Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988, 11(1), 21 - 6 Staphylococcal protein A (SpA): a potent in vivo chemotactic agent for rat leucocytes; Onyia KA; Staphylococcal protein A had strong chemotactic attraction in vivo to rat leucocytes . Doses as small as 5 micrograms attracted net leucocytes into experimental pellets in 6 h . 50 micrograms Staphylococcal protein A showed maximum chemotactic activity and does greater or less than 50 micrograms attracted less net leucocytes into experimental pellets . The effect of time on the chemoattraction of 50 micrograms Staphylococcal protein A showed that it was an early chemoattractant . Chemotactic activity for this dose, shown by the chemotactic index, reached a peak at 6 h followed by maximum leucocytic infiltration, and almost disappeared completely at 12 h . Leucocytic migration into control pellets rose from 3 h and reached a peak at 12 h (later than the chemotactic peak) . Staphylococcal protein A also showed in this study a "later reaction" from 24 to 36 h, resulting in local inflammation of the test site and rise in cellular response. Avian Dis, 1988 Jan-Mar, 32(1), 140 - 2 Staphylococcus-induced gangrenous dermatitis in broilers; Cervantes HM et al.; An infectious bursal disease (IBD)-vaccinated flock of 23,900 broilers, 17 days of age, experienced sudden onset of depression, dermatitis, and mortality . Postmortem examination showed extensive subcutaneous serosanguineous fluid accumulation over the pectoral muscles, discrete hepatic whitish foci, fluid-filled intestines, and small, flaccid bursae of Fabricius . Gram-stained impression smears from the affected areas revealed numerous gram-positive cocci . Aerobic culture of liver and subcutaneous tissue consistently produced heavy growth of penicillin-sensitive Staphyloccus aureus . Histopathologically, subcutaneous tissue showed diffuse hemorrhage and large numbers of gram-positive cocci with severe congestion and hemorrhage of the underlying skeletal muscle . Liver sections showed multiple, randomly scattered areas of acute coagulation necrosis with numerous gram-positive cocci . Bursal lesions were characterized by extensive follicular necrosis and collapse . A diagnosis of staphylococcal gangrenous dermatitis secondary to IBD was made . Mortality returned to preinfection levels within 72 hours after penicillin was added to the drinking water. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Jan, 267(3), 363 - 6 A modified ELISA for the detection of toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) in staphylococcal isolates; Fey H et al.; A modified ELISA for the detection of S . aureus strains producing toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) is described . Polystyrene balls are coated with specific sheep antibody and incubated with an over-night culture of suspected colonies . Biotinylated second antibody and an Avidin/biotinylated enzyme system are used to obtain an easily readable qualitative reaction. Ther Drug Monit, 1988, 10(1), 85 - 90 Comparison of serum sampling methods for determining vancomycin dosage regimens; Albrecht LM et al.; The predictive ability of a four-point sampling method versus a two-point sampling method for vancomycin was assessed in 11 patients with various staphylococcal infections . All steady-state predictions were based on first-dose pharmacokinetic parameters . The mean vancomycin serum concentrations achieved at 4 and 8 h postinfusion were not significantly different from the predicted concentrations derived from either the four- or two-point method . Also, there was no significant difference between the two methods in predictive ability or accuracy . Both methods underpredicted the steady-state concentration to the same degree, 2.9 micrograms/ml at 4 h and 3.1 micrograms/ml at 8 h, which would appear to be clinically acceptable . A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model, which uses two serum concentrations, appears to be adequate for adjusting vancomycin regimens. J Infect, 1988 Jan, 16(1), 73 - 6 Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis and mitral valve prolapse; Ferreira AC et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis is an infrequent cause of native valve endocarditis . We describe two cases associated with mitral valve prolapse, and discuss the significance, diagnosis and management of this condition. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Jan, (1), 49 - 51 {Enhancement of antitoxic immunity in newborn infants by peroral administration of donor antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin}; Manolova EP et al.; The possibility of enhancing specific immunity by the oral administration of homologous antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin in a dose of 50 I . U./kg b . w . before the first feeding was shown in 75 newborn infants with a high risk of staphylococcal infection . 24 hours after the first administration of Ig the titer of staphylococcal anti-alpha toxin in the blood rose from 0.68 +/- 0.05 I . U./ml to 2.9 +/- 0.14 I . U/ml, on day 7 this titer persisted at the level of 2.86 +/- 0.12 I . U./ml, and 3 months later the titer was 1.5 +/- 0.05 I . U./ml . No side effects were observed . In the reference group (50 infants) antitoxic titers remained low . No suppurative-septic diseases were observed in the test group within 3 months, while in the controls, focal forms of staphylococcal infection (12 cases) and sepsis (1 case) were registered. Infection, 1988, 16(1), 46 - 8 The role of staphylococcal lectins in human granulocyte stimulation; Beuth J et al.; The anti-staphylococcal activity spectrum of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) is widely ranged . Using chemiluminescence measurements, the opsonin-independent stimulation of PMNs from eight healthy humans towards two Staphylococcus saprophyticus strains (S 1 and S 35) was investigated . Strain S 1 was shown to have surface lectins with N-acetylgalactosamine specificity, whereas strain S 35 had N-acetyl-neuraminic acid specificity . Three different PMN-reaction patterns could be demonstrated: PMN stimulation was either sensitive to N-acetylgalactosamine-or N-acetylneuraminic acid-blocking, or resistant to both . These results point to the importance of lectins for staphylococcal-PMN interactions. J Pediatr Surg, 1988 Jan, 23(1 Pt 2), 60 - 3 The role of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis; Mollitt DL et al.; Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus has emerged as a prominent pathogen in the neonatal intensive care unit and a recent report has implicated this organism in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) . This same study suggests that Staphylococcus epidermidis is most commonly associated with a "mild form of enterocolitis." This prompted a review of the role of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in the surgical complications of NEC . Between 1982 and 1986, 86 newborns underwent operation for perforation or intestinal necrosis secondary to NEC . Blood cultures, obtained within 72 hours of surgery, were positive in nine of 71 infants (13%) . One third of these grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus . Peritoneal cultures obtained at the time of operation were positive in 71 neonates . The incidence of Staphylococcus epidermidis was 30% . In a third of these cases, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the only organism covered . Overall mortality within the group was 33% . Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the single most frequent organism recovered from those infants who expired (35%) . This data clearly indicates that Staphylococcus epidermidis must be considered as a significant pathogen in NEC . It is associated with both morbidity and mortality and, therefore, warrants appropriate aggressive therapy when recovered from the neonate with enterocolitis. J Trauma, 1988 Jan, 28(1), 121 - 3 Post-traumatic toxic shock syndrome; Knudson P et al.; Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) associated with Staphylococcus occurs most commonly in menstruating women, although cases in both sexes have been reported . This report describes a severe case of TSS after a relatively minor stab wound . The male patient exhibited all of the major characteristics of this multisystem disease including anuric renal failure . TSS, which can be fatal, may result from surgical and traumatic wound infections and demands prompt recognition and treatment. Mutat Res, 1988 Jan, 193(1), 1 - 10 Characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis mutants sensitive to ultraviolet radiation; Guillobel H et al.; Five UV-sensitive mutants obtained by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) treatment of the Staphylococcus epidermidis W5 strain were characterized phenotypically by assaying their UV- and MNNG-sensitivities, lysogenic inducibility, host-cell reactivation and Weigle reactivation capacities . The results were compared with those of well-characterized Escherichia coli strains, permitting the identification of: 2 mutants that behave as Uvr- Umu-; 1 mutant that appears analogous to Uvr-; 1 mutant that resembles LexA- and 1 mutant that exhibits a RecA- phenotype . The study of these mutants can contribute to the understanding of the repair mechanisms in S . epidermidis. J Bacteriol, 1988 Jan, 170(1), 84 - 8 Mode of action of the staphylococcinlike peptide Pep 5: voltage-dependent depolarization of bacterial and artificial membranes; Kordel M et al.; The cationic staphylococcinlike peptide Pep 5 is shown to depolarize bacterial and planar lipid membranes in a voltage-dependent manner . An artificial valinomycin-induced potassium diffusion potential across the cytoplasmic membrane of Staphylococcus cohnii 22 was sufficient to promote Pep 5 action . Thus, evidence is provided that a membrane potential of sufficient magnitude is the only prerequisite for Pep 5 activity . The voltage dependence was elucidated by macroscopic conductance measurements with black lipid membranes . A threshold potential of about -90 to -100 mV, which was deduced from experiments with bacterial cells, could be confirmed . Single pores were resolved which often occur as short-lived bursts and fluctuate among different conductance levels . Pore diameters were calculated ranging from 0.1 to 1 nm . Succinylation of the lysine residues of Pep 5 resulted in prolonged pore lifetimes and maintenance of distinct conductance levels . However, the succinylated peptide required a higher threshold potential, approximately -150 mV, than the native peptide, which is probably the reason for the reduced activity of the modified peptide against intact gram-positive bacteria. J Orthop Res, 1988, 6(1), 63 - 72 Acute staphylococcal septic arthritis: the effect of cloxacillin therapy in an avian model; Patel H et al.; An experimental model of acute staphylococcal septic arthritis in chickens was used to study the effect of different therapeutic regimens of the antibiotic cloxacillin on the natural history of the disease . Three different therapeutic regimens were used in order to assess the effect of increasing the frequency and of delaying the commencement of administration . The results were assessed by measurement of animal growth rate, clinical condition, bacterial and leukocyte counts in synovial fluid, and histological appearance . An inadequate dosage regimen (a single daily dose) prevented spread of bacteria but did not control abscesses . Delay in commencing treatment permitted persistence and spread of abscesses with destruction of the secondary (epiphyseal) ossification center and even transphyseal spread into metaphyseal bone . Repair by fibroblasts was mainly seen in articular and epiphyseal cartilage but was not seen in the epiphyseal ossification center during the duration of the experiments (up to 18 days) . Synovial fluid sampling with measurement of leukocyte and bacterial concentrations appears to be a useful guide to the effectiveness of treatment, because the numbers of cells correlate with the pathological process. Toxicon, 1988, 26(1), 55 - 65 Staphylococcal alpha toxin--recent advances; Thelestam M et al.; The elucidation of the amino acid sequence of alpha toxin in 1984 has greatly promoted our understanding of the basic biochemistry and interaction of this toxin with membranes . These aspects are discussed and the concept of alpha toxin as a channel forming protein is critically evaluated . The lethal action of alpha toxin has not yet been clarified, but the previously postulated action as a neurotoxin is not supported by recent observations. J Child Neurol, 1988 Jan, 3(1), 25 - 9 Anterior cervical epidural abscess with pneumococcus in an infant; Marks WA et al.; Spinal epidural abscess is a rare infection in childhood . We report the first documented case of pneumococcal epidural abscess in an infant and review the literature regarding this entity . In children, the signs and symptoms of spinal epidural abscess may not be as helpful as those in older patients . Furthermore, the offending organism may not be the usual Staphylococcus seen in adults . Infants may recover neurologic function even after prolonged cord compression; however, a high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis in a timely fashion. Pediatr Res, 1988 Jan, 23(1), 14 - 22 Longitudinal development of specific and functional antibody in very low birth weight premature infants; Cates KL et al.; We evaluated the formation of specific and functional antibody in preterm infants born weighing less than 1500 g (mean 1088 g) and less than 32 wk gestational age (mean 28.8 wk) . Plasma IgG antibody against tetanus and diphtheria toxoids were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Opsonic activity of heat-inactivated plasma was measured using radiolabeled bacteria, adult polymorphonuclear leukocytes and exogenous human complement . In the presence of complement, the strain of coagulase negative staphylococcus used was opsonized by IgG antibody, and the strain of Escherichia coli by IgM . Geometric mean plasma levels of tetanus and diphtheria IgG antibody fell from birth to 4 months chronological age, but rose significantly by 9 months (approximately 2 months after the third dose of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine) . However, at 9 months they remained lower than the respective geometric mean levels in 9-month-old term infants (tetanus: p less than 