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| Antibiotiki, 1975 Jun, 20(7), 640 - 6 {Dicloxacillin: its chemotherapeutic action and experimental kinetic characteristics}; Lobuseva AN et al.; Activity against 50 clinical staphylococcal strains, chemotherapeutic efficiency, absorption and distribution of dicloxacillin in animals were studied in comparison with oxacillin . It was found that dicloxacillin was superior to oxacillin with respect to a number of their properties . The antibiotic was characterized by a higher antistaphylococcal activity, especially with respect to methicillin resistant strains . It was more effective in treatment of staphylococcal pneumonia and septicopiemia of albino mice . The drug was better absorpted when used orally and was detected in the blood in therapeutic concentrations for long periods of time . The antibacterial titer of the blood serum after dicloxacillin administration was 4 times higher than that of oxacillin. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1975 Jun, 79(6), 74 - 6 {Coordination of lymphocyte enzyme systems and resistance of mice to the action of staphylococcus toxin}; Katosova LK et al.; The activity of acid phosphatase and some dehydrogenases was studied in the blood peripheral lymphocytes of intact mice . Then this mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of LD50 of staphylococcus toxin; in 2 days 42 mice perished and 38 survived . The groups of survived and perished animals differed (the difference was statistically significant) by the extent of coordination of the enzymatic lymphocyte systems: the correlation of enzymatic indices in the survived animals was greater than in the perished ones . The data obtained are discussed from the aspect of a priori intoxication prognosis and the significance of the enzymatic coordination. Appl Microbiol, 1975 Jun, 29(6), 765 - 8 Comparative inhibitory effects of antigen and antibody in the staphylococcal enterotoxin solid-phase radioimmunoassay system; Bukovic JA et al.; A solid-phase radioimmunoassay employing 125I-labeled enterotoxins and polystyrene tubes coated with specific antibody has been developed for assaying the relative concentrations of antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B . Competitive binding occurs between tube-bound antibody and free antibody for binding sites on 125I-labeled enterotoxin . The sensitivity of the system is affected by the amount of antibody on the walls of the tubes, the concentration of 125I-labeled enterotoxin added to the system, and probably by the relative binding affinities of the bound and unbound antibodies . Antibody, 0.01 to 0.07 mug/ml, inhibited the uptake of 125I-labeled enterotoxin by 20% . Both the antibody and antigen solid-phase radioimmunoassay inhibition systems can be appropriately represented by either of the following two models: Loge (Y/1 - Y) = alpha0 + alpha1 LogeX and LogeY = beta0 + beta1 LogeX, where Y is bound activity, X is antigen or antibody concentration for inhibition, and alpha0, alpha1, beta0, and beta1 are regression coefficients . Estimates from the first model were slightly more precise for the antibody system, whereas the reverse was true for the antigen system. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1975 Jun, 83(3), 226 - 34 Studies on polysaccharide C of Staphylococcus epidermidis . 1 . Isolation and chemical characterization; Johnsen GS et al.; Polysaccharide C (poly C) has been isolated from two strains of S . epidermidis and characterized chemically . The results suggest that poly C is a wall N-acetylglucosaminylglycerol teichoic acid, linked through 1:3-phosphodiester linkages . One poly C preparation contained only beta-linked N-acetyglucosamine, the other traces of alpha-linked sugar in addition . The degree of substitution of sugar in the poly C preparations from the two strains was about 50 and 25 per cent. Appl Microbiol, 1975 Jun, 29(6), 776 - 9 Stability of 125I-labeled staphylococcal enterotoxins in solid-phase radioimmunoassay; Kauffman PE et al.; Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Types A, B, and C, were labeled with 1252 by the chloramine-T method at approximately two levels of specific activity, 40 and 4 muCi/mug of protein . Toxins labeled with high specific activity showed extensive dissociation of 125I when stored at different temperatures, including -23 C . In contrast, toxins labeled with low specific activity did not show any significant loss of 125I when stored at -23 C for as long as 2 months . Enterotoxins, whether labeled with high or low activities, formed aggregates immediately upon labeling . Aggregate formation increased in high-activity-labeled toxins on storage at -23 C, and low-activity-labeled toxins showed no significant increase in aggregate formation, even after 2 months at -23 C . The aggregated forms of the enterotoxins were either devoid of antigenic activity in solid-phase radioimmunoassay or they possessed significantly reduced antigenic activity . Thus, a decrease in binding of 1252-labeled enterotoxin to specific antibody in solid-phase radioimmunoassay results mainly from (i) loss of 125I on storage, and (ii) formation of aggregates with reduced antigenic activity. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1975 Jun, 114(6), 84 - 9 {Operative intervention in staphylococcal destruction of the lungs in children in the 1st year of life}; Kotovich LE; Based on 135 operations in infants, performed in staphylococcic destruction of the lung, an attempt is made to determine most optimum terms of radical interventions . An analysis has shown that in children older than 6 months operative procedures after preliminary drainage therapy proved to be effective . In children of the first two months the mortality after early operations was twice lower as compared with later interventions. J Invest Dermatol, 1975 Jun, 64(6), 397 - 400 Esterification of (4--14C)cholesterol by cutaneous bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, and Propionibacterium granulosum); Puhvel SM; Cholesterol and cholesteryl esters constitute 3 to 5% of the lipids derived from human sebaceous glands . The present study demonstrates that cutaneous bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and to a lesser extent Propionibacterium acnes, and Propionibacterium granulosum, esterify {4--14C}cholesterol to steryl esters in vitro . The degree of esterification is a characteristic of the strain of organism, ranging from 0 to 32.7% in the organisms tested . Cholesterol esterification in these experiments was dependent on the addition of homogenates of isolated, pooled sebaceous glands to the incubation medium . Indirect evidence suggests that the fatty acids from sebaceous triglycerides are utilized for cholesterol esterification by the bacteria . These results indicate that the proportion of steryl esters in skin surface lipids may be influenced by the density of the microbial population in the skin. J Hyg (Lond), 1975 Jun, 74(3), 345 - 57 The water agar test: a new test to measure the bacteriological quality of cream; Taylor MM; A new test, the water agar test, is described that gives a qualitative index of the presence of bacteria that indicate contamination of the cream, poor storage conditions or both of these factors . The method is simple and requires little equipment . The bacteria grow in a film of diluted cream adsorbed on the surface of a non-nutrient base . After incubation at 30 +/- 0-5 degrees C . for 18-20 hr., a proteolytic and mucoid colony count is obtained which has the same percentage coefficient of variance as a standard plate count . An examination of the effect of storage at different temperatures on the types of bacteria present in cream showed that of all the tests done initially, only the water agar test could predict subsequent bacterial growth with any consistency . The multiplication of presumptive coliform organisms occurred even at 3-5 degrees C . Irrespective of the colony count, the methylene blue reduction time was not shorter than 7 1/2 hr . unless the bacteria were in the logarithmic phase of growth when sampled . A survey was made of the bacterial flora of 188 retail samples of double cream of 15 different brands . The age of the samples varied from freshly separated cream to cream that had been kept in the shop for a day longer than that recommended for sale . The water agar test was compared with the colony count, the presumptive coliform test, a confirmatory coliform count in violet red-bile agar, a lipolytic colony count, a staphylococcal count and the methylene blue reduction test. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1975 Jun, 83(3), 235 - 9 Studies on polysaccharide C of staphylococcus epidermidis . 