Med Pediatr Oncol, 1979, 7(3), 237 - 9 Pyomyositis in acute lymphocytic leukemia heralded by cutaneous vasculitis: brief communication; Blatt J et al.; We have observed two cases of staphylococcal myositis in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia which are distinguished from previously reported cases by a history of cutaneous vasculitis overlying the area of subsequent infection. J Immunol Methods, 1979, 29(4), 369 - 86 Immobilization of viral antigens on filter paper for a {125I}staphylococcal protein A immunoassay: a rapid and sensitive technique for detection of herpes simplex virus antigens and antiviral antibodies; Cleveland PH et al.; A new technique is described for the rapid detection and quantitation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens and antiviral antibodies . It involves immobilization of HSV antigens on filter paper discs and subsequent analysis by 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A (SPA) radioimmunoassay . A specially designed 96-well filtration device is employed which serves both as an incubation chamber and as a filtration manifold . It is rapid, simple, sensitive and specific, and requires only small volumes of antiserum and few target cells . The results may be readily and objectively quantitated . This technique permits the simultaneous assay of a large number of specimens in less than 1 h . Its sensitivity is considerably greater than that of other currently used immunologic techniques, and it is amenable to automation . These characteristics suggest that this {125I}SPA immunofiltration technique may be applicable to the rapid diagnosis of viral infections. Arkh Patol, 1979, 41(10), 49 - 54 {Intrauterine infections in the perinatal period}; Tsinzerling AV et al.; The results of examinations of autopsy materials in Leningrad and the data from the literature indicate that infectious diseases occupy a significant place in perinatal mortality . It is emphasized that if the autopsy materials are not sufficiently examined using not only light but also immunofluorescent microscopy, a considerable portion of these infections is not diagnosed and the pathological proprocess in such cases in considered to be aspiration pneumonia, hyaline membrane disease, etc . The paper briefly characterizes intrauterine bacterial infections (listeriasis, syphilis, staphylococcal infections, etc.) with special reference to virus diseases (cytomegaly, herpes infection, lesions caused by respiratory viruses, etc) and mycoplasmosis . It is shown that a relatively high incidence of lesions is caused by respiratory viruses and particularly mycoplasma . The possibility of protozoan and mycotic lesions is also indicated . The frequent occurrence of combined intrauterine infections is emphasized. Cell, 1979 Jan, 16(1), 33 - 42 Characterization of cross-reacting antigens on the Epstein-Barr virus envelope and plasma membranes of producer cells; Thorley-Lawson DA; A rabbit antiserum has been prepared against the B95-8 transforming strain of EBV . The antiserum has a high virus neutralizing titer (approximately 1:1000) against both the marmoset B95-8 EBV and the human P3HR-1 EBV . The neutralizing antibodies may be absorbed completely with EBV producer cell lines, but not with nonproducer cell lines or producer cell lines treated with phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) so as to be nonproducer . After repeated absorption with PAA-treated B95-8, the serum remains reactive with the membranes of producer cell lines as judged by immunofluorescence or the 125I--Staphylococcal protein A radioimmunoassay . Thus the neutralizing antigens are expressed on the membranes of producer cell lines and may be purified from this source using the serum and 125I--Staph A binding as an assay . The ability of the serum to differentiate between producer and nonproducer cells by means of cell surface determinants has been exploited to achieve a separation of these two populations from the same culture . Immunoprecipitation by the protein A technique shows that the serum recognizes two polypeptides from producer cells of approximate molecular weights 150,000 and 75,000. Lab Anim, 1979 Jan, 13(1), 21 - 7 Bacteriological examination of a modern animal house containing small laboratory animals; Wierup M; Floors and other areas totalling 1800 m2, comprising conventional and specified-pathogen-free (SPF) units, were screened bacteriologically 6 times in a year . The contamination indices observed were lower within than outside the units, and lower in the SPF than in the conventional unit . Bacterial counts in rooms containing animals in the conventional and SPF units were very similar . In all of the areas investigated within the units, most of the samples revealed less than 2 colony forming units per cm2 . In contrast, high degrees of bacteriological contamination were detected in the changing rooms after showering or washing before entry . Staphylococcus epidermidis was the dominant bacterial species isolated . The bacteriological spectrum did not vary between the areas surveyed. J Immunol Methods, 1979, 28(3-4), 219 - 32 Purification of antibodies to bacterial antigens by an immunoadsorbent and a method to quantify their reaction with insoluble bacterial targets; Mathews HL et al.; A combination of procedures was employed to develop a radioimmunoassay which quantified the binding of antibodies to antigens of either intact Propionibacterium acnes or to antigens of insoluble extracts derived from the bacteria . Reactive antibody populations were purified by use of bacterial immunoadsorbents which were prepared by coupling P . acnes to diethylaminoethyl cellulose . Binding of antibodies was detected with {125I}staphylococcal protein A ({125I}SpA) and optimal conditions for the assay defined by varying the amounts of antibodies, bacterial antigenic targets and {125I}SpA . In antibody excess, 100% of available {125I}SpA was bound by the target-antibody complexes . However, when antibody concentration was limiting, a linear relationship was demonstrated between per cent specific binding of {125I}SpA and antibodies bound to bacterial targets . These results were achieved only with immunoadsorbent-purified antibody populations and not with hyperimmune sera or IgG . The radioimmunoassay detected subtle antigenic differences and similarities between P . acnes, P . acnes extracts and a variety of unrelated microorganisms. J Immunol Methods, 1979, 26(4), 369 - 80 Sensitive and convenient quantitation of antibody binding to cellular antigens using glutaraldehyde preserved cells; Rockoff SD et al.; As a preliminary step in the identification and isolation of antibodies to human cancers, we have developed a sensitive and convenient assay for antibody binding to cellular antigens . The basis for the method is antibody binding to glutaraldehyde-fixed cells (AbGfC) and quantitation with radioiodinated staphylococcal protein A (SpA) . Glutaraldehyde fixation of intact cells, which does not appear to effect the ability to form antigen-antibody complexes, provides a convenient and standard supply of target cells which may be stored at 4 degrees C and used in the assay over a period of several months . The amount of antibody specifically bound to the cells is quantitated by the addition of 125I-labeled SpA . The sensitivity of the method was compared with two complement-dependent cytotoxicity methods (trypan blue exclusion and 51Cr release assays) and tested with two antisera to human lung cancer and one antiserum to a membrane antigen of a murine lymphoma . These comparisons indicated much greater sensitivity when compared with the trypan blue exclusion assay and equivalent sensitivity with greater dose response characteristics when compared with the 51Cr release assay. Scand J Immunol, 1979, 9(4), 359 - 64 Interactions between mouse immunoglobulins and staphylococcal protein A; Chalon MP et al.; When mouse serum or ascites is applied on protein A-Sepharose columns and washed with enough phosphate-buffered saline, a second protein peak is often eluted with the same buffer after the first major peak of unbound proteins . This second peak is almost pure Ig G1 . More IgG1 plus IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 are thereafter eluted with acid saline . 90% of the IgG1 whichhad been eluted with neutral buffer could be re-eluted at the same retarded position with the same buffer . When a gradient from 0 to 3 M sodium thiocyanate was started after the major peak of unbound proteins, all IgG1 was eluted before IgG2 and IgG3 . These results suggest that IgG1 has a much lower affinity for protein A than IgG2 or IgG3 and that normal mouse serum IgG1 can be purified by such a simple procedure. Eur J Immunol, 1979 Jan, 9(1), 52 - 60 Interaction of anti-staphylococcal protein A antisera with Fc receptor-bearing human normal lymphocytes; Biguzzi S; Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) is known to bind the Fc region of IgG of most mammalians and to possess biologic activity both in vivo and in vitro, where it acts as a lymphocyte polyclonal mitogen . Its binding to the Fc gamma portion bears many features of the antibody-antigen interaction, such as the dissociation constant, lattice formation, and complement activation . Moreover, SpA seems to compete with membrane Fc receptors for IgG so that the possibility of an interaction with the same CH domain(s) of IgG can be considered . In the present study, evidence is given that anti-SpA antisera obtained from chickens and rabbits are able to inhibit EA rosette formation by normal human lymphocytes and that they are able to recognize, with immunofluorescent staining, a subpopulation of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) that closely resembles that of EA rosette-forming cells (RFC) . Moreover, the depletion of EA RFC by means of a single gradient centrifugation is accomplished by the parallel depletion of PBL stainable by anti-SpA antisera . The relevance of these results in the hypothesis of a similarity between the combining sites of SpA and membrane Fc receptor(s) for IgG is discussed. Immunology, 1979 Jan, 36(1), 47 - 54 beta2-Microglobulin production by highly purified human T and B lymphocytes in cell culture stimulated with various mitogens; Kin K et al.; This study attempts to evaluate beta2-microglobulin production by highly purified (greater than 98%) peripheral and tonsil T and B lymphocytes cultured with various mitogens . beta2-Microglobulin was measured by the radioimmunoassay method . It was found that PHA and Con A markedly stimulated beta2-microglobulin production in cultures of T but not B lymphocytes . B lymphocytes were greatly activated, on the other hand, by Staphylococcus aureau Cowan I organisms cSpA), though the level of beta2-microglobulin production was less than that observed in PHA- and Con A-stimulated T lymphocytes . PWM only slightly increased beta2-microglobulin production of T lymphocytes, although the incorporation of {3H}-thymidine was highly enhanced . The highest level of beta2-microglobulin obtained with PHA or Con A was observed when the T/B lymphocyte ratio was between 90/10 and 80/20 . These results lead to the conclusion that: (1) SpA is a specific mitogen for B lymphocytes, and its mitogenicity is independent of the presence of T lymphocytes, while PHA, Con A, and PWM are ineffective as stimulants of B lymphocytes; (2) the beta2-microglobulin producing ability of B lymphocytes is less than that of T lymphocytes, even when the lymphocytes are markedly activated; (3) the beta2-microglobulin production and DNA synthesis by T lymphocytes is markedly enhanced by the helper effect of B lymphocytes; (4) the level of beta2-microglobulin production reflects lymphocyte activation, especially in T lymphocytes stimulated with PHA or Con A. Mol Cell Biochem, 1978 Dec 22, 22(2-3), 67 - 77 Staphylococcal nuclease reviewed: a prototypic study in contemporary enzymology . I . Isolation; physical and enzymatic properties; Tucker PW et al.; This is the first of a series of four articles in which the chemical, enzymological, and crystallographic work on Ribonucleate (deoxyribonucleate)-3'-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.7, (Staphylococcal nuclease, Micrococcal nuclease) will be reviewed and correlated . This article discusses the purification of the enzyme and its general physical and enzymological properties . Subsequent articles will deal with specific studies of the nucleotide binding site, crystallographic studies of a nuclease-inhibitor complex, use of the nuclease as a model for protein folding and possible mechanisms for the action of the enzyme. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1978 Dec 20, 537(2), 310 - 9 The complete amino acid sequence of the alpha-subunit of pea lectin, Pisum sativum; Richardson C et al.; The complete primary structure of the alpha-subunit of the lectin from the pea (Pisum sativum) has been determined using a combination of tryptic and staphylococcal protease digestion, purification using Sephadex gel filtration and high-voltage electrophoresis followed by either manual or automated Edman degradation . The molecular weight of the alpha-subunit from sequence data and gel filtration in guanidine-HCl is close to 5800, which is lower than that determined by sedimentation equilibrium techniques . The sequence reveals considerable homology to concanavalin A and near identity to the alpha-subunit of the lentil lectin (Lens culenaris) . As in the case of the lentil alpha-subunit, the alpha-methyl glucose binding site(s) are not present in this region, nor are the S1 and S2 metal ion binding sites as judged by homology consideration, though the residues for the S3 lanthanide binding (Glu 87 and Asp 136) are conserved from the available data on the alpha- and beta-subunits . Preliminary metal exchange experimens on the intact pea lectin indicate some differnces in the metal exchange properties of this lectin compared to concanavalin A, and therefore possible ligand variations in this region of the beta-subunit. Br J Exp Pathol, 1978 Dec, 59(6), 577 - 83 The detection of rubella-specific IgM antibodies by radioimmunoassay; Kangro HO et al.; An indirect solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for the detection of immunoglobulin (Ig) class-specific rubella antibodies . A commercial rubella haemagglutinin is dried and fixed on to the wells of flexible microtitre plates and allowed to react with serial dilutions of whole or fractionated human sera . Class-specific rubella antibodies are then detected by determining the specific binding of 125I-labelled anti-human IgG or IgM . The RIA was first evaluated by comparison with the haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test for the detection of rubella-specific IgM in gel-filtration fractions . RIA was found to be as specific as HI but 10-150 times more sensitive . Rubella-specific IgG antibodies did not interfere in specific IgM determinations by RIA and therefore the latter technique was applied to unfractionated sera . The results obtained indicate that RIA on unfractionated sera is a practical, sensitive and specific technique which could provide a reliable method for the diagnosis of rubella . The rubella-specific IgM titres obtained by RIA were not increased by the removal of IgG by pretreatment of sera with Staphylococcal Protein A. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1978 Dec, 359(12), 1757 - 70 Disulfide bridges in the middle part of human fibrinogen; Henschen A; Human fibrinogen contains 29 disulfide bridges per molecule . The amino acid sequences around all half-cystine residues are known . When fibrinogen is cleaved by cyanogen bromide five disulfide-containing fragments are formed . The second-largest of them is derived from the middle part of all three peptide chains, it is monomeric and contains 345 amino acid residues, 12 of which are half-cystines . The arrangement of the six disulfide bonds was determined by analysing sequences and amino acid compositions of subfragments isolated after cleavage with trypsin, thermolysin and staphylococcal protease and after clearage of the disulfide bonds . All half-cystine residues were found to be linked in unique pairs . Six half-cystine residues, two in each of the three peptide chains and forming the -Cys-X-X-X-Cys- sequences, were shown to connect the chains in a ring-like structure, similar to the one in the N-terminal part of the molecule . The remaining six half-cystine residues were found to connect two sections of the gamma-chain in a loop-like structure and four sections of the beta-chain in a loop-inside-a-loop-like structure, the inner beta-chain loop being homologous to the gamma-chain loop. Chest, 1978 Dec, 74(6), 679 - 80 "Contarini's condition:" bilateral pleural effusions with markedly different characteristics; Kutty CP et al.; A leukemic patient presented with bilateral pleural effusions . The effusions were markedly different in their characteristics; left-sided staphylococcal empyema and right-sided lymphocytic effusion . To our knowledge, there are no cases of this type reported in the modern literature . The importance of bilateral diagnostic thoracocentesis in patients on immunosuppressant therapy is emphasized. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1978 Dec 1, 103(23), 1270 - 6 {Difference in susceptibility to mastitis between the Dutch-Friesian and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel breeds of cattle (author's transl)}; Grootenhuis G; A randomized study in the Netherlands showed that symptoms of mastitis were more common in animals of the Meuse-Rhine-Yssel breed than they were in those of the Dutch-Friesian breed . The samples were taken at random from large groups of animals (approximately 10,000) of the dairy cattle population in the Netherlands, quarter samples being examined for the presence of the causative organisms of mastitis and cell counts being made . Differences between the two breeds were also observed in herds on the experimental farm "'t Gen" on which the animals were reared and kept in the same environment . Therefore, there is some justification in defining these differences as genetic . The results of the studies suggest that a group of animals showing lower cell counts during the first lactation will be less susceptible to mastitis . Studies in a cow-house of the Central Veterinary Institute revealed a significant difference in increase of the cell count between animals of the Dutch-Friesian breed and those of the Meuse-Rhine-Yssel breed following intramammary injection of a staphylococcal beta toxin . Further analysis of the results of the randomized study showed that differences in susceptibility to mastitis do not become plainly apparent until later in life . In view of the results of these studies, it would seem advisable to pay more attention to differences in susceptibility to mastitis in stock-breeding. Laryngol Rhinol Otol (Stuttg), 1978 Dec, 57(12), 1083 - 6 {Fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products in head- and neck-tumors (author's transl)}; Wilmes EH et al.; Fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in sera of patients with malignant tumors in the head-and neck-region are determined with Staphylococcal-Clumping-Test (Behring-Werke, Marburg/Lahn) . Concentration of FDP in sera of tumor patients are compared to sera of normal patients . 40 cases out of 70 with malignant tumors showed higher concentration of FDP . The results are discussed. J Immunol, 1978 Dec, 121(6), 2278 - 81 Induction of lymphocyte colony formation in vitro by protein A; Shibasaki M et al.; Human lymphocyte colonies were grown in semi-solid culture in the presence of staphylococcal protein A . The best results were obtained when 1 X 10(6) lymphocytes were cultured for 5 to 7 days with 25 to 50 microgram of protein A per dish . A lineal relationship was observed between the number of cells seeded and the number of colonies developed . An increased number of colonies was seen in cord blood culture compared with that in child and adult peripheral blood . The addition of 5 X 10(-5) M of 2-ME to the culture approximately doubled the colony counts . The cells harvested from the colonies contained about 70% of E-RFC and 20% of EAC-RFC. Am J Dis Child, 1978 Dec, 132(12), 1187 - 8 Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome . A complication of circumcision; Annunziato D et al.; Numerous complications have been reported as a result of neonatal circumcision . We describe here three cases of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome that were thought to be due to infected circumcisions . A review of the literature failed to disclose descriptions of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome as such a complication . In spite of recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations against routine circumcision, it will continue to be a common procedure . Careful preoperative and postoperative screening and guidance are urged to prevent staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and other complications. Acta Orthop Scand, 1978 Dec, 49(6), 595 - 6 Reconstruction of a tuberculous thumb by free bone grafting . A case report; Papavasiliou VA; Tuberculosis with secondary staphylococcal infection destroyed the right thumb and index phalanges of a 24-year-old farmer . Four months after starting antibiotic therapy the index finger was amputated, and the thumb reconstructed by excising the disorganized phalanges and transferring the index metacarpal as a free graft to replace them . No previous report of this technique has been traced . A concurrent infection of the patient's left tarsus was treated by triple arthrodesis. J Histochem Cytochem, 1978 Dec, 26(12), 1074 - 81 Ultrastructural localization of intracellular antigens by the use of protein A-gold complex; Roth J et al.; An immunocytochemical technique for the demonstration of intracellular antigens (secretory proteins) on thin sections is reported . Staphylococcal protein A which reacts with the Fc fragment of IgG molecules was labeled with colloidal gold as a marker . The antigenic sites were visualized on aldehyde-fixed and Epon-embedded tissue in a two step procedure . The specific antisera were applied to thin sections for binding to the antigens and then visualized by the protein A-gold complex . By using this technique different secretory proteins of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas were localized . The protein A-gold technique is proposed as a general method for visualization of antigenic sites on thin sections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1978 Dec, 75(12), 5903 - 7 Altered nucleosome spacing in newly replicated chromatin from Friend leukemia cells; Murphy RF et al.; Chromatin from Friend leukemia cells labeled with {14C}thymidine for 24 hr followed by {3H}thymidine for 10 min is converted into nucleosomes by staphylococcal nuclease at only half the rate that total chromatin is converted . Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of nucleosomal DNA from cells labeled for 24 hr with {14C}thymidine followed by 10 min with {3H}thymidine demonstrates that the internucleosomal spacer of newly replicated chromatin is approximately 20 base pairs shorter than that of total chromatin . The implications of this difference for models of chromatin structure are discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Dec, 242(4), 456 - 61 {Qualitative and quantitative determinations of staphylokinase-activity (author's transl)}; Papke G et al.; Staphylokinase (SAK)-activated plasminogen reacted specifically with nitroanilide (N-benzoyl-DL-lysine-4-nitroanilide) to form intensively yellow 4-nitroaniline . This reaction did not occur with staphylococcal proteases . For qualitative SAK-determinations nitroanilide was incorporated in an agar medium . SAK diffused into the medium and caused a distinct change in color from white to yellow . For quantitative SAK-determination the conversion of colorless nitroanilide to yellow 4-nitroaniline was recorded photometrically at 405 nm . The optical density correlated well with SAK-activity of preparations with different degrees of purity (fig . 1, 2) . Another quantitative procedure for SAK-activity could be conducted with fibrin in microtiter-plates (Fib-MTT) . In this method, after 2-fold dilutions of SAK-preparations fibrinogen (stained blue with astrazonblue) and subsequently thrombin were added . SAK-activity was indicated by lysis of the blue-colored fibrin clots in the microtiter-plates (fig . 3) . The Fib-MTT was particularly suitable for measuring wide ranges of SAK-activities. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1978 Nov, 84(5), 1031 - 9 Amino acid sequence of an active fragment (T2A) of colicin E3; Suzuki K et al.; The amino acid sequence of an active fragment (T2A) of colicin E3 composed of 97 amino acid residues was determined . The structures of 6 tryptic peptides obtained from citraconylated T2A were analyzed, mainly by Edman degradation . These tryptic peptides were aligned by examining overlapping peptides obtained from T2A with a Staphylococcal protease . These results, together with sequence analyses of whole T2A from both termini, established the complete amino acid sequence of T2A . The structure and function of colicin E3 are discussed based on the determined primary structure. J Med Microbiol, 1978 Nov, 11(4), 371 - 7 Immunological response to a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis in the rabbit: production of protective antibody; Yoshida K et al.; A rabbit was immunised with a heat-killed vaccine prepared from strain 1142 of Staphylococcus epidermidis . The HA titres of the antisera against a surface-polysaccharide antigen extracted from the homologous strain were highest in the 2nd-4th weeks after immunisation and subsequently declined . Only a minor amount of 2-ME-resistant antibody was formed, and this at a late state of the reaction . After a booster injection of the vaccine at the 10th week, there was a significantly greater HA-antibody response and a greater amount of 2-ME-resistant antibody was formed . The relative passive-protective activity of the sera in mice corresponded to their content of 2-ME-sensitive HA antibody . The protective activity of the sera was 2-ME sensitive and was not removed by absorption with anti-rabbit IgG goat serum . Further, 280 microgram of IgM-rich serum fraction obtained by sucrose-density-gradient ultracentrifugation passively protected against homologous challenge infection in mice, but even 910 microgram of IgG-rich fraction did not . These results indicated that the protective antibody was of the IgM class. Antibiotiki, 1978 Nov, 23(11), 1002 - 5 {Aspects of the therapeutic action of proteolytic enzymes and antibiotics in experimental staphylococcal infection . The effect of lincomycin, chymotrypsin and their combinations on leukocyte phagocytic activity}; Berenshtein TF et al.; The effect of leucomycin, chimotrypsin and their combination on the leucocyte phagocytic activity was studied on mice with experimental staphylococcal infection . Lincomycin and chimotrypsin were administered in doses of 150 and 2 mg/kg respectively . In the study of the leucocyte phagocytic activity it was found on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after the beginning of the animal infection and treatment that the experimental staphylococcal infection stimulated the non-specific phagocytosis . Lincomycin inhibited the leucocyte phagocytic activity . The use of chimotrypsin in the process of the staphylococcal infection treatment resulted in increased phagocytosis activity . The combined use of chimotrypsin and leucomycin decreased the inhibitory effect of the latter on phagocytosis. Ann Intern Med, 1978 Nov, 89(5 Pt 1), 690 - 3 Intravenous antibiotic therapy at home; Stiver HG et al.; During a 12-month period, 23 patients aged 12 to 78 years were treated for 8 to 40 days (mean, 23 days) at home with intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics . Diseases treated included bone and joint infection (14 patients), blastomycosis (two), actinomycosis (two), staphylococcal bacteremia (two), endocarditis (two), and candidal pyelonephritis (one) . After initial in-hospital training, patients self-administered their drugs through a heparin-lock i.v . cannula, which was changed regularly by a visiting home care nurse . Antibiotics administered included cloxacillin, penicillin G, cephalosporins, gentamicin, carbenicillin, and amphotericin B . Patient and family acceptance of the program was good, the program was therapeutically effective, and, apart from a decreased prevalence of phlebitis with the heparin lock at home, side effects were no different from those of in-hospital-treated patients . The cost of home therapy was $ 40 per patient-day compared with an estimated $ 137 had the patients remained in hospital . Most patients were able to resume normal activities while receiving home i.v . therapy. Am J Dis Child, 1978 Nov, 132(11), 1091 - 3 Pneumococcal pneumonia with pneumatocele formation; Asmar BI et al.; Two infants had pneumococcal pneumonia and bacteremia, complicated by pneumatocele formation . The pneumatoceles appeared during the recovery phase and were indistinguishable from those associated with staphylococcal pneumonia . Complete resolution occurred in both patients . Pneumatoceles occur in pneumonias caused by varied agents; therefore, determination of the cause is imperative for appropriate therapy. Acta Paediatr Scand, 1978 Nov, 67(6), 731 - 4 Empyema in children in tropics; Khan AA et al.; Thirty-six cases of empyema were diagnosed in children over a two year period, giving an overall incidence of 0.11% of the total hospital admissions . Many of them had measles bronchopneumonia and most were malnourished . 