(3), 309 - 14
Diarrhea in Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia; Seeler RA et al.; Diarrhea with fever was a significant complaint in 26 of 280 (9.3%) of non-SS children with S . pneumoniae bacteremia and four of 30 (13%) children with sickle syndromes and S . pneumoniae bacteremia . Two additional children with sickle-cell disease and S . pneumoniae bacteremia developed diarrhea within hours of hospital admission; four of the six died . The mortality rate among 24 additional SS patients with S . pneumoniae bacteremia without diarrhea was 12.5% (3/24) . Only one of 26 non-SS patients with diarrhea and S . pneumoniae bacteremia died; shs was surgically asplenic and had fulminant 9-hour course . The seasonality of the diarrhea cases was similar to our overall experience, and the serotypes associated with the diarrhea cases were also representative of our overall experience . Although predominantly seen in infants, the oldest non-SS patient was 12 years, and the oldest SS patient was nine years.

J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1980, 62(4), 550 - 3
Pyogenic arthritis of the shoulder in adults; Gelberman RH et al.; The cases of fifteen patients with sixteen septic glenohumeral joints were evaluated . In each of the patients there was at least one predisposing factor, and each patient was treated by either repeated aspiration (eleven shoulders) or arthrotomy (five shoulders), combined with parenteral antibiotics . The most significant factors leading to poor results of treatment were delay in instituting treatment, virulence of the infecting organism, and a serious underlying disease process . In eight of ten shoulders in which treatment was begun four weeks or less after symptoms appeared, a satisfactory functional outcome was obtained, while all six patients who were treated after a delay of more than four weeks had poor results . All six patients infected with Streptococcus or coagulase-negative Staphylococcus had satisfactory results . Two of the eight patients with Staphylococcus aureus or gram-negative organisms also had a satisfactory result, while the other six did not . The two successfully treated patients with Staphylococcus aureus were diagnosed within three days of the onset of symptoms, whereas the others had delays in instituting treatment.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1980, 12(2), 117 - 21
Chronic meningitis in patients with dental infections; Hedstrom SA et al.; 4 patients with a history of initial fever 2--4 weeks passing on to fever peaks every 3rd to 6th day with afebrile intervals repeating for months are presented . Three of them had dental infectious foci mainly in maxillar teeth and 1 patient was treated by a dentist 1 month before onset . None showed meningism or clinical signs of encephalitis . Extensive investigations resulted only in findings from the central nervous system . The EEG was slightly pathological in all cases and papilloedema was found in 2 cases . In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) a pleocytosis extending over months, transient presence of plasma cells and increased proteins in the gamma region on agar electrophoresis was found . In 1 case antigen from Streptococcus milleri, a commensal of the mouth flora at times isolated from infectious dental foci, was detected in CSF by counterimmunoelectrophoresis 6 weeks after onset of the disease . Treatment with penicillin had no effect on the fever . Three patients received antiphlogistic drugs with benefit and their dental foci were treated by a dentist.

Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 32 - 7
Effect of cultural conditions on trimethylsilyl-sugar profiles of Streptococcus mutans; Drucker DB et al.; The cellular carbohydrates of Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 were converted to methyl glycoside trimethylsilyl ethers and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography . The resulting profiles revealed the presence of glycerol, xylose, rhamnose, galactose, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylmuramic acid . The proportions of monosaccharides in the profile were found to be stable with respect to changing growth temperature or duration of growth . However, the type of medium used, and its carbohydrate content, did significantly alter the profile, whereas gaseous atmosphere exerted a lesser effect on carbohydrate composition . By controlling growth parameters, we obtained reproducible profiles . Whole cells are probably a satisfactory alternative to highly purified cell walls.

Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 150 - 7
Purification and characterization of a rhamnose-containing cell wall antigen of Streptococcus mutans B13 (serotype d); Prakobphol A et al.; A rhamnose-containing polysaccharide (RCP) was extracted and purified from cell walls of Streptococcus mutans B13 (serotype d) and was chemically and immunologically characterized . Walls were initially extracted with 5% trichloroacetic acid at 4 degrees C to remove the serotype antigen and were then sequentially extracted with increasing concentrations of hot acid . Extracts lacking galactose were combined and chromatographed on a column of diethylaminoethyl--Sephadex A25 . The purified RCP contained 90% carbohydrate, 1.4% protein, and 0.16% phosphorus . Analysis by gas chromatography indicated that the RCP was composed of rhamnose and glucose in a 1.6:1 ratio . RCP was immunogenic in rabbits when animals were immunized with whole cells or cell walls . Antisera prepared against partially extracted cell walls of B13 appeared specific for RCP . These sera were not reactive with purified serotype d antigen or lipoteichoic acid in passive hemagglutination assays or by agar gel diffusion . The RCP appeared to be a cell wall polysaccharide that was both chemically and immunologically distinct from the serotype d antigen.

J Rheumatol, 1980 Jan-Feb, 7(1), 89 - 92
Streptococcus MG-intermedius (Streptococcus milleri) septic arthritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis; Houston BD et al.; Streptococcus MG-Intermedius (S . milleri) septic arthritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis is presented . The unusual nature of this infection and the difficulties with the identification of S . milleri are discussed.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1980 Jan, 121(1), 65 - 71
Phagocytosis by human alveolar macrophages and neutrophils: qualitative differences in the opsonic requirements for uptake of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in vitro; Hof DG et al.; The opsonic requirements for uptake of 3H-adenine-labeled Staphylococcus aureus (strains 502A, Wood 46, or 209) or Streptococcus pneumoniae (Type VII) by human alveolar macrophages (AM) or neutrophils (PMN) were evaluated and compared using a quantitative assay of phagocytosis . AM readily engulfed S . aureus organisms preopsonized with 1% albumin, serum, or serum that had been heated (56 degrees C for 30 min) to inactivate complement, whereas uptake of S . aureus by PMN occurred only after preopsonization with unheated, complement replete serum (2.5%) . In contrast, uptake of S . pneumoniae organisms by AM or PMN did not occur with only albumin preopsonization, but required high concentrations (more than 40%) of unheated serum . The results indicate that there are qualitative and quantitative differences in the requirements for optimal ingestion of bacteria by human AM or PMN that relate not only to the type of organism but also to the type of phagocyte . Variations in opsonic requirements may be a key factor in the different cellular responses and clearances of inhaled S . aureus or S . pneumoniae organisms by the lungs.

Chest, 1980 Jan, 77(1), 76 - 80
Pulmonary gangrene occurring as a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis; Khan FA et al.; Eighteen well-documented cases of pulmonary gangrene as a complication of bacterial pulmonary infections have been reported in the literature . These infections were due to Klebsiellapneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Hemophilus influenzae . We describe four patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who developed pulmonary gangrene . Vascular thrombosis and arteritis were found in three of these four patients, and this vascular complication seems to be necessary for the development of pulmonary gangrene.

Carbohydr Res, 1980 Jan 1, 78(1), 79 - 88
The structure of the O-glycosylically-linked oligosaccharide chains of LPG-I, a glycoprotein present in articular lubricating fraction of bovine synovial fluid; Garg HG et al.; Periodate oxidation of LPG-1 established that N-acetylneuraminic acid residues are linked preponderantly alpha-(2 leads to 3) to D-galactose residues . The resistance of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose residues to periodate oxidation suggests that they are linked at either O-3 or O-4 to D-galactose residues . After treatment of LPG-1 with alkaline sulfite, approximately 80% of 2-acetamido-2-deoxygalactose was recovered as the sulfonic acid derivative . The Gal leads to GalNAc disaccharide released from sialic-acid-free LPG-I by digestion with endo-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactosidase (which suggests an alpha-D-GalNAc leads to L-Ser or -L-Thr linkage) gave a high color-yield in the Morgan-Elson reaction, indicating that 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose residues are linked at C-3 to D-galactose residues . The migration of the released Gal-GalNAc disaccharide was the same as that of a standard sample of O-beta-D-galactosyl-(1 leads to 3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose . Treatment of sialic acid-free LPG-I with Streptococcus pneumoniae beta-D-galactosidase, which hydrolyzes only galactosides linked beta-D-(1 leads to 4) gave no free D-galactose, whereas treatment of LPG-I with bovine testes beta-D-galactosidase released greater than 90% of D-galactose . These results provide evidence for beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-GalNAcp-(1 leads to 3) alpha-D-GalNAcp-(1 leads to 3)-L-Ser or -L-Thr and alpha-NeuAc-(2 leads to 3)-beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 3)-L-Ser or -L-Thr structures . The sensitivity of the methods used and the recovery of constituents following treatment of LPG-I do not rule out the occurrence of small amounts of other tri- or tetra-saccharide chains.

Carbohydr Res, 1980 Jan 1, 78(1), 111 - 7
Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1; Lindberg B et al.; The capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 is composed of D-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues and 2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-D-galactopyranosyl residues . The latter sugar, previously unknown in Nature, was not isolated but was identified from the products obtained on deamination of the polymer . Using n.m.r . spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and Smith degradation as the principal methods of structural investigation, it is concluded that the polysaccharide is composed of trisaccharide repeating-units having the structure: leads to 3)-alpha-Sugp-(1 leads to 4)-alpha-D-GalpA-(1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-GalpA-(1 leads to, in which Sug denotes the new sugar.

Bioelectromagnetics, 1980, 1(4), 397 - 404
Alteration of circulating antibody response of mice exposed to 9-GHz pulsed microwaves; Liddle CG et al.; A significant increase was observed in the circulating antibody titers of mice exposed to 9-GHz pulsed microwaves at an average power density of 10 mW/cm2, two hours per day for five days compared with sham-irradiated animals . The mice were previously immunized with type III pneumococcal polysaccharide . Following irradiation, a portion of the immunized animals were challenged with virulent Streptococcus pneumoniae, type III . Ten days after challenge, mortality was essentially the same in the two groups, but during the ten day period, there was a noticeable increase in the survival time of the irradiated animals compared with the sham-irradiated animals, suggesting that the increased circulating antibody response afforded some degree of temporary protection to the animals.

Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg, 1980, 14(3), 221 - 7
Zinc tape treatment of burns infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an experimental study on guinea pigs; Hallmans G et al.; Third-degree burns on guinea pigs were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The wounds were treated with a zinc tape, a gauze sponge, or a plastic foil . In tissue specimens from the wounds, less growth of Pseudomonas was found in zinc tape treated wounds than in gauze- or plastic foil treated wounds . In vitro it was found that zinc oxide possesses an antibacterial effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1980, 30(11), 1841 - 6
Effects of antibacterial microenvironment on in vitro plaque formation of Streptococcus mutans as observed by scanning electron microscopy; Merkle HP et al.; This study presents in vitro techniques to follow the adsorption and subsequent surface proliferation of Streptococcus mutans on hydroxyapatite surfaces leading to artificial plaque . Inhibition of proliferation as well as extracellular dextrane formation can be achieved by pretreatments of the hydroxyapatite surface with aqueous solutions of sodium ricinoleate . The antibacterial activity is restricted to an antibacterial microenvironment adjacent to the hydroxyapatite surface.

Haematologia (Budap), 1980, 13(1-4), 213 - 23
Measurements of extracellular immunoglobulins as an index of B cell function; Munoz J et al.; We have developed a method for measuring the activation or suppression of B cells in culture by determination of immunoglobulins released into the extracellular fluid, using a conventional, nonisotopic assay . To avoid the interference of human serum proteins in the assays, cultures were established in medium supplemented with fetal calf serum . This caused some B cell activation, as reflected by the release of small amounts of immunoglobulins (1.5 to 0.7 microgram/ml IgG, 0.8 to 1.4 microgram/ml IgA, 0.6 to 0.7 microgram/ml IgM on day 7), but pokeweed mitogen stimulation resulted in the release of substantially larger amounts of immunoglobulins (8.2 to 4.6 microgram/ml IgG, 3.8 to 2.9 microgram/ml IgA, 8.0 to 4.0 microgram/ml IgM on day 7) . Stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan I) also resulted in release of immunoglobulins, with somewhat higher levels of IgM, and the release was inhibited by a suppressive substance obtained from Streptococcus intermedius . Time-course curves for immunoglobulin production by cultures stimulated with pokeweed mitogen and S . aureus showed interesting individual variations, but in general the levels began to rise consistently by day 4 or 5 and maximum levels were reached by day 7 . These studies show that determination of extracellular immunoglobulins can be used as an index of B cells activation in routine studies.

Ann Sclavo, 1980 Jan-Feb, 22(1), 92 - 8
{Comparative study of antistreptolysin O, anti-streptokinase and anti-streptozyme antibodies and antibodies against polysaccharides of group A Streptococcus}; Teti G et al.; A microagglutination test for antibody to streptococcal group A polysaccharide (APA) was compared with the anti-streptolysin O (ASO), anti-streptokinase (ASK) and streptozyme (STZ) tests in 162 human sera . Two or more of the following results were considered evidence of a recent streptococcal infection: ASO titre greater than or equal to 333 UI; ASK titre greater than or equal to 160 UI; STZ titre greater than or equal to 200 . Sensitivity of the APA test was 70% and it detected 10 sera that would have been missed if the ASO test had been the only test performed . The APA test appears to be particularly useful in laboratories which rely solely on the ASO test for serological evidence of a streptococcal infection.

Paediatrician, 1980, 9(5-6), 295 - 308
Streptococcal pharyngitis-tonsillitis in Swiss children . Diagnosis and management; Eggenberger K et al.; In a prospective study, during a period of 1 year, 1,116 children over 1 year of age, with acute pharyngitis-tonsillitis, were examined by a group of Swiss pediatricians . Throat swabs were cultured for the presence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and treatment was withheld pending results in most cases . The throat swab cultures were positive in 29.6% of the cases . There were no incidences of acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever or severe purulent local complications . The findings confirm the recommendations in the American literature concerning clinic, diagnosis and management, and they can be applied in Switzerland.

Arkh Patol, 1980, 42(12), 26 - 32
{Morphogenesis of the heart lesion in experimental infection with streptococcal L forms}; Gusman BS et al.; Histological, histochemical, and immunofluorescent methods were used to study alterations in the hearts of 250 randombred white mice inoculated once intraperitoneally with a stable culture of L-forms of beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus in a dose of 2 x 10(6) CFU and sacrificed at intervals of 1 day to 1 year after inoculation . The development of chronic progressive pathological process (inflammatory, dystrophic, and sclerotic) involving all the membranes of the heart and running against an increasing allergic background was demonstrated . In connective tissue formations of the heart, the antigen of streptococcus L-forms could be detected by immunofluorescence throughout the duration of the experiment . The observed pathogenicity of streptococcus L-forms indicates the necessity of elucidating their role in human infectious pathology.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1980, 169(1), 9 - 14
Protection of mice against group B Streptococcus type Ia by IgG components of a rabbit antiserum; Cleat PH et al.; IgG fractions were separated by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose from hyperimmune rabbit sera prepared against a group B streptococcus type Ia mouse-virulent strain . 50 microgram IgG in conjunction with ampicillin (200 mg/kg) protected mice more effectively against a lethal challenge than ampicillin (400 mg/kg) alone or ampicillin (200 mg/kg) combined with gentamicin (10 mg/kg), when administered up to 12 h after infection.

Mol Gen Genet, 1980, 180(3), 573 - 8
Properties and transforming activities of two plasmids in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Saunders CW et al.; Two plasmids from group B streptococcus were introduced into pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and examined for copy number, stability, and some features of the process by which they transform pneumococcal recipients . The 3.6 Mdal pMV158 (tet) was present at a minimum of 12 to 16 copies per chromosome and was never observed to be cured . The 20 Mdal pIP501 (cat erm) had a minimum copy number of 3 to 4 per chromosome and was lost spontaneously at a frequency near 0.03 per division . The presence of novobiocin increased this frequency 2 to 3-fold . Competence for chromosomal transformation and the membrane endonuclease needed for normal DNA entry were required for plasmid transformation . Plasmid transformants segregated transformed cells one generation ahead of chromosomal transformants . Both single and multiple hit components of the transformation reaction kinetics were observed, but the latter could not be seen in the presence of competing chromosomal DNA . The major of the transforming activity behaved as covalently closed circular DNA in dye-buoyancy gradients . Although most of the activity for both plasmids sedimented in sucrose gradients more rapidly than did monomeric closed circular DNA, a significant fraction was found at a position suggesting that it may have been due to monomeric plasmids.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 246(4), 475 - 88
{T-proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes . I . Communication: Preparation of a serological type specific T1-antigen by ion exchange chromatography and its characterization (author's transl)}; Schmidt KH et al.; The T-protein of Streptococcus pyogenes type 1 was trypsin-extracted and subsequently purified by ion exchange chromatography on CM and DEAE cellulose . Fractionation on CM cellulose by stepwise increase of the pH did not result in separation of type specific material from cross reacting components . The bulk of serologically active material was eluted at pH 5.6 . On DEAE cellulose a type specific fraction was eluted with 0.05 m phosphate buffer, pH 8.2 . A second fraction eluted with 0.25 m NaCl in the same buffer contained type specific as well as cross reacting material . Molecular weight distributions of type-specific T-protein were studied by gel chromatography on Ultrogel ACA44 and Biogel A 1.5 m . A multiple size subunit structure of T-protein was found and supported by SDS electrophoresis . Molecular weights of fragments serologically active in double diffusion were detected in a range of 37 000 to more than 200 000 Dalton . The isoelectric point was determined as to be pH 4.5 . The purified T-protein was found to be free of cystein and of the amino sugars N-acetyl-glucosamine and N-acetyl-muramic acid.

J Dairy Sci, 1980 Jan, 63(1), 95 - 100
Mastitis: II . Evaluation of antimicrobial amines for use as teat dips; Culler MD et al.; Recent proposals by the Food and Drug Administration to regulate teat dips as drugs have led to a search for safer teat dip ingredients . Primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl amines (carbon-10 to -18 chain length) inhibit growth of mastitic bacteria (Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichi coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) in a broth tube culture assay . Since carbon-13 compounds were active, a carbon-13 primary (tridecanamine hydrochloride), secondary methyl (N-methyltridecanamine), secondary ethyl (N-ethyltridecanamine), tertiary dimethyl amine (N, N-dimethyltridecanamine), and carbon-12 quaternary amine (N, N, -trimethyldodecaneammonium chloride) were tested for their ability to reduce experimentally applied populations of S . agalactiae or E . coli on the bovine teat surface . The five compounds were compared at concentrations of 100, 500, 1,000, 3,000, 7,000, and 10,000 ppm . Activity was greater against the gram-positive S . agalactiae than against the gram-negative E . coli . The tertiary amine was most active, producing a log reduction of 4 (reduction of bacterial number from 10(6) to 10(2)) at a concentration of 3,000 ppm in the teat dip . The relative order of effectiveness for the amines was: dimethyl tertiary greater than methyl secondary greater than ethyl secondary greater than primary = quaternary . The results suggest that these amines may be useful as potent, effective antibacterial agents for incorporation into teat dips.

Immunobiology, 1980 Jan, 156(4-5), 537 - 48
Mitogenic and antigenic properties of group A streptococcal M protein preparations; Knoll H et al.; The separation of a mitogenic substance in M protein preparations of Streptococcus pyogenes, type 1 and type 12, is described . The isolation was achieved by gel chromatography on Biogel A 0.5 m, and by immunochromatography on immobilized type specific antibodies . In the delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity test the immunochromatography purified M 1 protein caused erythema but no unspecific mitogenicity could be found by lymphocyte transformation test . In neutralization experiments the mitogenic activity of M protein preparations was specifically inhibited by anti-erythrogenic toxin antisera.

Eur J Pediatr, 1980, 133(1), 11 - 6
Defective phagocytosis confined to Staphylococcus aureus in a female infant with recurrent infections; Ito S et al.; Defective chemotaxis and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus was identified in a female infant with marked hepatosplenomegaly and recurrent infections . Neutrophil mobilization from the marrow and marginal pool; random mobility; phagocytosis of yeast particles, latex beads and carbon particles; phagocytosis and intracellular killing capacity of Streptococcus pyogenes and E . coli; and NBT dye reduction were normal . Infiltration of neutrophils was depressed in the skin window test . The complement system and cellular immunity were intact . The patient also had a persistent EB virus infection . Defective phagocytosis limited to Staphylococcus aureus seems to be caused by an intrinsic cellular defect, such as congenital defect in neutrophil receptors for Staphylococcus aureus.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1980, 12(3), 207 - 10
Acute pneumococcal epiglottitis in immunocompromised adults; Kessler HA et al.; 3 cases of acute bacterial epiglottitis in immunocompromised adults are reported . All were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, an unusual pathogen in this disease . Only 1 other case of acute bacterial epiglottitis also due to S . pneumoniae has been reported in an immunocompromised adult . The occurrence of this disease in 4 immunocompromised adults suggest that an Arthus reaction may not be important in the pathogenesis of acute epiglottitis due to S . pneumoniae.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1980, 49(1), 75 - 8
Occurrence of microorganisms at different levels of the pulp . Contribution to endodontic techniques; Zelante F et al.; Microorganisms were absent in the remaining pulp stumps of twenty teeth which had been exposed to caries and contaminated at the pulpal chamber level . We have demonstrated that microorganisms are not carried to the deepest areas of the pulp when the basic procedure is strict antisepsis applied to the living pulp stump . A sterile and living pulp stump wound contributes to an adequate biologic sealing of the apical foramen . Of all the isolated microorganisms, the alpha hemolytic Streptococcus was most frequently found in all examined cases, in pure or mixed cultures, demonstrating once again he prodominance of that type of microorganism when pulpal injury occurs.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 247(2), 177 - 91
{Purification and characterization of erythrogenic toxins . I . Investigation of erythrogenic toxin A produced by Streptococcus pyogenes strain NY-5 (author's transl)}; Gerlach D et al.; An erythrogenic toxin was isolated from culture supernatants of Streptococcus pyogenes, strain NY-5 (type 12) grown in yeast extract-pepton-dialysate medium . After concentration by evaporation, a crude material was obtained by precipitation with ethanol . This material was prepurified by ion exchange chromatography using a DEAE-Sepharose Cl-6B column . After precipitation of the active material with (NH4)2SO4 the redissolved precipitate was dialyzed against acetate buffer and rechromatographed on a CM-Sepharose Cl-6B column . The toxin was obtained by stepwise elution with 0.02 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0, and 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.5, followed by a last purification step on a Sephacryl S-200 column . The purified toxin behaved homogenously in SDS electrophoresis, the molecular weight being about 28 000 . Amino acid analysis showed only one cysteine residue per molecule . The molecule was insensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol and alkylation . Isoelectric focusing yielded two narrow bands having an isoelectric point of 5.2 . The toxin showed a serological reaction of identity with an antiserum against streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPE-A) but was shown to have a different molecular weight . The purified material (erythrogenic toxin A) was pyrogenic and toxic for rabbits as well as mitogenic for human lymphocytes . A positive skin reaction in guinea pigs could be obtained by as little as 5 X 10(-8) mg.

