Streptococci

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 32(2), 238 - 44
Effects of nutritional characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae on inhibition of growth by lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide in chemically defined culture medium; Mickelson MN; Five cultures of Streptococcus agalactiae have an absolute requirement for L-cystine to grow in a chemically defined medium . The L-cystine could be replaced with cysteine, glutathione, or the disulfide form of glutathione . Dithiothreitol could not substitute for the sulfur-containing amino acids of glutathione; hence, the growth requirement appears to be truly nutritional . Growth was maximum with 4 to 5 mug of L-cystine per ml . If the concentration of L-cystine was no greater than 4 to 5 mug/ml, complete growth inhibition could be obtained by the addition of lactoperoxidase, thiocyanate, and H2O2 . The growth inhibition, however, was nullified by additions of L-cystine 10-fold or more in excess of the concentration needed for maximum growth . During the aerobic degradation of glucose by cell suspensions, H2O2 accumulation could be shown with cultures 317 and 11-13, the only cultures the growth of which was inhibited without addition of exogenous H2O2 . All of the cultures had varying degrees of peroxidase activity . The balance between H2O2 generation and peroxidase activity of the culture evidently determined whether growth could be inhibited with lactoperoxidase and thiocyanate without H2O2 addition . The growth yeilds per 0.5 mol of the disulfide forms (cystine and oxidized glutathione) were 1.5 and 1.9 times greater than that per 1 mol of the sulfhydryl forms (cysteine and glutathione).

Thorax, 1976 Aug, 31(4), 373 - 9
Infective endocarditis: a survey of cases in the South-East region of Scotland, 1969-72; Smith RH et al.; The incidence and characteristics of infective endocarditis were studied in a defined community over a four-year period . Seventy-eight cases were found, giving an incidence of 16 cases permillion per year . The commonest presenting features were those of infection; 53% had cardiac failure and 37% evidence of emboli when first seen . Twenty-three cases occurred on rheumatic heart valves, 13 on valvular prostheses, and 19 in previously normal hearts . Streptococcus viridans was the commonest organism, but there was a relatively high incidence of staphylococcal infection . Only four cases were preceded by dental manipulation, and no source for the infection was found in 46 patients . The mortality rate was 46%, cardiac failure and embolic phenomena accounting for 65% of deaths . It is unlikely that earlier diagnosis or cardiac surgery would have reduced the mortality appreciably.

Am J Vet Res, 1976 Aug, 37(8), 885 - 90
Conversion of chronic staphylococcal mastitis to acute gangrenous mastitis after neutropenia in blood and bone marrow produced by an equine anti-bovine leukocyte serum; Schalm OW et al.; A stock strain of Staphylococcus aureus of mastitis origin, characterized by alpha-, beta-, and delta-toxins, was used to produce chronic mastitis of 20 to 300 days' duration in 6 lactating mammary quarters of 4 cows . Early acute Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis was produced in 1 additional mammary quarter of 1 cow . Equine anti-bovine leukocyte serum (EABLS) was administered to all cows by continuous intravascular drip for 12 to 32 hours . Neutropenia in blood and partial depletion of neutrophil reserve in bone marrow were produced . Chronic subclinical staphylococcal mastitis in 2 quarters of 1 cow changed to gangrenous mastitis by the 40th hour after EABLS administration and led to death of the cow . The disappearance of neutrophil leukocytes from the milk was followed by uninhibited multiplication of S aureus . Probably, staphylococcal leukocidins accelerated the destruction of neutrophils in the milk as S aureus multiplication became intensified . In another quarter of the same cow that was infected with Str agalactiae, neutrophil leukocytes were present in milk as long as 3 days after their disappearance from blood and bone marrow . This may give some indication of the extravascular life-span of the neutrophil in the udder in mastitis . The 2nd cow died at the 16th hour from the start of EABLS administration and at a time when gangrenous mastitis was in the initial stages of development . The S aureus-infected quarters of the 2 remaining cows did not become gangrenous . Administration of EABLS to these 2 cows did not significantly reduce the numbers of neutrophil leukocytes entering the milk of the 3 S aureus-infected quarters . It is concluded that continuous diapedesis of neutrophil leukocytes into the milk in chronic staphylococcal mastitis protects the gland against the development of gangrenous mastitis in the presence of a strain of S aureus capable of alpha-toxin production.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Aug, (8), 29 - 32
{L-forms of streptococcus in the scanning electron microscope . 1 . Structural elements of L-colonies}; Gulevskaia SA et al.; Broth culture of stable L-forms of beta-hemolytic streptococcus, group A, was studied in the log phase . Internal portion of the centrifugate constituting the matrix of the L-population represented a structureless mass in which the borders of individual cells were not always distinct; the cells adhered to one another and were irregular in shape . The described morphological picture corresponded to the internal part of the L-colonies from the semifluid medium in observation under phase and scanning microscope . A more peripheral portion of the centrifugate was formed by the spherical cells, about 2 mum in diameter; penetrating holes or crater-like invaginates and also small spherical structures, about 0.5 mum in diameter were often revealed on these cells . Filamentous structures, up to 200 mum in length which protruded far into the surrounding environment served as the most peripheral elements . Analogous structure were described in the L-colonies examined by phase contrast microscopy . The data of transmission and scanning microscopy are compared.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1976 Aug, 84(4), 270 - 82
Comparison of cellular and humoral immunity against streptococcal and adult human oral mucosa antigens in relation to exacerbation or recurrent aphthous stomatitis; Donatsky O; Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral mediated immunity (HMI) against streptococcal and adult human oral mucosa (AHOM) antigens were investigated in patients with inactive and active recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) . The CMI and HMI were examined by means of the leucocyte migration test (LMT) and a double layer immunofluorescence (IF) technique . The CMI against Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A, streptococcus pyogenes strain M5, and AHOM was significantly increased in inactive and active RAS . Significant difference between active and inactive RAS was only demonstrated when Strep . 2A was used as antigen in the leucocyte migration cultures . Longitudinal observations in relation to exacerbation of RAS revealed significant changes in the migration indices (MI) when Strep . 2A and AHOM were used as antigens . Extracts of Strep . M5 and other tissues as kidney and uterus did not show any significant changes of MI in relation to the exacerbation of RAS . The IF-investigations detected significantly raised IgG antibodies against washed whole cells of Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A and Streptococcus pyogenes strain M5 in sera from patients with RAS . The autoantibodies in RAS belonged to the immunoglobulin classes IgG and IgM . The detected antibodies were able to blind serum complement (C3) . The distribution of endpoint titres (EPT) against Strep . 2A, Strep . M5, and AHOM antigens did not differ significantly in patients with active RAS in relation to those with inactive RAS . Furthermore, the EPT against Strep . 2A and AHOM were not significantly changed in relation to exacerbation of RAS . The present investigations show that CMI and HMI against streptococcal and AHOM antigens are characteristic features of RAS and indicate that the CMI against Strep . 2A and AHOM is significantly increased in relation to exacerbation of RAS.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Aug, 127(2), 855 - 62
Membrane lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus pyogenes and its stabilized L-form and the effect of two antibiotics upon its cellular content; Slabyj BM et al.; Membrane lipoteichoic acid continues to be synthesized by an osmotically fragile, stabilized L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes . Chromatographic and electrophoretic comparisons indicate that the lipid componenent of lipoteichoic acid in this L-form and its parental streptococcus is glycerophosphoryldiglucosyl diglyceride and not phosphatidylkojibiosyl diglyceride . Based upon dry weight determinations, the yield of lipoteichoic acid from the L-form is 0.19%, as compared with 0.97% from the streptococcus . When grown with bacitracin the L-form contains the same amount of teichoic acid as when grown without this antibiotic; however, its lipoteichoic acid content is reduced by 85% . Similarly, the L-form grown with novobiocin for 10 h contains only 17% of the teichoic acid found in control cells.

Br J Dermatol, 1976 Aug, 95(2), 177 - 80
Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of a twice daily regimen of epicillin capsules for the treatment of skin infections; el Zawahry M et al.; Fifty-five patients with impetigo, ecthyma, or folliculitis caused by epicillin-sensitive strains of Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus were treated with 500 mg epicillin capsules twice daily for an average duration of 9 days . Bacteriological and clinical examinations were performed at 2-day intervals . Favourable clinical responses (excellent or good) were obtained in 95% of the patients . No side effects were observed.

J Pediatr, 1976 Aug, 89(2), 191 - 3
Failure of penicillin to eradicate the carrier state of group B Streptococcus in infants; Paredes A et al.; Serial cultures were obtained from 12 patients being treated with a form of penicillin for group B streptococcal disease or asymptomatic colonization . These cultures were collected prior to initiation of therapy, during therapy, and at the end of the treatment period . Pencillin eradicated GBS from the involved system (blood, CSF, bone, and joint) . Cultures remained positive from at least one of three carrier sites (throat, umbilicus, and rectum) in 70% of patients cultured between days one and eight of treatment and 66% between days 10 and 21 . These data demonstrate the failure of penicillin to eradicate GBS from mucous surfaces of young infants.

J Pediatr, 1976 Aug, 89(2), 182 - 5
Recurrence of group B streptococcal infection; Broughton DD et al.; It is clear that the group B streptococcus has become a major pathogen of young infants within the comparatively recent past . Further it is clear that, as with other endemic and epidemic pathogens, increasing clinical and laboratory experience brings to light variations not initially evident . In addition, therapy presumably effective in initial cases may not continue to be so . The following papers by coincidence were received over a relatively brief period of time . Hence, for emphasis of some of the problems related to this organism, they are presented as a group.

Infect Immun, 1976 Aug, 14(2), 345 - 54
Humoral immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae induced by a pneumococcal ribosomal protein fraction; Swendsen CL et al.; Isolation of a protective subfraction of ribosomes from Streptococcus pneumoniae has been achieved, and the immune response it induces has been investigated . Mice immunized with pneumococcal ribosomes or purified protein extracted from the ribosomal preparation (2-CE protein) exhibit similar survival rates upon challenge by virulent S . pneumoniae . In contrast, recipients of purified ribosomal ribonucleic acid were never protected against pneumococcal challenge . Serum from mice immunized with pneumococcal ribosomes or 2-CE protein passively immunized syngeneic recipients against pneumococcal challenge, whereas spleen cells from the same donors were unable to transfer immunity . Passive immunization with antiribosome serum could be abrogated by absorption with whole ribosomes, 2-CE protein, or various serotypes of S . pneumoniae (capsular types 2, 3, 6, and 14) . Antiribosome serum significantly enhanced clearance of S . pneumoniae from mouse blood in vivo and in vitro . This required phagocytic cells, since antiribosome serum alone, with or without complement, supported growth of S . pneumoniae to an extent comparable to normal serum . The data suggest that the primary immunogen of pneumococcal ribosomes resides in the protein fraction . Further, the immunity induced by the protein fraction is mediated by antibody that appears to function as an opsonin for S . pneumoniae.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Aug, 127(2), 719 - 30
Characteristics and energy requirements of an alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport system in Streptococcus lactis; Thompson J; Galactose-grown cells of Streptococcus lactis ML3 acculated alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) by using energy derived from glycolysis and arginine catabolism . The transport system displayed low-affinity Michaelis-Menten saturation kinetics . Using galactose or arginine as energy sources, similar V max and K m values for AIB entry were obtained, but on prolonged incubation the intracellular steady-state concentration of AIB in cells metabolizing arginine was only 65 to 70% that attained by glycolyzing cells . Efflux of AIB FROM PRELOADED CElls was temperature dependent and exhibited the characteristics of a first-order reaction . The rate of AIB exit was accelerated two- to threefold in the presence of metabolizable energy sources . Metabolic inhibitors including p-chloromercuribenzoate, dinitrophenol, azide, arsentate, and N, N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide either prevented or greatly reduced AIB uptake . Fluoride, iodoacetate and N-ethylmaleimide abolished galactose-dependent, but not arginine-energized, AIB uptake . K+ and Rb+ reduced the steady-state intracellular AIB concentration by approximately 40%, and these cations also induced rapid efflux of solute from actively transporting cells . Equivalent concentrations (10 mM) of Na+, Li+, or NH4+ were much less inhibitory . The proton-conducting ionophores tetrachlorosalicylanilide and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenlyhydrazone abolished uptake and induced AIB efflux even though glycolysis and arginine catabolism continued at 60 and 140%, respectively, of control rates . A proton motive force is most likely involved in the active transport of AIB, whereas data from efflux studies suggest that energy is coupled to AIB exit in cells of S . lactis ML3.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Jul, 127(1), 380 - 91
Enhanced transformability with heterospecific deoxyribonucleic acid in a Streptococcus sanguis mutant impaired in ribonucleic acid polymerase activity; Raina JL et al.; We have induced with nitrosoguanidine in Streptococcus sanguis a mutation conferring inability to grow and synthesize ribonucleic acid (RNA) at 42 C, the optimal temperature for growth and RNA synthesis in the parental strain . The mutation (ts) is transferable via transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and is replaceable by its wild-type allele with fairly high efficiency in transformation reactions . The ts mutation is unlinked to the sites of mutation conferring resistance of rifampin (rifr) and streptolydigin (stgr), known to affect the beta subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase . Extracts from strains carrying the ts mutation are more sensitive to elevated temperatures than are parental extracts when assayed for DNA-dependent RNA polymerase . The conclusion that the mutation causes a temperature-sensitive defect in some component of this enzyme (other than beta) is supported by the finding that the polymerase activity of a heat-inactivated ts stgr extract cannot be increased by addition of an unheated ts stgs extract, which is itself inactivated by streptolydigin . S . sanguis recipients carrying the ts mutation are highly transformable with heterospecific DNA, especially at the restrictive temperature.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Jul, (7), 67 - 70
{Carrier state of the causative agents of infectious diseases and its significance in the development of the epidemic process}; Beliakov VD; Carrier state of the causative agents of the infectious diseases is regarded as a universal phenomenon in infectious pathology . Immunological mechanisms of this phenomenon are discussed . On the basis of analysis of an epidemic process in the streptococcus and staphylococcus infections, and also in influenza and acute respiratory diseases the author formulated the concept on the genotypical and phenotypical nonhomogeneity of the interacting species of the organisms--the parasite and the host . The action mechanism on the epidemic process of the "mixing factor" of humans was shown.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 JUL-AUG, 45(4), 695 - 700
{Biological properties of Streptococcus bovis bacteriophages isolated from lysogenic cultures and sheep rumen}; Tarakanov BV; Biological characteristics of eleven phages for Streptococcus bovis were investigated; seven phage were isolated from ovine rumen and four were virulent mutants of temperate phages of lysogenic cultures . The phages had many properties in common: similar morphology of negative colonies, the identical spectrum of lytic action, related antigens, absolute or high requirement of calcium ions, thermolability, and inactivation by the content of the rumen . Their susceptibility to the inactivating action of acetic acid, urea and temperature was however different . Chloroform and phenol may be used during purification and conservation of the phages.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 JUL-AUG, 45(4), 661 - 7
{Age changes in cells in Streptococcus diacetilactis cultures}; Ushakova NA et al.; The activity of metabolism changed in the cultures of Streptococcus diacetilactis, strain Bogdan, with aging . The number of viable cells decreased as well as the ability to evolve oxygen, to produce C-4 compounds, and to react to pH changes by liberating acids upon alkalifying or neutral products upon acidifying . After the culture had been grown during 72 hours, 2,3-butyleneglycol was found in the cultural broth, and the number of viable cells was low . As was revealed by electron microscopy, the cells were intact during 48 hours; they started to disintegrate by 72 hours . After 120 hours all cells were disintegrated . First, the cells produced no more mesosomes, became less electron dense; then the cell wall was decomposed and the contents of the cell poured through disruptions in the cytoplasmic membrane.