0.001; diphtheria: p = 0.02) . The preterm infants' mean plasma IgG staphylococcal opsonic activity fell from birth to 2.5 months, but by 9 months was comparable to that of term infants of the same age . Mean IgM opsonic activity for E . coli was very low at birth in both preterm and term infants . It rose with chronological age, correlating with the rise in total IgM (r = 0.48, p less than 0.001) and by 9 months the mean preterm and term infants' levels of IgM opsonic activity for E . coli were comparable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 1988 Jan, 14(1), 197 - 203 Total lymphoid irradiation for multiple sclerosis; Devereux CK et al.; Although chemical immunosuppression has been shown to benefit patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), it appears that chemotherapy has an appreciable oncogenic potential in patients with multiple sclerosis . Accordingly, we developed a modified total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) regimen designed to reduce toxicity and applied it to a randomized double blind trial of TLI or sham irradiation in MS . Standard TLI regimens were modified to reduce dose to 1,980 rad, lowering the superior mantle margin to midway between the thyroid cartilage and angle of the mandible (to avert xerostomia) and the lower margin of the mantle field to the inferior margin of L1 (to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity by dividing abdominal radiation between mantle and inverted Y), limiting spinal cord dose to 1,000 rad by custom-made spine blocks in the mantle and upper 2 cm of inverted Y fields, and also protecting the left kidney even if part of the spleen were shielded . Clinical efficacy was documented by the less frequent functional scale deterioration of 20 TLI treated patients with chronic progressive MS compared to to 20 sham-irradiated progressive MS patients after 12 months (16% versus 55%, p less than 0.03), 18 months (28% versus 63%, p less than 0.03), and 24 months (44% versus 74%, N.S.) . Therapeutic benefit during 3 years follow-up was related to the reduction in lymphocyte count 3 months post-irradiation (p less than 0.02) . Toxicity was generally mild and transient, with no instance of xerostomia, pericarditis, herpes zoster, or need to terminate treatment in TLI patients . However, menopause was induced in 2 patients and staphylococcal pneumonia in one . Our data suggest that this modified TLI regimen has clinical efficacy and sufficiently low toxicity to make it suitable for investigative immunosuppressive treatment of patients with progressive MS or other non-malignant conditions. Br J Neurosurg, 1988, 2(4), 485 - 95 Complications due to prolonged ventricular fluid pressure recording; Sundbarg G et al.; All complications in a consecutive series of 648 patients subjected to prolonged recording of the ventricular fluid pressure (VFP) during 1982-1986 were registered and analysed . The procedure did not cause permanent symptoms or deficits in any case except for one haemorrhagic complication . Definite infections caused by the VFP recording were found in 4.3% of the 540 patients (83%) surviving their disease or lesion, and in 1.9% in non-survivors . These infections were almost exclusively registered in patients treated with prolonged drainage of hemorrhagic ventricular fluid, while definite infections in other patients were found in only 1.3% . Most infections were caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and all infections could be treated successfully . Infection did not cause or contribute to the lethal outcome in any case . In 60% of the cases with infectious complications laboratory signs of ventriculitis occurred after a surgical revision of the ventriculostomy . The duration of VFP recording was of subordinate importance for the development of infection . In 13 patients (1.9%) during the studied period a reliable VFP recording was not obtained, a fact that points to the need for alternative methods in a minority of patients with elevated intracranial pressure . It is concluded that complications caused by VFP recording can be kept at an acceptably low frequency in patients without haemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid demanding long-term drainage. Microbiol Immunol, 1988, 32(10), 1079 - 84 Relationship between susceptibility and immune response to staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A in mammalian species; Machida K et al.; Staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A (ETA) had a splitting effect at the granular layer of skin in humans and neonatal mice, but not in rabbits, guinea pigs, golden hamsters, or rats . Besides its splitting effect, ETA could stimulate productions of neutralizing antibody to ETA in rabbits, rats and B10D2 mice, but not in golden hamsters, guinea pigs, or ICR, HRS/J, and C57BL/10 mice . In our epidemiological investigation of human sera, the percentage of antibody to ETA in sera obtained from patients with impetigo (8%) was lower than those in sera of healthy males (23%) and females (29%) . The relationship between susceptibility and immune response to ETA in these mammalians could be divided into three groups: the possession of resistant skin and high production of antibody to ETA; the possession of resistant skin and low production of antibody to ETA; the possession of sensitive skin and various titers of antibody to ETA. Intensive Care Med, 1988, 15(1), 46 - 8 Tunnelling of two central venous catheters inserted via a single venipuncture; Pigot B et al.; Two central venous catheters were inserted into the subclavian or internal jugular vein using a single puncture and tunnelled with two different subcutaneous pathways in 32 critically ill patients; 15 of them underwent this procedure immediately after a tracheostomy . The procedure was carried out without significant technical difficulties . Separate removal of one of the catheters was performed easily in 5 cases . Cultures were positive in 21% of 42 catheters from 21 patients; Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated from 7 catheters . Separate tunnelling of two central venous lines inserted via a single venipuncture can be used in critically ill patients needing multiple central venous access. Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1988, 139(6), 403 - 4 {Treatment by external drainage of perirenal abscess in AIDS}; Grateau G et al.; Fever of undetermined origin in a young white heroin addict with a positive HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), serology was secondary to a staphylococcal perinephric abscess . Ultrasound examination and tomodensitometry allowed the diagnostic . Percutaneous drainage led to complete recovery . Interventional radiology associated with antibiotherapy appears to be an alternative to surgery in the treatment of perinephric abscesses. Arkh Patol, 1988, 50(8), 82 - 4 {A method for creating an experimental model of abscess}; Mamedov LA et al.; A technique of 7-day formation of an intramuscular abscess which is clinically and morphologically similar to that frequently encountered in clinical practice has been tried on 39 rabbits . The standard model proposed involves the following stages: trauma of the spinal erector 2.5-3 cm to the right or to the left from the midline between the second and fourth lumbar vertebra which is produced by a lumbar puncture under either anesthesia with a pulp extractor brought into the muscle up to 1.5 cm and rotating at an angle of 45 degrees; 24 h after the puncture the skin at its site is to be dissected involving subcutaneous fat, superficial and lumbar fasciae, the incision being 1.4-1.6 cm long and parallel to the body axis . The operation is terminated with an introduction of ribbon gauze (10-12 mm in diameter) previously saturated with 24 h suspension culture of staphylococcus (10 ml, concentration of the microorganisms 1.5.10(6} into a pocket made by the clamp tip in the muscle's depth (1.3-1.6 cm) with the help of the handles which produced the opening of 1.2 cm wide . The endpoint is the wound tight layer-by-layer suture. Am J Nephrol, 1988, 8(4), 334 - 43 Role of an intraperitoneal catheter implant in the pathogenesis of experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis peritoneal infection in renal failure mice; Gallimore B et al.; The influence of a permanent peritoneal catheter implant on the response of renal failure and control mice to peritoneal inoculation with 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) Staphylococcus epidermidis was assessed 48 h after bacterial challenge . Two weeks after the surgical induction of renal failure or sham surgery, a segment of a peritoneal dialysis catheter was implanted entirely within the confines of the peritoneal cavity of mice . One month later peritoneal S . epidermidis inoculation was performed by transcutaneous injection through the abdominal wall either directly into the peritoneal cavity (i.p.) or via the catheter lumen (i.c.) . Following i.p . inoculation, minimal bacterial growth was recovered from the peritoneal structures of all mice, including the peritoneal catheter . In contrast, following i.c . S . epidermidis challenge, the catheter site remained heavily colonized while peritoneal washings and parietal peritoneum again presented minimal bacterial recoveries . S . epidermidis recovery from the catheter site of renal failure mice was significantly greater than from the respective site of sham-operated controls . Scanning electron microscopy of catheter segments recovered from mice following i.c . inoculation revealed single cocci or microcolonies associated with the catheter surface and differential leukocyte counts of fluid aspirated from the catheter lumen revealed evidence of acute inflammation . Signs of inflammatory processes in peritoneal washings and peripheral blood, however, were not observed . These results are discussed in relation to S . epidermidis peritonitis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Rheumatol Int, 1988, 8(4), 185 - 8 Colchicine treatment in a case of pachydermoperiostosis with acroosteolysis; Matucci-Cerinic M et al.; We report a case of pachydermoperiostosis with arthralgia, acroosteolysis, and recurrent staphylococcal folliculitis of the face, treated with colchicine (0.5 mg once daily for the 1st week and 0.5 mg twice daily for the next 3 weeks) . The evaluation of arthralgia, hyponchial angle, folliculitis, and pachyderma, performed at basal time and once weekly, showed improvement of symptoms and signs after 7-15 days of treatment . Neutrophilic chemotaxis, evaluated before starting the treatment and after 15 and 30 days of therapy, showed a progressive decrease of the initial very high index . Colchicine provided a beneficial therapeutic response in both inhibiting increased chemotactic activity and in reducing tissular oedema in our patient. Microbios, 1988, 54(218), 45 - 59 Effect of ciprofloxacin on subcutaneous abscesses induced with Staphylococcus epidermidis and a foreign body implant in the mouse; Mayberry-Carson KJ et al.; Subcutaneous abscesses were induced in mice with Staphylococcus epidermidis strain G19-85 and a foreign body implant . The MIC of ciprofloxacin for this strain was 0.25 microgram/ml . The ciprofloxacin dosage, 120 mg/kg/day, was divided into three injections, administered to the mice subcutaneously at 8 h intervals . Serum concentration kinetics in normal mice (n = 50) were determined . The peak serum level of ciprofloxacin was 3.18 micrograms/ml at the 15 min sampling time; the trough level was 0.53 micrograms/ml at 8 h . Abscesses were found in 96% (n = 49) of the untreated, infected control mice . Three modes of treatment with ciprofloxacin were tested: (1) four prophylactic injections of ciprofloxacin prior to infection reduced abscess formation to 64% (p less than or equal to 0.0002, n = 50) . (2) Eleven therapeutic injections, initiated 4 days after infection, reduced abscess formation to 86% (p less than or equal to 0.17, n = 49) . (3) One prophylactic injection prior to surgery and five therapeutic injections after infection reduced abscess formation to 43% (p less than or equal to 0.0001, n = 49) . Culture results correlated with the abscess formation rates. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1988, 54(1), 89 - 93 Surface interaction of human granulocytes and lymphocytes with staphylococcal extracellular serine proteinase; Ochalek T et al.; Enzymatic activity of purified staphylococcal extracellular serine proteinase decreases as a result of incubation with granulocytes as well as with lymphocytes taken from peripheral blood of healthy donors . However, specific proteinase binding was observed only in the case of granulocytes but not in peripheral lymphocytes. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1988, 54(1), 85 - 7 Preliminary estimation of chemoattractant activity of staphylococcal serine proteinase in vitro . Chemoattractant activity of staphylococcal serine proteinase; Baran K et al.; Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors migrated toward the staphylococcal serine proteinase. Braz J Med Biol Res, 1988, 21(5), 1013 - 4 In vivo leukocyte chemotaxis during the development of acute experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection; Abath FG et al.; Five and 15 days after T . cruzi infection, staphylococcal protein A was injected into a connective tissue air pouch of mice and the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the area was monitored . The PMN leukocyte response of 15-day infected mice was lower than that of uninfected mice (P less than 0.001): The 15-day infected mice also showed a lower PMN leukocyte response when compared to 5-day infected mice (P less than 0.001) . These data suggest that the chemotaxis defect developed gradually during the acute phase of infection. Clin Nephrol, 1988, 30 Suppl 1, S45 - 8 Peritonitis prevention in CAPD; Carozzi S et al.; In 12 CAPD patients with frequent peritonitis episodes (1.6 vs 0.5/year in controls), low IgG concentrations in the effluent and reduced opsonic capacity of the dialysate were observed . Intermittent intraperitoneal IgG (dosage: 12 g/3 weeks, duration: 24 months) increased the opsonic capacity for Staphylococcus epidermidis of the effluent 3-fold, while the peritonitis rate fell to 0.2/year . During the treatment interval the effluent IgG levels and opsonic capacity of the dialysate were initially high and fell progressively thereafter . However, even at trough levels it still remained higher than in controls . Interleukin-1 levels increased 2.5-fold from the third to the eighth day . In those patients with lower clinical response, IgG levels and opsonic capacity of the dialysate were only transiently elevated; their macrophages were shown to be deficient in Fc-receptors . Intraperitoneal human recombinant interferon-alpha was able to improve Fc-receptor expression, oxygen metabolite generation of macrophages and bactericidal capacity of the dialysate in these patients . In conclusion, an unusually high peritonitis rate in CAPD patients may be treated by intraperitoneal IgG-application; in poor responders intraperitoneal interferon should be considered. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 1988, 3(2), 194 - 7 Oral treatment of peritonitis in CAPD patients with ofloxacin; Chan MK et al.; Eighteen episodes of peritonitis in 16 CAPD patients were treated with oral ofloxacin 400 mg initially, followed by 300 mg daily for a total of 10 days . The culture-positive rate was 72.2% with Staphylococcal species as the most frequent isolates . The overall cure rate as defined by negative cultures 1 and 2 months after discontinuation of antibiotics was 83.3% . The time taken for the peritoneal effluent to clear completely was 5 days . With such a dosing regime, there was a significant increase in the mean serum trough level of ofloxacin from 2.28 mg/l on day 1 to 5.83 mg/l on day 10 (P less than 0.001) . There was no significant difference in the serum levels attained whether or not phosphate binders were concurrently given . Side-effects were nausea and non-specific dizziness . No patients had to discontinue treatment because of side-effects . Ofloxacin appeared to diffuse from the blood into the peritoneal fluid, and a highly significant correlation existed between simultaneous blood and peritoneal effluent ofloxacin levels (r = 0.88, P less than 0.0001). Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1988, 87(1), 87 - 90 Potent mitogenic activity of staphylococcal enterotoxin A requires induction of interleukin 2; Johnson HM et al.; Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), the most common cause of food poisoning, is capable of stimulating human T lymphocyte proliferation at concentrations as low as 10(-13) to 10(-16) M . SEA also induces the lymphokines interleukin 2 (IL 2) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) at similarly low concentrations . HPL cultures were stimulated with SEA in the presence of antibodies to IL2 to determine the possible role of this lymphokine in its potent mitogenic effects . Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to human IL 2 blocked SEA-induced mitogenesis . Treatment of cultures with higher concentrations of SEA overcame the anti-IL 2 blockage, corresponding to induction of higher concentrations of IL 2 . Blockage of HPL mitogenesis by anti-IL 2 antibodies also resulted in inhibition of IFN gamma production, which is dependent on IL 2 . Neutralizing monoclonal antibody to IFN gamma failed to block SEA-induced proliferation . The data indicate that the induction of IL 2, but not IFN gamma, is a requirement for SEA induced lymphocyte proliferation . SEA food poisoning and IL 2 therapy for cancer result in similar toxic symptoms, characterized by malaise, fever, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea . The similarity between SEA and IL2 toxic effects, the fact that SEA is a potent inducer of lymphokines such as IL 2, and the fact that IL 2 induction is a prerequisite for the mitogenic effects of SEA raises the intriguing question of the role of lymphokines such as IL 2 in SEA-induced food poisoning. Anim Genet, 1988, 19(2), 103 - 13 Characterization of class I bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA) by one-dimensional isoelectrofocusing; Joosten I et al.; BoLA class I antigens were characterized in a group of British and Dutch Friesian cattle by one-dimensional isoelectric focusing (1D-IEF) and the results compared with serology using alloantisera and microcytotoxicity . For IEF analysis, non-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) were metabolically labelled with 35S methionine, detergent lysates were prepared and MHC molecules precipitated with the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) W6/32 or B1.1G6 . Staphylococcus protein A precipitated antigens were separated on a vertical slab gel under denaturing conditions . The banding patterns seen for the W6/32 precipitated molecules obtained by 1D-IEF were compared with the serological specificities . Characteristic banding patterns were observed for most serological specificities as well as workshop undefined haplotypes . These patterns were seen both in families and the outbred population . In families IEF haplotypes segregated with serotypes . Additional MHC class I products were suggested by variable banding patterns for different w10 haplotypes and when using the different mAbs . A pulse chase experiment with a w12 animal also suggested more than one expressed product . The w2 and w5 specificities were not precipitated by either W6/32 or B1.1G6 and w6.2 and w6.4 were precipitated by W6/32 but not by B1.1G6 . These results show that 1D-IEF is useful for BoLA typing . For the characterization of class I antigens, however, much depends on the mAbs used. Immunol Lett, 1988 Jan, 17(1), 35 - 9 Detection of IL-2 receptor positive tonsillar lymphocytes by monoclonal antibody and protein A coated erythrocytes; Plum J et al.; A sensitive rosette method combining staphylococcal protein A coated rabbit red blood cells and the monoclonal antibody anti-Tac was used to search for the presence of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor-bearing T lymphocytes in tonsils from patients with chronic tonsillitis . This method revealed the presence of Tac positive T lymphocytes in the tonsils whereas a conventional immunofluorescence technique was unable to do so . To demonstrate that Tac rosette formation resulted in a selective enrichment of IL-2 receptor-bearing T cells, we measured the proliferative response of these cells to exogenous IL-2 . The response of Tac rosette positive cells to recombinant IL-2 was always higher than that of the Tac rosette negative or unselected cells, indicating that this rosette method specifically selects T cells expressing IL-2 receptor. Pharmacotherapy, 1988, 8(6 Pt 2), 11S - 13S Surgical prophylaxis: how far have we really come? Kernodle DS. Appropriate use of antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the frequency of deep wound infections after clean surgery . However, there may be important differences in the prophylactic efficacy of various cephalosporins . The results of our study of patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery indicate that cefazolin offers unreliable prophylaxis against S . aureus when compared to cefamandole . Differences in the prophylactic efficacy of these two agents may be due to differences in their stability to staphylococcal beta-lactamase. Ter Arkh, 1988, 60(11), 63 - 4 {The importance of secondary immune deficiencies in the pathogenesis of dysentery}; Mashilov VP et al.; Some immunity indices were studied in patients with acute dysentery . The number of total and active T-lymphocytes, T mu- and T gamma-cells, T-rabbit, T-staphylococcal, B-total and B-lymphocytes forming rosettes with mouse erythrocytes were determined for assessment of the immune status . Changes in the above indices with relation to the severity of the disease were noted . Suppression of the T- and B-systems of immunity were noticeable in patients with a severe and lingering course of disease . Delayed time of complete convalescence was observed in patients with a marked imbalance of indices of the T- and B-systems of immunity during convalescence. Neurochirurgie, 1988, 34(6), 394 - 400 {Spondylodiscitis after surgery of lumbar disk hernia . Apropos of 12 cases in 1796 operations}; Peruzzi P et al.; Discitis is a rare complication of disc operation . The incidence rate varies from 0.2 to 0.8% according to the series . During a 6 year period (1980-1986) 1,796 patients were operated for lumbar disc protrusion at our institution and twelve of them (0.66%) developed a post operative discitis . Bacteriologic verification due to the infection was ascertained in ten cases . Direct contamination during surgical time is likely far more frequent than hematogenous contamination because the liable germ was staphylococcus in 9 cases . Ascertaining the diagnosis is base upon clinical picture and some selected investigations . It may be earlier than it has been said before . Discitis may be suspected within a week after operation in two cases out of three . The most prominent clinical feature is back pain with muscle spasm but sometimes diagnosis may be misled to a psychiatric condition or a visceral disorder . Among conclusive investigations we range in the first place the needle aspiration of the disc which permitted to isolate a germ nine times out of eleven . Next the bone scan with H.M.D.P . Te 99 (8 Mbq/kg) which revealed a significant uptake pattern in eight cases out of eight . Finally the blood culture which grew five times out of ten . Risks of discitis, i.e septicemia, polysegmental infection or death justify in our opinion an appropriate antibiotherapy during at least 8 weeks . Moreover, in our experience, it is the best antalgic treatment that we can offer and back pain decreases as soon as the second day with antibiotherapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Spinal Disord, 1988, 1(2), 168 - 71 Hematogenous osteomyelitis complicating a closed compression fracture of the spine; Fellmeth BD et al.; A case of hematogenous osteomyelitis of a vertebral body following a closed compression fracture is presented . Staphylococcus septicemia developed 7 days after the injury . In spite of prompt antibiotic treatment, osteomyelitis of the compressed T12 was recognized 5 weeks later . The role of indium white blood cell (WBC) scanning in establishing the diagnosis is highlighted. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1988, 177(4), 229 - 33 The role of capsule as a barrier to bacteriophage adsorption in an encapsulated Staphylococcus simulans strain; Ohshima Y et al.; The polyvalent staphylococcal bacteriophage U16 failed to adsorb to an encapsulated Staphylococcus simulans strain . Partially purified cell wall and teichoic acid of this strain could, however, inactivate bacteriophage U16 to a great extent, indicating the presence of the phage receptor . It is concluded that the capsule of Staphylococcus simulans acts as a barrier for the interaction of the phage with its receptor in the bacterial cell wall. Int J Immunopharmacol, 1988, 10(1), 81 - 91 Human gamma interferon induction by staphylococcal protein A: effector cells, kinetics and the effect of prostaglandin, indomethacin, ibuprofen and aspirin; Ducatenzeiler A et al.; Soluble staphylococcal protein A (SpA) induces the synthesis of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) . To investigate the kinetics of this gamma-IFN induction and the effector cells involved, we used a highly purified SpA preparation, PBL from healthy volunteers, and a CPE-inhibition gamma-IFN assay with Sindbis virus in human fibroblasts . The production of SpA-induced gamma-IFN (SpA-gamma-IFN) peaked 48 h after the addition of SpA to cultures of PBL and decreased after 72 h . Subpopulations of PBL were purified by depletion using specific monoclonal antibodies and complement; CD4+ or OKT4+ (T4: helper/inducer) cells were able to produce SpA-gamma-IFN in the absence of CD8+ or OKT8+ (T8: suppressor/cytotoxic) or B-cells . PBL pre-incubated with SpA for more than 72 h inhibited gamma-IFN production by autologous fresh PBL; this inhibition segregated with the T8 subpopulation and was not due to cytotoxicity . SpA-gamma-IFN titers increased markedly when CD3+ or OKT3+ (T3) or T4 cells were incubated with a small number (2-10%) of adherent monocytes, whereas larger numbers (greater than 20%) decreased the yield of SpA-gamma-IFN . This decreased yield was probably mediated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) of monocyte origin: the presence of PGE2 was demonstrable in these cultures by radioimmunoassay, and the addition of indomethacin reversed the inhibitory effect of large numbers of monocytes; further, treatment of T-cells with exogenous PGE2 also led to an inhibition of SpA-gamma-IFN . Ibuprofen and aspirin also had an effect comparable to indomethacin on SpA-gamma-IFN production . These observations indicate that the production of SpA-gamma-IFN is by T4 lymphocytes, is enhanced by limited numbers of accessory cells (monocytes), and is also regulated by T8 cells via monocyte PGE2. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jan, 32(1), 63 - 7 Comparison of cefazolin, cefamandole, vancomycin, and LY146032 for prophylaxis of experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis; Wheat LJ et al.; We evaluated antibiotic prophylaxis in the rabbit model of experimental endocarditis with three strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis of differing susceptibility patterns . For the first strain, which was highly susceptible to methicillin and cephalosporins, vegetations grew S . epidermidis for all 15 untreated rabbits compared with 1 of 20 rabbits receiving cefazolin, 3 of 20 receiving cefamandole, none of 20 receiving vancomycin, and none of 20 receiving LY146032 . For the second strain, which was methicillin resistant but cephalosporin susceptible, vegetations were positive for 14 of 15 untreated controls, 4 of 20 receiving cefazolin, 5 of 22 receiving cefamandole, none of 20 receiving vancomycin, and none of 20 receiving LY146032 . For the third strain, which was methicillin resistant and only intermediately susceptible to cephalosporin antibiotics, vegetation cultures were positive for 15 of 17 untreated controls, 14 of 21 receiving cefazolin, 11 of 20 receiving cefamandole, 5 of 20 receiving vancomycin, and 0 of 22 receiving LY146032 . In conclusion, these studies in the endocarditis model indicate that cefazolin and cefamandole have some protective value against certain strains of S . epidermidis . Vancomycin and LY146032, however, were more active than cephalosporins for all three strains included in this analysis . These findings support the need for trials of vancomycin and LY146032 prophylaxis in patients undergoing placement of prosthetic heart valves. Acta Derm Venereol, 1988, 68(6), 468 - 73 The microbial content and complement C3 cleaving capacity of comedones in acne vulgaris; Leeming JP et al.; Complement C3 deposition around lesions is an early event in the inflammation of acne vulgaris . The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between the capacity of individual comedones to cleave complement C3 and their microbial flora . The contents of 48 open comedones were expressed from the upper back of acne vulgaris patients and each comedo was homogenized individually and assayed for microbial content and capacity to induce cleavage of complement C3 in an in vitro assay system . An association between Propionibacterium population size and extent of C3 cleavage was found, but Staphylococcus and Pityrosporum population sizes did not appear to have an appreciable influence . A strong association between the weight of expressed material and C3 cleavage was apparent, irrespective of microbial population size . This observation suggests that comedones contain non-microbial material having the capacity to induce complement cleavage and hence initiate inflammation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1987 Dec 31, 149(3), 960 - 8 Expression of chimeric receptor composed of immunoglobulin-derived V regions and T-cell receptor-derived C regions; Kuwana Y et al.; Chimeric genes composed of immunoglobulin (Ig)-derived variable (V) regions and T-cell receptor (TCR)-derived constant (C) regions were constructed . The VL and VH genes showing anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) activity were used in this study . Two pairs of chimeric genes, VL-C beta and VH-C alpha genes, and VL-C alpha and VH-C beta genes, were inserted into an expression vector containing both Ecogpt and neo genes, and transfected into EL4 cells . Cells which express both chimeric receptor molecules were established . The activity of the transformants to the antigen was examined by using stopped-flow fluorometry . An increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic calcium ion was observed after addition of Staphylococcus pneumoniae R36A bacteria grown in the choline-containing medium which express PC molecules, but not after the PC-negative bacteria grown in the ethanolamine-containing medium. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1987 Dec 18, 916(3), 419 - 27 Inhibition of staphylococcal alpha-toxin by covalent modification of an arginine residue; Hebert TE et al.; The effects of 1,2-cyclohexanedione and phenylglyoxal on staphylococcal alpha-toxin were studied . Modification of one arginine residue in alpha-toxin was sufficient to render the toxin nonhemolytic with no conformational change . Modified alpha-toxin did not protect cells from hemolysis by native alpha-toxin . An arginine residue is therefore at or near the binding site of alpha-toxin . Trypsin digestion of modified alpha-toxin generated a 20 kDa fragment which was isolated using a boric acid gel column . Upon regeneration, this 20 kDa fragment was not recognized by a population of antibodies which prevented alpha-toxin binding . The fragment was recognized by antibodies directed against post-binding events . However, the antibinding antibodies recognized the intact modified toxin . This leads us to conclude that antibinding determinants are not found directly in the binding site or are conformationally masked. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1987 Dec 16, 149(2), 538 - 44 One-step processing of the amphibian vasotocin precursor: structure of a frog (Rana esculenta) "big" neurophysin; Michel G et al.; Vasotocin-associated neurophysin (MSEL-neurophysin) from the frog Rana esculenta has been isolated and sequenced through tryptic and staphylococcal proteinase peptides and cyanogen bromide fragments . This protein appears homologous to the mammalian vasopressin-associated neurophysin with a C-terminal glycopeptide extension homologous to the mammalian copeptin . In contrast to the two-step processing of mammalian vasopressin/MSEL-neurophysin/copeptin precursor, a single cleavage is therefore involved in the processing of the amphibian vasotocin/neurophysin precursor . It appears that the physiological release of the vasopressin-like hormone from the N-terminal end of the protein precursor is not dependent upon a previous trimming of the C-terminal copeptin-like moiety. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1987 Dec 12, 117(50), 2013 - 6 {Increased risk of bacterial colonization of intravenous catheters covered with transparent adhesive polyurethane bandages, compared to classical gauze bandages}; Meylan PR; While transparent polyurethane dressings are increasingly used for the care of intravenous catheters, concern has recently been expressed regarding their microbiological safety . We have therefore compared the rate of intravenous catheter bacterial colonization after randomly assigning intensive care patients to transparent polyurethane (n = 21) or dry gauze (n = 20) dressings . Polyvinyl chloride catheters were inserted and maintained by the nurses . No antiseptic or antibiotic ointment was used . The two groups of patients were similar regarding risk factors for catheter colonization . Colonization rate was 48% (10/21) among patients with transparent dressings versus 10% (2/20) among patients with dry gauze dressings (p = 0.008) . Colonizing bacterial species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (11 strains) and S . aureus (1 strain) . No catheter-related bacteremia was observed . These data suggest that the colonization rate of intravenous catheters is increased by the use of polyurethane dressings, possibly increasing the risk of septic phlebitis and bacteremia. J Biol Chem, 1987 Dec 5, 262(34), 16739 - 47 Purification of topoisomerase II from amsacrine-resistant P388 leukemia cells . Evidence for two forms of the enzyme; Drake FH et al.; Topoisomerase II was purified from an amsacrine-resistant mutant of P388 leukemia . A procedure has been developed which allows the rapid purification of nearly homogeneous enzyme in quantities sufficient for enzyme studies or production of specific antisera . The purified topoisomerase II migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as two bands with apparent molecular masses of 180 (p180) and 170 kDa (p170); both proteins unknotted P4 DNA in an ATP-dependent manner and displayed amsacrine-stimulated covalent attachment to DNA . Staphylococcus V8 protease cleavage patterns of p170 and p180 showed distinct differences . Specific polyclonal antibodies to either p170 or p180 recognized very selectively the form of the enzyme used to generate the antibodies . Immunoblotting with these specific antibodies showed that both p180 and p170 were present in cells lysed immediately in boiling sodium dodecyl sulfate . Comparison of the purified topoisomerase II from amsacrine-resistant P388 with that from amsacrine-sensitive P388 demonstrated that each cell type contained both p180 and p170; however, the relative amounts of the two proteins were consistently different in the two cell types . The data strongly suggest that p170 is not a proteolytic fragment of p180 . Thus, P388 cells appear to contain two distinct forms of topoisomerase II. Science, 1987 Dec 4, 238(4832), 1401 - 3 Generation of a hybrid sequence-specific single-stranded deoxyribonuclease; Corey DR et al.; The relatively nonspecific single-stranded deoxyribonuclease, staphylococcal nuclease, was selectively fused to an oligonucleotide binding site of defined sequence to generate a hybrid enzyme . A cysteine was substituted for Lys116 in the enzyme by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and coupled to an oligonucleotide that contained a 3'-thiol . The resulting hybrid enzyme cleaved single-stranded DNA at sites adjacent to the oligonucleotide binding site. J Immunol Methods, 1987 Dec 4, 105(1), 133 - 7 Mitogenic activity of staphylococcal protein A is due to contaminating staphylococcal enterotoxins; Schrezenmeier H et al.; Soluble protein A from S . aureus is widely used as a polyclonal activator of human T cells . However, recombinant protein A produced in E . coli does not show any mitogenic properties, although its IgG-binding activity is identical to protein A purified from S . aureus . Antisera against the staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B are able to specifically inhibit the response of human T lymphocytes to protein A from S . aureus . Therefore, the mitogenic principle of this extensively used T cells activator is due to minute contaminations by enterotoxins that are active in picomolar concentrations. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1987 Dec, 104(12), 660 - 3 {Cardiodepressive effect of blood serum in severe forms of purulent infection}; Vornovitskii EG et al.; The effect of human blood serum from patients with purulent infections (sepsis, purulent resorptive fever) has been studied on the electrical and mechanical activities of isolated auricles of guinea pig . The intracellular resting potentials (RP), action potentials (AP) and isometric contractions elicited by electrical stimulation (1 Hz) were measured . The patient serum diluted by Tyrode solution (1:1) didn't change RP values and AP amplitude but caused a decrease in the AP plateau phase duration (P less than less than 0.05) . In 75% cases a replacement of the healthy donor serum by the serum from patients caused a decrease in the contraction amplitude . This cardiodepressive effect was reversible: washing of the preparation by the control Tyrode solution or by the donor serum restored the normal contractility . These data were compared with those obtained in studying the action of staphylococcus alpha-toxin on a preparation of guinea pig myocardium} Arch Surg, 1987 Dec, 122(12), 1460 - 3 Positive relationship of clinical and serologic responses to vaccinia melanoma oncolysate; Wallack MK et al.; In this phase Ia/Ib trial, vaccinia melanoma oncolysate (VMO) is a virus-augmented melanoma cell membrane vaccine that has been shown to be safe and to stimulate the production of antimelanoma antibodies in high-risk melanoma patients treated in a surgical adjuvant setting . One patient with stage I and 38 patients with stage II melanoma were entered in the study between December 1984 and October 1985, with a mean follow-up of approximately 17 months . Each patient received a smallpox booster injection followed one week later by the first of 13 weekly intradermal injections of 2.0 mg of VMO . At the end of 13 weeks, injections were given every other week for 12 months or until recurrence . Clinical results show that 25 of the 39 patients had no evidence of disease as of December 1986 . Moreover and more importantly, statistical comparison of patients in this study with 39 matched controls shows a significant increase in disease-free survival for the patients treated with VMO . Serum obtained prior to treatment and at three-month intervals during treatment was tested in a Staphylococcus protein A rosette assay for reactivity with melanoma cell lines . All pretreatment samples (39/39) were negative, and 64% became positive by 12 months after appropriate dosage escalations . Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a positive correlation between anti-melanoma IgG antibody titer and disease-free survival. Arch Dermatol, 1987 Dec, 123(12), 1622 - 32 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated psoriasis and Reiter's syndrome; Duvic M et al.; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes a spectrum of immunodysfunction, the most severe of which is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . We have followed the course of psoriasis in 13 patients over 2 1/2 years in a population of more than 1000 HIV-positive individuals . Four patients had a history of mild psoriasis that became severe and uncontrollable as symptoms of immunodeficiency developed . Psoriasis and HIV positivity, AIDS-related complex, or AIDS simultaneously developed in nine patients . In addition to psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome (arthritis, urethritis, and conjunctivitis) developed in one patient in the first group and three patients in the second group . Opportunistic infections, especially candidiasis and Staphylococcus, drugs, and an altered immune system may contribute to the development or flare of psoriasis in these patients . The appearance of severe psoriasis (especially in a patient with other risk factors for HIV) should prompt evaluation for HIV, and may be a poor prognostic indicator in HIV-positive patients, since nine of our 13 patients have died . Immunosuppressive therapy with methotrexate is contraindicated in this group of patients . Newer forms of drug therapy including etretinate show promising results for the management of AIDS-associated psoriasis. Infect Immun, 1987 Dec, 55(12), 2933 - 9 Quantitation of monomeric and oligomeric forms of membrane-bound staphylococcal alpha-toxin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody; Hugo F et al.; A murine monoclonal antibody generated against staphylococcal alpha-toxin was shown to react only with the monomeric (native), 3S form of the toxin . A sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) constructed with this antibody permitted detection of 0.25 to 0.5 ng of native toxin per ml . Toxin oligomers formed either by heat aggregation in solution, on target erythrocyte membranes, or on phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol liposomes were unreactive in the ELISA when membranes were solubilized with the nondenaturing detergent Triton X-100 . After dissociation of the oligomers by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate, however, the ELISA reactivity of the liberated 3S toxin was fully restored . Parallel determinations of membrane-bound toxin with sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100 solubilization thus permitted direct quantitation of total and monomeric toxin, respectively; the difference between these two values was represented by toxin oligomers . The detection limits for membrane-bound oligomeric and monomeric toxin on erythrocyte membranes are in the order of 100 molecules and 1 molecule per cell, respectively . Using this ELISA, we show that over 90% of alpha-toxin molecules bound to target membranes at 37 degrees C are in oligomeric form . Evidence is given that the monoclonal