Serratia

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1986 Oct 15, 189(8), 913 - 5
Serratia liquefaciens mastitis in a dairy herd; Bowman GL et al.; Serratia liquefaciens mastitis was detected and investigated in a 41-cow Holstein herd . Twenty cows were treated for mastitis over a 3-month period . Serratia liquefaciens was isolated from milk samples obtained from 8 of 12 cows tested during the epizootic . Results of an epidemiologic investigation suggested that extensive frostbite of the teats decreased the udder defense . Poor milking technique and hygiene were responsible for increased exposure of the damaged teats to potential udder pathogens . Treatment of each cow resulted in initial clinical improvement, but exacerbations occurred in 75% of the cows with documented S liquefaciens infections.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 1986 Oct, 67(10), 722 - 5
Predicting renal calculus occurrence in spinal cord injury patients; DeVivo MJ et al.; This case-control study develops a model to predict the occurrence of renal calculi in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) . Risk factors were assessed at the time of diagnosis in 25 patients who developed calculi, and at a comparable postinjury time period in 100 patients with SCI who remained calculus-free several years after injury . Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a predictive model; accuracy was assessed by using the model to classify all 125 patients studied . Renal calculi occurred more frequently on the right side and 72% of the affected patients developed a second calculus within two years . Patients who developed renal calculi were more likely to be older, have neurologically complete quadriplegia, have Klebsiella or Serratia infections, a history of bladder calculi, and high serum calcium values . The predictive model was 84% sensitive and 81% specific . While other determinants of renal calculi undoubtedly exist, these findings demonstrate that high risk patients may be identified with a comparatively small set of predictor variables . Although these findings are encouraging, use of any predictive model is meant only to supplement and not replace clinical judgement.

South Med J, 1986 Oct, 79(10), 1252 - 5
Total hip arthroplasty: comparison of infection rates in a VA and a university hospital; Hofammann DY et al.; We reviewed charts of total hip arthroplasties from a ten-year period (January 1973 through December 1982) to determine the rate of infection at the Birmingham Veterans Administration Medical Center . Of 321 procedures, 296 were reviewed (92%) . Overall, there were 24 infections (8.1%), 13 of which (4.4%) were deep infections . Seven of the deep infections were due to Serratia marcescens, resulting in six implant removals . These figures are compared to the 1.1% deep infection rate after total hip arthroplasty at the adjoining University Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham . The main determinants for risk of infection at the VA Hospital were length of procedure and previous procedures on the affected joint.

J Neurosurg, 1986 Oct, 65(4), 557 - 9
Brain abscess aspiration in nursery with ultrasound guidance . Case report; Nagle RC et al.; The authors report the case of a 1000-gm neonate who developed a frontal brain abscess due to a Serratia marcescens infection . The relationship of the mass to the neighboring ventricle and to the coronal suture was determined by computerized tomography . The mass was then successfully aspirated in the intensive care nursery with ultrasound guidance . A more prolonged operative procedure was avoided.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Oct, 154(4), 670 - 5
Correlation of antibiotic synergy in vitro and in vivo: use of an animal model of neutropenic gram-negative sepsis; Chadwick EG et al.; The predictive value of in vitro studies of antibiotic interaction for clinical drug interactions is unclear . Five clinical isolates (two Klebsiella, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one Serratia marcescens) were evaluated by the time-kill curve method for in vitro synergy between amikacin and imipenem . When we used the stringent definition of synergy of Hallander et al., no synergy was present for any study strain; however, when we used a more-conventional definition of synergy, these drugs interacted synergistically against all study strains . The results of these in vitro studies were correlated with in vivo interactions by using neutropenic infant rats injected ip with study organisms and given various treatment regimens . For 80% of the study strains, treatment of rats with amikacin and imipenem resulted in significantly greater survival than did therapy with either drug alone or than could be predicted by addition of survival rates achieved with either agent alone (P less than .005) . In vitro studies predicted this in vivo synergy in 80% of the cases when the more-conventional definition of synergy was used, whereas they were not predictive when the more-stringent definition of synergy was used . This rat model of neutropenia and gram-negative sepsis may provide more insight into in vivo drug interactions than do current methods.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1986 Oct, 36(10), 1489 - 92
Protective effect of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton on experimental infection in normal and immunosuppressed mice; Mine Y et al.; The protective effect of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) on experimental infections was investigated in normal and immunosuppressed mice . Pretreatment with N-CWS provided protection against acute systemic infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Listeria monocytogenes in normal mice . N-CWS administered before or after challenge also showed protective activity against Herpes simplex virus infection in normal mice . N-CWS was the most effective against extracellular parasitic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection when administered 1 day before challenge, but displayed the most potent protective activity against infection with Listeria monocytogenes, a facultative intracellular parasite, when administered 7 to 14 days before challenge . In mice with subcutaneous Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, N-CWS suppressed abscess formation and decreased the viable cell count in the resultant abscess foci when administered either intraperitoneally or subcutaneously to the infected site . In addition, treatment with N-CWS markedly restored host defense ability against pseudomonal infection in mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide, hydrocortisone and X-ray irradiation.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Sep 25, 261(27), 12579 - 85
The von Willebrand factor-binding domain of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib . Characterization by monoclonal antibodies and partial amino acid sequence analysis of proteolytic fragments; Handa M et al.; The glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), a two-chain integral platelet membrane protein, acts as a receptor for von Willebrand factor . In order to obtain information on the domain involved in this function, as well as on the structural organization of GPIb, the protein has been purified and submitted to limited proteolysis using three different enzymes . The resulting fragments were topographically oriented by means of partial NH2-terminal sequence analysis and immunological identification using monoclonal antibodies . One of these antibodies (LJ-Ib1) inhibited the von Willebrand factor-GPIb interaction completely, one (LJ-P3) partially, and one (LJ-Ib10) had no inhibitory effect . Three distinct fragments, the 38-kDa fragment produced by Serratia marcescens protease as well as the 45- and 35-kDa fragments produced by trypsin, had the same NH2 terminus as the intact GPIb alpha-chain (apparent molecular mass = 140 kDa) . These fragments and the alpha-chain reacted with the inhibitory antibodies . On the other hand, three fragments produced by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, one of 92 kDa similar to the previously described "macroglycopeptide" and two others of 52 and 45 kDa, had NH2-terminal sequences different from that of the GPIb alpha-chain and reacted only with the noninhibitor monoclonal antibody LJIb10 . Thus, the binding domain for von Willebrand factor resides near the NH2 terminus of the GPIb alpha-chain, whereas the carbohydrate-rich region is part of the innermost portion of GPIb and does not appear to be involved in the von Willebrand factor binding function.

J Chromatogr, 1986 Sep 12, 364, 215 - 23
Ligand-exchange chromatography of nucleases; Varlamov VP et al.; The synthesis of chelating sorbents for ligand-exchange chromatography of enzymes is described . An inorganic support "Silochrom" and organic "Spheron", TSK-Gel HW 55 and cellulose were used as initial supports . The chelating sorbents contained iminodiacetic acid and iminodimethylphosphonic acid as stationary ligands . In order to obtain monofunctional sorbents, iminodiacetic acid was added in the form of its dimethyl ester . The concentration of stationary ligands on the sorbents varied from 10 to 100 mumol per ml sorbent . A chelating sorbent (in nickel form) was shown to be effective in the purification of exonuclease A5 from actinomyces . Electrophoretically homogeneous exonuclease A5 was obtained with a 25% yield . A chelating sorbent with iminodiacetic groups (in copper form) was applied to the isolation of endonuclease from Serratia marcescens directly from the culture medium . The capacity of the chelating sorbents for the endonuclease was studied as a function of the stationary ligand concentration . After one stage of purification, more than 70% pure enzyme was obtained with a yield exceeding 80%.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 132 ( Pt 9), 2505 - 14
The role of surface polysaccharide in determining the resistance of Serratia marcescens to serum killing; Jessop HL et al.; Two O14:H12 strains of Serratia marcescens with different sensitivities to killing by normal pooled human serum were investigated . Complement binding, studied by measuring hydrophobicity and using rocket immunoelectrophoresis with anti-human C3, showed the sensitive cells (S1220) rapidly bound and fixed complement whereas the resistant cells (4444-60) bound less C3b . The strains had identical membrane protein composition . Crossed immunoelectrophoresis suggested that in S1220 cells the polysaccharide material including LPS was less antigenic and present in smaller amounts than in 4444-60 cells . This was confirmed by examining extracted polysaccharide material chemically and by SDS-PAGE . The resistant strain had 33% more phenol-extractable polysaccharide material than the sensitive strain, possibly comprising LPS with longer O antigen chain lengths, or a microcapsule of O antigen polysaccharide . Extra polysaccharide material on the surface of the resistant strain prevents complement components binding and reaching the hydrophobic membrane where lytic lesions occur.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Sep, 30(3), 414 - 7
Novel morphological changes in gram-negative bacteria caused by combination of bulgecin and cefmenoxime; Nakao M et al.; The mode of action of bulgecin was investigated by examining its bactericidal and bacteriolytic activities, its effect on bacterial morphology, and its interaction with penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) . Bulgecin alone did not show any antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens, but in concert with cefmenoxime, it induced potent growth-inhibitory and bactericidal activities . Electron microscopic examination of E . coli cells exposed to bulgecin combined with cefmenoxime revealed that a bulge developed in the middle of the cell, and additional smaller bulges were formed halfway between the central bulge and the polar ends . At the site of bulge development, vesicular mesosomelike structures appeared in the cytoplasm, the peptidoglycan layer facing them became faint, and the outer membrane protruded to form blebs . These morphological changes were quite different from those caused by the mecillinam-cefmenoxime combination that produces big bulges in E . coli . When S . marcescens was exposed to the combination of bulgecin and cefmenoxime, not only bulge formation, but also branching of the cells was observed . Bulgecin neither showed affinity for any PBPs of E . coli nor affected the binding of cefmenoxime or mecillinam to the PBPs.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Sep, 30(3), 398 - 402
Astromicin-induced membrane damage in Serratia marcescens; Umeda A et al.; The morphological changes in Serratia marcescens induced by astromicin were determined by a new technique of electron microscopy, a rapid freezing and substitution fixation technique, and a freeze-fracturing technique . Two structural changes were observed . One was damage to the cytoplasmic membrane, and the other was the accumulation of a large electron-dense mass in the cytoplasm . The damage observed in the cytoplasmic membrane was the disappearance of the unit membrane structure from the thin-sectioned profile of the drug-treated bacteria and the loss of the membrane particles from the fractured surface of the membrane . Damage to the membrane was also suggested by the results of examination of the spheroplasts for stability . The spheroplasts prepared from the drug-treated bacteria were unstable in an osmotically controlled buffer . Most of the spheroplasts were lysed within 3 h, whereas those prepared from control cells were stable for more than 15 h . The electron-dense mass in the cytoplasm was usually seen in the polar region of the cell in close contact with the cell membrane . These structural changes were not specific for astromicin but were also found in gentamicin-treated cells.

J Med Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 22(2), 151 - 6
A survey of potential virulence factors in clinical and environmental isolates of Serratia marcescens; Franczek SP et al.; One hundred and forty seven isolates of Serratia marcescens were collected from diverse clinical and environmental sources in south-east Texas . Natural isolates were compared with hospital strains for the occurrence of 12 potential virulence determinants . Their overall frequency was as follows: haemolytic activity 48%; lecithinase 95%; lipase 95%; motility 99%; pigmentation 24%; plasmid carriage 46%; proteolytic activity 98%; siderophore activity 99%; urease activity 5%; mannose-sensitive haemagglutination 96%; mannose-resistant haemagglutination 61%; and mannose-resistant type-K haemagglutination (MR/K-HA) 68% . Clinical strains demonstrated a significantly higher occurrence of MR/K-HA (p less than 0.001) and non-pigmentation (p less than 0.01) than environmental isolates.

Infect Immun, 1986 Sep, 53(3), 522 - 9
Degradation of protease inhibitors, immunoglobulins, and other serum proteins by Serratia protease and its toxicity to fibroblast in culture; Molla A et al.; We investigated the effect of the extracellular protease of Serratia marcescens on human serum constituents such as immunoglobulins, fibronectin, alpha 1-protease inhibitor, alpha 2-macroglobulin, lysozyme, and transferrin . At a very low concentration of Serratia 56-kilodalton protease (56K protease), purified human plasma fibronectin was degraded rapidly into three structural domains or small fragments . Immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) and IgA1 were also degraded within 30 min with 1 microgram of this protease per ml, more rapidly than their other subclass of IgG or IgA . alpha 1-Protease inhibitor, which did not inhibit the 56K protease, was degraded similarly by the protease . These events were demonstrated by fluorescence polarization and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The protease was considerably inhibited by human alpha 2-macroglobulin and chicken ovomacroglobulin . However, when there was a 2 M excess of ovomacroglobulin or a 4 M excess of alpha 2-macroglobulin over the 56K protease, about 25 or 40% proteolytic activity remained, respectively . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the protease degraded the alpha 2-macroglobulin extensively during prolonged incubation, which paralleled with regeneration of the protease activity . The protease also cleaved human lysozyme, although moderately . Human serum transferrin was degraded slightly, and human serum albumin was almost resistant to the 56K protease . The enzyme seemed to have no effect on reconstituted collagen, but it degraded rat tropocollagen and yielded fragments of beta and gamma chains by cleaving the intramolecular cross-links . Most of the above proteolysis by the 56K protease appears to result in a limited type of substrate specificity . Thus, the present study demonstrates that the protease is capable of degrading defense-oriented humoral proteins and tissue constituents . Furthermore, it is toxic to fibroblasts . These findings also clarified the possible role of Serratia protease as a virulence factor in the pathogenesis of serratial infections . We recently demonstrated this notion in vivo with rabbit cornea (R . Kamata et al., Ophthalmology 92:1452-1459, 1985).

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Aug, 18(2), 239 - 50
Enhanced bactericidal action of mouse macrophages by subinhibitory concentrations of monobactams; Iida-Tanaka K et al.; The effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of monobactams (aztreonam and AMA1080) on the host-parasite relationship were studied in an in vitro system using an established mouse macrophage cell line . The presence of sub-MICs aztreonam or AMA1080 enhanced significantly the macrophage bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli S615, Pseudomonas aeruginosa K1, Klebsiella pneumoniae 12 and Serratia marcescens US5 . Even four times the MIC of monobactams had no direct effect on macrophages . A synergistic bactericidal effect against E . coli was also observed with sub-MICs of monobactams and lysozyme or macrophage lysate . Furthermore, E . coli treated with sub-MICs of aztreonam was more sensitive to two bactericidal macrophage products, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion . These results suggest that the effects of monobactams are exerted on bacteria and not on macrophages; sub-inhibitory levels of monobactams may alter the bacterial cell rendering it more susceptible to bactericidal substances released by macrophages, thus favouring phagocytosis and killing by macrophages . Electron microscopic observations support these conclusions . This study provides evidence that monobactams at sub-MICs may work in partnership with host defenses against Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1986 Aug, 64(4), 456 - 62
Persistence of Serratia marcescens, Serratia liquefaciens and E . coli in solutions for contact lenses; Parment PA et al.; Twenty-four different brands of contact lens solutions were experimentally inoculated with strains of S . marcescens, S . liquefaciens and E . coli . Only flexol and hexidin could sufficiently suppress the growth of Serratia strains . If a soaking agent is to be effective in suppressing S . marcescens it must have a chlorhexidine concentration of at least 50 micrograms/ml and a thiomersal concentration of 10 micrograms/ml.

Toxicology, 1986 Aug, 40(2), 199 - 205
Development of sensitive bacterial tests, exemplified by two mycotoxins; Lenz P et al.; For a sensitive bacterial test for mycotoxins the cup plate assay, based on growth inhibition, was optimised with Bacillus thuringiensis as test strain . Bacillus thuringiensis allowed the detection of 1.25 microgram kojic acid . A minimal amount of 12.5 micrograms kojic acid or 1.25 micrograms patulin was detectable by means of pigment suppression with isolated mutants of Serratia marcescens, whereas the wild type of this strain was insensitive.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1986 Jul 25, 14(14), 5843 - 55
Cloning and sequencing of Serratia protease gene; Nakahama K et al.; The gene encoding an extracellular metalloproteinase from Serratia sp . E-15 has been cloned, and its complete nucleotide sequence determined . The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence reveals that the mature protein of the Serratia protease consists of 470 amino acids with a molecular weight of 50,632 . The G+C content of the coding region for the mature protein is 58%; this high G+C content is due to a marked preference for G+C bases at the third position of the codons . The gene codes for a short pro-peptide preceding the mature protein . The Serratia protease gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens; the former produced the Serratia protease in the cells and the latter in the culture medium . Three zinc ligands and an active site of the Serratia protease were predicted by comparing the structure of the enzyme with those of thermolysin and Bacillus subtilis neutral protease.

Yale J Biol Med, 1986 Jul-Aug, 59(4), 453 - 9
Hospital-acquired gangrenous mucormycosis; Patterson JE et al.; A post-operative diabetic patient who had been treated for Serratia marcescens bacterial sepsis developed recurrent thrombosis of the left femoral artery following intra-arterial instrumentation . Pathological examination of arterial thrombus ultimately demonstrated invasive mucormycosis of the femoral artery and cultures of this material grew Rhizopus oryzae . The occurrence of cutaneous and subcutaneous mucormycosis is reviewed, as well as recently recognized nosocomial risk factors for mucormycosis, such as elasticized bandages and wound dressings.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jul, 30(1), 176 - 8
Frequency of aminoglycoside 6'-N-acetyltransferase among Serratia species during increased use of amikacin in the hospital; Larson TA et al.; The incidence of tobramycin-resistant, gentamicin-susceptible Serratia species at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center decreased from an average 42.1 to 2.5% (P less than 0.001) during a 4.5-year period despite the predominant use of amikacin . These organisms were shown to express a 6'-N-acetyltransferase-modifying enzyme (EC 2.3.1.82) . Resistance was not shown to be plasmid mediated.

J Pharm Pharmacol, 1986 Jul, 38(7), 510 - 4
Electrokinetic properties of endotoxins and their significance for the limulus amoebocyte lysate test; Baggerman C et al.; The electrokinetic properties of the endotoxins of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens have been examined . Both endotoxins are negatively charged, with the zetapotential being increased by the presence of cations whose relative influence resembles the Schulze-Hardy rule for colloid stability . Fe3+ and Th4+ ions are capable of reversing the negative charge of the endotoxin particles to positive . These cations were found to have a strong inhibitory effect on the activity of endotoxins in the limulus amoebocyte lysate test but the inhibitory effect did not parallel changes in the zetapotential because the effect occurred at concentrations too low to affect this parameter.

J Hosp Infect, 1986 Jul, 8(1), 86 - 95
A comparison of strains of Serratia marcescens isolated from neonates with strains isolated from sporadic and epidemic infections in adults; Gaston MA et al.; As a result of the increased number of outbreaks of Serratia marcescens in special care baby units in the UK, a study was undertaken to compare strains isolated from outbreaks of neonatal infection with strains isolated from outbreaks of infections in adults and with isolates from sporadic infections . None of the biochemical, serological, bacteriological markers examined could distinguish the three groups of strains . When considered as groups there was no difference in the ability of the strains to survive desiccation on hands . Strains from neonatal and sporadic infections were more sensitive to antibiotics than adult epidemic strains . The feature common to all of the neonatal strains tested was the ability to agglutinate one or more species of erythrocytes in the presence of mannose . Only one strain in each of the other two groups possessed mannose resistant haemagglutinins.

Am J Med, 1986 Jun 30, 80(6B), 22 - 8
Resistance surveillance programs and the incidence of gram-negative bacillary resistance to amikacin from 1967 to 1985; Gerding DN et al.; Data relating to amikacin resistance among gram-negative bacilli were obtained by means of a review of published literature and resistance surveillance studies . Data from the first several years of amikacin use are difficult to interpret because the 10-micrograms disk used for Kirby-Bauer susceptibility testing resulted in apparent greater resistance than the present 30-micrograms disk . A large United States susceptibility surveillance program that monitors antibiotic use has shown a trend since 1977 of greater susceptibility of Serratia species and greater resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa for all the aminoglycosides . Pseudomonas resistance to amikacin has shown the smallest increase of any aminoglycoside . Several hospitals (Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Maryland Cancer Center, and Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center) have reported either no significant change or a decrease in resistance to amikacin when it was the most frequently used aminoglycoside . In a large, 14-center, prospective study, high-level use of amikacin resulted in a significant decrease in resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin (p less than 0.01) and a marginal increase (p less than 0.05) in amikacin resistance . Significantly increased amikacin resistance has been reported from two institutions, neither of which used amikacin as the predominant aminoglycoside . Overall, the high-level use of amikacin in large multi-center surveillance programs for as long as five years has not resulted in a significant increase in amikacin resistance rates at any of the individual institutions surveyed.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Jun 15, 261(17), 7663 - 8
Ribokinase from Escherichia coli K12 . Nucleotide sequence and overexpression of the rbsK gene and purification of ribokinase; Hope JN et al.; The nucleotide sequence of a 1455-base pair TaqI-HinfI fragment of the rbs operon of Escherichia coli K12 has been determined . It includes the 3' terminus of rbsB (the gene for ribose-binding protein) and the entire rbsK gene, encoding ribokinase . Potential consensus promoter sequences and a stable stem-loop structure are present in the rbsB-rbsK intercistronic region . The regulatory significance of these sequence features is discussed with respect to the rbs operon . rbsK has been cloned downstream from the Serratia marcescens trp promoter on a multicopy plasmid . Cells harboring this plasmid, when grown on minimal ribose plus ampicillin, express ribokinase at the level of 2% of the soluble protein, and induction with indoleacrylic acid raises ribokinase levels another 8-fold . Ribokinase has been purified to homogeneity (216 mumol/min/mg) from a strain harboring this plasmid . Protein sequence analyses of peptides generated by cyanogen bromide cleavage and o-iodosobenzoic acid cleavage confirmed the translation initiation site and the reading frame of the DNA sequence . Amino acid compositions of native ribokinase and the C-terminal dodecapeptide agree with the predicted amino acid compositions, confirming the accuracy of the DNA sequence and the translation termination site.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1986 Jun, 27(6), 932 - 9
Immunization against experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens keratitis . Vaccination with lipopolysaccharide endotoxins and proteases; Kreger AS et al.; Rabbits vaccinated with lipopolysaccharide endotoxins or with purified protease preparations from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens before corneal challenge with the viable bacteria exhibited significantly less corneal damage than rabbits not vaccinated with the bacterial products . However, the rabbits vaccinated with the lipopolysaccharide endotoxin preparations were significantly better protected than rabbits vaccinated with the bacterial proteases . Rabbits vaccinated with antisera raised against the proteases showed significantly less corneal damage than rabbits vaccinated with normal rabbit serum, and the passive protection was not significantly different than that elicited by active immunization against the bacterial proteases . The ability of the antiserum raised against the pseudomonas elastolytic protease to passively protect against severe corneal damage produced by experimentally induced pseudomonas keratitis was confirmed in mice . These findings support the idea that the bacterial endotoxins and proteases are virulence factors during the development of pseudomonas and serratia keratitis.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Jun, 166(3), 937 - 44
Specific excretion of Serratia marcescens protease through the outer membrane of Escherichia coli; Yanagida N et al.; A DNA fragment of Serratia marcescens directing an extracellular serine protease (Mr, 41,000) was cloned in Escherichia coli . The cloned fragment caused specific excretion of the protease into the extracellular medium through the outer membrane of E . coli host cells in parallel with their growth . No excretion of the periplasmic enzymes of host cells occurred . The cloned fragment contained a single open reading frame of 3,135 base pairs coding a protein of 1,045 amino acids (Mr 112,000) . Comparison of the 5' nucleotide sequence with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protease indicated the presence of a typical signal sequence . The C-terminal amino acid of the enzyme was found at position 408, as deduced from the nucleotide sequence . Artificial frameshift mutations introduced into the coding sequence for the assumed distal polypeptide after the C terminus of the protease caused complete loss of the enzyme production . It was concluded that the Serratia serine protease is produced as a 112-kilodalton proenzyme and that its N-terminal signal peptide and a large C-terminal part are processed to cause excretion of the mature protease through the outer membrane of E . coli cells.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jun, 29(6), 1098 - 100
Bactericidal activity of ciprofloxacin against amikacin- and cefotaxime-resistant gram-negative bacilli and methicillin-resistant staphylococci; Simberkoff MS et al.; The MICs and MBCs of ciprofloxacin were determined for clinical isolates of antibiotic-resistant aerobic bacteria . Decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin of cefotaxime- and amikacin-resistant Serratia marcescens and amikacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were noted . The data suggest that ciprofloxacin susceptibility should be carefully monitored in treating patients with hospital-acquired bacterial infections.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 May 2, 156(3), 597 - 601
Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide from the lipopolysaccharide of Serratia marcescens O8; Oxley D et al.; Structural studies have been carried out on the O-specific polysaccharide from the lipopolysaccharide of the reference strain (CDC 1604-55) for serogroup O8 of Serratia marcescens . The polymer has a branched, tetrasaccharide repeating unit of D-galactose(Gal),D-glucose(Glc), and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose(GlcNAc) with the following structure: (Formula: see text) . The anomeric configuration assigned to the glucose residue differs from that (beta) previously proposed {Tarcsay, L., Wang, C . S., Li, S.-C . and Alaupovic, P . (1973) Biochemistry 12, 1948-1955} . The structure of the O8 polymer is identical with that of one of two polymers present in the cell envelope of a strain (CDC 1783-57) of S . marcescens O14.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 May, 182(3), 333 - 5
{Determination of alkylation of bacterial DNA as a rapid test for toxicological evaluation of alkylating xenobiotic agents}; Botzenhart K et al.; Alkylated purine bases from hydrolized DNA can be separated by HPLC and quantified with a fluorescence detector . We applied this method to bacterial DNA . 7-methylguanine was detected after treatment of Serratia marcescens with iodoacetamide, dimethyl sulfate and with polluted air.

J Immunol Methods, 1986 Apr 17, 88(2), 175 - 83
A new simple fluorometric assay for phagocytosis; Oda T et al.; A highly sensitive, but simple and quantitative, fluorometric assay method for phagocytosis by cells such as macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was developed by utilizing fluorescent particles . Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, yeast, and latex particles were conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and used as fluorescent particles . The assay procedure requires phagocytic cells, appropriate medium, fluorescent particles, sodium dodecyl sulfate, microtiter culture plate (24 wells), clinical centrifuge, and fluorescence spectrophotometer . One hundred assays can be done within 30 min after the incubation period . A time course analysis with this method showed that the phagocytosis of all these particles was dependent on temperature, and that the number of particles ingested by cells increased rapidly during the initial 30 min of incubation at 37 degrees C . Free fluorescent particles can be removed effectively by aspiration from the well . At 0 degree C, very few particles were ingested by cells or adsorbed onto the phagocytic cell surface as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy . An inhibitory effect of cepharanthin and sodium azide on phagocytosis was also confirmed by this method . The differential susceptibility of E . coli B and S . marcescens to phagocytosis also could be determined by this method.

Z Kinderchir, 1986 Apr, 41(2), 78 - 80
Bacterial colonisation of the upper pouch in neonates with oesophageal atresia; Leung TS et al.; The bacterial flora in the upper oesophageal pouch of forty neonates with oesophageal atresia was studied at daily intervals preoperatively . Of the twenty-nine infants whose oesophagus was anastomosed within 24 hours of admission, no organisms were isolated in sixteen, despite the fact that only nine of these patients had antibiotics . The remaining thirteen grew oropharyngeal organisms . Of eleven infants having delayed anastomosis eight received antibiotics . All eleven grew organisms in the upper pouch . Pseudomonas and serratia grew only in those receiving antibiotics . These results suggest that prophylactic antibiotics are rarely indicated . Efficient continuous aspiration of the pouch is probably more important.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Apr, (4), 3 - 6
{New R-plasmids in strains of Serratia marcescens with multiple drug resistance}; Kurnosova LM et al.; In 4 S . marcescens polyresistant strains isolated from patients conjugative plasmids transferred to Escherichia coli have been detected . Two of these strains carry each one plasmid which codes resistance to 10 different antibiotics, including aminoglycosides which rarely occur in our country, and belongs to group IncC . The third strain is the host of 2 plasmids . One of them is similar to the above-mentioned 2 plasmids with respect to the incompatibility group and a set of markers, but additionally codes resistance to cephalosporins; the second plasmid has been determined as belonging to group IncM, unstable and capable of rendering the cells highly resistant only to aminoglycosides . And, finally, the fourth strain also carries 2 plasmids: one of them is unstable and belongs, supposedly, to group IncI alpha, and the second plasmid is stable and belongs to group IncM . The plasmid of group IncI alpha differs from all other plasmids of our Serratia by its capacity of rendering the cells highly resistant to chloramphenicol.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1986 Apr, 41(4), 401 - 6
Airborne contamination during cardiopulmonary bypass: the role of cardiotomy suction; van Oeveren W et al.; Airborne contamination of the wound area and the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit during sham open-heart operations on dogs was studied . The air of the operating room (OR) was contaminated with two typeable bacterial strains . It was found that the number of wounds, blood specimens, oxygenators, and cardiotomy reservoirs contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus was related to the number of S . aureus present in the air of the OR, but that contamination with Serratia marcescens was related to the type of suction used . This form of contamination was considerably higher when air was aspirated together with blood into the suction line (p less than 0.05) . The oxygenator and cardiotomy reservoir were contaminated mainly by aspirating wound fluid from the airborne-contaminated wound area . The low number of sample sites positive for S . marcescens may be due to a better preserved host defense mechanism if only wound fluid is sucked . A rather high incidence of postoperative infections occurred even in dogs operated on in an OR with a low level of airborne contamination.

