Bacteriological

Eur J Epidemiol, 1991 May, 7(3), 207 - 12
Molecular biology of rickettsiae; Winkler HH; Our understanding of the biology of the rickettsiae, organisms that are the archetype of the obligate intracytoplasmic bacterial parasites, remains muddy and fragmentary . For example although we all appreciate that the rickettsiae can exploit their unique environment, the host cell cytoplasm, but are unable to grow axenically, the basis of this fact is still one of microbiology's central mysteries . It is unfortunate, but true, that because of the inherent difficulty of working within this system, progress on the answers to such questions will be slow and laborious . However, with the application of molecular biological methods, that is, the powerful modern approaches of genetics and biochemistry, the rickettsiology community has the realistic prospect that this field is far from being at a stand-still and that significant increases in our comprehension of the fundamental problems of rickettsial biology are occurring and will continue to occur at ever accelerating rates . Some examples, both in terms of scientific conclusions and technical approaches, of the progress made in recent years and expectations for the near future will be presented.

J Dairy Sci, 1991 May, 74(5), 1561 - 72
Temporal patterns of lost milk production following clinical mastitis in a large Michigan Holstein herd; Bartlett PC et al.; Cows with three hundred and sixteen cases of clinical mastitis were sampled by microbiologic culture during a 6-mo period on a 1700-cow Michigan Holstein dairy farm . Daily milk weights were obtained on all cows before clinical onset and for 60 d after onset . Predicted post-mastitis production, projected on the basis of premastitis production and the lactation curves of contemporary non-mastitic herdmates, was compared with actual daily milk production during the 60 d following clinical onset . Cows experiencing clinical mastitis produced approximately 341 kg less salable milk during the 60 d after clinical onset compared with projected production . This milk loss included both decreased production and milk withheld from market following antibiotic treatment . Pluriparous cows lost 2.06 times as much milk as first lactation cows, and cows with mastitis occurring before 150 d in lactation lost 1.40 times as much milk when compared with other cows . Cows with mastitis occurring in the winter showed a milk loss 1.37 times greater than cows with mastitis in summer . The identity of the mastitis agent isolated from the clinical case was not strongly associated with the drop in milk production in the 60 d following clinical onset.

Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1991 May, 24(2), 221 - 8
{Improvement of the EIA kit for the detection of tetanus immunoglobulin in human sera}; Lee HF et al.; For the program to eliminate tetanus neonatorum in this country, we have improved the sensitivity of enzyme immunoassay kit (EIA kit) prepared on 1987 for the detection of human tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) by competitive principle . (Chinese J Microbiol Immunol 1987; 20: 269-278) Horse-radish peroxidase-conjugated to tetanus toxoid monoclonal antibody was involved in the new kit, and tetanus hybridoma clones were prepared by this laboratory . The lowest detectable TIG level is 0.05 IU/ml serum instead of 0.1 IU/ml serum . The dose-response curve and cut-off determination system of the new EIA kit are better than those of the original one . We proposed that the newly designed EIA kit could be used for understanding the TIG level in women who are in the age group for giving birth and in the tetanus vaccination group.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1991 May, 95(5), 653 - 9
Pediatric fine-needle aspiration biopsy; Silverman JF et al.; A total of 135 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies from varying sites were performed in 123 children (mean, 10.5 years; range, one day to 18 years) over a five-year period . One hundred thirty (96.3%) biopsy specimens were satisfactory for evaluation . Seventy-nine cases were nonneoplastic (60.8%); among these cases, a specific diagnosis of infectious disease was made in 17 (13.1%) . A diagnosis of neoplastic disease was made in 50 (38.5%) cases, of which 14 (10.8%) were benign, 28 (21.5%) were malignant, and 8 (6.2%) were neoplasms of uncertain biologic potential . The sensitivity of pediatric FNA biopsies was 90.6%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 94.7%, and efficiency of the test 96.5% . There were no false-positive diagnoses and there were four false-negative diagnoses, three of which involved aspirates of the central nervous system (CNS) . Ancillary studies, including immunocytochemistry (20 cases), electron microscopic examination (18 cases), microbiologic culture (8 cases), cytogenetic studies (7 cases), and flow cytometry (3 cases), were performed on the aspirated material, enabling a more specific diagnosis or supplying additional information in many cases . Definitive diagnosis by FNA biopsy enabled radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to be administered for unresectable malignant neoplasms, provided material for culture of infectious lesions, identified benign lesions not needing surgery, and aided the surgeon in planning the extent of surgery in resectable malignant neoplasms . These results support the greater use of FNA biopsy in the pediatric population.

Therapie, 1991 May-Jun, 46(3), 201 - 4
{Clinical trials in dermatology . Evaluation of the tolerability and efficacy of a topical antifungal agent in the treatment of superficial mycoses}; Queille-Roussel C et al.; There is no single method for evaluating topical antifungal drugs . The localisation and the type of fungal, determine the treatment duration (from few days to several months) . The main methodological characteristics of clinical trials in tinea pedis treatment (athlete's foot type) are reported . Aspects related to other clinical forms such as tinea versicolor and onychomycosis are also described . In any case, the main criteria of activity remains the mycological examination based on KOH microbiology and culture performed at the end of the treatment and again afterwards.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1991 Apr 2, 1063(2), 247 - 52
Nucleotide and DNA uptake by Neurospora crassa: involvement of an uptake stimulating protein; Toth G et al.; The basal and DUSF (DNA-uptake-stimulating factor, described previously by Schablik and Szabo (1981) FEMS Microbiol . Lett . 10, 395-397) stimulated uptake of {3H}DNA and radioactive nucleotides by Neurospora crassa (FGSC 1118, slime) cell-wall-less strain was studied . The uptake of {3H}DNA by the cells is a saturable and time-dependent process . The pH and temperature optimum for {3H}DNA uptake are pH 7 and 27 degrees C, respectively . Both basal and DUSF-stimulated uptake of {3H}DNA are inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol and iodoacetic acid . The inhibition of the basal uptake of {3H}DNA by cycloheximide is greater than the DUSF-stimulated uptake . The DUSF enhanced not only DNA-uptake but also that of the oligonucleotides and mononucleotides . DUSF binds both macromolecular {3H}DNA and {14C}AMP, and there might be competition between nucleotides and DNA for the binding to DUSF . Polyclonal antibodies prepared against DUSF inhibited both basal and DUSF-enhanced {3H}DNA uptake . DUSF was detected by immunoblotting among the proteins isolated from purified N . crassa cell-membranes . DUSF might be a receptor protein for DNA and nucleotides in the cell-membrane of N . crassa and play a role in DNA and nucleotide uptake.

J Oral Pathol Med, 1991 Apr, 20(4), 191 - 5
Aureobasidium infection of the jaw; Koppang HS et al.; A 32-yr-old white North American male resident of Norway presented with an asymptomatic radiolucency first identified 3 yr after the removal of an impacted mandibular right third molar in Southern California 16 yr previously . Surgical exploration revealed an intraosseous cavity filled with a black, homogeneous, gelatinous substance thought to be foreign material, but which was diagnosed histologically as containing black yeasts . Cultivation of a microbiologic sample for 6 wk grew black yeast-like colonies . The yeast isolate was identified as an Aureobasidium species different from the typical A . pullulans . A blood sample was negative with regard to antibodies both with double diffusion technique and ELISA . Also, examination with respect to dermatologic manifestations gave negative results . Flucytocin 10 g/d was administered systemically for 30 d . Six months postoperatively bone regeneration was satisfactory radiologically.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1991 Apr, 19(2), 107 - 11
Study of lead and cadmium content of surface enamel of schoolchildren from an industrial area in Belgium; Cleymaet R et al.; The amount of lead and cadmium was determined in surface enamel from permanent teeth of schoolchildren by means of an acid etch surface enamel microbiopsy method . Lead and cadmium levels were calculated on the amount of etched enamel . A comparison of the concentrations of these heavy metals was made between children (7 and 11 yr) from a school close to a non-ferrous metal plant and children from the same age group from a school situated nearby the same plant but in a zone polluted to a lesser degree . The lead concentrations in enamel biopsies from the first group were significantly higher than those from the second group . Cadmium shows the same trend but on a much lower level . A significant correlation between lead and cadmium was also found in both groups.

J Surg Res, 1991 Apr, 50(4), 403 - 9
Suppression of lymphocyte proliferation through the nitric oxide synthesizing pathway; Albina JE et al.; The amino acid L-arginine can be metabolized through a nitric oxide-synthesizing pathway (NOSP) to produce L-citrulline and reactive nitrogen intermediates . Among these nitrogen intermediates, NO has been implicated as the mediator of a variety of biological effects including vasodilatation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, tumor cytotoxicity and microbiostasis by activated macrophages and generalized suppression of macrophage functions . Work reported here demonstrated that the NOSP is expressed in Con A-stimulated rat splenic cell (SC) cultures and is associated with a profound suppression of lymphocyte proliferation . Inhibition of the NOSP by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (N-MMA) or binding of its products by hemoglobin, either free in solution or contained in RBC, markedly promotes rat SC mitogenic response to Con A . Mouse SC do not express the NOSP under the conditions used in these experiments . Consequently, their mitogenic response to Con A is not affected by N-MMA or hemoglobin . These data confirm and expand the apparent role of NO as a regulator of immune responses while indicating potentially important species differences.

J Vasc Surg, 1991 Apr, 13(4), 496 - 502
Endovascular management of arterial intimal defects: an experimental comparison by arteriography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasonography; Neville RF Jr et al.; To determine the feasibility of the endovascular management of intimal defects while comparing the accuracy of arteriography with angioscopy and intravascular ultrasonography, we developed an in vivo model of arterial intimal flaps . In 10 superficial femoral arteries of five anesthetized mongrel dogs, intimal flaps were constructed and then imaged by arteriography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasound . A flexible microbiopsy forceps was used to remove each intimal flap under angioscopic guidance . Arteriographic lumen diameters were measured and cross-sectional areas calculated . Corresponding measurements by angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound with reduction in luminal area at the flap were obtained by use of computerized planimetry . Uniplanar arteriography identified 60% (6/10) of the intimal flaps, whereas angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound demonstrated 100% . Lumen diameter (in millimeters) measured by arteriography (3.4 +/- 0.6) correlated significantly with measurements by angioscopy (3.5 +/- 0.5, r = 0.77) and intravascular ultrasound (3.5 +/- 0.6, r = 0.96) . Similarly, lumen area (square millimeters) by arteriography (9.2 +/- 2.9) correlated with measurements by angioscopy (8.9 +/- 2.2, r = 0.82) and intravascular ultrasound (8.6 +/- 2.7, r = 0.91) . Reduction in lumen area by the flap by angioscopy (37 +/- 7%) and intravascular ultrasound (33 +/- 8%) also correlated significantly (r = 0.72) . The intimal flaps were removed successfully in all 10 arteries as confirmed by arteriography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasound . We conclude that the endovascular management of intimal defects is possible . Additionally, angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound accurately evaluate lumen diameter and area while providing direct assessment of intimal defects.

Chest, 1991 Apr, 99(4), 923 - 7
A multivariate analysis of the risk of pulmonary complications after laparotomy; Hall JC et al.; We evaluated the relationship between PPC and various putative risk factors in a prospective longitudinal study of 1,000 patients undergoing abdominal surgery . Transient subclinical events were excluded by defining PPC as positive clinical findings in combination with either positive sputum microbiology, unexplained pyrexia, or positive chest roentgenographic findings . The overall incidence of PPC was 23.2 percent (232/1,000) . Multivariate analysis identified seven factors which were associated with PPC: ASA classification greater than 2, upper abdominal surgery, residual intraperitoneal sepsis, age greater than 59 years, BMI greater than 25, preoperative hospital stay greater than 4 days, and colorectal or gastroduodenal surgery (overall F score = 33.5, p less than 0.0001) . The ASA classification was the most powerful indicator of risk in both the univariate and the multivariate analyses . The combination of ASA classification greater than 1 and age greater than 59 years identified 88 percent (205 of 232) of the patients who developed PPC . These findings provide clinicians and clinical investigators with a simple means of identifying patients who are at high risk of PPC after abdominal surgery.

J Virol, 1991 Apr, 65(4), 2113 - 8
Defective retroviruses can disperse in the human genome by intracellular transposition; Tchenio T et al.; Using an assay for retrotransposition detection (T . Heidmann, O . Heidmann, and J . F . Nicolas, Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . USA 85:2219-2223, 1988), we demonstrated that a defective retrovirus deleted for the gag, pol, and env open reading frames can disperse in the genome of human HeLa cells by intracellular transposition, at a frequency close to 10(-6) events per cell per generation . Transposition requires cooperation in trans for the gag and pol gene products and may be associated with the release of low amounts of noninfectious retroviruslike particles which are the hallmarks but not the intermediates of this transposition process . Similar events could account for the dispersion at high copy number of some of the human endogenous sequences related to retroviruses and for the occurrence of noninfectious retroviruslike particles in human placenta and several tumor cell lines (reviewed by E . Larsson, N . Kato, and M . Cohen, Curr . Top . Microbiol, Immunol, 148:115-132, 1989).

J Clin Microbiol, 1991 Apr, 29(4), 824 - 6
Reliability of two new test kits for rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection; Rothbarth PH et al.; Two new rapid enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for detecting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Directigen (Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems) and TestPack (Abbott Diagnostics) were compared with virus isolation and direct immunofluorescence by using fresh specimens . The sensitivities of both EIAs were low (72 to 73%), but when initial specimens were used, TestPack had a high sensitivity (92%) in contrast to that of Directigen (76%) . Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, TestPack can be used for diagnosis of RSV in acute disease.

J Clin Microbiol, 1991 Apr, 29(4), 689 - 95
Detection of Helicobacter pylori by using the polymerase chain reaction; Valentine JL et al.; A 1.9-kb cloned fragment of chromosomal DNA randomly selected from a Helicobacter pylori cloned library was evaluated as a potential probe . The probe detected 19 of 19 H . pylori strains and yielded a specificity of 98.7% when tested against 306 other bacterial strains representing 32 different species . False-positive results with non-H . pylori strains were due to the presence of contaminating vector sequences . A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed by using 20-base oligonucleotide primers homologous to a portion of the 1.9-kb fragment . The PCR assay amplified a 203-nucleotide-pair product which was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization by using a third 20-base 32P-labeled oligonucleotide complementary to a region of DNA between the primers . The PCR assay was 100% sensitive, detecting all 35 H . pylori strains tested, and did not amplify sequences in several closely related species . The assay was sensitive for as little as one copy of the cloned plasmid DNA or 100 H . pylori bacterial cells . To evaluate the PCR assay for clinical samples, gastric biopsy and aspirate specimens were tested by PCR, and the results were compared with those of microbiologic culture and histologic examination . In fresh biopsy specimens, H . pylori sequences were detected by PCR in 13 of 14 (93%) positive tissues and 0 of 19 negative tissues . In gastric aspirate specimens, 11 of 13 (85%) positive tissues were positive by PCR . H . pylori DNA was detected in 1 of 14 aspirate specimens negative by culture, histology, and PCR of the accompanying biopsy tissue . PCR is a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the detection of H . pylori.

Math Biosci, 1991 Apr, 104(1), 49 - 58
Estimation of the thermal coefficient in the decline of a bacterial population under heat stress; Wiggins AD; The "most probable number" (MPN) technique for estimating numbers of bacteria in suspensions is well known and has been used for decades by microbiologists, food researchers, and other laboratory scientists . A related procedure, involving an infinite number of serial dilutions at each of times ti, i = 0,1,...,n, is considered, and the joint probability law of the index numbers of the last tubes showing growth at these times is derived through use of probability-generating functions . Maximum likelihood estimates of the initial density lambda and the thermal death rate mu are computed . Another estimate, mu, of mu is given, using a simple weighting scheme . Finally, the thermal death time (TDT) is estimated by D = (1n 10)/mu.

J Hosp Infect, 1991 Apr, 17(4), 279 - 85
The use of bacteriophage MS2 as a model system to evaluate virucidal hand disinfectants; Jones MV et al.; A model system which would closely reflect the resistance of poliovirus but could be easily performed in any microbiology laboratory would offer considerable advantages for rapidly screening hand decontamination products . The use of the bacteriophage MS2 as a simple model for virucidal testing has been evaluated . In suspension tests the sensitivity of MS2 to alcohols, organic acids and alkalis generally reflected that observed in studies using poliovirus . MS2 could be applied and recovered from the hands of volunteers with high efficiency . Furthermore MS2 proved to be a suitable replacement for Escherichia coli in a standard hand-decontamination test.

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1991 Mar, 51(3), 171 - 7
{Microcolpohysteroscopy}; Borsch C et al.; Microcolpohysteroscopy (MCH) is a method of contact microscopic examination of the ecto- and endocervical epithelium after in vivo staining . To investigate the capability of this procedure, to visualise exactly and identify the margins of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN), 85 patients with pathological pap smears and two patients with suspicious colposcopy were examined by MCH, microbiopsy from suspicious areas of epithelium and subsequent histology . The ability of MCH to identify and demarcate CIN lesions was verified . It would appear, that using this method, the therapy of higher-grade CIN can be tailored more adequately to the size of the lesion without loss of reliability in respect of the completeness of excision.

J Clin Pathol, 1991 Mar, 44(3), 257 - 8
Audit of turn-around times in a microbiology laboratory; Rogers S et al.; To determine the turn-around time in a microbiology laboratory a survey form was designed to collect data on the origin and type of specimen and the dates and times when (i) the sample was taken; (ii) the specimen was received in the laboratory; (iii) the report was signed by the microbiologist; (iv) the report was sorted by the laboratory clerical staff; and (v) the final report was received on the ward . The cumulative time from sampling to a result arriving on the ward was 51.5 (SD 28.6) hours . The survey is a simple method of determining turn-around time and high-lighted minor deficiencies in the service which were easily rectified.

J Pediatr, 1991 Mar, 118(3), 359 - 63
Gastrointestinal dysfunction and disaccharide intolerance in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus; Yolken RH et al.; Because gastrointestinal dysfunction is a major problem in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, we utilized breath hydrogen measurements to determine the relationship between disaccharide malabsorption and gastrointestinal dysfunction in HIV-infected children . We found a strong association between lactose intolerance and persistent diarrheal disease in this population (p less than 0.007, Mann-Whitney U test) . We also found evidence of sucrose malabsorption and persistent diarrheal disease in three of the children . Extensive microbiologic evaluations failed to reveal an etiologic agent related to the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms . Our findings indicate that disaccharide intolerance is a common occurrence in HIV-infected children with persistent diarrheal disease . Careful attention to dietary intake may be required to ameliorate clinical symptoms and to maintain adequate nutrition.

Obstet Gynecol, 1991 Mar, 77(3), 431 - 5
Amoxicillin treatment of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy; Duff P et al.; The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of amoxicillin for treatment of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy . The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was established by clinical examination and microscopic examination of a Gram stain and saline preparation of vaginal secretions . In a double-blind, randomized manner, 108 patients at 15-25 weeks' gestation were assigned to treatment with oral amoxicillin, 500 mg three times daily for 14 days, or placebo . Patients were evaluated 2 weeks after treatment, at 34-36 weeks' gestation, and at delivery . There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to any clinical or microbiologic measure of treatment outcome . There were also no significant differences in the frequency of obstetric complications . We conclude that amoxicillin is not effective therapy for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women.

J Commun Dis, 1991 Mar, 23(1), 38 - 40
Seroprevalence of HIV infection in Himachal Pradesh; Thakur TS et al.; Serum samples from 2645 individuals representing all the twelve districts of Himachal Pradesh were screened for antibodies to Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), employing ELISA test . These were categorised into four major high risk groups, viz, patients attending STD clinics (1305), voluntary blood donors (1012), hospital staff dealing with blood and blood products (200) and foreign nationals (128) . No evidence of HIV infection was found in Himachali population . Two foreign nationals were repeatedly found positive for HIV antibodies by ELISA test and these were confirmed by Western Blot techniquePIP: Between November 1986-March 1990, microbiologists from the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India used the ELISA technique to test 2645 serum samples for HIV . HIV positive samples were confirmed with the Western Blot technique . The samples were classified into 4 groups: individuals at sexually transmitted disease clinics, voluntary blood donors, hospital staff who handle blood and blood products, and foreign nationals . 77% were males . 1 individual sampled was a eunuch . Only 2 people tested positive for HIV . Both were male Canadians . 1 was a heterosexual with multiple partners and had been in Africa, China, France, Nepal, and Tibet . He went to the outpatient department of the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Shimla with a 4 month history of bloody diarrhea . Hospital staff found lymphadenopathy and consolidation of the right paracardiac border . The 2nd HIV positive foreign national presented at the District Hospital in Kullu with loss of appetite and weight . He later developed persistent diarrhea . Clinicians had earlier diagnosed cancer of the stomach, gross malnutrition, and peripheral neuropathy . Hospital staff did not follow up on these 2 Canadians . Even though none of the people from Himachal Pradesh tested positive for HIV, the fact that 2 foreign tourists were HIV positive poses a potential threat for the spread of HIV among these people . Other studies has shown the HIV infection has indeed been introduced in India from foreign nationals from USA, Canada, Germany, and Africa .

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1991 Mar, 104(3), 384 - 8
Invasive Chrysosporium infection of the nose and paranasal sinuses in an immunocompromised host; Levy FE et al.; Aggressive fungal rhinosinusitis with Chrysosporium sp . occurred in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia . The infecting organism is an exceedingly rare human pathogen . Usually, human chrysosporial infections are mild and unmarked by symptoms . Most case reports appear in the pathology literature and describe the incidental finding of adiaspores in the pulmonary parenchyma at autopsy . Clinical disease from active growth of chrysosporial mycelia in human tissues has been noted on a porcine aortic valve prosthesis and in a tibial abscess . Hyphal elements were not recovered from any other body parts of these patients . Histopathologic and microbiologic studies permitted the identification of this rarely encountered organism . Our patient experienced systemic spread of Chrysosporium organisms . Treatment of this pathogen is the same as for other opportunistic fungal infections.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1991 Mar, (3), 21 - 4
{The spatial structure and hierarchy of the ecological groups in the skin microbiocenosis of the breasts}; Sytnik SI; In 120 nulligravidae, 175 pregnant women and 280 puerperants the skin microbiocenosis of mammary glands was studied . Its horizontal structure, the types of the distribution of different ecological groups over the surface of the biotope and their hierarchy, as well as the diversity of species at different anatomical areas, were described . The study showed that the representatives of resident flora were characterized by group distribution, while for transitory flora variations from occasional distribution in nulligravidae to group distribution in nursing mothers were noted . The most pronounced changes in hierarchy were observed in puerperants . In nursing mothers a significant increase in the diversity of species at different anatomical areas were also disclosed.

Voen Med Zh, 1991 Mar, (3), 59 - 60
{Methods for ensuring the apyrogenic quality of injection solutions in hospital pharmacies}; Eroshevskii AA et al.; The existing technology of water production cannot protect injections and solutions from foreign substances . The main ways of the solution contamination are: microbiotic pollution of distilled water, air and manmade pollution . The article deals with a problem of removing pyrogenic substances from parenteral solutions . A special attention is paid to the methods of electrofiltration and ultrafiltration by means of a membrane filter (Soviet production) . The authors emphasize the importance of a strict control over pyrogenic tests of injections . The appropriate factory facilities and essential hygienic and sanitary conditions in manufacturing injections will rule out the possibility of its microbiotic pollution.

J Bacteriol, 1991 Mar, 173(5), 1813 - 6
Precise mapping of the rnpB gene encoding the RNA component of RNase P in Escherichia coli K-12; Komine Y et al.; In Kohara's library derived from Escherichia coli K-12 W3110 (Y . Kohara, K . Akiyama, and K . Isono, Cell 50:495-508, 1987), multiple copies of chromosomal sequence are found at 68 and at 64 to 65 min (M . Umeda and E . Ohtsubo, J . Mol . Biol . 213:229-237, 1990) . We have determined that the rnpB gene (previously mapped at 70 min {B . J . Bachmann, Microbiol . Rev . 54:130-197, 1990}) is located within these segments of repeated sequences as five separate copies, together with tdcA, B, C, and R (mapped at 68 min {Bachmann, 1990}) and six unidentified open reading frames . Since close linkage of rnpB and tdc is found in various strains of E . coli K-12, the rnpB gene should be mapped at 68 min rather than 70 min.

Rev Clin Esp, 1991 Feb, 188(2), 83 - 4
{Nocardiosis in a patient with AIDS}; Marin Casanova P et al.; A young drug addict with positive anti-HIV antibodies, OKT4/OKT8 ratio below 1, oropharingeal candidiasis and pulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection, dies due to a cerebral abscess with a septic status . The postmortem microbiologic study shows pulmonary abscesses and Nocardia asteroides is isolated from lung tissue and spinal fluid . We note out the rareness of this pathology and its relation to AIDS.

Ophthalmic Surg, 1991 Feb, 22(2), 98 - 101
Surgical treatment for a case of postoperative Pseudallescheria boydii endophthalmitis; Bouchard CS et al.; Pseudallescheria boydii (P . boydii) is an uncommon ocular pathogen which previously has been identified in only 10 of 905 fungal isolates identified by the Sid Richardson Microbiology Laboratory at the Cullen Eye Institute of Baylor College of Medicine . Furthermore, only one case of postoperative P . boydii endophthalmitis and four cases of endogenous P . boydii endophthalmitis have been reported . Three of the four patients with endogenous endophthalmitis died within 4 weeks of diagnosis . We describe a second case of postoperative endophthalmitis due to this fungus . The infection was successfully eradicated following vitrectomy, corneoscleral resection, and patch graft, in addition to intraocular, topical, and oral antifungal medication . Although in vitro sensitivities are variable, P . boydii is known to be relatively resistant to amphotericin B . This points to the importance of proper cultures and sensitivities when treating cases of suspected fungal endophthalmitis . Unfortunately, the patient's eye became phthisical 6 months following the initial intervention.

J Periodontol, 1991 Feb, 62(2), 142 - 6
Bacterial sampling by absorbent paper points . An in vitro study; Baker PJ et al.; This in vitro study was designed to test the hypothesis that sampling of bacterial suspensions by absorbent paper points would accurately reflect the proportion of the bacterial species whether they are homogeneously or non-homogeneously distributed in the sample site . The non-homogeneously distributed populations consisted of equal numbers of colony forming units (CFU) of two periodontal bacterial species present as separate cultures, one layered on top of the other . The species in the top layer accounted for greater than 90% of the total number of CFU detected by paper point sampling, regardless of which species formed the top layer . In contrast, when the layers were mixed prior to sampling to give a homogeneous bacterial distribution, the paper points detected equal numbers of CFU of each species . Thus the hypothesis was not supported and the proportions yielded by paper point sampling are not the same when the bacteria are non-homogeneously distributed as when they are homogeneously distributed . Ultrastructural observations have documented a non-homogeneous distribution of bacterial species in periodontal pockets . If the specific microbiota in the apical portion of deep periodontal pockets are important to the periodontal disease process, these data suggest that bacterial samples obtained by absorbent paper points misrepresent the presence of such bacterial species.

Spine, 1991 Feb, 16(2), 193 - 7
Limitations of indium leukocyte imaging for the diagnosis of spine infections; Whalen JL et al.; The usefulness of indium-111 white blood cell (WBC) scintigraphy in the detection of spine sepsis was studied in 22 patients who had open or percutaneous biopsies for microbiologic diagnosis . The indium images in 18 patients with vertebral infection were falsely negative in 15 (83%) and truly positive in 3 (17%) . All four patients with negative cultures and histology had true-negative scans . The indium-111 WBC imaging results yielded a sensitivity of 17%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy rate of 31% . Prior antibiotic therapy was correlated with a high incidence of false-negative scans and photon-deficient indium-111 WBC uptake . The usefulness of indium-111 WBC scintigraphy for the diagnosis of vertebral infection may be limited to those patients who have not been treated with antibiotics previously.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1991 Feb, 26(2), 151 - 61
Clinical and histologic features differentiating non-relapsing colitis from first attacks of inflammatory bowel disease; Schumacher G et al.; This is a study of first attacks of colitis, evaluating prospectively the overall course with repeated histologic, clinical, laboratory, and initial microbiologic examinations . Forty-two attacks of colitis could after a follow-up period of 5.5 years be separated into relapsing and non-relapsing types . Relapse was chosen as a prerequisite for a final diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease . In the non-relapsing group 72% of the patients harboured enteropathogenic bacteria . An insidious onset of diarrhoeal symptoms was highly discriminant of inflammatory bowel disease, whereas an acute onset mostly occurred in patients with non-relapsing colitis . Macroscopic differentiation at sigmoidoscopy was not possible . Distorted crypt architecture (92%) and/or basal plasmacytosis (77%) at initial biopsies strongly indicated inflammatory bowel disease but was also found transiently in patients with infectious colitis (19%) . Thus, careful microbiologic and clinical investigation and repeated histologic examinations are necessary to distinguish infectious colitis from inflammatory bowel disease.

J Clin Microbiol, 1991 Feb, 29(2), 287 - 90
Outbreak of Brucella melitensis among microbiology laboratory workers in a community hospital; Staszkiewicz J et al.; From May to September 1988, eight employees of a microbiology laboratory developed acute brucellosis (attack rate, 31%) . Seven of the eight affected employees had clinical illness ranging from a nonspecific, flulike illness to severe hepatitis . Blood cultures obtained from five of the affected employees (63%) were positive for Brucella melitensis, biotype 3 . Comparison of cases and controls showed that there were no risk factors besides employment in the laboratory . Based on work locations, assignments, and interviews, it was found that person-to-person, droplet, food-borne, and waterborne spread were unlikely . Our investigation disclosed that 6 weeks before the outbreak began, a frozen brucella isolate from a patient hospitalized 3 years earlier had been thawed and subcultured without the use of a biologic safety cabinet . This clinical isolate was subsequently identified as B . melitensis, biotype 3, identical to the employee isolates . It is presumed that transmission occurred via the airborne route . This outbreak reemphasized that all work on Brucella species, an established biosafety level 3 organism, must be conducted under a biologic safety hood . Furthermore, it might be prudent to perform all clinical "setups" under a safety hood since aerosolization commonly occurs during the initial processing of specimens and the majority of these specimens are from patients with uncertain diagnoses.

