Anaerobe

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 group of obligate anaerobes characterized to date . Their anaerobic metabolic arsenal includes the capacity to oxidize diverse substrates, including aromatic, C1, C2, and halogenated compounds, and engage a large number of alternative energy-conserving, terminal electron-accepting processes, including classic fermentations and the dissimilation of inorganic nitrogen . In this regard, one might consider acetogens on a collective basis as the pseudomonads of obligate anaerobes . By virtue of their diverse metabolic talents, acetogens can be found in essentially all habitats . This review evaluates the metabolic versatilities of acetogens relative to both the engagement (regulation) of the acetyl-CoA pathway and the ecological roles likely played by this bacteriogical group.

Vet J, 1997 Jan, 153(1), 99 - 105
Improved laboratory diagnosis of ovine footrot: an update; Liu D et al.; Ovine footrot is a complex clinical disease syndrome primarily resulting from infection by the anaerobic bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus . In order to aid clinical diagnosis, various laboratory tests based on the detection and measurements of phenotypic properties of D . nodosus have been developed for genus-specific detection as well as virulence determination . However, these tests are generally time-consuming, and tend to be variable with external factors that affect the growth and metabolism of the bacterium . A new generation of diagnostic reagents, such as monoclonal antibodies, gene probes and polymerase chain reaction, has been developed recently . Preliminary assessment of these reagents has shown potential to vastly improve the laboratory identification and determination of the virulence of D . nodosus . It is important that these new reagents are vigorously assessed against existing laboratory tests, such as the elastase test and gelatin gel test, prior to their adoption for the routine diagnosis of footrot.

Vet Surg, 1997 Jan-Feb, 26(1), 26 - 32
Bacterial isolates from plaque and from blood during and after routine dental procedures in dogs; Nieves MA et al.; OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the association between dental procedures and bacteremia in dogs, including a comparison of bacteria isolated from plaque and blood, severity of the bacteremia versus the severity of dental disease, and the longevity of bacteremia . STUDY DESIGN: Bacteria cultured from the blood over time were compared with those isolated from the plaque and crevicular fluid and in relation to severity of dental disease . ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty adult greyhounds . METHODS: Blood samples were collected for culture before induction of general anesthesia, immediately after intubation, 20 minutes after initiation of the dental procedure, and at 10-minute intervals until 10 minutes after the dental procedure was completed . Samples of plaque were taken for microbiological culture . RESULTS: Sixty to ninety percent of the bacterial genera isolated from the plaque were present in the blood . Dogs classified according to severity of dental disease showed no difference in the total number of different species or number of different Gram-negative, Gram-positive, or anaerobic bacteria isolated from plaque or blood (P < .05) . Bacteremia was present in all of the dogs studied, within 40 minutes from the initiation of the dental procedure, regardless of the severity of oral disease . CONCLUSIONS: Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and anaerobic bacteria are present in blood during dental procedures; the bacteremia can persist beyond the dental procedure, and is not associated with the severity of dental disease . CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The nature and extent of bacteremia occurring during routine dental procedures is important in understanding a potential risk to dogs.

Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1997, (1), 4 - 8
{Immunotherapy of surgical sepsis}; Malinovskii NN et al.; The results of treatment of 73 patients with surgical sepsis are analysed . 57% of the patients were older than 60 years . In 35.6% of the cases sepsis was caused by soft tissue infection, in 35.6%-pyo-inflammation of the blood vessels . In 81% of the cases infective agents were verified; in 45.2% they were found in associations . In 35.1% of the cases there were gram-positive microorganisms, in 40.5%-gram-negative and in 17.0%-asporogenic anaerobes . The count of T- and B-lymphocytes was low (60.0% and 45.7%), the count CD4 was decreased in 40.2% of the patients, CD8-in 31.6%, the content of M-and G-immunoglobulins was also decreased on a background of a slightly increased CD3-activator . Polyorganic insufficiency has been detected in all the patients, predominantly-kidney and liver insufficiency . Septic metastases were detected in 26% of the cases, septic shock-10% . Early treatment of abscesses, adequate antibacterial and detoxication therapy are major tasks in the treatment of sepsis . Intravenous injections of immunoglobulins (Endobulin., Intraglobin and Pentaglobin), extracorporeal detoxcication and polyorganic disorders correction have led to positive results in most cases . The mortality rate in this group was 14.5% compared with 38.5% in the control group.