2 . Antigenic properties; Johnsen GS et al.; The antigenic properties of polysaccharide C (poly C) of S . epidermidis strongly support the analytical indications that it is an N-acetylglucosaminylglycerol teichoic acid with 1:3-phosphodiester linkages . The major antigenic determinant is N-acetyglucosamine, predominantly present in the beta-configuration . Also anti-glycerophosphate antibodies are produced, apparently dependent on the degree of glycosylation . Purified poly C was unable to sensitize either normal or tanned sheep erythrocytes for agglutination in antisera. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 May 30, 393(1), 159 - 64 The application of QAE-Sephadex for the purification of two staphylococcal enterotoxins . II . Purification of enterotoxin A; Robern H et al.; The last three steps described in the preceding communication Robern, H., Stavric, S . and Dickie, N . (1975) Biochim . Biophys . Acta 000,000-000) were utilized successfully for the purification of enterotoxin A . The enterotoxin appeared homogeneous by gel chromatography and in the analytical ultracentrifuge but showed two bands on polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis at pH 4.5 . The emetic dose, ED50, by intravenous route in cynomolgus monkeys was 0.12 mug/kg of animal weight . After treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol, urea and sodium dodecylsulfate enterotoxin A formed one band corresponding to a molecular weight of about 27700 on sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis . Molecular-weight estimation by gel filtration gave a value of 26500 . The amino acid composition data indicate that enterotoxin A consists of 241 amino acid residues. Biochemistry, 1975 May 20, 14(10), 2214 - 8 The complete amino acid sequence of ubiquitin, an adenylate cyclase stimulating polypeptide probably universal in living cells; Schlesinger DH et al.; The complete amino acid sequence was determined for bovine ubiquitin, and adenylate cyclase stimulating polypeptide, which is probably represented universally in living cells . Ubiquitin has a molecular weight of 8451 and consists of a single polypeptide chain containing 74 amino acid residues . It contains four arginine residues but no cysteine or trytophan residues . The first 61 amino acid residues were obtained by automated Edman degradations . Tryptic digestion of maleated ubiquitin yielded four peptide fragments that were resolved by molecular sieve chromatography and coded in order of decreasing chain length (MT-1, MT-2, MT-3, and MT-4) . The automated sequenator determinations on native ubiquintin provided overlapping sequence data for three of these fragments that gave an order of MT-1, MT-3, and then MT-2; Peptide MT-4, a dipeptide, was therefore assigned to the C terminus, and the placement of peptide MT-2 was corroborated by analysis of data from carboxypeptidase digestions of maleated ubiquitin . Peptide MT-2 was domaleated and sequenced by manual Edman degradations through a single lysine residue . It was cleaved at this residue with trypsin, and the two resultant peptides were separated by ion-exchange chromatography . Manual sequencing of the C-terminal demaleated tryptic peptide of MT-2 completed the sequence of MT-2 and that of native ubiquitin . The sequence of ubiquitin was further confirmed and supported by amino acid and parital sequence anlysis of fragments obtained by digestion of maleated ubiquitin with chymotrypsin or staphylococcal protease. Radiology, 1975 May, 115(2), 421 - 2 Intrarenal mycotic (false) aneurysm secondary to staphylococcal septicemia . Report of a case detected arteriographically in a 10-month-old infant; Clark RE et al.; Gross hematuria, a flank mass, and a nonfunctioning kidney were seen at excretory urography in a 10-month-old infant with staphylococcal pneumonia and septicemia . Selective renal arteriography revealed a mycotic (false) intrarenal artery aneurysm with an intrarenal and perinephric hematoma. Kardiologiia, 1975 May, 15(5), 32 - 9 {Evolution of protracted septic endocarditis}; Demin AA et al.; A study of 1000 cases of septic endocarditis served as a basis for an analysis of the natural history of the diseases (1939-1972): changes in its etiology, clinical course and therapy . The increasing frequency of hospital infection (endocarditis) is emphasized . The characteristics of Staphylococcal and fungal endocarditis are presented, those of the lesion developing on heart valve prostheses as well . The classification of septic endocarditis is analysed, the stages of its activeness are described (III, II, I) along with the clinical and laboratory signs . Schemes of etiotropic therapy are presented, as well as rational combinations of antibiotics . The role of surgery in the management of primary septic endocarditis is described, and the rationale of preventive employment of antibiotics is discussed. Clin Orthop, 1975 May, (108), 84 - 9 Immunology of cartilage in septic arthritis; Bobechko WP et al.; Septic arthritis in one knee joint was produced in 18 rabbits, the contralateral knee being left intact . Sections stained with fluorescein conjugated anti-IgG and with fluorescein conjugated anti-IgM showed layers of immunoglobulins on the articular cartilage in 16 out of 17 injected joints, and 10 out of 17 supposedly "normal" knee joints . Concurrent tests for circulating anti-staphylococcal alpha-lysin gave negative results . Cultures of synovial fluids were negative . These observations suggest that articular cartilage may act as an auto-antigen; immunological mechanisms involved may be due to the combined activity of both cell-bound and humoral antibodies . There are 2 components to a septic arthritis, the primary being a bacterial and the secondary immunologic in nature. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1975 Apr, 83(2), 79 - 90 Localization of antigens in thin sections of bacteria by the immuno-peroxidase technique; Haugen A et al.; The immunoperoxidase technique together with electron microscopy has been examined for the ultrastructural localization of staphylococcal protein A, the immunoferritin method being included for comparison . The results show that protein A is uniformly distributed in the whole cell wall . Both the direct and indirect methods, Fab- as well as Fc-reactions, showed identical results . tthe immunoperoxidase method was superior to the immunoferritin method, especially when applied to thin sections of the bacteria, and the clear specificity demonstrated indicates a useful method for localization of cellular antigens. Arch Surg, 1975 Apr, 110(4), 402 - 4 Sterility of intestinal transudate during aortic reconstructive procedures; Russell HE et al.; In 119 patients undergoing intra-abdominal arterial reconstructions, the small intestines were retained in plastic bags and the fluid that passed from the small intestine into the intestinal bag was cultured for bacteria to search for enteric organisms as a source of prosthesis infection . No enteric organisms were recovered from these 119 cultures . Three cultures did yield bacterial growth; in two cases Staphylococcus epidermidis was found and in one instance S aureus was cultured . Under the conditions of this study, which included intravenous administration of cephalothin sodium preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively, the small intestinal transudate did not harbor enteric bacteria. Nord Vet Med, 1975 Apr, 27(4), 224 - 8 {A bacteriological investigation of Norwegian cod liver oil (author's transl)}; Gjerde J et al.; Samples of medicinal cod liver oil collected from four of the main producers in Norway have been investigated for content of microorganism . Viable counts for bacteria and fungi were found to be low . No coliform bacteria, coagulase positive Staphylococcus or Pseudomonas could be detected . The findings suggest that the main part of the flora found in cod liver oil belongs to the family Micrococcaceae . Several of the isolated colonies showed lipolytic activity. J Clin Pathol, 1975 Apr, 28(4), 284 - 8 Serological tests in the differentiation of staphylococcal and tuberculous bone disease; Taylor AG et al.; The haemagglutination test for antileucocidin is frequently positive in cases of bone tuberculosis in the absence of obvious staphylococcal infection . This test is therefore of little practical use in the differentiation of staphylococcal and tuberculous bone disease, and its use has been discontinued at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital . The antigamma haemolysin test in bone tuberculosis appears to give rise to few false positive results . Our observations confirm that the anti-alpha haemolysin and antigamma haemolysin tests used together