Carbohydr Res, 1976 Jul, 49, 351 - 60
Structure of the levan elaborated by Streptococcus salivarius strain 51: an application of chemical-ionisation mass-spectrometry; Hancock RA et al.; The polysaccharide elaborated by Streptococcus salivarius strain 51 contains beta-D-fructofuranose residues linked through positions 2 and 6, as well as 1, 2, and 6 . The approximate numbers of terminal, non-reducing D-fructofuranose residues and those linked through positions 2 and 6, and through 1, 2, and 6 in the average repeating-unit are 1, 7, and 1, respectively . The branches through the beta-(2 leads to 1)-linkage contain up to at least four D-fructofuranose residues . Chemical-ionisation mass-spectrometry aids the assignment of structures to O-acetyl-O-methylalditols obtained in methylation analysis.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 22(7), 1040 - 7
Bacteriocins of Streptococcus bovis; Iverson WG et al.; Forty-seven strains of Streptococcus bovis were tested for bacteriocin production . Fourteen were found to produce bacteriocins, while all 47 were sensitive to at least one of these bacteriocins . The bacteriocins, on the basis of their host range on S . bovis strains, formed six groups . A representative of each group was selected and characterized by temperature stability, sensitivity to trypsin and lipase, sedimentation by centrifugation, ability to pass through dialysis tubing, host range on other bacterial species, and conditions for production in liquid media . A correlation between mannitol fermentation and bacteriocin production was noted.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 4(1), 95 - 8
Growth of Streptococcus mutans on various selective media; Emilson CG et al.; The ability of Streptococcus mutans to grow on mitis-salivarius (MS) agar, MC agar, mitis-sucrose-bacitracin (MSB), BCY agar, and MM10 sucrose agar was studied . Batch cultures of S . mutans serotype a demonstrated no growth on MSB agar . Certain serotype d and g strains did not grow on MC agar . The yield for most strains of other serotypes on these selective media was lower compared with that on MS agar . The number of total colony-forming units on BCY and MM10 sucrose agar was similar to the blood agar results . Similar data were obtained when fermenter-grown strains, harvested in the middle or the end of the logarithmic growth phase, were used for inoculation of the various media . Enumeration of S . mutans from plaque samples plated on MC and MSB agar yielded about 75% of the counts obtained on MS or the nonselective medium . When the proportions of S . mutans were expressed as a percentage of the total cultivable flora, the selective media (MC and MSB agar) showed approximately 10% lower values than the MS, BCY, and MM10 sucrose agar.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 4(1), 108 - 9
Differential recovery of Streptococcus mutans from various mitis-salivarius agar preparations; Liljemark WF et al.; Recoveries of Streptococcus mutans from human dental plaque were lower when plated on mitis-salivarius agar obtained from Baltimore Biological Laboratories as compared with mitis-salivarius agar obtained from Difco Laboratories . However, no difference in recoveries of established laboratory strains of S . mutans was observed between these two agar preparations.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1976 Jul, 82(7), 831 - 4
{The state of several indices of non-specific immunity in rats with nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis}; Ashimova FM et al.; Changes in the interferon reaction of leukocytes, bactericidal property of the blood serum against the E . coli and streptococcus, the activity of beta-lysins in experimental nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis reproducible with the aid of heterogenous nephrotoxic serum in mongrel male rats were studied . This model permitted to trace the changes in the nonspecific protection mechanisms depending on the pathological process in the kidneys . In nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis the most pronounced changes were seen in the interferon reaction of leukocytes: it decreased up to 90% in comparison with the normal depending on the duration of the disease . In difference from this the changes in the anti-bacterial immunity indices were observed at the period of marked nephrotic process activity.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jul, 14(1), 191 - 202
Regulation and extracellular glucosyltransferase production and the relationship between extracellular and cell-associated activities in Streptococcus mutans; Janda WM et al.; The regulation of extracellular glucosyltransferase production in Streptococcus mutans GS-5 has been studied using a chemically defined medium . Most of the glucosyltransferase activity produced by cells grown in the chemically defined medium was extracellular, in contrast with the distribution between cell-associated and extracellular glucosyltransferase activity when cells were grown in complex medium . The production of extracellular glucosyltransferase activity coincided with the logarithmic growth phase, and further accumulation ceased when glucose was exhausted from the medium . Accumulation of extracellular glucosyltransferase activity was inhibited immediately by chloramphenicol and rifamycin, added either at the beginning of growth or during mid-logarithmic growth . Low concentrations of chloramphenicol inhibited both cellular protein synthesis and the accumulation of extracellular glucosyltransferase activity to the same extent, indicating a close coupling between glucosyltransferase synthesis and secretion . Experiments using cell lysates showed that no intracellular accumulation of glucosyltransferase activity occurred in the presence of the inhibitors and that the intracellular activity is very low relative to the cell-surface activity . The utilization of cells depleted of cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity indicated that most of the cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity does not act as a precursor for the extracellular enzyme . Sugar analogue inhibitors of glycoprotein synthesis did not have any specific effects on the synthesis or secretion of extracellular glucosyltransferase activity.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 32(1), 45 - 52
Transductional evidence for plasmid linkage of lactose metabolism in streptococcus lactis C2; McKay LL et al.; A lactose-negative (Lac-), proteinase-negative (Prt-) mutant, designated C145 was isolated from Streptococcus lactis C2 after treatment with nitrosoguanidine and ultraviolet irradiation . The mutant appeared to be cured of the prophage(s) present in S . lactis C2 based on non-inducibility by ultraviolet irradiation or mitomycin C . When cleared lysate material from C145 was subjected, to cesium chloride-ethidum bromide (EB) density gradient centrifugation, no plasmid peak was observed, suggesting that C145 was cured of plasmid deoxyribonucleic and (DNA) . A histogram showing distribution of contour lengths of circular molecules of DNA from C145, however, revealed the presence of a greatly diminished number of DNA molecules as compared with the parent culture and indicated the absence of the 30 x 10(6) plasmid . Cesium chloride-ethidium bromide gradient profiles from Lac+, Prt- and Lac+ Prt+ transductants of C145 revealed no plasmid peak, but electron microscopy of the fractions normally possessing the satellite band of DNA showed the presence of a new plasmid species having a molecular weight from 20 x 10(6) to 22 x 10(6) . This plasmid was lost when the transductants became Lac- . Examination of a plasmid histogram from a spontaneous Lac- Prt- mutants of S . lactis C2 resembled that of C145, with the absence of the 30 x 10(6) plasmid and the presence of the 22 x 10(6) plasmid in Lac+ Prt+ transductants . The results suggest that lactose metabolism is mediated through the 30 x 10(6) plasmid in S . lactis C2 and that the transducing bacteriophage, which is too small to accommodate the entire plasmid, is transferring about two-thirds of the original plasmid through a process termed transductional shortening.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 32(1), 38 - 44
Plasmids in Streptococcus lactis: evidence that lactose metabolism and proteinase activity are plasmid linked; Efstathiou JD et al.; Populations of lactose positive (Lac+) and proteinase positive (Prt+) cells from Streptococcus lactis M18, C10, and ML3 grown at 39 degrees C gave rise to increasing proportions of Lac- Prt- clones . The deficiencies did not appear until after a number of generations at the elevated temperature, and the rate depended on the strain.Lac- Prt+ and Lac+ Prt- mutants were isolated after treatment with ethidium bromide . Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated by cesium chloride-ethidium bromide equilibrium density gradient centrifugation from the parent cultures as well as from their Lac- Prt-, Lac- Prt+, and Lac+ Prt- mutants . Five distinct plasmid sizes of approximate molecular weights of 2,4, 8, 21, and 27 million were found in S . lactis C10, whereas the Lac- Prt- derivative lacked the 8- and 21-million-dalton plasmids, but the 8-million-dalton plasmid was present in the Lac-Att mutant . In S . lactis m18 five plasmids possessing molecular weights of about 2, 4, 10, 18 and 27 million were observed . The 10- and 18-million-dalton plasmids were not detected in the Lac- Prt- mutants, whereas the Lac- Prt+ derivative lacked only the 18-million-dalton plasmid and the Lac+ Prt- mutant lacked only the 10-million-dalton plasmid . In S . lactis ML3 five distinct plasmids, with approximate molecular weights of 2, 4, 8, 22, and 30 million, were present . The 8- and 22-million-dalton plasmids were not detected in the Lac- Prt- derivative, but the 8-million-dalton plasmid was present in the Lac- Prt+ mutant . The evidence suggests that lactose-fermenting ability and proteinase activity in these organisms are mediated through two distinct plasmids having molecular weights of 8 x 10(6) to 10 x 10(6) for proteinase activity and 18 x 10(6) to 22 x 10(6) for lactose metabolism.

G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1976 Jul-Dec, 69(7-12), 215 - 9
{Interaction in vitro between polymorphonuclear leukocytes and subcellular fractions of Streptococcus pyogenes}; Tufano MA et al.; The effects of cellular subfractions of S . pyogenes on phagocytosis from neutrophils were studied . Cell-walls and membranes were found to stimulate the phagocytosis at low concentrations: at immediately higher doses they show to have a citotoxic effect.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm, 1976 Jul, 14(1), 75 - 7
Double-blind comparison of phlebitis associated with cefazolin and cephalothin; Cole DR; In a double-blind, crossover study in 28 patients having infections susceptible to cephalosporins (mostly Staphylococcus or Streptococcus), phlebitis developed in twice as many patients (46.4%) receiving intravenous cephalothin within 48 hours, as in patients (21.4%) receiving intravenous cefazolin over the same time period . Likewise, drug therapy had to be discontinued more frequently with cephalothin (39%) than with cefazolin (21%), and the percentage of patients reporting pain or discomfort scores of 1+ or higher was greater with cephalothin (46.4%) than with cefazolin (21.4%) . In our study, the intravenous administration of cefazolin was associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis than was cephalothin.

Circ Res, 1976 Jul, 39(1), 82 - 92
Abnormalities in heart membranes and myofibrils during bacterial infective cardiomyopathy in the rabbit; Tomlinson CW et al.; We studied hearts from sham-operated and uninfected catheterized rabbits as well as from rabbits at early and late stages of cardiomyopathy and failure after 3 and 6 days of infection with Streptococcus viridans . No ultrastructural abnormalities or biochemical changes in membrane and myofibrillar activities were seen in 3-day uninfected hearts . In 6-day uninfected hearts there were decreased sarcolemmal M2+ ATPase, Na+-K+ ATPase, adenylate cyclase and calcium binding, microsomal calcium binding and uptake, and myofibrillar Ca2+-stimulated ATPase as well as increased mitochondrial calcium uptake . Slight ultrastructural changes also were apparent in 6-day uninfected hearts . At both early and late stages of infective cardiomyopathy and failure there were varying degrees of depression in sarcolemmal Mg2+ ATPase, Na+-K+ ATPase, adenylate cyclase and calcium binding, microsomal calcium binding, calcium uptake and basal ATPase, and myofibrillar Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activities . However, sarcolemmal Ca2+ ATPase and myofibrillar Mg2+ ATPase activities were decreased only after 6 days of infection . Mitochondrial calcium binding and uptake were increased in early stages but decreased in late stages of disease . Furthermore in infected hearts there were defects in mitrochondrial respiration and phosphorylation . Generalized severe myocardial cell damage involving myofibrils, mitochondria, and the sarcotubular system was seen only in late stages of infection . The results demonstrate impairment of different membrane and contractile protein functions as well as ultrastructural abnormalities in bacterial cardiomyopathic hearts which were absent or of lesser magnitude in hearts with only hypertrophy . The findings reported here suggest to use that there is an association between heart failure and changes in function of cellular components during bacterial infective cardiomyopathy.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jul, 14(1), 203 - 11
Chemical and immunological properties of the type f polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus mutans; Hamada S et al.; The type-specific cell wall polysaccharide antigen was extracted, purified, and characterized from type f Streptococcus mutans strain OMZ175 and MT557 . The antigen was extracted from lyophilized cells with 5% trichloroacetic acid at 85 C for 15 min or saline at 120 C for 30 min . The trichloroacetic acid antigen was chromatographically separated into three antigenic fractions on a diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 column . Antigen 1 (Ag1P), which was specific for type f antiserum, was further purified by passing through carboxymethyl-Sephadex C-25 and Sephadex G-200 columns . It was a polysaccharide composed of 49% rhamnose and 47% glucose . No reaction was obtained with anti-polyglycerophosphate (PGP) serum . Antigen 2 was reactive with both type f and PGP antisera and contained significant amounts of protein and phosphorus . Antigen 3 was reactive only with PGP antiserum and had no type specificity . The polysaccharide antigen gave a single precipitin band against type-specific antiserum on immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis . The presence of alpha-1,6-glucosidic linkages was indicated by a 90% inhibition of the precipitin reaction by isomaltose and alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside, adsorption to and release from a concanavalin A-Sepharose column, and reaction with an S . mutans (type e) glucan antiserum . This antiserum was used to show that the type f polysaccharide antigen did not contain free glucan . An analysis of the antigen released from the antigen-glucan antiserum complex showed the presence of rhamnose and glucose . This released antigen also reacted with an f antiserum, which did not react with commercial dextran . The results show that the type f polysaccharide antigen is the first of those S . mutans type-specific polysaccharides identified to be immunologically related to an S . mutans glucan.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1976 Jul-Aug, 12(4), 629 - 35
{Desugarization of egg white by microorganisms}; Stoianova LG et al.; Glucose was eliminated from egg whites, using microorganisms, to prevent melanoidin formation which may damage the product . Desugarization was achieved by means of Acetobacter xylinum, Streptococcus lactis, Propionibacterium shermanii, Pr . petersonii and propionicacid cocci . Optimal conditions of desugarization were found, depending on the physiological characteristics of the above microorganisms . Propionibacterium shermanii may be well used to ferment a liquid egg white . These bacteria have no proteolytic properties and make no use of the egg white . They enrich the egg white with vitamin B12 and propionate, a preserving agent, during fermentation.

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), 1976 Jul-Aug, 4(4), 269 - 78
{Etiopathogenesis of necrotizing arteritis (leukocytoclastic vasculitis)}; Sanchez Yus E et al.; The small vessel's necrotizing angiitis (necrotizing microangiitis (NMA), leucocytoclastic angiitis) form a continuous spectrum from the exclusively cutaneous forms of Gougreot, to those which seriously affect the viscera, as the very acute and fatal cases of Zeek, passing through a series of intermediate phases, in which Schonlein-Henoch's purpura is found . In all of these clinical forms, the existence of an allergic mechanism has been suggested from their origin itself and in 1964 Alarcon-Segovia and Brown grouped them under the common denominator of allergic angiitis . Later investigations are far from completely confirming this hypothesis . In isolated cases, the clinical sequence corroborates the hypothesis of a bacterian aetiology (local septic focus), but in the Schonlein-Henoch purpura it has not been proven that there is a greater streptococcus beta-haemolytic frequency is the throat nor a greater number of antibodies in the serum than in normal children or those affected by illnesses not related to rheumatic fever . The aetiologic role of drugs and food is very difficult to prove . The anatomopathologic similarity between the Arthus reaction, the serum sickness and the spontaneous human NMA have led to the hypothesis that the NMA are immunocomplex (IC) diseases . In order to try to prove this, basically three techniques have been used: Direct immunofluorescence to show the IC tissue deposits, and mixed cryoglobulinemia and the serum's anti-complementary activity for the circulating IC . Direct immunofluorescence shows, in approximately 50% of the cases, the presence of IgG and C3 in the damaged vessels (also IgM with frequency) . But, are these found combined as complexes? Parish, in some cases of presumably post-bacterial angiitis, has shown the simultaneous presence of the bacterian antigen and the Ig . The direct immunofluorescence negativity can be due to: (1) The IC being rapidly eliminated by the neutrophils; (2) the fact that these are nonimmunologic pathologic cases . On the other hand, the IC deposit could be a passive phenomenon in a previously damaged vessel . With great frequency, mixed cryoglobulinemia is associated with systemic conditions of the auto-immune type (collagenosis, etc) or of the malignant lymphoid haemopathy type, and with NMA . With what frequency is mixed cryoglobulinemia found in the NMA? 33% of the 47 cream's cases.What is the pathogenic relationship between processes? Often the cryoglobulin components are found deposited in angiitis lesions, but its presence and intensity does not guard any relationship with the cryoglobulinemia rate . Besides the 33% of the cases with mixed cryoglobulinemia, 13% serum's anti-complementary activity, and the remaining 54% had no indications of circulating IC with the usual techniques . Of 104 cases of Schonlein-Henoch purpura, 75 of which had nephritis, only 10% had hypocomplementemia . In summary, in about 50% of the patients with NMA, no reasonable indication of IC disease was found...

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1976 Jul, 80(1), 9 - 17
Purification and characterization of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases and beta-galactosidase from Streptococcus 6646 K; Kiyohara T et al.; Three beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases {EC 3.2.1.52} and one beta-galactosidase {EC 3.2.1.23} were purified from the culture filtrate of streptococcus 6646 group K by a combination of column chromatographies on p-aminophenyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-substituted Sepharose and N-(paminophenyl)oxamic acid-substituted Sepharose . These beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases showed optimal activities between pH 5.0 and 5.5 and could hydrolyze synthetic and glycopeptidic substrates . Glycolipids such as GM2, asialo-GM2, and globoside I were no susceptible to these beta-hexosaminidases . beta-Galactosidase, which was purified more than 11,000-fold, had a substrate specificity rather similar to that of beta-galactosidase from E . coli . This enzyme was inhibited by EDTA and activated by Mn2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ . Problems pertinent to the application of affinity chromatography to the purification of glycosidases are also discussed.

J Pharm Sci, 1976 Jul, 65(7), 1070 - 2
Synthesis, physicochemical parameters, and in vitro evaluation of N1-p-chlorophenyl-N5-alkylbiguanides; Warner VD et al.; A series of N1-p-chlorophenyl-N5-alkylbiguanides were synthesized as potential inhibitors of dental plaque . Partition coefficients and pKa values were determined by standard methods . Biological activity was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans, a pure strain of plaque-forming bacteria . All compounds were compared to chlorhexidine acetate.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Jul, 127(1), 281 - 90
Metabolism of the reserve polysaccharide of Streptococcus mitior (mitis): is there a second alpha-1,4-glucan phosphorylase?
Pulkownik A, Walker GJ.
The alpha-1,4-glucan phosphorylase (alpha-1,4-glucan: orthophosphate glucosyltransferase; EC 2.4.1.1) associated with the particulate cell fraction of Streptococcus mitior strain S3 was compared with the soluble maltodextrin phosphorylase that had been previously isolated from the same organism (Walker et al., 1969) . The particulate enzyme was more sensitive to the glycogen content of the cell than the soluble euzyme; its activity was highest when the cells were grown under conditions favoring high glycogen storage . Substrate specificities of the two high activity towards endogenous glycogen, whereas low-molecular-weight maltodextrins were the preferred substrates for the soluble phosphorylase . The purification of the particulate phosphorylase included incubation of the particulate fraction in 160 mM sodium phosphate-10 mM sodium citrate-0.1% (wt/vol) Triton X-100 buffer (pH 6.7) and ion-exchange chromatography on diethylamino-ethyl- Sephadex A-50 . The purified enzyme was fully soluble . The value for the purification factor was variable and depended on (i) the substrate used and (ii) whether the synthetic or the degradative reaction was being measured . The solubilization resulted in considerable changes in the properties of the phosphorylase: the pH optimum for activity was raised from 6.0 to 7.0-7.5 and the substrate specificity was altered . Consequently, the purified enzyme bore greater similarity to the soluble maltodextrin phosphorylase . The reported results are best explained in terms of a single phosphorylase, the specificity which is determind by its binding state in the cell . The enzyme acts as a glycogen phosphorylase in the particulate state and as a maltodextrin phosphorylase when soluble . The equilibrium between the two forms is related to the glycogen content of the cells.

Science, 1976 Jun 18, 192(4245), 1238 - 40
Ingestion of Streptococcus mutans induces secretory immunoglobulin A and caries immunity; Michalek SM et al.; Ingestion of killed cells of a highly cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans induced specific antibodies in both saliva and milk but not in serum of gnotobiotic rats . These antibodies were associated with the immunoglobulin A class . When infected with Streptococcus mutans, orally immunized animals developed significantly fewer carious lesions than nonimmunized infected controls.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Jun 7, 438(1), 90 - 101
Purification and properties of pyruvate kinase from Streptococcus lactis; Crow VL et al.; The pyruvate kinase (ATP: pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) of Streptococcus lactis C10 is activated by fructose 1,6-diphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2), activity being a sigmoidal function of activator concentration . The FDP0.5V (Fru-1,6-P2 concentration giving half-maximal velocity) is markedly increased in the presence of low concentrations of inorganic phosphate; 1 mM phosphate increases the FDP0.5V value 6-fold . Although the intracellular level of Fru-1,6-P2 (12-18 mM) in exponentially growing cells on the medium used is much greater than the FDP0.5V for pyruvate kinase (0.2 mM) as determined in triethanolamine-HCl buffer, a much higher Fru-1,6-P2 concentration may be required to activate the enzyme in vivo to overcome phosphate inhibition . Tris and maleate also inhibit the enzyme . At low concentrations of Fru-1,6-P2 (0.1 mM), reaction rate is a sigmoidal function of both phosphoenolpyruvate and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentrations; at near saturating concentrations of activator (1 mM) the response to varying ADP is hyperbolic while the response to varying phosphoenolpyruvate becomes much less sigmoidal . The affinity for both substrates (especially phosphoenolpyruvate) is also increased by increasing the concentration of Fru-1,6-P2 . The affinity of the enzyme for guanosine disphosphate (GDP) is 12-13 times that for ADP under the assay conditions used . The Streptococcus lactis pyruvate kinase has a molecular weight of 240000 with a subunit molecular weight of 60000.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Jun, 22(6), 891 - 5
Electron microscopy of antibody-labelled cells of Streptococcus mutans; Emyanitoff RG et al.; Examination of immune complexes between cells of Streptococcus mutans and homologous antiserum by the techniques of thin-sectioning and freeze-etching revealed that the cells were embedded within and extensive matrix 80-90 nm thick with defined boundaries.