Am J Med, 1986 Apr, 80(4), 753 - 4
Serratia marcescens osteomyelitis of the clavicle and sternoclavicular arthritis complicating infected indwelling subclavian vein catheter; Watanakunakorn C; Serratia marcescens bacteremia, osteomyelitis of the right clavicle, and septic arthritis of the right sternoclavicular joint developed in a 69-year-old woman after a right subclavian vein catheter was in place for five days . The infections were cured with the combination of gentamicin and ceftizoxime . There have been three previously reported cases of osteomyelitis of the clavicle following indwelling subclavian vein catheterization; two were caused by Staphylococcus aureus and one by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Apr, 166(1), 244 - 52
Nucleotide sequence of the Escherichia coli motB gene and site-limited incorporation of its product into the cytoplasmic membrane; Stader J et al.; The motB gene product of Escherichia coli is an integral membrane protein required for rotation of the flagellar motor . We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the motB region and find that it contains an open reading frame of 924 nucleotides which we ascribe to the motB gene . The predicted amino acid sequence of the gene product is 308 residues long and indicates an amphipathic protein with one major hydrophobic region, about 22 residues long, near the N terminus . There is no consensus signal sequence . We postulate that the protein has a short N-terminal region in the cytoplasm, an anchoring region in the membrane consisting of two spanning segments, and a large cytoplasmic C-terminal domain . By placing motB under control of the tryptophan operon promoter of Serratia marcescens, we have succeeded in overproducing the MotB protein . Under these conditions, the majority of MotB was found in the cytoplasm, indicating that the membrane has a limited capacity to incorporate the protein . We conclude that insertion of MotB into the membrane requires the presence of other more hydrophobic components, possibly including the MotA protein or other components of the flagellar motor . The results further reinforce the concept that the total flagellar motor consists of more than just the basal body.

Infect Immun, 1986 Mar, 51(3), 932 - 5
Cell surface hydrophobicity of pigmented and nonpigmented clinical Serratia marcescens strains; Rosenberg M et al.; The cell surface hydrophobicity of 10 pigmented and 4 nonpigmented clinical Serratia marcescens strains was studied, based on the ability of the strains to adhere to hydrocarbons and to polystyrene . The cell surface hydrophobicity depended greatly on growth temperature; all of the strains tested were adherent following growth at 30 degrees C, whereas none was adherent following growth at 38 degrees C . In previous studies, the pigment prodigiosin has been cited as responsible for cell surface hydrophobicity in various Serratia strains . However, the observed ability of the nonpigmented strains to adhere to the test hydrocarbons and to polystyrene indicates that Serratia strains can possess hydrophobic surface properties in the absence of this pigment . Moreover, strain 1785 cells were adherent whether they were grown at 30 or 36.5 degrees C, even though pigment was not synthesized at the higher temperature . In Escherichia coli correlations have been noted between increased cell surface hydrophobicity and the presence of mannose-specific adhesins; no such relationship was found in the S . marcescens strains tested . The expression of cell surface hydrophobicity in clinical S . marcescens strains at 30 degrees C and the loss of hydrophobicity at host temperatures raise the possibility that infective cells from the environment are initially hydrophobic, but lose this property upon subsequent proliferation within a host.

J Heart Transplant, 1986 Mar-Apr, 5(2), 171 - 2
Pericardiectomy for effusive constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation; Copeland JG et al.; The following is a case report of an unusual complication after heart transplantation . The patient was a 37-year-old man who underwent heart transplantation because of idiopathic cardiomyopathy . His postoperative course was complicated by cardiac tamponade, coagulopathy, and chronic constrictive pericarditis . After transplantation, he underwent three subsequent open-chest procedures: the first for tamponade, the second for Serratia mediastinitis, and the third for a pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis . Although constrictive pericarditis and pericardiectomy have been described following coronary bypass surgery and valve replacement, they have not yet been reported in a heart transplant recipient.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Mar, 17(3), 327 - 32
Effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and gentamicin on the antibacterial activity of pyridone carboxylic acid derivatives against gram-negative bacilli; Miyake Y et al.; Ofloxacin (9-fluoro-3-methyl-10-(4-methyl-1-piperazynyl)-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7 H-pyrido-(1,2,3-de)1,4-benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid) and enoxacin (1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dehydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-1, 8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid) are newly developed pyridone carboxylic acid derivatives with broad and potent antibacterial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria . Antibacterial activities of six pyridone carboxylic acid derivatives, including these two new antibiotics, were examined against Gram-negative bacilli in the presence and absence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or gentamicin . The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of nalidixic acid, cinoxacin and piromidic acid were reduced by the addition of EDTA or gentamicin . However, the MICs of pipemidic acid, ofloxacin and enoxacin were unaffected . These findings indicated the high permeability of pipemidic acid, ofloxacin and enoxacin through the outer membrane . The effects of EDTA and gentamicin against Serratia marcescens were different from those against other Gram-negative bacilli.

J Hosp Infect, 1986 Mar, 7(2), 149 - 54
An outbreak of Serratia marcescens transmitted by contaminated breast pumps in a special care baby unit; Gransden WR et al.; Laboratory surveillance of clinical isolates for Serratia spp . revealed a sudden increase from babies in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) . It was established that breast-milk pumps on the post-natal wards were being disinfected inadequately, resulting in contamination of milk and cross-infection within the SCBU . Thirty babies were colonized and no deaths were attributable to the organism . Rectal carriage by the babies was common and often prolonged . The outbreak was brought under control when the method of disinfection of the pumps was changed from soaking in hypochlorite solution to washing at 80 degrees C.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Feb 3, 154(3), 581 - 5
Expression of the polyoma middle-size T antigen in Escherichia coli; Palme K et al.; We constructed a plasmid encoding a hybrid protein, consisting of the N-terminal signal sequence of the major outer membrane lipoprotein (lpp) of Serratia marcescens joined to the polyoma middle-size T antigen (mT antigen) . The hybrid protein expressed under the control of a lpp-lac hybrid promoter was synthesized at levels up to 5% of newly synthesized protein and could be accumulated in Escherichia coli strains carrying the Cap R mutation . The mT antigen produced in E . coli was precipitated by polyoma antitumor serum, and by serum directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C terminus of the authentic mT antigen . The protein was secreted into the periplasmic space, from which it could be released by osmotic shock . The bacterial mT antigen had no detectable associated protein kinase activity.

J Lab Clin Med, 1986 Feb, 107(2), 136 - 40
Bacterial adherence to intravenous catheters and needles and its influence by cannula type and bacterial surface hydrophobicity; Ashkenazi S et al.; Bacterial adherence to intravenous (IV) catheters and needles (cannulas) was studied morphologically by scanning electron microscopy and determined quantitatively with radiolabeled bacteria . Electron micrographs showed that bacteria adhered well to IV cannulas with formation of microcolonies . The adherence process was studied quantitatively, as related to cannula composition and bacterial surface hydrophobicity . The adherence of the bacteria examined (per square centimeter) was lowest to siliconized steel needles, higher to Teflon catheters, and highest to polyethylene catheters . The results for Staphylococcus aureus were (9.9 +/- 0.9) X 10(5) bacteria/cm2 adhered to steel needles, (37.2 +/- 2.8) X 10(5) bacteria/cm2 to Teflon catheters, and (168.4 +/- 15.6) X 10(5) bacteria/cm2 to polyethylene catheters . Hydrophobic bacteria (S . aureus and Serratia marcescens), as determined by their adherence to liquid hydrocarbons, adhered better than less hydrophobic species (Escherichia coli) . The role of hydrophobicity was documented by showing that hydrophobic S . marcescens adhered to IV catheters 18- to 27-fold better than its less hydrophobic mutants . It is concluded that IV steel needles have an advantage over plastic cannulas regarding bacterial adherence in vitro, and inasmuch as infectious complications in vivo were indeed shown to be lower with IV needles, their usage should be preferred.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 355 - 8
In vitro activity of A-56619 and A56620, two new aryl-fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents; Smith BR et al.; The in vitro antimicrobial activity of two new aryl-fluoroquinolone antibiotics, A-56619 and A-56620, was compared with those of norfloxacin and several other antibiotics against 448 bacterial isolates . A-56620 was the most active agent tested . The usual 90% MIC of A-56620 was less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml, except for enterococci, gentamicin-resistant Serratia marcescens, and gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for which the 90% MIC was 4 micrograms/ml . A-56619 and norfloxacin were generally severalfold less active than A-56620 . Cross resistance was observed between the quinolone antibiotics and other unrelated antibiotic classes.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 Feb, 261(1), 85 - 94
Intraphagocytic bactericidal activity of ofloxacin compared with that of aztreonam and ceftriaxone against Serratia marcescens; Traub WH et al.; Addition of phenylbutazone (2 mg/ml) to 55 vol % of fresh defibrinated human blood permitted leukocytic ingestion of serum-resistant Serratia marcescens bacteria, but blocked phagocytic killing activity . The group A (phage tail) bacteriocin bA+ 16 served to kill extraphagocytic test bacteria . At greater than or equal to 2 X MBC, the DNA gyrase inhibitor ofloxacin revealed potent intraphagocytic bactericidal activity against S . marcescens test bacteria (99% kill; 3 h observation period) which corresponded to that of the control drug rifampin (97% kill) . The monobactam aztreonam (11% kill) and the third generation cephalosporin ceftriaxone (14% kill) corresponded to cefotaxime (26% kill) in terms of suboptimal intraphagocytic activity . Ofloxacin and aztreonam yielded additive effects following combination of supra-(2 X MIC) and inhibitory (MIC), but not sub-inhibitory (0.5 X MIC) concentrations with 55 vol % of defibrinated human blood against S . marcescens and Escherichia coli control strain ATCC 25922; sub- and inhibitory concentrations of ceftriaxone yielded indifferent effects.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1986 Feb, 99(2), 357 - 64
Instability of an arginine-overproducing mutant of Serratia marcescens and its stabilization; Takagi T et al.; Arginine productivity of an arginine-producing mutant of Serratia marcescens decreased during successive batch culturing . The mutant grew more slowly than the parent strains in a minimal medium, and spontaneously produced derivatives that grew more rapidly than the mutant . A large majority of the derivatives required N-acetylglutamate or arginine for growth, due to lack of N-acetylglutamate synthase, the argA gene product . The argA1 allele carried by the mutant was found to be relatively unstable . While the mutation rate in a stable argA mutant allele was less than 1 X 10(-8) per cell per generation, that in the argA1 allele was 9 X 10(-7) . The instability of the arginine productivity, therefore, was owing to both a disadvantage of the mutant in growth and a high mutability in the argA1 allele . In addition to the auxotrophs, the unstable arginine-producing mutant spontaneously produced at low frequency stable arginine-producing derivatives; among them, AT428 formed N-acetylglutamate synthase with a reduced affinity for glutamic acid . The derivative showed restored capability for propagation, and stably produced a large amount of arginine in the presence of glutamic acid or fumaric acid . By transductional analysis, the derivative was found to have acquired in the argA allele an additional mutation leading to the reduced affinity independently of the original one leading to the feedback-resistant enzyme.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1986 Jan, 104(1), 79 - 83
Contact lens-associated microbial keratitis; Ormerod LD et al.; During a 14-year period, 42 cases of microbial keratitis were associated with contact lens (CL) wear . Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 40% of the cases and Staphylococcus in 31%; Streptococcus pneumoniae, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus, and Serratia marcescens were the next most commonly isolated pathogens . There was a single fungal corneal ulcer . Bandage CL use was associated with a high prevalence of infection with quasi-commensal organisms and with polymicrobial keratitis, a pattern of disease quite distinct from that induced by other types of CLs . Marked visual loss frequently occurred . There was a disturbing increase in the number of infections associated with extended-wear CLs (worn for either aphakia or myopia) over the last 18 months of the study.

J Fr Ophtalmol, 1986, 9(4), 305 - 9
{Hydrophilic contact lenses and pathogenic microorganisms}; Simitzis-Le Flohic AM et al.; A first study was conducted on 243 hydrophilic contact lenses: 65 were macroscopically abnormal and 100 were infected with fungi . Moreover on Sabouraud's medium with chloramphenicol, 30 bacterial strains were isolated of which 25 Pseudomonas sp . (10 Ps . cepacia) and 1 Serratia liquefaciens . Then a second study was conducted on 107 among the 243 lens solutions: the 50 of the B trade mark were spoiled with 12 X 10(7) bacteria/ml and the 57 of the C trade mark with 5 X 10(7) bacteria/ml . This quantitative bacterial difference was confirmed with a qualitative one: from B trade-mark 6 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated and from C only one . The authors emphasize the importance of Ps . aeruginosa in corneal ulcers associated with contact lenses, of lens solution composition, and of preservative usefulness.

Pediatr Pathol, 1986, 6(2-3), 351 - 8
Autopsy findings of Serratia meningoencephalitis in infants; Ariel I et al.; Serratia meningoencephalitis is often a fatal disease that causes widespread destruction of brain tissue despite aggressive antibiotic treatment . The autopsy findings of 2 cases are described . In a case caused by S . liquefaciens, previously not reported as the causative organism of meningoencephalitis, suppurative meningitis, ventriculitis, vasculitis, and extensive necrotic process of the brain matter were found . In the other case, caused by S . marcescens, the findings were those of acute and subacute abscesses with hemorrhagic necrosis.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(6), 530 - 6
Passive protection of NMRI mice with commercial, intravenously applicable human immunoglobulin IgG preparations against Serratia marcescens; Traub WH; Three commercial, intravenously applicable human immunoglobulin IgG preparations (Gamma-Venin, Polyglobin, and Sandoglobulin) revealed low-titered O-agglutinins against the majority of 22 O-antigen reference strains of Serratia marcescens The three IgG preparations passively protected NMRI mice against intraperitoneal challenge with 8 of 19 selected, serologically defined O-antigen reference strains and clinical, nosocomially significant isolates of S . marcescens.

Blood Cells, 1986, 12(1), 167 - 77
Phagocytic capacity of cytokineplasts from human blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Malawista SE et al.; Cytokineplasts (CKP) are membrane-bounded anucleate cytoplasmic fragments, induced from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by the brief application of heat; derived from the cortical cytoplasm that gathers at the leading front of migrating PMN; and endowed with many of the motile properties of the parent cell . In this study we examine their phagocytic capacity by quantitative methods . CKP ingest Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens somewhat less avidly than do the corresponding intact PMN, yet rather impressively when one considers how restricted a portion of the parent cell they represent . Under the conditions employed, CKP killed about half as many of the bacteria presented to them as did their parent PMN . Thus, despite a heat-associated loss of demonstrable respiratory burst oxidase activity and a paucity of cytoplasmic granules, the organelle-depleted CKP deals with bacteria in a way that mimics its parent PMN.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(6), 509 - 19
Survey of modifying enzymes and plasmids in amikacin-resistant Serratia marcescens; Katoh-Kanno R et al.; Forty amikacin-resistant strains of Serratia marcescens isolated from four different hospitals (A, B, C, and D) were examined for modifying enzymes and plasmids . Twenty-one of the isolates produced acetyltransferase that modified amikacin . Eighteen of the 21 acetyltransferase-bearing isolates were from different inpatients in hospital A and the other three were from hospital C . Amikacin resistance was mediated by conjugative plasmid of 24 megadaltons in 15 of the 18 acetyltransferase-bearing isolates of hospital A and by nonconjugative plasmids, derivatives of the 24-megadalton plasmids, in the remaining three isolates of the same hospital . The 24-megadalton plasmid determined aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (6') IV . This plasmid-borne enzyme conferred amikacin resistance on S . marcescens but not on Escherichia coli K12 . The frequency of transfer of the 24-megadalton plasmid from the S . marcescens isolate to E . coli K12 by conjugation was approximately 10(-7) (transconjugants/donors) and was 0.1% of that between E . coli strains . In acetyltransferase-bearing isolates from hospital C, the enzyme was mediated by a nonconjugative plasmid in one case and could not be associated with a plasmid in the remaining two cases . Neither enzymes nor plasmids could be associated with amikacin resistance of the isolates of the other two hospitals.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(2), 148 - 58
Antibacterial antagonism of beta-lactam antibiotics in experimental infections; Kasai K; In vitro, 5 micrograms/ml of cefoxitin induced the highest beta-lactamase activity in Serratia marcescens TMS22, and the drug at this optimal dose required 2 h to increase the enzyme activity . The increasing enzyme activity was found to decline rapidly after the enzyme inducer effect was lost . When antagonism of cefoxitin against another beta-lactam, cefotaxime, was examined in infected granuloma pouch of rats, cefoxitin antagonized the antibacterial activity of cefotaxime administered at 4 and 6 h after cefoxitin (cefoxitin levels in pouch exudate were around 5 micrograms/ml) . The antagonism of an enzyme inducer and another antibiotic may be prevented by administering the non-enzyme inducer before the enzyme inducer exerts its inducer effect or after the enzyme inducer level decreases to an ineffective one.

Circ Shock, 1986, 18(3), 171 - 8
Effect on cardiopulmonary changes of gram-negative endotoxemia in sheep after type-specific, cross-reactive, and nonspecific immune stimulation; Girotti MJ et al.; The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of prior nonspecific immune stimulation (BCG), cross-reactive immunization (E coli J5 0111 whole cells {J5 WC}, and core glycolipid {J5 CGL}), and type-specific immunization (Serratia marcescens core glycolipid {SM CGL}) on the cardiopulmonary variables and white blood cell counts of awake, monitored sheep following IV Serratia marcescens endotoxin . Comparison of cardiac output, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients, and total white blood cells lead us to conclude that type-specific immunization (SM CGL) most effectively ameliorates the changes of gram-negative endotoxemia contrasted to nonimmunization . Core glycolipid cross-reactive (J5 CGL) immunization was somewhat more effective than whole-cell cross-reactive (J5 WC) immunization in this regard . Nonspecific immune stimulation (BCG) was able only to significantly decrease the changes in pulmonary vascular resistance compared to nonimmunization.

Infect Immun, 1986 Jan, 51(1), 286 - 93
Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and monoclonal antibodies as tools for the subgrouping of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide O18 and O23 antigens; Pluschke G et al.; The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli O18 isolated from a wide variety of sources was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) . Four different LPS types, designated O18A, O18A1, O18B, and O18B1, were identified . Most O18 strains possess O18A, O18A1, or O18B LPS types, and these types are clonally associated . A reference test strain with the classical O18ab designation possessed O18B LPS, while two reference O18ac strains possessed O18A and O18A1 LPS, respectively . A panel of 15 anti-O18A B-cell hybridomas was isolated . Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays revealed that some of the monoclonal antibodies produced by these cells recognize different epitopes . Four of these antibodies suffice to distinguish the four O18 types . Numerous strains whose LPS had been typed by SDS-PAGE were tested by agglutination with seven monoclonal antibodies whose specificities had been determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays . The results indicated a perfect correlation between the two methods . Rabbit antisera raised against O18A bacteria agglutinated boiled bacteria of each of the O18 LPS types efficiently . The antisera were adsorbed with bacteria possessing each of the LPS types . The adsorbed sera only distinguished between two groups: O18A and O18A1 versus O18B and O18B1, as shown by agglutination assays and Western blotting . E . coli O4 and O23 and Serratia marcescens O8 antigens, which are reputed to cross-react with O18, were also analyzed . One O4, one O8, and four O23 strains were tested . All made an LPS which was distinguishable from O18 LPS types by SDS-PAGE . Each O23 strain synthesized a different LPS, and three of them synthesized only few short chains . Some of the monoclonal antibodies reacted with O4, O8, and O23A LPSs . The results are interpreted as indicating that numerous E . coli O serogroups will prove to be chemically heterogeneous and that future analyses of subgroup heterogeneity should be guided by results from SDS-PAGE and rely preferentially on monoclonal antibodies as opposed to rabbit hyperimmune sera.

Crit Care Med, 1986 Jan, 14(1), 26 - 8
High risk of nosocomial infection in the pediatric critical care patient; Donowitz LG; During this one-year prospective study, 61 (13.7%) of 444 patients admitted to the pediatric ICU at the University of Virginia Hospital developed nosocomial infections . By comparison, general medical/surgical ward patients had an overall 4.8% risk of acquiring an infection during their hospital stay . Patients who had prolonged ICU stays and those on plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and pediatric surgery services were more likely to become infected . The four bloodstream pathogens isolated in five episodes of hospital-acquired bacteremia were Staphylococcus epidermidis, S . aureus, Escherichia coli, and Serratia liquifaciens.

Curr Genet, 1986, 10(12), 909 - 13
Isolation of the DNA sequence coding indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthetase and phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase of Schizophyllum commune; Munoz-Rivas AM et al.; A Schizophyllum gene library was made in plasmid pRK9 . Plasmids from this library were tested for their ability to complement several auxotrophic mutations of Escherichia coli . The goal was to isolate a Schizophyllum auxotrophic gene that could be used to transform a corresponding Schizophyllum auxotrophic mutant to prototrophy . Complementation was observed only for E . coli trpC indole 3-glycerol phosphate synthetase (IGPS) and phosphoribosyl-anthranilate isomerase (PRAI) mutations . Plasmids with a Schizophyllum sequence coding for both IGPS and PRAI activities were recovered from E . coli transformants . Expression of the Schizophyllum gene (TRP1) in E . coli is probably dependent on the Serratia marcescens promoter of plasmid pRK9 . The DNA sequence containing the Schizophyllum TRP1 gene was not obviously rearranged in cloning.

Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(1), 31 - 6
Activity of fosfomycin and R-plasmid conferring fosfomycin resistance among some clinical bacteria isolates in Nigeria; Obaseiki-Ebor EE; The in vitro activity of fosfomycin (an antibiotic that has clinically not been widely used in Nigeria) against 516 clinical bacteria isolates and the screening for the presence of R plasmid conferring resistance to fosfomycin among the test bacteria isolates were determined . In the presence of added glucose-6-phosphate (25 micrograms/ml) to the growth medium, all the isolates were inhibited at fosfomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of less than or equal to 32-64 micrograms/ml . Without the glucose-6-phosphate, fosfomycin had MIC75, MIC70, MIC48, and MIC20 at 64 micrograms/ml against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., and Serratia spp., respectively, while the rest of the strains maintained about the same susceptibility as in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate . An R plasmid of about 59 megadaltons in size, conferring resistance to streptomycin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, and fosfomycin, was obtained from a Serratia liquifacens isolated in an area where fosfomycin had not been clinically used.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1986, 485, 387 - 95
Platelet activation by alpha-thrombin is a receptor-mediated event; Harmon JT et al.; Computer-assisted data analysis of binding isotherms (LIGAND) has shown that human platelets have binding sites for alpha-thrombin of high (Kd 0.3 nM), moderate (Kd 10 nM), and low affinities (Kd 3 microM) . Application of similar techniques has shown that TLCK-thrombin does not, whereas PPACK-thrombin does, bind to the high-affinity binding site accessible to alpha-thrombin, but that both bind to the moderate and low-affinity sites . Treatment of platelets with Serratia marcescens protease destroys the high-affinity site but does not affect moderate-affinity binding . In accordance with this model, both modified thrombins compete with alpha-thrombin for platelet activation at the moderate-affinity site, but only PPACK-thrombin competes at the high-affinity site . These results establish that platelet activation by either low or moderate concentrations of thrombin are receptor-mediated events and explain the paradox of the differential effects of TLCK-thrombin on the binding and activation of platelets by alpha-thrombin.

Physiol Bohemoslov, 1986, 35(5), 473 - 80
Effect of the activation of macrophages on the course of regeneration of rat liver following partial hepatectomy; Simek J et al.; Stimulation of the Kupffer cells with E . coli endotoxin (the purified lipopolysaccharide) or with prodigiosan (a polysaccharide from Serratia marcescens) 24 h before partial hepatectomy (resection of 65-70% of the liver) stimulated and intensified the onset of liver regenerative activity (evaluated from changes in liver DNA synthesis, the H5 labelling index and the mitotic activity of the hepatocytes) . Liver DNA synthesis increased together with the dose of endotoxin (i.v., from 25 to 1000 micrograms/kg body weight) . If E . coli endotoxin was injected during or 3 h after partial hepatectomy, partial inhibition of liver DNA synthesis was observed . In mice stimulated with zymosan (a polysaccharide isolated from yeast), administered 5 days before performing partial hepatectomy, proliferation of the hepatocytes (evaluated from changes in the 3H labelling index and in the mitotic activity of the hepatocytes) was evaluated . The results confirm that proliferation is correlated to the state of reactivity of the Kupffer cells.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1986, 198 Pt B, 71 - 8
Enhancement of vascular permeability upon serratial infection: activation of Hageman factor--kallikrein--kinin cascade; Matsumoto K et al.; A zinc dependent serratial 56K protease caused enhancement of vascular permeability followed by edema formation when injected into the guinea pig peripheral cornea, the subconjunctival space, or the skin . Because this enhancement was not affected by antihistamine, involvement of the kinin-generating system in this permeability enhancement was investigated . The 56K protease induced permeability much greater extent than that by bradykinin on weight basis, and more so on molar basis . The phenomenon was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, a well known inhibitor of plasma kallikrein, and also by corn trypsin inhibitor, which is the best inhibitor of the activated Hageman factor . In vitro experiments using numbers of synthetic peptide substrates, the 56K protease exhibited a similar substrate specificity to that of plasma kallikrein . Kallikrein is a known endogenous activator of Hageman factor . The enhancement by 56K protease was greatly augmented by inhibition of kininase II with Glu-Trp-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro-OH (SQ 20,881), suggesting generation of bradykinin . Thus, these results indicate that the enhancement of vascular permeability induced by the 56K protease is caused by an activation of Hageman factor by 56K protease followed by subsequent activation of cascade amplification, and resulted in kinin generation in vivo.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1986, 31(2), 106 - 12
Production of methionine and glutamic acid from n-alkanes by Serratia marcescens var . kiliensis; Ghosh BB et al.; A hydrocarbon-utilizing Serratia marcescens var . kiliensis grew and accumulated methionine and glutamic acid in a synthetic medium with hydrocarbon as sole carbon source . n-Hexadecane and ammonium phosphate were found as the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively . Optimum pH for growth and methionine production was 7.2, and that for glutamic acid accumulation was 7.4 . Yeast extract significantly stimulated growth and amino acid production and could be substituted by cyanocobalamine . Benzylpenicillin, Tween 80, SDS or EDTA did not increase amino acid production . Under optimal cultural conditions in the laboratory the organism produced 1.68 g of glutamic acid and 0.78 g of methionine per litre.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1986, 80(2), 200 - 10
Are cross-reacting natural antibodies multispecific?
Milgrom F, Swierczynska Z.
Human natural antibodies to antigens of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens were studied for cross-reactivity . The organisms were grown on synthetic media and extracted at 100 degrees C . The extracts were precipitated three times at 71% ethanol concentration and redissolved at the desired concentration . These preparations were referred to as Escherichia antigen (Ea) and Serratia antigen (Sa) . They readily coated red blood cells (RBC), which then could be used for passive agglutination tests . Human serum selected for this study had strong agglutinins combining with both antigens (cross-reacting antibody) and rather weak agglutinins combining with Ea only or Sa only, a property that became obvious from absorption experiments . Absorption of the serum with RBC coated by Ea removed all activity for Ea and most of the activity for Sa, and the opposite effect was noted after absorption of the serum by RBC coated by Sa . The activity against both antigens could be recovered by elution of antibodies at 56 degrees C from RBC coated by either Ea or Sa . Significantly, inhibition of the serum or the eluate with soluble antigens gave strictly specific results in that Ea abolished only the reaction with RBC coated by Ea and did not influence the reaction of RBC coated by Sa, and the opposite result was obtained upon inhibition of the serum with Sa . These results strongly indicated to us that the cross-reacting antibodies under study were multispecific, i.e., had different antigen-reactive sites (haptophore groups) for Ea and Sa . Further evidence supporting this contention was obtained from a study in which the cross-reacting antibody was 'labelled' by a bacterial antigen . To this end, the tested serum was neutralized with Sa and then reacted with RBC coated by Ea . From these RBC, antibodies were eluted from which Sa was recovered . A 'mirror image' experiment was also conducted in which Ea was recovered from antibodies that were blocked by Ea and reacted with RBC coated by Sa.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Dec 15, 145(1), 81 - 7
Structural studies of a neutral polymeric fraction from the lipopolysaccharide of Serratia marcescens C.D.C . 1783-57 (O14:H9); Brigden CJ et al.; A "neutral" polymer of glucose, galactose, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucose (molar ratios 1:1:2) has been isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of Serratia marcescens strain C.D.C . 1783-57 (O14:H9) . Degradative and spectroscopic studies established that the polysaccharide has a branched tetrasaccharide repeating-unit of the structure shown . The polymer was absent from other strains of serogroup O14 studied, but a polymer differing only in the configuration of the glucose residue has previously been isolated from a strain of S . marcescens O8 . The polymer from strain C.D.C . 1783-57 also shares structural features with the Escherichia coli O18 antigen, which is known to be serologically related to the S . marcescens O8 antigen . (Formula: see text).

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Dec, 38(12), 3487 - 96
{Studies on the combination action of sisomicin, gentamicin and cefmenoxime, ceftizoxime, cefoperazone, cefotetan against Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa}; Kubo M et al.; The combined actions of sisomicin (SISO), gentamicin (GM) and cefmenoxime (CMX), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefoperazone (CPZ), cefotetan (CTT) against S . marcescens IFO-3735 and P . aeruginosa IFO-12689 were investigated . The results were summarized as follows . The synergistic effect of the combinations of SISO-CMX, SISO-CZX, SISO-CPZ, SISO-CTT, GM-CMX, GM-CZX, GM-CPZ and GM-CTT using the checker board dilution method on S . marcescens IFO-3735 and P . aeruginosa IFO-12689 were found . Especially the minimum FIC index value of combination of SISO-CTT and GM-CTT were rather low as 0.14 and 0.13, respectively and these synergistic effect was remarkably strong on S . marcescens IFO-3735 . With the killing kinetic method, all combinations tested showed the synergistic effect in both bacteria.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1985 Dec, 181(3-5), 309 - 19
{Transmissible formaldehyde resistance in Serratia marcescens}; Kaulfers PM et al.; It was possible to isolate a strain of Serratia marcescens from fresh clinical bacterial isolates which was 4-6 times more resistant against formaldehyde than other strains . It was shown that the strain harbours two plasmids with molecular sizes of 58- and 90 Mdal . It was demonstrated by conjugation-, transformation- and plasmid-curing experiments that the formaldehyderesistance is plasmid mediated and transferable to E . coli . It was shown by labelling with 14C-formaldehyde that the resistant strains bind much more formaldehyde than the sensible strains.

