Bacteroides

Infection, 1977, 5(3), 159 - 62
Isolation of Bacteroides corrodens and Eikenella corrodens from human clinical specimens . Comparative study of incidence and methods of identification; Labbe M et al.; In the course of a systematic search for Bacteroides corrodents and Eikenella corrodens in clinical specimens submitted for microbiological analysis, 61% of the specimens from anal abscesses, 6% of the vaginal specimens and none of the pharyngeal specimens yielded B . corrodens, whereas E . corrodens was recovered from only 9% of the pharyngeal specimens . Some characteristics were found to be useful in differentiating between the two species: B . corrodens strains were strictly anaerobic, cytochrome-oxidase-negative, urease-positive and gelatinase-positive; they were sensitive to lincomycin but resistant to vancomycin . E . corrodens strains on the other hand were facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-positive, urease-negative and gelatinase-negative; they were resistant to lincomycin but sensitive to vancomycin . The pathogenicity of the two species was difficult to assess as in most cases they were recovered from mixed cultures.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand Suppl, 1977, (259), 55 - 9
Diagnosis of anaerobic infections by gas-liquid chromatography; Nord CE; Anaerobic bacteriology of clinical specimens is an expensive and time-consuming operation . In the present investigation it was shown that fatty acids produced by anaerobic bacteria may serve as bacterial markers in clinical material . Ten specimens of pus were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and the results were compared with the bacteriological findings . Good correlations were found for the recovery of Bacteroides fragilis and the presence of isobutyric, butyric and succinic acids . It is concluded that direct gas-liquid chromatography of clinical specimens provides a rapid presumptive test for the presence of B . fragilis in anaerobic infections.

Chemotherapy, 1977, 23(4), 236 - 42
Two new bioassay techniques for nitrofurans: Bacteroides fragilis and rec-Escherichia coli as indicator strains; Hamilton-Miller JM et al.; Techniques for the microbiological assay of nitrofurans are described . In one the indicator strain is Bacteroides fragilis; use of this system enables concentrations of nifuratel and furazolidone of down to 0.7 micrograms/ml to be estimated . The other system uses a recombination-deficient (recA-uvrA-) mutant of Escherichia coli; with this indicator, concentrations of 0.2 micrograms/ml, or less, of five nitrofurans can be assayed.

Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Jan-Feb, 85(2), 114 - 21
The predominant cultivable microflora of advanced periodontitis; Slots J; A study on the predominant cultivable microorganisms harbored in the base of deep periodontal pockets of eight patients aged 34-48 years was carried out using the roll tube culture technique . From a total of 475 isolates, 425 (89.5%) were obligate anaerobes, 356(74.9%) were Gram-negative, and 441(92.8%) were categorized as rods . Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Fusobacterium nucleatum constituted the majority of the isolates in seven samples, but their mutual proportions differed considerably between the samples . One sample was dominated by Actinomyces species . Some periodontopathic potentials of the predominating Gram-negative rods are summarized.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand Suppl, 1977, (259), 43 - 7
Pyrolysis gas chromatography of microorganisms . Influence of various pyrolysis parameters on the yield of volatile organic products; Ericsson I et al.; Bacteroides fragilis was analysed by pyrolysis gas chromatography (PGC) . The influence of temperature rise time, pyrolysis temperature and pyrolysis time on the yield of volatile organic pyrolysis products was studied . The use of short pyrolysis time (8 msec) and a high pyrolysis end temperature (1300 degrees C) was found to provide a high yield . In consecutive analyses of the test organism, under the pyrolysis conditions indicated, the standard deviation of the total yield of volatile organic products was +/- 7% . The pyrolysis technique described suggests that few secondary reactions of the pyrolysis fragments occur.

Chemotherapy, 1977, 23(1), 19 - 24
The activity of four antimicrobial agents . Including three nitroimidazole compounds, against Bacteroides sp; Wise R et al.; Forty strains of Bacteroides sp . were tested against three nitroimidazole compounds, metronidazole, tinidazole and nimorazole and the aminoglycosidic antibiotic spectinomycin . The effect of altering the inoculum and the presence of serum upon the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also noted . The three nitroimidazole compounds were all very active (average MIC = circa 0.25 mg/l) . Tinidazole was twofold more active . The MIC of spectinomycin was 32 mg/l.

Ann Anesthesiol Fr, 1977, 18(10), 848 - 52
{Bacteroides fragilis septicemia}; Blache JL et al.; On the basis of eight cases of Bacteroides fragilis septicaemia, the authors review recent data from the literature related to this topic . They first note the increasing prevalence, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of all septicaemias at the present time . They note that the most frequent portals of entry are sites of localised suppuration, related on the one hand to digestive or gynaecological surgery and, secondly, to the post-partum or post-abortum period . From a therapeutic standpoint, they stress the important role of imidazole derivatives (metronidazole or tinidazole) which are the most effective antibiotics at present . Certain authors even suggest their use on a preventive basis in high risk subjects.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Jan, 33(1), 69 - 73
Fermentation of L-aspartate by a saccharolytic strain of Bacteroides melaninogenicus; Wong JC et al.; Resting cells of Bacteroides melaninogenicus fermented L-{14C}aspartate as a single substrate . The 14C-labeled products included succinate, acetate, CO2, oxaloacetate, formate, malate, glycine, alanine, and fumarate in the relative percentages 68, 15, 9.9, 2.7, 1.8, 1.0, 0.7, 0.5, and 0.06, respectively, based on the total counts per minute of the L-{14C}aspartate fermented . Ammonia was produced in high amounts, indicating that 96% of the L-aspartate fermented was deaminated . These data suggest that L-aspartate is mainly being reduced through a number of intermediate reactions involving enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle to succinate . L-{14C}asparagine was also fermented by resting cells of B . melaninogenicus to form L-aspartate, which was subsequently, but less actively, fermented.

J Bacteriol, 1977 Jan, 129(1), 562 - 3
Casamino acids enhance growth of Bacteroides melaninogenicus; Lev M; Casamino Acids enhance the growth of Bacteroides melaninogenicus when added to various concentrations of Trypticase . Absence of a peptide, not amino acids, is responsible for the inability of Casamino Acids to support growth.

J Oral Surg, 1977 Jan, 35(1), 48 - 50
An unusual bilateral pathological fracture; Kelly DE et al.; An unusual case of a bilateral pathological fracture of the mandible has been presented . The fracture of the right side of the mandible was through an area of bacteroides osteomyelitis and the fracture of the left side of the mandible was through a large cementifying fibroma, which had replaced the left body of the mandible.

Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Xue Za Zhi, 1976 Dec, 9(3-4), 55 - 62
Standardization of antimicrobial disc susceptibility test for anaerobic bacteria; Ho SW; Both agar diluiton and agar diffusion tests with 8 clinically useful or potentially useful antimicrobial agents were performed with 74 strains of Bacteroides fragilis . Correlation of results obtained by the two methods and applicability of the single disc test to the measurement of antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobes were analyzed . Prediction of susceptibility, intermediate susceptibility, and resistance of anaerobic bacteria to antimicrobial agents, based on the measurement of inhibition zone diameter, appeared to be satisfactory generally.

Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Dec, 48(6), 716 - 7
Pelvic abscess . A sequela of first trimester abortion; Gassner CB et al.; First trimester therapeutic abortions were performed in 6790 patients from January 1, 1972, through December 31, 1973 . The infectious morbidity during an 18-month concurrent time period which required readmission to the hospital was 0.52 per 100 women . Four of these women were ultimately diagnosed as having a pelvic abscess thought to be related to the procedure . The cause was probably related to undiagnosed or inadequately managed uterine perforation . Initial management should consist of systemic antibiotics and, if possible, surgical drainage via colpotomy . Two special precautions which should be taken are the use of antibiotics specific for Bacteroides fragilis and the investigation of the possibility of bowel injury . Laparotomy should be considered in unresponsive cases because of the possibility of bowel injury and the necessity of adequate surgical drainage even with appropriate antibiotic coverage.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1976 Dec, 73(12), 4415 - 9
Isolation of 3-phosphohistidine from phosphorylated pyruvate, phosphate dikinase; Spronk AM et al.; Pyruvate, phosphate dikinase (EC 2-7-9-1) catalyzes formation of phosphoenolpyruvate, AMP, and inorganic pyrophosphate from pyruvate, ATP, and orthophosphate . A pyrophosphoryl and phosphoryl form of the enzyme is involved in this transfer . The {32P}phosphoryl form of pyruvate, phosphate dikinase was prepared with enzyme isolated from Bacteroides symbiosus . The {32P}phosphoryl enzyme was found to have properties corresponding to a phosphoramidate linkage and this was confirmed by isolation of 3-{32P}phosphohistidine from alkaline hydrolysates of the enzyme . The histidyl residue is considered to be the pyrophosphoryl- and phosphoryl-carrier between the three substrate sites of this enzyme.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Nov 8, 452(1), 165 - 76
Purification and characterization of bile salt hydrolase from Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis; Stellwag EJ et al.; A high-molecular-weight (250 000) bile salt hydrolase (cholylglycine hydrolase, EC 3.5.-.-) was isolated and purified 128-fold from the "spheroplast lysate" fraction prepared from Bacteroids fragilis subsp . fragilis ATCC 25285 . The intact enzyme had a molecular weight of approx . 250 000 as determined by gel infiltration chromatography . One major protein band, corresponding to a molecular weight of 32 500, was observed on 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of pooled fractions from DEAE-cellulose column chromatography (128-fold purified) . The pH optimum for the 64-fold purified enzyme isolated from Bio-Gel A 1.5 M chromatography was 4.2 and bile salt hydrolase activity measured in intact cell suspensions had a pH optimum of 4.5 . Substrate specificity studies indicated that taurine and glycine conjugates of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid were readily hydrolyzed; however, lithocholic acid conjugates were not hydrolyzed . Substrate saturation kinetics were biphasic with an intermediate plateau (0.2--0.3 mM) and a complete loss of enzymatic activity was observed at high concentration for certain substrates . The presence or absence of 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was absolutely correlated with that of bile salt hydrolase activity in six to ten strains and subspecies of B . fragilis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 4(5), 432 - 6
Effect of chilling on the survival of Bacteroides fragilis; Hagen JC et al.; Factors affecting the susceptibility of Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis to low temperature were examined . Predetermined numbers of cells were spread on agar media or suspended in enriched Trypticase soy broth and exposed to low temperature under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions . Exposure of 18-h growth of a freshly isolated B . fragilis strain to 4 degrees C aerobically or anaerobically resulted in a loss of at least 50% viability after 12 h . B . fragilis cells in early growth (6 h) were more tolerant to exposure at 4 degrees C than older cells (18 h) . When the freshly isolated strain was repeatedly subcultured in the laboratory it was uniformly more cold tolerant than fresh clinical isolates . The incorporation of 1.0 M sucrose and 5 mM magnesium chloride into liquid media partially alleviated the lethal effects of cold temperature on B . fragilis subsp . fragilis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 4(5), 458 - 60
Extracellular enzymes of the genus Bacteroides; Rudek W et al.; The extracellular production of hyaluronidase and chondroitin sulfatase was demonstrated in all of the subspecies of Bacteroides fragilis tested with the exception of B . fragilis subsp . vulgatus . Elastase was found only in one strain of B . coagulans tested . This appears to be the first report of these enzyme activities in this genus . Additional enzymes found to be produced by certain members othis genus were fibrinolysin, penicillinase, lysozyme, lecithinase, deoxyribonuclease, phosphatase, protease, and lipase.