Avian Dis, 1997 Jan-Mar, 41(1), 144 - 8
Cases of spirochete-associated necrotizing typhlitis in captive common rheas (Rhea americana); Buckles EL et al.; Ceca from greater or common rheas (Rhea americana) with gastrointestinal disease were collected from diagnostic labs and avian pathologists across the United States . The ceca were evaluated for the presence of spirochetes and necrosis using hematoxylin and eosin stain or Warthin-Starry silver-stained tissue sections and anaerobic culture . Spirochete-associated necrotizing typhlitis was documented in 11 states . Most cases were reported in the summer and fall and occurred in rheas less than 5 mo of age . Spirochetes isolated from ceca with necrosis were either strongly or weakly beta-hemolytic . All spirochetes isolated from ceca without necrosis were weakly beta-hemolytic . Rheas might be host to both pathogenic and nonpathogenic spirochetes.

J Periodontal Res, 1997 Jan, 32(1 Pt 2), 133 - 9
Analysis of the protease and adhesin domains of the PrpRI of Porphyromonas gingivalis; Curtis MA; The production of extracellular proteolytic enzymes is a widely used strategy by human parasites including bacteria, protozoa and helminths in order to ensure survival in the colonized host . The potential benefits to the organism arise through modifications to the external environment of the cell and include the release of essential nutrients, the disablement/deregulation of the host defences and the exposure of previously shielded substrata as new sites for colonization . Damage to the host may arise through direct proteolysis of structural proteins, deregulation of the inflammatory response or the compromising of the local host defences below the threshold necessary for effective defence . In order to examine these interactions and how they may be regulated in the periodontal diseases, we are examining the properties of proteases of the oral anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis with specificity for arginyl peptide bonds (ArgI, ArgIA and ArgIB): a family of enzymes which has been shown to exert effects on a variety of host proteins with roles in the control of inflammation and tissue homeostasis . Analysis of the gene for ArgI (protease polyprotein for ArgI-prpRI) together with structural and immunochemical studies of these 3 interrelated forms indicates that they may be regarded as critical determinants in multiple aspects of the life cycle of the organism via both proteolysis and binding processes . Together with the highly conserved nature of the gene, the data suggest that the PrpRI of P . gingivalis is an essential colonization determinant which may play an important role in the periodontal disease process.

J Exp Biol, 1997 Jan, 200 ( Pt 2), 387 - 400
Hypometabolic homeostasis in overwintering aquatic amphibians; Boutilier RG et al.; Many amphibians encounter conditions each winter when their body temperature is so low that normal activities are suspended and the animals enter into a state of torpor . In ice-covered ponds or lakes, oxygen levels may also become limiting, thereby forcing animals to endure prolonged periods of severe hypoxia or anoxia . Certain frogs (e.g . Rana temporaria) can dramatically suppress their metabolism in anoxia but are not as tolerant as other facultative vertebrate anaerobes (e.g . turtle, goldfish) of prolonged periods of complete O2 lack . Many overwintering amphibians do, however, tolerate prolonged bouts of severe hypoxia, relying exclusively on cutaneous gas exchange . Rana temporaria overwintering for 2 months in hypoxic water (PO2 approximately 25 mmHg) at 3 degrees C progressively reduce their blood PCO2 to levels characteristic of water-breathing fish . The result is that blood pH rises and presumably facilitates transcutaneous O2 transfer by increasing Hb O2-affinity . Even after months of severe hypoxia, there is no substantial build-up of lactate as the animals continue to rely on cutaneous gas exchange to satisfy the requirements of a suppressed aerobic metabolism . Our recent experiments have shown that the skeletal muscle of frogs oxyconforms in vitro to the amount of O2 available . The cellular basis for the oxyconformation of skeletal muscle is unknown, but the hypothesis driving our continuing experiments theories that metabolic suppression at a cellular level is synonymous with suppressed ion leak across cellular membranes.

Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants, 1997 Jan-Feb, 12(1), 106 - 12
Microbial findings of deep peri-implant bone defects; Augthun M et al.; The objective of this study was to examine inflammatory tissue in deep peri-implant bone pockets (> 5 mm) for anaerobic bacteria colonization . The peri-implant inflammatory tissue of bone defects from 12 edentulous patients with 18 unsuccessful implants (IMZ type) was removed after surgical opening of the defects . After grinding the tissue with glass beads in nutrient solution, an aliquot of the suspension was plated and incubated on appropriate culture media . The quantitative and qualitative distribution of bacteria as a function of the tissue dry weight was determined (cell count/mg dry weight) . The mean total cell count was 67 x 10(3) cells/mg dry weight . The following bacteria dominated: species of the family Bacteroidaceae (Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella buccae, Prevotella oralis, Prevotella melaninogenica, Prevotella denticola); Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Capnocytophaga spp; and Eikenella corrodens . Bacteroidaceae and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were found particularly frequently . The increased colonization of these bacteria in deep peri-implant bone pockets is consistent with the currently held view of advanced periodontal lesions, whereby certain pathogens grow at a disproportionate rate in comparison with the total bacteria count under specific circumstances.