Scand J Dent Res, 1985 Dec, 93(6), 555 - 9
Study of titanium screws as retrograde fillings using bacteria and dye; Luomanen M et al.; The tightness of retrograde titanium screw fillings and retrograde amalgam fillings was compared in 17 human, single-rooted teeth using Serratia marcescens bacteria in vitro . The root canals were subjected to instrumentation and irrigation, after which 2 mm was cut off from the apical end . Eight of the teeth were sealed using retrograde titanium screw fillings and nine using retrograde amalgam fillings . The teeth were suspended by means of wires in test tubes, with the crowns upwards and the roots immersed in trypticase soy broth . Suspensions of Serratia marcescens bacteria were placed in the root canals, and samples from the broth were plated daily . The bacteria penetrated the apical titanium screw seals in 2 to 7 days, and the retrograde amalgam fillings readily on the first day . Thus, the titanium screws seemed to provide a tighter seal . Staining with India ink showed that penetration had occurred at the tooth-filling margin and that the instrumentation had not caused any fractures to the roots.

J Mol Biol, 1985 Nov 5, 186(1), 87 - 96
Isolation and characterization of mutants affecting functional domains of ColE1 RNAI; Dooley TP et al.; The control of DNA replication initiation in the plasmid ColE1 is mediated by RNAI, a 108 nucleotide plasmid-encoded RNA that is entirely complementary to the 5'-terminal region of the replication primer RNA . RNAI acts in trans to inhibit primer maturation . Previously, we constructed a plasmid in which the ColE1 RNAI was separated from the primer and placed under transcriptional control of the Serratia marcesens tryptophan promoter . This plasmid provides RNAI in trans in vivo and mediates ColE1-type incompatibility . To determine the critical structural and functional domains of RNAI, we have undertaken a mutational analysis of the RNAI gene carried by this plasmid . We have selected mutants that no longer mediate ColE1-type incompatibility in trans . From the DNA sequences of 18 mutants we have identified mutations at nine new sites in RNAI . In addition, we have determined the secondary structural features of several mutant RNAI species and compared them to wild-type RNAI . Analysis of these mutations has revealed several key features of RNAI secondary structure and function . The domains of RNAI identified in this work which are essential for its function are: the single-stranded loop regions; the integrity of the double-stranded stems; and the single-stranded 5' terminus.

Rev Infect Dis, 1985 Nov-Dec, 7 Suppl 4, S538 - 44
Gram-negative bacterial infections: a look at the past, a view of the present, and a glance at the future; Weinstein L; An overview of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria over the past 40 years discloses remarkable changes in their specific etiology and management . These organisms were responsible for disease in the preantibiotic era but at a much lower frequency than at present, and fatality rates were generally high . Bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Serratia, now relatively commonly involved in infection, rarely, if ever, caused disease before antibiotics became available . Although often present in surgical wounds, these organisms clearly were colonizers rather than pathogens . It is clear that the use of potent antimicrobial agents has been responsible for a general decrease in the fatality rates associated with gram-negative bacterial infections . However, it is evident that their use has been involved in the development of potentially lethal complications not seen in the past . Factors presently recognized as playing important roles in the problems associated with the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections are the increasing number of older and sometimes debilitated patients and the longer survival of individuals with tumors or leukemia who, because of immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, are highly susceptible to invasion by almost any organism . Factors that have increased the magnitude of the problem of treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections include an increasing frequency of bacterial resistance to one or more antibiotics and a tendency of physicians to use more than one drug, sometimes as many as three or four, to treat gram-negative bacterial infections, especially in immunosuppressed people . Such polypharmacy is responsible for the development of suprainfections, some of which are caused by organisms very difficult to eradicate.

Biol Reprod, 1985 Nov, 33(4), 925 - 33
Follicle stimulating hormone binding inhibitor produced by the bacteria Serratia interacts with receptor for follicle stimulating hormone in calf testis membranes; Sluss PM et al.; Bacteria of the genus Serratia, including a strain of Serratia liquifaciens isolated from contaminated porcine follicular fluid, produced an inhibitor of 125I-human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) binding to calf testis membranes in vitro . In order to evaluate its potential usefulness and significance, we undertook studies to identify the site of action of this inhibitor . Large quantities (grams) of inhibitor-containing material (SL-1) were obtained by enrichment culture techniques and its chemical composition was determined . Follicle-stimulating hormone-binding inhibitory activity (FSH-BI) in SL-1 was associated with a protein-containing substance of approximately 30,000 Mr and also with larger Mr (greater than 300,000) forms . Preincubation studies demonstrated that binding inhibition by SL-1 was due to effects on the membranes rather than effects on the radioligand (125I-hFSH) . Kinetics studies indicated that FSH inhibition by SL-1 was a relatively slow process that reached steady-state conditions between 23 and 25 h at 20 degrees C, in contrast to FSH, which reached steady-state conditions by 12 h at 20 degrees C . Estimates of FSH-BI activity, e.g., mass required to produce a 50% inhibition of 125I-hFSH binding, varied drastically when these kinetics differences were not taken into account . Our observations emphasize the need to establish steady-state conditions for each ligand before assessing mechanisms of action using Michaelis-Menton assumptions (e.g., competitive binding assays, Scatchard analyses).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Infect Immun, 1985 Oct, 50(1), 218 - 24
Bacterial adherence to human endothelial cells in vitro; Ogawa SK et al.; Differences in the ability of bacteria to adhere to normal valvular endothelium may account for the predominance of particular species as pathogens in acute endocarditis . An in vitro adherence assay was developed to simulate the host surface encountered in acute bacterial endocarditis by using confluent monolayers of human endothelial cells . Adherence of 32 gram-positive and -negative blood culture isolates to this surface was compared . All five Staphylococcus aureus strains tested were highly adherent to endothelial cells, as was one gram-negative strain (Serratia marcescens) . The remaining gram-positive and -negative isolates, including four viridans streptococci, were relatively nonadherent . Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated attachment of Staphylococcus aureus and invagination of the underlying endothelial cell membrane at 1 h followed by engulfment of large numbers of bacteria after 3 h . The intracellular bacteria appeared to be contained within vacuoles . Preferential attachment of some strains of bacteria, in particular Staphylococcus aureus, to human endothelial cells occurred in vitro, suggesting that adherence is an important determinant of bacterial pathogenicity in acute endocarditis . Active uptake of bacteria by endothelial cells may help account for the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus in endovascular infections and for the ability of this organism to establish multiple metastatic foci of infection.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Oct, (10), 19 - 21
{Properties of Serratia marcescens strains isolated in septic diseases of newborn infants}; Abrikosova NIu et al.; As the result of the study of blood and liquor samples from 120 newborns, Serratia marcescens was isolated in 21 cases (17.5 %) . 8 strains were isolated from the environment of these patients . Almost all strains isolated from both the patients and the environment (with the exception of one environmental strain) belonged to serotype 04 . The isolated S . marcescens strains were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, oxacillin, methicillin, ceporin and moderately sensitive to polymixin . 2 strains from the environment and 9 strains from the patients were mildly sensitive to gentamicin . In one hospital all isolated strains were found to have 2 transmissive R plasmids with the molecular weight 40 and 60 megadaltons . The presence of R plasmids with the same molecular weight in all S . marcescens strains isolated in this hospital, as well as their serological identity, suggest that in all patients infection originated from a common source.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1985 Oct, 98(4), 1139 - 42
Preliminary X-ray studies on Serratia protease; Katsuya Y et al.; Preliminary X-ray studies on Serratia protease have been carried out using crystallographic and small angle scattering techniques . The enzyme has been crystallized in three different crystalline forms by microdialysis and vapor diffusion methods using 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, at 24 degrees C . They have orthorhombic space groups: C222(1) for one form and P2(1)2(1)2(1) for the other two forms . A small angle X-ray scattering study showed that the radius of gyration and the maximal dimension of the molecule in aqueous solution are 26.6 A and 94.5 A, respectively . The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be 45,000-48,000 by various physical methods.

Ophthalmology, 1985 Oct, 92(10), 1452 - 9
The serratial 56K protease as a major pathogenic factor in serratial keratitis . Clinical and experimental study; Kamata R et al.; A possible cause and the difference in clinical severity of serratial keratitis were investigated . Two strains of Serratia marcescens were isolated: one from a patient with severe liquefactive keratitis, who had diabetes mellitus, and one from a patient with mild superficial keratitis, but who had no underlying disease . When the same numbers of bacteria were injected separately into corneas of the same rabbits or guinea pigs, the strain from the first patient elicited severe corneal destruction, remarkable intracorneal edema; and liquefactive necrosis, but the strain from the second caused mild keratitis with erosion or intracorneal abscess . The keratitis induced by the former strain required a longer time to heal, and the prognosis was poorer than that for the other keratitis . Therefore, the difference in severity between the two cases of experimentally induced keratitis paralleled that of the clinical cases . Thus, the severity of the serratial keratitis might be attributed more to the virulence of the bacteria than the condition of the host . The virulence factor seemed to be a heat-labile metabolic product (or products) of the bacteria . To clarify this virulence factor, the major secretory protease (56K protease) produced by these two strains of bacteria was compared by using in vitro and in vivo systems . The virulent strain produced about ten times more protease during culture than the less virulent strain . When injected into the corneas of experimental animals, the 56K protease from the virulent strain induced severe lesions similar to those caused by the living virulent strain of bacteria . These results indicated that one of the major factors causing the virulence was correlated with the tissue destructive 56K protease produced by S . marcescens.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Oct, 164(1), 217 - 22
Leucine regulation of the ilvGEDA operon of Serratia marcescens by attenuation is modulated by a single leucine codon; Hsu JH et al.; The effect of leucine limitation and of restricted leucine tRNA charging on the expression of the ilvGEDA operon of Serratia marcescens was examined . In this organism, the ilv leader region specifies a putative peptide containing only a single leucine codon that could be involved in leucine-mediated control by attenuation (E . Harms, J.-H . Hsu, C . S . Subrahmanyam, and H . E . Umbarger, J . Bacteriol . 164:207-216, 1985) . A plasmid (pPU134) containing the DNA of the S . marcescens ilv control region and three of the associated structural genes was studied as a single chromosomal copy in an Escherichia coli strain auxotrophic for all three branched-chain amino acids . The S . marcescens ilv genes responded to a multivalent control similar to that found in other enteric organisms . Furthermore, the S . marcescens ilv genes were derepressed when the charging of leucine tRNA was restricted in a leuS derivative of E . coli that had been transformed with pPU134 . It was concluded that ribosome stalling leading to deattenuation is not dependent on either tandem or a consecutive series of codons for the regulatory amino acid . However, the fact that the single leucine codon is a less frequently used codon (CUA) may be important . The procedure for obtaining the cloned ilv genes in single chromosomal copy exploited the dependence of ColE1 replicons on the polA gene . The cloning experiments also revealed a branched-chain amino acid-glutamate transaminase in S . marcescens that is different from transaminase B.

Obstet Gynecol, 1985 Sep, 66(3 Suppl), 48S - 51S
Gonococcal endocarditis during pregnancy: simultaneous cesarean section and aortic valve surgery; Burstein H et al.; Gonococcal endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal consequence of disseminated gonococcal infection . Presented is the first known case of culture-proved gonococcal and serratia endocarditis in pregnancy . The case was further complicated by fetal distress at 30 weeks' gestation as a result of maternal decompensation from worsening congestive heart failure secondary to rapid destruction of her aortic valve . Consequently, cardiopulmonary bypass with subsequent aortic valve replacement and implantation of a left ventriculoaortic shunt was initiated immediately after an emergency cesarean section.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Sep, 131 ( Pt 9), 2343 - 8
Immunochemical characterization of the outer membrane complex of Serratia marcescens and identification of the antigens accessible to antibodies on the cell surface; Jessop HL et al.; Serratia marcescens New CDC O14:H12 contains major outer membrane proteins of 43.5 kDal, 42 kDal (the porins) and 38 kDal (the OmpA protein) which can be separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Immunoblotting of whole cell or outer membrane preparations using antiserum raised against the whole cells revealed similar complex patterns of antigens . The OmpA protein was the major immunogen, although six other outer membrane proteins were also detected; the porins reacted only weakly with antibodies in this system . Immunoabsorption of antisera with whole cells showed that only the O antigenic chains of lipopolysaccharide and the H (flagella) antigens were accessible to antibody on the cell surface . Failure to detect the OmpA protein and other envelope antigens in this way suggests that their antigenic sites are not able to react with antibodies and are possibly masked by the O antigen.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 31(8), 730 - 5
Effect of bacteria on the inactivation and adsorption on clay minerals of reovirus; Lipson SM et al.; This investigation studied the antiviral activity of, and the utilization of viruses as substrates by, bacteria . Reovirus type 3 and bacterial species representative of those endemic to sewage, aquatic, and terrestrial habitats were used in the model systems . Culture supernatants from Bacillus subtilis maintained for 5 days in a minimal salts medium displayed antiviral activity, but supernatants from Escherichia coli or Serratia marcescens did not . Both live and toluene-killed cells reduced the inactivation of reovirus during 4 days of incubation at 23 +/- 2 degrees C . This protective effect was more pronounced with killed than with live cells of B . subtilis, confirming the presence of an antiviral component(s) in this species and indicating that the component(s) was metabolic in origin . When reovirus was presented to these bacteria as a sole source of carbon, some growth (determined spectrophotometrically) of B . subtilis and S . marcescens occurred with reovirus concentrations of 3.1 X 10(6) and 8.2 X 10(6) mean tissue culture infective dose-fifty X mL-1, respectively . Growth of S . marcescens did not occur with a reovirus concentration of 8.0 X 10(4) mean tissue culture infective dose-fifty X mL-1, nor did that of E . coli with any virus concentration used in this study . Adsorption of reovirus on kaolinite was enhanced by the culture supernatant from S . marcescens and on montmorillonite, albeit to a lesser extent, by that from E . coli . The effect of culture supernatants from B . subtilis on the adsorption of reovirus on clay minerals could not be determined, as a result of the antiviral component produced by these cells . The virus was not adsorbed on the bacteria.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Aug, 16(2), 227 - 34
Clinical efficacy of a synergistic combination of cefotaxime and amikacin against multiresistant Pseudomonas and Serratia infections; Maslow MJ et al.; The synergistic activity of cefotaxime and amikacin against 21 highly resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens isolates was evaluated in-vitro by the checkerboard tube dilution method and in-vivo in five patients with serious infections caused by these organisms . All isolates were resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and cefotaxime . Synergy was observed in 90% of isolates and occurred when the MIC of amikacin was less than 256 mg/l and of cefotaxime less than 1024 mg/l . A clinical response occurred in 100% and bacteriological cure in 80% of patients . Our results demonstrate a high degree of synergism between amikacin and cefotaxime in-vitro and clinical efficacy in the treatment of infections due to multiply-resistant Pseudomonas and Serratia species.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Aug, 260(1), 35 - 40
Fibrinolytic activity of purified Serratia marcescens metalloproteases; Traub WH et al.; Two purified metalloproteases of Serratia marcescens revealed fibrinolytic activity, i.e., degraded human fibrin in agar as well as commercially available human fibrinogen and fibrinogen in fresh human plasma.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 50(2), 487 - 90
Droplet enrichment factors of pigmented and nonpigmented Serratia marcescens: possible selective function for prodigiosin; Burger SR et al.; Drops produced by bursting bubbles provide a mechanism for the water-to-air transfer and concentration of matter . Bacteria can adsorb to air bubbles rising through bacterial suspensions and enrich the drops formed by the bubbles upon breaking, creating atmospheric biosols which function in dispersal . This bacterial enrichment can be quantified as an enrichment factor (EF), calculated as the ratio of the concentration of bacteria in the drop to that of the bulk bacterial suspension . Bubbles were produced in suspensions of pigmented (prodigiosin-producing) and nonpigmented cultures of Serratia marcescens . EFs for pigmented cultures were greater than EFs for nonpigmented cells . Pigmented cells appeared hydrophobic based on their partitioning in two-phase systems of polyethylene glycol 6000 and dextran T500 . The surface hydrophobicity of pigmented cells may result from the hydrophobic nature of prodigiosin and could account for the greater ability of these bacteria to adsorb to air bubbles and enrich airborne droplets . Enhancement of the aerosolization of S . marcescens may be a selective function of the bacterial secondary metabolite prodigiosin.

Am J Med, 1985 Jul 15, 79(1A), 61 - 7
Pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacilli; Karnad A et al.; Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia has become an increasingly important disease in immunosuppressed, elderly, and hospitalized patients . The clinical features, etiologic agents, population at risk, treatment, and outcome in patients with well-documented gram-negative pneumonia were compared in two groups of patients: those with bacteremic pneumonia and those with nonbacteremic pneumonia documented by transtracheal aspiration . Clinical features were frequently subtle in both groups . A wide range of gram-negative bacilli were implicated as pathogens and pneumonias documented by transtracheal aspiration were frequently mixed infections . Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens were the most common pathogens causing bacteremic pneumonias, whereas Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were more common in the nonbacteremic group . Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia was frequently a lethal disease despite two-drug therapy, particularly in bacteremic patients.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 31(7), 590 - 7
Chemical and enzymatic variation in the cell walls of pathogenic Candida species; Lyon FL et al.; Cell walls, isolated from seven pathogenic species of Candida, were lipid extracted and fractionated by treatment with ethylenediamine or enzymatically hydrolyzed using chitinase and laminarinase . Two different chitinase preparations were used, one from Streptomyces sp . which had some beta-1,3-glucanase activity, and another from Serratia marcescens which did not have glucanase activity . Laminarinase was a commercial preparation . The monosaccharide constituents of whole cell walls and the fractions derived from them were determined qualitatively and quantitatively by gas-liquid chromatography of the products of a mild acid hydrolysis and by the phenol - sulfuric acid assay of the products of a stronger acid hydrolysis . The monomeric constituents of the enzymatic hydrolyses were analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography . Approximately 50% of all walls was soluble in ethylenediamine . Glucose and mannose were the only monosaccharides found in all of the fractions derived from ethylenediamine extraction examined . Similarities among the strains, based upon relative amounts of glucose and mannose, were more apparent than differences, but statistical analyses of the data revealed a general trend of decreasing similarity in the following order, C . albicans and C . stellatoidea, C . tropicalis and C . parapsilosis, and C . pseudotropicalis, C . guilliermondii, and C . krusei . In the enzymatic assays, mannose and glucose were released by laminarinase, whereas glucose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine alone were released by the chitinases . These assays supported the trend in relationships cited above, with the data being somewhat more definitive.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 22(1), 5 - 8
Isolation medium for the recovery of Pseudomonas cepacia from respiratory secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis; Gilligan PH et al.; A new medium for the isolation of Pseudomonas cepacia from respiratory tract secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is described . This medium consists of inorganic salts, 0.5% pyruvate, and 0.1% proteose peptone as nutritive components and 0.0001% crystal violet, 0.15% bile salts, 100 micrograms of ticarcillin per ml, and 300 U of polymyxin B per ml as selective agents . The medium, designated PC medium, supported superior growth of 38 of 50 stock isolates of P . cepacia after 48 h of incubation when compared with MacConkey agar (0 of 50) . The medium completely inhibited the growth of 112 of 124 stock isolates of organisms commonly found in respiratory secretions of CF patients . Cultures were made on PC medium with respiratory secretions of 169 CF patients . P . cepacia was recovered from 35 patients with isolates on PC medium but from only 21 patients with isolates on MacConkey agar . Of 221 other potentially pathogenic isolates found in these specimens, only six (two Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, two molds, one yeast, and one Serratia marcescens isolate) grew on PC medium . PC medium should facilitate the recovery of P . cepacia from CF patients.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Jul, 259(4), 461 - 7
Degradation of human fibronectin by metalloproteases of Serratia marcescens; Traub WH et al.; The purified metalloproteases of Serratia marcescens strains SF 178 and SH 186 attacked soluble human serum fibronectin . This observation points to a novel mechanism through which bacterial 'aggressins' might abolish nonspecific host defense mechanisms.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Jul, 82(14), 4663 - 7
Translation activates the paused transcription complex and restores transcription of the trp operon leader region; Landick R et al.; It has been proposed that RNA polymerase pausing in the leader region of the tryptophan (trp) operon of Escherichia coli is responsible for the synchronization of transcription and translation essential to attenuation control . In this report we use an in vitro coupled transcription/translation system to study the effect of trp leader peptide synthesis on RNA polymerase pausing in the trp leader region . Wild-type and translation-defective trp leader templates of E . coli and Serratia marcescens were employed, and pause RNA synthesis and paused complex release (activation) were quantified relative to synthesis of the terminated leader transcript . It was observed that pausing in the trp leader region was prolonged when translation of the leader transcript was reduced by mutations in the leader region or by addition of the translation inhibitor kasugamycin or chloramphenicol . Experiments with S-30 extracts from a mutant strain that is inefficient in translating the tryptophan codons in the leader transcript indicated that ribosome movement to these codons also releases the paused transcription complex . These findings indicate that the paused trp leader transcription complex resumes transcription when released by ribosome movement over the leader peptide coding region . This release would facilitate the coupling of transcription and translation essential to attenuation control.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Jul, 28(1), 107 - 12
Binding and neutralization of bacterial lipopolysaccharide by colistin nonapeptide; Warren HS et al.; Polymyxin nonapeptides, proteolytic derivatives of polymyxin antibiotics, are less toxic than their parent compounds but retain some of their antibacterial activities . To confirm and expand observations that polymyxin nonapeptides have anti-endotoxin activity, we studied the ability of colistin nonapeptide to bind to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to inhibit the effects of LPS on Limulus amoebocyte lysate and lymphocyte mitogenicity . Colistin nonapeptide was purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography and was demonstrated to bind to LPS by equilibrium dialysis . The ability of colistin nonapeptide to render E . coli ATCC 25922 cells sensitive to erythromycin was abrogated by 50% after incubation with E . coli O18 LPS in a ratio by weight of LPS to colistin nonapeptide of 3.9:1 . The presence of 4 micrograms of colistin nonapeptide or colistin per ml increased by 130- and 800-fold, respectively, the concentration of E . coli O113 LPS required to produce 50% gelation of Limulus amoebocyte lysate as measured by a spectrophotometric assay . Neutralization of LPS by colistin nonapeptide was time and concentration dependent . In contrast to the neutralization seen with LPS derived from a colistin-sensitive organism, colistin nonapeptide neutralized very little LPS extracted from a strain of Serratia marcescens that was resistant to colistin . Colistin nonapeptide also inhibited LPS-induced {3H}thymidine uptake by splenic lymphocytes, but its activity was less than 1/10 that of colistin . We conclude that colistin nonapeptide binds to LPS and possesses antiendotoxin activity . However, the anti-endotoxin activity of the nonapeptide is considerably less than that of its parent compound, colistin.

Am J Med, 1985 Jun 7, 78(6A), 62 - 72
Potential of imipenem as single-agent empiric antibiotic therapy of febrile neutropenic patients with cancer; Wade JC et al.; Infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality for the patient with cancer who experiences episodes of severe granulocytopenia . The search continues for new antimicrobial agents with improved efficacy and lower incidence of toxicity . Imipenem is a new carbapenem antibiotic which possesses a broad antibacterial spectrum with excellent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the other commonly recovered enteric gram-negative bacilli that infect the granulocytopenic patient with cancer . The combination of imipenem plus an aminoglycoside has shown in vitro synergy against P . aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus whereas the combination of imipenem plus piperacillin or the extended spectrum cephalosporins have frequently shown antagonism when tested against P . aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens . The use of a P . aeruginosa-infected neutropenic rat model has provided an in vivo system to evaluate the activity of new antibiotics or antibiotic combinations . Monotherapy with imipenem is as effective in this model as any of the currently available synergistic antibiotic combinations . This degree of activity has not been found with other broad-spectrum antibiotics when used alone . Imipenem provides serum bactericidal activity well above a 1:8 dilution for the four most commonly isolated pathogens: P . aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and S . aureus . In addition, imipenem's post-antibiotic effect against P . aeruginosa may be pertinent . Imipenem is a unique antibiotic, with properties that make it well suited for study as monotherapy for fever and suspected infection in granulocytopenic patients with cancer . A prospective randomized, double-blind study comparing imipenem with a control regimen of piperacillin plus amikacin as empiric antibiotic therapy of febrile granulocytopenic patients with cancer is currently underway at the University of Maryland Cancer Center.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1985 Jun, 89(6), 888 - 99
Deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass . A prospective study of bubble versus membrane oxygenation; van Oeveren W et al.; A number of hematologic and immunologic parameters that reflect erythrocyte and platelet damage and host defense mechanisms against infection were studied in 20 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass during coronary operations . The patients were randomly assigned to a group in which a bubble oxygenator or a hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator was used . Hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and significant release of beta thromboglobulin occurred in patients from the bubble oxygenator group and, to much lesser extent, in patients from the membrane oxygenator group . Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes from bubble oxygenator patients demonstrated increased generation of reactive oxygen species in the resting state and in the presence of the stimulating agents N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, concanavalin A, and opsonized zymosan, as compared with cells from membrane oxygenator patients . No difference was found between bubble and membrane oxygenator patients in the time of occurrence or intensity of leukopenia during bypass, of leukocytosis at the end of bypass, nor in the rate of complement activation, as assessed by quantitation of plasma C3a antigen . Complement activation was dependent on the alternative pathway . Immunoglobulin M concentration significantly decreased during bypass in both groups of patients . The serum opsonizing capacity for endotoxin and serum bactericidal activity for Serratia marcescens were decreased in both groups, mainly because of hemodilution, although they were additionally affected by bubble oxygenation . Several deleterious hematologic consequences of cardiopulmonary bypass can be minimized by the use of a membrane oxygenator . However, complement activation remains a potential risk factor even in membrane oxygenator patients and requires further investigation to obtain better hemocompatible materials for cardiopulmonary bypass circuits.

J Hosp Infect, 1985 Jun, 6(2), 218 - 20
An 'outbreak' of pulmonary pseudoinfection by Serratia marcescens; Siegman-Igra Y et al.; The recovery of multiple isolates of Serratia marcescens from bronchial lavage specimens was traced to contaminated fibreoptic bronchoscopes . Four patients were involved and none became infected . Awareness of a cluster of serratia cultures and immediate investigation and institution of control measures may have prevented the occurrence of true infections.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 747 - 53
A serratial protease causes vascular permeability reaction by activation of the Hageman factor-dependent pathway in guinea pigs; Kamata R et al.; The 56-kilodalton (56K) protease isolated from a culture filtrate of Serratia marcescens caused vascular permeability enhancement followed by edema formation when injected into guinea pig peripheral corneas and subconjunctival space or skin . The character and the mechanism of permeability enhancement were analyzed in vivo . The enhancement was maximum at 5 to 10 min . The permeability reaction increased exponentially by the amount of enzyme used . The enhancement of permeability induced by the 56K protease was not affected by treatment with an antihistamine but was greatly augmented by simultaneous injection of a kinin potentiator, Glu-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro-OH (SQ 20,881) . Furthermore, the permeability activity of the protease, but not the amidolytic activity, was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, a well-known inhibitor of plasma kallikrein, as well as by corn trypsin inhibitor, the best inhibitor of activated Hageman factor . Results of these in vivo studies indicate that the permeability-enhancing reaction induced by the 56K protease is caused by activation of the Hageman factor-dependent pathway in the tissue . The permeability-increasing activity of the 56K protease was parallel with the enzyme activity . Serratial lipopolysaccharide did not produce a permeability enhancement reaction within 30 min when injected into guinea pig skin . These results are consistent with the results of recent in vitro experiments in which activation of the purified Hageman factor but not of prekallikrein by the 56K protease was elucidated (Matsumoto et al., J . Biochem . (Tokyo) 96:739-749, 1984) . Thus, the molecular mechanism described above appears to be operative in the pathogenesis of corneal edema and chemosis, which is induced by S . marcescens, in addition to the direct tissue destruction by the protease.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 May, 259(3), 410 - 25
Active immunization of NMRI mice against Serratia marcescens; Traub WH et al.; Phenol-hot water lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracts of Serratia marcescens strains CDC O3:H1, CDC O6:H3, NEW CDC O14:H12, and SH 186 (serotype O6/O14:H12) significantly protected NMRI mice against intraperitoneal challenge with the more mouse virulent homologous strains; overall, there was moderate cross-protection against the minority of heterologous challenge strains . Trichloroacetic acid LPS extracts and K-antigen extracts of strains NEW CDC O14:H12 and SH 186 also proved protective antigens . The purified metalloproteases of strains SH 186 and SF 178 (serotype O6/O14:H12) effected active murine immunization . Neither active nor passive immunization of NMRI mice with E . coli Rc mutant J5 afforded significant protection against various challenge strains of S . marcescens.

Infection, 1985 May-Jun, 13(3), 140 - 5
Antiserum against Escherichia coli J5: a re-evaluation of its in vitro and in vivo activity against heterologous gram-negative bacteria; Trautmann M et al.; Antiserum against Escherichia coli J5, a "rough" mutant of E . coli 0111, has been reported to confer broad-spectrum protection against serologically unrelated gram-negative bacteria . In order to re-evaluate these findings, we examined the influence of rabbit antiserum against E . coli J5 on the phagocytosis of heterologous gram-negative bacteria by rabbit granulocytes in vitro and its ability to protect mice against gram-negative bacterial infection . In vitro, J5 antiserum enhanced the phagocytosis of E . coli 0111, E . coli 06 and Serratia marcescens 06/014:H2 when compared to normal rabbit serum . However, J5 antiserum did not enhance the phagocytosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae type 2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype 9 . In vivo, the protective effect of J5 antiserum against lethal gram-negative infection was not superior to that of normal (pre-immune) serum with the exception of E . coli 0111 septicemia . In contrast, type-specific antiserum against each of the smooth gram-negative bacteria markedly enhanced phagocytosis in vitro and exerted significant protection in vivo . Thus, in this study antiserum against E . coli J5 proved to be of limited value for opsonization of gram-negative bacteria and protection against gram-negative bacterial infection.

