Serratia

J Clin Oncol, 1990 Aug, 8(8), 1408 - 18
Phase II trial of Serratia marcescens extract in recurrent malignant astrocytoma; Jaeckle KA et al.; Nineteen assessable patients with recurrent malignant astrocytomas who had failed standard therapy (surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy) were treated on a phase I-II trial with a biologic extract of Serratia marcescens (ImuVert; Cell Technology, Boulder, CO) a new biologic response modifier (BRM) . Two complete responses (CRs) were seen, of 63 and 77+ weeks duration . One minor response (MR) occurred, of 6 weeks duration . There were four additional stable (S) patients, with durations of 58+, 39, 12, and 7 weeks . Median time to progression and median survival in the CR plus MR patients were 63 and 129+ weeks, respectively . Overall, median time to progression and median survival were 12 and 19 weeks, respectively . Three patients are alive greater than or equal to 2.5 years from study entry . Common toxicities included transient (less than 72 hours) tenderness, induration, and erythema at the injection sites . Systemic toxicities were less frequent and included fever, chills, nausea/vomiting, headache, arthralgia, and hypotension . The response rate (CR plus MR) to this new BRM is modest (16%) . However, the observation of CRs in patients with advanced recurrent malignant astrocytomas, with acceptable overall toxicity, warrants further study of this agent.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Aug, 172(8), 4322 - 8
Differentiation of Serratia marcescens 274 into swimmer and swarmer cells; Alberti L et al.; We describe a new sensory response in the enteric bacterium Serratia marcescens . When grown in liquid media, the bacteria were short rods with one to two flagella and displayed classical swimming behavior . Upon transfer to a solid surface (0.7 to 0.8T% agar medium), the bacteria underwent a dramatic change of form . They ceased septation, elongated, and expressed numerous (10 to 100) flagella that covered the lateral sides of the cells . The bacteria now displayed a different form of locomotion--swarming--which allowed them to rapidly move over the top of the solid surface . The differentiation to either swimmer or swarmer cells could be reversed by growth on solid or liquid medium, respectively . To identify conditions that influence this differentiation, the growth environment of S . marcescens was manipulated extensively . The swarming response was monitored by visual and microscopic observation of cell movement on solid surfaces, by immunofluorescent labeling followed by microscopic observation for the presence of elongated, profusely flagellated cells, as well as by estimation of induction of flagellin protein, using Western immunoblot analysis . Conditions that imposed a physical constraint on bacterial movement, such as solid or viscous media, were the most efficient at inducing the swarming response . No chemical constituent of the medium that might contribute to the response could be identified, although the existence of such a component cannot be ruled out . Both swimmer and swarmer cells had flagellin proteins of identical molecular weight, which produced similar proteolysis patterns upon digestion with trypsin.

Mol Gen Genet, 1990 Jul, 222(2-3), 446 - 51
The metalloprotease gene of Serratia marcescens strain SM6; Braunagel SC et al.; Utilizing the DNA sequence of the metalloprotease from Serratia strain E-15, we isolated and sequenced the homologous gene from Serratia strain SM6 . These two genes are similar at both the DNA and protein sequence level . Expression of the protease gene in Escherichia coli was achieved by use of the lac promoter . This resulted in the production and excretion of an immunologically detectable but inactive protein of slightly higher molecular weight than that from Serratia . We introduced the cloned gene into previously described protease mutants . The observed pattern of protease expression suggested that these mutations fall into three classes.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Jul, 172(7), 3932 - 9
Co-overproduction and localization of the Escherichia coli motility proteins motA and motB; Wilson ML et al.; The motility genes motA and motB of Escherichia coli were placed under control of the Serratia marcescens trp promoter . After induction with beta-indoleacrylic acid, the levels of MotA and MotB rose over about a 3-h period, reaching plateau levels approximately 50-fold higher than wild-type levels . Both overproduced proteins inserted into the cytoplasmic membrane . Growth and motility were essentially normal, suggesting that although the motor is a proton-conducting device, MotA and MotB together do not constitute a major proton leak . Derivative plasmids which maintained an intact version of motB but had the motA coding region deleted in various ways were constructed . With these, the levels of MotB were much lower, reaching a peak within 30 min after induction and declining thereafter; pulse-chase measurements indicated that a contributing factor was MotB degradation . The low levels of MotB occurred even with an in-frame internal deletion of motA, whose translational initiation and termination sites were intact, suggesting that it is the MotA protein, rather than the process of MotA synthesis, that is important for MotB stability . Termination at the usual site of overlap with the start of motB (ATGA) was not an absolute requirement for MotB synthesis but did result in higher rates of synthesis than when translation of motA information terminated prematurely . Even in the total absence of MotA, the MotB that was synthesized was found exclusively in the cytoplasmic membrane fraction . In wild-type cells, MotA was estimated by immunoprecipitation to be in about fourfold excess over MotB; a previous estimate of 600 +/- 250 copies of MotA per cell then yielded an estimate of 150 +/- 70 copies of MotB per cell.

J Med Microbiol, 1990 Jul, 32(3), 211 - 4
Conditions required for the bactericidal activity of 4-quinolones against Serratia marcescens; Lewin CS et al.; The conditions required to kill Serratia marcescens with nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin or ofloxacin were determined in nutrient broth and in phosphate-buffered saline . They were found to be similar to the conditions required for these 4-quinolones to kill Escherichia coli . Bacterial RNA synthesis and bacterial cell division were essential for the bactericidal activity of nalidixic acid but all three fluoroquinolones were bactericidal against non-dividing S . marcescens . However, as with E . coli, bacterial RNA synthesis was essential for the bactericidal activity of norfloxacin though this was not required to kill S . marcescens with ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Jun 15, 58(1), 23 - 8
Antibacterial activity of phosphono dipeptides based on 1-amino-1-methylethanephosphonic acid; Zboinska E et al.; Phosphono dipeptides containing 1-amino-1-methylethanephosphonic acid (phosphonic acid analogue of alpha-methylalanine, MeAlaP) and glycine, alanine, valine, leucine phenylalanine, proline, methionine or lysine as N- terminal component were synthesized in order to determine their antibacterial properties . Peptides containing alanine, leucine, valine phenylalanine and methionine showed marked in vitro activity, especially against Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens strains . There were, however, generally less potent than the respective phosphono dipeptides based on 1-aminoethanephosphonic acid (phosphonic acid analogue of alanine, AlaP) . The possible mechanism of action of the peptides of MeAlaP involves their active transport into the bacterial cell, followed by intracellular release of MeAlaP, which most likely inhibits alanine racemase, a key enzyme in peptidoglycan biosynthesis . Studies on the uptake of AlaMeAlaP and LeuMeAlaP by Escherichia coli mutants defective in the oligopeptide permease suggest that these peptides are not transported by the oligopeptide transport system.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Jun 15, 58(1), 115 - 8
A major outer membrane protein of Serratia marcescens which was easily solubilized and had a capacity to bind to calcium; Tada Y et al.; Easily solubilized major outer membrane protein was found in Serratia marcescens . The protein was originally obtained as a membrane-associated, insoluble protein in the outer membrane when the cells were slightly disrupted . However, the amount of this protein in the outer membrane gradually decreased with the time of sonication . The decrease was not due to decomposition of the protein but to solubilization into a soluble fraction after a long period of disruption . The molecular weight of this protein was 47 kDa and it bound calcium . Another 40 kDa calcium binding protein was also found in the outer membrane of S . marcescens.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Jun, 172(6), 3015 - 22
Surface-active novel glycolipid and linked 3-hydroxy fatty acids produced by Serratia rubidaea; Matsuyama T et al.; A Serratia rubidaea isolate with wetting activity when grown at 30 but not 37 degrees C was examined for the production of specific lipids . Two novel lipids (rubiwettins R1 and RG1) were isolated and shown to be able to lower the surface tension of saline to 26 mN/m . These lipids were located in extracellular vesicles found in a 30 degrees C culture of S . rubidaea . Chemical structures of these biosurfactants were determined by degradation product analyses, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy . Rubiwettin R1 was proposed to be a mixture of 3-(3'-hydroxytetradecanoyloxy)decanoate, 3-(3'-hydroxyhexadecenoyloxy)decanoate, and minor molecular isomers . The structure of rubiwettin RG1 was proposed to be beta-D-glucopyranosyl 3-(3'-hydroxytetradecanoyloxy)decanoate . The importance of such surface-active exolipids in bacterial occupancy on surfaces was suggested.

Yakugaku Zasshi, 1990 Jun, 110(6), 414 - 25
{Studies on resistant mechanisms in the resistant bacteria to chlorhexidine . II . Chemical components of the cell membrane and the electron microscopical observation of cell surface structure of chlorhexidine-resistant bacteria}; Ohta S; The mechanisms of resistance of Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas cepacia to chlorhexidine were studied . Leakage of the cellular component such as protein was observed in a chlorhexidine sensitive strain (S1) of S . marcescens when S1 was treated with chlorhexidine at 40 micrograms/ml concentration, while this phenomenon was not observed in a resistant strain (R1) . The following observations were made concerning about cell surface structure in the chlorhexidine sensitive and resistant strains of S . marcescens by chemical analyses of membrane components and electron microscopical studies of the thin sections of the cells . (1) When the S1 strains was treated with chlorhexidine, the outer membrane of the cells formed a wrinkled surface with irregular blebs, and some of which broke out to form various sizes of granules . The R1 strain did not undergo such morphological changes under the same conditions used in the sensitive strain . (2) A prominent protein with apparent molecular weight of 45 K was found exclusively in the R1 strain of S . marcescens as major outer membrane protein, while it was not found in S1 strain . (3) There were no differences in the composition of phospholipids and the amount of 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid between S1 and R1 strains of S . marcescens . In Pseudomonas cepacia PCJ1 which is resistant to chlorhexidine, 50 K protein was also observed as a major protein of outer membrane of the cells . In contrast to the strain, a mutant of the strain, #102 which was obtained from PCJ1 strain by the treatment with methanesulfonic acid ethylester, did not possess the 50 K protein in its outer membrane . These data suggested that outer membrane components of bacteria were related importantly in resistant mechanism.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Jun 1, 57(3), 255 - 8
The effect of nuclease on transformation efficiency in Serratia marcescens; Palomar J et al.; No differences in the efficiency of transformation were observed from both plasmid and chromosomal DNA in Serratia marcescens 2170 and an extracellular nuclease defective isogenic strain . The efficiency of transformation was the same for Escherichia coli 5K and E . coli containing a recombinant plasmid conferring the ability to synthesize a S . marcescens nuclease . From these results we conclude that the extracellular nuclease of S . marcescens 2170 is not the main cause of the low efficiency of transformation observed in this bacterium.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Jun, 56(6), 1833 - 8
Fermentation studies of the secretion of Serratia marcescens nuclease by Escherichia coli; Biedermann K et al.; The secretion of a Serratia marcescens nuclease was followed by fermentation with Escherichia coli . A plasmid, p403-SD2, carrying a 1.3-kilobase-pair insert with a 0.4-kilobase-pair region upstream of the nuclease gene caused a growth-phase-regulated expression of nuclease in E . coli in the same way as that seen in S . marcescens . Deletion of the regulatory gene generating plasmid p403-Rsa1 resulted in a constitutive expression of the nuclease . Anaerobiosis stimulated the expression from p403-SD2 in stationary growth phase by a factor of 10 compared with expression stimulated by cultivation in aerobic conditions; no such effect was found for plasmid p403-Rsa1 . Different nutritional factors caused the expression level and the amount of extracellular nuclease to vary more when nuclease was expressed from plasmid p403-SD2 than when it was expressed from plasmid p403-Rsa1 . A correlation between the regulatory gene and the extracellular secretion of nuclease is proposed.

Blood, 1990 May 15, 75(10), 1989 - 90
PPACK-thrombin inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cytoplasmic acidification but does not inhibit platelet shape change; Greco NJ et al.; We have re-evaluated the previously reported ability of TLCK-thrombin (N alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone-treated alpha-thrombin) and PPACK-thrombin (D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone-treated alpha-thrombin) to inhibit alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation (Harmon JT, Jamieson GA: J Biol Chem 261:15928, 1986; and Harmon JT, Jamieson GA: Biochemistry 27:2151, 1988) . Despite several cycles of derivatization with TLCK (10,000-fold molar excess), preparations of TLCK-thrombin have been found to contain about 4% residual alpha-thrombin activity, suggesting that these preparations are an equilibrium mixture of TLCK-thrombin and alpha-thrombin and cannot be used for evaluating competition between these two agents . In contrast, alpha-thrombin activity was completely inhibited by PPACK at 15-fold molar excess . PPACK-thrombin, free of unreacted PPACK and devoid of residual alpha-thrombin activity, did not markedly affect platelet shape change at concentrations as high as 1 mumol/L, but inhibited aggregation and secretion in intact platelets activated with the minimal concentration of alpha-thrombin causing a full response (0.3 to 0.5 nmol/L) and yielded a 50% inhibition constant (IC50) for inhibition of aggregation by PPACK-thrombin of 110 nmol/L . This inhibition was specific for alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation, and no inhibition was seen with activation induced by ADP, collagen, epinephrine, ristocetin, or arachidonate . At these low alpha-thrombin concentrations (approximately 0.4 nmol/L), a persistent cytoplasmic acidification was observed of -0.062 +/- 0.016 pH units, although alkalinization was observed at higher alpha-thrombin concentrations (greater than 1 nmol/L) . While inhibition of aggregation and secretion occurred when alpha-thrombin and PPACK-thrombin were added simultaneously, inhibition of cytoplasmic acidification and of the elevation of cytoplasmic {Ca2+} induced by low concentrations of alpha-thrombin (0.4 nmol/L) occurred only if platelets were preincubated with PPACK-thrombin for 5 minutes before the addition of alpha-thrombin . In platelets treated with Serratia marcescens protease to remove glycoprotein lb (GPlb), alpha-thrombin-induced shape change was attenuated but persisted in the presence of a high concentration (2 mumol/L) of PPACK-thrombin, although aggregation and secretion were inhibited, as seen in intact platelets . The IC50 value for inhibition of aggregation by PPACK-thrombin was approximately 1 mumol/L at the higher alpha-thrombin concentrations (5 nmol/L) required for full activation in this case . These results suggest that PPACK-thrombin may be a useful probe of platelet function since it specifically blocks platelet aggregation and secretion induced by alpha-thrombin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 May, 34(5), 755 - 8
Biochemical characterization of a beta-lactamase that hydrolyzes penems and carbapenems from two Serratia marcescens isolates; Yang YJ et al.; Reexamination of Serratia marcescens isolates obtained in 1982 revealed two organisms that were resistant to the penem FCE 22101 (MIC, 512 micrograms/ml) and imipenem (MIC, 16 micrograms/ml) and that had slightly reduced susceptibilities to meropenem (MIC, 0.12 micrograms/ml) . MICs of these agents for typical S . marcescens isolates were 1 to 8, 0.25 to 0.5, and 0.03 micrograms/ml, respectively . The two isolates were fully susceptible to broad-spectrum cephalosporins, and only one was highly resistant to ampicillin and carbenicillin (MICs, greater than 1,024 micrograms/ml) . Both isolates had beta-lactamases that focused at pIs 8.2 and 9.7 . The penicillin-resistant isolate additionally produced the TEM-1 enzyme . The enzymes with pIs of 8.2 and 9.7 were separated by cation-exchange chromatography . The pI 8.2 beta-lactamase was a class I enzyme of the type found in most S . marcescens isolates . It was almost inactive against carbapenems and penems, as was the class I enzyme from another S . marcescens strain . The pI 9.7 enzyme hydrolyzed penems and carbapenems rapidly: kcat (turnover number) values for FCE 22101, imipenem, and meropenem were 3.4, 26, and 1% of the kcat value for cephaloridine, respectively; kcat/Km values were 140, 915, and 150% of the kcat/Km value for cephaloridine, respectively . Otherwise, the pI 9.7 enzyme had predominantly penicillinase activity . It was inhibited more readily by clavulanate than by tazobactam and was inactivated by the chelating agents EDTA and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid . Expression of the pI 9.7 enzyme was not associated with any plasmid, and production was not transferred to Escherichia coli K-12 recipients, even after the mobilizing plasmid pUZ8 was inserted into the S . marcecens donor strains.

Infect Immun, 1990 May, 58(5), 1247 - 53
Outer membrane and porin characteristics of Serratia marcescens grown in vitro and in rat intraperitoneal diffusion chambers; Malouin F et al.; The composition and antibiotic permeability barrier of the outer membrane of Serratia marcescens were assessed in cells grown in vivo and in vitro . Intraperitoneal diffusion chambers implanted in rats were used for the in vivo cultivation of bacteria . Outer membranes isolated from log-phase bacterial cells recovered from these chambers were compared with membranes isolated from cells grown in vitro . Analysis revealed that the suspected 41-kilodalton porin and the OmpA protein were recovered on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels in equal quantities . Several high-molecular-weight proteins, thought to be iron starvation induced, appeared in the diffusion chamber-grown cells . The outer membrane permeability barriers to cephaloridine were similar in in vivo- and in vitro-grown cells based on permeability coefficient calculations . The permeability coefficient of cephaloridine in S . marcescens cells (30.3 x 10(-5) to 38.9 x 10(-5) cm s-1) was greater than that obtained for an Escherichia coli strain expressing only porin OmpC but smaller than those obtained for the E . coli wild type and a strain expressing only porin OmpF . Functional characterization of the suspected porin was performed by using the planar lipid bilayer technology . The sodium dodecyl sulfate-0.4 M NaCl-soluble porin from both in vitro- and in vivo-grown cells showed an average single-channel conductance in 1 M KCl of 1.6 . A partial amino acid sequence (19 residues) was obtained for the S . marcescens porin . The sequence showed a very high homology to the E . coli OmpC porin . These data identified the S . marcescens outer membrane 41-kilodalton protein as a porin by both functional and amino acid analyses . Also, the methodology used allowed for efficient growth and recovery of diffusion chamber-grown bacterial cells and permitted identification of specific in vivo-induced changes in bacterial cell membrane composition.

J Hosp Infect, 1990 May, 15(4), 323 - 37
Hygienic hand disinfection: a comparative study with chlorhexidine detergents and soap; Nicoletti G et al.; The efficacy of two chlorhexidine hand-wash detergents and liquid soap was compared in a laboratory trial using artificial contamination of fingers with Micrococcus and Serratia . Agents were assessed for both a rapid and sustained effect after a single contact, and for a cumulative persistent effect after multiple contact over four days . Disinfectant activities were compared by statistical analysis of log reduction factors and log count time gradients (decimal reduction times) . The latter analysis attempted to accommodate significant subject variation in response to both agent and organism . All handwashing methods significantly reduced contamination levels . Both chlorhexidine formulations were significantly better than soap in their activity against Micrococcus, but were not more effective than soap in removing contamination with Serratia . Both chlorhexidine preparations showed significant skin persistence and were generally acceptable to subjects after prolonged use . Some effect of the formulation of the hand-wash on chlorhexidine activity was demonstrated.

Infect Immun, 1990 May, 58(5), 1269 - 72
Inactivation of chemotactic activity of C5a by the serratial 56-kilodalton protease; Oda T et al.; The effects of the 56-kilodalton protease (56K protease) from Serratia marcescens on complement-derived chemotactic activity were examined . Fresh human serum was incubated with zymosan to produce C5a . This activated serum was then incubated with various concentrations of 56K protease, and the chemotactic activity of mouse peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages was evaluated . A significant dose-dependent decrease of chemotactic activity was observed after protease treatment . Furthermore, treatment of human recombinant C5a with 56K protease at a dose of 1.0 microgram/ml resulted in a complete loss of chemotactic activity . When the living bacteria of the virulent strain, which produced about 10 times more protease than did the less virulent strain, were injected intraperitoneally into mice, the magnitude of infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity was much lower than that caused by the less virulent strain . Because complement-dependent chemotactic activity is an initial response to bacterial infection, these results suggest indirect pathogenic functions of serratial proteases that suppress chemotactic activity.

J Biol Chem, 1990 Apr 15, 265(11), 6055 - 60
The RNA antiterminator causes transcription pausing in the leader region of the tryptophan operon; Roesser JR et al.; In vitro transcription studies with a trp leader DNA template derived from a double deletion mutant of Serratia marcescens revealed that the transcription complex pauses synthesis of part of the RNA antiterminator, structure 2:3 . Pausing was enhanced by NusA protein and was dependent on the concentration of UTP in the transcription reaction mixture . A weak antiterminator pause also was detected during transcription of the wild-type S . marcescens trp leader template in the presence of NusA protein and 1 microM UTP . Transcription pausing following synthesis of the antiterminator also was observed in a cell-free transcription-translation system . Antiterminator-induced pausing may play an important role in vivo by delaying synthesis of RNA segment 4 . This delay may influence basal level control in cells with an excess of tryptophan . In addition, formation of the antiterminator pause structure may introduce a more stringent tryptophan starvation requirement for RNA polymerase to read through the attenuator.

J Chemother, 1990 Apr, 2(2), 79 - 81
In-vitro susceptibility of clinical isolates of Serratia species to antimicrobial agents; Sofianou D et al.; The in-vitro activities of 12 antimicrobial agents against a total of 80 clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens and Serratia liquefaciens were determined by a broth microdilution method . Ampicillin and cefazolin were totally inactive against these organisms . The other beta-lactam antibiotics such as piperacillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and the aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, tobramycin and netilmicin showed poor or moderate activity against Serratia isolates . Aztreonam and amikacin inhibited most of the strains tested . Imipenem and ciprofloxacin were very active in inhibiting all strains . Within the genus, S . liquefaciens was more resistant to aztreonam, ceftazidime and amikacin than S . marcescens.

J Biol Response Mod, 1990 Apr, 9(2), 194 - 204
The effect of a bacterial vaccine on tumors and the immune response of ICR/Ha mice; Havas HF et al.; This study examined the effect of mixed bacterial vaccine (MBV), a biological response modifier prepared from Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens, on the immune system of mice and on the regression of a transplantable mouse tumor sarcoma 37 . The study examined MBV's biological properties and analyzed its chemical composition . The chemical composition varied with the growth media . A typical centrifuged, dialyzed supernate of the serum-containing preparation was found to consist mainly of protein and minimal amounts of carbohydrate and endotoxin, while MBV made with synthetic medium contained similar amounts of all three . MBV was nontoxic for mice, which gained weight following the injection of 0.5-1.0 ml of MBV . MBV caused regression of 20-100% of well-established mouse tumors without appreciable toxicity . MBV also had a striking effect on the immune response of mice to sheep red blood cells . When administered simultaneously with antigen injection, MBV increased the number of antibody-secreting splenocytes measured by the plaque-forming assay threefold . Serum antibody levels also increased two- to threefold . MBV did not enhance the immune response to pneumococcal polysaccharide type III, a B-cell-dependent response . However, the in vivo administration of MBV increased the in vitro response to MBV and the B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide . MBV compares favorably with other biological response modifiers because of its enhancing effect on the immune response and its oncolytic properties at nontoxic levels.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1990 Apr 1, 196(7), 1102 - 5
Serratia marcescens mastitis in a dairy herd; Wilson DJ et al.; Serratia marcescens caused clinical mastitis in 5 cows and nonclinical mastitis in 21 cows of a 190-cow herd . Repeated bacteriologic culture of specimens from the cows, postmilking teat dip, environment, and equipment was performed . Serratia marcescens was not isolated from the dip, environment, or equipment . Progress of the infection in cows was monitored for 10 months . Some cows remained infected with S marcescens for at least 10 months . Economic loss estimates were based on Dairy Herd Improvement Association linear score reports . The average nonclinical loss was about $22/cow.

Microbiologica, 1990 Apr, 13(2), 157 - 9
Stability of conjugative and non-conjugative R-plasmids from Serratia marcescens to gyrase inhibitors; Llanes C et al.; The stability of conjugative and non-conjugative R-plasmids was compared using two gyrase inhibitors (novobiocin and ciprofloxacin) . Conjugative R-plasmids from eighteen ticarcillin resistant Serratia marcescens were more stable than non-conjugative R-plasmids from eleven ticarcillin resistant bacteria of the same species . Moreover, novobiocin (gyrase B sub-unit inhibitor) is a better curing agent than ciprofloxacin (A sub-unit inhibitor).

Int J Artif Organs, 1990 Apr, 13(4), 205 - 10
Detection of endotoxin antibody in long-term dialysis patients; Yamagami S et al.; Endotoxins are often seen in dialysate . They are derived from Gram-negative bacteria especially Pseudomonas, E . coli and Serratia . Endotoxins are large-molecular-weight substances with an average molecular weight of 10(8) . These large units can be divided into subunits down to a molecular weight of 10,000 which are thought to pass through dialyzer membranes . To investigate this, endotoxin antibody levels were measured in two groups of patients on chronic regular hemodialysis, a low-flux group using cellulosic membrane dialyzers (cuprophan and cuproammonium rayon (CAR) and a high-flux group using synthetic polymer membrane dialyzers (PMMA, EVAL) . Using an ELISA based on standard endotoxin antibodies the percentages of patients in the low flux group with endotoxin antibodies were 26.9% with Cuprophan and 25% with CAR, not significantly different from a normal control group . In the PMMA and EVAL groups, it was 53.6% and 68.4% respectively . Back filtration of dialysate into blood is understood as the main reason for the entry of endotoxin in patients treated with high-flux dialyzers.

Mol Microbiol, 1990 Apr, 4(4), 651 - 5
Serratia marcescens rpr gene sensitizes Escherichia coli wild-type, xth, and nfo strains to methyl methanesulphonate; Murphy KE et al.; It is reported here that the rpr DNA repair gene of Serratia marcescens does not complement an Escherichia coli xth nfo AP endonuclease mutation for resistance to methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) . Rather, rpr sensitized Escherichia coli wild-type, xth, and nfo strains to MMS . Also, it was found that rpr could not complement a triple tag alkA recA mutation in E . coli, indicating that there are limits to rpr complementing capabilities . It was determined that rpr gene dosage was not a factor in recA complementation . MMS sensitization of an E . coli wild-type strain, however, was directly related to rpr copy number . These data indicate that Rpr does not have an associated AP endonuclease activity, and that it is incapable of substituting for Tag I, Tag II, and RecA in a tag alkA recA background.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1990 Mar 15, 196(6), 890 - 3
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate teat dip; Boddie RL et al.; The activity of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate postmilking teat germicide in reducing the numbers of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae on the skin of excised teats from cows was determined . The product yielded logarithmic reductions of 4.09 and 4.10 against S aureus and Str agalactiae, respectively, compared with 3.80 and 3.81 reductions, using a 1% iodophor dip . Germicide tolerance to an organic load containing Serratia marcescens or Pseudomonas spp was also determined . Organisms were not recovered from the product 8 hours after introduction of a simulated organic load containing either species of bacteria . The germicide was further evaluated against S aureus and Str agalactiae, using experimental challenge-exposure procedures in a research dairy herd . Efficacy was 73.4% (P less than 0.001) against S aureus and 68.1% (P less than 0.005) against Str agalactiae.

J Dairy Sci, 1990 Mar, 73(3), 621 - 6
Characteristics of biological aerosols in dairy processing plants; Kang YJ et al.; The viable aerosol in dairy processing plant environments was characterized by using an Andersen six-stage sieve sampler and a Reuter centrifugal sampler . Artificially introduced Serratia marcescens were detected in the air during drain flooding and after rinsing the floor with a pressured water hose, thus illustrating the ability of a specific microorganism to be disseminated from drains and wet surfaces via physical disruption activities often observed in food plants . Once a high concentration of wet viable aerosol was generated, it took 40 or more min to return to the background level in the absence of forced ventilation or other activity . The greatest reduction in viable particles occurred during the first 10 min . Estimated mean aerosol particle sizes were decreased from approximately 4.6 to 3.2 mu with time lapse . The estimated mean aerosol particle sizes from actual dairy processing plant environments ranged from approximately 4.3 to 5.3 mu . In addition, a more heavily contaminated dairy processing environment contained larger aerosol particles . These results indicate that the RCS sampler will often overestimate the true aerosol concentration in highly contaminated air, because mean particle sizes are over 4 mu in diameter.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1990 Mar-Apr, 13(2), 93 - 7
Serum bactericidal activity from intravenous ciprofloxacin and azlocillin given alone and in combination to healthy subjects; Orlando PL et al.; Ciprofloxacin plus azlocillin have been shown to exhibit in vitro synergy versus a variety of organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa . This study examined this interaction in vivo, testing serum bactericidal activity (SBA) in six healthy male subjects after intravenous administration of ciprofloxacin 4 mg/kg (C), azlocillin 60 mg/kg (A), and the two simultaneously (C/A) . Eight different organisms were tested: four isolates of P . aeruginosa with varying susceptibilities to C and A, and one isolate each of Escherichia coli (EC), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) Serratia marcescens (SM), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), all of which were susceptible to both drugs . Blood samples were collected at the end of 30-min infusions and at 4 and 8 hr . Reciprocal titers were plotted versus time and area under the bactericidal titer curve (AUBC) calculated to assess antibacterial interactions . Results indicated that P . aeruginosa-1 (PA-1), EC, and KP were synergistically killed by C/A . AUBC for PA-1 were C = 36, A = 11, C/A = 144, p less than 0.05 . AUBC for EC were C = 1059, A = 180, C/A = 1504, p = 0.05 . AUBC for KP were C = 327, A = 97, C/A = 584, p = 005 . Additive effects were demonstrated versus all of the other organisms except Serratia marcescens, where an indifferent effect was observed . Ciprofloxacin plus azlocillin may be a useful combination of the treatment of selected Gram-negative bacillary infections.

Carbohydr Res, 1990 Feb 25, 196, 127 - 31
Structure of the putative O23 antigen of Serratia marcescens; Oxley D et al.; A neutral glycan containing L-rhamnose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose is one of two polymers present in the lipopolysaccharide extract from the reference strain for Serratia marcescens serogroup O23 . The glycan, which has the disaccharide repeating-unit shown, shares structural features with polymers from several other O serogroups . ----4)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----4)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1----.

J Chromatogr, 1990 Feb 23, 525(2), 329 - 38
Column liquid chromatography of endotoxins; Somlyo B et al.; A new, fast and highly reproducible column liquid chromatographic method was elaborated for the analysis and small-scale preparative isolation of endotoxin from Serratia marcescens Bizio (ATCC No . 264) . This procedure detects contaminants of such preparations with high sensitivity and it is capable of separating them from endotoxic components . Extensive heterogeneity of both 5% trichloroacetic acid and phenol-water-extracted endotoxin preparations was recorded . Heterogeneity among the endotoxic components of purified preparations could also be detected by this method . Measurements of biological activities, such as Limulus amoebocyte lysate activation, lymphoblastogenesis (mitogenicity) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) liberation were carried out on the chromatographically separated fractions . During these studies, non-toxic but in vitro TNF-generating components of crude endotoxin extracts were also detected.

Transfusion, 1990 Feb, 30(2), 146 - 9
Microbial challenge of a blood cell separator outside-seal bowl system; Jacobson MS et al.; The ability to store platelets beyond 24 hours requires a functionally closed system . This study tested the ability of a cell separator bowl seal system to resist penetration of microbial contamination under normal running conditions and under extreme environmental stress . Three test organisms, Micrococcus luteus, Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, were applied directly to the bowl at the edge of the seal or aerosolized and passed through the centrifuge chamber while the cell separator was run through a simulated platelet collection . A sterile, bacteriologic nutrient medium was perfused through the tubing set, thus simulating the flow of blood fractions . Following the procedure, the medium was examined for microbial growth . The concentration of aerosolized bacteria ranged from 5.2 x 10(1) to 3.9 x 10(3) colony-forming units (CFU) per mL, and the concentration of bacteria applied to the edge of the seal ranged from 1.9 x 10(5) to 2.8 x 10(9) CFU per mL . The positive control, direct inoculation of S . marcescens into the circulating medium (50 CFU/500 mL), resulted in recovery of the identical organism after 24 hours' incubation . No contamination of the system was detected in 40 experiments with aerosolized bacteria or in 32 experiments in which bacteria were applied directly to the seal . This study demonstrates that this sealed-bowl system resists microbial contamination.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Feb, 172(2), 572 - 8
Nucleotide sequences of the sfuA, sfuB, and sfuC genes of Serratia marcescens suggest a periplasmic-binding-protein-dependent iron transport mechanism; Angerer A et al.; The cloned sfu region of the Serratia marcescens chromosome confers the ability to grow on iron-limited media to an Escherichia coli K-12 strain that is unable to synthesize a siderophore . This DNA fragment was sequenced and found to contain three genes termed sfuA, sfuB, and sfuC, arranged and transcribed in that order . The sfuA gene encoded a periplasmic polypeptide with calculated molecular weights of 36,154 for the precursor and 33,490 for the mature protein . The sfuB gene product was a very hydrophobic protein with a molecular weight of 56,589 . The sfuC gene was found to encode a rather polar but membrane-bound protein with a molecular weight of 36,671 which exhibited strong homology to consensus sequences of nucleotide-binding proteins . The number, structural characteristics, and locations of the SfuABC proteins were typical of a periplasmic-binding-protein-dependent transport mechanism . How Fe3+ is solubilized and taken up across the outer membrane remains an enigma.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1990 Feb, 11(2), 67 - 70
The effects of surfactant systems and moisturizing products on the residual activity of a chlorhexidine gluconate handwash using a pigskin substrate; Benson L et al.; A series of handwashing experiments using a pigskin substrate and Serratia marcescens as the contaminant compared the residual activity of a chlorhexidine detergent handwash product alone and in combination with anionic and nonionic-based moisturizing products and surfactant systems . The anionic based moisturizing products and the anionic surfactant system almost completely destroyed the residual antibacterial activity of the chlorhexidine, while the nonionic-based products had minimal effect.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Feb, 35(2), 13 - 5
{Effect of mitomycin on the biosynthesis of extracellular endonuclease by Serratia marcescens}; Iusupova DV et al.; The effect of mitomycin C on extracellular endonuclease activity of Serratia marcescens was studied . It was shown that in a concentration of 0.02-1.0 micrograms/ml, mitomycin C markedly increased biosynthesis of the endonuclease by growing and washed cells, the cell productivity being increased 80-100 times . The highest increase in the cell productivity was observed when mitomycin C was added to the cells at the end of the growth exponential phase . The increase in the activity of the extracellular endonuclease was due to the de novo synthesis of the enzyme since it was inhibited by chloramphenicol.