16 children had penicillin resistant staphylococcal infection . 29 of them were treated with closed tube drainage . Thirteen died during the course of treatment, the majority within three days of admission . The rest were followed up over a period of up to six months and showed good recovery . Six of these patients developed pneumothorax during the course of treatment . Various combinations of Ampicillin, Cloxacillin, Gentamycin and Cotrimoxazole parenterally were used . Supportive treatment with blood transfusion was found to be beneficial. Chem Biol Interact, 1978 Nov, 23(2), 201 - 13 Benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-oxide modification of DNA: relation to chromatin structure and reconstitution; Yamasaki H et al.; Purified duck reticulocyte DNA was incubated in vitro with a 7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-oxide derivative of benzo(a)pyrene (BPDE) . The carcinogen-modified DNA was somewhat more susceptible to partial digestion by the single strand specific endonuclease S1 than unmodified DNA, suggesting slight denaturation of the helix at sites of modification . Chromatin was reconstituted in vitro utilizing this carcinogen-modified DNA and unmodified-chromatin associated proteins . This reconstituted chromatin showed the same kinetics and extent of digestion by Staphylococcal nuclease, and similar nucleosome profiles on sucrose density gradient centrifugation, as those obtained with native chromatin or chromatin reconstituted with unmodified DNA . Moreover, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments obtained from nuclease digests gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments obtained from nuclease digests of the reconstituted chromatins suggested that the chromatin containing carcinogen-modified DNA had the same subnucleosome structure as that reconstituted with unmodified DNA . In a separate set of studies intact duck reticulocyte chromatin was reacted directly with BPDE . Nuclease digestion studies indicated that 65% of the carcinogen was bound to the 'open' regions of chromatin, and 35% to 'closed' regions . These results indicate that although convalent binding of a benzo(a)pyrene (BP) derivative to DNA produces local distortions in conformation of the helix, this modification does not appear to interfere with the ability of the DNA to associate with histones to form nucleosome structures . In addition, although DNA in the open regions of chromatin is more susceptible to reaction with the BP derivative, there is appreciable reaction with the DNA associated with histones. Blood, 1978 Nov, 52(5), 911 - 21 Expression and specificity of FcIgG receptor sites on neoplastic lymphocytes; Huber C et al.; We investigated the ability of an FcIgG receptor marker to discriminate between subtypes of malignant lymphoproliferative diseases that differed in their clinical presentations . A quantitative radioimmuno assay was established that enabled us to evaluate average receptor densities on a population basis . Surface receptors were first saturated with IgG complexes . The number of membrane associated IgG molecules was subsequently determined with 125I-staphylococcal protein A . Results obtained with this assay on a battery of malignant lymphocytes suggested that the range of receptor densities of malignant B and T cells might overlap each other but would correlate with the degree of tumor cell differentiation and the clinical stage of the underlying disease . This behavior limits the use of this marker in the characterization of the derivation of malignant lymphocytes; these findings, however, may be useful in the prognostic classification of lymphomas of known origin. J Biomed Mater Res, 1978 Nov, 12(6), 775 - 90 Effect of Simplex liquid methyl methacrylate monomer on cells; Welch AB; The effect of methyl methacrylate monomer used for polymerization of surgical bone cement on phagocytosis, blood cells, tissue cells in culture, and bacteria was investigated . A concentration of 0.5% monomer reduced the ability of macrophages in vitro to phagocytize cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis effectively . In vivo, 0.03 ml injected into mice also reduced the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to phagocytize bacteria . Extent of cellular damage to blood cells varied with concentration of monomer used and time of contact but, in general 0.5% was sufficient to alter morphology and viability of blood cells and tissue cells in culture . Polymorphonuclear neutrophils sustained more damage than other types of blood cells . Only minor alterations were detected from cooled, polymerized cement . These studies support the concept that the monomer, as well as mechanical and thermal factors, may be responsible for some of the tissue changes seen at the site of implant of bone cement following total joint arthroplastic surgery. J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Nov, 8(5), 473 - 9 Simple assay for staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, and C: modification of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Stiffler-Rosenberg G et al.; The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) introduced for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins by Saunders et al., Simon and Terplan, and ourselves has proved to be a simple, reliable, and sensitive test . A new modification is described that uses polystyrene balls (diameter, 6 mm) coated individually with antibody against one of the toxins A, B, or C . In a single tube, 20 ml of the food extract was incubated with the three balls differently stained, which were then each tested for the uptake of enterotoxin by a competitive ELISA . A concentration of 0.1 ng or less of enterotoxin per ml can be measured, making tedious concentration procedures of the extracts superfluous . Culture supernatants and extracts from foods artificially or naturally contaminated with toxin were successfully examined . Cross-reactions did not occur, and nonspecific interfering substances did not create serious problems. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1978 Nov, 359(11), 1509 - 25 The amino acid sequence of the ribosomal protein S8 of Escherichia coli; Allen G et al.; The primary structure of protein S8 from the 30S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes has been determined by sequencing the peptides derived from tryptic, chymotryptic, thermolytic and staphylococcal protease digestion of the protein . Protein S8 has 129 amino acid residues which result in a molecular weight of 13996 . The N-terminal part of the sequence up to position 68 is in complete agreement with the reported sequence data{1,2} . However, differences exist in the C-terminal half, where an additional hydrophobic tryptic peptide has been found. Immunology, 1978 Nov, 35(5), 785 - 91 The influence of enzymatic cleavage and chemical modification of human and rabbit IgG on their reactivity with staphylococcal protein A; Stewart A et al.; Proteolytic cleavage fragments from rabbit IgG have been isolated and characterized in an attempt to locate the sites involved in the reactivity with Staphylococcal protein A . The plasmin cleavage product Facb together with the pepsin cleavage products F(ab')2 and pFc' failed to react in contrast to the papain Fc fragment . These data, together with data from unfractionated plasmin digests, in which the Facb fragment remains associated with the plasmin pFc' fragment, indicate that inter-domain interactions are important in the maintenance of this activity . beta2-microglobulin was also shown to be unreactive with protein A . Chemical modification studies employing flurescamine, tetranitromethane and potassium cyanate indicate that lysine and tyrosine residues are not involved in the reactivity of human and rabbit IgG with protein A. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1978 Nov, 38(11), 904 - 14 {The problem of contamination of copper bearing intrauterine devices (author's transl)}; Feichter GE et al.; PIP: Bacterial contamination of copper IUDs was studied in 52 IUDs removed under sterile conditions, from 4 groups of patients: IUD change after 2-3 years of use (18 patients); 1st trimester intrauterine pregnancy with IUD in situ (13 patients); pelvic inflammation (16 patients); and cervical displacement of the IUD (5 patients) . IUDs involved were the copper-T (29 cases), ML Cu 250 (21 cases), and the copper-7 (2 cases) . Enterococci and E . coli were the most common organisms in all groups; Staphylococcus epidermidis was particularly frequent in patients with pelvic inflammation . Contamination was observed in all 5 displaced IUDs, in half the devices from pregnant uteri, and in about one-third of the remaining cases . The authors suggest that microbiological testing of IUDs removed during pregnancy may be useful in deciding the fate of the affected pregnancy . Acta Cytol, 1978 Nov-Dec, 22(6), 456 - 9 The cytology of the retained IUD with relation to the mechanism of action; Bercovici B et al.; Cellular reactions to 82 IUDs retained for different periods of time have been examined using the "loopal smear" method . The smears were divided according to periods of retention and degree of inflammatory reaction . In 47 cases the inflammatory reaction was graded as moderate to severe, while in 35 cases the reaction was graded as mild . Since contraception was effective also in those cases presenting with mild reactions, it must be concluded that factors other than inflammation play a role in the contraceptive mechanism . Cells obtained from 15 IUD washings were incubated with Staphylococcus albus in order to identify macrophages . In none of these cases were macrophages identified, thus rendering questionable the hypothesis that the contraceptive effect of the IUD is based on phagocytosis of spermatozoa. South Med J, 1978 Nov, 71(11), 1353 - 5 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis; Siebert WT et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis is frequently associated with infection of prosthetic heart valves, prosthetic orthopedic devices, and neurosurgical shunts . Penicillinase-resistant semisynthetic penicillins, such as methicillin, have been the therapeutic and prophylactic agents of choice for S epidermidis infection . However, more S epidermidis isolates are now resistant to methicillin and other penicillins . In our laboratory 41% of S epidermidis isolates were resistant to methici-lin . All of the methicillin-susceptible isolates and 82% of the methicillin-resistant isoates were susceptible to cephalothin . Cephalothin should replace methicillin as the prophylactic and therapeutic agent of choice in institutions with a high percentage of methicillin-resistant S epidermidis. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1978 Nov, 35(11), 1387 - 9 Monitoring bacterial resistance to restricted antibiotics; Grunt J et al.; Data on patterns of resistance of eight strains of bacteria toward various restricted antibiotics were collected from 18 public health laboratories in Czechoslovakia . Development of bacterial resistance to gentamicin and colistin did not appear to follow the resistance patterns of bacteria toward more commonly used antibiotics, but there did appear to be a tendency of mutual coresistance to those two drugs in E . coli and Pseudomonas strains . Similarly, oxacillin coresistance was found in lincomycin-resistant staphylococcal strains . Computer-assisted analysis of resistant bacterial strains revealed otherwise-hidden tendencies and mutual relationships among drugs newly marketed in Czechoslovakia. J Gen Microbiol, 1978 Nov, 109(1), 119 - 26 Anaerobic transport of serine and 2-aminoisobutyric acid by Staphylococcus epidermidis; Horan NJ et al.; A membrane-bound ATPase detected in extracts of anaerobically grown Staphylococcus epidermidis was inhibited by a variety of compounds which inhibit ATPases in other organisms . Serine and 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) were shown to enter the organism via the same transport system . The transport of AIB, the membrane potential and the transmembrane pH gradient were partially or completely abolished by the same inhibitors and also by uncoupling agents and lipid-soluble ions . It is proposed therefore that this ATPase generates and maintains an electrochemical gradient of protons across the cytoplasmic membrane of S . epidermidis capable of driving AIB uptake . Studies of AIB-induced proton movements suggested that AIB enters via a proton symport mechanism. Mol Biol Rep, 1978 Oct 16, 4(3), 185 - 9 Separation of nucleosomes containing histones H1 and H5; Bakayeva TG et al.; Hen erythrocyte chromatin was digested with staphylococcal nuclease and fractionated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels . Instead of the three bands described for mouse carcinoma chromatin, four main discrete components (MN1, MN2, MN2E and MN3) were resolved in the mononucleosome fraction of erythrocyte chromatin . MN2 contained all five histones and a DNA fragment of 165--180 base pairs . MN2E comprised four nucleosomal histones plus histone H5 (but not H1) and a DNA fragment of 170--190 base pairs . The relatively nuclease resistant MN3 fraction of erythrocyte nucleosomes contained H1 but no H5 histone . A more accurate analysis of the MN2 fraction in mouse carcinoma nucleosomes revealed some additional microheterogeneity depending on the presence of two different subfractions