Dig Dis Sci, 1997 Jan, 42(1), 133 - 6
Azoreductase and nitroreductase activity of bacteria in feces from patients with an ileal reservoir; Rafii F et al.; Azoreductase and nitroreductase activities of bacteria in feces of five patients with ileal reservoirs were evaluated, both at the onset of symptoms of pouchitis and following recovery after treatment with drugs . All stool samples tested had bacteria with azoreductase and nitroreductase activities . Azoreductase and nitroreductase activities were higher after recovery than during attacks of pouchitis . During reestablishment of the normal microflora in the ileal reservoirs after pouchitis, the anaerobic bacteria increased and the aerobic bacteria decreased.

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1997 Jan, 142(1), 169 - 77
Induction and inhibition of mouse cytochrome P-450 2B enzymes by musk xylene; Lehman-McKeeman LD et al.; Musk xylene (MX) (1,3,5-trinitro-2-t-butylxylene) is a nitromusk perfume ingredient that although uniformly negative in a battery of genotoxicity tests, produces a high incidence of liver tumors in mice . The purpose of this work was to characterize the profile and dose-response relationship of microsomal enzyme induction following exposure to MX . MX was dosed by gavage to male B6C3F1 mice for 7 days at 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg after which microsomes were prepared . At 200 mg/kg, MX increased liver weight by about 65% and increased microsomal cytochrome P-450 content 2-fold over control . MX increased microsomal activity for O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxy and 7-methoxyresorufin 4- and 2-fold, respectively, and increased the N-demethylation of erythromycin approximately 2-fold . These results were generally consistent with increased CYP1A1, 1A2, and 3A protein levels determined by Western blotting . In contrast, whereas no increase in O-dealkylation of 7-pentoxyresorufin (PROD) was observed, MX treatment increased CYP2B protein levels about 25-fold over control at 200 mg/kg . Furthermore, a single dosage of MX (200 mg/kg) increased Cyp2b-10 mRNA to a maximal level and with a time course similar to phenobarbital (PB) . To study inhibition of CYP2B enzymes in vivo, mice were treated with PB (0.05% in drinking water for 5 days), then given a single dosage of corn oil or MX (200 mg/kg) at 2 or 18 hr before necropsy . PB treatment increased PROD activity 25-fold, and at 2 hr after MX treatment (associated with peak plasma levels of MX), there was no change in the PB-induced PROD activity . However, at 18 hr, MX treatment decreased PROD activity by 90% . Despite the in vivo inhibition, in vitro studies indicated that MX did not cause mechanism-based inactivation of CYP2B enzymes . The potential for nitroreduction of MX (catalyzed by anaerobic intestinal bacteria) to contribute to the inhibition of CYP2B enzyme activity was evaluated in a separate group of PB-induced mice that were dosed orally with a regimen of broad spectrum antibiotics (neomycin, tetracyline, and bacitracin) to reduce gut flora prior to administration of MX . In these animals, MX (200 mg/kg) did not inhibit PB-induced PROD activity . In summary, MX treatment produced general hepatic changes consistent with induction of CYP2B enzymes in mice and caused a large increase in CYP2B protein and mRNA levels . These data indicate that MX is a PB-like inducer of cytochrome P-450 enzymes and may cause liver tumors in a manner analogous to PB . However, no increase in CYP2B enzyme activity was observed, suggesting that MX or metabolites of MX also inhibit this enzyme . When the intestinal flora was eliminated by antibiotic treatment, MX no longer inhibited the CYP2B enzyme, indicating that anaerobic bacteria are capable of metabolizing MX, and suggesting that amine metabolites formed by nitroreduction are involved in the inhibition of mouse CYP2B enzymes.

Clin Infect Dis, 1997 Jan, 24 Suppl 1, S110 - 20
Antimicrobial resistance in anaerobes; Rasmussen BA et al.; The development of antibiotic resistance in anaerobic bacteria has a tremendous impact on the selection of antimicrobial agents for empirical therapy . Susceptibility studies have documented the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and indicate distinct differences in resistance patterns related to individual hospitals, geographic regions, and antibiotic-prescribing regimens . Resistance to beta-lactam drugs, clindamycin, tetracyclines, and 5-nitroimidazoles (metronidazole) has been observed . The prime mechanism for resistance to beta-lactam agents is the production of beta-lactamases . Resistance to clindamycin is mediated by modification of the ribosome . Tetracycline resistance is mediated by both tetracycline efflux and ribosomal protection . 5-Nitroimidazole resistance appears to be caused by a combination of decreased antibiotic uptake and decreased nitroreductase activity . The level of chloramphenicol susceptibility remains quite high, whereas uniform resistance to aminoglycosides and quinolones is observed . Understanding the mechanisms of resistance is critical for both informed selection of antimicrobial therapy and the design of new antimicrobial agents.