J Dairy Res, 1976 Jun, 43(2), 283 - 90
Cytochemical observations on the extracellular carbohydrate produced by Streptococcus cremoris; Brooker BE; Electron microscopy showed that a varying proportion of cells of Streptococcus cremoris NCDO 924 grown in autoclaved skim-milk possessed a layer of extracellular material attached to the cell wall . Occasional filamentous extensions of this layer made contact with neighbouring casein micelles . The same surface-staining material persisted during the production of cheese-curd, but after maximum scald it was predominantly filamentous in appearance . These filaments made frequent contact with the adjacent curd matrix and with milk-fat globules . Str . cremoris NCDO 1986 produced similar surface material when in curd, but not when grown in skim-milk . In all situations, the extracellular material stained with colloidal iron hydroxide, ruthenium red and periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate, indicating that it was largely composed of an acidic carbohydrate . It is suggested that this carbohydrate facilitates the adhesion of starter bacteria to the cheese-curd matrix and that during the initial stages of syneresis this serves to prevent their expulsion from the curd with the whey.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jun, 13(6), 1775 - 7
Differential inhibition of Streptococcus mutans in vitro adherence by anti-glucosyltransferase antibodies; Kuramitsu HK et al.; Antibodies prepared against an insoluble-soluble glucan-synthesizing fraction significantly inhibited in vitro adherence of Streptococcus mutans, whereas antibodies directed against a soluble glucan-synthesizing fraction were much less inhibitory.

J Dairy Res, 1976 Jun, 43(2), 275 - 82
Autolysis of Streptococcus cremoris; Sullivan JJ et al.; The autolysin of Streptococcus cremoris had the specificity of an endo-N-acetylmuramidase as it hydrolysed the linkage between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine . The enzyme had no amidase or endopeptidase action . It reached highest activity in the exponential phase of growth and in the electron microscope seemed to fragment the coccal wall at the equatorial ring.

Carbohydr Res, 1976 Jun, 48(2), 245 - 53
alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl fluoride as a D-glucopyranosyl donor for a glycosyltransferase complex from Streptococcus mutans FA1; Figures WR et al.; alpha-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride can serve as the D-glucopyranosyl donor for the glycosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans . The products of the reaction are a D-glucan of high molecular weight and fluoride ion . The rate of reaction was measured by an electrode specific for the fluoride ion . The reaction was inhibited by the substrate at concentrations greater than 30 mM, but was not affected by fluoride ion . There was little inhibition of the reaction by a series of monosaccharides, except for 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-mannitol, and 3-deoxy-D-ribo-hexose . Maltose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose, and D-fructose all stimulated the release of fluoride from alpha-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Jun, 22(6), 853 - 7
Lysogeny in Streptococcus bovis; Iverson WG et al.; Forty-eight strains of Streptococcus bovis were tested for induction with mitomycin C . Eleven inducible strains were found and the lysates of all 11 contained bacteriophage-like particles . The lysate of one strain also contained large numbers of particles which closely resembled polyheads . Eight of the lysates produced zones of inhibition on indicator strains and viable bacteriophages were detected in six lysates . The sources of the S . bovis were ovine and bovine rumen fluid (23 strains), ovine and bovine feces (5 strains), blood cultures from human endocarditis (8 strains), and a wide variety of other sources (12 strains) . Only 1 of 23 rumen S . bovis strains was lysogenic, which suggests that lysogenic S . bovis strains are not an important source of bacteriophages in the rumen.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Jun, (6), 21 - 6
{Effect of antitissue serum antibodies cross reacting with microbial antigens on the course of the infectious process}; Ogurtsov RP; Administration of rabbit and mouse antirenal and antihepatic sera, containing antibodies to the vaccines of streptococcus group C and Candida albicans, to CBA mice 24 hours before infection intensified the severity of the course of the streptococcus and candida infection . On the contrary, antibodies isolated from rabbit and mouse antirenal and antiskin sera cross-reacting with the microbial antigens attenuated the course of an infectious process caused by the corresponding causative agent, when these antibodies were administered to the animals.

J Pediatr, 1976 Jun, 88(6), 972 - 4
Serious group A streptococcal diseases in children; Burech DL et al.; The illnesses of 40 patients with diagnoses of septicemia, cellulitis with bacteremia, pneumonia empyema, and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A, are described . Twenty-five of 27 patients (93%) without underlying disease survived, whereas only seven of 13 children (54%) with underlying disease survived . Nine of the 25 patients who were otherwise normal and who survived these infections had prolonged, complicated illnesses . Four of these patients, and one who died, had septicemia without a focus of infection at the time of admission . Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A, although very sensitive to penicillin G and other antibiotics, can cause both severe and rapidly progressive disease in children.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1976 Jun, 57(3), 255 - 65
Anti-streptococcal antibodies reacting with brain tissue . II . Utrastructural studies; Dorling J et al.; The reaction of rabbit anti-Streptococcus pyogenes type 24 with mouse brain has been studied at the ultrastructural level using horseradish peroxidase labelled antiglobulin . It is shown that these antibodies, and by inference those found in Sydenham's chorea, react with the fibrous astrocyte . The cross-reacting antigen is the glial filament or a closely associated cytoplasmic constituent.

Antibiotiki, 1976 Jun, 21(6), 499 - 501
{Effect of the initial pH value of the medium on the growth of Streptococcus lactis and the biosynthesis of nisin}; Egorov NS et al.; The effect of the initial pH value of the medium within 4.0 to 6.6 on the growth of Str . lactis and biosynthesis of nicin was studied . It was found that at the initial pH 4.0--4.5 of the medium the growth of the culture was poor, i.e . 11--14% of the control (initiral pH 6.6) . With an increase in the value of the initial pH at least to 5.0 the growth of Str . lactis also increased . At the initial pH 4.0 no biosynthesis of nicin was observed . Under the experimental conditions the antibiotic synthesis by tr . lactic started at the initial pH being equal to 4.5 and reached its maximum at pH 6.6.

Recent Adv Stud Cardiac Struct Metab, 1976 May 26-29, 12, 191 - 8
Alteration in calcium metabolism in cardiac hypertrophy and failure caused by bacterial infection; Tomlinson CW et al.; Left ventricular hypertrophy was seen in catheterized, uninfected rabbits, whereas contractile failure superimposed upon hypertrophy was observed in catheterized animals after injection with Streptococcus viridans within six days . The infected animals showed marked changes in the ultrastructure of the left heart in comparison to the uninfected rabbits . The levels of calcium and potassium were decreased, whereas sodium was increased in both infected and uninfected hearts; however, magnesium levels did not change in uninfected hearts but were decreased at three days and increased at six days of infection . The microsomal calcium uptake was decreased in six-day uninfected as well as three-and six-day infected hearts . On the other hand, the mitochondrial calcium uptake was increased in six-day uninfected and three-day infected hearts but decreased in six-day infected hearts . The sarcolemmal calcium binding and (Na+,K+)ATPase activities were decreased in six-day uninfected as well as three- and six-day infected hearts . These results dramatic changes in intracellular calcium metabolism in myocardial hypertrophy and failure caused by bacterial infection.

Infect Immun, 1976 May, 13(5), 1522 - 4
Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase: availability of disaggregated enzyme after growth in a chemically defined medium; Schachtele CF et al.; The soluble dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5) activity produced by Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 during growth on a chemically defined synthetic medium (FMS) was compared to enzyme from glucose broth cultures (TSB) . Growth on the two media was similar . The specific activity of ammonium sulfate-precipitated FMC enzyme was 17 times greater than similar TSB enzyme preparations . The FMC enzyme was stimulated 11-fold, whereas the TSB enzyme was stimulated 1.2-fold by the addition of exogenous primer dextran . In contrast to the TSB enzyme, the FMC activity could be disaggregated to a low-molecular-weight form by 1 M salt . Thus, low-molecular-weight S . mutans dextransucrase activity free of contaminating primer glucan may be readily obtained after growth of the bacterium in a chemically defined sucrose-free medium.

Am Heart J, 1976 May, 91(5), 545 - 9
Editorial: Observations on the diagnosis of isolated rheumatic carditis; Ward C; There are many similarities between the clinical features of viral heart disease and of rheumatic carditis, as defined in the revised Jones criteria for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever . Because of this, it is likely that viral heart disease has been, and still is, diagnosed as rheumatic . This situation can be avoided if isolated rheumatic carditis is diagnosed only when a viral etiology has been definitely excluded, and when there is unequivocal evidence of recent infection with an appropriate strain of streptococcus.

J Dent Res, 1976 May-Jun, 55(3), 391 - 9
Caseinolytic and glyoprotein hydrolase activity of Streptococcus mutans; Cowman RA et al.; Proteolytic hydrolysis of casein and porcine or bovine glycoproteins by S mutans was demonstrated in the present study . Caseinolytic activity was found in both the soluble contents of the cells and the cellular debris after rupture of the cells . However, caseinolytic activity could not be demonstrated after growth in the culture fluid from any of the strains of S mutans tested . The soluble fractions of S mutans did not possess glycoprotein hydrolase activity toward porcine or bovine glycoprotein, but glycoprotein hydrolase activity was present in both the cell-debris preparation from cells and in the culture fluid after growth of the cultures . Based on these observations, S mutans may possess several different types of proteinase enzymes with differing specificities for protein substrates.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 May-Jun, 45, 425 - 8
{Ability of various lactic bacteria to transform aspartate and glutamate}; Zviagintsev VI et al.; Transformation of labelled glutamic and aspartic acids (5-14C, 4-14C) was studied in growth media of various strains of Streptococcus acetonicus . These strains which participate in production of cheese with excellent organoleptic properties are active in synthesis of di- and tricarboxylic acids, and also keto acids . Such a relationship was not found in the case of 5-14C-glutamic acid.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 May, 3(5), 474 - 9
Effect of sonic treatment on pure cultures and aggregates of bacteria; Robrish SA et al.; Pure cultures of a variety of bacteria were treated with ultrasonic energy using a sonic probe . Fractions of organisms killed at different sonic energies were calculated, and Streptococcus mutans was 600 times more resistant than Fusobacterium nucleatum, the most sensitive organism tested . The effects of sonic treatment on aggregates of bacteria were examined, and the results were interpreted as a model of the events that probably occur during the sonic dispersion of dental plaque.

Immunology, 1976 May, 30(5), 619 - 27
Serum glucosyltransferase-inhibiting antibodies and dental caries in rhesus monkeys immunized against Streptococcus mutans; Russell MW et al.; Serum antibodies to glucosyltransferase (GTF) of Streptococcus mutans serotype c were assayed sequentially by means of an enzyme inhibition radio-assay in twenty-six Rhesus monkeys immunized with S . mutans . Pre-immune and control sera had a GTP-enhancing effect which was shown also by albumin and non-immune immunoglobulin fractions . GTF-inhibitory activity was found in IgG fractions from some immune sera and could be absorbed by S . mutans cells possessing cell-bound GTF . Inhibitory antibodies to GTF developed in the sera of four monkeys immunized with hydroxylapatite extract of culture supernatant (HACS), and in four out of fifteen monkeys immunized with S . mutans cells, but in none of the seven sham-immunized control animals . The monkeys immunized with HACS showed no reduction in caries . A correlation has been demonstrated between protection against caries and the early development of serum IgG antibodies to antigens present in HACS but there was no consistent association between protection against caries and GTF-inhibitory antibodies . The results also suggest the possibility that other antibodies, possibly present in the IgM or IgA fractions and having an enhancing effect on GTF, may increase the incidence of caries.

Br J Nutr, 1976 May, 35(3), 333 - 41
An improved procedure for the assay of available lysine and methionine in feedstuffs using Tetrahymena pyriformis W; Shorrock C; 1 . A study was made of the assay of available lysine and available methionine using Tetrahymena pyriformis W, as applied to a variety of protein-rich feedstuffs . 2 . Results were strongly influenced by the conditions under which the analyses were done . With most of the test samples predigestion with papain caused a large increase in the values obtained . 3 . An improved assay procedure was developed which included enzymic predigestion of the test samples, "all-in" sterilization of the medium constituents, and measurement of growth from extinction values . It gave results for available lysine that were broadly similar to those obtained in growth tests with rats, and in chemical tests by the method of Carpenter (1960) . Values for available methionine agreed closely with those obtained in microbiological tests with Streptococcus zymogenes.

Infect Immun, 1976 May, 13(5), 1408 - 17
Effects of a streptococcal lipoteichoic acid on host responses in mice; Miller GA et al.; A teichoic acid (TA) extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes 1-RP41 was previously shown to be an immunosuppressant under certain conditions (Miller and Jackson, 1973) . The TA has now been shown to be a lipoteichoic acid composed of 40% glycerol, 20% alanine, 13% phosphorus, and 8% glucose, with a variable content of fatty acids . Teh presence of the polyglycerol phosphate backbone and fatty acid was required for maximum immunosuppression of the primary immunoglobulin M response to sheep cells . A complex, nonlinear, time-dependent dosage relationship in suppression of the anti-sheep erythrocyte response in mice was observed . TA depressed the anamnestic response to sheep cells in the mouse and could affect this response whether administered before the primary antigen challenge or immediately before the secondary challenge . In distinct contrast, TA enhanced antibody production to Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide when assessed by counting plaque-forming cells or measuring antilipopolysaccharide serum titers . The TA failed to stimulate a large uptake of {3H}TdR by murine spleen cells; however, it significantly enhanced the clearance of carbon by the reticuloendothelial system.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1976 May, 71(5), 659 - 65
Operative treatment of active endocarditis; Stinson EB et al.; During the past decade 44 patients with active endocarditis, defined as valvular infection requiring operative intervention before completion of a planned course of antibiotic therapy, have been treated at Stanford University Medical Center . Twenty-seven patients had infection of a native valve (primary endocarditis) and 17 had infection of a previously implanted intracardiac prosthesis . In 91 per cent of cases urgent valve replacement was dictated by rapid hemodynamic deterioration and in the remainder by recurrent macroemboli or persistent sepsis . Various species of Streptococcus were the most common organisms encountered, followed by Staphylococcus aureus . Unusual bacteria were mostly limited to patients with prosthetic infections; Candida was seen in both groups . Aortic valve replacement was required in 80 per cent of patients . Operative mortality rates were 30 per cent in the group with primary disease and 24 per cent in the group with disease of the prosthetic valve . Most deaths were attributable to multiple system complications generated preoperatively and were unrelated to duration of preoperative antibiotic administration . Five-year survival rates for operative survivors were 68 per cent (primary) and 54 per cent (prosthetic) . This experience illustrates the potential therapeutic benefit of operative intervention during active infective endocarditis complicated by severe heart failure or other life-threatening events.

J Infect Dis, 1976 May, 133(5), 500 - 5
Nonspecific resistance to infection induced in mice by a water-soluble adjuvant derived from Mycobacterium smegmatis; Elin RJ et al.; The effect of a nontoxic, water-soluble adjuvant (Neo-WSA) from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis on the susceptibility of mice to infection with four challenge organisms was studied . An intravenous dose of 1 mg of Neo-WSA per mouse 24 hr before challenge enhanced resistance to infection with a fungus (Candida albicans), a gram-negative bacterium (Klebsiella pneumoniae), and a gram-positive bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae) . Protection by Neo-WSA was not significant when the mice were challenged with a malarial parasite . Plasmodium berghei . When 1 mg of Neo-WSA was given intravenously to mice 10 min before challenge with C . albicans, protection was significant, but when the same dose was given two or six days prior to challenge, mice were not protected . The concentration of iron in serum had not changed significantly 1 or 24 hr after the intravenous injection of 1 mg of Neo-WSA . Thus Neo-WSA is capable of inducing nonspecific resistance to certain experimental infections in mice . The protection afforded by administration of Neo-WSA 10 min before challenge, the lack of protection afforded by administration of Neo-WSA six days before challenge, and the lack of significant change in the serum iron concentration clearly separate this compound from bacterial endotoxins, which are classical inducers of nonspecific resistance to infection.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1976 May, 81(5), 570 - 2
{Autoantibodies to the common antigenic determinant of group A streptococcal polysaccharide and epithelial cells of mammalian thymus and skin}; Liampert IM et al.; A cross-reactive (CR) antigenic determinant in the polysaccharide of group A streptococus and the mammalian thymus and skin was studied . The CR antigen was found in adult humans and human embryos irrespective of the blood group, as well as in the tissues of all the animal species studied, including rabbits immunized with streptococcus and producing antibodies to A polysaccharide . Evidence was obtained that the antibodies elaborated to the CR determinant of polysaccharide A and of the tissue epithelium should be classed as autoantibodies . It is suggested that reaction of these antobodies with the CR antigen in the thymus could serve as one of the causes of autoimmune thymitis during rheumatic fever.

Z Naturforsch {C}, 1976 May-Jun, 31(5-6), 245 - 51
Physiological effects of sucrose substitutes and artificial sweeteners on growth pattern and acid production of glucose-grown Streptococcus mutans strains in vitro; Linke HA et al.; The synergistic effects of four sucrose substitutes, polysorbate and five artificial sweeteners were studied in vitro on growth pattern and acid production of seven glucose-grown Streptococcus mutans strains, representing the five serological groups after Bratthall . Four distinct growth patterns during glucose fermentation were observed: high rate of growth with low acid production, moderate growth rate with moderate acid production, moderate growth rate with high acid production, and slow rate of growth with moderate acid production . Depending on the strain used, the final OD at 546 nm ranged from 0.55 to 0.99 and the final pH of the medium varied between 4.65 and 4.15 . While added sucrose substitutes, with exceptions, usually enhanced growth rate, most artificial sweeteners suppressed or, at higher concentrations, even inhibited growth of S . mutans; addition of polysorbate to the medium always increased growth rate of S . mutans significantly . The presence of sucrose substitutes during glucose fermentation had no effect on final pH of the medium, but addition of artificial sweeteners, especially sodium saccharin, elevated final pH up to 1.8 units . The observed physiological patterns and differences within the several strains of S . mutans during glucose fermentation in vitro do not necessarily relate to the five serological groups of the species.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1976 May, 29(5), 559 - 70
Quantitative and qualitative determinations of the combined effect of tetracycline and oleandomycin . I . In vitro effect; Tone J et al.; Growth inhibitory effect of combined treatment of tetracycline (TC) and oleandomycin (OM), at a ratio of 2:1, on certain species of pathogenic bacteria including drug-resistant ones was examined . By the crossed paper strip method, synergistic effects were demonstrated against 9 of the 16 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and all of the 5 strains of Escherichia coli studied . Antagonism was observed with none of the strains and with 2 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes and 2 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae tested in the present experiments . The MICs determined by the agar dilution method, also gave similar results, although synergism was not conclusively demonstrated by this method . With representative strains of S . aureus, synergism was evidenced by quantitative measurement of growth inhibition . In some strains, 1.0 mug of one drug per ml of medium inhibited the induction of resistance to the second drug . Such a small dose of one drug also inhibited the development of a mutant resistant to the second drug . These inhibitory actions were thought to be one of the important factors causing the synergistic effect of TC and OM on drug resistant bacteria.

