Chemotherapy, 1989, 35(2), 113 - 8 Effect of sublethal concentration of antibiotics on the adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis to eukaryotic cells; Chugh TD et al.; Adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis to pharyngeal epithelial cells as measured by {3H}-leucine-labelled bacteria was found to be a simple, objective and highly reproducible technique . Sublethal concentrations of cephalothin, rifampicin and vancomycin significantly reduced the bacterial adherence to epithelial cells, the effect being most marked with 1/2 MIC . Cloxacillin increased the adherence for one strain while it decreased it for the second . The effect was dose-related and the maximum reduction was observed when bacteria were grown with an antibiotic overnight. Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 33(5), 381 - 90 Bindings of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, and C to rabbit spleen cells; Fujikawa H et al.; Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) A, B, and C were studied on binding to rabbit spleen cells . The toxins showed remarkable mitogenic effects on the cells . Among them, SEA and TSST-1 had much stronger mitogenic activities than SEB and SEC . Binding study showed that labeled TSST-1 and SEA bound considerably to cells, but that labeled SEB or SEC was not observed to bind at a detectable level under the same conditions as TSST-1 and SEA . Competitive binding analysis between toxins to cells proved that TSST-1 and SEA clearly competed with each other in binding . Scatchard plots for TSST-1 and SEA in binding were linear at the doses used . The Scatchard analysis for TSST-1 and SEA gave a dissociation constant of 2.5 X 10(-9) M and 7.6 X 10(-8) M and the number of binding sites per cell of 5.3 X 10(3) and 1.0 X 10(5), respectively. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1989, 15(3), 129 - 32 Stability of dactimicin to aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes produced by 341 bacterial clinical isolates; Gomez-Lus R et al.; The stability of dactimycin to aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes produced by 341 bacterial clinical isolates has been studied . Enzymatic activities were measured by the phosphocellulose binding assay . The results demonstrated that dactimicin was stable to the following enzymes: (i) AAC(3)-II,-III,-IV and -V . (ii) AAC(2'); (iii)AAC(6')-I and -II;(iv) ANT(2"); (v)ANT(4'); (vi) APH(3')-I,-II,-III and -IV . In contrast, dactimicin was only inactivated by two enzymes, AAC(3)-I and the bifunctional AAC(6')/APH(2") . This staphylococcal enzyme modified and inactivated dactimicin by acetylation but not by phosphorylation, suggesting the possibility of a second target amino group, such as 6'-NH2, in addition to the C4 amino group, which is the target for AAC(3)-I. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1989, 178(3), 127 - 33 Specificity, cross-reactivity and competition profile of monoclonal antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1 detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; Kienle E et al.; A group of monoclonal antibodies to the staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1 without any cross-reactivity to the other known staphylococcal enterotoxins A, C2, C3, D and E was developed . The monoclonal antibodies were compared in competition ELISA's with regard to affinity and epitope recognition . Three different groups could be classified: Group 1, consisting of the MAbs B/3-4 and B/3-8, recognizes in identical manner staphylococcal enterotoxin B . Also group 2 (MAb B/3-5) recognizes only staphylococcal enterotoxin B, yet group 1 and 2 do not compete with each other in the competition ELISA and therefore own different paratopes . Group 3 (MAb C1/2-3 and C1/4-6) reacts exclusively with staphylococcal enterotoxin C1, not even with staphylococcal enterotoxins C2 and C3. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Jan, 23(1), 117 - 21 Lack of extracellular slime effect on treatment outcome of Staphylococcus epidermidis experimental endocarditis; Steckelberg JM et al.; We studied the response of two slime negative Staphylococcus epidermidis strains (NS1 and NS2) and one slime producing strain (S1) to treatment with vancomycin in the rabbit catheter-induced endocarditis model . All micro-organisms had vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of 4 mg/l . Three days after infection, treatment with vancomycin 25 mg/kg every 12 h was begun and continued for 4 days . Cardiac valve vegetations were harvested 12 h after the last dose of vancomycin and cultured quantitatively . In treated animals the mean +/- S.D . log10 colony forming units per g of cardiac valve vegetation were 1.6 +/- 0.1 for NS1, 4.4 +/- 1.9 for NS2, and 2.3 +/- 1.2 for S1 . Slime production did not influence the results of vancomycin therapy of S . epidermidis experimental endocarditis . Other factors may cause strain-dependent variability in response to antimicrobial treatment in this model. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1989, 15(2), 77 - 81 Objective assessment of cough suppressants under normal and pathological experimental conditions; Nosal'ova G et al.; The influences of the antitussive activity of glaucine were studied in 56 non-anaesthetized cats under normal and pathological conditions . Cough was induced by mechanical stimulation of the airways with a nylon fibre . The authors found that if glaucine was administered at a dose of 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg b.w., i.p., it evoked statistically significant suppression on single cough components . After inflammation of the airways was induced with unsoluted croton oil, no decrease in antitussive activity of glaucine could be observed, according to the number of cough efforts, frequency, intensity of maximal cough effort, and intensity of cough attack during expiration . Glaucine used under such conditions was not found to be powerful enough to suppress either the intensity of maximal cough effort or the intensity of cough attack during inspiration . The antitussive effect of glaucine was stronger under pathological conditions (Staphylococcus-induced inflammation) . The antitussive effect of glaucine was approximately the same as with codeine if administered in equal doses. Klin Khir, 1989, (3), 35 - 7 {Specific immunity in patients with severe burns complicated by Pseudomonas infection}; Fedorovskaia EA et al.; The authors have studied 500 samples of blood serum in 262 patients at the age of from 17 to 70 years with thermal burns of different severity degree, depth of injury and location, which were followed by severe infective processes of pyocyanic etiology, and also in reconvalescents of the burn disease . It was established that despite the high degree of staphylococcal and pyocyanic sensibilization, the specific immune response against the background of infective process developed only in a small number of patients with severe burns. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 146, 59 - 66 Biodegradable microspheres: vaccine delivery system for oral immunization; Eldridge JH et al.; The potential of biocompatible and biodegradable microspheres as a controlled release oral vaccine delivery system has been examined . Orally-administered 1-10 micron microspheres composed of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) were specifically taken up into the Peyer's patch lymphoid tissue of the gut, where those greater than or equal to 5 micron remained for up to 35 days . Microspheres less than 5 micron disseminated within macrophages to the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen . In contrast to soluble staphylococcal enterotoxin B toxoid, oral immunization with enterotoxoid in microspheres induced circulating toxin-specific antibodies and a concurrent secretory IgA anti-toxin response in saliva and gut fluid. Clin Ther, 1989, 11(1), 32 - 7 Activity of ciprofloxacin in the treatment of experimental intra-abdominal abscesses in mice; Esposito S; The therapeutic efficacy of ciprofloxacin in the treatment of experimental intra-abdominal abscesses in mice caused by a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis was compared with that of ampicillin and clindamycin . The abscesses were produced by intraperitoneal administration of a bacterial suspension obtained by bacterial culture of S epidermidis diluted to 10(8) CFU/ml mixed with sterilized rat feces and barium sulphate in male BALB/C mice . The following doses of antibiotics were given twice a day for seven days: ciprofloxacin, 1 microgram/100 microliters; clindamycin, 1.5 micrograms/100 microliters; and ampicillin, 3.6 micrograms/100 microliters . The antibiotic serum and pus concentrations were also determined by an agar well diffusion assay . The maximum serum concentrations were obtained 30 minutes after intraperitoneal administration (ciprofloxacin, 2.7 micrograms/ml; clindamycin, 9.0 micrograms/ml; ampicillin, 3.9 micrograms/ml) . The penetration inside the abscess was also satisfactory (ciprofloxacin, 0.51 microgram/ml; clindamycin, 3.4 micrograms/ml; ampicillin, 3.8 micrograms/ml) . A favorable clinical and bacteriologic response was obtained in 69% of the mice following the ciprofloxacin treatment and in 56% following ampicillin . The efficacy of ciprofloxacin was much higher than that of clindamycin and ampicillin, presumably because of its much higher intrinsic potency against the pathogen rather than for its pharmacokinetic characteristics and its penetration inside the abscess. Patol Fiziol Eksp Ter, 1989 Jan-Feb, (1), 52 - 4 {Disrupted function of the cardiovascular system in fulgurant sepsis}; Krikunovskii KV et al.; The condition of cardiodynamics and the toxic properties of venous blood plasma in fulgurant staphylococcal sepsis were studied in 30 experiments on dogs . The values of myocardial contractile activity, the heart pumping function, and systemic hemodynamics were recorded . Blood plasma toxicity was determined according to the paramecium test and the content of medium-molecular peptides . A correlation between the degree of disorders of myocardial contractile activity and the degree of toxemia was revealed. Nephron, 1989, 52(1), 81 - 2 Generalized lymphadenopathy in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients associated with Staphylococcus epidermidis infection; Pollock CA et al.; In patients utilizing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most prevalent organism isolated from peritoneal and exit site infections {1} although clinically significant systemic infection is unusual . We report 2 patients undergoing CAPD who developed generalized lymphadenopathy following peritonitis and exit site infection with S . epidermidis isolated from the excised lymph nodes . We conclude that catheter-related S . epidermidis infection may result in generalized lymphadenopathy due to dissemination of the infective focus. Farmakol Toksikol, 1989 Jan-Feb, 52(1), 90 - 3 {Effect of sodium oxybutyrate on the development of a staphylococcal intoxication}; Brill' GE; Sodium oxybutyrate (200 and 400 mg/kg) was found to increase life expectancy of the animals poisoned with staphylococcus toxin . The improvement of the blood supply to the bulbar structure of the brain as well as normalization of hemorheological parameters probably underlie the protective effect of the drug. Pediatr Neurosci, 1989, 15(3), 131 - 5 Delayed cerebrospinal-fluid shunt infection in children; Schiff SJ et al.; Twelve patients with shunt infection occurring more than 6 months following shunt implantation or revision were identified and their charts reviewed . These cases were accumulated over a 9-year period, and delays from shunt surgery to detection were as long as 11 years . For 5 patients, no antecedent infection or surgery could be identified as a presumptive cause of the shunt infection . Propionibacterium species and Staphylococcus epidermidis species were the most common organisms identified . The risk of late onset of infection at this institution is less than 1% per year. Pediatr Nephrol, 1989 Jan, 3(1), 83 - 5 Enhanced clearance of vancomycin by hemodialysis in a child; Schoumacher R et al.; Clearance of vancomycin by hemodialysis has previously been reported to be negligible . We describe a child undergoing chronic hemodialysis using a hollow fiber dialyzer with cellulose acetate membrane . When the patient was treated with intravenous vancomycin for staphylococcal bacteremia, the serum vancomycin half-life was found to decrease by more than 90% during each course of hemodialysis . We conclude that, contrary to prevailing opinion, vancomycin can be rapidly cleared by hemodialysis in the small pediatric patient, and that the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. J Fr Ophtalmol, 1989, 12(4), 317 - 22 {A multicenter randomized study of fusidic acid ophthalmic gel and rifamycine eyedrops in acute conjunctivitis}; Adenis JP et al.; A total of 163 patients with acute, presumably bacterial, conjunctivitis were included in a randomized trial, comparing: 1% fusidic acid viscous eye drops, a new ophthalmic formulation of fusidic acid instilled twice daily with rifamycin eye drops, four times daily . Both drugs were given 7 days long . Bacterial origin of the conjunctivitis, mainly staphylococcal, was proved in 75% of the cases . Overall, at the end of the treatment, a satisfactory response, on bacteriological and clinical grounds, was recorded for 87.3 and 89.5% of the patients in the Fucidin gel and rifamycin groups respectively . 9 and 12% of the patients in each group respectively, had a clinical recurrence 15 days after the treatment . No significant difference between the groups clinically and bacteriologically was noted . Side effects, mainly burning and smarting were noted by the investigators in 8 and 11 patients treated by fusilic acid and rifamycin respectively . Two patients were taken out of the study in the rifamycin group because of allergy . The difference between the groups is not significant . The use of fusidic acid viscous eye drops as compared to rifamycin eye drops was judged significantly easier by the patients (P less than 0.02), especially because of the reduced number of applications, the lack of color, and the lase of application. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Jan, 33(1), 87 - 91 Randomized trial comparing ciprofloxacin plus netilmicin versus piperacillin plus netilmicin for empiric treatment of fever in neutropenic patients; Chan CC et al.; To assess the efficacy of ciprofloxacin in neutropenic patients, we conducted a randomized prospective trial comparing the combination of ciprofloxacin and netilmicin against piperacillin plus netilmicin as an empiric treatment of fever in cancer patients with neutropenia . Of 214 evaluable episodes, 115 and 99 were randomly assigned to the ciprofloxacin and the piperacillin arms, respectively . The overall response rates were very similar (59 and 62% for the ciprofloxacin and piperacillin arms, respectively) . The response for the gram-positive bacteremias was almost identical (around 40%); this low response was due in part to an outbreak of infection by a multiply resistant strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis (for which the ciprofloxacin MIC was greater than or equal to 128 micrograms/ml) which occurred during the second half of the trial . Among gram-negative bacteremias, 9 of 11 infections (82%) responded to the ciprofloxacin combination compared with 3 of 7 (43%) that responded to the piperacillin combination (P = 0.23) . The incidences of persistent, profound neutropenia were comparable in both treatments, but the susceptibility of the gram-negative organism to ciprofloxacin and netilmicin was significantly higher than was susceptibility to the other combination . Ciprofloxacin was well tolerated, and patients were able to convert from intravenous to oral therapy in 64 of 115 episodes. J Bacteriol, 1989 Jan, 171(1), 593 - 5 Homology of mycoplasma plasmid pADB201 and staphylococcal plasmid pE194; Bergemann AD et al.; The complete nucleotide sequence of pADB201, a 1.7-kilobase cryptic plasmid from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp . mycoides, is reported . The sequence contains a single large open reading frame capable of coding for a polypeptide of up to 198 codons long . The sequence of the putative polypeptide shows significant similarity to that of the repF gene product of staphylococcal plasmid pE194. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1989 Jan, 107(1), 65 - 8 {Effects of gentamycin on interactions of neutrophils with Staphylococcus}; Pal'tsyn AA et al.; The authors studied the effect of gentamicin on abilities of neutrophils to uptake and killing of extracellular Staphylococcus . Gentamicin had not changed naturally the ability of healthy men and burn patients neutrophils to uptake Staphylococcus, but intensified the ability of neutrophils to killing of these bacteria. J Exp Med, 1989 Jan 1, 169(1), 99 - 113 Antibacterial activity of human natural killer cells; Garcia-Penarrubia P et al.; The in vitro effects of human NK cells on viability of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was investigated . PBLs depleted of glass-adherent cells showed a significant antibacterial activity that was increased as the concentration of NK cells became higher . Leu-11-enriched cells exhibited the most efficient bactericidal activity . Stimulation of NK cells with staphylococcal enterotoxin B for 16 h produced a significant increase in the antibacterial activity of all NK cells tested . The antibacterial activity of monocyte-depleted cells and Leu-11-enriched cells was also enhanced after culturing in vitro for 16-24 h without exogenous cytokines . Dependence of the antibacterial activity on the presence of serum in the culture medium was not found . Ultrastructural studies revealed close contact between NK cell membranes and bacteria, no evidence of phagocytosis, and extracellular bacterial ghosts, after incubation at 37 degrees C . Supernatants from purified NK cells exhibited potent bactericidal activity with kinetics and target specificity similar to that of effector cells . These results document the potent antibacterial activity of purified NK cells and suggest an extracellular mechanism of killing. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim, 1989, 8(6), 620 - 4 {Peripheral venous catheterization: influence of catheter composition on the occurrence of thrombophlebitis}; Jacquot C et al.; Infusion thrombophlebitis is a common troublesome complication of intravenous therapy . This study compared peripheral intravenous Teflon and Vialon catheters . The incidence of phlebitis, bacterial adherence and mechanical resistance (distortion) were assessed on 170 catheters, 85 of each type . The Vialon catheter resulted in less phlebitis than the Teflon one (18 vs . 35; p less than 0.01) . During the period 49 to 72 h after the insertion of the catheter, the risk of phlebitis in the Teflon group was twice that in the Vialon group . The study of bacterial adherence using a semi-quantitative culture method demonstrated that 9.0% of the catheters were infected with Staphylococcus epidermidis . There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (5.7% Vialon group vs . 12.5% Teflon group) . The Teflon catheters were much more distorted than vialon catheters: 1.7% vs . 55.7% in the macroscopic study; 1.75% vs . 8.2% in the microscopic study . As Vialon softens at body temperature, it would seem likely that it generates a lesser degree of endothelial injury, explaining the lower rate of phlebitis with Vialon catheters. Dev Pharmacol Ther, 1989, 14(2), 77 - 83 Vancomycin pharmacokinetics in infants: relationship to postconceptional age and serum creatinine; Kildoo CW et al.; Multidose pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were studied in 15 infants with gestational age less than 36 weeks and suspected or confirmed Staphylococcus epidermidis infections . Postconceptional age (PCA) at the time of the study ranged from 26 to 44 weeks . Vancomycin individual doses ranged from 6.7 to 10.6 mg/kg and were infused over 60 min . Five postinfusion samples were obtained in 13 infants, while 4 samples were obtained in 2 patients . Vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by fitting the data to a two-compartment model using a weighted least-squares nonlinear regression method . Mean vancomycin body clearance (CL), volume of distribution (Vdss) and terminal elimination half-life were 1.37 ml/min, 0.58 liters and 5.6 h, respectively . When standardized for patient weight, the CL and Vdss values were 1.07 ml/min/kg and 0.48 liters/kg, respectively . The CL (ml/min/kg) was strongly inversely correlated with the serum creatinine (r = -0.82), while a weaker but significant association was noted with PCA (r = 0.41) . These data suggest that in sick infants, in addition to the PCA, serum creatinine should be considered when determining the initial vancomycin dosing regimen. Vestn Akad Med Nauk SSSR, 1989, (12), 70 - 6 {The main pathogenetic mechanisms of disorders of the detoxication function of the liver in endogenous toxemia of various etiologies}; Krakovskii ME et al.; The mechanisms of cell proliferative activity regulation under the effect of growth factors, mitogens, virus transformation, etc . were analyzed . Changes in the location of cAMP-dependent protein kinase caused by these factors, the effect of the nerve growth factor on the activities of protein kinase and high-affinity ATPase, and the mechanism of antiproliferative action of staphylococcal enterotoxin A were specified . Data on receptor-independent intracellular penetration of protein factors hydrophobized by fatty acid residues are overviewed. Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1989, 43(5), 713 - 20 {Detection certainty of the contamination of bull sperm with mycoplasma}; Richter A et al.; Tests for presence of mycoplasmas were conducted on 20 insemination bulls known as mycoplasma spreaders, with 5 sperm pellet batches of 20 pellets each being investigated for each animal . Mycoplasma contamination was positively recorded from 83 of the above 100 batches . Mycoplasma (M.) bovigenitalium, M . californicum . M . arginini, M . bovirhinis, and Acholeplasma laidlawii were typed by means of indirect immunofluorescent technique, which confirmed the presence also in the GDR of mycoplasma species described in the literature and detected in sperm samples . The solid culturing media used in the above tests, medium-B agar and cattle blood agar with staphylococcal nutrix, proved to be equally suitable for isolation of mycoplasma from sperm samples . Mycoplasma was positively identified in about one third of all pellets/batches tested . 3 pellets to one batch should be sufficient a random sample size from which to obtain information at least very close to real contamination. Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1989, 43(5), 699 - 704 {Comparative studies of the suitability of different culture media for the isolation of Mycoplasma californicum from milk samples}; Pfutzner H et al.; Mycoplasma (M.) californicum und M . bovigenitalium mastitis had occurred in four herds . 240 milk samples of 120 cows were tested for M . californicum, using in parallel nine different culturing substrates and test methods . Included were 120 initial and 120 final milk samples . Inoculation of milk to medium-I broth containing V-factor yeast extract, incubation at 37 degrees C for 5 days, subsequent spreading onto cattle blood agar with staphylococcal nutrix, followed by 5 days of incubation proved to be superior to all other culturing substrates and methods tested and resulted in positive detection of M . californicum in 69 milk samples . M . californicum was identified in 70 milk samples by combination of all 9 test variants . No significant difference was found to exist with regard to isolation results between initial and final milking samples. Vestn Dermatol Venerol, 1989, (11), 16 - 20 {Experimental characteristics of the immune response of lymphoid organs to fungal and staphylococcal antigens}; Diudiun AD et al.; Increased proliferative and functional activities of the lymphoid organs and a high mitotic activity of the lymphocyte blast forms were recorded by autohistoradiography (3H thymidine and 35S-labeled sulfate) in 60 guinea pigs in acute experiments (a challenge with staphylococcal or fungal antigen) . Degeneration of the lymphoid tissue and substitution of the lymphoid tissue with fatty tissue were observed in a chronic experiment . Discoordination of the immune response consisted in depression of the T-component, with the B-component retaining high activity; these shifts were the most manifest after challenge with fungal antigen. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1989, 251, 191 - 202 Vaccine-containing biodegradable microspheres specifically enter the gut-associated lymphoid tissue following oral administration and induce a disseminated mucosal immune response; Eldridge JH et al.; Biodegradable and biocompatible microspheres have been investigated for their usefulness as a vaccine delivery system for both parenteral and enteral immunization . Microspheres composed of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) which contained a toxoid vaccine of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B were found to strongly potentiate the circulating anti-toxin antibody response following intraperitoneal injection . Following oral administration, microspheres less than 10 microns in diameter were specifically taken up into the Peyer's patches of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, where those greater than or equal to 5 microns remained fixed for an extended period . Microspheres less than 5 microns were disseminated within macrophages to the mesenteric lymph nodes, blood circulation and spleen . Oral immunization with enterotoxoid-containing microspheres induced circulating toxin-specific antibodies and a concurrent secretory IgA anti-toxin response in saliva, gut wash fluids and bronchial-alveolar wash (BAW) fluids . In contrast, soluble enterotoxoid was completely ineffective as an oral immunogen. J Postgrad Med, 1989 Jan, 35(1), 30 - 5 Chronic bronchitis . IV--Antibody titres to bacterial antigens during acute exacerbations; Dalvi SG et al.; In 49 patients of chronic bronchitis with acute exacerbation, serum antibody titres were estimated against the respective pathogen isolated and cultured from sputum of individual patients . Antibody titres to Klebsiella and Staphylococcus coagulase positive organisms were found in 28 and 25 patients respectively . Paired serum samples from 21 patients showed rising antibody titres in 17 of them, whereas the antibody titres fell in the remaining 4 patients . Notably, only 2 patients demonstrated a four fold rise or fall in the antibody titres . The significance of these findings is discussed. Adv Perit Dial, 1989, 5, 124 - 7 Are intracellularly penetrating antibiotics warranted in CAPD-related peritonitis? de Fijter CW, Verbrugh HA, Heezius HC, van Bronswijk H, van der Meulen J, Oe PL, Donker AJ, Verhoef J. Survival and growth of bacteria within peritoneal macrophages has been implicated as causes of recurrences and relapses of Staphylococcus epidermidis peritonitis . We compared the effect of cephradine--known not to penetrate into peritoneal macrophages--with that of clindamycin--known to concentrate in phagocytes--on the intracellular killing of S . epidermidis by human peritoneal macrophages . Clindamycine (q.i.d . 300 mg) or cephradine (q.i.d . 250 mg) was taken orally for one day in a randomized cross-over setting by 8 stable CAPD patients . On both days peritoneal macrophages were isolated from the overnight effluents and their capacity to phagocytize and kill S . epidermidis was measured . Phagocytes isolated from and incubated in effluents containing clindamycin, showed better bacterial uptake (32 vs 17%, p less than 0.01) and killing (70 vs 42%, p less than 0.01) compared to cephradine . Moreover, clindamycin prevented S . epidermidis to multiply intracellularly (-0.33 decrease in log colony forming units (cfu)/ml after 18 h) . In sharp contrast, phagocytes incubated with cephradine allowed S . epidermidis to increase over 18 h (+1.48 increase in log cfu/ml; p less than 0.01 compared to clindamycin) . We conclude that antibiotics with the ability to suppress intracellular bacterial growth may provide a more optimal treatment of CAPD-related peritonitis. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc, 1989, 101, 195 - 204; discussion 204-6 Superantigens: interaction of staphylococcal enterotoxins with MHC class II molecules; Rich RR et al.; We have shown that the staphylococcal enterotoxins and TSST specifically bind to MHC class II molecules . This binding to class II molecules is a prerequisite for the function of these bacterial exotoxins as T cell mitogens in vitro . While SEA bound all class II molecules tested with respect to isotype and allotype, the other enterotoxins were limited in binding by the class II isotype . In contrast to conventional antigen, the nature of enterotoxin interactions with MHC enables them to stimulate class I-restricted CD8+ T cells, most likely due to the ability of SEs to engage the T cell receptor based solely on V beta usage . Finally, in addition to activating adjacent T cells, the enterotoxins and TSST can evoke responses from the class II-bearing cells to which they bind . Enterotoxin/TSST effects on cells that bear class II molecule "receptors", in addition to their induction of T cell hormones such as interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma, provide possible explanations for some of the symptomatology seen with these bacterial exotoxins and also implicate MHC class II molecules as signal-transducing receptors. J Hosp Infect, 1989 Jan, 13(1), 27 - 31 Infection risks from electrically operated breast pumps; Blenkharn JI; Using formula milk seeded with Staphylococcus epidermidis as indicator, bacteria were observed to pass beyond the collecting bottles of three electrically operated breast pumps . Bacteria were recovered from sites distal to the level of visible contamination, the incidence increasing with repeated use of the apparatus . Despite use of a sterile collecting bottle, retrograde contamination of freshly collected milk may occur from previously contaminated components of the pumps . The results suggest that a terminal in-line air filter is essential to ensure aerosols containing potentially pathogenic bacteria do not contaminate the suction source or be emitted to the environment with the exhaust air . Where a single pump is used by more than one person adequate sterilization of all removable components is essential. Chemotherapy, 1989, 35(3), 168 - 73 Comparison of in vitro activity of daptomycin, vancomycin and fluoroquinolones in broth and serum against Staphylococcus epidermidis as determined by time-kill kinetics; Lentino JR et al.; We compared the activity of daptomycin, vancomycin and fluoroquinolones against 46 blood isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis . Daptomycin was more rapidly bactericidal than vancomycin and demonstrated less of an inoculum effect than the quinolones . Time-kill kinetic studies demonstrated no significant differences in survival in broth as compared to 50% human serum-supplemented broth . Daptomycin and the quinolones are suitable for study in clinical trials of efficacy as therapeutic alternatives to vancomycin for S . epidermidis infections. Plasmid, 1989 Jan, 21(1), 43 - 7 Random insertion of the gentamicin resistance transposon Tn4001 in Mycoplasma pulmonis; Mahairas GG et al.; The staphylococcal transposon Tn4001 was introduced into Mycoplasma pulmonis using an Escherichia coli-derived vector by polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation . Using a reaction mixture containing 10 micrograms plasmid DNA, 10 micrograms yeast tRNA, and 34-35% polyethylene glycol per 1 x 10(8) cells, Tn4001 could be introduced into M . pulmonis at a frequency of 5 x 10(-5) per colony forming unit . DNA-DNA hybridization studies illustrated that Tn4001 could occupy a diversity of insertion sites in the M . pulmonis chromosome . These data indicated that Tn4001 is a potentially useful tool for the introduction of mutations and for genetic studies in M . pulmonis. Rev Esp Fisiol, 1989, 45 Suppl, 239 - 44 {Changes caused by staphylococcal protein A and gamma interferon on the natural cytotoxic activity in patients with cancer}; Subira ML et al.; The effects on natural killer (NK) activity of in vitro incubation of effector cells with staphylococcal Protein A (SPA) and gamma interferon (gamma IFN) in patients with different types of tumors have been compared . The modifications induced in NK activity by these two immunomodulators were assessed using the K-562 cell line and autologous tumoral cells as targets of natural cytotoxicity . The results obtained show that both SPA and gamma-IFN are good inducers of NK activity against the K-562 cell line . SPA always shows itself more efficient than gamma-IFN in increasing the basal level of NK activity . The cytotoxicity against autologous tumoral cells was also greatly increased by the two immunomodulators assayed, SPA being also in this type of assay more efficient than gamma-IFN . Taken the data as a whole the increases induced by SPA and gamma-IFN are parallel both against K-562 and autologous tumoral cells . However when the different types of tumours are considered separately some discrepancies between NK activity against K-562 and autologous tumoral cells appear . The effects of SPA as a modifier of NK activity against autologous tumoral cells looks clear . In our experiments incubation of effector cells with SPA behaves more effectively than the well established gamma-IFN model in the induction of this type of activity . The intimate mechanisms by which SPA exerts its action are quite interesting and merit further investigation. J Tongji Med Univ, 1989, 9(4), 193 - 8 Immunohistochemical localization of vascular endothelial cell factor VIII/von Willebrand factor antigen in human normal and disordered gastric tissues; Shen SL et al.; Vascular endothelial cell factor VIII/von Willebrand factor antigen (FVIII/vWF Ag) of normal and disordered gastric tissues was studied with staphylococcus protein A-gold (PAG) labelling followed by photochemical silver reaction . FVIII/vWF Ag was localized clearly in the tissue fixed with various common fixatives and embedded in paraffin without enzyme treatment . The most satisfactory staining and the least nonspecific background were observed in the tissues fixed with Zamboni's and Bouin's solutions . The staining reaction could be enhanced, if the sections were pretreated with trypsin and subtilisin . Under the electron microscope, the gold particles were found over the Weibel-Palade bodies of vascular endothelial cells in the tissues fixed either in Zamboni's solution or in Zamboni's solution-osmium tetroxide, and embedded either with Lowicryl K4M or with Epon 812 . It has been proved to be a better technique in investigation of FVIII/vWF Ag in vascular endothelial cells. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1989, 90(3), 219 - 23 A positive feedback loop for staphylococcal enterotoxin-A-stimulated IFN-gamma production requires macrophage immune-associated antigen upregulation; Russell JK et al.; The C57Bl/6-derived T cell line, L12-R4, produced murine interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) in response to mitogenic stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or concanavalin A (Con A), but not by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) . Low levels of IFN gamma were produced by SEA stimulation of L12-R4 cells cocultured with C57Bl/6 bone marrow macrophages (BMM) . Significantly increased yields of IFN gamma resulted from 48-hour pretreatment of the BMM with recombinant IFN gamma (100 U/ml) prior to coculture . Polyclonal anti-IFN gamma and anti-IFN alpha/beta were used to characterize the interferon as IFN gamma . Paraformaldehyde (0.1%) treatment of IFN gamma-pretreated BMM did not affect IFN gamma production, suggesting that processing of SEA was not required . IFN gamma treatment of BMM resulted in significantly increased expression of immune-associated (Ia) antigen as determined by flow cytometric analysis, suggesting that the accessory cell role of BMM involved Ia antigen . Polyclonal anti-Ia antibody selectively inhibited the production of IFN gamma by SEA-stimulated whole spleen cell cultures, consistent with the necessity of Ia antigen for BMM help in SEA induction of IFN gamma . More interestingly, induction of IFN gamma . These findings suggest that Ia antigen is necessary for BMM accessory function in SEA induction of IFN gamma . More interestingly, the results implicate class II molecules in a positive feedback loop for IFN gamma production by SEA. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss, 1989 Jan, 82(1), 37 - 44 {Staphylococcal endocarditis on a heart valve prosthesis . Apropos of 28 cases}; de Gevigney G et al.; The purpose of this retrospective study of 28 cases of staphylococcal endocarditis on cardiac valve prosthesis was to evaluate the prognosis of that disease and the possible causes of its recent improvement . Between March 1977 and May 1987, 69 patients were treated for bacterial endocarditis on cardiac valve prosthesis . Among these, 28 patients (19 men, 9 women, mean age 53.2 +/- 14.3 years) had staphylococcal endocarditis (Staph . epidermidis in 18 cases, Staph . aureus in 10 cases) of early (10 cases) or late (18 cases) onset . Complications were present in no less than 27 out of 28 patients, the most frequent being heart failure, embolism or neurological disorders . The mortality rate was high (61 p . 100) . Among the clinical variables studied, only a state of shock seemed to be predictive of death . Mortality was higher in the group treated medically (100 p . 100) than in the group treated surgically (50 p . 100) . Since 1984, however, a significant decrease of mortality was noted; it coincided with the systematic use of vancomycin but also with surgical treatment in all cases . As a result of this study, we suggest that all patients with staphylococcal endocarditis on cardiac valve prosthesis should be operated upon and that this should be done as soon as possible, before the end of the classical antibiotic therapy period. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1989 Jan, 7(1), 40 - 3 {Sepsis and neonatal meningitis}; Bosch J et al.; The epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological data of 38 infants under 28 days of age with a diagnosis of neonatal meningitis (13 patients), early neonatal sepsis (17 patients) or late neonatal sepsis (8 patients) were retrospectively reviewed . 52.6% of patients were premature and/or low weight neonates, 76.3% had an unfavorable obstetrical history and 39.4% had one or more underlying diseases . The clinical features were predominantly neurological (81.5%), cardiac or respiratory (71%) and gastrointestinal (34.2); the most outstanding laboratory data were positive CRP, hyperbilirubinemia and abnormalities in leukocyte differential count . The major microorganisms involved were E . coli (11 patients), S . agalactiae (9), S . aureus (5), L . monocytogenes (3) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (3) . The overall incidence of these disorders was 3.33 cases/1000 live neonates, and the mortality rate was 7.9%. Perit Dial Int, 1989, 9(2), 115 - 9 Longitudinal study of peritoneal defence mechanisms in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); McGregor SJ et al.; Peritoneal cellular and humoral defence mechanisms have been examined in a group of 16 patients over a nine-month period from the day of commencement of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Significant decreases in the levels of IgG, C3, and opsonic activity occurred with the passage of time in the over-night peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) . The ability of PDE to inhibit in vitro growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis also decreased . The number of cells in the PDE and their ability to kill S . epidermidis decreased, although there was no significant change in their ability to ingest this organism . These results suggest that the immunological protection of the peritoneal cavity decreases with time, and this may account for the increase in the incidence of peritonitis with length of time on CAPD that some workers have reported. J Invest Surg, 1989, 2(4), 381 - 9 Effects of extracellular slime produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis on oxidative responses of rabbit alveolar macrophages; Myrvik QN et al.; Bacterial slime produced in mass cultures of the RP 12 strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis was extracted with 4 M guanidine-HCl plus 0.05 M sodium acetate and 0.5% CHAPS, concentrated, dialyzed, and subjected to separation on DEAE sephacel columns . Three fractions, I-2A, I-2B, and I-4, were eluted with linear gradients of NaCl . Fractions I-2A and I-2B were alcian blue positive, whereas I-4 was alcian blue negative but the most electronegative fraction . The crude polysaccharide fraction and the three purified fractions were incubated individually for 2.5 or 20 h with normal rabbit alveolar macrophages (AM) to determine their effect on a subsequent PMA-induced oxidative burst . The crude fraction (50-200 micrograms/mL) and I-2B (50-200 micrograms/mL) primed the AM to give approximately a threefold increase in the PMA-induced burst after 2.5 h incubation . In contrast, a 20-h incubation resulted in a 30-40% inhibition of the PMA-induced burst with AM incubated with the same concentrations of the crude, I-2A, or I-2B fractions . Fraction I-4 had no detectable effect . The fractions also were tested to determine if they could elicit an oxidative burst in BCG-immune AM . None of the fractions (up to 500 micrograms/mL) elicited a significant oxidative burst even though BCG-immune AM yielded a PMA-induced burst 100 times that observed with normal resident AM . These data suggest that slime from S . epidermidis can impair the PMA-induced oxidative burst of normal AM during a 20-h incubation period and could explain in part why host defenses are compromised by slime-producing S . epidermidis. Rev Elev Med Vet Pays Trop, 1989, 42(3), 379 - 82 Abscess disease in goats in the Sudan; el Sanousi SM et al.; The "abscess disease" was described in naturally infected goats for the first time in Sudan . An anaerobic respiratory deficient staphylococcus was isolated in pure form . The biochemical properties were studied . The disease was successfully reproduced in experimental goats. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1989, 38(3-4), 233 - 45 Staphylococcal L-asparaginase: purification and properties of enzymic protein; Rozalska M; Staphylococcal L-asparaginase has been purified 400-fold with 40% recovery . The procedure involves ammonium sulphate precipitation and a column chromatography on Sephadex G-200 gel filtration) . The enzyme is composed of not identical subunits . protein (pI 4.4) with the approximate molecular weight of 125,000 (estimated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration) . The enzyme is composed of not identical subunits . The polyacrylamide-SDS gel electrophoresis indicated two subunits with molecular weight 18,000 and 22,000. Lab Delo, 1989, (7), 30 - 5 {Recognition of the disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome: methodology and expert assessment}; Barkagan ZS et al.; Basing on the results of follow-up of 700 patients suffering from various forms of this syndrome (DIC syndrome), the authors have developed an algorithm and criteria for the expert evaluation of the diagnostic evidence of this condition with specification of the confidence measures for E . Shortliffe's equation . The major classes of evidence have been distinguished, including the causes and clinical situations leading to the development of the DIC syndrome (class A); manifestations of the syndrome--microcirculation blocking, organ ischemias and dysfunctions, thrombohemorrhages, etc . (class B); laboratory findings (class C), the most informative and easily available being: various shifts of different coagulation tests, eventuating in deep hypocoagulation in acute cases, abnormal blood platelet and fibrinogen levels, detection of soluble fibrin-monomer complexes and noncoagulating fibrinogen in the blood serum in the test with Echis carinatus venom, positive staphylococcal clumping test and increased level of fibrinogen degradation products in the plasma, the red cell injury phenomenon, reduced levels of antithrombin III and plasminogen, intensive elimination of platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin into the plasma . Complexes of laboratory tests (up to 4-5) have been singled out, that help diagnose the disease with an accuracy of 90-97.5%, particularly as regards classes A and B evidence. Lab Delo, 1989, (4), 27 - 30 {A method of determining the concentration of biologically active fibronectin}; Safina NA et al.; The suggested method is based on the ability of fibronectin intact molecules to agglutinate gelatin-coated particles . Gelatin-coated particles have been prepared with the use of specially treated Staphylococcus epidermidis cells . The concentration of biologically active fibronectin has been measured using laser nephelometry and agglutination test in microtitre plates . The accuracy of the test is 4 mg/ml (laser nephelometer) and 0.1 mg/ml (agglutination test). Lab Delo, 1989, (3), 11 - 3 {Use of the coagglutination reaction for typing Leptospira cultures}; Mel'nitskaia EV et al.; The coagglutination test has been employed for the serologic typing of Leptospira cultures . A set of diagnostic agents with a maximum kit of anti-Leptospira sera of various serogroups has been prepared on the basis of a 10% suspension of formalin-treated Cowan 1 staphylococcus strain . To prepare the diagnostic agent, 0.1 portion of the serum and 9 portions of phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.2 should be added to 1 portion of a 10% staphylococcal suspension . 1% staphylococcal suspension has been prepared for control . The diagnosticum and the culture to type (0.01 ml each) have been mixed on the slides; the control test has been carried out with 1% non-sensitized staphylococcal suspension . The test has been read by microscopy in the dark visual field after the slides' 15 min exposure in a humid chamber . Typing of 17 Leptospira cultures of known serologic groups has yielded positive responses with the homologous diagnosticums only; no cross reactions have been recorded . The coagglutination test may be used for the rapid differentiation of mixed Leptospira cultures belonging to different serologic groups. Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 Dec 31, 7(4), 311 - 6 Estimation of human dose of staphylococcal enterotoxin A from a large outbreak of staphylococcal food poisoning involving chocolate milk; Evenson ML et al.; An outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school district in the United States was determined to be staphylococcal food poisoning due to 2% chocolate milk containing staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) . Twelve one-half pint (approx 0.28 l) cartons of the 2% chocolate milk from this outbreak were analyzed for the quantity of SEA present in the milk . The amount of SEA in the cartons varied from 94 to 184 ng with the average being 144 ng (mean = 139 +/- 45) . The attack rate for vomiting among those who consumed more than one carton was greater (38.3%) than among those who consumed only one carton (31.5%) with the highest attack rate among those who consumed three or more cartons (44.4%). Nucleic Acids Res, 1988 Dec 23, 16(24), 11691 - 704 Inhibition of deoxyribonucleases by phosphorothioate groups in oligodeoxyribonucleotides; Spitzer S et al.; The Rp- and Sp-diastereomers of the phosphorothioate-containing oligonucleotide d{ApAp(S)ApA} have been synthesized . They and the tetramer d{ApApApA} were tested as substrates for staphylococcal nuclease, DNase II and spleen phosphodiesterase . For digestions with DNase I these oligonucleotides were converted to the 5'-phosphorylated derivates . The reactions with the nucleases were analysed by HPLC . The phosphorothioate groups of both diastereomers were resistant to the action of staphylococcal nuclease, DNase I and DNase II . While the phosphorothioate group of the Rp-diastereomer was resistant to the action of spleen phosphodiesterase, the Sp-diastereomer was hydrolysed at an estimated rate 1/100 the rate of cleavage of the unmodified tetramer . The presence of the phosphorothioate group in the center of the molecule affected the rate of hydrolysis of neighbouring phosphate groups for some enzymes . In particular, very slow release of 3'-dAMP from the Rp-diastereomer occurred on incubation with staphylococcal nuclease but the Sp-diastereomer was completely resistant . DNase II produced 3'-dAMP quite rapidly from both diastereomers of d{ApAp(S)ApA} and DNase I released 5'-dAMP from both diastereomers of d{pApAp(S)ApA} only slowly. J Biol Chem, 1988 Dec 5, 263(34), 18190 - 2 Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a quadruple mutant of staphylococcal nuclease; Loll PJ et al.; A quadruple mutant of staphylococcal nuclease, nuclease (V66L/G79S/G88V/L108V), has been crystallized in a form well suited to moderate-to-high resolution x-ray diffraction analysis . This mutant is highly unstable; only about 20% of the protein in solution at room temperature is in its folded form . Under the crystallization conditions, the protein exhibits circular dichroism properties similar to, but not identical with, those of native wild type protein . The crystals belong to the space group P6(1)22 or P6(5)22 with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 61.1 A, c = 170.1 A and diffract to at least 2.5 A resolution . A data set complete to 3.7 A resolution has been collected and processed; attempts to determine the structure using molecular replacement techniques are under way. J Biol Chem, 1988 Dec 5, 263(34), 18568 - 73 Lophotoxin and related coral toxins covalently label the alpha-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; Abramson SN et al.; Lophotoxin and lophotoxin analog-1 are uncharged cyclic diterpenes obtained from gorgonian corals . They have been shown to block the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors . Inhibition results from blockade of the agonist recognition site and appears irreversible in that extensive washing does not restore receptor function . This study was undertaken to determine whether this apparently irreversible inhibition involves covalent labeling at a selective site and to further characterize this site directly . Incubation of membranes prepared from the electric organ of Torpedo californica with analog-1 followed by reduction with NaB3H4 resulted in the incorporation of radioactivity into several membrane proteins . The incorporation of radioactivity into the alpha-subunit of the receptor was blocked by prior incubation with agonists and antagonists . {3H}Lophotoxin and {3H}analog-1 were prepared by reduction with NaB3H4 and back-oxidation with CrO3 . The radiolabeled coral toxins reacted selectively and covalently with the alpha-subunit of the receptor . Their binding was prevented by prior exposure to agonists and antagonists . In contrast to the site-directed alkylating agent 4-(N-maleimido)benzyltrimethylammonium iodide, prior reduction of the receptor was not required for covalent binding of 3H-labeled coral toxins . Selective reduction of Cys192 and Cys193 followed by alkylation with 4-(N-maleimido)benzyltrimethylammonium iodide blocked the binding of {3H}analog-1, whereas alkylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide did not . Thus, the binding site for the coral toxins does not overlap the binding surface near Cys192 and Cys193 . Digestion of isolated labeled alpha-subunits with endoglycosidase H revealed that the polypeptide portion of the protein retained the covalently bound {3H}analog-1 . Digestion with staphylococcal V8 protease revealed two major peptides of approximately 19 and 20 kDa, along with several smaller peptides . Only the 20-kDa peptide retained the covalently bound {3H}analog-1, localizing the site of covalent attachment between Ser173 and Glu335 . The unique chemical structure and covalent reactivity of these gorgonian coral toxins will undoubtedly allow further insights into the structure of the agonist recognition site. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1988 Dec, 193(6), 589 - 93 {A classification of intraocular bacteriologic findings following lens implantation}; Wenzel M et al.; Findings in seven patients with intraoperative bacterial invasions are reported . These invasions were classified in three stages of severity: (1) According to the literature it may be assumed that clinically undetectable invasion occurs in more than 10% of all operations . The bacteria detected in one case may have been a secondary finding in an electron-microscopic study . (2) A benign endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis was found in three patients . The symptoms initially prompted the incorrect diagnosis "toxic lens syndrome" . Cells resembling leukocytes were detected on the lenses by light microscopy . Following explantation of the lens and the posterior capsule, patients' vision slowly recovered to an average of 0.8 . (3) Of three patients with fulminant panophthalmitis caused by Enterococci and/or Staphylococcus epidermidis, only one patient re-attained 0.5 vision, after two weeks; in the second case vision remained restricted to "hand movements", and in the third the eye had to be enucleated. J Clin Invest, 1988 Dec, 82(6), 2097 - 105 Release of interleukin 1 inhibitory activity (contra-IL-1) by human monocyte-derived macrophages infected with human immunodeficiency virus in vitro and in vivo; Locksley RM et al.; Infection of monocyte-macrophages with human immunodeficiency virus may be central to the pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome . The ability of infected macrophages to prime T cells through IL-1 production was investigated in vitro . Purified human monocytes maintained in suspension culture were infected with strain HIV-DV . Intracellular expression of virus p24 antigen increased from undetectable levels immediately after infection to 13-59% of cells by 10-14 d; infected macrophages remained viable for up to 60 d . Supernatants collected between 14 and 20 d after infection were examined in the murine thymocyte co-mitogenesis assay and demonstrated to contain a potent IL-1 inhibitor, designated contra-IL-1 . Contra-IL-1 activity was present in all supernatants examined after 4 d of infection, and peaked coincident with peak p24 antigen expression . Inhibitory activity was not present in uninfected cells . Contra-IL-1 activity eluted after gel filtration with an approximate molecular weight of 9 kD . Inhibitory activity was removed by exposure to heat or acid pH, or by incubation with chymotrypsin or staphylococcal V8 protease . Contra-IL-1 did not inhibit IL-2- or IL-4-dependent proliferation of murine T cell lines . Despite its ability to inhibit IL-1 activity, contra-IL-1 did not interfere with the binding of recombinant IL-1 beta to a fibroblast cell line . Contra-IL-1 inhibited the proliferation of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells to both concanavalin A and tetanus toxoid; inhibition could be attenuated by the addition of exogenous IL-1 . Messenger RNA extracted from infected macrophages was examined by Northern analysis for the presence of message to IL-1 beta . No message was apparent, suggesting that the presence of contra-IL-1 was not obscuring the concomitant release of IL-1 . Infected macrophages stimulated with endotoxin generated readily detectable message for IL-1 beta . Spleen macrophages purified from two patients with AIDS complicated by immune thrombocytopenia spontaneously expressed p24 antigen in vitro and released contra-IL-1 activity into the media . Contra-IL-1 may contribute to the immune dysfunction of AIDS. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Dec, (12), 9 - 13 {Staphylococcal DNA as a basis for classification}; Akatov AK et al.; The genome characterization of the typing strains for all 13 species of the genus Staphylococcus, included into the Approval List of the Names of Bacterial (1980), is presented . The nucleotide composition of DNA (28-33% of GC) did not permit the differentiation between staphylococcal species, but some of the groups of these species could be differentiated by the size of their genome (0.6-1.6 X 10(9) daltons) . Differences in the degree of similarity between the nucleotide sequences of the DNA of all species (5-6% of DNA homology) made it possible to suggest raising the genus Staphylococcus to the rank of the family Staphylococcaceae fam . nov . The hypothetical classification scheme of this family is presented for discussion. Chemioterapia, 1988 Dec, 7(6), 373 - 7 The activity of antistaphylococcal drugs on nosocomial Staphylococcus epidermidis; Fabbri A et al.; In reporting on the activity of cephalothin, cefamandole, FCE 22101, gentamicin, netilmicin, amikacin, rifampicin, clindamycin, josamycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and teicoplanin on 72 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains clinically isolated in the hospital, the Authors observed a high percentage of methicillin-resistance (68.05%) as well as resistance to other important drugs such as gentamicin (72.22%), rifampicin (27.7%), clindamycin (36.1%), and josamycin (40.27%) . They also recorded good inhibitory activity of the studied beta-lactam drugs . However, this activity was not confirmed against methicillin-resistant strains when the test was performed under particular technical conditions (hypertonic medium, incubation at 30 degrees C, inoculum = 10(6)) . The Authors also emphasize the poor bactericidal activity against these strains . The activity of quinolones was good; the activity of vancomycin and teicoplanin was very good on all strains studied. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 1988 Dec, 6(2), 121 - 8 Chronic granulomatous disease in two Chinese families; Lin YZ et al.; Two Chinese families with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) are reported . The first case was an 11-month-old male baby and the second a 2-month-old male baby . Both patients presented with persistent infections caused by Staphylococcus and Candida since birth . Neutrophil functions were studied in patients and a number of family members . Chemotaxis and phagocytosis were normal in every subject . Slide and spectrophotometric nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) tests of both patients were abnormal and remained unchanged in spite of treatment with ascorbic acid, levamisole, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and isoniazide . Mothers were proved to be carriers as evidenced by the presence of both normal and CGD phagocytes in the slide NBT test . During the 2-month follow-up period, the percentage of normal phagocytes from the mother of case 1 varied from 12% to 73%, which correlated with the fluctuation of spectrophotometric NBT value . The slide NBT test of the mother of case 2 was nearly normal in face of the presence of CGD phagocytes . Both carrier mothers were healthy and asymptomatic. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1988 Dec, 106(12), 741 - 4 {The phenomenon of the accumulation of biological and nonbiological corpuscular particles in mammalian lungs}; Kaufman OIa et al.; When injecting yeast, staphylococcus, polyacrolein microspheres, 3 microns in diameter, into the blood stream of white common rats, it was found that these tend to accumulate in the lumen of pulmonary capillaries, being disposed there in the cytoplasm of macrophages and neutrophils. Can J Microbiol, 1988 Dec, 34(12), 1358 - 61 Phage typing set for differentiating Staphylococcus epidermidis; Gershman M et al.; A phage typing set composed of 13 phages is described for characterizing Staphylococcus epidermidis . Isolates (372) from cases of bovine mastitis were used in this study . Of these, 350 or 94% were successfully delineated, and 63 phage types were observed . Twenty two cultures were not typeable. Pediatr Res, 1988 Dec, 24(6), 673 - 6 Fluorescent cytometric analysis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in Chediak-Higashi syndrome: diminished C3bi receptor expression (OKM1) with normal granular cell density; Cairo MS et al.; Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS) has been associated with recurrent bacterial infections and defective polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte function . Confirmation of the diagnosis of CHS and defective PMN function was established in a 2-month-old with accelerated phase CHS . The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating reduced PMN degranulation (beta-glucuronidase release 34.1 +/- 0.9% versus 5.1 +/- 4% and lysozyme release 17.6 +/- 1.2% versus 11.1 +/- 7% (control versus CHS) and staphylococcal bacterial killing at 15' 51.4 +/- 3.6% versus 24.9 +/- .4% (control versus CHS) . Additional studies using fluorescent cytometric analysis were made to investigate other etiologies of PMN dysfunction in CHS . Total cell density and PMN granularity, as measured by fluorescent-activated cell sorter side scatter analysis, was no different from CHS and age-matched controls . Although CHS is characterized by large PMN granular inclusions, right angle light scatter analysis in this study suggests that the total cell density within the PMN of patients with CHS is normal (D less than .01) . PMN granular release of surface receptors was also studied using antibody binding and fluorescent analysis . OKM1 antibody-binding demonstrated significantly reduced C3bi (MO-1) receptor expression (13% of control) p less than 0.001 . Decreased surface reception expression of C3bi receptors may play an additional role in defective PMN mobility, chemotaxis, and bactericidal activity in patients with CHS. Eur J Pediatr, 1988 Dec, 148(3), 253 - 6 Sympatho-adrenal response to hypoglycaemia in infants; Stanek B et al.; The response of the sympathoadrenal system to hypoglycaemia of different etiology was studied in seven infants, aged 10-189 days . Five infants had hyperinsulinism secondary to nesidioblastosis or to a beta-cell adenoma of the pancreas, one infant had neonatal sepsis due to staphylococcal infection and one infant congenital growth hormone (HGH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency . In babies with hyperinsulinism, plasma noradrenaline increased from 0.29 +/- 0.03 to 0.61 +/- 0.09 ng/ml (P less than 0.01), whereas adrenaline increased only in three, but did not change in two babies . Increases in heart rate and blood pressure paralleled these changes . In hypoglycaemia due to congenital sepsis, noradrenaline increased from 0.39 to 1.64 ng/ml and adrenaline from 0.05 to 0.86 ng/ml . This was associated with marked haemodynamic changes . In congenital HGH and ACTH deficiency, the low basal plasma levels of noradrenaline (0.12 ng/ml) and adrenaline (0.01 ng/ml) remained unchanged in response to hypoglycaemia . Heart rate and blood pressure were unaffected . The sympathoadrenal system was activated by hypoglycaemia in all infants except in congenital HGH and ACTH deficiency . In contrast to adults, noradrenaline was the preferentially released catecholamine, suggesting an involvement of noradrenaline in glucose counter regulation in infancy. Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1988 Dec, 49(3), 424 - 38 Measurement of immunoreactive interleukin-1 beta from human mononuclear cells: optimization of recovery, intrasubject consistency, and comparison with interleukin-1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor; Endres S et al.; Numerous studies have reported altered levels of in vitro production of the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from blood leukocytes in various human disease states . Most of these studies have used bioassays which are vulnerable to inhibitors produced by these cells . Furthermore in vitro cytokine production is often assessed on a single occasion . The present study was designed to standardize stimulation conditions for in vitro IL-1 beta production and to employ a competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) to demonstrate reproducibility and long-term variation of in vitro cytokine production in a cohort of healthy human subjects . We also examined relative amounts of immunoreactive IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha, and TNF induced by the stimuli endotoxin, phytohemagglutinin, or Staphylococcus epidermidis . We show that the RIA can reliably detect IL-1 beta produced from mononuclear cells in concentrations as low as 115 pg/ml . Lysing cells by repeated freeze-thawing yields maximal recovery of total (i.e., secreted plus cell-associated) immunoreactive IL-1 beta, when compared to extraction with the detergent CHAPS or addition of protease inhibitors . Repeated measurement of in vitro cytokine production on different days within 1 week shows good reproducibility for a given individual and a given stimulus (variation coefficient 20 to 30%) . Over a long time period (6 months) in vitro cytokine production is stable in some individuals but changes considerably in others . The soluble stimulus endotoxin induces twofold more IL-1 alpha than IL-1 beta or TNF; in contrast the phagocytic stimulus heat-killed S . epidermidis induces fourfold more IL-1 beta and TNF than IL-1 alpha . This distinct pattern of cytokine response indicates differential stimulation of the mononuclear cells by different stimuli . The results form the basis for studying in vitro cytokine production in different human disease states. Biochemistry, 1988 Nov 29, 27(24), 8735 - 41 Structural analysis of staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1 using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy; Singh BR et al.; Secondary and tertiary structural parameters of two functionally and serologically related proteins, staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1, have been determined by using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy . The secondary structures derived from the respective far-UV circular dichroic spectra were 9.5% alpha-helix, 55.0% beta-pleated sheets, 16.5% beta-turns, and 19.0% random coils for enterotoxin B and 15.0% alpha-helix, 38.0% beta-pleated sheets, 25.5% beta-turns, and 21.5% random coils for staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 . The values matched well with the secondary structures derived from the amino acid sequences (Chou and Fasman method) . Seven antigenic sites have been predicted for both staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1 by using the hydrophilicity and the secondary structure information . Three of these antigenic sites appear similar . Fluorescence quantum yield of the single tryptophan residue (Trp-197) of both the enterotoxins showed the tryptophan residue in staphylococcal enterotoxin B to be approximately 46% more fluorescent than in staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 . Tryptophan fluorescence quenching by the surface quencher I- and the neutral quencher acrylamide revealed that the single tryptophan residue in each of the enterotoxins is buried in the protein matrix and is not accessible to the surface quencher I- . The tryptophan residue in staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 is 14% less accessible to acrylamide than in staphylococcal enterotoxin B . The data, in general, reflect several similarities and significant differences between the two related enterotoxins. Biochemistry, 1988 Nov 29, 27(24), 8730 - 5 Molecular topography of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 as revealed by spectroscopic studies; Singh BR et al.; Molecular characterization of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 has been carried out and compared with a group of functionally related staphylococcal enterotoxins . The secondary structure analysis of the far-UV circular dichroic spectrum of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 revealed 6.25% alpha-helix, 51.25% beta-pleated sheets, 9.0% beta-turns, and 33.5% random coils . The pattern, in general, was similar to the staphylococcal enterotoxins . Four antigenic sites have been predicted for toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 by using the secondary structure information in combination with the hydrophilicity calculation . The location of the antigenic sites, in general, agrees with the experimental results . Topographical analysis of the tyrosine residues as determined by second-derivative UV spectroscopy {Ragone, R., Colonna, G., Balestrieri, C., Servillo, L., & Irace, G . (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1871-1875} showed that six of nine tyrosine residues are exposed to aqueous solvent . Tryptophan fluorescence quenching studies with an anionic surface quencher, I-, and a neutral quencher, acrylamide, revealed that almost all of the tryptophan residues are buried in the protein matrix as their accessibility to the surface quencher is very low (17%) . Since there are only three tryptophan residues in the amino acid sequence of the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 and there is a tyrosine residue (Tyr-15, Tyr-115, and Tyr-153) next to each of the tryptophan residues (Trp-14, Trp-116, and Trp-154), it appears the tyrosine residues not exposed to the aqueous solvent are those next to the tryptophan residues . Functional implications of the topography of the tryptophan and tyrosine residues are assessed. J Immunol Methods, 1988 Nov 25, 115(1), 119 - 25 A sensitive chemiluminescence based immunoassay for antibody to staphylococcal peptidoglycan; Minors S et al.; A sensitive chemiluminescence based immunoassay is described for measuring antibody to staphylococcal peptidoglycan in blood and dialysates from patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Peptidoglycan was isolated from a strain of S . epidermidis obtained from the dialysate of a CAPD patient with peritonitis and after sonication used to coat polystyrene beads . The coated beads were incubated with standard or sample and bound IgG was detected by the addition of affinity-purified goat anti-human IgG labelled with acridinium ester . After a wash stage 0.1 M nitric acid containing 0.1% hydrogen peroxide was added to the beads . Subsequently the chemiluminescence produced following the addition of 0.3 M sodium hydroxide was measured over a 2 s time interval with an automatic luminescence analyser . Using this technique the optimum dilution of serum for detecting antibodies to peptidoglycan was found to be 1/800 and for overnight effluent from CAPD patients the dilution was 1/8 . Initial values of serum and dialysate antibody levels from 34 subjects are presented . This method has the advantage that it will detect concentrations of anti-peptidoglycan which are less than 1% of those in sera, the reagents remain stable for long periods and large numbers of samples can be processed on the same day. J Biol Chem, 1988 Nov 15, 263(32), 16823 - 9 Molecular cloning of the cDNA which encodes beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A from Dictyostelium discoideum . Complete amino acid sequence and homology with the human enzyme; Graham TR et al.; beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase A (EC 3.2.1.52), the product of the nag A gene, is a lysosomal enzyme which is developmentally regulated in Dictyostelium discoideum . The enzyme plays a role during the slug stage of development in the maintenance of pseudoplasmodia of normal size . We used a homogeneous preparation of deglycosylated enzyme subunits to generate antibody . The antibody was suitable for screening a lambda gt11 cDNA expression library derived from the mRNA of late log stage axenic cells . We isolated seven positive clones . One of these contains the complete coding sequence of the protein . We also isolated a genomic clone which contains 800 base pairs of 5'-flanking sequence and 728 base pairs of coding sequence . Analysis of the sequences and of primer