Infect Immun, 1976 Nov, 14(5), 1213 - 20
Blastogenic response of human lymphocytes to oral bacterial antigens: comparison of individuals with periodontal disease to normal and edentulous subjects; Patters MR et al.; Cell-mediated immunity in humans to antigens derived from oral plaque bacteria was investigated by using the lymphocyte blastogenesis assay . Subjects with varying severities of periodontal disease including normal, gingivitis, periodontitis, and edentulous were compared . Mononuclear leukocytes were separated from peripheral blood and cultured with antigens prepared by sonication of Actinomyces viscosus (AV), Actinomyces naeslundii (AN), Veillonella alcalescens (VA), Leptotrichia buccalis (LB), Bacteroides melaninogenicus (BM), and homologous dental plaque (DP) . The lymphocyte response of subjects with gingivitis or periodontitis was significantly greater than that of normal subjects to antigens of AV, AN, and DP, but did not differ from the response of edentulous subjects . Periodontitis subjects were significantly more reactive than edentulous and normal subjects in response to VA, LB, and BM . These findings suggest that the tested gram-negative bacteria and the host response they evoke are associated with advanced periodontal destruction.

Infect Immun, 1976 Oct, 14(4), 955 - 64
Extrachromosomal elements in a variety of strains representing the Bacteroides fragilis group of organisms; Tinnell WH et al.; Previous nucleic acid association studies have identified at least nine deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) homology classes of the Bacteroides fragilis group of organisms . Using these classes as a taxonomic framework, we have screened representative strains of the B . fragilis group for the presence of extrachromosomal (plasmid) DNA . {3H}thymidine-labeled cell lysates were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-salt precipitation, and supernatant fractions from such preparations were analyzed using cesium chloride-ethidium bromide equilibrium centrifugation . One strain from each group was examined in this fashion . Five of the strains were judged to contain no detectable plasmid DNA; however, four strains were observed to yield satellite bands corresponding to covalently closed circular plasmid DNA . Plasmid DNA from such gradients was subjected to velocity sedimentation through both neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients to determine molecular size . A 23 X 10(6)-molecular-weight plasmid was found in a B . fragilis strain representing one DNA homology group of this species, whereas a 3 X 10(6)-molecular-weight plasmid was found in a B . fragilis strain representing a second homology group . Similarly, a 31 X 10(6)-molecular-weight plasmid was found in a Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain representing one DNA homology group of this species, whereas a 3 X 10(6)-molecular-weight plasmid was found in a B . thetaiotaomicron strain representing a second homology group . In all instances, the small-molecular weight plasmids were present to the extent of about 15 copies per chromosomal equivalent, whereas the large plasmids were present to the extent of approximately 1 copy per chromosomal equivalent . The biological function of these plasmids is unknown.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 4(4), 354 - 9
Characterization of bacteroides melaninogenicus; Harding GK et al.; Fifty-eight human isolates of Bacteroides melaninogenicus, 42 from a variety of clinical infections and the rest from normal flora, were studied for pigment production and ultraviolet light fluorescence and by forty biochemical and other tests, including end-product analysis by gas-liquid chromatography . In a number of instances, tests were repeated several times and the results were reproducible . Agar plate dilution susceptibility tests were also performed to 12 antimicrobial agents . These 58 strains could be reliably placed into three groups, corresponding to the three subspecies described, based on seven characteristics . These included acid production in peptone-yeast-glucose medium, production of n-butyric acid from peptone-yeast-glucose medium, esculin hydrolysis, starch hydrolysis, indole production, effect on milk, and lipase production . Production of hydrogen gas in peptone-yeast-fructose medium may be another distinguishing characteristic . In general there was not much difference in the susceptibility of the three groups to the various antimicrobial agents tested . Two strains had a minimal inhibitory concentration of penicillin G of 16 and 32 U/ml, respectively . Three strains did not produce a black pigment in spite of prolonged incubation on blood-containing media.

Scott Med J, 1976 Sep, 20(5), 228 - 31
Activity of cephazolin and other cephalosporins against Bacteroides fragilis; Leigh DA et al.; The antibiotic sensitivity of 50 strains of Bacteroides fragilis to four cephalosporin compounds, cephazolin, cephaloridine, cephradine and cephalexin is reported . Cephazolin was found to be the most active, 94 per cent of strains being susceptible to blood concentrations achieved on standard dosage, comparative findings with cephaloridine and cephradine were about 50 per cent, and only 22 per cent of strains were inhibited by cephalexin . The importance of infections due to bacteroides is discussed . Although not the treatment of choice, cephazolin, a view of its bacterial activity may be useful alternative for bacteroides infections but clinical trials are needed to confirm the laboratory results.

Infect Immun, 1976 Sep, 14(3), 721 - 5
Use of semisolid agar from initiation of pure Bacteroides fragilis infection in mice; Walker CB et al.; The development of a pure Bacteroides fragilis infection in mice is described . The infection produces large subcutaneous abscesses at the site of injection which can be observed grossly within 7 days after injection . The infection was initiated by infection of pure cultures grown in semisolid agar medium . Similar infections were also produced with pure cultures of B . distasonis, B . ovatus, B . thetaiotaomicron, and B . vulgatus . However, a distinct deoxyribonucleic acid homology group, formerly classified as B . thetaiotaomicron, did not produce abscesses in any of the mice tested.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1976 Aug, 162(5-6), 519 - 27
{The significance of the bacterial steroid degradation for the etiology of large bowel cancer . VI . Degradation of deoxycholic acid by saccharolytic bacteroides-species (author's transl)}; Edenharder R; When testing 36 laboratory strains of the strictly anaerobic Bacteroides species B . vulgatus, B . fragilis, B . thetaiotaomicron, and B . distasonis, we found activities for degradation of cholate (3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoate) (1) and chenodeoxycholate (3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoate) (2) widely, but not universally distributed in these bacteria . The same strains were also tested for their metabolic activities in regard to deoxycholate (3alpha, 12alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoate) . These tests were performed with anaerobically growing cultures and with resting cells, incubated aerobically, in media of defined composition indicated in the foregoing papers . After precultivation in a medium containing bile and deoxycholate 22 of 35 strains (63 per cent), growing anaerobically, and 28 of 36 aerobically incubated tests (78 per cent) transformed deoxycholate . In summa the number of active strains was 30 of 36 (83 per cent) . All active strains, produced one metabolite only, all metabolities had the same chromatographic properties as shown by analytical thin-layer chromatography in two solvent systems . However, it has still to be decided whether only one degradation product is formed from deoxycholate, corresponding to the transformation of chenodeoxycholate (2), since the chromatographic properties of the metabolites permit the formation of 3alpha-hydroxy-12-oxo- and/or 3-oxo-12alpha-hydroxy-cholanoate . Structural evidence, however, could hitherto not be demonstrated . The enzymatic activity, responsible for the metabolism, has to be induced, it is not identical with the activity oxidizing the 7alpha-hydroxyl group . No further details concerning enzyme induction and activity regulation have as yet been discovered . The side chain of deoxycholate can not be degraded by Bacteroides species, neither by anaerobically growing cultures nor by aerobically incubated resting cells.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1976 Aug, 162(5-6), 506 - 18
{The significance of the bacterial steroid degradation for the etiology of large bowel cancer . V . Transformation of chenodeoxycholic acid by saccharolytic bacteroides-species (author's transl)}; Edenharder R et al.; We analysed a total of 36 strains of the obligately anaerobic Bacteroides species B . vulgatus, B . fragilis, B . thetaiotaomicron, and B . distasonis to test their faculties to metabolize chenodeoxycholate . For experiments with growing cultures, we used a synthetic medium with inorganic salts, glucose, citrate, amino acids, vitamins, and hemin . The same medium, but without amino acids and vitamins was used for experiments with resting cells, incubated aerobically . After preincubation in a medium containing bile and deoxycholate, we observed that 26 strains of 35 (74 per cent) could degrade this bile acid, when cultivated anaerobically, compared to 30 strains of 36 (83 per cent), when incubated aerobically . To sum up the number of active strains, there are 32, corresponding 89 per cent . With the exception of two strains, which formed two transformation products, all active strains formed one degradation product only . All strains but one, active when cultured anaerobically, belong to the species B . fragilis and B . thetaiotaomicron . As can be seen by the results of aerobic incubation most strains of the species B . vulgatus posses the degradative activity, found inactive, however, under anerobic conditions . We therefore suppose that its regulatory mechanism is different from the other species . Thin-layer, gas chromatography, and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used for the identification of transformation products . With these methods, we were able to demonstrate the bacteria to metabolize chenodeoxycholate to 3 alpha-hydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholanoate, either if growing anaerobically or incubated aerobically . The second degradation products of two strains, found in traces or as by-product, could not be identified on account of minor amounts.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 2(2), 99 - 103
Clinical laboratory evaluation of the fifty-milliliter vacutainer blood culture tube; Painter BG et al.; The efficacy of the 50-ml vacutainer culture tube (Becton-Dickinson) for recovery of microorganisms from blood cultures was compared with laboratory-prepared blood culture media . The isolation of Bacteroides sp . was significantly higher in the 50-ml vacutainer culture tube whereas that of nonfermenting gram-negative rods and yeasts was higher in the in-house media . There was no significant difference in the recovery of all other organisms.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 32(2), 274 - 83
Metabolism and growth yields in Bacteroides ruminicola strain b14; Howlett MR et al.; Metabolism of D-glucose by Bacteroides ruminicola subsp . brevis, strain B14, has been examined . Growth yield studies gave molar growth yields, corrected for storage polysaccharide, of approximately 66 g (dry weight)/mol of glucose fermented . The storage polysaccharide amounted to about 14% of the total dry weight, or 55% of the total cellular carbohydrate, at full growth . After correcting glucose utilization for incorporation into cellular carbohydrate, measurement of product formation showed that 1.1 succinate, 0.8 acetate, and 0.35 formate are produced and 0.5 CO2 net is taken up during the fermentation of 1 glucose under the conditions used . The implication of these results with respect to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) molar growth yield calculations is discussed . If substrate-level phosphorylation reactions alone are responsible for ATP generation, then the ATP molar growth yield must be about 23 g (dry weight)/mol of ATP . Alternatively, if anaerobic electron transfer-linked phosphorylation also occurs, the ATP molar growth yield will be lower.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1976 Aug, 84(4), 229 - 34
Purification of the O antigen of Bacteroides fragilis ss . fragilis NCTC 9343 from phenol-water extracts by gel filtration and chromatography on deae-cellulose and hydroxylapatite; Hofstad T; O antigen extracted from whole cells of Bacteroides fragilis ss . fragilis NCTC 9343 with 45 per cent aqueous phenol has been purified by gel filtration and chromatography . First, the water phase was treated with RNase and DNase and passed through a column of agarose . The chromatographic procedures included ion exchange on a column of DEAE-cellulose and adsorption to hydroxylapatite . The O antigen was eluted from the DEAE-cellulose with a gradient of NaCl, and from the column of hydroxylapatite with 1 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.8 . Inhibition of indirect haemagglutination was used to detect the O antigen in the eluates.