J Am Coll Surg, 1997 Jan, 184(1), 23 - 30
Cost-utility analysis of contaminated appendectomy wounds; Brasel KJ et al.; BACKGROUND: The influence of patient preference and treatment costs has not been considered in previous analyses of wound management decisions for contaminated right lower quadrant incisions . STUDY DESIGN: We performed a decision and cost-utility analysis, conducting a MEDLINE search of the postappendectomy wound infection literature to establish assumptions and assign baseline probability estimates . Institution-specific cost data were obtained, and utility assignments were made by the authors . Studies used to assign baseline probabilities fulfilled the following criteria: perforated appendix or gangrenous appendicitis, use of perioperative antibiotics active against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and data stratified by wound management, operative findings, and infection rate . RESULTS: We constructed a decision tree comparing three methods of wound management for contaminated right lower quadrant incisions: primary closure, delayed primary closure, and secondary closure . Utility (a quality of life measure) was assigned to ultimate health states to incorporate patient preference . We calculated the cost-utility for each method of wound management and found that primary closure was of optimum cost-utility compared with delayed primary closure and secondary closure . To gain one quality-adjusted life year treating a population of patients with contaminated incisions, primary closure saves $22,635 over delayed primary closure and another $22,340 over secondary closure . This decision, tested by two-way sensitivity analyses, was sensitive only to high primary closure infection rates . CONCLUSIONS: Challenging traditional surgical dogma, cost-utility analysis shows that primary closure is the favored method of management for contaminated right lower quadrant incisions . This analysis is specific to right lower quadrant incisions and the conclusion is valid for all estimated primary infection rates less than 0.27.

Braz J Med Biol Res, 1996 Dec, 29(12), 1715 - 33
Oxidative stress: animal adaptations in nature; Storey KB; As a consequence of aerobic life, an organism must deal with the continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (O2-, H202, .OH) as byproducts of metabolism and defend itself against the harm that these can do to cellular macromolecules . Organisms protect themselves from such damage with both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defenses . However, the reperfusion injuries noted after ischemic insult in mammalian organs and ascribed to a burst of reactive oxygen species produced when oxygenated blood is reintroduced demonstrate that the antioxidant defenses of many organisms can be overwhelmed, Although unusual among most mammals, many organisms routinely experience wide variation in oxygen availability to their tissues due to factors such as environmental oxygen lack, breath-hold diving, extracellular freezing, or apnoeic breathing patterns in arrested metabolic states . In recent studies using various animal models (anoxia-tolerant turtles, freeze-tolerant snakes and frogs, estivating snails) our laboratory has explored the adaptations of antioxidant defenses that allow such organisms to deal with rapid changes in tissue oxygenation with little or no accumulation of damage products . The key to successful transitions in several systems is the induction, during the oxygen-limited state, of elevated activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase, so that damage during the reintroduction of oxygen (such as lipid peroxidation) is minimized . However, animals that are excellent facultative anaerobes, such as freshwater turtles, appear to deal with potential of oxidative stress during the anoxic-aerobic transition by maintaining constitutively high antioxidant defenses (e.g . enzyme activities similar to those of mammals and much higher than those of anoxia-intolerant lower vertebrates) that can readily accommodate the burst of reactive oxygen species generation when breathing is renewed.

Arch Microbiol, 1996 Dec, 166(6), 379 - 87
Studies on tetrachloroethene respiration in Dehalospirillum multivorans; Miller E et al.; Tetrachloroethene (PCE) respiration was studied in the tetrachloroethene-utilizing anaerobe, Dehalospirillum multivorans, with respect to localization of the catabolic enzymes, the electron carriers potentially involved in electron transport, and the response to ionophores and specific inhibitors . Hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase were recovered in the periplasmic cell fraction and were membrane-associated . Electron-accepting tetrachloroethene dehalogenase was found in the cytoplasmic fraction . In the PCE dehalogenase assay, only artificial electron donors with a standard redox potential of D . multivorans (Eo' = -445 mV) could serve as electron donor for PCE reduction . However, the reaction rate with ferredoxin was only 1% of that with methyl viologen, whereas the pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase exhibited almost the same reaction rates with methyl viologen and ferredoxin as electron acceptors for pyruvate oxidation . Reduced menadione (2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone) did not serve as electron donor in the PCE dehalogenase reaction . 2-Heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (HOQNO) had no significant effect on PCE dechlorination in cell suspensions and in crude extracts . Whole cells catalyzed the reductive dechlorination of PCE with H2 or formate as electron donors . The dechlorination in cell suspensions rather than in cell extracts was inhibited by the ionophores carbonylcyanide-p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS), indicating that a membrane potential and/or a pH gradient may be required for the reaction in vivo.

