Staphylococcus aureus

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1986 Mar-Apr, 10(2), 160 - 5
Lack of modulation of postoperative immunosuppression by isotonic amino acid infusion; Neuvonen P et al.; Effects of an isotonic amino acid solution on the immune defence systems of surgical patients were studied . Twenty-two patients admitted for major abdominal operations were randomly allocated into two groups . Eleven of them received 1 liter of 3% amino acid solution daily for 5 days postoperatively, while 11 control patients received balanced 5% glucose-containing electrolyte solutions . Immune variables were studied preoperatively and at 1, 3 to 4, and 6 to 7 days postoperatively . These studies included leukocyte and differential counts, T (OKT3+), B (sIg+), T helper/inducer (OKT4+) and suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+) cell determinations, measurement of in vitro lymphocytic responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (StaCw) in cultures of separated lymphocytes, and to PHA, concanavalin A (Con A), and PWM in whole blood cultures . B lymphocyte functions were studied by measuring synthesis of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA in the cell culture medium when lymphocytes were stimulated with PWM alone and in the presence of Con A or hydrocortisone . Postoperative amino acid infusion slightly improved the capacity of lymphocytes to synthetize and secrete IgG and IgM . By contrast, no improvement was seen in cell counts or lymphocyte transformation patterns.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 23(3), 640 - 2
Comparison of a yellow latex reagent with other agglutination methods for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus; Brown WJ; A new commercial yellow latex agglutination reagent (Bacto-Staph) was compared with the slide and tube coagulase tests and three other commercial reagents for the identification of 283 Staphylococcus aureus and 54 non-S . aureus staphylococcal strains . Test sensitivities for the identification of S . aureus were as follows: tube coagulase, 99.6%; slide coagulase, 98.6%; Bacto-Staph, 99.6%; Staphylatex, 98.6%; Sero STAT Staph, 98.2%; and Staphyloslide, 97.5% . No false-positive reactions were observed with any of the commercial reagents.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 23(3), 416 - 20
Use of 51Cr release to measure the cytotoxic effects of staphylococcal leukocidin and toxin neutralization on bovine leukocytes; Loeffler DA et al.; Leukocidin toxin from Staphylococcus aureus produces specific cytolytic effects on neutrophils and macrophages . The most commonly used method for determination of leukocidin activity is microscopic examination for characteristic morphological changes in toxin-treated cells . The 51Cr release assay was modified to allow quantitation of the cytolytic effects of leukocidin on bovine peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes . Toxin neutralization by serum and milk samples was quantitated by this method . The neutralizing abilities of the various samples were found to correlate with the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG1) specific for leukocidin . Undiluted normal serum samples, however, were capable of partially preventing the cytotoxic effects of leukocidin . The assay was shown to be an effective means of quantitating the cytotoxic activity of leukocidin on neutrophils as well as demonstrating neutralization of cytotoxicity by milk and serum samples.

Am J Kidney Dis, 1986 Mar, 7(3), 250 - 3
Massive hemorrhage from a lumbar artery following percutaneous renal biopsy; Wall B et al.; We report a case of severe lumbar artery bleeding following percutaneous renal biopsy . A 68-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, gold therapy, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia underwent a percutaneous renal biopsy to evaluate nephrotic syndrome and renal insufficiency . Following the procedure, he developed signs of severe hemorrhage . A selective renal angiogram revealed an intrarenal bleeding site that was occluded by selective embolization . The patient failed to stabilize however, and repeat angiography was performed two days later . A lumbar artery was identified as a second bleeding site, and was also occluded by selective embolization . The bleeding was controlled, but the patient developed serious complications and died five days later.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Mar, 153(3), 593 - 600
An in vitro investigation of the intracellular bioactivity of amoxicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin for Staphylococcus aureus; Anderson R et al.; The intraphagocytic bioactivities for Staphylococcus aureus of amoxicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin (0.0075-20 micrograms/ml) were measured in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) with the combination of a fluorochrome microassay and a radioassay . PMNLs with normal or depleted membrane-associated oxidative metabolism were used to investigate the interactions that may occur between the intrinsic O2-dependent antimicrobial systems of human phagocytes and antimicrobial agents in the elimination of intracellular microbial pathogens . Neutralization of O2-dependent antimicrobial systems with retention of phagocytic capacity was achieved with use of PMNLs from four children with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) or NaF-pulsed normal PMNLs . None of the test antibiotics possessed intracellular bactericidal activity . Clindamycin and erythromycin possessed significant intracellular bacteriostatic activity relative to the modest activity of amoxicillin . Optimal intracellular bioactivity of all three antibiotics was obtained with normal PMNLs relative to NaF-pulsed or CGD PMNLs, a result indicating the existence of beneficial interactions between the antimicrobial agents and the O2-dependent antimicrobial systems of PMNLs.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Mar, 153(3), 586 - 92
Effect of penicillin G on Staphylococcus aureus phagocytosed by human monocytes; van den Broek PJ et al.; The effect of penicillin G on Staphylococcus aureus after phagocytosis by human monocytes was compared with the effect on nonphagocytosed bacteria . Intracellular S . aureus was obtained by incubation of monocytes and preopsonized S . aureus for 3 min at 37 C; phagocytosis was stopped by cooling the test tubes in crushed ice . Nonphagocytosed bacteria were removed by differential centrifugation followed by two washes of the cells . Morphological studies with lysostaphin confirmed the intracellular localization of approximately 70% of the bacteria after this procedure . The antibacterial activity of penicillin G was assessed by incubation of monocytes containing ingested S . aureus with the drug at 37 C, and determination of the number of viable cell-associated bacteria was assessed microbiologically at various intervals . Inactivation of the intracellular killing mechanism of the monocytes by omission of serum during incubation allowed measurement of the effect of penicillin G apart from the bactericidal activity of the cells . The effect of penicillin G on nonphagocytosed bacteria was assessed after incubation of preopsonized S . aureus in medium with the drug . The results show that the effect of penicillin G on intracellular S . aureus is two to seven times stronger than the effect on nonphagocytosed S . aureus.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Mar, 165(3), 878 - 83
Plasmid instability in regenerating protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus is caused by aberrant cell division; Gruss A et al.; Elimination of plasmids from regenerating S . aureus protoplasts occurred when the regeneration medium contained sucrose but not when it contained sodium succinate . This difference was caused by the occurrence of cell division prior to regeneration of the cell wall on sucrose but not on succinate . Coexisting compatible plasmids were cured independently; coexisting incompatible plasmids were cured jointly . These results support the hypothesis that plasmid pools exist as physically sequestered units in protoplasts and that curing is a consequence of the segregation of such units during abnormal division of wall-less organisms.

Crit Care Med, 1986 Mar, 14(3), 198 - 201
Role of corticosteroids in the development of pneumonia in mechanically ventilated head-trauma victims; Braun SR et al.; The development of pneumonia was monitored in head-trauma patients requiring mechanical ventilation . Of the 66 patients studied, 15 (23%) developed pneumonia within 14 days after ICU admission . In each case the diagnosis was based on x-ray evidence and at least two of the following: increased white blood cell count, increased fever, and/or increased sputum production with a predominant organism on the sputum stain . Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus was the most common etiologic agent . There was no difference in the occurrence of pneumonia between patients treated with no steroids or with low, moderate, or high steroid doses . Although there was an association between thiopental use and the development of pneumonia, dexamethasone treatment was not a significant risk factor in the development of pneumonia in this patient population.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Mar, (3), 56 - 62
{Delayed hypersensitivity and nonspecific cellular immunity . The role of mono- and polynuclear phagocytes}; Gordienko SM; Differences in the influence produced by sensitization with BCG vaccine and Staphylococcus aureus and by the reaction of delayed hypersensitivity (DH) induced, respectively, by the injection of old tuberculin and staphylococcal phagolysate on the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and blood leukocytes in different animals were experimentally demonstrated . A considerable activation of the bactericidal and ingesting functions of macrophages was observed in animals showing a pronounced DH reaction (rabbits, guinea pigs and mice), while in Wistar rats no such activation was noted . The latter showed no DH reaction after sensitization with BCG vaccine and the injection of the specific antigen . Among different strains of mice, the activation of macrophages occurred in the animals with the most pronounced DH reaction . Sensitization with BCG vaccine led to an insignificant sensitization of macrophages, and sensitization with S . aureus even suppressed the phagocytic activity of macrophages . The treatment of mice with antimacrophagal preparations (carrageenan, silica and trypan blue, but T-lymphocyte antiserum) before and after the injection of the specific antigen into the sensitized animals abolished the stimulation of anti-infection immunity.

J Infect, 1986 Mar, 12(2), 105 - 9
Infections after craniotomy: a retrospective study; van Ek B et al.; A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the rate of infection directly related to craniotomy . Of 246 craniotomies performed in 1981, 234 could be evaluated . The overall incidence of infection was 8.1% (19 infections in 18 patients) . The infection rate was 15.2% after insertion of a ventricular shunt (seven infections after 45 ventriculostomies) . Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes were the most frequent isolated micro-organisms . We recommended a double-blind prospective study to evaluate the possible benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in craniotomies.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1986 Mar, 39(3), 394 - 403
Studies on beta-lactam antibiotics . XII . Synthesis and activity of new 3-ethynylcephalosporin; Kawabata K et al.; The synthesis of the orally absorbed 3-ethynylcephalosporin is described . In addition, the structure-activity relationships and oral absorption in rats of 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2- carboxymethoxyiminoacetamido}cephalosporins having various aliphatic hydrocarbon groups at the 3-position are discussed . Of these cephalosporins, 3-ethynyl-cephalosporin exhibited better activity against Staphylococcus aureus than the other cephalosporins and showed moderate oral absorption in rats.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1986 Mar, 39(3), 384 - 93
Studies on beta-lactam antibiotics . XI . Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new 3-(2,2-dihalovinyl)cephalosporins; Kawabata K et al.; The synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of 7 beta-{(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-carboxymethoxyiminoacetamido}- 3-(2,2-dihalovinyl)cephalosporins are described . 3-(2,2-Dihalovinyl)cephalosporins exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, especially showed higher activity against Staphylococcus aureus than the corresponding 3-vinylcephalosporin.

Infect Control, 1986 Mar, 7(3), 164 - 7
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: how reliable is laboratory reporting?
Fleming DW, Helgerson SD, Mallery BL, Foster LR, White MC.
Microbiology laboratories in Oregon were surveyed in 1981 to determine how often methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was being reported to physicians in the state . Results of this survey were surprising in three respects . First, the mean percent of S . aureus isolates reported by laboratories as methicillin-resistant was 8.3% . Second, a significant inverse correlation was found between the percent of reported MRSA and laboratory size (p = 0.0001) . Finally, laboratories which retested initially resistant isolates reported significantly less MRSA (mean 3.3%, median 1%) than those laboratories which accepted initial results (mean 20%, median 12%) (p = 0.0001) . Independent testing by the Centers for Disease Control of isolates reported to be MRSA confirmed that some misidentification was occurring . Participating laboratories were notified of our initial findings and their potentially serious clinical ramifications . Laboratories were resurveyed in 1982, and a significant decrease in the reported MRSA to a mean percentage of 3.4% was observed (p = 0.002) . It is unlikely that this situation is unique to Oregon, and similar misreporting of MRSA to physicians in other areas of the country may be compromising the safe and effective treatment of S . aureus infections.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1986 Mar, 35(2), 290 - 6
An oocyst-transmitted outbreak of toxoplasmosis: patterns of immunoglobulin G and M over one year; Sulzer AJ et al.; Sera from 32 patients who became ill after jungle combat training were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using the indirect immunofluorescence test . Swift rises of both IgG and IgM antibodies occurred within 2 weeks of infection . Reduction in IgM titers, due to competitive suppression by IgG antibody, occurred in most but not all cases . Suppression of IgM reaction by IgG antibody could be prevented by adsorption of serum with Staphylococcus aureus containing protein A . Antibody of the IgM class could be detected at greater than or equal 1:256 level in many sera at 6-month and 1-year intervals after exposure . In groups with exposures such as were experienced in this study, the presence of IgM antibody titers in single serum specimens cannot be used to indicate recent exposure . Both IgG and IgM antibody may rise together to high levels very rapidly after infection; IgM did not precede IgG antibody in our 32 subjects.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Mar, 83(5), 1458 - 62
Induction of c-myc expression in human B lymphocytes by B-cell growth factor and anti-immunoglobulin; Lacy J et al.; Purified human B lymphocytes were examined for transcriptional expression of c-myc in response to mitogenic stimulation by the method of in situ hybridization using 35S-labeled DNA probes . The level of c-myc expression increased 10- to 20-fold within 2 hr after the addition of anti-mu, formalinized Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I, or B-cell growth factor, as compared to resting B cells . After 72-96 hr of mitogenic stimulation, c-myc expression remained elevated 5-fold, but expression among individual cells had become more heterogeneous than at early time points . To determine whether c-myc expression in human B lymphocytes is phase specific within the cell cycle, mitogen-stimulated cells were sorted by DNA content into populations of cells in G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases of the cell cycle . Examination of c-myc expression in phase-specific cells revealed that c-myc expression was elevated in all phases of the cell cycle, but it appeared to be maximally expressed in S phase . These studies suggest that c-myc expression in normal human B lymphocytes is cell-cycle dependent and remains elevated in all phases of the cycling cell.

J Vasc Surg, 1986 Mar, 3(3), 535 - 9
Antibiotic prophylaxis in vascular surgery: pharmacokinetic study of four commonly used cephalosporins; Fradet G et al.; Plasma levels of antibiotics often do not correlate well with their tissue levels . To determine optimal antibiotic coverage for prophylactic effect in vascular surgery, we studied the tissue pharmacokinetics of four cephalosporins in dogs: cefazolin, cefoxitin, cefamandole, and moxalactam for 3 hours after a single (25 mg/kg) intravenous injection . The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these antibiotics for the three most common pathogens involved in graft infections (Staphylococcus aureus, S . albus, and Escherichia coli) and their tissue concentration (TC) in the plasma, muscle, subcutaneous tissue, and aortic wall were assayed . The data are presented as TC/MIC ratio . Cefoxitin and moxalactam failed to achieve an effective therapeutic TC/MIC ratio (greater than 10) for S . aureus and S . albus in all the tissues studied whereas cefoxitin and cefamandole were above therapeutic levels . All antibiotics achieved an effective therapeutic ratio against E . coli, but cefamandole performed better (p less than 0.05) than cefoxitin; the latter reached effective levels at 3 hours . Cefamandole attained the most effective bioactive aortic tissue levels when the three most common pathogens were considered together and should therefore be considered as an antibiotic agent of choice for prophylaxis in vascular surgery.

J Med Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 21(2), 169 - 71
Typing of strains of Staphylococcus aureus by Western Blot analysis of culture supernates; Krikler SJ et al.; Extracellular proteins produced by Staphylococcus aureus strains were examined by Western Blot analysis with blood donor plasma as a source of antibodies . Comparison of epidemiologically related strains showed strong concordance between plot pattern and phage type.

J Cell Biol, 1986 Mar, 102(3), 932 - 42
Receptor-mediated endocytosis of asialoglycoproteins by rat hepatocytes: receptor-positive and receptor-negative endosomes; Mueller SC et al.; We have used combinations of subcellular fractionation, specific cytochemical tracers, and quantitative immunoadsorption to determine when, where, and in which intracellular structure internalized asialoglycoproteins (ASGPs) are segregated from their receptor . All membrane vesicles containing the receptor (R+ vesicles) were quantitatively immunoadsorbed from crude microsomes with Staphylococcus aureus cells and affinity-purified anti-ASGP receptor . Using this assay, we varied the time and temperature of exposure of perfused livers to 125I-asialoorosomucoid (125I-ASOR) and followed the movement of ligand from R+ to R- vesicles . After 2.5 min at 37 degrees C, 98% of the internalized ligand could be immunoadsorbed and thus was in R+ vesicles . Over the next 12 min of continuous 37 degrees C perfusion with 125I-ASOR, an increasing fraction of the ligand was not immunoadsorbed and therefore was present in R- vesicles . A maximum of 30% of the ligand could be found in R- vesicles (14-44 min) . When livers were maintained at 16 degrees C, ligand was internalized but remained in R+ vesicles . Furthermore, ligand accumulating in R- vesicles at 37 degrees C remained there when livers were cooled to 16 degrees C . R- endosomes could be separated from R+ endosomes by flotation on sucrose density gradients and visualized by the presence of sequestered ASOR-horseradish peroxidase (ASOR-HRP) . These structures resembled those labeled by ASOR-HRP in situ: R+ vesicles were relatively dense (1.12 g/cc), frequently tubular or spherical and small (100-nm diam), corresponding to the peripheral and internal tubular endosomes; R- structures were of lower density (1.09 g/cc), large (400-nm diam), and resembled internal multivesicular endosomes (MVEs) . Endocytosed ASOR-HRP was found in both the peripheral and internal tubular endosomes in situ under conditions where 95% of the ligand was present in R+ vesicles by immunoadsorption, whereas MVEs containing ASOR-HRP were predominant in situ when ligand was found in R- vesicles and were often in continuity with the tubular internal endosomes . All of these results suggest that complete segregation of ligand and receptor occurs after arrival in the Golgi-lysosome region of the hepatocyte and that MVEs are R- and represent the final prelysosomal compartment.

Ann Emerg Med, 1986 Mar, 15(3), 329 - 32
Pathogen identification of abscesses and cellulitis; Meislin HW; The goal of culturing abscesses and/or cellulitis is to identify the offending pathogen in order to understand and treat the infection . Abscesses respond to incision and drainage . Antibiotics are not indicated in the patient with normal host defense, and thus in these patients cultures and Gram stains are not indicated . In immunocompromised patients, in patients with abscesses of the central face, and in those with abscesses that contain gas or involve muscle or fascia, Gram stain, culture, and antibiotics are necessary . The Gram stain is a reliable indicator of sterile abscesses, abscesses in pure culture (especially Staphylococcus aureus), and those in mixed anaerobic culture . Location and odor of abscesses are clues to offending bacteria . Cultures of tissue or blood in patients with cellulitis usually are positive in less than 40% of cases, regardless of the technique used . Hemophilus influenzae cellulitis in pediatric patients is an exception; blood cultures are positive in more than two-thirds of cases . Although not specific, certain types of cellulitis show different clinical characteristics . Treatment with elevation, warm soaks, and antibiotics is still the mainstay of therapy . Gram stain and culture are limited to those patients who do not respond to initial therapy or who are immunocompromised.

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 1986 Mar, 8(3), 147 - 50
The immunoenhancing effect of cianidanol (C) on macrophages and on the T-cell system; Rauch G; Substance C {(+)-catechin; (+)-cyanidanol-3)}, which has been used for liver therapy since 1976, showed efficient immunostimulating properties in studies undertaken to investigate its mode of action . The compound had a significant effect on activation of macrophages, cytotoxic-T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells in mice in a dose-dependent manner . It also inhibited leukocyte migration in the presence of an antigen by 10.5% . Substance C significantly increased spontaneous lymphocyte transformation and spontaneous pokeweed mitogen (PWM)- and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-induced immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro . Furthermore, it exerted a stimulating effect on lymphocyte PHA-reactivity . In patients with HBV-positive chronic active hepatitis (CAH) it increased the ratio of OK4/OK8 cells . Its efficacy is comparable to that of the known immunostimulator inosine . The effect of cianidanol upon rosette formation in patients suffering from chronic liver diseases and healthy controls is qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to that of levamisole . The results of these studies are presented and discussed in regard to its efficacy in the therapy of HBsAG(+) and HBeAG(+) hepatitis.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Mar, 29(3), 461 - 3
Enoxacin compared with vancomycin for the treatment of experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis; Gilbert M et al.; Enoxacin administered orally was compared with vancomycin administered intravenously for the treatment of experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis . The MICs and MBCs of both enoxacin and vancomycin for an inoculum of 5.0 X 10(5) CFU of the methicillin-resistant S . aureus strain per ml were 1.56 microgram/ml . With an inoculum of 10(8) CFU/ml, enoxacin at 6 micrograms/ml and vancomycin at 180 micrograms/ml resulted in similar decreases in numbers of methicillin-resistant S . aureus in broth . Methicillin-resistant S . aureus endocarditis in rabbits was treated with enoxacin at 100 mg/kg orally every 12 h or vancomycin at 30 mg/kg intravenously every 12 h for 3 or 5 days . Enoxacin treatment for 3 or 5 days and vancomycin treatment for 5 days significantly reduced bacterial counts of vegetations compared with those in untreated control rabbits after 1 day of infection . Bacterial counts of vegetations after vancomycin treatment for 3 days did not differ significantly from those of untreated controls . Bacterial counts of vegetations in the four therapeutic groups did not differ significantly from one another . In uninfected rabbits single doses of vancomycin at 30 mg/kg administered intravenously achieved much higher concentrations in serum than did single doses of enoxacin at 100 mg/kg administered orally . Enoxacin had an elimination half-life in serum that was approximately 1.5 times longer than that of vancomycin . This study demonstrated that enoxacin administered orally is as effective as vancomycin administered intravenously for the treatment of experimental methicillin-resistant S . aureus endocarditis.

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 1986 Mar, 8(3), 139 - 45
Influence of cianidanol on specific and non-specific immune mechanisms; Daniel PT et al.; The influence of Cianidanol (Ci), a cytoprotective radical scavenger, on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was assessed with respect to its immunomodulatory function . In previous studies performed in our laboratory, a bidirectional influence of Ci on the immune response was observed, depending on its concentration . In order to elucidate this effect, the influence of Ci on macrophage (M phi) and B-cell function was investigated . A marked dose-dependent suppression of M phi phagocytosis by Ci could be detected . Furthermore, PGE2 synthesis of non-activated and PHA-activated PBMC was inhibited in the presence of Ci . This effect was shown to be due to an inhibition of M phi cyclooxygenase . It was also demonstrated that neither spontaneous nor Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I induced proliferation of highly purified B-cells was enhanced by Ci . Similar results were obtained by measuring the influence of Ci on immunoglobulin secretion of purified B-cells, exposed to Klebsiella membrane preparations . From these data it can be concluded that the previously described enhancing effect of Ci on immunoglobulin secretion is probably T-cell mediated.

J Clin Immunol, 1986 Mar, 6(2), 114 - 20
An analysis of the cellular requirements for the production of soluble interleukin-2 receptors in vitro; Nelson DL et al.; Following activation in vitro, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) express cell-associated interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R) and also release soluble IL-2R into culture supernatants . The present studies were undertaken to define which normal cells were responsible for the release of soluble IL-2R in vitro . Both cell-associated and soluble IL-2R were quantitatively measured with a "sandwich" enzyme-linked immunoassay employing two monoclonal antibodies . PBMC were separated into populations of surface immunoglobulin-negative cells (T cells and monocytes) and surface immunoglobulin-positive cells (B cells and monocytes), and the T-cell population was further separated into OKT4-positive (OKT4+) cells and OKT4-negative (OKT4-) cells . Following activation with phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and the monoclonal antibody OKT3, large amounts of soluble IL-2R were released by PBMC, unseparated T cells, OKT4+ T cells, and OKT4- T cells . The population containing B cells and monocytes made small but readily detectable amounts of soluble IL-2R when stimulated with these T-cell mitogens; likely the result of contaminating T cells in the population . However, when highly purified B cells were stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan and recombinant IL-2, they also released small amounts of soluble IL-2R . The release of soluble IL-2R by T cells appeared monocyte dependent when OKT3, but not phytohemagglutinin, was employed for activation, and monocytes themselves released no detectable IL-2R under the conditions employed . These studies define the cellular requirements for the release of soluble IL-2R in vitro and demonstrate that such receptors are released by B cells, T cells, and both OKT4+ and OKT4- T-cell subsets.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Mar, 17(3), 365 - 72
Elimination of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus with mupirocin ('pseudomonic acid')--a controlled trial; Casewell MW et al.; In a blind controlled trial 2% mupirocin ointment was applied four times a day for five days to the anterior nares of 32 healthy volunteers who were followed-up for at least five weeks . Mupirocin eliminated the persistent carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in all subjects within two days of starting mupirocin . Two weeks after the course S . aureus could not be detected, even in low numbers, in nose swabs from any of the 32 volunteers, and even after five weeks only six had resumed carriage . Of the 14 subjects who ultimately resumed carriage, 57% acquired a different phage type and 29% showed a relapse of colonisation with their pre-treatment strain . There was no evidence of overgrowth with Gram-negative organisms and pre- and post-treatment isolates of S . aureus were sensitive to mupirocin with MICs of 0.06 mg/l or less . There were no side-effects . We suggest that mupirocin may become the topical agent of choice for the elimination of S . aureus from the anterior nares.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 23(3), 509 - 12
Latex agglutination test for staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1; Igarashi H et al.; A reversed passive latex agglutination method, in which latex particles were sensitized with specific anti-toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) immunoglobulin, was found to be a simple and sensitive method for the detection of TSST-1 production by Staphylococcus aureus strains . The minimum amount of TSST-1 detectable was approximately 1.0 ng/ml . Of 41 S . aureus isolates from toxic shock syndrome patients and controls, 23 were positive for TSST-1 production, whereas only 20 strains were positive for TSST-1 production by an Ouchterlony immunodiffusion method . The reversed passive latex agglutination method was used to examine S . aureus strains isolated in Japan from staphylococcal infections, feces from healthy individuals, food from poisoning outbreaks, and market food.

Mol Cell Biol, 1986 Mar, 6(3), 758 - 67
Absence of a structural basis for intracellular recognition and differential localization of nuclear and plasma membrane-associated forms of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen; Jarvis DL et al.; The simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (T-ag) is found in both the nuclei (nT-ag) and plasma membranes (mT-ag) of simian virus 40-infected or -transformed cells . It is not known how newly synthesized T-ag molecules are recognized, sorted, and transported to their ultimate subcellular destinations . One possibility is that these events depend upon structural differences between nT-ag and mT-ag . To test this possibility, we compared the structures of nT-ag and mT-ag from simian virus 40-infected cells . No differences between the two forms of T-ag were detected by migration in polyacrylamide gels, by Staphylococcus aureus V8 partial proteolytic mapping of methionine- or proline-containing peptides, or by two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping of methionine-containing peptides . The carboxy-terminal, methionine-containing tryptic peptide was identified in the two-dimensional maps and was shown to be identical in nT-ag and mT-ag . Thus, a structural basis for the recognition and differential localization of T-ags could not be demonstrated . The carboxy terminus of the T-ag encoded by mutant dlA2413 is derived from the alternate open reading frame of the simian virus 40 early region, in analogy with the theoretical early gene product, T*-ag . We used this mutant to identify peptides unique to T*-ag . None of these peptides were detected in maps of mT-ag; only wild-type T-ag-specific peptides were found . These findings suggest that T*-ag does not represent the membrane-associated form of T-ag, but that mT-ag is encoded within the same reading frame used for nT-ag.

Arch Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 144(2), 131 - 6
Enterotoxin A production in Staphylococcus aureus: inhibition by glucose; Smith JL et al.; In this study, we investigated the relationship between carbohydrate metabolism and repression of staphylococcus enterotoxin A (SEA) in Staphylococcus aureus 196E and a pleiotrophic mutant derived from strain 196E . The mutant, designated at strain 196E-MA, lacked a functional phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (PTS) . The mutant produced acid, under aerobic conditions, from only glucose and glycerol . The parent strain contained an active PTS, and aerobically produced acid from a large number of carbohydrates . Prior growth in glucose led to repression of SEA synthesis in the parent strain; addition to the casamino acids enterotoxin production medium (CAS) led to more severe repression of toxin synthesis . The repression was not related to pH decreases produced by glucose metabolism . When S . aureus 196E was grown in the absence of glucose, there was inhibition of toxin production as glucose level was increased in CAS . The inhibition was related to pH decrease and was unlike the repression observed with glucose-grown strain 196E . The inhibition of SEA synthesis in mutant strain 196E-MA was approximately the same in cells grown with or without glucose and was pH related . Repression of SEA synthesis similar to that seen with glucose-grown S . aureus 196E could not be demonstrated in the mutant . In addition, glucose-grown S . aureus 196E neither synthesized beta-galactosidase nor showed respiratory activity with certain tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle compounds . Glucose-grown strain 196E-MA, however, did not show suppressed respiration of TCA cycle compounds; beta-galactosidase was not synthesized because the mutant lacked a functional PTS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 23(3), 576 - 81
Elimination of nonspecific cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin M activities in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by using anti-human immunoglobulin G; Joassin L et al.; Direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods offer several advantages in assessing past or recent exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, but there persist many pitfalls in the use of these methods for determining specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) . The efficiency of absorption of sera by IgG-coated latex beads, aggregated human IgG, or Staphylococcus aureus, i.e., for removing nonspecific CMV IgM activities, was evaluated in comparison with the effect of an anti-human IgG hyperimmune serum . Large routine series comprising serum samples from patients of various clinical groups and healthy individuals were examined . The CMV IgM-positive samples were at first treated with latex or aggregated IgG, but these absorptions left too many CMV IgM-positive individuals . S . aureus increased the nonspecific activity of some sera and, in other cases, removed or impaired specific IgM activities . The anti-IgG treatment caused the disappearance of nonspecific CMV IgM activities that had resisted the other treatments, whereas specific activities remained intact . Utilizing this method, only 1.03% of the routine series patients remained CMV IgM positive by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a figure in good agreement with a mean probability of CMV antibody acquisition of 0.33% for the population living in Belgium . On the other hand, in a series of patients who were investigated for serological response to several viruses, eight individuals displayed multiple IgM activities after anti-IgG treatment . In these cases, most IgM activities were found in patients who had IgG toward the related antigen for a long time before transient IgM was detected . This result implies that to assess a diagnosis of primary infection, it is necessary to examine serial specimens for IgG acquisition accompanying specific IgM.

Hepatology, 1986 Mar-Apr, 6(2), 252 - 62
Abnormalities of neutrophil phagocytosis, intracellular killing and metabolic activity in alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis; Rajkovic IA et al.; Neutrophil functions of phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria were examined in 40 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of whom 18 had a superimposed acute alcoholic hepatitis . In 65% of these, defective neutrophil phagocytosis was demonstrable, and in 62.5% there was a defect of intracellular killing of either Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli . Studies of the patients' serum failed to reveal inhibitors of neutrophil function . Additional assays of superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide production, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, degranulation and cellular levels of granule enzymes and glutathione revealed that these neutrophil defects are caused by both reduced production of superoxide and defects of degranulation . The hydrogen peroxide/superoxide molar ratio was raised in patients' neutrophils, and the strong inverse correlation found between the value of this ratio and intracellular levels of reduced glutathione would be consistent with the hypothesis that the neutrophils from patients with cirrhosis are unable to detoxify hydrogen peroxide effectively and that this is a result of reduced levels of glutathione in the cells . The consequent increase in oxidant stress, both intra- and extracellularly, may be the cause of phagocytic and degranulation defects . The reduced responses of patients' neutrophils may be caused by previous exposure of the cells to activating stimuli in circulation, as evidenced by depleted intracellular levels of granule enzymes and glutathione . Neutrophils from the patients with a superimposed acute alcoholic hepatitis had depressed phagocytosis in the early stages of incubation but, on the whole, neutrophils from these patients had a greater capacity for ingestion and killing of bacteria than neutrophils from patients with cirrhosis alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biochem J, 1986 Mar 1, 234(2), 413 - 20
Modification of ovine opsin with the photosensitive hydrophobic probe 1-azido-4-{125I}iodobenzene . Labelling of the chromophore-attachment domain; Davison MD et al.; The hydrophobic photosensitive probe 1-azido-4-{125I}iodobenzene (AIB) partitioned preferentially into photoreceptor disc membranes and, upon u.v . irradiation, became covalently bound to opsin and phospholipid . The labelling of both protein and phospholipid was linearly related to AIB concentration . The amount of probe incorporated into protein was not significantly different when membranes were irradiated at -100 degrees, 4 degrees or 25 degrees C, but irreversible aggregation of monomeric opsin was dramatically reduced by performing the photolysis at -100 degrees C . Labelling of opsin after irradiation at -100 degrees or 4 degrees was not significantly reduced by the presence of lysine in the aqueous buffer, indicating that significant amounts of reactive species did not enter the aqueous phase . The incorporation into phospholipid, unlike that into opsin, decreased as the temperature of irradiation increased . Some labelling of opsin occurred on incubation with pre-photoactivated AIB, indicating that reaction may also occur with reactive species of longer lifetimes than the nitrene . Proteolysis of labelled opsin with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase yielded two radiolabelled membrane-bound fragments . The location of the modified sites (cysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine, lysine and histidine residues: all nucleophiles) in the smaller fragment was entirely consistent with putative models for the protein derived from other studies.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Mar, 69(3), 670 - 5
Milk plasmin, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, and antitrypsin as determinants of bacterial replication rates in whey; Mattila T et al.; Quarter milk samples were collected monthly on a selected herd of 80 Ayrshire cows having a high frequency of subclinical mastitis . Analysis of bacterial growth rates in milk showed that whey prepared from infected or inflamed quarters stimulated bacterial growth . Milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, antitrypsin, and plasmin activities all showed positive correlations with bacterial replication rates (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) in respective whey samples as determined by a turbidometric micro-technique . Increased bacterial replication rates in mastitic whey represent an increased yield of the key nutrients for bacteria . Bacterial growth enhancement can be partly explained by proteose-peptone originating from plasmin activation and casein degradation . However, as multiple regression analysis showed that a combination of the predictor variables: antitrypsin, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and plasmin explained enhancement of bacterial growth better than plasmin alone, other factors connected with inflammation should be sought when searching for growth-enhancing factors in whey . Milk plasmin activities showed increasing activities toward end of lactation (before drying off) as well as during later lactation (age of cow in years minus 2) . Bacterial replication was enhanced in parallel with these changes in plasmin activities.