N Z Med J, 1976 Apr 14, 83(561), 232 - 3
Acute glomerulonephritis: the current role of the streptococcus; Dawson KP et al.; Thirty-one patients who presented with acute glomerulonephritis have been reviewed with respect to the involvement of the streptococcus in their disease . The high incidence of the condition and the fact that 76 percent of the patients had evidence of streptococcal infection, as indicated by a raised anti-streptolysin O-titre is discussed.

Ann Surg, 1976 Apr, 183(4), 358 - 64
In vitro penetration of topical antiseptics through eschar of burn patients; Stefanides MM Sr et al.; The ability of topical antiseptics to penetrate eschar of burn patients was determined by the agar diffusion technique . Gentamicin sulfate, mafenide acetate, nitrofurazone, povidone-iodine, silver nitrate, and silver sulfadiazine were tested against clinical isolates of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and gram-negative bacilli including Pseudomonas aeruginosa . In practically all instances, the diameters of the zones of inhibition observed using eschar were comparable to those obtained with filter-paper discs . This finding showed that the antimicrobial agents could penetrate eschar and retain their effectiveness after penetration.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C87 - 96
Multicomponent nature of the glucosyltransferase system of Streptococcus mutans; Ciardi JE et al.; The glucosyltransferases of S mutans 6715 were resolved into two major fractions . One fraction synthesized water-soluble glucans and the other made water-insoluble glucans . Each fraction was found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be composed of several catalytically active species, apparently glycoprotein in nature . Treatment of the glucosyltransferases with dextranase in the absence of sucrose caused an interconversion of enzyme forms concomitant with a time-dependent loss of enzyme activity, but did not appear to remove significant amounts of the carbohydrate associated with the enzymes . Comparison of enzyme activity patterns on polyacrylamide gels of the five different S mutans serotypes further emphasizes the complexity of the glucosyltransferase system from this group of microorganisms.

Sem Hop, 1976 Apr 9, 52(14), 883 - 8
{Spontaneous septic arthritis in disseminated lupus erythematosus}; Mougeot-Martin M et al.; The authors report the case of a young 17 year-old girl with acute systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with purulent arthritis due to Group A hemolytic streptococcus in the knee, and perhaps other joints . She had not yet received any treatment . The purulent arthritis was cured by antibiotics . In spite of corticosteroids and immuno-suppressive agents (Chlorambucil), the patient died one year later . Spontaneous purulent arthritis is rare during systemic lupus erythematosus . We found only 8 other cases in the world literature . Contrary to our case, these were patients already treated with corticosteroid or immuno-suppressive agents . In our patient, the absence of previous treatment permitted us to incriminate the lupus itself in the onset of this infection . The conditions of onset of infection during lupus erythematosus are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1976 Apr, 13(4), 1009 - 22
Interactions of antisera, sera, and oral fluid with glucosyltransferases; Burckhardt JJ et al.; Partially purified glucosyltransferases (GTF) isolated from Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 and respective rabbit antisera were used to study enzyme-antibody interactions . A comparison between sensitive serological techniques and a functional inhibition test based on a radioenzyme assay demonstrated that the latter test system was the only one that discriminated between different antisera . Positive reactions in high dilutions in the former test systems were explained by the involvement of non-GTF contaminants and/or antibodies against enzyme regions distant to the catalytic site . The minute cross-reactions between two enzyme fractions and the respective antisera in the functional inhibition test indicated that the two immunogens contained mainly GTF that differed in the structure of their catalytic region . Control rabbit sera, rat oral fluid, and insoluble and soluble glucans considerably activated the GTF eluted with a 0.5 M phosphate buffer from hydroxapatite . It is suggested that these enzymes had additional binding sites for macromolecules inherent to rabbit sera and rat oral fluid, respectively, and that the observed increase in enzyme activity was due to a more stable enzyme conformation . Possibly the stimulation of GTF by the soluble glucan fraction was caused by a primer and/or acceptor function; however, this was not the case of the insoluble glucan . A stable complex was formed in the absence of the enzyme substrate, sucrose, the activity of which was not readily enhanced . It is concluded that the GTF of strain OMZ 176 are composed of multiple, multi-reactive molecules that enable these enzymes to act as cross-linking agents.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1976 Apr, 81(4), 518 - 9
Anaerobic streptococcal corneal ulcer; Ostler HB et al.; An anaerobic streptococcus caused a central corneal ulcer in a 10-year-old girl . There were no identifying clinical findings . The lesion healed promptly and satisfactorily with antibiotic therapy.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Apr, 22(4), 450 - 9
Frothy feedlot bloat in cattle: production of extracellular polysaccharides and development of viscosity in cultures of Streptococcus bovis; Cheng KJ et al.; Streptococcus bovis was cultured in a synthetic medium with three concentrations of sucrose . Initial viscosity of the media was 1.5 centipoise (cp) . After incubation for 8 h, the viscosity of the medium with 0.5% sucrose was unchanged, that with 3% sucrose had increased to 8 cp, and that with 6% sucrose to 112 cp . Similar results were found with a rumen fluid medium . A slimy material, responsible for increased viscosity of these cultures, was digested by dextranase . The material appeared as a complex system of intercellular fibers when viewed under the electron microscope after freeze-etching . With proteins and other polymers released from lysed bacteria, this slimy material may contribute directly to increased viscosity and foam formation . In addition to these intercellular fibers, each cell was surrounded by a fibrous capsule that was not digested by dextranase . This capsule stained with lead citrate and uranyl acetate, but not with ruthenium red . The amount of capsular material produced was similar whether the media contained 0.5, 3.0, or 6% sucrose.

J Oral Rehabil, 1976 Apr, 3(2), 139 - 44
In vitro attachment of Streptococcus sanguis to dental crown and bridge cements; Orstavik D et al.; The ability of a common dental plaque bacterium, Streptococcus sanguis, to adhere to dental crown and bridge cements in vitro was investigated . Cylindrical blocks of five different commercial brands of cement, with and without acquired pellicles, were indubated with buffer suspensions of S . sanguis for 1 h . Attached bacteria were counted under the microscope . S . sanguis had particularly high affinity for uncoated resin cement . In contrast, the carboxylate cement tested was a poor substrate for the adherence of this bacterium . The other cement types (zinc phosphate, zinc oxide and silico-phosphate) had intermediary qualities as adhering surfaces . The presence of an acquired pellicle, obtained by pretreatment with saliva, influenced the initial adherence of bacteria to cement in vitro . On the resin cement a salivary pellicle strongly suppressed the bacterial adhesion . For the zinc phosphate, zinc oxide and silico-phosphate cements a pellicle slightly enhanced the attachment of S . sanguis . On the carboxylate cement only few organisms attached also after pretreatment with saliva.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C42 - 9
Variations in surface polymers of Streptococcus mutans; Ellwood DC et al.; The cell wall composition of strains of S mutans with respect to sugars and proteins appears to be correlated to the serological grouping although groups c and E are rather similar . There also appear to be similarities in the structure of the polysaccharide formed by the glycosyltransferases from organisms of serological groups b and d . However, the activity of these enzymes appears to be variable in these groups . The most noteworthy difference found was that between the three Ingbritt strains . All three strains gave identical results with regard to their cell wall composition, and presumably this would mean that they were identical serologically . However, Ingbritt LH differed considerably from both the others in the types of polysaccharide formed by their glycosyltransferases from sucrose . Ingbritt B was a reisolate from monkeys, whereas Ingbritt LH was maintained in laboratory culture, and this may explain the difference . Clearly, more work will be required to explain this difference and as c strains are commonly isolated from plaque, it would seem desirable to clear up this point.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C127 - 33
Effects of antibodies on adherence and cell-associated glucan production by Streptococcus mutans cells; Evans RT et al.; Studies reported here show that hyperimmune rabbit serums can have profound inhibitory effects on adherence of S mutans to smooth surfaces and that this reduction in adherence is correlated with the reduction of CAG . The latter was measured by an assay developed in our laboratory that estimates CAG production by measuring the uptake of 14C glucose-labeled sucrose into components which can be extracted by dilute alkali . This is a direct demonstration of the effect of antibody on a metabolic function of S mutans that is important in virulence . The direct correlation bewteen inhibition of CAG production, and inhibition of adherence by an antibody, suggests that the inhibition of adherence is brought about by reduction of CAG synthesis . Further studies reported here show that the inhibition of adherence and of CAG synthesis is much more effective in homologous antiserums as compared to heterologous antiserums . These results point to the need for in vivo experiments to test the effects of vaccines on colonization by heterologous as well as homologous S mutans strains.

J Pediatr, 1976 Apr, 88(4 Pt . 1), 621 - 4
Neonatal septic arthritis; Pittard WB 3rd et al.; Neonatal septic arthritis of the knee was encountered in nine infants during a two-year period, representing an incidence of 16.5 per 1,000 admissions to a neonatal intensive care unit . The etiologic agents included Staphylococcus aureus (3), Klebsiella (1), Streptococcus, group B (2), and Candida albicans (3) . Two infants with systemic fungal infection died . Arthritis was the presenting feature of neonatal septicemia in three of six infants with bacterial infection and was accompanied by osteomyelitis in two . In eight of the infants, the same organism was cultured from the skin of the umbilicus as was cultured from the joint . Umbilical catheters had been placed in all of these infants . Full recovery of joint function has been noted in the seven surviving infants.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1976 Apr, 29(4), 385 - 90
{Clinical use of amoxicillin in the otorhinolaryngological field (authors's transl)}; Maeda T; Forty-eight cases of otorhinolaryngological infections were treated with amoxicillin (AMPC) at a daily dose of 750mg . The clinical and microbiological effects were studied, and the results were summarized as follows . 1 . The subjects comprised 20 cases of otitis media, 10 of tonsillitis, 4 of sinusitis, 4 of chroditis, 2 bronchitis, 5 of furuncle of the ear and 3 of furuncle of the nose . The clinical effective rate of AMPC was 82.9%, and the microbiological effective rate was 80.6% . 2 . The effect of AMPC against strains isolated from the above diseases was also studied . The effective rate against Streptococcus was 91.6% and against Staphylococcus 83.3% . 3 . Side effects were observed in 4 cases (one of diarrhea, two of abdominal discomfort and one of lingual pain), but none of them was so severe as the use of AMPC should have been discontinued.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Apr, 31(4), 590 - 601
Electron microscopy of virulent phages for Streptococcus lactis; Tsaneva KP; Electron microscopic studies were made on eight virulent Streptococcus lactis bacteriophages . These phages were taken as representative of eight host range groups established in a study of 75 phage isolates and 253 hosts (213 S . lactis, 22 S . cremoris, 18 S . diacetilactis) . The phages studied were shown to have an isometric hexagonal head and noncontractile tails, usually several times longer than the head diameter . The virus heads were octahedral . The phages investigated represented three morphological types on the basis of head diameter , tail thickness, and tail length . These dimensions were approximately: for type I phages, 63, 172, and 11 nm, respectively; type II, 73, 200, and 20 nm, respectively; and type III, represented here by a single phage, 98, 551, and 12 nm, respectively . The tail surface revealed a different arrangment of the structural subunits which lent a helical appearance to the tails of type I and II phages and a guaffered tube appearance to the tail of type III phage . The number of turns along the tail axis, turn length, axial pitch, and helix angle were: type I, 32, 12 to 13 nm, 7.14 nm, and 11 degrees 43', respectively; type II, 24, 24, to 28 nm, 40.00 nm, and 32 degrees 30', respectively; and type III, 120, 12 nm, and no visible slope towards the axis . The morphology types showed complete correlation with serological groups, but not with groups based on host range pattern.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C206 - 14
Effective immunity to dental caries: studies of active and passive immunity to Streptococcus mutans in malnourished rats; McGhee JR et al.; The present studies suggest that rat dams passively transfer IgG to their offspring via milk . Furthermore, rat dams hyperimmunized to S mutans after intravenous administration of this bacterium have serum-precipitating antibody to S mutans group-specific antigen . This serum precipitin was also observed in serums of their offspring during the suckling period and was detectable for a week after weaning . When these offspring were infected with S mutans on the day of weaning, significantly fewer smooth surface lesions developed in them than in infected rats reared on nonimmunized mothers . These results suggest that anti-S mutans antibody, perhaps of the IgG2a class, is passively transferred from mother to offspring via the milk . Furthermore, this antibody is probably important in protection against S mutans infection . In this regard, recent studies by Lehner, Challacombe, and Caldwell have suggested that crevicular fluid transudating serum antibodies are important in the prevention of dental caries in rhesus monkeys . From our studies and others, it is becoming clear that at least two sources and classes of antibody are important in caries immunity . Secretory IgA, produced and secreted into saliva after local injection can be correlated with protection . At the same time, serum antibody (presumably IgG) either passively or actively derived also gives immune protection . Further studies must clarify the precise role of these Ig's and their possible synergistic activity with other specific immune factors in saliva in order to determine the mechanism(s) involved in effective caries immunity.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C181 - 92
Immunization of Macaca fascicularis (Macaca irus) monkeys with Streptococcus mutans: specificity of antibody responses in saliva; Emmings FG et al.; M fascicularis monkeys were immunized subcutaneously in the vicinity of the major salivary glands and by retrograde infusion into the parotid duct, with a vaccine containing Formalin-killed S mutans strain 6715 cells and culture-fluid antigens . Indirect immunofluorescent staining was used to titrate and classify antibodies . Subcutaneous immunization induced only a serum response, whereas intraductal infusion stimulated both an IgA antibody response in the parotid fluid and a serum response . Immunized and nonimmunized control groups were orally infected with S mutans strain 6715 . The establishment in dental plaque was quantitated by recovery of the infecting organism on selective media and by immunofluorescent staining of plaque smears taken from individual tooth surfaces . The establishment of S mutans strain 6715 was noticeably inhibited in immune monkeys . Immunofluorescent assays for antibody also showed that serum and parotid fluid containing serum IgA antibodies cross reacted with other d serotype and a serotype strains but not representative b and c strains . Immune and control groups were then orally infected with S mutans strain GS-5, a c serotype strain, and no inhibition in establishment was detected of the non-cross-reacting type c organism in the immune group . A latter series of booster immunizations via the intraductal route resulted in a significant decrease in parotid fluid flow . Histological investigations showed inflammatory cell infiltration and replacement of epithelium by connective tissue in the glands from immunized monkeys . A separate group of monkeys, younger than the first, was immunized with the same vaccine via the duct only . In this group, immunizations were given at shorter intervals, but the immunization response was similar to that observed in the first group . The investigations reviewed here and new experiments reported show that immunization of monkeys with S mutan strain 6715 via the parotid duct elicited a reproducible IgA antibody response in the parotid fluid as well as a serum antibody response . Inhibition of colonization on tooth surfaces in immune monkeys showed specificity for the immunizing strain suggesting that inhibition was antibody mediated.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C166 - 80
Immunologic basis for vaccination against dental caries in rhesus monkeys; Lehner T et al.; The effects of immunization with Streptococcus mutans on the development of caries and the immune responses were investigated in 37 young rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) during a period of up to 33 months . The monkeys were supplied a human type of carbohydrate-rich diet that contained about 15% sucrose . The monkeys were separated into seven groups, and the effects of two whole cell vaccines and an extracellular culture extract of S mutans in Freund's incomplete adjuvant were compared with a vaccine of a noncariogenic Streptococcus CHT, the adjuvant alone, and a sham immunized group . Sequential analysis of complement fixing, hemagglutinating and precipitating antibodies to the cell wall, and extracellular culture extract have shown that a significant reduction in smooth surface and fissure caries resulted from immunization with the S mutans vaccines, if antibodies reached an optimum level before caries development started . Protection was not elicited by the culture extract of S mutans or the noncariogenic Streptococcus CHT vaccines . A recently developed bacteriological sampling technique of crevicular fluid, plaque, and saliva showed that caries reduction in immunized animals was associated with a significantly decreased percentage of S mutans in crevicular fluid . Immunochemical studies showed IgG and IgM classes of antibodies in serum and secretory IgA antibodies in saliva, but it appears that reduction in caries was best associated with serum IgG antibodies to the culture extract of S mutans . The humoral and cellular mechanisms involved in the immunologic control of caries are discussed in terms of a central afferent mechanism required for antigen processing and cellular proliferation, and two peripheral effector mechanisms that function in the crevicular and salivary domains.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C115 - 20
Purification, characterization, and immunogenicity of cell-associated glucan from Streptococcus mutans; Genco RJ et al.; Appropriate immunization with whole cell vaccines of S mutans appear to induce antibodies that inhibit implantation of S mutans on tooth surfaces and associated dental caries . To better understand the mechanisms by which vaccination prevents S mutans implantation and dental caries, and to prepare antigens whose effectiveness and safety can be tested in animal models of caries, we set out to purify and chemically characterize the CAG of S mutans . The CAG of S mutans strain 6715 was prepared by extracting cells with potasssium hydroxide at 100 C . After neutralization and extensive washing, the water-insoluble product was characterized by a battery of chemical analyses and found to be a relatively pure glucan . The CAG was weakly immunogenic in rabbits when administered in Freund's complete adjuvant . In monkeys (M irus) immunized via the parotid duct with an aqueous solution of CAG, a definite but weak serum IgG, IgM, IgA, and salivary IgA antibody response was observed . Absorption experiments showed that the CAG induced antibodies that cross reacted with Sephadex G-25 and others that reacted with unique determinants on CAG . Retention of native antigenic determinants through the purification procedures was verified by the observations that antiserums to CAG reacted with whole cells of S mutans and by the fact that antiserums to S mutans cells reacted with CAG.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Apr, (3), 40 - 4
{Type specific antistreptococcal antibodies in the passive hemagglutination test}; Silich VA et al.; The authors present materials of the elaboration of a method of obtaining stable erythrocytic diagnostic agents from semipurified preparations of type-specific antigens of the hemolytic streptococcus of the 1st, 4th, 12th and 18th serotypes . Adequate specificity and high sensitivity of the passive hemagglutination test was shown in examination of the sera of experimental animals . In the sera of healthy children the type-specific antibodies were revealed with a different frequency at various seasons of the year; this was in inverse correlation with the level of scarlet fever morbidity.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1976 Apr, 116(4), 51 - 5
{Study of bacterial allergy in acute appendicitis by the method of leukocyte migration inhibition in vitro}; Shturich PI et al.; Under study was the effect of various bacterial allergens on the migration of blood leucocytes from capillaries in vitro in 23 patients with acute appendicitis and in 18 healthy individuals . Bacterial allergens wound suppress leucocytes migration in all patients . Most frequently, sensibilization to allergens of hemolytic staphylococcus and hemolytic streptococcus was found . In 4 healthy persons this methods indicated sensibilization to some allergens . The interaction of activity sensibilized lymphocytes and passively sensibilized polynuclears of the appendix with bacterial antigens is assumed to tigger the hyperergic reaction in acute appendicitis.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1976 Apr, 46(2), 123 - 33
Studies on the properties of a streptococcal preparation OK-432 (NSC-B116209) as an immunopotentiator . I . Activation of serum complement components and peritoneal exudate cells by group A streptococcus; Sakai S et al.; The inhibition of transplanted tumors in animals, which were previously injected with a streptococcal preparation, OK-432, has been suggestible to be induced by direct or host mediated effects . In this paper, it was examined of immunopotentiating ability of Group A streptococcus (Su-strain), which is a active component of OK-432, with respects to reticuloendotherial system and serum complement components . Human fresh serum incubated with the heated streptococcus (HSu-coccus) was analyzed by means of immunoelectrophoresis . Activated component of C3 proactivator was observed in gamma region as immunoprecipitin line developed by rabbit anti human C3 proactivator serum, and conversion of C3 component (beta1C) to beta1A was observed in alpha region by rabbit anti human beta1C/beta1A serum . The activation of serum complement components might be occurred via alternate pathway, because EDTA inhibited the activation but EGTA did not . Meanwhile, the peritoneal exudate cells from mice injected intraperitoneally with HSu-coccus were examined with respects to cell population and their antitumor effect . On the 7th day after injection of HSu-coccus, about 90% of the peritoneal cells was lymphocytes, and 70% of these lymphocytes was susceptible to rabbit anti mouse thymus cell serum or to AKR anti thetaC3H serum . When L1210 leukemia cells preincubated with these peritoneal cells were inoculated intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice, the leukemic cells could not allowed the growth, resulting in prolongation of life-span of the experimental animals . These results suggested that nonspecific effector activity of T-derived lymphocyte induced by HSu-coccus could be one of the factors participating in antitumor activity of OK-432 . Additionally, the results obtained with OK-432 were most the same as those with HSu-coccus in these respects . Further, the relation between the stimulation of leucocytes and activation of complement components was discussed.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1976 Apr, 84(2), 109 - 11
Comparison of the agglutination and the co-agglutination techniques in T-tying of Streptococcus pyogenes; Haug RH; A comparison of two different methods in T-typing 200 Norwegian group A strains is reported . The traditional agglutination technique was compared with the co-agglutination method of Christensen and co-workers . Fifty-five strains could not be typed by either method . The typing results for 128 of the strains were in agreement . The most common T types were the folloiwng: 1, 4, 8, 12, 13, 28, and strains belonging to the T pattern 5/11/12/27/44.