HNO, 1996 Dec, 44(12), 694 - 8
{Necrotizing mucosal ulcers cause by anaerobic bacteria . Fusiform bacterial and spirochete infections}; Hollandt JH et al.; Vincent's angina (Plaut-Vincent) is the most prominent disease caused by coinciding infections from fusibacteria and spirochaeta both belonging to obligate anaerobic bacteria . A possible symbiotic infection of both anaerobics may become manifest on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and the oropharynx beside the tonsillas . The clinical outcome may be different and pose difficulties in the differential diagnosis . We report the case of a 29 year old female patient with necrotizing ulcera of the soft palate suspicious for stomatitis ulceromembranacea . In case necrotizing inflammations of the oral cavity area were to be found infections due to anaerobic bacteria should be considered mostly occurring as mixed infections . The correct identification by cultivation turns out to be difficult in that it requires special conditions . Furthermore, reliable detection of these bacteria necessitates careful collection and transport of patients specimens . In case of Fusospirochaetosis (Fusotreponematose) a specimen should be prepared for microscopic examination beside setting up a special culture . This is because the staining is the most suitable procedure for bacteril identification to support the clinical diagnosis of stomatitis ulceromembranacea.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1996 Dec 1, 145(2), 147 - 56
Virulence regions and virulence factors of the ovine footrot pathogen, Dichelobacter nodosus; Billington SJ et al.; Ovine footrot is a debilitating and highly infectious disease that is primarily caused by the Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus . The major antigens implicated in virulence are the type IV fimbriae and extracellular proteases . The fimbriae show sequence and structural similarity to other type IV fimbriae, this similarity extends to genes that are involved in fimbrial biogenesis . Several acidic and basic extracellular serine proteases are produced by both virulent and benign isolates of D . nodosus . Subtle functional differences in these proteases appear to be important in virulence . In addition, there are two chromosomal regions that have a genotypic association with virulence . The partially duplicated and rearranged vap regions appear to have arisen from the insertion of a plasmid into a tRNA gene via an integrase-mediated site-specific insertion event . The 27 kb vrl region has several genes often found on bacteriophages and has inserted into an ssrA gene that may have a regulatory role in the cell . The determination of the precise role that each of these genes and gene regions has in virulence awaits the development of methods for the genetic analysis and manipulation of D . nodosus.

Clin Infect Dis, 1996 Dec, 23 Suppl 1, S87 - 96
Incidence of anaerobic infections among patients with pulmonary diseases: Japanese experience with transtracheal aspiration and immediate bedside anaerobic inoculation; Kato T et al.; We conducted a study to assess the precise incidence of anaerobic infections among patients with pulmonary diseases in Japan . To avoid false-negative results of anaerobic cultures, we used percutaneous transtracheal aspiration and subsequent immediate bedside anaerobic inoculation onto a set of plates with appropriately selected culture media . Fifty-six episodes of pulmonary disease occurred in 50 patients; anaerobes were isolated in 20 (36%) of these episodes . Bacteria were recovered in 30 (94%) of 32 episodes not associated with prior antimicrobial therapy, and anaerobes were isolated in 15 (47%) of these 32 episodes . Rates of anaerobic isolation in episodes of pneumonia (7 of 14), lung abscess (3 of 3), and acute exacerbation of chronic lower respiratory tract infection (5 of 15) that were not associated with prior antimicrobial therapy were 50%, 100%, and 33%, respectively.

Clin Infect Dis, 1996 Dec, 23 Suppl 1, S25 - 30
Possible role for the new fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, grepafloxacin, trovafloxacin, clinafloxacin, sparfloxacin, and DU-6859a) in the treatment of anaerobic infections: review of current information on efficacy and safety; Goldstein EJ; The currently available fluoroquinolones have modest activity against anaerobes . Newer fluoroquinolones with increased in vitro activity against anaerobes are under development and include levofloxacin, clinafloxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin, grepafloxacin, and DU-6859a . Side effects of the quinolones have varied according to the specific compounds and include central nervous system stimulation, gastrointestinal disturbances, vasculitis, and photosensitization . Monitoring for toxicity is incompletely reliable in identifying all potential serious side effects such as the "temafloxacin syndrome." Other fluoroquinolones may produce this syndrome rarely or not at all . In this paper, I review limited published studies on the use of these agents for skin and skin-structure infections and gynecologic infections . Studies in progress are noted, and when available, in vitro data on the efficacy of these agents against bacterial isolates from specific sources are reviewed and evaluated in terms of potential clinical utility.