J Hosp Infect, 1990 Feb, 15(2), 167 - 72
Nosocomial Serratia marcescens individualized by five typing methods in a regional hospital; Larose P et al.; The relationships between 69 isolates obtained from 26 patients who were affected by two Serratia marcescens hospital outbreaks occurring in the urology and postnatal wards, were examined by five typing methods for epidemiological purposes . Serotyping, antibiotic resistance profile and electrophoretic analysis of enzymes identified three groups of isolates, while biotyping and bacteriocin typing identified only two . These surveys allowed us to demonstrate the existence of independent episodes of cross-infection among patients of each ward.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 28(1), 55 - 8
Use of molecular typing to study the epidemiology of Serratia marcescens; McGeer A et al.; Although Serratia marcescens is a well-known nosocomial pathogen, investigation of its hospital ecology has been limited by the lack of available typing techniques . During an investigation of the occurrence of this organism in a neonatal intensive care unit, we evaluated a number of such techniques . Using a selective medium, we conducted prospective surveillance of neonatal rectal colonization and environmental contamination with S . marcescens . In 8 months of surveillance, 5.1% (20 of 394) of the infants admitted to the unit became colonized . Most sink surfaces and drains were also culture positive . Differences between isolates could not be detected in biotypes from a commercial identification system (MicroScan) or by antibiograms, total protein fingerprints, or plasmid profiles . Serogrouping and genomic DNA restriction endonuclease analysis revealed the presence of six strains that colonized infants and a similar number of environmental strains . These two methods were concordant, with the exception that genomic DNA analysis demonstrated lack of relatedness between some strains within the same serogroup . DNA restriction endonuclease analysis was practical and reliable . The differences this method detected between environmental and neonatal strains provided strong evidence that the environment was not an important reservoir for S . marcescens in our neonatal intensive care unit.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 28(1), 20 - 6
Immunophysical characterization of human isolates of Serratia marcescens; Hamadeh RM et al.; The immunophysical characteristics of 29 Serratia marcescens strains isolated from hospitalized patients in three different cities were studied . Their outer membrane antigens were compared by solid-phase radioimmunoassay inhibition, and their proteinase K-treated, whole-cell lysates were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblot analysis . The strains had a limited number of unique outer membrane lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and capsular polysaccharide (K) antigens . By solid-phase radioimmunoassay inhibition, these strains could be divided into four distinct LPS and five K antigenic groups . By SDS-PAGE, the LPS groups could be further divided into three distinct SDS-PAGE core polysaccharide profiles and five distinct O-side-chain polysaccharide profiles . Immunoblot analysis with rabbit antiserum confirmed the limited heterogeneity of these isolates . Of the strains tested, no PAGE profile was unique to blood or nonblood isolates or to organisms collected from a given hospital . Variability of O and core PAGE profiles was not a function of organism growth cycle . Five representative Serratia strains were tested by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis and in a bactericidal assay with normal human serum . We found that (i) the normal human serum had antibodies to the LPS of each of the strains, (ii) the anti-LPS antibody measured by immunoblot did not correlate with the level of bactericidal activity in the normal human serum, (iii) three of four sepsis isolates were serum sensitive, (iv) two Serratia strains serum sensitive in log-phase growth became serum resistant in late stationary-phase growth and under limiting nutrient conditions, and (v) no LPS PAGE profile distinguished serum-sensitive from serum-resistant strains.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 28(1), 136 - 9
Numerical analysis of electrophoretic periplasmic protein patterns, a possible marker system for epidemiologic studies; Gargallo-Viola D et al.; The whole-cell and periplasmic protein (PP) compositions of 22 Serratia marcescens isolates were examined . Numerical analysis of whole-cell protein patterns was not a useful procedure for measuring relationships between organisms at the subspecific level . However, there was a very good correlation between electrophoretic PP pattern results and those obtained previously from multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (electrophoretic type) and biotype (D . Gargallo-Viola, J . Clin . Microbiol . 27:860-868, 1989) . Clustering of isolates by using PP patterns compared by coefficients based on peak position (Dice coefficient) gave more precise information than that obtained by correlation coefficients . PP patterns appeared to be a useful tool that may be of value for epidemiologic studies.

Cornea, 1990, 9 Suppl 1, S44 - 6; discussion S47
Is your office safe? No; Farris RL; The practitioner's office can be an unsafe environment for fitting contact lens (CLs), owing to numerous reservoirs of microbial contamination . These include sinks, trial lenses, solutions, lens cases, multidose dropper bottles, and storage trays . Microbes may also be introduced to the eyes via the practitioner's fingers, the patient's lashes or lids, or cosmetic residues on the ocular adnexa . Because sterility is difficult to achieve in an office, CL fitters must accept the more realistic goal of disinfection . Periodic cultures are necessary to monitor the effectiveness of office hygiene and disinfection . Cultures are especially important, considering that the panel of organisms routinely used to test lens care solutions may not reflect those in office settings, which may become resistant to preservatives . It has been shown, for example, that 50% of chlorhexidine-preserved solutions used in offices can become contaminated with Serratia marcescens within 7 days of bottle opening . At present, it appears that contamination is best avoided by using solutions containing 15 ppm of polyaminopropylbiguanide (PAPB) . Frequent replacement of solutions, trial lenses, and lens cases may also help to reduce the likelihood of microbial contamination in the office.

Genetika, 1990 Jan, 26(1), 5 - 11
{Comparative analysis of the structure and function of recA genes from Serratia marcescens Sb and Escherichia coli K-12}; Bakhlanova IV et al.; Nucleotide sequence of the 1276 bp fragment of Serratia marcescens DNA coding for the recASM gene has been determined . This structure was shown to contain an ORF corresponding to a protein with molecular weight of 37766 D . Comparative analysis of the regulatory part of recASM and recAEC (Escherichia coli) demonstrated identity of "-35" and "-10" boxes for these genes and similarity of the SOS box and the enhancer sequences . A comparison of the amino acids sequences of RecASM, RecAEC and RecAPA (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) proteins revealed a great conservatism in the N-terminus and in some structural patches (alpha-helices and beta-sheets) of the RecA proteins predicted by the model of Blanar et al . In contrast, a strong variability of the C-terminus (for the last 25 amino acids, in particular) was revealed . A necessity for definite amino acids composition of the carboxy-terminal end is discussed.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1990, 256, 525 - 35
Immunoadjuvanticity of endotoxins and nontoxic derivatives for normal and leukemic immunocytes; Friedman H et al.; Studies with FLV infected mice, a model for retrovirus induced acquired immunodeficiency, showed that intact lipopolysaccharide rich extract from Serratia marcescens as well as the nontoxic polysaccharide derivative free of lipid A were equally adjuvantic in enhancing antibody formation to sheep erythrocytes, both in vivo and in vitro . The PS-rich endotoxin derivative had little or no toxic activity in leukemic animals as occurred with intact endotoxin . The adjuvanticity of both the nontoxic polysaccharide derivative as well as the intact endotoxin in enhancing antibody formation in FLV infected mice was evident also in vitro when spleen cells from infected animals were immunized with sheep erythrocytes simultaneously with the polysaccharide in comparison with the LPS . Supernatants from normal spleen cells treated in vitro either with the polysaccharide or the intact endotoxin showed immunoenhancing helper activity for both normal and FLV infected spleen cells and this enhancing activity was due to IL-1 induced by either bacterial product . Thus the immunoenhancing soluble mediator, i.e., IL-1, is induced equally by PS or LPS and has immunorestorative activity for FLV infected animals . The potential value of the nontoxic PS as an immunoadjuvant in retrovirus immunosuppressed lymphoid cells is evident . The results of these studies suggest that further investigations concerning the nature and mechanism involved in such adjuvancticity is warranted.

Mol Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 4(1), 119 - 22
Processes of genome evolution reflected by base frequency differences among Serratia marcescens genes; Sharp PM; The G + C content of silent sites in codons varies greatly among Serratia marcescens genes; the value in any one gene seems to reflect a balance between mutation pressure towards high G + C content and natural selection constraining choice among synonymous codons . Interestingly, non-coding sequences have substantially lower G + C content than silent sites thought to be under little selective constraint.

Infection, 1990 Jan-Feb, 18(1), 29 - 30
Haematogenous Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis in an HIV-infected intravenous drug addict; Alvarez R et al.; A case of haematogenous Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis in an HIV-infected intravenous drug addict is described . The patient was admitted with fever, ocular pain and visual loss in the right eye following an i.v . injection of pulverized buprenorphine . A vitreous humor culture grew S . marcescens . The patient was treated with i.v . ceftriaxone (2 g b . i . d.), i.v . amikacin (500 mg b . i . d.) and p . o . fosfomycin (1 g q . i . d.) for three weeks . The ocular infection was cured, although the visual function was lost, leading to blindness . To our knowledge, this is the second case in the reviewed Anglo Saxon literature of S . marcescens endophthalmitis in parenteral drug addicts.

Microbios, 1990, 63(256-257), 151 - 7
Growth depression of Serratia marcescens by plasmids that belong to incompatibility group P; Platt DJ et al.; The IncP plasmids R702, RP4 and derivative plasmids including RP4::Mu cts were studied in two pigmented strains of Serratia marcescens . Maintenance of these plasmids resulted in reduced pigmentation and the growth rate of colonies was slower than the plasmid-free parent organisms . DNA inserts and deletions in RP4 altered both the pigmentation phenotype and growth rate of S . marcescens transconjugants and was inversely related to the change in molecular weight . The unrelated plasmids R446b and R46, although of comparable size to RP4, produced neither effect and Rts1, more than three times larger than RP4, produced no visible change in pigmentation phenotype and only a minimal decrease in growth rate . Integration of RP4::Mu cts into the Serratia genome restored pigmentation and growth rate to the same level as the plasmid-free parent . Partial induction at 43 degrees C restored the plasmid to a cytoplasmic state in a proportion of surviving colonies which were typically pale and slow growing.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Jan, 172(1), 342 - 9
Expression of Serratia marcescens extracellular proteins requires recA; Ball TK et al.; A previously described regulatory mutation which abolishes expression of the extracellular nuclease of Serratia marcescens is shown to be a mutation of the Serratia recA gene . The defect in nuclease expression could be restored by introducing a plasmid carrying the recA gene of Escherichia coli . The DNA sequence of the Serratia gene is very similar to that of the E . coli gene . The putative LexA-binding site of the Serratia recA gene is almost identical to that of E . coli, along with the promoter . A similar LexA-binding site can also be found upstream of the nuclease gene . As expected from this finding, we show that nuclease expression can be induced by SOS-inducing agents such as mitomycin C . Although inducible in S . marcescens, the nuclease was expressed only at the uninduced levels in E . coli and could not be induced by mitomycin C . The extracellular chitinase and lipase were similarly affected by the mutations altering nuclease expression and were also induced by mitomycin C.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1990, 12(6), 589 - 98
ImuVert activation of natural killer cytotoxicity and interferon gamma production via CD16 triggering; Cunningham-Rundles S et al.; The effect and mechanism of action of ImuVert, a new biological response modifier consisting of ribosomes and natural membrane vesicles of Serratia marcescens, on endogenous natural killer (NK) cells and activated NK activity has been analyzed . The studies showed that endogenous NK activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal cell donors was significantly increased (P less than 0.03) against K562, U937, and Molt-4 target cells . PBMC from cord blood of newborn infants lacking NK activity were upregulated (1.5-4 fold over endogenous NK activity) by ImuVert . Other studies showed that the abnormal NK activity of PBMC from patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was significantly augmented in vitro (P less than 0.01) by ImuVert . ImuVert strongly stimulated interferon gamma production and in combination with interleukin 2 produced synergistically enhanced interferon gamma production and greater cytotoxicity than that induced by either alone . Studies on lymphocyte differentiation antigen expression following treatment with ImuVert indicated that ImuVert triggers interferon gamma production through binding the low affinity IgG Fc receptor, type III, CD16 . The studies suggest that ImuVert may trigger interferon gamma production by binding to the Fc receptor and that the amplitude of the ensuing reaction and the ability of ImuVert to induce cytotoxicity in a setting where this activity has been down regulated is based on the absence of suppressor activation or direct contra suppressor activity.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1990, 74, 129 - 32
The postantibiotic effect of amikacin alone and in combination with piperacillin on gram-negative bacteria; Isaksson B et al.; The in vitro postantibiotic effect (PAE) of amikacin was investigated using a bioluminescent assay of bacterial ATP . Two strains each of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens were exposed for one hour to different concentrations of amikacin . The aminoglycoside was removed by a 10(-3) dilution and regrowth of bacteria was followed at hourly intervals by monitoring bacterial ATP . The length of the PAE was concentration-dependent and was approximately four to six hours for the three strains at amikacin concentrations normally reached in serum during standard dosing . The PAE of amikacin in combination with 32 mg/l piperacillin on Ps . aeruginosa was also studied . These cultures were incubated with piperacillin for one hour . Thereafter different concentrations of amikacin 0.5-64 mg/l were added and the incubation then continued with the combinations for one more hour . The PAEs produced by the drugs in combination were longer than the sum of the individual effects of the drugs when they were used alone . Knowledge of synergistic PAE could have clinical implications for optimal dosing schedules during combination antimicrobial chemotherapy.

Microbiol Immunol, 1990, 34(4), 347 - 54
Inverse relationship between the flagella formation and prodigiosin synthesis in Serratia marcescens; Kobayashi N et al.; Treatment by polymyxin B sulfate and ethylenediaminetetraacetate separated a 40 kilodalton (kDa) protein from the nonpigmented Serratia marcescens and even from the nonpigmented bacteria of the pigmented strains, whereas the same treatment separated the 100 kDa protein associated with the pigment formation from the pigmented bacteria . Lysozyme treatment separated the 100 kDa and/or 40 kDa proteins correlated with the pigmented level . The 40 kDa protein was not an outer membrane protein but a flagellin . These results suggest that the flagella formation was inversely related with the pigment formation.

Chemotherapy, 1990, 36(2), 109 - 16
In vivo evaluation of a dual-action antibacterial, Ro 23-9424, compared to cefotaxime and fleroxacin; Beskid G et al.; The dual-action antibacterial R 23-9424 (desacetylcefotaxime linked to the quinolone fleroxacin) is a new antibacterial agent with excellent in vitro activity . It was evaluated for in vivo efficacy in comparison with the cephalosporin cefotaxime and the quinolone component, fleroxacin . Ro 23-9424 demonstrated significant activity against all strains tested in systemic infections, including those strains resistant in vivo to cefotaxime (Staphylococcus aureus 753, Serratia marcescens SM and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 8780) and fleroxacin (Streptococcus pneumoniae 6301 and Streptococcus pyogenes . In prophylactic studies, Ro 23-9424 compared favorably with fleroxacin against Escherichia coli and with cefotaxime against S . pyogenes, but Ro 23-9424 was considerably more active than cefotaxime against E . coli and more active than fleroxacin against S . pyogenes . In a murine pneumonia model, Ro 23-9424 was equivalent in activity to cefotaxime against S . pneumoniae and more active than cefotaxime against Klebsiella pneumoniae . Fleroxacin was inactive against S . pneumoniae and about 20-fold more active than Ro 23-9424 against K . pneumoniae . In a murine meningitis infection caused by S . pneumoniae, Ro 23-9424 was 3 times as active as cefotaxime, while fleroxacin was inactive . When meningitis was induced by K . pneumoniae, Ro 23-9424 was as active as the quinolone, while cefotaxime was inactive . In a neutropenic (immunocompromised) model, Ro 23-9424 was more active than cefotaxime against P . aeruginosa and 5-fold less active than fleroxacin . In the control normal (immunocompetent) mouse infection, Ro 23-9424 was 3-fold more active than cefotaxime, but 10-fold less active than fleroxacin.

EMBO J, 1990 Jan, 9(1), 217 - 24
The cecropin locus in Drosophila; a compact gene cluster involved in the response to infection; Kylsten P et al.; Cecropins are antibacterial peptides that are synthesized in insects as a response to infection . As a first step towards a molecular study of the induction of this response, we have isolated genomic clones that cover the cecropin locus in Drosophila melanogaster . This locus was found to be unique, and it was mapped cytologically to the chromosomal location 99E . Sequence analysis showed it to be unusually compact, with three expressed genes and two pseudogenes within less than 4 kb of DNA, and with another homologous region less than 4 kb away . Two of the genes, A1 and A2, encode a product that is identical to the major cecropin from Sarcophaga peregrina, while the cecropin encoded by the B gene differs in five positions . Cecropin transcripts appear within an hour after bacteria have been injected into the hemocoel, reach a maximum after 2-6 h, and have almost disappeared again after 24 h . The B gene is induced in parallel with the A genes, but on a lower level . The cecropin genes were also induced when the flies were kept on food with the Drosophila pathogenic bacterium Serratia marcescens Db10 or its non-pathogenic derivative Db1140.

Lens Eye Toxic Res, 1990, 7(3-4), 677 - 83
Nontoxic concentration of ceftazidime and flomoxef sodium for intravitreal use--evaluated by in-vitro ERG; Tanabe J et al.; The effects of ceftazidime (CAZ) and flomoxef sodium (FMOX) on the in-vitro electroretinogram (ERG) of albino rabbits were studied . The a-wave, the b-wave and the oscillatory potential (OP) were unchanged by 0.3mM (0.19mg/ml) CAZ-containing solution . The OP was suppressed by 0.5mM (0.32mg/ml) CAZ . The a-wave, the b-wave and the OP were unchanged by 0.5mM (0.26mg/ml) FMOX . The OP was suppressed and its peak latency was delayed by 2mM (0.52mg/ml) FMOX . The concentration of 0.3mM (0.19mg/ml) CAZ was higher than its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens and Propionibacterium acnes . The concentration of 0.5mM (0.26mg/ml) FMOX was higher than its MIC against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens and Propionibacterium acnes.

Urol Res, 1990, 18(5), 299 - 303
Increased renal scarring by bacteria with mannose-sensitive pili; Matsumoto T et al.; Renal scars are thought to be the end stage of chronic pyelonephritis and one of the most important causes of renal insufficiency and renal hypertension . The role of bacterial pili was examined in scar formation after an infection of newly constructed bacterial strains using the recombinant DNA technique, which possessed either mannose resistant (MR) or mannose sensitive (MS) pili of Serratia marcescens . Strains that differed in only a single virulence factor, namely, MR or MS pili, were used in a rat model of chronic pyelonephritis . In this model, MS-piliated bacteria stimulated renal scarring more severely than non-piliated or MR-piliated bacteria.

Nephron, 1990, 56(2), 130 - 5
Suitability of colchicine and superoxide dismutase for the suppression of renal scarring following an infection with bacteria showing mannose-sensitive pili; Matsumoto T et al.; Two new strains of Serratia marcescens were constructed by the gene manipulation method from the clinical isolate US 46, which has two kinds of pili--mannose-sensitive (MS) and mannose-resistant (MR) ones--on the cell surface . After cloning the genes of the MS and MR pili, either the MS or the MR gene was transferred to the nonpiliated Escherichia coli, and MS- or MR-piliated strains were obtained . In the experimental pyelonephritis model of rats, MS- or MR-piliated bacteria were inoculated directly to the renal parenchyma, and the following results were obtained . MS-piliated rather than MR-piliated strains stimulated severe scarring of the kidney, and this scarring was suppressed by treatment with colchicine or superoxide dismutase (SOD) during an early stage of the infection . These findings suggest that MS-piliated bacteria stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which released large amounts of superoxide resulting in renal scarring . SOD was hoped to be a drug capable of preventing renal scarring, and such a result was successfully obtained.

Microbiol Immunol, 1990, 34(9), 765 - 73
Protective effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) against various microbial infections in neutropenic mice; Matsumoto M et al.; Protective effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) on microbial infections was studied in cyclophosphamide (CPA)-induced neutropenic mice . The neutropenic mice showed severely decreased resistance against systemic infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans . When such mice were injected subcutaneously with rG-CSF on four consecutive days beginning the day after CPA injection, the decreased anti-microbial resistance of the mice was restored to the level of that in normal mice . The anti-infective effect of rG-CSF was dose-dependent and the 50% effective doses (ED50) in various microbial infections tested were 1-10 micrograms/kg/day . The results suggest that rG-CSF is useful for protection of neutropenic patients from microbial infections.

Carbohydr Res, 1989 Dec 21, 195(1), 117 - 22
Structure of the O-specific galactan from the lipopolysaccharide of the reference strain for Serratia marcescens serogroup O24; Oxley D et al.; The putative O-specific polysaccharide for Serratia marcescens serogroup O24 is a galactan with a branched, trisaccharide repeating-unit of the structure shown . The structure of the backbone is identical to that of the linear galactans isolated from the reference strains for S . marcescens serogroups O16 and O20, presumably accounting for the serological cross-reactions observed . (Formula: see text)

Carbohydr Res, 1989 Dec 21, 195(1), 111 - 5
Structure of a neutral polymer isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the reference strain for Serratia marcescens serogroup O18; Oxley D et al.; A neutral polymer (the putative O antigen) has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the reference strain for Serratia marcescens serogroup 018 . From the results of spectroscopic and degradative studies, the repeating unit of the polymer was identified as a linear tetrasaccharide having the structure shown . ----2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----6)-alpha-D- GlcpNAc-(1----

Cancer Res, 1989 Dec 15, 49(24 Pt 1), 7093 - 7
Effects on growth and energy metabolism in untransformed and transformed BALB/c mouse fibroblasts by a novel cytotoxic compound; Keler T et al.; A lipid, recently discovered as a contaminant of endotoxin and White-Type polysaccharide preparations from an unidentified isolate of Serratia marcescens, was named DCX for its direct cytotoxic activity . Previously we have shown that DCX is cytotoxic to several transplantable tumors and transformed cell lines in culture at nanomolar concentrations, while normal fibroblasts were significantly more resistant . In this study the selectivity and mechanism of DCX-mediated cytotoxicity was examined more thoroughly with the use of clonally related cell lines . DCX is growth inhibitory but is not cytotoxic to a BALB/c embryonal cell line . Transformation by Simian Virus 40 renders a cloned derivative cell line sensitive to the cytotoxicity of DCX . Treatment of both cell lines with DCX increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake and lactate production, and decreased ATP levels . Electron micrographs show extensive damage to mitochondria in cells treated with DCX . The results indicate that the growth inhibitory activity of DCX in these cells is due to effects on mitochondria resulting in depletion of cellular ATP . The data suggest that the basis for selective cytotoxicity is in how the different cells are able to cope with lower energy levels.

Clin Chim Acta, 1989 Dec 15, 185(3), 357 - 67
Pathogenic potentials of bacterial proteases; Maeda H et al.; Six separate molecular mechanisms for pathogenesis attributed to bacterial proteases are described . (I) . Enhancements of vascular permeability and edema formation which result from the activation of kinin generating cascade such as Hageman factor by the proteases . (II) . Degradation of defense oriented proteins including IgG and IgA as well as destruction of structural matrices such as fibronectin, proteoglycan and collagen . (III) . Inactivation of complement system and generated chemotactic factor from C3 and C5 . (IV) . Degradation of regulatory plasma protease inhibitors (serpins) including alpha 1-protease inhibitor, alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), C1-esterase inhibitor, alpha 2-antiplasmin and antithrombin-III . (V) . The protease forms a transitory stable enzyme/inhibitor(alpha 2M) complex . It binds to and internalizes into the cells which possess alpha 2M-receptor such as fibroblasts via the alpha 2M-receptor, and the protease activity is regenerated in cells, and subsequently intracellular integrity is destroyed resulting in cell killing . (VI) . The serratial 56 kDa (56K) protease is found to potential viral yield 100 fold more when influenza virus infected mice were subjected to administrations of this protease intranasally . This results in rapid and much elevated lethality.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1989 Dec 11, 17(23), 9783 - 96
Cloning, characterization and heterologous expression of the SmaI restriction-modification system; Heidmann S et al.; The genes coding for the class-II Serratia marcescens restriction-modification system have been cloned and expressed in E . coli . Recombinant clones, restricted incoming phage only poorly; the recombinant plasmids, however, became fully modified in vivo, i.e . completely resistant against digestion with R.SmaI . The determined nucleotide sequence of the cloned system revealed three open reading frames with lengths of 252 bp, 741 bp, and 876 bp . Through various deletion experiments and an insertion-mutation experiment the 876 bp open reading frame could be assigned to the SmaI DNA modification enzyme and the 741 bp open reading frame to the SmaI restriction endonuclease . Mapping of the transcription start sites of the genes revealed that the SmaI endonuclease is transcribed as polycistronic mRNA together with a 252 bp long preceding open reading frame of unknown function . No homology was found when comparing the amino acid sequence of M.SmaI with the published sequences of m5C-specific DNA modification methyltransferases . On the other hand, a stretch of 14 amino acids in the C-proximal region of M.SmaI shows a significant homology to the C-proximal amino acid sequences of the N6A-methyltransferases M.HinfI and M.DpnIIA and the N4C-methyltransferase M.PvuII.

J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 135 ( Pt 12), 3319 - 27
Cloning of the Serratia marcescens recA gene and construction of a Serratia marcescens recA mutant; Liao CL et al.; A recombinant plasmid, pSM2513, containing an 8.5 kb DNA insert was isolated from a genomic library of Serratia marcescens by using interspecific complementation . This plasmid conferred resistance to methyl methanesulphonate and UV irradiation upon recA mutants of Escherichia coli and enhanced recombination proficiency, as measured by Hfr-mediated conjugation, in recA mutants of E . coli . Furthermore, when recA mutants of E . coli harbouring pSM2513 were subjected to UV irradiation, filamentation of the cells was observed . This did not occur upon UV irradiation of the same mutants harbouring the cloning vector alone . These results imply that the S . marcescens recA gene on pSM2513 is functionally similar to the E . coli recA gene in several respects . Restriction enzyme analysis and subcloning studies revealed that the S . marcescens recA gene was located on a 2.7 kb Bg/II-KpnI fragment of pSM2513, and its gene product of approximately 39 kDa resembled the E . coli RecA protein in molecular mass . Using transformation-mediated marker rescue, a recA mutant of S . marcescens was successfully constructed; its proficiency both in homologous recombination and in DNA repair was abolished compared with its parent.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Dec, 171(12), 6566 - 72
Characterization of the precursor of Serratia marcescens serine protease and COOH-terminal processing of the precursor during its excretion through the outer membrane of Escherichia coli; Miyazaki H et al.; The Serratia marcescens serine protease, which is directed by the gene encoding a precursor composed of a typical NH2-terminal signal sequence, a mature enzyme domain, and a large COOH-terminal domain, was excreted through the outer membrane of Escherichia coli . The precursor, with the expected molecular size (110 kilodaltons), was detected in an insoluble form in the periplasmic space of E . coli cells after induction with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside of the expression of the gene under the control of the tac promoter . Upon membrane fractionation of the disrupted cells by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, the precursor was recovered from a fraction slightly heavier than the outer membrane fraction but not from the inner membrane fraction . Conversion of the precursor into the mature form, which was accompanied by its excretion into the medium, was observed even in the absence of de novo protein synthesis caused by the addition of chloramphenicol . The mutated gene product lacking all of the COOH-terminal domain was localized in the periplasmic space only and was not excreted into the medium . Additional mutant genes were generated by site-directed mutagenesis to test the role of some amino acids in the excretion of this protease in E . coli . The mutant protein with no protease activity because of the change of the catalytic residue Ser-341 to Thr was still excreted into the medium but with abnormal processing . Both self-processing and host-dependent processing of the precursor seem to be involved in the excretion of the mature enzyme . Replacement of the four Cys residues, two in the mature enzyme and two in the COOH-terminal domain, with Ser in different combinations caused a distinct or complete loss of excretion, suggesting that a certain conformation possibly formed via disulfide bonding was important for the excretion of the S . marcescens protease.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Dec, 171(12), 6629 - 36
A cryptic fimbrial gene in Serratia marcescens; Moriya T et al.; The gene coding for the mannose-sensitive hemagglutinating fimbriae in Serratia marcescens US5 was cloned into Escherichia coli K4 with a cosmid vector system . One of the transformants, US5-1, expressed two morphologically distinct fimbriae, one that was 5-nm wide and one that was 3-nm wide . The latter fimbria was morphologically and serologically indistinguishable from that of strain US5 . Genetic analysis of transformant US5-1 showed that the gene responsible for the 5-nm-wide fimbriae was located more than 10 kilobases away from the gene responsible for the 3-nm-wide fimbriae . The molecular sizes of the subunits of these two fimbriae, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, were 19 kilodaltons for the 3-nm-wide fimbriae and 20 kilodaltons for the 5-nm-wide fimbriae . Serologically, the 5-nm-wide fimbriae did not cross-react with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies raised against the mannose-sensitive hemagglutinating fimbriae of strain US5 . Strain EL101, which expressed only the 5-nm-wide fimbriae, did not agglutinate chicken or human erythrocytes . These experimental results suggest that the gene for the 5-nm-wide fimbriae is cryptic in strain US5 and is expressed in E . coli K4 only after it is moved by transformation.

J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 135 ( Pt 12), 3289 - 302
Streptomyces griseus streptomycin phosphotransferase: expression of its gene in Escherichia coli and sequence homology with other antibiotic phosphotransferases and with eukaryotic protein kinases; Lim CK et al.; The aphD gene of Streptomyces griseus, encoding a streptomycin 6-phosphotransferase (SPH), was sub-cloned in the pBR322-based expression vector pRK9 (which contains the Serratia marcescens trp promoter) with selection for expression of streptomycin resistance in Escherichia coli . Two hybrid plasmids, pCKL631 and pCKL711, were isolated which conferred resistance . Both contained a approximately 2 kbp fragment already suspected to include aphD . The properties of in vitro deletion derivatives of these plasmids were consistent with the presumed location of aphD . In vitro deletion of a sequence including most of the trp promoter largely, but not quite completely, abolished the ability of the plasmid to confer streptomycin resistance, confirming that expression was indeed principally from the trp promoter . A polypeptide of approximately 34.5 kDa was present in minicells containing plasmids that conferred streptomycin resistance, but was absent when the plasmids contained in vitro deletions removing streptomycin resistance . Part of the fragment was sequenced and an open reading frame corresponding to aphD identified . A computer-assisted comparison of the deduced SPH sequence with those of other antibiotic phosphotransferases suggested a common structure A-B-C-D-E, where B and D were conserved between all sequences compared while A, C and E divided between the streptomycin and hygromycin B phosphotransferases on one hand and kanamycin/neomycin ones on the other . A composite sequence data base was searched for homologues to consensus matrices constructed from five approximately 12-residue subsequences within blocks B and D . For one subsequence, corresponding to the N-terminal portion of block D, those sequences from the database that yielded the highest homology scores comprised almost entirely either antibiotic phosphotransferases or eukaryotic protein kinases . Possible evolutionary implications of this homology, previously described by other groups, are discussed.