reveal about 80 percent of cases of staphylococcal bone infection on first presentation or relapse. J Cell Biol, 1975 Apr, 65(1), 180 - 91 The permeability barrier in mammalian epidermis; Elias PM et al.; The structural basis of the permeability barrier in mammalian epidermis was examined by tracer and freeze-fracture techniques . Water-soluble tracers (horesradish peroxidase, lanthanum, ferritin) were injected into neonatal mice or into isolated upper epidermal sheets obtained with staphylococcal exfoliatin . Tracers percolated through the intercellular spaces to the upper stratum granulosum, where further egress was impeded by extruded contents of lamellar bodies . The lamellar contents initially remain segregated in pockets, then fuse to form broad sheets which fill intercellular regions of the stratum corneum, obscuring the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane . These striated intercellular regions are interrupted by periodic bulbous dilatations . When adequately preserved, the interstices of the stratum corneum are wider, by a factor of 5-10 times that previously appreciated . Freeze-fracture replicas of granular cell membranes revealed desmosomes, sparse plasma membrane particles, and accumulating intercellular lamellae, but no tight junctions . Fractured stratum corneum displayed large, smooth, multilaminated fracture faces . By freeze-substitution, proof was obtained that the fracture plane had diverted from the usual intramembranous route in the stratum granulosum to the intercellular space in the stratum corneum . We conclude that: (a) the primary barrier to water loss is formed in the stratum granulosum and is subserved by intercellular deposition of lamellar bodies, rather than occluding zonules; (b) a novel, intercellular freeze-fracture plane occurs within the stratum corneum; (c) intercellular regions of the stratum corneum comprise an expanded, structurally complex, presumably lipid-rich region which may play an important role in percutaneous transport. Am J Ophthalmol, 1975 Apr, 79(4), 596 - 601 The survival and growth of microorganisms in mascara during use; Wilson LA et al.; Over 150 mascaras representing eight popular brands were examined for their susceptibility to microbial contamination during their use by study group members . Additional mascaras from patients with symptoms and clinical findings of long-term blepharitis also were investigated . Early in the study, two brands without preservatives supported reproducing populations of microorganisms, including potential eye pathogens . These products, as currently manufactured, were recalcitrant to microbial attack . Microbes associated with the facial skin and fingers of the study group users were typically isolated from mascaras after use . Initial microorganisms isolated from mascaras were usually transients . Establishment of reproducing populations within the cosmetics appeared related to the number of uses, personal habits of the user, and the formulation of the product . Four patients with staphylococcal blepharitis and cosmetics heavily laden with Staphylococcus epidermidis showed marked clinical improvement when they stopped using the contaminated cosmetics . The application of used eye area makeup prior to and following ocular surgery should be avoided. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Apr, (4), 74 - 8 {Role of circulating antibodies and cellular factors in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus induced rejection of skin autotransplants}; Romanov VA et al.; It was found that rejection of the skin autotransplant in the staphylococcus-sensitized animals was accompanied by regular changes in the titres of auto- and staphylococcus antibodies indirectly pointing to the antibody fixation on the rejecting transplant or to their neutralization with the antigens of the perishing skin transplant . In experiments with passive reproduction of the state of rejection in the intact syngenous recipients it was shown that the decisive role in this process was played by the cell factors, but not by the blood serum . The mentioned facts pointed to the role played by allergy of delayed type in the pathogenesis of rejection of skin autotransplants induced with staphylococcus. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1975 Apr, 55(4), 268 - 75 The effect of aging and acute illness on delayed hypersensitivity; Grossman J et al.; A group of standard antigens (monilia, mosquito, mumps, purified protein derivative {PPD}, staphylococcus toxoid, streptokinase-streptodornase {sk-sd} and trichophyton) were applied to 321 normal volunteers, 60 patients admitted to a medical ward, and 41 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) to evaluate their delayed hypersensitivity skin test response . Eighty-eight per cent of the normal subjects reacted with at least 5 mm . induration to one or more skin tests without any decrease in reactivity occurring with increasing age . In the hospitalized group, only 62 per cent of the ward and 63 per cent of the ICU patients reacted to the same skin tests . All (8/8) anergic ICU patients tested after discharge regained normal reactivity . Acute illness but not increasing age will impair the delayed hypersensitivity skin test response. Mol Cell Biochem, 1975 Mar 27, 6(3), 185 - 94 The action of staphylococcal nuclease (EC-number 3 . 1 . 4 . 7.) on thymus nucleohistone (TNH) and on some nucleoprotamines; Schmidt G et al.; The biphasic nature of the time course of the action of staphylococcal nuclease on thymus nucleohistone was confirmed by studying the hydrolysis of this nucleoprotein at various enzyme concentrations . The transition from the rapid first to the sluggish second phase of the time course was particularly distinct at the highest enzyme concentrations . The rapid initial phase of the hydrolysis curve leveled off sharply when between 60 and 65 per cent of the total TNH phosphorus had been converted to acid-soluble phosphorus compounds . The insoluble complexes of TNH with protamines were found to be very resistant against the action of staphylococcal nuclease . The time course of the action of staphylococcal nuclease on a commercial nucleoprotamine of salmon testicles was found to become very sluggish when between 35 and 40 per cent of its total phosphorus had been converted to acid-soluble phosphorus compounds . When nucleoprotamines prepared in the laboratory from the secreted sperm cell suspension of Brown Brook Trout were digested with staphylococcal nuclease, only between 15 and 20 per cent of the total phosphorus were cleaved to acid-soluble phosphorus compounds during the rapid phase of the nuclease action . The respective values for the phosphorus fractions available for magnesium-binding and those susceptible to the rapid cleavage by staphylococcal nuclease were found to be very similar. N Engl J Med, 1975 Mar 6, 292(10), 505 - 7 DiC-like syndrome after envenomation by the snake, Crotalus horridus horridus; Hasiba U et al.; After envenomation by the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus horridus) a young man showed massive swelling and ecchymoses of the involved extremity, generalized petechiae and a large hematoma of the left upper eyelid . Two weeks later he was completely well . The first blood sample was incoagulable and showed high titers of fibrin split products by the MISFI and staphylococcal clumping tests . Immounoelectrophoresis showed both D and E fragments, but only D was present at 18 hours . The profound thrombocytopenia and hypofibrinogenemia gradually improved, and split products disappeared . In vitro the venom had thrombin-like activity, clotting fibrinogen or plasma and aggregating platelets.These activities could be inhibited by antivenom but not by heparin . There was no evidence that thrombin formation was actually involved: hence, the syndrome is called DIC-like. Am J Med Sci, 1975 Mar-Apr, 269(2), 201 - 7 Therapy of staphylococcal infections: (a comparative study of cephaloridine and gentamicin); Klastersky J et al.; Two groups of 38 patients have been treated for staphylococcal infection with either cephaloridine (4 gm daily) or gentamicin (320 mg daily) by the intramuscular route . The rate of favorable clinical response was higher among the patients who received cephaloridine (78.8 per cent) than among those who were treated with gentamicin (60.5 per cent) . No death related to the infection occurred in the cephaloridine-treated patients . The mean peak and trough antibacterial activity reached in the serum of the patients after injection of the antibiotics was higher in patients receiving cephaloridine (1/64 and 1/16) than in those treated with gentamicin (1/16 and 1/4) . Patients who failed to respond to