Rev Infect Dis, 1983 Mar-Apr, 5 Suppl 1, S74 - 83 Empiric therapy for bacterial meningitis; McCabe WR; Population studies from three counties indicate that meningitis occurs with a frequency of approximately 10 episodes per 100,000 population annually in the United States . Estimates based on this prevalence and a population of 2.3 X 10(8) suggest that approximately 23,000 episodes of meningitis occur annually in the United States . Available studies indicate that rapid and reasonably accurate identification of the etiologic agent can be made in greater than or equal to 75% of patients with meningitis by gram-staining of the cerebrospinal fluid, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, or other antigen detection techniques . These means of rapid diagnosis theoretically leave only approximately 7,000 episodes of meningitis annually in the United States in which empiric, as opposed to specific, therapy is necessary . Age-dependent variation in etiologic agents of meningitis markedly influences selection of therapeutic regimens . The preponderance of Enterobacteriaceae and group B streptococci as causes of meningitis in neonates has resulted in utilization of a penicillin (often ampicillin) combined with an aminoglycoside for empiric therapy . Continued high morbidity and mortality, especially in neonatal meningitis caused by Enterobacteriaceae, have been felt to reflect inadequate penetration of aminoglycosides into the cerebrospinal fluid, but careful prospective randomized studies of intrathecal and intraventricular administration of aminoglycosides failed to demonstrate any enhancement of therapeutic results . Ampicillin appeared to be an ideal agent for empiric therapy in older children, in whom meningitis is usually caused by Haemophilus influenzae, with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis being less frequently implicated as etiologic agents . The occurrence of beta-lactamase-mediated resistance to ampicillin in as high as 15% of isolates of H . influenzae has resulted in combined use of ampicillin and chloramphenicol for meningitis in children . This approach is complicated by evidence of clinically important antagonism between ampicillin and chloramphenicol . Since almost all community-acquired meningitis in otherwise healthy adults is caused by meningococci and pneumococci, penicillin remains the agent of choice . In contrast, meningitis following trauma to and surgery involving the central nervous system and in the elderly is often caused by gram-negative bacilli and other "unusual" organisms; therapeutic problems in this group parallel those observed in neonatal meningitis. J Clin Pathol, 1983 Mar, 36(3), 341 - 4 Automated reading of a microtitre plate: preliminary evaluation in antimicrobial susceptibility tests and Enterobacteriaceae identification; Courcol RJ et al.; An automated microELISA Reader was evaluated for its ability to read and interpret microtitre plates . A total of 309 microtitre plates were investigated by automated and visual methods . There was disagreement between the methods in one hundred and twelve (0.6%) wells . However agreements between the two methods for susceptibility tests and Enterobacteriaceae identification were respectively 98.8% and 89.3%. Drugs, 1983 Mar, 25(3), 223 - 89 Cefotaxime . A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacological properties and therapeutic use; Carmine AA et al.; Synopsis: Cefotaxime is a new 'third generation' semisynthetic cephalosporin administered intravenously or intramuscularly . It has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and is generally more active against Gram-negative bacteria than the 'first' and 'second generation' cephalosporins . Although cefotaxime has some activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on the basis of present evidence it cannot be recommended as sole antibiotic therapy for pseudomonal infections . However, cefotaxime has been effective in treating infections due to other 'difficult' organisms, such as multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae . Like other cephalosporins, cefotaxime is effective in treating patients with complicated urinary tract and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly pneumonia caused by Gram-negative bacilli . High response rates have also been achieved in patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia . Although favourable clinical results have been obtained in patients with infections caused by mixed aerobic/anaerobic organisms (such as peritonitis or soft tissue infections), the relatively low in vitro activity of cefotaxime against Bacteroides fragilis may restrict its usage in situations where this organism is the suspected or proven pathogen . In preliminary studies, males and females treated with a single intramuscular dose of cefotaxime for uncomplicated gonorrhoea caused by penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae responded very favourably . Encouraging results have also been reported in open studies in children including neonates, treated with cefotaxime for meningitis and various other serious infections . In some situations, cefotaxime has been given in combination with another antibiotic such as an aminoglycoside, but the merits of such a combination have not been clearly established . Whether cefotaxime alone is appropriate therapy for conditions previously treated with aminoglycosides (other than pseudomonal infections) also needs additional clarification, but if established as equally effective in such conditions cefotaxime offers potentially important clinical and practical advantages in its apparent lack of serious adverse effects and freedom from the need to undertake drug plasma concentration monitoring. Rev Infect Dis, 1983 Mar-Apr, 5 Suppl 1, S108 - 26 Cefoperazone: a review of its antimicrobial spectrum, beta-lactamase stability, enzyme inhibition, and other in vitro characteristics; Jones RN et al.; The in vitro qualities of cefoperazone were reviewed on the basis of international medical literature and some new observations . Cefoperazone is highly active against the Enterobacteriaceae . Its activity against Staphylococcus aureus is comparable to that of the other newer cephem antibiotics . Cefoperazone is also active against all beta-hemolytic streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae and is relatively inactive against methicillin-resistant S . aureus and enterococci . Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa cefoperazone is at least fourfold more active than cefotaxime or moxalactam and is approximately as active as azlocillin or piperacillin . Haemophilus and Neisseria species, regardless of beta-lactamase production, are highly susceptible to cefoperazone . Against the Bacteroides fragilis group, cefoperazone is either very active or quite inactive because of endemic variations . The drug is slightly less stable to some beta-lactamases than are cefotaxime-like or 7-methoxy cephem drugs . Cefoperazone is a bactericidal beta-lactam, and its minimal inhibitory concentrations are influenced only by high inoculum concentrations of beta-lactamase-producing strains . Its ability to permeate bacterial cell membranes appears similar to that of cefotaxime . Synergy studies with cefoperazone plus beta-lactamase inhibitors or aminoglycosides against Enterobacteriaceae and P . aeruginosa show enhanced killing . Cefoperazone is 70%-94% protein bound and has high affinities for bacterial penicillin-binding proteins 3, 1a, 2, and 1 bs. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Feb, 253(4), 523 - 30 Temperature-dependent changes in the sugar and fatty acid composition of lipopolysaccharides from Yersinia enterocolitica strains; Wartenberg K et al.; Yersinia enterocolitica S and R strains change the pattern and the amount of their lipopolysaccharide-linked fatty acids with the respective growth temperature . As described also for other enterobacterial strains, saturated fatty acids are decreased, especially the amount of C14:0, when growth was done at 10 degrees C and unsaturated fatty acids, notably C16:1 (palmitoleic acid), appear, which are present in trace amounts only when bacteria are grown at 40 degrees C . In addition to these changes in the fatty acids, also the amount of O-specific sugars is temperature-dependent . 6-Deoxy-L-altrose which is the only main O-specific sugar in the LPS investigated, amounts to 30-40% (based on LPS dry weight) when grown at 10 degrees C, but only to 13-20% when growth was done at 40 degrees C . The decrease in O-specific material at 40 degrees C can at least partly be explained by the finding of a high number of unsubstituted R core stubs in polyacryl gel-electrophoresis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Feb, 23(2), 195 - 200 In vitro antibacterial activity of SM-1652, a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin with antipseudomonal activity; Fukasawa M et al.; SM-1652 (sodium 7-{D(-)-alpha-(4-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine-3-carboxamido)-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido}-3-{(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) thiomethyl}-3-cephem-4-carboxylate) is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin derivative with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity . Its in vitro activity against gram-positive bacteria was comparable to that of cefazolin . SM-1652 exceeded cefazolin in potency and broadness of antibacterial activity against such Enterobacteriaceae as indole-positive Proteus spp., Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia marcescens . A remarkable feature of the spectrum of SM-1652 is its high activity against Pseudomonadaceae . Against 200 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, SM-1652 was significantly more active than cefoperazone, cefotaxime, and sulbenicillin and as active as cefsulodin . The activities of SM-1652 against Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas cepacia were superior to those of cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefsulodin, sulbenicillin, and gentamicin . SM-1652 was relatively stable to hydrolysis with plasmid-mediated penicillinases and cephalosporinases produced by gram-negative bacteria. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Feb, 253(4), 531 - 43 {Effect of multiresistance on the minimal inhibitory concentration of N-formimidoyl thienamycin and 6 comparing substances against P . aeruginosa and 4 Enterobacteriaceae species}; Schroter G et al.; The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of multiresistant strains of P . aeruginosa and four species of Enterobacteriaceae were compared with those of more sensitive ones in N-f-thienamycin and six other antibiotics . The greatest difference between these two differently resistant bacterial populations was found in cefoperazone and the beta-lactamase-instable piperacillin . The latter was used for comparison purposes . The activity of cefsulodin was distinctly reduced in multiresistant strains of P . aeruginosa . Cefotaxime and lamoxactam displayed slightly elevated MICs in multiresistant strains . In N-f-thienamycin a significant difference between the multiresistant and the more sensitive population could not be verified (p greater than 0.05) . In this regard it resembles fosfomycin . beta-lactam antibiotics could be ranked by means of correlation analysis of their MICs . Using piperacillin as a reference antibiotic the following order of succession could be arranged according to correlation coefficients in P . aeruginosa: cefoperazone, cefsulodin, lamoxactam, cefotaxime and N-f-thienamycin . For the Enterobacteriaceae species some antibiotics could not be evaluated in this test . Moreover, it was recognized that there was an obvious correlation between the activities of lamoxactam and cefotaxime in P . aeruginosa (r = 0.81) and E . coli (r = 0.80) . A correlation was also observed between those of cefsulodin and cefoperazone in P . aeruginosa (r = 0.75) . Lower correlation coefficients were seen in N-f-thienamycin with cefoperazone, piperacillin and cefsulodin in P . aeruginosa and with cefoperazone in Klebsiella spec. . Notwithstanding, strains resistant to cefsulodin and cefoperazone were inhibited by concentrations less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml of N-f-thienamycin . These results showed that in N-f-thienamycin, cefotaxime and lamoxactam multiresistance has only a minimal influence on the MICs of the species of Enterobacteriaceae examined . For therapeutic considerations concerning multiresistance the small differences recognized among these three antibiotics might be without significance . However, N-f-thienamycin was distinctly more active in multiresistant strains of P . aeruginosa than the other beta-lactam antibiotics tested. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Feb, 2(1), 26 - 31 ABAC identibiogramme: prototype of an automated system for identification of enterobacteria; Durosoir JL; The ABAC Identibiogramme, an automated, computerized system for the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the Enterobacteriaceae has been developed recently . The biological basis of the system resides in lyophilized, highly discriminating media enclosed in wells of an automatically inoculated disposable cartridge . The introduction of a suitable specimen rehydrates and inoculates the media in the wells . After incubation for 16 to 18 h at 37 degrees C and the addition of only one reagent (Kovacs reagent), the media changes and the results obtained are interpreted by an automated optical system and a computer . The antibiogram is also used by the computer to confirm the biochemical identification of the organism . The identification accuracy of a prototype of the ABAC Identibiogramme system was compared with that of API 20 E and conventional methods using a total of 1,290 clinical isolates . The ABAC Identibiogramme correctly identified 96.8% of the organisms tested, misidentified 2.4% and failed to identify 0.8% . The results demonstrate the high reliability and good identification performance of the ABAC Identibiogramme in comparison to API 20 E and conventional methods. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1983 Feb, (2), 20 - 5 {Role of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the etiology of bacterial sepsis}; Kiseleva BS et al.; 206 K . pneumoniae cultures isolated from 72 patients with the positive results of the hemoculture (obtained with specimens taken both from living patients and from autopsy material) were studied; of these cultures, 104 were isolated from the blood and 72 from specimens taken from different organs . Among enterobacteria isolated from the blood, Klebsiella organisms constituted 33% (taking the second place after E . coli in occurrence) . K . pneumoniae isolated from the blood were classified mainly with serovars K16, K18, K2, K33, K13, K24 . The data on the etiological role of these microorganisms in sepsis occurring either as acute primary infection or as septic complication in various diseases were obtained. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Feb, 23(2), 261 - 6 Ceftriaxone therapy of serious bacterial infections in adults; Bittner MJ et al.; We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ceftriaxone in 50 adults with serious infections, usually giving 1 g every 12 h . Of the 35 patients who could be evaluated for clinical efficacy, 15 had failed on previous therapy, 15 had nosocomial infections, and all but 1 had underlying diseases . One patient had three sites of infection . Favorable responses were seen in 34 of 37 infections, including 11 of 13 respiratory tract infections, all 7 urinary tract infections, all 12 skin and soft tissue infections, 1 of 2 bone and joint infections, a catheter-related septicemia, a liver abscess, and an otitis media and externa . Favorable bacteriological responses were seen for 48 of 58 organisms . This included 6 of 7 Staphylococcus aureus strains, 14 of 16 other aerobic gram-positive cocci, 18 of 20 Enterobacteriaceae, 6 of 9 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 1 of 2 anaerobes . Peak plasma ceftriaxone levels on day 1 were 152 micrograms/ml by bioassay and 78 micrograms/ml by high-pressure liquid chromatography . Four of the 31 initial isolates of aerobic gram-negative rods developed resistance to ceftriaxone on disk diffusion testing . Diarrhea occurred in 3 of 50 patients . All three had received a higher than usual dose . Drug administration was stopped twice, once for a thrombocytopenia and once for a thrombocytopenia with leukopenia . Neither problem could be attributed exclusively to ceftriaxone . Other adverse reactions were eosinophilia, abdominal pain, inguinal candidiasis, and nonsuppurative phlebitis . Even among debilitated adults, ceftriaxone was safe and effective in a twice daily regimen. Prog Clin Biol Res, 1983, 122, 197 - 208 Studies on RES function in rats and mice after different doses of fluosol; Lutz J; Changes in the activity of the RES were examined by: 1 . the clearance of colloidal carbon in rats (expressed by the elimination constant K); 2 . determination of the tolerance of endotoxin in mice and that of gram negative enterobacteria in rats (expressed in both methods by the lethality); 3 . evaluation of the temporal course of weight and the amount of PFCs taken up by two chief organs of the RES--liver and spleen . The results revealed a distinct temporal action of PFCs on the function of the RES which was terminated before cellular responses ended. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 1983, 5(2), 101 - 5 The relationship of disc position to zone-of-inhibition size in the disc-agar diffusion test; Cunningham DD et al.; One hundred sixteen clinical isolates of Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis were tested against cefoperazone, cefoxitin, cefamandole and piperacillin by disc-agar diffusion . Zones-of-inhibition of discs dropped near the center of the plate were compared with those dropped near the periphery . In 28% of the comparisons the inner and outer zones differed by 2 mm or more . Of those, the inner zone was larger 2.5 times more often than the outer zone . Results suggest that the chances of obtaining a susceptible result are greater when discs are placed near the center as opposed to the periphery of the plate. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 Jan-Feb, 134A(1), 39 - 52 Ewingella americana gen.nov., sp.nov., a new Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens; Grimont PA et al.; We propose the name Ewingella gen.nov . for a new group in the Enterobacteriaceae . Ewingella is phenotypically distinct from all other groups of Enterobacteriaceae . The members of this genus are lipase- and deoxyribonuclease-negative; Voges-Proskauer-positive; lysine-, ornithine- and arginine-decarboxylase-negative; anaerogenic; they produce acid from glucose in the presence (and absence) of iodoacetate, but fail to produce acid from L-arabinose, melibiose, raffinose, D-sorbitol or sucrose . DNA-relatedness studies (S1-nuclease method) showed that the 10 Ewingella strains studied form a single DNA-hybridization group which is less than 21% related to other members of the Enterobacteriaceae . This single DNA-hybridization group is named Ewingella americana sp . nov . The type strain of E . americana is CDC 1468-78 (= ATCC 33852 = CIP 8194) . Although the 10 strains of E . americana were isolated from clinical sources in the United States, the clinical significance of these organisms is not known. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(2), 89 - 98 In vitro activity of cefoxitin, alone and in combination with aminoglycoside or other beta-lactam antibiotics against common gram-negative pathogens; Markowitz SM et al.; We examined 160 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for susceptibility to cefoxitin, aminoglycosides, and other beta-lactam antibiotics, alone and in combination . The aminoglycosides were the most effective agents tested, but, except for some strains, cefoxitin inhibited all organisms at a 90% minimal inhibitory concentration of 25 micrograms or less per ml . We observed a relatively high incidence of antagonism or nonsynergy when cefoxitin was tested in combination with other agents against 33 gentamicin-susceptible gram-negative bacilli . No synergy was observed when various combinations with cefoxitin were tested against three strains of cephalothin-resistant, carbenicillin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae of varying gentamicin susceptibility. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(2), 111 - 5 In vitro activity of augmentin against pathogenic bacteria and its comparison with other antibiotics; Perryman F et al.; 190 isolates from clinical specimens were tested in vitro to determine their susceptibility pattern against augmentin . Of the 132 strains of Enterobacteriaceae tested, 109 (82.6%) were susceptible . 41 (93.2%) of the 44 gram-positive bacteria tested were also susceptible to augmentin . Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens were resistant to augmentin . However, augmentin showed increased activity against Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus when compared with ampicillin. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales, 1983 Jan-Feb, 76(1), 11 - 5 {Urbanization and health . XII . Prevalence of bacterial and viral entero-infections in 2 Serer populations}; Baylet R et al.; In two sample groups, natives of the same village, the first one having migrated in Dakar, the other one staying in rural environment, had been rated enterobacteries, enterovirus and intestinal parasites contamination . The rural population had been more infected than the migrants by Salmonella, Giardia intestinalis and sheltered against ascaridiose and trichocephalose . Bacterial and viral contamination, seemed to be more frequency and precocity in town environment, per contra prevalence of evocatives expression of tuberculosis was really increased in rural environment. J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Jan, 129 (Pt 2), 7 - 16 The effects of cyanide on the growth and respiration of Enterobacter aerogenes in continuous culture; Porter N et al.; The effect of cyanide on the physiology of lactate- and oxygen-limited Enterobacter aerogenes NCTC 10336 was studied in chemostat culture (D = 0.1 h-1) . In the absence of cyanide, the molar growth yield from oxygen (YO2) under oxygen limitation was 60% of the carbon-limited value . A similar decrease in yield was observed in a lactate-limited culture (excess oxygen) which was continuously fed low concentrations of potassium cyanide . The cultures with the lower growth yields possessed respiratory systems less sensitive to inhibition by cyanide . This was particularly marked in cultures grown in the presence of cyanide . Increased cyanide resistance was associated with an increase in the concentration of a cytochrome oxidase tentatively identified as a d-type and the appearance of additional cytochromes tentatively identified as b-type. Infect Immun, 1983 Jan, 39(1), 466 - 8 Lipid A in anaerobic bacteria; Dahlen G et al.; The ability of lipid A preparations from strains of Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and Veillonella to inhibit the lipid A-anti-lipid A reaction in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was tested . Anti-lipid A serum was prepared with lipid A from Salmonella minnesota R595, and lipid A from Escherichia coli EH100 was used as control antigen . Preparations from three of four different species of Bacteroides were unable to inhibit the anti-lipid A activity, whereas lipid A preparations from Fusobacterium and Veillonella strains inhibited 50% of the activity at 1 to 141 micrograms . One of the Bacteroides strains, Bacteroides oralis, showed a very weak inhibiting activity at the highest concentration used . The results confirm that Bacteroides species have a unique lipopolysaccharide structure, in contrast to other anaerobic genera which have a lipopolysaccharide structure similar to that of the Enterobacteriaceae. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(5), 313 - 21 Review of single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of the monobactam, aztreonam (SQ 26,776) in healthy subjects; Swabb EA et al.; Aztreonam (SQ 26,776) is a new, completely synthetic, monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotic with potent activity against most aerobic gram-negative bacteria . The pharmacokinetics of single intravenous doses of 125-4,000 mg, single intramuscular doses of 250-1,000 mg, and multiple intravenous and intramuscular doses of 500 and 1,000 mg q.8 h during 7 days, were studied in 90 healthy male subjects . The half-life was 1.7, apparent volume of distribution 0.2 liters/kg, serum protein binding 56%, and urinary excretion 60-70% of the dose . No significant accumulation or change in pharmacokinetics of aztreonam was found during q.8 h dosing . Small amounts of the biologically inactive open beta-lactam ring metabolite, SQ 26,992, were found in the urine . Aztreonam level in serum and urine after 500- to 2,000-mg doses were potentially therapeutic for most Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Trans Am Soc Artif Intern Organs, 1983, 29, 532 - 8 Infection in artificial blood pump implantation; Fields A et al.; Infection has been observed in artificial heart experimentation to be of early onset and generally within the first 2 postoperative weeks . The organisms most often detected in blood cultures were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, E . coli and Enterococcus, all of which are intestinal species . Contamination is thus thought to be the most plausible cause of perioperative infection . Absolute sterility must be maintained in animal care areas and blood access to these animals is to be minimized . Although prompt selection of a proper antibiotic therapy is essential, the eradication of infection maintains a poor prognosis . The time course of fibrinogen levels is a reliable index to determine the onset of infection. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(6), 395 - 400 Combined defibrinated human blood and antimicrobial drug activities against Enterobacter cloacae; Traub WH et al.; The combinations of 11 antimicrobial drugs and fresh human defibrinated blood were examined for potential additive effects against several isolates of Enterobacter cloacae recovered from patients with bacteremia or meningitis . Aminoglycosides (amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin) proved most efficacious, followed by cephalosporins (lamoxactam, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime) and ureidopenicillins (mezlocillin, piperacillin) . Nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, and cotrimoxazole yielded indifferent effects . The E . cloacae isolates displayed low virulence for outbred NMRI mice. Microbios, 1983, 38(153-154), 159 - 69 Differentiation of resistance determinants to cefamandole and cefoxitin in Enterobacter cloacae strains; Vuye A; The mechanism of resistance to cefamandole and cefoxitin was investigated in Enterobacter cloacae with the aid of cefamandole-resistant variants and their derived beta-lactamase-deficient mutants . Cefamandole-resistant variants were easily obtained from clinical isolates by direct selection . Massive beta-lactamase production seemed to be the underlying resistance mechanism, although lack of penetrability may further substantiate this resistance . The mechanism of resistance to cefoxitin in parent, variant and mutant strains on the other hand was more complex, and probably due to a complex interrelation of parameters . Apart from relative instability to beta-lactamases and lack of penetrability, the high beta-lactamase-inducing power of cefoxitin is perhaps the most important determinant in the resistance of Enterobacter to this compound. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Jan, 11 Suppl, 59 - 65 Cefotetan activity against Gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes; Moosdeen F et al.; The activity of cefotetan has been determined against strains of bacteroides, Haemophilus influenzae and klebsiella . The activity against bacteroides was lower than that of cefoxitin and moxalactam . The activity against multi-resistant klebsiella was very high, most strains requiring a concentration of 0.06 mg/l for inhibition . The stability to various beta-lactamases was demonstrated by testing the compound against beta-lactamase-producing H . influenzae and Enterobacteriaceae. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Jan, 11 Suppl, 125 - 32 Bactericidal effects of cefotetan and other antibiotics in human fluids; Lacey RW et al.; Antibiotics were added at final concentrations of 0.5 to 10 mg/l to either human blood, serum, urine, bile or ascitic fluid inoculated with sensitive cultures . Bactericidal effects were monitored by estimation of viable counts over 24 h at 37 degrees C . Cefotetan was reliably bactericidal to bacteria suspended in human urine over a wide range of conditions . Gentamicin, cefotaxime, cefotetan and azthreonam were predominantly bactericidal against Enterobacteriaceae in serum and blood; gentamicin, cefotetan and cefotaxime were bactericidal in bile, and cefotetan bactericidal in ascitic fluid . The above antibiotics all also produced a bactericidal effect against Haemophilus influenzae in serum, and the macrolides erythromycin and rosaramicin destroyed haemophilus in serum more rapidly than did ampicillin or amoxycillin . In most of these fluids, destruction (reduction in viable counts by greater than 10-fold) of the inoculum occurred within 2 to 4 h for gentamicin and 4 to 6 h for similar concentrations of beta-lactam agents. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Jan, 11 Suppl, 103 - 5 In-vitro activity of cefotetan and other cephalosporins against multiresistant strains of Enterobacteriaceae; Leigh DA et al.; The activity of cefotetan against multiresistant strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes was comparable with that of cefotaxime and ceftazidime, the mean MICs being 0.11 and 0.06 mg/l, respectively . Multiresistant strains of Enterobacter cloacae showed a high level of resistance to cefotetan in common with other cephalosporins such as cefuroxime, cefamandole and cefoxitin, but were sensitive to ceftazidime and cefotaxime. Ann Rech Vet, 1983, 14(3), 311 - 8 Evidence of three major polypeptide species and two major polysaccharide species in the Brucella outer membrane; Dubray G et al.; Polypeptide and polysaccharide outer membrane components of Brucella abortus 99 (S) were investigated by analysis of cell-wall fractions by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining with coomassie blue and periodic acid silver stain . Crude cell-walls were deprived by Triton X-100 treatment of most cytoplasmic material as seen by electron microscopy and cytochrome determination (cell-walls) . They were submitted to hot SDS to obtain intentionally after centrifugation, peptidoglycan in the insoluble fraction: SDS-I fractions or peptidoglycan sacculi, and outer membrane components in the SDS soluble fraction as for Enterobacteriaceae . The SDS-soluble fraction contained two major components: a high molecular weight broad band of smooth lipopolysaccharide (S-LPS) and a 43k polypeptide band . The SDS-I fractions were treated by lysozyme to solubilize peptidoglycan before analysis . They contained two major polypeptide groups 36-37-38k, 25-26-27k, a minor one at 31k and variable amounts of high molecular weight S-LPS . The polypeptide and polysaccharide patterns of the entire outer membrane obtained from lysozyme hydrolysed cell-walls are the sum of both SDS soluble and insoluble fraction patterns . These results mean that 25-27k and 36-38k bands are strongly bound to peptidoglycan, probably covalently . The 25-26-27k bands heavily stained for polysaccharides would be glycopolypeptides . In addition, the polysaccharide patterns of S-LPS fraction appears as a high molecular weight broad band, contrary to the multiple regularly spaced bands of high molecular weight E . coli S-LPS . The B . abortus outer membrane is composed of four major components: LPS, 43k and 36-37-38k polypeptides and 25-26-27k glycopeptides. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Jan, 11 Suppl, 67 - 72 Antibacterial activity of the cephamycin cefotetan: an in-vitro comparison with other beta-lactam antibiotics; Clarke AM et al.; The cephamycin, cefotetan, was compared with other beta-lactam antibiotics including the monocyclic beta-lactam, azthreonam, against a total of 277 recent clinical isolates . Cefotetan had activity comparable to moxalactam against Staphylococcus aureus and against the Enterobacteriaceae, inhibiting all isolates except for Serratia marcescens and Enterobacter spp . at less than or equal to 0.5 mg/l . Cefotetan was active against beta-lactamase producing and non-beta-lactamase producing Haemophilus influenzae (MIC90 1 mg/l); was inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC90 greater than 128 mg/l); and was eightfold less active than cefoxitin against the Bacteroides fragilis group . Azthreonam was as active as moxalactam against the Enterobacteriaceae and was more active than moxalactam against Ps . aeruginosa, inhibiting 90% of isolates at less than or equal to 8 mg/l, but was inactive against the Bact . fragilis group (MIC90 greater than 128 mg/l) and against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90 greater than 128 mg/l). Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Jan, 23(1), 91 - 7 Characterization of beta-lactamase induction in Enterobacter cloacae; Gootz TD et al.; The induction of beta-lactamase was studied in a strain of Enterobacter cloacae . A wide variety of beta-lactam compounds were found to induce beta-lactamase in this organism, and the degree of induction was directly related to the stability of the inducer to degradation by the enzyme . The kinetics of the induction process were consistent with a system normally under repressor control, suggesting a direct interaction of the beta-lactam compound with a repressor protein in the E . cloacae cells . Although these characteristics are common to many inducible systems in gram-negative organisms, the induction of beta-lactamase in this strain was not subject to catabolite repression with glucose and remained unaffected by exogenous cyclic AMP in the culture medium . This suggests that the organization and function of the beta-lactamase regulatory genes in E . cloacae are unlike those of other inducible gene systems, such as those composing the well-characterized lactose operon in Escherichia coli. Rev Argent Microbiol, 1983, 15(1), 19 - 24 {Annual distribution of serotypes of Salmonella, Shigella, and infantile enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in the Republic of Argentina, 1979-1981}; Eiguer T et al.; We report data of isolation of 3,665 strains of Salmonella, 1,855 of Shigella and 697 of E . coli infantile enteropathogenic (EPI) from different sources: human, animal, food and water, in Argentina during the triennium 1979-1981, considering their importance in the chain of transmission of enterobacteria . It appears that S . typhimurium is the most common among all the isolated serotypes of Salmonella, following in order of importance, S . oranienburg, S . derby, S . panama, S . agona, S . anatum, S . newport, S . bredeney and S . montevideo . It is important to emphasize the appearance of new Shigella serotypes in Argentina, particularly Sh . dysenteriae 2 . We found that E . coli EPI 0111:B4 was the most frequent serotype and in 1981 the serotype 0112:B13 was also found. G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1983 Jan-Jun, 76(1-6), 3 - 19 Comparison of six systems for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae; Mastroeni P et al.; Six widely used commercial systems for Enterobacteriaceae identification (API 20 E, API 10, Enterotube, Enterotube II, Micro-ID and Minitek) were evaluated at the same time by testing 611 organisms . Conventional media were used for comparison . API 20 E, Enterotube II and Micro-ID were highly accurate and identified about 91% of the strains to the species level . The remaining organisms required additional tests and only a small minority was misidentified . Percentages of correct identification to the species level were 87.2 for Enterotube, 74.9 for API 10 and 67.1 for Minitek . Enterotube, Enterotube II and Micro-ID were, in our hands, the easiest systems to operate. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1983, 31(6), 833 - 8 Galacturonic acid as the terminal constituent in the R core polysaccharide of proteus R110 (Ra) mutant; Kotelko K et al.; Terminal non-reducing position of GalUA residue in the R core region of P . mirabilis R110 (Ra)mutant was established by GLC/MS analysis of methylated degraded polysaccharide . This position of GalUA is exceptional as compared with the terminal constituents present in the known structures of R core polysaccharides in Enterobacteriaceae . As it was shown in serological study, GalUA does not play a role of immunodominant in the examined Proteus R core region. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1983, 28(6), 446 - 51 Effects of storage temperature, light and time on stability of triple sugar iron agar and its productivity for Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium; El-Zanfaly HT et al.; Laboratory evaluation showed a similarity between prepared ready-for-use triple sugar iron agar (TSI) medium and the Oxoid form with reference to the enumeration of five test organisms related to the family Enterobacteriaceae . Storage of the prepared ready-for-use TSI medium at 20-22 degrees C should not exceed 6 months . Lowering the storage temperature to 10 degrees C raised the period of storage to two years . Combination of darkness and low temperature (10 to 20 degrees C) represents the best conditions for storage of the TSI medium in laboratories . Dark colour ampoules can extend the expiration date of the product. Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1983, 41(6), 419 - 26 {Rapid, automatic methods for identifying enterobacteria}; Izard D et al.; The biochemical testing of Enterobacteriaceae can be rapidly and automatically performed with commercial identification systems . There are three groups of identification systems: the kits, the microtiter plates and laboratory apparatus . The ratios of agreement between these new systems and the conventional tests are equivalent . The two first categories of systems are inexpensive unlike apparatus which must be utilized only in important laboratories. Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1983, 41(5), 331 - 5 {Automatic reading of microtitration plates: identification of Enterobacteriaceae and determination of their minimal inhibitory concentrations}; Courcol R et al.; The authors evaluate an automatic microplate reader (Auto Reader Dynatech) and its application software . 291 strains of Enterobacteria belonging to 28 species were identified and 1,856 MIC were determined . The identifications made with the MIC 2000 tube were correct in terms of genus and species in 270 strains (92.8%) and in terms of genus in 274 strains (94.1%) . The automated determination of the MIC was in complete agreement with visual reading in 90.6% of cases and with a deviation of +/- 1 dilution in 99.6% of cases . The programme was improved by the authors . This system is a new approach to automatization in microbiology. Swed Dent J, 1983, 7(5), 199 - 204 Effect of insertion of osseo-integrated prosthesis on the oral microflora; Heimdahl A et al.; Ten patients undergoing treatment with bridges supported by osseo-integrated oral titanium implants were studied regarding the oral microflora . Saliva samples for microbiological studies were collected before the abutment operation, 1 week after the operation, after the bridges were inserted and again 52 weeks after the abutment operation . The implants did not induce colonization with "plaque streptococci" such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis . A marked colonization with potentially pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species and enterobacteria was observed after the abutment operation . This was probably due to the use of surgical dressing. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(6), 393 - 401 Characterization of conjugative plasmids belonging to a new incompatibility group (IncZ); Tschape H et al.; More than 30 conjugative R plasmids between 60 and 70 Md in size were identified in wild type strains of Enterobacteriaceae isolated in German Democratic Republic, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Poland, Ethiopia, Iraque, and Soviet Union . They have been characterized by means of several genetic and molecular techniques as members of a new incompatibility group, termed IncZ . The properties of these plasmids including digestion pattern after EcoRI treatment demonstrate a phylogenetic relatedness. Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 191(2), 221 - 4 Nif-hybrids of Enterobacter: selection for nif gene integration with chlorate; Klingmuller W et al.; The nif gene group from Klebsiella can be transferred into Enterobacter cloacae by conjugation using Escherichia coli donor cells carrying the composite self-transmissible nif-plasmid pRD1 . A small fraction of the hybrids obtained is stable upon prolonged passaging without selection . Their stability is due to integration of pRD1 into the chromosome . Such integration hybrids were chlorate resistant, and nitrate reductase negative, which indicated that integration preferentially occurred within one of the genes for the production or functioning of this enzyme . Chlorate resistance could, therefore, be used to select for additional nitrate reductase-negative sublines with pRD1 in their chromosome . Such sublines have been analyzed further for the presence of nif genes, other pRD1 markers, and for stability . In all except one the complete plasmid seems to have been integrated . Some tend to revert to nitrate utilisation (chlorate sensitivity). Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 190(3), 452 - 8 2-Ketobutyrate: a putative alarmone of Escherichia coli; Daniel J et al.; 2-ketobutyrate is synthesized from threonine by threonine deaminase (dehydratase) in E . coli . The effects of 2-ketobutyrate as a regulatory metabolite were studied in vivo . 2-ketobutyrate was shown to inhibit the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP): sugar phosphotransferase system resulting in aspartate starvation, elevation of ppGpp endogenous pools, and cessation of growth in E . coli grown in glucose and related carbon sources . Accordingly, we propose that 2-ketobutyrate might serve as an alarmone whose concentration precisely governs the shift from anaerobic growth to aerobic growth in E . coli . Such shifts are common phenomena among the Enterobacteriaceae. Arch Inst Cardiol Mex, 1983 Jan-Feb, 53(1), 45 - 8 {Polymicrobial endocarditis . Report of a case and review of the literature}; Ponce de Leon S et al.; We describe a case of polimicrobial endocarditis in a patient with congenital aortic stenosis and end-stage renal failure in treatment with steroids and chronic haemodialisis . The blood culture grew e.coli, enterobacter sp, and s.epidermidis . Only a few papers in the literature have been devoted to this entity . Its frequency seems to be progressively higher . The present case is a good example to talk about the predisponent factors . The review of literature has shown that the occurrence of this entity is specially high among addicts, the most frequent bacteria are s.aureus, streptococci and pseudomonas and the mortality can be as high as 80%. Acta Odontol Scand, 1983, 41(1), 19 - 22 Facultative gram-negative enteric rods in persistent periapical infections; Haapasalo M et al.; A bacteriological investigation has been made in two cases of persistent periapical infections . Neither of the two infections responded to root canal therapy including penicillin or penicillin and erythromycin . Samples were taken aseptically for bacteriological examination through and root canals . Chloroform-washed, sterile paper points were used for sampling . Cultivation was performed immediately at chairside on Kanamycin-Vancomycin laked blood agar (KVLB) and blood agar supplemented with menadione, cysteine and glucose for anaerobic incubation and chocolate agar for aerobic incubation . Enterobacter cloacae was only isolate in case 1; Klebsiella pneumoniae and enterococci were found in case 2 . Obligately anaerobic bacteria were not found . The treatment was successful after antibiotic therapy based on susceptibility testing of the isolates . The route of infection by facultative enteric rods is discussed. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 Jan-Feb, 134A(1), 101 - 6 {Incompatibility groups of resistance plasmids of Shigella sonnei}; Giammanco G et al.; The antibiotic resistance of 12 strains of Shigella sonnei isolated in Sicily was studied . All the strains were proved to carry autotransferable R plasmids belonging to 4 incompatibility groups: Inc I1, FI, FII and B-10-0 . The variety of R plasmids identified gives evidence of the frequency of exchange of S . sonnei with other enterobacteria. Infection, 1983, 11 Suppl 1, S39 - 43 Inactivation of cephalosporins by beta-lactamases of gram-negative rods; Bauernfeind A et al.; Intracellular beta-lactamase activity of gram-negative rods (four Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, one strain each of Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus rettgeri, Providencia stuartii and Serratia marcescens) was greatly increased by subinhibitory concentrations of cefoxitin, with the exception of one P . aeruginosa strain . Cefotaxime, cefoperazone and ceftazidime were much less effective as enzyme inducers in these strains . A reduction in beta-lactamase activity after pre-incubation with cephalosporins was observed for particular strains and substances . Susceptibility to beta-lactamases decreased in the following sequence: cephalothin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefoxitin . There was a good correlation between the degradation of cephalosporins in uninduced cells of Enterobacteriaceae and the minimal inhibitory concentrations except for cefoxitin. Arzneimittelforschung, 1983, 33(12), 1615 - 9 {Antibiotic activity and synergism of ceftazidime and netilmicin against gram-negative pathogenic bacteria}; Baumgartner M et al.; The in vitro activity of ceftazidime and netilmicin against gram-negative bacteria often causing hospital infections was evaluated and furthermore synergistic effects of these antibiotics were studied . Ceftazidime was as active as netilmicin against Enterobacteriaceae, e.g . Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Morganella inhibiting 90% of these strains at concentrations from 0.5 to 4 micrograms/ml . Ceftazidime was the most effective agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, being even more active than cefsulodin, with a mean minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4.57 micrograms/ml (median 2.0 micrograms/ml), also inhibiting cefoperazone- and cefsulodin-resistant Pseudomonas . There was at most a two-fold difference in either MIC or minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) . In all genera tested an increase of the inoculum size from 10(4) to 5 X 10(6) colony forming units had minimal effects upon the MIC or MBC of ceftazidime and there was no decrease of the MIC in the presence of clavulanic acid or sulbactam . When ceftazidime and netilmicin were combined synergism was observed against all strains tested. Wien Klin Wochenschr Suppl, 1983, 142, 18 - 20 {Clinical use of new cephalosporins for severe infections in internal medicine}; Stille W; Our clinical experience with new antibiotics giving special consideration to the individual cephalosporin groups is discussed . Although newer cephalosporins from cefamandol and cefoxitin to cefotiam and cefoperazon already showed increased effectiveness (for example, cefoxitin in bacteroides infection) in comparison to older ones, the real breakthrough regarding enterobacteriaceae was only made with cephalosporins of the cefotaxime group . This group's main indication is non-specific initial therapy of severe nosocomial infections, especially processes in which the presence of resistant enterobacteriaceae must be assumed . Because of its broad spectrum of action, cefotaxime can to a large extent replace the combinations with aminoglycosides which were used previously . When required, cefotaxime proves to be a good partner for combinations with pseudomonas antibiotics. Pharmatherapeutica, 1983, 3(6), 422 - 8 Double-blind comparison of pivmecillinam plus pivampicillin ('Miraxid') with pivampicillin alone in chronic bronchitis: a Danish multi-centre study; Bukh N; A double-blind, multi-centre trial was carried out in 62 patients with purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis to compare the efficacy and tolerance of pivmecillinam plus pivampicillin with that of pivampicillin given alone . Patients were allocated at random to receive treatment with either 100 mg pivmecillinam plus 125 mg pivampicillin or 250 mg pivampicillin 3-times daily for 7 to 14 days . A satisfactory clinical response was observed in 28 (88%) out of the 32 patients given pivmecillinam/pivampicillin . Twenty-two (73%) out of the 30 subjects taking pivampicillin alone responded to therapy . Combination therapy appeared to be more effective in rendering purulent sputum mucoid . After treatment was completed, fewer pathogens including pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and Enterobacteriaceae were present in the sputum of patients given the combination (4 out of 14 cases) when compared to subjects who took pivampicillin alone (10 out of 15 cases) . Both treatments were well tolerated . One patient taking pivmecillinam/pivampicillin and 5 subjects given pivampicillin reported mild gastro-intestinal discomfort. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac, 1983, 100(4), 243 - 5 {Antibiotic penetration into the otorhinolaryngologic system in children . II . Concentration of cefotaxime in the middle ear}; Begue P et al.; Cefotaxime levels were measured in the middle ears of 12 children, after operations for insertion of a transtympanic aerator for serous or relapsing otitis . Mean auricular cefotaxime levels were 4,3 and 5,1 mcg/ml on the right and left respectively . Mean serum level one hour after 25 mg/kg i.m . was 14,5 mcg/ml . In can be concluded that cefotaxime penetrates effectively into the middle ear . Its use should be reserved for difficult or menacing cases of otitis, but its bacteriological activity with regard to Haemophilus influenzae and certain enterobacteria is of value in cases where ampicillins may be ineffective due to resistance of strains. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(4), 237 - 43 Cefotaxime levels in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid, determined by bioassay and by high-performance liquid chromatography; Bruckner O et al.; Five series of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, obtained from external ventricular drains (EVD) of 4 neurosurgical patients with cefotaxime treatment were tested simultaneously by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and microbioassay using E . coli V 6311/65 as test organism . Higher cefotaxime (CTX) concentrations in CSF were measured by the microbioassay method in 4 of the 5 series, reflecting the microbioassay being influenced by increasing amounts of desacetyl-cefotaxime (DAC) during the post-application interval . Decrease of CTX levels in CSF was consistently faster in tests performed by HPLC than those using microbioassay . The clinical efficacy in gram-negative bacillary meningitis is to be explained by levels of the parent compound CTX in CSF which are several times higher than the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of most enterobacteriaceae. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(2), 80 - 8 Laboratory evaluation of cefmenoxime: a new cephalosporin . In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities and pharmacokinetic properties; Matsumoto K et al.; Cefmenoxime is a new syn-methoxyimino cephalosporin antibiotic derived from cefotiam, which has been proved to be a very effective and useful antibiotic for the treatment of respiratory infections . This bacteriological and pharmacokinetic study was therefore performed in order to evaluate the potency of cefmenoxime in the treatment of respiratory infections . The minimum inhibitory concentrations of cefmenoxime against 179 isolates of respiratory pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae 53, Haemophilus influenzae 64, Klebsiella pneumoniae 43, Escherichia coli 9, Enterobacter spp . 10) were less than 0.20 micrograms/ml, and 43 (73%) of 60 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were inhibited by 12.5 micrograms/ml . In vitro antibacterial activity of cefmenoxime was superior to 18 other antibiotics, including cefotiam and cefotaxime tested in this study . Pharmacokinetic studies on tissue distribution in rats, serum levels and urinary excretion in 3 healthy volunteers, and penetration into bronchial secretes of 9 patients with respiratory infections, revealed that cefmenoxime has a higher penetration into the lung and bronchial secretes compared with cefotiam and cefotaxime . In 1 patient with chronic bronchiolitis, the concentration of cefmenoxime in the intra-bronchial secrete reached 12.5 micrograms/ml . From these results, it is concluded that cefmenoxime is a highly potent and useful antibiotic, and may be more effective in the treatment of respiratory infections than many other cephalosporins, including cefazolin, cefotiam and cefotaxime. Arzneimittelforschung, 1983, 33(12), 1623 - 7 In vitro comparison of norfloxacin with nalidixic acid, cinoxacin and oxolinic acid; Vuye A; 1-Ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarbo xylic acid (Norfloxacin, MK-0366), a new nalidixic acid analog was shown to be significantly more active against Enterobacteriaceae than nalidixic acid and cinoxacin and about four times as active as oxolinic acid . The compound was highly effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml) . In contrast to the other compounds, norfloxacin inhibited group B and D streptococci, whereas against staphylococci, both norfloxacin and oxolinic acid were shown to be active . The new compound proved to be bactericidal at minimum inhibitory concentrations . Nalidixic acid-resistant strains of various species were less sensitive to norfloxacin than nalidixic acid-sensitive bacteria, although the MICs for these strains remained well within therapeutically obtainable levels . Variants with decreased sensitivity could easily be obtained in vitro with all compounds; however, high-level resistance was not observed with norfloxacin in contrast to the other three compounds. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(1), 37 - 42 In vitro activity of moxalactam against pathogenic bacteria and its comparison with other antibiotics; Perrymann F et al.; 843 isolates from clinical specimens were tested against moxalactam by disc agar diffusion . The bacteria used in this study consisted of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia rettgeri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and group B and group D Streptococci . In vitro activity of moxalactam was compared with the following antibiotics: ampicillin, amikacin, carbenicillin, cefamandole, cefoxitin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, colistin, erythromycin, gentamicin, oxacillin, penicillin, tetracycline, tobramycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin . Of the 471 strains of Enterobacteriaceae tested, 466 (98.9%) were susceptible to moxalactam . Except for penicillin G, the gram-positive cocci were generally more resistant to moxalactam than the other beta-lactam antibiotics . Moxalactam was comparable to gentamicin, as far as its activity against P . aeruginosa was concerned, but was less effective than amikacin, tobramycin, carbenicillin or colistin. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1983, 32(4), 345 - 51 Some biological features of Proteus bacilli . 2 . Haemolytic activities of Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris strains; Kotelko K et al.; The haemolytic activities of Proteus mirabilis and P . vulgaris strains were studied under different conditions . No filterable alpha haemolysin could be detected in P . mirabilis uropathogens provided from patients with urinary tract infections . Together with the results presented in the accompanying paper, in which three clinical isolates with temporary ability to produce a soluble haemolysin were described, the occurrence of alpha haemolytic P . mirabilis isolates did not exceed 3% . Cell bound beta haemolysin is present in nearly 35% of P . mirabilis urinary strains . Another kind of haemolytic activity was observed when P . mirabilis and P . vulgaris strains were grown in liquid media supplemented with erythrocytes . During the logarithmic growth phase nearly 100% of P . mirabilis and P . vulgaris strains of various origin haemolyzed 100-50% of erythrocytes . Except for Serratia, the other representatives of Enterobacteriaceae did not demonstrate such activity in the same conditions . The preliminary characteristics of this phenomenon is given. Arzneimittelforschung, 1983, 33(12), 1620 - 2 In vitro antibacterial activity of gramicidin and tyrothricin; Ruckdeschel G et al.; 815 recent clinical isolates of different species representing pathogenic or saprophytic constituents of human microbial flora were submitted to agar dilution tests . In concentrations above 64 micrograms/ml tyrothricin is in general equally as gramicidin or slightly more effective whereas below 8 micrograms/ml gramicidin is mostly more effective than tyrothricin . Of 401 streptococci all were inhibited by tyrothricin and gramicidin in concentrations up to 96 micrograms/ml; staphylococci were more resistant . The pathogenic species of 130 strains of gram-negative cocci were more susceptible than the saprophytic species . Haemophilus strains were mostly resistant to gramicidin and to a lesser extent to tyrothricin . Enterobacteriaceae were totally resistant to both antibiotics. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1983, 32(3), 289 - 95 Heterotrophic bacteria accompanying Stichococcus bacillaris in laboratory cultures; Bisz-Konarzewska A et al.; The number and composition of bacterial microflora accompanying Stichococcus bacillaris in various media with urea was determined . The number of heterotrophic bacteria during 5 days of incubation increased 10-fold . Only some of the isolated bacterial strains were able to grow in medium for algae supplemented with dead S . bacillaris cells . It is suggested that bacteria utilize organic matter released to the medium by S . bacillaris . The most numerous among the isolated bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae . The order of domination by bacterial populations distinguishes nonaxenic cultures of S . bacillaris from cultures of other algae. Arch Microbiol, 1982 Dec 11, 133(3), 225 - 9 Antibacterial and antimycotic effect of a newly discovered secretion from larvae of an endoparasitic insect, Pimpla turionellae L . (hym.); Willers D et al.; The larvae of Pimpla turionellae, that develop in pupae of various Lepidoptera, discharged through their anus up to 8 microliters/h of a hyaline liquid, which is termed "anal secretion" . It exerted a strong bacteriostatic effect on Enterobacter cloacae, a highly virulent intestinal microorganism isolated from the midgut of the host pupa, Pieris brassicae . Growth inhibition of Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas phaseolicola was also evident, but less pronounced . Inhibition depended upon the concentration of the anal secretion . This was also true regarding the effect on growth of Beauveria bassiana, a fungus pathogenic on insects . The antimycotic action of the anal secretion was less effective against Chaetomium pululiferum, a soil-inhabiting fungus . Growing hyphae of B . bassiana were malformed, exhibiting the so-called "curling effect", when treated with anal secretion . Parenteral injection of a low dose of Enterobacter cloacae resulted in 100% mortality of non parasitized pupae of Pieris brassicae; however, simultaneous injection of 3 microliters of anal secretion resulted in higher survival. C R Seances Acad Sci III, 1982 Dec 6, 295(12), 675 - 8 {Role of iron and a siderophore in the development of bacterial infections in the mouse: the study of two bacteria and three routes of inoculation}; Gauthier Y et al.; We have studied the influence of ferric iron and the influence of a siderophore on the lethal activity of two Bacteria injected in Mice intraperitoneally intravenously or orally . Iron and the siderophore significatively increase the lethal activity of an avirulent Bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae, injected intraperitoneally or intravenously . The virulence of a Bacteria pathogen for Mice, Salmonella typhimurium, is also increased when injected intraperitoneally . Therefore we have noted a decrease in virulence when this Bacteria was injected intravenously or orally in Mice treated with the siderophore. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Dec, 22(6), 985 - 9 Antimicrobial activity of amikacin combinations against Enterobacteriaceae moderately susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins; Jones RN et al.; Enterobacteriaceae strains having elevated minimal inhibitory concentrations (greater than or equal to 2.0 to less than or equal to 32 micrograms/ml) of cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and moxalactam were synergistically inhibited by amikacin combinations (54.1 to 69.6% occurrence) . Indifference was rare (8.1% for moxalactam), and true antagonistic interactions were not observed . Strains resistant or susceptible to these new cephalosporins were also synergistically inhibited by the addition of amikacin, reducing resistant cephalosporin minimal inhibitory concentrations to clinically achievable levels. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1982 Dec, (12), 54 - 60 {Heterogeneity of the fatty acid composition of bacteria in the genera Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Hafnia and Serratia}; Bondarenko VM et al.; The analysis of the chromatograms of methyl esters of fatty acids in bacterial strains of the tribe Klebsielleae showed the heterogeneity of the fatty acid composition of bacteria belonging to the genera Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Hafnia and Serratia . The bacteria of this tribe could be subdivided into 5 provisory groups in accordance with the composition and profile of their fatty acids . Group I comprised K . pneumoniae K1, K . ozaenae and K . rhinoscleromatis strains forming a separate group characterized by the absence of cyclopropane fatty acids; group II comprised K . pneumoniae strains of other capsular serovars (K2, K8, K11, K13, K41, K47), as well as K . aerogenes and K . oxytoca strains . The fatty acid composition of the strains of group III, comprising E . aerogenes and E . cloacae, was similar to that of E . coli O1; only among the fatty acids of these bacteria acid C20:0 could be detected . H . alvei strains were included into group IV; their fatty acid profiles were similar to those of the genus Enterobacter, but had a higher content of acids C15:0 and C18:0 . S . marcescens strains were similar to the strains of group II in their fatty acid composition, but considerably differed from the latter by a higher content of hexadecanoate (C16:0) and a lower level of C18:1; for this reason they were regarded as provisory group V. Infect Immun, 1982 Dec, 38(3), 1263 - 72 Characterization of the lipopolysaccharide from Vibrio cholerae 395 (Ogawa); Kabir S; The chemical structure and biological properties of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Vibrio cholerae 395 (Ogawa), isolated by the phenol-water procedure, were studied . Upon acid hydrolysis, the LPS was split into its polysaccharide and lipid A moieties . The polysaccharide contained both neutral (glucose, heptose, fructose) and amino (glucosamine, quinovosamine) sugars . The LPS contained the acid-labile amino sugar, 4-amino-arabinose, which was absent in the Inaba serotype of V . cholerae . The LPS differed from the LPSs of Enterobacteriaceae by the absence of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate and the presence of fructose . Analysis of the methylated polysaccharide by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that it had a branched structure with glucose and heptose residues primarily appearing at the nonreducing-end groups . Interactions with lectins, concanavalin A . and wheat germ agglutinin suggested that terminal glucose residues were alpha linked, whereas terminal glucosamine residues were connected by alpha-1,3 linkages . The major fatty acids of the LPS were C14:0, C16:0, C12h:0, and C14h:0 compounds, of which only the C14h:0 were amide linked, the remainder being ester linked to the backbone . Biological studies showed that the LPS possessed endotoxic properties such as lethality, pyrogenicity, limulus lysate gelation, and ability to induce non-specific resistance to infection . Thus, the LPS from V . cholerae 395 (Ogawa) possessed both common and distinct features as compared with the LPSs from the Enterobacteriaceae. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1982 Dec, 90(6), 409 - 13 Bacterial adhesiveness and invasiveness in cell culture monolayer . 2 . In vitro invasiveness of 45 strains belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae; Bukholm G et al.; The invasive potential of 45 presumptive enteropathogenic and non-enteropathogenic bacterial strains belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae have been tested using the Sereny test and HEp-2 cell monolayers examined by a combined light optical method . All the presumptive enteropathogenic strains of Shigella dysenteriae, S . boydii, S . flexneri, S . sonnei and Salmonella typhimurium showed in vitro invasiveness in the HEp-2 cell culture test . Fourteen presumptive non-enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli showed no invasiveness in either of the two test systems . Two strains of S . flexneri and all the 6 strains of S . typhimurium gave a negative result in the Sereny test although they were invasive in HEp-2 cell cultures . Otherwise there were correlative results between the cell monolayer test and the Sereny test . In the cell monolayer test the different species of enteropathogenic bacteria showed considerable variation in invasive potential. Antibiotiki, 1982 Dec, 27(12), 29 - 34 {Characteristics of new pKMR-plasmids detected in natural strains of Enterobacteriaceae}; Korotiaev AI et al.; pKMR-plasmids controlling the antibiotic resistance and adhesive properties were isolated from clinical strains of E . coli O26 and O124, and Sh . sonnei . Two of them, i.e . pKMR 207 and pKMR 208 were conjugative . On conjugation they jointly transferred the features of the antibiotic resistance and capacity for production of the colonization antigen . The studies on transformation of E . coli K 12 802 with the plasmid DNA of E . coli O124 showed that the antibiotic resistance and colonization properties in E . coli O124 were controlled by the nonconjugative plasmid pKMR 209 . It was found that plasmids pKMR 207 and pKMR 208 had the fi(-)-phenotype . None of the plasmids allotted the host cells sensitivity to the donor specific phages of the incompatibility groups F, N, P, W, and I . Probably, the plasmids did not belong to these incompatibility groups . When the cells of E . coli K 12 802 were transformed with the plasmid DNA of the wild strain to the hemolytic strain of S . typhimurium with multiple antibiotic resistance, 3 pKMR 210 plasmids with different markers of the antibiotic resistance were detected in the transformants . One of the plasmids controlled both the drug resistance and the capacity for production of hemolysin . The ability of the detected pKMR plasmids to inhibit fertility and relation to the donor specific phages was studied. J Urol, 1982 Dec, 128(6), 1224 - 6 Control of recurrent lower urinary tract infection in the postmenopausal woman; Parsons CL et al.; There were 5 postmenopausal women with severe recurrent cystitis who were placed on a protocol of intravaginal estrogen in an effort to control infection . Before therapy all patients had colonization of the vagina by 1 or more species of Enterobacteriaceae and an associated elevation of vaginal pH greater than 5.2 (normal range 4.0 to 4.5) . After acute antibiotic treatment and continuous low dose intravaginal estrogen all 5 patients showed a return of vaginal pH to the normal range and disappearance of vaginal bacterial pathogens . Of the 5 women 4 have had no further urinary tract infection off antibiotics and on low dose intravaginal estrogen . One patient had a urinary tract infection in association with a flare in colitis, which was controlled with reinstitution of antibiotics and high dose intravaginal estrogen therapy. J Bacteriol, 1982 Dec, 152(3), 983 - 93 Chromosomal replication origins (oriC) of Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae are functional in Escherichia coli; Harding NE et al.; The chromosomal DNA replication origins (oriC) from two members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae, have been isolated as functional replication origins in Escherichia coli . The origins in the SalI restriction fragments of 17.5 and 10.2 kilobase pairs, cloned from E . aerogenes and K . pneumoniae, respectively, were found to be between the asnA and uncB genes, as are the origins of the E . coli and Salmonella typhimurium chromosomes . Plasmids containing oriC from E aerogenes, K . pneumoniae, and S . typhimurium replicate in the E . coli cell-free enzyme system (Fuller, et al., Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . U.S.A . 78:7370--7374, 1981), and this replication is dependent on dnaA protein activity . These SalI fragments from E . aerogenes and K . pneumoniae carry a region which is lethal to E . coli when many copies are present . We show that this region is also carried on the E . coli 9.0-kilobase-pair EcoRI restriction fragment containing oriC . The F0 genes of the atp or unc operon, when linked to the unc operon promoter, are apparently responsible for the lethality. Nouv Presse Med, 1982 Nov 18, 11(46), 3444 - 6 {Dibekacin treatment of infectious complications of abdominal surgery}; Gouzi JL et al.; Major abdominal surgery often involves severe postoperative infections with various pathogens: enterobacteriaceae, staphylococcus and anaerobic bacteria . For this reason a strong antibiotherapy can be necessary in the case of an infectious disease . Dibekacin was administered at a daily dose of 3 mg/kg to 22 patients suffering from very severe postoperative infection . In all the cases dibekacin was combined with a beta-lactamine and in some with nitro-imidazole derivative . The results were especially favourable in all of these cases and a good tolerance was observed. J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Nov, 16(5), 890 - 4 Correlation of growth of aerobic blood cultures in hypertonic broth with antibiotic therapy; Eng J et al.; The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which sucrose improves growth in a hypertonic medium for isolating aerobes from blood . Clinical blood cultures were made routinely in duplicate in plain broth consisting of brain heart infusion broth with sodium polyanetholesulfonate, gelatin, and penicillinase and the same broth with 20% sucrose added . The growth patterns of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae from plain and from hypertonic broth were correlated with the presence or absence of antimicrobial therapy in patients when the blood cultures were collected . In S . aureus bacteremias, 58.7% of the positive cultures collected during treatment of patients with beta-lactam antibiotics showed earlier growth or growth only in hypertonic broth, compared with 16.7% of the cultures taken during treatment with other antimicrobial agents (P less than 0.05) and 17.6% of the cultures made in antibiotic-free intervals (P less than 0.01) . In the group of cultures yielding growth of Enterobacteriaceae, growth occurred earlier or solely in hypertonic broth in 28.9% of the cultures taken during treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, compared with 15.7% of the cultures taken during treatment with other antimicrobial agents and 21.6% of the cultures collected in antibiotic-free intervals (differences not statistically significant) . It is concluded that treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics is an important reason for the improved growth of S . aureus from hypertonic broth, but other factors are also involved. J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Nov, 16(5), 885 - 9 Bacteriocin typing of clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae; Traub WH et al.; A total of 16 selected bacteriocins of Enterobacter cloacae were characterized presumptively . They proved to be noninfectious, sedimentable (105,000 X g), resistant against chloroform and trypsin, and nonfilterable . The host ranges were essentially species specific . Based on susceptibility to one or more of these 16 bacteriocins, 242 of 308 (78.6%) clinical E . cloacae isolates were typed and assigned to 52 provisional bacteriocin types . Several outbreaks of nosocomial cross-infection were discerned retrospectively . Thus, bacteriocin typing of E . cloacae isolates may prove useful for controlling hospital infection. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1982 Nov, 35(11), 1454 - 9 The myxovirescins, a family of antibiotics from Myxococcus virescens (Myxobacterales); Gerth K et al.; The myxobacterium, Myxococcus virescens strain Mx v48 produced a family of at least 12 closely related antibiotics, the myxovirescins . At a concentration of 1 to 5 micrograms/ml, the main component, myxovirescin A, was bactericidal for many Gram-negative bacteria, in particular enterobacteria, and at 20 to 50 micrograms/ml it also inhibited some pseudomonads and Gram-positive bacteria . The antibiotics seem to interfere with cell wall synthesis . The molecular formula of myxovirescin A was C35H61NO8 . It is a new antibiotic. Infection, 1982 Nov-Dec, 10(6), 361 - 70 {N-formimidoyl-thienamycin: in vitro activity in bacteria with resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics or gentamicin}; Bartmann K et al.; The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of N-formimidoyl-thienamycin were determined for 25 strains each of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which were resistant to gentamicin and/or acylureido penicillins or cefotaxime, cefoperazone or moxalactam, and for 38 strains of the group D streptococci . The drug was very active against the most frequently encountered gram-negative resistant causative organisms of nosocomial infections . The MIC ranged from 0.25-1 mg/l for multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae, and from 0.5-4 mg/l for multiresistant P . aeruginosa . The group D streptococci (enterococci) showed a low MIC (median: 0.75 mg/l); the median of the MBC was greater than 64 mg/l, however. Genetika, 1982 Nov, 18(11), 1825 - 34 {Enterobacterial gene expression of antibiotic resistance under the control of Bacillus thuringiensis regulatory signals in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria}; Sakanian VA et al.; Two recombinant plasmids pPBT9 and pPBT74 carrying HindIII promoter-active DNA fragments of Bacillus thuringiensis onto the vector pGA24 were studied . The cloned fragment of pPBT9 plasmid has many homologous regions in Bac . thuringiensis genome . This fragment contains three Escherichia coli RNA polymerase binding sites, one of which is responsible for promoting tetracycline resistance of the promoter-deficient enterobacterial tet gene in E . coli cells . The bacillar fragment of pPBT74 plasmid has a single RNA polymerase binding site . Plasmids pPBT9 and pPBT74 were joined to the bacillar vectors pBD8 and pBD12 to obtain bireplicon plasmids which replicate in E . coli and Bac . subtilis cells . The novel bireplicon plasmids pSTS98, pSTS912 and pSTS748 promote the expression of the enterobacterial tet gene under control of regulatory signals of cloned DNA fragments of Bac . thuringiensis in Bac . subtilis . Bireplicon pSTS228 plasmid containing its own enterobacterial promoter of tet gene was not able to express tetracycline resistance in Bac . subtilis cells . Most of the bireplicon plasmids studied were unstable in Bac . subtilis but not in E . coli cells. Ann Immunol (Paris), 1982 Nov-Dec, 133D(3), 327 - 34 {Preparation of immunosorbents from lipopolysaccharides and polysaccharides extracted from various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria}; Goichot J et al.; The method of binding of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) extracted from Salmonella typhimurium to aminohexyl-sepharose 4B by activation with benzoquinone was applied to three different LPS extracted from several enterobacteria species: S . seftenberg 1,3,19, S . cholerae suis 6(2),7 and Escherichia coli O141:H32 . It was also used for two polysaccharides (PS) extracted from S . seftenberg 1,3,19 and Streptococcus agalactiae type II strain, respectively . Both PS were free from amino groups but exhibited the corresponding antigenic determinants of the cell wall . The use of these immunosorbents enabled us to obtain a monospecific antiserum . They may be a useful tool for serological identification of salmonella and group B streptococci . This method may be applied for other bacterial surface PS . The possible regeneration of such immunosorbents without appreciable loss of their antigen binding capacity makes possible their use for obtaining monospecific antibodies on a preparative scale. J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Nov, 16(5), 836 - 9 Nonmicrobial alternative to reagent quality control testing; Reynolds SM; The traditional approach to quality control in microbiology involves the routine testing of both media and reagents with live microbial cultures . This is expensive, time consuming, and subject to the variables associated with the use of live organisms . A system of reagent quality control based on the pure chemical form of the metabolic end products important to the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae was evaluated . The metabolite reagent control system is simple, reliable, and extremely cost effective, and it eliminates the need for live microbial cultures and media for reagent quality control. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1982 Nov, 35(11), 1584 - 9 6-Acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid (Ro 15-1903), a potent beta-lactamase inhibitor . II . Antibacterial properties; Angehrn P et al.; The beta-lactamase inhibitor Ro 15-1903 showed low affinity for penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) of Escherichia coli . When used as a single compound, it displayed no substantial antibacterial activity but in combination with ampicillin, it was similar to clavulanic acid in conferring activity against ampicillin-resistant strains . Some synergy between Ro 15-1903 and piperacillin was found against high inocula of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Ro 15-1903 markedly enhanced the activity of ceftriaxone against Bacteroides fragilis . In keeping with the in vitro findings, the combination Ro 15-1903 and ampicillin protected mice against systemic infections with beta-lactamase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus sp . but not against those with Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, and E . coli producing either chromosomally mediated beta-lactamase of type I or plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase of type TEM. Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Nov-Dec, 4 Suppl, S516 - 21 Differences among moxalactam, cefoperazone, and cefotaxime in activity against multiple-antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria; Preston DA; In vitro evaluations have shown that moxalactam, cefoperazone, and cefotaxime, three new beta-lactam antibiotics, have certain potency and antibacterial spectral characteristics in common . Results of parallel tests of these antibiotics against routine clinical isolates have suggested that these compounds could be tested with one disk that is representative of this spectral class . The key requirement for this class concept in disk testing is that there be no bacterial resistance mechanism that can operate against one, but not all, members of the proposed class . The results of an 11-center study of approximately 500 isolates of multiple-antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae responsible for nosocomial infections illustrated that cross-resistance to moxalactam, cefoperazone, and cefotaxime is highly variable from center to center . Thus, the spectral class concept of disk susceptibility testing would be inappropriate for this group of drugs. Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Nov-Dec, 4 Suppl, S629 - 38 Moxalactam in serious infections: clinical, bacteriologic, and pharmacokinetic studies; Giamarellou H et al.; Moxalactam was evaluated in vitro against 600 nosocomial isolates of gram-negative bacteria and was compared with cephalothin, cefoxitin, and cefotaxime . Moxalactam was superior to the other compounds, with minimal inhibitory concentrations of less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml for 95% of the Enterobacteriaceae isolates and less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml for 85% of the Bacteroides fragilis isolates; 70% of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were inhibited with less than or equal to 16 micrograms/ml . Moxalactam at doses ranging from 1 g every 12 hr to 2 g every 8 hr was given to patients with serious infections of the respiratory (14) or urinary (13) tract, abdominal abscess (4), osteomyelitis (4), meningitis (5), soft-tissue phlegmon (3), malignant external otitis (2), peritonitis (1), and panophthalmitis (1) . The clinical response was excellent in 35 (74.5%) and improved in 12 (25.5%) of the 47 patients . The pathogen was eradicated in 29 (61.7%) patients, two patients had relapses, and bacteria persisted but in decreased numbers and without development of resistance in 16 patients . The half-life of moxalactam was 146 (+/- 21) and 125 (+/- 34) min after 2-g intravenous and 1-g intramuscular doses, respectively . Kinetic studies in sputum, bile, bone, aqueous humor, prostatic fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid showed moxalactam concentrations several times higher than the required MICs . No appreciable adverse effects or toxicity were observed. Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Nov-Dec, 4 Suppl, S617 - 22 Moxalactam therapy for bacterial pneumonia; Perlino CA; Therapy with moxalactam was evaluated in 71 patients with bacterial pneumonia . Ninety-two percent of patients with pneumonia due to gram-positive cocci, anaerobes, or Haemophilus influenzae were cured . One patient developed probable pneumococcal meningitis during treatment of sputum culture-positive pneumococcal pneumonia . Six of 10 patients with pneumonia due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Enterobacteriaceae were cured also . However, two of these patients became colonized with moxalactam-resistant organisms, which were of the same species as the organism that caused the original infection . Two of the four patients in whom treatment failed were infected with P . aeruginosa and then developed superinfection with moxalactam-resistant Pseudomonas . Phlebitis and pain on intramuscular injection were the most common adverse effects observed . The results of this study, demonstrate that moxalactam may constitute effective therapy for bacterial pneumonia, but the development of resistance during therapy may limit its usefulness against Pseudomonas infections. Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Nov-Dec, 4 Suppl, S522 - 6 Susceptibility of moxalactam to beta-lactamase; Richmond MH; Moxalactam is not significantly susceptible to the majority of beta-lactamases produced by bacteria of clinical relevance . However, two types of enzyme--PSE2 and PSE3--from Pseudomonas aeruginosa can hydrolyze this antibiotic at a significant rate . In this respect moxalactam is similar to 7-alpha-methoxy cephem compounds, such as cefoxitin, which are also susceptible to these enzymes . Moxalactam, like other beta-lactam antibiotics having an acid function in the side chain, is a potent inhibitor of the cephalosporinase from Enterobacter cloacae (type Ia beta-lactamase). Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Nov-Dec, 4 Suppl, S501 - 10 In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of moxalactam, an oxa-beta-lactam antibiotic; Goto S; Moxalactam, a new synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic, was evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity and was found to have a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria . Moxalactam showed more potent activity than did the cephalosporins tested against clinical gram-negative isolates, including cefazolin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, glucose-nonfermenting bacteria, and Bacteroides fragilis . Moxalactam was the only beta-lactam antibiotic of those tested (including nine penicillins and 15 cephalosporins) that was not affected by beta-lactamase produced by 15 strains of 10 gram-negative species . The potent in vitro activity and high stability to beta-lactamase of moxalactam corresponded to lower ED50 (50% effective doses) required against intraperitoneal infections in mice due to various bacteria resistant to cefazolin, cefoxitin, or cefotiam . Furthermore, moxalactam showed the greatest therapeutic activity among the nine beta-lactam antibiotics tested in models of intraperitoneal mixed infection in mice with Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ann Intern Med, 1982 Nov, 97(5), 755 - 60 Azlocillin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin: new broad-spectrum penicillins; Eliopoulos GM et al.; Three new broad-spectrum penicillins--azlocillin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin--will soon be available for clinical use . Azlocillin and piperacillin are more active than carbenicillin or ticarcillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Piperacillin and mezlocillin demonstrate significant activity against the Enterobacteriaceae, including many strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae against which the older penicillins carbenicillin, ticarcillin, and ampicillin are ineffective . All three new drugs show substantial activity against anaerobes and ampicillin-susceptible gonococci and Haemophilus influenzae . Because these agents are inactivated by various beta-lactamases, most Staphylococcus aureus isolates and a number of gram-negative organisms, including some important nosocomial pathogens, will be resistant to these antibiotics . The new penicillins appear to be relatively safe and have been used successfully to