Rev Mal Respir, 1997 Nov, 14(5), 397 - 8 {Pulmonary infection caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum}; Coulibaly G et al.; Thoracic infection by anaerobes are uncommon diseases and often presents difficulty in diagnosis . We report a case of thoracic infection due to Fusobacterium Nucleatum . A 60-year old man presented a lesion infiltrating from the lung to the thoracic wall . Fusobacterium Nucleatum was isolated on pus collected . Treatment by penicillin, metronidazole combined with surgical drainage was highly effective. J Laryngol Otol, 1997 Nov, 111(11), 1082 - 5 Actinomycosis of the posterior triangle: a case report and review of the literature; Burns BV et al.; Actinomycosis presents acutely as an abscess, or as a chronic lesion mimicking malignancy, tuberculosis, or aspergillosis . Most disease involves the mouth and its immediate site of lymphatic drainage, the anterior triangle of the neck . We present a case of actinomycosis at the apex of the posterior triangle, suspected of being a malignancy, and discuss the importance of being aware of this as a cause of neck lumps . The diagnosis is usually made late because of the difficulties in culturing the organism, or in identifying characteristic 'sulphur granules' in pus or biopsy specimens . For these reasons, the disease is underdiagnosed . When acute or chronic neck lesions prove difficult to diagnose, microscopy and prolonged anaerobic culture of pus and biopsy specimens should be performed in addition in Ziehl-Neelsen staining, tuberculosis and fungal cultures . The tests should be repeated if negative . Specific treatment requires prolonged courses of antibiotics, despite adequate surgical excision, to prevent relapse. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 1997 Dec, 11 Suppl 3, 17 - 22; discussion 22-3 Review article: Role of the enteric microflora in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation and arthritis; Sartor RB; Strong associations exist between intestinal inflammation and arthritis, ranging from infections with enteric pathogens to idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease . Increased exposure of the lamina propia and systemic circulation to enteric microflora and their products are a result of increased proliferation of the luminal bacteria, pathogenic invasion or enhanced mucosal permeability . Data suggest that anaerobic bacteria and other constituents of the normal luminal microbial flora induce and sustain chronic intestinal inflammation and arthritis . However, the normal host develops a tolerance to such bacteria and maintains homeostasis through a controlled inflammatory response and an almost impermeable mucosal barrier. Mol Microbiol, 1998 Jan, 27(1), 51 - 61 Haemoglobin receptor protein is intragenically encoded by the cysteine proteinase-encoding genes and the haemagglutinin-encoding gene of Porphyromonas gingivalis; Nakayama K et al.; The obligately anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis produces characteristic black-pigmented colonies on blood agar . It is thought that the black pigmentation is caused by haem accumulation and is related to virulence of the microorganism . P . gingivalis cells expressed a prominent 19 kDa protein when grown on blood agar plates . Analysis of its N-terminal amino acid sequence indicated that the 19 kDa protein was encoded by an internal region (HGP15 domain) of an arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (Arg-gingipain, RGP)-encoding gene (rgp1) and was also present in genes for lysine-specific cysteine proteinases (prtP and kgp) and a haemagglutinin (hagA) of P . gingivalis . The HGP15 domain protein was purified from an HGP15-overproducing Escherichia coli and was found to have the ability to bind to haemoglobin in a pH-dependent manner . The anti-HGP15 antiserum reacted with the 19 kDa haemoglobin-binding protein in the envelope of P . gingivalis . P . gingivalis wild-type strain showed pH-dependent haemoglobin adsorption, whereas its non-pigmented mutants that produced no HGP15-related proteins showed deficiency in haemoglobin adsorption . These results strongly indicate a close relationship among HGP15 production, haemoglobin adsorption and haem accumulation of P . gingivalis. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp, 1997 Jun-Jul, 48(5), 389 - 91 {Bacteriology of surgical wound infections in oncological head and neck surgery}; Rodrigo Tapia JP et al.; Surgical wound infections are a frequent complication of head and neck cancer surgery . In a group of 159 consecutive patients we analyzed bacteriological cultures from 21 with suppurative draining from the wound . In 3 cases cultures were monomicrobial, in 12 cultures were polymicrobial, and in 6 no bacterial isolate was obtained from the cultured material . Gram-positive aerobes were the most frequent bacteria (54%), followed by gram-negative aerobes (38%) and anaerobes (8%) . No relation was found between bacteriological profile, antibiotic prophylaxis, tumor site, tumor stage, or surgical procedure. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1995 Apr, 49(1), 1 - 7 Untreated cervical infections, chorioamnionitis and prematurity; Creatsas GC et al.; OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of endocervical pathogens and cervicitis with the development of chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and prematurity . METHODS: Three groups of pregnant women were included in the study: group A, controls with no evidence of cervicitis; group B, women with cervicitis due to pathogenic bacteria, who had been treated; and group C, women with untreated cervicitis who had not followed the prescribed therapy . Endocervical samples were cultured and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated to examine the correlation of cervicitis with chorioamnionitis, PROM and prematurity . RESULTS: There was a significantly higher incidence of prematurity in women with untreated cervicitis (group C) . Mixed endocervical pathogens were most often involved (36.3%) . A significantly higher number of endocervical pathogens were isolated in cases of chorioamnionitis (P < 0.001) . Prematurity was seen in 39.6% of cases of chorioamnionitis . Prematurity was also more common in women with PROM (42.1%) than in those with intact membranes (11.8%) . CONCLUSION: It is concluded that untreated endocervical infections are an etiological factor of chorioamnionitis, PROM and prematurity. Pharmacoeconomics, 1998 Mar, 13(3), 359 - 77 Meropenem . A pharmacoeconomic review of its use in serious infections; Holliday SM et al.; Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic which is active against the majority of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria implicated in serious infections . Its therapeutic efficacy in a wide range of serious infections is similar to that of imipenem/cilastatin and standard combination drug regimens . Hence, meropenem is suitable for use as monotherapy . Although the acquisition cost of meropenem is likely to be higher than that of aminoglycoside- and metronidazole-containing combination regimens, the latter incur additional drug administration costs and potentially higher costs for treatment of adverse effects . In addition, aminoglycoside-containing regimens also incur assay and toxicity monitoring costs . Economic analyses are required to compare overall treatment costs with combination therapy and meropenem . Cost analyses indicate that the ability to give meropenem, but not imipenem/cilastatin, by rapid intravenous bolus injection results in lower drug administration costs than with the standard infusion method . More comprehensive pharmacoeconomic data on meropenem are required . However, assuming that meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin have similar acquisition costs, the option of administering meropenem by bolus injection and its lower epileptogenic potential at high dosages (thus permitting its use in meningitis) should be considered potentially important attributes when choosing a carbapenem antibiotic for inclusion in a hospital formulary. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1998 Jan 15, 212(2), 254 - 7 Comparison of ceftiofur sodium and oxytetracycline for treatment of acute interdigital phlegmon (foot rot) in feedlot cattle; Morck DW et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ceftiofur sodium would be useful for treatment of acute interdigital phlegmon (foot rot) in cattle . DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial . ANIMALS: 308 cross-bred yearling steers with clinical signs of acute interdigital phlegmon (i.e., lameness with interdigital swelling, interdigital lesions, or both) . PROCEDURE: Steers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: ceftiofur at a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg (0.045 mg/lb) of body weight, IM, every 24 hours; ceftiofur at a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg (0.45 mg/lb), IM, every 24 hours, and oxytetracycline at a dosage of 6.6 mg/kg (3 mg/lb), IM, every 24 hours . All animals were treated for 3 days; treatment was considered successful if animals were no longer lame on day 4 . Biopsy specimens were collected prior to treatment from 5 animals in each group and submitted for anaerobic bacterial culture and histologic examination . RESULTS: Success rates for the high-dosage ceftiofur (94/129; 73%) and oxytetracycline (87/128; 68%) groups were significantly higher than that for the low-dosage ceftiofur group (5/50; 10%), but there were no significant differences between the high-dosage ceftiofur and oxytetracycline groups . Anaerobic bacteria most frequently isolated from biopsy specimens were Porphyromonas levii and Provetella intermedia . CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Use of ceftiofur at a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg for treatment of cattle with acute interdigital phlegmon was as effective as use of oxytetracycline at a dosage of 6.6 mg/kg . However, ceftiofur has a negligible withdrawal time and, therefore, may be a better choice for treatment of near-market weight animals. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg, 1997, 51(4), 239 - 46 Microbiology of chronic sinusitis; Van Cauwenberge PB et al.; Much controversy still exists about the role of viruses, bacteria and fungi in sinusitis . Until recently, it was not really known that the sinuses take part in the infectious process of a common cold (viral rhinitis) . Indeed, CT scans show that in the vast majority of otherwise healthy volunteers with a common cold, and without a previous history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis, the sinuses are involved too . A viral rhinitis alone, however, does not seem to be able to elicit a "clinical" acute sinusitis . Bacteria determine the clinical picture and outcome of sinusitis . There is not much controversy about the role of bacteria in acute sinusitis, S . pneumoniae, H . influenzae and M . catarrhalis being the most frequently involved bacteria . Much more conflicting reports are published about the normal flora of the sinuses, the role of anaerobes and the microbiology of chronic sinusitis . In this chapter the defense and pathophysiologic mechanisms of viral, bacterial and fungal infection of the nasal and sinusal mucosa are described . It is postulated that, although bacteria are very important in acute sinusitis, their role in chronic sinusitis is minimal, the bacteria being opportunistic colonisers. Can J Vet Res, 1998 Jan, 62(1), 33 - 7 Serological classification and virulence determination of Dichelobacter nodosus isolated from Alberta and British Columbia sheep; Olson ME et al.; Ovine footrot is a contagious disease of sheep that occurs in temperature climates . It is caused by the strict anaerobe, Dichelobacter nodosus . Benign and virulent organisms are differentiated according to serotype and protease production . This study was conducted to identify the presence of virulent serotypes of D . nodosus in sheep flocks in Alberta and British Columbia . Dichelobacter nodosus was detected in lame sheep from 11 of 15 (73%) flocks in Alberta and in 4 of 5 (80%) British Columbia flocks . It was recovered from 57 of 107 (53%) lame sheep . In Alberta, 4 distinct serotypes were isolated from the 11 positive flocks while in British Columbia a total of 6 different serotypes were isolated . One British Columbia isolate could not be classified into existing serotypes . Of the 19 field strains tested, all but 3 were defined as virulent based upon the rapid rise in protease activity in vitro which was maintained between 3 and 5 d . The knowledge of the serotype and virulence of the D . nodosus isolated from affected animals can assist in the control and prevention of ovine footrot. Am J Vet Res, 1998 Jan, 59(1), 48 - 51 Assessment of the bacterial flora of the proximal part of the small intestine in healthy cats, and the effect of sample collection method; Papasouliotis K et al.; OBJECTIVE: To investigate the bacterial flora of the proximal part of the small intestine of healthy cats and determine the effect of sample collection method on results of bacteriologic culture . ANIMALS: 25 healthy barrier-maintained specific-pathogen-free-derived cats . PROCEDURE: Aspirated, undiluted samples of proximal small intestinal juice were obtained via oral endoscopy (UEA), and a second sample was collected after instillation of 1 ml of sterile saline solution (diluted, DEA) . Undiluted juice also was obtained by direct needle aspiration (NA) from the intestinal lumen . Samples for quantitative and semiqualitative bacteriologic examination were grown aerobically and anaerobically . RESULTS: Mean (range) log10 colony-forming units of total bacteria/ml were 6.2 (2.0 to 8.3) for NA, 6.0 (2.0 to 7.9) for UEA, and 4.9 (2.0 to 7.5) for DEA samples . One cat had no growth (< or = 2.0 colony-forming units/ml) for samples obtained using all 3 methods, and another cat had no growth for the DEA sample only . Mean total aerobic, anaerobic, and bacterial counts were not significantly different between NA and UEA methods, but these techniques yielded significantly higher mean counts than did DEA samples (P < or = 0.002, ANOVA) . As a percentage of the total bacteria isolated, anaerobes constituted a median 35, 32, and 50% of the NA, UEA, and DEA samples, respectively . Good correlation was found between the NA and UEA samples for total bacteria, aerobes, and anaerobes (r > or = 0.830) . CONCLUSIONS: Compared with human beings, healthy cats carry high numbers of bacteria in the proximal part of the small intestine . By comparison with NA samples, UEA samples accurately reflected bacterial populations in the small intestine, whereas DEA samples significantly underestimated these populations. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1998 Jan, 64(1), 119 - 25 Elemental sulfur and thiosulfate disproportionation by Desulfocapsa sulfoexigens sp . nov., a new anaerobic bacterium isolated from marine surface sediment; Finster K et al.; A mesophilic, anaerobic, gram-negative bacterium, strain SB164P1, was enriched and isolated from oxidized marine surface sediment with elemental sulfur as the sole energy substrate in the presence of ferrihydrite . Elemental sulfur was disproportionated to hydrogen sulfide and sulfate . Growth was observed exclusively in the presence of a hydrogen sulfide scavenger, e.g., ferrihydrite . In the absence of a scavenger, sulfide and sulfate production were observed but no growth occurred . Strain SB164P1 grew also by disproportionation of thiosulfate and sulfite . With thiosulfate, the growth efficiency was higher in ferrihydrite-supplemented media than in media without ferrihydrite . Growth coupled to sulfate reduction was not observed . However, a slight sulfide production occurred in cultures incubated with formate and sulfate . Strain SB164P1 is the first bacterium described that grows chemolithoautotrophically exclusively by the disproportionation of inorganic sulfur compounds . Comparative 16S rDNA sequencing analysis placed strain SB164P1 into the delta subclass of the class Proteobacteria . Its closest relative is Desulfocapsa thiozymogenes, and slightly more distantly related are Desulfofustis glycolicus and Desulforhopalus vacuolatus . This phylogenetic cluster of organisms, together with members of the genus Desulfobulbus, forms one of the main lines of descent within the delta subclass of the Proteobacteria . Due to the common phenotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic relatedness to Desulfocapsa thiozymogenes, we propose that strain SB164P1 be designated the type strain of Desulfocapsa sulfoexigens sp . nov. Pathology, 1997 Nov, 29(4), 415 - 7 Assessment of the yield of anaerobic blood cultures; Pottumarthy S et al.; Because of the declining incidence of anaerobic bacteremia, the predictable sites of anaerobic infection and the increasing importance of aerobic isolates (eg; yeasts), the practice of routinely culturing half the volume of blood collected anaerobically has been questioned . We have assessed the yield of routine anaerobic blood cultures in our clinical setting . Blood culture isolates from November 1994 through October 1995 at Auckland (AKH) and Green Lane/National Women's Hospitals (GL/NWH) were recorded . The medical records of patients with anaerobic bacteremia were examined . For the three month period April to June 1996, all positive blood cultures were analysed with respect to which bottle (aerobic or anaerobic or both) was positive . For the period November 1994 to October 1995, 5.6% and 5.3% of blood cultures at AKH and GLH respectively were positive . At AKH and GLH anaerobes constituted 0.16% and 0.19% of all blood cultures and 3.1% and 3.5% of all positive blood cultures respectively . Twenty-one of 25 (84%) significant anaerobes were from patients in whom anaerobic infection was predictable . More isolates were recovered from aerobic than anaerobic bottles, 178 versus 71, p < 0.001 . Aerobic culture also recovered more pathogens (76 versus 38, p < 0.001 more yeasts (10 versus 0) and more Pseudomonas spp . (10 versus 1) than did anaerobic culture . Only obligate anaerobes were isolated more frequently in anaerobic bottles (5 versus 0, p = 0.03) . Most instances of anaerobic bacteremia occurred in patients where anaerobes could be expected . We conclude that routine use of two aerobic bottles with clinically directed use of anaerobic blood culture bottle is an appropriate and effective approach in our setting. J Hosp Infect, 1997 Nov, 37(3), 225 - 36 Bacterial colonization and endotoxin contamination of intravenous infusion fluids; Trautmann M et al.; Bacterial colonization and endotoxin contamination of intravenous infusion fluids and catheter systems were examined in a surgical intensive care unit . Nineteen consecutive patients were randomly assigned to 48 h (N = 8) or 96 h (N = 11) change of infusion systems . Fluid from infusion bottles (51), infusion bottles plus burettes (102) and catheter systems (104) was cultured quantitatively for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Swabs (362) were taken from three-way stopcocks before and after the in-line infusion filters . Total and free endotoxin levels in infusion fluids were measured by quantitative chromogenic Limulus assay . The overall rate of bacterial colonization of bottles/burettes was 7.8% at 48 h and 15.7% at 96 h, while colonization rates of catheter fluid were 34.0% and 24.1%, respectively (n.s.) . These high rates of colonization, despite regularly reinforced hand disinfection practices, may be explained by the high frequency of manipulations of the catheter systems, during acute interventions in emergency situations . Cell-bound endotoxin was found in 8.8% of the samples, but only 2.5% of the samples contained free endotoxin . The data support the use of in-line infusion filters, with bacterial-retaining property; however, these filters need not have endotoxin-retaining properties. Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1997, 49(1-2), 95 - 100 {Microflora of periodontal pockets in advanced periodontitis}; Sawicka-Grzelak A et al.; The aim of study was the evaluation of periodontal pockets microflora in patients with advanced periodontitis . From each subject 16-20 samples were taken using paper points . Pooled sample after 60 s . mixing was serially diluted in reduced BHI . For total cell counts and for the isolation of black pigmented anaerobes Brucella agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood, hemin, menadione, with and without Kanamycin-Vancomycin mixture and BM agar plates were used . For isolation of A . actinomycetemcomitans TSBV agar plates were used . Cultures were incubated in anaerobic chamber at 37 degrees C for 7 days and TSBV agar plates in an atmosphere of 95% air-5% CO2 at 37 degrees C for 5 days . Microorganisms were identified by Gram staining, colony morphology, fluorescence in UV-light, haemagglutination of 3% sheep erythrocytes, fermentation of sugars, production of indole, urease (API 20A), specific enzymes (Rapid ID 32A) . Twenty seven subjects with clinically recognized periodontitis were examined . Microorganisms important in periodontitis were isolated from periodontal pockets of almost all examined subjects . The number of bacteria obtained from the sample of one patient ranged from 1 x 10(4) CFU/ml to 3,6 x 10(6) CFU/ml . Porphyromonas gingivalis was identified in the samples taken from 17 patients, Prevotella intermedia-19, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans -11, Fusobacterium nucleatum-9, Peptostreptococcus spp.-22. Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1997, 49(1-2), 101 - 12 {Participation of various bacterial species in translocation in intestines of rats subjected to stress}; Bilski D et al.; In the rats, which were treated with impairing factors such as: malnutrition, cooling down and ischaemia, translocation was studied . Aerobes as well as anaerobes which penetrated beyond the intestine into the mesenterium, liver, spleen and kidneys were sought . Bacteria in peripheral blood were not found . The results show that the type of bacterium undergoing translocation does not depend on the factor impairing "intestinal barrier" and translocation mechanisms are most probably the same for all the bacteria found. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1997 Sep, 15 Suppl 1, 51 - 6 {Meropenem in the treatment of surgical intra-abdominal infections}; Cainzos Fernandez M; Intraabdominal infections are severe with a high morbidity and mortality which may be produced by multiple causes: perforation of the empty viscera, intestinal inflammatory processes, vascular pictures, abdominal traumatisms as a consequence of surgery . From a microbiologic point of view, different types of gram positive and gram negative aerobes such as anaerobe microorganisms or fungi may be isolated as causes . Polymicrobial infections are usually observed . The main treatment policy is to correctly eliminate the causing foci of the bacterial contamination whether surgically of by percutaneous drainage . Parallelly, it is essential for the surgeon to use appropriate antibiotic treatment . Meropenem, a carbapenem, has a wide spectrum antibacterial activity which cover gram positive and gram negative aerobes in addition to anaerobes leading to scarce adverse reactions . All the above leads meropenem to be a very effective alternative in both the treatment of these infections as monotherapy and for initiating empiric therapy. J Clin Periodontol, 1997 Nov, 24(11), 804 - 7 Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid; Tenenbaum H et al.; The beta-lactams are bactericidal antibiotics, but some of them may be inactivated by bacterial beta-lactamases which destroy the beta-lactam ring . The inactivation of amoxicillin by beta-lactamases of gram negative anaerobic bacteria can be circumvented by the addition of clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamases inhibitor . Thus, most of these bacteria are susceptible to this combination . The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) . These concentrations were measured in 20 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis 1 h after a dose of 500 mg (1 tablet Augmentin) on day 0 and 1 h after the 10th intake on day 3 . For the sampling of GCF, Periopapers were introduced in 16 gingival sites per subject and time . The GCF volumes collected were estimated using the Periotron 6000 . A high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for the determination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in microsamples (1 to 10 microliters) of GCF . The concentrations of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were respectively, 14.05 micrograms ml-1 and 0.40 microgram ml-1 at day 0, 13.93 micrograms ml-1 and 0.37 microgram ml-1 at day 3 . Effective levels of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, well above the minimal inhibitory concentrations of some susceptible periodontal anaerobes (P . intermedia) involved in destructive periodontal diseases, are achieved following the multiple administration of amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1997 Nov, 29(3), 155 - 65 A double-blind, randomized study of three antimicrobial regimens in the prevention of infections after elective colorectal surgery; Jewesson P et al.; The objective of this study was to assess the prophylactic efficacy of cefoxitin, ceftizoxime, and metronidazole-gentamicin in colorectal surgery . A double-blind, randomized prospective clinical trial design was used in a Canadian tertiary care teaching hospital . Patients were randomized to one of three treatment groups and received three doses of a study drug (30 min preoperative and 2 postoperative doses at 12 and 24 h) . Cefoxitin and ceftizoxime were given as 1000-mg doses . Metronidazole-gentamicin was given as 500 mg of metronidazole plus 120 mg of gentamicin in a minibag . High-risk patients (bowel ischemia, diabetic, current steroid use, etc.) received 10 postoperative doses . Patients with infections, prior antibiotics, or study drug allergies were excluded . Over 30 months, 153 patients were enrolled . Thirty-one patients were excluded for protocol violations . Of the 122 evaluable patients (38 ceftizoxime, 45 metronidazole-gentamicin, 39 cefoxitin), there was no difference across groups regarding sex, age, weight, preoperative Apache II score, and prior history of bowel surgery . Groups were equivalent regarding surgeon, nursing unit, high-risk status (six ceftizoxime, seven metronidazole-gentamicin, seven cefoxitin), bowel preparation, and procedure (including blood loss, drains, organ injury, intraoperative complications) . Clinically significant infection requiring systemic antibiotics (7-day hospital and 30-day follow-up) was identified in 0% of ceftizoxime, 15% of metronidazole-gentamicin, and 26% of cefoxitin receiving patients (p = 0.005) . Mean ASEPSIS scores for each group were 2.3 (range 0-15) for ceftizoxime, 9.2 (range 0-45) for metronidazole-gentamicin, and 10.4 (range 0-75) for cefoxitin (p = 0.01) . Ceftizoxime patients tended to have a shorter total hospital stay (12.2 days versus 19.7 days for cefoxitin versus 13.9 days for metronidazole-gentamicin; p = 0.04), although the procedure to discharge interval was not significantly different (p = 0.09) . There was no difference in clinical outcome according to risk status . Anaerobic bacteria were observed more commonly in the ceftizoxime and cefoxitin groups, whereas enteric Gram-negative aerobes were observed most often in the metronidazole-gentamicin group . The study regimens were generally well tolerated . Drug costs were equivalent between ceftizoxime and cefoxitin and lowest with the metronidazole-gentamicin regimen . Ceftizoxime appears to be more effective for the prevention of infection in colorectal surgery than either cefoxitin or metronidazole-gentamicin in the dosage regimens studied. Ear Nose Throat J, 1997 Nov, 76(11), 790 - 1, 795-8 Wound infection in head and neck surgery: implications for perioperative antibiotic treatment; Weber RS; Perioperative antibiotic treatment significantly reduces the risk of postoperative wound infection and is cost-effective in clean-contaminated head and neck operations . A clear consensus on the most suitable single agent or combination is, however, lacking . Most surgical wound infections involve both gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes; some organisms may exhibit antibiotic resistance through beta-lactamase production . Comparative trials have indicated that combinations with both aerobic and anaerobic activity provide protection superior to that achieved with single agents active against only aerobic pathogens . Recent results suggest that the beta-lactam/beta-lactamase-inhibitor combination ampicillin/sulbactam is cost-effective for perioperative treatment of patients undergoing head and neck surgery. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol, 1997 Nov, 25(4), 301 - 3 Cast-forming Actinomyces israelii canaliculitis; McKellar MJ et al.; BACKGROUND: Primary chronic canaliculitis is an uncommon disease usually caused by Actinomyces israelii (streptothrix) . Actinomyces israelii is a cast-forming Gram-positive anaerobe that is difficult to isolate and identify . We present a case that demonstrates the typical clinicopathological presentation of this unusual condition and discuss management options . METHODS AND RESULTS: A 10-year-old girl presented with a 6 month history of intermittent 'conjunctivitis' and discharge from her 'pouted' left lower punctum . Microbiology confirmed probable A . israelii infection, but topical treatment failed . Exploration under anaesthesia revealed a canalicular diverticulum and three canaliculiths . Histological examination of the canaliculiths demonstrated that they consisted of solid casts of Actinomyces . Punctoplasty, removal of the casts, and adjunct antibiotic therapy resulted in resolution of the canaliculitis . CONCLUSIONS: Primary chronic canaliculitis should be considered in any patient who presents with chronic or recurrent conjunctivitis and the eyelid should be inspected for a discharging and 'pouting' punctum . Failure of the condition to resolve on topical treatment requires surgical exploration of the canalicular system and removal of any casts . Extensive surgery is not always required. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1997 Oct, 48(4), 435 - 40 Potato pulp: microbiological characterization, physical modification, and application of this agricultural waste product; Mayer F et al.; Potato pulp, one of the agricultural waste products obtained in high quantities during starch production, contains starch, cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin, proteins, free amino acids and salts . It exhibits physical and physicochemical properties of a typical colloid . It is mainly used, in a dried and pelleted form, as cattle feed . Its autochthonic microbial flora (bacteria, fungi) was identified and studied with a view towards the degradative potential of the microorganisms and ways of conserving the pulp for subsequent technical applications; 33 isolates (28 bacteria, 4 fungi, 1 yeast), belonging to 15 genera were characterized . Biological conservation was possible at very low oxygen pressure, brought about by the autochthonic anaerobic microorganisms causing acidification . Chemical conservation was achieved with sorbic acid . By treatment with hot water vapour under pressure (autoclaving), followed by a pressure release procedure, intact cells in the pulp (both potato cells and microorganisms, not spores) were destroyed, and their contents and wall fragments were set free . This process resulted in low drying costs and was a prerequisite for the production of a powder that can be used as glue or as animal feed. Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 1997 Oct-Nov, 68(1-2), 69 - 80 Production of succinate from glucose, cellobiose, and various cellulosic materials by the ruminal anaerobic bacteria Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens; Gokarn RR et al.; The production of organic acids by two anaerobic ruminal bacteria Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 and Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1, was compared with glucose, cellobiose, microcrystalline cellulose, Walseth cellulose (acid swollen cellulose), pulped paper, and steam-exploded yellow poplar as substrates . The major end product produced by F . succinogenes from each of these substrates was succinate (69.5-83%), the principal secondary product was acetate (16-30.5%) . Maximum succinate productivity ranged from 14.1 mg/L.h for steam-exploded yellow Poplar to 59.7 mg/L.h for pulped paper . For R . flavefaciens, the major end product from cellobiose, microcrystalline cellulose, and acid-swollen Walseth cellulose was acetate (39-46%), pulped paper and steam-exploded yellow poplar yielded succinate (42-54%) as the major product . Maximum succinate productivity by R . flavefaciens ranged from 9.21 mg/L.h for cellobiose to 43.1 mg/L.h for pulped paper . In general, much less succinate was produced at a lower maximum productivity by R . flavefaciens than by F . succinogenes under similar fermentation conditions . The maximum succinate productivities by these two organisms are comparable to the previously reported value of 59 mg/L.h for Anderobiospirillum succiniciproducens grown on glucose and corn steep liquor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1997 Oct 29, 239(3), 816 - 22 Enzymatic properties and effect of ionic strength on periplasmic nitrate reductase (NAP) from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774; Bursakov SA et al.; Some sulfate reducing bacteria can induce nitrate reductase when grown on nitrate containing media being involved in dissimilatory reduction of nitrate, an important step of the nitrogen cycle . Previously, it was reported the purification of the first soluble nitrate reductase from a sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774 (S.A . Bursakov, M.-Y . Liu, W.J . Payne, J . LeGall, I . Moura, and J.J.G . Moura (1995) Anaerobe 1, 55-60) . The present work provides further information about this monomeric periplasmic nitrate reductase (Dd NAP) . It has a molecular mass of 74 kDa, 18.6 U specific activity, KM (nitrate) = 32 microM and a pHopt in the range 8-9.5 . Dd NAP has peculiar properties relatively to ionic strength and cation/anion activity responses . It is shown that monovalent cations (potassium and sodium) stimulate NAP activity and divalent (magnesium and calcium) inhibited it . Sulfate anion also acts as an activator in KPB buffer . NAP native form is protected by phosphate anion from cyanide inactivation . In the presence of phosphate, cyanide even stimulates NAP activity (up to 15 mM) . This effect was used in the purification procedure to differentiate between nitrate and nitrite reductase activities, since the later is effectively blocked by cyanide . Ferricyanide has an inhibitory effect at concentrations higher than 1 mM . The N-terminal amino acid sequence has a cysteine motive C-X2-C-X3-C that is most probably involved in the coordination of the {4Fe-4S} center detected by EPR spectroscopy . The active site of the enzyme consists in a molybdopterin, which is capable for the activation of apo-nit-1 nitrate reductase of Neurospora crassa . The oxidized product of the pterin cofactor obtained by acidic hidrolysis of native NAP with sulfuric acid was identified by HPLC chromatography and characterized as a molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide (MGD). Med Arh, 1995, 49(1-2), 27 - 9 {Anaerobic bacteria in chronic otitis media}; Kapidzic A et al.; The work shows microbiological findings of the chronic pus inflammations of the middle ear, emphasising anaerobic bacteria . Samples 170 were examined . 38 patients were under 15 years-of age, and others were between 15 and 60 years-old . Aerobic bacteria were identified by using Cowan's and Steel's conventional methods and Manual's and Sutter's methods were used for identification of anaerobic bacteria . Anaerobic bacteria were found in 23.5% of the samples by improving their cultivation . Findings of cholesteatoma and polyp are the factors that damage aeration so the a good conditions for multiplication of the anaerobes . It is necessary to pay attention to anaerobic bacteria while treating the patients with chronic pus inflammation of the middle ear. FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1997 Jul, 20(3-4), 525 - 38 Biotransformation and biodegradation of N-substituted aromatics in methanogenic granular sludge; Razo-Flores E et al.; N-Substituted aromatic compounds are environmental contaminants associated with the production and use of dyes, explosives, pesticides and pharmaceuticals . In this article, we examine the potential of anaerobic granular sludge from anaerobic treatment systems towards the detoxification, transformation, and mineralization of nitroaromatic and azo compounds . Nitroaromatics and azo dyes with strong electron withdrawing are highly inhibitory to acetoclastic methanogenic bacteria . However, nitro and azo substituted aromatics are readily reductively detoxified in methanogenic consortia to their respective aromatic amines, which are several orders of magnitude less toxic . This reductive detoxification has allowed the successful operation of anaerobic reactors for the treatment of highly toxic aromatic compounds . In the course of the experiments it was discovered that some aromatic amines were mineralized . These results indicate that some N-substituted aromatic compounds can be completely mineralized and serve as a carbon and energy source for anaerobic bacteria. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1997 Sep 29, 238(3), 733 - 7 Isolation and ultrastructural study of the flagellar basal body complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides WS8 (wild type) and a polyhook mutant PG; West MA et al.; Filament-Hook-Basal Body (FHBB) complexes were isolated from the purple non-sulphur facultative anaerobic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides (WS8) by lysozyme digestion of the cells followed by an alkaline treatment and ultracentrifugation, and they were analysed by electron microscopy . The structure is composed of a filament linked through an enlarged junction to the hook and a basal body composed of L and P rings, a rod, and a less well-defined cytoplasmic ring that has evidence of additional attached structures . Hook-basal body complexes isolated from a mutant (PG) which produces an extended hook but no filament shows basal body structures identical to those of wild-type FHBBs. Eur J Cancer Prev, 1997 Jun, 6(3), 300 - 2 Sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to metronidazole; Bateson MC et al.; Gastric antral forceps biopsies taken at gastroscopy were cultured for Helicobacter pylori and tested for anti-microbial sensitivity . Using micro-aerophilic culture, and disc testing or E-testing, there was 98-100% sensitivity to amoxycillin, tetracycline, clarithromycin and erythromycin . However, there was apparent resistance to metronidazole in 19 of 102 samples (19%) . When sensitivity by E-testing was performed with preliminary anaerobic culture for 24 h only two of 94 samples (2%) showed resistance . In 37 cultures both micro-aerophilic disc testing and anaerobic then micro-aerophilic E-testing were conducted . Eight cultures showed resistance upon disc testing (MIC > 5 mg/l) but all of these organisms were sensitive on E-testing (MIC 0.003-0.5 mg/l) . Metronidazole may be used with confidence in eradication regimes. Eur J Surg, 1997 Sep, 163(9), 703 - 9 Postoperative enteral feeding does not prevent intestinal bacterial translocation, but reduces the rate of pulmonary infections in pigs undergoing total orthotopic small bowel transplantation; Biffi R et al.; OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a non-elemental liquid diet on nutritional state, composition of bowel flora, intestinal translocation, and pulmonary infections after small bowel transplantation in pigs . DESIGN: Prospective randomised experiment . SETTING: Teaching hospital, Italy . MATERIAL: 32 female Large White pigs . INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 (n = 6) underwent small bowel transplantation, were treated with immunosuppression, and fed on commercial chow . Group 2 (n = 6) were treated similarly except that they were fed with an enteral feed through a tube gastrostomy starting on day 4 postoperatively . Group 3 (n = 6) were treated similarly to group 1 except that they had no immunosuppression, and Group 4 (n = 6) underwent orthotopic small bowel autotransplantation; 8 further pigs underwent a sham operation only to act as controls . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Signs of rejection, graft-versus-host-disease, luminal bacterial overgrowth, bacterial translocation, pneumonia, and the pigs' nutritional state . RESULTS: All animals in group 3 showed signs of acute rejection . There was appreciable overgrowth of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in all three groups after allotransplantation compared with controls . The counts of anaerobic bacteria were significantly lower in group 2 (enterally fed animals) compared with those given free access to commercial chow {mean (SD) 2.81 (1.39) log CFU/cm2 compared with 4.80 (1.65), p = 0.047} . Bacterial translocation developed to a similar degree after autografts and allografts and pneumonia developed in fewer animals after enteral feeding (1/6) than after conventional feeding (5/6) but the difference was not significant (p = 0.08, odds ratio 25.0, 95% confidence interval of odds ratio 1.20 to 521.13) . Enterally fed animals also lost less weight than conventionally fed animals {2.32 (1.23) kg compared with 4.53 (1.74), p = 0.016} . CONCLUSIONS: Enteral feeding for up to a month slightly reduced the rate of pneumonia and resulted in a better nutritional state in pigs after small bowel transplantation . It had no effect on luminal bacterial overgrowth or translocation. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1997 Aug, 71(8), 703 - 8 {Development of an experimental rat model of intraabdominal abscess by Escherichia coli alone . II . Interactions between an intraabdominal abscess and a host}; Tabata T et al.; It has been demonstrated that an intraabdominal abscess by Escherichia coli alone can be developed without fail although anaerobes or barium sulfate are not used . We investigated the properties and the influence of this abscess on the host . We took the method of bacterial implantation by insertion of a double gelatin capsules containing Escherichia coli suspension of which concentration was adjusted to five grades into the peritoneal cavity of Wister rats . Abscesses were developed in the survived rats on which live bacteria had been inoculated . Only Escherichia coli were found in these abscesses by culture whereas no death was occurred and no abscess was developed in the rats on which no bacterium or heat-killed ones had been inoculated . As for non-survivors at the 7th postoperative day, all of them died of panperitonitis and no abscess was developed . An abscess was developed without fail when live bacteria of which number within the order of 10(7) colony forming units were inoculated . Blood endotoxin concentration 24 hours after inoculation increased exponentially according to the inoculum size . However, that at the 7th postoperative day returned to the levels at zero time . Microscopic examination revealed a thick abscess wall, poor infiltration of inflammatory cells, and poor neovascularsis into the wall . These findings suggest that endotoxin is prevented from release into the blood stream since abscess contents are isolated by thick wall. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1997 Aug, 71(8), 697 - 702 {Development of an experimental rat model of intraabdominal abscess by Escherichia coli alone . I . Materials for abscess formation}; Tabata T et al.; To develop a new animal model of intraabdominal abscess by Escherichia coli alone, we reevaluated anaerobes and other additions which had been believed necessary to produce an intraabdominal abscess . We took the method of bacterial implantation by insertion of a double gelatin capsules containing microbes and the additions into the peritoneal cavity of male Wister rats . We examined the requirement of causative bacteria for an abscess including both aerobes and anaerobes, sterilized feces, and barium sulfate . It has been proven that a simple and well reproducible intraabdominal abscess can be developed without fail at the seventh day after inoculation although anaerobic bacteria, sterilized feces, and barium sulfate are not used . However, we have failed to produce an abscess without sterilized gauze fiber which should be a core of an abscess and is used instead of sterilized feces . This animal model will contribute to a major simplification of the original one heretofore in use, and is expected to serve as an aid to elucidate the mechanisms of abscess formation. Clin Infect Dis, 1997 Sep, 25 Suppl 2, S134 - 6 Effect of media on transport and recovery of anaerobic bacteria; Peterson LR; Clinical specimens containing anaerobic bacteria require special handling to enable satisfactory recovery of these important pathogens . Problems relating to inadvertently exposing the bacteria to oxygen can arise at the time of specimen collection, during transport, and during the culture setup process . A considerable variety of transport and culture materials exists for the clinical laboratory, yet not much has been written recently on the optimal utilization of culture media or the maintenance of anaerobiasis to maximize recovery of strict anaerobic bacteria . Comparative studies are needed to define how clinical laboratories can carry out cost-efficient specimen processing for recovery of these pathogens that is timely and medically relevant. Clin Infect Dis, 1997 Sep, 25 Suppl 2, S132 - 3 Evaluation of a novel specimen transport system (Venturi Transystem) for anaerobic bacteria; Hudspeth MK et al.; The Venturi Transystem (Copan Diagnostics, Corona, CA), with and without charcoal, is designed for transport of clinical specimens . It was evaluated for its ability to maintain the viability of pure cultures of selected anaerobic bacteria . Results indicated that the system supported survival of test strains within the time frame that most clinical specimens require to reach the clinical laboratory. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1997 Sep 15, 211(6), 715 - 8 Evaluation of leukocytosis, bacteremia, and portal vein partial oxygen tension in clinically normal dogs and dogs with portosystemic shunts; Tobias KM et al.; OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of WBC counts and partial oxygen tension in the portal vein and caudal vena cava with portal bacteremia, bacteria in the liver, and postoperative morbidity and mortality in dogs with portosystemic shunts . DESIGN: Prospective study . ANIMALS: 12 clinically normal dogs and 15 dogs with single congenital portosystemic shunts . PROCEDURE: Blood was collected from the portal vein and caudal vena cava for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture, WBC count, and measurement of partial oxygen tension . Samples of liver tissue, indwelling catheters, and fluids administered IV were also obtained for bacterial culture . RESULTS: Bacteria were cultured from samples obtained from the portal vein and caudal vena cava of 1 dog with a shunt and from the caudal vena cava of 1 clinically normal dog; neither dog had postoperative complications . In dogs with shunts and in clinically normal dogs, partial oxygen tension in the portal vein was significantly greater than that in the caudal vena cava . Postoperative complications were identified in 33% of dogs with shunts . Partial oxygen tensions of dogs with shunts with postoperative complications did not significantly differ from those of all dogs with shunts or dogs with shunts without complications . Significant differences in WBC counts were not found when comparing dogs with shunts with and without complications . Anaerobic bacteria were not cultured from the liver of any dog . CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Leukocytosis, portal bacteremia, and portal hypoxemia were not notable findings in dogs with shunts and were not correlated with postoperative morbidity or mortality. Eur J Oral Sci, 1997 Aug, 105(4), 287 - 93 Breath odor: etiopathogenesis, assessment and management; Scully C et al.; Oral malodor is a significant social disability which usually has a local cause, particularly arising from the oral flora . Malodor may arise from the lingual or periodontal flora, gram-negative anaerobes being the main organisms capable of releasing sulphur compounds from the putrefaction of debris and other material . Volatile sulphur compounds, cadaverine and other substances appear responsible for much of the malodor . Systemic disease may underlie some cases of oral malodor . The objective assessment of malodor is still best performed by the human sense of smell (organoleptic method) but more quantifiable measures are being developed. J Bacteriol, 1997 Sep, 179(18), 5684 - 92 Isolation and analysis of the gene encoding the pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase of Desulfovibrio africanus, production of the recombinant enzyme in Escherichia coli, and effect of carboxy-terminal deletions on its stability; Pieulle L et al.; Previous studies have shown that the pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase (POR) of the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio africanus is a homodimer that contains one thiamine pyrophosphate and three {4Fe-4S}2+/1+ centers/subunit . Interestingly, the enzyme isolated from a strictly anaerobic bacterium is highly stable in the presence of oxygen, in contrast to the other PORs characterized in anaerobic organisms (L . Pieulle, B . Guigliarelli, M . Asso, F . Dole, A . Bernadac, and E . C . Hatchikian, Biochim . Biophys . Acta 1250:49-59, 1995) . We report here the determination of the nucleotide sequence of the por gene encoding the D . africanus POR . The amino acid sequence deduced from this nucleotide sequence corresponds to the first primary structure of a homodimeric POR from strictly anaerobic bacteria . The subunit of the D . africanus POR contains two ferredoxin-type {4Fe-4S} cluster binding motifs (CX2CX2CX3CP) and four additional highly conserved cysteines belonging to a nontypical motif . These 12 cysteine residues may coordinate the three Fe-S centers present in D . africanus POR . The thiamine pyrophosphate binding domain is located in the C-terminal part of the protein close to the four conserved cysteine residues . The D . africanus enzyme sequence appears homologous to the other POR sequences . However, the enzyme differs from all other PORs by a C-terminal extension of about 60 residues of its polypeptide chain . The two cysteine residues located in this additional region may be involved in the formation of a disulfide bridge associated with the activation process of the catalytic activity . The por gene has been expressed, for the first time, in anaerobically grown Escherichia coli behind the isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible tac promoter, resulting in the production of POR in its active form . The recombinant enzyme is stable toward oxygen during several days, and initial characterization of the recombinant POR showed that its activity increased in the presence of dithioerythritol . These properties indicate that the recombinant POR behaves like the native D . africanus enzyme . The study of carboxy-terminal deletion mutants strongly suggests that deletions in the C-terminal region of D . africanus enzyme can have dramatic effects on the stability of the enzyme toward oxygen. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1997 Sep, 63(9), 3405 - 11 High-frequency transfer of a naturally occurring chromosomal tetracycline resistance element in the ruminal anaerobe Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens; Scott KP et al.; Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens strains resistant to tetracycline were isolated from the bovine rumen . Two of three Tcr B . fibrisolvens tested were able to donate tetracycline resistance at frequencies ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-1) per donor cell in anaerobic filter matings to a rifampin-resistant mutant of the type strain of B.fibrisolvens, 2221R . The recipient strain 2221R exhibited rapid autoaggregation, which might be a factor in the high transfer rates observed . Tcr transconjugants of B . fibrisolvens 2221R were also capable of further transferring tetracycline resistance to a fusidic acid-resistant mutant, 2221F . Comparison of genomic DNAs by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated altered band profiles in transconjugants, consistent with the acquisition of a large mobile chromosomal element . The transferable elements from the two B . fibrisolvens donors 1.23 and 1.230 (TnB123 and TnB1230, respectively) showed the same preferred insertion site in the B . fibrisolvens 2221R chromosome and are likely to be similar, or identical, elements . Hybridization experiments showed no close relationship between TnB1230 and int-xis regions from Tn916 or Tn5253 . Although DNA from the B . fibrisolvens donor strains hybridized with probes carrying tet(M) or tet(O) sequences, transconjugants were found to have acquired a distinct band that hybridized only weakly with these probes, suggesting that a second, distantly related Tcr determinant had been transferred. J Bacteriol, 1997 Sep, 179(17), 5598 - 601 Oxygen-dependent growth of the obligate anaerobe Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough; Johnson MS et al.; Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a sulfate-reducing bacterium classified as an obligate anaerobe, swam to a preferred oxygen concentration of 0.02 to 0.04% (0.24 to 0.48 microM), a level which also supported growth . Oxygen concentrations of 0.08% and higher arrested growth . We propose that in zones of transition from an oxic to an anoxic environment, D . vulgaris protects anoxic microenvironments from intrusion of oxygen. Infect Immun, 1997 Sep, 65(9), 3875 - 81 Fimbriae and the hemagglutinating adhesin HA-Ag2 mediate adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis to epithelial cells; Du L et al.; The mechanisms by which Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is pathogenic for the periodontium remain largely hypothetical . Invasion of host tissues by P . gingivalis is believed to require adhesion of the bacterium to host cells . The aim of this study was to use monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to characterize the bacterial cell surface component(s) acting as a ligand binding to a receptor on epithelial cells . Surface antigens of P . gingivalis ATCC 33277 were obtained as a glass bead-EDTA extract (GBE), and antiserum against the GBE was produced in rabbits . Epithelial cell membrane proteins (ECMP) were prepared from a homogenate of the SK-MES-1 cell line with Triton X-100 . The antigen/ligand profile of GBE was resolved by crossed immunoaffinity electrophoresis by using ECMP in the first-dimension gel . The migration of one immunoprecipitate (IP) was retarded, indicating a ligand-receptor interaction between a surface antigen of P . gingivalis and a complementary binding site on the epithelial cell membrane . The corresponding IP in the GBE/anti-GBE immunoelectrophoresis profile was excised from replicate gels to immunize mice for production of MAbs specific for the bacterial ligand . Five MAbs were obtained and tested for reactivity with GBE in immunoblots and for inhibition of the interaction between GBE and ECMP . Immunoblots revealed polypeptides at 28, 42, 43, and 49 kDa . Inhibition tests were positive for all five MAbs . These results are conclusive evidence that the MAbs recognize functional epitopes involved in the adherence of P . gingivalis to epithelial cells and that the adhesins are likely associated with fimbriae and the hemagglutinating adhesin HA-Ag2. J Urol, 1997 Sep, 158(3 Pt 1), 837 - 40 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of Fournier's disease in 11 male patients; Pizzorno R et al.; PURPOSE: Optimal tissue oxygenation, as obtained by hyperbaric oxygen therapy, potentiates or restores the host's bactericidal mechanisms and wound healing activity in patients afflicted by serious synergeic aerobic and anaerobic infections of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues . Furthermore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a direct toxic effect on anaerobic bacteria . We describe our experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of 11 patients with Fournier's syndrome . MATERIALS AND METHODS: The average age of our patients was 59.5 years; the most common predisponsing condition was diabetes . All patients were treated with antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (minimum 5 and maximum 24 cycles, consisting of 90 minutes 2.5 atmosphere absolute pressure) . Furthermore, 6 of these patients underwent surgical debridement of the wounds and 3 patients underwent delayed reconstructive surgery . RESULTS: The results we obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive measure for the treatment of these infections were excellent; our mortality rate for Fournier's disease was 0 . Moreover, no complications whatsoever were observed . Furthermore, the 3 patients who underwent delayed corrective surgery presented with well healed tissues and their operations were not complicated by infections or other pathological conditions . CONCLUSIONS: We believe that our findings, although limited in number, underline the excellent results that can be obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct treatment in Fournier's disease. Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol, 1997 Sep, 118(1), 23 - 9 Oxygen sensing and signal transduction in metabolic defense against hypoxia: lessons from vertebrate facultative anaerobes; Hochachka PW et al.; Earlier studies identified two main defense strategies against hypoxia in hypoxia tolerant animals: (1) reduction in energy turnover, and (2) improved energetic efficiency of those metabolic processes that remain . We used two model systems from the highly anoxia-tolerant aquatic turtle: (1) tissue slices of brain cortex (to probe cell level electrophysiological responses to oxygen limitation), and (2) isolated liver hepatocytes (to probe signalling and defense) . In the latter, a cascade of processes underpinning hypoxia defense begins with an oxygen sensor that is probably a heme protein and a signal transduction pathway that leads to the specific activation of some genes (increased expression of several proteins) and to specific down-regulation of other genes (decreased expression of several other proteins) . The pathway seems to have characteristics in common with oxygen-regulated control elements in other cells . The probable roles of the oxygen sensing and signal transduction system include coordinate down-regulation of energy demand and energy supply pathways in metabolism . Because of this coordination, hypoxia tolerant cells stay in energy balance even as they down-regulate to extremely low levels of ATP turnover . The main ATP-demanding processes in normoxia (protein synthesis, protein degradation, glucose synthesis, urea synthesis and maintenance of electrochemical gradients) are all turned down to variable degrees during anoxia or extreme hypoxia . Most striking is the observation that ion pumping is the main energy sink in anoxia-despite reductions in cell membrane permeability ("channel arrest") . Neurons also show a much lower permeability than do homologous mammalian cells but, in this case under acute anoxia, there is no further change in cell membrane conductivity . We consider that, through this recent work, it is becoming evident how normoxic maintenance ATP turnover rates can be down-regulated by an order of magnitude or more-to a new hypometabolic steady state that is prerequisite for surviving prolonged hypoxia or anoxia . The implications of these developments extend to many facets of biology and medicine. J Clin Microbiol, 1997 Aug, 35(8), 2170 - 3 Evaluation of the AnaeroPack system for growth of anaerobic bacteria; Van Horn KG et al.; Growth of anaerobic bacteria in the AnaeroPack (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America, Inc., New York, N.Y.) anaerobic atmosphere generation systems, both the AnaeroPack jar and pouch and the AnaeroPack in a GasPak jar were considered equivalent to or better than growth obtained in the corresponding GasPak jar or pouch system (Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.) for 89 (86%) of the 103 anaerobes tested . There were a total of 26 discrepancies after 48 h of incubation, with 16 discrepancies unresolved after 96 h of incubation . The AnaeroPack jar and pouch never failed to reduce the anaerobic indicator . The AnaeroPack systems are easy to use and performed at least as well as or better than the BBL GasPak systems for growth of anaerobic bacteria. J Periodontol, 1997 Jul, 68(7), 613 - 7 Effects of combined topical metronidazole and mechanical treatment on the subgingival flora in deep periodontal pockets in cuspids and bicuspids; Hitzig C et al.; The Effect on the subgingival microflora of a single topical administration of a 95% collagen and 5% metronidazole device in combination with debridement was investigated in 30 adult periodontitis patients in comparison with mechanical treatment alone . For each patient, plaque samples from test and control sites in cuspids and bicuspids were collected for culture and enumeration of total anaerobically cultivable bacteria (TA), black-pigmented anaerobes (BPA), and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) . Spirochetes and fusiforms were quantified by direct microscopic examination after Giemsa staining . A decrease was observed for all parameters, and a significant difference in comparison with the control group was found for fusiforms . After treatment, a lower number of Aa positive sites were observed in the test group (13/25) . These results show that a single application of topical metronidazole seems to be effective as adjunctive antimicrobial treatment in adult periodontitis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1997 Jul, 41(7), 1552 - 7 In vitro activity of Bay 12-8039, a new 8-methoxyquinolone, compared to the activities of 11 other oral antimicrobial agents against 390 aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated from human and animal bite wound skin and soft tissue infections in humans; Goldstein EJ et al.; The in vitro activity of Bay 12-8039, a new oral 8-methoxyquinolone, was compared to the activities of 11 other oral antimicrobial agents (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, amoxicillin clavulanate, penicillin, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, and doxycycline) against 250 aerobic and 140 anaerobic bacteria recently isolated from animal and human bite wound infections . Bay 12-8039 was active against all aerobic isolates, both gram-positive and gram-negative isolates, at < or = 1.0 microg/ml (MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited {MIC90s < or = 0.25 microg/ml) and was active against most anaerobes at < or = 0.5 microg/ml; the exceptions were Fusobacterium nucleatum and other Fusobacterium species (MIC90s, > or = 4.0 microg/ml) and one strain of Prevotella loeschii (MICs, 2.0 microg/ml) . In comparison, the other quinolones tested had similar in vitro activities against the aerobic strains but were less active against the anaerobes, including peptostreptococci, Porphyromonas species, and Prevotella species . The fusobacteria were relatively resistant to all the antimicrobial agents tested except penicillin G (one penicillinase-producing strain of F . nucleatum was found) and amoxicillin clavulanate. J Immunol, 1997 Jul 1, 159(1), 44 - 52 Spontaneously colitic C3H/HeJBir mice demonstrate selective antibody reactivity to antigens of the enteric bacterial flora; Brandwein SL et al.; The idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are chronic disorders that appear to arise from an aberrant interaction of environmental, genetic, and immunologic factors . The aim of this study was to examine the immune reactivity of a spontaneously colitic mouse strain, C3H/HeJBir, to epithelial, food, and enteric bacterial Ags . Serum Ab responses of colitic C3H/HeJBir and noncolitic parental C3H/HeJ mice were measured by enhanced chemiluminescence Western blotting . No reactivity to epithelial or food Ags was detected . However, the sera from C3H/HeJBir mice had a reproducible banding pattern on Western blot to bacterial Ags, whereas sera from C3H/HeJ mice did not . Only a small, highly selected number of enteric bacterial Ags were recognized . There were major differences in the degree of recognition of different bacterial strains, marked by remarkably few Abs to Ags of the major anaerobes of the bacterial flora . The serum Abs detected on immunoblot were primarily IgG2a, suggesting a Th1 response . Comparison of sera reactivity to histopathologic severity showed an inverse relationship: one third of young C3H/HeJBir mice during the peak of colitis produced Abs to bacterial Ags, while later in life, when the colitis had resolved, 96% produced Abs . These data are consistent with an abnormal immune reactivity to enteric bacterial flora in C3H/HeJBir mice, a reactivity that is highly selective considering the abundant bacterial Ags present in the colon lumen . We postulate that this reactivity plays a role in the pathogenesis of colitis in these mice. Curr Microbiol, 1997 Jul, 35(1), 64 - 7 Anaerobic phenol degradation by microorganisms of swine manure; Boopathy R; Swine manure contains diverse groups of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . An anaerobic bacterial consortium containing sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and acetate-utilizing methanogenic bacteria was isolated from swine manure . This consortium used phenol as its sole source of carbon and converted it to methane and CO2 . The sulfate-reducing bacterial members of the consortium are the incomplete oxidizers, unable to carry out the terminal oxidation of organic substrates, leaving acetic acid as the end product . The methanogenic bacteria of the consortium converted the acetic acid to methane . When a methanogen inhibitor was used in the culture medium, phenol was converted to acetic acid by the SRB, but the acetic acid did not undergo further metabolism . On the other hand, when the growth of SRB in the consortium was suppressed with a specific SRB inhibitor, namely, molybdenum tetroxide, the phenol was not degraded . Thus, the metabolic activities of both the sulfate-reducing bacteria and the methanogenic bacteria were essential for complete degradation of phenol. Minerva Stomatol, 1997 Jun, 46(6), 337 - 42 {Clinical cases of teeth previously treated by endodontic restoration using intra-canal pins of gold-coated brass}; Lagorio L et al.; The authors, in previous studies, showed that morphological alterations on gold coated brass pins, extracted after some years of staying in dental roots, are the consequence of a localized corrosion attack, produced by anaerobic bacteria, whose presence is confirmed by the high concentration of sulphur on the most attacked spots . Since, by using a suitable technique of pin inserting, the corrosion should not occur, it was supposed that root resorption could lead to favourable conditions to create corrosion . In order to bear out this assumption, 10 meaningful clinical cases of teeth previously restored by gold coated radicular pins are critically evaluated. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1997 Jun, 39 Suppl B, 1 - 14 The chemistry and biological profile of trovafloxacin; Brighty KE et al.; The fluoroquinolone antibacterials are noted for their activity after oral administration and potent activity against Gram-negative pathogens . Trovafloxacin (CP-99,219) is a new quinolone antibacterial characterized by a novel 3-azabicyclo{3.1.0}hexyl substituent at the C-7 position, which was discovered in the course of a programme targeting improved activity compared with ciprofloxacin against Gram-positive aerobic organisms and anaerobes, as well as an extended elimination half-life . An overview of the chemical properties of trovafloxacin is given . Trovafloxacin exhibits excellent potency against Gram-positive organisms and anaerobes, while retaining the potent Gram-negative activity of ciprofloxacin . Its pharmacokinetic properties in humans have been shown to be compatible with a once-daily dosing regimen . The combined spectrum and pharmacokinetics of trovafloxacin have been demonstrated to result in excellent efficacy in both animal models of infections and human clinical trials . Phase II and Phase III programmes have been completed. Mol Microbiol, 1997 Jun, 24(6), 1179 - 87 Adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis to matrix proteins via a fimbrial cryptic receptor exposed by its own arginine-specific protease; Kontani M et al.; Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobe, is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis . P . gingivalis fimbriae, which are proteinaceous appendages extending from the cell surface, may contribute to the adherence of the organism to the host cell surface . We previously suggested that arginine-specific protease produced by P . gingivalis enhanced the adherence of purified fimbriae to fibroblasts or matrix proteins . In this study, we have revealed the mechanism of the enhanced binding of fimbriae by the protease in more detail . Arg-specific protease and fimbriae were obtained from P . gingivalis 381 cells and purified . We then analysed the interaction of fimbriae and immobilized fibronectins (intact or partially degraded fibronectin by the purified protease) by using the real-time biomolecular interaction analysis (BIAcore) system with an optical biosensor based on the principles of surface plasmon resonance . BIAcore profiles demonstrated an enhanced interaction between fimbriae and protease-degraded fibronectin . We also showed specific binding of fimbriae to the degraded fibronectin by means of BIAcore analysis . The binding of biotinylated fimbriae to immobilized fibronectin was examined by enzyme-linked biotin-avidin assay . The purified protease enhanced the fimbrial binding to the immobilized fibronectin . The enhancement was inhibited by the addition of L-Arg, or oligopeptides containing the Arg residue at the C-terminus in the fimbrial binding reaction, suggesting that the P . gingivalis fimbriae may potentially have an ability to bind tightly to the Arg residue at C-terminus . Taken together, these studies indicate that P . gingivalis arginine-specific protease can expose a cryptitope in the matrix protein molecules, i.e . the C-terminal Arg residue of the host matrix proteins, so that the organism can adhere to the surface layer in the oral cavity through fimbriae-Arg interaction (a novel host-parasite relationship). Curr Opin Biotechnol, 1997 