Arch Microbiol, 1985 May, 141(4), 371 - 6
Hemolytic activity of Serratia marcescens; Braun V et al.; A cell-bound hemolytic activity was found in several strains of Serratia marcescens . One Serratia cell per ten erythrocytes was sufficient to cause complete lysis of human erythrocytes within 2 h in the liquid assay . The hemolytic activity resided in the membrane fraction and could be inactivated by incubating cells with proteases . The hemolytic activity was greatly enhanced in actively metabolizing Serratia cells and was partially controlled by the iron supply . Hemolysis was accompanied by degradation of erythrocyte membrane proteins (band 3 and 6, glycophorin) and was independent of the blood group . The exoprotease secreted by S . marcescens in large amounts was not involved in hemolysis . Comparison with various hemolytic strains of Escherichia coli showed that hemolysis of erythrocytes was more pronounced with S . marcescens than with E . coli . In contrast to hemolysis by E . coli, lysis of erythrocytes by S . marcescens was not enhanced by Ca2+ ions.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 May, 15(5), 559 - 65
Decreased susceptibility of Serratia marcescens to chlorhexidine related to the inner membrane; Lannigan R et al.; An isolate of Serratia marcescens (strain 100) obtained from a handwashing solution of chlorhexidine (Hibitane) was found not to release potassium ions when exposed to chlorhexidine as compared to chlorhexidine susceptible clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Ser . marcescens . Lysozyme-tris-EDTA spheroplast preparations of the Serratia isolates were also tested for potassium ion leakage following exposure to chlorhexidine and it was found that the inner membrane was responsible for the decreased susceptibility of the organism of chlorhexidine . These experiments suggested that the mechanism of increased resistance of strain 100 Ser . marcescens to chlorhexidine was an inner membrane change . The nature of the change is currently unknown.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 21(4), 656 - 7
Isolation of Serratia plymuthica from a human burn site; Clark RB et al.; The saprophytic bacterium Serratia plymuthica was recovered from a facial wound (burn) site of a pediatric patient . The clinical significance of the organism was undetermined due to its apparent eradication from this location by therapy with topical 1% silver sulfadiazine . Seeding of the burn with S . plymuthica may have occurred from contaminated moisture sometimes found on and around steam radiators.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 21(4), 652 - 3
Survival of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria artificially applied on the hands; Gontijo Filho PP et al.; We evaluated the survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, derived from either hospitalized patients or culture collections, on the fingertips of human volunteers . Over 99% of the bacteria died within 2 min of the application, and about 10(5) cells remained on the fingers for up to 90 min.

J Clin Lab Immunol, 1985 Apr, 16(4), 183 - 90
Analysis of protective mechanisms against infection by Serratia marcescens; Okada K; The present paper is concerned with an experimental study of effects of some agents on parameters pertinent to host resistance to infection of Serratia marcescens (S . marcescens) which was isolated from a patient . The results obtained are the following: In the control mice injected intravenously with S . marcescens, most of the bacteria were trapped in the liver, spleen and lung, the so-called reticuloendothelial system (RES), and the number of bacteria decreased gradually with time . In the kidney, the bacterial count did not decrease because of the existence of few macrophages in this organ . In the animals treated with X-irradiation and cyclophosphamide, the mortality rate increased, and the number of S . marcescens in the organs increased significantly with time . These observations were irreversible in the X-irradiated group, but were reversible in the cyclophosphamide-treated group, depending on the challenge dose . In the mice treated with carrageenan, which functions as a macrophage blocker, the mortality rate did not increase significantly, but there was a delay before the bacteria were eliminated from the liver indicating that the bacteria were not killed in the early phase . After intraperitoneal administration of proteose peptone, polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and macrophages accumulated in the peritoneal cavity on the 1st day and 4th day . When S . marcescens was injected intraperitoneally to these 2 groups . The 50% lethal dose (LD50) did not increase significantly in each group . After intraperitoneal inoculation of S . marcescens in a dose equal to 1.5 LD50 in normal mice, the elimination of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity was very rapid in the mice pretreated with proteose peptone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microbiologica, 1985 Apr, 8(2), 101 - 11
R factor-mediated adhesiveness to mammalian cells in E . coli K12; Mignatti P et al.; We checked the possible effects of the standard plasmids of known compatibility groups on the ability of three strains of E . coli K12, J62, J53 and C600, to agglutinate human and guinea pig erythrocytes and to adhere to cultures of human epithelial cells . The results obtained showed that under defined experimental conditions one plasmid, R478, from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens is able to modulate the adhesive properties of the strain J62 which lacks adhesiveness . On the contrary, the same factor did not alter the ability of strains J53 and C600 to agglutinate erythrocytes and to adhere to human epithelial cells in culture, nor did it induce adhesive properties in wild-type strains of E . coli from clinical isolates that lacked them . This would suggest a possible plasmidic control of chromosomally encoded surface structures that mediated adhesiveness of E . coli to mammalian cells.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Apr, 27(4), 589 - 94
In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of dactimicin, a novel pseudodisaccharide aminoglycoside, compared with those of other aminoglycoside antibiotics; Matsuhashi Y et al.; When compared with astromicin, amikacin, gentamicin, and sisomicin, dactimicin was similar to astromicin in in vitro activity and was more active than amikacin and gentamicin against the clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens, but less active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Dactimicin and astromicin were active against many gentamicin- and amikacin-resistant bacteria expressing aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, with the exception of aminoglycoside 3-acetyltransferase . However, dactimicin was more resistant than astromicin to inactivation by aminoglycoside 3-acetyltransferase, probably owing to the protective action of the formimidoyl group . The in vivo activity of dactimicin, assessed by the 50% effective doses against systemic infections in mice, was similar or superior to that of astromicin and was superior or inferior to that of amikacin depending on the strains tested.

Blood, 1985 Apr, 65(4), 1033 - 5
Differential effect of Serratia protease on platelet surface glycoproteins Ib and V; McGowan EB et al.; The effect of a zinc metalloprotease from Serratia marcescens on platelet surface glycoproteins (GP) Ib and V was analyzed . Increasing protease treatments caused progressive loss of GP Ib with appearance of the major fragment, glycocalicin, in the supernatant solution . No GP V was detected in the supernatant solution, and protease-pretreated platelets had the same capacity as control platelets to release fragment 1 of GP V in response to thrombin . The Serratia protease-pretreated platelets did show the lag before thrombin-induced dense granule secretion, characteristic of platelets modified by pretreatment with other nonstimulating proteases . Treatment with Serratia protease gives the only demonstrated selective loss of GP Ib without apparent effect on GP V . It suggests that GP V (1) does not depend on GP Ib for its association with platelets and (2) is not the substrate for protease modification of platelet function.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Apr, 27(4), 670 - 1
Correlation of aminoglycoside resistance with the KmS and Vmax/Km ratios of enzymatic modification of aminoglycosides by 2''-O-nucleotidyltransferase; DeHertogh DA et al.; A clinical isolate, Serratia marcescens 75, was found to be susceptible to netilmicin and yet had a high level of aminoglycoside 2''-O-nucleotidyltransferase activity for netilmicin . Kinetic studies of the partially purified enzyme revealed substrate inhibition for gentamicin and tobramycin at concentrations greater than 10(-2) mM, but this was not observed for netilmicin . The MICs of the aminoglycosides tested exhibited a good inverse correlation with the Km values for the enzyme and a direct correlation with the Vmax/Km ratios of the enzyme.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 49(4), 782 - 6
Proline-hyperproducing strains of Serratia marcescens: enhancement of proline analog-mediated growth inhibition by increasing osmotic stress; Sugiura M et al.; Proline-producing strains of Serratia marcescens were more osmotolerant than wild-type strains . Growth inhibition by proline analogs was significantly enhanced by increasing the osmotic stress of the medium . Mutants resistant to azetidine-2-carboxylate were derived from a proline-producing strain, SP126, under a high osmotic condition . One of the mutants, strain SP187, produced 56 mg of L-proline per ml of medium containing sucrose and urea . This amount was ca . 3 times larger than that produced by strain SP126 . The intracellular glutamate content which decreased in strain SP126 was restored in strain SP187 . The glutamate dehydrogenase level of strain SP187 was 5 times higher than that of strain SP126.

Pediatr Infect Dis, 1985 Mar-Apr, 4(2), 160 - 7
Endemic Serratia marcescens infection in a neonatal intensive care nursery associated with gastrointestinal colonization; Newport MT et al.; Serratia marcescens (SM) produced a prolonged outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit of high level gastrointestinal colonization (10(9) SM/g feces) which in the early part of the outbreak predisposed to respiratory infection . The early outbreak featured a strain of SM carrying a 54 X 10(6) dalton conjugative plasmid which mediated resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin and beta-lactam agents . The second part of the outbreak involved primarily gastrointestinal colonization with SM strains that were plasmid-free . Acquisition of SM was related to very low birth weight (less than 1500 g) . Among very low birth weight neonates, SM colonization was associated with pneumonia, patent ductus arteriosus, congestive heart failure and septicemia . Among neonates greater than 1500 g, SM colonization was associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, use of a respirator, patent ductus arteriosus and congestive heart failure . Respirator contamination, respiratory tract colonization and consequent pneumonia were reduced by more frequent changing of respirator tubing . Colonized sinks remained chronically colonized with multiresistant SM.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Feb 10, 260(3), 1889 - 94
Study of anthranilate synthase function by replacement of cysteine 84 using site-directed mutagenesis; Paluh JL et al.; Cysteine 84 was replaced by glycine in Serratia marcescens anthranilate synthase Component II using site-directed mutagenesis of cloned trpG . This replacement abolished the glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase activity but not the NH3-dependent activity of the enzyme . The mutation provides further evidence for the role of active site cysteine 84 in the glutamine amide transfer function of anthranilate synthase Component II . By the criteria of circular dichroism, proteolytic inactivation, and feedback inhibition the mutant and wild type enzymes were structurally similar . The NH3-dependent anthranilate synthase activity of the mutant enzyme supported tryptophan synthesis in media containing a high concentration of ammonium ion.

Burns Incl Therm Inj, 1985 Feb, 11(3), 192 - 6
Anaerobic infections of burns; Wang DW et al.; From August 1980 to June 1982, 102 burn wound specimens taken from 34 patients were studied for anaerobic cultures . Fifteen instances (14.7 per cent) from 8 patients were positive and altogether 12 species were found . The predominant anaerobes were Bacteroides melaninogenicus, Peptococcus, Bacteroides fragilis, and other strains of Bacteroides and Peptostreptococcus . They were mostly discovered in electric burn wounds and burn wounds affecting the perianal and oral areas . Wounds with anaerobic infection usually appeared gaseous, necrotic and ischaemic with foul odour . Nineteen blood samples from 10 burn patients were also studied for anaerobic cultures, and two were positive, one caused by Bacteroides and the other by mixed infection of Peptococcus and Serratia, indicating that the anaerobes played an important role in burn infections . It seems necessary to perform anaerobic culture studies in burn patients as a routine . A comparative study between anaerobic culture and indirect immuno-fluorescence method was undertaken for Bact . fragilis and Bact . melaninogenicus in 47 burn wounds . It showed that the immunofluorescence method was a more rapid, simple, sensitive and specific diagnostic method.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1985, 136(7), 559 - 65
{Necrotizing cellulitis and fasciitis of infectious origin . Review of 10 personal cases and the literature}; Bernard P et al.; Ten personal cases of necrotizing cellulitis and fasciitis are reported . The lower limbs were the most common site of infection . Two patients had involvement of the whole of the leg and died of septic shock . Two other patients died of pulmonary embolism . Bacteriological investigations showed multiple infection to be the rule; gangrene due to streptococcal infection alone was only observed in 3 cases, staphylococcus alone in 1 case and serratia alone in 1 case . Surgery was performed within 48 hours of admission under antibiotic cover in all but two cases . The authors emphasize the need for adequate anticoagulation to prevent multiple venous thrombosis in the infected subcutaneous tissues and to avoid the risk of fatal pulmonary embolism.

Chemotherapy, 1985, 31(3), 178 - 80
Influence of aminoglycoside usage on susceptibilities; Flournoy DJ; Units of aminoglycosides issued from the hospital pharmacy and susceptibilities for Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were retrospectively analyzed for the years 1975-82 . The use of gentamicin appears to select out for tobramycin-resistant S . marcescens and gentamicin-, tobramycin-susceptible P . aeruginosa; whereas the use of tobramycin appears to select out for gentamicin-, tobramycin-susceptible S . marcescens and gentamicin-resistant P . aeruginosa.

Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1985, 11(11), 771 - 80
Comparative bactericidal and morphological effects of five cephamycins on cells of three gram-negative bacilli at decreasing drug concentrations; Goi H et al.; The bactericidal and morphological effects under drug-decreasing conditions of cefminox (MT-141), cefoxitin, cefmetazole, cefotetan and latamoxef were compared on Klebsiella pneumoniae PCl-602, Escherichia coli No . 29 and Serratia marcescens No . 1 cells . A new drug-decreasing method was developed by the use of an antibiotic removal device . Cefminox displayed an earlier onset and a higher rate of bactericidal action than the other cephamycins against the test organisms, although the minimum inhibitory concentrations of cefminox were similar to or higher than those of the other drugs . Morphologically, cefminox caused rapid lysis of the cells without filamentation, whereas the reference cephamycins caused mainly elongation of the cells under the test conditions . Frequent formation of multiple bulges on cells exposed to cefminox was observed in an isotonic medium.

Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(10), 901 - 7
Reversion to bacillary forms of Serratia marcescens spheroplasts induced by carbenicillin . Scanning electron microscopic study; Furutani A et al.; Bacterial cells of Serratia marcescens were easily induced to form spheroplasts in liquid medium by the addition of carbenicillin . The spheroplasts were unable to divide, but they were able to revert to the bacillary forms in liquid medium not containing carbenicillin . Four phases of the reversion sequence could be differentiated by scanning electron microscopy . (1) After 3 hr of incubation in carbenicillin-free medium, some projections arose out of the spheroplasts, and grew and elongated . (2) Their elongation resulted in a morphological change in the spheroplasts from spherical bodies to long irregular bacillary forms . (3) Further incubation caused several constricted areas in the bacillary form . (4) The long bacillary forms split along the constricted areas to become the parent bacillary forms of S . marcescens . When the long bacillary form that developed during the reversion was retreated with carbenicillin, it was immediately induced to become a spheroplast again.

Intensive Care Med, 1985, 11(4), 179 - 83
Moxalactam in nosocomial infections with Serratia marcescens; Mall T et al.; Ten critically ill patients presenting with nosocomial infection caused by Serratia marcescens (SM) not responding to prior chemotherapy were treated in an open study with Moxalactam (MOX) alone {6} or in combination with an aminoglycoside {4} . In initial disc diffusion tests, all isolates of SM were highly susceptible to MOX . Clinically, three patients were cured and four improved . Three patients died: one from SM pneumonia, one from gangrenous cholecystitis and another from ARDS . Bacteriologically, SM were eliminated from blood cultures in all seven patients with septicemia but were recovered post mortem from the lung of one patient . In three cases with localized infection, SM were eliminated once and persisted twice . Selection of resistant SM was observed in three patients but became clinically relevant in one case only . Resistant SM strains also showed reduced susceptibility to other cephalosporins and aminoglycosides . Emergence of enterococci occurred four times, in two cases with clinical consequences . MOX is a useful drug for the treatment of SM infections, but a definite risk of selecting multiresistant SM strains and of enterococcal overgrowth must be kept in mind.

Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(4), 301 - 8
Decrease in respiration activity related to prodigiosin synthesis in Serratia marcescens; Kobayashi N et al.; Variation in the cell respiration rate of pigmented and nonpigmented strains of Serratia marcescens was exhibited . The respiration rate of a pigmented strain decreased earlier than that of nonpigmented strains in the late exponential or early stationary phase . However when prodigiosin synthesis was not induced by exchange of carbon sources in the medium, the decrease in the respiration rate of the pigmented strain was the same as that of nonpigmented strains . Measurement of the oxygen consumption rate in the sonicated cell membrane by adding NADH solution showed that the rate in the pigmented strain was lower than that in nonpigmented strains . Furthermore, the cell membrane of prodigiosin-induced organisms was more sensitive to respiration inhibitors than that of pigment-noninduced organisms of the pigmented strain . These results showed that the respiration activity was decreased by prodigiosin synthesis in S . marcescens.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Jan, 15 Suppl A, 159 - 67
Advantages and disadvantages of an in-vitro model with two compartments connected by a dialyser: results of experiments with ciprofloxacin; Reeves DS; A two-compartment in-vitro model is described in which the compartments are separated by a hollow-fibre dialyser . It was used successfully to simulate the 2-compartment kinetics of intravenously administered ciprofloxacin and to observe the activity of ciprofloxacin against a strain of Serratia marcescens growing in the peripheral compartment . Because of the complexity of the apparatus, however, the experiments were labour-intensive, prone to break-down, and gave results only slowly . There was a possibility that drug-resistant variants were carried over from one experiment to the next by re-use of the dialyser . While the model could give very flexible kinetics and retained all of the culture, there were constraints on the variations in kinetics from the physical sizes of the compartments and practicable flow rates . An ever-present problem was the possibility of fluid diafiltering rapidly into either compartment . Such a model should perhaps only be used when a very short drug half-life is to be simulated or very flexible kinetics required . Simpler, multi-channel equipment could be more productive.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1985, 174(3), 115 - 8
Assay of extracellular proteinases using a colorimetric collagen substrate for the differentiation of Serratia in the tribe Klebsielleae; Edberg SC et al.; The gelatin test has been utilized for many years as a characteristic to separate the genus Serratia from other members of the tribe Klebsielleae . Gelatin is a large protein matrix that cannot diffuse into bacterial cells . Microbes that attack gelatin do so by producing extracellular proteinases . The measurement of gelatinase has suffered from the lack of a definable endpoint and the inability to quantitate the enzyme . A method was developed utilizing an azo-dye-labelled collagen substrate that could measure the extracellular proteinase of serratia . The test was easy to perform, inexpensive, and potentially quantifiable . The azo-dye test corresponded completely with the gelatinase tests.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Jan, 161(1), 1 - 6
Isolation of a versatile Serratia marcescens mutant as a host and molecular cloning of the aspartase gene; Takagi T et al.; An extracellular nuclease-deficient, antibiotic-sensitive, and restrictionless mutant was isolated from the wild-type strain of Serratia marcescens Sr41 by four rounds of mutagenesis . The mutant was transformed efficiently with plasmid DNAs prepared from Escherichia coli and S . marcescens, and was used as a host for the cloning of the aspartase gene (aspA+) of S . marcescens . Cells carrying the cloned aspA+ gene on a multicopy plasmid produced ca . 39-fold more aspartase than did control cells, and the level of enzyme overproduction was in proportion to the copy number of the aspA+ recombinant plasmid . Aspartase was identified as a polypeptide of molecular weight 52,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1687 - 91
The acetylation of 6'-amino group of amikacin by a new enzyme prepared from serratia sp; Morohoshi T et al.; It was found that Serratia marcescens 43, Serratia proteamaculans 48 and Serratia sp . 45, all of which were clinically isolated, produced a new type of aminoglycoside acetyltransferase which acetylated amikacin at the 6'-amino group . 1-N-{(S)-3-Amino-2-hydroxypropionyl}-gentamicin B (HAPA-B, SCH 21420) and gentamicin C2 were hardly inactivated by the enzymes and had effective antimicrobial activities against these strains both in vitro and in vivo . This kind of aminoglycoside acetyltransferase should be classified into a new group other than previously reported AAC(6') enzymes.

Jpn J Clin Oncol, 1984 Dec, 14 Suppl 1, 465 - 78
The clinical significance of gastrointestinal decontamination in the occurrence of endogenous infections; Ozawa A et al.; No significant difference was seen in the incidence of infections between subjects receiving complete, selective and no decontamination aimed at the intestinal microflora in studies evaluating the preventative potential against endogenous infections in the compromised host maintained under protective isolation . This finding is reported together with a report of Serratia marcescens septicemia in a patient with leukemia who was given antibiotics systemically and kept under protective isolation . The establishment of opportunistic infections in relation to these results is discussed in terms of the biological phenomena of the interaction between the intestinal flora and the host, and between the species comprising the intestinal flora.

J Clin Invest, 1984 Nov, 74(5), 1669 - 78
Proteinases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa evoke mucin release by tracheal epithelium; Klinger JD et al.; We have determined the potential of exoproducts from pathogenic bacteria to stimulate the release of high molecular weight mucins from goblet cells of airway epithelium in a rabbit tracheal explant system . Culture supernatants from proteolytic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens, but not supernatants from a number of non-proteolytic strains, released mucins from goblet cells . Highly purified elastase and alkaline proteinase from P . aeruginosa stimulated goblet cell mucin release in a dose-dependent fashion . Lipopolysaccharide, exotoxin A, and alginate of P . aeruginosa did not possess mucin release properties . Proteolytic activity was required for mucin release by P . aeruginosa elastase, but such release in goblet cells was not mediated by cyclic AMP . Morphologic studies suggested rapid release of mucins from goblet cells was response to elastase by a process resembling apocrine secretion . Several nonbacterial proteinases mimicked the effect of Pseudomonas proteases . These studies provide support for the hypothesis that bacterial and other play a role in the pathogenesis of mucus hypersecretion in acute and chronic lung infections.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1984 Nov, 96(5), 1323 - 36
Role of cytosolic superoxide dismutase as a stimulator in anthranilamide hydroxylation by a microsomal monooxygenase system in rat liver; Ohta Y et al.; We have isolated a protein factor from rat liver which stimulates anthranilamide hydroxylation by the microsomes in the presence of NADPH and oxygen and showed this factor to contain Cu and Zn and to have superoxide dismutase activity {Biochim . Biophys . Acta 365, 148-157 (1974)} . In the present study, this protein factor was confirmed to be a superoxide dismutase (SOD) by comparison of the recovery of SOD activity with that of anthranilamide hydroxylation-stimulating activity at each step of its purification, by inhibition of SOD activity with NaCN and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and by recovery of the SOD activity of the protein factor after reconstitution with Cu2+ and/or Zn2+ . At a given SOD activity level, there was no difference among the rat liver SOD, Cu,Zn-SOD from bovine erythrocytes, and Mn-SOD from Serratia marcescens in their ability to stimulate anthranilamide hydroxylation not only by rat liver microsomes, but also by the reconstituted cytochrome P-450-containing monooxygenase system . Rat liver SOD stimulated anthranilamide hydroxylation by the reconstituted system in proportion to its amount below a protein concentration of 1 microgram/ml . In anthranilamide hydroxylation by the reconstituted system without SOD, only a slight hydroxylase activity was found at the initial stage of the reaction and a marked increase in the amounts of NADPH oxidized and H2O2 formed was observed after a lag time . In the presence of rat liver SOD, however, the hydroxylase activity was markedly and continuously increased almost proportionally to reaction time with a concomitant decrease in the amounts of NADPH oxidized and H2O2 formed . In addition, a trace of 3-OH anthranilamide, one of the products, not only stimulated NADPH-dependent H2O2 formation in the reconstituted system, but also inhibited the apparent reduction of cytochrome P-450 by NADPH in the reconstituted system . These effects of 3-OH anthranilamide were diminished by rat liver SOD . When a trace of 3-OH anthranilamide were added to a system composed of NADPH-cytochrome c (P-450) reductase and NADPH, H2O2 formation and NADPH oxidation were markedly stimulated . However, on addition of 3-OH anthranilamide to the system containing rat liver SOD, no stimulation on either H2O2 formation or NADPH oxidation was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Nord Vet Med, 1984 Nov-Dec, 36(11), 354 - 60
{Serratia-mastitis in cows as a herd problem}; Isaksson A et al.; Clinical mastitis with infection of Serratia marcescens occurred in a tied-up dairy herd in Sweden on a scale widely exceeding what has hitherto been reported in veterinary literature . The herd contained 37 milking cows before the disease period but only 14 at slaughter 21 months later in spite of some recruitment . A very large number of mastitis cases, usually rather mild and of short duration, had then occurred--during one single month not less than 47 cases . Hardly any cow escaped the disease . Instead, the single cows fell ill at short intervals with mastitis in the same quarter as previously or in another quarter . Antibiotic therapy in clinical cases, dry cow therapy and teat dipping had no obvious effect . Serratia marcescens was isolated in all 14 slaughtered cows in one or more quarters . The morphological changes were remarkably mild . Isolated Serratia strains revealed no distinctive marks compared with ordinary saprophytic strains in laboratory tests . Serratia-contaminated sawdust used as litter was possibly the source of infection and the milking machine possibly the tool for the transmission of bacteria to the udder, in the latter case by the aspiration of contaminated sawdust when the claw was attached or detached, or it fell off during milking . The pathogenicity of the bacteria and the susceptibility of the cows to udder infection may have been increased.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1984 Nov, 96(5), 1409 - 18
Serratia protease . Amino acid sequences of both termini, the 53 residues in the middle region containing the sole methionine residue, and a probable zinc-binding region; Lee IS et al.; Reexamination of the molecular mass and the amino acid composition of Serratia protease revealed the presence of 1 mol of methionine per mol of protein (about 46K daltons), and this was confirmed by BrCN cleavage followed by separation of the two fragments . The sole methionine residue was located near the middle region of the molecule . The amino(N)-terminal sequence was determined by Edman degradation of the protein and studies of several proteolytic peptides, establishing a sequence of 18 residues with a heterogeneous N-terminus . The carboxyl(C)-terminal sequence was determined by carboxypeptidase A digestion and tritium-labeling of the citraconylated C-terminal half segment to be -Phe-Ile-Val . The sequences of a total of 53 residues containing the methionine residue and a total of 38 residues containing two histidine residues were established by the application of various conventional methods to a BrCN peptide and several proteolytic peptides . The segment containing the histidine residues was homologous with that containing the two histidine residues chelating the zinc atom of thermolysin . The 38-residue segment may be directly connected to the 53-residue segment.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Nov, 20(5), 1003 - 5
Association of Pseudomonas maltophilia with malignant lesions; Nagai T; Infections caused by nonfermentative, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria (NFGNR) in 564 patients were reviewed . For comparison, 227 patients with Serratia marcescens infections were also studied . Among the patients with NFGNR infections, 24% had some form of malignant solid tumor, and 9% had leukemia and lymphoma . Among the patients with S . marcescens infections, 22% had some type of malignant solid tumor, and 8% had leukemia and lymphoma . The frequency of various species of NFGNR (except Pseudomonas maltophilia and S . marcescens) in patients with a malignancy at the site from which the specimens had been obtained was 5 to 24% . However, 39 of 82 patients (48%) with P . maltophilia infections had a malignancy at the site from which P . maltophilia had been isolated . There were significantly more P . maltophilia infections at the sites of malignant lesions than there were other NFGNR or S . marcescens infections (P less than 0.05).

