Streptococcal

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1978, 27(3), 181 - 91
Competence-related increased enzyme release from Streptococcus sanguis (Wicky) cells; Fuchs PG et al.; The ablity of competent and noncompetent Streptococcus sanguis (strain Wicky) cells to release enzymes to the environment was studied . Both competent and noncompetent cells leaked the enzymes tested (aldolase, phosphatase and deoxyribonuclease), but the activities liberated from the competent cells were always roughly 2-fold higher than those released from noncompetent cells . This increased enzyme leakage from competent cells occured in all kinds of media and procedures employed . The leakage of enzymes followed a time-dependent kinetics (different for aldolase and phosphatase), was temperature sensitive and had a pH optimum . The increased enzyme release was most likely not due to cell disruption, but seemed to be rather a consequence of alteration in cell barrier permeability . These results strongly support the "unmasking" model proposed for explanation of competence development in bacteria.

Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(5), 263 - 7
Existence of 28R-antigen in a certain strain of group F streptococcus; Maekawa S et al.; An inter-Group common antigen was detected between Group A type 28 (Small)- and Group F (21/58/O'Mahoney, Colindale)-streptococcal cells by the T-typing agglutination reaction . The characteristics of this antigen coincide with those of the 28R-antigen, which was first detected in the Group A type 28 (Small) cells by Lancefield in 1943, in the following points: 1) It can be extracted from the cells with HC1 at pH 2.0 at 100 C in a stable state; 2) It can be kept in a stable state by heating in an alkaline solution at pH 7.8; 3) The antigen on the heat-killed cells was not affected by trypsin digestion at pH 7.8 but was destroyed by pepsin digestion at pH 2.0.

Microbios, 1978, 23(92), 93 - 8
Plaque formation in vitro by Actinomyces viscosus in the presence of Streptococcus sanguis or Streptococcus mutans; Ahmed FI et al.; Actinomyces viscosus, growing on a tooth in the presence of sucrose, slowly produced a loosely-attached plaque, the pH being 6.1 after 120 h . When the tooth was inoculated simultaneously with A . viscosus and either Streptococcus sanguis or Streptococcus mutans, firmly-adherent plaque was quickly formed and the pH fell below 5 after 33 h with the former Streptococcus and 24 h with the latter . A . viscosus disappeared from each mixed plaque by 120 h.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(4), 435 - 41
Biological characteristics of peptidoglycans of group A streptococcus and some other bacterial species . II . Immunological mechanisms involved in thrombocytolysis; Ryc M et al.; Immunological mechanisms are involved in the thrombocytolytic activity of peptidoglycan of Group A streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus . Inactivation of particular components of complement (heating of blood serum to 56 degrees C,incubation with zymosan or NH4OH) inhibited the thrombocytolytic activity of group A streptococcus peptidoglycan . So did preincubation of Group A streptococcus peptidoglycan with homologous antipeptidoglycan antibody . On the other hand, antibody to Group A streptococcus peptidoglycan did not inhibit the thrombocytolytic effect of Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan . Human platelets are resistant to peptidoglycans . They remain resistant in the presence of rabbit serum although rabbit platelets are highly sensitive to peptidoglycans . This suggests that, for the expression of the thrombocytolytic activity of bacterial peptidoglycan, specific receptors on the surface of platelets must be present in addition to serum factors.

Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(12), 745 - 54
Mechanism of glucan-induced agglutination in Streptococcus mutans . I . Binding of radioactive glucan to whole cells of S . mutans OMZ-176; Suginaka H et al.; The binding of radioactive glucan to Streptococcus mutans cells, which are agglutinated by dextrans, was examined . The glucan was synthesized from sucrose by extracellular glucosyltransferases from S . mutans FA-1 and was highly branched at C-3 and C-6 of D-glucose residues, containing 17% of a (1 leads to 3)inter-chain residues . Binding of glucan to whole cells of S . mutans OMZ-176, which were agglutinated by addition of glucan or Dextran T2000, was irreversible and followed saturation type kinetics; saturation was achieved at approximately 110 ng of glucan per ml . About 14 ng of glucan were bound per mg of the cells at the saturated concentration . The heated cells of this organism, however, had a relatively low ability of glucan-binding, compared with the freshly prepared and lyophilized cells . Binding to the heated cells was entirely of a non-saturation type . Binding of Dextran T2000 or T10 was determined by competition between the labeled glucan and unlabeled Dextrans for the binding site(s) . Both Dextrans and glucan from S . mutans FA-1 were bound to the same site(s) . Other organisms, which did not undergo glucan- and Dextran-induced agglutination, had a relatively lower ability of glucan-binding than S . mutans, which was agglutinated.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1978, 107, 661 - 72
Genetic alterations of Streptococcus mutans' virulence; Tanzer JM et al.; The use of mutants defective in caries-associated traits has enabled the genetic dissociation of agglutination from adhesion, the demonstration of serotype-specific contributions of IPS to virulence, the importance of glucanohydrolase to virulence to a greater degree than to plaque formation, and the apparent lack of importance of agglutination to virulence . We have also been able to demonstrate the ability of plaque formation-defective mutants and other variants both to infect and to emerge, yet not to cause disease . Additional mutants, currently under study in our laboratory include fructanase, invertase, and sucrose permease-defectives . Ultimately, the identification of key, probably surface-associated virulence factors will offer more potent and specific antigens for directed immune responses by the host.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1978, 107, 489 - 95
Assay and properties of IgA protease of Streptococcus sanguis; Plaut AG et al.; An assay procedure for streptococcal IgA protease is described which uses isotopically labelled human serum IgA as substrate . Enzyme activity was monitored by the radioactive counts in the Fab alpha product, which was separated from other components in the digestion mixture by electrophoresis . Cleavage of IgA was linear with respect to time using catalytic amounts of the enzyme . Km was calculated to be 5.5 X 10(-6)M, pH optimum 6.0-7.0 at 37 degrees C, and the enzyme was fully inactivated at low concentrations of the metal chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

Chemotherapy, 1978, 24(4), 227 - 30
Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates relatively insensitive to penicillin G recovered from patients in Switzerland; Modde HK; The sensitivity to penicillin G of pneumococci isolated in Switzerland has been determined by the quantitative tube dilution method . 3 out of 100 strains were relatively insensitive to this antibiotic (minimum inhibitory concentration greater than 0.1 microgram/ml), thus confirming observations already made in other countries . These results underline the necessity of routinely testing the sensitivity of pneumococci to penicillin G.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Jan, 7(1), 3 - 5
Survival of Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum from patients with pneumonia; Williams SG et al.; The isolation rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum cultures from patients with pneumococcal pneumonia is low . An investigation was made to determine whether this low yield might be due to loss of pneumocci and/or overgrowth by pharyngeal flora before the specimen is plated . Pneumococcal survival times and pharyngeal overgrowth at 4 degrees C and at room temperature were determined in sputum obtained from 42 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia . It was found that pneumococci survived for long periods in sputum--2.2 +/- 1.4 days at room temperature and 9.5 +/- 3.6 days at 4 degrees C . Overgrowth by pharyngeal flora occurred in only 6 of 42 specimens kept at 4 degrees C and 31 of 42 specimens kept at room temperature . The low yield of S . pneumoniae in sputum from patients with pneumococcal pneumonia is not explained by decreased viability of the organism.

Infect Immun, 1977 Dec, 18(3), 629 - 35
Distribution of dextransucrase in Streptococcus mutans and observations on the effect of soluble dextran on dextransucrase activities; Montville TJ et al.; Total and insoluble dextransucrase activities were measured in cell-associated and supernatant fractions of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 grown in several media . Although the amount of cell-associated and supernatant activity varied greatly as a function of medium, the total activity appeared constant . The distribution of dextransucrase could be altered without changing the total dextransucrase activity . This indicates that the distribution of the enzyme can be regulated independently of its synthesis . Strain GS-5 had significant cell-associated activity in media devoid of sucrose . In all cases, the ratio of insoluble to total dextransucrase activity was higher in the cell-associated fractions than in the cell-free supernatants . It is also demonstrated that exogenous soluble dextran caused a decrease in insoluble dextransucrase activity and an increase in soluble dextransucrase activity in both the cell-associated fraction and the culture supernatant . The stimulation of soluble dextran-synthesizing activity was not due to de novo synthesis . The inhibition of insoluble dextran-synthesizing activity is shown to be noncompetitive . These results support a physical rather than metabolic mechanism for the effect of soluble dextran on dextransucrase activities.

Pediatrics, 1977 Dec, 60(6), 901 - 7
Complement activation and group B streptococcal infection in the newborn: similarities to endotoxin shock; Fenton LJ et al.; Serial measurements of CH50, C3, C4, and factor B were performed on three newborn infants with group B streptococcal sepsis . Two of the septic infants had a colonized but noninfected identical twin . All three infants with group B streptococcal sepsis had hypotension, prolonged coagulation times, neutropenia, and respiratory failure . During the course of the sepsis, factor B was depressed 30% to 35%, C3 was depressed 40% to 60%, and CH50 was depressed by 100% when compared to their cord blood levels . Two of the infants also had a 50% to 70% depression of C4 . In contrast, no significant decrease in complement levels occurred in the siblings of the twins or in two additional control infants . These data are characteristic of older patients with Gram-negative sepsis and strongly suggest that the group B Streptococcus has endotoxin-like properties.

Arch Intern Med, 1977 Dec, 137(12), 1725 - 8
Endocarditis with myocardial abscesses and pericarditis in an adult: group B Streptococcus as a cause; Hager WD et al.; Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, S agalactiae, is an uncommon cause of endocarditis in adults . We present the clinical, laboratory, and postmortem findings of an adult patient with group B streptococcal endocarditis and major arterial emboli . What to our knowledge are previously unreported features are purulent pericarditis and myocardial abscesses . Twenty-five cases of endocarditis caused by group B Streptococcus that are reported in the literature are reviewed.

J Dent Res, 1977 Dec, 56(12), 1608 - 13
Antibacterial effect of salivary peroxidases on a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans; Tenovuo J et al.; The antibacterial effect of purified human salivary lactoperoxidase on a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans was demonstrated while another oral peroxidase, probably of leukocytic origin, did not affect the growth . Lactoperoxidase was rapidly adsorbed by bacterial cells indicating the necessity of the contact between the enzyme and the cells before inhibition.

J Dent Res, 1977 Dec, 56(12), 1603 - 7
The antibacterial action of the various components of the lactoperoxidase system on a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans; Tenovuo J et al.; Physiological activity of lactoperoxidase and in vivo concentration of thiocyanate ions were shown to be inhibitory against a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans . However, the amount of H2O2 in vivo may be too low for optimum inhibition by lactoperoxidase system . H2O2 alone also inhibited the growth of S mutants to some degree.

Aust J Biol Sci, 1977 Dec, 30(6), 543 - 52
Purification and properties of the pyrrolidonecarboxylate peptidase of Streptococcus faecium; Sullivan JJ et al.; Pyrrolidonecarboxylate peptidase (EC 3.4.11.8) from Streptococcus faecium was purified by fractionation with streptomycin sulphate and ammonium sulphate, by chromatography on Sephadex G200 and DEAE-cellulose, and by preparative electrophoresis on Sephadex G25 . The purified enzyme on acrylamide gel showed a strong protein band which contained enzyme activity and a very faint band which had no activity . The subunit molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate to be 42,000 +/- 1,000 . The enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 7.6 and was unstable in the absence of 2-mercaptoethanol . The sensitivity of the enzyme to alkylating agents (N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide) suggested that free sulphydryl groups were essential for enzyme activity . The enzyme was rapidly inactivated above 45 degrees C . The values of the Michaelis constants (Km) obtained with various L-pyrrolidonecarboxylyl dipeptides were similar although there was a 10-fold range in the maximal rates of hydrolysis of these substrates . Inhibition studies showed that the substrate analogues 2-pyrrolidone and pyrrolidonecarboxylate are competitive inhibitors of the enzyme . The binding of substrates and inhibitors to the active site of the enzyme is discussed.

Infect Immun, 1977 Dec, 18(3), 680 - 7
Fluoride uptake by Streptococcus mutans 6715; Whitford GM et al.; The short-term kinetics of fluoride uptake by cells from 20- to 22-h cultures of Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 were studied using rapid filtration and centrifugation techniques . Saline-suspended organisms were diluted with fluoride-containing solutions buffered at four different pH values (2.0, 4.0, 5.5, and 8.2) . Fluoride disappearance from the medium was inversely related to pH and to the duration of the exposure at any given pH . The uptake was rapid and extensive at the lower pH values and decreased as the pH increased . Media fluoride concentrations subsequently increased; i.e., fluoride was released from the cells . The presence of glucose, cyanide, or iodoacetate did not influence the results . However, preincubation of the cells in fluoride-free buffers, followed by the addition of fluoride, reduced fluoride uptake markedly . Cell-to-media pH gradients were determined by the distribution of 14C-labeled 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione . Fluoride uptake was found to be a function of the magnitude of the pH gradient (P less than 0.001) . It is hypothesized that fluoride uptake occurs by the diffusion of hydrogen fluoride and the subsequent trapping of ionic fluoride.

Biochemistry, 1977 Nov 29, 16(24), 5303 - 8
Isoelectric focus analysis of rat anti-phosphocholine antibodies; Braciale V et al.; Anti-phosphocholine (PC) antibodies in sera from four strains of rats were examined before and afterimmunization with either Streptococcus pneumoniae R36A, which contains PC as a cell wall component, or with PC-coupled keyhole limpet hemocyanin (PC-KLH) . PC-specific protein was purified from pooled immune sera and shown by a combination of isoelectric focus (IEF) in acrylamide and crossed immunoelectrophoresis, as well as by molecular weight determination in NaDodSO4-acrylamide, to be immunoglobulin . An additional, small molecular weight, nonimmunoglobulin protein (pI = 7.1-7.3) was present in sera from normal and germ-free rats which had the ability to bind the C-carbohydrate of S . pneumoniae R36A, but without specificity for PC . The IEF profile of normal and immune sera showed marked sharing of bands of anti-PC antibody between individual rats as well as between strains . In addition, other anti-PC antibodies which focused between pH 8.5 and 9.5 were less regularly shared . The uniformity of IEF profile of the bulk of anti-PC antibodies in rats is most consistent with their being the products of germ line genes.

Lancet, 1977 Nov 12, 2(8046), 995 - 7
Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin and chloramphenicol; Appelbaum PC et al.; Three cases of meningitis and two of septicaemia were caused by pneumococci resistant to the penicillins/cephalosporins and chloramphenicol . No beta-lactamase was demonstrated in any of the organisms . All three patients with meningitis died, but the patients with septicaemia recovered after being given appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Am J Med Sci, 1977 Nov-Dec, 274(3), 255 - 63
Ticarcillin: a collaborative in vitro comparison with carbenicillin against over 9,000 clinical bacterial isolates; Fuchs PC et al.; The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ticarcillin and carbenicillin were determined for 9,236 clinical bacterial isolates by the broth microdilution method at four participating laboratories . Ticarcillin showed significantly increased activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (P less than .001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P less than .001) and Aeromonas hydrophilia (P less than .005) when compared to carbenicillin, but no signifcant differences were observed against other gram-negative organisms . Ticarcillin was consistently less active against the gram-positive cocci, and these differences were significant for Staphylococcus aureus (P less than .001), Streptococcus agalactiae (P less than .001), Staphylococcus epidermidis (P less than .001) and Streptococcus viridans (P less than .005) . Significant regional and institutional differences in susceptibility to the two drugs were observed for several species, including common nosocomial pathogens such as S . aureus, P . aeruginosa, K . pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

J Dairy Sci, 1977 Nov, 60(11), 1677 - 82
Species differences and effect of incubation time on lactic streptococcal intracellular proteolytic enzyme activity; Schmidt RH et al.; Ruptured cells of Streptococcus lactis C2, S . cremoris ML 1 and a lactose-negative proteinase-negative (Lac-Prt-) mutant of S . lactis C2 (LMO220) were fractionated into the soluble, particulate, and ribosome fractions by differential centrifugation . S . lactis C2 possessed higher activity of intracellular proteinase, alanylglycinase, particulate associated dipeptidase and ribosome associated dipeptidase and ribosome associated dipeptidase than did S . cremoris ML1 . LMO220 was lower in intracellular proteinase and dipeptidase activity and lower in ribosome associated dipeptidase activity than was the parent strain C2 . Particulate associated dipeptidase activity was substantially higher in the mutant cells . Extending incubation times from 5 to 24 and 32 h reduced intracellular proteinase and ribosome associated dipeptidase activity in S . lactis C2 and S . cremoris ML1 . Soluble alanylglycinase activity and particulate associated dipeptidase activity of ML1 were reduced drastically after 24-h incubation.

Aust Vet J, 1977 Nov, 53(11), 534 - 7
The New South Wales mastitis control program . 2 . Effect upon bacterial infections; Mylrea PJ et al.; Bacteriological examinations were made on quarter samples from cows in 35 herds over a 3 year period to monitor the response in a mastitis control program . Initially, Staphylococcus aureus predominated in 32 of the herds and the mean herd prevalence was 26% . The control measures halved this rate but there was considerable variation in response between herds . The decline occurred rapidly and there was a significant reduction (P less than 0.01) by 3 months . Streptococcus agalactiae predominated in 3 herds and the overall infection rate was 4.9% . Control measures eliminated the infection completely from most herds but reinfection occurred in 2 herds . The greatest decline occurred in the first 6 months and was significant (P less than 0.05) . The measures had little effect upon Str . uberis and Str . dysgalactiae which remained fairly consistently at low levels . Initially, strains of Staph . aureus resistant to penicillin were dominant in most herds . In a minority of herds strains resistant to streptomycin predominated and in these herds there was a concurrent resistance to penicillin . These patterns did not change greatly over the control period . Resistance by Str . agalactiae to streptomycin occurred in most herds at the start of the program.

Ann Dermatol Venereol, 1977 Nov, 104(11), 701 - 5
{Cutaneous microbiol flora in 206 children with diaper dermatitis and pyodermitis}; Maleville J et al.; Staphylococcus aureus (60 p . 100) and Candida albicans (50 p . 100) were mostly found in 73 cases of diaper dermatitis . They were present together in 16 out of these 73 cases . This study enables us to think this is a matter of opportunistic infection . Staphylococcus aureus (75 p . 100) and beta-hemol . Streptococcus A (28 p . 100) were found in 40 children with impetigo contagiosa . They were present together in 7 out of the 40 cases . Nephritis was never found either in those cases or in other 93 cases of pyodermitis.

J Clin Pathol, 1977 Nov, 30(11), 1025 - 7
Bacteriological findings in cultures of clinical material from Bartholin's abscess; Wren MW; Purulent exudate from 28 cases of Bartholin's abscess were examined for aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerophilic bacteria . Three cases gave no bacterial growth, five cases grew facultative bacteria only, and a further three grew a mixture of facultative and anaerobic bacteria . One case gave a pure growth of a microaerophilic streptococcus . Anaerobic bacteria were the only isolates in 16 cases and Bacteroides species were the most common organisms isolated; they were present as 62.5% of the total anaerobes cultured and accounted for 45.4% of the total bacteria cultured . Escherichia coli was the most common of the facultative organisms, accounting for 18% of the total bacteria . Most infections seemed to be caused by a single organism, anaerobic types predominating.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Nov, 132(2), 541 - 8
Glucose transport in Streptococcus agalactiae and its inhibition by lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide; Mickelson MN; Transport of 2-deoxyglucose or glucose in Streptococcus agalactiae was strongly inhibited if the cells were first exposed to a combination of lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide (LP-complex) . The inhibition was completely reversible with dithiothreitol . N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibited sugar transport, and the inhibition was also reversible with dithiothreitol . Sodium fluoride also inhibited sugar transport . Glucolysis was completely inhibited, and dithiothreitol completely reversed the inhibition . Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase activity in S . agalactiae was not strongly inhibited by the LP-complex . Interference of the entry of glucose into cells of S . agalactiae by the LP-complex could well account for its growth inhibitory properties with this organism . The inhibition of glucose transport by the LP-complex and its reversibility with dithiothreitol suggest the modification of functional sulfhydryl groups in the cell membrane as a cause of transport inhibition.

J Pediatr, 1977 Nov, 91(5), 719 - 21
Detection and quantitation of bacteremia in childhood; Santosham M et al.; Quantitative blood cultures were sought in 383 children, from whom routine blood cultures were obtained because of fever, by direct plating of 10 and 100 microliter blood onto solidified media . There were 14 positive cultures from 12 patients . These were 7 Hemophilus influenzae type b, 5 Streptococcus penumoniae, and 2 Staphylococcus aureus . The direct-plating technique permitted more rapid identification of positive cultures, and detected three episodes not identified by routine broth culture . Bacterial counts ranged from 20 to greater than 10(4) bacteria/ml blood . In the three cases of H . influenzae type b meningitis, bacteremia exceeded 10(3)/ml . Among nine patients in whom bacteremia was unassociated with meningitis, (bacteremia without evident localized disease 5, pneumonia 2, epiglottitis 1, peritonitis 1), bacteremia was less than 10(3)/ml . This technique may aid detection of bacteremia and help identify those children at highest risk for developing septic complications, such as meningitis.

J Dent Res, 1977 Nov, 56(11), 1359 - 63
The effect of disaccharides on the plaque-forming potential of Streptoccoccus mutans; Balekjian AY et al.; The comparative and combined effects of sucrose, maltose, and lactose as factors on the plaque-forming potential of Streptococcus mutans were assessed . With increasing additions of maltose to sucrose-supplemented medium there was decreasing plaque formation . Lactose additions slightly increased plaque formation, but when combined with maltose they significantly enhanced the maltose inhibition of plaque formation.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1977 Nov, 32(11), 891 - 7
{Extracellular polysaccharides from Streptococcus mutans of various biotypes--chemical characterization and enzymatic hydrolysis}; Trautner K; The composition and proportions of different types of compound were established in extracellular polysaccharides synthesized in virto by streptococcus mutans strains of various biotypes . The polysaccharides were further enzymatically hydrolysed with dextranase and the degree of hydrolysis as well as the character and amount of the products of decomposition were determined . Under the conditions employed the strains synthesized solely glucanes . The water insoluble polysaccharides of strains of various biotypes show significant differences with regard to the proportions of alpha 1,3 and alpha 1,3,6-compounds . There is a significant correlation between the proportions of these compounds and the degree of hydrolysis by dextranase.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Nov, 136(5), 649 - 54
Perinatal immunity to group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus type Ia; Stewardson-Krieger PB et al.; Sera from 14 of 56 adult women protected mice from intraperitoneal challenge with mouse-virulent group B Streptococcus serotype Ia, and sera from seven of 25 nonparturient women in this group were bactericidal for greater than 99% of the organisms in the presence of normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes . There were no discrepancies between the in vivo and in vitro assays . Protective activity was found in the IgG class in seven sera, and in the IgM class in one . Opsonic activity was partially dependent on heat-labile serum factors . Of 31 mother-cord serum pairs studied, seven maternal sera were protective, but four of the corresponding cord sera were not . Pooled human gamma-globulin injected by either the intraperitoneal or the intramuscular route protected mice from bacterial challenge.

Infect Immun, 1977 Nov, 18(2), 291 - 7
Opsonic requirements for phagocytosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae types VI, XVIII, XXIII, and XXV; Giebink GS et al.; An assay system employing radiolabeled, heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was utilized to study serum pneumococcal opsonic requirements . Comparing the kinetics of phagocytosis in normal serum, heat-inactivated serum, immunoglobulin G (IgG)-deficient serum, C2-deficient serum, and magnesium dichloride ethyleneglycol-tetraacetic acid (MgEGTA)-chelated serum allowed definition of the opsonic requirements for four pneumococcal serotypes: VI XVIII, XXIII, and XXV . All four serotypes were efficiently opsonized in 10% normal serum . Only type XVIII was opsonized in heat-inactivated serum . All four were also opsonized in IgG-deficient serum but not as efficiently as in normal serum . Opsonization via the alternative pathway was diminished for all four serotypes in 10% MgEGTA-chelated and C2-deficient serum . Furthermore, by varying the concentration of MgEGTA-chelated serum, it was found that type XXV was least efficiently opsonized via the alternative pathway . The quantitative nature of this assay system will permit measurement of bacterial and host factors that may contribute to host susceptibility to pneumococcal infection.

South Med J, 1977 Nov, 70(11), 1357 - 8
Minocycline treatment failure in pneumonia caused by minocycline-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae; Satterwhite TK et al.; A previously healthy 23-year-old white woman had fulminant pneumococcal pneumonia complicated by empyema and bilateral pneumothoraces . Despite early treatment with the recommended doses of minocycline, the disease progressed . The S pneumoniae isolate was resistant to a 30microgram tetracycline disk and showed an MIC of 3.13microgram/ml for minocycline and 12.5 microgram/ml for tetracycline; these levels are considered by the manufacturer to indicate sensitivity to minocycline and intermediate sensitivity to tetracycline . The tetracyclines, including minocycline, should not be used to treat bacterial pneumonia since resistant strains of pneumococci are not uncommon and inffective treatment can lead to rapid progression of the infection . This case suggests that the levels of minocycline considered to indicate sensitivity in vitro be reassessed.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Nov, 132(2), 564 - 75
Obligatory coupling between proton entry and the synthesis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate in Streptococcus lactis; Maloney PC; Proton influx was measured after imposition of an electrochemical potential difference for protons (delta muH+) across the cell membrane of the anaerobe, Streptococcus lactis . As delta muH+ was increased, there was an approximately parallel increase in proton entry, until delta muH+ attained 175 to 200 mV . At this point, a new pathway became available for proton entry, allowing an abrupt increase in both the rate and extent of H+ influx . This gated response depended upon the value of delta muH+ itself, and not upon the value of either the membrane potential or the pH gradient . For delta muH+ above 175 to 200 mV, elevated proton entry occurred only in cells having a functional membrane-bound Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+stimulated adenosine 5'-triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.3) . When present, elevated proton entry coincided with the appearance of net synthesis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate catalyzed by this adenosine 5'-triphosphatase . These observations demonstrate that membrane-bound adenosine 5'-triphosphatase catalyzes an obligatory coupling between the inward movement of protons and synthesis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

N Engl J Med, 1977 Oct 27, 297(17), 897 - 900
Polyvalent pneumococcal-polysaccharide immunization of patients with sickle-cell anemia and patients with splenectomy; Ammann AJ et al.; To reduce the risk of infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae in hyposplenic patients we administered octavalent pneumococcal vaccine to 77 patients with sickle-cell disease and 19 asplenic persons and compared their response with 82 controls (38 age-matched normal persons and 44 normal black African children) . Fifty micrograms each of pneumococcal-polysaccharide Types 1, 3, 6, 7, 14, 18, 19, and 23 were administered subcutaneously . Post-immunization serums (three to four weeks) were available from 52 of 77 patients with sickle-cell disease; the percent responding and the magnitude of the indirect hemagglutination response were comparable to those of the controls . Within two years after immunization we observed eight Str . pneumoniae infections in 106 age-matched unimmunized patients with sickle-cell disease, but none in the 77 immunized (P less than 0.025) . We conclude that pneumococcal polysaccharides are immunogenic in hyposplenic patients and may protect against systemic Str . pneumoniae infection.