treat patients with various infections; however, comparative trials have not yet established the superiority of these drugs over conventional therapeutic agents. J Med Microbiol, 1982 Nov, 15(4), 551 - 64 Haemagglutinins and fimbriae of Morganella, Proteus and Providencia; Old DC et al.; One hundred and thirteen strains of Morganella, Proteus and Providencia, grown in different cultural conditions, were examined for their ability to produce haemagglutinins (HAs) . Three main kinds of HA (MS, MR/K and MR/P) were detected, and 89% of the 112 HA+ strains were capable of producing two or three of the different HAs in the same or different cultures . The properties of the three HAs were partly defined and the difficulties of identifying their separate HA activities when present together are discussed . Electronmicroscopic examination of bacteria from HA+ cultures showed at least six distinct fimbrial types, the properties of which are described . We tried, with limited success, to correlate the presence of the different HAs with that of the different fimbrial types . The significance of our findings is reviewed in the light of recent taxonomic changes for this group of enterobacteria . The distribution of HAs and fimbriae in the species of Morganella, Proteus and Providencia is more complex than that so far described for other genera of Enterobacteriaceae. J Bacteriol, 1982 Nov, 152(2), 626 - 35 Regulation of glutamine synthetase activity and synthesis in free-living and symbiotic Anabaena spp; Orr J et al.; Regulation of the synthesis and activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp . strain 7120 was studied by determining GS transferase activity and GS antigen concentration under a variety of conditions . Extracts prepared from cells growing exponentially on a medium supplemented with combined nitrogen had a GS activity of 17 mumol of gamma-glutamyl transferase activity per min per mg of protein at 37 degrees C . This activity doubled in 12 h after transfer of cells to a nitrogen-free medium, corresponding to the time required for heterocyst differentiation and the start of nitrogen fixation . Addition of NH3 to a culture 11 h after an inducing transfer immediately blocked the increase in GS activity . In the Enterobacteriaceae, addition of NH3 after induction results in the covalent modification of GS by adenylylation . The GS of Anabaena is not adenylylated by such a protocol, as shown by the resistance of the transferase activity of the enzyme to inhibition by Mg2+ and by the failure of the enzyme to incorporate 32P after NH3 upshift . Methionine sulfoximine inhibited Anabaena GS activity rapidly and irreversibly in vivo . After the addition of methionine sulfoximine to Anabaena, the level of GS antigen neither increased nor decreased, indicating that Glutamine cannot be the only small molecule capable of regulating GS synthesis . Methionine sulfoximine permitted heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase induction to escape repression by NH3 . Nitrogen-fixing cultures treated with methionine sulfoximine excreted NH3 . The fern Azolla caroliniana contains an Anabaena species living in symbiotic association . The Anabaena species carries out nitrogen fixation sufficient to satisfy all of the combined nitrogen requirements of the host fern . Experiments by other workers have shown that the activity of GS in the symbiont is significantly lower than the activity of GS in free-living Anabaena . Using a sensitive radioimmune assay and a normalization procedure based on the content of diaminopimelic acid, a component unique to the symbiont, we found that the level of GS antigen in the symbiont was about 5% of the level in free-living Anabaena cells . Thus, the host fern appears to repress synthesis of Anabaena GS in the symbiotic association. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Oct, 22(4), 560 - 3 Synergy of fosmidomycin (FR-31564) and other antimicrobial agents; Neu HC et al.; Fosmidomycin (FR-31564), a phosphonic acid derivative, was combined with cefazolin, cephalexin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, ticarcillin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim . Synergy between fosmidomycin and penicillins or cephalosporins was found for 37 to 52% of the Enterobacteriaceae tested . Synergy with trimethoprim was found against 55% of bacteria isolated, but only 17% of the strains showed synergy between formidomycin and gentamicin . Synergy between fosmidomycin and ticarcillin was shown for 35% of the Pseudomonas isolates . Cefazolin-, ampicillin-, and gentamicin-resistant isolates of various species were synergistically inhibited by fosmidomycin, as were ticarcillin- and gentamicin-resistant isolates . Antagonism was not encountered . This study illustrates another example of synergistic activity of compounds which attack different mechanisms in bacterial cells. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1982 Oct, 28(5), 501 - 10 Influence of diets low in protein or lysine on the intestinal flora of chicks with reference to cecal contents; Takahashi M et al.; To determine the effect of a certain diet on the intestinal flora of chicks, the cecal flora of chicks fed on a low protein or low lysine diet was examined . The cecal flora of chicks fed on the low protein diet was similar to that of chicks fed on a normal protein diet, but the total count of bacteria, Eubacterium and Enterobacteriaceae in the cecal content of chicks fed on the low lysine diet containing a formulated amino acid mixture minus lysine was significantly lower than that of chicks fed on the control diet . The total count of Lactobacillus in the cecum was remarkably reduced by feeding the amino acid diet, especially the low lysine diet . Levels of most free amino acids in the cecal contents of the low protein group were significantly lower than those of the control . Lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, methionine, histidine, glycine and tyrosine of the cecal contents in the low lysine group were significantly lower than those of the control group. J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Oct, 16(4), 668 - 72 Rapid processing of urine specimens by urine screening and the AutoMicrobic system; Wadke M et al.; A total of 1,500 clean-voided urine specimens were analyzed for the presence of bacteria by urine screening with the Autobac 1 system . The specimens found positive by this method were further processed on the same day for identification and for antimicrobial susceptibility testing on the AutoMicrobic system with the Enterobacteriaceae-plus Card and the General Susceptibility Card, respectively . The inocula for these tests were prepared from the centrifuged and washed growth in the eugonic broth aspirated from the Autobac cuvette chambers . Of 1,500 specimens that were analyzed, 183 contained single isolates of gram-negative bacilli . The results of these rapid procedures were compared with results for the same organisms isolated from urine specimens cultured by the conventional method . The data showed 92.3% agreement for identification and a correlation of 93.6% for antibiotic susceptibility between the two procedures . It is concluded that gram-negative bacilli can be rapidly identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility with a high degree of accuracy from the centrifuged eugonic broth after urine screening . These findings also suggest that the AutoMicrobic system provides a rapid and convenient method for same-day processing of positive urine cultures when combined with the urine screening procedure. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Oct, 22(4), 585 - 92 Outer membrane permeation of beta-lactam antibiotics in Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter cloacae; Sawai T et al.; Mutant strains lacking outer membrane protein(s) were isolated from Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter cloacae . The outer membrane protein(s) of P . mirabilis and E . cloacae corresponding to E . coli porin were identified on the basis of their function, namely, their ability to allow the permeation of glucose as demonstrated by {14C}glucose uptake by intact cells . P . mirabilis has only one outer membrane pore protein (molecular weight, 40,000), but E . cloacae has at least two such proteins (molecular weights, 37,000 and 39,000 to 40,000) . When the bacteria lost these proteins or porin, the outer membrane permeation of cefazolin was found to be greatly reduced in these three species . Such a change in the outer membrane permeation closely correlated with a significant decrease in the bacterial susceptibility to cephalosporins, including cefoxitin . These results suggested that the main pathway for cephalosporin permeation is the pore made up of these proteins . The 39,000- to 40,000-molecular-weight protein in E . cloacae was also assumed to play an important role in the outer membrane permeation of tetracycline and chloramphenicol . On the other hand, the permeation route of penicillins was obscure . The susceptibility to penicillins, except in some cases, was little influenced by the absence of the proteins . Ampicillin was found to pass through the outer membrane via the same route as the cephalosporins, but the possibility that ampicillin and other penicillins possess another unknown route for outer membrane permeation could not be ruled out. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1982 Oct, 90(5), 383 - 8 Thin layer iso-electro focusing of intracellular bacterial protein in classification of some representatives of the families Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae; Gjerde J; Intracellular bacterial protein from some representatives of the families Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae has been investigated using thin layer iso-electric focusing in polyacrylamide gel . A marked difference between the protein patterns was observed between species within the same family . Carrying out the iso-electric focusing at pH range 3.5-9 gave a large number of protein bands . Increased resolution of the protein bands was obtained using iso-electric focusing at the pH range 4-6.5 . Careful standardization of sample preparation, application and running conditions gave good reproducibility of intracellular proteins from bacterial subcultures. Am J Clin Pathol, 1982 Oct, 78(4), 462 - 70 Direct comparison of two mechanized systems for identification of gram-negative bacilli . Autobac ID system versus the auto microbic system (with EBC plus); Barry AL et al.; The Auto Microbic System (AMS) is an almost completely automated system, capable of identifying Enterobacteriaceae after 8 hours, and some glucose nonfermenters after 13 hours of incubation . The Autobac ID system is a mechanized, computer-assisted system capable of identifying Enterobacteriaceae and many nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli within 3-6 hours . The present report combines the results of two independent studies, both of which evaluated the AMS and the Autobac ID system compared with standard reference tests . Among the 1,510 isolates that were tested, both systems reported equivocal identifications (low confidence values) with 5-6% of the strains . AMS produced fewer erroneous identifications (3.8% vs . 4.9%) but more equivocal test results (5.7% vs . 4.9%) . Reproducibility of the two systems was compared by triplicate testing of 88 selected strains in both laboratories . AMS was somewhat more reproducible than the Autobac ID system . The AMS was capable of identifying more species with greater accuracy and reproducibility, but the Autobac ID system was more rapid . Both systems demonstrated excellent accuracy and reproducibility and both could be used efficiently in the clinical laboratory. Can J Microbiol, 1982 Oct, 28(10), 1101 - 6 Effect of the carbon source and cyclic AMP on isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae C3; Juarez A et al.; When strain C3 of Klebsiella pneumoniae is grown on a minimal medium with excess glucose, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase specific activities increase in the last period of the exponential growth phase and in the beginning of the stationary phase . Glucose exhaustion does not alter the development of malate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase, but specific activities are higher than those obtained with excess glucose . In contrast, glucose exhaustion can be correlated with a decrease of isocitrate dehydrogenase specific activity in the stationary phase . Induction of strain C3 isocitrate dehydrogenase by glucose in complex medium and repression by cAMP in mineral medium were observed . Glucose induction and the NADP/NADPH ratio are suggested as regulatory mechanisms controlling isocitrate dehydrogenase synthesis in the Enterobacteriaceae, but the former appears to be restricted to some Klebsiella strains. Infect Immun, 1982 Oct, 38(1), 53 - 7 Different sugar compositions of lipopolysaccharides isolated from phase I and pure phase II cells of Coxiella burnetii; Schramek S et al.; The compositions of lipopolysaccharides I and II, isolated from Coxiella burnetii phase I and pure phase II cells, respectively, showed drastic and clear-cut differences . Lipopolysaccharide II exhibited a comparatively simple composition . It contained, in addition to glucosamine (from lipid A) and a 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid-related, thiobarbituric acid-positive substance, only two aldoses in high amounts, namely D-mannose and D-glycero-D-mannoheptose . Lipopolysaccharide I contained the same components, but it also contained at least eight other constituents including neutral sugars, e.g., an unusual branched sugar (3-C-methyl-6-deoxy-hexose) and unusual aminohexoses . Some components were characterized by a very high retention time in gas-liquid chromatography . The similarity of the phase variation in C . burnetii to the well-known smooth-to-rough mutation found in Enterobacteriaceae is discussed . Cells of phase I correspond to enterobacterial smooth forms, whereas cells of phase II might be compared to the rough forms. J Gen Microbiol, 1982 Oct, 128 (Pt 10), 2389 - 94 Antibacterial effect of the scandium and indium complexes of enterochelin on Escherichia coli; Rogers HJ et al.; Enterochelin, the iron chelator produced by a number of pathogenic enterobacteria, appears to be an essential metabolite for multiplication within the host, where it transports iron from the host iron-binding proteins to the bacteria . Previous work showed that complexes of enterochelin containing either scandium (Sc3+) or indium (In3+) exerted a