J Toxicol Environ Health, 1991 Feb, 32(2), 111 - 27
Model for assessment of lead content in human surface enamel; Cleymaet R et al.; Acid etch surface enamel microbiopsies were taken in vitro and in vivo and analyzed for lead using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry . The in vitro samples were obtained from subjects resident in an urbanized region in Belgium or from a region close to a nonferrometal industrial plant . The smaller set of in vivo samples were all from subjects resident in an urbanized region . Using a regression tree approach it was possible to identify in a stepwise manner factors that contributed to the variation of lead in the samples . For the in vitro as well as in vivo samples, the etch depth, tooth type, and age of the subjects were identified as significant factors but sex and dental arch quadrant were not . The residual lead levels obtained after regression with the significant factors were better distributed with much lesser variance . Moreover, a significant higher lead concentration could be demonstrated in the in vitro samples from the region close to the nonferrometal industrial plant.

Chest, 1991 Feb, 99(2), 490 - 1
Seven-pathogen tricuspid endocarditis in an intravenous drug abuser . Pitfalls in laboratory diagnosis; Adler AG et al.; Polymicrobial endocarditis is being reported with increasing frequency in drug abusers . However, the full extent of infection may be unrecognized with routine blood culture techniques because of the overgrowth of more fastidious organisms by other pathogens . This report documents an intravenous drug abuser with the first reported case of tricuspid valve endocarditis involving seven pathogens, discusses pitfalls of routine blood cultures and examines the role of the laboratory in microbiologic diagnosis.

Res Microbiol, 1991 Feb-Apr, 142(2-3), 283 - 8
Three genes preceding pyrE on the Escherichia coli chromosome are essential for survival and normal cell morphology in stationary culture and at high temperature; Poulsen P et al.; Previous studies of the upstream region of the pyrE gene in Escherichia coli revealed three genes of unknown function . Inactivation of these genes (designated orfE, orfX and orfY) by crossing the KmR-cassette-disrupted orf into the chromosome indicated that they were not required during exponential growth (Poulsen et al., Mol., Microbiol., 1989 b) . Here we report that the three genes are of importance in the stationary phase . Thus, cultures of the mutants grown to a stationary state in rich media contained bacterial filaments of abnormal morphology . In addition, flow cytometric analyses showed that outgrown cultures of the orf mutants have anomalous size distribution and DNA content, and that rifampicin treatment of exponentially growing mutants results in cell populations with chromosome numbers in the range from about 1 to 10, compared with wild type strains that end up with 4 and 8 full chromosomes . Finally, it appeared that the three orf's are indispensable at high temperatures since the insertion mutants were unable to form colonies above 45 degrees C and since cultures of exponentially growing mutants lysed upon a temperature shift from 37 degrees C to 45 degrees C.

Curr Opin Dent, 1991 Feb, 1(1), 66 - 73
General considerations in the treatment of periodontal disease: infection control, medications, and wound healing; Cattabriga M et al.; Although it is difficult to accurately predict the results of periodontal therapy, it may be possible to improve the success of therapy if the patient is considered from an immunologic, microbiologic, social, and behavioral point of view, as a heterogenous entity . The success or failure of a particular treatment can be related to the host's personal response to a therapeutic procedure rather than to the technique used.

Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol, 1991 Feb, 3(1), 15 - 23
Maternal and fetal infection; McGregor JA; Although their incidence varies among populations, maternal-fetal infections are increasingly recognized to be among the most common causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity . The use of new techniques, including nucleic acid hybridization and direct fetal or trophoblastic cell sampling, continues to accelerate our knowledge of the epidemiology, microbiology, and immunology, as well as means to diagnose, treat, and prevent individual congenitally transmitted infections . Given the number and complexity of these infections, only selected aspects of recent advances are presented.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1991 Feb, 104(2), 252 - 6
Osteomyelitis of the skull base, etiology unknown; Sie KC et al.; OSB can occur in the absence of an obvious contiguous source of infection . When a patient has persistent unilateral headache, elevated ESR, and radiographic evidence of a lytic skull-base lesion, the clinician should consider OSB as a potential diagnosis . A baseline gallium scan should be obtained before biopsy, since surgery or trauma can also produce positive results on radionuclide scans . Technetium-phosphate bone scans should also be performed before any surgical manipulation . However, positive results from a gallium or technetium scan in this setting are not conclusive evidence of infection . At biopsy, the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon should consider sending a specimen to the microbiology department for culture in addition to the specimen sent for routine pathologic study; this procedure could minimize delay in diagnosis . Establishing the diagnosis in these patients without obvious contiguous infection can be difficult, demanding perseverance and an appropriate index of suspicion . Once the diagnosis is confirmed, intravenous antibiotic therapy should begin immediately . The duration of therapy must be individualized; patients may require from 4 weeks to several months of treatment . Response to therapy is indicated by resolution of symptoms, normalization of ESR, and reversal of abnormalities on radionuclide scans . Serial gallium scans are particularly useful in following response to treatment.

Biochemistry, 1991 Jan 15, 30(2), 447 - 55
Ferredoxins from two sulfonylurea herbicide monooxygenase systems in Streptomyces griseolus; O'Keefe DP et al.; We have purified and characterized two ferredoxins, designated Fd-1 and Fd-2, from the soluble protein fraction of sulfonylurea herbicide induced Streptomyces griseolus . These cells have previously been shown to contain two inducible cytochromes P-450, P-450SU1 (CYP105A1) and P-450SU2 (CYP105B1), responsible for herbicide metabolism {O'Keefe, D . P., Romesser, J . A., & Leto, K . J . (1988) Arch . Microbiol . 149, 406-412} . Although Fd-2 is more effective, either ferredoxin can restore sulfonylurea monooxygenase activity to an aerobic mixture of NADPH, spinach ferredoxin:NADP oxidoreductase, purified cytochrome P-450SU1, and herbicide substrate . The gene for Fd-1 is located in the genome just downstream of the gene for cytochrome P-450SU1; the gene for Fd-2 follows the gene for P-450SU2 . The deduced amino acid sequences of the two ferredoxins show that, if monomeric, each has a molecular mass of approximately 7 kDa, and alignment of the two sequences demonstrates that they are approximately 52% positionally identical . The spectroscopic properties and iron and acid-labile sulfide contents of both ferredoxins suggest that, as isolated, each contains a single {3Fe-4S} cluster . The presence of only three cysteines in Fd-1 and comparisons with three {4Fe-4S} ferredoxins with high sequence similarity suggest that both Fd-1 and Fd-2 have an alanine in the position where these {4Fe-4S} proteins have a fourth cysteine ligand to the cluster . Transformation of Streptomyces lividans, a strain unable to metabolize sulfonylureas, with DNA encoding both P-450SU1 and Fd-1 results in cells capable of herbicide metabolism . S . lividans transformants encoding only cytochrome P-450SU1 do not metabolize herbicide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lancet, 1991 Jan 12, 337(8733), 70 - 3
Phase II trial of whole-cell pertussis vaccine vs an acellular vaccine containing agglutinogens; Miller E et al.; An acellular pertussis vaccine containing agglutinogens 2 and 3, pertussis toxin, and filamentous haemagglutinin was developed by the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research in the UK . 188 infants were entered into a randomised blind trial and received either the acellular or a whole-cell vaccine, combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, in a 3, 5, and 8-10 month schedule . Local reactions were similar in the two groups but significantly fewer infants had systemic symptoms after the acellular vaccine . Mean log-antibody titres to the agglutinogen and toxin components were higher with the acellular than with the whole-cell vaccine . Persistence of antibodies one year after the third dose was also better in the acellular group.

Retina, 1991, 11(4), 394 - 8
Scleral buckle infections due to atypical mycobacteria; Smiddy WE et al.; Six cases of scleral buckle infections due to atypical mycobacteria were studied to determine their clinical and microbiologic features and the response of these infections to treatment . All infections were treated with exoplant removal and administration of a variety of antibiotics . Symptoms and clinical signs of infection resolved rapidly after treatment in all cases, and visual acuity returned to the best preoperative level in 5 of 6 cases . There are no clinical features to distinguish mycobacterial infections from other causes of scleral buckle infection, although scleral rupture occurred in 2 of 6 cases . The microbiologic evaluation of these cases showed 5 infections due to Mycobacterium chelonae and 1 infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum . Species and subspecies differences correlated with different antibiotic susceptibilities . Amikacin most frequently offered the best antibiotic coverage, as cases with M . chelonae were resistant or only marginally sensitive to ciprofloxacin . As in scleral buckle infections caused by other bacteria, prompt exoplant removal and adjustment of antibiotic therapy based on culture sensitivities was the best treatment.

Lancet, 1991 Jan 5, 337(8732), 14 - 5
Person-to-person transmission of Brucella melitensis; Ruben B et al.; Human brucellosis is primarily an occupational hazard in the USA; in the Middle East and Africa ingestion of contaminated dairy products is an important route of infection . Whether human beings can become infected via person-to-person spread is uncertain . During an investigation of a commonsource, laboratory-associated outbreak due to Brucella melitensis, biotype 3, the wife of a microbiologist with serologically proven brucellosis became infected . Her blood isolate was indistinguishable from the epidemic strain . In the absence of other risk factors, we suggest that sexual intercourse is a possible means of transmission.

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 1991 Summer, 13(2), 130 - 6
Complications of indwelling venous access lines in the pediatric hematology patient: a prospective comparison of external venous catheters and subcutaneous ports; Ingram J et al.; Since 1984, 316 subcutaneous ports (SP) and 339 external venous catheters (EC) {Roko Catheter, The Hospital for Sick Children (HSC)} have been inserted in hematology/oncology patients at HSC . During a 22-month period (July 1987 to April 1989), a committed central line nurse (J.I.) prospectively collected clinical and microbiologic data on 144 consecutive SPs and 130 consecutive ECs . Children with the SP had 0.6 infected lines and 0.7 infectious episodes per 1,000 patient days compared to 2.9 infected lines and 4.3 infectious episodes per 1,000 patient days with the EC (p less than 0.001) . This lower infectious complication rate with SP was demonstrated in the entire group of unselected patients and in a cohort of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving intensive chemotherapy, and it was evident in all age groups . In view of the other advantages of SP--normal activity, absence of the need for home maintenance, improved body image, less expense--these data suggest that SPs are the preferred device in pediatric patients and provide effective venous access with acceptable complication rates.

Int J Psychiatry Med, 1991, 21(1), 113 - 6
Munchausen's syndrome with hematuria and sepsis: an unusual case; Lazarus A et al.; An unusual case of Munchausen's syndrome is described in which a former microbiology technician was suspected of inoculating himself with contaminated material to produce sepsis and ingesting warfarin in the form of rat poison to cause hematuria . This combination of factitious disorders has rarely been reported . Other unusual features included a nonemergent presentation through the hospital emergency room and a clinical profile not typical of previously published cases.

Diagn Cytopathol, 1991, 7(2), 172 - 7
Diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy: report of a case; Akhtar M et al.; A case of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy is presented . The cytologic smears revealed lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages . Large numbers of Leishmania organisms were present within the macrophages and in the intercellular spaces . Part of the material was used for a microbiologic culture, which revealed large numbers of promastigotes . These were studied by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy.

Biomed Sci Instrum, 1991, 27, 1 - 7
Identification, location and analysis of contamination problems associated with cell/tissue preparation, stimulation and measurement techniques; O'Clock GD Jr et al.; Any time a cell suspension or tissue sample is handled, chemically treated and prepared or measured with electrical or electrochemical probes, some level of contamination will occur . Often, the level and type of contamination can lead to serious misinterpretation of experimental results . A number of specific contamination problems have been consistently observed with certain preparation, stimulation and measurement techniques utilized in cell biology, histology, microbiology and pharmacology . Four of the more serious problems that can occur are as follows: 1) contamination from media constituents; 2) contamination of cell suspensions and tissue from constituents and impurities in glassware; 3) fungal contamination of cell and tissue samples from glutaraldehyde fixatives and 4) contamination of cell suspensions and tissues from metal ions that have dissociated from electrodes and probes . A scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive x-ray (SEM/EDX) system can provide the resolution, sensitivity and analytical capability to detect these contaminants in a variety of locations, identify them and determine their origin . Thus, erroneous conclusions from data that have been affected by various contaminants can be minimized or prevented if the problems are identified and located.

Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Jan-Feb, 13 Suppl 1, S138 - 40
Medical aspects of delayed convalescence; Cluff LE; Disease and illness are not synonymous . In most instances, disease is demonstrable by anatomic, physiologic, biochemical, microbiologic, or immunologic abnormalities . Disease is a pathologic process . Not all persons with a disease are sick or ill . Symptoms of illness associated with a disease may be manifest or persist after the disease has disappeared . The absence of demonstrable disease, however, does not necessarily mean that symptoms of illness are unreal . Recovery from disease and recovery from illness are not always equated . Many factors, including personal characteristics and social circumstances, can be responsible for recovery from disease and illness . Chronic fatigue syndrome or symptoms of illness can persist in some patients but not in others after many different diseases.

Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Jan-Feb, 13 Suppl 2, S184 - 8
An office model of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy; Tice AD; This office-based program for parenteral therapy began with the im administration of therapy to outpatients in 1981 . Since then it has expanded in scope and staff and has provided more than 1,200 courses of i.v . antibiotics . The success of the program is dependent on patients' ability to provide i.v . medication to themselves . These patients are trained and cared for by a team consisting of a physician who specializes in infectious diseases, nurses trained in i.v . techniques, a pharmacist, and microbiologists who are all part of a practice of the subspecialty of infectious diseases . This office model has resulted in excellent quality of care for patients who have experienced few adverse effects or complications . The cost savings of an office program are significant compared to hospitalization for i.v . administration of antibiotics, but issues related to reimbursement are a constant issue.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 1991, 4(5), 516 - 20
The spectrum of Mycobacterium kansasii disease associated with HIV-1 infected patients; Valainis GT et al.; Louisiana is known to be an area endemic for Mycobacterium kansasii (MK) . Since MK tends to disseminate in immunocompromised patients, one might, therefore, expect to observe an increasing number of MK infections associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) . A systematic 60-month review of clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic data associated with MK was performed from two major referral centers in New Orleans . From June 30, 1983 through June 30, 1988, MK was isolated from 72 patients . Twenty-three of the 72 (31.9%) were found to be coinfected with HIV-1 . Over the 5-year study period, the phenomenon of dual infection increased from 0 to 50% . Six cases of extrapulmonary infection were found among the HIV-1 patients as compared to 1 in 49 non-HIV patients (p = 0.003, Fisher's exact test) . In addition, patients with dual infection had atypical chest radiographs, usually with interstitial infiltrates without cavitation . Most of these patients died within 12 months (90.9%) . When treatment was administered at all, often it varied considerably from patient to patient despite the well-known in vitro efficacy of certain widely available anti-mycobacterial agents.

Voen Med Zh, 1991 Jan, (1), 44 - 6
{The correction of secondary radiation-induced immunodeficiencies}; Iakovlev GM et al.; The influence of the ionizing radiation upon the human organism is accompanied by the formation of the secondary radiative immunodeficiencies, which can be treated with the help of immunomodulating preparations of microbiotic, animal and plant origin, as well as compounds obtained by chemical synthesis . The comparative analysis of the various immunomodulators has shown that the peptide preparations of thymos and bone marrow, referred to the cytomedinum class (thymalinum, thymogenum, haemalinum) were most perspective for the correction of the secondary radiative immunodeficiencies . The scheme of thymalinum application in the treatment of radioactive affections of immune system is enclosed.

Rinsho Byori, 1991 Jan, 39(1), 65 - 9
{Molecular diagnosis in respiratory infections}; Nakahama C; Recent advance in molecular biology has enabled the specific and rapid diagnosis of the various infectious diseases . Though we commonly use the three major diagnostic procedure as isolation of the pathogen, direct detection of the pathogen and measurement of the immunological host reaction, DNA probe method would be the fourth major procedure in the clinical microbiology . The indication of the DNA probe method would be considered in the four cases as follows, 1 . necessity of the special equipment to isolate the pathogen, 2 . necessity of the long period to isolate the pathogen, 3 . existence of the cross reaction among the pathogen and relative organisms in the immunological procedure, 4 . existence of the difficulty to identify the species of the pathogen by the ordinary procedure . When we consider those indications, Legionnaires' disease might be one of the typical infectious disease to show the benefits of the DNA probe method in diagnosis . So far two types of DNA probe kits for Legionnaires' disease are available . One is the genus specific direct detection kit from the clinical specimens (Gen-probe), and the other is the microplate hybridization kit to identify each species of Legionella . The results of the evaluations of both kits showed the high specificity, rapidity and the clinical usefulness . In the next few years, various types of DNA probe kits might be newly developed and the contribution of those in the clinical microbiology would be much more than we expected.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1991 Jan, 143(1), 185 - 7
The influence of human immunodeficiency virus infection on tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda; Eriki PP et al.; The clinical, radiographic, and microbiologic features of 59 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda were studied and correlated with the serologic reactivity to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) of these patients . Two-thirds of the patients with tuberculosis were HIV-seropositive . Histories of fever and weight loss were more prominent in HIV-seropositive patients, and perihilar and basilar infiltrative diseases were more frequently seen in HIV-seropositive patients . Although all patients responded similarly to drug therapy, cutaneous drug reactions were seen in nearly one-third of HIV-seropositive patients receiving thiacetazone.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1991, 77, 143 - 4
Antibiotic susceptibility of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro and in animal models; Wretlind B et al.; The development of a rational antibiotic therapy for Lyme borreliosis has been hampered by the lack of reliable microbiologic or serologic criteria for diagnosis or cure . In studies of the treatment, the clinical response, has been used as the primary indicator of efficacy . Studies often differ in their criteria for a successful outcome, and it is not clear whether persistent symptoms are due to incomplete eradication of the pathogen, to a post-infectious syndrome, or to erroneous diagnosis in the first place . Thus, laboratory experiments are needed as a complement to clinical trials.

Padiatr Grenzgeb, 1991, 30(5), 409 - 12
{Bacterial bone and joint infections in childhood--a review . 2 . Septic bursitis}; Handrick W et al.; This is an overview of modern aspects concerning diagnostics and therapy in in children with septic bursitis . A close cooperation of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, microbiologists and radiologists in this field is essential.

Padiatr Grenzgeb, 1991, 30(5), 397 - 407
{Bacterial bone and joint infections in childhood--a review . 1 . Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis}; Handrick W et al.; This is an overview of modern aspects concerning diagnostics and therapy in children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis . A close cooperation of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, microbiologists and radiologists in this field is essential.

Diagn Cytopathol, 1991, 7(4), 353 - 8
Pulmonary cytology in lung transplant recipients: recent trends in laboratory utilization; Walts AE et al.; The value of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of rejection and opportunistic infection in lung transplant recipients is controversial . We review our experience with pulmonary cytology obtained from 10 lung transplant recipients during the first 15 mos of the transplantation program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and compare the efficacy of pulmonary cytology for the diagnosis of opportunistic infectious agents with that of histology and microbiology . Our study encompasses 1,465 post-transplant days during which 70 bronchoscopies were performed yielding 94 cytologic specimens (44 bronchial washes, 25 bronchial brushings, and 25 bronchoalveolar lavages) and 55 transbronchial biopsies . The major advantages of cytology in this setting are short turn around time and high specificity for nonbacterial agents . All of the patients experienced episodes of bacterial pneumonia as well as fungal and viral infections . None developed Pneumocystis carinii infection during the study period . Simultaneous and concurrent infections were diagnosed . The initial diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia and herpes simplex virus preceded the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus; the former infections tended to persist and/or recur . Cytology was more effective than histology in establishing the diagnosis of Candida sp . and herpes simplex virus, while histology was more effective in establishing the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus . Increased numbers of polymorphonuclear cells did not constitute a consistent finding in cytologic or histologic samples during episodes of bacterial infection; cultures were most sensitive for detection of bacterial infection . Histochemical and immunohistochemical stains as well as in situ hybridization studies confirmed diagnoses rendered on routine Papanicolaou and hematoxylin and eosin stained material but did not provide additional diagnoses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1991, 49(5), 301 - 7
{Adaptation to the Biomek 1000 workstation (Beckman) of the MHA-TP technique (Ames)}; Le Guyader F et al.; The microhemagglutination-Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP) was automated with the Biomek 1000 workstation (Beckman) . 3,000 serum specimens were studied with manual and automated procedures . Thirty nine serum specimens were found positive by both techniques, neither false positive nor false negative results were observed with the Biomek 1000 workstation . The statistical analyse showed no differences between the two procedures, variations were observed only with low titer sera . In conclusion, time saving and augmentation of productivity obtained by automation of this method could be interesting for a microbiology laboratory.

J Public Health Dent, 1991 Summer, 51(3), 134 - 43
University of North Carolina caries risk assessment study . III . Multiple factors in caries prevalence; Graves RC et al.; The baseline caries experienced of approximately 5,000 children in South Carolina and Maine was used as the dependent variable in caries risk assessment analyses . Clinical, microbiologic, and demographic factors served as independent variables in a multivariate relationship to caries through regression and discriminant function analyses . Four factors--number of dental visits by the child in the past year, presence of white spot lesions, and both the urgency of need for restorative care and the future caries increment predicted by the examiner--associated significantly and consistently with caries prevalence in primary and permanent teeth of first and fifth graders at both study sites . Several factors associated significantly with caries prevalence at only one site or grade within a site, suggesting that wide applicability of a specific caries risk assessment model may be limited . In these analyses, sensitivity ranged from .60 to .72 and specificity varied from .86 to .91 in the four grade-site groups . The ultimate goal of this longitudinal study is to identify highly caries-prone children in time to prevent the occurrence of a future caries increment . Although the lack of consistent association of many variables, including microbiologic factors, with baseline caries prevalence was unexpected, it is expected that some of these variables will contribute predictive power in the prospective study.

J Oral Pathol Med, 1991 Jan, 20(1), 13 - 6
Oral candidosis in the elderly in long term hospital care; Wilkieson C et al.; A total of 137 patients in long term hospital care were interviewed and examined to determine the prevalence, nature and most important causes of oral candidosis in the hospitalized elderly . Oral candidal infection as determined by the imprint culture technique was present in 47% of patients with a further 31% being carriers of Candida . The prevalence of chronic atrophic candidosis in denture wearers was 38%, while 26% of all patients had angular cheilitis, 67% of which had an infective etiology . Microbiologic examination strongly indicated the upper denture as the major source of infection in those with dentures despite the existence of a ward policy which should have encouraged good oral and denture hygiene.

Crit Rev Oral Biol Med, 1991, 2(3), 355 - 67
The interaction of salivary secretions with the human complement system--a model for the study of host defense systems on inflamed mucosal surfaces; Boackle RJ; When complement first contacts salivary secretions, as when gingival crevicular fluid first meets saliva at the gingival margin, complement function is enhanced . The immediate potentiation of the complement system at equal volume ratios of serum to saliva is due to several factors, including the lower ionic strength of saliva when compared with serum and the presence of certain salivary glyproteins such as the nonimmunoglobulin agglutinins that appear to simultaneously activate C1 and affect (sequester) certain complement control proteins, such as Factor H . This initial potentiation of the complement cascade by saliva may aid in defending the area immediately above the gingival crevice from oral microbiota that are being coated with a combination of serous exudate components and salivary components . As serum becomes much more diluted with saliva (i.e., crevicular fluid moves away from the supragingival area), the acidic proline-rich salivary proteins (APRP) begin to disrupt the unbound C1q-C1r2-C1s2 macromolecular complexes . Thus, the APRP along with other C1 fixing substances in saliva appear to restrict complement function, but only when the ratios of saliva to serum exceed 250:1 . Since certain salivary glycoproteins bind to viruses, the potentiation of the complement system by saliva may also play a role in neutralizing certain viral infections on mucosal surfaces where tissue transudates containing complement begin to contact mucosal secretions such as saliva . Again, the ratio of serous fluid to mucosal secretion appears to be an important factor . This article also discusses some of our preliminary data and speculations concerning the binding of the self-associating high-molecular-weight nonimmunoglobulin salivary agglutinins (NIA) with the envelope of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the possible cooperative role of C1q and fibronectin in aiding neutralization of HIV infectivity.

Ir J Med Sci, 1991 Jan, 160(1), 12 - 6
Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infection among infants over three winter seasons; O'Kelly EA et al.; A study involving respiratory syncytial virus was carried out on infants and young children hospitalised with acute respiratory tract infection over the period December 1987 to March 1990 . During peak periods of RS virus activity 420 naso-pharyngeal aspirates were submitted to the Virus Reference Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, U.C.D., mostly from the Dublin region . Using immunofluorescence, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and cell culture techniques 206 samples (49%) were identified as positive for RS virus . Over the period of study RS virus seasonal activity was confined to the winter months October to March with peaks of activity occurring during March 1988, December 1988 and January 1990 . Bronchiolitis was the most common clinical manifestation of infection accounting for 48% of the total number of positive results . Eighty two point five per cent of positive detections were reported from infants less than or equal to 6 months old and particularly from infants in the 1-2 month old age group . More males than females were found to be affected by RS virus infection.

Gig Tr Prof Zabol, 1991, (3), 33 - 4
{Isolation of antigen-active biopolymers from Candida maltosa culture fluid for obtaining allergens of diagnostic value for examination of industrial microbiology workers}; Kravtsov EG et al.; The membrane filtration technique and column gel chromatography+ (with sepharose 6B or sephacryl S-200) were used to receive fractions of KJ Candida maltosa, strain VSB 899, which were studied with highly effective liquid chromatography, immunochemical reactions and intracutaneous allergotesting on guinea-pigs sensibilized with VSB 899 live cultures . In the whole KJ strain VSB 899 concentrate, 8 components were identified, six of which had molecular masses from 350,000 to 18,000 and had no analogue in the surface antigen preparation (SAP) from the same strain of yeast-like fungi . It was shown that the SAP-related antigen determinants were present in predominantly polysaccharide-containing fractions . In intracutaneous allergotesting, chromatographic fractions with molecular masses of 50,000 and 18,000-35,000 were most manifesting . It was supposed that still further purification of the allergen will increase its specificity.

Rev Invest Clin, 1991 Jan-Mar, 43(1), 25 - 30
Diagnostic laparotomy in fever of unknown origin; Takahashi T et al.; Twenty five consecutive patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) who underwent diagnostic laparatomy (DL) are reviewed . There were 14 females and 11 males, with a mean age of 34 years . The main symptoms and signs besides fever were malaise, weight loss, varied abdominal complaints, peripheral lymph nodes enlargement, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly . The main laboratory abnormalities were: anemia, leukocytosis, and mild alterations in liver function tests . CT scan was performed in 14 patients: hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and or retroperitoneal nodes were found in 10 of them . During laparotomy, an extensive exploration of intra-abdominal organs was performed, taking multiple biopsies for histopathologic and microbiologic analysis . Splenectomy was performed in 17 patients, prophylactic appendectomy in four, and cholecistectomy in one . Laparotomy was useful to establish a diagnosis in 64 percent of cases . The most frequently diagnosed pathologies were lymphoma and tuberculosis . Postoperative morbidity was 12% and mortality was 4% . Mean follow-up was 29 months . When preoperative data were analyzed, no predictive factors were found for a laparotomy with diagnostic success . It is concluded that DL is a useful last-step procedure in the diagnostic work-up for patients with FUO.

Clin Prev Dent, 1991 Jan, 13(1), 28 - 34
The effects of metronidazole administration on clinical and microbiologic parameters of periodontal disease; Eisenberg L et al.; The purpose of this study was to assay the concentration of metronidazole in gingival fluid, to correlate clinical and microbiologic parameters of periodontal disease to each other and to the gingival fluid concentration of the drug . Ten subjects with a minimum of two contralateral pairs of periodontal pockets of greater than or equal to 5 mm were utilized . One side of the mouth was selected to serve as the root-planed site while the other was left untreated . On day 0, plaque and bleeding-time indexes and probing depths were recorded . Subgingival plaque was analyzed using phase contrast microscopy . When root planing was completed, the subjects were prescribed either metronidazole or placebo three times daily for seven days . Within 24 hours of the last dose, and thereafter at intervals of 1, 2 and 3 weeks, fluid samples were assayed for metronidazole . Clinical and bacterial data were likewise recorded . The results indicate that root planing with metronidazole appears to be more effective in promoting periodontal health than root planing alone . Concentrations of metronidazole ranging from 5 to 20 micrograms/ml were detectable in fluid samples obtained within 24 hours of administration of the last dose . No discernible levels could be found in samples taken at the longer intervals.

Khirurgiia (Sofiia), 1991, 44(4), 26 - 30
{An open method for treating the wounds in extensive and deep burns}; Vuglenova E; Analysis was made of the possible ways for attempting open-field treatment of burn wounds under the conditions existing at the Thermic Injury Section of the Pirogov Emergency Hospital in Sofia . The advantages and disadvantages of this method of treatment are pointed out . Experience is recorded with the open-field treatment on the Clinitron {correction of clintorne} bed of 32 patients with extensive and deep burns (affecting more than 30 per cent of the body surface) . Clinical and microbiologic observations in these patients showed a strong limitation in the development of wound infection and quick drying of the necrotic tissues.

Przegl Epidemiol, 1991, 45(4), 361 - 3
{AIDS and tuberculosis}; Zajaczkowska J et al.; From Jan . 1, 1989, through July, 1, 1991, 193 patients with HIV infection were treated at the Department of Acquired Immunodeficiency, Infectious diseases Hospital in Warsaw . Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 11 (5.7%) cases; in three cases diagnosis was first established post mortem . In eight cases tuberculosis was diagnosed clinically and confirm by microbiologic or histologic examinations . Antituberculous chemotherapy was successful in five cases (early results) . All 11 patients had other concomitant infections or neoplasms . Six of 11 patients died, of them 3 with misdiagnosis of tuberculosis prior to death . The problem of HIV infection and tuberculosis and its impact on epidemiology of tuberculosis is discussed.