therapy had often a low antibacterial activity of the serum . These studies suggest that the 1/8 level of bactericidal activity should be attained in the serum one hour after the administration of the antibiotics to allow optimal results in staphylococcal infections. Br Heart J, 1975 Mar, 37(3), 326 - 30 Infective endocarditis in the billowing mitral leaflet syndrome; Lachman AS et al.; Ten patients with the billowing mitral leaflet syndrome complicated by infective endocarditis are reported . Two patients had a non-ejection systolic click and 8 had both a non-ejection systolic click and a late systolic murmur . These auscultatory features were difficult to detect in 4 instances in that they were intermittent, soft, or brought out only with postural change . Seven patients were unaware of their cardiac lesions . A low grade pyrexia was present in all 10 patients . Four patients presented with clinical features caused by reversible neurological lesions . Blood cultures were positive in all patients, with Staphylococcus albus the infecting organism in 6 . Antibiotic therapy was successful with significant mitral regurgitation supervening in only one instance . The importance of the billowing leaflet as a potential site of infective endocarditis is emphasized . It seems that antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated at times of increased risk of infection in subjects with a non-ejection systolic click or a late systolic murmur. Cell Tissue Kinet, 1975 Mar, 8(2), 125 - 34 Inhibitory effects of mitogens on adenoidal lymphocytes in vitro; Nitschke R et al.; Cultures of human adenoidal lymphocytes exposed briefly to either phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Staphylococcus filtrate (Staph-F), concanavalin-A (Con-A), or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) incorporate increased amounts of thymidine earlier than replicate cultures exposed continuously to the mitogens . These effects can begin in the first 24 hr of culture and are seen maximally between 36 and 72 hr . Once a blastogenic response is established, PHA or PWM can diminish that response . Inhibition with PWM requires that the initial stimulation was with this mitogen, while PHA can inhibit blastogenesis to both PHA and PWM-stimulated cells . Because these mitogens can have a paradoxical effect on adenoidal lymphocytes, being capable of both initiating and inhibiting DNA synthesis, this phenomena should be kept in mind when such systems are utilized for the evaluation of antigens and drug effects. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Mar, 0(3), 97 - 100 {Fractionation of staphyococcal allergens on sephadex}; Poliakova TM et al.; Allergens obtained from seven strains of staphylococcus cultures (with and without any toxigenic and hemolytic properties) were subjected to fractionation on Sephadexes . It was shown that allergens from strains 209, 3a, 977 contained one protein-polysaccharide, component with molecular weight of 600 000--900 000 . Allergens from strains Wood-46, 150a, r-7, O15 were characterized by the presence of two protein-polysaccharide fractions with molecular weight of 800 000--900 000 (I) and 20 000--100 000 (II) . There was revealed the influence of lyphilization on the separation of nucleic acids in the preparations not subjected to lyophilization; nucleic acid fractions were separated in gel filtration; no separation of nucleic acids from the protein-polysaccharide fractions followed lyophilization. Am J Ophthalmol, 1975 Mar, 79(3), 446 - 8 Corneal perforation in nontuberculous (staphylococcal) phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis; Ostler HB; An 18-year-old white man with severe staphylococcal blepharokeratoconjunctivitis of several years' duration developed phylctenules intermittently . At age 22 an active corneal phlyctenule caused perforation of the cornea . Seven days after this occurrence, the perforation closed spontaneously but perforated again ten days later . This occurrence may have been caused by an increase in the patient's hypersensitivity to the Staphylococcus as a result of concurrent viral infection, or it may have been due to the patient's failure to return for treatment at the scheduled time . The area of perforation appeared to be healed 10 and one half months later. Can J Surg, 1975 Mar, 18(2), 181 - 4 Pacemaker infections: a 12-year review; Lemire GG et al.; In a 12-year period, 546 pacemaker-related operations were complicated by 23 infections (infection rate, 4.2%) . Most of these infections were treated successfully, but two cases of infection were fatal . The most frequently encountered organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis . In 14 cases, infection occurred despite the preoperative administration of cloxacillin to which the organism was sensitive in 13 of the cases . The skin flora constitute the most likely source of contamination . The ideal treatment consists of removal of all foreign material and replacement with a new pacing system by an alternative route. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Mar, 0(3), 126 - 31 {An experimental study of auto-allergy evoked by staphylococcus under conditions of primary and secondary immunological response}; Romanov VA et al.; Experiments were conducted on rabbits and albino mice; it was shown that the capacity of the animal organism to reject the skin autotransplant formed 7 to 10 days after the primary immunization and persisted for a period of 45 days . Repeated vaccination of mice 24 hours before the operation aided the take of the skin autotransplants, and 7 days before--promoted their rejection . Intravenous revaccination of the operated animals also intensified the rejection reactions; the process of the transplant rejection was accompanied by a marked fall in the level of staphylococcus- and autoantibodies . In the unoperated animals intravenous revaccination with staphylovaccine caused production of antibodies by the secondary type . Deposits of fixed gamma-globulin were found on the 6th-8th day after the transplantation in the autotransplant and its bed in mice primarily immunized with staphylovaccine . Marked circulatory disturbances, necrobiotic processes, mononuclear infiltration of the derma with neutrophils were revealed pathomorphologically in the rejecting skin transplant. Appl Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 29(3), 368 - 73 Bacterial survival in laundered fabrics; Walter WG et al.; Bacterial survival was determined in linens (i) inoculated with Staphylococcus auerus (ii), taken from hospital isolation patients' beds, and (iii) used by students in their homes . Two different washers using temperatures of 38, 49, 54 and 60 C, respectively, for different times were empolyed along with a commercial tumbler dryer . Findings, after macerating the linens in Waring blender and enumerating on nonselective media, indicate that acceptable levels of survivors can be acheived in motel and hotel linens by an 8- to 10-min wash cycle at 54 C followed by adequate drying . However, it is recommended that a wash cycle with 60 C for 10 to 13 min be employed for linens in health care factilities . The microbial significance of various laundering practices is discussed. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Mar, 0(3), 91 - 6 {Factors influencing transduction of genetic determinants of penicillinase activity and pathogenicity in staphylococcus aureua . II . Antiphage activity of acridine derivatives}; Shraer DP et al.; Acridine dyes examined earlier (acrichine, acridine orange, proflavine and rivanol) and newly-synthesized preparations (acridines No . No . 37--40) were studied in the capacity of nonspecific agents influencing the lytic cycle in development of staphylococcus phages . Acrichine and acridine No . 37 failed to prevent lysis of the indicator staphylococcus cultures (strains 16/160 and 8325) by bacteriophages; proflavine, rivanol, acridines No . No . 39--40 produced a marked inhibitory effect; acridine orange and acridine No . 