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1977 Oct 3, 285(7), 837 - 40
{A gas chromatographic study of the composition of neutral and amino sugars in two neuraminidases, of bacterial and viral origin}; Bienvenu P et al.; The neutral and aminosugar composition has been determined by gas-liquid chromatography for two neuraminidases, either bacterial, from Streptococcus pneumoniae, or viral, from Myxovirus influenzae A/Hong Kong/1/68.

Infect Immun, 1977 Oct, 18(1), 35 - 40
Role of sialic acid in saliva-induced aggregation of Streptococcus sanguis; McBride BC et al.; The ability of saliva to induce aggregation of Streptococcus sanguis was destroyed by treating the saliva with protease or neuraminidase . Loss of aggregating activity could be correlated with the appearance of free sialic acid . Clarified saliva contains an endogenous neuraminidase that modifies aggregating activity . Aggregation was inhibited by mixed ganglioside preparations but less effectively by acid-hydrolyzed gangliosides . The aggregating activity of S . sanguis was not related to the rhamnose or phosphorous content of the cell wall or to antigen a, b, c, d, or e.

Infect Immun, 1977 Oct, 18(1), 237 - 46
Purification, resolution, and interaction of the glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans 6715; Ciardi JE et al.; The extracellular glucosyltransferase produced by Streptococcus mutans 6715 was purified from culture supernatant fluids to a specific activity of 9.6 IU/mg of protein, with an overall recovery of 87% . The purified enzyme preparation, designated unfractionated enzyme (UFE), synthesized only water-insoluble glucans from sucrose during the initial stages of the reaction, although some water-soluble polymers accumulated after extended periods of incubation . It was free from measurable fructosyltransferase activity . The UFE preparation was resolved into two different catalytically active components by ethanol fractionation . One fraction (designated insoluble product enzyme {IPE}) synthesized water-insoluble glucans, whereas the other (designated soluble product enzyme {SPE}) produced primarily water-soluble glucans . The difference between the insoluble glucans made by the UFE preparation and those made by the IPE fraction appeared to be due to interaction of the SPE and IPE components in the UFE preparation . Addition of commercial dextrans or enzymatically prepared glucans to the glucosyltransferase assay altered the amounts of soluble and insoluble glucans synthesized by the UFE preparation . The molecular weights of the major enzymatically active proteins producing insoluble and soluble glucans were estimated by gel filtration chromatography to be 150,000 and 175,000, respectively.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1977 Oct, 85B(5), 341 - 6
Interaction of hydroxyapatite and protein-coated hydroxyapatite with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis; Rolla G et al.; The present study showed that S . mutans and S . sanguis behaved like negatively-charged particles in their interaction with hydroxyapatite in vitro . Phosphate in the system inhibited bacterial uptake by apatite, whereas calcium increased the uptake . A layer of acidic protein inhibited the uptake of bacteria by hydroxyapatite . The opposite was true when a basic protein was first adsorbed to the apatite . A saliva film on the apatite decreased the uptake of bacteria, supporting the view that acidic proteins are selectively adsorbed by hydroxyapatite from saliva . The results indicate clearly that electrostatic forces may be involved in bacterial interaction with tooth surface.

Q J Med, 1977 Oct, 46(184), 499 - 512
Bacterial endocarditis in England in the 1970's: a review of 70 patients; Schnurr LP et al.; The features of 70 cases of bacterial endocarditis are reported . Streptococcus viridans was the cause in 45 per cent, staphylococci in 27 per cent, and enterococci in 7 per cent . Rheumatic heart disease was the predisposing factor in less than one quarter of patients and in almost half there was no obvious pre-existing cardiac disease . Apart from cardiac murmurs and pyrexia, the classical features of infective endocarditis were uncommon, haematuria being observed in less than one-third . Most patients were over the age of 30, one-third more than 60 years of age and the peak incidence occurred in the seventh decade . The mortality was 34 per cent, being highest in infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus . Adverse prognostic features included cardiac failure, advanced age and peripheral embolization . One-third of infections were caused by bacteria resistant to penicillin.

J Clin Pathol, 1977 Oct, 30(10), 937 - 42
Streptococcus milleri in the appendix; Poole PM et al.; The appendix was investigated as a possible habitat of Streptococcus milleri . Both normal and inflamed appendices were examined and the isolation rates compared . S . milleri was present in a quarter of the normal appendices and more than half of those associated with apendicitis--a difference that was statistically highly significant . The isolation rates throughout were indepencent of age . There was a pronounced connection between the presence of S . milleri in the appendix and the purulent manifestations of appendicitis . S . milleri was isolated from other abdominal sites associated with appendicitis . The frequency of isolation was increased by culture in an enrichment broth containing nalidixic acid and sulphadimidine.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1977 Oct, 47(5), 341 - 9
Antitumor activity of protoplast membrane from group A streptococcus; Koshimura S et al.; Cytoplasmic membrane of Group A streptococcus has been obtained by treatment of the cells with a phage-associated lytic enzyme to dissolve the streptococcal cell wall, followed by shocking osmotically . The protoplast membrane fraction (PMF) remained as a distinct homogeneous structure in the electron micrograph and analysis showed a low rhamnose content . Febrile response produced by PMF was very slightly exhibited or not at all . PMF showed weak suppression against the growth of rat Yoshida sarcoma cells in culture and inhibition of {3H}-uridine incorporation into the sarcoma cells in vitro . In vivo antitumor experiments demonstrated that PMF has a mild inhibiting effect against mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, though there was not observed a definite correlation between survival rate and dose level . Antitumor activity of PMF was thermo-labile and was strikingly abolished by treatment with a bacterial enzyme, Nagarse, but not so much by alpha-chymotrypsin.

South Med J, 1977 Oct, 70 Suppl 1, 44 - 5
Role of preventive antibiotics in patients undergoing cesarean section; Work BA Jr; Eighty patients in labor and requiring cesarean section were selected randomly for a double-blind study using prophylactic cephalosporin and placebo . There were 26 treated patients who had no morbidity versus 13 in the control group . The reduction in endometritis was significant (P = less than .05) . The most prevalent organism was Streptococcus viridans, followed by Escherichia coli . Bacterioides organisms were recovered 17 time in 11 patients . Tabulation of the fever index showed significant difference . No major complication occurred in the treatment group . Gastric aspirates from infants showed a good correlation with maternal morbidity and are suggested as a screening procedure.

J Dent Res, 1977 Oct, 56(10), 1185 - 91
The effects of fluoride on the percentage bacterial composition of dental plaque, on caries incidence, and on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, and Actinobacillus sp; Beighton D et al.; Administration of 250 mug/ml NaF in drinking water to rats reduced both caries incidence (P less than 0.001) and the percentage of S mutans (0.01 greater than P greater than 0.001) although the percentage of Actinobacillus sp . was increased (P less than 0.001) . An Actinobacillus sp . and S mutans FA1 both proliferated in NaF broth only if the NaF greater than 10 mug/ml, which was associated with the inhibition of acid production.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1977 Oct, 116(4), 671 - 7
Determinants of lung bacterial clearance in mice after acute hypoxia; Harris GD et al.; Net lung bacterial clearance in normal mice is determined by the balance of in vivo bacterial multiplication on the one hand, and the defense mechanisms of mucociliary clearance and phagocytosis and killing by the oxygen-dependent alveolar macrophage on the other . The bactericidal function of the macrophage is the major component of the defense mechanism . The effect of acute hypoxia on the defense mechanism was studied in mice exposed to aerosols of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae . Physical clearance was not impaired by acute hypoxia, and bacterial replication was not stimulated by the low oxygen atmosphere . Clearance of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli was impaired during acute hypoxia due to decreased phagocytosis or killing by the alveolar macrophage . The important human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae was cleared normally in the presence of acute hypoxia . This observation suggests that an oxygen-independent clearance mechanism is important in lung defense against the pneumococcus . This may be a separate mechanism within the alveolar macrophage or a system as yet unidentified.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1977 Sep 15, 129(2), 185 - 9
Neonatal scalp abscess and fetal monitoring: factors associated with infection; Okada DM et al.; Forty-two of 929 (4.5 per cent) newborn infants prospectively studied following continuous, direct fetal heart rate monitoring during labor developed a scalp abscess at the site of electrode application during the neonatal period . Factors associated with infection with the use of a multivariate analysis were duration of monitoring (p less than 0.01) and high-risk indications for monitoring (p less than 0.01) . Of the 42 infected neonates, 33 had complete bacteriologic studies . Microorganisms were isolated from all the infection tended to be polymicrobial, most commonly containing both aerobes and anaerobes . Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, and Peptococcus were the predominant isolates . These data indicate that scalp abscess complicating intrapartum fetal monitoring may be nosocomial importance, and infants monitored should be closely observed in order to prevent more serious infectious complications.

J Biol Chem, 1977 Sep 10, 252(17), 6061 - 8
On the structure of the prosthetic group of citrate (pro-3S)-lyase; Singh M et al.; The prosthetic group of citrate (pro-3S)-lyase from Klebsiella aerogenes as well as Streptococcus diacetilactis was obtained eigher by beta elimination or pronase digestion of the enzyme and purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography . The compound was shown to contain 3 mol of PO4, 2 mol of ribose, and 1 mol of sulfhydryl/mol of adenine . 5'-AMP and dephospho-CoA are components of the prosthetic group . The evidence obtained so far support our proposed structure of 3' (or 2') leads to 1''-(5''-phosphoribosyl)dephospho-CoA for the prosthetic group of citrate lyase . The presence of one phosphomonoester group in the compound isolated after beta elimination and the absence of the same in the compound isolated after pronase digestion indicated that the prosthetic group is attached to the enzyme through a phosphodiester bond . Analyses of the pyruvate released by beta elimination and subsequent acid hydrolysis of the peptide-bound prosthetic group and its degradation products showed that the phosphodiester linkage is between the hydroxyl group of a serine residue of the protein and the 5''-PO4 group of the second ribose.

Z Kardiol, 1977 Sep, 66(9), 501 - 7
{Present aspects of bacterial endocarditis in infants and children . Observation during the years 1969-1976 (author's transl)}; Liersch R et al.; 21 infants and children with proven bacterial endocarditis were observed at the Unviersity Children Hospital of Dusseldorf from January 1969 to December 1976 . There was high incidence of cases in the infant group and again among the 6 to 8 years old children . Some important aspects of the disease were characteristic for the infant group (N=5): No congenital cardiac abnormality was present, but a surgical cerebro-atrial connection in two cases of hydrocephalus and a prolonged artifical respiration in a third patient could have been predisposing factors . Staphylococci were the pathologic organisms in three infants . The course of the disease consistently resembled that of septicemia and the outcome was always lethal . The diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis was disclosed only by the post mortem examination . The mitral and the tricuspid valves were affected twice respectively, the pulmonary cusps only once . In the children group (N=16) fifteen patients had a congenital malformation of the heart confirmed by previous catheterization . 8 were cyanotic and 5 of them had a tetralogy of Fallot with previous aorto-pulmonary shunting procedure (Waterston) . Unlike the spectrum of micro-organisms presently found in adults, the streptococcus viridans prevailed as before, it was isolated in 11 of the 13 blood cultures which yielded positive results . The disease displayed a subacute course and mortality remained with 3 deaths relatively low . In 3 other cases a valve lesion subsisted, in two instances severe enough to necessitate surgery (aortic valve prosthesis, mitral annular narrowing) . No relapse was observed during the mean follow up period of 2;8 years.

J Gen Microbiol, 1977 Sep, 102(1), 45 - 53
Streptococcus pleomorphus sp.nov.: an anaerobic streptococcus isolated mainly from the caeca of birds; Barnes EM et al.; A new species Streptococcus pleomorphus is described . It is obligately anaerobic and classified in the genus Streptococcus because it is a Gram-positive coccus growing in pairs and chains, with a homolactic fermentation of glucose producing L-lactic acid . The GC content of the DNA is 39 mol% . The organism has been mainly isolated from chickens, turkeys and ducks.

Br J Nutr, 1977 Sep, 38(2), 233 - 8
The effect of in utero protein malnutrition and subsequent renutrition on rat saliva and some salivary enzymes; Watson RR; 1 . Rat pups developed chronic protein insufficiency resulting from malnutrition diet in utero while their dams received 40 g protein/kg diet . 2 . Before weaning they were found to have decreased salivary amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) and aminopeptidase activities . 3 . A complete diet (250 g protein/kg) rapidly restored salivary amylase activity before weight normalization . However, renourished pups (malnourished pups given 250 g protein/kg for 14 d) still had increased numbers of Streptococcus multans in their plaque.

Infect Immun, 1977 Sep, 17(3), 644 - 50
Effective immunity to dental caries: passive transfer to rats to antibodies to Streptococcus mutans elicits protection; Michalek SM et al.; Rat dams, given intravenous injections of heat-killed Streptococcus mutans 6715, mutant C211 demonstrated significant agglutinin activity to the homologous S . mutans in colostrum, milk, and serum . This antibody activity was associated with the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class . High titers of anti-S . mutans antibody associated with the IgG class were also exhibited in the sera and saliva of the offspring that suckled these dams . After challenge with the homologous, live S . mutans, these offspring developed significantly fewer caries on all molar surfaces than did nonimmunized infected controls . A secretory immune response (manifested by the presence of specific IgA antibody to S . mutans in colostrum and milk) was elicited (i) in rat dams locally injected, in the region of the mammary gland, with heat-killed S . mutans antigen, and (ii) in other rat dams that were provided formalin-killed S . mutans in their drinking water . Offspring suckling these dams were challenged with virulent S . mutans before weaning and developed significantly fewer caries than did their infected controls . These findings clearly suggest that passively derived IgG or IgA antibodies to S . mutans are protective against dental caries.

Infect Immun, 1977 Sep, 17(3), 504 - 9
Effect of warfarin on the induction and course of experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis; Thorig L et al.; The effect of warfarin treatment on an experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis was studied . Warfarin was found to affect both the induction and course of the infection of catheter-induced endocardial vegetations . In warfarin-treated rabbits, larger bacterial inocula were needed to induce an infection, and the degree of infection of the vegetations was also significantly lower, eventually resulting in the total elimination of the bacteria from the vegetations . Thus, warfarin treatment seems to have an inhibitory effect on the induction and development of an S . epidermidis infection of the endocardium . The results differ from previous findings in studies done with Streptococcus anguis, where warfarin was found to have no effect on the induction or course of the infection of endocardial vegetations, which suggests that different mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of endocarditis caused by these two species of bacteria.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1977 Sep, 30(9), 1512 - 3
Specific metabolic effects imposed by Streptococcus pneumoniae upon the response to femoral fracture in the rat; Kaminski MV Jr et al.; The possible potentiation of an infection upon the metabolic consequences of trauma was tested in rats using a 2 X 2 block design which included control, femoral fracture, pneumococcal infection, and fracture plus infection groups . Infection introduced unique metabolic effects different from those of starvation, femoral fracture, or both together . Infection-induced effects included an accelerated conversion of 14C-alanine to glucose, higher serum haptoglobin, alpha2-macrofetoprotein, copper, and ceruloplasmin values, and lower serum iron, zinc, and transferrin concentrations . The first three of these infection-induced effects were diminished in rats with a femoral fracture . No measured effect of infection was increased in traumatized rats.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Sep, (9), 68 - 73
{Study of the methods of specific desensitization therapy in immediate hypersensitivity to Streptococcus under experimental conditions . 1 . Immunological data}; Aspetova NA et al.; Three series of experiments were conducted on 427 guinea pigs . A model of allergy of the immediate type was obtained by 3-fold subcutaneous injections of 2 mg of lysed streptoallergen with an imcomplete Freund's adjuvant . The effect of allergens (corpuscular--vaccines, lysed, and streptoallergens after Ando-Verzhikovsky) varying by physico-chemical properties was studied in the first experimental series . The best hyposensitizing action was produced by vaccine used for the study of the influence of various doses on the sensitized organism . Two doses were approved: the threshold one (diluted 10 times) and the subthreshold one (diluted 10000 times) . The use of the threshold doses caused reduction of increased sensitivity of the immediate type . In the III experimental series this dose was injected subcutaneously, intradermally, and intravenously . Subcutaneous method proved to produce a more marked hyposensitizing action in comparison with other methods.

Arch Intern Med, 1977 Sep, 137(9), 1171 - 4
Infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus mutans . A complication of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis; Robbins N et al.; Three patients with endocarditis caused by Streptococcus mutans were seen during a six-month period . All had clinical features of subacute bacterial endocarditis, including fever, heart murmurs, and positive blood cultures . One had underlying aortic insufficiency and two had idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis . All patients were treated with parenteral antibiotics and were cured . Streptococcus mutans is a pleomorphic, microaerophilic organism that is associated with dental caries and plaque . Differentiation of S mutans from enterococcal endocarditis is important because the former condition can be treated for a shorter period of time with penicillin alone, without the addition of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Sep, 136(3), 422 - 7
Rapid bioassay for clindamycin alone and in the presence of aminoglycoside antibiotics; Jorgensen JH et al.; A rapid bioassay for determination of concentrations of clindamycin in serum was developed with use of a strain of Lancefield group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) that is uniformly resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics, tetracycline, and polymyxin . An agar diffusion assay system was used that included the addition of patient's sera and three standard concentrations of clindamycin to 5-mm wells cut in the seeded agar . Pretreatment of serum with penicillinase allowed measurement of clindamycin in the presence of penicillins and cephalosporins by the same assay method . Assays of clindamycin in serum using this system could be read routinely in as little as 4 hr and allowed determination of levels of drug in serum of 2.5-40 microgram/ml . Linear regression analyses indicated that values obtained by this assay compared favorably with the results obtained with use of Bacillus subtilis strain ATCC 6633 or Sarcina lutea strain ATCC 9341 (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.) . Repetitive measurement of sera with known concentrations of clindamycin indicated the average deviation to be +/- 10% . Seeded bioassay plates could be prepared in advance and stored at 2 C-8 C for up to one week before use . This assay may also be used for measurement of lincomycin, erythromycin, vancomycin, and certain beta-lactam antibiotics in the presence of aminoglycosides.

Arch Dis Child, 1977 Sep, 52(9), 683 - 6
Early neonatal bacteraemia . Comparison of group B streptococcal, other Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections; Jeffery H et al.; All cases of neonatal bacteraemia associated with clinical illness occurring at Hammersmith Hospital, over a 9-year period, 1967-1975 inclusive, have been reviewed . The infants studied were those born in the hospital's maternity unit and those admitted from other hospitals from a wide area round London who were ill or of low birthweight . Positive blood cultures occurred in 91 infants, 47 of them in the first 48 hours of life . These 47 infants were analysed separately and divided into three groups, 13 with group B streptococcal infections, 11 with other Gram-positive infections, and 23 with Gram-negative infections . There were no significant differences in birthweight or gestation, in mortality, in incidence of clinically diagnosed respiratory distress syndrome or recurrent apnoea, or in the need for mechanical ventilation between the three groups . The age at which a diagnosis of infection was suspected, and the age at death were both significantly earlier in the group infected with group B streptococcus than in those obtained with other organisms (P less than 0-01 for both comparisons) . There were no significant differences in the incidence of hyaline membrane formation or pneumonia seen at necropsy among the three groups . In some of the earliest deaths in the Gram-negative bacteraemic group, Gram-negative rods comprised the bulk of the hyaline membrane as did cocci in the group B streptoccal group.

Infect Immun, 1977 Sep, 17(3), 665 - 7
Induction of nephrocalcinosis in rabbit kidneys after long-term exposure to a streptococcal teichoic acid; Waltersdorff RL et al.; New Zealand white rabbits were administered soluble lipoteichoic acid from Streptococcus pyogenes 1-RP41 on alternate days for up to 30 days . An increased incidence of renal cortico-medullary calculi was observed after day 21; the use of fluorescent-labeled anti-teichoic acid antibody located teichoic acid predominantly in the cortical-associated tubules.

Pediatrics, 1977 Sep, 60(3), 360 - 3
Significance of radiographic findings in early-onset group B streptococcal infection; Lilien LD et al.; Chest radiographs on 73 neonates with early-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection were reviewed . Eighty-six percent of the infants were premature (less than 38 weeks); 68% weighed less than or equal to 1,500 g . In infants weighing less than or equal to 1,500 g, the predominant radiographic pattern was hyaline membrane disease (HMD) (80%) . There was a significant increase in radiographic HMD in 1,000 to 1,500-g neonates with GBS infection (77%) when compared to a control group of infants without GBS infection (44%) . Mortality in 1,000 to 1,500-g infants with GBS infection and radiographic HMD (95%) was also significantly higher than in the control group of infants with hmd HMD and no GBS infection (38%) . In larger premature and full-term infants, the radiographic findings were not specific and also were not helpful in distinguishing GBS infection from other newborn respiratory disorders.

Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Sep, 85(6), 387 - 91
Adsorption of Streptococcus mutans lipoteichoic acid to hydroxyapatite; Ciardi JE et al.; Lipoteichoic acid extracted from cells of S . mutans strain BHT exhibited a high affinity for hydroxyapatite . Phosphate ions, fluoride ions and to a lesser extent human saliva inhibited or reversed this adsorption . Extracellular lipoteichoic acid preparations obtained from the supernatant of cultures of the same bacteria exhibited similar properties . It is suggested that lipoteichoic acids could play a significant role in the colonization of teeth by Gram-positive bacteria and thereby contribute to the formation and pathogenicity of dental plaque.

J Dent Res, 1977 Sep, 56(9), 1107 - 10
In vitro enamel demineralization by Streptococcus mutans in the presence of salivary pellicles; Zahradnik RT et al.; Salivary pellicles developed on extracted teeth favorably affected the degree and nature of enamel demineralization when the teeth were incubated in vitro with either of two pure strains of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans . The mechanism responsible for this protection may relate to the permselective properties of these salivary pellicles.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1977 Sep, 32(9), 735 - 7
{Synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides by various forms of Streptococcus salivarius}; Trautner K et al.; Streptococcus salivarius synthesizes extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) from saccharose under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . Under aerobic conditions primarily soluble fructanes are formed . There are no differences between the EPS synthesized by r- and s-forms under aerobic conditions; anaerobically the s-forms produce more EPS and more fructane than the r-forms . As compared to streptococcus mutans, the streptococcus salivarius produces considerably more fructane and insoluble glucane under the conditions used.

Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Sep, 85(6), 373 - 9
Enamel microhardness and fluoride uptake underneath fermenting and non-fermenting artificial plaque; Turtola LO; Washed cells of Streptococcus sanguis were used to form artificial plaque on the surface of bovine enamel and incubated underneath buffer solutions, initial pH 6, for 36 h at 37 degrees C . The decrease in the microhardness of the enamel surface under fermenting "plaque" could be prevented with fluoride . Enamel under a fermenting "plaque" took up significantly more (P less than 0.0u) fluoride than enamel under a non-fermenting "plaque" (initial F- in buffer: 10 parts/10(6)) . The artificial plaque did not accumulate fluoride . Within fermenting "plaques/, the pH decreased significantly more without flouride (P less than 0.01) than with fluoride . Fluoride combined with sucrose more than negated the softening of the enamel caused by sucrose fermentation, i.e . it increased the hardness above the original values . The diffusion of fluoride through the fermenting artificial plaque was more rapid than through a non-fermenting plaque . These findings suggest that caries-conducive circumstances may promote fluoride uptake by enamel compared with non-caries-conducive circumstances.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1977 Sep-Oct, 13(5), 709 - 13
{Influence of pH on nisin production by Streptococcus lactis cultures}; Baranova IP et al.; The pH effect on the nisine biosynthesis during the cultivation of Streptococcus lactis was studied at pH 5,8 6,7 and 7,2 . The pH maintenance at the specified level did not stimulate the growth of Str . lactis, did not increase the total yield of nisine and did not produce a significant effect on the level or cellular nisine . This indicates an important physiological difference between the culture-nisine producer described by Hirsh and our culture Str . lactis, str . Moscow University.

South Med J, 1977 Sep, 70(9), 1103 - 5
Demonstration of cryoprecipitable immune complexes in pneumococcal pneumonia; Moore WL Jr et al.; Cold-insoluble protein complexes (cryoprecipitates) can be found in the serum in a variety of infectious diseases . We studied serum cryoprecipitates isolated from three patients with pneumococcal pneumonia by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CEP) and immunofluorescent technics for the presence of immune complexes . The cryoprecipitates and supernatant serum were tested for pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PCP) by CEP at 37 C and 56 C with the appropriate controls . Antibodies against PCP in the cryoprecipitates and the supernatant serum were detected as follows . Streptococcus pneumoniae from each case was fixed onto slides . The slides were incubated with each cryoprecipitate and supernatant serum at 37 C, and further incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated antisera to human IgG, IgM, and IgA . The slides were examined with an immunofluorescent microscope . PCP was demonstrated in all of the cryoprecipitates . IgG antibodies against PCP were detected in all of the cryoprecipitates, while IgM antibodies were detected in Cases 1 and 2, and IgA antibodies in Case 1 only . Complement components of C3 and C4 also were demonstrated in the cryoprecipitates by CEP . These findings suggest that some patients with pneumococcal pneumonia have cryoprecipitable-immune complexes consisting of PCP and its antibodies.

Pediatrics, 1977 Sep, 60(3), 352 - 5
Early-onset pneumococcal sepsis in newborn infants; Bortolussi R et al.; Five infants with pneumococcal sepsis presented with respiratory distress and clinical signs of infection in the first day of life . Although there was no apparent epidemiological relationship among the patients, four of the five were seen within a 12-month period . Pneumonia, prolonged rupture of fetal membranes, and prematurity were features in these patients . Three infants died, two within 12 hours of diagnosis . Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the vagina of three of the mothers; in two, the serotype was identical to that recovered from their infants . Clinical features of neonatal pneumococcal sepsis are similar to those of early-onset group B streptococcal infection . Like the group B Streptococcus, S . pneumoniae acquired from the maternal vagina is a potential life-threatening pathogen in the newborn period.

J Pediatr, 1977 Sep, 91(3), 371 - 8
Decreased opsonization for Streptococcus pneumoniae in sickle cell disease: studies on selected complement components and immunoglobulins; Bjornson AB et al.; Opsonic activity for Streptococcus pneumoniae in the sera of patients with sickle cell disease was reduced in comparison to the opsonic activity of sera from age-matched normal children . No difference in opsonic activity for Escherichi coli was observed in the sera from patients or normals . Total hemolytic complement, conversion of C3 by inulin and cobra venom factor, and levels of C3, factor B, properdin, C3b inactivator, and immunoglobulins G, A, and M were normal in patients' sera . The opsonic abnormality for S . pneumoniae was attributed to a deficiency of serum proteins rather than to an inhibitor of opsonic function . The data suggest that decreased opsonization was not associated with a deficiency of those complement components or immunoglobulins measured in this study.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Aug, (8), 77 - 81
{Quantitative evaluation of the patterns of the mechanism of pathogenic streptococcal transmission}; Khodyrev AP et al.; In the course of a one week observation in the organized collective body with a daily bacteriological examination for streptococcus group A carrier state 20 infections were recorded per 70 risk man-days . Statistical analysis of conditions for the recipients' infection showed bedrooms to be the main site of streptococcus infection in the organized collective bodies . The most important role in the epidemic process belonged to healthy carriers capable of infecting sensitive recipients, with the potency of microbial foci in the pharynx and the nose of about 1000-2000 microbes per standard tampon . The greatest frequency of infection occured at a distance of from 1 to 1.2 m . Consequently, the main direction of prophylaxis of streptococcus infection at the collective bodies should be associated with measures directed to the source of infection (isolation and penicillin therapy of the patients, urgent antibiotics prophylaxis in case of threatening epidemic or at its initial period).