Histochemistry, 1991, 96(6), 459 - 65
Fiber type-specific distribution of parvalbumin in rabbit skeletal muscle . A quantitative microbiochemical and immunohistochemical study; Schmitt TL et al.; A highly sensitive sandwich ELISA for parvalbumin (PA), based on a fluorometric detection system, was developed . This assay detected PA concentrations as low as 20 pg/ml (2 pg per assay) and was used for measuring PA contents in fragments of single muscle fibers isolated from freeze-dried 100-150 microns thick cross sections . The fibers were typed according to their histochemically assessed mATPase in parallel cross sections . Type I fibers from rabbit tibialis anterior (TA) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles contained extremely low PA concentrations (2-5 micrograms/g w.wt.) . Type IIA fibers displayed slightly higher values with mean values of 17 and 29 micrograms/g w.wt . (range 5-65) in TA and VL, respectively . Much higher PA concentrations were found in type IIB fibers with wide ranges from 75-1150 micrograms/g w.wt . in TA and 440-1370 micrograms/g w.wt . in VL . Whereas the IIB fibers of the TA displayed a continuum, two subgroups were distinguishable according to their PA contents (means of 590 and 1230 micrograms/g w.wt.) in VL . Possibly, the population with the lower PA content which was histochemically defined as type IIB in the present study, corresponds to fiber type IID . The finding that PA is predominantly present in type IIB fibers was also confirmed by the parallel decay of PA and type IIB fibers during chronic low-frequency stimulation . The use of freeze substitution, or alternatively, of freeze-drying, made it possible to demonstrate PA immunohistochemically without artifacts and to evaluate the staining intensity by microphotometry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gig Tr Prof Zabol, 1991, (3), 37 - 8
{Skin pathology in industrial microbiology workers}; Kurmaeva AA; Skin examinations of the workers engaged in three microbiologic synthesis enterprises revealed changes produced as reactions to the influence of multicomponent industrial factors . The allergic dermatoses, superficial candidiasis and epidermitis occurrence depended on the duration and degree of the contact with industrial biologically active substances . The regularities underlying transformations of the diseases from one form to another were determined . The stage based approach to the treatment and prevention of dermatoses contributed significantly to lowering their prevalence.

Braz J Med Biol Res, 1991, 24(2), 163 - 6
Diagnosis and distribution of Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa of symptomatic children; Carvalho AS et al.; 1 . The demonstration of the association of H . pylori with gastritis and peptic ulcer has been of increasing interest to gastroenterologists, microbiologists, and histopathologists . 2 . In this study, the presence of H . pylori in the gastric mucosa of children was investigated by culture, preformed urease test, and carbolfuchsin staining of biopsy smears . 3 . The organism was detected in 44.9% of the children studied, and found to be distributed equally on the antral and fundic mucosa . 4 . Compared to culture, the urease test and carbolfuchsin staining proved to be of higher sensitivity and specificity in detecting H . pylori.

Bull Soc Pathol Exot, 1991, 84(5 Pt 5), 751 - 60
{Infectious profile of the newborn in a pediatric unit in a regional hospital center in Togo}; Agbere AD et al.; In one year 106 suspect cases of neo-natal infection were admitted to the pediatric ward of CHR in Kara . The principal elements of diagnosis (slow labor, premature membrane rupture, troubled or fetid amniotic fluid, other obstetrical maneuvers or neo-natal reanimation) were related to insufficient follow-up during pregnancy . Given the lack of means for microbiologic investigation we were unable to identify any etiologic agent apart for Plasmodium . However, therapeutic response indicated infections of bacterial origin . The high rates of infectious morbidity (87%) and lethality (36%) could be reduced by the continued training of traditional birth attendants and the application of a maternal child health policy as part of an integrated primary health care program.

Acta Microbiol Hung, 1991, 38(3-4), 305 - 13
Rapid methods and computer assisted diagnosis in medical microbiology; Heizmann WR; Rapid diagnosis and reporting in medical microbiology is becoming more and more important . In recent years, introduction of automated instruments as well as of computer assisted diagnosis contributed to this aim . These methods, however, are very expensive . A more cost efficient and simple to perform method for rapid diagnosis is the use of specific fluorogenic substrates incorporated into culture media (solid or liquid) for identification of the most important pathogens, e.g . Escherichia coli . Investigation of Fluorocult ECD agar and Columbia agar revealed a high sensitivity (85%) and an excellent specificity (greater than 99%) of fluorescence in combination with a positive indole reaction for identification of E . coli.

Zentralbl Chir, 1991, 116(24), 1379 - 89
{Drug therapy of surgical infections . Limits and dangers}; Hau T; Antibiotics belong to the most commonly used drugs in surgical practice . Even though they are usually safe adverse reactions and side effects will occur . They can be divided into pharmacologic side effects (impairment of coagulation, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity), immunologic side effects (immunosuppression, allergic reactions), microbiologic side effects (emergence of resistance, superinfection) and iatrogenic problems . The most commonly made mistakes are antibiotic therapy without clear indication, neglecting pharmacokinetics, unwarranted combination therapy and failure to perform necessary surgical procedures . In order to minimize side effects and errors a limited number of substances should be selected depending on local conditions . Usually, ten antibiotics are sufficient for general surgical practice.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1991, 27(3), 467 - 8
External quality assessment programs in Italy; Vicari G; Regulatory control of diagnostic clinical laboratories activities has been defined in Italy since 1984, by an act (DPCM 10/2/84) that regulates such activities and establishes all over the country Quality Control (QC) programs . Before the 1984 act, External Quality Assessment (EQA) programs were exclusively conducted on a voluntary basis by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), by scientific societies, or by diagnostic manufacturers . The Subproject "Quality Control" of the Finalized CNR Project "Biomedical and Health Technologies", activated in 1982, is articulated in three fields: (1) EQA of the immunoassays, (2) EQA in the hematology laboratory and (3) EQA in radiodiagnosis . The problems of EQA have been also faced at the European level: initiatives, on both national and regional scale, have been promoted in the majority of the European States in the last ten years (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, etc.) and include the main fields of the clinical laboratory analysis: hematology, clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, microbiology, cytogenetics, parasitology . The European Community plans the harmonization of the EQA programs starting from 1993, when reference preparations and commercial diagnostic kits will be subjected to free exchange and trade in the twelve Member States.

Proc Annu Symp Comput Appl Med Care . 1991;:752-6.
A collaborative institutional model for integrating computer applications in the medical curriculum; Friedman CP et al.; The introduction and promotion of information technology in an established medical curriculum with existing academic and technical support structures poses a number of challenges . The UNC School of Medicine has developed the Taskforce on Educational Applications in Medicine (TEAM), to coordinate this effort . TEAM works as a confederation of existing research and support units with interests in computers and education, along with a core of interested faculty with curricular responsibilities . Constituent units of the TEAM confederation include the medical center library, medical television studios, basic science teaching laboratories, educational development office, microcomputer and network support groups, academic affairs administration, and a subset of course directors and teaching faculty . Among our efforts have been the establishment of (1) a mini-grant program to support faculty initiated development and implementation of computer applications in the curriculum, (2) a symposium series with visiting speakers to acquaint faculty with current developments in medical informatics and related curricular efforts at other institution, (3) 20 computer workstations located in the multipurpose teaching labs where first and second year students do much of their academic work, (4) a demonstration center for evaluation of courseware and technologically advanced delivery systems . The student workstations provide convenient access to electronic mail, University schedules and calendars, the CoSy computer conferencing system, and several software applications integral to their courses in pathology, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, and neurobiology . The progress achieved toward the primary goal has modestly exceeded our initial expectations, while the collegiality and interest expressed toward TEAM activities in the local environment stand as empirical measures of the success of the concept.

Proc Annu Symp Comput Appl Med Care . 1991;:516-20.
Mayo Foundation Electronic Results Inquiry, the HL7 connection; Cahill BP et al.; Rapid access to patient information is critical for care in both inpatient and outpatient settings . Ancillary systems (Lab, Microbiology, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiography, etc.) contain test result information . Mayo Foundation is piloting an Electronic Results Inquiry System (ERIS), using the Phamis Lastword database, that aggregates some of this information into a central location . The results may then be accessed by workstations or forwarded to surgical, critical care, and transplant information systems . All communications messages, except for the workstation interface, will be based on the Health Level 7 (HL7) specification, version 2.1 . The specification has benefitted Mayo by shortening interface design effort and providing common messages between various computer systems . At this time, HL7 is the most practical solution for these interfaces{1} . HL7 gives all parties involved in the interfaces a "blueprint" to begin design . Unlike a formal blueprint, the specification is flexible and handles most of the needs encountered to date . The areas in which the specification was lacking were reported to the HL7 working group . These areas have been addressed by the working group to allow completion of the interfaces described here . This paper describes the HL7 interfaces to ERIS, with the ECG result and client query interfaces emphasized.

Proc Annu Symp Comput Appl Med Care . 1991;:328-32.
Issues in the design of a clinical microbiology database within an integrated hospital information system; Nussbaum BE; The LASTWORD hospital information system contains a clinical microbiology database which permits both review of patient reports and retrospective data searches using clinical and/or demographic criteria . The elements supporting this database are dictionary tables of coded phrases, a general purpose query language (Tandem ENFORM), an HL7 interface to a laboratory computer system, and long-term data storage of demographic, microbiology and other clinical data in a relational database.

J Reprod Fertil Suppl, 1991, 44, 275 - 82
Pathological changes of the mare endometrium and genotypes for transferrin and ELA; Weitkamp LR et al.; Histological features of the endometrium, as assessed in biopsy samples, were related to Standardbred mare genotypes for transferrin, esterase (as a control) and equine leucocyte antigens (ELA) . Pathological changes were found more frequently in each successively older age group of mares . Among mares aged 6-19 years, there were significant pathologic changes on first examination following an infertile breeding season for 46 of 90 (51%) of transferrin homozygotes and 50 of 146 (34%) of transferrin heterozygotes . The difference between the two groups was significant for the total data (chi 1(2) = 6.56, P = 0.010) and when the data were stratified for mare age at biopsy (chi 1(2) = 7.33, P = 0.0068) . The effect of transferrin was similar in both trotters and pacers, especially for frequent genotypes commonly found in horses of both gaits . There was no effect of esterase and, in a smaller set of ELA-typed mares, no significant effect of ELA genotype on uterine biopsy category . Transferrin has a well-established microbiostatic and biocidal effect . Conceivably, heterozygotes for some combinations of transferrin variants could have a slower natural rate of endometrial deterioration than homozygotes.

Bull World Health Organ, 1991, 69(6), 753 - 60
Comparative evaluation of 36 commercial assays for detecting antibodies to HIV; Van Kerckhoven I et al.; Summarized are the results of an assessment of the major operational characteristics of 36 commercially available assays for detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and/or type 2 (HIV-2) . For this purpose, 20 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), 11 simple immunoassays with visual reading, four supplemental assays, and one discriminatory assay were assessed using a panel of 537 sera (65% of which were of African, 26% of European, and 9% of South American origin); the prevalence of HIV-1 was 39.1% and of HIV-2, 15.7% . The following operational parameters of the assays were investigated: ease of performance; suitability for use in small blood collection centres; sensitivity and specificity; positive predictive values at different prevalences; inter-reader variability for simple assays whose results were read visually; the proportion of indeterminate results; and, for some of the ELISA assays, delta-values, as quantitative measures of sensitivity and specificity . The results will be of use to health policy decision-makers, managers of national AIDS prevention and control programmes, directors of blood banks, and laboratory specialists in the selection of appropriate HIV antibody assaysPIP: Microbiologists at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium used sera from 537 people (65% Africans, 26% Europeans, and 9% South Americans) to compare commercial assays for detecting HIV antibodies . These assays included 20 ELISAs, 11 simple assays, 4 supplemental assays, and 1 discriminatory assay . HIV-1 seroprevalence was 39.1% and 15.7% for HIV-2 . Basically the sensitivity of the assays were very good and equal, except the sensitivity of the Peptide HIV ELISA assay was considerably lower . In fact, on the most part, the sensitivities were higher than the specificities . But only 4 assays had significantly lower specificities than sensitivities . A high number of false positive reactions occurred in the African sera with these 4 assays which emphasizes the need to use African sera to evaluate HIV antibody kits . The higher the positive and negative Delta values the more likely the assay can accurately identify antibody positive and antibody negative sera respectively . The Elavia Mixt (HIV-1+2) and the Wellcozyme HIV-1+2 had the highest positive Delta value while Abbott recombinant HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA had the lowest positive value . Du Pont HIV-1/HIV-2 had the lowest negative value . No significant difference existed in determining sensitivity and specificity by visually reading the results between the simple assays . Interreader variability ranged from 0.8-31.7% with Recodot and Genie HIV-1 and HIV-2 having the highest variability . Further no significant difference existed in sensitivity and specificity between the ELISAs . The Ancoscreen supplemental assay did not have high sensitivity and specificity when used on African sera . Further INNO-LIA HIV-1/HIV-2 Ab test detected both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies at the same time and ranked lower in indeterminant results than the Western blot .

Bull World Health Organ, 1991, 69(6), 747 - 52
Simplified and less expensive confirmatory HIV testing; van der Groen G et al.; The conventional approach to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing, which relies on confirmation of all initially positive screening results using a Western blot assay, is expensive . In an alternative approach, we retested sera that were positive in an initial screening assay using a second screening assay, which differed from the first, and limited the use of Western blot to those sera that gave discrepant results in the two screening assays . This resulted in 100% sensitivity and specificity at a cost that was, on average, 6.1 times less than that of the conventional approach . This level of sensitivity and specificity was also achieved at a cost that was 9.0 times less than the conventional approach if the Western blot was replaced by a third screening assay that differed from the previous two . Retesting positive sera using the same assay did not increase the accuracy of the results obtained by testing the sera only oncePIP: After HIV antibodies had been detected by various assays in the sera of 164 people (Europeans, Africans, and South Americans), microbiologists from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium used simple and inexpensive assays to confirm HIV infection . They retested sera that were positive in the 1st screening with a different assay . They used the Western blot assay only if contradictory results occurred in the 2 assays . The alternative approach developed 100% sensitivity and specificity . Further the cost of this approach averaged 6.1 times less than if they confirmed positive results with the Western blot and 9 times less than if they used this conventional approach if a 3rd assay, different from the 2 previous assays, replaced the Western blot . In addition, when the researchers retested positive sera with the same assay as the 1st, the accuracy of the results did not improve . In fact, the researchers highlighted that the 1st assay should be more sensitive than the following assays, since the 1st assay is the factor that limits the sensitivity of the combination . Researchers should follow this study with similar research in resource limited settings with different epidemiologic patterns of HIV seroprevalence . In conclusion, this alternative approach may result in accurate, less expensive, more rapid and/or less equipment reliant testing for HIV infection .

Lab Delo, 1991, (9), 11 - 2
{The blood level of cobalamin as an indicator of the functional status of the liver in jaundice of different etiologies}; Komar VI; Blood serum free vitamin B12, bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase levels were measured and thymol test made in 168 patients with viral hepatitis A, 13 with chronic hepatitis, 8 with mechanical jaundice of neoplastic origin, 7 with calculous cholecystitis, and 8 with functional hyperbilirubinemia by the microbiologic methods . Elevated blood serum levels of free vitamin B12, conforming to the disease severity and stage, were revealed in the patients with viral hepatitis A, chronic active hepatitis, and mechanical jaundice of a neoplastic origin with liver involvement . Correlations between cobalaminemia and other functional liver tests were observed . Therefore blood serum vitamin B12 measurements may be used for the assessment of the disease activity and severity of liver parenchyma injury.

J Bacteriol, 1991 Jan, 173(2), 879 - 85
Osmotic signal transduction to proU is independent of DNA supercoiling in Escherichia coli; Ramirez RM et al.; proU expression has been proposed to form part of a general stress response that is regulated by increased negative DNA supercoiling brought about by environmental signals such as osmotic or anaerobic stress (N . Ni Bhriain, C . J . Dorman, and C . F . Higgins, Mol . Microbiol . 3:933-944, 1989) . However, we find that although proU-containing plasmids derived from cells grown in media of elevated osmolarity were more supercoiled than plasmids from cells grown in standard media, they did not activate proU expression in vitro . The gyrA96 mutation and anaerobic conditions are known to affect DNA supercoiling but did not alter proU expression . Finally, the gyrase inhibitors coumermycin and novobiocin did not reduce in vitro proU expression . Therefore, this evidence rules out regulation by changes in DNA superhelicity for proU in Escherichia coli.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1991, 20(7), 941 - 5
{Typing of papillomaviruses in cervical dysplasias . Its value in treatment}; Billaudel S et al.; The typing fo Human Papillomavirus (HPV) was carried out in cervical lesions in order to decide on the best therapy to carry out in mild and medium dysplasias of the cervix . 131 patients who had an iodo-negative zone or a smear suggesting an HPV infection had microbiopsies carried out under colposcopic control . Every lesion had two biopsies carried out side by side to study the histopathology and the virology . Dysplastic lesions were found in 93 biopsies . A search for the DNA of HPV 6a, 16 and 18 was carried out using a Southern blot technique with 32P following the method of Random multipriming . Hybridization was carried out in strict and non-strict conditions . In 43 cases out of 93 dysplasias a virus was found: 2 HPV 6a, 14 HPV 16, 1 HPV 18 and 26 X HPV's (not typed) . The number of HPV's that could be detected increased according to the severity of the dysplasia which was also found in frequency of type 16 . Where the biopsies showed no dysplasia type 16 was found in four out of seven viruses . In this study electrophoretic profiles for type 16 were found in four cases suggesting that they were integrated into the chromosome of the cell . The low percentage of HPV found in mild or moderate dysplasias (4 type 16 out of 61 biopsies) shows that at present this test can not be used as an aid in choosing treatment.

Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 1991, 91(2), 26 - 8
{Congenital encephalomyelopathy as a possible slow infection in humans}; Shevchenko AM; A slow influenzal congenital infection of man (in a child aged 2.5 years) is described for the first time . The infection manifests itself by encephalomyelopathy (retarded psychomotor development, sluggish spinal pareses of the limbs) and resembles Werdnig-Hoffmann amyotrophy . Besides, one can ses neuroendocrine disorders (hypophyseal nanism, hypogonadism ) and the signs of immunodeficiency . The long-term persistence of influenza A virus, its defective form was detected in the blood and CSF by means of molecular hybridization . In addition, the summarized data on the clinical studies of congenital influenzal injuries to the CNS in children, carried out by the author are provided . The theoretical evidence for the work was experimental slow influenzal infection in mice obtained for the first time at the N.F.Gamaleia Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (Moscow).

Clin Chim Acta, 1990 Dec 17, 194(1), 19 - 50
Analytical methodology for immunoassays and DNA hybridization assays--current status and selected systems--critical review; Diamandis EP; Immunoassay is an established technique which has contributed enormously to biomedical analysis . DNA hybridization (DNA probing) methodology is emerging as the most promising new discipline of laboratory medicine with potential applications in areas such as genetics, pathology, microbiology and oncology . In this review, immunoassay and DNA probing methodologies are considered together because of their many similarities in assay design and labeling systems . Selected labeling systems are described in this paper in order to stress strategies, general principles and future trends . Special attention has been given to systems that introduce linear or exponential amplification . In the author's view, such systems will dominate in future applications . It is anticipated that during the next decade, immunoassay and DNA probing assays will be carried out on completely automated systems.

APMIS, 1990 Dec, 98(12), 1085 - 6
Mumps mistaken for rubella in the first trimester of pregnancy . The role of the microbiology laboratory in the diagnosis of the infection . A case report; Haukenes G et al.; A case of mumps with an exanthema is described . However, the parotid swelling was mistaken for enlarged lymph nodes, and the case was described as one of "typical rubella" . As the patient was pregnant in her first trimester, an induced abortion was considered . Serum specimens for rubella antibody testing had been taken, but the information given by the consulting physician was incorrect and led to testing for past infection and immunity . After re-examination of the patient by a gynaecologist, mumps was suspected and the diagnosis verified serologically . The present case shows that in certain situations adequate information must be given to the laboratory in order to ensure a meaningful interpretation of the results of the serological examination.

Infect Dis Clin North Am, 1990 Dec, 4(4), 809 - 41
Meningitis due to protozoa and helminths; Niu MT et al.; This article reviews the microbiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, and recent advances in the therapy of protozoan and helminthic infections of the central nervous system, with more emphasis given to protozoan than to helminthic infections.

J Am Acad Dermatol, 1990 Dec, 23(6 Pt 1), 1149 - 52
Microbiologic counts during outpatient office-based cutaneous surgery; Takegami KT et al.; This study used microbiologic counts to evaluate bacterial contamination during cutaneous surgeries of the head and neck . Aerobic bacterial counts of the surgical field in cases with immediate closure (group A, n = 10 patients) and prolonged procedures such as Mohs micrographic surgery (group B, n = 15 patients) were performed three times during the operation . Cultures were taken before antiseptic application, 30 seconds after application, and before closure . Each group showed a statistically significant reduction in aerobic bacteria both 30 seconds after antiseptic application and before closure . All aerobic bacterial counts at both intervals were less than 100,000 colony-forming units/cm2 in each group . The consistent reduction in aerobic bacteria suggests that a clean technique for the two classes of office operating room surgeries provides low-risk conditions for infection in relatively healthy patients.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1990 Dec, 85(12), 1573 - 5
Helicobacter pylori infection: a simplified diagnostic approach; Conti-Nibali S et al.; We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic finding of nodular antritis and rapid urease test (RUT) in order to simplify the approach to the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H . pylori) infection . Forty-four consecutive patients (mean age 7.9 yr, range 6-13 yr) referred because of recurrent abdominal pain as the main symptom, were prospectively investigated for the presence of H . pylori . H . pylori positivity or negativity was defined as the concordance of two of the following tests: RUT, microbiologic culture, and histologic examination on bioptic samples . RUT sensitivity was 100%, whereas specificity was 87.5% . The presence of nodular antritis had a sensitivity of 96.4% and specificity of 87.5% in H . pylori infection diagnosis . The predictivity value of combined RUT and nodular antritis, whether positive or negative, was 100% . Only in case of discordance do we suggest the utilization of other expensive tools for diagnosis of H . pylori infection.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1990 Dec, 99(12), 969 - 76
Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and postnatal viral labyrinthitis: a statistical comparison of temporal bone findings; Khetarpal U et al.; Although the cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss remains uncertain, a viral origin has been suggested in many cases on the basis of anamnestic microbiologic and pathologic data . Twenty-two temporal bone specimens from 18 patients who during life suffered a sudden partial or complete sensorineural hearing loss were studied . On the basis of clinical data, these cases were assigned to one of three diagnostic categories, and the temporal bones were studied by light microscopy and serial section analysis . The implications of the histopathologic findings for the pathogenesis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss are discussed.

Semin Dermatol, 1990 Dec, 9(4), 262 - 8
The role of Pityrosporum ovale in seborrheic dermatitis; Bergbrant IM et al.; This paper discusses the relation between the lipophilic dimorphic yeast Pityrosporum ovale and seborrheic dermatitis . A review of studies concerning the microbiology in seborrheic dermatitis and immune reactions to P ovale are given . In our own studies with quantitative cultures, no significant difference was found in the number of P ovale in patients compared with controls, or between healthy and lesional skin in the patient group . IgG serum antibodies against P ovale cells estimated with indirect immunofluorescence did not show any difference between patients and controls, but a significant difference was found when a P ovale protein extract and ELISA were used . Immunological investigation on serum samples were done on 30 patients with seborrheic dermatitis . Defects were found in their T-cell function . The number of P ovale is of importance in those individuals who are susceptible to seborrheic dermatitis and the development of the disease depends on the way their immune system reacts to the antigens derived from P ovale.

Kekkaku, 1990 Dec, 65(12), 785 - 9
{Cross-resistance relationship between streptomycin and kanamycin resistances in Mycobacterium smegmatis (strain Jucho)--comparison of the development patterns of resistances to streptomycin and kanamycin among Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex, and Mycobacterium smegmatis}; Tsukamura M; The resistance development pattern of Mycobacterium smegmatis strain 17023 (Jucho) to streptomycin and kanamycin was studied . The medium used was Ogawa egg medium, and the level of resistance was determined for each clone derived from single colony by the 'actual count' method . Hence, the resistance level was estimated as the highest concentration of drugs, in which small inocula consisting of 20 to 100 colony-forming units could grow after seven days incubation . Only one type of resistance mutants resistant to more than 1,000 micrograms/ml streptomycin was isolated and these mutants were also resistant to 8 micrograms/ml kanamycin . On the other hand, only one type of kanamycin-resistant mutants resistant to 8 micrograms/ml kanamycin was isolated and these mutants were also resistant to more than 1,000 micrograms/ml streptomycin . Accordingly, there was a complete cross-resistance relationship between streptomycin and kanamycin resistances . Therefore, there existed only one phenotype, which is simultaneously resistant to streptomycin and kanamycin . The mutants occurred at a rate of about 2 x 10(-8) per viable bacterial population of the parent strain . Streptomycin-dependent mutants occurred at a rate of about 2 x 10(-9) . The number of resistant phenotypes to streptomycin and kanamycin was only one in M . smegmatis, while it was five in M . tuberculosis and 2 or 3 in M . avium complex (Tsukamura, M . and Mizuno, S.: J . Gen . Microbiol . 88: 269-274, 1975; Tsukamura, M.: Kekkaku 62: 445-458, 1987) . The simplicity of the resistance system of M . smegmatis suggests that this organism is evolutionally primitive in the world of mycobacteria.

Ortop Travmatol Protez, 1990 Dec, (12), 47 - 8
{Treatment of decubitus ulcer by "Algimaf" preparation}; Elizarov MN et al.; The process of treatment of 20 spinal patients with 26 decubituses of different localization by means of applications of alginatous coating "Alghimaf" has been observed . The results of treatment are as follows: 22 wounds healed with formation of soft elastic cicatrix, 2 patients have been discharged from hospital with actively epithelializing wounds, 2 patients were subjected to epidermatoplasty . The method of control: chnic observation, planimetry, citologic, microbiologic investigations . It has been demonstrated "Alghimaf" efficiency in treating of decubituses.

Rinsho Byori, 1990 Dec, 38(12), 1325 - 33
{Centralization of all medical laboratory data by laser disk filing system}; Ueda H et al.; In recent years, the medical laboratory system is being widely applied . We describe the medical laboratory system of our Saga Medical School Hospital, including the electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) laser disk data filing systems . The main computer system of FUJITSU M-730/4 (main memory of host computer 13 MB) handles a large amount of data, in the fields of chemistry, hematology, serology, microbiology, blood banking and histology laboratory . All 17 chemistry and hematology automatic analyzers are linked through communication lines to the main computer . The important tasks of this system are data processing, storing of information in the database, data reporting and quality control statistics . This laboratory system is also connected to the total hospital information system of FUJITSU M-760, main memory 48 MB . For pattern recognition, ECG and EEG laser disk data filing systems have been constructed . The main purpose of these filing systems is mass storage of analog data signals in laser disk, computer assisted analysis and data communication . ECG and EEG analog data are converted into digital form by the analog-to-digital converter, and then transmitted over hospital telephone lines to the central computer system for analysis . The computer assisted statements are then sent back to the ECG terminals at the nurse station . As necessary, after the physician reads over the ECG, statements are printed in the final reports . These optical reporting systems are also linked to the total hospital information system . One of the main tasks in the laboratory is the control of the seemingly endless paper work.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax, 1990 Nov 20, 79(47), 1473 - 5
{Fever, productive cough, chest pain}; Oertel R et al.; This 27 year old woman had thoracic pain associated with breathing and movements for 10 months . Later on she complained about productive cough and fever . A pleural effusion developed . This effusion and the other symptoms did not resolve after therapy with erythromycin . Microbiology, serology and a bronchoscopy were unrevealing . A thoracoscopy was performed yielding epithelioid granulomas in the biopsy specimen from the pleura . Mycobacterium tuberculosis was grown from the pleural fluid . Symptoms subsided rapidly and the patient became well shortly after institution of anti-tuberculous therapy with a combination of three drugs.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1990 Nov 3, 120(44), 1649 - 52
{Value of cyto-puncture and of ultrasonic-guided micro-biopsy in solid tumors of the pancreas}; Schonenberg P et al.; 43 patients (29 men, 14 women, average age 64.7 years) with a solid lesion of the pancreas underwent echography-guided cytopuncture (needle 22 G, 88 mm) associated in 11 cases with microbiopsy (needle 21 G, 150 mm) . The lesions were localized in the pancreatic head (n = 27), body (n = 13) and tail (n = 3) . The sensitivity and specificity of cytopuncture were 81% and 100% respectively . There were 27 true positives (26 pancreatic adenocarcinomas and one metastasis of a prostatic adenocarcinoma); 10 true negatives (5 cases of calcifying chronic pancreatitis, 3 benign endocrine tumors, 2 cases of acute pancreatitis); and 6 false negatives (4 adenocarcinomas and 2 intrapancreatic cholangiocarcinomas) . There were no false positives . Microbiopsy diagnosed 5 adenocarcinomas out of 9 cases biopsied and 2 benign endocrine tumors not detected by cytopuncture . Its sensitivity was thus 56% for malignant lesions and 64% for all lesions biopsied . Its specificity was 100% . There was one (= 2.5%) complication (dissemination on the needle pathway) . We conclude that echography-guided cytopuncture is a simple and effective method of diagnosing solid tumors of the pancreas . Biopsy, though of lower sensitivity, probably serves to increase the specificity of cytopuncture, in the case of benign lesions in particular.

Acta Cytol, 1990 Nov-Dec, 34(6), 891 - 4
Hepatic and subcutaneous abscesses due to aspergillosis . Initial diagnosis of a case by intraoperative fine needle aspiration cytology; Vairani G et al.; Laparotomy of a 64-year-old woman with bleeding caused by a perforated anastomotic peptic gastric ulcer disclosed a mycotic abscess in the lower surface of the left hepatic lobe covering the ulcer . Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the abscess produced a clear milky liquid that was positive for Aspergillus fungi by cytology and subsequent microbiologic and cultural studies . Postoperative diffusion of the aspergillosis into the subcutaneous tissue was similarly confirmed by cytology and Sabouraud solid medium culture . This appears to be the first case of disseminated aspergillosis diagnosed by intraoperative FNA cytology; it confirms that FNA cytology is a rapid, sensitive and important tool for the diagnosis of mycotic infections.

Lab Anim Sci, 1990 Nov, 40(6), 625 - 8
Spontaneous bronchopneumonia in laboratory dogs infected with untyped Mycoplasma spp; Kirchner BK et al.; Three Mycoplasma spp . were isolated from five colony bred laboratory dogs (Canis familiaris) obtained from a single vendor . Four of these animals were Beagles and one was a mongrel . Three displayed clinical signs of respiratory disease including dyspnea, chronic coughing and moist rales, while the other two dogs were observed during thoracic surgery to have macroscopic lesions suggestive of pneumonia . All five dogs were submitted for diagnostic necropsy during which they were cultured for bacteria and mycoplasma . Mycoplasma spp . having three distinct colonial forms were isolated from the lungs of each of the animals . These three isolates were sent to the National Cancer Institute Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory and to the National Institutes of Health, NIAID, Mycoplasmology Laboratory . Neither laboratory could serotype these isolates against antisera to 73 Mycoplasma spp., including the common canine mycoplasmas, and nine Acholeplasma spp . Histologically, the bronchopneumonia was characterized by bronchiectasis, purulent bronchiolitis, bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia, chronic non-suppurative peribronchiolitis and perivasculitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, and acute to subacute purulent pneumonia . The similarity between the pathologic findings in these animals and those observed in respiratory mycoplasmosis of other species, e.g . the rat, suggests a causal relationship between the isolated mycoplasmas and the pulmonary disease observed in these dogs.

