Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1986 Jun, 22(2), 231 - 40 {Urinary infections in patients in the U.S.L . 25 Val di Cornia . Percentage frequency and sensitivity to antibiotics}; Neri A et al.; In order to estimate the present situation concerning bacterial resistance to a group of widely-used antibiotics, the results of several antibiograms, which were carried out from October 1984 to February 1985 on bacterial stocks isolated from urinary cultures sent to the Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry at the Campiglia Marittima Hospital U.S.L . 25 (Livorno) have been collected . The bacterial species most frequently observed are Gram-negative, namely: Escherichia coli (54%), Proteus (19%), Klebsiella (13%) and Pseudomonas (9%) . E . coli turned out to be particularly sensitive to cephotaxim, phosphomicin, nalidixic acid but only slightly to gentamycin . Klebsiella was very sensitive to cephotaxim, gentamycin and amikacin, while Proteus reacted positively against cephotaxim, aztreonam and oxolinic acid . Pseudomonas was resistant to nearly every antibiotic examined, except amikacin and aztreonam . Overall analysis reveals that cephotaxim an aztreonam are the most active on E . coli, Proteus and Klebsiella, while gentamycin is only slightly. Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1986 Jun, 22(2), 215 - 22 {Isolation of thymidine-dependent strains . Microbiologic considerations and personal observations}; Grigis A et al.; We describe the emergence of three thymidine-dependent strains (Thy-): two Escherichia coli obtained in successive occasions from urine of a woman treated with co-trimoxazole before the organisms were isolated and one Proteus mirabilis obtained from urine of a man who had a treatment with norfloxacin . Cultural characteristics and methods for the detection of these Thy- strains are given. Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet, 1986 Jun-Jul, 81(6-7), 385 - 8 {A case of septic necrobiosis in leiomyoma of the uterus in the postpartum period . Clinical, echographic and x-ray computed tomography study}; Tribalat S et al.; The authors report a case of septic necrobiosis of leiomyoma uteri the first signs of which were seen at the eighth day after childbirth . After several episodes of discharge of Proteus into the blood, separated by a period of apparent resolution, the disorder was only resolved by hysterectomy carried out upon the request of intensive care staff, despite the desire of the patient for subsequent pregnancies . Bacteriological examination of the necrobiotic myoma showed the presence of Proteus morgani, the antibiotic resistance characteristics of which were the same as those of the Proteus seen in the blood. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1986 Jun, 31(6), 422 - 6 {Effect of cationic polymers and surface-active substances on bacterial resistance to kanamycin}; Kutsenko NN et al.; The effect of cationic polymers and surface active substances (SAS) on sensitivity of Klebsiella aerogenes 600, Escherichia coli 154 and Proteus vulgaris 7470 to kanamycin was studied . A decrease in the resistance of the above organisms to kanamycin on its use in combination with cationic polymers and SAS was observed . It was shown that such substances inhibited the activity of the enzymes inactivating kanamycin . Their effect was suggested to be due to changes in the lipid surrounding of the enzymes. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Jun, 17(6), 747 - 53 In-vitro antibacterial activity of BO-1165, a new monobactam antibiotic; Matsuda K et al.; BO-1165 has excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria but it is almost inactive against Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria . BO-1165 was more active than the four reference drugs against Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, indole-positive and indole-negative Proteus . Also, BO-1165 exhibited high antibacterial activity against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC50, 3.12 mg/l) and P . cepacia (MIC50, 1.56 mg/l), but did not against Ps . maltophilia strains . BO-1165 had good stability to plasmid-mediated and chromosome-mediated beta-lactamases . However, the compound was slightly hydrolyzed by the beta-lactamases isolated from Proteus vulgaris, Ps . cepacia, Klebsiella oxytoca and Ps . maltophilia, which were capable of hydrolyzing aztreonam. Clin Otolaryngol, 1986 Jun, 11(3), 157 - 9 Preoperative swabs for the treatment of draining ears after middle ear surgery; Stellfeld M et al.; The value of a preoperative swab for the treatment of postoperative infection after middle ear surgery was investigated . In a selected group of 80 patients with postoperative infection a preoperative swab was available, and the variability was analysed for each species . The well-known pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus and Escherichia coli showed good correlation between pre- and postoperative swabs . In contrast to this all other species found in preoperative swabs were of little value postoperatively . This observation is important for the treatment of infection after middle ear surgery, and should be considered if prophylactic antibiotics are planned. Chemioterapia, 1986 Jun, 5(3), 185 - 90 Survey of aminoglycoside resistance patterns; Legakis NJ et al.; We studied the susceptibility of 545 gram-negative clinical isolates to six aminoglycosides: gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin, amikacin, 2'-N-ethylnetilmicin, and 6'-N-ethylnetilmicin . The resistant strains (359) have been classified into aminoglycoside resistance (patterns) phenotypes (AGRPs) corresponding to known resistance mechanisms . The results clearly demonstrated that most strains of Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa appeared to be able to adenylate the 2'-hydroxyl group (ANT(2'')) of aminoglycosides . Of the AGRPs reflecting acetylating activity, the AAC(3)-II and AAC(3)-I predominated . The AGRP AAC(2') was limited mainly to Proteus and Providencia isolates . It is noteworthy that permeability type resistance (PTR) was observed only among P . aeruginosa strains . Statistical evaluation of the results, using a discriminant regression analysis showed that PTR P . aeruginosa strains were isolated less often from urine than from other clinical sources (P less than 0.05) . On the contrary the ANT(2'') Proteus strains were more common isolates from urinary infections as compared to those from other sources (P less than 0.05) . Other correlations between frequency of AGRPs, bacterial groups, and various clinical sources were not statistically significant . However such differences in the frequency of occurrence of AGRPs among diverse bacterial groups were noted in relation to hospitals. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1986 Jun, 39(6), 833 - 8 Potential prodrugs of 6-acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid (Ro 15-1903); Adam S et al.; The synthesis and biological activities of a series of non-classical penicillins are described . These compounds were synthesized by treating the pivaloyloxymethyl ester of 6-acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid (Ro 15-1903) with various nucleophiles . They were found to be less active against the beta-lactamases from Proteus vulgaris 1028, Escherichia coli 1024, Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTC 418 and E . coli RTEM than the parent compound . Nevertheless, synergy with ampicillin against whole bacterial cells producing beta-lactamases was evident, although the single compounds did not exhibit antibacterial properties . With the compounds 2a and 2b, synergistic interaction with ampicillin could also be demonstrated in mice. Wien Klin Wochenschr, 1986 May 30, 98(11), 355 - 7 {Norfloxacin in the treatment of urinary tract infections}; Joost J; 28 patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) were treated with norfloxacin 2 X 400 mg daily for 9 days . 14 of these patients had complicated UTI (stones, obstruction) . The main pathogens were E . coli and Proteus mirabilis . On the third day of treatment all bacteria were eradicated . One week after therapy all patients with uncomplicated UTI were cured and, likewise, 9 of 14 with complicated UTI . There was no laboratory evidence of adverse effects . 6 patients reported only mild side effects such as epigastric pain, dizziness and pruritus, which did not necessitate discontinuation of norfloxacin . Norfloxacin appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of UTI. N Engl J Med, 1986 May 8, 314(19), 1208 - 13 Bacterial adherence to bladder uroepithelial cells in catheter-associated urinary tract infection; Daifuku R et al.; To assess the role of bacterial adherence to uroepithelial cells in the pathogenesis of nosocomial urinary tract infection, we prospectively studied 55 patients with indwelling urinary catheters . We obtained uroepithelial cells from the bladder and urine for culture on the patients' entry into the study and every two to four days during catheterization . In all, 235 collections of uroepithelial cells from these patients were used in an in vitro adherence assay with six gram-negative bacterial strains . With uroepithelial cells from patients who did not have bacterial infections, the adherence of the bacteria used in the assay differed significantly according to species . The least adherence occurred with Escherichia coli GR12; the adherence increased with (in order) Proteus mirabilis, E . coli J96, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . With cells collected just before the onset of bacteriuria, adherence of these gram-negative strains was higher in patients in whom gram-negative rod infections developed than in those with gram-positive coccal infections (P = 0.005) . Analysis with the Cox proportional-hazards model demonstrated that a significant increase in bacterial adherence to uroepithelial cells in the bladder occurred two to four days before the onset of bacteriuria, but that adherence returned to base-line values with the onset of bacteriuria . These results suggest that a transient increase in the adherence of gram-negative bacteria to bladder epithelial cells may be an important early event in the development of catheter-associated bacteriuria. J Clin Lab Immunol, 1986 May, 20(1), 43 - 9 Cell-mediated immunity in healthy adults in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic; Williams DL et al.; Cell-mediated immune responses were studied in 2 Antarctic and sub-Antarctic groups at quarterly intervals over a wintering year, using the cutaneous CMI Multitest . The sub-Antarctic population at Macquarie Island (M.I.) had levels of responsiveness and hypoergy comparable to other healthy populations in temperate regions . The Antarctic group at Mawson showed decreased scores and total number of positive responses to antigens, and a significantly elevated incidence of anergy and hypoergy . Quarterly skin testing showed considerable variability in subject responsiveness to specific antigens at different times over the year . However, only 2 antigens at M.I., trichophyton and proteus, showed a significant seasonal variation in score . There was no statistically significant seasonal variation in antigen scores at Mawson . It is concluded that environment and stress factors in Antarctic expeditions are responsible for the decreased immunological responsiveness. J Infect, 1986 May, 12(3), 221 - 7 Comparison of long-term indwelling catheters and bed-pads in the treatment of urinary incontinence in elderly patients; Rannikko S et al.; Bed-pads and long-term indwelling catheters were compared in the treatment of urinary incontinence in two groups of eight elderly bedridden women . The same silicone catheter could be left in situ on average for 2 months . A detailed description of the changes of urinary bacterial flora in patients of both experimental groups is given . At the end of the 6 months' study all of the patients in both groups had significant bacteriuria (greater than or equal to 10(8) CFU/1), Proteus species being the most common pathogen in catheterised patients . The development of multiple resistance was observed in both groups, but it was more pronounced in the catheterised group . The indwelling catheter was more economical (P less than 0.001), but carried a higher risk of infection. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1986 May, 34(5), 483 - 9 {Urinary tract infections in general medical practice . A study of clinical findings, of the distribution of causative microbial species and their sensitivity to 16 antibiotics}; Lecomte F et al.; From April to July 1984, all of the strains recovered by 10 private laboratories in Upper-Normandy region (France) from urine samples from outpatients seen in office practices (public and private hospitals excluded) were preserved . A total of 829 strains were collected, identified and tested against antibiotics using disk diffusion techniques . These investigations, together with a synthesis of clinical findings, were carried out by the Laboratory of Bacteriology of the Rouen University Hospital . 78.1% of patients were females; all age groups were represented with a greater prevalence of subjects aged 26 to 35 and above 66 . E . coli was the most prevalent pathogen (74.5% of all strains), followed by Proteus and Providencia (10%) . E . coli was recovered in 78% of first infections against 67.7% of recurrent infections and 50% of prostatitis . More than 25% of strains were resistant to ampicillin; norfloxacin showed the best activity, with 96.5% of susceptible strains. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 May, (5), 21 - 4 {Comparative evaluation of different methods for typing bacteria in the genus Proteus}; Shvidenko IG; The work presents the comparative evaluation of different methods used for differentiating bacteria of the genus Proteus . A scheme of the combined typing of Proteus is presented . This scheme includes the determination of enzymatic and serological variants with the subsequent additional bacteriocinogenic and phage typing . Among the Proteus strains in our collection (600 strains), 123 sero-enzymatic variants, 71 enzymo-lysogenic variants, 64 enzymo-bacteriocinogenic variants, 162 sero-lysogenic variants, 164 sero-bacteriocinogenic variants and 52 bacteriocinogeno-lysogenic variants have been detected. Int J Dermatol, 1986 May, 25(4), 258 - 65 Cephalosporins in cutaneous infections . A prospective comparison of two dosage regimens of ceftazidime for therapy of skin and skin structure infections; Parish LC et al.; The safety and efficacy of ceftazidime administered as 0.5 g every 8 hours (q8h) or 1.0 g q8h for at least 5 days were compared in 197 patients and found to be effective in the treatment of cellulitis, abscesses, skin ulcers, and wound infections . Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen in both treatment groups with approximately half of the isolates from each treatment group being gram-positive . Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common gram-negative isolate . P . aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli each comprised 5-12% of the isolates from each treatment group . Clinical cure or improvement was achieved in 98.7% of the patients in each treatment group . Concurrently with clinically successful treatment, a high rate of bacteriologic eradication without superinfection was achieved with the 0.5-g regimen (84% of all isolates) and the 1.0-g regimen (92%). Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1986 May, 31(5), 381 - 4 {Antibacterial activity of a number of preparations and their combination with a proteolytic enzyme against the microflora of burn and surgical wounds}; Murashko SN et al.; Antibacterial activity of antibiotics (azlocillin, tobramycin and piperacillin), antiseptics (metacid, chlorhexidine and quinosoline) and some other drugs (dioxidine and mafenide acetate) against the main representatives of the burn and surgical wound microflora, i . e . Staphylococcus, P . aeruginosa, Proteus, Providencia, Serratia, Klebsiella and E . coli was studied . Tobramycin and piperacillin were highly active against P . aeruginosa, Staphylococcus and Proteus . It was shown that in the presence of terrilytin, a proteolytic enzyme the activity of the combinations of chlorhexidine with dioxidine or mafenide acetate against all microorganisms occurring in burn and surgical wounds markedly increased. J Chromatogr, 1986 Apr 25, 377, 49 - 57 Characterization of pathogenic bacteria by automated headspace concentration-gas chromatography; Zechman JM et al.; Automated headspace concentration-gas chromatography (AHC-GC) was used to profile the volatile metabolites produced by Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . Bacterial cultures were incubated in trypticase soy broth and examined at 24 h . The profiles were consistent for each genus examined and variation observed among the different strains of each species was chiefly quantitative . The volatiles were identified by concurrent headspace concentration-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and consisted mainly of isobutanol, isopentanol, isopentyl acetate, 1-undecene and methyl ketones . There were sufficient differences in the profiles in the 4-6 min elution period to distinguish P . aeruginosa and S . aureus from each other and from the other two bacteria . P . mirabilis and K . pneumoniae typically showed three intense peaks which corresponded to isobutanol, isopentyl acetate and isopentanol . The determination of volatiles by AHC-GC is sensitive, rapid and offers a possible alternative for automatic detection and characterization of pathogenic bacteria. J Chromatogr, 1986 Apr 23, 357(1), 191 - 8 Highly sensitive assay for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection; Kiuchi K et al.; A highly sensitive assay for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity involving high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection was devised . gamma-Glutamyl-DOPA, a new synthetic dipeptide, which consists of naturally occurring amino acids, was found to be a good substrate for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase purified from Proteus mirabilis . Enzymatically formed DOPA was adsorbed on an aluminium oxide column, eluted with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid and determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection . The sensitivity limit of this method was 0.5 pmol of DOPA formed . Some properties of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase purified from P . mirabilis were investigated using gamma-glutamyl-DOPA as a substrate . In the presence of 0.15 M glycylglycine, the KM value of the enzyme for gamma-glutamyl-DOPA was 0.013 mM, and the maximum velocity was 247 nmol/min per mg protein . This method was applied to the assay of the enzymatic activity in human serum. J Biol Chem, 1986 Apr 5, 261(10), 4600 - 6 Expression of the Proteus mirabilis lipoprotein gene in Escherichia coli . Existence of tandem promoters; Ching G et al.; The Ipp gene from Proteus mirabilis was cloned onto pBR322 and expressed in Escherichia coli . The P . mirabilis lpp gene is unique in that it has two tandem promoters transcribing two mRNAs that differ in length by approximately 70 nucleotides at their 5'-ends . The two mRNAs thus encode the identical lipoprotein . The P . mirabilis prolipoprotein has a 19-amino acid signal peptide and a 59-amino acid lipoprotein sequence . In spite of the substantial differences in the amino acid sequence from the E . coli prolipoprotein, the P . mirabilis prolipoprotein is normally modified and processed in E . coli, and the resultant lipoprotein is assembled in the E . coli outer membrane as is the E . coli lipoprotein. Z Urol Nephrol, 1986 Apr, 79(5), 245 - 52 {Nonspecific pyelonephritis and the formation of urinary calculi in urogenital tuberculosis}; Lenk S et al.; The course of urogenital tuberculosis is complicated by unspecific bacterial infections of the urinary tract and nephrolithiasis . Among 605 patients with bacteriological or histological verified urogenital tuberculosis, 122 patients (20%) developed unspecific bacterial urinary infection--commonly caused by E . coli, proteus and pseudomonas--and 57 patients (9.4%) showed nephrolithiasis . In 42% of the lithiasis patients an urinary tract infection simultaneously occurred . 22 calculi are analyzed by the combined crystal-optical and x-ray-diffraction method with following results: 9 X struvite/carbonate apatite, 6 X calcium phosphate, 7 X calcium oxalate . The texture of 12 calculi was investigated on thin sections by polarization microscopy and a high concentration of organic material was found in both calcium oxalate and struvite/carbonate apatite calculi. Hinyokika Kiyo, 1986 Apr, 32(4), 592 - 4 {A case of soft vesical calculi}; Hori N et al.; A case of soft vesical calculi is reported . A 72-year-old male, visited our clinic complaining of discharge of white muddy substance . KUB film revealed calcification in the vesical region . Urinalysis showed UTI, and culture of urine was positive for Proteus mirabilis . Thereafter, the patient suffered from discharges of similar calculi several times . Two of three infrared spectroscopic charts showed mixture of calcium phosphate and ammonium hydrogen urate and that of the remaining disclosed magnesium ammonium phosphate . An alcian blue-PAS double staining of this calculus revealed the presence of acid and neutral glycosaminoglycans, and bacterial colonies . These calculi were thought to be different from the so called 'matrix calculi'. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 Apr, 261(2), 198 - 203 Proteus penneri showing a green colour reaction with Kovacs' indole reagent; Muller HE; All 33 investigated strains of Proteus penneri gave a green colour reaction with Kovacs' indole reagent after an incubation of about three days at 36 degrees C . Furthermore, 26% of the 51 strains of Proteus mirabilis studied also showed the green colour reaction but somewhat more weakly . The initial compound of this reaction seems to be a product of tryptophan metabolism which is formed only under aerobic conditions. J Hyg (Lond), 1986 Apr, 96(2), 185 - 98 Self-disinfecting plastics for intravenous catheters and prosthetic inserts; Kingston D et al.; A disinfectant (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether: Irgasan, Ciba-Geigy) was incorporated into plastic washers fabricated from ethylvinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene, polypropylene or TPX . Plastics containing 0.2 and 2% Irgasan gave zones of inhibition on nutrient and blood agar plates seeded with micro-organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Staph . epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis or Candida albicans) even after thorough washing . Exceptionally, C . albicans was inhibited only by 2% Irgasan, and EVA gave good inhibition only against the staphylococci . Similar washers of each plastic were implanted subcutaneously into the flanks of rabbits; before insertion each was washed, had thread woven into it and was surrounded by a plasma clot containing 2 X 10(8) Staph . aureus . All the plastics without Irgasan gave rise to abscesses, none of the plastics impregnated with 2% Irgasan did, though from 2 out of 12 sites small numbers of Staph . aureus were isolated at post mortem . Using either clinical or bacteriological criteria, the results were highly significant (P less than 0.00001 and P less than 0.001 respectively), demonstrating the effectiveness of this technique in preventing plastic-associated infection. Infect Immun, 1986 Apr, 52(1), 245 - 51 Role of cell surface receptors in the regulation of intracellular killing of bacteria by murine peritoneal exudate neutrophils; Hart PH et al.; The role of the Fc and third component of complement (C3) receptors on mouse neutrophils in the control of killing of Proteus mirabilis, opsonized in normal mouse serum (NMS) or heated immune mouse serum (HIMS), was studied . The events following incubation of neutrophils with P . mirabilis and the events associated with bacterial killing were assayed . The respiratory burst was quantified by chemiluminescence (CL) . Levels of leukocyte-associated bacteria were determined after a 20-min ingestion period as a measure of phagocytosis . Bacterial killing was measured while ingestion was allowed to continue or as a discrete process when extracellular, noningested bacteria had been removed and neutrophils with intracellular bacteria were incubated in the presence of serum . Modification of these responses in the presence of three monoclonal antibodies (MAb), NIMP-R10 and M1/70, which bind to different epitopes of the mouse C3 receptor, and 2.4G2, which binds to the mouse Fc receptor, was investigated . MAb to the C3, but not to the Fc, receptors reduced CL, ingestion, and intracellular killing of NMS-opsonized P . mirabilis . MAb to the Fc receptor diminished CL to and reduced the rate of ingestion of HIMS-opsonized bacteria . The two MAb to the C3 receptor each produced a similar inhibition of ingestion and intracellular killing of HIMS-opsonized bacteria, but they only partially blocked CL . A range of MAb preparations reactive with other murine antigens did not inhibit these events, either with NMS- or HIMS-opsonized P . mirabilis . The results suggest that C3 receptors on mouse neutrophils played a predominant role in regulation of the killing of P . mirabilis . Similar results were found for Staphylococcus aureus . C3 receptors were necessary for maximal expression of all functions culminating in bacterial kill . That MAb to the C3 receptor inhibited phagocytosis of HIMS-opsonized bacteria in similar fashion to the effect of MAb to the Fc receptor and in contrast to the lack of effect of control MAb may reflect steric hindrance of the Fc receptor by MAb binding to the C3 receptor, or it may reflect that the receptors are linked in murine neutrophils as they are in human neutrophils. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Apr, (4), 84 - 8 {Preventive properties of the blood sera from persons vaccinated with a Proteus vaccine made from soluble antigen complexes}; Levina LA et al.; In experiments of the passive protection of mice the protective properties of sera obtained from humans before and after their immunization with Proteus vaccine used as a monopreparation or in combination with staphylococcal toxoid and/or pyoimmunogen were studied . When introduced in a single subcutaneous injection, Proteus vaccine prepared from soluble antigenic complexes ensured an increase in the protective properties of sera . The second injection of the vaccine essentially enhanced the protective potency of the sera of the immunized donors . The therapeutic injection of Proteus vaccine ensured the essential increase of the protective properties of the sera . This increase could be experimentally detected within at least 25-30 days from the beginning of immunization . The immunization of volunteers with Proteus vaccine in combination with pyoimmunogen and adsorbed staphylococcal toxoid ensured the maximum increase of the protective properties of their sera. Parasitology, 1986 Apr, 92 ( Pt 2), 313 - 24 Antibodies to the glutamate dehydrogenase of Plasmodium falciparum; Ling IT et al.; Polyclonal antisera raised against Plasmodium knowlesi reacted with NADP-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) of P . knowlesi, GLDH of P . falciparum and GLDH of Proteus spp . The antisera did not react with NAD(P) GLDH from bovine liver . Polyclonal antisera raised against the GLDH of Proteus spp . cross-reacted with GLDH from P . falciparum . Monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) obtained from mice immunized with Proteus GLDH were either specific for the bacterial enzyme or cross-reacted with P . falciparum GLDH . The selected McAbs did not react with GLDH from P . knowlesi, P . chabaudi or P . berghei . The GLDH of P . falciparum was shown to be a cytosolic protein (by FAT) with a subunit molecular weight of approximately 49 000 Da (by immunoprecipitation) having a predominantly hexameric form (by sucrose density gradient) . Implications of the conserved sequences of GLDHs and other enzymes are discussed. Urology, 1986 Apr, 27(4), 343 - 8 Escherichia coli adherence to anion exchange resin . In vitro model for initial screening of potential antiadherence agents; Ruggieri MR et al.; The first step in developing a bladder infection is attachment of bacteria to the bladder epithelium . Removing the bladder mucin increases bacterial adherence up to a thousand-fold, and this increase can be prevented by pretreating the mucin-deficient bladder with heparin . To develop a rapid, in vitro antiadherence screening assay, we studied the adherence of Escherichia coli to various chromatography resins and the ability of heparin and other agents to antagonize this attachment . The results can be summarized as follows: Although E . coli attached to all resins, only the adherence to the anion exchange resin was inhibited by heparin (up to 95%) . Agents which did not effect E . coli adherence to the resin did not affect attachment to the bladder . Agents which inhibited E . coli adherence to the bladder also inhibited E . coli adherence to the resin . Similar to the effect of heparin on E . coli attachment, the adherence of Klebsiella ozaene, Proteus mirabilis, and Streptococcus fecalis to both bladder epithelium and anion exchange resin were also antagonized . These studies indicate that the adherence of E . coli (as well as other bacterial species) to anion exchange resin responds to heparin and other chemical agents in a similar manner as does adherence to the mucin-deficient rabbit urinary bladder . Because of the ease and rapid nature of this in vitro assay, it serves as a useful screen for potential bacterial antiadherence agents and could be used to help elucidate mechanisms of bacterial attachment. J Mol Biol, 1986 Mar 5, 188(1), 109 - 10 Crystallization of recA protein from Proteus mirabilis; Weber IT et al.; The recA protein from Proteus mirabilis, which is homologous to the Escherichia coli protein, forms crystals in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) . There are two 38,000 molecular weight subunits in the asymmetric unit and the unit cell dimensions are a = 57.5, b = 127.0 and c = 157.0 A. J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 23(3), 604 - 8 Composition and antimicrobic resistance of skin flora in hospitalized and healthy adults; Larson EL et al.; The aerobic bacterial flora of the skin of the anterior nares, axilla, perineum, and toe web in a group of 37 patients hospitalized for at least 2 weeks was compared with the flora of 30 healthy adults . Colony counts were significantly higher for flora of the perineum and toe web in both groups (P less than 0.05) . Patients had significantly higher carriage rates of Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Candida spp . (P less than 0.01) . Staphylococcus haemolyticus was isolated more frequently from patients, and S . hominis was isolated more frequently from controls (P less than 0.01) . Patient microflora, including gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, large-colony diphtheroids, and lipophilic diphtheroids, showed a high degree of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents . The gram-positive coccal flora of patients was significantly more resistant than that of controls for 8 of 10 antimicrobial agents tested . Methicillin resistance occurred in only 2.9% of isolates from controls, but in 44.3% from patients (P less than 0.01) . This extensive survey identifies qualitative and quantitative differences in skin flora and confirms that significantly higher levels of antimicrobial resistance are present in all types of organisms from a number of skin sites in hospitalized patients. Arch Intern Med, 1986 Mar, 146(3), 538 - 41 Clinical and microbiologic consequences of amikacin use during a 42-month period; Berk SL et al.; In June 1980, 23% of our Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and 53% of our Serratia species were resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin . During a 3 1/2-year period of almost exclusive amikacin usage, we noted a fall in overall resistance of gram-negative organisms to tobramycin and gentamicin from 18.8% and 19.3% to 15.2% and 16.2%, respectively . This fall in resistance was most notable for Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Serratia species . During this period there was no increase in amikacin resistance . Age, hospitalization, prior antibiotic therapy, and Foley catheter use were predisposing factors in acquiring amikacin-resistant organisms . Amikacin-resistant gram-negative bacilli were usually sensitive to newer penicillins or cephalosporins. J Ethnopharmacol, 1986 Mar, 15(3), 279 - 88 Comparative in vitro antimicrobial activity of Chinese medicinal herbs; Franzblau SG et al.; Eighteen herbs used in the treatment of infectious diseases in traditional Chinese medicine were evaluated for in vitro activity against ten microbial pathogens . Lyophilized teas were tested by the agar dilution technique at 100-1600 micrograms/ml . Eleven of the preparations were active against at least one microorganism and six of these were active against at least three of the test isolates . Huangqin (Scutellaria sp.) and Huanglian (Coptis sp.) were each active against five of the isolates . Huangqin inhibited Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris at 200 micrograms/ml . Huangqin alone showed strong activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis (less than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml) and Candida albicans (200 micrograms/ml) . The antimicrobial activity of various teas, prepared with equal weights of herbs, could be compared against a particular pathogen by considering both the percentage of water-soluble material in the herbs and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the filtered, lyophilized decoctions. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Mar, 17(3), 323 - 6 Amikacin synergism with beta-lactam antibiotics against selected nosocomial pathogens; Gombert ME et al.; The synergistic interaction between amikacin and several investigational antibiotics against seven different genera of nosocomial pathogens was assessed using the microtitre checkerboard technique . The greatest percentage of tests showing synergy was when amikacin was used in combination with apalcillin and azlocillin particularly against Serratia marcescens and Proteus spp . When amikacin was combined with several new semi-synthetic cephalosporins, synergy was present in a variable percentage of tests . No antagonism was found in any of the tested combinations. Medicine (Baltimore), 1986 Mar, 65(2), 82 - 106 Septic thrombosis of the dural venous sinuses; Southwick FS et al.; From 1940 to 1984, 19 cases of septic dural-sinus thrombosis have been diagnosed at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and some 136 cases have been reported from other institutions . Septic thrombosis most frequently involves the cavernous sinuses (96 cases) . Facial or sphenoid air sinus infection often precede cavernous-sinus disease . In addition to the classical signs of proptosis, chemosis, and oculomotor paralysis, isolated sixth-nerve palsy and hypo- or hyperesthesia of the fifth nerve may be found . The major pathogens associated with cavernous-sinus infection include Staphylococcus aureus, other gram-positive organisms, and anaerobes . Septic lateral-sinus thrombosis (64 cases) is almost exclusively a complication of otitis media and/or mastoid infection . Organisms causing this infection include Proteus species, Escherichia coli, S . aureus, and anaerobes . Septic thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus (23 cases) most frequently accompanies bacterial meningitis or air sinus infection . Causative organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, S . aureus, other streptococci, and Klebsiella species . Because septic dural-sinus thrombosis is rare, this disease is frequently misdiagnosed . Evaluation should include lumbar puncture, air sinus films, and computed tomographic scan with contrast . Other helpful diagnostic tests may include carotid angiography, and dynamic brain scan . Orbital venography is the most definitive study in cases of chronic cavernous-sinus thrombosis . Therapy should include intravenous antibiotics and early surgical drainage of purulent exudate in the air sinuses or mastoid regions . Retrospective analysis suggests that treatment with heparin may reduce mortality in carefully selected cases of septic cavernous-sinus thrombosis . Anticoagulation is not recommended in other forms of septic dural-sinus thrombosis . Mortality in the antibiotic-era remains high, particularly in patients with septic thrombosis of the cavernous (30%) and superior sagittal (78%) sinuses. Infect Immun, 1986 Mar, 51(3), 936 - 41 Neutrophil activity in abscess-bearing mice: comparative studies with neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood, elicited peritoneal exudates, and abscesses; Hart PH et al.; Intraabdominal abscesses were induced in mice by intraperitoneal inoculation of Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli plus bran as the abscess-potentiating agent . Six- or seven-day-old abscesses were mechanically disaggregated in buffer, and the cells obtained were fractionated on discontinuous Percoll density gradients . Neutrophil populations of different density, each approximately 90% pure, were isolated . When the abscess-derived neutrophils were subsequently incubated with normal serum in vitro under aerobic conditions, the viability of the gram-negative bacteria that had been phagocytosed within the abscess did not change significantly . This anergy to intracellular bacteria (on subsequent incubation in vitro under optimal conditions for phagocytic killing) was also found for neutrophils that had been obtained from abscesses induced by a mixture that included Proteus mirabilis plus B . fragilis and from those induced by E . coli plus P . mirabilis . While unable to significantly kill intracellular organisms that had been phagocytosed in vivo, the abscess-derived neutrophils could engulf and kill organisms to which they were exposed in vitro . Neutrophils from abscesses induced by P . mirabilis only plus bran killed that organism introduced in vitro significantly more effectively than the organisms that had been engulfed in vivo . In contrast, neutrophils from abscesses induced by the gram-positive organism Staphylococcus aureus plus bran were able to kill their intracellular organisms on subsequent incubation in vitro as effectively as they could kill added S . aureus . Neutrophils isolated from the peripheral blood and from induced peritoneal exudates of abscess-bearing mice were able to phagocytose and kill organisms in vitro with greater efficiency than abscess-derived neutrophils . The mechanism whereby neutrophils from abscesses induced by the gram-positive organism S . aureus can kill the organisms phagocytosed in vivo on subsequent in vitro incubation, in contrast to the relative anergy to their intracellular organisms displayed by neutrophils derived from abscesses induced by combinations of gram-negative bacteria, is not known. Nephrologie, 1986, 7(1), 13 - 8 {Presence of newberyite in the right kidney and carbonated apatite in the left kidney in a patient with recurrent urinary infections}; Uebelhart D et al.; In about 20% of the cases, urolithiasis is directly linked to chronic urinary tract infection by urea splitting bacteria, essentially Proteus mirabilis . The stones are generally composed of struvite and carbonate apatite which usually occur as staghorn calculi feared because of their obstructive and infectious consequences that cause important renal damage . The case of a 48 year-old woman with chronic urinary infection is described whose right kidney showed a staghorn calculus essentially composed of newberyite, a very rare constituent of urolithiasis, and whose left kidney contained three carbonate apatite calculi . Clinical and technical examinations, relations between the two mineral constituents are discussed in this paper with a review of the literature on the subject. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1986, 12(11), 861 - 9 Cefonicid, a long acting cephalosporin: in vitro activity compared with three cephalosporins and gentamicin; Hamilton-Miller JM et al.; Minimum inhibitory concentrations of cefonicid, cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime and gentamicin were determined against 688 bacterial strains (234 Gram-positive and 454 Gram-negative) from 20 different genera . Cefonicid showed a broader spectrum than cefazolin but was not as active as ceftazidime or gentamicin . Cefonicid most closely resembled cefuroxime in terms of microbiological properties . Disc testing accurately predicted sensitivity to cefonicid except for Staphylococcus aureus (which was sensitive by MIC, but appeared resistant in the disc test) and Proteus vulgaris (which was resistant by MIC but appeared sensitive in the disc test) . In combination with gentamicin, synergy or addition was observed in 94% of 35 strains tested by the chequerboard technique . In view of its long half-life and wide range of microbiological activity, cefonicid promises to be a useful addition to the range of cephalosporins already available. Scand J Infect Dis, 1986, 18(5), 447 - 50 Antibiogram of urinary tract isolates in Kuwait; Helin I et al.; 1253 urinary tract isolates collected during 9 months (April-December 1984) were analysed by the agar diffusion method for sensitivity to 13 antimicrobial agents commonly used for the treatment of urinary tract infections in children and adults . We noticed an agitatingly high resistance of Escherichia coli to ampicillin, sulphonamide and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole and of Proteus spp . to ampicillin . As Kuwait is one of the countries where the total consumption of antibiotics is very high as compared to most of the western countries, we are inclined to assume that this generous policy for the prescription of especially ampicillin and other broad spectrum antibiotics in uncomplicated infections has generated this serious consequence. J Physiol (Paris), 1986, 81(2), 132 - 9 {Osmotic homeostasis in the freshwater ameba}; Couillard P; Structural and physiological osmotic adaptations of freshwater protozoa are reviewed using Amoeba proteus as an example . A particular emphasis is given to the contractile vacuole . Recent results on the effects of exogenous ATP and vasopressin on the contractile vacuole are also presented. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(4), 461 - 9 Lipopolysaccharides of flagellated and non-flagellated Proteus vulgaris strains; Sidorczyk Z et al.; Lipopolysaccharides from two strains of Proteus vulgaris were analyzed . One strain (08) was motile, giving swarming growth on solid media and the other (04)--non-flagellated, not able to swarm . Both lipopolysaccharides appeared to be heterogeneous and were separated into two fractions each . Yield, chemical composition and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed differences between fractions in percentage content of 0-specific and R-core polysaccharides . Relation between ability to swarming growth of Proteus strains and heterogeneity of their lipopolysaccharides is also discussed. Scand J Infect Dis, 1986, 18(5), 431 - 8 The combination of pivampicillin and pivmecillinam versus pivampicillin alone in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis; Eriksson S et al.; 96 patients with clinical symptoms of acute pyelonephritis were randomized to 2 weeks treatment with either a fixed combination of pivampicillin and pivmecillinam or to pivampicillin alone . If needed, treatment was first started with the respective parenteral equivalents of the drugs . Acute pyelonephritis was bacteriologically verified in 57 patients, in whom Escherichia coli was isolated in 80% of the cases, Klebsiella in 7% and Proteus mirabilis in 5% . 22 of the 39 patients excluded did not have significant bacteriuria (less than 10(8) c.f.u./l) . Combination treatment was superior to pivampicillin/ampicillin alone, in terms of clinical effect, with successful treatment being noted in 93% in the combination group and in 53% in the ampicillin group (p = 0.002) . The combination was also more effective bacteriologically and it did not select resistant strains in the urinary tract . Ampicillin treatment alone, was, however, associated with a significant increase in urinary strains resistant to ampicillin and to mecillinam . Unsuccessful responders had a significantly higher mean age (p less than 0.01) than successful responders . No serious side-effects were noted. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1986, 52(2), 105 - 16 The functional localization of cytochromes b in the respiratory chain of anaerobically grown Proteus mirabilis; Van Wielink JE et al.; The functional localization of the cytochromes b found in anaerobically grown Proteus mirabilis was investigated . From light absorption spectra, scanned during uninhibited and HQNO-inhibited electron transport to various electron acceptors, it was concluded that all cytochromes b function between two HQNO inhibition sites, or more probably in a Q- or b-cycle. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(2), 149 - 53 Nosocomial infection in a children's hospital . A retrospective study; Polz M et al.; The investigations the frequency of the occurrences of hospital infections were carried in a General Pediatric Ward . Most of the infections (77 per cent) appeared in children up to one year of age . The hospital infections mostly affected children residing in rural areas . The etiological agent was E . coli (36 per cent), Proteus (22.7 per cent) Klebsiella and Staphylococcus . The infections caused by E . coli mainly appeared in girls, others- in boys . The frequency of the occurrences of hospital infections was also analysed with respect to the primary disease of a child . In most cases of additional infections were found in children with upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and bronchitis . The above differences are statistically valid. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1986, 12(4), 299 - 302 Correlation between structure and biological properties of cephalosporins: the discovery of ceftriaxone; Reiner R; A research programme on cephalosporins was conducted in the author's laboratory with the aim of creating compounds with improved antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties . In the first phase of this programme, great attention was paid to the study of how the structure of a 3-heterocyclic-thiomethyl side chain is capable of influencing antibiotic activity within a large series of model compounds possessing the same acyl side chain (2-thienylacetyl) as cephalothin . Several structural and physico-chemical features of the heterocyclic thiols used and the corresponding cephalosporins were correlated with in vitro and in vivo activity . As a result of these studies, the enolic 2-methyl-6-hydroxy-5-oxo-as-triazine-3-thiol was identified as the most interesting substituent, since the corresponding cephalosporin showed a valuable resistance breakthrough against several cephalothin-resistant Proteus strains . Consequently, further studies involving the use of different acyl side chains were performed . The introduction of the basic 2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-(Z)-methoxyimino-acetyl side chain finally led to ceftriaxone, which has a very long elimination half-life of 8 hours, high beta-lactamase stability and extremely high chemotherapeutic efficacy against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens . Owing to these properties, ceftriaxone is the first beta-lactam antibiotic suitable for once-daily administration. J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Jan, 132 ( Pt 1), 143 - 50 Induction of beta-lactamase in Proteus vulgaris; Okonogi K et al.; Various beta-lactam antibiotics, including monocyclic beta-lactams, induced the beta-lactamase of Proteus vulgaris; when clinical isolates were induced by benzylpenicillin, each strain produced a single beta-lactamase but the activity per milligram dry weight differed from strain to strain . The beta-lactamases of the P . vulgaris strains were heterogeneous with respect to their isoelectric points, but had almost the same specific activities, substrate specificities and Michaelis constants . The kinetics of beta-lactamase formation were investigated in three strains, each with a different beta-lactamase activity . Differential rates of enzyme synthesis and peak activity depended on the concentration of inducer . The plots of the reciprocals of the differential rates versus the reciprocals of the inducer concentrations were linear, and the maximum rate of enzyme synthesis and the concentration of the inducer giving half-maximum induction were determined from this double reciprocal plot . The maximum rates of enzyme synthesis were different in the three strains . The kinetic analysis of beta-lactamase formation revealed that the beta-lactamase activities in a single bacterial species were determined by differences in the rate of enzyme synthesis and not by differences in the properties of the enzyme. Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(3), 236 - 46 Inducible beta-lactamases are principally responsible for the naturally occurring resistance towards beta-lactam antibiotics in Proteus vulgaris; Aspiotis A et al.; The role of inducible chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases was studied in 22 Proteus vulgaris isolates by monitoring enzyme induction in the presence of various inducers such as ampicillin, cefalothin, cefuroxime, cefsulodin, 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APS), and imipenem . 20 of the isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin, cefalothin, and cefuroxime, whereas 2 isolates were susceptible to these compounds . In all resistant isolates marked inoculum effects could be observed . Enzyme production proved to be transient, i.e . maximum of enzyme production was achieved after 2 or 3 h . In both sensitive isolates enzyme production did not exceed 0.021 U beta-lactamase/mg protein of the cell-free supernatant even after induction with 6-APS or imipenem, whereas it ranged from 0.46 to 6.3 U in the resistant ones . Moreover, enzyme induction was found to be concentration-dependent, as revealed by the extensive study of one of the isolates (No . 4917) . Three different enzymes could be distinguished by means of isoelectric focusing with isoelectric points at 7.4, 8.8, and approximately 9.5 . In the presence of 2.5 mg/l clavulanic acid even strains known to be strong enzyme producers became as susceptible as the sensitive ones: moreover, the inocolum effect was markedly reduced . These findings make it apparent that it is above all the production of inducible enzymes that is responsible for resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in P . vulgaris. Vet Q, 1986 Jan, 8(1), 2 - 5 Pipemidic acid, a new treatment for recurrent urinary tract infection in small animals; van Oosterom RA et al.; A new chemotherapeutic agent, pipemidic acid, was used to treat 14 dogs and 2 cats with recurrent urinary tract infection caused by multiresistent strains of Escherichia coli and Proteus spp . Bacterial culture of the urine after treatment revealed disappearance of the microorganisms in all patients . It is concluded that pipemidic acid is a promising chemotherapeutic agent for urinary tract infections caused by multiresistant E . coli and Proteus spp., with the condition that bacterial culture during the course of treatment is obligatory. J Urol, 1986 Jan, 135(1), 182 - 4 The effects of chronic cystitis on vesicoureteral reflux in an animal model; Lewis RW et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic cystitis interferes with maturation of the ureterovesical junction, thus prolonging vesicoureteral reflux in infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) . Serial implantations of a Proteus-infested silastic pellet into the bladder wall ensured continued infection as demonstrated by urine culture . Chronic cystitis as evidenced by pathological findings at surgery and sacrifice was created in a group of infant monkeys who had initial spontaneous vesicoureteral reflux . There was no evidence of pyelonephritis . Four animals represent a short term study since they were followed from four months to one year of age . Three animals were long term studies and were evaluated for at least 21/2 years . In no animals did chronic cystitis delay the normal disappearance of vesicoureteral reflux that is commonly seen in these animals as the ureterovesical junction matures, as demonstrated by serial cystograms . In two animals reflux (after initial clearing) reappeared when a bladder calculus formed in these chronically infected animals . Renal damage occurred only in these animals . In conclusion, this animal model failed to demonstrate interference with normal vesicoureteral junction maturation in the face of a chronic bladder infection. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1986, 65(5), 354 - 6 {Immunopathology of HTLV III infection in drug addicts}; Corridori S et al.; The authors are herewith reporting the results of an immunological screening performed on 15 drug addicts presenting serological positivity for anti HTLV III (Elisa and WB) . The study has been carried out determining populations and subpopulations of lymphocytes (T3, T4, T8 and T4/T8) and performing cutaneus tests with multiple antigens (Tetanus--Candida--Diphtheria--Proteus--Streptococcus and Tricophyton) . The results achieved by mean of the above mentioned tests seem to indicate the presence of an immunodeficit hitting mainly the cell-mediated immunity in all the patients examined. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1986, 48, 48 - 53 Norfloxacin versus co-trimoxazole in the treatment of recurring urinary tract infections in men; Sabbaj J et al.; Norfloxacin is a lipid-soluble weak organic acid bound to plasma proteins to a low extent . Norfloxacin has a pKa1 from 6.2 to 6.4 and a pKa2 from 8.7 to 8.9 . Mean concentrations of norfloxacin in prostatic tissue have been reported as 1.7 mg/kg . Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in men is frequently associated with prostatic infection, and chronic prostatitis is both difficult to diagnose and to treat . One hundred and twenty-nine patients were entered into a randomized, open controlled, comparative multiclinic study of the efficacy and safety of norfloxacin vs . co-trimoxazole in male patients with recurrent UTI . Norfloxacin 400 mg and co-trimoxazole 160/800 mg were given twice daily for 4 to 6 weeks . One hundred and nine patients were considered evaluable for efficacy . Norfloxacin effected bacteriologic eradication in 56 of 60 (93%) patients; co-trimoxazole effected eradication in 39 of 49 (67%) patients . This difference in bacteriologic outcome had statistical significance (p less than 0.05) . A subset of these patients had prostatic fluid cultures pre- and post-therapy . The eradication rate was 23 of 25 (92%) for norfloxacin and 10 of 15 (67%) for co-trimoxazole . Bacteria isolated were (norfloxacin/co-trimoxazole): E . coli 27/25; K-E-S 14/13; Proteus spp . 