Am J Vet Res, 1976 Apr, 37(4), 359 - 63
Cytologic features of bone marrow in normal and mastitic cows; Schalm OW et al.; Rib bone marrow was aspirated from normal cows and from cows with experimentally induced or naturally acquired mastitis . Nucleated cell counts in marrow films were made on the basis of differentiation of 500 cells . The myeloid/erythroid ratio was less than 1.0 in normal cows and generally greater than 1.0 in mastitic cows . The marrow reserve of mature neutrophils was nearly depleted in response to experimentally induced Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis (4th postinoculation day) or in an acute flare-up of naturally acquired Str agalactiae mastitis . A dose of 0.05 mg of Escherichia coli endotoxin, introduced into a single, normal, lactating quarter produced similar results within 8 hours . Concurrently, with depletion of marrow reserves of mature neutrophils, a neutropenia with left shift developed in the blood, and immature granulocytes increased in the marrow . The intensification of granulopoiesis returned the marrow reserves to normal or above normal within a period of 4 to 5 days, thereby reestablishing homeostasis.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C15 - 21
Streptococcus mutans serotypes: some aspects of their identification, distribution, antigenic shifts, and relationship to caries; Bratthall D et al.; For an immunologic point of view, several facts are worth consideration . S mutans can be separated into at least seven serotypes . Five of the types are based on antigens that may be specific for S mutans . One type, e, is related to the Lancefield group E streptocci, and one type, f, may lack an antigen that shows serological specificity . Analyses of plaque samples from individuals with a high caries activity have, in most instances, shown the presence of c, d, and possibly the g types . This does not necessarily mean that they are per se more cariogenic than the other types, but if all the serotypes cannot be combatted simultaneously, the c, d, and g types are an obvious first choice . S mutans strains do have antigens other than those used for serological identification, and it is not known which antigens can evoke antibodies with the highest protective capacity in humans . The phenomenon of antigenic shifts may make it possible for the bacteria to elude antibodies . However, the number of possible changes may be restricted . If certain antigens are of importance for the cariogenicity of S mutans, a change in their structure might result in a less cariogenic flora.

Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Apr, 47(4), 439 - 42
Obstetric observations in eleven cases of neonatal sepsis due to the group B beta hemolytic streptococcus; Bobitt JR et al.; Neonatal sepsis due to Group B streptococcus is reported to be increasing, but the reasons are unclear . Eleven cases from a single hospital were reviewed for common obstetric factors . Frequent observations associated with 8 surviving infants were maternal infection, early evaluation and treatment of the newborn, and 4+ or 5+ growth on maternal cultures . In contrast, mothers of the 3 infants who died had no clinical signs of infection, and cultures were not obtained . All 11 infants had direct monitoring during labor but the frequency of infection, 1/1600 live births, was lower than usually reported . Three surviving infants and 3 nonsurvivors were premature . Semiquantitative culture technics suggest that the predominance of Group B streptococcus in the vagina may be a more important etiologic factor than the frequency of its presence.

Am J Dis Child, 1976 Apr, 130(4), 406 - 7
Transient bacteremia in pediatric patients after dental extraction; Speck WT et al.; The incidence of bacteremia in a group of well children undergoing dental extraction of both normal and abscessed teeth was determined . Blood samples were obtained from each child before and immediately after dental instrumentation and then cultured aerobically and anaerobically . Eleven of 36 (30%) of the postextraction cultures were positive, and Streptococcus viridans grew from all of them . Bacteremia was more common after the extraction of diseased teeth, and there was no relationship between bacteremia and the number or species of teeth removed.

J Clin Invest, 1976 Apr, 57(4), 811 - 7
Determinants of lung bacterial clearance in normal mice; Jay SJ et al.; The determinants of the lung clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were studied in normal mice after exposure to an aerosol of viable bacteria and 99mTc-labeled dead bacteria . The fraction of bacteria in lungs that remained viable 4 h after exposure were: S . pneumoniae, 7.3%; K . pneumoniae, 121%; E . coli, 88.5%; S . aureus, 27.6% . The rate of physical removal of bacterial particles (Kmc) was determined from the change in lung 99mTc counts with time: Kmc ranged between 7 and 12%/h and and was similar in all species . The rate of mucociliary clearance and of intrapulmonary bacterial killing (Kk + Kmc) was calculated from the change in bacterial counts with time in animals that had received tetracycline to inhibit bacterial multiplication . Kk, the rate of intrapulmonary killing, was obtained by subtraction of Kmc from (Kk + Kmc) . The calculated values for Kk were: S . pneumoniae, - 87%/h; K . pneumoniae, - 17%/h; E . coli, - 18%/h; S . aureus, - 22%/h . The rate of intrapulmonary bacterial multiplication (Kg) was estimated from the relationship of bacterial counts in tetracycline and nontetracycline-treated animals, assuming that tetracycline altered only Kg . Kg, expressed as the doubling time, was: S . pneumoniae, 310 min; K . pneumoniae, 217 min; E.coli, 212 min; S . aureus, infinity (no multiplication) . The data indicate that the marked differences in the clearance of these species from the normal mouse lung result from the interaction of differing rates of in vivo bacterial multiplication and killing.

Infect Immun, 1976 Apr, 13(4), 1161 - 9
Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose-bacterial cell immunoadsorbent columns: preparation of serotype-specific globulin and immunofluorescent conjugates for Streptococcus mutans serotypes a and d; McKinney RM et al.; Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose was used as a support material for preparing bacterial cell columns . Pretreatment of the bacterial cells with formalin was essential in obtaining satisfactory adherence of the cells to DEAE-cellulose . Cross-reacting antibodies were removed from antibody preparations against strains of Streptococcus mutans serotypes a and d by adsorption on appropriate bacterial cell columns . S . mutans serotype d was further divided into two subtypes on the basis of immunofluorescent staining with conjugates of immunospecifically adsorbed immunoglobulin G . The DEAE-cellulose-bacterial cell columns were regenerated after use by desorbing the cross-reacting antibodies with low-pH buffer and were used repeatedly over and 18-month period with no detectable loss in effectiveness.

J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C65 - 74
Adherence of serotype e Streptococcus mutans and the inhibitory effect of Lancefield group E and S mutans type e antiserum; Hamada S et al.; S mutans strain MT703 from an active carious lesion in the tooth of a child had type e specificity and showed a cross-reaction with the Lancefield group E cell wall streptococcal polysaccharide antigen . Heat-killed cells MT703 adhered to a glass surface in the presence of CGT MT703 and sucrose . Pretreatment of the cells with anti-MT703 whole cell serums inhibited adherecne . The removal of glycerol teichoic acid antibody and group E antibody from the MT703 serum did not result in a loss of inhibitory activity . Antiserum with or without adsorption significantly inhibited glucan synthesis by CGT from sucrose . Antibodies specific for the polyglycerol phosphate of teichoic acid did not inhibit adherence . Anti-group E serum and serums specific for other types of S mutans, did not show adherence inhibitory activity except for an occasional type c specific antiserum . Antibody specific for the type e antigen produced significant inhibition of the binding of CGT to the MT703 cell wall, and adherence of these cells did not occur . Antibody to CGT inhibited glucan synthesis . Treatment of the cells with dextranase, dextran antibody, or trypsin caused a significant reduction in adherence . The results suggest that the type antigen and dextran on the surface of the S mutans type e cell are functional in adherence, and that these polymers are associated with cell wall protein.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Apr, 126(1), 300 - 11
Defective synthesis of lipid intermediates for peptidoglycan formation in a stabilized L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes; Reusch VM et al.; Membrane preparations obtained from a stabilized L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes are incapable of synthesizing peptidoglycan from uridine-5'-diphospho-N-acetyl-D-muramyl-L-Ala-D-iso-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala and uridine-5'-diphospho-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, in contrast with similar preparations from the parental streptococcus . Furthermore, 50-fold higher levels of lipid intermediates which serve as membrane-bound substrates for peptidoglycan synthesis are synthesized in reaction mixtures containing streptococcal membranes than with similar preparations from the L-form . These observations suggest that the inability of this stabilized L-form to form a cell wall in vivo lies, at least in part, in its failure to synthesize significant quantities of the lipid substrates for peptidoglycan synthesis.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Apr, 126(1), 205 - 12
Effect of pH on competence development and deoxyribonucleic acid uptake in Streptococcus sanguis (Wicky); Ranhand JM; Streptococcus sanguis (Wicky) cells, strain WE4, developed little or no competence and failed to autolyze in permissive conditions when treated with competence factor (CF) below PH 7.0 . This lack of activity was directly correlated with the inability of the cells to bind or take up CF at pH values of 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 . On the other hand, competent cells bound deoxyribonucleic acid molecules maximally below pH 7.0 and transformed maximally at pH 6.5 . Deoxyribonucleic acid was optimally bound to cells in a deoxyribonuclease-resistant form at pH values between 7.0 and 8.5 . Concomitant with this binding, undefined acid-soluble DNA fragments appeared in the culture menstrua . CF binding and uptake by cells was not only influenced by low pH but also by low temperature . At 0 C, WE4 cells bound only 4% of the input CF and took up less than 1% into a trypsin-insensitive state compared to cells treated at 37 C . Cells treated with CF at 0 C did not autolyze when transferred to permissive conditions . The results presented in this report extend earlier findings that showed that competence development and autolysis are related to the uptake of CF.

Mol Gen Genet, 1976 Mar 30, 144(3), 333 - 8
Characterization of the antibiotic resistance plasmid ERL1 from Streptococcus pyogenes; Malke H et al.; The streptococcal plasmid ERL1 determining inducible resistance to erythromycin, lincomycin, and staphylomycin S was isolated by dye-buoyant density centrifugation and shown to have a molecular weight of about 17.5 Mdal, as revealed by sedimentation through neutral sucrose gradients . In SM60 cells entering the stationary phase its covalently closed circular form was present to the extent of 5 copies per chromosomal genome equivalent, ERL1 was subject to the DNA restriction and modification mechanism discovered in strain 56188 . It did not appear to exercise restriction of phage DNA but mediated a partial release of the restricted growth of A25.

N Z Med J, 1976 Mar 10, 83(559), 154 - 5
A survey of isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Wood NG; Over eight months 130 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were examined for sensitivity to penicillin, tetracycline, cephalosporin and co-trimoxozole . Except in one doubtful case all isolates were sensitive to penicillin . All were sensitive to cephalosporin . 6.9 percent is isolates were resistant to co-trimoxozole . It is suggested that penicillin remains the drug of choice in the treatment of pneumococcal infections.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Mar 5, 426(2), 288 - 301
Membrane studies of Streptococcus pyogenes and its L-form growing in hypertonic and physiologically isotonic media . An electron spin resonance spectroscopy approach; Chevion M et al.; Electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) was used to compare the lipid organization, thermal stability and the physical state of the membrane of a human pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes and its osmotically fragile L-form with this same L-form now adapted to grow under physiologically isotonic conditions (physiological L-form) . Comparison of the hyperfine splittings of a derivative of 5-ketostearic acid spin label, I(12, 3), after incorporation into the membrane, revealed that the lipid chain rigidity of these membranes is in the order physiological L-form greater than osmotically fragile L-form greater than streptococcus . The signal intensity (of the center magnetic field line) versus temperature analysis showed two transitions for these membranes . The first with melting points of 45, 26 and 36 degrees C and second transition at 70, 63 and 60 degrees C for the physiological L-form, osmotically fragile L-form and streptococcal membranes, respectively . This same order of membrane lipid chain rigidity was seen from the cooperativities obtained for each of these systems from analysis based on the expression for an n-order reaction . The I(12, 3) and other probes with the paramagnetic group close to the methyl end of the molecule suggested that this difference in lipid chain rigidity between these organisms resides in the environment closer to the lipid head group region rather than in the hydrophobic lipid core . Another major finding was the binding of I(12, 3) at two or more different sites in each of the membranes examined . This change in lipid chain rigidity now provides an explanation to account for the survival of a previously osmotically fragile L-form in physiologically isotonic media by focusing on changes in the physical nature of its membrane . In so doing, it adds to and reinforces the speculation of the potential survival in vivo and involvement in pathogenesis of osmotically fragile aberrant forms of bacteria.

Am J Cardiol, 1976 Mar 4, 37(3), 373 - 81
Alterations in myocardial function during bacterial infective cardiomyopathy; Tomlinson CW et al.; The status of myocardial function in rabbits subjected to cardiac catheterization and infection with Streptococcus viridans was assessed at 3 and 6 days . Sham-operated control animals as well as uninfected catheterized animals were used for comparison . Although left heart hypertrophy and interstitial edema were evident in both uninfected and infected animals, the infected animals exhibited in addition mononuclear cell infiltration and muscle degeneration as well as lung congestion and accumulation of pleural fluid . Both uninfected and infected animals has elevated levels of serum creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase as well as electrocardiographic abnormalities such as increased amplitude of the ORS complex and flattening or inversion of the T wave . Unlike findings in the uninfected animals, the serum calcium, magnesium and sodium levels were slightly but significantly decreased and serum potassium levels were increased in the infected rabbits . Both heart rate and pulse pressure were higher in 6 day uninfected and 3 day infected animals whereas 6 day infected animals showed a decrease in heart rate . In comparison to the sham-operated control rabbits and the uninfected animals, the infected animals exhibited depression in the rates of left ventricular pressure development and relaxation as well as prolongation in time for half relaxation in situ . Relative maximal contractile element velocity extrapolated from intraventricular pressure-velocity curves was decreased by 24, 52 and 76 percent, respectively, of control values in the uninfected hearts and those with 3 and 6 days of infection . The isolated perfused hearts from infected animals also generated less contractile force and showed a decrease in the rates of contraction and relaxation, but half-relaxation time was increased . These results demonstrate myocardial dysfunction during experimental bacterial endocarditis and provide evidence that infective cardiomyopathy is associated with heart failure.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 378 - 80
Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans strains by different mitis-salivarius agar preparations; Staat RH; Several Streptococcus mutans strains were markedly inhibited by mitis-salivarius agar manufactured by Baltimore Biological Laboratories, but little, if any, inhibition was noted using Difco Laboratories' mitis-salivarius agar . Supplementation of the basic medium with sucrose and bacitracin for specific selection of S . mutans resulted in suppression of representative S . mutans type a strains regardless of manufacturer.

Infect Immun, 1976 Mar, 13(3), 782 - 9
Effective immunity to dental caries: protection of malnourished rats by local injection of Streptococcus mutans; Michalek SM et al.; When rats from dams fed a low-protein diet were injected with whole, killed Strepococcus mutans 6715 cells in the region of the submandibular gland, they developed serum and salivary agglutinins to this microorganism . Titers of agglutinins in malnourished rats were similar to those observed in rats from dams fed a nutritionally adequate diet that were locally injected with S . mutans . Furthermore, both groups of immunized rats subsequently infected with cariogenic S . mutans 6715 had lower mean caries scores than infected, nonimmunized rats . This reduced incidence of caries scores than infected, nonimmunized rats . This reduced incidence of caries was evident on all molar surfaces . The mean body weights of immunized and nonimmunized, protein-deficient rats were not significantly different; likewise, both immunized and nonimmunize normally nourished rats exhibited similar weight gains . Malnourished rats, not immunized but infected with S . mutans, had significantly more caries than normal, nonimmunized infected rats . Both dietary groups of noninfected rats had very few carious lesions . These results suggest that carious lesions observed in these rats resulted from S . mutans 6715 infection . Furthermore, protein-malnourished rats, injected in the region of the submandibular gland with whole, killed S . mutans elicit an immune response and are protected against S . mutans-induced caries.