J Biol Chem, 1990 Oct 15, 265(29), 17928 - 34
The c1 repressor inactivator protein coi of bacteriophage P1 . Cloning and expression of coi and its interference with c1 repressor function; Heinzel T et al.; The immC region of bacteriophage P1 contains the c1 repressor gene and its upstream region with four c1-controlled operators and four open reading frames . A c1 inactivator gene, coi, was defined by mutations in immC that suppress the virulence of the P1virC mutation . The exact location of the coi gene was not known (Scott, J.R . (1980) Curr . Top . Microbiol . Immunol . 90, 49-65) . When a variety of P1 immC fragments were inserted into an expression vector, a gene product was inducible for the open reading frame 4 only . We identify this product as the c1 inactivator protein, coi by the following criteria: (a) expression of coi from a recombinant plasmid induces the P1 prophage and inhibits lysogenization of sensitive bacteria by P1; (b) all c1-controlled operator-promoter elements tested in vivo are derepressed by coi; (c) a partially purified coi protein (apparent molecular weight = 4800) interacts with c1 repressor and inhibits its binding to the operator in vitro . Based on these results we refine a model for the regulation of those genes and elements within immC which participate in the decision of P1 to enter the lytic or lysogenic pathway.

Radiology, 1990 Oct, 177(1), 101 - 7
Granulomatous spinal infections: MR imaging; Sharif HS et al.; The value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluating granulomatous spinal infection was retrospectively assessed in 81 patients with proved disease; 27 were reexamined after administration of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and 25 underwent follow-up studies . Blinded interpretations were correlated with clinical, microbiologic, and surgical findings . MR imaging enabled prediction of the presence of neurologic complications in 93% of patients and diagnosis of the type of infection in 94%, and correlated well with surgical findings in 24 of 27 patients . Vertebral intraosseous abscesses, meningeal involvement, subligamentous spread, and paraspinal abscess location were best identified on contrast-enhanced studies and were seen most frequently in tuberculous spondylitis . High signal intensity on T1-weighted images of previously affected vertebrae suggested healing and correlated well with symptoms . The authors conclude that MR imaging may be useful as the method of first choice for the initial assessment and posttherapy follow-up of patients with granulomatous spinal infection.

Psychol Rep, 1990 Oct, 67(2), 419 - 33
Left-handedness: association with college major, familial sinistrality, allergies, and asthma; Fry CJ; 366 juniors, seniors, and graduate students from seven departments at The Ohio State University were administered the 10-item Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and asked questions concerning familial handedness and personal incidence of allergies or asthma . The rate of left-handedness was 15.6% among the male students and 12.9% among the females . Maternal handedness was significantly related to female offspring handedness and to the incidence of allergies and asthma in both males and females . Departmental incidence of left-handedness ranged from a low of 7.5% (Microbiology) to a high of 21.7% (Law).

Int J Food Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 11(2), 159 - 65
Optimal determination of most probable numbers; Best DJ; Choosing the design of a dilution series experiment on the basis of availability of most probable number tables can result in a non-optimal design . Similarly, certain tables and/or rules for declaring dilution series results 'improbable' do not always give optimal decisions . Further, tables of most probable number confidence intervals are not all based on the same assumptions and give different intervals--which should be used? The aim of this article is to draw microbiologists' attention to these issues and to suggest practical solutions.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 11(2), 119 - 25
The need for continuous training in food factories; Skovgaard N; The dissemination in food factories of the organisms I have referred to earlier, represent significant and interesting issues of public health concern . Yet there seem to be difficulties in incorporating material in education-training-information programmes explaining merely the most simple and basic facts about the risk involved in food being contaminated in food factories . Such educational programmes are essential components in the overall scheme of foodborne disease control, yet they often represent the weakest links in the control chain . There has been a decline in the emphasis on food hygiene in some programmes at the level of institutions of higher education, and a de-emphasis on food hygiene has occurred over the past few decades in schools of veterinary medicine in some parts of the world . This committee has taken active steps to improve this situation by convening a professorial consultation on post-graduate teaching in advanced food microbiology, Copenhagen 1989 (Park, 1990) . The public, as well as politicians, focus for the time being on chemical contamination of foods, possible presence of residues, thereby ignoring the fact that statistically it is not the residues that cause deaths which count, but, without a shadow of doubt, the foodborne pathogens . This fact emphasizes the need for intensive training in preventive hygienic measures . Since representatives of the food industry are participating in the Symposium, I would like to balance the problems by saying: we all share a responsibility in securing education in food hygiene in food factories.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Am Pharm, 1990 Oct, NS30(10), 51 - 5
Overview of infectious diseases, Part 1; Acuncius LJ et al.; Microbiologic characteristics include virulence, inoculum size, and the interplay between normal flora and pathogenic organisms . These characteristics, as well as relevant host factors, are an important part of the infectious disease process . Parts 2 and 3 of this series will review the use of drug therapy and the general manifestations of infectious diseases.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 28(10), 2285 - 90
Evaluation of two monkey species (Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis) as possible models for human Helicobacter pylori disease; Euler AR et al.; Endoscopic, histologic, and microbiologic evaluations of 21 cynomolgus and 34 rhesus monkeys for naturally occurring Helicobacter pylori infection were done . H . pylori was never isolated from any cynomolgus monkey, but was found in 12 rhesus monkeys . A general correlation existed between a positive culture and a gastric inflammatory response . Inoculation challenges were then undertaken . Four cynomolgus and five rhesus monkeys received two different H . pylori strains isolated from humans . Five rhesus monkeys received an isolate obtained from rhesus monkeys . Evaluation of the cynomolgus monkeys 7 and 14 days later revealed no H . pylori . Endoscopies of the rhesus monkeys were done 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56 days later . One rhesus monkey, which received the isolate from humans, became H . pylori positive at day 21 and remained positive through day 56 . Restriction enzyme analysis of genomic DNA at day 56 revealed that the isolate was not identical to the challenge strain isolated from humans . All five rhesus monkeys that received the strain isolated from rhesus monkeys became H . pylori positive by day 14 and remained positive through day 56 Antral inflammation developed in all monkeys . Restriction enzyme analysis of genomic DNA on day 56 confirmed that four of five isolates were identical to the challenge strain isolated from rhesus monkeys . DNA hybridization documented homology between the challenge strains isolated from humans and rhesus monkeys plus those isolated at day 56 . In this study, we showed that the rhesus monkey, if given a strain of H . pylori isolated from rhesus monkeys, develops a gastric infection with accompanying histological changes, making this model suitable for further development.

Am J Perinatol, 1990 Oct, 7(4), 374 - 9
Risk factors for preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes; Hadley CB et al.; Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is a significant cause of prematurity, accounting for approximately one third of preterm births in the United States . PPROM occurs in approximately 0.7-2% of all pregnancies nationally, and has a reported recurrence rate of 21% . The elucidation of potential risk factors for PPROM could contribute to a better understanding of its etiology . To study the contributions of 20 potential risk factors, we undertook a case-control study in our clinic population, which has a 5-6% incidence of PPROM . One hundred and thirty-three patients experiencing PPROM were matched for race, age, parity and gestational age with undelivered patients . Studies performed included ultrasonographic examinations, blood levels of ascorbic acid and zinc, microbiologic assays, patient questionnaires, and chart reviews . After stratification of both groups into subgroups based on matching criteria, summary tests of significance and Mantel-Haenszel tests of odds ratios were performed . On univariate analysis the following factors achieved significance at the p less than 0.05 level with 95% confidence intervals: 1) previous history of PPROM 2) smoking (dose related) 3) fundal location of the placenta in the present pregnancy . 4) a prior history of cerclage . After regression analysis, we concluded that smoking and history of previous PPROM were found to be risk factors for PPROM in our inner city black population.

Am J Med, 1990 Oct, 89(4), 464 - 9
Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with dyspeptic symptoms in patients undergoing gastroduodenoscopy; Strauss RM et al.; PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and ulcer disease as well as in a control population undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for suspected pancreatic or biliary disease . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six eligible patients undergoing upper endoscopy at Massachusetts General Hospital were studied over a period of 18 months, as well as 24 patients undergoing ERCP for presumed pancreatic or biliary disease . Two biopsy specimens from the fundus and two from the antrum were taken for microbiologic and histopathologic analysis . Sera were examined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay . All specimens were processed in a blind fashion . Chi-square test with Yates' correction was used for statistical analysis . RESULTS: H . pylori was found in 31 of 46 (67%) study patients and in six of 24 (25%) control patients (by microbiologic or histologic techniques) (p less than 0.01) . H . pylori was found in all patients with peptic ulcer disease and in 60% of patients without ulcers . No association between H . pylori and any specific gastrointestinal symptom was observed . H . pylori was identified in the fundus as often as in the antrum, although in the antrum the organism was more often associated with histologic gastritis . Compared with histology, serologic assays for IgG and IgA antibodies to H . pylori had sensitivities of 100% and 94%, and specificities of 86% and 76%, respectively . Reexamination of selected specimens without knowledge of their identity revealed that the specificity of serology exceeded 94% while the sensitivity of histologic and microbiologic studies may have been closer to 80% . CONCLUSIONS: H . pylori was more common in dyspeptic patients than in our control subjects undergoing ERCP . Multiple biopsy sites from fundus and antrum are required to exclude infection . Serologies of IgG and IgA were sensitive and specific for H . pylori, suggesting a possible role for non-endoscopic diagnosis of this infection . The frequent association of H . pylori with active inflammation rather than with quiescent gastritis is consistent with a pathologic role of this organism.

Am J Hum Genet, 1990 Oct, 47(4), 753 - 8
Innovations in human genetics education . Incorporation of genetics into a problem-based medical school curriculum; Swinford AE et al.; There has been recent interest in the development of problem-based human genetics curricula in U.S . medical schools . The College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University has had a problem-based curriculum since 1974 . The vertical integration of genetics within the problem-based curriculum, called "Track II," has recently been revised . On first inspection, the curriculum appeared to lack a significant genetics component; however, on further analysis it was found that many genetics concepts were covered in the biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and clinical science components . Both basic science concepts and clinical applications of genetics are covered in the curriculum by providing appropriate references for basic concepts and including inherited conditions within the differential diagnosis in the cases studied . Evaluations consist of a multiple-choice content exam and a modified essay exam based on a clinical case, allowing evaluation of both basic concepts and problem-solving ability . This curriculum prepares students to use genetics in a clinical context in their future careers.

Am J Infect Control, 1990 Oct, 18(5), 300 - 6
Heavy contamination of operating room air by Penicillium species: identification of the source and attempts at decontamination; Fox BC et al.; Increased rates of nosocomial infection caused by filamentous fungi in immunocompromised patients prompted microbiologic surveillance of the central air handling systems in our hospital . During a 4-year period, Penicillium species were isolated from 47 patients, including two with surgical wound infections caused by Penicillium . Counts of Penicillium in operating room air were much higher (195 colony-forming units {CFU}/m3) than in 95% filtered corridor air (14.6 CFU/m3; p less than 0.01) . Ventilation ducts and terminal units lined with fiberglass in the operating room air handling system were heavily contaminated by Penicillium; the fiberglass was also contaminated with Aspergillus species . Corrective measures included filter replacement and decontamination of the ventilation system with aerosolized chlorine solution . Although operating room air remained free of filamentous fungi during the next 7 months, contamination eventually recurred and required repeated decontamination . We believe that certification guidelines are highly desirable for hospital ventilation systems, especially if the system serves immunocompromised patients.

Presse Med, 1990 Sep 29, 19(31), 1441 - 4
{Bronchial tolerance to inhalation of beclomethasone . Histologic and microbiologic study in asthmatic patients}; Fournier M et al.; The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a three months' treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate on the bronchial mucosa of asthmatic patients . Eleven patients suffering from a mild chronic asthma treated with inhaled salbutamol and theophylline were randomly assigned to receive either 1000 mu g of beclomethasone dipropionate (6 patients) or an aerosolized placebo (5 patients) in a double-blind manner . Bronchial biopsies and bronchial secretions were obtained through a fiberoptic procedure at the beginning and the end of the study . Repeated clinical and spirometric investigations were performed each month . Inter- and intra-group mean changes of clinical symptoms and of spirometric values were not significantly different . Pathogens were rarely found in bronchial aspirates and their occurrence did not seem to be influenced by the beclomethasone therapy . Sixty percent of the bronchial biopsies displayed pathological changes of the mucosa that observed at the beginning and at the end of the study; however, no sign of mucosal atrophy was noted.

Med Clin (Barc), 1990 Sep 15, 95(8), 286 - 91
{Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus among the Spanish population (I) . Qualitative meta-analysis}; Gomez Olmedo M et al.; A meta-analysis of the original papers on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) published in Spain was performed to better know the characteristics of HIV infection in Spain . Between 1985 and 1989, 67 investigations fulfilled the inclusion criteria . They were evaluated by means of a quantified questionnaire . The mean quality of the investigations was 44.65 +/- 1.5% . A bias in the selection was highly probable in 80% of the studies, whereas a bias in information and in confusion was less frequent (35.8% and 77.6%, respectively) . The investigations of more quality were those carried out recently at the University in collaboration with other Institutions and with participation of sanitary personnel published in microbiologic journals.

Ann Intern Med, 1990 Sep 1, 113(5), 358 - 61
Treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection in AIDS with amikacin, ethambutol, rifampin, and ciprofloxacin . California Collaborative Treatment Group; Chiu J et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of combination drug therapy for disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, before-after comparison . SETTING: Outpatient clinics at three university medical centers . PATIENTS: Seventeen patients with at least two consecutive blood cultures positive for M . avium complex who had not been previously treated with antituberculous medications . Fifteen of the seventeen patients completed at least 4 weeks of treatment . INTERVENTION: Patients received daily intravenous amikacin (7.5 mg/kg body weight) for the first 4 weeks plus the following oral medications for at least 12 weeks: ciprofloxacin, 750 mg twice daily; ethambutol, 1000 mg daily; and rifampin, 600 mg daily . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The baseline geometric mean colony count from blood cultures decreased from 537/mL to 14/mL (P less than 0.001) after 4 weeks of therapy . The microbiologic suppression was sustained while on treatment and was associated with a decrease in systemic symptoms related to M . avium complex infection . Premature withdrawal from treatment (less than 12 weeks) occurred in 7 of 17 patients . The commonest reasons for early withdrawal were gastrointestinal intolerance and hepatic toxicity . CONCLUSIONS: Mycobacterial load and systemic symptoms in patients with AIDS and disseminated M . avium complex infection can be effectively reduced by a regimen containing amikacin, ethambutol, rifampin, and ciprofloxacin.

Obstet Gynecol, 1990 Sep, 76(3 Pt 2), 521 - 2
Persistent vaginitis caused by metronidazole-resistant trichomonas; Grossman JH 3rd et al.; Persistent trichomonal vaginitis is usually considered the result of either patient noncompliance with therapy or reinfection . Drug-resistant trichomoniasis may also cause continued infection despite repeated courses of conventional metronidazole therapy . We report two cases of exceptionally persistent and prolonged infection despite repetitive and varied treatments, including parenteral metronidazole . An unconventional approach combining oral and topical therapy resulted in clinical and microbiologic cure in both cases.

J Vet Intern Med, 1990 Sep-Oct, 4(5), 267 - 74
Bronchoalveolar lavage in the evaluation of pulmonary disease in the dog and cat . State of the art; Hawkins EC et al.; Bronchoalveolar lavage is a diagnostic procedure used to obtain specimens representative of disease processes involving the deep lung . Saline is instilled into an airway in sufficient volumes to bathe the alveoli dependent on that airway . The saline is retrieved by suction along with cellular and acellular material lining the epithelial surfaces of the lung . Cytologic and microbiologic evaluation of the fluid can be used to characterize pulmonary diseases in the dog and cat.

Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Sep-Oct, 12(5), 900 - 7
Infectious diseases as a Canadian subspecialty, with projections to the year 2000; Ronald AR et al.; Infectious diseases is a relatively new subspecialty in Canada . During the past decade, however, important advances have been made . These include the formation of the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society and the development of the first Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons examinations in the subspecialty of infectious diseases . The majority of Canadians training for practice in the field of infectious diseases are now enrolled in programs in Canada . Despite predictions in the United States of an excess of physicians who specialize in infectious diseases, such a situation has not occurred in Canada . More physicians with training in infectious diseases will be required in Canada in the next decade to fill positions in patient care, microbiology (for individuals with both clinical and laboratory training), research, epidemiology and infection control, programs related to human immunodeficiency virus infections, geographic and international medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, and education and administration . In Canada, the extent to which infectious diseases physicians are involved in these areas varies from that in the United States . This review suggests a continued need for physicians with appropriate training in infectious diseases.

Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Sep-Oct, 12(5), 745 - 53
Acute respiratory disease in Spain: seven years of experience; Tellez A et al.; The clinical and epidemiologic features of viral and nonviral pathogens involved in acute respiratory diseases are described in the context of cases of infection (especially atypical pneumonia and bronchiolitis) studied at the Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Virologia e Immunologia Sanitarias in Madrid during a 7-year period (1979-1986) . These etiologies were demonstrated in 1,637 (36.2%) of 4,521 cases . Among viruses, respiratory syncytial virus most frequently infected children; influenza virus showed the same pattern of circulation as in other European countries . Of nonviral agents, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and C . burnetii were most often involved in lower respiratory tract infections, with a variable predominance in patients of different ages . A high proportion of cases of M . pneumoniae infection occurred in infants and children aged less than 1 year, and most of these cases occurred during spring and summer . The majority of Q fever cases, including those observed in two outbreaks, occurred in the northern region.

J Arthroplasty, 1990 Sep, 5(3), 281 - 5
A comparison of transfusion requirements after total knee arthroplasty using the Solcotrans autotransfusion system; Groh GI et al.; Twenty-five consecutive total knee arthroplasties were performed with the Solcotrans unit for scavenging postoperative drainage (study group) and were compared with the previous 25 arthroplasties performed without the Solcotrans unit (control group) . Mean preoperative hematocrits, estimated blood loss, and fluid replacement for both control and study groups were nearly identical . When the autotransfusion system was not used, 10 patients in the control group required transfusion of a total of 20 units of packed red blood cells, while only two patients utilizing the Solcotrans unit required transfusion of five units of packed red blood cells (P less than .01) . The total amount autotransfused in the study group averaged 607.9 mm, and the hematocrit of the scavenged drainage was 29.3% . Samples from all autotransfusions were sent to the microbiology lab for routine culture and were finalized as no growth after 14 days . Serial postoperative hematocrits, platelet counts, prothrombin, partial thromboplastin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine values were compared between the two groups . No significant differences were found, and no evidence of coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia or renal dysfunction was found in the study group.

Clin Perinatol, 1990 Sep, 17(3), 723 - 42
A protocol for the investigation of pregnancy loss; Curry CJ et al.; A protocol for the evaluation of pregnancy loss should include a maternal history, dysmorphic examination of the fetus or abortus, photographs, autopsy, chromosome studies (in most cases), and radiographic or xeroradiographic studies . Selected cases with suspected ascending or transplacental infection may require microbiologic investigation . Increasing specialized laboratory techniques may help in the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism or storage disorders . Coordination of studies requires the interaction of OB/GYN, pathology, genetics, cytogenetics, and nursing in order to assure delivery of this clinical service . Knowledge of the causes of pregnancy loss and their typical time and mode of presentation can facilitate a focused evaluation, with a high chance of achieving an accurate diagnosis . The goal of all investigations is to provide families with recurrence risk data on which to base future childbearing decisions, as well as information on potential prenatal monitoring.

J Clin Periodontol, 1990 Sep, 17(8), 549 - 56
Morphological compositions of subgingival microbiota in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans-associated periodontitis; Muller HP et al.; Infrequent occurrence of spirochetes and rather low proportions of these organisms have been reported in localized juvenile periodontitis, where periodontal lesions often harbour large numbers of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, a suspected principal periopathogen strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of this and other forms of chronic periodontitis . We studied the association of subgingival A . actinomycetemcomitans with the morphological composition of the subgingival microbiota in a large population of patients suffering from advanced periodontitis . Subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets of every quadrant of their dentitions was sampled and pooled in 70 patients between 14 and 63 years of age, and analysed morphologically by phase-contrast microscopy . A minimum % similarity index was employed to define 4 clusters with different morphological composition of the floras . The actual proportion of A . actinomycetemcomitans was determined at 2 sites with deep periodontal pockets . All clusters harboured patients infected with A . actinomycetemcomitans . If present, in clusters predominated by motile rods or medium-sized spirochetes, the organism was found in rather low proportions (median 5.3% and 3.4%, respectively) . However, the cluster with a pooled flora mainly consisting of coccoid cells revealed periodontal sites with A . actinomycetemcomitans in proportions of more than 53% (median), if the organism was present (p less than 0.01) . We found a positive correlation between proportions of A . actinomycetemcomitans and cocci (R = 0.65) and negative correlations with spirochetes and motile rods (R = 0.61, R = -0.59, respectively) . Cautious interpretation of subgingival plaque predominated by coccoid cells is recommended, if deep periodontal pockets and obvious signs of inflammation are present, since these pockets were found to be often infected with large numbers of A . actinomycetemcomitans.

Med Clin North Am, 1990 Sep, 74(5), 1225 - 33
Chlamydia trachomatis infections in adolescents; Bell TA; The guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control should be applied with appreciation of their limitations . The serious sequelae of chlamydial infections in young patients warrant vigorous antichlamydial therapy and specific microbiologic diagnosis . Until public health authorities implement control programs, the efforts of individual practitioners will probably be the mainstay of the flight against C . trachomatis.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1990 Sep, 85(9), 1182 - 5
Herpes simplex virus type 1 colitis: an unusual cause of diarrhea; Colemont LJ et al.; Herpetic infections of the gastrointestinal tract are a well-recognized entity . Involvement of the colon seems to be very rare . A 78-yr-old woman developed bloody diarrhea and abdominal discomfort 2 months after surgical treatment for adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon . Colonoscopy revealed diffuse hemorrhagic, erosive, aphtoid, and ulcerative lesions . Histology showed nonspecific inflammatory changes . Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was isolated from endoscopic biopsy and stool specimens . The patient responded rapidly to symptomatic treatment with loperamide . This case demonstrates the potential for HSV-1 to induce infectious colitis; failure to obtain microbiologic evaluations and the rapid response to empiric, symptomatic treatment may be responsible for the rarity of diagnosis of this infection . The implications of this diagnosis are probably more relevant in immunosuppressed individuals, and may be important in the elderly population.

J Periodontal Res, 1990 Sep, 25(5), 300 - 7
Effects of topical applications of meclofenamic acid and ibuprofen on bone loss, subgingival microbiota and gingival PMN response in the primate Macaca fascicularis; Kornman KS et al.; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to alter periodontitis in both animals and humans . This study was initiated in the nonhuman primate (Nhp) model to determine the effect of two NSAIDs on preexisting gingivitis, the conversion of gingivitis to periodontitis, the associated subgingival microbiota, and the gingival PMN response . Eighteen cynomolgus monkeys were divided into three groups and treated on a blind basis with ibuprofen 8%, meclofenamic acid 5%, or placebo applied topically 5 days/week for 20 wk . After 4 wk of treatment, periodontitis was initiated in one quadrant by the placement of silk ligatures . Clinical parameters, bone loss by densitometric analysis of radiographs (CADIA), and cultural microbiology of subgingival plaque were monitored . In situ PMN chemotaxis was assessed by quantitating the PMNs which entered the sulcus in response to a challenge with n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) . No significant differences in the clinical parameters were noted by treatment groups . Radiographic bone loss was detected in all experimental sites in placebo animals as compared with 67% and 44% for ibuprofen and meclofenamic acid animals, respectively . Mean CADIA scores/animal showed a significant loss in bone density for placebo at 6 and 16 wk, no change for ibuprofen animals, and a significant increase in density for meclofenamic acid animals . The microbiota of all groups changed with ligation consistent with previous reports of disease initiation in the Nhp.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Orthop Rev, 1990 Sep, 19(9), 797 - 801
Analysis of therapeutic efficacy, cost, and safety of gentamicin lavage solution in orthopaedic surgery prophylaxis; Bortnem KD et al.; Prophylactic antibiotic irrigation solutions are used quite commonly during total joint arthroplasty; however, scientific data regarding their efficacy are inconclusive . In a retrospective review of 100 total joint replacements (53 total hips and 47 total knees) that substituted gentamicin for kanamycin as an intraoperative irrigant, no apparent variation from the incidence of infection reported to the literature occurred, and no evidence of drug-induced side effects presented . Antibiotic irrigation solutions are probably noncontributory to infection prevention when used concomitantly with systemic prophylaxis . Most orthopaedic surgeons will continue to utilize them, however, owing to the catastrophic nature of a deep infection and the prevailing medicolegal atmosphere . Gentamicin is therefore a cost-effective antibiotic for intraoperative lavage--it has a sound microbiologic and safety profile, despite its lack of proven efficacy.

Orv Hetil, 1990 Aug 19, 131(33), 1811 - 3
{Protothecosis . A new, or rarely recognized disease?}; Jozsa L et al.; Two cases of infection caused by Prototheca, belonging to the colourless algae, are discussed . In one of the patients colpitis, in the other one disease of the cubital bursa developed due to Prototheca . In the first case recovery was attained with tetracyclin, in the second case with surgical treatment . Microbiology, epidemiology, pathology and clinical aspects of the insufficiently known in Hungary protothecosis are outlined.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 1990 Aug 18, 134(33), 1604 - 7
{Inventory and comparison of guidelines for antibiotic utilization in Dutch hospitals}; van Everdingen JJ et al.; In 1976 the Dutch Health Council advised hospitals to formulate guidelines for use of antibiotics . These guidelines and their use should improve the quality of care in terms of medical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness . In 1988 the Peer Review Council held a survey among all (140) Dutch hospitals to collect data about these guidelines . Thirty-seven sets of guidelines used in 71 hospitals were obtained . We analysed these sets of guidelines as to the following general aspects: the status of the guidelines in the hospitals, the problem-oriented approach, the topics dealt with in the guidelines and the authors of the guidelines . Four specific aspects related to rational use of antibiotics were analysed as well: the use of cephalosporin, the use of different antibiotics for prophylaxis and therapy and the cost-effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in relation to urosepsis . Results of these analyses show that guidelines are too often formulated in a noncommittal way and that there is a need for a more functional registration system to link information about the clinical working diagnoses, the bacteria isolated and the sensitivity to the antibiotics used . These linkages are essential for feedback to clinicians, microbiologists and pharmacists and a prerequisite for management of the quality of care with respect to use of antibiotics.

Blood, 1990 Aug 1, 76(3), 624 - 9
Acute upper gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease: clinical significance and response to immunosuppressive therapy; Weisdorf DJ et al.; Recognized manifestations of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract include secretory diarrhea, abdominal pain, and, at times, hemorrhage . In a review of 469 patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from matched sibling donors at our institution, we have recognized a syndrome of upper GI GVHD . This syndrome, presenting clinically as anorexia, dyspepsia, food intolerance, nausea, and vomiting, was recognized and confirmed histologically in 62 patients (13% by Kaplan-Meier projection) at the initiation of systemic GVHD therapy, a subset of the 197 patients developing grade II through IV GVHD . These 62 patients with upper GI GVHD were significantly older than the overall BMT population and older than the cohort with grade II through IV GVHD, as well . Of the 62 patients, 25 had upper GI GVHD accompanied only by limited (stage 1 and 2) skin GVHD; 13 others with upper GI GVHD plus limited skin involvement at initial presentation later progressed to more extensive multiorgan involvement; 24 others presented with upper GI along with other organ GVHD . This upper GI GVHD syndrome, first recognized at our center in 1983, has been diagnosed with increasing frequency (22% +/- 5%) in the most recent 5-year interval . The upper GI GVHD syndrome is more responsive to immunosuppressive therapy than grade II GVHD defined by Seattle criteria, with complete and continuing responses to treatment observed in 71% +/- 17% (95% confidence interval) of those with the upper GI GVHD syndrome compared with only 37% +/- 10% complete responses in other patients with grade II GVHD (P = .002) . Patients failing immunosuppressive therapy for upper GI GVHD often progress to symptomatic lower GI involvement, suggesting that this syndrome may be an earlier and perhaps more treatable manifestation of this unique intestinal immunopathology, which is followed by chronic GVHD in 74% of patients . While upper GI GVHD symptoms are nonspecific and require invasive histologic and microbiologic studies to confirm the diagnosis, we believe this syndrome has been underreported after allogeneic BMT and propose its recognition within the clinical GVHD scoring system.

Infect Immun, 1990 Aug, 58(8), 2606 - 12
Helicobacter pylori gastric infection in gnotobiotic beagle dogs; Radin MJ et al.; Establishment of infection with Helicobacter pylori and gastritis in nonhuman species is currently only successful in gnotobiotic piglets . This study was designed to determine whether H . pylori will colonize the gastrointestinal tract of gnotobiotic dogs . Gnotobiotic beagle pups were derived by standard methods . Group A (five dogs) was orally challenged with 3 x 10(8) H . pylori at 7 days of age . Group B (two dogs) received only peptone water but was contact-exposed beginning on day 23 postinfection (p.i.) . Necropsy was performed on dogs on day 30 p.i . H . pylori colonized the stomach of all dogs (groups A and B) . Urease map analysis correlated with the microbiologic findings and indicated that the density of colonization was less than that observed in human tissue . Organisms were also recovered from the pharynx, esophagus, duodenum, and rectum of 1, 2, 2, and 1 dog, respectively . All group A and one group B dog developed serum immunoglobulin G specific for H . pylori by day 30 p.i . Gross lesions were restricted to the stomach and consisted of small (less than 1 mm) lymphoid follicles . Microscopically, there were focal to diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with follicle formation and mild to moderate infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils in the gastric lamina propria . With the Warthin-Starry silver stain, organisms were seen on the surface of the gastric epithelial cells, beneath the mucus layer . We conclude that H . pylori colonizes the stomachs of gnotobiotic dogs for at least 1 month and the lesions resemble those seen in humans . H . pylori is transmissible by contact from infected to noninfected dogs.

Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1990 Aug, 197(2), 172 - 5
{Bacterial pathogen and resistance spectrum of the non-irritated conjunctiva . 7,845 preoperative smears at the ophthalmologic clinic of the Erlangen university}; Boltze HJ et al.; The type and extent of bacterial colonization of the conjunctiva at the time of an intraocular operation may have a major influence on the risk of post-operative endophthalmitis . Between March 1986 and December 1988 a total of 7845 preoperative conjunctival smears were therefore examined by culture of Erlangen University Eye Hospital, in cooperation with the Department of Clinical Microbiology . Altogether, 1221 (15.6%) of the smears were classified as positive . Surgery on the patients concerned was postponed and gentamicin eye drops were administered for decontamination of their conjunctivae until the smears were negative . From the positive smears 1393 strains were cultured, identified, and submitted to a resistance test . The present paper reports the frequency distribution of the species of bacteria isolated and their resistance behavior, and compares the results with those of other authors . The value of preoperative cultures in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis and the importance of resistance tests in the context of topical application of antibiotics are discussed.

Am J Infect Control, 1990 Aug, 18(4), 257 - 68
Occlusive dressings: a microbiologic and clinical review; Hutchinson JJ et al.; This review discusses the microbiology of normal skin and wounds and examines the rates of infection reported under both conventional (nonocclusive) dressings and all occlusive dressings, together with cost factors . The overall infection rate under conventional dressings was 7.1% in 1085 wounds, whereas under occlusive dressings on 3047 wounds the rate was 2.6% . In studies in which the two dressing types were directly compared, the respective rates were 7.6% and 3.2% . The reasons for this difference may include both dressing-specific and host-specific factors, and these factors are discussed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jul-Aug, 12(4), 570 - 82
Blastoschizomyces capitatus: an emerging cause of invasive fungal disease in leukemia patients; Martino P et al.; Blastoschizomyces capitatus (formerly named Trichosporon capitatum or Geotrichum capitatum) is a rare cause of invasive fungal disease in immunocompromised hosts . We retrospectively studied epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic, and microbiologic features of this infection during a 68-month period at the Division of Hematology of the University La Sapienza in Rome . Twenty patients with evidence of B . capitatus were identified: 12 were infected, four were possibly infected, and four had evidence of B . capitatus colonization but were not infected by this fungus . Pulmonary infiltrates were seen in seven infected patients; four of these patients eventually developed mycetomalike cavitations . Eight infected patients presented clinical and radiologic features of focal hepatitis compatible with hepatosplenic candidiasis . Of the 12 infected patients, two did not receive any antifungal treatment and died, five did not show any response to systemic antifungal therapy, and five received prolonged amphotericin B plus 5-fluorocytosine therapy . Of the last group, three patients achieved stable remission of their acute leukemia and were cured, and two improved but had an apparent relapse of B . capitatus infection after their acute leukemia recurred.

J Infect, 1990 Jul, 21(1), 111 - 7
Reports of clinical hepatitis A from Public Health and hospital microbiology laboratories to the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre during the period 1980-1988; Polakoff S; Clinical hepatitis, diagnosed as being caused by virus type A by tests for specific immunoglobulin M, has been reported from laboratories in England, Wales and Ireland since 1980 . There were 25541 reports in the following 9 years, a yearly average of 2838 . A 7-year cycle is suggested by peaks in the numbers of reports of 4502 in 1982 and 4167 in 1988 with a continuing rise in 1989 . Contact with other cases of acute hepatitis was recorded for 3899 patients (15%) of which 2497 (64%) were in families, 258 (7%) were in schools, 94 (2%) were in institutions/hospitals, 197 (5%) were in the neighbourhood, while 140 (4%) were contacts at work or socially . A possible food source was recorded for 122 (3%) with shellfish being specified in 56 cases . Recent travel abroad was reported for 3692 patients (15%) of whom 3027 (82%) had visited areas of high prevalence for hepatitis A . About half of them had been to the Indian sub-continent, in strong contrast to visits abroad by the general population each year of which only 7% of the 22 million visits are to areas of high prevalence for hepatitis A . Association with the Indian sub-continent was particularly high for children.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Jul, 172(7), 3681 - 9
Isolation and in vitro assembly of the components of the outer S layer of Lampropedia hyalina; Austin JW et al.; The outermost component of the S layer of Lampropedia hyalina, the punctate layer, is assembled onto an inner perforate layer . The punctate layer is composed of long, tapered cylindrical units centered on p6 symmetry axes and connected by six fine linking arms, joining at the axis of threefold symmetry to create a hexagonal layer with a lattice constant of 25.6 +/- 0.5 nm (J . A . Chapman, R . G . E . Murray, and M . R . J . Salton, Proc . R . Soc . London Ser . B 158:498-513, 1963; R . G . E . Murray, Can . J . Microbiol . 9:593-600, 1963) . Extraction of cell envelopes with 100 mM Tris buffer (pH 8) containing 2% deoxycholate resulted in the release of several proteins, but left the S layers intact . The punctate layer was then extracted with 3 M guanidine hydrochloride or 6 M urea, leaving the perforate layer intact . This treatment led to the release of three polypeptides with molecular weights of 60,000, 66,000, and 240,000 (60K, 66K, and 240K polypeptides) . These three polypeptides reassembled on the perforate layer as a template to form the S-layer complex or self-assembled to form the punctate layer alone after dialysis of the extract against 50 mM HEPES (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid) buffer (pH 7.5) containing 10 mM CaCl2 . The self-assemblies were composed of a 240K polypeptide and a 60K polypeptide . The 240K and 60K polypeptides were separated by column chromatography and examined by electron microscopy . The 240K polypeptide appeared in negative stain as a long, flexible structure and assembled into loose arrays with sixfold symmetry with obvious Y-shaped linking elements, while fractions containing both the 60K and 240K polypeptides showed assemblies closely resembling the punctuate layer . Immunoelectron microscopy was used to confirm the presence of both the 60K and 240K polypeptides as components of the punctuate layer.

Indian J Med Res, 1990 Jul, 91, 245 - 6
Acute rubella infection in pregnant women in Delhi; Kishore J et al.; Serum samples of 17 pregnant women with suspected rubella who presented at the Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, New Delhi, from March to May 1988 for confirmation of diagnosis were tested for rubella haemagglutination inhibiting (HAI) antibodies and rubella specific IgM antibodies by mu-capture ELISA . Ten of the 17 women were diagnosed to have acute rubella infection as they showed the presence of rubella specific IgM antibodies . Nine of these gave history of fever and rash whereas one woman remained asymptomatic . These observations suggest an increase in the incidence of rubella infection in pregnant women from March to May 1988 in Delhi.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Jul, 58(2), 161 - 6
Evidence that the capsule around mycobacteria grown in axenic media contains mycobacterial antigens: implications at the level of cell envelope architecture; Rastogi N et al.; The intracellular growth of pathogenic mycobacteria has been linked to the presence of an electron transparent zone (ETZ or capsule), which surrounds the phagocytized bacteria and prevents the diffusion of lysosomal enzymes in infected macrophages . Recently, it was suggested that this capsule may be a bacterial structures, even being present in test tube-grown pathogenic mycobacteria (FEMS Microbiol . Lett . 1988, 56, 225-230) . In the present paper, we show that under special fixation and embedding conditions, this capsule was clearly observed among 7 strains of mycobacteria grown in axenic media and also in M . leprae extracted and purified from experimentally infected armadillo or nude mice . In the case of bacteria treated likewise but subject to a prior dehydration step, this capsular structure disappeared suggesting its lipidic nature . Ultrathin sections of M . intracellular after immunolabelling showed for the first time that this capsule obtained mycobacterial antigens confirming its mycobacterial origin . It is suggested that the mycobacterial capsule may be formed of inert lipids, in which surface antigens are embedded.

Fiziol Zh, 1990 Jul-Aug, 36(4), 84 - 8
{The pathomorphological characteristics of the action on the body of the antitumor antibiotic asterin under stress conditions}; Gordienko VM et al.; The action (on the organism) of antitumour antibiotic asterine isolated from plant of family Asteraceae under stress conditions at D . K . Zabolotnyi Institute of Microbiology and Virology has been pathomorphologically characterized . Asterine is stated to be able to decrease the harmful effect of stressor, preventing the expression of structural alterations in adrenal glands, cortex and lungs of stress-subjected organism . Adaptogenic effect of antitumour antibiotic is confirmed.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1990 Jul, 40(7), 837 - 42
Safety aspects in biotechnology . Classifications and safety precautions for handling of biological agents; Frommer W et al.; The term "biotechnology" is today used much more widely than 10 years ago . According to the modern definition, biotechnology represents the "conveyor belt" which brings advances in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, biochemistry and process engineering, etc., into the areas of application . It is attempted to indicate the development of safety standards concerning biotechnology . This development is in a state of flux, and the finding that the risks in handling r-DNA organisms are not larger than those arising when handling the known pathogens is becoming more accepted . Accordingly, these r-DNA organisms can also be classified into the known risk groups I-IV and handled under the corresponding safety conditions according to this classification: In the laboratory under the laboratory safety measures L1-L4 described in the BMFT-Guidelines or guidelines for occupational health and hygiene (UVV Biotechnologie) and on a process scale under the process safety measures described in the OECD report . The discussion of aspects on waste disposal, education/training and public perception in the field of biological safety completes the report.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Jul, 36(7), 378 - 80
{The problem history of the toxin-antitoxin theory in medical microbiology}; Opitz B; The paper presents the history of the toxin-antitoxin theory . It covers the working hypotheses of the pathological-anatomical and clinical research (Virchow and Oertel), the experimental evidence of the diphtheria toxin by Roux and Yersin, up to the discovery of the antitoxin effect by Behring . The differences between an experimental based theory and the speculative conceptions of that time are discussed.

J Prosthet Dent, 1990 Jul, 64(1), 18 - 24
A standardized method for determination of crown margin fidelity; Sorensen JA; Previous research on crown margin fidelity is reviewed and methods of measurement are compared and scrutinized . A standardized method for the determination of crown margin fidelity is introduced . A biologically oriented rationale is presented for analysis of the measurement parameters . This system places a strong emphasis on measuring factors that impact upon accumulation of plaque and the microbiologic environment around crowns, ultimately affecting gingival health . Crown samples were cemented on master dies and were embedded for sectioning buccolingually and mesiodistally . Photographs of margins with plastic overlays indicating emergence profiles were used to determine vertical and horizontal marginal discrepancies . Three observers measured seven crown systems for the vertical and horizontal marginal discrepancies of each crown system . The interobserver variance was 10 microns for the horizontal and 9 microns for the vertical marginal discrepancy.

Clin Microbiol Rev, 1990 Jul, 3(3), 219 - 26
Statistical methods in microbiology; Ilstrup DM; Statistical methodology is viewed by the average laboratory scientist, or physician, sometimes with fear and trepidation, occasionally with loathing, and seldom with fondness . Statistics may never be loved by the medical community, but it does not have to be hated by them . It is true that statistical science is sometimes highly mathematical, always philosophical, and occasionally obtuse, but for the majority of medical studies it can be made palatable . The goal of this article has been to outline a finite set of methods of analysis that investigators should choose based on the nature of the variable being studied and the design of the experiment . The reader is encouraged to seek the advice of a professional statistician when there is any doubt about the appropriate method of analysis . A statistician can also help the investigator with problems that have nothing to do with statistical tests, such as quality control, choice of response variable and comparison groups, randomization, and blinding of assessment of response variables.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1990 Jul, 94(1), 84 - 6
The recovery of Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis from blood specimens of AIDS patients using the nonradiometric BACTEC NR 660 medium; Motyl MR et al.; The ability of the nonradiometric BACTEC NR 660 aerobic 6A blood culture medium to support mycobacterial growth was investigated . During a 19-month period blood cultures from 140 AIDS patients were sent to the microbiology laboratory . After the cultures were incubated for seven days, aliquots of medium from the vials were centrifuged, sediments examined microscopically for mycobacteria, and cultured to mycobacterial media . Seventy-one AIDS patients (51%) had at least one blood culture positive for mycobacteria . There was a significant difference in the percent of female AIDS patients positive for mycobacteria compared to male patients (72% vs . 44%, P less than 0.01) . Forty-four percent of all subsequently positive cultures were detected by an acid fast stain of the specimen sediment . Subcultures from the BACTEC 6A suspensions were positive on mycobacterial media at one-seven weeks (mean three weeks) after planting . Sixty-nine of the isolates were Mycobacterium avium complex, while two were Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Some bacteremias with M . tuberculosis may have been undetected because growth experiments with a reference strain showed that, in contrast to M . avium complex, M . tuberculosis did not increase in concentration in 6A medium.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Jun, 34(6), 1257 - 8
Effects of supraphysiologic temperature and broth dilution on serum protein binding; White RL et al.; Pooled human serum, unheated (UU) and heated at 56 degrees C for 30 (HU-30) and 60 (HU-60) min, and these media diluted 1:1 with broth (UD, HD-30, and HD-60) were used to assess the effects of supraphysiologic temperature and broth dilution on the serum protein binding of ceftriaxone . Protein binding was determined by ultrafiltration and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography analysis . Significant differences in protein binding between UU and HU-60 (P less than 0.05), UD and HD-60 (P less than 0.01), HD-30 and HD-60 (P less than 0.01), and all undiluted and diluted media (P less than 0.01) were found . These alterations in protein binding may influence the in vitro microbiologic testing of highly protein-bound antibiotics.

Acad Med, 1990 Jun, 65(6), 388 - 91
Postbaccalaureate preparation and performance in medical school; Hojat M et al.; The question whether postbaccalaureate preparation before matriculation in medical school contributes to medical students' performance was addressed by this study . A total of 610 (91%) of the students who entered Jefferson Medical College between 1985 and 1987 were the study sample . Fifty-eight of these students had taken nondegree undergraduate premedical courses and 15 had taken nondegree graduate courses . Fourteen students held graduate degrees and 60 students had some combination of the aforementioned types of postbaccalaureate preparations . The other 463 students had not taken postbaccalaureate courses . Grades received in medical school courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, mechanisms of disease, physiology, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology, as well as total scores on Part I of the National Board of Medical Examiners examination were selected as performance variables . Statistical analyses showed that the students who had taken nondegree postbaccalaureate courses had lower undergraduate grade-point averages than those without such courses and received lower grades on some measures of performance in medical school . The students with such additional academic backgrounds were also older than the average medical student . When adjustments were made for undergraduate grade-point averages by applying analysis of covariance, the observed differences that favored the group without postbaccalaureate preparation either became nonsignificant or favored those with such preparation . The differences favoring those without postbaccalaureate preparation could be accounted for mostly by these students' higher undergraduate grade-point averages and younger ages . Implications for admission decisions with regard to the changing applicant pool are discussed.

Tierarztl Prax, 1990 Jun, 18(3), 259 - 66
{Clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis in ornamental birds}; Kummerfeld N et al.; Clinical diagnosis in companion birds consists of well established procedures such as case history, clinical observation, physical examination and further special investigations, e.g . radiology, endoscopy or clinical chemistry . Also some peculiarities of the numerous bird species have to be taken into consideration . These are, for example, certain characteristics of the different species, the varieties of husbandry and environment as single caged birds or flocks in zoos and aviaries and, especially, the lack of typical clinical symptoms in most cases . In regard to those aspects, case history concerning aspects such as age, sex, feeding or course of the disease and special investigations in the case of single caged birds and diagnostic dissections and etiological laboratory examinations, e.g . microbiology, parasitology and toxicology, in the case of flock problems are of major significance . Examples of differential diagnosis in single caged birds, e.g . abnormal behaviour ("feather plucking"), gout, intestinal foreign bodies, tumors or pneumomycosis, and flock health problems, e.g . acariasis, canary pox, coccidiosis or bacterial infections complete this paper.

Mol Immunol, 1990 Jun, 27(6), 571 - 9
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the structure of the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin G1: comparisons of native and recombinant proteins; Matsuda H et al.; The structure of the Fc fragment of human IgG1 immunoglobulin is compared for the native and recombinant proteins . A recombinant human Fc fragment was expressed by an E . coli system {Kitai K., Kudo T., Nakamura S., Masegi T., Ichikawa Y . and Horikoshi K . (1988) Appl . Microbiol . Biotechnol . 28, 52-56} . The recombinant protein, which presumably lacks oligosaccharides, was used along with the native human Fc fragment obtained by proteolytic digestion of a myeloma IgG1 protein . 1H NMR has been employed along with circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy to discuss the structure of these two types of proteins . It has been concluded that (1) the overall structure of the recombinant protein is quite similar to that of the native protein, which possesses asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, but (2) a significant difference in structure exists in the neighborhood of the glycosylation site . The difference in the effector functions for the two kinds of the Fc proteins has been briefly discussed in terms of the structural change detected by 1H NMR.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1990 Jun, 87(12), 4776 - 80
TolC, an Escherichia coli outer membrane protein required for hemolysin secretion; Wandersman C et al.; Secretion of Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin into the medium does not require the cleavage of an N-terminal signal peptide . The specific secretion apparatus was shown to consist of two proteins, HlyB and HlyD, both located in the inner membrane and encoded by genes contiguous to the hemolysin structural gene (hlyA) . It was proposed that these two proteins constitute a membrane-bound translocator for hemolysin {Mackman, N., Nicaud, J . M., Gray, L . & Holland, I . B . (1986) Curr . Top . Microbiol . Immunol . 125, 159-181} . We show here that an E . coli outer membrane protein, the TolC protein, encoded by a gene not located in the hly cluster, is specifically required for hemolysin secretion . This result suggests that an outer membrane protein might be a component of the secretion apparatus allowing a specific interaction between the inner and the outer membrane.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl, 1990 Jun, 148, 6 - 11
Historical perspectives and concepts in otitis media research at the University of Minnesota; Paparella MM et al.; The University of Minnesota Otitis Media Research Center, formed in 1978, comprises a multidisciplinary research team in the clinical fields of otolaryngology, pediatrics, audiology, and infectious disease as well as the basic science fields of histopathology, epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry . The team has focused on studies designed to elucidate the pathophysiology of the otitis media continuum, and considerable progress has been made in describing this continuum by using the basic science approaches available in the Center . The collaboration of basic and clinical scientists has created a synergy of goals, ideas, and methods leading to new hypotheses and progress, ultimately resulting in improved patient care methods.

J Immunol, 1990 May 15, 144(10), 3877 - 80
Temporal expression of different pathways of 1-arginine metabolism in healing wounds; Albina JE et al.; Arginine can be metabolized by inflammatory cells through at least two pathways . One is an oxidative l-arginine deiminase (OAD) that results in the formation of citrulline and reactive nitrogen intermediates . The other is arginase, which determines the production of ornithine and urea . The temporal expression of these pathways in an experimental wound model (s.c . implanted polyvinyl alcohol sponges in the rat) was investigated by examining the concentrations of amino acids and of nitrite in fluids obtained from the sponges 6 h to 15 day after implantation . These analyses revealed two distinct periods during which the arginine concentration in the fluids was markedly below plasma levels . During the early period (less than 3 days after sponge implantation) wound fluid contained more citrulline and nitrite than at any other time, suggesting OAD activity . In contrast, ornithine accumulated in the fluids during the late decrease in arginine concentration that extended beyond day 3, during which time the wound fluid also contained a high arginase activity . This time-dependent expression of different pathways of arginine metabolism in wounds was confirmed in sponge cultures containing {guanido-14C}-l-arginine . Cells contained in sponges harvested less than 48 h after implantation metabolized labeled arginine mainly to labeled citrulline, whereas labeled urea was produced during culture of sponges harvested after this time . The low arginine content of wound fluid did not appear to be rate limiting for the expression of OAD in late sponges because no OAD activity was evidenced when 4 mM arginine was added to the cultures . These results indicate that the OAD pathway is expressed in this model predominantly during the early, polymorphonuclear leukocyte-predominant, phase of repair . At this time, the reactive nitrogen intermediates resulting from the metabolism of arginine may mediate some of the events characteristic of early inflammation, including microbiostasis, vasodilation, and inhibition/reversal of platelet aggregation . In turn, the late suppression of this pathway and the catabolism of arginine through arginase may promote macrophage function within wounds.

Am J Med, 1990 May 14, 88(5A), 33S - 35S
Branhamella catarrhalis: phenotypic characteristics; Doern GV; PURPOSE: This review provides a comprehensive description and discussion of recognized phenotypic characteristics of Branhamella catarrhalis . An emphasis is placed on attributes of this organism that are relevant to its recovery and identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory . In addition, characteristics useful in determining strain identity for use in epidemiologic investigations are addressed . Finally, factors are discussed that may account for the infection-causing potential of B . catarrhalis or at least are of potential consequence to investigations of the pathogenesis of Branhamella disease . CONCLUSIONS: B . catarrhalis is readily isolated from human clinical specimens and can be easily identified using simple, rapid laboratory techniques . Restriction endonuclease analysis of chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid has proven to be a useful tool in epidemiologic studies . Beta-lactamase isoelectric focusing is of limited value because of the small number of distinct patterns . The lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane proteins of B . catarrhalis have been characterized and found to be relatively non-varying among different strains . Circumstantial evidence exists in support of the hypothesis that the B . catarrhalis beta-lactamase is a virulence determinant.

Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 May, 190(1-2), 127 - 40
A quantitative test method for the examination of antimycobacterial disinfection procedures; Hingst V et al.; Various aspects of the test methods currently established in western industrial countries for the qualitative and to a certain extent quantitative measurement of the antimycobacterial efficacy of disinfection procedures have recently been increasingly criticized in the international literature . For this reason, a quantitative test method for suspension trials and carrier trials, which includes the test strain Mycobacterium terrae ATCC 15755, has been developed . Experience with the new methods has proved them easy to learn and to reproduce . Before the methods, presented here in detail, can be recommended to the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, DGHM) as official testing procedures, their acceptability should be tested in a multicenter study . Taking the results thus obtained into consideration, recommendations for the reduction factors required for the declaration of a safe antimycobacterial disinfection procedure should be made.

J Rheumatol, 1990 May, 17(5), 701 - 4
Prototheca wickerhamii tenosynovitis; Moyer RA et al.; Prototheca wickerhamii is an algae-like organism rarely implicated in skin or soft tissue infections . We describe the first case (to our knowledge) of Prototheca tenosynovitis which followed median nerve release for carpal tunnel syndrome . Clinical presentation, operative findings, histopathology, microbiology and treatment of this unusual infection are discussed.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 May, 28(5), 1009 - 15
Microbiology and potential virulence of Sporothrix cyanescens, a fungus rarely isolated from blood and skin; Sigler L et al.; Sporothrix cyanescens has been recovered from blood and a finger lesion at several medical centers in the United States . The morphology and physiology of these and three additional isolates were studied . S . cyanescens was distinguished from S . schenckii and S . fungorum by white to lavender colonial pigmentation and from S . schenckii also by the formation of secondary conidia . All isolates of S . cyanescens grew well at 37 degrees C, were cycloheximide susceptible, strongly urease positive, and benomyl resistant, failed to hydrolyze starch, and were inhibited by sodium chloride in vitro at a concentration of greater than or equal to 12% . Study of S . cyanescens in a murine model by using intravenous inoculation failed to demonstrate an invasive pathogenic potential . The validity of the transfer of S . cyanescens to the new genus Cerinosterus Moore is discussed.

South Med J, 1990 May, 83(5), 584 - 8
Invasive Aspergillus infections complicating coronary artery bypass grafting; Weber SF et al.; Endovascular infection with Aspergillus species results in unacceptably high mortality of greater than 80% in most series . Failure to recognize the infection early during its clinical course contributes to its formidable lethality . Blood cultures almost never reveal organisms, as in our Cases 1 and 2 . When considering a patient with fever, changing murmur, major systemic emboli, or splenomegaly, and with blood cultures negative for organisms months or even years after cardiac surgery, therefore, the physician should maintain a high index of suspicion for fungal endocarditis . The best opportunity to establish the diagnosis antemortem rests in careful histopathologic and microbiologic examination of infected emboli and vegetations . Most authors agree that a combined approach employing early valve replacement and aggressive antifungal chemotherapy with amphotericin B and perhaps flucytosine or rifampin represents the best option for treatment of endovascular Aspergillus infections.

Surgery, 1990 May, 107(5), 581 - 3
Do first- and second-year preclinical course scores predict student performance during the surgical clerkship?
Baciewicz FA Jr, Arent L, Weaver M, Yeasting R, Thomford N.
The study proposed to determine if a preclinical basic science index comprised of anatomy, behavioral medicine, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology courses or any one of these basic science courses would predict student performance during surgical clerkship . The basic science index demonstrated a correlation of 0.55 and 0.35 with the individual student's written and oral clerkship scores, respectively . A stepwise multiple regression using a backward stepping algorithm was applied; the dependent variables were oral and written clerkship scores, and the independent variables were the basic science courses . Microbiology, pathology, and physiology course scores were predictors of written score (R = 0.60) . Pathology course scores were the sole predictor of oral score (R = 0.43) . Medical student basic science performance was not a strong forecaster of performance on the surgical clerkship . The pathology basic science score was the only consistent predictor of performance on the written and oral evaluations given at the end of the clerkship.

Nippon Saikingaku Zasshi, 1990 May, 45(3), 649 - 52
{Detection of two Shiga-like toxins from Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates by the polymerase chain reaction method}; Kobayashi K et al.; Fourteen isolates of E . coli O157:H7 and five isolates of S . dysenteriae type-1 were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the structural genes (slt-I or slt-II), encoding Shiga-like toxins (SLTs) . The two primer pairs (V1; 5'AGTTAATGTGGTGGCGAA and V2; 5'GACTGCGTCAGTGAGGTT for SLT-I, V3; 5'TTCGGTATCCTATTCCCG and V4; 5'TCTCTGGTCATTGTATTA for SLT-II) used were of the same positions representing the DNA sequence covering 471bp of the slt-I or slt-II . A 5-microliter portion of boiled bacterial culture broth was used as template DNA in a PCR-reaction mixture of 50 microliters . Two classes, slt-I alone or both slt-I and slt-II, were recognized in E . coli strains . All of S . dysenteriae type-1 strains examined contained slt-I alone . Our results indicate that PCR using these primer pairs is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and specific method and suitable for use in routine diagnostic microbiology laboratories.

Allergy Proc, 1990 May-Jun, 11(3), 109 - 16
Sick building syndrome: acute illness among office workers--the role of building ventilation, airborne contaminants and work stress; Letz GA; Outbreaks of acute illness among office workers have been reported with increasing frequency during the past 10-15 years . In the majority of cases, hazardous levels of airborne contaminants have not been found . Generally, health complaints have involved mucous membrane and respiratory tract irritation and nonspecific symptoms such as headache and fatigue . Except for rare examples of hypersensitivity pneumonitis related to microbiologic antigens, there have been no reports of serious morbidity or permanent sequelae . However, the anxiety, lost work time, decreased productivity and resources spent in investigating complaints has been substantial . NIOSH has reported on 446 Health Hazards Evaluations that were done in response to indoor air complaints . This data base is the source of most of the published accounts of building-related illness . Their results are summarized here with a discussion of common pollutants (tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, other organic volatiles), and the limitations of the available industrial hygiene and epidemiologic data . There has been one large scale epidemiologic survey of symptoms among office workers . The results associate risk of symptoms to building design and characteristics of the heating/air-conditioning systems, consistent with the NIOSH experience . Building construction since the 1970s has utilized energy conservation measures such as improved insulation, reduced air exchange, and construction without opening windows . These buildings are considered "airtight" and are commonly involved in episodes of building-associated illness in which no specific etiologic agent can be identified . After increasing the percentage of air exchange or correcting specific deficiencies found in the heating/air-conditioning systems, the health complaints often resolve, hence, the term "tight building syndrome" or "sick building syndrome."(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 May, 28(5), 882 - 5
Comparison of two assay methods for patterns of adherence to HEp-2 cells of Escherichia coli from patients with diarrhea; Vial PA et al.; To determine whether methodological differences in the HEp-2 adherence assay could explain conflicting results of field studies, 244 strains of Escherichia coli from Mexican children with diarrhea were tested for patterns of adherence by the method used at the Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland (CVD), and at the Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical School and School of Public Health (UTH) . The CVD assay differentiated three phenotypes of adherent E . coli, including localized, diffuse, or aggregative adherence (LA, DA, or AA, respectively) . There was agreement on pattern of adherence in 241 of the 244 strains (98.8%) tested by the CVD method in both Baltimore and Houston, and AA+ was the most common phenotype (28.5% of isolates) . Among these isolates, the UTH assay detected only two adherent phenotypes (LA and DA), since it did not distinguish the AA pattern . The LA+ strains detected by each assay were compared for positivity with the enteropathogenic E . coli adherence factor (EAF) gene probe . Of the 16 strains LA+ by the CVD method, 100% were EAF+; in contrast, only 11 of 22 strains LA+ by the UTH method were EAF+ (P = 0.00074) . These results help explain why in pediatric field studies in Mexico where isolates were tested by the UTH method (J . J . Mathewson, R . A . Oberhelman, H . L . Dupont, F . J . de la Cabada, and E . V . Garibay, J . Clin . Microbiol . 25:1917-1919, 1987) LA+ strains often did not belong to enteropathogenic E . coli O serogroups and why the AA pattern was not observed; the opposite was found in studies of pediatric diarrhea in Chile in which the CVD assay was used (M . M . Levine, V . Prado, R . M . Robins-Browne, H . Lior, J . B . Kaper, S . Moseley, K . Gicquelais, J . P . Nataro, P . Vial, and B . Tall, J . Infect . Dis . 158:224-228, 1988) . Since it appears that both assays identify E . coli strains associated with diarrheal illness, the genetic relationships among these strains should be examined in future studies.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 May, 28(5), 1021 - 5
Evaluation of five methods for respiratory syncytial virus detection; Halstead DC et al.; A total of 117 nasal aspirates were cultured for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and tested for RSV antigen by a direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) test (Bartels Immunodiagnostic Supplies, Inc., Bellevue, Wash.), the Directigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.), the TestPack EIA (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.), and RSV EIA (Abbott) . Agreement of two of five methods or a positive RSV culture were required to validate a result . A total of 57 of 117 (48.7%) specimens were culture positive in HEp-2 cells, A549 cells, or both . A total of 5 of 117 (4.3%) additional specimens met the criteria of a positive specimen; i.e., 62 of 117 (53.0%) specimens were positive . Results obtained from 77 of 117 (65.8%) specimens were concordant for all five methods . The sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for the culture and DFA methods were 91.9, 100, 100, and 91.7% and 91.9, 96.4, 96.6, and 91.4%, respectively . The sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for the three EIA procedures, Directigen, TestPack, and RSV EIA, were 75.8, 80.0, 81.0, and 74.6%; 93.6, 100, 100, and 93.2%; and 71.0, 100, 100, and 75.3%, respectively . New self-contained EIA configurations and the DFA method offer attractive alternatives to the culture method . Technical simplicity, rapid turnaround time, performance, and cost must all be considered when selecting a system for RSV detection.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 May, 57(1-2), 129 - 33
CMP-KDO-synthetase activity in Escherichia coli expressing capsular polysaccharides; Finke A et al.; The temperature-regulated expression of capsular group II polysaccharides of Escherichia coli (B . Jann and K . Jann, (1990) Curr . Top . Microbiol . Immunol . 150: 19-42) depends on an elevated concentration of CMP-KDO, as evidenced by an increased activity of CMP-KDO synthetase . The increase in activity of CMP-KDO synthetase is observed only in cytoplasmic fractions of bacteria which had been grown at 37 degrees C but not after growth at 18 degrees C . The activity of CMP-KDO synthetase thus parallels the activity of the (membrane-associated) system synthesizing capsules of group II in E . coli . No such dependence of capsule expression on CMP-KDO was observed with E . coli with capsules of group I . A number of E . coli strains with capsular polysaccharides, which on the basis of genetic determination and chemical characteristics are considered as group II capsules, show no temperature regulation of their capsules and do not depend on an elevated CMP-KDO concentration for capsule expression . The capsular polysaccharides of these E . coli strains, which possibly represent a new group of E . coli capsules are tentatively classified as group I/II.