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1989 Dec, 27(12), 750 - 2, 781-2
{Opportunistic infection and systemic dissemination in burns}; Zhang YP; A total of 303 strains of opportunistic bacteria were isolated from our burned patients during April, 1980 to December, 1987 . Among which Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 161 strains (54.1%), Serratia accounted for 56 strains (18.5%), just the two species accounted for 72.6% in total . Among twenty commonly used antibiotics, Amikacin and Polymyxin-B were comparatively sensitive . Further reviewing the drug sensitivity of the two species, we found the sensitivity rates were variable among the strains isolated from different sources . To Polymyxin-B, strains isolated from wound surfaces were of 86.1% and 90.7% respectively, from subeschar tissues or visceral organs were of 53.8% and 39.3%, from blood stream were of 44.4% and 40% . It seemed that the drug resistance of the invading organisms was stronger than that of surface ones . It suggested that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia play an important role in infection of burned patients.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 27(12), 2702 - 5
Improved O-serotyping method for Serratia marcescens; Gaston MA et al.; In a previous study, we found that some O serotypes of Serratia marcescens, as defined by agglutination tests, were not based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O antigens . We developed a dot enzyme immunoassay with a high degree of LPS specificity and tested 104 distinct clinical strains . Only 7 of the 24 existing O antigens were found in more than one strain: O12/O14 (30.8% of strains examined), O21 (12.5%), O8 (8.7%), O6/O7 (5.8%), O4 (3.8%), O18 (2.9%), and O9 (2.9%) . Two new antigens, S1254 (13.5%) and S3255 (3.8%), were also found . Agglutination tests with O antisera identified the LPS antigen in only 36 strains . Prodigiosin production was restricted to serotypes O8, O6, and S3255 and strains with a rough or semirough LPS phenotype . Dot immunoassay appears to offer greater accuracy than agglutination tests for serotype identification in S . marcescens.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 27(12), 2697 - 701
O-antigen specificities of the serotype strains of Serratia marcescens; Gaston MA et al.; O antigens of the 24 O-serotype strains of Serratia marcescens were investigated in dot enzyme immunoassay with whole-cell antigens and by immunoblotting with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens . Three pairs of strains, O2/O3, O6/O7, and O12/O14, had indistinguishable LPS antigens, despite having distinct specificities in agglutination tests with whole-cell antigens . Strong cross-reactions were also found in LPS antigens from strains O9/O15, O17/O19, O10/O22, and O16/O20 . No high-molecular-weight LPS corresponding to O-side-chain material was detected in strain O11 or O13 . A panel of absorbed antisera was prepared to facilitate the detection of a reduced set of LPS antigens in a dot enzyme immunoassay . We conclude that there are discrepancies between the existing serotypes as defined by agglutination tests and the antigenic composition of LPS antigens extracted from the serotype strains and that surface antigens other than LPS make a major contribution to the definition of serotype in the species.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1989 Nov, 108(11), 591 - 3
{Lowering of bactericidal activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages under combined use of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A and endotoxin}; Riabichenko EV et al.; The present study investigated the effect of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A (SEA) and endotoxin Serratia marcescens (LPS) on the phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus by mouse peritoneal macrophages . Two hours after enterotoxin intraperitoneal injection phagocytic and bactericidal activity were depressed . 24 hours later there was increased functional activity of macrophages by SEA and LPS, apart . But when two toxins were administered together (LPS four hours later enterotoxin) marked inhibition of bacterial killing was observed . When peritoneal macrophages were treated in vitro for 24 hours with the same toxins they were also markedly suppressed in bactericidal activity.

Hinyokika Kiyo, 1989 Nov, 35(11), 1951 - 4
{Infectious cysts of a müllerian duct: a case report}; Cho M et al.; We report a case of infectious cysts of Mullerian duct . A 48-year-old male patient was referred to our department complaining of terminal miction pain on July 19, 1985 . The excretory urogram showed right lateral displacement of bladder and pelvic CT-scan demonstrated a large mass containing multiple cysts . A total of 5 percutaneous punctures was performed, but without success . The cysts were removed completely on November 26, 1985 . A large volume of pus subsequently yielded a pure culture of Serratia marcescens and multilobular cysts were observed in the incised tumor . Wound healing was delayed because of severe infection . We discussed the difficulty of the management for infectious cysts of the Mullerian duct.

Can J Microbiol, 1989 Nov, 35(11), 1037 - 42
Brown pigmentation in Serratia marcescens cultures associated with tyrosine metabolism; Trias J et al.; Serratia marcescens produced a brown pigment when grown in minimal medium in the presence of tyrosine and high concentrations of copper(II) ion . The pigment was not related to the melanin pigments, but was similar to the pigment produced by autooxidation and polymerization of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate, which is synthesized in S . marcescens from tyrosine through the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate catabolic pathway . The enzymes of this pathway were induced under pigment production conditions; however, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase remained at low activity levels, permitting the accumulation and excretion of the substrate . Mutants unable to use tyrosine as a sole carbon and energy source were able to produce brown pigments only if the step blocked by the mutation was after the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate . The ability to produce brown pigments was common to all the S . marcescens strains tested.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 912 - 20
Serratia bacteremia: review of 118 cases; Saito H et al.; A review was conducted of 118 episodes of serratia bacteremia in cancer patients during a 16-year period . The infection occurred most commonly in patients with acute leukemia . Most patients acquired the infection in the hospital, and 61% had received antibiotic therapy during the preceding 10 days . Fever occurred in 90% of cases and shock in 18% . Thirty-eight percent of patients had concomitant pneumonia . Patients with shock, pneumonia, or hemorrhage had a substantially poorer prognosis . The response rate was 75% for patients who received appropriate antibiotics, 22% for those who received inappropriate antibiotics, and 29% for those who received no antibiotics . Patients who continued to have positive blood culture results while receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy had a poor diagnosis . Patients who received only an aminoglycoside had the poorest response rate among those who received appropriate therapy.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Oct 15, 52(3), 243 - 6
Fractal spreading growth of Serratia marcescens which produces surface active exolipids; Matsuyama T et al.; An irregular fiord-like outline of a S . marcescens colony expanding on a hard agar medium was shown to be fractal which promised an extremely long array of outermost cells . For the analysis of such spreading growth, mutants defective in production of surface active exolipids (serawettin W1 and W3) and flagella-less mutants were isolated . The fractal spreading growth was found to be correlated with serrawettin production . Furthermore, serrawettin-less mutants demonstrated spreading growth when purified serrawettin W1 or W3 were supplied exogenously.

Presse Med, 1989 Oct 11, 18(32), 1569 - 71
{In vitro comparative bactericidal effect of cefotaxime and cefixime in a kinetic model}; Rolin O et al.; The bactericidal activity of cefotaxime against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens, was compared with that of cefixime in an in vitro model simulating the human pharmacokinetics of these antibiotics . Kinetic parameters in this model were T1/2 = 1.3 h and Cmax = 45 mg/l for cefotaxime; T1/2 = 3.5 h and Cmax = 5 or 3.5 mg/l for cefixime . These parameters mimicked those obtained after a 1 g intravenous infusion of cefotaxime and an oral uptake of 0.4 or 0.2 g of cefixime, respectively . Both antibiotics demonstrated a strong bactericidal activity . Against Escherichia coli, the bactericidal effect of cefotaxime was slightly more rapid and more prolonged than that of cefixime: -5 log10 CFU/ml over 4 h vs -3 log10 CFU/ml over 8 h respectively . Against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens, both drugs exhibited similar bactericidal activity despite different dosages and routes of administration: -2 to -3 log10 CFU/ml over 4 h.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Oct 5, 264(28), 16629 - 37
Comparison of the aspartate transcarbamoylases from Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli; Beck D et al.; The aspartate transcarbamoylases (ATCase, EC 2.1.3.2) of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens have similar dodecameric enzyme structures (2(c3):3(r2} but differ in both regulatory and catalytic characteristics . The catalytic cistrons (pyrB) of the ATCases from E . coli and S . marcescens encode polypeptides of 311 and 306 amino acids, respectively; there is a 76% identity between the DNA sequences and an overall amino acid homology of 88% (38 differences) . The regulatory cistrons (pyrI) of these ATCases encode polypeptides of 153 and 154 amino acids, respectively, and there is a 75% identity between the DNA sequences and an overall amino acid homology of 77% (36 differences) . In both species, the two genes are arranged as a bicistronic operon, with pyrB promoter proximal . A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences reveals that the active site and the allosteric binding sites, as well as most of the intrasubunit interactions and intersubunit associations, are conserved in the E . coli and the S . marcescens enzymes; however, there are specific differences which undoubtedly contribute to the catalytic and regulatory differences between the enzymes of the two species . These differences include residues that have been implicated in the T-R transition, c1:r1 interface interactions, and the CTP binding site . A hybrid ATCase assembled in vivo with catalytic subunits from E . coli and regulatory subunits from S . marcescens has a 6 mM requirement for aspartate at half-maximal saturation, similar to the 5.5 mM aspartate requirement of the native E . coli holoenzyme at half-maximal saturation . However, the heterotropic response of this hybrid enzyme is characteristic of the heterotropic response of the native S . marcescens holoenzyme: ATP activation and CTP activation . Activation by both allosteric effectors indicates that the heterotropic response of this hybrid holoenzyme (Cec:Rsm) is determined by the associated S . marcescens regulatory subunits.

Comput Appl Biosci, 1989 Oct, 5(4), 305 - 12
On the analysis of microbiological processes by Monte Carlo simulation techniques; Bermudez J et al.; The Barcelonagram is a Monte Carlo simulator recently designed in order to take account of the behaviour of living systems . In this paper we apply this technique to real bacterial growth in different and significant experimental conditions, namely (i) the growth of the Serratia marcescens in a minimal glucose-limited medium, (ii) the temperature effect on the anaerobic growth of the same strain, (iii) the growth of the Escherichia coli in a minimal medium and (iv) the normal specific growth rate of bacterial populations against the available substrate concentration . In the context of these different cases we discuss the diverse contributions of these simulated results to the understanding of the microbiological processes and the general reliability of the simulation considered as a third alternative besides both (and together with!) experience and mathematical modelling.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Oct 1, 52(1-2), 207 - 11
Extracellular haemolytic activity of Serratia marcescens; Goluszko P et al.; Blood agar medium with dialysis membrane mounted between two layers of agar was applied to study the haemolytic activity of 28 strains of Serratia marcescens . Two kinds of lytic substances differing with their ability to pass through dialysis membrane were found . Haemolytic activity was not detected in cell-free filtrates from liquid cultures . The discrepancies between haemolytic activity in blood agar media and activity of liquid cultures were observed . Stable attachment of bacterial cells to the erythrocytes was not necessary to lysis . The possibility of extracellular haemolysin is discussed.

Scott Med J, 1989 Oct, 34(5), 525 - 8
Serratia marcescens outbreak in a paediatric oncology unit traced to contaminated chlorhexidine; McAllister TA et al.; Over an 18-month period we encountered 12 episodes of Serratia marcescens bacteraemia in 10 patients in a paediatric oncology unit . These were associated with long-term indwelling Hickman intravenous catheters (right atrial) and caused three deaths . Seven of the patients had only mild pyrexial illnesses and made a complete recovery . The source was traced to contaminated aqueous chlorhexidine in a bedside container in which plastic clamps were stored . When this was rectified the outbreak ceased . The identity of the causal Serratia strains was confirmed by plasmid analysis and they showed multiple antibiotic resistance, including the aminoglycosides . The study illustrates the emergence of S . marcescens as an opportunistic pathogen and emphasises the dangers of Hickman-associated bacteraemia.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 27(10), 2295 - 9
New method for determination of efficacy of health care personnel hand wash products; Mahl MC; A method of studying the effects of health care personnel hand wash products is described . The fingernail regions of the hands of volunteers are inoculated with a mixture of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens, and the areas are dried for a standard time . After routine hand washing, each fingernail region is individually scrubbed with an electric toothbrush which moves longitudinally to the handle into collection fluid contained in a petri dish . The test bacteria in the fluid are then enumerated . (Bacillus subtilis spores may be included as tracers to show degree of physical removal of the procedure.) This method has several advantages over the frequently used glove juice technique . Experimental designs with large numbers of volunteers, multiple sampling sites, and many hand wash products may be performed . Ten sampling sites (fingers) are available, versus the two gloved hands for testing products . (Efficiency is almost 100% in the recovery of spore tracers placed on the fingernails.) Many commercial health care personnel hand wash products containing antimicrobial agents substantive to the skin do not rapidly reduce numbers of inoculated bacteria in the fingernail regions to any greater extent than nonantimicrobial hand washes . Products containing isopropanol or ethanol are very effective in decreasing bacteria in areas around and under the fingernails.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Oct 1, 52(1-2), 133 - 7
Plasmid-mediated resistance to fosfomycin in Staphylococcus epidermidis; Etienne J et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis strain BM2641, isolated from a patient, was resistant to penicillin G, methicillin, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B-type (MLS) antibiotics, and to high levels of fosmycin . Resistance to forsfomycin and/or to MLS was lost at low frequencies either spontaneously or after curing with novobiocin . The plasmid DNA from BM2641 and its cured derivatives was purified, analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose sheet . Comparative analysis of the resistance phenotypes with the plasmid content of the strains indicated that fosfomycin and MLS resistance were encoded by plasmids pIP1842 (2.5 kb) and pIP1843 (2.6 kb), respectively . Southern hybridization with a probe specific for gene fosA of Serratia marcescens showed that the fosfomycin resistance determinant in Staphylococcus is not homologous to that of Gram-negative bacteria.

J Hosp Infect, 1989 Oct, 14(3), 201 - 7
Nosocomial bacteraemia in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia; al-Orainey IO et al.; During a period of one year, 117 episodes of nosocomial bacteraemia were documented at King Khalid University Hospital, an incidence of 5 per 1000 admissions . Sixty-two percent were gram-negative organisms with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Serratia spp . and Pseudomonas spp . being the most frequent . Staphylococcus aureus was the most common gram-positive organism isolated . The source of infection was identified in 75% of patients . Intravenous lines accounted for a high proportion of cases (22%) . Most deaths occurred in infants and patients with serious underlying disease.

Gene, 1989 Sep 30, 81(2), 355 - 9
Multiple high-frequency transpositions of Tn5 in Serratia marcescens 274 from a thermosensitive replication mutant of plasmid R388; Estepa GR et al.; We have used the broad-host-range conjugative suicide plasmid vector described by Sasakawa and Yoshikawa {Gene 56 (1987) 283-288} for transposon mutagenesis of Serratia marcescens 274 . We report multiple transposition events of Tn5 from this vector . In addition, the unusual pattern of Tn5 transposition might provide an insight into its regulation.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Sep 25, 264(27), 16311 - 20
Subcellular location and unique secretion of the hemolysin of Serratia marcescens; Schiebel E et al.; It is shown that Serratia marcescens exports a hemolysin to the cell surface and secretes it to the extracellular space . Escherichia coli containing the cloned hemolysin genes shlA and shlB exported and secreted the S . marcescens hemolysin . A nonhemolytic secretion-incompetent precursor of the hemolysin, designated ShlA*, was synthesized in a shlB deletion mutant and accumulated in the periplasmic space of E . coli . Immunogold-labeled ultrathin sections revealed ShlA* bound to the outer face of the cytoplasmic membrane and to the inner face of the outer membrane . A number of mutants carrying 3' deletions in the shlA gene secreted truncated polypeptides, the smallest of which contained only 261 of the 1578 amino acids of the mature ShlA hemolysin, showing that the information for export to the cell surface of E . coli and secretion into the culture medium is located in the NH2-terminal segment of the hemolysin . We propose a secretion pathway in which ShlA and ShlB are exported across the cytoplasmic membrane via a signal sequence-dependent mechanism . ShlB is integrated into the outer membrane . ShlA is translocated across the outer membrane with the help of ShlB . During the latter export process or at the cell surface, ShlA acquires the hemolytically active conformation and is released to the extracellular space . The hemolysin secretion pathway appears to be different from any other secretion system hitherto reported and involves only a single specific export protein.

Infection, 1989 Sep-Oct, 17(5), 294 - 300
Nosocomial infections due to Serratia marcescens--clinical findings, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and fine typing; Bollmann R et al.; We report on nosocomial infections caused by Serratia marcescens occurring in a neonatal intensive care unit and a children's ward for cardiac intensive care . According to the plasmid pattern analysis, all isolated epidemic strains belonged to one clone . Multi-drug resistance, even to cephalosporins of the third generation and amikacin, was characteristic for all strains . Certain markers of S . marcescens (haemolysin, proteases, siderophores) which are thought to be related to virulence were studied but will require further investigation.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Sep-Oct, 11(5), 789 - 92
Gram-negative bacterial pyomyositis: unique case and review; Sarubbi FA et al.; Bacterial pyomyositis in tropical or temperate climates is usually associated with gram-positive organisms, and Staphylococcus aureus has been recovered most often . In contrast, skeletal muscle infection due to aerobic gram-negative bacteria is an acknowledged rarity, even in tropical areas . A literature review revealed only five organisms implicated in gram-negative pyomyositis in the United States; to this list, we add a unique case of pyomyositis caused by Serratia marcescens that occurred in a patient with multiple myeloma . Although the data are limited, it appears that lower leg muscles are more likely to be involved and that clinical cure is often achieved following appropriate drainage and antibiotic therapy.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1989 Sep, 271(3), 372 - 80
Automated analysis of 35-S-methionine labeled proteins by SDS-PAGE as a typing method in a suspected cluster of Serratia marcescens; Altwegg M et al.; During a nine-month period in 1986, we observed five ornithine decarboxylase-negative isolates of Serratia marcescens from four different patients . All isolates were identical in more than 50 biochemical parameters . Four isolates from three hospitalized patients were essentially identical in their susceptibility patterns to 12 antimicrobial agents . Analysis of 35-S-methionine labeled whole cell proteins by SDS-PAGE with the AMBIS system (Automated Microbiology System Inc., San Diego, CA) suggested that only three of these isolates were identical while the fourth hospital strain was more closely related to the isolate of a patient with no contact to the hospital . These results were confirmed by bacteriocin- and serotyping . We conclude that analysis of these protein patterns--which does not require special reagents - was an adequate method for typing S . marcescens.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Sep, 171(9), 5179 - 82
Evidence for unique DNA repair activity encoded by a cloned Serratia marcescens gene: suppression of Escherichia coli mutations that reduce repair of alkylated DNA; Murphy KE et al.; A recombinant plasmid containing a Serratia marcescens DNA repair gene has been analyzed biochemically and genetically in Escherichia coli mutants deficient for repair of alkylated DNA . The cloned gene suppressed sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate of an E . coli strain deficient in 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylases I and II (i.e., E . coli tag alkA) and two different E . coli recA mutants . Attempts to suppress the methyl methanesulfonate sensitivity of the E . coli recA mutant by using the cloned E . coli tag and alkA genes were not successful . Southern blot analysis did not reveal any homology between the S . marcescens gene and various known E . coli DNA repair genes . Biochemical analysis with the S . marcescens gene showed that the encoded DNA repair protein liberated 3-methyladenine from alkylated DNA, indicating that the DNA repair molecular is an S . marcescens 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase . The ability to suppress both types of E . coli DNA repair mutations, however, suggests that the S . marcescens gene is a unique bacterial DNA repair gene.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Sep, 24(3), 375 - 85
The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of fleroxacin and pefloxacin in a rat abscess model; Leibovitz E et al.; The penetration, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of fleroxacin and pefloxacin were investigated in a rat abscess model . Abscesses were induced by implanting a dialysis tube unit contaminated with Serratia marcescens in the subcutaneous tissue . Simultaneous serum, interstitial fluid (IF) and abscess fluid concentrations of the investigated antibiotics were measured 24 and 96 h after implantation . The concentrations were determined at various time intervals after the last intramuscular administration of each drug (20 mg/kg) . Peak fleroxacin and pefloxacin concentrations in the serum of the infected animals were 14.6 +/- 4.7 mg/l and 13 +/- 2.9 mg/l respectively, peak fleroxacin and pefloxacin abscess fluid concentrations after 24 h were 12.3 +/- 2.5 mg/l and 8.9 +/- 2.2 mg/l, respectively (85% and 68% of peak serum concentrations) . Abscess fluid concentrations at 96 h were: fleroxacin 4.7 +/- 2.6 mg/l and pefloxacin 4.5 +/- 1.7 mg/l . Both antimicrobials persisted significantly longer in the abscess fluid than in serum . Both drugs failed to sterilize the abscesses following a single administration; however after four consecutive administrations all abscesses became sterile . We conclude that fleroxacin and pefloxacin may be suitable for the therapy of closed space infections caused by susceptible micro-organisms.

J Gerontol, 1989 Sep, 44(5), B118 - 24
Influenza virus infection and bacterial clearance in young adult and aged mice; Wyde PR et al.; The effects of influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus infection on clearance of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus or Serratia marcescens) from lungs of young adult (8-week-old) and aged (2-year-old) CBA/2N mice were studied . No consistent differences in pulmonary bacterial clearance were observed in uninfected animals of either age group . However, both young and aged virus-infected mice consistently exhibited significantly reduced ability to clear challenge bacteria from their lungs compared to age-matched nonvirus-infected controls; this deficit was markedly more pronounced in virus-infected aged mice . The extra deficit seen in virus-infected aged animals did not correlate with pulmonary virus or interferon titers, or with severity of pulmonary histopathology . Moreover, the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of pulmonary macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophiles from virus-infected young and aged mice were comparable.

Gene, 1989 Aug 15, 80(2), 217 - 25
Vectors permitting visual monitoring of simple transposition events; Kozlowski M et al.; The construction and use of two novel transposon(Tn)-delivery vectors is described . These vectors carry Inc.W or Inc.N broad-host-range transfer functions cloned next to the narrow-host-range replicon of pBR329 . The host specificities of pSLX10 and pSLX23 both complement and extend the host specificities of existing Tn delivery vectors . Plasmids pSLX10 and pSLX23 were shown to transfer at high frequency in intergeneric matings . The lux genes which are present on each vector permit the visual monitoring of transconjugants which have retained a Tn element, but are devoid of plasmid molecules . pSLX10 and pLSX23 were efficiently used to generate a range of auxotrophic mutants in various strains of Pseudomonas as well as to clone genes from Serratia liquefaciens . These vectors may have general applicability to identify and clone genes in a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria.

J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Aug, 135 ( Pt 8), 2277 - 81
Putative role of a 70 kDa outer-surface protein in promoting cell-surface hydrophobicity of Serratia marcescens RZ; Bar-Ness R et al.; Serratia marcescens RZ has been previously shown to possess pronounced cell-surface hydrophobicity, as evidenced by its affinity for hydrocarbons and polystyrene . The present report suggests the involvement of a 70 kDa protein, serraphobin, in this phenomenon . The 70 kDa protein was recovered from both the cell surface and culture supernatant of hydrophobic wild-type cells, but was either totally absent or present in minor quantities in hydrophobicity-deficient mutants . Similarly, loss of hydrophobicity of RZ cells following growth at 39 degrees C was accompanied by loss of the protein . Serraphobin was capable of binding to hexadecane droplets following a brief mixing procedure, and could be desorbed by solidifying and melting the hexadecane phase.

Malays J Pathol, 1989 Aug, 11, 53 - 6
Dispersal of bacteria by an electric air hand dryer; Ngeow YF et al.; The potential risk of an electric air hand dryer contributing to airborne infection in a hospital was investigated using a strain of Serratia marcescens and a strain of coagulase-negative, streptomycin-resistant Staphylococcus . Dispersal of marker bacteria by the air dryer was demonstrated within a radius of about 3 feet from the dryer and to the investigator's laboratory coat . When paper towels were used for hand drying, no dispersal of marker bacteria was demonstrated . It is suggested that air hand dryers are unsuitable for use in critical patient care areas as they may contribute to cross infection either via airborne dissemination or via contaminated personnel.

Rev Esp Enferm Apar Dig, 1989 Aug, 76(2), 109 - 14
{The small intestine in the presence of endotoxins in the blood . Effects of splenectomy}; Lopez Muniz A et al.; We have studied the small intestine by morphologic and histochemical methods of mice treated with Serratia marcescens endotoxin (LD50); the half of the control and endotoxemic animals were splenectomized . We have not observed changes in the only splenectomized animals . We have found important alterations during the endotoxemia in the structure of small intestine, specially in the cells of the mucous membrane, as the cytoplasm and the nucleus . There are an increase of hemorrhagic phenomenons and of mucus, hemodynamic disturbances and loss of continuity of the intestinal wall . These changes are more notable in the endotoxemic and splenectomized animals than in the only endotoxemic animals . These results have be ratified by cytometric and statistic studies . The importance of the intestine in the endotoxemia and the function of the spleen are discussed.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1989 Aug 1, 195(3), 340 - 2
Serratia marcescens septicemia associated with infusion of an amino acid solution in two horses; Young DR et al.; Clinical septicemia developed in 2 clinically normal horses after both were administered a portion of an amino acid solution IV . Serratia marcescens was subsequently isolated from blood of both horses . The isolates were shown to be identical on the basis of antibiograms and plasmid biochemistry, incriminating the infusate as the source of bacterial infection . The horses recovered after supportive and antimicrobial treatment.

J Invertebr Pathol, 1989 Jul, 54(1), 32 - 8
Mortality in adult tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans, caused by entomopathogenic bacteria; Kaaya GP et al.; Mortality in adult tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis H-14, B . thuringiensis 1, B . thuringiensis 5, B . thuringiensis var . insraelensis, and Providentia rettgeri was determined . When bacteria were smeared on rabbit skin and tsetse allowed to feed only once on the contaminated area, mortality 8 days postingestion was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in tsetse fed on P . aeruginosa, S . marcescens, B . thuringiensis 1, and P . rettgeri and increased when tsetse were allowed to feed for the second time on the contaminated skin . With this smear technique, however, mortalities were generally not remarkable . In artificial membrane feeding experiments using low concentrations of bacteria (-10(6)/ml of blood), the B . thuringiensis strains caused low mortality, except B . thuringiensis H-14, which caused 59% mortality . However, at this concentration, P . aeruginosa, S . marcescens, B . cereus, and P . rettgeri caused highly significant (P less than 0.01) mortality (64-96%) . When higher concentrations of bacteria (10(7)/ml) were used, all the bacteria tested, except B . sphaericus, caused high mortality ranging from 70 to 98% . Thus, mortality depended on the species of bacteria, the dose ingested, and time postingestion.

J Clin Lab Immunol, 1989 Jul, 29(3), 125 - 32
Effects of vaccination against systemic Serratia infection; Kumagai Y et al.; Host defense against Serratia marcescens in experimental infection in mice was enhanced by vaccination with formalin-killed bacteria of the same strain . The enhancement appeared within 24 hr after vaccination, reached a peak seven days later and lasted four weeks . The enhanced resistance to Serratia infection was also observed in the early phase (within seven days) after vaccination with killed Escherichia coli or other Gram-negative strains, but the efficacy on Day 7 was inferior to that with killed S . marcescens . Phagocytic activities of both circulating neutrophils and peritoneal macrophages were measured by the chemiluminescence (CL) response, and the activity of tissue macrophages was evaluated by the carbon clearance test . The activities were significantly elevated in the early phase, that is, within two or three days for neutrophils, seven days for peritoneal macrophages and at least 14 days for tissue macrophages, after vaccination with killed Gram-negative bacteria . These results suggest that the enhancement of host defense in the early phase is dependent on phagocytic functions that are non-specifically activated by dead bacteria . In the late phase after vaccination, specific immunity might have been involved in the defense mechanism . However, transfer of high titer specific antiserum, in itself, did not render mice resistant to Serratia infection.

J Endod, 1989 Jul, 15(7), 290 - 3
Bacteriological comparison of ultrasonic and hand instrumentation of root canals in dogs; DeNunzio MS et al.; This study compared the effectiveness of hand and ultrasonic instrumentation for removing a standardized inoculum of pigmented Serratia marcescens from the root canal system of premolars in dogs . Forty-four premolars from nine beagle dogs were divided into two experimental groups of 20 and 24 teeth, respectively . The experimental teeth were inoculated with approximately 10 colony-forming units of S . marcescens . After the bacterial were allowed to colonize for 1 wk, the experimental teeth were instrumented with either hand instruments or the Cavi-Endo device . The teeth were extracted, crushed, and assayed for recoverable colony-forming units of S . marcescens . Statistical comparisons of the ratio of inoculated to recovered colony-forming untis were made . The results indicated that the difference between the positive controls and the experimental groups was significant . There was no significant difference between the two instrumentation groups.

Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1989 Jul, (7), 3 - 7
{Cloning and expression of the determinant for resistance to a new class of tetracycline in Escherichia coli strains}; Parfenova OV et al.; Tetracycline-resistance determinant of the plasmid pBS221 isolated from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain has been cloned on pUC19 vector plasmid . The determinant is expressed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions coding for two proteins: a 36 Kd protein conferring antibiotic resistance and 27 Kd repressor protein . The determinant is not homologous to tet-determinants of the known classes as shown by blot hybridization experiments . The determinant represents a new class--G . Determinants of the new class are widespread among Serratia marcescens strains.

Infect Immun, 1989 Jul, 57(7), 2253 - 5
Specific immunological unresponsiveness to bacterial lipopolysaccharides develops in a cyclic manner; Elkins KL et al.; Prior exposure (priming) of BALB/cByJ mice to a low dose of lipopolysaccharide derived from Escherichia coli 055 or Serratia marcescens, followed by immunization with an optimally immunogenic dose of the same lipopolysaccharide 2 to 30 days later, results in the expression of substantially reduced antibody responses . Such unresponsiveness, which is antigen specific, occurs in a cyclic manner with time after priming.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Jun 25, 264(18), 10589 - 94
Activation of hageman factor and prekallikrein and generation of kinin by various microbial proteinases; Molla A et al.; Activation of the Hageman factor-kallikrein-kinin system by serratial 56-kDa proteinase was previously demonstrated (Matsumoto, K., Yamamoto, T., Kamata, T., and Maeda, H . (1984) J . Biochem . (Tokyo) 96, 739-749; Kamata, R., Yamamoto, T., Matsumoto, K., and Maeda, H . (1985) Infect . Immun . 48, 747-753) . To investigate whether the activation of the system is specific for 56-kDa proteinase or is found similarly with other microbial proteinases, 11 proteinases of microbial origins were studied; the 56-kDa proteinase was the control . For in vitro studies, activation of guinea pig Hageman factor and prekallikrein was examined in purified systems as well as in plasma as a zymogen source . Specific antibodies and inhibitors confirmed the activation steps of the cascade . In the in vivo study the enhancement of vascular permeability in guinea pig skin and its sensitivity to inhibitors of activated Hageman factor, plasma kallikrein, or a kininase were examined . The results from the in vivo experiments were consistent with those in vitro . Taking all the data together, we classified the 11 microbial proteinases into three groups as follows: 1) Serratia marcescens 56-, 60-, and 73-kDa proteinases, Pseudomonas aeruginosa alkaline proteinase and elastase, and Aspergillus melleus proteinase (this group activated Hageman factor but not prekallikrein); 2) Vibrio vulnificus proteinase, subtilisin from Bacillus subtilis, and thermolysin from Bacillus stearothermophilus (this group activated both Hageman factor and prekallikrein); 3) Streptomyces caespitosus proteinase and V8 proteinase from Staphylococcus aureus (this group activated neither Hageman factor nor prekallikrein, but generated kinin from high molecular weight kininogen directly).

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 1660 - 2
Production of vanillic acid from vanillin by resting cells of Serratia marcescens; Perestelo F et al.; Resting-cell suspensions of Serratia marcescens were able to convert, quantitatively, 0.3% vanillin to vanillic acid . The vanillic acid-producing activity reached a maximum after 28 h of incubation with 0.01% vanillin as an inducer.

J Appl Physiol, 1989 Jun, 66(6), 2546 - 52
Tolerance to low-dose endotoxin in awake sheep; Whyte RI et al.; Dose response and tolerance to a small intravenous dose of Serratia marcescens lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied in awake sheep . Core temperature significantly increased after a dose of 0.002 micrograms/kg; changes in pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, plasma thromboxane B2, and circulating leukocyte concentration occurred after 0.02 micrograms/kg; plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha increased after 0.2 micrograms/kg . Development of acute tolerance was studied by injection of S . marcescens LPS (0.02 micrograms/kg iv) on 3 consecutive days: pulmonary arterial pressure and thromboxane B2 levels were significantly lower than controls after the second dose, whereas fever and the degree of leukopenia were not diminished until the third dose . After intravenous administration of LPS given in increasing doses from 0.1 to 3.2 micrograms/kg three times weekly over 7 wk, there were no measurable changes in any of the above parameters after challenge with S . marcescens LPS (0.02 micrograms/kg) after a 1-wk rest period . In awake sheep, small intravenous doses of LPS can cause physiologically important changes of the pulmonary circulation and can alter the hemodynamic and eicosanoid mediator responses to subsequent challenges with LPS . Large intravenous doses of LPS can ablate the physiological responses to subsequent small doses of LPS.

