Proteus

S Afr Med J, 1995 Jul, 85(7), 675 - 7
Diagnosis and treatment of ear disease among children in the Ellisras district . An outreach programme; van Rooy CH et al.; Audiologists and ENT registrars examined 2,036 children aged 10 years or younger by means of pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry and otoscopic examinations . Twenty per cent of these children had ear pathology and 7.5% had impaired hearing . Forty-three pus swabs taken from patients with suppurative otitis media most often cultured Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas species . The prevalence of otitis media with effusion was twice as high in white children as in black children, resulting in a much higher prevalence of hearing loss in the first group . The black children had 7 times more dry perforations of the tympanic membrane and 11 times more wet perforations . A hundred and thirty-six patients were treated by the team and 137 were referred for further treatment . Sixteen operations were performed at a later stage . Further programmes are needed to diagnose and treat ear disease in rural communities.

J Mol Biol, 1995 Jun 23, 249(5), 933 - 54
Crystal structure of Proteus mirabilis PR catalase with and without bound NADPH; Gouet P et al.; A catalase from a peroxide resistant mutant of Proteus mirabilis binds NADPH tightly . Interestingly, this enzyme can be stripped of NADPH without loss of the catalatic activity . It is the only known non-mammalian catalase able to bind NADPH . The structure without cofactor was solved by molecular replacement using the structure of beef liver catalase as a model . The structure was refined to an R-factor of 19.3% in the range 8 to 2.2 A resolution . According to the sequence, a methionine sulphone was positioned in the haem active site . This oxidized form of methionine is particular to Proteus mirabilis catalase and likely to produce some steric hindrance in the active site . Two important water molecules are positioned in the haem distal site . These two water molecules are not located in the structure of beef liver catalase, but are supposed to account for the catalytic mechanism . The liganded form was obtained by soaking crystals of the unliganded form into an NADPH solution . The structure was refined to an R-factor of 15.9% in the range of 8 to 3.1 A resolution using the unliganded structure as a model . The NADPH was clearly located in the electron density map with the same conformation as in beef liver catalase . The NADPH binding induces slight structural changes . However, the imidazole ring of a histidine residue (His284) rotates about 50 degrees to accommodate the cofactor . The electron transfer from NADPH to the haem molecule was examined and several pathways are proposed.

J Chemother, 1995 Jun, 7 Suppl 2, 155 - 60
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of isepamicin and amikacin in the treatment of skin and skin structure infections; Rodriguez-Noriega E et al.; Two hundred and three patients with skin and skin structure infections were treated with isepamicin once daily or amikacin twice daily in an open, randomised, comparative multicentre trial . Patients were randomised to treatment with isepamicin or amikacin in a 2:1 ratio . Severe infections (63 patients) were treated with isepamicin 15 mg/kg once daily (n = 15) or amikacin 7.5 mg/kg twice daily (n - 18), less severe infections (140 patients) with isepamicin 8 mg/kg once daily (n = 93) or amikacin 7.5 mg/kg twice daily (n = 47) . The overall clinical response rate at the end of treatment was excellent in all treatment groups (94-96% cured or improved) with no significant differences between isepamicin and amikacin in patients with either server or less severe infections . The most commonly isolated target pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus . Overall, in patients who had a valid target pathogen isolated prior to treatment and who met other evaluability criteria, bacteriological eradication was achieved in over 90% of patients; amikacin patients with severe infections had a somewhat lower eradication rate (82%) . Over all infections, 4/110 (4%) patients in the isepamicin group and 5/54 (9%) patients in the amikacin had organisms which persisted . Adverse events were reported in 12% of patients in the isepamicin group and 6% in the amikacin group . The most frequently reported adverse event in the isepamicin group as headache . Two patients (one in each treatment group), both of whom experienced skin rashes, were withdrawn . Potentially clinically significant changes in serum creatinine occurred in two patients, who received isepamicin and one who received amikacin (who was withdrawn from the study) . Ototoxicity was rare, occurring in one patient treated with isepamicin.

Microbiology, 1995 Jun, 141 ( Pt 6), 1349 - 57
Nucleotide sequences of two fimbrial major subunit genes, pmpA and ucaA, from canine-uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis strains; Bijlsma IG et al.; Proteus mirabilis strains were isolated from dogs with urinary tract infection (UTI) and fimbriae were prepared from two strains . The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the major fimbrial subunits were determined and both sequences appeared identical to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of a urinary cell adhesin (UCA) (Wray, S . K., Hull, S . I., Cook, R . G., Barrish, J . & Hull, R . A., 1986, Infect Immun 54, 43-49) . The genes of two different major fimbrial subunits were cloned using oligonucleotide probes that were designed on the basis of the N-terminal UCA sequence . Nucleotide sequencing revealed the complete ucaA gene of 540 bp (from strain IVB247) encoding a polypeptide of 180 amino acids, including a 22 amino acid signal sequence peptide, and the pmpA (P . mirabilis P-like pili) gene of 549 bp (from strain IVB219) encoding a polypeptide of 183 amino acids, including a 23 amino acid signal sequence . Hybridization experiments gave clear indications of the presence of both kinds of fimbriae in many UTI-related canine P . mirabilis isolates . However, the presence of these fimbriae could not be demonstrated in P . vulgaris or other Proteus-related species . Database analysis of amino acid sequences of major subunit proteins revealed that the UcaA protein shares about 56% amino acid identity with the F17A and F111A major fimbrial subunits from bovine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli . In turn, the PmpA protein more closely resembled the pyelonephritis-associated pili (Pap)-like major subunit protein from UTI-related E . coli . The evolutionary relationship of UcaA, PmpA and various other fimbrial subunit proteins is presented in a phylogenetic tree.

Ginecol Obstet Mex, 1995 Jun, 63, 226 - 30
{Non-puerperal mastitis . Clinical study of 30 patients}; Paredes Lopez A et al.; Non puerperal mastitis is an inflammatory disease that resembles carcinoma, the course is insidious and frequently this entity is misdiagnosed . The recurrence has been reported until 60% . This report is a prospective clinical investigation, of 30 patients with diagnosis of periductal mastitis, in these women were analyzed; age, marital stage, deliveries, breast feeding symptoms like tumour, inflammatory signs, mammary ductal fistula, mamography, cytology, bacteriology, histopathology, medical and surgical treatment . The middle age was 36 years old, 70% between 30 and 50 years old, 26 patients were multiparous, breast feeding were mentioned for 20 women . The tumor was palpable 70% of the cases, localized preferentially in the retroareolar segment, inflammatory changes were observed in 25 cases, 19 patients with fistula . The cytology was negative in 13 cases . In the bacterial culture were isolated, Staphylococcus aureus in 7 cases, Proteus vulgaris in 2 cases and seven cases resulted negative . Mamographic exams were realized in 23 patients; one case resulted adenocarcinoma . The medical treatment were with Eritromycin and Metronidazol and then, ducts resection surgery were performed in 16 cases, one case with adenocarcinoma was performed a modified radical mastectomy . The results were satisfactory 22 women improved, 6 cases with recurrence and two cases with spontaneous improvement.

Semin Dermatol, 1995 Jun, 14(2), 111 - 21
Epidermal nevus syndromes; Happle R; A clinical entity called "the epidermal nevus syndrome" does not exist . Rather, there are various epidermal nevus syndromes that can be distinguished by clinical, histopathological, and genetic criteria . In this review, five distinct epidermal nevus syndromes, recognizable by different types of associated epithelial nevi, are described . The Schimmelpenning syndrome is characterized by a sebaceous nevus associated with cerebral anomalies, coloboma, and lipodermoid of the conjunctiva . By contrast, cataracts are a prominent feature of the nevus comedonicus syndrome . The pigmented hairy epidermal nevus syndrome includes Becker nevus, ipsilateral hypoplasia of the breast, and skeletal defects such as scoliosis . In the Proteus syndrome, the associated epidermal nevus is of a flat, velvety, nonorganoid type . The CHILD syndrome occurs almost exclusively in girls . The associated CHILD nevus shows unique features such as a diffuse form of lateralization, ptychotropism, and microscopic changes of verruciform xanthoma . The five epidermal nevus syndromes differ in their genetic basis . The Schimmelpenning and nevus comedonicus syndromes are most likely nonhereditary traits . By contrast, the pigmented hairy epidermal nevus syndrome and the Proteus syndrome may be explained by paradominant inheritance . The CHILD syndrome is caused by an X-linked dominant mutation exerting a lethal effect on male embryos . A correct diagnosis of these phenotypes is important for both recognition and treatment of associated anomalies as well as for genetic counseling.

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1995 Jun, 24(3), 195 - 200
Perspectives on craniofacial asymmetry . VI . The hamartoses; Cohen MM Jr; The hamartoses are a large group of disorders with autosomal dominant inheritance or sporadic occurrence . The genes responsible for some have been localized to specific chromosomes and in several instances, genetic heterogeneity has been established . Thus neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis are no longer single entities . For example, the gene for Type I neurofibromatosis is on chromosome 17 and the gene for Type II is on chromosome 22 . In this paper, genetic aspects of the hamartoses are updated and asymmetry is discussed in Sturge-Weber angiomatosis, epidermal nevus syndrome, Gardner syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and Proteus syndrome.

Int J Paediatr Dent, 1995 Jun, 5(2), 103 - 7
Unusual distribution of enamel hypoplasia in an 11-year-old child with Proteus syndrome; Mason C et al.; An 11-year-old girl with Proteus syndrome attended our dental department because her teeth were sensitive to cold stimuli and because of the poor appearance of her anterior teeth . Extraoral examination revealed several of the previously reported craniofacial features of Proteus syndrome: facial and skull asymmetry, exostoses of the nasal bridge, and mandibular prognathism . Intraoral examination revealed enamel hypoplasia of primary and permanent teeth . The distribution of hypoplasia was unusual in that only teeth on the right side of the mouth were affected, and also in that only the distal half of the crown of the maxillary right permanent central incisor was affected . Behavioural problems necessitated treatment under general anaesthesia; the affected primary teeth were extracted and the hypoplastic permanent teeth were restored, relieving the patient's symptoms and greatly improving aesthetics.

Eur J Biochem, 1995 Jun 1, 230(2), 713 - 21
Structure and epitope specificity of the O-specific polysaccharide of Proteus penneri strain 12 (ATCC 33519) containing the amide of D-galacturonic acid with L-threonine; Sidorczyk Z et al.; O-specific polysaccharide was isolated from Proteus penneri strain 12 (ATCC 33519) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and studied using NMR spectroscopy, including selective spin-decoupling, one-dimensional NOE, two-dimensional homonuclear correlation spectroscopy, 13C,1H heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy and chemical methods (O-deacetylation, Smith degradation, partial acid hydrolysis followed by borohydride reduction and methylation) . The amide of D-galacturonic acid with L-threonine {D-GalA(L-Thr)} was identified as a constituent of the polysaccharide and the following structure of the tetrasaccharide repeating unit was established: {formula: see text} where the degree of O-acetylation at either position varies over 20-40% . Serological study with LPS, its degradation products and related synthetic glycoconjugates (2-acrylamidoethyl glycosides of amides of alpha-D-GalA with L-amino acids copolymerised with acrylamide) showed that D-GalA(L-Thr) plays an important role in manifesting the serological specificity of the P . penneri 12 O-antigen . Serological cross reactions between LPSs of P . penneri 12 and Proteus mirabilis S1959, R14/S1959 (transient-like form), O23 and O28 are discussed.

Eur J Biochem, 1995 Jun 1, 230(2), 705 - 12
Structure and epitope characterisation of the O-specific polysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis O28 containing amides of D-galacturonic acid with L-serine and L-lysine; Radziejewska-Lebrecht J et al.; The O-specific polysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis O28 was found to contain D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid (GalA), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, L-serine, L-lysine, and O-acetyl groups in molar ratios 1:2:1:1:1:1, the amino acids being linked via their alpha-amino group to the carboxyl group of GalA . The polysaccharide was studied using 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, including selective spin-decoupling, one-dimensional total correlation spectroscopy, two-dimensional homonuclear correlation spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear 13C,1H COSY, one-dimensional NOE, and two-dimensional rotating-frame NOE spectroscopy and partial acid hydrolysis followed by borohydride reduction, methylation, and GLC/MS analysis of the derived glycosyl alditols . The following structure of the repeating unit was established: {formula: see text} Epitope specificity of the P . mirabilis O28 polysaccharide was analysed using a homologous rabbit polyclonal antiserum in quantitative precipitation, passive immunohemolysis, and inhibition of passive immunohemolysis . Study with related synthetic glycopolymers (2-acrylamidoethyl glycosides of amides of alpha-D-GalA with amino acids copolymerised with acrylamide) showed the importance of D-GalA(L-Lys) for manifesting serological specificity of the O-antigen . Serological cross-reactions between P . mirabilis O28, S1959, and R14/S1959 (a transient-like form) are discussed.

Am J Med Genet, 1995 May 22, 57(1), 74 - 8
Neoplasms in Proteus syndrome; Gordon PL et al.; We report on 2 children with Proteus syndrome who developed neoplasms . Patient 1 had a probable mesothelioma, although papillary carcinoma of the thyroid could not be completely ruled out . Patient 2 had bilateral ovarian serous cystadenomas with nuclear atypia . Other unusual neoplasms in Proteus syndrome are discussed, together with their etiologic and pathogenetic possibilities.

Gene, 1995 May 19, 157(1-2), 73 - 9
Characterization of pPvu1, the autonomous plasmid from Proteus vulgaris that carries the genes of the PvuII restriction-modification system; Calvin Koons MD et al.; Plasmid pPvu1 from Proteus vulgaris carries the genes of the PvuII restriction-modification system {Blumenthal et al., J . Bacteriol . 164 (1985) 501-509} . This report focuses on physical and functional features of the 4.84-kb plasmid, which shows a composite genetic architecture . Plasmid pPvu1 has a replication origin and an incompatibility locus that each function in Escherichia coli, and an apparent cer recombination site . The replication origin includes a possible RNA I gene, and the incompatibility locus closely resembles a rom gene . These loci show substantial sequence similarity to corresponding loci from the E . coli plasmids P15A, ColEI and pSC101, and closely flank the PvuII genes . The close association between a recombinational locus and the PvuII genes has implications for their mobility.

Br J Rheumatol, 1995 May, 34(5), 418 - 20
Antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis in the sera of ankylosing spondylitis patients with/without iritis and enthesitis; Maki-Ikola O et al.; IgM, IgG and IgA class serum antibodies against the whole Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis bacteria, as well as against K . pneumoniae and E . coli lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) were studied earlier in the sera of 98 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and in 102 healthy blood donors by enzyme immunoassay . In this study the patients were divided into groups according to the clinical picture, i.e . presence or absence of iritis and enthesitis . The previous major finding of increased IgA class antibody levels against the whole K . pneumoniae bacteria in AS patients when compared to the healthy controls was not specifically associated with any single patient group in the present study . However, the patients with iritis had higher levels of IgA class antibodies to LPS of K . pneumoniae and E . coli when compared to the patients without iritis . In addition, the patients without enthesitis had higher level of IgG class antibodies against whole K . pneumoniae bacteria compared to the patients with enthesitis . The increased IgA class antibody levels against K . pneumoniae and E . coli LPS in AS patients with iritis may reflect an inflammatory process in the gut area . Furthermore, there were certain other differences in the immunological parameters between the AS patients with and without iritis or enthesitis and the possibility that they reflect different mechanisms involved in the disease processes cannot be excluded.

Br J Rheumatol, 1995 May, 34(5), 413 - 7
Antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis in the sera of patients with axial and peripheral form of ankylosing spondylitis; Maki-Ikola O et al.; IgM, IgG and IgA class serum antibodies against the whole Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis bacteria, as well as against K . pneumoniae and E . coli lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) were studied earlier in two separate patient populations of 99 and 85 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and in 102 healthy blood donors by enzyme immunoassay . In this study the patients were divided into groups according to the presence or absence of peripheral arthritis . The patients with peripheral type AS had increased levels of IgM and IgA class antibodies against K . pneumoniae, whereas the patients with axial type AS had increased levels of IgG and IgA class antibodies to K . pneumoniae, as well as IgA class antibodies against E . coli and P . mirabilis bacteria . Sulphasalazine treatment decreased the IgM and IgA class antibodies in peripheral AS and IgA class antibodies in axial AS against K . pneumoniae LPS . The antibody levels were also decreased against E . coli and P . mirabilis bacteria in the sera of patients with axial AS . The immunological findings in patients with peripheral and axial form of AS were different from each other and thus may reflect different aetiopathogenetic mechanisms for these two types of AS.

Infect Immun, 1995 May, 63(5), 1796 - 9
Effect of salicylate on expression of flagella by Escherichia coli and Proteus, Providencia, and Pseudomonas spp; Kunin CM et al.; Osmotic stress, salicylate, and Mar (multiple antibiotic resistance) mutation are known to block the expression of the OmpF porin . Since these conditions have also been shown to inhibit the expression of P and CFA fimbriae in Escherichia coli, we speculated that they might affect the expression of flagella as well . Hyperosmotic conditions have been shown to block the synthesis of flagellin and expression of flagella in E . coli (C . Li, C . J . Louise, W . Shi, and J . Adler, J . Bacteriol . 175:2229-2235, 1993) . In the current study, sodium salicylate was found to inhibit the motility of E . coli, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri, and Providencia stuartii in a reversible, concentration-dependent manner . Swarming did not occur at 20 mM sodium salicylate . Salicylate also blocked the synthesis of flagellin in E . coli . Phenotypic Mar mutants of E . coli derived from motile strains were amotile . Flagella were markedly reduced as determined by scanning electron microscopy when P . mirabilis was grown in broth containing 20 mM salicylate . Salicylate had no apparent effect, however, on expression of a 40-kDa porin protein in P . mirabilis . This finding suggests that the noted effect of salicylate on Proteus spp . may be mediated through a mechanism other than porin production or that the Proteus porin may not be analogous to OmpF in E . coli . Salicylate decreased the motility of Pseudomonas cepacia but had no effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The exact mechanism by which salicylate exerts its effect is not known, but it appears to be related to osmoregulation.

Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 1995 May, 44(2), 78 - 80
{Antibacterial effects of antiseptics in vitro and in an experiment in vivo}; Ondrovcik P et al.; The effect of topical antiseptics routinely used in the Department of plastic and aesthetic surgery was tested against bacteria commonly infecting burns and major skin defects . In vivo, the effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined, in vitro also on Proteus mirabilis . A very good effect on tested microorganisms was observed with 0.1% Persteril, Peruvian balsam and Dermazin crm . (Lek, Ljubljana) . Gentian violet in a 0.5% concentration and 3% boric acid were not effective on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 0.05% permanganate and 2% Jodonal were moreover not effective against S . aureus.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1995 May-Jun, (3), 96 - 9
{The approval of an immunoenzyme test system based on the F(ab)2 fragments of staphylococcal antibodies for determining staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin}; Semina NA et al.; In the approbation of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system on the basis of F(ab)2 fragments of antistaphylococcal antibodies on 307 cultures of the representatives of the genera Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Proteus high sensitivity, specificity and effectiveness of ELISA for the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the alpha-hemolytic activity of S.aureus were established . The ELISA system has made it possible to additionally detect alpha-hemolysin in 62% of S.aureus strains classified with as nontoxigenic strains using hemolysis test in Petri dishes . The sensitivity limit of this method is 0.0005 binding units or 1.0 ng in terms of protein content . The use of the ELISA system may be recommended for the study of the toxigenic properties of staphylococci.

Gematol Transfuziol, 1995 May-Jun, 40(3), 32 - 4
{Biological properties of microflora in pyo-inflammatory complications in hematologic patients}; Bakirov AB et al.; The occurrence of opportunistic bacteria isolated from hematological inpatients with pyo-inflammatory complications and strain affiliation of these bacteria were investigated . Gram-negative and gram-positive agents made up 51.9 and 48.1%, respectively, of the 1699 bacterial strains obtained from 814 patients . Klebsiella, E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus strains were able to produce LT-enterotoxin showing weak enterohemolytic activity, were sensitive to gentamicin and claforan and insensitive to carbenicillin, ampicillin, oxacilin, tetracycline, erythromycin.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1995 May, 39(5), 1199 - 200
New variant of TEM-10 beta-lactamase gene produced by a clinical isolate of proteus mirabilis; Palzkill T et al.; A clinical isolate of Proteus mirabilis was found to produce a new variant of the TEM-10 beta-lactamase gene . This is the first report of TEM-10 production by P . mirabilis and the first report of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production by an isolate of this species recovered in the United States.

Radiats Biol Radioecol, 1995 May-Jun, 35(3), 412 - 7
{In vivo study of the functional activity of peripheral blood leukocytes of intact and irradiated dogs with an inactivation test of endogenous hemopoietic stem cells of sublethally irradiated mice}; Man'ko VM et al.; Peripheral blood leukocytes of intact dogs, when transplanted to sublethally irradiated mice, have been found to suppress endogenous colony formation . The inactivation effect in hemopoietic stem cells of mice is enhanced with an increase in the number of effector cells in the graft . Radiation exposure results in failure of the effector function of leukocytic cells at the peak of acute radiation sickness . Nine months after irradiation, the inactivating capacity of dog leukocytes is restored and exceeds that of the control . Administered to dogs 9 months after irradiation, proteus vaccine stimulated the effector function of leukocytes at days 7 and 28 and suppressed it at days 14 and 62 post-administration.

CLAO J, 1995 Apr, 21(2), 122 - 4
Bacterial contamination in soft contact lens wearers; Lipener C et al.; We prospectively analyzed bacterial contamination in 15 soft contact lens wearing subjects . Contact lenses, cases, tips of saline solution bottles, and conjunctiva were cultured . Cultures were positive for 13 subjects (86.6%) . Contamination was present in 13 contact lens cases (86.6%), 12 contact lenses (80.0%), nine saline solution bottles (60.0%), and in the conjunctiva of three patients (20.0%) . Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis) were the most frequently isolated organisms . Staphylococcus aureus was the only gram-positive organism isolated . We discuss the possible sources of contamination, and emphasize the importance of contact lens care instruction.

Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1995 Apr, 69(4), 420 - 5
{Immunological properties of Weil-Felix test negative sera from patients with Japanese spotted fever}; Amano K et al.; Sera from 4 out of 19 patients with the Japanese spotted fever were negative to OX2 antigen of Weil-Felix (WF) test . These WF test negative sera were analyzed by ELISA and immunoblot used whole cells and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of rickettsiae and Proteus strains as antigens . These acute-phase sera have already possessed the IgG antibodies against LPS of Proteus OX2 strain, whereas IgM antibodies in these acute- and convalescent-phase sera did not react with this LPS . On the other hand, the reactivity of IgM antibodies of the convalescent-phase sera in the 2 patients with LPS of Proteus OX19 strain increased as compared with that of the acute-phase sera by ELISA, and these IgM antibodies also showed the reactivity with bands of OX19-LPS in the immunoblot . On the basis of these results, it is interpreted that the WF test negative sera from patients with Japanese spotted fever are due to the presence of IgG antibodies against OX2-LPS in the sera.

J Med Genet, 1995 Apr, 32(4), 316 - 9
Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis with a mutation in the NF1 gene; Legius E et al.; Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) is a congenital hamartomatous disorder characterised by unilateral skin lesions, lipomas, and ipsilateral ophthamological and cerebral malformations . The disorder is thought to represent a localised form of Proteus syndrome . In this report, a child is described with ECCL and a de novo nonsense mutation in exon 29 (S1745X) of the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene . Although it is possible that both ECCL and NF1 occur coincidentally in this patient, we favour the hypothesis that in exceptional cases a mutation in the NF1 gene might give rise to severe congenital malformations such as ECCL . Possible pathogenetic mechanisms for these malformations are discussed.

West Afr J Med, 1995 Apr-Jun, 14(2), 78 - 81
Prevalence of bacterial otitis media in primary school children in Enugu Surburb, Enugu state, Nigeria; Oyeka CA et al.; Out of a total school population of 3,070 pupils examined for discharging ear due to bacterial etiology, 44 (1.4%) had discharging ear . Forty eight species of bacteria belonging to 5 genera were isolated . These included, Staphylococcus aureus, 16 isolates; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 10; escherichia coli, 11; Proteus species, 7; Bacillus sp . 4 . The highest prevalence of infection (3.0%) was recorded in central school Akwuke, Awkunanaw . Analysis of the data showed that infection rate was highest among the 6-9 year old age group (61%) and lowest among the 15 years and above age group (5%) . Boys recorded a higher prevalence of infection (55%) than girls (45%) . However the difference was not statistically significant (x = 2.08, p > 0.01) . All the organisms isolated were sensitive to genticin but resistant to other commonly used antibiotics.

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen, 1995 Mar 30, 115(9), 1055 - 6
{What nobody thought possible--a "demobilization chain" gone astray . Foreign body in the urinary bladder--a current differential diagnosis}; Haakonsen P et al.; Intravesical foreign bodies should be considered in cases of unexplainable lower urinary tract symptoms or recurrent urinary tract infections with therapy-resistant microbes like Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas . Usually these conditions are due to accidents in genitourinary surgery or instrumentation, but in our case occurred as a complication to an erotic procedure . This paper describes a case with a so-called "dimme-lenke", i.e . a chain used to count down days until demobilization from compulsory military service for Norwegian recruits, found in the bladder of a 13-year-old boy . A knot at the end of the chain made endoscopic removal impossible and it had to be removed by cystotomy.

J Craniofac Surg, 1995 Mar, 6(2), 151 - 60
Proteus syndrome: a newly recognized hamartomatous syndrome with significant craniofacial dysmorphology; Tattelbaum AG et al.; A new disorder describing multiple hamartomas distinct from neurofibromatosis and Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome was first reported in 1979 . It was named Proteus syndrome after the Greek god Proteus, the polymorphous, who could change his shape at will to avoid capture . The clinical manifestations are extensive, including cranial exostoses; progressive enlargement, asymmetry and disfigurement of the skull; macrocephaly; exostoses of the ear canals, nasal bridge, and alveolar ridge; partial gigantism of the hands or feet, asymmetry of the limbs, plantar hyperplasia, hemangiomas, lipomas, lymphangiomas, varicosities, verrucous epidermal nevi, and long bone overgrowth . A case report of Proteus syndrome is presented and discussed along with a review of the pertinent literature.

Lijec Vjesn, 1995 Mar-Apr, 117(3-4), 73 - 6
{Determination of antibody kinetics in Mediterranean spotted fever using the Weil-Felix agglutination test, complement fixation and indirect immunofluorescence}; Punda-Polic V et al.; The kinetics of antibodies in human cases of Mediterranean spotted fever was studied by applying Weil-Felix (WF) agglutination with Proteus OX antigens, complement fixation (CF) and indirect immunofluorescence (IF) tests with Rickettsia conorri antigen to 46 sera from 21 patients . The kinetics of specific (CF and IF) and nonspecific (WF) antibodies was similar . The percentage of the positive sera and geometric mean titers of antibodies reached the maximum after 14 days from the onset of illness.

Urology, 1995 Mar, 45(3), 377 - 80
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, the gatekeeper's dilemma: a contemporary look at an old problem; Nataluk EA et al.; OBJECTIVES . To review 12 patients with a clinicopathogenic diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) and to determine if a computed tomography (CT) scan is the imaging procedure of choice for diagnosis . METHODS . A retrospective review, over the last 12 years, of patients with XGP at our institution . RESULTS . Nine of 10 patients (90%) who were evaluated by CT scan had the correct diagnosis made prior to nephrectomy . The most common presenting symptoms and signs were flank pain (64%), leukocytosis (73%), and anemia (82%) . Seventy-five percent of the patients had a ureteropelvic junction stone or a staghorn stone in the affected kidney at the time of clinical presentation . Proteus was the most common organism cultured . CONCLUSIONS . After reviewing the clinical features of these 12 patients, we recommended CT scan to evaluate the patient in whom clinical suspicion of XGP is entertained . CT has proven to be the most accurate imaging study to evaluate this disease.

Infect Immun, 1995 Mar, 63(3), 1127 - 9
Expression of a nonagglutinating fimbria by Proteus mirabilis; Tolson DL et al.; We have clarified growth conditions and isolation strategies for the nonagglutinating fimbriae from Proteus mirabilis . Nonagglutinating fimbriae were expressed by all P . mirabilis strains we examined, and the major subunit proteins, which ranged from 23 to 29 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, had highly conserved N-terminal sequences.

Chemotherapy, 1995 Mar-Apr, 41(2), 125 - 33
Effects of subminimal inhibitory concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics against R-plasmid-bearing bacteria; Kondo F et al.; The effects of subminimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of nine beta-lactam antibiotics {penicillin-G, ampicillin (ABPC), cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, cephalothin, cephradine, cefazolin (CEZ) and cefoxitin} against seven different R-plasmid-bearing gram-negative bacterial strains were tested . Morphological changes, such as filamentous development and lysis, occurred at concentrations considerably lower than the MIC values and the presence of R plasmids did not influence the morphological changes compared with those of Escherichia coli NIHJ, which is non-R-plasmid-bearing . Clear cooperation of ABPC and CEZ with rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes PMNs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris and of CEZ against Salmonella typhimurium was observed, but not against the other strains tested . Therefore, the filamentous bacteria produced as a result of exposure to sub-MICs of antibiotics were not always phagocytosed easily . The ratios between the drug concentrations (microgram/ml) at which the morphological changes began to occur (minimal antibiotic concentration) and the MIC values (microgram/ml) were calculated . A large ratio indicated a wide range of effective concentrations below the MIC value for that antibiotic.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1995 Mar, 54(3), 221 - 4
Decrease in anti-Proteus mirabilis but not anti-Escherichia coli antibody levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with fasting and a one year vegetarian diet; Kjeldsen-Kragh J et al.; OBJECTIVE--To measure Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli antibody levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during treatment by vegetarian diet . METHODS--Sera were collected from 53 RA patients who took part in a controlled clinical trial of fasting and a one year vegetarian diet . P mirabilis and E coli antibody levels were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence technique and an enzyme immunoassay, respectively . RESULTS--The patients on the vegetarian diet had a significant reduction in the mean anti-proteus titres at all time points during the study, compared with baseline values (all p < 0.05) . No significant change in titre was observed in patients who followed an omnivorous diet . The decrease in anti-proteus titre was greater in the patients who responded well to the vegetarian diet compared with diet non-responders and omnivores . The total IgG concentration and levels of antibody against E coli, however, were almost unchanged in all patient groups during the trial . The decrease from baseline in proteus antibody levels correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with the decrease in a modified Stoke disease activity index . CONCLUSION--The decrease in P mirabilis antibody levels in the diet responders and the correlation between the decrease in proteus antibody level and decrease in disease activity supports the suggestion of an aetiopathogenetic role for P mirabilis in RA.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1995 Mar, 54(3), 216 - 20
Shared amino acid sequences between major histocompatibility complex class II glycoproteins, type XI collagen and Proteus mirabilis in rheumatoid arthritis; Wilson C et al.; OBJECTIVES--To show molecular similarity between two sequences of Proteus mirabilis (haemolysin--ESRRAL; urease--IRRET) with HLA-DR antigens (EQRRAA) which are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type XI collagen (LRREI), respectively; and, in patients with RA, to measure levels of antibody against a 16-mer synthetic peptide containing the ESRRAL sequence, and the haemolysin and urease proteins of Proteus mirabilis . METHODS--The homologous sequences EQRRAA and ESRRAL were modelled with Alchemy III, using the crystalline structure of DRB1*0101 (HLA-DR1) . Sera from 40 patients with RA, 30 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and 30 controls were tested against synthetic ESRRAL peptide and the haemolysin of Proteus mirabilis by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay . Similar tests were also carried out on sera from 20 patients with RA, 40 with AS, and 15 controls, against Proteus mirabilis urease . RESULTS--Molecular modelling of the homologous sequences ESRRAL/EQRRAA and IRRET/LRREI showed stereochemical similarities . Antibodies to the 16-mer synthetic peptide containing the ESRRAL sequence, the haemolysin, and urease proteins were significantly increased in RA patients compared with AS patients (p < 0.001) and healthy controls (p < 0.001) . No such increases were observed with three control peptides including the EDERAA sequence of DRB1*0402 (HLA-DR4/Dw10), the haemolysin proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and the urease of Bacillus pasteurii . CONCLUSION--The additive effect of the immune responses to the two Proteus mirabilis antigens, haemolysin (ESRRAL) and urease (IRRET), could be relevant in the aetiopathogenesis of RA.

J Invertebr Pathol, 1995 Mar, 65(2), 125 - 31
Bacterial entomopathogens from the Drosophila paulistorum semispecies complex; Miller SG et al.; Bacteria which are infectious by inoculation in lepidoptera have been isolated and characterized from semispecies comprising the Drosophila paulistorum complex . These microorganisms are pathogenic toward lepidopteran hosts such as Heliothis virescens when introduced by injection of Drosophila tissue extracts and have been given the trivial name DpLE (D . paulistorum lepidopteran entomopathogen) . The DpLE from two of the semispecies, Transitional and Andean, were determined to be related to Proteus vulgaris based upon nucleotide sequence comparisons of 16S rDNA genes . Infectivity and 16S rDNA-based PCR assays showed the bacterium to be localized in a number of drosophilid tissues except adult heads and thoraces . Based upon similar experiments, the DpLE in transinfected Heliothis larvae were found in all tissues assayed prior to the onset of mortality . Stocks of Drosophila which had spontaneously lost DpLE continued to produce sterile sons when crossed with incompatible semispecies' females, confirming that the bacilliform DpLE is not the causative agent of the Drosophila paulistorum intersemispecific hybrid male sterility . Acquisition of the sequences of the 16S rDNA molecules of DpLE from all six semispecies permitted the construction of a phylogenetic tree in which the groupings were found not to be congruent with the phylogenies of their insect hosts.