Immunology, 1980 Jan, 39(1), 101 - 7
Comparative opsonic activity for Steptococcus mutans in oral fluids, and phagocytic activity of blood, crevicular, and salivary polymorphonuclear leucocytes in rhesus monkeys; Scully CM; The opsonic activity for Streptococcus mutans was assayed in serum, gingival crevicular fluid, parotid saliva and mixed saliva from rhesus monkeys immunized against dental caries with a vaccine of Streptococcus mutans in Freund's incomplete adjuvant . The phagocytic activities of polymorphonuclear leucocytes from the blood and gingival crevice were compared, and the effects of gingival crevicular fluid and mixed saliva on blood polymorphonuclear leucocyte viability and phagocytic activity were assessed . Heat-stable opsonic activity was detected in sera, crevicular fluid, and mixed saliva of immunized animals . Polymorphonuclear leucocytes from the gingival crevice and saliva retained viability, although this was lower than in cells from blood . Exposure of blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes to crevicular fluid or mixed saliva for 30 min resulted in no loss of cell viability or phagocytic activity, but saliva was cytotoxic on prolonged exposure . These results support the hypothesis that the opsonization and phagocytosis of cariogenic bacteria might be a mechanism involved in the immunological protection against dental caries.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1980, 62(1), 34 - 45
The nature of secretory agglutinins and aggregating factors . III . Secretory conglutinin-like factor SKF detects a cross-reaction between bacteria and complement component C3; Eggert FM; Secretory conglutinin-like factor (SKF) reacts directly with an unknown surface component of some, but not all, oral gram-positive organisms . The absorption of SKF by bacteria is EDTA-sensitive and cannot be blocked with immunoglobulins . High levels of SKF in EDTA extracts of washed salivary sediment reveal the direct in vivo reaction of SKF with oral bacteria . Mixed aggregation with alexinated erythrocytes showed the SKF corresponds to the secretory bacterial aggregating factor (SBAF) for Streptococcus mutans serotype c and also that for Streptococcus mitis . These reactions represent a cross-reaction between bacteria and complement component C3 . SKF/SBAF non-mucin glycoproteins and immunoglobulins possess receptors for bacterial components while mucins are passive carriers of blood group determinants.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1980, 30(1a), 132 - 41
Ribosomal vaccines: immunological study; Dussourd d'Hinterland L et al.; Ribosomal vaccines prepared from purified bacterial ribosomes induce the production of specific antibodies in female OF1 mice when administered to the animals both with incomplete Freund's adjuvant or purified Klebsiella pneumoniae cell wall proteoglycans . The study of these fractions concerned purified ribosomes extracted from the following bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilius influenzae, Steptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes A12 . Specific antibodies determination by immunoelectro diffusion (IED) and passive hemagglutination (PHA) were used to study the immune response.

Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 25 - 31
Virulence of Streptococcus mutans: revertants of mutant C4; Ikeda T et al.; Mutant C4, a poor plaque-forming mutant of Streptococcus mutans 6715-HSR, was employed to obtain isolates resembling the parent strain (a plaque former) . Seventeen presumptive revertants, as identified by colonial morphology, were isolated from mutant C4 after enrichment cycles in a sucrose-glass beads medium . These isolates displayed properties which resembled the parent in ability to produce plaque, patterns of fermentation, and resistance to streptomycin . In a detailed study, five selected isolates were found to be similar to the parent type 6715-HSR with respect to content of the serotype antigen, sucrose- or dextran-induced cell aggregation, glucosyltransferase and adherence activities, and cariogenicity . Thus, in selection for revertants to parental colonial morphology, the pleiotropic changes in plaque formation, adherence, glycosyltransferase activity, and virulence demonstrated by C4 all concomitantly reverted to their parental phenotypes.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 247(4), 431 - 9
Changes in some biological properties of Streptococcus salivarius isolates from infected rats; Ooshima T et al.; Isolation of colonies with altered colonial morphology was frequently observed following infection of specific pathogen-free rats fed a caries-inducing high sucrose diet with two human strains of Streptococcus salivarius . These isolates produced unique rough colonies on mitis salivarius agar, in contrast to the smooth, mucoid colonial morphology of the parental strain . The rough variants were characterized by a marked increase in the synthesis of polysaccharide from sucrose, especially cell-associated water-insoluble glucan, whereas the smooth parental strains mainly produced cell-free fructan . Glucose-grown cells of rough variants but not smooth parental strains were aggregated upon addition of sucrose . Such variants were not detected during laboratory transfers of the human strains of S . salivarius nor by mutagenesis of the cultures.

Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 107 - 12
Requirements for fatty acid synthesis and a chelation-sensitive step in the production of glucosyltransferase by Streptococcus mutans; Kuramitsu HK et al.; The antibiotic cerulenin differentially inhibited the production of glucosyltransferase activity by Streptococcus mutans GS5 . Cerulenin preferentially inhibited {14C}acetate incorporation into cellular lipids but did not affect protein synthesis or ribonucleic acid synthesis in the same manner . No significant intracellular accumulation of glucosyltransferase activity could be demonstrated in cultures treated with cerulenin . On the other hand, another inhibitor of lipid synthesis, sodium chlorophenoxyisobutyrate, did not differentially inhibit glucosyltransferase expression . In addition, the role of a metal-requiring protease in the production of glucosyltransferase activity was suggested by the observation that the chelator quinacrine differentially inhibited the production of the enzyme.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1980, Suppl 24, 173 - 8
Effect of macromolecules on adherence of Streptococcus mutans; Olsson J et al.; The influence of macromolecules on the adherence of S . mutans was studied in an in vitro incubation system using 3H-labeled bacteria and hydroxyapatite beads . The bacterial adherence was strongly inhibited by treating the beads with an extremely acidic macromolecule . An even more pronounced effect was found when this substance was present during the incubation . To the contrary no effect was discernible when the bacteria only were pretreated with the acidic macromolecule . Even the basic substance decreased the adherence of the bacteria but to a less extent . The bacterial surface has a net negative charge and attracts basic molecules while hydroxyapatite beads analogously appear to have a net positive charge and attract acidic macromolecules . This adsorption of macromolecules might be a phenomenon of importance for the microbial colonization of teeth.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 246(4), 489 - 98
{T-proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes . II . Communication: Preparation of specific immunoadsorbents for isolation of anti-T-antibodies and investigations of the T4/24...pattern (author's transl)}; Schmidt KH et al.; The T4-antigen(s) in Streptococcus pyogenes standard type strains of the T4/24...pattern was (were) investigated in regard to the uniformity or diversity of the antigen(s) in this T-complex . Tryptic T-extracts of types 4, 24, 26, 28, 29, 46, 48, 60 were purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose . Anti-T4-antibodies were isolated by immunoadsorption chromatography on AH-sepharose linked T4-antigen . Purified T4-antigen showed in SDS-electrophoresis a similar multiple molecular size structure as T1-antigen described earlier . Comparative serological studies of T-antigens of types 4, 24, 29 and 46 revealed reactions of identity to anti-T4-antibodies in Ouchterlony tests . Extracts of types 26, 28, 48 and 60 did not precipitate with anti-T4-antibodies, but types 28 and 48 showed crossreaction to the relevant antisera (anti-T28 and anti-T48, resp.) obviously caused by traces of R-28 antigen in both antigen preparations . Strains of the types 4, 24, 29, 46, 48 and 60 were agglutinated by anti-T4-antibodies . The reaction could be inhibited by T4-antigen . The strains of type 26 and 28 used in our experiments did not contain T4-antigen . Agglutination as well as immunoprecipitation reactions with specific antibodies prepared by immunochromatography proved the existence of common T4-antigenic determinants in type 4, 24, 29, 46, 48 and 60.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1980, 29(1), 35 - 47
Deoxyribonucleases of Streptococcus sanguis; Starosciak BJ et al.; Three DNases, designated 1, 2 and 3 have been isolated from lysates of old (incompetent in genetic transformation) and logarithmic phase (competent) Streptococcus sanguis strain Challis cells . These DNases have different electrophoretic mobilities and immunological properties . Influence of some activators and inhibitors on their activity was determined . Molecular weights of 3 DNases are in the range of 52,000--57,000 . All these enzymes are endonucleases which degrade native DNA; thermally denatured DNA is a poor substrate . The enzymes described in this paper differ from the previously known DNases of Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae . Nucleases similar or identical to the Challis strain enzymes have been found in two other S . sanguis strains--Wicky and Blackburn.

J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jan, 116(1), 51 - 9
Interaction of glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans with various glucans; Hamada S et al.; Cell-free glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus mutans strain B13 (serotype d) exclusively synthesized water-insoluble glucan from sucrose . The insoluble glucan possessed strong glucan-associated glucosyltransferase activity even after extensive washing and lyophilization . Furthermore, cell-free glucosyltransferase became bound to heat-treated water-insoluble glucan or to heat-treated S . mutans B13 cells grown in Todd Hewitt broth, and the resulting glucan and cells adhered to a glass surface in the presence of exogenous sucrose . No other water-insoluble glucans bound significant quantities of glucosyltransferase . Glucan synthesis by free or glucan-bound glucosyltransferase was stimulated by low concentrations (1 to 5 mg ml-1) of isomaltose or water-soluble dextrans of various molecular weights, but higher concentrations (10 mg ml-1) inhibited glucan synthesis . The glucan synthesized in the presence of primer dextrans exhibited a reduced ability to adhere to a glass surface . Certain sugars such as maltose and fructose significantly lowered the yield of insoluble glucans . Preincubation of glucosyltransferase with the low molecular weight dextran T10 increased subsequent binding to S . mutans B13 insoluble glucan, whereas preincubation with higher molecular weight dextrans significantly inhibited the glucosyltransferase binding.

Teratog Carcinog Mutagen, 1980, 1(2), 129 - 39
Mutagenic activation of an antischistosomal drug by enteric Streptococcus sps in vitro and in vivo; Molineaux CJ et al.; Previous studies have shown that a new antischistosomal drug, 4-isothiocyano-4'-nitro diphenylamine (CGP 4540, amoscanate), is not mutagenic in vitro, but the urines of animals treated with this drug have mutagenic activity . Mutagenicity can be eliminated by coadministration of some antibacterial agents and is not demonstrable in germ-free animals . The present study describes attempts to isolate and identify intestinal microorganisms responsible for the mutagenic activation of amoscanate . Streptococcus equinus, isolated from the intestinal tract of mice, as well as some other species of Streptococcus, were found to produce mutagenic activation of amoscanate when introduced into animals pretreated with antibacterial agents . Similarly, incubation of these strains with amoscanate in vitro resulted in the formation of a mutagenic product.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Dec 18, 575(3), 389 - 98
Studies on the relationship between glycerophosphoglycolipids and lipoteichoic acids . IV . Trigalactosylglycerophospho-acylkojibiosyldiacylglycerol and related compounds from Streptococcus lactis Kiel 42172; Fischer W et al.; Streptococcus lactis Kiel 42172 contains at least six unusually polar glycerophosphoglycolipids . The predominant one was composed of D-galactose, D-glucose, glycerol, acyl groups and phosphorus in a molar ratio of approx . 3 : 2 : 2 : 3 : 1 . By analysis of the breakdown products of HF hydrolysis and Smith-degradation the structure was established to be {Galp (alpha 1 leads to 6)Galp(alpha 1 leads to 3)-sn-glycero(2 comes from 1 alpha Galp)-1-phospho} leads to 6Glcp(alpha 1 leads to 2), acyl leads to Glcp(alpha 1 leads to 3)-acyl2Gro . By HF hydrolysis the other compounds were shown to be in the main also derivatives of GroP leads to 6Glc(alpha 1 leads to 2), acyl leads to 6Glc(alpha 1 leads to 3)acyl2Gro but they released as water-soluble glycosides Gal(alpha 1 leads to 2)Gro, Gal(alpha 1 leads to 3)Gro, Gal(alpha 1 leads to 3)Gro(2 comes from 1 alpha Gal), Gal(alpha 1 leads to 6)Gal(alpha 1 leads to 3)Gro and Gal(alpha 1 leads to 6)Gal-(alpha 1 leads to 6)Gal(alpha 1 leads to 3)Gro(2 comes from 1 alpha Gal), respectively . In the lipid extract Glc(alpha 1 leads to 2), acyl leads to 6Glc(alpha 1 leads to 3)acyl2Gro and GroP leads to 6Glc(alpha 1 leads to 2), acyl leads to 6Glc(alpha 1 leads to 3) acyl2Gro were also observed . This set of compounds is proposed to constitute a biosynthetic series reflecting the individual steps in the synthesis of the lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus lactis Kiel 42172 which is made up by the same lipid anchor and a non-classical poly(galabiosyl, galactosyl glycerophosphate)-chain (Koch, H.U . and Fischer, W . (1978) Biochemistry 17, 5275--5281).

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Dec 14, 581(2), 342 - 55
Partial sequence data for the L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus cremoris US3 including the amino acid sequences around the single cysteine residue and at the N-terminus; Crossley LG et al.; The following amino acid sequence information has been determined for the fructose 1,6-bisphosphate-dependent lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus cremoris US3: the C-terminal amino acid, the N-terminal sequence of the first 20 amino acids and the sequence of a 53-residue tryptic peptide containing the only cysteine residue in the protein . The enzyme was cleaved by alkali at the cysteine residue following reaction first with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and then with K14CN . This treatment yielded two cleavage products as well as some higher polymers and some uncleaved enzyme . The radioactive cleavage product was purified and its size indicated that the cysteine residue is 80 residues from the C-terminus . Comparisons of the sequences determined for the S . cremoris enzyme with those already known for dogfish lactate dehydrogenase indicate that the two enzymes are only distantly related since the sequence homology between them is limited and of borderline statistical significance.

Sem Hop, 1979 Dec 8-15, 55(41-42), 1903 - 4
{Monocional immunoglobulins associated with bacterial endocarditis . Two case reports (author's transl)}; Fauchier C et al.; An IgGK monoclonal gammopathy occured in two patients with streptococcus viridans bacterial endocarditis . The gammopathy has been unchanged, respectively for 32 and 21 months following its detection . The alternate physiopathologic hypothesis are argued.

J Infect Dis, 1979 Dec, 140(6), 1004 - 8
Opsonic specificity of human antibody to the type III polysaccharide of group B Streptococcus; Edwards MS et al.; The functional significance of vaccine-induced or naturally acquired antibody to the capsular polysaccharide of type III group B Streptococcus was determined in human sera by means of an opsonophagocytic assay . Sera containing a sufficient concentration of type-specific antibody and endogenous serum complement caused a significant reduction (greater than 1 log10) in colony-forming units for each of 22 type III clinical isolates after incubation for 40 min . In contrast, serum with a very low concentration of antibody (0.4 micrograms/ml) killed only one isolate . Absorption of serum containing vaccine-induced antibody with purified native type III polysaccharide decreased opsonophagocytosis by a mean of 1.2 log10 for 11 selected type III strains . These results indicate a lack of major antigenic differences among a wide spectrum of type III strains, since bactericidal activity of human serum is uniformly observed in the presence of complement and sufficient concentrations of antibody to the type III polysaccharide.

South Med J, 1979 Dec, 72(12), 1540 - 4
Bacteriologic considerations in perforated necrotizing enterocolitis; Stone HH et al.; During a ten-year period, 61 infants with perforated necrotizing enterocolitis were managed by bowel resection, enterostomy, and intravenous antibiotics . Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were taken of venous blood, from the peritoneal cavity at operation, and of any subsequent wound and/or intraperitoneal infection . No significant differences between fatal and nonfatal cases were noted with respect to presence of anaerobes in the peritoneal flora (six babies with two deaths) or culture-confirmed bacteremia (73% of the total) . However, peritonitis participated in by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ten babies), or beta-hemolytic streptococcus (five babies) was -niformly lethal, as were complicating bacteremias due to P aeruginosa, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus (two each) . Anaerobic peritoneal isolates (all gram-positive cocci) were never noted if performation occurred before the eighth day of life; they did not appear to adversely affect survival . Based upon these data, antibiotic therapy should include either gentamicin or tobramycin, with penicillin, until subsequent culture reports dictate otherwise.

Chest, 1979 Dec, 76(6), 695 - 7
Malignant group B streptococcal endocarditis associated with saline-induced abortion; Jemsek JG et al.; PIP: This case report describes a 20-year-old woman who developed acute group B streptococcal endocarditis after a saline-induced abortion . She was admitted 2 weeks after an uncomplicated saline-induced abortion for a 16-week pregnancy with a 1-week history of fever, headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath . The patient showed poor response to antibiotic therapies (initially to nafcillin and gentamicin and then to aqueous penicillin G) . 6 to 6 blood cultures after hospital admission showed group B streptococcus which was penicillin sensitive by tetracycline resistant . On Day 3 of admission, a pericardial friction rub was noted and repeat chest x-rays showed marked enlargement of the cardiac shadow . Surgery was performed, and the mitral valve posterior leaflet was necrotic, and a mitral valve prosthesis was placed and an aortic embolectomy was performed . Postoperatively, she was treated with an additional 6-week course of intravenous penicillin, and subsequently, she has remained asymptomatic after 6 months . An addendum to this report, which was only the 2nd such report of endocarditis after saline abortion, describes another case of group B streptococcal endocarditis in a drug abuser after a saline-induced abortion . She required tricuspid valvulectomy and is slowly improving postoperatively .

J Oral Surg, 1979 Dec, 37(12), 873 - 84
Microbiologic and antibiotic aspects of infections in the oral and maxillofacial region; Greenberg RN et al.; An overview of infection as it applies to the oral and maxillofacial region has been provided . The following conclusions are drawn: odontogenic infections are caused by microbes found in the host's oral flora; cultures of purulent material generally will yield three to six anaerobes and one aerobe, (the aerobe is usually a Streptococcus species); Gram stains of purulent material can aid in therapeutic strategies; anaerobic as well as aerobic cultures are necessary to isolate all pathogens; pathogens found in infections of bite wounds reflect the oral flora of the aggressor; early postoperative wound infections are caused by the host's own flora, whereas later infections may be caused by hospital-acquired bacteria; and hepatitis B and herpes simplex virus are occupational hazards . Recommendations have been made for antimicrobial prophylaxis and for treatment . We recognize that some of these selections may be controversial . For instance, the value of prophylactic antibiotics in orthognathic surgery is not well defined; recommendations were made only in certain instances . However, in severe penetrating maxillofacial injuries with devitalized tissue, recommendations for antibiotics were for broad and prolonged coverage . In this instance, use of antibiotics is considered therapeutic and not prophylactic . In each instance, we tried to validate the selection . Our rationale has been to choose the antibiotics most active against the likely pathogens; additionally, consideration was given to drug toxicity and adverse reactions . We regard penicillin as the preferred agent for prophylaxis and treatment of most odontogenic infections . Alternative drugs include cephalosporins, doxycycline, and clindamycin . Erythoromycin and tetracycline are considered less effective than the former agents . Finally, we believe that successful treatment of infection depends as much on changing the microenvironment of the infected tissue by debridement and drainage as on appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Scand J Dent Res, 1979 Dec, 87(6), 415 - 23
Surface ultrastructure of some oral bacteria; Kelstrup J et al.; Adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and an Actinomyces sp . to enamel and epon and their interspecies cohesion was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy . For adhesion studies enamel or epon was coated with salivary macromolecules and then cells of S . sanguis and in some experiments also with F . nucleatum or Actinomyces sp . Cells of S . sanguis were seen scattered over the surface of a thin "pellicle" that was heavily stained, and F . nucleatum and Actinomyces sp . adhered to S . sanguis or directly to the "pellicle" . For studies of cohesion S . sanguis was brought to cohere with F . nucleatum or Actinomyces sp . and then processed for transmission electron microscopy . The morphology of the cell surface structures involved was studied in negatively stained preparations or in thin sections of material treated with ruthenium red or poststained with uranyl and lead salts, phosphotungstic acid or periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-osmium tetroxide . S . sanguis demonstrated a fuzzy coat of fimbriae that seemed to unfold in areas of contact with other cells, while cells of F . nucleatum had 6-10 polar pilus-like fimbriae, which appeared to be instrumental in cohesion, as did a dense coat of long, slender fimbriae that covered cells of Actinomyces sp.