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 34(2), 115 - 9
Effect of Tween 80 on glucosyltransferase production in Streptococcus mutans; Umesaki Y et al.; Glucan production from sucrose by Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 was stimulated approximately threefold in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80 . When OMZ 176 was grown in a medium containing glucose, the glucosyltransferase level in the medium was also increased about fivefold in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80 . The glucosyltransferase level increased in proportion to the logarithm of the concentration of Tween 80 in the glucose medium . Tween 80 affected neither bacterial growth nor the activity of glucosyltransferase . The appearance of glucosyltransferase in the glucose medium was inhibited immediately by chloramphenicol and actinomycin D and, after a lag, by rifampin as well . It was observed that the fatty acid composition of the cells grown with Tween 80 was altered . These results suggest that Tween 80 stimulates glucosyltransferase synthesis either directly, or indirectly by promoting glucosyltransferase secretion.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136 Suppl, S14 - 9
Formation of antibody in the newborn mouse: study of T-cell-independent antibody response; Mosier DE et al.; The ontogeny of immune responsiveness, as assayed by antibody formation in vitro, of mouse spleen lymphocytes to thymus-independent antigens is reviewed . Responsiveness to trinitrophenyl (TNP)-lipopolysaccharide and TNP-Brucella abortus appear soon after birth and one to two weeks before TNP-Ficoll or capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SSS-III) elicits significant antibody formation . This hierarchy of responsiveness to antigens is also apparent in the CBA/N mutant mouse strain, which has a bone marrow-derived (B-) cell maturation arrest and fails to respond to either TNP-ficoll or SSS-III . These findings are interpreted to suggest sequential maturation of different populations or lines of B-lymphocytes, each of which can respond to a defined class of thymus-independent antigens . The implication for vaccine use in humans is that a late-appearing subclass of B-cells may be required for adequate immune responses to polyaccharide antigens.

J Dent Res, 1977 Aug, 56(8), 977 - 82
The effect of Procion Blue on certain metabolic activities of Streptococcus mutans; Vicher EE et al.; Metabolic activities of S mutans were selectively affected by Procion Blue, known to cause covalent bonds and stable cross links in relation to carbohydrate and protein . In this study, despite the reduction in extra polysaccharide, the level of activity of glucosyltransferase was not significantly changed from the control level and colonial morphology was not transformed from smooth to rough . The results of the investigation imply at least interference with formation of extra cellular polysaccharide, possibly in the bacterial cell wall.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1977 Aug, 85(4), 271 - 6
Origin of intestinal beta-glucuronidase in germfree, monocontaminated and conventional rats; Rod TO et al.; The intestinal beta-glucoronidase was studied in germfree, monocontaminated and conventional rats . The greater part of the beta-glucuronidase of the caecum and the large intestine of the contaminated animals was of bacterial origin . No bacterial beta-glucuronidase was found in the small intestine . Monocontamination with Escherichia coli gave activities corresponding to those of the conventional rats, whereas content from the caecum and the large intestine of the rats monocontaminated with Streptococcus pyogenes showed an activity approximately 10 per cent of that of the conventional rats.

J Reprod Med, 1977 Aug, 19(2), 51 - 4
Prophylactic antibiotics for women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy; Lett WJ et al.; PIP: A triple-blind prospective study of 153 women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy between March 1974-February 1975 at Brooke Army Medical Center, was conducted to compare prophylactic antibiotic treatment with nontreatment . The antibiotics studied included cefazolin and cephaloridine . Treated patients received either 1 gm cefazolin on call to the operating room, 3 gm cephaloridine divided into 1 gm doses on call to the operating room, and 1 gm 12 hours later; or were untreated . Febrile morbidity occurred in 7.7% of patients on cefazolin, 12% on cephaloridine, and in 49% of the controls . The predominant organisms recovered were beta hemolytic Streptococcus, group D, intraoperatively and Escherichia coli, postoperatively . The effective use of preoperative prophylaxis is demonstrated .

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136(2), 278 - 85
Streptococcal infections that fail to cause recurrences of rheumatic fever; Bisno AL et al.; Prospective studies of recurrences of streptoccal infection and acute rheumatic fever were conducted among patients attending the acute rheumatic fever prophylaxis clinic (City of Memphis Hospitals, Memphis, Tennessee) between 1965 and 1972 . The patient population consisted of 124 rheumatic children and adults, two-thirds of whom had evidence of rheumatic heart disease . A total of 104 immunologically documented streptococcal infections occurred during 235 patient-years of follow-up (44.3 infections per 100 patient-years) without a single recurrence of rheumatic fever . Immune responses tended to be modest, and 80% of the infections were subclinical . The majority of our group A streptococcal isolates were obtained from routine cultures of specimens from asymptomatic individuals . Many of these strains were "pyoderma" serotypes, whereas others exhibited a characteristic (production of opacity factor) recently reported to be associated with decreased immunogenicity . Several factors may have contributed to the low recurrence rate of acute rheumatic fever, including the age range of the population under study and immunologically significant infections with strains of Streptococcus that were not group A, but a major reason may be the possibility that the group A strains prevalent in this population have diminished rheumatogenic potential.

Am J Dis Child, 1977 Aug, 131(8), 845 - 9
The sequelae of group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal meningitis in early infancy; Haslam RH et al.; The group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus is responsible for an escalating frequency of neonatal meningitis . Of the 18 consecutive cases we report in this study, the mortality was 17% . Among the 15 survivors, there were two children with extensive neurological and psychological impairment . There were no major differences between the survivors and controls in tests of hearing and language function, social skills, and psychological testing . There was a greater number of minor neurological signs among the study group . The mortality and morbidity of group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal meningitis is apparently substantially less than that of all other types of neonatal bacterial meningitis.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136 Suppl, S98 - 104
Immunological investigation of infants with septicemia or meningitis due to group B Streptococcus; Baker CJ et al.; Purified polysaccharide from type III group B Streptococcus contains both a type III-specific determinant and another determinant that is common to strains of serotypes other than type III . The polysaccharide contains sialic acid, galactose, heptose, glucose, glucosamine, and mannose . Serum antibody to this antigen was measured by means of a radioactive antigen-binding assay . Sera from 36 (67.9%) of 53 women with healthy newoborns contained antibody, a prevalence significantly different from that in sera from 15 women (13.3%) whose neonates developed septicemia or meningitis due to type III group B Streptococcus . Complete concordance for presence or absence of anticapsular antibody in sera from 14 women at delivery and in their neonates' cord sera was demonstrated; this concordance indicates transplacental transfer of antibody . Sera from each of four adults with invasive infection who were studied during convalescence contained antibody to the capsular polysaccharide of type III group B Streptococcus . In contrast, antibody was absent from 10 infants who had recovered from bacteremia, septicemia, and/or meningitis due to type III group B Streptococcus.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136 Suppl, S38 - 42
Prevention of pneumococcal infection by immunization with capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae: current status of polyvalent vaccines; Austrian R; Because of the continuing morbidity and mortality resulting from pneumococcal infection, a program was instituted to redevelop polyvalent vaccines consisting of capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Vaccines containing 50 microgram each of the capsular polysaccharides of as many as 13 pneumococcal types have been shown to be safe, antigenic, and 78.5% effective in the prevention of type-specific putative pneumococcal pneumonia and of type-specific pneumococcal bacteremia in adults . In a population in which pneumococcal pneumonia predominated, the total incidence of radiologically confirmed pneumonia, irrespective of cause, was reduced by 54.3% by use of a tridecavalent vaccine . The efficacy of vaccine in the prevention of infection during the first two years of life is under investigation . The vaccine is recommended for those at high risk of pneumococcal infection or of a fatal outcome from such illness.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136 Suppl, S208 - 15
Temperature-sensitive mutants of type I Streptococcus pneumoniae: preparation, characterization, and evidence for attenuation and immunogenicity; Helms CM et al.; Thirteen temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of type I Streptococcus pneumoniae were selected after exposure of virulent wild-type (ts+) organisms to nitrosoguanidine . Each mutant resembled the ts+ parent in properties of alpha-hemolysis, bile solubility, optochin sensitivity, antibiotic sensitivity, and serotype . Unlike the ts+ parent, however, each ts mutant was restricted in its capacity to form colonies on blood agar at 38 C . With the exception of two mutants, there was a correlation between the degree of temperature-sensitivity of a mutant and its genetic stability . When inoculated intraperitoneally into mice, 11 of 13 mutants were attenuated and induced homologous resistance . Three mutants (ts 1, ts 3, and ts 4) were also studied in hamsters and were found to be attenuated and immunogenic after intraperitoneal injection . Study of the behavior of mutants ts 1, ts 3, and ts 4 in the blood of hamsters suggested that attenuation may be related, in part, to decreased growth and survival of ts organisms at body temperature . Mutants ts 1 and ts 4 were completely attenuated for hamsters when administered intranasally and induced significant resistance to subsequent challenge with wild-type organisms by the same route . Local administration of ts mutants of type 1 S . pneumoniae to hamsters may provide a model for evaluating the potential of live vaccines in the prevention of disease due to bacterial respiratory tract pathogens.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136 Suppl, S20 - 4
Maturation of regulatory factors influencing magnitude of antibody response to capsular polysaccharide of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae; Baker PJ et al.; Mice of different ages were evaluated for their ability to give a plaque-forming cell response to the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SSS-III) . The response of amplifier and suppressor thymus-derived (T-) cells was also evaluated . The responses to an optimally immunogenic dose of SSS-III for two-and three-week-old mice were only 7% and 14%, respectively, of that produced by adult mice; values comparable to those of adult mice were attained by four weeks of age . Activity of amplifier T-cells, which was minimal at two to four weeks of age, matured slowly and did not reach a maximum until eight to 10 weeks of age . However, activity of suppressor T-cells was found to be fully developed as early as two weeks of age . These findings indicate that the inhibitory effects of suppressor T-cells are predominant in young mice and that such cells may play an active role in determining the ease with which immunological unresponsiveness is induced in neonates.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Aug, 136 Suppl, S191 - 5
Comparison otitis media due to types 3 and 23 Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Chinchilla model; Giebink GS et al.; Only a few pneumococcal serotypes are responsible for the majority of cases of acute otitis media due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in children . The immunopathogenesis of otitis media cause by two serotypes, type 3 and 23, was studied in chinchillas . Chinchillas with type 23 pneumococcal otitis media were capable of clearing the infection over a six-week period without treatment, whereas the type 3 infection persisted throughout the six-week study . In addition, bacteremia or meningitis occurred more frequently and earlier with type 3 pneumococcal otitis media than with type 23 . The resolution of the type 23 pneumococcal infection paralleled the development of type-specific antibody, as measured by radioimmunoassay, whereas type 3 infection was associated with a fall in serum antibody to low levels . Since the pathogenesis of pneumococcal otitis media in the chinchilla differs between pneumococcal serotypes, it may be important to correlate pneumococcal serotypes with sequealae and recurrence of otitis media in children.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 6(2), 181 - 2
Isolation of an obligately anaerobic Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood culture; Yatabe JA et al.; An obligately anaerobic strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from blood culture in a 14-month-old child with an upper respiratory tract infection.

Infect Immun, 1977 Aug, 17(2), 296 - 302
Classical and alternative complement pathway activation by pneumococci; Stephens CG et al.; Sixty-two strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were studied for their abilities to consume selected components of classical and alternative complement pathways in human sera . The classical pathway was blocked by chelating calcium with ethyleneglycol-bios (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid and by removing C4 . The alternative pathway was blocked by removing factor B . Each strain's activation of the two pathways was compared with its nonimmune reactivity with the Fc region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) . Activation of the classical complement pathway appeared to be independent of such Fc reactivity . Highly Fc-reactive strains, however, were shown to activate the alternative pathway more effectively than did less Fc-reactive strains . Since pneumococcal activation of the alternative pathway requires non-immunospecific IgG, these findings suggest that nonimmune binding of IgG on the pneumococcal surface endows it with complement-activating properties.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1977 Aug, 32(8), 575 - 9
{The effect of various front tooth filling materials on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans}; Schmalz G; While silicate cement inhibits bacterial growth, resin materials promote it immediately after mixing . Toxic tissue reactions may be induced by bacterial plaque accumulation . Our testing method complements existing in-vitro tests for recording chemo-toxic activities.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1977 Aug, 30(8), 1359 - 63
Effects of pneumococcal infection on rat liver microsomal enzymes and lipogenesis by isolated hepatocytes; Canonico PG et al.; Modification in the enzymatic complement and lipogenic functions of rat liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were shown to occur during pneumococcal sepsis . Glucose-6-phosphatase, 5'nucleotidase, esterase, and NADPH cytochrome C reductase decreased in activity by as much as 50% with respect to controls . Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA and NADH cytochrome C reductases were increased 6-and 2-fold, respectively . Alkaline phosphatase and inosine-5'-diphosphatase did not differ with respect to fasted controls . The lipogenic capacity of the ER was shown to be enhanced . In vitro {14C}acetate incorporation into cholesterol and other lipids by hepatocytes isolated from infected rats was increased 2-to 10-fold . It is concluded that the flow of acetyl-CoA in liver cell of Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats is toward lipogenesis rather than ketogenesis.

Science, 1977 Jul 15, 197(4300), 263 - 5
A bactericidal effect for human lactoferrin; Arnold RR et al.; Streptococcus mutans and Vibrio cholerae, but not Escherichia coli, were killed by incubation with purified human apolactoferrin . Concentrations of lactoferrin below that necessary for total inhibition resulted in a marked reduction in viable colony-forming units . This bactericidal effect was contingent upon the metal-chelating properties of the lactoferrin molecule.

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1977 Jul-Aug, 34(4), 787 - 96
{Serologic survey for the determination of antibodies against various virus infections, Mycoplasma, beta hemolytic A Streptococcus and Toxoplasma gondii, performed on children of a State-of-Mexico municipality}; Golubjatnikov R et al.; A seroepidemiologic inquest was carried out in 667 children from the county of Huixquilucan, Mexico, looking for serum antibodies against infections caused by the following microorganisms: Epstein-Barr virus; cytomegalovirus; syncytial respiratory; para-influenza 1, 2 and 3; measles; rubella; mumps; Mycoplasma pneumoniae, beta hemolytic A Streptococcus and Toxoplasma gondii . The findings are reported . Considerations are made on the incidence of these diseases in different age groups and a comparison is established with the findings in other countries, since there is no previous information in Mexico for some of the viral agents studied.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Jul, 136(1), 82 - 9
The capsular polysaccharide of Bacteroides fragilis as a virulence factor: comparison of the pathogenic potential of encapsulated and unencapsulated strains; Onderdonk AB et al.; The pathogenic potentials of encapsulated and unencapsulated strains of Bacteroides fragilis were compared by use of a rat model of intraabdominal sepsis . Implantation of encapsulated B . fragilis alone resulted in abscesses in most recipients, whereas unencapsulated strains seldom produced this effect unless they were combined with another organism . Implants of heat-killed, encapsulated B . fragilis also resulted in abscess formation . Subsequent experiments suggested that the abscess-potentiating ability of encapsulated B . fragilis is related to the capsular polysaccharide . Implantation of 200 microgram of the purified capsular material alone or in conjuction with unencapsulated strains caused abscess formation in a majority of animals . Comparable results were not obtained with capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli O7:K1(L)"NM or with heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae type III . The capsular polysaccharide of B . fragilis appears to potentiate abscess formation and may represent a virulence factor for this species.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jul, 17(1), 215 - 26
Survey of the extrachromosomal gene pool of Streptococcus mutans; Macrina FL et al.; Fifty strains of Streptococcus mutans independently isolated from human dental plaque were examined for the presence of covalently closed circular plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) . Cesium chloride-ethidium bromide centrifugation of {3H}thymidine-labeled, Sarkosyl-lysed cells revealed that 2 of the 50 strains contained plasmid DNA . The plasmid DNA from these strains was characterized by velocity and equilibrium centrifugation and by electron microscopy . The plasmids in these strains were virtually identical in size, with molecular weights of 3.6 X 10(6) and 3.7 X 10(6), Both were present to the extent of approximately 20 molecules per genome equivalent . Interlocked catenated dimeric molecules of each plasmid were readily detected by velocity sedimentation and electron microscopy . These plasmid-containing strains were compared with representative plasmid-free S . mutans strains by using such criteria as bacteriocin production, antibiotic susceptibility, and hemolysis of mammalian erythrocytes . Although no correlation of phenotype to plasmid content could be made, production of bacteriocin-like activity differed significantly between the two plasmid-containing S . mutans isolates . Thus, although the plasmids in these two isolates appeared identical by the criteria of molecular weight, presence of dimers, and copy number, they appeared to be harbored by two distinct S . mutans strains.

Vet Pathol, 1977 Jul, 14(4), 332 - 7
Extrapulmonary lesions of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in guinea pigs; Parker GA et al.; A retrospective study of extrapulmonary disease in 17 guinea pigs with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection showed the most common to be either chronic active or acute fibrinopurulent pericarditis, pleuritis or peritonitis, or all three . In periparturient females the uterus was commonly affected . Hepatic and adrenal necrosis, splenitis, otitis media, encephalitis, lymphadenitis and ovarian abscesses also occurred . There were gram-positive diplococci in all lesions and Strep . pneumoniae, most often type 19, was cultured from tissues of 11 guinea pigs.

Am J Dis Child, 1977 Jul, 131(7), 784 - 7
Bacterial meningitis and septicemia in sickle cell disease; Overturf GD et al.; A total of 422 patients with sickle cell disorders have been observed for 3,442 patient years . During this period, 53 episodes of septicemia or meningitis occurred, indicating a risk of 12.5% from these infections for each individual . If only patients with SS hemoglobinopathy (sickle cell anemia) (323 patients) are considered, the risk was 15.2% . The case fatality ratios for sepsis and meningitis were 35% and 10%, respectively . Disease due to Streptococcus pneumoniae occurred, almost exclusively, among children with SS hemoglobinopathy who were less than 5 years of age . After the first decade, illnesses among patients with all types of sickle cell disorders were frequently associated with an identifiable source of infection, a chronic course, and frequent involvement of Gram-negative organisms.

Gastroenterology, 1977 Jul, 73(1), 158 - 63
Bacteriological studies in a patient with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis; Allen SD et al.; Detailed aerobic and anaerobic bacteriological studies on the operative specimen from a patient with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis revealed approximately 10(11) facultatively anaerobic bacteria, but less than 10(5) obligate anaerobes per g of involved colonic tissue . Fourteen isolates of Escherichia coli, three isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and two isolates of Streptococcus fecalis were identified . The majority of the organisms were resistant to most of the antibiotics that the patient had received . Examinations of E . coli for heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins and tissue invasiveness were negative, and enterotoxin tests on the P . aeruginosa isolates were negative . Inoculation of mice with the bacterial isolates revealed no unusual pathogenicity . These findings suggest that antibiotic-associated colitis is associated with a marked loss in anaerobic colonic flora, but the colitis could not be explained by the presence of enterotoxins, tissue invasiveness, and pathogenicity of remaining microorganisms.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Jul, 238(3), 330 - 5
Streptococcus group B typing: comparison of counter-immunoelectrophoresis with the precipitin method; Kubin V et al.; The method of counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was tested for its applicability to group B streptococcus typing . The results obtained were compared with the typing by the ring precipitin test . Identical antigens and identical hyperimmune typing serum batches had been used in both methods . A large majority of 75 freshly isolated strains were typed identically by both methods . Five strains with a weak antigenic outfit were untypable by the ring precipitin test but were typed by CIE owing to a higher sensitivity of CIE method . Two strains were typable by the precipitin test but not by CIE; an explanation for this phenomenon is lacking . The CIE method in group B typing is specific, rapid, highly sensitive and relatively simple . It requires strict maintenance of standard conditions . The method is economical with respect to manipulation and material, requires small amounts of diagnostic antisera . Potent antisera may be used diluted . Moreover, sera for CIE typing need not be absorbed to remove group B antibodies . CIE method is practicable for group B streptococcus typing, especially in laboratories carrying out routine large scale type identification.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Jul, (7), 78 - 80
{Cytolytic activity of human tonsillar lymphocytes}; Giulling EV et al.; The radioisotopic method was applied to the study of cytolytic activity of human tonsil lymphocytes against chick erythrocytes, intact and loaded with streptococcus and staphylococcus antigens . Lymphocytes proved to be much more active in the lysis of target cells treated with microbial antigens than of the intact ones . The degree of erythrocytolysis dispension of the tonsillar cells and their treatment with antiglobulin serum.

Am J Surg, 1977 Jul, 134(1), 52 - 7
Bacteriology of necrotizing fasciitis; Giuliano A et al.; Sixteen patients with necrotizing fasciitis were observed under clinical and laboratory conditions for collection, preservation, and culture that permitted optimal retrieval of anaerobes . The clinical observations of necrosis of fascia, subcutaneous fat and skin with thrombosis of the microvasculature, and absence of myonecrosis were clearly apparent in these patients . Two clear-cut groups of culture and gram stain results were found, suggesting that the clinical entity of necrotizing fasciitis can occur after infection by different infecting organisms . The cultivation of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A), either alone or in combination with staphylococcus, in three patients conforms to the culture results found by Meleney {1} in his original description.

Cancer Treat Rep, 1977 Jul, 61(4), 533 - 8
Regulatory control of tetrahydrofolate coenzymes in folate auxotrophs; Albrecht AM; The interrelated enzymic reactions of folate metabolism are presented and key tetrahydrofolate-producing reactions are emphasized . As observed with the methotrexate (MTX)-resistant mutant strain Streptococcus faecium var . durans/Ak, the regulatory roles of serine and purines in controlling their own synthesis by the repression of enzymes required for co-factor synthesis are reviewed . Positive induction of the dihydrofolate reductase activity of this mutant by folate and the antagonism of the folate effect by purines and thymine are discussed . A protective agent of the reductase-active protein, MTX is viewed also as a "positive" inducer of dihydrofolate reductase . Preliminary studies with L1210 leukemia-bearing mice and the murine leukemia ERLD in vitro suggest that citrovorum factor (CF) also triggers a positive induction of the reductase of the small intestine and of ERLD cells without apparently influencing the reductase level of L1210 in vivo . The possibility that control mechanisms, by which MTX and CF indirectly regulate enzyme synthesis in drug-stressed, CF-rescued cells, contribute to the success of high-dose MTX-CF rescue therapy is introduced.

J Forensic Sci, 1977 Jul, 22(3), 610 - 3
Splenectomy and sudden death; Jindrich EJ; Four cases of fatal fulminant Streptococcus pneumoniae septicemia in asplenic individuals have been presented, demonstrating the relative lack of specificity of the symptoms and rapidity of the clinical course . Vigorous specific therapy was without apparent effect in two of the cases . No apparent reticuloendothelial deficiency prior to splenectomy was detected in two cases, and theoretically rather than clinically present in the others . Individual was hyposplenic secondary to splenic atrophy . The rapidity of the course and unexpected death will often bring such cases under the jurisdiction of the coroner or medical examiner, and medicolegal investigators should be alert for this syndrome.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1977 Jul, 74(7), 3060 - 4
A protonmotive force drives bacterial flagella; Manson MD et al.; Streptococcus strain V4051 is motile in the presence of glucose . The cells move steadily along smooth paths (run), jump about briefly with little net displacement (twiddle), and then run in new directions . They stop swimming when deprived of glucose . These cells become motile when an electrical potential or a pH gradient is imposed across the membrane . Starved cells suspended in a potassium-free medium respond to the addition of valinomycin by a brief period of vigorous twiddling . They also twiddle, although less vigorously, when the external pH is lowered . Valinomycin-induced twiddling occurs in the absence of external alkali or alkaline earth cations and without significant net synthesis of ATP . When a chemoattractant is added to cells swimming in the presence of glucose, twiddles are transiently suppressed, and the cells run for a time . Similarly, when starved cells are suspended in a potassium-free medium containing both valinomycin and an attractant, many cells initially run rather than twiddle . We conclude that the flagella are driven by a protonmotive force.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl, 1977 Jul-Aug, 86(4 Pt 3 Suppl 41), 1 - 15
Normal and abnormal middle ear ventilation; Cantekin EI et al.; Studies in infants and children have suggested a functional rather than mechanical obstruction of the Eustachian tube as a predisposing factor in middle ear effusions (MEE) . To simulate this condition in the laboratory, an animal model was prepared using juvenile Rhesus monkeys . The tensor veli palatini muscle was transected or expunged posterior to the hamulus of the medial pterygoid lamina . Transection of the muscle resulted in negative middle ear pressure without effusion, whereas when the muscle was expunged, the animals developed a brief episode of negative middle ear pressure followed by a persistent MEE that was sterile for bacteria . An acute bacterial MEE developed following instillation of Streptococcus pneumoniae into the nasopharynx of animals that had had a previous unilateral transection of the muscle . The condition of the middle ear was documented by impedance measurements and presence of the effusion was verified by myringotomy . Animals were periodically examined and tested for Eustachian tube ventilatory function over a period of one year . Before surgical alteration of the tensor muscle . Eustachian tube function tests demonstrated normal ventilatory function, whereas, functional Eustachian tube obstruction patterns similar to studies in children who had MEE were found during the postoperative period . Only after the development of a reliable animal model can current and future methods of management of MEE be tested under controlled laboratory conditions . These data suggest that the Rhesus monkey appears to be an excellent model for the study of normal as well as abnormal tubal function.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Jul, 6(1), 62 - 5
Value of sputum culture in diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia; Drew WL; In our laboratory, culture of sputum was extremely useful in diagnosing the etiology of pneumococcal pneumonia . Of 31 consecutive patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, 29 (94%) had Streptococcus pneumoniae cultured from sputum . Recovery of pneumococci in culture was enhanced by anaerobic incubation as well as by a plate bile test and an optochin disk on a primary blood agar plate.