38 inhibited the staphylococcus lysis completely . Some preparations could be used to investigate the transduction phenomenon. J Biol Chem, 1975 Feb 25, 250(4), 1445 - 50 Circular dichroism and absorbance properties of nitrotyrosyl chromophores in staphylococcal nuclease and in a model diketopiperazine; Di Bello C et al.; An active derivative of staphylococcal nuclease, in which only tyrosine residue 115 has been nitrated with use of tetranitromethane, has been characterized using absorbance, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy . The results show that nitrotyrosine-115 nuclease is indistinguishable from native nuclease with regard to the average secondary structure of the folded polypeptide chain, the susceptibility of the enzyme to heat denaturation, and the local tertiary structure around tryptophan residue 140 . Inasmuch as optical properties of nitrotyrosine-115 nuclease from 300 to 500 nm can be unambiguously assigned to nitrotyrosine residue 115 in the active site region, this modified enzyme presents a good model system for studying the circular dichroism properties of this aromatic amino acid in a protein . The spectral properties of nitrotyrosine-115 nuclease have been compared to those of the model compounds, cyclo-(-Gly-Tyr(3NO2)-) and Tyr(3NO2) . Circular dichroism spectral changes in nitrotyrosine-115 nuclease due to the binding of deoxythymidine 3',5'-diphosphate and Ca-2+ have been compared to the corresponding nitrotyrosyl-115 absorption spectral changes . This comparison shows that the circular dichroism difference spectrum exhibits an over-all change in the intensity of the observed Cotton effects, whereas the absorption difference spectrum exhibits a blue shift . This finding supports the suggestion that perturbations of aromatic amino acid chromophores in proteins due to ligand binding result in red or blue shifts in absorption difference spectra, but in over-all changes of intensity in circular dichroism difference spectra. Sem Hop, 1975 Feb 14, 51(8), 539 - 48 {Suppurative trichophytosis of animal origin . Apropos of 38 recent cases}; Barriere H et al.; This study of 38 cases observed over a period of 7 years emphasizes the constancy of rural contamination, whether professional or not . An enquiry carried out among veterinary surgeons in this region, showed the increasing frequency of the animal infection particularly in young oxen, hence the increased risk of kerions . The author recalls the clinical description of kerion of the scalp in children and sycosis barbae in adults, in which one may also encounter folliculitis of the limbs . The parasite isolated, included various strains of Trichophyton, e.g., Trichophyton Trimentagrophytes, Tr . verrucosum and, more rarely, Tr . magnini . On the other hand, bacteriological examination was usually negative, there were only two cases of secondary staphylococcal infection . The authors emphasize their concept of the disease which is probably an immune process . Finally, rather than the usual treatment, they emphasize the possibilities of social re-insertion; the disease should be recognised as an occupational disease. Lancet, 1975 Feb 8, 1(7902), 308 - 10 Functional role of cholesterol in infection and autoimmunity; Watson KC et al.; Cholesterol binds to streptolysin O and related bacterial toxins . In normal serum, only a fraction of the cholesterol attached to lipoprotein is available for binding, probably as a cholesterol-peptide complex formed during catabolic breakdown of the lipoprotein . Cholesterol esterase produced by certain organisms--e.g., Staphylococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas oeruginosa--augments this fraction both in vitro and in vivo . Endogenous esterase similarly increases the amount of cholesterol-peptide complex, a mechanism which may be activated as a feedback process following binding of toxin to the cholesterol component of the complex . These complexes will thus supply a readily available means of binding bacterial toxins before antibody formation begins; Cholesterol-peptide complexes, either alone or modified by binding to toxin, may function as autoantigens . It is postulated that immune complexes so formed may be involved in atherosclerosis either by directly damaging vessels walls or by cross-reaction of antibody with cell-membrane-bound lipoproteins which equilibrate with plasma-lipoproteins. Dev Med Child Neurol, 1975 Feb, 17(1), 79 - 83 Mycotic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery in an unusual intra-cranial location; Lansky LL et al.; A child is reported who developed a mycotic aneurysm of the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery following staphylococcal cellulitis and septicemia . The unique feature of this case was the conspicuous absence of clinical or arteriographic evidence of carvernous sinus thrombosis . The pathogenesis of mycotic aneurysms is discussed. Ann Surg, 1975 Feb, 181(2), 161 - 3 Coagulation dynamics following thermal injury: effect of heparin and protamine sulfate; Curreri PW et al.; A burned rat model was developed to examine post-burn alterations in coagulation . Fibrin split product concentration, as measured by the staphylococcal clumping test, was noted to rise significantly within the first 24 hours following injury . Prophylactic in vivo systemic anticoagulation with heparin was ineffective in modifying this response . However, systemic administration of protamine sulfate prevented post-burn elevation of fibrin split products . In vitro fibrin split product concentration in burn sera following the addition of heparin and protamine sulfate, was also analyzed . The results of these experiments elucidated the biochemical effects of protamine sulfate on circulating fibrin degradation products in the rat burn model. Ann Surg, 1975 Feb, 181(2), 157 - 60 Characterization of elevated fibrin split products following thermal injury; Curreri PW et al.; These studies establish that the staphylococcal clumping test is superior to the tanned red cell hemagglutination inhibition immunoassay for monitoring fibrin split product concentration in burn sera . It is strongly suggested that the principal circulating degradation product is a complex of soluble fibrin monomer with fragment D . Finally, there does not appear to be any effect on measured fibrin split product concentration in sera of burn patients receiving prophylactic heparin or aspirin. J Lab Clin Med, 1975 Feb, 85(2), 235 - 44 Biological defense mechanisms . Evidence for the participation of superoxide in bacterial killing by xanthine oxidase; Babior BM et al.; Incubation of either Staphylococcus epidermidis or Escherichia coli with a sufficiently high concentration of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme capable of reducing oxygen to superoxide (O2-), resulted in the death of the microorganisms . Protection against the killing os S . epidermidis by xanthine oxidase was afforded by superoxide dismutase, an enzyme which converts O2- to O2 and H2O2, and also by catalase, which destroys H2O2 . These findings indicate that neither O2- nor H2O2 were able to kill S . epidermidis under the experimental conditions, but that the bactericidal agent was the product of a reaction between O2- and H2O2 . By contrast, E . coli was protected by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase . With this organism, therefore, H2O2 appears to have been the bactericidal agent. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1975 Feb, 148(2), 424 - 7 Mechanisms of oral staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced emesis in the monkey (38553); Elwell MR et al.; Vomition is the most consistent response to oral SEB challenge in the monkey . The technique of cross-circulation clearly differentiates local neural phenomenon from humoral mechanisms . Our results support the theory that SED-induced vomition follows stimulation of local neural receptors in the gut . The evidence indicates no significant amount of enterotoxin absorption or stimulation of vomition by any centrally acting humoral mechanism. Dermatologica, 1975, 151(5), 302 - 8 Botryomycosis; Martin-Pascual A et al.; A case of botryomycosis was studied in which a coagulase-negative, DNAsenegative Staphylococcus with wide antibiotic sensitivity in vitro was isolated and which could be classified as having a 'low pathogenic capacity' . Nevertheless, there was no improvement with appropriate therapy . IgG and complement (C3) were demonstrated in the grains . Botryomycosis can be considered as a state of 'equilibrium' between the host and the microorganism . It is not clear if this results from low pathogenicity of the organism or from some peculiar characteristic of the host. Antibiotiki, 1975, 20(12), 1085 - 90 {Mathematical model for the control and standardization of discs}; Solov'ev VN et al.; Analysis of tetracycline and erythromycin diagnostic discs manufactured in the USSR showed their conformity with the requirements of the USA Federal Register . Comparison of the antibiotic amounts extracting and diffusing from the discs showed that as an average 92 and 90 per cent of the extracted amounts of erythromycin and tetracycline respectively diffused into the agar . Subsequently, it is desirable that on control testing of the disc quality both the similarity of the antibiotic content in the discs and the real amount of the antibiotic diffusing into the agar should be considered . A statistically