South Med J . 1984 Nov;77(11):1475.
Botryomycosis caused by Serratia marcescens; Valainis GT et al.; We have reported a case of lymph node botryomycosis caused by Serratia marcescens, which has not been listed previously as an etiologic agent.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1984 Nov 1, 234(2), 468 - 75
Oxidation of anionic nitroalkanes by flavoenzymes, and participation of superoxide anion in the catalysis; Kido T et al.; The reactivities of anionic nitroalkanes with 2-nitropropane dioxygenase of Hansenula mrakii, glucose oxidase of Aspergillus niger, and mammalian D-amino acid oxidase have been compared kinetically . 2-Nitropropane dioxygenase is 1200 and 4800 times more active with anionic 2-nitropropane than D-amino acid oxidase and glucose oxidase, respectively . The apparent Km values for anionic 2-nitropropane are as follows: 2-nitropropane dioxygenase, 1.61 mM; glucose oxidase, 16.7 mM; and D-amino acid oxidase, 11.1 mM . Anionic 2-nitropropane undergoes an oxygenase reaction with 2-nitropropane dioxygenase and glucose oxidase, and an oxidase reaction with D-amino acid oxidase . In contrast, anionic nitroethane is oxidized through an oxygenase reaction by 2-nitropropane dioxygenase, and through an oxidase reaction by glucose oxidase . All nitroalkane oxidations by these three flavoenzymes are inhibited by Cu and Zn-superoxide dismutase of bovine blood, Mn-superoxide dismutases of bacilli, Fe-superoxide dismutase of Serratia marcescens, and other O2- . scavengers such as cytochrome c and NADH, but are not affected by hydroxyl radical scavengers such as mannitol . None of the O2- . scavengers tested affected the inherent substrate oxidation by glucose oxidase and D-amino acid oxidase . Furthermore, the generation of O2- . in the oxidation of anionic 2-nitropropane by 2-nitropropane dioxygenase was revealed by ESR spectroscopy . The ESR spectrum of anionic 2-nitropropane plus 2-nitropropane dioxygenase shows signals at g1 = 2.007 and g11 = 2.051, which are characteristic of O2-. . The O2- . generated is a catalytically essential intermediate in the oxidation of anionic nitroalkanes by the enzymes.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Oct 25, 259(20), 12672 - 7
Properties of hybrid aspartate transcarbamoylase formed with native subunits from divergent bacteria; Shanley MS et al.; The aspartate transcarbamoylases (ATCase) from Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli exhibit unique regulatory and kinetic properties and were dissociated into their constituent regulatory and catalytic subunits . A hybrid ATCase holoenzyme was formed with catalytic subunits from S . marcescens and regulatory subunits from E . coli as demonstrated by the molecular weight, the recovery of cooperative, homotropic response to the substrate aspartate, and the re-establishment of heterotropic responses to the allosteric effectors ATP and CTP . This hybrid is of interest since ATCase from E . coli is inhibited by CTP and activated by ATP while ATCase from S . marcescens is activated by both nucleotides . The activity of the catalytic subunits was reduced upon formation of the catalytic subunits was reduced upon formation of the hybrid ATCase enzyme which exhibited an exaggerated requirement for aspartate; the {S}0.5 was 100-125 mM aspartate compared to 5 mM for the E . coli holoenzyme and 20 mM for the native ATCase from S . marcescens . Still, the heterotropic response to effectors was communicated efficiently through the various protein:protein domains of bonding in ATCase as 1 mM ATP activated the hybrid ATCase while 1 mM CTP inhibited the enzyme . ATP did not influence the pH profile of the hybrid enzyme but increasing concentrations of the substrate aspartate shifted the pH optimum from pH 6 to pH 6.8 . These data support the view that homotropic and heterotropic responses in ATCase can be altered separately . Since the hybrid ATCase was formed with native, unmodified regulatory and catalytic subunits, the r:r and c:c domains in the hybrid holoenzyme remained fundamentally unaltered . Therefore, it appears that the r:c domains provide the primary communication for changes in quaternary structure that define the allosteric and enzymatic properties of the holoenzyme.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Oct 25, 259(20), 12838 - 43
Evidence for the transcript secondary structures predicted to regulate transcription attenuation in the trp operon; Kuroda MI et al.; We have examined the leader transcript of the Serratia marcescens trp operon to determine if the alternate secondary structures postulated to control transcription attenuation actually form in purified trp leader RNA . RNA secondary structures were analyzed by partial digestion of 32P end-labeled leader transcripts with single and double strand-specific nucleases . We found that the 176 nucleotide wild-type transcript formed the predicted hairpin structures designated 1:2 and 3:4; the latter structure is believed to signal transcription termination . We constructed a deletion plasmid, pSm delta 1,4, to determine whether the postulated RNA antiterminator structure 2:3 could also form . This plasmid lacked the DNA regions corresponding to RNA segments 1 and 4 . We found that the leader transcript from pSm delta 1,4 formed structure 2:3 . This provides the first direct evidence establishing the formation of a predicted antitermination secondary structure.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1984 Oct, 96(4), 1165 - 73
Role of the zinc atom in the activity and conformational stability of serratial 56K protease . A fluorometric study; Matsumoto K et al.; We found a zinc content of 1 atom per mol in 56K protease (produced by the gram-negative bacterium Serratia marcescens kums 3958) by the neutron activation method . Selective removal of the functional zinc ion from 56K protease with 10 mM tetraethylenepentamine (TEP) in the presence of 10 mM CaCl2 at room temperature at pH 8.0 resulted in complete loss of the enzyme activity without affecting the lambda max of the enzyme, but with a 10% decrease in fluorescence intensity . Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at 10 mM gave similar results at pH 5.0, but produced a 30% decrease in fluorescence intensity . Melting profile experiments carried out by monitoring the fluorescence intensity at 333 nm showed a melting temperature (Tm) of about 61.0, 62.5, and 60.0 degrees C at pH 5.0, 7.0, and 8.0, respectively . Tm became much lower upon removal of the zinc ion, falling to 42.5 degrees C with 10 mM TEP or to 47.5 degrees C with 10 mM EDTA in the presence of 10 mM CaCl2 . The CD data showed very little change in conformation upon removal of the zinc ion under physiological conditions, but the conformation appears to be readily disrupted to a denatured form by changing either temperature or pH or by exposure to denaturants . These results suggest that a single zinc ion is essential for the enzyme function and contributes to the conformational integrity of the enzyme, but tryptophan residues appear to be not directly related to the enzyme activity.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Oct, 160(1), 480 - 2
Isolation of pigmented and nonpigmented mutants of Serratia marcescens with reduced cell surface hydrophobicity; Rosenberg M; Enrichment for nonhydrophobic mutants of Serratia marcescens yielded two types: (i) a nonpigmented mutant which exhibited partial hydrophobic characteristics compared with the wild type, as determined by adherence to hexadecane and polystyrene; and (ii) a pigmented, nonhydrophobic mutant whose colonies were translucent with respect to those of the wild type . The data suggest that the pronounced cell surface hydrophobicity of the wild type is mediated by a combination of several surface factors.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 Oct, 258(1), 69 - 73
New medium for detection of esterase and gelatinase activity; Pacova Z et al.; A new medium was developed for detecting esterase and gelatinase activities in aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria . The new medium was tested with various strains of bacteria and the results showed agreement between the reactions in the new medium and those obtained by conventional techniques . The new medium is more economical and may be used for a rapid differentiation of Serratia, Aeromonas and Vibrio species from biochemically similar bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 48(4), 743 - 6
Selective medium for Pseudomonas cepacia containing 9-chloro-9-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-10-phenylacridan and polymyxin B sulfate; Wu BJ et al.; Contamination of solutions and lotions with Pseudomonas cepacia is a growing concern among health professionals . The identification of P . cepacia usually requires a long series of biochemical tests . In an effort to develop a more direct method, we evaluated plate count agar containing 9-chloro-9-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-10-phenylacridan and polymyxin B sulfate at respective concentrations of 1 and 75 micrograms/ml as a medium for selectively isolating P . cepacia . The medium inhibited the growth of all gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci tested except P . cepacia and Serratia marcescens . These two microorganisms could easily be differentiated by their colony morphology and their reactions in the oxidase test . When nonsterilized water samples were inoculated with P . cepacia and spread or streaked on the selective medium, all P . cepacia organisms were recovered . These results demonstrate the usefulness of 9-chloro-9-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-10-phenylacridan and polymyxin B sulfate in the detection of P . cepacia . We believe that this selective medium could be useful in isolating P . cepacia from mixed bacterial flora that might be present in environmental water and water-related samples, such as solutions and lotions.

Biol Reprod, 1984 Oct, 31(3), 520 - 30
Secretion of an inhibitor of follicle-stimulating hormone binding to receptor by the bacteria Serratia, including a strain isolated from porcine follicular fluid; Sluss PM et al.; Bacterial growth in contaminated porcine follicular fluid (PFF) was associated with increased concentrations of a large molecular weight (Mr greater than 6000) inhibitor (FSH-BI) of 125I-FSH binding to calf testis membranes (Sluss and Reichert, 1983) . We undertook to identify the bacteria and to determine if the inhibitor was a secretory product . Only one of 39 pure bacterial colonies isolated from PFF generated FSH-BI . The bacterium was tentatively identified as Serratia liquifaciens and was subsequently shown to also secrete FSH-BI when grown in synthetic culture media . Serratia liquifaciens from PFF secreted FSH-BI in a minimal culture medium containing only glucose as a carbon source . Other bacteria, including strains of Pseudomonas and Streptococcus did not secrete FSH-BI in either sterile PFF or synthetic culture media . Six strains of Serratia, obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, also secreted FSH-BI . FSH-BI secreted by Serratia liquifaciens was inactivated by heat (T 1/2 = 30 min at 60 degrees C), exposure to pH 2 (2 h at 25 degrees C) and was insoluble in ether, 75% acetone or 40% ammonium sulfate . Protease activity, using a casein substrate, was undetected in doses of FSH-BI which effectively (50%) inhibited 125I-FSH binding . Initial studies suggested that FSH-BI was due to effects on membranes rather than on the radioligand . These data demonstrate that Serratia liquifaciens isolated from PFF secretes a substance of Mr greater than 6000 which inhibits receptor binding of 125I-hFSH . Furthermore, the FSH-BI appears to be secreted constitutively by all (7) strains of Serratia tested.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Oct, 160(1), 36 - 41
Overexpression and sequence of the Escherichia coli cheY gene and biochemical activities of the CheY protein; Matsumura P et al.; We overexpressed the CheY protein by fusing the cheY gene to the tryptophan promoter from Serratia marcescens . Expression of the trp promoter-cheY fusion and subsequent purification of the protein resulted in the isolation of up to 20 mg of homogeneously pure CheY protein from 100 mg of the cytoplasmic supernatant fraction . Purification of the CheY protein was accomplished by exploiting the affinity of CheY protein to cibacron blue dye and molecular sieve chromatography . Preliminary biochemical characterization of the pure CheY protein revealed specific interactions with S-adenosylmethionine and cibacron blue dye . Additional kinetic analysis showed that CheY protein inhibits EcoRI methyltransferase . The amino acid composition of the CheY protein predicted by the DNA sequence of the cheY gene and the amino acid analysis of the CheY protein were in agreement, confirming the authenticity of the purified CheY protein.

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1984 Sep 30, 75(3), 437 - 43
Effects of bacterial endotoxins and their detoxified derivatives on serum and liver lipids in mice; Gaal D et al.; The influence of different endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) obtained from Serratia marcescens 08, Escherichia coli 089, and their derivatives, detoxified either by partial hydrolysis or irradiation, on serum and hepatic lipids and on serum lipase activity in C57Black mice was studied . Endotoxic LPS elevated the serum total lipids and lipoproteins, particularly the very-low-density lipoproteins, and induced a reversible accumulation of triglycerides in the liver . Since nontoxic preparations did not cause such alterations, it is assumed that the toxicity of LPS is an essential factor in causing lipid metabolism disorder . A nearly identical increase in the lipase activity was detected in 5 to 10 hr in the sera of experimental animals treated by both toxic and nontoxic preparations . Results indicated the potential advantage of using detoxified derivatives of bacterial endotoxins in human therapy.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1984 Sep, 96(3), 739 - 49
Pathogenesis of serratial infection: activation of the Hageman factor-prekallikrein cascade by serratial protease; Matsumoto K et al.; A serratial protease with an apparent molecular weight of 56,000 (56K protease), which had been purified from the culture supernatant of a strain of Serratia marcescens isolated from a corneal lesion of a human eye {Matsumoto, K . et al . (1984) J . Bacteriol . 157, 225-232}, greatly enhanced vascular permeability when injected into guinea pig skin . The 56K protease, which requires zinc ion for activity, was found to possess plasma kallikrein-like properties in vitro as judged by (i) preferential amidolysis of carbobenzoxy-Phe-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide and Pro-Phe-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide, which are known substrates for plasma kallikrein; (ii) release of kinin from high-molecular-weight kininogen; and (iii) prompt activation of Hageman factor followed by generation of kallikrein from plasma prekallikrein . These results suggest that the 56K protease enhances vascular permeability through activation of a Hageman factor-kallikrein-kinin pathway in vivo, and this molecular process appears to be a rational mechanism of enhancement of permeability and serratial pathogenesis.

Infect Control, 1984 Sep, 5(9), 427 - 30
Serratia marcescens contamination of antiseptic soap containing triclosan: implications for nosocomial infection; Barry MA et al.; During a recent investigation in our surgical intensive care unit, we found that several bottles of the antiseptic handwashing soap, OR Scrub, were contaminated with Serratia marcescens . OR Scrub contains 1% triclosan, lanolin, and detergents . The antimicrobial efficacy of OR Scrub was examined in vitro using serial two-fold dilutions of soap inoculated with various concentrations of different nosocomial pathogens . The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of OR Scrub against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and several strains of S . marcescens was less than or equal to 1:2 . By comparison, a non-antiseptic soap from the same manufacturer (Wash) and 4% chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) had MBCs for all strains tested of at least 1:64 . Time-kill curves confirmed the findings of the initial experiments . This is the first report of extrinsic contamination of antiseptic soap containing triclosan . No infections could be attributed to the contaminated soap, but sporadic outbreaks of Serratia have occurred in the intensive care unit with no identifiable source . Although there have been few studies on the impact of antiseptic soap in reducing nosocomial infection, we question whether a soap with the limitations of OR Scrub should be used in intensive care units or operating rooms.

J Dairy Sci, 1984 Sep, 67(9), 2034 - 40
Bacterial transport within and among various teatcup and cluster assemblies during milking; Magee C et al.; For evaluation of bacterial transport, two experiments were conducted . In Experiment 1, two nonconventional cluster designs were compared with a conventional assembly . These two units were: 1) conventional unit without a claw and 2) linerless unit without a claw . In Experiment 2, two nonconventional teatcup designs were compared with a conventional teatcup, all attached to a conventional claw . These two were: 1) partial linear teatcup assembly and 2) conventional teatcup with restricted linear wall movement . The three teatcups in Experiment 2 differed only in the lower part of the liner barrel; mouthpiece and short milk tube were identical . A culture of Serratia marcescens bacteria was infused throughout milking into the short milk tube at the right front teatcup assembly . Swabs of liners and teats were used to culture for Serratia marcescens . For Experiment 1, the number of contaminated teats (and liners) was 32 of 144 and 88 of 144 for the conventional cluster, 20 of 144 and 37 of 144 for the clawless cluster, and 10 of 144 and 16 of 144 for the linerless cluster . For Experiment 2, the total number of bacterial transfers was 14 of 25 for the conventional teatcup, 7 of 25 for the restricted liner, and 3 of 25 for the partial liner . These occurrences of transfer correlate well with previously measured reverse pressure gradients across the short milk tube.

J Hosp Infect, 1984 Sep, 5(3), 270 - 82
Simultaneous outbreaks of infection due to Serratia marcescens in a general hospital; Coleman D et al.; Seventy isolates of Serratia marcescens were obtained from 30 patients in different units of one hospital between April 1982 and February 1983 . No common source was found . Not all isolates were multi-resistant and nearly all that were, fell into two main groups, A and B . These groups were defined by phage typing and cephalosporin sensitivity, all apart from one Group B isolate were multi-resistant, whereas Group A isolates contained multi-resistant and sensitive strains . Plasmid screening, resistance transfer studies and plasmid elimination experiments demonstrated that the multi-resistant phenotype was due to a 120 Mdal transmissible plasmid . Resistance to cephalosporins was chromosomally encoded.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1984 Sep, 32(7), 750 - 4
{Development of resistance to aminoglycosides in hospital strains of Serratia}; Mendoza MC et al.; A study on the evolution of resistance to six aminoglycosides in Serratia as well as the relationship with the annual consumption of each drug in a hospital over the period 1974-1981 was carried out . The incidence of modifying enzymes and their genetical location was determined in 38 isolates . It was found that: The variations in the percentage of Sm clinical isolates showed no relationship with the consumption of Sm . Two different types of enzymes are involved in this resistance: AAD(3''): adenylyltransferase and APH(3''): phosphotransferase . The resistance to Nm, Km and Gm seems to be directly related with the continuous consumption of these drugs . In all the strains under study (Nm-Km)r was due to an APH(3')(5)I: phosphotransferase, Gmr to two types of acetyltransferases: AAC(3)I, only found in strains isolated before 1977 and AAC(3)II which predominates in 1981 . After introducing Tm (1975) and Ak (1979) in our environment, there was an increase in the number of resistant strains . Two acetyltransferases with Tm-affinity were found: AAC(3)II and AAC(6')IV, the latter showing affinity for AKr . It was determined that five of these enzymes are plasmid-mediated . The genetical location of a sixth enzyme (AAC(6')IV) has not been clarified.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Aug, 26(2), 224 - 7
Serum bactericidal activity of aztreonam, cefoperazone, and amikacin, alone or in combination, against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Van Laethem Y et al.; Serum samples from volunteers receiving (per kilogram) 20 mg of aztreonam, 20 mg of cefoperazone, 7.5 mg of amikacin, 20 mg of cefoperazone plus 20 mg of aztreonam, or 20 mg of aztreonam plus 7.5 mg of amikacin were evaluated for bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Serum bactericidal activities were similar for aztreonam alone or in combination but were lower for amikacin and cefoperazone alone, especially against S . marcescens and P . aeruginosa . Killing studies, performed with serum samples diluted 1:8, demonstrated a high killing rate for aztreonam plus amikacin, especially against P . aeruginosa.

Aust Paediatr J, 1984 Aug, 20(3), 205 - 7
Serratia: a problem in a neonatal nursery; Fitzgerald P et al.; We have noted an increased incidence of Serratia species isolates in our Special Care Nursery recently and have reviewed our experience over the 7 year period from 1976 to 1982 . Fifty newborn infants had strains of Serratia isolated, 30 of which were found in 1982 . Two strains of Serratia species were isolated: Serratia marcescens in 46 newborn infants and Serratia liquefaciens in six, with both types being found in two infants . All isolates were sensitive initially to gentamicin, kanamycin sulphate, chloramphenicol and co-trimoxazole . However, resistance was documented subsequently to each of these antibiotics . Only 64% of isolates only were sensitive initially to ampicillin; 27% subsequently developed resistance . Recent isolates were sensitive to cefotaxime sodium . Twenty-nine infants (58%) were colonized, and 16 (32%) had minor infections such as conjunctivitis . However in five infants (10%) life threatening illness occurred . Of the five infants with serious infection two had meningitis and three were septicaemic; one infant died . In both infants with meningitis difficulty was experienced in eradicating the organism and porencephaly developed in both.

South Med J, 1984 Aug, 77(8), 1054 - 5
Serratia marcescens pyarthrosis and osteomyelitis; Reinhardt JF et al.; We have reported a case of Serratia marcescens arthritis and osteomyelitis in a young man whose source of infection appeared to be a single episode of intravenous amphetamine use . Multiple antibiotics and aggressive surgical management were necessary to effect a cure . He eventually responded to a three-week course of amikacin and moxalactam given in conjunction with surgical debridement of all involved areas.

J Hyg (Lond), 1984 Aug, 93(1), 67 - 78
Epidemiological and bacteriological investigation of Serratia marcescens epidemic in a nursery and in a neonatal intensive care unit; Montanaro D et al.; An epidemic caused by Serratia marcescens that involved 26 infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 82 infants admitted to the Nursery of the 2nd Medical School of Naples is reported . Two different biotypes of S . marcescens with two completely different epidemiological patterns were identified . The prevalent biotype (A8b trigonelline-) was isolated in the delivery room, in the operating room, in the Nursery and in the NICU from items, healthy infant excreters and affected infants; the second biotype (A3a) was isolated only in the NICU from staff, two healthy infant excreters and two affected infants . Colonization of the throat and the gastrointestinal tract was frequent . Infected and colonized infants were the most important reservoir for serratia in the Nursery and in the NICU particularly for the type strain A3a . A mucus aspiration apparatus contaminated in the delivery room and the contamination of several instruments and items probably had a major role in the initiation and maintenance of the spread of the A8b strain . Mass contamination of the nursery has been related to overcrowding and a lack of the control measures; the transfer of high-risk colonized infants caused spread in the NICU . In the NICU the attack rate 26%; 69% of infants became ill; the case fatality ratio was 19% . Epidemiological investigation of the infants at risk showed some factors predisposing to infection with serratia . The hygienic measures failed to control the spread of serratia and it was necessary to refuse new admissions to pregnant women in order to decontaminate and re-organize the wards.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 Aug, 257(3), 372 - 82
Enzymatic modification of aminoglycoside antibiotics in gentamicin-resistant gram-negative bacteria; Kettner M et al.; An in vitro evaluation of 32 gentamicin-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria from hygiene-centres in Berne, Switzerland and Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, revealed that 24 strains produced gentamicin-modifying enzymes . Occurrence of acetyltransferases (AAC) was confirmed in 16 strains, adenylyltransferase (AAD) /2''/ was observed in 13 strains while 5 of the gentamicin-resistant strains produced both enzymes . All Czechoslovak strains were amikacin-susceptible, in amikacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from Switzerland the presence of AAC/6'/ was found . In the majority of gentamicin-resistant, netilmicin-susceptible strains the occurrence of AAD/2''/ was observed . Gentamicin-resistance in the modifying enzymes producing strains was due either to production of an acetyltransferase or the adenylyltransferase except Swiss strains of Serratia marcescens where a simultaneous production of both types of the enzymes was noted . Twenty eight strains produced an enzyme modifying aminoglycosides of any kind.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1984 Jul 15, 185(2), 209 - 11
Serratia spp infection in 21 horses; Colahan PT et al.; Twenty-three isolations of Serratia spp were made from 21 horses at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between Jan 1, 1979 and July 1, 1983 . Three Serratia spp were involved in single-organism and mixed infections of various tissues . Eight horses of this group died . All horses that died had massive, mixed, gram-negative infection . The other 13 responded to treatment, including systemic antibiotic therapy . Most of these horses were stressed and under antibiotic therapy prior to the time of culture . Possible nosocomial infection, variable antibiotic sensitivity, and a trend toward decreased antibiotic sensitivity after antibiotic administration were noted.

Infection, 1984 Jul-Aug, 12(4), 268 - 9
Serratia rubidaea isolated from a silastic foam dressing; Parment PA et al.; A pigment-producing strain of Serratia rubidaea was isolated from two consecutive cultures from a sponge of silastic foam used as a dressing for chronic crural ulcers . The bacterium caused a red discolouration of the sponge and the surrounding part of the leg . The silastic sponge creates a new type of environment for microorganisms . The growth of previously rare bacteria such as S . rubidaea may be favoured by conditions within the sponge.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 1984 Jul-Aug, 5(4), 447 - 51
Intracranial Serratia infection in preterm newborn infants; Lam AH et al.; Four cases of cerebral Serratia infection in preterm infants were diagnosed with the aid of real-time sector sonography . Three cases had brain abscesses and one case had ventriculitis . In two cases brain abscesses had ruptured into the ventricles . Serratia brain abscess was common in our series of brain abscesses . Sonographic patterns of cerebritis, abscess formation, and ventriculitis correlated well with computed tomographic scans . Bedside cerebral sonography proved to be useful for the diagnosis, location, and follow-up of intracranial Serratia infection.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Jul, 48(1), 43 - 7
Stabilization of a histidine-producing strain of Serratia marcescens; Sugiura M et al.; A decrease in histidine productivity was observed during subculture of a histidine-producing strain of Serratia marcescens . The decrease was accompanied by an increase in the number of wild-type revertants . Adenine accelerated the growth of producing strain HT-2892 to nearly equal that of revertants, and histidine production was stable because the depletion of ATP in strain HT-2892 was restored by adenine . To increase the intracellular ATP content, mutants resistant to 6-methylpurine, an antagonist of adenine, were isolated from strain HT-2892 . 6-Methylpurine-resistant mutant MPr90 grew more rapidly than the parent producing strain and produced L-histidine stably, even when it was subjected to subculture in medium without adenine . ATP depletion was restored in strain MPr90, probably owing to the derepression of adenylosuccinate synthetase in AMP biosynthesis.

Hum Pathol, 1984 Jul, 15(7), 651 - 6
Meningoencephalitis due to serratia marcescens infection in neonates; Nakamura Y et al.; Six autopsy cases of Serratia meningoencephalitis were reported . The symptoms of this infection become apparent at an early stage in neonates; the meningoencephalitis in these six cases was severe, with or without inflammatory lesions in other organs . Serratia marcescens was originally described as a nonpathogenic organism; however, it is believed that after entering the blood stream of neonates, it becomes pathogenic, especially to the central nervous system . Meningoencephalitis due to Serratia marcescens is very severe and takes a rapid and progressive course against which no antibiotics have been found effective . Prevention of this infection is therefore considered of crucial importance.

Cornell Vet, 1984 Jul, 74(3), 269 - 81
Increased pulmonary clearance of Serratia marcescens in calves given intravenous Freund's complete adjuvant; Veit HP et al.; Lung and alveolar macrophage studies were conducted following experimental immunostimulation of calves with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) . Intravenous administration of FCA to calves 35 days before aerosol exposure to serratia marcescens resulted in a 53.1% reduction in the 2-hour pulmonary mean percent retention of the organism when compared to control calves . FCA treatment increased alveolar macrophage concentration (cells/g lung) by 30.9% . Lymphoid and granulomatous responses were increased in the lungs of treated calves.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1984 Jun, 129(6), 974 - 8
The effect of bacterial superinfection on lung function after diffuse alveolar damage; Campbell GD et al.; Although bacterial infection is very common in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the effects of infection on the clinical course of ARDS are unknown . We have studied the effects of gram-negative bacillary infections in 21 baboons during periods of prolonged anesthesia and ventilatory support . Sixteen animals received oleic acid, 0.04 to 0.06 ml/kg intravenously; 7 developed no infections, 5 developed nosocomial pneumonias, and 4 inadvertently received intravascular infusions of Serratia marcescens . Five uninjured animals were studied; all developed pneumonia . In the absence of infection, oleic-acid-induced lung injury was mild and all animals were successfully weaned . Uninjured animals that developed pneumonia demonstrated only mild abnormalities of lung function, but 4 of 5 died of complications of their infections . Gram-negative bacillary infections superimposed upon oleic acid injury produced rapid and marked deterioration of lung function . Acquired infection, either of the lung itself or at remote sites, may markedly worsen lung function in the presence of a previous lung injury.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 19(6), 902 - 4
Isolation of Serratia ficaria from human clinical specimens; Brouillard JA et al.; Serratia ficaria was isolated from sputum in a 62-year-old man and from tracheal aspiration fluid in a 62-year-old woman with acute respiratory distress . These strains are the second and third isolations of S . ficaria from human sources . The case reports are presented, together with the laboratory findings and the biochemical activities of the isolates.

J Hyg (Lond), 1984 Jun, 92(3), 345 - 55
An extended model for transfer of micro-organisms via the hands: differences between organisms and the effect of alcohol disinfection; Mackintosh CA et al.; A model for contact transfer of micro-organisms by hand has been extended to include representatives of bacterial species responsible for a majority of hospital-acquired infections . The ability of the organisms to transfer from contaminated fabrics to hands and from hands to sterile fabrics was measured, as was their ability to survive on the skin of the hands . There were differences between the species . Staphylococcus saprophyticus transferred well to the hand but not as well from hand to fabric as the other species; it survived well on skin . Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes and Serratia marcescens transferred moderately well overall and also survived on the skin . These results were in contrast to those obtained with a strain of Escherichia coli and one of Streptococcus pyogenes . The contact transfer model was used to investigate the use of small volumes of alcohol in preventing transfer via the hands . An alcohol handrub of either 0.3 ml 80% ethanol or 0.3 ml 70% isopropanol gave reductions in transfer slightly less than that of a soap and water wash . Raising the volume, and consequently the contact time, to 0.5 ml 70% isopropanol gave a 14000-fold reduction in transfer, statistically indistinguishable from that of a thorough soap and water wash (9800-fold reduction).

J Bacteriol, 1984 Jun, 158(3), 1128 - 32
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of Serratia marcescens genes encoding prodigiosin biosynthesis; Dauenhauer SA et al.; Prodigiosin, the bright red pigment produced by many strains of Serratia marcescens, is synthesized by a bifurcated pathway that terminates in the enzymatic condensation of the two final products, a monopyrrole and a bipyrrole . Sau3A fragments of S . marcescens ( Nima ) DNA were introduced into a strain of Escherichia coli K-12 by use of the cosmid vector pHC79 , and transformed clones were selected based on resistance to ampicillin . Among 879 transformants screened, 2 could be induced to synthesize prodigiosin when supplied with either one or both terminal products of the bifurcated pathway . Data are presented to support the idea that production of prodigiosin is not usually mediated by a plasmid.

J Mol Biol, 1984 May 25, 175(3), 409 - 17
RNA1 is sufficient to mediate plasmid ColE1 incompatibility in vivo; Fitzwater T et al.; The multicopy plasmid ColE1 specifies a small RNA designated RNA1 that has been implicated in copy number control and incompatibility . We have inserted a 148 base-pair ColE1 DNA fragment containing a promoter-less RNA1 gene into a plasmid vector downstream from the tryptophan promoter of Serratia marcesens . The ColE1 RNA1 produced by this plasmid is not functional in vivo due to the presence of 49 nucleotides appended to the 5'-terminus of the wild-type RNA1 sequence . Deletions of these sequences by Bal3l nuclease in vitro and genetic selection for ColE1 incompatibility function in vivo permitted isolation of a plasmid expressing wild-type ColE1 RNA1 initiated properly from the S . marcesens trp promoter . These experiments demonstrate that RNA1 is sufficient to mediate ColE1 incompatibility in vivo . In addition, several plasmids were isolated that contain altered RNA1 genes . These alterations consist of additions or deletions of sequences at the 5'-terminus of RNA1 . Analysis of the ability of these altered RNA1 molecules to express incompatibility in vivo suggests that the 5'-terminal region of RNA1 is crucial for its function.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 May, 37(5), 546 - 56
Studies of 7 beta-{2-(aminoaryl)acetamido}-cephalosporin derivatives . II . Synthesis and structure-activity relationships in the aminopyrimidine series; Goto J et al.; The synthesis and the antibacterial activity of 7 beta-{2-(aminopyrimidinyl)-2-oxyiminoacetamido}cephalosporin s with various substituents at the 3-position in the cephem nucleus are described . The 7 beta-{2-(4-aminopyrimidin-2-yl)-2 -methoxyiminoacetamido}cephalosporin derivative (1) showed significantly higher activity than the corresponding 2-aminopyrimidin-4-yl derivative (2) against Gram-negative bacteria . It was also higher in potency against Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens than the aminopyridyl compound (4).

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 May, 257(1), 6 - 19
Purification and characterization of two Serratia marcescens proteases; Doerr M et al.; The exocellular proteases of two Serratia marcescens strains (strains SF 178 and SH 186; both of serotype 06/014:H12 and bacteriocin type 18) were separated from the culture supernatants through precipitation with ammonium sulfate, followed by hydroxylapatite adsorption chromatography, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 ion exchange chromatography . The molecular weights amounted to 54,400 Daltons (SDS-PAGE electrophoresis) . Both enzymes contained 1 g-atom of zinc and 7 g-atoms of calcium per mol . The amino acid sequences were essentially identical . Serologically, both enzymes cross-reacted strongly, suggesting similar antigenic determinants . The two enzymes were microheterogeneous; isoelectric focusing revealed two protein bands at pH 5.4 and 5.5, respectively . The optimal temperature for hydrolysis of azocasein was 30 degrees C . Both proteases revealed 2 optimal pH values (SF 178 = pH 6-7 and pH 8-10; SH 186 = pH 7 and pH 9).

Infect Control, 1984 May, 5(5), 223 - 5
Serratia marcescens meningitis associated with a contaminated benzalkonium chloride solution; Sautter RL et al.; Serratia marcescens is recognized as an important and potentially hazardous nosocomial pathogen . The organism has been implicated here as the first reported case of S . marcescens meningitis associated with skin disinfection . A quaternary ammonium compound ( QAC --Benzalkonium Chloride), was used to sterilize the skin prior to injection in a physician's office . Epidemiological studies were initiated . Six spray bottles containing disinfectant, the opened stock bottle of QAC , and an unopened bottle of disinfectant were all cultured . S . marcescens was noted growing in the spray bottles as well as in the opened stock bottle . Antibiograms of the patient and epidemiological isolates are essentially the same . It is our contention as well as that of the Centers for Disease Control that an appropriate skin disinfectant such as Tincture of Chlorhexidine, Iodophors , or Tincture of Iodine should be used, and that physicians performing surgical techniques in the office be aware of the potential hazard of contamination . The consequences of nosocomial infection with resistant organisms warrant every precaution by health care professionals.