of H1. Antibiotiki, 1978 Oct, 23(10), 911 - 6 {Antibiotic therapy of experimental intrauterine staphylococcal infection}; Silin VA et al.; The experiments on gravid rats showed that generalized staphylococcal infection in the female rats resulted in intrauterine infecting of the fetus and had a negative effect on its antenatal development: increased embryonal death rate, decreased weight gain, etc . In case of staphylococcal septicemia the amniotic waters were a peculiar reservoir of the causative agent where it accumulated in larger amounts than in the fetus tissues . Efficiency of oxacillin in daily doses of 144 and 72 mg was shown in treatment of the rat intrauterine infection . High sensitivity of the infected embryons to higher doses of the drug was found. Antibiotiki, 1978 Oct, 23(10), 886 - 8 {Drop method of determining micrococcal and staphylococcal sensitivity to egg lysozyme}; Safonova TB et al.; Two methods for determination of staphylococcal and micrococcal sensitivity to lysozyme, i.e . the method of serial dilutions in agar and the drop method developed by the authors were compared . The drop method is a modification of the procedure described by Kloos et al . Close correlation between these two methods (r = 0.97 +/- 0.018) was found . The regression curve providing determination of the lysozyme MIC with the drop method was plotted . The drop method is more simple and economical as compared to the method of serial dilutions in agar . It has an advantage in testing sensitivity of single strains. Circulation, 1978 Oct, 58(4), 589 - 97 Treatment of infective endocarditis: a 10-year comparative analysis; Richardson JV et al.; The results of surgical and non-surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis in 182 patients over a 10-year period were analyzed . Heart failure, annular and myocardial abscesses, heart block, and coronary embolism, seen most frequently with staphylococcal and fungal endocarditis, were the primary causes of death in both native valve endocarditis (NVE) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) . In NVE, surgery significantly improved the survival in patients with moderate or severe heart failure (P less than 0.05) and in all patients with staphylococcal endocarditis (P less than 0.03) . In PVE, surgery significantly influenced survival in patients with moderate or severe heart failure (P less than 0.05) and in the entire group with late PVE (P less than 0.01) . Early surgery is recommended for patients with native valve endocarditis and moderate or severe heart failure; those patients with staphylococcal NVE, regardless of hemodynamic state, should undergo early valve replacement . Early surgery is recommended for PVE patients with moderate or severe heart failure . We also recommend early valve replacement for early and late staphylococcal PVE. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1978 Oct, 86C(5), 227 - 36 The reactivity of human platelets in the 125I-labelled staphylococcal protein A test; Kekomaki R; Stored platelets have been employed in the testing of various antiplatelet antibodies and platelet unrelated immune complexes . The antisera included sera containing ABO-,HLA- or platelet specific (ZWa) antibodies and serum from an adult patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) . Use was made of 125I-labelled staphylococcal protein A (IPA) for the detection of platelet bound IgG . The reactivity of cells with the ITP serum and sera from healthy blood donors increased after storage for a few days, and declined after a highly reactive period extending over some weeks . In some cases predilution of the serum increased the probability of discovering weak antibodies . The normal components of the serum modified the platelet-antibody reaction, but all the various kinds of platelet reactive activities could be detected by this single test. Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1978 Oct-Dec, 23(4), 231 - 6 {Value of different diagnostic tests for Micrococcaceae and their implication in pathology}; Popovici M et al.; A number of 1431 products were examined and 200 coagulase-negative micrococcaceae strains were isolated and identified . On the basis of morphological aspects, enzymatic reactions and behavioural testing to antibiotics 18 strains (9%) were listed as Micrococcus and 182 (91%) as Staphylococcus strains . Efficient among the tests used for differentiating between the two genera were : microscopic aspects, pigmentogenesis, resistance to ClNa, anaerobic glucose fermentation, glycerol fermentation in the presence of erythromycin, reduction of nitrates to nitrites, and testing to novobiocin . Other tests, due to their variability, could only be used conjointly, and, finally, a further category had no diagnostic value, such as oxidase and catalase tests or the rhamnose fermentation reaction . Both the Micrococcus and the Staphylococcus strains were isolated from pathological cases and from healthy carriers, and can therefore be listed in the group of potential pathogens. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Oct, (10), 32 - 6 {Efficacy of the per os immunization and reimmunization of man with staphylococcal anatoxin}; Maiorova GF et al.; By double immunization of 72 persons and single reimmunization of 38 persons per os with tablets containing 100 BU of purified concentrated staphylococcus toxoid (PCST) it was revealed that this immunization was harmless and the immunological response was adequate . The tablets were intended for application through the oral mucosa (oral) or the intestinal tract (enteral); the immunological response depended on the dose of the preparation and the scheme of administration . A high sensitization of healthy persons examined to staphylococcus was found . There was a tendency to reduction of hypersensitivity after the immunization with staphylococcus toxoid (examination in 6 months) and activation of reactions after the antigen administration (examination in 14 days). Antibiotiki, 1978 Oct, 23(10), 902 - 5 {Genetic structure of Staphylococcus epidermidis strain No . 17 possessing penicillinase and bacteriocinogenic activity}; Ivanov NA; The studies on the genetic structure of Staphylococcus epidermidis, strain 17 showed that this strain possessed a factor of bactericinogenicity of the one type, which was an extrachromosomal element not bound with penicillinase activity . The loss of the bacteriocinogenicity factor spontaneously or under the effect of acridine orange at a temperature of 37 degrees C was not observed . Passages of the strain at a temperature of 44 degrees C for 5 days and acridine orange proved to be the most effective eliminating factors . The loss of the bacteriocinogenicity plasmid did not result in changing any biochemical properties of the strain but was accompanied by a loss of the immunity to bacteriocin of the initial strain . The study of the growth regularities of the initial strain and its variant deprived of the bacteriocinogenicity plasmid showed that multiplication of the cells in the presence of the plasmid practically started without the latent period. J Pediatr, 1978 Oct, 93(4), 572 - 7 Teichoic acid serology in staphylococcal infections of infants and children; Le CT et al.; Counterimmunoelectrophoresis and gel diffusion were utilized for the detection and titration of antibodies to staphylococcal teichoic acids in various disease states caused by coagulase-positive staphylococcus in infants and children . Serum samples were obtained on admission and serially for 2 to 12 weeks during illness . Teichoic acid antibodies were found by CIE in 12 of 21 patients (57%) with invasive CPS disease with bacteremia (Group A), in two of 17 patients (12%) with CPS infection without bacteremia (Group B), in none of 27 patients with bacteremia and/or invasive infections caused by organisms other than CPS (Group C), and in none of 24 noninfected, hospitalized patients or healthy children (Group D) . Gel diffusion was useful for titrating antibodies in seropositive sera . Teichoic acid serology is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of invasive CPS infections . The presence of these antibodies by CIE and gel diffusion may help to identify patients with endothelial or metastatic infections associated with staphylococcal bacteremia. Ann Intern Med, 1978 Oct, 89(4), 494 - 6 Teichoic acid antibodies in chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis; Mackowiak PA et al.; Gel-diffusion and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to quantify and to identify the immunoglobulin class of teichoic acid antibodies in patients with chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis and a wide variety of other infections . Teichoic acid antibodies were identified by gel-diffusion in 14 of 23 patients with staphylococcal endocarditis, six of 30 with staphylococcal bacteremia without endocarditis, four of 35 with staphylococcal skeletal infections, and one of 45 with nonstaphylococcal infections . None of the 20 patients with chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis had positive gel-diffusion assays, even though many had had their infections for several years . The ELISA method was more sensitive than gel-diffusion in measuring teichoic acid antibodies, but was also much less specific . Teichoic acid antibodies were detected predominantly in the IgG fraction of serum . Our findings suggest that the presence and degree of antigenemia are more important than the duration of the staphylococcal infection in stimulating production of teichoic acid antibodies. J Virol, 1978 Oct, 28(1), 344 - 51 Papain solubilization of the Epstein-Barr virus-induced membrane antigen; Pearson GR et al.; The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced membrane antigen (MA) was successfully solubilized from the membranes of viable EBV-infected Raji cells by treatment with papain (5 to 6 U per 1 X 10(7) to 2 X 10(7) cells) . The loss of MA from viable cells was monitored by membrane immunofluorescence and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity . Soluble MA was demonstrated in papain digests through inhibition of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and by inhibition of the binding of anti-MA antibodies to cells as detected by use of 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A . Approximately 75% of the MA activity in the extracts was not sedimentable at 100,000 X g,, indicating that the majority of EBV MA activity that was released by this procedure was associated with small-molecular-weight material . Antiserum prepared from an owl monkey immunized with these papain extracts contained antibody to MA and neutralizing antibodies, but lacked detectable antibodies against viral capsid antigens and EBV-induced early antigens. J Trauma, 1978 Sep, 18(9), 664 - 6 Endocarditis with the indwelling balloon-tipped pulmonary artery catheter in burn patients; Ehrie M et al.; The postmortem finding of acute right-sided bacterial endocarditis in a burn patient monitored with an indwelling pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheter for 14 days prompted a review of burn autopsies in which the catheter had been used . Autopsies of six consecutive burn patients monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter and who then died showed septic or aseptic endocarditis . In two of the six patients, right-sided staphylococcal endocarditis was the anatomic cause of death . In the remaining four, the lesions were aseptic thrombotic vegetations involving primarily the right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, and pulmonic valve . Several factors in the severely burned patient would favor endocarditis where a foreign object impacts on the heart valves . These include intermittent bacteremia, hypercoagulability, hyperdynamic cardiovascular function, and the use of antibiotics resulting in resistant strains . While an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter can provide useful monitoring information, it is sometimes responsible for serious complications in burned or septic patients. Infect Immun, 1978 Sep, 21(3), 1024 - 6 Specific binding of staphylococcal alpha-toxin to isolated rabbit vagus nerves in vitro; Szmigielski S et al.; The binding of staphylococcal {125I}alpha-toxin to rabbit vagus nerves in vitro was a saturable process . The radiolabeled alpha-toxin binding was reduced by the coaddition of added navive alpha-toxin, indicating that the binding is specific . Sucrose gradient analysis of detergent-extracted complexes of {125I}alpha-toxin-rabbit vagus nerves showed both high and low S-value peaks analogous to those observed with similarly treated alpha-toxin-rabbit erythrocyte preparations (P . Cassidy and S . Harshman, Biochemistry, in press). Br J Dermatol, 1978 Sep, 99(3), 271 - 7 Toxic epidermal necrolysis . Five case reports of unusual presentation in Zambians; Ratnam AV; A new clinical presentation of epidermal necrolytic reaction affectting a limited area is reported in 5 Zambian patients . No definite causative factor could be identified in any of these cases . A staphylococcal aetiology is suspected because of the compatible histological features . However, none of the patients had pyogenic skin lesions and staphylococcus was not isolated from the skin lesion. Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1978 Sep-Oct, 8(5), 376 - 84 Staphylococcus epidermidis biotype 4: epidemiological conclusions from five different typing methods; Tierno PM Jr et al.; There is presently no accepted method for marking individual strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis . Consequently, five parameters for distinguishing such strains were examined and compared for their epidemiological efficacy: biotyping, serotyping, proteinase grouping, aminopeptidase profiles and antibiograms . Both biotyping and proteinase grouping were of limited use in identifying a particular strain, although they were helpful in initially categorizing such strains . Antibiograms were least useful because of similarities in susceptibility patterns among isolates . Serotyping and amino-peptidase profiles provided the best means of identifying an individual strain for epidemiological use . The applicability of these typing methods was demonstrated during a one year epidemiological study at a chronic disease hospital. Nucleic Acids Res, 1978 Sep, 5(9), 3261 - 73 The distribution of DNA repair synthesis in chromatin and its rearrangement following damage with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene; Tlsty TD et al.; The distribution of DNA repair synthesis in the chromatin of confluent human diploid fibroblasts damaged with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene has been studied . Kinetic analysis of staphylococcal nuclease digestion data revealed that initially most of the repair synthesis occurred in nuclease sensitive regions of chromatin . Continuous labeling experiments and pulse chase experiments indicated that with time much of the 3H dThd initially incorporated into nuclease sensitive regions during repair appeared in nuclease resistant regions . Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to demonstrate that these resistant regions were core DNA . In agreement with previous findings {Smerdon, M.J . and Lieberman, M.W., (1978), Proc . Nat . Acad . Sci . USA, in press}, studies of the time course of this rearrangement and of repair synthesis revealed similar time dependences and suggested a relationship between rates of repair synthesis and chromatin rearrangement. Arch Dermatol, 1978 Sep, 114(9), 1372 - 8 Defective leukocytotaxia and recurrent staphylococcal infecion: deficiency of leukocytotaxia and abnormal granulocytes associated with increase serum IgE levels in an adult with recurrent staphylococcal infection; Jeune R et al.; A man who was suffering from recurrent staphylococcal infection had antecedent symptoms of severe pruritus . Laboratory investigations showed leukocytosis with eosinophilia, hyperimmunoglobulinemia of all fractions, but particularly of IgE, and a deficiency of cell-mediated immunity on in vivo testing . Phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were normal, but a cellular and serum-associated defect in leukocytotaxia was present . Ultrastructural changes were observed in polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Association of impaired leukocytotaxia and elevated levels of IgE is not uncommon . Recurrent bacterial infections in the patient described are probably related to defective chemotaxis. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Xue Za Zhi, 1978 Sep, 11(3), 82 - 92 {Study on the rapid, secondary-growth mutants of Staphylococcus epidermidis (author's transl)}; Tseng CC; According to colony type, growth rate and development of secondary growth on the proteose-peptone No . 3 mannitol salt agar (PMS) and the nutrient agar (NA) media, Staphylococcus epidermidis may be classified into three groups . Group I includes strains which develop smooth colonies on both media . Group II consists of those which show rapid propagation of entire clones and develop secondary growth on the PMS medium, but grow only smooth colonies on the NA medium, and which may be called reversible mutants . Group III includes thoes which show secondary growth on both PMS and NA as well as other media, which may be called irreversible mutants . One percent proteose-peptone No . 3 and 5--7% NaCl are the essential ingredients for the induction of mutation, and mannitol can enhance it . Except the high sensitivity of the reversible mutants of human origin, the three groups of chicken origin showed similar drug susceptibility to biosynthesis inhibitors of protein and cell wall . On the HI medium, chloramphenicol inhibited secondary growth of irreversible mutants at 25.0 microgram/ml minimal antimutagenesis concentration (MAC), whereas streptomycin, penicillin, erythromycin and oxytetracycline did not at all . The irreversible mutants had higher resistance to biosynthesis inhibitors of DNA or RNA, e.g . mitomycin C (MMC), novobiocin (NOV) and rifampicin (RIF), than the other two groups . On the HI medium, MMC at the MAC of 0.16 microgram/ml, NA at 25.0 microgram/ml and NOV at 2.5 microgram/ml inhibited the secondary growth of irreversible mutants, but RIF did not . To the irreversible mutants, the MIC and MAC of NA on the PMS medium were both higher than those on the HI medium . The MACs of MMC and NOV on the PMS medium were also higher than those on the HI medium, but their geometric mean MIC remained almost unchanged on both media . Because the MACs of MMC (0.31 microgram/ml) and NA (100.0 microgram/ml) to the reversible mutants on the PMS medium were much similar to those of the irreversible mutants, it suggests that both groups had the similar mutation mechanism. Am Heart J, 1978 Sep, 96(3), 385 - 8 Infective aneurysm of the left ventricle: angiographic and echocardiographic features; Saksena FB et al.; A 17-year-old man with staphylococcal endocarditis of the mitral valve developed an infective aneurysm of the posterior left ventricular wall . Echocardiography revealed an echo-free space posterior to the posterior left ventricular wall . This echo-free space undoubtedly represented the aneurysmal sac, because it could be temporarily obliterated by injecting saline into it and was no longer detectable following surgical closure of the sac . Thus echocardiography may be helpful in the detection of an infective aneurysm of the left ventricle. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Sep, (9), 110 - 3 {Activity of the T- and B-lymphocyte systems in microbial eczema}; Romanov VA et al.; The author demonstrated a marked reduction in number of T-spontaneously rosette-forming lymphocyte and B-cells tested by direct immunofluorescence in the peripheral blood of patients suffering from microbial eczema . Reduction in number of B-lymphocytes was accompanied by a decrease in serum immunoglobulins (of M and G classes) content, of the titre of normal antibodies of E . coli, in parallel with increase in concentration of immunoglobulins, class A, and of agglutinating titre to staphylococcus P-209. Immunology, 1978 Sep, 35(3), 471 - 8 Different mitogenic activity of soluble and insoluble staphylococcal protein A (SPA); Romagnani S et al.; The response to SPA and Staphylococcus strain Cowan I (StaCw) of highly purified populations of peripheral blood and tonsil human lymphocytes was investigated . Purified T lymphocytes isolated from perpheral blood by E-rosetting were unable to respond in vitro to StaCw . Highly purified B-cell populations from tonsils did not show any proliferative response in the presence of soluble SPA . The addition to highly purified B-cell suspensions from human tonsils of increasing concentrations of autologous T lymphocytes did not induce any increase of thymidine uptake in the presence of StaCw . However, it was able to restore a marked proliferative response of the B-cell cultures to soluble SPA, even though mitomycin-treated T lymphocytes were added . The low response of highly purified peripheral blood T lymphocytes to soluble SPA could be potentiated by the addition of autologous mitomycin-treated B cells, whereas the unresponsiveness of purified T lymphocytes to StaCw was not affected . Mitogenic activity of SPA coupled to Sepharose beads was different from that of soluble SPA and paralleled that of StaCw . These data strongly suggest that insoluble SPA is a T-cell-independent B-cell mitogen in man, whereas soluble SPA, like PWM, exerts its activity on B cells only in the presence of T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1978 Sep, 75(9), 4238 - 41 Nucleosome rearrangement in human chromatin during UV-induced DNA- reapir synthesis; Smerdon MJ et al.; The distribution of UV-induced DNA repair synthesis within chromatin was measured in confluent human fibroblasts that were pulse-labeled with {3H}dThd (10 or 90 min) immediately after irradiation and chased in nonradioactive medium for different time periods . Initially (i.e., at the end of the pulse period), most of the repair synthesis occurs in staphylococcal nuclease-sensitive regions . With increasing chase times the nucleotides inserted during repair synthesis become progressively more nuclease resistant . Gel electrophoresis data indicate that nuclease resistance is conferred on these nucleotides by their appearance in core DNA . The kinetics of this rearrangement process are biphasic: greater than 85% of the repair synthesis sites undergo rapid rearrangement (4--5 hr); the remaining sites ( less than 15%) rearrange much more slowly, if at all . The time courses of nucleosome rearrangement and repair synthesis are similar, suggesting that nucleosome rearrangement may be induced by the repair process or that the rate of repair synthesis may be regulated by nucleosome rearrangement. J Virol, 1978 Sep, 27(3), 604 - 11 Purification of the Epstein-Barr virus-determined nuclear antigen from Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human lymphoid cell lines; Luka J et al.; The Epstein-Barr virus-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA) was purified from extracts of the human lymphoid cell lines Raji, Namalwa, and B95-8/MLD by two different methods . In the first approach, the apparently native antigen was purified 1,200-fold by a four-step procedure involving DNA-cellulose chromatography, blue dexptran-agarose chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and gel filtration, employing complement fixation as the assay procedure . Such EBNA preparations specifically inhibited the anticomplement immunofluorescence test for EBNA and bound to methanol/acetic acid-fixed metaphase chromosomes . The purified antigen, which has a molecular weight of 170,000 to 200,000, yielded a single protein band of molecular weight about 48,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . These data indicate that native EBNA has a tetrameric structure . In the second purification method, EBNA-containing cell extracts containing radioactively labeled proteins were incubated with anti-EBNA-positive sera, and antigen-antibody complexes were adsorbed to matrix-bound staphylococcal protein A . The bound proteins were then released with an SDS-containing buffer, and denatured EBNA was separated from antibody chains by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by fluorography . The denatured EBNA obtained in radiochemically pure form by this procedure has a molecular weight of about 48,000, so both methods yield an EBNA monomer of the same size. Am J Pathol, 1978 Sep, 92(3), 619 - 35 Antiserums for immunofluorescent enumeration of human T lymphocytes utilizing fluoresceinated staphylococcal protein A; Ades EW et al.; Five lots (100 ml or more) of heterologous antiserums specific for human T lymphocytes were prepared using human or Rhesus monkey thymocytes as immunogens . After appropriate adsorptions, these antiserums reacted by immunofluorescence with 68% of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and 98% of human thymocytes, with E-rosette--positive cells but not with EAC-rosette--positive cells or five human B-lymphoblastoid-cell lines . Blocking experiments showed that Rhesus monkey thymocytes share thymic antigenic determinant(s) with humans . E-rosette receptors modulated independently from T-cell heteroantigens . Non-E--rosetting neoplastic T cells were identified in several patients with lymphoproliferative malignancies . Applying both the E-rosette assay and the anti-T-cell serum provides a better method of defining the biologic properties of normal and neoplastic T lymphocytes . Standardization of immunofluorescent conjugates for human T- or B-cell enumeration is simplified if large lots of well-characterized antiserums are available. JAMA, 1978 Aug 25, 240(8), 751 - 3 Rifampin therapy of Staphylococcus epidermidis . Use in infections from indwelling artificial devices; Archer GL et al.; Rifampin was added to existing antibiotic regimens in two patients with Staphylococcus epidermidis infections; one patient had prosthetic valve endocarditis and the other had an infection of a CSF shunt . The addition of rifampin increased serum or CSF bactericidal titers 16-fold or greater and was correlated with a favorable clinical response . The results of tests for tube-dilution antibiotic susceptibility showed rifampin to be the most active of all antibiotics tested against the patients' organisms . The combinations of gentamicin sulfate, nafcillin sodium, or vancomycin hydrochloride with rifampin prevented the emergence of rifampin resistance in vitro and promoted enhanced killing when compared with either antibiotic alone. J Biol Chem, 1978 Aug 25, 253(16), 5726 - 31 Amino acid sequence of hemerythrin from Themiste dyscritum; Loehr JS et al.; The amino acid sequence of hemerythrin from the sipunculid worm, Themiste dyscritum, was determined by sequenator analyses of the S-pyridylethylated protein and fragments derived by further chemical and enzymatic cleavages . The fragments were obtained by cleavage of the intact protein with hydroxylamine, trypsin digestion of citraconylated intact protein, and subdigestion with Staphylococcal protease V8 . The COOH-terminal sequence was determined using carboxypeptidases A and B and amino acid analyses . The polypeptide chain was found to contain 113 amino acids . Since heterogeneity was observed at no more than two positions in the amino acid sequence, the native octameric protein appears to be composed of identical subunits . By combining information derived from sequence analyses and x-ray crystallographic studies, it has been possible to identify amino acids responsible for the tertiary and quaternary structure of the protein as well as amino acids serving as iron ligands at the oxygen-binding site. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1978 Aug 21, 535(2), 388 - 400 Purification and some properties of a lethal toxic fragment of staphylococcal alpha-toxin by tryptic digestion; Watanabe M et al.; Purified staphylococcal alpha-toxin (molecular weight approximately 36,000) was mildly digested with trypsin, yielding two components by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . A fast-moving component (molecular weight 17,000 +/- 5%) which is relatively resistant to tryptic digestion and a slow-moving component (molecular weight 20,000 +/- 5%) which tends to aggregate . The fast-moving component was highly purified by means of combined procedures of column chromatography on Sephadex G-200 with zone electrophoresis on starch . The purified fast-moving component retained a high degree of lethal toxicity for mouse but lacked hemolytic and dermonecrotic activities, whereas the slow-moving component proved to be a nontoxic polypeptide . The lethal toxic fragment was antigenically active showing partial immunological identity with the parent alpha-toxin and stimulated the formation of antibodies capable of neutralizing the lethal action of alpha-toxin in vivo . Some physical properties and the amino acid composition of the purified lethal toxic fragment have been compared with those of native alpha-toxin. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Aug 15, 131(8), 853 - 6 Anaerobic microflora of the vagina in children; Hammerschlag MR et al.; Vaginal cultures from 25 healthy girls from two months to 15 years of age were examined for aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, and obligately anaerobic bacteria . An average of 8.7 species (3.7 aerobic and facultatively anaerobic species; 5.3 obligately anaerobic species) were isolated from these cultures . Staphylococcus epidermidis (21), diphtheroids (20), bacteroides (19), peptococci (19), peptostreptococci (14), and Bacteroides melaninogenicus (14) were most prevalent organisms. Am J Gastroenterol, 1978 Aug, 70(2), 171 - 4 Hepatic injury due to oxacillin administration; Goldstein LI et al.; Hepatotoxicity, in association with intravenous oxacillin therapy, is described and documented for the first time by liver biopsy in an illicit drug user suffering from acute staphylococcal endocarditis . Mild gastrointestinal symptomatology, fever, eosinophilia and abnormal liver enzyme abnormalities were noted . Liver biopsy showed features consistent with a drug-induced hepatic injury . Cessation of therpy led to rapid reversal of clinical and biochemical changes and on further observation no evidence of chronic hepatic dysfunction was noted . A brief review of oxacillin hepatic injury is presented. Am J Med Technol, 1978 Aug, 44(8), 762 - 4 Evaluation of disc diffusion susceptibility testing performed from a four-hour subculture of positive blood culture bottles; Weber ML et al.; Disc diffusion susceptibility tests were performed on standardized broth suspensions inoculated from a four-hour subculture of a positive blood culture bottle as well as from an agar plate subculture of the same positive blood culture bottle . The zone sizes and interpretative results of both methods were compared . Of 101 isolates tested, only one organism exhibited a very major difference between the two methods (one Staphylococcus epidermidis was interpreted as susceptible to methicillin by the four-hour subculture method and resistant by the agar plate subculture method) . Thirteen other isolates showed minor changes from susceptible or resistant to intermediate or from intermediate to either susceptible or resistant with only one antibiotic each . The data indicates that disc diffusion susceptibilities may be performed easily and accurately from a four-hour subculture of positive blood culture bottles. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Aug, 36(2), 368 - 74 Rapid procedure for the detection of plasmids in Staphylococcus epidermidis; Wilson CR et al.; A rapid, reproducible, mini-volume assay capable of detecting staphylococcal plasmid DNA in the range of 0.8 to 32 megadaltons has been developed . The assay employs lysostaphin-mediated lysis of cells followed by a short, low-speed centrifugation and does not require treatment with ribonuclease or protease or deproteinization with phenol . A period of only 24 h may be required to detect the presence and size of a plasmid once an organism has been isolated . This method has been used to study the plasmid ecology of Staphylococcus epidermidis and to correlate the presence or absence of plasmids with tetracycline, chloramphenicol, neomycin, penicillin, and cadmium resistances. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1978 Aug, 121(8), 93 - 7 {Staphylococcal wound infection and the problems of antibacterial therapy}; Kolker II et al.; An analysis of a qualitative composition of wound microflora grounded on the findings of the clinico-bacteriological examination of 315 cases with various pyo-inflammatory processes is presented here, and specific features of the species composition of wound microflora depending upon the character of a pyo-inflammatory process are shown . The sensitivity of staphylococcuses isolated from the wounds, to 19 antibacterial preparations is analyzed and recommendations on the most rational and differentiated use of antibacterial drugs in various forms of a purulent process of staphylococcal eti-logy are suggested. Thorax, 1978 Aug, 33(4), 518 - 9 Excision of tricuspid valve with later replacement in endocarditis of drug addiction; Wright JS et al.; Staphylococcal endocarditis in a drug addict was controlled only after excision of the tricuspid valve . Total absence of the tricuspid valve was tolerated well for 18 months, at which time deteriorating liver function prompted the insertion of a bioprosthetic valve into the tricuspid ring . The haemodynamic and clinical results after two years of follow-up have been excellent. J Hyg (Lond), 1978 Aug, 81(1), 99 - 105 Shedding of bacteria and skin squames after handwashing; Meers PD et al.; Particles released into the air by wringing the hands together were collected in a slit sampler before and after washing with bar soap, with three surgical scrubs, and after rubbing them with a spirit-based lotion . The particles were identified, their number estimated, those that bore bacteria counted, and the bacteria themselves classified . It was found that there was a significant increase, averaging 17-fold, in the number of particles carrying viable bacteria released after washing with soap . The increase in bacterial dissemination was suppressed if a surgical scrub was used in place of soap, or when the lotion was used without washing . The number of skin squames released increased by 18-fold or more after washing with soap or a surgical scrub, but not after using the lotion . This suggests that a surgical scrub should be used more widely in clinical practice, and that a spirit-based hand lotion might with advantage become a partial substitute for handwashing, particularly in areas where handwashing is frequent and iatrogenic coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection common. Infect Immun, 1978 Aug, 21(2), 387 - 91 Isolation of specific and common antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins A and E by affinity chromatography; Lee AC et al.; Specific and common antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins A and E (SEA and SEE) were isolated from anti-SEA and anti-SEE antisera by affinity chromatography . Anti-SEA and anti-SEE antisera were passed through a column with the cross-reacting enterotoxin coupled to a CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B matrix . Specifically bound common antibodies were eluted with NaSCN . The isolated specific antibodies reacted only with the homologous enterotoxin, whereas the common antibodies gave a reaction of identify with both enterotoxins in double gel diffusion plates . The common antibodies had a higher titer against SEE than against SEA . The significance of the isolation of antibodies common to two separate protein molecules is discussed. Transplantation, 1978 Aug, 26(2), 126 - 30 Detection of mouse alloantibodies by rosetting with protein A-coated sheep red blood cells; Sandrin MS et al.; Staphylococcal protein A has an affinity for the Fc portion of the IgG molecule of different species and can therefore be used to detect cell-bound immunoglobulin . Using this property, protein A coupled to sheep red blood cells via chromic chloride can detect alloantibodies to mouse H-2, Thy-1, Ly-1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and Ia antigenic specificities bound to the surface of lymphocytes by the formation of rosettes . In comparison with other rosetting and cytotoxicity assays, the protein A assay shows a greater sensitivity than does cytotoxicity using spleen cells as the target, as does the sheep anti-mouse Ig rosetting assay, whereas cytotoxicity shows greater sensitivity with some antisera on thymocytes . The major advantages of the protein A assay are that constant low reproducible backgrounds are obtained, there is no need to remove surface Ig by capping prior to antiserum treatment, and that viable cells can be recovered. J Lab Clin Med, 1978 Aug, 92(2), 270 - 82 The effect of experimental tobacco smoke inhalation on in vitro alveolar macrophage bactericidal function; Shea JW et al.; The in vitro antibacterial activity of rat alveolar macrophages against a challenge of radiolabeled Staphylococcus epidermidis was studied following 30 and 60 consecutive days of in vivo tobacco smoke inhalation in a dose equivalent to approximately 1 1/2 packs of unfiltered cigarettes per day in man . Macrophages harvested by bronchopulmonary lavage, were cultured, infected, and assayed hourly for 3 hr to determine the relative percentage of surviving radiolabeled intracellular bacteria . Macrophages harvested from smoke-treated rats for 30 days had an impaired capacity to kill bacteria when compared to macrophages from control and sham-smoked animals (63.5% +/- 3.3, 80.8% +/- 3.8, and 86.2% %/- 1.2 killed in 3 hr, respectively) . Alveolar macrophages harvested from rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 60 days, however, did not have an impairment in their bactericidal activity relative to matched controls (73.3% +/- 3.9 vs 69.8% +/- 6.9 killed in 3 hr) . These data imply that doses of cigarette smoke commonly consumed by man impair the in vitro bactericidal function of the rat alveolar macrophages following 30 consecutive days of experimental smoke treatment . The disappearance of this effect after 60 days of exposure to tobacco smoke suggests that an adaptation to the initial impairment has developed. J Invest Dermatol, 1978 Aug, 71(2), 122 - 5 Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to staphylococcal antigens in guinea pigs; Meyer JC et al.; Delayed-type hypersensitivity against staphylococcal antigens was induced in guinea pigs using Freund's incomplete as well as Freund's complete adjuvant . In animals sensitized with Freund's complete adjuvant the induction time and the duration of delayed-type hypersensitivity were longer and the skin reactions were stronger compared to animals sensitized with Freund's incomplete adjuvant . The difference between animals sensitized with Freund's incomplete or complete adjuvant may reflect the difference between tuberculin- and Jones-Mote type hypersensitivity. Arch Ophthalmol, 1978 Aug, 96(8), 1448 - 50 Anaerobic flora of the normal human conjunctival sac; McNatt J et al.; Specimens from the conjunctival sacs of 92 healthy eyes were cultured on two separate occasions to determine the presence or absence of a persistent anaerobic flora . Aerobic bacteria and fungi were also studied for comparison . Of the 184 eye cultures, 112 (60.9%) contained at least one microorganism . Obligate anaerobes were recovered from 51.6% (95/184) of the cultures . Propionibacterium acnes, the predominant anaerobe encountered, was present in 49.5% (91/184) of the eyes . Aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria, present in 32.6% of the total eye cultures, were less common than obligate anaerobes . Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common of these . Fungi were rarely found . Our findings suggest that the conjunctival sac is either sterile or normally contains small numbers of anaerobic, aerobic, or facultatively anaerobic bacteria . As other workers have suggested, the origin of the bacteria in the eyes may be the skin of the eyelids. Blood, 1978 Aug, 52(2), 379 - 87 Expression of the major sialoglycoprotein (glycophorin) on erythroid cells in human bone marrow; Gahmberg CG et al.; The major sialoglycoprotein of human erythrocyte membranes (glycophorin) is one of the most-studied membrane proteins . Although the structure is relatively well known, almost nothing is known about its expression in erythroid cells . To study this we raised an antiserum that reacted specifically with this protein . This was accomplished by immunization of rabbits with a preparation of glycophorin followed by absorption with En(a-) erythrocyte membranes, which lack glycophorin . By use of this antiserum and a staphylococcus protein A technique we could establish that only bone marrow cells of erythrocyte lineage express glycophorin at the cell surface . This occurs in basophilic normoblasts and later stages of erythrocyte differentiation, whereas pronormoblasts do not seem to contain glycophorin. Ophthalmology, 1978 Aug, 85(8), 801 - 17 Autoimmune phenomena of the external eye; Mondino BJ et al.; The immunologic status of patients with ocular pemphigoid, Mooren's ulcer, chronic herpetic keratitis, and staphylococcal peripheral corneal ulcers was studied . Although tissue-fixed and circulating antibodies to the conjunctival epithelium were found in all groups, patients with Mooren's ulcer demonstrated these findings most consistently . Immunoglobulins bound to the conjunctival basement membrane were found not only in ocular pemphigoid but also in patients with Mooren's and staphylococcal ulcers . Approximately one half of the patients with ocular pemphigoid and Mooren's ulcer demonstrated elevations in serum IgA levels . An increased prevalence of HLA-B12 was found in ocular pemphigoid. Pediatrics, 1978 Aug, 62(2), 198 - 201 Otitis media in the neonatal intensive care unit; Berman SA et al.; Thirty-eight of 125 premature infants who were hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had abnormal tympanic membrane mobility compatible with otitis media . Twenty-five of these 38 had received antibiotics within one week of otoscopic examination and were considered to have either serous otitis or partially treated bacterial otitis media; tympanocentesis was not performed in them . Tympanocentesis was performed in the remaining 13 infants who had not received antibiotics . Bacterial otitis media was confirmed in ten of the 13 . Either staphylococcal (six cases) or Gram-negative enteric organisms (four cases) were isolated in cultures obtained by tympanocentesis in these cases . The four cases of Gram-negative infections occurred in infants within six weeks of birth . Nasotracheal intubation for more than seven days was significantly correlated with impaired tympanic membrane mobility compatible with otitis media . Otitis media occurs frequently among premature infants who are hospitalized in an NICU, and it should be looked for in any infant in whom