Probl Vet Med, 1990 Jun, 2(2), 330 - 47 Anaerobic infections in small animals; Boothe DM; Successful antimicrobial therapy for anaerobic infections is often difficult because selection of the wrong antimicrobial drug, the presence of mixed infections, the effect of environmental conditions on antimicrobial activity, and the development of bacterial resistance contribute to therapeutic failure . Drugs that are used for the treatment of anaerobic infections include the beta-lactam antibiotics (ie, penicillins, the carbampenams, and the cephalosporins), chloramphenicol, clindamycin, metronidazole, and vancomycin . The clinical pharmacology and bacterial resistance patterns of each of these drugs determines which should be used in specific clinical situations . The penicillins remain the drug of choice for most anaerobic infections . Piperacillin, cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and metronidazole are the most effective antimicrobials for the treatment of resistant Bacteroides spp . Drugs that are effective against both aerobic and anaerobic organisms, and thus are indicated as sole drugs for the treatment of mixed infections, include piperacillin, imipenem, cefoxitin and in selected instances, chloramphenicol . Drugs that may need to be combined with antimicrobials effective against gram-negative aerobes are clindamycin, narrow spectrum penicillins, and metronidazole. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1990 Jun, 28(3), 180 - 4 The prevalence of beta-lactamase producing bacteria in subgingival plaque and their sensitivity to Augmentin; Legg JA et al.; Subgingival plaque samples from 20 patients with chronic periodontitis who had received no antibiotics for at least 3 months were screened for the presence of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria . Thirteen of the patients harboured beta-lactamase producing bacteria, most of which were members of the genus Bacteroides . The most frequently isolated species were Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Bacteroides capillosus which are often implicated in acute oral infections . All of the beta-lactamase-producing bacteroides strains were sensitive to a combination of amoxycillin with clavulanic acid (Augmentin). Osaka Daigaku Shigaku Zasshi, 1990 Jun, 35(1), 60 - 77 {Studies on the induction of the humoral immune responses to Bacteroides gingivalis fimbrial antigen in mice}; Shimauchi H; Serum and salivary antibody responses to Bacteroides gingivalis fimbriae administered either orally or subcutaneously (s.c.) with or without an adjuvant in various strains of mice were examined in this study . Following results were obtained . 1) Oral administration of B . gingivalis fimbriae with GM-53 as an adjuvant in liposomes, but not in Tris-HCl buffer, definitely enhanced the fimbriae-specific IgG responses, mainly IgG1 followed by IgG2b, IgG2a and IgG3 in serum and IgA response in saliva of BALB/c mice . On the other hand, s.c . injection of fimbriae with GM-53 or MDP-Lys (L18) also raised the fimbriae-specific IgG followed by IgA and IgM responses in serum, and both IgA and IgG responses in saliva of BALB/c mice . Oral immunization was less effective than s.c . injection in terms of the production of serum antibody in the mice . However, the level of salivary antibody of mice injected s.c . was similar to that of mice immunized orally . 2) High anti-fimbriae antibodies in serum were maintained in BALB/c mice immunized orally with fimbriae and GM-53 in liposomes for approximately 7 months after the primary immunizations . Oral administration also induced and held the fimbriae-specific IgA response in saliva for at least 6 months after the primary immunizations . The levels of fimbriae-specific IgA in saliva after the second boosters on days 123 and 124 were higher than those after the primary ones on days 27 and 28 . 3) Among various strains of mice immunized orally with fimbriae and GM-53 in liposomes, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice (H-2d) significantly produced high levels of both serum IgG and salivary IgA antibodies specific for fimbriae . Furthermore, B10.D2 mice (H-2d) were responders followed by B10.BR (H-2k), while C57BL/10 mice (B10, H-2b) were low responders to the fimbriae . These results show that the combined use of fimbriae together with an adjuvant results in a sharply increased IgA antibody response in saliva and a predominantly stimulated IgG antibody in serum, and it was suggested that these responses are restricted by H-2 haplotype. Aust Vet J, 1990 Jun, 67(6), 219 - 23 Antigenic stability of fimbriae of Bacteroides nodosus; Moore LJ et al.; Successful vaccination of sheep against footrot and attempts to eradicate the disease depend on there being a limit to the antigenic diversity of the causative bacterium, Bacteroides nodosus . Fimbrial antigenic variation was therefore investigated in vivo, both under conditions of chronic infection and under the pressure of a vaccine-induced immune response, to ascertain whether this represented an obstacle to such goals . Material was available from 5 experiments and although B . nodosus appeared to have undergone changes in its fimbrial antigens in one of these, the possibility that superinfection was responsible for the variation detected could not be ruled out because all sheep in this case were maintained at pasture . Overall, the results provided no evidence of fimbrial antigenic shift in B . nodosus in vivo and in conclusion, the survival of the organism in the sheep's foot, both in long-term natural infection and following vaccination, must therefore be related to factors other than the ability to undergo antigenic variation in order to evade the host's immune response. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1990 Jun, 5(3), 121 - 30 Comparative studies of the outer membranes of Bacteroides gingivalis, strains ATCC 33277, W50, W83, 381; Kennell W et al.; Outer membrane fractions from Bacteroides gingivalis strains ATCC 33277, 381, W50, and W83 were isolated by French pressure cell disruption and the distribution of major and minor proteins was determined by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis after treatment with 2% Sarkosyl and 2% Triton X-100 . Heat-modifiability of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) from these B . gingivalis strains was also determined after treatment at 100 degrees C and analysis by both 1- and 2-dimensional SDS-PAGE . The distribution of the OMPs on the surface of these B . gingivalis strains was determined by 125I labelling . For the most part of the OMPs of B . gingivalis presented a complex distribution, with OMPs observed between 123 kD and 13 kD . While the distribution of the OMPs was strain specific, OMPs common to all of the strains were observed . Two percent Sarkosyl treatment of the OMs at room temperature resulted in the solubilization of approximately 60% of the OMP . The Sarkosyl-insoluble MOMPs had relative molecular weights between 110 kD and 20 kD . Many of the OMPs which were separated at room temperature were heat-modified at either 65 degrees C or 100 degrees C . Heating of the OMs at 100 degrees C resulted in the heat modification of the majority of those OMPs observed at room temperature . Sarkosyl-100 degrees C OMs displayed MOMPs at apparent molecular weights between 90 kD and 15 kD . Radioiodination of the B . gingivalis strains ATCC 33277, 381, W83 and W50 revealed between 7 and 14 MOMPs at the cell surface depending upon the strain . The complexity of the OM of these B . gingivalis strains indicated the possibility of identifying and separating those OMPs involved in a variety of biological functions, including virulence, transport, and cell interaction. Minerva Stomatol, 1990 May, 39(5), 347 - 52 {The in vitro sensitivity of Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides intermedius to different classes of antibiotic chemical molecules}; Paolantonio M et al.; A study was carried out to assess the in vitro sensitivity of Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides intermedius to various classes of chemio-antibiotic molecules . The activities of two cephalosporins (cefuroxime and cefotaxime), which have never previously been used for periodontal therapy, were also evaluated . Results showed that the cephalosporins possessed an equal or greater inhibitory activity against the bacteria studied than traditional tetracyclines, and a greater inhibitory activity than other antibiotics studied (metronidazole, ampicillin, piperacillin) . Further studies are required to assess in vivo efficacy of cephalosporin therapy in severe periodontal diseases. Aust Vet J, 1990 May, 67(5), 157 - 9 An anamnestic serological test for ovine footrot; Whittington RJ et al.; Following recovery from ovine footrot, a proportion of sheep in a flock may carry the causative organism and spread it to other sheep if environmental conditions are favourable . Footrot affected sheep have elevated levels of serum antibody against Bacteroides nodosus, but these levels decline rapidly after clinical recovery . When challenged by subcutaneous injection with 470 micrograms of protein extracted from the cell membrane of B . nodosus, without adjuvant, sheep that had recovered clinically from virulent footrot produced a marked increase in specific serum antibody within 7 d, while antibody levels in footrot-free sheep injected with the same antigen, and in saline injected controls, did not increase over a period of 25 d . Artificial stimulation and serological detection of immune memory may be useful in footrot eradication programs by identifying sheep that have had clinical footrot infection . This procedure may be applicable to other diseases where antibody responses are inconsistent or transient. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 May, 25(5), 767 - 75 Comparative serum bactericidal activity of ceftizoxime/metronidazole, ceftizoxime, clindamycin, and imipenem against obligate anaerobic bacteria; Kowalsky SF et al.; We compared the bactericidal activity of serum obtained from healthy volunteers after single intravenous infusions of the combination of ceftizoxime (1 g) plus metronidazole (1 g) and after infusions of ceftizoxime (2 g), clindamycin (900 mg), and imipenem (1 g) against six obligate anaerobes . All agents were bactericidal but only the combination regimen resulted in bactericidal titres greater than 1:2 at 12 h for all the Bacteroides fragilis group organisms . High titres against Fusobacterium necrophorum and anaerobic Gram-positive cocci were attained with ceftizoxime/metronidazole, ceftizoxime, and imipenem 12 h after the dose . Imipenem and the combination of ceftizoxime/metronidazole had the greatest area under the bactericidal curve (AUBC) against the Bacteroides species . Clindamycin had a significantly smaller AUBC than other regimens for all strains tested except B . thetaiotaomicron . Clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy and cost-benefit ratio of a 12 h dosing regimen of ceftizoxime in combination with metronidazole for treating mixed aerobic/anaerobic infections. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1990 May, 38(5), 470 - 3 {Detection of beta-lactamases in the Bacteroides fragilis group}; Martin C et al.; One hundred and thirty three strains of Bacteroides fragilis group isolated from clinical specimen were tested for beta-lactamase activity against five beta-lactam antibiotics, ampicillin, cefaloridin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime and cefoxitin . The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of antibiotics was determined using the agar dilution method . Beta-lactamase production was detected by a microbiological method in 128 of the 133 (96%) strains . The detected beta-lactamases had a broad-spectrum activity, hydrolyzing both penicillins and cephalosporins (101 strains) . Some strains had a wide activity against beta-lactam antibiotics, including cefoxitin (7 strains); among these strains, 3 were found hydrolyzing imipenem. J Periodontol, 1990 May, 61(5), 261 - 8 Detection of Bacteroides gingivalis antigenic proteins by immunoblotting analysis; Laosrisin N et al.; Elevated serum IGG antibody levels against B . gingivalis have been found in patients with periodontitis . In this study, we determined the antigenic specificity of the serum antibodies directed towards antigens of B . gingivalis . The serum samples collected from 19 control subjects with clinically healthy gingiva, 26 adult periodontitis (AP), and 21 rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) patients were analyzed by using SDS-PAGE and Western blots . The sonicated cell extract of B . gingivalis 381 was solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate solution by heating at 100 degrees C for 5 minutes . After SDS-PAGE, the proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membrane, and then were probed with serum samples . The strong reaction observed at the apparent molecular weight of 44 kDa protein suggested that it might be an important component which was specific to the antibody of patients (P less than 0.01) . A clear difference in the antibody binding between the serum samples from AP and RPP was also recognized . The antibodies from AP frequently reacted with high molecular weight proteins (82, 57, and 44 kDa) while those from RPP frequently reacted with lower molecular weight proteins (44, 27, 25, and 18 kDa) . The results indicate that the antigenic components detected in B . gingivalis are in sufficient amounts and specificities to be immunogenic to the host, particularly in patients with periodontitis. ASDC J Dent Child, 1990 May-Jun, 57(3), 189 - 93 Assessing periodontal pathogens in children with varying levels of oral hygiene; Abraham J et al.; This study investigated the presence of organisms Actinobacillus actinomycetecomitans (A.a.), Bacteroides intermedius (B.i.), and