Obstet Gynecol, 1996 Dec, 88(6), 1034 - 40
Serum C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and amniotic fluid white blood cell count in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes; Yoon BH et al.; OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of maternal blood C-reactive protein, white blood cell count (WBC), and amniotic fluid (AF) WBC in the identification of positive AF culture, histologic and clinical chorioamnionitis, and neonatal morbidity in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) . METHODS: Maternal blood was collected for the determination of C-reactive protein and WBC at the time of amniocentesis from 90 women with preterm PROM . Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as mycoplasmas . Amniotic fluid WBC was determined for research purposes . Receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis . RESULTS: The prevalence of positive AF culture was 28% (25 of 90) . Women with positive AF culture and clinical chorioamnionitis had significantly higher median C-reactive protein, WBC, and AF WBC than did women without these conditions (P < .05), whereas women with histologic chorioamnionitis and significant neonatal morbidity had higher median C-reactive protein and AF WBC, but not WBC, than those without the conditions (P < .05) . An AF WBC of at least 20 cells per mm3 had a greater sensitivity than C-reactive protein (cutoff, 0.7 mg/dL) and WBC (cutoff, 13,000 cells per mm3) in the detection of positive AF culture and histologic chorioamnionitis . Logistic regression analysis indicated that among AF WBC, C-reactive protein, and WBC, AF WBC was the best predictor of positive AF culture (odds ratio {OR} 24.2, 95% confidence interval {CI} 6.0, 97.5, P < .001), histologic (OR 74.0, 95% CI 7.4, 736.3, P < .001) and clinical chorioamnionitis (OR 8.9, 95% CI 0.9, 85.6, P = .057), and neonatal morbidity (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1, 16.6, P < .05) . CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid WBC performs better than C-reactive protein and maternal blood WBC in the diagnosis of positive AF culture, histologic and clinical chorioamnionitis, and neonatal morbidity in women with preterm PROM.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1996 Nov 12, 228(2), 639 - 45
Formation of dichloroacetic acid by rat and mouse gut microflora, an in vitro study; Moghaddam AP et al.; Metabolism of trichloroethylene (TRI) and its major metabolite, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), by gut content and gut microflora cultures was studied to gain an insight into the role of enterohepatic circulation in TRI metabolism . TRI and TCA were incubated anaerobically with rat and mouse cecal contents and TCA was additionally incubated anaerobically and aerobically with microflora cultures from mice . Although TRI was not metabolized by rat or mouse cecal contents . TCA was metabolized to dichloroacetic acid (DCA) by cecal contents . DCA formation in microflora cultures was dependent on initial TCA concentration, duration of incubation, and initial bacterial number . DCA was not observed in aerobic cultures exposed to TCA . These results suggest that strict anaerobic microorganisms of the gut may partly be responsible for dechlorination of TCA to DCA.

Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 1996 Nov, 28(11), 1257 - 69
Liver protein kinase C isozymes: properties and enzyme role in a vertebrate facultative anaerobe; Mehrani H et al.; Protein kinase C was purified to homogeneity from liver of the anoxia-tolerant turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) . Two isozymes were present and were identified as PKC alpha and PKC beta by hydroxylapatite chromatography and cross-reaction with specific antibodies to the mammalian isozymes . Kinetic characterization of the isozymes showed that both required phospholipids and Ca2+ for activation and both were inhibited by low concentrations of PKC inhibitors . The PKC alpha was activated more strongly by phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylinositol compared with PKC beta . Treatment with trypsin did not activate turtle PKC isozymes, but generated inactive PKC beta, whereas PKC alpha was resistant to inactivation . Anoxia exposure of turtles in vivo, via submergence in N2-gassed water at 7 degrees C, altered the activity and subcellular distribution of PKC in liver . After 1 hr of anoxic exposure at 7 degrees C, the activity of membrane-bound PKC had increased by 2.4-fold and represented a translocation of 40% of PKC beta and more than 80% of PKC alpha from the cytosol to the membrane-associated fraction . With longer submergence, however, membrane-bound PKC activity was suppressed again . This two-phase response to anoxia by PKC suggests that an activation of PKC, through its translocation to the membrane, is important in mediating the initial metabolic responses to submergence, which include an activation of glycogenolysis during the hypoxia transition period . With sustained anoxia exposure, the subsequent reduction of PKC activity may be part of the overall mechanism of metabolic rate depression that allows endurance of prolonged anoxia.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1996 Nov, 116(6), 888 - 91
Immune response to anaerobic bacteria in patients with peritonsillar cellulitis and abscess; Brook I et al.; The role of four oral organisms (Fusobacterium nucleatum . Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) was investigated in 19 children with peritonsillar abscess, and 17 with peritonsillar cellulitis . Antibody titers to these organisms were measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay in the patient, as well as in 32 control patients . Serum levels in the patients were determined at day 1 and 42-56 days later . Significantly higher antibody levels to F . nucleatum and P . intermedia were found in the second serum sample of patients with peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess, as compared to their first sample or the levels of antibodies in controls . A total of 136 bacterial isolates, 100 anaerobic and 36 aerobic were isolated from the 19 peritonsillar abscesses . Anaerobic bacteria were found in all abscesses, and they were mixed with aerobic bacteria in 5 (26%) . F . nucleatum was recovered in 14 (74%) abscesses and P . intermedia was isolated in 13 (68%) . The elevated antibody levels to F . nucleatum and P . intermedia, known oral pathogens, suggest a pathogenic role for these organisms in peritonsillar infections.