sepsis is clinically suspected. J Med Microbiol, 1978 Aug, 11(3), 303 - 13 Assay of staphylococcal delta-haemolysin with fish erythrocytes; Chao LP et al.; Suspensions of erythroctes from certain marine fish (cod, saithe, haddock and mackerel) were 4--16 times more sensitive than human or horse erythrocytes to staphylococcal delta-haemolysin . Cod erythrocytes were lysed rapidly by delta-haemolysin and the titres of haemolysin were independent of the temperatures at which the tests were incubated, over the range 0--37 degrees C . Fish erythrocytes were not lysed by purified alpha- and beta-haemolysins and no synergistic action was found between beta- and delta-haemolysins . In blood agar-overlay plates, the zones of lysis that developed in cod blood agar were larger and clearer than those that developed in human or horse blood agar. Am J Ophthalmol, 1978 Aug, 86(2), 162 - 6 Bacterial cultures of lenses removed during cataract surgery; Kohn AN; Lenses removed in 408 cataract operations were cultured for bacteria . Most (78%) lenses were sterile . Of the positive cultures, 48% were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis and 15.4% for S . aureus . These findings reflect the flora of the normal preoperative conjunctiva, and the organisms most commonly implicated in postoperative endophthalmitis . One case of endophthalmitis occurred in this series, and S . aureus was cultured from the lens and later from the postoperative wound and a wound suture, but no intraocular paracentesis was performed to confirm the causative organism. Cancer, 1978 Aug, 42(2), 447 - 52 Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy: a T-cell deficiency; Kosmidis PA et al.; The case of a 49-year-old man with the diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is reported . The patient survived a stormy clinical course . The corticosteroids improved dramatically the clinical picture although the patient developed a staphylococcal septicemia . Before treatment immunological studies were done including quantitation of B and T-cells, antigen stimulation of lymphocytes in vitro, skin tests and skin window . Impairment of cell mediated immunity, decreased T-lymphocytes and increased B-lymphocytes were found . A decreased migration of lymphocytes in the skin window was also found compatible with immunosuppression . A possible presumptive pathogenetic mechanism is described although the cause of this recently described entity remains unknown. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1978 Aug, 86C(4), 193 - 8 Isolation of enzymatically derived fragments of guinea pig IgG and an examination of their reactivity against Staphylococcal protein A; Endresen C et al.; Papain digest of guinea pig IgG2 was separated by ion-exchange chromatography into five fractions, one containing mainly Fab and four Fc fractions . Covalently linked Fc (cFc) and non-covalently linked Fc fragments (nFc) were present, both with a molecular weight (Mw) of about 56,000 . nFc was split into half fragments by gel filtration under dissociating condition (Mw 25,000 to 27,000) . An incomplete Fc fragment (iFc) was also isolated (Mw 36,000), which consisted of a Fc chain (Mw 26,000) non-covalently linked to a piece of another chain . These preparations all reacted with protein A . In addition, the Fc' fragment (Mw 22,000), which is the C-terminus of the Fc fragment, was isolated . This fragment did not react with protein A . The cFc was treated with acid and then digested with trypsin at pH 7.8 for 45 s . The digest were separated into four fractions (I-IV) by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 . Fraction I was indistinguishable from intact Fc, fraction II contained an incomplete covalent Fc fragment (Mw 34,000 to 38,000) . Both these fragments reacted with protein A . Fraction IV consisted of fragments belonging to the C-terminus, and was protein A non-reactive . Fraction III was shown to contain a mixture of fragments belonging to fractions II and IV. J Immunol, 1978 Aug, 121(2), 573 - 8 Human monocyte cytotoxicity to tumor cells . I . Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity; Shaw GM et al.; Recent investigations examining mononuclear cell antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines suggest that K lymphocytes and not monocytes are active in this cytotoxic reaction . We have found, however, that in an allogeneic assay system, human monocyte monolayers as well as lymphocytes mediate substantial lysis of 51Cr-labeled antibody-coated CEM lymphoblast tumor cells . This cytotoxicity is temperature-dependent and rapid, with most 51Cr release occurring in the first 4 hr of co-incubation . Interaction between target cell-bound antibody and the monocyte Fc receptor is necessary as demonstrated by the marked fall in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) produced by staphylococcal protein A, high concentrations of nonspecific immunoglobulin, and dilution of the target cell antiserum . Morphologic and functional characteristics of the monocyte-monolayer preparations establish their relative purity (greater than 95%) and indicate that monocytes and not contaminating lymphocytes are responsible for tumor cell lysis . Furthermore, preincubation of monocyte and lymphocyte preparations with latex particles or low concentrations of immunoglobulin distinguished monocyte from lymphocyte ADCC . Thus, normal human monocytes have the capacity to carry out antibody-dependent cytotoxicity against nucleated malignant target cells. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 95 - 100 Atrio-ventricular shuntinfections and endocarditis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis; Verhoef J et al.; Two groups of patients (with endocarditis and with atrioventricular shunt infections due to Staphylococcus epidermidis) are presented together with analysis of the causative agents by bio- and phage-typing . Additionally phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of selected patients was investigated but no decreased phagocytic function was found . A possible way of treatment is discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 108 - 18 Epidemiologic Surveillance for Staphylococcus epidermidis infections related to cardiopulmonary bypass; Lathrop GD et al.; Epidemiologic investigation of 20 Staphylococcus infections among valvular and aortocoronary bypass graft patients indicated a broad spectrum of clinical illness in these two groups . The highest infection rate (9.3%) and case specific mortality rate (54.5%) were noted among those patients undergoing cardiovalvular replacement surgery with protheses . The median onset of infection was 6 days suggesting infection during the intraoperative period . Using the epidemiologic data from this investigation, a transmission pattern was formulated and a series of control measures designed to interdict the routes of transmission were instituted wigh marked success . These measures significantly reduced the incidence of S . epidermidis infections among these high risk patients. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 101 - 7 A comparative study of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from clinical material and healthy carriers; Tselenis-Kotsowilis A et al.; A total of 190 Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from healthy carriers and clinical material were biotyped according to the Baird-Parker scheme, phage typed by a provisional set of 18 typing phages and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility . The majority of the strains from both groups were found to belong to biotype 1 . A considerable number of strains were lysed at 100 x RTD by at least one phage . The strains from healthy carriers were distributed in 24 phage types and about half of them were clustered among three major phage types . Nine of the 30 clinical isolates were of the phage type 130/456 and another nine strains were of eight different phage types . The strain 130/456 represented only three per cent of the phage types from healthy carriers . The clinical strains exhibitbd a multiple resistance pattern to 13 antibiotics . Statistically significant was the difference in the resistance to Penicillin, Streptomycin, Carbenicillin, Erythromycin, Lincomycin, Ampicillin and Kanamycin between the groups of strains from clinical material and healthy carriers . No correlation was observed between biotypes, phage types and antimicrobial susceptibility in both groups of the isolates. Cell, 1978 Jul, 14(3), 611 - 27 DNAase I, DNAase II and staphylococcal nuclease cut at different, yet symmetrically located, sites in the nucleosome core; Sollner-Webb B et al.; We have determined the relative location of pancreatic DNAase (DNAase I), spleen acid DNAase (DNAase II) and staphylococcal nuclease cleavage sites in the nucleosome core . Each of these three enzymes cleaves the DNA of chromatin at 10.n nucleotide intervals (n integer); this specificity presumably reflects the internal structure of the nucleosome . We have already reported that DNAase I cleaves nucleosomal DNA so that nearest adjacent cuts on opposite strands are staggered by 2 nucleotides, 3' end extending (Sollner-Webb and Felsenfeld, 1977) . Here we show that the nearest cuts made by DNAase II in nucleosomal DNA are staggered by 4 nucleotides, 3' end extending, while cuts made by staphylococcal nuclease have a stagger of 2 nucleotides, 5' end extending . The cutting sites of the three enzymes thus do not coincide . Each pair of staggered cuts, however, is symmetrically located about a common axis-that is, the "dyad axes" that bisect nearest pairs of cutting sites coincide for all three enzymes . This result is consistent with the presence of a true dyad axis in the nucleosome core . Our results support the conclusion that a structural feature of the nucleosome, having a 10 nucleotide periodicity, is the common recognition site for all three nucleases . The position of the cut is determined, however, by the individual characteristics of each enzyme . Sites potentially available to nuclease cleavage span a region of 4 nucleotides out of this 10 nucleotide repeat, and a large fraction of these sites are actually cut . Thus much of the nucleosomal DNA must in some sense be accessible to the environment. Angiology, 1978 Jul, 29(7), 559 - 61 Echocardiographic demonstration of tricuspid valvulitis and right atrial thrombus complicating an infected artificial pacemaker:a case report; Chan W et al.; A right ventricular artificial demand pacemaker was implanted into a 59-year-old man with supra-Hisian complete heart block . His postoperative course was complicated by Staphylococcal aureus septicemia, which was controlled with antibiotics . A year later, S . aureus was again isolated from the blood . Echocardiography showed thickening of the tricuspid valve leaflet and multiple echoes in the right atrium . Autopsy findings included tricuspid leaflet thickening and an overlying right atrial thrombus . The echocardiogram is thus useful in localizing an infected valve in bacterial endocarditis and in demonstrating the presence of the thrombus. J Immunol, 1978 Jul, 121(1), 19 - 23 A quantitative fluorometric assay for detection and characterization of Fc receptors; Schreiber AB et al.; A new quantitative fluorometric binding assay that uses fluoresceinated aggregated IgG is proposed for the study of Fc receptors . The method was compared with a radiolabeling binding assay on three well characterized murine cell lines (38C-13, EL4, and BW) . The apparent association constant of the binding and the amount of aggregated IgG bound per cell at saturation were calculated . The fluorometric assay enables the detection of 5 X 10(-10) M bound aggregated IgG . Inhibition studies with monomeric IgG, reduced and alkylated aggregated IgG, and aggregated F(ab')2 fragments of IgG confirmed the specificity of the assay . Staphylococcal protein A inhibited the binding of the aggregated IgG to Fc receptors. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Jul, (7), 104 - 7 {Opsonizing activity of sera from animals immunized with pertussis vaccine}; Levina LA et al.; Opsonizing activity of guinea pig blood serum containing mercaptoethanol-resistant pertussis antibodies was studied in vitro on a model of microorganism ingestion by the mononuclears of the guinea pig peritoneal exudate . There were revealed distinct differences in the serum activity depending on the phagocytosis object . The blood serum of hyperimmunized rabbits stimulated the ingestion of Bordetella pertussis by mononuclears of guinea pigs--normal and immunized with pertussis vaccine . The blood sera of hyperimmunized guinea pigs and of mice immunized with pertussis vaccine twice displayed opsonins to B . pertussis . The blood sera of animals immunized with pertussis vaccine inhibited the staphylococcus ingestion by the peritoneal exudate mononuclears of guinea pigs, both normal and those immunized with pertussis vaccine. Res Vet Sci, 1978 Jul, 25(1), 89 - 93 The elimination of serum-resistant Escherichia coli from experimentally infected single mammary glands of healthy cows; Hill AW et al.; Neutrophils isolated from mammary glands stimulated with a staphylococcal culture filtrate efficiently killed serum-resistant strains of Escherichia coli . This study was extended and it was shown that an infusion of wide ranging numbers (5 X 10(1) to 5 X 10(6)) of the same strains of E coli into a single mammary gland resulted in bacterial growth, which was eliminated following neutrophil infiltration . This elimination occurred before the appearance of any clinical signs . Once bacterial kill had started in the gland, it continued in the milk after withdrawal from the gland . These results offer an explanation of why causative microbial agents cannot be isolated from some cases of clinical mastitis. J Immunol, 1978 Jul, 121(1), 327 - 32 Studies on the interaction between protein A and immunoglobulin G . I . Effect of protein A on the functional activity of IgG; Langone JJ et al.; Staphylococcal protein (A (PA) and IgG anti-Forssman immunoglobulin formed complexes that behaved functionally like IgM in their ability to lyse sheep erythrocytes (E) in the presence of whole guinea pig complement (GPC) and to fix purified guinea pig C1 . Concanavalin A, a plant lectin that inhibited IgM but not IgG hemolytic activity, inhibited the hemolytic activity of IgG-protein A complexes that behaved like IgM but had no effect on complexes that behaved functionally like IgG . Since Con A is known to bind specifically to glucose and mannose residues, our results suggested that the interaction of protein A with the Fc region of IgG led to exposure of sugar moieties that may participate in complement (C) binding . The production of IgM-like complexes depended on the ratio of protein A to IgG and the empirical formula of these IgM-like complexes was found to be {(IgG)2PA}n . As the ratio of PA to IgG was increased, the resulting complexes tended to behave functionally like IgG but with reduced hemolytic activity and C1 fixing ability . Furthermore, the binding of C1 to EIgG was inhibited by PA and the binding of PA to EIgG was inhibited by C1 indicating that the binding sites for C1 and PA were located near each other or were identical . Our results offer a reasonable explanation for the reported effects of PA or mixtures of PA and IgG in vitro and in vivo. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jul, 241(1), 119 - 35 Epidemiologic features and phage types associated with nosocomial infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis; Blouse LE et al.; An apparent problem with increased numbers of nosocomial infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis at a large hospital was studied in a clinical-epidemiological investigation . Thirty-six cases of S . epidermidis infection were confirmed on the thoracic surgery, general surgery, nursery and pediatric services during a 3-year period . Nine cases were fatal and six of these occurred in patients following cardiovascular surgery with implanted prothesis . The majority of cases (25/36) occurred following cardiovascular surgery . The median onset of infection was six days from the date of surgery, suggesting infection during the intraoperative period . Although the number of cases studied remains small, two phage types, 71/108/275a/459 and 407-2, did predominate among these clinical infections . Interestingly, during this same time interval these same types predominated among surgical staff members closely associated with these patients . Resistance to antimicrobials was high among isolates tested, with more than 50% of the strains resistant to six or more antimicrobial agents. Thromb Haemost, 1978 Jun 30, 39(3), 574 - 81 Determination of soluble fibrin monomer complexes by adsorption on immobilized fibrinogen; Stemberger AW et al.; Determination of fibrin in plasma, also containing fibrinogen, is possible by selective absorption on affinity columns prepared from highly purified fibrinogen . Desorption is complete using 1.0 M potassium bromide, pH 5.3 . In addition, the cold-insoluble globulin is desorbed . Therefore, the eluate is checked on microtiter plates by the staphylococcal clumping test which selectively detects fibrin or fibrinogen . The procedure works well with simple laboratory equipment . The diagnosis of fibrinogen-fibrin complexes is demonstrated in some pathological plasmas. Postgrad Med J . 1978 Jun;54(632):413. Staphylococcal aortic valve endocarditis with aortic root to right atrial fistula; De Cock KM et al.; Infective endocarditis can be complicated by the development of intra-cardiac shunts . A case of endocarditis secondary to staphylococcal septicaemia is reported where various conduction defects preceded the development of a fistula from the aortic root to the right atrium . Before emergency surgery there was marked worsening of heart failure with the appearance of a new loud murmur throughout diastole. Arkh Anat Gistol Embriol, 1978 Jun, 74(6), 36 - 41 {Changes in the lymph nodes of adrenalectomized rats with staphylococcal poisoning}; Gusikhina VI et al.; Histological changes in lymph nodes and dynamics of 11-oxycorticosteroid levels in blood were studied in intact and adrenalectomized rats under staphylococcal intoxication . At early stages (up to 24 h) after staphylotoxin or staphylococcal injection, stress reaction of the organism, which produces a rise of corticosteroid level in blood, was demonstrated to play the major role in aplasy of the lymphoid tissue . At later stages, when the level of corticosteroids decreases, the lymphoid tissue begins to restore . In adrenalectomized rats, aplasy of the lymphoid tissue begins at later stages (in 3--4 days) because of a decreased amount of corticosteroids in blood . From the data obtained a suggestion is made that under intoxication, devastation of the lymphoid tissue occurs via mediated and direct action of the toxin. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Jun, (6), 92 - 5 {Characteristics of the biological activity of staphylococcal allergens obtained from various strains laboratory animals}; Runova VF et al.; The authors suggest an optimal scheme of guinea pig sensitization for the assessment of specific activity of staphylococcal allergens . On milliard cells of killed staphylococcal culture are injected to the animals into the paws of the limbs; two and a half weeks later an intradermal test with an allergen in a dose of 10 microgram by protein was made . Differences in the specific activity of staphylococcal allergens prepared of various strains were revealed . Biochemical properties of the strains proved to be of significance for the sensitization. Can J Microbiol, 1978 Jun, 24(6), 765 - 6 The use of polyethylene glycol in radioimmunoassay of staphylococcal enterotoxins; Robern H et al.; The double-antibody radioimmunoassay of enterotoxins A, B, and C was modified by the addition of aqueous polyethylene glycol which precipitated double-antibody bound staphylococcal enterotoxins with little or no precipitation of free enterotoxin . The precipitate formed appeared as a thin coating at the bottom of the test tube and was not removed by aspiration . The procedure obviates the need for normal rabbit serum and for an additional wash of the precipitate. Arch Intern Med, 1978 Jun, 138(6), 915 - 7 Hepatitis associated with high-dose oxacillin therapy; Pollock AA et al.; A prospective survey of liver function during oxacillin sodium therapy revealed five cases of drug-related abnormalities among 41 patients . In each instance, the serum transaminase level was increased from normal to greater than 100 units . The serum alkaline phosphatase level was mildly elevated and bilirubin levels remained normal . All of the patients were asymptomatic . Hepatic dysfunction was reversible on withdrawal of oxacillin therapy and substitution of a cephalosporin or clindamycin . The observed abnormalities in liver function were associated with a daily oxacillin sodium dose of greater than or equal to 12 gm as well as with heroin addiction and staphylococcal endocarditis. Sem Hop, 1978 Jun, 54(17-20), 663 - 4 {A case of staphylococcal spondylodiscitis after spinal injury . Post-traumatic spondylodiscitis?}; Bouvenot G et al.; The authors report the case of a patient who had a D9-D10 staphylococcic spondylodiscitis three month after a fracture of the first lumbar vertebra, which they consider to be posttraumatic despite the fact that it is localised in a different area . They insist on the insufficiency of the literature existing on such cases and on the various pathogenic hypotheses to be applied by the practitionner. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Xue Za Zhi, 1978 Jun, 11(2), 39 - 44 {Studies on staphylococcal enterotoxin B . 1 . Quantitative assay by capillary tube single diffusion test (author's transl)}; Wang NL et al.; A method for rapidly identifying and quantitating small amount of staphylococcal enterotoxin B was developed on capillary tube single diffusion test . The high sensitivity of method has the advantages to save antiserum and incubation period . Some factors such as concentration of antigen and antiserum, incubation temperature, buffer systems, and position of capillary tube all might affect the test accuracy . If all those affecting factors were concerned, the toxin would probably be standardized . The most accessible quantitative estimation was accomplished by means of (1) plotting a precipitation curve from the different concentrations of standardized staphylococcal enterotoxin B; (2) the sample to be test was diluted by serial two-fold method with the same buffer system; (3) select suitable 3--5 dilutions to perform capillary tube diffusion test, taking the values of precipitation bands as abcissa and sample dilutions as longitudinal axis, rendered the precipitation curve of sample exquisitely paralled to that of the standard; (4) calibrate the figure values of sample exactly on the precipitation curve, and reading the toxin content of specimen to be tested from standard curve. Can J Biochem, 1978 Jun, 56(6), 534 - 44 The primary structure of staphylococcal protease; Drapeau GR; The amino acid sequence of staphylococcal protease has been determined by analysis of tryptic peptides obtained from cyanogen bromide fragments . Selected peptides obtained from digests with staphylococcal protease, thermolysin, and chymotrypsin provided the information necessary to align the tryptic peptides and the cyanogen bromide fragments . The protease is a single polypeptide chain of some 250 amino acids and is devoid of sulfhydryl groups . The COOH-terminal tryptic peptide of of the protease molecule contains some 43 residues, most of which are aspartic acids, asparagines, and prolines . The amino acid sequence of this peptide was not determined . The primary structure near the active serine residue indicates that staphylococcal protease is related to the pancreatic serine proteases . However, it has little or no additional sequence homologies with these enzymes except for the regions near histidine-50 and aspartic acid - 91 . These regions have striking similarities with the corresponding regions of protease B and the trypsin-like enzyme of Streptomyces griseus. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 Jun, (6), 96 - 9 {Experience in studying protein A in staphylococcal cultures}; Maianskii AN et al.; Methods of quantitative and qualitative determination of protein A in staphylococcus cultures were studied comparatively . The maximal number of strains positive by protein A were revealed by means of indirect hemagglutination test with cell extracts . Quantitative and qualitative characteristics by protein A can be used in studying the problems of strain and clone heterogeneity of S . aureus . A common antigen was revealed in the reactions with human gamma-globulin in 21 of 38 S . aureus strains, and in 1 of 11 S . epidermidis strains; the presence of this antigen failed to correlate with the quantitative protein A content in the same strains. Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic, 1978 May, 45(5), 325 - 33 {Our experience with the determination of serum anti-alphastaphylolysins and antigammastaphylolysins during infectious osteoarthritis . A personal series of 53 staphylococcal osteoarthritis cases, 14 cases of osteoarthritis from various germs, 47 extra-articular staphylococcal infections and 500 control subjects}; Queneau P et al.; The difficulty of directly isolating the casual agent (by obtaining specimens in situ or if necessary by hemoculture), during infectious osteo-arthritis and mainly during those deeply located such as spondylodiscitis and sacro-iliac infections, has led authors to investigate the field of serologic examinations . In staphylococcosis, which is quite frequent, they report results of serum anti-alphastaphylolysin dosage (AASTL) in 500 controls, 100 patients in whom a staphylococcus was recovered and 14 patients with other germs . In the first group, 10 subjects out of 500 ad a level greater than 2 IU whereas in the second group an elevation of the level of AASTL was observed in 66% of cases of staphylococcal osteo-arthritis (35 out of 53) and in 54% of cases of staphylococcosis without esteoarticular localization (25 out of 47), a total of 60% of staphylococcosis with various localizations (60 cases out of 100) . Despite the elevation AASTL serum in 4 of the 14 cases of the third group, this study confirms the great diagnositc value of this dosage mainly when the levels are higher than 4 IU or are still rising . The recent study of the serum antigammastaphylolysins represent an additional factor of interest because of its reliability and its frequent positive result during staphylococcosis (in 19 cases of osteo-arthritis out of 27, and in 10 cases of staphylococcosis without osteo-articular localization out of 16: a total of 29 cases in a series of 43 staphylococcosis) . The dosage of both AASTL and AGSTL, however, seems more valuable since out of 40 cases of staphylococcosis, we have observed a simultaneous elevation of AASTL and AGSTL in 22 cases (55%), a sole elevation of AASTL in 8 cases and AGSTL in 5 cases (12.5%) . Therefore, in this series, at least one of the enzymes was elevated in 15 cases out of 40 (87.5%) which represents an increase of 12.5% when compared with the study of the sole AASTL and an increase of 20% when compared to the study of AGSTL. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1978 May, (5), 93 - 7 {Production of staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin in a nutrient medium free of ballast substances}; Reisbrodt R et al.; A highly-active staphylococcus alpha-hemolysin was obtained in a synthetic nutrient medium containing inorganic salts, vitamins, glucose and casamine acids, with fractional addition of glucose, histidine, and NaHCO3 solutions into the medium during cultivation . The intensity of alpha-toxin production was directly proportional to the initial concentration in the medium of casamine acids (within the range of 0.2--2.0%) . The presence of lecithin in the medium (0.04%) accelerated the appearance of alpha-hemolysin, and then suppressed its production. J Infect Dis, 1978 May, 137(5), 514 - 23 Serologic typing of Staphylococcus epidermidis biotype 4; Tierno PM Jr et al.; Three hundred sixty-five isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase-negative) obtained over a 12-month period from 10 selected wards at New York University Medical Center-Goldwater Memorial Hospital, Roosevelt Island, N.Y., were typed serologically by slide agglutination . The isolates were first biotyped by the Baird-Parker scheme and then subtyped as proteinase-positive or proteinase-negative so that the selection of strains for immunologic study was based on biochemical and enzymatic factors rather than