J Dent Res, 1979 Dec, 58(12), 2344 - 52
Comparison of the plaque microflora in immunodeficient and immunocompetent dental patients; Brown LR et al.; The nature and extent of the immune dysfunctions in 20 immunodeficient patients, as well as the immunocompetence of 22 control subjects, were verified by cell-mediated responsiveness and immunoglobulin quantitations . Comparisons of the microbial composition of supragingival plaque between the two populations showed that a greater number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Candida sp . and Staphylococcus sp . Conversely, a lower number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Streptococcus mutans . Also, patients with immune dysfunctions had a lower dental caries experience than their immunocompetent counterparts.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 1102 - 4
Lactose metabolism by Streptococcus mutans: evidence for induction of the tagatose 6-phosphate pathway; Hamilton IR et al.; Growth on lactose by strains of Streptococcus mutans resulted in the induction of the lactose-phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system, phospho-beta-galactosidase, and the enzymes of the tagatose 6-phosphate pathway.

Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 1177 - 85
Antigens of Streptococcus mutans: cellular localization of the serotype-specific polysaccharide of strain AHT and release during exponential growth; Craig RA et al.; The serotype-specific polysaccharide of Streptococcus mutans AHT (serotype a) was shown to be loosely associated with the cell surface of this organism . The antigen was extracted from whole cells by boiling in sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.0, for 10 min . The purified product was found to be a diheteroglycan of galactose and glucose (3.6:1, molar ratio) . The antigen possessed serological characteristics similar to the a antigen previously extracted from purified cell walls with hot formamide . Its physicochemical structure was identical to the previously studied wall antigen . Electron micrographs, developed after immunocytological labeling of this antigen on whole cells, revealed it to compose a dense microcapsule surrounding the microbe . Analyses of spent culture fluids indicated that the antigen was released during exponential growth at a rate directly proportional to the increase in culture biomass . It is concluded that the serotype-specific antigen may be a prime immunogen due to its surface localization at both capsule and wall sites.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 774 - 85
Lactose metabolism in Streptococcus lactis: phosphorylation of galactose and glucose moieties in vivo; Thompson J; Starved cells of Streptococcus lactis ML3 grown previously on lactose, galactose, or maltose were devoid of adenosine 5'-triphosphate contained only three glycolytic intermediates: 3-phosphoglycerate, 2-phosphoglycerate, and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) . The three metabolites (total concentration, ca 40 mM) served as the intracellular PEP potential for sugar transport via PEP-dependent phosphotransferase systems . When accumulation of {14C}lactose by iodoacetate-inhibited starved cells was abolished within 1 s of commencement of transport, a phosphorylated disaccharide was identified by autoradiography . The compound was isolated by ion-exchange (borate) chromatography, and enzymatic analysis showed that the derivative was 6-phosphoryl-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1 leads to 4')-alpha-D-glucopyranose (lactose 6-phosphate) . After maximum lactose uptake (ca . 15 mM in 15 s) the cells were collected by membrane filtration and extracted with trichloroacetic acid . Neither free nor phosphorylated lactose was detected in cell extracts, but enzymatic analysis revealed high levels of galactose 6-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate . The starved organisms rapidly accumulated glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, methyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside in phosphorylated form to intracellular concentrations of 32, 32, 42, and 38.5 mM, respectively . In contrast, maximum accumulation of lactose (ca . 15 mM) was only 40 to 50% that of the monosaccharides . From the stoichiometry of PEP-dependent lactose transport and the results of enzymatic analysis, it was concluded that (i) ca . 60% of the PEP potential was utilized via the lactose phosphotransferase system for phosphorylation of the galactosyl moiety of the disaccharide, and (ii) the residual potential (ca . 40%) was consumed during phosphorylation of the glucose moiety.

Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 903 - 9
Generation of specfic T-cell suppressor function induced by Streptococcus mutans in monkeys and mice; Lamb JR et al.; Specific suppressor cells in mice and monkeys can be induced with high doses of Streptococcus mutans antigen . When these cells are further cultured with a low dose of S . mutans antigen in vitro, they secrete specific suppressor factors which decrease the cooperative responses to this antigen . In view of the sensitivity of these cells to anti-Thy 1 and complement, and as they are not retained on nylon-wool, these suppressor cells are T cells . The suppressor factor exerts its effect on T helper cells and not on B cells . Suppressor cells and factors may regulate antibody responses to S . mutans and might be of significance in determining the dose and frequency of immunization and the type of adjuvant to be used.

Aust J Biol Sci, 1979 Dec, 32(6), 625 - 35
Properties and function of fumarate reductase (NADH) in Streptococcus lactis; Hillier AJ et al.; The fumarate reductase (NADH) present in cell-free extracts of S . lactis C10 was purified approximately 100-fed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in the presence of the non-ionic detergent Teric X-10, and some of the properties of this partially purified enzyme were characterized . Fumarate was able to act as a terminal electron acceptor and decreased the amount of lactate formed and oxygen used during the metabolism of pyruvate by resting cells of S . lactis . Anaerobic growth of S . lactis on glycerol was not observed and fumarate reduction was not coupled with glycerol-3-phosphate oxidation.

NIPH Ann, 1979 Dec, 2(2), 41 - 4
Distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae types in Norway; Gaustad P; A total of 129 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from nasopharyngeal specimens was typed by the Neufeld reaction using diagnostic antipneumococcus sera produced at Statens Seruminstitutt, Denmark . Most isolates (87.6%) reacted with the serum pools B (41.9%), H (34.9%), and D (10.8%) comprising the types 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, 28, 36 AND 37 . Only 12.4% of the isolates belonged to the remaining six serum pools . Among the strains reacting with serum pools B, D, and H, the most frequently encountered types were 6 (33%), 19 (18%), 3 (13%), 14 (11%), 23 (11%) and 15 (7%) . Among these six types, only type 15 is not included in the available pneumococcal vaccine.

J Infect Dis, 1979 Dec, 140(6), 979 - 83
Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing disease; Gray BM et al.; Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae from 525 infected children were examined over a four-year period . Type distribution was similar among 84 cases of bacteremia and 30 cases of meningitis, with types 6, 14, and 18 accounting for half of the illnesses . In contrast, half of 396 episodes of otitis media were caused by three other types, 19, 23, and 3 . Four of eight fatalities were due to type 6 . Carrier strains isolated from children had a distribution of types similar to that of the otitis media collection . Adult patients had fewer of the types that caused disease in children . Most childhood infections (80%) occurred in children less than or equal to 24 months of age; no relationship between age and infecting serotype was noted . There were no seasonal trends in type distribution.

Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 1079 - 87
Effect of carbohydrate source and growth conditions on the production of lipoteichoic acid by Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt; Jacques NA et al.; Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt was grown in a chemostat at defined dilution rates and pH values and under carbohydrate limitation . At a constant dilution rate of D = 0.1 h-1 and with either 0.5% glucose or 0.5% sucrose, the amounts of both cellular and extracellular lipoteichoic acid increased as the culture pH increased from 5.0 to 7.5 . At a constant pH of 6.0, the amount of cellular lipoteichoic acid formed by cultures growing in 0.2% or 0.5% glucose was relatively constant over a range of dilution rates, although the amount of extracellular lipoteichoic acid formed in 0.2% glucose at intermediate dilution rates was less than that formed in 0.5% glucose . Organisms grown in 0.5% sucrose at pH 6.0 contained increasing amounts of cellular lipoteichoic acid as the dilution rate was increased . A comparison of the amounts of cellular lipoteichoic acid formed by organisms growing at D = 0.5 h-1 and pH 6.0 in glucose, sucrose, fructose, or mixtures of glucose and fructose in limiting amounts suggested that the enhanced production of lipoteichoic acic by sucrose-grown organisms was due to the fructose component . The culture fluids from both glucose- and sucrose-grown organisms contained detectable amounts of serotype c antigen, whereas glucose-grown cultures also contained significant amounts of an extracellular hexose-containing polymer.

Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 1071 - 8
Phenotypic stability of the cell wall of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt grown under various conditions; Knox KW et al.; Quantitative analyses of cell walls from Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt grown under carbohydrate limitation in the chemostat showed that growth conditions had no statistically significant effect on the composition of polysaccharide, peptidoglycan, or the proportion of polysaccharide in the cell wall . Lysis of cell wall preparations with a muramidase supported this conclusion and further indicated that there was little difference in their overall structure . In contrast, there was a consistent difference between the rates of lysis by this enzyme of organisms grown in 0.2% glucose and 0.5% glucose . Extremes of pH or dilution rate essentially did not influence the immunogenicity of type c antigen in whole organisms irrespective of whether the carbohydrate source was glucose or sucrose . However, differences were found in the immunogenicity of lipoteichoic acid under similar circumstances . The results indicated there was an inherent phenotypic stability in the cell walls of S . mutans Ingbritt despite changes in pH, generation time, and carbohydrate source, and that any changes that did occur were probably due to associated cell-surface components.

Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 1028 - 34
Bacterial aggregating activity in human saliva: simultaneous determination of free and bound cells; Golub EE et al.; Two new assays for saliva-mediated aggregation of oral bacteria have been developed, based on the use of {3H}thymidine-labeled cells . One assay separates free cells from aggregated cells by centrifugation through sucrose, whereas the other utilizes membrane filters (8 micrometers, Nuclepore) to effect the separation . Comparison of these assays with the turbidity method reveals that they are faster (X20 to 40) and require 10 times less saliva and bacteria . The aggregation of Streptococcus sanguis M5, as determined with these assays, is complete in 5 min and is dose dependent on added cells and saliva . The reaction exhibits a temperature optimum of 42 degrees C with no reaction at 0 degrees C . If the pH is reduced to below 5, saliva-dependent aggregation is inhibited . The salivary factor(s) are heat labile, losing 100% of their activity after 100 degrees C, 10 min or 70 degrees C, 30 min.

Ann Intern Med, 1979 Dec, 91(6), 835 - 41
Pneumococcal infections after human bone-marrow transplantation; Winston DJ et al.; Seven of 26 long-term survivors (greater than 7 months post-transplant) of bone-marrow transplantation developed penicillin-sensitive pneumococcal infections more than 7 months after transplantation . One patient had two infections . Six of eight infections were associated with pneumococcal bacteremia, and Streptococcus pneumoniae type 6A was isolated in three cases . Two infections were fatal . All patients had normal nematopoietic function, and none was receiving immunosuppressive therapy . The development of pneumococcal infection was significantly associated with males and with abnormally low or high serum IGG and IgM levels but not with graft-versus-host disease . Serum opsonic activity for S . pneumoniae type 6A was decreased in six of the seven patients when compared to normal pooled serum in an in-vitro bactericidal assay . Four of the six patients with impaired opsonic activity had low serum antibody levels for S . pneumoniae type 6A capsular polysaccharide, while the other two patients had low serum CH100 complement activity . Bone-marrow transplant recipients have an increased susceptibility to pneumococcal infections and should be evaluated for prophylactic penicillin or pneumococcal vaccination.

Infect Immun, 1979 Nov, 26(2), 783 - 6
Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase activity in five serotypes of Streptococcus mutans; Slee AM et al.; An inducible phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase system has been demonstrated in decryptified cell suspensions of the various common serotypes of the cariogenic microorganism Streptococcus mutans.

Am J Vet Res, 1979 Nov, 40(11), 1553 - 7
Immune response in swine given soluble antigens from group E Streptococcus; Wessman GE et al.; Swine were given a series of injections of soluble or whole cell antigens of group E Streptococcus (GES) . In experiment 1, swine given autoclaved extracts developed greater amounts of antibody to antiphagocytic factor (as detected with bactericidal and long-chain tests) than did swine given pepsin-extracted or whole cell antigens, and the swine given extract developed fewer abscesses when challenge exposed with live virulent GES added to their feed . In experiment 2, swine given injections of concentrated autoclaved extract develped higher antiphagocytic factor antibody titers than did control swine given injections of physiologic saline solution . When challenge exposed with live virulent GES by exposure to carrier swine, swine that were given extract developed 71.4% fewer abscesses than did the control swine . Furthermore, 58.3% of the abscesses in the swine that were given extrac" were less than 1 cm in diameter as compared with 38.2% of the abscesses in the controls, suggesting that the development of some abscesses was arrested in vaccinated swine . Data indicate that a degree of immunity to streptococcal lymphadenitis of swine can be induced by vaccinating swine with nonliving GES antigen.

Eur J Biochem, 1979 Nov 1, 101(1), 59 - 64
Bacteriophages of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Physicochemical properties of bacteriophage Dp-4 and its transfecting DNA; Garcia E et al.; The properties of Dp-4 phage and its DNA have been studied . The phage has a polyhedral head of 60 nm diameter, a tail 155 nm long and a buoyant density in CsCl of 1.48 g/cm3 . Analysis by acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates the presence of five polypeptides . Dp-4 DNA has a molecular weight of 37 x 10(6), a melting point of 83.5 degrees C (when dissolved in 0.15 M NaCl/0.015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) and a G + C content of about 33% . Denaturation of DNA yields two strands of different buoyant density in a neutral CsCl gradient . The interaction of poly(U, G) with the heavy strand strongly enhances its density and allows the preparative separation of both strands . Native Dp-4 DNA has unusual physical properties: abnormally low buoyant densities both in CsCl (1.666 g/cm3) and in Cs2SO4 (1.410 g/cm3) (which do not correspond to the value predictable from the G + C content of the DNA), and a high thermal stability at low ionic strength.

Am J Dis Child, 1979 Nov, 133(11), 1149 - 50
Streptococcus bovis meningitis in a neonate; Fikar CR et al.; Neonatal infections have been caused by Streptococcus bovis, a nonenterococcal group D Streptococcus . A recent case of neonatal meningitis caused by this organism prompted a literature review regarding appropriate antibiotic therapy . Although most reports suggested penicillin therapy alone for S bovis meningitis, isolates of this organism that were as resistant to the lethal effect of penicillin as the enterococcus have been recovered . Therefor, it was recommended that until the results of minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration tests are known both an aminoglycoside and a penicillin be used simultaneously . Proved susceptibility to the penicillin would justify discontinuation of the aminoglycoside therapy . Physicians caring for neonates with S bovis should be aware that some strains may be resistant to the lethal effect of penicillin.

South Med J, 1979 Nov, 72(11), 1473 - 4
Extensive gas in tissues of the forearm after horsebite; Marrie TJ et al.; A 44-year-old man sustained lacerations of the forearm as a result of a horsebite . His arm became swollen after primary closure of the wounds, and a roentgenogram showed gas in the tissues of the forearm . Streptococcus anginosus and S mutans were isolated from the wounds.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Nov, 140(2), 547 - 54
Biosynthesis of glycosylated glycerolphosphate polymers in Streptococcus sanguis; Mancuso DJ et al.; Two types of glycosylated glycerolphosphates were synthesized when a particulate enzyme prepared from Streptococcus sanguis was incubated with {3H}-phosphatidylglycerol and uridine diphosphate-{14C}glucose in the presence of MgCl2 . The first type was extractable with saline and contained no fatty acid . The second type was pellet bound and could be extracted with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate . Both types of polymers were purified and partially characterized . The first type of polymer was fractionated into five polymers, peaks 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, and 3b . All except peak 2a, which contained only {3H}glycerol, contained both {3H}glycerol and {14C}glucose . {3H}NaBH4 reduction of acid hydrolysates of the polymers revealed that all of the polymers contained glucose as the major sugar componenta nd xylose as the minor sugar component . The second type of polymer was fractionated into three polymers, P-1, P-2, and P-3 . All contained {3H}-glycerol, {14C}glucose, and fatty acids . P-1 appeared to be pure, whereas P-2 and P-3 contained two polymers each, as judged from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 38(5), 821 - 6
Antibacterial action of lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide on Streptococcus agalactiae; Mickelson MN; Antibacterial activity of lactoperoxidase (LP)-thiocyanate (SCN)-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on Streptococcus agalactiae requires that the three reactants must be in contact with the cells simultaneously . Small but assayable amounts of LP adsorb to the cell surface and are not removed by washing . A diffusible antibacterial product of LP-SCN-H2O2 reaction was not found under our experimental conditions . Incubation of S . agalactiae cells with LP-H2O2 and 14C-labeled sodium SCN resulted in the incorporation of SCN into the bacterial protein . Most of the LP-catalyzed, incorporated SCN was released from the bacterial protein . Most of the LP-catalyzed, incorporated SCN was released from the bacterial protein with dithiothreitol . Cells that had their membrane permeability changed by treatment with Cetab or 80% ethanol incorporated more SCN than did untreated cells, i.e., approximately 1 mol of SCN for each mol of sulfhydryl group present in the reaction mixture . Alteration of membrane permeability caused protein sulfhydryls, normally protected by the cytoplasmic membrane, to become exposed to oxidation . The results suggest the LP-H2O2-catalyzed incorporation of SCN into the proteins of S . agalactiae by a mechanism similar to that reported for bovine serum albumin . Removal of reactive protein sulfhydryls from a functional role in membrane transport and in glucolysis in a likely cause of the antibacterial effect for S . agalactiae.

South Med J, 1979 Nov, 72(11), 1402 - 3
Value of cultures in patients with acute cellulitis; Ho PW et al.; A retrospective review of blood and wound cultures obtained from adult patients admitted for acute cellulitis revealed positive culture rates of 0.77% of 86% respectively . Organisms from wound cultures were predominantly Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes . The majority of our patients were otherwise healthy . Our study suggests that blood cultures are not necessary in acute cellulitis in adults without serious underlying diseases.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1979 Nov, 32(11), 1168 - 73
Comparative bactericidal activities of beta-lactam antibiotics determined in agar and broth media; Masuda G et al.; Comparative bactericidal activities were determined utilizing a relatively large number of test strains, in both agar and broth media, with special reference to the time of exposure of the bacteria to certain beta-lactam antibiotics . It was apparent that the activities increase with time . The concentrations producing a 99.9% kill with cephalothin for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., and carbenicillin for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were higher in broth than in agar . In contrast, those of benzylpenicillin for alpha-streptococcus (non-enterococcal) were higher in agar than in broth . If the bactericidal concentrations with 3-hour or 6-hour exposure to antibiotics were used as the criterion, these concentrations of carbenicillin for P . aeruginosa, and benzylpenicillin for alpha-streptococcus were, in particular, unusually high compared with the conventionally determined bacteriostatic concentrations (MICs).

Infect Immun, 1979 Nov, 26(2), 487 - 91
Regulation and function of sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase in Streptococcus mutans; St Martin EJ et al.; Sucrose catabolism by Streptococcus mutans is initiated by a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase reaction that produces sucrose 6-phosphate the latter is then cleaved by a sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase reaction that yields glucose 6-phosphate and fructose . We have examined the regulation of the sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase and found that it was synthesized constitutively whereas sucrose phosphotransferase activity was inducible . However, the levels of both sucrose phosphotransferase and sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase were repressed when fructose was used as a growth substrate . The specific activity of sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase in permeabilized cells was approximately 30 mmol/min per mg (dry weight of cells), and it had an apparent Km for sucrose 6-phosphate of 0.3 mM . analysis of a mutant that was missing sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase activity revealed that its ability to hydrolyze sucrose was reduced.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1979 Nov, 27(9), 567 - 70
{Pneumococcal capsular types of clinical specimens . Lyon: 1972-1977 and 1978 (author's transl)}; Moulin A et al.; 878 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were tested during two periods : 667 strains from 1972 to 1977 and 211 strains during 1978 . Strains were isolated from spinal fluids, blood, peritoneal fluids, urines, exudate from respiratory tract except sputum . In polymicrobial specimens, only the predominant species were serotyped . From 1972 to 1977, 53,3% of strains are typed and 6 serotypes and pools are prevalent among 68,5% of typed strains, the most frequent are : 6 - D - 18 - 19 . During the second period (1978) 82,5% of strains are typed, 9 serotypes are prevalent among 68,5% of typed strains, the most frequent are : 6 - 19 - 23 - 3 . During 1978, 27,6% of strains are isolated from child wards, others from adults wards . A comparison of the relative frequencies of the serotypes in the two wards shows that the following 10 serotypes are the most frequent: 6 - 19 - 23 - 3 - 18 - 1 - 8 - 9 - 14 - 4.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1979 Nov, 27(9), 559 - 64
{Distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in Nantes Hospital (1969-1978) (author's transl)}; Courtieu AL et al.; Between 1969 and 1978 at the CHR of Nantes we isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae from 815 swabs taken from 591 patients and which provided 595 different strains . Serotyping of all the strains was carried out using the capsular reaction test . The prevalence of the different serovars varied according to the year and the type of swab . No resistant strains to benzylpenicillin or ampicillin were observed . There was significant resistance to sulphonamides and tetracycline : 24,3 and 29,6% respectively . The American vaccine containing the greatest number of serovars was effective for only 69,8% of the strains isolated in Nantes.