7/5; Ps . aeruginosa 2/0; other gram-negative bacilli 4/3; gram-positive cocci 7/3 . Four patients, one on norfloxacin and three on co-trimoxazole had drug-related clinical and/or laboratory adverse experiences . None was serious . Norfloxacin appears to be an effective drug for the treatment of recurrent UTI in men. Jpn J Antibiot, 1986 Jan, 39(1), 99 - 108 {Cefotiam concentration in exudate from suction drain of patients with breast cancer following intravenous administration}; Hashimoto I et al.; Cefotiam (CTM) in a dose of 2 g was given by intravenous bolus injection to 16 patients with breast cancer operated upon radical mastectomy with suction drainage . The materials of exudate from drain were taken at intervals by sterilized paper disc and determined by the paper disc method with Proteus mirabilis ATCC 21100 as the test organism to CTM concentrations . CTM concentrations in exudate from suction drain of patients increased quickly after intravenous injection, and reached to peak early time on 2 to 3 days after operation . While on 6 days after operation, the CTM concentrations were comparatively lower and reached to peak at 2 approximately 3 hours after injection . The CTM concentrations in exudate exceed the antibacterial levels of CTM and are thought to be sufficient to produce prophylactic effects in the operation. Fam Pract Res J, 1986 Spring, 5(3), 197 - 203 Nurse-reported infections in a long term care facility; Smith CW Jr; 350 nurse-reported infectious episodes over a two year period were studied in a nursing home population . Urinary tract infections were the most commonly reported, followed by respiratory and skin infections . Of these cases cultured, the most common urinary organisms were Proteus and E . Coli; the most common respiratory pathogen was Proteus; and the usual skin offender was Staph Aureus . Cultures were obtained more commonly for urinary than for skin and respiratory infections . Recurrent infections accounted for 38% of urinary, 39% of skin, and 24% of respiratory infections . These results provide further documentation about the problem of infections in the nursing home, and they may be helpful in designing preventive measures in this setting. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(5-6), 505 - 12 Cell invasiveness of Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris strains; Rozalski A et al.; Cell penetration ability of haemolytic and non haemolytic Proteus rods was compared . Among four Proteus strains all were able to invade the tested cells (Vero 135, HeLa, L-929 and human blood lymphocytes) but the expression of this feature by haemolytic strains was markedly higher . The survival and multiplication of intracellular bacteria, especially in the case of fresh human blood lymphocytes may be of importance for the development of infection in higher organisms. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(5-6), 499 - 504 Humoral response in mice immunized with outer membrane proteins of Shigella flexneri; Witkowska D et al.; Intraperitoneal immunization of mice with outer membrane proteins (OMP) of Sh . flexneri induced in the animals a synthesis of specific antibodies . Their level determined by ELISA test was found to be relatively low in the sera of animals immunized with a single dose (10 micrograms) of OMP; it was markedly higher in mice immunized with two doses of OMP, and very high after three fold immunization . The specific antibodies maintained in the animals for 8-16 weeks after immunization . Anti-OMP sera given to normal mice by intraperitoneal route protected them not only against challenge with homologous Shigella but also against Proteus and Escherichia. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(4), 449 - 53 Ceftazidime, a broad spectrum cephalosporin with activity against Ps . aeruginosa; O'Callaghan H; Ceftazidime is one of the oximinoaminothiazolyl cephalosporins with resistance to most B-lactamases from gram-negative bacteria, and a very wide spectrum of activity including Ps . aeruginosa . MIC's of less than 0.1 mg/l are seen routinely against E . coli, K . pneumoniae, E . cloacae, Proteus spp . both indole positive and negative, Serratia sp., and Providence sp . The mean MIC against clinical isolates of Ps . aeruginosa is less than 2 mg/l . It is bactericidal at concentrations close to the MIC and its activity is unimpaired in the presence of serum . Ceftazidime is well distributed in the body, penetrating into all body fluids at concentrations excess of the MIC's of most pathogenic bacteria . It has a half-life of about 1.5 hours, is excreted almost exclusively by the kidney and is not bound to serum proteins . More than 12,000 patients have now been treated with the antibiotic, with an overall success rate of more than 93%. J Basic Microbiol, 1986, 26(2), 67 - 74 Expression of the Proteus mirabilis recA gene in Bacillus subtilis is directed by its own promoter; Eitner-Monke G et al.; The recA gene of Proteus mirabilis (recApm) has been cloned into the PstI site of the Bacillus promoter-probe plasmid pPL603 . When present on this plasmid, the recApm1) gene is expressed in B . subtilis under the control of its own transcriptional and translational signals . It is concluded that the high AT-content of the DNA sequence upstream of the -35 region is of decisive importance for the usage of the recApm promoter by the B . subtilis RNA polymerase . The results are discussed in relation to the expression barriers found to exist for genes from gram-negative bacteria in the gram-positive B . subtilis. Vutr Boles, 1986, 25(1), 21 - 8 {Immunoglobulins in the serum of chronic pyelonephritis patients}; Gruev I et al.; The authors studied the serum levels of immunoglobulins G, A and M in 72 patients with chronic pyelonephritis and 77 clinically healthy subjects . In spite of the high biological variability of the indices studied, high serum levels of IgG and IgA were established in the patients with active urologic infection and with advanced renal insufficiency . Significantly higher values of IgG were established in active pyelonephritis, caused by E . coli and Proteus and of all immunoglobulins--in infection with Enterococcus . The serum level of immunoglobulins in chronic pyelonephritis should be complexly interpreted, together with the other clinical and laboratory data. Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Jan-Feb, 8(1), 61 - 7 Providencia stuartii: a common cause of antibiotic-resistant bacteriuria in patients with long-term indwelling catheters; Warren JW; The long-term-catheterized urinary tract may offer a particular niche to Providencia stuartii, which is otherwise an uncommon clinical isolate . Published accounts of bacteriuria in patients catheterized for long periods indicate that P . stuartii has often been found as frequently as familiar uropathogens such as Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, enterococcus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . As in most nosocomial infections, the frequency of isolation of a given species has commonly differed among institutions . In the future P . stuartii may be more frequently encountered as a nosocomial pathogen in nursing homes and in acute care hospitals to which bacteriuric patients are transferred . This trend appears likely because of the increasingly large nursing-home population, the predilection of the bacterium for the long-term-catheterized urinary tract, the opportunity for nosocomial transmission from this reservoir, the resistance of the organism to multiple antibiotics, and the occasional systemic illness and bacteremia caused by P . stuartii. Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl, 1986, 98, 1 - 71 Urinary calculi and urinary tract infection . A clinical and microbiological study; Holmgren K; The problem of urinary calculi in association with urinary tract infection (UTI) was investigated . Fifty-two (7%) of 796 patients attending our outpatient stone clinic had UTI which was considered of pathogenic importance for their stone formation . Proteus was the most common microorganism . Metabolic disorders were found in one third and anatomical and functional abnormalities in two thirds of the patients . The infected patients had lower urinary calcium excretion and higher serum creatinine than idiopathic stone formers and had a higher frequency of stone operations . The prevalence of staghorn calculi as a cause of urimia was low (1.5% of 481 dialysis patients) . Eight such patients were studied and six of them had metabolic and anatomical disorders . The time taken for the uremia to develop was 7.4 +/- 2.0 (SD) years . In 535 patients treated surgically for renal calculi, about one third had positive urine culture at the time of operation and E . coli was the most common bacterial strain (35%) . Proteus was found in 28% and these patients had the highest frequency of UTI episodes, most of which occurred before hospitalization . Patients infected with E . coli had a higher frequency of phosphate-containing calculi than non-infected patients, in whom the highest frequency of calcium oxalate calculi was found . A new broad-spectrum cephalosporin, ceftazidime, was used as perioperative prophylaxis in 15 patients operated upon for renal calculi and UTI . Ten had bacterial growth in the renal pelvis and all strains were eradicated . Bacterial growth was found in two out of six cultured stones from patients with bacterial growth in the pelvis . The pharmacokinetics of the drug was studied and the decreases in the ceftazidime levels in serum and renal tissue seemed to be parallel . Bacterial binding of urinary isolates to hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles was studied . Two E . coli strains (A5089 and E7704) and one Proteus mirabilis strain (A5076), all obtained from stone patients, were compared with two E . coli strains (2683 and M7810) with well defined cell-surface properties . Hemagglutination tests were performed and the cell-surface hydrophobicity was determined by a salt-aggregating test . When the strains were cultured at 37 degrees C to promote fimbriae formation they hemagglutinated erythrocytes and displayed hydrophobic cell-surface properties, and showed higher capacity for binding to HAP than when cultured at 18 degrees C to suppress fimbriae formation, when they showed almost complete absence of hemagglutination and low cell-surface hydrophobicity . Bacterial cell-surface properties seem to influence the binding of uropathogens to HAP particles. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1986 Jan, 154(1), 109 - 14 Protease production by microorganisms associated with reproductive tract infection; McGregor JA et al.; Factors influencing pathogenicity of various microbes found in the female lower genital tract remain incompletely understood . Protease production by cervico/vaginal microorganisms may alter or inactivate a variety of proteins important in host defense and structural-functional integrity including collagen-containing chorioamniotic membranes and uterine cervix . Host tissues may be made more susceptible to other organisms' virulence factors by protease-producing members of genital tract local flora . Microorganisms themselves may also be influenced by the presence of other microbial protease . Nonspecific protease, gelatinase, collagenase, and elastase production was examined for in vitro with use of aerobic (30) and anaerobic (25) strains of microorganisms typical of those isolated from the lower genital tract of women with premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, and puerperal infection . Microorganisms including Bacteroides bivius, Bacteroides melaninogenicus, Bacteroides fragilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, and Propionibacterium acnes produce various proteases . Protease production by both acknowledged pathogenic and commensal bacteria may contribute to the occurrence of reproductive tract morbidity including premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1986 Jan-Feb, 20(1), 71 - 3 {Ability of microflora to multiply on polymer materials used in hermetically sealed compartments}; Novikova ND et al.; The main representatives of human auto-microflora were examined to identify the microorganisms that can grow and develop on various polymers used in an enclosed interior . Bacteria of the Genera Pseudomonas, Proteus and Bacillus were found to be most proliferative . Microbial growth was strongly influenced by environmental parameters of the enclosure and by the chemical structure of the polymer. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1986, 35(1-2), 57 - 9 Some biological features of proteus bacilli . 3 . Comparison of haemolytic activity of Proteus and Serratia strains; Rozalski A et al.; The haemolytic activity of Proteus mirabilis and P . vulgaris bacilli exhibited in young broth cultures was compared with the ability of Serratia marcescens strains to haemolyze human and sheep erythrocytes in the same conditions. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Jan, (1), 31 - 5 {Escherichia coli neuraminidase}; Shimaniuk NIa et al.; The intracellular form of neuraminidase has been detected in E . coli and Proteus vulgaris . Neuraminidase has been isolated from E . coli HB 101 cells and purified 118-fold . Some physico-chemical properties of this enzyme have been studied. Br J Urol, 1985 Dec, 57(6), 618 - 21 Renal stones in children in Pakistan; Rizvi SA et al.; One hundred and fifty children up to the age of 12 years with documented evidence of renal or ureteric stones were studied between July 1973 and June 1983 . The peak age group was between 10 and 12 years, the male to female ratio being 1.9:1 . Abdominal pain was the commonest presenting symptom (66.6%) . Asymptomatic stones or vague symptoms in 23 patients warrant a higher index of suspicion of renal stone disease in children . Thirty patients had associated renal insufficiency . One third of the children had a positive urine culture, Proteus spp . being the commonest organism . Congenital anomalies of the urinary tract were seen in 12% of patients . In the majority (59%), aetiological factors related to stone formation could not be identified . One hundred and thirty patients underwent surgery for removal of stones . Analysis of calculi by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy revealed that stones were predominantly of mixed type, calcium oxalate being the commonest compound . The overall recurrence rate following surgical removal was 15%. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 4(6), 553 - 5 Bacteriological study of renal calculi; McCartney AC et al.; The pre-operative urine, pelvic urine, removed calculi and calculus washings were examined bacteriologically in 24 patients undergoing removal of intrarenal calculi . Four of seven patients with struvite calculi had an infected pre-operative midstream urine specimen and six of the seven removed calculi demonstrated significant bacterial growth . Proteus mirabilis was the commonest organism isolated . Of 17 patients with oxalate calculi only one had an infected pre-operative urine culture, but in four cases the removed stones were infected . Quantitative bacteriological culture of the stones and their washings demonstrated that infection is within the stone itself . Pre-operative urine culture failed to predict infection within the stone in 60% of patients with infected stones . The results suggest that the presence of infected urine together with the presence of renal calculus is indication for removal of the calculus. Eur J Epidemiol, 1985 Dec, 1(4), 301 - 4 Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and comparison between different screening methods for its detection in infants; Goossens H et al.; Urine was cultured from 441 healthy children, aged 3 to 36 months, simultaneously by standard pour plating and by dip-slide . Significant bacteriuria (greater than or equal to 10(5) colony-forming units/ml in two successive specimens) was found in 13 children (2.9%): 11 boys, 2 girls . Proteus mirabilis was the most frequently isolated organism . Of the 13 infants, 2 had malformations on intravenous pyelography . All 13 had a negative antibody-coated bacteria test . Nitrite test (N-Multistix) and microscopic examination were also performed . The results suggest that asymptomatic bacteriuria cannot be accurately predicted either by microscopic examination or by the nitrite test, and that the quantitative urine culture by dip-slide is the easiest and most reliable way of diagnosing urinary tract infections . However the criteria of Kass were found to be too strict. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Dec, 28(6), 786 - 90 Microbicidal activity of octenidine hydrochloride, a new alkanediylbis{pyridine} germicidal agent; Sedlock DM et al.; The potential of octenidine hydrochloride (WIN 41464-2) as a topical microbicide was measured both by in vitro death kinetics and reductions in numbers of bacteria on the skin of cynomolgus monkeys . Semilogarithmic survival curves were plotted to measure the microbicidal activity of various concentrations of octenidine against Staphylococcus aureus . The microbicidal activity of octenidine was also determined for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Candida albicans . Death rates for the same microbial strains were compared with those obtained by using chlorhexidine gluconate . Octenidine concentrations of less than 1.5 microM (0.94 microgram/ml) caused a greater than 99% reduction of each microbial population within 15 min . Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most susceptible of the test organisms, and E . coli and C . albicans were the least susceptible . Octenidine was more active than chlorhexidine against each test strain . Skin-degerming activities of aqueous and formulated octenidine and formulated chlorhexidine were compared in single and multiple applications of these agents to the hand and foot surfaces of monkeys by using a glove-juice extraction procedure to measure the skin microflora . Aqueous octenidine, at a concentration of 0.2 to 1.6% reduced resident microflora populations from 90 to 99.98%, depending on the concentration and number of applications . Octenidine formulated at 2% in a surfactant-based vehicle exhibited significantly better skin-degerming activity than did either a nonmedicated vehicle or the Hibiclens brand of 4% chlorhexidine gluconate. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Dec 1, 187(11), 1129 - 31 Disease patterns in the Detroit Zoo: a study of the avian population from 1973 through 1983; Kaneene JB et al.; A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate disease patterns in birds at the Detroit Zoo from 1973 through 1983 . Data were derived from the zoo's medical and animal census records; the mean (+/- SD) population of birds during the study period was 469 +/- 42 . Overall annual morbidity rates were 12.5% to 21.5%, with spring months having the highest morbidity rates . Annual mortality rates were 3.1% to 15.2%; 23.9% of the deaths were caused by microbial agents (particularly Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, hemolytic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Aeromonas spp and Proteus spp), 15.4% by trauma, and 42.5% by nondetermined causes . The mute swan (Cygnus olor), mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), common gallinule (Gallinula chloropus), common rhea (Rhea americana), and red-billed hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) were the 5 species most frequently affected of the 1,032 deaths from 1973 through 1983 . The most frequently isolated parasites were Microtetramere spp, coccidian species, Diplotriaena spp, and Trichomonia spp. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1985 Dec, 98(6), 1681 - 8 Specific inhibition of urease by N-acylphosphoric triamides; Kobashi K et al.; Benzoyl- and isopentenoyl phosphoric triamides (BPA and IPA) strongly inhibited urease activities from jack bean, soybean, watermelon seed, Proteus mirabilis, P . rettgeri, P . vulgaris, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum . Their I50 values (the final concentration causing 50% inhibition), independent of enzyme source, were 2-21 nM, which are about 1,000-fold lower than that of caprylohydroxamic acid, one of the most potent urease inhibitors . ATP-urea amidolyase activity was inhibited 50% by BPA at a higher concentration of 0.28 mM, but was not affected by IPA even at 1.3 mM . Thirteen kinds of hydrolases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, leucine aminopeptidase, papain, lipase, alpha-amylase, glucuronidase, asparaginase, arylsulfatase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and true cholinesterase), two oxidoreductases (catalase and alcohol dehydrogenase), three transferases (glutamic-oxaloacetic aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and arylsulfotransferase) and two kinases (pyruvate kinase and creatine kinase) were not affected at all even at 1 mM BPA and IPA . Exceptionally, pseudo-cholinesterase from human serum was inhibited by BPA and IPA, whose I50 values were 70 nM and 10 muM, respectively, using acetylthiocholine as a substrate . These values increased to 0.55 muM and 54 muM, respectively, when acetylcholine was used as a substrate . These results show that N-acylphosphoric triamides potently and specifically inhibit urease activity at concentrations of nM order. Chemioterapia, 1985 Dec, 4(6), 439 - 44 Changes in resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics of different bacterial strains isolated during the period 1978 to 1983 . Netilmicin as alternative therapy; Bovelacci A et al.; The percentage resistance of 11,404 gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strains isolated from different biological materials between 1978 and 1983 to some aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin) was determined . The percentage of resistant Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and indole-positive Proteus organisms significantly increased . There was also a significant decrease in gentamicin-resistant strains of the Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis species . We also compared the in vitro activity of netilmicin (routinely tested from the beginning of 1983) with those of the other aminoglycosides against 1546 bacterial strains . Netilmicin was found to have greater antibacterial activity than gentamicin or tobramycin . In addition, netilmicin was active against 48.9% of the strains that were resistant to gentamicin and/or tobramycin. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 131 ( Pt 12), 3375 - 83 Bacteriophage D: an IncD group plasmid-specific phage; Coetzee JN et al.; The existence of the plasmid incompatibility group D was reaffirmed as a result of compatibility experiments done on plasmids R687, R711b, R778b and R840 which were previously tentatively accepted as constituting the group . The group was further delineated by the isolation of a phage, phage D, which adsorbed specifically to IncD plasmid-encoded pili produced by Escherichia coli K12 strains and strains of Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus morganii and Klebsiella oxytoca harbouring one of these plasmids . Plaque formation, like that of phage pilH alpha, was temperature sensitive in that plaques formed at 26 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C . Plaques were fairly clear, regular in outline and varied from pinpoint to about 1.5 mm in diameter on E . coli hosts where plaques were detected, but on the other hosts the plaques were more turbid and often irregular in outline . The phage did not plate (or propagate) on IncD plasmid-carrying strains of Providencia alcalifaciens, Providencia stuartii or Serratia marcescens . The phage had an isometric hexagonal outline with a diameter of about 27 nm . It contained RNA and resembled two other RNA-containing phages, M and pilH alpha, by being sensitive to chloroform . It adsorbed to the sides of the very distal ends of the shafts of IncD plasmid-coded pili. J Hosp Infect, 1985 Dec, 6(4), 389 - 97 An investigation into in vitro methods for the detection of chlorhexidine resistance; Walker EM et al.; During an outbreak of catheter-related urinary tract infection, due to Proteus mirabilis, it was suggested that the epidemic strain was resistant to chlorhexidine . In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of chlorhexidine to the epidemic Pr . mirabilis and other laboratory isolates were tested in different media . Results were compared with killing times using 1/4 strength Ringers solution, normal human urine and the in vivo killing times in two patients' catheter bags . It was found that the MIC test was unreliable in the assessment of chlorhexidine resistance as it was dependent on the medium used, the inoculum size, and the age of the culture . The test which gave results closest to the in vivo experiments was the killing curve in normal human urine . It is concluded that chlorhexidine resistance is a complex phenomenon which is difficult to evaluate . If in vitro tests are to be used to evaluate the clinical relevance of reduced sensitivity to chlorhexidine, they must mimic the in-use conditions as closely as possible. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Nov, 16(5), 555 - 61 The comparative activity of eleven aminocyclitol antibiotics against 773 aerobic gram-negative rods and staphylococci isolated from infected hospitalized patients; Guimaraes MA et al.; The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 11 aminocyclitol antibiotics were determined for 773 recent clinical isolates from infected hospital patients, most of whom were immunocompromised . There was a bias towards aminoglycoside-resistant organisms, and 21% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were resistant to gentamicin . The antibiotics included the natural agents gentamicin, tobramycin, sissomicin and kanamycin and the semi-synthetic compounds amikacin, netilmicin and dibekacin with some newer agents, including O-demethyl fortimicin, Hapa gentamicin B and 5-epi-sissomicin, not available commercially . Tobramycin, sissomicin and gentamicin had similar spectra with tobramycin more active against Ps . aeruginosa, sissomicin more active against proteus and gentamicin more active against serratia . The differences in spectrum between amikacin and netilmicin were marginal, reflecting the relatively low prevalence of acetyltransferase-producing organisms in our collection . Hapa-gentamicin B was the most active aminoglycoside against staphylococci and indole-positive proteus, netilmicin against Escherichia coli and 5-epi-sissomicin against Ps . aeruginosa . Overall 5-epi-sissomicin was the most active aminoglycoside tested . Both Hapa-gentamicin B and 5-epi-sissomicin have potentially valuable antibacterial spectra which merit clinical studies. Ann Allergy, 1985 Nov, 55(5), 729 - 35 Serial delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity skin testing with multiple recall antigens in healthy volunteers: booster effect study; Lesourd BM et al.; Booster effects on delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) responses have been demonstrated for various antigens when DCH is measured by the Mantoux technique . In the present study, we investigated this possibility when assessing DCH responses using the Multitest CMI multipuncture technique with simultaneous injections of seven test antigens and a control . The DCH responses were quantified for each antigen and for the overall DCH response expressed as a DCH score . In a group of healthy volunteers, DCH was repeatedly tested either 1 month apart or 2 months apart at least six times . When volunteers remained healthy, DCH variations were observed with only two of seven tested antigens: streptococcus which slowly decreased (P = .012) and proteus which slowly increased (P = .04) . Responses to the other antigens and the DCH score remained stable . In contrast, greater DCH variations were observed when infections occurred . The results with the Multitest CMI multipuncture show that repeated application had minimal booster effect on DCH responses and may be used to evaluate and follow immunocompetence of patients. J Urol, 1985 Nov, 134(5), 1019 - 23 Further characterization of bacterial adherence to urinary bladder mucosa: comparison with adherence to anion exchange resin; Ruggieri MR et al.; Bacterial adherence to anion exchange resin has recently been reported to provide a useful, rapid, in vitro screening assay for identifying putative antiadherence agents . The studies presented in this report provide additional evidence that adherence to anion exchange resin is similar to urinary bladder mucosa adherence . Results are as follows . 