J Dairy Sci, 1976 Mar, 59(3), 455 - 8
Growth and morphology of Streptococcus bovis and of mixed rumen bacteria in the presence of aflatoxin B1, in vitro; Mathur CF et al.; The metabolism of aflatoxin B1 to other fluorescent compounds was studied in rumen organisms . No fluorescent metabolites were found by chromatographic procedures which separate aflatoxin B1 from them . Rumen bacteria (mixtures and Streptococcus bovis) incubated with aflatoxin B1 grew in long chains whereas cells in control cultures were mainly doublets with some short chains . Growth of mixed rumen bacteria and Streptococcus bovis cultures was inhibited by aflatoxin B1 as measured by change in optical density and by incorporation of {carbon-14} adenine into nucleic acids.

Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ, 1976 Mar, 23(1), 27 - 40
Dextran degrading bacteria in human oral cavity and their activity against insoluble glucan from Streptococcus mutants; Matsuda Y; The distribution of dextran-degrading microorganisms in the saliva and plaque samples from the human oral cavity was assayed on 9 subjects . Approximately 2/3 of the saliva samples degraded Dextran T-150 (Pharmacia, M.W . 150,000) and 1/10 the Blue Dextran (Pharmacia), while 2/5 and 1/8 of the plaque samples degraded Dextran T-150 and Blue Dextran, respectively . Thirty-seven strains of the Blue Dextran degrading bacteria were isolated from the saliva and plaque samples and were classified into 6 groups by their morphology, gram staining and oxygen tolerance . The 24 strains from the 37 isolates, more or less, were shown to degrade the insoluble glucan extracted from Streptococcus mutans FA-1 on the agar plate . The 8 strains, selected from each group, were tested for their activity against the insoluble glucan extracted from Str . mutans (FA-1, HS-6, BHT, CHT, GS-5, LM-7 and PK-1) and Str . salivarius (HHT) . The strains belonging to Groups I, II, IV and V showed activity against the insoluble glucan used . Among them, the strains of Group IV (gram negative facultative cocci) and Group V (gram negative strict anaerobic rod) were the most active against the insoluble glucan.

J Dent Res, 1976 Mar-Apr, 55(2), 266 - 71
Plasmid DNA satellite bands seen in lysates of Streptococcus mutans that form insoluble extracellular polysaccharides; Higuchi M et al.; A satellite band of plasmid DNA was seen in cell lysates prepared from two strains of S mutans using buoyant-density equilibrium centrifugation . Mutants, defective in their ability to synthesize insoluble extracellular polysaccharides, showed no detectable satellite DNA band when prepared by the same procedure . These mutants were induced by treatment with EB, acridine orange, or SDS, which are known to be effective agents for the elimination of extrachromosomal genetic inheritance . The derived mutants produced more soluble polysaccharides from sucrose than their parent strains . The decreased ability to synthesize insoluble polysaccharides was related to both glucan and fructan formation . These findings suggest that the plasmid DNA of the S mutans strains genetically controls formation or activity of the enzymes responsible for synthesis of extracellular insoluble glucan or fructan.

J Dent Res, 1976 Mar-Apr, 55(2), 257 - 61
Influence of amalgam, alloy, and mercury on the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans: I . Biological test system; Nunez LJ et al.; A procedure is presented for the in vitro growth of Streptococcus mutans in a dextrose-beef extract medium . Growth was estimated spectrophotometrically . The amount of amalgam, alloy, or mercury that was added to the sealed test tube influenced the rate and extent of growth.

J Dent Res, 1976 Mar-Apr, 55(2), 239 - 43
Continuous culture studies on the growth and physiology of Streptococcus mutans; White GE et al.; We examined the effects of nutritional limitations on the production of lactic acid by Streptococcus mutans grown at low growth rates in continuous culture . Lactic acid production was greater in nitrogen- and phosphate-limited continuous cultures than in glucose-limited conditions . These results are correlated with the release of calcium from enamel in cellfree broths from various fermentations.

J Dent Res, 1976 Mar-Apr, 55(2), 216 - 22
Studies of the mechanism of sucrose-associated colonization of Streptococcus mutans on teeth of conventional rats; Van Houte J et al.; The mechanism of the colonization of S mutans strain 6715 on teeth in the presence of sucrose has been investigated using conventional Sprague-Dawley rats . Experiments were performed using rats fed diets with 56% sucrose or 56% glucose; oral inoculations with sucrose-grown, extracellular glucan-coated cells and glucose-grown, uncoated cells; and teeth treated with dextran 2000 via its incorportation in the diet, or teeth left untreated . In all instances, sucrose was required for satisfactory colonization of the test strain . Preformed extracellular glucan, whether associated with the bacterial cell or with the tooth surface, did not facilitate bacterial colonization when compared with cells or teeth devoid of extracellular glucan under the conditions used . The evidence suggests that glucan-mediated attachment of S mutans strain 6715 in the presence of sucrose involves an initial phase in which the cells are relatively weakly associated with the tooth surface and a subsequent phase during which firmer attachment occurs via new glucan synthesis.

J Dent Res, 1976 Mar-Apr, 55(2), 202 - 15
Role of sucrose in colonization of Streptococcus mutans in conventional Sprague-Dawley rats; Van Houte J et al.; The role of sucrose in the colonization of S mutans strain 6715 in conventional Sprague-Dawley rats was studied . A diet with 56% sucrose favored the oral colonization of the test strain compared to diets with 56% glucose or fructose or to laboratory chow as determined by recoveries from extracted teeth ground in tissue grinders . S mutans strain 6715 cells became well established in all rats fed a high sucrose diet with cell inoculums ranging from 10(8) to the lowest effective dose of 10(5) CFU once orally administered; in rats on nonsucrose diets, inoculation with even the highest dose only infrequently resulted in the establishment of S mutans strain 6715 . Sucrose- and glucose- grown cells appeared to behave similarly . Colonization of S mutans strain 6715 occurred in all rats fed diets with a sucrose content ranging from 56 to as low as 1% . The establishment of S mutans strain 6715 on the teeth of rats fed diets with a sucrose concentration of 0.1 or 0.01% was impaired and comparable to the diet containing 56% glucose . In rats fed a high glucose diet, uniform establishment and persistence of the test strain occurred after frequent inoculations with about 5 X 10(8) CFU . The colonization under these conditions appeared to be independent of the intestinal canal as a bacterial cell source . These data suggest the possibility that S mutans can establish itself in the human mouth in the absence of dietary sucrose . In rats fed a high glucose diet and inoculated with 10(7) CFU or less, the cells gradually disappeared from the teeth; in contrast, the test strain implanted well in rats fed the sucrose favors firmer attachment of initially weakly attached cells via in situ new glucan synthesis . S mutans strain 6715 also appeared to have some affinity for teeth in the absence of dietary sucrose that may be of ecological significance . Once firmly established in rats fed a high sucrose diet, S mutans strain 6715 maintained itself in high numbers on the teeth after a switch to a high glucose diet during a 14-week period.

Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1976 Mar, 168(3), 395 - 400
{A case of healed orbital phlegmona of sinus origin (author's transl)}; Bukkfalvy B; In the etiology of the orbital phlegmona the initial focus originates most frequently in the sinuses . In our case we had the opportunity to observe an orbital phlegmona caused by a purulent inflammation of the sinuses by streptococcus pyogenes (hemolyticus) . The course of the process was explosive, with toxic symptoms . After a successful operation and conservative treatment, recovery was achieved.

J Dairy Sci, 1976 Mar, 59(3), 396 - 404
Isolation and examination of transducing bacteriophage particles from Streptococcus lactis C2; Klaenhammer TR et al.; Two defective transducing bacteriophages induced by exposure of Streptococcus lactis C2 to ultraviolet irradiation have been isolated and characterized . These temperate phages designated c2t1 and c2t2 were isolated by cesium chloride equilibrium density gradient centrifugation of phage preparations concentrated by polyethylene glycol precipitation . The equilibrium gradient contained two visually apparent phage bands positioned at densities of 1.487 and 1.463 g cm-3 respective for c2t1 and c2t2 . Particle morphology and phenol extracted phage deoxyribonucleic acid were examined by electron microscopy for each phage . Head diameter, deoxyribonucleic acid length, and molecular weight for c2t1 were 60 nm, 10.9 mum, and 22.6 x 10(6) daltons, respectively . Phage c2t2 had a head diameter of 70nm, a deoxribonucleic acid length of 11.4 mum, and a molecular weight of 23.8 x 10(6) daltons . Comparing head diameter and phage deoxyribonucleic acid length suggests that the variation in c2t1 and c2t2 density was due to difference in head size . Phage c2t2 exhibited high frequency transduction of lactose metabolism based on preparations equilibrated by adjustment of optical density at 260 nm . Maltose and proteinase markers also were transduced by both phages . The transducing phage was defective, requiring a helper for the formation of transducing particles but not for the transduction process . Superinfection immunity was not conferred on post-infecting phage . The results demonstrated transduction by two nonidentical phage particles lysogenic for S . lactis C2.

Infect Immun, 1976 Mar, 13(3), 993 - 4
T antigen of Streptococcus pyogenes: isolation and purification; Ludwicka A; A T antigen preparation free of trypsin was obtained by application of CNBr-Sepharose linked to pure trypsin . Purification on an ion exchange chromatography column results in an electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of T protein.

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1976 Mar-Apr, 33(2), 481 - 5
{Simplification of methods for the study of beta hemolytic Streptococcus in faryngeal exudate}; Ruiz Castaneda M; A procedure of possible epidemiological application is described . The material is taken from pharynx in infants in an attempt to control the serious problem of rheumatic fever in our environment . The investigation is carried out in two steps: in the first, the samples are inoculated in a selective medium impregnated in filter paper strips, from where they are transferred to blood agar plates where 15 to 20 inoculations may be practiced; with this, unnecessary waste of individual plates is avoided, as done following conventional methods . The equipment may be easily adapted for direct takings.

Arch Intern Med, 1976 Mar, 136(3), 334 - 6
Immune-complex nephritis in bacterial endocarditis; Perez GO et al.; Glomerulonephritis developed in a 42-year-old man with subacute bacterial endocarditis caused by an alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus . The patient showed hypocomplementemia and an elevated serum rheumatoid factor titer . Immunofluorescence microscopy of a renal biopsy specimen demonstrated granular deposits of IgM and C3 in all glomeruli studied . With the indirect immunofluores(ence technique and specific antiserum, the antigen in glomerular deposits was observed to correspond to the organism found in the blood cultures . These findings can be taken as further evidence that the glomerulonephritis of subacute bacterial enoocarditis represent an immune-complex disease.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1976 Mar, 56(3), 687 - 90
Streptococcus pyogenes preparation OK-432: immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic effects on the incidence of spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice; Aoki T et al.; An inactivated and lyophilized preparation of a low virulence strain (Su) of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A) was designated OK-432 . When 2- and 5-month-old AKR mice were inoculated im with OK-432 twice weekly throughout their life-spans, spontaneous leukemias occurred later and at a lower incidence than in control groups . By virus neutralization and cytotoxicity tests and by immunoelectron microscopy, antibodies against virus and cell-surface antigens of transplanted AKR leukemia were not detectable in sera of nonleukemic mice of any group . Whereas sera from mice treated with OK-432 were the only positive for interferon, viremia was clearly demonstrated in control groups by reverse transcriptase assays of the plasma.

J Clin Pathol, 1976 Mar, 29(3), 187 - 90
Use of Counter and rocket immunoelectrophoresis in acute respiratory infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Spencer RC et al.; The use of Counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) for the detection of pneumococcal capsular antigen in the sputum and serum of patients suffering from acute respiratory infections is described . The CIE of sputum gave positive results in 224 (99%) out of 225 samples in which Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated by cultural techniques, and in 23 (9%) out of 262 samples in which no or other potential pathogens had been isolated . In the detection of capsular antigen in serum, CIE was positive in 32 (35%) out of 92 pneumonia cases and was associated with an increase in mortality.

Infect Immun, 1976 Mar, 13(3), 750 - 7
Biological properties of an immunogenic pneumococcal subcellular preparation; Thompson HC et al.; A subcellular fraction, designated PSP-3R, prepared from rough, type 3R Streptococcus pneumoniae is described, which affords excellent protection to mice against challenge with smooth organisms of the homologous serotype 3S and significant protection against heterologous challenge with serotypes 1S and 2S . Adjuvant enhances the protective capacity of the vaccine but is not necessary for immunogenicity . Protection induced by PSP-3R can be passively transferred tp normal mice with serum from actively immunized animals . The protective capacity can be completely absorbed out with rough or smooth type 3 organisms but not with rough type 1R or 2R cells . PSP-3R immune serum was tested in a passive hemagglutination assay against type 3 capsular polysaccharide-coated erythrocytes and found to have no detectable anticapsular antibody . The possible identity of the immunogen (s) in the vaccine is discussed.

Biochem J, 1976 Feb 1, 153(2), 233 - 9
Triterpenoid carotenoids and related lipids . Triterpenoid carotenoid aldehydes from Streptococcus faecium UNH 564P; Taylor RF et al.; 1 . The identification of two novel triterpenoid xanthophylls from Streptococcus faecium UNH 564P is described . 2 . Both are aldehydes and were identified as 4,4'-diaponeurosporen-4-al and 4,4'-diapolycopen-4-al . 3 . A pathway is presented for the biosynthesis of these and other triterpenoid carotenoids in S . faecium.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1976 Feb, 29(2), 197 - 200
{Clinical experience with amoxicillin in otorhinolaryngology (author's transl)}; Azuma F; This paper reports the clinical trial of amoxicillin . (1) A daily dose of 750 approximately 1,000 mg of amoxicillin was orally administered for 3 approximately 12 days to 20 patients, 7 of which were with acute suppurative tympanitis, 3 with furuncle of the ear, 2 with furuncle of the nose and 8 with acute amygdalitis . As a result, amoxicillin proved remarkably effective or effective in 17 patients (85.0%) . (2) Amoxicillin was effective against: Staphylococcus aureus in 10 of 11 patients (90.9%) Staphylococcus epidermidis in 2 of 2 patients (100%) Streptococcus hemolyticus in 3 of 4 patients (75%) Streptococcus viridans in 1 of 1 patient (100%) Diplococcus pneumoniae in 1 of 1 patient (100%) (3) Although one patient developed drug eruption, there were no side effects that necessitated cessation of administration . From the above results, it is concluded that amoxicillin can be used in the treatment of otorhinolaryngologic infections.

Infect Immun, 1976 Feb, 13(2), 494 - 500
Characterization of an anti-glucosyltransferase serum specific for insoluble glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans; Linzer R et al.; An anti-glucosyltransferase serum, which synthesized 96% insoluble glucans, was prepared against a purified enzyme preparation from Streptococcus mutans strain HS6 (serotype a) . This serum was examined for its effects on glucan synthesis by crude enzyme preparations from eight strains (four serotypes) of S . mutans and for the ability of these preparations to promote adherence of S . mutans to a smooth surface . Glucosyltransferase activity was assayed by measuring the incorporation of glucose from {14C}glucose-labeled sucrose into water-insoluble and water-soluble (ethanol-insoluble) glucans . Anti-glucosyltransferase serum inhibited insoluble glucan synthesis by crude enzyme preparations from cells of the four serotypes of S . mutans . Enzymes from strains of types a, b, and d were inhibited between 70 to 90%; enzymes from type c strains were inhibited from 45 to 60% . The adherence to a glass surface of heat-killed cells from these four serotypes was likewise inhibited . Soluble glucan synthesis was not inhibited by the serum, and in some cases its synthesis increased as insoluble glucan synthesis decreased.

Infect Immun, 1976 Feb, 13(2), 365 - 72
Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase: mode of interaction with high-molecular-weight dextran and role in cellular aggregation; Germaine GR et al.; The interaction between Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5) and high-molecular-weight dextran was studied in both the presence and absence of substrate sucrose . Equivalent weight-percent solutions of primer dextrans that differed 200-fold in molecular weight were found to be equally efficient in priming new dextran synthesis . Sodium borohydride reduction of dextran had no effect on its priming ability . These results suggest that dextran synthesis proceeds by addition of glucosyl residues to nonreducing termini of primer dextrans and that several enzyme molecules simultaneously bind to single high-molecular-weight dextran molecules . Kinetic data suggested that dextransucrase contains only one dextran binding site per enzyme molecule . The nature of the commonly observed highly aggregated state of dextransucrase was also studied . Two types of enzyme aggregates were distinguished: (i) oligomeric enzyme aggregates that formed in the absence of dextran and were dissociated by 1 M KCl; and (ii) dextran-induced enzyme aggregates that were stable to 3 M salt . Oligomeric enzyme aggregates were obtained from supernatants of fructose-grown cultures, whereas dextran-induced enzyme aggregates appeared to be present in glucose-grown cultures . The molecular weight of the smallest species of dextran-free detransucrase observed in solutions of 1 M KCl was estimated to be 40,000 by gel column chromatography . Addition of dextran to primer-dependent dextransucrase resulted in formation of complexes that were stable in CsCl density gradients and exhibited a buoyant density of 1.382 g/cm3 as compared with a buoyant density of 1.302 g/cm3 exhibited by dextransucrase . The enzyme-dextran complexes observed in CsCl density gradients contained about 25% dextran . This corresponded to 150 enzyme molecules (molecular weight, 40,000) per dextran molecule (molecular weight, 2 X 10(6)) . The implication of these results to the mechanism of sucrose- and dextran-induced aggregation of S . mutans is discussed.