Pediatr Res, 1986 Mar, 20(3), 227 - 31
The effect of breast-feeding on proliferation by infant lymphocytes in vitro; Stephens S et al.; The effect of breast-feeding on the development of lymphocyte responsiveness in infants has been studied . Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 breast- and 15 bottle-fed infants were obtained sequentially between 6 days and 9 months of age . A number of agents were used to stimulate the cells in vitro and the resulting proliferative responses were compared between the two feeding groups . A hanging drop microculture system using serum-free medium, enabled spontaneous proliferation and proliferative responses to several stimuli (T and B cell mitogens, allogeneic lymphocytes, and antigen) to be studied at a range of cell concentrations and days of culture . Significant age-related differences were found between the responses of cells from the two feeding groups . Spontaneous proliferation and proliferative responses to the T cell mitogen phytohaemagglutinin and the antigen tetanus toxoid were significantly greater in the breast-fed group at the two earliest ages studied (6 days and 6 wk) . Responses to mitogens which predominantly affect B cells, such as pokeweed mitogen and Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan), were similar in both feeding groups at this age . In contrast, from 3 to 9 months of age, responses of cells from bottle-fed infants were significantly greater to all stimuli than responses from breast-fed infants . One possible explanation for the higher level of proliferation by cells from newborn breast-fed infants, is that these infants may absorb the cell-growth factors and lymphokines known to be present in human colostrum and milk . These factors may stimulate T cells and/or their precursors in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acta Virol, 1986 Mar, 30(2), 126 - 30
Structural proteins of Getah virus isolates from Japan and Malaysia; Srivastava AK et al.; Purified preparations of Getah virus strains have been analysed by sodium-dodecyl-sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to reveal their structural proteins . Two envelope proteins (E1 and E2) and core protein (C) were found with the prototype AMM2021 strain both under reducing and nonreducing conditions, while separation of E1 and E2 was observed only under nonreducing conditions for 3 strains isolated in Japan . Limited digestion by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease revealed difference in the peptide patterns of E1 between AMM2021 and Japanese isolates . Mobility of E1 and E2 was slower for the virus grown in BHK21 cells compared with the virus grown in Aedes albopictus cells, indicating host-controlled modification on the envelope glycoproteins.

J Hosp Infect, 1986 Mar, 7 Suppl A, 57 - 63
The effect of teicoplanin on leukocytic activity and intraleukocytic micro-organisms; Fietta A et al.; The interference of teicoplanin with certain phagocyte activities was investigated in comparison with that of vancomycin . Neither teicoplanin nor vancomycin interfered with chemotaxis, adherence, phagocytosis or nitroblue tetrazolium reduction of human neutrophils . Teicoplanin, but not vancomycin, enhanced intracellular killing by neutrophils from normal donors and from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease . Human monocytes in the absence of fresh human serum did not significantly kill Staphylococcus aureus but when pre-treated with teicoplanin 90% of phagocytozed bacteria were killed during 4 h incubation.

J Hosp Infect, 1986 Mar, 7 Suppl A, 19 - 27
Genetics of multiply-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Kayser FH et al.; A substantial portion of recently isolated, multiply-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was shown to carry R-determinants in plasmids . Some of these plasmids were small (3 Mdal) and carried only one R-marker . Others were 18-36 Mdal in size and carried two or more R-determinants . Several of the larger plasmids could be transferred by a conjugation-like process . The location of R-markers on transposable DNA sequences also was observed . Transposition as well as stable integration of R-plasmids into the chromosome can explain the frequent observation of chromosomal location of resistance . Chromosomal resistance might be an advantage for an organism frequently exposed to antibiotics . Molecular evidence suggests that methicillin resistance resides on additional chromosomal DNA . The organization of staphylococcal genomes as well as efficient transfer processes explain the genetic versatility of Staph . aureus, which has resulted in the development of multiply-resistant strains.

J Hosp Infect, 1986 Mar, 7(2), 137 - 48
Properties of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonizing patients in a burns unit; Lacey RW et al.; One hundred cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated from patients in a Regional Burns Unit between December 1984 and May 1985 . These organisms produced large amounts of beta-lactamase which readily hydrolyzed flucloxacillin but they were sensitive to teicoplanin, dicloxacillin and cephalothin at 37.5 degrees C . The MRSA strains did not differ from methicillin-sensitive isolates in sensitivity to unsaturated fatty acids, survival in serum and plasma or desiccation . However, each culture of this strain was negative or only weakly-positive for bound coagulase and cell bound protein A . Few (eight out of 44) cultures contained plasmids and the resistance to four antibacterials was not transferable in mixed cultures . No attempt was made to isolate patients colonized with MRSA which were rarely isolated elsewhere in the hospital.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1986 Mar, 11(3), 281 - 9
Activation specificity of commonly employed mitogens for canine B- and T-lymphocytes; Krakowka S et al.; Six day in vitro cultures of canine mononuclear leukocytes with or without prior carbonyl iron depletion were established with 5 commonly employed mitogens . Cultures were assessed for B-cell differentiation by induction of cytoplasmic and supernatant released IgG, M and A and T-cell differentiation by expression of Thy-1 antigen on the cell surface of lymphoblasts . The mitogen concanavalin A was shown to be a restricted T-cell mitogen, whereas pokeweed mitogen and protein A from Staphylococcus aureus stimulated maximal B-cell differentiation . These data establish the mitogenic specificity for canine lymphocytes in unfractionated peripheral blood leukocyte cultures and will permit an in vitro evaluation of various substances upon T- and B-lymphocyte functions.

Cell Immunol, 1986 Mar, 98(1), 137 - 44
Activation of bovine neutrophils by recombinant interferon-gamma; Steinbeck MJ et al.; The effect of recombinant bovine interferon-gamma (r-IFN-gamma) on neutrophil functions was investigated and compared to the effects of an unpurified lymphokine preparation . Incubation of purified bovine neutrophils with r-IFN-gamma or antigen-induced lymphokine for 2.5 hr at 37 degrees C resulted in impairment of the ability of neutrophils to migrate under agarose, and an enhancement of their ability to mediate antibody-dependent and antibody-independent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against chicken erythrocytes . Neither the lymphokine preparation nor the r-IFN-gamma had any influence on Staphylococcus aureus ingestion, or iodination by neutrophils . The lymphokine preparation enhanced cytochrome c reduction by neutrophils and was weakly chemotactic, whereas the r-IFN-gamma had neither of these effects . Only 5 min of r-IFN-gamma preincubation with neutrophils were needed to trigger protein synthesis by the neutrophils resulting in inhibition of random migration . Therefore, recombinant interferon-gamma acts as a neutrophil migration inhibition factor and a neutrophil activation factor resulting in enhanced neutrophil-mediated antibody-dependent and -independent cell-mediated cytotoxicity . Many, but not all, of the in vitro effects of an unpurified lymphokine preparation on neutrophil function can be attributed to the interferon-gamma contained in the lymphokine.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1986 Mar-Apr, 10(2), 169 - 71
Effect of dietary nucleotides on response to bacterial infections; Kulkarni AD et al.; A nucleotide-free diet (NFD) suppresses cellular immunity including suppression of both murine allograft rejection and murine graft-vs-host disease in H2 mismatched marrow recipients . To explore the effect of this diet upon response to a bacterial challenge, BALB/c mice were placed upon one of four diets: NFD, NFD supplemented with 0.25% RNA (NFR) and NFD reconstituted with either 0.06% adenine (NFA) or 0.06% uracil (NFU) . After 8 weeks on the diets, which supported normal growth in all groups, each dietary group of 10 mice was challenged with an intravenous injection of 1 X 10(7) live Staphylococcus aureus (Strain ATCC 25923) . By 120 hr postinoculation all mice in the NFD group had died; mortality was only 56% in the NFR group (p less than 0.05) . Addition of uracil resulted in mortality similar to that of the NFR group . Addition of adenine resulted in mortality close to that of the NFD group . Thus, dietary nucleotide restriction increases the mortality from staphylococcal sepsis . Addition of certain dietary nucleotides appears to decrease this susceptibility to bacterial challenge.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986 Feb 26, 135(1), 146 - 53
Redistribution of protein kinase C during mitogenesis of human B lymphocytes; Guy GR et al.; G0 human tonsillar B-lymphocytes were stimulated to divide by the polyclonal mitogen Staphylococcus Aureus Cowan strain 1 (SAC) and by the combined use of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and the calcium ionophore ionomycin . The activities of protein kinase C, which requires Ca++ and phospholipid as co-factors, and a proteolytically cleaved form of this enzyme (protein kinase M), which is independent of calcium and phospholipid control, were determined in soluble and particulate fractions obtained from activated B cells . Treatment of G0 B cells with SAC or TPA together with ionomycin caused redistribution of protein kinase C from the soluble to the particulate fraction where the 80,000-Dalton protein kinase C was cleaved to give rise to a 50,000-Dalton form of the kinase which was also found in the cytoplasm . These data suggest that redistribution and proteolytic cleavage of protein kinase C are key signal transduction events in B cell mitogenesis.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Feb 25, 261(6), 2860 - 5
Newly synthesized Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit has no cytosolic intermediate in MDCK cells; Caplan MJ et al.; Recently published data indicate that the alpha-subunit of Na,K-ATPase, a transmembrane protein of animal cell plasma membranes, is synthesized as a soluble precursor . In the present experiments we demonstrate that an apparent "soluble" form can indeed be detected in crude cytosolic fractions prepared by centrifugation from MDCK cells disrupted by sonication . We find, however, that this form has no precursor-product relationship with membrane-associated alpha-subunit . The quantity of unsedimentable alpha-subunit can be greatly diminished by increasing the centrifugal field employed to remove membranous vesicles from the cytosol fraction . Sonication of membrane pellets generates alpha-subunit which, like the "soluble" form, resists pelleting . Finally, cytosol fractions prepared from cells disrupted by sonication contain membrane-bound vesicles which can be immunoadsorbed on Staphylococcus aureus cells coated with a monoclonal antibody directed against alpha-subunit . We find, therefore, that the previously observed soluble precursor of alpha-subunit is actually a component of small unpelleted membrane vesicles generated by harsh disruption conditions . When cells are disrupted by less violent techniques no newly synthesized alpha-subunit can be detected in the cytosol fraction . We calculate that to escape detection under our experimental conditions a bona fide soluble precursor of alpha-subunit must have a cytosolic t1/2 less than 20 s . We conclude that the alpha-subunit is most probably inserted into the bilayer cotranslationally.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Feb 17, 155(1), 173 - 82
The protein phosphatases involved in cellular regulation . Primary structure of inhibitor-2 from rabbit skeletal muscle; Holmes CF et al.; The complete primary structure of inhibitor-2, a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatase-1, has been determined . The protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of 203 residues, and has a relative molecular mass of 22835 Da . This molecular mass is significantly lower than earlier estimates based on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The threonyl residue phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 is located at position 72 . The molecule is very hydrophilic, lacks cysteine residues and the single tryptophanyl and phenylalanyl residues are at positions 46 and 139, respectively . The N-terminal alanyl residue is N-acetylated . Digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, trypsin, or cleavage with cyanogen bromide, destroyed the biological activity of inhibitor-2, demonstrating that many large fragments (e.g . 1-49, 49-92, 67-101, 108-134, 142-182 and 163-197) are inactive . Digestion with clostripain generated a peptide comprising residues 25-114 which retained 2% of the inhibitory potency of the parent molecule . There is no sequence homology between inhibitor-2 and inhibitor-1.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1986 Feb 14, 869(3), 337 - 49
Purification of a 190 kDa protein from smooth muscle: relationship to talin; O'Halloran T et al.; Several studies of vinculin-binding proteins have described a 190 kDa protein in chicken gizzard smooth muscle which binds radioiodinated vinculin . We have purified and studied the 190 kDa protein from chicken gizzard smooth muscle . By indirect immunofluorescence, an antiserum raised against the 190 kDa protein stains adhesion plaques (focal contacts), ruffling membranes, and fibrillar streaks on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of fibroblasts . Both the binding to vinculin and the location of the protein in fibroblasts are properties shared with talin, a 215 kDa protein in smooth muscle and fibroblasts . Because antisera against talin and the 190 kDa cross-react the relationship of these two proteins has been investigated further . Upon prolonged storage at 4 degrees C, purified talin degrades into a 190 kDa fragment . A 190 kDa fragment is also generated from talin by the Staphylococcus aureus V-8 proteinase and by trypsin . Comparison of partial peptide maps of talin and the 190 kDa protein reveal that the proteins are very similar and when the 190 kDa fragment of talin is compared with the purified 190 kDa protein by partial proteolytic digestion no differences are found in the pattern of peptides generated . In addition, the amount of 190 kDa protein detected in muscle tissues excised from chick embryos can be drastically reduced if proteinase inhibitors are added to the tissue homogenates . We conclude that the purified 190 kDa dalton protein is a proteolytic fragment of talin . Although markedly reduced by proteinase inhibitors, detection of the 190 kDa protein is not completely abolished, suggesting that some talin may already be cleaved within living cells.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Feb 5, 261(4), 1890 - 903
DARPP-32, a dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated neuronal phosphoprotein . Primary structure and homology with protein phosphatase inhibitor-1; Williams KR et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of bovine brain DARPP-32, a dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated neuronal phosphoprotein, which is a potent and specific inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase-1, has been determined . The S-14C-carboxymethylated protein was subjected to enzymatic cleavage by endoproteinase Lys-C, endoproteinase Arg-C, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and to chemical cleavage by cyanogen bromide . The overlapping sets of peptides were purified by high performance liquid chromatography and subjected to amino acid sequencing by automated Edman degradation to deduce the complete sequence . The protein consists of a single NH2-terminal blocked polypeptide chain of 202 residues, with a calculated molecular mass of 22,591 daltons, excluding the unidentified NH2-terminal blocking group . This molecular mass is significantly lower than earlier estimates based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or hydrodynamic measurements . The threonine residue that is phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (Hemmings, H . C., Jr., Williams, K . R., Konigsberg, W . H., and Greengard, P . (1984) J . Biol . Chem . 259, 14486-14490), and that must be phosphorylated for the expression of inhibitory activity, is located at position 34 . The molecule contains only 1 cysteine residue and 1 tryptophan residue, at positions 72 and 161, respectively . DARPP-32 is very hydrophilic, and contains a stretch of 16 consecutive acidic residues from position 119 to 134 . The predicted secondary structure suggests the presence of 47% alpha-helix, 7% beta-sheet, and 46% random coil, with 11 beta-turns . Comparison of the complete amino acid sequence of bovine DARPP-32 with that of rabbit skeletal muscle protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 revealed a significant amount of sequence identity in the NH2-terminal regions of these two proteins . The active region of inhibitor-1 has been localized to an NH2-terminal fragment (Aitken, A., and Cohen, P . (1982) FEBS Lett . 147, 54-58), the part of the molecule that is most similar to DARPP-32 . These data suggest that these two protein phosphatase inhibitors may share a common structural basis for their inhibitory activity and may be related by a common ancestral gene.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Feb 3, 154(3), 503 - 10
The complete amino acid sequence of vitelline coat lysin; Haino-Fukushima K et al.; The vitelline coat lysin of a top shell, Tegula pfeifferi, is a single polypeptide consisting of 118 amino acid residues and having a relative molecular mass of 13800 . The complete amino acid sequence of the vitelline coat lysin was determined by the analyses of five peptides obtained by cyanogen bromide degradation and three fragments obtained by Staphylococcus aureus protease digestion of the protein . The sequence showed the presence of microheterogeneities in the vicinity of the C-terminal half of the molecule and the existence of two homologous domain structures.

Aust N Z J Ophthalmol, 1986 Feb, 14(1), 69 - 73
Infection after retinal detachment surgery; Hadden OB; In 250 consecutive retinal detachment operations performed by the author, there were 14 cases (5.6%) of infection of the scleral buckle . The commonest infecting organism was Staphylococcus aureus . The surgery in these infected cases took longer than average, and utilized more than the usual amount of silicone sponge; a higher proportion were reoperations . After an average follow-up of 22 months, only six of the 14 had vision of 6/36 or better and of these, two had persisting inferior traction detachments . On the basis of this study and others, the preferred management of infected scleral buckles is to remove the sponge as soon as the diagnosis is made . The risk of redetachment is a lesser evil than the sequelae of prolonged inflammation which include traction retinal detachment, massive periretinal proliferation, and premacular fibrosis.

Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1986 Feb, 31(2), 138 - 41
{Purification and properties of staphylococcal hyaluronidase}; Kvesitadze GI et al.; Microbial hyaluronidase (EC 4.2.2.1) was isolated from the culture fluid of Staphylococcus aureus 0-15 with purification by precipitation with 1 volume of ethyl alcohol, chromatography on DEAE cellulose and ultrafiltration through DA type membranes with the pore size of 0.65 micron ("Millipore") and PM-10 membranes ("Amicon") . The specific activity of the enzyme averaged to 2700 turbidimetric units or 32130 IU . 6585-fold purification of the enzyme was performed . The optimum action on hyaluronic acid was observed at pH 5.0-6.5 . Hyaluronidase was inhibited by Fe3+, Fe2+ and Cu2+, activated by Ca2+ and stabilized by 0.15 M NaCl . It was detected that the enzyme had two molecular forms with the isoelectric points of 5.4 and 6.5 and the molecular weights of 55 000 and 24 0000 D respectively . The glycoprotein nature of the enzyme was shown . The immobilized form of hyaluronidase on activated polyglucin, a soluble biocompatible polymer was prepared . The form is characterized by higher thermostability.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 Feb, 4(2), 133 - 8
In vitro evaluation of clindamycin in combination with oxacillin, rifampin, or vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus; Ho JL et al.; In a study of antibiotic combinations of clindamycin with rifampin, oxacillin, or vancomycin using the time kill-curve method, the combination of clindamycin and rifampin were sometimes synergistic (5 of 15 times), otherwise indifferent and always enhanced killing of fifteen tested Staphylococcus aureus isolates . In contrast, vancomycin and clindamycin or oxacillin and clindamycin were either indifferent or antagonistic (approximately 50%) . Vancomycin alone, however, was generally as effective as the combinations of clindamycin and rifampin.

Arthritis Rheum, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 166 - 73
Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear cells from synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; Breedveld FC et al.; The phagocytosis and intracellular killing by synovial fluid (SF) polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) of 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied . PMN phagocytosis was assessed by morphologic and microbiologic methods and intracellular killing was measured independently of continuous phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus . Phagocytosis of S aureus by SF PMN or peripheral blood (PB) PMN was as effective in the presence of synovial fluid as in the presence of serum . On average, SF PMN ingested S aureus opsonized with synovial fluid and serum more efficiently than patient or donor PB PMN did . Enhanced ingestion of S aureus was associated with increased expression of C3 receptors on the membrane of SF PMN . In the presence of heat-inactivated synovial fluid, the capacity of SF PMN to ingest S aureus was greater than that of patient or donor PB PMN . Under these conditions, phagocytic activity was correlated with Fc receptor expression . SF PMN was found to be as active in killing S aureus as PB PMN from healthy donors.

J Hyg (Lond), 1986 Feb, 96(1), 67 - 73
International outbreak of staphylococcal food poisoning caused by contaminated lasagne; Woolaway MC et al.; An outbreak of staphylococcal food poisoning in Europe caused by contaminated lasagne was detected and monitored by both national and international surveillance systems . The common source was a pasta-producing factory in Italy and high levels of Staphylococcus aureus were detected in packets of dried lasagne distributed in Luxembourg, the UK, France and Italy . Forty-seven cases were reported in the UK . Outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning attributed to mishandling during the food processing stage are uncommon and pasta as the food vehicle is rare . Prompt recognition of the outbreak and rapid identification of the food vehicle enabled most of the consignment to be withdrawn from the market.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1986 Feb, 70(2), 122 - 5
Bacteriology and tear protein profiles of the dry eye; Seal DV et al.; The concentrations of tear lysozyme, lactoferrin, ceruloplasmin, IgA, and IgG have been estimated in patients with dry eyes at the same time as semiquantitative bacterial culture was performed of the conjunctivae and lids . Staphylococcal isolations were quantified and biotyped . There was no increased conjunctival colonisation by any particular biotype of Staphylococcus aureus or Staph . epidermidis, and similar numbers of conjunctivae were sterile as in controls (33%); neither were any pathogens such as pneumococci or haemophili isolated . We consider that the conjunctiva of the dry eye, without the lacrimal secretion components of lysozyme and lactoferrin, has an alternative protective antibacterial mechanism which is derived from serum proteins via chronically inflamed vessels.

Arch Surg, 1986 Feb, 121(2), 169 - 72
Influence of dietary nucleotide restriction on bacterial sepsis and phagocytic cell function in mice; Kulkarni AD et al.; Although enzyme defects in purine metabolism have revealed the importance of these substrates to maintenance of a normal immune response, the role of exogenous nucleotides on the cells that mediate the host defense system has remained largely unexplored . Recent investigations have revealed that dietary nucleotides are vital to the maintenance of cell-mediated responses to antigen stimulation . To test the influence of dietary nucleotide deprivation on resistance to infection, Balb/c mice were maintained on chow, a nucleotide-free (NF) diet, or an NF diet repleted with adenine, uracil, or RNA . Mice on the NF diet suffered 100% mortality following intravenous challenge with Staphylococcus aureus, while chow-fed and RNA- or uracil-repleted mice demonstrated significantly greater resistance to this bacterial challenge . Macrophages from mice on the NF diet had decreased phagocytic activity as measured by uptake of radiolabeled bacteria compared with mice maintained on the NF diet supplemented with adenine, uracil, or RNA . No change in S aureus antibody response was noted on the various diets . Although the mechanism of this suppression of nonspecific immunity remains unclear, provision of nucleotides to defined diets appears vital to maintain host resistance to bacterial challenge.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1986 Feb, 162(2), 169 - 73
Efficacy of silver sulfadiazine in the treatment of prosthetic arterial bypass graft infection; McDaniel MD et al.; Infection is an uncommon but unfortunate complication of prosthetic arterial bypass grafting . Because previously described methods of treatment of such infections which do not involve excision of the graft have not met with uniform success, we undertook a study of the efficacy of silver sulfadiazine cream in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections of polytetrafluoroethylene carotid artery bypass grafts in dogs . At the time of bilateral grafts placement in 14 dogs, wounds were inoculated with at least 2 X 10(7) organisms . Three days later all wounds were opened . The wounds of seven dogs were treated with daily applications of silver sulfadiazine cream and the wounds of the other dogs were treated with daily applications of povidone iodine ointment . The dogs were sacrificed at 30 days or at the earliest evidence of arterial beeding from the wounds, whichever came first . Cultures of the wound were taken, and graft and artery histologic findings were studied at the time of sacrifice . Although survival of the dogs treated with silver sulfadiazine was marginally better than that of the dogs treated with povidone iodine, viable bacteria were present in microabscesses in many apparently healed wounds in the former group . We conclude that daily applications of silver sulfadiazine cream does not reliably eradicate staphylococcal infections involving polytetrafluoroethylene arterial bypass grafts.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Feb, 153(2), 209 - 16
Ubiquinone-8 stimulates phagocytosis in macrophages by modulation of the kinetics of the Fc receptor; Block LH et al.; The effect of exogenous ubiquinone-8 (Q8) on IgG- and C3b-mediated phagocytosis of sensitized sheep red blood cells and of opsonized Staphylococcus aureus by macrophages was studied by morphological and quantitative methods . Q8 stimulated the initial events of phagocytosis, that is, attachment and ingestion, in which occupancy of the Fc receptor by IgG was shown to be of critical significance . The kinetics of competitive inhibition of phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria by macrophages by using Fc fragments suggested the intimate role of the kinetics of the Fc receptor in the initial events of phagocytosis and, further, the modulation of the kinetics of the Fc receptor by Q8 as the basis of enhanced phagocytosis by Q8.

Infect Immun, 1986 Feb, 51(2), 431 - 9
Affinity purification of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 and its pathologic effects in rabbits; Reeves MW et al.; Toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) was purified to apparent homogeneity by chromatofocusing and affinity chromatography . The amino acid composition of the toxin was very similar to that reported for TSST-1 by other investigators . The amino-terminal amino acid was serine . A partial specific volume of 0.73 ml/g was calculated for the toxin from the amino acid data, and a molecular weight of 19,200 +/- 1,300 was determined by hydrodynamic methods . New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes were equally susceptible to the lethal effects of the toxin; however, older rabbits (greater than 12 months) were far more susceptible than young adults or weanlings . The 50% lethal dose of TSST-1 in older rabbits was 50 to 60 micrograms/kg when injected subcutaneously and 20 to 30 micrograms/kg when injected intravenously . Enhancement of lethal endotoxin shock by TSST-1 could not be demonstrated when both toxins were injected subcutaneously; however, lethal shock did occur when endotoxin (10 micrograms/kg) was injected intravenously after TSST-1 had been injected by either the subcutaneous (50 to 60 micrograms/kg) or the intravenous (20 to 30 micrograms/kg) route . Endotoxin alone was not lethal at a dose of 500 micrograms/kg of body weight when injected subcutaneously . When injected intravenously, endotoxin at a dose of 500 micrograms/kg was not lethal in weanling males or in females in any age group; however, young (6 to 7 months) and adult (greater than 12 months) males were killed by endotoxin doses as low as 45 to 50 micrograms/kg . Histopathologic studies of rabbits by both sexes which died as a result of TSST-1 alone or in combination with endotoxin showed extensive damage to organs rich in lymphoid and mononuclear phagocytic cells such as the thymus, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen . Severe congestion of these organs as well as erythrophagocytosis and lymphoid depletion in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were noted . Congestion and hemorrhage were also found in the heart, lungs, trachea, and thymus . The systemic pathology produced by TSST-1 was strikingly similar to that seen in humans who had died of toxic shock syndrome and in rabbits with subcutaneous chamber inoculated with toxic shock case strains of Staphylococcus aureus . Rabbits that were not killed by the toxin suffered a very rapid and severe leukopenia followed by leukocytosis with a left shift . Lymphopenia was also noted as was a mild but persistent anemia . With the exception of the early leukopenia, very similar hematologic findings have been noted in humans with toxic shock syndrome.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 209 - 11
Persistent staphylococcal bacteremia in an intravenous drug abuser; Barg NL et al.; A patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia received vancomycin (MIC = 0.8 microgram/ml, MBC = 15 micrograms/ml) and heparin simultaneously through the same intravenous line to treat a septic deep venous thrombosis . Bacteremia persisted for 7 days . Bacteremia terminated when the simultaneous infusion of heparin and vancomycin through the same line was stopped . This suggested that an interaction between vancomycin and heparin may have occurred, which resulted in a reduction in vancomycin activity . To test for such an interaction, mixtures of heparin and vancomycin in various concentrations were made and tested for antimicrobial activity against the organisms in the patient . A precipitate formed at the concentrations achieved in the intravenous lines, and when the vancomycin concentrations were measured by bioassay, a 50 to 60% reduction in activity was noted . In contrast, when these solutions were prepared and mixed at microgram concentrations, a precipitate was no longer observed, and antimicrobial activity was not reduced . Heparin appeared to interact unfavorably with vancomycin at the concentrations in the intravenous lines when these drugs were administered simultaneously to patients . This may be the cause of poor therapeutic responses to vancomycin in some patients, especially those infected with tolerant organisms.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Feb, 69(2), 340 - 3
Carryover of preformed staphylococcal enterotoxins and thermostable deoxyribonuclease from raw cow milk to Khoa--a heat-concentrated Indian milk product; Varadaraj MC et al.; Preformation of enterotoxins and thermostable deoxyribonuclease by Staphylococcus aureus in raw cow milk and their carryover to Khoa--a heat-concentrated (98 degrees C for 15 to 20 min) Indian milk product--was evaluated . Detectable enterotoxins and deoxyribonuclease, as evidenced in the zone diameters of 10 to 16 mm, were performed in 10 h incubation of milk samples inoculated with strains of Staphylococcus aureus at 1 X 10(6) cfu/ml of milk . Both preformed enterotoxins and thermostable deoxyribonuclease were carried over to Khoa from raw milk . The study implies the use of good quality raw milk free from pathogenic organisms for preparation of milk products such as Khoa.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Feb, 17(2), 173 - 84
Comparative in-vitro activity of antibiotics incorporated in acrylic bone cement; Beeching NJ et al.; We compared the persistence of antibacterial activity around antibiotic-impregnated acrylic bone cement discs which were serially transferred on seeded agar plates . On plates inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, CMW1 discs containing 2.5% by dry weight of cephalothin, coumermycin or fusidic acid (as diethanolamine fusidate) produced zones of inhibition for four to eight weeks when transferred daily . In contrast, ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole, rifampicin and vancomycin ceased to be inhibitory within a week . Discs made of 'Palacos-R with Garamycin,' which contains gentamicin 1.25%, had an intermediate duration of activity . When Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 was used as the test organism, ceftriaxone and 'Palacos-R with Garamycin' showed activity for almost three weeks, cephalothin and cotrimoxazole were briefly inhibitory and the remainder not at all . When discs were transferred each week instead of daily, the ranking of antibiotics was similar but antibacterial activity persisted for longer . A combination of gentamicin plus fusidic acid in CMW1 was active for a much shorter time than either fusidic acid alone or 'Palacos-R with Garamycin' . We conclude that coumermycin is a promising new agent for incorporation in acrylic cement.

Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova, 1986 Feb, 72(2), 221 - 3
{Effect of folliculin and estradiol-dipropionate on the phagocytic properties of the blood neutrophils of the female white rat}; Pol'shin VV et al.; In the female rat blood, prior to and 5, and 50 days after bilateral ovarectomy with the substitutional administration of 50 units of folliculin and estradiol--dipropionate subcutaneously every 48 hrs for 50 days, a progressing decrease of the phagocytic activity was observed . Under the effect of estradiol--dipropionate the phagocytic activity reduced after ovarectomy was gradually returning to the initial level, whereas under the effect of folliculin the phagocytic activity increased proportionally to the time of incubation of blood with Staphylococcus aureus bacterial areas . The phagocytic activity of the blood neutrophiles seems to depend on estrogens.