Infect Immun, 1989 Jun, 57(6), 1868 - 71
Inactivation of various proteinase inhibitors and the complement system in human plasma by the 56-kilodalton proteinase from Serratia marcescens; Molla A et al.; The interaction of the 56-kilodalton (kDa) proteinase from Serratia marcescens with human plasma activated C1 (C1) inhibitor, alpha 2-antiplasmin, and antithrombin III was investigated . The 56-kDa proteinase was not affected by these inhibitors; on the contrary, all the inhibitors were inactivated by the 56-kDa proteinase within 2 to 6 h . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that all three inhibitors showed decreases in molecular weight of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 as a result of proteolytic cleavage by the 56-kDa proteinase . The 56-kDa proteinase also inactivated serum complement within 2 to 6 h . The loss of inhibitory activity caused by the 56-kDa proteinase, together with the effects of endogenous serine proteinases, may facilitate tissue destruction and inflammation.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1989 Jun, 42(6), 869 - 74
Isolation of CB-25-I, an antifungal antibiotic, from Serratia plymuthica; Shoji J et al.; A new antifungal antibiotic, CB-25-I, was isolated from the culture broth of a strain of Serratia plymuthica . The antibiotic, a water-soluble dipeptide, is structurally related to Sch 37137 and A 19009, both produced by strains of Actinomycetales . The antibiotic exhibits inhibitory activity against Candida albicans in YNB medium (a synthetic medium), but the activity is significantly reduced in Sabouroud dextrose medium.

J Gen Microbiol, 1989 May, 135 ( Pt 5), 1275 - 90
Overproduced beta-lactamase and the outer-membrane barrier as resistance factors in Serratia marcescens highly resistant to beta-lactamase-stable beta-lactam antibiotics; Hechler U et al.; In a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens different states of low and high resistance to different beta-lactam antibiotics considered to be beta-lactamase-stable, viz . cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam, cefoxitin and imipenem, were found to be connected with the presence of constitutively overproduced, chromosomally encoded beta-lactamase at concentrations in the bacterial periplasm of 0.4 and 0.9 mM, respectively . All the antibiotics were degraded by the beta-lactamase . However, kinetic constants varied widely: k(m) from 92 to 0.012 microM and k(cat) from 3.4 to 2x10(-4)s(-1) . The relative contributions to resistance by the functioning of periplasmic beta-lactamase, resynthesis of this enzyme, and limitation of antibiotic penetration by the bacterial outer membrane were analysed by computer simulations according to steady-state and non-steady-state models of interactions in the periplasm . Results for cefotaxime, ceftizomime, ceftazidime, aztreonam and latamoxef revealed overproduced beta-lactamase as the sole cause of the state of low resistance while antibiotic permeability was the same as in non-resistant S . marcescens strains . In contrast, high resistance was due to beta-lactamase action and decreased permeability of antibiotics . For resistance to aztreonam, only, immobilization of the antibiotic as covalent acyl-enzyme by newly synthesized beta-lactamase was essential . For cefoxitin, ampicillin and imipenem the analyses indicated that additional resistance factors may play a role, e.g . induction of beta-lactamase.

Agressologie, 1989 May, 30(5), 275 - 7
{The cost of hospital acquired infections}; Le Coutour X et al.; Two complementary studies were carried out . a) A three months study on nosocomial infection frequency, with a simultaneous assessment of the nosocomial infection risk factors (infected or non infected body on entry in the department, the kind of pathology, simplified scores of seriousness) and of the length of the hospital stays to compare the average length of stay for overinfected patients and for nosocomial infection non contaminated patients, after checking those factors through adjustment, themselves responsible for a prolongation of the stays . b) An evaluation of the cost of the sole antibiotics used in the treatment of a Serratia nosocomial infection epidemic which developed in the department . The quantitative and qualitative analysis of each case was made by the prescribing doctor in order to attribute its proper costs to each case . Over a three months period, 112 patients were considered as presenting a risk of nosocomial infection, which means that they were hospitalized in the department for more than 48 hours . Twenty two nosocomial infection carriers were examined; they represented 38 cases of overinfection . The length of stay was of 10.3 days among the non carriers of nosocomial infection, and of 32.4 days among the overinfected patients, but more interesting is the figure of 13.2 days per case . Over a year, it thus amounts to 1,950 hospitalization days due to nosocomial infections, which corresponds, in a department of 24 beds, to an average of 5 beds occupied permanently . Besides, the antibiotic for the 12 Serratia nosocomial infection carriers was evaluated to a cost of F . 75,000.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 860 - 8
Enzyme polymorphism, prodigiosin production, and plasmid fingerprints in clinical and naturally occurring isolates of Serratia marcescens; Gargallo-Viola D; Enzyme polymorphism and genetic relationship among 99 Serratia marcescens isolates obtained from clinical and environmental sources were determined by analysis of electromorphs in nine enzyme loci encoded by chromosomal genes . Seven of the loci were polymorphic, and 33 distinctive electrophoretic types (ETs) representing multilocus genotypes were identified . Cluster analysis, based on the proportion of mismatches between multilocus genotypes, revealed two clearly differentiated groups of ETs in S . marcescens . One was represented exclusively by isolates with nonchromogenic biotypes recovered almost entirely (97.3%) from clinical samples . The other group comprised all isolates characterized by the production of prodigiosin or by belonging to a chromogenic biotype . Absolute correlation was found between the ability to produce prodigiosin and the absence of plasmids . In contrast, 24% of the nonchromogenic isolates contained plasmids . Results obtained by analysis of multilocus genotypes were related to those obtained by biotyping and plasmid fingerprinting . However, more groups could be distinguished by analysis of ETs than by biotyping . Plasmid fingerprinting was a limited typing system because many isolates lacked plasmids . Although the results of this study did not permit a definitive correlation between ETs and pathogenicity of the isolates, more detailed studies of these groups will help to understand the different clinical significances of the nonchromogenic and chromogenic isolates of S . marcescens.

Nurs Res, 1989 May-Jun, 38(3), 144 - 6
Integrity of vinyl and latex procedure gloves; Korniewicz DM et al.; In a series of experiments the integrity of vinyl and latex procedure gloves were tested under in-use conditions . Both types of gloves were tested by three methods: watertight (645 samples), bacterial penetration (50), and dye exclusion (90) . Results of the watertight test demonstrated visible defects in 4.1% of vinyl and 2.7% in latex gloves . Twenty percent of latex gloves and 34% of vinyl gloves which had passed the watertight test allowed penetration of Serratia marcescens when worn by volunteers . A series of manipulations designed to simulate approximately 15 minutes of clinical activity in an intensive care unit resulted in failure rates as high as 66% . Using the dye penetration test, there was a statistically significant difference between vinyl and latex procedure gloves with full manipulations, with failure rates of 53% and 3%, respectively . Both types of gloves provided some barrier protection . However, latex gloves performed better when stressed.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 May, 33(5), 785 - 7
Quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens; Fujimaki K et al.; The uptakes of norfloxacin by quinolone-resistant and -susceptible strains of Serratia marcescens were almost the same and 50% inhibitory concentrations for DNA gyrase and the MICs of quinolones were correlated, suggesting that DNA gyrase alterations are the basis of quinolone resistance.

J Virol, 1989 May, 63(5), 2252 - 9
Molecular mechanism of complex infection by bacteria and virus analyzed by a model using serratial protease and influenza virus in mice; Akaike T et al.; We examined the effect of a serratial exoprotease on the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection in mice as a model of complicated respiratory infection by bacteria and virus in humans . The 56-kilodalton (56-kDa) protease from Serratia marcescens was administrated intranasally to mice at a dose of 10, 20, or 40 micrograms from day 0 to day 3 after inoculation of the influenza virus . Administration of the protease resulted in remarkable enhancement of the lethal effect of the virus and enhancement of pathological changes in the lungs . Influenza virus replication, determined by plaque-forming assay, was accelerated by the protease . Namely, we found a 100-fold increase in virus yield by day 2 . The 56-kDa protease caused generation of plasmin activity in the lungs . In vitro experiments showed that plasmin greatly enhanced the yield of influenza virus, although the effect of the 56-kDa protease by itself was much lower than that of plasmin . Furthermore, the 56-kDa protease could induce plasmin production indirectly via activation of plasminogen by the Hageman factor-dependent cascade in the in vitro system . We conclude that this major serratial exoprotease has a deleterious effect on mice infected with influenza virus and that this effect seems to result from enhancement of viral growth by indirect acceleration of plasmin generation induced by the protease.

Anal Biochem, 1989 May 1, 178(2), 362 - 6
Detection of chitinase activity after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; Trudel J et al.; Commercial Streptomyces griseus and Serratia marcescens chitinases and purified wheat germ W1A and hen egg white lysozymes were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native conditions at pH 4.3 . After electrophoresis, an overlay gel containing 0.01% (W/V) glycol chitin as substrate was incubated in contact with the separation gel . Lytic zones were revealed by uv illumination with a transilluminator after staining for 5 min with 0.01% (W/V) Calcofluor white M2R . As low as 500 ng of purified hen egg lysozyme could be detected after 1 h incubation at 37 degrees C . One band was observed with W1A lysozyme and several bands with the commercial microbial chitinases . The same system was also used with native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.9 . Several bands were detected with the microbial chitinases . The same enzymes were also subjected to denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in gradient gels containing 0.01% (W/V) glycol chitin . After electrophoresis, enzymes were renatured in buffered 1% (V/V) purified Triton X-100 . Lytic zones were revealed by uv after staining with Calcofluor white M2R as for native gels . The molecular weights of chitinolytic enzymes could thus be directly estimated . In denaturing gels, as low as 10 ng of purified hen egg white lysozyme could be detected after 2 h incubation at 37 degrees C . Estimated molecular weights of St . griseus and Se . marcescens were between 24,000 and 72,000 and between 40,500 and 73,000, respectively . Some microbial chitinases were only resistant to denaturation with sodium dodecyl sulfate while others were resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate and beta-mercaptoethanol.

Carbohydr Res, 1989 Apr 15, 187(2), 303 - 11
Structural studies of a neutral polymer (the putative O10 antigen) isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of Serratia marcescens strain C.D.C . 1287-54 (O10:H8); Oxley D et al.; A neutral glucorhamnan has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the O10 reference strain (C.D.C . 1287-54) of Serratia marcescens . By means of n.m.r . spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and degradative studies, the polymer (the putative O-specific antigen) was found to have the branched, pentasaccharide repeating-unit shown . (formula; see text).

Carbohydr Res, 1989 Apr 15, 187(2), 295 - 301
Structural studies of an acidic galactoglucomannan from the O3 reference strain (C.D.C . 863-57) of Serratia marcescens; Oxley D et al.; A partially acetylated acidic galactoglucomannan has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the O3 reference strain (C.D.C . 863-57) of Serratia marcescens . By means of n.m.r . spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and degradative studies, the polymer was found to have the branched pentasaccharide repeating-unit shown . The position(s) of partial acetylation were not determined . Although the polymer is believed to confer O specificity on the parent organism, it is probably not an integral component of the lipopolysaccharide . (Formula: see text).

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1989 Apr, 16(4 Pt 2-1), 1108 - 14
{Infection and immunosuppression in cancer patients}; Kitahara T et al.; Septicemia in hematologic malignancies and infection of herpes zoster in cancer patients were studied, and trend in organisms in a cancer hospital was investigated . 1) Septicemia in hematologic malignancies . The success rate of antibiotic therapy for septicemia was 76% if the patients were not under antibiotic therapy when septicemia developed . But recovery from septicemia was only 25% if the patients were undergoing antibiotic therapy when septicemia developed . Some 90% of neutropenic patients under 500/microliters, who were not under antibiotic therapy when septicemia developed, recovered from septicemia if the neutrophil count increased in the following 5 days . Change in the neutrophil count was an important factor determining the success or failure of antibiotic therapy for septicemia . The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor may prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia . Shortening of the period of neutropenia or preventing its occurrence should reduce the incidence and the severity of infection . 2) Infection of herpes zoster in cancer patients . Thirty-four cancer patients were associated with herpes zoster . Eleven of them were patients with malignant lymphoma and ten of them were patients of breast cancer . Most patients were heavily pretreated by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy before the development of herpes zoster . Marked lymphocytopenia was observed at the onset of herpes zoster . Absolute lymphocyte count was under 1000/microliters in 71% of these patients . Development of herpes zoster in cancer patients was considered to be due to the depression of cell-mediated immunity which was the result of repeated and continued anticancer therapy . Acyclovir was found to be effective to treat herpes zoster in these patients . 3) Trend of organisms detected in cancer hospital . The frequency of organisms isolated from clinical materials in the National Cancer Center Hospital was compared during the period from 1978 to 1982 and the period from 1983 to 1987 . The most common organism detected in both periods was P . aeruginosa and no change in frequency was observed . But the frequency of gram-negative bacilli, E . coli, Klebsiella and Serratia, decreased significantly in the latter period while the frequency of gram-positive cocci, Enterococcus and Staphylococcus increased markedly in the latter period . The use of cephems of third generation in the latter period could be one reason for the recent change of organisms detected in the hospital . Appropriate therapy for infection based on the latest and accurate information should be used.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1989 Apr, 46(4), 714 - 9
Clinical considerations and costs associated with formulary conversion from tobramycin to gentamicin; Green ER et al.; The clinical and financial effects of replacing tobramycin with gentamicin on the formulary of a 550-bed teaching hospital were studied . On the recommendation of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee, the formulary aminoglycoside was changed from tobramycin to gentamicin in June 1985; the nonformulary status of amikacin was unchanged . Five weeks later, physician compliance was assessed and the reasons for prescribing nonformulary aminoglycosides were determined . Two four-month-long evaluations were done at 6 and 18 months after implementation to assess patterns of use of nonformulary aminoglycosides . The impact on costs was determined after one and two years by considering use patterns of formulary and nonformulary aminoglycosides, as well as those of third-generation cephalosporins and mezlocillin . Resistance patterns of two gram-negative organisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens, were assessed for 1982-1987 . Finally, the rate of nephrotoxicity in gentamicin-treated patients was determined . During the first five weeks after the formulary conversion, 80.3% (106 of 132) of the aminoglycoside orders received were for gentamicin . After telephone follow-up by the pharmacy department, that figure rose to 93.9% . During the four-month reviews beginning at 6 and 18 months, nonformulary orders accounted for 10.9% and 7.4%, respectively, of the total number of courses of aminoglycosides prescribed . In the majority of these cases, tobramycin and amikacin were used to treat infections caused by organisms with documented resistance to gentamicin or to gentamicin and tobramycin, respectively . No clear-cut changes in resistance patterns for Ps . aeruginosa or S . marcescens could be associated with the formulary conversion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Infect Dis, 1989 Apr, 159(4), 641 - 7
Protective effects of murine monoclonal antibodies in experimental septicemia: E . coli antibodies protect against different serotypes of E . coli; Salles MF et al.; Murine monoclonal antibodies that bind outer membrane antigens of the J5 mutant of Escherichia coli O111:B4 were derived from spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with killed whole cells and boosted with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-associated proteins . Seven hybridomas were selected for their reactivity against the J5 LPS; they cross-reacted with O111, O55, O127, and O128 E . coli LPS . One (B7B3) also reacted with the Serratia marcescens LPS and Klebsiella pneumoniae lipid A . A protective effect was obtained with D6B4 antibody in a lethal endotoxemia model induced by LPS from O111, O127, and O128 E . coli serotypes in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice . D6B4 and D6B3 antibodies protected mice infected with E . coli O111:B4, when administered before infection . The D6B4 antibody was also protective when administered after infection . The antibodies D6B3 and D4B5 were protective in heterologous infection induced by E . coli O2:K1.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1989 Apr, 39(4), 424 - 7
Investigation of the ability of newer beta-lactam antibiotics to select resistant mutants from Serratia marcescens after mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine; Vuye A et al.; Resistant mutants could easily be selected from a nitrosoguanidine-treated culture of Serratia marcescens with piperacillin, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, cefotetan, latamoxef (moxalactam) and aztreonam . Imipenem on the other hand was significantly less effective in mutant selection . Resistant clones broadly fell into two distinct classes . Most mutants did not show increased beta-lactamase; their resistance seemed to be due to changed outer membrane proteins . Other mutants had strongly increased cephalosporinase activity, although the derepression was only partial . Piperacillin, cefotaxime and aztreonam preferentially selected the derepressed phenotype, whereas mutants selected with cefoxitin, cefotetan, moxalactam and imipenem were exclusively of the non-derepressed phenotype . There was a significant degree of cross-resistance between the beta-lactam antibiotics except imipenem which was only slightly less active against the membrane-altered mutants.

Carbohydr Res, 1989 Mar 15, 186(2), 295 - 300
Structural studies of an acidic galactoglucomannan from the O15 reference strain (C.D.C . 4523-60) of Serratia marcescens; Oxley D et al.; Both neutral and acidic polymers have been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide extract of the reference strain (C.D.C . 4523-60) for Serratia marcescens serogroup O15 . By means of n.m.r . spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and studies of degradation products, the acidic polysaccharide was shown to have a branched pentasaccharide repeating-unit with the following structure . (Formula: see text)

Mol Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 3(3), 445 - 53
Integration of the Serratia marcescens haemolysin into human erythrocyte membranes; Schiebel E et al.; The haemolytic activity of Serratia marcescens is determined by two proteins, ShlA and ShlB . ShlA integrates into the erythrocyte membrane and causes osmotic lysis through channel formation . The conformation of ShlA and its interaction with erythrocyte membranes were studied by determining the cleavage of ShlA by added trypsin . Our results suggest that the conformation of inactive ShlA (from an ShlB- strain) differs from the active ShlA, and that in a hydrophobic environment (detergent or membrane) active ShlA assumes a conformation distinct from that in buffer . Only active haemolysin adsorbed to erythrocytes . ShlA was firmly integrated into the erythrocyte membrane since it was only released under conditions which also dissolved the integral erythrocyte membrane proteins . Moreover, ShlA integrated into 'ghosts' remained there and was not haemolytic when incubated with erythrocytes . From the trypsin cleavage pattern obtained with haemolysin and C-terminally truncated, but still active, haemolysin derivatives integrated into erythrocytes, and sealed and unsealed erythrocyte 'ghosts', we conclude that ShlA is preferentially cleaved by trypsin at a few sites but only from the inside of the erythrocyte . Haemolysin in the erythrocyte membrane forms a water-filled channel and is resistant to trypsin and other proteases.

J Pediatr Surg, 1989 Mar, 24(3), 316 - 7
Stapled partial splenectomy for splenic abscess in a child; Bhattacharyya N et al.; This is the case report of a boy with a splenic abscess that was successfully treated by partial splenectomy using an automatic stapler . The abscess was caused by Serratia marcescens, a nosocomial pathogen.

J Bone Joint Surg Br, 1989 Mar, 71(2), 256 - 8
Serratia osteomyelitis causing neurological deterioration after spine fracture . A report of two cases; Lowe J et al.; We report two cases of Serratia marcescens infection at the sites of spinal fractures and emphasise the fact that neurological deterioration soon after spinal fracture may be due to acute vertebral osteomyelitis.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Mar, 23(3), 353 - 61
In-vitro susceptibility of nosocomial gram-negative bloodstream pathogens to quinolones and other antibiotics--a statistical approach; Martin MA et al.; We examined the in-vitro activity of 12 antibiotics against Gram-negative bacillary isolates from 141 distinct episodes of nosocomial bloodstream infection occurring from July 1984 through November 1986 . At least ten strains of each of the seven most frequently encountered species were tested . Relative potency was carefully assessed by extending the concentrations from 0.004 to 64 mg/l in microdilution tests performed in duplicate . We estimated MIC50 and MIC90 and, importantly, calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI95) for MIC90 . Against all isolates, ciprofloxacin, the most potent antibiotic, had an MIC50 of 0.03 and an MIC90 of 0.13 (CI95 0.11 to 0.16 mg/l) . Norfloxacin and enoxacin had MIC90 of 0.50 and 0.71 mg/l, respectively . Imipenem, ceftazidime, aztreonam, and cefoperazone had MIC90 of 1.0, 2.0, 5.3, and 5.7 mg/l, respectively . Both cefotaxime and ceftriaxone had MIC90 of 16 mg/l (CI95 13-19.7 mg/l) . For tobramycin, gentamicin and amikacin, the MIC90 values were 1.4, 5.7, and 8 mg/l, respectively . Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 26), Serratia marcescens (n = 19), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 26), the CI95s about the MIC90 for ciprofloxacin were 0.31-0.81, 0.07-0.23, and 0.04-0.10 mg/l, respectively . For optimal comparison of antibiotics used to treat hospital-acquired bacteraemias, only clinically significant nosocomial bloodstream isolates should be studied with regard to their antibiotic susceptibilities; the isolates should be unique (only one isolate per episode of bacteraemia occurring over a defined period of time); an adequate number of isolates of a particular species should be studied; MICs should be determined over a wide range of concentrations; and both the MIC90 and the CI95 should be reported.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Feb 5, 264(4), 2350 - 6
alpha 2-macroglobulin traps a proteinase in the midregion of its arms . An immunoelectron microscopic study; Arakawa H et al.; alpha 2-Macroglobulin, one of the major plasma proteinase inhibitors with Mr = 720,000, is known to inhibit proteinases of all four classes through the "trap mechanism" (Barrett, A . J., and Starkey, P . M . (1973) Biochem . J . 133, 709-724), but the proteinase binding site of alpha 2-macroglobulin has not been identified precisely . We localized bound proteinase molecules on the electron microscopic images of alpha 2-macroglobulin, using anti-proteinase IgG . Serratial Mr = 56,000 proteinase produced by Serratia marcescens was chosen as the antigenic probe in this study because its affinity to specific antibodies was retained in its bound state to alpha 2-macroglobulin . Dimers of alpha 2-macroglobulin/Mr = 56,000 proteinase complexes cross-linked with anti-Mr = 56,000 proteinase IgG were prepared and subjected to electron microscopic observations . The electron microscopic image of alpha 2-macroglobulin complexed with Mr = 56,000 proteinase had four straight arms with an overall shape looking like the character "H." From the way anti-Mr = 56,000 proteinase IgG linked two alpha 2-macroglobulins, it was concluded that the proteinase existed in the midregion of one of the arms . This result helps us to form a more concrete view of the trap mechanism in that one of the arms of alpha 2-macroglobulin wraps the trapped proteinase and holds it isolated from high molecular weight substrates in the surrounding medium.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Feb, 86(3), 896 - 900
Isolation of a complementary DNA encoding a chitinase with structural homology to a bifunctional lysozyme/chitinase; Metraux JP et al.; An extracellular, acidic chitinase was purified to homogeneity from tobacco necrosis virus-infected leaves of Cucumis sativis . The amino acid sequences of the intact protein and of peptides isolated following endoproteinase Lys-C digestion, cyanogen bromide cleavage, and trypsin digestion were determined . Oligonucleotide probes derived from this sequence were used to isolate a cDNA clone encoding this protein . No significant homology was found between this chitinase and either the basic chitinase isolated from bean or tobacco or the chitinase isolated from Serratia marcescens; however, strong homology was found between the cucumber chitinase and a lysozyme/chitinase from Parthenocissus quinquifolia . The induction of the protein by tobacco necrosis virus infection or salicylate was found to be at the level of RNA accumulation . Genomic Southern analysis indicates that a single gene in the cucumber genome encodes this protein.

Mol Microbiol, 1989 Feb, 3(2), 249 - 55
Molecular cloning and characterization of a genetic region from Serratia marcescens involved in DNA repair; Murphy KE et al.; We report here the molecular isolation of a DNA fragment which encodes Tag-like activity from the Gram-negative bacterium Serratia marcescens . A recombinant plasmid encoding Tag-like activity was isolated from a S . marcescens plasmid gene library by complementation of an Escherichia coli tag mutant, which is deficient in 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase I . The clone complements E . coli tag, recA, alkA, but not alkB, mutants for resistance to the DNA-damaging agent methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) . The coding region of the Tag activity, initially isolated on a 6.5kb BamHI fragment, was defined to a 1.8kb BglII-SmaI fragment . Labelling of plasmid-encoded proteins using maxicells revealed that the 1.8kb fragment encodes two proteins of molecular weights 42,000 and 16,000 . Data presented here suggest that the cloned fragment encodes a DNA repair protein(s) that has similar activity to the 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase I of E . coli.

Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1989 Feb, 8(2), 87 - 93
Infections in pediatric orthotopic heart transplant recipients; Green M et al.; The infectious complications of 31 orthotopic heart transplants in 27 patients performed between 1982 and 1987 were reviewed . Fifteen patients (56%) are alive 704 to 1829 days posttransplantation . Five of the 27 patients died within the first week posttransplantation of noninfectious causes . Infection occurred in 17 of the remaining 22 patients and was the major cause of death in 3 of the 12 fatalities . There were 10 proved and 4 probable bacterial infections . Three of the 10 proved bacterial infections were cases of sepsis with focal complications (two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one Serratia marcescens) resulting in 2 deaths . The cases of sepsis occurred within 12 days of transplantation . There were 11 viral infections . Cytomegalovirus accounted for 7 of these including 1 fatal and 2 nonfatal episodes of disseminated disease . The mean time of onset of cytomegalovirus infection was 33 days . Two cases of fungal disease were identified at autopsy . One additional patient who received intense immunosuppression because of chronic rejection developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia . The most frequent site of infection was the lung with early pneumonias caused by Gram-negative bacteria and later episodes by viral (cytomegalovirus or respiratory syncytial virus) agents.

Epidemiol Infect, 1989 Feb, 102(1), 69 - 74
A hospital outbreak of Serratia marcescens in neurosurgical patients; Lewis AM et al.; We report an outbreak of serious infections with Serratia marcescens in patients on a neurosurgery ward . The epidemiological investigations undertaken are described . Features of outbreaks of infection with serratia and control measures are discussed.

Padiatr Grenzgeb, 1989, 28(5), 299 - 309
{Nosocomial infections caused by multi-resistant Serratia marcescens at a university clinic--clinical aspects and drug resistance}; Halle E et al.; Serratia marcescens (S.m.) has become increasingly important as a nosocomial pathogen and displayed an increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents in the past decade . We recently studied in 1985 and 1986 an epidemic caused by multi resistant S.m . strains that involved 27 infants and 1 adult patient . 14 neonates (in most cases very low birth weight infants) in a neonatal intensive care unit developed a S.m.-septicemia and/or meningitis, 11 of them died . In a ward for young infants with congenital heart diseases 13 patients suffered a S.m . infection and one patient died in the adult intensive care unit in consequence of a S.m . septicemia.

Mol Biother, 1989, 1(3), 145 - 51
Augmentation of natural killer cell activity by ImuVert: a biological response modifier derived from Serratia marcescens; Warren RP et al.; The natural killer (NK) cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy human volunteers was studied following in vitro incubation with ImuVert, a biological response modifier derived from the bacterium Serratia marcescens . Exposure of these cells to ImuVert for as little as 10 minutes followed by an additional incubation in vitro of at least 12 hours and optimally 18 hours resulted in a substantial, consistent, and dose-dependent augmentation of NK cell activity against K562 tumor cells . Additional studies indicate that the augmented cell expressed the leu 11 cell surface marker and that peripheral blood monocytes were essential in the induction of augmented NK cell activity but were not the effector cell of NK activity.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 33(3), 305 - 10
Indicators of spontaneous and stimulated nitroblue tetrazole test of polymorphous-nuclear leucocytes in acute dysentery patients; Nagoev BS et al.; 140 healthy individuals and 93 sick with acute dysentery were subjected to an examination by spontaneous and by bacterial preparations stimulated reaction with nitroblue tetrazole (NBT test) . Indicators in healthy persons were normal in the spontaneous, and increased in the NBT test, stimulated by bacterial preparations . Indicators of the spontaneous NBT test in patients with acute dysentery were raised with a maximum in the period of early convalescence . Stimulation by a live shigella culture--the dysentery vaccine--revealed by means of Sonne diagnostic high, and when endotoxin from Serratia marcescens and dysenterin was used as an inductor, mild indicators of NBT test activity . When a polyvalent agglutinating dysentery serum was used as a stimulator, the activity increased considerably, and a simultaneous use of serum and vaccine had an inhibiting effect on the indicators of the stimulated NBT test . The obtained results testify the sufficient high reserve possibilities of leucocytes towards complete phagocytosis and the efficiency of the NBT test, stimulated by bacterial preparations for the study of functional and metabolic activity of leucocytes in the process of acute bacterial dysentery.

Carlsberg Res Commun, 1989, 54(1), 17 - 27
Purification and characterization of a Serratia marcescens nuclease produced by Escherichia coli; Biedermann K et al.; The primary structure and physical chemical properties were determined of a nuclease expressed and secreted by Escherichia coli . The plasmid p403-SD2 carried a DNA sequence isolated from Serratia marcescens encoding the enzyme . During cultivation of the E . coli cells, 85% of the enzyme was released to the growth medium . The enzyme was purified and exhibited a single band with a molecular weight about 30,600 daltons on SDS-PAGE similar to nuclease isolated from S . marcescens . The amino acid composition and the amino acid sequence determined directly confirmed the primary structure of 245 amino acids predicted from the DNA sequence, and, in addition, the two disulfide bridges were assigned . Several physical chemical properties were examined . The ability of the enzyme to cross the outer membrane is proposed to depend upon the formation of the proper structures during the folding process.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Jan, 171(1), 238 - 43
Mechanistically novel iron(III) transport system in Serratia marcescens; Zimmermann L et al.; A novel iron(III) transport system of Serratia marcescens, named SFU, was cloned and characterized in Escherichia coli . Iron acquisition by this system differed from that by E . coli and related organisms . No siderophore production and no receptor protein related to the SFU system could be detected . In addition, iron uptake was independent of the TonB and ExbB functions . On the cloned 4.8-kilobase sfu fragment, two loci encoding a 36-kilodalton (kDa) protein and three proteins with molecular masses of 40, 38, and 34 kDa were identified; the 40-kDa protein represents a precursor form . Furthermore, chromosomally encoded functions of E . coli were required for the uptake of iron by this system.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1989 Jan, 10(1), 14 - 20
Epidemic of Serratia marcescens bacteremia and meningitis in a neonatal unit in Mexico City; Zaidi M et al.; A case-control study was conducted on an epidemic of bacteremia and meningitis caused by Serratia marcescens in the neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery of a general hospital in Mexico City, Mexico . A 19.9% incidence of bacteremia and meningitis was recorded in contrast to 1.4% and 3.7% during preepidemic and post-epidemic periods; a 69% mortality rate was observed . Peripheral IV catheters and the use of mixed IV fluids prepared in the wards were the major risk factors (P less than 0.001) . Rectal and nasopharyngeal cultures were positive in 68% of asymptomatic neonates and hand cultures were positive in 16.7% of personnel . Strains were resistant to all aminoglycosides and broad-spectrum penicillins, and belonged to the A5/8 biogroup . Containment of this outbreak was difficult because of failure to identify colonized infants early in the epidemic and because of persistent carriage of S marcescens by personnel . Comparisons between this hospital and tertiary care centers in Mexico suggest that in developing countries nosocomial infections could be of greater magnitude in secondary than in tertiary level centers.

Acta Paediatr Scand Suppl, 1989, 360, 113 - 9
Neonatal septicaemia--incidence, etiology and outcome . A 6-year analysis; Grauel EL et al.; Between 1983 and 1988 we observed altogether 222 cases of neonatal septicemia and/or meningitis in our Department of Neonatology . The incidence was 8.46 per 1,000 liveborn infants . The case fatality rate amounted to 45.9% . The most frequently isolated causative agents were Escherichia coli (23.4%) followed by group B Streptococci (16.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae species (8.8%), Serratia marcescens (7.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and coagulase-negative Staphylococci each 5.9% . The report includes information about serotypes of Escherichia coli, group B Streptococci and plasmid patterns of Serratia marcescens . The latter was responsible for an outbreak of septicemia and meningitis with high mortality . The changing infection pattern reflects changes in the newborn population, especially in the patient structure of the neonatal intensive care unit, changes in the antibiotic policy and organizational problems.

Mol Biother, 1989, 1(6), 323 - 7
Augmentation of ADCC and cytotoxic T-cell activity with ImuVert; Warren RP et al.; We previously reported that natural killer cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy human subjects was augmented following in vitro incubation in ImuVert, a biologic response modifier derived from the bacterium Serratia marcescens . In the current investigation, we found that exposure of PBMC to ImuVert, 3-40 micrograms/ml, for 18 hr, resulted in significant and dose-dependent augmentation of three other types of cell-mediated cytotoxicity: K cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), monocyte-mediated ADCC, and cytotoxic T-cell activity against allogeneic PBMC . These and previous findings suggest that ImuVert may have a broad range of stimulatory effects on immune function.

C R Seances Soc Biol Fil, 1989, 183(3), 240 - 6
{Antibiotic resistance plasmids from Serratia marcescens and their elimination by DNA-gyrase inhibitors}; Llanes C et al.; We studied the effects of ciprofloxacin on 73 strains of Serratia marcescens . In the first place, we have tested their plasmidic content: 76% of Serratia marcescens strains contained plasmids by electrophoresis, and 29% of these plasmids were self-transmissible by conjugation . Secondly, we studied the plasmid stability with regard to ciprofloxacin . We obtained a spontaneous cure with 19% of plasmids, and ciprofloxacin, at very low concentrations (0.4 mg/l), increased the rate of cure and more efficiently than novobiocin, a compound used as a known curing agent.