Am J Dis Child, 1976 Aug, 130(8), 880 - 3
Bacteroides fragilis ventriculitis and meningitis . Report of two cases; Feldman WE; Two patients with Bacteroides fragilis meningitis and ventriculitis were treated . In one infant infection developed at 2 1/2 months of age as a result of an infected ventriculoatrial shunt inserted to treat hydrocephalus . In the second patient ventriculitis and meningitis developed at 20 days of age, while he was convalescing from surgery for gastric perforation that had occurred at 5 days of age . Both patients were treated with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin, which sterilized the blood and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid but not the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid . The first patient received no further antibiotic therapy and died at 5 months of age . Metronidazole therapy sterilized the ventricular fluid of the second patient, who survived the infection . Ventriculitis should be suspected in patients with B fragilis meningitis . A brain scan should be done to detect signs of ventriculitis or brain abscess . Metronidazole may be the drug of choice in patients with B fragilis ventriculitis or meningitis who do not respond to chloramphenicol.

Br J Surg, 1976 Aug, 63(8), 643 - 6
Bacteriological survey of acute appendicitis in children; Lari J et al.; A bacteriological study of 110 emergency appendicectomies is reported . In two-thirds of these the appendix was inflamed or gangrenous, and in 45 cases positive cultures were obtained from swabs taken at operation . Bacteroides were found frequently in these swabs and also in those taken from wound infections . Although this study is too small to draw any definite conclusions, it is felt that bacteroides should be considered an important pathogen in appendicitis and should be taken into account in the few ill patients where antibiotic treatment is contemplated . It was also noted that swabs taken from the surface of the appendix itself were more often positive than those from the peritoneal cavity, and this difference apperars to be significant.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Aug, 127(2), 899 - 903
Influence of amino acids on the growth of Bacteroides melaninogenicus; Miles DO et al.; Addition of individual amino acids to a Trypticase-yeast extract-hemin medium affected growth rates and final yields of an asaccharolytic strain and a saccharolytic strain of Bacteroides melaninogenicus . L-Aspartate or L-asparagine produced maximal growth enhancement for both strains . L-{14C}aspartate was fermented by resting cells of the asaccharolytic strain . L-Cysteine or L-serine also enhanced growth for the saccharolytic strain . However, growth of the saccharolytic strain was inhibited by L-lysine, L-glutamate, L-glutamine, L-isoleucine, L-leucine, and L-proline; growth of the asaccharolytic strain was inhibited by DL-valine and L-serine . Both strains were inhibited by L-histidine, DL-methionine, L-tryptophan, L-arginine, and glycine.

Lancet, 1976 Jul 10, 2(7976), 70 - 1
Bacteroides: an unusual cause of breast abscess; Hale JE et al.; Three cases of breast abscess from which the non-sporing anaerobe Bacteroides was isolated are described . This organism has apparently not previously been reported as a cause of abscess in a breast without underlying malignancy.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1976 Jul, 162(3-4), 350 - 73
{The significance of the bacterial steroid degradation for the etiology of large bowel cancer . IV . Deconjugation of glycocholic acid, oxidation, and reduction of cholic acid by saccharolytic Bacteroides species (author's transl)}; Edenharder R et al.; A total of 36-38 strains (depending on the test series) of the strictly anaerobic Bacteroides species V . bulgatus, B . fragilis, B . thetaiotamicron, and B . distasonis was tested for the ability of splitting the acide amide linkage of glycocholate and for a further degradation of cholate . We found 23 of 38 strains (60 per cent) to be able to deconjugate glycocholate, but as many as 18 (46 per cent) resulted in an intensive to complete degradation . On the other hand 32 of 36 strains (89 per cent) were able to degrade cholate when cultivated anaerobically . They normally formed 1 transformation product, however, occasionally 2-3 . Using the aerobic incubation of resting cells as test system we observed 30 active strains of 37 (81 per cent), which as well produced 1 degradation product generally, but sometimes 2-4 compounds . 3 strains transformed cholate during growth only . Thin layer-, gas chromatography, and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used for the identification of transformation products . We proved the main degradation product of all active strains to be 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholanoate, by anaerobic cultivation as well as by aerobic incubation of cell suspensions . Deoxycholate (3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate), in vivo the main product of cholate transformation, was hitherto found to be formed by 3 strains only as main degradation product, it may probably be a by-product of the degradation with other strains . All these strains, however, may also oxidise the 7alpha-hydroxyl group beside dehydroxylating cholate . For this reason we assume that the conditions for the formation of deoxycholate are in general not existent in our experiments . The third degradation product, formed under anaerobic conditions, is probably a monohydroxy-monooxo-cholanoate, derived from deoxycholate . Structures of additional transformation products, occasionally found under aerobic incubation, which are all less polar than 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholanoic acid, could not be elucidated on account of minor amounts available . Bacteroides species are unable to transform the side chain of cholate, either as anaerobically growing cultures, or as aerobically incubated resting cells.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Jul 1, 125(5), 677 - 81
The use of pr-reduced media and a portable jar for the collection of anaerobic organisms for clinical sites of infection; Ledger WJ et al.; A system for the isolation of anaerobic organisms from clinical specimens was evaluated at the LAC-USC Medical Center . Clinicians were provided with a Gas Pak with a broth tube and two prereduced blood plates for direct inoculation of specimens . In the first 50 patients evaluated, 74 separate anaerobic isolates were recovered in 36 patients, 72 per cent of the total . Bacteroides fragilis was the most common organism recovered . The impact of this system upon clinical management is discussed.

Br J Surg, 1976 Jul, 63(7), 538 - 41
Prophylaxis against anaerobic sepsis in bowel surgery; Keighley MR et al.; Sixty-two patients were admitted to a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the influence of a prophylactic antibiotic, lincomycin, on anaerobic sepsis following bowel surgery . The incidence of postoperative sepsis was reduced from 45 to 18 per cent (P less than 0-025) . Wound infections were reduced from 38 to 12 percent (P less than 0-05) . Intra-abdominal or pelvic abscess occurred in 1 of the treated group compared with 3 controls . Septicaemia occurred after operation in 1 patient receiving lincomycin and in 3 of the controls; in 2 of the latter, pure growths of bacteroides were isolated from the blood cultures and 1 of these patients died . Although lincomycin had no influence on the number of patients who developed aerobic postoperative infections, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of sepsis due to bacteroides, which occurred in 10 of the control group compared with 1 in the lincomycin group (P less than 0-005) . No patients developed complications attributable to lincomycin, such as pseudomembranous colitis . These data indicate that the genus Bacteroides are important pathogenic organisms and are responsible for postoperative morbidity . Furthermore, anaerobic sepsis can be reduced by appropriate prophylactic antibiotics.

Sem Hop, 1976 Jun 10-20, 52(25-28), 1529 - 35
{Bacteroides infections}; Andrieu J et al.; The authors analyse 42 cases of bacteroides infection regrouping bacteremia and localised infection collected over a period of one year . The route of entry was almost always digestive . The prognosis seems mainly to depend on the background . The bacteriological diagnosis is now easy and germ-sensitivy is stereotyped.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1976 Jun, 65(6), 1010 - 5
The microdilution antibiotic susceptibility test . Bacteroides fragilis; Steingrimsson O et al.; A micro broth-dilution method was developed for the antibiotic susceptibility testing of Bacteroides frgilis . Eighty strains of B . fragilis were tested against six antibiotics using the agar dilution test as the reference method . The microdilution test yielded results in 24 hours, and agreement with the reference test was satisfactory . Certain subspecies-specific patterns of antibiotic susceptibility were observed . However, larger numbers of subspecies should be evaluated before subspeciation of B . fragilis can be used as a reliable predictor of antibiotic susceptibility.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Jun, 3(6), 586 - 92
Serogrouping of Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis by the agglutination test; Lambe DW Jr et al.; The agglutination technique was used to establish a serological classification scheme for 98 strains of Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis isolated from clinical specimens and normal human feces . Absorbed antisera were prepared to seven strains of B . fragilis subsp . fragilis . These seven absorbed antisera were species as well as subspecies specific and provided the basis of the serological classification scheme . This scheme was composed of 21 serogroups; seven of these serogroups contained only one group component . There was a total of 45 serological patterns . This serological scheme may be used for the serological classification of strains of B . fragilis subsp . fragilis and to study the epidemiology of this organism.

Am J Vet Res, 1976 May, 37(5), 509 - 12
Experimentally induced foot rot in feedlot cattle fed rations containing organic iodine (ethylenediamine dihydriodide) and urea; Berg JN et al.; Foot rot was experimentally induced in feedlot cattle with a mixed inoculum of Fusobacterium necrophorum (Sphaerophorus necrophus) and Bacteroides melaninogenicus . Both bacteria were isolated from the lesions . Isolates of F necrophorum from 2 of the lesions were serologically compared, using a passive hemagglutination test with the strain used to induce the lesions . These isolates were serologically similar but not identical, indicating antigenic change had occurred during animal passage . The addition of ethylenediamine dihydriodide or urea to the rations did not affect the frequency of experimentally induced foot rot.