J Clin Microbiol . 1986 Feb;23(2):387.
Evaluation of the newly modified AutoMicrobic system gram-positive susceptibility-MIC card for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Lally RT et al.; AutoMicrobic system (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) gram-positive susceptibility-MIC (GPS-MIC) cards and GPS cards were compared for their ability to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in two groups of isolates . MRSA isolates from the first group were detected at rates of 23 and 85%, and MRSA isolates from the second group were detected at rates of 95 and 88% for GPS and GPS-MIC cards, respectively . Detection of MRSA by the AutoMicrobic system lacks sensitivity and remains unsatisfactory unless accompanied by supplemental testing.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 333 - 6
Possible physiological functions of penicillin-binding proteins in Staphylococcus aureus; Georgopapadakou NH et al.; There are four penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in Staphylococcus aureus, of which PBPs 2 and 3 are essential . Cefotaxime binds selectively to PBP 2, and cephalexin binds to PBP 3, each at its respective MIC . The morphology of S . aureus strains grown in the presence of the two antibiotics was examined by phase-contrast and scanning electron microscopy . Exposure of the cells to cefotaxime at concentrations at which it bound selectively to PBP 2 resulted in the extrusion of cytoplasm and cell lysis, whereas exposure to cephalexin at concentrations at which it bound exclusively to PBP 3 resulted in cell enlargement and the cessation of septation . The latter morphological response was very similar to that produced by norfloxacin . The results suggest that in S . aureus, PBP 2 may be the primary peptidoglycan transpeptidase, and PBP 3 may be involved in septation.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Feb, (2), 12 - 4
{A nonuniform sequential procedure for diagnosing Staphylococcus aureus}; Nechmirev AB; The possibility of the sharp differentiation of S . aureus in the nonuniform successive statistical identification procedure with the use of signs ranked by their differential information content . The procedure starting from the signs with greater information content permits the identification of S . aureus in 100% of cases.

Arthritis Rheum, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 212 - 9
Abnormal B cell function in patients with Behçet's disease; Suzuki N et al.; We evaluated B lymphocyte function in 23 patients with Behcet's disease at various stages . The patients with active disease, but not those with inactive disease, were found to have elevated numbers of cells spontaneously secreting immunoglobulin and a decreased B cell response to the T cell-independent B cell mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 . Moreover, B cells from almost all patients with Behcet's disease were unresponsive to the T cell-dependent polyclonal activator, pokeweed mitogen . These results indicate that B cell abnormalities, including some which are associated with disease activity, could be involved in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease.

Cancer Genet Cytogenet, 1986 Feb 1, 20(1-2), 73 - 87
Sequential chromosome abnormalities in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a study of 13 cases; Ohtaki K et al.; The chromosomal constitution of stimulated lymphocytes in 13 patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) were sequentially examined using polyclonal B cell activators (PBA), i.e., Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), lipopolysaccharide W from E . coli (LPS), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (PA) . Of the 11 patients (44 samplings) with abnormal clones, 2 patients had only trisomy 12, 6 patients had trisomy 12 plus other clonal abnormalities, such as +8, +9, +16, +18, 6q-, 15q+, and t(4;15), and the remaining 3 cases had various clonal abnormalities other than trisomy 12, such as trisomy 3, 8, 20, 21, and insertion of #7 and #12 . These findings suggest that even though trisomy 12 may be a common abnormality in B-CLL, various other abnormal clones may also be present in vivo for relatively long periods of time . It appears that stimulated lymphocytes in patients with previous therapy tend to show chromosome abnormalities more frequently than those in untreated patients.

Aust N Z J Surg, 1986 Feb, 56(2), 131 - 3
Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a review of 222 cases; Mackay AJ et al.; The results of 222 cases of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis operated on at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth, from 1979 to 1984, have been reviewed . There were no deaths, but there was a 7% incidence of wound infection and a 72% incidence of postoperative vomiting . Staphylococcus Aureus was cultured from 62% of the infected wounds . Prophylaxis against Staphylococcus Aureus infection and delayed introduction of feeding are suggested.

Microbiol Sci, 1986 Feb, 3(2), 53 - 8
Plasmids in multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus; Gillespie MT et al.; Contemporary clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus possess a formidable array of determinants for resistance to antimicrobial agents, a number of which are plasmid encoded . The plasmids detected in such multiresistant isolates from Australia, Europe and the USA are compared and some of the potential genetic rearrangements involved in their evolution discussed.

Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss, 1986 Feb, 79(2), 154 - 61
{Tricuspid endocarditis . Value of echocardiography . Developmental data . Apropos of 11 cases}; Maraud L et al.; Clinical and echocardiographic data of 11 patients with tricuspid valve endocarditis (TE) were analysed to determine diagnostic criteria and to study the outcome of this condition . The study population comprised 6 men and 5 women (average age 38.4 +/- 18 years) . TE was the only lesion in 9 cases; there was 1 case of associated pulmonary and aortic valve endocarditis, and in the other patient mitral and aortic valve endocarditis was also present . Five patients were heroin addicts . In 5 cases, the causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus . The clinical presentation was usually atypical with a systolic murmur rarely characteristic in 9 patients and signs of right ventricular failure in only 3 patients . On the other hand, 8 patients had one or more episodes of acute pneumonia or typical pulmonary embolism . The diagnosis was established by echocardiography which demonstrated the valvular vegetations . The outcome was favourable in 10 patients, only one of whom required surgical intervention . Two dimensional echocardiography provided valuable information about the evolution of the valvular vegetations, frequently showing regression after medical therapy.

South Med J, 1986 Feb, 79(2), 193 - 6
Intravenous antibiotics at home; Harris LF et al.; Intravenous antibiotics can be administered safely and effectively and at substantially less cost in a home environment . Patients who are candidates for this treatment must be in stable condition clinically, possess a ready venous access, and show the mental and physical capabilities required to administer intravenous medication . Antibiotics must be delivered promptly and retain their sterility and activity until infusion . Close monitoring of the patient during therapy is essential . Orthopedic infections, mainly osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and bursitis, have thus far been our most frequently treated infections, with Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic gram-negative bacilli, and S epidermidis the most commonly encountered pathogens . Penicillins, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides have been given most often . Cure rates have exceeded 85%, and many patients resume usual activities during treatment . Complications are unusual, cost savings are substantial, and patient satisfaction is maximal.

Hum Immunol, 1986 Feb, 15(2), 150 - 63
A monoclonal antibody that recognizes the alpha chain of HLA-DR antigens; Knudsen PJ et al.; A monoclonal antibody, HC2.1, has been generated that specifically reacts with both the denatured and the in vitro translated alpha chain of the DR antigen . Although HC2.1 antibody reacted with the alpha chain of protein immunoprecipitated by two DR-specific monoclonal antibodies, L227 and LB3.1, it did not react with the alpha chain of the DQ1 antigen immunoprecipitated by the monoclonal antibody, Genox 3.53 . The isoelectric focusing pattern of the alpha chain precipitated by HC2.1 antibody was invariant across a range of DR specificities within a panel of lymphoblastoid cells . The alpha chain of DR antigen from a B cell line was purified by HC2.1-Sepharose immunoaffinity chromatography and limited amino acid sequence analysis was carried out with Staphylococcus aureus SV8 protease fragments purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography . The sequence analysis confirmed that the antigen reactive with HD2.1 antibody is encoded by the DR alpha chain gene.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Feb, 165(2), 373 - 8
Additional DNA in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and molecular cloning of mec-specific DNA; Beck WD et al.; Additional DNA was shown to be present in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by one- and two-dimensional restriction endonuclease analyses of the chromosomal DNA . A 3.5-kilobase Bg/II fragment, which was present in methicillin-resistant strains but not in the isogenic methicillin-sensitive parental strain, was cloned into newly constructed plasmid pWDB1 in Escherichia coli . Hybridization of this 3.5-kilobase Bg/II fragment with different methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S . aureus clinical isolates indicated that the fragment represents part of the methicillin resistance determinant (mec) . In addition, the fragment carries a sequence that is present in some large staphylococcal plasmids, as well as in penicillinase plasmid pI524.

Endocrinology, 1986 Feb, 118(2), 573 - 82
The identification of a plasma membrane 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine binding protein on the cultured Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocyte and the lack of its up-regulation by insulin in vitro; Stevens RL et al.; Primary cultures of Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes were examined for the presence of T3 plasma membrane binding proteins and their possible regulation by insulin . Incubation of this tumor cell with {125I}T3 at 4 C yielded saturable and reversible binding of the radioligand . As assessed by LIGAND computer analysis, the binding data in one experiment revealed two classes of {125I}T3 binding sites with association constants of 2.2 X 10(9) M-1 and 4.8 X 10(6) M-1, and binding capacities of 4.9 X 10(3) and 1.9 X 10(6) sites per cell, respectively . Whole cells and a preparation enriched for plasma membrane were affinity labeled with N-bromoacetyl-{125I}T3 (N-BrAc-{125I} T3), and the molecular weights of the radiolabeled proteins were analyzed both by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography . One major chondrosarcoma protein of 55,000 mol wt and two minor proteins of 47,000 and 33,000 mol wt bound N-BrAc-{125I}T3, suggesting that the mol wt of the T3 binding protein was 55,000 . As assessed by isoelectric focusing, the 55,000 mol wt protein had an isoelectric point of 5.1 . The radiolabeled 55,000 mol wt chondrosarcoma protein was immunoprecipitated with anti-T3 and anti-GH3 plasma membrane T3 antisera . The high degree of homology between this chondrocyte N-BrAc-{125I}T3 binding protein and the protein on rat GH3 cells was demonstrated by a comparison of the peptide maps of Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and elastase digested radiolabeled binding protein . Although culture of the chondrocytes in medium containing insulin resulted in an approximate 400% increase in plasma membrane {125I}insulin binding, no significant increase in {125I}T3 binding was observed . Thus, expression of the T3 plasma membrane binding protein was similar to that observed previously for the insulin-like growth factor-II receptor on these chondrosarcoma chondrocytes in not being influenced by the concentration of insulin in the culture medium.

Cell Immunol, 1986 Feb, 97(2), 371 - 85
Immunomodulation of human leukocytes by staphylococcal enterotoxin A: augmentation of natural killer cells and induction of suppressor cells; Platsoucas CD et al.; Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), a protein isolated from culture supernatants of Staphylococcus aureus, is a potent T-cell mitogen and an inducer of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) . We report here that SEA exhibits a number of significant in vitro immunomodulatory functions . In vitro treatment of human peripheral blood monocyte-depleted lymphocytes with SEA resulted in significant augmentation of their natural killer cytotoxicity against target cells from hemopoietic (K562, Daudi) or solid (melanoma, lung, colon) human tumor cell lines . SEA was found to be more effective than interferons-alpha (natural or Escherichia coli-derived) in augmenting natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes . Studies on the kinetics of the augmentation revealed a significant increase of NK within 3 hr of in vitro treatment with SEA at 37 degrees C . A neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for human IFN-gamma did not affect the augmentation of natural killer cytotoxicity by SEA, suggesting that SEA augmented natural killer cytotoxicity primarily by a mechanism not involving induction of interferon-gamma . Furthermore, in vitro treatment with SEA resulted in significant augmentation of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and of natural killer-like cytotoxicity, generated in mixed lymphocyte culture, against the K562 targets . Induction of suppressor cells to proliferative responses of autologous or allogeneic mononuclear cells to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or to allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte culture was observed after in vitro treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes with SEA for 24 or 48 hr at 37 degrees C . In addition, the presence of SEA in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) resulted in significant inhibition of the generation of specific T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in MLC . These results suggest that SEA, which may be involved in S . aureus infections and in treatment with extracorporeal perfusion systems over S . aureus columns, can regulate a number of significant lymphoid functions.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 325 - 6
In vitro comparison of A-56619, A-56620, amifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Smith SM; Seven quinolone antibiotics were tested against 115 isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . The MICs for 90% of the strains tested were 0.5 microgram/ml for A-56619, A-56620, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin; 2.0 micrograms/ml for amifloxacin and enoxacin; and 4.0 micrograms/ml for norfloxacin . Killing kinetic studies showed a similar killing rate for all seven antibiotics.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Feb, 5(1), 93 - 7
Serum bactericidal titer as a predictor of outcome in endocarditis; Hackbarth CJ et al.; A study was conducted in 89 rabbits with experimental aortic valve endocarditis caused by three different strains of Staphylococcus aureus to determine whether there was a correlation between the peak serum bactericidal titer of the four drugs tested and the vegetation titer . After four days of therapy both the rabbits with and those without sterile vegetations had median peak bactericidal titers of 1 : 8 . The mean vegetation titers did not correlate with the mean bactericidal titers . The serum bactericidal test does not measure the relative rate of killing of the bacteria by the drugs . Although the test remains clinically useful for documentation of bactericidal activity, the minimum level of activity necessary for the test to serve as a predictor of outcome remains to be defined.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 250 - 7
Effects of growth of methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of beta-lactams on peptidoglycan structure and susceptibility to lytic enzymes; Qoronfleh MW et al.; Growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus DU4916 in the presence of methicillin yielded crude cell walls that showed an increased rate of autolysis and purified cell walls (PCW) and peptidoglycan (PG) that had increased susceptibilities to autolysin extracted with LiCl and to lysozyme . The PG of cells grown in the presence of methicillin had markedly decreased cross-linking and O acetylation . Growth of the methicillin-susceptible strain H in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of cefoxitin, a specific inhibitor of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 4, caused a substantial decrease in PG cross-linking and O acetylation and increased susceptibilities of PCW and PG to LiCl-extracted autolysin and to lysozyme . Strain DU4916 cells grown in the presence of methicillin did not show an increased rate of autolysis or an increased susceptibility to vancomycin- or D-cycloserine-induced lysis, even though their PG was hypo-cross-linked . This implies that the potential for increased autolysis is controlled in intact cells and that this regulation may be involved in the methicillin resistance phenomenon . Growth of the methicillin-susceptible strain DU4916S in the presence of methicillin yielded PCW and PG that showed small increases in susceptibilities to LiCl-extracted autolysin and to lysozyme and a small decrease in PG cross-linking . Comparison of the PBPs of a penicillinase-nonproducing derivative of strain DU4916 (DU4916-K7) with those of strain DU4916S in intact cells and isolated membranes revealed that PBPs 1 to 4 had similar high beta-lactam antibiotic affinities in both strains and identified an additional PBP, PBP2(1), with low beta-lactam affinity in the methicillin-resistant strain DU4916-K7 . The low degree of cross-linking of PG in strain DU4916 cells grown with methicillin was probably due mainly to inhibition of the secondary cross-linking function of PBP 4.

Arch Dermatol, 1986 Feb, 122(2), 166 - 9
The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to human corneocytes; Cole GW et al.; Staphylococcus aureus has a peculiar ability to colonize the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis . We examined the possibility that this might be due to a specific ability of this pathogenic staphylococcus to adhere to atopic stratum corneum . We used an in vitro model to show that S aureus does have an unusual ability to adhere to atopic corneocytes when compared with corneocytes obtained from patients with other cutaneous diseases, including psoriasis . Protein A--a component of the staphylococcal cell wall--may be responsible in part for this adherence phenomenon . This trait did not extend to the other gram-positive bacteria tested.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Jan 25, 261(3), 1427 - 33
Isolation and characterization of staphylocoagulase chymotryptic fragment . Localization of the procoagulant- and prothrombin-binding domain of this protein; Kawabata S et al.; Several strains of Staphylococcus aureus secrete a protein, staphylocoagulase, that binds stoichiometrically to human prothrombin, resulting in a coagulant complex designated staphylothrombin . In the present study, staphylocoagulase was digested with alpha-chymotrypsin and the resulting fragments were isolated by gel filtration . One fragment (Mr 43,000) exhibited a high affinity for human prothrombin (Kd = 1.7 X 10(-9) M), which is comparable to the affinity observed using intact staphylocoagulase (Kd = 4.6 X 10(-10) M) . A complex of the Mr 43,000 fragment and prothrombin possessed both clotting and amidase activity essentially identical to that observed in a complex of intact staphylocoagulase and prothrombin . A second fragment (Mr 30,000) exhibited weaker affinity for prothrombin (Kd = 1.2 X 10(-7) M) . While clotting activity was not observed with a complex of this fragment and prothrombin, it nonetheless possessed a weak amidase activity . A third fragment (Mr 20,000) was found to bind to prothrombin, but the resultant complex did not exhibit clotting or amidase activity . Amino-terminal sequence analyses of these staphylocoagulase fragments revealed that the Mr 43,000 fragment constitutes the amino-terminal portion of staphylocoagulase and also contains the Mr 30,000 and 20,000 fragments . Moreover, the amino-terminal sequence of the Mr 20,000 fragment was identical to that observed for the Mr 30,000 fragment . From these results, we conclude that the functional region of staphylocoagulase for binding and activation of human prothrombin is localized in the amino-terminal region of the intact bacterial protein.

Biochemistry, 1986 Jan 14, 25(1), 54 - 9
Resolution of highly purified toxic-shock syndrome toxin 1 into two distinct proteins by isoelectric focusing; Blomster-Hautamaa DA et al.; Highly purified toxic-shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) was prepared by differential precipitation with ethanol and resolubilization in water followed by successive electrofocusing in pH gradients of 3-10, 6-8, and 6.5-7.5 . TSST-1, thus isolated, migrated as two distinct protein bands with isoelectric points of 7.08 (TSST-1a) and 7.22 (TSST-1b) . When tested by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, both toxins migrated as homogeneous bands with molecular weights of 22 000 . The gel bands were visualized by silver staining . The two toxins have nearly identical amino acid compositions and are immunologically identical as shown by Ouchterlony reactivity against TSST-1 hyperimmune serum . TSST-1a and TSST-1b have the same biological activities as TSST-1: the capacity to induce fever, enhancement of host susceptibility to lethal endotoxin shock, nonspecific T lymphocyte mitogenicity, and suppression of immunoglobulin M synthesis against sheep erythrocytes . These two proteins have been isolated from several different TSS-associated Staphylococcus aureus strains . The data suggest that the differences in isoelectric point result either from the presence of a cofactor or from alternative conformations . Since only two bands appear, microheterogeneity as a result of deamination or acetylation is unlikely.

FEBS Lett, 1986 Jan 6, 194(2), 309 - 12
Epidermolytic toxin from Staphylococcus aureus binds to filaggrins; Smith TP et al.; The affinity of epidermolytic toxin from Staphylococcus aureus for proteins from the target tissue has been tested by a Western blotting procedure . Particular proteins in a 1 M phosphate extract of epidermis reacted on nitrocellulose blots with a probe prepared by the conjugation of toxin with peroxidase . Protein extracted into 50 mM Tris-HCl did not react . The probe detected profilaggrin, filaggrin and a smaller unidentified polypeptide . It is suggested that the interaction is relevant to the mode of action of the toxin.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Jan 2, 154(1), 135 - 40
Isolation of a domain of villin retaining calcium-dependent interaction with G-actin, but devoid of F-actin fragmenting activity; Hesterberg LK et al.; Villin is an F-actin binding protein located in the microfilament bundle of intestinal epithelial cell microvilli . Extensive in vitro proteolysis with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease results in the production of a stable domain (apparent Mr 44000) which can be isolated due to its Ca2+-dependent interaction with G-actin bound to immobilized DNase-I, the standard procedure for the purification of villin . This 44-kDa fragment retains a single Ca2+ binding site with an apparent Kd = 2 X 10(-6) M, binds to G-actin, and inhibits the rate of actin polymerization . However, the 44-kDa domain does not shown any Ca2+-activated severing activity nor does it compete with villin for F-actin binding . These results suggest that villin contains three domains: headpiece containing an F-actin binding site, 44-kDa fragment containing a G-actin binding site, and an amino-terminal fragment responsible for the Ca2+-dependent severing activity.

Arch Gynecol, 1986, 237(4), 229 - 33
Staphylococcus aureus--toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 antibody titers in serum of German women; Loch EG et al.; In a prospective study the distribution of Toxic-1 (TSST-1) antibody titers was proved by 236 menstruating, tampon using volunteers . They are divided in 7 different age groups . Up to 11% of the volunteers under 25 years had no TSST-1 antibody-titers at all . Over 25 years of age this could be detected . In the group over 40 years of age 98% were found with antibody-titers up than 1:100 . So it may be suggested that there is no general causal relationship between any type of tampon on TSS.

Acta Neuropathol (Berl), 1986, 69(1-2), 17 - 22
Regional morphology and biochemistry in experimental brain abscesses; Bothe HW et al.; Brain abscesses were induced experimentally in six cats by stereotactic inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus A8 into the white matter of the left cerebral hemisphere . Seven days later, the brains were frozen in situ with liquid nitrogen and subsequently sawn into coronal sections of 5 mm thickness, while being cooled with liquid nitrogen . Thin slices were taken from those sections containing the largest expanse of abscess: slices of 5 micron thickness were stained histologically, and in adjacent 20 micron slices the regional distribution of ATP and glucose was mapped using substrate-specific bioluminescence methods . Furthermore, the NADH fluorescence from the surface of the tissue section was recorded . Six layers could be distinguished histologically in the abscess capsule, five of which showed different substrate patterns . Only in two layers a low metabolic activity could be observed, as shown by slight ATP bioluminescence . The pattern of the biochemical substrates in the white matter surrounding the abscess indicated a reduction in the cellular oxygen availability.

J Infect, 1986 Jan, 12(1), 57 - 63
Resolution of fever in Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia--retrospective analysis by means of Cusum plot; Walters S et al.; The treatment of Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia continues to be an important clinical challenge . Spikes of fever during antibiotic therapy complicate assessment of the response . In an attempt to analyse response to treatment in terms of resolution of fever we have retrospectively studied 17 patients with microbiologically proven S . aureus septicaemia . The data from temperature charts of such patients were converted to Cusum plots and analysed in order to estimate time to defervescence of fever and time to abolition of fever following the start of antibiotic therapy . Compared with conventional temperature charts, the Cusum data allowed defervescence of fever to be clearly seen . When the Cusum data were used, the time to defervescence of fever from the onset of antibiotic treatment was 21.7 h (range 8-96 h) and to abolition of fever 58.3 h (range 12-180 h) . Antibiotic treatment was changed in 61% of patients on the basis of continued fever shown on the conventional temperature chart . In all of these patients, however, the Cusum plot showed clear evidence of response.

Infection, 1986 Jan-Feb, 14(1), 38 - 43
Efficacy of penicillin G, flucloxacillin, cefazolin, fusidic acid, vancomycin, rifampicin and fosfomycin in muscular infections in mice due to Staphylococcus aureus; Haag R; Two strains each of sensitive, penicillinase-producing, methicillin-resistant and "tolerant" Staphylococcus aureus were used to infect mice intramuscularly . The mice were then treated with three doses each of fosfomycin, vancomycin, rifampicin, fusidic acid, penicillin G, flucloxacillin or cefazolin intravenously . Infections due to sensitive strains were effectively treated with all antibiotics investigated except fusidic acid . Fosfomycin, vancomycin, rifampicin and flucloxacillin showed the best activity against penicillinase-producing strains . Fosfomycin and vancomycin were equally effective against infections due to methicillin-resistant S . aureus . Infections caused by "tolerant" strains again responded best to fosfomycin, vancomycin and rifampicin.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1986 Jan-Feb, 69(1), 44 - 6
Evaluation of an improved MPN medium for recovery of stressed and nonstressed Staphylococcus aureus; Lancette GA et al.; Two media used for recovery of foodborne Staphylococcus aureus were compared: trypticase soy broth with 10% salt (TSBS), used in the official AOAC method, and TSBS with 1% sodium pyruvate added (PTSB) . Adding pyruvate increased recovery of 4 heat-stressed and nonstressed S . aureus foodborne strains from artificially contaminated mashed potato and ham salad substrates . The overall geometric means for the 2 media differed significantly at the alpha = 0.05 level . Recovery of S . aureus from 70 replicates of naturally contaminated Monterey Jack cheese was highest in PTSB . The overall geometric means/g were 63 in TSBS and 96 in PTSB.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Jan, 17(1), 37 - 44
Accumulation of gentamicin by Staphylococcus aureus: the role of the transmembrane electrical potential; Gilman S et al.; Accumulation of gentamicin by gentamicin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was examined by using the ionophorous antibiotic, valinomycin and the protontranslocating ATPase inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide . The effects of these inhibitors on the transmembrane electrical potential (delta psi) were determined by measuring the equilibrium distribution of the tetraphenylphosphonium ion . The results indicate a direct correlation between delta psi and the extent of gentamicin uptake . However, under conditions where a significant delta psi existed across the plasma membrane, uptake of gentamicin was negligible . A threshold delta psi may thus be required to initiate gentamicin uptake . The proposed threshold delta psi appears to vary depending upon the external concentration of gentamicin.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Jan, 47(1), 152 - 3
Variation of neutrophil function with age in calves; Hauser MA et al.; Neutrophil function was evaluated on 2 occasions in 5 calves from each of the following age groups: 4 to 5 weeks, 9 to 11 weeks, 16 to 19 weeks, and 12 to 14 months . Of the neutrophil functions examined, the iodination reaction, which evaluates the activity of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide antibacterial system of the neutrophil, reflected the most marked differences among age groups . The iodination values for the 2 youngest age groups were approximately 52% of the value for the oldest cattle . This difference could not be attributed to the amount of myeloperoxidase in the neutrophil granules . Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity also tended to be lower in neutrophils from the 3 younger age groups . Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, a measure of superoxide anion generation by neutrophils, was lower in the youngest age group only . The capability of neutrophils to ingest Staphylococcus aureus was higher in the 3 youngest groups of calves than in the oldest group . The observed differences in neutrophil function in young vs older calves may be partially responsible for the increased susceptibility of young calves to infectious disease.

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1986 Jan-Feb, 5(1), 59 - 67
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in children; Storch GA et al.; We reviewed the records of 20 patients with bacteremia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 49 patients with methicillin-susceptible S . aureus (MSSA) bacteremia occurring during a 39-month period . Sixteen of the MRSA bacteremias were clinically significant, as were 42 of the MSSA bacteremias . MRSA bacteremia was almost always nosocomial and occurred mainly in very young patients who were often prematurely born and severely compromised by underlying diseases . In contrast patients with MSSA bacteremia were frequently older children who had no underlying disease and acquired their bacteremic illness in the community . The seven patients with nosocomial MSSA bacteremia had characteristics similar to those of the patients with MRSA bacteremia . Fatality rates for patients with clinically significant bacteremia were 50% for MRSA and 2% for MSSA . Treatment of MRSA bacteremia with vancomycin was effective, provided it was begun early . At hospitals with endemic MRSA it may be necessary to use vacomycin in the initial treatment of nosocomial bacteremia in high risk patients until the identity and antimicrobial susceptibility of the bloodstream pathogen can be determined.

Nephron, 1986, 42(2), 116 - 9
Infections associated with subclavian dialysis catheters: the key role of nurse training; Vanherweghem JL et al.; Two hundred subclavian dialysis catheters were placed in 148 patients who kept them in place for a total of 2,798 days . Catheterization time ranged from 1 to 79 days with an average of 14.0 +/- 1.0 days per catheter and 18.9 +/- 1.0 days per patient . Twenty nine catheters were infected, 17 of which were the source of bacteremias due to Staphylococcus epidermidis in 13 cases and to Staphylococcus aureus in 4 cases . The incidence of sepsis was not significantly greater in diabetic patients, in patients with corticotherapy or in patients presenting an underlying systemic disease . On the contrary, the incidence was greater in hospitalized patients (15 bacteremias during 1,948 catheter days) than in ambulatory patients (2 bacteremias during 850 catheters-days) as well as during a period corresponding to a greater number of untrained nurses enrolled in the dialysis team . During this period, 6 sepsies occurred in 19 catheters (other periods: 7 sepsies/116 catheters, p less than 0.01) . 6 of 28 nurses had less than 3 months of professional experience (other periods: 1 of 25, p less than 0.01) . These data underline the key role of nurse training in the prevention of catheter-related infections.

Arch Surg, 1986 Jan, 121(1), 37 - 40
Susceptibility to bacterial sepsis . Accurate measurement by the delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test score; Tchervenkov JI et al.; To test the hypothesis that any alteration in the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test response (not necessarily total anergy) reflects increased susceptibility to bacterial sepsis, male Sprague-Dawley rats presensitized to keyhole-limpet hemocyanin were subjected to a 30% full-thickness scald burn . Susceptibility to bacteria was assessed by the intradermal injection of Staphylococcus aureus 502A . The DTH response decreased following burn injury from 6.6 to 3.9 mm on days 2 and 8 . Skin abscess size increased from 5.8 to 9.3 mm on day 2 and 8.9 mm on day 8 . There was a significant inverse correlation between DTH skin test score and abscess size . Histologically there was no difference in the overall leukocyte accumulation in the abscess or the DTH reaction between the two groups, yet the overall size of the abscess was greater and the swelling of the dermis in the DTH response was less in the burned rats.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Jan, 153(1), 109 - 15
Distinguishing complicated from uncomplicated bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus: the value of "new" and "old" serological tests; Verbrugh HA et al.; Antibody responses to staphylococcal alpha-toxin, cell wall teichoic acid, and cell wall peptidoglycan were measured in 259 serum samples from 74 consecutive patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia . All patients with complicated bacteremia were seropositive in at least one of three tests, and 18 (72%) of 25 were positive in two or three assays; six (75%) of eight patients with endocarditis were positive for all three tests . In contrast, 15 (75%) of 20 patients with uncomplicated bacteremia were positive in only one or none of the tests . These differences in antibody response patterns were statistically significant (chi 2 = 18.33, P less than .001) . Patients with complicated bacteremia had peak antibody titers that were significantly higher than those of patients with uncomplicated bacteremia . The assay for antibody to alpha-toxin was as sensitive as the assays for antibody to cell wall antigens but had less specificity for complicated bacteremia . The clinical severity of the bacteremia did not correlate with a complicated vs . uncomplicated nature of the infection but was predictive of early death due to staphylococcemia . The calculated predictive values suggest that the serology of S . aureus bacteremia may be clinically valuable when multiple tests are performed in paired serum samples.

Infect Immun, 1986 Jan, 51(1), 31 - 6
Treatment of alveolar macrophages with cytochalasin D inhibits uptake and subsequent growth of Legionella pneumophila; Elliott JA et al.; Legionella pneumophila multiplied rapidly in guinea pig and rat alveolar macrophages but failed to grow when phagocytic activity was inhibited by pretreatment with 0.5 or 1.0 microgram of cytochalasin D per ml . Attachment was not inhibited by cytochalasin D . No extracellular multiplication occurred when L . pneumophila were in close proximity to viable functional macrophages or even when the bacteria were attached to plasma membranes of the macrophages . Nonopsonized L . pneumophila were avidly phagocytized by alveolar macrophages . When bacteria were centrifuged onto a cell pellet, more than 85% of the phagocytes contained one or more bacteria within 15 min . In contrast, under the same conditions only approximately 15% of the macrophages contained nonopsonized Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus . Phagocytosis of L . pneumophila by untreated guinea pig macrophages occurred by extension of pseudopodia around the bacteria in a classical manner . The failure of the bacteria to actively penetrate the phagocyte suggests that their intracellular survival must not depend on avoidance of a phagosome but rather on an inhibition of or resistance to subsequent microbicidal functions of the macrophage.

Braz J Med Biol Res, 1986, 19(2), 249 - 55
A new technique for the isolation of placental phagocyte cells and a description of their macrophage properties after in vitro culture; Oliveira LH et al.; We describe a method for the separation of phagocytic cells from human placenta by mechanical stirring for 2 h in the absence of proteolytic enzymes . About 60% of the cells were separated by adherence to glass . These adherent macrophage-like cells were able to ingest solid particles; 17% of them phagocytized opsonized sheep red cells and 96% ingested Staphylococcus aureus . IgGFc receptors were expressed in 22% of these cells and C3b receptors in 62% of them . Ultrastructural studies of adherent cells revealed different cells of varying shapes and sizes containing lysosomal granules, heterophagosomes and residual bodies . The cells were peroxidase-negative.