J Infect Dis, 1979 Nov, 140(5), 716 - 23
Experimental otitis media in chinchillas following nasal colonization with type 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae: prevention after vaccination with pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide; Giebink GS et al.; Chinchillas were colonized intranasally with type 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae, and pneumococcal otitis media developed in greater than 50% of the animals during the first week after negative middle ear pressure (-25 mm Hg) was briefly applied . Twenty-three chinchillas were vaccinated subcutaneously with the capsular polysaccharde of type 7F S . pneumoniae to determine whether vaccination could prevent the development of experimental otitis media . Following vaccination, 14 animals seroconverted with at least a twofold rise in serum antibody concentration; nine animals that were vaccinated did not seroconvert . All of 23 vaccinated animals and 42 of 42 unvaccinated control animals became colonized after intranasal inoculation with pneumococci . Only one (7%) of the vaccinated seroconverting animals developed pneumococcal otitis media, whereas 26 (62%) of the control animals developed middle ear infection with type 7F pneumococci . Four (44%) of nine vaccinated nonseroconverting animals developed pneumococcal otitis media . Protection was associated with high levels of serum antibody prior to intranasal inoculation . Higher antibody levels were found in sterile middle ear effusions than in S . pneumoniae-infected effusions . Vaccination with type 7F pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide significantly reduced the incidence of pneumococcal otitis media following intranasal inoculation of type 7F S . pneumoniae in chinchillas.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Nov, 140(2), 655 - 65
Transformation in pneumococcus: nuclease resistance of deoxyribonucleic acid in the eclipse complex; Morrison DA et al.; Donor deoxyribonucleic acid strands in the eclipse phase of genetic transformation of pnuemococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) are purified as a complex with a cf the deoxyribonucleic acid strand in this complex to digestion by nucleases was shown to be 50- to 1,000-fold less than that of uncomplexed single strands of deoxyribonucleic acid . Deoxyribonuclease I, micrococcal nuclease, Neurospora endonuclease, nuclease P1, and the major endogenous nuclease of cell-free extracts were studied . Sensitivity to nuclease attack was not uniform along the deoxyribonucleic acid strand; sequences of strongly protected bases were separated by more sensitive regions . The minimum size of protected fragments was about 70 bases . A complex of protein with the protected deoxyribonucleic acid segments was obtained after partial digestion . The sizes of these complexes, of the protected deoxyribonucleic acid segments, and of the protein subunit released by complete nuclease digestion, are all approximately identical, as determined by gel exclusion chromatography . Deoxyribonucleic acid strands of eclipse complex were also shown to be particularly well protected from attack by the major pneumococcal endonuclease in cell extracts.

J Chromatogr, 1979 Oct 19, 178(1), 209 - 18
Fingerprinting of carbohydrates of Streptococcus mutans by combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; Aluyi HA et al.; A modified method is described for the analysis, by gas-liquid chromatography, of various sugars as the trimethylsilyl derivatives of their methyl glycosides . The technique was employed for the analysis of the cellular carbohydrate of Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 and provided reproducible fingerprints, consisting of peaks due to glycerol, rhamnose, xylose, galactofuranse, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid . Absolute identification of the latter was by combined gas-liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry.

Mol Gen Genet, 1979 Oct 3, 176(2), 171 - 81
Superhelical DNA in Streptococcus sanguis: role in recombination in vivo; Raina JL et al.; Competent Streptococcus sanguis treated with non-lethal doses of coumermycin A1 immediately before or after uptake of radioactive transforming DNA were reduced in their capacity to yield transformants . This treatment did not alter bacterial ability to bind DNA in DNase I-resistant form, nor did it prevent the single-stranded donor DNA-recipient protein complexes formed upon uptake at the surface of the bacteria from translocating to chromosomal sites . Inhibition of transformation by heterospecific DNA was greater than that by homospecific DNA . The reduction in transformant yield was not accompanied by any loss of donor counts incorporated into the recipient chromosome, but rather by a loss of genetic activity of incorporated donor material indicating a failure of genetic integration and degradation of donor DNA as a consequence of coumermycin treatment . The inhibitory effect of coumermycin on transformation was associated with in vivo loss of chromosomal DNA superhelicity, The chromosomal DNA remained intact, however, indicative of inhibition of a gyrase-like enzyme responsible for the maintenance of negative supercoiling of the S . sanguis chromosome . Upon treatment with the drug, a coumermycin-resistant mutant strain showed neither loss of chromosomal superhelicity nor any inhibitory effect on genetic integration of donor DNA . The evidence supports the idea that chromosomal superhelicity promotes genetic recombination in vivo.

Dev Med Child Neurol, 1979 Oct, 21(5), 643 - 7
Mixed bacterial and fungal meningitis in a neonate; Ehlers RE et al.; Mixed infections of the central nervous system occurring in children without underlying neurological disease may be more frequent than previously suspected . In this case report, a neonate whose cerebrospinal fluid culture at 24 hours showed group B streptococcus only, was found on postmortem examination at six days of age to have disseminated candidiasis with cerebral abscesses . The degree of systemic involvement in this newborn suggested intra-uterine acquired candidiasis . Early diagnosis of polymicrobic infections is difficult, but this case suggests it should be considered in patients not responding to antibiotic therapy.

Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1979 Oct-Dec, 24(4), 227 - 34
{Dynamics of streptococcal infections and prevention of post-streptococcal diseases in children's communities of Timişoara}; Otesteanu E et al.; An analysis was carried out of the dynamics of circulation of the beta-haemolytic streptococcus in pre-school and in school children in the first two years of primary school . The study was performed simultaneously in two groups of children (an experimental and a control group) and allowed, after confrontation of the results obtained, to evaluate correctly the investigations performed, that is the detection of the acute disease and of healthy carriers by bacteriological examinations and early detection of post-streptococcal complications with the aid of serologic examinations (ASLO) . The importance is stressed, of living conditions in the family and at school, as well as of individual factors (hereditary, hormonal, immunologic, etc.) in the development of late complications . Thus the measures proposed by the authors are aimed not only at the medical aspects, but also to the social-organizatoric ones.

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 10(4), 497 - 502
Longitudinal survey of the distribution of various serotypes of Streptococcus mutans in infants; Masuda N et al.; The establishment of various serotypes of Streptococcus mutans was studied serologically in plaque samples collected from label surfaces of upper primary incisors of 22 infants (starting age, 5 to 13 months) over a period fo 30 months . Clinical examinations were also performed . No clear-cut association between the initiation of dental caries and previous detection of S . mutans was noted . However, all 12 of the infants with caries had S . mutans isolated at some time during the course of this study . The most common serotype isolated at the initial establishment of S . mutans on the tooth surfaces was serotype c, whereas types d, e, and g became established in a few cases . During the test period, changes in the distribution of serotypes of S . mutans were observed in some cases . The initiation of carious lesions could be found in a few cases even when S . mutans comprised about 1% or less of the total streptococcal count of the specimen from the tooth surfaces . Serotype d/g strains tended to develop carious lesions on smooth surfaces, although serotype c was isolated from almost all individuals who developed caries.

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 10(4), 464 - 76
Differentiation of Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus by gas-liquid chromatography of cellular fatty acids and metabolic products; Lambert MA et al.; Gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) profiles of cellular fatty acids and metabolic products were useful in identifying strains of Peptococcus saccharolyticus, Peptococcus asaccharolyticus, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Peptostreptococcus micros, and Streptococcus intermedius . The GLC results supported the recent taxonomic decision to transfer aerotolerant Peptostreptococcus species to the genus Streptococcus . Because inconsistencies in the results prevented our differentiating Peptococcus prevotii . Peptococcus magnus, and Peptococcus variabilis by GLC, additional strains will have to been examined . These GLC techniques are amenable to routine use; however, for interlaboratory results to be meaningful, the classification and nomenclature of the anaerobic gram-positive cocci should be standardized.

J Wildl Dis, 1979 Oct, 15(4), 497 - 8
Epizootic streptococcal pneumonia in captive coyotes; Gates NL et al.; Severe death loss was observed in captive coyotes, Canis latrans . Of 48 coyotes in one kennel, 22 (46%) died within a 7 day period . Cause of death was determined to be acute fibrinopurulent (bacterial) broncho-pneumonia and pleuritis . Streptococcus equisimilis was isolated from the lungs of two coyotes examined.

Infect Immun, 1979 Oct, 26(1), 82 - 9
Effect of oral administration of glucosyltransferase antigens on experimental dental caries; Smith DJ et al.; The effect of oral administration of soluble antigen preparations containing glucosyltransferase on dental caries in hamsters was studied . Immunization was accomplished by feeding glucosyltransferase for 21 to 27 consecutive days . This immunization regimen resulted in the formation of salivary antibody, which was detected by functional inhibition of enzymatic activity and by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . A serum response also occurred in two of the three experiments performed . After infection with cariogenic Streptococcus mutans strain 6715, glucosyltransferase-fed hamsters had significantly fewer S . mutans cells recoverable from molar surfaces on six of nine occasions, compared with buffer-fed control groups . Hamsters orally immunized with glucosyltransferase also always had lower mean caries scores and mean numbers of lesions than comparably infected sham-immunized groups . The results of this study suggest that significant protection from experimental dental caries can be accomplished by oral administration of soluble antigen preparations containing glucosyltransferase.

Infect Immun, 1979 Oct, 26(1), 387 - 9
Nature of the fructan of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176; Corrigan AJ et al.; The fructan of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 was shown to have a levan structure by comparing the chromatographic mobilities of the saccharides produced by partial acid hydrolysis of ghe fructan and known levan and inulin . This was confirmed by using concanavalin A as a lectin in a double-diffusion gel technique.

Arch Intern Med, 1979 Oct, 139(10), 1176 - 8
Infected left atrial myxoma with bacteremia simulating infective endocarditis; Rajpal RS et al.; A 58-year-old man had intermittent fever of eight months' duration following a dental extraction . There were no abnormal cardiac auscultatory findings . Multiple blood cultures yielded Streptococcus mutans . Treatment for infective endocarditis was initiated; however, an echocardiogram suggested the presence of a left atrial myxoma . The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography and the infected tumor was removed successfully . Differentiating features between left atrial myxoma and mitral valve endocarditis may not be obvious clinically, and bacteremia does not preclude atrial myxoma as a diagnostic possibility . We therefore suggest that all cases of infective endocarditis be evaluated by echocardiography to elucidate lesions such as large vegetations or left atrial myxoma, both of which may require urgent operative intervention.

Chest, 1979 Oct, 76(4), 420 - 4
Bacterial colonization, tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia following tracheostomy and long-term intubation in pediatric patients; Brook I; Serial tracheal cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were obtained from 27 pediatric patients during one year of follow-up . The patients had required tracheostomy and prolonged intubation for periods ranging from 3 to 12 months (average, 7 1/2 months) . Cultures of tracheal aspirates yielded 1,508 isolates of pathogenic aerobic (969 isolates) and anaerobic (539 isolates) bacteria . The most frequent aerobic isolates were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus . The predominant anaerobes were anaerobic gram-positive cocci, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Bacteroides fragilis . Replacement of one pathogen by another occurred frequently . Tracheobronchitis occurred in 24 patients, all of whom had episodes of pneumonia . The data suggest that anaerobic bacteria are a part of the bacterial flora in colonization, tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia in patients with tracheostomy and prolonged intubation.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1979 Oct, 63(10), 710 - 2
An unusual organism causing orbital cellulitis; Schwartz H et al.; Bacterial orbital cellulitis is a feared complication of paranasal sinus infection . Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species are the commoner pathogens involved in these cases . However, anaerobic bacteria and unusual Gram-negative organisms should be suspected as well . We treated a case of bacterial orbital cellulitis due to foci of infected paranasal sinuses caused by Eikenella corrodens, a Gram-negative rod . The patient was managed with intensive antibiotic coverage and surgical intervention.

J Periodontol, 1979 Oct, 50(10), 495 - 509
Periodontal therapy in humans . I . Microbiological and clinical effects of a single course of periodontal scaling and root planing, and of adjunctive tetracycline therapy; Slots J et al.; The present results showed that maarked and long-lasting changes in the subgingival microflora associated with periodontal disease could be achieved by a single course of periodontal treatment . Immediately following therapy, the total number of subgingival organisms decreased 10- to 100-fold and the proportions of cultivable Gram negative organisms and anaerobic organisms generally decreased 3- to 4-fold or more . After treatment, most periodontal pockets were populated by a scant microflora predominated by facultative Actinomyces and Streptococcus species . The kinetics of the subgingival bacterial recolonization revealed that the total cell counts and the proportions of spirochetes and Capnocytophaga species did not reach their pretreatment levels even after 6 months . Other Gram negative anaerobic species returned to pretreatment proportions after 3 to 6 months . Several Gram positive species exhibited higher posttreatment than pretreatment proportions throughout the 6 months study . The microbiological shifts paralleled significant changes in the clinical status of the periodontal tissues . Following therapy, the periodontal pocket depths decreased generally 1 to 4 mm, the gingival inflammatory index, the gingival fluid flow, and the suppurative index were generally lower, and nine of 33 test pockets examined showed apposition of alveolar bone . The microbiological and clinical changes described were exhibited by two patients treated with periodontal scaling and root planing alone and by two patients treated with the adjunctive use of systemic tetracycline therapy . In two other patients, mechanical periodontal therapy only slightly reduced the total number of subgingival organisms and the proportions of spirochetes and other Gram negative anaerobic rods . A shift in the subgingival microbial composition was achieved in these two patients after tetracycline therapy . The following model for treatment of periodontal disease is proposed: (1) Conventional therapy including thorough periodontal scaling and root planing; (2) Monitoring the subgingival flora and the clinical course; and (3) Use of antimicrobial therapy in refractory cases . Further studies are needed to develop means for rapid identification of refractory patients, and to determine the optimal antimicrobial agent, the optimal route of administration, and the optimal dosage regime.

J Clin Invest, 1979 Oct, 64(4), 871 - 83
Evidence for the synthesis and release of strongly immunosuppressive, noncytotoxic substances by Streptococcus intermedius; Arala-Chaves MP et al.; Products secreted by Streptococcus intermedius were studied for their effects on the immune response . Three different preparations of crude extracellular products from S . intermedius (CEP-Si) were found to have powerful suppressor activity in vitro as shown by inhibition of human lymphocyte proliferation (uptake of {3H}thymidine) and protein synthesis in response to a wide variety of stimulants, including mitogens and antigens, and suppression of plaque formation by human cells in response to sheep erythrocytes . CEP-Si was noncytotoxic, because cells incubated with high concentrations of CEP-Si and subsequently washed were viable and recovered their ability to respond to mitogens, and because leukocyte migration was not inhibited by CEP-Si, nor was the release of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor from sensitized lymphocytes . The possibility of antigen or mitogen competition was excluded . The effects of CEP-Si in vitro were time dependent and did not require the presence of monocytes . Cells pretreated with CEP-Si and then washed suppressed plaque formation by fresh autologous cells in highly stimulated cultures . CEP-Si injected into C57BL/6 mice also strongly suppressed their immune response to sheep erythrocytes, and the in vivo suppression was correlated with the effects of CEP-Si in vitro.

Can J Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 25(10), 1182 - 7
Partial characterization of a new C3-type capsule-dissolving phage of Streptococcus cremoris; Saxelin ML et al.; A viscous, ropy, sour milk product, called 'viili,' is produced in Finland . Capsule-forming strains of Streptococcus cremoris are the typical starters for this product . Occasionally fermentation fails and results in a non-ropy clot . The reasons for these failures, however, are obscure . In one batch of spoiled 'viili,' a new C3-type bacteriophage, termed KSY1, was isolated . The head of the phage was about 230 nm long and about 50 nm wide and the tail was 35 nm long and carried a complex collar structure . Upon infection of a number of encapsulated cultures of S . cremoris with KSY1, the cocci, though not serving as a host of the phage, lost their capsules . A capsuleless strain, S . cremoris 249, served as a host . The latent period was about 150 min and the average burst size 80 . The bouyant density of KSYI1 was 1.436 g/cm3.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Oct, 245(1-2), 33 - 43
The role of M protein in phagocytosis . I . Activity of some enzymes in phagocytic cells during infection with Streptococcus pyogenes in vivo; Tylewska S et al.; The phagocytosis of two type 12 Streptococcus pyogenes strains differing in M protein presence was investigated in vivo . The rate of phagocytosis and the streptococcal viability in phagocytic cells and outside of them was studied simultanously with estimation of enzymatic activity in phagocytic cells . It was observed that M positive strain was phagocytized at lower rate and also exhibited longer viability . Decrease of lactic dehydrogenase and ATP-ase activity in phagocytes of rabbits infected with M+ strain was also detected . These results suggest that M protein disturbs phagocytosis by inhibiting their main metabolic pathway of glycolysis.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Oct, 140(1), 197 - 205
Membrane H+ conductance of Streptococcus lactis; Maloney PC; Membrane conductance to H+ was measured in the anaerobic bacterium Streptoccus lactis by a pulse technique employing a low driving force (0.1 pH unit; 6 mV) . Over the pH range of 3.7 to 8.5, a constant value for passive H+ conductance was observed, corresponding to 0.2 mumol of H+/s per p/ unit per g, dry weight (1.6 microS/cm2 of surface area) . The pH insensitivity of this low basal H+ conductance supports the idea that a circulation of protons can mediate highly efficiency engery transductions across the membranes of bacteria.

J Biol Chem, 1979 Sep 10, 254(17), 8129 - 31
Active transport of thallous ions by Streptococcus lactis; Kashket ER; Tl+ ions have been shown to mimic or compete with K+ in a number of membrane systems . We confirmed that in starved, valinomycin-treated cells of Streptococcus lactis 7962, Tl+ ions distributed themselves across the bacterial membrane in response to the potassium diffusion potential . In glucose-energized cells, however, Tl+ was taken up by a system specifically stimulated by sodium salts . The intracellular levels of Tl+ exceeded those attained by {3H}triphenylmethylphosphonium ion, a lipophilic cation which accumulates in response to the membrane potential . The uptake of Tl+ by (Na+ and glucose)-stimulated cells was strongly inhibited by potassium salts . These experiments suggest that metabolic energy is coupled to Tl+ transport by means of a high energy phosphate compound and that Tl+ ions are actively transported by a membrane carrier whose normal substrate is K+ . The uptake of Tl+ is not a valid method for determining the streptococcal membrane potential.

J Gen Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 114(1), 117 - 24
Regulation of glucosyl- and fructosyltransferase synthesis by continuous cultures of Streptococcus mutans; Wenham DG et al.; Streptococcus mutans strains Ingbritt, and its derivative B7 which had been passaged through monkeys, have been used to investigate how the synthesis of extracellular glucosyl- and fructosyltransferases is regulated . The most active enzyme from carbon-limited continuous cultures was a fructosyltransferase; enzymes catalysing the formation of water-insoluble glucans from sucrose were relatively inactive . Dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5), which catalyses soluble glucan synthesis, was most active in the supernatant fluid from cultures grown with excess glucose, fructose or sucrose, but full activity was detected only when the enzyme was incubated with both sucrose and dextran . Little dextransucrase activity was detected in carbon-limited cultures . It is concluded that glucosyl- and fructosyltransferases are constitutive enzymes in that they are synthesized at similar rates during growth with an excess of the substrate or of the products of the reactions which they catalyse . Although the Ingbritt strain was originally isolated from a carious lesion, it is now a poor source of glucosyltransferase activity . Glucosyltransferases were extremely active in cultures of a recent clinical isolate, strain 3209, and were apparently induced during growth with excess glucose.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1979 Sep-Oct, 15(5), 712 - 4
{Procedure for isolating nisin from Streptococcus lactis}; Egorov NS et al.; The paper describes a method for obtaining the antibiotic nisine from Streptococcus lactis str . MSU via 50% acetic acid extraction . The concentrate is dried in the Anhydro spray drier (Denmark) . The preparation is inactivated during a one-year storage in the refrigerator by 20-25%.

Inflammation, 1979 Sep, 3(4), 345 - 58
Inflammatory lesions and bone resorption induced in the rat periodontium by lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus mutans; Bab IA et al.; Severe inflammatory lesions were induced in the periodontal tissues of the rat following the intragingival injection of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Streptococcus mutans . There was no difference in the severity and distribution of the lesions between nonimmunized rats and animals immunized against LTA after antigenic challenge . The lesions are characterized by the occurrence of granulation tissue, massive infiltration of PMNs, abscess formation, bone resorption, and new bone formation . Deacylated LTA and saline caused relatively mild inflammation, and no significant bone resorption or new bone formation was evident . The peak response was reached after 3 intragingival infections . The mechanisms by which LTA caused the pathological alterations in the rat periodontium and the possible relations of this experimental model to periodontal disease in the human are discussed.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1979 Sep, 16(3), 262 - 5
Sanguicin, a bacteriocin of oral Streptococcus sanguis; Fujimura S et al.; Streptococcus sanguis strain N-2 was found to produce a bacteriocin (sanguicin) which accumulates intracellularly . It was purified by sequential procedures about 98-fold with a recovery of 37% and appeared to be homogeneous on gel electrophoresis . Sanguicin was heat labile and was destroyed by digestion with pronase . The growth of several species of oral indigenous microorganisms was inhibited by sanguicin, of which Bacteriodes melaninogenicus was most susceptible . Sanguicin acted on susceptible cells as a bacteriostatic agent.

Infect Immun, 1979 Sep, 25(3), 781 - 5
Influence of preformed antibody on experimental Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis; Scheld WM et al.; The influence of preformed, anti-whole organism antibody on the development of Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis was examined in both in vivo and in vitro systems . Antibody prevented, rather than potentiated, endocarditis in rabbits . The infectious dose in 30 control animals was 10(6.5) +/- 0.33 (mean +/- standard deviation); this increased to 10(7.71 +/- 0.05 in 36 immunized animals (P less than 0.01) . No differences in bacterial clearance mechanisms were apparent between groups . Antibody also prevented the adherence of S . sanguis to the constituents of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (fibrin and platelets) in vitro . When preincubated in high-titer antisera, adherence of S . sanguis was reduced compared with controls (adherence ratio mean +/- standard error of the mean, X 10(4): 174 +/- 5 versus 427 +/- 10, P less than 0.001) . Preadsorption of immune sera with intact S . sanguis restored adherence to normal values, whereas preadsorption with dextran was partially effective . These studies demonstrate that preformed antibody had a protective role in vivo and suggest that a possible mechanism is blockade of adherence, a crucial early step in the pathogenesis of endocarditis.