Nouv Presse Med, 1977 Jun 11, 6(24), 2133 - 6
{Treatment of bacterial endocarditis with oral amoxicillin and intra-muscular gentamicin}; Aubertin J et al.; Fourteen patients suffering from bacterial endocarditis due to a streptococcus or staphylococcus were treated using a combination of amoxicillin per os in a dose of 1 gram every 2 or 3 hours and gentamicin in a dose of 60 mg intramuscularly every 6 or 8 hours . Two patients failed to tolerate amoxicillin, which had to be replaced by penicillin G . Two others, after a period of improvement, relapsed and were cured by the substitution of penicillin G given intravenously, in place of amoxicillin . The ten remaining patients were cured after a normal period of time had elapsed . Two of them were even treated at home . Bactericidal powers of serum obtained by the combination were satisfactory at between 1/16 to 1/4096 one hour after the administration of the antibiotics . This therapeutic protocol is thus effective, and has the advantage of improving the patient's comfort . It should nevertheless be reserved for use against sensitive organisms in patients without digestive problems, the bactericidal power of the serum being verified.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jun, 16(3), 760 - 5
Specific method for the purification of Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase; McCabe MM et al.; A convenient and rapid method for the purification of Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase is described . Affinity chromatography, on a column containing insoluble dextran purified from a culture of S . mutans 6715-49, gave an almost 300-fold purification, with 76% recovery of enzyme . Subsequent hydrophobic chromatography on butyl-agarose increased the overall enzyme purification to more than 1,000-fold, with a 65% recovery of activity . Two components of the dextransucrase activity were separated during hydrophobic chromatography . Both synthesized insoluble glucan as their major product and were capable of synthesizing soluble glucan in the presence of exogenous soluble dextran . However, the major enzyme component, which coeluted with a catalytically inert, dextran-binding protein, was greatly stimulated by exogenous soluble dextran, whereas the second enzyme component was not.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Jun, 5(6), 578 - 83
Comparative recovery of Streptococcus mutans on ten isolation media; Little WA et al.; The ability of Streptococcus mutans (Bratthall serotypes a through e) to grow on 10 isolation media was examined . The number and morphology of the colonies were observed to vary on different media . The use of blood-sucrose media consistently produced the highest recoveries . Mitis salivarius agar (MS) and higher recovery values than modified medium 10 (MM10SB), Trypticase-yeast extract-cystine medium (TYC), or MS with 1% tellurite (MST) . MST with 40% sucrose (MS40S), MST with 20% sucrose and 0.2 U of bacitracin per ml (MSB), and Carlsson medium with 1% sulfasoxazole (MC), media formulated for the selection of S . mutans, were the most inhibitory for all serotypes . The morphology of several S . mutans strains was atypical on MC and MS40S, making positive identification difficult . Absence of growth of serotype a strains on MSB and serotype d strains on MC were the two major differences observed among the serotypes . Results are discussed in terms of the difficulties in making quantitative determinations from cultural data.

Pediatrics, 1977 Jun, 59 Suppl(6 Pt 2), 1006 - 11
Radiographic findings in early onset neonatal group b streptococcal septicemia; Leonidas JC et al.; Chest roentgenograms obtained in the first two days of life from 67 infants with respiratory distress were reviewed to determine whether the radiographic features of group B streptococcal septicemia were diagnostic or distinctive . The retrospective review contained 24 infants with proven and 14 with suspected septicemia, as well as 29 patients with other causes of respiratory distress . The films were reviewed in random order by two pediatric radiologists without their prior knowledge of clinical or laboratory data . Typical radiographic appearance of pneumonia was present in only ten of the 24 proven and two of the 14 suspected cases of group B streptococcal sepsis . The radiographic pattern of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was just as common among these patients . The most prominent associated radiographic feature of infants with proven septicemia was cardiomegaly which was significantly increased when compared with infants who had other causes of respiratory distress (P less than .001) . X-ray recognition of neonatal group B streptococcal septicemia is limited because of superimposition of roentgen patterns probably related to associated disorders . Pediatrics, 59:1006-1011, 1977, NEWBRON, SEPTICEMIA, GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS.

J Biol Buccale, 1977 Jun, 5(2), 99 - 106
Synthesis of bacteriocins in liquid cultures of Streptococcus mutans; Kelstrup J et al.; Strains of Streptococcus mutans synthesized bacteriocins in agar plates, but synthesis of detectable bacteriocins in liquid media took place only under certain culture conditions . The composition of the medium proved to be crucial . Trypticase Soy Broth with 4% Yeast Extract meeting the requirements . The effect of the Yeast Extract is obscure, for some strains also formed detectable bacteriocins in a special Trypticase medium without this agent . It was noted that the broth should be filter-sterilized rather than autoclaved and only a few days old . Attempts at liberating cell-bound bacteriocins from washed cells were unsuccessful, even when they were treated with ultrasound, EDTA, or various chemicals followed by ultrasound . On the basis of size and sensitivity to heat the bacteriocins could be divided into two groups, while their resistance to ether and chloroform and to trypsin did not follow this pattern . Dependence on plasmids could not be demonstrated by attempts at curing with acridine orange or ethidium bromide; and the involvement of phages was unlikely, since the inhibition was not transmissible and phage-like structures were not observed in the electron microscope.

J Dent Res, 1977 Jun, 56(6), 559 - 67
Comparison of antiplaque agents using an in vitro assay reflecting oral conditions; Evans RT et al.; An in vitro assay is described using saliva-treated bovine enamel slabs for determining the potential of chemotherapeutic agents to adsorb to tooth surfaces and act against plaque-forming bacteria . Chlorhexidine was found to inhibit the formation of in vitro plaque by Actinomyces viscosus, A naeslundii, Streptococcus mutans and S sanguis . Actinobolin was found to have marked antibacterial properties but limited adsorptive qualities.

Aust N Z J Med, 1977 Jun, 7(3), 294 - 8
Characteristics of the immune response in a patient with Whipple's disease; Clancy R et al.; A patient with Whipple's disease has been studied to examine the effect of antibiotic therapy on the immune status of the patient, and the specific immune response to a cell wall deficient form of an alpha-haemolytic streptococcus (alpha HS) isolated from this patient . T lymphocyte numbers were reduced, and cutaneous anergy was present . Autoantibodies directed against smooth muscle and mitochondria were detected . These abnormal parameters became normal following antibiotic therapy . The specific immune response to the alphaHS was characterised by IgA antibody and lymphocyte sensitisation . The latter was detected as antigen-inducedd lymphocyte stimulation and antigen-induced leucocyte inhibition factor (LIF) production . Antibiotic therapy was associated with a fall in antibody titre and reduced LIF production . No defect in neutrophil function was found . These results are most consistent with the postulates that (i) immunological abnormalities in Whipple's disease are secondary to infection and (ii) the primary abnormality is an unusual pathogenic bacterium.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jun, 16(3), 867 - 75
Purification and characterization of group A streptococcal T-1 antigen; Johnson RH et al.; A method is described for the recovery of purified T-antigen from crude trypsin extracts of an avirulent strain of M-1 protein deficient, T-type 1 group A Streptococcus . The purified T-antigen was resistant to enzymatic degradation with trypsin and pepsin, formed a single precipitin line with standard T-1 antiserum, failed to react with antisera for teichoic acid, group A carbohydrate, and cross-reactive protein antigens, stimulated only a single precipitin system when rabbits were immunized, contained glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, and serine as the five most predominant amino acids, and consisted of subunit size isomers.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jun, 16(3), 947 - 54
Effect of temperature on bacterial killing by serum and by polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Sebag J et al.; Bacterial killing by serum alone and by polymorphonuclear )PMN) leukocytes was studied at 37 degrees C and compared with killing at 39 and 41 degrees C . The test organisms for serum killing were Staphylococcus aureus 502A (serum resistant) and Escherichia coli O14 (serum sensitive) . The organisms used in PMN killing tests were Streptococcus pneumoniae type 29 and E . coli O86.S aureus was not killed by serum alone at any temperature . Changes in temperature did not affect the rate of serum killing of E . coli O14 for the first 60 min, but by 90 and 120 min there was a discrepancy with continued killing at 37 degrees C, but no further killing at 39 and 41 degrees C . PMN phagocytic killing of the pneumococcus was enhanced at 39 degrees C compared with 37 degrees C, and phagocytic killing of E . coli O86 was decreased at 41 degrees C when compared with 37 degrees C . Therefore, it appears that under certain circumstances fever may aid the host PMNs in destroying organisms, whereas under other circumstances it may interfere with such destruction.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Jun, 130(3), 1017 - 23
Effects of potassium ions on the electrical and pH gradients across the membrane of Streptococcus lactis cells; Kashket ER et al.; Bacteria transduce and conserve energy at the plasma membrane in the form of an electrochemical gradient of hydrogen ions (deltap) . Energized cells of Streptococcus lactis accumulate K+ ions presumably in exchange for H+ . We reasoned that if the movement of H+ is limited, then an increase in H+ efflux, effected by potassium transport inward, should result in changes in the steady-state deltap . We determined the electrical gradient (deltapsi) from the fluorescence of a membrane potential-sensitive cyanine dye, and the chemical H+ gradient (deltapH) from the distribution of a weak acid . The deltap was also determined independently from the accumulation levels of the non-metabolizable sugar thiomethyl-beta-galactoside . KCl addition to cells fermenting glucose or arginine at pH 5 changed the deltap very little, but lowered the deltapsi, while increasing the deltapH . At pH 7, the deltapH only increased slightly; thus, the decrease in deltapsi, effected by addition of potassium ions, resulted in a lowered steady-state deltap . These effects were shown not to be due to swelling or shrinking of the cells . Thus, in these nongrowing cells, under conditions of energy utilization for the active transport of K+, the components of deltap can vary depending on the limitations on the net movement of protons.

Nouv Presse Med, 1977 May 21, 6(21), 1853 - 6
{The detection of soluble bacterial antigens studied in various pathological substances using counterimmunoelectrophoresis . Contribution to diagnosis(151 cases)}; Geslin P et al.; Examinations for soluble bacterial antigens using counter-immunoelectrophoresis (C.I.E.) was carried out in 151 patients suspected of suffering from various infectious syndrome were successful for S . pneumoniae, H . influenzae b, N . meningitis, sero-group B and D streptococcus . Thus meningitis and pneumonia represent those areas in which the technique is particularly useful . Apart from its rapidity--result in a hour--C.I.E., in association with bacteriology, makes possible an increase in aetiological diagnosis of 27% with H . influenzae b, 24% with S . pneumoniae and 6% with N . meningitidis (lower result by virtue of technical difficulties with sero-group B) . Thus using this technique we were able to reach an aetiological diagnosis in 10 (23.8%) out of 42 cases of purulent meningitis where blind antibiotic therapy had already been given . These two advantages--rapidity and increase in aetiological diagnosis--justify the introduction of this simple technique in every medical microbiology laboratory.

Klin Wochenschr, 1977 May 15, 55(10), 507 - 8
{Studies on the antimicrobial effect of vitamin D (author's transl)}; Feindt E et al.; In in vitro studies vitamin D3 proved inhibitory on strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae . Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans . In the presence of 5x10(4)-9x10(4) IU/ml vitamin D3 the organisms were killed or reacted with a marked growth inhibition.

J Gen Virol, 1977 May, 35(2), 369 - 75
Bacteriophages of Streptococcus equi; Spanier JG et al.; Bacteriophages were isolated from twelve lysogenic strains of Streptococcus equi . Based on sensitivity data and antiserum neutralization tests, the phage isolates were divided into two distinct but related groups . All twelve phage change the colonial morphology of S . equi from mucoid to matt . Possible phage-mediated effects on S . equi virulence are discussed.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 May, 5(5), 517 - 20
Bacteriocin typing of streptococcal isolates from endocarditis; Upton GW et al.; A typing system based on bacteriocin production and sensitivity for Streptococcus sanguis strains was devised . Bacteriocin producer strains were grown (37degrees C) anaerobically on brain heart infusion-yeast extract agar for 18 h . Bacteriocin indicator strains were suspended to molten brain heart infusion-yeast extract agar and then overlayed onto the producer strain . After an additional 18 to 24 h of incubation, zones of bacteriocin inhibition were recorded . After establishment of the typing system, eight Streptococcus strains from bacterial endocarditis patients were characterized by the typing system . Four patient strains had identical bacteriocin reduction patterns but could be differentiated by differences in their bacteriocin sensitivity . Two isolates from the same patient had identical production and sensitivity patterns . By including both bacteriocin production and bacteriocin sensitivity, all seven epidemiologically unrelated isolates could be differentiated . On the basis of these results, there does not appear to be a correlation between bacteriocin production and infectivity, but the usefulness of the application of a typing system to a clinical situation is demonstrated.

Cancer, 1977 May, 39(5), 2306 - 9
Spontaneous streptococcus pneumonia peritonitis in a patient with metastatic gastric cancer: a case report and etiologic consideration; Isner J et al.; Spontaneous peritonitis in adults has not been previously reported to occur in association with ascites of neoplastic origin . We report a patient with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma in whom spontaneous streptococcus pneumonia peritonitis occurred as a terminal event . Massive metastases may have resulted in significant loss of the hepatic reticuloendothelial system and impaired the capability of the liver to function as an effective bacterial filter, predisposing the patient to bacterial peritonitis.

Infect Immun, 1977 May, 16(2), 712 - 4
Low sucrose levels promote extensive Streptococcus mutans-induced dental caries; Michalek SM et al.; One-tenth percent sucrose significantly promotes dental caries induced by Streptococcus mutans in young gnotobiotic rats . Maximum caries activity was observed in rats provided a purified diet containing 3% sucrose.

J Clin Invest, 1977 May, 59(5), 810 - 8
Quantitative determination of antibody to capsular polysaccharide in infection with type III strains of group B Streptococcus; Baker CJ et al.; The development of antibody in response to invasive infection with type III strains of group B Streptococcus was studied in sera from 31 infants and 4 adults by means of a quantitative radioactive antigen-binding assay . Low concentrations of antibody were consistently found in the acute sera of patients who developed clinical illness . Although adults with puerperal sepsis and infants with bone or joint infection uniformly demonstrated significant rises in serum antibody concentration after recovery, much lower levels of antibody were detected in convalescent sera from infants recovering from meningitis or sepsis . The median antibody concentration in sera from 43 parturients with type III strains of group B Streptococcus isolated from vaginal cultures whose neonates failed to develop symptomatic disease was significantly greater than that in sera from 29 mothers of infants with invasive, type III, group B streptococcal infection . Study of paired maternal and cord sera demonstrated a significant correlation between the antibody concentration in a mother's serum and that in her neonate.

Am J Surg, 1977 May, 133(5), 601 - 6
Antimicrobial systems of the surgical wound . II . Detection of antimicrobial protein in cell-free wound fluid; Hohn DC et al.; Human wound fluid contains heat-stable proteins with moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and different heat-labile proteins with antibacterial activity against E coli . Blood serum also contains heat-labile antibacterial substances, but little heat-stable activity against Staphylococcus aureus . Both blood serum and wound fluid have bacteriostatic activity against S epidermidis, and early growth of Streptococcus fecalis occurs in serum and wound fluids . The concentration or activity of antimicrobial proteins increases during the first week in the fresh wound and then decreases as the wound matures.

J Med Microbiol, 1977 May, 10(2), 213 - 24
A sequential bacteriological and serological investigation of Rhesus monkeys immunised against dental caries with Streptococcus mutans; Caldwell J et al.; In a serial investigation of the effects of immunisation with S . mutans in rhesus monkeys maintained on a "human" type of cariogenic diet, the numbers of S . mutans in cervical plaque, crevicular-fluid washings, fissures of teeth, and in saliva were lower in immunised animals than in sham-immunised controls . Immunisation also caused a delay in initial colonisation and a slowing of the rate of colonisation with S . mutans . These bacteriological changes were associated with a reduction in the smooth-surface-caries score . No relationship was found between the presence of S . sanguis and caries, but there was an inverse relationship between the proportions of S . mutans and S . sanguis isolated . Increased titres of complement-fixing, haemagglutinating and precipitating antibodies to S . mutans were found in the sera of immunised but not of control monkeys . A significant increase in salivary haemagglutinating antibodies was not detected . The results suggest that immunisation with S . mutans causes an increase in serum antibodies and a reduction in the number of S . mutans in the oral flora, and that these are associated with a reduction in dental caries.

An Esp Pediatr, 1977 May, 10(5), 427 - 32
{Pregnant vaginal carriers of beta-haemolytic streptococcus group B (author's transl)}; Garcia de Lomas Barrionuevo E et al.; Vaginal schwabs of 142 pregnant women in different stages of pregnancy have been studied . 45 women who weren't pregnant and had no signs of vaginal infections, were the control group of the study . A higher incidence of "Streptococcus agalactiae" in vaginal schwabs of women who weren't pregnant (15.5%), as compared to the pregnant women (7.1%) was observed . A lower incidence of "Streptococcus agalactiae" was found in the last three months of pregnancy (1.8%) which is in direct relation to the low number of neonatal sepsis caused by "Steptococcus agalactiae" found in our country.

Infect Immun, 1977 May, 16(2), 547 - 9
Serological cross-reactivity between group B Streptococcus and Sporothrix schenckii, Ceratocystis species, and Graphium species; Nakamura Y et al.; Serological cross-reactivity of a group B Streptococcus (H36B) with Sporothrix schenckii and 39 different Ceratocystis and Graphium species was investigated by double immunodiffusion . Rabbit anti-H36B serum reacted with antigens from S . schenckii and from 36 of 39 Ceratocystis and Graphium species . It is speculated that low-titer agglutinins to S . schenckii in normal sera are due to antibodies raised against various bacteria which share common antigens with S . schenckii.

Gastroenterology, 1977 May, 72(5 Pt 1), 949 - 51
Septicemia as a complication of percutaneous liver biopsy; LoIudice T et al.; Three cases of septicemic shock after liver biopsy are reported . Escherichia coli was cultured in 2 patients and in 1 E . coli was cultured with Streptococcus viridans . All 3 patients were afebrile and had normal WBC counts before the procedure . Two had cholangitis and the 3rd had primary hepatoma and cirrhosis of the liver . Septicemic shock should be recognized as a rare complication of liver biopsy in patients with biliary obstruction.

J Bacteriol, 1977 May, 130(2), 583 - 95
Phosphoenolpyruvate and 2-phosphoglycerate: endogenous energy source(s) for sugar accumulation by starved cells of Streptococcus lactis; Thompson J et al.; In the absence of an exogenous energy source, galactose-grown cells of Streptococcus lactis ML3 rapidly accumulated thiomethyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TMG) and 2-deoxyglucose to intracellular concentrations of 40 to 50 mM . Starved cells maintained the capacity for TMG uptake for many hours, and accumulation of the beta-galactoside was insensitive to proton-conducting ionophores (tetrachlorosalicylanilide and carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone) and sulfydryl group reagents including iodoacetate and N-ethylmaleimide . Fluorimetric analysis of glycolytic intermediates in extracts prepared from starved cells revealed (a) high intracellular levels of phosphoenolpyruvate (13 mM; PEP) and 2-phosphoglycerate (approximately 39 mM; 2-PG), but an absence of other metabolites including glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, fructose 1,6-diphosphate, and triosephosphates . The following criteria showed PEP (and 2-PG) to be the endogenous energy source for TMG accumulation by the phosphotransferase system: the intracellular concentrations of PEP and 2-PG decreased with concomitant uptake of TMG, and a close correlation was observed between maximum accumulation of the beta-galactoside and the total available concentration of the two intermediates; TMG accumulated as an anionic derivative, which after extraction and incubation with alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) formed the original analogue; fluoride inhibition of 2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolyase (EC 4.2.1.11) prevented the conversion of 2-PG to PEP, and uptake of TMG by the starved cells was reduced by 80%; and the stoichiometric ratio {TMG} accumulated/{PEP} consumed was almost unity (0.93) . In cells metabolizing glucose, all intermediates listed in (a) and (b) were found . Upon exhaustion of glucose from the medium, the metabolites in (b) were not longer detectable, while the intracellular concentrations of PEP and 2-PG increased to the levels previously observed in starved cells . The glycolytic intermediates in (b) are all in vitro heterotropic effectors of pyruvate kinase (adenosine 5'-triphosphate:pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) from S . lactis ML3 . It is suggested that the capacity of starved cells to maintain high intracellular concentrations of PEP and 2-PG is a consequence of decreased in vivo activity of this key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis.

J Gen Microbiol, 1977 May, 100(1), 23 - 9
The biosynthesis of a choline nucleotide by a cell-free extract from Streptococcus pneumoniae; Poxton IR et al.; Choline, a component of the wall teichoic acid of Streptococcus pneumoniae, was converted to cytidine diphosphocholine via choline phosphate by enzymes which were identified in cell-free extracts of the pneumococcus . The first enzyme, choline kinase, was investigated in some detail . It appeared to have a pH optimum of 7.3 to 7.4 and was stimulated by Mg2+ . Kinetic studies gave an apparent Michaelis constant (Km) for ATP of I mM, and for choline of 0.19 mM, with Vmax values of 3 nmol min-1 (mg protein)-1 and 0.5 nmol min-1 (mg protein)-1 respectively . The second enzyme, CDPcholine pyrophosphorylase was specific for CTP and had a requirement for Mg2+ with an optimum at 7 mM.

Scand J Dent Res, 1977 May, 85(4), 247 - 54
Microflora in the healthy gingival sulcus in man; Slots J; The roll tube culture technique was utilized to examine quantitatively and qualitatively the predominant cultivable microflora inhabiting the clinically healthy gingival sulcus . Seven periodontists aged 32-54 years were included in the study . From a total of 350 isolates, 85 (24.3%) were obligate anaerobes, 53 (15.0%) were Gram negative, and 197 (56.3%) were categorized as rods . Actinomycetes predominated in three samples . Four samples were dominated by Streptococcus species . The flora as revealed in the present study comprised a markedly lower proportion of Gram-negative organisms than that found at the base of deep periodontal pockets.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1977 May, 30(5), 315 - 20
{In vitro examination on antibacterial activity of ciclacillin (ACPC) against clinically isolated strains (author's transl)}; Deguchi K; (1) The antibacterial acivity of ciclacillin (ACPC) with inoculum size of 10(6) cells/ml was four times less potent than that of ampicillin (ABPC) and 4 approximately 8 times less potent than that of AMPC, but was 4 approximately 8 times more potent than that of CEX against Streptococcus pyogenes . For Streptococcus pneumoniae, ACPC was 2 approximately 4 times less active than ABPC and AMPC, but 16 approximately 32 times more active than CEX . Staphylococcus aureus was 4 approximately 8 times less susceptible to ACPC than to ABPC and AMPC, but 1 approximately 2 times more susceptible than to CEX . Against E . coli, ACPC was as active as CEX, 2 approximately 4 times less active than ABPC, and 4 approximately 8 times less active than AMPC . (2) It was suposed that ACPC was more resistant to penicillinase and more antibacterial with inoculum size of 10(6) cells/ml cells/ml than with 10(6) cells/ml . ACPC was 4 approximately 8 times less active than ABPC, and AMPC against Staphylococcus aureus with 10(8) cells/ml, while with 10(6) cells/ml, it was 2 times less active than ABPC and AMPC . (3) ACPC-resistant strains (greater than or equal to 3.13 microng/ml) of Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae were not found . (4) A difference was noted in MIC of three semi-synthetic penicillins, ACPC, ABPC and AMPC, against Staphylococcus aureus, and E . coli between the sources from which their strains were isolated . (5) There were many strains resistant to erythromycin (EM) and josamycin (JM) (greater than 60%, respectively to both antibiotics) in Stretpococcus pyogenes and pus-isolated Staphylococcus aureus . No strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, were found resistant to EM and JM.

Infect Immun, 1977 May, 16(2), 628 - 36
Isolation and partial characterization of plasma membranes from the livers of control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats; Little JS; Plasma membranes were isolated from the livers of control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats . This work, therefore, represents the first isolation of plasma membranes from infected actron microscopy and by the use of enzyme markers for microsomes (glucose-6-phosphatase), mitochondria (glutamate and malate dehydrogenases), and lysosomes (acid phosphatase) . Plasma membranes from infected cells banded at the same sucrose density as plasma membranes from uninfected cells . Moreover, equivalent amounts of plasma membranes could be isolated from control and infected rat livers . There were, however, significant alterations in the enzyme complement of the plasma membrane after infection . 5'-Nucleotidase activity was significantly decreased, whereas alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased . Kinetic analysis demonstrated that only the Vmax and not the Km of these two enzymes was changed, suggesting that the altered affinity of the enzymes for substrate was not the mechanism responsible for the observed alterations . No change in the mitochondrial enzyme markers was observed after infection, but the specific activity of microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase decreased significantly . Possible explanations for the observed alterations are discussed.

Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1977 Apr 22, 102(16), 599 - 606
{Bacterial endocarditis . Clinical picture, treatment and course in 37 patients (author's transl)}; Lode H et al.; Between March 1971 and April 1976 37 patients were seen with manifest bacterial endocarditis . The main signs were high temperature and cardiac murmurs whereas other "classical" signs such as splenomegaly, anaemia, leucocytosis, and positive anti-streptolysin titres were much less frequent . In 35 cases bacteriological proof was possible . As causative organism a total of 30 gram-positive organisms (of which 15 were Streptococcus viridans and 8 were Staphylococcus species) and 10 gram-negative bacteria (4 of which were Pseudomonas aeruginosa) could be demonstrated . Treatment was mainly with beta-lactam and/or aminoglycoside antibiotics . Use of the combination of penicillin and streptomycin or gentamicin was based on the results of in-vitro bactericidal activity . The main complications were emboli, penicillin allergies, pulmonary involvement and cardiac complications . 13 patients died; the main cause was cardiac failure which was irreversible even despite operative valve replacement during the acute infection in two cases.

Br Med J, 1977 Apr 16, 1(6067), 991 - 3
New cause of penicillin treatment failure; Barnes P et al.; A large empyema infected with a penicillin-sensitive haemolytic group B streptococcus failed to respond to high doses of penicillin . After two weeks' treatment the pus aspirated was found not only to contain no penicillin, but also to inactivate penicillin added to it . We believe that the inactivating agent is an enzyme that may destroy various penicillins and cephalosporins but has no effect on other common antibiotics . When treatment was changed to doxycycline the patient made a rapid recovery.

Infect Immun, 1977 Apr, 16(1), 203 - 12
Decreased oral colonization of Streptococcus mutans during aging of Sprague-Dawley rats; Van Houte J et al.; The colonization by streptomycin-resistant Streptococcus mutans strains of the teeth of conventional and ex-germfree Sprague-Dawley rats of various ages fed either a high-sucrose or a high-glucose diet was studied . Bacterial colonization occurred with increasingly greater difficulty as the rats became older . This was observed in studies of the implantation of the test organism after oral inoculation with different cell numbers as well as its transmission between infected and uninfected rats . With rat fed sucrose diet, the effect of age could not be demonstrated until they were age 3 months or older; the results from rats fed a glucose diet suggest that changes may already have occurred early after weaning . Changes in susceptibility to colonization during aging manifested themselves as a decrease in the proportions of rats which became infected as well as lower population levels in infected rats . The possible mechanism(s) involved as well as the possible significance of the findings was discussed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Apr, 33(4), 998 - 1001
Glucose-1-phosphate as a selective substrate for enumeration of Bacteroides species in the rumen; Dehority BA et al.; When glucose-1-phosphate was used as the only added energy source in a selective roll tube medium, colony counts for rumen contents ranged from 17.8 to 84.8% of the total culturable count . Percentages were highest in rumen contents from sheep fed high-concentrate rations . From a total of 73 cultures isolated from glucose-1-phosphate roll rubes, only 15.1% were presumptively identified as Bacteroides species . Strains presumptively identified as Butyrivibrio, Selenomonas, Treponema, Streptococcus bovis, and Lachnospira also fermented glucose-1-phosphate . Thus, glucose-1-phosphate would not be useful as a selective substrate for isolation or enumeration of Bacteroides species from the rumen.

Thorax, 1977 Apr, 32(2), 149 - 54
Late-onset post-pneumonectomy empyema; Kerr WF; Nine cases of empyema developing more than three months after pneumonectomy are presented . Diagnosis is difficult; with one exception, all the patients had been ill for at least three weeks and some for several months before the cause was discovered . In four, the radiological demonstration of gas in a previously opaque hemithorax led to the diagnosis . One of these had a bronchial fistula, two had oesophageal fistulae, and one had both . The remaining patients had no fistulae and the diagnoses were not made until empyema necessitatis had developed . Two from this group yielded pure cultures of pneumococci and one a pure culture of Streptococcus viridans . Except for one patient admitted moribund, all were treated in the first instance by rib resection and open drainage without tubes and all survived . Four of the five without fistulae subsequently had their drainage sinuses successfully closed after the infection of the chest wall had cleared . The belief that a pneumonectomy space normally becomes obliterated is challenged . The history and mode of onset of some of these cases suggested that infection of the residual fluid was bloodborne.