Gene, 1989, 76(2), 281 - 8
Nucleotide sequence of the Vibrio alginolyticus calcium-dependent, detergent-resistant alkaline serine exoprotease A; Deane SM et al.; The nucleotide sequence of the Vibrio alginolyticus alkaline serine exoprotease A (ProA) gene cloned in Escherichia coli was determined . The exoprotease A gene (proA) consisted of 1602 bp which encoded a protein of 534 amino acids (aa) with an Mr of 55,900 . The region upstream from the gene was characterized by a putative promoter consensus region (-10 -35), a ribosome-binding site and ATG start codon . The proA gene encodes a typical 21-aa N-terminal signal sequence which, when fused to alkaline phosphatase by means of transposon TnphoA, was able to mediate transport of the alkaline phosphatase to the periplasm in E . coli . Deletions of up to 106 aa from the C terminus of ProA did not result in the loss of extracellular protease activity . Additional V . alginolyticus genes were not involved in the secretion into the medium of the cloned ProA in E . coli . The amino acid sequence of ProA showed low overall homology to a Serratia marcescens serine exoprotease but significant homology was detected with other subtilisin family exoproteases . The fungal proteinase K, another sodium dodecyl sulfate-resistant protease, had 44% aa homology with ProA.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1989 Jan-Feb, 13(1), 18 - 22
Microbial contamination of continuous drip feedings; Freedland CP et al.; We evaluated the extent and effects of bacterial contamination of an open continuous enteral feeding system . Eighty-two quantitative enteral feeding cultures and clinical data were obtained during 8 days of observation on each of 33 patients . Cultures of appropriate sites were obtained on febrile patients and compared to the enteral feeding culture . Gram negative bacilli (GNB) in the enteral feeding correlated with abdominal distension in the patients (10 of 12 patients with GNB compared to 5 of 21 without GNB; p less than 0.01) . Nine of the 10 patients with GNB and distension were receiving systemic antimicrobics to which the organism was resistant . Contamination of feeding with Serratia marcescens correlated with cultures for the same organism in patients' other body sites (p less than 0.01) . The feeding contaminant may have been the source of sepsis in one patient who expired from septic shock . No relationship was demonstrated between contamination and liquid stools or fever . Undiluted, canned feedings were significantly less contaminated at 24 hr (15%) than those requiring mixing of powder (94%) (p less than 0.0001) . The canned feedings grew primarily enteric organisms, whereas the powder feedings grew flora typically resident on the skin . Mixing or diluting feedings appears to represent an increased risk of contamination . Growth of GNB may produce adverse effects . Further investigation into methods to limit contamination and growth is warranted.

Microbiol Immunol, 1989, 33(4), 257 - 63
A protein associated with prodigiosin formation in Serratia marcescens; Kobayashi N et al.; A protein associated to prodigiosin formation was found in Serratia marcescens . The protein was not found in nonpigmented strains and was correlated with the pigment level . The protein was about 100 kilodaltons (kDa) and was also found in nonpigmented bacteria of the pigmented strain grown in glucose medium, at high temperature, or under anaerobic condition . The 100 kDa protein was found not in the outer membrane and the periplasm, but in the inner membrane and/or the cytoplasm . The protein was also found singly or dominantly in pigment-protein complexes and pigment-localizing vesicles described in previous reports . These results suggest that the 100 kDa protein is associated with prodigiosin formation.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Dec, 32(12), 1834 - 8
Construction of a probe for the aminoglycoside 3-V-acetyltransferase gene and detection of the gene among endemic clinical isolates; Barg NL; A recent surveillance study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center indicated that 8.5% of the gram-negative bacilli isolated were resistant to gentamicin . To determine what proportion of current gentamicin-resistant isolates elaborated aminoglycoside 3-V-acetyltransferase {AAC(3)-V}, a probe for this gene was constructed from a 975-base-pair PstI-SalI fragment of the nonconjugative R plasmid pCER954b . This plasmid was first isolated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from epidemic strains of Serratia marcescens . Nineteen isolates determined to produce AAC(3)-V by MIC profile all reacted with the probe . The probe did not hybridize with DNA from organisms producing 10 other aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme types . With this probe, 30 (36%) of 84 gentamicin-resistant, gram-negative bacilli elaborated AAC(3)-V . Of these 30 isolates, 25 contained a conjugative plasmid that transferred gentamicin resistance . In contrast to other medical centers, at Vanderbilt a sizable number of gentamicin-resistant, gram-negative bacilli produced AAC(3)-V . This resistance determinant, initially identified in an epidemic Serratia strain, has persisted and become incorporated into currently isolated endemic strains of gram-negative bacilli.

South Med J, 1988 Dec, 81(12), 1496 - 8
Infections caused by central venous catheters in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Prichard JG et al.; We assessed infectious complications of long-term percutaneous central venous catheterization in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . We evaluated 98 consecutive patients, accounting for 6,298 catheter days . Catheter-associated bacteremia occurred in 3% of patients, a rate of 0.128%/patient-catheter day . Only bacterial pathogens--Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Staphylococcus species--were isolated . Five patients had infection at the catheter exit site . The length of time catheters were indwelling was not significantly different in patients with and those without infections . Percutaneous, multiple-use central venous catheters are safe and well accepted by patients with AIDS.

Drugs, 1988 Dec, 36(6), 732 - 53
Nimesulide . A preliminary review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in inflammation and pain states; Ward A et al.; Nimesulide is a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic agent given orally or rectally on a twice daily basis in a number of inflammatory and pain states . Although still at an early stage of clinical assessment, preliminary evidence suggests that nimesulide 200 to 400mg daily is significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the pain, fever and inflammatory symptoms of chronic rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, respiratory tract infections, otorhinolaryngological diseases, soft tissue and oral cavity inflammation, dysmenorrhoea, phlebitis/thrombosis, urogenital disease and postoperative pain states . In a number of comparative studies, nimesulide has also been shown to be more effective than piroxicam (in osteoarthritis), paracetamol (acetaminophen) {in respiratory tract inflammation}, benzydamine or naproxen (in otorhinolaryngological disease), phenylprenazone (in laryngotracheitis/bronchitis, respiratory inflammation and otorhinolaryngological disease), Serratia peptidases (in postoperative or dental pain, trauma and phlebitis), ketoprofen (in postoperative dental pain) and mefenamic acid (in dysmenorrhoea) . In addition, the efficacy of nimesulide has been observed to be comparable with that of aspirin, with or without vitamin C, and mefenamic acid (in respiratory tract infection), ibuprofen (in soft tissue disease), naproxen (in respiratory tract inflammation, dysmenorrhoea and postoperative pain states), suprofen and paracetamol (in postoperative pain states), benzydamine (in genitourinary tract inflammation) and dipyrone, paracetamol or diclofenac (in fever) . The safety profile of nimesulide has yet to be fully established, although initial evidence suggests the usual adverse effects associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs occur, possibly with a lower incidence of gastrointestinal problems than with other members in its therapeutic class . Nimesulide, therefore, appears to offer a useful alternative to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of patients with inflammatory conditions and/or pain and fever states . However, further definition of its efficacy and tolerability is clearly required, particularly in comparison with established or other new drugs in its therapeutic class.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Dec, 170(12), 5855 - 62
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene for extracellular phospholipase A1 from Serratia liquefaciens; Givskov M et al.; From a genomic library of Serratia liquefaciens, a cloned DNA fragment comprising a two-gene operon was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli . One of the gene products was identified as a phospholipase A1, and the enzyme was found to be excreted to the outer environment from S . liquefaciens as well as from E . coli . Both genes were sequenced, and the relationship between open reading frames in the DNA sequence and in vitro-expressed polypeptides was established . The length of the phospholipase polypeptide was found to be 319 amino acids . In the amino-terminal end of the coding sequence was a stretch of about 20 hydrophobic amino acids, but, in contrast to consensus signal peptides, no basic residues were present . The length of the second polypeptide was 227 amino acids . It was found that expression of the phospholipase gene in both E . coli and S . liquefaciens was growth phase regulated (late expression).

Bioorg Khim, 1988 Dec, 14(12), 1684 - 9
{Antigenic polysaccharides of bacteria . 35 . Establishment of the structure of polysaccharide chains of lipopolysaccharides of Pseudomonas cepacia IMV 4176 and IMV 4202 (Serotype 3)}; Knirel' IuA et al.; On mild acid degradation of the Pseudomonas cepacia strain IMV 4176 lipopolysaccharide, two polysaccharides were obtained, one of which is a homopolymer of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and the other is composed of equal amounts of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-ribose . Partial hydrolysis with aqueous oxalic acid caused depolymerization of the heteropolysaccharide, and the homopolysaccharide was isolated in the individual state . On the basis of methylation and 13C NMR analysis, it was concluded that both polysaccharides are built up of disaccharide repeating units having the following structures: ----4)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1----4)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1---- and ----4)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1----2)-beta-D-Ribf-(1---- . The heteropolysaccharide from P . cepacia strain 4176 is identical by the structure of the repeating unit to the O-specific polysaccharide of P . cepacia strain IMV 4202 (serotype 3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa O12 and Serratia marcescens O14.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Nov, 54(11), 2603 - 7
Molecular cloning of the penicillin G acylase gene from Arthrobacter viscosus; Ohashi H et al.; Penicillin G acylase was purified from the cultured filtrate of Arthrobacter viscosus 8895GU and was found to consist of two distinct subunits with apparent molecular weights of 24,000 (alpha) and 60,000 (beta) . The partial N-terminal amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta subunits were determined with a protein gas phase sequencer, and a 29-base oligonucleotide corresponding to the partial amino acid sequence of the alpha subunit was synthesized . An Escherichia coli transformant having the penicillin G acylase gene was isolated from an A . viscosus gene library by hybridization with the 29-base probe . The resulting positive clone was further screened by the Serratia marcescens overlay technique . E . coli carrying a plasmid designated pHYM-1 was found to produce penicillin G acylase in the cells . This plasmid had an 8.0-kilobase pair DNA fragment inserted in the EcoRI site of pACYC184.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Nov, 22(5), 587 - 96
Cloning and characterization of an AAC(6') gene from Serratia marcescens; Champion HM et al.; A gene encoding AAC(6') mediated resistance to netilmicin and amikacin was cloned from the chromosome of a nosocomial strain of Serratia marcescens into the BamHI site of pACYC184 . The resistance determinant was localized to a sequence of approximately 1 kb . A 490 base pair BamHI-PvuII restriction fragment from the cloned DNA was used as a probe in Southern hybridization studies . Homology with a 920 base pair fragment of PvuII digested S . marcescens DNA from AAC(6')-producing strains was observed . No homology was detected with aminoglycoside sensitive S . marcescens or Escherichia coli.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Nov, 170(11), 5146 - 52
Influence of growth temperature and lipopolysaccharide on hemolytic activity of Serratia marcescens; Poole K et al.; Log-phase cells of Serratia marcescens cultured at 30 degrees C were approximately 10-fold more hemolytic than those grown at 37 degrees C . By using a cloned gene fusion of the promoter-proximal part of the hemolysin gene (shlA) to the Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase gene (phoA), hemolysin gene expression as a function of alkaline phosphatase activity was measured at 30 and 37 degrees C . No difference in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed as a function of growth temperature, although more hemolysin was detectable immunologically in whole-cell extracts of cells grown at 30 degrees C . The influence of temperature was, however, growth phase dependent, because the hemolytic activities of cells cultured to early log phase at 30 and 37 degrees C were comparable . Given the outer membrane location of the hemolysin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was examined as a candidate for mediating the temperature effect on hemolytic activity . Silver staining of LPS in polyacrylamide gels revealed a shift towards shorter O-antigen molecules at 37 degrees C relative to 30 degrees C . Moreover, there was less binding of O-antigen-specific bacteriophage to S . marcescens with increasing growth temperature, a finding consistent with temperature-mediated changes in LPS structure . Smooth strains of S . marcescens were 20- to 30-fold more hemolytic than rough derivatives, a result confirming that changes in LPS structure can influence hemolytic activity . The alkaline phosphatase activity of rough strains harboring the shlA-phoA fusion was threefold lower than that of smooth strains harboring the fusion plasmids, a result consistent with a decrease in hemolysin gene expression in rough strains . The absence of a similar effect of temperature on gene expression may be related to less-marked changes in LPS structure as a function of temperature compared with a smooth-to-rough mutational change.

Infect Immun, 1988 Nov, 56(11), 2967 - 71
Iron regulation of Serratia marcescens hemolysin gene expression; Poole K et al.; The hemolytic activity of Serratia marcescens was examined as a function of iron availability . Restriction of iron by the nonmetabolizable chelator 2,2'-dipyridyl or the iron-binding protein transferrin produced a marked increase in hemolytic activity . The hemolytic activity of S . marcescens is determined by two adjacent genes, 5'-shlB-shlA-3', where shlA encodes the hemolysin which requires the ShlB protein for activity . A gene fusion between the promoter-proximal portion of shlA and phoA, the Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase gene, was subcloned into a medium-copy-number vector, and the recombinant plasmid was introduced into S . marcescens . The expression of shlA was measured as a function of alkaline phosphatase activity, which increased threefold under iron-restricted conditions . Removal of the 5' noncoding region upstream of shlB in the fusion vector resulted in a 10-fold decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity under iron-sufficient conditions, with no effect of iron limitation on this residual activity . This suggested that the site mediating iron regulation of shlA expression occurs upstream of shlB . Consistent with this, we observed iron-regulated synthesis of the ShlB protein in Western immunoblots of isolated outer membranes . The hemolysin determinant was subsequently expressed on a medium-copy-number vector in fur+/fur isogenic strains of E . coli K-12, where a 10-fold-higher activity was observed in the mutant strain compared with the wild type . A sequence exhibiting some homology to the Fur-binding consensus sequence was identified upstream of the shlB coding region, overlapping the -35 region of a putative promoter.

Thromb Haemost, 1988 Oct 31, 60(2), 182 - 7
Glycoprotein Ib has a partial role in platelet-von Willebrand factor collagen interaction; Aihara M et al.; The adhesion of human fixed washed platelets (FWP) to collagen was decreased after treatment with Serratia marcescens protease (SP), which removed 95% of the glycocalicin from platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib . However, the diminished adhesion of SP treated FWP to collagen could still be increased in the presence of purified von Willebrand factor (vWF) . This ability to vWF to increase FWP adhesion to collagen is defined as collagen cofactor (CCo) . The adhesion of FWP to collagen was not affected by a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to GP IIb/IIIa (10E5), that inhibits ADP and collagen induced platelet aggregation . On the other hand, it was decreased by 50% by a MAb to GP Ib (6D1), that inhibits ristocetin induced platelet aggregation . Adhesion of FWP in buffer to collagen was completely inhibited by Ricinus communis agglutinin I or concanavalin A, while Lens culinalis agglutinin and wheat germ agglutinin showed 50% inhibition . The FWP adhesion to collagen in the presence of vWF (normal plasma) was unaffected by MAbs to GP IIb/IIIa (10E5, P2, HPL1) but was decreased to 32-38% by MAbs to GP Ib (6D1, AN51, HPL11) . A MAb to vWF (CLB-RAg 35), that inhibits ristocetin induced binding of vWF to platelets, decreased the CCo of normal plasma by 70% . The MAb, CLB-RAg 201, that inhibits the binding of vWF to collagen, completely inhibited the CCo of normal plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1988 Oct, 104(4), 616 - 21
Characterization of 73 kDa thiol protease from Serratia marcescens and its effect on plasma proteins; Molla A et al.; The 73-kDa protease (73K protease) was purified from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens kums 3958 . The purified protease appeared homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of 2-mercaptoethanol . The protease is active in a broad pH range with maximum activity at pH 7.5-8.0 . The protease appeared to be a thiol protease, since it was inhibited by sulfhydryl reactive compounds such as p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, fluorescein mercuric acetate (FMA), iodoacetamide, and N-ethylmaleimide, and the protease activity was enhanced by various reducing agents such as cysteine, glutathione, 2-mercaptoethanol, and dithiothreitol . The protease contained 2 mol of free sulfhydryl residues per mol of protease . When the protease was reacted with FMA, a maximum of 2 mol of FMA per mol of enzyme was found reacted, based on fluorescence quenching in which the enzyme inactivation was paralleled linearly with the loss of both SH groups . This indicates possible equal involvement of the two thiol groups for the enzyme activity . The inactivation of the protease by FMA was partially restored by a dialysis in the presence of cysteine or dithiothreitol . The protease was not inhibited by high molecular weight kininogen but was inhibited by alpha 2-macroglobulin . The protease bound stoichiometrically to alpha 2-macroglobulin with 1:1 molar ratio and 25% activity remained constant even after the addition of 4 molar excess of alpha 2-macroglobulin . The protease extensively degraded IgG, IgA, fibronectin, fibrinogen, and alpha 1-protease inhibitor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ann Intern Med, 1988 Sep 1, 109(5), 394 - 8
Removal of nosocomial pathogens from the contaminated glove . Implications for glove reuse and handwashing; Doebbeling BN et al.; STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of three different types of handcleansing agents in decontaminating gloved hands that were inoculated with a series of four nosocomial pathogens . DESIGN: A controlled, experimental trial . SETTING: Tertiary care referral center . PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Five healthy volunteers participated in all portions of the study . INTERVENTIONS: A standard concentration of one of four representative nosocomial pathogens was placed on the gloved hand, spread, and allowed to dry . One of three different handcleansing agents--a nonmedicated soap, a 60% isopropyl alcohol preparation, or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate--was used to cleanse the gloves, which were cultured using a broth-bag technique . The gloves were then removed and the hands were cultured in a similar manner . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The handwashing agents reduced the median log10 counts of organisms to 2.1 to 3.9 after an inoculation of 10(7) colony forming units . The proportion of positive glove cultures for Staphylococcus aureus, 8% to 100%; Serratia marcescens, 16% to 100%; and Candida albicans, 4% to 60% varied greatly after use of the different handcleansers (P less than 0.001), and varied considerably for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 20% to 48% (P = 0.085) . After the gloves were removed, the differences among the observed proportions of hands contaminated with the test organisms varied from 5% to 50%, depending on the handcleansing agent used (P less than 0.001) . CONCLUSIONS: In the era of universal precautions these data suggest that it may not be prudent to wash and reuse gloves between patients . Further, handwashing is strongly encouraged after removal of gloves.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 1801 - 9
Detection of Vibrio cholerae with monoclonal antibodies specific for serovar O1 lipopolysaccharide; Adams LB et al.; Six hybridoma cell lines, each of which produced a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against Vibrio cholerae O1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were established . Each MAb was active serologically by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the slide agglutination test . In the ELISA, each MAb was tested against 7 O1 and 9 non-O1 LPS preparations . Three MAbs reacted with both Inaba and Ogawa serovars (A antigen), two MAbs reacted with the Ogawa serovars only (B antigen), and one MAb reacted with the Inaba serovars only (C antigen) . Each MAb was also tested in the ELISA against whole-cell preparations of 37 O1 and 52 non-O1 V . cholerae serovars, 20 heterologous Vibrio species, and 37 heterologous bacterial species . The MAbs reacted with V . cholerae O1 cells only, except for one anti-A antigen MAb which reacted weakly with five V . cholerae non-O1 serovars and Serratia marcescens . Each anti-A antigen MAb was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and tested by direct immunofluorescence against selected O1 and non-O1 serovars . Each MAb-FITC conjugate, when tested alone, exhibited O1-specific fluorescence; however, mixtures of the MAb-FITC dramatically enhanced fluorescence intensity on O1 cells . This finding was also visualized by immunoelectron microscopy on both thin-sectioned and negatively stained O1 cells by using an anti-mouse immunoglobulin-colloidal gold conjugate . These results suggest that the A antigen can be described by more than one epitope and that a superior serotyping reagent can be prepared from a defined mixture of MAbs.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Sep, 170(9), 4361 - 4
Increased cell surface hydrophobicity of a Serratia marcescens NS 38 mutant lacking wetting activity; Bar-Ness R et al.; The cell surface hydrophobicity of Serratia marcescens appears to be an important factor in its adhesion to and colonization of various interfaces . The cell surface components responsible for mediating the hydrophobicity of S . marcescens have not been completely elucidated, but may include prodigiosin and other factors . In the present report we have investigated the potential role of serratamolide, an amphipathic aminolipid present on the surfaces of certain S . marcescens strains, in modulating cell surface hydrophobicity . The hydrophobic properties of a serratamolide-producing strain (NS 38) were compared with those of a serratamolide-deficient mutant (NS 38-9) by monitoring the kinetics of adhesion to hexadecane . Serratamolide production was monitored by thin-layer chromatography and the wetting activity of washed-cell suspensions on polystyrene . Wild-type NS 38 cells were far less hydrophobic than the serratamolide-deficient mutant cells were; the removal coefficients were 48 min-1 for the mutant, as compared with only 18 min-1 for the wild type . The data suggest that the presence of serratamolide on S . marcescens cells results in a reduction in hydrophobicity, presumably by blocking hydrophobic sites on the cell surface.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Sep, 32(9), 1379 - 84
Isolation, characterization, and cloning of a plasmid-borne gene encoding a phosphotransferase that confers high-level amikacin resistance in enteric bacilli; Gaynes R et al.; Clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens at a hospital that had used amikacin as its principal aminoglycoside for the preceding 42 months demonstrated high-level resistance to amikacin (greater than or equal to 256 micrograms/ml), kanamycin (greater than or equal to 256 micrograms/ml), gentamicin (greater than or equal to 64 micrograms/ml), netilmicin (64 micrograms/ml), and tobramycin (greater than or equal to 16 micrograms/ml) . The resistant strains contained an identical 6.8-kilobase plasmid, pRPG101 . Transformation of pRPG101 into Escherichia coli produced high-level resistance to amikacin (greater than or equal to 256 micrograms/ml) and kanamycin (greater than or equal to 256 micrograms/ml) but unchanged susceptibilities to gentamicin, netilmicin, and tobramycin . The clinical isolates and transformants produced a novel 3'-phosphotransferase, APH(3'), that modified amikacin and kanamycin in vitro . The location and orientation of the amk gene encoding this APH(3') were determined by analysis of insertions in pRPG101 of the defective gene fusion phage Mu dII1681 (mini-Mulac) . Cells containing plasmids with insertions into amk that had the lac operon fused to the amk promoter were selected as Lac+ and amikacin susceptible . A collection of these mini-Mulac insertions was mapped by restriction enzyme analysis . This characterization of amk facilitated its cloning as a 1.8-kilobase EcoRI-Bg/I fragment of pRPG101 into the pUC19 vector . E . coli strains containing this recombinant plasmid had APH(3') activity and demonstrated high-level resistance to amikacin and kanamycin (greater than or equal to 256 micrograms/ml) but were as susceptible to gentamicin, tobramycin, and netilmicin (less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml) as the strains harboring the original pRPG101 plasmid.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Sep, 170(9), 4141 - 6
Genetic analysis of extracellular proteins of Serratia marcescens; Hines DA et al.; Serratia marcescens, a gram-negative enteric bacterium, is capable of secreting a number of proteins extracellularly . The types of activity found in the growth media include proteases, chitinases, a nuclease, and a lipase . Genetic studies have been undertaken to investigate the mechanisms used for the extracellular secretion of these exoproteins by S . marcescens . Many independent mutations affecting the extracellular enzymes were isolated after chemical and transposon mutagenesis . Using indicator media, we have identified loci involved in the production or excretion of extracellular protease, nuclease, or chitinase by S . marcescens . None of the mutations represented general extracellular-excretion mutants; in no case was the production or excretion of multiple exoproteins affected . A variety of loci were identified, including regulatory mutations affecting nuclease and chitinase expression . A number of phenotypically different protease mutants arose . Some of them may represent different gene products required for the production and excretion of the major metalloprotease, a process more complex than that for the other S . marcescens exoproteins characterized to date.

Carbohydr Res, 1988 Aug 15, 179, 341 - 8
Structural studies of an acidic galactomannan from the reference strain for Serratia marcescens serogroup O4; Oxley D et al.; An acidic, partially acetylated galactomannan has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the reference strain (C.D.C . 864-57) for Serratia marcescens serogroup O4 . From the results of methylation analysis, Smith degradations, and n.m.r . spectroscopic studies of the O-deacetylated polymer, it was concluded that the repeating unit has the structure shown, in which the acetal-linked pyruvic acid has the R configuration . The polymer is believed to confer O specificity on the organism, but not to constitute the side chain of the lipopolysaccharide . (formula; see text).

Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1988 Aug, 21(3), 165 - 78
Serogrouping, plasmid and drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Taiwan; Ding MJ et al.; The Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in Taiwan were grouped with antisera against O antigens and tested with 13 different antimicrobial agents . Group E (28%) lead in serogrouping, followed by Group G (19%), Group F (16%), Group B and Group H (12%, respectively), and there were no significant differences in distribution of serogroups among the isolates from different areas in Taiwan . Amikacin (75%) and piperacillin (74%) were the most effective antibiotics, followed by tobramycin (63%), carbenicillin (62%), ticarcillin (57%) and gentamicin (56%) . Group F strains were relatively more susceptible to most of the antibiotics tested than strains of other serogroups . All strains tested were multiple drug resistance . Thirty percent (67/224) of P . aeruginosa carried plasmids . The average number of resistant markers per strain was 8.7 for plasmid-carrying strains as compared to 7.6 for plasmid-free strains . The plasmid-carrying strains showed higher drug resistance than plasmid-free strains . Twenty-seven percent (13/48) of plasmid-carrying strains contained R plasmids which were detected by transformation (6/23) and conjugation (7/25) . These R plasmids totally encoded at least seven different resistant markers . The R plasmid from P . aeruginosa 119 was not modified after transforming into Escherichia coli RR1 . The R plasmids of P . aeruginosa transferred into E . coli RR1 or Serratia marcescens 73 caused some changes in the outer membrane of transformants or transconjugants . Some R plasmid-carrying strains and their transformants or transconjugants exhibited the ability to produce acetyltransferase.

Epidemiol Infect, 1988 Aug, 101(1), 143 - 9
Serratia marcescens infection associated with early abortion in cows and buffaloes; Das AM et al.; Serratia marcescens was isolated in pure culture from cases of septic abortion in 4 cows on one farm and 10 buffaloes on two other farms . A reddish vaginal discharge was observed after abortion in all animals and in the internal organs of the aborted fetuses . All but two of the isolates produced prodigiosin, and two of the isolates from buffaloes were atypical in that they fermented raffinose . O-serological, bacteriophage and bacteriocin typing revealed four different strains . All cows were infected by the same strain, and this strain was also isolated from the semen of a breeding bull on the same farm . In another farm a strain of serotype O 14 was isolated from 6 of 10 buffaloes, and two other distinct strains were isolated from the remainder . The strain from the cattle was sensitive to gentamicin and so were two of the buffalo isolates . The infected cows were treated with intra-uterine gentamicin and the organism disappeared from cervical mucus after 3 days . Each animal after abortion showed a raised titre of agglutinating antibody to their respective isolate . A survey of 1172 healthy buffaloes and cattle gave an incidence of 1.8% with raised titres towards S . marcescens.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Jul 6, 934(2), 191 - 200
The constitutive K+ pump in Serratia marcescens; Khachatryan AZ et al.; Transport of K+ and H+ in the anaeronically and aerobically grown bacterium Serratia marcescens has been studied . The volumes of one cell of the anaerobically and aerobically grown bacterium were 3.7 X 10(-13) cm3 and 2.4 X 10(-13) cm3, respectively . Irrespective of the growth conditions the bacteria manifested the same respiration rate . However, the values of membrane potential for the anaerobically and aerobically grown bacterium were different and equal to -130 mV and -175 mV (interior negative), respectively, in the absence of an exogenic energy source . KCN + DCCD decreases delta psi down to almost zero in both species . DCCD alone decreases delta psi partially in anaerobes and increases delta psi in aerobes, whereas KCN alone reduces delta psi partially in both species . The introduction of glucose into the medium containing K+ reduces the absolute value of delta psi to {-160} mV in aerobes and to {-20} mV in anaerobes . The effect is not observed without external K+ . In the presence of arsenate a delta psi is not reduced after the addition of glucose . At pH 7.5-7.8 the ATP level in aerobes grows notably faster than in anaerobes . The H+ extrusion becomes intensified when K+ uptake is activated by the increase in external osmotic pressure . Apparent Km and Vmax for K+ accumulation are 1.2 mM and 0.4 mM.min-1.g-1 . The decrease of delta psi by glucose or KCN + DCCD have no effect on the K+ uptake whereas CCCP inhibits potassium accumulation . At the same time, arsenate stabilizes the delta psi value, but blocks K+ uptake . The accumulation of K+ correlates with the potassium equilibrium potential of -200 mV calculated according to the Nernst equation, whereas the delta psi measured was not more than {-25} mV . The calculated H+/ATP stoichiometry was 3.3 for aerobes . It was assumed that a constitutive K+ pump having a K+/ATP ratio equal to 2 or 3 operates in S . marcescens membranes.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Jul, 26(7), 1409 - 10
Serratia plymuthica osteomyelitis following a motorcycle accident; Zbinden R et al.; Serratia plymuthica was isolated from the sinus tract and from the infected bone in a case of chronic osteomyelitis following an accident of a motorcyclist . This is the second case in which S . plymuthica was a significant pathogen . Previously, a case of S . plymuthica sepsis associated with infection of a central venous catheter was described.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Jul, 170(7), 3177 - 88
Molecular characterization of the hemolysin determinant of Serratia marcescens; Poole K et al.; The nucleotide sequence of a 7.3-kilobase-pair fragment of DNA encoding a hemolytic activity from Serratia marcescens was determined . Two large open reading frames were identified, designated shlA (Serratia hemolysin) and shlB, capable of encoding polypeptides of 165, 056 and 61,897 molecular weight, respectively . Both reading frames were expressed in vivo . The shlB gene product was localized to the outer membrane of Escherichia coli cells harboring the S . marcescens hemolysin determinant . Consistent with this location, a signallike sequence was identified at the N terminus of the polypeptide predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the shlB gene . Hyperexpression of the shlB locus permitted the identification of two shlB-encoded polypeptides of 65,000 and 62,000 molecular weight, respectively . Determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified 62,000-molecular-weight protein confirmed that it was the mature form of the ShlB protein initially synthesized as a precursor (65,000-molecular-weight protein) . By using polyclonal antisera raised against the purified proteins, ShlA and ShlB were identified in the outer membrane of S . marcescens . The shlA gene product was shown to interact with erythrocyte membranes, confirming it as the hemolysin proper . Both hemolysis and the interaction of ShlA with erythrocyte membranes did, however, require the ShlB function . Progressive deletion of the C terminus of the ShlA protein gradually reduced hemolytic activity until 37% of the amino acids had been removed . Elimination of 54% of the amino acids produced a nonhemolytic protein which, however, was still capable of associating with erythrocyte membranes.

An Esp Pediatr, 1988 Jul, 29(1), 23 - 5
{Serratia marcescens and neonatal sepsis}; Malvehy Rovira J et al.; Authors review infections produced by Serratia marcescens which arose in our neonatal unit from 1982 to 1984, both inclusive . From a total of 4.353 newborns admitted, Serratia marcescens was isolated in 51 newborns; 26 of them exhibited a clinical picture of sepsis, remaining 25 being considered as contaminated . By comparing various characteristics of the contaminated and septic newborns, no difference was found related to sex, gestational age, prenatal pathology, type of delivery, Apgar score, birth-weight or time of diagnosis . Only difference between both groups was severity of intercurrent process and consequently, whether or not were they subject to previous antibiotic treatment and invasive therapeutic maneuvers . Authors conclude that perinatal factors seem to be not so important, as far as supporting a disseminated infection by this organism in concerned, in contrast to former observation by the others authors.