J Oral Surg, 1976 May, 34(5), 456 - 60
Ludwig's angina due to bacteroides; Gross BD et al.; This case presentation concerns a 21-year-old Negro man in whom Ludwig's angina developed after a dental infection . The many serious complications encountered with such an infection are described in some detail . The involvement of anaerobic Bacteroides in infections of the head and neck is also noted and the approach to treatment is described.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 May, 3(5), 506 - 12
Description of a polyvalent conjugate and a new serogroup of Bacteroides melaninogenicus by fluorescent antibody staining; Lambe DW Jr et al.; A polyvalent conjugate (fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibody reagent) containing serogroups A, B, and C conjugates was prepared . This polyvalent conjugate gave a positive fluorescent antibody (FA) stain with 49 stains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus representing serogroups A, B, and C . When additional strains (92 strains) of the three subspecies of B . melaninogenicus were examined by the FA stain, with A, B, and C, and polyvalent conjugates, nine strains of B . melaninogenicus subsp . intermedius failed to give a positive stain with any conjugate . Therefore, an FA conjugate was prepared with the antiserum to one of these strains (532-70A); all nine strains stained positively with this conjugate . These nine strains were biochemically characteristic of B . melaninogenicus subsp . intermedius; thus, these strains were designated as a new serogroup, serogroup C-1 . A new polyvalent conjugate containing serogroups A, B, C, and C-1 was prepared . This polyvalent conjugate stained positively with 23 representative strains from serogroups A, B, C, and C-1 . The new conjugates failed to stain positively with other anaerobes and aerobes tested . The four individual conjugates, as well as the polyvalent conjugate, may be used for a more rapid identification of B . melaninogenicus than is possible by biochemical testing.

Am J Med Technol, 1976 Apr, 42(4), 111 - 4
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria; Sutter VL; Antimicrobial therapy of anaerobic infections is usually predicted on the basis of known patterns of susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria to antimicrobial agents rather than on results of in vitro tests of individual isolates . Routine susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria is not recommended, but there are instances of serious infection, i.e., endocarditis, or specific infecting organisms, e.g., Bacteroides fragilis, when in vitro testing of the specific infecting organism is indicated . No standard method has yet been accepted . Methods presently recommended are agar dilution or broth dilution tests . Other methods currently being evaluated are agar (disc) diffusion, broth-disc, and simplified broth and agar dilution tests . The advantages and limitations of the various methods are discussed.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 359 - 63
Inhibition of Bacteroides fragilis on blood agar plates and reversal of inhibition by added hemin; Wilkins TD et al.; Bacteroides fragilis strains formed much smaller colonies on most types of blood agar plates than they did on the same media without blood . Blood inhibited strains of B . fragilis subsp . distasonis the most and B . fragilis subsp . fragilis the least . The inhibition could be eliminated by adding hemin to the blood agar . The inhibitory component of the blood was inside the erythrocytes and appeared to be the hemin-free globin of hemoglobin.

Am J Med, 1976 Mar, 60(3), 426 - 8
Bacteroides fragilis resistant to the administration of clindamycin; Salaki JS et al.; The susceptibility of Bacteroides fragilis to the administration of clindamycin, and the efficacy of this agent in Bacteroides infections are well documented . Clindamycin-resistant strains of B . fragilis were isolated from two patients with bacteremia at two institutions . Clinically significant resistance to clindamycin therapy has not been noted previously in B . fragilis infections.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Mar, 133(3), 321 - 8
Activity of combinations of antimicrobial agents against Bacteroides fragilis; Busch DF et al.; Thirty-two clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis were tested against nine pairs of antimicrobial agents by means of an agar dilution technique . A synergistic effect was observed with the combination of clindamycin and metronidazole . End points were achieved with 17 strains . Of these strains, 13 (76%) were inhibited by the combination of clindamycin and metronidazole; each drug was present at a concentration of less than or equal to 25% of its minimal inhibitory concentration when tested alone . This combination also showed synergistic bactericidal activity against three of six strains examined by a tube dilution technique . No antagonism was noted with any strain . The other eight combinations tested failed to show a consistent synergistic effect, although no antagonism was observed . These in vitro data indicate that antagonism is not likely to be encountered when combination therapy is used for B . fragilis infections . For selected B . fragilis infections, the combination of clindamycin and metronidazole may be useful.

Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ, 1976 Mar, 23(1), 23 - 6
Dextran degrading activity of oral microbial flora; Takamori K et al.; Dextran degrading activity of the human oral microflora was detected by culturing in TYD broth (Tryptose 1.0%, Yeast extract 0.3%, Dextran T-150 (Pharmacia, MW 150,000) 0.15%).All of the plaue and saliva samples collected from 10 subjects showed a dextran degrading activity, both cultured aerobically and anaerobically, while the anaerobic culture was more active than the aerobic . Furthermore, some individual differences were observed in their activity . Crude enzyme(s) was extracted from the supernatant of a mixed culture of plaque sample by adding ammonium-sulfate to 0.6 and 0.8 saturation (called E-1 and E-2, respectively) . E-1 contained 2 dextran-degrading enzymes, one being thought to be an endo-enzyme, with the optimal of H being 5.0 and the other an exo-enzyme with the optimal pH being 7.0-7.5 . On the other hand, E-2 contained 1 enzyme of the endo-type . Thirteen strains producing dextranase were isolated from the plaque and were identified as Bacteroides oralis-like organisms . Several other organisms were thought to produce dextranase, although we failed to isolate them in this experiment.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 31(2), 168 - 72
Effect of dissolved oxygen and Eh and Bacteroides fragilis during continuous culture; Onderdonk AB et al.; Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis was maintained in a chemostat modified for anaerobic conditions to test the effects of dissolved oxygen and Eh on growth . Using a defined medium containing glucose and a dilution rate of 0.16 h -1, a stable population of 3 X 10(9) colony-forming units/ml was present . At this steady state, the pH was 5.6, the Eh was -50 mV, and the dissolved oxygen concentration was 0% atmospheric saturation . The Eh was then adjusted to +300 mV by adding potassium ferricyanide while oxygen was excluded; in this system there were no demonstrable changes from the steady state in viable cells, pH, glucose concentration, or volatile fatty acid production . In other experiments oxygen was introduced into the original steady state at a dissolved oxygen concentration of 10% atmospheric saturation for a period of 6 to 8 h . During O2 exposure, the viable cell count decreased at a rate comparable to the theoretical washout rate for a static bacterial culture . Similar results were obtained with a dissolved oxygen concentration of 25 and 100% . Other effects of O2 exposure included an increase in Eh from -50 to +250 mV, a decrease in glucose consumption, and a decrease in volatile fatty acid production . These results suggest that dissolved oxygen has a bacteriostatic effect on B . fragilis in continuous culture, which may be independent of changes in Eh alone.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 92(2), 384 - 90
Attempted transfer of antibiotic resistance between Bacteroides and Escherichia coli; Del Bene VE et al.; Transfer of antibiotic resistance between Bacteroides organisms and E . coli in mixed culture under optimal anaerobic conditions was attempted . Donor strains used were E . coli with R factors of a number of compatibility groups and Bacteroides with unusually high antibiotic resistance . Recipient strains included E . coli strains with characteristics favouring conjugal transfer . Although control experiments verified that conjugal transfer of derepressed R factors could occur at a high frequency between E . coli in an anaerobic environment, transfer of antibiotic resistance between E . coli and Bacteroides was never demonstrated.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 31(2), 320 - 1
Fermentation of glucose-1-phosphate: a screening test for fermentative Bacteroides species; Wilkins TD et al.; Of 1,504 strains of anaerobic bacteria tested, 544 produced acid from glucose-1-phosphate . Of these, 535 were fermentative strains of Bacteroides; only three fermentative Bacteroides strains were negative . The reaction may be useful for determination of the number of Bacteroides species present in colon content and feces.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1976, 8(2), 107 - 11
Bacteroides bacteraemia . A clinical and bacteriological analysis of 51 patients; Olsen H; During a 7-year period Bacteroides bacteraemia was found in 51 patients, corresponding to 1.9% of all patients with positive blood cultures . Many patients had serious underlying diseases, most frequently in the gastrointestinal tract, and 80% were subjected to surgery . Frequent clinical findings were shock (27%), phlebitis (24%) and jaundice (22%) . The overall mortality was 55% . Increased mortality was associated with shock, advanced age and phlebitis . Bacteroides fragilis, showing a very homogeneous biochemical pattern, was the species most frequently isolated . The strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol and tetracycline, and as a rule also to erythromycin . It was confirmed that Bacteroides isolated from the blood usually indicates true bacteraemia.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1976, 24(1), 99 - 107
Stimulation of blastic transformation of rabbit lymphocytes by means of endotoxins of Bacteroides fragilis; Meisel-Mikolajczyk F et al.; Blastic transformation of lymphocytes from peripheral blood of rabbits immunized with formolized suspensions of Bacteroides fragilis was obtained . Stimulation was accomplished by means of endotoxins extracted from the strain with which the animals were immunized, and from a related serotype . Blastic transformation was obtained 21 days after the start of immunization of the animals, and maximum response after 4-5 weeks . Humoral response, checked by the passive hemagglutination test, preceded cellular response by 14 days.

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1976 Jan, 36(1), 26 - 32
{Life threatening infection with bacteroides fragilis in connection with Dalkon shield (author's transl)}; Lang N et al.; A case of severe peritonitis in connection with the application of a Dalkon Shield is reported . By culturing the peritoneal exsudate a monoculture of Bacteroides fragilis was found as causing agens . The general aspects of severe infection in connection with IUD, particularly the Dalkon Shield, are discussed . By analysing the reports in the literature it cannot be ruled out, that Bacteroides fragilis may to be a major factor in cases with lethal outcome.

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1976, 34(2), 133 - 7
{Bacteroides fragilis . Its isolation and antibiotic sensitivity}; Cancet B et al.; The authors chose the problem of the isolation of bacteroides fragilis in pathological samples to present a method of identification of strict anaerobic gram negative bacteria, suitable for use in a routine bacteriological laboratory . A selection of 20 strains led them to study the mean inhibitory concentration of these germs with regard to antibiotics . From this study, two groups were obtained: one of low activity, the other of greater activity in vitro, in which one may note certain tetracyclines, clindamycin and metronidazole.

