Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1988 Sep-Oct, 139(5), 605 - 12 Multiple typing of strains of Salmonella enterica subsp . bongori ser . 48:Z35:- isolated in southern Italy; Nastasi A et al.; In 1984-87, 10 isolates of Salmonella enterica subsp . bongori ser . 48:Z35:-, 9 of human source, were identified at the Southern Italy Centre of Enterobacteriaceae . This serotype had never been identified in Southern Italy before 1984 . The combined use of different typing methods, with particular reference to restriction enzyme fingerprinting of plasmid and chromosomal DNA, supports the hypothesis that all Bongor serovars derive from a single strain. J Bacteriol, 1988 Sep, 170(9), 4008 - 14 Accumulation of a lipid-linked intermediate involved in enterobacterial common antigen synthesis in Salmonella typhimurium mutants lacking dTDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase; Rick PD et al.; The heteropolysaccharide chains of enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) are composed of linear trisaccharide repeat units having the structure----3)-alpha-Fuc4NAc-(1----4)-beta-D-ManNAcA-(1---- 4)-alpha-D-GlcNAc- (1---- . Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium lacking the structural gene for dTDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (rfbA) are severely impaired in their ability to synthesize dTDP-glucose, which is a precursor of dTDP-4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-galactose (Fuc4NAc), the donor of Fuc4NAc residues for ECA synthesis . These mutants synthesize only trace amounts of ECA, and they are hypersensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) . Incubation of delta rfbA mutants with {3H}N-acetylglucosamine ({3H}GlcNAc) resulted in the accumulation of radioactivity in N-acetyl-D-mannosaminuronic acid (ManNAcA)-GlcNAc-pyrophosphorylundecaprenol (lipid II), the putative acceptor of Fuc4NAc residues in ECA synthesis . Lipid II did not accumulate in either wild-type cells or in rff mutants unable to synthesize ManNAcA . Both the accumulation of lipid II and the synthesis of trace amounts of ECA were abolished when delta rfbA mutants were grown in the presence of the antibiotic tunicamycin . Tunicamycin also prevented the SDS-mediated lysis of the mutants . SDS-resistant derivatives of delta rfbA mutants were isolated that were no longer able to synthesize trace amounts of ECA . Characterization of these derivatives revealed that they were defective in various steps of ECA synthesis leading to the synthesis of lipid II . The data support the conclusion that accumulation of lipid II is responsible in some way for the hypersensitivity of delta rfbA mutants to SDS. South Med J, 1988 Aug, 81(8), 1061 - 2 Acute necrotizing pneumonia caused by Enterobacter cloacae; Broughton WA et al.; We have described a 55-year-old man with fever, productive cough, and a right upper lobe infiltrate, which subsequently cavitated . Cultures of bronchial secretions obtained by bronchoscopic protected brush catheter technique revealed Enterobacter cloacae, a previously unreported cause of acute necrotizing pneumonia. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Aug, 22(2), 155 - 65 In-vitro activity and beta-lactamase stability of LY163892; Cao C et al.; LY163892 is a new orally absorbed carbacephem . It inhibited Streptococcus pyogenes and Str . pneumoniae at less than or equal to 1 mg/l, but was less active against group B streptococci and groups C, F, G and bovis streptococci with MICs of 1 to 2 mg/l for most but as high as 8 mg/l for some isolates . MIC90 of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was 8 mg/l, but greater than 128 mg/l for methicillin-resistant staphylococci . LY163892 had activity similar to cefaclor and cephalexin with MIC90 values of 16 mg/l for Escherichia coli, 8 mg/l for Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Yersinia enterocolitica, but was more active against Haemophilus influenzae, and Branhamella catarrhalis . It had no activity against Enterobacter, Providencia, Serratia, and Pseudomonas and Bacteroides spp . LY163892 was more rapidly lytic than cephalexin . It was hydrolyzed by a number of plasmid and chromosomal beta-lactamases . For TEM-1, the Km = 354.7 microM, Vmax = 2.5 microMoles/min/mg of protein, P99 Km = 24.3 microM, Vmax = 28.9 microM/min/micrograms of protein, Staph . aureus PC Km = 47.4 microM, Vmax = 2.7 microMoles/min/mg of protein . Overall it had beta-lactamase stability similar to cefaclor, less than cephalexin, and markedly less than cefuroxime. Antibiot Khimioter, 1988 Aug, 33(8), 597 - 601 {Sensitivity to cephalosporin antibiotics of infectious causative agents in surgery}; Bekbergenov BM et al.; Comparison of antimicrobial effects of cephalosporins of the 1st and 2nd generations showed that the latter were advantageous with respect to gram-negative bacteria causing surgical infections . Three cephalosporins of the 3rd generation were characterized by the highest activity against such bacteria, including Enterobacter spp . and indole positive strains of Proteus spp., as well as non-enzymatic bacteria . The antimicrobial spectra and MICs of the new cephalosporins with respect to the cultures isolated from surgical patients were different which requires in vitro sensitivity assay of each antibiotic. Chemioterapia, 1988 Aug, 7(4), 267 - 70 Comparative activity of cefotetan against plasmid-encoded aminoglycoside-resistant enterobacteria strains; Gomez-Lus R et al.; 304 strains of R-plasmid harbouring enterobacteria resistant to aminoglycosides were studied for their susceptibilities to a range of antibiotics, including cefotetan . Cefotetan and latamoxef were the most active of the four cephamycins tested and all were stable to the beta-lactamases produced by these strains . No new beta-lactamases (SHV-2, CTX-1, TEM-4, CAZ-1) were found in these strains capable of hydrolysing third generation cephalosporins . The activity of cefotetan against these multi-resistant, beta-lactamase producing strains may be of clinical value. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1988 Aug, 41(8), 1130 - 6 L-656,575 (OCP-9-176): a novel oxacephem . In vitro activity against aerobic and anaerobic clinical bacterial isolates; Weissberger B et al.; L-656,575 (OCP-9-176) is a novel oxacephem superior to ceftazidime in in vitro activity against clinical isolates of Enterobacter species, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and multiply-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Our results suggest that L-656,575 has a high affinity for penicillin binding proteins of Pseudomonas and may bind preferentially to PBP-3 in this organism . L-656,575 is active against beta-lactamase derepressed Enterobacteriaceae and ceftazidime-resistant P . aeruginosa. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Aug, 32(8), 1251 - 6 In vitro activity of PD 127,391, an enhanced-spectrum quinolone; Wise R et al.; The in vitro activity of PD 127,391, a dihalogenated quinolone, was compared with those of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, and cefuroxime against 525 recent isolates and well-characterized antimicrobial agent-resistant strains . The MICs of PD 127,391 against 90% of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria sp., and Streptococcus pneumoniae were less than or equal to 0.12 microgram/ml . Some 90% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococci were susceptible to 0.25 micrograms of PD 127,391 per ml . Against most strains, PD 127,391 was 2- to 8-fold more active than ciprofloxacin, but it was 64-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against B . fragilis . Strains of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae which were resistant to nalidixic acid were less susceptible to all of the quinolones tested, including PD 127,391 . The MIC and minimum lethal concentration of PD 127,391 against three strains of Chlamydia trachomatis were each 0.06 microgram/ml, and the MIC against 90% of 21 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 1 microgram/ml . PD 127,391 was less active at pH 5, its maximal activity being at pH 7 to 8 . The presence of urine at pH 5.9 decreased the bactericidal activity . The protein binding of PD 127,391 was 2 to 7%, and serum had little effect on activity. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Aug, 7(4), 511 - 7 Comparison of the Cobas-Bact five-hour susceptibility testing system with the NCCLS agar diffusion and dilution methods; Wust J et al.; The results of susceptibility tests performed by the Cobas-Bact system were compared with those of the NCCLS agar diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) and NCCLS agar dilution methods . A total of 998 clinical isolates were tested against 10 to 18 antimicrobial agents . Essential agreement (comprising full agreement and minor discrepancies) varied from 90.5% to 99.2% on comparison of Cobas-Bact with Kirby-Bauer results, depending on the bacterial group (mean for all 998 strains tested 95.7%) . These figures ranged from 91% to 99.2% (mean 96.3%) for the Cobas-Bact/MIC comparison and from 95.2% to 99.7% (mean 98.7%) for the Kirby-Bauer/MIC comparison . The best results were found for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas for enterococci and coagulase-negative staphylococci there was a lower rate of essential agreement in all three comparisons . In the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa there was a good rate of essential agreement but many minor discrepancies, resulting in a disappointing rate of full agreement of between 67.5% and 78.9% in the three comparisons . The Cobas-Bact system would appear to provide satisfactory susceptibility test results in most cases, however there are still some major problems in the system which should be resolved. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Aug, 7(4), 495 - 500 Distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of extraintestinal clinical isolates of Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Serratia species; Varaldo PE et al.; A total of 451 extraintestinal, clinically relevant strains of the Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Serratia spp . isolated over a nine-month period from hospitalized patients at four different centers in Italy were investigated . Identification using the API 20E system showed that isolates belonged to 12 different species . Overall, strains of Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Serratia were in a ratio of approximately 3.4:2:1 . Fifty-nine per cent of all strains were from urinary specimens, 12% from respiratory secretions, 10% from wounds and abscesses, and lower percentages from other sources . All strains were tested for their susceptibility to ten antibiotics . The rate of resistance to most drugs was generally greater in Enterobacter and Serratia than in Klebsiella . The overall incidence of strains of the intermediate category (i.e . between full sensitivity and resistance) was unexpectedly high . Both the relative frequency and the antibiotic susceptibility of strains of the various species varied from center to center; possible reasons for such differences are examined. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Aug, 10(4), 221 - 40 Multicenter in vitro evaluation of lomefloxacin (NY-198, SC-47111), including tests against nearly 7,000 bacterial isolates and preliminary recommendations for susceptibility testing; Jones RN et al.; Lomefloxacin (NY-198 or SC-47111) is a difluoro-quinolone derivative having a C-methyl at the 3-position of the piperazine ring, thus minimizing its metabolic alteration in vivo . In our research, its antimicrobial activity was most similar to that of difloxacin, enoxacin, fleroxacin, and norfloxacin but usually less than that of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against most species . Lomefloxacin shared cross-resistance with other 4-quinolones but remained very active against ceftazidime-resistant organisms, including stably derepressed beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacilli . Lower pH increased the lomefloxacin MICs . MBCs were usually identical to the measured MIC, and the lomefloxacin MICs were not significantly increased by high inoculum concentrations . The Enterobacteriaceae were found to have a very low rate of spontaneous mutation to lomefloxacin resistance (10(-8)-10(-9) . In vitro tests by 5-micrograms and 10-micrograms lomefloxacin disks and dilution methods were correlated, and the 10-micrograms disk was recommended for clinical trials using a less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml susceptible breakpoint . The quality assurance guidelines for dilution tests were determined by a multilaboratory study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Aug, 32(8), 1289 - 91 Heterogeneity of 6'-N-acetyltransferases of type 4 conferring resistance to amikacin and related aminoglycosides in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae; Tran Van Nhieu G et al.; DNA-DNA hybridization and immunoblotting were used to assess the relatedness between the 6'-N-acetyltransferases of type 4 encoded by plasmid pAZ007 from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens and those encoded by NR79 and R5 . The absence of detectable DNA-DNA homology and of immunological cross-reactivity suggests the existence of at least two distinct 6'-N-acetyltransferase type 4 genes that mediate amikacin resistance in gram-negative bacilli. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Aug, 32(8), 1196 - 203 Monitoring beta-lactamase activity in vivo by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Mobashery S et al.; A 13C-labeled cephalothin, 7 beta-(2-thienylacetamido)-3-{acetoxy-13C1}methyl-3-cephem-4- carboxylate (compound 1), has been prepared and used to monitor beta-lactamase activities by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy . Time-elapsed spectral analysis of the reaction of the labeled cephalothin with the TEM-2 beta-lactamase purified from Escherichia coli revealed the progressive loss of the cephalothin acetyl resonance at 176.8 ppm and accumulation of an acetate signal at 184.3 ppm . Spectral results identical to those observed in the in vitro experiment were obtained when compound 1 was incubated with cell suspensions of E . coli JSR-O (pBR322), which contains the plasmid-encoded TEM-2 beta-lactamase, and Enterobacter cloacae strains that contain a class I chromosomal beta-lactamase . Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the lactamase-catalyzed formation of acetate from cephalothin in vivo were obtained by integration of the 13C-acetyl resonances of compound 1 during timed incubations with cell preparations . These results constitute the first demonstration of the ability to monitor beta-lactamase activity in viable cells by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Drugs, 1988 Aug, 36(2), 193 - 228 Fluoroquinolone antibiotics . Microbiology, pharmacokinetics and clinical use; Paton JH et al.; The newer fluoroquinolones are a major advance in antimicrobial chemotherapy . They inhibit the supercoiling activity of the DNA gyrase enzyme, thus exerting their antibacterial action on DNA and RNA synthesis, resulting in a biphasic response and killing of susceptible organisms . The newer fluoroquinolones have an extended antimicrobial spectrum compared to their older congeners, and are highly active against most Gram-negative pathogens including the Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . While Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are usually susceptible to the fluoroquinolones, streptococci are generally more resistant and enterococci are resistant . All of the newer fluoroquinolones may be administered orally and most of them have been administered parenterally . They are widely distributed in the body, attaining therapeutic concentrations in most tissues . All of the fluoroquinolones have long half-lives and may be administered once or twice daily . The fluoroquinolones have proved effective in many infections, including uncomplicated or complicated urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, gonorrhoea, bacterial gastroenteritis, and soft tissue infections due to Gram-negative organisms . In general, success has been notable in the management of Gram-negative infections but less so with Gram-positive infections . Resistance has occurred and is proving a problem with P . aeruginosa in some cystic fibrosis patients, but as yet no plasmid-mediated resistance has developed . Cross-resistance occurs between the quinolones but only rarely with other classes of antibacterial drugs . The fluoroquinolones have an excellent safety record and their adverse effects, which include hypersensitivity reactions, dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal disturbance and minor haematological abnormalities are usually mild and transient . However, the fluoroquinolones have been found to damage juvenile weight-bearing joints in animals and are therefore only to be used with caution in children; transient arthralgia has been reported in a cystic fibrotic teenager on long term ciprofloxacin therapy . All of the fluoroquinolones except ofloxacin are associated with a variable increase in the serum concentration of theophylline, warfarin and caffeine . Thus, the fluoroquinolones are an attractive option in the management of many infections . Cost and possible resistance, however, should counsel caution in their use, and may limit them to situations where a cheaper antimicrobial of equivalent efficacy is not available. J Clin Pathol, 1988 Aug, 41(8), 910 - 4 Evaluation of the Microbact-24E bacterial identification system; Ling JM et al.; The Microbact 24E (MB24E) system is a commercial microsystem for the identification of common clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting Gram negative bacilli, and consists of dehydrated substrates distributed in the wells of microtitre trays . This system was compared with the API20E for the identification of 386 bacterial isolates, which included 284 clinical and 102 environmental organisms . There was 97% and 91% agreement for the identification of clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and other Gram negative bacilli, respectively . The identification of environmental isolates by both systems was less satisfactory . The API20E has a more extensive database than the MB24E and is thus more reliable for the identification of rare or unusual organisms, but the MB24E is cheaper, is easy and convenient to use, and is suitable for a routine microbiology laboratory. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Aug, 26(8), 1586 - 8 Evaluation of autoscan-4 for identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae; Gavini F et al.; A study was performed to compare the Autoscan-4 (MicroScan, Inc., Mahwah, N.J.) with conventional biochemical methods for identifying clinical isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae . The Autoscan-4 yielded correct identification of 95.4% of the isolates at the species level and 98.4% at the genus level . Only one misidentification was observed . The identification of both common and less-common isolates of Enterobacteriaceae makes this system highly efficient. Mol Gen Genet, 1988 Aug, 213(2-3), 487 - 90 IS1-mediated mobility of the aerobactin system of pColV-K30 in Escherichia coli; de Lorenzo V et al.; Genes determining the high affinity iron transport system mediated by the siderophore aerobactin are flanked in the enterobacterial plasmid pColV-K30 by inverted repeats of IS1 sequences, suggesting that the aerobactin genes are part of a transposon . To study this possibility, the entire region between the two IS1 sequences was cloned as an 18 kb HindIII-BamHI restriction fragment in pUC8 giving plasmid pMO1 . A number of derivatives of pMO1, in which aerobactin genes were tagged with a kanamycin resistance gene, were prepared in order to assess the ability of both IS1s to promote the formation of cointegrates with pCJ105, an F derivative devoid of insertion sequences . Mating-out assays indicated that both flanking IS1s were active in cointegrate formation at detectable frequencies . In some cases, the cointegrates could be resolved, the final result being a transposition-like event for the entire aerobactin system. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1988 Jul, 41(7), 949 - 58 In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of KY-109, a new orally active cephalosporin; Obana Y et al.; The in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial potencies of KY-109, a pro-drug of KY-087, were compared with those of amoxicillin, cephalexin (CEX), and cefaclor (CCL) . The following results were obtained . KY-087, which is the active form of KY-109, had broad antimicrobial spectrum against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, but showed low antimicrobial activity against Enterobacter sp., Serratia, and Pseudomonas sp . The antimicrobial activities of KY-087 against clinically isolated Gram-positive organisms were superior to those of CEX and CCL . The antimicrobial activities of KY-087 against Gram-negative organisms, such as Enterobacter sp., Serratia, and Pseudomonas sp., were less active . KY-087 showed dose-related bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . The therapeutic efficacy of KY-109 against experimental intraperitoneal infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms in mice was comparable to that of CEX but inferior to that of CCL . In experimental granuloma pouch models in rats and kidney infection in rabbits, therapeutic efficacy of KY-109 was either comparable or superior to that of CEX and CCL. Gut, 1988 Jul, 29(7), 916 - 25 Immunoglobulin containing cells in terminal ileum and colorectum of patients with arthritis related gut inflammation; Cuvelier C et al.; In 40 distal ileal and 40 colonic biopsies of arthritic patients mostly without gastrointestinal symptoms, but with histological evidence of acute or chronic inflammation of the gut, the number of immunoglobulin (Ig) containing plasma cells was studied morphometrically using a peroxidase antiperoxidase technique . Compared with controls, the ileal mucosal biopsies showed an increase of IgA and IgG in acute ileitis . In chronic ileitis there was an increase of IgA, IgG, and IgM similar to Crohn's disease . In colonic biopsies there was a significant increase of all immunoglobulin classes in acute inflammation . In chronic inflamed mucosa there was also an increase of all three Ig classes . The Ig distribution, however, was significantly different in acute and chronic colitis . These findings give immunohistochemical evidence of the existence of two different types of inflammation related to reactive arthritis or the peripheral joint involvement of ankylosing spondylitis . The Ig pattern in acute colitis is similar to that found in infectious colitis, suggesting an enterobacterial origin of the arthritis in this group of patients although bacteriological and serological investigations were negative . In the chronic type of arthritis related ileocolitis, the pattern of Ig containing cells is similar to that found in Crohn's disease but different from infectious and ulcerative colitis, which makes the hypothesis that a great number of these arthritis patients suffer from asymptomatic or subclinical Crohn's disease acceptable. Radiat Res, 1988 Jul, 115(1), 1 - 25 Use of antibiotics in the management of postirradiation wound infection and sepsis; Brook I; Ionizing gamma irradiation depresses the host defenses and enhances the susceptibility of the immunocompromised host to local and systemic infection due to endogenous or exogenous microorganisms . Trauma and wounding act synergistically and decrease the survival after exposure to irradiation . The current antimicrobial agents suitable for controlling serious infections and their use in post irradiation local and systemic infection with and without trauma are discussed . The experience gained in managing immunocompromised patients following chemotherapy is reviewed . Empiric single agent or combination agent therapy should be directed at the eradication of potential gram-negative as well as gram-positive pathogens . The most important organisms known to cause these infections are Pseudomonas sp . and Enterobacteriaceae . Management of intra-abdominal infections following trauma should include early surgical correlation and antimicrobials directed against the Bacteroides fragilis group and Enterobacteriaceae . Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes cause most skin and soft tissue infections following trauma . Chemoprophylaxis of enteric sources of systemic infection can be achieved by antimicrobials that selectively inhibit the Enterobacteriaceae sp . and preserve the anaerobic flora . The management of infection in the injured and irradiated host includes supportive and restorative therapy . Supportive therapy includes debridement and cleansing of wounds, fluids, immunoglobulin, and antimicrobials . Restorative therapy includes definite surgery repair and replenishment of the immune system by use of immunomodulators, growth factors, and bone marrow transplantation . Further studies are needed to examine the usefulness of presently available drugs and experimental agents in the irradiated and traumatized host. Infect Immun, 1988 Jul, 56(7), 1730 - 7 Interaction between human natural anti-alpha-galactosyl immunoglobulin G and bacteria of the human flora; Galili U et al.; Anti-alpha-galactosyl immunoglobulin G (anti-Gal) is a natural antibody present in unusually high amounts in human sera . It constitutes as much as 1% of circulating immunoglobulin G in humans and displays a distinct specificity for the carbohydrate epitope galactosyl alpha(1----3) galactosyl (Gal alpha 1----3Gal) . Recently, it has been suggested by various investigators that anti-Gal may be related to some autoimmune phenomena, since marked elevation of its titer was found in sera of patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, and Chagas' disease . In view of the ubiquitous presence of anti-Gal in high titers in humans, throughout life, we hypothesized that, analogous with synthesis of anti-blood group antibodies against bacterial antigens, bacteria within normal intestinal flora may provide constant antigenic stimulation for the synthesis of anti-Gal . This hypothesis would imply that anti-Gal may bind to a variety of bacterial strains of human flora . In the present study, the interaction between affinity chromatography-purified anti-Gal and various bacterial strains was studied . By the use of a direct immunostaining assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, anti-Gal was found to interact with a variety of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Salmonella strains, some of which were isolates from normal stool . Furthermore, the anti-Gal-binding sites in some strains were found to be present on the carbohydrate portion of bacterial lipopolysaccharides . It is thus suggested that Gal alpha 1----3Gal epitopes in the outer membranes of normal flora enterobacteria may provide a continuous source for antigenic stimulation . Since there is no immune tolerance to the Gal alpha 1----3Gal carbohydrate structure in humans, anti-Gal seems to be constantly produced in response to these enterobacteria . In addition, bacteria which express Gal alpha----3Gal epitopes and which may adhere to various cells mediated binding of anti-Gal to human cell lines . These findings raise the possibility that anti-Gal may damage normal human tissues via inflammatory processes facilitated by bacterial Gal alpha 1----3Gal epitopes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jul, 32(7), 1040 - 5 Simple assay of beta-lactamase with agar medium containing a chromogenic cephalosporin, pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore (PADAC); Kobayashi S et al.; A new beta-lactamase assay method with agar plates containing pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore (PADAC) (50 microM), a beta-lactamase-labile, chromogenic cephalosporin, was examined . On the PADAC plates inoculated with beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacteria (10(4) CFU per spot) and incubated at 37 degrees C, a yellow zone showing hydrolysis of PADAC by beta-lactamase was formed around the colony . The zone diameter increased with incubation time . Examination with Enterobacter cloacae GN7471 revealed that beta-lactamase activity was present in the agar around the colony, decreasing exponentially with increasing distance from the colonial margin; this suggests that the PADAC hydrolysis zone is formed by an extracellular enzyme . At 18 h, significant correlations were obtained between the zone diameters of the 10 species (clinical isolates) examined and their periplasmic beta-lactamase activities determined spectrophotometrically . The addition of clavulanic acid (0.5 to 10 micrograms/ml) inhibited zone formation on the PADAC plates inoculated with type IIIa, Va, Vb, PSE-1, and Ic beta-lactamase producers . When the clinical isolates were tested on plates with clavulanic acid (2 micrograms/ml), inhibition was observed in 41 to 58% of the Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and in all isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Proteus vulgaris . Thus, the use of the inhibitor made it possible to detect penicillinase or type Ic cephalosporinase producers . These results proved that the PADAC plate might be a useful tool permitting easy, semiquantitative determination of beta-lactamase activity. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 867 - 78 Extended broad-spectrum beta-lactamases conferring transferable resistance to newer beta-lactam agents in Enterobacteriaceae: hospital prevalence and susceptibility patterns; Jarlier V et al.; Before 1985 at the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris (2,400 beds), resistance to cefotaxime in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae involved only species producing inducible class 1 beta-lactamase . Between November 1985 and April 1987, however, 62 isolates (57 of Klebsiella pneumoniae and five of Escherichia coli) showed decreased susceptibility to cefotaxime (mean MIC, 8-16 micrograms/mL) . The transferability of cefotaxime resistance in E . coli K12 was demonstrated for 15 of 16 selected isolates . By isoelectric focusing using iodometric detection with 20 mg of ceftriaxone/100 mL and determination of substrate and inhibition profiles, three beta-lactamases mediating cefotaxime resistance were identified as SHV-2 (isoelectric point {pI} 7.6), CTX-1 (pI 6.3), and "SHV-2-type" or SHV-3 (pI 6.98) . The three beta-lactamases hydrolyzed penicillins and cephalosporins (including cefotaxime and ceftriaxone) and were therefore designated "extended broad-spectrum beta-lactamases" (EBS-Bla) . The enzymes conferred to derivatives a high level of resistance to amoxicillin, ticarcillin, piperacillin, and cephalothin and a decreased degree of susceptibility (i.e., MICs increased by 10- to 800-fold) to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and aztreonam . These beta-lactamases did not affect the activity of cephamycins (cefoxitin, cefotetan, moxalactam) or imipenem . Synergy between clavulanate or sulbactam (2 micrograms/mL) and amoxicillin was greater against derivatives producing EBS-Bla than against those producing TEM-1, TEM-2, or SHV-1; this synergy was greater with clavulanate than with sulbactam against derivatives producing SHV-2 and the SHV-2-type enzyme but was similar with clavulanate and sulbactam against those producing CTX-1 . A double-disk synergy test performed with cefotaxime and Augmentin disks (placed 30 mm apart, center to center) seemed a useful and specific test for the detection of strains producing EBS-Bla. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 800 - 5 Impact of the ampD gene and its product on beta-lactamase production in Enterobacter cloacae; Peter K et al.; In an investigation of the influence of the ampD gene on beta-lactamase production and induction in Enterobacter cloacae, the ampR-ampC gene region cloned into a plasmid and the ampD gene cloned into another vector were transferred to a strain of Escherichia coli . The genetically manipulated E . coli strains served as a model for study of the inducibility of beta-lactamases in E . cloacae . In addition, beta-lactamase induction in E . cloacae bearing the previously mentioned plasmids was studied . After induction of the beta-lactamase with cefoxitin, the specific hydrolytic activity, the viable cell count, and the degradation of cefoxitin were determined . beta-Lactamase expression decreased with an increasing amount of the ampD gene product . The cefoxitin concentration decreased in proportion to the amount of enzyme, but the induction of beta-lactamase seemed not to be an important factor influencing the viable cell count of E . cloacae as long as cefoxitin concentrations exceeded the MIC . Despite different beta-lactamase concentrations, the decrease in the viable cell count was nearly identical in all experiments. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 793 - 9 Genetic control of beta-lactamase production in Enterobacter cloacae; Korfmann G et al.; In Enterobacter cloacae, mutations in favor of overproduction of beta-lactamase--leading to resistance to third-generation cephalosporins--occur at frequencies of 10(-4)-10(-7) . Cloning experiments reveal that at least three genes are involved in the regulation of chromosomal beta-lactamase expression . The structural gene, ampC, is located adjacent to the regulatory gene, ampR, coding for a protein that can serve as an activator in the presence of an inducer . An example of an ampR mutant that is independent of an inducer has been studied . More important for the development of cefotaxime resistance in E . cloacae are mutations in the ampD gene and other proposed regulatory genes . Inactivation of the ampD gene leads to elevated beta-lactamase production . Thus, ampD negatively controls ampC expression . Evidence for the existence of a third regulatory gene, ampE, has been found. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 786 - 92 Heterogeneity in ampR-ampC gene interaction in Enterobacter cloacae; Goering RV et al.; The ampR gene and its regulation of AmpC beta-lactamase synthesis were investigated for Enterobacter cloacae 1194E, a wild-type strain producing a group A (pI 8.7) enzyme . Expression of the cloned E . cloacae 1194E ampR-ampC region was examined initially in Escherichia coli HB101 . However, transformants showed only constitutive beta-lactamase expression . For study of enzyme expression in a more closely related host, the cloned E . cloacae 1194E ampR-ampC region was transformed into E . cloacae 55, a wild-type strain producing a group B (pI 7.8) enzyme . Results indicated a functional E . cloacae 1194E ampR gene that could not be transcomplemented by E . cloacae 55 . A comparative analysis of ampR nucleotide and amino acid-sequence data from E . cloacae 1194E and E . cloacae MHN1 revealed related but divergent genes . Thermal induction studies of AmpC beta-lactamase also indicated a difference between E . cloacae 1194E and E . cloacae 55 in ampR-ampC interaction . Thus, it appears that, in at least some strains of Enterobacter, significant intraspecies divergence of ampR has occurred . This heterogeneity in ampR would not have been detected with beta-lactamase expression studies conducted exclusively in E . coli. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 714 - 20 Biochemical characterization of type A and type B beta-lactamase from Enterobacter cloacae; Then RL et al.; Different types of chromosomally coded beta-lactamases are found in Enterobacter cloacae . E . cloacae M6300 produces beta-lactamase type A, which has an isoelectric point of 8.8, whereas E . cloacae 908 R produces beta-lactamase type B, which has an isoelectric point of 7.9 . Both enzymes were purified to homogeneity by a procedure that included affinity chromatography on amino phenylboronic acid-modified Sepharose . The two enzymes were closely related as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, kinetic constants with several substrates, amino acid composition, NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, and reaction with antisera . In addition to having different isoelectric points, the two enzymes migrated to slightly different positions on polyacrylamide gels and differed significantly in rate of catalysis for cephalothin, imipenem, and the penem Sch 34343 . One of three antisera seemed to recognize an epitope that differs in the two enzymes . The diversity of cephalosporinases found in E . cloacae with respect to the evolution of novel beta-lactamases was considered. J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Jul, 134 ( Pt 7), 1835 - 45 A numerical taxonomic study of the genus Xenorhabdus (Enterobacteriaceae) and proposed elevation of the subspecies of X . nematophilus to species; Akhurst RJ et al.; Data from a study of both phases of 21 strains of Xenorhabdus examined for 240 characters were subjected to numerical analysis . Only 60 characters were used for the analyses, since 169 characters were common to all isolates, and the acidification data essentially duplicated the assimilation tests . The data were arranged in seven ways to determine the significance of characters affected by phase change and of weak responses . Most of the analyses involved calculation of similarities by the Jaccard coefficient and clustering by single linkage, complete linkage and centroid sorting algorithms . The resultant dendrograms emphasized the importance of recognizing phase-related characteristics in examining the taxonomy of Xenorhabdus . They also demonstrated a close correspondence between the taxonomic groupings of Xenorhabdus and those of their nematode associates . It is proposed that the subspecies of X . nematophilus be elevated to species, X . nematophilus, X . bovienii, X . poinarii and X . beddingii. Vopr Pitan, 1988 Jul-Aug, (4), 60 - 3 {Microbiological characteristics and detection of capsular forms of bacteria of the intestinal group in confectionery produced at the candy-chocolate factories}; Kuvaeva IB et al.; Five types of confectionery and its semifinished products were investigated for contamination with Klebsiella, mesophilic aerobic and elective anaerobic, coliform bacteria, E . coli, etc . after a long-term storage . E . coli and St . aureus were not detected after inoculation on 1 g of the product; mold fungi were identified only in singular samples, their level did not exceed 20 CFU/g; the level of mesophilic aerobic and elective anaerobic bacteria varied from several hundreds to 3000-5500 CFU/g; coliform bacteria were identified in the amounts from 11 to 100 CFU/g . The identification of coliform bacteria has evidenced the presence of Enterobacter aerogenes and Kl . pneumoniae in the products investigated . Klebsiella were detected in 28-30% of the samples analyzed, their level did not exceed 100 CFU/g . The authors have proved the necessity of microbiological control of starting material, semifinished and finished confectionery products for the above bacteria. Mikrobiologiia, 1988 Jul-Aug, 57(4), 680 - 5 {Bacteria reducing chromium in nature and in effluents of industrial plants}; Kvasnikov EI et al.; Bacteria capable of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) reduction can be found in Cr6+-containing sewage and sediments of purification tanks of industrial plants . They cannot be detected in water and soil samples containing no chromium compounds . Bacteria reducing chromium belong to the genera Aeromonas, Escherichia, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter . Their activity of Cr6+ reduction correlates with the high resistance to the elevated content of this ion in the medium . The fine cell structure of these bacteria is described. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jul, 32(7), 1005 - 11 Antibacterial properties of (2,3)-alpha- and (2,3)-beta-methylene analogs of penicillin G; Christenson JG et al.; The penam nucleus can assume two conformations; these are designated open and closed . The synthetic (2,3)-alpha- and (2,3)-beta-methylenepenams can be regarded as analogs of the open and closed conformations, respectively . It has been shown that the beta-methylenepenams are essentially inactive, suggesting that the closed conformation of penams is also inactive . In this study, we investigated a series of beta-lactams, all of which contained phenylacetamido side chains: penicillin G, the (2,3)-alpha- and (2,3)-beta-methylenepenams, and the 3-acetoxymethyl- and 3-methylcephalosporins . The alpha-methylenepenam and penicillin G were the most active compounds, while the beta-methylene isomer was only poorly active . Results with permeability mutants suggested that the alpha-methylene compound penetrated the outer membrane somewhat more readily than penicillin G did . The intrinsic potency of the alpha-methylenepenam appeared to be similar to that of penicillin G, on the basis of their affinities for penicillin-binding proteins and their abilities to inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in ether-permeabilized Escherichia coli, while the beta-methylene analog had very poor intrinsic potency . The alpha-methylene analog was about 10-fold more efficient (Vmax/Km) than penicillin G as a substrate for the cephalosporinases from Enterobacter cloacae and Proteus vulgaris, but it was about 40-fold less efficient with penicillinase from Staphylococcus aureus . These results strongly support the hypothesis that the active conformation of penams is the open conformation and suggest that the position in space of the carboxyl group relative to the beta-lactam carbonyl is an important determinant of cephalosporinlike character, as distinct from penicillinlike character. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1988 Jul-Aug, 139(4), 461 - 71 Rapid serotyping of enteropathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains by co-agglutination; Fernandez-Lago L et al.; A rapid co-agglutination test using monospecific antisera was developed for the serological typing of enteropathogenic strains of Yersinia enterocolitica . A total of 70 bacterial strains (17 reference strains and 53 clinical isolates) were examined . Absorption of immune sera against serotypes O:3, O:8 and O:9 with their heterologous antigens (S-LPS) was necessary to avoid the appearance of different cross-reactions, as observed by co-agglutination . The proteins present in the S-LPS preparations obtained from each serotype seemed to be responsible for such cross-reactions . Results obtained with a total of 57 clinical isolates belonging to other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae indicate a high specificity of the assay. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Jul, 269(1), 64 - 77 Histological changes and some in vitro biological activities induced by lipopolysaccharide from Bacteroides gingivalis; Isogai H et al.; The biological activities of lipopolysaccharide from Bacteroides gingivalis 381 (B-LPS) were examined in vivo and in vitro . Intra-oral mucosal injection of B-LPS induced an acute inflammation at the injection site . Intravenous injection of B-LPS induced necrotic lesions with many thrombi in the liver and lymphocytic reduction in the spleen . By immunohistochemical examination, B-LPS was detected in macrophages in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes . In vitro analysis showed that B-LPS was a potent activator of both neutrophils and macrophages in luminol-dependent response and IL-1 secretion from macrophages and was mitogenic to the spleen cells not only from BALB/c mice but also from LPS-non-responder C3H/HeJ mice . Interferon production from human peripheral mononuclear leucocytes was induced, in vitro, by stimulation with B-LPS but not with the other enterobacterial LPS . These findings clarified the various biological activities of B-LPS affecting various cells and tissues, especially neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes . The potent inflammability of B-LPS shown in the present study indicates that it is one of the effective agents to induce periodontitis. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 899 - 904 Some properties of Serratia marcescens, Salmonella paratyphi A, and Enterobacter cloacae with non-enzyme-dependent multiple resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, and quinolones; Dang P et al.; Non-enzyme-dependent multiple-drug resistance occurs preferentially in some genera of Enterobacteriaceae, such as Serratia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Salmonella . Susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, quinolones, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol may be affected in various combinations in different mutants . Proteins from the outer and inner membranes and lipopolysaccharides may be altered concomitantly . Although porin alterations have been observed in all resistant mutants studied, these modifications alone do not seem sufficient to explain the various cross-resistance phenotypes. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 850 - 9 Klebsiella pneumoniae and other Enterobacteriaceae producing novel plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases markedly active against third-generation cephalosporins: epidemiologic studies; Sirot J et al.; Analysis of the enzymes produced by clinical isolates of multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from hospitals in France revealed two novel broad-spectrum beta-lactamases . The first, characterized by an isoelectric point of 6.3 and a high hydrolytic activity on cefotaxime, is designated CTX-1 . This beta-lactamase was encoded by a 95-kilobase plasmid (incompatibility group 7M) and cotransferred with resistance to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and aminoglycosides (AAC {6'}-IV) . From 1984 to June 1987, 490 CTX-1-producing strains of Enterobacteriaceae were isolated . The second plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase (CAZ-1) was isolated in 1987 from three K . pneumoniae strains more resistant to ceftazidime than to other third-generation cephalosporins . This broad-spectrum beta-lactamase differed from CTX-1 by its isoelectric point--close to 5.6--and its high hydrolytic activity on ceftazidime and was encoded by a 150-kilobase plasmid . It was demonstrated that these expanded-spectrum beta-lactamases are TEM derivatives. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 782 - 5 Genetic basis of induction and overproduction of chromosomal class I beta-lactamase in nonfastidious gram-negative bacilli; Lindberg F et al.; Pseudomonas and several species of gram-negative enterobacteria produce low levels of chromosomally encoded class I beta-lactamase . The level of synthesis can be greatly increased by the addition of beta-lactam antibiotics into the growth medium . Moreover, mutants overproducing the enzyme arise at a high frequency in these species . The beta-lactamase is encoded by the chromosomal ampC gene, and its induction is governed by the ampR regulatory gene, which encodes an activator of ampC transcription . The ampD gene acts, probably indirectly, as a repressor of beta-lactamase synthesis, and it is in this gene that mutations leading to enzyme overproduction are located. Microbiologica, 1988 Jul, 11(3), 173 - 8 Multiple typing of Salmonella typhimurium isolates: an epidemiological study; Nastasi A et al.; An epidemiological study was carried out on sixty-four Salmonella typhimurium strains isolated in Palermo during the period January-July 1987 and identified at the Southern Italy Center of Enterobacteriaceae . These included 5 isolates from a small food-poisoning outbreak, which resulted antibiotic susceptible, not colicinogenic and untypable by the phage-type scheme of Anderson . Plasmid profile analysis was not a reliable method to differentiate them from non epidemic strains . The 5 epidemic isolates, belonging to biotype 25a, were assigned into NT 2 phage-type by an accessory set of phages developed in this laboratory . Such biotype/phage-type association was never detected in the remaining Salmonella typhimurium strains isolated during the first 7 months of 1987 . Chromosomal DNA analysis provided additional information on the relationships among Salmonella typhimurium isolates. APMIS, 1988 Jul, 96(7), 611 - 7 Contaminating coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated in a lysis-centrifugation (Isolator) blood culture system . Application of different epidemiological markers for deduction of mode of contamination; Arpi M et al.; The lysis-centrifugation blood culture system, Isolator, is a promising system with respect to detection of many significant microorganisms, e.g . Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae, as compared with conventional systems . A drawback of the Isolator system is a disturbingly high rate of clinically insignificant, supposedly contaminating coagulase-negative staphylococci, which leads to considerable waste of time and materials in the laboratory . Several sources of these isolates have been proposed (viz . the patient, the ward environment, the laboratory handling, and the plate media) . The aim of this study was to pinpoint the origin of these clinically doubtful coagulase-negative staphylococci, using different epidemiological markers, such as species identification, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, phage-types, and plasmid profiles . Plasmid profile analysis proved to be more discriminating than the other techniques and made it possible to conclude that the laboratory handling of the Isolator system was a major source of coagulase-negative staphylococci in this system. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1988 Jul, 9(7), 317 - 9 Introduction of a plasmid encoding the OHIO-1 beta-lactamase to an intermediate care ward by patient transfer; Shlaes DM et al.; A prospective study of 147 intermediate care ward (ICW) patients for acquisition of gentamicin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (GRE) was carried out . Fifty (34%) were colonized or infected with one or more strains of GRE . Fifteen of these patients and one nurse were colonized with 22 strains (including ten species) of GRE bearing identical 60 kb plasmids encoding a novel beta-lactamase determinant, OHIO-1 and ANT(2") . Analysis of the time course of colonized patients on the ICW revealed one probable episode of cross-transmission . Five colonized patients had been residing in the ICW from one to four months prior to study initiation . Eight patients were admitted to the ICW from other hospital areas already colonized and one additional patient acquired colonization on the ICW from an unknown source . Thus, eight of ten patients admitted to the ICW during the prospective study were already colonized on admission to the ICW . To control this level of colonization it would therefore be necessary to direct efforts at limiting admission of colonized patients or attempting to eliminate the strain from persistently colonized patients, rather than trying to limit transmission within the ward. Virologie, 1988 Jul-Sep, 39(3), 161 - 6 {Presence of the rotavirus antigen in newborn infants at maternity hospitals in Moldavia}; Avram G et al.; Studies conducted on 417 feces samples collected from newborn infants from seven maternity homes revealed the presence of rotavirus in 1.2 to 9.5% of the subjects . The infants get infection during the first 24 to 48 hours of life (1.8%) and the positivity rate reaches a peak the 7th day (9.7%) . Enteroviruses were found in 3.4% and enterobacteria in 11.8% of the samples. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jun, 32(6), 873 - 6 Susceptibilities to antibiotics and antiseptics of new species of the family Enterobacteriaceae; Freney J et al.; One hundred and sixty-nine strains of new species of the family Enterobacteriaceae, isolated mainly from the environment, were tested to determine their susceptibilities to 13 antibiotics and 4 antiseptics or disinfectants . All the species were susceptible to aminoglycosides, doxycycline, and trimethoprim but were resistant to chloramphenicol . Susceptibility to beta-lactams varied more among the strains . However, all the strains were cefotaxime susceptible, apart from some Buttiauxella agrestis strains for which MICs were greater than 256 micrograms/ml . The antiseptic MBCs were similar to those published elsewhere for species of the Enterobacteriaceae of clinical origin . No resistance to chlorhexidine was observed . On the other hand, the environmental strains presented a greater resistance to active chlorine than did the reference strains. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Jun, 26(6), 1079 - 84 Rapid and overnight microdilution antibiotic susceptibility testing with the Sensititre Breakpoint Autoreader system; Nolte FS et al.; The Sensititre Breakpoint Autoreader system (SBAS) is a broth microdilution method with one to three concentrations of each antibiotic and innovative fluorescence technology to define inhibitory endpoints . We tested 248 gram-negative bacilli and 80 gram-positive cocci using both the rapid (5 h) and overnight (18 h) SBAS procedures . Inhibitory endpoints were also determined by visual inspection of the microdilution trays after 18 h of incubation . SBAS results were compared with those obtained by a standardized disk diffusion (SDD) procedure . Agreement between the rapid SBAS and SDD results for all antibiotic-organism combinations was found in 3,730 of 4,571 (81.6%) tests, with 3.9% very major, 6.5% major, and 7.9% minor discrepancies noted . Data analysis by organism group revealed 86.8, 57.3, 71.4, and 62.3% agreement for members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., staphylococci, and enterococci, respectively . The results of the overnight SBAS and SDD agreed in 4,154 of 4,654 (89.2%) tests, with 2.3% very major, 1.3% major, and 7.1% minor discrepancies recorded . Concordance was noted in 90.4, 78.1, 90.6, and 83.3% of the comparisons for the members of the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., staphylococci, and enterococci, respectively . The inhibitory endpoints determined with the Autoreader were as reliable as those determined by visual inspection after 18 h of incubation. J Reprod Med, 1988 Jun, 33(6 Suppl), 571 - 3 Evolution of beta-lactamase inhibitors; Rolinson GN; Beta-lactamase, the bacterial enzyme that can inactivate penicillins, cephalosporins and related antibiotics, can function outside the cell or in the periplasmic space . This resistance can be transferred between bacteria of the same or different species . Most strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteroides species are beta-lactamase producers . Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that works by blocking the enzyme center . When it is combined with amoxicillin and ticarcillin, it expands those drugs' spectrum of activity to bacteria that are resistant to the single antibiotics as well as to anaerobic bacteria. Ann Emerg Med, 1988 Jun, 17(6), 626 - 32 Management of infection following intra-abdominal trauma; Brook I; Intra-abdominal infections following abdominal trauma often involve the gastrointestinal aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora . These organisms possess various virulence factors and exhibit potential synergy between them . The intra-abdominal infection is biphasic, with the Enterobacteriaceae as the major pathogens in the peritonitis stage, and the Bacteroides fragilis group predominant in the abscess stage . Experiments with animals and experience in human beings support the need to use single or combined antimicrobial agent therapy that is effective against both Enterobacteriaceae and the B fragilis group. Urology, 1988 Jun, 31(6 Suppl), 9 - 13 Microbiology and pharmacology of aztreonam; Duma RJ; Aztreonam, the first monobactam antibiotic, represents a significant evolutionary advance in antimicrobial therapy . Aztreonam is stable in the presence of the hydrolytic beta-lactamase enzymes; as such, it is effective against most Gram-negative aerobes, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter . Due to its specific spectrum of activity, aztreonam does not disturb the normal Gram-positive and anaerobic intestinal flora . The safety profile of aztreonam is superior: unlike the aminoglycosides, aztreonam does not cause nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity, and no routine monitoring of serum levels is required with its use . The pharmacokinetics of aztreonam after intravenous infusion or intramuscular dosing are presented as well as the dosage adjustments for hemodialysis and chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jun, 21(6), 795 - 9 Pefloxacin in the treatment of nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections in intensive care patients; Martin C et al.; Pefloxacin was used to treat nosocomial pulmonary infections in 46 mechanically ventilated patients . All patients had one or more underlying diseases and were given pefloxacin at a dose of 800 mg or 1200 mg daily in two or three divided doses . The commonest bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterobacteria . Of these patients, 33 (72%) showed a favourable response, one patient relapsed and 12 (26%) were considered failures . Superinfections occurred in 10 (22%) . Of the 62 isolated potential pathogens, 53 (85%) were completely eradicated . Side effects were mild and treatment was withdrawn in only three patients . Pefloxacin can be considered as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of nosocomial pulmonary infections. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 690 - 3 {Bacteriology of the bile ducts and antibiotic prophylaxis}; Allouch P et al.; The gallbladder wall, gallbladder lumen and bile duct intraoperative sampling materials had been examined in 52 patients with an operation on the biliary tract . All patients were treated by only one infusion before operation: 1 g ceftriaxone was given to 26 patients and 2 g ceftriaxone to the 26 others . Bacterial species were isolated on twenty patients . There was no significant difference in infection rate and organism identity between bacterial flora isolated from patients receiving 1 g ceftriaxone and patients receiving 2 g . Isolated germs were enterobacteriaceae (15) streptococci (14) and anaerobic bacteria (8) . The mean count of bacteria in bile is 10(4) germs/ml . Half positive sampling materials contains more than one bacterial strain . The bacterial flora isolated from bile has characteristics of mixed flora infection . Ceftriaxone had a good efficacy in antibiotic prophylaxis. J Med Microbiol, 1988 Jun, 26(2), 121 - 3 Evaluation of a fluorescent monoclonal antibody reagent for identification of cultured Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Ison CA et al.; We evaluated a new fluorescent monoclonal antibody reagent for confirmation of identity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae . The reagent correctly identified all 161 fresh clinical isolates of N . gonorrhoeae, which included 11 penicillinase producing strains (PPNG) . The reagent also correctly identified 21 stored PPNG strains . No cross reactions were seen with 58 fresh clinical isolates of N . meningitidis, 12 stored strains of N . lactamica, or with strains of Gardnerella vaginalis, lactobacilli, Candida spp., Staphylococcus epidermidis or Enterobacteriaceae . Some cross reaction was noted with strains of S . aureus, probably related to cell-wall protein . A . However, this reagent was highly sensitive and specific for use against oxidase positive, gram-negative cocci isolated in London. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 750 - 3 {Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of cefmenoxime in the newborn infant}; Sarlangue J et al.; Cefmenoxime (CMX) has been administered under parenteral injection to 39 neonates delivered at term, nearly always by monotherapy in an average dosage of 86.8 mg/kg/day . CMX has been used 31 times in first line therapy and 8 times after failure of association Ampicillin-Gentamicin . 25 strains have been identified: 16 E . coli (9 Ampicillin resistant), 7 P . mirabilis (1 Ampicillin resistant), 1 K . oxytoca and 1 Streptococcus B . The neonates group with septicaemia (1 with arthritis) has been cured without after-effects as urinary tract infections and systemic infections . 2 respiratory tract infections have been improved, the others have been cured . Bacterial samples have always been sterilized within 2 days . Local tolerance (IV or/and IM injection) has been very good . No clinical or biological abnormality has been imputed to treatment . Cefmenoxime appears very effective on enterobacteriaceae (MIC range 0.05-0.5 mg/l) and can be used in newborn infections. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 738 - 41 {Comparison of in vitro activity of 4 oral beta-lactams on microorganisms responsible for broncho-pulmonary infections in children}; Lambert-Zechovsky N et al.; MIC 90 and MBC 90 of amoxicillin, cefaclor, cefadroxil and cefuroxime axetil have been determined by the microdilution method against 48 organisms responsible of acute respiratory tract infections in children: 17 E . coli, 15 K . pneumoniae, 16 H . influenzae . An inoculum effect and an inhibitory index in blood and bronchial secretions were determined . An inoculum effect was more important for amoxicillin and cefadroxil than for cefuroxime axetil and cefaclor . Against H . influenzae, cefuroxime axetil and cefaclor have a similar activity . Against Enterobacteria, cefuroxime axetil has the lowest MIC 90 and MBC 90 and the highest inhibitory index. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 724 - 7 {Intraocular penetration of ciprofloxacin after infusion and oral administration}; Mounier M et al.; Thirty five patients (mean age: 70 years) undergoing cataract surgery or vitrectomy were perfused with ciprofloxacin (400 mg IV/for 1 hour) or received either a single, 2, 6 or 8 preoperative orale doses (750 mg each) . The samples of serum, aqueous humor or vitreous fluid were taken simultaneously at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 or 12 hours after the last administration of antibiotic . The antibiotic concentrations were determined by microbiological techniques (using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633) . Aqueous humor levels, after perfusion of 400 mg, were stable during 3 hours (mean: 0.22 mg/l); after a single oral dose of 750 mg were stable during 12 hours (mean: 0.18 mg/l) but were significantly lower than after multiple doses (up to 0.8 mg/l) which suggest accumulation in anterior chamber . In vitreous fluid, levels were elevated from one to six hours after the end of the perfusion (up to 0.4 mg/l) . The levels are above the MIC 90 of enterobacteriaceae, and around the MIC 50 of Staphylococcus or Pseudomonas. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 651 - 4 {Comparative study of a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid and a combination of ticarcillin and clavulanic acid on 249 enterobacteria}; Aubert G et al.; A comparison between the MIC of amoxicillin (AMX) and ticarcillin (TIC) in the presence of clavulanic acid (Augmentin: AUG and Claventin: CLV) was made on 168 strains of Escherichia coli resistant to amoxicillin (MIC greater than 16 mg/l) and yet sensitive to ceftriaxone (MIC less than or equal to 4 mg/l) and 81 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae sensitive to Ceftriaxone . All those strains have been isolated between 1986-87 in Bellevue Hospital in Saint-Etienne . On 168 Escherichia coli, 142 have a MIC greater than 128 mg/l of TIC . Those 142 Escherichia coli are sensitive or of an intermediary sensitivity to Cephalothin (MIC less than or equal to 32 mg/l) in 57% cases . Those 142 strains are sensitive to AUG (MIC less than or equal to 4 mg/l) in 13.4% cases, intermediary sensitive to AUG (4 less than MIC less than or equal to 16) in 30.3% cases, sensitive to CLV (CMI less than or equal to 16 mg/l) in 23.3% cases and intermediary sensitive to Claventin (16 less than MIC less than or equal to 64) in 47.2% cases . The 26 Escherichia coli of MIC less than or equal to 64 mg/l of TIC and resistant to Cephalothin (MIC greater than 32 mg/l) have MIC less than or equal to 4 mg/l of AUG In 3.8% cases and MIC less than or equal to 16 mg/l of Claventin in 79.6% cases . The 81 Klebsiella pneumoniae Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 603 - 7 {Determination of antibiotype by a computer program . Epidemiological significance and antibiogram-identification correlates}; Fosse T et al.; By means of a computer program disk diffusion diameter were analysed and an antibiotic susceptibility code (antibiotype) was determined for enterobacteriaceae . This code was a 6 figure-number . Each figure summarised susceptibility (susceptible or resistant) to 3 antibiotics . Thus a 18 serial antibiotics was necessary to calculate the 6 figure-code . At least following antibiotics were chosen for their characteristic behavior: amoxycillin, ticarcillin, amoxycillin + clavulanic acid, cephalothin, ticarcillin + clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, gentamycin, tobramycin, amikacin, nalidixic acid, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin and colistin . This code allowed three kind of utilisation: epidemiology by comparing biochemical and susceptibility patterns of same isolated species; laboratory control: a data base with main antibiotic susceptibility patterns for each species allowed a rapid compatibility control of biochemical identification with antibiogram . An inconsistent result lead to a checking of biochemical and susceptibility tests or to record a new code in a file to a further enrichment of the data base . Impression of a message depending of the code for a therapeutic purpose. EMBO J, 1988 Jun, 7(6), 1853 - 62 The export of the DNA replication inhibitor Microcin B17 provides immunity for the host cell; Garrido MC et al.; Microcin B17 (MccB17) is a peptide antibiotic which inhibits DNA replication in Enterobacteriaceae . Microcin-producing strains are immune to the action of the microcin . Physical and genetic studies showed that immunity is mediated by three genes: mcbE, mcbF and mcbG . We sequenced these genes and identified polypeptide products for mcbF and mcbG . By studying the contribution of each gene to the expression of immunity we found that immunity is determined by two different mechanisms . One of these, encoded by mcbE and mcbF, is also involved in the production of extracellular MccB17 . To reconcile these observations we propose that McbE and McbF serve as a 'pump' for the export of active MccB17 from the cytoplasm . This model is supported by the predicted properties of the McbE and McbF proteins, which are thought to be, respectively, an integral membrane protein and an ATP-binding protein with homology to other transport proteins. Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 Jun, 6(4), 269 - 80 The influence of extrinsic factors on the microbiological spoilage pattern of ground beef; von Holy A et al.; Two hundred and thirty four samples of raw minced beef were subjected to storage at 0 and 7 degrees C over a period of 17 days . The samples were subjected to four different treatments where the controls (Treat 1) were aerobically packed . The vacuum-packed samples (Treats 2 and 3) differed only by the addition of 0.5% L-(+)-ascorbic acid to the Treat 3 samples . Treat 4 represented aerobically packed samples to which a commercial 'colour retainer' was added . The microbiological results showed clearly that temperature control around 0 degree C was the central element in achieving shelf life extension of raw minced beef . Vacuum packaging and additive treatments enhanced the effect of low storage temperatures . Identification of 128 psychrotrophic spoilage isolates revealed a predominance of Gram-negative bacteria (63%), most of which were classified as Pseudomonas spp . (72%), the rest being Enterobacteriaceae . Among Gram-positive isolates, lactobacilli and yeasts predominated (45% and 28%, respectively) . Commonly observed oxygen relationships were not found in this study . Pseudomonads proliferated even in vacuum packaged samples throughout the entire storage period, whilst lactic acid bacteria were also found in high numbers in aerobically packaged samples . Identification of 71 isolates of lactic acid bacteria revealed a strong predominance of Lactobacillus sake (34%), followed by L . curvatus (23%), L . bavaricus (21%) and L . alimentarius (10%) . Significant numbers of lactobacilli were isolated from samples in all treatment groups, including the aerobically packed categories. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jun, 32(6), 827 - 33 In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of T-3262, a new fluoroquinolone; Fujimaki K et al.; T-3262, a new fluoroquinolone, showed a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria . T-3262 had most potent activity against gram-positive cocci, such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus spp . The MICs of T-3262 for 90% of strains tested were between 0.05 and 1.56 micrograms/ml . Against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the activities of T-3262 were almost equal to those of ciprofloxacin . Obligate anaerobes were also susceptible to T-3262 . T-3262 was bactericidal for one strain each of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and P . aeruginosa at concentrations near its MIC; and fluoroquinolones, including T-3262, inhibited DNA gyrase activity at low concentrations . The 50% effective dose of T-3262 after oral administration against systemic infections with S . aureus in mice was about 6 times lower than that of ofloxacin and about 20 times lower than that of norfloxacin. Eur J Biochem, 1988 May 16, 174(1), 199 - 205 Pore formation by pho-controlled outer-membrane proteins of various Enterobacteriaceae in lipid bilayers; Bauer K et al.; The structural genes of the PhoE porins of Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli C, cloned in multicopy plasmids, were transfered into a porin-deficient E . coli K-12 strain, which was constitutive for the pho regulon, and the PhoE porins were isolated and purified . PhoE of Salmonella typhimurium could not be cloned but was isolated from a pho-constitutive strain . Reconstitution experiments with artificial lipid bilayer membranes showed that the different PhoE proteins formed pores exhibiting a single-channel conductance of about 200 pS at 0.1 M KCl . All PhoE porins formed anion-selective channels in KCl at neutral pH . The degree of the selectivity was dependent on the PhoE species . The different PhoE porins formed general diffusion pores similar to the general porins but exhibited a considerable advantage for the permeation of phosphate through the outer membrane as compared to the constitutive OmpC and OmpF porins of E . coli K-12. Biochem J, 1988 May 15, 252(1), 173 - 9 Nucleotide sequence analysis and overexpression of the gene encoding a type III chloramphenicol acetyltransferase; Murray IA et al.; The gene catIII, encoding a type III enterobacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, was cloned from the transmissible plasmid R387 into pBR322 and bacteriophage M13 mp8 . Nucleotide sequence analysis of 1160 bp of DNA identified an open reading frame encoding a protein of 213 amino acid residues and a calculated molecular mass of 24965 Da . The predicted N-terminal sequence is identical with that determined by Edman degradation of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase purified from Escherichia coli harbouring R387 . Sequences equivalent to the consensus motifs for initiation and rho-factor-independent termination of transcription in E . coli occur 5' and 3' to the catIII open reading frame . In contrast with the catI gene, present on transposon Tn9 and many enterobacterial plasmids, expression of catIII is not subject to cyclic AMP-mediated catabolite repression in vivo and there is no sequence in the 5' non-coding DNA that resembles that deduced as the consensus for the binding of cyclic AMP receptor protein . Unique restriction-endonuclease cleavage sites were introduced adjacent to the catIII reading frame by using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to facilitate insertion into E . coli expression vectors . Fully active chloramphenicol acetyltransferase represents 30-50% of the soluble protein component of cell-free extracts of E . coli containing the appropriate plasmids. Antibiot Khimioter, 1988 May, 33(5), 346 - 51 {Comparative evaluation of commercial test systems for the identification of gram-negative bacteria}; Zubkov MN et al.; Diagnostic efficiency of 5 test-systems i.e . Enterotube 11, Oxi-Ferm Tube, API 20E, API 20NE and MS-2 BID was estimated comparatively with using collection and clinical strains of enteric bacteria and nonfermenting organisms . The accuracy of the enteric bacteria identification as compared to that with the use of the routine methods was more than 90 per cent . The diagnostic mistakes were more frequent with species differentiation of Klebsiella and Enterobacter . In the studies with nonfermenting bacteria the results were less stable and statistically significant differences in identification of separate strains were stated . Advantages and disadvantages of various test-systems are discussed. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 May, 26(5), 857 - 62 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin G subclass antibodies specific for enterobacterial Re core glycolipid in healthy individuals and in patients infected by gram-negative bacteria; Nys M et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to study the subclass distribution of immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific to the core glycolipid (CGL) of the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota R595 in serum samples from individuals with an IgG response toward these antigens . In a group of healthy blood donors, we detected predominantly the IgG2 and IgG1 subclasses . In a group of patients in an intensive care unit who developed infectious complications due to gram-negative bacteria, the anti-CGL IgG activity was due mainly to the IgG2 and IgG3 subclasses . In all serum samples found to be IgG positive, the assay for anti-CGL IgG2 was positive . This subclass was revealed to play a predominant role in patients displaying a seroconversion or a significant rise in their antibody response toward CGL . IgG4 was found or appeared only in patients with confirmed bacteremia . In addition, we observed a drop in anti-CGL IgG2 before the death of patients undergoing a septic shock or an irreversible organ failure, suggesting that the anti-CGL IgG2 activity could be used as a marker of the evolution of the illness in this group of patients. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1988 May 1, 113(9), 484 - 90 {Hygienic aspects of pig's head meat . 2 . Mechanical separation of pigs' heads}; Bijker PG et al.; Deboning pigs' heads is a labour-intensive process . According to information supplied by the industry, mechanical separation of pigs' heads offers good prospects . Data on the hygienic implications of this process were not known . These were studied more closely in an experimental design . The bacteriological and sensory qualities as well as the chemical and histological composition of the product were compared with those of manually obtained pig's head meat . In addition, the yield of the process of separation was determined . Three groups of heads were mechanically separated, viz . untreated heads and heads which had previously been dipped in water having an initial temperature of 100 degrees C for one minute and five minutes respectively . These studies served to verify the fact that mechanical separation of pigs' heads is technically possible . Previous dipping of the heads in water at a temperature of 100 degrees C produced a considerable improvement of the yield in meat, which was due to setting of the rind . The chemical composition of the product was roughly identical with that of manually obtained head meat . However, tissue composition and structure of the tissues differed markedly . An important drawback is the higher count of Enterobacteriaceae in the product . These bacteria are probably released on compression from sites which are difficult of access such as the nose, the pharyngeal cavity and the alveoli . In addition, they may be possibly protected by a covering layer of mucus . Therefore, mechanical separation is not regarded as acceptable from the point of view of hygiene. Eur J Pediatr, 1988 May, 147(4), 405 - 7 Comparison of serum concentrations of ceftazidime and tobramycin in newborn infants; Tessin I et al.; Peak and trough serum concentrations of ceftazidime and tobramycin were determined in neonates with suspected septicaemia in an open randomized study . Mean peak serum levels were 85 (+/- 4.4 SE) mg/l for ceftazidime and 5.8 (+/- 0.3 SE) mg/l for tobramycin . The peak serum levels of ceftazidime were well above the reported minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)90 values of pathogenic bacteria encountered in neonates, while peak serum levels of tobramycin were lower than reported MIC90 values for Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Serratia species . Nine of 33 tobramycin-treated patients had potentially toxic trough serum levels (greater than 2 mg/l) and nine had subtherapeutic peak serum levels (less than 4 mg/l) . The dosage of this antibiotic had to be changed frequently . In comparison only 2 of 29 ceftazidime-treated patients had subtherapeutic peak levels (less than 40 mg/l) and none had potentially toxic trough levels (greater than 40 mg/l) . Ceftazidime, in comparison with tobramycin, has a more favourable antibacterial spectrum and routine determinations of peak and trough serum levels should not be necessary. Clin Radiol, 1988 May, 39(3), 245 - 6 Ultrasound scanning of post-operative wounds--the risks of cross-infection; Spencer P et al.; Ultrasound scanning of surgical wounds is an established procedure for the detection of abscesses . The possible risks of cross-infection resulting from this technique were examined by testing the sterility of the ultrasound probes, the coupling gel and the stand-off medium Kitecko (3 M) . The coupling gel was also assessed for any bactericidal properties . Sixty-six per cent of swabs taken from machines in constant use and 33% of the total number of swabs taken were contaminated with skin flora including Staphylococcus aureus . Sterility was achieved using a 70% alcohol wipe . The coupling gel was inherently sterile but had no bactericidal action . The solid stand-off medium Kitecko grew Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas species . The implications of these findings in relation to scanning post-operative wounds are discussed. APMIS, 1988 May, 96(5), 455 - 63 Comparative analysis of two blood culture systems (Isolator and a 12-tube system) by cumulative differences in detection power at different times during incubation; Arpi M et al.; A lysis-centrifugation blood culture system (Isolator) and a conventional system (4 tubes of nutrient broth, 4 tubes of semisolid agar, and 4 tubes of thioglycollate agar) were compared after different lengths of incubation by cumulative scoring of differences in detection power . After the first half day of incubation, the Isolator system was already significantly faster in detecting isolates of clinical significance (15 vs . 4, P = 0.02) . Maximum difference in first or only detection system was seen after two days of incubation and was based on an overall superior detection of Staphylococcus aureus (11 vs . 0, P = 0.001), and an earlier detection of Enterobacteriaceae (30 vs . 13, P = 0.01) in the Isolator system . On the contrary, the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae was significantly inferior in the Isolator system (0 vs . 10, P = 0.002) . The earlier finding of clinically significant microorganisms in the Isolator system certainly contributes to good patient-care . A drawback of the Isolator system was the finding of clinically insignificant coagulase-negative staphylococci in 11%, compared with 1% in the conventional system . This led to a considerable waste of time and materials in the laboratory . The comparison of the two blood culture systems, based on statistical analysis of cumulative differences in detection power, expressed as the earliest or only findings, gives the optimal information, and is in our opinion the clinically most relevant comparison. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1988 May 1, 113(9), 475 - 83 {Hygienic aspects of pig's head meat . 1 . Obtaining and processing pigs' heads}; Bijker PG et al.; Pigs's head meat is mainly obtained in specialised deboning plants and provides raw materials for the manufacture of meat products and snacks . Few data on hygiene in processing and production of pig's heads or on the bacteriological quality and tissue composition of pig's head meat have so far been published . The object of the present investigation was to supplement these data and to examine the extent to which this quality could be improved by Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) . A total number of 11 slaughter-houses and 14 deboning plants were studied . Hygiene was assessed by two investigators on the basis of a check list . Temperatures of rooms, heads and head meat were measured . Twenty-one samples (7 x 3) were taken in each of nine deboning plants for bacteriological and histological examination . The investigations carried out in slaughter-houses showed that pig's heads were only washed in five out of eleven slaughter-houses . Cleansing and disinfection of the apparatus used in splitting the carcasses were omitted or merely carried out incidentally during slaughter . Assessment of hygiene in the deboning plants ranged from adequate to satisfactory in 13 out of 14 plants . The average aerobic colony count in Log N g-1 of pig's head meat was 6.7 +/- 0.7; this was 4.4 +/- 0.9 for counts of colony-forming units (CFU) of Enterobacteriaceae . Tonsils, mucous membranes, bone, hair and dirt were found to be present in 8, 13, 21, 39 and 9 per cent of the samples respectively . As a result of the manual cleavage of heads, relatively large bone particles (greater than 8 mm) were detected in the head meat . It is concluded that an improvement of the hygienic quality of pig's head meat can mainly be achieved by taking more care in obtaining pig's heads. Cutis, 1988 May, 41(5), 361 - 3 Neonatal and childhood purpura fulminans: review of seven cases; Gurses N et al.; The cases of seven patients between the ages of seven days and three years with purpura fulminans have been reviewed . Causative agents in these new-borns were Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, and Staphylococcus; in older children they were varicella and E . coli . The clinical findings, medical and surgical interventions, and outcomes of the cases are presented here. J Infect Dis, 1988 May, 157(5), 1032 - 8 Comparison of translocation rates of various indigenous bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to the mesenteric lymph node; Steffen EK et al.; Bacterial translocation is defined as the passage of indigenous bacteria from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through the lamina propria to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and other organs . We compared the relative abilities of various aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, and obligately anaerobic bacteria to translocate from the GI tract to the MLN in gnotobiotic mice colonized with single strains of bacteria . Indigenous gram-negative enteric bacilli translocated in large numbers to the MLN, whereas gram-positive bacteria translocated at intermediate levels and obligately anaerobic bacteria at only very low levels . Our results suggest that enteric bacilli such as Escherichia coli, Proteus, and Enterobacter are associated with a higher incidence of bacteremia in debilitated patients, because these bacteria translocate more efficiently from the GI tract than do other bacteria, especially obligate anaerobes. Int J Radiat Biol Relat Stud Phys Chem Med, 1988 May, 53(5), 709 - 16 Effect of antimicrobial therapy on bowel flora and bacterial infection in irradiated mice; Brook I et al.; Mice exposed to 10 Gy cobalt-60 radiation were given intramuscular antimicrobial therapy of gentamicin, or metronidazole, or a combination of the two . Mortality in the mice treated with metronidazole alone or in combination with gentamicin occurred earlier than in the controls (P less than 0.001) . Microorganisms were recovered from the blood, spleen, and liver of the metronidazole-treated mice earlier than from other groups . The predominant organisms recovered from these animals were Enterobacteriaceae . Quantitative cultures of the ileal flora showed a decrease in the number of aerobic, facultative anaerobic and strict anaerobic bacteria after irradiation, and a subsequent increase only in the number of strict aerobic bacteria . As compared to untreated mice, a rapid decrease (by 8.8 logs) in the number of anaerobic flora occurred in the mice treated with metronidazole 5 days after irradiation . This was followed by a rapid increase in the number of aerobic organisms which coincided with the earlier mortality in this group . These data suggest that antimicrobial agents that decrease the number of the strict anaerobic component of the gut flora enhance systemic infection by aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria, and this facilitates mortality after irradiation. Med Clin North Am, 1988 May, 72(3), 555 - 66 Aztreonam: the first monobactam; Neu HC; There are several areas in which the use of aztreonam seems logical . Infections caused by organisms sensitive to aztreonam that are known to be multiresistant to other agents can be treated directly with aztreonam in single, directed therapy, thus making the use of more toxic agents unnecessary . In types of infection in which both gram positive and gram negative bacteria are present, aztreonam can replace the usual aminoglycoside component of the therapeutic regimen . In settings of mixed infections suspected of being caused by drug-resistant strains of Enterobacteriaceae and/or P . aeruginosa, aztreonam can be combined with an agent active against gram positive organisms or with one active against anaerobes . Aztreonam has proven to be effective, safe therapy for serious and life-threatening infections caused by multiresistant aerobic gram negative bacteria . It should be used in combination with drugs that inhibit gram positive species if the etiology of the infection is not known, particularly in the immunocompromised, neutropenic patient . Doses of 1 g every 8 to 12 hours will be adequate for treatment of infections caused by most Enterobacteriaceae . Whether 2 g doses every 8 hours would be preferred for treatment of systemic Pseudomonas infections remains to be determined . Urinary infections caused by gram negative bacteria can be treated with 500 mg administered IM once or twice daily . The dosage of aztreonam should be adjusted in patients with renal failure . Clearly, aztreonam is a useful addition to the antimicrobial agents available to the physician. Jpn J Antibiot, 1988 May, 41(5), 530 - 7 {Antibacterial activity of gentamicin against clinical isolates in pediatrics}; Deguchi K et al.; Antibacterial activity of gentamicin (GM), along with activities of other aminoglycosides and beta-lactams, was studied against clinical isolates collected from pediatric patients during a period of May 1986-April 1987 . 