antibody neutralizes alpha-toxin by inhibiting its binding to both rabbit and human erythrocytes . This ELISA is the first assay that quantitatively discriminates between mono- and oligomeric forms of a pore-forming protein on target cell membranes. Am J Physiol, 1987 Dec, 253(6 Pt 1), C766 - 73 Interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor do not regulate protein balance in skeletal muscle; Moldawer LL et al.; Recent studies have claimed that interleukin 1-containing preparations increase skeletal protein degradation similar to that seen during infection and inflammation . However, preparations employed have contained other products of activated macrophages, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha . In the present report, we investigated the capability of recombinant-derived murine and human interleukins 1-alpha and 1-beta and human tumor necrosis factor-alpha to affect skeletal protein synthesis and degradation both in vitro and in vivo . Partially purified products of Staphylococcus albus-stimulated human blood monocytes increased skeletal protein degradation both in vivo and in vitro . However, none of the recombinant interleukin 1 nor the human tumor necrosis factor-alpha preparations had any impact on skeletal protein balance . Both recombinant interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulated the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) . Furthermore, a polyclonal antibody to human interleukin 1 eliminated the lymphoproliferative response to partially purified monocyte preparations (interleukin 1 activity), but failed to abrogate the increased skeletal protein degradation in vitro . This study demonstrates that although interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induce a PGE2 response by skeletal muscle in vitro, some macrophage product distinct from either interleukin 1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha is responsible for the accelerated skeletal protein degradation seen with partially purified human blood monocyte products . Elevated PGE2 levels do not appear to regulate skeletal protein balance in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1987 Dec, 84(24), 9233 - 7 Purification of a human monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor that has peptide sequence similarity to other host defense cytokines; Yoshimura T et al.; Stimulated human monocytes release several proteins thought to play a role in inflammation, including interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, and plasminogen activator . We have purified another proinflammatory protein that is chemotactic for human neutrophils from conditioned medium of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes . After a series of steps that included anion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and HPLC on cation-exchange and reverse-phase columns, an apparently pure protein was obtained that migrated as a single 7-kDa band on NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels under reducing or nonreducing conditions . The amino acid composition of this monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor was different from that of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor . N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 42 residues was determined . This portion of the molecule has up to 56% sequence similarity with several proteins that may be involved in host responses to infection or tissue injury . It is identical to a portion of a sequence deduced from an mRNA induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin treatment of human leukocytes . At the optimal concentration of 10 nM, 50% of neutrophils added to chemotaxis assay wells migrated toward the pure attractant . Potency and efficacy are comparable to that of fMet-Leu-Phe, which is often used as a reference . In contrast to many attractants, the protein was not chemotactic for human monocytes. Poult Sci, 1987 Dec, 66(12), 1929 - 33 Increased sensitivity to staphylococcal beta hemolysins of erythrocytes from chickens during aflatoxicosis; Doerr JA et al.; The size of the zones of beta-hemolysis surrounding staphylococcal colonies on blood agar was found to be related to the level of dietary aflatoxin consumed by the chickens donating the blood . Zone sizes on blood from chickens fed the highest level of aflatoxin (10 micrograms/g of diet) were about six-fold larger than those on blood from control birds . The percentage of staphylococcal isolates displaying beta-hemolysis was increased from about 15% in normal blood to about 90% in blood from chickens fed aflatoxin (10 micrograms/g) whereas the time required for detection of beta-hemolysis was decreased by about one-half . The hemolytic activity of purified staphylococcal beta-hemolysin against suspensions of washed erythrocytes increased as the level of aflatoxin consumed by the donor chickens increased . These data imply a new mechanism for enhanced susceptibility of animals to infectious agents during mycotoxicoses whereby the animal is made more sensitive to the virulence factors of pathogens. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1987 Dec, 267(2), 206 - 16 Comparison of two newly developed forms of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1); Pickenhahn P et al.; Two modifications of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to the quantitative determination of TSST-1 in culture supernatants of S . aureus strains . In both techniques, biotinylated antibodies (anti-TSST-1), obtained by means of either glutaraldehyde or N,N-dimethyl formamide were used . IgG and biotin were conjugated in various ratios and the different conjugates thus obtained were examined for their reactivity in the ELISA tests . The application of the glutaraldehyde-method resulted in more active, sensitive and stable conjugates . Furthermore, acceptable TSST-1 standard curves under fixed conditions were only obtained when the appropriate ratio of biotin to IgG had been determined before the biotinylated antibodies were employed. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Dec, 31(12), 1887 - 91 Phenotypic expression and genetic heterogeneity of lincosamide inactivation in Staphylococcus spp; Leclercq R et al.; We examined the resistance phenotype and the genetic basis of lincosamide modification in 25 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp . inactivating lincomycin and clindamycin . The strains were resistant to high levels of lincomycin but remained susceptible to clindamycin . However, MBCs and inoculum effects showed that the activity of clindamycin was impaired . The distribution in these strains of nucleotide sequences related to linA and linA', the genes encoding lincosamide nucleotidylation in Staphylococcus haemolyticus BM4610 and S . aureus BM4611, respectively, was studied by dot blot hybridization . The genes responsible for lincosamide inactivation in Staphylococcus spp . were found to constitute a family of related sequences which are not species specific. Genitourin Med, 1987 Dec, 63(6), 375 - 9 Immune dot blot technique for diagnosing infection with Chlamydia trachomatis; Storey CC et al.; An immune dot blot test (IDBT) to detect the genus specific lipopolysaccharide chlamydial antigen is described, in which the antigen is trapped on nitrocellulose membrane and then detected with a monoclonal antibody labelled with 125iodine . A preliminary comparison of 270 specimens obtained from the endocervix or male urethra showed that the IDBT was more sensitive (sensitivity 90%) than a commercial amplified enzyme immunoassay named IDEIA (sensitivity (60%) for detecting specimens that yielded Chlamydia trachomatis on culture . Subsequent assessment of 950 urogenital tract specimens in the IDBT and by culture confirmed the sensitivity (92%) and specificity (95%) of the IDBT . At least one of 56 specimens obtained from the eye, however, gave a false positive result, which was probably due to staphylococcal protein A in the specimen . The IDBT provides the basis for a novel simple test for detecting the genus Chlamydia. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Dec, 17(1-4), 389 - 400 Synergism between antibody and neutrophils in the ruminant mammary gland; Watson DL; Immunological activities of the mammary gland are important both as a means of transferring immunity from mother to young and for defending the mammary gland itself against infection . The presence of immunoglobulins G1, G2 and A, and of neutrophils, macrophages and complement in the ruminant mammary gland is described, in particular the synergistic role of antibody and neutrophils is discussed and studies of immunization against staphylococcal mastitis are outlined. Mol Immunol, 1987 Dec, 24(12), 1243 - 54 Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins: use in immunodetection and immunopurification; Lapeyre C et al.; Four cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies were obtained by fusion of NS1 myeloma cells with splenocytes of BALB/C mice immunized with only 1 microgram of each staphylococcal enterotoxin A, B, C1 and D by a modified technique of intrasplenic boosting . This procedure was considerably more efficient than the more commonly used intravenous boosting . The antibodies EC-A1, EC-B1, EC-C1 and EC-D1, all of the IgG1 subclass, have high affinities for the corresponding enterotoxins A, B, C1 and D, with dissociation constants of 1.4, 2.8, 1.4 and 1.5 nM respectively; in addition EC-B1 showed a high affinity (2.1 nM) for enterotoxin C1 . All these antibodies recognize, by immunoblotting, the homologous purified enterotoxins as well as enterotoxins from the bacterial culture supernatants . A rapid indirect double sandwich ELISA using a pair of antibody preparations was developed, where monospecific monoclonal antibodies were used to coat plastic plates and polyspecific rabbit antibodies were used to detect the enterotoxins under field conditions . These antibodies which are capable of immunoadsorbing the enterotoxins from staphylococcal culture filtrates and from natural fluids such as milk, were used to immunopurify enterotoxins A, C1 and D . The homogeneity and integrity of the affinity purified toxins A, C1 and D was verified by direct automated Edman degradation and yielded single amino terminal sequences which were moderately homologous to those published previously for B and C1 enterotoxins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1987 Dec, 84(24), 9214 - 8 Antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of some Alzheimer disease patients recognize cholinergic neurons in the rat central nervous system; McRae-Degueurce A et al.; The etiology of Alzheimer disease is unclear . However, immunological aberrations have been suggested to be critical factors in the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disease . This study was carried out to investigate if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from Alzheimer disease patients contains antibodies that recognize specific neuronal populations in the rat central nervous system . The results indicate that in a subgroup of patients this is indeed the case . The antibodies reported in this study have the following properties: (i) they recognize neuronal populations and components in the medial septum and spinal motor neurons in rats perfused with a mixture that fixes small neurotransmitter molecules; (ii) adsorption of the patient CSF with staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose and using a polyclonal antiserum against human IgG3 indicates that the immunocytochemical reaction in these brain regions is mainly due to the subclass IgG3; and (iii) the CSF immunocytochemical reaction is blocked by preincubation of the sections with a rabbit anti-acetylcholine antiserum . These results provide evidence that antibodies in the CSF of some, but not all, Alzheimer disease patients recognize acetylcholine-like epitopes in cholinergic neurons in the rat central nervous system. Infect Immun, 1987 Dec, 55(12), 2940 - 4 Quantitative analysis of the binding and oligomerization of staphylococcal alpha-toxin in target erythrocyte membranes; Reichwein J et al.; The binding of staphylococcal alpha-toxin to rabbit and human erythrocytes was quantitated over a wide range of toxin concentrations (3 x 10(-11) to 3 x 10(-6) M) with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that permitted simultaneous quantitation of monomeric and oligomeric toxin forms . Three basic observations were made . First, in no range of concentrations did the binding of alpha-toxin to rabbit erythrocytes display characteristics of a receptor-ligand interaction . Net binding to rabbit cells was nil at sublytic concentrations (10(-10) M or 3 ng/ml) . The onset of binding occurred at around 10 ng/ml and remained fairly constant and ineffective (5 to 8% of toxin offered) over a wide concentration range (up to 10 micrograms/ml) . Second, hemolysis of rabbit and human erythrocytes at 37 degrees C was always accompanied by the formation of toxin oligomers in the membrane . Third, overall toxin binding at 0 degree C followed a pattern similar to that at 37 degrees C . However, oligomer formation and cell lysis were retarded (but not totally inhibited) at 0 degree C . When rabbit erythrocytes were incubated with low levels of toxin at 0 degree C (0.5 microgram/ml) for 30 min, the toxin became bound exclusively in monomer form, and no lysis occurred . When cells thus treated were washed and suspended at 37 degrees C, lysis rapidly ensued, and native monomeric toxin was replaced by oligomeric toxin . The collective results directly support the oligomer pore concept of toxin action and also indicate that toxin oligomers form by lateral aggregation of bound monomers in the bilayer . They speak against the existence of specific binding sites for alpha-toxin on rabbit erythrocytes. J Immunol, 1987 Nov 15, 139(10), 3456 - 62 A peptide secreted by human alveolar macrophages releases neutrophil granule contents; MacArthur CK et al.; A monoclonal antibody was developed against an 8,000-kDa enzyme-releasing peptide (ERP) released from human alveolar macrophages . ERP was isolated on an immunoaffinity column containing the antibody bound to staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose . Release of ERP from the macrophages is not changed by plastic adherence, phagocytosis, calcium ionophore, or phorbol esters . The peptide was not antigenically similar to interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, or interleukin 1 alpha or 1 beta . The release of constituents from azurophilic and specific granules was the main identified biologic function of ERP . ERP was a more effective secretagogue in the untreated neutrophils and f-met-leu-phe was more effective in the cytochalasin B-treated neutrophils . Absorption of ERP from macrophage-conditioned medium removed a small amount of the chemotactic activity; however, the immunopurified peptide was not chemotactic or chemokinetic for neutrophils, and at high concentrations, it suppressed base line chemokinesis . Treatment of washed macrophages with trypsin released active ERP of approximately the same m.w . of spontaneously secreted ERP . These studies showed that human alveolar macrophages release a peptide which is a secretagogue for human neutrophils under conditions which may be encountered in the lungs during certain disease states . Proteolytic enzymes which are free in the lungs may release the peptide and lead to the secretion of neutrophil enzymes. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987 Nov, 6(11), 1042 - 7 Management of septic complications associated with Silastic catheters in childhood malignancy; Hartman GE et al.; From January, 1979, to December, 1984, 63 Hickman or Broviac catheters were inserted into 50 high risk pediatric oncology patients (median age, 37 months) . Catheters remained in place for an average of 241 days . Possible catheter sepsis and exit site infection accounted for the majority (39 of 76) of the complications of long term central venous catheterization . Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count under 500/mm3) was associated with 70% of the catheter-related infections and 75% of the non-catheter-related infections . Catheters inserted during neutropenic episodes (23) were associated with an increased risk of subsequent septicemia (60% vs . 25%), a finding apparently related to their exposure to further neutropenia (38% vs . 16% catheter days) . Of the 32 episodes of septicemia of unknown origin, 19 involved Gram-negative bacteria, 14 involved Gram-positive bacteria and 4 were caused by fungi . Five of these episodes involved multiple organisms . Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common Gram-positive organism isolated (7 of 14) . Four episodes of septicemia resolved before therapy and are considered false positive cultures . Of the other 28 episodes of septicemia, 25 (89%) were successfully treated without catheter removal including 3 episodes of fungemia and 4 of multiple organism sepsis . These data demonstrate the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment without catheter removal in the pediatric oncology population with catheter-associated infections including those associated with neutropenia, multiple organisms and fungemia. Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 1987 Nov, 21(11), 882 - 4 Severe thrombocytopenia associated with once-daily rifampin therapy; Pau AK et al.; Rifampin-induced thrombocytopenia has been recognized as an immunological reaction associated with intermittent high-dose therapy, and rarely seen with daily low-dose regimens . Our patient was a 33-year-old male with Marfan's syndrome who was given rifampin 600 mg/d po along with intravenous vancomycin for the treatment of Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis . His platelet count dropped from a baseline of 519,000/mm3 to 4000/mm3 after four doses of rifampin . Petechiae were present on the lower extremities without the presence of other bleeding sites . Rifampin, low-dose aspirin, and dipyridamole were discontinued . His platelet count returned to normal nine days after discontinuation of therapy . With the increasing use of rifampin for the treatment of nontuberculosis infections, clinicians should recognize the possibility of this drug causing such serious immunological reactions as thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and shock with daily or intermittent therapy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1987 Nov, 94(5), 770 - 2 Retained pacemaker leads; Furman S et al.; Increasingly, functionless pacemaker leads are being abandoned in place because they cannot be safely removed . One hundred eighty-nine intact or partially removed pacemaker leads were abandoned in situ in 152 patients between Jan . 1, 1965, and Dec . 31, 1985 . The leads, sometimes several leads in a single patient, were deemed uninfected at the time of abandonment in 137 patients and contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis in 15 patients . All of the contaminated leads have remained clinically uninfected during follow-up . One clean lead became infected early after implantation and the patient died after an open cardiac operation to remove that lead and an adjacent abandoned lead that was adherent to the subclavian vein . No other patient has had a late complication during follow-up to 256 months (mean 47.6) . Properly managed abandonment of an uninfected lead can carry a very low complication rate. J Invest Dermatol, 1987 Nov, 89(5), 513 - 7 Low density lipoprotein receptor expression on keratinocytes in normal and psoriatic epidermis; Mommaas-Kienhuis AM et al.; Biochemical and morphologic studies on the interaction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) with cultured normal keratinocytes and squamous carcinoma cells have shown a negative correlation between LDL receptor activity and terminal differentiation of the epidermal cells {Ponec M et al, J Invest Dermatol 83:436-440, 1984 and Vermeer, BJ et al, J Invest Dermatol 86:195-200, 1986} . Whether such in vitro studies pertain to the epidermis in vivo is not known . To obtain information on the distribution of LDL receptors in the epidermis in situ, morphologic studies were performed using LDL-gold as an ultrastructural marker . When freshly isolated mouse and human epidermal cells were incubated with LDL-gold complexes, only keratinocytes with the morphologic characteristics of basal cells showed binding and uptake of LDL-gold . No LDL receptor activity was found on Langerhans cells, melanocytes or highly differentiated keratinocytes . Since cell separation techniques can destroy receptors, the staphylococcal epidermolytic toxin was utilized to produce intercellular and intra-epithelial splitting of the epidermis . In preparations of both normal mouse and human epidermis, LDL-gold binding was restricted to basal cells and a few suprabasal keratinocytes . In contrast, in psoriatic epidermis, and to a lesser extent, essential fatty acid-deficient mouse epidermis, cells in the stratum spinosum showed abundant LDL-gold binding . Thus LDL-gold may be a useful marker for epidermal differentiation. Dig Dis Sci, 1987 Nov, 32(11), 1239 - 43 Prospective assessment of risk of bacteremia with colonoscopy and polypectomy; Low DE et al.; A prospective assessment was made of the frequency of positive blood cultures in patients undergoing colonoscopy with or without polypectomy . A total of 270 patients underwent 280 colonoscopies, of these, there were 105 patients that had 111 polypectomies . Blood cultures were taken prior to and within 15 min following each procedure . Six of 280 (2.1%) preprocedural blood cultures were positive . Seven of 169 (4%) blood cultures were positive within 15 min of insertion of the colonoscope in the colonoscopy only group . Eight of 223 (3.6%) blood cultures were positive within 10 min of the polypectomy . There was no clinical evidence of sepsis during the 24 hr following these procedures . In order to determine appropriate postprocedural sampling intervals, we induced a Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteremia with a mean of 1.16 X 10(6) colony forming units/ml on 10 occasions in seven dogs . Within 30 min of inoculation, we were able to detect only one colony forming unit/ml . The rate of positive blood cultures during colonoscopy alone and following polypectomy during colonoscopy is comparable to other gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures . The most optimal time to collect blood cultures in order to detect transient bacteremia is as soon after the procedure as is feasibly possible. Eur J Immunol, 1987 Nov, 17(11), 1605 - 9 T cell activation by processed antigen is equally blocked by I-E and I-A-restricted immunodominant peptides; Lakey EK et al.; The T cell response to a soluble protein requires the processing of the native antigen by an antigen-presenting cell (APC) to a peptide containing an antigenic determinant, which is transported to and bound on the antigen-presenting cell surface, where it is subsequently recognized by the specific T cell in the context of the appropriate Ia molecule . Investigating the response of a pigeon cytochrome c-specific, I-Ek-restricted T cell hybrid, which recognizes a determinant present within a 10-amino acid C-terminal fragment of the protein, it was previously demonstrated that peptides homologous to the peptide from pigeon cytochrome c, but which were not stimulatory, blocked the T cell response to pigeon cytochrome c as processed and presented by APC . In this report the ability of a series of fourteen, 20-amino acid overlapping peptides, representing the entire length of staphylococcal nuclease (Nase), were assessed for their ability to block the response of a pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell hybrid to antigen-pulsed presenting cells . Only three Nase peptides blocked the I-Ek-restricted pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell response . Two of these, Nase 61-80 and Nase 91-110, function as T cell antigens in the I-Ad and I-Ab-restricted response to Nase . The third blocking peptide, Nase 101-120, has not been shown to be a T cell antigen . Two other peptides, Nase 51-70 and Nase 81-100, which are recognized by Nase-specific T cells in the context of I-Ek, have no effect on the I-Ek-restricted cytochrome c-specific T cell response . None of these peptides block the higher affinity, heteroclitic response of pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cells to tobacco hornworm moth cytochrome c . Moreover, the response of an I-Ak-restricted T cell to ovalbumin was blocked by the I-Ek-restricted cytochrome c peptides from three different species . Thus, peptides with no obvious primary amino acid sequence homology, and which are not capable of being recognized in the context of the same Ia, compete with one another for the sites on the APC necessary for presentation of processed antigen to T cells . These results suggest that there are structures on the APC surface in addition to Ia, which are necessary for effective antigen presentation following processing . One suitable candidate for such a cell surface material is the recently identified peptide-binding protein, PBP72/74 (Lakey et al., Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . USA 1987 . 84: 1659). J Biochem (Tokyo), 1987 Nov, 102(5), 1251 - 60 Studies on algal cytochromes VI: some properties and amino acid sequence of cytochrome c6 from a green alga, Bryopsis maxima; Okamoto Y et al.; A photosynthetic c-type cytochrome, cytochrome c6, was extracted from a green alga, Bryopsis maxima, by cutting and immersing the frozen thalli in phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and purified by acrinol treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and Bio-Gel P-10 gel filtration . The ferrcytochrome c6 has absorption maxima at 553.5 (alpha), 523 (beta), 417 (gamma), 318 (delta), and 275 nm, and the ferricytochrome at 695, 528, and 411 (gamma) . The molecular weight was estimated to be about 10,000 from Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) . The midpoint redox potential for the cytochrome was determined by equilibrium titration with a ferro- and ferricyanide system to be 0.385 volt at pH 7.0 . Isoelectric points for ferro- and ferricytochromes were determined by density gradient isoelectric focusing electrophoresis to be at pH 3.91 and 4.02, respectively . The complete amino acid sequence of the cytochrome was determined by Edman degradation and by carboxypeptidase digestions of the Cm-cytochrome, 6 staphylococcal protease peptides and 5 lysyl endopeptidase peptides . The cytochrome contained 88 amino acid residues, giving a molecular weight of 9,904 including 1 mol of heme c . The sequence is as follows: GGDLEIGADVFTGNCAACHAGGANSVEPLKTLNKEDVTKYLDGGLSIEAITSQVRNGKGAMPAWSDRLD DEEIDGVVAYVFKNINEGW . A phylogenetic tree of 13 algal cytochromes c6 was constructed by comparing the amino acid differences. J Leukoc Biol, 1987 Nov, 42(5), 510 - 8 Inhibition of neutrophil shape change by an inhibitor of chemotaxis; Donabedian H et al.; Human mononuclear cells exposed to staphylococcal peptidoglycan in serum-free culture rapidly produce an inhibitor of neutrophil chemotaxis which we have previously described . We found that this inhibitor of chemotaxis has its most potent effect on the inhibition of neutrophil shape change from a spherical to a polarized configuration . In order to quantify this shape change inhibition, we developed an assay using flow cytometric techniques . Neutrophils exposed to a chemoattractant simultaneously change their shape and decrease their forward angle light scattering intensity (delta FLS) with a correlation coefficient of 0.886 (p less than 0.001) . In 51 experiments, neutrophils pretreated with the inhibitor of chemotaxis decreased their FLS by only 6.8 +/- 1.3 channels, while neutrophils pretreated with medium or control culture supernatants decreased theirs by 26.4 +/- 1.9 and 20.5 +/- 3.0 channels respectively (p less than 0.001) . The factor which causes inhibition of shape change was indistinguishable from the inhibitor of chemotaxis by physical properties and chromatography . We conclude that this inhibitor of chemotaxis may act by inhibiting a physiologic step at or before shape change. Q J Med, 1987 Nov, 65(247), 895 - 8 Novel C3 nephritic factor activity in the glomerulonephritis of staphylococcal endocarditis; Craddock CF et al.; A case of glomerulonephritis complicating staphylococcal endocarditis is presented . Hypocomplementaemia and a C3-activating factor in the serum suggested that the patient might have mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis in association with C3-nephritic factor . Renal biopsy showed that this was not so and further examination of the serum factor showed that it differed from classical C3-nephritic factor because it was not an immunoglobulin . It is postulated that complement activation and glomerulonephritis in staphylococcal endocarditis may be the direct result of a bacterial product . A substance in the serum which activates C3 should be confirmed to be an immunoglobulin before the presence of classical C3-nephritic factor is assumed. Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1987 Nov, (11), 27 - 30 {Staphylococcal enterotoxin type D: isolation, purification, identification}; Naubet'iarov RB et al.; The three step scheme of isolation and purification of staphylococcal type D enterotoxin was elaborated to obtain the homogeneous protein . The scheme includes protein concentration by (NH4)2SO4 saturation and subsequent fractionation on DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-200 . The yield of homogeneous protein is 25.5% . The molecular mass of the 29,600 D protein was identified by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS . The enterotoxic dose for staphylococcal type D enterotoxin is 5 mkg per kg of body mass as identified in experiments with cats . Immunological identity of the obtained protein was established to the commercial preparation of staphylococcal enterotoxin D produced by "Serva". Int J Pept Protein Res, 1987 Nov, 30(5), 676 - 82 Guinea pig MSEL-neurophysin . Sequence comparison of eight mammalian MSEL-neurophysins; Chauvet MT et al.; The amino acid sequence of guinea pig MSEL-neurophysin has been determined using tryptic peptides derived from the performic acid-oxidized protein and staphylococcal proteinase peptides obtained from the reduced-carboxamidomethylated neurophysin . Guinea pig MSEL-neurophysin consists of a 93-residue polypeptide chain that shows 12 substitutions and 2 deletions when compared to bovine MSEL-neurophysin . It displays the highest number of variations among known mammalian MSEL-neurophysins . These variations are mainly found in the C-terminal region (residues 88-93) . Moreover guinea pig MSEL-neurophysin, like rat homologous protein, exhibits substitutions in positions 2, 5, 29 and 81 and lacks an arginine in the penultimate position . Comparison between eight mammalian MSEL-neurophysins reveals a highly conserved region (residues 1 to 88) and a hypervariable region (residues 89 to 93/95) . On the other hand the eight species examined are endowed with arginine vasopressin except pig, which has a lysine vasopressin . In the vasopressin-MSEL-neurophysin precursor, the hormonal moiety and the MSEL region of neurophysin (residues 1-9) are encoded by a common exon in ox, rat and man; it can be concluded that this exon is evolutionarily conservative in contrast to the one encoding the C-terminal region of MSEL-neurophysin. Klin Padiatr, 1987 Nov-Dec, 199(6), 445 - 6 {Recurrent staphylodermas in marked IgE elevation: the hyper-IgE syndrome}; Huber A et al.; This is a report of a 6-year-old boy with repeated staphylococcus infections especially in the hairy region of the head . Investigating the disease an extremely elevated IgE of 10,000 KU/l was found, specific IgE in RAST only at a low level . The immunologic investigations showed a reduction of the T-suppressor-cells and an increase of IgG levels . Defects of phagocytosis or chemotaxis could not be demonstrated. Kidney Int, 1987 Nov, 32(5), 678 - 83 Response to intraperitoneal Staphylococcus epidermidis challenge in renal failure mice; Gallimore B et al.; The role of renal failure in the pathogenesis of the Staphylococcus epidermidis (S . epidermidis) peritonitis presented by end-stage renal disease patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was investigated in a mouse model of surgically-induced renal failure . Six weeks after the surgery, an i.p . inoculum of 10(6) colony forming units S . epidermidis was administered to renal failure mice and their sham-operated and normal controls, and assessment of bacterial clearance and inflammatory response was conducted over the next 72 hours . Peritoneal clearance of S . epidermidis was complete in most animals; however, the process was significantly delayed in renal failure mice compared to sham-operated controls . Viable bacteria invariably remained associated with the peritoneum after peritoneal washings had become culture negative . Peritoneal inflammatory response was markedly diminished in renal failure mice, the early polymorphonuclear cell response being particularly affected . Peripheral response consisted of a prompt and short-lived polymorph increase which was similar in renal failure and sham-operated mice . The factors responsible for the observed impairment of local inflammatory response in association with delayed bacterial clearance in renal failure mice following i.p . challenge with S . epidermidis remain to be defined. J Pediatr Surg, 1987 Nov, 22(11), 1036 - 8 Rhabdomyosarcoma arising in a congenital giant nevus associated with neurocutaneous melanosis in a neonate; Zuniga S et al.; The case of a newborn with a pedunculated embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma arising from a pigmented giant congenital nevus located on the posterior part of the neck and upper trunk is presented . The nevus was associated with melanosis of the leptomeninges and central nervous system . The pedunculated tumor was removed and the infant was given subsequent chemotherapy . In spite of well-tolerated chemotherapy, he died on the 30th day of life due to a staphylococcal pneumonia. Rev Infect Dis, 1987 Nov-Dec, 9(6), 1168 - 74 Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to small-colony staphylococcal variants; Baddour LM et al.; Although Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis, little is known about the pathogenesis of this disease . In one case described herein, small-colony variant forms of S . epidermidis were isolated from clinical specimens obtained from a patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis . Data from the rat model of experimental endocarditis provide further evidence that small-colony variants may be operative in the production of prosthetic valve infection . Moreover, a review of the literature indicates that small-colony variants could account for the subtle clinical course after prolonged dormant infection that characterizes S . epidermidis prosthetic valve endocarditis . It is therefore hypothesized that small-colony variants of S . epidermidis may play a role in the pathogenesis of prosthetic valve endocarditis. Med Clin North Am, 1987 Nov, 71(6), 1135 - 45 Vancomycin: a review; Levine JF; This article reviewed the past experience and updated the present data on vancomycin . In recent years, with the release of more purified preparations of vancomycin and new clinical problems facing the clinician (that is, increasing prevalence of serious methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections; use of hemodialysis and CAPD; widespread use of prosthetic devices; aggressive chemotherapy), the indication for vancomycin use has increased dramatically . More information is needed on the distribution of vancomycin in body tissues and the incidence and mechanisms of toxicity . Close surveillance of in vitro susceptibility patterns will be necessary as widespread use of vancomycin continues to increase. Am J Otol, 1987 Nov, 8(6), 519 - 23 The role of prophylactic antibiotics in middle ear surgery . A study on phenoxymethylpenicillin prophylaxis; Bagger-Sjoback D et al.; A randomized prospective double-blind study was performed testing the value of phenoxymethylpenicillin in conjunction with middle ear surgery . The patients were evaluated for clinical signs of infection and with bacteriologic cultures both pre- and postoperatively . No difference in clinical signs of infection was noted between the pre- and postoperative evaluations . A significantly larger number of patients, however, presented with postoperative positive bacteriologic cultures as compared with the preoperative cultures . This increase was particularly evident in the placebo group . The two microorganisms that were found in increased numbers postoperatively were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas strains . The value of prophylactic antibiotic treatment and phenoxymethylpenicillin treatment in particular is discussed. Int J Cell Cloning, 1987 Nov, 5(6), 480 - 91 Formation of lymphocyte colonies under serum-free culture conditions in normal individuals and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Dai YC et al.; This paper describes a culture system which supports the formation of B cell and some T cell colonies under serum-free conditions in peripheral blood samples of normal individuals and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) of B cell type . In this system, serum is replaced by bovine serum albumin, transferrin, cholesterol, insulin and catalase or horseradish peroxidase . In addition, it is necessary to add staphylococcus protein A, mitomycin-treated T cells as feeders and phytohemagglutinin leukocyte-conditioned medium as a source of growth factors . The plating efficiency is greatly enhanced when normal cells are incubated with galactose oxidase prior to plating and when CLL cells are exposed sequentially to neuraminidase and galactose oxidase. Infect Immun, 1987 Nov, 55(11), 2768 - 73 Genetic control of immune response to staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A in mice; Machida K et al.; Different inbred and congenic resistant strains of mice were immunized with staphylococcal exfoliative toxin A (ETA) . In antibody responses measured in sera of mice by a passive hemagglutination technique, A/J, DBA/2, BALB/c, B10A, B10D2, B10S, and A.SW were high responders . C57BL/10 (B10), A.BY, and DBA/1 were low responders . The congenic C3H/HeJ and C3H.SW mice were, respectively, high and low responders . The observation that the immune responses of the mice to ETA were closely linked with the haplotypes of their H-2 complexes suggests the existence of an H-2-linked immune response (Ir) gene coding for the production of humoral antibodies to ETA . Four B10A recombinants were used to map this gene within the H-2 complex . The finding that B10A(2R) and B10A(4R) were high responders, whereas B10A(3R) and B10A(5R) were low responders, indicates that the gene controlling antibody response to ETA is located in the I-A subregion or the H-2K end within the H-2 complex . We wish to propose the name Ir-ETA for this gene . The function of Ir-ETA seems to be at least related to antigen recognition at the T-lymphocyte level . Neonatal mice are generally susceptible to ETA regardless of their H-2 haplotypes . However, the neonatal mice born to a high-responder mother immunized with ETA were resistant to the subcutaneous challenge of ETA, but those born to an immunized low-responder mother were susceptible to the challenge . This result suggests that if the mother is a high responder to ETA and is effectively immunized with ETA, the maternal immunity makes it possible to neutralize this toxin in neonatal mice. Ann Surg, 1987 Nov, 206(5), 612 - 20 An in vitro study of the properties influencing Staphylococcus epidermidis adhesion to prosthetic vascular graft materials; Harris JM et al.; This study examines the influence of the properties of various vascular graft materials on the bacterial adherence process of two different strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis (mucous and normucous producing) . Dacron grafts (both knitted and woven), Teflon grafts, and Dacron grafts coated with one and two layers of silicone were studied because these materials differ significantly in porosity, hydrophobicity, and surface charge (zeta potential) . Graft segments were immersed in 3H-labeled bacteria solution for periods ranging from 5 to 180 minutes and liquid scintillation techniques were used to quantify bacterial adherence . The porous knitted Dacron material had a significantly higher rate of bacterial adherence than either the woven Dacron or Teflon (p less than 0.05) . Silicone coating (either one or two layers) reduced adherence by a factor of four for the knitted Dacron (p less than 0.05) and by a factor of two for woven Dacron (p less than 0.05) . The mucous producing strain of S . epidermidis displayed significantly better adherence to woven and knitted Dacron than the normucous producing strain, but only when 0.25% dextrose was added to the bacteria solution . These findings indicate that the highly porous knitted Dacron grafts have the highest propensity for bacterial adhesion . Graft materials with the most negative zeta potentials are more resistant to bacterial adherence . Silicone coating of Dacron material significantly changed adherence characteristics, suggesting that this may be a viable strategy for protecting implantable medical devices containing materials to which bacteria readily adhere. J Immunol Methods, 1987 Oct 23, 103(1), 69 - 77 Monoclonal anti-peroxidase isotype switch variants . Applications in studies of protein A binding and characterization of rat monoclonal antibodies; Boot JH et al.; A series of heavy chain isotype switch variants was derived from a hybridoma cell line secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for horseradish peroxidase . By the combined use of sensitive isotype-specific ELISAs and sequential sublining IgG2b, IgG2a, IgE and Iga anti-peroxidase-producing variants were successively isolated out of IgG1-secreting parental cells . The anti-peroxidase isotype variant antibodies are particularly appropriate for use in studies of the influence of heavy chain isotype in the effector functions of immunoglobulins . The use of variant antibodies with specificity for an enzyme favors their application in immunoassays because an enzyme-conjugated second antibody is not needed . Here we describe two applications of the anti-peroxidase switch variants . First, the variants are compared with respect to their affinity for Staphylococcus protein A . While IgG1 anti-peroxidase showed weak binding, both IgG2 variants strongly bound to protein A, whereas IgE and IgA variants had no affinity for protein A . Next, the switch variants were used to determine the isotype specificity of rat monoclonal antibodies generated to murine IgE. Lancet, 1987 Oct 17, 2(8564), 880 - 3 Selective immunodeficiency affecting staphylococcal response; Monteil M et al.; Eight patients with recurrent staphylococcal infections, necessitating up to 213 hospital admissions in one patient, gave normal results with