J Can Dent Assoc, 1990 May, 56(5), 423 - 6
An update on the human immunodeficiency virus and infection control; Hardie J; This report is not an attempt to provide a comprehensive review of HIV infection, AIDS, and infection control . Rather it has highlighted some of the medical, ethical and legal aspects associated with the AIDS dilemma which are of significance to the dental profession . There would appear to be few if any valid professional reasons which a dentist may use to avoid treating an HIV infected or AIDS patient . In fact, dentists adopting such an attitude may be subject to litigation . From a research perspective, it is feasible that continuing monitoring of the oral manifestations of AIDS and its associated diseases will contribute much information regarding the responses of the oral tissues to immunosuppression . This, in turn, may result in a better appreciation of common dental diseases especially periodontitis . The information on infection control has emphasized how a knowledge of the basic microbiologic concepts regarding disease transmission should be used as the foundation for effective prevention of disease transmission.

J Vet Intern Med, 1990 May-Jun, 4(3), 172 - 80
Canine chronic bronchitis . A pathophysiologic evaluation of 18 cases; Padrid PA et al.; Eighteen dogs with chronic bronchitis were studied using physiologic, radiologic, microbiologic, and pathologic techniques . Twelve of these dogs were evaluated before and after two weeks of oral bronchodilator administration . Thoracic radiographs, tidal breathing flow-volume loops, radioaerosol ventilation scans, airway appearance at bronchoscopy, and airway pathology were abnormal in the majority of dogs studied . There was a significant relationship between abnormal ventilation scans and abnormal results for PaO2 and end-tidal airflow . Bronchoscopy revealed excessive mucus and inflammation of airway mucosa in all 16 dogs undergoing this procedure . Endoscopically obtained aerobic bacterial cultures grew mixed bacterial flora in only three dogs . Increased numbers of neutrophils in 14 dogs were detected by airway lavage cytology . A large number of eosinophils were seen in airway lavages obtained from two dogs; these two dogs also had evidence for eosinophilic bronchitis on endobronchial biopsy . Oral bronchodilator administration resulted in clinical and expiratory airflow improvements in most dogs, but had no effect on PaO2 or on the radioaerosol-scan abnormalities . The presence of both the physiologic and pathologic airway abnormalities of chronic bronchitis in dogs presented to a veterinary hospital with chronic unexplained cough was confirmed, suggesting that aerobic bacteria do not play an etiologic role in most cases.

Rev Infect Dis, 1990 May-Jun, 12 Suppl 4, S463 - 8; discussion S468-9
Role of intravenous immunoglobulin in prevention of late-onset infection in low-birth-weight neonates . The Neonatal IVIG Study Group; Baker CJ et al.; As a result of inadequate placental transport of maternal IgG, preterm neonates of less than 32 weeks' gestation, especially those with birth weights less than 1,500 g, are profoundly hypogammaglobulinemic at birth, a condition that worsens during the first several weeks of life . This hypogammaglobulinemia is believed to contribute to their high frequency of late-onset sepsis, with its accompanying morbidity and mortality . Animal studies suggest that human immunoglobulin prepared for intravenous use (IVIG) improves host defense against pathogens that cause neonatal infections, but studies of IVIG in human neonates have been inconclusive because of the small numbers of infants included, lack of suitable controls, use of clinical rather than strict microbiologic definition of sepsis, and performance only in a single hospital outside the United States . A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trial in the United States is in progress to determine the efficacy of IVIG in the prevention of late-onset infections in infants with birth weights between 500 and 1,750 g . Infants are infused with 500 mg of IVIG/kg or albumin-saline placebo at 3-7 days of age, 7 days later, and every 14 days for five doses . Efficacy parameters include mortality, number of proved infectious episodes (bacterial, fungal, or viral), and infection-related morbidity . Definitive guidelines for the possible use of prophylactic IVIG in low-birth-weight neonates should result from this evaluation of 500 to 700 infants in the United States.

Med Clin (Barc), 1990 Apr 14, 94(14), 535 - 7
{Arthritis caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis: a case of fever induced by a rat bite}; Anglada A et al.; A 54-year-old female had fever with chills, polyarthritis and diffuse rash . Anamnesis led to the suspicion of rat-bite fever . The etiology was confirmed when and organism which was identified as Streptobacillus moniliformis was isolated from articular fluid by means of gas chromatography of tissue fatty acids . In our opinion, this is the first case of that condition reported in this country . We review the literature, and we insist on the need to inform the microbiologist of the clinical suspicion to achieve the etiological diagnosis.

Biochemistry, 1990 Apr 10, 29(14), 3522 - 7
Biosynthesis of quinoxaline antibiotics: purification and characterization of the quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid activating enzyme from Streptomyces triostinicus; Glund K et al.; A quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid activating enzyme was purified to homogeneity from triostin-producing Streptomyces triostinicus . It could also be purified from quinomycin-producing Streptomyces echinatus . Triostins and quinomycins are peptide lactones that contain quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid as chromophoric moiety . The enzyme catalyzes the ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reaction dependent on quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid and the formation of the corresponding adenylate . Besides quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid, the enzyme also catalyzes the formation of adenylates from quinoline-2-carboxylic acid and thieno{3,2-b}pyridine-5-carboxylic acid . No adenylates were seen from quinoline-3-carboxylic acid, quinoline-4-carboxylic acid, pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, and 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid . Previous work {Gauvreau, D., & Waring, M . J . (1984) Can . J . Microbiol . 30, 439-450} revealed that quinoline-2-carboxylic acid and thieno{3,2-b}pyridine-5-carboxylic acid became efficiently incorporated into the corresponding quinoxaline antibiotic analogues in vivo . Together with the data described here, this suggests that the enzyme is part of the quinoxaline antibiotics synthesizing enzyme system . The enzyme displays a native molecular weight of 42,000, whereas in its denatured form it is a polypeptide of Mr 52,000-53,000 . It resembles in its behavior actinomycin synthetase I, the chromophore activating enzyme involved in actinomycin biosynthesis {Keller, U., Kleinkauf, H., & Zocher, R . (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1479-1484}.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Apr, 25 Suppl C, 31 - 9
The computerized documentation of septicaemia; Gransden WR et al.; At St Thomas' Hospital for the past 20 years, medical microbiologists have documented all cases of septicaemia, as part of the routine service offered by the department . These records are used in the day-to-day management of patients and have provided much research and teaching material . When the number of paper records became so large that manual extraction of data was impossible we computerized the records . In 1986 information from the paper charts was transferred to a microcomputer, and since the beginning of 1988 the details of each new case have been added to this computer file at the end of the septicaemic episode . At present, collection of data during the course of a patient's illness continues on paper, but it is hoped that in future this process will also be computerized . Apart from our own data, little computerized information is to be found on patients or the treatment they receive, both within our hospital and nationally . The present system can be viewed as a prototype for other groups of patients.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Apr, 34(4), 610 - 3
Efficacy and safety of mercuric oxide in the treatment of bacterial blepharitis; Hyndiuk RA et al.; A double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized study was done to assess the safety and clinical and quantitative microbiologic efficacy of 1% mercuric oxide (yellow) ophthalmic ointment in the treatment of eyelid infections, i.e., bacterial blepharitis . A total of 39 patients with bacterial counts and clinical signs indicative of eyelid infection were treated twice daily for 7 days . Clinical biomicroscopic examination and quantitative microbiologic cultures were done just prior to initiation of treatment and again on days 3 and 7 . Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in the clinical signs, bacterial count, cure rate, and improvement rate for subjects taking the active medication, compared with those taking the placebo on days 3 and 7 . In addition, the medication was well tolerated.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1990 Apr, 93(4), 575 - 8
Giant forms of Blastomyces dermatitidis in the pulmonary lesions of blastomycosis . Potential confusion with Coccidioides immitis; Watts JC et al.; Typical yeast-phase cells of Blastomyces dermatitidis have a characteristic appearance in tissue sections . Fungal morphologic variation occurs infrequently in the lesions of blastomycosis, yet it can complicate the differential diagnosis, particularly if fresh tissue is not available for microbiologic culture . The authors report a case of pulmonary blastomycosis, confirmed by culture and direct immunofluorescence, in which some of the yeast-like cells were abnormally large . These giant yeast-like cells exceeded the size range accepted for the tissue forms of B . dermatitidis; therefore, coccidioidomycosis was considered initially in the differential diagnosis . Otherwise characteristic morphologic features of these cells, in particular multinucleation and the production of broad-based blastoconidia, helped resolve the differential diagnosis . The diagnosis can be confirmed by direct immunofluorescence or microbiologic culture.

Revmatologiia (Mosk), 1990 Apr-Jun, (2), 46 - 50
{The microbiocenosis of the intestines and its influence on the course of postenterocolitic reactive arthritis}; Rubtsov OV et al.; The authors studied microbiocenosis of the intestine and its influence on the course of postenterocolitic reactive arthritis in 43 patients . The data obtained confirm the participation of intestinal dysbacteriosis in the development of a chronic form of reactive arthritis . The favourable effect of sour milk bifidumbacterin on articular manifestations in postenterocolitic reactive arthritis has been noted.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Apr, 36(4), 191 - 4
{150 years of medical mycology}; Gemeinhardt H; A short survey concerning the development of the medical mycology is presented covering the last 150 years (1839-1989) . According to the interpretation of most of the distinguished authors, the year of Schonlein's publication, i.e . 1839, is to be considered as the origin of the medical mycology . Therefore, mycoses were the first infectious diseases the etiology of which were scientifically explained . Monographs and articles in manuals written in the most important world languages represent milestones in the historical development . Over large periods connected to and promoted by dermatology, increasingly this special field has developed to an important and autonomous part of medical microbiology.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Apr, 25 Suppl C, 99 - 106
Therapy: the clinician's view; Wood MJ; The therapy of septicaemia often has to be started empirically and the clinician's choice of antibiotic depends upon awareness of data collected by the microbiologist concerning the species and sensitivity of the likely infecting bacteria . There is, however, no unequivocally correct choice and host factors, previous antibiotic use and local formulary recommendations need to be considered . The role of new antibiotics, the potential for cidal agents to be detrimental, the use of antibiotic combinations, the dose and duration of therapy are also still debatable . Even with optimal antibiotic therapy, some patients with septicaemia still die . Several forms of adjunctive therapy have been shown to be unhelpful but developments in immunotherapy hold out some promise.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1990 Apr, 93(4 Suppl 1), S49 - 54
Theory and applications of the polymerase chain reaction; Remick DG et al.; The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a newly developed molecular biology technique that can significantly amplify DNA or RNA . The process consists of repetitive cycles of specific DNA synthesis, defined by short stretches of preselected DNA . With each cycle, there is a doubling of the final, desired DNA product such that a million-fold amplification is possible . This powerful method has numerous applications in diagnostic pathology, especially in the fields of microbiology, forensic science, and hematology . The PCR may be used to directly detect viral DNA, which may facilitate the diagnosis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or other viral diseases . PCR amplification of DNA allows detection of specific sequences from extremely small samples, such as with forensic material . In hematology, PCR may help in the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies or of neoplastic disorders by documenting chromosomal translocations . The new PCR opens exciting new avenues for diagnostic pathology using this new technology.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Apr, 172(4), 1749 - 61
Phosphoribulokinase activity and regulation of CO2 fixation critical for photosynthetic growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides; Hallenbeck PL et al.; The Rhodobacter sphaeroides genome contains two unlinked genetic regions each encoding numerous proteins involved in CO2 fixation which include phosphoribulokinases (prkA and prkB), ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcLS and rbcR) (P . L . Hallenbeck and S . Kaplan, Photosynth . Res . 19:63-71, 1988; F . R . Tabita, Microbiol . Rev . 52:155-189, 1988), and two open reading frames linked to rbcLS and rbcR, namely, cfxA and cfxB, respectively (P . L . Hallenbeck, R . Lerchen, P . Hessler, and S . Kaplan, J . Bacteriol . 172:1736-1748) . In this study, we examined the unique role(s) of each phosphoribulokinase activity in the regulation of CO2 fixation . Strains were constructed which contain null mutations in prkA and/or prkB . Studies utilizing these strains suggested that CO2 fixation plays an essential role in attaining the cellular redox balance necessary for photoheterotrophic growth . The presence of an external electron acceptor can negate the requirement for CO2 for photoheterotrophic growth . Each form of phosphoribulokinase and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was shown to have distinct roles in CO2 metabolism when cells were exposed to extremes in CO2 levels . Evidence is also presented which unequivocally demonstrated that regulation of the expression of the enzymes involved in CO2 metabolism is effective at the transcriptional level . Although the two regions of the DNA involved in CO2 fixation are physically unlinked, each region of the DNA can have a profound effect on the expression of the other region of the DNA.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Apr, 172(4), 1736 - 48
Roles of CfxA, CfxB, and external electron acceptors in regulation of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides; Hallenbeck PL et al.; The Rhodobacter sphaeroides genome contains two unlinked genetic regions each encoding a series of proteins involved in CO2 fixation which include phosphoribulokinase (prkA and prkB) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcLS and rbcR) (P . L . Hallenbeck and S . Kaplan, Photosynth . Res . 19:63-71, 1988; F . R . Tabita, Microbiol . Rev . 52:155-189, 1988) . We examined the effect of CO2 in the presence and absence of an alternate electron acceptor, dimethyl sulfoxide, on the expression of rbcR and rbcLS in photoheterotrophically grown R . sphaeroides . The expression of both rbcR and rbcLS was shown to depend on the CO2 concentration when succinate was used as the carbon source . It was also demonstrated that CO2 fixation is critical for photoheterotrophic growth but could be replaced by the alternative reduction of dimethyl sulfoxide to dimethyl sulfide . Dimethyl sulfoxide severely depressed both rbcR and rbcLS expression in cells grown photoheterotrophically at CO2 concentrations of 0.05% or greater . However, cells grown photoheterotrophically in the absence of exogenous CO2 but in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide had intermediate levels of expression of rbcL and rbcR, suggesting partially independent control by limiting CO2 tension . We also present evidence for the existence of two gene products, namely, CfxA and CfxB, which are encoded by genes immediately upstream of rbcLS and rbcR, respectively . Strains were constructed which contained null mutations in cfxA and/or cfxB . Each mutation eliminated expression of the linked downstream rbc operon . Further, studies utilizing these strains demonstrated that each form of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase plays an essential role in maintaining the cellular redox balance during photoheterotrophic growth at differing CO2 concentrations.

Am J Epidemiol, 1990 Apr, 131(4), 702 - 10
Foodborne Snow Mountain agent gastroenteritis with secondary person-to-person spread in a retirement community; Gordon SM et al.; A variety of small round-structured viruses are being recognized with increasing frequency as a cause of gastroenteritis in the community, but have rarely been reported to cause outbreaks in hospitals or extended-care facilities . From March 20 through April 15, 1988, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred in a retirement facility in the San Francisco Bay area . Illness was characterized by diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; two residents died . Attack rates were 46% (155 of 336) in residents and 37% (28 of 75) in employees . During the initial outbreak period, illness among residents was associated with two shrimp meals served in the facility dining hall (odds ratio = 6.7) . Person-to-person transmission probably occurred: The risk of becoming ill one or two days after a roommate became ill was significantly greater than that of becoming ill at other times during the outbreak (risk ratio = 6.5) . Microbiologic examinations for bacterial and parasitic enteric pathogens were negative; however, 27-nm viral particles were detected by immune electron microscopy and by blocking enzyme immunoassay to Snow Mountain agent in stools obtained at the onset of illness from one of six ill residents . Seroconversion (greater than fourfold antibody rise) to Snow Mountain agent was detected in acute- and convalescent-phase serum specimens from five of six ill residents as measured by enzyme immunoassay, but not for Norwalk agent as measured by radioimmunoassay . This report of an outbreak of Snow Mountain agent gastroenteritis in an extended-care facility documents that these difficult-to-identify 27-nm viruses can cause outbreaks in inpatient settings.

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi, 1990 Apr-Jun, 94(2), 393 - 6
{Further comment on the importance of microscopy in clinical microbiology . The argument for the diagnosis of the skin manifestations of histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis}; Buiuc D et al.; This paper presents two interesting cases: a patient with cutaneous coccidioidomycosis, the first case in Romania, and a female patient with latent histoplasmosis with cutaneous manifestations, periodically reactivated during her pregnancies . The etiological diagnosis problems of these affections in relation with the degrees of competence of the clinical laboratories is discussed . The role of direct microscopic examination in the early and more rapid diagnosis of deep mycoses is underlined.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1990 Apr, 8(4), 225 - 7
{Intestinal parasitoses in the Galician population}; Pardo F et al.; To evaluate the relative importance of the different intestinal parasites in Galicia, we report the results of the investigation of 6,554 samples of feces in the Microbiology Service of the Hospital General de Galicia (Santiago) from 1983 to 1987 . The results indicate that the yearly frequency of parasitism has been reduced from 27.8% of the investigated samples en 1983 to 12.1% in 1987 . The mean value for the study period was 16.8% (15.6% simple parasitism and 1.2% multiple parasitism) . There were no differences in incidence depending on sex . The enteric parasites most commonly found were G . lamblia, T . trichiura, A . lumbricoides and E . coli.

Infect Immun, 1990 Apr, 58(4), 874 - 8
A rns-like regulatory gene for colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) that controls expression of CFA/I pilin; Caron J et al.; Colonization factor antigens (CFA) are needed for adherence of human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains to their hosts . The CFA/II antigens, CS1 and CS2, which are found in some ETEC strains, require the plasmid-encoded gene rns for expression (J . Caron, L . M . Coffield, and J . R . Scott, Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . USA 86:963-967, 1989) . Other ETEC strains express CFA/I, whose synthesis and assembly require genes on two unlinked regions (regions 1 and 2) of a plasmid (G . A . Willshaw, H . R . Smith, and B . Rowe, FEMS Microbiol . Lett . 16:101-106, 1983) . We report that CFA/I region 2 DNA can substitute for rns to cause expression of CS1 and CS2 . The cfaR gene in region 2 is defined by a mutation abolishing both expression of CFA/I and complementation of a rns mutant for expression of CS1 or CS2 . In a strain containing only region 1, complementation for expression of CFA/I by a plasmid containing rns+ is inefficient but is adequate to cause hemagglutination by the CFA/I adhesin.

Trop Med Parasitol, 1990 Mar, 41(1), 79 - 88
Health impact evaluation of improved water supplies and hygiene practices in Sri Lanka: background and methodology; Mertens TE et al.; Between January 1987 and March 1988 a Health Impact Evaluation (HIE) of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP) was conducted in Kurunegala District . Four related activities were undertaken: 6598 children were recruited into a case-control study of diarrhoea morbidity conducted in five hospitals; an additional 1649 children from the catchment areas of three of the five hospitals were recruited as a community comparison group; environmental microbiology was performed on water samples collected during 3092 visits to the homes of children recruited into the study; diagnostic stool microbiology was performed for 371 children with diarrhoea and 121 controls . In this paper the seasonality of reported diarrhoea and the socio-demographic characteristics and health-related behaviours of each study group are examined . Cases, clinic controls and the community comparison group were all drawn from the essentially rural settlements typical of the southern part of the dry zone of Sri Lanka . The majority of households in these settlements are Sinhalese buddhist, and the main economic activity is subsitence farming . There was some evidence of differences between the three groups, community recruits tending to come from larger and wealthier households than the children recruited at the hospitals . Issues arising in the design and analysis of this Health Impact Evaluation are discussed . In particular, potential sources of bias are examined and the question of validity investigated.

Am J Vet Res, 1990 Mar, 51(3), 376 - 80
Topically applied benzathine cloxacillin for treatment of experimentally induced infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis; Daigneault J et al.; The efficacy of an ophthalmic ointment containing benzathine cloxacillin for treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis was determined in 2 experiments . In the first experiment, Holstein calves (n = 6/group) were inoculated with Moraxella bovis and treated on postinoculation days 3 and 6 with either topically applied benzathine cloxacillin (250 mg/eye) or long-acting oxytetracycline formulation (20 mg/kg of body weight, IM) . A third group of inoculated calves remained untreated as controls . For the second experiment, 4 groups of calves (n = 6/group) were inoculated and treated on postinoculation days 3 and 6 with 50, 125, 250, or 375 mg of benzathine cloxacillin; a fifth untreated group served as controls . Ocular specimens were obtained for microbiologic culture, and eyes were observed and assigned a clinical score daily . Eyes were photographed on alternate days . Ulcer surface area was measured, using a planimeter . In experiment 1, the week-2 ulcer surface area measurements for both groups of treated calves were smaller than those for controls . There was a greater frequency of M bovis isolation from the ocular secretions of controls than from those of benzathine cloxacillin-treated calves during postinoculation weeks 2 and 3 . The number of M bovis isolations from the benzathine cloxacillin- and oxytetracycline-treated calves was not significantly different at any sample collection interval . On week 3, the scores of the benzathine cloxacillin-treated calves were smaller than those of controls . In experiment 2, calves of the 250- and 375-mg groups had smaller ulcer surface area measurements than did controls on week 2 . By week 3, calves of the 375-mg group had smaller scores than did controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bull Acad Natl Med, 1990 Mar, 174(3), 371 - 7; discussion 377-9
{Microbiology in Montpellier before Pasteur's era}; Dulieu L; Until Pasteur's discoveries, pathology included several verified but unexplained clinical data such as hospital infections, venereal and contagious diseases, and so on... . It is easy to imagine how important what the discovery of the germs life since it gave a logical explanation to a whole of coherent facts . Nevertheless this discovery was preceded by a long period during which the idea of transmissible germs slowly appeared . French and foreign Faculties are enrolled in this "prehistory" and there Montpellier played a significant part since microbiology had been directly admitted, during Pasteur's lifetime . In 1983, a research center named Buisson-Bertrand was created . In 1897 a chair was opened and one Institut Pasteur built in 1918 . It was the first Institut Pasteur created in the provinces.

Plasmid, 1990 Mar, 23(2), 107 - 18
Genetic analysis of transfer and incompatibility functions within the IncHI plasmid R27; Newnham PJ et al.; This study was undertaken to establish a transfer complementation system for IncH plasmids and to locate regions of incompatibility within the HI1 plasmid, R27 . Two regions of R27 were found to contribute to incompatibility as determined by incompatibility testing with fragments of R27 cloned in cosmid vectors . One of these regions hybridized with the IncHI1 rep probe (Couturier et al., Microbiol . Rev . 52, 375-395, 1988) . Complementation analysis was carried out using transfer-deficient mutants of R27 in combination with pHH1508a . Cosmid vectors, which contained cloned restriction fragments of R27, were able to complement selected R27 Tra- mutants, enabling the transfer-deficient plasmid to transfer at near-normal frequencies . Complementation of R27 Tra- plasmids by pHH1508a at both 26 and 37 degrees C was shown to occur, but was host-dependent in its degree . These results suggest that the transfer mechanisms of IncHI and IncHII plasmids are related.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Mar 1, 56(1-2), 45 - 51
High level expression in Escherichia coli of a fungal gene under the control of strong promoters; Baldwin JE et al.; A recent report (Patino et al., (1989) FEMS Microbiol . Lett . 58, 139-144) described the low level expression, in Escherichia coli, of the Isopenicillin N Synthase (IPNS) gene from Cephalosporium acremonium under the control of strong promoters . We report here our work on the expression of the IPNS gene . Plasmids containing the IPNS gene under the control of the trp or trc promoters directed synthesis of high levels of active IPNS in E . coli . Constitutive and inductive high level IPNS expression systems have been developed . Importantly, the expression vectors do not encode beta-lactamase so IPNS activity can be determined directly by biological assays . Analysis by nmr verified that the IPNS produced from these expression systems catalysed the conversion of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (LLD-ACV) to isopenicillin N in high yield.

Clin Chest Med, 1990 Mar, 11(1), 151 - 62
Pulmonary reactions from illicit substance abuse; Heffner JE et al.; The epidemic spread of illicit substance abuse in the United States and the adaptation of novel modes of drug delivery have increased the incidence of pulmonary complications of drug addiction . Chest manifestations of drug abuse relate not only to the particular substance used, but also to the route of administration, the presence of contaminating foreign material or microbiologic pathogens host response, and the practice of sharing drug paraphernalia . This article outlines the important lung disorders linked to drug addiction and discusses pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, and management.

Biochemistry, 1990 Feb 13, 29(6), 1417 - 25
Overexpression, purification, and characterization of isochorismate synthase (EntC), the first enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of enterobactin from chorismate; Liu J et al.; Isochorismate synthase (EC 5.4.99.6), the entC gene product of Escherichia coli, catalyzes the conversion of chorismate to isochorismate, the first step in the biosynthesis of the powerful iron-chelating agent enterobactin . A sequence-specific deletion method has been used to construct an EntC overproducer, which allows for the purification and characterization of the E . coli isochorismate synthase for the first time . The N-terminal sequence and the subunit molecular weight (43,000) of the polypeptide derived from SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis agree with those deduced from DNA sequence data . The enzyme is an active monomer with a native molecular weight of 42,000 . It was shown that EntC alone is fully capable of catalyzing the interconversion of chorismate and isochorismate in both directions and the associated activity is not affected by EntA of the same biosynthetic pathway as has recently been speculated {Elkins, M . F., & Earhart, C . F . (1988) FEMS Microbiol . Lett . 56, 35; Liu, J., Duncan, K., & Walsh, C.T . (1989) J . Bacteriol . 171, 791; Ozenberger, B . A., Brickman, T.J., & McIntosh, M . A . (1989) J . Bacteriol . 171, 775} . The kinetic constants were determined with Km = 14 microM and kcat = 173 min-1 for chorismate in the forward direction and Km = 5 microM and kcat = 108 min-1 for isochorismate in the backward direction . The equilibrium constant for the reaction derived from the kinetic data is 0.56 with the equilibrium lying toward the side of chorismate, corresponding to a free energy difference of 0.36 kcal/mol between chorismate and isochorismate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1990 Feb 1, 196(3), 468 - 71
Pericarditis in horses: six cases (1982-1986); Bernard W et al.; Records of 6 horses with pericarditis were reviewed . Septic pericarditis was suspected in all horses, based on historic and clinical findings . In horses 1, 2, and 4, cytologic examination of the pericardial effusion revealed acute inflammation with severe neutrophil degeneration . In horses 3 and 5, cytologic examination of pericardial fluid revealed subacute inflammation with degenerated neutrophils, and in horse 6, chronic active inflammation, with well preserved neutrophils . In horses 1 and 3, bacteria were identified on cytologic examination of pericardial fluid . Results of microbiologic cultures of pericardial fluid were positive in horse 3 . All horses were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics . An indwelling pericardial catheter was used to lavage and directly administer antibiotics into the pericardial sac . Horses 1, 4, 5, and 6 survived, horse 2 died of unrelated causes, and horse 3 was euthanatized at the owner's request . Surviving horses returned to athletic performance.

Pneumologie, 1990 Feb, 44 Suppl 1, 672 - 3
{Incidence, diagnosis and follow-up of bacterial pneumonia in AIDS}; Worth H et al.; In 36 patients suffering from AIDS (age: 21-62 years) the incidence, the efficiency of diagnostic procedures and the clinical course of bacterial pneumonias were analysed . 19 out of 20 episodes with bacterial pathogens were found in 18 patients via fibre-bronchoscopic sampling . The most frequently observe bacteria were S . pneumonia (n = 8), M . tuberculosis (n = 3) and atypical mycobacteria (n = 6) . At least 2 pathogens of the pneumonia were observed in 9 episodes . An appropriate treatment with antibiotics on the basis of a proper microbiologic diagnosis was successful in 65% of the cases . Because of the unreliability of history, clinical findings, chest X-ray, and laboratory features, successful management of bacterial pneumonias of AIDS patients should be based on the knowledge of the causative agent which can be obtained by the efficient and safe procedure of bronchoscopic sampling.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Feb, 35(2), 33 - 7
{Study of the immunomodulating properties of antibiotics derived from higher plants}; Mishenkova EL; Investigations on screening of immunomodulating substances performed at the Antibiotic Department of the Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR were analyzed . The analysis and detailed study of a screened antibiotic performed by the author showed that it was promising to use higher plants as organisms producing immunomodulators . A methodical approach was developed and recommended and graphs for screening immunomodulating agents of various origin were proposed.

J Endocrinol Invest, 1990 Feb, 13(2), 119 - 26
A new approach for calcitonin determination based on target cell responsiveness; Zaidi M et al.; We report the development and validation of three microbioassays for calcitonin based on calcitonin-induced inhibition of the activity of isolated osteoclasts . Having precisely quantified osteoclast motility, spreading and bone resorptive activity, we have applied stringent analytical procedures to define assay characteristics . We have found that the appropriately transformed responses significantly regress on log dose of the peptides . Furthermore, potency estimates obtained using calcitonins from three species (human, salmon and a synthetic analogue of eel calcitonin) have been found to be consistent with those obtained using conventional calcitonin bioassays . In addition, the assays are remarkably sensitive (detection limit 10(-15) M), highly specific and precise . We have determined plasma levels of bioactive calcitonin on samples from patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma; these are several-fold lower than those obtained using our routine calcitonin radioimmunoassay . Our study thus, forms the basis of an entirely new approach for the determination of 'biologically active' calcitonin, and we envisage that such target cell-specific assays could become useful microanalytical methods.