Instr Course Lect, 1986, 35, 229 - 33
Treatment of the infected total hip arthroplasty; Murray WR; Based on our present experience, excisional arthroplasty is the most reliable option . Infections caused by organisms of significant virulence are best treated with excisional arthroplasty or Girdlestone resection followed by delayed reinsertion after adequate antibiotic treatment has controlled the sepsis, as determined by clinical and laboratory criteria . In patients with infections caused by organisms of relatively low virulence, for example, Staphylococcus epidermidis or anaerobic diphtheroids, the surgeon should seriously consider either incision and drainage, debridement, and local and systemic antibiotics if there is no component loosening, or direct exchange (removing both components and reinserting them with antibiotic cement) if there is loosening of one or both components . However, if incision and debridement or direct exchange fails, then excisional arthroplasty as a definitive procedure or as a first stage of a removal and reinsertion should be carried out . While we have not been successful in treating even early infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus with incision, drainage, and antibiotics, the morbidity associated with this procedure is extremely low compared with that of the other procedures; therefore it seems reasonable to use this modality as an emergency treatment for acute infections, with the full realization that it probably will not succeed as the definitive procedure, and the surgeon should prepare for early, more definitive surgical intervention.

J Fr Ophtalmol, 1986, 9(8-9), 533 - 7
{Intraocular penetration of fosfomycin in man and rabbits}; Adenis JP et al.; The intraocular distribution of fosfomycin was studied in 32 patients undergoing cataract surgery and or vitrectomy and in 8 rabbits after experimental infection of one eye by Staphylococcus aureus . In subjects perfused with 4 g of fosfomycin, concentrations ranged from 14 to 18.8 mg/l in aqueous humour (AH) and from 8 to 12.5 mg/l in vitreous fluid (VF) between 1 and 6 hours after the end of the perfusion; these levels were higher than MICs for 80-90 per cent of bacteria found in endophthalmitis . In rabbits the concentration in infected eyes with respect to healthy eyes was found to be from 2.5 to 5 times in AH and from 4.9 to 19.2 times higher in VF . Therefore fosfomycin in association with third generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone) or with new quinolones can be recommended in the prevention and early treatment of endophthalmitis.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1986, 80(4), 564 - 9
Identification of Naegleria fowleri in fresh isolates of environmental amoebae using a staphylococcal coagglutination technique; Kilvington S et al.; A coagglutination test using Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain 1 sensitized with specific antiserum successfully identified Naegleria fowleri in axenic and monoxenic culture by detection of a heat stable antigen released into the culture medium during growth . Strong coagglutination, visible to the naked eye, occurred within 30 sec when the sensitized reagent was mixed on a slide with medium from N . fowleri cultures . N . lovaniensis gave a weak cross-reaction which developed over one min clearly distinguishable from that of N.fowleri.N.gruberi and N . australiensis gave no reaction . The technique is proposed as part of a rapid and economical scheme for detecting N . fowleri in environmental samples very soon after primary isolation, with distinct advantages over conventional methods . Further development of the technique to detect other Naegleria spp . and the early diagnosis of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis are suggested as future applications.

Neoplasma, 1986, 33(6), 679 - 84
The "in vivo" effect of protein A on tumor growth; Dima S et al.; The antitumor effect of two purified preparations of protein A obtained from Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan 1 or the mutant strain A676 was investigated . This study using different doses of SpA (5 or 10 mg/animal) i.p . administered was performed in lymphosarcoma bearing rats at certain intervals of time after tumor transplantation . The treatment with SpA deriving from A676 strain which was started at the same time with the tumor transplantation led to a significant increase in the latency period of tumor growth and the prolongation of survival time of tumor bearing rats . Attempts to use a higher dose of SpA and also a smaller tumor inoculum did not improve the results with regard to inhibition of lymphosarcoma growth in inbred R rats.

Microbios, 1986, 48(196-197), 189 - 206
An electron microscopic study of the effect of clindamycin therapy on bacterial adherence and glycocalyx formation in experimental Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis; Mayberry-Carson KJ et al.; After induction of experimental osteomyelitis with Staphylococcus aureus in a rabbit tibia model, clindamycin phosphate (280 mg/kg/day) was used to treat the infected animals for 1, 2 and 3 week periods . Scanning electron microscopy of samples of infected bone tissue taken at necropsy revealed masses of coccoid profiles embedded in a matrix of condensed exopolysaccharide material which adhered to the bone in both infected control animals and in infected animals treated for 1 week with clindamycin phosphate . After 2 and 3 weeks of clindamycin phosphate treatment, the infecting bacteria could not be cultured from tissue samples, and scanning electron microscopy of these samples revealed few coccoid profiles adhering to the bone and marrow . Radiological, microbiological, clinical, histological and electron microscopic findings all indicated recovery from the diseased state with increased length of clindamycin phosphate treatment.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1986, 18(5), 483 - 5
Suppurative Staphylococcus aureus thyroiditis; Evengard B et al.; Suppurative thyroiditis with septicaemia caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a 65-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus was diagnosed by needle aspiration . Antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage cured the patient.

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986, 9(1), 29 - 36
Chemotactic factors for bovine neutrophils in relation to mastitis; Craven N; The chemotactic effect of a variety of agents for bovine blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was evaluated in vitro in assays of migration under agarose . Activated serum and leukotriene B4 showed significant chemotactic activity whereas various bacterial products, formyl peptides, casein and platelet activating factor failed to attract bovine PMN . In vitro cultures of bovine mammary gland macrophages released chemotactic activity for homologous PMN when stimulated by addition of opsonised, killed Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli or Zymosan or sterile E . coli culture filtrates or endotoxin . No significant activity was produced by unstimulated macrophages . Pharmacological levels of various inhibitors or arachidonic acid oxygenation had no significant effect on the generation of PMN chemoattractants by mammary macrophages.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1986, 18(4), 297 - 303
Biochemical and biological properties of Staphylococcus aureus septicemia strains in relation to clinical characteristics; Christensson B et al.; 166 Staphylococcus aureus septicemia strains were phage grouped and tested for lipolytic activity, protein A content, alpha, beta and delta hemolysin activity and toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) production . These strain characteristics were correlated to the clinical features of the infections . Patients infected with phage group II strains showed the lowest mortality but were more prone to develop internal abscesses . Lipolytic activity and protein A positivity was found in most strains and no correlation to phage group or clinical signs could be shown . Alpha hemolysin was the most common of the investigated hemolysins though it was only produced by 58% of 88 investigated strains . Beta and delta hemolysin production was found in 25% and 24% of the strains, respectively . The lowest frequency of alpha hemolysin production (25%) was found among phage group I strains, especially those producing TSST-1, where only 1 of 12 strains was positive . The overall frequency of TSST-1 production was 18% in 88 tested strains and most positive strains were non-hemolytic . These results indicate that hemolysin production does not seem to be required for a strain to be invasive.

Pharmatherapeutica, 1986, 4(9), 601 - 6
Fusidic acid-betamethasone combination in infected eczema: an open, randomized comparison with gentamicin-betamethasone combination; Strategos J; Ninety-nine patients with secondarily infected eczema were allocated at random to receive 10-days' treatment with either 2% fusidic acid plus 0.1% betamethasone cream or 0.1% gentamicin plus 0.1% betamethasone cream . Both preparations were applied to the lesions twice daily and assessment of the signs and symptoms was carried out before, after 2 to 4 days, and after 7 to 12 days of treatment, severity being rated on a 4-point scale . Bacteriological tests were carried out before and after treatment . The results showed that the combination with fusidic acid was marginally superior in clinical effect . Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated pathogen from eczematous lesions (86%) and fusidic acid showed the lowest resistance rate (9%), followed by gentamicin (21%) . Chloramphenicol, neomycin and tetracycline showed resistance rates from 48% to 59%.

Am J Sports Med, 1986 Jan-Feb, 14(1), 46 - 54
Prepatellar bursitis in wrestlers; Mysnyk MC et al.; As part of a larger retrospective study examining all knee injuries sustained by the University of Iowa wrestling team over 6 years, prepatellar bursitis was found to be the most frequent injury and, therefore, was examined in depth . Of the 136 wrestlers studied, 13 developed an initial case of prepatellar bursitis . This represented 21% of all initial episodes of knee injuries . Five of these wrestlers had no recurrences, but the other eight together had 20 recurrences . Median time lost for the initial injury was only 4 days, but recurrences and surgeries added significantly to the total time lost . There were only two cases of septic prepatellar bursitis, but there have been six cases (in four wrestlers) in the three seasons since the end of the larger study period . The infecting organism in all but one case was Staphylococcus aureus and was penicillin-resistant in all but one . There was no clinical evidence of infection in 50% of the cases, emphasizing the need to do a Gram's stain and culture (and, therefore, an aspiration) on all cases of prepatellar bursitis . The prognosis appeared better if the wrestler had no previous history of bursitis, suggesting that pathologic changes in the bursal wall may impair its defense mechanisms . In sharp contrast to all other knee injuries, most prepatellar bursitis cases occurred in the off-season . Most developed insidiously, but direct impact during a takedown maneuver is suspected as being the most frequent cause.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jan, 29(1), 147 - 9
Antistaphylococcal activity of ceforanide and cefonicid in the presence of human serum; Barry AL et al.; Tests with 52 strains of Staphylococcus aureus compared ceforanide and cefonicid . Addition of 50% human serum to the test system reduced the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of cefonicid, but ceforanide was not affected as greatly.

Nephron, 1986, 43(3), 217 - 22
Vancomycin pharmacokinetics in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis; Harford AM et al.; Peritonitis has proven to be the major deterrent to the further growth of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as a treatment strategy for end-stage renal disease . The correct treatment of peritonitis remains unsettled as evidenced by the presence of advocates for oral, intravenous or intraperitoneal antibiotic administration . This study examines the pharmacokinetic parameters of intravenous vancomycin when employed in the therapy of peritonitis . One gram of intravenous vancomycin was administered during 7 episodes of peritonitis in 5 patients . Plasma and end-of-dwell dialysate levels were maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis for 7 days following this single dose of vancomycin . These data establish the existence of sustained intraperitoneal entry of intravenous vancomycin during peritonitis and raise for speculation its use as the sole therapy in most episodes of gram-positive peritonitis.

Intervirology, 1986, 25(2), 111 - 6
The two capsid proteins of maize rayado fino virus contain common peptide sequences; Falk BW et al.; Virions of maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) were purified and two major capsid proteins (ca . Mr 29,000 and 22,000) were resolved by SDS-PAGE . When the two major capsid proteins were isolated from gels and compared by one-dimensional peptide mapping after digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease, indistinguishable peptide maps were obtained, suggesting that these two proteins contain common peptide sequences . Some preparations also showed minor protein components that were intermediate between the Mr 22,000 and Mr 29,000 capsid proteins . One of the minor proteins, ca . Mr 27,000, gave a peptide map indistinguishable from the major capsid proteins . In vitro ageing of partially purified preparations or virion treatment with proteolytic enzymes failed to show conversion of the Mr 29,000 protein to a Mr 22,000 . Protease inhibitors added to the buffers used for virion purification did not affect the apparent 1:3 ratio of 29,000 to 22,000 proteins in the purified preparations.

Microbios, 1986, 45(182), 21 - 32
An electron microscopic study of the effect of clindamycin on adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to bone surfaces; Mayberry-Carson KJ et al.; Discs of rabbit tibia, 5 mm thick, were utilized to study the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to the bone surface in the presence and absence of clindamycin . Bacteria were grown in broth media containing the bone slices and varying concentrations of clindamycin . In the absence of the antibiotic, S . aureus adhered extensively to bone surfaces and formed large microcolonies which were surrounded by an amorphous matrix . In the presence of 0.025 micrograms/ml of clindamycin (0.1 MIC), S . aureus adhered less to bone surfaces, forming smaller and fewer microcolonies . In the presence of 0.0625 micrograms/ml of clindamycin (0.25 MIC), S . aureus adhered to the bone surfaces only sparsely, forming small microcolonies with very little matrix holding them together, and leaving very large areas of the bone surface uncolonized . In the presence of 0.125 micrograms/ml of clindamycin (0.5 MIC), bone surfaces were basically clean, with only one or two cells (no microcolonies) found in crevices and indentations of the bone surface . In the presence of 0.25 micrograms/ml (1 MIC) no bacteria adhered to the bone surfaces.

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1986, 44(1), 54 - 7
{A simple in vitro system for comparing the bactericidal activity of antibiotics at variable concentrations}; Rolin O et al.; An in vitro device is described that allows the study of bactericidal activity of decreasing antibiotic concentrations . This simple and easily set up device was found to be accurate and reliable . The bactericidal kinetics of three antibacterial compounds (cephalothin, norfloxacin and pristinamycin) on Staphylococcus aureus were compared in a system simulating serum concentration and half-life of each antibacterial compound . The results show the importance of pharmacokinetic parameters on antibacterial activity and their usefulness in new antibiotics evaluation.

Thorax, 1986 Jan, 41(1), 58 - 60
Osteomyelitis of the ribs in Ibadan; Osinowo O et al.; Sixteen patients with pyogenic osteomyelitis of the ribs are reported; ages ranged from 3 months to 42 years and 10 were female . Right sided ribs were affected in 10 cases and single ribs in 12 . Antecedent causes included empyema thoracis (56%) and blunt chest trauma (19%) . Fourteen out of 16 patients presented with discharging chest wall sinuses and five patients had associated swellings on the chest wall . The duration of symptoms ranged from two to 36 months . The most common microorganism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (50%) . Rib excision (with drainage of the empyema in two cases) was curative in all 16 cases in this study.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Jan, 23(1), 83 - 91
Importance of exfoliatin toxin A production by Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clustered epidemics of neonatal pustulosis; Kaplan MH et al.; Clustered epidemics of pustulosis due to Staphylococcus aureus occurred in two geographically distant newborn nurseries . In nurseries A and B an attack rate of pustulosis of 0.8 and 2.0 cases per 100 live births occurred, respectively . Experimental phage type 1046/1116 belonging to phage group II dominated clustered epidemics in nursery A, while group II phage type 3A/3C/55/71 and 3A/3C/55 occurred in nursery B . Other group II strains also occasionally produced clustered epidemics . These epidemic strains were found to be making heat-stable dermal exfoliatin toxin A (ETA) which had a pI of 6.8 and a molecular weight of 32,000 and 33,000 . ETA-bearing strains did not make bacteriocin . Children infected with ETA-producing strains developed extensive bullous pustulosis . Surveillance cultures of personnel revealed an ETA-bearing strain in only one person . This strain was not the same phage type as the epidemic cluster . In contrast, ETA-bearing epidemic strains were found in the inanimate environment of both nurseries . ETA protein acts as an important virulence factor in the production of neonatal pustulosis infection and appears to be linked with the ability of S . aureus organisms to stick to the inanimate environment.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(2), 185 - 93
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the German Democratic Republic . Incidence and strain-characteristics; Witte W et al.; In GDR methicillin-resistance strains of S . Aureus only occur in connection with nosocomial infections with a comparably low incidence (about 2%) . They are not found in outpatients . For the detection of MRSA the test on nutrient medium L4 with addition of 5% NaCl has proved successful . All of the MRSA exhibit a rather unique pattern of strain-characteristics; they are nontypable by the basic-set-phages and show a reaction with the experimental phage A 994 . The MRSA are multiple drug-resistant (generally penicillins, cephalosporins, isoxyzolylpenicillins, oxytetracycline, minocycline, streptomycin, erythromycin, lincomycin and additionally chloramphenicol and gentamycin, kanamycin, tobramycin) . The genetical characterization and the plasmid-pattern analysis has shown that only resistance to chloramphenicol and in one case also to macrolides are determined by plasmids (MW 2.0 and 1.8 Megadalton) . The determinants for the other resistance-characters are obviously located on the chromosome . Altogether these data indicate that the MRSA described are derivatives of a single-strain-clone.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Jan, 17(1), 75 - 82
Novobiocin and rifampicin in combination against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an in-vitro comparison with vancomycin plus rifampicin; Walsh TJ et al.; Novobiocin and rifampicin were evaluated in vitro as a possible new antibiotic combination against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . An evaluation of 20 strains of methicillin-resistant Staph . aureus using microdilution checkerboard techniques at 10(5) cfu/ml showed neither synergy nor antagonism between novobiocin and rifampicin or between vancomycin and rifampicin . Agar surface inoculation of six strains of methicillin-resistant Staph . aureus showed increased synergy with increased inocula (10(6)-10(9) cfu) for novobiocin plus rifampicin compared to vancomycin plus rifampicin . Time-kill curves showed indifference at 6h for all combinations, whereas, at 24 and 48 h, they generally showed indifference, occasionally synergy, but never antagonism . The 'synergy' between novobiocin and rifampicin at higher inocula of methicillin-resistant Staph . aureus appears to be due to prevention of emergence of resistant organisms and may have clinical relevance . The combination of novobiocin-rifampicin merits further investigation.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1986, 80(5), 758 - 60
Phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of human leucocytes under influence of antimalarial drugs; Kharazmi A et al.; The phagocytic and bactericidal activity of human peripheral blood leucocytes under the influence of commonly used antimalarial drugs was studied . The following drugs were used: chloroquine diphosphate, quinine HCl, mefloquine HCl, proguanil HCl, cycloguanil, pyrimethamine and tetracycline HCl . It was found that leucocytes treated with mefloquine, proguanil and cycloguanil at concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/litre showed reduced phagocytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus . None of the other drugs tested had any inhibitory effect on phagocytosis . The bactericidal ability of the leucocytes was not affected by any of the drugs . It is concluded that none of the commonly used antimalarial drugs, at concentrations obtainable in malaria prophylaxis and therapy, have any undesirable effect on the bactericidal activity of human leucocytes.

J Basic Microbiol, 1986, 26(7), 429 - 40
Adhesion and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus L-forms; Schmitt-Slomska J et al.; Electron microscopical investigations on in vitro and in vivo interactions of normal Staphylococcus aureus cells with rat peritoneal macrophages showed that these bacteria were rapidly endocytosed and digested even in the absence of specific antibodies . In contrast to the parental strains oxacilin-induced and stable variante lacking a cell wall (L-forms) were ingested without subsequent formation of phagolysomes and digestive vacuoles . The intracytoplasmic L-form bodies retained their characteristic ultrastructure, i.e . no visible alterations occurred . Some morphological aspects of the L-forms and their persistence in macrophages 7 days after intraperitoneal administration of L-form to rats, suggest the possibility of their intracellular survival.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1986, 65(4), 269 - 76
Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy in drug addicts: immunological studies; Barcellini W et al.; The persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) in drug addicts displays the same immunological abnormalities previously found in homosexual and haemophiliac men with PGL: impaired in vivo and in vitro T cell functions, inverted T4/T8 ratio in blood and B cell abnormalities . The peripheral blood B-lymphocytes, in fact, show a reduced in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis after pokeweed mitogen and Staphylococcus aureus activation, with an increased spontaneous IgG secretion . In the lymph node biopsies, the immuno-histological studies reveal an infiltration of OKT8 positive cells in the germinal centers, a depletion of OKT4 positive lymphocytes slighter than in the blood and an explosive follicular hyperplasia with a striking destruction of the dendritic reticulum cell framework . This latter finding, together with the high levels of serum IgG and the presence of preactivated B cells in the blood, seems to be consistent with the presence of an in vivo polyclonal B cell activation . A high incidence of anti-HTLV III antibodies was also found in the PGL drug addicts . The significance of these findings is discussed in this report.

Zentralbl Chir, 1986, 111(12), 735 - 8
{Current resistance in surgical infections and its development since 1970}; Kunze M et al.; More than 7,000 bacteriological samples were received by the authors and were analysed for the frequency of resistance among pyogenic cocci which are relevant to surgical practice . Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 41 per cent and Escherichia coli for 15.3 per cent . These were the most common germs in 1984 . Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to ampicillin was as high as 78 per cent . Resistance levels below eight per cent were recorded in the context of lincomycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, oxacillin, and berlocombin . Resistance ratios of Escherichia coli were 55.2 per cent to ampicillin, 4.5 per cent to gentamicin, and 12.6 per cent to berlocombin.

Leuk Res, 1986, 10(6), 643 - 9
Effects of ex-vivo plasma adsorption over protein A sepharose in acute leukemia; Solal-Celigny P et al.; Plasma adsorption over immobilized Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I has resulted in tumor regression in several animal and human trials . Protein A, because of its ability to bind IgGs has been considered as the effective component of Staphylococcus aureus . In 4 patients with acute leukemia, a plasma volume of 1500 cm3 was passed in an ex-vivo system over immobilized SpA-Sepharose and then reinfused . Almost all of the IgGs contained in the plasma volume could thus be removed . Toxic side-effects were mild . No significant clinical improvement could be obtained . Plasma incubation with SpA did not modify blast cell viability or leukemic progenitor cell growth . Along with others, this study shows that Protein A is probably not the mediator of the tumoricidal responses observed in studies using adsorption over Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I . The ex-vivo system prepared for this study could also be used for plasma IgG removal for the treatment of autoimmune or immune-complex related disorders.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Jan, 23(1), 77 - 82
An enzyme immunoassay for immunoglobulin M antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii which is not affected by rheumatoid factor or immunoglobulin G antibodies; Lin TM et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for total antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was modified to measure specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies . The assay requires three incubation periods totaling 2 h and enzyme-labeled-heavy-chain-specific antibodies to human IgM . The objective read-out in absorbance was normalized to percent of a standardized positive control for interpretations . No difference was observed between the assay results with or without previous absorption of the samples by Staphylococcus aureus protein A to remove most of the IgG antibodies . Addition of serum containing very high levels of IgG antibodies to another containing both IgG and IgM antibodies did not change the IgM assay values for the latter . None of the 22 sera containing high levels of IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) gave positive ELISA IgM results, even though 8 of them also had high levels of IgG toxoplasma antibodies . Mixtures of sera containing high concentrations of RF with sera having high levels of IgG toxoplasma antibodies also failed to show any false-positive reactions in the IgM toxoplasma assay . Thus, this ELISA for T . gondii IgM antibodies was not affected by IgG toxoplasma antibodies and RF.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(2), 113 - 7
Influence of human serum on bactericidal activity of ceftizoxime sodium; Watanabe K et al.; The influence of normal human serum on bactericidal activity of ceftizoxime sodium (CZX) was studied in vitro against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Subminimal inhibitory concentrations of CZX inhibited the growth of bacteria . Normal human serum as a source of complement and low doses of CZX, such as 1/20 or 1/10 the minimal inhibitory concentration, had a strong synergic action on the gram-negative bacteria E . coli, but not on the gram-positive bacteria S . aureus . However, the combination of CZX and fresh human serum had a stronger inhibitory effect on the growth of S . aureus than CZX alone . It is concluded that subminimal inhibitory concentrations of CZX inhibited the growth of bacteria in vitro in the presence of human serum, indicating that smaller dosages of CZX may act to eliminate the invading bacteria in vivo together with serum complement.

J Cell Biochem, 1986, 30(1), 87 - 99
Synthetic potential of Staphylococcus aureus V8-protease: an approach toward semisynthesis of covalent analogs of alpha-chain of hemoglobin S; Seetharam R et al.; Enzyme-catalyzed reformation of peptide bonds in the noncovalent fragment systems of proteins has been emerging as a convenient procedure for the semisynthesis of covalent analogs of the respective proteins . Limited proteolysis of the alpha-chain of hemoglobin S with Staphylococcus aureus V8-protease converts the chain into a fragment-complementing system by hydrolyzing the peptide bond Glu(30)-Arg(31) of the chain . Therefore, it is conceivable that semisynthesis of covalent analogs of alpha-chain could be achieved if conditions for the V8-protease catalyzed formation of peptide bonds could be established . The synthetic potential of V8-protease has been now investigated by incubating V8-protease-derived fragments of alpha-chain, namely alpha 1-30 and alpha 31-47 with the enzyme at pH 6.0 in the presence of n-propanol as the organic cosolvent . RP high performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that a new chromatographically distinct component is generated on incubation, and this has been identified as alpha 1-47 by amino acid analysis, redigestion with V8-protease (in the absence of n-propanol), and tryptic peptide mapping . Optimal conditions for the synthesis of alpha 1-47 is at pH 6.0, 4 degrees C, and 24 hr of incubation with 25% n-propanol as organic cosolvent . This stereospecific condensation of the fragments proceeded to a high level of about 50% in 24 hr . Further incubation up to 72 hr did not increase the yield of alpha 1-47, suggesting that an equilibration of synthesis and hydrolysis reactions has been attained . The demonstration of the synthetic potential of V8-protease and the fact that alpha 1-30 and alpha 31-141 interact to form a native-like complex, opens up an approach for the semisynthesis of covalent analogs of alpha-chain of hemoglobin S.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(6), 499 - 505
In vitro and in vivo activity of coumermycin and other antibacterial agents against methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus; Unowsky J et al.; The in vitro activity of coumermycin, fusidic acid, cotrimoxazole, and vancomycin was determined by broth microdilution assay against 33 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates from the Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, Mich . Coumermycin was the most active drug tested, while fusidic acid, vancomycin, and cotrimoxazole also had good activity . The four antimicrobials were tested in vivo against 7 strains of MRSA employing the mouse protection model . Again, coumermycin was the most active, followed by vancomycin, cotrimoxazole, and fusidic acid . Coumermycin was very active, while vancomycin and fusidic acid were inactive in neutropenic mice infected with an MRSA strain . Coumermycin retained activity when given 18 h before an MRSA infection, while vancomycin activity was lost . Coumermycin was active in a local thigh infection while vancomycin was inactive . The results indicate that coumermycin is potent against MRSA with activity equal or superior to comparable agents in various experimental mouse infections.

Cytobios, 1986, 48(192), 31 - 7
Different maturation capabilities of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes in vitro; Rozynkowa D et al.; Peripheral blood lymphocytes from five patients with B-derived chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan together with T cell mitogen phytohaemagglutinin in 5-9 days suspension cultures . The responses of B lymphocytes were studied on a T cell depleted subpopulation, obtained from harvested lymphocyte cultures using the sheep red blood cell rosette technique . Proliferation tests were performed using a 3H-TdR blast cell index . The maturation process of B-lymphocytes was examined with cytoplasmic Ig studied by FITC-conjugated antisera . Results analysed indicate various degrees of maturation of B cells in different patients.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(5), 469 - 83
Study of the biological activities of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 . I . Proliferative response and interleukin 2 production by T cells stimulated with the toxin; Uchiyama T et al.; The mitogenic and interleukin 2 (IL 2) production-inducing effects of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) on murine lymphocytes were investigated . TSST-1, an exotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus recovered from patients with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), is thought to be a causative agent of the syndrome . TSST-1 was mitogenic for splenic T cells and peanut agglutinin (PNA)-negative thymocytes, but not for T cell-depleted spleen cells, PNA-positive thymocytes or IL 2-dependent CTLL 2-cells . A factor mitogenic for CTCC-2 cells with a molecular weight of 30-35 kdaltons was obtained by stimulating spleen cells with TSST-1 and it was absorbed by CTLL-2 cells, indicating that the factor is IL 2 . For substantial amounts of IL 2 to be produced, 10 ng or more of TSST-1 per ml and 48 hr or more of incubation were required . Removal of T cells abrogated the IL 2 production by spleen cells . T cells obtained by the nylon wool column method alone produced IL 2 on TSST-1 stimulation in the presence of either macrophages or a macrophage lysate containing interleukin 1 . However, T cells obtained by a combination of the nylon wool column method and anti-Ia antibody treatment produced IL 2 in the presence of macrophages but not of the macrophage lysate, indicating that IL 2 production by TSST-1-stimulated T cells is absolutely dependent on the presence of accessory cells.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jan, 29(1), 85 - 92
Expression of methicillin resistance in heterogeneous strains of Staphylococcus aureus; Hartman BJ et al.; The phenotypic expression of methicillin resistance was studied in a number of clinical isolates and laboratory strains of Staphylococcus aureus . The methicillin-resistant S . aureus strains could be divided into three classes, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and thermosensitive heterogeneous methicillin-resistant S . aureus, on the basis of their plating efficiencies at 30 or 37 degrees C on methicillin-containing agar plates . Heterogeneous strains of methicillin-resistant S . aureus were composed of two subpopulations: a small minority of cells (10(-5) to 10(-3); MIC, 600 to 1,000 micrograms/ml) that expressed resistance to high concentrations of methicillin at 37 degrees C, and a majority of cells (MIC, 5 micrograms/ml) that remained susceptible to the drug at 37 degrees C . Cultures of a thermosensitive heterogeneous strain were able to grow in the presence of high concentrations of methicillin, provided that the growth temperature was 30 degrees C . Such cultures lost their phenotypic resistance within 30 min (i.e., in less than one doubling time) after the growth temperature was shifted to the nonpermissive 37 degrees C . Shift of the temperature of the culture in the reverse direction (37 to 30 degrees C) resulted in an equally rapid expression of phenotypic resistance . The majority of the cells in such heterogeneous strains may be considered heat (or salt) conditional in their phenotypic expression of methicillin resistance . Both heterogeneous and thermosensitive heterogeneous strains, irrespective of their temperature of cultivation and degree of phenotypic resistance, contained detectable quantities of the 78-kilodalton penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP 2a) that previous studies have suggested is a biochemical correlate of methicillin resistance in homogeneous strains of methicillin-resistant S . aureus . However, in contrast to the homogeneous stains, in heterogeneous and thermosensitive heterogeneous isolates the ability to synthesize PBP 2a is apparently not sufficient to provide a resistant phenotype . In these strains some additional, as yet undefined factor(s) is also needed for the expression of methicillin resistance.

J Clin Invest, 1986 Jan, 77(1), 294 - 300
Implications for the role of cognate interactions in in vitro human B cell activation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen; Suzuki N et al.; Human B cell-triggering mechanisms were investigated using the polyclonal activators Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) . When the cultures of B cells, T cells, and monocytes were stimulated for 5 d by SAC or PWM, B cells could be activated by both mitogens to proliferate and secrete Ig . Even when T cells were substituted by T cell-derived soluble factors, SAC-stimulated B cells could differentiate into Ig-secreting cells . In contrast, interactions of B and T cells for at least the first 6 h of culture were necessary for the B cell triggering by PWM . Experiments that allow a more precise delineation of the B cell-triggering mechanisms by PWM demonstrated that interactions of B cells with T4+ but not T8+ cells are required for the B cell triggering; anti-Ia or anti-T4 antibody can block this triggering; in contrast, anti-T3 or anti-T8 antibody do not exert any effects on the B cell triggering . However, all these monoclonal antibodies could not modulate the ability of B cells that had been already activated by PWM to respond to T cell-derived factors . These data suggest that SAC can directly activate B cells, while cognate interactions between Ia-like antigens on B cells and T4+ cells are essential for B cell triggering by PWM . Furthermore, once B cells are triggered, they will proliferate, differentiate, and secrete Ig in response to T cell-derived factors; Ia-like antigens or T cell differentiation antigens may not be involved in the processes in this cascade.