extension studies indicates an inferred transcript size of 1665 bases which closely matches the 1.8-kilobase mRNA size estimated by Northern blot analysis of poly(A+) mRNA from the organism . The sequence contains an open reading frame which encodes a protein of 59,787 kDa . This equals the apparent molecular weight in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of in vitro translated enzyme . The amino terminus of the purified enzyme appeared to be blocked, but internal peptide sequences were obtained by automated Edman degradation of gel-purified peptides generated by treatment of protein subunits with staphylococcal V-8 protease . These sequences are included in the inferred sequence . In addition to a typical signal sequence, the open reading frame encodes a second candidate transmembrane region, a serine-rich region, and four potential N-glycosylation sites . These are discussed with regard to the localization and processing of the enzyme during its biogenesis . Beginning at amino acid 100 of the Dictyostelium enzyme sequence, 36% of its amino acids are identical to the corresponding sequence of the beta chain, and 33% are identical with those of the alpha chain of human beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase . This is strong evidence that the Dictyostelium enzyme is homologous to the alpha and beta chains of the human enzyme. JAMA, 1988 Nov 11, 260(18), 2682 - 5 Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections with low-dose oral clindamycin therapy; Klempner MS et al.; We conducted a double-blind, controlled trial of low-dose (150 mg/d) oral clindamycin hydrochloride vs placebo to prevent recurrent staphylococcal skin infections . Twenty-two patients (11 in both the placebo and clindamycin treatment groups) completed the trial and were assessable . The two groups did not differ as to age, sex, race, or the number of recurrent abscesses preceding the trial . In pretrial evaluations, no patient had hypogammaglobulinemia or abnormal neutrophil function . Sixty-four percent (7/11) of the placebo-treated patients had a recurrent abscess within three months of enrollment whereas 82% (9/11) of the patients treated with clindamycin were free of any infection during the three-month treatment period . Of the nine patients who responded to clindamycin treatment, six did not have a recurrent infection for at least nine months after discontinuing antibiotic therapy . All patients tolerated the regimen without side effects . We conclude that a three-month course of low-dose oral clindamycin is an effective, convenient, well-tolerated, and often durable approach to prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections. J Periodontol, 1988 Nov, 59(11), 728 - 30 Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides gingivalis activate human peripheral monocytes to produce interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor; Lindemann RA et al.; The effects of gram-negative bacteria clearly associated with juvenile and adult periodontitis on monokine production were assessed using standard in vitro assay techniques . Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides gingivalis were able to activate human peripheral blood monocytes to produce significant amounts of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) . These monokines are known to induce osteoclastic bone resorption . An oral gram-positive organism, Staphylococcus epidermidis, was able to induce only modest amounts of IL-1 and TNF, slightly above unstimulated monocyte levels. Eur J Immunol, 1988 Nov, 18(11), 1733 - 7 Clonal analysis of human T cell activation by the Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen (MAS); Matthes M et al.; Mycoplasma arthritidis produces an as yet undefined soluble molecule (MAS) that has a potent mitogenic effect on T cells of several species . We have used cloned human cytotoxic and proliferative T lymphocytes to dissect the molecular mechanism of T cell activation by this mitogen . Reactivity to MAS is clonally expressed among T cell receptor (TcR) alpha/beta chain-expressing T cell clones of CD4+ or CD8+ phenotype, as well as CD4-8- TcR alpha/beta chain-negative T lymphocyte clones expressing the CD3-associated TcR gamma chain . MAS is able to induce cytotoxicity and/or proliferation in these T cell clones . For triggering of these T cells, regardless of their phenotype of specificity, the presence of autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on accessory cells or target cells is necessary . However, T cells do not immunologically recognize MAS on class II molecules, since a direct action of MAS on the T cells themselves can be demonstrated . Triggering of T cells by MAS can be blocked by monoclonal antibodies against CD2, CD3 and the TcR alpha/beta chain dimer . We discuss as a possible explanation that MAS is a functionally bivalent molecule cross-linking TcR and MHC class II molecules . Thus, the mechanism of T cell activation by MAS has striking similarities to the mechanisms by which Staphylococcal enterotoxins activate T cells . It is intriguing that a similar mitogenic principle has been developed by two evolutionary distinct pathogenic microorganisms. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 270(1-2), 22 - 7 Lectin-mediated cell-attachment and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus saprophyticus strain S1; Beuth J et al.; Adhesion studies with cryotome sections of human kidney and lung respectively uroepithelial cells together with blocking experiments with competitive carbohydrates suggested that specific attachment of S . saprophyticus strain S 1 to host cells apparently is mediated by lectins . Accordingly, microbial lectin blocking with specific glycoconjugates or lectin dysfunction (after treatment of bacteria with subinhibitory concentrations of tunicamycin) significantly decreased staphylococcal adherence to epithelial cells . Chemiluminescence measurements of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function yielded results suggesting importance of lectin-receptor interaction in phagocytosis, too, since PMN activity was significantly decreased after staphylococcal lectin blocking or dysfunction. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 270(1-2), 213 - 8 Immunostimulating staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid prevents pulmonary tumor colonization in BALB/c-mice; Ohshima Y et al.; Immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities of staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) were studied in Balb/c-mice . Systemic administration of LTA (1 mg or 2 mg i . p., 7 and 4 days prior to challenge) significantly enhanced chemiluminescence response of peritoneal macrophages (p less than 0.0125) and induced enlargement of the spleen (p less than 0.025) as compared to non-treated controls . In vivo the number of lung colonies was significantly lower (p less than 0.0125) in LTA-treated mice 14 days after challenge with L-1 sarcoma cells. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 270(1-2), 110 - 4 Prevalence of serum antibodies to toxic-shock-syndrome-toxin-1 and to staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B and C in West-Germany; Schroder E et al.; Sera of 152 healthy blood donors and 43 infants 9 to 12 months of age were tested for serum antibodies to TSST-1 and staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B and C by a microtiter ELISA assay . Only 50% of the adult population had detectable antibody-titers to enterotoxin A, whereas 80% to enterotoxin C and 90% to enterotoxin B and TSST-1, which is very similar to the prevalence of TSST-1 antibodies among USA-residents . The "protective" titer of TSST-1-antibodies can be estimated to be 1:100 in the test system used by comparison with anti-TSST-1-titers in five acute phase sera from confirmed menstrual TSS cases. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Nov, (11), 94 - 8 {Effect of detergent and glycerin on the efficacy of nasal immunotherapy with allergens and on the level of the lymphocyte subpopulation in the organs of local immunity}; Sukhodoeva GS et al.; Experimental mixed allergy to staphylococcal antigens in guinea pigs was treated by the intranasal administration of a staphylococcal allergen with a surfactant or glycerin added . The treatment was found to produce a hyposensitizing effect with respect to immediate and delayed hypersensitivity . The addition of glycerine enhanced this effect . At the same time the level of T-lymphocytes in the lungs and the lymph nodes of the respiratory tract returned to normal . Detergent used at a concentration of 2% abolished the hyposensitizing effect of the allergen, stimulated T-lymphocytes in the lymph nodes of the respiratory tract and the lungs; the number of T-suppressors decreased. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 1988 Nov, 16(2), 119 - 24 Serous otitis media (S.O.M.) . A bacteriological study of the ear canal and the middle ear; Cabenda SI et al.; A bacteriological study of the middle-ear effusions and the ear canals in children with chronic serous otitis media (S.O.M.) was performed . Sixty-eight children (127 ears) were investigated . From this study it appeared that cleansing of the ear canal with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol for 30 s is partially effective; micro-organisms (diptheroids, Staphylococcus epidermidis) could still be isolated in 29% . Cleansing of the ear canal decreases the incidence of middle-ear fluid contamination by non-pathogenic ear canal organisms (diptheroids, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Aerococcus), but after cleansing, 'non-pathogenic' micro-organisms could still be isolated in 33% of the effusions (diptheroids, Staphylococcus epidermidis) . From 12% of the middle-ear effusions pathogenic micro-organisms (Hemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus pneumoniae) were isolated; cleansing of the ear canal did not influence this percentage . Anaerobics were not isolated from the middle-ear effusions. Arch Ophthalmol, 1988 Nov, 106(11), 1570 - 1 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis keratitis treated with vancomycin; Goodman DF et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis accounts for nearly one third of all cases of bacterial keratitis in certain geographic areas . Recently, the sensitivity of this organism has changed dramatically so that nearly half of nosocomially acquired systemic S epidermidis infections are resistant to methicillin sodium, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides . Methicillin-resistant and gentamicin sulfate-resistant S epidermidis causing infectious blepharoconjunctivitis and endophthalmitis has previously been reported . Two cases of methicillin- and gentamicin-resistant S epidermidis keratitis occurred that were treated successfully with topical vancomycin hydrochloride. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1988 Nov-Dec, 12(6), 628 - 32 Guidewire catheter exchange with triple culture technique in the management of catheter sepsis; Porter KA et al.; We report 70 total parenteral nutrition (TPN) patients who received guidewire catheter exchange for suspected sepsis during their hospitalization . To diagnose catheter-related sepsis (CRS) and catheter infection (CI), we used a system of pre- and postexchange catheter blood cultures and a catheter tip culture . There were 27 catheter exchanges with positive cultures . The rate of definite CRS/CI (eight instances) was 6.8% of catheters exchanged and 3.5% of all catheters at risk . Probable CRS/CI (11 instances) was seen in 9% of exchanged catheters and 5% of at risk catheters . Thus, 19/27 positive cultures were presumed to represent definite or probable CRS/CI . Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (SCN) was the most frequently isolated organism . Simple catheter exchange was usually effective treatment of CRS/CI when SCN was the offending organism . The salvage rate of catheters exchanged for suspected sepsis or after a positive blood culture was 84% . Only 7% of exchanged catheters had to be removed . Guidewire exchange with triple culture technique was without mechanical complications . We recommend this technique to monitor central venous catheters in patients receiving TPN since it is simple, essentially painless to perform, and easily interpreted. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 270(1-2), 219 - 27 Cell surface antigen of encapsulated Staphylococcus epidermidis SE-360 protects mice from homologous infection; Ohshima Y; Cell surface antigen was mechanically extracted from encapsulated strain SE-360 of Staphylococcus epidermidis and purified by DEAE-Sephadex A 25 (Cl- form) ion exchange chromatography . This antigen manifested type-specific activity and major sugar constituents were galactose, glucose and N-acetyl-glucosamine at the molar ratio 1.00:9.05:1.65 . alpha-D-glucosyl- and N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-residues were closely correlated to the antigenic determinant . In mice, protection against homologous microorganisms could be achieved by active immunization with thus purified antigen . Type-specific opsonin in rabbit anti-SE-360 serum could also be absorbed. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 270(1-2), 200 - 12 Effects of Staphylococcus epidermidis on cellular immunity to infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Ehlers S et al.; With the present study, the effects of intravenous applications of Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) on the course of experimental infections of mice with Listeria monocytogenes were evaluated . SE treatment 24 h prior to Listeria infection led to a reduced growth of Listeria organisms in both livers and spleens and to an increased resistance of infected animals against a lethal Listeria challenge . SE treatment 24 h after Listeria infection resulted in an enhanced growth of and retarded elimination of Listeria organisms from animal organs as well as in a reduction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to soluble Listeria antigen . Adoptive immunotherapy accomplished by transferring immune peritoneal exudate T-lymphocyte-enriched cells (PETLEs) to Listeria-infected recipients 24 h before SE treatment did not prevent the delay in clearance of Listeria organisms . When Listeria-infected recipients compromised in their immune response by SE treatment were infused with immune PETLEs either immediately or 24 h after the application of SE, the immunosuppression induced by SE proved to be reversible . It is concluded that, in analogy to other bacterial immunomodulators, Staphylococcus epidermidis is able to either nonspecifically activate macrophages or interfere with T-lymphocyte functions. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 269(3), 346 - 54 Incorporation of staphylococcal alpha-toxin in glutaraldehyde fixed erythrocytes; Fussle R et al.; The incorporation of staphylococcal alpha-toxin into glutaraldehyde fixed erythrocytes occurs in the same way as with native erythrocytes . Binding of alpha-toxin to the cells is accompanied by oligomerization of native 3 S toxin to the membrane-bound 11 S toxin hexamer, which is embedded into the lipid bilayer of the membrane . Antibodies against alpha-toxin, build up during an infection with S . aureus, can be determined in a passive hemagglutination test (IHT) using glutaraldehyde fixed and alpha-toxin treated erythrocytes . To test the validity of this IHT, antibodies to alpha-toxin were determined in 550 human sera of patients from hospitals of the University of Giessen suspected to suffer from staphylococcal infections and in 300 sera of healthy blood donors . The results were compared with the titres obtained by a convenient neutralisation test (ASTA) . All sera with elevated titres in the ASTA test also showed high titres in the IHT . Because it is simple to perform and highly reproducible, the IHT seems to be a valuable test for detection of antibodies against staphylococcal alpha-toxin. Cutis, 1988 Nov, 42(5), 443 - 4 Skin infection provoked by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus resembling gram-negative folliculitis; Lotem M et al.; A superficial pustular eruption with acute onset has been reported in patients with acne vulgaris receiving systemic antibiotic treatment . In all past cases the causative micro-organism was found to be a gram-negative bacterium . This case report describes a similar clinical picture under the same circumstances, in which the bacterium incriminated was a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1988 Nov-Dec, 60(6), 60 - 6 {Effect of pH on the potential-dependent functioning of staphylococcal toxin channels in phosphatidylcholine bilayer}; Krasil'nikov OV et al.; Potential-dependence of staphylococcal toxin channels at neutral pH is poorly expressed and increases with the medium acidation . It is shown that the value of the translocating charge is practically unchanged, whereas the energy parameters of this process vary essentially . The data obtained indicate the asymmetrical disposition of ionogenic channel groups determining its behaviour in the electric field. J Cell Biol, 1988 Nov, 107(5), 1799 - 808 Structure of the gamma heavy chain of the outer arm dynein from Chlamydomonas flagella; King SM et al.; We describe here the vanadate-dependent photocleavage of the gamma heavy chain from the Chlamydomonas outer arm dynein and the pathways by which this molecule is degraded by endoproteases . UV irradiation in the presence of ATP, Mg2+, and vanadate cleaves the gamma chain at a single site (termed V1) to yield fragments of Mr 235,000 and 180,000 . Irradiation in the presence of vanadate and Mn2+ results in cleavage of the gamma chain at two other sites (termed V2a and V2b) to yield fragment pairs of Mr 215,000/200,000 and 250,000/165,000 . The mass of the intact chain is therefore estimated to be 415,000 D . We have located the major tryptic and staphylococcal protease cleavage sites in the gamma chain, determined the origins of the resulting fragments, and identified the regions which contain the epitopes recognized by two different monoclonal antibodies . Both antibodies react with the smaller V1 fragment; the epitope recognized by antibody 25-8 is within 9,000-52,000 D of the original gamma-chain terminus contained in that fragment, whereas that recognized by antibody 12 gamma B is within 16,000 D of the V1 site . The data permit the construction of a linear map showing the structural organization of the polypeptide . The substructure of the gamma chain is similar to that of the alpha and beta chains of the outer arm dynein with regard to polarity as defined by the sites of vanadate-dependent photocleavage, and to that of the beta chain with regard to a highly sensitive protease site located approximately 10,000 D from the original terminus contained in the smaller V1 fragment. Presse Med, 1988 Oct 26, 17(37), 1988 - 90 {Probabilistic treatment with ceftazidime of infections in neutropenic patients}; Schaison G et al.; Infection is the most common cause of mortality in neutropenic patients . Although fever does not necessarily mean infection, it must be regarded as its first sign and treated, within hours of its onset, on the basis of probability before a pathogen is isolated . The first-line treatment must cover a wide antibacterial spectrum corresponding to the usual bacteriological flora and to the patient's underlying pathology . The risk of Gram-negative septicaemia in infants and elderly people and the frequency of staphylococcal infections in patients with an indwelling central catheter are well-known . The "best guess" treatment should consist of a third generation cephalosporin, notably ceftazidime, and an antistaphylococcal antibiotic . This treatment should be pursued throughout the period of neutropenia . Due to advances in antibacterial therapy, more aggressive chemotherapeutic regimens can now be prescribed to improve the prognosis of acute blood diseases and of numerous carcinomas. J Biol Chem, 1988 Oct 25, 263(30), 15521 - 7 Testis-specific calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase . A distinct high affinity cAMP isoenzyme immunologically related to brain calmodulin-dependent cGMP phosphodiesterase; Rossi P et al.; A cell-specific isozyme of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent phosphodiesterase that exhibits micromolar affinity for cAMP has been purified 900-fold from mouse testis by DEAE chromatography, gel filtration, affinity chromatography with CaM-Sepharose 4B, and isoelectric focusing . The highly purified enzyme is stimulated 5-6-fold by CaM in the presence of Ca2+ and hydrolyzes both cAMP and cGMP with anomalous substrate dependence, i.e . high and low affinity components (Km 2 and 20 microM) are observed either in the presence or absence of CaM . Each of the substrates acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of the other, suggesting the presence of two distinct catalytic sites on the enzyme . Hydrodynamic studies suggest that the testis phosphodiesterase is an asymmetric monomer of 68-70 kDa that forms a dimer after interaction with Ca2+ and CaM; the tetrameric complex exhibits an apparent molecular size of 180 kDa . These enzymatic and biophysical properties differ in many respects from those of the brain isozyme, suggesting that they are different proteins . Nevertheless, common epitopes do exist, since the testis enzyme interacted with rabbit antibodies raised against bovine brain CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase . The major peptide of 68 kDa was strongly reactive on immunoblots, and was distinguished unambiguously from the 60-kDa species from mouse brain . A comparison of the immunoreactive fragments produced by limited proteolysis with staphylococcal V-8 protease indicated several similarities in the domains of these polypeptides . Thus, although differing in several important physical and biochemical parameters, the testis enzyme appears immunologically related to CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase from brain . On the basis of these data, we conclude that common elements of the structural genes for these isozymes have been conserved, whereas certain biological properties, including substrate specificity, have diverged substantially. Biochemistry, 1988 Oct 18, 27(21), 8034 - 44 Electron spin echo modulation and nuclear relaxation studies of staphylococcal nuclease and its metal-coordinating mutants; Serpersu EH et al.; Electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy has been applied to the determination of the number of water molecules coordinated to the metal in the binary complex of staphylococcal nuclease with Mn2+, to the ternary enzyme-Mn2+-3',5'-pdTp complex, and to ternary complexes of a number of mutant enzymes in which metal-binding ligands have been individually altered . Quantitation of coordinated water is based on ESEEM spectral comparisons of Mn2+-EDTA and Mn2+-DTPA, which differ by a single inner sphere water, and with Mn2+-(H2O)6 . It was found that Mn2+ in the ternary complex of the wild-type enzyme has a single additional coordinated water, as compared to Mn2+ in the binary complex, confirming earlier findings based on T1 measurements of bound water {Serpersu, E . H., Shortle, D . L., & Mildvan, A . S . (1987) Biochemistry 26, 1289-1300} . Ternary complexes of the mutant proteins D40E, D40G, and D21Y have the same number of water ligands as the ternary complex of the wild-type enzyme, while the D21E mutant has one less water ligand . In order to maintain octahedral coordination geometry, these findings require two additional ligands to Mn2+ from the protein in the binary complex of the wild-type enzyme, probably Glu 43 and Asp 19, and one additional ligand from the protein in the ternary D40G and D21E complexes . Other ESEEM studies of ternary Mn2+ complexes of wild-type, D21E, and D21Y mutants indicate the coordination by Mn2+ of a phosphate of 3',5'-pdTp, as demonstrated by a 31P contact interaction of 3.9 +/- 0.3 MHz . Magnetic interaction of Mn2+ with 31P could not be demonstrated with the D40G and D40E mutants, suggesting that metal-phosphate distances are greater in these mutants than in the wild-type protein . In a parallel NMR study of the paramagnetic effects of enzyme-bound Co2+ (which occupies the Mn2+ site on the enzyme) on the T1 of 31P from enzyme-bound 3',5'-pdTp and 5'-TMP, it was found that metal to 5'-phosphate distances are 0.9-1.6 A shorter in ternary complexes of the wild-type enzyme and of the D21E mutant than in ternary complexes of the D40G mutant . In all cases, the 5'-phosphate of pdTp is in the inner coordination sphere of Co2+ and the 3'-phosphate is predominantly in the second coordination sphere. Eur J Biochem, 1988 Oct 15, 177(1), 53 - 9 Gallidermin: a new lanthionine-containing polypeptide antibiotic; Kellner R et al.; Gallidermin is a new member of the class of lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics, which are summarized under the common name lantibiotics . The lantibiotic gallidermin is produced by Staphylococcus gallinarum (F16/P57) Tu3928, and it exhibits activities against the Propionibacteria, involved in acne disease . Gallidermin differs from the recently discovered tetracyclic 21-residue peptide antibiotic epidermin only in a Leu/Ile exchange in position 6 . The isolation procedures for gallidermin included adsorption directly from the culture broth, ion-exchange chromatography of the amphiphilic and basic polypeptide followed by desalting, and final purification by reversed-phase HPLC . The structural elucidation of the polypeptide containing four thioether bridges involved mainly a combination of automated gas-phase sequencing, thermospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry. Czas Stomatol, 1988 Oct, 41(10), 654 - 9 {Staphylococcuses and their drug-resistance in inflammations of submandibular lymph nodes in children}; Gruszewska-Lewczuk L et al.; Analysis of bacteriological examination results in 46 children with submandibular lymph nodes inflammation has been presented in the paper . The examinations have been carried out from the point of view of observation of bacterial flora variation and its drug--resistance . The analysis of examination results has revealed existence of strains such as: S . aureus, S . albus, S . epidermidis . The attention has been called to the necessity of bacterial flora examinations considering substantial changes in the frequency of particular strains occurrence and their drug resistance. Doc Ophthalmol, 1988 Oct-Nov, 70(2-3), 175 - 8 Endophthalmitis after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy; Neuteboom GH et al.; A 63-year-old patient underwent a Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, 5 months after an extracapsular cataract extraction . One day later endophthalmitis had developed . Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from the vitreous . We assume that this micro-organism, a pathogen of low virulence, had been sequestered in the capsular bag and was released into the vitreous after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Postgrad Med J, 1988 Oct, 64(756), 796 - 8 Delayed tension pneumothorax complicating staphylococcal pneumonia; Yates SP et al.; A case is described in which a tension pneumothorax complicated staphylococcal pneumonia 11 months after its onset . The delayed and subacute/chronic nature of the tension pneumothorax is unusual . The case also highlights the difficult differential diagnosis between subpleural lung cysts and encysted pneumothorax. J Protein Chem, 1988 Oct, 7(5), 561 - 9 Primary structure of the hemoglobin alpha-chain of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri); Islam A et al.; The structure of the hemoglobin alpha-chain of Rose-ringed Parakeet was determined by sequence degradations of the intact subunit, the CNBr fragments, and peptides obtained by digestion with staphylococcal Glu-specific protease and trypsin . Using this analysis, the complete alpha-chain structure of 21 avian species is known, permitting comparisons of the protein structure and of avian relationships . The structure exhibits differences from previously established avian alpha-chains at a total of 61 positions, five of which have residues unique to those of the parakeet (Ser-12, Gly-65, Ser-67, Ala-121, and Leu-134) . The analysis defines hemoglobin variation within an additional avian order (Psittaciformes), demonstrates distant patterns for evaluation of relationships within other avian orders, and lends support to taxonomic conclusions from molecular data. Biomed Environ Mass Spectrom, 1988 Oct, 16(1-12), 41 - 4 Identification of some abnormal haemoglobins by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry; Prome D et al.; The characterization of two abnormal human haemoglobins by fast atom bombardment (FAB) mapping is presented . The first variant, called 'R', exhibits a tryptic FAB map identical to that of normal haemoglobin . However, using Staphylococcus protease V8, a peptide containing the carboxyl end of the beta-chain exhibits a mass shift down to 300 mass units . This clearly indicates the deletion of the two last amino acids of the beta-chain . The second variant, called 'Grenoble', is due to two different modifications of the beta-chain . The location of the Pro----Ser exchange on peptide T5 is achieved by the collisionally activated dissociation mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra of the corresponding {MH}+ ion . The m/z value of that peptide indicated a supplementary acid----amide modification, which was located by amino acid sequencing using chemical methods . This work concludes with the necessity of using complementary methods for achieving rapid determinations of abnormal proteins with minute amounts. Antibiot Khimioter, 1988 Oct, 33(10), 779 - 81 {Effect of lincomycin and staphylococcal vaccine on the course of experimental staphylococcal sepsis}; Gabysehva LS et al.; Therapeutic efficacy of lincomycin used alone and in combination with inactivated staphylococcal vaccine and the effect of these agents on synthesis of antibodies and their content in blood serum were investigated . Lincomycin was shown to inhibit septic processes in the host . After its administration the number of the pathogens in the blood and organs markedly decreased . At the same time, lincomycin lowered antibody synthesis in the lymphoid organs and the content of alpha-antitoxins in blood serum . The use of lincomycin in combination with inactivated staphylococcal vaccine promoted an increase in the number of the antibody forming cells in the spleen and lymph nodes and the content of the antibodies to the staphylococcal alpha-toxin in blood serum of the animals with staphylococcal sepsis. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Oct, 54(10), 2345 - 8 Rapid latex agglutination test for detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins A to E that uses high-density latex particles; Fujikawa H et al.; A rapid reversed passive latex agglutination method that uses high-density latex particles for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) A to E was developed . It took 3 h for incubation, much less than the 16 h needed with a customary latex agglutination test for SE detection such as a commercial test kit (SET-RPLA; Denka Seiken Co . Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) . The rapid test was shown to be highly specific and sensitive for SE detection (detection limit, about 0.5 ng of SE per ml), comparable to the SET-RPLA test . The rapid test was also efficient in SE detection in foods and culture supernatants of staphylococcal strains, similar to the SET-RPLA test . This showed that a rapid test with high-density latex particles is fully reliable for use. Am J Infect Control, 1988 Oct, 16(5), 206 - 13 Infection related to intravascular pressure monitoring: effects of flush and tubing changes; Covey M et al.; The optimal frequency for changing pressure monitoring tubing and flush solution that minimizes catheter-related infection and contains cost has not yet been established . We conducted a pilot study to examine the effects of three protocols on catheter-related infection: group I, change of flush solution and pressure monitoring tubing every 24 hours; group II, change of flush solution every 24 hours and change of pressure monitoring tubing every 48 hours; group III, change of flush solution and pressure monitoring tubing every 48 hours . Thirty critically ill patients were randomly assigned to one of the three protocols . Semiquantitative cultures of the solution from the flush bag and catheter tip were obtained . Intervening variables were documented: duration of cannulization, number of entries into the system, presence of other invasive devices, white cell count, patient's temperature, presence of preexisting infection, patient's age and diagnosis, use of steroids and antibiotics, and host risk factors for immunocompromise . All flush solution cultures were negative for growth . Incidence of catheter-related bacteremia was zero . The cultures of four catheter tips were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis; none in group I, three in group II, and one in group III . The results of this pilot study suggest that there is no difference in the incidence of catheter-related infection whether the change interval for flush solution and pressure monitoring solution is 24 or 48 hours . However, further study with a larger sample is needed. J Immunol, 1988 Oct 1, 141(7), 2367 - 73 Mutant monoclonal antibodies with select alteration in complement activation ability . Impact on immune complex functions in vivo; Nose M et al.; Mutagenesis of mAb is a useful means for studying the biologic and pathologic functions of immune complexes . Treatment of the Hy-1.2 hybridoma-producing IgG2a-anti-TNP antibodies with ethylmethanesulfonate provided us with a mutant clone, producing antibodies with reduced capacity for C activation . The antibodies retained normal Ag-binding capacity, staphylococcal protein A reactivity, and association to FcR for IgG on murine macrophages . No significant polypeptide deletion or class-switch was observed, but a significant change in clonotype was revealed by IEF . Intravenous injection of the mutant antibodies in immune complex form induced different tissue distributions of Ag in mice; i.e., more in kidneys and less in spleen, and developed more mesangial deposits in renal glomeruli compared with those of the wild type . Moreover, the production of granulomatous lesions in vivo caused by immune complexes of TNP-Sepharose was augmented by using mutant antibodies . These lesions demonstrated an enhanced accumulation of macrophages with multinucleated giant cells . Availability of this kind of mutant mAb is thus helpful in the elucidation of the biologic functions and consequences of immune complexes. Eur J Clin Invest, 1988 Oct, 18(5), 486 - 92 Monocytic production and plasma bioactivities of interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor in human cancer; Moldawer LL et al.; Plasma concentrations and in-vitro production of interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor were evaluated in 23 weight-losing patients with cancer, six bacterially infected patients without cancer and six healthy controls . Bioactivity of interleukin-1 was found in the plasma from five of six bacterially infected patients but only from one of 23 cancer patients . Tumour necrosis factor activity was not detected in the plasma of any patient . In four of 23 patients with cancer, in-vitro stimulation of peripheral blood monocytes by either endotoxin or heat-killed Staphylococcus albus resulted in no significant production of interleukin-1 . Such a defect was not seen in any of the bacterially infected or control patients . Tumour necrosis factor production by endotoxin-stimulated blood monocytes was unaffected by the presence of cancer or bacterial infections and was normal in the four individuals with defective interleukin-1 production . We can therefore conclude that interleukin-1 bioactivity is not generally found in the plasma of weight-losing cancer patients . Furthermore, in a fraction of such cancer patients, monocytic production of interleukin-1 is markedly down-regulated . However, this defect appears to be specific for interleukin-1 since in-vitro tumour necrosis factor production is normal. Rev Argent Microbiol, 1988 Oct-Dec, 20(4), 171 - 82 {Minimal biochemical tests for interspecies identification in the Staphylococcus genus}; Romeo AM et al.; A total of 50 different strains from clinical specimens and/or from experimental surgery were typified . The Staphylococcus genus was subdivided according to minimal test results for Staphylococcus genus differentiation into 3 groups: A . the coagulase-positive/novobiocin-susceptible species; B . the coagulase-negative/novobiocin-resistant species and C . the coagulase-negative/novobiocin-susceptible species . Species belonging to the different groups were differentiated by means of minimal biochemical tests readily available to all clinical bacteriology laboratories . To evaluate the predictive value of the procedure employed, the following strains were used as unknown: S . capitis, S . simulans, S . hominis, S . warneci, S . intermedius, S hyicus subsp . hycus, S hyicus subsp . chromogenes and S . haemolyticus . Results indicated that, for the coagulase-positive/novobiocin-susceptible group, the production of pigment and acetoin plus beta-galactosidase were sufficient for interspecies differentiation . For the coagulase-negative/novobiocin-resistant group, urease and phosphatase activity plus production of acid from xylose proved to be sufficient . The coagulase-negative/novobiocin-susceptible group required the greatest number of tests, due to phenotypical variability of species, including: reduction of nitrates; production of acetoin; use of arginine and the production of acid from maltose and/or trehalose . Preliminary findings justify routine application of these minimal tests for Staphylococcus genus differentiation. Anal Biochem, 1988 Oct, 174(1), 313 - 7 Detection and use of recombinant staphylococcal protein A fusion proteins to localize nucleic-acid-binding domains of proteins; Dang CV; We developed a rapid method to visualize recombinant staphylococcal protein A fused to segments of another protein and detect DNA-binding proteins simultaneously . Fusion genes were expressed in Escherichia coli to produce fusion proteins of protein A and segments of c-myc oncoprotein . Polypeptides from total E . coli lysates were separated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes . Without the use of an antigen-specific antibody, protein A/c-myc fusion proteins were visualized by incubation of nitrocellulose membranes with horseradish-peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated immunoglobulin, the Fc region of which directly binds protein A . The sensitivity of detection of the protein A/c-myc fusion proteins was greatly enhanced by incubation of nitrocellulose membranes with rabbit immunoglobulin before incubation with HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit antibody . Prior to incubation of nitrocellulose membranes with immunoglobulin, the membranes were incubated with radiolabeled DNA to visualize DNA-binding proteins by autoradiography . Purified staphylococcal protein A does not bind DNA, whereas a segment of c-myc oncoprotein fused to protein A binds DNA in vitro . These methods may be applied to identify nucleic-acid-binding domains of other proteins without prior purification of the fusion proteins. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Oct, 26(10), 2167 - 72 Possible common biological and immunological properties for detecting encapsulated strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis; Yamada T et al.; Twenty strains of capsular type II Staphylococcus epidermidis, determined by the method of Ichiman, were obtained from clinical specimens . Among them, 5, 5, and 10 strains were 4+, 3+, and 2+ in the intensities of their reactions against fluorescent antibody, respectively . Strains exhibiting 4+ and 3+ intensities were mouse virulent and phage nontypable, while 2+ strains were mouse avirulent and phage typable . When three strains randomly selected from each of the mouse-virulent and mouse-avirulent strains were compared in terms of their cell volume indices, all mouse-virulent strains had significantly higher indices (average, 1.86 times) than the mouse-avirulent strains . With intraperitoneal injection of the strains into mice, strains with higher cell volume indices resisted ingestion by peritoneal cells, while strains with low cell volume indices were sensitive to phagocytosis . When the capacity to absorb a definite amount of passive protective activity in rabbit antiserum prepared with capsular type II strains was compared among these strains, 10 to 20 mg of mouse-virulent strains was capable of completely absorbing the passive protective activity, whereas more than 80 mg of the cells was required for similar absorption by mouse-avirulent strains . In ultra-thin sections of three mouse-virulent strains stained with ferritin-conjugated rabbit antiserum, well-defined capsules were detected around cell walls; however, no capsule was seen around the walls of three mouse-avirulent strains. Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 1988 Oct, 22(10), 784 - 5 Paresthesia and back pain in a patient receiving vancomycin during hemodialysis; Cohen LG et al.; A 36-year-old woman was admitted for initiation of hemodialysis for chronic renal failure . Two days after catheter placement the patient developed a fever that persisted and resulted in subsequent removal of the catheter . Although blood cultures were negative, cultures of the catheter tip were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis . An initial vancomycin dose was well tolerated, but the patient later experienced numbness and tingling of her lower back accompanied by pain ten minutes after initiation of the second dose . Symptoms abated when the vancomycin infusion was discontinued, and the drug was subsequently well tolerated when reinstituted at a slower infusion rate . Similar symptoms were observed five minutes into a vancomycin infusion a week later that also resolved after decreasing the infusion rate . Patients on hemodialysis receiving vancomycin should be carefully monitored during drug administration for the development of paresthesia and spasmodic lower back pain. Gene, 1988 Sep 7, 68(2), 315 - 21 Construction of a recombinant expression plasmid encoding a staphylococcal protein A-ricin A fusion protein; Kim JH et al.; A recombinant plasmid has been constructed containing the coding regions for a functional fragment of staphylococcal protein A and the entire ricin A chain in tandem in the same reading frame . The recombinant gene has been expressed in Escherichia coli cells to produce a protein with both staphylococcal protein A activity and ricin A chain activity . Such a fusion protein could be used for producing immunotoxins. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Sep 2, 962(1), 73 - 80 Apolipoprotein-E-binding proteins of rat liver endothelial cells; Gustafson S et al.; In an attempt to characterise the apolipoprotein-E-binding proteins of rat liver endothelial cells, we prepared membranes from monolayer cultures of liver endothelial cells as an enriched source of membrane receptors . The membranes could specifically bind iodinated