Carbohydr Res, 1979 Sep, 74, 217 - 25
Structure of the water-insoluble alpha-D-glucan of Streptococcus salivarius HHT; Tsumuraya Y et al.; Water-insoluble, non-adherent alpha-D-glucans have been obtained from Streptococcus salivarius HHT under two sets of conditions: from a growing culture, or synthesized enzymically by using a glucosyltransferase . In the former case, the glucan ({alpha}D + 197 degrees) was shown by methylation analysis to have a slightly branched structure containing a relatively high proportion (80%) of (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages, together with small proportions of (1 leads to 6)- and (1 leads to 4)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages . The enzymically synthesized glucan had a much less-branched structure, containing 88% of (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages . Both glucans, on Smith degradation (sequential periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction, and mild acid hydrolysis), gave linear, (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucosidic polysaccharides (yields, 82--90%) that constitute the backbone chains . The presence of small proportions of glycerol, erythritol, 1-O-alpha-D-glucosyl-D-glycerol, and also 2-O-alpha-D-glucosyl-D-erythritol in the products of Smith degradation suggests that the short side-chains are attached to the backbone chain by (1 leads to 4)-, (1 leads to 6)-, and (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages.

Br J Nutr, 1979 Sep, 42(2), 325 - 40
Protein quality in cereals and pulses . 3 . Bioassays with rats and chickens on sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), barley and field beans (Vicia faba L.) . Influence of polyethylene glycol on digestibility on the protein in high-tannin grain; Ford JE et al.; 1 . Two preceding papers in this series describe the application of microbiological and other in vitro tests in the evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), field beans (Vicia faba L.) and barley, and in assessing the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) on the nutritional availability of the methionine . The present paper gives for comparison the results of bioassays on some of the same test samples . Net protein utilization (NPU) in rats was measured by the nitrogen balance method, and N digestibility in chickens by the ileal analysis procedure . 2 . In rat tests on sorghum, N in grain of high-tannin varieties was poorly digested . Supplementation of the test diets with 0.1 g PEG 4000/g protein gave a large improvemnet, which was partly offset by an apparent decrease in biological value (BV) . With chickens N digestibility was even lower, and was similarly improved with PEG 4000 . Treatment of high-tannin grain with ammonia solution was also effective in improving N digestibility . 3 . With low-tannin sorghum the amino acid digestibilities were uniformly high and were not affected by addition of PEG to the test diet . With high-tannin sorghums they were low and less uniform, and were much improved by PEG 4000 . 4 . With field beans, the influence of the seed-coat tannin on protein utilization was much less pronounced than with sorghum . In chickens there was a significant effect (P less than 0.05) of PEG 4000 on N idgestibility in a high-tannin variety . With rats the effect was smaller and not significant . 5 . In four samples of barley . N digestibility was high (0.87--0.96) and was not further improved by PEG 4000 . The BV of a high-lysine cultivar proved marginally inferior to that of a normal variety . Possible reasons for this are discussed . 6 . Over all, the results were closely consistent with those from microbiological tests with Streptococcus zymogenes.

Br J Nutr, 1979 Sep, 42(2), 317 - 23
Protein quality in cereals and pulses . 2 . Influence of polyethyleneglycol on the nutritional availability of methionine in sorghum (Sorghum vulgar Pers.), field beans (Vicia faba L.) and barley; Ford JE et al.; 1 . Polyethyleneglycol (PEG 4000) was examined for its influence on relative nutritional value (RNV) and available methionine in sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), field beans (Vicia faba L.) and barley, as measured microbiologically with Streptococcus zymogenes . The results were assessed in relation to the content of tannins in the test samples . 2 . In grain of hybrid sorghum the RNV averaged 87 (range 79--92) for six low-tannin varieties and 41 (30--53) for eleven high-tannin varieties . The corresponding available methionine values averaged 17.0 (15.7--18.9) and 8.9 (6.7--11.0) g/kg protein . Addition of PEG 4000 to the test samples increased the average RNV of the high-tannin varieties from 41 to 78, and the average available methionine content from 8.9 to 16.2 g/kg protein . 3 . With seed of ten coloured flowered varieties of field beans, treatment with PEG gave a small but consistent increase in the available methionine content, which resulted from the inactivation of tannins in the testa . 4 . In twenty-three samples of barley grain, treatment with PEG had no effect on the values obtained for available methionine . 5 . Treatment of high-tannin sorghum grain with ammonia has been reported to inactivate the tannins and increase the nutritional value for rats and chicks . This finding was confirmed . The present study showed that ammonia and PEG 4000 were equally effective in enhancing the nutritional quality as measured in the microbiological tests.

Am J Dis Child, 1979 Sep, 133(9), 947 - 9
Neonatal lung abscess . A report of six cases; Siegel JD et al.; Six infants 8 weeks of age or younger had lung abscesses treated in our medical center during the 20-year period of from 1957 to 1977 . The duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis, the etiologic organisms, and the therapeutic approach differ from those in older children and adults . The pathogenic organisms were Escherichia coli, group B streptococcus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, initial therapy with a penicillin and an aminoglycoside are indicated until identification and susceptibility results are available on the organism isolated from the abscess cavity . Previously undiagnosed cystic malformations of the lung were seen in two of the six patients . Surgical intervention is usually required in this age group.

Am J Dis Child, 1979 Sep, 133(9), 919 - 20
Group B streptococcal sepsis with osteomyelitis and arthritis . Its occurrence with acute heart failure; Ancona RJ et al.; In a 20-day-old female infant, bacteremia, osteomyelitis, and pyogenic arthritis developed due to infection with group B streptococcus, type Ic . She had an unusual clinical presentation with overwhelming sepsis and acute congestive heart failure.

J Biol Buccale, 1979 Sep, 7(3), 295 - 301
{Influence of culture media on the growth of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 in the presence of various carbohydrates and their derivatives}; Soyer C et al.; The growth of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25 175 has been studied in the presence of various sugars (sorbitol, mannitol, lycasin, sorbose and xylitol) and compared to sucrose, glucose and fructose, added to a complex and a synthetic culture medium . In these two media, the decrease in pH was related to the bacterial growth; this fact was confirmed by the dosages of the liberated lactic acid . In the complex medium, the different sugars influenced only slightly the bacterial growth, whereas in the synthetic medium the micro-organisms did not grow in the presence of sorbose, xylitol or lycasin 80/55 . An adaptation period was necessary before the beginning of bacterial growth in the synthetic medium supplemented with sorbitol and mannitol.

J Gen Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 114(1), 109 - 15
Wall-associated protein antigens of Streptococcus mutans; Russell RR; When heat-killed whole organisms of Streptococcus mutans strain Ingbritt (serotype c) were injected into rabbits, antibodies to at least 12 antigens were detectable by crossed immunoelectrophoresis . In contrast, when rabbits were immunized with organisms which had been subjected to extraction with the detergent sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), antibodies to only two protein antigens were found . These two proteins (A and B), while existing in a form apparently closely associated with peptidoglycan, could also be recovered from homogenates of whole organisms after sonication and from culture filtrates . Antigenic material was excreted throughout growth . SDS-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis showed A to have a molecular weight of 29 000, while B had a molecular weight of 190 000 . Antigen B was purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing . All of six strains of serotype c examined produced antigen B . Strains of serotypes e and f also produce antigenically identical proteins and strains of serotypes d and g produce proteins which cross-reacted with antigen B . Antigen B was specifically precipitated by rabbit antiserum to human heart tissue.

J Med Chem, 1979 Sep, 22(9), 1144 - 7
Antifungal agents . 4 . Chemical modification of antibiotics from Polyangium cellulosum var . fulvum . Ester and amide analogues of ambruticin; Connor DT et al.; A series of ester and amide analogues of ambruticin (1) was prepared . The analogues were tested against Histoplasma capsulatum, Microsporum fulvum, Candida albicans and Streptococcus pyogenes . Structure-activity relationships are described.

J Med Chem, 1979 Sep, 22(9), 1055 - 9
Antifungal agents . 5 . Chemical modification of antibiotics from Polyangium cellulosum var . fulvum . Alcohol, ketone, aldehyde, and oxime analogues of ambruticin; Connor DT et al.; Alcohol, ketone, aldehyde, and oxime analogues of ambruticin (1) were prepared . The analogues were tested against Histoplasma capsulatum, Microsporum fulvum, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus pyogenes . Structure-activity relationships are described . Increasing the bulk of substituent at C1 and C5 reduces antifungal activity.

Asian J Infect Dis, 1979 Sep, 3(3), 125 - 8
Relation of colonial morphologies of strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae in soft-agar to the encapsulation; Yoshida K et al.; Among 40 fresh isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae 12, 25 and 3 strains, respectively, exhibited large round, small round and compact colonial morphologies in soft-agar medium . Every large round strain possessed a capsule, almost half of the small round strains had capsules, while all of the large round type growth showed very high mouse virulence and 1.0 mg of these organisms was capable of absorbing a minimal amount of passive protective antibody in rabbit antiserum, prepared with the homologous strain, against challenge infection with homologous organisms in mice . Its variant showing compact type growth in soft-agar was mouse avirulent and a similar amount of the mouse passive protective antibody could not be absorbed with 100 mg of these organisms . These experimental results indicate that the soft-agar technique can be used for the identification of encapsulated strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 10(3), 339 - 42
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen; Harding SA et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide antigen in cerebrospinal fluid and serum . Sensitivity and specificity were determined for purified antigen preparations . Specificity was also evaluated in the rabbit meningitis model, and the sensitivity was compared to counterimmunoelectrophoresis, using the infected rabbits' cerebrospinal fluid and serum . The ELISA was a specific technique for detecting S . pneumoniae antigen . ELISA was 25 times more sensitive than counterimmunoelectrophoresis for purified antigen and resulted in an increased positivity of the cerebrospinal fluid and serum from infected rabbits . ELISA should prove very useful in the diagnosis of pneumococcal infections.

Carbohydr Res, 1979 Sep, 74, 287 - 300
The purification and properties of dextransucrase from Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10558; Huang S et al.; Dextransucrase has been purified from the culture fluids of S . sanguis 10558 by a combination of hydroxylapatite, ion-exchange, and gel-filtration steps . Two active proteins were isolated with specific activities approaching one order of magnitude higher than other preparations reported . The enzymes have mol . wt . on the order of 100 000 and exhibit pH optima between 5,8 and 6.2 . In addition, detailed analysis of one of the enzymes indicates that the enzyme undergoes two ionizations that are important for activity . One pK is at 4.4 and the second at 7.4 . The structures of dextrans produced by the two enzymes have been examined by p.m.r . spectroscopy, and a substantial degree of similarity was observed, with only minor differences in the proportion of alpha-(1 leads to 3) and alpha-(1 leads to 6) bonds . No evidence could be obtained that either of the enzymes was capable of catalyzing a rearrangement of alpha-(1 leads to 6) to alpha-(1 leads to 3) bonds.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Aug 30, 574(2), 290 - 300
Lipid composition of aminopterin-resistant and sensitive strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Effect of aminopterin inhibition; Trombe MC et al.; The polar lipids of Streptococcus pneumoniae wild type and aminopterin-resistant strains were analysed . The membrane contained only two acid phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, and a large amount of two glycolipids, glucosyldiglyceride and galactosylglucosyldiglyceride . The unsaturated acyl chains ranged from 58 to 87% of total fatty acids, depending on the strain and on growth conditions . No relation could be established between aminopterin resistance and polar lipid or fatty acid compositions . However, in the presence of bacteriostatic concentrations of aminopterin, the wild type and the resistant mutant did not have the same behavior . The resistant strain maintained its fatty acid composition and a normal {32P}phosphate distribution among phospholipids while the wild type shifted to a higher content in unsaturated fatty acids and to a high relative cardiolipin labelling . Such a differencein {32P} distribution was not observed when bacteriostatic concentrations of chloramphenicol were used, or when growth was stopped after amino acid deprivation induced by high concentrations of isoleucine . The biochemical basis of the aminopterin resistant character of the amiA mutants are not yet well understood but the present study establishes that the mutation confers a certain insensitivity of the lipid metabolism to aminopterin.

J Clin Pathol, 1979 Aug, 32(8), 764 - 8
Occurrence and cultural features of Streptococcus milleri in various body sites; Poole PM et al.; An investigation was made into the habitat of commensal strains of Streptococcus milleri . These showed distinctive patterns of cultural features, dependent on their sites of origin, which were compared with those prevalent in strains grown from the appendix, 'anal' lesions, and Bartholin's abscesses . A biotype, which showed a marked affinity for the vagina and produced acid from raffinose and melibiose, was identified.

Infect Immun, 1979 Aug, 25(2), 526 - 31
Essential dependence of smooth surface caries on, and augmentation of fissure caries by, sucrose and Streptococcus mutans infection; Tanzer JM; Streptococcus mutans-free Osborne-Mendel rats were used to study the ability of well-characterized S . mutans strains of Bratthall serotypes c, d, and E to form plaque and cause caries when the animals consumed either sucrose- or glucose-containing diets . All of the serotype representatives successfully infected, colonized, and emerged in the oral ecology of animals, independent of the carbohydrate supplementation of the diet . However, the sucrose-containing diet supported higher percentages of S . mutans of all the serotypes in the plaque and greater amounts of plaque on the teeth . Smooth surface caries was essentially S . mutans dependent and sucrose dependent; fissure caries, although it was neither dependent on S . mutans infection nor sucrose consumption, was augmented by both . This sucrose-associated emergence of all three serotype representatives in the plaque flora and their virulence in the production of caries can be ascribed to their production of alkali-solible alpha-(1 yields 3)-rich glucans from sucrose.

Carbohydr Res, 1979 Aug, 73, 245 - 53
Improved purification procedure for the extracellular D-glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans 6715; Figures WR et al.; The exocellular D-glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans 6715 has been highly purified with minimal loss of enzymic activity . The organisms were cultured in trypticase soy-broth that had been treated with invertase and filtered through an ultrafilter fitted with a membrane having a cut-off molecular weight at 10,000 . To the growth medium was added Tween 80, which prevented the enzyme from aggregating . The final step in the purification employed insoluble, streptococcal dextran as an affinity support . Two D-glucosyltransferase activities were detected, viz., one that did not adsorb to the insoluble dextran and one that did . The enzymic fraction that had adsorbed to the insoluble dextran in the affinity column was strongly inhibited by added insoluble dextran.

Br J Urol, 1979 Aug, 51(4), 312 - 6
Fournier's gangrene; Bejanga BI; Twenty-five cases of gangrene of the scrotum and penis have been analysed . The anterior scrotum or the whole scrotum were the areas most frequently involved . The results of seminal analyses showed marked oligozoospermia during the infective period . Haemolytic streptococcus was the most common organism . The aetiology of the disease is reviewed and "infective gangrene of the scrotum and penis" is considered to be a more suitable diagnostic label than Fournier's gangrene.

J Am Geriatr Soc, 1979 Aug, 27(8), 345 - 7
Bacterial pneumonia in the elderly: a reappraisal of conventional therapy, with a note on cefamandole; Gleckman RA et al.; Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in the elderly has for years been attributed almost exclusively to Streptococcus pneumoniae . Recent technical advances have provided bacteriologic and epidemiologic data demonstrating that other pathogens are important causes of pulmonary infection in older patients . This report reviews these data and reappraises the conventional therapy of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in geriatric patients . Some properties of a new antibiotic, cefamandole nafate, are described.

Blood, 1979 Aug, 54(2), 354 - 8
The protective effect of intraperitoneal splenic autotransplants in mice exposed to an aerosolized suspension of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae; Dickerman JD et al.; Splenosis has been shown to occur after traumatic injury to the spleen . It is postulated that this is the mechanism for the low incidence of bacterial infection in this group of patients when compared to those who undergo splenectomy for other reasons . Therefore, we studied the effect of exposure to an aerosolized suspension of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae on splenectomized mice who had either all or half of their splenic tissue cut up and reimplanted into the abdominal cavity 8 wk prior to bacterial exposure . It was determined that the mortality experience of these two groups of mice was similar to each other and no different from the sham control group, although all three groups had a statistically significant lower mortality experience than the splenectomized control group . This study demonstrates that splenosis in mice can protect against aerosolized bacterial infection.

Arch Dis Child, 1979 Aug, 54(8), 637 - 9
Acute necrotising fasciitis due to streptococcal infection in a newborn infant; Nutman J et al.; A 3-day-old baby girl developed septicaemia, meningitis, and necrotising fasciitis due to group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus, type M52, which was also cultured from the mother's cervix . Necrotising fasciitis is a severe infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with infarction, necrosis, and sloughing of the affected areas . Early recognition of this condition is essential so that appropriate treatment can be given.

Scand J Dent Res, 1979 Aug, 87(4), 288 - 95
Effect of chlorhexidine on the relative proportions of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis in hamster plaque; Emilson CG et al.; The effect of chlorhexidine on the proportions of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis in plaque was studied in hamsters fed a diet containing 28% sucrose . In animals given chlorhexidine in their drinking water for 10 d a decrease in the population of S . mutans and an increase of S . sanguis occurred in the plaque . Following the removal of chlorhexidine the population of S . mutans increased again in the presence of sucrose and the number of S . sanguis returned to initial values . When animals were given a sucrose-free diet the low proportion of S . mutans observed following the short-term chlorhexidine period persisted . These data indicate that there is an inverse relationship between the number of S . sanguis and S . mutans in plaque and that the sensitivity in vivo of S . mutans to chlorheximide can be used to suppress the population of S . mutans with a concomitant rise in the proportion of S . sanguis.

J Dent Res, 1979 Aug, 58(8), 1765 - 70
Intraoral transmission of Streptococcus mutans by a dental explorer; Loesche WJ et al.; A streptomycin-resistant strain of S . mutans was introduced into the mouth as adherent growth on an artificial fissure (AF) . A second AF, which was initially sterile, was placed in a crown on the opposite side of the dentition . The labeled strain was not found in 8 initially-sterile AFs which were left in vivo for 2 to 6 days and were not examined with a dental explorer . The labeled strain was detected in 7 of 9 initially-sterile AFs which were probed with the dental explorer.

South Med J, 1979 Aug, 72(8), 1027 - 8
Recurrent streptococcal endocarditis; Lutwick LI; A woman is described who suffered from multiple episodes of Streptococcus viridans endocarditis over a decade . The possible mechanisms for recurrence are discussed and the past literature on recurrent endocarditis is reviewed . In addition, the patient developed fever and eosinophilia in response to penicillin V, while tolerating penicillin G without incident.

J Clin Pathol, 1979 Aug, 32(8), 760 - 3
Rapid diagnosis of beta-haemolytic streptococcus group B endocarditis by buffy-coat examination and gas-liquid chromatography; Maliwan N et al.; A semicomatose 34-year-old man had fever, heart murmur, and multiple gangrenous lesions . Several blood cultures were negative . Cultures of the heart valve grew beta-haemolytic streptococcus group B . The organism was seen in buffy-coat examination of the venous blood . The gas-liquid chromatogram of the serum was different from those of normal controls and of patients with invasive candida infection; it closely mimicked the one obtained from the organism itself . These studies promise to be valuable diagnostic adjuncts.

Carbohydr Res, 1979 Aug, 73, 175 - 82
Structural studies of the capsular antigen from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 26; Kenne L et al.; The structure of the capsular antigen from Pneumococcus type 26 has been determined by using methylation analysis, periodate-oxidation studies, and n.m.r . spectroscopy of the original and the dephosphorylated product . It is considered that the polysaccharide is composed of repeating-units having the following structure . (formula: see text): The only difference between this structure and that of the type-6 antigen is that the alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl residue is linked to O-4 of D-ribitol in the former, but to O-3 in the latter.

N Z Med J, 1979 Jul 25, 90(640), 53 - 5
In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in New Zealand; Green MJ et al.; Ninety-seven isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae referred to the National Health Institute between January 1976 and March 1978 were tested for their susceptibility to 10 antimicrobials . All were susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, clindamycin, cephalothin and rifampicin . Resistance to tetracycline was found in 9.3 percent of the isolates, and 9.7 percent were resistant to a combination of sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim.

JAMA, 1979 Jul 6, 242(1), 42 - 4
Vertical transmission of group B Streptococcus . Relation to intrauterine fetal monitoring; Davis JP et al.; A prospective study of 70 mother-infant pairs was designed to evaluate vertical transmission of group B Streptococcus (GBS) in relation to the use of intrauterine fetal monitors (IUFMs) . Multiple-site cultures obtained from mothers during the intrapartum interval and those obtained from infants on day 1 and at discharge or day 4 were plated on a selective medium . Thirteen (27.1%) of 48 IUFM-exposed women vs seven (31.8%) of 22 non-IUFM-exposed women had GBS at one or more sites . The GBS colonization with maternally concordant serotypes occurred in eight (61.5%) of 13 infants born to GBS-colonized, IUFM-exposed women vs two (28.6%) of seven infants born to GBS-colonized, non-IUFM-exposed women . While this suggests that vertical transmission of GBS is enhanced by IUFM placement, the differences in these infant rates were not statistically significant.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1979 Jul-Aug, 8(5), 441 - 3
{Clindamycin levels in the cervical mucus after intramuscular administration of the drug (author's transl)}; Creatsas G et al.; Female genital tract is a major area of anaerobic infections . Clindamycin has been used as a highly active antibiotic against both gram positive and negative anaerobic pathogens including bacteroides fragilis . Concentration of clindamycin in cervical mucus has been tested in 30 women after administration of one single dose (600 mg) of the antibiotic intramuscularly . Antibiotic levels were tested by agar diffusion method employing a strain of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus . Levels of clindamycin in cervical mucus were found to be sufficient to inhibit "in vitro" a significant proportion of anaerobic bacteria present in cervical mucus.

Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1979 Jul-Sep, 24(3), 181 - 5
{Antibiotic prophylaxis of immediate and late complications of scarlet fever}; Sarlau A et al.; Patients with scarlet fever were followed by clinical and laboratory investigation (bacteriologic and immunologic reactions, etc.), in relation with the early application, and the duration of penicillin therapy . The patients were also followed for a period of 30 days after discharge from the hospital . The results show a decrease in the number of early and late complications, as well as a reduction in the number of carriers of beta-haemolytic streptococcus in those patients in whom penicillin treatment was applied early, and when it was prolonged in the recovery period . The clinical and statistical data stress the pathologic morphology of scarlet fever, and the restructuration of complications when penicillin treatment is applied.

Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1979 Jul-Sep, 24(3), 157 - 66
{Results of the use, for a period of 3 years (1974-1977), in pilot districts, of the complex program of measures for prevention of streptococcal infections and their complications}; Mihalcu F et al.; Starting with the year 1974 a total 11 pilot units have been organized, in as many counties in which a complex program of surveillance of streptococcal infections was applied, that had the following objectives: 1 . Prevention and fight against acute streptococcal infection ; 2 . Prevention of severe complications of acute rheumatic fever of rheumatic carditis and acute glomerulonephritis ; 3 . Prevention of relapses of acute rheumatic fever . The establishment and verification of methods for clinical and laboratory diagnosis was followed, as well as of therapeutic techniques and dispensarization . The analysis of results obtained after the application for a period of 3 years of the program in high-risk collectivities, and in the conditions of an intensive circulation of some epidemic strains of streptococcus has shown the decrease each year of the incidence of scarlet fever, the increased efficiency of detection of acute non-eruptive (non-rash) streptococcal infections, as well as a significant decrease in the number of cases that developed a first attack of acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis . A significant decrease was also obtained in the number of relapses and of severe evolution of rheumatic carditis, due to active detection, continuous evidence, prophylaxis and periodic control of cases with acute rheumatic fever.

Infect Immun, 1979 Jul, 25(1), 388 - 95
Enhancement of generation of monocyte tissue thromboplastin by bacterial phagocytosis: possible pathway for fibrin formation on infected vegetations in bacterial endocarditis; van Ginkel CJ et al.; The deposition of fibrin on infected vegetations and the presence of mononuclear phagocytes that have phagocytized bacteria are remarkabe features in experimental bacterial endocarditis . In a study in vitro, we show that phagocytosis of bacteria by human monocytes enhances thromboplastin generation by these cells . Maximal enhancement of the generation of thromboplastin by monocytes was about six times compared with that in the control experiment without bacteria, and it was obtained by preincubation of the monocytes with 5 to 10 bacteria per monocyte . No quantitative difference was observed between Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus sanguis as to the enhancement of the monocyte thromboplastin generation . An enhancement of the procoagulant activity generation was also observed after addition of bacteria to human or rabbit whole blood . Probably, this generation was also due to synthesis of thromboplastin by monocytes . It is conceivable that fibrin deposition on infected vegetations during bacterial endocarditis is mediated by thromboplastin synthesis by monocytes.

Inflammation, 1979 Jul, 3(3), 289 - 94
Effect of inflammatory and noninflammatory stress on plasma ketone bodies and free fatty acids and on glucagon and insulin in peripheral and portal blood; Kaminski MV Jr et al.; Inflammatory stress as characterized by infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, administration of endotoxin, or the induction of a turpentine abscess is characterized by the inhibition of the ketosis assoicated with fasting and a decline in the level of free fatty acids in the plasma . Moreover, rats subjectd to these inflammatory stresses demonstrate a significant rise in peripheral and portal insulin and glucagon . Rats subjected to noninflammatory stresses, screen-restraint, or noninvasive femoral fracture did not demonstrate the inhibition of ketosis but did show a decrease in plasma free fatty acids . The noninflammatroy stresses did not show an abnormal elevation of plasma or portal insulin or glucagon.

Am J Surg, 1979 Jul, 138(1), 97 - 103
Septic phlebitis: a neglected disease; Baker CC et al.; A review of 100 patients with peripheral septic phlebitis revealed that 54 per cent of the cases were due to intravenous catheters and 46 per cent were secondary to drug abuse . Eighty per cent of the involved veins were in the arm or neck . Pain was the most common symptom (83 per cent), with erythema and edema the most common physical signs (63 per cent) . Eighty per cent of the causative organisms were gram-positive bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus (41 per cent) or Group A streptococcus (20 per cent) . Complications were more common if septic phlebitis was due to intravenous therapy than drug abuse . No deaths were directly attributed to septic phlebitis . However, hospital stay after development of septic phlebitis was 14 days with a 56 per cent complication rate . The initial treatment of septic phlebitis should include prompt removal of the intravenous device, antibiotics, heat, and elevation . Because serious complications occur in a significant number of patients, operative excision of the involved vein should be performed if clinical deterioration occurs or if septicemia persists after 24 hours despite conservative therapy.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1979 Jul, 72(1), 12 - 20
Serologic studies of Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus morbillorum by crossed immunoelectrophoresis; Coleman RM et al.; A reference antigen-antibody system for Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus morbillorum was established with crossed immunoelectrophoresis . A comparison of S . intermedius, S . constellatus, and S . morbillorum with crossed immunoelectrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis with intermediate gel indicated that S . intermedius and S . constellatus are closely related antigenically with as many as six common cytoplasmic antigens . S . morbillorum was antigenically more distinct; antiserum of one strain of S . morbillorum was monospecific, indicating that specific serogroups of S . morbillorum exist . Crossed immunoelectrophoresis and tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed that S . intermedius, S . constellatus, and S . morbillorum also share some common antigens with Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mitis, but S . intermedius, S . constellatus, and S . morbillorum are antigenically distinct from Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus bovis.

J Hand Surg {Am}, 1979 Jul, 4(4), 378 - 81
Deep fasciitis of the biceps region; Bilos ZJ et al.; An infection of the biceps fascia, later myositis, and spreading to the pectoralis is described in six patients . The majority were synergistic infections with an anaerobic Peptococcus, Eikenella, or Bacteroides and an aerobic Streptococcus . Five of the patients were drug abusers . Excision of the biceps and portions of the pectoralis major was necessary in four patients.

Infect Immun, 1979 Jul, 25(1), 75 - 84
Effect of growth conditions on the formation of extracellular lipoteichoic acid by Streptococcus mutans BHT; Jacques NA et al.; Streptococcus mutans BHT was grown in a chemostat with glucose limitation and at defined dilution rates and pH values . Lipoteichoic acid was estimated by determining the ability of dilutions of culture fluid to sensitize erythrocytes . The greatest amounts of extracellular lipoteichoic acid were produced by organisms growing at a low dilution rate and at pH 6.0 or 6.5 . To enable a more accurate estimation of the total amount of extracellular material, rocket immunoelectrophoresis was employed . These results confirmed that the greatest amounts of reactive material were produced by slow-growing organisms, although there were discrepancies between these results and those obtained by hemagglutination . The extracellular material was fractionated by column chromatography and membrane ultrafiltration to yield a lipoteichoic acid-containing fraction and a presumptive deacylated lipoteichoic acid fraction . The relative proportions detected by rocket immunoelectrophoresis differed with the growth conditions, particularly the dilution rate . Analysis of the phenol-extracted cellular material also indicated the presence of deacylated lipoteichoic acid, although less than in the culture fluid.

Biochemistry, 1979 Jun 12, 18(12), 2567 - 73
Methotrexate, a high-affinity pseudosubstrate of dihydrofolate reductase; Williams JW et al.; Investigations have been made of the slow, tight-binding inhibition by methotrexate of the reaction catalyzed by dihydrofolate reductase from Streptococcus faecium A . Quantitative analysis has shown that progress curve data are in accord with a mechanism that involves the rapid formation of an enzyme-NADPH-methotrexate complex that subsequently undergoes a relatively slow, reversible isomerization reaction . From the Ki value for the dissociation of methotrexate from the E-NADPH-methotrexate complex (23 nM) and values of 5.1 and 0.013 min-1 for the forward and reverse rate constants of the isomerization reaction, the overall inhibition constant for methotrexate was calculated to be 58 pM . The formation of an enzyme-methotrexate complex was demonstrated by means of fluorescence quenching, and a value of 0.36 muM was determined for its dissociation constant . The same technique was used to determine dissociation constants for the reaction of methotrexate with the E-NADP and E-NADPH complexes . The results indicate that in the presence of either NADPH or NADP there is enhancement of the binding of methotrexate to the enzyme . It is proposed that methotrexate behaves as a pseudosubstrate for dihydrofolate reductase.

J Gen Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 112(2), 401 - 3
Description of strains of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius isolated from subcutaneous abscesses in cats; Love DN et al.; Strains of Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus and of a Gram-positive coccus, which was initially isolated as an anaerobe but grew subsequently as a facultative organism, were isolated from subcutaneous abscesses in cats . The cat strains of Peptostreptococcus gave metabolic fermentation products in combinations described for P . anaerobius . The Streptococcus strains conformed to the group S . intermedius . The facultative organism described had the metabolic products of P . anaerobius but the distinctly different biochemical characteristics of S . intermedius and fits neither of the genera strictly.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1979 Jun, 32(6), 626 - 9
Antibacterial activity of heneicomycin; Frost BM et al.; Heneicomycin is structurally similar to efrotomycin, mocimycin (kirromycin) and X-5108 (goldinomycin) . Comparisons were limited because of the small supplies available . All antibiotics show the same in vitro antibacterial spectrum although some test cultures were less sensitive to efrotomycin . Heneicomycin compared favorably with efrotomycin when given subcutaneously or per os against infections with Moraxella bovis and Streptococcus pyogenes . The raid elimination of heneicomycin observed following oral administration may account for its poor activity against a Bordetella bronchiseptica infection where efrotomycin is effective . It appears more like X-5108 than efrotomycin biologically . The disaccharide on efrotomycin may account for the difference observed.

Infect Immun, 1979 Jun, 24(3), 865 - 8
Characterization of a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase system in Streptococcus mutans; St Martin EJ et al.; A phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase system has been identified in Streptococcus mutans . Sucrose phosphotransferase activity was inducible by sucrose and had an apparent Km for sucrose of 70 microM . The product of the sucrose phosphotransferase reaction was isolated and identified as sucrose phosphate . Additional analysis revealed that the phosphate group was on the glucose moiety . Mutants unable to grow in media containing low concentrations of sucrose were isolated and found to be missing either sucrose phosphotransferase activity or the ability to hydrolyze sucrose phosphate.

Infect Immun, 1979 Jun, 24(3), 821 - 8
Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase activity in Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449; Slee AM et al.; A phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase system (PTS) has been demonstrated, by an enzyme-coupled reaction and product isolation, in decryptified cell suspensions of the cariogenic microorganism Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449 . The apparent sucrose PTS reaction for sucrose-adapted, sucrose-challenged cells displayed saturation kinetics with an apparent Km of 7.14 x 10(-5) M, which was distinct from the Km of the glucose PTS activity of glucose-adapted, glucose-challenged cells . Both the sucrose and the glucose PTS activities appear to be inducible and under separate genetic control . The sucrose PTS reaction demonstrated in decryptified cells had an absolute requirement for phosphoenolpyruvate . Only 2-phosphoglycerate, the immediate glycolytic precursor of phosphoenolpyruvate, was found to substitute for phosphoenolpyruvate in this reaction in the absence of fluoride . The sucrose PTS activity of sucrose-adapted cells was competitively inhibited by raffinose and lactose; these same sugars had no effect on the apparent glucose PTS activity . Fructose was the only carbohydrate tested other than sucrose which elicited an apparent PTS reaction in sucrose-adapted cells . The product of the sucrose PTS reaction was isolated and behaved chromatographically on a Dowex-1-X8 column like a monophosphate ester . Alkaline phosphatase treatment of the presumptive sucrose monophosphate liberated a component which behaved chromatographically like free sucrose . Subsequent acid hydrolysis of this component produced moieties which behaved chromatographically like glucose and fructose.

Carbohydr Res, 1979 Jun, 71, 265 - 72
Determination, by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, of the composition of glucans synthesized by enzymes of the cariogenic organism Streptococcus mutans; Colson P et al.; The 13C-n.m.r . spectra of water-soluble and -insoluble glucans synthesized by enzymes isolated from six strains of Streptococcus mutans are interpreted . The glucans are shown to be composed primarily of alpha-(1 linked to 3)- and alpha-(1 linked to 6)-linked glucosyl residues, and the relative abundance of each linkage is estimated from peak areas . Treatment of water-insoluble glucans with dextranase is found to result in water-soluble and -insoluble products, the former enriched in alpha-(1 linked to 6)-linkages and the latter in alpha-(1 linked to 3)-linkages . The structural conclusions arrived at by 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy are consistent with data from methylation analysis and 1H-n.m.r . spectroscopy.

Infect Immun, 1979 Jun, 24(3), 637 - 41
Surface protein of a Streptococcus agalactiae isolate; de Cueninck BJ; A Streptococcus agalactiae isolate of bovine origin was cultured in broth; log-phase cells were washed and radioiodinated and subsequently extracted at low pH in the presence of a nonionic detergent . A protein antigen was purified from concentrated extract by ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography . The molecular weight of the protein was estimated at 31,800 . The agglutinogenic character of the protein indicated its localization at the cell surface.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1979 Jun, 36(6), 773 - 7
Polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines: a review; Hales K et al.; The development, pharmacology, effectiveness, adverse reactions and clinical use of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines are reviewed . Patients with sickle cell anemia, asplenic and elderly patients, infants and closed populations are particularly susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections . Polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine induces a satisfactory antibody response wihin about two weeks which declines with time but generally remains elevated for at least 20 months after infection . The vaccine has been reported to reduce the incidence of pneumococcal disease by 76 to 100% and to reduce the carrier rate of pneumococci covered by the vaccine; however, infants younger than two years of age repond inconsistently . Local reactions to the vaccine (soreness at injection site, erythema, induration and tenderness) occur in 86% of adults and nearly all children . The incidence of adverse reactions increases on revaccination . The recommendations of the U.S . Public Health Service and Center for Disease Control on use of the vaccine are presented . Mass immunization with the vaccine is not recommended, but the vaccine may be of benefit in sickle cell, asplenic and elderly patients, and in closed populations.

J Hyg (Lond), 1979 Jun, 82(3), 369 - 84
Attempts to control clothes-borne infection in a burn unit, 2 . Clothing routines in clinical use and the epidemiology of cross-colonization; Ransjo U; Previous investigations have shown that cross-contamination in a burn unit is mainly clothes-borne . New barrier garments have been designed and tried experimentally . The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different clothing routines on cross-contamination . In a long-term study, the rates and routes of colonizations with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus groups A, B, C, F, and G and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were examined . The exogenous colonization rates were, with S . aureus 77%, with Streptococcus species 52% and with Ps . aeruginosa 32% . The colonization rate with Ps . aeruginosa was higher in patients with larger burns . Patients dispersed Streptococcus and Ps . aeruginosa as well as S . aureus into the air of their rooms in considerable amounts, but dispersers were not more important as sources of cross-colonization than non-dispersers . In comparison of clothing routines, there was no difference in overall colonization rates . The newly designed barrier garment that was made from apparently particle-tight material did not reduce the transfer of bacteria from patient to patient . A less rigid routine than that previously used did not increase the risk of cross-contamination . A thorough change of barrier dress after close contact nursing delayed the first exogenous S . aureus colonization from day 6 to day 14 after admission . This routine might be recommended for clinical use . Otherwise, methods must be developed for adequate selection of materials intended for barrier garments.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1979 Jun, 87C(3), 251 - 5
Examination of parotid saliva for antibodies reacting with Streptococcus mutans, lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Bratthall D et al.; Human parotid saliva was investigated for the presence of IgA antibodies reacting with Streptococcus mutans, lipotechoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan . By using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA, it was shown that the salivas of 12 subjects contained antibodies reacting with S . mutans serotype c and d and with LTA . Six salivas were tested against peptidoglycan but these tests indicated only low levels of antibodies . Absorption of saliva with whole cells of S . mutans inhibited the homologous reaction by up to 87% and the reaction with LTA by up to 52% . Also prior treatment of saliva with LTA caused a decrease in the salivary IgA reaction with LTA and with whole cells of S . mutans . Addition of peptidoglycan to saliva did not markedly affect the salivary IgA reaction with S . mutans . The data show that LTA may be responsible for part of the salivary IgA reaction with whole cells of S . mutans . The significance of LTA in this reaction may vary between different subjects and for different serotypes of S . mutans.

Kardiologiia, 1979 Jun, 19(6), 31 - 4
{Course of the rheumatic process in mitral heart defects after primary and repeated courses of treatment with titrated gamma-globulin}; Meshalkin EN et al.; Titrated gamma-globulin, which the authors used in the preoperative management of patients with acquired valvular disease and minimum rheumatism activity, contained high titers of antibodies against the antigens of streptococcus (streptokinase, streptohyaluronidase, streptolysin 0) and Coxsackie A13, A18, and B3 viruses . Its use in combination with antirheumatic agents did not cause any complications and made it possible to reduce the activity of the process in most cases with grade I and after repeated courses also in grade II activity of rheumatism . Treatment with titrated gamma-globulin stimulates the organism's defence forces (factors of nonspecific immunity: complement, lysozyme, interferon) and leads to diminution of the isolation of cardiotropic viruses from blood and bioptic material of the atria of patients.

J Immunol, 1979 Jun, 122(6), 2356 - 62
Binding studies with antibodies having phosphorylcholine specificity and fragments derived from their homologous Streptococcus pneumoniae type 27 capsular polysaccharide; Bennett LG et al.; The capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 27 (S-27) has been fragmented into oligosaccharides by controlled degradations . Binding of these derived small ligands with heterogeneous rabbit anti-S-27 antibody of selected phosphorylcholine affinity indicates that a major immunodeterminant of S-27 is the phosphorylcholine moiety, but that these anti-PC . antibodies are also capable of binding to the polysaccharide backbone from which the P.C . has been removed.

South Med J, 1979 Jun, 72(6), 757 - 8
Erysipelas-like syndrome caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; Varghese R et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae produced an erysipelas-like eruption in a patient with the nephrotic syndrome . The eruption and accompanying fever resolved upon treatment with aqueous penicillin.

J Gen Microbiol, 1979 May, 112(1), 197 - 201
Glucan-binding proteins of Streptococcus mutans serotype c; Russell RR; Three glucan-binding proteins have been isolated from the extracellular fluid cultures of Streptococcus mutans serotype c . These proteins were adsorbed to glucans containing 1,3-alpha or 1,6-alpha bonds and linked to various chromatographic supports: they were eluted from columns by a dextran solution . Glucosyltransferase activity was associated with two of the glucan-binding proteins.

Arch Inst Cardiol Mex, 1979 May-Jun, 49(3), 349 - 55
{The system of complement in active rheumatic fever}; Reyes PA et al.; Pathogenesis of inflammation in acute rheumatic fever is still unknown . There is humoral immune response against streptococcal products and streptococcal infection plays a role in etiopathogenesis . When inflammation is due to humoral immune mechanisms, the serum Complement system is the most important mediator . We studied functional aspects of the Complement system in nine patients suffering acute rheumatic fever, all of them with clear humoral immune response against streptococcus . We could not show any abnormalities in Complement . Probably, inflammation during acute rheumatic fever depends on Complement independent mechanisms.

Infect Immun, 1979 May, 24(2), 483 - 91
Streptococcal infection of endocardial and other intravascular vegetations in rabbits: natural history and effect of dexamethasone; Francioli PB et al.; Experiments were designed to study the natural history of infection in different parts of the vascular system . Sterile vegetations were produced in rabbits by placing catheters in the inferior vena cava, tricuspid or aortic valves, and thoracic or abdominal aorta and then were infected by the intravenous inoculation of Streptococcus sanguis . At 1 day after bacterial challenge, all VEGS were infected, mean bacterial densities being highest in the VEGS of the aortic and tricuspid valves . By 14 days, there was a significant decrease in the mean bacterial density in all VEGS except for the aortic valve: the VEGS of the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta were sterile, as were half of those of the thoracic aorta . There were no deaths except for animals with aortic valve infection . Dexamethasone inhibited the sterilization of the thoracic aorta VEGS, but was without effect on aortic valve VEGS, 5 mm distant . Sterilization of tricuspid valve VEGS after catheter removal was also inhibited by dexamethasone . Thus, there are host defense mechanisms which lead to the sterilization of infections everywhere in the vascular system except in the left side of the heart, and these mechanisms, as yet undefined, are inhibited by dexamethasone.