Pediatr Dent, 1996 Nov-Dec, 18(7), 444 - 9
Inhibition of pure cultures of oral bacteria by root canal filling materials; Tchaou WS et al.; This study compared the antimicrobial effectiveness of nine dental materials and a negative control agent against 21 strains or species of bacteria using an agar diffusion assay . The materials were: 1 . Camphorated parachlorophenol mixed with calcium hydroxide (CPC + Ca(OH)2) . 2 . CPC mixed with zinc oxide (CPC + ZnO) . 3 . Formocresol mixed with zinc oxide and eugenol (FC + ZOE) . 4 . Chlorhexidine mixed with ZOE (CHX + ZOE) . 5 . Kri paste . 6 . ZOE . 7 . Zinc oxide mixed with sterile water (ZnO + H2O) . 8 . Calcium hydroxide mixed with sterile water (Ca(OH)2 + H2O) . 9 . Vitapex . 10 . Vaseline (control) . The test bacteria represented species commonly isolated from nonvital primary and permanent tooth root canals . The antimicrobial effectiveness of the materials was divided into five groups based on the diameters of the zones of inhibition against all test bacteria and distribution of the data . All materials except Vaseline showed antimicrobial activity against some of the 21 organisms . Generally, all materials inhibited gram-negative anaerobic bacteria more effectively than aerotolerant gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria . Materials containing CPC or FC (except Kri paste) produced strong or medium strong inhibition against most bacteria . CHX + ZOE, Kri paste, ZnO + H2O, and ZOE inhibited all or most bacteria, but to lesser extent than CPC + Ca(OH)2, CPC + ZnO, or FC + ZOE . Ca(OH)2 + H2O, Vitapex, and Vaseline generally were nonihibitory . The findings should allow a comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness to be made of materials commonly used in pulpectomy procedures with primary teeth.