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1995 Mar, 11(1), 13 - 8
Immunoblot cross-reactions among Rickettsia, Proteus spp . and Legionella spp . in patients with Mediterranean spotted fever; Raoult D et al.; Sera from patients suffering from Mediterranean spotted fever (i.e . an infection due to Rickettsia conorii) were studied by immunoblot to investigate cross-reactivity . A prevalence of IgM antibodies to Proteus OX 19, Proteus OX 2, to the Rickettsia typhus group, to Legionella pneumophila serovars 4 and 5, to L . bozemanii Wiga and to L . micdadei Tatlock was found . Western blot confirmed that the antibodies were directed against the lipopolysaccharide as demonstrated by proteinase K digestion of the antigens . Cross-adsorptions showed that there is a common cross-reacting epitope among L . bozemanii Wiga, R . typhi and Proteus OX 19 but cross-reacting antibodies to L . micdadei and OX 2 were distinct and independent . This IgM cross-reaction could lead to a misdiagnosis.

Crit Care Med, 1995 Feb, 23(2), 301 - 7
Inhibitory effect of bile on bacterial invasion of enterocytes: possible mechanism for increased translocation associated with obstructive jaundice; Wells CL et al.; OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effect of bile salts on internalization of enteric bacteria by intestinal epithelial cells . DESIGN: Randomized study . SETTING: Research laboratory . SUBJECTS: Cultured human intestinal epithelial cells, namely HT-29 cells . INTERVENTIONS: The effect of bile was studied by adding bile during the time period in which bacterial cells were permitted to interact with enterocytes . In subsequent experiments, bile was added to the culture medium used to grow bacteria, and bacterial cells were washed before adding bacteria to enterocytes . Three different concentrations of three different bile preparations were tested . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Salmonella typhimurium and Proteus mirabilis were each incubated with HT-29 cells for 1 hr; the numbers of internalized bacteria were subsequently quantified following enterocyte lysis . The presence of bile during bacteria-enterocyte incubation had no effect on the numbers of internalized bacteria . However, if S . typhimurium or P . mirabilis were grown in the presence of bile, these washed bacterial cells were generally internalized by HT-29 cells in significantly fewer numbers, compared with bacterial cells grown in medium without bile supplementation . Enterocyte viability and morphologic ultrastructure did not appear to be affected by the presence of bile itself, or by the interaction with bacterial cells that had been cultivated in unsupplemented medium or in bile-supplemented medium . CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to bile during bacterial growth resulted in bacterial cells with decreased invasiveness for cultured intestinal epithelial cells . This observation is consistent with previous in vivo studies of obstructive jaundice, where the absence of bile in the intestinal lumen, not bile duct ligation, appeared to facilitate bacterial translocation in obstructed animals . Thus, the presence of bile in the intestinal lumen may decrease bacterial translocation by a mechanism that involves decreased epithelial internalization of enteric bacteria.

J Bacteriol, 1995 Feb, 177(3), 823 - 8
Genetic analysis of Proteus mirabilis mutants defective in swarmer cell elongation; Belas R et al.; Swarmer cell differentiation is a complex process involving the activity of many gene products . In this report, we characterized the genetic locus of Tn5 insertion in each of 12 mutants defective in swarmer cell elongation . The mutations fell into four categories affecting either flagellar biosynthesis or energetics, lipopolysaccharide and cell wall biosynthesis, cellular division, or proteolysis of peptides.

J Protein Chem, 1995 Feb, 14(2), 59 - 72
Complete amino acid sequence of Proteus mirabilis PR catalase . Occurrence of a methionine sulfone in the close proximity of the active site; Buzy A et al.; The catalase of Proteus mirabilis PR, a peroxide-resistant (PR) mutant of Proteus mirabilis, binds strongly NADPH, which is a unique property among known bacterial catalases . The enzyme subunit consists of 484 amino acid residues for a mass of 55,647 daltons . The complete amino acid sequence was resolved through the combination of protein sequencing, mass spectrometry, and nucleotide sequencing of a PCR fragment . The sequence obtained was compared with that of other known catalases . Amino acids of the active site are all conserved as well as essential residues involved in NADPH binding . Among the amino acids interacting with the heme, a methionine sulfone was found at position 53, in place of a valine in most other catalases . The origin of oxidation of this methionine is unknown, but the presence of this modification could change iron accessibility by large substrates or inhibitors . This posttranslational modification was also demonstrated in the wild-type P . mirabilis catalase.

Mol Microbiol, 1995 Feb, 15(4), 761 - 9
Requirement for FlhA in flagella assembly and swarm-cell differentiation by Proteus mirabilis; Gygi D et al.; Swarming by Proteus mirabilis is characterized by cycles of rapid population migration across surfaces, following differentiation of typical rods into long, aseptate swarm cells that overexpress flagella and virulence factors, particularly haemolysin . A non-swarming Tn5phoA mutant was unable to synthesize flagella, to fully elongate or to induce high levels of the toxin . The mutation lay within a 2091 bp gene encoding a homologue of the Escherichia coli FlhA belonging to a family of proteins that are required for assembly of flagella or virulence proteins and that are suggested to act either directly in membrane translocation and/or in regulating synthesis of the export apparatus . In trans expression of multicopy flhA restored cell elongation and migration and generated differentiation-specific hyperexpression of flagellin and toxin genes to levels above those seen in the wild-type strain . Transcription of flhA was strongly induced during differentiation, from its own putative sigma 28 promoter . The results suggest a mechanistic coupling of flagella assembly and swarm-cell differentiation.

Acta Paediatr Jpn, 1995 Feb, 37(1), 81 - 3
Proteus syndrome with renal involvement; Sato T et al.; We report on a case of an 11 year old girl with Proteus syndrome involving both kidneys morphologically and functionally . The patient had hemihypertrophy, scoliosis, overgrowth of lower extremities, partial macrodactyly, subcutaneous lipoma, and pigmented nevi compatible with the Proteus syndrome . She also had overgrowth of the right kidney with mildly impaired function and a small left kidney with severe dysfunction . Morphological involvement of visceral organs has previously been described; however, deteriorating renal function has not previously been reported in this syndrome.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1995 Feb, 48(2), 293 - 8
{Antibacterial activities of fosfomycin against recent clinical isolates from patients of otitis media and otitis externa}; Deguchi K et al.; Clinical isolates from patients with otitis media and/or otitis externa were collected at otorhinology clinics nationwide and sent to us during 1989, 1991 and 1993 . Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fosfomycin (FOM) and of reference drugs against these strains were determined to investigate year-to-year antibacterial activity of FOM . A comparative analysis of the results revealed trends described below . 1 . The MIC90 of FOM against Staphylococcus aureus subsp . aureus increased 4 times by 1993 as compared to those measured for strains isolated in 1984 and 1985, when FOM for otic use was under development . This was thought to be due to the recent increase in the detection frequency of methicillin-resistant S . aureus (MRSA) which is also resistant to FOM . 2 . No annual changes were seen for MIC distribution of FOM against Proteus group and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . 3 . Since there was no large annual change in the antibacterial activity of FOM against recent clinical isolates obtained from patients with otitis media and/or otitis externa, FOM may be considered as one of the useful drugs even now, in the mid-1990's.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1995 Feb, 39(2), 453 - 7
Cloning of multidrug resistance gene pqrA from Proteus vulgaris; Ishida H et al.; The multiple antibiotic resistance gene pqrA was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of a clinical isolate of Proteus vulgaris 881051 into Escherichia coli KY2563 . The MICs of quinolones tetracycline, cephalosporin, and chloramphenicol for transformant strain DNS7020 were from 8 to 32 times higher than those for the parent strain, KY2563 . The level of expression of outer membrane protein F (OmpF) by DNS7020 was lower than that of KY2563 but not as low as that of an OmpF-deficient control strain . The 1.4-kb fragment containing the pqrA gene had an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 122 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of about 14,000, which was consistent with the experimental value identified by the Maxicell method . The putative PqrA polypeptide showed significant amino acid sequence similarity to the E . coli proteins SoxS and MarA . These polypeptides are strongly conserved in predicted helix-turn-helix DNA binding domains . The MarA protein, which is responsible for multiple antibiotic resistance in E . coli, also decreases OmpF expression . Moreover, the SoxS protein, which is characterized as a superoxide response regulon of E . coli, has also been shown to increase resistance to many structurally unrelated antibiotics . The soxS gene increases superoxide dismutase levels in addition to decreasing OmpF expression . The expression level of superoxide dismutase with DNS7020 was about 1.5 times higher than that with KY2563 . These findings suggest that the pqrA gene in P . vulgaris confers multidrug resistance in a way similar to that of the soxS and marA genes in E . coli.

Pediatr Pol, 1995 Feb, 70(2), 177 - 80
{Necrotizing vasculitis}; Torbus O et al.; We present a boy who had been under observation for 4 years, suffering since the age of nine from necrotizing vasculitis, which appeared during Proteus sp . sepsis . Complex treatment with antibiotics, large doses of steroids, antithrombotic and peripheral circulation improving drugs, as well as local drugs applied to the skin and oral cavity mucosa, resulted in a complete cure . This illness left some cosmetic skin defects on the face and extremities, a shortening of the tongue and malocclusion.

Protein Eng, 1995 Feb, 8(2), 167 - 73
Design of four-helix bundle protein as a candidate for HIV vaccine; Eroshkin AM et al.; To be efficient, a synthetic vaccine should contain different T and B cell epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens, and the B epitope regions in the vaccine and in the HIV should be conformationally similar . We have suggested previously the construction of vaccines in the form of a protein with a predetermined tertiary structure, namely a four-alpha-helix bundle . Antigenic determinants of cellular and humoral immunity are blocks for the vaccine design . From experimentally studied HIV-1 T and B cell epitopes, we constructed a sequence of a four-helix protein TBI (T and B cell epitopes containing immunogen) . The gene of the protein was synthesized and the protein was produced in C600 Escherichia coli cells under recA promoter from Proteus mirabelis . CD spectroscopy of the protein demonstrated that 30% of amino acid residues adopt an alpha-helical conformation . Mice immunized with TBI have shown both humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV-1 . The obtained data show that the design of TBI was successful . The synthesized gene structure makes possible further reconstruction and improvement of the protein vaccine structure.

Urol Res, 1995, 23(5), 335 - 8
In vivo effects of urease-producing bacteria involved with the pathogenesis of infection-induced urolithiasis on renal urokinase and sialidase activity; du Toit PJ et al.; Many hypotheses have been proposed for renal stone formation . It has been argued that with infection-induced renal stones the hydrolysis of urea by bacterial urease increases urinary pH, with consequent stone formation . Unfortunately, this theory is not applicable to the micro-organisms that do not produce urease (e.g . Escherichia coli) . It has been recently reported that E . coli reduces the urinary urokinase activity of male rats, but does not influence the urinary sialidase activity . This study has now been expanded to the urease-producing bacteria Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, S . epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus luteus . Subcutaneous injections with these bacteria were found to significantly (P < 0.003) reduce the UK activity of extrarenally obstructed kidneys . The urease-producing mammalian skin bacterium, M . luteus, was, however, the exception (P = 0.1079) . In contrast to S . epidermidis, P . aeruginosa and M . luteus (P < 0.0213), P . mirabilis and S . aureus had no effect on renal sialidase activity (P < 0.4047) . These results may explain why Proteus species are predominant in infection-induced renal stones . According to the urokinase-sialidase hypothesis, a decrease in urinary urokinase activity should increase the uromucoid levels, whilst no effect on the urinary sialidase activity should favour conversion of urinary uromucoid to mineralizable matrix . These conditions may lead to renal stone formation . An increase in urinary pH resulting from urease-producing micro-organisms will increase salt precipitation on the uromucoid . It is thus concluded that urease-producing bacteria may play a double role in renal stone formation.

Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1995, 47(3-4), 169 - 76
{Use of synthetic antigens in studies of antigenic specificity of Proteus mirabilis 027 lipopolysaccharide}; Krajewska-Pietrasik D et al.; The frequency of occurrence in clinical material of P . mirabilis strains belonging to serogroup 27 shows the need of identification of their antigenic determinant . Earlier examinations established the chemical structure of the O-specific part of P . mirabilis 027 lipopolysaccharide and showed the significant role of the lateral GlcNAc as well as the participation of P-EtN in determining antigenic specificity of this strain . Using synthetic antigens, analogues of the O-specific part of P . mirabilis 027, 028 and S1959 lipopolysaccharides linked to acrylamide allowed to undertake the further characteristics of the specificity of antibodies in rabbit serum against P . mirabilis 027 . Serological studies (EIA, passive hemolysis and their inhibition) confirmed earlier foundings about the role of GlcNAc and P-EtN, but they did not determine the epitope in 027 antigen . The achieved results prove the importance of a wider epitope, containing at least 3 compounds: GlcNAc, GlcA and L-Lys, in the antigenic specificity of P . mirabilis 027.

Bull Mem Acad R Med Belg, 1995, 150(5-6), 252 - 7; discussion 257-8
{Polyamines and cell growth: specific aspects in Amoeba proteus and in certain cancer cell lines}; Dubois J et al.; The differences between the metabolic schemes of polyamines can be the starting point to investigate the discovery of new antiparasitic or anticancer drugs which would be cell type specific . The studies, which were undertaken with the P388 cancer cells and Amoeba proteus, have shown that the pool of polyamine was very different in both cell types . Moreover, the cytotoxicity of putrescine, spermidine, spermine and 1-3 diaminopropane was found to be dependent of the activity of cell enzymes which could play a role to control cell proliferation by producing toxic metabolites.

Am J Otol, 1995 Jan, 16(1), 104 - 9
Intracranial complications of suppurative otitis media: 13 years' experience; Kangsanarak J et al.; Among 24,321 patients with otitis media treated at the Otolaryngology Department of Chiang Mai University Hospital from 1978 through 1990, 87 patients had 140 central nervous system complications (0.36%) . Multiple complications existed simultaneously in almost 45% of the patients . The group developing the complications were mainly in their second decade of life . Meningitis occurred in 43 patients, brain abscess in 29, perisinus abscess in 23, lateral sinus thrombosis in 16, and extradural abscess in 12 patients . The most striking symptoms and signs were increasing otorrhea, visible cholesteatoma and/or granulations, fever, headache and otalgia, and vestibular symptoms . Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and staphylococcal organisms were found in almost 80% of patients . Overall mortality was 18.4% with brain abscess being the main cause (31%) . Epidemiologic presentation, clinical features, and results of treatment for each disease are compared and contrasted to those of previous studies.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1995 Jan, 109(1), 60 - 4; discussion 64-5
Critical issues in pediatric lung transplantation; Armitage JM et al.; Forty children (aged 1 to 18 years, 27 female and 13 male) have undergone heart-lung (21), double lung (17), and single lung (2) transplant procedures at our center from 1985 through April 1994 . The indications for transplantation have been diverse, primary pulmonary hypertension (10), cystic fibrosis (11), congenital heart disease (10), arteriovenous malformation (3), emphysema (1), graft-versus-host disease (1), rheumatoid lung (1), cardiomyopathy (1), desquamative interstitial pneumonitis (1), and Proteus syndrome (1) . The actuarial 1-year survival was 73% (mean follow-up 2 years) . One-year actuarial survival for disease groups ranged from 60% for cystic fibrosis to 90% for congenital heart disease . We have identified six issues critical to the patient and programatic survival of pediatric lung transplantation . Our experience and management strategies in these areas are reviewed . Cytomegalovirus: Cytomegalovirus disease developed in six of eight patients with cytomegalovirus mismatching (donor +/recipient-) and in seven of 32 patients who survived more than 30 days (23%) . All but cytomegalovirus donor -/recipient- patients were treated with ganciclovir for 4 weeks after transplantation . Obliterative bronchiolitis: Obliterative bronchiolitis developed in seven of 32 (25%) patients who survived more than 30 days . Obliterative bronchiolitis was manifest within the first posttransplantation year as a rapid decline in small airway function . Aggressive augmentation of immunosuppression has been used with little success . Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease: Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease developed in five of 32 (15%) patients who survived more than 30 days developed . One patient died (17% mortality) despite retransplantation . In four patients the disease resolved with reduction in immunosuppression alone, and one required the addition of interferon alfa . Cystic fibrosis: We have changed our management strategies to avoid triple drug immunosuppression, perioperative blood and bronchial cultures, aggressive antimicrobial therapy, and exclusion of patients with panresistant organisms; this has resulted in elimination of infectious mortalities thus far in the pediatric cystic fibrosis group . Airways: In 21 heart-lung recipients with tracheal anastomoses we have had no airway complications . The double and single lung transplant recipients accounted for 34 bronchial and one tracheal anastomoses . Three (9%) bronchial stenoses developed . Two were treated with silicone stents and one with balloon dilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Microbiol Immunol, 1995, 39(1), 63 - 5
Serological studies of the antigenic similarity between typhus group rickettsiae and Weil-Felix test antigens; Amano K et al.; The sera from two patients with murine typhus reacted with whole cells of Rickettsia prowazekii, R . typhi, and Proteus vulgaris OX19, and with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the spotted fever group rickettsia strain TT-118 and P . vulgaris OX19 in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Sera from these patients reacted with ladder-like bands of LPS from R . prowazekii and R . typhi in the immunoblot, whereas the reactivity of these sera with LPS from P . vulgaris OX19 differed from each other . These results indicate that LPS from the typhus group rickettsiae and P . vulgaris OX19 contain similar epitopes.

East Afr Med J, 1995 Jan, 72(1), 72 - 4
Urinary tract infection with proteus species in a teaching hospital; Ozumba UC et al.; This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of urinary tract infection due to proteus species, the predisposing factors, age and sex distribution, complications and the extent of drug resistance . A total of 580 patients were studied . Proteus species comprised 33 (9%) of the total number of bacterial isolates causing urinary tract infection during a one year study period between June 1991-May 1992 . Proteus urinary tract infection was found to be the most common from the age of 55 years upwards in males, while in females, they were more evenly distributed . All the proteus isolates were completely resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole . Ofloxacin was the most potent antibiotic (94.4%) sensitive, followed by gentamicin (83.3%) sensitive . Majority of the cases occurred in surgical department with more cases being nosocomially acquired than community . All male patients had at least one predisposing factor with catheterization being the commonest . To help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with urinary tract infection due to proteus species, strict aseptic catheter techniques and more efficient infection control measures must be reinforced.

Minerva Med, 1995 Jan-Feb, 86(1-2), 55 - 60
{Pilonidal sinus in a patient with Buckley's syndrome . A case report}; Schiffino L et al.; Buckley's syndrome is a nosologic entity characterized by the presence from birth of extremely elevated levels of circulating immunoglobulin E and an important deficiency of polymorphonuclear chemotaxis . The consequences of such alterations are represented by the premature rising of recurrent cutaneous, pulmonary and articular infections, slowing down of growth and quite significant disturbances of the immune system . We report a case which presents all the characteristics of Buckley's syndrome: familial history for atopy; otorhinolaryngologic, gynecologic and pulmonary recurrent infections from birth (caused by Staphylococcus, Candida albicans but also Proteus, Enterococcus, Pyocyanea and Moraxella) some of which necessitate surgery therapy; immune disturbances . The patient had hospitalized in our Surgery Department for sinus pilonidalis abscess . At a first treatment of removal of the primary orifice and accurate curettage of the cavity (Marti's intervention) there followed another operation of larger exeresis for an abscess relapse of the sinus at a distance of 2 months . In the interval between the two treatments, an eczematous patch of 8 cm diameter appeared on the left buttock, a probable manifestation of the state of hypersensitivity of the patient . We believe, therefore, that in patients with Buckley's syndrome who must be subjected to surgical intervention it is necessary to resort to a radical treatment from the beginning, given the particular tendency to an infection relapse presented in these cases.

Acta Derm Venereol, 1995 Jan, 75(1), 31 - 3
The effect of antiseptic solutions on microorganisms in venous leg ulcers; Hansson C et al.; The effect on the microbial ulcer flora of wet gauze dressings soaked in antiseptic solutions used for desloughing leg ulcers is not known . Quantitative cultures were therefore performed in 45 venous leg ulcers, before application and after 15 minutes' treatment with gauze dressings with four different antiseptic solutions: aluminium acetotartrate (Alsol) 1%, potassium permanganate 0.015%, acetic acid 0.25% and chloramine 0.25% . The percentage of ulcers with each type of microorganism did not differ before and after application of the antiseptic solutions . Staphylococcus aureus was found in 79% of the ulcers, gram-negative rods in 39%, S . epidermidis in 21%, Proteus spp in 21%, Pseudomonas spp in 14% and fungi in none . Potassium permanganate reduced the mean number of bacteria per ulcer from 4.4 x 10(6) to 0.9 x 10(6) (ns), chloramine from 2.7 x 10(6) to 2.2 x 10(6) (ns), Alsol from 1.2 x 10(7) to 3.5 x 10(6) (ns) and acetic acid from 6.3 x 10(6) to 2.6 x 10(5) (p = 0.007) . S . aureus was reduced by acetic acid (p = 0.002), gram-negative rods by both chloramine (p = 0.03) and acetic acid (p = 0.03) . The number of Pseudomonas, Proteus, S . epidermidis and Streptococcus haemolyticus group G was not reduced significantly (p > 0.05) by any of the solutions.

Arch Pediatr, 1995 Jan, 2(1), 52 - 6
{Hamartomatous dysplasias with hemihypertrophy . 2 cases including one with Proteus syndrome}; Delaporte E et al.; BACKGROUND--Hamartomatous dysplasias with hemihypertrophy are a part of several congenital diseases, sometimes difficult to classify when their symptomatology is relatively poor . CASE REPORTS--Case 1 . A girl, 11 year-old, suffered from gigantism of the feet, left hemihypertrophy of the limbs, scoliosis and kyphosis . X-rays showed frontal hyperostose, bony and soft tissues overgrowth involving the left limbs and pelvis with hip dislocation and coxa valga . The vertebrae were hypertrophic and dysplastic . No tumor could be found . Case 2 . A girl, 18 year-old, suffered from left hemihypertrophy of limbs and face associated with homolateral cutaneous hemangioma . X-rays showed enlargement of bone and soft tissue . No tumor or venous abnormalities were observed . CONCLUSION--A diagnosis of Proteus syndrome was made in the first patient while the second patient was considered to have Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome even though hemangiomatous involvement has been seen in Proteus syndrome.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1995, 24(1), 69 - 73
{Study of amniotic fluid bacterial colonization sampled by amniocentesis in cases with premature rupture of membranes . Prospective multicenter study}; Berardi JC et al.; OBJECTIVE . To determine the relationship between bacterial colonization of the amniotic fluid sampled by amniocentesis and premature rupture of the membranes . METHODS . A prospective multicentric study conducted over a one year period in 6 maternity wards in the suburban area of Paris . Thirty-six women with premature rupture of the membranes were studied . RESULTS . There were 11 patients (30%) with contaminated fluid at the first amniocentesis . Twenty-five patients had sterile fluid . In 7 patients with prolonged rupture for more than one week, repeated amniocentesis . Twenty-five patients had sterile fluid . In 7 patients with prolonged rupture for more than one week, repeated amniocenteses were used to follow bacterial colonization . In one patient, Proteus mirabilis in the amniotic fluid was eradicated by adapted antibiotic therapy . In patients with sterile amniotic fluid, there was no secondary colonization . In the 11 cases with colonized liquid, the vaginal swab could only be considered as positive in 4 cases . Amniocentesis was able to discover 7 bacterial colonizations of the amniotic fluid in patients with an indeterminant vaginal swab . Likewise, C-reactive protein levels were raised only in 26% of the cases with a colonized amniotic fluid.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1995 Jan, 39(1), 215 - 20
Randomized, double-blind comparison of single-dose regimens of rufloxacin and pefloxacin for acute uncomplicated cystitis in women . French Multicenter Urinary Tract Infection-Rufloxacin Group; Jardin A et al.; In a double-blind, randomized, multicenter study, 463 adult women with symptomatic acute uncomplicated cystitis were treated orally with either a 400-mg single dose of rufloxacin (n = 226) or an 800-mg single dose of pefloxacin (n = 237) . Escherichia coli (78%) and Proteus mirabilis (7%) were the most common isolates from 350 patients with significant pretreatment bacteriuria (uropathogens, > or = 10(5) CFU/ml) . In the intention-to-treat analysis of patients with significant pretreatment bacteriuria, 343 patients were assessed for bacteriological outcome and 345 were assessed for clinical outcome . The bacteriological cure rate was 88% in the rufloxacin group and 84% in the pefloxacin group (95% confidence interval {CI} for difference in proportions, -4 to 12%), while the clinical resolution rate was 85 and 84%, respectively (95% CI, -8 to 9%) . The per-protocol analysis demonstrated that among the 264 assessable patients, the bacteriological cure rate obtained with rufloxacin at 4 weeks of follow-up was comparable to that with pefloxacin (91 versus 85%; 95% CI, -3 to 15%) . Among 295 clinically assessable patients, the clinical resolution rate at 4 weeks of follow-up was 89% in the rufloxacin group and 88% in the pefloxacin group (95% CI, -6 to 10%) . Potentially drug-related adverse events occurred in 19% of the rufloxacin patients and in 18% of the pefloxacin patients . A single oral dose of 400 mg of rufloxacin is as effective and safe as a single oral dose of 800 mg of pefloxacin for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in women.

Medicina (B Aires), 1995, 55(2), 106 - 10
{Bacterial sacroileitis . Clinical findinds and clinical course in 9 cases}; Durlach RA et al.; Since septic sacroileitis is one of the less frequent localizations among joint infections, we decided to review 9 cases in a retrospective study of 5 females and 4 males, aged between 22 and 60 years old . None had a clinically predisposing condition . The initiating factor was gynecologic-obstetric in 4 women, the irruption of the skin barrier in 3 cases and finally in one case the infection reached the joint through the psoas muscle . Fever and lumbar pain were present in all cases and allowed diagnostic orientation . Radiologic and centellographic alterations were useful for clinical confirmation . An articular biopsypunction was performed in 4 cases, while in the other 5 cases the clinical and radiologic features and the bacteriologic positivity in the blood cultures were enough criteria for diagnosis . The bacteriologic findings were Staphylococcus aureus (4 cases), Streptococcus group A beta hemolitico (1 case), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (1 case), Streptococcus agalactiae (1 case), Proteus mirabilis (2 cases) . Eight out of 9 patients were treated with a B-lactamic and aminoglycoside association . One patient received her treatment per os, with quinolones . Six patients recovered, 2 died and one needed to be sent to another hospital.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1995 Jan-Feb, (1), 37 - 9
{The antigen-specific activity of a multicomponent vaccine administered orally and subcutaneously}; Mansurova NL et al.; The antigen-specific activity of polycomponent vaccine VP-4 consisting of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli antigens was studied . The same form of the vaccine was used for both subcutaneous injection and oral administration . The oral administration of the preparation to rabbits and guinea pigs induced a rise in the level of antibodies to all components of the vaccine in their blood sera, the optimum oral doses exceed only 2- to 4-fold the doses used for subcutaneous injection . The form of vaccine VP-4, developed for subcutaneous injection, may be recommended for wider trials with its oral administration.

Urol Int, 1995, 54(2), 89 - 94
Chemical compositions of 300 lower urinary tract calculi and associated disorders in the urinary tract; Takasaki E et al.; The stones removed from 273 patients (220 males, 53 females) with bladder stones and 27 patients with urethral stones (males) were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy . Of these stones 50.0% contained magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP), 39.9% calcium (oxalate and/or phosphate), 9.4% uric acid (urate), and 0.7% cystine . The disorders associated with bladder stones were prostatic hyperplasia and cancer (47.8%), neurogenic bladder (11.8%), urethral stricture (3.6%) and so on in males, and neurogenic bladder (48.1%), after operation of uterus (29.0%), bladder cancer (5.7%) and so on in females . Urinary infections were complications in 59.3% of patients with MAP stones, 41.2% with urate stones and 20.0% with calcium stones . The most often isolated bacteria from the infected urine were of the Proteus species.

Rheumatol Int, 1995, 15(2), 79 - 82
The specificity of the anti-Proteus antibody response in tissue-typed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from Brest; Fielder M et al.; Anti-Proteus mirabilis antibody titres were found to be elevated in 50 active tissue-typed French rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from Brest when compared to 49 healthy French controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; P < 0.001) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA; P < 0.001) . However, there was no significant elevation in antibody titres against Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium in the RA patients compared to the controls when measured by ELISA . Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were also found to be significantly higher in RA patients when compared to healthy control subjects (P < 0.001) . These results suggest that P . mirabilis may play an important and specific role in the triggering and persistence of RA.

J Biol Chem, 1994 Dec 23, 269(51), 32536 - 41
Molecular cloning and site-directed mutagenesis of glutathione S-transferase from Escherichia coli . The conserved tyrosyl residue near the N terminus is not essential for catalysis; Nishida M et al.; Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was purified from Escherichia coli K-12, and its N-terminal sequence was determined to be MKLFYKPGAXSLAS . The gene encoding this sequence was cloned and mapped at 1731-1732 kilobases on the E . coli gene map . It encoded a polypeptide of 201 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,860 . The overexpressed product of the gene was confirmed to have GST activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and ethacrynic acid and GSH-dependent peroxidase activity toward cumene hydroperoxide . The relative molecular mass of the gene product was determined to be 40,000 by gel chromatography and 25,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating a homodimeric structure . The deduced amino acid sequence was 54% identical with that of Proteus mirabilis GST . Although the homologies between the GSTs from E . coli and mammals were low, many of the residues assigned to be important for the enzymatic function or structure in mammalian cytosolic GSTs were found to be conserved in E . coli GST . Therefore, E . coli GST is considered to have diverged from the same ancestor with other cytosolic GSTs . A specific tyrosyl residue in the vicinity of the N terminus is conserved in all of the known cytosolic GSTs and has been shown to function as a catalytic residue in alpha, mu, and pi class GSTs from mammals . Although Tyr5 in E . coli GST appeared to be the counterpart of the catalytic residue, its replacement with phenylalanine did not significantly affect the enzymatic activity . Therefore, this apparently conserved tyrosyl residue is not essential for catalytic activity in E . coli GST.

Gene, 1994 Dec 2, 150(1), 101 - 4
Genetic organization and complete sequence of the Proteus mirabilis pmf fimbrial operon; Massad G et al.; Proteus mirabilis, commonly associated with urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis and bacteremia, produces a number of fimbriae, including PMF (P . mirabilis fimbriae) . Genes encoding PMF were isolated and the complete nucleotide (nt) sequence was determined . The pmf gene cluster, encoded by 5655 bp, predicts five polypeptides: PmfA (18,921 Da), PmfC (93,107 Da), PmfD (28,208 Da), PmfE (38,875 Da) and PmfF (19,661 Da) . PmfA, PmfC, PmfD and PmfF share > 25% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with gene products of the pap, mrp and sfa fimbrial gene clusters . PmfE shares no similarity with any polypeptide in the SwissProt database . No regulatory gene(s) or regulatory elements were evident in the sequence . The pmf cluster shares common features with other enteric fimbrial gene clusters, but also displays features that are unique.

J Med Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 41(6), 389 - 92
Rapid identification of micro-organisms from urinary tract infections by beta-glucuronidase, phenylalanine deaminase, cytochrome oxidase and indole tests on isolation media; Giammanco G et al.; Two commercially available media recommended for the isolation and rapid identification of Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections were supplemented with L-phenylalanine and L-tryptophan . The non-selective medium proved suitable for the direct detection of lactose fermentation, beta-glucuronidase and phenylalanine deaminase activities, indole production and the oxidase test . It was highly efficient in making a presumptive identification at species level of the most common gram-negative urinary pathogens, E . coli, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that account for c . 85% of all urinary isolates . Among the gram-positive isolates, most colonies were non-fluorescent and could be separated into staphylococci and enterococci on the basis of the catalase test . Fluorescent colonies were found to be Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolates, 61% of which were fluorescent . The selective medium proved suitable for the same biochemical tests, with the exception of indole, which was not visible against the red colour of the medium . Therefore, the differentiation of P . mirabilis from other Proteus-Providencia species was impossible on this medium.

J Bacteriol, 1994 Dec, 176(23), 7190 - 6
Isolated fibrils rescue cohesion and development in the Dsp mutant of Myxococcus xanthus; Chang BY et al.; Extracellular fibrils are involved in cell cohesion and cell development in Myxococcus xanthus . One group of social motility mutants, Dsp, is unable to produce extracellular fibrils; these mutants also lose the abilities to cohere and to develop . Extracellular fibrils isolated from vegetative wild-type cells and added to Dsp cells fully restored the abilities of these cells to cohere and to undergo normal morphological development . The fibrils thus mimic the ability of intact, wild-type cells to carry out the same rescue . Optimal cohesion rescue by fibrils required calcium and magnesium ions, did not require protein synthesis, but was energy dependent, i.e., sodium azide and sodium cyanide blocked rescue . Cohesion rescue was also blocked by the diazo dye Congo red . Cohesion rescue is genus specific, i.e., isolated fibrils did not cause the cohesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, or the related myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca . Developmental rescue of Dsp by isolated fibrils included aggregation, fruiting body formation, and myxospore morphogenesis . Developmental gene expression in the Dsp mutant was only partially rescued by the isolated fibrils.