J Immunol, 1986 Jan, 136(1), 83 - 92
Human peripheral blood B lymphocyte subpopulations: functional and phenotypic analysis of surface IgD positive and negative subsets; Jelinek DF et al.; Highly purified human peripheral blood B cells stimulated with Cowan I Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and mitogen-activated T cell supernatants (T supt) generated large numbers of immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells (ISC), whereas fewer ISC developed in cultures containing T supt in the absence of SA . To determine whether surface Ig isotype expression defined responsive B cell subsets, IgD+ and IgD- B cells were prepared with the fluorescence-activated cell sorter . Whereas both the IgD+ and IgD- B cells responded to SA + T supt, only the IgD- subset generated substantial numbers of ISC in response to T supt alone . Analysis of secreted Ig revealed that IgG and IgA were the predominant isotypes secreted by IgD- B cells in response to T supt or SA + T supt . By contrast, the IgD+ cells secreted predominantly IgM in response to SA + T supt but not to T supt alone . When responsiveness to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was examined in the presence of supplemental T cells, the IgD- subset was found to be greatly enriched for responsive cells, and again, IgG and IgA were the predominant isotypes secreted, although these cells were also capable of secreting some IgM . The magnitude of the response induced by PWM from IgD- B cells was usually greater than that induced by SA + T supt . Although IgD+ B cells responded poorly to PWM, the differentiation of a small number of IgM-secreting cells was routinely stimulated by this polyclonal activator in the presence of T cells . The magnitude of the PWM response by IgD+ B cells was always greatly diminished compared with that stimulated by SA + T supt . Cell cycle analysis after acridine orange staining, cell volume measurement, and staining for expression of activation antigens (transferrin receptor and 4F2) indicated that the IgD- B cells were largely resting, but did contain a population of activated cells . Removal of activated 4F2+ cells from the IgD- subset diminished but did not abolish their capacity to generate ISC in response to SA + T supt or PWM in the presence of T cells . These results suggest that the IgD- population contains both an activated 4F2+ and a resting 4F2- subset . The data emphasize that multiple subpopulations of peripheral blood B cells contain precursors of ISC . Moreover, the responsiveness of the subsets to various stimuli and the Ig isotype subsequently secreted appear to be intrinsic features of each subset.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jan, 29(1), 26 - 9
Imipenem-cilastatin in the treatment of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections; Fan W et al.; Imipenem-cilastatin was evaluated for efficacy and toxicity as an antistaphylococcal agent in 23 patients; 11 of these patients were infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and 12 were infected with methicillin-susceptible S . aureus (MSSA) . There were 15 soft tissue, 5 endovascular, and 3 skeletal infections and a total of nine patients with bacteremia . As determined by in vitro susceptibility testing, the MICs for 90% of the MRSA and MSSA isolates tested were 6.25 and 0.39 micrograms/ml, respectively . Two MRSA isolates were resistant to a concentration of greater than 16 micrograms/ml . When 11 MRSA isolates and 7 MSSA isolates were incubated for 48 h the MICs for 90% of the isolates increased to greater than 50 micrograms/ml for the MRSA isolates and 6.25 micrograms/ml for the MSSA isolates . Three S . aureus isolates emerged resistant . Ten of 11 (91%) MRSA infections and 11 of 12 (92%) MSSA infections were clinically cured . Adverse reactions occurred in 25% of the imipenemcilastatin-treated patients . These reactions included gastrointestinal intolerance (7% of the patients), rash or pruritis (6%), eosinophilia (6%), thrombocytosis (4%), and a positive, direct Coomb test without hemolysis (3%) . One of the two patients for whom therapy was discontinued because of gastrointestinal intolerance had antibiotic-associated colitis . Imipenem appears to be an effective antistaphylococcal agent against both MRSA and MSSA infections.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(3), 291 - 8
Chemotherapeutic efficacy of ofloxacin on renal and subcutaneous infection models with Staphylococcus aureus in mice; Fujimoto T et al.; Ofloxacin, a new pyridone-carboxylic acid derivative, was evaluated in descending nephritis and subcutaneous abscess models with Staphylococcus aureus in mice in comparison with norfloxacin . Descending nephritis was produced by intravenous injection of S . aureus 39 (MIC 0.78 microgram/ml for ofloxacin and 3.13 micrograms/ml for norfloxacin) . Subcutaneous abscess was established by subcutaneous injection of soft agar containing S . aureus 56230 (MIC 0.39 microgram/ml for ofloxacin and 1.56 micrograms/ml for norfloxacin) . Three days after infection, the lesions of both models were characterized by purulent inflammation accompanied with massive infiltration of neutrophils and bacterial multiplication . The animals were treated twice a day orally with each compound for 4 consecutive days, and subjected to bacteriological examination 18 h later . In the renal model, the 50% effective doses calculated on the basis of clearance of bacteria from kidneys were 38.4 mg/kg for ofloxacin and greater than 100 mg/kg for norfloxacin . In the subcutaneous model, the 50% effective doses based upon 90% reduction of viable bacteria as compared with untreated controls were 25.2 mg/kg for ofloxacin and greater than 100 mg/kg for norfloxacin . The excellent efficacies of ofloxacin in both infection models are attributed to its high oral absorbability and tissue distribution.

Infection, 1986, 14 Suppl 1, S40 - 4
{Animal experiment studies on the modification of the immune system by ofloxacin}; Pulverer G et al.; Ofloxacin, one of the new group of quinolone antibiotics, was investigated with respect to its possible interactions with different parameters of the immune system . The study was performed in vivo on Balb/c-mice treated for seven days with different doses of the antibiotic and in vitro on human phagocytes from peripheral blood . It was found that ofloxacin does not affect cellular or humoral immune responses in mice . Moreover, human phagocytic cells exposed in vitro even to high concentrations of the drug did not show any significant changes in their function . On the other hand, it was observed that subinhibitory concentrations of ofloxacin induced an increased susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus 511-Jena to the bactericidal activity of phagocytes.

Pol Arch Weter, 1986, 26(3-4), 41 - 9
{Studies of the mechanism of bacterial inactivation after administration of the preparation Polchlor K}; Pawiak R et al.; The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of chloroiodic complex compound with non-ionic surface active substances such as Polchlor K on the kinetics of dying, activity of bacterial dehydrogenases and glucosidases as well as ultrastructure of bacterial cells on the example of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . The evaluation of the kinetics of bacteria dying under the preparation activity revealed higher activity against E . coli than S . aureus . It was found that the preparation in bactericidal concentrations decreased significantly dehydrogenase activity in the examined microorganisms and also affects the changes in their ultrastructure . The cell dying was mainly due to structure-functional lesions in the cytoplasmic membrane--initially inactivation of respiratory enzymes localized inside the cytoplasmic membrane and furthermore its structural lesion.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(5-6), 569 - 72
Application of LS 7500 counter (Beckman) for measurement of phagocytosis of 14C labeled bacteria; Steuden W; For determination of phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus 519 labeled with glycine-1-14C by guinea pig granulocytes, the third analytical program of LS 7500 counter was used . By measuring isotope radioactivity, the program enables evaluation of the percentage of a bound isotope in relation to the reference sample . In the present experiments the percentage of a bound isotope stands for the percentage of phagocytized bacteria calculated in relation to a reference sample, i.e . to radioactivity of bacteria added to the test . The program applied allows an automatic calculation of the percentage of phagocytized bacteria, the result being printed by a counter printer.

J Med, 1986, 17(3-4), 253 - 61
Sinus tract in the neck: a rare complication of subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease; Vesely DL et al.; The present report demonstrates a complication not previously reported secondary to thyroid surgery as a treatment of hyperthyroidism . This complication of a sinus tract extending 6 cm from the thyroid to the skin appeared to be due to a foreign body reaction to the sutures utilized in the operation . This sinus tract which extruded some sutures became infected with Staphylococcus aureus which prevented spontaneous closure . The formation of a sinus tract in the neck after a subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism appears to be a much less common complication than the previously reported complications of bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis, unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis, permanent post-operative hypoparathyroidism and thyroid storm secondary to this surgery, but the true incidence of sinus tract formation after thyroid surgery is unknown at present.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(10), 993 - 1002
Effect of mannitol and glucose on the distribution and trypsin susceptibility of protein A of Staphylococcus aureus; Yamada S et al.; The biological activity and morphological distribution of protein A on the cell surface were studied in a medium containing an excess of either mannitol or glucose, which suppressed protein A production of Staphylococcus aureus, Cowan I strain . Preculture of the organisms in the presence of a sugar suppressed the expression of protein A, resulting in a decrease in the number of cells bound with antiferritin rabbit IgG molecules, which specifically indicate protein A distribution . The distribution pattern of protein A on the cell surface changed with glucose but not with mannitol . The two-layered ferritin distribution on the organism grown in the control medium was altered into a heavily labeled, thick and rough layer with glucose, suggesting the induction of a conformational change in the polypeptide chain forming protein A . This was positively supported by the increase in trypsin susceptibility of protein A.

Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol, 1986, 410(1), 43 - 8
Experimental staphylococcal endocarditis and aortitis . Morphology of the initial colonization; Ferguson DJ et al.; The initial colonization, by Staphylococcus aureus, of the catheter damaged aortic valve and aorta of the rabbit, was examined by light and electron microscopy at 15 min, 3 h and 24 h post inoculation (PI) . At 15 min PI, the majority of bacteria (80%) were located on the lateral surfaces of the thrombic vegetations while 20% were attached directly to the connective tissue of the aortic valve and aorta in areas where the endothelial lining was disrupted . By 3 h the bacteria on the thrombic vegetations were covered by fibrin . At this time, the bacteria both within the vegetations and on the surface of the vasculature were undergoing multiplication to form small groups . The precipitation of thrombus around the bacteria attached to the surface of the aorta to form microscopic infected vegetations had occurred by 24 h PI . The colonizing bacteria did not elicit any phagocytic response . The colonization of the cardiovasculature by Staph . aureus did not necessarily require pre-existing vegetations.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(5), 418 - 24
Effect of 5-fluorouracil, mitoxantrone, methotrexate, and vincristine on the antibacterial activity of ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefotiam, piperacillin, and netilmicin; Gieringer JH et al.; Using the checkerboard agar dilution technique, antibacterial activity and in vitro interactions of 4 antineoplastic agents and 5 antimicrobial drugs were examined against 56 strains of 7 bacterial species . 5-fluorouracil was found to inhibit all strains of Staphylococcus aureus and of Staphylococcus epidermidis at a concentration of 0.8 micrograms/ml or less . 84% of all gram-negative strains were inhibited synergistically when 5-fluorouracil was combined with beta-lactam antibiotics . Methotrexate and cefotiam were antagonistic in 42% of all combinations, especially when tested against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(3), 323 - 8
Immunopharmacological study of CCA (Lobenzarit disodium), an anti-arthritis agent--I . Abrogation of IL 1 secretion by LPS-stimulated human monocytes and induction of gamma-interferon production with CCA; Fujimoto M et al.; In vitro effects of CCA, an anti-arthritis agent, were studied upon autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), lymphocyte mitogenesis, IL 1 and IL 2 production, immunoglobulin production and gamma-interferon (IFN) production . CCA at 50 micrograms/ml, which was not toxic to cells, blocked AMLR, IL 1 production and immunoglobulin production (IgM and IgG) significantly, while CCA at the same dose did not affect IL 2 production and lymphocyte mitogenic responses to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I(SAC) and pokeweed mitogen(PWM) . CCA at both 20 ng/ml and 20 micrograms/ml induced human gamma/IFN . Addition of IL 1 and/or IL 2 reversed inhibitory effect of CCA on AMLR . These data suggest that CCA exerts its actions by mainly affecting T cells and monocytes and can be used as an immunomodulator.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1986, 18(2), 125 - 30
Pharmacokinetics of phenoxymethylpenicillin in tonsils; Roos K et al.; The pharmacokinetics of phenoxymethylpenicillin in tonsillar tissue was studied in 33 patients who underwent tonsillectomy, mainly because of repeated tonsillitis or peritonsillitis . The patients were operated on 30-240 min after an oral penicillin dose of 12.5 mg/kg body weight . The mean serum concentration was 2.8 micrograms/ml for 10 patients operated upon 80-95 min after drug administration . The mean tissue concentration for these patients at the same time was 0.6 micrograms/g . The mean concentration of penicillin in tissue after 240 min was 0.05 micrograms/g . 19% of the serum concentration was recovered in the tonsillar tissue . No significant difference between penicillin concentration in the centre or surface of the tonsils was found . The tissue concentration was calculated to be above 0.03 micrograms/ml for at least 4-5 h . 30% of the patients harboured penicillinase producing bacteria on their tonsils, mainly Staphylococcus aureus . These patients had a lower tissue concentration than those lacking the bacteria, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.095).

Clin Exp Immunol, 1986 Jan, 63(1), 156 - 62
Mitogenic stimulation of malignant B cells Waldenstrøm's macroglobulinaemia: secretion of monoclonal IgM by in vitro-induced plasmablasts; Bloem AC et al.; The monoclonal B cells present in the blood of three patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia were analysed according to phenotype and function . As a marker for the monoclonal nature of the detected immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules, the kappa/lambda-ratio (two patients) or the presence of idiotypic (Id) determinants (one patient) were used . With double immunofluorescence it was shown that the neoplastic blood B cells were heterogeneous in respect to maturation stage . In addition to B cells carrying membrane bound IgM and IgD (mIgM+/IgD+), both mIgM+/IgD- and cytoplasmic IgM+ blastoid cells could be detected in the blood of the patients . This heterogeneity was also reflected in the responses of the monoclonal B cells upon stimulation with mitogens and T cell factors . B blastoid cells and IgM secretion could be induced after in vitro culture in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Pokeweed mitogen or a combination of both mitogens . It was shown that also T cell factors were effective in inducing monoclonal B cell differentiation.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1986, 174(6), 305 - 12
Influence of the cultivation, devitalization and preservation of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598 on the activity of cell-bound protein A; Ansorg RA et al.; Different culture conditions, devitalizing treatments, and preservation procedures were tested for the production of protein A-bearing cells of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598 . Native cells with the highest IgG-binding activity were obtained after cultivation at 37 degrees C for 24-48 h in enriched media . Devitalization by ethanol, 1-propanol, formaldehyde, glutardialdehyde, chloramine T, and by heat, reduced the protein A activity depending on the duration of treatment . The protein A content of devitalized cells were best preserved by storage at -20 degrees C or by lyophilization . Staphylococcal preparations with a stable IgG-binding activity of 20 mg/g bacteria, which are very suitable for coagglutination tests, were produced by culture in TSB medium, followed by devitalization with 1-propanol and lyophilization.

J Vasc Surg, 1986 Jan, 3(1), 135 - 9
Experimental studies with absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures in infected canine arterial anastomoses; Torsello GB et al.; Vascular anastomoses are usually performed with nonabsorbable synthetic suture material . In an infected wound suture material may have a negative effect on the healing of vascular anastomoses, leading to leakage and formation of false aneurysms . In a canine model 40 neck wounds and 40 groin wounds were contaminated with a standard suspension of Staphylococcus aureus . Subsequently 80 end-to-end anastomoses were performed in both carotid and femoral arteries with the absorbable polydioxanone (PDS) or the nonabsorbable polypropylene (PPL) suture material in one of either side . After wound infection or hemorrhage occurred, or at least 7 days to 6 months after vascular surgery, the dogs were put to death and the contaminated vessels were removed to determine the extent of infection with light and scanning electron microscopy . Macroscopic (presence of pus, anastomotic rupture, or aneurysm) and microscopic findings (absorption, tissue reaction) were compared statistically with the McNemar test . There was no difference in the incidence of wound infection between the sutures examined . Bacteriologic cultures revealed no other microorganism than the inoculated staphylococcus strain or occasional skin contaminants . In the PPL group hemorrhages occurred more frequently (n = 6) than in the PDS group (n = 2; p = 0.125) . Anastomotic aneurysms (n = 5) were found only in the PPL group (p = 0.375) . These differences, although statistically not significant (because of the small number of the studied anastomoses), suggest the use of monofilament absorbable suture material for autogenous anastomoses in a contaminated area.

Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1986, 12(4), 307 - 11
In vitro activity of coumermycin alone or in combination against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; Van der Auwera P et al.; The in vitro activity of coumermycin was tested against oxacillin-susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and compared with that of penicillin G, oxacillin, minocyclin, erythromycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, rifampicin and LM 427 . The MICs were measured using the agar dilution method with an inoculum of 10(5) cfu/spot . Coumermycin was the most active antibiotic with MIC90 of 0.025-0.2 mg/l . The MICs of coumermycin remained unchanged by further incubation for 48 h . The combination of coumermycin with ciprofloxacin, an inhibitor of subunit A of the DNA gyrase, was studied by the time-kill curve method and resulted in a synergistic effect when subinhibitory concentrations of either antibiotic were used . The combination of coumermycin with rifampicin or LM 427 was antagonistic.

Ultrastruct Pathol, 1986, 10(1), 77 - 85
Formation of tubuloreticular inclusions in mitogen-stimulated human lymphocyte cultures by endogenous or exogenous alpha-interferon; Kuyama J et al.; Tubuloreticular inclusions (TRI) were induced in normal blood lymphocytes after incubation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (STA), but they were not induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM), as we reported previously . TRI were also induced in Raji cells when grown in the medium of STA culture . Alpha-interferon (alpha IFN) was detected only in the medium of STA culture and not in PWM culture . The cells of PWM cultures formed TRI when exposed to various concentrations of human leukocyte alpha IFN . The incidences of TRI-positive cells in the presence of 50-500 IU/ml of alpha IFN were 3-5% on day 2 and increased to 10% on day 7 . On days 5-7 of the PWM cultures, plasmacytoid cells containing TRI were seen not infrequently . In the presence of a high concentration of alpha IFN (10,000 IU/ml), which was sufficient to inhibit cell growth and differentiation, the growth of the TRI region was not altered and the incidence of TRI-positive cells was 9% on day 2 and increased to 15% on day 7 . Our observations suggest that the TRI formation in STA culture is attributable to the alpha IFN produced endogenously by STA-stimulated cells and that some relationship might exist between the incidences of TRI-positive cells in these mitogen-stimulated cultures and the biologic functions of IFN.

Mol Gen Genet, 1986 Jan, 202(1), 58 - 61
Regulation of exoprotein gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus by agar; Recsei P et al.; Insertion of the erythromycin-resistance transposon Tn551 into the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome at a site which maps between the purB and ilv loci has a pleiotrophic effect on the production of a number of extracellular proteins . Production of alpha, beta and delta hemolysin, toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) and staphylokinase was depressed about fifty-fold while protein A production was elevated twenty-fold . Hybridization analysis showed that the defect in expression of TSST-1 and alpha hemolysin was at the transcriptional level . Inability of the mutant strain to express either a cloned TSST-1 gene or the chromosomal gene indicates that the transposon has inactivated a trans-active positive control element . This element has been designated agr for accessory gene regulator.

Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler, 1986 Jan, 367(1), 67 - 73
Studies on cytochrome-c oxidase, XIII . Amino-acid sequence of the small membrane polypeptide VIIIc from bovine heart respiratory complex IV; Meinecke L et al.; The isolation and complete amino-acid sequence analysis of the cytoplasmically synthesized polypeptide VIIIc from bovine heart cytochrome-c oxidase is described . The protein is a stoichiometric constituent of the mitochondrial respiratory complex IV . Its primary structure is deduced from N-terminal sequencing and peptides obtained by enzymatic cleavage with Staphylococcus aureus proteinase and chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide . The small protein consists of 56 amino acids summing up to a total Mr of 6243 . From position 34 to 51 the chain contains a hydrophobic sequence of 18 residues . This probably membrane-spanning segment also contains the 2 cysteine residues of the chain . The function of this subunit in the respiratory complex IV is still unknown.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1986 Jan-Feb, 20(1), 219 - 23
{Replication in yeasts of plasmid pE194 from Staphylococcus aureus}; Polumienko AL et al.; The ability of the plasmid pE194 from S . aureus to serve as an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) in yeast was shown . The hybrid plasmid pLD744 that contains pE194 and the yeast LEU2 gene sequences is unstable in yeast like other YRp-vectors: the mitotic stability of the pLD744 was as much as 1% . The plasmid pLD712 that differs from pLD744 by the existence of a centromeric sequence from the chromosome III of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals about one order greater stability . The observation that there are some sequences in the primary structure of the pE194 which strongly conform to the ARS consensus in yeast inclines us to infer that the existence of ARS consensus on pE194 DNA is not sufficient for its effective replication in yeast.

J Clin Invest, 1986 Jan, 77(1), 260 - 70
Diabetes-induced functional and structural changes in insulin receptors from rat skeletal muscle; Burant CF et al.; The effect of diabetes on the structure and function of insulin receptors was studied in rats 7 d after streptozotocin injection, using solubilized, partially purified receptors from rat hindlimb muscles . Diabetes increased the number of insulin receptors per gram of muscle 60-70% without apparent change in insulin binding affinity . Incubation of receptors at 4 degrees C with {gamma-32P}ATP and insulin resulted in dose-dependent autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit on tyrosine residues; receptors from diabetic rats showed decreased base-line phosphorylation, as well as a decrease in autophosphorylation at maximally stimulating insulin concentrations . These receptors also showed diminished exogenous substrate kinase activity using histone H2b and angiotensin II as phosphoacceptors . The electrophoretic mobility (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) of a subpopulation of beta-subunits derived from diabetics was slightly decreased; differences in electrophoretic mobility between control- and diabetic-derived beta-subunits were enhanced by generating fragments by partial Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion . Endoglycosidase-H or neuraminidase treatment increased the electrophoretic mobility of beta-subunits in both groups, but only neuraminidase appeared to decrease or abolish differences in electrophoretic mobility between controls and diabetics, suggesting that excess sialilation may account, in part, for the altered mobility of diabetic derived beta-subunits . All structural and functional alterations in insulin receptors were prevented by treating diabetic rats with insulin for 60 h . Peripheral insulin resistance associated with insulinopenic diabetes may be related to modifications in insulin receptor structure, resulting in impaired signal transmission.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Jan, 23(1), 180 - 1
Phage types of Staphylococcus aureus received at the Quebec Public Health Laboratory from 1976 to 1983; Jette LP; Phage typing of 13,579 clinical and environmental strains of Staphylococcus aureus received at the Quebec Public Health Laboratory between 1976 and 1983 was routinely performed to assess the distribution of lytic groups . Strains susceptible to phages 94, 95, and 96 predominated and accounted for 25% of the specimens . The distribution of strains in lytic groups varied with time and specimen source.

Ric Clin Lab, 1986 Jan-Mar, 16(1), 23 - 8
Heterogeneity of B cell growth factor (BCGF)-producing T cells in humans . Clonal analysis of BCGF-producing cells within T4+ and T8+ subsets and evidence for the involvement of different growth factors in different BCGF assays; Mingari MC et al.; Human peripheral blood T cells were cloned under conditions allowing the clonal expansion of virtually all T cells . Clones derived from T4+ or T4- (T8+) subsets were screened for their ability to induce B cell proliferation either in the Staphylococcus aureus Cowan-I (SAC)-driven assay or in the costimulation assay based on the use of anti-mu antibodies . BCGF activity in the SAC- and in the anti-mu-driven system was displayed by 13% and 15% T8+ clones, respectively, while 74% and 79% T4+ clones had BCGF activity in the same assay . SN of clones with BCGF activity were further screened for their susceptibility to the inhibition by CM 269 (anti-IL-2 receptor) monoclonal antibody . All clones were inhibited in the SAC assay, whereas several clones were partially or totally resistant to inhibition in the anti-mu assay . Nine of such non-inhibited clones were further analyzed for their ability to produce gamma-IFN (known to act as a BCGF) and IL-2: six of them were found to produce gamma-IFN, while none produced any detectable IL-2 activity.

J Hosp Infect, 1986 Jan, 7(1), 91 - 5
A comparison between a detergent baby bath additive and baby soap on the skin flora of neonates; Cowan ME et al.; A detergent based baby bath additive as an alternative to soap for bathing neonates was investigated . The yield of Staphylococcus aureus, Staph . epidermidis, Pseudomonas spp., Candida spp . and coliforms from skin swabs was compared in a group of 22 babies bathed in the detergent additive with a similar group of 22 babies bathed in soap . No differences were detected in the isolation rate of these organisms between the two groups.

Folia Haematol Int Mag Klin Morphol Blutforsch, 1986, 113(5), 685 - 9
System for testing the phagocytic capacity of human blood platelets; Mantur M et al.; We have elaborated a system for testing the phagocytic activity of human blood platelets . Blood was sampled to heparin and ACD and centrifuged . This procedure yields platelet rich plasma (PRP) . As a substrate for phagocytosis we used Staphylococcus aureus 209P . The ratio of platelets to bacteria is 1:1 . Incubation of bacteria and platelets continued up to 10 minutes . Lysostaphine was introduced to the phagocytic system to destroy all bacteria outside the blood platelets . The maximal values for the percentage of phagocytizing blood platelets were 0.7% and the phagocytosis index of 1.0 was reached at 6 minutes with incubation of bacteria and platelets . The authors pay attention to the role of blood platelets in antibacterial mechanisms.

Exp Cell Biol, 1986, 54(3), 155 - 62
Antigen presentation in human autoimmune thyroid disease; De Bernardo E et al.; Monocyte/macrophage function in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis was investigated by their presentation of two distinct antigens; sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and human thyroglobulin (hTg) using in vitro systems designed for antibody induction . Purified peripheral blood monocyte/macrophages were primed by prefeeding with antigen for 60 min at 37 degrees C, washed, and co-cultured with autologous lymphocytes under a variety of incubation conditions . The most successful system employed 5% monocyte/macrophages with autologous T-B cells in the presence of the mitogen Staphylococcus aureus and B-cell differentiating factors . Under such conditions the anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell (PFC) response was amplified equally (approximately 10-fold) by SRBC-fed monocyte/macrophages in normal controls and patients with autoimmune thyroiditis rendered euthyroid with thyroxine replacement . hTg-fed monocyte/macrophages induced a 4-fold increase in anti-hTg PFC in selected patients with autoimmune thyroiditis examined under similar conditions (mean 36 +/- 3 PFC per 10(6) T-B cells) . These data indicated that antigen processing by monocyte/macrophages was normal in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Dev Comp Immunol, 1986 Spring, 10(2), 247 - 57
The role of soluble protein A in chicken spleen cell activation; Schoof DD et al.; Soluble protein A (SpA) caused chicken spleen cell proliferation despite considerable evidence that SpA has no binding affinity for avian immunoglobulin (Ig) . This biological activity was examined by several approaches . SpA-stimulated spleen cell cultures demonstrated no difference in proliferative responses regardless of the addition of human gamma globulin (HGG) or keyhole limpet hemocyanin . Adsorbents composed of HGG or hemoglobin were equally ineffective in abrogating the ability of SpA to induce spleen cell proliferation . In addition, ion exchange purified SpA was observed to induce comparable levels of spleen cell proliferation as ion exchange-affinity purified preparations . The lymphocyte subpopulation responsible for the observed proliferative response to SpA resides in the nylon wool adherent population . Nylon wool nonadherent lymphocytes failed to proliferate to SpA, but did proliferate in response to phytohemagglutinin as did nylon wool adherent cells . These data indicate that SpA is not responsible for the observed biological activity and suggest that components from Staphylococcus aureus other than SpA copurify during the preparation of SpA and are responsible for the activation of spleen cells.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1986, 35(1-2), 49 - 56
Translocation of the chloramphenicol-resistance determinant in Staphylococcus aureus; Mlynarczyk A et al.; pC658: a plasmid determining resistance to chloramphenicol in the hospital strain of Staphylococcus aureus JM658 was transduced after irradiation of phage lysate with high doses of UV . The localization of determinants causing resistance to chloramphenicol in the obtained transductants was investigated by modified Arber's method and variants resistant to chloramphenicol, but suspected of absence of chloramphenicolase plasmid were selected . Additionally the absence of plasmid DNA was demonstrated in the selected strains . The possibility of plasmid and chromosomal localization of the same gene indicates its translocable nature . The obtained results suggests transposomal character of the genes determining resistance to chloramphenicol in the pC658 plasmid, occurring in the hospital strain of S . aureus.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1986, 80(4), 431 - 4
Induction of in vitro antigen-specific antibody production against NIP-KLH in nonadherent cells derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Komatsu H et al.; A primary in vitro antibody response to 4-hydroxy-3-iodo-5-nitrophenylacetyl keyhole limpet hemocyanin (NIP-KLH) by plastic dish nonadherent human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was examined . Nonadherent cells of most donors produced an anti-NIP antibody when they were cultured with the antigen at a cell density of 2.5 X 10(6)/ml in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) at a concentration of 0.003% for 5 days, washed and further cultured in the absence of the antigen and SAC for an additional 5 or 6 days . Nonadherent cells of 'low-responders' responded to NIP-KLH plus SAC and produced anti-NIP antibody when they were cultured with not only NIP-KLH plus SAC but also with the culture supernatant obtained on phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation of a mixture of PBMC from 2 donors . Furthermore, it was found that the PHA supernatants could be very effectively substituted for by human recombinant interleukin-2.

J Membr Biol, 1986, 90(2), 177 - 90
Ionic channels formed by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin: voltage-dependent inhibition by divalent and trivalent cations; Menestrina G; The interaction of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin with planar lipid membranes results in the formation of ionic channels whose conductance can be directly measured in voltage-clamp experiments . Single-channel conductance depends linearly on the solution conductivity suggesting that the pores are filled with aqueous solution; a rough diameter of 11.4 +/- 0.4 A can be estimated for the pore . The conductance depends asymmetrically on voltage and it is slightly anion selective at pH 7.0, which implies that the channels are asymmetrically oriented into the bilayer and that ion motion is restricted at least in a region of the pore . The pores are usually open in a KCl solution but undergo a dose- and voltage-dependent inactivation in the presence of di- and trivalent cations, which is mediated by open-closed fluctuations at the single-channel level . Hill plots indicate that each channel can bind two to three inactivating cations . The inhibiting efficiency follows the sequence Zn2+ greater than Tb3+ greater than Ca2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than Ba2+, suggesting that carboxyl groups of the protein may be involved in the binding step . A voltage-gated inactivation mechanism is proposed which involves the binding of two polyvalent cations to the channel, one in the open and one in the closed configuration, and which can explain voltage, dose and time dependence of the inactivation.

J Immunol, 1986 Jan, 136(1), 320 - 5
Expression of the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) on the surface of individual cells of human lymphoblastoid lines; Goldmacher VS et al.; Expression of the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) on the surface of individual cells of the human lymphoblastoid lines CW678, Namalwa, and Nalm-6, and the distribution of the antigen epitopes within the cell populations have been determined quantitatively with the murine monoclonal anti-CALLA antibody J5 . The distribution of CALLA epitopes in the cell populations was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence measured by using flow cytometry . The average number of CALLA epitopes per cell were measured by two assays: in a direct assay by binding 125I-labeled antibody J5 to cells, and indirectly by binding 125I-labeled protein A from Staphylococcus aureus to J5-coated cells . On average, CW678, Namalwa, and Nalm-6 cells bore about 1 X 10(4), 6 X 10(4), and 8 X 10(4) CALLA epitopes per cell respectively . Histograms of the absolute number of CALLA epitopes expressed by individual cells in the populations of CW678, Namalwa, and Nalm-6 cultures were generated by a combined analysis of all the binding data . This is the first example of histograms showing quantitative distribution of antigen epitopes . Previously, the expression of antigens by individual cells as obtained by flow cytometry was only presented in terms of relative fluorescence intensity of individual cells in cell populations.

EMBO J, 1985 Dec 30, 4(13B), 3901 - 6
Analysis of signals for secretion in the staphylococcal protein A gene; Abrahmsen L et al.; Different constructs of the gene encoding staphylococcal protein A were introduced in Staphylococcus aureus and S . xylosus as well as Escherichia coli . The product of the gene without the cell wall anchoring domain was efficiently secreted in all three hosts . N-terminal sequencing of the affinity-purified mature protein revealed a common processing site after the alanine residue at position 36 . In contrast, when an internal IgG-binding fragment of protein A (region B) was inserted after the protein A signal sequence, the product was poorly secreted and N-terminal sequencing revealed no processing at the normal site . This demonstrates that the structure of the polypeptide chain beyond the signal peptide cleavage site can affect cleavage . Another construct, containing the N-terminal IgG-binding part of the mature protein A (region E) followed by region B, gave correct processing and efficient secretion . Unexpectedly, the gene product, EB, was not only secreted and correctly processed, but was also excreted to the culture medium of E . coli . Secretion vectors containing the protein A signal sequence were constructed to facilitate secretion of foreign gene products . Insertion of the E . coli gene phoA, lacking its own promoter and signal sequence, led to efficient secretion of alkaline phosphatase both in E . coli and S . aureus.