J Med Chem, 1977 Apr, 20(4), 588 - 91
Quinazolines as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase . 4 . Classical analogues of folic and isofolic acids; Hynes JB et al.; A series of classical quinazoline analogues of folic and isofolic acids was evaluated for inhibitory activity against the dihydrofolate reductases from rat liver and from Streptococcus faecium . Included in this group were the known active antitumor agents methasquin and chlorasquin as well as methotrexate . Two new compounds, N10-formyl-5,8-deazaaminopterin and N10-formyl-5,8-deazafolic acid, were synthesized specifically for this study . The latter displayed modest activity against L1210 leukemia in mice.

Blood, 1977 Apr, 49(4), 645 - 50
Effect of aspirin on thrombogenesis and on production of experimental aortic valvular Streptococcus viridans endocarditis in rabbits; Levison ME et al.; Because thrombus formation at the site of endothelial injury has been thought to be a critical step in the pathogenesis of bacterial endocarditis, the effect of aspirin on experimental valvular thrombosis and bacterial endocarditis in rabbits was evaluated . Aortic valvular injury and thrombosis were induced in aspirin-treated and control rabbits with intracardiac catheters . A subsequent inoculation of Streptococcus viridans resulted in the development of infective endocarditis . Rabbits were sacrificed as early as 6 hr, and the effectiveness of aspirin was determined by the weight of the sterile vegetations and the quantitation of bacteria in the thrombotic vegetation . Aspirin, in levels in excess of 50 mg/dl did not attenuate the evolution of infective endocarditis, since the formation of sterile thrombotic vegetation and bacterial endocarditis in aspirin-treated rabbits was similar to those in controls.

Infect Immun, 1977 Apr, 16(1), 310 - 7
Comparison of Streptomyces albus muramidase-extracted streptococcal antigen with acid-extracted M antigen and with pepsin-extracted T antigen; Bray JP et al.; Purified Streptomyces albus lytic enzyme was used in an attempt to extract type-specific antigen from a type 1, group A streptococcus . The presumably type-specific antigen was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by chromatography on O-(carboxymethyl)-cellulose columns . Comparison of the enzyme-extracted substance with acid-extracted material showed it to be serologically different from M protein . In addition, the extract obtained by enzyme treatment was resistant to trypsin as well as to the lytic enzyme . It was inactivated partially by pepsin and totally by papain . Comparison of the enzyme extract with pepsin-extracted T antigen showed these two preparations to be serologically identical . Subtle differences in their susceptibility to heat and acid treatment were noted . Immunodiffusion analyses of acid-extracted M protein and pepsin-extracted T protein, as well as with the enzyme extract, clearly established that the M-protein preparation contained a component serologically identical with one of the precipitinogens common to the other two extracts.

J Am Osteopath Assoc, 1977 Apr, 76(8), 599 - 601
Streptococcus group B: an old bug with new dangers; Dieterle JA; Infection of the newborn infant with Group B hemolytic streptococcus is increasing in importance as other pathogens decline . Such infection may appear within the first 48 hours of life and resemble respiratory distress syndrome, or around the tenth day, when signs of meningeal irritation may be present . Early onset disease may be due to any of the five serotypes of the Group B streptococcus and is fatal in a high percentage of cases . Late onset infection usually is due to serotype III . The epidemiologic aspects of early and late infection appear to differ, and a nosocomial source may be involved in the latter . Penicillin prophylaxis may be useful.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Apr, 33(4), 810 - 3
Succession of Streptococcus bovis strains with differing bacteriophage sensitivities in the rumens of two fistulated sheep; Iverson WG et al.; The bacteriophage sensitivity of the Streptococcus bovis population resident in the rumens of two fistulated sheep was monitored for 112 days . During this time, three changes in the bacteriophage sensitivity of S . bovis occurred in the absence of detectable bacteriophages . Identical changes in bacteriophage sensitivity occurred simultaneously in both animals and, except for the relatively short periods of changeover in phage sensitivity, the S . bovis population in the rumens of the two sheep was homogeneous with respect to phage sensitivity.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Apr, (4), 106 - 10
{Detection of a factor suppressing leukocyte migration in the sera of allergy patients following antigen administration}; Gorbach AD et al.; The effect on donor leukocyte migration of serum obtained from the patients with tuberculosis of the lungs, chronic pneumonia and healthy persons was studied after subcutaneous or intradermal injection of the microbial antigen (PPD, streptococcus and staphylococcus antigen) . A factor inhibiting donor leukocyte migration appeared in the blood serum of sensitized individuals after the antigen injection . This factor proved to be localized in the serum fraction III obtained after the gel-filtration of sephadex G-200, and is sorbed by leukocytes.

Arch Surg, 1977 Apr, 112(4), 415 - 6
Aneurysm contents as a source of graft infection; Williams RD et al.; During the past 5 1/2 years, cultures were taken from 68 to 151 surgically treated aortic aneurysms . These cultures were made from nonblood fluids, laminated clot, necrotic areas of the aneurysm wall, or ulcerated atheromatous plaques . Organisms were harvested from seven of the 68 cultures, including Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and hemolytic Streptococcus . Prophylactic antibiotics were used in all patients; however, the organisms cultured, excepting Streptococcus, were not sensitive to the chosen antibiotics . Three of the seven patients with a positive aneurysm culture died of causes unrelated to infection . Evidence of graft infection has not developed in four surviving patients with positive cultures . Knowledge of the presence of bacteria permitted massive antibiotic therapy based on organism sensitivity.

J Dent Res, 1977 Apr, 56(4), 356 - 61
Relationship of Streptococcus mutans biotypes to dental caries prevalence in Saudi Arabian naval men; Keene HJ et al.; A group of 217 Saudi Arabian naval recruits were examined clinically, radiographically, and microbiologically for the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans . Caries experience was considerably lower than in US recruits of comparable age and showed a significant positive correlation with the prevalence of S mutans in dental plaque samples . The distribution of S mutans biotypes and their relationship to dental caries in the Saudi Arabians were studied.

J Periodontol, 1977 Apr, 48(4), 209 - 11
Gingivitis, bacterial plaque, and Streptococcus mutans in naval recruits from Saudi Arabia; Wirthlin MR et al.; Gingivitis, dental caries, bacterial plaque, and the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in plaque were studied in a group of 52 naval recruits from Saudi Arabia at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois . Gingivitis and bacterial plaque were found at higher levels in Arabian navy men, compared to American navy men, but with similar relationships . The dental caries experience of the Arabians was low, and the prevalence of S . mutans in the bacterial plaque had no clear relationship to gingival inflammation.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Apr, 135(4), 582 - 92
Temperature-sensitive mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae . I . Preparation and characterization in vitro of temperature-sensitive mutants of type I S . pneumoniae; Helms CM et al.; After exposure of type I Streptococcus pneumoniae to nitrosoguanidine, 13 temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants were selected that were restricted in capacity to form colonies on blood agar at 38 C . Whereas colony formation by the type I parent (ts+) was unaffected by a temperature of as high as 39 C, the ts mutants exhibited a spectrum of temperature sensitivity in which colony formation was inhibited significantly at 36 C, 37 C, 38 C, or 39 C . Growth of ts mutants at 38 C in broth was reduced or delayed relative to that of ts organisms under identical conditions . In general, there was a direct correlation between degree of temperature sensitivity and genetic stability . Mutants grown at a permissive temperature resembled the ts+ type I parent in colonial morphology and properties of alpha-hemolysis, bile solubility, optochin sensitivity, and antibiotic sensitivity . Moreover, in vitro studies indicated that the mutants retained capsules of immunochemically reactive type I capsular polysaccharide.

MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1977 Mar 25, 119(12), 387 - 92
{Immunological aspects of caries prophylaxis (author's transl)}; Gehring F; The bacteriological and immunological principles for the development of a vaccine against dental caries are presented in a short survey . The potential cariogenic Streptococcus mutans is the center of interest of this special area of research in caries prophylaxis because of its peculiar characteristics . In animal experiments, the protective effects of attempts to immunize with this cario-etiologically relevant species of streptococcus or its metabolic products differed and were sometimes contradictory . Also conditions in the human show no distinct connection between the dental status and the appearance of specific antibodies against Strept . mutans antigens . The pertinent literature cannot answer the question whether and when an effective vaccine against dental caries can be produced at the present time.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977 Mar 15, 481(1), 105 - 14
The effect of monovalent and divalent cations on the activity of Streptococcus lactis C10 pyruvate kinase; Crow VL et al.; The pyruvate kinase (ATP: pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) from Streptococcus lactis C10 had an obligatory requirement for both a monovalent cation and divalent cation . NH+4 and K+ activated the enzyme in a sigmoidal manner (nH =1.55) at similar concentrations, whereas Na+ and Li+ could only weakly activate the enzyme . Of eight divalent cations studied, only three (Co2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+) activated the enzyme . The remaining five divalent cations (Cu2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Ni2+ and Ba2+) inhibited the Mg2+ activated enzyme to varying degrees . (Cu2+ completely inhibited activity at 0.1 mM while Ba2+, the least potent inhibitor, caused 50% inhibition at 3.2 mM) . In the presence of 1 mM fructose 1,6-diphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2) the enzyme showed a different kinetic response to each of the three activating divalent cations . For Co2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+ the Hill interaction coefficients (nH) were 1.6, 1.7 and 2.3 respectively and the respective divalent cation concentrations required for 50% maximum activity were 0.9, 0.46 and 0.9 mM . Only with Mn2+ as the divalent cation was there significatn activity in the absence of Fru-1,6-P2 . When Mn2+ replaced Mg2+, the Fru-1,6-P2 activation changed from sigmoidal (nH = 2.0) to hyperbolic (nH = 1.0) kinetics and the Fru-1,6-P2 concentration required for 50% maximum activity decreased from 0.35 to 0.015 mM . The cooperativity of phosphoenolpyruvate binding increased (nH 1.2 to 1.8) and the value of the phosphoenolpyruvate concentration giving half maximal velocity decreased (0.18 to 0.015 mM phosphoenolyruvate) when Mg2+ was replaced by Mn2+ in the presence of 1 mM Fru-1,6-P2 . The kinetic response to ADP was not altered significantly when Mn2+ was substituted for Mg2+ . The effects of pH on the binding of phosphoenolpyruvate and Fru-1,6-P2 were different depending on whether Mg2+ or Mn2+ was the divalent cation.

Med J Aust, 1977 Mar 5, 1(10), 332 - 4
Neonatal meningitis and circumcision; Scurlock JM et al.; This paper presents four cases of fulminating neonatal sepsis with meningitis . In each infant, there was evidence of an infected circumcision wound . Two infants had Escherichia coli and two had Group B haemolytic streptococcus cultured from the cerebrospinal fluid . One infant died . The risk of introducing infection through iatrogenic portals of entry is a definite problem in the neonate . Circumcision is an unnecessary routine procedure, which puts the infant at risk.

Infect Immun, 1977 Mar, 15(3), 938 - 44
Bacteriophage deoxyribonucleic acid-induced mutation of Streptococcus mutans; Higuchi M et al.; A cariogenic strain, Streptococcus mutans PK 1, has been demonstrated to have prophage by observation of phage particles with an electron microscope and by induction with mitomycin C . The phage particles could not be detected in a mutant strain which lost the characteristic adhesive nature on glass surfaces and exhibited diminished ability to synthesize insoluble polysaccharide . By infecting the mutant cells with the phages or with free phage deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from the parent strain of S . mutans PK1, the mutant cells were transformed to the cariogenic strain with adhesive nature . The transformants retained the general characteristics of S . mutans PK 1, but in addition all transformants showed a new character; namely, the transformant cell could produce ammonia from arginine, whereas neither the parent nor mutant strains of S . mutans PK 1 had such a property;

Infect Immun, 1977 Mar, 15(3), 945 - 9
Transfection of Streptococcus sanguis by phage deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from Streptococcus mutans; Higuchi M et al.; Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10556 cells were infected with free phage DNA of S, mutans strain PK 1 . Two transformants were isolated which made colonies with large mucoid forms on mitis-salivarius agar . Both transformants had an increased ability to synthesize insoluble glucan and showed an adhesive nature on glass surfaces . These characteristics of the transformants bear a resemblance to S . mutans . These transformants had many physiological characteristics by which they could be recognized as S . sanguis . However, they resembled S . salivarius in forming a large amount of soluble fructan . Furthermore, the transformant cells did not produce ammonia from arginine, whereas their parent cells did.

Br Heart J, 1977 Mar, 39(3), 323 - 5
Right-sided endocarditis involving both tricuspid and pulmonary valves in a patient with ventricular septal defect; Oakley GD et al.; A patient with alpha-haemolytic streptococcus endocarditis on a ventricular septal defect is described . The disease spread to involve both tricuspid and pulmonary valves which were largely destroyed . The patient developed severe right heart failure with pronounced rise in right atrial pressure . This led to right-to-left shunting through the foramen ovale with systemic embolization . She was successfully treated by operative closure of the defects and double right-sided valve replacement.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1977 Mar, 6(2), 239 - 54
{Risk of neonatal Streptococcus B infection}; Tessier F et al.; 23 cases of contamination with streptococcus group B have been seen after premature rupture of the membranes . Mothers and fetuses have been affected . The systematic study of swabs or liquor or cervical discharge carried out on the mother since the time her membranes had ruptured show that in 74 per cent of cases studied contamination existed within the first 24 hours . Giving antibiotics to the mother before delivery gave very variable results . These multiple tests, before and around the time of birth, made it possible to detect the children at risk of infection and to start antibiotic therapy with a narrow spectrum antibiotic of the type Penicillin G . The clinical progress of these children, which is usually favourable, gives no reason for postponing prophylactic cover antibiotic treatment when the membranes have ruptured prematurely.

ASDC J Dent Child, 1977 Mar-Apr, 44(2), 122 - 6
The effect of fluoride impregnated dental floss on enamel fluoride uptake in vitro and streptococcus mutans colonization in vivo; Chaet R et al.; The conclusions reached from this investigation can be summarized as follows: Fluoride can be incorporated into unwaxed dental floss . Placement of the fluoride impregnated dental floss in acid-buffer solution results in the release of most of the fluoride in the floss . Interproximal surfaces of teeth treated in vitro with fluoride impregnated dental floss acquired significantly (approximately three fold) more enamel fluoride than those treated with plain dental floss . The number of in vivo interproximal areas harboring Streptococcus mutans was reduced significantly after treatment with fluoride impregnated dental floss . Further studies should be done to establish the biological, physiochemical, manufacturing, and practical aspects of fluoride impregnated dental floss.

Int Surg, 1977 Mar, 62(3), 172 - 4
Chemotherapy of acute bone and joint infections; Bajpai J et al.; A series of 72 cases of acute osteomyelitis and acute septic arthritis has been presented . Operative intervention was necessary in 71% of our cases . All patients were treated with antibiotics . The initial antibiotic treatment in 39% of the cases was a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) . This combination gave the lowest average time for subsidence of general symptoms and local signs . Staphylococcus aureus was the causative organism in 87% of our cases . Streptococcus pyogenes and Pneumococcus were the other causative organisms . Over half of the S . aureus infections were resistant to penicillin but none were resistant to TMP/SMX . Considering the low toxicity, good clinical response, lack of bacterial resistance, presence of synergy and broad antibacterial spectrum, the use of TMP/SMX is recommended in acute pyogenic bone and joint infections.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Mar, 135(3), 392 - 7
Vaginal colonization with group B streptococcus: a study in college women; Baker CJ et al.; Vaginal specimens for culture of group B Streptococcus and anonymous questionnaires were obtained from 499 college women . Group B Streptococcus was isolated from 90 (18.0%) of the participants . A selective broth medium was more sensitive for detection of vaginal isolates (85 of 493; 17.2%) than was direct inoculation of blood agar plates (44 of 466; 9.4%) . The most prevalent serotypes among the isolates were type III (37.9%) and type II (25.3%) . Logit analysis identified four factors associated with a higher prevalence of vaginal colonization with group B Streptococcus . These organisms were isolated significantly more often from (1) women who had an intrauterine device (50% vs . 18.6%; P less than 0.001), (2) sexually experienced women (20% vs . 7.1%; P less than 0.02), (3) women studied during the first half of the menstrual cycle (26.5% vs . 14.5%; P less than 0.01), and (4) women 20 years of age or younger (21.4% vs . 14.8%; P less than 0.05) . The prevalence of colonization with group B Streptococcus was not related to sexual practices, history of venereal disease, use of oral contraceptives, presence of gynecologic symptoms, use of antibiotics, race, educational level, marital status, or history of pregnancy.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Mar, 129(3), 1407 - 14
Synthesis of "group polysaccharide" by membranes from Streptococcus pyogenes and its stabilized L-form; Reusch VM Jr et al.; Rhamnose and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) are incorporated from thymidine 5'-diphosphorhamnose and uridine 5-diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine (UDPGlcNAc) into membrane fragments prepared from Streptococcus pyogenes but not into membrane fragements prepared from a stabilized L-form of this organism . Incorporation from TDPrhamnose is partially dependent upon UDPGlcNAc and vice versa . The oligomeric GlcNAc and rhamonose-containing products are easily extracted from membrane particles by sedimentation through detergent solutions . They are substantially extracted into methanol but not into chloroform-methanol (2:1) . When product containing both radioactive rhamnose and GlcNAc is deacetylated and hydrolyzed briefy in acid, glucosaminyl rhamnose is obtained, byt not higher oligomers, suggesting that oligomer synthesis in vitro is terminated because unidentified wnzymatic requirements are not satisfied . The data are consistent with the assembly of group A-specific polysaccharide at the cellular membrane with participation of a lipoid anchor (acceptor) molecule.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Mar, 5(3), 293 - 6
Epidemiological studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants: methods of isolating pneumococci; Converse GM 3rd et al.; A prospective study of the natural history of pneumococcal infection, which involves serial culture studies in healthy infants from 6 weeks of age onward, is in progress in our laboratory . This report describes results of a comparison of several methods for the isolation and identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the nasopharynges and throats of these infants . Sheep blood agar, sheep blood agar with gentamicin sulfate (gentamicin agar), and mouse inoculation with 4-h broth cultures were used . Gentamicin agar proved superior to plain sheep blood agar as a solid culture medium, especially in enhancing the recovery of pneumococci from throat cultures . With gentamicin agar, similar carrier rates were found for both culture sites (nasopharynx and throat) . In addition, gentamicin agar proved superior to mouse inoculation for the recovery of carrier strains from 131 nasopharyngeal culture samples processed by both methods . Sixty of 131 samples were positive for pneumococci, 25% of which would have been missed had mouse inoculation alone been used . In only three instances did we recover a strain by mouse inoculation that failed to grow on gentamicin agar; conversely, 15 strains were isolated on gentamicin agar but could not be recovered from mice . The latter observation might be explained by the fact that certain carrier strains may be relatively mouse avirulent . The use of blood agar containing gentamicin appears to offer a simple and inexpensive method for the recovery of S . pneumoniae and, in our opinion, provides an ideal method for the identification of pneumococcal carriers as well as for the recovery of these strains from clinical material such as sputum or ear exudates, where other and less fastidious organisms may also be present.

J Virol, 1977 Mar, 21(3), 1061 - 73
Characterization of group H streptococcal temperate bacteriophage phi 227; Nugent KM et al.; phi 227, a temperate phage from a group H streptococcus (Streptococcus sanguis), was propagated vegetatively in group H strain Wicky 4-EryR, and its characteristics were determined . A procedure dependent on multiplicity of infection, incubation time, and treatment of crude lysates with diatomaceous earth was found to optimize phage yield, resulting in titers of 1 X 10(10) to 2 X 10(10) PFU/ml . Without prior treatment with diatomaceous earth, subsequent purification procedures (methanol, ammonium sulfate, polyethylene glycol) gave recoveries of less than 1% of crude lysate titers . Adsorption of phi227 to host cells was relatively unaffected by the medium, but calcium (not substituted by magnesium) was required for formation of infectious centers . The phage receptor was present on purified cell walls, resisted trypsin and heat, and was removed ty hydrochloric acid, trichloracetic acid, and hot formamide: however, formamide-extracted material failed to inactivate phage, and the nature of the receptor is unknown . Single-step growth experiments showed a latent period of 39 min and a burst size of 100 PFU/infectious center; results were unaffected by omission of supplemental Ca2+, by supplementation with Mg2, addition of glucose, or changes of pH between 6.35 and 8.0; but increased temperature (40 to 43 degrees C) shortened the latent period and decreased the burst size . The latent period was prolonged in genetically competent host cells and in chemically defined medium; and in the latter, the burst size was smaller . Phage replication was sensitive to those metabolic inhibitors which inhibited the host streptococcus: these included rifampin, fluorodeoxyuridine, hydroxyurea, dihydrostreptomycin, and 6-P-hydroxyphenylazouracil . The data suggest that phi227 does not code for a rifampin-resistant RNA polymerase . However, in a rifampin-resistant host strain, phage replication and lysogen formation were both decreased suggesting that altered host core polymerase had less affinity for (some) promotors on the phi227 template . In transfection, a Ca2+-dependent stabilization step that was inhibited by Mg2+ was demonstrated; transformation was not affected by either Ca2+ or Mg2+, and the site and nature of the stabilization are unknown . More than one molecule of DNA was required for plaque formation . Biophysical characterization showed a type B phage of buoyant density (CsCl) 1.50, containing five proteins and 54.8% DNA . The duplex linear DNA had a molecular weight (calculated from contour length) of 23.2 X 10(6) and a guanine plus cytosine content (calculated from melting point) of 42.3 mol% . Similar characterizations of streptococcal phages, including biophysical data, have not been previously available.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Mar, 129(3), 1281 - 8
Pyrrolidone carboxylyl peptidase in Streptococcus cremoris: dependence on an interaction with membrane components; Exterkate FA; A study of the distribution of pyrrolidone carboxylyl peptidase (PCP) activity among cell fractions of Streptococcus cremoris HP revealed that this enzyme is associated with a particulate fraction, which mainly consists of membrane material . This location could only be established using a gentle nonmechanical method for the disruption of spheroplasts under the conditions of which intracellular marker enzymes are released . The effect of monovalent anions and treatments, which do not destroy covalent binding, suggests an association of the enzyme with surrounding structures determined by both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions . The activity of PCP associated with cells harvested from different growth phases and in the solubilized state was studied as a function of the temperature in the absence and in the presence of the membrane-interfering agent n-butanol . A decrease in the apparent activation energy, inherent to the solubilized enzyme, is induced in situ at a lower transition temperature . Only with logarithmic-phase cells is this transition followed (mid-logarithmic cells) or accompanied (late logarithmic cells) by a secondary decrease in the energy of activation . n-Butanol appeared to decrease the lower transition temperature of the enzyme activity in situ, and additionally it exerted an effect on the manifestation of the secondary transition . Thecorganization of membrane components, mainly the lipids.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1977 Feb-Mar, 128(2), 205 - 16
{Characteristics of "Streptococcus mutans" from endocarditis and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents (author's transl)}; Horodniceanu T et al.; Strains of Streptococcus mutans were isolated from blood cultures of ten patients with endocarditis . Nine of these patients had a typical clinical picture of subacute bacterial endocarditis, with fever, weakness, heart murmur and multiple positive blood cultures . All the patients had previous valvular heart diseases; only in three cases the initiating event involved some type of dental manipulations which where supposed as the source of infection . The major criteria for recognizing S . mutans were colony morphology on blood agar, characteristic extracellular polysaccharide production in 5% sucrose broth, acid formation in mannitol and sorbitol broth, and the failure of antigenic extracts of S . mutans to react with streptococcal group antisera . The susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was tested by the diffusimetric method with susceptibility disks . All the strains were susceptible to penicillin G, erythromycin, pristinamycin, lincomycin and tetracycline, and resistant to streptomycin and gentamicine.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 33(2), 221 - 6
Fatty acid fingerprints of Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 grown at various temperatures; Drucker DB et al.; Fatty acid fingerprints were determined gas chromatographically for Strepcococcus mutans NCTC 1082 which had been grown in batch brain heart infusion at a series of nine temperatures ranging from 29.0 to 40.0 degrees C . The major acids at all temperatures were n-palmitic and octadecenoic acids . Other acids detected at all temperatures included n-myristic, palmitoleic, n-stearic, and eicosenoic acids . An increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in the proportion of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, indicating the importance of accurate temperature control in such gas-liquid chromatographic, chemotaxonomic studies.

Infect Immun, 1977 Feb, 15(2), 466 - 71
Virulence of Streptococcus mutans: cariogenicity of S . mutans in adult gnotobiotic rats; Michalek SM et al.; Gnotobiotic rats infected with Streptococcus mutant 6715, mutans C211 at 45 days of age on provided a purified diet containing 5% sucrose developed carious lesions on buccal, sulcal, and proximal molar surfaces within 15 days (60 days of age) . The level of caries increased significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) within the next 15 days (by day 75), an extensive decay was observed on all three molar surfaces of 90-day-old infected rats (45 days after challenge) . Mutant C211 was previously shown to exhibit increased glucosyltransferase activity and greater adherence and virulence than S . mutans 6715 wild type (wt) . Gnotobiotic rats (90 days of age) infected with either S . mutans AHT or S . mutans 6715 (wt) at 45 days of age developed significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) fewer caries on all molar surfaces than rats of the same age that were infected with S . mutans 6715, mutant C211 . The level of plaque increased 2-fold, and the number of viable S . mutans in plaque increased 10-fold between days 60 and 90 in rats infected with S . mutans 6715, mutant C211 . Ninety-day-old rats infected with either S . mutans AHT or S . mutans 6715 (wt) had similar levels of plaque and numbers of S . mutans in plaque; however, these values were two- to fourfold lower than those observed in rats of the same age that were infected with S . mutans 6715, mutant C211.

Am J Vet Res, 1977 Feb, 38(2), 181 - 7
Effect of environmental temperature stress on intramammary infections of dairy cows and monitoring of body and intramammary temperatures by radiotelemetry; Brown RW et al.; Four dairy cows were stressed by exposure to hot and cold environments in tests to determine the effect of environment on milk yield, somatic cell counts, and California mastitis test scores of milk from all mammary quarters and on bacterial counts of milk from infected quarters . Two cows were held in temperature-controlled rooms for successive 5-day periods at moderate (21 to 28 C), cold (-16 C), moderate, hot (36 to 37 C), and moderate environments . The cold and hot sequences were reversed for the other 2 cows . Temperature transmitters were surgically implanted in the skeletal muscles of the loin and gluteal regions; however, only one of these transmitters (gluteal region) functioned continuously throughout the experiment . At the end of this experiment, a transmitter was implanted in the gland cistern of a rear quarter of 1 cow, and the sequence of holding in the cold before the hot environment was used . Mean body temperature was approximately 1 degree higher (39.2 C) in the hot room (1 cow) and 3 to 4 degrees lower (35 C and 33 C), respectively, for 2 cows) in the cold room than that during the moderate temperature periods . A similar comparison showed that the mean intramammary temperature was 1 to 2 degrees higher (39.5 C) in the hot room and approximately 9 degrees lower (29.4 C) in the cold room . Exposure of the cows to hot and cold environments caused a greater loss in milk production in the 2 medium-yielding cows (23 to 28 kg/day) than in the 2 low-yielding cows (9 to 13 kg/day) . The effect of the extreme temperatures on the somatic cell counts in uninfected quarters was limited to only a few quarters and was inconsistent (mean counts increased and decreased at both temperatures) . The California mastitis test reactions showed no consistent changes during periods of heat and cold stress . Also, the effect of the environmental temperature on the intramammary infections also was inconsistent . The effect on bacterial counts appeared to vary with the type of organism . Some mean counts decreased in the heat and cold (Streptococcus agalactiae, Micrococcus sp), some increased (Pseudomonas sp), and another seemed independent (Streptococcus uberis) of the environmental temperature at which the cow was held.