Jun, 8(3), 290 - 5 Anaerobic dehalogenases; Wohlfarth G et al.; Several anaerobic bacteria are able to reductively dehalogenate chlorinated hydrocarbons and to couple this reaction to the synthesis of ATP via a chemiosmotic mechanism (dehalorespiration) . A few reductive dehalogenases have recently been purified and characterized . Preliminary investigations have been performed to elucidate the mechanism of dehalorespiration. J Clin Periodontol, 1997 Jun, 24(6), 401 - 9 Antimicrobial susceptibility tests on anaerobic oral mixed cultures in periodontal diseases; Pacini N et al.; The ecosystem of the dental plaque in periodontal diseases is very complex: the study of such micro-organisms, which are mostly strict anaerobes, requires the use of specific techniques under conditions of strict anaerobiosis . The aim of the present study was to design a rapid method to evaluate the activity of antimicrobials on mixed bacterial plaque of subjects with periodontal diseases . The study was carried out using a computerised instrument generally used for simultaneous diagnostic tests with aerobic bacteria . Operative and methodological modifications were made to obtain conditions of strict anaerobiosis and the balanced growth of all the microbial forms present in the mixed cultures of the plaque . Penicillins and cephalosporins were active on all the samples, whereas colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin and nalidixic acid showed no activity . Clindamycin, tetracycline, erythromycin and penicillin G were effective only against some samples . The activity of the antimicrobials towards isolated strains was analogous to that towards the corresponding mixed culture. J Dent Res, 1997 Jun, 76(6), 1260 - 70 Activation and novel processing of matrix metalloproteinases by a thiol-proteinase from the oral anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis; DeCarlo AA Jr et al.; A critical outcome of periodontal disease is degradation of the collagenous periodontal ligament that connects teeth to bone in the dental arch . Periodontal diseases occur in response to bacterial colonization of the teeth, but their molecular pathogenesis is still speculative . One family of enzymes, known as the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), has been implicated in the degradation of the periodontal ligament . MMPs, which are also suspected to play a role in many other physiologic and pathologic remodeling processes, can be secreted by epithelial cells surrounding the teeth and are found in relative abundance in tissues and fluids near periodontally diseased sites . Since most MMPs are secreted as inactive zymogens which may be activated by limited proteolysis, it has been suggested that proteinases expressed by the infecting periodontal pathogens might activate latent host MMPs to initiate or accelerate degradation of the collegenous periodontal ligament . The aim of this work was to examine interactions between purified host MMPs and bacterial proteinase . In this article, we demonstrate that a proteinase isolated from the periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis can activate MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 and can catalyze the superactivation of MMP-1 by MMP-3 . Activation of these MMPs is demonstrated to result from initial hydrolysis within their propeptide . Also, for MMP-1 and MMP-9, the P . gingivalis proteinase cleaves the MMP propeptide following a lysine residue at a previously unreported site which, for both MMPs, is one residue NH2-terminal to the known autocatalytic cleavage site . These data describe a mode of virulence for the periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis that involves activation of host-degradative enzymes. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1997 May 17, 127(20), 861 - 3 {A young man with sore throat and infection}; Egger M et al.; Postanginal septicemia (Lemierre's syndrome) is an infection with anaerobes that ensues from certain oropharyngeal infections: septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein leads to abscess formation in the lungs and possibly in other organs . Based upon a recently observed typical case the syndrome is presented and its possible importance for empirical therapy of tonsillopharyngitis and septicemias involving unknown organisms is briefly discussed. Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 1997 May, 46(2), 55 - 7 {Media for transportation of specimens from gynecologic infections}; Ondrovcik P et al.; Specimens from the urogenital tract of 458 out-patients of the gynaecological clinic were examined using two collection kits including Amies and C.A.T . Swab medium . In the examined group, trichomonads were found in 165 cases (30.6% of all specimens), yeasts in 131 specimens (38.6%) and in 49 specimens (10.7%) both agents were detected . In 48 cases (10.5%), yeasts were detected only microscopically from the C.A.T . Swab medium . Examination of the wet mounts from C.A.T . Swab medium after 48 hours' incubation proved best for the diagnosis of trichomonads . Anaerobic bacteria were found in 378 specimens (82.5%), mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas in 281 specimens (61.4%) . The simultaneous use of both media facilities detection of yeasts, trichomonads, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and of mycoplasmas in specimens from the female urogenital tract. Bone Marrow Transplant, 1997 May, 19(10), 1023 - 8 Umbilical cord blood collection and separation for haematopoietic progenitor cell banking; Ademokun JA et al.; Cord blood transplantation has been proven to be a suitable form of treatment for a variety of diseases in childhood and more recently in an increasing number of adult patients . Banks of cord blood cryopreserved after HLA testing are required in order to provide various HLA types for unrelated transplantation . To optimize storage space cord blood needs to be stored as a separated product . Several early methods of cord blood separation resulted in a significant loss of progenitor cells . We used a separation procedure where the donation was separated by centrifugation into a buffy coat fraction, a red cell fraction, and a plasma fraction . Twenty-five samples, (mean initial volume 81 ml) were assessed . Nucleated cells were recovered in the buffy coat fraction . Recoveries of nucleated cell count, total progenitors and CD34-positive cells in the buffy coat were 90%, 88% and 100%, respectively . The buffy fraction was tested for sterility by aerobic and anaerobic culture . Using this closed bag system, volume reduction was achieved while maintaining sterility and retaining progenitor cells in a final mean buffy coat volume of 44 ml . Red cell and plasma fractions were available for ABO grouping, virology testing and cryopreservation . The results show that cord blood can be effectively volume-reduced using simple and readily available blood banking techniques. J Clin Microbiol, 1997 May, 35(5), 1269 - 71 Assessment of swab transport systems for aerobic and anaerobic organism recovery; Perry JL; Saline suspensions of 11 aerobes and anaerobes were used to inoculate swabs from Port-A-Cul (Becton Dickinson), Culturette EZ (Becton Dickinson), and Copan Amies gel (Copan Diagnostics) . Swabs were removed from transport devices at 0, 24, and 48 h postinoculation and then extracted by vortexing in 1.0 ml of saline, and organism survival was determined by quantitative plate counts . For the organisms tested, Culturette EZ allowed < 1% of the original inocula to be recovered after 24 h . Port-A-Cul was only slightly better . Recovery was best with the Copan gel-containing system . Agar gel swab systems may be useful for multipurpose transport devices. J Biol Chem, 1997 Apr 4, 272(14), 9175 - 81 The COQ5 gene encodes a yeast mitochondrial protein necessary for ubiquinone biosynthesis and the assembly of the respiratory chain; Dibrov E et al.; Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a facultative anaerobe capable of meeting its energy requirements by fermentation and is thus an ideal system for studying the biogenesis of respiring mitochondria . We have isolated a respiration-deficient mutant exhibiting a pleiotropic loss of the mitochondrial electron transport chain . The corresponding wild-type gene, COQ5, was cloned, sequenced, and able to restore respiratory growth . Deletion of the chromosomal COQ5 gene results in a respiration deficiency and reduced levels of respiratory protein components . Exogenously added decylubiquinone can partially restore electron transport chain function to mitochondrial membranes from the deletion mutant . The COQ5 nucleotide sequence predicts a polypeptide of 307 amino acids containing a mitochondrial targeting signal . COQ5p is 43% identical to the polypeptide predicted by the Escherichia coli open reading frame, o251 (1) . The COQ5 gene, when introduced into E . coli, complements the respiratory deficiency of an ubiE mutant that maps near o251, suggesting that it is the yeast homolog of the ubiE gene product . We conclude that the COQ5 gene encodes the mitochondria-localized 2-hexaprenyl-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone methyltransferase of the yeast ubiquinone biosynthetic pathway. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1997 Apr, 12(2), 117 - 20 Optimized oligonucleotides for the differentiation of Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens; Conrads G et al.; The gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium Prevotella intermedia plays an important role in the progression of periodontitis, whereas the etiological role of the closely related but phenotypically indistinguishable species Prevotella nigrescens is controversial . To differentiate between these species properly, 16S rDNA/RNA directed, computer-optimized oligonucleotides were designed and tested with 26 P . intermedia, 26 P . nigrescens and a number of closely and more distantly related strains . The oligonucleotides were used as primers in a polymerase chain reaction and could be demonstrated to be species specific with a detection limit of 50 bacterial cells, which could also be detected when diluted 1:10(5) with different plaque bacteria . In addition, the described oligonucleotides were digoxigenin-labeled at the 3' end and used as DNA probes in a dot blot hybridization assay . This assay, although slightly less sensitive than the polymerase chain reaction-based method, gave species-specific reactions and also allowed (semi-)quantification of bacterial cells in clinical specimens. J Surg Res, 1997 Apr, 69(1), 171 - 7 The effect of epidermal growth factor on the septic complications of acute pancreatitis; Liu Q et al.; Bacterial translocation (BT) from the gastrointestinal tract to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and other extraintestinal organs is an important source of infection in acute pancreatitis (AP) . Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a peptide hormone with trophic effects on gut mucosa, has decreased intestinal mucosal injury in septic rats and decreased burn-induced BT in mice . The purpose of this study is to examine whether EGF could affect BT in acute necrotizing pancreatitis . Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g) were studied . AP was induced in Group I and Group II by pressure injection of 3% taurocholate and trypsin into the biliopancreatic duct (1 ml/kg of body weight) . Group III and Group IV underwent laparotomy without induction of acute pancreatitis . Group I rats received human recombinant EGF (100 micrograms/kg, subcutaneously twice daily) and Group II rats received a similar volume of 0.1% bovine serum albumin as a placebo postoperatively . Group III and Group IV received EGF and placebo, respectively . At 48 hr postoperatively, blood was drawn for culture and amylase determinations . Jejunum and ileum were obtained to measure mucosal protein content, mucosal thickness, villus height, and crypt depth . Specimens from MLN, spleen, liver, pancreas, and cecum were harvested for pathology and culture of gram positive (G+), gram negative (G-), and anaerobic bacteria . Ileal mucosal protein levels were increased significantly in Group I (1.96 +/- 0.14 mg/cm) compared to Group II (0.95 +/- 0.15 mg/cm intestinal segment) (P < 0.01) . Jejunal and ileal mucosal thickness, villus height, and crypt depth in Group I were significantly increased when compared to Group II (P < 0.05) . All 12 rats in Group II had BT to MLN compared to 58% (7 of 12 rats) in Group I (P < 0.05) . Thirty-three percent (4 of 12 rats) had BT to distant sites such as pancreas, spleen, liver, and/or blood in Group I vs 83% (10 of 12 rats) in Group II (P < 0.05) . EGF treatment minimizes intestinal damage, decreases BT to MLN and bacterial spread to distant sites, and may be beneficial in preventing septic complications in AP. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1997 Apr, 41(4), 847 - 9 Bactericidal activity of DU-6859a compared to activities of three quinolones, three beta-lactams, clindamycin, and metronidazole against anaerobes as determined by time-kill methodology; Spangler SK et al.; The activities of DU-6859a, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, clindamycin, and metronidazole against 11 anaerobes were tested by the broth microdilution and time-kill methods . DU-6859a was the most active drug tested (broth microdilution MICs, 0.06 to 0.5 microg/ml), followed by imipenem (MICs, 0.002 to 4.0 microg/ml) . Broth macrodilution MICs were within 3 (but usually 1) dilutions of the broth microdilution MICs . All compounds were bactericidal at the MIC after 48 h; after 24 h, 90% killing was shown for all strains when the compounds were used at four times the MIC . DU-6859a at < or = 0.5 microg/ml was bactericidal after 48 h. FEBS Lett, 1997 Mar 24, 405(2), 209 - 12 Conversion of glutaconate CoA-transferase from Acidaminococcus fermentans into an acyl-CoA hydrolase by site-directed mutagenesis; Mack M et al.; The heterooctameric (alphabeta)4 glutaconate CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.12) from the anaerobic bacterium Acidaminococcus fermentans catalyses the transfer of CoASH from acetyl-CoA to the 1-carboxylate of glutaconate . During this reaction the glutamate residue 54 of the beta-subunit (betaE54) forms a CoA-ester . The single amino acid replacement betaE54D resulted in a drastic change of enzymatic function . The CoA-transferase activity decreased from 140 to less than 0.01 s(-1), whereas the acyl-CoA hydrolase activity increased from less than 0.01 to 16 s(-1) . The new enzyme was able to catalyse the hydrolysis of glutaryl-CoA, acetyl-CoA and 3-butenoyl-CoA . Since the mutants betaE54A and betaE54N showed neither acyl-CoA hydrolase nor CoA-transferase activity, it was concluded that the aspartate carboxylate of the mutant betaE54D acted as a general base which facilitated the attack of water at the thiolester carbonyl . Surprisingly, Km for glutaryl-CoA hydrolysis by the mutant (0.7 microM) as compared to CoA-transfer by the wild-type (28 microM) was 40 times lower . A 65 kDa protein, obtained by fusing the genes, gctA-gctB, coding for glutaconate CoA-transferase, retained 30% of the wild-type activity . Comparison of the amino acid sequences of 13 related enzymes demonstrated that Nature already has applied gene fusion in the case of pig heart CoA-transferase and has been using the E --> D mutation for catalysis by a yeast acetyl-CoA hydrolase. Structure, 1997 Mar 15, 5(3), 415 - 26 Glutaconate CoA-transferase from Acidaminococcus fermentans: the crystal structure reveals homology with other CoA-transferases; Jacob U et al.; BACKGROUND: Coenzyme A-transferases are a family of enzymes with a diverse substrate specificity and subunit composition . Members of this group of enzymes are found in anaerobic fermenting bacteria, aerobic bacteria and in the mitochondria of humans and other mammals, but so far none have been crystallized . A defect in the human gene encoding succinyl-CoA: 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase causes a metabolic disease which leads to severe ketoacidosis, thus reflecting the importance of this family of enzymes . All CoA-transferases share a common mechanism in which the CoA moiety is transferred from a donor (e.g . acetyl CoA) to an acceptor, (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate, whereby acetate is formed . The transfer has been described by a ping-pong mechanism in which CoA is bound to the active-site residue of the enzyme as a covalent thiol ester intermediate . We describe here the crystal structure of glutaconate CoA-transferase (GCT) from the strictly anaerobic bacterium Acidaminococcus fermentans . This enzyme activates (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate to (R)-2-hydroxyglutaryl-CoA in the pathway of glutamate fermentation . We initiated this project to gain further insight into the function of this enzyme and the structural basis for the characteristics of CoA-transferases . RESULTS: The crystal structure of GCT was solved by multiple isomorphous replacement to 2.55 A resolution . The enzyme is a heterooctamer and its overall arrangement of subunits can be regarded as an (AB)4tetramer obeying 222 symmetry . Both subunits A and B belong to the open alpha/beta-protein class and can be described as a four-layered alpha/alpha/beta/alpha type with a novel composition and connectivity of the secondary structure elements . The core of subunit A consists of seven alpha/beta repeats resulting in an all parallel central beta sheet, against which helices pack from both sides . In contrast, the centre of subunit B is formed by a ninefold mixed beta sheet . In both subunits the helical C terminus is folded back onto the N-terminal domain to form the third layer of helices . CONCLUSIONS: The active site of GCT is located at the interface of subunits A and B and is formed by loops of both subunits . The funnel-shaped opening to the active site has a depth and diameter of about 20 A with the catalytic residue, Glu54 of subunit B, at the bottom . The active-site glutamate residue is stabilized by hydrogen bonds . Despite very low amino acid sequence similarity, subunits A and B reveal a similar overall fold . Large parts of their structures can be spatially superimposed, suggesting that both subunits have evolved from a common ancestor. Ophthalmologe, 1997 Mar, 94(3), 191 - 6 {Blepharitis . Demodex folliculorum, associated pathogen spectrum and specific therapy}; Demmler M et al.; Demodex folliculorum has been demonstrated with an elevated frequency in patients with blepharitis, and is thought to cause therapy-resistant blepharitis . This paper presents the germ spectrum of patients with blepharitis and demodex and discusses the efficiency of a specific therapy . METHODS: In all, 3152 cilia from 139 patients with blepharitis (38% blepharitis, 44% blepharoconjunctivitis, others) and 108 persons with quiet eyes were examined for demodex . Smears n = 125, from the conjunctive of symptomatic patients were investigated for bacteria, 3 weeks of therapy with mercury ointment, 2%: Lindan, cortisone (prednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, fluorometholone) or antibiotics after antibiogram (gentamicin, kanamicin, neomicin, erythromicin, ofloxacin, polymyxin-B, colistin) followed in all Demodex-positive blepharitis patients (n = 41) . RESULTS: Demodex was found in 52% (62/139) of patients with chronic blepharitis, as against 20% (3/15) of those with acute blepharitis (statistically significant difference, chi 2-test, alpha = 2.5%) and in 29% of quiet eyes (statistically significantly less, alpha = 2.5%, chi 2-test) . Gram-positive cocci were isolated from 79% of 57 Demodex-positive patients with blepharitis and 72% of 68 Demodex-negative patients anaerobes in 39% and 37%, gram-negative rods in 11% and 3% (statistically significant difference for gram-negative rods, alpha = 5%, chi 2-test) . Of the patients with Demodex, 25% apparently had no more parasites after mercury ointment, 2% (n = 8) and lindan (n = 5) and 15% after cortisone and antibiotics (n = 13) . (The best and statistically very significant results (alpha = 1%) were those obtained with mercury ointment, 2%, and lindan: t-test for connected spot checks) . CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria grew more often in patients with Demodex . Demodex seems to be a mediator of chronic blepharitis; we recommend that mites be sought in cilia of chronic blepharitis patients . Mercury ointment, 2% and lindan proved efficient for specific therapy, the main problem being the laborious application and toxicity. J Clin Pathol, 1997 Mar, 50(3), 241 - 4 Use of prototype automated blood culture system and gas-liquid chromatography for the analysis of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis associated infection; Catchpole CR et al.; AIMS: (1) To compare the recovery of organisms from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) effluent fluid obtained from patients with clinical evidence of peritonitis, with an automated system (AS) and the Septichek blood culture system; (2) to evaluate the times to detection of organisms with the two systems; (3) to identify anaerobes from CAPD samples by extended anaerobic culture and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) . METHODS: 168 CAPD effluent fluid samples were studied, representing 157 episodes of peritonitis in 97 patients . CAPD samples were inoculated into two AS bottles-one anaerobic, one aerobic-and a Septichek bottle; samples were also examined for cell count, Gram stain, and direct culture . Culture bottles were then subcultured onto various media, and any organisms isolated were identified . After routine culture, GLC was performed on culture fluid in the anaerobic AS and Septichek bottles . When volatile fatty acids were detected, the broths were cultured anaerobically on specialised medium for a further five days . RESULTS: 147 organisms were isolated from the 168 samples: 96 (57%) yielded growth of significant organisms by direct culture, as compared to 129 (76.8%) by both AS and Septichek . There was no significant difference in isolation rates between AS and Septichek, but time to detection was more rapid with the AS system (p < 0.002) . GLC showed volatile fatty acid in 15 specimens; of these, 14 subsequently grew anaerobic organisms . CONCLUSIONS: AS was comparable to Septichek for numbers of isolations . Speed to detection was faster with the AS, which may be an advantage in management of patients with CAPD peritonitis . GLC showed anaerobes in several cases which would not have been detected without prolonged anaerobic culture; thus anaerobic cultures are recommended for patients who are unresponsive to antimicrobials or who have evidence of bowel perforation. Clin Infect Dis, 1997 Mar, 24(3), 403 - 18 Analysis of 281,797 consecutive blood cultures performed over an eight-year period: trends in microorganisms isolated and the value of anaerobic culture of blood; Cockerill FR 3rd et al.; The results for 281,797 blood culture sets of specimens collected from adult patients at the Mayo Clinic over an approximately 8-year period (1 November 1984 through 30 November 1992) were analyzed in order to determine whether there were differences in the types of microorganisms isolated over this time and to assess the usefulness of anaerobic culturing of blood . Each blood culture set consisted of two aerobic blood cultures (Septi-Chek {Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD} and Isolator {Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, NJ}) and one anaerobic culture (nonvented tryptic or trypticase soy broth {NVTSB; Difco Laboratories, Detroit, or Becton Dickinson}) . The relative frequency of isolation of aerobic and facultatively anaerobic gram-positive bacteria and obligately anaerobic bacteria increased over the second half of the 1984-1992 surveillance period . The value of the NVTSB anaerobic blood culture was demonstrated for diagnosing bloodstream infections caused by certain facultatively anaerobic bacteria in addition to obligately anaerobic bacteria and supported the inclusion of the NVTSB anaerobic blood culture as a standard part of the three-component blood culture set used at this institution. Urol Nurs, 1997 Mar, 17(1), 29 - 32 What happened down there? Fournier's gangrene; Wang LP et al.; Fournier's gangrene is an uncommon but potentially lethal disease caused by a mixed infection of gram negative and anaerobic bacteria . There are many associated factors that put a man at risk, and an identifiable source can be found in 95% of patients . First symptoms are malaise, fever, and scrotal discomfort, but toxic symptoms can rapidly occur and be differentiated by the original site of infection . Early detection, extensive surgical debridement, intravenous antibiotics, and hemodynamic resuscitation are crucial to survival. J Clin Periodontol, 1997 Mar, 24(3), 158 - 65 A clinical and microbiological evaluation of systemic and local metronidazole delivery in adult periodontitis patients; Noyan U et al.; The present study describes results on selected clinical and microbiological parameters obtained by treatment with local (Elyzol) and systemic (Flagyl) use of metronidazole alone and/or mechanical subgingival debridement in adult periodontitis . Patients were randomly divided into local and systemic treatment groups each comprising 5 individuals in each of whom 4 sites (one site/ quadrant) with a probing depth of > or = 5 mm were selected and treated with separate treatment modalities . The overall treatment design provided 6 different test groups . Groups of quadrants received: (1) scaling and root planing; (2) local metronidazole treatment; (3) systemic metronidazole treatment; (4) local metronidazole combined with scaling and root planing; (5) systemic metronidazole combined with scaling and root planing; (6) no treatment . The microbiological and clinical effects of treatment modalities were monitored over a period of 42 days . All treatments resulted in clinical improvements (gingivitis, probing pocket depth, attachment level) except for the untreated group . Parallel to the clinical changes, all treatments reduced the number of total bacteria and proportions of obligately anaerobic microorganisms . Although both of the combined treatment groups responded to therapy with better resolution of infection that the pure mechanical and pure metronidazole treatments, local metronidazole in combination with scaling and root planing seems to be more effective in terms of producing both clinical and microbial improvements. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1997 Mar, 41(3), 709 - 11 Comparison of the in vitro activities of Bay 12-8039, a new quinolone, and other antimicrobials against clinically important anaerobes; Aldridge KE et al.; Bay 12-8039, a new 8-methoxy quinolone, was compared with other agents for activity against clinically relevant anaerobes . Bay 12-8039 inhibited 91 and 96% of the 410 test isolates at 2 and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively . Bay 12-8039 had activity comparable to that metronidazole and overall was at least 16-fold more active than ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and cefoxitin, 32-fold more active than cefotetan, and at least 128-fold more active than penicillin G. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1997 Feb 8, 1337(2), 161 - 5 Interrupted catalytic domain structures in xylanases from two distantly related strains of Prevotella ruminicola; Flint HJ et al.; Two xylanases from the rumen anaerobic bacterium Prevotella ruminicola were found to possess highly unusual structures in which family 10 catalytic domains are interrupted by unrelated sequences . XynC from P . ruminicola B(1)4 carries a 160 amino-acid insertion, while a P . ruminicola D31d xylanase carries an unrelated region of 280 amino acids, containing an imperfect 130 amino-acid duplication . Both regions of family 10 similarity were shown to be essential for activity of the D31d enzyme. Genitourin Med, 1997 Feb, 73(1), 23 - 8 What is normal vaginal flora? Priestley CJ, Jones BM, Dhar J, Goodwin L. OBJECTIVE: To observe the composition of the vaginal flora of healthy women over time, and in relation to hormonal changes, sexual activity, and hygiene habits . DESIGN: A longitudinal surveillance of the vaginal flora over an eight week period . SUBJECTS: 26 female health care workers in local genitourinary medicine clinics . METHODS: The participants were anonymised . They filled in diary cards daily . Blind vaginal swabs were self-taken two-seven times weekly . A smear was air-dried for later Gram staining . The swabs were also cultured for Candida spp, Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum . RESULTS: Of 26 subjects, only four had normal vaginal microbiology throughout . One woman, who was not sexually active, had bacterial vaginosis (BV) throughout and nine (35%) had intermittent BV . Candidiasis was found intermittently in eight women (31%), and eight had normal microscopy . U urealyticum was isolated intermittently in 40% of women with BV, 25% with candida, and 50% with normal microscopy . Many women were symptomatic, but symptoms correlated poorly with microbiological findings . All but two women were sexually active; however, more women with BV were exposed to semen . BV seemed to be related to frequent use of scented soap, and there appeared to be an additive effect of clothing and hygiene factors . CONCLUSIONS: Our study raises doubts about what should be regarded as normal vaginal flora . It calls into question the significance of finding BV or U urealyticum on a single occasion in asymptomatic women, or of finding normal flora in symptomatic women . The effect of external factors on the vaginal flora deserve further study. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol, 1997 Feb-Mar, 18(2-3), 177 - 88 Intrinsic bioremediation in a solvent-contaminated alluvial groundwater; Williams RA et al.; An industrial site contaminated with a mixture of volatile organic compounds in its subsurface differed from previously reported locations in that the contamination consisted of a mixture of chlorinated, brominated, and non-halogenated aromatic and aliphatic solvents in an alluvial aquifer . The source area was adjacent to a river . Of the contaminants present in the aquifer, benzene, toluene, and chlorobenzene (BTC) were of primary concern . Studies of the physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of site groundwater were conducted . The studies concentrated on BTC, but also addressed the fate of the other aquifer VOCs . Gas chromatographic analyses performed on laboratory microcosms demonstrated that subsurface microorganisms were capable of BTC degradation . Mineralization of BTC was demonstrated by the release of 14CO2 from radiolabelled BTC . In the field, distribution patterns of nutrients and electron acceptors were consistent with expression of in situ microbial metabolic activity: methane, conductivity, salinity and o-phosphate concentrations were all positively correlated with contaminant concentration; while oxidation-reduction potential, nitrate, dissolved oxygen and sulfate concentrations were negatively correlated . Total aerobes, aerotolerant anaerobes, BTC-specific degraders, and acridine orange direct microscopic microorganism counts were strongly and positively correlated with field contaminant concentrations . The relative concentrations of benzene and toluene were lower away from the core of the plume compared to the less readily metabolized compound, chlorobenzene . Hydrodynamic modeling of electron-acceptor depletion conservatively estimated that 450 kg of contaminant have been removed from the subsurface yearly . Models lacking a biodegradation term predicted that 360 kg of contaminant would reach the river annually, which would result in measurable contaminant concentrations . River surveillance, however, has only rarely detected these compounds in the sediment and then only at trace concentrations . Thus, the combination of field modeling, laboratory studies, and site surveillance data confirm that significant in situ biodegradation of the contaminants has occurred . These studies establish the presence of intrinsic bioremediation of groundwater contaminants in this unusual industrial site subsurface habitat. Am J Physiol, 1997 Feb, 272(2 Pt 1), G383 - 92 Constitutive expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the mouse ileal mucosa; Hoffman RA et al.; It has been demonstrated previously that the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is present throughout the intestinal tract in various inflammatory disease processes . Here we demonstrate that iNOS mRNA is present in the ileum but not in the jejunum or colon of normal mice . By Western blot analysis, iNOS protein is also detected in normal ileum, but not in the normal jejunum . However, by 3 h postinjection of 0.5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS), iNOS mRNA is also detectable in the jejunum and colon . The enzyme message and protein, localized immunohistochemically by in situ hybridization and iNOS expression, is normally restricted to the villus epithelial cells . The iNOS mRNA was also present in the ilea of mice with defined intestinal flora (anaerobes only), germ-free mice, nude mice, and to a lesser extent in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency . These results suggest that the constitutive presence of iNOS in ileal epithelium indicates a role for this enzyme in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Can Vet J, 1997 Feb, 38(2), 95 - 100 Bacteriological culture of blood from critically ill neonatal calves; Fecteau G et al.; The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of bacteremia in critically ill, neonatal calves with severe diarrhea or depression, and to describe the variety of bacteria involved . Two studies were conducted in the summers of 1991 and 1993 involving 190 neonatal calves, 1-day to 19-days-old . Bacteremia was detected by blood culture in 31% (28/90) of calves in study 1, and in 24% (19/79) of ill calves and 0% (0/21) of control calves in study 2 . Bacteria cultured from blood included Escherichia coli (51% of all isolates), other gram-negative enterics (25.5%), gram-negative anaerobes (5.9%), gram-positive cocci (11.8%), and gram-positive rods (5.9%) . Among clinically ill calves, the average age was significantly lower in the blood culture-negative group (5.5 d) than in the blood culture-positive group (7.5 d) (P = 0.004) . Mean serum IgG concentration was significantly (P = 0.0001) lower in blood culture-positive calves (1.146 g/L) than in blood culture-negative calves (3.077 g/L) . The mortality rate was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the blood culture-positive group (57.4%) than in the blood culture-negative group (15.1%) . Bacteremia appeared to be a frequent entity in this particular rearing situation . Early recognition of the problem, as well as appropriate treatment, may be beneficial in increasing survival rates . Results also support the need to address the failure of passive transfer of maternal antibodies to prevent bacteremia in calves. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1997 Feb, 63(2), 553 - 60 Changes in the size and composition of intracellular pools of nonesterified coenzyme A and coenzyme A thioesters in aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria; Chohnan S et al.; Intracellular levels of three coenzyme A (CoA) molecular species, i.e., nonesterified CoA (CoASH), acetyl-CoA, and malonyl-CoA, in a variety of aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria were analyzed by the acyl-CoA cycling method developed by us . It was demonstrated that there was an intrinsic difference between aerobes and facultative anaerobes in the changes in the size and composition of CoA pools . The CoA pools in the aerobic bacteria hardly changed and were significantly smaller than those of the facultatively anaerobic bacteria . On the other hand, in the facultatively anaerobic bacteria, the size and composition of the CoA pool drastically changed within minutes in response to the carbon and energy source provided . Acetyl-CoA was the major component of the CoA pool in the facultative anaerobes grown on sufficient glucose, although CoASH was dominant in the aerobes . Therefore, the acetyl-CoA/CoASH ratios in facultatively anaerobic bacteria were 10 times higher than those in aerobic bacteria . In Escherichia coli K-12 cells, the addition of reagents to inhibit the respiratory system led to a rapid decrease in the amount of acetyl-CoA with a concomitant increase in the amount of CoASH, whereas the addition of cerulenin, a specific inhibitor of fatty acid synthase, triggered the intracellular accumulation of malonyl-CoA . The acylation and deacylation of the three CoA molecular species coordinated with the energy-yielding systems and the restriction of the fatty acid-synthesizing system of cells . These data suggest that neither the accumulation of acetyl-CoA nor that of malonyl-CoA exerts negative feedback on pyruvate dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, respectively. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1997 Feb, 63(2), 394 - 402 Isolation and characterization of a bacteriocin (Butyrivibriocin AR10) from the ruminal anaerobe Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens AR10: evidence in support of the widespread occurrence of bacteriocin-like activity among ruminal isolates of B . fibrisolvens; Kalmokoff ML et al.; Forty-nine isolates of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and a single isolate of Butyrivibrio crossotus were screened for the production of inhibitors by a deferred plating procedure . Twenty-five isolates produced factors which, to various degrees, inhibited the growth of the other Butyrivibrio isolates . None of the inhibitory activity was due to bacteriophages . The inhibitory products from 18 of the producing strains were sensitive to protease digestion . Differences in the ranges of activity among the Butyrivibrio isolates and protease sensitivity profiles suggest that a number of different inhibitory compounds are produced . These findings suggest that the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitors may be a widespread characteristic throughout the genus Butyrivibrio . The bacteriocin-like activity from one isolate, B . fibrisolvens AR10, was purified and confirmed to reside in a single peptide . Crude bacteriocin extracts were prepared by ammonium sulfate and methanol precipitation of spent culture supernatants, followed by dialysis and high-speed centrifugation . The active component was isolated from the semicrude extract by reverse-phase chromatography . Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that the peptide was purified to homogeneity, having an estimated molecular mass of approximately 4,000 Da . The N terminus of the peptide was blocked . A cyanogen bromide cleavage fragment of the native peptide yielded a sequence of 20 amino acids {(M)GIQLAPAXYQDIVNXVAAG} . No homology with previously reported bacteriocins was found . Butyrivibriocin AR10 represents the first bacteriocin isolated from a ruminal anaerobe. Pneumoftiziologia, 1997 Jan-Mar, 46(1), 29 - 34 {Single-dose administration in the treatment with penicillin G (PG) and metronidazole (Me) in primary pulmonary abscesses (a preliminary study)}; Chiotan D et al.; The anaerobic bacteria play the main role in the etiology of the lung abscesses (Finegold, 1989) . From this reason, the administration of the association PG and Me (endovenously or per os) gives a high healing rate in our country; 90.5% . The objective of this work was to study the influence of the drug-administration rhythm on the therapeutical results . The drugs were given once daily, several times daily, or in a combination of those 2 modalities . A lot of 38 patients hospitalized between 1.01.94-31.12.95 in the Institute of Pneumophthisiology, was divided in 3 groups: U (11 cases--28.9%), treated with PG: 5-10 mill and Me: 1.5-2 g in one endovenous perfusion, daily: M (18 cases--47.3%), treated with PG: 5-10 mill, one endovenous perfusion daily and Me: 1.5-2 g, 2-4 times daily: F (9 cases--23.8%), treated with both PG: 5-10 mill and Me: 1.5-2 g, 2-4 times daily . Cases with lung abscess and advanced neoplasia, hepato-renal or cardio-pulmonary insufficiencies, were excluded . The hospitalization period was 15-77 days, with an average of 38.3 +/- 26 . The proportion of the therapeutical successes, estimated as the disparition of the clinical suppurative symptomatology and the reduction > or = 90% of the lesions and cavity surfaces on the chest X-ray, was for the group U: 90.9% (10 from 11 cases), for M: 94.4% (17 from 18 cases) and for F: 88.9% (8 from 9 cases), the difference being statistical non-significant. Biofactors, 1997, 6(1), 37 - 46 Development of genetic approaches for the methane-producing archaebacterium Methanococcus maripaludis; Whitman WB et al.; Methanococcus maripaludis is a strict anaerobe that utilizes H2 or formate as an electron donor for CO2 reduction to methane . Recent progress in development of genetic systems in this archaebacterium makes it an excellent model system for molecular and biochemical studies . This progress includes development of methods for growth on solid medium, enriching auxotrophic mutants, efficient transformation, and random insertional inactivation of genes . Genetic markers for both puromycin and neomycin resistance are available . Lastly, a shuttle vector has been constructed from a cryptic methanococcal plasmid . These technical advances made it possible to utilize genetic approaches for the study of autotrophic CO2 assimilation in methanococci. Biofactors, 1997, 6(1), 13 - 24 Acetogenic bacteria: what are the in situ consequences of their diverse metabolic versatilities? Drake HL, Daniel SL, Kusel K, Matthies C, Kuhner C, Braus-Stromeyer S. The four decades of the now classic studies by Harland G . Wood and Lars G . Ljungdahl lead to the resolution of the autotrophic acetyl-CoA 'Wood/Ljungdahl' pathway of acetogenesis . This pathway is the hallmark of acetogens, but is also used by other bacteria, including methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria, for both catabolic and anabolic purposes . Thus, the pathway is wide spread in nature and plays an important role in the global turnover of carbon . Because most historical studies with acetogens focused on the biochemistry of the acetyl-CoA pathway, the metabolic diversity and ecology of acetogens remained largely unexplored for many years . Although acetogens were initially conceived to be a somewhat obscure bacteriological group with limited metabolic capabilities, it is now clear that acctogens are arguably the most metabolically diverse