Zentralbl Chir, 1976, 101(13), 788 - 92
{Bacteroides infection in surgical patients (author's transl)}; Nowak W et al.; More than 80 cases of bacteroides infections are reported . 54 cases of these infections were postoperative complications . Relationships between bacteroides infection and diseases of the colon are significant . Not very impressive local symptoms made the diagnoses of abscesses difficult . In most cases bacteroides are susceptible to chloramphenicol and tetracycline . Patients develop agglutinable antibodies after bacteroides infection.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Jan, 133(1), 79 - 87
The polysaccharide capsule of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies fragilis: immunochemical and morphologic definition; Kasper DL; A large-molecular-weight capsular polysaccharide was isolated from strains of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies fragilis . By means of electron microscopy and staining with ruthenium red, the thick polysaccharide capsule was also visualized . With use of a radioactive antigen-binding assay, antibody to this capsular polysaccharide was demonstrated in antisera prepared in rabbits to each of eight strains of B . fragilis fragilis . Antibody of similar specificity was not found in antisera prepared to Bacteroides melaninogenicus or to strains of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies vulgatus and Bacteroides fragilis subspecies distasonis; such antibody was found in antisera to only one of two strains of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies thetaiotaomicron . The radioactive antigen-binding assay is a sensitive test for the detection of antibody to capsular polysaccharide . This polysaccharide antigen may form the basis of a serogrouping system for B . fragilis.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1975 Dec, 28(6), 727 - 39
{Changes of antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens (author's transl)}; Okada J et al.; The susceptibility to several commonly used antimicrobial agents was examined on approximately 900 isolates of various anaerobes from clinical specimens between October 1965 to May 1975, and the changes of susceptibility were investigated . Antimicrobial agents tested were penicillin G (PC-G), ampicillin (AB-PC), cephaloridine (CER), erythromycin (EM), josamycin (JM), lincomycin (LCM), clindamycin (CLDM), chloramphenicol (CP) and tetracycline (TC) . And thiamphenicol (TP) and doxycycline (DOTC) were also used against recently isolated organisms . Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined with agar plate dilution method . The activity of PC-G, AB-PC and CER against almost all strains of anaerobes was good at 12.5 mug/ml or less, but a marked increase of resistant strains of Bacteroides was recognized . EM, JM and LCM had similar activity against anaerobes, and were effective to most strains of anaerobes except for Veillonella, Bacteroides and Fusobacterium . CLDM was highly active against almost all strains of anaerobes, and more active than the two macrolides and LCM . But recently, significant increase in resistant strains was observed among Bacteroides . CP had good activity against all strains of anaerobes, and the increase of resistant strains was not recognized . TP had a similar good activity as CP . While, activity of TC against all anaerobes was poor at the level of 25 mug/ml or more . DOTC was more active than TC against all strains tested.

JAMA, 1975 Dec 1, 234(9), 935 - 7
Treatment of aspiration pneumonia and primary lung abscess . Penicillin G vs clindamycin; Bartlett JG et al.; Aspiration pneumonitis and lung abscess generally involve anaerobic bacteria, which normally colonize the upper respiratory passages . The therapeutic response of these infections to parenteral penicillin G (49 patients) and parenteral clindamycin (35 patients) was compared to determine relative efficacy . No difference was discerned between these two agents in terms of time required for defervescence, roentgenographic clearing, and ultimate outcome . Seven patients with infections including Bacteroides fragilis were treated with penicillin G, and all responded well . These data indicate that penicillin G is the preferred agent for pulmonary infections involving anaerobic bacteria . Clindamycin is a suitable alternative for patients in whom penicillin G is contraindicated.

J Clin Pathol, 1975 Dec, 28(12), 964 - 8
Effect of Bacteroides fragilis on the human erythrocyte membrane: pathogenesis of Tk polyagglutination; Inglis G et al.; Incubation of normal human erythrocytes with the supernatant of centrifuged culture of some strains of Bacteroides fragilis results in the exposure of Tk polyagglutination determinants on the erythrocyte membrane . These determinants are present on non papain-labile structures and are probably exposed by an enzyme mechanism . Other strains of B . fragilis were found to produce neuraminidase, haemolysins, and protease . It is suggested that early recognition of Tk determinants may be an aid to the diagnosis of B . fragilis infection.

Gut, 1975 Dec, 16(12), 988 - 93
Vitamin B12 absorption--a study of intraluminal events in control subjects and patients with tropical sprue; Kapadia CR et al.; The intraluminal fate of orally administered radioactive vitamin B12 has been studied in control subjects with normal vitamin B12 absorption and those with vitamin B12 malabsorption due to tropical sprue . In control subjects 1 to 21% of the dose was bound to sedimentable material and 37 to 75% was bound to immunoreactive intrinsic factor . In subjects with vitamin B12 malabsorption due to tropical sprue, the results were identical with the control subjects . Bacteriological studies showed a statistically significant correlation between both the number of flora in the jejunum and the number of bacteroides in both the jejunum and ileum and vitamin B12 malabsorption . In patients with tropical sprue who have normal intrinsic factor secretion, the vitamin B12 absorptive defect is not due to binding of the vitamin to bacteria or to alteration to the intrinsic factor vitamin B12 complex in the intestinal lumen . The lesion appears to be one of the mucosal cell receptors or of the cells themselves, possibly caused by bacterial toxins.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Dec, 2(6), 546 - 8
Rapid screening of Veillonella by ultraviolet fluorescence; Chow AW et al.; Among 51 strains of anaerobic gram-negative cocci belonging to the family Veillonellaceae, all strains of Veillonella (V . parvula and V . alcalescens) displayed red fluorescence under long-wave (366 nm) ultraviolet light, whereas no Acidaminococcus or Megasphaera demonstrated fluorescence . In contrast to Bacteroides melaninogenicus, growth of Veillonella does not require hemin and menadione, and flourescence is rapidly lost upon exposure to air . The fluorescent component of a strain of V . parvula examined could not be extracted in solution with water, ether, methanol, or chloroform, but was readily extracted with 0.4 N NaOH . Spectrophotofluorometrically, the fluorescence maximum of this extract was 660 nm with an excitation maximum of 300 nm, when measured at pH 7.2 and 25 C . Coupled with the Gram stain, ultraviolet fluorescence may be a useful tool for rapid screening of Veillonella and is particularly helpful for detection and, isolation of this organism from mixed culture.

Lancet, 1975 Nov 22, 2(7943), 997 - 1000
Prophylactic oral antimicrobial agents in elective colonic surgery . A controlled trial; Goldring J et al.; A controlled trial has been carried out in 50 patients undergoing elective colonic surgery to assess the efficacy of prophylactic oral metronidazole specifically directed against anaerobic colonic microflora in combination with kanamycin to reduce the aerobic flora . A control group received dietary and mechanical preparation alone . A significant reduction of both aerobic and anaerobic colonic microflora was achieved in the group receiving prophylactic antimicrobial agents, and this was reflected in a significant reduction in postoperative wound infections . 1 control patient died from Bacteroides septicaemia . No toxic or other side-effects from this prophylactic regimen occurred in this trial.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Oct, 2(4), 337 - 44
Indirect fluorescent antibody procedure for the rapid detection and identification of Bacteroides and Fusobacterium in clinical specimens; Stauffer LR et al.; An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) technique was evaluated as a procedure for rapid detection and identification of members of the Bacteroidaceae . Antisera were prepared against 31 members of this family, including species of Bacteroides and Fusobacterium commonly isolated from human infections . The antisera had demonstrated species and/or subspecies specificity . Thirty clinical specimens were studied . Of 13 specimens yielding Bacteroidaceae, for which antisera were available, 23 were presumptively diagnosed by IFA to contain subspecies of B . fragilis and/or Fusobacterium species . Of 17 specimens yielding negative culture results, two were positive by IFA on direct smear . Frequently the in vivo morphology of cells detected in direct smears by this procedure closely mimicked that of cellular debris, tissue cells, and leukocytes . Polyvalent antisera pools facilitated use of the IFA procedure as a practical tool for rapid diagnosis of infections involving the Bacteroidaceae.

J Bacteriol, 1975 Oct, 124(1), 503 - 10
Isolation of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid from two strains of Bacteroides; Guiney DG et al.; Two clinical isolates of Bacteroides contained covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as shown by sedimentation in an alkaline sucrose gradient, CsCl ethidium bromide equilibrium centrifugation, and electron microscopy . Bacteriodes fragilis N1175 contained a homogeneous species of plasmid DNA with a molecular weight of 25 x 10(6) . Bacteroides ochraceus 2228 contained two distinct, covalently closed circular DNA elements . The larger cosedimented with the covalently closed circular DNA form of the R plasmid, R100, corresponding to a molecular weight of 70 x 10(6); the smaller sedimented as a 58S molecule with a calculated molecular weight of 25 x 10(6) . The roles of these plasmids are unknown . Neither strain transferred antibiotic resistance to plasmid-negative Bacteroides or Escherichia coli, and neither produced bacteriocins active against other Bacteroides or sensitive indicator strains of E . coli.

Gastroenterology, 1975 Oct, 69(4), 885 - 92
Serum immunoglobulin M concentrations following bowel resection in chronic inflammatory bowel disease; Soltis RD et al.; Serum immunoglobulin alterations were characterized in 20 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD) undergoing bowel resection and in 11 control subjects undergoing intra-abdominal operations . Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) values became elevated during the 2nd week in both groups with individual serum IgM concentrations reaching as high as 9 times preoperative values . The IgM increment, which was 19 S polyclonal immunoglobulin, was significantly greater in the CIBD group than in controls . Because of a recent suggestion that this IgM rise might be related to the pathogenesis of CIBD, the affinity of this IgM for colon was studied in two ways . Serum anticolon antibody titers did not change after surgery nor did IgM, isolated from serum after surgery and labeled with 125I, bind to homogenates of normal or CIBD colon . Titers of heterophile antibody and antibodies directed against Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, and blood group antigens increased in many patients . In most instances, these increments were shown to be antibody of the IgM class by reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol . These data indicate that the IgM changes after abdominal surgery (1) are not specific for CIBD patients, (2) do not represent antibody directed against colon antigens, and (3) include increased titers of several IgM antibodies . These findings might be explained by a response to bacterial or tissue antigens released at or after the time of surgery.