Eur J Biochem, 1985 Dec 16, 153(3), 579 - 85
Analysis of protein A encoded by a mutated gene of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I; Guss B et al.; The protein A (spa) genes from Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and a mutant strain of Cowan I called V-1 earlier suggested to produce a monovalent IgG-binding protein A have been cloned in Escherichia coli . The DNA sequences coding for the IgG-binding part of the spa genes from both strains have been determined and compared with each other and with a partial amino acid sequence of purified protein A from strain V-1 . The nucleotide sequence of the spa gene from strain V-1 reveals an NH2-terminally located IgG-binding region homologous to region E first reported for strain 8325-4, region D and the major portion of region A . The amino acid sequence analysis of the purified protein A from this strain also shows the presence of regions E and D but only a minor part of region A . Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography fractionation of purified protein A from strain V-1 revealed that the preparation was heterogeneous, containing mainly two peptides with different abilities to bind IgG molecules . A shuttle vector containing the cloned protein A gene from V-1 was constructed and transformed into different strains of S . aureus and the produced protein A was purified and analysed using sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Dec 15, 260(29), 15938 - 45
Transit of receptors for epidermal growth factor and transferrin through clathrin-coated pits . Analysis of the kinetics of receptor entry; Hanover JA et al.; Selective enrichment of clathrin-coated membranes by anticlathrin immunoadsorption was used to examine the internalization of receptor-ligand complexes through coated pits . Using Staphylococcus aureus-anticlathrin antibody and {35S}methionine-labeled KB cells, the kinetics of association of the epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) and transferrin receptors (TF-R) with coated membranes were directly examined . The accumulation of EGF-R in coated pits at the cell surface was dependent upon EGF binding . EGF-R then passed sequentially through a compartment which did not react with anticlathrin antibody and a second clathrin-coated compartment . The EGF-R was degraded in lysosomes with a half-life of approximately 41-55 min . The tumor promoter, 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, appears to mimic the action of EGF in inducing EGF-R accumulation in coated pits at the cell surface and receptor internalization . In contrast to the results with EGF-R, the TF-R was found in clathrin-coated membranes in the presence or absence of TF, and the concentration of TF-R in clathrin-coated membranes did not significantly change with time . The method presented should be of great utility for examining the biochemical changes that occur during the receptor-mediated endocytosis and sorting of ligands and receptors.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Dec 13, 843(3), 186 - 92
In vitro synthesis of rat brain hexokinase; Pittler SJ et al.; Hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) has been synthesized in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system directed by poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from rat brain . Identification of the in vitro synthesis product as hexokinase was based on its immunoprecipitation with anti-hexokinase serum as well as the generation of identical peptide maps after partial cleavage of the in vitro product and authentic hexokinase with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase or chymotrypsin . The in vitro product and authentic hexokinase were indistinguishable in molecular weight (SDS-gel electrophoresis); thus, despite the fact that, in situ, much of the hexokinase in brain is found in association with mitochondria, it is not synthesized in the form of a higher molecular weight precursor as is characteristic of other mitochondrial proteins . This is in accord with the view that hexokinase is best considered as a classical 'soluble' enzyme which is capable of exhibiting reversible association with mitochondria . The in vitro product cochromatographs (during anion-exchange HPLC) with authentic hexokinase previously shown to have a blocked (presumably acetylated) N-terminus; this procedure is capable of resolving the N-terminally blocked form of the enzyme from a partially proteolyzed form having a free N-terminal amino group . Thus the in vitro product is apparently N-acetylated by an enzyme system previously shown to be present in reticulocyte lysates . A significant fraction of the in vitro synthesized hexokinase attained a conformation characteristic of the native enzyme as judged by the observations that it could be immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies recognizing the native enzyme but not by antibodies recognizing denatured hexokinase, and limited tryptic cleavage of the in vitro product gave fragments identical to those seen with the native enzyme and thought to reflect the organization of structural domains in that enzyme . However, based on these same criteria, the majority of the hexokinase synthesized in vitro appears to exist in a folding state that is not identical to that of either the fully denatured or native enzyme.

J Hyg (Lond), 1985 Dec, 95(3), 685 - 93
Growth and enterotoxin production of Staphylococcus aureus in shrimp; Beckers HJ et al.; Strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from shrimp were examined for phage pattern and enterotoxin production; 63% of the strains isolated from North Sea shrimp were typable with the International and additional set of phages, as were 38% of the strains isolated from South-East Asian shrimp . Staphylococcal enterotoxin(s) (SE) were produced by 48% and 35% of strains isolated from North Sea and South-East Asian shrimp respectively . Growth and enterotoxin production by S . aureus in shrimp was examined in storage experiments at 22 degrees C . S . aureus increased by 1-2 log units in 24 h when the organism was only a minor part of the total microflora of shrimp . When S . aureus was an equivalent part of the total flora its numbers increased by 3-4 log units in 24 h . Enterotoxins A and B became detectable when the number of S . aureus exceeded 10(7) per g in aseptically peeled shrimp . Results indicate that S . aureus is able to produce enterotoxin in shrimp, but its production depends upon a number of factors, including the relationship between S . aureus and competitive micro-organisms . It is concluded that the presence of S . aureus on commercially produced shrimp represents a potential hazard to health.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1985 Dec, 98(6), 1603 - 14
Enzymatic properties of staphylothrombin, an active molecular complex formed between staphylocoagulase and human prothrombin; Kawabata S et al.; Staphylocoagulase with a molecular weight of 64,000 and subspecies ranging in molecular weight from 36,000 to 64,000 were purified by affinity column chromatography on bovine prothrombin-Sepharose 4B from the culture filtrates of the Staphylococcus aureus strains, st-213 and 104 . The samples containing all molecular species from both strains had the same NH2-terminal sequence, Ile-Val-Thr-Lys-Asp-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Glu-, implying that the molecular heterogeneity was due to proteolytic degradation to some extent of the COOH-terminal portion during cultivation or purification . Staphylocoagulase (Mr = 64,000) from strain st-213 formed an active complex, "staphylothrombin," with human prothrombin in a molar ratio of 1 to 1.1 . Staphylothrombin was unstable at 37 degrees C and some portions of staphylocoagulase in the complex were rapidly degraded into small fragments, together with the fragmentation of prothrombin into prethrombin 1 and prothrombin fragment 1 . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent fluorography for the products of prothrombin activation by staphylocoagulase in the presence of {3H}diisopropylphosphofluoridate (DFP) demonstrated the formation of a DFP-sensitive active site in the prothrombin molecule, and no cleavage of the Arg-Ile bond linking the A and B chains of alpha-thrombin was found . The enzymatic properties including the pH-dependency of the activity, substrate specificity and behavior towards thrombin inhibitors of staphylothrombin differed from those of alpha-thrombin, although the active site titration of staphylothrombin with p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate showed 0.95 +/- 0.2 mol of active site/mol of enzyme.

DNA, 1985 Dec, 4(6), 451 - 60
Hormone-dependent covalent modification and processing of human progesterone receptors in the nucleus; Horwitz KB et al.; In situ photoaffinity labeling, which minimizes in vitro incubations and proteolytic artifacts, was used to study the structure of progesterone receptors (PR) in intact T47D human breast cancer cells . These cells, rich in PR, were incubated with the photoreactive progestin {3H}R5020 at 0 degrees C for 3 hr to keep PR in their untransformed state, or at 37 degrees C for 5 min to transform PR and convert them to tight chromatin-binding proteins . The cells, still intact, were then irradiated with 300-nm UV light to link the hormone covalently to receptors at any intracellular location . In T47D cells, untransformed PR, as well as transformed nuclear-bound PR, have equimolar amounts of proteins A (Mr approximately 94,000) and B (Mr approximately 120,000) . The quantitative relationship between these is stable--no degradation of B to A is seen even if in situ photolabeled receptors are incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C for as long as 1 hr . Analysis of the in situ labeled receptors on gradient NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gels shows that the untransformed B protein is a doublet of Mr approximately 117,000 and 120,000, while the A protein is a singlet . After R5020 treatment, transformed hormone-receptor complexes rapidly (5 min) translocate to nuclei . During the next 30 min the B protein becomes modified and shifts entirely to the heavier, Mr approximately 120,000 form . Between 30 and 60 min after nuclear binding, the A protein first splits, and then also becomes approximately 3000 daltons heavier . These changes are consistent with asynchronous modification--occurring first in protein B and then in protein A . Four to 8 hr after nuclear residence, receptor "processing" leads to the simultaneous disappearance of both proteins without generation of smaller molecular weight fragments . Peptide mapping shows that proteins A and B are closely related: despite the initial difference in molecular weight of A and B, digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease yields identical fragmentation patterns for each, with sequential peptides of Mr approximately 49,000, 39,000, 26,000, and 14,000 . These data are consistent with the hypothesis that B and A are closely related integral intracellular proteins; that in their untransformed state only B is phosphorylated; that hormone treatment leads to their rapid (5 min) transformation to nuclear and DNA binding states; and that a nuclear phosphoprotein kinase(s) then modifies both proteins further to influence their gene regulatory activities.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Dec, 46(12), 2634 - 8
Susceptibility of laboratory rats, hamsters, and mice to wound infection with Staphylococcus aureus; Donnelly TM et al.; Response of rodents to experimentally induced subcutaneous infection was examined to determine whether laboratory rats used in invasive procedures have a superior ability to withstand wound infection than do hamsters and mice . Rats, hamsters, and mice were injected subcutaneously with 10(9), 10(7), and 10(5) colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus . Quantitative counts of viable S aureus from the injection site, bacteriologic cultures of heart blood, and histologic examinations of the subcutaneous tissues were performed . Multiple linear regression of the quantitative data and equality of regression lines among groups were determined . Results indicated that the ability to eliminate bacteria varied between species and depended on the dose injected within each species . Compared with hamsters and mice at all doses, rats eliminated bacteria faster and had the mildest and most rapidly organized inflammatory response after inoculation . Experimental bacteremia developed in 3.7% of all animals evaluated, with no species-specific pattern . The rat was more resistant to localized wound infection with S aureus than were hamsters and mice.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Dec, 46(12), 2434 - 6
In vivo effect of ascorbic acid on neutrophil function in healthy and dexamethasone-treated cattle; Roth JA et al.; Ascorbic acid (20 mg/kg of body weight) administered subcutaneously to otherwise nontreated cattle resulted in enhancement of neutrophil oxidative metabolism and capability of neutrophils to mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) . Random migration, bacterial ingestion, and iodination by neutrophils was unaffected . Three dosage levels of ascorbic acid (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg) were examined for their effects on neutrophil function in cattle treated with dexamethasone (0.04 mg/kg) . Dexamethasone administration caused an enhancement of neutrophil random migration and a suppression of neutrophil oxidative metabolism, iodination, and ADCC . None of the dosage levels of ascorbic acid had an effect on the alterations in the WBC count induced by dexamethasone . The ascorbic acid did tend to reverse the effects of dexamethasone on neutrophil random migration, oxidative metabolism, and ADCC in a dose-dependent manner, with the lowest dose having no discernible effect . Ascorbic acid administration also tended to enhance Staphylococcus aureus ingestion by bovine neutrophils . These results indicate that ascorbic acid should be further investigated for its potential to reduce the susceptibility of stressed or glucocorticoid-treated cattle to infective processes.

Int J Cardiol, 1985 Dec, 9(4), 457 - 64
Clinical and diagnostic features of pulmonary valve endocarditis in the setting of congenital cardiac malformations; Sharma S et al.; We studied the clinical and diagnostic features of 5 cases of pulmonary valve endocarditis where morphologic documentation was available . All patients had congenital cardiac disease as the predisposing factor and the infectious process involved only the pulmonary valve . None of the patients was addicted to drugs . Absence of systemic emboli, lack of pulmonary symptoms, acute course and high frequency of sterile cultures made the clinical recognition difficult and was possible only in three cases . The clinical picture of pulmonary valve endocarditis was characterised by fever, right-sided congestive cardiac failure and pulmonary incompetence . Echocardiography assumes a specific diagnostic role in such cases and cross-sectional echocardiography provides more information than M-mode echocardiography . Pulmonary valve endocarditis carries a high mortality and 3 patients died . Two patients underwent successful surgery of their underlying defect and excision of the pulmonary valve . Staphylococcus aureus was the organism grown from autopsy or surgical material in 3 cases.

Am J Kidney Dis, 1985 Dec, 6(6), 412 - 9
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in patients on chronic hemodialysis; Quarles LD et al.; Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia occurred 96 times in 58 of 671 patients on chronic hemodialysis during a nine-year period . Seventy-one instances of bacteremia originated in the vascular access site and resulted in the loss of the access device in 45 episodes . The overall mortality was 8%, and the incidence of infective endocarditis was 4% . Death occurred more often when bacteremia arose from an identifiable site other than the vascular access device (P less than .02) . Patients who developed one or more metastatic foci of infection had a higher incidence of primary treatment failure (P less than .001) and a higher mortality (P less than .001) than did those with no metastatic infection . Although meaningful comparisons of differing antibiotic regimens could not be made, patients receiving antibiotic therapy for 28 days or longer relapsed less frequently (P less than .05) . These data suggest that chronic hemodialysis patients with S aureus bacteremia have a relatively low mortality and a low risk of infective endocarditis . Antibiotic treatment, however, should be given for at least 28 days in order to minimize the risk of relapse.

Plast Reconstr Surg, 1985 Dec, 76(6), 933 - 4
Potentiation of infection by epinephrine; Tran DT et al.; A subinfective dose of Staphylococcus aureus (6 X 10(6)) does not produce wound infection in the rat model . Reducing the dosage (concentration) of epinephrine results in decreased numbers of viable bacteria in tissue and a lower incidence of wound infection in this model.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Dec, 164(3), 1211 - 7
Maintenance of D-alanine ester substitution of lipoteichoic acid by reesterification in Staphylococcus aureus; Koch HU et al.; Toluene-treated Staphylococcus aureus cells did not synthesize teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid under the conditions used . The organism displayed, however, a high capacity of incorporating D-{14C}alanine into previously formed polymers . The reaction was dependent on ATP and enhanced by magnesium ions . The incorporation rate into lipoteichoic acid correlated with the rate of loss of alanine ester which occurred through transfer to teichoic acid and base-catalyzed hydrolysis . At pH 6.5 the loss (20% within 4 h) was completely compensated for by reesterification . At pH 7.5 the loss was 60%, but by accelerated incorporation it was reduced to 10% . Incorporation was also enhanced when the original substitution of lipoteichoic acid was lowered by previous growth of S . aureus at high salt concentration . The newly added alanine was randomly distributed along the poly(glycerophosphate) chain . The decreased alanine substitution of lipoteichoic acid after growth at high salt concentration was shown to result from a direct inhibition of alanine incorporation.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1985 Dec 1, 34(23), 4109 - 15
The solubilization of platelet membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase and aryl acylamidase by exogenous or endogenous phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C; Majumdar R et al.; Phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C from Staphylococcus aureus could solubilize acetylcholinesterase up to 55% from sheep platelets in the presence of ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) . The endogenous phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C of platelets activated by deoxycholate (at 3-5 mM) could also solubilize the enzyme to a similar extent . The solubilized enzyme could be further purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography without the use of any detergents . It is suggested that phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C will be a useful tool in the solubilization of acetylcholinesterase from mammalian sources and its purification free of detergents . The present study also demonstrates the parallel behaviour of acetylcholinesterase and aryl acylamidase in platelets confirming their identity.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1985 Dec, 33(10), 957 - 61
{Problem of the in vitro sensitivity to cefamandole of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus}; de Rautlin de la Roy Y et al.; In work involving 127 strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, belonging to two resistance categories, homogeneous or RO and heterogeneous or RH and using five cephalosporins, cefalotin, cefazolin, cefamandole, cefotaxime and latamoxef, the authors compared the results of their in vitro sensitivity measurements with two methods: agar disk diffusion and growth inhibition in liquid medium (Autobac) . They also compared the MIC values with a significant fraction (19 strains) . In order to detect heterogeneous resistance experiments were carried out in duplicate, with one series grown in hypertonic medium and incubated for 48 heures at 37 degrees C, or grown on normal medium with lower incubation at 30 degrees C . In both defined techniques and in vitro, it was observed that the 127 methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains except one were sensitive to cefamandole and that 26 were also sensitive to cefalotin . Considerable caution is necessary in the in vivo transposition of these findings . May be present media are not able to allow growth of resistant strains to cefamandole.

Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1985 Dec, 187(6), 517 - 20
{Determination of resistance and antibiotic therapy in bacterial eye diseases of childhood}; Mayer UM et al.; From June 1982 to December 1983 children aged between 3 days and 5 years (average 2-1/2 years) with bacterial conjunctivitis, blennorrhea or perforated corneal ulcers were examined microbiologically . The results of 30 antibiotic susceptibility tests were compared with those of adults . Prevalence of Escherichia coli (6%) and Staphylococcus aureus haemolyticus (17%) was observed; Candida species was not found in the young children . Pediatric diseases revealed themselves to be more pronounced in general . The authors diagnosed 3 chlamydial blennorrheas in newborn aged 7, 8 and 10 days . Mixed infections were found significantly less often in children (21%) than in adults (64%) . The authors point out the need for epidemiologic antibiotic susceptibility studies to facilitate decision making for ad hoc therapeutic measures that are sometimes indicated in endophthalmitis or severe blennorrhea . The possible complications of antibiotic polypragmasia and the use of fixed combinations are discussed.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Dec, (12), 9 - 12
{Optimal conditions for culturing Staphylococcus aureus strain A-676 to obtain biologically active protein A}; Shchetinina EV et al.; Peptone-yeast and casein-salt culture media have been shown to be equally effective when used for the cultivation of S . aureus strain A-676 with a view to obtaining protein A . The seed dose has been determined and the optimum conditions for growing the producer strain have been established.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Dec, (12), 15 - 9
{Use of protein A in the immunosorbent analysis of antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus}; Matveev LE et al.; The results of the studies made with a view to developing the method for the determination of specific antibodies to the antigen of tick-borne encephalitis virus in human blood serum and liquor are presented . The method is based on the capacity of Staphylococcus aureus protein A to bind with Fc-region of immunoglobulins, which makes it possible to use this protein as the "second" system of antibodies . The conditions for the sorption of the antigen on polystyrene test tubes and for binding 125I-or horse radish peroxidase-labeled protein A preparations with antibodies have been determined, and the method has been approved in tests made on sera and liquor obtained from donors and tick-borne encephalitis patients.

Neth J Surg, 1985 Dec, 37(6), 179 - 82
Correlation between a positive gallbladder culture and subsequent wound infection after biliary surgery--a retrospective study of 840 patients; van Leeuwen PA et al.; The possible correlation between a positive culture of samples from the gallbladder wall and/or bile at the time of cholecystectomy and subsequent wound infections was retrospectively studied in a series of 840 patients . Positive cultures were present in 138 patients (16.4) and 19 different bacterial species could be identified . Cultured bile showed Escherichia coli in 36% of cases . The wound infection rate was 9% (72 patients) with Staphylococcus aureus cultured from the infected wounds in 64% . Fifty-eight of these 72 patients (80%) were at high risk . In contrast with the literature, no correlation existed between a positive bile culture and subsequent wound infection . In view of these results there is no need to evaluate a Gram-stain during surgery . Antimicrobial prophylaxis should be restricted to high-risk patients and the antibiotics used must be effective against exogenic wound contaminants.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1985 Dec, 93(6), 383 - 8
Localisation of the penicillinase gene in naturally occurring Staphylococcus aureus strains; Rosdahl VT; Localisation of the penicillinase gene was studied in a total of 104 inducible Staphylococcus aureus strains selected from 10,229 bacteraemia strains isolated in the years 1957-1981 . The strains represented all possible combinations of the most common patterns of phage type and susceptibility to heavy metals (cadmium, arsenate and mercury) and antibiotics . The material was further supplemented with epidemically occurring strains . Localisation of the penicillinase gene was established by isolation of penicillinase-negative variants and analysis of DNA-bands on CsCl gradients and gel-electrophoresis . Fifty-five strains contained a penicillinase plasmid; 49 had a chromosomal location . The genetic location was mainly connected with phage types . All strains belonging to the 83A complex and the majority of the strains of the 52, 52A, 80, 81 complex and of phage type 95 contained a penicillinase plasmid, whereas chromosomal location was found in all strains of group II and of the 94,96 complex . In all strains but three (group III) the resistances to heavy metals were located on the penicillinase plasmid . Association between the penicillinase plasmid and genes coding for resistance to other antibiotics was found in one tetracycline resistant strain only . Three micro-constitutive strains had chromosomally located penicillinase gene, whereas one macro-constitutive strain contained a penicillinase plasmid.

Eur J Immunol, 1985 Dec, 15(12), 1183 - 7
Distribution of class IIDQ antigens on normal and leukemic lymphoid cells; Fermand JP et al.; The distribution of DQ as well as DR antigens was examined on lymphoid and monocytic cells at different stages of differentiation . In the B cell series, both immature and differentiating (under Staphylococcus aureus or pokeweed mitogen stimulation) B cells often lacked DQ molecules; among surface IgM+ and IgD+ cells, both DQ and DR molecules were detected except on cells from 30% of the lymphoid malignancies studied . T cells expressed DQ molecules only after stimulation; a DQ-DR+ phenotype was observed in a large number of cells after allogeneic stimulation, in certain antigen-specific T cell lines as well as in T cell lymphomas, suggesting that class II antigens had a distinct pattern of regulation . In the monocytic lineage, DQ molecules were expressed by most lymph node monocytes and only a low percentage (20%) of circulating monocytes.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Dec, 28(6), 819 - 23
Antimicrobial chemotherapy of septicemia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Cafferkey MT et al.; The outcome of treatment of 48 episodes of septicemia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 44 patients was assessed . Twenty-six of the patients died; nineteen of them died of infection, and infection was a major contributing factor to the deaths of the remaining seven patients . Fourteen of fifteen patients treated with inadequate antibiotic therapy died, and the other patient developed a mycotic aneurysm of the femoral artery, for which amputation was necessary . Eight of eleven patients treated with amikacin (alone or combined with another antimicrobial) died, and three recovered slowly; only one recovered fully without sequelae . In an additional two patients who failed to respond to amikacin, treatment was changed to vancomycin . Vancomycin was used to treat 18 episodes of MRSA septicemia in 17 patients . In 14 of these episodes the patients recovered fully . One patient died of uncontrolled infection, and in three, infection was a contributing factor but not the major cause of death . Vancomycin was confirmed as antibiotic of choice in treating MRSA septicemia.

Ann Emerg Med, 1985 Dec, 14(12), 1185 - 7
Septic arthritis in childhood; Sequeira W et al.; We studied retrospectively the pattern of septic arthritis in childhood at a major municipal hospital during a ten-year period . Hemophilus influenzae was the most common organism in septic arthritis in patients less than two years old and was associated with upper respiratory tract infections in nine of 12 patients (75%) . Staphylococcus aureus was seen in seven of eight (87.5%) children above the age of five and was associated with history of trauma . All patients were black . Despite the high incidence of sickle cell disease in our hospital population, not one patient had sickle cell disease.

Biken J, 1985 Dec, 28(3-4), 59 - 70
Cell fusion between L-forms and protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus; Hirachi Y et al.; Mixtures of various combinations of Lysostaphin protoplasts and stable L-forms of Staphylococcus aureus, which have different markers for drug resistance, were treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to examine the development of doubly resistant fusion products (fusants) . To recover doubly resistant colonies as L-forms, they were incubated in 4.5% NaCl-brain heart infusion (BHI) broth containing penicillin G (PCG) for enrichment culture and cultured in PCG-4.5% NaCl-BHI agar medium (method 1), while to recover doubly resistant fusants as L-forms and coccal forms, they were grown on reversion medium (R medium) which causes reversion of protoplasts or fusants to parent type cells, and then cultured on assay media, i.e., R medium, BHI agar medium or PCG-4.5% NaCl-BHI agar medium (method 2) . Under both experimental conditions, doubly resistant fusants developed as L-form cells by PEG treatment of pairs of protoplasts carrying the chloramphenicol (CP)-resistance plasmid and L-forms having chromosomal resistance to streptomycin (SM) . In the reverse combinations, i.e., protoplasts showing chromosomal SM-resistance and L-form cells carrying the CP-resistance plasmid, the first method gave no doubly resistant colonies . By the second method, without enrichment culture on R medium, the latter combination gave doubly resistant fusants as L-form, coccal-type and mixed-type colonial forms, while when the PEG-treated mixture was enriched on R medium, fusants were obtained exclusively as the coccal type on either R medium or BHI agar assay medium . Neither of the methods yielded colonies of doubly resistant fusants on PEG-treatment of pairs of protoplasts and L-forms both of which were chromosomal, but with different drug resistances . These results show that PEG-induced cell fusion between protoplasts and L-forms of S . aureus, unlike the fusion between protoplasts or between L-forms, resulted in transfer of the drug resistance controlled by the plasmid to the fusion products . The fusants obtained were L-forms in method 1, and coccal type in the method 2.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Dec, 260(4), 443 - 7
Inhibition of staphylococcal alpha-hemolysis by monoclonal antibodies against oligomer 12 S alpha-toxin; Amend A et al.; Oligomer 12 S alpha-toxin as well as 3 S alpha-toxoid of Staphylococcus aureus induced the formation of monoclonal antibodies (mabs) . Mabs against the 12 S alpha-toxin could be demonstrated in 31 and those against 3 S alpha-toxoid in 18 of 120 hybrid cell colonies . Each of these mab-preparations reacted with 12 S, 3 S alpha-toxin and 3 S alpha-toxoid . The reactions were more pronounced with the homologous than the heterologous toxin preparations . Mabs against 12 S alpha-toxin inhibited the hemolytic effects of native 3 S alpha-toxin as well or better than the respective polyclonal antisera.

EMBO J, 1985 Dec 1, 4(12), 3357 - 65
Transposon Tn554: complete nucleotide sequence and isolation of transposition-defective and antibiotic-sensitive mutants; Murphy E et al.; The complete nucleotide sequence of the Staphylococcus aureus transposon Tn554, which encodes resistance to erythromycin and spectinomycin, was determined by the dideoxy chain termination method . The transposon was found to be 6691 bp in length and to contain six open reading frames of greater than 125 amino acids . Small insertion and deletion mutations were obtained in each of these by in vitro mutagenesis at restriction endonuclease cleavage sites and the mutants characterized with respect to transposition functions and antibiotic resistance markers . Three of the reading frames, designated tnpA, tnpB and tnpC, encode functions that are required for transposition of Tn554; genetic analysis indicated that these three genes define distinct complementation groups of transposition-defective mutants . Two of the open reading frames correspond to the resistance determinants spc and ermA, the sixth, designated ORF, has no known function . Tn554-specific peptides corresponding to tnpA, and spc were identified in a coupled transcription-translation system in vitro.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Dec, 82(23), 8198 - 202
Influence of the human T-lymphotropic virus/lymphadenopathy-associated virus on functions of human lymphocytes: evidence for immunosuppressive effects and polyclonal B-cell activation by banded viral preparations; Pahwa S et al.; The etiologic agent for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is now firmly established as the retrovirus termed the human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) or the lymphadenopathy-associated virus, LAV . The disease is characterized by profound and progressive loss of immunity, but molecular evidence indicates that only a few cells in peripheral blood are being productively infected with this virus . In the present study we have investigated a disrupted HTLV-III viral preparation for biologic effects on normal lymphoid cells . Relatively dilute concentrations of this preparation were found to stimulate immunoglobulin secretion by peripheral blood lymphocytes; at the same dosages, the preparation was inhibitory for the B-cell differentiation responses that are induced with other known polyclonal B-cell activators, pokeweed mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus, and Epstein-Barr virus . This preparation was also inhibitory at high concentrations for T-lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytomitogens and antigens and resulted in a reduced expression of Tac antigen on phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes . Paradoxically, incubation of lymphocytes of certain healthy donors with the HTLV-III preparation alone resulted in increased expression of Tac and Leu-12 antigens . These findings show that a disrupted preparation of HTLV-III virus can mimic many of the immunologic abnormalities present in patients with HTLV-III infection . Nonviable viral proteins may be responsible for some of the immunologic perturbations that occur in HTLV-III-infected states.

Environ Res, 1985 Dec, 38(2), 389 - 99
Effects of prolonged inhalation of silica and olivine dusts on immune functions in the mouse; Scheuchenzuber WJ et al.; Immunologic responses were determined in Balb/c mice following intermittent silica or olivine inhalations for 150, 300, or 570 days . Animals dust-exposed for 570 days were tested immediately postexposure, while those exposed for 150 or 300 days were tested immediately or were rested for 30 or 150 days as a measure of possible recovery from effects of the dust inhalations . Silica inhalation suppressed the number of specific plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen produced in response to aerosolized Escherichia coli bacteria . When tested after 570 days, silica inhalation also reduced the ability of alveolar macrophages to phagocytize Staphylococcus aureus in vitro . Olivine inhalation also suppressed splenic PFCs and alveolar macrophage phagocytosis, but to a lesser degree than silica . In animals tested after 570 days of dust exposure, it was determined that the ability to lyse allogeneic tumor cells in vitro was impaired by olivine slightly more than by silica, while antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic and mitogenic responses by splenic lymphocytes were unchanged by inhalation of either dust . The effects of increased exposure periods, and of recovery periods after exposure, were confounded by age-related immunologic changes which were present after the longer exposures.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 4(6), 575 - 8
Effect of ciprofloxacin on phagocytosis; Forsgren A et al.; Certain aspects of the relationship between host defence mechanisms and the new quinoline derivative ciprofloxacin in comparison to norfloxacin and ofloxacin were studied . Ciprofloxacin did not affect chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes in agarose . In leucocytes exposed to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin neither the chemiluminescent response to opsonized zymosan and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine nor the phagocytic or bactericidal activity was affected . However, killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin was enhanced . The results show that the quinolines tested do not directly influence phagocytic cells, but a subinhibitory concentration can make bacteria more susceptible to phagocytosis and killing.

J Med Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 20(3), 325 - 33
Unusual properties of Staphylococcus aureus strains of the new epidemic phage type 95; Rosdahl VT et al.; Three hundred and seventy-one penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains of phage type 95 isolated in the years 1977-1983 were investigated . They had characteristic resistance patterns to cadmium (Cd), arsenate (As) and mercury (Hg) . Most were susceptible to all three heavy metals; 25 strains were resistant to As only and one to Cd and As . The susceptible strains had a uniform medium level of penicillinase production, whereas the As-resistant strains produced large amounts of penicillinase . In most of the strains, penicillin resistance was located on a very unstable penicillinase plasmid . The combination of rare properties found in Danish type-95 strains seems to point to the spread of one or two clones . Co-reactions with other phage groups or complexes and results of lysogenisation experiments suggest that the Danish type-95 strains are derived from strains of the 52, 52A, 80, 81 complex.

J Hosp Infect, 1985 Dec, 6(4), 429 - 33
Phage-typing of Staphylococcus aureus from cases of bacteraemia; Martin-Bourgon C; Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from 98 cases of bacteraemia from 16 different hospitals were phage-typed . Fifty-six isolates were associated with sporadic infections and 42 with hospital outbreaks . In the sporadic cases, group I strains, particularly types 29, 52, or 29/52, were very frequent (39.2%), followed by non-typable strains . Type 94/96 was also common (14.2%) . In hospital outbreaks, mixed I and III strains (multiply-resistant) were found in 73.6% and non-typable strains in 21.4%.

J Hosp Infect, 1985 Dec, 6(4), 426 - 8
Infection with methicillin-gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in a paediatric surgical unit in Lisbon; Cristino JA et al.; The first description in Portugal of the spread of a methicillin-gentamicin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MGRSA) epidemic strain in a hospital unit is reported . Ten in-patients, out of a selected group of 200, were colonized by the epidemic strain . The strain was also isolated from one burn and from the nose of three nurses . Possible reasons for the apparent reduced communicability and low virulence of the multi-resistant strain are presented.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1985 Dec, 93(6), 245 - 50
Antibodies to lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus . Specificity of murine monoclonal and human antibodies; Aasjord P et al.; Two monoclonal antibodies against staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) were made by fusing P3X63Ag8 myeloma cells and splenocytes from mice immunized with purified LTA . Both were isotyped as being IgM kappa . Their specificities were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays indicating that both antibodies reacted with the glycerol-phosphate backbone, while one of them also had some affinity for the alanyl substituent . Antibodies in serum from 7 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 7 non-MS patients apparently reacted with the sugar moiety of LTA . In contrast, CSF antibodies from 6 of the 7 MS patients and 1 of the 7 non-MS patients had affinity for the alanine residue . This non-MS patient also had serum antibodies against the alanine residue . None of the other sera tested appeared to contain such antibodies.