J Bacteriol, 1988 Jul, 170(7), 2984 - 8
Cloning of the genes of the chitin utilization regulon of Serratia liquefaciens; Joshi S et al.; The set of genes that determine the expression of the enzymes involved in chitin degradation by Serratia liquefaciens was cloned . The role of each gene was investigated, and for the first time regulatory genes were identified in this system . The chiA and chiB genes coded for separate chitinase activities . The chiC region coded for a chitobiase activity, but it was not formally separated from chiB . Transposon mutagenesis and deletion analysis identified a region, chiD, whose absence led to higher expression of chiA, chiB, and chiC . chiD may therefore be a gene that codes for a repressor . Loss of function of another adjacent region, chiE, prevented induction unless a chiE+ strain was a near neighbor, suggesting that this gene may code for a protein that is involved in the synthesis of the inducer . chiB, chiC, chiD, and chiE are closely linked, while chiA is in a separate location on the chromosome.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Jun 29, 955(1), 77 - 85
Interdomain cleavage of plasma fibronectin by zinc-metalloproteinase from Serratia marcescens; Molla A et al.; Limited proteolysis of porcine plasma fibronectin by the 56 kDa proteinase (56K proteinase) (EC 3.4.24.4) from Serratia marcescens released six polypeptides: a 27 kDa peptide, the heparin-binding domain which comprises the NH2-terminal end; a 50 kDa peptide, a mid-molecule that mediates binding to gelatin or collagen; a 160 kDa peptide, that contained the heparin-binding domain with cell-spreading activity; and a 140 and a 20 kDa peptide which released from the 160 kDa peptide . Each fragment was purified and characterized by its chemical and biological properties, and it was found that they were respectively different domains . Both the 160 and the 140 kDa peptide contained one cysteine per mole of peptide . The 160 kDa peptides were connected by a 6 kDa peptide, which was present at the COOH-terminal end of the molecule and was biologically inactive . Only 6 kDa peptide contained a disulfide bond and produced 3 kDa peptide after reduction, whereas other fragments did not change with or without reduction on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . NH2-terminal sequence analyses of the released peptides showed that the 56K proteinase cleaved the fibronectin between the Arg-Thr (located at two different sites), Leu-Ser and Gln-Glu bonds . Out of 118 Arg residues, there are nine sequences containing Arg-Thr, and two of them near or at an interdomain location (at Arg 259 and 2239) were cleaved . Out of 124 Leu residues, there are 11 Leu-Ser sequences and only one, at 687, was cleaved . The above fragments with functional domain activity could be aligned according to the previously reported amino-acid sequence of human or bovine plasma fibronectin . The treatment of fibroblast cells by the 56K proteinase resulted in loss of morphological integrity and extracellular matrix.

Presse Med, 1988 Jun 18, 17(24), 1255 - 8
{Nosocomial septicemia and pseudobacteremia caused by Serratia marcescens}; Cetre JC et al.; An epidemiological survey was carried out which included a dual epidemic of septicaemia and pseudo-bacteremia caused by Serratia marcescens . The survey enabled 15 septicaemias and 43 pseudobacteremias to be detected in a regional hospital between March and August, 1983 . Two mishandlings were at the origin of the outbreak: citrated tube normally reserved for coagulation tests were severely contaminated by Serratia marcescens, and inaccurate samplings had been made . Once the mechanisms of contamination were found, specific preventive measures put an end to the epidemic . The authors insist on the need for uncontaminated tubes and citrate solutions and for the development of precise sampling methods which are essential to avoid the occurrence of pseudo-bacteremia or septicaemia . It is important to detect such epidemics at an early stage by an efficient control of nosocomial infections, thus avoiding their extension.

J Biol Response Mod, 1988 Jun, 7(3), 296 - 308
Isolation of a nonendotoxic antitumor preparation from Serratia marcescens; Nowotny A et al.; White-type polysaccharide preparation (WPS) obtained from Serratia marcescens bacteria by hot 0.2 N acetic acid extraction was shown to have antitumor effects . These were manifested by enhanced resistance to the take of TA3 transplantable murine adenocarcinoma and by the induction of regression of Meth A sarcoma in mice . Optimal conditions for the liberation and isolation of these substances were sought to achieve the highest antitumor activity and the lowest endotoxin (ET) content . Simultaneously, the activities of the WPS preparations were tested in various tests which are frequently used as in vitro correlates of in vivo antitumor effects, such as the activation of macrophage cytotoxicity, activation of natural killer (NK) cells, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) generation . We found that the enhanced resistance to the take of TA3 tumor correlated with ET content of the WPS preparations . Preparations with reduced or no ET content showed diminishing activity in this assay or were without any measurable effect . The induction of TNF production and NK activation did not show such close relationship with the ET content . This was particularly evident if testing WPS samples obtained after 60 or 120 min hydrolysis at 90 degrees C . The greatest discrepancy was found between ET content and the Meth A regression induction . Samples with no detectable ET content and no activity in the macrophage, NK, or TNF tests were potent inducers of Meth A regression . Partial purification of such WPS samples could be achieved and a preparation was obtained with high Meth A regression capacity . Preliminary chemical analysis of this preparation showed 25.5% amino acid, 53.7% neutral carbohydrate, less than 0.4% KDO, 0.8% hexosamine, less than 0.1% phosphorous, and less 1.0% long-chain carboxylic acid content . The above chemical analytical data are not consistent with designating such preparations as ET or ET derivatives, such as Lipid A or its split products . This conclusion was confirmed by the lack of endotoxic properties as determined by biological assays on this preparation.

Cancer, 1988 Jun 1, 61(11), 2219 - 30
Effect of the mixed bacterial vaccine on the immune response of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and refractory malignancies; Axelrod RS et al.; Since 1984, 13 patients were entered into our study and 12 patients have completed one or more cycles of treatment with mixed bacterial vaccine (MBV), a natural biologic response modifier derived from Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens . Eight patients with refractory malignancy were treated with MBV only (0.1 ml intravenously {IV}) twice weekly for 3-16 weeks (colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, chronic lymphatic leukemia, hepatoma {two patients}, sarcoma {three patients}) . Four patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were treated with MBV in combination with low-dose cyclophosphamide, day 1; cisplatin, day 15; and MBV, 0.1 ml IV, days 5, 7, and 9 . Two patients in this study received cyclophosphamide and cisplatin alone . The cycle was repeated every 28 days . Plasma interferon levels, interleukin-2 production by peripheral lymphocytes, and lymphocyte subpopulations were monitored . Interferon levels and interleukin-2 production showed increased or sustained values in general . In some patients, B-cells and helper T-cell populations increased, whereas T-suppressor cell numbers declined . With one exception, side effects were mild and consisted of fever greater than 37.8 degrees C (nine of 13), chills (11 of 13), increased respiratory rate (nine of 13), minor changes in blood pressure (seven of 13), and nausea (three of 13) . One patient with non-small cell lung cancer had a partial response . Two patients with non-small cell lung cancer and one patient with refractory malignancy had stable disease and performance status at the end of 8 weeks of treatment; one patient with refractory malignancy was stable at the end of 4 weeks of treatment . In this pilot study, cancer patients treated with MBV showed objective evidence of immune stimulation with acceptable toxicity.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 May, 21(5), 535 - 44
Selection of netilmicin resistance, associated with increased 6' aminoglycoside acetyltransferase activity, in Serratia marcescens; Hawkey PM et al.; Eight aminoglycoside-sensitive clinical strains of Serratia marcescens were serially passaged through broth containing increasing sub-inhibitory concentrations of netilmicin . Before each subculture the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase activity of the bacteria was determined . After up to eight transfers all the strains showed an increase in resistance to netilmicin (MIC greater than 32 mg/l) and MICs for two of the strains exceeded 1000 mg/l . Six of the eight strains showed significant increases in aminoglycoside acetylating activity in accompaniment with the development of resistance . The greatest rises in enzyme activity (eight- and four-fold) were in the strains where the netilmicin MICs for the resistant derivatives exceeded 1000 mg/l . The aminoglycoside acetylating enzyme present was identified as AAC 6'-I by two methods . After five subcultures in antibiotic-free medium, the two derivatives with the highest resistance to netilmicin remained highly resistant and continued to produce AAC 6'-I copiously . These results suggest that exposure of some aminoglycoside sensitive strains of Ser . marcescens to netilmicin leads to the development of high level netilmicin resistance associated with the production of AAC 6'-I . The implication of these findings for the study of aminoglycoside resistance in Ser . marcescens are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1988 May, 56(5), 1167 - 70
Clearance of Serratia marcescens from blood in mice: role of hydrophobic versus mannose-sensitive interactions; Rumelt S et al.; In the present study, we examined the potential roles of cell surface hydrophobicity and mannose-sensitive (MS) interactions in blood clearance of Serratia marcescens in mice . Hydrophobic strain RZ, partially hydrophobic mutant 3162, and nonhydrophobic mutant 3164 were coinoculated into BALB/c male mice, and blood samples were plated out at different time intervals; colonies of the three strains were distinguished by their different morphologies . All three strains were cleared from the blood stream at similar rates, despite their large relative differences in cell surface hydrophobicity . Clearance from blood was subsequently studied by coinoculating two clinical isolates which differ in their abilities to adhere via MS interactions . MS+ strain 1785 was cleared much more rapidly than MS- strain 3255; moreover, in the presence of D-mannose, clearance of strain 1785 was inhibited to a rate similar to that of MS- strain 3255 . When D-glucose was substituted for D-mannose, inhibition was not observed . The results suggest that MS, rather than hydrophobic, interactions are primarily responsible for the rapid clearance of S . marcescens from blood observed.

Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1988 May-Jun, 139(3), 337 - 49
{Identification of the principal species of the genus Serratia by a simplified system}; Bollet C et al.; A reduced identification system for the genus Serratia is proposed . The usefulness of this system was shown by identification of 720 strains from clinical specimens or natural environment . Computation of "diagnosis ability coefficient" and principal component analysis made it possible to reduce this identification system to 9 tests . Numerical taxonomy displayed the 9 recognized species.

Carbohydr Res, 1988 Apr 1, 175(1), 111 - 7
Structural studies of glucorhamnans isolated from the lipopolysaccharides of reference strains for Serratia marcescens serogroups O4 and O7, and of an O14 strain; Oxley D et al.; Partially acetylated glucorhamnans have been isolated from the lipopolysaccharides of three strains of Serratia marcescens . The polymer from the reference strain (C.D.C . 864-57) for serogroup O4 has the disaccharide repeating-unit shown below, in which acetylation at position 2 of the rhamnosyl residue is approximately 90% complete . Similar glucorhamnans from the reference strain (C.D.C . 843-57) for serogroup O7 and from a pigmented strain (NM) of serogroup O14 differ only in the configuration of the L-rhamnopyranosyl residue (beta) and the extent of O-acetylation (O7, almost stoichiometric; NM, 80-90%) . Glucorhamnans of the second type have been isolated previously from the lipopolysaccharides of other strains of S . marcescens, including the reference strain for serogroup O6 and another pigmented O14 strain (N.C.T.C . 1377) . In all cases, the lipopolysaccharide extracts also contained acidic glycans, but the glucorhamnans are believed to constitute the integral side-chains . (Formula: see text).

Infect Immun, 1988 Apr, 56(4), 916 - 20
Cleavage of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA around the hinge region by proteases from Serratia marcescens; Molla A et al.; Seven clinical and two nonclinical isolates of Serratia marcescens were examined for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes that cleave immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA molecules . All seven clinical isolates excreted a large amount of a 56-kilodalton (kDa) protease (56K protease) and small amounts of a 60-kDa and a 73-kDa protease (60K and 73K proteases, respectively) in culture medium during growth . All purified proteases cleaved IgG and IgA effectively if the level of protease production exceeded 2 to 5 micrograms/ml . The proteolytic activity in the culture supernatant was inhibited by about 85% by a chelating agent (EDTA), which indicated that the major immunoglobulin-cleaving enzyme is the metalloprotease(s) reported previously . Immunological quantification of proteases by single radial immunodiffusion showed similar results: the amount of 56K protease was about 65% and those of the 60K and 73K proteases were about 20 and 5%, respectively . Incubation for 3 h at 37 degrees C was required to generate immunoreactive Fab and Fc fragments . Further analysis of the cleavage products of IgG or IgA demonstrated that the 56K protease, as well as the 60K and 73K proteases, cleaves only the heavy chain of these immunoglobulins near the hinge region to generate Fab and Fc fragments . The susceptibilities of the subclasses of IgG and IgA to the 56K protease were as follows: IgG3 greater than IgG1 greater than IgG2 greater than IgG4 and IgA1 greater than IgA2 . IgG2, IgG4, and IgA2 were relatively resistant to the 56K protease.

Biochemistry, 1988 Mar 22, 27(6), 2151 - 7
Platelet activation by thrombin in the absence of the high-affinity thrombin receptor; Harmon JT et al.; The receptor status of the moderate-affinity platelet binding site for alpha-thrombin has been established by treating platelets with Serratia marcescens protease under conditions causing cleavage of 95-97% glycoprotein Ib (2.5 micrograms for 30 min) . High-affinity binding was lost under these conditions, but the platelets continued to show moderate-affinity binding (Kd1 = 16 +/- 5 nM; 930 +/- 300 sites/platelet) and low-affinity binding (Kd2 = 4.6 +/- 3 microM; 170,000 +/- 90,000 sites/platelet), in good agreement with the values previously obtained for moderate- and low-affinity binding in intact platelets {Harmon, J.T., & Jamieson, G.A . (1986) J . Biol . Chem . 261, 15928-15933} . Platelets treated with Serratia protease under these conditions were about 4-fold less sensitive to activation by alpha-thrombin, as measured by serotonin secretion . Crossover studies with analogues showed that binding of alpha-thrombin was compatible by both D-phenyl-alanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone treated thrombin and N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone treated thrombin, and both analogues were capable of inhibiting activation of Serratia-proteolyzed platelets by alpha-thrombin . These studies establish that the moderate-affinity platelet binding site for alpha-thrombin is a receptor, occupancy of which is required for platelet activation in the absence of the high-affinity receptor.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 26(3), 544 - 51
Comparison of four hemolysin-producing organisms (Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Listeria monocytogenes) for release of inflammatory mediators from various cells; Scheffer J et al.; We investigated the role of various hemolysin-producing strains (Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Listeria monocytogenes) in induction of inflammatory mediators, e.g., histamine release from rat mast cells as well as the chemiluminescence response and the release of lipoxygenase transformation products from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils . Our data show that the hemolysin-positive bacteria as well as the hemolysin-positive culture supernatants were active in inducing the chemiluminescence response, leukotriene (LTB4 and LTC4) release from human granulocytes, and histamine release from rat mast cells . The degree of leukotriene release was dependent on the hemolysin type and on the expression of hemolysin activity . The E . coli alpha-hemolysin and the aerolysin-producing A . hydrophila were the most potent stimuli whether washed bacteria or bacterial supernatant was used . Bacteria expressing the S . marcescens hemolysin and the listeriolysin were only poor inducers of leukotriene generation . In contrast to leukotriene generation, all hemolysin-positive strains induced nearly the same histamine release in a dose-dependent manner . Our data suggest a potent role for various hemolysins as virulence factors in inducing the release of inflammatory mediators.

Carbohydr Res, 1988 Feb 1, 172(2), 275 - 86
Studies of lipopolysaccharides from two strains (C.D.C . 3607-60 and IP 421) of Serratia marcescens O13: structure of the putative O13 antigen; Oxley D et al.; Structural studies have been carried out on the putative O-specific polysaccharide of the reference strain (C.D.C . 3607-60) for Serratia marcescens O13 . Circumstantial evidence that the O13 antigen is a microcapsular, acidic polymer, rather than an integral part of the lipopolysaccharide, has been obtained . Degradative and spectroscopic studies established that the polymer is based on the repeating unit shown, in which the glucuronic acid residue of the linear pentasaccharide carries the lateral 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl substituent in only about half of the units . The same polymer, again with non-stoichiometric substitution, is also produced by strain IP 421 (O13:H7) . The latter strain also produces a neutral polymer which appears to constitute the side chain of the lipopolysaccharide . This polymer, which has a disaccharide repeating-unit of 2-substituted beta-D-ribofuranosyl and 4-substituted 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl residues, has been isolated previously from the lipopolysaccharides of the reference strains for S . marcescens serogroups O12 and O14, and appears to be the antigen known to be shared by these strains . (Formula: see text).

J Hosp Infect, 1988 Feb, 11(2), 155 - 60
Recurrent peritonitis caused by Serratia marcescens in a diabetic patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Connacher AA et al.; A diabetic patient treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal failure had recurrent peritonitis caused by Serratia marcescens . Thirty-eight isolates of S . marcescens recovered over a 14-month period from peritoneal-dialysis effluent, catheter tips and catheter-exit sites were biotyped and serotyped . The finding that most (90%) of these isolates belonged to the same biotype and serotype suggested that the patient had relapsing infections with the same strain . Similar isolates were recovered from the peritoneal dialysates of another two patients in the same ward, neither of whom developed Serratia-associated peritonitis.

Intensive Care Med, 1988, 14(2), 136 - 40
Sequential epidemic outbreaks of septicaemias by Serratia and Klebsiella species on a medical intensive care unit; Cortes JL et al.; The high rate of septicaemias (20%, 19% and 14%) observed in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during the first 3 years was due to an epidemic incidence of Serratia sp . (S) (26% during the first year) and Klebsiella sp . (K) (25% during the third) and decreased significantly in the following 6 years (mean incidence of 11%) (p less than 0.01) . During this epidemic phase these organisms were isolated quite frequently (between a 14% and a 6%) from all patients admitted . The K was more regularly present, for the mean time intervals free of its bacteriological presence were shorter (11 days) than those of S (27 days) (p less than 0.01) . The K was isolated in more patients (160) than S (79) (p less than 0.01) and in more samples (360) than S (235) (p less than 0.01), but caused less secondary septicaemias per colonized patient (7% versus 29%) (p less than 0.01) . In 59% of all S septicaemias the organism was previously isolated in other culture, while this was observed in only 34% of K septicaemias (x2 = 3.78, p = 0.052) . The large variations in the incidence of septicaemias within our ICU, the appearance of sequential epidemic outbreaks, with a different behaviour of S and K and the individual risk of septicaemia of patients colonized by these organisms are noted.

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus, 1988 Jan-Feb, 25(1), 45 - 7
Metastatic Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis; de Courten C et al.; Metastatic endophthalmitis in a ten-day-old baby who underwent colostomy for an unperforated anus and developed septicemia to Serratia marcescens is described . Although rapid isolation of the agent enabled efficacious specific antibiotic treatment and systemic eradication of the infective agent, the ocular condition continued to deteriorate . Because of the total loss of visual functions and the fear of possible development of sympathetic ophthalmia, enucleation rather than vitrectomy or evisceration was performed . Histopathologic examination of the globe revealed massive infiltrates within the choroid and optic nerve with total destruction of the retinal architecture . The child recovered immediately after surgery and was discharged a week later.

Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1988, 16(4), 305 - 8
{Serratia marcescens . Cutaneous involvement . Preliminary report}; Kaplan H et al.; Three cases of skin infections are reported . The biological examination revealed the presence of gram-negative bacillus Serratus marcescens whose chemical characteristics enabled its identification . Treatment was based on the respective antibiograms, cure being obtained in two patients . The third patient was treated with an antibiotic to which he was not sensible, with the consequent failure . Perusal of the literature at our disposal failed to reveal skin infections due to Serratus marcescens . Thus, in such patients who do not respond to the usual therapy, it is suggested that the Serratus marcescens bacillus be systematically looked for an reported in order to confirm this preliminary publication.

Am J Chin Med, 1988, 16(1-2), 81 - 2
Serratia marcescens infected silk suture rejected by combined acupuncture, moxibustion and low-power laser therapy from the abdominal fascia; Sternfeld M et al.; Upper abdominal pains lasting 12 years after cholecystectomy, were improved in an 82-year-old woman following the rejection of indigestable silk surgical sutures induced by combined therapy of acupuncture, moxibustion and low-power laser beam irradiation directed to an old post-cholecystectomy scar . An inflammatory reaction followed by granulation tissue mass was developed . Embedded in the granulation tissue were the above mentioned silk sutures which finally were expelled through the skin at the operation scar . A surgical procedure suggested to the patient, in case of acupuncture therapy failure, was obviously avoided . Serratia-marcescens infection of the expelled material was bacteriologically defined.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1988, 10(3), 283 - 92
Non-toxic endotoxin polysaccharide induces soluble mediators which potentiate antibody production by murine retrovirus-suppressed splenocytes; Friedman H et al.; Mice infected with Friend leukemia virus show marked acquired immunodeficiency characterized by the impairment of immune function of spleen cells to various antigens, both in vivo and in vitro . The large mol . wt . endotoxin derived from Serratia marcescens, as well as a smaller non-toxic polysaccharide derivative, were found to augment the antibody responsiveness of spleen cells from normal as well as FLV-infected mice . In addition, serum from normal donor mice pretreated with BCG and injected either with endotoxin or the polysaccharide derivative potentiated the antibody response of spleen cells from both normal and FLV-infected mice . Similar enhancement was induced by "antibody response helper factor(s)" present in 3-5 day spleen culture supernatants from endotoxin or polysaccharide-treated spleen cells from normal mice . Enhancement of the antibody response of spleen cells from FLV-infected mice by the antibody helper activity was due to stimulation of B-lymphocytes and reversal of a defect in antibody helper factor(s) formation by macrophages . Similar antibody response enhancing activity was induced by both endotoxin and the non-toxic polysaccharide derivative in cultures of normal spleen cells, adherent spleen cell populations, peritoneal cells and the P388D1 macrophage cell line.

Microbios, 1988, 54(218), 41 - 4
Scanning electron microscopy of Serratia marcescens producing prodigiosin; Geron M et al.; Production of high concentrations of prodigiosin by growing cells of Serratia marcescens was accompanied by the formation of extracellular protrusions as was revealed by scanning electron microscopy . Prodigiosin extracted from the bacterium was compared with the extracellular material . Bacteria which did not produce prodigiosin showed no extracellular protrusions.

Chemotherapy, 1988, 34(3), 195 - 201
Failure of polymyxin B nonapeptide to augment bactericidal activities of novobiocin, rifampin, and of defibrinated human blood against Serratia marcescens; Traub WH et al.; Polymyxin B (PB) and polymyxin B nonapeptide (PBNP), when combined with rifampin or novobiocin, but not vancomycin, yielded additive inhibitory effects against test strains of Serratia marcescens of three varieties: those that produced cocarde growths around PB disks (coc+); those that grew adjacent to PB disks (coc-, 6); and those that yielded clear inhibition zones around PB disks (coc-, clear) . However, time kill curve experiments disclosed that only the combination of rifampin + PB exerted a potent bactericidal effect against coc+ strains of S . marcescens; rifampin + PBNP and novobiocin + PB or PBNP merely effected transient decreases of colony counts . Assays involving 50% (v/v) of fresh defibrinated human blood + PB or PBNP revealed that only PB clearly augmented the antibacterial activity of blood against coc+, and less so against coc- test strains of S . marcescens.

Microbiol Immunol, 1988, 32(3), 241 - 50
Physical and functional map of an amikacin-resistance plasmid isolated from a multiresistant strain of Serratia marcescens; Kanno R; pTK159, a multiresistance 40-kilobase (kb) plasmid, was isolated from a clinical strain of Serratia marcescens . pTK159 was nonconjugative and carried determinants for resistance to amikacin, streptomycin/spectinomycin, sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin . A physical and functional map of pTK159 was constructed . By cloning various fragments of pTK159 in pACYC184 or pBR322, genes for resistance to amikacin, streptomycin/spectinomycin, and sulfamethoxazole were found to be located on a 2.0-kb BamHI-HindIII fragment, a 1.4-kb HindIII fragment and a 2.1-kb HindIII fragment, respectively . The map of pTK159 was compared with published maps of amikacin-resistance determinants and transposons.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1987 Dec 31, 149(3), 1033 - 41
Cytotoxicity of a novel lipid-like bacterial product; Keler T et al.; A highly cytotoxic, lipid-like compound was isolated from a Serratia marcescens strain currently under identification . We have named the compound DCX for its direct cytotoxic activity on various cell types in culture . DCX was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography from chloroform: methanol = 4:1 extracts of whole bacteria, and is chromatographically homogeneous . The effect of DCX on cells is dose, time, and temperature dependent . DCX is particularly toxic to the mastocytoma cell line P815 (TD50 = 75 pg/ml) . Three other malignant or transformed murine cell lines were sensitive to the cytotoxic action of DCX . The effect of DCX was also tested on normal cells (human gingival fibroblasts), which showed greater resistance to DCX than the other cells tested.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1987 Dec, 267(2), 228 - 46
Active immunization of NMRI mice against Serratia marcescens . II . K-antigen extracts; Traub WH et al.; The minimal active immunogenic doses (intraperitoneal administration) of crude K-antigen extracts of Serratia marcescens for NMRI mice were 80 ng . Following ultracentrifugation (300,000 x g, 16 h), supernatant fluids of three K-antigen extracts were free of contaminating DNA, RNA, and 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-manno-octonic acid (KDO), and the contents of Limulus amoebocyte lysate-reactive lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had been reduced from 100- to 1000-fold . The minimal active immunogenic doses of two ultracentrifuged K-antigen extracts were 2 and 10 micrograms, respectively . A mucoid strain of S . marcescens (SM 20-M; serotype O6/O14:H12) yielded nonmucoid (= SM 29-NM) variants that had lost most of the O6/O14 O-antigen (LPS) and all of the SM 29-M K-antigen extract reactivity (ELISA test) and which were ca . 5-fold less mouse-virulent . Crude K-antigen extracts from S . marcescens strain SM 29-M and variant SM 29-NM failed to protect NMRI mice against strain SM 29-M.

Infect Immun, 1987 Dec, 55(12), 3093 - 102
Mechanisms of specific immunological unresponsiveness to bacterial lipopolysaccharides; Elkins KL et al.; Low-dose priming of mice with Escherichia coli O113 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results in the development of immunological memory, whereas low-dose priming with E . coli O55 LPS or Serratia marcescens LPS induces significant antigen-specific unresponsiveness . All three preparations of LPS induced proliferation of mouse splenocytes with similar time course and {3H}thymidine uptake . There was no correlation between the small amounts of serum antibody detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after low-dose priming and the subsequent generation of either memory or unresponsiveness . Further, the passive transfer of small amounts of LPS-specific antibody had no significant effect on the magnitude of the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response elicited after subsequent immunization . Reduction of the PFC response to E . coli O55 LPS occurred after low-dose priming of nu/nu (as well as nu/+) mice; however, unresponsiveness could not be generated in nu/nu mice by low-dose priming with S . marcescens LPS . Thus, although the development of low-dose unresponsiveness to S . marcescens LPS appears to involve T cells, the response of E . coli O55 LPS does not . Enhancement of the primary PFC response to S . marcescens LPS could be transferred with low-dose primed spleen cells depleted of Lyt-2+ T cells; this suggests that the magnitude of the PFC response to this preparation of LPS is negatively influenced by Lyt-2+ T cells and positively influenced by Lyt-2- spleen cells (i.e., L3T4+ T cells) . These findings indicate that T cells appear to be involved in regulating the magnitude of the antibody response to some types of bacterial LPS.

Infect Immun, 1987 Dec, 55(12), 3085 - 92
Prior exposure to subimmunogenic amounts of some bacterial lipopolysaccharides induces specific immunological unresponsiveness; Elkins KL et al.; Pretreatment (priming) of BALB/c mice with a low (subimmunogenic) dose of Escherichia coli O113 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) generates immunological memory 7 to 30 days later; the direct (immunoglobulin M) plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses produced after subsequent immunization with an optimal dose are 4 to 20 times greater than those of unprimed mice . By contrast, priming with a low dose of E . coli O55 LPS, followed by immunization with an optimally immunogenic dose 2 to 30 days later, resulted in a significantly reduced antibody response . Similar results were obtained with Serratia marcescens LPS . Dose-response studies indicated that such unresponsiveness is antigen specific and could be induced with subimmunogenic amounts of LPS . Priming reduced the magnitude of the PFC response to all immunizing doses of LPS tested . Unresponsiveness is not due to (i) an alteration in the time course of the PFC response or to (ii) a change in the isotype of the anti-LPS antibody produced after priming and immunization.

J Bacteriol, 1987 Dec, 169(12), 5668 - 77
Role of codon choice in the leader region of the ilvGMEDA operon of Serratia marcescens; Harms E et al.; Leucine participates in multivalent repression of the Serratia marcescens ilvGMEDA operon by attenuation (J.-H . Hsu, E . Harms, and H.E . Umbarger, J . Bacteriol . 164:217-222, 1985), although there is only one single leucine codon that could be involved in this type of control . This leucine codon is the rarely used CUA . The contribution of this leucine codon to the control of transcription by attenuation was examined by replacing it with the commonly used leucine codon CUG and with a nonregulatory proline codon, CCG . These changes left intact the proposed secondary structure of the leader . The effects of the codon changes were assessed by placing the mutant leader regions upstream of the ilvGME structural genes or the cat gene and measuring acetohydroxy acid synthase II, transaminase B, or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activities in cells grown under limiting and repressing conditions . The presence of the common leucine codon in place of the rare leucine codon reduced derepression by about 70% . Eliminating the leucine codon by converting it to proline abolished leucine control . Furthermore, a possible context effect of the adjacent upstream serine codon on leucine control was examined by changing it into a glycine codon.

J Biol Response Mod, 1987 Dec, 6(6), 664 - 77
Distinctive immunomodulatory effects of endotoxin and nontoxic lipopolysaccharide derivatives in lymphoid cell cultures; Friedman H et al.; Endotoxin derived from Serratia marcescens, as well as a hydrolyzed polysaccharide-rich derivative from the bacteria similar to the White-type polysaccharide (WPS), and hydrolyzed split products of endotoxin, including Lipid A and the nontoxic polysaccharide (PS), were studied in terms of their ability to induce mitogenic proliferation of murine spleen cells in vitro and enhancement of antibody formation to sheep erythrocytes . The intact endotoxin and the Lipid A component induced marked proliferative activity of normal lymphoid cells, but the PS components obtained after a 30 min or longer mild hydrolysis of the endotoxin had much less mitogenic activity . The WPS preparation retained mitogenic activity after 30 min but lost it during continued hydrolysis . Nevertheless, all of the components were marked adjuvants for murine spleen cells in vitro in terms of enhancing the antibody response to sheep red cells . Both the intact endotoxin as well as the Lipid A component induced interleukin-1 and interferons, including alpha/beta and gamma, following stimulation of spleen cell cultures for 24 h in vitro . Although only the endotoxin and Lipid A, but not the PS components, were mitogenic for murine splenocytes, all of these preparations had immune adjuvant effects and induced spleen cells to produce or release interferons . However, the PS-rich derivative did not induce tumor necrosis factor . These distinct properties of components of endotoxin indicate that the nontoxic PS-rich derivative, as compared to the toxic endotoxin or Lipid A, has some immunostimulatory activities but lacks others.

Bioorg Khim, 1987 Nov, 13(11), 1553 - 60
{Model substrates of enzymes modifying ribonucleic acids . Synthesis of deca- and undecanucleotid-fragments of 21-member oligoribonucleotide simulating T psi C-branch of yeast valine tRNA}; Khabarova MI et al.; Decanucleotide (Ap)6GpTpUpC and undecanucleotide GpApUpCpCp (Up)5U have been synthesised . They constitute 5'- and 3'-parts of a 21-mer which imitates T psi C-arm of yeast tRNA(Val1) and is a potential substrate for m1A-methylases and pseudouridine synthetase . The oligonucleotide blocks, synthesised enzymatically by means of ribonucleases of various substrate specificity and polynucleotide phosphorylases (TpUpC, ApUpCpC, pGpTpUpC, GpApUpCpC) or obtained by hydrolysis of poly(U) and poly(A) with Serratia marcescens endonuclease (hexauridilate and hexaadenilate), were joined by T4 RNA ligase.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Nov, 25(11), 2154 - 8
Spheroplast induction in clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens in the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+; Tada Y et al.; Serratia marcescens was easily induced to form spheroplasts by beta-lactam antibiotics in the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ without an osmotic stabilizer such as sucrose . The spheroplasts grew in volume, although they could not divide . They were stable for more than 10 h at 37 degrees C in a medium containing a high concentration of antibiotic, and they had the ability to revert to the original bacillary form . Ca2+ was more effective in spheroplast induction than Mg2+ . The effect was proportional to the concentration of cations . In 40% of 180 clinical isolates of S . marcescens, more than 40% of the original bacterial cells were induced to form spheroplasts by ceftizoxime in a medium supplemented with 40 mM Ca2+ . A high spheroplast induction rate was observed even in medium with 10 mM Ca2+ . Few isolates that were supersusceptible to ceftizoxime (MIC, less than 0.2 microgram/ml) were induced to form spheroplasts at a high rate . No difference in spheroplast induction rate or extent between antibiotic-resistant strains and relatively susceptible strains (MIC, greater than 0.2 microgram/ml) was found . The serotype of S . marcescens had no effect on the spheroplast induction rate . Monocations (Na+ and K+) had little effect on spheroplast induction.

Infect Immun, 1987 Nov, 55(11), 2715 - 20
Protective effect of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on microbial infection in neutropenic mice; Matsumoto M et al.; A purified human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hG-CSF) was studied for its protective effect on the induction of neutropenia and enhanced susceptibility to microbial infections in mice receiving cyclophosphamide (CPA) . A severe reduction in peripheral blood neutrophils was induced 4 days after injection with 200 mg of CPA per kg although the level normalized rapidly thereafter . When mice were injected subcutaneously once a day with 2.5 micrograms of hG-CSF beginning on the day after CPA injection, the reduction was prevented markedly, even 4 days later . On the other hand, in mice receiving CPA 4 days prior to infection, a weakened resistance to intraperitoneal challenge with a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was induced . This weakened resistance was dose-dependently restored to normal by four daily injections with hG-CSF . A daily dose of 1.0 microgram was required for complete restoration, although hG-CSF did not directly inhibit bacterial growth in vitro . In hG-CSF-treated mice, morphologically mature neutrophils migrated rapidly into the peritoneal cavities where bacteria were inoculated, followed by a rapid elimination of bacteria from the locality as compared with controls . In addition, the same treatment with hG-CSF was able to protect significantly against systemic infections caused by Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans . These data show the possibility that prophylactic therapy with hG-CSF may augment the resistance of immunocompromised patients to infections.