1) Heparin inhibits the adherence of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella ozaenae, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus fecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to both the mucin deficient bladder and anion exchange resin . 2) Drugs which inhibit E . coli adherence to the bladder also inhibit E . coli adherence to the resin and conversely, drugs which do not effect E . coli adherence to the resin do not affect attachment to the bladder . 3) Extracts from mammalian urinary bladder mucosa prevent E . coli adherence to both the bladder and resin . 4) The ability of heparin to displace preattached bacteria from anion exchange resin is inversely proportional to the time the bacteria are in contact with resin . Similar results were obtained for the ability of heparin to displace bacteria from the bladder . These studies indicate that bacterial adherence to anion exchange resin responds to heparin and other chemical agents in a manner similar to the mucin deficient rabbit urinary bladder . Because of the ease and rapid nature of this in vitro assay, it serves as a useful screen for potential bacterial antiadherence agents and could be used to help elucidate mechanisms of bacterial attachment. Can J Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 31(11), 1041 - 50 Swarmer cell differentiation of Proteus mirabilis in fluid media; Dick H et al.; After 3-4 h in a rich fluid medium such as brain--heart infusion broth, motile nonseptate filaments developed from normal short rods and formed about 80% of the cell mass of Proteus mirabilis PM23 . This developmental pattern was not observed in any of the other nine representatives of the species . These filaments were considered to be equivalent to swarmer cells formed on agar media because these cells ceased tumbling (i.e., chemotaxis was repressed), they developed large numbers of flagella (i.e., flagella synthesis and insertion was derepressed), and the distribution of nuclei in the filaments indicated that there was normal segregation . The population of cells grown in a minimal medium supplemented with amino acids and nicotinic acid consisted only of short cells with tumbling motility, despite the production of long cells and swarming on the same medium solidified with ordinary agar (refined agar was not effective) . These short cells differentiated in 1-1.5 h in brain--heart infusion broth at 37 degrees C after an initial division . The requirements for initiation of differentiation were good basal nutrition, suitable cations (probably Ca2+ and Na+, or K+), and unknown heat-stable organic factors (molecular weight less than 10 000) present in crude agar and yeast extract . Other components of media promoted swarmer differentiation if it was initiated and these included organic acids (lactate), amino acids (proline or serine), phosphate, and an appropriate ionic environment . Comparison of the observed sequence of length classes in brain--heart infusion broth culture with computer generated growth models suggested that, at the outset of growth, 50% of the products of each short cell division ceased septation but grew in length for about five doubling periods and then divided cells from each end at a faster rate (3-5 times per hour) for return to the short cell pool. J Urol, 1985 Nov, 134(5), 972 - 3 Hyperammonemic coma due to Proteus infection; Kuntze JR et al.; Hyperammonemic coma without liver disease or associated deficiencies in urea cycle enzymes is rare . We report a case and discuss the pathophysiological findings of hyperammonemic coma secondary to Proteus mirabilis urinary tract infection. J Bacteriol, 1985 Nov, 164(2), 741 - 8 Cell cycle parameters of Proteus mirabilis: interdependence of the biosynthetic cell cycle and the interdivision cycle; Gmeiner J et al.; We investigated the time periods of DNA replication, lateral cell wall extension, and septum formation within the cell cycle of Proteus mirabilis . Cells were cultivated under three different conditions, yielding interdivision times of approximately 55, 57, and 160 min, respectively . Synchrony was achieved by sucrose density gradient centrifugation . The time periods were estimated by division inhibition studies with cephalexin, mecillinam, and nalidixic acid . In addition, DNA replication was measured by thymidine incorporation, and murein biosynthesis was measured by incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine into sodium dodecyl sulfate-insoluble murein sacculi . At interdivision times of 55 to 57 min murein biosynthesis for reproduction of a unit cell lasted longer than the interdivision time itself, whereas DNA replication finished within 40 min . Surprisingly, inhibition of DNA replication by nalidixic acid did not inhibit the subsequent cell division but rather the one after that . Because P . mirabilis fails to express several reactions of the recA-dependent SOS functions known from Escherichia coli, the drug allowed us to determine which DNA replication period actually governed which cell division . Taken together, the results indicate that at an interdivision time of 55 to 57 min, the biosynthetic cell cycle of P . mirabilis lasts approximately 120 min . To achieve the observed interdivision time, it is necessary that two subsequent biosynthetic cell cycles be tightly interlocked . The implications of these findings for the regulation of the cell cycle are discussed. J Bacteriol, 1985 Nov, 164(2), 501 - 9 Cloning of a restriction-modification system from Proteus vulgaris and its use in analyzing a methylase-sensitive phenotype in Escherichia coli; Blumenthal RM et al.; A 4.84-kilobase-pair plasmid was isolated from Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 13315) and cloned into the plasmid vector pBR322 . Plasmid pBR322 contains substrate sites for the restriction endonucleases PvuI and PvuII . The recombinant plasmids were resistant to in vitro cleavage by PvuII but not PvuI endonuclease and were found to cause production of PvuII endonuclease or methylase activity or both in Escherichia coli HB101 . The approximate endonuclease and methylase gene boundaries were determined through subcloning, Bal 31 resection, insertional inactivation, DNA-dependent translation, and partial DNA sequencing . The two genes are adjacent and appear to be divergently transcribed . Most E . coli strains tested were poorly transformed by the recombinant plasmids, and this was shown by subcloning and insertional inactivation to be due to the PvuII methylase gene . At a low frequency, stable methylase-producing transformants of a methylase-sensitive strain were obtained, and efficiently transformed cell mutants were isolated from them. Hinyokika Kiyo, 1985 Nov, 31(11), 2080 - 4 {Serum and prostatic tissue concentration of ceftizoxime (CZX) after intravenous administration in cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy}; Wakatsuki A et al.; One gram of ceftizoxime (CZX) was administrated before transurethral resection in 38 cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy . Then the serum and tissue concentration of CZX was measured, and compared with the sensitivity of CZX to the bacteria separated from the urine of inpatients . The concentration of CZX in prostatic tissue was higher than the MIC80 for E . coli for 16.7 hr, for Klebsiella for 18.7 hr, for Proteus for 14.7 hr and for Serratia for 8.86 hr . Therefore, CZX was considered to be an effective drug against bacterial prostatitis. J Urol, 1985 Nov, 134(5), 1002 - 6 Urothelial hyperplasia and neoplasia . II . Detection of nitrosamines and interferon in chronic urinary tract infections in rats; Davis CP et al.; In rats with chronic urinary tract infections, urine and blood were examined for two classes of compounds (nitrosamines and interferon) which may lead to the development of urothelial hyperplasia and neoplasia . In vitro, Escherichia coli, a Proteus species or a mixture of both were able to induce high levels of interferon which theoretically could reduce the host's cellular immune surveillance . These high levels were not detected in vivo in either short-term (5 hr . to 2 wk.) or long-term (2 wk . to 24 wk.) infected rats . In contrast, N, N dimethylnitrosamine was detected in the majority (greater than or equal to 50 per cent) of long term infected rats after 12 wk . although individual rats showed detectable levels as early as 2 wk . post infection . Sterile human or rat urine supported bacterial growth and subsequent production of N, N dimethylnitrosamine, but only after 16 wk . of subculturing in vitro . Gas chromatography was able to detect small amounts of nitrosamines extracted from urine . The mass spectrometer yielded quantitatively and qualitatively better detection . With long term infections, the appearance of a potential carcinogen, N, N dimethylnitrosamine, occurs in vivo and in vitro and correlates with previous findings that describe the development of hyperplastic and early neoplastic changes in the rat urothelium. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 Oct, 30(10), 773 - 6 {Beta-lactam antibiotic sensitivity of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from urology patients}; Rudenko AV et al.; Sensitivity of 172 strains of gram-negative bacteria isolated from the urine of urological patients was tested to the beta-lactam antibiotics penicillin, oxacillin, carbenicillin, cefradin, cerhazolin, cephapirin, cefotaxim, and cefuroxim . The method of two-fold serial dilutions in a meat-peptone agar was used . In the therapeutic concentrations the above antibiotics except carbenicillin, cefotaxim and cefuroxim had no inhibitory effect on P . aeruginosa . With respect to E . coli the highest activity was observed with the use of carbenicillin and the new cephalosporins cephazolin, cephapirin, cefradin, cefotaxim and cefuroxim . A significant number of Proteus strains sensitive to the minimal concentrations of the cephalosporins and carbenicillin were detected . However, highly resistant strains were also isolated. Hinyokika Kiyo, 1985 Oct, 31(10), 1727 - 42 {Statistic studies on bacteria isolated from urinary tract infections (report 3)}; Okada K et al.; The following results were obtained from the statistical studies and drug sensitivity tests of bacterial florae isolated from the urinary tract in 1981 and 1982 . Of the 2,029 strains isolated from out-patients, 627 (30.9%) were gram positive cocci, 24.1% were E . coli, 9.4% were Proteus spp., 9.2% were Enterococci, 8.9% were S . epidermidis, 7.0 % were K . pneumoniae, 5.7% were P . aeruginosa and the rest were others . Of the 754 strains isolated from hospitalized patients, 276 (36.6%) were gram positive cocci, 16.8% were Enterococci, 11.4% were S . epidermidis, 11.1% were P . aeruginosa, 8.8% were Proteus spp, 7.2% were E.coli, 6.5% were K.pneumoniae and the rest were others . The number of Proteus spp., P . aeruginosa and Enterococci detected in the isolates from the out-patients and that of E.coli, K . pneumoniae and Proteus spp., detected in the isolates from the in-patients were smaller than in previous reports . More non-fermentative gram-negative bacilli and S . epidermidis were detected in the isolates from both patients were than in previous years . The major isolates i.e., 9 species, from out-patients were more susceptible to the antimicrobial agents tested . The susceptibility of TC and SBPC to major isolates was lower than in previous years . During the past two years, we have been routinely using on inpatients the so-called third generation cefem antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections . This might be why the number of isolates of gram positive cocci has increased especially isolates from inpatients. J Trop Med Hyg, 1985 Oct, 88(5), 337 - 41 Bacteriology of sore throats in a Sudanese population; Omer EF et al.; One hundred and eighty-six throat swabs were collected from patients with sore throats and 164 throat swabs were collected from healthy controls . All swabs were investigated bacteriologically, and sensitivity tests were performed on all pathogenic isolates . Group A Streptococcus pyogenes was the predominant pathogenic organism (24.7%) and Proteus vulgaris the least predominant organism (0.5%) isolated from patients with sore throats . Streptococcus pyogenes infection was found to be most common among school children between the ages of 9 and 12 (61.5%) . The pathogenic organisms were found to be sensitive to erythromycin (92.6%). J Bacteriol, 1985 Oct, 164(1), 123 - 9 Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cat gene of Proteus mirabilis: comparison with the type I (Tn9) cat gene; Charles IG et al.; In Proteus mirabilis PM13 chloramphenicol resistance is mediated by the cat gene, a single copy of which is present in both resistant and sensitive isolates and which reverts at a high frequency . RNA measurements show an about 8.5-fold increase in cat-specific mRNA in cells expressing the resistance phenotype as compared with those which are sensitive to chloramphenicol . DNA sequence analysis has revealed a high degree of homology between the P . mirabilis cat gene and the type I cat variant (Tn9), 76% at the amino acid level and 73% when nucleotides in the coding sequence are compared . Sequence homology between the strain PM13 cat variant and Tn9 cat was not apparent however in the 5' and 3' flanking regions . Segments of near identity were seen when the upstream sequence of the cat of P . mirabilis was compared with the 5' regions of the Salmonella typhimurium flagellin genes H1 and H2, which are alternately expressed by a flip-flop control mechanism involving an invertible promoter and a trans-acting product. J Bacteriol, 1985 Oct, 164(1), 114 - 22 Resistance to chloramphenicol in Proteus mirabilis by expression of a chromosomal gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase; Charles IG et al.; Proteus mirabilis PM13 is a well-characterized chloramphenicol-sensitive isolate which spontaneously gives rise to resistant colonies on solid media containing chloramphenicol (50 micrograms ml-1) at a plating efficiency of 10(-4) to 10(-5) . Such chloramphenicol-resistant colonies exhibit a novel phenotype with respect to chloramphenicol resistance . When a single colony grown on chloramphenicol agar is transferred to liquid medium and grown in the absence of antibiotic for 150 generations, a population of predominantly sensitive cells arises . This mutation-reversion phenomenon has been observed in other Proteus species and Providencia strains, wherein resistance has been shown to be mediated in each case by the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase . The cat gene responsible for the phenomenon is chromosomal and can be cloned from P . mirabilis PM13 with DNA prepared from cells grown in the absence or the presence of chloramphenicol . Recombinant plasmids which confer resistance to chloramphenicol carry an 8.5-kilobase PstI fragment irrespective of the source of host DNA . The location of the cat gene within the PstI fragment was determined by Southern blotting with a cat consensus oligonucleotide corresponding to the expected amino acid sequence of the active site region of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, and the direction of transcription was deduced from homology with the type I cat variant. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1985 Oct, 19(4), 183 - 9 {Anti-bacterial effect of ofloxacin--in vitro and in vivo results}; Altay G et al.; Gram (-) bacteria such as E . coli, B . proteus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas sp were found to be sensitive to Ofloxacin 98.3%, 96.7%, 96.9%, and 89.1% respectively . Among Gram (+) bacteria, 98% of Staph aureus and 95% of Staph epidermidis were susceptible to this drug . The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Ofloxacin for the Shigella strains have been found to be between 0.1-0.05 mcg/ml (76%) and 0.05-0.025 mcg/ml (20%) . Thirty three patients with various infection have been treated with ofloxacin; in acute cases the efficacy of the drug was 100%, but reinfections or relapse developed in about half of the patients with chronic and complicated urinary tract infections, 15-20 days after discontinuation of the drug . No serious side effect has been observed. J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1985 Sep, 56(3), 135 - 6 Necrosis and abscessation of placental sites in a Pekingese bitch; Penzhorn BL; An 18-month-old Pekingese bitch aborted 7 foetuses at Day 55 of pregnancy . Necrosis and/or abscessation of all 7 placental sites were found following a panhysterectomy performed 4 days later . Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and a beta-haemolytic Streptococcus sp . were cultured from the vaginal discharge and from a uterine abscess. Medicine (Baltimore), 1985 Sep, 64(5), 342 - 8 Pulmonary cavitation following pulmonary infarction; Libby LS et al.; Cavitation following bland pulmonary infarction is not commonly considered in the differential diagnosis of cavitary lung disease . In a 4-year period we have found 10 cases of cavitating pulmonary infarction (CPI) by reviewing serial chest radiographs from autopsies with pulmonary infarction and in all cases with positive ventilation-perfusion lung scans . We have compared these cases to 31 previously reported cases in the English literature that met our criteria for CPI . In our 10 patients, there were 12 radiographic cavities; 5 in the upper lobes, 5 in the lower lobes and 2 in the middle lobe . This distribution was consistent with a relative upper-lobe predominance in the literature review . In nine patients the cavitation appeared rapidly (mean, 5 days) and was associated with fever, purulent sputum, and leukocytosis . Sputum cultures were obtained in eight patients, revealing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli in three each and Proteus species in two . In four patients, pulmonary infarction was not considered and the diagnosis was made at autopsy, a situation also common in previously reported cases . We have seen a high incidence of CPI in a retrospective review of patients with pulmonary infarction, and we believe that it is important to consider this diagnosis when evaluating cavitary lesions. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1985 Sep, 33(9), 590 - 4 A 12-month fever surveillance study in a veterans' long-stay institution; Finnegan TP et al.; This report describes a 12-month fever surveillance survey in a 258-bed veterans long-term care institution . There were 128 episodes of fever (one episode per 24 patient-months); 114 were studied . Lower respiratory tract infections were most frequent, 36 (32%), with 26 (23%) urinary tract infections . Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in the chest infections and Proteus mirabilis the most common of the urinary tract infections . In 40 (35%) there was no evidence of a lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, or other bacterial infection . Most recovered rapidly, many with no specific treatment . There was a 16% mortality associated with the febrile episodes. J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 1279 - 81 Role of protein subunits in Proteus rettgeri penicillin G acylase; Daumy GO et al.; Penicillin G acylase from Proteus rettgeri is an 80,000- to 90,000-dalton enzyme composed of two nonidentical subunits . Both subunits were required for enzymatic activity . The 65,000-dalton beta subunit contained a phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride-sensitive residue required for enzymatic activity, and the 24,500-dalton alpha subunit contained the domain that imparts specificity for the penicillin side chain. An Esp Pediatr, 1985 Sep, 23(3), 201 - 4 {Neonatal meningitis caused by Proteus mirabilis with cerebral abscess}; Fumado I et al.; A case neonatal meningitis by proteus mirabilis is presented . Echographic and CT scan studies were performed during clinical evolution, showing generalized brain abscesses appearances that needed surgical treatment . A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was later practiced to correct hydrocephaly. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Sep, (9), 15 - 7 {Characteristics of various morphological and biological properties of bacteria of the genus Proteus}; Gabidullin ZG et al.; The stable O-form of Proteus has been found to differ from the initial H-form in the absence of flagellae or in a few weakly developed flagellae, in decreased capacity for agglutination with polyvalent and typing sera and in virulence for laboratory animals . As revealed in this study, the conversion of the H-form of Proteus into the stable O-form leads to the loss of resistance to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, monomycin, ampicillin and neomycin. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Sep, 38(9), 1141 - 51 Cephabacin M1-6, new 7-methoxycephem antibiotics of bacterial origin . I . A producing organism, fermentation, biological activities, and mode of action; Nozaki Y et al.; New 7-methoxycephem antibiotics were found in culture filtrates of a bacterium isolated from a plant and named cephabacin M1-6 . They are the first members of 7-methoxycephem antibiotics of bacterial origin . The producing organism was taxonomically characterized and identified as Xanthomonas lactamgena YK-431; other strains of this species have recently been reported to produce cephabacin F and H group antibiotics . Cephabacin M1-6 exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria . Cephabacin M1-6 were as stable as cephamycin C to cephalosporinases . They showed inhibitory activity against a cephalosporinase of Proteus vulgaris GN 4413 . The mode of action of cephabacin M1 was examined using Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as test organisms; primary lethal targets of cephabacin M1 are penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1 in E . coli and PBP 4 in B . subtilis. Rev Infect Dis, 1985 Sep-Oct, 7(5), 635 - 42 Mediterranean spotted fever: a cooperative study of 227 cases; Font-Creus B et al.; The clinical manifestations of 227 cases of Mediterranean spotted fever (Boutonneuse fever) were reviewed, and the epidemiologic aspects of 170 cases from the Valles Occidental region in the county of Barcelona, Spain, were analyzed . In this area an increase in the incidence of the disease has been noticed during the last several years . The patients evaluated presented with high fever and a generalized maculopapular rash . The tache noire at the site of the tick bite was seen in 166 cases (73%) . Other common clinical manifestations were myalgia (73%), headache (69%), conjunctivitis (32%), hepatomegaly (44%), and splenomegaly (19%) . Hepatic function tests (serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) gave abnormal results in 55% of all cases . The Weil-Felix reaction was positive in 79% of the cases; the OX19 strain of Proteus vulgaris was the strain most frequently agglutinated . Treatment with oral oxytetracycline or chloramphenicol was effective in all cases. J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 925 - 32 Experimental evolution of penicillin G acylases from Escherichia coli and Proteus rettgeri; Daumy GO et al.; Proteus rettgeri and Escherichia coli W were shown to express structurally different penicillin G acylases . The enzymes had similar substrate specificity but differed in molecular weight, isoelectric point, and electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels and did not antigenically cross-react . When the organisms were subjected to environmental conditions which made expression of this enzyme essential for growth, spontaneous mutants were isolated that used different amides as the only source of nitrogen . These mutants acquired the ability to use amides for growth by deregulating the penicillin G acylase and by their evolution to novel substrate specificities . The enzymes expressed by mutants isolated from each genus appeared to have evolved in parallel since each acylase attained similar new substrate specificities when the organisms were subjected to identical selection pressure. Infect Immun, 1985 Sep, 49(3), 805 - 11 An in vitro ultrastructural study of infectious kidney stone genesis; McLean RJ et al.; A ureolytic strain of Proteus mirabilis, isolated from a patient with infectious kidney stones, produced struvite (MgNH4PO4 X 6 H2O) and apatite {Ca10(PO4)6CO3} crystals in vitro when grown in artificial urine . Surface-attached crystals were encased in a slime-like layer . Scanning electron microscopy revealed that surfaces submerged in the artificial urine were colonized by P . mirabilis . Bacteria-associated crystals appeared soon after colonization and eventually became coated with an amorphous substance . Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis of these crystals revealed the presence of Mg, Ca, and P which are major components of struvite and apatite . Transmission electron microscopy of surface scrapings revealed that the glycocalyx of P . mirabilis contained a large number of crystals . Based on these observations and previous work, a theory for infectious renal calculogenesis is proposed . The kidney is initially colonized by invading ureolytic pathogens . These pathogens secrete copious amounts of glycocalyx which facilitates adhesion of the organisms to the kidney, provides protection for these bacteria, and serves to bind struvite and apatite crystals that result from bacterial urease activity . Growth of these calcified microcolonies into mature stones is characterized by continued bacterial growth, incorporation of urinary mucoproteins into the matrix along with bacterial glycocalyx, and a continued deposition of struvite and apatite crystals due to the high pH . The mature stone, in effect, represents an enlarged "fossilized" bacterial microcolony. J Hosp Infect, 1985 Sep, 6(3), 293 - 8 Proteus bacteraemia in a general hospital 1972-1982; Berger SA; During 1972-1982, 318 isolates of Proteus spp . were recovered from blood cultures, accounting for 14.4% of the aerobic, Gram-negative isolates from blood in a large general hospital . Bacteraemia was most common among male patients on the internal medicine service . A high level of resistance to antibiotic agents was found . Since 1976, 49 proteus isolates were sensitive to either gentamicin or tobramycin, but not to both. Ann Trop Paediatr, 1985 Sep, 5(3), 123 - 6 Changing pattern of neonatal septicaemia in an African city; Okolo AA et al.; The pattern of neonatal septicaemia in a large cosmopolitan African city is presented . Comparison of microorganisms isolated in the present study when compared with the results of previous reports from the same institution, show an increase in the incidence of klebsiella and pseudomonas septicaemia . In contrast, Escherichia coli infection has decreased appreciably from an incidence of 56.8% to 14.3% . Staphylococcus aureus has remained the dominant Gram-positive pathogen over the last decade while group B streptococcal (GBS) disease was rarely encountered . A significant finding was the emergence of gentamicin-resistant strains of E . coli and proteus species during the past 5 years . The overall incidence of neonatal septicaemia was 5.6/1000 livebirths and the mortality rate was 30.6%. Lancet, 1985 Aug 10, 2(8450), 305 - 7 Antibodies to proteus in rheumatoid arthritis; Ebringer A et al.; Antibodies to proteus species were measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and in healthy controls by a Coombs agglutination method . The titres to Proteus mirabilis were higher in 30 RA patients being treated with gold than in 24 patients with active AS (p less than 0.001), 28 patients with inactive AS (p less than 0.001), and 41 healthy control subjects (p less than 0.001) . Control studies with Klebsiella pneumoniae var oxytoca showed high antibody titres only in active AS patients. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Aug, 38(8), 2057 - 67 {Clinical studies on fosfomycin sodium following intravenous administration (tissue concentration and clin