J Bacteriol, 1994 Dec, 176(23), 7169 - 81
Expression of multiple flagellin-encoding genes of Proteus mirabilis; Belas R; The overproduction of flagella is a distinguishing characteristic of Proteus mirabilis swarmer cell differentiation . The synthesis of flagellin, the principal protein composing the flagellar filament, is coordinately regulated as part of a larger regulon of genes whose expression is a prerequisite in urinary pathogenesis . In this report, the regulation of expression of the flaA locus, comprising flaA and flaB, two tandemly linked and nearly identical copies of flagellin-encoding genes, is examined . Transcriptional expression studies reveal that flaA, but not flaB, is expressed by wild-type cells, and flaA transcription increases eightfold during differentiation . The flaA transcriptional start site for both swimmer and swarmer cells was determined to be located at a guanine, 8 bases downstream of the flaA sigma 28 promoter . FlaA- mutants are nonmotile and undifferentiated and do not synthesize flagellin, while FlaB- mutants are wild type, thus verifying that FlaA is the sole flagellin produced by wild-type cells and that flaB is silent . FlaA- mutants frequently revert to a Mot+ phenotype that is antigenically distinct from that of wild-type cells . Southern blot analysis of the flaA Mot+ revertants reveals a deletion of between 2 and 7kb in the flaA locus . Biochemical analyses of revertant flagellin indicate major changes in protein size and composition but conservation of the first 28 N-terminal residues . The result of this process is to produce an antigenically distinct flagellum that may be significant in ensuring the survival of P . mirabilis during pathogenesis.

Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1994 Dec, (12), 24 - 6
{Microbiological and immunological indicators of local peritonitis of appendiceal origin}; Perfil'ev DF; The causative agents of localized peritonitis are certain microbial associations of 2-6 bacterial species including staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus, and obligate anaerobes Cl . perfringens . A dominant position is occupied by Escherichia coli and obligate anaerobes in critical doses (105 and more microbial bodies per 1 ml of exudate) . In the course of the disease all five types of antibodies accumulated independently of one another, while the intensity of their rise depended on the term of treatment and the patient's age . A twofold and greater increase of the antibody titers may confirm the etiological role of the microbes in peritonitis, whereas the level of their increase may be an indirect criterion of localized peritonitis prognosis.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1994 Dec 1, 124(2), 185 - 90
The urease structural gene ureA in Rhizobium meliloti is preceded by an open reading frame necessary for urease activity; Miksch G; An open reading frame (ORF1) located upstream of the urease structural gene ureA in Rhizobium meliloti strain AK631 was cloned and characterized by DNA sequencing . Comparison of the amino acid sequence revealed partial homology with the urease accessory gene ureD of Klebsiella aerogenes and Proteus mirabilis . Mutational analysis of ORF1 showed that the gene is necessary for urease activity . Its function is still unknown.

J Med Assoc Thai, 1994 Dec, 77(12), 646 - 51
King cobra bite; Karnchanachetanee C; King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) bite is rare . The milestones of management should have specific antivenom, adequate assisting respirator and appropriate antibiotics against Proteus vulgaris infection . Tourniquet may play some role in delaying venom absorption and allow a greater chance of venom detoxification by the human body.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 Dec, 39(12), 31 - 4
{Use of a combination of cefoperazone with sulbactam for treatment of patients with wound infections}; Iakovlev VP et al.; The clinical efficacy of sulperazone (cefoperazone + sulbactam) manufactured by Pfizer (USA) was studied in the treatment of 25 patients with wound infections . By the disease severity and complications 9 patients belonged to the risk group . Insulators with abacterial media or bandages with ointments on the polyethylene glycol base and drugs stimulating reparative processes (methyl-diadioxylin, dioxyzol, gentacycol) were used for the local treatment of the wounds . The clinical efficacy was stated in 92 per cent of the cases and in 76 per cent of the cases the efficacy was bacteriological . The tolerance of sulperazon was good in all the cases . The signs of the drug intolerance or affection of the hepatic or renal function were not detected . 281 clinical isolates of the aerobic microflora were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility . The highest susceptibility to sulperazone was observed in gram-positive organisms, gram-negative bacilli (Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp.) and some nonfermenting bacteria.

Pathologica, 1994 Dec, 86(6), 681 - 4
{Isolated macrodactyly or extremely circumscribed Proteus syndrome?}; Guelfi M et al.; We report on two unrelated female patients with unilateral macrodactyly of the 1st and 2nd toes and of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes, respectively . In addition, they had a local plantar soft tissue lump and radiographically abnormally broad phalanges of the affected toes . These clinical manifestations may represent either an isolated macrodactyly or an extremely localized form of Proteus syndrome.

Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax, 1994 Nov 29, 83(48), 1348 - 54
{Vomiting, upper abdominal pain and sepsis}; Berchtold P et al.; A 78-year-old man was admitted to a surgical emergency room because of an acute abdomen . He had vomited violently four times shortly after a meal . This episode was followed by severe upper abdominal and thoracic pain, radiating to the back . Clinical evaluation revealed epigastric peritoneal signs and a soft lower abdomen . Emergency laparotomy disclosed peritoneal adhesions, a distended stomach and numerous diverticula of the small intestine . Neither a perforation nor inflammatory signs were noted . A dramatic accentuation of the pain occurred, followed by the clinical picture of septic-toxic shock . On a chest X-ray, liquid was noted in the left pleural cavity . On occasion of a puncture, this liquid was found to be malodorous and bloody . Cultures yielded Vibrio vulmificus, streptococcus viridans as well as proteus and klebsiella species . The patient succumbed to multiorgan failure on the third day of hospitalization . The autopsy disclosed a recent rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave syndrome) with purulent peri-esophagitis and mediastinitis as well as fibrinopurulent left-sided pleuritis.

FEBS Lett, 1994 Nov 7, 354(2), 191 - 4
Immunogold localization of glutathione transferase B1-1 in Proteus mirabilis; Allocati N et al.; By using the immunolabelling technique, the cellular localization of glutathione transferase in Proteus mirabilis was investigated . Evidence was obtained indicating a significant higher content of glutathione transferase in the periplasmic than cytoplasmic space . This result further support the idea that bacterial glutathione transferase is involved in xenobiotic detoxication.

Am J Kidney Dis, 1994 Nov, 24(5), 868 - 72
Infection-induced stone formation in a renal allograft; Hess B et al.; Stone formation is an uncommon complication in renal allograft recipients . We report a 61-year-old woman who had undergone cadaveric renal transplantation in 1982 because of chronic renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease . Since 1985 she has developed recurrent urinary tract infections with Proteus mirabilis, and persistent microhematuria was detectable from 1988 on . Since renal function remained stable, she was repeatedly treated with antibiotics . Following a septicemia with P mirabilis, a staghorn calculus was discovered and was surgically removed from the allograft . Stone analysis (infrared spectrometry) revealed 60% struvite and 40% carbonate apatite . Since urinary tract infections with urea-splitting bacteria are a more frequent cause of stone formation in transplant patients than in nontransplant patients with kidney stones, stone disease should be considered in every allograft recipient presenting with recurrent urinary tract infection and microhematuria.

J Bacteriol, 1994 Nov, 176(22), 6836 - 41
Single-step purification of Proteus mirabilis urease accessory protein UreE, a protein with a naturally occurring histidine tail, by nickel chelate affinity chromatography; Sriwanthana B et al.; Proteus mirabilis urease, a nickel metalloenzyme, is essential for the virulence of this species in the urinary tract . Escherichia coli containing cloned structural genes ureA, ureB, and ureC and accessory genes ureD, ureE, ureF, and ureG displays urease activity when cultured in M9 minimal medium . To study the involvement of one of these accessory genes in the synthesis of active urease, deletion mutations were constructed . Cultures of a ureE deletion mutant did not produce an active urease in minimal medium . Urease activity, however, was partially restored by the addition of 5 microM NiCl2 to the medium . The predicted amino acid sequence of UreE, which concludes with seven histidine residues among the last eight C-terminal residues (His-His-His-His-Asp-His-His-His), suggested that UreE may act as a Ni2+ chelator for the urease operon . To exploit this potential metal-binding motif, we attempted to purify UreE from cytoplasmic extracts of E . coli containing cloned urease genes . Soluble protein was loaded onto a nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid column, a metal chelate resin with high affinity for polyhistidine tails, and bound protein was eluted with a 0 to 0.5 M imidazole gradient . A single polypeptide of 20-kDa apparent molecular size, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-10 to 20% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was eluted between 0.25 and 0.4 M imidazole . The N-terminal 10 amino acids of the eluted polypeptide exactly matched the deduced amino acid sequence of P . mirabilis UreE . The molecular size of the native protein was estimated on a Superdex 75 column to be 36 kDa, suggesting that the protein is a dimer . These data suggest that UreE is a Ni(2)+-binding protein that is necessary for synthesis of a catalytically active urease at low Ni(2+) concentrations.

Gastroenterology, 1994 Nov, 107(5), 1573 - 8
The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole inhibits acid survival of Helicobacter pylori by a urease-independent mechanism; McGowan CC et al.; BACKGROUND/AIMS: Omeprazole, a benzimidazole proton pump inhibitor, has an antibacterial effect against Helicobacter pylori at neutral pH and inhibits its urease activity . The aim of this study was to characterize H . pylori acid resistance and to determine whether omeprazole effects its survival at low pH . METHODS: We studied survival of H . pylori and other enteric organisms in buffered solutions (pH 2-7) in the presence or absence of 10 mmol/L urea and/or omeprazole . RESULTS: In the absence of urea, the acid tolerances of wild-type H . pylori, a urease-negative H . pylori mutant, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis were similar . In the presence of urea, the survival of the wild-type H . pylori at pH 2 was significantly greater than that of the other organisms . Omeprazole (100 micrograms/mL) had a marked inhibitory effect on the survival of both wild-type and urease-negative H . pylori at low pH, and similar effects on E . coli, P . mirabilis, and Salmonella typhimurium . CONCLUSIONS: Whereas survival of H . pylori below pH 4 is urease dependent, H . pylori uses non-urease-mediated mechanisms at or above pH 4 . Omeprazole inhibits the survival of H . pylori at low pH through a mechanism independent of its effect on urease, an antibacterial effect that extends to other enteric bacteria.

Kidney Int Suppl, 1994 Nov, 47, S129 - 36
Virulence determinants of uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis; Mobley HL et al.; The urinary tract is among the most common sites of bacterial infection and E . coli is by far the most common infecting agent . In patients with urinary catheters in place or structural abnormalities of the urinary tract, Proteus mirabilis is also a frequent isolate . To study virulence of these bacterial species, we have isolated the genes that encode putative virulence factors, constructed specific mutations within these genes, introduced the mutation back into the wild type strain by allelic exchange, and analyzed these mutants for virulence in appropriate in vitro and in vivo models . Specific virulence markers have been identified for strains that cause urinary tract infection . For E . coli, these include P fimbriae, S fimbriae, hemolysin, aerobactin, serum resistance, and a small group of O-serotypes . Redundant virulence factors must be present in these organisms as mutation of the most clearly identified epidemiological marker, P fimbriae, does not result in attenuation of a virulent strain . For P . mirabilis, urease appears to contribute most significantly to virulence . Fimbriae play a significant but more subtle role in colonization . Hemolysin, although potently cytotoxic to renal cells in vitro, does not appear to contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of ascending urinary tract infection . We can conclude that the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection and acute pyelonephritis caused by uropathogenic E . coli and P . mirabilis are multifactorial, as mutation of single genes rarely causes significant attenuation of virulence.

J Rheumatol, 1994 Nov, 21(11), 2082 - 7
Antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis in ankylosing spondylitis: effect of sulfasalazine treatment; Nissila M et al.; OBJECTIVE . To make a longitudinal study of antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to assess treatment effects . As a comparison we measured antibodies of 2 other gut associated bacteria, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis . METHODS . In a double blind study in 84 Finnish outpatients with AS before and after 26 weeks' treatment with sulfasalazine or placebo we measured serum antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae, E . coli and Proteus mirabilis with ELISA . Serum samples of 100 healthy blood donors served as controls . RESULTS . The levels of IgA class antibodies to all 3 bacteria were statistically significantly higher in the sera of the patients compared to the controls . During sulfasalazine treatment significant decreases were observed in concentrations of the IgA class antibodies to Klebsiella and E . coli whereas only a slight decrease was observed in the concentrations of IgA antibodies to Proteus mirabilis . There were no correlations between the clinical and laboratory results observed with sulfasalazine and decrease in concentrations of IgA class antibodies . CONCLUSION . Our results agree with the role of gut associated lymphoid tissue in the pathogenesis of AS, but do not totally exclude Klebsiella pneumoniae as a specific agent contributing to the development of AS.

Hinyokika Kiyo, 1994 Nov, 40(11), 999 - 1003
{Clinical analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection}; Takezawa Y et al.; In 14 patients from which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated at the Department of Urology, Tone Chuo Hospital June, 1992 and October, 1993, the site of infection, background of patients, and drug resistance were analyzed . The 14 patients consisted of 11 males and 3 females between 45 and 85 years old with a mean of 71.6 years . The site from which MRSA was isolated was urine in 11, wound in 2, nasal cavity in 1, pharynx in 1, and renal fistula in 1 (detected at 2 or more sites in 2) . The underlying condition was prostate hyperplasia in 2, prostate cancer in 4 (after radical prostatectomy in 1, complicated by bladder stone in 1), bladder tumor in 3, (during bladder instillation of BCG in 1), perirenal abscess in 2, renal pelvic tumor in 1, neurogenic bladder in 1, and after Boari's operation in 1 . Urethral catheterization had been performed in 3 . A fewer of 38 degrees C or above was noted in 3 . Mixed infection was observed in 10, and was caused by Escherichia coli in 2, Proteus mirabiris in 1, Candida in 1, Klebsiella in 2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2, and Serratia in 2 . Four patients has previously been administered antibiotics, which were third generation cephems in 3 and penicillin in 1 . The drug sensitivity was 100% for vancomycin (VCM), 30% for imipenam (IMP), 31% for minomycin (MINO), 31% for amikacin (AMK), and 7% for fosfomycin (FOM) . As for chemotherapy, VCM+FOM+sulbactam/cefoperazone were administered to 6, and ceftazidime+ MINO were administered to 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gene, 1994 Oct 11, 148(1), 43 - 9
A novel strong promoter of the groEx operon of symbiotic bacteria in Amoeba proteus; Ahn TI et al.; Gram- symbiotic bacteria (called X-bacteria), present in the xD strain of Amoeba proteus as required cell components, contain a large amount of a 67-kDa protein, a GroEL analog . The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the groEx operon of X-bacteria has been determined and it has a high degree of nt identity with those of other bacterial groE operons . The groELx gene is expressed in transformed Escherichia coli and has a novel and potent promoter (P2) in addition to the heat-shock consensus promoter (P1) . This is shown by the production of GroELx in Escherichia coli transformed with modified DNA clones lacking P1 and by an enhanced production of a GroELx::beta-galactosidase fusion protein when a portion of groEx containing P2 is linked to the lacZ gene . Primer-extension analyses revealed the presence of possible P2 sequences within the open reading frame of the groESx gene . It is suggested that the presence of a potent P2 in the X-bacterial gene is an adaptation for the endosymbiotic bacteria to survive within a potentially hostile intracellular environment.

Gene, 1994 Oct 11, 148(1), 33 - 41
Sequence and genetic analysis of multiple flagellin-encoding genes from Proteus mirabilis; Belas R et al.; Surface-induced overproduction of flagellin is one of the hallmarks of Proteus mirabilis swarmer cell differentiation . In this study, we analyzed the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequences, and expression of the P . mirabilis flagellin-encoding gene (fliC) region . The nt sequence analysis of a 3567-bp region reveals three ORFs, each with homology to known Escherichia coli flagellar genes . The first ORF corresponds to fliD, the gene encoding the flagellar filament capping protein, FliD (HAP2) . The second and third ORFs are highly homologous to each other and to fliC genes from many other Gram- bacteria . To distinguish between the two alleles, we have designated these genes fliC1 and fliC2 . Sequences highly homologous to promoter sites for the alternate sigma factor of RNA polymerase, sigma 28, are found 5' to the start of each gene . Additionally, both fliC1 and fliC2 have a conserved direct tandem repeat (DTR) sequence upstream from the sigma 28 promoter that may have functional significance in the transcriptional control of fliC expression during swarmer cell differentiation . Both FliC1 and FliC2 were produced in E . coli, but only FliC1 could complement FliC- mutants of E . coli . Southern hybridization data indicate the presence of fliC1 and fliC2 in six distinct P . mirabilis strains, indicating that multiple flagellin-encoding genes are common in P . mirabilis . Hybridization data also suggest the presence of a third flagellin-encoding gene, fliC3, in all isolates . The possible significance of multiple fliC in swarmer cell differentiation is discussed.

J Biol Chem, 1994 Oct 7, 269(40), 25078 - 84
Hemoglobin, a newly recognized lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein that enhances LPS biological activity; Kaca W et al.; Cell-free hemoglobin (Hb) is a purified preparation of human hemoglobin that is being developed as a resuscitation fluid . In vivo administration of hemoglobin has resulted in significant toxicity, due in part to contamination with bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) . To better understand this toxicity, we have studied the interaction between Hb and LPS . Mixtures of each of three different Hb preparations (cross-linked alpha alpha Hb, cross-linked carbon monoxy-alpha alpha HbCO, and non-cross-linked (native) HbAo) and LPS (Escherichia coli O26:B6 or Proteus mirabilis S1959) were examined by several independent methods for evidence of Hb.LPS complex formation . Binding assays in microtiter plates demonstrated saturable binding of LPS to immobilized Hb, with a kD of 3.1 x 10(-8) M . Binding of LPS to Hb also was demonstrated wiht a radiolabeled LPS photoaffinity probe . Ultrafiltration of Hb/LPS mixtures by 300- and 100-kDa cut-off membranes showed that the majority of LPS in these mixtures (87-97 and 64-72%, respectively) was detected in the filtrates, in contrast to the lack of filterability of LPS in the absence of Hb . Density centrifugation demonstrated that LPS co-migrated with each of the three Hbs, whereas unbound LPS had a distinctly greater sedimentation velocity than Hb or Hb.LPS complexes . Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that in the presence of Hb, LPS migrated into the gel and co-electrophoresed with Hb, whereas LPS alone did not appreciably enter the gel . Finally, precipitation by ethanol of each of the three Hb preparations was increased in the presence of LPS compared with precipitation in the absence of LPS . Interaction of LPS with each of the three Hb preparations was also associated with altered biological activity of LPS, as shown by enhancement of LPS activation of Limulus amebocyte lysate . Therefore, our data provide several lines of independent evidence for Hb-LPS complex formation and indicated that LPS exhibited altered physical characteristics and enhanced biological activity in the presence of Hb.

Clin Dysmorphol, 1994 Oct, 3(4), 351 - 2
Isolated macrodactyly or extremely localized Proteus syndrome?
van Bever Y, Hennekam RC.
We report on a woman with unilateral macrosyndactyly of the second and third toes, a local plantar soft tissue lump, and radiographically an abnormal shape of the phalanges of the affected toes . This finding may represent either an isolated macrosyndactyly or an extremely localised form of Proteus syndrome.

J Endourol, 1994 Oct, 8(5), 335 - 40
Clinical correlates of the gross, radiographic, and histologic features of urinary matrix calculi; Stoller ML et al.; We present five patients with urinary matrix calculi, which, in contrast to the normally brittle calcigerous calculi, are soft, pliable, and amorphous . Common clinical features include a history of calcigerous stone disease, renal surgery, urinary obstruction or stasis, and chronic infection with Proteus species or coliforms . The diagnosis is usually made at surgery, but certain preoperative radiographic findings may be suggestive . Matrix calculi are radiolucent on plain abdominal films, although their appearance on nonenhanced CT scans is similar to that of calcigerous calculi despite their small mineral content . Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is ineffective; open or percutaneous techniques are necessary . Histologic inspection reveals laminar concentric rings of organized matrix with an orderly, layered deposition of minerals . Histochemical investigation can provide insight into the possible sequence of events in normal calculogenesis . The successful management of urinary matrix calculi depends on a high index of suspicion and a thorough knowledge of their clinicopathologic features.

G Chir, 1994 Oct, 15(10), 422 - 8
{Variations in the antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial strains after contact with the metals used for the construction of prosthetic implants}; Cenni E et al.; The antibiotic sensitivity of 19 Gram-positive bacterial strains (11 Staphylococcus aureus and 8 Staphylococcus epidermidis) and 16 Gram-negative strains (8 Escherichia coli and 8 Proteus species) was evaluated after contact with stainless steel and with some metals compounding the alloys used for prosthetic devices . The hypothesis was that the resistance to antibiotic therapy of infections associated with prosthetic implants is also due to a modification in the sensitivity of microorganisms . The results, compared to those obtained from control tests, showed only slight variations in the antibiotic sensitivity of the strains put in contact with the metals . In Gram-positive strains, after contact with metals, the increase in sensitivity occurred more frequently than the reduction . In Gram-negative strains, the decrease in sensitivity was more frequent than the increase . Proteus strains showed sensitivity variations more frequently than Escherichia coli strains . Titanium and nickel induced the highest number of variations, both in Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains.

J Nutr, 1994 Sep, 124(9), 1604 - 14
A single 210-mumol oral dose of retinol does not enhance the immune response in children with measles; Rosales FJ et al.; This trial assessed the effect of vitamin A on reversing measles-induced unresponsiveness to recall antigens and on enhancing measles antibody production . These assessments were part of a randomized, double-masked clinical trial of the efficacy of 210 mumol of retinol as retinyl palmitate for reducing measles-associated morbidity . Two hundred children between 5 mo and 17 y of age with acute measles were enrolled at the Urban Health Centers in Ndola, Zambia; 110 subjects received a placebo and 90 received vitamin A . At enrollment and 2 wk later, blood samples were collected to determine measles hemagglutinin antibody titer and, at 1 and 2 wk post-enrollment, cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity tests (DTH) for seven antigens were applied . Both groups of subjects showed marked DTH unresponsiveness, but vitamin A-treated subjects had a significant prolongation of unresponsiveness to tuberculin {odds ratio (OR) 3.22 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-8.2}, Candida (OR 5.43, CI 1.13-25.9) and Proteus (OR 5.17, CI 1.14-28.4), after adjustment for previous vaccination and age . DTH unresponsiveness was antigen specific, reflecting prior vaccination history, and was not associated with acute respiratory infection status . In addition, children in both treatment groups showed a significant increase in measles antibody titer from baseline to wk 2, but this increment was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.25) . These results indicate that a single oral dose of 210 mumol of retinol as retinyl palmitate in oil does not enhance the immune system during measles.

Pediatr Dermatol, 1994 Sep, 11(3), 222 - 6
Proteus syndrome; Darmstadt GL et al.; A 10-month-old girl had macrodactyly, facial and extremity hemihypertrophy, plantar cerebriform hyperplasia, a subcutaneous mass on the back, macrocephaly, and lumbar kyphosis . These findings were diagnostic of Proteus syndrome . The clinical features, etiology, management, and points of differential diagnosis are discussed.

Eur J Biochem, 1994 Sep 1, 224(2), 613 - 22
The single-stranded-DNA-binding proteins (SSB) of Proteus mirabilis and Serratia marcescens; De Vries J et al.; The single-stranded-DNA-binding (SSB) proteins from Proteus mirabilis and Serratia marcescens were purified from overproducing Escherichia coli strains, which were devoid of their own ssb gene . The strains harboured an endA insertion mutation and a xonA mutation resulting in the absence of endonuclease I and exonuclease I activities from the preparations . The amino acid sequences of the SSB of all three species are nearly identical in the N-terminal parts of the proteins that contain the DNA-binding domain, but differ in the C-terminal parts . Both proteins have an apparent binding-site size of 65 and 35 nucleotides at high and low salt concentrations, respectively . The association-rate constant for binding to poly(dT) is 3.2 x 10(8) M-1 s-1 for P . mirabilis SSB (PmiSSB) and 3.4 x 10(8) M-1 s-1 for S . marcescens SSB (SmaSSB) . These binding parameters are very similar to those of E . coli SSB (EcoSSB) . The structural similarity of the proteins is also documented by the finding that they can exchange subunits among each other to form mixed tetramers . The transcriptional regulation of the ssb and uvrA genes from P . mirabilis and S . marcescens in SOS-induced E . coli cells was studied using lacZ fusions . While the uvrA genes were inducible, there was no induction of the ssb genes transcribed divergently from the uvrA genes . Apparently, regions with nucleotide sequence similarity to the E . coli SOS-box preceding the ssb genes of P . mirabilis and S . marcescens had no gross effect on the transcription . Studies on growth of the cells and recovery from ultraviolet damage indicate that the heterologous SSB proteins support DNA replication and recombinational DNA repair of E . coli with the same efficiency as the E . coli SSB protein . Interactions with other E . coli proteins involved in these processes either do not occur, or are not impeded.

J Bacteriol, 1994 Sep, 176(17), 5225 - 32
Analysis of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable peptidoglycan autolysins of select gram-negative pathogens by using renaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; Bernadsky G et al.; For the first time, peptidoglycan autolysins from cellular fractions derived from sonicated cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Escherichia coli W7, Klebsiella pneumoniae CWK2, and Proteus mirabilis 19 were detected and partially characterized by zymogram analysis . Purified murein sacculi from P . aeruginosa PAO1 were incorporated into a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel at a concentration of 0.05% (wt/vol) to serve as a substrate for the separated autolysins . At least 11 autolysin bands of various intensities with M(r)s ranging between 17,000 and 122,000 were detected in each of the homogenated cultures . Some of the autolysins of the four bacteria had similar M(r)s . The zymogram analysis was used to show that a number of the autolysins from E . coli were inhibited by the heavy metals Hg2+ and Cu2+, at 1 and 10 mM, respectively, high ionic strengths, and reagents known to affect the packing of lipopolysaccharides . The activity of an autolysin with an M(r) of 65,000 was also impaired by penicillin G, whereas it was enhanced by gentamicin . A preliminary screen to determine the relationship between penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and autolysins was carried out by using a dual assay in which radiolabelled penicillin V bands were visualized on an autolysin zymogram . Radiolabelled bands corresponding to PBPs 3, 4, 5, and 6 from E . coli and P . aeruginosa; PBPs 3, 4, and 6 from Proteus mirabilis; and PBP 6 from K . pneumoniae degraded the murein sacculi in the gels and were presumed to have autolytic activity, although the possibility of two distinct enzymes, each with one of the activities, comigrating in the SDS-polyacrylamide gels could not be excluded . Some radiolabelled bands possessed an Mr of <34,000 and coincided with similar low-Mr autolysin bands.

Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1994 Sep-Oct, (5), 3 - 8
{The role of the chromosome and its interaction with extrachromosomal determinants during the process of genetic control of bacterial pathogenicity}; Petrovskaia VG et al.; The authors analyze current data on genetic control of the principal factors of pathogenicity of Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, Listeria and Proteus . They review the phases in the development of an infectious process and discuss problems in interaction of chromosomal and plasmid genes determining the pathogenicity of the said bacteria.

J Dairy Sci, 1994 Sep, 77(9), 2605 - 13
Evaluation of a new high protein variety of soybeans as a source of protein and energy for dairy cows; McNiven MA et al.; Twenty Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a Latin square design to evaluate the nutritional quality of a high protein soybean (CP 45%) fed raw or roasted . Treatments were 1) control (soybean meal); 2) conventional soybean (Maple Isle), raw; 3) conventional soybean, roasted; 4) high protein soybean (AC Proteus), raw; and 5) high protein soybean, roasted . Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and consisted of approximately 10% whole crop barley silage, 15% corn silage, 19% alfalfa silage, 31% rolled barley, 17% cracked corn, and from 6.5 to 8.6% of the appropriate protein source on a DM basis . Replacement of conventional soybean with the high protein soybean increased milk and milk component yields . All soybean treatments lowered milk protein percentages versus soybean meal although milk protein yield was only reduced for the raw Maple Isle soybean treatment . Milk fat percentage was reduced for the roasted AC Proteus soybean treatment versus soybean meal and both Maple Isle soybean treatments, although total milk fat yield did not differ among treatments . Heat treatment by roasting tended to affect total milk yield positively for both types of soybeans, but only the increase for Maple Isle was significant . Milk from cows fed full fat soybeans had more long-chain fatty acids than milk from cows fed soybean meal . Roasting the soybeans further increased the amounts of long-chain fatty acids . The new high protein soybean, AC Proteus, appears to be an excellent source of supplemental protein and energy for lactating dairy cows.

Pediatr Pathol, 1994 Sep-Oct, 14(5), 873 - 94
Congenital soft tissue dysplasias: a morphological and biochemical study; Martelli H et al.; The term congenital soft tissue dysplasias (CSTDs) regroups some localized malformations of covering soft tissues in children, presenting as various clinical entities, either recognized as particular syndromes (e.g., Parkes-Weber, Klippel-Trenaunay, Proteus) or, most often, appearing less stereotyped (e.g., segmental hypertrophy or gigantism, lymphedema, angiodysplasia, phakomatosis), with a common histopathological lesion, the hamartoma . The aim of this paper is to report a morphological and biochemical study of the extracellular matrix of skin and subcutaneous tissue in children with CSTD . For every patient, pathological tissues were compared with contralateral, symmetrical tissues, taken as controls . In all CSTDs, pathological samples were characterized by an increase in water and total glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content with a decrease in collagen content . Other results lead the authors to distinguish two main entities, segmental dysplasia (SeD) and neuroectodermal dysplasia (NeD) . Elastic fiber content was increased in SeD and decreased in NeD . Hyaluronic acid (HA) and dermatan sulfate (DS) were increased in NeD, whereas in SeD, HA was decreased with an increase in the DS/HA ratio . Cultured fibroblasts from dysplastic skin had slower proliferation in vitro than fibroblasts from control skin, whereas their biosynthetic activity concerning collagen and GAGs was greater . The difference in the composition of extracellular matrix supports the clinical classification of CSTDs in two main groups: segmental dysplasia with or without gigantism and neuroectodermal dysplasia (in von Recklinghausen's disease and nevi).

Pediatr Pathol, 1994 Sep-Oct, 14(5), 771 - 9
Two-year-old boy with Proteus syndrome and fatal pulmonary thromboembolism; Eberhard DA; A 2-year-old boy with a relatively mild form of Proteus syndrome (PS) died suddenly during a previously uncomplicated postsurgical convalescence . Autopsy demonstrated massive acute pulmonary embolism, which has not been previously reported in PS . In addition, clinically occult mesodermal hamartomata, predominantly hemolymphangiomata, were found to be widespread in the pelvoabdominal viscera, including spleen, appendix, kidneys, adrenal gland, liver, and retroperitoneal soft tissues . Such lesions may well be common in PS patients but may not be detected by conventional radiographic imaging techniques unless they are fairly large.

J Hosp Infect, 1994 Sep, 28(1), 63 - 70
A comparison of the bactericidal activity of 'Phoraid 6000' and 'Clearsol' disinfectants; Coates D; The bactericidal activity of 'Phoraid 6000' and 'Clearsol' disinfectants was evaluated using suspension and surface tests . In suspension tests, 2% 'Phoraid' achieved a > 5 log10 reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in 1 min in the absence of blood, but negligible activity in 10 min in the presence of 1% blood; 10% 'Phoraid' exhibited no useful activity in the presence of 5% blood and 20% Phoraid no useful activity in the presence of 10% blood . In contrast, 'Clearsol' was very resistant to neutralization by blood: 1% 'Clearsol' achieved a > 5 log10 reduction of P . aeruginosa, E . coli and S . aureus in 5 min in the presence of > or = 70% blood . In surface tests, undiluted 'Phoraid 6000' failed to disinfect wet blood contaminated with either P . aeruginosa, E . coli or Proteus vulgaris in the 2-min exposure period . 'Clearsol' gave mixed results: 2% 'Clearsol' was very effective but the standard use-dilution of 1% proved inadequate.

J Biomol NMR, 1994 Sep, 4(5), 615 - 30
Application of 1D and 2D NMR techniques to the structure elucidation of the O-polysaccharide from Proteus mirabilis O:57; Uhrin D et al.; The LPS O-polysaccharide (O-PS) produced by Proteus mirabilis serotype O:57 (ATCC 49995) was shown by NMR spectroscopy and chemical analysis to be a high-molecular-weight acidic branched polymer of pentasaccharide repeating units, composed of D-glucose, D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose and glycerophosphate residues (1:2:2:2:1) . Application of one- and two-dimensional NMR methods allowed the complete assignment of notoriously crowded 1H and 13C spectra of the O-PS, leading to the determination of its structure . Several of the NMR techniques used were applied for the first time to the structure elucidation of polysaccharides . The resonances of galactose H5, H6 and H6' were identified by a 1D analog of 3D NOESY-TOCSY and 2D (1H,1H) triple-quantum experiments . The position and the nature of the phosphate group were determined from 2D 31P (omega 1)-half-filtered COSY and 2D 31P-relayed COSY spectra . 2D HMQC-TOCSY and 2D single-quantum proton-carbon long-range correlation techniques were used to overcome the difficulties of severe overlap and higher order effects in the 1H NMR spectrum of the O-PS . The latter technique, together with 2D NOESY, enabled us to identify the substitution positions, the anomeric configurations and the sequence of the component glycose residues in the O-PS.