J Immunol, 1977 Feb, 118(2), 710 - 20
Effects of local immunization with glucosyltransferase fractions from Streptococcus mutans on dental caries in rats and hamsters; Taubman MA et al.; The effect of local immunization with glucosyltransferase enzymes of Streptococcus mutans on dental caries in conventional rats, hamsters, and gnotobiotic rats was studied . Injection of these animals with crude or defined glucosyltransferase enzyme preparations incorporated into complete Freund's adjuvant consistently resulted in the presence of antibody in saliva demonstrable by functional inhibition of enzymatic activity and binding of radioactive enzyme . Serum antibody was also present . Two experiments have been completed in conventional rats and one in gnotobiotic rats in which the animals were immunized with crude enzyme antigens . The immunized groups of animals always had lower mean caries scores than comparably sham-immunized or nonimmunized control groups . Hamsters immunized with a defined enzyme preparation, containing no more than three antigenic components (two of which were enzyme), also demonstrated significant reductions in mean caries scores . The numbers of lesions were also always lower in immunized animals . In some cases there were reductions in the numbers of S . mutans that could be recovered from the teeth of immunized, infected animals . The reductions in dental caries and lesions were greater on smooth dental surfaces than on occlusal surfaces, which might be explained as interference with adherence phenomena demonstrated by S . mutans . It is proposed that antibody interference affects dental caries caused by this organism.

Chest, 1977 Feb, 71(2), 229 - 31
Empyema due to Streptococcus mutans; Sattler FR et al.; Empyema due to Streptococcus mutans occurred following dental manipulation in two patients with periodontal disease . Isolation of this dental pathogen from pleural fluid localized the site of origin of the empyemas to the oropharynx and precluded the need to search for a remote intra-abdominal source of these pleuropulmonary infections . Although there is controversy regarding the susceptibility of S mutans to penicillin, the isolates from our patients were markedly sensitive to the drug, and both patients were cured with penicillin therapy and surgical drainage.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1977 Feb, 85B(1), 38 - 46
Sorption of Streptococcus faecium to glass; Orstavik D; A method has been developed by which to study the sorption of Streptococcus faecium to soda-lime cover glasses . Conditions were chosen to minimize the influence on sorption of bacterial polymer production, passive sorption being studied rather than attachment mediated by metabolic activities . Sorption of S . faecium increased with increasing temperature (to 50 degrees C), time, and cell concentration, but equilibrium apparently was not reached even after incubation for 8 hours or at a cell concentration of 3 X 10(10) per ml . Sorption increased with solute molarity up to 0.1 M concentration of NaCl and KCl, indicating an effect of the electrical double layers on the apposition of cells to the glass surface . Desorption of bacteria could be obtained after multiple washings of the glasses in buffer or by the action of Tween 80, but not if sorbed bacteria were left in distilled water, various salt solutions, urea, or in suspensions of unlabelled bacteria . It was concluded that sorption occurred as a result of chemical interactions between the glass and the cell surface . Tween 80 at a concentration of 1 per cent inhibited sorption to 26 per cent of buffer controls, 2 M urea was less effective, and 1 M NaCl was without effect . It is suggested that hydrophobic interactions may be of importance in the binding of S . faecium to glass.

Aust Dent J, 1977 Feb, 22(1), 53 - 6
Evidence for the transmissibility of human dental caries; Rogers AH; Strains of Streptococcus mutans, an organism strongly implicated in the aetiology of human dental caries, have been identified by means of a bacteriocin typing technique . Examination of family groups suggests that the organism can be transmitted intrafamiliarly thus supporting the notion that human dental caries is an infectious transmissible disease.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Feb, (2), 18 - 22
{Study of streptococcal L forms in the scanning electron microscope . II . Dynamics of the development of structural elements of L colonies at different stages of growth}; Gulevskaia SA et al.; The method of scanning electron microscopy showed that the L-colonies of streptococcus were formed by the spherical structures 0.1--1.5 micronm in diameter, elements of polygonal shape (large bodies) 10--30 micronm in size, filamentous structures 01--7 micronm in diameter and structureless matrix . A regular replacement of one form by another was observed in the process of the L-colonies development . Thus, the spherical elements appeared in the lag-phase, and polygonal elements were found mostly at the initial stages of the L-colonies formation; as to the filamentous structures -- they were present at all the developmental stages, but their diameter increased, and their structure and number changed at different growth phases . The spherical elements of the L-colonies formed evenly both on the structureless depth matrix of the colonies, on the filamentous structures in the form of buds on the "large bodies", and the disintegration of the latter . The role of the filamentous structures in the development of the L-colonies is discussed.

Br J Surg, 1977 Feb, 64(2), 104 - 12
Gas gangrene and related infection: classification, clinical features and aetiology, management and mortality . A report of 88 cases; Darke SG et al.; The clinical features of gas gangrene and related infection seen in 88 patients over a 10-year period are described . It is suggested that clostridial infection could be simply classified as either 'gas-forming' or 'non-gas-forming' . The gas-forming group represents the more severe form of infection . Non-clostridial gas gangrene may present in a variety of forms . The anaerobic streptococcus was the organism most frequently responsible, but these cases were indistinguishable from clostridial infection on clinical grounds . The treatment of gas gangrene in this series of patients is reported . Emphasis is laid on the importance of adequate prophylaxis with penicillin in patients at risk . The value of antibiotics in established infection remains equivocal . The evidence supporting the value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is assessed and an attempt made to quantify the response to this treatment . Benefit was apparent in only a proportion of patients . A favourable response indicated clostridial infection and guaranteed immediate survival . Extensive debridement or amputation is unnecessary in this group . No response following hyperbaric oxygen therapy indicated widespread mixed clostridial and non-clostridial infection, or infection due to organisms other than clostridia . Urgent and extensive debridement and amputation remain the predominant measures in this group.

J Dent Res, 1977 Feb, 56(2), 166 - 76
Microcapsules on Streptococcus mutans serotypes by electron microscopy; Grenier EM et al.; Extracellular microcapsules have been demonstrated on cells of most serotypes of Streptococcus mutans by electron microscopy, using bacterial strains of the various serotypes and peroxidase labeled or unlabeled immune serum . A correlation was noted between the amount of capsular substance on the strains of S mutans examined and degree of antigenicity as expressed by the indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) title . A serotype d strain was shown to lose both antigenicity as determined by the FA reaction and capsular material as seen by electron microscopy with repeated in vitro passage . When 10% unheated rabbit serum was added to the medium, antigenicity and capsular material were restored.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1977 Feb, 30(2), 133 - 8
Antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from clinical materials (author's transl)}; Oguri T et al.; We tested the drug-susceptibility of 112 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from various clinical materials since January 1975 to May 1976, and observed the changes of susceptibility of this pathogen . All strains tested remained very sensitive to benzylpenicillin and cephaloridine, but 59.8% of strains were resistant to tetracycline and 44.7% to chloramphenicol, and about 90% of chloramphenicol-resistant strains were also resistant to tetracycline . The percentage of resistant strains to tetracycline or chloramphenicol is increasing . Cross-resistance between tetracycline and doxycycline or chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol was observed . On this time we found three strains resistant to macrolides . Two of these strains were resistant to erythromycin, josamycin, oleandomycin, spiarmycin, mydecamycin, lincomycin, clindamycin and tetracycline, but one was resistant to josamycin, spiramycin, mydecamycin and chloramphenicol.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 5(2), 154 - 66
Changes in occurrence of capsular serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae at Boston City Hospital during selected years between 1935 and 1974; Finland M et al.; The number of patients with pneumococcal bacteremia, empyema, and meningitis at Boston City Hospital during selected years between 1935 and 1974 is reported . The distribution of specific types in the bacteremic patients during each of the selected years and in the various focal infections in all the years is also detailed . The numbers and rates per 1,000 admissions of bacteremic pneumococcal infections and the numbers of cases of pneumococcal meningitis and empyema varied independently over these years and differed from those previously reported for 1929 to 1936 . The types most frequent in pneumococcal bacteremias varied over the years, and the distribution of types among them differed markedly from that among the patients with focal infections . Variations in the distribution of pneumococcal types at different times in the same place, in different places, and in various sites of infection may be important in selecting types to include in pneumococcal vaccines for different populations.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1977, 71(1), 21 - 5
Lymphatic patterns of cats infected with Brugia malayi and streptococcus; Bosworth W et al.; Approximately 50% of the hind legs of cats infected with Brugia malayi and insulted with a beta haemolytic streptococcus became elephantoid in appearance after four to six weeks . This condition was found to be reversible . Collateral lymphatic vessels were seen by lymphography in most of the Brugia-streptococcus-infected legs . The popliteal draining systems in two of three cats, which harboured no worms, appeared normal by lymphography at 18 weeks.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1977 Jan, 30(1), 23 - 6
{A case of subacute bacterial endocarditis treated with clindamycin-2-phosphate (author's transl)}; Mashimo K et al.; A sixty-three years old female patient with subacute bacterial endocarditis was treated with clindamycin-2-phosphate parenterally, because she had a history of hypersensitive reaction to penicillins . She had received erythromycin, cephaloridine and cephalexin previously, but had no bacteriological response . When clindamycin-2-phosphate was given intramuscularly, the bacteremia disappeared for the first time . However, after the cessation of this treatment Streptococcus viridans grew in her blood again . It was suggested that this drug was bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal . During this therapy, local tenderness was noticed at the injected sites and a transient maculopapular rash developed which resolved in a few days.

Am J Vet Res, 1977 Jan, 38(1), 33 - 6
Immunogenicity of experimental Streptococcus equisimilis vaccines in swine; Woods RD et al.; The protective and complement-fixing antibody immune responses to Streptococcus equisimilis vaccines were evaluated in young, surgically derived, colostrum-deprived swine . Comparable levels of protection against live S equisimilis challenge exposure developed in response to sonic-extract, acid-extract, and whole-cell vaccines combined with incomplete Freund adjuvant . The extract vaccines induced higher levels of complement-fixing antibody than did killed, whole cells . Protection, as well as complement-fixing antibody immune responses, were comparable when swine were given doses of vaccine beginning at 3 or 8 weeks of age.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jan, 15(1), 329 - 31
Inhibition of glucosyltransferase by human salivary immunoglobulin A; Klein JP et al.; Purified glucosyltransferase isolated from Streptococcus sanguis OMZ 9 and different immunoglobulin A from saliva, saliva pellet, and dental plaque were used to study enzyme-antibody interactions . A strong inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity was obtained with the different immunoglobulin A fractions.

Chemotherapy, 1977, 23 Suppl 1, 331 - 6
Fosfomycin in acute bronchopneumopathies; Honorato J et al.; Fosfomycin has been tested in 25 adult patients with bronchial or bronchopulmonary acute processes, of which 13 were simple acute processes of a greater or lesser severity, and 12 acutenesses of chronic bronchial processes . The germs found most frequently in the sputum cultures were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella . Fosfomycin was used intramuscularly with doses of 4 g/day, for an average of 10 days . The results obtained were 16 cures, 7 improvements and 2 failures, which represents 92% success with 8% failures.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Jan, 129(1), 367 - 77
Plasmids, loss of lactose metabolism, and appearance of partial and full lactose-fermenting revertants in Streptococcus cremoris B1; Anderson DG et al.; The unstable ability to metabolize lactose (lac) via the phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system (PTS) was examined in Streptococcus cremoris B1 . The presence of functional lactose-specific PTS enzymes was correlated with the presence of a distinct plasmid species . Characterization of deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from lactose-positive (Lac+) S . cremoris B1 revealed two plasmids having molecular weights of 9 X 10(6) and 36 X 10(6) . An acriflavine (BC1)-induced, lactose-negative (Lac-) mutant possessed no plasmids and was devoid of all three lac-specific PTS enzymes . A Lac- mutant (DA2) isolated by growing at elevated temperatures only possessed the 9 X 10(6)-dalton plasmid and also lacked the lac PTS enzymes . A spontaneous Lac- mutant possessed both the 9 X 10(6)-and 36 X 10(6)-dalton plasmids . This mutant displayed FIII-lac and phospho-beta-D-galactosidase (P-beta-gal) activity but was deficient in EII-lac activity . The spontaneous Lac- strain reverted to both full and partial lactose-fermenting phenotypes having FIII-lac, EII-lac, and P-beta-gal activities . BC1 and DA2 Lac- mutants reverted only to the partial lactose-fermenting phenotype having P-beta-gal activity; EII-lac and FIII-lac activities were absent . The results indicate that the genetic determinants for EII-lac, FIII-lac, and P-beta-gal are located on the 36 X 10(6)-dalton plasmid in S . cremoris B1 . Evidence for a second chromosomally associated P-beta-gal gene operating in the partial lactose-fermenting revertants is also presented.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Jan, 129(1), 351 - 7
Biochemical study of the relationship of extracellular glucan to adherence and cariogenicity in Streptococcus mutans and an extracellular polysaccharide mutant; Johnson MC et al.; A mutant of Streptococcus mutans, GS-5, which differed in extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced from sucrose, was used to study the role of EPS in the production of dental caries . The mutant proved to be identical to the parent strain in sugar fermentation, growth rate, and serotype . Strain GS-5 synthesized an EPS, which in electron micrographs appeared to be of fibrillar structure, whereas the mutant produced no fibrillar material but only a globular EPS . Analysis of the EPS revealed that about 30% of the glucose units in the GS-5 polymer carried (1-3)-like bonds either as branch points or as part of the linear backbone and that the mutant material contained only about 3% of these linkages . When grown in sucrose broth, the proportion of the mutant culture adherent to the glass vessel was dramatically less than that of the parent strain . Caries scores produced in conventional rats by the mutant were significantly lower than those obtained with the parent strain . Since the only difference discovered between strain GS-5 and the mutant was the inability of the mutant to synthesize either a fibrillar EPS or an EPS with more than about 3% (1-3)-like linkages, it was concluded that the fibrillar EPS of strain GS-5 contained about 30% (1-3)-like linkages and was necessary for adherence of the bacteria to surfaces and for production of dental caries in test animals.

Microbios, 1977, 18(71), 51 - 8
Degradation of bacterial cyclopropane acids with boron trihalide reagents; Lambert MS et al.; The cellular fatty acid compositions of Pseudomonas diminuta UC 501 and Streptococcus mutans OMZ-61 were compared in samples processed by a saponification-methylation procedure (method S) and in samples processed by a transesterification procedure (method T) . All samples were heated in an inert atmosphere of nitrogen . The major acids found in samples of P . diminuta treated by method S included 16:0 (palmitic), 18:1 (octadecenoic) and 19 cyc (19 carbon cyclopropane acid) . Those found in samples of S . mutans treated by the same method included 16:0, 18:1 . 18:0 (stearic), 20:1 (eicosenoic), 20:0 (eicosanoic), 19 cyc and 21 cyc . When method T was used to process samples of both cultures, the cyc acids were degraded and artifacts were produced . Transesterification with boron trihalide reagents is therefore not recommended for routine analysis of bacterial fatty acids.

Vet Med Nauki, 1977, 14(6), 43 - 6
{Relationship between infections of the genitalia and udder in cows}; Savov N et al.; It was found that the pathogenic and occasionally pathogenic bacteria were readily transmitted in cows, originating from the genital tract, and more specifically from the uterine and vaginal discharge to the udder through the lactogenic route . The study of a total of 183 metritis-affected cows for the presence of Streptococcus uberis revealed that the pathogen could be found in the genital tract and in the udder in 20.7 per cent of the investigated cows, and it could be isolated simultaneously from the two organs in 82.6 per cent of the cases . In another group of cows also affected with metritis the study for the presence of different bacterial agents established coincidence in their simultaneous isolation from the uters and the udder in 61.2 per cent of the cases.

J Immunol Methods, 1977, 18(3-4), 245 - 9
New method for obtaining IgA-specific protease; Higerd TB et al.; A simple method for obtaining an active preparation of IgA-specific protease from a bacterial source is presented . In this method Streptococcus sanguis was inoculated onto the surface of a dialysis membrane on nutrient agar . Following growth, the membrane was removed from the agar surface and washed in a small volume of buffer . A solution with protease activity against IgA1 monoclonal proteins was obtained by clarification of the wash and appeared to be similar to enzyme preparations obtained by other methods.

Ann Rech Vet, 1977, 8(2), 153 - 7
Comparison of Streptococcus uberis and S . infrequens . Pathogenicity for cow udder; Roguinsky M; The pathogenicity of Streptococcus uberis and S . infrequens for cow udder was compared by experimental intramammary inoculation, mostly during the dry period . There were no significant differences between the two species according to the number and the length of infections at the subsequent lactation (Table 1) . No infections could be established in lactation . The pathogenic and taxonomic implications of these results are discussed.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1977, 21(2), 203 - 8
Prevalence of haemolytic streptococcal infection in rhesus monkeys; Mohan C et al.; Seventy-six monkeys arriving in 10 batches were investigated within a day or two of their arrival for beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections . 10.53 per cent of monkeys yielded group A beta haemolytic streptococcus . Majority of the isolates were T pattern I . With ASO test, 44.7 per cent monkeys had low titres while with A-DNase 'B' 'test, 64.5 per cent of the monkeys had low titres.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977, 237(2-3), 318 - 23
{Electronenmicroscopic Studies on Cells of Listeria monocytogenes Treated with Enterocin (author's transl)}; Kramer J et al.; Purified enterocin E1A, a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus faecium E1, had a strong bactericidal activity on susceptible cells of Listeria monocytogenes . Electronmicroscopic observation of thin sections of L . monocytogenes, treated with enterocin E1A at a concentration that gave 0.1% survivors, revealed that the predominant features of morphological alterations concern the partial dissolution of the cell content and the damage of the cell envelope which enabled an efflux of cell-material . Not frequently intact protoplasts and greatly elongated cells were observed.

J Med Chem, 1977 Jan, 20(1), 92 - 6
Quantitative structure-activity relationships for 5-substituted 8-hydroxyquinolines as inhibitors of dental plaque; Warner VD et al.; Fourteen 8-hydroxyquinolines were tested for antiplaque activity by measuring their minimum inhibitory concentrations {MIC (M)} against Streptococcus mutans No . 6715 . Linear regression analysis was conducted with the MIC (M) values and hydrophobic (log P), electronic (beta, pKaOH, pKaN), and steric {molar refractivity (MR), molecular weight (mol wt)} parameters . The best correlation (r2 = 0.90) was obtained with MR, log P, and beta . The smaller the steric contribution of the 5-substituent, the more active the compound . The parent 8-hydroxyquinoline was the most active . The negative contribution toward activity by 5-substituents larger than hydrogen can be overcome by the positive contributions of groups that are lipophilic and electron withdrawing; for example, the 5-chloro derivative is as active as the parent 8-hydroxyquinolines.

Cancer Treat Rep, 1977 Jan-Feb, 61(1), 17 - 27
Enhancement of antileukemic effect in combination of 5-fluorouracil and OK-432; Koshimura S et al.; OK-432, a streptococcal preparation with potent antitumor activity, has been evaluated for its efficacy in experimental and clincal trials . This preparation, however, was ineffective against mouse L1210 leukemia in all treatment schedules . The results of this study indicate that treatments with OK-432 and nucleic acid antimetabolites, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), exert a synergistic effect against L1210 leukemia probably in conjunction with the immunologic defenses of the host . This therapeutic synergism was to some extent dependent on the dose level of 5-FU and was not produced against the 5-FU-resistant L1210 subline . In mice pre-treated with OK-432 prior to the leukemia implantation, there was no synergistic effect as a result of post-treatment with 5-FU . When BDF mice had previously received X-ray irradiation or administration of corticosteroids, the synergism could not be expected either . Comparative combination therapy with BCG or group C streptococcus resulted in failure to produce therapeutic synergism in this system.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1977 Jan, 27(1), 63 - 5
Streptococcal cross-reacting antigen and the bundle of His; Kasp-Grouchowska E et al.; Five sera raised in rabbits against three strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (grown in semi-synthetic media) were shown by immunofluorescence to have antibodies reacting with both myocardial and conducting fibres . The pattern of staining on the conducting fibres was different to that on myocardial fibres and suggested the presence of larger amounts of cross-reacting antigen . Most work was done on ox heart, but the results were confirmed on human heart and rabbit heart . Absorption studies, carried out with three sera on ox heart only, showed that absorption with the homologous organism abolished in parallel the staining of both types of fibre . Absorption with heterologous organisms was less effective indicating the existence of more than one cardiac cross-reacting antigen . Absorption with myocardium, suggested that the conducting fibres contained streptococcal cross-reacting antigens additional to those found in the contractile fibres.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jan, 15(1), 245 - 53
Some factors affecting selective adherence of microorganisms in the bovine mammary gland; Frost AJ et al.; Some parameters affecting the adherence of microbes to the ductular epithelium of the bovine mammary gland were studied . Adherence increased from teat sinus to lactiferous sinus to the large ducts, and cells from the lactiferous sinus to the large ducts, and cells from the lactiferous sinus were used for all other experiments . There was no difference in adherence to cells from different quarters of the same cow, but there were significant differences between cows . Scanning electron microscopy suggested that the cells of the ductular epithelium undergo dynamic changes that probably result in secretion and/or desquamation . Adherence to cells could be demonstrated only at a late stage of these changes . The adherence of organisms associated with mastitis was studied using an in vitro test . Adherence generally paralleled prevalence as cause of disease, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae adhering best . Strain variation suggested that virulence was related to adherence with S . agalactiae and S . dysgalactiae but not with S . aureus . It is proposed that specific adherence is an important aspect of pathogenesis of mastitis due to S . aureus and S . agalactiae.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1977, 35(5), 241 - 6
The amino acid composition of Streptococcus mutans and its culture medium supplemented with xylitol; Knuuttila ML et al.; The amino and keto acid composition of the cells of Streptococcus mutans, strain Ingbritt, maintained and grown on a Trypticase-Phytone based medium without any added carbohydrate or supplemented with xylitol or glucose, was analyzed . The results showed no remarkable differences in the portions of individual amino acids liberated by acid hydrolysis from the cellular proteins of cells grown in the above mentioned media . However, the amount of free amino acids in the water extracts of the cells grown in the glucose medium differed considerably from those obtained from cells grown in the two other media . The amounts of free amino acids of the medium at the end of the growth period were higher in the glucose containing medium than in the two other media . The content of keto acids was lower in the cells grown in the presence of xylitol or without added carbohydrate when compared to those cells grown in glucose containing medium.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1977, 35(3), 119 - 23
The effect of chlorhexidine and some other detergents on the activity of dextransucrase from Streptococcus mutans; Christensen F et al.; The inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine and other bis-biguanides on the formation of dental plaque is not fully understood . The present paper describes the effect of chlorhexidine and some selected detergents on the activity of dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5.), an enzyme involved in the formation of important components of dental plaque . All detergents examined exerted an inhibitory effect on dextransucrase activity, to some degree dependent on the presence of charged groups and their characters . The high concentrations of chlorhexidine necessary to inhibit dextransucrase activity seem to exclude the possibility that chlorhexidine exerts its plaque inhibiting effect by means of an effect on dextransucrase.

J Dent Res, 1977 Jan, 56(1), 5 - 10
Distribution of Streptococcus mutans biotypes in five human populations; Keene HJ et al.; The distribution of S mutans biotypes in five geographically separated human populations was investigated . Samples of dental plaque were obtained from recruits at the US Naval Training Center in Orlando, Fl (N=49) in San Diego, Calif (N=25), and in Great Lakes, Ill (N=194), and from a sample of Hawaiian school children (N=55) and Saudi Arabian Navy personnel (N-217) . Cultural and biochemical methods were used for the isolation and identification of the five different biotypes of S mutans which correlate with Bratthall's serotypes a through e . Geographic differences in S mutans biotype distribution were most apparent when the Saudi Arabian sample was compared to the other four groups . Single and multiple biotypes were observed in each group . Multiple biotypes occurred most frequently in the Saudi Arabians . Biotypes a and b were rarely observed; c was the most common in each of the populations; and d and e were more prevalent in the Saudi Arabians than in the other groups . Because of the multifactorial nature of dental caries, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of population differences in caries experience that seem to be associated with differences in S mutans-type distribution.

J Dent Res, 1977 Jan, 56(1), 21 - 7
Effect of multiple dental floss-SnF2 treatment on Streptococcus mutans in interproximal plaque; Keene HJ et al.; Samples of dental plaque obtained from the interproximal tooth surfaces of seven young men showed considerable variation in the prevalence and anatomic site distribution of the potentially cariogenic microorganism S mutans . Multiple application of 10% SnF2 topical solution and saline solution delivered to interproximal test sites with dental floss were evaluated as short-term measures for eliminating S mutans from these surfaces . A greater overall reduction in the number of positive S mutans sites was observed for the SNF2-treated sites than the saline solution-treated sites . Long term studies are required to evaluate the effect of the treatments on the incidence of dental caries.

Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Pneumoftiziol, 1977 Jan-Mar, 26(1), 49 - 54
{Changes in time of the microbial flora in bronchopulmonary infections}; Fekete T et al.; The authors carried out a study on 100 cases with broncho-pulmonary infections in two different periods: 1963--1964 and 1973--1974 . Changes in the microbial flora were investigated, as well as the sensitivity of germs to antibiotics . An increase was noted in the number of chronic bronchitis and a decrease in the number of pneumonia cases . In the microbial flora there was a constant proportion of staphylococcus, streptococcus and coli strains . The proportion of micrococci decreased with time and pneumococci practically disappeared, being replaced by klebsiella germs . Sensitivity to penicilin remained almost identical while that to chloramphenicol decreased significantly, as well as sensitivity to tetracycline and neomycine . The practical conclusion is that in some cases the application of penicilin treatment, before the results of the antibiogram are available appears to be justified.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(4), 413 - 9
Bacteriostatic activity in cow's milk from udders infected with Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus; Janota-Bassalik L et al.; Milk samples from infected udders contained more lactoperoxidase and more thiocyanate than before infection . Irritation of 10 quarters of 5 cows caused the increase in the bacteriostatic activity of milk . Bacteriostatic activity of milk from the udders infected with staphylococci dropped after several weeks of chronic mastitis.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(4), 407 - 12
Evaluation of Streptococcus cremoris for preparing frozen concentrated starter cultures; Piatkiewicz A et al.; Five strains of Streptococcus cremoris were investigated with respect to their usefulness for frozen concentrated biomass production . APLC medium assured high growth of 3 strains and highest cell concentration i.e . 4--6.7 g of fresh biomass from 1 litre of this medium . Two strains were sensitive to citrate present in APLC medium requiring a lowering of its dose to 0.5% in order to assure the highest biomass accumulation . The viability, endocellular proteolytic activity against casein and acidifying ability of frozen concentrates revealed that the physiological features of cells were preserved and remained unchanged during 2 and 12 weeks of storage at -30 degrees.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(4), 361 - 8
Growth requirements and the effect of organic components of the synthetic medium on the biosynthesis of the antibiotic nisin in Streptococcus lactis strain; Kozak W et al.; A synthetic medium SM-3 has been elaborated for growth of Streptococcus lactis strain 51, which contains the minimal number of organic components required for the growth of this strain and nisin production . This medium contains 9 amino acids, 4 vitamins from B group, glucose and mineral salts . Addition of biotin to the medium stimulated the growth of the strain, while the addition of purines and/or pyrimidines had no effect . Hitherto biotin has been considered to be necessary for the growth of S . lactis and purines and pyrimidines were believed to stimulate the growth of these bacteria . In strain 51 the minimal requirements for growth were also the minimal requirements for nisin biosynthesis . Strain 51 produced 3-4 times less nisin in medium SM-3 than in a complex medium . The addition of one of four amino acids (serine, proline, cysteine or cystine) to SM-3 medium increased the amount of antibiotic produced . The addition of all four amino acids simultaneously, caused formation of nisin amounts similar to those produced in complex medium.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jan, 15(1), 91 - 103
Antigenic relatedness of glucosyltransferase enzymes from streptococcus mutans; Smith DJ et al.; The antigenic relationship of glucosyltransferases (GTF) produced by different serotypes of Streptococcus mutans was studied by using a functional inhibition assay . Rat, rabbit, or hamster immune fluids, directed to cell-associated or supernatant-derived GTF, were tested against ammonium sulfate-precipitated culture supernatants containing GTF from seven strains of S . mutans representing six different serotypes . An antigenic relationship was shown to exist among GTF from serotypes a, d, and g, since both rat and rabbit antisera directed to serotype a or g GTF inhibited GTF of serotypes d and g similarly and both antisera also inhibited serotype a GTF . Furthermore, serum inhibition patterns indicated that GTF of serotypes c and e, and possibly b, are antigenically related to each other, but are antigenically distinct from GTF of serotype a, d, or g . Serum antibody directed to antigens other than enzyme (e.g., serotype-specific antigen or teichoic acid) had little effect on the inhibition assay . Salivas from rats immunized with cell-associated or supernatant-derived GTF exhibited low but consistent inhibition of GTF activity, which generally corresponded to the serum patterns . The sera of two groups of hamsters immunized with GTF (serotype g), enriched either in water-insoluble or water-soluble glucan synthetic activity, gave patterns of inhibition quite similar to those seen with sera from more heterogenous cell-associated or crude supernatant-derived GTF preparations . Both groups of hamster sera also gave virtually identical patterns, suggesting that the two enzyme forms used as antigen share common antigenic determinants . The results from the three animal models suggest that among the cariogenic organisms tested, two (serotypes a, d, g and b, c, e), or perhaps three (serotypes a, d, g; b; and c, e), different subsets of GTF exist that have distinct antigenic determinants within a subset.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1977, 21(4), 433 - 40
Biological characteristics of peptidoglycans of group A streptococcus and some other bacterial species . I . Tolerance and effect of antibody in fever response, and heart damaging effect in rabbits; Rotta J et al.; Induced tolerance to the pyrogenic action of group A streptococcus peptidoglycan decreased after one week and was no longer detectable after the second week . However, one or two further doses of peptidoglycan rapidly restored the tolerance . The passive transfer of plasma from rabbits tolerant to streptococcus peptidoglycan to nontolerant animals failed to transfer tolerance . Antiserum to streptococcus peptidoglycan neutralized the pyrogenic effect of not only streptococcus but also staphylococcus and pneumococcus peptidoglycan; it did not influence the febrile response to endotoxin . Histopathologic changes in the rabbit heart produced by the intravenous injection of staphylococcus or pneumococcus peptidoglycans were similar and were characterized by various stages of degeneration and necrosis . The changes were less pronounced than after streptococcus peptidoglycan . Antiserum to streptococcus peptidoglycan had modest or no counteracting effect on the development of heart alterations after staphylococcus or pneumococcus peptidoglycan.

J Supramol Struct, 1977, 6(3), 383 - 8
Effects of sodium ions on the electrical and pH gradients across the membrane of Streptococcus lactis cells; Barker SL et al.; Energized cells of Streptococcus lactis conserve and transduce energy at the plasma membrane in the form of an electrochemical gradient of hydrogen ions (deltap) . An increase in energy-consuming processes, such as cation transport, would be expected to result in a change in the steady state deltap . We determined the electrical gradient (deltapsi) from the fluorescence of a membrane potential-sensitive cyanine dye, and the chemical H+ gradient (deltaph) from the distribution of a weak acid . In glycolyzing cells incubated at pH5 the addition of NaCl to 200 mM partially dissipated the deltap by decreasing deltapsi, while the delta pH was constant . The deltap was also determined independently from the accumulation levels of thiomethyl-beta-galactoside . The deltap values decreased in cells fermenting glucose at pH 5 or pH 7 when NaCl was added, while the deltapH values were unaffected; cells fermenting arginine at pH 7 showed similar effects . Thus, these nongrowing cells cannot fully compensate for the energy demand of cation transport.

J Med Primatol, 1977, 6(4), 203 - 18
Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy during experimental pneumococcal sepsis: studies in normal and asplenic rhesus monkeys; Hawley HB et al.; Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was induced in both normal and asplenic rhesus monkeys by intravenous challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae . Our observations in the infected monkeys have led us to conclude that (1) pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PCP), immune complexes and complement may not have primary roles in the initiation of DIC; (2) intact pneumococci may be catalysts for the development of DIC; (3) the initial event in DIC may be activation of Hageman factor; and (4) evidence of activation of Hageman factor-dependent systems is present regardless of severity of infection.

Am J Med Sci, 1977 Jan-Feb, 273(1), 105 - 7
Treatment of Bacteroides endocarditis with carbenicillin; Al-Ibrahim MS et al.; A heroin addict developed acute bacterial endocarditis with Streptococcus viridans and Bacteroides melaninogenicus . Although blood cultures became negative during penicillin G and clindamycin therapy there was little clinical response . Prompt clinical improvement was achieved with intravenous carbenicillin in a dose of 40 g daily . In vitro testing supported the superiority of carbenicillin therapy in this patient.

Infect Immun, 1977 Jan, 15(1), 50 - 8
Glucosyltransferase production by Streptococcus sanguis 804 (NCTC 10904); Beeley JA et al.; Streptococcus sanguis 804 (NCTC 10904) was grown ih batch culture at constant pH . and the glucosyltransferase activity of the supernatant was assayed over a 40-h growth period . The optimum pH for enzyme production was 7.0 to 7.2 . During growth of the culture, three reproducible phases of enzyme activity were observed . The polysaccharides synthesized during each of these phases were characterized as dextran-like glucans by analysis of acid hydrolysates, gas-liquid chromatography, and a specific aggregation technique . The glucans were studied further by infrared spectroscopy, enzymic degradation, and periodate oxidation . Differences in the proportions of alpha-(1 leads to 3)- and alpha-(1 leads to 6)-linkages were observed . The results suggest that glucan synthesis by S . sanguis involves a multienzyme system.

Can Med Assoc J, 1976 Dec 4, 115(11), 1110 - 1
Right-sided endocarditis and ventricular septal defect; Wiegmann T et al.; Right-sided endocarditis occurred in a 40-year-old woman with ventricular septal defect . This association is uncommon in adults . Because of the changing and variable clinical patterns of this disease, it is difficult to make a prompt diagnosis . In this case diagnosis was delayed for almost a year . The occurrence of pneumonia due to Streptococcus viridans was the most important extracardiac manifestation.

J Biol Buccale, 1976 Dec, 4(4), 315 - 22
{Bacterial accumulation on silicate and composite materials.}; Skjorland KK; It was shown in a previous study that more plaque accumulates on composite filling materials than on silicate cement and amalgam . The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the accumulation of Streptococcus mutans on silicate cement and on composite material by scanning electron microscopy . Whether the adhesion was dependent on the presence of sucrose was also tested . Round disks, 6 mm in diameter, were made from the two materials . The disks were submerged in media with and without sucrose and inoculated with S . mutans OMZ 176 . The disks were removed after 1 or 30 minutes, rinsed in saline and prepared for SEM . Along the diameter of each disk pictures were taken at similar intervals . From a total of 48 pictures from each material 18 pictures were selected at random and the number of microorganisms counted . The results indicated that bacteria initially adhered to both silicate and composite in about the same number . The presence of sucrose did not influence the initial adsorption . After 30 minutes bacteria were scarcely found on silicate, whereas large clumps of bacteria were attached to the composite . Sucrose increased bacterial accumulation on composites but did not affect the adherence to silicate cement.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Dec, 97(2), 235 - 40
A chemically-defined medium for the growth of a ureolytic strain of Streptococcus faecium; Cook AR; A chemically-defined medium was developed which supported growth of Streptococcus faecium and permitted synthesis of urease . This streptococcus cannot utilize ammonia and needs a complex medium, but its requirements are probably provided in the rumen . The specific activity of urease was inversely related to growth and in no medium was there high growth and high urease activity . Anaerobic culture and the presence of urea in the medium were essential for urease activity, but not for growth.

Neurology, 1976 Dec, 26(12), 1180 - 1
Acute bacterial meningitis secondary to gamma hemolytic streptococcus . Case report and review of the literature; Shin D et al.; Gamma hemolytic streptococcal meningitis in a 17-year-old boy resulted in a severe purulent reaction and death . Review of the literature shows only one other case of a gamma hemolytic streptococcus as the cause of bacterial meningitis in the absence of endocarditis.

JACEP, 1976 Dec, 5(12), 977 - 80
Abscess formation as a complication of parenteral methylphenidate abuse; Elenbaas RM et al.; Case reports of five patients suffering from either skin abscesses or cellulitis following parenteral methylphenidate abuse are presented . Four patients had similar lesions consisting of abscesses or cellulitis which demonstrated typical signs and symptoms of an infective process and were treated with local symptomatic therapy, incision and drainage if indicated, and systemic antibiotics . The fifth patient suffered from a circular, necrotic, nonpurulent ulcer on the dorsum of the right foot which produced no local or systemic toxic effects . Attempts to culture a responsible organism yielded Streptococcus viridans, an organism which is normal flora of the skin and, although opportunistic, is generally considered nonpathogenic . These cases further substantiate the belief that local vasospasm, chemical irritation, or both, produced by the methylphenidate solution may primarily cause a necrotic ulcer susceptibble to secondary bacterial infection.

Infect Immun, 1976 Dec, 14(6), 1315 - 21
Interaction of inflammatory cells and oral microorganisms . III . Modulation of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte hydrolase release response to Actinomyces viscosus and Streptococcus mutans by immunoglobulins and complement; McArthur WP et al.; In the absence of antiserum, rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) released lysosomal enzymes in response to Actinomyces viscosus (19246) but not to Streptococcus mutans (6715) . Antibodies had a marked modulating influence on these reactions . PMN hydrolase release was significantly enhanced to both organisms when specific rabbit antiserum and isolated immunoglobulin G (IgG) were included in the incubations . Immune complex F(ab')2 fragments of IgG directed against S . mutans agglutinated bacteria . Immune complexes consisting of S . mutans and F(ab')2 fragments of IgG directed against this organism were not effective as bacteria-IgG complexes in stimulating PMN release . The intensity of the release response to bacteria-IgG complexes was also diminished when PMNs were preincubated with isolated Fc fragments derived from IgG . Fresh serum as a source of complement components had no demonstrable effect on PMN release either alone or in conjuction with antiserum in these experiments . These data may be relevant to the mechanisms and consequences of the interaction of PMNs and plaque bacteria in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

Infect Immun, 1976 Dec, 14(6), 1309 - 14
Interaction of inflammatory cells and oral microorganisms . II . Modulation of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte hydrolase release by polysaccharides in response to Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis; McArthur WP et al.; The release of lysosomal hydrolases from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has been postulated in the pathogenesis of tissue injury in periodontal disease . In the present study, lysosomal enzyme release was monitored from rabbit peritoneal exudate PMNs exposed to Streptocccus mutans or Streptococcus sanguis . S . mutans grown in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth failed to promote significant PMN enzyme release . S . sanguis grown in BHI broth, although more effective than S . mutants, was a weak stimulus for promotion of PMN hydrolase release . Preincubation of washed, viable S . mutans in sucrose or in different-molecular-weight dextrans resulted in the ability of the organisms to provoke PMN release reactions . This effect could bot be demonstrated with boiled or trypsinized S . mutans or with viable S . sanguis . However, when grown in BHI broth supplemented with sucrose, but not with glucose, both S . mutans and S . sanguis triggered discharge of PMN enzymes . The mechanism(s) whereby dextran or sucrose modulates PMN-bacterial interaction may in some manner be related to promotion of microbial adhesiveness or aggregation by dextran and by bacterial synthesis of glucans from sucrose.

Infect Immun, 1976 Dec, 14(6), 1284 - 9
Effect of warfarin on the induction and course of experimental endocarditis; Thompson J et al.; The effect of warfarin treatment on an experimental endocarditis was studied in rabbits . Warfarin had no effect on the induction of a Streptococcus sanguis infection in catheter-induced endocardial vegetations, and the course of this infection was also unaltered . However, warfarin treatment resulted in rapidly progressive bacteremia, probably due to impaired circulation in clearing organs such as the lungs, liver, and spleen . Warfarin also reduced the survival time of the infected rabbits, in which pulmonary edema and extensive lung hemorrhages may have been a contributory factor.

J Nutr, 1976 Dec, 106(12), 1801 - 8
Superoxide dismutase activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and alveolar macrophages of protein malnourished rats and guinea pigs; Watson RR et al.; Chronic protein insufficiency in utero was achieved by feeding to rat dams an 8% protein diet beginning before breeding and continuing until weaning . Thereafter, the in utero malnourished pups were fed the 8% protein diet . Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme which protects against superoxide radical, was quantitated in pellet and supernatant of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and alveolar macrophages (AM) . The AM of rats malnourished in utero contained 1.7 times as much protein and 3 times as much total SOD activity as the AM of control rats . In PMN of these rats, the amount of protein and SOD activity was the same . Significantly larger number of Streptococcus mutans were located from the dental plaque of the in utero malnourished rats . AM isolated from female guinea pigs fed a 9% protein diet from weaning at 11 days of age contained 1.5 times as much protein and twice as much SOD activity as AM from normal guinea pigs . However their PMN contained smaller amounts of total protein and SOD activity . The malnourished guinea pigs had a mammary gland infection and a prolonged conjunctival infection following inoculation with Guinea Pig Inclusion Conjunctivitis indicating that these animals were more susceptible to these infections . The increase in total SOD activity and in the total amount of protein in AM suggests that chronic protein insufficiency leads to susceptibility to infection and to macrophage activation but has no similar effects on PMN.

Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Dec, 21(12), 723 - 8
{Sensitivity of Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus strains to antibiotics in Slovia during 1975}; Havelka B; The sensibility of 3100 Streptococcus agalactiae strains and 600 Staphylococcus aureus strains to antibiotics was examined in 1975 in the veterinary institute of the Slovak Socialist Republic by the plate diffusion test . The strains were collected from the dairy cow's milk samples . Of the Streptococcus agalactiae strains there were sensible 100% to ampicillin, 99.06% to chloramphenicol, 98.13% to erythromycin, 96.12% to oxytetracycline, 91.11% to bacitracin, 58.12% to penicillin, 23.92% to neomycin, 17.78% to streptomycin . Of the Staphylococcus aureus strains there were sensible 97.48% to erythromycin, 97.14% to chloramphenicol, 95.15% to ampicillin, 94.81% to bacitracin, 93.26% to oxytetracycline, 92.49% to neomycin, 85.37% to streptomycin and 46.02% to penicillin . The results are being more thoroughly analysed and compared in the dicussion.

Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Dec, 21(12), 709 - 15
{Treatment of mastitis during the dry period of cows using the preparation Orbenin-dry cow}; Vyhnalek J et al.; The paper describes the study of the extent to which the use of the Orbenin -- dry cow preparation (with cloxacillin as the active substance) was successful in the treatment of mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae . Effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of the bacteriological examination of the udder-quarter samples of milk obtained from the tested cows immediately before getting dry and after the resumption of lactation . The preparation was applied in a single dose at the beginning of the dry period at the rate of 500 mg cloxacillin per 1 udder quarter . In the first herd 11 cows were treated with a positive finding (str . agalactiae, penicillin-resistant) in 26 quarters . In two control examinations the causative agent was always detected in one quarter (not in the same), i . e . in 3.8% of the initial number . In the second herd the causative agent (sensitive to penicillin) was found in 67 quarters before treatment (the total number of cows tested being 25); after treatment it was found in two cows in one quarter in each case (3.0% of the initial number) . In an informative testing of effectiveness, the Orbenin L . A . preparation, designed for lactating cows, was applied repeatedly (3 times with 48-hour intervals) to six cows with subclinical streptococcal mastitis (Str . agalactiae, penicillin-resistant, detected in 11 quarters) . After treatment the causative agent was found only in one quarter during the second examination . The therapeutic effect can be considered very good; the form of the drug and the method of its application allow for prompt and easy application.

Pediatrics, 1976 Dec, 58(6), 859 - 61
Skin lesions in association with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B; Lopez JB et al.; A full-term male infant delivered by caesarean section following a prolonged rupture of the amniotic membranes of 30 hours' duration manifested peculiar skin lesions at the time of birth consistent with the healing phase of bullous impetigo . He was colonized with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B that was also cultured from the mother's cervix . It is possible this infant became infected in utero since the healing stage of the lesions suggest that they were present sometime before birth.

J Pediatr, 1976 Dec, 89(6), 1011 - 3
Concentrations of erythromycin in serum and tonsil: comparison of the estolate and ethyl succinate suspensions; Ginsburg CM et al.; Concentrations of erythromycin were measured in serum and tonsil from children who had received either the estolate or ethyl succinate suspension before surgery . The in vitro assay measured total erythromycin activity against a group A beta hemolytic streptococcus . Levels of erythromycin in serum and tonsil after single and multiple doses of the estolate were significantly higher than those after administration of the ethyl succinate . The therapeutic implications of these findings are unknown.

Sem Hop, 1976 Dec, 52(44), 2529 - 34
{Löfgren's syndrome, sarcoidosis and Bouillaud's disease}; Legrand M et al.; The authors report two cases of Lofgren's syndrome, preceded by febrile polyarthritis with rise in antistreptolysin titer . The relationship between sarcoidosis and rheumatic fever is discussed . A review of the literature concerning Lofgren's syndrome with joint pain, permitted the authors to follow the course of present pathogenic concepts which haveled to the present opinion of the sarcoidosis nature of Lofgren's syndrome, when the latter is accompanied by erythema nodosum . The prolonged rise in antistreptolysin 0 titer which might suggest rheumatic fever, was not explained, but as the streptococcus was never found in throat swabs, it is probable that this was a non-specific phenomenon . However, certain authors believe that streptococcal infection, where it exists, may play a role, if not in the etiology of the sarcoidosis, at least in the Lofgren's syndrome which may lead to its discovery.

Lab Anim Sci, 1976 Dec, 26(6 Pt 1), 902 - 7
Otitis media of guinea pigs; Wagner JE et al.; Otitis media occurred in 177 of 1373 guinea pigs necropsied during a six-year period . Streptococcus pneumoniae (20%), Streptococcus zooepidemicus (15%), Bordetella bronchiseptica (12%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%) were the most common bacteria isolated from affected tympanic bullae . Radiology and otoscopy were tested as means of antemortem screening for affected guinea pigs . Radiology gave 96% accuracy in diagnosing otitis media and proved to be a more satisfactory technique than otoscopy.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Dec, 134(6), 595 - 604
Experimental otitis media due to Streptococcus pneumoniae: immunopathogenic response in the chinchilla; Giebink GS et al.; Acute otitis media was produced in 110 chinchillas by inoculation of type 23 Streptococcus pneumoniae directly into the middle ear cavity by tympanotomy . During the first three days after inoculation, inflammatory cells were seen in the mucoperiosteum of the middle ear . After four to seven days, there was purulent exudation in the middle ear cavity, and 40% of the animals had pneumococcal meningitis and/or bacteremia . The middle ears were sterile in five of 28 animals sacrificed during the second week and in six of seven animals sacrificed at six weeks, although subepithelial changes persisted in the mucoperiosteum . Levels of antibody to S . pneumoniae in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay; mean values were 6.1 ng of pneumococcal antibody nitrogen/ml in 28 uninfected control animals and 16.5 ng of antibody nitrogen/ml in 29 animals sacrificed two weeks after inoculation (P less than 0.025) . Opsonic activity of serum against S . pneumoniae was evaluated in infected and uninfected chinchillas . The opsonic titer was significantly higher in infected animals sacrificed at six weeks than in uninfected controls . Although pneumococcal polysaccharide antigen was found by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in 25 of 30 middle ear effusions, it could not be detected in the serum from infected animals . Methods for infection and sacrifice of chinchillas yielded reproducible results . This model should permit evaluation of the pathologic response to other serotypes of S . pneumoniae and possibly to prophylactic and therapeutic regimes.

Biochimie, 1976 Nov 13, 58(9), 1047 - 56
Purification and some properties of free and cell-associated dextransucrase from Streptococcus sanguis; Klein JP et al.; Dextransucrase of Streptococcus sanguis occurred in cell-free and cell-associated forms . Cell-free dextransucrase was purified by four successive chromatographies on Bio-Gel P 60, DEAE-cellulose, and Bio-Gel P 200 from the culture supernatant . The purification of cell-associated dextransucrase was made from the pellet of Streptococcus sanguis culture . Bacterial pellet was extracted with 1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) and chromatographied by using an immunosorbent column . The two enzymes gave single bands in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The molecular weight determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel was about 100 000 daltons for the two forms of dextransucrases . The optimum pH of the cell-free and cell-associated enzymes was around 6 and the temperature optimum was broad for the two enzymes . The KM values for sucrose were respectively 2 mM and 3 mM for cell-free and cell-associated enzymes . When primer dextran was added, the reaction velocity increased but the KM for sucrose remained the same, and the KA for dextran was 200 muM for the two dextransucrases . Trehalose and maltose acted also as glucosyl residue acceptors . Purified enzymes had dextran synthesising activity and invertase-like activity . The same properties of the two forms of enzymes and the positive cross reaction against anti free and anti cell-associated globulins stongly suggest the identity of the two enzymes.

J Dent Res, 1976 Nov-Dec, 55(6), 1103 - 10
Analysis of the dextranase activity produced by an oral strain of Bacteroides ochraceus; Staat RH et al.; An anaerobic, gram-negative, dextranase-producing filamentous bacterium isolated from human dental plaque has been identified as a strain of Bacteroides ochraceus . The inducible intracellular dextran-degrading activities produced by this microoranism can be fractionated into endohydrolytic and exohydrolytic enzymes with distinct pH optima . These enzymes reduce the apparent rate of glucan production from sucrose by the dextransucrase produced by Streptococcus mutans and consequently may influence the in vivo production of polysaccharides involved in plaque accumulation and metabolism.

J Dent Res, 1976 Nov-Dec, 55(6), 1001 - 3
Influence of amalgam, alloy, and Hg on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans: III . Effect of specimen age and composition; Nunez LJ et al.; We will now summarize the conclusions from parts I, II and III of this study . A test procedure has been developed that provides a simple, quick, and nondestructive means of monitoring the in vitro growth of S mutans in the presence of amalgams and alloys . The spectrophotometric readings are related in a simple way to growth expressed as dry weight of bacteria and metabolic products . Results are expressed as growth relative to controls which represent bacteria growing under identical conditions but not in contact with metals . The %RA60 value that represents growth after 60 hours relative to controls is used as a measure of growth in the presence of alloys or amalgams . Spherical, fine cut, and dispersion alloys were studied as well as amalgams prepared from these alloys . The dispersion alloy inhibits growth less than the spherical alloy which in turn inhibits growth less than the fine cut alloy . The results for amalgams prepared from the alloys are reversed . At an aging time of two hours, dispersion alloy amalgams inhibit growth more than spherical alloy amalgams and fine cut alloy amalgams . Aging time of amalgams greatly influences the growth inhibition . Immediately after trituration growth is inhibited, but this inhibition is lost with aging . Different types of amalgams seem to lose growth inhibition at different rates . Hg composition in the range of 48 to 52% seems to have little effect on growth inhibition . It remains for clinical studies, which are concerned with the incidence of secondary caries associated with amalgams, to demonstrate that the age and nature of the amalgam are significant.

Eur J Intensive Care Med, 1976 Nov, 2(3), 139 - 41
Bacteroides infection in a patient requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Dreosti L et al.; A case of fulminant bacteroides plus anaerobic streptococcus bacteraemia is reported . Therapy included the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the resultant acute respiratory failure . The problem of bacteroides infections is reviewed.

Infect Immun, 1976 Nov, 14(5), 1202 - 12
Blastogenic response of human lymphocytes to oral bacterial antigens: characterization of bacterial sonicates; Reed MJ et al.; Soluble sonicate supernatant preparations were made from Actinomyces viscosus (ATCC 19246), A . naeslundii (ATCC 12104), two strains of Veillonella alcalescens (strain HV-1 and a human oral isolate), Streptococcus sanguis (ATCC 10556), S . mutans (strain 6715-T2), Bacteroides melaninogenicus (strain K110), and Leptotrichia buccalis (isolated from human dental plaque) . These supernatants were characterized with reference to their chemical and antigenic components and their biological activity determined by using in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis as a measure of the host's cellular immune response . The sonicate supernatant of each bacterium contained protein, neutral sugars, methylpentose, and nucleic acids . Protein was the major component in all except L . buccalis, in which neutral sugars predominated . The antigenic components in each supernatant were detected by using rabbit antisera prepared against the whole bacteria and the sonicate supernatant . The supernatants showed a complex antigenic distribution on immunoelectrophoretic analysis . The supernatants were shown to be antigenic and not mitogenic in nature, since neither cord blood lymphocytes nor all adult lymphocytes were stimulated . The supernatant antigen preparations showed a reproducible, dose-dependent, and kinetic response in vitro, which was similar to that seen with the antigen preparation streptokinase-streptodornase.

Surgery, 1976 Nov, 80(5), 535 - 43
Peripheral dissemination of bacteria in contaminated wounds; role of devitalized tissue: evaluation of therapeutic measures; Dhingra U et al.; The role of available therapeutic agents in the management of infection has long been a continuing source of debate . This study assessed the rapidity of lateral dissemination of three common pyogenic organisms from wounds . The Streptococcus spreads peripherally with greater speed than the Staphylococcus or E . coli . Appraisal of the role and effectiveness of jet wound irrigation, debridement, and penicillin provides firm evidence that, of these three therapeutic agents, the only one that can control bacterial proliferation in a contaminated wound is the antibiotic . The primary role of energized jet irrigation is to remove clots and wound debris . The specific function of debridement is removal of devitalized tissue, in which role it has no effective competitor . These studies demonstrate that devitalized tissue in a contaminated wound quickens the rapidity of peripheral spread of all three micro-organisms . Systemic penicillin plus saline irrigation is the most effective therapeutic measure at both the second and fourth postinoculation hours in nondevitalized contaminated wounds . Debridement proved to be the most effective therapeutic device at the second, fourth, and sixth postinoculation hours in devitalized wounds.