bacteriostatic effect on Klebsiella pneumoniae in serum, whilst the Sc3+ complex exerted a significant therapeutic effect on mice infected with K . pneumoniae . These observations have now been extended to a number of pathogenic serotypes of Escherichia coli including those carrying either the K1 antigen or the ColV plasmid . The Sc3+ and In3+ complexes each exert a bacteriostatic effect on these organisms growing in either whole serum or media containing an iron-binding protein . Evidence is presented that the Sc3+ complex may act as a competitive inhibitor of the Fe3+ complex . In contrast to their effects on K . pneumoniae, sideramines other than enterochelin fail to reverse the bacteriostatic effect of the Sc3+ complex of enterochelin in E . coli, suggesting that the complex produces a more profound derangement of metabolism in this organism . The Sc3+ complex exerts a significant therapeutic effect on E . coli infections in mice although the In3+ complex is less active. J Urol, 1982 Oct, 128(4), 755 - 8 Preliminary report comparing piperacillin and carbenicillin for complicated urinary tract infections; Swarifi R et al.; Piperacillin is a new semisynthetic penicillin with a broad spectrum of in vitro activity against common gram-negative urinary tract pathogens . We compared the efficacy and safety of piperacillin versus carbenicillin in patients with complicated urinary tract infection . A total of 56 adult patients (mean age 55 years) in stable medical condition with 1 or more structural genitourinary abnormalities entered the study . Of these patients 27 were evaluated for antibiotic efficacy . There were 20 lower tract and 7 upper tract infections, of which 17 were acute and 10 were chronic . Patients were randomized into 2 groups: 17 patients with 18 organisms received single agent treatment with 181 mg . per kg . intravenous piperacillin daily for 6 days and 10 patients with 11 organisms received 270 mg . per kg . intravenous carbenicillin daily for 6 days . Infecting organisms were Escherichia coli 45 per cent, Proteus mirabilis 14 per cent, Klebsiella pneumoniae 14 per cent . Enterobacter species 10 per cent, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7 per cent and so forth . Antimicrobial susceptibility assessed by measurement of minimal inhibitory concentration and disk diffusion zone size demonstrated superior activity of piperacillin over carbenicillin for most micro-organisms tested . All patients responded clinically . The bacteriologic cure rate was 72 per cent at 5 to 9 days after therapy in both groups . Three patients who received piperacillin had urosepsis and were cured . No resistance emerged during therapy . Superinfections developed in 5 patients on carbenicillin (50 per cent) and in 4 patients on piperacillin (24 per cent), and none was resistant to piperacillin . Superinfections were attributed to catheterization and structural genitourinary abnormalities . The over-all incidence of adverse effects in patients on piperacillin was less than that of those on carbenicillin, 31 and 51 per cent respectively . Side effects in both groups were mild and did not require discontinuation of therapy . There were no significant alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance, or hematologic or renal function. Nucleic Acids Res, 1982 Sep 25, 10(18), 5663 - 72 The transfer RNA of certain Enterobacteriacae contain 2-methylthiozeatin riboside (ms2io6A) an isopentenyl adenosine derivative; Janzer JJ et al.; Isopentenyl adenosine derivatives are always located adjacent to the 3' end of the anticodon in transfer RNA and have been implicated in certain biological functions . In the enteric bacterium, E . coli, the derivative is ms2i6A whereas in some plant associated bacteria the derivative is the hydroxylated form, ms2io6A . Anti-i6A immunoadsorbent chromatography has been employed to detect isopentenyl adenosine compounds . In the present study we show that the transfer RNA of three species of enteric bacteria, S . typhimurium, K . pneumoniae, and S . marcescens contains both ms2io6A and ms2i6A . Under the growth conditions utilized the ms2io6A is predominant . The presence of ms2io6A in Enterobacteriacae is particularly noteworthy since in previous work it has been found only in plant-associated species of bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res, 1982 Sep 25, 10(18), 5649 - 62 cis 2-Methylthio-ribosylzeatin (ms2io6A) is present in the transfer RNA of Salmonella typhimurium, but not Escherichia coli; Buck M et al.; We have identified the cis isomer of N6-(4-hydroxy-isopentenyl)-2-methylthioadenosine (ms2io6A) as a component of the tRNA of Salmonella typhimurium . This is the first report of this compound in the tRNA of any member of the enterobacteriaceae: the nucleoside was previously thought to be found exclusively in plants or plant associated bacteria . Interestingly, all E . coli strains examined were found to lack ms2io6A . Evidence is presented which suggests S . typhimurium tRNA also contains low levels of 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (cmnm5s2U) in addition to 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (mnm5s2U). Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Sep-Oct, 4 Suppl, S281 - 7 Cephalosporins and related antibiotics: an overview; Turck M; With the release of cefotaxime and, more recently, moxalactam, there are now 13 cephalosporin drugs available in the United States, and close to another half dozen are under investigation . Commercial competition is steep, and every new product is being praised as superior to its predecessor . In general, it is necessary to become familiar with one formulation that can be given parenterally and one that is available for oral use . For certain patients, primarily those with nosocomial infections, one of the extended-spectrum cephalosporins must be considered, but these drugs should be employed only when specifically indicated . Certainly, cefotaxime has good stability to many beta-lactamases and possesses a wider spectrum of activity against gram-negative bacilli than any other clinically available cephalosporin . Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of cefotaxime in diverse infections, including those associated with E . coli, indole-positive and indole-negative species of Proteus, and species of Klebsiella and Serratia . Strains of Enterobacter species, P . aeruginosa, and B . fragilis are only moderately susceptible to cefotaxime, and enterococci are frequently resistant . Although the antibacterial activity and wide spectrum of cefotaxime, coupled with its apparent safety and tolerability, make it a useful antibiotic for the treatment of serious nosocomial infections, it will frequently have to be employed with another agent--i.e., an aminoglycoside--until the precise identification and in vitro susceptibility of the infecting organism is known. J Gen Microbiol, 1982 Sep, 128 (Pt 9), 1933 - 57 A numerical taxonomic study of the genus Shigella; Dodd CE et al.; One hundred and two strains representing four species of the genus Shigella and sixty-four strains representing fourteen other genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae were tested for 192 characters based on their morphology, biochemistry and physiology . The data were subjected to a number of numerical analyses . The results (confirmed by the use of overlap statistics) showed that four phenons can be distinguished within the genus shigella . These correspond with the species S . dysenteriae . S . flexneri, S . boydii and S . sonnei . Of the other bacteria studied the Alkalescens-Dispar group was most closely related to the genus Shigella and the need for this group to be studied further is noted . The importance of using computer-based matrices for the routine identification of strains of Shigella and other enterobacteria is discussed . Strains of the genus Providencia clustered separately from the shigellae . Three distinct species were evident within this genus: P . stuartii, O . alcalifaciens and a new Providencia species . The latter can be equated with the 'BG3' group in the DNA-DNA hybridization studies of Brenner et al . (1978). Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1982 Sep-Oct, 133(2), 343 - 6 Taxonomic value of a chromogenic test for the detection of aminopeptidases in the genus Shigella; Giommanco G et al.; In addition to the conventional methods for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae, enzymatic tests using chromogenic substrates have been proposed {1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10} . Many chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates are now available, and some of these have been employed for the determination of enzymatic profiles of Neisseria {3} and Enterobacteriaceae {7} . In this article, we report the activity of bacterial cultures of the genus Shigella on a new chromogenic substrate: chromozym PL. J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Sep, 16(3), 490 - 4 Controlled evaluation of hypertonic sucrose medium for detection of bacteremia and fungemia in supplemented peptone broth; Weinstein MP et al.; Because the value of hypertonic media in detection of bacteremia and fungemia is controversial, we evaluated supplemented peptone broth (SPB) with 0.03% sodium polyanetholsulfonate with and without 10% sucrose in 5,439 paired blood cultures from adult patients . The aerobic atmosphere, 1:10 ratio of blood to broth, and methods for processing blood cultures were identical . Only cultures with adequate blood samples (greater than or equal to 4 ml) were compared statistically . More clinically important bacteria were recovered from SPB with sucrose (P less than or equal to 0.001), including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacteriaceae, and Bacteroidaceae . However, only one of nine isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae grew in SPB with sucrose . Staphylococci (P less than 0.001), Enterobacteriaceae (P less than 0.01), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P less than 0.01), and yeasts (P less than 0.05) were detected 1 or more days earlier in SPB with sucrose . The effect of sucrose on blood cultures appears to be medium dependent, based on comparisons of our results with those of published reports. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Sep, 22(3), 414 - 20 Interaction of azthreonam and related monobactams with beta-lactamases from gram-negative bacteria; Bush K et al.; Monobactams containing 3 beta-aminothiazolyl oxime side chains (SQ 81,377, SQ 81,402, azthreonam, and SQ 26,917) have poor affinities for the broad-spectrum beta-lactamases TEM-2 and K1 . Addition of a 4-methyl substituent significantly increased stability to hydrolysis by these enzymes . P99 cephalosporinase from Enterobacter cloacae was strongly inhibited by the monobactams . Interaction of azthreonam with the P99 enzyme in equimolar concentrations resulted in a single covalent complex which retained less than 3% catalytic activity . On incubation, enzymatic activity was slowly regained . Chromatographic studies of the incubation mixtures revealed the presence of a single ring-opened product . It is concluded that monobactams act as poor substrates for broad-spectrum beta-lactamases and tight-binding competitive substrates for the P99 beta-lactamase. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1982 Sep, 35(9), 1160 - 6 Studies on the alpha-glucoside hydrolase inhibitor, adiposin . III . alpha Glucoside hydrolase inhibitory activity and antibacterial activity in vitro; Kangouri K et al.; Adiposin-1 and -2 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against alpha-amylase, human salivary alpha-amylase and disaccharidases isolated from porcine small intestine . The effect of adiposin-1 and -2 on hydrolysis of glucoamylase was non-competitive . Adiposin showed antimicrobial activities against some Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, Some anaerobic bacteria and some phytopathogenic fungi, and showed a synergistic effect on the antibacterial activity with some maltooligosaccharides . However, these antibacterial activities were suppressed by addition of various other saccharides. Pharmacotherapy, 1982 Sep-Oct, 2(5), 266 - 72 Cinoxacin: mechanism of action, spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions, and therapeutic indications; Scavone JM et al.; Cinoxacin, a chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis, has recently been approved for the treatment of initial and recurrent bacterial urinary tract infections . Although closely related to nalidixic acid, cinoxacin possesses some distinct characteristics: rapid attainment of therapeutic urinary concentrations and greater activity against strains of Enterobacteriaceae that cause urinary tract infections . Biopharmaceutical properties include serum protein binding of approximately 70%, 50-60% excretion of intact drug in the urine of patients with normal renal function, and an elimination half-life of approximately one hour . The elimination half-life is increased in patients with decreased renal function and when probenecid is coadministered . Adverse events occur infrequently and consist of nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and hypersensitivity reactions . The drug compares favorably with standard therapies for the treatment of bacterial cystitis and recurrent urinary tract infections . Initial studies demonstrate that cinoxacin has substantial efficacy as a prophylactic agent for those women who experience recurrent, symptomatic urinary tract infections. Acta Paediatr Scand, 1982 Sep, 71(5), 779 - 83 Bacterial colonization of newborn infants in a neonatal intensive care unit; Eriksson M et al.; The bacterial colonization of the nose, umbilicus, perineum and faeces in 85 newborns was studied during one period of high and one of low occupancy in a neonatal intensive care unit . Cultures were taken on admission, at three days, at one week of age, and then weekly during the stay in the unit . Colonization took place early and potential pathogens were responsible for a significant part of the spectrum . At one week of age, more than 50% of the infants had Staphylococcus aureus in the nose and umbilicus, 25% had E . coli and/or Klebsiella enterobacter in the umbilicus, and 60% had Klebsiella enterobacter in the perineum . Neither the occupancy rate in the unit nor the clinical state of the infant seemed to influence the colonization pattern significantly . Changes in flora were frequent in the individual infant . However, the bacterial spectrum remained essentially the same with increasing age during the stay in