Infect Immun, 1987 Nov, 55(11), 2554 - 61
Role of cell-bound hemolysin as a pathogenicity factor for Serratia infections; Konig W et al.; The hemolytic activities of clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens, of Serratia liquefaciens, and of Escherichia coli strains containing a cloned hemolysin gene of S . marcescens were determined . Hemolysis was induced only by cells and not by spent media . The hemolytically active bacteria induced the release of the leukotriene C4 and of much less leukotriene B4 from polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the release of histamine from rat mast cells, and chemoluminescence of neutrophils . The hemolytic activity was correlated with the response of the leukocytes, but quantitative differences were recorded with regard to the release of the inflammatory mediators . Therefore, other factors in addition to the hemolysin contribute to the stimulation of leukotriene generation and histamine release . It is concluded that the hemolysin via these inflammatory mediators can increase vascular permeability, edema formation, and granulocyte accumulation and thus contributes to the pathogenicity of Serratia species.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1987 Oct, 53(10), 2593 - 6
Two-level factorial screening for influence of temperature, pH, and aeration on production of Serratia marcescens nuclease; Jepsen PK et al.; Two high-nuclease-yielding mutants of Serratia marcescens, derived by chemical mutagenesis (W280, W355), and two strains with the pBR322 plasmid 403-SD2, carrying a nuclease gene and a chloramphenicol resistance gene {Escherichia coli CSH50(403-SD2) and S . marcescens CH30(403-SD2)} were investigated for nuclease production in a factorial shake flask experiment, with temperature (30 and 37 degrees C), pH (with or without CaCO3 tablets), and aeration (with or without baffles) as variable conditions . Yields varied 10-fold depending on the conditions investigated.

Infect Immun, 1987 Oct, 55(10), 2509 - 17
Pathogenic capacity of proteases from Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their suppression by chicken egg white ovomacroglobulin; Molla A et al.; The pathogenicities of three proteases from Serratia marcescens, two proteases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one thermolysin from Bacillus stearothermophilus were examined . All proteases tested caused acute liquefactive necrosis of the cornea and descemetocele formation in guinea pig eyes after intrastromal injection, with the exception of the 60-kilodalton protease from S . marcescens, which produced only an opaque lesion . When injected into guinea pig skin, the protease also enhanced vascular permeability, which was followed by edema formation . The permeability-enhancing activity of the proteases increased in parallel with the concentration of the enzymes . When tested in vitro for its effect on these bacterial proteases, chicken egg white ovomacroglobulin (ovoM) inhibited the enzymatic activity of all the proteases after a short incubation period at an enzyme/inhibitor ratio (molar) of 1:1 to 1:4 or at a lower concentration after a longer incubation period . Such treatment of the proteases with chicken egg white ovoM before injection intrastromally into the eyes or intradermally into the clipped flanks of guinea pigs protected the cornea from destruction or completely prevented the permeability reaction and edema formation . No inhibitory effects of plasma protease inhibitors against these bacterial proteases were noted . Since the proteases are critical in the pathogenic processes caused by the bacteria, these results suggest a beneficial effect of ovoM against bacterial infections.

Microbiologia, 1987 Oct, 3(3), 185 - 94
Chromosomal origin of acetyltransferase AAC(6') specifying amikacin resistance in Serratia marcescens; Gomez-Lus R et al.; Two clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens resistant to aminoglycoside-aminocyclitols and other antibiotics have been examined for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes . Both strains were amikacin-resistant, and this resistance was mediated by an acetyltransferase AAC(6') . S . marcescens 737 contains a single conjugative plasmid, pUZ 737, of 135 kilobases, which confers resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin by a nucleotidyltransferase, ANT(2"), and to kanamycin, neomycin, butirosin and lividomycin by a phosphotransferase, APH(3') . S . marcescens 1830 does not contain extrachromosomal DNA, and it produced only the above mentioned AAC(6') . The presence of AAC(6') and associated aminoglycoside resistance are not dependent on the presence of a detectable plasmid, not transferred by conjugation, and not cured . Therefore, this enzyme is probably encoded by a chromosomal gene.

J Hosp Infect, 1987 Sep, 10(2), 129 - 37
Control of a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a maternity hospital; Braver DJ et al.; During the period between October 1984 and January 1985, an outbreak of Serratia marcescens took place in the Serlin Maternity Hospital in Tel-Aviv . Four major and six minor infections were noted in newborn and preterm infants . An additional group of 24 neonates were asymptomatic carriers of S . marcescens . Extensive control measures were undertaken, including closing the SCBU to further admissions and the opening of a new SCBU . Other measures included maintaining babies in cohort groups, strict handwashing, and use of gloves and gowns . There was also intensified encouragement of breast feeding and thorough cleansing and disinfection of the SCBU and nurseries . After 3 months, the outbreak was controlled . No identified source for the outbreak was detected . We feel that the extensive measures employed were responsible for controlling the outbreak within a relatively short time.

J Biol Chem, 1987 Aug 15, 262(23), 10946 - 50
Internalization of serratial protease into cells as an enzyme-inhibitor complex with alpha 2-macroglobulin and regeneration of protease activity and cytotoxicity; Maeda H et al.; Extracellular serratial protease (56,000 Da) is known to be cytotoxic . Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled protease was found to form a complex with human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), and this enzyme-inhibitor complex was purified . The protease was found to be internalized by fibroblasts in culture as a complex with alpha 2M, which resulted in cell destruction . Regeneration of enzyme activity was confirmed in cells after 2-3 h of incubation . Chicken egg-white ovomacroglobulin, a homolog of human alpha 2M, formed a complex with this enzyme similarly and more tightly but failed to exhibit protease activity, cytotoxicity, and internalization into cells.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Aug, 25(8), 1562 - 3
Serratia plymuthica sepsis associated with infection of central venous catheter; Horowitz HW et al.; Serratia plymuthica was isolated from the blood and from a central venous catheter tip in a 54-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis and clinical signs of sepsis . This was the seventh reported isolate of S . plymuthica from a clinical specimen and the first in which the organism was clearly a significant pathogen.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1987 Aug, 266(1-2), 239 - 48
Plasmid-mediated formaldehyde resistance in Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli: alterations in the cell surface; Kaulfers PM et al.; The plasmid-mediated formaldehyde resistance of Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli was examined . For that purpose the outer membranes of isogenic strains (with and without resistance plasmid) were compared . No quantitative or immunological differences in lipopolysaccharide of resistant and sensitive strains were noted . By contrast analysis of outer membrane proteins revealed that the sensitive variants had a higher protein content than the resistant strains . When outer membrane proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE the number of bands seemed identical for sensitive and resistant strains but the intensity of some of the bands was greater for the sensitive isolates . In addition, the surface hydrophobicity was greater for the resistance than for the sensitive strains . These findings suggest that the formaldehyde resistance plasmid of Serratia marcescens confer changes in cell surface proteins and surface hydrophobicity.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1987 Aug, (8), 7 - 10
{The role of R plasmids in the resistance of bacteria in air}; Koniukhov VF et al.; The study of Escherichia coli J 53, used as a model, has revealed that some R plasmids isolated from Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae, found to be the cause of the outbreak of hospital infection, ensure, besides multiple drug resistance, also their viability in the air.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1987 Aug, 53(8), 1983 - 6
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase alloenzymes and their relationship to pigmentation in Serratia marcescens; Gargallo D et al.; A comparative study of environmental and clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens was undertaken with regard to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) electrophoretic mobility and the production of prodigiosin . Two electromorphs of G6PD with electrophoretic mobilities of 0.22 and 0.30 were detected . G6PD electrophoretic type showed a good correlation with the ability to produce prodigiosin.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Aug, 25(8), 1398 - 400
Association of Pseudomonas and Serratia corneal ulcers with use of contaminated solutions; Mayo MS et al.; The wetting and soaking solutions and contact lens cases of eye clinic patients commonly were contaminated with gram-negative bacteria during their use . Serratia marcescens occurred most frequently in preserved solutions, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most often recovered from home-prepared saline . The bacteria were recovered at densities of greater than 10(6) cells per ml and typically persisted in the solutions . Eight patients who developed bacterial keratitis during 1986 used solutions contaminated with the etiological agents of the infections . Improper hygienic practices of the patients and failure of some preservative systems were implicated in the development of the infections.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1987 Aug, 84(15), 5106 - 10
Nucleotide sequence and expression of the mercurial-resistance operon from Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258; Laddaga RA et al.; The mercurial-resistance determinant from Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258 is located on a 6.4-kilobase-pair Bgl II fragment . The determinant was cloned into both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli . Mercury resistance was found only in B . subtilis . The 6404-base-pair DNA sequence of the Bgl II fragment was determined . The mer DNA sequence includes seven open reading frames, two of which have been identified by homology with the merA (mercuric reductase) and merB (organomercurial lyase) genes from the mercurial-resistance determinants of Gram-negative bacteria . Whereas 40% of the amino acid residues overall were identical between the pI258 merA polypeptide product and mercuric reductases from Gram-negative bacteria, the percentage identity in the active-site positions and those thought to be involved in NADPH and FAD contacts was above 90% . The 216 amino acid organomercurial lyase sequence was 39% identical with that from a Serratia plasmid, with higher conservation in the middle of the sequences and lower homologies at the amino and carboxyl termini . The remaining five open reading frames in the pI258 mer sequence have no significant homologies with the genes from previously sequenced Gram-negative mer operons.

J Interferon Res, 1987 Aug, 7(4), 371 - 8
Interferon induction by endotoxin-derived nontoxic polysaccharides; Nowotny A et al.; Polysaccharide-rich preparations from Serratia marcescens-derived endotoxin and components thereof, including Lipid A, were studied in terms of their ability to induce interferon (IFN) activity in murine spleen cell cultures in vitro . Although the polysaccharide-rich derivatives, similar to intact endotoxin, were only weak stimulators for IFN induction, pretreatment of splenocyte cultures with recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) significantly increased IFN-inducing activity . Both an endotoxin-derived polysaccharide and a "White type" polysaccharide prepared from intact Serratia had similar ability to induce IFN in vitro, but only when spleen cells were first treated with IL-2 . The polysaccharide preparations were nontoxic as compared with the high degree of toxicity of the intact endotoxin, yet induced similar IFN levels as whole endotoxin . Much of the IFN induced by these preparations was of the gamma type, since activity was either not neutralized or only incompletely neutralized by treatment with anti-alpha/beta interferon antibody.

Biochemistry, 1987 Jul 28, 26(15), 4734 - 45
Chorismate aminations: partial purification of Escherichia coli PABA synthase and mechanistic comparison with anthranilate synthase; Walsh CT et al.; Chorismate is converted by regiospecific amination/aromatization sequences to o-aminobenzoate and p-aminobenzoate (PABA) by anthranilate synthase (AS) and PABA synthase (PABS), respectively . We report here the first partial purification of the large subunit of Escherichia coli PABA synthase, previously reported to be quantitatively inactivated in purification attempts . The subunit encoded by the pabB gene was overexpressed from a T7 promoter and purified 9-fold to 25-30% homogeneity . The pabB subunit appears unusually sensitive to inactivation by glycerol so this cosolvent is contraindicated . The Km for chorismate is 42 microM in the ammonia-dependent conversion to PABA, and we estimate a turnover number of 2.6 min-1 . A variety of chorismate analogues have been prepared and examined . Of these compounds, cycloheptadienyl analogue 11 has been found to be the most potent inhibitor of Serratia marcescens anthranilate synthase (Ki = 30 microM for an RS mixture) and of the E . coli pabB subunit of PABA synthase (Ki = 226 microM) . Modifications in the substituents at C-3 {enolpyruyl ether, (R)- or (S)-lactyl ether, glycolyl ether} or C-4 (O-methyl) of chorismate lead to alternate substrates . The Vmax values for (R)- and (S)-lactyl ethers are down 10-20-fold for each enzyme, and V/K analyses show the (S)-lactyl chorismate analogue to be preferred by 12/1 over (R)-lactyl for anthranilate synthase while a 3/1 preference was observed for (R)-/(S)-lactyl analogues by PABA synthase . The glycolyl ether analogue of chorismate shows 15% Vmax vs . chorismate for anthranilate synthase but is actually a faster substrate (140%) than chorismate with PABA synthase, suggesting the elimination/aromatization step from an aminocyclohexadienyl species may be rate limiting with AS but not with PABS . Indeed, studies with (R)-lactyl analogue 14 and anthranilate synthase led to accumulation of an intermediate, isolable by high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy as 6-amino-5-{(1-carboxyethyl)oxy}-1,3-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylic acid (17) . This is the anticipated intermediate predicted by our previous work with conversion of synthetic trans-6-amino-5-{(1-carboxyethenyl)oxy}-1,3-cyclohexadiene-1-carbo xylic acid (2) to anthranilate by the enzyme . Compound 17 is quantitatively converted to anthranilate on reincubation with enzyme, but at a 1.3-10-fold lower Vmax than starting lactyl substrate 14 under the conditions investigated; the basis for this kinetic variation is not yet determined.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1987 Jul 15, 191(2), 222 - 4
Marsupialization of an abdominal abscess caused by Serratia marcescens in a mare; Rigg DL et al.; An intra-abdominal abscess was diagnosed in a 7-year-old mare by palpation per rectum and from abnormal clinicopathologic findings . Initial treatment with procaine penicillin for 21 days was unsuccessful in halting the deterioration of the physical condition of the mare . Surgical exploration of the abdomen revealed a mass in the wall of the left ventral colon . Drainage was achieved by marsupialization . Serratia marcescens was isolated from the abscess . Recovery appeared complete, and the mare has resumed broodmare capability.

Eur J Biochem, 1987 Jul 15, 166(2), 421 - 4
Structural studies of the putative O-specific polysaccharide of Serratia marcescens O9; Oxley D et al.; A polymeric fraction containing the putative O-antigen has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of the reference strain (CDC 4534-60) for serogroup O9 of Serratia marcescens . The major component of the fraction was a polymer with a disaccharide repeating-unit of L-rhamnose (Rha) and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose (GalNAc) with the following structure:----3)D-GalpNAc(beta 1----3)L-Rhap(alpha 1---- . Evidence for the presence in the fraction of a similar, minor polymer containing 4-substituted rhamnose residues was provided by the NMR spectra, methylation analysis, and Smith degradation.

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1987 Jul-Aug, 6(4), 517 - 24
Severe gastrointestinal involvement in children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; McLoughlin LC et al.; Five children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and unusual gastrointestinal disease are described . Two children presented with malnutrition, abdominal distention, and diarrhea . One was found to have moderately severe villus atrophy on jejunal biopsy and was initially thought to have celiac disease . Jejunal biopsy from the second child revealed infiltration of the mucosa with acid-fast bacilli-laden macrophages . A third child suffered recurrent abdominal pain, progressive weight loss, diarrhea, and severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to infection with cytomegalovirus . Pseudomembranous necrotizing jejunitis associated with overgrowth of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the duodenal fluid occurred in one patient . The fifth child presented in the newborn period with Serratia marcescens cholecystitis . Gastrointestinal disease in children with AIDS may be due to idiopathic villus atrophy and bacterial or opportunistic infection.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Jul, 25(7), 1298 - 300
Epidemic outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection in a cardiac surgery unit; Wilhelmi I et al.; Between 2 February and 16 April 1985, an outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection involving 10 male patients occurred in a cardiac surgery unit . All the patients had surgical wound infection, five also had osteomyelitis (four sternal, one costal), and another had peritonitis secondary to peritoneal dialysis . Three patients had concomitant bacteremia . All Serratia strains isolated produced a cherry-red pigment, and all had the same biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility pattern . An intensive search for the origin of the outbreak was initially unsuccessful, and it proved impossible to isolate S . marcescens from cultures of numerous samples taken from hospital personnel and from the environment . The fact that all patients were male and had been shaved for surgery by the same team of barbers led us to investigate the shaving procedures . We finally isolated a strain of pigmented S . marcescens, corresponding to that involved in the outbreak, from samples taken from the hands and equipment of the barbers . After suitable action had been taken, the epidemic terminated.

Biochemistry, 1987 Jun 2, 26(11), 3197 - 205
Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase: synthesis of catalytically competent alpha subunit in a cell-free system containing preacylated tRNAs; Payne RC et al.; A cell-free protein biosynthesizing system prepared from Escherichia coli CF300 was found to synthesize E . coli tryptophan synthase alpha subunit in a time-dependent manner when programmed with pBN69 plasmid DNA . This plasmid contains the trp promoter from Serratia marcescens adjacent to the coding region of E . coli tryptophan synthase alpha protein {Nichols, B.P., & Yanofsky, C . (1983) Methods Enzymol . 101, 155-164} . The synthesized tryptophan synthase alpha subunit was found to be indistinguishable from authentic alpha subunit protein when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and to have the same specific activity for catalyzing the conversion of indole----L-tryptophan by tryptophan synthase beta 2 subunit, as well as the conversion of indole + glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to indole-3-glycerol phosphate . In the absence of exogenously added phenylalanine, admixture of E . coli phenylalanyl-tRNAPhe to the protein biosynthesizing system stimulated the production of functional alpha protein; the analogous result was obtained when valine was replaced by E . coli valyl-tRNAVal . The ability of a misacylated tRNA to participate in alpha protein synthesis in this system was established by the use of E . coli phenylalanyl-tRNAVal in the absence of added valine . Protein biosynthesis proceeded normally and gave a product having the approximate molecular weight of tryptophan synthase alpha subunit; as expected, this polypeptide lacked catalytic activity.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1987 Jun, 265(1-2), 182 - 96
Active immunization of NMRI mice against Serratia marcescens . I . Phenol-water lipopolysaccharide fractions and purified metalloproteases; Traub WH et al.; The minimal intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunogenic doses of phenol-hot water lipopolysaccharide (P-W- LPS) preparations from three strains of Serratia marcescens for juvenile NMRI mice ranged from 3.2 to 16 ng following i.p . challenge infection with homologous strains . Dual autoclaving (121 degrees C, 15 min) abolished the cross-immunogenicity of two selected P-W LPS extracts . Four purified metalloproteases from S . marcescens strains SF 178, SH 186, SV O1, and SE 182 shared the following properties: a) inhibition of proteolytic (azocasein hydrolysis) activity by 50 mM of EDTA; b) heat-lability (60 degrees C, 15 min); c) identical molecular weights (54,000 Daltons = 54 K) as documented with the SDS-PAGE procedure; d) close serologic relatedness (ELISA technique, polyclonal rabbit immune sera); and e) uniform reactivity of the 54 K polypeptide bands with polyclonal rabbit anti-metalloprotease immune sera (Western blots) . The minimal immunogenic dose of metalloprotease SF 178, the sole significantly murine immunogenic enzyme, was 1000 ng = 1 microgram.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Jun, 25(6), 1019 - 21
Survival of Serratia marcescens in benzalkonium chloride and in multiple-dose medication vials: relationship to epidemic septic arthritis; Nakashima AK et al.; In an epidemic of septic arthritis due to Serratia marcescens, the intra-articular injection of contaminated methylprednisolone may have played a key role . The epidemic strain was found in used multiple-dose vials of methylprednisolone and in a canister of cotton balls soaked in benzalkonium chloride . The cotton balls had been used for antisepsis and disinfection . Growth characteristics of the epidemic strain of S . marcescens were compared with those of control strains of S . marcescens which had been obtained from unrelated nosocomial outbreaks . The epidemic strain was able to survive in 1:100 dilutions of benzalkonium chloride and was able to grow to greater than 10(5) CFU/ml in multiple-dose vials of methylprednisoline; control strains could not be recovered after 24 h in the same solutions . The preservative in methylprednisolone is gamma-myristyl picolinium chloride, a compound chemically related to benzalkonium chloride . We speculate that the epidemic strain of S . marcescens, which was resistant to benzalkonium chloride, had cross-resistance to gamma-myristyl picolinium chloride . If the cotton balls were used to disinfect the tops of the multiple-dose vials of methylprednisolone, small numbers of organisms subsequently introduced into the solution could have grown to high concentrations.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Jun, 25(6), 1014 - 8
Epidemic septic arthritis caused by Serratia marcescens and associated with a benzalkonium chloride antiseptic; Nakashima AK et al.; During a 6-week period, 10 patients were admitted to a hospital for treatment of knee or shoulder joint infections due to Serratia species . Isolates from eight patients were identified as Serratia marcescens with identical biochemical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility patterns . Before the onset of infections, all patients had been treated by two orthopedic surgeons who shared an office . Studies revealed that infections were associated with previous joint injections (P = 4.44 X 10(-5} of methylprednisolone and lidocaine . Environmental cultures revealed that a canister of cotton balls soaked in aqueous benzalkonium chloride and two multiple-dose vials of methylprednisolone previously used by office personnel were contaminated with the epidemic strain of S . marcescens . The canister may have served as a potential reservoir for contamination of sterile solutions and equipment used for joint injections, of skin at the injection site, and of hands of personnel . No further cases occurred after the use of aqueous benzalkonium chloride was discontinued.

Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ, 1987 Jun, 34(2), 25 - 40
Sterilization efficacy of ultraviolet irradiation on microbial aerosols under dynamic airflow by experimental air conditioning systems; Nakamura H; In order to know the sterilization efficacy of ultraviolet irradiation on microbial aerosols, the size and the weight of the aerosol particles were evaluated, and these were irradiated under dynamic air flow created by an experimental air conditioning system . The experimental apparatus consisted of a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, an aerosol generator, spiral UV lamps placed around a quart glass tube, an Andersen air sampler and a vacuum pump . They were connected serially by stainless steel ducts (85 mm in diameter, 8m in length) . Six types of microbial aerosols generated from an ultrasonic nebulizer were irradiated by UV rays (wavelength 254nm, mean density 9400 microW/cm2) . Their irradiation time ranged from 1.0 to 0.0625 seconds . The microbial aerosols were collected onto the trypticase soy agar (TSA) medium in the Andersen air sampler . After incubation, the number of colony forming units (CFU) were counted, and converted to particle counts . The diameter of microbial aerosol particles calculated by their log normal distribution were found to match the diameter of a single bacteria cell measured by a microscope . The sterilization efficacy of UV in standard airflow conditions (0.5 sec . irradiation) were found to be over 99.5% in Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis (vegetative cell) and Bacillus subtilis (spore) and 67% in Aspergillus niger (conidium) . In A . niger, which was the most resistant microbe to UV irradiation, the efficacy rose up to 79% when irradiated for 1.0 sec., and it was observed that the growth speed of the colonies was slower than that of the controls . It was thought that UV rays caused some damage to the proliferation of A . niger cells.

J Biol Chem . 1987 May 5;262(13):5943.
Human fibroblast collagenase contains an amino acid sequence homologous to the zinc-binding site of Serratia protease; McKerrow JH; Analysis of sequence alignments between the recently published sequence of human fibroblast collagenase and a computer file of published protease sequences has revealed a previously unrecognized homology to the 11 amino acids flanking the zinc-binding site of Serratia protease, a bacterial metalloprotease . There is also strong homology among several bacterial metalloproteases at this site . This finding implies that zinc binding by many proteins may have structural requirements which are apparent even in primary structure and which have been evolutionarily conserved or convergently evolved . This consensus sequence could be used as a marker for recognizing other members of the metalloprotease family.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1987 May, 43(5), 544 - 9
Prophylactic antibiotic treatment prevents infection after cardiopulmonary bypass: a study in dogs; van Oeveren W et al.; The effect of two prophylactic antibiotic regimens during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was investigated in dogs . Airborne contamination was determined by spraying two different bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens) into the air of the operating room . Dogs were operated on and underwent CPB with a bubble oxygenator . Pericardial suction, either conventional (blood-air) or selective (only blood), was used . Particularly in the first situation, an impaired humoral host defense is induced . In dogs given the regimen consisting of penicillin G (benzylpenicillin), gentamicin sulfate, and flucloxacillin, the number of contaminated sites for both bacteria was reduced (p less than .01) compared with those given cefuroxime . The effectiveness of the combined antibiotic regimen could be ascribed to increased serum bactericidal activity and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) killing capacity . Cefuroxime enhanced the PMN respiratory burst . As a result, two weeks postoperatively the rate of infection was small in both groups . We conclude that prior to CPB, antibiotics should be administered prophylactically to overcome a period of impaired humoral host defense during CPB.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 May, 35(5), 644 - 7
{Bone infections: treatment by ofloxacin . Apropos of 10 cases}; Bernard E et al.; Because of its pharmacokinetic, broad spectrum and oral administration, ofloxacin can be used in the treatment of chronic bone infections . A clinical trial was performed in 10 patients with subacute or chronic osteitis (5 Staphylococcus aureus, 1 Staphylococcus epidermidis, 1 Klebsiella oxytoca, 1 Escherichia coli, 1 Serratia marcescens, 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa) . Patients were given orally 200 mg 12 hourly . Treatment duration went on from 2 to 6 months . In this trial, the evaluation was successful in the 10 cases with a delay of 2 to 13 months (m 8,9) after the end of the treatment . Prosthetic material has been taken off in 1 case out of 4 patients (prosthetic hip) because of persistaet free bacteria outflow . For one patient, a superinfection with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to ofloxacin was noticed at the second month . Bone levels (microbiological method) were between 1,3 and 9,7 mg/l and always higher to the MIC of the bacteria . Biological tolerance was satisfactory in spite of a rise of transaminase level, a transient renal disfunction whom relationship to the treatment was difficult . 3 transient photosensitivities were also noticed.

Forensic Sci Int, 1987 May-Jun, 34(1-2), 17 - 27
Alcohol loss arising from microbial contamination of drivers' blood specimens; Dick GL et al.; This paper describes the circumstances in which some drivers' blood specimens containing added sodium fluoride (1% w/v concentration) deteriorated as a result of microbial contamination, accompanied by a decrease of alcohol concentration . Strains of the bacteria Serratia marcescens and a Pseudomonas sp . were isolated from the specimens and proven capable of growing at ambient temperature in blood containing sodium fluoride at 1% w/v concentration . They were shown to be active in alcohol degradation in preservatised blood, the activity being dependent on sodium fluoride concentration and storage temperature . Blood diluters were assumed to be a source of microbial cross contamination from one blood specimen to the next . It is recommended that postmortem blood specimens be analysed in separate batches from drivers' specimens when automated blood diluters are used, that the content of fluoride ions be increased to an equivalent of 2% w/v sodium fluoride, and that storage of specimens at temperatures above 4 degrees C be minimised.

Am J Optom Physiol Opt, 1987 May, 64(5), 321 - 3
Effect of refrigeration on microbial growth in the Blairex Water Purifier; Harris MG et al.; The Blairex Water Purifier is designed to make tap water into purified water that can be used to make saline solution for soft contact lens disinfection and rinsing . The micropore filters of eight Purifiers were perforated to allow a controlled contamination by either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Serratia marcescens . The bacterial growth was evaluated in these altered Blairex Water Purifiers under refrigerated and unrefrigerated conditions . Those Purifiers that were refrigerated showed significantly less bacterial growth than those Purifiers that were kept at room temperature between samplings . Our findings imply that soft contact lens wearers may reduce the level of microbial growth in undamaged Purifiers by refrigerating the Purifiers between uses.

J Bacteriol, 1987 May, 169(5), 2113 - 20
Identification of the Serratia marcescens hemolysin determinant by cloning into Escherichia coli; Braun V et al.; A cosmid bank of Serratia marcescens was established from which DNA fragments were cloned into the plasmid pBR322, which conferred the chromosomally encoded hemolytic activity to Escherichia coli K-12 . By transposon mutagenesis with Tn1000 and Tn5 IS50L::phoA (TnphoA), the coding region was assigned to a DNA fragment, designated hly, comprising approximately 7 kilobases . Two proteins with molecular weights of 61,000 (61K protein) and 160,000 (160K protein) were expressed by the pBR322 derivatives and by a plasmid which contained the hly genes under the control of a phage T7 promoter and the T7 RNA polymerase . When strongly overexpressed the 160K protein was released by E . coli cells into the extracellular medium concomitant with hemolytic activity . The genes encoding the 61K and the 160K proteins were transcribed in the same direction . Mutants expressing a 160K protein truncated at the carboxy-terminal end were partially hemolytic . Hemolysis was progressively inhibited by saccharides with increasing molecular weights from maltotriose (Mr 504) to maltoheptaose (Mr 1,152) and was totally abolished by dextran 4 (Mr 4,000) . This result and the observed influx of {14C}sucrose into erythrocytes in the presence of hemolytic E . coli transformants under osmotically protective conditions suggest the formation of defined transmembrane channels by the hemolysin.

Am J Med, 1987 Apr 27, 82(4A), 146 - 53
Oral ciprofloxacin in the treatment of serious soft tissue and bone infections . Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics; Nix DE et al.; Forty-eight patients were enrolled in a clinical study of oral ciprofloxacin for the treatment of soft tissue or bone infections . Patients received 500 to 750 mg of ciprofloxacin every 12 hours . In the predominantly older population studied, there were 13 patients with osteomyelitis, 24 diabetic patients with soft tissue infection and probable osteomyelitis, and 11 patients with other soft tissue infections . Infecting pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 25 patients, Serratia species in nine patients, Staphylococcus aureus in 13 patients, and other aerobic gram-negative rods in 21 patients . Clinical response (defined as resolution or improvement) was noted in 84 percent of patients with non-diabetic osteomyelitis, in 79 percent of patients with diabetic infections, and in 91 percent of patients with soft tissue infections . Microbiologic outcome was very favorable in 75 percent of cases, and Pseudomonas responded as well as any other pathogen . Pharmacokinetic properties of ciprofloxacin were evaluated in 12 patients, and the data were analyzed using both compartmental and non-compartmental analyses . Mean values for compartmental rate constants (hours-1) were as follows: absorption rate constant = 1.15; intercompartmental rate constants, k12 = 0.48, and k21 = 0.58; elimination rate constant = 0.46; distribution rate constant = 1.31; and terminal elimination rate constant = 0.19 . The apparent volume of distribution at steady state/bioavailability was 196 liters and total body clearance/bioavailability was 45.9 liters/hour . The mean time to peak concentration was 1.3 hours . The mean peak concentration as determined by compartmental fitting (2.4 micrograms/ml) underestimated the observed peak (3.2 micrograms/ml) by 24.8 percent . Clearance of ciprofloxacin was similar regardless of the method used to fit the data, whereas the volume of distribution was significantly different when the two analysis techniques were compared . Ciprofloxacin was well tolerated, with the most frequent adverse reactions being rash, gastrointestinal intolerance, and increased levels of liver enzymes, each of which occurred in five patients.

Am J Med, 1987 Apr 27, 82(4A), 80 - 6
Treatment of ciprofloxacin- and ceftizoxime-induced resistant gram-negative bacilli; Fasching CE et al.; Gram-negative bacilli that had been selected for resistance to either ciprofloxacin or ceftizoxime as a result of previous exposure to these agents were inoculated into semipermeable subcutaneous chambers in rabbits, modeling a locally neutropenic closed-space infection . Five resistant organisms, one Serratia marcescens (157) and four Pseudomonas aeruginosa (864, 876, 913, and 915) strains, were selected by previous therapy with ciprofloxacin, and six Pseudomonas strains (833, 845, 864, 876, 913, and 915) were selected by previous therapy with ceftizoxime . Animals were treated with either single antibiotics or combinations of antibiotics for four days, and the response was determined by quantitative bacterial count measurements . The selected (induced) resistance was stable for at least four days, both in vivo and in vitro, but was limited to the antibiotic class of the agent used for induction . Four of five isolates for which resistance had been induced by ciprofloxacin returned to preinduction susceptibility by the eight day of subculture . Organisms that were selected for resistance to ciprofloxacin were successfully treated by a combination of azlocillin and amikacin, and were as sensitive to that regimen as were the parent, uninduced strains . Organisms selected for resistance by pretreatment with ceftizoxime were successfully treated by the combination of ciprofloxacin plus azlocillin, and this regimen was also equally active against the selected strains as it was against the parental isolates . Although selection or induction of resistance is a potential problem with all new potent antimicrobial agents, it appears that infections due to these isolates can still be treated successfully through the use of appropriate combination chemotherapy.

Experientia, 1987 Apr 15, 43(4), 397 - 9
Relationship of prodigiosin condensing enzyme activity to the biosynthesis of prodigiosin and its precursors in Serratia marcescens; Cho LK et al.; Prodigiosin condensing enzyme (PCE) activities were present in Serratia marcescens wild type 08, mutants OF, WF and 9-3-3 . Their specific activities exhibited different maxima and at different times during the late log phase or the early stationary phase of cell growth . The levels of prodigiosin and its precursors also showed a significant increase at this period . The results support that prodigiosin and/or its precursors are secondary metabolites . The ubiquity of the PCE activity in mutants deficient in prodigiosin biosynthesis suggest that this particular enzyme may also be present in non-pigmented clinical isolates.