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1985 Dec, 33(6), 389 - 91
Prosthetic graft infections: a review of 720 arterial prosthetic reconstructions; Jensen LJ et al.; Six-hundred-and-three patients who underwent 720 vascular prosthetic graft operations caudal to the diaphragm were studied retrospectively . Wound complications appeared in 99 patients . Prophylactic antibiotics were not used . Serous secretion was found after 27 arterial graft procedures (3.8%), superficial wound infection after 41 (5.7%), and prosthetic graft infection after 31 (4.3%) . Of the 31 patients with prosthetic graft infection, 10 recovered (32%) . Four of these patients recovered after removal of the Staphylococcus aureus-infected prosthesis . Three received a replacement prosthesis with systemic antibiotic treatment and closed antibiotic irrigation, and one patient's prosthesis was replaced with an autologous vein graft with antibiotic treatment . Twelve patients (39%) underwent amputation and 9 died . The frequency of graft occlusion was greater when the prosthesis was infected with Staphylococcus aureus than with other microorganisms . The aggressive approach used in the 4 above-mentioned cases could be a treatment modality in prosthetic graft infection with Staphylococcus aureus, especially because of the high incidence of graft occlusion associated with these microorganisms.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Nov 25, 260(27), 14547 - 55
Glycosyl-sn-1,2-dimyristylphosphatidylinositol is covalently linked to Trypanosoma brucei variant surface glycoprotein; Ferguson MA et al.; The COOH terminus of the externally disposed variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of the eukaryotic pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei strain 427 variant MITat 1.4 (117) is covalently linked to a novel phosphatidylinositol-containing glycolipid . This conclusion is supported by analysis of the products of nitrous acid deamination or Staphylococcus aureus phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C treatment of purified membrane-form VSG . Lysis of trypanosomes is accompanied by release of soluble VSG, catalyzed by activation of an endogenous phospholipase C . The only apparent difference between membrane-form VSG and soluble VSG is the removal of sn-1,2-dimyristylglycerol . The COOH-terminal glycopeptide derived by Pronase digestion of soluble VSG was characterized by chemical modification and digestion with alkaline phosphatase . The results are consistent with the single non-N-acetylated glucosamine residue being the reducing terminus of the oligosaccharide and in a glycosidic linkage to a myo-inositol monophosphate that is probably myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate . A partial structure for the VSG COOH-terminal moiety is presented . This structure represents a new type of eukaryotic post-translational protein modification and membrane anchor . We discuss the relevance of this structure to observations that have been made with other eukaryotic membrane proteins.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Nov 25, 260(27), 14459 - 63
The induction and characterization of rat liver stearyl-CoA desaturase mRNA; Thiede MA et al.; Poly(A+) RNA isolated from livers of rats induced for stearyl-CoA desaturase contains elevated levels of mRNA for this enzyme which is translated in a rabbit reticulocyte system . The protein is immunologically and by peptide fingerprinting following Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion identical to the isolated enzyme and, therefore, not synthesized in a detectable larger precursor form . The desaturase mRNA is selectively translated on free cytoplasmic polysomes from rat liver and represents at least a 40-fold increase in translatable mRNA in livers of induced animals . Northern blot analysis, using a cDNA probe complementary to rat liver desaturase mRNA, demonstrated that the desaturase is encoded by a 4900-base mRNA which is elevated approximately 50-fold in induced liver.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Nov 20, 847(2), 198 - 206
Effects of canavanine on the secretion of plasma proteins by Hep G2 cells; Redman CM et al.; Many secretory proteins contain an amino-terminal propeptide extension which is removed prior to secretion . The point of cleavage is usually marked by a basic pair of amino acids containing arginine . Canavanine, an analogue of arginine, is incorporated into protein and has been shown to inhibit the proteolytic processing of several of these prosecretory proteins . The addition of 3 mM canavanine to Hep G2 cells incubated with L-{35S}methionine inhibited the secretion of 11 plasma proteins studied . Of the secretory proteins studied only albumin is thought to contain a propeptide, which is marked by a pair of arginine residues at its point of proteolytic processing . Canavanine had varying effects on the secretion of plasma proteins; ranging from a 43-53% inhibition of secretion of alpha 1 antitrypsin and alpha 1 anti-chrymotrypsin to nearly abolishing (93% inhibition) secretion of transferrin . Canavanine also caused most of the proteins studied to migrate slower on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Two of the canavanine-treated proteins (albumin and transferrin) which underwent marked changes in electrophoretic mobility were more sensitive than untreated proteins to proteolysis by Staphylococcus Aureus V8 proteinase . The slower electrophoretic migration and the greater sensitivity to proteolysis of these proteins may be attributed to marked structural changes caused by the incorporation of canavanine . This suggests that the inhibition of plasma protein secretion by canavanine is not only due to an inhibition of the processing of proteins but may be caused by structural distortions of the secretory proteins.

Biochem J, 1985 Nov 15, 232(1), 183 - 90
The amino acid sequence of a carbohydrate-containing immunoglobulin-light-chain-type amyloid-fibril protein; Tveteraas T et al.; The amino acid sequence of an amyloid-fibril protein Es492 of immunoglobulin-lambda-light-chain origin (AL) was elucidated . The amyloid fibrils were obtained from the spleen of a patient who died from systemic amyloidosis . The amino acid sequence was elucidated from structural studies of peptides derived from digestion of the protein with trypsin, thermolysin, chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase and from cleavage of the protein with CNBr and BNPS-skatole . A heterogeneity in the length of the polypeptide was seen in the C-terminal region . The protein was by sequence homology to other lambda-chains shown to be of the V lambda II subgroup . Although an extensive homology was seen, some amino acid residues in positions 26, 31, 32, 40, 44, 93, 97, 98 and 99 have not previously been reported in these positions of V lambda II proteins . The significance of these residues in the fibril formation is unclear . The protein was found to contain carbohydrate, with glycosylation sites in two of the hypervariable regions.

Cutis, 1985 Nov 15, 36(5A), 7 - 12
Update on antimicrobial therapy for otitis media and sinusitis in children; Bluestone CD; Acute otitis media and chronic otitis media with effusion are generally caused in children by the bacteria found in the nasopharynx . In growing numbers of young patients, beta-lactamase-producing strains of Branhamella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus have recently emerged as causative organisms . The antimicrobial agent selected for treatment should be effective against whatever pathogens have been associated with failures of symptomatic treatment in the community . Acute or chronic sinusitis in children is overlooked and poorly understood because so many children have frequent episodes of upper respiratory infection . To relieve acute symptoms and prevent suppurative complications, antimicrobial treatment is indicated . Children with persistent pain or fever may require surgical intervention and/or treatment with another antimicrobial agent . Recurrent acute sinusitis needs further evaluation and may be associated with a tooth abscess or cystic fibrosis.

FEBS Lett, 1985 Nov 11, 192(1), 28 - 32
Penicillin-binding proteins of beta-lactam-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus . Effect of growth conditions; Reynolds PE et al.; Methicillin-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus are intrinsically resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics in that the resistance mechanism is unrelated to the possession of beta-lactamases . We have demonstrated that a new, high-molecular-mass penicillin-binding protein (PBP) is present in these strains with a low affinity for beta-lactams and that its amount is regulated by the growth conditions . The new PBP from all strains that have been examined has an identical mobility on SDS gel electrophoresis and is the only PBP still present in an uncomplexed state with beta-lactams (and therefore the only functional PBP when these strains are grown in media containing concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics sufficient to kill sensitive strains.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Nov, 38(11), 3378 - 86
{Penetration of aztreonam and ampicillin to cerebrospinal fluid in the concomitant administration to rabbits with Staphylococcus aureus meningitis}; Okura K et al.; Aztreonam (AZT) and ampicillin (ABPC) were independently administered to 6 and 7 rabbits respectively, with S . aureus meningitis . Additionally, AZT and ABPC were concomitantly given to 6 rabbits with S . aureus meningitis . Concentrations of AZT and ABPC in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum were determined by HPLC method, and the results in concomitant treatment were compared with those for single treatment of each agent . Results were as follows: Maximum serum concentrations of AZT in concomitant treatment of AZT and ABPC were higher than those in single treatment of AZT . However, there was no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups with regard to maximum CSF concentration, percentage of AUC of CSF to serum, and T1/2 of the CSF and serum concentrations of AZT . ABPC in the concomitant treatment did not influence the CSF concentration of AZT . There was no significant difference in serum concentration of ABPC between concomitant treatment and the single one . However, the values of maximum CSF concentration, percentage of maximum CSF to serum concentration and percentage of AUC of CSF to serum in the concomitant treatment were lower than those in the single treatment of ABPC . With regard to T1/2 of CSF concentration of ABPC, there was no remarkable difference between the 2 treatment groups . The above results suggest that the distribution of ABPC into CSF is suppressed in the concomitant treatment of AZT and ABPC . AZT has no antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria . The CSF concentration of ABPC is suppressed in the concomitant treatment . Those facts suggest that AZT should be administered for meningitis cases after the identification of causative pathogens.

Bioorg Khim, 1985 Nov, 11(11), 1445 - 56
{Neurotoxins from the venom of the Central Asian scorpion Buthus eupeus}; Volkova TM et al.; Three main polypeptide neurotoxins M9, M10, M14, possessing paralytic activity in mice, have been isolated from the venom of the Central Asian scorpion Buthus eupeus . The amino acid composition of these toxins was determined . Toxins M9 and M14 were digested with trypsin, chymotrypsin, Staphylococcus aureus proteinase and cleaved with BNPS-skatole . The complete amino acid sequences of the toxins M9 and M14 were established.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 50(5), 1315 - 8
Fibronectin enhances transfection of Staphylococcus aureus; Thompson NE et al.; The factor in normal sera primarily responsible for the enhancement of transfection (and transformation) of Staphylococcus aureus was identified as fibronectin . Serum samples which were depleted of fibronectin by affinity chromatography showed a marked decrease in enhancing activity . Fibronectin isolated from sera of several animal species demonstrated enhancing activity.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1985 Nov, 59(5), 403 - 6
A note on the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from raw minced meat; Isigidi BK et al.; Conventional Baird-Parker medium (BP) and three modified BP-type media were tested for their suitability to detect and to enumerate Staphylococcus aureus in raw minced meat . BP with pig plasma gave the most rapid results without the need for extensive confirmatory tests . A method which combined a liquid modification of BP medium with BP agar supplemented with acriflavine, polymyxin and sulphamezathine, was cheaper, more sensitive, and did not necessitate additional identification . Conventional BP incubated at 37 degrees and 43 degrees C yielded less satisfactory results.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Nov, 16(5), 649 - 57
In-vivo effects of clindamycin on neutrophil function; Faden H et al.; Neutrophil functions were evaluated in 13 normal subjects who had received 300 mg of clindamycin orally four times each day for two days . The mean serum concentration of clindamycin was 1.6 mg/l . Intracellular killing of a clindamycin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus increased from 38% to 45%, P less than 0.005, during clindamycin therapy . In contrast, clindamycin therapy did not significantly alter chemotaxis, phagocytosis, chemiluminescence of neutrophils, or the ability of serum to generate chemotactic factor and opsonize particles of yeast . The potentially synergistic relationship between clindamycin and neutrophils may prove to be valuable for the treatment of staphylococcal infections in patients with defects in oxygen-dependent mechanism of neutrophil-mediated bacterial killing such as in chronic granulomatous disease.

Hautarzt, 1985 Nov, 36(11), 605 - 7
{Significance of skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis}; Hauser C et al.; In patients with atropic dermatitis, skin of normal appearance as well as skin that has undergone pathological changes is heavily colonized by Staphylococcus aureus . Studies have determined certain factors that favor this colonization . The lesions show highly elevated S . aureus counts, resulting in further damage to the skin . This finding is supported by the fact that antibacterial treatment in combination with steroids is superior to steroids alone.

Infection, 1985 Nov-Dec, 13(6), 267 - 72
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in a Dutch teaching hospital; Michel MF et al.; During a period of 21 months an analysis was made of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a teaching hospital for adults . During the observation period staphylococcal bacteremia was detected in 77 patients, i.e . in 1.83 cases per 1,000 admissions . Not less than 81.8% of staphylococcal bacteremia cases were hospital-acquired . The age-specific attack rate increased consistently from the sixth decade onwards . The male/female ratio was 1.96: 1 . If this ratio was related to the sex ratio of patients admitted to the hospital during the observation period, statistical significance was reached for the surplus of males . Staphylococcal bacteremia contributed to death in 14 of 47 patients, i.e . 18.2% . Intravascular infection was the most prevalent source of infection (25 of 77 cases, i.e . 32.5%) . Serious complications were observed in 14 cases of staphylococcal bacteremia . Eight of these patients had endocarditis and four died . Tolerance was observed with nine of 77 strains and may have influenced the reaction to antimicrobial therapy in at least one case.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Nov, 46(11), 2259 - 65
Effect of antibiotics and vehicles on bovine mammary polymorphonuclear leukocyte morphologic features, viability, and phagocytic activity in vitro; Nickerson SC et al.; Effects of antibiotics and antibiotic vehicles on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) isolated from bovine mammary glands were studied in vitro . Amikacin, dicloxacillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, lincomycin, nitrofurantoin, novobiocin-penicillin, polymyxin B, rifampin, tetracycline, or tiamulin was added to culture medium at 1 mg/ml and chloramphenicol was added at 4 mg/ml . Drug concentrations were equivalent to those detected in milk immediately after injection into the mammary gland . Vehicles included mineral oil and peanut oil, each at a dilution of 1:100 in culture medium . The PMNL morphologic features, viability, and phagocytic activity were evaluated . In comparison with the phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBSS) control, significant (P less than 0.05) alterations in normal cell morphologic features were observed in PMNL cultured with tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, erythromycin, polymyxin B, rifampin, novobiocin-penicillin, chloramphenicol, tiamulin, or peanut oil . Viabilities of PMNL cultured with chloramphenicol, novobiocin-penicillin, or tiamulin were significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced when compared with those of PBSS controls . Addition of Staphylococcus aureus to culture medium enhanced morphologic alterations and reduced viabilities of PMNL . Phagocytosis of S aureus by PMNL was significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed in medium containing novobiocin-penicillin, amikacin, rifampin, chloramphenicol, tiamulin, or peanut oil in comparison with that of PMNL incubated in PBSS.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1985 Nov, 40(5), 429 - 38
Valve replacement in patients with native valve endocarditis: what really determines operative outcome?
D'Agostino RS, Miller DC, Stinson EB, Mitchell RS, Oyer PE, Jamieson SW, Baldwin JC, Shumway NE.
The influence of 27 variables on operative mortality and late complications (defined as residual or recurrent endocarditis or late bland periprosthetic leak) was determined using discriminant analysis for 108 patients undergoing valve replacement for native valve endocarditis at Stanford University Medical Center from March, 1964, to January, 1983 . Congestive heart failure was the indication for valve replacement in 86% of patients . Aortic valve replacement was required in 68% and mitral valve replacement, in 26% . Patients were arbitrarily defined as having active (58%) or healed (42%) endocarditis . Follow-up included 515 patient-years and extended to a maximum of 19 years . Operative mortality was 15 +/- 4%, and 17 patients had late complications (linearized rate, 3.3% per patient-year) . Seven variables were significantly related to operative mortality in the univariate analysis, but only organism (Staphylococcus aureus versus all others, p = 0.0302) was a significant independent predictor of operative mortality . For late complications, only 2 of 7 significant univariate covariates proved to be significant independent determinants: organisms on valve culture or gram stain and the presence of annular abscess . Patients with S . aureus endocarditis not showing prompt response to antibiotic treatment must be considered for early operation . Similarly, timely operative intervention for patients with annular abscess will be essential in decreasing late valve infections and perivalvular leaks.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Nov, 152(5), 903 - 12
Relation between in vivo abscess localization and in vitro migration and adherence of neutrophils; Bamberger DM et al.; Rabbit peripheral blood and glycogen-stimulated peritoneal neutrophils were labeled with {111In}indium oxine and transfused intravenously into recipient rabbits with experimental abdominal abscesses due to Staphylococcus aureus . Peritoneal neutrophils harvested 4 hr after glycogen infusion localized within the abscesses to a greater extent than did peripheral blood neutrophils (P less than .002) . In an in vitro chemotaxis under-agarose assay, peripheral blood neutrophils had greater random migration (P less than .002) and directed migration (P less than .01) than did peritoneal cells . In an in vitro glass slide adherence assay, peritoneal neutrophils were more adherent than were blood neutrophils (P less than .05) . The discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro findings may be due to the increased adherence of peritoneal neutrophils . Glycogen-stimulated peritoneal neutrophils have been exposed in vivo to C5a, which is known to decrease migration and increase adherence in vitro of polymorphonuclear neutrophils; consequently, in vivo exposure of neutrophils to C5a may mean in vitro migration data may be misleading in predicting results in vivo.

J Virol, 1985 Nov, 56(2), 527 - 33
Synthesis in Escherichia coli of the reovirus nonstructural protein sigma NS; Richardson MA et al.; The coding region of reovirus type 3 genomic segment S3, encoding the nonstructural protein sigma NS, was placed under the control of the bacteriophage lambda pL promoter in the Escherichia coli expression plasmid pRC23 (J.C . Lacal, E . Santos, V . Notario, M . Barbacid, S . Yamazaki, H.-F . Kung, C . Seamans, S . McAndrew, and R . Crowl, Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . USA 81:5305-5309) . Derepression of the pL promoter led to the synthesis of a protein of the same molecular weight as sigma NS produced in reovirus-infected L cells . The expressed protein was indistinguishable from authentic sigma NS by peptide mapping with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and by immunoblot analysis . Most importantly, the purified protein had nucleic acid-binding properties similar to that previously shown for sigma NS obtained from infected cells . Binding of single-stranded RNAs by recombinant sigma NS protein was inhibited by GTP.

J Clin Invest, 1985 Nov, 76(5), 1865 - 70
Spontaneous immunoglobulin A secretion and lack of mitogen-responsive B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus; Saiki O et al.; In an analysis of lymphocyte functions of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, B cell abnormalities such as a lack of mitogen-responsive B cells and a predominance of spontaneous IgA-secreting cells (SC) were found . Lymphocyte functions of 20 SLE patients were studied . Impaired proliferative response to B cell mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I (Cowan I), was observed, whereas the response to T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin was normal . High levels of spontaneous IgA-SC were observed in SLE patients (greater than 10(2) cells/10(4) peripheral blood mononuclear cells {PBMC}), whereas spontaneous IgM-, IgG-, or IgE-SC were not proportionately increased . The number of spontaneous IgA-SC decreased with time in culture and became undetectable by day 5 of culture . In contrast, spontaneous immunoglobulin- (IgM, IgG, and IgA) SC were not observed in healthy volunteers (less than 10 cells/10(4) PBMC) . Moreover, in SLE patients failure of induction of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) was observed when B cells were stimulated by Cowan I and B cell differentiation factor at any day tested, whereas ISC were induced in healthy volunteers on day 6 of culture . Depletion of T cells or macrophages did not affect the results obtained . These results suggest that the abnormalities observed in SLE B cells are not due to the in vitro direct effects of suppressor macrophages or suppressor T cells, and that the condition of the predominance of spontaneous IgA-SC and the unresponsiveness to exogenous stimulation may be emblematic of hyperactive B cells in SLE.

J Pharmacobiodyn, 1985 Nov, 8(11), 942 - 7
Protective effect of acidic mannan fraction of bakers' yeast against Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice; Okawa Y et al.; Protective activity of an acidic fraction of bakers' yeast mannan containing protein and phosphorus, designated as WAM025, against infection of Staphylococcus aureus beta H 248 strain in mice was investigated . WAM025 elicited a marked increase in the survival ratio of mice challenged with viable cells of the S . aureus strain, 5 X 10(8) cells per mouse, when the fraction was administered to mice 150 mg/kg/d, 5 times, intraperitoneally . This effect was stronger than that of WNM, a neutral fraction of mannan obtained from the same bakers' yeast . The difference seemed to correlate with the strength of activating effects of WAM025 and WNM on the reticuloendotherial system of the host animal . WAM025 induced higher activities of serum lysozyme and carbon clearance in mice than WNM . Also, mice treated with WAM025 showed a greater increase in number and activity of oxygen-generating blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes than mice treated with WNM.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Nov, (11), 41 - 3
{Immunochemical profile of Staphylococcus aureus exoproducts}; Nosova TV; The immunochemical profile of the exoproducts of S . aureus, isolated from a suppurative focus, included two groups of antigens: cell-wall antigens and exoproduct antigens proper . Cross reactions revealed that the highest peak was identical to the preparation of staphylococcal serine proteinase whose high activity had been determined in the biochemical study of the strain.

Horm Metab Res, 1985 Nov, 17(11), 595 - 7
Determination of free-insulin in antibody containing sera: comparison of polyethylene glycol and Staphylococcus aureus cells; Hwang DL et al.; Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and killed Staphylococcus aureus cells (S . aureus) were used as agents to separate free insulin from antibody-bound insulin in diabetic sera . Insulin was determined by conventional double antibody radioimmunoassay . The free insulin values after PEG treatment were almost half of those after S . aureus treatment . The free insulin levels in high-antibody containing sera preincubated at 37 degrees C, 2 h were double the value of fresh sera . PEG treatment caused about 40% loss of total serum protein . The addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the PEG-treated serum greatly increased the immuno-reactive insulin values . This may suggest that protein concentration plays a role in insulin radioimmunoassay . PEG treatment may also enhance the interaction between free insulin and free antibodies resulting in underestimation of free insulin level.

Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1985 Nov-Dec, 57(6), 81 - 94
{Proteinases in the study of amino acid sequences in proteins}; Mishunin IF et al.; The proteolytic action of trypsin, chymotrypsin, submaxillary gland proteinases, Lys-C, Staphylococcus aureus st . V8, Armilarria mellea, Mixobacter AL-2 proteinase II, thermolysin and alpha-lytic proteinase is elucidated from the analysis of te data available on the amino acid sequence studies for above 70 proteins . Properties of a series of commercial enzymic preparations and the way of preferential application of proteinases for studying the amino acid sequence are discussed.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 22(5), 835 - 7
Inoculum size and lot-to-lot variation as significant variables in the tube coagulase test for Staphylococcus aureus; Selepak ST et al.; For a positive coagulase test with certain isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, inoculation of 0.5 ml of coagulase plasma with at least two colonies and 24 h of incubation at 35 to 37 degrees C may be required . S . aureus does not multiply in coagulase plasma . There is also lot-to-lot variation in the sensitivity of coagulase plasma . On isolates from critical specimens, a negative coagulase test obtained with an inoculum of less than two colonies should be confirmed by repeating the procedure with a larger inoculum or by using some other confirmatory test.

Dev Biol, 1985 Nov, 112(1), 248 - 52
Low-molecular-weight peptide stimulates cholinergic development in ventral spinal cord cultures; McManaman JL et al.; Skeletal muscle extract contains a previously undocumented 1300- to 1500-Da neurotrophic factor . Incubation of ventral spinal cord neurons in the presence of this factor enhances the rate of de novo acetylcholine synthesis two- to threefold over control cells, after 6 days in culture . This effect on cholinergic activity appears to be selective, since incubation with the factor results in only slight elevations of lactate dehydrogenase activity and DNA content, and no increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity . The 1300- to 1500-Da factor is acid-stable and partially sensitive to proteolysis by proteinase K, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and subtilisin, but insensitive to trypsin . These results indicate that the active moiety is a peptide . The importance of peptides as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators is well accepted, but their role in the regulation of neuronal development is not widely appreciated . The present cholinergic neurotrophic peptide is distinct from previously characterized cholinergic trophic factors and represents the first example of a small, target-derived peptide which influences cholinergic development.

Mol Cell Biol, 1985 Nov, 5(11), 3116 - 23
Detection of c-abl tyrosine kinase activity in vitro permits direct comparison of normal and altered abl gene products; Konopka JB et al.; The v-abl transforming protein P160v-abl and the P210c-abl gene product of the translocated c-abl gene in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia cells have tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity . Under similar assay conditions the normal c-abl gene products, murine P150c-abl and human P145c-abl, lacked detectable kinase activity . Reaction conditions were modified to identify conditions which would permit the detection of c-abl tyrosine kinase activity . It was found that the Formalin-fixed Staphylococcus aureus formerly used for immunoprecipitation inhibits in vitro abl kinase activity . In addition, the sodium dodecyl sulfate and deoxycholate detergents formerly used in the cell lysis buffer were found to decrease recovered abl kinase activity . The discovery of assay conditions for c-abl kinase activity now makes it possible to compare P150c-abl and P145c-abl kinase activity with the altered abl proteins P160v-abl and P210c-abl . Although all of the abl proteins have in vitro tyrosine kinase activity, they differ in the way they utilize themselves as substrates in vitro . Comparison of in vitro and in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation sites of the abl proteins suggests that they function differently in vivo . The development of c-abl kinase assay conditions should be useful in elucidating c-abl function.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Nov, 62(2), 387 - 96
Pokeweed mitogen and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I induced immunoglobulin A synthesis by lymphocytes of IgA deficient blood donors; Oen K et al.; In vitro IgA synthesis induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM), Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (STA), and combinations of STA and PWM (STA/PWM) was studied in lymphocytes of IgA deficient (sIgAd) blood donors . Cultures of T-depleted (non-T) cells with autologous or allogeneic control T, irradiated T (T), or T4 cells suggested abnormalities in non-T cell fractions in most (12/22) sIgAd donors . T cell abnormalities in themselves, detectable in six donors, did not appear to account for the failure of IgA synthesis . Repeat studies in 10 donors indicated fluctuations in in vitro IgA synthesis in four . IgA synthesis induced by STA/PWM combinations was observed in only one of eight sIgAd donors . Our findings suggest that in some donors defects leading to failure to produce IgA may not be constant and support the hypothesis of a maturation arrest in IgA+ B cells in sIgAd donors.

Scand J Immunol, 1985 Nov, 22(5), 557 - 62
Ligands of surface Ig raise cytoplasmic free Ca++ in human B cells; Clevers HC et al.; With the use of the fluorescent Ca++ indicator Quin-2, we have measured changes in intracellular calcium levels in human B cells in response to anti-Ig antibodies, to Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) or to protein A . Cells of an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed mu lambda-carrying B-cell line, AZU-1, increased free cytosolic calcium after addition of anti-mu or anti-lambda antibodies; F (ab')2 fragments with anti-mu specificity were equally effective . Fab fragments of sheep anti-Ig antibodies only induced a rise in calcium levels after addition of a second anti-sheep Ig antiserum . Cross-linking of non-Ig surface determinants did not influence calcium homeostasis . The calcium channel blockers verapamil (100 microM), nifedipine (20 microM), and LaCl3 (200 microM) inhibited the anti-mu-induced calcium influx . Peripheral blood B cells reacted in essentially the same way in response to anti-mu antibodies . The B cell mitogens protein A and Staph also induced a rise in intracellular calcium . These observations indicate that Ca++ may play a role as a messenger in the activation of human B cells via surface Ig.

Mol Immunol, 1985 Nov, 22(11), 1297 - 302
Mutual inhibition of the binding of Clq and protein A to rabbit IgG immune complexes; Laky M et al.; A complex of rabbit IgG antibody with horseradish peroxidase covalently linked to Sepharose 4B was used as an insoluble immune complex for studying the binding of complement factor C1q protein A from Staphylococcus aureus, and its IgG-binding fragments AB and B, to rabbit IgG . It was shown that protein A (mol . wt approx . 42,000) and fragments AB and B (mol . wts approx . 14,000 and 7000, respectively) inhibited the binding of C1q to insoluble immune complex at 4 degrees C . However, at 37 degrees C fragment B did not inhibit this binding . On the other hand, C1q, when bound to an insoluble immune complex, almost completely blocked the binding of protein A and fragment B at both temps . The higher affinity of C1q for its CH2-binding site than of fragment B for its CH2-binding site may explain the displacement of the latter from the CH2 domain . The mutual inhibition of the binding of C1q and protein A (and its smaller fragments) indicates that the binding sites for C1q and protein A are closely located in the CH2 domain.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1985 Nov, 69(11), 841 - 6
Role of the posterior capsule in the prevention of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis: experimental primate studies and clinical implications; Beyer TL et al.; The posterior capsule has an important effect on the risk of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis . In order to investigate whether the posterior capsule inhibited the spread of infection into the vitreous we performed extracapsular cataract extraction in both eyes of 10 primates . In one eye of each primate the posterior capsule was left intact and in the other eye a large posterior capsulectomy was performed . When the anterior chambers were challenged with equivalent inocula of Staphylococcus aureus, one of 10 eyes with an intact posterior capsule developed culture-positive vitreous infection . In contrast, nine of 10 eyes with a large posterior capsulectomy developed culture-positive vitreous infection . In a second experiment we investigated the effect of an intraocular lens on the barrier effect . Ten primates received extracapsular cataract extraction in both eyes and pseudophakic implantation . In one eye of each primate the posterior capsule was left intact and a J-loop monoplanar lens was implanted in the ciliary sulcus . In the other eye of each primate a large posterior capsulectomy was followed by implantation of a monoplanar, non-vaulted pseudophakos into the anterior chamber . None of the 10 eyes with a posterior capsule intact and a posterior chamber lens in place developed positive vitreous cultures or histopathological evidence of vitreous infection . Thus the presence of a posterior chamber lens did not appreciably compromise the barrier effect of the intact posterior capsule . 40% of the eyes with a large posterior capsulectomy and a non-vaulted pseudophakos in the anterior chamber developed culture-positive vitreous infection, and 60% of the eyes showed histopathological evidence of vitreous infection.

J Immunol, 1985 Nov, 135(5), 3138 - 43
Activation, proliferation, and differentiation of circulating B cells in autoimmune thyroid disease; Weetman AP et al.; Several studies of thyroid autoantibody production in vitro have been reported with the use of pokeweed mitogen, but the conclusions that have resulted regarding the immunoregulation of B cell function in thyroid disease are difficult to interpret due to the relatively nonphysiologic nature of pokeweed mitogen stimulation . We have therefore examined the responses of circulating B cells in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis by using a combination of lymphokines and other stimuli that act at various stages of the B cell cycle . In patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, nonspecific B cell proliferation and differentiation into IgG-secreting cells were both normal . However, a previously unsuspected heterogeneity among patients was found in their ability to produce autoantibodies in vitro . B cells of certain patients produced maximal autoantibody in response to pokeweed mitogen, some in response to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I, and some in response to the lymphokines contained in the supernatants of stimulated T cell cultures . There was no correlation between serum autoantibody levels and those achieved in vitro . Attempts to stimulate antibody production by autoantigen (thyroglobulin) were unsuccessful, even when B cells were cultured with purified autologous OKT4+ T cells to avoid potential suppressor effects in the OKT8+ population . However, OKT4+ T cells enhanced pokeweed mitogen-driven autoantibody production . Our results show that several different functional stages of B cells exist in the circulation of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, and that circulating B cells from such patients do not manifest a uniform response to B cell stimulators . This is presumably the result of differences in migration of circulating B cells and in their level of activation at the major sites of autoantibody production, such as the thyroid gland itself . In the light of these findings, caution is required in interpreting the results obtained from studies of circulating B cells as a means of elucidating the pathophysiology of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1985 Nov, 37(2), 245 - 52
The regulation of polyclonal immunoglobulin synthesis by FcR+ and FcR- monocyte subsets; Pryjma J et al.; FcR+ and FcR- monocyte subsets were added to the pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-stimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or to PBMC depleted of monocytes . The numbers of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) and cells with intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins (PC) were evaluated 6 days later . The addition of FcR- subset increased the number of ISC in cultures of PBMC stimulated with PWM and reconstituted the response of monocyte depleted PBMC . In contrast, FcR+ monocytes suppressed PWM-induced response and, when added in high dose, also that induced by S . aureus . The FcR+ monocytes suppressed the response by inhibition of immunoglobulin secretion but not the development of PC . This suggests that FcR+ monocytes may modulate humoral response by preferential inhibition of the final differentiation of B lymphocytes into ISC.