Am J Med, 1984 Mar 30, 76(3A), 61 - 6
Comparative opsonic activity of intravenous gamma globulin preparations for common bacterial pathogens; Hill HR et al.; Immune globulin intravenous is a reduced and alkylated preparation of gamma globulin that is stabilized in 10 percent maltose and 0.1 M glycine at pH 6.8 . Recently, a modified immune globulin intravenous preparation was developed that is identical to the standard preparation except that it does not contain glycine and the pH has been lowered to 5.25 . The effect of these modifications has resulted in a higher IgG monomer content in the preparation . In the present studies the opsonic activity against several common bacterial pathogens was assessed in the standard (pH 6.8) versus the more acidic immune globulin intravenous (pH 5.25) . Opsonic activity was detected in each preparation for Staphylococcus aureus, group B streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens . With all of the organisms except S . marcescens, an intact complement system was required for optimal uptake and killing with each preparation . In general, the opsonic activity of the pH 5.25 immune globulin intravenous was equivalent to the standard pH 6.8 preparation . With several organisms, however, the more acidic preparation had greater activity than the standard one . An immune globulin intravenous preparation with increased antibody titers to P . aeruginosa was also prepared from selected donors and tested for opsonic activity against six of the seven Pseudomonas immunotypes . This preparation was found to have strikingly increased opsonic titers for most of the Pseudomonas immunotypes when compared with the standard immune globulin intravenous . These studies indicate that changes in donor selection or minor modifications in production techniques may markedly affect the biologic activity of intravenous gamma globulin.

Biofizika, 1984 Mar-Apr, 29(2), 294 - 7
{Changes in redox potentials during transitional processes in pure and mixed cultures of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens}; Oktiabr'skii ON et al.; There were studied transitional processes accompanying the beginning of growth under glucose addition and stopping of growth under glucose exhaustion in pure and mixed aerobic cultures of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens . Continued record of Eh, pH, and CO2 showed that these processes sharply differ from each other in their character in pure and mixed cultures, it is particularly related to the changes of the redox potential . There is no characteristic change in the redox potential in pure culture of E . coli at growth termination in the case when S . marcescens cells are present in the culture.

J Appl Physiol, 1984 Mar, 56(3), 582 - 9
Effects of immunization on cardiopulmonary alterations of gram-negative endotoxemia; Girotti MJ et al.; We studied the effects of an infusion of Serratia marcescens endotoxin on hemodynamic function, white blood cells, platelets, and the plasma levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in awake monitored sheep . The animals were immunized using the core glycolipid (CGL) fraction of Escherichia coli J5 0111 . An additional group of animals was studied after passive transfer of immune serum from the actively immunized CGL animals . Active immunization with CGL was effective in preventing the hematologic and hemodynamic changes as well as the elevations in TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha seen during gram-negative endotoxemia . Passive immunization also reduced some of the deleterious effects of endotoxin infusion but was less effective than active immunization . This study demonstrates the potential of cross-specific immunization to protect against the cardiopulmonary alterations caused by gram-negative endotoxemia.

J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1984 Mar, 7(1), 35 - 43
Clinical pharmacokinetics of carbenicillin, carfecillin, ticarcillin and BL-P 1654 in dairy cows; Nouws JF et al.; The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of carbenicillin, ticarcillin and BL-P 1654 for gram-negative udder pathogens were determined using the agar plate dilution method . The MIC of the drugs for 50% and 90% of the isolates examined ranged for Escherichia coli and Aerobacter spp . from 1.56 to 25 micrograms/ml, and for Klebsiella spp . and Pseudomonas spp . from 3.12 to 50 micrograms/ml . The Serratia spp . were relatively non-susceptible for the drugs studied (MIC greater than 50 micrograms/ml) . Each drug was administered intravenously at 5 g and 15 g per cow to different groups of cows with normal and inflamed quarters of the udder . Distribution and elimination kinetic parameters calculated from serum drug level data were very similar to those of other beta-lactam antibiotics . Although drug concentrations in milk from inflamed quarters were higher than in milk from normal quarters, they were considerably below the MIC for the majority of gram-negative udder pathogens . The data suggest that parenteral treatment of gram-negative udder infections with carbenicillin, carfecillin, ticarcillin and BL-P 1654 at the dose levels used in the present study is unlikely to result in a bacteriological cure and would probably be clinically ineffective.

Antibiotiki, 1984 Feb, 29(2), 120 - 4
{Use of genetic and molecular characteristics of R plasmids as an epidemiological marker in an outbreak of hospital infection}; Glatman LI et al.; Antibiotic sensitivity of 38 strains of enteric bacteria, such as Serratia marcescens Klebsiella pneumoniae and others and Ps . aeruginosa isolated during an outbreak of meningitis in a premature infant resuscitation department was studied . It was shown that all the isolates were multiple resistant, most frequently to 7 antibiotics . All the resistance markers were transferred on conjugation, segregation of some markers being observed . Investigation of the plasmid composition of the clinical strains and transconjugants of E . coli revaled the presence of 2 plasmids with the molecular weights of 40 and 60 Md or one of them . The restriction analysis demonstrated that the plasmids with the same molecular weights isolated from different strains were identical . It was suggested that such plasmids originated from the same source and were distributed by conjugation . The possible part of R plasmids in epidemiological analysis of hospital infections is discussed: the possible part as an additional marker in determination of the infection source and the possible part through its ability to change the host cell phenotype, including the phage and bacteriocin types.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1984 Feb, 13(2), 133 - 42
Therapeutic effect of cefotetan in an experimental local infection with facultative and obligate anaerobes in granuloma pouches in rats; Saito M et al.; The therapeutic activities of cefotetan against experimentally induced infections with Escherichia coli . Serratia marcescens, Bacteroides fragilis or Fusobacterium mortiferum in the granuloma pouches of rats were compared with those of cefmetazole and cefazolin . Of these antibiotics, cefotetan showed the greatest therapeutic effect against the four bacterial infections after a single intramuscular administration . Cefotetan was found to give much higher pouch exudate concentrations than cefmetazole, and to show prolonged antibacterial levels even when compared with cefazolin . In the granuloma pouch, cefotetan produced similar morphological changes in the cells of E . coli NY-17 as have been observed in vitro by microscopy . Elongation and bulge formation were noted.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Feb, 19(2), 283 - 5
Effect of storage of the du Pont lysis-centrifugation system on recovery of bacteria and fungi in a prospective clinical trial; Stockman L et al.; A commercially available lysis-centrifugation system was compared with a conventional biphasic brain heart infusion medium in a prospective clinical study of 5,125 fungal blood cultures . Recovery rates were compared between two time periods to assess the effect of 25 degrees C storage before processing by the lysis-centrifugation system . The lysis-centrifugation tubes processed within 9 h showed a significantly higher yield (3.4 versus 1.49%) for yeasts (Candida glabrata), filamentous fungi (Histoplasma capsulatum), and bacteria (8.84 versus 7.34%) (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens) than did those processed after 9 h.

Lancet, 1984 Jan 21, 1(8369), 151 - 3
An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a neonatal unit; Smith PJ et al.; Over a 15-month period 732 babies were admitted to a neonatal unit, and Serratia marcescens was isolated from 153 (21%) . In one-fifth (34) a clinical infection (9 major and 25 minor) developed . Major infection was associated with high mortality and morbidity and 2 cases presented after the neonatal period . No environmental reservoir was found . Colonised symptom-free neonates were considered to be the source, with transmission by staff-baby contact despite adequate hand-washing . Overcrowding was believed to be responsible for the difficulties experienced in eradicating this transmission.

Acta Chir Scand, 1984, 150(6), 489 - 91
Bacterial contamination of blood transfusion: an unusual cause of sepsis; Jeppsson B et al.; Severe septicaemia resulted from transfusion of blood contaminated with Serratia liquefaciens . Although only a small volume of contaminated blood was administered, the patient reacted with severe hypotension, followed by renal, pulmonary, circulatory and hepatic failure together with protracted thrombocytopenia . The causal gram-negative rod, S . liquefaciens, frequently occurs in the oral cavity and is generally considered to be harmless . The source of the contamination was not detected, however . Early recognition of septicaemia and institution of intensive supporting treatment contributed to the rapid resolution in this case of multiple system failure.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Jan, 157(1), 225 - 32
Purification and characterization of four proteases from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens kums 3958; Matsumoto K et al.; Four distinct proteases were purified to homogeneity from culture filtrates of Serratia marcescens kums 3958, a fresh isolate from a patient with a severe corneal ulcer . Purification was achieved by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex gel filtration chromatography . The proteases were differentiated from each other by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with or without sodium dodecyl sulfate and by immunodiffusion in agarose gels . The molecular weights of these purified proteases were estimated to be 56 X 10(3), 60 X 10(3), and 73 X 10(3) (hereafter designated 56K, 60K, and 73K proteases, respectively) . The 73K protease was separated into 73Ka and 73Kb upon isoelectricfocusing . The isoelectric points of the 56K (major) and 60K, 73Ka, and 73Kb proteases (minors) were approximately 5.3, 4.4, 5.8, and 7.3, respectively . Both 56K and 60K enzymes were completely inactivated by EDTA at pH 5.0 and were reactivated by zinc ion; thus, they are metalloenzymes, whereas 73K (73Ka and 73Kb) enzymes appear to be thiol proteases . Carbohydrate, cysteine, and cystine were not detected in the 56K and 60K proteases . Amino acid compositions, partial amino acid sequence, and enzymological and immunological properties revealed that these four enzymes are distinct from each other.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 197(3), 517 - 8
Isolation of a Serratia marcescens mutant which is an efficient recipient for the E . coli episome; Takata R et al.; A Serratia marcescens mutant, which is an efficient recipient for the Escherichia coli episome (F' plasmid), was isolated after mutagenesis by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) . Episomes could be maintained in the mutant cell under conditions selective for a gene on the plasmid . This S . marcescens mutant could also be transformed with pBR 322 DNA at a frequency higher than that of the parental strain.

Acta Microbiol Hung, 1984, 31(1), 55 - 60
Encapsulation and mouse-virulence of Serratia marcescens strain SM-1 and its variants in relation to colonial morphology; Ohshima Y et al.; With the addition to a soft-agar medium of rabbit anti-flagella serum inhibiting mobility, strain SM-1 of Serratia marcescens produced single colonies . Strain SM-1 and its variants A and B exhibited three kinds of colonial form . The parent strain showing extra large round-type growth in the medium had the highest cell volume index and mouse virulence, and a large capsule was seen on electron microscopy . An intermediate cell volume index and a remarkably lower mouse virulence were observed with variant A, which exhibited diffuse-type growth in the medium, although no definite extracellular feature was shown . The variant B, showing compact-type growth in the medium, represented the lowest cell volume index, mouse avirulence and was not encapsulated . Mouse virulence of the parent strain was assumed to be related to encapsulation which protects against phagocytosis.

Microbios, 1984, 40(159), 45 - 51
Inhibitory effect of some transition metal ions on growth and pigment formation of Serratia marcescens; Furman CR et al.; The inhibitory effect of several first transition metal ions on growth and pigment formation on three strains of Serratia marcescens was studied by the method of minimal inhibitory concentration . From this study it can be concluded that several of the first transition metal ions, namely Cr (II), Mn (II), Fe (II), Co (II) and Cu (II), with the inclusion of Zn (II), have a definite inhibitory effect on both growth (strains 08, WF, 933) and pigment formation (strain 08) of Serratia marcescens . Based on their electron configuration and their effectiveness, these first transition metal ions can be divided into two groups: Cr (II), Mn (II), Fe (II) and Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II) and Zn (II) . Several suggestions were made to explain their inhibitory actions.

Rev Infect Dis, 1984 Jan-Feb, 6(1), 13 - 32
The acylampicillins: mezlocillin, piperacillin, and azlocillin; Drusano GL et al.; The new acylampicillin derivatives azlocillin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin have an increased activity against many gram-negative bacilli, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, when compared with the carboxypenicillins carbenicillin and ticarcillin . The new penicillins show synergistic activity in combination with aminoglycosides but, when combined with other beta-lactams, may be synergistic (piperacillin and moxalactam; mezlocillin and cefoperazone), indifferent, or antagonistic (azlocillin, mezlocillin, or piperacillin and cefoxitin or cefamandole) . The in vitro activity of these agents, either alone or in combination, appears to correlate with in vivo efficacy in animal models . The new penicillins are clinically effective for a very broad range of infections, including life-threatening nosocomial infections . Adverse effects with these, as with other semisynthetic penicillins, are minimal . Attention must be paid to the potential for infection by naturally resistant, gram-negative bacilli such as beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and for the emergence of resistance during therapy . The granulocytopenic patient should receive these agents only in conjunction with another agent, such as an aminoglycoside; this combination will often result in a synergistic effect when tested in vitro . The carboxypenicillins and the newer penicillins have substantial similarities, and prospective, comparative studies have so far failed to demonstrate significant clinical superiority . However, the increased activity of the acylampicillins may be advantageous for the treatment of infections due to K . pneumoniae and P . aeruginosa.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1984 Jan, 13(1), 15 - 22
Different mechanisms of resistance to latamoxef (moxalactam) in Serratia marcescens; Gutmann L et al.; Three pairs of latamoxef (moxalactam)-resistant and -sensitive strains of Serratia marcescens were isolated either in vivo or in vitro . Multiple mechanisms of resistance were found, and these mechanisms involved: a decrease in permeability in each case, associated with modification of the protein composition of the outer membrane in two cases; a variable increase (two-to-six-fold) in the amount of beta-lactamase; and in one case only, some modification of the penicillin binding proteins . Thus, it may be necessary for multiple mechanisms to be present to give resistance to latamoxef in this species.

Biol Cell, 1984, 51(2), 259 - 66
Recognitory bacterial surface lectins which mediate its mannose-specific adherence to eukaryotic cells; Eshdat Y et al.; Cell surface protein were found to play a role in the sugar-specific molecular mechanism by which bacteria adhere to mammalian cells . We have demonstrated that at least three different types of lectin-like proteins mediate the mannose-sensitive adherence of gram negative bacteria to epithelial cells . One group of such lectins was shown in our study to be associated with the bacterial flagellum . Flagella isolated from Escherichia coli 7343 and Serratia marcescens 8347 exhibited mannose-sensitive agglutination of yeast cells; however, the flagella of the two bacteria differ in the molecular structure of their protein subunits . Another class of lectins comprises the bacterial fimbriae (also known as type 1 pili), which were previously shown to facilitate the mannose-sensitive adherence of various bacteria to mammalian cells . Fimbriae isolated from E . coli 346 were reversibly dissociated by saturated guanidine hydrochloride to their protein subunits . The dissociated subunits retained in part their mannose-binding ability, and were reassembled into fimbriae-like structures by removal of the denaturant under specific conditions . Mannose-sensitive yeast agglutinating activity of E . coli 2699, as well as of its isolated outer membranes devoid of fimbriae or flagella, was abolished by pretreatment with trypsin . It is therefore believed that the mannose-sensitive adherence of these bacteria is mediated also by lectin-like proteins associated directly with the outer membrane.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1983 Dec 3, 287(6406), 1701 - 5
Infection with netilmicin resistant Serratia marcescens in a special care baby unit; Lewis DA et al.; An outbreak of colonisation and infection with a netilmicin resistant strain of Serratia marcescens occurred in a special care baby unit . S marcescens was isolated from a total of 13 babies; significant infection occurred in five, of whom two died . Epidemiological investigation failed to detect a common source but gastrointestinal colonisation of babies formed a prolonged and possibly important reservoir for infection . Containment proved difficult until the unit was closed to new admissions, and even then spread to a temporary unit ensued . O Serotyping and bacteriophage typing disclosed a single epidemic strain . This produced an aminoglycoside acetylating enzyme (AAC(6')) conferring resistance to netilmicin and tobramycin and moderate resistance to amikacin . Use of gentamicin resulted in the isolation of serratia with increased resistance to all aminoglycosides, and, similarly, increased resistance to third generation cephalosporins emerged with their use.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1983 Dec, 96(6), 705 - 9
Corneal ulcers in patients with cosmetic extended-wear contact lenses; Adams CP Jr et al.; Although cosmetic extended-wear contact lenses are generally safe, they can be associated with a number of complications . A review of 124 cases of corneal ulcers treated between Jan . 1, 1982, and June 1, 1983, disclosed six cases in otherwise healthy patients (four women and two men, ranging in age from 15 to 41 years) who wore extended-wear contact lenses for correction of myopia . In five of the six, the contact lenses had undergone recent manipulation . Two patients had changed their contact lenses without proper disinfection procedures . Five of the six had been treated with antibiotics before corneal scrapings were cultured and three had been treated with corticosteroids . The cultures grew gram-negative rods (in three cases Pseudomonas organisms and in one case Serratia organisms); both patients whose cultures grew no organisms had received antibiotics . Vigorous treatment with tobramycin and cefazolin eyedrops and cycloplegics produced final corrected visual acuities of 20/20, 20/30, 20/60, 20/20, and 20/50 . In the sixth case, the final uncorrected visual acuity was counting fingers at 1 foot.

Ann Ophthalmol, 1983 Dec, 15(12), 1138 - 40
Serratia rubidae endophthalmitis following penetrating ocular injury; Joondeph HC et al.; A 10-year-old boy incurred penetrating trauma to his left eye by a small piece of wood . Immediate lens aspiration and repair of his corneal laceration were performed . The patient, however, demonstrated "persistent severe uveitis." On the fourth day following his injury, an uncomplicated pars plana vitrectomy was performed in combination with intracameral injection of gentamicin, cefazolin, and dexamethasone . Cultures of the vitrectomy specimen demonstrated Serratia rubidae . Postvitrectomy treatment with parenteral gentamicin, cefazolin, prednisone, and oral trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole resulted in a complete cure of the endophthalmitis and retention of good visual function . This patient represents the first reported case of Serratia rubidae endophthalmitis.

J Pharm Sci, 1983 Dec, 72(12), 1401 - 3
Effects of preservatives, steroids, and ethylenediaminetetraacetate on the antimicrobial activity of sulfacetamide; Houlsby RD et al.; The effect of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate), steroids, and preservatives on the antimicrobial activity of 10% sodium sulfacetamide solutions was evaluated in this study by kill rate and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using five representative microorganisms . The results indicate that thimerosal-preserved sulfacetamide solutions containing EDTA are more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans than similar paraben-preserved solutions . Furthermore, the addition of EDTA improves the kill rate, but not the MIC, for the Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Candida species regardless of the preservative . The combination of a steroid with sulfacetamide does not affect its antimicrobial activity.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Dec, 256(2), 184 - 95
Resistance-plasmid- and protease-independent murine virulence of a multiple-drug-resistant strain of Serratia marcescens; Traub WH et al.; The multiple-drug-resistant Serratia marcescens isolate SH 186 (serotype 06/014:H12, bacteriocin type 18) carried a 44 megadalton, nonconjugative resistance (R-) plasmid as demonstrated with 'curing' experiments and the DNA agarose gel electrophoresis technique . 'Cured' variants, which had lost part of or the entire R-plasmid, proved as virulent for outbred NMRI mice (intraperitoneal route) as the wild-type parent strain . Therefore, the virulence of this S . marcescens strain was plasmid-independent . Protease-deficient variants of this strain as well as protease-negative variants of two additional S . marcescens strains displayed comparable murine virulence . None of 19 representative S . marcescens strains, including isolate SH 186, gave rise to guinea pig keratoconjunctivitis (negative Anton-Sereny tests), i.e., were non-invasive; NMRI mice pretreated with either cyclophosphamide (leukopenia), type II carrageenan (blockade of macrophages) or with zymosan (depletion of complement) revealed essentially unaltered susceptibility to S . marcescens . However, mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide followed by zymosan were significantly more susceptible for 4 tests strains of S . marcescens, including isolate SH 186 . Thus, neutrophil granulocytes and complement were required for murine defense against intraperitoneal infection with S . marcescens.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Dec, 36(12), 1722 - 8
Microbial transformation of maridomycin III by Serratia marcescens; Uyeda M et al.; Two transformation products of maridomycin (MDM) III, MDM-S1 and MDM-S2 named after Serratia marcescens, were isolated by silica gel chromatography . NMR and IR analysis revealed that MDM-S1 and -S2 had no aldehyde group at C-18 on the macrolactone ring, and that the hydroxyl group at C-9 seemed to disappear . Although MDM-S1 and -S2 are less active against Gram-positive bacteria than starting MDM III they are interesting materials in view of the introduction of nitrogen into each molecule, and that the transformation products are produced by Gram-negative bacteria which are thought to be insensitive to macrolide antibiotics.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Dec, 36(12), 1631 - 7
MM 14201, a new epoxyquinone derivative with antibacterial activity produced by a species of Streptomyces; Box SJ et al.; A new antibiotic designated MM 14201 has been detected in a culture of Streptomyces sp . NCIB 11813 . Methods for the production and purification of MM 14201 are described . Biological evaluation has shown it has broad spectrum antibacterial activity being most effective against Serratia and Pseudomonas sp . Structural studies are reported which have demonstrated MM 14201 is a new epoxyquinone derivative.

Hum Pathol, 1983 Dec, 14(12), 1089 - 91
Subacute constrictive pericarditis from Serratia marcescens bacteremia; Khan MY; A case report of subacute constrictive pericarditis associated with disseminated Serratia marcescens infection and bacteremia in a patient with chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis and uremia is described . Although not substantiated by clinical history, the renal pathologic features were similar to those of ethylene glycol-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis . The patient did not have a history of heroin addiction . The importance of predisposing factors such as uremia, invasive vascular procedures, tracheal intubation, peritoneal dialysis, and pericardiocentesis in Serratia infection in susceptible persons is discussed, as are possible roles of uremia, pericardiocentesis, and pericardiotomy in the pathogenesis of constrictive pericarditis in the present case.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1983 Dec, 1(4), 287 - 93
In vitro activity of newer beta-lactam agents in combination with amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens; Meyer RD et al.; The in vitro activity of cefoperazone, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime, moxalactam, and N-formimidoyl thienamycin was evaluated alone and in combination with amikacin to assess possible synergistic activity against isolates of amikacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and multidrug-resistant Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae susceptible to amikacin (one S . marcescens isolate was also resistant to amikacin) . The checkerboard agar dilution method was used . Ceftazidime and thienamycin followed by moxalactam and cefoperazone were the most active agents versus the P . aeruginosa alone and in combination testing . Ceftazidime, moxalactam, and thienamycin showed the greatest activity against S . marcescens, and all agents except cefoperazone were active against K . pneumoniae . The finding of synergy or partial synergy in combination testing was found in the majority with all three genera, including levels below the breakpoint for both amikacin and the beta-lactam agents . This wide in vitro activity indicates that clinical evaluation of these agents in treatment of multidrug-resistant infections is warranted.

Isr J Med Sci, 1983 Nov, 19(11), 980 - 1
A small outbreak of Serratia marcescens sepsis and meningitis; Muhlbauer B et al.; Two fatal cases of Serratia marcescens sepsis and meningitis are reported here . The first case, a 1,420-g male infant born after 35 weeks of gestation, developed abdominal distension, hypotension and acidosis on the 3rd day after birth . Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was cloudy; blood and CSF cultures were positive for S . marcescens . He died within 24 hours after the appearance of symptoms, and purulent meningitis was found at autopsy . The second case, a 1,100-g boy born after 29 weeks of gestation, developed Escherichia coli sepsis at 14 days of age, from which he recovered . At 26 days of age he developed convulsions . Blood and CSF cultures grew S . marcescens . He was given gentamicin, chloramphenicol and supportive treatment, but expired 48 hours after the onset of symptoms . Both cases appeared within a 2-day period.

Infect Control, 1983 Nov-Dec, 4(6), 469 - 71
Serratia marcescens; Verrall R; Serratia marcescens is now recognized as a serious pathogen and of particular importance in nosocomial infections . Both hand-to-hand and point-source transmission can result in outbreaks . The organism is easily grown and identified in the microbiology laboratory . Treatment may be difficult due to plasmid-mediated resistance . Typing systems are available and can be useful for epidemiologic studies.

Mikrobiologiia, 1983 Nov-Dec, 52(6), 974 - 8
{Isolation of Serratia marcescens mutants superproducers of endonuclease by exposure to nitrosomethylurea in a synchronized culture}; Panfilova ZI et al.; The work was aimed at studying the capability of chemical mutagens, such as hydroxylamine (HA), dimethyl sulfate (DMS) and nitrosomethylurea (NMU), to produce mutants of Serratia marcescens with an elevated synthesis of endonuclease . HA and DMS did not induce these mutations at tested concentrations . NMU caused such mutations resulting in a sharp rise of endonuclease production . The mutagen was added to the medium at different periods of synchronized DNA replication to generate a selective effect on certain genes located in the replication sites . A 15-minute period 40 min after the beginning of the lag-phase was shown to be most sensitive to NMU treatment for producing mutants with a high yield of endonuclease . A mutant of S . marcescens was obtained, which synthesized endonuclease 40-100 times as effective as the parent strain did . The ability of S . marcescens endonuclease to hydrolyze RNA and DNA and to inhibit the reproduction of RNA- and DNA-containing viruses is of practical importance.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Nov, 46(5), 1227 - 9
Simple screening method for isolation of penicillin acylase-producing bacteria; Meevootisom V et al.; A new screening method for bacteria capable of producing penicillin acylase is described . The method is based on the use of Serratia marcescens sensitive to 6-aminopenicillanic acid but comparatively resistant to benzylpenicillin . It is simple, quite specific, and requires no special equipment . It can also be used to screen for phenoxymethylpenicillin acylase activity . We also suggest an acidimetric method for rapid detection of cloned genes in genetic engineering studies of penicillin acylase.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 Nov-Dec, 134B(3), 447 - 9
{New antigenic factors, O (O23) and H (H26), of Serratia marcescens}; Le Minor S et al.; A new O factor (O23) found in a Serratia marcescens strain of formula O23:H19, and a new H factor (H26) found in 8 strains of formula O18:H26 are described.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Oct, 36(10), 2881 - 6
{Clinical experience with cefoxitin in infections associated with hematopoietic disorders}; Minami N et al.; Ten inpatients at the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Mie University Hospital, developed infections in the course of treatment for hematopoietic disorders and were administered cefoxitin (CFX) . Patients suffered from the following infections: pharyngitis, 2; bronchitis, 2; pneumonia, 2; sepsis, 2; bacteremia, 1; suspected cases of bacteremia, 2; and fever of unknown origin, 1 . The number of infections totaled 12 as 1 patient with pharyngitis also developed sepsis and 1 patient with pneumonia developed bacteremia . Duration for the administration of CFX ranged between 5 and 18 days with a total dosage of between 30 and 108 g . Of the 10 patients treated with CFX, 9 were treated concomitantly with micronomicin (MCR), doxycycline (DOXY), or sulbenicillin (SBPC), some were treated concomitantly with only 1 of the drugs and some were treated concomitantly with 2 of the drugs . The following clinical results were obtained: Following treatment, 4 patients were considered "excellent", 5, "good", and 3, "poor" . Clinical efficacy rate was 75% . Four strains of Gram-positive cocci (1 strain of S . aureus, 2 strains of S . epidermidis and 1 strain of Streptococcus sp.) and 3 strains of Gram-negative rods (2 strains of P . aeruginosa and 1 strain of E . cloacae) were found in the clinical specimens of the 10 patients . These results differed somewhat from reported data that Gram-negative rods such as E . coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp., are dominant . No serious side effects requiring cessation of treatment were observed . Elevations in the levels of S-GOT, S-GPT, serum alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, etc . were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Oct, 12(4), 329 - 35
Characterization of spontaneous resistant variants of Serratia marcescens selected in the presence of carbenicillin; Platt DJ et al.; Spontaneous carbenicillin-resistant variants were isolated from pigmented Serratia marcescens GRI 2677 with frequencies as high as 1 in 7.4 x 10(4) . One-hundred and thirteen such variants were characterized with respect to pigmentation, antimicrobial susceptibility and beta-lactamase production . Sixty-eight were less pigmented than the parent culture, 84 showed low level resistance to five aminoglycosides and 17 showed increased beta-lactamase activity . Thirty-three variants were unstable and reverted to the parental phenotype at high frequency . One designated GRI 2677-8, was additionally auxotrophic and was further characterized . On the basis of these criteria the variants were assigned to one of 21 sub-groups . These results are discussed in relation to resistant clinical isolates and a possible mechanism that explains the diversity of variants.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Oct, 36(10), 2833 - 43
{Combination action of sisomicin, dibekacin and cefotetan, cefotaxime, latamoxef, and cefsulodin against Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa}; Saito M et al.; The combined actions of sisomicin (SISO), dibekacin (DKB) and cefotetan (CTT), cefotaxime (CTX), latamoxef (LMOX), cefsulodin (CFS) against E coli KC-14, S . marcescens T-55 and P . aeruginosa E-2 were studied . The following results were obtained . The combination of SISO-CTT, SISO-CTX, SISO-LMOX, SISO-CFS, DKB-CTT, DKB-CTX, DKB-LMOX and DKB-CFS using the checker board dilution method on E . coli KC-14, S . marcescens T-55, P . aeruginosa E-2 were found to have a synergistic effect and the minimum FIC index values were 0.26--0.50 for SISO and 0.28--0.75 for DKB, respectively . With the killing kinetic method, all combinations tested showed a synergistic effect.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Sep, 18(3), 741 - 2
Rapid identification of Serratia marcescens by coagglutination; Roig JM et al.; All 20 O serotypes of Serratia marcescens produce a common, soluble antigen . Crude antigen was obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation of spent growth medium, antiserum was produced in rabbits, and a coagglutination test for rapid identification of S . marcescens was developed . A total of 701 clinical isolates of gram-negative bacilli were examined, and a 100% correlation between biochemical identification of S . marcescens and identification by coagglutination was found.