Biochemistry, 1994 Aug 23, 33(33), 10200 - 6
Replacement of serine 237 in class A beta-lactamase of Proteus vulgaris modifies its unique substrate specificity; Tamaki M et al.; The chromosomal beta-lactamase gene of Proteus vulgaris K1 was cloned and sequenced . The gene comprises 813 nucleotides and codes for the mature enzyme of 29,655 Da, comprising 271 amino acids . The K1 beta-lactamase showed 30-70% similarity, in the overall amino acid sequence, to class A beta-lactamases of Gram-negative bacteria . However, the K1 beta-lactamase differs from most class A enzymes in having a unique substrate specificity as a cephalosporinase, its spectrum extending to even oxyiminocephalosporins . To clarify the relationship between its unique substrate specificity and specific amino acid residues, alignment of the amino acid sequence of the K1 beta-lactamase with those of class A beta-lactamases was performed, and Ala104 and Ser237 were found to be candidates . Ala104 and Ser237 were replaced with glutamic acid and alanine, respectively, which are commonly found in other class A beta-lactamases . The substitution at position 104 had no effect on the enzyme activity or the substrate specificity . The amino acid replacement at position 237, however, reduced the kcat/Km value for an oxyiminocephalosporin (cefuroxime) to 17% of that in the case of the wild-type enzyme, whereas the mutant enzyme showed a higher kcat/Km value for benzylpenicillin, 3 times, than that of the wild-type enzyme . These results indicated that Ser237 is one of the residues responsible for the unique substrate specificity of the P . vulgaris beta-lactamase.

Infect Immun, 1994 Aug, 62(8), 3115 - 21
Internalization of Proteus mirabilis by human renal epithelial cells; Chippendale GR et al.; Proteus mirabilis, a common agent of bacteriuria in humans, causes acute pyelonephritis and bacteremia . Renal epithelium provides a barrier between luminal organisms and the renal interstitium . We have hypothesized that P . mirabilis may be internalized into renal epithelium . To test this hypothesis, we added suspensions of three P . mirabilis strains (10(8) CFU) to confluent monolayers of primary cultures of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEC) and, after 3 h, found the bacteria internalized within membrane-bound vacuoles by light and electron microscopy . Internalization of bacteria by HRPTEC was corroborated by using the gentamicin protection assay . Cytolysis of HRPTEC by the HpmA hemolysin, however, was a confounding factor in this assay, and therefore a hemolysin-negative hpmA mutant was used in subsequent experiments . The nonhemolytic mutant WPM111 did not disrupt the monolayer and was recovered in numbers that were 10- to 100-fold higher than those of the hemolytic parent BA6163 . Cytochalasin D (20 micrograms/ml) inhibited internalization of Salmonella typhimurium but not that of P . mirabilis, suggesting that the latter species enters HRPTEC by a mechanism that is not dependent on actin polymerization . We suggest that HpmA hemolysin-mediated cytotoxicity and internalization of bacteria by HRPTEC may play a role in the development of Proteus pyelonephritis.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1994 Aug, 77(2), 208 - 14
Lactoferricin, a new antimicrobial peptide; Jones EM et al.; Lactoferricin B (LF-B) is a peptide derived from acid-pepsin digestion of bovine lactoferrin, which has antimicrobial properties . In order to assess the antimicrobial spectrum of LF-B and its possible in vivo uses, the minimum inhibitory and microbicidal concentrations of pure lactoferricin B were determined for a range of bacterial species and under varying conditions of growth including growth phase and size of the inoculum, pH and ionic strength of the medium . Lactoferricin B was bactericidal against a wide range of bacteria and Candida albicans . Proteus spp., Pseudomonas cepacia and Serratia spp . were resistant . The bactericidal activity of LF-B was inhibited by increasing ionic strength and bacterial inoculum and at acid pH . The activity of lactoferricin B was completely inhibited by the addition of 5% whole cow's milk and was reduced in the presence of increasing concentrations of mucin . These results indicate the potential of LF-B to reduce the numbers of organisms in a simple medium, but raise doubts about its role in vivo because of its sensitivity to changes in physical variables . It may be that lactoferricin exerts a transient antimicrobial effect at mucosal surfaces.

Hinyokika Kiyo, 1994 Aug, 40(8), 689 - 94
Efficacy of a novel injectable cephalosporin, Cefclidin, on the experimental complicated urinary tract infections with urinary stones caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis; Satoh M et al.; We evaluated the effects of a novel cephalosporin, cefclidin (CFCL) and imipenem (IPM), on the eradication of bacteria from the urine, bladder stones and the kidneys, and also on the prevention of the infection stone formations, in our polymicrobial urinary tract infection model of rats associated with bladder stones using IMP-sensitive or IPM-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis as a causative pathogen . CFCL completely eradicated P . mirabilis from the urine and the stone in the short-term regimen (5 days) . CFCL completely eradicated both IPM-sensitive P . aeruginosa and P . mirabilis from the urine, the stones and the kidneys as compared to IPM in the long-term regimen (11 days), reflecting the superior antibacterial activity of CFCL . CFCL also significantly prevented the development of infection stones as compared to IPM in the long-term regimen . There was no significant difference in the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values between the CFCL or IPM-treated and the non-treated groups . The cumulative recovery rate of unchanged CFCL reached 47.3% of the total dosage (20 mg/kg) within 8 hours.

Postgrad Med J, 1994 Aug, 70(826), 568 - 71
The features and aetiology of Fournier's gangrene; Efem SE; This paper reports a clinical study of 20 cases of gangrenous ulcers of the scrotum and/or of the penis (Fournier's gangrene) and a review of previous publications . Even though found mostly in elderly male patients, the disease spares no age group and can involve the external genitalia in neonates and women as well . The disease is a necrotising fasciitis of infective origin and always has a portal of entry of the infecting organisms even though it may be so trivial as to be undetected . The commonest portals of entry of infection are periurethral sepsis, groin wound sepsis, anorectal sepsis, prostatic sepsis and trauma . The infecting organisms comprise both aerobic and anaerobic organisms such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, enterococci, Bacteroides fragilis and anaerobic streptococcus . Fournier's gangrene is probably the same disease as necrotizing fasciitis occurring in other parts of the body, but modified by the peculiar anatomy of the genitoperineum.

Br J Urol, 1994 Aug, 74(2), 177 - 81
Bacteriuria in patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion does not regularly require antibiotic treatment; Akerlund S et al.; OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the importance of bacteriuria in patients with a continent urinary diversion . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen asymptomatic patients (16 women and two men, with a mean age of 53 years {range 22-73}) with ileal reservoirs coupled to the skin for urinary diversion were studied . Consecutive urine cultures were performed over 5 months . Concomitant measurements of antibody titres against Escherichia coli and Proteus, and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were made . RESULTS: The results of the urine cultures varied considerably between samples . Increased titres of antibodies against E . coli were seen in several patients but the correlation with bacteriuria caused by E . coli was weak (sensitivity 33%, specificity 56%) . Increased titres of antibodies against Proteus were rarely seen and in no patient correlated with bacteriuria caused by Proteus . Increased levels of CRP were seen in three patients . CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion is generally of no clinical importance and should not be treated with antibiotics . This conclusion is based on the observations that the bacterial strains growing in the reservoir changed spontaneously indicating colonization rather than infection . Raised titres of antibodies against E . coli correlated weakly with bacterial growth . The observed elevations in antibody titres were usually just above the normal upper limit.

Infect Immun, 1994 Aug, 62(8), 3363 - 71
Construction of an MR/P fimbrial mutant of Proteus mirabilis: role in virulence in a mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection; Bahrani FK et al.; Proteus mirabilis, a cause of acute pyelonephritis, produces at least four types of fimbriae, including MR/P (mannose-resistant/Proteus-like) fimbriae . To investigate the contribution of MR/P fimbriae to colonization of the urinary tract, we constructed an MR/P fimbrial mutant by allelic exchange . A 4.2-kb BamHI fragment carrying the mrpA gene was subcloned into a mobilizable plasmid, pSUP202 . A 1.3-kb Kanr cassette was inserted into the mrpA open reading frame, and the construct was transferred to the parent P . mirabilis strain by conjugation . Following passage on nonselective medium, 1 of 500 transconjugants screened was found to have undergone allelic exchange as demonstrated by Southern blot . Colony immunoblot, Western immunoblot, and immunogold labeling with a monoclonal antibody to MR/P fimbriae revealed that MrpA was not expressed . Complementation with cloned mrpA restored MR/P expression as shown by hemagglutination, Western blot, and immunogold electron microscopy . To assess virulence, we challenged 40 CBA mice transurethrally with 10(7) CFU of wild-type or mutant strains . After 1 week, geometric means of log10 CFU per milliliter of urine or per gram of bladder or kidney for the wild-type and mutant strains were as follows: urine, 7.79 (wild type) versus 7.02 (mutant) (P = 0.035); bladder, 6.22 versus 4.78 (P = 0.019); left kidney, 5.02 versus 3.31 (P = 0.009); and right kidney, 5.28 versus 4.46 (P = 0.039) . Mice challenged with the wild-type strain showed significantly more severe renal damage than did mice challenged with the MR/P-negative mutant (P = 0.007) . We conclude that MR/P fimbriae contribute significantly to colonization of the urinary tract and increase the risk of development of acute pyelonephritis.

J Ethnopharmacol, 1994 Jul 22, 43(3), 185 - 90
Antimicrobial activity of bark extracts of Bridelia ferruginea (Euphorbiaceae); Irobi ON et al.; Water and ethanol extracts of Bridelia ferruginea were examined for phytochemical and antimicrobial properties . The extracts, which were tested at a final concentration of 5 mg/ml, produced in vitro antimicrobial activities in assays against hospital strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus lactis, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Klebsiella sp . The zones of inhibition produced by the extracts in agar diffusion assays against the test micro-organisms ranged from 4 to 20 mm, while the chloramphenicol antibiotic control produced zones that measured 15-36 mm . Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts showed the presence of phenols and tannins . Sesquiterpenes, anthroquinones, and saponins were not detected in the extracts . The Gram-negative bacteria appeared to be more susceptible (4-20 mm) to the antimicrobial effect of the extracts than the Gram-positive organisms (4-18 mm).

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1994 Jul 20, 1207(1), 31 - 9
Chromosomally encoded cephalosporin-hydrolyzing beta-lactamase of Proteus vulgaris RO104 belongs to Ambler's class A; Peduzzi J et al.; Proteus vulgaris RO104 strain produces a chromosomally encoded beta-lactamase that confers resistance to various beta-lactam antibiotics including methoxyimino third-generation cephalosporins . The beta-lactamase hydrolyzes first- and second-generation cephalosporins efficiently and cefotaxime to a lesser extent . Catalytic activity is inhibited by low concentrations of clavulanic acid and sulbactam . By its broad-spectrum substrate profile, beta-lactamase of Proteus vulgaris RO104 belongs to the group 2e defined by Bush . The protein purified to homogeneity by a four-step procedure was characterized by a pI of 8.31 and a specific activity of 1200 U/mg . The beta-lactamase was digested by trypsin, endoproteinase Asp-N and chymotrypsin . Amino-acid sequence determinations of the resulting peptides allowed the alignment of the 271 amino-acid residues of the protein which did not contain any cysteine residue . From amino-acid sequence comparisons, Proteus vulgaris RO104 beta-lactamase was found to share about 68% identity with the chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases of Klebsiella oxytoca D488 and E23004 . Therefore, the cephalosporin-hydrolyzing beta-lactamase of Proteus vulgaris RO104 belongs to Ambler's class A.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1994 Jul 15, 51(14), 1782 - 7
Serum bactericidal activity of ceftriaxone plus metronidazole against common intra-abdominal pathogens; Freeman CD et al.; The activity of ceftriaxone plus metronidazole against pathogens usually involved in intra-abdominal infections was studied . Metronidazole 1 g and ceftriaxone 1 g (as the sodium salt) were simultaneously administered i.v . over 30 minutes every 24 hours to 12 healthy volunteers for three doses . Serum samples were collected at baseline, just before the last dose, and 12, 16, 20, 22, and 24 hours after the start of infusion of the last dose . Serum bactericidal titers (SBTs) were performed in duplicate for each serum sample from 12 hours on . Serum ceftriaxone and metronidazole concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the elimination rate and half-life were calculated for each antimicrobial in each volunteer . The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of each antibiotic for two strains each of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacteroides fragilis were determined by microdilution . Eleven volunteers completed the study . Ceftriaxone and metronidazole maintained SBTs of at least 1:4 . Serum ceftriaxone concentrations remained above the MICs for E . coli, P . mirabilis, and K . pneumoniae, and serum metronidazole concentrations remained above the MIC for B . fragilis throughout the study . Ceftriaxone combined with metronidazole resulted in intense and prolonged activity against E . coli, P . mirabilis, K . pneumoniae, and B . fragilis.

J Urol, 1994 Jul, 152(1), 208 - 12
Long-term studies of urease-induced crystallization in human urine; Edin-Liljegren A et al.; Urine samples were inoculated with viable Proteus mirabilis or purified Jack bean urease . The subsequent pH increase and crystallization were followed for 2 weeks . Particle formation was detected much earlier and at a lower pH in urines inoculated with Proteus, in which a higher end pH was also reached . The crystal configuration in bacteria and urease inoculated samples was different . Crystal aggregation was also much more pronounced in the Proteus mirabilis inoculated samples . The total precipitation was markedly increased in the Proteus mirabilis inoculated samples . The presence of live Proteus mirabilis thus has a profound influence on urease-induced crystallization in human urine . Despite the formation of rather large crystal aggregates in the Proteus-inoculated urines, no firm aggregates of a "prestone" type were observed.

Infect Immun, 1994 Jul, 62(7), 2998 - 3003
Unique ability of the Proteus mirabilis capsule to enhance mineral growth in infectious urinary calculi; Dumanski AJ et al.; Struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) calculi are a common complication of Proteus mirabilis urinary tract infections . Although urease is a major virulence factor in calculus formation, the polysaccharide capsule (CPS) of this organism also enhances struvite crystallization and growth in vitro (L . Clapham, R . J . C . McLean, J . C . Nickel, J . Downey, and J . W . Costerton, J . Crystal Growth 104:475-484, 1990) . We obtained purified CPS, of known structure and varying anionic character, from P . mirabilis ATCC 49565 and several other organisms . Artificial urine was added to CPS, and the pH was elevated from 5.8 to 8.5 by the addition of urease or titration with 0.25 M NH4OH to induce struvite crystallization . Crystallization was measured by particle counting (Coulter counter), and the morphology (crystal habit) was examined by phase-contrast microscopy . In the presence of partially anionic P . mirabilis CPS, struvite formation occurred at a lower pH than in the absence of CPS or in the presence of other neutral, partially anionic, or anionic CPS . At pH 7.5 to 8.0, significantly more struvite crystals formed in the presence of P . mirabilis CPS than under other experimental conditions . With the exception of one polymer (curdlan) which did not bind Mg2+, enhancement of struvite formation by CPS polymers was inversely proportional to their Mg2+ binding ability . We speculate that the structure and partial anionic nature of P . mirabilis CPS enable it to enhance struvite formation by weakly concentrating Mg2+ ions during struvite crystal formation . This illustrates a new virulence aspect of bacterial CPS during infection.

Radiats Biol Radioecol, 1994 Jul-Oct, 34(4-5), 582 - 6
{Effect of bacterial preparations on the hematopoiesis of irradiated animals}; Gutsenko KK et al.; It was shown in experiments with mice and dogs that bacterial preparations (vaccinum proteus, prodigiosanum, bificolum and bificolum-f) administered before or after gamma-irradiation have a stimulating effect on hemopoiesis . It is supposed that bacterial polysaccharides play an important role in this action.

Phytochemistry, 1994 Jul, 36(4), 971 - 4
Terpenoids from Salvia sclarea; Ulubelen A et al.; From an acetone extract of the whole plant Salvia sclarea, seven known diterpenes, sclareol, manool, salvipisone, ferruginol, microstegiol, candidissiol and 7-oxoroyleanone, and two new ones, 2,3-dehydrosalvipisone and 7-oxoferruginol-18-al, as well as two sesquiterpenes, caryophyllene oxide and spathulenol, alpha-amyrin, beta-sitosterol and the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, 4'-methylapigenin, 6-hydroxyluteolin-6, 7,3',4'-tetramethyl ether, 6-hydroxy apigenin-7,4'-dimethyl ether were obtained . The diterpenoids and the sesquiterpenoids were tested for antimicrobial activity against standard bacterial strains and a yeast . 2,3-Dehydrosalvipisone, sclareol, manool, 7-oxoroyleanone, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus, the first and third compound against Candida albicans and the last compound against Proteus mirabilis.

Eur J Biochem, 1994 Jun 15, 222(3), 1025 - 32
The (2R)-hydroxycarboxylate-viologen-oxidoreductase from Proteus vulgaris is a molybdenum-containing iron-sulphur protein; Trautwein T et al.; An oxidoreductase with an extremely broad substrate specificity reducing reversibly 2-oxocarboxylates at the expense of reduced artificial redox mediators to (2R)-hydroxycarboxylates has been purified to a specific activity of up to 1800 mumol.min-1.mg-1 for the reduction of phenylpyruvate . The membrane-bound non-pyridine nucleotide-dependent enzyme appears in the form of various oligomers of the 80-kDa monomer . The isoelectric point is 5.1 . Based on a molecular mass of 80 kDa the enzyme contains up to one molybdenum, four iron and four sulphur atoms . After growth on 99Mo-labelled molybdate, enzyme and radioactivity coincided as shown by gel electrophoresis . Permanganate oxidation delivers 0.7 mol pterin-6-carboxylic acid . The molybdenum cofactor is a mononucleotide . The enzyme is inhibited by cyanide . The first 20 amino acids have been determined . The enzyme belongs to the rare group of molybdoenzymes which possess no further prosthetic groups than the iron-sulphur clusters.

Infect Immun, 1994 Jun, 62(6), 2158 - 64
Proteolytic activity and fatal gram-negative sepsis in burned mice: effect of exogenous proteinase inhibition; Neely AN et al.; Circulating proteolytic activity (PA) increases following burn or surgical trauma . Challenging traumatized mice with the yeast Candida albicans further increases PA . Once a PA threshold has been passed, mortality increases as PA increases . The purposes of this study were to determine (i) if gram-negative bacterial challenge affects circulating PA and mortality as Candida challenge does and (ii) if proteinase inhibitor treatment with aprotinin, antithrombin III, and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor decreases circulating PA and increases the survival of burned mice infected with a bacterium . For all bacteria tested (Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae), burn plus challenge significantly elevated PA and mortality above levels in mice that were only burned or only challenged . Quantitative culture counts indicated that the mice died of sepsis . Proteinase inhibitor treatment of mice burned and challenged with K . pneumoniae significantly decreased circulating PA, decreased the hepatic microbial load, and increased survival . Hence, in traumatized mice challenged with either C . albicans or gram-negative bacteria, a relationship exists between proteolytic load and subsequent septic death . Parallels between these animal studies and human studies are discussed.

Br J Biomed Sci, 1994 Jun, 51(2), 95 - 9
In vitro activities of antimicrobial agents against Proteus species from clinical specimens; Na'was TE et al.; Two hundred clinical isolates of members of the genus Proteus were definitively identified and their antimicrobial susceptibilities to 12 antimicrobials tested, 176 isolates (88%) being identified as Proteus mirabilis, 12 strains (6%) as Proteus vulgaris and 12 strains (6%) as Proteus penneri . Most strains were isolated from pus (62.5%) and urine (34%), but in general there were no significant differences in the rates of isolation of any of the species by age or sex, although it was noted that P . vulgaris was only isolated from patients belonging to the older age group (> 5 years) . The Proteus spp . were notably susceptible to nalidixic acid, ceftazidime and the aminoglycosides tested, and resistant to polymyxin B and colistin . The inclination of certain Proteus species to be susceptible or resistant to certain antimicrobials was noted, but strain differences also existed . The results of the study confirm the importance of performing antimicrobials susceptibility testing of each Proteus isolate to avoid potentially misleading therapy . The noted discrepancy in the result of the susceptibility of P . penneri to chloramphenicol as tested by different standard methods merits further investigation.

J Med Microbiol, 1994 Jun, 40(6), 435 - 9
Pre-formed urease activity of Helicobacter pylori as determined by a viable cell count technique--clinical implications; Xia HX et al.; The pre-formed urease activity of three NCTC reference strains and five clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori was determined at room temperature (21 degrees C) and 37 degrees C by a viable cell count technique with a conventional urea slope test (Christensen's agar) as well as the commercial CLO-test . The urease activity of two gastroduodenal commensals, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, was also tested . H . pylori strains produced positive reactions with viable cell counts of 10(6)-10(8) cfu within 30 min and with counts of 10(3)-10(6) cfu within 2 h . For some strains, smaller numbers of organisms were needed with the CLO-test than with the conventional test, and incubation of the CLO-test strips at 37 degrees C slightly decreased the number of organisms required for positive results . P . mirabilis produced a positive result on urea slopes with an initial inoculum of 10(7)-10(8) cfu at 2 h, but no positive reaction occurred for K . pneumoniae at 12 h, even with an initial inoculum of 10(11) cfu . However, both P . mirabilis and K . pneumoniae gave a positive result after incubation for 24 h with initial inocula of < 10(1) cfu and 10(3)-10(4) cfu respectively . Incubation at 37 degrees C significantly reduced the inoculum size of these organisms required for a positive result after incubation for 4 h when tested with the slopes, but not with the CLO-test . These findings indicate that H . pylori possesses much greater pre-formed urease activity than P . mirabilis and K . pneumoniae . False negative results for clinical detection of H . pylori in gastroduodenal biopsies may be due to small numbers of organisms, especially after treatment with antimicrobial agents, and false positive results may arise from gastroduodenal commensals or contaminants.

Bioorg Med Chem, 1994 Jun, 2(6), 483 - 91
Proteus mirabilis dehydrogenates aldonates and aldarates with an (R)-configured alpha-carbon atom to the corresponding 2-oxocarboxylates; Schinschel C et al.; Resting cells of Proteus mirabilis effectively dehydrogenate aldonates and aldarates to the corresponding 2-oxocarboxylates (Figure 2) . The prerequisite is an (R)-configured alpha-carbon atom next to the carboxylate group . The oxidation reagent is dimethylsulfoxide and the electron mediator is anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (Figure 1) . The reactions mostly proceed quantitatively in concentrations up to 0.5 M . The two enzymes necessary for the dehydrogenation, (2R)-hydroxycarboxylate viologen oxidoreductase and dimethylsulfoxide reductase, are present in P . mirabilis in high activities . Nine aldonates have been dehydrogenated to 2-glyculosonates (2-oxoaldonates) and two aldarates to alpha-oxo aldarates . As shown with lactobionate and 6-phospho-D-gluconate, derivatives of aldonates can be dehydrogenated too . The apparent Km values of the substrates are often < 1 mM . The products were isolated as sodium or potassium salts with yields between 65 and 98% and characterized . D-xylo-Hex-2-ulosonate obtained from D-gulonate was converted to D-ascorbic acid.

Neuropediatrics, 1994 Jun, 25(3), 140 - 4
The radiological features of hemimegalencephaly including three cases associated with proteus syndrome; Griffiths PD et al.; We report the radiological appearances of 5 children with hemimegalencephaly . There are few reports of this rare condition in the radiological literature . Two of the children have hemimegalencephaly as an isolated finding while the other three have Proteus syndrome . Four children have seizures which commenced within the first 6 months of life and two of these subsequently required hemispherectomy . In addition to the typical radiological features of hemimegalencephaly there was a high incidence of other brain anomalies . These include hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and crus cerebri, grey and white matter calcification and cortical migration/organisational disorders.

J Bacteriol, 1994 Jun, 176(11), 3412 - 9
Proteus mirabilis MR/P fimbrial operon: genetic organization, nucleotide sequence, and conditions for expression; Bahrani FK et al.; Proteus mirabilis, an agent of urinary tract infection, expresses at least four fimbrial types . Among these are the MR/P (mannose-resistant/Proteus-like) fimbriae . MrpA, the structural subunit, is optimally expressed at 37 degrees C in Luria broth cultured statically for 48 h by each of seven strains examined . Genes encoding this fimbria were isolated, and the complete nucleotide sequence was determined . The mrp gene cluster encoded by 7,293 bp predicts eight polypeptides: MrpI (22,133 Da), MrpA (17,909 Da), MrpB (19,632 Da), MrpC (96,823 Da), MrpD (27,886 Da), MrpE (19,470 Da), MrpF (17,363 Da), and MrpG (13,169 Da) . mrpI is upstream of the gene encoding the major structural subunit gene mrpA and is transcribed in the direction opposite to that of the rest of the operon . All predicted polypeptides share > or = 25% amino acid identity with at least one other enteric fimbrial gene product encoded by the pap, fim, smf, fan, or mrk gene clusters.

Indian Pediatr, 1994 Jun, 31(6), 661 - 6
Experience with brain abscesses; Malik S et al.; Brain abscesses were studied in 47 patients . Thirty-four (72%) of them were between 5-15 years and 9 were infants . Otogenic source (34%) was the commonest predisposing factor, followed by scalp and face infection (21.3%) and congenital cyanotic heart disease (12.8%) . Twenty (42%) patients had multiple abscesses . Supratentorial abscesses were commonest (75.9%) . Predominant clinical features were fever (87.2%), raised intracranial tension (78.7%) and altered sensorium (53.2%) . A total of 38.3% presented with focal neurological deficit and 34% were admitted in Grade III or IV coma . Diagnosis of abscess and monitoring of its evolution was done principally by CT scanning . Causative organisms were isolated in 54.8% of cases and Staphylococci, Proteus and Pseudomonas were the common pathogens . Therapy was most often a combination of surgical aspiration with or without excision in addition to antimicrobial therapy . The overall mortality in our series was 44.7% . Bad prognostic factors were Grade III/IV of coma at admission, age below 2 years and multiple abscesses.

Am J Med Genet, 1994 May 15, 51(1), 29 - 31
Regional Proteus syndrome and somatic mosaicism; Smeets E et al.; We report on a patient with regional manifestations of Proteus syndrome . Major findings included multiple hyperostoses of the calvaria, facial bones, and mandible . Additionally, the patient had a scleral tumor . This lends further support to the hypothesis of somatic mosaicism as a cause of Proteus syndrome . Because mosaic distribution of lesions is variable in extent, criteria for the diagnosis of Proteus syndrome should be loose rather than overly rigid even though patients with limited regional involvement may be particularly difficult to diagnose.

J Infect Dis, 1994 May, 169(5), 1155 - 8
The role of swarm cell differentiation and multicellular migration in the uropathogenicity of Proteus mirabilis; Allison C et al.; The uropathogenic bacterium Proteus mirabilis displays a form of multicellular behavior called swarming, in which typical vegetative rods differentiate into long hyperflagellate swarm cells that undergo rapid and coordinated population migration across surfaces . Such behavior might inherently assist ascending colonization of the urinary tract, and it has also been shown that swarming differentiation in vitro is central to the expression of conventional virulence factors . This study provides support for a role of swarming in vivo . Mortality rates of mice inoculated intravenously with 2.5 x 10(8) vegetative cells were lower than rates for those inoculated with wild type strains in the case of motile transposon mutants either completely unable to swarm (< 1%) or able to undergo only aberrant swarming migration (< 40%, P < .001) . Histologic analysis of renal tissues from mice infected by wild type Proteus strains showed that long differentiated cells were the major cell type, whereas the extracellular inflammatory exudate contained primarily short vegetative cells . Following intravesical (bladder) inoculation with 2.0 x 10(7) vegetative cells, kidney infection was not established by any of the three motile swarm-defective mutants; indeed, the nonswarming mutant was not retained in the bladder . In contrast, the wild type strain and a normally swarming but nonhemolytic mutant achieved a high incidence of ascending infection to the kidney.

Infect Immun, 1994 May, 62(5), 2132 - 4
Bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract to various segments of the mesenteric lymph node complex; Gautreaux MD et al.; Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis translocate to different segments of the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) complex at levels reflecting their population levels in the regions of the gastrointestinal tract that provide lymph to these various MLN segments . Salmonella typhimurium, however, translocates to all segments of the MLN complex equally regardless of regional intestinal population levels.

Infect Immun, 1994 May, 62(5), 1989 - 94
Proteus mirabilis fimbriae: identification, isolation, and characterization of a new ambient-temperature fimbria; Massad G et al.; Urinary tract infections involving Proteus mirabilis may lead to complications including bladder and kidney stones, acute pyelonephritis, and bacteremia . This bacterium produces a number of fimbriae, two of which, MR/P fimbria and P . mirabilis fimbria, have been shown to contribute to the ability of this pathogen to colonize the bladder and kidney . We have now purified and characterized a previously undescribed fimbria of P . mirabilis, named ambient-temperature fimbria (ATF) . Electron microscopy of a pure preparation and immunogold labeling of cells demonstrated that ATF was fimbrial in nature . The major fimbrial subunit of ATF has an apparent molecular weight of 24,000 . The N-terminal amino acid sequence, E-X-T-G-T-P-A-P-T-E-V-T-V-D-G-G-T-I-D-F, did not show significant similarity to that of any previously described fimbrial protein . ATF was expressed by all eight P . mirabilis strains examined . Culture conditions affected expression of ATF, with optimal expression observed in static broth cultures at 23 degrees C . This fimbria was not produced by cells grown at 42 degrees C or on solid medium . Expression of ATF did not correlate with mannose-resistant/Proteus-like (MR/P) or mannose-resistant/Klebsiella-like (MR/K) hemagglutination and represents a novel fimbria of P . mirabilis.

Zhonghua Zheng Xing Shao Shang Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1994 May, 10(3), 206 - 8
{Experimental study of radiated pig skin incorporated with norfloxacin and silver}; Li G et al.; This paper presents the preparation and experimental use of radiated pigskin incorporated with norfloxacin and silver (RPSNS) . The results show that tensile strength, tissue adherence and water-vaporu permeability of RPSNS are not significantly different from that of pigskin without radiation . The histological structure of RPSNS is essentially normal . However, some of the epidermal cells present vesicles . No positive culture is found in RPSNS and radiated pigskin, while the rate of positive bacterial culture of pigskin sterilized by Bromogeramin is 10% . RPSNS can effectively inhibit Staphy . aureus, Ps aeruginosa, E . coli, Proteus and Klebsiella . The results indicate that RPSNS is a kind of sterile biological dressing with strong anti-bacterial effect.

Lik Sprava, 1994 May-Jun, (5-6), 160 - 2
{The blood circulation of the rectal mucosa and the functional status of the rectal sphincter in acute infectious enterocolitis}; Andreichyn MA et al.; Significant decrease in the tone of the rectal mucosa venules was to be seen at the climax of acute Proteus and Klebsiella enterocolitis, as evidenced by examinations with the aid of rheorectograph and an analyzer of intracavitary motor activity, general blood supply to the intestinal segment under study being not compromised . The tone of the rectal mucous membrane arterioles is raised at the climax of acute dysentery caused by a Flexner type of organism in erosive and haemorrhagic proctosigmoiditis . With the clinical recovery being set in, the blood supply to this area fails to return to normal . The excitability of the inner anal sphincter was noted to be on the increase at the climax of acute S . flexneri dysentery, this showing up predominantly in erosive and haemorrhagic proctosigmoiditis, ceasing to reveal itself in the period of reconvalescentia.

Microb Pathog, 1994 May, 16(5), 379 - 85
Flagellate and non-flagellate Proteus mirabilis in the development of experimental urinary tract infection; Zunino P et al.; Three isolates of Proteus mirabilis from symptomatic human urinary tract infections (UTI) were tested for their ability to cause renal infection in mice . All three strains were fimbriated as tested by hemagglutination . One of the strains, Pr 988, did not possess flagella, whereas the other two did and were capable of swarming on solid rich media . We compared the capacity of these strains to infect mice in both the ascending and hematogenous mouse UTI models . Infection was assessed by counting viable bacteria in kidney and bladder homogenates in ascending UTI or by the presence of abscesses in the hematogenously inoculated mice . All three strains were able to infect mice in both UTI models . These results suggest that flagella are not absolutely necessary for virulence in these experimental models.

Infect Immun, 1994 May, 62(5), 1914 - 9
Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas pseudomallei flagellin proteins; Brett PJ et al.; Flagellin proteins from several different strains of Pseudomonas pseudomallei have been isolated and purified to homogeneity by mechanical shearing and differential centrifugation techniques . Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded flagellin monomer protein bands with an estimated M(r) of 43,400 . No lipopolysaccharide contamination of the purified protein preparations was detectable by silver staining of flagellin displayed on polyacrylamide gels and by Western immunoblotting with P . pseudomallei antilipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibody . NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the flagellin protein of P . pseudomallei 319a revealed significant homology with flagellins from Proteus mirabilis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK . Rabbit polyclonal antiserum raised against the 319a flagellin protein reacted with 64 of 65 P . pseudomallei strains tested . The polyclonal antiserum proved effective in inhibiting the motility of these organisms in motility agar plates . Passive immunization studies demonstrated that 319a flagellin-specific antiserum was capable of protecting diabetic rats from challenge with a heterologous P . pseudomallei strain.