Infect Immun, 1976 Feb, 13(2), 345 - 53
Properties of a mutant of Streptococcus mutans altered in glucosyltransferase activity; Kuramitsu HK; A mutant of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 has been isolated as a smooth colonial variant on mitis salivarius agar . This mutant, designated SNG-1, adheres to glass surfaces as well as the parental organism when grown in the presence of sucrose . However, in contrast to the parental organism, glucose-grown cultures of the mutant did not adhere to smooth surfaces when incubated with sucrose under nongrowing conditions . The inability of the mutant organism to adhere to glass surfaces under the latter condition was a result to markedly reduced levels of mutant cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity . In addition, the extracellular activity of the mutant was also severely depressed relative to the parental activity . The reduced levels of mutant enzyme activity appear to be a result of a mutation in a structural gene coding for glucosyltransferase activity since (i) mutant glucosyltransferase activity is much less resistant to heat inactivation compared to the parental enzymes and (ii) the migration patterns of the mutant and parental enzymes differ on polyacrylamide gels and after isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels . However, the kinetic properties of the mutant enzymes are similar to those of the comparable parental activities in terms of pH and temperature optima and Km values for sucrose . The mutant enzyme responsible for soluble glucan synthesis has been purified approximately 300-fold . These results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of glucan synthesis by S . mutans.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 92(2), 325 - 34
The influence of culture conditions on carotenogenesis in Streptococcus faecium UNH564P; Taylor RF et al.; The growth of Streptococcus faecium UNH564P and its production of triterpenoid carotenoids under a variety of culture conditions were examined . Total extractable cell lipid and carotenoid levels increased with culture age and paralleled the growth curve of the bacterium . Variations of the medium glucose concentration produced significant changes in both cell growth and carotenoid production, with the xanthophyll content decreasing at high glucose concentrations . Carotenoid degradation products were found in highly aerated cultures although a high glucose concentration appeared to have a sparing effect on oxidative degradation . Culture age appeared to have little effect on carotene:xanthophyll ratios . The significance of the production of total and individual carotenoids under the various culture conditions is discussed and related to a postulated scheme of triterpenoid carotenoid biosynthesis in the organism.

Am J Dis Child, 1976 Feb, 130(2), 214 - 5
Streptococcal meningitis with an unusual port of entry; Shadravan I et al.; An 18-month-old boy developed meningitis due to group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus . Despite adequate antibiotic therapy with aqueous sodium penicillin G and chloramphenicol for more than eight weeks, he showed persistent abnormal spinal fluid findings, recurrent elevations of temperature, irritability, and poor feeding . Further investigation revealed a congenital dermal sinus of the nose, with an entry into the anterior fossa that made a small opening intradurally at the level of the cribiform plate . Surgical removal of the entire sinus tract resulted in a speedy and complete recovery.

Pediatrics, 1976 Feb, 57(2), 266 - 8
Frequency of detection of Hemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide in infants and children with pneumonia; Wald ER et al.; Countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis was used to detect H . influenzae type b antigen in sera of 65 consecutive infants and children with clinical and radiographic evidence of pneumonia . Antigenemia was observed in only one patient who also had H . influenzae type b bacteremia . Blood cultures from four other children were positive for H . aphrophilus (one), Streptococcus pneumoniae (two), and an alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus (one) . The frequency of pharyngeal colonization with H . influenzae type b was similar in children with or without pneumonia . If H . influenzae type b was the cause of pneumonitis in the children studied, it occurred without bacteremia or antigenemia.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1976 Feb, 31(2), 192 - 5
{Inhibition effects of extracellular glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans}; Felgenhauer B; The extracellular, gel-electrophoretically pure glucosyl transferase (GT) of Streptococcus mutans st.227 was incubated with various inhibitors and the synthetic product quantitatively determined . The GT activity was increased with low urea concentration (0.3 - 1.2 M) and inhibited with higher urea molarity . Sodium dodecyl sulfate and quarternary ammonium compounds (detergents) have a clear inhibiting effect starting with 0.005%, while NaF, KSCN, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid and sugar alcohols do not have any influence.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1976 Feb, 31(2), 149 - 52
{Total bacterial count and the occurrence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis in the air of various work areas}; Gehring F; In the various rooms of the Wurzburg Dental School, the total germ contamination of the air and the incidence of S . mutans and S . sanguis strains was studied . The total number of organisms found as well as the number of the two polysaccharide-producing organisms varied considerably . The presence of the two streptococcal strains is not restricted to the air in dental surgeries . It is considered to be an additional risk that by far the highest incidence of the cariogenic S . mutans strain is found in the air of the rooms of the outpatient clinic for restorative dentistry and periodontology.

Jpn J Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 20(1), 33 - 44
Epidemiological survey of Streptococcus mutans among Japanese children . Identification and serological typing of the isolated strains; Hamada S et al.; An epidemiological investigation was carried out to identify and determine the serotypes of Streptococcus mutans from carious lesions of young Japanese children . For this purpose, a direct fluorescent antibody technique was mainly used . Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated antibodies were prepared for the five known serotypes of S . mutans . Cross reactions and nonspecific reactions were eliminated by adsorption, counterstaining, or DEAE-cellulosecolumn chromatography . Agar-gel immunodiffusion was used to distinguish between serotypes a and d . The epidemiological survey suggested that serotype c strains were most prevalent in dental plaques of Japanese children . The d and e serotypes were rare and serotypes a and b were not detected . It was also noted that more than one serotype of S . mutans could be found in the same locus of a carious lesion and that there might be no relationship between the degree of caries and the causative serotype(s) of S . mutans.

Cutis, 1976 Feb, 17(2), 267 - 72
Sweet's syndrome: unique local response to streptococcal antigen; Petrozzi JW et al.; Although hypersensitivity has been postulated, the etiology of Sweet's syndrome has never been elucidated . In the present case intradermal tesing with viridans streptococcus led to an immediate reaction and reproduced a lesion clinically and histologically identical to that of the primary disease . Other bacterial and fungal antigens failed to elicit any response . These findings provide further support for the role of hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of this disorder . It would appear that immediate or humoral immunit

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 31(2), 268 - 73
Characteristics of bacteria isolated by the anaerobic roll-tube method from cheeses and ground beef; Gray WM et al.; In this study the methods of Hungate were used to quantitate the anaerobic bacteria present in commercially available ground beef, cheddar cheese, and German hand cheese . Of 235 anaerobic roll-tube isolates from ground beef and German hand cheese, all were facultative anaerobes . Of 213 anaerobic roll-tube isolates from cheddar cheese, 91% were facultative anaerobes and 9% were obligate anaerobes . Using results of biochemical tests, 14 or the 17 obligately anaerobic isolates from cheddar cheese were Propionibacterium acnes, two were strains of Propionibacterium that could not be speciated, and one was tentatively identified as a strain of Streptococcus evolutus . Obligate anaerobes were estimated to be present in the cheddar cheese at a level of about 10(6)/g . The possible significance of these levels of P . acnes in nonsterile foods is discussed.

J Exp Med, 1976 Feb 1, 143(2), 258 - 70
Immunochemical characterization of the "native" type III polysaccharide of group B Streptococcus; Baker CJ et al.; The type III polysaccharide of -roup B Streptococcus has been isolated and purified by a method that employs washing of intact cells at neutral pH . That the polysaccharide prepared by this procedure is the "native" type III antigen is suggested by its molecular size in excess of 10(6) daltons, its degradation by acid and heat treatment to a fragment with immunologic characteristics of the classical HCl antigen, and its type-specific serologic activity . The type III polysaccharide in native form contains sialic acid, galactose, glucose, glucosamine, heptose, and mannose . It is acidic in nature, is resistant to neuramindiase degradation, contains no O-acetyl groups, and does not share antigenic determinants with capsular type K1 antigen of Escherichia coli or Group B polysaccharide antigen of Neiserria meningitidis.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1976, 81(4), 465 - 7
{Cytotoxic action of immune lymphocytes on "adherent" cells (macrophages) of autologous system lymph nodes during delayed hypersensitivity}; Smirnova MN et al.; A study was made in the autologous system of the cytotoxic action of immune lymphocytes on the "adherent" cells (macrophages) of the lymph nodes of guinea pigs in delayed hypersensitivity (DH) to the streptococcus antigens and tuberculoproteins . Death of a considerable number of the "adherent" cells in cultivation of a suspension of cells of the lymph nodes of animals sensitized with the culture of streptococcus or BCG in the presence of specific antigen (thermo-stable streptococcus fraction or tuberculin, respectively) alone . Detection of death of the "adherent" cells in the autologous system can be used as one of specific and sensitive tests in studying the DH.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1976, 81(4), 439 - 40
{Localization and possible development cycle of mycoplasmas and bacterial L-forms in cell cultures}; Neustroeva VV et al.; Using vital stain chlorazol-black E the authors studied the localization and behaviour of 5 mycoplasma species and the stable L-form of beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group A in various continuous cell lines . Mycoplasmas and L-forms had a definite evolution cycle in the cells . At first they are arranged extracellularly and on the surface of the cells, and then intracellularly where they multiply intensively; later they are again localized on the surface of the cells and extracellularly . This cycle proved to depend on the type of infection . The character of the localization depended on the type of the causative agent and of the culture.

Mod Probl Ophthalmol, 1976, 16, 244 - 7
Lymphocyte transformation test in uveal pathology; Campinchi R et al.; Comparative studies of skin tests and in vitro lymphocyte transformation tests were found to be fruitful with the following antigens: tuberculin and PPD, Streptococcus, vaccine and protein M of Streptococcus, candidin, herpes antigen, Brucella antigen, antigen from autologous saliva . Three types of response occur: (1) positive skin test with syndromic ocular reaction and positive LTT: the diagnosis of hypersensitivity is certain; (2) positive skin test without syndromic reaction but positive LTT in vitro; less sensitive than the in vivo test but enhancing the value of the latter; the diagnosis is presumptive, and (3) skin test positive or negative and LTT negative: indicates that the in vitro test is less sensitive than the in vivo one . Practical interest of this comparison stems from those cases in whom skin testings is contra-indicated because it is considered to be dangerous (macular choroiditis, Eales' disease) . Specific desensitization treatment was carried out on most of the cases and seemed to be effective in several of them.

Chest, 1976 Jan, 69(1), 108 - 10
Streptococcal pancarditis; Melmed S et al.; An unusual association of pancarditis due to Streptococcus viridans is described . The pathologic findings appear to indicate that the myocardial infection and pericarditis were blood borne.

Am J Vet Res, 1976 Jan, 37(1), 75 - 8
Separation from whey of three growth factors for Streptococcus agalactiae; Brown RW et al.; Wheys of milk and colostrum were treated with ethanol and the concentrated supernatant fluids were subjected to chromatographic procedures (anion exchange resin, using distilled water as eluent) . The fractions were tested for capabilities to stimulate the growth of Streptococcus agalactiae in a mixture (1:32) of pasteurized milk and steamed milk . Three stimulatory factors (F), designated F-1, F-2, and F-3, were separated; F-1 was nonionic, and F-2 and F-3 were cationic . A mixture containing any 2 factors gave greater stimulation than either factor tested alone, and a mixture of all 3 gave the greatest stimulation . The F-2 activity was attributed to cystine.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Jan, 92(1), 49 - 58
The elimination of urease activity in Streptococcus faecium as evidence for plasmid-coded urease; Cook AR; A strain of Streptococcus faecium from the sheep rumen showed spontaneous loss of urease activity when subcultured at the normal rumen temperature of 38 degrees C, although in mixed cultures in vivo or in vitro loss of urease was not apparent . The rate of loss of urease in pure cultures was increased at incubation temperatures above 38 degrees C, but loss was never complete . However, at temperatures below 38 degrees C loss was greater, and at 22 or 18 degrees C the urease was completely eliminated . Incubation with sodium dodecyl sulphate (0-002%) or ethidium bromide (2-5 X 10(-5)M) caused complete loss of urease activity . The urease activity was also eliminated when the streptococcus was grown aerobically, and this loss of activity was irreversible . It is suggested that the urease activity is controlled by a plasmid gene and that aeration, low growth temperature and chemical agents 'cure' the streptococcus of the plasmid . Attempts to demonstrate the presence of covalently closed circular extrachromosomal DNA by caesium chloride-ethidium bromide equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation were unsuccessful.

J Dent Res, 1976 Jan-Feb, 55(1), 77 - 84
Acrylamide gel electrophoretic studies of extracellular sucrose-metabolizing enzymes of Streptococcus mutans; Osborne RM et al.; This study explored the use of acrylamide gel electrophoretic methods to determine the numbers and types of extracellular sucrose-metabolizing enzymes produced by particular strains of S mutans . Strains HS-6, SL-1, FA-1, and NCTC 10449 were cultured in a chemically defined medium and the extracellular proteins elaborated by the organisms were isolated and subjected to acrylamide gel electrophoresis . Patterns of protein components and sucrose-metabolizing enzymes were then delineated . Three types of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes were observed . One type was involved in the synthesis of polysaccharides that were insolubilized in the gels . Another type was involved in the synthesis of water-soluble polysaccharides . A third type was involved in the splitting of sucrose into reducing sugars without polysaccharide synthesis . Each pattern was distinctive with regard to the numbers, proportions, and types of enzyme components present and their migratory characteristics . From two to at least six components were observed amont the enzyme activity patterns per strain . Extracellular protein patterns showed from 12 to 20 components per strain . Comparative data on growth in the chemically defined medium and Todd-Hewitt broth were also presented . Better growth levels were obtained in all instances with the chemically defined medium over comparable periods of time.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1976 Jan, 31(1), 18 - 21
{The occurrence of Streptococcus mutans variants in man and laboratory animals}; Gehring F et al.; Numerous S . mutans strains isolated from human dental plaque and from that of rats and hamsters were classified by a well-known biochemical differentiation system for the separation of the serotypes "a to e", and by seven different biotypes (I-VII) . 182 S . mutans strains from human plaque were assigned to the following serotypes: "c" = 68%, "d" = 19%, and "b" and "e" = 4% each . Serotype "a" was not found at all and 10 strains could not be classified . Out of 60 S . mutans strains from the oral cavity of rats, 85% belonged to serotype "c", while in 25 strains from hamsters serotypes "e" and "d" predominated.

Microbios, 1976, 16(65-66), 227 - 31
Fatty acid profiles of Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 grown on synthetic mediun with sucrose, fructose or sorbitol; Drucker DB et al.; Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 was grown on synthetic medium in a chemostat, using various major carbon sources, viz, sorbitol, fructose and sucrose . Freeze-dried cells were methylated and the methyl esters analysed by GLC . The fatty acid profiles obtained showed small quantitative change with different sugars, sucrose concentrations and types of growth.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976, (3), 92 - 6
{Palatine tonsils and immunity . VIII . Soluble factors produced by lymphocytes of the palatine tonsils and other lymphoid formations in rabbits}; Chernata LI et al.; A comparison was made of the activity of solbule factors produced by thelymphocytes of the palatine tonsils, the appendix, the spleen and thelymph nodes of rabbits in stimulation with a specific antigen (complete antigen of streptococcus, group A) and PHA . The blastogenic factor produced by the lymphoid cells of the spleen and the lymph nodes was highly active . Lymphocytes of the palatine tonsils and of the appendix produced a factor withlow activity after PHA stimulation . A factor intensifying the transformation in the presence of a complete streptococcus antigen was produced by lymphocytes of the spleen and the lymph nodes of the immunized animals . The lymphocytes of the palatine tonsils and the appendix failed to produce this factor.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976, (3), 135 - 8
{Specific stimulation of the lymphocyte blast transformation reaction in patients with rheumatism under conditions of exposure to delagil, mephenaminic acid and amidopyrine}; Ponomareva AG et al.; Antirheumatic preparations chiefly inhibited (in vitro) the specific microbial stimulation of the reaction of blast transformation of lymphocytes (RBL) in the patients with torpid rheumocarditis caused by addition of streptococcus nucleoproteid into the medium . Specifically stimulated RBL became intensified in healthy donors on addition to the culture medium of amidopyrin and mephenaminic acid; as to delagil, it depressed the specifically stimulated RBL both in healthy donors and in patients.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 Jan-Feb, 45(1), 100 - 3
{The effect of purine and pyrimidine bases on the growth of Streptococcus lactis and the biosynthesis of nisin}; Egorov NS et al.; The method of mathematical modelling of the experiment was used to determine optimum concentrations of purine and pyrimidine bases for the growth of Streptococcus lactis and the biosynthesis of nisin . These bases were introduced into the medium at different concnetrations . Thymine at a concentration of 4 mcg/ml stimulated the biosynthesis of nisin, and adenine and hypoxanthine at a concentration of 15 mcg/ml produced a favourable effect on the growth of the culture.

J Dent Res, 1976 Jan, 55, A124 - 41
Streptococcus sanguis: a model in the application in immunochemical analysis for the in situ localization of bacteria in dental plaque; Rosan B et al.; A review of the development of the serology of S sanguis has been presented . This species contains a group-specific antigen designated a, which appears to be a glycerol teichoic acid . It is suggested that this antigen be designated the Lancefield group H antigen . In addition, two major serotypes based on distribution of other surface antigens have been demonstrated . The grouping antiserums for S sanguis have been used to localize these bacteria in ultrastructural sections of intact dental plaque . The organisms appear antigens and seem to form pyramid-shaped microcolonies with the apex at the tooth surface and the base at the external surface of the plaque . The cells at the apex appear to have lost some surface antigens and seem to be older . The age and arrangement of the cells suggest that most plaque forms by cell division rather than by apposition of new cells from the oral cavity . If this is true, it is necessary to alter some current concepts regarding plaque development and possiby consider some different approaches to plaque control.

J Community Health, 1976 Spring, 1(3), 196 - 204
Emergency room management of patients with sore throats in a teaching hospital: influence of non-physician factors; Fletcher SW et al.; The care of 169 patients with sore throats was evaluated retrospectively to determine if the quality of medical care received in a teaching hospital's emergency room is associated with the degree of control managing physicians have over the medical care process . Diagnostic evaluation (temperature, throat and cervical node examination, and throat culture) was controlled by physicians and was judged adequate in 78% to 98% of the patients . Therapy, defined as appropriate antibiotics prescribed only for patients with positive throat cultures for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, was dependent on hospital support services, and the patients, as well, and was judged adequate for 62% of the patients; however, in only one of the 67 patients treated with antibiotics was the culture result known before treatment . The bacteriology laboratory processed the cultures slowly; no administrative mechanism existed to follow up patients . Thus, when medical care involved factors outside physicians' direct control, lower qualtiy care was given.