J Infect Dis, 1975 Oct, 132(4), 440 - 50
Immunochemical characterization of the outer membrane complex of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies fragilis; Kasper DL et al.; The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria is immunologically the most important structure of the cell because of its accessibility to host defense mechanisms . By electron micrographic studies, it has been shown that Bacteroides fragilis has a cell envelope typical of gram-negative bacteria . The outer memberane of this envelope was found to consist of protein, two polysaccharides bound to lipid in various degrees, and loosely bound lipid . The protein component of the outer membrane had a distinct pattern when studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Similar peptide band pattern were seen in all strains of Bacteroides fragilis subspecies fragilis studied, but this pattern was distinct from the pattern found in the outer membranes of other subspecies . The carbohydrates and the protein components were both associated with subspecies-specific immunoprecipitins . We propose that this antigenic complex represents the outer membrane of B . fragilis in its native state and that the immunologically important antigens of this organism are associated with this complex.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1975 Oct, 83(5), 477 - 81
O-antigenic specificity of lipopolysaccharides from Bacteroides fragilis ss . fragilis; Hofstad T; Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) isolated from three strains of Bacteroides fragilis ss . fragilis were examined by indirect haemagglutination and inhibition of haemagglutination in unabsorbed and absorbed rabbit antisera . Six different antigenic specificities were detected . All serological activity was destroyed by oxidation of LPS with periodate.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Sep, 233(1), 64 - 71
{Investigations on the structure of the sphingolipids of the genus Bacteroides (author's transl)}; Fritsche D; In 1972 Fritsche and Thelen have described the difference between the structure of the komplex lipids of the genus Bacteroides and the genus Sphaerophorus . Further investigations of Fritsche demonstrated the possibility of grouping gramnegative anaerobes into the genus Bacteroides in spite of the fact, that one of the final products of metabolism of these strains is butyric acid . These strains are the so-called butyric acid producing Bacteroides . This paper describes the structure of the still unknown fatty acids of the komplex lipids of Bacteroides strains and confirms the heterogenity of the sphingosine bases of Bacteroides as a principle . Fife strains of Bacteroides - with and without production of butyric acid - were used for purification of their long chain bases, which were characterized by degradation . The unknown fatty acids were isolated from B . thetaiotaomicron and analyzed by Dr . Rosenfelder with the aid of mass spectrometry, O-methylation and dehydratisation . The experiments of Rosenfelder demonstrate, that the unknown fatty acids have the behaviour of 3-hydroxy fatty acids, the two main peaks are a hexadecanoic and a heptade-behaviour of 3-hydroxy fatty acids, the two main peaks are a hexadecanoic and a heptadecanoic acid . They have an identical behaviour with the 3-hydroxy-15-methyl-palmitic acid of Myxococcus fulvus . Therefore the genus Bacteroides differs from the genus Sphaerophorus by synthesis of 3-hydroxy fatty acids . The production of sphingolipids is a common characteristic of the genus Bacteroides, each of the five strains demonstrated a heterogeneous pattern of bases with sphingosines with 16 to 20, perhaps also 12 to 14 carbon atoms, sometimes predominantly the branched and n-heptadeca- and the octadeca-sphinganine can be identified . The possibility of the production of phyto-sphingosines is discussed.

Ann Intern Med, 1975 Sep, 83(3), 375 - 89
Management of anaerobic infections; Finegold SM et al.; Anaerobic infections are reviewed with emphasis on management . Most anaerobic pulmonary infections respond to penicillin G, even when Bacteroides fragilis (penicillin-resistant) is present . Clindamycin is suitable in penicillin-sensitive patients . Intraabdominal infections have a complex flora usually involving anaerobes, especially B . fragilis . It is desirable to use antimicrobial therapy to cover potential pathogens of all types . Surgical drainage and debridement are extremely important considerations . Anaerobic bacteria were found in 72% of 200 patients with female genital tract infections and were the exclusive isolates in 30% . Surgical therapy is primary, but antimicrobial and anticoagulant therapy are also important . A variety of soft-tissue infections involve anaerobes . Surgery is the major therapeutic approach . Anaerobic endocarditis is uncommon but may be difficult to manage . Chloramphenicol is ordinarily the drug of choice for brain abscess . New antimicrobial agents, which are under investigation and are promising, include new penicillins, new cephalosporins, new tetracyclines, and metronidazole.

Can J Microbiol, 1975 Sep, 21(9), 1369 - 71
Valine, malic, and pyruvic dehydrogenase tests in the differentiation of Bacteroides; Funderburk NR et al.; Fifteen isolates of Bacteroides were tested for their ability to dehydrogenate a variety of amino acids and organic acids . A simple and rapid method was developed for detecting dehydrogenase activity using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride as a hydrogen acceptor and indicator . The results indicate that the tests for valine, malic, and pyruvic acid dehydrogenases have value in differentiating organisms in this genus.

Arch Surg, 1975 Sep, 110(9), 1146 - 9
Serum prognostic indicators in experimental Bacteroides peritonitis; Sharbaugh RJ et al.; Serum lysozyme and hemolytic complement (CH100) levels were measured in dogs with experimental Bacteroides peritonitis . The CH100 levels showed little change in surviving animals . Nonsurvivors showed a moderate decrease in complement levels shortly after contamination . Both surviving and nonsurviving animals showed a slight initial decrease in lysozyme levels shortly after contamination . In surviving dogs this was followed by an increase to normal levels . In nonsurvivors, levels continued to increase, reaching a threefold magnification just prior to death . As a result of antibiotic therapy, CH100 levels exhibited no major changes; however, dogs deprived of antibiotic showed noticeable and persistent increases in lysozyme levels while treated animals showed only a mild elevation in lysozyme levels . The changes in the level of serum lysozyme may be a good indicator of antibiotic efficacy and approaching death from Bacteroides peritonitis.

South Med J, 1975 Aug, 68(8), 995 - 1000
Bacteroidosis; Poindexter HA et al.; Bacteroides infection frequently complicates surgery, instrumentation, or trauma to the alimentary, upper respiratory, and female genitourinary tracts . Bacteroides sp, alone or with other organisms, also may cause infections in the ear, nose, and throat, and other tissues where defeneses are lowered . Foul-smelling pus, sinus drainage, material from an abscess or infected traumatic wound, or a blood culture made because of a suspected anaerobic complication should be subjected to anaerobic study in the laboratory . Treatment of clinical bacteroidosis consists of specific antibiotics, surgery, oxygen under pressure, and appropriate local dressings . Treatment is often more effective if at least two antibiotics are given concurrently, and antibiotic sensitivity tests are recommended to select the best combination.

Am J Vet Res, 1975 Aug, 36(08), 1115 - 22
Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus as etiologic agents of foot rot in cattle; Berg JN et al.; Fusobacterium necrophorum (Sphaerophorus necrophorus) and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were the predominant bacteria isolated from biopsy specimens of lesions in cattle affected with foot rot . Mixed inoculums of the 2 bacteria, applied to the scarified interdigital skin or inoculated intradermally into the interdigital skin of test cattle, induced typical lesions of foot rot . Both bacteria were reisolated in large numbers from the induced lesions.

J Bacteriol, 1975 Aug, 123(2), 436 - 42
Evidence for cytochrome involvement in fumarate reduction and adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis by Bacteroides fragilis grown in the presence of hemin; Macy J et al.; Growth of Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis on glucose was very much stimulated by the addition of hemin (2 mg/liter) to the medium . The generation time decreased from 8 to 2 h, and the molar growth yield increased from YM = 17.9 to YM = 47 g (dry weight) of cells per mol of glucose . In the absence of hemin, glucose was fermented to fumarate, lactate, and acetate . The cells did not contain detectable amounts of cytochromes or fumarate reductase . In the presence of hemin, the major products of fermentation were succinate, propionate, and acetate . A b-type cytochrome, possibly a c-type cytochrome, and a very active fumarate reductase were present in the cells . It is concluded from these results that hemin is required by B . fragilis to synthesize a functional fumarate reductase and that the hemin-dependent, enormous increase of the growth yield may be due to adenosine 5'-triphosphate production during reduction of fumarate to succinate.

Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1975 Jun, 356(6), 715 - 25
Sphingolipid metabolism in Bacteroideaceae; Stoffel W et al.; The lipid composition of the anaerobic Bacteroides thetaiotaomikron has been analyzed . Sphingomyelin, ceramide phosphinicoethanolamine, free even-numbered and branched chain sphingosine bases and ceramide represented about 50% of the total lipid extract . The main ester phospholipid was phosphatidylethanolamine . The alkali-stable sphingophospholipids were predominantly N-acylated with 3-hydroxypalmitic acid, whereas the ester phospholipids are preferentially substituted with normal even and odd-numbered and branched-chain fatty acids . When Bacteroides was grown in a medium supplemented with labelled palmitic acid, this fatty acid was utilized for acylation reactions and to a large extent for the de novo synthesis of sphinganine . This long-chain base was incorporated into the sphingolipids and was also present in free form . The 3-hydroxypalmitic acid present in sphingolipids is not derived from palmitic acid, since labelled palmitate did not serve as a precursor . Free sphinganine added to the culture medium was also utilized efficiently for the biosynthesis of the sphingolipids by growing Bacteroides cultures . The 3H/14C ratio in sphingomyelin and ceramide phosphinicoethanolamine is the same, when {1-14C}palmitic acid and {3-3H}sphinganine serve as precursors . Sphingomyelin, which is usually only present in higher animals, is synthesized de novo in this Bacteroides strain.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 May, 231(4), 471 - 84
{Susceptibility to tetracycline and doxycycline of 80 strains of Bacteroides fragilis, B, thetaiotaomicron, and B . vulgatus mostly isolated in 1973/74 (author's transl)}; Spengruber B et al.; Recent studies by several authors suggested that Bacteroides fragilis and related species are becoming more resistant to tetracyclines . Therefore, the minimal inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline and doxycycline were determined by broth dilution tests for a total of 80 Bacteroides strains (56 B . fragilis, 15 B . thetaiotaomicron, 9 B . vulgatus), 70 of which had been isolated from clinical specimens during 1973/74 . Using initial concentrations of 1 x 10(8) organisms per mo of thioglycolate broth the MIC were determined after 5 hr of incubation . Thus the influence of thermal inactivation of tetracycline compounds on the results obtained was minimized . Tetracycline at less than 0.00075 through 12.5 mug/ml was active against 79 strains . The MIC of one strain, a member of B . fragilis, was 50 mug tetracycline/ml . At 1.56 mug doxycycline/ml the cumulative percentage of sensitive strains was 97,5 . The MIC of only 2 Bacteroides cultures was 3.12 mug doxycycline/ml . Taking account of the relatively high initial concentrations of test organisms, the results obtained may be estimated at the quotient of 1/4 as representative of the usual inoculum of 10(6) organisms/ml . Accordingly, 79 and 80 strains, respectively, may be considered to be sensitive to tetracycline and doxycycline in clinically achievable levels.

J Clin Pathol, 1975 May, 28(5), 407 - 9
An experimental comparison of Thiol broth with Brewer's thioglycollate for anaerobic blood cultures; Shanson DC et al.; In a series of simulated blood culture experiments, small inocula of eight different strains of Bacteroides and five strains of anaerobic cocci were added to Difco Thiol broth and Southern Group Brewer's thioglycollate . Both methods enabled all of the strains to be isolated after one to three days' incubation, with the exception of Bacteroides melaninogenicus, and most strains to survive after one week . B . melaninogenicus grew more quickly in Difco Thiol broth than in Southern Group Brewer's whereas three strains of anaerobic cocci were isolated first from Southern Group Brewer's . Difco Thiol broth appears to be a satisfactory alternative to Southern Group Brewer's for the isolation of non-sporing anaerobes likely to be found in the blood.