reliable correlation between the values of the growth inhibition zones around the discs with definite and constant amounts of erythromycin, tetracycline or oxacillin and different resistance levels for every staphylococcal strain was found . On the basis of such a control system it is possible to divide the staphyloccal strains into the groups with high, low and intermediate resistance levels to the above antibiotics . However, it is not possible to use such data for accurate calculation of the value of the minimum inhibitory concentration of unknown strains because of a high value of the main error. Scand J Urol Nephrol, 1975, 9(3), 192 - 7 Magnesium and zinc in seminal fluid of healthy males and patients with non-acute prostatitis with and without gonorrhoea; Colleen S et al.; The concentrations of magnesium and zinc in the seminal fluid of 41 patients with symptoms of non-acute prostatitis and of 11 healthy age-matched males were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry . Possible sources of error in the determination of these metals in seminal fluid are discussed . The mean concentration of magnesium in the patients was 56.6 mug/ml (range 19-190) and in the controls 64.5 mug/ml (range 36-165) . The corresponding figures for zinc were 79.2 mug/ml (range 13-283) and 67.5 mug/mg (range 34-116) . Both in the patients and in the controls there was a significant correlation between the concentration of magnesium and that of zinc . No significant difference was found between the patients and the controls regarding the concentration of magnesium or zinc . From none of the patients could gonococci be cultured . However, in 6 of them, immunofluorescent studies revealed gonococci . The concentration of zinc (48.3 mug/ml) in seminal fluid from these 6 patients was significantly lower than in the remaining 35 . Neither in the patients, nor in the controls, was any correlation found between the concentration of magnesium or zinc and that of fructose in seminal fluid . A significant correlation was found between the concentrations of these metals and the antibacterial activity (determined as the inhibitory effect on the growth of Staphylococcus albus) of the seminal fluid from the patients . A negative correlation was found between the concentration of zinc and an increase in the number of white blood cells in expressed prostatic fluid . No correlation was found between magnesium or zinc and the number of spermatozoa or the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa . The findings in the present study suggest that the secretion of magnesium and zinc is decreased in prostatitis . Because of the wide range of variation of magnesium and zinc in seminal fluid of healthy males, determination of these metals is of limited value in the diagnoses of prostatitis in a given case. Childs Brain, 1975, 1(4), 228 - 35 Correction of ocular hypertelorism; Epstein F et al.; 36 patients with congenital hypertelorism, eight with Crouzon's disease, and three with a posttraumatic deformity, were operated with Tessier's technique with some modifications, i.e . the dura is not separated from the cribriform plate avoiding olfactory damage . The entire procedure for hypertelorism could be carried out in less than 5 h but correction of Crouzon's disease required 6-8 h, and longer in older patients . There was only one intraoperative anesthesic death in a 3-year-old child . One cardiac arrest recovered . Nine staphylococcus infections were superficial and readily treated . There was postoperative cerebral edema in one case and convulsions following surgery in another . Anticonvulsants and steroids were subsequently routinely employed . There were no SF fistulas . Excellent cosmetic results are due primarily to the skill of the plastic surgeons. Dermatologica, 1975, 150(3), 169 - 75 'Isopathic phenomenon' in leprosy; Rao BN et al.; Isopathic phenomenon of SAGHER was elicited in 21 proved leprosy patients (consisting of 7 lepromatous, 7 tuberculoid, 3 neuritic, 2 borderline, and 2 indeterminate types) . The substances used to elicit the isopathic phenomenon were BCG lepromin, Indian ink and staphylococcal vaccine . Isopathic phenomenon was elicited in most of the cases and BCG was the substance which produced the most responses . The phenomenon could be used to classify difficult cases of leprosy. Arch Dermatol Forsch, 1975, 252(3), 203 - 9 Immunity in tumours of the skin . Studies on cell-mediated immune reactions; Meneghini CL et al.; Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was investigated in a series of patients with epithelial tumours of the skin and with Kaposi's sarcoma . In all 53 patients the peripheral blood lymphocyte count showed no substantial difference from the control values . The blasts count after phytohaemagglutinin stimulation in 30 patients ranged from 40-50% with no noticeable difference from the control values . Intradermal tests with the staphylococcal antigen, PPD-tuberculin and streptokinase-streptodornase carried out in 59 patients proved negative in a significant number of cases, mainly those of Kaposi's sarcoma . The non immune inflammatory response to chemical irritant (benzalkonium chloride) was more often negative (17 of 59 cases) than in controls (5 of 30 subjects) . The DNCB sensitization test carried out in 28 patients was negative in 5 cases (2 cases of late basal-cell epithelioma, 2 cases of advanced squamous-cell carcinoma and 1 case of Kaposi's sarcoma) . The findings do not thus indicate the presence of a gross CMI defect in the material studied, which would be borne out by all the tests employed . The sometimes discordant results of the various tests suggest the existence of partial CMI defects in certain tumours, but mainly in Kaposi's sarcoma . Such partial defects, encountered even in early neoplasms, coexist, in some cases, with failure of inflammatory response to chemical irritants. Biochimie, 1975, 57(4), 453 - 60 Application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to proteins; Griffin JH et al.; The active sites of enzymes can be studied in great detail using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy . The determination of pKa values of active site histidine residues in bovine pancreatic ribonuclease and the characterization of the binding of peptide hormones to carrier proteins are two such examples . The study of the active site of staphylococcal nuclease is another example and is presented in detail in this paper . The structure of 3'5'-thymidine diphosphate bound in the active site of staphylococcal nuclease has been studied by measuring the relaxation rate enhancement of substrate analog nuclei by a paramagnetic metal ion . The lanthanide ion, Gd(III), was substituted for Ca(II) in the formation of the ternary complex of nuclease: Gd(III) : 3'5'-thymidine diphosphate . Measurements were made of the transverse relaxation rates of protons and the longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates of the phosphorus nuclei of bound nucleotide . Internuclear distances between the metal ion and atoms of the 3'5'-thymidine diphosphate nucleotide were determined from these data by using the Solomon-Bloembergen equation . In general, these distances corresponded closely to those determined by previous X-ray crystallography of the thymidine diphosphate complex . These internuclear distances were also used with a computer program and graphics display to solve for metal : nucleotide geometries which were consistent with the experimental data . A geometry similar to the structure of the metal : nucleotide complex bound to nuclease determined by X-ray analysis was one of the solutions to this computer modeling process . For staphylococcal nuclease the NMR and X-ray methods yield compatible high resolution information about the structure of the active site. Scand J Infect Dis, 1975, 7(1), 55 - 7 Treatment of chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis with cloxacillin and dicloxacillin--a comparative study in 12 patients; Hedstrom SA; 12 patients with chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis were treated with cloxacillin (6 patients) and dicloxacillin (6 patients) in a prospective, comparative study . The drugs were given perorally in the dose 1 g every 4th hour and serum concentrations were followed . 0.5, 1 and 2 hours after administration the serum level of dicloxacillin was about double that of cloxacillin . The lowest serum level of dicloxacillin at the time of administration of the drugs was nearly 3 times as high as the level of cloxacillin . An evaluation of clinical benefit and side-effects revealed no differences between the drugs . The prolonged serum level of dicloxacillin may permit a longer interval between doses than the administration of cloxacillin. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1975 Jan, 57(1), 80 - 3 The effect of operating-room environment on the infection rate after Charnley low-friction total hip replacement; Brady LP et al.; After 300 Charnley low-friction arthroplasties done in two hospitals by two surgical teams using clean-air enclosures but no preoperative, operative, or postoperative antibiotics, there were three deep wound infections, two caused by Staphylococcus albus, coagulase negative, and one by Klebsiella . Two of these infections occurred in hips previously operated on and one was in a hip with no previous surgery . These findings suggest that two operating-room environments using the same basic principles without antibiotics can achieve a 1 per cent rate of deep wound infection with no early deep wound infections after total hip replacement, a rate comparable to that reported in other series in which antibiotics were used . However, this study did not answer the questions: Is the environment the primary reason for the low infection rate or is it the discipline required by the environment? Will the rate of late (four to five years) wound infection after operations done in a clean-air enclosure be lower than that after procedures done in a "normal" operating-room environment using preoperative, operative, and postoperative antibiotics? Pol Arch Weter, 1975, 18(1), 17 - 22 {Effect of antibiotics on hemolysin production by bacteria causing mastitis in cattle}; Kurek C; Effect of six antibiotics on the hemolysin formation by 320 strains of Staphylococcus (including 112 S . aureus) and 100 strains of S . agalactiae isolated from cow udders, have been determined . Tests were performed on plates containing 5% horse red cells, but the hemolytic strains were tested on blood agar plates supplemented with 5% sheep, rabbit and calf cells in addition . One strain of S . aureus produced the rings of hemolysis around the zones of growth inhibition on the media containing the discs of penicillin, erythromycin, oxyterramycin and chloramphenicol . Another strain of S . agalactiae produced similar rings, but only on the medium supplemented with penicillin . On the calf blood agar plate, S . aureus produced the hemolytic rings only in association with streptomycin and neomycin . After five times of propagation on the nutrient agar, the hemolytic phenomenon was not reproducible . It may be suggested that in cow milk there are some inhibitors for hemolysin formation by Staphylococcus and S . agalactiae. J Immunol Methods, 1975 Jan, 6(3), 249 - 59 Demonstration and assaying of IgG antibodies in tissues and on cells by labeled staphylococcal protein A; Biberfield P et al.; Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) labeled with FITC was used to detect IgG antibodies to tissue and cell surface antigens . Radioiodinated SpA was employed in a radioimmuno technique to assay IgG antibodies which had reacted with cell membrane antigens . Red blood cells coated with SpA were used as an indicator system in the mixed haemadsorption technique to detect IgG antibodies on tissue culture cells . The results showed that SpA was highly specific in the various systems tested, although it was not as sensitive in the immunofluorescence test as FITC anti-IgG . It was confirmed that SpA reacts with IgG antibodies of human, monkey, rabbit, sheep and mice origin . The reactivity with human and monkey IgG was stronger than with IgG of the other species . We consider labeled SpA as an alternative to monospecific anti-IgG for detection and assaying of IgG antibodies to tissue and cell surface antigens. Immunol Commun, 1975, 4(1), 63 - 79 Comparative mitogenic responses of T-cells and B-cells in spleens of mice of varying age; Rabinowitz SG; Mouse spleen cell mitogenic responses to Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), conconavalin A (con A), staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied as a function of age . In CD-1 mice, spleen cell DNA synthesis in response to stimulation by PHA, con A and SEB varied from 18% - 33% of adult values for the first 3 weeks of life . By 6 weeks, the PHA response was 63% of the adult response and achieved adult values by 8 weeks of life . In contrast to these T-cell responses, DNA spleen cell synthesis in response to LPS was approximately that of adults as early as 7 days after birth . When spleen cell mitogenic responses were studied in C57B1/6J mice a similar pattern emerged . C57 spleen cell responses to PHA, con A and SEB varied from 24% - 54% of adult values for the first 3 weeks of life . By 4 weeks, spleen cell responses to PHA and con A were approximately those of adults . Again, C57 spleen cell responses to LPS were equivalent to adult values as early as 7 days after birth. Ric Clin Lab, 1975 Jan-Mar, 5(1), 49 - 58 Uptake of fluorochrome-labelled exotoxins by different cell types in culture; Paradisi F et al.; The uptake of diphtheria toxin and of Staphylococcus alpha-toxin by two different human cell types cultured in vitro (the HEp-2 continuous cell line and human adult hepatocytes) was studied by fluorescence microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy . The behavior of these two bacterial exotoxins was quite different . Diphtheria toxin was incorporated into cells by pinocytosis, whereas alpha-hemolysin penetrated into the cytoplasm probably through lesions in the cell membrane . In addition, the penetration of diphtheria toxin into the cells was not inhibited by specific antiserum, whereas anti-alpha-haemolysin inhibited the penetration of alpha-tpxin through the cell membrane . The significance of these findings is discussed. Antibiotiki, 1975 Jan, 20(1), 48 - 53 {Analysis of the dependence of the parameters of staphylococcal resistance to oxacillin established in various test systems}; Shilova SV et al.; Resistance parameters of 17 clinical strains of Staph, aureus to oxacillin were studied with the methods of agar diffusion and serial dilutions in liquid and solid media . Statistically reliable correlation between the parameter values of resistance and growth inhibition zone diameters on diffusion into agar of 100 gamma of oxacillin was found . The latter method provided classification of the strains into groups with high, intermediate and low resistance levels . However, calculation of the resistance parameters according to the corresponding correlation equation was not enough correct for providing distinction in the resistance levels within the groups. Br J Physiol Opt, 1975, 30(1), 13 - 5 Bacteriological studies of contamination of hydrophilic contact lenses with Staphylococcus epidermitis; Sanderson GF et al.; An attempt was made to contaminate hydrophilic contact lens material with Staphylococcus epidermitis . This study was initiated as a result of some clinical investigations which had revealed the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection in eyes fitted with this type of contact lens . It was though particularly relevant in view of the known association of some strains of this organism with other plastic prostheses . In vitro cultures proved unsuccessful in demonstrating the ability of this bacterium to metabolize the lens material. Med Pediatr Oncol, 1975, 1(2), 67 - 73 Infections in children with acute leukemia; Freeman AI et al.; Twenty children with ALL that died in 1959-1960 and 59 children with ALL that died in 1969-1970 were analyzed according to the infections at both their terminal illness and their initial presentations . Despite the availability of more effective agents for pseudomonas and staphylococcus, the pattern of infecting organisms at the terminal illness did not change appreciably in this decade . E . coli, pseudomonas, staphylococcus, and candida were the principal organisms involved as a cause of death . Thirty-five of these 79 patients were febrile when they initially presented, prior to the institution of chemotherapy . Seven of the 35 patients (20%) had proved infections . It appears that the fever in the majority of patients at their initial presentations was noninfectious in origin . In 1969-1970, 13 pulmonary aspirates were performed to aid in the etiological diagnosis of diffuse interstitial pneumonia . Only a single case (8%) of pneumonia due to pneumocystis carinii was detected, and it is our suspicion that the majority of these interstitial pneumonias were viral in origin. Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1975, 22(2), 65 - 73 Natural antibodies in healthy adults; Veres J; The serum of 100 adults living in Budapest was examined for isohaemagglutinin titre with haemaglutination, for staphylococcal-antitoxin titre with haemolysis inhibition and for bacterial antibody titre against 17 different groups of bacteria with passive haemagglutination . Antibody levels in males, except for certain bacterial antibodies, were somewhat lower than in females . The antibody titres, especially in men, decreased gradually from 20 to 50 years of age and were usually lower in Rh negative than in Rh positive persons. South Med J, 1975 Jan, 68(1), 22 - 6 Current concepts of toxic epidermal necrolysis; Rist TE et al.; Toxic epidermal necrolysis consists of two distinct clinical entities . The Ritter type, seen mostly in children under age 10, is the severest manifestation of staphylococcal disease . A toxin has been isolated which is postulated to be the cause for clinical lesions . High epidermal necrosis occurs . Treatment is with one of the penicillinase-resistant penicillins, and prognosis is good . The Lyell type is seen mostly in adults, is drug-related, and may be the severest form of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome . Full-thickness epidermal necrosis occurs . Treatment consists of withdrawing the offending drug . Good nursing care is essential . Prognosis is guarded. Acta Endocrinol Suppl (Copenh), 1975, 194, 133 - 53 Enzyme inhibition by antibodies; Arnon R; The interest in the inhibition of enzymes by their specific antibodies stems mainly from the fact that these systems can serve as suitable models in the study of neutralization of biologically active molecules in general . The interaction of enzymes with their specific antibodies generally leads to a reduction in their enzymatic activity . The mechanism of this inhibition is rarely a direct combination of the antibodies with the catalytic site, but is rather due to steric hindrance, namely, barring the access to the active site . In several systems the mechanism of the antibody effect is by conformational changes which it induces on the enzyme . In these cases, the interaction with the antibody may result either in inhibition or in enhancement of the enzymatic activity . In every instance, however, the effect of the antibody is dependent on its narrow specificity, namely, on the regions of the enzyme to which it is directed . The extent of inhibition or enhancement is, therefore, a reflection of the nature and distribution of the various antigenic determinants on the enzyme molecule . Antibodies specific exclusively to defined regions of an enzyme molecule can be prepared . This has been performed for both lysozyme and staphylococcal nuclease by two procedures: a) Selective separation of the relevant antibodies from the anti-enzyme serum by an immunoadsorbent containing a particular immunologically active fragment of the enzyme . b) The use of an isolated antigenic fragment of the enzyme, or a conjugate of it, for immunization . The antibodies thus prepared, specific toward a unique defined region of the lysozyme molecule (residues 60-83, denoted "loop") recognize the structural conformation of the fragment and are reactive with the intact enzyme molecule . Furthermore, a chemically synthesized loop-like derivative was proved immunologically identical with the natural fragment, and when forming a part of a completely synthetic conjugate, elicited conformation-specific antibodies, reactive with native lysozyme . These findings are relevant to the topic of an immunological approach to fertility control from two different viewpoints: In the first place they are informative regarding the specific inhibition by antibodies of sperm enzymes which partake in the fertilization process . Secondly, they encourage the synthetic approach for induction of an immune response toward hormones which are crucial in fertilization or implantation. Br Med J . 1974 Dec 28;4(5947):769. Letter: Oral contraception and increased formation of high molecular weight derivatives of fibrinogen; Asbeck F et al.; PIP: Experiments conducted in the writers' laboratory on oral contraception and increased formation of high molecular weight derivatives of fibrinogen confirm results of a report by L.O . Pilgeram and others on an increased formation of soluble fibrin in patients taking oral contraceptives . 7 healthy women 17-35 years old were examined before and during a 4-12 week period of treatment with an oral contraceptive containing norgestrel .25 mg and ethinyl estradio . .05 mg . On Days 24 and 26 of the anovulatory menstrual cycles, citrated plasma was chromatographed on a Biogel-A-5m-column . Fibrinogen-related material in the eluates were titrated manually with the staphylococcal clumping test, and the mean concentrations before and during contraception were calculated for each fraction . The results indicated 1) an unchanged elution position of the quantitatively increased fibrinogen, 2) increased amounts of high molecular weight derivatives in the early fractions, and 3) the elution position of the main fraction of high molecular weight derivatives in the position calculated for the fibrinogen-fibrin-dimer . Mathematical processing of the data suggests that the polymers represent 5.6% of the total amount of the fibrinogen peak, which would correspond to a monomer concentration of 2%-3%, assuming that a 1:1 complex of fibrinogen and fibrin monomers is formed . Jpn J Med Sci Biol, 1974 Dec, 27(6), 309 - 14 A consideration to immune doses of staphlococcal enterotoxin B to rabbits; Shinagawa K et al.; Immune doses of staphylococcal enterotoxin B to rabbits were studied by comparing the efficiency of various immunization schedules . It was experienced that even two subcutaneous injections each with such a small dose as 10 mug of enterotoxin B, the primary one with Freund's complete adjuvant and a booster one without adjuvant, could stimulate a rabbit to develop the antibody to a satisfactorily high titer determined by agar gel diffusion and passive hemagglutination. Ann Sclavo, 1974 Nov-Dec, 16(6), 684 - 94 {Changes in some blood lipid fractions in experimental poisoning with alpha staphylococcal toxin}; Rossolini A et al.; The AA . have studied the effects provoques by alpha staphylococcal toxin in the lipidemic panel of the rabbit . Of 15 rabbits, five were injected with 0.25 emolitic units (U.E.) five with 1 U.E . and five ad control . The blood from heart was frequently with drawed and examined . In the animals traited with lowest dosis of toxin, the two fractions of cholesterol have increased with the maximum at the last control (96 hours) . With a quadruple dosis of toxin increased also the total lipids and triglyceridis with the maximum at 48 hours . Remarked after all the different behaviour of the two fractions of cholesterol at the various dosis . The AA . conclude that the staphylococcal toxin provoque at low dosis only the modification on the cholesterol but at greater dosis also of the triglycerids and phospholipidis. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1974, 53(5), 609 - 14 {Demonstration of staphylococcal enterotoxins by polyacrylamide gel immunodiffusion}; Valcamonica C et al.; The use of a polyacrylamide gel in immunodiffusion reactions and particularly in the staphylococcal antiserum-enterotoxin precipitation reaction, is set forth . The advantages shown by this gel are: possibility to obtain different gel lattices, tansparency, mechanical resistance, low cost. Vopr Med Khim, 1971 Jul-Aug, 17(4), 364 - 9 {Separate and combined action of antibiotics and vitamins on monoamine oxidase activity of the rabbit liver in staphylococcal infection}; Tsyganenko AIa; Staphylococcal necrotic infection decreases activity of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase from rabbit liver . The animals treated with tetracycline exhibited a further inhibition of staphylotoxin-repressed MAO activity . Administration of penicillin as well as of vitamins B2 and B12 resulted in the same level of the enzyme activity as in non-treated animals . Treatment of animals with tetracycline in combination with vitamins B2 and B12 ensured a restoration of MAO activity, repressed by antibiotics, to the level of non-treated animals . Combined administration of penicillin and methycillin with vitamins B2, as well as methycycline and morphocycline with vitamin B12 resulted in a higher enzyme activity compared with respective values in non-treated animals . The best stimulatory action was exerted by a combination of penicillin with vitamin B2 and methycillin with vitamin B12 . In these cases, MAO activity was higher in rabbits receiving antibiotics only and was restored to the level of enzyme activity in intact animals . Combined administration of penicillin with vitamin B12 and morphocycline with vitamin B2 exerted no action on MAO activity inhibited by staphylococcal exotoxin.
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