Scand J Dent Res, 1990 Feb, 98(1), 8 - 16
Cross-sectional study of patients fitted with fixed partial dentures with special reference to the caries situation; Ericson G et al.; The caries situation among 30 patients with fixed partial dentures was examined 3 yr after cementation of the constructions . The fit of the crowns on the abutment teeth, the size of the interproximal areas and the relation between the crown margin and the gingival margin were registered . Risk factors for caries development, such as salivary factors, microbiologic factors, oral hygiene and diet were evaluated for each patient . During the 3-yr period 54 caries lesions occurred in 25 patients . Eleven lesions were found on abutment teeth . Two were located on the root surfaces unconnected with the crown margin (greater than 2mm from the gingival margin), three were recurrent lesions, where the crown margin was located above the gingival margin but closer than 2 mm and six were recurrent lesions where the crown margin was located under the gingival margin . No single caries risk factor seemed to be so closely correlated to the number of caries lesions developed that it could be used alone to select of patients at risk . When the sum of the assumed negative factors was used, more caries was found among the patients with three or more factors with negative values in the group as a whole . However, predicting the development of caries in an individual case with a high degree of probability seems to be complicated . Generally speaking there was no indication that caries disease development was caused by the presence of the fixed partial denture per se.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Feb, 55(3), 329 - 32
A heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) purified from chicken enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is identical to porcine LT; Tsuji T et al.; We have previously reported that the heat-labile enterotoxin (LTc) isolated from a chicken enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was identical to LTh produced by human ETEC (Tsuji et al . (1988) FEMS Microbiol Lett . 52, 79-84) . In this study, we purified an LTc-like toxin (LTc') from another strain isolated from a chicken that developed diarrhea at a different place and time to the previously reported chicken . Its molecular weight and antigenicity were compared with those of purified LTs from porcine and human ETEC (LTp and LTh) . The A subunit of LTc' was identical to those of the purified LTs in mobility on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The Ouchterlony test demonstrated that LTc' was antigenically identical to LTp . The isoelectric point and amino acid composition of LTc' were also identical to those of LTp . These data suggest that chicken ETEC can be grouped with both the porcine and human types on the basis of the LTs produced.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Feb, 172(2), 748 - 55
Modification of dinitrogenase reductase in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis due to C starvation and ammonia; Ernst A et al.; In the heterocystous cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis, a change in nitrogenase activity and concomitant modification of dinitrogenase reductase (the Fe protein of nitrogenase) was induced either by NH4Cl at pH 10 (S . Reich and P . Boger, FEMS Microbiol . Lett . 58:81-86, 1989) or by cessation of C supply resulting from darkness, CO2 limitation, or inhibition of photosystem II activity . Modification induced by both C limitation and NH4Cl was efficiently prevented by anaerobic conditions . Under air, endogenously stored glycogen and added fructose protected against modification triggered by C limitation but not by NH4Cl . With stored glycogen present, dark modification took place after inhibition of respiration by KCN . Reactivation of inactivated nitrogenase and concomitant demodification of dinitrogenase reductase occurred after restoration of diazotrophic growth conditions . In previously C-limited cultures, reactivation was also observed in the dark after addition of fructose (heterotrophic growth) and under anaerobiosis upon reillumination in the presence of a photosynthesis inhibitor . The results indicate that modification of dinitrogenase reductase develops as a result of decreased carbohydrate-supported reductant supply of the heterocysts caused by C limitation or by increased diversion of carbohydrates towards ammonia assimilation . Apparently, a product of N assimilation such as glutamine is not necessary for modification . The increase of oxygen concentration in the heterocysts is a plausible consequence of all treatments causing Fe protein modification.

New Biol, 1990 Feb, 2(2), 119 - 25
Flow cytometry: illuminating microbiology; Boye E et al.; By means of flow cytometry, a technique whereby a hydrodynamically directed stream of cells is passed through a focus of exciting light, one can measure cell size and the macromolecular content of individual bacteria . The sensitivity and versatility of the flow cytometer make it a powerful tool in studies of the bacterial cell cycle, in identifying and characterizing bacterial infections, and in selecting bacteria of desired qualities . We review some of these applications of flow cytometry and conclude that this method holds great promise in many other areas of microbiology.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Feb, 172(2), 762 - 70
Fluorescent-oligonucleotide probing of whole cells for determinative, phylogenetic, and environmental studies in microbiology; Amann RI et al.; Fluorescent-dye-conjugated oligonucleotides were used to classify 14 Fibrobacter strains by fluorescence microscopy . On the basis of partial 16S rRNA sequences of six Fibrobacter strains, four hybridization probes were designed to discriminate between the species Fibrobacter succinogenes and Fibrobacter intestinalis and to identify F . succinogenes subsp . succinogenes . After in situ hybridization to whole cells of the six sequenced strains, epifluorescence microscopy confirmed probe specificity . The four probes were then used to make presumptive species and subspecies assignments of eight additional Fibrobacter strains not previously characterized by comparative sequencing . These assignments were confirmed by comparative sequencing of the 16S rRNA target regions from the additional organisms . Single-mismatch discrimination between certain probe and nontarget sequences was demonstrated, and fluorescent intensity was shown to be enhanced by hybridization to multiple probes of the same specificity . The direct detection of F . intestinalis in mouse cecum samples demonstrated the application of this technique to the characterization of complex natural samples.

CLAO J, 1990 Jan-Mar, 16(1 Suppl), S36 - 42
Origin and development of hydrogen peroxide disinfection systems; Janoff LE; The discovery of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by Thenard in 1818, and the early phase of its development, are discussed . A brief description is given of the uses of this compound for purposes other than contact lens care . A detailed description of the first application of H2O2 to hydrophilic contact lenses is provided . A review of toxicologic and microbiologic issues and concerns follows, with specific emphasis on the decimal reduction rate (D-value) for H2O2 and the contribution of elements test as applied to any disinfection system . The role of pH and increasing concentrations of H2O2 in inducing ocular discomfort is described . After the introduction of the first H2O2 system, a number of competitive methods reached the marketplace . The unique qualities of one neutralization technique are noted . Hydrogen peroxide will continue for some time as a popular contact lens disinfection mechanism.

Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12(1), 142 - 56
Tropical medicine or tropical health: the Heath Clark lectures, 1988; Warren KS; Tropical medicine as a specialty began during colonialization of the tropics . From the outset, controversy focused on scientific research (tropical medicine) vs . public health (tropical health) . The former became associated with parasitology to the relative exclusion of microbiology . Remarkable discoveries made before 1912 were followed by sixty years of slow progress . In the last decade, however, not only has parasitic disease research flourished, but the major importance of bacterial and viral diarrheas and respiratory infections has also been revealed . Tropical health did not evolve as a major strategy in the colonial era . Later, a global eradication policy developed, first for hookworm infection, then for yellow fever and malaria, but failure led to disillusionment with technology and development of an undifferentiated approach to primary health care . In the last decade a selective approach has focused on diseases for which cost-effective control measures exist . Moreover, several developing countries have achieved good health at low cost by equitable distribution of health care, education, and food . Today, the conflict between tropical medicine and tropical health is being resolved with the realization that they are truly complementary disciplines.

J Infect Dis, 1990 Jan, 161(1), 108 - 12
A controlled trial of bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract for cryptosporidiosis in patients with AIDS; McMeeking A et al.; Cryptosporidial infection causes severe diarrheal disease in patients with AIDS . Fourteen patients with AIDS and symptomatic cryptosporidiosis were treated with a specific bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract (immune DLE) prepared from lymph node lymphocytes of calves immunized with cryptosporidia or a nonspecific (nonimmune) DLE prepared from nonimmunized calves . Six of 7 patients given immune DLE gained weight and had a decrease in bowel movement frequency, with eradication of oocysts from stool in 5 patients . Six of 7 patients given nonimmune DLE showed no decrease in bowel movement and 4, no clearing of oocytes from stool; 5 continued to lose weight . Subsequently, 5 of these 7 were treated with immune DLE; 4 had a decrease in bowel movement frequency and significant weight gain, with eradication of oocytes from stool in 2 patients . Immune DLE produces sustained symptomatic improvement in patients with AIDS and active cryptosporidiosis, but lack of an appropriate cryptosporidial antigen allows only postulation that an augmentation of cellular immunity to Cryptosporidium parvum induced by immune DLE resulted in the microbiologic and clinical improvement observed.

Plasmid, 1990 Jan, 23(1), 76 - 9
The structure of a partial duplication in the integron of plasmid pDGO100; Hall RM et al.; A family of novel potentially mobile DNA elements called integrons, has recently been described (H . W . Stokes and R . M . Hall, 1989, Mol . Microbiol . 3, 1669-1683) . The integrons present in the plasmids pDGO100 and pSa are unusual in that they include a duplication of the sulI gene which is located in one of the two conserved segments that make up these elements . In order to define the nature of the duplication in pDGO100, we have sequenced the sulI gene region located between the aadB and the dhfr genes of pDGO100 . This region includes the first 1355 bases of the 2026-base 3'-conserved segment present in the integrons of Tn21, R46 and R388, and the sequence identity in pDGO100 ceases 24 bases beyond the end of the sulI gene . This position corresponds to the center of a 59-base element, a remnant of which is located at the end of sulI . This finding suggests that the 59-base element may have been involved in the event which gave rise to the partial duplication.

Arch Oral Biol, 1990, 35(2), 137 - 43
Molecular cloning of human submandibular histatins; vanderSpek JC et al.; Histatins are a group of histidine-rich polypeptides found in human parotid and submandibular gland secretions . These polypeptides are microbiocidal, possibly involved in maintaining the acquired enamel pellicle, and enhance the glycolytic activity of certain oral micro-organisms . Histatins 1, 3 and 5 are homologous proteins with 38, 32 and 24 amino acid residues, respectively; the cDNAs coding for histatins 1 and 3 have now been isolated and sequenced . The cDNA sequences were highly homologous but contained differences throughout their length, indicating that they arise from different genes that may be derived from a common ancestral gene . Northern blots were hybridized to a series of oligonucleotide probes, designed on the basis of histatin cDNA sequences, and these positively identified mRNAs for histatins 1 and 3 . In addition, there was a third mRNA, which hybridized to several histatin oligonucleotide probes, suggesting that histatin 5 might be derived from a distinct mRNA and not by proteolytic processing of histatin 3 . A Northern blot of macaque parotid gland total RNA also showed three histatin mRNAs, indicating that similar histatins exist in a non-human primate.

Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed, 1990, 100(2), 154 - 8
Local differences in the newly formed crevicular microbiota; Mombelli A et al.; Subgingival plaque samples were taken from upper and lower right canines, premolars, and first molars (distal, mid-buccal and lingual) in 10 periodontally healthy individuals after four days without oral hygiene . The samples were examined in the darkfield microscope . Counts and proportions of morphotypes were related to the location of the sampled sites . The influence of site location on the distribution of morphotypes was studied by multiple regression analysis . Inter-individual differences were significant for the proportions of cocci, nonmotile rods and fusiform organisms (p less than 0.001), the influence of site location was not . Significant differences (p less than 0.05) were found between total bacterial counts of samples taken from different sites: Distal-buccal samples contained more bacteria than did mid-buccal samples, mid-buccal ones contained more than lingual samples; samples from more posterior teeth contained more bacteria . The experiment was repeated after 5 weeks . The intertest agreement (kappa) for the presence of the different morphotypes ranged between 0.13 and 0.30 . Coefficients of variation of the proportions of morphotypes determined in repeated samples were between 1.35 and 3.13.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 56(1), 93 - 7
Possible mechanism of mannose inhibition of sucrose-supported growth in N2-fixing Azotobacter vinelandii; Wong TY; When mannose was added to a sucrose-supported culture of Azotobacter vinelandii under N2-fixing conditions, cell growth was inhibited . The degree of inhibition was proportional to the amount of mannose and to the aeration rate (T.-Y . Wong, Appl . Environ . Microbiol . 54:473-475, 1988) . In this report, we demonstrate that once inside the cell, mannose was phosphorylated to mannose 6-phosphate . It was then isomerized to fructose 6-phosphate and to glucose 6-phosphate . Mannose inhibited sucrose uptake noncompetitively . The decrease in sucrose uptake after mannose addition coincided with a lower rate of respiration and a decrease in nitrogenase activity . The decrease in sucrose uptake and in the ATP pool may decrease the electron flow and reduce protection of the nitrogenase from O2 . Cells became very sensitive to O2, and therefore, cell growth was inhibited under high aeration conditions.

Zentralbl Gynakol, 1990, 112(13), 823 - 5
{Male subfertility and oral bacterial diseases}; Ensslen SC et al.; More than 70% of the husbands consulting the Dept . of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the RWTH Aachen for sterility since June 1987 needed treatment for bacteriospermia with germ concentrations greater than 10(4) cfu/ml ejaculate . In 23% of the treated men however, no convincing reduction of germ concentration were achieved . 36 patients with therapy-resistant bacteriospermia were sent to the Dept . of Dentistry of the RWTH Aachen . A lot of intra-oral foci were found, which got eliminated . Intra-operational bacterial specimens were taken and evaluated by a special diagnostic technique in the Dept . of Microbiology . It was shown that the bacterial spectrum of the intraoral specimens and the spermiograms were identical . Six months after completion of the dental therapy a new andrological examination was performed . Two thirds of the spermiograms now were already sterile . There was an improvement of the spermparameters as well as motility, morphology and density . It can be concluded from these results that there is a direct causal relationship between a symptomatic dental primary disease and bacteriospermia which probably leads to subfertility.

Parasitology, 1990, 100 Suppl, S103 - 15
Selection and evolution of virulence in bacteria: an ecumenical excursion and modest suggestion; Levin BR et al.; Why do parasites kill their hosts? During this past decade, research in three different areas; evolutionary ecology, medical microbiology, and population genetics has provided theory and data that address this and related questions of selection and the evolution and maintenance of parasite virulence . A general theory of parasite-host coevolution and the conditions for selection to favour parasite virulence has been put forth . Considerable advances have been made in elucidating the mechanisms of pathogenicity and inheritance of virulence in bacteria . The population genetic structure and the relationship between pathogenic and non-pathogenic forms has been determined for a number of species of bacteria . We critically review these developments and their implications for questions of selection and the evolution and maintenance of virulence in bacteria . We postulate how selection may operate on specific types of bacterial virulence and present a general protocol to experimentally test hypotheses concerning selection and the evolution of virulence in bacteria.

Vopr Onkol, 1990, 36(8), 935 - 40
{Stimulation of the synthesis of C-reactive protein using pyrogenal in non-neoplastic diseases and cancer of the lungs}; Sukharev AE et al.; Method of immunodiffusion titration of rabbit monospecific antiserum (The I . M . Mechnikov Central Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera of the USSR Ministry of Health) in agar was used to measure blood C-reactive protein (C-RP) level in patients with acute pneumonia (32), protracted pneumonia or activation of chronic non-specific lung pathology (101) and lung cancer (153) after a 3-4-week course of complex antiinflammatory treatment and a 10-14-day course of immunostimulation with pyrogenal (The N . F . Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology) . A decrease in the incidence (from 81.2% to 14.2%) and level (from 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 0.3 +/- 0.03 mg%) of C-RP was observed in cases of non-tumor pathology whereas in patients with lung cancer those values rose in step with tumor progression (from 72.2% and 0.4 +/- 0.07 mg% at stage I to 96.3% and 1.2 +/- 0.12 mg% at stage IV) . Treatment with pyrogenal allowed to identify C-RP in patients with false-negative reaction in all subgroups . Two-week dynamic C-RP curves characterizing non-tumor and tumor pathology of the lung were plotted.

Urol Res, 1990, 18(3), 207 - 11
Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis due to E . coli . Description of an animal model; Jantos C et al.; Inoculation of Escherichia coli (serotype O:6) into the bladder of male and female Mastomys (Praomys) natalensis produced severe prostatitis . In this rodent both male and female animals possess a well developed prostatic gland . The histologic and microbiologic course of the prostatic infection resembled strongly the human disease . Acute bacterial prostatitis was followed by the development of chronic bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis . The infection persisted in some animals for up to six months . Prostatitis was observed histologically in all animals sacrificed six months postinfection . Animals responded to the infection with a rise of anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies . No major morphologic differences were detected in the histologic pattern of the inflammatory process between animals with positive and negative bacterial cultures and between male and female animals.

Clin Ther, 1990, 12 Suppl C, 45 - 52
Comparison of single-dose ceftizoxime with multidose cefoxitin chemoprophylaxis for patients undergoing hysterectomy; McGregor JA et al.; A single dose of ceftizoxime was comparable to three perioperative doses of cefoxitin as adjunctive antibiotic chemoprophylaxis against infectious morbidity in women undergoing elective abdominal (60% of patients) or vaginal (40% of patients) hysterectomy . In a double-blind, randomized, prospective, controlled trial, patients were randomized to receive either a single 1-gm dose of ceftizoxime, a newer, broadly active cephalosporin, or three 2-gm doses of cefoxitin intravenously . Twenty-nine women treated with ceftizoxime and 33 women treated with cefoxitin were evaluated . Patient groups were similar for age, other demographic factors, indications for surgery, surgical procedures performed, and selected microbiologic findings . Postoperative infectious morbidity requiring antibiotic treatment was similar among women who received ceftizoxime (27.6%) and those receiving cefoxitin (33%) (P = 0.6) . Women receiving ceftizoxime also required a similar number of days of hospitalization (ceftizoxime, 4.7 +/- 1.7 days; cefoxitin, 5.6 +/- 4.5 days; P = 0.3) . Both study drugs appeared to be safe and well tolerated . Single-dose ceftizoxime appears to be as efficacious as and more cost-effective than multidose cefoxitin when used as adjunctive chemoprophylaxis in patients at risk for postoperative infection after hysterectomy.

Ir J Med Sci, 1990 Jan, 159(1), 14 - 8
Kerion--clinical spectrum in nine cases; O'Donnell B et al.; The clinical features, microbiology and outcome of nine cases of kerion are reviewed . The aetiology of this uncommon condition, and the role of various therapeutic modalities are discussed . Clinicians need to be aware of the varying presentations of inflammatory fungal disease to avoid misdiagnosis as bacterial infection.

Pediatrie, 1990, 45(11), 807 - 12
{Diagnostic approach of pleural effusion in children . Report of 59 cases}; Azevedo I et al.; The retrospective analysis of 59 pediatric cases of pleural effusion showed that infectious agents account for 80% of cases . Thoracentesis proved to be the first-line diagnostic tool . Pleural biopsy was diagnostic in four tuberculous and two malignant pleural effusions . The literature data shows that pleural fluid total protein, lactate deshydrogenase, glucose, pH, white blood cell count and differential should be obtained in all patients . Because of the high incidence of infection, microbiologic studies are also indicated in children . These studies are of great value in distinguishing transudates from exsudates and in deciding on pleural drainage.

Arch Virol, 1990, 115(3-4), 199 - 207
Presence of three P types (VP4 serotypes) and two G types (VP7 serotypes) among bovine rotavirus strains; Matsuda Y et al.; Cross neutralization tests with a panel of rotavirus strains representing previously described nine VP7 (G) serotypes revealed that bovine rotavirus strain KK-3, a prototype Japanese bovine serotype 2, belonged to a new serotype (G10), confirming and extending the recent report of Snodgrass et al . {J . Clin . Microbiol . 28: 504-507 (1990)} which showed that hyperimmune serum to the KK-3 strain neutralized the B223 strain, a proposed type strain of G10 . Further antigenic characteristics of the KK-3 strain, as well as the 0510 strain (a G6 strain isolated in Japan), were examined in terms of their VP4 (P) specificity . For the characterization of P types, we employed genetic reassortants that possess VP4 gene for UK and VP7 gene for D (G1), VP4 gene for NCDV and VP7 gene for SA11 (G3), or VP4 gene for SA11 and VP7 gene for NCDV (G6) in the plaque reduction neutralization assay with hyperimmune sera against these two Japanese strains and the prototype bovine rotavirus NCDV strain . While the 0510 strain had UK-like P and NCDV-like G types, the KK-3 strain had a distinct set of P and G types . Thus, at least three P types (NCDV-, UK-, and KK-3-like) and two G types (G6 and G10) are present among bovine rotavirus strains.

J Med Virol, 1990 Jan, 30(1), 77 - 81
Three serotypes of Norwalk-like virus demonstrated by solid-phase immune electron microscopy; Lewis DC; Solid phase immune electron microscopy (SPIEM) was used to investigate the serological differences between Norwalk-like virus (NLV) strains from five different outbreaks within the United Kingdom . The existence of two previously demonstrated serotypes, Lewis et al . (Journal of Clinical Microbiology 26:938-942, 1988), was confirmed by the use of whole convalescent sera and purified IgM . A third serotype was found to be the agent of two recent hospital outbreaks and could similarly be typed by use of whole sera or pure IgM . Paired sera were available for two of the three serotypes and demonstrated rising antibody levels . These antibody rises were also specific for the infecting serotype . However, two serum pairs from a later outbreak gave antibody rises to all three serotypes, although much higher counts were produced with the infecting serotype . SPIEM is a useful method for distinguishing NLV serotypes and can also be used to detect specific IgM and to demonstrate seroconversion . Cross-reacting antibodies, possibly anamnestic in origin, can occur after natural infection and could cause confusion in typing virus unless further evidence of the identity of the infecting agent is obtained.

J Can Dent Assoc, 1990 Jan, 56(1), 47 - 50
Ridge reconstruction with hydroxylapatite: potential and shortcomings; Mercier P; Residual ridge resorption leading to masticatory difficulties does not only modify eating habits but may also affect the gastrointestinal system . Facing such a serious problem, the dental profession has the responsibility of proposing effective methods that can be applied to most individuals . Over and above socio-economic reasons, ridge reconstruction with hydroxylapatite has other distinct advantages over implants . This material does preserve the residual bone as it is placed over existing structures without any bone loss, and can thus be applied to any atrophy case . It can be molded to create a very retentive ridge form for dentures and to correct abnormal ridge relationships . Finally, it is totally isolated from oral microbiotics . Most of the complications reported can be avoided by proper surgical techniques . The most serious one is occasional resorption of the material itself for which newer osteogenic materials now in the process of being developed might afford a solution.

Offentl Gesundheitswes, 1990 Jan, 52(1), 36 - 45
{Performing surface and room disinfection in the hospital}; Rehork B et al.; At a Berlin university hospital the regulations governing area disinfection were rendered mandatory for disinfectors by a service ordinance . The primary consideration, besides general hygienic aims, concerned the possibility of transmitting infections in the hospital . Classification into four degrees of infection or contamination led to an almost uniform type of disinfection measures, dominated by "wipe" disinfection using concentrations recommended by the German Association for Hygiene and Microbiology (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hygiene und Mikrobiologie = DGHM) (the four degrees of infection being: I: no nosocomial infectious diseases, II: nosocomial infectious diseases, III: diseases that can be transmitted and are subject to mandatory reporting, IV: highly contagious diseases that can be transmitted on airborne basis and are subject to mandatory reporting) . Room disinfection via evaporation or smoke screen with formaldehyde is now performed only in conjunction with degree No . IV listed above . Area disinfection methods under dispute, such as routine room disinfection or as a prophylactic measure, were discontinued for medico-toxicological and environmental hygiene reasons . The considerations and discussions resulting from the concept of area disinfection resulted in abolishing inadequately indicated disinfection measures at the university hospital.

G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1990 Jan-Dec, 83(1-12), 42 - 52
{Strongyloidosis in Canavese: 4 cases seen at the 'Ospedale di Ivrea-Castellamonte . Epidemiological and clinical considerations}; Ronchetto F et al.; From May 1988 to September 1990 the microbiology laboratory of the Ivrea-Castellamonte Hospital (Province of Turin) carried out 1464 coproparasitological investigations . 0.5% of the samples, coming from 5 patients, proved to be Strongyloides stercoralis positive . 4 cases were diagnosed in recovery conditions, and on these we carried out a retrospective study (taking into consideration some epidemiological and clinical aspects) . The average age of these patients, three men and one woman, was 70.5; all native of the Canavese and resident in agricultural zones; two farmers still working, a worker and a retired worker . All of them presented one or more associated pathologies and/or a tendency to parasitosis . The clinical picture was characterized by abdominal pain, present in three cases, while diarrhoea was observed in only one case; a slight temperature in two, a high temperature in one; nettle-rash manifestations in one case and breathing symptomatology in two . In two cases there appeared abdominal relaxation (meteorism) and in one of these there was a serious paralytic ileus . Eosinophilia was present in all the patients, even if at different levels (from 5.9% to 20%) . The treatment was carried out with different drugs: mebendazole in two cases, thiabendazole in one and "pyrvinium pamoate" in another . Our conclusion is that there exist in the Canavese the climatic, environmental and social-economical conditions which can favour Strongyloidiasis.

G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1990 Jan-Dec, 83(1-12), 156 - 63
Lymphokines and cancer; Cavallo G; In the last fifteen years the role of cytokines in the modulation of anti-tumor responses has been extensively studied at the Institute of Microbiology of the University of Turin . In retrospect many observations appear to have been quite innovative and original . Altogether they form the steps of a consequential intellectual endeavour leading progressively towards a precise definition of the role of the lymphokines in modulating the immune response to neoplasia . Starting from the characterization of the tumor signals required for lymphokine induction, this research progressed towards the definition of the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved, and provisionally ends with the direct manipulation of lymphokine genes transfected to tumor cells.

Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1990, 42(3-4), 143 - 8
{Immunological studies of the activity of Aspergillus flavus Link . I . Antigen analysis and evaluation of its chemical composition and toxicity}; Bis WA; The aim of this study was to get insight into chemical structure and toxigenicity of antigenic preparations obtained from A . flavus Link strain isolated from industrial environment . A microbiol multiplication and an antigenic fractions preparation scheme is presented . The method proposed allows to obtain antigens from culture filtrate (APP), mycelial extract (AEM), and two subfractions obtained from AEM: supernatant--AS and precipitated--API . The strain tested did not show aflatoxigenic activity and antigenic fractions obtained were free of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 in concentrations detectable by thin-layer chromatography . A chemical composition of the antigenic fractions was tested . A content, depending on fractions, of proteins ranged from 32.0 to 74.5 micrograms/ml, of sugars from 15.0-44.5 micrograms/ml, phosphorus 0.5-1.5 micrograms/ml, and nitrogen 2.5-4.9 micrograms/ml . Toxicity of APP and AEM antigens designated for laboratory animals immunisation was also determined . The values of LD50 for APP preparation was 2.00 mg/mouse and for AEM - 2.75 mg/mouse . These data give evidence of moderate toxicity of these preparations.

Acta Histochem, 1990, 89(1), 113 - 9
{Histochemical and biochemical changes in skeletal muscles of rhabdomyolysis-sensitive racehorses following exertion . III: Elevated activity of various antioxidant enzymes}; Meijer AE et al.; In this communication, the results of a histochemical and biochemical enzyme study on gluteus medius muscle of horses, sensitive to exertional myopathy, during attacks of rhabdomyolysis are presented . For the biochemical study the biopsy specimens investigated were selected by means of histological and enzyme histochemical staining methods . Dissected specimens were used which contained groups of muscle fibres with a high or low activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase . The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase was measured microbiochemically in these dissected specimens . A rise in activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in pathologically changed muscle fibres was always found to be coupled with a significant rise in activity of phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase . In these muscle fibres, the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase was not significantly increased . On the basis of the combined histochemical and biochemical findings it is concluded that the application of the histochemical method for the demonstration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity can be highly recommended for the study of antioxidant enzymes in skeletal muscles with neuromuscular defects.

Br J Gen Pract, 1990 Jan, 40(330), 32 - 6
Near patient testing in general practice: a review; Hilton S; Until recently, technological advances in general practice have generally been thought of as the applications of microcomputers in practice organization and record keeping . Advances in miniaturization and versatility of diagnostic technology will have a similarly large impact on the way general practitioners practice medicine in the next decade . This article reviews some of the newer tests that are already available to general practitioners, particularly in diagnostic biochemistry and microbiology . Preliminary evaluative work and research studies in general practice are also described.

Perit Dial Int, 1990, 10(1), 57 - 9
Failure of demonstrated clinical efficacy of antibiotic-bonded continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters; Trooskin SZ et al.; Previous in vitro, in vivo, and a preliminary clinical report have demonstrated efficacy of noncovalently bonding antibiotics to the surface of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters in decreasing infectious complications . A larger prospective randomized clinical trial was completed . Eighty-six patients with chronic renal failure were enrolled in the study and randomized to receive either a surfactant treated or untreated control catheter . All catheters were soaked in cefoxitin at the time of insertion . Groups were comparable in terms of pre-existing illnesses, age, and gender . No differences were shown in the incidence of catheter-tract infections, peritonitis or mechanical complications . There was also no differences in microbiologic culture results . Therefore, it is concluded that this clinical trial did not demonstrate a reduction in catheter-related infectious complications by antibiotic bonding.

J Pineal Res, 1990, 9(3), 171 - 8
Tumor-inhibiting activity in the rat pineal gland displays a circannual rhythm; Bartsch H et al.; The aim of this study was to investigate whether the tumor-inhibiting activity present in the rat pineal gland undergoes seasonal fluctuations as do other pineal substances . Crude ethanol extracts of rat pineal glands were tested for tumor-inhibiting activity in an in vitro microbioassay using human erythroleukemia cells which could not be inhibited by melatonin . Highest activity was detected in summer and least inhibition and even stimulation were observed in winter . There were no differences in activity between animals of different age, sex, or strain . Therefore, season seems to be the factor that exerts the most important influence on the content of tumor-inhibiting activity in the rat pineal gland . Correlation with seasonality in the occurrence of cancer is discussed.

Lab Delo, 1990, (9), 70 - 2
{Bacterial colonization of the epithelial cells of gingival pockets}; Lakhtin IuV; Common methods for microbiologic examination of the gingival pocket contents in periodontitis are rarely used in practical periodontology . The author proposes to quantify epithelial cells contaminated by bacterial flora . Results of cytologic studies of smear impressions from 30 patients with periodontal diseases and from 13 normal subjects are presented, evidencing a significant elevation of bacterial contamination of the epithelium in the patients vs . that in normal subjects (66.51 +/- 3.5 vs . 44.66 +/- 4.75 percent).

Lab Delo, 1990, (9), 64 - 7
{Rapid diagnosis in microbiology, present and future (lecture)}; Marchiaro Zh et al.; The authors analyze present-day rapid laboratory methods that are helpful in the diagnosis of various critical states in infectious diseases . Currently the immunologic and other than immunologic methods for visual detection of corpuscular antigens, soluble antigens in clinical material are the best rapid methods easy to perform . Methods with DNA probes are a promising alternative of these methods.