Infect Control, 1987 Apr, 8(4), 163 - 7
Evaluation of the skin disinfecting activity and cumulative effect of chlorhexidine and triclosan handwash preparations on hands artificially contaminated with Serratia marcescens; Bartzokas CA et al.; The initial and cumulative efficacy of two antiseptic handwash preparations in eliminating Serratia marcescens from hands was evaluated on volunteers . Two antiseptics with persistent skin antibacterial activity, 4% chlorhexidine gluconate in detergent and 1.5% triclosan in natural soap, were studied in a new protocol designed according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines . After a single handwash, both preparations exhibited a degerming action statistically superior to the mechanical elimination of the marker organism that was achieved by the nonmedicated controls . Following a further nine hand recontamination sequence with 10(9) colony-forming units (cfu)/mL S marcescens (mean predisinfection baseline, log10 6.6), the efficacy of chlorhexidine and triclosan was significantly augmented: the mean log10 reduction factors were 4.15 and 3.78, respectively . In the absence of internationally accepted testing standards for antiseptic handwash products, the significance of protocol variables is discussed . The advantages to preventative microbiology of antiseptics with persistent skin antibacterial activity are highlighted.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1987 Apr, 264(1-2), 105 - 19
Serotyping of Serratia marcescens using passive haemagglutination; Guinee PA et al.; Serratia marcescens O antisera prepared with boiled bacterial suspensions gave relatively low titers when tested with boiled broth cultures in tube or tray agglutination tests, but extremely high titers when tested in the haemagglutination test with conserved sheep erythrocytes coated with alkali-treated heat extract . However, an antiserum prepared with boiled O group 6 bacteria, did not react at all . A proper O6 antiserum could only be prepared if the O6 cells were not heated at 100 degrees C . The antigenic relationships between standard strains of S . marcescens were investigated by means of haemagglutination tests . The antigenic relationships already described in the literature were confirmed . Additional reciprocal relationships were observed, some of which could be explained by 8 antigenic factors which are designated I-VIII . O antisera could be made monospecific by absorption . It was confirmed that standard strain O6H3 has two antigenic determinants which should be written as O6ab, that standard strain O6H8 has O6bc and that O14 has O6b . Standard strain O7 was found to possess O6a in addition to the specific determinant O7, whereas the antigen O6c turned out to be identical with O8 . The standard strain O14 has, in addition to O6b only the factor hitherto described as Co12, 13, 14 and no specific O14 antigen . We propose to redesignate Co12, 13, 14 as O14 and to write the formula of O12 and O13 strains possessing this antigen as O12, 14 and O13, 14 respectively . O antigen O23 should then be written as O14, 23 . For similar reasons we propose to redesignate Co2, 3 as O25 . The O antigen O20 was found to be related to the antigens O16ab, O16ac and O16acd in such a way that it should be written O16ae . For similar reasons O22 should be written as O10ac . When serotyping Dutch isolates of Serratia marcescens, hitherto undescribed antigenic combinations such as O2, 16ab; 03, 6a; O3, 21 and O4, 6b were encountered . For H antigen typing we found the slide agglutination with cultures grown on semisolid medium the most appropriate.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1987 Mar, 93(3), 366 - 74
Extended aortic root replacement with aortic allografts; McKowen RL et al.; Complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after operation for subaortic stenosis or with hypoplastic aortic anulus remains a challenge for pediatric cardiac surgeons . We have recently applied a new technique of extended aortic root replacement using a cryopreserved aortic allograft to treat two patients who had previously been operated on for subaortic stenosis and a third who had aortic stenosis with a hypoplastic aortic anulus . This new procedure combines the concept of aortoventriculoplasty with aortic root replacement and coronary artery reimplantation . The valved aortic homograft is used in place of an aortic valve prosthesis and the attached anterior mitral leaflet augments the interventricular septum to relieve the subvalvular left ventricular outflow tract obstruction . The coronary ostia are then reimplanted into the allograft and an anastomosis between the distal graft and the ascending aorta is completed . Allograft aortic tissue is then used to patch the right ventricular outflow tract . One patient had aortic stenosis with annular hypoplasia and did well after extended root replacement . Two patients had previous operations for subaortic stenosis before undergoing extended aortic root replacement . One required mediastinal exploration and drainage at 2 weeks for Serratia marcescens mediastinitis and bacteremia, but uncomplicated recovery followed . The other patient had complete heart block for 2 days, but normal sinus rhythm resumed and convalescence was benign . This modified technique with the aortic allograft was very helpful in treating these difficult problems, and the lack of mortality, limited morbidity, and good functional results are encouraging.

J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Mar, 25(3), 567 - 8
Modification of Grimont biotyping system for epidemiologic studies with nosocomial Serratia marcescens isolates; Sifuentes-Osornio J et al.; A modification of the Grimont biotyping system for Serratia marcescens permitted the rapid testing of nosocomial strains by a plate-disk assimilation technique instead of with individual substrate tubes.

J Card Surg, 1987 Mar, 2(1 Suppl), 121 - 8
Extended aortic root replacement for treatment of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction; Clarke DR; Recurrent tunnel stenosis of the left ventricular outflow tract following operation for subaortic stenosis and hypoplastic aortic annulus remain a challenge for pediatric cardiac surgeons . We have recently applied a new technique of extended aortic root replacement using an aortic allograft to treat three patients who had previously been operated upon for subaortic stenosis and three who had aortic stenosis with a hypoplastic aortic annulus . This new procedure combines the concept of aortoventriculoplasty with allograft aortic root replacement and coronary artery reimplantation . The valved aortic homograft is used in place of an aortic valve prosthesis and the attached anterior mitral leaflet augments the interventricular septum to relieve the subvalvular left ventricular outflow tract obstruction . The coronary ostia are then reimplanted into the allograft and distal graft to ascending aorta anastomosis completed . Allograft aortic tissue is then used to patch the right ventricular outflow tract . There have been no operative or late deaths . One patient developed Serratia marcescens mediastinitis but recovered uneventfully after mediastinal drainage . Two cases of transient complete heart block reversed spontaneously . A patient with type II hyperlipidemia developed postpericardiotomy syndrome early, which resolved but then required reoperation at six months for stenosis of the distal anastomosis and left main coronary stenosis, both thought to be complications of his underlying disease . Completely benign convalescence and early follow-up has occurred in the last two patients . This modified technique using aortic allograft was very helpful in treating these difficult problems, and the lack of mortality, limited morbidity, and good function results are encouraging.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1987 Mar, 263(4), 561 - 71
Interactions of purified Serratia marcescens metalloproteases with fresh human serum and with purified human serum proteins; Traub WH et al.; Exposure of fresh human serum to two purified metalloproteases of S . marcescens strains SF 178 and SH 186 (both of serotype O6/O14:H12) at 35 degrees C, 3 h, resulted in altered electrophoretic mobility of the protease inhibitors alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein, and complement (C) components C1q, C1s, C3a, C3c, C4, C5, and C9, but not C6, C7, C8, and properdin, as determined with electroimmunoassays (Laurell technique) . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) documented the partial degradation of the heavy (H) chain of purified human immunoglobulin IgG by the metalloproteases of S . marcescens strains SF 178 and SV O1 (serotype O13/O19:H1), but not by the metalloproteases of strains SH 186 and SE 182 (serotype O9B:H11) following extended incubation (35 degrees C, 22 h) . Human IgA and IgM were refractory . Purified human C components, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9, as well as purified human alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, transferrin, and lactoferrin were attacked by the S . marcescens metalloproteases SF 178 and SH 186 at 35 degrees C for 5 h, as demonstrated with the SDS-PAGE procedure; haptoglobin and C-reactive protein were resistant.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1987 Mar, 84(6), 1507 - 11
Detection of transcription-pausing in vivo in the trp operon leader region; Landick R et al.; To determine whether RNA polymerase pauses during transcription in vivo, we have examined transcripts of the trp operon leader regions of Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli . Labeled RNAs synthesized in E . coli strains containing plasmids bearing wild-type or mutant trp leader regions of S . marcescens or E . coli were isolated by hybridization and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The labeled RNAs synthesized in vivo on the S . marcescens wild-type and deletion mutant plasmids were the same size as the in vitro pause and leader transcripts . Hybridization of the presumed in vivo pause RNAs, and control in vitro pause RNAs, to M13 phage DNA containing a trp leader region deletion followed by treatment with S1 nuclease produced identical protected RNA species, proving that the in vitro and in vivo RNAs were identical . The amount of labeled pause RNAs relative to leader RNAs decreased following a chase with unlabeled uridine . E . coli RNAs identical to the previously characterized in vitro pause and leader transcripts were demonstrated by electrophoretic band position and fingerprint analysis . The finding that transcription pausing occurs in vivo is consistent with the view that transcription pausing and ribosome release of paused transcription complexes are responsible for the coupling of translation with transcription that is crucial to attenuation.

Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1987 Feb, 20(1), 69 - 79
Drug resistance, R plasmids and pigmentation of Serratia marcescens isolated in Taiwan; Ding MJ et al.; The Serratia marcescens isolates used in this study were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline or cephalothin, streptomycin, tobramycin, kanamycin, carbenicillin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin in descending order . Nalidixic acid was the most effective antibiotic against S . marcescens, followed by amikacin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim . The non-pigmented plasmid-carrying isolates displayed higher resistance to some antimicrobial agents than did the pigmented isolates and plasmid-free white isolates . Nine out of 12 resistant markers were coded by plasmids in S . marcescens . The average number of resistant markers per strain was seven for plasmid-containing white isolates as compared to four for other S . marcescens groups . About 73% of S . marcescens contained plasmids . Thirty eight percent of plasmid-carrying S . marcescens spread their R plasmids to E . coli . Conjugative R plasmids were identified in six out of 17 strains of S . marcescens, which apparently contained a single plasmid.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1987 Feb, 135(2), 426 - 32
Diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia in intubated, intensive care unit patients; Salata RA et al.; The clinical distinction between bacterial colonization of the tracheobronchial tree and nosocomial pneumonia is difficult, especially in intubated patients . We studied 51 intubated, intensive care unit patients prospectively by serial examinations of tracheal aspirates for elastin fibers, graded Gram's stains, and quantitative bacterial cultures in conjunction with clinical and radiologic observations in an attempt to develop criteria for the early detection of pulmonary infection . Patients with infection had new or progressive pulmonary infiltrates plus 1 of the following: positive blood culture results, radiographic evidence of cavitation, or histologic evidence of pneumonia, or 2 or more of the following: new fever, new leukocytosis, or grossly purulent tracheal aspirates . Twenty-one patients developed infection, 22 remained colonized, and 8 had an uncertain status . Infiltrates developed in 34 patients (21 infected, 8 colonized, 5 uncertain status) . Gram-negative bacilli were most commonly isolated and were more frequent in infected patients (81 versus 47%, p less than 0.05); Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens were most often associated with infection . No differences were observed between infected and colonized patients in demographic features, smoking history, underlying disease, previous antibiotic therapy, days in hospital before intubation, preexisting pneumonia upon intubation, or highest temperature or leukocyte count during course . By univariate analysis, infected patients had a longer duration of intubation (p less than 0.05), higher Gram's stain grading for neutrophils (p less than 0.05) or bacteria (p less than 0.005), higher bacterial colony counts (p less than 0.05), and more frequent detection of elastin fibers in tracheal aspirates (p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Feb, 6(1), 70 - 1
Reliability of the colistin disk test in identification of Serratia marcescens and Serratia liquefaciens; von Graevenitz A et al.; Resistance to polymycin B or E (colistin) in the disk test, which is used as a means of identification, was tested in 43 strains of Serratia marcescens and 26 of Serratia liquefaciens . While all strains had MIC values greater than 32 mg/l for colistin, false susceptibility to both polymyxins was encountered in the 24 h disk test in 9% of Serratia marcescens and 12-96% of Serratia liquefaciens strains, depending on the kind of polymyxin, temperature and duration of incubation . Using colistin disks and incubation at 25 degrees C for 48 h, the percentage of false susceptible results could be minimized.

Cancer Res, 1987 Jan 15, 47(2), 563 - 6
Antitumor activity of some bacterial proteases: eradication of solid tumors in mice by intratumor injection; Maeda H et al.; A protease isolated from the culture filtrate of a Gram-negative bacteria, Serratia marcescens kums 3958, showed very potent antitumor activity when injected into Meth-A or RL male 1 tumors in BALB/c mice at 30 micrograms per tumor or more . This and certain other proteases, which are resistant to many protease inhibitors in plasma, appear to be new candidate drugs for regional treatment of solid tumors.

Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1987, 13(2), 101 - 3
A dose-ranging study of cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in general practice; Spencer RC et al.; Cefuroxime axetil (CAE) is a prodrug of cefuroxime which is suitable for oral administration, being hydrolysed by non-specific esterases to release cefuroxime (CXM) into the bloodstream . This study was performed in four centres in the UK to investigate the efficacy and safety of CAE administered at a dosage of either 250 mg t.d.s . or 500 mg b.d . for the treatment of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections . Of the 69 clinically assessable patients, 33 out of 34 (97%) patients on 250 mg t.d.s . and 31 out of 35 (89%) on 500 mg b.d . were cured or improved . Positive bacteriology was obtained from 43 (61%) of the pretreatment sputum samples, of which 35 (51%) were assessable: the pathogen was eradicated from 14 out of 16 (88%) on 250 mg . t.d.s . and 16 out of 19 (84%) on 500 mg b.d . The most common infecting organism was H . influenzae, accounting for 49% of the isolates; 81% of these were eradicated . There were 3 superinfections, all in the higher dosage group, one with Serratia liquifaciens which was resistant to CXM . CAE was generally well tolerated, with only 9 patients experiencing adverse events, most of which were gastrointestinal . None of these cases was sufficiently serious to require symptomatic treatment and in only one case was treatment stopped early . There was no difference in the incidence of side-effects in the two dosage groups . CAE, at a dose of 250 mg t.i.d . or 500 mg b.d., was demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment for lower respiratory tract infections in the community.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1987, 19(1), 69 - 75
Orthopaedic infections by Serratia marcescens: a report of seven cases; Svensson O et al.; In recent decades, Serratia marcescens has been established as a cause of infections difficult to treat, and several outbreaks of nosocomial infections have been reported, mostly from the USA . However, serratia infections affecting bones and joints are very rare; only a few such cases have previously been reported from Europe . We report 7 patients with orthopaedic infections by S . marcescens chiefly of nosocomial origin where previous antibiotic therapy apparently was a predisposing factor . The clinical course was generally protracted, often requiring repeated surgical interventions . Also, in some cases adequate therapy was considerably delayed as serratia was considered to be a nonpathogenic saprophyte . Multiresistance to antibiotics was a major clinical problem . However, the third generation cephalosporins are often effective against serratia and the aminoglycosides can thus be avoided . The increased use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in orthopaedic surgery may bring about an increase in the incidence of infections by multiresistant microorganisms in orthopaedic wards.

Hautarzt, 1987 Jan, 38(1), 36 - 9
{Fistulous pyoderma caused by Serratia liquefaciens}; Waldermann F et al.; Human infections with Serratia liquefaciens are rare . We therefore present a patient with fistulous pyoderma due to this pathogen . The success of the therapy of Serratia infections depends on determination of the resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics . Following the tentative diagnosis of dermal tuberculosis, histological, microbiological and X-ray examinations were performed . Serratia liquefaciens was identified by culture as the only cause of the skin lesions . After therapy with sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, the lesions disappeared.

Gene, 1987, 57(2-3), 183 - 92
The extracellular nuclease gene of Serratia marcescens and its secretion from Escherichia coli; Ball TK et al.; We are studying exoproteins of the enteric bacterium Serratia marcescens as a model system for the release of extracellular proteins from the cell . In this work we report the cloning of the gene for a secreted nuclease from S . marcescens and its complete nucleotide sequence . Following expression of the nuclease gene in both S . marcescens and Escherichia coli we were able to demonstrate the presence of the nuclease extracellularly in both organisms . Cell lysis did not occur and there was no concurrent release of cytoplasmic or periplasmic proteins . No accessory genes appeared to be required for extracellular secretion of the nuclease from E . coli . We can conclude that E . coli is capable of secreting certain proteins extracellularly, and may be a suitable host organism for the genetic analysis of extracellular protein secretion when provided with a suitable protein to export.

Zentralbl Chir, 1987, 112(14), 873 - 84
{Immune depression as a reaction to surgical operations--its significance for postoperative infection}; Eiseman B et al.; Injuries, burns, and surgical intervention may lead to temporary depression of immune defence . Today, life-threatening infections may be caused by bacteria, such as pseudomonas, bacteroids, serratia as well as by viruses, including cytomegaly virus, and yeasts . Severe infections of that kind may be countered by adequate nutrition, planned application of antibiotics or, in the future, by possible active substances against depression of the immunity system, such as interferone, interleucine, and prostaglandins . More attention should be given in surgery to control of immunological defence as well as to knowledge about immunological defence mechanisms . Immune defence has proved to play an important role not only in transplantation surgery but also in other major surgical interventions and in intensive therapy.

J Basic Microbiol, 1987, 27(1), 49 - 61
Transactivation of several genes of two native Serratia prophages after superinfection by phage kappa; Steiger H et al.; Serratia marcescens HY bacteria must be lysogenic with either prophage y or psi to make it possible for phage kappa to form plaques unless they carry a so-called ink mutation . Genes in y and psi termed any and anp were identified that after infection of ink+ cells are necessary for an effective propagation of these phages as well as of coinfecting kappa phage . When kappa infects y and/or psi-lysogenic cells it transactivates the respective prophage genes by means of two early genes termed tay and tap . It appears that on infection of nonlysogenic ink+ cells kappa damps its own development, provided the regulatory region of the responsible gene is undermethylated . After kappa infection duly to achieve the special methylation of this region seems to be the function of any and anp . There are some more genes in y and psi prophage under the control of tay and tap, concerning in both cases a Dam methylation (recognition sequence GATC) of kappa DNA, a recombination proneness under restricting conditions of kappa DNA not modified by the modification enzyme of HY, and the kappa plaque size . By hybridization studies a region of homology common to y and psi was demonstrated which from its size might comprise all the transactivated genes . The view is supported by genetic data indicating an affinity among the any and anp genes . Investigation of various any mutants were indicative of DNA inversions in this region of the y genome . Surprisingly some of the any mutants had become sensitive in their plaque forming ability to an inhibitory activity exerted by prophage psi . Mutants of psi unable to interfere but still able to lysogenize were isolated . A model is presented accounting for the formation of pleiotropic and nonpleiotropic mutations with Any phenotype and their reversion types . Possible functions of the y genes and their counterparts in psi are discussed.

Chemotherapy, 1987, 33(3), 172 - 6
Outer membrane protein alterations in Serratia marcescens resistant against aminoglycoside and beta-lactam antibiotics; Traub WH et al.; Six isolates of Serratia marcescens were recovered sequentially from the respiratory tract of a single patient . The first three isolates were of the 'opaque' (wild-type) colony type and were susceptible to amikacin, cefotaxime, and lamoxactam . The following three isolates were of the small, 'gray' colony variety, significantly less susceptible to the three antibiotics, and revealed three altered outer membrane proteins, as determined with the SDS-PAGE procedure.

Gene, 1987, 57(2-3), 151 - 8
Cloning and characterization of the mutated threonine operon (thrA(1)5A(2)5BC) of Serratia marcescens; Sugita T et al.; The entire threonine operon (thrA(1)5A(2)5BC) of Serratia marcescens TLr156, which lacks threonine-mediated feedback inhibition of both aspartokinase I (AK I) and homoserine dehydrogenase I (HD I), was cloned on a multicopy plasmid pLG339 . Hybrid plasmid pSK301 carried a 6.5-kb chromosomal DNA . Several derivatives of pSK301 with Tn1000 insertions were obtained . By examining the phenotypes and the physical maps of these plasmids, we could define the loci of the thrA(1)5A(2)5, thrB, and thrC genes . The thrA(1)5A(2)5 and thrC gene products were identified by the maxicell method as proteins with Mrs of 85,000 and 43,000, respectively . The thrA(1)5A(2)5 genes encode a single polypeptide similar to the thrA1A2 genes of Escherichia coli . Plasmid pSK301 was introduced into S . marcescens T-1112, in which both AK I and HD I are produced constitutively . The resulting transformant carried five to six copies of pSK301 per chromosome and produced the AK I and HD I enzymes at three to four times higher level than control strain T-1112{pLG339} . Strain T-1112{pSK301} produced four times higher levels of threonine than strain T-1112{pLG339}, yielding about 35 mg of threonine per ml of a medium containing sucrose and urea.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1987, 19(1), 91 - 6
Strict protective isolation in allogenic bone marrow transplantation: effect on infectious complications, fever and graft versus host disease; Skinhoj P et al.; Complete microbial decontamination (laminar air flow room, sterile nursing and oral administration of cefamandole, gentamicin and nystatin) was carried out in 65 consecutive patients prior to allogeneic BMT for leukaemia (n = 58) or aplastic anaemia (n = 7) . Very few microorganisms persisted during the post-transplant treatment period, and the gut became sterile in all except for Candida in 11 patients . Six uncomplicated septicaemias, all with persistent organisms simultaneously present in the mouth (Pseudomonas 3, Serratia 1, Candida 2) occurred during a total of 1,360 days with granulocyte counts less than 0.5 X 10(9)/l . Post-transplant fever occurred in 52 patients, exceeding 40 degrees C in 25 . Guided by the surveillance cultures only 46% of 43 unexplained febrile reactions were treated with systemic antimicrobials . Significant acute graft versus host disease (AGVHD) occurred in 14 (27%) of 52 patients receiving standard prophylaxis and HLA-matched grafts; immunosuppressive treatment was needed in 8 cases (16%) . Thus, the additional costs of total microbial decontamination appear partially regained by a decreased morbidity and a reduced need for antimicrobial and immunosuppressive treatment, although neither fever nor AGVHD could be prevented.

Curr Clin Top Infect Dis, 1987, 8, 37 - 61
Penicillin-binding proteins and beta-lactamases: their effects on the use of cephalosporins and other new beta-lactams; Neu HC; Alteration of PBPs has proved an effective way for gram-positive bacteria to become resistant to beta-lactams . The gram-positive species have not been able to use decreased permeability or synthesis of novel beta-lactamases to overcome the advances by medicinal chemists . Nonetheless, altered PBPs have proved to be a formidable form of resistance for staphylococci, enterococci, and even some S . pneumoniae . Although isolated examples of resistance of gram-negative species to beta-lactams have been seen for E . coli, Serratia, or P . aeruginosa, in general this form of resistance has not been used by the gram-negative species except by N . gonorrhoeae . Conversely gram-negative bacteria have used beta-lactamases as an effective weapon to overcome the advances in medical chemistry that have provided beta-lactamase inhibitors and structurally stable cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems . Derepression or induction of beta-lactamases has provided species such as E . cloacae and P . aeruginosa the ability to resist destruction by new cephalosporins . The original concept of beta-lactamase as a trap or sponge has been shown to be inaccurate, and we realize that the high concentration of beta-lactamase in the periplasmic space combined with a decreased or slow entry of the beta-lactam allows an efficient acylation of the so-called stable cephalosporins with hydrolysis of these compounds . Although the PBPs and beta-lactamases are clear problems, there is the potential for future modification of beta-lactam structures to increase affinity to PBPs and decrease beta-lactamase affinity . Bacterial populations do have the ability to create transferable resistance even to extended spectrum beta-lactams . It will be necessary to carefully monitor the development of resistance to new beta-lactams . However, advances in the chemistry of beta-lactams should offer solutions to these real but potentially controllable problems.

Physiol Bohemoslov, 1987, 36(5), 435 - 40
Role of the functional state of the liver RES in the pathogenesis of toxic liver injury; Simek J et al.; In rats to which E . coli endotoxin (250 micrograms/kg i.p.) was administered 24 h before they were given tetrachlormethane (CCl4) (1.5 ml/kg intragastrically), stimulation of liver DNA synthesis was observed during the first 48 h after administration of the hepatatoxin . In experimental rats to which prodigiosan (a Serratia marcescens polysaccharide, 250 micrograms/kg i.p.) was administered 24 h before CCl4 (1.5 ml/kg i.p.), liver damage 24 h after CCl4 poisoning was expressed less--judging from the size of liver necrosis and the size of glycogen-free zones in the liver lobules than in the controls . To elucidate the role of activated macrophages in the induction of liver resistance to CCl4, liver injury caused by this hepatotoxin was compared after the pre-administration of protein extract from the Kupffer cells or hepatocytes of prodigiosan-stimulated rats . In rats given the larger dose of Kupffer cell extract (6 mg/ml i.p.), the necrotic foci formed after the administration of CCl4 were significantly smaller . The results confirm the conception that liver macrophages participate in the development of resistance to CCl4.

Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(9), 879 - 89
Antigenic determinants on fimbriae of Serratia marcescens US5 analyzed using monoclonal antibodies; Jingushi S et al.; The antigenic sites on small thin fimbriae of Serratia marcescens strain US5 were investigated using immunoelectron microscopy and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) . Negative staining of the fimbriae after treatment with MAbs showed a regularly spaced arrangement of the antibody molecules . When the subunit peptide was subjected to immunoblotting using the MAbs, a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 19kD was evident . This binding of the MAbs to the subunit peptide was completely abrogated after treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol, thereby suggesting the important role of disulfide linkage in the maintenance of the conformation of the antigenic site reacted with MAbs . Amino acid analysis of the subunit peptide revealed two cysteine residues, and cysteine residues were absent in the N-terminal portion.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1987 Jan, 101(1), 199 - 205
Different binding kinetics of Serratia 56K protease with plasma alpha 2-macroglobulin and chicken egg white ovomacroglobulin; Molla A et al.; We recently reported that Serratia 56K protease is inhibited by plasma alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2M) temporarily and by chicken egg white ovomacroglobulin (ovoM) continuously (Molla, A . et al . (1986) Infect . Immun . 53, 522-529) . The inhibition of this protease is almost complete with ovoM whereas it is incomplete with alpha 2M, although these two macroglobulins show homology and many similarities . In the present study we determined the apparent numbers of binding sites and binding constants for the two macroglobulins by means of the fluorescence polarization method using FITC-labeled 56K protease . The time courses of complex formation of 56K protease with alpha 2M and ovoM were different; with ovoM it was complete within 5 min while with alpha 2M 150 min was required . Their apparent molecular volumes were also different; the fluorescence polarization value of the E/I complex was 18.7% larger with ovoM than with alpha 2M . The association constants obtained on Scatchard plot analysis with 56K protease and alpha 2M or ovoM were 0.33 X 10(7) M-1 and 1.09 X 10(7) M-1, respectively . One molecule of each of these macroglobulins binds 1.13 and 1.35 molecules of 56K protease, respectively . Upon E/I complex formation, an increase in amino groups due to proteolysis was noted in both cases, but more progressive proteolysis was observed in the case of alpha 2M . Furthermore, when the 56K protease was inactivated through the depletion of Zn atoms, complex formation did not occur.

J Pediatr Surg, 1986 Dec, 21(12), 1177 - 81
Surgical management of peritoneal dialysis catheters in children: five-year experience with 1,800 patient-month follow-up; Stone MM et al.; Currently at our institution more than 90% of the children with end-stage renal disease are managed with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in preference to hemodialysis until a successful transplant is accomplished . Recent refinements in CAPD catheters and dialysis techniques have greatly added to the many medical, psychological, and economic advantages of CAPD compared with chronic hemodialysis . Ninety-three patients less than 21 years of age underwent insertion of 167 peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters over a 5-year period . A variety of PD catheters were used, including 121 (73%) double-cuff Tenckhoff catheters, 22 (13%) single-cuff, and 24 (14%) column disc catheters (Lifecaths, Physio-Control Corp, Redmond, WA) . There were three (3%) noncatheter-related mortalities and minimal significant morbidity during the 1,819 patient-months of catheter use . Exit site infections (61%) and peritonitis (59%) were frequent but minor complications, occasionally requiring catheter replacement . Other noninfectious complications included abdominal hernias (42%), dialysis leaks (14%), distal cuff extrusion (11%), catheter obstruction (7%), and hydrothorax (2%) . Forty-five of the 60 hernias (75%) were surgically repaired in patients while receiving CAPD . Persistent or recurrent peritonitis was common with Pseudomonas, Serratia, and fungal infections and often resulted in catheter removal and loss of the peritoneal dialysis membrane . Catheter survival for the double-cuff Tenckhoff was significantly better (P .005) than the single-cuff or Lifecath . Based on this experience we have found that using specific operative techniques for CAPD catheter placement and early surgical management for severe peritonitis reduces the incidence of complications and modality failure.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1986 Dec, 43(12), 3013 - 6
Growth of four microorganisms in polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution; Akly TS et al.; The growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in reconstituted polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution (PEG-ELS) stored under refrigeration and at room temperature was studied . A standard inoculum of each organism was added to one of four 4-L containers (one organism per container) . From each container 28 aliquots of 25-mL each were removed and stored under refrigeration or at room temperature . One container was not inoculated and served as a control . Duplicate aliquots of the inoculated and the control solutions were filtered and incubated for quantification of organisms on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 30 . Solutions stored at room temperature supported the growth of S . marcescens and Ps . aeruginosa . The counts of these organisms increased to approximately 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL over 16 days . The counts of Staph . epidermidis in solutions stored at room temperature increased slightly over the first 24 hours and declined steadily to zero after day 4 . C . albicans reached a maximum colony count of 5.84 cfu/mL on day 16 and steadily declined to 0.92 cfu/mL on day 30 . Solutions stored under refrigeration did not support the growth of any microorganisms . Microbial growth was not detected in any of the control solutions over the 30-day study period . The polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution studied here should be refrigerated after reconstitution to minimize microbial growth . This solution may be used for up to 30 days after reconstitution when it is stored under refrigeration.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Nov, 18(5), 621 - 7
Randomised comparison of ceftriaxone and cefamandole therapy in lower respiratory tract infections in an elderly population; Bittner MJ et al.; Patients with pneumonia or bronchitis were randomized to receive ceftriaxone or cefamandole . A total of 30 of 38 patients were evaluable, 16 in the ceftriaxone group (average age 66.3 years) and 14 in the cefamandole group (average age 69.4 years) . All but one had underlying diseases . Patients usually received 1 g of ceftriaxone intravenously every 12 h (mean duration 8.7 days) or 1.5 g of cefamandole intravenously every 6 h (mean duration 8.2 days) . Adverse experiences attributable to the drugs were confined to one episode of discomfort at the infusion site in each group . Bacteriological results with ceftriaxone were 83% cured, 11% superinfected after eradication of pretherapy isolate, and 6% failed . Bacteriological results with cefamandole were 76% cured, 24% failed . Clinical results with ceftriaxone were 38% cured, 56% improved, 6% failed . Clinical results with cefamandole were 57% cured, 21% improved, 21% failed . Emergence of a resistant Serratia marcescens was seen in a ceftriaxone-treated patient . Disc diffusion susceptibility testing identified six of the seven pretherapy nonfastidious Gram-negative isolates as susceptible; however, two of the six could not be eradicated with the assigned drug and another two were eradicated with ensuing super-infection with susceptible isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . In contrast, MBCs were an accurate guide to clinical outcome with nonfastidious Gram-negative bacilli.

Aust Paediatr J, 1986 Nov, 22(4), 323 - 6
The emergence of Serratia marcescens as a pathogen in a newborn unit; Wake C et al.; During a 12 month period, the Waikato Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit experienced an epidemic of Serratia marcescens infection . Seventeen serious infections occurred, resulting in three deaths . A further 15 cases of minor infection were also noted . Although no point source of introduction was found, gut colonization proved to be the most important reservoir for nosocomial spread of the organism . At the peak of the outbreak, a 95% incidence of rectal colonization with S . marcescens was observed . Eradication was achieved within a 4 month period using cohort isolation of affected infants.

Biochem J, 1986 Nov 1, 239(3), 581 - 6
Properties of a class C beta-lactamase from Serratia marcescens; Joris B et al.; A beta-lactamase produced by a penicillin-resistant strain of Serratia marcescens was isolated and purified . The kcat . value for benzylpenicillin was about 5% of that observed for the best cephalosporin substrates . However, the low Km of the penam resulted in a high catalytic efficiency (kcat./Km) and the classification of the enzyme as a cephalosporinase might not be completely justified . It also exhibited a low but measurable activity against cefotaxime, cefuroxime, cefoxitin and moxalactam . Substrate-induced inactivation was observed both with a very good (cephalothin) or a very bad (moxalactam) substrate . The active site was labelled by beta-iodopenicillanate . Trypsin digestion produced a 19-residue active-site peptide whose sequence clearly allowed the classification of the enzyme as a class C beta-lactamase.

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