Bacteroides gingivalis (B.g.), believed to be associated with periodontal disease etiology in children . The study included fifty children, aged six to fourteen years, selected from patients seeking routine dental care at Children's Hospital National Medical Center . A Modified Plaque Index (MPI) denoting the clinical presence and severity of the periodontal disease was obtained for each patient and ranged from 0-3 . A total of 200 samples were obtained from the gingival crevice of the mesial surface of all first permanent molars and tested with DNA probes for the presence of three microorganisms . No correlations were found between race, sex, age, and the Modified Plaque Index . The results show that A . actinomycetecomitans was found only in patients with MPI greater than or equal to 1 . B . gingivalis was present only in combination with another organism. Can J Microbiol, 1990 May, 36(5), 362 - 5 Aggregation of Actinomyces strains by extracellular vesicles produced by Bacteroides gingivalis; Bourgeau G et al.; The aggregation of Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii with extracellular vesicles of Bacteroides gingivalis was studied . Factors influencing the aggregation phenomenon were examined . L-Arginine was found to effectively inhibit aggregation as was an antibody preparation directed against a B . gingivalis surface hemagglutinin . Aggregation occurred over a wide pH range and did not seem to be affected by high salt concentrations or the presence of carbohydrates . Treatment of the vesicle preparation with proteases, sodium dodecyl sulphate, and high temperatures diminished or eliminated aggregation, while similar treatment of the Actinomyces had no effect on aggregation. Vet Microbiol, 1990 May, 22(4), 353 - 63 Measurement of protease thermostability, twitching motility and colony size of Bacteroides nodosus; Depiazzi LJ et al.; Total extracellular protease activity of Bacteroides nodosus in TAS liquid culture varied directly with cell mass and buffer concentration between 20 and 50 mM HEPES, MOPS and TES buffers, but not with Tris which gave anomalous high cell counts, nor with Na2Co3 which showed a decline of protease activity and cell mass . The stability of HEPES-buffered crude protease preparations were estimated on the basis of temperature or Ca2+ activity . Variation of the estimates for cellular twitching was greater than that for colony diameter in benign and virulent strains of B . nodosus . Surface translocation, quantified on the basis of colony diameter, reached a limit after 72 h incubation on modified TAS agar, ranging from 0.04 to 0.14 mm per h for six isolates tested. J Bacteriol, 1990 May, 172(5), 2594 - 600 Cloning and expression of the Bacteroides fragilis TAL2480 neuraminidase gene, nanH, in Escherichia coli; Russo TA et al.; We have cloned the Bacteroides fragilis TAL2480 neuraminidase (NANase) structural gene, nanH, in Escherichia coli . This was accomplished by using the cloning shuttle vector pJST61 and a partial Sau3A library of TAL2480 chromosomal inserts created in E . coli . The library was mobilized into the NANase-deficient B . fragilis TM4000 derivative TC2 . NANase-producing colonies were enriched by taking advantage of the inability of TC2, but not the wild-type of NANase+ revertant, to grow in vitro in fluid aspirated from the rat granuloma pouch . Plasmids pJST61-TCN1 and pJST61-TCN3, containing inserts of 9.1 and 4.5 kilobases (kb), respectively, were found in the TC2 derivatives that grew in the rat pouch medium . In B . fragilis, NANase production from the two plasmids was inducible by free N-acetylneuraminic acid or sialic acid-containing substrates, just as in the parental TAL2480 strain . However, when these plasmids were transferred back to E . coli, NANase activity was barely detectable . A 3.5-kb portion of the insert in pJST61-TCN3 was subcloned in pJST61 to give plasmid pJST61-SC3C; NANase was produced from this plasmid both in E . coli and in B . fragilis . In E . coli, NANase expression was under the control of the vector promoter lambda pR and was therefore completely abolished by the presence of a lambda prophage . In B . fragilis, NANase production was inducible by free N-acetylneuraminic acid or sialic acid-containing substrates . By using deletion analysis and Tn1000 mutagenesis, the NANase structural gene and control region that functions in B . fragilis were localized to a 1.5- to 2.0-kb region of the insert . A partial nucleotide sequence of the NANase-deficient Tn1000 insertion mutants allowed us to identify the nanH gene and deduce the amino acid sequence of a portion of the NANase protein . We identified five regions showing great similarity to the Asp boxes, -Ser-X-Asp-X-Gly-X-Thr-Trp-, of other bacterial and viral NANase proteins. J Bacteriol, 1990 May, 172(5), 2408 - 12 The genes for three xylan-degrading activities from Bacteroides ovatus are clustered in a 3.8-kilobase region; Whitehead TR et al.; Genes coding for three xylan-degrading activities, xylanase, xylosidase, and arabinosidase, were simultaneously cloned from the colonic anaerobic organism Bacteriodes ovatus . The genes for the three enzymes were located on a 3.8-kilobase EcoRI genomic insert and were cloned by using plasmid pUC18 . All three activities were expressed in Escherichia coli JM83, and all were cell associated . Expression of the xylanase gene was independent from expression of the xylosidase and arabinosidase genes, whereas expression of the latter two genes appeared to be coordinated . Restriction endonuclease analysis of the arabinosidase and xylosidase genes and partial purification of these enzyme activities from E . coli suggested that these activities were catalyzed by a bifunctional protein or two proteins of very similar molecular weight . All three enzyme activities were regulated in B . ovatus in response to the carbon source used for growth . This is the first report of the cloning and expression of B . ovatus genes. Bull Tokyo Dent Coll, 1990 May, 31(2), 125 - 8 Inhibitory effects of aqueous extract of cacao bean husk on collagenase of Bacteroides gingivalis; Osawa K et al.; Natural materials containing tannin were examined to determine whether they possessed any inhibitory activity against collagenase obtained from the culture supernatant of Bacteroides gingivalis . The collagenolytic activity was determined with Collagenokit CLN-100 (Collagen Technological Co., Tokyo) using FITC-conjugated collagen type 1 . Among the test samples, only an aqueous extract of cacao (Theobroma cacao) bean husk strongly inhibited the bacterial collagenase . This inhibitory potency was at the same level as that of tetracycline-HCl. J Gen Microbiol, 1990 May, 136 ( Pt 5), 941 - 8 Surface structures, haemagglutination and cell surface hydrophobicity of Bacteroides fragilis strains; Oyston PC et al.; Nineteen strains of Bacteroides fragilis were examined by negative staining for surface structures . One strain (ATCC 23745) possessed peritrichous fibrils, 16 strains carried peritrichous fimbriae and two strains carried no surface structures . The fimbriae had a diameter of 2.1 +/- 0.25 nm and appeared to be 'curly' . Only a small proportion (4 to 41%, depending on the strain) of cells in a population carried fimbriae or fibrils . Strain A312 Showed phase variation of fimbriae as expression of fimbriae was repressed at 20 degrees C and in early exponential phase at 37 degrees C . The fibrils on strain ATCC 23745 did not exhibit phase variation in response to changes in incubation temperature, growth phase or growth in two different media . Capsules were demonstrated by the Indian ink method on 18 of the 19 strains, varying in size from strain to strain and within the same population . Cultures often contained both capsulate and noncapsulate cells . All strains possessed an electron dense ruthenium red staining layer between 7.9 and 23.9 nm in width attached to the outer membrane . Cell surface hydrophobicity quantified by the hexadecane partition assay gave low values ranging from 6.6 to 52.1% . Only a few strains were able to haemagglutinate and these were only weakly active . There was no correlation between cell surface hydrophobicity, haemagglutinating activity and surface structures. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Apr, 68(4), 391 - 5 A rapid, semi-automated SDS-PAGE identification system for oral anaerobic bacteria; Slayne MA et al.; SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a useful technique in bacterial differentiation and identification . A rapid, semi-automated SDS-PAGE system (Phast System) was assessed for identification of formate-fumarate-requiring, asaccharolytic, Gram-negative oral anaerobes . The system permitted loading, separation and staining of gels within 2 h . Percentage similarities between strains were determined using correlation coefficients and cluster analysis . The protein profiles were sufficiently reproducible provided that distorted profiles were disregarded . Strains were successfully separated into their species, with the exception of Bacteroides ureolyticus NCTC 10939, which appeared to be distinct from other strains of that species . Twenty-nine unidentified formate-fumarate-requiring, sub-gingival plaque strains were suitably clustered with the standard strains as verified by a series of physiological and biochemical tests. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Apr, 34(4), 671 - 3 Susceptibilities of species of the Bacteroides fragilis group to 10 antimicrobial agents; Betriu C et al.; A total of 94 clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group was tested for susceptibility to metronidazole, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, cefoxitin, cefotetan, cefmetazole, moxalactam, mezlocillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and imipenem . All the strains tested were susceptible to imipenem, metronidazole, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and chloramphenicol . The rate of resistance to clindamycin was 21% . The results of this study demonstrate a difference in resistance rates from one species of the B . fragilis group to another. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Apr, 34(4), 657 - 9 Susceptibilities of Bacteroides and Fusobacterium spp . from foot rot in goats to 10 beta-lactam antibiotics; Piriz Duran S et al.; The agar dilution method was used to determine the bacteriostatic activities of 10 beta-lactam antibiotics against 132 strains belonging to the genus Bacteroides and 25 strains belonging to the genus Fusobacterium, all isolated from clinical cases of caprine foot rot . The three ureidopenicillins studied proved to be the most effective antimicrobial agents. J Anim Sci, 1990 Apr, 68(4), 1103 - 9 Effects of the ionophore tetronasin on nitrogen metabolism by ruminal microorganisms in vitro; Newbold CJ et al.; The effects of tetronasin on ruminal protein metabolism were investigated in vitro using ruminal fluid from cattle receiving tetronasin in the diet, ovine ruminal fluid from animals not receiving tetronasin and pure cultures of proteolytic ruminal bacteria . Ruminal fluid from cattle receiving tetronasin in a predominantly barley diet had lower proteolytic (76% of control, P less than .10) and deaminative (58% of control, P less than .05) activities than controls after 42 d . The effect of deamination disappeared after 84 d, although the proteolytic activity remained lower (P less than .10) than that of controls . When tetronasin was added in vitro to ruminal fluid from sheep not receiving the ionophore, proteolytic activity (14C-labeled casein hydrolysis) was unaffected, but the rate of ammonia production from amino acids was decreased by 87% (P less than .01) . Oligopeptide breakdown was inhibited to a lesser extent (21%, P less than .05) . Dipeptidase activity (dialanine hydrolysis) was not affected . The addition of tetronasin to cultures of the ruminal bacteria Ruminobacter amylophilus and Bacteroides ruminicola had no influence on their protease, deaminase or dipeptidase activities . However, when the bacteria were adapted to grow in the presence of tetronasin, deamination of amino acids was severely inhibited (87 to 100%, P less than .01), even when tetronasin was absent from the incubation mixture . Tetronasin had no effect on the proteolytic activity of adapted cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Med Microbiol, 1990 Apr, 31(4), 271 - 4 The incidence of anaerobes in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis; Jewes LA et al.; The number of anaerobes in selected sputum samples from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) was investigated . When cultured by a semi-quantitative method, 26 (23.85%) of 109 sputum specimens from 21 CF patients contained greater than 10(5) cfu of anaerobic organisms/ml . Nine (42.7%) of the 21 patients produced sputum containing such concentrations of anaerobes on at least one occasion . Anaerobes were isolated from repeated sputum specimens from five patients . The anaerobes most often isolated were Bacteroides disiens, pigmented Bacteroides spp . and anaerobic gram-positive cocci . Anaerobes were isolated more often from sputum liquefied by sonication than from unliquefied sputum, suggesting that they were unlikely to be oropharyngeal contaminants. Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1990 Apr, 40(2), 205 - 8 Prevotella, a new genus to include Bacteroides melaninogenicus and related species formerly classified in the genus Bacteroides; Shah HN et al.; It was recently proposed that the genus Bacteroides should be restricted to Bacteroides fragilis (the type species) and closely related organisms (viz., B . caccae, B . distasonis, B . eggerthii, B . merdae, B . ovatus, B . stercoris, B . thetaiotaomicron, B . uniformis, and B . vulgatus) . By contrast, the moderately saccharolytic, predominantly oral Bacteroides species, which include B . melaninogenicus, B . oralis, and related species, form a phenotypically and phylogenetically coherent group of species which differ so significantly from the emended description of the genus Bacteroides that they should not be classified in the same genus . Therefore, we formally propose that these species be reclassified in a new genus, Prevotella . The type species is Prevotella melaninogenica. J Med Microbiol, 1990 Apr, 31(4), 275 - 83 A longitudinal study of the cultivable subgingival anaerobic bacteria isolated from sheep during the development of broken mouth periodontitis; McCourtie J et al.; In a longitudinal bacteriological study of the cultivable subgingival anaerobic flora isolated from developing broken mouth periodontitis in sheep, samples were taken from five sheep on each of three farms on seven occasions over a period of 2.5 years . Ten different bacterial genera were isolated regularly but with fluctuating frequencies . Bacteroides and Fusobacterium organisms accounted for nearly 70% of the isolates . The Bacteroides and Fusobacterium isolates studied in detail from one farm were identified to species level . The fusobacteria comprised F . nucleatum-like organisms (68.6%) . F . necrophorum (29.6%) and F . naviforme (1.8%) . The Bacteroides spp . were divided into 11 main groups and included black-pigmented species similar to B . asaccharolyticus and B . gingivalis . On the farm studied in detail, the sheep could be allocated to two groups according to progression of periodontal disease . Most of the B . gingivalis-like isolates were from sheep with actively progressing disease, indicating that this organism may play a role in periodontal destruction in sheep. J Bacteriol, 1990 Apr, 172(4), 1694 - 702 A cryptic 65-kilobase-pair transposonlike element isolated from Bacteroides uniformis has homology with Bacteroides conjugal tetracycline resistance elements; Shoemaker NB et al.; A 65-kilobase-pair element, XBU4422, which has some transposonlike characteristics but carries no known antibiotic resistance genes, has been isolated from Bacteroides uniformis 0061 . XBU4422 was trapped on Bacteroides-Escherichia coli shuttle vectors during experiments in which one of the conjugal Bacteroides tetracycline resistance (Tcr) elements was being used to mobilize the shuttle vectors to Bacteroides recipients . Results of Southern hybridization experiments showed that XBU4422 is normally integrated in the B . uniformis 0061 chromosome and is found only in some strains . Insertion of XBU4422 in the shuttle vectors was site specific and orientation specific . Nonmobilizable vectors that had acquired XBU4422 became transmissible and could be transferred to Bacteroides or E . coli recipients . In B . uniformis transconjugants, the XBU4422 insertion in the vectors was usually intact, but XBU4422 was always lost in matings with E . coli, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, or B . ovatus . The loss of XBU4422 did not visibly alter the vector; in the case of E . coli, the loss of the insertion appeared to be RecA dependent . Although XBU4422 carried no antibiotic resistances, it shared regions of homology with six conjugal Bacteroides Tcr elements; this homology was strongest with the ends of XBU4422 . Using a strain of B . thetaiotaomicron that contains no XBU4422-hybridizing sequences, we showed that the ends of XBU4422 were probably reacting with the ends of the Tcr elements . These results provide the first direct evidence that the Tcr elements, like XBU4422, are integrated in the chromosome and that insertion of the least some Tcr elements, such as TcrEmr DOT, is relatively site specific. Indian J Dent Res, 1990 Apr-Sep, 2(2-3), 158 - 65 Serological investigation of refractory human adult periodontitis; Pruthi VK et al.; This study examined the difference between the serum antibody profiles in refractory adult periodontitis patients (group A), and compared to those (group B) who responded well to conventional periodontal treatment . The levels of specific IgG antibody to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides gingivalis, Fusibacteriumnucleatum, and Eikenella corrodens were assessed in a group of 19 patients (group A) and 11 patients (group B) . Specific IgG serum antibody levels were estimated using biotin-avidin linked immunosorbent assay (BALISA) . Results indicated that Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Bacteroides gingivalis had very high levels of specific circulating antibody in the sera of both groups of patients; whereas, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Eikenella corrodens showed considerable lower levels of antibody than the other two antigens . However, the differences between the two groups with regard to the antibody levels against different bacterial antigens were not statistically significant. J Periodontol, 1990 Apr, 61(4), 217 - 23 Stimulation of lymphocytes in vitro by Bacteroides intermedius and Bacteroides (Porphyromonas) gingivalis sonicates; Raber-Durlacher JE et al.; The present study was designed to assess whether the in vitro stimulation of lymphocytes by sonicates of Bacteroides intermedius and Bacteroides (Porphyromonas) gingivalis is antigen specific or non-specific . In addition, the role of T and B lymphocytes in these responses was assessed . Peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from healthy volunteers were cultured in the presence of these bacterial preparations and the proliferative response was measured . In similar experiments the response of umbilical cord blood lymphocytes did not exceed background values . In limiting dilution experiments only 1:4000, 1:6800, and 1:8200 of the lymphocytes initially reacted to B . intermedius, which strongly argues for the antigen-specificity of the response . Purified T cells, in the presence of monocytes, proliferated when stimulated with B . intermedius and B . gingivalis . As for B cell stimulation, the bacterial extracts were capable of inducing IgM production, which appeared to be T cell dependent . These findings support the notion that B . intermedius and B . gingivalis induce specific T cell activation; secondarily, a T cell dependent, polyclonal B cell activation may occur. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1990 Mar 15, 196(6), 941 - 3 Anaerobic bacterial pneumonia with septicemia in two racehorses; Carlson GP et al.; Anaerobic bacterial pneumonia with septicemia was diagnosed in 2 Thoroughbred racehorses referred with respiratory tract disease that had failed to respond to initial treatment with various antibiotics including penicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole . Multiple anaerobic organisms, including Bacteroides spp and Fusobacterium spp, were isolated from blood and transtracheal aspirates obtained from both horses and from aspirates of cutaneous nodules obtained from 1 horse . The latter horse responded to metronidazole treatment followed by procaine penicillin G administration and regained its health over the following 6 months . The other horse did not respond as favorably to a similar antibiotic regimen and died following an acute episode of pulmonary hemorrhage after remaining intermittently febrile for 7 weeks . Although in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests indicated that all anaerobic organisms isolated from both horses were susceptible to penicillin, the infection in these horses responded poorly to initial treatments with this drug . We speculated that adequate penicillin concentration was not attained in the deep foci of infection in the lungs . Animals with anaerobic bacterial infections that fail to respond to penicillin or from which penicillin-resistant anaerobes are isolated may benefit from treatment with metronidazole. Aust Vet J, 1990 Mar, 67(3), 98 - 101 Serum antibody responses in sheep after natural infection with Bacteroides nodosus; Whittington RJ et al.; Soluble outer membrane protein of Bacteroides nodosus extracted with potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) was employed as antigen in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect serum antibody in sheep naturally infected with a heterologous serogroup . Serum antibody responses in 55 sheep were monitored for 2 years and maximum levels were directly related to the severity of clinical foot lesions . Serum antibody levels rose 2 weeks after foot lesions developed and declined within several months of resolution of lesions . After the first footrot transmission period, antibody levels persisted significantly (P less than 0.001) longer in sheep that did not become affected in the next transmission period compared with sheep in which footrot recurred . Antibody response did not appear to result in resolution of foot lesions . ELISA using KSCN antigen gave similar results to whole cell ELISA where cells prepared from an homologous serogroup were used as antigen . Both these assays were more sensitive than ELISA in which heterologous whole cell antigen was used . Proteins extracted from the outer membrane of B . nodosus, which are known to be immunogenic in natural infection and common to different serogroups of B . nodosus, appear to be useful antigens for serological investigations of ovine footrot. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Mar, 34(3), 479 - 80 Comparative activities of newer beta-lactam agents against members of the Bacteroides fragilis group; Cuchural GJ Jr et al.; A nationwide susceptibility survey of 557 isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group was continued in 1986 . The most active beta-lactam drugs were imipenem and ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, which had 0.2 and 1.7% resistance, respectively . The rank order of activity of beta-lactam drugs was imipenem, ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, piperacillin, moxalactam, ceftizoxime, cefotetan, cefotaxime, cefoperazone, and ceftazadime. J Dent Res, 1990 Mar, 69(3), 877 - 82 Serum antibody response to antigens of oral gram-negative bacteria by cats with plasma cell gingivitis-pharyngitis; Sims TJ et al.; The etiology of a form of periodontal disease in domestic cats known as plasma cell gingivitis-pharyngitis is not understood . Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides species have been strongly implicated as the cause of periodontitis in humans and other mammalian species, and most affected patients manifest serum antibodies reactive with the infecting bacteria . We and others have isolated Bacteroides species from the oral flora of cats . Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot procedures, we measured serum antibodies in affected and control cats reactive with human isolates of A . actinomycetemcomitans, B . gingivalis, and B . intermedius, and purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from these and other species, and Bacteroides of cat origin . Affected cats had serum antibody titers reactive with these Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that were significantly elevated relative to those of normal control cats . The quantitatively major antigens recognized by cat serum antibodies are proteins; this contrasts sharply with serum antibodies from humans with juvenile periodontitis, where LPS is the quantitatively major antigen fraction . Our data support the idea that plasma cell gingivitis-pharyngitis in cats may have a bacterial etiology, and that Gram-negative anaerobes similar to those that cause periodontitis in humans and other mammals may be involved. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Mar, 28(3), 405 - 8 Protein banding patterns of the outer membrane-enriched fraction of Bacteroides bivius; Dinsmoor MJ et al.; Bacteroides bivius is a common anaerobe in female genital infections . Although protein banding patterns of outer membrane (OM) preparations of Bacteroides fragilis are well described and are homologous within the species, similar work has not been done with B . bivius . Our aims were to (i) characterize the OM banding patterns of B . bivius and compare them with those of other Bacteroides species and (ii) test clinical isolates of B . bivius against anti-B . bivius and anti-B . fragilis sera to identify different serogroups that might also exhibit different OM banding patterns . OM-enriched fractions of 27 clinical strains of B . bivius, 6 Bacteroides disiens strains, 10 B . fragilis strains, and 12 other Bacteroides strains were prepared, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed . Antisera to B . bivius ATCC 29303 and B . fragilis ATCC 25285 were raised in rabbits and tested against Bacteroides strains in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . All 27 B . bivius strains contained protein bands at 32, 27, 25, and 23 kilodaltons . This pattern was present in only 2 of 28 other strains; both of these were B . disiens . All B . bivius strains were reactive with the anti-B . bivius serum, while only 6 of 39 other strains (2 of 6 B . disiens) were reactive . Non-B . fragilis Bacteroides strains did not react with the anti-B . fragilis serum . Although there was marked homogeneity in the OM banding patterns of B . bivius, some B . disiens strains exhibited similar OM banding patterns . There appears to be some antigenic cross-reactivity between strains of B . bivius and B . disiens and very little with other Bacteroides species . These results may ultimately allow the development of rapid diagnostic tests for the B . bivius-B . disiens group.t J Reprod Med, 1990 Mar, 35(3 Suppl), 313 - 6 In vitro anaerobic data on ticarcillin/clavulanate . A review of an ongoing survey; Sanders CV Jr et al.; Although a number of new antimicrobial agents described as "broad spectrum" have been introduced during the past several years, it should be recognized that each of them has its own unique spectrum of activity, strengths and weaknesses that define its appropriate clinical use . This report reviews the comparative susceptibility data on 495 bacterial isolates obtained from obstetric and gynecologic patients and on 522 Bacteroides fragilis group isolates . Susceptibility testing was conducted with broth microdilution using twofold dilutions of antimicrobials . The overall minimal inhibitory concentrations-90 (MIC90) for the 495 isolates were very low, and few resistant isolates were found . The MIC90 for cefotetan was 16 times greater than that for ticarcillin/clavulanate and ampicillin/sulbactam . Cephalosporins showed good activity against anaerobic cocci but variable activity against anaerobic gram-negative rods . A relatively high percentage of B fragilis group isolates were also resistant to clindamycin . The addition of 2 mg/mL of clavulanate to ticarcillin caused a 4- to 32-fold decrease in the MIC90 for various Bacteroides species . Less than 2% of the strains tested were resistant to clavulanate plus ticarcillin or amoxicillin . These results suggest that monotherapy with such agents could replace combination antibiotic therapy for mixed obstetric and gynecologic infections. J Infect, 1990 Mar, 20(2), 129 - 33 Metronidazole resistant Bacteroides fragilis infection of a prosthetic hip joint; Hickey MM et al.; A case of infection involving a prosthetic joint in a patient with adult Still's Disease is described . The causative organism was a strain of Bacteroides fragilis which was resistant to metronidazole . The rarity of this occurrence is emphasised . Diagnostic difficulties which arose are described and the problems encountered with therapy discussed. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1990 Mar, 162(3), 819 - 25 Production of prostaglandin E2 by human amnion in vitro in response to addition of media conditioned by microorganisms associated with chorioamnionitis and preterm labor; Lamont RF et al.; To examine the potential role of bacterial infection in the cause of spontaneous preterm labor, human amnion cells in tissue culture were exposed to medium conditioned by culturing each of 21 microorganisms previously found in association with chorioamnionitis and preterm labor . At a final concentration of 0.1% bacterial conditioned medium, a significant stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production from amnion cells was observed for this range of microorganisms . Conditioned medium obtained from culturing Bacteroides fragilis caused a dose-related increase in prostaglandin production, final concentrations of 0.02% to 0.1% being stimulatory but greater concentrations (0.1% to 10%) causing a progressive inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis . A similar concentration-related response in which stimulation was followed by inhibition occurred on addition of increasing concentrations of phospholipase A2 to amnion cells . These data suggest that bacterial phospholipase may release arachidonic acid from amnion leading to prostaglandin E2 synthesis, but excessive addition of phospholipase and consequent increased arachidonic acid availability may give rise to substrate inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzyme and inhibit prostaglandin E2 synthesis . Overall it appears that a wide variety of microorganisms associated with preterm labor may secrete phospholipase, which liberates amnion arachidonic acid for conversion to the oxytocic agent prostaglandin E2. J Bacteriol, 1990 Mar, 172(3), 1457 - 63 Characterization of superoxide dismutases purified from either anaerobically maintained or aerated Bacteroides gingivalis; Amano A et al.; Superoxide dismutases (SODs) were purified from extracts of either anaerobically maintained or aerated Bacteroides gingivalis . Each purified enzyme (molecular weight, 46,000) was a dimer composed of two subunits of equal sizes . SOD from anaerobically maintained cells (anaero-SOD) contained 1.79 g-atom of Fe and 0.28 g-atom of Mn, and SOD from aerated cells (aero-SOD) contained 1.08 g-atom of Mn and 0.36 g-atom of Fe . Spectral analysis showed that anaero-SOD had the characteristic of Fe-SOD and that aero-SOD had that of Mn-SOD . Both enzyme preparations contained three isozymes with identical isoelectric points . On the basis of inactivation of SOD by H2O2, it was found that aero-SOD consisted of one Mn-SOD and a small quantity of two Fe-SODs, whereas anaero-SOD contained only Fe-SOD . However, each apoprotein from anaero-SOD and aero-SOD, prepared by dialysis in guanidinium chloride plus 8-hydroxyquinoline, showed only one protein band each with the same isoelectric point on an isoelectric focusing gel . Subsequent dialysis of both apoenzymes with either MnCl2 or Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2 restored the activity . These reconstituted SODs showed only one protein band with SOD activity on native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Furthermore, the two enzymes had similar amino acid compositions, and their amino-terminal sequences were identical through the first 12 amino acids . These results suggest that the three isozymes of anaero-SOD and aero-SOD in B . gingivalis are formed from a single apoprotein. Plasmid, 1990 Mar, 23(2), 155 - 8 Cloning of Bacteroides fragilis plasmid genes affecting metronidazole resistance and ultraviolet survival in Escherichia coli; Wehnert GU et al.; Since reduced metronidazole causes DNA damage, resistance to metronidazole was used as a selection method for the cloning of Bacteroides fragilis genes affecting DNA repair mechanisms in Escherichia coli . Genes from B . fragilis Bf-2 were cloned on a recombinant plasmid pMT100 which made E . coli AB1157 and uvrA, B, and C mutant strains more resistant to metronidazole, but more sensitive to far uv irradiation under aerobic conditions . The loci affecting metronidazole resistance and uv sensitivity were linked and located on a 5-kb DNA fragment which originated from the small 6-kb cryptic plasmid pBFC1 present in B . fragilis Bf-2 cells. J Periodontol, 1990 Mar, 61(3), 189 - 96 Multi-center clinical evaluation of a chairside method for detecting certain periodontopathic bacteria in periodontal disease; Loesche WJ et al.; The association of bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides forsythus, Treponema denticola, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans among others with periodontal disease offers the opportunity for the development of diagnostic tests that are based upon the detection and/or quantification of one or more of these organisms or their by-products in the plaque . Three of the putative periodontal pathogens namely, T . denticola, B . gingivalis, and B . forsythus, can hydrolyze the synthetic trypsin substrate, N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide (BANA) forming a color reaction . The present investigation evaluated a commercially developed solid state assay for BANA hydrolysis that can be read after 15 minutes incubation at chairside . A total of 702 subgingival plaque samples were collected from 117 patients seen at four university dental clinics and placed on reagent cards . The color development on the cards was compared to the presence of T . denticola and B . gingivalis in the plaque, and with the clinical appearance of the sampled sites . This multi-center study demonstrated that antibodies to B . gingivalis and T . denticola could detect these organisms by an ELISA in the majority of the subgingival plaque samples . Comparable information could be obtained when the same plaques were evaluated by the reagent card format for BANA hydrolysis . The ELISA and reagent card were comparable in their ability to distinguish between clinically healthy and diseased sites . Both diagnostic procedures detected the periodontopathogens in plaques from sites that were judged clinically healthy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1990 Mar, 45(3), 163 - 8 {Comparative studies on progressive and superficial marginal periodontitis}; Topoll HH; It was the objective of the present study to investigate the local inflammatory and immune response in patients with superficial (SMP) and progressive marginal periodontitis (PMP) . In a preliminary study the distribution of macrophage subpopulations was analysed during experimental gingivitis using monoclonal antibodies . A significant increase in the number of inflammatory macrophages was observed during acute gingivitis . In the second part of the study, the distribution of the macrophage subpopulations, T-helper and -suppressor cells, B-lymphocytes and plasma cells as well as the total anaerobic microflora were determined during periodontal therapy . Before periodontal surgery PMP-patients demonstrated significantly more inflammatory macrophages and plasma cells and a significantly higher prevalence of Bacteroides gingivalis, Peptococcus species and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans . The different local immune responses in PMP-patients might be caused by a distinct subgingival microflora, since no differences were observed in the number of the immunocompetent cells and the subgingival flora after successful periodontal treatment. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 261 - 74 {Microbiological study in clinically characterized rapidly progressive periodontal disease}; Masunaga H et al.; Samples of subgingival bacteria were collected from two sites of offanteriors with greater than or equal to 6 mm deep pockets in each ten patients in a clinically characterized rapidly progressive periodontal disease . The purpose of this investigation was to study the predominant cultivable microflora at pre- and post-periodontal treatment stages, in order to monitor the clinical effects of periodontal treatment and possibly to determine the presence or absence of active disease . "Non effective site" was defined as little elimination of periodontal pocket . Some patients responded remarkably well to root curettage . However the subgingival flora of effective sites, which had been successfully treated and maintained over a period of three weeks, was still significantly different from the subgingival floras of people with healthy gingiva . The predominant cultivable microflora of diseased lesions at the pre-treatment stage, in which a similar proportion of microbiota were detected on both sites in each patient, were significantly increased proportions of Bacteroides sp., B . intermedius and B . gingivalis . Although B . gingivalis has been implicated as the etiologic agent of the disease, to which marked antibody response has been found in periodontal pockets, there were decreased proportions of B . intermedius and B . gingivalis after treatment, compared to pre-treatment stage . The results showed that non-effective lesions were associated with subgingival microflora which were populated by higher proportions of B . intermedius and E . corrodens . H . actinomycetemcomitans were detectable during the experimental periods in all sites . It was possible to indicate progressing periodontitis by examining these microflora at the pre-treatment stage . However active or progressing disease in young adults might represent not only an overgrowth of existing organisms but also an abnormality in host resistance. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 249 - 60 {A rapid diagnosis for periodontitis based on the enzymatic activity of periodontopathic bacteria . The application of the SK-013 to the judgement on the effect of initial preparation}; Kobayashi T et al.; The purpose of the present study was to examine the diagnostic value of the SK-013 (Sunstar, Osaka) in evaluating the effect of initial preparation . The SK-013 is a highly sensitive reagent to measure peptidase activity specifically produced by Bacteroides gingivalis . Bacteroides forsythus, and Treponema denticola . Thirty-six sites in 16 periodontitis patients were monitored in this study . The clinical status of each site was assessed using the clinical indices such as gingival index (GI), plaque index (PII), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) . The composition of subgingival microflora in samples was determined using phase contrast microscopy . Clinical, microbiological, and enzymatic examinations were made at five separate appointments, as follows: (1) at baseline prior to plaque control instruction; (2) 4 weeks following plaque control instruction; and (3) 2, 4, 8 weeks following scaling and root planing of periodontal sites . The results of these examinations were compared statistically . The correlation was positive between the total counts of bacteria including spirochetes and motile rods and the enzymatic activity identified using the SK-013 . Also the enzymatic profile was highly correlated with microbiological findings other than clinical indices . These results show that the SK-013 is a clinically useful diagnostic method for assessing the effect of initial periodontal therapy. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 241 - 8 {A rapid diagnosis for periodontitis based on enzymatic activity of periodontopathic bacteria . Correlation between enzymatic activity, clinical periodontal parameters, and subgingival level of microorganisms}; Ohtake T et al.; There have been various laboratory methods for the microbiological diagnosis of periodontal disease . However, there have been some disadvantages in these methods . In this study of the application of a chair-side test for microbiological diagnosis, the activity of peptidases in periodontal pockets of patients was examined by using the assay system SK-013 . SK-013 consists of synthetic substrates and is capable of rapidly (in 15 min) evaluating the activity of specific peptidase from Treponema denticola and Bacteroides species . Using SK-013, we evaluate the correlation between the enzymatic activity, clinical periodontal parameters and subgingival level of microorganisms, including phase contrast microscopy . We calculated the sensitivity and efficacy of SK-013 as a diagnostic indicator in the presence of Spirochetes and in periodontitis . A positive correlation were demonstrated between enzymatic activity, clinical periodontal parameters, the numbers of total cell count, Spirochetes, and M & S ratio . SK-013 was highly sensitive and efficacious (sensitivity: 92%, efficacy: 96%) . We concluded that the assay system SK-013 is a useful chair-side method for diagnosing periodontal disease. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 233 - 40 {A rapid diagnosis (SK-013) for periodontitis based on the enzymatic activity of periodontopathic bacteria . The relationship between the enzymatic activity (SK-013) and B . gingivalis, B . forsythus, T . denticola in subgingival microflora}; Seida K et al.; SK-013 was developed for rapid detection of the peptidase activity in subgingival plaque samples . The purpose of this study was to determine whether SK-013 could be a marker for the presence of periodontopathic bacteria including Treponema denticola, Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus which produce trypsin-like enzyme . Subgingival plaque samples were taken with 3 paper points from 10 clinically healthy sites and 30 periodontal diseased sites . The SK-013 activity of plaque sample was assayed and the cells of T . denticola, B . gingivalis and B . forsythus in the sample were counted by immunofluorescence technique . In diseased sites, both the SK-013 activity and the cell counts of these organisms were significantly higher than those in healthy sites . The proportions and cell counts of these organisms and the SK-013 activity were closely correlated with clinical parameters including Gingival Index, Plaque Index, and Probing depth . The correlation between the presence of these organisms and the SK-013 activity was significant . Correlation coefficients between the presence of T . denticola and the SK-013 activity were higher than those of others. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 224 - 32 {A rapid diagnosis (SK-013) for periodontitis based on the enzymatic activity of periodontopathic bacteria . Study on the characterization of the SK-013 and the enzyme specificity}; Ishihara K et al.; We present studies for development of an enzymatic diagnostic method for periodontitis . A rapid and sensitive diagnostic method named SK-013 was provided by Sunstar Inc . to evaluate the peptidase activities specifically derived from periodontopathic bacteria such as Bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides forsythus and Treponema denticola and some strains of Capnocytophaga species . The results obtained indicated the specificity of the enzymatic reaction in this system. J Dent Assoc Thai, 1990 Mar-Apr, 40(2), 83 - 91 {Antimicrobial approaches to periodontal therapy}; Vitaya CT; The relationship between the periodontal microbiota and the threshold for periodontal disease is dependent on the specific bacterial composition of the plaque and the resistance of the host . Supragingival plaque is the cause of gingivitis and plays a primary role in the initiation of periodontitis . The 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash (twice a day) is safe and most effective antiplaque and anti-gingivitis agent . The use of adjunctive tetracycline for 2 week periods (1 gm daily) with root debridement is highly effective against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and many of suspected virulence microorganisms, the major etiological agents of juvenile periodontitis . For rapidly progressive periodontitis and refractory adult periodontitis, metronidazole for 1-2 week periods (600 mg.daily) has excellent activity against strictly anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides gingivalis, Spirochetes and others . Clinical use of antimicrobial agent in adjuvant with scaling, root planing, and personal oral hygiene instruction cause a significant improvement of the periodontium. Vet Microbiol, 1990 Mar, 22(1), 53 - 68 Identification and genetic mapping of proteins encoded in the fimbrial subunit gene region of Bacteroides nodosus; Billington SJ et al.; The fimbriae produced by the anaerobic bacterium Bacteroides nodosus are important in the pathogenesis of ovine foot rot . Studies on other microorganisms have shown that the genes coding for the production and assembly of fimbriae are often clustered . By the use of maxicells, transposon mutagenesis and expression vectors, we have identified several genes which are located in the fimbrial subunit gene region . Antiserum was prepared against one of the proteins (88 kDa) which we were able to overproduce in Escherichia coli . In Western blots, these antibodies reacted with an 88 kDa protein located in the B . nodosus cell membrane . However, they did not react with the putative basal protein which is found in fimbrial preparations . We concluded that in B . nodosus the genes involved in fimbrial assembly are not all localised to one small region of the genome . In addition, our studies showed that although the fimbrial subunits are not assembled into intact fimbriae, an N-terminal sequence is processed in E . coli. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 199 - 205 {Distribution of enzymatically pathogenic bacteria from periodontal pocket in advancing periodontitis}; Inoue J et al.; Production of 9 enzymatic activities of 527 strains freshly isolated from periodontal pockets in advancing periodontitis were investigated . Of these isolates, two strains showed lecithinase activity on egg yolk agar plate . Collagenase, plasmin and lipase were produced by 28 strains, 26 strains and 22 strains, respectively . Two lecithinase-producing strains were identified as Bacteroides intermedius . Nineteen strains of B . intermedius and 1 strain of Fusobacterium species produced lipase on egg yolk agar plate . All of the 28 collagenase-producing strains were B . gingivalis . B . gingivalis (20 strains) and non black-pigmented Bacteroides (6 strains) showed plasmin activity . These results indicate that Bacteroides species, mainly B . gingivalis and B . intermedius may exert an important influence on the exacerbation of the disease. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1990 Mar, 32(1), 111 - 20 {A study of lipopolysaccharide derived from Bacteroides gingivalis}; Tanaka M; It has been supposed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the gram negative bacteria of subgingival plaque is one of the important etiologic factors in periodontal disease . The purpose of this study was to detect specifically the LPS from Bacteroides gingivalis (Bg) and to determine the effects of gram-positive bacteria on LPS in culture supernatant of Bg . Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for specific detection of LPS from Bg . LPS of Bg could be measured in concentrations as low as 4 micrograms/ml . LPS of Bg was not detected in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontal disease patients . There were no significant differences in the concentration of LPS between the culture supernatant of Bg and co-cultivation of Bg and gram-positive bacteria . In this study, gram-positive bacteria had no effects on release and degradation of LPS in the culture supernatant of Bg. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1990 Feb 14, 166(3), 1146 - 54 Iron-regulated outer membrane proteins in the periodontopathic bacterium, Bacteroides gingivalis; Bramanti TE et al.; Hemin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the oral pathogen, Bacteroides gingivalis . In order to elucidate the role of hemin (iron) in the growth and expression of outer membrane proteins, B . gingivalis strain W50 was grown with and without hemin to induce iron-limitation . Cells grew slower under iron stress and growth was completely inhibited in the absence of added hemin . The outer membrane protein profiles of B . gingivalis grown under iron-replete and iron-restricted conditions were studied by extrinsic radiolabelling with {125I} and polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis . The induction of 10 surface proteins, with apparent molecular weights of 26, 29, 50, 56, 58, 60, 62, 71, 77, and 80 Kd, was observed in B . gingivalis grown under iron-restricted conditions . These proteins were repressed under iron-replete conditions . We postulate the involvement of the iron-regulated proteins in hemin uptake and virulence in B . gingivalis. J Clin Periodontol, 1990 Feb, 17(2), 73 - 7 Reproducibility of microbiological samples from periodontal pockets; Dahlen G et al.; Duplicate microbiological samples, were taken 1 week apart using the paper point technique from a total of 112 untreated periodontal pockets greater than 6 mm deep in 16 adult periodontal patients . Duplicate samples were also obtained from these sites 6 months following a therapy of oral hygiene instruction and supra- and subgingival debridement . The reproducibility of the total viable counts and the reproducibility of the proportions of various groups or species of microorganisms were studied from these duplicate samples . The results demonstrated an acceptable degree of reproducibility for the recovery of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides gingivalis . For the total viable counts and for the other investigated bacterial groups, including Bacteroides intermedius, unacceptable levels of reproducibility were observed. J Chemother, 1990 Feb, 2(1), 11 - 6 Kinetics of antimicrobial activity of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and metronidazole against beta-lactamase-producing Bacteroides fragilis group; Garcia-Rodriguez JA et al.; Bacteroides fragilis group are the most common anaerobic bacteria isolated in clinical specimens . The use of a beta-lactam with a beta-lactamase inhibitor should result in a marked increase in the group's sensitivity to the beta-lactams . Since the activity (MIC) shown by the amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination against Bacteroides fragilis group is good, other parameters of in vitro activity have been studied . This study was also done with metronidazole . The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined in 26 strains of Bacteroides fragilis group (14 B . fragilis; 5 B . thetaiotaomicron; 4 B . vulgatus; 3 B . distasonis) . Likewise, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the killing curve, the sub-MIC and post-antibiotic effect were determined . The MIC ranged between 0.5 and 32 mg/l . The MBC was two- to four-fold the MIC for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and one- to two-fold the MIC for metronidazole for most strains . The killing curve showed a continuous decrease, sloping most sharply between 0-2 hours and 6-8 hours . Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid showed a post-antibiotic effect between 2 and 4 hours . The inhibitory minimum antibiotic concentration was one-half the MIC for most strains. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1990 Feb, 57(2), 71 - 6 The effects of deoxycholate and sodium dodecyl sulphate on the serological reactivity of antigens isolated from six Bacteroides reference strains; Beckmann I et al.; The detergents sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium deoxycholate (NaD) are frequently used as solvents for macromolecular polysaccharide complexes in immunochemical and serological techniques . The influence of the disaggregating surfactants on the serological reactivity of endotoxins isolated from six serotype specific reference strains of the Bacteroides fragilis group was investigated by comparing haemagglutinating and precipitating reactivities of antigen solutions in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), NaD and SDS . All antigens were phenol/water extracted endotoxins . Solutions of antigens isolated from serotypes A, B, C and D in PBS exhibited mainly serotype specificity and a few well known low-titer cross reactions; solutions in NaD showed additional cross reactivity, which was enhanced by solubilization of the antigens in SDS . In immunoelectrophoresis endotoxins isolated from serotypes A and C and dissolved in NaD or SDS showed additional precipitation lines compared to solutions of the same antigens in PBS . These changes in the serological reactivity are of relevance for investigations where the serological specificity of antigens is in question. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Feb, 68(2), 179 - 87 Effect of different carbohydrates on growth, polysaccharidase and glycosidase production by Bacteroides ovatus, in batch and continuous culture; Macfarlane GT et al.; Bacteroides ovatus was grown in batch culture on 12 different carbon sources (five polysaccharides, seven monosaccharides and disaccharides) . Specific growth rates were determined for each substrate together with polysaccharidase and glycosidase activities . Growth rates on polymerized carbohydrates were as fast or faster than on corresponding simple sugars, demonstrating that the rate of polysaccharide depolymerization was not a factor limiting growth . Bacteroides ovatus synthesized a large range of polymer-degrading enzymes . These polysaccharidases and glycosidases were generally repressed during growth on simple sugars, but arabinose was required for optimal production of alpha-arabinofuranosidase . Polysaccharidase and glycosidase activities were measured in continuous cultures grown with either xylan or guar gum under putative carbon limitation . With the exception of beta-xylosidase, activities of the polymer-degrading enzymes were inversely related to growth rate . This correlated with polysaccharide utilization which was greatest at low dilution rates . These results show that Bact . ovatus is highly adapted for growth on polymerized carbohydrate in the human colon and confirm that the utilization of polysaccharides is partly regulated at the level of enzyme synthesis. Nippon Juigaku Zasshi, 1990 Feb, 52(1), 29 - 34 Detection of bovine antibodies to the outer membrane of ruminal Bacteroides succinogenes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Sato S et al.; The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect bovine serum antibodies directed to the outer membrane antigen of a ruminal bacteria, Bacteroides succinogenes . The outer membrane antigen of B . succinogenes was highly reactive against homologous antiserum, compared with rabbit sera raised against B . ruminicola subsp . ruminicola, B . ruminicola subsp . brevis and Selenomonas ruminantium . The titers of sera from colostrum-deprived calves were negligible level, while those of sera from colostrum-fed calves were relatively high . The mean titer of sera from 10 day-old calves was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than that of 40 day-old calves, and was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower than that of adult cattle . The mean titer of sera from dairy cows which fed high-roughage diet was higher than that of feedlot cattle which fed high-concentrate diet . These results suggest that the antibodies against the outer membrane antigen of B . succinogenes transfer to calves via the colostrum, and that the titers of cows are affected by the way of feed management. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Feb, 28(2), 375 - 8 Discordant results between the broth disk elution and broth microdilution susceptibility tests with Bacteroides fragilis group isolates; Aldridge KE et al.; Susceptibility testing of 161 clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group was performed to compare interpretive results generated by the broth disk elution and broth microdilution methods recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards . Among the cephalosporin-cephamycin compounds tested, correlation was poorest for ceftizoxime (71%), ceftriaxone (57%), and cefotaxime (47%); when the tests did not correlate, false resistance was seen 92, 95, and 93% of the time, respectively . Cefotetan and cefoperazone showed lack of correlation in 19 and 20% of the tests, respectively . For cefotetan, false resistance was more frequent, while with cefoperazone, false susceptibility occurred more often . Cefoxitin produced the fewest discrepancies; 10% of the disk elution tests produced either false-resistance or false-susceptibility results . Mezlocillin and piperacillin showed lack of correlation in 8 and 14% of the tests, respectively, and discrepancies were due primarily to false-resistance results . Overall with the beta-lactams, 84% of the discordant interpretive results were false resistance by the broth disk elution test . Clindamycin had a discrepancy rate of 10%, with the majority of discrepancies being false susceptibility disk elution results . Because of the high number of discrepancies noted with ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime, we recommend that these drugs not be tested by the disk elution method and that they be tested by a quantitative MIC method such as the broth microdilution test . Furthermore, caution should be exercised when interpreting broth disk elution results with all the beta-lactams included in this study except imipenem . These data indicate the lack of correlation of results between these two tests for many beta-lactams and suggest the need for a reexamination of the disk elution method to provide a more accurately standardized test. Infect Immun, 1990 Feb, 58(2), 406 - 11 Suppression of bactericidal activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by Bacteroides gingivalis; Yoneda M et al.; The direct effects of the culture supernatant of oral microorganisms on the bactericidal activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were investigated . The bactericidal activity of PMNs, which were preincubated with the supernatant of Bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides intermedius, Bacteroides melaninogenicus or phosphate-buffered saline, was examined by counting the surviving bacteria . B . gingivalis-treated PMNs were found to have a diminished ability for killing bacteria in the presence or absence of serum . The chemiluminescence response of PMNs, which were preincubated with the culture supernatant of B . gingivalis, was strikingly reduced compared with that of PMNs preincubated with phosphate-buffered saline or other bacterial culture supernatants . The production of superoxide anion (O2-) by PMNs stimulated with either formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or phorbol myristate acetate was reduced in both cases after the PMNs were preincubated with the culture supernatant of B . gingivalis . However, it was observed that there was more reduction in superoxide anion (O2-) production stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine compared with that stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate . These results suggest that B . gingivalis releases a factor which interferes with the bactericidal activity of PMNs by modulating the generation of reactive oxygen species . These suppressive effects on bactericidal activity may be important in the pathogenesis of this microorganism. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Feb, 34(2), 376 - 7 Penetration of clindamycin, cefoxitin, and metronidazole into pelvic peritoneal fluid of women undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy; Berger SA et al.; A single dose of clindamycin, cefoxitin, or metronidazole was administered to each of 30 women . The mean concentration of cefoxitin in pelvic fluid at 1 h exceeded those of the other two drugs (P less than 0.007) . Cefoxitin concentrations were inferior to those of the other drugs when compared with the published MIC for 90% of Bacteroides fragilis strains. Bull Tokyo Dent Coll, 1990 Feb, 31(1), 17 - 21 Studies of the antibacterial activity of plant extracts and their constituents against periodontopathic bacteria; Osawa K et al.; Plant extracts and their constituents were tested for antibacterial activity against periodontopathic bacteria, including Actinobacillus, Capnocytophaga, Fusobacterium, Eikenella and Bacteroides species . The essential oils of two labiatae plants, Mosla chinensis Maxim . and Pogostemon cablin Benth., and five terpenoids, hinokitiol, thymol, carvacrol, patchoulialcohol and pogostone, showed antibacterial activity . The terpenoids were especially effective against Bacteroides species. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1990 Feb, 5(1), 43 - 5 The incidence of periodontopathic microorganisms in young children; Frisken KW et al.; Thirty-six children in 4 cohorts of 0-1 week, 1-6 months, 1-2 years and 2-2 1/2 years of age were examined for the presence of black-pigmented Bacteroides species and some other bacteria suspected of being involved in the subsequent development of periodontal destruction . None of the sought-after bacteria were detected in the first week of life . Bacteroides intermedius and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were detected as early as 1 month after birth . Both of these bacteria were detected in 16-37% of children in the different cohorts . Bacteroides denticola was detected in one child . Other black-pigmented species including Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides loescheii were not detected . Eikenella corrodens was detected in 62% of children under 6 months . Capnocytophaga spp . were detected in 12% and Fusobacterium nucleatum in 25% of children in this age group . With increasing age there was a trend towards an increase in the number of children with F . nucleatum but other bacteria were detected in similar numbers of children throughout the 3 older cohorts . Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was not detected at any age. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1990 Feb, 5(1), 1 - 7 SDS-PAGE analysis of protein and lipopolysaccharide of extracellular vesicules and Sarkosyl-insoluble membranes from Bacteroides gingivalis; Deslauriers M et al.; We have compared outer membranes (OM) of Bacteroides gingivalis ATCC 33277 isolated by the following 3 techniques: 1) high speed centrifugation after mechanical cell shearing; 2) sonication of the bacteria, followed by solubilization of the cytoplasmic membrane with N-Laurylsarconsinate (Sarkosyl), after which the Sarkosyl-insoluble membranes were recovered by centrifugation; 3) ammonium sulfate precipitation of extracellular vesicules from culture supernatant, followed by centrifugation and dialysis . Electron microscopy showed that the 3 preparations consisted of closed vesicules . Analysis by SDS-PAGE revealed that all 3 contained up to 28 polypeptides, most of which were common to each extract . The extracellular vesicules and Sarkosyl-insoluble preparation yielded similar protein patterns, although quantitative differences were observed . The sheared-cell preparation contained 8 additional proteins . The level of contamination of OM material by peptidoglycan and cytosol components was 1.8% in the sheared-cell preparation, and was null or lower than 0.8% in the other preparations . All 3 preparations showed the presence of LPS with a multiple banding pattern typical of smooth LPS . The sheared-cell preparation had a slightly lower LPS content than the other 2 preparations . Since extracellular vesicules are naturally released during bacterial growth, and are relatively simple to obtain, such native entities seem an appropriate source of OM components for use in studying the immunobiology of B . gingivalis surface antigens. J Gen Microbiol, 1990 Feb, 136 ( Pt 2), 319 - 26 Chemical, immunobiological and antigenic characterizations of lipopolysaccharides from Bacteroides gingivalis strains; Fujiwara T et al.; Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were extracted from whole cells of seven strains of Bacteroides gingivalis--381, ATCC 33277, BH18/10, OMZ314, OMZ406, 6/26 and HW24D-1--by the phenol/water procedure, and purified by treatment with nuclease and by repeated ultracentrifugation . These LPS were composed of hexoses, hexosamines, fatty acids, phosphorus and phosphorylated 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) . The major components of the lipid portion of these LPS were hexadecanoic, 3-hydroxyhexadecanoic, branched 3-hydroxypentadecanoic and branched 3-hydroxyheptadecanoic acids . All the LPS preparations induced marked mitogenic and in vitro polyclonal B cell activation responses in spleen cells from both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice, exhibited no definitive preparatory activity in the local Shwartzman reaction in rabbits, but were active in the chromogenic Limulus amoebocyte lysate test . A monoclonal antibody (mAb) raised against the LPS from B . gingivalis strain 6/26 reacted with LPS from all other B . gingivalis strains tested . Other mAbs raised against LPS from B . gingivalis strains 381 and 6/26 reacted with the LPS from strains 381, ATCC 33277, BH18/10 and 6/26 (these strains were termed LPS serogroup I), as revealed by ELISA and immunodiffusion . The LPS from these strains except for 6/26 showed almost identical patterns in SDS-PAGE stained with ammoniacal silver . A mAb raised against the LPS from B . gingivalis HW24D-1 reacted with the LPS from strains OMZ314, HW24D-1 and OMZ409 (LPS serogroup II) . These LPS, except OMZ409, exhibited very similar profiles in SDS-PAGE . These results indicate that there are at least two different antigenic groups present among LPS from B . gingivalis strains, as well as a common, species-specific antigen. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Feb, 28(2), 324 - 7 Use of synthetic oligonucleotide DNA probes for the identification of Bacteroides gingivalis; Moncla BJ et al.; Six different oligonucleotide probes complementary to the hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA of Bacteroides gingivalis were tested for specificity and sensitivity against 77 field strains of B . gingivalis and 105 strains of 12 other Bacteroides species . The data demonstrated that these probes were very specific (range, 0.85 to 1.00) and sensitive (1.00) . Some limited cross-reactions with other Bacteroides species were observed . Four of these probes should be useful for rapid detection and identification of B . gingivalis. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12 Suppl 2, S210 - 7 Multilaboratory evaluation of an agar diffusion disk susceptibility test for rapidly growing anaerobic bacteria; Barry AL et al.; A multilaboratory collaborative study was undertaken to determine whether the anaerobic disk diffusion test of Horn et al . could be performed reproducibly and accurately . Tests with nine different antimicrobial disks were evaluated . Reproducibility of the agar diffusion disk method was similar to that of the reference agar dilution test procedure . The anaerobic disk diffusion procedure was found to be a potentially useful method for testing some antimicrobial agents against rapidly growing anaerobes belonging to the Bacteroides fragilis group . These promising results warrant further investigations and validations. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12 Suppl 2, S178 - 84 T cell regulation of Bacteroides fragilis-induced intraabdominal abscesses; Crabb JH et al.; Intraabdominal abscesses (IAA) caused by Bacteroides fragilis are a major sequela to colonic spillage into the peritoneum . The development of an animal model that closely reproduces the disease observed in humans permitted careful inspection of the cellular and/or humoral contributions to the development and control of this disease . The results obtained thus far describe an immunoregulatory T cell circuit that governs both the development of and the immunity against these abscesses . T cells of CD4+8+ phenotype induce the development of IAA in response to B . fragilis . CD8+ T cells generated in response to immunization with the B . fragilis capsular polysaccharide confer protection against the development of IAA . These cells elaborate an antigen-specific factor that mediates the observed protection by these cells . Moreover, a third type of T cell, a CD8+ cell that is also present in nonimmune individuals, is required for the immune T cell or its factor to confer protection . Thus, in the specific disease process of IAA induced by the encapsulated microorganism B . fragilis, immunity proceeds by cellular and not humoral mechanisms. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12 Suppl 2, S169 - 77 Animal model system for studying virulence of and host response to Bacteroides fragilis; Onderdonk AB et al.; Experimental animal model systems have been used by many investigators to explore the pathogenicity of obligate anaerobes . During the last 15 years, research in our laboratory has utilized an experimental model for intraabdominal sepsis to define the contribution of obligate anaerobes to the infectious process . These studies have shown that obligate anaerobes are important components of the polymicrobic flora present during such infection . Moreover, certain anaerobes, such as Bacteroides fragilis, possess specific virulence factors, such as the capsular polysaccharide, that appear to be important to the infectious process . More recent research has used modifications of the original model system to evaluate the host immune response to B . fragilis . These studies indicate that immunization with the capsular polysaccharide provides a T cell-dependent immunity to abscess development when animals are challenged with B . fragilis . It has also been shown that the killing of B . fragilis is T cell dependent . The observations made with regard to B . fragilis in this animal model system are discussed. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12 Suppl 2, S161 - 8 Role of humoral factors in host resistance to the Bacteroides fragilis group; Bjornson AB; The alternative complement pathway and antibody play an important role in host resistance to members of the Bacteroides fragilis group . Clinical isolates of the B . fragilis group are typically resistant to the bactericidal action of serum . Naturally occurring antibodies in serum directed against these bacteria belong primarily to the IgM class . These antibodies are not required for activation of the alternative pathway by the bacteria but rather potentiate alternative pathway activation . Activation of the alternative pathway by the bacteria leads to the generation of chemotactic activity for neutrophils and to C3 deposition on the bacterial surfaces . Both iC3b, the predominant molecular form of the bacteria-bound C3, and IgM antibody are necessary for phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria by neutrophils . IgM acts synergistically with iC3b to facilitate adherence of the bacteria to the neutrophils . Certain Bacteroides strains require additional as yet uncharacterized auxiliary opsonins for maximal adherence to neutrophils. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12 Suppl 2, S122 - 6 Current taxonomy of medically important nonsporing anaerobes; Hofstad T; This review deals mainly with the taxonomy of the genera and species in the family Bacteroidaceae . It has been proposed that the genus Bacteroides should be restricted to include the "Bacteroides fragilis group" and that the asaccharolytic black-pigmented Bacteroides species be transferred to a new genus, Porphyromonas . New Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and Selenomonas species have been described . A high degree of heterogeneity is apparently present among Peptostreptococcus species . Mobiluncus is a novel genus including gram-variable curved rods isolated from the human vagina . Brachyspira has been proposed as the generic name for spirochetes isolated from patients with intestinal spirochetosis. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12(1), 20 - 30 Septic arthritis caused by Bacteroides fragilis; Rosenkranz P et al.; As improvements in bacteriologic techniques have enhanced the recovery of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens, there has been an increasing awareness of the role of anaerobes in disease . Bacteroides fragilis is the most common anaerobic organism found in clinical specimens . Although it is the anaerobe most frequently associated with bacteremia and a common isolate in intraabdominal infections, infections of the female genital tract, wounds, and abscesses, B . fragilis is a rare cause of septic arthritis . The isolation of this organism from four patients with septic arthritis in three Cleveland hospitals between 1978 and 1982 suggests that septic arthritis due to B . fragilis may be a more common clinical entity than previously appreciated . In this report we describe these cases and review the pertinent literature. J Clin Periodontol, 1990 Jan, 17(1), 1 - 13 Detection of high-risk groups and individuals for periodontal diseases: laboratory markers based on the microbiological analysis of subgingival plaque; Maiden MF et al.; Periodontal microbiology is reviewed with regard to the potential of certain characteristics to serve as markers of high risk groups or individuals for periodontal diseases . The generally accepted associations between particular organisms and the various periodontal diseases are discussed . The usefulness of various clinical study designs is reviewed . The ecology of the subgingival plaque microflora is discussed and a number of suggestions for future research are made . We have concluded that there is no monospecific aetiology to any of the various periodontal conditions . Nevertheless, we give particular attention to the role of the black-pigmented bacteroides based upon our belief that they, and Bacteroides gingivalis in particular, are fundamental to our understanding of the biology of periodontal diseases in humans and other animals . Consequently, the contribution of its various virulence factors and their potential as markers of disease susceptibility and activity is addressed. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants, 1990 Spring, 5(1), 31 - 8 Clinical and microbiologic findings that may contribute to dental implant failure; Becker W et al.; Clinical and DNA probe analysis were used to evaluate 36 failing implant sites in 13 patients . Failing implants showed evidence of increased mobility and a high incidence of peri-implant radiolucencies in radiographs . The probing depth was greater than 6 mm in 58% of the sites measured . Moderate levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides intermedius, and Bacteroides gingivalis were detected with DNA probe analysis. Clin Ther, 1990, 12 Suppl C, 25 - 30 Comparison of in vivo and in vitro efficacy of ceftizoxime; Delaney ML et al.; Two hundred obligately anaerobic bacterial isolates from human clinical sources were tested for susceptibility to ceftizoxime using a standard National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards microwell system . In general, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC50) ranged from less than 0.125 to 32 microgram/ml; however, the MIC50 for Bacteroides fragilis averaged greater than 128 microgram/ml . This finding is inconsistent with the results of in vivo testing of ceftizoxime in an animal model of intra-abdominal sepsis (B fragilis is a major contributor to the development of intra-abdominal abscesses) . Various modifications of in vitro assay parameters, including basal media (brain-heart infusion {BHI} or Wilkins-Chalgren {WC}) and methods (microwell, broth, and agar dilutions), were compared . Ten B fragilis isolates from the original clinical study were used . Results indicate that the activity of ceftizoxime decreased between two- and fourfold after storage for 48 hours at -80 degrees C, regardless of methodology or basal media . When microwell was compared with broth dilution, there was a four- to 64-fold decrease in MIC values by the latter method using BHI but little variation using WC . No differences were observed when the incubation time was varied . Preliminary data indicate that MIC values from broth dilution using BHI correspond with those of agar dilution assays . These results suggest methodologic as well as environmental discrepancies with regard to susceptibility testing of ceftizoxime . These differences may lead to misinterpretation of the true susceptibility of organisms to this agent, particularly when the results are compared with in vivo observations. Clin Ther, 1990, 12 Suppl C, 13 - 24 Media- and method-dependent variation in MIC values of ceftizoxime for clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group; Wexler HM et al.; Although ceftizoxime has been used effectively in several clinical trials for infections involving anaerobic bacteria, reports of its in vitro activity against anaerobes are contradictory and confusing . In an effort to clarify the discrepant reports, we tested 90 strains of Bacteroides fragilis group organisms from patients with perforated or gangrenous appendicitis using eight different susceptibility testing procedures . The minimal inhibitory concentration values were dependent on the technique used; agar dilution values were often four twofold dilutions higher than microbroth dilution values . Agar techniques (including spiral gradient end point) gave values of 36% to 61% susceptible at breakpoint (depending on the technique), while the microbroth dilution techniques gave values of 84% to 92% susceptible . When a 64 microgram/ml breakpoint for agar dilution testing was used, the methods were more comparable, with the agar methods giving values of 64% to 83% susceptible . The results of the broth disk elution procedure were difficult to read and often did not agree with other values. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 13(1), 51 - 5 In vitro activity of cefoperazone/sulbactam and other antimicrobials against anaerobic bacteria; D'Amato RF et al.; Sulbactam inhibits the hydrolytic activity of several, clinically important beta-lactamases including those produced by anaerobic bacteria . This study was undertaken to determine the effect of sulbactam on the activity of cefoperazone against 250 anaerobic bacteria including 174 isolates belonging to the Bacteroides fragilis group and to compare the activity of cefoperazone/sulbactam with other antimicrobial agents . beta-lactamase activity was detected in 98% of the isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group but not in the other species evaluated . Antagonistic activity between cefoperazone and sulbactam was not observed with any of the species . Forty-two percent of the isolates belonging to the B . fragilis group were resistant to cefoperazone . Ninety-four percent of these were converted to either the susceptible or moderately susceptible range upon the addition of sulbactam . Sixty-seven percent were susceptible to the combination cefoperazone/sulbactam and 27% were moderately susceptible . Overall, metronidazole and chloramphenicol were the most active antimicrobials . Significant differences in the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of members of the B . fragilis group were observed . Sulbactam demonstrated some intrinsic activity against all of the species tested. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Jan, 34(1), 179 - 81 Comparison of in vitro antibiograms of Bacteroides fragilis group isolates: differences in resistance rates in two institutions because of differences in susceptibility testing methodology; Aldridge KE et al.; With 120 clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group, a comparison of rates of resistance to selected antimicrobial agents by using two susceptibility tests was performed in two medical institutions . The broth microdilution method produced MICs significantly lower than those determined by the agar dilution method . With ceftizoxime and cefoxitin, 88 and 18%, respectively, of the MICs were greater than or equal to 2 twofold dilutions apart . These differences in MIC results produced major interpretive discrepancies for ceftizoxime and cefoxitin, whereas no significant differences in resistance rates were noted for clindamycin and metronidazole. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Jan, 34(1), 117 - 20 Imipenem resistance in Bacteroides distasonis mediated by a novel beta-lactamase; Hurlbut S et al.; Imipenem is a highly active drug against the Bacteroides fragilis group of organisms . On the basis of a nationwide survey of over 500 isolates, it was found that the frequency of imipenem resistance was less than 0.1% . We have a highly resistant Bacteroides distasonis isolate, TAL7860, for which the following MICs (micrograms per milliliter) were determined by agar dilution: cefoxitin, greater than 128; moxalactam, greater than 128; piperacillin, greater than 128; imipenem, 16; and SCH34343, 16 . Resistance was shown to involve both a beta-lactamase and an outer membrane permeability barrier . beta-Lactamase kinetics studies with several beta-lactams, including imipenem, revealed similar hydrolytic efficiency in comparison with those found for the B . fragilis strains . An imipenem outer membrane permeability barrier was detected for TAL7860, which was approximately sixfold more effective for B . fragilis TAL3636 and TAL2480 . Significant inhibition of nitrocefin destruction was also shown with sulbactam and clavulanic acid at 10 mumol and dithiothreitol at 10 mM . No inhibition was seen with 10 mM EDTA . Differences in physicochemical properties and inhibition studies suggest that this beta-lactamase is different from the imipenem-inactivating metallo-beta-lactamase previously described in B . fragilis . We demonstrated a significant permeability barrier to clavulanic acid and sulbactam, which resulted in loss of synergism between these clinically employed beta-lactamase inhibitors and beta-lactam drugs . The novel beta-lactamase activity in conjunction with a limited permeability in TAL7860 resulted in resistance to all commonly employed beta-lactams, including the newest and most potent beta-lactam drugs. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Jan 1, 54(1-3), 61 - 5 Heterologous expression of the Bacteroides ruminicola xylanase gene in Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides uniformis; Whitehead TR et al.; A cloned xylanase gene from the ruminal bacterium Bacteroides ruminicola 23 was transferred by conjugation into the colonic species Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides uniformis by using the Escherichia coli-Bacteroides shuttle vector pVAL-1 . The cloned gene was expressed in both species, and xylanase specific activity in crude extracts was found to be at least 1400-fold greater than that found in the B . ruminicola strain . Analysis of crude extract proteins from the recombinant B . fragilis by SDS-PAGE demonstrated a new 60,000 molecular weight protein . The xylanase activity expressed in both E . coli and B . fragilis was capable of degrading xylan to xylooligosaccharides in vitro . This is the first demonstration that colonic Bacteroides species can express a gene from a ruminal Bacteroides species. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Jan 1, 54(1-3), 285 - 90 Purification and partial characterization of an iron regulated outer membrane protein of B . fragilis under non-denaturing conditions; Otto BR et al.; The CHAPS-PAGE gelsystem we applied gave a good separation of the proteins of Bacteroides fragilis under non-denaturing conditions . We succeeded with preparative CHAPS-PAGE in purifying an iron regulated outer membrane protein (a 44 kDa polypeptide on SDS-PAGE) of B . fragilis . This integral membrane protein proved to be a lipopolysaccharide binding protein with an isoelectric point of approximately pH 5.5 . This method of purifying membrane proteins could be an important step in research into the function of membrane proteins. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Jan, 25(1), 31 - 7 The effect of sub-inhibitory concentrations of chlorhexidine on the proteolytic activity of Bacteroides gingivalis; Millward TA et al.; Bacteroides gingivalis was grown in the presence of chlorhexidine at concentrations lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration (1.25 mg/l) . These sub-inhibitory concentrations were found to stimulate growth in terms of an increase in the number of viable cells, the greatest increase being at a concentration of 0.75 mg/l of chlorhexidine . The total proteolytic activity of the cultures (assayed by means of azocasein hydrolysis) grown in the presence of chlorhexidine and their specific activities (per 10(6) cells) were found to be less than those of the cultures grown in the absence of chlorhexidine . In the case of the trypsin-like activity of the microorganism, a different pattern was found . Thus, although the specific activities of the chlorhexidine-grown cultures were lower than those of the chlorhexidine-free cultures, the total activity in the chlorhexidine-grown cultures was greater. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Jan-Feb, 12 Suppl 2, S142 - 51 Evolution of antimicrobial susceptibility in isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group in Spain; Garcia-Rodriguez JE et al.; The species included in the Bacteroides fragilis group are the most frequent nontoxigenic anaerobic bacteria pathogenic to humans . The emergence and increase of resistance to antibiotics among this group make surveillance and state-of-the-art knowledge important . We studied the evolution of resistance to antibiotics in B . fragilis group organisms isolated at the University Clinical Hospital at Salamanca, Spain, from 1975 to 1987 . No resistance to imipenem, chloramphenicol, or metronidazole was detected . The frequency of resistance to clindamycin was in the range of 6%-7% . Resistance to moxalactam, cefoxitin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin has increased steadily and is currently approximately 20%-25%. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1990 Jan, 9(1), 47 - 50 Evaluation of two methods for rapid testing for beta-lactamase production in Bacteroides and Fusobacterium; Appelbaum PC et al.; A total of 978 strains of Bacteroides and Fusobacterium were tested for beta-lactamase production by a disk test (Cefinase) and a microtiter nitrocefin assay . In 83% of strains both tests were positive and in 14.8% both were negative . In 1.7% of strains the disk test was positive and the microtiter test negative, and in 0.4% the disk test negative but the microtiter test positive . The disk test was less discriminatory in detecting amoxicillin-resistant strains . The microtiter test was less sensitive than the disk test, but more discriminatory if results were read within 1 h for Fusobacterium spp., within 8 h for the Bacteroides fragilis group, and within 2 h for other Bacteroides spp . Neither test should be used clinically at present. Obstet Gynecol, 1990 Jan, 75(1), 52 - 8 Bacterial vaginosis as a risk factor for post-cesarean endometritis; Watts DH et al.; Bacterial species associated with bacterial vaginosis have been isolated more frequently from endometrial cultures of patients with postpartum endometritis than expected from the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women . To further assess the association between bacterial vaginosis and postpartum endometritis, vaginal Gram smears were obtained from women admitted for delivery . Vaginal smears of women delivered by cesarean were scored as normal or as indicating bacterial vaginosis . Factors related independently to postpartum endometritis by multiple logistic regression analysis included maternal age less than 25 years, any duration of membrane rupture, and bacterial vaginosis . The unadjusted odds ratio for the development of postpartum endometritis associated with bacterial vaginosis (odds ratio = 6.1, 95% confidence interval 3.3-15.9) was not appreciably changed in the multivariable analysis (odds ratio = 5.8, 95% confidence interval 3.0-10.9) after adjusting for maternal age, duration of labor, and duration of membrane rupture . At the time of endometritis, Bacteroides sp, Peptostreptococcus sp, and Gardnerella vaginalis were isolated more frequently from the endometrium using a triple lumen endometrial sampling method among patients with bacterial vaginosis than among those with a normal Gram stain . Bacterial vaginosis appears to be an important risk factor for postpartum endometritis after cesarean delivery. J Clin Periodontol, 1990 Jan, 17(1), 48 - 54 Suspected periodontopathogens in erupting third molar sites of periodontally healthy individuals; Mombelli A et al.; 29 periodontally healthy subjects (11 female and 18 male) with a mean age of 24 years (range 19 to 38 years) and with partially erupted lower third molars participated in this study . 18 subjects demonstrated no signs or symptoms of acute inflammation and were without pain (group A) . 5 subjects showed redness of the pericoronal tissues and experienced pain upon palpation (group B) . 6 subjects suffered from acute pain and exhibited formation of pus (group C) . Microbiological samples were taken from the lateral aspect of the pericoronal space using the paperpoint-method . Continuous anaerobic techniques were utilized for microbiological processing . The samples were cultivated on ETSA and on selective media and were studied by darkfield microscopy . Gram-negative anaerobic rods accounted for 27% (group A), 34% (group B) and 39% (group C) of all organisms growing on ETSA . Bacteroides intermedius was detected in 61% (group A), 80% (group B) and 83% (group C) of the samples . B . gingivalis was found in 1 sample of group A only . Fusobacterium sp . was detected in 56% (group A), 80% (group B) and 33% (group C) of the samples . Capnocytophaga were seen in 67% (group A), 20% (group B) and 50% of the samples . Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was found in 44% (group A), 40% (group B) and 17% (group C) . 72% of the group A and 100% of the group B and C samples contained spirochetes . In all of those positive samples, small spirochetes were present, but only 78% contained medium and only 48% large spirochetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Bacteriol, 1990 Jan, 172(1), 495 - 7 Detection of conjugal transfer systems in oral, black-pigmented Bacteroides spp; Guiney DG et al.; Oral, black-pigmented Bacteroides spp . are important pathogens in oral anaerobic infections and dental disease . We detected conjugation systems in isolates of Bacteroides denticola and Bacteroides intermedius that transferred tetracycline resistance (Tetr) and penicillin resistance to Bacteroides buccae and to Bacteroides fragilis, an intestinal Bacteroides species . A cloned Tetr gene from B . fragilis hybridized to the transferable Tetr locus in the oral strains, indicating that genetic exchange occurs between these two groups of anaerobes. Trop Geogr Med, 1990 Jan, 42(1), 13 - 6 The bacteriology of appendicitis and its septic complications in Zaria, Nigeria; Okoro IO; Two hundred and seventy nine case notes of patients with confirmed appendicitis seen over a five year period at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria, were studied retrospectively and 100 patients were studied prospectively for the bacterial flora of appendicitis and its septic complications . Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated aerobe while Bacteroides species were the most common anaerobes in both aspects of the study . Gentamicin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole are suggested as the most useful drugs in the management of complicated cases of appendicitis in this environment. Clin Ther, 1990, 12 Suppl C, 3 - 12 An update on the in vitro activity of ceftizoxime and other cephalosporin/cephamycin antimicrobial agents against clinically significant anaerobic bacteria; Aldridge KE; The in vitro activity of certain beta-lactam agents against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria is influenced by the method and medium used for susceptibility testing . The in vitro activity of ceftizoxime and cefoxitin against Bacteroides fragilis group strains varies when either the broth microdilution or agar dilution method is used . In general, minimal inhibitory concentration values from broth microdilution are two- to fourfold lower than those from agar dilution . Broth microdilution test results with ceftizoxime have recently been shown to correlate more closely with clinical outcome in patients than those from agar dilution testing . Broth microdilution has become the recommended method of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for testing ceftizoxime . Using broth microdilution testing, the in vitro activity of ceftizoxime has been shown to be as good as or better than that of cefoxitin, cefotetan, and cefotaxime against anaerobes, including the B fragilis group . Ceftizoxime also had good activity against B fragilis group strains resistant to cefoxitin or cefotetan . Time-kill kinetic studies have shown that the bactericidal activity of ceftizoxime is equal to or greater than that of cefoxitin or cefotetan against both cefoxitin-susceptible or cefoxitin-resistant strains of the B fragilis group. Arch Oral Biol, 1990, 35(3), 167 - 73 Effects of Bacteroides gingivalis culture products on human polymorphonuclear leucocyte morphology; Scragg MA et al.; This study aimed to determine whether leucocytes exposed to Bacteroides gingivalis culture supernatant exhibited consistent morphological changes and whether measurement of such changes could provide a simple screening assay for bacterial products with potential biological activity . Glass-adherent polymorphonuclear leucocytes were obtained from clotted blood preparations and from blood after purification by centrifugation through Ficoll-Hypaque . These were then incubated in Hanks' balanced salt solution, a sterile liquid medium (BM) and B . gingivalis (W83) culture supernatant . Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were classified by their shape into small non-polar (less than 18 microns diameter), large non-polar (greater than or equal to 18 microns diameter), bipolar and hyperpolar types . Treatment with B . gingivalis culture supernatant consistently increased large non-polar cells by 150% to over 300% (p less than 0.01), when compared with polymorphonuclear leucocytes incubated with the sterile liquid medium (control) . This change was accompanied by smaller decreases in small non-polar, bipolar and hyperpolar cells, these being significant for bipolar cells in clot preparations (p less than 0.01) and small non-polar cells after Ficoll-Hypaque isolation (p less than 0.01) . Neither the liquid medium nor the B . gingivalis culture supernatant was toxic to the cells as indicated by trypan blue exclusion tests . Lipopolysaccharide and short-chain fatty acids were not responsible for the changes in polymorphonuclear leucocyte shape . However, the activity of the culture supernatant was destroyed by heating at 80 degrees C for 30 min, indicating that proteolytic enzymes may have been involved. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1990, Suppl 2, 199s - 200s {Determination of intracellular concentration of H+, Na+, K+ and ATP in Bacteroides succinogenes adapted to monensin}; Forano E; The internal concentrations of the cations H+, Na+, K+ and the intracellular ATP concentration were measured on B succinogenes adapted to the presence of the ionophore monensin (0.5 microM) . Adapted bacteria were still able to regulate the intracellular concentrations of Na+ and K+, but their internal pH and ATP concentration were lower than in control bacteria. Chemotherapy, 1990, 36(3), 215 - 21 Turbidimetri