Ann Pathol, 1990, 10(4), 258 - 61
{Colo-rectal spirochetosis: is it an anatomo-pathologic entity?}; Dauzan YR et al.; Nineteen colorectal biopsy specimens, stained by Hematein-Eosin-Safran (HES), were examined by light microscopy and showed a thick, blue and fuzzy brush border . Without any further microbiologic investigation, this histologic feature is considered strongly suggestive of colorectal spirochetosis . Our study concerned 19 male patients aged between 35 and 68 years, who had no risk factor for HIV infection, but who belonged to these three groups: (a) those suffering from chronic diarrhea; (b) those without intestinal symptoms; (c) those who had a colonic tumor removed . Rectal biopsy specimens were also taken from a control group of 35 patients seropositive for HIV-1 . This thickening, which measured 3-7 microns, showed some variation within the same patient but did not depend on the site of the biopsy . It appeared as a blue fuzzy band on HES stain, was purple on Periodic-Acid-Schiff stain and basophilic after Giemsa stain . Silver stain by Warthin-Starry method confirmed the presence in three cases of numerous spirochetes attached to the epithelial surface . Two of the three patients had no symptom . In the control group, a thickening of the brush border, was observed in only one case, but no spirochete by silver stain was seen . The thickened blue, fuzzy brush border of the colonic mucosa is not a specific criterion . The pathologist must be aware of the possible presence of spirochetes that can only be confirmed by a silver stain . The pathogenicity of spirochetosis remains to be defined.

J Clin Lab Anal, 1990, 4(4), 313 - 7
Report of the symposium on the use of intravenous gammaglobulin in adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus; De Simone C et al.; On July 27, 1989, the International Conference on Molecular Aspects of Immune Response and Infectious Diseases devoted a symposium to the subject of the use of intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . The information presented confirmed that IVIG benefits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children with recurrent infections and that much remains to be learned about the influence of IVIG in adult AIDS . The symposium participants recognized the urgent need to develop randomized clinical trials using a control group to assess the efficacy of a treatment with IVIG in PGL (persistent generalized lymphadenopathy), ARC (AIDS-related complex), and AIDS . To prepare this report, a committee was established, including individuals with expertise in immunology, immunopharmacology, microbiology, virology, infectious diseases, general medicine, and pediatrics and representing research experience in academia and hospitals . After an introduction to the report with a summary of immunotherapeutic agents under evaluation to treat HIV infection, section 1 lays out the present understanding of the disease pathogenesis . Section 2 then outlines the treatment of HIV-seropositive individuals, discussing the uncertainties that any treatment entails . Section 3 discusses the rationale for treating HIV-infected individuals with IVIG, and Section 4 examines the major differences between IVIG and hyperimmunoglobulins for the treatment of HIV infection . Section 5 looks at IVIG as a mean to delay the emergence of opportunistic infections and restore immunocompetence in AIDS and related illnesses, and Sections 6 and 7 suggest a pilot protocol on the use of IVIG in association with low-dose or standard-dose zidovudine (AZT).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lab Delo, 1990, (5), 52 - 5
{Solid-phase immunoenzyme analysis of alpha-fetoprotein in human blood serum}; Shevtsova AI et al.; A test system for enzyme immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was developed on the basis of the diagnostic agents manufactured by the N . F . Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology . The effect of shielding antibody active centers in sensitization of planes with excessive concentrations of antibodies was detected . The test system was used to measure AFP levels in blood sera of pregnant women . The results may be used for screening pregnant women for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal neural tube.

Lab Delo, 1990, (1), 48 - 50
{The effect of the type of agar on the growth of the fungus Blakeslea trispora}; Shapovalova NI et al.; The relationship between the type of agar used to prepare solid nutrient media and the growth of Bl . trispora strains (+)8A and (-)8A was under study . Bl . trispora culture virtually failed to grow in the media prepared with powder agar, GOST 16280-70: it died after 2-month storage with 2 reinoculations . Bl . trispora grew fairly well in culture media with white frozen lamellar agar (GOST 16280-70) or with white frozen microbiologic agar, GOST 17206-71; the characteristic features of the culture were preserved after 10 monthly reinoculations.

Lab Delo, 1990, (1), 35 - 8
{Optimization of the conditions for the immunochemical nephelometric analysis of IgG, IgA and IgM}; Sorokina NV et al.; Immunonephelometric analysis (INA) is widely used in practical chemistry . the authors have examined the possibility of using Soviet reagents in an ICS Analyzer Beckman (USA) nephelometer . The effects of polyethylene glycol concentration, the reaction buffer pH and ionic strength on the results of INA were under study . Optimal conditions for INA with the test systems anti-IgA-IgA, anti-IgG-IgG, and anti-IgM-IgM with Soviet reagents have been developed . Lyophilized immunoreagents from the Mancini radial immunodiffusion kit, prepared at the N . F . Gamaleia Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, can be employed for analysis with this nephelometer.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 28(1), 146 - 7
Ghost mycobacteria on Gram stain; Trifiro S et al.; The Gram stain is a key tool in diagnostic microbiology . Its usefulness with respect to mycobacteria is undefined . The neutrality of mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Gram staining of various clinical specimens is described.

Bioprocess Technol, 1990, 6, 243 - 91
The use of on-line sensors in bioprocess control; Reilly MT et al.; Commercialization of the products of biotechnology will require a continued emphasis on bioprocess design and scale-up . The use of process automation and control will help to meet the specifications of quality, safety, and cost . In the past, the application of process monitoring and control to biological processes has been limited by the availability of suitable sensors . New developments have combined the tools of microelectronics and molecular biology to address some of these limitations . Continued developments in this area will require close cooperation between microbiologists and process engineers to best apply these new tools . A general understanding of the concepts of process control, as they relate to biological processes, will contribute to that cooperation.

Am J Med, 1989 Dec 29, 87(6C), 37S - 42S
Metabolism and the fluoroquinolones; Outman WR et al.; Quinolones differ considerably with respect to the relative importance of nonrenal drug elimination mechanisms . The extent to which the fluoroquinolones undergo biotransformation in the liver ranges from approximately 50 percent for pefloxacin to about 6 percent for ofloxacin . Although glucuronide conjugates have been identified as minor metabolites for some agents, most metabolic reactions involving quinolones occur through microsomal oxidative mechanisms at the cytochrome P-450 site . These metabolic alterations involve the piperazinyl moiety and usually result in compounds with significantly less microbiologic activity than the parent drugs . Of particular importance is the varying extent of formation of the oxoquinolone metabolite with all fluoroquinolones except ofloxacin . Available evidence suggests that the inhibition of metabolism of drugs such as theophylline and caffeine by quinolones is related to the production of the oxoquinolone metabolite . With all antibiotics, differences in microbiologic activity and pharmacokinetics influence the choice of one agent over another for individual patient selection or consideration for hospital formulary inclusion . For the quinolones the degree and type of metabolism may be a strong factor in this selection process.

Top Magn Reson Imaging, 1989 Dec, 2(1), 25 - 40
Infectious diseases of the brain; McGeachie RE et al.; Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for the characterization of intracranial inflammation, by defining ependyma, white matter, gray matter, and leptomeningeal involvement . Hemorrhage is well shown, but calcification is difficult to identify . Intravenous Gd-DTPA is useful in the evaluation of B-b barrier abnormalities . Although it is not often possible to make a specific microbiologic diagnosis, MR appearances are usually helpful in excluding other abnormalities, such as neoplasm or infarction . Knowledge of the number and size of individual lesions is invaluable in monitoring therapy.

S Afr J Surg, 1989 Dec, 27(5), 185 - 7
Human and animal bites; Demetriades D; Mammalian bites are potentially dangerous injuries . Despite the severity and frequency of the bite-related complications, there are still many controversies regarding the approach to these injuries . The generally accepted view that human bites are worse than animal bites cannot be substantiated by the existing data . Bites on the hands are associated with a high incidence of sepsis and they should be managed more aggressively than other bites . Most clean bite wounds can safely be sutured primarily after meticulous irrigation and debridement . The microbiology and management of mammalian bites are described in detail.

Infect Dis Clin North Am, 1989 Dec, 3(4), 867 - 82
Nosocomial fungal infections . Old problems and new challenges; Anaissie E et al.; The frequency of nosocomial mycoses has substantially increased in recent years, primarily because of the use of intensive therapeutic regimens in patients with cancer and organ transplantation . Furthermore, newer fungi previously considered as contaminants or harmless colonizers have now emerged as significant human pathogens, particularly in the immunocompromised host . Only through the collaboration between clinicians, pathologists, microbiologists, and infection control officers can these fungal infections be recognized and treated early . It is hoped that the proper implementation of infection control policies, the advent of newer antifungals and biological response modifiers, and the advances in immunosuppressive regimens for organ transplant recipients will result in a significant improvement in the prevention and treatment of these life-threatening opportunistic mycoses.

Scand J Dent Res, 1989 Dec, 97(6), 528 - 32
Spray dispensing of antiseptics is effective for hand disinfection; Meurman JH et al.; The effectiveness of three hand antiseptics administered using a spray dispenser (Nebucid 840) was studied together with that of conventional hand disinfection . The tests were carried out by a group of 20 dental students . To obtain baseline samples, the subjects washed their hands with unmedicated Sterisol liquid soap under running water for 30s and dried them on sterile-packed paper towels . Microbiologic samples were taken from fingerprints pressed gently onto blood agar plates, which were then incubated aerobically and analyzed . The hand disinfection efficacy of 3 ml Isosept solution rubbed onto the hands for 30 s, followed by air drying for 60 s, was studied as a conventional control method . Dermocol, HD 410, and Hibisol antiseptics were sprayed onto the subjects' hands for 3 s using the automatic dispenser, after which the hands were gently rubbed for 30 s and air-dried for 60 s, before fingerprint contact sampling . All the tests were performed three times, with a minimum of 3 days between the series . The results showed Hibisol applied with the spray dispenser to be significantly more effective in reducing bacterial growth than the other methods . No growth was observed on 51 plates out of 60, while bacterial growth was observed in 29 cases out of 60 in the Isosept series . In most cases the spray-dispensed antiseptics proved to be more efficient than the conventional hand antiseptic . All the antiseptics were significantly more effective than the liquid soap.

Odontostomatol Proodos, 1989 Dec, 43(6), 487 - 94
{Biology of granulocytes: differentiation, maturation, function, products}; Mavrakos TE; In this review the biology of granulocytes (PMNL, eosinophils, basophils) is analyzed, with reference to the differentiation and maturation stages, and their function . The phenomenon of phagocytosis and the secretory function are described in detail as well as the different chemical systems which participate in the microbiocidal activity of these cells . Finally, emphasis tis given to the biochemistry of the synthesized and secreted enzymes contained in their granules.

Radiology, 1989 Nov, 173(2), 355 - 9
Chronic complicated osteomyelitis of the lower extremity: evaluation with MR imaging; Mason MD et al.; Preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations were performed with a 1.5-T superconducting magnet in 14 patients who had extensive deformities of the bones and soft tissues of the lower extremities due to previous trauma, surgery, and chronic infection . This retrospective study assessed the diagnostic performance of MR imaging in determining the presence and extent of active bone and soft-tissue infections . The presence and extent of active osteomyelitis were confirmed by reviewing the clinical, surgical, histologic, and microbiologic records of all patients . Of the 14 MR imaging examinations, 11 were true-positive, two were true-negative, one was false-positive, and none was false-negative . In the indium scans obtained in this group of patients, five were true-positive, three were true-negative, none was false-positive, and three were false-negative . In two amputated extremities, close correlation was found between the extent of disease seen on surgical and pathologic examination and that demonstrated by MR imaging, which could delineate the course of sinus tracts . MR imaging was therefore helpful in assessing the activity of chronic complicated osteomyelitis and beneficial in surgical planning for these patients.

Vet Pathol, 1989 Nov, 26(6), 531 - 50
A history of the Pathological Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, between 1891-1921; Saunders LZ; As part of a continuing historical study of the evolution of the discipline of veterinary pathology in North America, this paper relates the role played by the Pathological Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), formerly a unit of the United States Department of Agriculture . The work of this division of the BAI during its first three decades is examined with respect to its leadership, activities and attainments, and these are compared with similar activities in veterinary colleges and state experiment stations in the United States and in foreign veterinary colleges and research establishments . The Pathological Division devoted a good deal of its efforts to the production of biologic prophylactic products, with resounding success in controlling blackleg and other diseases . Its other activities were in laboratory diagnostic work and in research into animal diseases . The picture that emerges in those spheres is of an organizational unit that despite its name, made little use of the approaches and methods of pathology, but rather availed itself of the tools of microbiology whether or not these were appropriate . In so doing, it lagged considerably behind the comparable institutions both in the United States and abroad.

Hand Clin, 1989 Nov, 5(4), 561 - 9
Human bite wounds; Faciszewski T et al.; Human bite injuries, as innocuous as they may initially appear, may result in severe impairment . With a better understanding of the anatomy, microbiology, mechanism of injury, and clinical presentation, early diagnosis and the institution of appropriate therapy may minimize the morbidity commonly associated with human bite infections of the hand.

Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1989 Nov, 137(11), 722 - 5
{Detection of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis by nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in children}; Storm W et al.; Suspected osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, respectively, is usually proven by means of clinical symptoms, laboratory data and microbiologic findings of blood cultures and joint fluids . In the early phase of the diseases conventional X-rays are not helpful . Imaging with isotopes is the most important procedure to describe localisation and extension of the inflammatory processes . Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging as a newer method is capable to detect these inflammatory processes very early, precisely and without discomfort for the patient . In four children with osteomyelitis and in one infant with septic arthritis, respectively, we were able to confirm the clinical diagnosis in a very early phase of the disease . In the patient with septic arthritis nuclear magnetic resonance was the only imaging procedure successfully localising the inflammatory process . Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging localises precisely inflammatory bone and joint diseases during the early stage of the disease.

West J Med, 1989 Nov, 151(5), 518 - 9
Blastocystis hominis--a potential intestinal pathogen; Babb RR et al.; The parasite Blastocystis hominis has been found in 10% to 18% of stool specimens submitted to microbiology laboratories . Controversy exists as to whether this organism can cause illness in humans . We have reviewed the records of 65 symptomatic patients with B hominis in their stool . We conclude that B hominis is a potential pathogen that may or may not require drug therapy depending on the overall clinical circumstances, the severity of symptoms, and the presence of other pathogenic organisms.

Srp Arh Celok Lek, 1989 Nov-Dec, 117(11-12), 811 - 21
{Legionnaires' disease--12 years later}; Micic R; A survey of development of our knowledge about Legionnaires' disease since its detection to the first epidemics in Yugoslavia, is given . The etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinic and therapy of legionellosis are summarized . It is pointed out that the detection of Legionnaires' disease and successful fight against legionella infections require a close cooperation of clinicians, microbiologists, epidemiologists and corresponding technical experts . Their active attitude toward this disease is the basis of its prevention.

Gastroenterology, 1989 Nov, 97(5), 1327 - 30
Resolution of intestinal cryptosporidiosis after treatment of AIDS with AZT; Greenberg RE et al.; Intestinal cryptosporidiosis commonly results in severe protracted diarrhea that contributes significantly toward morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome . No satisfactory therapy for cryptosporidiosis currently exists . We describe a patient with severe secretory diarrhea and malabsorption who had clinical, microbiologic, and histologic resolution of cryptosporidiosis after therapy with zidovudine.

J Wildl Dis, 1989 Oct, 25(4), 534 - 9
Feather damage due to mycotic infections in wild turkeys; Davidson WR et al.; Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, St . Tammany Parish and from adjacent St . Helena Parish, Louisiana (USA) were observed to have broken and frayed rectrices . The condition was noted in 21% of 90 wild turkeys harvested by hunters during the springs of 1985 through 1988 from the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area . Damage to feathers ranged from mild to severe . Histologic and microbiologic study of five birds disclosed colonization and invasion of the rachis sheath and pulp by fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Curvularia, Cladosporium, Dactylella, Exophiala, Helminthosporium and Trichophyton and by Streptomyces . Sterilized normal rectrices from wild turkeys were inoculated with these organisms and subsequently developed damage that was histologically compatible with field cases . The condition was diagnosed as a multiple etiology mycosis . Successful colonization and invasion of experimentally inoculated feathers required addition of moisture and elevation of relative humidity within the cultures . The apparent high moisture requirements of the fungi suggest that late winter and early spring flooding may be a probable predisposing factor for this condition.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 27(10), 2384 - 5
Detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in whole blood and saliva by using a passive hemagglutination test; Vasudevachari MB et al.; A passive hemagglutination test (PHA) for detecting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 antibodies in serum samples by using envelope glycoprotein (gp160)-coupled sheep erythrocytes was described earlier (M.B . Vasudevachari, K . U . Uffelman, T.C . Mast, R.L . Dewar, V . Natarajan, H.C . Lane, and N.P . Salzman, J . Clin . Microbiol . 27:179-181, 1989) . In the study reported here, the applicability of the PHA test to the detection of antibodies in whole-blood and saliva samples has been investigated . We observed a 100% correlation between PHA and commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 101 whole-blood samples and 98% correlation between PHA and reactivity to envelope proteins in Western blots (immunoblots) of 53 saliva samples . Furthermore, salivary antibodies could be detected in 19 of the 22 seropositive individuals . As in serum, antibodies to envelope proteins were widely prevalent in all the Western blot-reactive saliva samples.

ZWR . 1989 Oct;98(10):850, 852, 854.
{Diseases of the masticatory system as possible causal factors in infertility}; Bieniek KW et al.; In this study 36 subfertile patients between 25 and 43 years, in whom asymptomatic bacteriosperms with a concentration of 10(5)/ml or higher could be shown despite an antibiotic directed therapy in which no count reduction was observed, were examined in the Dept . for Dental Prosthetics . A lot of intraoral foci were found, which got eliminated . Intra-operational bacterial specimens were taken and evaluated by a special diagnostic technique in the Dept . of Microbiology . It was shown, that the bacterial spectrum of the intraoral specimens and the spermiograms were identical . 6 months after completion of the dental therapy and intensive oral hygiene instructions a new andrological examination was performed . Two thirds of the spermiograms were already sterile . A direct causal relationship between dental primary diseases and asymptomatic bacteriosperms, which probably leads to subfertility, must be concluded.

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei), 1989 Oct, 44(4), 242 - 8
Nosocomial Legionnaires' disease; Wang LS et al.; The first proved outbreak of nosocomial Legionnaires' disease occurred in a psychiatric hospital in Washington D.C . in 1965, but the diagnosis was not established until determination of serum antibodies against Legionella pneumophila by the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test was undertaken, using the bacterial antigen isolated from patients with Legionnaires' disease in the 1976 outbreak in Philadelphia . The second nosocomial outbreak of Legionnaires' disease occurred in three immunocompromised patients who received renal transplantation at the University of Kansas Medical Center and died of extensive lobar pneumonia in 1975 . The direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test revealed L . pneumophila in the lungs of all three patients after the Legionnaires' disease agent was identified . The lack of prospective surveys using sensitive diagnostic procedures by various types has limited our knowledge on the extent of the problem caused by legionella . In fact, nosocomial Legionnaires' disease is a worldwide problem, and control of this disease requires thorough cooperation of physicians, epidemiologists, microbiologists and expert engineers.

Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1989 Oct, 195(4), 254 - 6
{Rheologic findings in patients with Eales disease}; Bertram B et al.; In a retrospective analysis of findings in 12 patients with Eales' disease significant changes in blood fluidity were established . The six female and six male patients, aged between 15 and 59, were examined in the acute and subclinical stages and when a recurrence occurred . The rheologic parameters plasma viscosity, erythrocyte rigidity, and erythrocyte aggregation were significantly increased in the acute stage and when there was a recurrence, while in the subclinical stage the rheologic values improved to normal . No correlation could be found between the severity of the clinical picture in the various phases and the rheologic values . None of the other biochemical, microbiologic, and immunologic parameters were pathologic in any stage of the disease . In particular, virus serology, protein, immune, and hemoglobin electrophoresis were normal in all patients . While the etiology of Eales' disease remains unknown, deteroration in erythrocyte rigidity appears to play a part in the pathophysiology of the disease.

J Virol, 1989 Oct, 63(10), 4441 - 4
Guanidine-resistant mutants of poliovirus have distinct mutations in peptide 2C; Baltera RF Jr et al.; In previous work in our laboratory, 12 guanidine-resistant (gr) mutants of poliovirus were selected from 12 separate stocks of plaque-purified guanidine-sensitive (gs) viruses (K . Anderson-Sillman, S . Bartal, and D . R . Tershak, J . Virol . 50:922-928, 1984) . Peptide mapping of protein 2C and evaluation of virus growth at different temperatures enabled us to subdivide these mutants into several distinct groups (D . R . Tershak, Can . J . Microbiol . 31:1166-1168, 1985; Anderson-Sillman et al., J . Virol.) . Studies by Pincus et al . indicate that two nucleotide changes in codon 179 of protein 2C leads to an Asn-to-Gly or Asn-to-Ala change and that these missense modifications account for guanidine resistance (S . E . Pincus, H . Rohl, and E . Wimmer, Virology 157:83-88, 1987; S . E . Pincus and E . Wimmer, J . Virol . 60:793-796, 1986) . In the present report, we confirm their findings but also show that a single amino acid change of Phe to Tyr in residue 164 of protein 2C or a Met-to-Leu replacement in amino acid 187 coupled with mutations in codons 233 or 295 and 309 could confer guanidine resistance.

Odontostomatol Proodos, 1989 Oct, 43(5), 391 - 7
{Introduction to oral biology}; Mavrakos TE; The purpose of this review is to give a general description of the discipline of Oral Biology . The different subjects are classified with a short introduction to each one, followed by an analysis of their role in clinical dentistry . Reference is made to various areas of research with emphasis on bone biology, mechanisms of inflammation, oral immunology and oral microbiology . The references stated are representative, aiming to satisfy the reader with a general interest rather than the very specialized one.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Oct, 33(10), 1774 - 7
Dose-ranging study of fleroxacin for treatment of uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections; Bowie WR et al.; Men and women with suspected or proven genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis were enrolled in a double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fleroxacin . Patients received either 400, 600, or 800 mg once daily for 7 days and were monitored approximately 2, 4, and 7 weeks after initiation of therapy . In men monitored for at least 6 weeks or until failure of the therapy, fleroxacin failed to eradicate C . trachomatis in three of eight on the 400-mg regimen, in one of four on the 600-mg regimen, and in four of seven on the 800-mg regimen . All five women monitored for at least 6 weeks became culture negative . There was no association between in vitro susceptibility of C . trachomatis to fleroxacin and outcome, with MICs being 4 to 8 migrograms/ml for almost all isolates tested . Among those with positive cultures for Ureaplasma urealyticum initially, the first follow-up cultures remained positive in 8 (29%) of 28 men and 8 (50%) of 16 women . Independent of culture results, men with nongonococcal urethritis receiving 800 mg of fleroxacin were significantly more likely to show a clinical response than men receiving 400 or 600 mg (93 versus 54%) . Adverse events were frequent, often severe, and dose related . Insomnia and photosensitivity reactions were the most important . The adverse reactions and unacceptably high rates of microbiologic failure resulted in premature termination of the study.

Trends Biochem Sci, 1989 Oct, 14(10), 416 - 8
The discovery of beta-galactosidase; Rouwenhorst RJ et al.; The enzyme beta-galactosidase was first mentioned in the literature by Beijerinck exactly a hundred years ago . The Department of Microbiology and Enzymology of the Delft University of Technology keeps the memory of Beijerinck, its first professor, alive by maintaining a 'Beijerinck-room' in the attic of the building . In addition to manuscripts and laboratory notebooks, this room contains some of his chemicals and biological preparations, and it was here that we recently found a 90-year old lactase preparation . Even after storage under suboptimal conditions, the preparation still exhibited measurable enzyme activities.

JAMA, 1989 Sep 22-29, 262(12), 1635 - 40
Management of infectious waste by US hospitals; Rutala WA et al.; In July 1987 and January 1988, forty-six percent (441/955) of randomly selected US hospitals responded to a questionnaire intended to identify their waste disposal practices . Survey responses were received from hospitals in 48 states . United States hospitals generated a median of 6.93 kg of hospital waste per patient per day and infectious waste made up 15% of the total hospital waste . Most hospitals (greater than 90%) considered blood, microbiology, "sharps," communicable disease isolation, pathology, autopsy, and contaminated animal carcass waste as infectious . Other sources of hospital waste that were commonly (greater than 80%) designated infectious were surgical, dialysis, and miscellaneous laboratory waste . The infectious waste was normally (80%) treated via incineration or steam sterilization before disposal, whereas noninfectious waste was discarded directly in a sanitary landfill . Eight-two percent of these US hospitals are discarding blood, microbiology, sharps, pathology, and contaminated animal carcass waste in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations, while the compliance rate for the Environmental Protection Agency's recommendations (excluding optional waste) is 75% . No hospital could identify an infection problem (excluding needle-stick injuries) that was attributable to the disposal of infectious waste . While the management of infectious waste by US hospitals is generally consistent with the Centers for Disease Control's guidelines, many hospitals employ overly inclusive definitions of infectious waste.

Eur Heart J, 1989 Sep, 10(9), 858 - 62
Survival after rupture of the oesophagus and subsequent candidal endocarditis: use of new serological methods in management; de Belder MA et al.; The prognosis following both spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome) and candidal endocarditis is poor . Antifungal treatment for the latter has, in the past, been empirical . A patient who survived both these conditions is described, his case demonstrating some of the major risk factors for candidal endocarditis . Management of his antifungal treatment was guided by newly developed serological methods . Close liaison between microbiologist and clinician is essential for the management of this serious condition.

Clin Ther, 1989 Sep-Oct, 11(5), 659 - 68
Terconazole--a new antifungal agent for vulvovaginal candidiasis; Weisberg M; Terconazole is a new broad-spectrum antifungal agent for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis . Instead of an imidazole structure, terconazole contains a triazole ring, a structure developed specifically to improve antifungal activity . Clinical studies of this antifungal agent have involved 5,500 women worldwide and a number of terconazole formulations, including 80-mg vaginal suppositories and 0.4% vaginal cream . The highlights of several large, major studies are discussed in this review article . In European studies, mycologic cure rates for terconazole regimens approached or exceeded 90% . Speed of action was rapid, and relapse rates were low . In double-blind, multicenter studies conducted in the United States, clinical cure rates for 0.4% terconazole cream ranged from 86% to 96% and microbiologic cure rates from 77% to 91% at 8 to 10 days after therapy . Most patients remained free of positive signs and symptoms and microbiologic evidence of infection at 30 to 35 days posttherapy . Symptomatic relief tended to be more rapid for patients treated with 0.4% terconazole cream than for those treated with 2.0% miconazole nitrate cream . In US studies of 80-mg terconazole suppositories, clinical cure rates 8 to 10 days after therapy were between 89% and 92%, and microbiologic cure rates were between 80% and 85% . Relapse rates were also low with this form of therapy . No statistically significant differences were found between three days of treatment with 80-mg terconazole suppositories and seven days of treatment with 100-mg miconazole nitrate suppositories . This research demonstrates that terconazole is a fast-acting, highly effective, well-tolerated therapy for vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1989 Sep, 161(3), 817 - 24
Infection and labor . V . Prevalence, microbiology, and clinical significance of intraamniotic infection in women with preterm labor and intact membranes; Romero R et al.; Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 264 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes admitted to Yale-New Haven Hospital from Jan . 1, 1985, to July 31, 1988 . The prevalence of a positive amniotic fluid culture was 9.1% (24/264) . A total of 111 patients (42%) delivered preterm neonates, and 24 (21.6%) of those had positive amniotic fluid cultures . The diagnostic indexes of the Gram stain of amniotic fluid in the prediction of a positive amniotic fluid culture were as follows: sensitivity, 79.1%; specificity, 99.6%; positive predictive value, 95%; and negative predictive value, 98% . Endotoxin was detected with the limulus amebocyte lysate assay in 4.9% (13/264) of patients with preterm labor . All patients with endotoxin in the amniotic fluid delivered preterm neonates . The three most frequently isolated organisms were Ureaplasma urealyticum (n = 6), Fusobacterium species (n = 5), and Mycoplasma hominis (n = 4) . Clinical chorioamnionitis was present in only 12.5% of the patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures . Women with positive amniotic fluid cultures had lower gestational ages and more advanced cervical dilatation on admission than women with negative cultures . Preterm infants born to mothers with positive amniotic fluid cultures had a higher incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and infectious complications than preterm neonates born after negative amniotic fluid cultures . These data underscore the frequency and importance of intraamniotic infections in women with preterm labor.

Infect Dis Clin North Am, 1989 Sep, 3(3), 625 - 39
The quinolones; Neu HC; The molecular basis of activity, chemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology of the new fluoroquinolones is reviewed in this article . Areas of clinical use are analyzed with specific reference to efficacy, development of resistance, and potential for toxicity.

What Is Growth Medium?, What Is Antibiotic?, What Is Water Purification?, What Is Bioreactor?, What is Food Microbiology?, s, Microorganism, r, Microbiology, r, Microorganisms, c, Microbe, a, Bacteriology, n, Antimicrobials, c, Mueller hinton broth, s, Streptococci, c, Antimicrobials, e, Neisseria, s, Staphylococcus, r, Cholera, s, Antibiotics, a, Rhizobacter, o, Halophilic bacterium, r, Bacillus, r, Fermentations, e, Escherichia coli, o, Salmonella typhimurium, s, Escherichia coli, o, Fermentations, s, Fermentations, s, Growth media, i, Clostridia, n, Streptococci, n, Antibiotic resistance

Scientific Publications - Work Done by Microbiology Reader Bioscreen C
Agricultural Microbiology Anaerobic Microbiology Antimicrobial Susceptibility Artificial Atmosphere Bioassay of Antibiotics Biofilm Microbiology Bioreactor Technology Biotechnology Cell Biology Clinical Microbiology Environmental Microbiology Experiments with Yeast	Fermentation Food Microbiology Functional Genomics Gene Technology Growth Media Development Growth Rate and Lag Time Industrial Microbiology Medical/Pharmaceutical Field Microbiological Assay Microbiological Research Microbiology of Cosmetics go to a specific theme...	Military Microbiology Molecular Microbiology Mutagenicity and Genotoxicity Oral Microbiology Patents Postantibiotic Studies Soil Microbiology Spore Microbiology Veterinary Microbiology Waste/Wastewater Treatment Water Microbiology Wine Microbiology

� 2005 Transgalactic Ltd (manufacturer of Bioscreen C software) | Privacy Statement | P.O. Box 1393, 00101 Helsinki, Finland, phone: +358 9 85172920, fax: +358 9 8749481, e-mail: microbiology@bionewsonline.com

Last modified: May 25, 2005