J Clin Pathol, 1975 May, 28(5), 388 - 91
Antibiotic-disc tests for rapid identification of non-sporing anaerobes; Peach S; The sensitivity patterns to a number of antibiotic-impregnated discs of 126 strains of Gram-negative anaerobes and 36 strains of Gram-positive non-sporing anaerobes from various sources have been examined . The sensitivity patterns shown by Bacteroids fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were useful for the rapid identification of these organisms . Consistent and useful sensitivity patterns were not shown by the Gram-positive anaerobes.

Am Heart J, 1975 May, 89(5), 629 - 32
Bacteroides pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in a patient with chronic renal failure; Harris CL et al.; A 31-year-old woman with chronic renal insufficiency and recurrent pericarditis developed an enlarging cardiac silhouette and physical signs of cardiac tamponade . Cardiac catheterization demonstrated pericardial effusion with hemodynamic evidence of cardiac compression . At pericardial exploration, 1.5 L . of foul-smelling purulent material was removed from a distended pericardial sac . Cultures of both the exudate and pericardium revealed pure growth of Bacteroides fragiles . The patient was subsequently treated with intravenous chloramphenicol and has had an uncomplicated clinical course since that time . This represents the first reported case of cardiac tamponade secondary to culturally proved Bacteroides pericarditis in the setting of chronic renal insufficiency.

J Infect Dis, 1975 May, 131(5), 499 - 508
Immune responses in eight patients infected with Bacteroides fragilis; Lambe DW Jr et al.; Sera from eight patients with either septicemia or pyothorax caused by Bacteroides fragilis were assayed for specific antibody by the agglutination, immunofluorescence, and agar gel diffusion techniques . Antibodies were detected in the sera of all eight patients by all three serological tests employed; titers as high as 1:160 and 1:320 were detected by the agglutination test and the immunofluorescence technique, respectively, and all patients had precipitating antibody . Failure of B . fragilis sub-species thetaiotaomicron to react with any heterologous antisera from the other seven patients infected with B . fragilis subspecies fragilis thetaiotaomicron was not serologically related to any of the other strains studied . Demonstration of an immune response to anaerobic infection supported the pathogenesis of anaerobes in infectious disease processes and indicated the possible diagnostic role that serological tests may serve in the diagnosis of anaerobic infections in humans.

J Bacteriol, 1975 May, 122(2), 418 - 24
Multiple forms of 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in selected strains of Bacteroides fragilis; Hylemon PB et al.; Multiple forms of 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were detected in six of nine strains of Bacteroides fragilis . The enzymes differed with respect to pyridine nucleotide specificity, thermal stability, divalent metal cation requirement, and elution profilies from Sephadex G-200 columns . The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-dependent enzyme required divalent metal cations, preferentially Mn-2+ (Km, 57 muM), for maximum catalytic activity . The NADP-dependent enzyme was labile at 65 C for 10 min, whereas the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent enzyme was stable at 65 C for 10 min . The specific activity of both the NAD- and NADP-dependent enzymes in crude extracts increased markedly (15- and 7.5-fold, respectively) during the transition from exponential- to stationary-phase growth in glucose medium containing 0.5 mM sodium cholate . The time course of apparent enzyme induction correlated temporally with the transformation of the 7-alpha-hydroxy group of cholate in the culture supernatant fluid . Both NAD- and NADP-dependent 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities were found to be widely, but not universally, distributed in different strains and subspecies of B . fragilis . No NAD- or NADP-dependent 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity could be detected in B . fragilis subsp . vulgatus Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) no . 4245, subsp . thetaiotaomicron VPI 0061-1, or subsp . distasonis VPI 4243.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Apr, 29(4), 472 - 5
Effects of time and growth media on short-chain fatty acid production by Bacteroides fragilis; Mayhew JW et al.; Gas-liquid chromatography was used to monitor the evolution of short chain fatty acids by Bacteroides fragilis in five media . Acetic and succinic acids, the prominent end products encountered, were readily detected within 24 h . Propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric, and lactic acids were usually recorded in more limited quantities . Maximum rates of bacterial multiplication, glucose catabolism, and end-production coincided with the first 24 h in carbohydrate-supplemented media . Extended incubation (672 h) favored substantial succinate increases in three of five media . These observations suggest that incubation time and composition of the medium are important determinants in short chain fatty acid production by B . fragilis.

J Pediatr Surg, 1975 Apr, 10(2), 215 - 20
Bacteroides: a cause of residual abscess?
Douglas B, Vesey B.
Bacteroides fragilis as a cause of residual abscess has not been previously demonstrated . This clinical and bacteriologic study of 54 consecutive cases of appendectomy in children suggests that if B . fragilis is found in the peritoneal fluid at the time of operation there is a strong possibility of residual abscess development . Special collection and culture methods are necessary to obtain positive cultures of this strictly anaerobic organism.

J Virol, 1975 Apr, 15(4), 894 - 7
Bacteriophage-associated spherical bodies in Bacteroides fragilis; Silver RP et al.; Unique spherical bodies with multilayered walls were observed by electron microscopy in cells of a single strain of Bacteroides fragilis subsp . fragilis . Phage-like particles were present in the same cells, both free in the cytoplasm and within the spheres . The proportion of cells containing the phage-associated spherical structures ranged from less than 0.01% to about 7% depending on the culture conditions . Phage particles of morphological type B and spherical bodies were also found free in the medium surrounding the cells . Spherical bodies with discontinuities in their walls, through which phage-like particles sometimes appeared to be escaping, were also found both intra- and extracellularly . The biological significance of these distinctive spherical structures is a matter of conjecture.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 Mar 28, 384(1), 12 - 24
NAD- and NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from bacteroides fragilis; Macdonald IA et al.; Twenty strains of Bacteroides fragilis were screened for hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity in cell-free preparations . Eighteen strains were shown to contain NAD-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase . Sixteen of the strains containing the NAD-dependent enzyme also contained NADP-depedent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, but invariably in lesser amounts . A strain particulary rich in both 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities was selected for further study . Measurement of activity as a function of pH revealed a fairly sharp optimal activity range of 9.5--10.0 for the NAD-dependent enzyme and a broad flat optimal range of 7.0--9.0 for the NADP-dependent enzyme . Michaelis constants for trihydroxy-bile acids for the NAD-dependent enzyme were in the range of 0.32--0.34 mM, whereas dihydroxy-bile acids gave a Km of 0.1 mM . Thin-layer chromatography studies on the oxidation product of 3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acid (chenodeoxycholic acid) by the dehydrogenase revealed a band corresponding to that of synthetic 3alpha-hydroxy, 7-keto-5beta-cholanoic acid . Similarly the oxidation product of chenodeoxycholic acid by both 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and commercially available 3alpha-hy-droxysteroid dehydrogenase revealed a band corresponding to that of synthetic 3,7-diketo-5beta-cholanoic acid . Neither of these two oxidation products could be distinguished from those by the Escherichia coli dehydrogenase oxidation previously reported . Disc-gel electrophoresis of a cell-free lyophilized preparation indicated one active band for NAD-dependent activity of mobility similar to that for the NADP-dependent E . coli enzyme . The NADP-dependent dehydrogenase was unstable and rapidly lost activity after polyacylamide disc-gel electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, freezing on refrigeration at 4 degrees C . No 3 alpha- or 12alpha-oriented oxidoreductase activity was demonstrated in any of the strains examined.

J Gen Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 87(1), 107 - 19
Determination of some in vitro growth requirements of Bacteroides nodosus; Skerman TM; Physical and nutritional factors required for growth of Bacteroides nodosus isolates from ovine foot-rot lesions were examined . Simplified anaerobic culture techniques were devised utilizing a fully soluble, autoclavable, liquid medium (TAS) which contained proteose-peptone, yeast and meat extracts and certain other essential compounds required to promote prompt and serially transferrable growth of cultures from small inocula . The latter included Trypticase, arginine, a reducing agent (most suitably thioglycollic acid) and CO2; serine and Mg2+ markedly increased growth yields . Trypticase could not be replaced by a commercial preparation of acid-hydrolysed casein; other forms of hydrolysed protein gave delayed and inconsistent growth . Maximum growth of cultures required concentrations of 0-02 to 0-35 M-arginine, which could not be replaced by glutamic acid, citrulline or ornithine . Exogenous carbohydrate compounds were not required . The temperature range for optimum growth of cultures was 37 to 39 degrees C, and anaerobic culture conditions were essential for growth and the production of B . nodosus organisms of normal morphology . Solidified TAS media for the isolation and maintenance of B . nodosus cultures were also devised.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1975 Feb, 83(1), 45 - 7
Production of cell-bound antigens by Bacteroides fragilis nctc 9343 in continuous culture; Dalland E et al.; Highly active antigen preparations, as measured by precipitation and inhibition of haemaglutination, were obtained from Bacteroides fragilis NCTC 9343 grown in continuous culture . The activity varied slightly only with the glucose concentration of the medium and the dilution rate . pH had a greater influence on antigen production.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1975, 7(3), 222 - 4
Some clinical, immunological and bacteriological observations in a case of pyogenic arthritis due to bacteroides fragilis; Brorson JE et al.; A case of recurrent pyogenic arthritis in a knee joint and abscess formation of the lower limb is described . The infection occurred in a 70-year-old male patient treated with steroids for rheumatoid arthritis . A strain of Bacteroides fragilis was repeatedly isolated both from the knee joint and the abscess . The isolated strain was used as antigen in tube agglutination tests and significant titre changes were observed during the course of the disease . The isolated strain was initially sensitive to doxycycline but developed resistance to this drug during therapy . The sensitivity to lincomycin remained unaffected.