Arch Intern Med, 1979 May, 139(5), 580 - 3
Bacteremia and meningitis following fiberoptic bronchoscopy; Alexander WJ et al.; Bacteremia and meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae developed in a 52-year-old man 28 hours after an otherwise uncomplicated fiberoptic bronchoscopy . The patient responded to antimicrobial therapy and supportive care and later underwent pneumonectomy for carcinoma . This report reinforces previous observations that bacteremia may occasionally be associated with the performance of fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Am J Dis Child, 1979 May, 133(5), 493 - 6
Group D streptococcal septicemia in the neonate; Bavikatte K et al.; The clinical course of 11 patients with neonatal group D streptococcal septicemia is reviewed . Two of the infants died and hydrocephalus developed in one . Group D Streptococcus, both enterococci and nonenterococci, should be considered pathogenic in the neonate until proved otherwise . The antibiotics of choice for treating such infections in the newborn are ampicillin sodium and either kanamycin sulfate or gentamicin sulfate.

Anesth Analg (Paris), 1979 May-Jun, 36(5-6), 185 - 7
{Positive blood cultures in the "Centre des Brûles du c . h . u . de Lille" . Evolution of epidemiology during the last thirteen years (author's transl)}; Moraillon X et al.; An epidemiological study was made on 3,249 patients admitted in the "Centre des Brules du C.H.U . de Lille" from January 1965 to December 1977 . This study showed that 7.1 per cent of these patients has one or more positive blood cultures . The main bacteria are staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, pseudomonias aeruginosa in spite of antibiotic therapy . Infection is the dangerous development in these patients of which generally a burned surface is more than 25 p.cent surface body.

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 May, 9(5), 584 - 8
Practical method to facilitate estimation of Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva; Kohler B et al.; A method was developed to facilitate the estimation of Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva . Saliva-contaminated wodden spatulas were pressed directly against an elevated agar plate containing a selective medium . The results were compared with the number of S . mutans per 1 ml of paraffin-stimulated saliva . It was shown that the spatula method gave a good estimation of the level of S . mutans infection . The incubation was also made in expired air instead of 95% N2-5% CO2 . The outgrowth was in good agreement with that after conventional incubation . The method is useful in epidemiological studies or in selecting persons at a high caries risk, and when ordinary saliva sampling cannot be done, for example in small children . Compared with conventional saliva sampling, this method requires less time and material at sampling as well as at the laboratory.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1979 May-Jun, 88(3 Pt 1), 392 - 6
Antibody activity in otitis media with effusion; Lewis DM et al.; Bacteria were isolated from a high percentage of the effusions from patients with otitis media with effusion (OME, serous otitis media) . In an attempt to determine if the isolated bacteria were involved in the disease process, we analyzed the serum and effusion of 25 OME patients for the presence of antibacterial antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody method . Specific antibody activity was detected in 20 of 25 effusions (80%) and 19 of 22 sera (86%) . IgG antibodies were the most frequently found class of antibodies in both sera and effusions, but IgA antibodies were detected more frequently in the effusions than in the sera . Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and diphtheroids were the most frequently isolated organisms, and antibody activity to all bacterial species isolated was detected . The results support the concept that the isolated bacteria are not contaminants but are actively involved in the disease process.

J Pediatr, 1979 May, 94(5), 715 - 8
Septicemia in association with acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Chilcote RR et al.; Fifty consecutive episodes of septicemia were studied in 41 children who had acute lymphoblastic leukemia . Seventy-six percent of these episodes occurred when the absolute granulocyte count was 200/mm3 or less and were caused by gram-negative enteric and gram-positive mucocutaneous bacteria . In eight patients, Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated at the time when ALL was diagnosed . Multiple anaerobic and aerobic isolates from a single blood culture were associated with abdominal distress, whereas Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae septicemia occurred in associated with respiratory illnesses . When patients with severe compromise of anatomic barriers or respiratory disease were excluded, 94% of all patients with septicemia had an AGC of less than 200/mm3 . The data provide guidelines for treatment for febrile patients with ALL based upon the AGC, the phase of the disease, and on the presence of associated respiratory or abdominal findings.

J Infect Dis, 1979 May, 139(5), 575 - 85
Inhibition of alternative complement pathway opsonization by group A streptococcal M protein; Peterson PK et al.; Group A streptococcal M protein is known to be antiphagocytic; however, the exact basis for this property has not been established . In this study the hypothesis was tested that cell wall--associated M protein inhibits phagocytosis by interfering with bacterial opsonization . Two strains of group A Streptococcus pyogenes, CS44 (M+) and CS64 (an M- variant of CS44), were radiolabeled, and after incubation in serum these organisms were exposed to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Phagocytosis was quantitated by measurement of leukocyte-associated radioactivity . The contributions of complement and of immunoglobulin to streptococcal opsonization were evaluated by use of serum from a variety of sources . The results revealed that the M- strain was efficiently opsonized via the alternative complement pathway in a relative absence of immunoglobulins . In contrast, the M+ strain was poorly opsonized by all sera tested . These findings suggest that streptococcal M protein in some way prevents bacterial opsonization via the alternative complement pathway and that this property of M protein may partly explain its antiphagocytic characteristic.

Rev Argent Microbiol, 1979 May-Aug, 11(2), 49 - 56
{Microbial etiology of subclinical bovine mastitis in the Santa Fe dairy basin}; Tessi MA et al.; A study of 320 samples of mammary quarters from cows in 40 dairy farms around Santa Fe city during 1977-1978 was made . The samples were selected based on clinical examination and California Mastitis Test (GMT) . High percentage of subclinical mastitis was found . The etiological agents most frequently isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (54,1%), Streptococcus agalactiae (23.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13,2%) . A winter increment of S . aureus (48,1%) and P . aeruginosa (3,7% and 22,5%) was observed . But S . agalactiae did not experiment considerable variation (26,8% and 20% throughout the year . The sensitivity to antibiotics of some strains decreased in winter specially in S . aureus and P . aeruginosa (61,5% and 38,9%), and some biochemical properties related with their virulence increased . Penicillin in milk was not detected, but the levels of contamination by non specific inhibitory substances were very high (40%) . Besides it was found a great contamination with aerobic sporeforming bacteria in these samples, being Bacillus coagulans (59,1%), B . polymyxa (26,1%) and B . sphaericus (9,5%) the most frequent.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1979 May, 18(5), 263 - 6
Bacterial endocarditis due to penicillin-resistant Streptococcus viridans; McCarthy VP et al.; Bacterial endocarditis remains a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic problem for clinicians . Streptococcus viridans still accounts for 45 to 50 per cent of all cases and between 5 to 10 per cent of all clinical isolates of Streptococcus viridans from patients with bacterial endocarditis may be relatively resistant to penicillin . The case of a 9-year-old child with Tetralogy of Fallot and a Waterston shunt who subsequently developed bacterial endocarditis due to penicillin-resistant Streptococcus viridans following failure of oral penicillin dental prophylaxis is presented . In the face of penicillin resistance, additional considerations for workup, including microbiological assays for antimicrobial synergism become necessary in the selection of a therapeutic regimen.

Infect Immun, 1979 May, 24(2), 326 - 36
Chemical, immunochemical, and structural studies of the cross-reactive antigens of Streptococcus mutans AHT and B13; Brown TA et al.; Two antigenic polysaccharides were extracted from cell walls of the cross-reactive strains Streptococcus mutans AHT (a) and S . mutans B13 (d) . The antigens extracted from walls by the hot formamide method, were purified by affinity chromatography on columns containing the galactose-specific lectin from the castor bean and were found to be diheteroglycans consisting of galactose and glucose . Antigenic specificities of both the serotype-specific and the cross-reactive sites on each polymer were studied: the AHT (a) antigen is determined by D-galactose linked 1 leads to 6 to adjacent sugar, the B13 (d) antigen is determined by D-glucose similarly linked to o its neighbor, and the cross-reactive (a--d) site present on both polymers consists of D-galactose linked 1 leads to 6 to a subterminal sugar moiety . Methylation analysis revealed structural similarities between the purified polysaccharides that may reflect the nature of the cross-reactive sites and differences that may reflect the natures of the specific haptenic regions . Based on these studies, a partial hypothetical structural model is proposed.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 443 - 6
{Effect of KH2PO4 on Streptococcus lactis growth and nisin synthesis when the medium is kept at a constant pH}; Kozlova IuI et al.; When the pH of the medium was maintained at the level of 6.6--6.8 and the content of KH2PO4 in it was decreased, the biosynthetic activity of Streptococcus lactis, strain MGU, became lower . The culture assimilated low quantities of phosphorus from KH2PO4 at a high concentration of this salt in the medium; presumably, the culture required large quantities of potassium ions . If the pH of the medium is maintained at a constant value, the fermentation can be stopped 21 hr after the beginning of cultivation of Str . lactis, strain MGU.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1979 May-Jun, 15(3), 472 - 4
{Dynamics of nisin accumulation in a culture of Streptococcus lactis}; Grushina VA et al.; The dynamics of nisine accumulation by its producer Streptococcus lactis, str . MSU was studied . In the course of the producer cultivation on the liquid nutrient medium there was a correlation between total, cellular and filtrate nysine . The content of cellular nysine increased gradually to reach maximum by the 6th day of the strain cultivation . The content of filtrate nisine reached maximum on the 2nd day and declined two-fold by the 7th day of cultivation.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1979 May, 98(5), 719 - 21
Effect of the sweet-tasting protein monellin on growth of a cariogenic bacterium: a microbiological study; Jacobsson-Hunt U et al.; Monellin is a protein with an intensely sweet taste and could be considered as a potential alternative sweetener to sucrose . The effect of monellin on the in vitro growth of the cariogenic microorganism Streptococcus mutans was investigated.

J Bacteriol, 1979 May, 138(2), 404 - 9
Uptake of circular deoxyribonucleic acid and mechanism of deoxyribonucleic acid transport in genetic transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Lacks S; Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from the covalently closed circular DNA molecules of Pseudomonas phage PM2 was found to enter normally transformable cells of Streptococcus pneumoniae as readily as linear bacterial DNA . In a mutant of S . pneumoniae that lacks a membrane nuclease and is defective in DNA entry, as many molecules of PM2 DNA as of linear DNA were bound on the outside of cells at equivalent DNA concentrations . Bound DNA suffered single-strand breaks, but circular DNA with preexisting breaks was bound no better than closed circles . In the presence of divalent cations, DNA bound to cells of a leaky nuclease mutant showed double-strand breaks . At least the majority of PM2 DNA that entered normal cells was single stranded . These results are consistent with a mechanism for DNA entry in which DNA is first nicked on binding, then a double-strand break is formed by cleavage of the complementary strand, and continued processive action of the membrane nuclease facilitates entry of the originally nicked strand . Although the bulk of circular donor DNA appeared to enter in this way, the results do not exclude entry of a small amount of donor DNA in an intact form.

Blood, 1979 May, 53(5), 1018 - 22
Salicylate blockade of granulocyte adherence and the inflammatory response to experimental peritonitis; Spagnuolo PJ et al.; Aspirin profoundly inhibited the in vitro augmentation of human and mouse granulocyte adherence to nylon fiber induced by the bacterial products Escherichia coli endotoxin and Staphylococcus aureus culture filtrate . Granulocytes obtained from normal volunteers during the 48 hr following ingestion of aspirin did not respond normally to endotoxin stimulation . Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with sodium salicylate prior to intraperitoneal infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae impaired granulocyte exudation and resulted in uncontrolled bacteremia and greater lethality of infection.

J Biol Chem, 1979 Apr 25, 254(8), 2710 - 5
Purification and properties of L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase from Streptococcus faecium ATCC 12755; Esders TW et al.; A procedure was developed to purify the Streptococcus faecium ATCC 12755 L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase . The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 131,000 and the subunit molecular weight was 72,000 . Two moles of FAD were bound/mol of enzyme . Apo-L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase displayed physical properties similar to the holoenzyme as judged by electrophoresis in 10% buffer gels at pH 8.5 and by centrifugation in a 5 to 20% linear sucrose gradient . The apoenzyme was completely reactivated by incubation with FAD . L-alpha-Glycerophosphate oxidase was specific for L-alpha-glycerophosphate when compared with several other pohsphorylated glycerol and sugar derivatives . Oxygen was the preferred electron acceptor . At 10 mM DL-alpha-glycerophosphate (below the Km of 26 mM for L-alpha-glycerophosphate), activity was increased from 2.6- to 10-fold by increasing the buffer concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 m . This buffer effect was observed with potassium phosphate and other anionic buffers . In 0.001 m potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, activity was increased by several divalent metal ions, including 10 mM CaCl2 (7.7-fold activation) and 10 mM MgCl, (6.8-fold activation) . Fructose 6-phosphate and fructose1-phosphate were inhibitors of the L-alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase.

J Biol Chem, 1979 Apr 25, 254(8), 2865 - 74
Primary structure of a human IgA1 immunoglobulin . IV . Streptococcal IgA1 protease, digestion, Fab and Fc fragments, and the complete amino acid sequence of the alpha 1 heavy chain; Putnam FW et al.; In order to establish the complete amino acid sequence of the human IgA alpha1 chain Bur, IgA1 protease from Streptococcus sanguis was employed to generate Fabalpha and Fcalpha fragments in the final stage of this investigation . Cyanogen bromide cleavage of the Fabalpha fragment followed by reduction and aminoethylation produced the Fd' fragment (residues 84 to 227); this contains part of the variable region (VR), the whole first constant domain (Calpha1), and part of the hinge region of this heavy chain . The tryptic peptides of the Fd' fragment were isolated, characterized, and sequenced . The results together with the data in the preceding papers on chymotryptic, tryptic, and thermolysin peptides permitted the complete amino acid sequence of the human IgA alpha1 chain to be established.

J Med Chem, 1979 Apr, 22(4), 359 - 66
Quantitative structure-activity relationships for biguanides, carbamimidates, and bisbiguanides as inhibitors of Streptococcus mutans No . 6715; Warner VD et al.; Thirty-seven compounds, including 17 biguanides, 6 carbamimidates, and 14 bisbiguanides, were evaluated for potential antiplaque activity by measuring their minimum inhibitory concentrations {MIC (M)} against Streptococcus mutans no . 6715 . Linear regression analysis was conducted with the log 1/MIC (M) values and log P, pi, sigma, and MR . The best correlation for the biguanides (r2 = 0.92) was obtained with log P and (log P)2 . When the biguanides were included with the carbamimidates, essentially the same correlation (r2 = 0.91) was obtained with log P and (log P)2 . The best correlation for the bisbiguanides (r2 = 0.70) was also obtained with log P and (log P)2 . Use of an indicator variable (I) for the bisgiguanides allowed all three groups to be included in one equation, which accounted for over 87% of the variance in the data for inhibition of bacterial growth . These results from the classical parabolic model were also compared with those from the recently developed bilinear model.

J Dairy Sci, 1979 Apr, 62(4), 584 - 95
Mastitis: I . In vitro antimicrobial activity of alkyl amines against mastitic bacteria; Culler MD et al.; The activities of branched and straight chain amines (10 to 18 carbons chain length) were compared in inhibiting the growth of five microorganisms that cause about 95% of bovine mastitis . Three gram-positive (Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria were used in a trypticase soy broth tube culture growth assay . Sixty-two compounds were screened at concentrations of 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 ppm in broth culture to determine the effective minimum inhibitory concentration . Alkyl secondary N-substituted monoethyl {CH3(CH2)nNHCH2CH3} and tertiary N,N-substituted dimethyl {CH3(CH2) nN(CH3)2} amines with chain lengths of 11 to 14 carbon atoms were active against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms . Antimicrobial activity against gram-positive organisms increased with increasing chain length and carbon-14 to 18 amines were active at 1 to 5 ppm . The carbon-11 to 13 alkyl amines were most active against gram-positive organisms; longer chain amines (more than 14 carbons) were inactive . Branching of the alkyl chain caused a loss of activity against gram-negative but not against gram-positive bacteria . Antimicrobial testing of monoamines, polyamines, and the influence of order substituents were investigated to correlate structure-acitivity relationships.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1979 Apr, 87B(2), 123 - 8
Genetic transformation in Streptococcus sanguis . Distribution of competence and competence factors in a collection of strains; Gaustad P; Forty-one strains of Streptococcus sanguis (37 of serogroup H and four of the newly-described serogroup W) were examined semiquantitatively for genetic transformation with streptomycin as marker . The material comprised eight reference laboratory strains and 33 recent isolates . Eighteen strains (16 of serogroup H and two of W) showed spontaneous competence in genetic transformation (without added competence factor, i.e . culture filtrate.) . Individual culture filtrates from 19 spontaneously competent and ten incompetent strains were tested for competence-inducing effect on 23 spontaneously incompetent strains . Competence was induced in 16 of the strains, and 20 of the culture filtrates were active . There was considerable variation with respect to the number of recipient strains which were induced to competence by individual filtrates . Furthermore the recipients varied as regards the number of filtrates that were able to induce that particular strain . There was some relationship, but no complete association, between competence, competence-inducing ability and the occurrence of spreading zones around the colonies assumed to correspond generally to fimbriation . Thus, three incompetent strains had an active culture filtrate and one spontaneously competent strain had an inactive filtrate . Most, but not all, strains with spontaneous or inducible competence showed spreading, as did most of the strains from which broadly inducing filtrates could be produced.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1979 Apr, 87B(2), 117 - 22
Genetic transformation in Streptococcus sanguis . Spontaneous and induced competence of selected strains; Gaustad P et al.; Nine strains of Streptococcus sanguis were examined for competence in genetic transformation with streptomycin resistance (str-r) as marker . Eight strains belonged to serogroup H and one to the newly-described serogroup W . Seven of the strains, one of which was the reference strain NCTC 7868 (strain Challis), were competent with str-r DNA from strain Challis . Strains NCTC 9124 (strain Wicky) and 480 were incompetent . The efficiency of transformation was examined in four different media . Use of Todd Hewitt broth gave frequencies of transformants as high as the more complex media . Addition of serum to the transformation media was not essential for the development of competence . The presence of a competence factor (CF) in the culture filtrate of strain Challis was confirmed . The factor transferred strain Wicky to competence with a great variation in the number of transformants and had no influence on strain 480 . On the other hand, this spontaneously incompetent strain became competent after addition of culture filtrate from the competent strain 13b, in contrast to Wicky which now remained incompetent . Thus, it is suggested that several factors are involved in the induction of competence of S . sanguis.

Pediatrics, 1979 Apr, 63(4), 597 - 601
Effect of storage processes on the bacterial growth-inhibiting activity of human breast milk; Hernandez J et al.; Human breast milk samples were collected from lactating mothers, and aliquots were maintained at room temperature, frozen, and pasteurized . Samples were inoculated with 10 to 50 colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml) of Escherichia coli or group B streptococcus, and incubated at 37 C . Quantitative growth was measured at eight and 24 hours . No inhibitory activity was demonstrated by control broth, commercial formula, and pasteurized breast milk, which had a rapid logarithmic growth to a maximum of 10(8) to 10(9) cfu/ml at 24 hours . Compared with these controls, fresh breast milk, fresh frozen breast milk, and breast milk frozen for 21 days demonstrated a significant inhibition of bacteria growth . A trend toward gradual loss of inhibiting activity was noted with prolonged freezing of breast milk . Although freezing may quantitativly decrease the amount of some breast milk host-defense factors, it cannot be assumed that comparable functional reductions will necessarily result.

South Med J, 1979 Apr, 72(4), 494 - 7
Intravenous metronidazole therapy for Bacteroides fragilis meningitis; Bryan CS et al.; A 69-year-old man developed meningitis due to Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus MG-intermedius, which progressed during chloramphenicol and nafcillin therapy to the extent that he seemed near death, with frank pus covering the spinal cord at surgery . Treatment with intravenous metronidazole and penicillin G was curative . After multiple trauma, a 20-year-old man developed meningitis due to Escherichia coli and B fragilis . He failed to respond to chloramphenicol alone, but responded to combined treatment with chloramphenicol and metronidazole . The right frontal sinus and epidural space abscesses were drained and a right frontal lobe abscess was excised . Metronidazole may be a uniquely effective agent for treatment of meningitis due to susceptible strains of Bacteroides fragilis.

J Dent Res, 1979 Apr, 58(4), 1405 - 12
Cariostatic activity of (1,6-bis-{2-ethylhexylbiguanido}-hexane) in conventional rats; Curtis SN et al.; The antimicrobial and cariostatic activities of the dihydrochloride and dihydrofluoride salts of alexidine (1,6-bis-{2-ethylhexylbiguanido}hexane) were compared to those of chlorhexidine acetate and sodium fluoride in rats implanted orally with Streptococcus mutans 6715 and fed a cariogenic diet . Experimental caries was significantly reduced by the continuous administration of low concentrations of biguanides via the drinking water, but this was accompanied by increased staining of the molars . Very high biguanide concentrations, applied infrequently, directly to the molars, effectively reduced caries and resulted in less staining . A combination of alexidine dihydrochloride and sodium fluoride offered no advantage over either drug alone . Alexidine salts prevented the progressive increase in implanted S . mutans, whereas chlorhexidine acetate practically eliminated the micro-organism from the oral cavity . Sodium fluoride had no effect on the implanted flora . It was concluded that alexidine salts are comparable in cariostatic activity to chlorhexidine . The tooth staining accompanying the use of bisbiguanides can be reduced by adjusting the concentration of the drug and its frequency of application.

J Dent Res, 1979 Apr, 58(4), 1317 - 26
Suppression of Streptococcus mutans in the mouths of humans by a dental prophylaxis and topically-applied iodine; Caufield PW et al.; A prophylaxis followed by three topical applications of an iodine-potassium iodide solution significantly reduced the levels of Streptococcus mutans in fissure and approximal plaques and in saliva . Reductions persisted 20--24 weeks after treatment in salivary and approximal samples . A prophylaxis alone exerted a small and temporary reduction of S . mutans in occlusal fissure plaque, but did not reduce the levels of this organism in approximal plaque or in saliva . A significant relationship existed between the levels of S . mutans in saliva and the proportions of this organism in plaque . The dorsum of the tongue does not appear to constitute a significant reservoir for S . mutans following disinfecting procedures.