1 . GM-resistance was noted in 22% of Staphylococcus aureus, 6% of Proteus vulgaris, 8% of Morganella morganii, 40% of Providencia spp., 6% of Enterobacter spp., 14% of Serratia marcescens, and 14% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates . No GM-resistance was observed with isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis . 2 . The antibacterial activity of GM against clinical isolates from pediatric patients was found to be comparable to its activity against clinical isolates from adults studied at the same time . 3 . The majority of GM-resistant strains of S . aureus were MCRSA, and the GM-resistant strains of S . marcescens and P . aeruginosa were found also to be resistant to multiple drugs . 4 . GM-resistant strains were found at relatively high rates (14-22%) in S . aureus, S . marcescens and P . aeruginosa . These rates did not increase compared to the rates observed in the first half of the 1980's . 5 . GM was considered to have poor antibacterial activity against genus Providencia . It is concluded from above results that GM still maintains effective antibacterial activity against many of causative organisms of infections in both adults and children. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1988 May-Jun, 139(3), 307 - 14 Immunological relationship among glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases in the genera Enterobacter and Escherichia; Trinel PA et al.; The comparative immunological study of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-3-PDH) among Enterobacteriaceae carried out with an anti-Enterobacter cloacae G-3-PDH serum pointed out the large heterogeneity of the genera Enterobacter and Escherichia . The use of two-dimensional maps integrating our new data and previously acquired quantitative data confirmed these results. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 May, 268(3), 362 - 9 "Slimy eyes phenomenon" in mice intraperitoneally injected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells or cell products; Sourek J et al.; Mice intraperitoneally treated with various Pseudomonas aeruginosa products or lipopolysaccharides of some selected Enterobacteriaceae representatives were found also to react by an increased slime secretion of the eye conjunctivae . The condition, tentatively designated as "Slimy Eyes Phenomenon", started to develop shortly post-treatment, culminated within 24-48 h when the eyes became fully glued up with slime, and receded 48-72 h later, leaving no sequelae for the eye or the general condition of the animal . No such phenomenon has to date been observed in other laboratory animal species. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 439 - 41 {Evolution from 1976 to 1986 of bacterial prevalence and sensitivity to urinary antibiotics of bacteria isolated from urine cultures at a city microbiology laboratory}; Chouteau J; The evolution of the prevalence of the bacterial strains isolated from UTI cases (bacteriuria greater than or equal to 10(5)/ml has been studied over a 11 year-period from 1976 to 1986, in a clinical practice microbiological laboratory from a rural area . E . coli was the overall most frequently isolated species, followed by P . mirabilis (74.4% and 11.2% respectively), by the Klebsiella-Enterobacter group (4.8%), and staphylococci (represented by coagulase negative staphylococci) (4.9%) . The relative frequency of the different species has been relatively stable year after year during the considered period . The evolution of the resistance to 4 antibiotics has been studied species by species and year after year for the Gram negative bacilli: a definite evolution towards resistance has been noted for ampicillin until 1985, followed by a decrease in 1986 . The same tendency, although less pronounced, has been noted for cotrimoxazole . The frequency of the resistance to nalidixic acid has slightly increased from 1976 to 1986 (1.9% to 6.5%), as well as to pipemidic acid from (0% to 4%) . The quinolones stand in 1987 as a good first line treatment of UTI in community, and especially in rural areas, and the role of the clinical practice microbiological laboratory for the epidemiological surveillance has to be stressed. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 May, 32(5), 617 - 22 In vitro activity of lomefloxacin, a new quinolone antimicrobial agent, in comparison with those of other agents; Wise R et al.; The in vitro activity of lomefloxacin (SC-47111; NY-198), a new difluorinated quinolone, was compared with those of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, fleroxacin, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, and trimethoprim against 585 recent clinical isolates and other strains with known mechanisms of resistance . The MICs of lomefloxacin against 90% of the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and staphylococci were between 0.25 and 4 micrograms/ml . Ninety percent of Neisseria sp . and Haemophilus influenzae were susceptible to less than or equal to 0.06 micrograms/ml, and streptococci (including Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and enterococci) and Bacteroides fragilis were susceptible to 8 micrograms/ml . Lomefloxacin was comparable in activity to fleroxacin and ofloxacin, but it was less active than ciprofloxacin . There was cross-resistance between the quinolone group of antimicrobial agents . The protein binding of lomefloxacin was 15.4%, and serum had little effect on the activity of the compound . However, urine at pH 5.0 decreased the activity by two- to eightfold compared with that at pH 7.0 J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 May, 21(5), 525 - 33 The differential expression of genes for the PSE-4 beta-lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Enterobacteriaceae; Reid AJ et al.; The PSE-4 beta-lactamase has been identified, for the first time, in two non-pseudomonal strains . The gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae 241 (dal1) was located on a plasmid (pUK700) and was freely transferable to other enterobacterial strains and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . On the other hand, the gene in Enterobacter cloacae A113 (dal2) could only be transferred in the presence of a mobilizing plasmid . When both these genes were transferred within the Enterobacteriaceae, the beta-lactamase produced was slightly different from the prototype 'Dalgleish' PSE-4 enzyme . However, when dal1 and dal2 were transferred to P . aeruginosa the enzyme expressed was identical to this prototype enzyme . In addition, both these genes expressed higher levels of PSE-4 beta-lactamase production in P . aeruginosa than found in the Enterobacteriaceae . Thus it appears that the biochemical properties of the PSE-4 gene products from dal1 and dal2 are host-modified. Can J Microbiol, 1988 May, 34(5), 690 - 3 Indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide, a novel chromogenic reagent for the specific detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli in environmental samples; Ley AN et al.; About 97% of Escherichia coli strains produce beta-glucuronidase, but almost all other Enterobacteriaceae lack this enzyme . A D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (glucuronide) possessing a readily detectable beta-linked aglycone should, therefore, constitute a specific reagent for the detection of this organism . For this purpose, the title compound has been synthesized for the first time . The synthesis proceeds in eight steps from readily available D-glucuronolactone, anthranilic acid, and chloroacetic acid and can be carried out on a large scale . The compound has the predicted properties: when included in the standard membrane filter test for the analysis of water, indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide allows specific detection of E . coli through the formation of blue colonies that are the result of rapid conversion of the liberated aglycone to indigo . The recovery of E . coli is easily measured and almost quantitative. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 May, 268(3), 295 - 305 Improved computer-assisted reading of identification and shortened MIC data for reporting on urine specimens at a Berlin university hospital; Xander LU et al.; Results of bacteriological analyses of urine specimens from patients of Steglitz University Hospital at Berlin Free University are transmitted directly from the laboratory reading station to a mini-computer by means of an input tablet and a menu-driven programme . First, an identification of each specimen is entered on reception and printed out to form a working list . After culturing, the microorganisms are inoculated into microdilution plates for susceptibility testing and differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae . At the reading station, the urine data acquisition programme stores the observed CFU/ml values as well as up to 6 pathogens for each specimen . For each pathogen susceptibilities to 30 antibiotics are tested and reported for up to 4 levels of sensitivity . Enterobacteriaceae are speciated largely according to the results of 17 biochemical tests . User-programme interaction can be monitored on an LCD . Two correction facilities are provided: (1) within the current specimen, or (2) by recalling earlier specimens . Antibiotic usage patterns and species coding may be modified without reprogramming by editing the configuration files for (1) usage of the menu, (2) species coding, and (3) substrate-species combinations . The results are printed on self-adhesive labels, which are returned to the senders of specimens on the conventional request forms. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 536 - 9 {Experimental Enterobacter cloacae endocarditis treated with gentamicin . Predictive value of the in vitro bactericidal rate}; Potel G et al.; The predictive value of in vitro time-kill curve was tested on an Enterobacter cloacae endocarditis experimental model . The antibiotic studied was gentamicin . Despite a similar MIC, 2 Enterobacter cloacae strains exhibited very different time-kill curves in vitro . This difference was found being predictive of efficacy on the in vivo model, 24 hours after a single injection of gentamicin. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 521 - 4 {Use of imipenem-cilastatin in neonatal septicemias caused by gram-negative bacilli multiresistant to beta-lactam antibiotics}; Bompard Y et al.; Seven neonates with septicemia due to Gram negative bacteria resistant to beta-lactam received imipenem-cilastatin therapy . Bacteria isolated were Enterobacter cloacae {3}, Enterobacter aerogenes {1}, Klebsiella pneumoniae {1}, Serratia marcescens {1}, Pseudomonas fluorescens {1} . The MICs of imipenem were lower 1 microgram/ml . In 3 children septicemia occurred during previous antimicrobial chemotherapy . 3 IV 60 mg/kg doses of imipenem with amikacin (15 mg kg/d) were administered every day . For five children blood cultures were negative after 48 hours of treatment . E . aerogenes septicemia required pefloxacin because blood cultures remained positive (d5) despite an increased dosage (90 mg/kg/d) . All children were cured and imipenem-cilastatin was not responsible for any complication . Those results demonstrate the efficacy of imipenem in the treatment of septicemia in newborns due to multiresistant Gram negative bacteria. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 456 - 9 {Action of imipenem on Enterobacter cloacae}; Donnio PY et al.; Most of Enterobacter cloacae strains produce chromosomally determined class I beta-lactamases when they are exposed to beta-lactams . Imipenem is a strong inducer of these enzymes but is poorly affected by them . We compared the effect of imipenem on inducible, non-inducible and stably derepressed strains of E . cloacae using the killing curve system . With antibiotic concentrations of 0.5 mg/l or more, an intense dose-dependent bactericidal effect was observed within 4 to 6 hours . However the bactericidal activity was incomplete . With an inoculum as low as 10(5) bacteria/ml a regrowth was observed after 24 hours . Among the surviving bacteria imipenem had the same bactericidal kinetic than on the parental strain . Similar results were observed with inducible, non-inducible and stably derepressed strains. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 May, 36(5), 430 - 4 {Current status of aminoglycoside resistance in hospital Enterobacteriaceae}; Ronco E et al.; We studied the susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae to four aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin et amikacin) . We determined their phenotypes of resistance by taking into account both the critic concentrations of the CFA (french committee for antibiogram) and the MIC of the main susceptible population of each species . The most frequent phenotypes were GTNt, TNtA and GTNtA . Amikacin resistance including phenotypes were essentially found in Klebsiella and Serratia (35% and 53% of the strains, respectively); with respect to amikacin, the phenotype expression may be insufficient to exceed the sensitive critic concentration of the CFA . Amikacin resistant strains were isolated from chronically infected patients with devices, such as urinary catheters or tracheal cannula . These results suggest a strains or plasmids outbreak. Immunobiology, 1988 May, 177(2), 158 - 70 Stimulation of human and murine adherent cells by bacterial lipoprotein and synthetic lipopeptide analogues; Hoffmann P et al.; Lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli and its synthetically prepared N-terminal lipopeptide segments Pam3Cys-Ser-Ser-Asn-Ala and Pam3Cys-Ser, as well as lipoprotein from other Enterobacteriaceae, constitute potent polyclonal B lymphocyte activators . Here, we demonstrate that these compounds were also able to stimulate human and murine leukocytes: in murine macrophages, we could show the induction of interleukin 1 release by the mitogens, as measured in the thymocyte proliferation assay . Moreover, murine peritoneal exudate cells were stimulated to secrete prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) . The effect of Pam3Cys-Ser on the murine macrophage cell line P388D1 was also tested: the compound induced an increase in proliferation, as measured by a thymidine incorporation assay . In addition, the cell line could be induced to release IL 1 into the supernatant . Correspondingly, induction of IL 1 release could also be demonstrated in human mononuclear cells . Our results demonstrate that the two novel synthetic lipopeptides are potent stimulators for human monocytes and murine macrophages . These findings may be important for the elucidation of the role of these bacterial surface components in the course of bacterial infections. APMIS, 1988 Apr, 96(4), 315 - 24 Cross-reactions between Yersinia enterocolitica serogroup 0:3 and other serogroups of the same species, as well as thirty-four other bacterial species; Paerregaard A et al.; Cross-reactions between antigens from Yersinia enterocolitica serogroup 0:3 and 5 other members of the same species as well as 34 other bacterial species were studied by means of quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods . A sonicated Y . enterocolitica antigen preparation and corresponding purified rabbit antibodies were used in a reference system that presented 58 regularly visible immunoprecipitates . One antigen was identified as specific for the Y . enterocolitica 0:3 serogroup and two antigens for the species Y . enterocolitica . Y . enterocolitica antigens cross-reacted widely with antigens from other Enterobacteriaceae, but only a few cross-reactions were registered with Gram-negative bacteria outside the Enterobacteriaceae . A partial cross-reaction between all Gram-positive bacteria included in our study and two Y . enterocolitica antigens was demonstrated. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 26(4), 778 - 80 Enterobacter agglomerans lipopolysaccharide-induced changes in pulmonary surfactant as a factor in the pathogenesis of byssinosis; DeLucca AJ 2nd et al.; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Enterobacter agglomerans and pulmonary surfactant mixtures were centrifuged in discontinuous sucrose gradients to determine whether LPS bound to surfactant and examined in a Langmuir trough with a Wilhelmy balance to determine whether LPS altered the surface activity of surfactant . The LPS was found to bind to the surfactant and altered its surface tension properties . The binding of LPS to surfactant in the lung may change the physiological properties of surfactant and be a possible mechanism for the pathogenesis of byssinosis. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 26(4), 743 - 6 Quality of powdered substitutes for breast milk with regard to members of the family Enterobacteriaceae; Muytjens HL et al.; Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were cultured from 52.5% of 141 milk substitute infant formulas which were obtained in 35 countries . The concentration did not exceed a level of 1 CFU/g in any product . The species which were isolated most frequently were Enterobacter agglomerans, cloacae, Enterobacter sakazakii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae . If infections due to these organisms occur, it can be useful to include a check of the hygienic precautions which are taken during the preparation and storage of the formula . Milk powders without members of the Enterobacteriaceae might offer extra protection to the newborn if some multiplication does occur in the formula. Ann Thorac Surg, 1988 Apr, 45(4), 409 - 14 The artificial heart: infection-related morbidity and its effect on transplantation; Griffith BP et al.; Between October, 1985, and September, 1987, a total of 195 patients received cardiac allografts and 15 candidates required mechanical support with the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart . Seven of the 15 died within 60 days of total artificial heart implant . There have been no late deaths, and survivors are unrestricted . Six of 7 deaths were related to infection (mediastinitis, 5; pneumonia and sepsis, 1), and the remaining 1 was due to failure of the transplanted heart . Respiratory tract infection occurred in each of the recipients who died with infection, and the same organisms appeared to be related to subsequent mediastinitis in 3 patients (Serratia marcescens, 2; Pseudomonas, 1) and caused fatal sepsis in another (Enterobacter aerogenes, Candida albicans) . One patient died with pneumonia and sepsis prior to transplantation, and another succumbed with mediastinal infection known to be present before transplantation. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 26(4), 770 - 3 Disk diffusion susceptibility testing for LY163892 (KT-3777), a new orally administered 1-carbacephem; Jones RN et al.; LY163892, a new orally administered 1-carbacephem, was found to have a spectrum of antimicrobial activity very similar to that of cefaclor . Diffusion tests with 30-micrograms LY163892 disks produced acceptable interpretive error rates with greater than or equal to 22 mm as the susceptibility zone diameter . This was required to reduce potential false-susceptibility results, particularly among Enterobacter spp . and Providencia stuartii: both species included strains that produce beta-lactamases capable of hydrolyzing Ly163892 . Preliminary recommendations for LY163892 disk tests are presented, but the continued use of the 30-micrograms cephalothin "class representative" disk might be the best procedure to minimize LY163892 interpretive errors for clinical trials . A separate LY163892 disk for testing Haemophilus influenzae strains should be seriously considered. Ann Trop Med Parasitol, 1988 Apr, 82(2), 185 - 8 A preliminary investigation of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from children with diarrhoea from four developing countries; Shears P et al.; The prevalence of resistance to commonly used antibiotics was investigated in groups of children from four developing countries, Peru, Belize, Zaire and Sudan . Enterobacteriaceae spp . isolated from faeces of children with diarrhoea were tested for sensitivity to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulphonamide, trimethoprim, streptomycin and chloramphenicol . Overall, the highest prevalence of resistance was to sulphonamide (56% of children) and the lowest was to chloramphenicol (19% of children) . For individual locations, isolates from Sudan had the highest prevalence of antibiotic resistance, 65% of the isolates being resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim and streptomycin . Transfer of resistance was studied for some isolates using Escherichia coli Hb101 as recipient. Rev Argent Microbiol, 1988 Apr-Jun, 20(2), 103 - 6 {Non-pigmented Serratia: utility of hydrolysis of Tween 80 in its identification}; Riesco O et al.; The ability of Serratia sp . to hydrolyze Tween 80 and the usefulness of this test for differentiating it from other Gram negative bacilli was studied, comparing it with the capacity of production of DNAsa by the same strains using the O-Toluidine blue method . The total number of strains assayed was 88 . The sensitivity obtained was 83.9% and specificity 91.3%, with a positive predictive value of 83.9% and a negative predictive value of 91.2% . Using this method to differentiate only non-pigmented Serratia from Klebsiella sp . and Enterobacter sp . the sensitivity and specificity obtained was 100% . Concerning the cost, this method proved to be 3.86 times cheaper than the DNAsa one. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1988 Apr, 65(4), 411 - 7 Changes in the oral microflora in patients with acute leukemia and related disorders during the period of induction therapy; Wahlin YB et al.; The present study reports changes occurring within the oral microflora in 20 patients with leukemia during and after the period of high-dose cytotoxic therapy . The relationship between the presence of enterobacteria, yeast cells, and staphylococci and the occurrence of oral ulcers/angular cheilitis was also studied . To make a comparison, three groups of patients without malignant disorders (acute disorders, long-term hospitalization, antibiotic treatment) were also studied . The total number of salivary microorganisms remained unchanged during the period . Fourteen of twenty patients with leukemia harbored enterobacteria on at least one occasion . No differences were found in the number of enterobacteria before, during, and after treatment with cytotoxic or antimicrobial drugs . Enterobacteria were also found in the reference group with long-term hospitalization, but seldom in the other reference groups . Staphylococci and lactobacilli were present in all patients in the leukemia group and in the majority in the reference groups . Yeast cells were found in 80% of the patients with leukemia . Patients with ulcers and/or angular cheilitis had higher numbers of yeast cells than the other patients . There was no relationship between enterobacteria or staphylococci and oral lesions. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Apr, (4), 58 - 62 {Preventive and therapeutic action of sera to the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota in experimental generalized meningococcal infection}; Mironova TK et al.; The preparations of the blood plasma of humans and the sera of animals immunized with enterobacterial vaccine proved to have elevated titers of antibodies to deep determinants of the core of the gram-negative bacterial endotoxin molecule (to glycolipid of chemotype Re) and protected animals from infection with live cultures or serogroup A, B, or C meningococcal endotoxins . Sera from nonimmunized animals and normal donor blood plasma showed no protective activity . In experiments carried out on different models immune plasma possessed both a pronounced protective activity and a curative effect . The efficacy of protection depended not on the serogroup of the infective agent, but on the virulence of the strain used in the experiment, being statistically significant in all cases. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Apr, 7(2), 306 - 7 Serotyping and phage typing to identify Enterobacter cloacae contaminating total parenteral nutrition; Verschraegen G et al.; The origin of an outbreak of Enterobacter cloacae septicemia in six surgery patients was traced down to the total parenteral nutrition production line . While the endproduct of the production line was sterile, Enterobacter cloacae and other bacteria were detected on different tabs and tubings of the line . It is believed that the bacteria were transferred from the tabs to a few bags of the total parenteral nutrition in one batch by touch contamination . Serotyping and phage-typing of the clinical isolates revealed that five of the patients' strains were identical. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Apr, 7(2), 199 - 201 Cobas-IDA system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae within four hours; Isenrich H et al.; One hundred ninety-eight (89.2%) of 222 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were correctly identified by the manual Cobas-IDA system; 19 (8.5%) could not be identified within 4 h and required additional testing . Five strains (2.3%) were misidentified. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 26(4), 750 - 4 Proposed changes in interpretive criteria and potency of ampicillin and ampicillin-sulbactam disks for susceptibility tests; Barry AL et al.; The accuracy of disk susceptibility tests with ampicillin and ampicillin-sulbactam was not improved when the amount of ampicillin was increased from 10 to 20 or 30 micrograms per disk . For testing members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, ampicillin disk tests correlated better with broth microdilution tests when the zone size standards were altered from greater than or equal to 14 greater than or equal to 17 mm for susceptible and from less than or equal to 11 to less than or equal to 13 mm for resistant . The same zone size breakpoints apply to tests with ampicillin-sulbactam disks (10/10 micrograms) . When Staphylococcus, Branhamella, and Haemophilus species are tested against ampicillin, interpretive breakpoints are those separating beta-lactamase-producing strains from nonproducing strains . However, when ampicillin-sulbactam is tested, beta-lactamase enzymes are efficiently inhibited by the sulbactam component, and thus zone size standards for ampicillin do not apply: zone size standards for the Enterobacteriaceae can be used for testing the combination against Staphylococcus, Branhamella, and Haemophilus species . For Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Listeria species, only ampicillin disks need be tested, since ampicillin-sulbactam disks give essentially identical results. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1988 Apr, 22(2), 105 - 12 {Biochemical typing of Enterobacter isolated from several clinical materials}; Tuncer I et al.; A total of 74 Enterobacter species have been isolated from the patients applying to the department of Microbiology, University of Ankara, Studying several biochemical test systems their strains have been found . 37 of these Enterobacter species have been found to be Enterobacter cloacae, 10 Enterobacter agglomerans, 13 Enterobacter aerogenes, 3 Enterobacter hafniae (Hafnia alvei), 1 Enterobacter sakazakii . 2 of the strains couldn't be classified . In conclusion most of the strains were found to be Enterobacter cloacae. J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 134 ( Pt 4), 1009 - 16 Role of lipopolysaccharide and complement in susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium to non-immune serum; Tomas JM et al.; The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the susceptibility of Escherichia co