the usual immunological investigations, including measurement of serum IgG and IgG2 . In the staphylococcal inhibition test all showed persistently subnormal results, corrected by the addition of compatible normal plasma or normal IgG therapy for 6 months to 21 years, and one died from staphylococcal septicaemia 6 months after withdrawal of treatment . The impairment in anti-staphylococcal response, with failure to produce adequate antibodies, was probably acquired in utero in four patients and inherited in two . In these six patients symptoms started soon after 4 months . In the remaining two the syndrome was acquired later in life. Eur J Biochem, 1987 Oct 1, 168(1), 201 - 7 Complete amino acid sequence of an immunoreactive form of human pancreatic stone protein isolated from pancreatic juice; De Caro AM et al.; The primary structure of a pancreatic stone protein form has been elucidated for the first time . The protein studied was the lowest-Mr form prepared from human pancreatic juice (PSP S1) . The N-terminal sequence up to residue 65 had already been determined . The five peptides obtained after staphylococcal protease digestion of the carboxymethylated reduced and succinylated PSP S1 enabled the deduction of the entire sequence . The tryptic peptides arising from the digest of cyclohexanedione--treated PSP S1 and the amino acids released by carboxypeptidase P digestion of PSP S1 confirmed the data of the sequence . The peptides were purified by Sephadex filtration and, if required, by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose or thin-layer cellulose . The amino acid sequences of the peptides were determined with a sequencer . From the sequence data it was deduced that the PSP S1 polypeptide chain contains 133 amino acid residues and has a Mr of 15,000. Scott Med J, 1987 Oct, 32(5), 149 - 50 Polymyositis complicating staphylococcal septicaemia; Hamilton I et al.; Inflammatory polymyositis can be precipitated by acute febrile illness of viral origin, but similar association with pyogenic bacterial illness is not recognised . We describe two cases in which recovery from staphylococcal septicaemia was complicated by a widespread inflammatory myopathy. J Clin Lab Immunol, 1987 Oct, 24(2), 81 - 5 Reduced in vitro tuberculin reactivity of lymphocytes from patients with tuberculosis; Onwubalili JK; 29 patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis, and matched healthy controls, were studied on the basis of 3H-thymidine incorporation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) induced in vitro by staphylococcal enterotoxin A plus tetrahydrophorbyl acetate (SEA+TPA) or tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) . PBMC from patients had normal SEA+TPA-induced, but depressed spontaneous (p less than 0.01) and PPD-induced (p less than 0.01) 3H-thymidine uptake . Their peak responses tended to occur later (p = 0.007) and with larger doses of the antigen (p = 0.02) . The group of patients with low in vitro PBMC responses to PPD were not clinically distinguishable with respect to the extent of pulmonary tuberculosis, cutaneous reactivity to PPD, nutritional status, bacillary content of sputum or time to sputum sterilization during treatment . Evidence for a plasma factor blocking lymphocyte proliferation was not found in 15 patients tested . Chemotherapy was associated with restoration of normal PPD-induced 3H-thymidine uptake, concomitant with clinical improvement and recovery of nutritional abnormalities. Immunol Lett, 1987 Oct, 16(1), 11 - 4 Heterogeneity of binding of monoclonal IgA to staphylococcal protein A is related to the IgA polymerization state; Zikan J et al.; The human IgA2-lambda myeloma protein Fel consists of covalent dimers and monomers which are partially self-associated . Affinity chromatography of this protein on staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose revealed that approximately 8% of the protein was retained and eluted by acid buffer . Although retained protein Fel was highly aggregated, in the presence of dissociating agents mostly monomeric form was found . Affinity rechromatography and electrophoresis of both fractions from affinity chromatography revealed that the retained fraction possessed substantially higher affinity for SpA than did the nonretained one . This could be due to the multivalency of protein Fel aggregates. Chemioterapia, 1987 Oct, 6(5), 350 - 4 Action of clindamycin-phosphate in foreign body infections due to Staphylococcus epidermidis in mice; Fichera GA et al.; The virulence of Staphylococcus epidermidis strain slime producer was examined in an experimental model of foreign body infection in mice . In the course of this experimental infection the mice were injected with two antibiotics (clindamycin and cefazolin) active in vitro toward the Staphylococcus strain used . The results obtained after a week of antibiotic therapy show that clindamycin alone has a therapeutic action against the infection caused by S . epidermidis . Cefazolin showed a very poor therapeutic effect . The results are discussed on the basis of inflammatory reaction elicited from the foreign body and the characteristics of clindamycin in connection with the host's defense mechanisms. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1987 Oct, 95(5), 283 - 92 Evaluation of a conventional routine method for identification of clinical isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species . Comparison with API-Staph and API-Staph-Ident; Gahrn-Hansen B et al.; A collection of 138 consecutive isolates from blood primarily identified as Gram-positive, cluster-forming, coagulase-negative cocci was examined by a conventional routine method for identification of clinical isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species . The method was based on selected reactions from the Kloos & Schleifer scheme, utilizing the conventional media of Statens Seruminstitut . Double determinations for each isolate were performed by the conventional method . The results were compared with speciation by the commercial micromethods API-Staph and API-Staph-Ident . For control, 31 Staphylococcus and 13 Micrococcus reference strains were included . Of the 31 Staphylococcus spp . (reference strains), the conventional system, API-Staph, and API-Staph-Ident correctly identified 87%, 87% and 81%, respectively . Micrococcus spp . were only identified to genus level by the conventional method as well as by API-Staph . API-Staph-Ident is not designed for Micrococcus identification . Of 138 blood isolates, 121 belonged to the genus Staphylococcus while 17 were Micrococcus spp . S . epidermidis dominated with all three methods, constituting approx . 35% of the isolates tested . In only 57% of the isolates identification by all three methods agreed . The three methods were unable to put a name on 7.5% (conventional method), 10.7% (API-Staph) and 2.5% (API-Staph-Ident) of the isolates . Reproducibility was high with the conventional method (100% for the reference strains and 91% for blood culture isolates) as well as with API-Staph and API-Staph-Ident (88%/81% and 81%/81%, respectively) . We concluded that our conventional system was able to identify most clinically significant staphylococcal species by means of relatively few tests with a high certainty and a high degree of reproducibility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1987 Oct, 84(20), 6970 - 4 Internal amino acid sequence analysis of proteins separated by one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis after in situ protease digestion on nitrocellulose; Aebersold RH et al.; We have developed a general two-step method for obtaining peptide fragments for sequence analysis from picomole quantities of proteins separated by gel electrophoresis . After separation by one- or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins are electrophoretically transferred (electroblotted) onto nitrocellulose, the protein-containing regions are detected by reversible staining and are cut out, and each protein is digested in situ by proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin or staphylococcal V-8 protease . The resulting peptide fragments are separated by narrow-bore reverse-phase HPLC, collected, and sequenced in a gas-phase sequenator . Excellent peptide recoveries and the absence of extraneous contaminants in the separation of the peptide fragment mixture allow the generation of extensive internal sequence information from picomole amounts of protein . The method thus overcomes the problem of obtaining amino acid sequence data from N-terminally blocked proteins and provides multiple, independent stretches of sequence that can be used to generate oligonucleotide probes for molecular cloning and/or used to search sequence data bases for related proteins . This method has been successfully applied to the routine amino acid sequence analysis of a wide range of proteins isolated from one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1987 Oct, 80(4), 631 - 5 Recurrent infections and staphylococcal liver abscess in a child with C1r deficiency; Garty BZ et al.; Complete absence of the C1r portion of the first component of complement was found in a 2 1/2-year-old boy of Puerto Rican origin who presented with a staphylococcal liver abscess . His medical history also included two episodes of pneumonia complicated by a pneumatocele and empyema, purulent staphylococcal lymphadenitis, recurrent otitis media, and pneumococcal bacteremia . The C1s component of complement was 50% of normal, and C4 was elevated . Other immunologic tests, including nitroblue tetrazolium test, and IgE were normal . This is the tenth patient reported with C1r deficiency . The patient differs from other reported patients with C1r deficiency in that he presented with a liver abscess, an infection that has not been reported in patients with complement deficiencies, and in that he has an apparent susceptibility to staphylococcal infection. Cell Immunol, 1987 Oct 1, 109(1), 65 - 74 Histamine acts directly on human T cells to inhibit interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production; Dohlsten M et al.; Histamine acts directly on human T cells to inhibit lymphokine production without the involvement of accessory cells . Histamine inhibits the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by purified human peripheral T cells activated in the presence of either intact monocytes or metabolically inactive fixed Raji and U698 cells as accessory cells . Purified T cells do not respond more than marginally to staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the absence of accessory cells . However, activation by the phorbol ester PMA in conjunction with either PHA or the calcium ionophore A23187 induces large amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-2 . Histamine suppresses the lymphokine production in these pure T-cell cultures to a similar extent as in monocyte-containing cultures . Histamine is also shown to suppress DNA synthesis by purified T cells cultivated at a low cell density, eliminating any possible involvement of small numbers of contaminating accessory cells . In vitro preactivated T cells are shown to retain their capacity to respond to histamine when stimulated by PMA and A23187 or by mitogen in the presence of Raji cells . The conclusion that histamine acts directly on T cells and does not require accessory cells to induce suppression is further confirmed by the demonstration that IL-2 production by the human T-cell leukemia line Jurkat was significantly suppressed by histamine in a H-2 receptor-restricted manner. Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Oct, 45(1), 29 - 34 A study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen and antibody in cerebrospinal fluid and blood in tuberculous meningitis; Ashtekar MD et al.; Radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques have been evaluated to detect specific tubercular antigen (TB Ag) and antitubercular antibody (TB Ab) in CSF and serum of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) . A solid-phase RIA using H37RV sonicate antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, anti-BCG antibody, and staphylococcal protein A was standardized . TB Ag and TB Ab levels were noted to be significantly elevated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well in circulating immune complexes (CIC) isolated from serum samples of TBM patients as compared to control group (P less than 0.01) . Detectability of disease by demonstrating elevated TB Ag and/or TB Ab levels in either CSF or CIC or both was 95% . There was no correlation between individual levels of TB Ag and TB Ab in CSF and in circulation . A follow-up study in patient over a period of 4-12 weeks revealed that TB antigen and/or TB Ab persisted in the majority of the cases for several weeks despite chemotherapy. Cancer Res, 1987 Oct 1, 47(19), 5009 - 13 Markedly different antibody responses to immunized small cell and non-small cell lung cancer cells; Doyle LA et al.; Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to antigens of human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were produced from BALB/c mice immunized with either intact cultured cells or membrane preparations from cultured tumor cells . Of 172 MoAbs produced from two NSCLC immunized mice and reactive to NSCLC cells, 137 bound staphylococcal Protein A directly, and only 11 of these 172 MoAbs were significantly reactive with cultured SCLC cells by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay . In contrast, only 16 of 99 MoAbs produced from two SCLC immunized mice and reactive to SCLC cells directly bound Protein A, and most were of an IgM isotype, but 98 of 99 of these antibodies also reacted with cultured NSCLC target plates . Twenty hybridomas producing antibodies reactive with lung cancer cells but not with a B-lymphoblastoid line were cloned . Eleven of these cloned hybridomas were from NSCLC fusions, and nine were from SCLC fusions . When representative hybridoma supernatants were tested against a broad panel of SCLC and NSCLC target plates a similar pattern was seen, with the supernatants from NSCLC-derived hybridomas only reacting strongly to the NSCLC target plates, but the supernatants from SCLC-derived hybridomas always reacting to both SCLC and NSCLC plates . We conclude that the humoral response to immunization with NSCLC cells or membrane preparations is predominantly IgG and that to SCLC is predominantl