Infect Immun, 1979 Apr, 24(1), 102 - 5
Clearance of bacteria from cerebrospinal fluid to blood in experimental meningitis; Scheld WM et al.; The occurrence and importance of secondary bacteremia in the pathogenesis of and response to therapy in meningitis is uncertain . Streptococcus pneumoniae type III was injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of the cisterna magna in anesthetized, curarized dogs, and sequential simultaneous samples were obtained from the superior sagittal sinus, cisterna magna, and peripheral blood . The results show that: (i) bacteria are rapidly transported from the cerebrospinal fluid to blood but only after active multiplication within the cerebrospinal fluid, and (ii) entrance into the blood from the cerebrospinal fluid occurs before the height of the febrile response or cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Mar 27, 577(1), 142 - 6
Resolution of the glycosyltransferase activities from two strains of Streptococcus mutans by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of Tween 80; Figures WR et al.; The glycosyltransferase complex from Streptococcus mutans can be resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following treatment with Tween 80 . The enzyme complex was treated with Tween 80 and electrophoresis was performed in the presence of Tween 80 . Discrete bands of glycosyltransferase activity were observed when the gels were incubated in buffered sucrose . The enzyme aggregation that occurs with the exocellular glycosyltransferase may involve lipophilic interactions that are disrupted by the Tween 80.

JAMA, 1979 Mar 23, 241(12), 1245 - 7
Ampicillin prevents intrapartum transmission of group B streptococcus; Yow MD et al.; Early-onset group B streptococcus (GBS) disease in the infant is acquired by vertical transmission from the mother colonized with GBS . Thirty-four women colonized with GBS were treated with intravenous ampicillin sodium during labor . None of their infants were colonized with GBS at birth or within 48 hours . Twenty-four women colonized with GBS received no antibiotic therapy; 14 (58%) of their infants were colonized with GBS at birth or by 48 hours . This difference was highly significant . Mechanisms by which this may have occurred were temporary suppression of GBS vaginal and rectal colonization, high concentration of ampicillin in the amniotic fluid, and transplacental transport of the antibiotic to the infant . In areas where GBS disease is prevalent, we recommend screening pregnant women (34 to 36 weeks' gestation) and treating those colonized with GBS (with no history of penicillin hypersensitivity) with intravenous ampicillin during labor.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1979 Mar 17, 109(11), 395 - 9
{Antimicrobial resistance and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Switzerland}; Weber F et al.; One hundred and eighty strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from various materials at the Institute of Medical Microbiology in Zurich between March and October 1978 . Examination of these isolates for resistance to 6 standard antimicrobials revealed that 17 (9.4%) strains were resistant to the tetracyclines, 2 strains to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim and 1 strain to both tetracycline and chloramphenicol . All strains were highly sensitive to benzylpenicillin, cephalothin and erythromycin . Serotyping of the pneumococci was done by the capsular quellung reaction . The prevalent serotypes in the entire collection of strains were Nos . 6, 23, 19, 3, 9, 14 and 7 . The prevalent serotypes of strains isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pus, and bronchial secretions were Nos . 4, 8, 7, 14, 9, 3, 19 and 6 . Vaccination with PneumovaxTM, a vaccine containing 14 capsular antigens, should provide protection against 75% of pneumococci identified as true pathogens in this study . Pneumococci are rather rarely isolated in our laboratories . For this reason, and because the strains isolated are still sensitive to antibiotics in conventional use, mass vaccination of the population in Switzerland is not recommended . Vaccination should be carried out in certain high risk groups of patients.

Mol Gen Genet, 1979 Mar 5, 170(3), 249 - 59
Translocation of the pre-synaptic complex formed upon DNA uptake by Streptococcus sanguis and its inhibition by ethidium bromide; Raina JL et al.; Donor DNA in its initially bound, single-stranded form exists in a chromosomally-unassociated complex where it is resistant to exogenous DNase I but sensitive to micrococcal nuclease . Most of the complexes are readily recuperable from the supernatant of recipients converted into spheroplasts . Subsequent to formation of this superficially located complex, donor DNA progressively associates with the recipient chromosome into which it is eventually integrated . Treatment of recipients with ethidium bromide at various times after initial DNA binding almost immediately halts translocation of whatever donor material is not yet synapsed with the chromosome . On the other hand, donor DNA that has already synapsed experiences no difficulty in becoming genetically integrated . Some degradation occurs to DNA that fails to undergo translocation as a result of ethidium bromide treatment, the acid-soluble products appearing in the culture medium . DNA in untranslocated complexes surviving treatment is not appreciably different in single-strand length from that in untreated complexes . When these surviving complexes are isolated from a cell lysate, the contained DNA can be shown by spectrofluorometry to have bound the drug.

Blood, 1979 Mar, 53(3), 498 - 503
Protective effect of prophylactic penicillin on splenectomized mice exposed to an aerosolized suspension of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae; Dickerman JD et al.; Prophylactic penicillin has been recommended for use in asplenic patients and postsplenectomy patients . A laboratory model using aerosolized pneumococci has been devised to test the effectiveness of prophylactic penicillin in a manner analogous to human experience . There is increased mortality, over time, in asplenic mice exposed to aerosolized type III Streptococcus pneumoniae . One hundred twenty-one male Swiss mice (mean weight 26 g) were divided into four groups: splenectomized, sham-operated, splenectomized + penicillin, and sham-operated + penicillin . After 2 wk the four groups were exposed for 30 min to an aerosolized atmosphere of 2.4 x 10(9) colony-forming units of type III S . pneumoniae using a Tri-R model A-42 airborne infection apparatus . Penicillin was given at a daily intramuscular dosage of 40,000 units procaine penicillin G beginning 2 days prior to exposure and continuing through the third day after exposure . The splenectomized and sham-operated mice given penicillin showed significantly lower mortality (p less than 0.001) than mice not given penicillin.

Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 873 - 83
Purification and antigenic properties of intracellular invertase from Streptococcus mutans; Maynard MT et al.; Intracellular invertase from Streptococcus mutans GS5 was purified to near homogeneity by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography followed by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The invertase appeared to be composed of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 48,000 . Extracellular invertase was identified in strain GS5 and was determined to have a molecular weight of 500,000 . No antigenic relationship between these two forms of invertase was observed since antibody prepared against purified intracellular invertase neither affected extracellular invertase activity nor precipitated that enzyme on immunodiffusion . No antigenic relatedness between intracellular invertase and glucosyl- and fructosyl- transferases was detected since cross-reactivity with antibody prepared against either enzyme fraction was not observed after immunodiffusion . Using immunodiffusion and quantitative precipitin data, we examined the relationships of other S . mutans intracellular invertases to the serotype c enzyme . It appeared that the intracellular invertases from serotypes e, f, and g were structurally similar to the enzyme from serotype c, whereas the structure of invertases from serotypes a, b, and d appeared less similar to that of enzyme from serotype c.

Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 564 - 70
Effect of salts on water-insoluble glucan formation by glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus mutans; Mukasa H et al.; The formation of water-insoluble glucan by extracellular glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans 6715 found to be greatly stimulated by various mono- or divalent cations . An enzyme preparation, obtained by ethanol fractionation, was able to catalyze the formation of water-insoluble glucan from sucrose in the presence of monovalent cations above 100mM or divalent cations above 20 mM at neutral pH . As the concentration of monovalent and divalent cations was reduced to below 10 mM and 1 mM, respectively, the formation of insoluble glucan decreased to a negligible amount . High concentrations of these cations were found to stimulate the formation of insoluble glucan in the following ways: (i) it increased the activity of total glucosyltransferase up to 1.6- and 2.7-fold in the absence and presence of a primer dextran, respectively, and (ii) it changed the formation of soluble glucan to insoluble . It was postulated that one of the essential factors for the formation of insoluble glucan would be to keep more than two water-soluble glucan chains close to enzyme aggregates and that such interaction could be enhanced by the presence of high cation concentrations.

Clin Orthop, 1979 Mar-Apr, (139), 81 - 5
Prognosis in septic arthritis of the hip in children; Lunseth PA et al.; Thirty-eight children (39 hips) with septic arthritis have been reviewed in an effort to determine the factors most important to prognosis of the hip joint . The younger patients, 3 or more years later, had poorer results by roentgenographic classification . This was particularly true of patients under one year of age . Longer duration of disease from clinical onset to initiation of therapy also resulted in a poorer result . The outcome could not be clearly correlated with the causative organism or with open as opposed to closed treatment although the policy of management was strongly biased to open drainage . Sixty per cent of the infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureaus and the majority of the other cases by Streptococcus pyogenes and Hemophilus influenzae . The nonstaphylococcal organisms may be less destructive to the femoral head in infants.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Mar, 137(3), 1180 - 4
Release of lipoteichoic acid from Streptococcus sanguis: stimulation of release during penicillin treatment; Horne D et al.; The spontaneous and the penicillin-stimulated release of water-soluble, glycerol-labeled polymers was compared in Streptococcus sanguis . In contrast to the spontaneous release occurring in exponentially growing or stationary-phase bacteria, penicillin-treated cells released the bulk of these polymers, and they were not replenished by synthesis during antibiotic treatment . Furthermore, a major portion of the extracellular polymers was characterized as acylated lipoteichoic acid.

Br J Nutr, 1979 Mar, 41(2), 341 - 52
Protein quality in cereals and pulses . 1 . Application of microbiological and other in vitro methods in the evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa L.), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), barley and field beans (Vicia faba L.); Ford JE et al.; 1 . The Streptococcus zymogenes assay procedure was modified and used in the estimation of available methionine and relative nutritional value in rice (Oryza sativa L.), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), barley and field beans (Vicia faba L.) . The results were assessed in relation to the content of tannins and 'dye-binding lysine', and to published information on the nutritional quality of some of the test samples . 2 . In grain of ten varieties of sorghum, for which other workers had reported a correlation (r -0.82; P less than 0.01) between tannin content and amino acid digestibility in chicks, the available methionine content ranged from 6.3 to 17.7 g/kg protein (nitrogen x 6.25) and was highly correlated with tannin content (r -0.97; P less than 0.001) . The content of total methionine and dye-binding lysine varied little between varieties and was not related to tannin content . 3 . In nine samples of rice the availability of methionine was uniformly high, in accordance with literature values for true digestibility of the N . 4 . In field beans the presence of tammins in the seed coat was associated with a significant (P less than 0.001) reduction in the availability of methionine . In eleven tannin-free varieties the coefficient of availability averaged 0.791, compared with 0.685 in eleven tannin-containing varieties . The standard deviation associated with both values was 0.04 . There was no such difference between the corresponding dye-binding lysine values . 5 . Thirty-three samples of barley were examined, representing fourteen varieties, four of which had been grown at several widely different latitudes in England and Sweden . There was little difference in methionine content between samples . The average availability coefficient for eighteen samples grown in England was 0.995+/-0.044, and for fifteen varieties grown in Sweden it was 0.851+/-0.042 . The difference was not associated with any difference in tannin content, which was uniformly low . The findings contradict published evidence for marked increase in tannin content with increase in geographical latitude of cultivation, associated with decrease in digestibility of N.

Obstet Gynecol, 1979 Mar, 53(3 Suppl), 47S - 49S
Endometritis and neonatal sepsis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae; McCarthy VP et al.; Attention is called to the rarely described clinical entity of pneumococcal infection involving both mother and neonate . A case is described in which neonatal sepsis and puerperal endometritis were documented by isolating Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 from both mother and child . Clinical implications and a review of relevant literature are briefly discussed.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1979 Mar 1, 133(5), 474 - 8
Prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean section: a double-blind study of cefazolin; Phelan JP et al.; One hundred twenty-two patients were evaluated prospectively to determine the clinical efficacy of prophylactic cefazolin (Ancef) in cesarean section . The cefazolin was administered intravenously in a high-dose, short perioperative regimen . Postoperatively, each patient was evaluated for morbidity . Over all, the post operative morbidity rate was reduced from 30 per cent in the placebo group to 18 per cent in the cefazolin group . More important, the infection rate associated with primary cesarean section was significantly lessened from 38 per cent in the placebo group to 16 per cent in the drug group (p less than 0.025) . In repeat cesarean sections, the postoperative morbidity rate was greater in the antibiotic-treated group (20 per cent) than in the placebo group (14 per cent) . Of major importance, a predominant organism, Group D streptococcus, was encountered in the postoperative cultures of the cefazolin group.

J Pediatr, 1979 Mar, 94(3), 467 - 71
Group B beta hemolytic streptococcal sepsis and the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome: a comparison; Menke JA et al.; The clinical features of 27 patients with early onset group B beta hemolytic streptococcus sepsis were reviewed . Fifteen presented with a clinical pattern indistinguishable from the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome and were compared with 15 patients with IRDS . Rupture of membranes for greater than 12 hours prior to delivery occurred more often in patients with GBS (33%) than in the patients with IRDS (16%) . Hypotension was more commonly seen in the patients with GBS (56%) than in the patients with IRDS (36%) . There was no difference in the incidence of apnea or the respirator peak inspiratory pressure requirements between the two groups of patients, but there was a tendency for a decline in the total white blood cell count in the first 24 hours of life in those patients with GBS sepsis.

Am J Dis Child, 1979 Mar, 133(3), 270 - 3
Systemic group D streptococcal infection in newborn infants; Buchino JJ et al.; Thirteen cases of group D streptococcal neonatal sepsis and/or meningitis were identified at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital from 1970 to 1976 . Ages at onset of disease ranged from 1 to 25 days . The most frequent symptoms were fever (five cases), lethargy (five cases), and respiratory difficulty (four cases) . Blood cultures for seven infants were positive; CSF cultures for five infants were positive; and CSF and blood cultures for one infant were both positive . In 12 patients, parenteral antibiotic therapy consisted of a penicillin and an aminoglycoside . One infant with a severe meningomyelocele died . The other 12 infants showed a rapid clinical response with seven patients improving within 48 hours of the start of therapy . Infection with group D streptococcus results in a low-grade systemic disease in both full-term and premature infants that responds favorably to appropriate therapy.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1979 Mar, 119(3), 345 - 8
Sputum counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia; Schmid RE et al.; Fifty-six patients with pneumonia were grouped according to degree of clinical certainty that the etiologic agent was Streptococcus pneumoniae . Of 14 patients with definite or probable pneumococcal pneumonia, 12 had pneumococcal antigens detected in sputum by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), 13 had a positive sputum culture, and 12 had a Gram-stained smear of sputum suggestive of the diagnosis . Of 9 patients with definite nonpneumococcal pneumonia, none had pneumococcal antigens detected by CIE, but one had pneumococci isolated from sputum culture, and one had a Gram stain of sputum suggestive of pneumococci . Of 34 control patients without pneumonia, five had a positive CIE, 11 had a positive culture, and 15 had a positive Gram stain . When used to differentiate pneumococcal from other types of pneumonia, CIE of sputum appears to be a sensitive and specific test . Among patients without pneumonia, however, CIE lacks specificity . Additionally, sputum Gram stain may correlate as well as CIE with pneumococcal pneumonia, but further substantiation of this observation is necessary.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Mar, 137(3), 1191 - 9
Single-stranded regions in Streptococcus pneumoniae chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid and their relation to transformation; Deddish PA et al.; Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in lysates of both completent and noncompetent streptococcus pneumoniae cells was characterized by chromatography on benzoylated, naphthoylated diethylaminoethyl-cellulose columns, by sensitivity to Aspergillus oryzae S1 endonuclease, and by sucrose gradient analysis . The DNAs from both competent and noncompetent cells were found to contain similar extents of single-stranded regions . These single-stranded regions appeared to be intact, unpaired regions in double-stranded DNA rather than gaps, nicks, or unpaired ends in the DNA . Inhibition of cells with rifampin prior to lysis increased the amount of such single strandedness in the DNA . Lysates made at various times after {14C}thymidine-labeled cells had bound {3H}thymidine-labeled transforming DNA were also characterized by benzoylated, naphthoylated diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography . Changes in the elution profiles of DNA from cells exposed to homospecific (S . pneumoniae) donor DNA were indicative of the formation of complexes between donor DNA and the single-stranded regions of recipient DNA . In contrast, profiles of DNA from cells exposed to heterospecific (S . sanguis) DNA did not show significant changes, indicating that few such donor-recipient complexes were formed during heterospecific transformation.

Infect Immun, 1979 Feb, 23(2), 446 - 52
Preparation of glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans by elution from water-insoluble polysaccharide with a dissociating solvent; Smith DJ et al.; Glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.5) was obtained by dissociation from water-insoluble polysaccharide in the presence of 6 M guanidine-hydrochloride . Water-insoluble polysaccharide was synthesized by cell-free culture supernatants from Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 . Gel filtration of the glucosyltransferase on a column of 8% agarose in phosphate buffer, followed by filtration on a column of 4% cross-linked agarose in 6 M guanidine-hydrochloride, gave a 23-fold enrichment of the enzyme . The enriched glucosyltransferase preparation contained 22% carbohydrate and eluted at a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 422,000 . Polyacrylamide gel (5%) electrophoresis of this preparation revealed two regions which stained for protein, formed water-insoluble polysaccharide in the presence of sucrose, and precipitated with antisera directed to crude glucosyltransferase preparations . The guanidine-eluted enzyme could be primed by 5 X 10(-5) M dextran T10 (molecular weight, 10,000) . High-molecular-weight glucan and a possible glucan-binding protein were also obtained after the final gel filtration step (4% cross-linked agarose) in addition to glucosyltransferase.

Am J Vet Res, 1979 Feb, 40(2), 250 - 5
Lactoperoxidase, thiocyanate, and free cystine in bovine mammary secretions in early dry period and at the start of lactation and their effect on Streptococcus agalactiae growth; Brown RW et al.; The concentrations of lactoperoxidase (LP) and thiocyanate (SCN-) in the mammary secretions of 4 dairy cows in the early dry period were similar to or higher than concentrations in the milk before drying off . The concentrations of free cystine progressively increased in the secretions beginning 3 to 5 days after the last milking; the mean concentrations were 0.66 mumoles/L before drying off and 6.66 mumoles/L after drying off . The mean concentrations of free cysteine were 0.28 mumoles/L before drying off and 1.4 mumoles/L after drying off . The secretions, when diluted in steamed milk, showed greater stimulation of Streptococcus agalactiae growth as the drying-off period progressed . This increase in stimulatory activity was attributed primarily to the increased concentrations of cystine because cystine counteracts the LP/SCN-/hydrogen peroxide inhibitory system for S agalactiae . This effect on the LP system may account for any increase in susceptibility to S agalactiae under infection during the dry period . In 3 other cows, the mammary secretions on the day of calving had lower mean concentrations of LP, SCN-, and free cystine and cysteine than those obtained 4 to 5 days before, and 7 to 8 days after calving.

J Infect Dis, 1979 Feb, 139(2), 147 - 51
Electron microscopic definition of surface antigens of group B Streptococcus; Kasper DL et al.; Strains representing each of the five serologically distinct types of group B Streptococcus and variant strain 090R, which is devoid of type-specific polysaccharide, were studied by electron microscopy after incubation with various ferritin-conjugated antibodies . Ferritin-conjugated types Ia, II and III antibodies localized on homologous cells in a pattern that defines the capsular location of the type Ia, II, and III polysaccharide antigen . Type Ib and Ic cells have surface antigens to which ferritin-labeled antibodies to both capsular polysaccharide and a common surface protein attach.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1979 Feb, 87B(1), 21 - 8
Electron microscopy and immunoperoxidase staining of Streptococcus mutans during controlled growth in two different media; Berthold CH et al.; Streptococcus mutans subspecies sobrinus serotype d (B13) was cultivated in a fermentor under controlled conditions in two different media: a complex proteose-peptone medium and a defined minimal medium (C4) . Specimens from different growth phases were examined by electron-microscopy and tested electron-immunohistochemically . Irrespective of the growth medium used, no differences were observed in the immunohistochemical staining pattern of bacteria during the lag, the exponential and the early staionary phases . Specimens obtained several hours after exponential growth contained areas where the bacteria showed staining that ranged from a strong deposit of reaction product to no deposit . This appearance seems partly to explain the differences in the intensity of immunohistochemical staining of certain bacteria observed in dental plaques stained for identification of S . mutans subspecies sorbrinus.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Feb, (2), 65 - 9
{Transplantation and cellular reactions to tissue antigens in Streptococcus-immunized rabbits}; Ogurtsov RP; The immunization of rabbits with the cells and the disintegration products of fractions of the cytoplasmic membranes of group A streptococcus (type 1) in incomplete Freund adjuvant, introduced in a single injection into the pads of the paws, caused lesions in autoplastic skin grafts and accelerated the rejection of alloplastic skin grafts . The rabbits showed positive delayed-type skin reactions to streptococcus and homologous skin antigens, and lymphocytes specifically reacting with FITC-labeled homologous skin antigen were found in their blood . Prolonged intravenous immunization with streptococcus, which induced the formation of complement fixing antibodies to homologous skin antigens, did not influence the taking of autoplastic and alloplastic skin grafts . The injection of hyperimmune streptococcus rabbit antiserum containing antibodies to skin antigens to intact rabbits produced no lesions in the autoplastic skin grafts and prolonged the lift of the alloplastic skin grafts.

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