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 1994 May, 1(3), 318 - 24
Serological response of patients suffering from primary and recrudescent typhus: comparison of complement fixation reaction, Weil-Felix test, microimmunofluorescence, and immunoblotting; Eremeeva ME et al.; Microimmunofluorescence and Western immunoblotting were compared with the classical complement fixation reaction and the Weil-Felix test to study the serological responses of patients to Rickettsia prowazekii and both Proteus vulgaris OX19 and OX2 during primary and recrudescent typhus infections . The serological response to R . prowazekii was found to be similar during primary and recrudescent typhus, and all sera examined contained antibodies to the same R . prowazekii cell structures . Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM were found to be the dominant anti-R . prowazekii immunoglobulins in all sera tested and were found to be directed against the 100-kDa protein and the lipopolysaccharide . IgA antibodies, when present, were mainly against the 100-kDa protein . For P . vulgaris, IgG antibodies recognized the proteins and lipopolysaccharides of both OX19 and OX2 serotypes; IgM antibodies were directed against the P . vulgaris OX2 lipopolysaccharide . In addition, donor blood sera, which were negative by microimmunofluorescence, were found to contain IgG immunoglobulins reacting with R . prowazekii protein antigens of 135, 60, and 47 kDa by western immunoblotting.

J Bacteriol, 1994 Apr, 176(8), 2200 - 9
Cloning and characterization of the socA locus which restores development to Myxococcus xanthus C-signaling mutants; Lee K et al.; The csgA gene produces an intercellular signal during fruiting body formation of the myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus . Sporulating pseudorevertants were isolated to allow us to understand the mechanism by which CsgA is perceived by cells and used to regulate developmental gene expression . Two strains, LS559 and LS560, which have closely linked transposon insertions, soc-559 (formerly csp-559) and soc-560 (formerly csp-560), respectively, regained all the developmental behaviors lost by the csgA mutation including the ability to ripple, form fruiting bodies, and sporulate . The sequence analysis of the socA locus revealed that there are three putative protein-coding regions, designated socA1, socA2, and socA3 . The deduced amino acid sequence of socA1 exhibits characteristics of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family . The deduced amino acid sequence of socA2 shares 48% identity with the frdD gene product of the frd operon in Proteus vulgaris which anchors fumarate reductase to the membrane . The deduced amino acid sequence of socA3 does not show homology to any known proteins . Genotypic complementation, Northern (RNA) blotting, DNA sequence analysis, and the pattern of gene expression all suggest that these three genes are polycistronic . Since the socA mutations effectively bypass CsgA, the question of why csgA is maintained in M . xanthus was examined by studying the long-term stability of socA spores . Unlike the wild type, socA mutant spores germinated on starvation agar . Transmission electron micrographs of spore thin sections revealed that germination is not due to an obvious structural deficiency of the socA spores . These results suggest that the ability of socA myxospores to survive long periods under unfavorable environmental conditions is severely comprised . Therefore, soxA appears to be essential for the development of M . xanthus.

Urology, 1994 Apr, 43(4), 525 - 7
Infection stones in children: a twenty-seven-year review; Diamond DA et al.; OBJECTIVE . The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between urinary tract infection and pediatric urolithiasis and to characterize the pediatric infection stone former . METHODS . Two hundred seventy consecutive pediatric stone formers presenting over a twenty-seven-year period were studied . Of these, 161 children (60%) had infection-related stones . Account was taken of stone composition, anatomic location, associated anatomic lesions, and the rate of stone recurrence over a median follow-up of three years . RESULTS . The mean age of children with infection stones was 4.9 years, with two-thirds being under six years of age . Proteus mirabilis accounted for 82 percent of pure urine cultures . Seventy percent of stones were renal and 30 percent were ureteral or intravesical . One-third of patients had anatomic lesions (pelviureteric obstruction, primary obstructed megaureter, and others) contributing to stone formation . Recurrent stones occurred in 14 percent of cases . CONCLUSIONS . This study reaffirms the predominance of urinary tract infection secondary to P . mirabilis as the leading cause of pediatric urolithiasis in the United Kingdom . The significant recurrence rate suggests the importance of prophylactic antibiotics, surgical correction of congenital anomalies, and long-term follow-up of this patient population.

Childs Nerv Syst, 1994 Apr, 10(3), 185 - 9
Brain abscess in infants and children; Ersahin Y et al.; Forty-four consecutive patients with brain abscesses, aged between 1 month and 16 years, were reviewed . The cause of abscess was meningitis in 36% of the cases, otitis in 27%, head injury in 16%, congenital heart disease in 9%, other in 5%, and undetected in 5% . Thirty patients had a single abscess and 12 had multiple abscesses . Multiloculated abscess was present in 2 . Total excision was accomplished in 22 patients . Three patients underwent needle aspiration . Drainage of the abscess was performed in 13 . Secondary excision was needed in 5 patients . One patient was treated nonsurgically . Streptococci, staphylococci and Proteus mirabilis were the microorganisms recovered in cultures . Overall mortality was 20% (9 patients) . Mortality was significantly higher in patients under 2 years of age than in those older . Of 15 patients who were comatose at the time of admission, 6 died . Etiology, diagnostic method, and treatment modalities were not found to be significant factors in terms of predicting mortality.

Hautarzt, 1994 Apr, 45(4), 237 - 42
{Proteus syndrome . Clinical and differential diagnostic markers}; Baykal C et al.; A case with various skeletal abnormalities, soft tissue masses and skin lesions diagnosed as Proteus syndrome is reported . Proteus syndrome is included in the differential diagnosis of many disorders, because of the polymorphous nature of its clinical manifestations . It is a rare disorder and leads to functional disabilities as well as cosmetic and psychological problems . Early diagnosis and careful follow-up with appropriate surgical interventions is important in preventing long-term complications.

Microbiology, 1994 Apr, 140 ( Pt 4), 889 - 95
Cloning and sequencing of the Proteus mirabilis gene for a single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) and complementation of Escherichia coli ssb point and deletion mutations; de Vries J et al.; The gene of Proteus mirabilis coding for a single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) was cloned in Escherichia coli from a genomic library . It restored the UV resistance and the rate of cell division of an E . coli ssb-113 mutant to the same extent as the cloned E . coli ssb+ gene did . An E . coli mutant with deleted ssb was viable with the P . mirabilis ssb+ gene provided on a single-copy-number plasmid and had the same cell division rate as with the E . coli ssb+ gene on the same vector plasmid . The recovery from UV damage of an excision repair deficient (uvrA) mutant deleted for the ssb gene was identical with the ssb+ gene from P . mirabilis or E . coli, suggesting full substitution in recombinational DNA repair of the homologous by the heterologous SSB protein . The nucleotide sequence of the gene revealed that the SSB has 81% amino acid sequence homology with the E . coli SSB and only 58-63% with various plasmid SSBs . The data provide evidence that the bacterial chromosomally coded SSBs and the plasmid encoded SSBs constitute separate groups.

J Child Neurol, 1994 Apr, 9(2), 193 - 201
New insights into the pathogenesis of congenital myopathies; Sarnat HB; Congenital myopathies are developmental disorders of muscle that are best understood in the context of ontogenesis . Segmental amyoplasia results from a defective somite, usually because of lack of induction by the notochord and neural tube; the connective tissue matrix of the muscle is derived from lateral mesoderm and is present, but the myocytes are derived from somitic mesoderm and are replaced by adipose cells . Generalized amyoplasia is due to defective myogenic regulatory genes . X-linked recessive myotubular myopathy is associated with overexpression of vimentin and desmin, fetal intermediate filaments that attach to nuclear, mitochondrial, and inner sarcolemmal membranes and Z-bands of sarcomeres to preserve the morphologic organization of the myotube . Neonatal myotonic dystrophy is a true maturational delay in muscle development . Congenital muscle fiber-type disproportion is a syndrome of multiple etiologies but in some cases is associated with cerebellar hypoplasia and may be the result of abnormal suprasegmental stimulation of the developing motor unit at 20 to 28 weeks' gestation, mediated through bulbospinal pathways but not the corticospinal tract . Maturational delay of muscle in late developmental stages is less specific than in stages before midgestation . The Proteus syndrome is a muscular dysgenesis; abnormal paracrine growth factors and perhaps altered genes that regulate muscle differentiation and growth, such as myoD and myogenin, are the suspected cause . Focal proliferative myositis may be another example of a "paracrine myopathy."

Am J Med Genet, 1994 Apr 1, 50(2), 204 - 10
Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in a child with Proteus syndrome; Rudolph G et al.; Proteus syndrome is a congenital hamartomatous disorder characterized by partial overgrowth involving all germ layers . A somatic mutation model has been proposed since familial cases are extremely rare . We report on a 3-year-old girl with typical manifestations of Proteus syndrome, including local, asymmetric hypertrophy of various parts of the body . Total body length was reduced . Serum levels of IGF-I and especially IGF-II and their major growth hormone dependent binding protein (IGFBP-3) were significantly reduced, although growth hormone secretion after a pharmacological stimulus was normal . In vitro studies of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophied tissue showed normal IGF-I production and somewhat reduced IGF-II and IGFBP-3 production as compared to normal human skin fibroblasts . Affinity cross-linking experiments showed that fibroblasts of the affect tissue in Proteus syndrome produced an unusual pattern of IGF bindings proteins containing large amounts of an IGFBP with high affinity to IGF-II . The data suggest that IGF production is generally disturbed in Proteus syndrome with imbalanced levels of specific IGFBP in affected tissue.

Hinyokika Kiyo, 1994 Apr, 40(4), 365 - 9
{A study of prostatic tissue levels of cefodizime (CDZM)}; Yamada Y et al.; Twenty-four patients suffering from prostate hyperplasia were given venous injections of CDZM of either 1 or 2 g at specific intervals (30 min, 1, 2 and 4 hr) before surgery . Blood samples from the injected vein and tissue samples from the prostate were subsequently taken . In this study, the concentrations of CDZM in the prostate tissue (P) and in serum (S), as well as the ratio of the tissue to serum concentrations (P/S) were determined . In patients given 1 g injections, P ranged from 5.26-48.10 micrograms/g, while S ranged from 25.40-130.00 micrograms/ml and P/S ranged from 12.6-37.0% . In the patients given 2 g injections, P ranged from 9.40-49.20 micrograms/g, S ranged from 62.30-234.00 micrograms/ml and P/S ranged from 9.3-29.1% . CDZM exhibited excellent transmigration to the prostate tissue . Inflammatory bacteria present in prostatitis and urinary tract infections are generally those of E . coli, Proteus sp., but because the P range was much higher than the ratio of MIC, CDZM is expected to be useful against infections in the field of urology.

Carbohydr Res, 1994 Mar 4, 255, 145 - 63
Structural studies on the chondroitinase ABC-resistant sulfated tetrasaccharides isolated from various chondroitin sulfate isomers; Sugahara K et al.; Various commercially available chondroitin sulfates, including an A isomer from whale cartilage, C and D isomers from shark cartilage, and an E isomer from squid cartilage, were exhaustively digested with a commercial highly purified Proteus vulgaris chondroitinase ABC . Gel chromatography of all digests yielded a disaccharide and an oligosaccharide fraction which was resistant to the enzyme digestion and which accounts for 20-31 mol% of the produced total oligosaccharides . Variably sulfated tetrasaccharides were isolated from the oligosaccharide fraction of each chondroitin sulfate isomer by HPLC, then characterized chemically and enzymatically . One disulfated and three trisulfated components were also characterized by 500-MHz one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy . The structures of one tetrasulfated, four trisulfated, and five disulfated tetrasaccharides with the common core structure, alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3) -D-GalpNAc, were determined . All isolated tetrasaccharides were resistant to the highly purified enzyme, but susceptible to the conventional, commercial chondroitinase ABC . The former was also inactive towards alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3) -D-GalpNAc isolated from chondroitin, beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1- ->3)-D-GlcpNAc from hyaluronan, and alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc4SO3(-)-(1-->4)-alpha-L-Id opA-(1-->3)-D- GalpNAc4SO3- from dermatan sulfate . These results indicate that, unlike the conventional enzyme, highly purified chondroitinase ABC cannot degrade tetrasaccharides irrespective of their sulfation profiles . The enzymatic action is size-dependent.

APMIS, 1994 Mar, 102(3), 219 - 26
The antibacterial activity of a siderophore . 3 . The activity of deferoxamine in vitro and its influence on the effect of antibiotics against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and coagulase-negative staphylococci; Hartzen SH et al.; The in vitro activity of deferoxamine (DFO) both per se and in combination with the reductant ascorbic acid (AA) was determined against 10 E . coli strains, 5 P . mirabilis strains, and 10 coagulase-negative staphylococci . In terms of interaction, the influence of DFO on the activities of cephalothin and gentamicin was furthermore investigated against the same panel of strains employing a macrobroth dilution technique and killing-curve kinetics . The MICs of cephalothin and gentamicin were lowered for one half of the strains . Moreover, DFO prolonged the generation times of logarithmic growth phase considerably, especially when the reductant AA was present . The interactions between DFO or DFO+AA and subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics were established by the application of growth constants, and resulted in synergy for 15 out of 25 strains with cephalothin and 9 out of 25 strains with gentamicin.

Mol Gen Genet, 1994 Mar, 242(5), 539 - 50
A 4.6 kb DNA region of Rhizobium meliloti involved in determining urease and hydrogenase activities carries the structural genes for urease (ureA, ureB, ureC) interrupted by other open reading frames; Miksch G et al.; A 4.6 kb DNA region of the Rhizobium meliloti strain AK631 was found to contain seven open reading frames (ORFs), all oriented in the same direction . The putative gene products of four of these ORFs were highly homologous to UreA, UreB and UreC of Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and Canavalia ensiformis . The overall organisation of the DNA region analysed was ORF1, ureA (ORF2), ORF3, ureB (ORF4), ORF5, ORF6 and ureC (ORF7), indicating that the organisation of the urease structural genes in R . meliloti differs from that of other urease genes so far characterized . ORF1 was incomplete; only the 3' end of the coding region was present . The six complete ORFs coded for polypeptides of 11.1 (UreA), 8.9 (ORF3), 10.8 (UreB), 15.0 (ORF5), 13.8 (ORF6) and 60.7 kDa (UreC) . No sequence homology to known polypeptides could be detected for the gene products of ORF1, ORF3, ORF5 and ORF6 . Using a lacZ fusion and insertional mutagenesis it was shown that the seven ORFs identified were all located in the same transcription unit . For mutational analysis a resistance gene cassette was introduced into each of the complete ORFs resulting in apolar mutations . Mutations in ureA, ureB and ureC, but not in ORF3, ORF5 and ORF6, abolished urease activity in R . meliloti . The determination of hydrogen uptake in these R . meliloti mutants revealed that only ORF6 and ureB are necessary for hydrogen uptake.

Pol Arch Med Wewn, 1994 Mar, 91(3), 206 - 13
{Diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness of interventional ultrasound in pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses}; Kuzdak K et al.; The purpose of the presented study was the assessment of diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses, guided by ultrasound (US) . The study population comprised 65 patients, aged 21-79 years: in 18 of them pancreatic abscess and in remaining 47--pancreatic pseudocyst were diagnosed . Causes of the fluid accumulation were: acute pancreatitis--in 57, trauma--in 3 and in 5 the specific etiological factor was not found . Ultrasound was performed with Aloka Hellige SSD 280-LS scanner and Braun Melsungen Nephrofix and Cystofix kits were used for drainage . Enzymatic, bacteriologic and cytologic examination of aspirate was performed . Duration of catheter drainage in pseudocysts was 10-40 days (mean 18) and from abscesses--21-56 days (mean 32) . A variety of organisms was cultured from pancreatic fluid, Escherichia coli being most prevalent, also Proteus, Staphylococcus, aureus etc were found . Definite cure was obtained in 54 (83%) patients, among them in 40 (85.1%) with pseudocysts and in 14 (77.7%) with abscesses, which was confirmed in control imaging examinations (US and/or CT) after 4-6 months after catheter was removed . In 10 (15.38%) cases surgical intervention appeared necessary--in 7 patients during unsuccessful drainage and in 3--because of late recurrence . One patient died after relaparotomy . Percutaneous drainage is effective in the treatment of pancreatic fluid collections, allowing in most cases avoiding surgical intervention and providing additional diagnostic data.

Microbiologia, 1994 Mar-Jun, 10(1-2), 195 - 202
A new approach in bacteriology with chromogenic media; Doleans F; The use of chromogenic or fluorogenic enzyme substrates for the detection, enumeration, and identification of viable bacteria from a sample is described . This method allows detection, enumeration and identification to be performed directly on the isolation plate, thus avoiding the use of subculture media and further biological tests . Tests carried out by using three new media from bioMerieux are described: CPS ID 2 to detect and identify Escherichia coli, Proteus and Enterococcus; SMID to detect Salmonella; and Albicans ID to isolate yeast and identify Candida albicans.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1994 Mar, 12(3), 123 - 6
{Evaluation of screening methods (catalase, sediment, reactive strip and Gram stain) in urinary tract infection in a Colombian university hospital}; Mattar S et al.; BACKGROUND: To evaluate the catalase test as a screening method in urinary tract infection (UTI) versus sediment, reactive strip and Gram . METHODS: Two hundred forty-five's stain urine samples were prospectively analyzed in the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio de Bogota (Colombia) . The culture was used as a reference test for the evaluation of the screening parameters in UTI patients . RESULTS: Of the 245 urine samples 45 were discarded . The remaining 200 urine samples were cultured being 100 positive and 100 negative . The former were analyzed by screening methods . The sensitivity and specificity of the catalase test was 97% and 94%, respectively with a positive predictive value of 94% and negative of 97% . The most frequently isolated microorganism was E . coli (84%), followed by Proteus sp . (6%) . CONCLUSIONS: The use of the catalase test in urinary tract infection is a safe, economic and rapid method providing advantages due to its high sensitivity and specificity values, its good correlation with the different parameters evaluated in this study (sediment, strip, Gram's stain), and offers optimum diagnosis in urinary tract infection in developing countries such as Colombia.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1994 Mar, 41(1), 39 - 46
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene encoding the Proteus vulgaris chondroitin ABC lyase; Sato N et al.; The structural gene encoding chondroitin ABC lyase from Proteus vulgaris was cloned and sequenced . This gene consists of a single open reading frame of 3,063 bp, including a sequence (72 bp) for a possible secretory protein leader peptide, preceded by a Shine-Dalgarno ribosomal binding site . Promoter-like and rho-independent terminator sequences were detected upstream and downstream of the open reading frame, respectively . The G+C content of the coding region was 38.6% . The transcription startpoint was located 41-bp upstream of the initiation codon (ATG) . Chondroitin ABC lyase is composed of 997 amino acids, and has a relative molecular mass of 112,635 . When the 5.2-kb fragment containing the 1.2-kb upstream from the gene was inserted into pSTV29, and cloned in Escherichia coli, chondroitin ABC lyase was induced in the medium containing chondroitin-6-sulfate as the carbon source . On the other hand, when a 4.2-kb fragment containing only 0.2 kb upstream was inserted into pSTV29(pCHS delta 6), and pCHS delta 6 was introduced into E . coli, the enzyme was constitutively produced, even in medium containing glucose as the carbon source . By immunoblot analysis, the polypeptide synthesized by E . coli cells carrying pCHS delta 6 appeared to be the same as that of the purified chondroitin ABC lyase from P . vulgaris.

Carbohydr Res, 1994 Feb 3, 253, 257 - 63
The structure of the polysaccharide produced by Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 49990); Perry MB et al.; An exocellular polysaccharide produced by a clinical isolate of Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 49990) was shown by composition, methylation, periodate oxidation, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses to be composed of repeating trisaccharide units containing D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose and pyruvic acid (2:1:1), and having the structure: {formula: see text} The homologus smooth lipopolysaccharide of the P . vulgaris strain was determined to have an O-polysaccharide component having the same structure as the above extracellular polysaccharide.

J Pediatr, 1994 Feb, 124(2), 261 - 8
Experience with pediatric lung transplantation; Noyes BE et al.; Heart-lung transplantation and lung transplantation have become accepted techniques in adult patients with end-stage cardiopulmonary disease . We report here our experience between July 1985 and March 1993 with 34 children (< 20 years) who underwent heart-lung (n = 18) or lung transplantation (n = 17) . Indications for transplantation included cystic fibrosis (n = 9), congenital heart disease with Eisenmenger complex (n = 9), primary pulmonary hypertension (n = 8), pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (n = 2), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (n = 2), Proteus syndrome with multicystic pulmonary disease (n = 1), graft-versus-host disease (n = 1), rheumatoid lung disease (n = 1), and bronchiolitis obliterans and emphysema (n = 1) . Twenty-six patients (76%) have survived from 1 to 88 months after transplantation; most patients have returned to an active lifestyle . Of the eight deaths, four were due to infections, two to multiorgan failure, 1 to posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, and one to donor organ failure . Four of the patients who died had cystic fibrosis . Despite considerable morbidity related to infection, rejection, and function of the heart-lung and lung allograft in some patients, our results with this potentially lifesaving procedure in the pediatric population have been encouraging.

Tierarztl Prax, 1994 Feb, 22(1), 80 - 4
{Microbiological results of ear swabs from dogs and cats}; Muller E et al.; 413 swabs of dogs and cats ears were examined microbiologically . Bacteria could be isolated in 82% and yeasts or moulds in 28% of the cases . The most common bacteria species were coagulase-positive Staphylococci, Pseudomonas spp., beta-hemolytic streptococci, and Proteus spp . with Staphylococci being the most common isolate . Within the group of yeasts and moulds Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated most frequently (90%) . From the results of in vitro antibiotic tests, a general recommendation for the treatment of otitis externa nonparasitaria could not be given.

Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 1994 Feb, 45(2), 175 - 82
Nutritional profile and antimicrobial spectrum of the spice Aframomum danielli K . Schum; Adegoke GO et al.; The spice, Aframomum danielli, on a wet weight basis with a moisture content of 10.5%, protein content of 8.2% (dry matter basis) and caloric value of 469.7 kcal/100 g, contains in varying amounts, minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and copper . Amino acids found in varying concentrations in A . danielli include L-Threonine, L-Serine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-Glutamic acid, glycine, L-Leucine and L-Lysine . Using minimum inhibition zone of 20-22 mm in diameter, A . danielli inhibited the growth of Salmonella enteriditis, Psudomonas fragi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus, A . parasiticus, A . ochraceus and A . niger . The minimum concentration (MIC) determined for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 1 in 320 whilst the MIC for S . aureus was 1 in 8,000.

J Clin Microbiol, 1994 Feb, 32(2), 559 - 62
Predictive accuracy of disk diffusion test for Proteus vulgaris and Providencia species against five newer orally administered cephalosporins, cefdinir, cefetamet, cefprozil, cefuroxime, and loracarbef; Biedenbach DJ et al.; Three members of the tribe Proteeae (Proteus vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri, and Providencia stuartii) were tested against five newer orally administered cephalosporins (cefdinir, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefetamet, and loracarbef) by the disk diffusion and reference broth microdilution methods . One hundred strains of these organisms were tested to confirm the excessive interpretive error rates that previously had been noted for the disk diffusion test . The results indicate that the suggested disk diffusion breakpoints for cefetamet and cefuroxime were without serious interpretive errors . In contrast, loracarbef, cefdinir, and cefprozil results exceeded acceptable interpretive error rates, with very major (false-susceptible) errors of 4, 5, and 9% respectively . Loracarbef currently has a warning in the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards table footnotes addressing this problem . We recommend including cefdinir and cefprozil in the list of compounds requiring this warning . In addition, MICs of cefazolin, cefaclor, and cephalothin were determined to establish whether a class MIC concept to predict susceptibility for these agents was possible . When the indole-positive Proteus strains are tested, cefazolin MICs can be used to predict MICs of all tested orally administered cephems (8 to 13% total errors, with only a 0 to 1% very major error.

South Med J, 1994 Feb, 87(2), 228 - 32
Histogenesis of vascular tumors in the Proteus syndrome; Vaughn RY et al.; Proteus syndrome (PS) is a congenital disorder manifesting with severe deformities, the salient features being gigantism and vascular tumors . The disorder is poorly understood, and there has been much discrepancy in the terminology regarding the vascular tumors in PS . The purpose of this study was to elucidate the histogenesis of these tumors by correlating microscopic observations with immunohistologic information . The value of immunoperoxidase studies in the pathologic evaluation of PS was also assessed . Fourteen formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens obtained from vascular tumors of six children with PS were stained with Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) lectin and the following immunohistochemical reagents: anti-factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII-RAg) and anti-CD34 . The tumors showed varied proportions of vascular, lipomatous, and fibrous tissue components consistent with vascular hamartomas . The predominant vascular channels of the tumors were morphologically consistent with lymphatic vessels . Immunostaining of the endothelium of these vessels was most consistently positive with UEA-I lectin . Although a color reaction product was present in small vessels and some larger blood vessels, anti-CD34 immunostaining spared the lumens of lymphatic channels . In addition, a striking population of dendritic spindle cells was noted with the anti-CD34 but was unnoticed with the other reagents . We concluded that the vascular tumors of PS are primarily lymphatic hamartomas . The spindle cells noted with anti-CD34 immunostaining may relate to angiogenesis and need further delineation.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1994 Feb-Mar, 39(2-3), 57 - 60
{A trial of using Cefobid (cefoperazone) in treating infections of the skin and soft tissues}; Iakovlev VP et al.; A clinical laboratory investigation of cefoperazon in the treatment of 27 patients with burn traumata and purulent necrotic wounds of the soft tissues of various genesis and localization was carried out . The clinical efficacy of the treatment was 75-86.6 per cent . 4 patients with extended purulent wounds of the soft tissues and bone affections were treated with cefoperazon and local application of gentacicol (a dosage form of gentamicin based on collagen with prolonged action) which provided the clinical effect in all the cases . 226 isolates from the wounds, urine, blood, sputum, pleural fluid and other substrates were tested and a rather high activity of cefoperazon against many strains of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms including Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Providencia sp . and Proteus spp . was revealed . The tolerance of the drug in all the cases was good.

Infect Immun, 1994 Feb, 62(2), 536 - 42
Proteus mirabilis fimbriae: construction of an isogenic pmfA mutant and analysis of virulence in a CBA mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection; Massad G et al.; Proteus mirabilis, a cause of urinary tract infection and acute pyelonephritis, produces a number of different fimbriae . An isogenic fimbrial mutant of P . mirabilis HI4320 was constructed by marker exchange with delta pmfA::aphA to determine the role of the P . mirabilis fimbriae (PMF) in hemagglutination and in virulence in the CBA mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection . The pmfA mutant, which did not express the 19,500-Da major subunit of PMF, colonized the bladders of transurethrally challenged CBA mice (n = 20 in each group) in numbers 83-fold lower than those of the wild-type strain (mutant, log10 4.87 CFU/g; wild-type strain, log10 6.79 CFU/g; P = 0.023) . However, the mutant colonized the kidneys in numbers similar to those of the wild-type strain . Hemagglutination patterns of the mutant ruled out the involvement of PMF in both mannose-resistant, Proteus-like and mannose-resistant, Klebsiella-like hemagglutination . Similarly, PMF does not appear to be involved in adherence to uroepithelial cells (UEC), since the mutant was as adherent as the wild-type strain (mutant, 14.1 +/- 11.7 mean bacteria per UEC, 60% of UEC with > or = 10 bacteria; wild-type strain, 18.1 +/- 16.2 mean bacteria per UEC, 68% of UEC with > or = 10 bacteria; not significantly different) . These data suggest a role for PMF in colonization of the bladder but not in colonization of kidney tissue . PMF appear not to be responsible for mannose-resistant, Proteus-like or mannose-resistant, Klebsiella-like hemagglutination.

J Mol Biol, 1994 Jan 14, 235(2), 783 - 6
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray investigation of holotryptophanases from Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris; Dementieva IS et al.; Crystals of Proteus vulgaris holotryptophanase have been grown by the hanging-drop technique using polyethylene glycol 4000 as precipitant in the presence of monovalent cations K+ or Cs+ . Orthorhombic crystals (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) grown with Cs+ have unit cell parameters a = 115.0 A, b = 118.2 A and c = 153.7 A and diffract to 1.8 A . There are four subunits of the tetrameric molecule in the asymmetric unit . Native data have been collected to 2.5 A resolution . The 3.4 A data were collected from tetragonal crystals of Escherichia coli holotryptophanase grown under conditions described by Kawata et al . (1991) . The molecular replacement solution for this crystal form has been found using tyrosine phenol-lyase coordinates . The correct enantiomorph is P4(3)2(1)2 . There are two subunits in the asymmetric unit.

Infect Immun, 1994 Jan, 62(1), 259 - 65
Effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) chain length on interactions of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein and its bioactive 23-kilodalton NH2-terminal fragment with isolated LPS and intact Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli; Capodici C et al.; The target-specific cytotoxicity for gram-negative bacteria and the endotoxin-neutralizing activity of the 55-kDa bactericidal/Permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and its bioactive 23-kDa NH2-terminal fragment depend on the strong attraction of BPI for the lipid A region of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) . We have shown before that smooth gram-negative bacteria with long-chain LPS are more resistant to BPI (especially holo-BPI) than are rough strains . It has been suggested that the high BPI resistance of some gram-negative bacteria, such as Proteus mirabilis, might also reflect the structural diversity of lipid A . To explore this possibility, we compared the antibacterial activity and binding of natural and recombinant holo-BPI and a recombinant NH2-terminal fragment (rBPI-23) to an isogenic rough (Re-LPS chemotype) and a smooth (S-LPS chemotype) strain of P . mirabilis and to LPS isolated from the two strains . Holo-BPI and rBPI-23 were both potently active against the Re strain of P . mirabilis (90% lethal dose, 20 nM) . In contrast, the smooth strain was > or = 100 times more resistant to holo-BPI but only 10 times more resistant to rBPI-23 . rBPI-23 was also more potent against several Escherichia coli strains from clinical bacteremia isolates . Differences in the antibacterial potency of BPI toward the Re and S strains of P . mirabilis correlated with differences in the binding of holo-BPI and rBPI-23 to these bacteria . In contrast, the binding of biosynthetically (in vitro transcribed and translated) 35S-labeled holo-BPI and NH2-terminal fragment to isolated Re- and S-LPS from P . mirabilis in solution was similar . Moreover, in the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, holo-BPI and rBPI-23 potently neutralized both forms of LPS with equal effectiveness . Together, these results strongly suggest that BPI recognizes Proteus lipid A and that the relative resistance of (smooth) P . mirabilis to holo-BPI is due to the inhibitory effect of long polysaccharide chains of tightly packed LPS in the envelope.

Gematol Transfuziol, 1994 Jan-Feb, 39(1), 24 - 6
{Detection of antibodies to various representatives of opportunistic flora in donors in Gomel'}; Krasavtsev EL et al.; A passive hemagglutination test was used to study changes in the titers of antibodies to Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Colibacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in donors of the Gomel Blood Transfusion Station . The titers much higher than in other regions (above 1:200), were obtained for Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Colibacillus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, being such in 79.4%, 49.1%, 29.7%, 52.9% and 36.9% of the examinees . The highest proportion of donors with increased antibody titers to the above agents were recorded in cold seasons . Dynamic tests showed a 4-fold increase in the titers in some subjects . The findings evidence for great prevalence of infectious diseases (subclinical and latent among them) caused by opportunistic agents in population living in the territories of radioactive contamination after the Chernobyl accident . It is possible to obtain highly immune preparations from donors living in the above conditions.

Mol Microbiol, 1994 Jan, 11(2), 337 - 47
Mutational analysis of the Bordetella pertussis fim/fha gene cluster: identification of a gene with sequence similarities to haemolysin accessory genes involved in export of FHA; Willems RJ et al.; The chromosome of Bordetella pertussis harbours a region of 27 contiguous kb, which contains the bvg, fha and fim genes, involved in the co-ordinate regulation of virulence genes, FHA production and fimbriae production, respectively . The linkage of FHA and fimbrial genes has resulted in some confusion concerning the existence and location of genes required for the production of FHA and the function of the fimbrial genes fimB-D, which were proposed to be involved in both FHA and fimbriae biosynthesis . Through the use of non-polar mutations in each of these genes, we found that fimB-D are required for the production of both serotype 2 and 3 fimbriae, but not for FHA biosynthesis . Furthermore, a large open reading frame, designated fhaC, was identified downstream of fimD . It was shown that fhaC is essential for FHA production but not for fimbriae biogenesis . We propose that insertion mutations in fimB-D affect FHA production because of polar effects on fhaC expression . An insertion in the region downstream of fhaC had only a slight effect on FHA and fimbriae production . The fhaC gene product shows homology with ShIB and HpmB, two outer membrane proteins involved in export and activation of the haemolysins, ShIA and HpmA, of Serratia marcescens and Proteus mirabilis, respectively . Homology is also observed between the N-termini of FHA, ShIA and HpmA . Export of the haemolysins requires the N-termini of these molecules, and when this region was removed from FHA by an in-frame deletion, FHA biosynthesis was abolished . These results suggest that the N-terminus of FHA interacts with FhaC, and that as a result FHA is transported across the outer membrane.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1994 Jan, 13(1), 19 - 24
Gram-negative bacillary cellulitis in patients with hepatic cirrhosis; Corredoira JM et al.; Eight episodes of gram-negative bacillary cellulitis in seven patients with hepatic cirrhosis are reported . The patients comprised five women and two men (mean age 59.6 years) . The diagnosis was based on a positive culture of specimens obtained by needle aspiration from cutaneous lesions . All patients had grade C cirrhosis according to Pugh's classification . Cellulitis involved the lower extremities in all cases . Five patients developed bullous lesions, three ulcers, two abscesses and two extensive cutaneous necrosis . A single bacterial species was found in seven cases . Organisms isolated were Klebsiella pneumoniae (3 cases), Escherichia coli (2 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2 cases), Proteus mirabilis (1 case) and Aeromonas hydrophila (1 case) . Bacteremia was documented in six cases . Four patients died, death being related to sepsis in three of them . It is concluded that gram-negative bacilli should be considered as possible pathogens in severe infectious cellulitis in patients with advanced cirrhosis . Microbiological study of cutaneous specimens obtained by needle aspiration may be of high diagnostic value in these cases.