S Afr Med J, 1983 Jul 16, 64(3), 105 - 6
Serratia marcescens endocarditis treated with ceftazidime . A case report; Berkowitz FE et al.; A 14-year-old Black girl developed Serratia marcescens endocarditis following a mitral valve repair . This was refractory to treatment with several courses of antibiotics and valve replacement, and was eventually cured after a second valve replacement and treatment with ceftazidime (GR 20263 Glaxo), a new cephalosporin derivative.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Jul, 36(7), 1599 - 603
{Combined effects of micronomicin and latamoxefi in vitro synergistic activities}; Kurimoto T et al.; In vitro synergistic activities of new aminoglycoside antibiotic micronomicin (MCR, Sagamicin) combined with oxacephem antibiotic latamoxef (LMOX, Siomarin) were investigated . These antibiotics exhibited synergistic activities at FIC index lower than 0.5 against 20.8%, 32.7% and 1.9% of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (48 strains), Serratia marcescens (52 strains) and Escherichia coli (54 strains), respectively . Partial synergism (0.5 less than FIC index less than 1) was observed in 79.2%, 55.8% and 31.5% of the same microorganisms, too . Each bacteriostatic concentrations of MCR and LMOX showed synergistically bactericidal effects when the drugs were administered at the same time against P . aeruginosa BMH No . 1, S . marcescens F-3283 and E . coli GN2411-5.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Jul, 46(1), 198 - 202
Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide on bacterial growth; Mancinelli RL et al.; The effects of low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on actively dividing cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cereus were studied . Fresh cultures of each organism were incubated for 24 h at 25 degrees C on both nutrient agar and mineral salts glucose agar plates under atmospheres containing various low concentrations of NO in air (0 to 1.9 ppm {0 to 2.0 micrograms/g of air}), NO2 in air (0 to 5.5 ppm {0 to 8.8 micrograms/g of air}), or NO and NO2 in air . Bacteria grown under air only were used as controls . After incubation, the colonies that developed on the plates were counted . None of the bacteria tested was affected by NO or NO2 at the indicated concentrations while growing on nutrient agar . Serratia marcescens, B . circulans, B . subtilis, B . megaterium, and B . cereus grown on mineral salts glucose agar were not significantly affected by NO or NO2 . Low concentrations (0 to 1.9 ppm) of NO were bacteriostatic to log-phase cultures of M . roseus, M . luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus grown on mineral salts glucose agar . Bacteriostatic activity over a 24-h interval was maximal at an initial NO concentration of 1 ppm . Appreciable amounts of NO2 were produced in 24 h at initial NO concentrations greater than 1 ppm . These results suggest that NO2 may reduce the bacteriostatic activity of NO . Low concentrations (0 to 5.5 ppm) of NO2 in air did not affect any of the bacteria tested . At these low concentrations, NO affected bacterial growth, although NO2, NO2-, and NO3- did not . In addition, it was determined that the bacteriostatic activity observed in this study was not due to an increase in the acidity of the medium.

Radiat Res, 1983 Jul, 95(1), 187 - 96
Evaluation of nitrobenzimidazoles as hypoxic cell radiosensitizers; Wright J et al.; Radiobiological and pharmacokinetic assays were performed to determine the potential of 2-nitrobenzimidazole (NBI) as a hypoxic cell radiosensitizing agent . As judged by comparing survival curve slopes of Serratia marcescens irradiated under aerated and hypoxic conditions, the NBI enhancement ratio (ER) at 2 mM concentration was 2.4 +/- 0.2, compared with an oxygen enhancement ratio of 3.3 +/- 0.3 . 2,5-Dinitrobenzimidazole (DNBI) was investigated in vitro; its ER was 3.0 +/- 0.3 at 4 mM concentration . Very poor tissue penetration of DNBI precluded further testing in vivo . Acute toxic signs appeared in C3H/HeJ mice following ip injection of NBI at 100 mg/kg . These would be partly attributable to the stress caused by the high pH of the injection vehicle . The LD50 was estimated to be 125-150 mg/kg . Mammary adenocarcinoma tumors grown in the flanks of these mice exhibited maximum NBI levels at 5 min postinjection (ip) . Peak tumor radiosensitization occurred in the interval between 5 and 10 min postinjection . The ER for tumor regrowth delay was 2.1 +/- 0.3 following 50 mg/kg injected into mice 5 min before irradiation . Functional evaluation up to 40 days after treatment revealed no evidence of neurological deficit.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Jul, 254(4), 480 - 8
Passive protection of NMRI mice against Serratia marcescens: comparative efficacy of commercial human IgG immunoglobulin preparations and rabbit anti-O, -H, -K, -life cell and -protease immune sera; Traub WH; Three commercial, intravenously applicable human IgG preparations passively protected NMRI mice against intraperitoneal challenge with 11 of 19 selected, serologically defined O-antigen reference strains and clinical, nosocomially significant isolates of Serratia marcescens . Conventional anti-O and anti-H, but not anti-K and anti-protease, rabbit immune sera revealed passive protective capacity against homologous challenge strains; however, anti-O rabbit immune sera failed to invariably protect against heterologous test strains that carried identical serogroup O-antigens . The passive protective efficacy of anti-live cell immune sera, derived from rabbits following recovery from experimental septicemia, was abolished through dual absorption with homologous O-cells . It was concluded that antibodies directed against O-antigens, i.e., lipopolysaccharide moieties, of the challenge strains of S . marcescens afforded passive protection.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1983 Jun, 127(6), 756 - 7
Effect of endotoxin on mouse serum angiotensin-converting enzyme; Hollinger MA; The effect of endotoxin on serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in mice was studied . At a dose of 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally administered, endotoxin from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens lowered serum ACE . The effect of E . coli endotoxin on serum ACE can be demonstrated by 2 h, it returns to control values in 24 h, and is not dose-dependent in the 0.5 to 8.0 mg/kg range . The reduction of mouse serum ACE by parenteral endotoxin mimics the lower serum ACE observed in patients with gram-negative sepsis.

FEBS Lett, 1983 May 8, 155(2), 192 - 6
Inhibition of bacterial aminopropyltransferases by S-adenosyl-1,8-diamino-3-thiooctane and by dicyclohexylamine; Pegg AE et al.; Bacterial aminopropyltransferases from Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were strongly inhibited by S-adenosyl-1,8-diamino-3-thiooctane (AdoDATO) and by dicyclohexylamine . The sensitivity to these drugs in vitro was comparable to that of mammalian spermidine synthase, but AdoDATO was much less potent in reducing spermidine content in the bacteria than in mammalian cells . Although AdoDATO was a stronger inhibitor than dicyclohexylamine in vitro, dicyclohexylamine was more active in reducing bacterial spermidine levels in vivo, suggesting that it is taken up better or is more stable in the cell and is the preferable compound for in vivo studies in microorganisms . The strong inhibition of spermidine synthases by AdoDATO which is a transition state analog supports the concept that these enzymes proceed by a single displacement reaction, rather than by a ping-pong mechanism.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 May, 45(5), 1437 - 44
Threonine production by ethionine-resistant mutants of Serratia marcescens; Komatsubara S et al.; Ethionine reduced both the growth rate and the final growth level of Serratia marcescens Sr41 . Growth inhibition was completely reversed by methionine . Strain D-315, defective in homoserine dehydrogenase I, was more sensitive to ethionine-mediated growth inhibition than was the wild-type strain . Ethionine-resistant mutants were isolated from cultures of strain D-316, which was derived from strain D-315 as a threonine deaminase-deficient mutant . Of 60 resistant colonies, 7 excreted threonine on minimal agar plates . One threonine-excreting strain, ETr17, was highly resistant to ethionine and, moreover, insensitive to methionine-mediated growth inhibition, whereas the parent strain was sensitive . When cultured in minimal medium with or without excess methionine, strain ETr17 had a higher homoserine dehydrogenase level than did strain D-316 . The homoserine dehydrogenase activity was not inhibited by threonine or methionine . Transductional analysis revealed that the ethionine-resistant (etr-1) mutation carried by strain ETr17 was located in the metBM-argE region and caused the derepressed synthesis of homoserine dehydrogenase II . Strain ETr17 had a higher aspartokinase level than did the parent strain . By transductional cross with the argE+ marker, the etr-1 mutation was transferred into strain D-562 which was derived from D-505, a strain defective in aspartokinases I and III . The constructed strain had a higher aspartokinase level than did strain D-505 in medium with or without excess methionine, indicating that the etr-1 mutation led to the derepressed synthesis of aspartokinase II . Strain ETr17 produced about 8 mg of threonine per ml of medium containing sucrose and urea.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 May-Jun, 134A(3), 329 - 37
In vivo and in vitro emergence of simultaneous resistance to both beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics in a strain of Serratia marcescens; Goldstein FW et al.; In a patient with Serratia marcescens bacteraemia, a variant resistant to cefotaxime and amikacin was isolated in a blood culture under combined treatment with cefotaxime and amikacin . In addition, in vitro selection on cefotaxime and/or amikacin yielded resistant mutants from the sensitive parent strain . These mutants displayed the same type of cross-resistance as the clinical strain to all beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics . The mechanism for this resistance was a decrease in the permeability of the cell . To our knowledge, the isolation of such strains from blood cultures and the mechanism responsible for this "broad-spectrum resistance" have not been previously described.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1983 May, 31(5), 379 - 82
{Comparative bacteriostatic activity of 10 cephalosporins against 100 strains of Serratia}; Quentin C et al.; The in vitro activity of 10 cephalosporins was evaluated against 100 different clinical isolates of Serratia . 90% of these strains were inhibited at the following concentrations (microgram/ml): ceftazidime = 0.5; ceftriaxon = 0.9; cefmenoxime = 1; lamoxactam = 1.1; cefotaxime = 1.25; cefotetan = 2; cefoperazone = 28; cefoxitine = 64; cefotiam = 80; ceforanide greater than 512 . Ceftazidime was the most potent agent . Ceftriaxon, cefmenoxime, lamoxactam and cefotaxime had also a very high activity . All the strains were clinically susceptible to these 5 cephalosporins (MIC less than or equal to 16) . The other cephalosporins were less active.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1983 May, 93(5), 1287 - 95
Isolation and characterization of nucleases from a clinical isolate of Serratia marcescens kums 3958; Yonemura K et al.; Two new extracellular nucleases, nucleases SM1 and SM2, were purified from the culture fluid of S . marcescens kums 3958, a fresh clinical isolate . The purification was carried out by the following steps; ammonium sulfate precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography . At the final step, nucleases SM1 and SM2 were purified about 3,700- and 1,000-fold, respectively . They were free from phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities . The pIs were 8.1 and 7.5 for nucleases SM1 and SM2, respectively . The molecular weight was estimated to be 35,000 for both enzymes by SDS-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis . The results of amino acid analyses showed that both the threonine and serine contents were higher in nuclease SM2 than in SM1 . Furthermore, nuclease SM1 was more stable than nuclease SM2 at 4 degrees C . The other properties of the two enzymes were similar; pH optimum (8.0), Mg2+ or Mn2+ for activation, and inhibition by chemical reagents such as EDTA and pyrophosphate . No significant difference was found in base specificity between nucleases SM1 and SM2 . Both enzymes specifically degraded double-stranded homopolymers, especially poly(I) . poly(C), as well as yeast RNA and calf thymus DNA . They hardly degraded, however, single-stranded homopolymers such as poly(dA), poly(G), and poly(U).

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 May, 45(5), 1445 - 52
Transductional construction of a threonine-hyperproducing strain of Serratia marcescens: lack of feedback controls of three aspartokinases and two homoserine dehydrogenases; Komatsubara S et al.; To construct a threonine-hyperproducing strain of Serratia marcescens Sr41, the six regulatory mutations for three aspartokinases and two homoserine dehydrogenases were combined in a single strain by three transductional crosses . The constructed strain, T-1026, carried the lysC1 mutation leading to lack of feedback inhibition and repression of aspartokinase III, the thrA1(1) mutation desensitizing aspartokinase I to feedback inhibition, the thrA2(1) mutation releasing feedback inhibition of homoserine dehydrogenase I, the two hnr mutations derepressing aspartokinase I and homoserine dehydrogenase I, and the etr-1 mutation derepressing aspartokinase II and homoserine dehydrogenase II . The strain produced ca . 40 mg of threonine per ml of medium containing sucrose and urea . Furthermore, the productivity of strain T-1026 was compared with those of strains devoid of more than one of the six regulatory mutations.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1983 Apr, 177(3-4), 282 - 97
{Effects of photochemical smog from a flow reactor on bacteria . I . Determination of the effects of photochemical smog on bacteria}; Nover H et al.; To measure the damage to bacteria from photochemical smog Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus and spores of Bacillus cereus have been exposed to defined gas-mixtures . A smog-simulation-chamber has been used which allowed adjustment of reproducible and longterm constant smog formations due to the flow system . Two methods have been applied to examine the bactericidal effects of the photo-chemical smog: adsorption of bacteria to membrane filters and spraying on silk threads . Smog mixtures formed by olefines (propene 4200 ppb, isobutene 3000 ppb, trans-2-butene 1600 ppb) and nitrogene oxides (500-700 ppb) showed bactericidal effects at ozone levels of 500 ppb . The survival of exposed bacteria is influenced less by gasing with 500 ppb ozone than with the smog mixture.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Apr, 11(4), 311 - 8
In-vitro antagonism by N-formimidoyl thienamycin and cefoxitin of second and third generation cephalosporins in Aeromonas hydrophila and Serratia marcescens; Miller MA et al.; Antagonism of beta-lactam antibiotics by second and third generation cephalosporins was studied in 28 clinical strains of Serratia marcescens and Aeromonas hydrophila . Of the antibiotics tested, both cefoxitin and N-formimidoyl thienamycin (N-f-thienamycin) were capable of antagonism in Ser . marcescens (17 of 20) but in Aerom . hydrophila (7 of 8), only cefoxitin induced antagonism . Antagonism was observed to the greatest degree with cefotaxime and cefoperazone; intermediate with cefamandole and latamoxef (moxalactam) and essentially none with N-f-thienamycin . Inducible beta-lactamase was found in all strains of both genera which exhibited antagonism . The induced beta-lactamase showed enhanced inactivation for other antibiotics in only four strains with none occurring in Aeromonas.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Apr, 80(8), 2206 - 10
Transcription termination in vitro at the tryptophan operon attenuator is controlled by secondary structures in the leader transcript; Stroynowski I et al.; The role of alternative RNA secondary structures in regulating transcription termination at the attenuator of the tryptophan (trp) operon of Serratia marcescens was examined in vitro by transcribing mutant DNA templates having deletions of different segments of the trp leader region . Deletions that removed sequences corresponding to successive segments of postulated RNA secondary structures either increased or decreased transcription termination at the attenuator . The results obtained are consistent with the hypothesis that transcription termination results from RNA polymerase recognition of a particular RNA secondary structure, the terminator . This structure forms only in the absence of an alternative, preceding, RNA secondary structure, the antiterminator.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Apr, 154(1), 170 - 6
Escherichia coli mutants with an altered sensitivity to cecropin D; Siden I et al.; Cecropins are a family of small, basic antibacterial polypeptides which can be isolated from pupae of immunized Lepidoptera . They are active against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria . We studied a mutant of Escherichia coli, strain SB1004, which is more sensitive to cecropin D than is the parental strain . The mutant was selected as resistant to a host range mutant of a Serratia marcescens phage . When the protein composition of the outer membrane was examined, strain SB1004 and some other phage-resistant mutants were found to be deficient in the OmpC protein . It was concluded that the OmpC protein is the receptor of the phage . Strain SB1004 was found to differ from other ompC mutants in being especially sensitive to hydrophobic antibiotics and to cecropin D . Furthermore, strain SB1004 has a tendency for spontaneous autolysis . A genetic analysis showed the mutations in strain SB1004 and a suppressor mutant to map in the ompC region . The activity of cecropin D against different strains of E . coli was specifically enhanced when divalent cations were absent . No such effect was found with cecropins A and B, which are less hydrophobic than the D form.

Infect Immun, 1983 Apr, 40(1), 113 - 9
Importance of serratia protease in the pathogenesis of experimental Serratia marcescens pneumonia; Lyerly DM et al.; The results of studies to evaluate the possible importance of serratia proteases in the development of experimental Serratia marcescens pneumonia revealed the following . (i) Administration of a highly purified serratia protease to the lungs of guinea pigs and mice resulted in extensive pulmonary edema and hemorrhage similar to that observed in animals having an experimentally induced, acute serratia pneumonia . (ii) Guinea pigs subcutaneously vaccinated with the protease developed low levels of antiprotease antibodies and were partially protected against serratia pneumonia, as demonstrated by a significant increase in survival time . Mice intranasally vaccinated with the protease also developed antiprotease antibodies and were protected against serratia pneumonia, as demonstrated by a significant increase in survival time and an increase in the number of survivors . (iii) Serratia protease was detected in lung tissue extracts prepared from the lungs of guinea pigs dying of serratia pneumonia . Our findings support the idea that serratia protease(s) is involved in the pathogenesis of experimental serratia pneumonia.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Apr, 23(4), 565 - 70
Clinical evaluation of moxalactam: evidence of decreased efficacy in gram-positive aerobic infections; Salzer W et al.; Moxalactam was used as initial, empirical therapy in 69 patients with a variety of serious bacterial infections, 32% of which were accompanied by bacteremia . Overall, the success rate was 83% and drug-related adverse effects were minimal . The drug was less efficacious in infections caused by aerobic gram-positive pathogens than it was in those caused by gram-negative pathogens . The following gram-positive organisms were associated with special problems during moxalactam therapy: Streptococcus pneumoniae (development of meningitis and a relapse of pneumonia with a more resistant strain), Staphylococcus epidermidis (in vivo emergence of moxalactam resistance, and the enterococci (failure of therapy and a fatal superinfection . Moxalactam performed well in infections caused by most gram-negative organisms, including aminoglycoside-resistant strains, but the previously reported emergence of gram-negative bacillary resistance to moxalactam during therapy was reconfirmed in our series with Serratia marcescens . The use of moxalactam in the treatment of gram-negative meningitis was further supported by a patient with meningitis-ventriculitis caused by Bacteroides fragilis who was cured with moxalactam after failure on chloramphenicol.

Arch Surg, 1983 Mar, 118(3), 295 - 302
Gentamicin and tobramycin penetration into burn eschar . Pharmacokinetics and microbiological effects; Polk RE et al.; This study was designed to determine whether intravenously administered gentamicin sulfate and tobramycin sulfate penetrate into the eschar of patients with severe burns . In addition, each antibiotic's pharmacokinetics in serum and the effect on eschar microbiology were determined . Twenty patients with suspected burn wound sepsis received either gentamicin or tobramycin . The microbiology of the baseline eschar was determined and repeated on days 2, 4, and 7 . All patients had measurable aminoglycoside tissue concentrations, and elimination from serum was not unusually rapid . Thirteen patients had baseline eschar cultures positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Serratia marcescens; eight patients were initially bacteremic . Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were sensitive to both antibiotics and usually declined in concentration with time or were eliminated; the more drug-resistant isolates of S marcescens persisted or caused super-infection and bacteremia . Aminoglycoside antibiotics penetrate into burn eschar and appear to have a substantial effect on eschar microbiology.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Mar, 17(3), 476 - 80
Biosynthesis of prodigiosin by white strains of Serratia marcescens isolated from patients; Ding MJ et al.; Serratia marcescens isolated from infected adults generally does not synthesize prodigiosin . Other investigators have reported that most clinical strains form a pigment if furnished with 4-methoxy-2,2'-bipyrrole-5-carboxyaldehyde (MBC), a precursor of prodigiosin . To determine whether the pigment was prodigiosin, we studied 65 white strains of S . marcescens isolated from patients . On the basis of response to MBC, we assigned the strains to one of three classes: class 1 (14 strains), strains remaining white; class 2 (48 strains), strains becoming gray or pink; and class 3 (3 strains), strains becoming blue . Ethanol extracts of bacteria of classes 2 and 3 did not behave like prodigiosin when acidified or alkalinized, and the pigment spectra were not similar to prodigiosin spectra . If strains of class 3 were furnished with MBC plus 2-methyl-3-amylpyrrole (MAP), the other immediate precursor of prodigiosin, the pigment synthesized was characteristic of prodigiosin . Strains of classes 1 and 2 responded identically to MBC plus MAP and MBC alone . Although the majority of S . marcescens white strains from patients formed pigments in the presence of MBC, the pigments were not prodigiosin . A few strains did synthesize prodigiosin, but only if furnished with both MBC and MAP.

J Trauma, 1983 Mar, 23(3), 241 - 2
Bacteriologic contamination in an air-fluidized bed; Scheidt A et al.; An air-fluidized bed was found to be a potential bacteriologic hazard when used by heavily infected burned patients . Even after following the manufacturer's protocol for eliminating bacteria from the bed and for cleaning the filter sheet, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus fecalis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens were recovered . Use of the bed was suspended until an effective disinfecting procedure was developed for the filter sheet and weekly removal of solid materials from the bed was instituted.

Gene, 1983 Mar, 21(3), 237 - 48
Construction of expression plasmids producing high levels of human leukocyte-type interferon in Escherichia coli; Dworkin-Rastl E et al.; An expression plasmid was constructed, consisting of the promoter/operator region of the tryptophan operon from Serratia marcescens and a synthetic ribosome-binding site ligated into pBR322 . Leukocyte-type interferon gene fragments (IFN-alpha A and IFN-alpha C) isolated from a cDNA library from human lymphoblastoid (Namalwa) cells were inserted into the unique HindIII site of the expression plasmid, and the resulting recombinant plasmids directed the synthesis of up to 5 X 10(5) units of A-type preinterferon, 2 X 10(7) units of A-type mature interferon and 8 X 10(5) units of C-type mature interferon per liter culture.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Feb, 36(2), 311 - 5
{Clinical evaluation of high dose intravenous injection of fosfomycin on the severe infections associated with the treatment of haematological disorders}; Ueda T et al.; Fosfomycin (FOM) was administered intravenously to 65 cases of severe infections complicated with 62 cases of several haematological disorders . Out of 65 cases, 45 were treated with high doses FOM, i.e., 8 g per day or more . Another 20 cases were treated in usual doses of 4--6 g per day . Causative organisms were isolated from 52 cases of which 32 cases were Gram-negative bacilli and 19 cases were Gram-positive cocci . The effective rate of FOM was 57.8% in the high-dose treatment group (26/45) and 45.0% in the usual-dose treatment group (9/20), but the significant difference was not defined . Among 32 cases with Gram-negative bacilli infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Serratia marcescens, 15 cases were effective (47%) . On the contrary, 14 out of 19 cases with Gram-positive cocci infections were effective (74%) . Thirteen cases (50.0%) were effective even in which neutrophils were less than 500/cmm before FOM administration . Severe side effects were not observed, without 2 cases . One was skin eruption due to drug allergy and the other was suspected to be interstitial pneumonitis, but not confirmed pathologically . These data suggest that high dose treatment of FOM were useful for the severe infections even in neutropenic state in haematological disorders.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Feb, 11(2), 187 - 9
Netilmicin: in-vitro activity compared with that of other aminoglycosides against Serratia marcescens; Langstaff D et al.; The activity of netilmicin, a semisynthetic aminoglycoside, was compared with that of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin against 100 clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens . Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by an agar dilution procedure . Defining amikacin resistance as an MIC of greater than 16 mg/l, and netilmicin, gentamicin and tobramycin resistance as an MIC greater than 4 mg/l, 1% were resistant to amikacin, 3% to netilmicin, 8% to tobramycin, and 43% to gentamicin . The majority of isolates that were resistant to both gentamicin and tobramycin were sensitive to netilmicin . These results indicate that the activity of netilmicin against Ser . marcescens is closely comparable to that of amikacin.

Infect Immun, 1983 Feb, 39(2), 873 - 8
Induction of nonspecific tolerance to endotoxins reduces the alveolar bone resorption in ligature-treated rats; Nowotny A et al.; Previous experimental data from various laboratories indicate that endotoxin of gram-negative oral microorganisms might be one of the most important bacterial products involved in bone resorption during periodontitis . Immunologically nonspecific tolerance to endotoxins in rats was induced by repeated application of Serratia marcescens trichloroacetic acid-extracted endotoxin . Silk ligature was placed on the second maxillary molar of the endotoxin-tolerant rats as well as of control rats in which tolerance to endotoxin had not been induced . The animals were sacrificed 8 days later . The rats showed no specific immune response to the tolerance-inducing endotoxin as measured by passive hemagglutination and by the lymphoblast assays, but we found that bone resorption was significantly reduced in the endotoxin-tolerant rats as compared with ligature-treated animals in which tolerance to endotoxin had not been induced.

Carbohydr Res, 1983 Jan 16, 112(1), 95 - 103
Structural studies of the O-specific polysaccharide from Serratia marcescens N.C.T.C . 1377; Wilkinson SG et al.; The putative O-specific polysaccharide of Serratia marcescens N.C.T.C . 1377 is a partially acetylated glucorhamnan . By means of 1H- and 12C-n.m.r . spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and periodate oxidation, it was shown that the polymer has a disaccharide repeating-unit for which the following structure is proposed: leads to 4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 leads to 3)-beta-L-Rhap-(1-leads . O-Acetyl groups are probably located at C-2 of the rhamnopyranosyl residues . Except for the extent of O-acetylation, the polysaccharide is identical with the corresponding product from S . marcescens Bizio (A.T.C.C . 264), for which a different structure has previously been proposed.

Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 190(3), 394 - 8
Cloning of a Streptomyces gene for an O-methyltransferase involved in antibiotic biosynthesis; Feitelson JS et al.; The red pigmented antibiotic of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) is chemically very similar to the Serratia marcescens pigment, prodigiosin . We have demonstrated by co-synthesis experiments between non-producing mutants of both species that their biosynthetic pathways are similar, and have discovered identities between specific mutants of each organism . Molecular cloning techniques have been employed in order to isolate Streptomyces chromosomal DNA segments which "complement" a mutant defective in the penultimate step of the red biosynthetic pathway: an O-methyltransferase enzyme . In one case, the lesion appears to be repaired by integrative recombination into the chromosome; another case may represent expression from the autonomously replicating recombinant plasmid.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1983, 14(3), 145 - 50
Protective activity of thymosin against opportunistic infections in animal models; Ishitsuka H et al.; Animal models for opportunistic infections were developed by using mice immunosuppressed by 5-FU . These mice were susceptible to various microorganisms, while normal mice had greater tolerance to such microbial infections . In these models, thymosin alpha 1 was found to protect mice against lethal infections with Candida albicans, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens when it was administered during 5-FU treatment prior to the infections . Thymosin alpha 1 was effective in some infections at 0.4-400 micrograms/kg/day IP, about 1/100 of the dose required for thymosin fraction 5 . Activity was also demonstrated against L-monocytogenes and Ps . aeruginosa by counting the viable bacteria in the liver after infection . The protective activity against Candida, elimination of which macrophages were essential, was abrogated by anti-thymocyte serum and/or carrageenan, indicating that thymosin alpha 1 serves to maintain the functions of macrophages by reducing the damage to T cells by 5-FU . On the other hand, the activity against Pseudomonas infection was not affected by anti-thymocyte serum or carrageenan . It is probable that thymosin alpha 1 also exerts its effect on neutrophils without participation of T cells and macrophages.

Arkh Patol, 1983, 45(5), 64 - 6
{Changes in the lungs and pleura during infection with Serratia marcescens}; Andreeva TV; Morphological changes predominantly in the lungs in two infants and a fetus when Serratia marcescens and simultaneously other gram-negative microorganisms were isolated from tissues are described . The localization of the process and the detection of the microorganisms are demonstrated . The presence of fields of hemolysed blood in alveoli, infiltration with predominance of plasma cells and macrophages in the periphery of the focus may be used as the basis for diagnosis . Contact microscopy detects microorganisms on the surface of the pleura more readily than in the lung tissues.

Pathology, 1983 Jan, 15(1), 65 - 6
Colonial variation in Serratia marcescens together with antibiotic resistance; Ruhen RW et al.; A strain of Serratia marcescens, isolated from the blood cultures of a patient receiving antibiotics, exhibited 3 unstable properties . These properties were resistance to aminoglycosides, colony size and pigment production . While resistance to aminoglycosides was linked to colony size, pigment production appeared independent of the other 2 properties . When multiple variation of properties occurs in colonies isolated from clinical material, this still may represent a pure culture.

Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(2), 121 - 7
Interactions of antimicrobial drugs and combined phagocytic/serum bactericidal activity of defibrinated human blood against Serratia marcescens . IV . N-formimidoyl thienamycin; Traub WH; Minimal bactericidal concentrations of thienamycin revealed moderate intraphagolysosomal bactericidal activity against pseudo-(PSR) and genuinely serum-resistant (NSS) assay strains of Serratia marcescens . Combinations of inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of thienamycin with 55 vol% of defibrinated human blood resulted in additive effects against all PSR and NSS test strains of S . marcescens and against the NSS Escherichia coli control strain ATCC 25922.

Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(1), 48 - 57
Interactions of antimicrobial drugs and combined phagocytic/serum bactericidal activity of defibrinated human blood against Serratia marcescens . III . beta-Lactam antibiotics and fosfomycin; Traub WH; Neither cefoperazone, cefotaxime, mezlocillin nor piperacillin significantly killed intraphagocytic bacteria of representative assay strains of Serratia marcescens, as determined with 55 vol% of fresh defibrinated human blood treated with 2 mg/ml of phenylbutazone, which permitted phagocytic ingestion of bacteria, but selectively inhibited the microbicidal activity of peripheral blood leukocytes . Extraphagocytic bacteria were killed with group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of S . marcescens . However, minimal bactericidal concentrations of fosfomycin displayed intraphagolysosomal bactericidal activity which approximated that of rifampin . Inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of cefoperazone, cefotaxime, fosfomycin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin combined with 55 vol% of defibrinated human blood, respectively, yielded additive effects against all test strains of S . marcescens utilized and Escherichia coli control strain ATCC 25922.

Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(1), 43 - 7
Failure of the commercial human IgG immunoglobulin preparation Polyglobin to enhance combined phagocytic and serum bactericidal activity of normal blood against Serratia marcescens; Traub WH; The IgG immunoglobulin preparation Polyglobin failed to enhance the combined phagocytic and serum bactericidal activity of 65 vol% of fresh defibrinated human blood from health adults against representative test strains of Serratia marcescens, despite documented O-agglutinin activity of Polyglobin against every test strain employed . It was concluded that pooled human IgG immunoglobulin, i.e . 'natural' IgG antibodies, would not be expected to exert a beneficial effect against S . marcescens in patients with sufficient residual, functional 'natural' antibodies and complement.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Jan, 17(1), 1 - 6
Comparison of two methods for bacteriocin typing of Serratia marcescens; Lai PS et al.; Two methods of bacteriocin susceptibility typing for Serratia marcescens were compared . A total of 80 epidemiologically unrelated isolates from patients in a single hospital were typed by the cross-streaking method and the mitomycin C-induced (spotting) method . The cross-streaking method was found to be more discriminatory than the spotting method . Using the cross-streaking method, it was possible to differentiate 50 bacteriocin groups out of the 80 isolates, whereas only 31 groups could be obtained with the spotting method . The reproducibility and percentage typability of the cross-streaking method (82.5 and 93.75%, respectively) were found to be as good as, if not better than, those of the spotting method (78.75 and 90.0%, respectively) . Other factors, such as lower economic cost, technical simplicity, and the relative ease in the scoring of results, indicate a preference for the cross-streaking method . The findings of this study support the choice of the cross-streaking method for the bacteriocin typing of S . marcescens in epidemiological studies.

Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(4), 265 - 74
Plasmid-independent resistance of 'gray' colony variants of a strain of Serratia marcescens resistant to amikacin, cefotaxime and lamoxactam; Traub WH et al.; A multiple-drug-resistant strain of Serratia marcescens (serotype O14:H12; bacteriocin type 18), which was recovered repeatedly from the respiratory tract of an intensive care unit patient, yielded 'gray' colony phenotypic variants which were greater than or equal to four-fold less susceptible to amikacin, cefotaxime, and lamoxactam, but not to netilmicin and N-formimidoyl thienamycin, as compared with 'opaque' (wild-type) colony variants . The 'gray' variants proved phenotypically highly unstable and displayed comparable low virulence for NMRI mice (intraperitoneal route) . The 'opaque' and 'gray' variants of this strain carried a nonconjugative, 46-megadalton resistance (R) plasmid, as determined by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis . The R-plasmid-mediated resistance against chloramphenicol, gentamicin, kanamycin, mezlocillin, piperacillin, triple sulfonamides, and cotrimoxazole, as demonstrated with 'curing' experiments . The mechanism of the novel amikacin-beta-lactam antibiotic resistance phenomenon remained undetermined.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Jan, 36(1), 37 - 46
{Studies on the combination action of sisomicin, gentamicin and piperacillin, cefmetazole against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens}; Saito M et al.; The combined actions of sisomicin (SISO), gentamicin (GM) and piperacillin (PIPC), cefmetazole (CMZ) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa E-2 and Serratia marcescens T-55 were studied . The following results were obtained . 1 . The combinations of SISO-PIPC, SISO-CMZ, GM-PIPC and GM-CMZ using the checker board dilution method on P . aeruginosa E-2 and S . marcescens T-55 were found to have a synergistic effect and the minimum FIC index values were 0.38 in all combinations . 2 . With the killing kinetic method, all combinations tested showed a synergistic effect . 3 . A synergistic effect of the combinations of SISO-PIPC, SISO-CMZ, GM-PIPC and GM-CMZ was observed in the protective effect on experimental P . aeruginosa E-2 and S . marcescens T-55 infections in mice.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1982 Dec 31, 699(3), 281 - 9
The involvement of nuclear nucleases in rat thymocyte DNA degradation after gamma-irradiation; Nikonova LV et al.; Possible mechanisms of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in thymocytes of irradiated rats were studied . It was shown that thymocyte nuclei contain at least two nucleases that cleave DNA between nucleosomes--a Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent nuclease and an acidic one which does not depend on bivalent ions . 2 and 3 h after irradiation at a dose of 10 Gy the initial rate of DNA cleavage by Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent nuclease in isolated nuclei increased three and seven times, respectively, but the kinetics of DNA digestion by acidic nuclease did not change . The experiments with cycloheximide indicated that Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent endonuclease turns over at a high rate . The activity of the cytoplasmic acidic and Mg2+-dependent nucleases was shown to increase (by 40 and 50%, respectively) 3 h after irradiation . The effect is caused by the de novo synthesis of the nucleases . At the same time the activity of nuclear nucleases did not essentially change . The chromatin isolated from rat thymocytes 3 h after irradiation did not differ in its sensitivity to some exogenic nucleases (DNAase I, micrococcal nuclease and nuclease from Serratia marcescens) from the control . Thus, Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent endonuclease seems to be responsible for the postirradiation internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in dying thymocytes.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1982 Nov, 100(11), 1763 - 5
Congenital dacryocystocele; Harris GJ et al.; Four cases of congenital lacrimal sac distention were managed in an initially conservative manner to further elucidate the natural history of the condition and to formulate a more systematic approach to its treatment . In three cases, the abnormality resolved without nasolacrimal duct probing, with no adverse sequelae . In one case, dacryocystitis caused by Serratia marcescens, corneal astigmatism, and severe canthal distortion prompted surgical intervention . The management of individual cases of dacryocystocele should be influenced by the presence of inflammation, the virulence of any infecting organisms, the induction of astigmatism and anisometropia, and the degree of canthal distortion . Dacryocystocele appears to be a more specific term for lacrimal sac distention than either amniotocele or mucocele, and is not restricted to only one source of its fluid contents.

Eur J Biochem, 1982 Nov, 128(1), 137 - 41
Evidence for different requirements in physical state for the interaction of lipopolysaccharides with the classical and alternative pathways of complement; Wilson ME et al.; The influence of the state of aggregation of lipopolysaccharides upon their ability to interact with serum complement via either the classical or alternative pathway was studied . The anticomplement properties of two chromatographically distinct fractions of a phenol-extracted lipopolysaccharide isolated from Serratia marcescens were assessed by means of the standard sheep erythrocyte hemolytic assay and an alternative pathway-selective kinetic assay using rabbit erythrocytes . Both the high molecular weight PI fraction and the lower molecular weight PII fraction exerted anti-complement activity as determined in the sheep erythrocyte assay . Conversion of fractions PI and PII to their more soluble triethylamine salt forms resulted in a decrease in sedimentation coefficients and a corresponding loss of anticomplement activity . Further, the anticomplement activity of fractions PI and PII in the sheep erythrocyte assay was inhibited by polymyxin B, indicating a role for the lipid A region . Unlike the PII fraction, only the PI fraction can activate serum complement via the alternative pathway . This activity is not inhibited by polymyxin B, indicating that the response is not lipid A-mediated . Significantly, solubilization of the PI fraction with triethylamine had no effect on its ability to activate the alternative pathway . These studies clearly demonstrate that the interaction between lipopolysaccharides and serum complement is influenced by the state of lipopolysaccharide aggregation . However, this appears to be the case for lipopolysaccharide activation of the classical pathway but not of the alternative pathway.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1982 Nov, 253(2), 204 - 24
Opsonization requirements of Serratia marcescens; Traub WH; Dextran-separated human peripheral blood leukocytes (55 vol%) from healthy adults served to delineate the opsonic requirements of various serologically defined assay strains of Serratia marcescens . 'Natural' antibodies of three commercial IgG immunoglobulin preparations (25 vol%), in the absence of complement (C), did not opsonize all 19 test strains, in particular certain strains carrying O-antigens O6 and/or O14, despite documented (ELISA technique) contents of anti-O6 and -O14 IgG antibodies . The 'natural' IgG opsonins proved O-antigen specific . Several of 13 selected assay strains of S . marcescens differed in opsonic requirements for 'classically' or 'alternatively' activated human C; opsonization was optimal with intact fresh human serum (25 vol%) . All 13 tested strains activated both pathways of C . Anti-live cell rabbit immune sera (RIS) surpassed conventional anti-O and anti-H RIS (25 vol%) in terms of opsonizing activity, which proved partially heat-labile and O-antigen specific for two, but not for two other test strains . Isolated IgM immunoglobulin fractions of anti-live cell RIS either totally lacked or displayed inferior opsonizing activity in the absence of C, although O-agglutinin activity was only from 4- to 8-fold lower than that of unfractionated anti-live cell RIS . Human and rabbit 'natural' IgM antibodies opsonized moderately . Added guinea pig C (10 vol%) failed to enhance opsonizing activity of 'natural' and 'immune' rabbit IgM and 'natural' human IgG and IgM antibodies.

Arch Intern Med, 1982 Oct 25, 142(11), 2012 - 22
Sepsis following burns, trauma, and intra-abdominal infections; Shires GT et al.; In the last ten years anaerobic organisms have emerged as the major infecting agent in surgical patients . While these groups of organisms including Bacteroides fragilis, clostridia, and anaerobic cocci persist, there has, in addition, developed in the last few years a virulent group of nosocomial infections, and modern management of sepsis is primarily directed at gram-negative and anaerobic infections, which include nosocomial infections, for example, those caused by the Serratia group . Much has been learned about control of infections from the patient who has sustained thermal injury . While topical water-soluble antibiotics have been a remarkable advance in the care of the burn patient, systemic and subeschar antibiotics have proved essential in the management of severe burn injury . There is increasing evidence that there is remarkable interference with host defense mechanisms in patients who have sustained burns or significant trauma or intraabdominal infection . The patient sustaining nonthermal traumatic injury also sustains reduction in host resistance . Because of this and the additional initial contamination, in the traumatized patient antibiotic therapy should be started early and as a therapeutic measure . Newer localization techniques, including sonography and computed axial tomography scanning, have helped localize abdominal infections early . Specific antimicrobial therapy may be begun as an adjunct to the surgical therapy of intra-abdominal infection.

Infect Immun, 1982 Oct, 38(1), 306 - 15
New fimbrial hemagglutinin in Serratia species; Adegbola RA et al.; Strains of Serratia marcescens, Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia marinorubra, and Serratia plymuthica produced one or more of the following hemagglutinins (HAs): mannose-sensitive HA and mannose-resistant K-HA (MR/K-HA) and P-HA (MR/P-HA) (J . P . Duguid and D . C . Old, in E . H . Beachey (ed.), Bacterial adherence, vol . 6., p . 185-217, 1980) . Most strains (82%) were multiply hemagglutinating . The properties of the three HAs are described . Each HA was associated with a distinct type of fimbria: mannose-sensitive HA with type 1 fimbriae . MR/K-HA with type 3 fimbriae, and MR/P-HA with a new type of thin fimbriae provisionally called MR/P fimbriae . This is the first report of the production of MR/P-HA and MR/P fimbriae by Serratia species . The range of Serratia HAs, which may reflect in vivo colonization potential, is more complex than previously reported.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1982 Sep 15, 31(18), 2861 - 6
Repression of fibrinolysis in scalded rats by administration of Serratia protease; Kakinuma A et al.; The oral administration Serratia protease (SP), an antiinflammatory oral drug, to scalded rats markedly repressed the activation of fibrinolysis induced by the scalding . The repression was most effective when SP was given 3 hr prior to scalding, and a statistically significant repression was observed at a dose of 5 mg/kg . The repressive effect of SP was dependent on its proteolytic activity and was far stronger than those of other proteases tested . The repression was observed also by the intravenous injection of SP at a dose as low as 0.2 microgram/kg, which corresponded to a blood concentration of about 4 ng/ml . In this case, too, the proteolytic activity was essential . In rat blood, SP existed as a complex with a plasma protease inhibitor, alpha 1-macroglobulin (alpha 1 M), with a molar binding ratio of 1:1, still retaining about 20% of its original caseinolytic activity . This ratio, together with the alpha 1 M concentration in rat plasma and the molecular weights of SP and alpha 1 M, enabled the estimation that at the effective SP concentration (4 ng/ml) only 1 out of 20,000 parts of alpha 1 M molecules in plasma took part in the complex formation.

J Hosp Infect, 1982 Sep, 3(3), 263 - 73
Outbreaks of hospital infection in southwest England caused by gentamicin-resistant Serratia marcescens; Bullock DW et al.; Five geographically separate outbreaks of hospital acquired infection caused by gentamicin-resistant strains of Serratia marcescens occurred in the period October 1977 to January 1980 in southwest England . The patients affected were in wards for general or urological surgery, or in neurosurgical, cardiothoracic or general intensive therapy units . Asymptomatic colonization was more common than symptomatic infection, although deaths and serious infections occurred . Control of spread of the bacteria proved difficult . Most strains were resistant to many currently available antibiotics besides gentamicin; only one strain became resistant to amikacin . Representative isolates where characterized by O serotype, bacteriophage type, antibiotic sensitivity pattern, production of beta-lactamases and amino-glycoside-aminocyclitol (ACAG)-modifying enzymes, and plasmid visualization . Plasmid studies provided information that complemented conventional typing methods in determining epidemiological relationships among the outbreaks.

Nature, 1982 Jul 1, 298(5869), 34 - 8
Transcript secondary structures regulate transcription termination at the attenuator of S . marcescens tryptophan operon; Stroynowski I et al.; We have analysed the regulatory behaviour of deletion mutants lacking different segments of the leader region of the tryptophan operon of Serratia marcescens . Our results support the model in which a particular RNA structure, the terminator, is recognized during transcription as a transcription termination signal, and an alternative RNA structure, the anti-terminator, prevents formation of the terminator . It appears that the role of translation, ribosome stalling and shifts between alternative RNA secondary structures, is simply to regulate formation of the terminator.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Jul, 44(1), 179 - 83
Comparison of methods for quantitative determinations of airborne bacteria and evaluation of total viable counts; Lundholm IM; Three different methods of estimating airborne bacteria were compared . An Anderson sampler, a slit sampler, an impinger, and filter samplers with gelatine filters or membrane filters were tested for collection efficiency . The comparisons were made in laboratory experiments with an aerosol of Staphylococcus epidermidis or Serratia marcescens, in field experiments in two different industries, i.e., cotton mill and sewage plant, and in experiments with skin fragment sampling . Experiments were also performed estimating the total number of viable microorganisms on the airborne particles . The Andersen sampler gave the highest bacterial counts in all environments tested . The slit sampler gave statistically lower counts only in the aerosol experiments and cotton mill experiments, where the size of the majority of the particles carrying visible bacteria was 2 to 6 micrometers or smaller . In the sewage plant and skin fragment experiments, where the particles were mainly 5 micrometers or larger, the difference was not significant . The filters were efficient in sampling in skin fragment experiments only . With the agar impingement method, the total viable cell count showed a rising index value with increasing particle size . A mean of 13 bacteria was found per particle in the cotton mill, a mean of 24 in the sewage plant, and a mean of 147 in skin fragment experiments.

Mikrobiologiia, 1982 Jul-Aug, 51(4), 692 - 4
{Effect of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and antifoaming agents on the endonuclease activity of Serratia marcescens}; Serov GD et al.; The effect of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (sulfonol) and certain froth breakers on the activity of endonuclease was studied in the cultural broth of Serratia marcescens in order to find out whether sulfonol could be used for limiting the infection . Sulfonol was found to have no effect on the cultural growth; it increased the activity of endonuclease in the cultural broth, and the peak of the activity appeared earlier than in the control medium . Propanol B-400 was shown to be the best froth breaker.

Nature, 1982 Jul 1, 298(5869), 38 - 41
Superattenuation in the tryptophan operon of Serratia marcescens; Stroynowski I et al.; Deletions were generated in vitro in the leader region of the tryptophan operon of Serratia marcescens and subsequently incorporated into the Escherichia coli chromosome in single copy form . Deletions which removed the translation start codon for the leader peptide or which ended in the ribosome recognition region preceding the leader peptide coding segment, caused superattenuation, that is, increased transcription termination at the attenuator . Apparently, the capacity to initiate translation of this coding region modulates expression of the operon.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Jul, 151(1), 477 - 9
Tn292l, a transposon encoding fosfomycin resistance; Garcia-Lobo JM et al.; The determinant of resistance to fosfomycin of the Serratia marcescens plasmid pOU900 was transposed into the plasmid ColE1 and into the plasmid RP4 in the absence of the RecA function of the host . In each case, the acquisition of fosfomycin resistance was correlated with the presence of a discrete piece of DNA, uniform in size and in restriction pattern, This new, 7.5-megadalton transposable element encoding resistance to fosfomycin has been called Tn2921 . A preliminary map of the transposon is presented.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1982 Jul, 252(3), 360 - 9
Virulence of nosocomial isolates of Serratia marcescens for NMRI mice: correlation with O-antigens O6 and O14; Traub WH; Nosocomially significant Serratia marcescens strains with O-antigens O6 or O14, or the serogroup complex O6/O14, proved somewhat more virulent for juvenile NMRI mice following intraperitoneal injection, than strains carrying other O-antigens . There was no correlation between virulence and extent of casein proteolytic activity or resistance against fresh normal human serum.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1982 Jun 4, 704(2), 267 - 71
Inactivation of human plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by a metalloproteinase from Serratia marcescens; Virca GD et al.; The interaction of a Serratia marcescens metalloproteinase with human plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor has been investigated . The enzyme was not inactivated by this inhibitor but, instead, converted the native plasma protein into an inactive form of decreased molecular weight . Amino terminal sequence analysis indicated that the interaction of the inhibitor and enzyme was at the reactive site of the inhibitor, with peptide-bond cleavage resulting in the inactivation . This process may be important in necrotic processes occurring during bacterial infiltration of host tissues.

Crit Care Med, 1982 Jun, 10(6), 355 - 7
High risk of hospital-acquired infection in the ICU patient; Donowitz LG et al.; Patients admitted to the ICU have a higher risk of nosocomial infection than other hospitalized patients . Whereas general medical/surgical ward patients have a 6% overall risk of acquiring an infection during their hospital stay, critically ill patients in the ICU have an 18% risk (P greater than 0.001) . During this 2-year study, 440 of 2441 patients admitted to an ICU developed nosocomial infections . Patients who had prolonged ICU stays and those on the obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and general surgery services were more likely to become infected . The most common bloodstream pathogens were Staphylococcus epidemidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Serratia and Pseudomonas species.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1982 Jun, 93(6), 723 - 6
Serratia keratitis transmitted by contaminated eyedroppers; Templeton WC 3rd et al.; Serratia marcescens keratitis developed in three patients after keratoplasty . Two patients were using prednisolone sodium phosphate eyedrops and the third was using 0.5% timolol maleate eyedrops . All three cases resolved after treatment with topically and subconjunctivally administered antibiotics . Although S . marcescens was isolated from the outer grooves of the bottletops and from the inner surfaces of the eyedropper caps, it was not cultured from the solutions in the bottles . Moisture collecting in the dead space between the cap and bottle was apparently a culture medium for Serratia . When eyedrops were expressed into the patient's eyes, the eyes were inoculated with Serratia from the contaminated liquid flowing down the eyedropper shaft.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1982 Jun, 252(2), 196 - 207
Proteolytic activity of selected clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens against human serum proteins; Doerr M et al.; Six representative clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens were examined for proteolytic activity against various proteins of normal fresh human serum . The extent of proteolytic activity was screened with micro-scale immunoelectrophoresis and quantitatively documented with the aid of Laurell's rocket electroimmuno assay . The 6 S . marcescens strains regularly altered, albeit to varying degrees, complement components C3a, C3c, C4, C5, and C9, and haptoglobin . Apolipoprotein and immunoglobulin A, the latter derived from human colostrum, were attacked by 5 and 4 isolates, respectively . Two isolates altered alpha 1-antitrypsin, whereas only one isolate interacted with alpha 2-macroglobulin and transferrin . In contrast, alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and serum IgA, IgG, and IgM immunoglobulins were not affected by the test strains.

Hum Pathol, 1982 May, 13(5), 479 - 84
Pathologic patterns of Serratia marcescens pneumonia; Goldstein JD et al.; To characterize the pulmonary lesions caused by Serratia marcescens, the authors reviewed all autopsy-culture-proven cases of S . marcescens pneumonia occurring at their hospital between 1968 and mid-1980 . In 16, S . marcescens was the only organism cultured from the lungs during life or at autopsy . This report describes primarily these pure infections . Two histopathologic reactions were seen . Nine non-neutropenic patients had acute, hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia, seven with microabscesses and two with larger cavities . In seven, distinctive vasculitis was apparent in vessels larger than 75 microns in diameter; intramural gram-negative rods were identified in two . Seven immunosuppressed patients had diffuse neutropenic pneumonitis resembling diffuse alveolar damage, with extensive intra-alveolar fibrinous exudates and pulmonary hemorrhage . In two patients, bacteria without cellular reaction were present . In patients with prolonged infections, focal areas of intra-alveolar organization and bronchiolitis obliterans accompanied both patterns . Since the incidence of nosocomial S . marcescens infection is increasing and since pneumonia caused by this organism is recognizable histologically, autopsy cultures positive for S . marcescens should not be disregarded.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Apr, 21(4), 587 - 91
Evidence for a chromosomal site specifying amikacin resistance in multiresistant Serratia marcescens; John JF Jr et al.; We studied 21 strains of amikacin-resistant Serratia marcescens from three different U.S . cities, Twenty of the 21 strains contained conjugative R plasmids mediating gentamicin and tobramycin resistance . Amikacin-resistant S . marcescens from two cities predominated in protracted outbreaks . Conversely, the amikacin-resistant Charleston strain (serotype 02/03:nonmotile) was isolated from only four patients during an outbreak of gentamicin- and tobramycin resistant, amikacin-susceptible S . marcescens (serotype O19:O17) . Five different representative amikacin-resistant S . marcescens, each containing a single conjugative plasmid, elaborated a nontransferable aminoglycoside (6')-N-acetyltransferase {AAC(6')} with similar substrate profiles in addition to other transferable aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes . One amikacin-resistant S . marcescens cured of its plasmid and another naturally occurring plasmid-free amikacin-resistant S . marcescens elaborated only AAC(6')-1 . These data support the concept of a chromosomal locus in S . marcescens for AAC(6')-1 which commonly coexists with plasmid-mediated genes for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes.

J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Apr, 15(4), 728 - 30
Nosocomial outbreak of nitrate-negative Serratia marcescens infections; Geiseler PJ et al.; Bacteremia due to multiply-antibiotic-resistant Serratia marcescens occurred within 1 week in four patients who were in adjacent beds in an intensive care unit . The strains were serotyped as O14:H12 and were nitrate negative . This unusual biochemical marker was useful in the investigation of the outbreak.

Infect Immun, 1982 Apr, 36(1), 396 - 406
Attachment and ingestion of bacteria by trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica; Bracha R et al.; Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites were found to be very selective in their interactions with bacteria . Two principal mechanisms were shown to be responsible for these interactions . Certain bacteria, such as a number of Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens strains which are known to contain mannose-binding components on their cell surface, bound to mannose receptors on the amoeba membrane . This attachment was markedly inhibited by alpha-methylmannoside (0.5%), especially when the incubations were done at low temperature (5 degrees C) . Other bacterial species, such as Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus, which do not possess a mannose-binding capacity, attached to the amoebae, but only with the aid of concanavalin A or after opsonization of the bacteria with immune serum . In both types of attachment, between 40 and 100 bacteria bound per amoeba, and considerable ingestion of bacteria into amoeba vacuoles was observed at 37 degrees C . The attachment of opsonized bacteria to the amoebae does not appear to be mediated by Fc receptors since Fab' dimers obtained after pepsin digestion of immunoglobulin were capable of mediating adherence . Furthermore, preincubation of the amoebae with aggregated human immunoglobulin G or with heat-inactivated immune serum and EDTA did not inhibit the attachment of opsonized bacteria . The attachment of opsonized bacteria was markedly inhibited by N-acetylglucosamine-containing glycoconjugates, such as peptidoglycan and chitin oligosaccharides, as well as by N-acetylgalactosamine . These results indicate that amoebae can attach and ingest bacteria either by using their membrane-associated carbohydrate-binding protein or by having their mannose-containing cell surface components serve as receptors.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1982 Mar, 35(3), 850 - 5
{Morphological alterations in Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens induced by cefotetan (author's transl)}; Saito M et al.; The effects of cefotetan (CTT, YM09330) and cefmetazole (CMZ) on the morphological changes of Escherichia coli NY-17 and Serratia marcescens IID 620 were examined with scanning electron microscope . 1) CTT and caused E . Coli NY-17 filamentous forms at 0.024 microgram/ml but CMZ showed same morphological changes at 0.2 microgram/ml which is about 10 fold higher concentration than that of CTT . Spheroplast like structures and cell lysis were observed at lower concentrations than those of CMZ . 2) In case of Serratia marcescens IID 620, filamentous forms, spheroplast like structures and cell lysis were also observed at lower concentrations than those of CMZ . The action of CTT against the both strains was bactericidal.

Infect Control, 1982 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 127 - 33
Epidemic Serratia marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit: importance of the gastrointestinal tract as a reservoir; Christensen GD et al.; Between a March and December of 1979, and outbreak of infections due to multiply antibiotic resistant Serratia marcescens took place in a 50-bed neonatal intensive care unit . Fifteen neonates suffered major infections (sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia) with one death, and 20 suffered minor infections (conjunctivitis, cystitis, wound infections) . Epidemiologic investigation failed to reveal a common source; S . marcescens, however, ws isolated from an employee's hand, emollient skin cleanser, suction tubing, and three in-use manual infant resuscitation bags . The skin cleanser and equipment-cleaning agents were ineffective against S . marcescens . Asymptomatic, colonized infants were the major reservoir of S marcescens . These infants were identified by daily cultures of the nose, umbilicus and rectum . The rectal swab most commonly (76%) yielded first-positive cultures in previously uncolonized infants, and was ultimately positive in 92% of colonized infants . A control program was begun by: 1) removing all inanimate sources of S . marcescens; and 2) cohorting patients and staff into a S . marcescens-exposed group and a new patient group . The new patient group of infants was surveyed by daily triple-site cultures for colonization and subsequent transfer to the S . marcescens-exposed group . After four months, the epidemic was controlled and the organism eradicated from the neonatal intensive care unit.

Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1982 Feb, 60(Pt 1), 101 - 11
A mechanism for the thiamin-sparing action of dietary xylitol in the rat; Rofe AM et al.; The changes induced by dietary xylitol in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat were investigated in relation to the phenomenon of vitamin-sparing . Within 18 days of consuming a synthetic diet, deficient in thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine, rats ceased to grow and began to lose weight rapidly . If xylitol was then included in the diet (10% w/w), the effect of the vitamin-deficient diet on growth was reversed . Moreover, within 3 days of the rats ingesting xylitol, the metabolism of this sugar polyol by the caecal microflora was increased 17-fold and the caecal concentrations of thiamin and thiamin pyrophosphate were increased 5-fold . Increases were also observed in the caecal size, the weight of the caecal contents, and the weight of the caecal wall . In contrast to the rapid changes observed within the caecum, liver thiamin pyrophosphate levels did not rise until 6-12 days after the feeding of xylitol, at which time the rats had begun to gain weight . The caecal contents were shown to contain facultative bacteria which have the ability to metabolise and grow on xylitol and which can, at the same time, synthesise thiamin . Species of the genera Klebsiella, Serratia and Micrococcus which have this ability were isolated from the caecal contents of rats . It is assumed that coprophagy is the means by which the thiamin and other vitamins synthesised by enteral bacteria become available to the host, although some absorption from the caecum cannot be excluded.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1982, 176(5-6), 444 - 52
{Case report of the contamination of preserved blood with Klebsiella oxytoca and Serratia liquefaciens}; Ruden H et al.; It will be reported on six transfusion reactions . In five cases the blood units - collected in glass containers - were contaminated with K . oxytoca serotype K 17 . In addition K . oxytoca and also S . liquefaciens could be demonstrated in other not transfused blood bottles which originated from the same period of production . By means of the coincident evidence of the species in the pilot tubes as well as with regards to the sequence of operations during the withdrawal of blood and the use of glass containers, hygienic grievances were responsible for the microbial contamination of the transfusion bottles.

What Is Genetic Engineering?, What Is Genome?, What Is Activated Sludge?, What Is Molecular Microbiology?, What Is Salmonella?, n, Microbes, n, Microbiology, s, Microorganism, i, Bacteria, s, Bacterium, n, Multidrug resistant, s, Yeasts, e, Bactericidal, i, Escherichia coli, a, Corynebacter, s, Proteus, c, Escherichia coli, r, Escherichia coli, o, Escherichia coli, n, Escherichia coli, o, Biodegradation, c, Staphylococcus aureus, r, Vibriosis, i, Multidrug resistant, e, Listeriosis, r, Salmonella, c, Bacillus, c, Escherichia coli, o, Escherichia coli, r, Corynebacter, e, Microflora

Scientific Publications - Work Done by Microbiology Reader Bioscreen C
Agricultural Microbiology Anaerobic Microbiology Antimicrobial Susceptibility Artificial Atmosphere Bioassay of Antibiotics Biofilm Microbiology Bioreactor Technology Biotechnology Cell Biology Clinical Microbiology Environmental Microbiology Experiments with Yeast	Fermentation Food Microbiology Functional Genomics Gene Technology Growth Media Development Growth Rate and Lag Time Industrial Microbiology Medical/Pharmaceutical Field Microbiological Assay Microbiological Research Microbiology of Cosmetics go to a specific theme...	Military Microbiology Molecular Microbiology Mutagenicity and Genotoxicity Oral Microbiology Patents Postantibiotic Studies Soil Microbiology Spore Microbiology Veterinary Microbiology Waste/Wastewater Treatment Water Microbiology Wine Microbiology

� 2005 Transgalactic Ltd (manufacturer of Bioscreen C software) | Privacy Statement | P.O. Box 1393, 00101 Helsinki, Finland, phone: +358 9 85172920, fax: +358 9 8749481, e-mail: microbiology@bionewsonline.com

Last modified: May 25, 2005