J Immunol Methods, 1976, 13(2), 167 - 73
Passive hemagglutination procedure for group A streptococcal polysaccharide; Hirata AA et al.; A passive hemagglutination procedure for detection of antibody to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus polysaccharide is described . The polysaccharide was conjugated to human gamma globulin and the complex adsorbed onto stabilized human erythrocytes . Antigen coated cells were used to measure antibody levels in normal human sera and in rabbit antisera.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976, (3), 115 - 20
{Cytotoxic effect on L-cells of lymphotoxin obtained during hypersensitivity of the delayed type to streptococcal antigens}; Bazanova EA et al.; A study was made (in vitro) of the cytotoxic action on the mouse L-cells of lymph otoxin obtained in cultivation with a thermostable fraction of streptococcus of the lymph node cells of guinea pigs with hypersensitivity of delayed type to the streptococcus antigens . The cytotoxic action was determined by the calculation of the number of the L-cells preserved in the monolayer after the action on it of a decanted fluid containing lymphotoxin . A marked cytotoxic action on the L-cells was produced only by decanted fluids obtained in cultivation of lymph node cells of guinea pigs sensitized by streptococcus culture with a specific antigen . In cultivation of lymphoid cells of the same animals with a nonspecific antigen (tuberculin) the decanted fluids produced no significant cytotoxic action on mous fibroblasts . The value of the cytotoxic effect depended on the dose of the thermostable fraction, with which the lymph node cells were incubated in the preparation of the decanted fluid, and also on the concentration of the lymph node cells in the initial suspension.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Jan, (1), 91 - 6
{Comparative study of group A streptococcal antigens . II . Comparative characteristics of several physico-chemical and immunochemical properties of partially purified M-protein and cytoplasmic protective antigen}; Evseev VA et al.; The authors carried out a comparative physico-chemical and immunochemical study of antigen obtained from the fraction of streptococcus cytoplasm by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, and partially purified M-protein . They proved to be heterogeneous by molecular-weight characteristics when tested by the methods of sedimentation analysis, disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 . Results of immunoelectrophoresis and disc-electrophoresis pointed to the presence in these two antigens of significant structural differences . A common component in M-protein and the cytoplasmic antigen was revealed by the immunodiffuse test . Spectrophotometric data pointed to the fact that M-protein represented protein, and cytoplasmic antigen was chiefly a nucleoproteid.

Vet Med Nauki, 1976, 13(3), 70 - 3
{Streptococcosis in chickens . II . Cultural, morphological and biochemical studies of streptococcal strains}; Milanov M et al.; Isolated were a total of 33 Streptococcus strains during two enzootics in adult and young chickens . Their cultural, morphologic, and biochemical aspects were studied in order to elucidate the biotype to which they belonged . Taking into consideration their capacity to ferment trehalose and the fact that they failed to ferment sorbite along with their beta-hemolytic activity, belonging to serologic group C, these Streptococcus cultures were determined as Streptococcus pyogenes hum . C.

Chemotherapy, 1976, 22(3-4), 232 - 41
Amide Penicillin Wy-12,556: therapeutic activity in animals subjected to repeated bacterial infection; Yurchenco JA et al.; Amide penicillin Wy-12,556 and DBED penicillin were studied for their antibacterial effect in CD-1 mice repeatedly infected with Streptococcus pyogenes C203 and/or Staphylococcus aureus Smith . Animals infected with S . aureus Smith failed to show a difference between the therapeutic activity of DBED penicillin and Wy-12,556 . Wy-12,556 was significantly more effective than DBED penicillin in protecting the animals challenged repeatedly with S . pyogenes C203 . Wy-12,556 provoked a positive transient chemotactic response in uninfected mice . 24 h after intraperitoneal challenge the exudate showed a high neutrophilic count.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Jan, 3(1), 49 - 50
Rapid, colorimetric test for the determination of hippurate hydrolysis by group B Streptococcus; Edberg SC et al.; A colorimetric test for the determination of hippurate hydrolysis was developed . Brain heart infusion broth made with 1% sodium hippurate served as the test medium . Hydrolysis was determined by the addition of two chemical developers, M (rhodamine B) and A (uranium acetate) . A dark pink color indicated hydrolysis; no color change indicated no hydrolysis . The method was efficacious in either rapid or overnight incubation . One hundred twenty-five strains of group B, 44 strains of group A, 15 strains of group C, and 10 strains of group G Streptococcus were tested . By using the Lancefield method as the standard, there was 100% agreement with both the colorimetric and ferric chloride tests for hippurate hydrolysis, and 96% agreement with the CAMP test.

J Dairy Sci, 1976 Jan, 59(1), 120 - 6
Reduction of the incidence of new mastitis infections by "pre-squirting" teats; Thompson PD et al.; "Pre-squirting" is a technique for flushing out the streak canal of a lactating cow while avoiding movement of milk from the teat back into the udder . When 500 colony-forming units of Streptococcus agalactiae were placed into the streak canal, pre-squirting before let down at succeeding milkings reduced the number of new udder infections . In contrast to this result, pre-squirting was not effective against challenging S . agalactiae placed into the teat cistern.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jan, 13(1), 252 - 62
Adaptation of an osmotically fragile L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes to physiological osmotic conditions and its ability to destroy human heart cells in tissue culture; Leon O et al.; An osmotically fragile L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes, type 12, was quickly rendered osmotically stable by decreasing the sodium chloride content of the growth medium and with the temporary use of oleic acid . The change from osmotic fragility to stability was accompanied by changes in cell yield, generation time, saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio of the membrane, and cytoplasmic protein composition . Finally, this resulting osmotically stable L-form survived and was capable of rapidly destroying Girardi human heart cells in tissue culture.

Folia Haematol Int Mag Klin Morphol Blutforsch, 1976, 103(1), 56 - 62
{Cellular immunity in newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia}; Wiersbitzky S et al.; In order to identify the possibility of prenatal or perinatal bacterial contact with immunization of the cellular immunity system as underlying cause of the "idiopathic" newborn icterus (without blood group incompatibility) the lymphocyte transformation test with addition of streptolysin O or E . coli antigen was carried out in 68 newborns with a birth weight ranging between 1260 and 4200 g . The sensitization rate identified among the newborns with hyperbilirubinaemia did not differ significantly from those of the control group . Thus an ensured connection between a prenatal streptococcus or E . coli contact and the appearance of an idiopathic newborn hyperbilirubinaemia could not be established.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1976, 81(4), 443 - 4
{Immunofluorescent study of antibodies to streptococcus group A polysaccharides in connective tissue sections}; Borodiiuk NA et al.; Purified antibodies against a specific determinant of group A streptococcal polysaccharide were obtained . These antibodies were investigated by the immunofluorescent method on tissue sections of the heart and heart valves . No cross-reactions between group A streptococcal polysaccharide and mammalian connective tissue were revealed.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jan, 13(1), 284 - 8
Identification of sialic acid in polysaccharide antigens in group B Streptococcus; Baker CJ et al.; By means of paper chromatographic techniques with purified, sialic acid-containing, bacterial antigen standards, sialic acid, as well as galactose and glucosamine, have been identified as components of each type-specific antigen of group B Streptococcus . Rhamnose was not detected in the group B antigen isolated by the classical HCl and heat extraction method.

J Dent Res, 1976 Jan, 55, A65 - 75
Optimum immunization of rabbits for Streptococcus mutans antiserum and conjugate production and studies of batch immunoabsorption methods; Pittman B et al.; By far, the most significant rises in titers were seen with the immunization protocol used in series 6 . Conjugates prepared from bleedings on the 33rd day produced exceptionally high titers for type b S mutans, and reasonably high titers for type a were obtained in a short time . A concentrated antigen with Formalin (13.4 ml) was given during a ten-day period followed by a two-week rest period, after which booster doses of either antigen with Formalin or live antigen were given (Fig 1) . Based on evaluation of the immunization protocol just described, series 6 resulted in the highest titered reagents, but the data are insufficient to permit recommending that particular schedule without limitations . Our experience in the use of live antigens of S mutans for immunization is limited in that only types b, c, and e have been used in this way . The rabbits survived these injections, but the pathogenicity of other strains and other serotypes has not been determined . In addition, protocols including combined injections of killed and living organisms should be tested further for possible improvement in antibody production . In view of these considerations, our recommendations for production of high titered antiserums for S mutans in rabbits are as follows: -Take a preimmunization bleeding from each rabbit and screen by indirect FA tests with the antigens to be used . -Inject heavy concentrations (40 IU/ml) of Formalin-killed cells, intravenously . -Inject for eight to ten consecutive days, giving increasing doses of antigen ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 ml for a total of 12 to 15 ml . -Rest the rabbits for one week . If you are monitoring the progress of immunization, bleed the rabbits before giving booster injections . -Give booster injections on four consecutive days, giving 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ml of live antigen that has been washed one time to remove traces of media and adjusted to a concentration of 40 IU/ml . If live antigen is not used, continue to give booster injections with killed antigen, injecting 2.0 ml on each of three consecutive days . -Rest the rabbits for one week and take sufficient blood to produce the trial reagents needed, or exsaguinate the rabbits . Absorption of type a conjugates resulted in the total loss of titer for type a cells . The cross-reactions with type b conjugate were easily eliminated by dilution, with the exception of the cross-reaction with S sanguis JC-43 . Bratthall's absorption method eliminated all cross-reactions of the type b conjugate . Absorption of type c conjugate successfully removed the cross-reaction with type e cells; however, the loss of homologous type c titer was so great that this absorption is of limited value . High-titered conjugates for types d and e have been obtained by using batch absorption procedures.

J Dent Res, 1976 Jan, 55, A50 - 7
Improvement in specificity of immunofluorescent reagents for identifying Streptococcus mutans by DEAE-cellulose-bacterial cell column immunosorption methods; Mc Kinney RM et al.; We have described a new method for preparing bacterial cell columns, in which DEAE-cellulose is used as the cell support material . The columns can be used to isolate pure antibody or to remove cross-reacting antibodies from immune IgG . The columns are remarkable stable, can be scaled up to any desired dimensions, and should be suitable for large-scale production of highly specific serological reagents . The method is practical for obtaining serotype-specific and polyvalent IF reagents for identifying S . mutans organisms . However, the method could also be used as a tool for sophisticated studies of antigenic relationships that exist among these and other taxonomic groups of microorganisms.

J Dent Res, 1976 Jan, 55, A109 - 15
Chemical composition of Streptococcus mutans type c antigen: comparison to type a, b, and d antigens; Linzer R et al.; Studies of the serotype a, b, and d antigens of S mutans were extended to include the serotype c antigen . Type c antigen was extracted from cells of strain Ingbritt and purified by repeated column chromatography . Two type c antigens fractions were separated by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and were designated I and II . On agar gel diffusion, the major components of antigens I and II were serologically identical with the major component of the crude Ingbritt extract . Rhamnose and glucose were present in a 2.4:1 ratio and comprised 98 and 93% of the purified antigens, respectively . The compositions of the c antigens were directly related to the carbohydrate content of the serotype c cell wall . In contrast, purified a, b-II, and d antigens, which are also cell wall polysaccharides contain only trace amounts of rhamnose, a major wall carbohydrate . Studies which used comparative immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated that the purified a, b-I, and d antigens were serologically identical to the antigen preparations that have been used for the immunological classification of these serotypes.

Microbios, 1976, 15(60), 113 - 25
Effect of glucose and sucrose on the survival in batch culture of Streptococcus mutans C67-1 and a non-cariogenic mutant C67-25 . Morphological studies; Newman HN et al.; This study comprised an ultrastructural examination of a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans, C67-1, and a non-cariogenic mutant of that strain, C67-25 . The aim of the work was to define more clearly the relationship between S . mutans and dental caries and, more specifically, to elicit ultrastructural evidence for the conclusion from a previous investigation that the greater survival of the parent strain in sucrose broth at uncontrolled pH was related partly to the production in this medium of abundant extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) . The strains were grown as previously in 5% (w/v) glucose or sucrose broths, the pH being either allowed to fall or maintained above 6.0, and processed by the thiosemicarbazide technique for election microscopy . It was confirmed that EPS was most abundant in the sucrose broth culture of the parent strain at uncontrolled pH . While the presence of abundant EPS relates to the greater survival of the parent strain in sucrose broth at uncontrolled pH, this organism possesses at least one other mechanism of survival in acid media, possibly dependent on cell wall properties, in view of its greater cell wall thickness and increased survival in pH-uncontrolled glucose broth in the absence of detectable EPS production . It is postulated that intracellular and extracellular polysaccharide formation, cell wall thickening and reduced viability were indicators of unfavourable growth conditions in the test media . Cariogenic strains of S . mutans appear to be able to survive better under such conditions and hence the prevalence of this and other polysaccharide-producing organisms in stagnant sites in natural dental plaques.

J Clin Pathol, 1976 Jan, 29(1), 50 - 3
Use of anaerobic culture for the improved isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Howden R; The following report compares the results of aerobic and anaerobic cultivation for the primary isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) from the respiratory tract of children . Of 414 specimens of respiratory tract secretions cultured, 65 (15-7%) yielded pneumococci; 31 (47-7%) grew both aerobically and anaerobically, but 34 (52-3%) strains were isolated only from the anaerobic culture . Pneumococci cultured anaerobically with added carbon dioxide characteristically produce large mucoid colonies which are more easily distinguished than the 'normal' colonies commonly seen in the mixed flora isolated from respiratory sites . This advantage justifies the inclusion of anaerobic culture when attempting to isolate Str . pneumoniae from clinical material.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jan, 13(1), 189 - 94
Microcapsule of type III strains of group B Streptococcus: production and morphology; Baker CJ et al.; The yield of purified type III polysaccharide of group B Streptococcus was significantly improved by modification of the growth medium . Culture of organisms in standard Todd-Hewitt broth resulted in acid accumulation during the exponential phase of growth and poor yield of type III polysaccharide when extracted from cells by washing with neutral buffer solution . By increasing the buffering capacity of the broth medium, acid accumulation was prevented, and the number of viable cells was increased at the stationary phase of growth . Further, by increasing the concentration of glucose in the buffered medium, the yield of type III polysaccharide was increased two to three times . Electron microscopic investigations of cells grown in the modified broth medium demonstrated a thicker microcapsule than was found in organisms grown in standard broth.

Infect Immun, 1976 Jan, 13(1), 16 - 21
Effect of glucose and sucrose on survival in batch culture of Streptococcus mutans C67-1 and a noncariogenic mutant, C67-25; Donoghue HD et al.; The growth and survival of two strains of Streptococcus mutans in 5% (wt/vol) glucose or sucrose broth was investigated . S . mutans strain C67-1 showed little loss of viability after 30 h of incubation in batch culture in the presence of either sugar . S . mutans strain C67-25, a noncariogenic mutant of C67-1 that has lost the ability of the latter to produce sticky, insoluble extracellular polysaccharide when grown in sucrose broth, showed a dramatic loss of viability after 30 h of incubation in either glucose or sucrose broth, the effect being most marked in the presence of glucose . The loss of viability was shown to be due to acid production . Insoluble extracellular polysaccharide production appears to be a phenomenon favoring the survival of organisms subjected to high sucrose levels . Other factors must be involved, however, since there are differences between the two strains as regards their survival in glucose broth.

Experientia, 1975 Dec 15, 31(12), 1399 - 40
Invertase in cell-free culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans strain SL-1; Osborne RM et al.; Intervase from extracellular culture fluids of S . mutans strain SL-1 was shown to have the same characteristics as intracellular invertase from the same strain . The data indicate that intracellular invertase is released into the culture fluids primarily during the late log and stationary phases of growth.

Biochemistry, 1975 Dec 2, 14(24), 5261 - 7
Bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase: purification and properties of the enzyme; Peterson DL et al.; A purification procedure is reported for obtaining bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase in high yield and amounts of 100-200 mg . A key step in the procedure is the use of an affinity gel prepared by coupling pteroyl-L-lysine to Sepharose . The purified reductase has a specific activity of about 100 units/mg and is homogeneous as judged by analytical ultracentrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and titration with methotrexate . The products of the first step of Edman degradation indicated a minimum purity of 79% . The reductase has a molecular weight of about 21500 on the basis of amino acid composition and 22100 +/- 300 from equilibrium sedimentation . It is not inhibited by antiserum to the Streptococcus faecium reductase (isoenzyme 2) . Unlike the reductase of many other vertebrate tissues, the bovine enzyme is inhibited by mercurials rather than activated and it has a single pH optimum at both low and high ionic strength . However, the position of the pH optimum is shifted and the activity increased by increasing ionic strength . Automatic Edman degradation has been used to determine 34 of the amino-terminal 37 amino acid residues . Considerable homology exists between this region and the corresponding regions of the reductase from S . faecium and from Escherichia coli . This strengthens the idea that this region contributes to the structure of the binding site for dihydrofolate.

Aust Vet J, 1975 Dec, 51(12), 554 - 9
Immunity to Streptococcus equi; Woolcock JB; Using the long chain test, and in some cases the bactericidal test, to measure antibody, the development of the immune response in horses to Str . equi has been followed . Long chain indices in excess of 5.0, accompanied by strong bactericidal capacity, were recorded in serums after the full 3-dose immunisation course with a commercial vaccine . The full course elicited the most satisfactory antibody titres declined within the 12 month post-vaccination period, thus providing support for the recommendation that yearly booster doses should be administered . The immune response in horses during 2 strangles outbreaks was compared with the response following vaccination . Recovered animals showed declining antibody levels 9 weeks after infection, and the evidence does not support longevity of the immune response after natural infection . Reaction to vaccination was observed in those animals with high initial antibody titre.

Thorax, 1975 Dec, 30(6), 693 - 6
Infected left atrial mass within anatomically normal heart; Malcolm AD et al.; A case is presented with some features of subacute bacterial endocarditis and of left atrial myxoma . Operative removal of a 5x3 cm tumour lying above and attached to an anatomically normal mitral valve reversed a rapidly deteriorating clinical situation . Histologically the entire tumour appeared to be old thrombus, and Gram-positive cocci in its superficial strata corresponded with Streptococcus viridans previously isolated from blood cultures . Many features, including an eight-year history of intermittent neurological disturbances and recent increasing hypergammaglobulinaemia, accord with the diagnosis of atrial myxoma . However, the valvular attachment site, absence of any cardiac structural abnormality, and tumour histopathology with bacterial colonization of the tumour present a unique situation which is explored in the discussion.

Infect Immun, 1975 Dec, 12(6), 1415 - 25
Effect of dextranase on the extracellular polysaccharide synthesis of Streptococcus mutans; chemical and scanning electron microscopy studies; Hamada S et al.; A dextranase preparation (AD17) partially purified from a culture liquor of Spicaria violacea strain IFO 6120 significantly inhibited the formation of artifcial dental plaque on a steel wire or on an extracted tooth surface . Changes in the surface morphology of Streptococcus mutans cells due to AD17 action were studied using scanning electron microscopy . S . mutans cells grown in 5% sucrose-containing broth were coated with sticky amorphous capsule-like material, whereas cells grown in sucrose in the presence of AD17 or in glucose instead of sucrose did not synthesize such capsular material . AK17 degraded commercially available dextrans of molecular weight 7 X 1(04) and 2 X 10(6) to liberate glucose and various oligosaccharides, including isomaltose . On the other hand, AD17 hydrolyzed the extracellular polysaccharides (mainly glucan in nature) of some strains of S . mutans to a limited degree . Only 15 to 36% of the total polysaccharides were hydrolyzed by AD1M with little release of isomaltose . Prolonged incubation of the polysaccharides from S . mutans with AD17 did not release additional reducing sugars, which indicates that AD17 did not contain alpha-1,3-glucanase activity . These results suggest that glucosidic linkages which are susceptible to AD17 may play an important role in the adherence of S . mutans cells to smooth surfaces.

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