Br J Rheumatol, 1994 Jan, 33(1), 32 - 5
Anti-Proteus antibodies and Proteus organisms in rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical study; McDonagh J et al.; We have studied anti-Proteus antibodies (APA), isolation of Proteus, and their relation to various measures of RA disease activity . Seventy RA patients with a CRP > 10 mg/l had higher APA titres than 17 RA patients with CRP < or = 10 mg/l (P = 0.006), and 36 non-RA controls (P = 0.003) . However, in a cross-sectional study of the RA group, there was no correlation between APA and a number of clinical and laboratory measures of disease activity, including the CRP and Stoke RA activity index . A longitudinal study showed no correlation between changes in these measures of disease activity and change in APA titre . We were unable to isolate Proteus in the urine or faeces of RA patients more frequently than controls, and the isolation of Proteus did not correlate with serum APA titres . Urinary APA was present in equal frequencies in RA and non-RA patients . NSAIDs, DMARDs and steroids did not appear to influence APA titres in the RA group . These results suggest that APA may act as an acute phase protein, distinct from CRP, but not correlating with RA disease activity in its broadest context . The fact that the antibody we are measuring binds to Proteus may be irrelevant, and the study does not support a role for Proteus in RA.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1994 Jan, 76(1), 36 - 41
Bactericidal activity in the pig roundworm Ascaris suum; Wardlaw AC et al.; A potent, humoral, bactericidal activity against Micrococcus luteus was discovered in pseudocoelomic fluid of the pig roundworm, Ascaris suum . The activity, which was not bacteriolytic, was not due to lysozyme or to a dietary antibiotic . It was not inactivated by exposure to 100 degrees C, to low or high pH, or to ethanol . Dialysis, electrophoresis and agar-diffusion experiments suggested that the main antibacterial activity in the fluid was associated with a basic substance of molecular weight somewhat less than 14,000 Da . Two other Gram-positive organisms, Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus, were also killed by the Ascaris fluid, but the Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Bordetella bronchiseptica were insensitive.

Clin Orthop, 1994 Jan, (298), 97 - 105
Palacos gentamicin for the treatment of deep periprosthetic hip infections; Garvin KL et al.; Between 1983 and 1986, 40 hip arthroplasties in 40 patients with documented deep infection were reimplanted using Palacos Gentamicin at The Hospital for Special Surgery . Palacos Gentamicin was added to the standard protocol, which included removal of the prosthesis, cement, if present, and a thorough debridement of infected and necrotic tissue, six weeks of intravenous antibiotics with a postpeak serum bactericidal titer of at least 1:8 against the infecting bacteria, followed by reimplantation of the hip . Sixteen of the patients also had the placement of gentamicin-impregnated beads at the time of prosthetic removal . All patients had a deep periprosthetic infection, 13 with Staphylococcus epidermidis, seven Staphylococcus aureus, four Streptococcus, three Enterococcus, three with gram-positive bacteria, four Escherichia coli, two Proteus, one Pseudomonas, and three anaerobic organisms . At an average follow-up period of five years (range, two to ten), two of the 40 hips (5%) developed recurrent infection . These cases recurred at one month in a patient immunocompromised by end-stage systemic lupus erythematosus (S . epidermidis) and at five months in a patient with severe titanium metallosis (S . aureus) . No recurrence was noted in eight cases with gram-negative organisms or in three cases of mixed infections . No infection recurred after five months in the remaining patients before their death or last follow-up examination . Of the remaining 38 hips, 16 died of causes unrelated to the hip, leaving 21 with an average follow-up period of 7.5 years . Clinical results in these patients were 14 excellent, five good, two fair, and no poor results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

World J Urol, 1994, 12(1), 49 - 51
Glycosaminoglycans and struvite calculi; McLean RJ et al.; Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are suspended in urine and are present on tissue surfaces in the urinary tract . Consequently, they have the potential to influence any pathological disorder in this environment, including urinary tract infections by Proteus mirabilis and struvite (NH4MgPO4.6H2(0)) urolithiasis . Although GAGs, suspended in urine, may inhibit the formation of other types of calculus minerals, no such effect has been reported in struvite calculi . Nevertheless, GAGs are a major component of the organic matrix of all types of urinary calculi . In contrast, there is evidence that the GAG layer on the bladder surface may act as a defence mechanism against infection by inhibiting bacterial adhesion . More studies are needed to elucidate fully the role of GAGs in urinary infections and struvite urolithiasis.

Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1994, 46(3), 151 - 60
{Determination of bacteriocinogenic types of strains of Proteus mirabilis}; Jozefowicz-Piatkowska H et al.; The study was aimed at determination of bacterioenzymogenic activity of 351 Proteus strains (337 strains of Proteus mirabilis and 14 strains of Proteus Vulgaris) isolated in laboratory of Pediatric Institute of the Medical Academy in Lodz, mostly from urine (222 strains) and feces (99 strains) . for determination of bacteriocinogenic properties, 15 index strains "S" were used . Of these, six were from collection of Senior (The University of Dundee Medical School, Scotland) and 9 from own Piatkowski collection (Lodz University) . Detection of bacteriocinogenic strains and determination of their activity toward 15 index strains was performed by an own method (15) . Out of total 551 strains tested, bacteriocinogenic properties were found in 263 (75%) of strains . Remaining 88 (25%) strains did not inhibit any of the 15 index strains . Sixty-two different types of bacteriocinogenicity were found . The results suggest that bacteriocinogenic typing of Proteus mirabilis strains permits for more precise characterization of properties of these bacteria useful for epidemiological purposes, than by application of other methods.

Biomed Pharmacother, 1994, 48(3-4), 157 - 66
Awakenings to the pathogenicity of urease and the requirement for continuous long term therapy; LeVeen HH et al.; Urease is an enzyme found in plants and bacteria, but not mammals . It catalyzes the conversion of urea to carbon dioxide and ammonia . Ammonia shortens the life span of cells; and higher concentrations cause tissue necrosis and cytolysis . Twenty percent of total body urea is converted to ammonia by bacterial urease in the colon . Small injections of urease immunize animals by producing antiurease, a gamma globulin, which inactivates urease . Immunization eliminates the colonic conversion of urea to ammonia . Injection of urease produces ammonia intoxication making immunization hazardous . Although previously impossible, a non enzymatic urease antigen was synthesized by covalently bonding jack bean urease with glutaraldehyde . This antigen stimulated the production of antiurease that inactivates native urease . Helicobacter pylori, a potent urease producer, has been implicated in peptic ulcer, gastritis and other inflammatory bowel lesions . The pathogenicity of H pylori is dependent on its urease production . Immunization to urease can render H pylori non pathogenic . Cirrhotics develop encephalopathy and hyperammonemia because their livers fail to convert all the ammonia in portal venous blood to urea and collaterals develop by passing the liver . Colonic ammonia increases the turnover rate of colonic mucosa . Ammonia absorbed into the portal venous system is transported to the liver where it is reconverted to urea . Absorbed ammonia adversely influences liver function . Infections with urease producing organisms destroy the renal parenchyma and produce struvite stones . Urease immunization aids colonic healing and prevents uremic colitis . Absorbed ammonia is a noxious influence on the liver . Animals immunized to urease regenerate the liver faster and are less susceptible to hepatotoxins . Immunization to urease ameliorates cirrhosis . Proteus and other urease producers become non toxic and do not damage the renal parenchyma . Urease is responsible for the pathogenicity of infections with urease producing organisms . Immunization to urease renders urease producing organisms non pathogenic.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1994, 26(4), 361 - 7
Proteus mirabilis bacteremia: a review of 176 cases during 1980-1992; Watanakunakorn C et al.; Patients with Proteus mirabilis bacteremia at a large community teaching hospital during a 13-year period (1980-1992) were retrospectively reviewed . There were 176 patients whereof 44 (25%) had polymicrobial bacteremia . The median age of patients was 75 years and 64.2% were 70 years or older . Of the patients 56.8% came from a nursing home, 64.2% had an indwelling Foley catheter, and 20.5% nosocomial bacteremia . The most common source of bacteremia was the urinary tract (52.8%) whereas the lower respiratory tract was an uncommon source . Hypotension was present in 30.1% of patients . The overall mortality rate was 29.0% with an attributable mortality rate of 25.6% . The mortality rate of polymicrobial bacteremia (38.6%) was higher than that of monomicrobial bacteremia (25.8%) . For patients with monomicrobial bacteremia, significant increase in mortality was found in patients who had nosocomial infection (p < 0.02), whose source of bacteremia was other than the urinary tract (p < 0.01), who had ultimately fatal underlying conditions (p < 0.01), who had hypotension (p < 0.001), who had increase in serum creatinine (p < 0.05), or who had increase in serum bilirubin (p < 0.05).

Acta Pol Pharm, 1994, 51(1), 59 - 62
Investigation on the antibacterial properties of some 5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid derivatives; Cieplik J et al.; A series of some 5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acids and their ethyl esters was tested for its antibacterial properties against the following bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

Zentralbl Gynakol, 1994, 116(7), 422 - 32
{Dr . Wang's tube--study of a new technique for eliminating pathogens in sperm preparation for reproductive medicine}; Riedel HH et al.; A total of 30 ejaculates has been tested for ejaculate volume, spermatozoal concentration, motility, agglomeration, agglutination and contamination by microorganisms . After that the ejaculate has been washed twice and transferred in the Dr . Wangs Tube which was filled with medium before . After an incubation time of 90 minutes very quickly moving spermatozoan could be observed through the microscope in the upper part (C-D) of the Tube . After the Tube was cut by means of a special glasscutter the motility of the containing spermatozoans of part C-D has been determined again, followed by a second bacteriological examination of the so prepared ejaculate . The results of sperm preparation with the Dr . Wangs Tube regarding the sperm motility has been very good (85.7% of the sperm samples showed a motility rate of 90% or even more after treatment) . The bacteriological examination has been satisfactory: in 77.7% of the cases all existing sperm bacterias has been eliminated by preparation in the Dr . Wangs Tube . Among other microorganisms Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus which are considered to be pathologic could be isolated from five of the ejaculates and have been removed after treatment with the Dr . Wangs Tube . The handling of the Tube was rather demanding and Technically problematic . There has been caused glass-splinters by cutting the Tube which got visible while observing the ejaculate-medium-liquid through the microscope . Their sizes were nearly equivalent to the size of a sperms head or even bigger . If the so prepared ejaculate would be used for insemination and in-vitro fertilisation the very small splinters may destroy the success of the treatment and should be avoided or removed . The Dr . Wangs Tube offers a new modified swim-up technique for sperm preparation and is able to produce a high quality, nearly sterile sperm sample . Because of the technical deficiency of the system, the high purchase and running costs and the very small output (sperm sample volume, number of spermatozoans) the Dr . Wangs Tube is not be recommended for the reproductive medicine in its present shape.

Pediatr Radiol, 1994, 24(3), 189 - 93
Proteus syndrome: emphasis on the pulmonary manifestations; Newman B et al.; Published articles on the radiologic aspects of Proteus syndrome are sparse . This report highlights the features of this disease with specific attention to the serious pulmonary manifestations that may occur at an early age . Two cases of Proteus syndrome and severe lung disease are presented, with complete autopsy in one case and correlative surgical pathologic data in the other . Multiple superficial and visceral vascular abnormalities were present in both cases . Both patients developed rapidly progressive diffuse cystic emphysematous pulmonary disease leading to the death of one patient at age 18 years and a heart-lung transplant in the other at age 8 1/2 years . Extensive gross pulmonary cysts were evident pathologically with diffuse panlobar emphysema microscopically . Studies of collagen and cultured fibroblasts in one patient revealed no abnormality . The early presentation, rapid progression and potentially lethal nature of lung involvement has not previously been emphasized.

Ann Trop Paediatr, 1994, 14(4), 271 - 4
Urinary tract pathogens and antimicrobial sensitivity patterns in children in Ibadan, Nigeria; Adeyemo AA et al.; A study of bacterial organisms isolated from 65 Nigerian children who had urinary tract infection (UTI) is reported . The predominant isolate in both inpatients and outpatients was Klebsiella species which accounted for 52.8% of cases . Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp and Proteus spp accounted for 25.0%, 15.3% and 5.5% of isolates, respectively . All isolates were poorly sensitive to the common first-line drugs used in UTI in our environment, namely, cotrimoxazole and ampicillin, but exhibited good sensitivity to nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin and ofloxacin . It is recommended that nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid be used for blind treatment of UTI in Nigerian children in Ibadan while results of culture and sensitivity are awaited . Continuous monitoring of the pattern of organisms isolated in childhood UTI and their antibiotic resistance patterns is recommended as an essential step in guiding blind antibiotic therapy in such cases.

Dermatology, 1994, 189(4), 392 - 5
Proteus syndrome; Sayama K et al.; Proteus syndrome is a rare hamartomatous syndrome with a variety of abnormalities . A 6-year-old Japanese boy without apparent abnormalities at birth developed by 1 year of age cerebriform skin tumors on the right sole, soft masses on the left sole, palms and fingers, brownish verrucous lesions and whorled brownish patches on the right side of the neck, chest, external genitals and extremities, hemihypertrophy of the right lower extremity, lordoscoliosis, protuberance of the skull, epileptic seizures, hydrocephalus and mental retardation . This patient appears to be the second Japanese case of Proteus syndrome.

Vet Res Commun, 1994, 18(4), 241 - 9
Antimicrobial effect of combinations of EDTA-Tris and amikacin or neomycin on the microorganisms associated with otitis externa in dogs; Sparks TA et al.; Combinations of EDTA-Tris and two aminoglycoside antibiotics (amikacin and neomycin) were tested for synergistic activities against the microorganisms associated with otitis externa in dogs and for the solutions' stability over time . Synergistic activity was observed when EDTA-Tris plus amikacin and EDTA-Tris plus neomycin were tested against Staphylococcus intermedius, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, but not against Candida albicans . Stability studies over a 3-month period indicated that the test solutions were stable at room temperature and that their antimicrobial activity was maintained.

Tsitologiia, 1994, 36(1), 111 - 6
{The resistance of Amoeba proteus amebae with different levels of nuclear DNA to the action of high temperature and ethyl alcohol}; Sopina VA et al.; Thermotolerance and resistance to ethyl alcohol were investigated in Amoeba proteus of polyploid series . Thermoresistance of these amoebae was determined by measuring the mean time of survival at the lethal temperature (43 degrees C) . The resistance to ethyl alcohol was estimated by the mean percentage of individuals that survived following a 5-minute treatment with 7.5% ethyl alcohol . Neither thermotolerance, nor ethyl alcohol resistance were found to depend on the amount of nuclear DNA . It was also established that colchicine did not induce a hereditary instability of thermoresistance in amoebae.

Chemotherapy, 1994, 40 Suppl 1, 29 - 34
Study of the efficacy and safety of ciprofloxacin in the treatment of chronic otitis; Fombeur JP et al.; Over a period of 18 months 76 patients presenting with acute exacerbations of chronic otitis were enrolled in this study . The mean age of the patients was 46.4 +/- 16.8 years, the interval between the onset of symptoms of otitis and enrollment in the study was 22.1 +/- 19.4 years and the infective episode had been developing for 36.4 +/- 72.4 days . The patients received either 500 or 750 mg ciprofloxacin twice daily for a period of 9 days with no topical antibiotic treatment . The bacteriological specimen taken at enrollment was positive in 93% of the patients and led to the isolation of 85 microorganisms, 65% of which were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus or Proteus mirabilis . At the end of the treatment period, discharge from the ears (the primary clinical evaluation criterion) had ceased in 44/69 (64%) patients examined . The clinical cure rate was 23/39 (59%) for patients treated with 500 mg ciprofloxacin twice daily and 21/30 (70%) for those treated with 750 mg twice daily (difference was not statistically significant) . At the end of a 4-week post-treatment follow-up, the clinical relapse rate was 7% . There was no relapse in the patients with chronic otitis which had been bacteriologically documented . Eight adverse effects were observed in five patients and treatment had to be discontinued in one case . This study shows ciprofloxacin to be an effective and safe agent for use in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic otitis treated in general practice . In certain cases, however, additional treatment with a topical antibiotic may be desirable.

Biochimie, 1994, 76(10-11), 1090 - 8
Interaction of the main cold shock protein CS7.4 (CspA) of Escherichia coli with the promoter region of hns; Brandi A et al.; Escherichia coli protein CS7.4 (CspA), homologous to the class of eukaryotic Y-box DNA-binding proteins, is a cold shock transcriptional activator of at least two genes, hns and gyrA . It was demonstrated that all or nearly all the elements necessary for the stimulation of hns transcription by CS7.4 protein are located in the proximal 110 bp DNA fragment of this gene with no additional elements being present in a longer fragment (660 bp) extending further upstream from the hns promoter . Protein CS7.4 bound strongly to the 110 bp segment of the hns promoter in crude extracts of cold shocked cells, but the purified protein displayed a weak interaction with the same DNA fragment . Purified CS7.4 protein also caused increased or decreased accessibility to DNase I at different sites of the 110 bp fragment of hns but the majority of these effects was seen only in the presence of RNA polymerase . Since gel shift experiments showed that protein CS7.4 stimulated the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter of hns and since it is known that there are similarities between CS7.4 and ssDNA-binding proteins, we suggest that formation of the open complex by the RNA polymerase or protein-protein contacts between CS7.4 and the RNA polymerase are prerequisites for and/or the effects of the interaction of CS7.4 with its DNA target . The presence of a conserved CCAAT element in the hns promoter region, on the other hand, was found not to be stringently required for cold shock activation since expression of E coli of an hns-cat fusion containing the Proteus vulgaris hns promoter lacking a CCAAT box increased over four-fold after cold shock.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1994, 39(5), 381 - 6
A new phage typing scheme for Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris strains . 1 . Morphological analysis; Sekaninova G et al.; A new bacteriophage typing set, composed of 22 phages, was established as a tool for differentiation of Proteus strains . All the phages were tailed and included 4 morphological types (A1, A2, B1 and C1) . They were classified into the families Myoviridae, Siphoviridae and Podoviridae . From the set, 19 phages had double-stranded DNA and 3 were single-stranded DNA phages.

Ann Dermatol Venereol, 1994, 121(4), 303 - 8
{Proteus syndrome . 8 cases}; Havard S et al.; INTRODUCTION . Proteus syndrome most often includes: corporal hemi-hypertrophia, gigantism of the extremities with hyperplasia of the palms and soles, vascular abnormalities and varied types of other hamartomatous tumours . The dysmorphic growth generates functional orthopaedic and orthognatic disabilities that increase with age . OBSERVATIONS . We report, on eight cases, our experience in management of Proteus syndrome abnormalities and the benefits of new techniques in imaging and interventional vascular radiology . The correction of limb orthopaedic abnormalities is complicated with elephantiasic enlargement of soft tissues . In some patients the absence of a deep venous network contra-indicates transcutaneous occlusion of dysplatic vessels . Facial asymmetry and orthognatic anomalies are better managed after permanent teeth have appeared . COMMENTARIES . The management of these disabilities is carried out by staff of different specialities but should be organized by a practitioner who regularly follows the child and detects early the functional disturbances . Aesthetic corrections are performed later.

Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1994, 46(4), 285 - 91
{Evaluation of the usefulness of standard strains sets from the senior collection for typing Proteus mirabilis strains}; Aleksandrowicz I et al.; The object of our study constituted 651 P . mirabilis strains, isolated from samples of clinical material, which were typed by the standard strain set from the B.W . Senior collection . One hundred and sixty seven types of reaction (P/S) were determined basing on their ability to produce proticine++ or on their susceptibility to proticine++ . No typing strains (PO/SO) made up 10.4% . On the other hand, strains that typed by the presented method could be classified in separate groups of clinical material within the range of 44.2%-73.5% . Particular P/S types were looked for, such that would detect so-called hospital strains . Among the strains typing in all groups of clinical material (apart from autopsy), the production of proticine++ 2 and 3 was dominated . Susceptibility of P . mirabilis strains to given proticine slightly differed in separate groups of clinical material . The majority of strains were susceptible to proticine++ 9 . P . mirabilis strains produced one or several proticine and were also susceptible to one or several of them . Thorough analysis did not establish the dominance of whatever P/S type in respective groups of clinical material or of particular P/S types characteristic of a given disease . In the case of mixed infections no correlation was established between the P/S P . mirabilis type and the occurrence of accompanying microorganisms . The discussed method of typing P . mirabilis strains by the standard strain set from the B.W . Senior collection makes it possible to obtain a higher percentage of strain differentiation as compared with findings reported by other authors . Hence our recommendation to use this set as well as the modified typing method in epidemiological analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1994, 42(3), 209 - 15
Structural and immunochemical studies on O-specific polysaccharide of Proteus penneri strain 14; Sidorczyk Z et al.; The complete structure of the O-antigen of Proteus penneri strain 14, containing D-alanine and L-alanine was established using methylation, solvolysis with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, partial acid hydrolysis, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy . The role of partial structures of the pentasaccharide repeating unit in manifesting serological specificity and cross-reactivity of this strain with some other bacteria is discussed.

Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1993 Dec, 67(12), 1172 - 7
{Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) associated with strong alkaline urine}; Umeki S; Mechanisms for purple discoloration of the plastic urine bag in purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) were investigated . Activities of bacterial indoxyl sulfatase catalyzing the conversion of indoxyl sulfate to indigo (or indirubin) were detected in strong alkaline liquid media but not in normal ones . These enzyme activities were particularly high in simple and combined cultures of Proteus mirabilis and/or Klebsiella pneumoniae . These results suggest that occurrence of PUBS is associated with strong alkaline urine as well as urinary tract infections induced by some species of bacteria with indoxyl sulfatase.

Ir J Med Sci, 1993 Dec, 162(12), 499 - 501
A comparison of antimicrobial sensitivities of urinary pathogens for the years 1980 and 1990; Hannan M et al.; Urinary tract infection is a major cause of morbidity in both the hospital and community which often requires empirical therapy . We have retrospectively studied laboratory diagnosed urinary tract infections for the years 1980 and 1990 to document the common pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns . In 1990 a significantly lower proportion of specimens yielded Proteus sp . or Klebsiella sp . than was the case in 1980 . This was true of specimens from both the hospital and the community . There was an increase in the proportion of specimens yielding Pseudomonas sp . and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) . Significant changes in the antimicrobial susceptibility of urinary pathogens are also noted . In particular a greater proportion of isolates from the community were sensitive to cephalothin in 1990, while fewer isolates were sensitive to nalidixic acid and gentamicin . A greater proportion of isolated from hospital practice were sensitive to ampicillin, to cephalothin and to trimethoprim in 1990 while fewer isolates were sensitive to gentamicin . In relation to nitrofurantoin no significant change was noted . In respect of isolates from both community and hospital practice the agents ofloxacin, co-amoxiclav (not available in 1980) and gentamicin are those which are most consistently active.

Gene, 1993 Nov 30, 134(1), 99 - 102
Sequence and characterization of mutT from Proteus vulgaris; Kamath AV et al.; A cloned DNA fragment containing the tryptophanase (tna) operon of Proteus vulgaris was found to contain a gene analogous to mutT of Escherichia coli immediately distal to the tna operon . The presumptive mutT of P . vulgaris was shown to be a functional gene by complementation of a mutT mutant from E . coli . The deduced amino acid sequence of the MutT polypeptide of P . vulgaris was 47% identical and 70% similar to MutT of E . coli . The mutT and tna operons of P . vulgaris were shown to be adjacent on the genome of this organism . These operons are located about 20 min apart in the E . coli genome . Our findings suggest that either or both tna and mutT have different genomic locations in the two organisms.

Infect Immun, 1993 Nov, 61(11), 4915 - 8
The 39-kilodalton outer membrane protein of Proteus mirabilis is an OmpA protein and mitogen for murine B lymphocytes; Korn A et al.; Partial amino acid sequence analysis of a major outer membrane protein of Proteus mirabilis (39-kDa protein) indicates that it is an OmpA protein . The mitogenic activities of the 39-kDa protein for murine lymphocytes were also investigated with T lymphocytes isolated by passing spleen cells over columns of nylon wool fiber and B lymphocytes obtained by treating spleen cells with monoclonal antibodies to Thy1 plus complement . The 39-kDa protein showed little activity in stimulating T cells to proliferate but was strongly mitogenic for B cells.

Clin Genet, 1993 Nov, 44(5), 249 - 53
Cranial hemihypertrophy with ipsilateral naevoid streaks, intellectual handicap and epilepsy: a report of two cases; McMullin GP et al.; Two cases are described which presented with diffuse swelling of one cheek and hypertrophy of the underlying maxilla and mandible . Both children developed verrucous pigmented streaks over the area of swelling, and had epilepsy and severe mental subnormality . One of the children had a contralateral hemiplegia and his condition had a progressive course . The other child had no focal neurological signs and his disease seemed to be non-progressive . Although the facial appearance of both children suggested the diagnosis of encephalocrainiocutaneous lipomatosis syndrome, it was not possible to demonstrate the presence of any lipomata in either case . The literature relating to encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis is reviewed, as well as that relating to the syndromes of naevus unius lateris, the Proteus syndrome and the syndrome of cranial hemihypertrophy, and the clinical features of our two cases are compared with the features of these four syndromes.

J Heart Lung Transplant, 1993 Nov-Dec, 12(6 Pt 2), S246 - 54
Pediatric lung transplantation: expanding indications, 1985 to 1993; Armitage JM et al.; The application of lung transplantation to the pediatric population was a natural extension of the success realized in our adult transplant program, which began in 1982 . Thirty-two pediatric patients (age range 1 to 18 years) have undergone heart-lung (n = 16), double-lung (n = 14), and single-lung (n = 2) transplantation procedures . The cause of end-stage lung disease was primary pulmonary hypertension (n = 7), congenital heart disease (n = 7), cystic fibrosis (n = 9), pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (n = 2), desquamative interstitial pneumonitis (n = 2), graft-versus-host disease (n = 1), emphysema (n = 1), rheumatoid lung (n = 1), cardiomyopathy (n = 1), and Proteus syndrome (n = 1) . Six patients (19%) underwent pretransplantation thoracic surgical procedures . The survival rate was 78% at a mean follow-up of 1.8 years . The survival rate in the 23 recipients without cystic fibrosis was 87% (95% since 1985) . The actuarial 1-year survival rate in the nine recipients with cystic fibrosis was 55% . Immunosuppression was cyclosporine (n = 9) or FK 506 (n = 23)-based therapy with azathioprine and steroids . Children were followed up by spirometry, transbronchial biopsy, and primed lymphocyte testing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid . The mean number of treated episodes of rejection per patient in the groups treated with cyclosporine and FK 506, respectively, was 1.0 and 1.2 at 30 days, 0.67 and 0.38 at 30 to 90 days, and 2.33 and 0.46 at greater than 90 days (p < 0.001, Fisher exact test).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Infect, 1993 Nov, 27(3), 261 - 9
The effects of electric current on bacteria colonising intravenous catheters; Liu WK et al.; The effect of a direct electric current (10 microA) on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis was investigated . When the ends of negatively-charged intravascular catheters were placed in nutrient agar seeded with bacteria, circular zones of inhibition of bacterial growth were observed around the catheters . The zones ranged from 6 to 16 mm in diameter according to the organism under test . Zones of inhibition were not produced around positively-charged catheters . Bacteria colonising the surfaces of catheters were similarly affected by the application of a 10 microA electric current . A negative electric current applied to colonised catheters for 4 to 24 h significantly reduced the number of adherent viable organisms as compared to controls . The results demonstrated that a constant electric current of low amperage might be used to reduce bacterial colonisation of intravascular catheters . This may offer a novel means of protecting catheters and other prosthetic devices from associated sepsis in vivo.

Gig Sanit, 1993 Nov, (11), 30 - 1
{Microbial colonization of the caviar of the sturgeon fishes}; Boiko AV et al.; Samples of black caviar in 47.7% of cases are contaminated by opportunistic bacteria Aeromonas, Proteus, Vibrio, V . parahaemolyticus . Standardization of these micro-organisms content in black caviar is recommended.

J Laryngol Otol, 1993 Nov, 107(11), 999 - 1004
Extracranial and intracranial complications of suppurative otitis media . Report of 102 cases; Kangsanarak J et al.; During the eight-year period, 1983-1990, 102 cases of intracranial (IC) and extracranial (EC) complications from 17 144 suppurative otitis media were reviewed . The prevalence of each complication was 0.24 and 0.45 per cent respectively . Facial paralysis, subperiosteal abscess and labyrinthitis were the common complications among the EC group, while meningitis and brain abscess were common in the IC group . Twenty five per cent of the EC group and 44 per cent of the IC group had more than two complications . The reliable warning signs and symptoms for IC complications were fever, headache, earache, vestibular symptoms, meningeal signs and impairment of consciousness . Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeuruginosa and Staphylococcus spp . were the commonest organisms isolated from both groups . Cholesteatoma and granulation/polyp in the middle ear/mastoid were the major findings in both patient groups . Mortality rate in the IC group was 18.6 per cent . Morbidity rate in each group was 14.3 per cent (EC) and 27.9 per cent (IC) respectively . Epidemiological presentations, clinical features and the result of treatment are discussed.

J Infect Dis, 1993 Nov, 168(5), 1097 - 104
Immunologic parameters 2 years after high-titer measles immunization in Peruvian children; Leon ME et al.; Immunization with high-titer measles vaccines has been associated with excess mortality in children 2-4 years after vaccination . In this study, immunologic parameters in 64 Peruvian children who had been immunized an average of 27 months earlier with high-titer vaccines were compared with parameters in 76 recipients of low-titer vaccines . Delayed-type hypersensitivity, lymphocyte phenotype distributions by flow cytometry, and lymphoproliferation after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation were assessed . High-titer recipients had smaller indurations to tetanus, diphtheria, and Proteus (P < .05) antigens, decreased PHA stimulation (P = .04), and a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (P = .04) than low-titer recipients . After adjustment for sex, concurrent illnesses, and other variables in regression analyses, high-titer recipients had a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (P = .025) and decreased lymphocyte proliferation to PHA (P = .058) . These results may provide a clue to the pathogenesis of delayed excess mortality after high-titer measles vaccination in some developing countries.

Eur J Biochem, 1993 Nov 1, 217(3), 939 - 46
Site-directed mutagenesis of beta-lactamase TEM-1 . Investigating the potential role of specific residues on the activity of Pseudomonas-specific enzymes; Lenfant F et al.; From sequence alignments, two groups can be defined for the carbenicillin-hydrolysing beta-lactamases (CARB enzymes) . One group includes the Pseudomonas-specific enzymes PSE-1, PSE-4, CARB-3, CARB-4 and also the Proteus mirabilis GN79, for which the well-conserved residue Lys 234 in all class-A beta-lactamases is changed to an arginine residue . The second group includes the enzymes PSE-3 and AER-1 which have an arginine or a lysine residue at position 165 . All these enzymes also have leucine at position 68, threonine at position 104 and glycine at position 240 . We engineered these mutations into the TEM-1 beta-lactamase to study their potential role in defining the substrate profile of the CARB enzymes . The mutations K234R and E240G in TEM-1 noticeably increased the hydrolysis of carboxypenicillins relative to other penicillins by approximately sixfold and twofold, respectively . The variant E240G also demonstrated an improved rate of second-generation cephalosporin and cefotaxime hydrolysis . In contrast, the substitution of Trp165 by arginine does not extend the substrate profile to alpha-carboxypenicillins nor does it noticeably modify the kinetic behavior of the enzyme . The mutations M68L and E104T do not have a large effect on the hydrolysis rate but the mutation E104T enhances the affinity of the enzyme for third-generation cephalosporins . As the mutation K234R resulted in a severe decrease in the affinity for carboxypenicillins, the double mutant E240G/K234R was constructed in an attempt to enhance the CARB character of the enzyme . Contrary to what could be expected, the additional mutation E240G for the TEM-1 K234R enzyme increases neither the catalytic constant for the carboxypenicillins nor the affinity towards these substrates . Consequently, this study strongly suggests that the three-dimensional structures of the active site of the TEM-1 enzyme and PSE-3, PSE-4 or other related enzymes are significantly different . This probably explains the discrepancy of the substrate profile between the CARB enzymes and the TEM-1 protein variants.

Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1993 Nov, (11), 23 - 6
{Microbiologic and immunologic parameters in patients with abscesses of the abdominal cavity}; Perfil'ev DF; Dynamic bacteriological examination of abdominal exudate and wound pus after operations on 131 patients with abdominal abscesses of various localization revealed a variety of microorganisms among which 44.2% were staphylococci, 22.9% enterococci, 64.1% Escherichia coli, 34.2% proteus microorganisms, 31.0% Cl . perfringens, and 90% nonclostridial anaerobes; certain varieties (phagotypes, serogroups) prevailed among them which possessed pathogenetic properties to a greater measure than their other varieties . A greater part of the cultures obtained from the foci of affection were in various microbial associations (2-6 types) and were resistant to the widely used antibiotics--penicillin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, and retained their sensitivity to antibiotics of the neomycin series and to other agents . Specific antibodies to the causative agents and the products of their vital activity accumulated (two-sevenfold) during the disease in most patients, and the intensity of their increase depended on the development of purulent complications and the patient's age . The dynamics of changes of the antibody titer may confirm the etiology of the abscess and be an indirect index of the prognosis of the disease.

Pediatr Pathol, 1993 Nov-Dec, 13(6), 797 - 809
Pathology of osseous and genitourinary lesions of Proteus syndrome; Bale PM et al.; A male patient followed from the age of 3 to 25 years was eventually diagnosed as having Proteus syndrome . He was born with linear epidermal nevi of the neck and forearm and presented with macrodactyly of the right hand and progressive hemihypertrophy of the right lower limb recurring after multiple reduction operations . The bone ends showed disorderly overgrowth of hyaline and fibrocartilage mixed with collagen and bone, and early differential diagnoses included Ollier's disease . The child also had vertebral anomalies, scoliosis, a bony protrusion of the cranial vertex, and strabismus . In the second decade he developed gyriform swelling of the soles, retinopathy, bilateral papillary cysts of the epididymis, and a giant cyst of the left kidney with complex glandular foci . At 22 years a 3-cm meningioma containing adipose tissue was resected, and at 24 years a 3-cm cellular nodule of the rete testis with hyperchromatic foci, probably an adenoma, was removed . The features of Proteus syndrome were those of hyperplasia and neoplasia of mostly mesodermal tissues . Unlike other reported cases, overgrowth of a finger recurred at 25 years.

Mol Microbiol, 1993 Nov, 10(3), 545 - 53
Cloning of Bordetella bronchiseptica urease genes and analysis of colonization by a urease-negative mutant strain in a guinea-pig model; Monack DM et al.; The genes encoding urease were cloned from Bordetella bronchiseptica and the 5.2 kb of DNA essential for expression analysed in a T7 RNA polymerase transcription-translation system . At least four polypeptides with predicted molecular weights of 69,000, 26,000, 12,200 and 11,000 were found . Partial DNA sequence of the gene encoding the 69,000 Da polypeptide revealed high amino acid identity to the alpha-subunit of Proteus mirabilis urease, UreC and jack bean urease . A stable, unmarked deletion was constructed in this gene to create a urease-negative mutant of B . bronchiseptica . To assess colonization in a guinea-pig model, the urease-negative strain was inoculated with the urease-positive parental strain in a mixed infection . The urease-negative strain out competed the urease-positive strain in the trachea, lungs and caecum . We demonstrate that urease is not essential for B . bronchiseptica colonization of the guinea-pig respiratory and digestive tracts.

Bioorg Khim, 1993 Nov, 19(11), 1132 - 6
{Structural study of O-specific polysaccharides from Proteus mirabilis O28 and 3/6, containing amides of D-galacturonic acid with L-amino acids; C-methylation and beta-elimination at L-serine and L-threonine residues upon analysis using the methylation method}; Vinogradov EV et al.; Structures of the O-specific polysaccharides of Proteus mirabilis O28 and 3/6 were studied by partial acid hydrolysis followed by borohydride reduction and methylation and GLC/MS analysis of the resulting glycosyl alditol derivatives . C-Methylation and beta-elimination in serine and threonine attached to the carboxyl group of galacturonic acid were observed in the course of the methylation analysis.

J Med Microbiol, 1993 Oct, 39(4), 282 - 9
The production of HlyA toxin by Proteus penneri strains; Senior BW; Twelve diverse strains of Proteus penneri of clinical origin all produced a calcium-dependent haemolysin, unlike most other Proteus spp . In most strains the haemolysin was secreted into the medium during early exponential growth and lysed not only of a variety of erythrocyte types from several animals including man, but also human neutrophils and human embryo lung fibroblasts . The haemolysin was a protein of 107 kDa, the same size as Escherichia coli HlyA, and it reacted with antiserum to E . coli HlyA . Because of its similarity in size, antigenicity and range of action to the HlyA virulence factor of E . coli, P . penneri HlyA is believed to be an important virulence factor for this organism . It was degradable by an EDTA-sensitive protease--probably the IgA protease--to inactive fragments . The interaction of P . penneri HlyA and IgA protease in vivo and the origin of HlyA, which has now been found in many diverse bacteria, are discussed.

J Bacteriol, 1993 Oct, 175(19), 6194 - 202
Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the Pseudomonas putida protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase genes; Frazee RW et al.; The genes that encode the alpha and beta subunits of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (3,4-PCD {EC 1.13.11.3}) were cloned from a Pseudomonas putida (formerly P . aeruginosa) (ATCC 23975) genomic library prepared in lambda phage . Plaques were screened by hybridization with degenerate oligonucleotides designed using known amino acid sequences . A 1.5-kb SmaI fragment from a 15-kb primary clone was subcloned, sequenced, and shown to contain two successive open reading frames, designated pcaH and pcaG, corresponding to the beta and alpha subunits, respectively, of 3,4-PCD . The amino acid sequences deduced from pcaHG matched the chemically determined sequence of 3,4-PCD in all except three positions . Cloning of pcaHG into broad-host-range expression vector pKMY319 allowed high levels of expression in P . putida strains, as well as in Proteus mirabilis after specific induction of the plasmid-encoded nahG promoter with salicylate . The recombinant enzyme was purified and crystallized from P . mirabilis, which lacks an endogenous 3,4-PCD . The physical, spectroscopic, and kinetic properties of the recombinant enzyme were indistinguishable from those of the wild-type enzyme . Moreover, the same transient enzyme intermediates were formed during the catalytic cycle . These studies establish the methodology which will allow mechanistic investigations to be pursued through site-directed mutagenesis of P . putida 3,4-PCD, the only aromatic ring-cleaving dioxygenase for which the three-dimensional structure is known.

Infect Immun, 1993 Oct, 61(10), 4350 - 5
Chemical properties of lipopolysaccharides from spotted fever group rickettsiae and their common antigenicity with lipopolysaccharides from Proteus species; Amano K et al.; The lipopolysaccharides (LPS) isolated from spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia strains Thai tick typhus TT-118 and Katayama were characterized by chemical analyses, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoblotting . These LPS did not contain heptose, but they contained 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (KDO), glucosamine, quinovosamine, phosphate, ribose, an unknown neutral sugar, and palmitic acid . Resolution of the apparent molecular masses of these LPS by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining with silver showed ladder-like bands . In an ELISA, convalescent-phase sera from 10 patients with Japanese spotted fever reacted with LPS from the Katayama strain, and 90% (9 of 10) of these sera also reacted with LPS isolated from Proteus vulgaris OX2 . Immunoblotting revealed that the sera reacted with the high-molecular-mass bands of LPS from SFG rickettsiae, in addition to those of OX2 LPS . In an ELISA, immunoglobulin M antibodies from these sera reacted with the O-polysaccharide and lipid A portions of LPS from P . vulgaris OX2 . The epitopes common to LPS of SFG rickettsiae and P . vulgaris OX2 may be in the O-polysaccharide and lipid A portions.

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1993 Oct, 7(3), 271 - 9
The effect of cytokines on bactericidal activity of murine neutrophils; Kenny PA et al.; A range of recombinant cytokines have now been shown to modify aspects of the phenotype and function of human and murine neutrophils . However, few reports describe modification of the bactericidal activity of neutrophils . We therefore examined the recombinant murine cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 10-1000 ng ml-1) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF, 10-1000 U ml-1) for their ability to increase the bacterial killing capacity of murine neutrophils . Neutrophils from either bone marrow (fresh or cultured), or peritoneal exudates, or abscesses, were pre-incubated with either cytokine for 30-60 min and the killing of Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, or Bacteroides fragilis was examined in the presence or absence of serum over a 90 min period . Only for one combination was a small but significantly enhanced level of bacterial killing observed, the phagocytic killing of P . mirabilis by peritoneal exudate neutrophils in the presence of GM-CSF and serum . With this exception there was no enhancement of bacterial killing for the range of combinations of neutrophils and bacterial species tested . In contrast, at the concentrations tested for effect on bactericidal activity, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF were able to significantly upregulate CR3 (but not Fc gamma RII) expression on mouse neutrophils . These results indicate that upregulation of CR3 as an index of neutrophil activation does not necessarily correlate with increased bactericidal activity.

Am J Med Genet, 1993 Oct 1, 47(5), 656 - 9
Compromise of the spinal canal in Proteus syndrome; Skovby F et al.; We report on 2 children with spinal stenosis and neurologic sequelae . They illustrate the 2 ways in which spinal compromise may develop in Proteus syndrome--vertebral anomalies or tumor infiltration . In one patient, spinal stenosis resulted from an angular kyphoscoliosis . In the other, cord compression resulted from infiltration of a paraspinal, intrathoracic angiolipoma.

Am J Med Genet, 1993 Oct 1, 47(5), 653 - 5
Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis, Proteus syndrome, and somatic mosaicism; Rizzo R et al.; We report on a patient with manifestations of encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis and Proteus syndrome . Further comparison with other reported patients demonstrates a continuum, not 2 distinct entities that share common manifestations . This continuum supports the concept of somatic mosaicism.

Am J Med Genet, 1993 Oct 1, 47(5), 645 - 52
Proteus syndrome: clinical evidence for somatic mosaicism and selective review; Cohen MM Jr; I report 2 unusual cases of Proteus syndrome that support the concept of somatic mosaicism . In one patient, a huge connective tissue nevus covered the chest and abdomen and hyperostoses of the calvaria were observed . In the other patient, linear verrucous epidermal nevi, epibulbar dermoids, and hyperostoses were found . No enlargement of the limbs or digits occurred and the plantar surfaces of the feet were normal . Selective aspects of Proteus syndrome not previously reviewed are also presented including: uncommon neoplasms; pulmonary and renal abnormalities; brain malformations; facial phenotype associated with seizures and severe mental deficiency; and types of abnormal growth in the craniofacial skeleton.

Br J Urol, 1993 Oct, 72(4), 441 - 5
Development of a catheterised bladder model to evaluate urinary drainage equipment; Mulhall A et al.; A catheterised bladder model was developed to examine the design features of urinary drainage bags . The drainage bag of 4 commonly used products was inoculated with either Escherichia coli or Proteus mirabilis . The speed of retrograde contamination towards the "bladder" was determined over 96 h . The effect of lifting the drainage bag above the level of the "bladder" was examined also . Within 4 days micro-organisms were detected in the backflow valves/drip chambers of all products, but contamination had not progressed as far as the catheter . Ps . mirabilis appeared to migrate more rapidly than Esch . coli . Lifting the drainage bag had no effect on the migration of either organism . The implications of these results for clinical practice are discussed.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1993 Oct, 46(10), 850 - 9
{Antibacterial activities of cefmenoxime against recent clinical isolates from patients of otitis media and otitis externa}; Deguchi K et al.; Bacteria clinically isolated from patients of otitis media and otitis externa were collected from various medical facilities across Japan during years 1988, 1990 and 1992, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefmenoxime and of reference drugs were determined against these strains . A comparative analyses of the obtained results revealed some trends described below . 1 . Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multiple drug resistant Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and multiple drug resistant Proteus spp . showed a year to year trend toward a steady increasing . Relative frequencies of occurrence of MRSA in these years, however, remained comparable to that of early 1980's . 2 . A year to year trend toward increasing was also found for resistant or insensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillins and cephems . 3 . Multiple drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were also detected but they showed no trend toward increasing.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 1993 Oct, 36(4), 425 - 32
Enteropathogenic bacteria in river Ganges in Varanasi; De A et al.; A bacteriological study of the river Ganges in Varanasi was carried out from December 1985 to November 1987 . In all 407 water samples were collected, 335 from bathing ghats and 72 from sewage openings and were examined for the presence of enteropathogenic bacteria . Vibrio cholerae 0-1 (1.72%), Non 0-1 Vibrio cholera (3.69%), Vibrio fluvialis (0.74%), Aeromonas sp . (0.49%), Plesiomonas sp . (0.25%), Salmonella sp . (0.98%) and Shigella sp . (1.23%) were isolated from both ghats and sewage openings along with Pseudomonas sp., Proteus sp., E . coli., etc . This indicates that water of the river Ganges is potentially hazardous to the health of the bathers and is not suitable for drinking . The discharge of raw sewage into the river and its diversion beyond the city, downstream, by installation of pumps have failed to improve the quality of water.

Med Parazitol (Mosk), 1993 Oct-Dec, (5), 56 - 9
{The sanitary parasitological characteristics of different sources of drinking water supply}; Romanenko NA et al.; In some CIS areas (Khabarovsk Territory, Moscow, Grodno, Odessa, Astrakhan, and Kzyl-Orda provinces), sewage, animal sewage, and sewage from the populated areas (82.3% of the samples tested), water in the surface reservoirs, sources of potable water supply (54.0%), and potable water (6.5%) were shown to contain viable agents of intestinal parasitic diseases, such as cysts of Lamblia and Balandia, eggs of ascarides, Trichuris trichiura, Diphyllobothrium, oncospheres of Taenia, etc.) . This should be borne in mind in planning and implementing measures for sanitary protection of surface and underground potable water supply sources, recreational {correction of recreative} areas, for prevention of helminthiases and intestinal protozoan {correction of Proteus} infections.

Indian Pediatr, 1993 Oct, 30(10), 1237 - 42
Nephrolithiasis in children; Yadav SS et al.; A study of 100 cases of nephrolithiasis between 3 to 15 years of age is reported . Seventy four cases were more than 10 years old . The common presenting symptoms included abdominal pain (69%), burning micturition (23%), gross hematuria (4%) and unexplained pyrexia (6%) . Associated urinary tract malformations were found in 16 cases . Twenty four had struvite calculi . Urinary infection with Proteus mirabilis was found in 23 children and idiopathic hypercalciuria in 31 cases . Following surgical removal, either percutaneously or by open surgery, 8 patients had residual calculi and in 6 cases recurrence occurred.

G E N, 1993 Oct-Dec, 47(4), 221 - 5
{Splenic abscess, a diagnostic and therapeutic problem}; Marcos A et al.; Splenic abscess remains a rare entity, reserved for patients with predisposing factors or immunosuppressive conditions . In our 13 patients in which a splenic abscess was diagnosed pre- or intra-operatively, an average of 14 days past before the diagnosis was made . Main symptoms were fever, upper left abdominal pain, auscultatory left basal anomalies and splenomegaly . Culture from the spleen material included E . coli, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Salmonella and Streptococcus v . Although splenectomy has been considered the standard procedure for this pathology, we treated our last three patients by means of Computed Tomography Percutaneous Drainage (C.T.G.P.D.) . There was no need for splenectomy after this procedure and there were no complications associated with the C . T . G . P . D.

J Postgrad Med, 1993 Oct-Dec, 39(4), 219 - 21
The Proteus syndrome; Alavi S et al.; A race case of Proteus syndrome is presented . The main features of this hamartomatous condition are partial gigantism of hands and feet, hemihypertrophy, subcutaneous masses, epidermal nevi and bony abnormalities . The condition is extremely rare . Though the child had severe cosmetic disability, motor intellectual and language development was found to be normal.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1993 Sep 15, 116(3), 346 - 9
Postoperative endophthalmitis resulting from prosthesis contamination in a monocular patient; Morris R et al.; Monocular patients who wear an ocular prosthesis may harbor pathogenic conjunctival flora both in the socket and in the contralateral eye . They may therefore be at increased risk of developing endophthalmitis after intraocular procedures . We studied a monocular, prosthesis-wearing, 86-year-old man who underwent cataract extraction, subtotal transpupillary vitrectomy, and intraocular lens insertion . Fulminant endophthalmitis ensued postoperatively, and despite complete vitrectomy and administration of intraocular antibiotics, the eye lost light perception . Intravitreal as well as conjunctival cultures bilaterally grew Proteus mirabilis . The patient disclosed that he cleaned the prosthesis frequently because of discharge . We considered an association between this bacterial colonization and the risk of developing postoperative endophthalmitis and suggest prophylactic measures for treatment of monocular patients undergoing intraocular procedures.

J Clin Gastroenterol, 1993 Sep, 17(2), 92 - 6
The stomach in cirrhosis . The legend of Proteus retold; Lingenfelser T et al.; Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) (watermelon stomach) are increasingly recognized as separate nosological entities detectable by careful upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and meticulous histological assessment . The have a significant phenomenological overlap; both usually present with gastric mucosal hemorrhage and have a striking association with cirrhosis . However, the distinct endoscopic and histological features, which are discussed in this paper, enable physicians to differentiate PHG from GAVE . Portal hypertension as the prerequisite of PHG necessitates surgical (portosystemic shunting) or medical (beta-blockade) portal decompressive therapy, whereas the angiodysplasia-like lesions in watermelon stomach are successfully treated by electrocoagulation or laser therapy.

Chemotherapy, 1993 Sep-Oct, 39(5), 315 - 21
Antimicrobial activity of new antibiotics against bacterial isolates from a community hospital; Dyke JW et al.; In this study, the antimicrobial activity of several new antibiotics was evaluated using microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 220 clinically significant isolates obtained from a community hospital . The following antibiotics were studied: loracarbef, cefixime, cefpirome, desacetylcefotaxime, cefpodoxime, cefmetazole, cefepime, cefprozil and fleroxacin . The synergy of two particular drug combinations was evaluated using cefpirome/desacetylcefotaxime and cefpodoxime/desacetylcefotaxime . Cefpirome was clearly the most active antibiotic: 88% of the isolates tested were found to be susceptible . Specifically, this included 89% of enterococci, 84% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 33% of Pseudomonas cepacia . All of the antibiotics tested demonstrated excellent activity against isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, Proteus and Salmonella species . For the other antimicrobials, 57, 50, 64, 65, 76, 74, and 64% of the isolates were sensitive to loracarbef, cefixime, cefmetazole, cefprozil, fleroxacin, desacetylcefotaxime, and cefpodoxime, respectively . Among the gram-positive species, 88 and 92.5% of the isolates were sensitive to cefprozil and cefpirome, respectively . Cefepime and fleroxacin demonstrated the highest gram-negative activity with 85 and 89%, respectively, of the isolates being sensitive . The results of this study highlighted cefepime and cefpirome, which showed high overall in vitro activity against 79 and 88%, respectively, of the isolates tested.

Chemotherapy, 1993 Sep-Oct, 39(5), 297 - 301
Pharmacokinetic profile of fosfomycin trometamol; Bergan T et al.; The pharmacokinetics of fosfomycin trometamol has been assessed in 12 healthy volunteers given oral doses of 2, 3, and 4 g of fosfomycin and 3 g intravenously of fosfomycin as fosfomycin sodium, all in the fasting state . The assay was microbiological (Proteus mirabilis ATCC 21100) . There was a gradual rise in both peak serum concentrations and total area under the curve by rising oral doses, from 16.0 mg/l and 106.7 mg x h/l, after 2 g to 30.9 mg/l and 189.7 mg x h/l after 4 g respectively . The serum half-life was 4 h after the oral doses and 2.1 h after the intravenous dose . After the oral doses, the amounts excreted in urine in the active form ranged from 36 to 40% compared to 93% after the intravenous dose . The bioavailability was slightly below 40% . Concentrations in urine covers the usual urinary tract pathogens after oral doses of 2, 3, and 4 g.

J Med Microbiol, 1993 Sep, 39(3), 225 - 32
The cleavage of immunoglobulin G in vitro and in vivo by a proteinase secreted by the urinary tract pathogen Proteus mirabilis; Loomes LM et al.; Eighteen different strains of Proteus mirabilis were all shown to produce an EDTA-sensitive proteinase of c . 50 kDa that cleaved the heavy chain, but not the light chain, of IgG . Digestion of pure IgG with small amounts of pure P . mirabilis proteinase generated Fabc'2 and Fab'2 fragments; greater amounts generated Fab and Fc fragments that were comparable in size to those generated by pepsin and papain, respectively . Incubation of neutrophils with IgG digested with P . mirabilis proteinase or papain resulted in a marked decrease in the respiratory burst activity of the neutrophils that coincided with cleavage of the IgG into Fab and Fc fragments . Analysis of urine from patients with P . mirabilis urinary tract infection revealed in many the presence of Fab and Fc fragments of IgG indistinguishable in size from those generated by P . mirabilis proteinase . These results indicate that, in P . mirabilis urinary tract infections, the proteinase is secreted and cleaves IgG to fragments that have defective immune effector functions, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the immune response.

Med Tekh, 1993 Sep-Oct, (5), 6 - 8
{The antimicrobial properties of metals and coatings for medical articles}; Studenikina FG et al.; The in vitro experimental studies have shown that samples coated with vacuum technology-made materials, such as titanium mixtures with chromium, hafnium, zirconium, and copper have antimicrobial properties against staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The impact of the coatings on bacterial cells is selective and ambiguous.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1993 Sep-Oct, 17(5), 454 - 7
A study of the delayed hypersensitivity response in healthy people in Spain: Spanish National Tables . National Surgical Infection Committee of the Association of Spanish Surgeons; Cainzos M et al.; With a view to creating national tables of the delayed hypersensitivity response, a total of 1476 healthy persons were studied at eight different locations in Spain . For the measurement of delayed cellular immunity response, Multitest IMC was used . Of those examined, 0.7% were anergic, 21.3 were relatively anergic, and 73 were immunocompetent . Of the 766 men, 28 were relatively anergic and 3 were anergic, whereas of the 710 women, 14 were relatively anergic (p < .001) and 8% were anergic (p < .001) . The highest incidence of anergy was found in women of over 70 years (p < .001) . Tuberculin was the antigen with the most positive responses, 77%, followed by Candida with 58% . Trichophyton and Proteus mirabilis were the antigens least recognized by the Spaniards studied . Major geographical variations were observed, both in the overall index for the delayed hypersensitivity response and in the response to different antigens . Catalonia revealed the highest level of anergy and the Valencia region, the lowest.

An Esp Pediatr, 1993 Sep, 39(3), 195 - 8
{Umbilical colonization in normal newborns . A comparative study of 4 methods for umbilical antisepsis}; Perapoch Lopez J et al.; We report the results of a prospective study in which the effectiveness of 70% alcohol (A), mercurochrome (M), a solution of alcohol and mercurochrome (AM) and 1% chlorhexidine (C) as umbilical antiseptics was tested on 311 normal newborn infants . Similar results were obtained by using A, M, or AM; however, when C was used umbilical colonization was significantly reduced as compared to when the other three antiseptic agents were used . The umbilical cords that had been scrubbed with A, M or AM were detached by the 8th day after birth, whereas those treated with C took 14 days to fall off . The use of chlorhexidine resulted in a marked increase in pure cultures positive for Gram negative bacteria (Proteus spp . and Pseudomonas spp.) which was not the case with the other three antiseptics tested.

Br J Urol, 1993 Sep, 72(3), 284 - 90
The ureter in vitro: normal motility and response to urinary pathogens; Lennon GM et al.; The effects of bacteria on in vitro ureteric contractility were studied, using a model which allowed selective exposure of organisms to the ureteric mucosa and smooth muscle, respectively . A cannula attached to a pressure transducer was ligated into the proximal lumen of 2.5-cm segments of canine ureter . The distal ureter was ligated to form a closed pressure monitored system, and the segment suspended in a 20-ml organ bath containing Krebs Henseleit buffer at physiological pH and temperature . Following onset of spontaneous activity, broths of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were added to either the buffer solution or ureteric lumen in doses of > 10(6) organisms/ml . Experiments were repeated using heat-killed organisms, bacterial filtrates and E . coli endotoxin . Ureteric contractility was stimulated by organisms added to the buffer medium, but reversibly inhibited by bacteria placed in the ureteric lumen . Heat-killed organisms, endotoxin and live filtrates had no effect on normal motility when exposed to either the ureteric mucosa or muscularis respectively . These findings reflect the conflicting changes in ureteric motility seen in vivo when bacteria are administered systemically or directly into the ureteric lumen.

Am J Physiol, 1993 Sep, 265(3 Pt 2), F385 - 90
The urease inhibitor acetohydroxamic acid is transported by the urea pathway in rat terminal IMCD; Star RA et al.; Acetohydroxamic acid (AHA), a urea analogue, is used clinically to dissolve struvite stones because it inhibits the urease produced by Proteus mirabilis . To be effective, the concentration of AHA must be high in the collecting duct system and final urine . Because AHA is structurally similar to urea, we investigated whether AHA is transported by the urea carrier found in the terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) and the erythrocyte . We examined AHA transport under four conditions known to affect urea movement across the terminal IMCD, i.e., stimulation by vasopressin (AVP) and hyperosmolality, and inhibition by phloretin and urea analogues . The AHA permeability was determined with a 10 mM bath-to-lumen AHA gradient . AHA was measured by ultramicrocolorimetry . Addition of 1 nM AVP to the bath increased the AHA permeability of the perfused terminal IMCD . Increasing perfusate and bath osmolality from 290 to 690 mosmol/kgH2O (by adding NaCl) also increased tubule permeability to AHA . Addition of either 0.25 mM phloretin to the bath or 200 mM thiourea to the lumen reversibly inhibited the AVP-stimulated AHA permeability . AHA-induced osmotic lysis of erythrocytes was inhibited by phloretin or thionicotinamide; AHA inhibited the osmotic lysis induced by the urea analogue acetamide . Thus, in the rat terminal IMCD, both urea and AHA transport are stimulated by AVP and hyperosmolality, and both are inhibited by phloretin and thiourea . In erythrocytes, both urea and AHA transport are inhibited by phloretin or thionicotinamide . Thus AHA is transported by the urea carrier in the terminal IMCD and erythrocyte.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1993 Sep-Oct, (5), 14 - 8
{The pathogenetic aspects of the hyaluronidase activity of Proteus mirabilis}; Parkhomenko LV et al.; The hyaluronidase activity of 83 P . mirabilis strains has been studied . The strains isolated from patients with chronic urologic infection possess the highest hyaluronidase activity, while the activity of strains isolated in cases of enteric disturbances and from purulent wound exudate has proved to be considerably lower, the difference between the latter being statistically insignificant . The hyaluronidase activity of P . mirabilis may be increased when the culture is grown in the presence of blood serum, and in strains isolated from internal organs an increase in hyaluronidase activity and the production of slime-like substance by bacterial cells can be observed . After the parenteral infection of animals with paired strains differing in their hyaluronidase activity differences in the course of infection were noted.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1993 Aug 15, 305(1), 110 - 4
Characterization of glutathione transferase from Xanthomonas campestris; Di Ilio C et al.; A single form of glutathione transferase (Xc-GST-4.5) having an isoelectric point at pH 4.5 was resolved from Xanthomonas campestris cytosol by affinity chromatography and isoelectric focusing . HPLC,N-terminal amino acid sequence, and SDS-PAGE analyses indicate that Xc-GST-4.5 is composed of two identical subunits, each with a molecular mass of 22 kDa . As indicated by its substrate specificity, immunological reactivity, and CD spectra, as well as by its N-terminal amino acid sequence, Xc-GST-4.5 appears to be distinct from the other bacterial glutathione transferases, Pm-GST-6.0 and Sm-GST-7.3, previously purified from the cytosolic fraction of Proteus mirabilis and Serratia marcescens . Xc-GST-4.5 also appears to be distinct from the GST so far purified from other sources.

Curr Opin Pediatr, 1993 Aug, 5(4), 436 - 40
Neurocutaneous disorders in children; Kuster W et al.; Neurocutaneous syndromes are disorders with cutaneous and neurologic anomalies . Some of these disorders are hereditary . This review summarizes the advances in this field and the recent results obtained in clinical and scientific research on the following syndromes: neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis, Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome), Sjogren-Larsson syndrome, trichothiodystrophy, incontinentia pigmenti, CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects) syndrome, Menkes' syndrome, encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis, Proteus syndrome, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and so-called hypomelanosis of lto.

Eur J Biochem, 1993 Aug 1, 215(3), 741 - 5
Multiphasic denaturation of glutathione transferase B1-1 by guanidinium chloride . Role of the dimeric structure on the flexibility of the active site; Sacchetta P et al.; The unfolding and refolding mechanisms of dimeric glutathione transferase GSTB1-1 from Proteus mirabilis, using guanidinium chloride as a denaturant, have been investigated . The protein transitions were monitored by enzyme activity, intrinsic fluorescence, far ultraviolet circular dichroism and gel-filtration chromatography . The non coincidence of denaturation curves at equilibrium indicates that the unfolding of GSTB1-1 is a multistep process, i . e . inactivation of the structured dimer, dissociation into partially structured monomers followed by complete unfolding . In the 50% inactivated enzyme the Km for glutathione increases threefold, while the kcat appears almost the same, indicating that the initial phase of the denaturation involves the binding site of glutathione . The rapid recovery of the folded dimer precedes the complete enzyme reactivation . This indicates that the reconstitution of the native structure of GSTB1-1 is the result of folding and association of compact monomers followed by subtle rearrangements of assembled monomers that build up the active site.

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1993 Aug, 121(2), 167 - 75
The toxicologic interactions resulting from inhalation of carbon black and acrolein on pulmonary antibacterial and antiviral defenses; Jakab GJ; The goal of this study was to investigate whether coexposures to carbon black and acrolein result in a toxicologic interaction having effects on lung defenses against infectious agents . This aim was accomplished through in vivo studies with inhalation challenges of infectious agents that probe the functional integrity of the multicomponent system that comprises the integrated defenses of the lungs . Staphylococcus aureus was used for the alveolar macrophage (AM) surveillance phagocytic system, Proteus mirabilis for the dual phagocytic system composed of AMs and inflammatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), Listeria monocytogenes for the lymphokine-mediated arm of the acquired cellular immune response, and influenza A virus for the cytotoxic T-cell-mediated effector mechanism of cellular immunity . Exposures of Swiss mice to target concentrations of 10 mg/m3 of carbon black and 2.5 ppm acrolein for 4 hr/day for 4 days suppressed the intrapulmonary killing of S . aureus a day after exposure with a return to control levels by Day 7 . In contrast, the coexposure enhanced the intrapulmonary killing of P . mirabilis which correlated with a significant increase in accessory phagocytic PMNs recovered from the lungs . Combined exposure to carbon black and acrolein also resulted in impaired elimination of L . monocytogenes and influenza A virus from the lungs . Neither exposure to carbon black alone nor exposure to acrolein alone had any effect on the functional integrity of lung defenses against the four infectious agents . These data demonstrate the effects of the toxicologic interaction of coexposures to an inert particle and acrolein on innate and acquired defenses of the lungs . The mechanism for the enhanced biologic effect may be that the carbon black particle acts as a carrier mechanism for acrolein to the deep lung.

J Urol, 1993 Aug, 150(2 Pt 1), 414 - 6
Secular trends in rates and etiology of nosocomial urinary tract infections at a university hospital; Bronsema DA et al.; To examine changing trends in the microbial etiology of nosocomial urinary tract infections, we reviewed culture data from a surveillance database for the calendar years 1982 to 1991 . The overall rates of nosocomial urinary tract infections have increased significantly during the last decade from 2.63 per 1,000 patient-days to 4.35 per 1,000 patient-days (p = 0.0023) . For specific isolates the rates of yeasts, Klebsiella pneumoniae and group B streptococcus have increased significantly during the last decade . The rates of Escherichia coli, Proteus species and Pseudomonas species have all decreased . Analysis of these secular trends can provide important information relating to the etiology of nosocomial urinary tract infections . It is likely that antibiotic "pressure" has influenced the microbiology of infections and that altered case-mix would explain much of the increase in rates . However, the multiple reasons for these secular trends and their precise contributions to them are unknown.

J Ethnopharmacol, 1993 Aug, 39(3), 171 - 4
Antimicrobial activities of crude leaf extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana; Alade PI et al.; Water, ethanol, chloroform and hexane extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves were investigated for in vitro antimicrobial activities by agar-diffusion and tube-dilution techniques . The water and ethanol extracts inhibited the growth of standard and local strains of bacteria and fungi including Staphylococcus aureus, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus . The aqueous extract did not exert any inhibitory action on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis while the ethanol extract was active . The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts ranged between 0.25 and 32 mg/ml, while the minimum cidal concentrations were between 1.0 and 64 mg/ml . The aqueous extract was found to be static in action while the ethanolic extract was uniformly cidal in effect.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1993 Aug, 32(2), 295 - 300
Bactericidal activity of two different dosage regimens of imipenem in an in-vitro dynamic model; Maggiolo F et al.; The antimicrobial activity of imipenem was tested in an in-vitro model mimicking human serum pharmacokinetics after either 1000 mg im once daily or 500 mg im twice daily . Six recent clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella group B were used as test strains . Our results suggest that a single daily dose of imipenem 1000 mg im exerts an antibacterial action comparable to that obtained with two divided doses of 500 mg.