Pathol Microbiol (Basel), 1975, 42(2), 110 - 8
{Bacteroides and appendicitis (author's transl)}; Werner H et al.; Bacteroides fragilis is frequently recovered from cases of appendicitis with perforation and from infections developing secondary to appendicitis . In order to assess the part played by B . fragilis in the aetiology of appendicitis, quantitative aerobic and anaerobic culture studies of the contents of 49 inflammated appendices were performed . Anaerobic gram-negative non-sporing rods were cultivated from 43 appendices in the range 10(3)-10(9)/g . A total of 1,473 isolates was differentiated by biochemical methods, and 1,374 cultures were found to belong to the saccharolytic species of the genus Bacteroides (B . fragilis, B . thetaiotaomicron, B . vulgatus, B . distasonis etc.) . B fragilis was detected in 31 appendices; the species predominated in 18 samples . B theraiotamicron, recovered from 27 samples, was prevalent in 4 appendices . In one sample, B . fragilis and B . thetaiotaomicron outnumbered the other appendicular bacterial . B . vulgatus was cultivated from 12 appendices, but did once constitute the prevalent group . It has been previously shown that B . vulgatus (43% of intestinal isolates) and B . thetaiomicron predominate in the normal narge bowel flora . On the other hand, approximately 80% of pyrogenic Bacteroides strains belong to B . fragilis, B . thetaiotaomicron accounting for 19% and B . vulgatus being virtually absent . From these striking differences in species distribution the conclusion was drawn that B . fragilis possesses the highest virulence for man . Species distribution within the 1,374 appendicular isolates of saccharolytic Bacteroides (percentages of 62, 19 and 4.3 for B . fragilis, B . thetaiotaomicron, and B . vulgatus, respectively) was very similar to that encountered in clinical specimens . From the results obtained it becomes evident that pyrogenic Bacteroides, in particular B . fragilis, plays an important role in nearly 50% of cases of appendicitis.

J Bacteriol, 1975 Jan, 121(1), 152 - 9
Sensitivity of a Bacteroides melaninogenicus strain to monosaccharides: effect on enzyme induction; Lev M et al.; The inhibition of growth in Bacteroides melaninogenicus by sugars in described . Monosaccharides such as D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, and D-fructose are inhibitory at low concentrations, whereas the disaccharides sucrose and lactose are not inhibitory even at high concentrations . The major inhibitory effect of the sugar is found during the transition of lag to logarithmic growth phases . There was no primary effect of D-glucose on protein, ribonucleic acid, or deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis on cells in transition from lag to logarithmic growth . However, the addition of glucose or galactose completely abolished the induction of 3-ketodihydrosphingosine synthetase by vitamin K in vitamin K-depleted cells . Futhermore, in cells which were not vitamin K depleted, the level of this enzyme was drastically reduced by the addition of the sugar . Cyclic adenosine 5-monophosphate was unable to reverse the growth inhibition produced by glucose . In actively growing cultures, addition of sugar slows the growth rate . In these experiments the level of 3-ketodihydrosphingosine synthetase fell only after the cells had assumed the slower rate of growth . There were two indications that D-galactose was more inhibitory than D-glucose; in the presence of 0.1% D-galactose cells in lag phase did not show the increase in turbidity found in similar cells placed in medium with 0.1% D-glucose, and also D-galactose caused a greater decrease in the growth rate of actively growing cultures than was found with D-glucose . These studies suggest that the inhibitory effect of monosaccharides in lag leads to logarithmic growth transition can be ascribed to an effect on enzyme induction . On the other hand, the ability of many monosaccharides to inhibit growth, and the greater inhibitory property of D-galactose compared with D-glucose, suggests that other mechanisms may be operative as well.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm, 1975 Jan, 11(1), 19 - 26
Comparative clinical study of doxycycline and minocycline; Klastersky J et al.; Doxycycline and minocycline were given intravenously to patients with a serious underlying disease who presented a pulmonary infection or a wound infection . Both therapies were easy to administer and well tolerated . However they should not be used in the initial therapy since resistant strains may occur . The clinical and bacteriological effectiveness of doxycycline and minocycline were similar . In pneumococcal pulmonary infections, the rates of favorable clinical response to doxycycline and minocycline were 73% and 76% respectively . In infections caused by bacteroides sp.(mainly infections of wounds), doxycycline or minocycline resulted in a 75% rate of favorable clinical responses and in a 71% rate of favorable bacteriological responses . Adverse side effects were rare and of minor importance with the exception of bacteriological colonization by doxycycline-resistant or minocycline-resistant microorganisms . This complica-tion occurred in 39% of the patients who were treated with these drugs and resulted in clinical superinfection in 8% of the patients.

Vox Sang, 1975, 28(4), 314 - 7
Erythrocyte polyagglutination showing properties of both T and Tk, probably induced by Bacteroides fragilis infection; Inglis G et al.; A new type of polyagglutination is described in which the T and Tk receptors are both exposed on the erythrocyte membrane . It is suggested that there may be an association between this type of polyagglutination and infection by Bacteroides fragilis.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975, 231(1-3), 133 - 44
{A new butyric acid-producing bacteroides species: B . splanchnicus n . sp . (author's transl)}; Werner H et al.; Three butyric acid-producing saccharolytic Bacteroides cultures (1651/6, BM 158, and IPP 3751) were described by WERNER and REICHERTZ in 1971 (Zbl.Bakt.Hyg., I . Abt . Orig . A 217,206-216) . Since then, 6 strains closely resembling 1651/6 were isolated from stool specimens and surgically removed appendices . In the present communication, strains 1651/6, S2/34, S3/38, S4/28, S6/6, A5/2 are described as members of a new species, Bacteroides splanchnicus n.sp . The strains were morphologically very similar (Gram negative non-sporing non-motile rods, 1-2.5 mu in length and 0.7 mu in width) and fermented glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, lactose, and arabinose (pH values of 4.6-5.4, moderate gas formation) . Negative reactions (pH values of 5.8-7.2) were observed with 20 other carbohydrates . The strains were positive in the glutamic acid decarboxylase test and formed indole and H2S . In peptone-yeast extract broth and peptone-yeast extract-glucose broth acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, and isovaleric acids were produced . Washed cells of strains 1651/6 and S4/28 incubated anaerobically in sterile solutions of single amino acids produced butyrate from lysine only . Abundant butyric acid was also produced from glucose . The in vitro activity of 15 antibiotics on 5 strains was studied by broth dilution tests . Uniformly, the strains showed resistance to aminoglycosides and polymyxins (MIC values, 60-500 mug/ml) and susceptibility to tetracyclines, lincomycin, clindamycin, rifampicin, and erythromycin (MIC values, 0.05-0.5 mug/ml) . Chloramphenicol, penicillins, and cephalosporins showed bacteriostatic activity at concentrations of 5-40 mug/ml . The serological behaviour of 5 strains was studied in cross-agglutination and gel-diffusion experiments . Cross-reactivity was pronounced in gel-diffusion tests using rabbit antisera and autoclaved extracts and extracts prepared by repeated deep-freezing and thawing of whole cell suspensions as antigens . However, antisera against the B . splanchnicus strains did not react with antigens of B . fragilis 6869, B . thetaiotaomicron AS 126, B . vulgatus AM 45 a, B . distasonis AII 104 and butyric acid-producing strains BM 158 and IPP 3751 in agglutination and gel-diffusion experiments, and there were no cross-reactions between B . splanchnicus antigens and antisera against B . fragilis 6869 and the other aforementioned strains . The new species has been confirmed by members of the ICSB Taxonomic Subcommittee for Gram negative anaerobic rods . Strains 1651/6 and S4/28 have been deposited in The National Collection of Type Cultures, London (NCTC numbers 10825 and 10826) . Strain NCTC 10825 (= 1651/6) is the type of the species, B . splanchnicus.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1975, 7(1), 59 - 66
Antibiotic susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria by the standardized disc diffusion method with special reference to bacteroides fragilis; Dornbusch K et al.; The susceptibility of 90 strains of Bacteroides fragilis to 16 antibacterial drugs was determined by the agar plate dilution test and the disc diffusion test . Good correlation of results was obtained with the two methods, and regression line analysis could be performed for beta-lactam antibiotics, erythromycin, tetracyclines, lincomycin and clindamycin . Thus the standardized disc diffusion method can be used for susceptibility testing, but only a clear distinction between sensitive and resistant strains can be seen.

J Lipid Res, 1972 May, 13(3), 364 - 70
Effect of vitamin K depletion and restoration on sphingolipid metabolism in Bacteroides melaninogenicus; Lev M et al.; Bacteroides melaninogenicus requires vitamin K for normal growth . Cells incubated in a vitamin K-free medium form defective cell envelopes . Studies with vitamin K-grown "K(+)" and vitamin K-depleted "K(-)" cells showed that {(14)C}choline and {(14)C}glycerol were not taken up, but several amino acids and acetate were incorporated to the same degree by both types of cultures . However, K(-) cells incorporated succinate to a greater degree than did K(+) cultures . The relative incorporation of succinate into ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol was depressed compared with incorporation into phosphatidylethanolamine in K(-) cultures . B . melaninogenicus can be grown in serial subculture in the absence of vitamin K in the presence of 2.5 mg/ml of succinate . Under these conditions the relative incorporation of {2,3-(14)C}succinate and (32)P into ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol is markedly depressed . Stimulation of phosphosphingolipid synthesis by vitamin K was shown by comparing the uptake of (32)P and lipid phosphorus levels of a succinate-grown, vitamin K-depleted culture supplemented with (32)P plus 0.1 micro g/ml vitamin K(1) with a similar culture supplemented with (32)P only . The phosphosphingolipids from the vitamin K-supplemented cells incorporated greater amounts of (32)P and had higher levels of phosphorus than did the ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol of the culture without added vitamin K . It was further shown that vitamin K added to a vitamin K-depleted culture stimulated synthesis of ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol 38 min and 60 min, respectively, following the addition of the vitamin; incorporation of (32)P into other phospholipids was unaffected.

J Lipid Res, 1969 Sep, 10(5), 528 - 34
Identification of ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol in the lipids of an anaerobic bacterium; LaBach JP et al.; Nearly half the phospholipids isolated from the anerobic bacterium Bacteroides melaninogenicus are phosphosphingolipids . The two major phosphosphingolipids have been characterized as ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol . The long-chain bases of these phosphosphingolipids appear to have branched and normal saturated carbon chains of 17, 18, and 19 atoms; the phosphate is at the 1-position of the long-chain base . The composition of the amide-linked fatty acids of the phosphosphingolipids differs from that of the ester-linked fatty acids of the diacylphosphoglycerides in having a higher percentage of 14:0, 17:0, and 18:0 acids as well as containing nearly all the monoenoic fatty acids found in the bacterial lipids . The finding of phosphosphingolipids in bacteria is exceedingly rare and to our knowledge ceramide phosphorylglycerol has not been previously found in nature.

J Lipid Res, 1969 Jul, 10(4), 421 - 6
Bacterial 7-dehydroxylation of cholic acid and allocholic acid; Bokkenheuser V et al.; An obligate anaerobic organism capable of dehydroxylating cholic acid to deoxycholic acid and allocholic acid to allodeoxycholic acid was isolated from feces of the rabbit . It was a member of the bacteroides group (Gram-variable, nonsporulating anaerobes) . The growth of the organism was inhibited by neomycin, 10-20 micro g/ml . The existence of this organism affords a satisfactory explanation for the development of gallstones in the cholestanol-fed rabbit and for their absence in rabbits simultaneously treated with neomycin.

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