Infect Immun, 1976 Nov, 14(5), 1228 - 40
Persistence, pathogenesis, and morphology of an L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes adapted to physiological isotonic conditions when in immunosuppressed mice; Fernandes PB et al.; Evidence obtained using nonimmunosuppressed and newborn mice suggests that the immune response of the host plays a role in the rapid removal of a physiologically isotonic L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes, since its inability to persist in vivo was not due to osmotic lysis . With mice immunosuppressed with methylprednisolone sodium succinate, viability and detection of this L-form by fluorescent antibody was prolonged for at least 2 weeks, the approximate duration of immunosuppression in these mice . However, heat-killed L-form cells only persisted for 3 days in such mice . Therefore, persistence of a viable L-form in these treated mice was not simply due to the lack of removal of L-forms by a compromised host . At no time was there any indication of illness in nonimmunosuppressed or immunosuppressed mice after L-form injection, and all internal organs, when examined macroscopically, remained normal . Thus, overt pathogenesis was not a characteristic of this L-form in a suitable host even when its immune response had been compromised . The microscopic morphology of the L-form after isolation from immunosuppressed mice changed drastically . It was typically micrococcal in appearance and exemplified the cellular variability achievable by this organism in vivo . Also, streptolysin S production was increased markedly by passage of the L-form in immunosuppressed mice . However, M protein, as a cellular component, was not detected serologically, nor was any reformation of a rigid cell wall apparent by electron microscopy after isolation of this streptococcal L-form from such mice.

Arch Ophtalmol (Paris), 1976 Nov, 36(11), 765 - 72
{Experimental keratoplasty after sensitization by a bacterial antigen (Streptococcus A group)}; Vidal RF et al.; Experimental (rabbit) penetrating keratoplasties with donor tissue sensitized to a bacterial antigen (Streptococcus Group A) were placed in normal rabbits and animals sensitized to the same antigen . Severe graft reactions developed two months after grafting in sensitized rabbits while no reaction occurred in controls . It is possible that homograft reactions can be triggered and super-imposed to the immuno-allergice reaction to the foreign antigen present in host and donor.

Arch Ophtalmol (Paris), 1976 Nov, 36(11), 733 - 40
{Tissue groups and ophthalmology}; Ardouin M et al.; By typing of 90 patients with ocular pathology (uveitis, diseases of optic nerve, Eale's disease, pseudo-tumor cerebri) the authors have found a constant and significant increase in the frequency of H.L.A . A2 especially in uveitis by streptococcus . However, a frequency of H.L.A . B27 as elevated as in previous publications was not found--but the parallelism: H.L.A . B27--ankylosing spondylitis was always found . Finally, the authors emphasized the haplotype H.L.A . A2 H.L.A . B5 in two cases of pseudo-tumor cerebri.

J Dent Res, 1976 Nov-Dec, 55(6), 1084 - 7
Enhancement of the antiplaque value of antibacterial agents through enamel-conditioning methods: II . Acquisition of antiplaque properties by treated enamel; Katz S et al.; Enamel specimens treated with systems containing enamel conditioners and antibacterial agents have previously been shown to incorporate the latter into the enamel . It has now been demonstrated that enamel blocks treated with these systems become highly resistant to bacterial colonization, that this effect is rather long lasting, and that the treated specimens prevent acid formation when incubated with Streptococcus mutans in a sugar-containing medium.

N Engl J Med, 1976 Oct 28, 295(18), 973 - 7
Vitamin C and acute illness in Navajo school children; Coulehan JL et al.; To evaluate earlier observations, including our own, showing usefulness of vitamin C for managing the common cold, we performed a double-blind trial of vitamin C versus placebo in 868 children . There was no difference in number becoming ill (133 versus 129), number of episodes (166 versus 159) or mean illness duration (5.5 versus 5.8 days) between the groups . Children receiving vitamin C had fewer throat cultures yielding beta-hemolytic streptococcus (six versus 13, P less than 0.10), but no difference in overall complicated illness rate (24 versus 25) . Plasma ascorbic acid levels were higher in the vitamin group 24 to 26 hours after supplementation (1.28 versus 1.04 mg per 100 ml, P less than 0.01) . Children with high plasma ascorbic acid concentrations had longer mean illness (6.8 versus 4.0 days, P less than 0.05) than those with low levels . Vitamin C does not seem to be an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for upper respiratory illness.

Infect Immun, 1976 Oct, 14(4), 1109 - 12
Model delineating the effects of a salivary pellicle on the adsorption of Streptococcus miteor onto hydroxyapatite; Gibbons RJ et al.; A model describing the adsorption isotherms for Streptococcus miteor strain 26 to untreated and saliva-treated hydroxyapatite was developed . The strengths of the adsorption bonds in the two systems were similar, however, the presence of selectively adsorbed salivary components increased the number of available binding sites fourfold.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1976 Oct, 10(4), 423 - 35
{Leukocyte migration inhibition test in agarose: a method for the detection of cellular immunity in humans}; Alkan SS; Inhibition of leucocyte migration from a capillary tube is generally regarded as an in vitro corralate of cellular immunity in many species . However, significant difficulties have been encountered in the application of this test in human subjects . An alternative to this LMIT in agarose test, in which cells migrate between the agarose layer and the glass was proposed previously . In this study the said method was used in humans and applied to purified protein derivative (PPD), streptococcus group A antigen (STA) and phytohemaglutinin (PHA) (and to several other antigens, not mentioned in this report) . A good correlation was obtained between skin sensitivity and antigen induced inhibition of peripheral leucocytes for PPD in 15 healthy subjects . Inhibition of cells were noted in 19 out of 20 subjects when PHA was used . Similar findings were obtained by STA . This agarose method is technically simple and requires much fewer cells (11 x 10(6) cells per antigen) than the capillary method . It also requires very small quantities of antigen (5 microliter per 11 x 10(6) cells) . Our findings suggest the suitability of LMIT in agarose gel method in the detection of cell mediated immunity in man.

J Immunol, 1976 Oct, 117(4), 1256 - 60
Activation of the alternative complement pathway by water-insoluble glucans of streptococcus mutans: the relation between their chemical structures and activating potencies; Inal S et al.; Water insoluble, sticky glucan was synthesized by reacting glucosyltransferase obtained from the sulture filtrate of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 on sucrose . This glucan (OMZ 176 glucan), that consisted of the backbone chains of consecutive alpha-1, 3 glucosidic linkages (65%) and the side chain of alpha-1, 6 glucosidic bonds (35%), showed an ability to activate the alternative pathway of the complment system in human serum . Water soluble glucans synthesized from the reaction of glycosyltransferases of S . mutans strain AHT, FA-I, and Ingbritt with sucrose, that have a high content of alpha-1,6 and a low content of alpha-1, 3 glucosidic linkages, were less effective to activate the complement system . Sephadex (G-25) and Dextran (T-2,000 and T-40), that consisted exclusively of alpha-1, 6 glucosidic linkages, did not significantly activate the complement system . Controlled Smith degradation products of OMZ 176 glucan, composed of the alpha-1, 3 linked glucose backbone chain alone, lost its activity . From these results it was concluded that both backbone chain of alpha-1, 3 glucose units and branched alpha-1, 6 glucose units were essential for the OMZ 176 glucan to activate the alternative pathway of the human complement system.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1976 Oct 1, 169(7), 697 - 9
Evaluation of a vaccine for control of streptococcic lymphadenitis of swine; Collier JR et al.; Three tirals were conducted to evaluate the use of a vaccine for control of streptococcic lymphadenitis of swine . Clinically normal swine were vaccinated orally, according to the manufacturer's instructions . Unvaccinated controls and the vaccinated pigs were subsequently inoculated with a virulent strain of the etiologic agent, group E Streptococcus, serotype IV . At necropsy, 47 of the 51 vaccinated pigs (92.1%) were free of cervical abscesses, whereas 20 of the 21 control pigs (95.2%) developed cervical abscesses.

J Dairy Sci, 1976 Oct, 59(10), 1752 - 7
Effect of intravenous L-isoleucine infusion upon concentration of free isoleucine in milk; Popescu O et al.; The growth of Streptococcus agalactiae in milk is inhibited by elevated free isoleucine . Free amino acid concentrations in both plasma and milk from three lactating dairy cows were studied after intravenous infusions of L-isoleucine at 62, 300, 380, and 840 mumol/kg of body weight . Free isoleucine was lower in milk than in plasma . The concentration of free isoleucine in plasma increased after infusions of isoleucine at the three higher amounts . The highest concentration of free isoleucine in milk measured was 1.5 mumol/100 ml of skin milk . This was observed after infusion of isoleucine for 12 h at 380 mumol/kg of body weight . Free isoleucine in both plasma and milk dropped to the preinfusion concentrations a short time after the isoleucine infusions were stopped . When relatively large quantities of isoleucine were infused into the blood of cows, free isoleucine in blood increased as much as twofold . The source of free isoleucine in milk appeared to be free isoleucine in plasma, but isoleucine in milk only reached concentrations that would give about 50% of the growth inhibition of S . agalactiae obtainable with isoleucine in vitro . It would be difficult to elevate free isoleucine in milk by dietary manipulation sufficiently to inhibit S . agalactiae.

Health Lab Sci, 1976 Oct, 13(4), 250 - 7
Interaction of Listeria monocytogenes and influenza in an animal model; Gregorio SB et al.; This study was designed to investigate the effects of viruses in the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes . The organisms used in this study were: Listeria monocytogenes Type 1 isolated from a local fatal case; Mouse adapted influenza A/PR8/34 (HONI); Streptococcus pneumoniae Group B (U.M . Med . Ctr.) and poliovirus Type 2 MEF--G3M2 . Balb-C mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with one LD50 of Listeria monocytogenes . Ten days later, the survivors were challenged intransally with 10 LD50 of influenza virus and observed for 14 days . Another set of Balb-C mice was inoculated intranasally with one LD50 of influenza virus and the survivors challenged 14 days later intraperitoneally with 10 LD50 of Listeria monocytogenes.Controls consisted of similar inoculation and challenge methods in mice using Streptococcus pneumoniae and polio virus with Listeria monocytogenes and influenza virus . Cross protection was observed only between Listeria monocytogenes and influenza virus . Cellular immunity may play a role in this interaction . This findings seem to agree with reports from others who showed cross protection between Listeria monocytogenes and other intracellular bacteria and parasites.

J Dent Res, 1976 Sep-Oct, 55(5), 893 - 9
Influence of amalgam, alloy, and mercury on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans: II . Comparison of amalgams and alloys; Nunez LJ et al.; The influence of three alloys and their amalgams on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans has been estimated . Spherical, fine cut, and dispersion alloys were studied . Dispersion alloy amalgams seem to inhibit bacterial growth more than amalgams prepared from the other alloys in a similar fashion.

J Dent Res, 1976 Sep-Oct, 55(5), 879 - 85
Latex spheres as immunologic markers to demonstrate the binding of human salivary immunoglobulins to Streptococcus mutans; Riviere GR et al.; The results of this study indicate that latex beads can be used to identify specific antigen-antibody interactions on the surface of bacterial cells . The application of a Labelling Index allowed specific interactions to be quantitatively distinguished from non-specific latex bead attachments . The labeling indexes for latex beads absorbed to anti-salivary immunoglobulins were significantly higher than for negative control indexes when tested against S mutans treated with saliva . Conversely, there was no significant difference when they were tested against nonoral bacteria treated with saliva . This suggests that both whole and parotid human saliva contained specific antibodies against S mutans.

Jpn Heart J, 1976 Sep, 17(5), 580 - 91
Antihyaluronidase level in children with rheumatic fever and other streptococcal infection; Watanabe N; 1) The serum ASO and AH assays were performed and compared in a series of 90 healthy children and 7 pediatric patients with rheumatic fever and other disorders related to hemolytic streptococcus infection . 2) The upper physiological limit of serum AH titer was estimated to be 256X for children . 3) In rheumatic fever, sometimes the serum AH level rises earlier than elevation of serum ASO and remains to be high over a long period even after the serum ASO has returned to normal level . 4) The results suggest importance of the serum AH determination in the serologic diagnosis of rheumatic fever and other conditions of hemolytic streptococcus infection.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 32(3), 428 - 32
Use of hydroxyapatite-coasted glass beads for preclinical testing of potential antiplaque agents; Sudo SZ et al.; Methods for rapid preclinical testing of antiplaque agents in vitro using hydroxyapatite (HT)-coated glass beads are described . The assays developed could reliably detect (i) prevention of growth in the culture fluid or on the HT surfaces, (ii) the effect of transient exposure of a bactericidal agent on the viability of cells in a preformed bacterial mat, (iii) reversible adsorption of a bactericidal agent on an HT surface, and (iv) the ability of an agent to inhibit adsorption of Streptococcus sanguis to an HT surface or to salivary proteins adsorbed to an HT surface.

Infect Immun, 1976 Sep, 14(3), 667 - 70
Serological and genetic examination of some nontypical Streptococcus mutans strains; Coykendall AL et al.; Thirty-four strains of Streptococcus mutans whose antigenic or genetic positions were unclear or unknown with respect to the serological scheme of Bratthall (1970) and Perch et al . (1974), or the genetic (deoxyribonucleic acid base sequence homology) scheme of Coykendall were analyzed to clarify their relationship to previously well-characterized strains . Strain OMZ175 of the "new" serotype f was genetically homologous with strains of S . mutans subsp . mutans . Strains of the "new" serotype g were homologous with serotype d strains (S . mutans subsp . sobrinus) . Strains isolated from wild rats constituted a new genetic group but carried the c antigen . Thus, strains within a "genospecies" (subspecies) of S . mutans may not always carry a unique or characteristic antigen . We suggest that the existence of multiple serotypes within subspecies represents antigenic variation and adaptations to hosts.

Infect Immun, 1976 Sep, 14(3), 636 - 44
Immunological relationships between glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans serotypes; Kuramitsu H et al.; Partially purified glycosyltransferase enzymes for Streptococcus mutans GS-5 (serotype c) have been utilized to prepare antibodies directed against the soluble glucan-synthesizing activity, GTF-B, and the insoluble-soluble glucan synthetic activity, GTF-A . Anti-GTF-A inhibited insoluble glucan formation catalyzed by the extracellular enzymes from strains GS-5 and FA-1 (serotype b) to a much greater extent than that of strains HS-6 (serotype a) or OMZ-176 (serotype d) . This antibody fraction also inhibited both the cell-associated glucosyltransferase activities as well as the sucrose-mediated adherence of cells to glass surfaces by strains GS-5 and FA-1 but not that of strains HS-6 and OMZ-176 . Anti-GTF-B inhibited soluble glucan formation catalyzed by the extracellular enzymes of strains GS-5 but not that of strain HS-6, FA-1, or OMZ-176 . However, this antibody fraction did not strongly inhibit either the cell-associated glycosyltransferase activity or cellular adherence of any of the four strains . These results with body antibody fractions were also correlated with the ability of the antibodies to agglutinate the cells and form precipitin bands after immunodiffusion with the extracellular enzymes . Antibody prepared against the homogeneous soluble glucan-synthesizing enzyme demonstrated similar effects to the anti-GTF-B fraction . These results are discussed in terms of the antigenic relationships existing between the glucosyltransferases from different serotypes of S . mutans.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Sep, 127(3), 1595 - 6
Influence of secretory immunoglobulin A and purified secretory component on dextran-sucrase activity of Streptococcus mutans; Cole JS 3rd et al.; The net stimulation of dextransucrase EC 2.4.1.5) activity from Streptococcus mutans HS6 by dextran, secretory immunoglobulin A, or secretory component was investigated . Approximately equal stimulation resulted from treatment with these three components.

J Neurosurg, 1976 Sep, 45(3), 301 - 10
Decadron in the treatment of cerebral abscess . An experimental study; Quartey GR et al.; Forty rabbits were inoculated with Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus to produce cerebral abscesses . One-third of the rabbits received no treatment and served as controls . One-third received dexamethasone (Decadron) plus an appropriate antibiotic . One-third received only the appropriate antibiotic in the same dosage . The animals were sacrificed 10 days after inoculation and the brains examined . In the control group, an abscess at the stage of granulation tissue encapsulation containing the inoculated organisms was found . The surrounding brain showed a marked inflammatory response . In the Decadron plus antibiotic group, necrotic lesions were found containing the inoculated organisms and surrounded by relatively normal brain . In the group treated with antibiotic alone, healed glial scars were found in relatively normal brain . Our findings are discussed with reference to the medical literature regarding the influence of glucocorticoids on the inflammatory response and the efficacy of antibiotics when this response is suppressed.

Br J Nutr, 1976 Sep, 36(2), 289 - 93
Comparison of chemical and microbiological methods in the estimation of methionine in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds; Evans IM et al.; 1 . Meals were prepared from the seeds of fifteen varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), one of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) and one of yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), and their methionine content was determined by six different methods . 2 . Total methionine content was determined by two chemical methods (ion-exchange chromatography and a colorimetric procedure) and by two microbiological methods . The 'available' methionine content was determined by microbiological assay with Streptococcus zymogenes . 3 . All the different methods for total methionine determination gave similar results, with much the same high extent of precision . 4 . The value for 'available' methionine content were similar to or marginally higher than the corresponding microbiological assay value for total methionine content . There was no indication that the methionine in any of the test samples was not completely available.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1976 Sep, 82(9), 1104 - 6
{Use of cross-reacting microbial antigens reversal of tolerance acquired for mouse transplantation antigens}; Ogurtsov RP; Immunization of CC57BR mice tolerant to the C . albicans antigens and the affiliated transplantation antigens of C3H mice, with group A streptococcus (type I) containing the antigens cross reacting with the donor tissues, abrogated the tolerance to the C3H mice alloantigens . This was expressed in the shortened survival of the skin allotransplant and in increased rate of elimination from the lymph nodes and the spleen of labeled 51Cr donor lymphoid cells . The immune response to the C . albicans antigens was not restored.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {A}, 1976 Sep, 84(5), 415 - 20
The influence of infection on the content of lysosomal enzymes in rat Kupffer cells and hepatocytes; Berg T et al.; The activities of beta-glucuronidase, arylsulphatase A and acid DNAase were measured in homogenates from Kupffer cells and hepatocytes prepared from germ-free, monocontaminated and conventional rats . The cells were prepared from a liver cell suspension obtained by treating the perfused liver with collagenase . Kupffer cells from germ-free rats were found to have lower lysosomal enzyme activities than cells obtained from conventional rats . Monocontaminated animals (E . coli or Streptococcus pyogenes) showed intermediate activities . Our data indicate that the level of lysosomal enzymes in macrophages is a function of the endocytic activity of these cells.

Res Vet Sci, 1976 Sep, 21(2), 155 - 8
Experimental infection of the bovine udder with the induced L phase of Streptococcus agalactiae; Little TW et al.; Two out of 30 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae produced stable L phase variants when passaged on hypertonic agar containing penicillin . Streptococcal L phase variants were inoculated into six quarters of cows . The cows were observed for three months but the L phase was not reisolated and no reversion took place, the cows remaining free from streptococcal infection.

Acta Paediatr Scand, 1976 Sep, 65(5), 585 - 91
Group B streptococcal infection in the newborn . Criteria for early detection and treatment; Lloyd DJ et al.; Recent reports indicate that the group B haemolytic streptococcus has now assumed a major role in neonatal septicaemia in the United Kingdom . Of particular concern are the absence of premonitory signs, the fulminating nature of the infection and the high mortality . 31 cases from which this organism was isolated during the first week of life included 5 cases of neonatal septicaemia, 4 of which proved fatal . An attempt was made (a) to identify the group of neonates at greatest risk and (b) to formulate guidelines for early detection and treatment . Study indicates the importance of apnoea as a sign of infection particularly in those infants who are preterm, of low birth weight and asphyxiated . There is need for aggressive bacteriological screening and early administration of antibiotics to prevent the high mortality from group B streptococcal infection.

Infect Immun, 1976 Sep, 14(3), 726 - 35
Purification and properties of streptococcal hyaluronate lyase; Hill J; Hyaluronate lyase (hyaluronidase) has been purified and characterized from a group A type 4 Streptococcus . Production of the enzyme was favored by growth in trypsinized veal infusion in the presence of hyaluronate oligosaccharide and tetrasaccharide . Detectable enzymatic activity was diminished in the presence of N-acetylglucosamine and glucuronic acid . Purification of hyaluronate lyase consisted of 40 to 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl A-50 Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration with G-200 Sephadex, and adsorption to Sepharose 6B . Purified enzyme was antigenically homogeneous and free of proteinase, deoxyribonuclease, streptolysin 0, and streptokinase . Active hyaluronate lyase was recovered from neutral polyacrylamide gels, and it appeared to be a glycoprotein . A single band was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide electrophoresis, which had a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 . A molecular weight of 70,000 was observed by gel filtration . The purified enzyme had a Km of 3.8 x 10(-4) and a pH optimum of 6.0 . Reducing agents increased the activity of crude enzyme at least threefold and were necessary to prevent inactivation of the purified enzyme.

Pediatrics, 1976 Sep, 58(3), 378 - 81
Prolonged pneumococcal meningitis due to an organism with increased resistance to penicillin; Paredes A et al.; For more than 30 years, penicillin has been the agent of choice for pneumococcal infections . During this time the majority of strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae have been highly susceptible to penicillin . However, during the last ten years there have been sporadic reports of pneumococci with increased resistance to penicillin . The case report of an 18-month-old white boy with meningitis due to a strain of S . pneumoniae with increased resistance to penicillin is presented . The MIC of the organism to penicillin was 0.2 mug/ml and the MBC 0.39 mug/ml . The patient had normal immunity and no demonstrable sequestered focus of infection but failed to respond to appropriate doses of intravenous penicillin . Treatment with chloramphenicol caused a dramatic bacteriologic and clinical response . This experience reemphasizes the existence of pneumococcal strains of intermediate penicillin sensitivity and the importance of in vitro susceptibility tests.

JAMA, 1976 Aug 9, 236(6), 585 - 6
A family outbreak of serious streptococcal infection; Cannaday P et al.; A localized outbreak of scarlet fever was caused by an M-nontypable T-1 (NT/1) group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus . The result was a fatal outcome in a 5-year-old child and a near fatality in his 10-year-old sibling . The outbreak was confined to family units that had members with whom the children were close playmates . Extensive epidemiologic studies in neighborhood schools and local hospital emergency rooms did not demonstrate a disemination of the causative serotype in the community.

Aust Dent J, 1976 Aug, 21(4), 319 - 21
A community dental health project . II . Modification of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque by self applied Snf2-ZrSiO4 prophylactic paste, and its relationship to dental caries; Woods R; The incidence of Streptococcus mutans in the dental plaque of primary school children was reduced significantly following the group self application of SnF2-ZrSiO4 paste . This confirmed earlier reports of the effect of topical fluoride therapy on Str . mutans in plaque.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1976 Aug, 93(2), 328 - 33
Partial elimination of Streptococcus mutans from selected tooth surfaces after restoration of carious lesions and SnF2 prophylaxis; Keene HJ et al.; This study examined the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque from carious and noncarious sites before and after routine dental treatment in five young men in the US Navy . S mutans was isolated in 96.3% of the samples from carious sites and in 63.3% of the samples from noncarious sites before treatment . After all carious lesions had been restored, the prevalence of S mutans was significantly reduced, but many of the carious and noncarious sites still had detectable levels of S mutans . A further reduction in S mutans was observed after conventional 8.9% stannous fluoride paste prophylaxis and 10% stannous fluoride topical application; however, in no instance was the organism completely eliminated . About 12 to 18 months after the initial examination, new carious lesions were seen in four men who were available for reexamination . Plaque samples of new lesions had high levels of S mutans . Therefore the restorations of lesions and the stannous fluoride prophylaxis treatments given under the conditions of the study were effective but incomplete measures for eliminating S mutans from the tooth surfaces of Navy personnel and were inadequate procedures for arresting the carious process.

Jpn J Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 20(4), 321 - 30
Inhibition of rat dental caries by dextranase from a strain of Spicaria violacea; Hamada S et al.; Dextranase AD17 obtained from a culture liquor of a strain of Spicaria violacea was assessed for its ability to inhibit the development of dental caries in conventional Sprague-Dawley rats which had been infected with one of the Streptococcus mutans strains . MT6R (serotype c), OMZ 176R (d), or MT-703R (e) . These experiments showed that caries was significantly inhibited when rats were given cariogenic diets No . 2000 and drinking water containing AD17 at a concentration of 10 units/g, as compared to control rats not given dextranase . The inhibitory effects of AD17 were more prominent in smooth surface caries than in total caries . AD17 had a tendency to retard both the establishment of inoculated S . mutans and plaque deposition on tooth surfaces . However, S . mutans could be implanted in the rat oral cavity after repeated inoculation of the bacteria, even in the presence of AD17 . These results suggest that the anticaries activity of AD17 is due to not only inhibition of adherence of S . mutans cells on tooth surfaces but also to physiochemical changes of dental plaque formed under the enzymatic action of AD17 . Preliminary histophatological examination showed that AD17 had no significant toxicity in rats.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Aug, 134(2), 150 - 7
Coagulopathy in experimental sepsis with Streptococcus pneumoniae in rabbits: effect of drug therapy and splenectomy; Guckian JC; The cause of death in bacteremia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae remains unclear . The role of intravascular coagulation and splenectomy was investigated in rabbits with lethal pneumococcal bacteremia . The staphylococcal clumping titer in serum, a measure of fibrin degradation products, increased early and persisted until death . This titer correlated with the level of bacteremia . The partial thromboplastin time and platelet-rich plasma clotting time also increased as the disease worsened . However, the prothrombin time remained normal . 125I-labeled fibrinogen was cleared normally from the plasma of infected rabbits, whether intact or splenectomized . Similarly, the concentration of fibrogen in plasma remained normal, even though the level of fibrin degradation products increased, and no difference in these parameters was noted between intact and splenectomized rabbits . Fibrin deposition could not be detected in any of the organs studied . Neither the level of fibrin degradation products nor survival was affected by treatment with hydrocortisone, hexadimethrine, cytochrome c, carboxypeptidase B, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, or heparin . These data suggest that intravascular coagulation occurs in this experimental infection prior to the onset of shock but probably plays only a minor role in lethality.

Infect Immun, 1976 Aug, 14(2), 355 - 62
Naturally occurring secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies to Streptococcus mutans in human colostrum and saliva; Arnold RR et al.; Human colostrum, parotid saliva, and serum were assayed for the presence of naturally occurring antibodies to five serotypes of Streptococcus mutans . Appreciable levels of agglutinins to strains AHT, BHT, 10449, 6715, and LM-7 (groups a leads to e, respectively) were detected in normal colostrum and saliva, whereas relatively low levels were found in serum . No agglutinins could be detected in the colostrum or saliva of immunodeficient patients . Molecular sieve chromatography of the colostrum on Sephadex G-200 revealed agglutinin activity in the secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA)-rich fraction only . Titration of purified colostral s-IgA confirmed the IgA nature of this agglutinating activity . Indirect immunofluorescence tests with anti-s-IgA, -IgG, and -IgM revealed S . mutans specificity only in the s-IgA class . The presence of s-IgA antibodies to indigenous oral microorganisms in colostrum, as well as in saliva, suggests that antigenic stimulation occurs at a site remote from the oral mucosa.

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