J Leukoc Biol, 1985 Nov, 38(5), 557 - 72
Activation of neutrophils by antigen-induced lymphokine, with emphasis on antibody-independent cytotoxicity; Lukacs K et al.; Incubation of bovine neutrophils with antigen-stimulated mononuclear cell supernatant (lymphokine) caused an inhibition of neutrophil migration and an enhancement of the neutrophils' ability to adhere to plastic, reduce nitroblue tetrazolium, ingest Staphylococcus aureus, and mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against chicken erythrocytes . Lymphokine-treated neutrophils also became cytotoxic for chicken, turkey and human erythrocytes in the absence of specific antibody but were not cytotoxic for bovine erythrocytes . The increase in antibody-independent neutrophil cytotoxicity (AINC) was not due to direct cytotoxic activity of the lymphokine or to a stable, soluble mediator released by the neutrophils . Enhancement of AINC, but not ADCC, required RNA and protein synthesis by the neutrophil . These results indicate that several aspects of neutrophil function can be altered by products secreted by antigen-stimulated mononuclear cells and that neutrophils can be induced to recognize and to have increased cytotoxic activity toward heterologous erythrocytes.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Nov, 28(5), 706 - 7
Comparative in vitro activity of coumermycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Meyers BR et al.; Coumermycin was the most active agent in vitro against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus when compared with fusidic acid, imipenem, rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin . The MICs of coumermycin ranged from 0.002 to greater than 4 micrograms/ml and from 0.5 to greater than 4 micrograms/ml for inocula of 10(4) and 10(6) CFU/ml, respectively . The combination of coumermycin with either cephalothin or ciprofloxacin showed some synergy; antagonism was found with gentamicin.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Nov, 28(5), 689 - 90
In vitro activity of fosfomycin, alone and in combination, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Alvarez S et al.; We tested 148 strains of clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus against fosfomycin alone and in combination with methicillin, cefamandole, gentamicin, trimethoprim, and vancomycin . Fosfomycin inhibited 90% of the 148 methicillin-resistant S . aureus strains at a concentration of 4 micrograms/ml . Synergism was observed in 97 strains (66%) with fosfomycin-cefamandole and in 69 strains (46%) with fosfomycin-methicillin . The combinations of fosfomycin with vancomycin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim were indifferent in most strains.

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1985 Nov-Dec, 4(6), 651 - 5
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at children's hospitals in the United States; Jarvis WR et al.; Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as an important pathogen in hospitalized adults in the United States, reports of MRSA in pediatric patients have been infrequent . To determine the frequency at which MRSA is isolated from children, we surveyed the directors of microbiology at all acute care children's hospitals in the United States, and 57 of 67 (85%) laboratory directors responded to a mailed questionnaire . Those not testing S . aureus for methicillin susceptibility were excluded from the analysis . Of 53 (57%) laboratory directors 30 reported that MRSA had been isolated from patients in their hospitals . Between 1973 and 1981 the proportion of hospitals isolating MRSA increased significantly; 1 of 53 hospitals reported MRSA in 1973 compared to 20 of 53 hospitals in 1981 (P less than 0.001) . Large hospitals (greater than or equal to 200 beds) reported MRSA isolates more frequently than did small hospitals (less than 200 beds) (P = 0.007) . No association was found between the isolation of MRSA and the presence of burn or intensive care units, residency training programs or rotation of residents to other hospitals . MRSA isolation varied by standard metropolitan statistical area and geographic region . These data show that the isolation of MRSA is increasing in frequency in pediatric patients and that the reporting of MRSA from children's hospitals varies by hospital size, standard metropolitan statistical area and region . Since MRSA causes significant morbidity and mortality, further studies are necessary to identify the risk factors for MRSA infections and to develop effective control measures.

Infect Control, 1985 Nov, 6(11), 445 - 50
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): risk and outcome of colonized vs . infected patients; Longfield JN et al.; A retrospective study of 204 patients culture positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus compared infected and colonized patients . Seventy-eight patients were colonized and never developed infection (C), 24 were colonized and subsequently infected (C----I), and 102 patients had 1 or more nosocomial infections with MRSA at time of first culture (I) . The most prevalent sites of infection were wound (26.5%) and blood-stream (20.7%), whereas the respiratory tract and surgical wounds were both frequent sites of colonization . Stepwise discriminant analysis found the most important factors in differentiating likelihood of colonization vs . infection were recent prior hospitalization, history of wound debridement, and number of invasive procedures . Ten percent of (C) died and 25.5% of (I) died . MRSA contributed to death in 57.6% of the (I) deaths (p less than .05) . These results underscore the importance of differentiating (C) vs . (I) in hospitals where MRSA is endemic so that early specific treatment may be initiated . Risk factors for infection should be discriminated from those for acquisition of the organism.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 22(5), 822 - 7
Autobac susceptibility testing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in an Australian hospital; Putland RA et al.; Semiautomated rapid broth elution (Autobac Multi-Test System; General Diagnostics, Div . Warner-Lambert Co., Morris Plains, N.J.) and disk diffusion tests were compared with an agar dilution breakpoint method to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of 147 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from our hospital . Although the disk diffusion method, in general, correlated well with the agar dilution tests, the overall agreement of the Autobac tests with agar dilution tests was only 79%, with many very major discrepancies occurring with clindamycin (88%), gentamicin (33%), and methicillin (15%) . When we used a 10-fold higher inoculum for the Autobac tests, all isolates were shown to be resistant to methicillin, but significant numbers of major and minor discrepancies occurred with chloramphenicol, fusidic acid, and neomycin . The majority of isolates were shown to belong to three biotypes, distinguishable by lactose fermentation, lipolysis, hemolysis, and pigment production . The antibiotic susceptibility profile of one biotype was found to be markedly different from those of the other biotypes and contained a high incidence of clindamycin susceptibility and neomycin, gentamicin, and kanamycin resistance . In contrast, the other two biotypes had a high incidence of clindamycin, gentamicin, and kanamycin resistance and neomycin susceptibility and accounted for most of the very major discrepancies in the clindamycin and aminoglycoside tests . In these methicillin-resistant S . aureus strains, discrepancies possibly may arise from partial expression of methicillin resistance, dissociated or inducible clindamycin resistance, and instability of gentamicin resistance.

Plasmid, 1985 Nov, 14(3), 255 - 60
Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARS on a plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus; Goze A et al.; Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC194 carries three sequences closely related to a consensus sequence defined previously by analysis of different genetic elements which replicate autonomously in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Two of these enable the plasmid to replicate in yeast, the third does not . A new consensus sequence A/T T T T A T R T T T, 1 bp shorter than the previous one, can be deduced from our results . Replacement of the T with G at the position 9 of the sequence abolishes its activity . The presence of the two active sequences on pC194 genome can be explained by the A + T-rich base composition of the plasmid.

Vopr Med Khim, 1985 Nov-Dec, 31(6), 127 - 32
{Restriction endonuclease Sau 6782}; Arutiuniunian EE et al.; Data are described on identification, isolation and purification of restricting endonuclease Sau 6782 as well as on estimation of the enzyme recognition site . Conditions were developed for growing of Staphylococcus aureus 6782 strain, which enabled to produce a maximal yield of the restricting activity containing minimal level of nucleases . The procedure for isolation and purification of restrictase Sau 6782 involved affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose and cation exchange chromatography on phosphocellulose PII . The enzyme preparation obtained was free from impurities of unspecific nucleases . The yield of the Sau 6782 restrictase constituted 1,000 un from 1 g of the culture cells . Restrictase Sau 6782 recognized the nucleotide sequence 5'...GATC...3' and was the isoshizomere of the Sau 3A enzyme.

Biochem J, 1985 Nov 1, 231(3), 655 - 61
An active twenty-amino-acid-residue peptide derived from the inhibitor protein of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase; Cheng HC et al.; Digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase of the inhibitor protein of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase results in the sequential formation of three active inhibitory peptides . The smallest active peptide has the sequence Thr-Thr-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Phe-Ile-Ala-Ser-Gly-Arg-Thr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Asn-Ala-Ile- His-Asp . This 20-amino-acid-residue peptide has 20-40% of the activity of the native molecule and a Ki of 0.2 nM . Inhibition, as a minimum, appears to be based upon the inhibitor protein containing the recognition sequences that dictate protein-substrate-specificity . This inhibitory peptide also has sequence homology with the phosphorylation site for a protein kinase other than the cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Nov, 152(5), 913 - 21
Isolation of components of Brucella abortus responsible for inhibition of function in bovine neutrophils; Canning PC et al.; The effects of fractions of Brucella abortus strain 2308 on functions of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were examined in vitro . Ingestion of Staphylococcus aureus and reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye by bovine PMNs were not inhibited by heat-killed B . abortus . The ability of PMNs to iodinate proteins was significantly inhibited by live or heat-killed B . abortus and supernatant from heat-killed cells but not by washed heat-killed cells . Two inhibitory components isolated from the supernatant by high-performance liquid chromatography were characterized as nucleotide-like substances with molecular weights of less than 1,000 . Inhibition of iodination by these components was concentration dependent . These results indicate that one of the mechanisms by which B . abortus may escape intracellular killing by PMNs is through the production of low-molecular-weight components that inhibit the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide antibacterial system of bovine PMNs.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Nov, 28(5), 634 - 8
Comparison of the activities of coumermycin, ciprofloxacin, teicoplanin, and other non-beta-lactam antibiotics against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from various geographical locations; Aldridge KE et al.; One hundred clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant (Metr) Staphylococcus aureus from five different geographical origins were tested for their susceptibility to 12 non-beta-lactam antibiotics by the broth microdilution technique recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards . Coumermycin and rifampin showed the highest activity with of MIC90s of 0.032 micrograms/ml for each compound . No resistance was found to coumermycin, whereas a single Metr S . aureus strain was found to be resistant to rifampin . Ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin were the next most active compounds with MIC90s of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.5 micrograms/ml, respectively . Norfloxacin was less active, with an MIC90 of 1.0 micrograms/ml . Amikacin was the most active aminoglycoside tested, whereas high levels of resistance were found to tobramycin and gentamicin . Doxycycline and chloramphenicol showed variable results . Geographical variations in results were seen with doxycycline, chloramphenicol, and aminoglycosides . Kill-curve studies showed that coumermycin, ciprofloxacin, teicoplanin, vancomycin, and rifampin were highly bactericidal; more than 90% of the inoculum was killed within 8 h.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 22(5), 828 - 34
Encapsulation and capsular types in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from different sources and relationship to phage types; Sompolinsky D et al.; The relationship of capsular types of Staphylococcus aureus to type of infection, carrier state, and phage type was studied in a collection of 477 isolates from 380 infection sites . Capsular polysaccharides were demonstrated by precipitation and agglutination with 11 monospecific antisera . When only one isolate from each infection was considered, 63% were of type 8 and 16% were of type 5 . Of all the isolates tested, over 90% were encapsulated . We did not demonstrate any marked difference in the distribution of capsular types between isolates from the blood stream or purulent processes and isolates from healthy carriers or food . Most isolates from bovine mastitis milk had nontypeable capsules . The capsular type seemed stable in culture, and encapsulation had no apparent influence on susceptibility to phages . Of 27 phage-propagating strains maintained via culture transfer on artificial media over many years, 16 (59%) produced capsules . A striking association between certain phage patterns and capsular types was demonstrated.

AJR Am J Roentgenol, 1985 Nov, 145(5), 1053 - 6
Detection of acute synthetic vascular graft infection with 111In-labeled leukocyte scanning: an animal study; Dries DJ et al.; Synthetic vascular graft infection is characterized by late diagnosis due to indolent and nonspecific symptoms . Indium-111-labeled leukocyte imaging holds promise as a diagnostic tool to identify vascular graft infection, but reported data on its accuracy are somewhat sparse and conflicting . In this study, 13 mongrel dogs received Dacron aortic interposition grafts . Seven grafts were contaminated at the time of surgery by topical ATCC Staphylococcus aureus concentrated at 10(8) organisms/ml . Six control animals received no graft contamination . All infected animals were sacrificed on the second postoperative day after 111In leukocyte scanning . The results showed a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 85% for the 111In leukocyte study in detecting early graft infections; false-positive leukocyte scans in the early postoperative period were not a problem as has been reported by others . These data indicate that leukocyte scanning for graft infection detection is likely to be clinically valuable.

J Neurosci, 1985 Nov, 5(11), 2874 - 81
Immunological uniqueness of human monoamine oxidases A and B: new evidence from studies with monoclonal antibodies to human monoamine oxidase A; Kochersperger LM et al.; Monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4; MAO) is the primary enzyme responsible for the intraneuronal degradation of biogenic amines in the central nervous system . An understanding of the physiological significance of the functional and regulatory differences between the two forms of the enzyme, MAOs A and B, would be facilitated by the availability of antibodies specific for the two forms of the enzyme . We previously isolated and characterized a monoclonal antibody (MAO B-1C2, previously designated MAO-1C2) which binds human MAO B but not A . We describe here four new monoclonal antibodies (designated MAO A-3C9, A-4F10, A-7B10, and A-7E10) which were elicited to highly purified MAO A from human placenta and which, in the presence of antimouse IgG and Staphylococcus aureus, immunoprecipitate greater than 90% of the catalytically active purified MAO A . MAO A-3C9 appears to have a lower affinity for purified MAO A than the other three antibodies and does not immunoprecipitate either MAO A or MAO B from human platelets or from Triton X-100 extracts of human placental and liver mitochondria . MAO A-4F10, A-7B10, and A-7E10 immunoprecipitate catalytically active MAO A from Triton X-100 extracts of human placental and liver mitochondria, but not catalytically active MAO B from either pletelets or from Triton X-100 extracts of human liver mitochondria . Collectively, these anti-MAO monoclonal antibodies reveal unique epitopes on human MAO A not shared by MAO B, and at least one epitope on MAO B not shared by MAO A . These immunochemical differences support the hypothesis that MAO A and MAO B are different proteins, presumably isozymes.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1985 Oct 30, 132(2), 591 - 7
Calcium-independent bacterial activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase; Alakhov VYu et al.; Ca2+-independent protein-modulator (BacM) was found in the culture medium of Staphylococcus aureus . BacM activated calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase in the same way as calmodulin . BacM was shown to be a proteolytic fragment of the exotoxin secreted by the S . aureus strain under study . The kinetic analyses of the ATPase activation by BacM and CaM were performed . These studies demonstrated that the enzyme molecule contains at least two activator-sensitive sites . Experiments on the ATPase activation by Ca2+ both in the presence and in the absence of BacM and CaM documented that CaM-ATPase and BacM-ATPase complexes can exist at low concentrations of calcium . Analysis of activation curves of ATPase by Ca2+ revealed three Ca2+-binding sites in the enzyme-activator complex.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Oct 25, 260(24), 12948 - 53
The complete amino acid sequence of trypsin inhibitor DE-3 from Erythrina latissima seeds; Joubert FJ et al.; Trypsin inhibitor DE-3 from Erythrina latissima seeds contains 172 amino acids, including 4 half-cystine residues, and resembles the Kunitz-type inhibitors . Limited hydrolysis of DE-3 with trypsin at pH 3 produced two fragments, F1 and F2, containing 63 and 109 amino acids, respectively . Amino-terminal sequence studies revealed that F1 was the N-terminal and that F2 was the C-terminal fragment . The complete amino acid sequence of fragments F1 and F2 was then determined on peptides produced by enzymatic digestion with trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . The sequence of trypsin inhibitor DE-3 from E . latissima seeds shows a high degree of homology to those of Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors from soybeans and winged bean seeds.

J Immunol Methods, 1985 Oct 24, 83(1), 169 - 77
An enzyme immunoassay for the detection of staphylococcal protein A in affinity-purified products; Dertzbaugh MT et al.; Rabbit antiserum, specific for protein A from Staphylococcus aureus, was conjugated to alkaline phosphatase and used in a double antibody solid-phase enzyme immunoassay . The assay was developed to monitor eluate from a large-scale protein A-Sepharose affinity column used to purify monoclonal antibodies for human clinical trials . The assay detected soluble protein A in the presence of immunoglobulin at concentrations as low as 4 ng/ml . Analysis of the product purified by affinity chromatography revealed the presence of protein A at ng/ml concentrations . The assay developed here can provide a reliable and convenient method for detecting soluble protein A.

J Mol Biol, 1985 Oct 20, 185(4), 681 - 7
Single amino acid mutations block a late step in the folding of beta-lactamase from Staphylococcus aureus; Craig S et al.; Two single amino acid mutant proteins of beta-lactamase PC1 from Staphylococcus aureus, P2 Thr40----Ile and P54 Asp146----Asn, have been investigated using urea-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism and sedimentation velocity . Investigation of the folded states of the mutants has shown that compared to wild-type PC1 they are slightly more expanded, and have reduced aromatic circular dichroism, but the same content of secondary structure as PC1 . The mutants exhibit fast refolding kinetics to the folded state, in contrast to PC1, which refolds only slowly . We conclude from these results that the folded mutants are in a state close to but distinct from the native state of PC1 and have certain properties in common with the compact intermediate in the folding of beta-lactamase . Therefore, these single amino acid substitutions result in a folding pathway blocked at a point located after collapse of the already folded structural units into a globular shape, and close to the final reshuffling step that leads to the native state of the wild-type enzyme.

J Mol Biol, 1985 Oct 20, 185(4), 769 - 80
Messenger RNA from Staphylococcus aureus that specifies macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin resistance . Demonstration of its conformations and of the leader peptide it encodes; Mayford M et al.; The +1 site for transcription initiation of the inducible 23 S rRNA adenine methylase encoded by plasmid pE194 was determined experimentally by nuclease S1 mapping of mRNA synthesized in vivo, and by nuclease T1 mapping of (5'-gamma-32P)-end-labeled transcripts synthesized in vitro . By partial digestion of the in vitro transcripts using S1 and cobra venom nuclease as probes of mRNA conformation, the analysis was extended to reveal single-stranded and double-stranded regions, respectively, which correspond to the critical stems and loops postulated for active and inactive conformations of the nascent mRNA . According to the model for induction, the transition from inactive to active conformation involves disruption of mRNA secondary structure which, in turn, is predicated on protracted occupancy by ribosomes complexed with erythromycin of one of the critical stem sequences . Ribosome occupancy of the critical stem sequence is due to the presence of an open reading frame that encodes part of a 19 amino acid residue "leader" peptide . The existence of this peptide, deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the control region upstream from the methylase structural gene, was demonstrated in vivo as part of a translational fusion with Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase in which the first four amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence of the fusion protein, analyzed directly by the microsequencing method, were found to comprise N-terminal amino acids 2 through 5, Gly-Ile-Phe-Ser, predicted for the leader peptide.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1985 Oct 15, 100(4), 570 - 5
Human vitreous levels of selected antistaphylococcal antibiotics; Axelrod JL et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis and S . aureus are the most common causes of bacterial endophthalmitis . A study of the penetration of selected antistaphylococcal antibiotics into human vitreous was undertaken in 58 patients . After 2-g intravenous doses of cephalothin, cefazolin, methicillin, oxacillin, or nafcillin were given to patients about to undergo vitreous surgery, mean vitreous levels for each antibiotic were as follows: cephalothin, 0.97 microgram/ml in diabetics and 0.69 microgram/ml in nondiabetics; cefazolin, 0.84 microgram/ml in diabetics and 1.6 microgram/ml in nondiabetics; methicillin, 2.56 micrograms/ml in diabetics and 2.64 micrograms/ml in nondiabetics; oxacillin, 0.62 microgram/ml in diabetics and 0.34 microgram/ml in nondiabetics; and nafcillin, 0.73 microgram/ml in diabetics and 0.75 microgram/ml in nondiabetics . Only cefazolin produced vitreous concentrations consistently above its minimum inhibitory concentration for 90% of S . epidermidis isolates . Staphylococcus aureus isolates were not similarly covered . There was a trend toward higher vitreous antibiotic concentrations in patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and rubeosis.

Cell Immunol, 1985 Oct 15, 95(2), 358 - 67
Different reactivity of activated human B cells to B-cell growth factor and interleukin 2 in the costimulation assay with anti-IgM antibody and in the preactivation assay with Staphylococcus bacteria; Almerigogna F et al.; The two main assay systems which have been developed for the study of lymphokine-mediated human B-cell proliferation, i.e., the costimulation assay with anti-mu antibody and the preactivation assay with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) bacteria, were compared . Purified interleukin 2 (IL-2), obtained by the recombinant DNA technology (r-IL-2), enhanced the proliferative response of anti-mu-stimulated human B cells in the costimulation assay with anti-mu antibody and maintained the B-cell proliferation induced by preactivation with SAC bacteria . Although the majority of T-cell clones, established from normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes, showed production of both IL-2 and B-cell growth factor (BCGF) following phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulation, some T-cell clones were found whose supernatants (PHA-SN), apparently free of IL-2, manifested strong BCGF activity in the costimulation assay with anti-mu antibody . However, the same clonal, IL-2-free, T-cell SN displayed no BCGF activity in the preactivation assay with SAC bacteria . When B cells were activated for 3 days with anti-mu antibody, followed by the addition of r-IL-2 or clonal T-cell SN containing BCGF for an additional 3 days, r-IL-2 showed the ability to maintain B-cell proliferation, whereas clonal SN containing BCGF had virtually no effect . These data indicate that the costimulation assay with anti-mu antibody explores the reactivity of normal human B cells to both BCGF and IL-2, whereas the preactivation assay with SAC bacteria, due to a shorter reactivity to BCGF of activated human B cells, essentially represents a probe for the study of IL-2-promoted B-cell proliferation.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Oct 5, 260(22), 12136 - 41
Primary structure of a DNA- and heparin-binding domain (Domain III) in human plasma fibronectin; Calaycay J et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of a DNA- and heparin-binding domain isolated by limited thermolysin digestion of human plasma fibronectin has been obtained . The domain contains 90 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 10,225 . The apparent molecular mass of this domain is 14 kDa when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis . The anomalously high molecular size estimation may be due to the inaccuracy of this method in the low range . The structure was established from microsequence analysis of the chymotryptic, tryptic, and Staphylococcus aureus protease peptides . The molecular ion of each of the chymotryptic peptides was obtained by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry . The domain has a preponderance of basic residues with a net charge of +5 at neutral pH . The basic nature of the domain may account for its affinity for the polyanions, DNA and heparin . The predicted secondary structure is beta-sheet, in common with all of the type III internal sequence homology structures obtained for fibronectin so far . The location of the domain in fibronectin was made possible by limited thermolysin digestion and identification of the fragments and by comparison of the sequence of the 14-kDa fragment with the partial structure of bovine plasma fibronectin . The domain comprises residues 585-675 and defines a region immediately adjacent to the collagen-binding domain . Numbering domains beginning at the amino terminus, this domain is Domain III after the fibrin/heparin/actin/S . aureus binding Domain I and the collagen-binding Domain II . The domain was obtained from a larger precursor (56 kDa) which bound heparin, DNA, and gelatin . Further digestion of the 56-kDa fragment gave rise to a 40-kDa fragment which only bound gelatin, and a 14-kDa fragment which only bound heparin or DNA . The 14-kDa fragment (Domain III) marks the beginning of the type III homology region in fibronectin, for there may be up to 15 repeats of 90 amino acids . The size of this domain corresponds to one repeat of 90 amino acids and it has some sequence homology to the other type III sequences found thus far in fibronectin.

Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1985 Oct, 63 ( Pt 5), 573 - 86
A conjugative plasmid encoding production of a diffusible pigment and resistance to aminoglycosides and macrolides in Staphylococcus aureus; Townsend DE et al.; A methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus, WG512, was isolated in 1968 and has been shown to harbour a plasmid, pWG14, which encodes the production of a diffusible pigment and resistance to kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, lincomycin, erythromycin and spectinomycin . Plasmid pWG14 has only been detected as a slowly migrating band of DNA during agarose-gel electrophoresis, and this was thought to be the open-circular form of the plasmid with an estimated molecular weight of 30-34 Mdal . The transfer properties of this plasmid were compared with a non-conjugative plasmid encoding tetracycline resistance and the class 2, conjugative plasmid described by Archer and Johnston (1983) . Plasmid pWG14 shared many of the conjugative properties of the latter plasmid, including the ability to transfer at high frequency on the surface of a filter membrane and to transfer between non-lysogenic strains in the absence of Ca++ and in the presence of citrate of DNase I . However, unlike the class 2 plasmid, pWG14 was able to transfer in broth culture at low frequency and did not mobilise the non-conjugative plasmid . Furthermore, the class 2 plasmid and pWG14 were shown to belong to different incompatibility groups . A derivative of WG512, which had lost the ability to produce the diffusible pigment along with plasmid pWG14 but had retained the resistance determinants of plasmid pWG14 in the chromosome, was used to demonstrate that the conjugative mechanism of pWG14 was a property of the plasmid and not the resistance determinants.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Oct, 22(4), 547 - 52
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus cell walls in experimental osteomyelitis; Jacob E et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate and compare the immunoglobulin G antibody response to Staphylococcus aureus cell walls of rabbits with either chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis or subcutaneous abscesses . Osteomyelitis of the femur was produced by the intramedullary application of a sclerosing agent (3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate) and S . aureus . Radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis was observed in 10 of the 13 animals that survived the 10-week experimental period, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology in 8 of the 10 instances . Abscess formation was initiated in a separate group of rabbits by the subcutaneous injection of S . aureus cells . All 10 of these rabbits subsequently developed abscesses, which usually resolved spontaneously within 3 to 5 weeks . Elevated levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies to the cell wall antigen were detected in 7 of 10 rabbits with osteomyelitis at 21 days postinfection, and these animals continued to display high antibody levels even at 59 days postinfection . In contrast, elevated levels of anti-cell-wall antibodies were only detected in 1 of 10 rabbits with subcutaneous abscesses . The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found to be a rapid and sensitive serological technique for the detection of cell wall antibodies in this experimental osteomyelitis model and may be useful for the diagnosis of staphylococcal bone infections in humans.

Rev Med Interne, 1985 Oct, 6(4), 455 - 61
{Current treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections}; Bernard E et al.; The Staphylococcus aureus infections seen in general practice still respond relatively well to the usual treatments, including penicillin M, first generation cephalosporins or synergistins . Those seen in hospitals are highly resistant to oxacillin (14 to 43 h depending on individual hospital units) and should be treated from the start with major antistaphylococcal drugs, such as vancomycin, fosfomycin in combination therapy or pefloxacine.

Pediatr Res, 1985 Oct, 19(10), 1044 - 7
Susceptibility of human and porcine neutrophils to hypothermia in vitro; Sung Y et al.; Hypothermia may contribute to serious life-threatening infections . An experimental model has been established in pigs in order to study the effects of hypothermia on host bacterial defenses . The function of blood neutrophils from pigs and humans was examined in vitro at 37 and 29 degrees C . Bacterial killing of Staphylococcus aureus 502A by human neutrophils after 90 and 180 min incubation at 29 degrees C was reduced to 76 +/- 6% and 83 +/- 7% of killing at 37 degrees C . Porcine neutrophil killing was similarly reduced at 90 min (72 +/- 9%) and remained significantly impaired after 180 min (52 +/- 11%) . Phagocytosis of ORO-DP-LPS particles by human neutrophils after 5 min at 29 degrees C was 40 +/- 5% of that at 37 degrees C and only 55 +/- 7% after 15 min by which time maximum phagocytosis had occurred at 37 degrees C . Porcine neutrophils ingested significantly less ORO (68 +/- 8%) after 5 min at 29 degrees C and reached normal values by 15 min . Stimulation of hexose monophosphate pathway in human neutrophils for 20 min at 29 degrees C was only 13 +/- 5% of that at 37 degrees C and required 2 h of stimulation to reach normal values . Porcine cells were reduced to 74 +/- 9% after 20 min incubation and reached normal values by 30 min . Directed neutrophil migration as assessed under agarose was impaired for both human (39 +/- 6%) and porcine (20 +/- 4%) neutrophils at 29 degrees C compared to 37 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Parasitol, 1985 Oct, 71(5), 530 - 4
Inhibition of specific antibody binding to adult male Schistosoma mansoni by adsorbed host serum components; Rasmussen KR et al.; The ability of anti-schistosome antibody to bind to adult male Schistosoma mansoni was studied, using fluoresceinated Staphylococcus aureus to detect specific antigen-antibody interaction at the parasite's surface . Both freshly perfused parasites and parasites which had had their adsorbed host antigens removed by elution were employed in a series of experimental manipulations to ascertain under what conditions specific antibody binding occurs and what conditions or factors are necessary for the parasite to reconstitute its surface so that specific binding is precluded . Neither normal mouse serum nor normal mouse IgG bound in a specific manner to either fresh or eluted worms . Slight binding was noted with immune mouse serum on both fresh and eluted worms, while immune IgG produced weak binding on fresh worms, but strong binding to eluted worms . This strong binding was reduced to the level seen on fresh worms by pre-incubation of the eluted worm in normal IgG prior to incubation in immune IgG and binding was completely negated by pre-incubation in either normal mouse serum or normal mouse serum minus IgG . The binding of immune IgG to eluted worms was not diminished by pre-incubation in mouse albumin, bovine albumin, or fetal bovine serum . These studies demonstrate that adsorbed host serum components can inhibit specific antigen-antibody interaction at the parasite's surface and suggest that a degree of specificity exists in what the parasite adsorbs from the host . These data further suggest that the protective serum factor or factors may include, but are not limited to, host IgG.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1985 Oct, 100(10), 504 - 6
{Experimental staphylococcal sepsis}; Shimkevich LL et al.; Experimental staphylococcal sepsis has been examined in the model suggested by the authors . Staphylococcus aureus culture in a 10% CaCl2 solution was injected intramuscularly to 230 adult albino rats . Fundamental signs of sepsis have been revealed: increased mortality (up to 28% in rats weighing 120-140 g) from day 1 to day 45 after infection, development of local infectious foci, bacteremia, septicemia and septicopyemia . The authors describe severe dystrophic changes in septic emboli and bacterial colonies in different organs.

Surgery, 1985 Oct, 98(4), 816 - 23
Bacterial adherence to endothelial-seeded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts; Rosenman JE et al.; Since infections of an arterial prosthesis pose a serious threat to life and limb, efforts to produce a graft that is resistant to hematogenous bacteremia continue . We studied the effect of endothelial seeding on bacterial adherence to polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in a canine model . Enzymatically derived venous endothelial cells were seeded in 10 cm long, 4 mm inner diameter polytetrafluoroethylene grafts, which were then implanted as carotid interpositions opposite contralateral unseeded controls . After 4 to 8 weeks, each dog received an intravenous infusion of 3 X 10(8) radiolabeled Staphylococcus aureus . Seeded grafts had significantly fewer adherent viable bacteria than had control grafts (mean, 432 versus 989; p less than 0.05) and significantly fewer radiolabeled bacteria (mean, 2 X 10(5) versus 8 X 10(5); p less than 0.05) . Seeded grafts also had significantly more thrombus-free, luminal surface area than had control grafts (mean, 72% versus 40.6%; p less than 0.05) . Scanning electron microscopy and autoradiography of seeded grafts confirmed that the sites of bacterial adherence largely corresponded to accumulations of surface thrombus . In this experiment, endothelial seeding appeared to protect against bacterial adherence after a hematogenous challenge 4 to 8 weeks after implantation by reducing luminal thrombi.

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