Arch Fr Pediatr, 1993 Aug-Sep, 50(7), 599 - 601
{Protée syndrome associated with renal lithiasis and vesico-ureteral reflux}; Ben Becher S et al.; BACKGROUND . Proteus syndrome is characterized by a range of various manifestations . The main ones are partial gigantism of hands and feet, nevi, hemihypertrophy, macrocephaly . Urinary tract abnormalities are exceptional . CASE REPORT . A 6 year-old boy was examined because he had presented numerous abnormalities from birth . His weight was 26 kg (+3 SD) and his height was 135 cm (+4 SD) . The main abnormalities were ptosis, pterygium colli, nevi of the cervical area, plagiocephaly, frontal bossing, scoliosis, hemihypertrophy involving the skin, mucosa and bones, macrodactyly, varicose veins and lipomatosis . He underwent surgery at the age of 3 years for urinary lithiasis associated with an ureterovesical reflux on the left side, i.e . the side of hemihypertrophy . CONCLUSION . This case suggests that Proteus syndrome may be an example of ectomesodermal dysembryoplasy but it requires confirmation by a report of at least one other case of obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction on the same side as hemihypertrophy.

Gene, 1993 Jul 15, 129(1), 103 - 6
Sequence of the Proteus mirabilis urease accessory gene ureG; Sriwanthana B et al.; We report the sequence of ureG, an accessory gene that is a part of the ure gene cluster of uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis and required for full enzymatic activity of urease . The 615-bp open reading frame predicts a M(r) 22,374 polypeptide, which contains a consensus amino acid (aa) sequence for ATP-binding . The polypeptide shares sequence homology with UreG of Escherichia coli (93% of identical aa), Klebsiella aerogenes (59%) and Helicobacter pylori (59%).

Infect Immun, 1993 Jul, 61(7), 2748 - 54
Contribution of Proteus mirabilis urease to persistence, urolithiasis, and acute pyelonephritis in a mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection; Johnson DE et al.; Proteus mirabilis, a significant cause of bacteriuria and acute pyelonephritis in humans, produces urease . This high-molecular-weight, multimeric, cytoplasmic enzyme hydrolyzes urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide . To assess the role of urease in colonization, urolithiasis, and acute pyelonephritis in an animal model of ascending urinary tract infection, we compared a uropathogenic strain of P . mirabilis with its isogenic urease-negative mutant, containing an insertion mutation within ureC, the gene encoding the large subunit of the enzyme . Mice challenged transurethrally with the parent strain developed significant bacteriuria and urinary stones . The urease-negative mutant had a 50% infective dose of 2.7 x 10(9) CFU, a value more than 1,000-fold greater than that of the parent strain (2.2 x 10(6) CFU) . The urease-positive parent strain reached significantly higher concentrations and persisted significantly longer in the bladder and kidney than did the mutant . Indeed, in the kidney, the parent strain increased in concentration while the mutant concentration fell so that, by 1 week, the parent strain concentration was 10(6) times that of the mutant . Similarly, the urease-positive parent produced significantly more severe renal pathology than the mutant . The initial abnormalities were in and around the pelvis and consisted of acute inflammation and epithelial necrosis . By 1 week, pyelitis was more severe, crystals were seen in the pelvis, and acute pyelonephritis, with acute interstitial inflammation, tubular epithelial cell necrosis, and in some cases abscesses, had developed . By 2 weeks, more animals had renal abscesses and radial bands of fibrosis . We conclude that the urease of P . mirabilis is a critical virulence determinant for colonization, urolithiasis, and severe acute pyelonephritis.

J Pediatr Orthop, 1993 Jul-Aug, 13(4), 459 - 66
Overgrowth management in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber and Proteus syndromes; Guidera KJ et al.; Twenty-eight patients with limb overgrowth and the diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber or Proteus syndromes were evaluated retrospectively . These disorders are part of the phakomatosis spectrum of syndromes . The orthopedic problems consisted of asymmetric limb overgrowth, localized gigantism, angular deformities, scoliosis, vascular malformations, and skin anomalies . Systemic abnormalities are common and deserve full evaluation before treatment . Surgical treatment consisted of epiphysiodesis, osteotomies, debulking procedures, and amputation . Mixed results were obtained with surgery, and conservative or supportive treatment should be the primary mode of orthopedic care.

Equine Vet J, 1993 Jul, 25(4), 309 - 13
In-vitro susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs of bacterial isolates from horses in The Netherlands; Ensink JM et al.; Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 30 antimicrobial agents (including the hitherto unreported antimicrobial agents doxycycline, minocycline, vanomycin, 3 quinolones and 3 combinations of antimicrobial agents) for isolates of Salmonella spp . (20), Escherichia coli (17), Klebsiella spp . (8), Proteus spp . (7), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7), Actinobacillus equuli (5), Rhodococcus equi (4), Streptococcus zooepidemicus (23), Streptococcus equisimilis (6), Streptococcus equi (4), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp . (20) and Taylorella equigenitalis (19) were determined using the agar dilution method . All isolates were of equine origin . MICs were compared with recommended MIC breakpoints . The results indicate that, for some of the pathogenic bacteria evaluated, susceptibility testing of isolates from the individual patient is essential to determine an appropriate antimicrobial treatment.

J Toxicol Environ Health, 1993 Jul, 39(3), 309 - 22
Genotoxicity studies in semiconductor industry . 1 . In vitro mutagenicity and genotoxicity studies of waste samples resulting from plasma etching; Braun R et al.; Solid waste samples taken from the etching reactor, the turbo pump, and the waste air system of a plasma etching technology line in semiconductor production were studied as to their genotoxic properties in a bacterial repair test, in the Ames/Salmonella microsome assay, in the SOS chromotest, in primary mouse hepatocytes, and in Chinese hamster V79 cell cultures . All three waste samples were found to be active by inducing of unscheduled DNA-synthesis in mouse hepatocytes in vitro . In the bacterial rec-type repair test with Proteus mirabilis, waste samples taken from the turbo pump and the vacuum pipe system were not genotoxic . The waste sample taken from the chlorine-mediated plasma reactor was clearly positive in the bacterial repair assay and in the SOS chromotest wit Escherichia coli . Mutagenic activity was demonstrated for all samples in the presence and absence of S9 mix made from mouse liver homogenate . Again, highest mutagenic activity was recorded for the waste sample taken from the plasma reactor, while samples collected from the turbo pump and from the waste air system before dilution and liberation of the air were less mutagenic . For all samples chromosomal damage in V79 cells was not detected, indicating absence of clastogenic activity in vitro . Altogether, these results indicate generation of genotoxic and mutagenic products as a consequence of chlorine-mediated plasma etching in the microelectronics industry and the presence of genotoxins even in places distant from the plasma reactor . Occupational exposure can be expected both from the precipitated wastes and from chemicals reaching the environment with the air stream.

J Immunol, 1993 Jul 1, 151(1), 415 - 24
Differential modulation of the effects of lipopolysaccharide on macrophages by a major outer membrane protein of Proteus mirabilis; Weber G et al.; We previously showed that a major protein isolated from purified cell walls of Proteus mirabilis (39-kDa protein) is a strong modulator of the specific immune responses to LPS from this bacterium in mice . When mixed with LPS before immunization, this protein enhances T cell-dependent, IgG antibody-producing cell responses specific for LPS . Furthermore, complexes of the 39-kDa protein with LPS drastically inhibit the production of oxygen radicals by murine macrophages activated with LPS, as measured in a chemiluminescence assay . In the present report, we have further investigated possible modulating effects of the protein at the level of LPS-macrophage interaction . When mixed with LPS, the 39-kDa protein inhibited IL-1 production by murine macrophages derived from bone marrow in a dose-dependent manner, as determined in an IL-2-dependent IL-1 assay . On the other hand, the protein had little effect on LPS-mediated suppression of MHC class II expression on the surface of macrophages induced with IFN-gamma . Some abrogation of suppression was observed, but the amounts of protein needed for this effect were quite large, in comparison with the amounts rendering inhibition of IL-1 production . In contrast, the 39-kDa protein enhanced the LPS-induced cytotoxicity of macrophages against L929 target cells, primarily as the result of production of TNF . These results show that the 39-kDa protein is a potent modulator of the interaction of LPS with macrophages, exerting its effects in a differential manner with respect to various parameters of LPS-induced activation of macrophages.

Intern Med, 1993 Jul, 32(7), 530 - 2
Headache and painful lymphadenopathy in extracranial or systemic infection: etiology of new daily persistent headaches; Santoni JR et al.; From 108 cases of new daily persistent headaches, clinical or laboratory evidence was found suggesting extracranial or systemic infections in: 28 cases (25.9%) of gastrointestinal mainly Salmonella, 28 (25.9%) urinary Coli, 16 (14.8%) Streptococcal, 4 (3.7%) each of Epstein Barr virus or Toxoplasma, and 1 (0.9%) each of Herpes Zoster or pneumonia . A group of 26 (24.1%) showed high Proteus OX titer or clinical adenoviral involvement . All had normal neurological examinations plus selective negative neuroimaging or spinal taps . The mean headache duration was 13.8 days, and mean age 28.8 years . Prominent symptoms were fever in 37 (34.2%) cases, nausea/vomiting in 30 (27%) and vertigo in 17 (15.7%) . Diarrhea, dysuria, and abdominal discomfort were rare . Headache was a solitary symptom in 36 (33.3%) . The predominant sign was painful cervical lymphadenopathy in 61 (56.5%) . These cases represent 1.2% of our 9060 neurology patients.

Neuromuscul Disord, 1993 Jul, 3(4), 293 - 301
Myopathy of the Proteus syndrome: hypothesis of muscular dysgenesis; Sarnat HB et al.; The Proteus syndrome is a congenital disorder of growth regulation affecting tissues of mesodermal and ectodermal origin . It is expressed as hemihypertrophy, hemimegalencephaly, muscular overgrowth, verrucous epidermal nevi, haemangiomas and bony dysplasias . Muscle biopsies were examined at 7 and 10 yr of age from a girl with this disease . Several cytoarchitectural alterations of myofibres, proliferation of sarcolemmal nuclei, and other myopathic changes were demonstrated in regions adjacent to other with normal myofibres; the boundaries did not correspond to fascicular margins . A perinuclear and subsarcolemmal distribution of excessive desmin was also found . It is suggested that this myopathy represents a new category of neuromuscular disease, "muscular dysgenesis", due to faulty paracrine growth factors.

Harefuah, 1993 Jul, 125(1-2), 16 - 9, 63
{Urinary tract infections in the community}; Glikberg F et al.; 4,612 urine samples were sent to this laboratory in 1990, and the results of those sent during a single week in each of the 4 seasons were studied . Of 4501 urinary cultures sent from the general population, 811 (80%) were positive for E . coli, Klebsiella and Proteus mirabilis . 60% were resistant to ampicillin, 35% to cotrimoxazole and 20% to cephalexin . Of 111 urine samples sent from senior citizen homes, 57 (80%) were positive for E . coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas . 74% were resistant to ampicillin, 72% to cotrimoxazole and 46% to cephalexin . Ofloxacin and norfloxacin were very effective in urinary tract infections in the general population, with 94% and 97% sensitive to them, respectively . 68% of the urinary cultures sent from the senior citizen centers were sensitive to each of them.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1993 Jul-Aug, (4), 73 - 6
{An evaluation of the protective activity of a multicomponent vaccine made from opportunistic microorganisms in the oral method of immunization in a model of local staphylococcal infection}; Efremov VN et al.; The protective activity of a multicomponent vaccine against S . aureus, prepared from Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus and Escherichia coli antigens, intended for oral administration, has been studied on the model of a local staphylococcal infection . The study has revealed that the vaccine, when administered orally to mice, prevents the development of gangrene in the paw, the death of the animals, and essentially decreases the local focus of infection . The optimum treatment schedule consists of five administrations of the preparation in doses of 2 mg.

J Bacteriol, 1993 Jul, 175(13), 4250 - 4
Diversity of retron elements in a population of rhizobia and other gram-negative bacteria; Rice SA et al.; Genetic elements called retrons reside on the chromosome of Escherichia coli and the myxobacteria and represent the first reverse transcriptase-encoding element to be found in a prokaryotic cell . All known retrons produce a functionally obscure RNA-DNA satellite molecule called multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA) . We report here the presence of msDNA-producing retron elements in a number of new bacterial groups, including strains of the genera Proteus, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Nannocystis, Rhizobium, and Bradyrhizobium . Among a population of 63 rhizobia strains, only 16% contain a retron element . The rhizobia retrons appear to be heterogeneous in nucleotide sequence and show little similarity to previously studied retrons of E . coli and the myxobacteria.

J Trop Med Hyg, 1993 Jun, 96(3), 191 - 6
Microbiology of cerebral abscess: a four-year study in Malaysia; Pit S et al.; A prospective study was carried out to determine the aetiology of cerebral abscess in relation to the primary source of infections . Seventy-five patients with cerebral abscess were included in the study in the period January 1985 to December 1988 . More than half of the patients studied had single lesions and the overall most common sites were in the frontal and parietal regions . Chronic suppurative otitis media, cyanotic congenital heart diseases and meningitis were among the important predisposing conditions in these patients . Approximately 25% of the patients with cerebral abscesses had no documented antecedent infections . Pure cultures were found to be predominant (66.7%) and sterile cultures were obtained from 10 (13.3%) patients . Streptococci were isolated from 23 (30.7%) patients, the commonest species being Streptococcus milleri . Proteus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putrifaciens and Bacteroides sp were almost exclusively found in cerebral abscesses secondary to chronic suppurative otitis media; these organisms were found in mixed cultures . Streptococcus milleri, Bacteroides sp and Eikenella corrodens were found in pure cultures in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease . In patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts in-situ, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and diphtheroids were common . Anaerobes were found in 15 (20.0%) patients, the majority in mixed cultures . Culture, as well as gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of volatile fatty acids of cerebral pus, was carried out to enhance the detection of the anaerobes . Based on these findings, an antibiotic regimen consisting of penicillin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole is recommended as an initial therapy while awaiting culture and sensitivity results.

Infect Immun, 1993 Jun, 61(6), 2570 - 7
Proteus mirabilis urease: histidine 320 of UreC is essential for urea hydrolysis and nickel ion binding within the native enzyme; Sriwanthana B et al.; Proteus mirabilis urease, a nickel-containing enzyme, has been established as a critical virulence determinant in urinary tract infection . An amino acid sequence (residues 308 to 327: TVDEHLDMLMVCHHLDPSIP) within the large urease subunit, UreC, is highly conserved for every urease examined thus far and has been suggested to reside within the enzyme active site . Histidine residues have been postulated to play a role in catalysis by coordinating Ni2+ ions . To test this hypothesis, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was used to change amino acid His-320 to Leu-320 within UreC . The base change (CAT for His-320 to CTT for Leu-320) was confirmed by DNA sequencing . The recombinant and mutant proteins were expressed at similar levels in Escherichia coli as detected by Western blotting (immunoblotting) of denaturing and nondenaturing gels . Specific activities of the enzymes were quantitated after partial purification . Strains expressing the mutant enzyme showed no detectable activity, whereas strains expressing the recombinant enzyme hydrolyzed urea at 149 mumol of NH3 per min per mg of protein . In addition, the mutant enzyme was able to incorporate only about one-half (58%) of the amount of 63Ni2+ incorporated by the active recombinant enzyme . While the mutation of His-320 to Leu-320 within UreC does not affect expression or assembly of urease polypeptide subunits UreA, UreB, and UreC His-320 of UreC is required for urea hydrolysis and proper incorporation of Ni2+ into apoenzyme.

J Ethnopharmacol, 1993 Jun, 39(2), 129 - 39
Ethiopian traditional herbal drugs . Part II: Antimicrobial activity of 63 medicinal plants; Desta B; A total of 315 extracts/fractions from 63 traditionally used Ethiopian plants were subjected to antimicrobial screening using known strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella gallinarum, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans . The agar plate well-diffusion method was used at a sample concentration of 1000 micrograms/ml; it was found that all of the plants showed activity against one or more of the microorganism(s) . Direct aqueous extracts from six plants were found to be active against all of the test organisms . These findings confirm traditional therapeutic claims for aqueous dosage forms of these herbs . The relative susceptibility of the test organisms to the five types of extracts/fractions indicated a decreasing rank order of: S . aureus, P . aeruginosa, C . albicans, S . gallinarum, E . coli, K . pneumoniae and P . vulgaris.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1993 Jun, 46(6), 482 - 5
In vitro antimicrobial activities of lactoferrin, its concomitant use with cefpodoxime proxetil and clinical effect of cefpodoxime proxetil; Chimura T et al.; As one of the biodefense mechanisms, lactoferrin (LFN) in the secreta of female genital organ may be an interesting biological material in view of its antimicrobial activity . In the present study, we investigated antimicrobial activities of LFN and its combination with cefpodoxime proxetil (CPDX-PR), we also as evaluated clinical effect of CPDX-PR . The following results were obtained . 1 . Antimicrobial activities of LFN were tested against 15 strains of 10 species of bacteria, and potent activities against Staphylococcus aureus 209P, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp . were found . 2 . In a concomitant use of LFN with CPDX-PR (a checkerboard method), synergistic actions were observed against S . aureus 209P, E . coli STf, K . pneumoniae 602 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1046, and additive actions against E . coli NIHJ and Providencia rettgeri 1603 . In 3 strains, the MICs of CPDX-PR in the presence of LFN were reduced to < 1/64 . 3 . In the evaluation of clinical effect of CPDX-PR, efficacy rates were 53/57 (92.9%) in a patient group with infections . The incidence of adverse reaction was 0/57.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1993 Jun, 46(6), 444 - 53
{Antimicrobial activities of cefminox against recent clinical isolates}; Deguchi K et al.; Against main clinical isolates at our center in 1990 to 1992, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefminox (CMNX) and some other comparable cephems were determined . The results are summarized as follows . 1 . As to the strains resistant to cephems including CMNX, annual increases were observed for Streptococcus pneumoniae among Gram-positive bacteria and Proteus vulgaris among Gram-negative bacteria . Moreover, cephem-resistant strains of Escherichia coli were constantly isolated, and there were signs indicating that cephem-resistant strains would increase among strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae . 2 . The annual increases in cephem-resistant strains of S . pneumoniae and P . vulgaris may respectively reflect the recent increases in the incidence of benzylpenicillin (PCG)-insensitive strains of S . pneumoniae (PISP) and multi-drug resistant strains including oxime type cephems and new quinolones introduced into clinical use in the latter half of the 1980s . 3 . Concerning antimicrobial activities of CMNX against recent clinical isolates, the same problems as described above will remain . However, these tendencies have been observed only with regard to MIC90 . No remarkable changes have been noted for MIC50 or MIC80 at this time.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1993 Jun, 12(6), 467 - 9
Analysis of antibiotic resistance determinants in Proteus penneri; Lukomski S et al.; The plasmid profiles of 65 strains of Proteus penneri were analyzed to determine whether resistance was determined chromosomally or by plasmids . Only seven strains harboured one to three plasmids, although these strains exhibited resistance to a wide range of antibiotics . Markers for ampicillin and tetracycline resistance could be transferred to Escherichia coli by transformation . Plasmids carried resistance to chloramphenicol in two strains and resistance to sulfonamides in one strain . The result showed that resistance is determined chromosomally rather than by plasmids, however the possibility that these bacteria may acquire resistance plasmids which change their antibiotic susceptibility pattern cannot be excluded.

Cesk Pediatr, 1993 Jun, 48(6), 318 - 22
{Bacterial meningitis in neonates . Retrospective study 1977-1991}; Pozler O et al.; In 1977-1991 at the Paediatric Clinic in Hradec Kralove 43 neonates with bacterial meningitis (BM) were hospitalized . In 31 (72%) risk factors for the development of perinatal infection were detected . The aetiological agent was proved in 40 neonates, most frequently E . coli (46.5%), Streptococcus agalactiae (16.2%), Proteus (11.6%) . In the second half of the investigation period (1984-1991) there was a significantly higher ratio of G+ microorganisms, in particular Streptococcus agalactiae . In three neonates the diagnosis of BM was based on a positive cytological finding in cerebrospinal fluid . The total lethality was 60.4% . The lethality was not significantly influenced by early diagnosis and treatment (within 48 hours), correct selection of antibiotic before knowing the cultivation finding and sensitivity . The total incidence of BM during the investigation period in the Faculty Hospital in Hradec Kralove was 0.51/1000, in mature neonates 0.36/1000 and 1.8/1000 in neonates with a low birth weight.

J Hand Surg {Br}, 1993 Jun, 18(3), 308 - 9
Macrodactyly in Proteus syndrome; Miura H et al.; A case of Proteus syndrome in a 13-year-old boy with macrodactyly, hemihypertrophy, exostosis of the skull, epidermal naevi, palmar and plantar masses, and scoliosis is reported . Macrodactyly involving the left thumb was treated surgically . The usual findings in macrodactyly, hypertrophy of the digital nerves and proliferation of subcutaneous fat, were not observed in this case . Macrodactyly associated with Proteus syndrome should be distinguished from other forms of macrodactyly because of its poor prognosis and high rate of recurrence.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 1993 Jun, 31(6), 309 - 11
Treatment of urinary tract infections with ciprofloxacin after renal transplantation; Grekas D et al.; As urinary tract infections in immunosuppressed renal transplant patients present a major therapeutic problem for clinicians in charge of renal units, the efficacy of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in such cases was tested in this study . Twenty-six patients, 16 women and 10 men, aged 20 to 56 years, who developed urinary tract infection (UTI) from 6 months to 10 years after renal transplantation were included in the study . Of these patients, 20 (77%) showed cystitis and/or prostatitis and 6 (23%) clinical symptomatology of acute or recurrent pyelonephritis . Patients with obstructive uropathy were excluded . Urine culture was positive for E . coli in 16/26 patients (61.5%) and for proteus mirabilis, klebsiella, staphylococcus aureus in 10/26 (38.5%) . All patients were given ciprofloxacin 250 mg x 2 daily for 10 days and the results of the treatment were compared to those of 60 nontransplant patients (controls) with UTI . Fourteen patients (54%) were completely cured and 10(38%) showed improvement, while the respective results in the controls were 68% (41/60) and 28% . Relapses occurred in two patients, one in each group . Serious side effects were not observed . It is concluded that ciprofloxacin is an effective and safe drug for the treatment of UTI in renal transplant patients.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1993 Jun, 279(2), 147 - 53
Continuing the search for bacterial urovirulence factors; Hamilton-Miller JM; Bacteria that commonly cause infections of the normal urinary tract (eg Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus) do so because they possess specific urovirulence factors . Adhesions of various types (often fimbriae) seem to be the most important of these . In E . coli several other factors have been recognized, and sub-sets of defined uropathogenic clones exist . On the other hand, urovirulence determinants are less easy to distinguish in species such as S . epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, that rarely cause such infections, or are pathogenic only in the presence of some abnormality or deficiency in host defences.

J Am Acad Dermatol, 1993 May, 28(5 Pt 1), 738 - 44
Reduced lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with advanced or disseminated melanoma; Cartei G et al.; BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed many features of lymphocyte behavior in patients with malignant melanoma, but there are conflicting results . OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure with easily reproducible assays the circulating lymphocytes and other immunologic aspects in 33 patients with advanced or disseminated malignant melanoma (MM) . METHODS: The following variables were measured: circulating monocytes; total lymphocytes; B (CD19) and T-cell subpopulations; CD3, CD4, and CD8, natural killer cells (anti-Leu-7+ or CD57 and anti-Leu-11+ or CD16) (cytofluorimetry); plasma levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE; complement fractions 3, 4, and 1Q; antibodies against foreign microorganisms (AaM) (adeno, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, measles, parotitis, cytomegalo, Epstein-Barr, and rubella viruses) and Toxoplasma; and cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity (CDH) to recall antigens (tetanus, diphtheria, Streptococcus, tuberculin, Proteus, Trichophyton, and Candida) . We also studied 96 healthy persons, matched for age and geographic location, who were tested on the same days as the patients . RESULTS: In MM the number of total lymphocytes and subsets CD19, CD3, CD4, and CD8 was decreased from 25% to 40% (p < 0.001) . The CD4/CD8 ratio increased (22%, p < 0.005) because of the relatively greater decrease of CD8 . The CD57 and CD16 cells (expression of natural killer lymphocytes) were consistently reduced (30%; p < 0.002 to p < 0.003) . C3 serum level was increased (30%; p < 0.001) . Immunoglobulins, CDH, AaM, and all other tests were the same in the two groups . CONCLUSION: The single most important result seems to be a reduction of CD57 and CD16 cells in patients with advanced MM.

Neurosurgery, 1993 May, 32(5), 855 - 9; discussion 860
Third ventriculostomy for shunt infections in children; Jones RF et al.; Four children with extracranial shunts for noncommunicating hydrocephalus suffered from recurrent or intractable shunt infections . All patients were resistant to or relapsed after treatment with intravenous and intrathecal antibiotics with change of the shunt apparatus . They were treated with neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy and the removal of all implants, except for a reservoir in one patient . That child later had the reservoir removed because of persistent proteus infection . All patients received antibiotics for approximately 2 weeks after the operation . There was no morbidity associated with the procedure, and all patients remain shunt independent with follow-up periods of 21 to 46 months (mean, 33 mo), although one has needed another third ventriculostomy . We have shown that third ventriculostomy is a successful surgical intervention for the management of shunt infections in patients with noncommunicating hydrocephalus.

Vet Surg, 1993 May-Jun, 22(3), 208 - 12
In vitro loss of tensile strength and elasticity of five absorbable suture materials in sterile and infected canine urine; Schiller TD et al.; The loss of breaking strength and elasticity of five absorbable suture materials (polydioxanone {PDS-II}, polyglycolic acid {PGA}, polyglactin 910 {PG-910}, polyglyconate {GTMC}, and chromic gut) after in vitro incubation in sterile, Escherichia coli- and Proteus mirabilis-inoculated canine urine was studied . Biomechanical testing, in a controlled environment, was performed during the 28-day study period . Polydioxanone and chromic gut retained greater than 90% of their original strengths after 28 days of incubation in sterile urine and 87% of original strengths in E . coli-inoculated urine . Polyglyconate retained 24% and 18% of original strength, respectively, after incubation in sterile and E . coli-inoculated urine for 28 days . Polyglycolic acid and PG-910 retained less than 30% of original strength in sterile urine and only 7% in E . coli-inoculated urine after 21 days of incubation . In P . mirabilis-inoculated urine, loss of tensile strength and elongation was significant for all suture materials . Polyglycolic acid and PG-910 lost all strength after 24 hours of incubation . Polydioxanone lost all strength after 7 days of incubation, whereas GTMC retained 19% at day 7 . Chromic gut retained 78% at day 7 and 16% after 21 days of incubation, however, the absence of normal phagocytic destruction of chromic gut in this in vitro study may have artificially elevated these values . In sterile urine with chemically modified pH, loss of strength and elongation was greater in alkaline urine than in neutral or acidic urine for all types of suture materials.

Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1993 May-Jun, (3), 36 - 9
{Induction of synthesis of extracellular DNAase from Proteus mirabilis under the effect of compounds, blocking DNA replication}; Iusupova DV et al.; The effects of mitomycin C and nalidixic acid on the biosynthesis of extracellular endodeoxyribonuclease in Proteus mirabilis have been studied . The presence of both antibiotics in the periodic and short-time cultures of washed off cells has increased both the activity of the DNAse and protein yield in cultural liquid and bacterial cells . PAGE-electrophoresis has shown the effect of mitomycin C to increase or induce the synthesis a large number of Proteus mirabilis extracellular proteins.

Cell Biol Int, 1993 May, 17(5), 521 - 4
Is actin involved in the nuclear division in Amoeba proteus?
Pomorski P, Grebecka L.
During semi-open mitosis of Amoeba proteus the nuclear envelope is not dispersed and nucleus divides by fission . The presence of actin layer close to nuclear envelope was demonstrated in interphase and telophase nuclei of that amoeba stained with rhodamine labelled phalloidin . In telophase, an accumulation of actin arises in the space between the future daughter nuclei . It appears to be comparable with the contractile ring of dividing cells . This suggests that actin associated with the nuclear envelope of Amoeba proteus may be involved in final separation of the daughter nuclei, forming a constriction ring at the middle of dividing nucleus.

Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi, 1993 May, 84(5), 866 - 72
{A clinical study on upper urinary tract calculi treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy, with regard to bacteriuria before ESWL treatment}; Shigeta M et al.; To study a clinical problem in urolithiasis complicated with bacteriuria treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), we studied relationships between the frequency of bacteriuria and some clinical factors such as sex, location of, size of and composition of calculi in patients with upper urinary tract calculi . We also evaluated whether bacteriuria caused fever elevation after ESWL monotherapy . Six hundred seventy patients with upper urinary tract calculi, 440 renal calculi and 230 ureteral calculi, were subjected to the present study . The results were summarized as follows: 1) Bacteriuria was found in 40 of 440 patients with renal calculi (9%) and 12 of 230 patients with ureteral calculi (5%) . 2) The frequency of bacteriuria was significantly higher in female (11%) than in male (6%) (p < 0.05) . 3) Ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 7 of Escherichia coli and 6 of Proteus mirabilis were isolated in patients with bacteriuria . 4) On the location of renal calculi in patients with bacteriuria, 37 out of 40 patients (93%) were found in R2 . In contrast, bacteriuria was the most frequently found in DS 6 (19%), whereas the positive rates were about 10% in DS 3 (7%), DS 4 (*7%) and DS 5 (9%) . The presence of bacteriuria was not related to the location of calculi or the size of calculi in patients with ureteral calculi . 5) Most of the calculi with bacteriuria were composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate or the mixture of calcium phosphate and carbonate with or without oxalate . 6) Patients with bacteriuria had a significantly higher rate of fever elevation after ESWL than those without bacteriuria (p < 0.01).

Am J Vet Res, 1993 May, 54(5), 660 - 9
Comparison of excretory urography and ultrasonography for detection of experimentally induced pyelonephritis in dogs; Neuwirth L et al.; Pyelonephritis was experimentally induced in 10 clinically normal dogs by nephropyelocentesis and introduction of Proteus mirabilis into the randomly chosen right or left renal pelvis . Dogs were examined by nephrosonography and excretory urography before and 2 weeks after infection . The major nephrosonographic findings of pyelonephritis were renal pelvic dilatation, usually with proximal ureteral dilatation, and a hyperechoic mucosal margin line within the renal pelvis, proximal portion of the ureter, or both . In addition, at least one or more of the following were observed: generalized hyperechoic renal cortex, focal hyperechoic areas within the medulla, and focal hyperechoic or hypoechoic cortical lesions . Interpretation of excretory urograms resulted in 3 false-negative and 1 false-positive conclusions, compared with the histologic findings . Interpretation of nephrosonograms resulted in 2 false-negative and no false-positive conclusions . Of the kidneys with histologic evidence of pyelonephritis, 73% were detected by excretory urography, whereas 82% were detected by nephrosonography . Nephrosonography appeared to be useful for detection of mild to moderate cases of acute pyelonephritis that may be be interpreted as such by excretory urography.

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol, 1993 May-Jun, 3(3), 146 - 50
Antibacterial IgE antibodies in children; Brarda OA et al.; The presence of specific IgE antibodies directed against common microorganisms was analyzed in a population of children . These antibodies included Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Streptococcus spp . and Staphylococcus spp . The determination of these antibodies was done by radioimmunoassay . Comparisons were made according to the parameters of age and total IgE levels . These antibodies were found in a high proportion of the cases . Statistical analysis demonstrated that the different specific IgE antibodies were present in all children, none showing special relevance . All of the antibodies studied were found to be present in a higher number of cases in the groups of older children, and in the group of children with increased total IgE levels, a significantly higher number of cases with antibacterial specific IgE antibodies was observed . The presence and the variety of the antibodies might be conditioned by individual as well as environmental factors . The role of antibodies is not well known . Although they are frequently found in allergic children, there have not been enough cases studied to establish their involvement in allergy . Understanding the role of antibodies might be of interest in the study of allergic processes exacerbated by bacterial infections.

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi, 1993 May, 32(5), 298 - 301
{An urease enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection}; Ding SZ et al.; A sensitive and specific serological diagnostic test for Helicobacter pylori infection has been developed and validated in 120 patients with dyspeptic symptoms undergoing endoscopy . This test is to use urease, a protein unique to H . pylori, as the basis for the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects serum H . pylori urease antibodies . The ELISA mean optical density (OD) in H . pylori-positive group is higher than that in H . pylori-negative group (0.57 +/- 0.23 vs 0.24 +/- 0.15, P < 0.001), a cut-off 0.3 OD yields a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 93% . Serum absorption test showed that Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Yersinia enterocolotica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell lysate do not influence serum H . pylori urease antibody level, though they all have urease except E . coli . The result implied that H . pylori urease can be a good antigen to detect serum H . pylori antibody and it would be useful for epidemiological survey and routine diagnostic approach . Nearly half of the blood donors showed positive result with H . pylori urease antibody . It is suggested that H . pylori infection is quite common in the asymptomatic population.

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