J Clin Periodontol, 1996 Nov, 23(11), 998 - 1003
Azithromycin in the treatment of periodontal disease . Effect on microbial flora; Sefton AM et al.; Azithromycin is an azalide antibiotic with excellent in vitro activity against a wide variety of oral bacteria . It has a long half-life, good tissue penetration and is preferentially taken up by phagocytes . We investigated the microbiological efficacy of azithromycin as an adjunct to the non-surgical treatment of adult chronic periodontitis; its clinical efficacy is dealt with in a separate paper . 46 patients were treated in a double-blind placebo controlled trial . Microbiological assessment of the same periodontal pocket (initially > 6 mm) was made at weeks 0, 2, 3, 6, 10 and 22 . Either azithromycin 500 mg 1 x daily for 3 days or placebo was given at week 2 . Particular attention was paid to the numbers of black pigmented anaerobes and spirochaetes present since these are the most commonly implicated pathogens in periodontal disease . Pigmented anaerobes were significantly reduced at weeks 3 and 6 in patients who received azithromycin compared to placebo and remained lower, although not significantly so, throughout the study . Counts of spirochaetes were significantly reduced throughout the study in patients who received azithromycin compared to placebo . Our microbiological study suggests that azithromycin may be useful as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Am J Otolaryngol, 1996 Nov-Dec, 17(6), 391 - 6
Prognostic factors in complicated and uncomplicated chronic otitis media; Panda NK et al.; PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the factors that make a patient of chronic suppurative otitis media more susceptible to the development of a complication . MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 125 patients of both complicated and uncomplicated cases of chronic suppurative otitis media who underwent mastoid surgery was undertaken to study the percentage proportion of various complications and to correlate various variables, such as age, sex, duration of ear discharge, otoscopy, operative findings, state of pneumatization, and microbiology of the ear . RESULTS: It was found that patients with complicated ear disease had ear discharge for a shorter duration compared with those without complications . The difference was statistically significant (P < .05) . There was no significant difference in the otoscopic findings in both the groups . At surgery, presence of granulation tissue was significantly seen in the group with complications (P < .05) . Radiologically, degree of mastoid pneumatization had no significant difference in the two groups, except the presence of lytic lesion in patients more than 15 years of age in the group with complications . Bacteriological examination showed significant isolation of anaerobes in patients with complications (P < .01) . CONCLUSION: A history of ear discharge for a short duration in a younger patient less than 15 years of age, the presence of anaerobes in the ear discharge, and granulation tissue at surgery increase the probability of development of a complication in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1996 Nov, 175(5), 1336 - 41
A comparison of rapid amniotic fluid markers in the prediction of microbial invasion of the uterine cavity and preterm delivery; Garry D et al.; OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase level in comparison with other rapid markers in prediction of microbial invasion of the uterine cavity and preterm delivery < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis . STUDY DESIGN: One hundred thirty-one women in preterm labor with intact membranes underwent transabdominal amniocentesis . Amniotic fluid was analyzed for leukocyte count, glucose level, lactate dehydrogenase level, and Gram stain . Cultures for aerobes, anaerobes, and Mycoplasma sp . were performed . Amniocentesis-to-delivery interval was calculated . The study group was divided and the findings compared according to amniotic fluid culture results and according to amniocentesis-to-delivery interval . Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value were calculated for lactate dehydrogenase, leukocyte count, glucose, and Gram stain in the prediction of positive amniotic fluid culture and preterm delivery < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis . Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis, logistic regression analysis, t tests, and nonparametric tests were used . RESULTS: The prevalence of positive amniotic fluid cultures was 12% (16 of 131) . The median lactate dehydrogenase level (1084 U/L) was significantly greater for women with a positive amniotic fluid culture than for those with a negative culture (median lactate dehydrogenase level 194 U/L; p < 0.0002) . The critical values calculated for optimal performance in prediction of a positive amniotic fluid culture were a lactate dehydrogenase level > or = 419 U/L, leukocyte count > or = 50 cells/mm3 (50 x 10(6)/L) and glucose < or = 17 mg/dl (0.94 mmol/L) . Lactate dehydrogenase, leukocyte count, glucose, and Gram stain were equally sensitive and specific in prediction of a positive amniotic fluid culture . Thirty-nine women (29.8%) gave birth < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis . The median lactate dehydrogenase level (414 U/L) was significantly greater among women giving birth < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis than among women giving birth > 36 hours after amniocentesis (median lactate dehydrogenase, 173 U/L; p < 0.001) . Critical values of lactate dehydrogenase > or = 225 U/L, leukocyte count > or = 10 cells/mm3 (10 x 10(6)/L) and glucose < or = 34 mg/dl (1.9 mmol/L) were selected for optimal performance in prediction of amniocentesis-to-delivery interval < or = 36 hours . Lactate dehydrogenase level had the best sensitivity (74%) in prediction of delivery < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis in contrast to leukocyte count (49%), glucose (62%), and positive Gram stain (26%) . Amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase values > or = 225 U/L were associated with a fivefold greater risk for delivery < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis (odds ratio 5.46, 95% confidence interval 2.00 to 14.87; p = 0.0006) . CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase level has diagnostic value in prediction of a positive amniotic fluid culture and delivery < or = 36 hours after amniocentesis . Lactate dehydrogenase is a readily available, inexpensive, rapid amniotic fluid marker that can be measured in any hospital laboratory.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1996 Nov, 62(11), 4108 - 13
A freshwater anaerobe coupling acetate oxidation to tetrachloroethylene dehalogenation; Krumholz LR et al.; Strain TT4B has been isolated from anaerobic sediments known to be contaminated with a variety of organic solvents . It is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium and grew anaerobically with acetate as the electron donor and tetrachloroethylene as the electron acceptor in a mineral medium . cis-Dichloroethylene was the halogenated product . This strain did not grow fermentatively and used only acetate or pyruvate as electron donors . Tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene were used as electron acceptors, as were ferric nitriloacetate and fumarate . Nitrogen and sulfur oxyanions were not able to substitute as the electron acceptor for this organism . Modest growth occurred in a two-phase system with 1 ml of hexadecane containing 50 to 200 mM tetrachloroethylene (aqueous concentrations, 25 to 100 microM) and 10 ml of anaerobic mineral solution with Na2S as the reducing agent . Growth was completely inhibited at tetrachloroethylene levels above 100 microM.

J Bacteriol, 1996 Nov, 178(21), 6386 - 8
Purification and properties of a low-redox-potential tetraheme cytochrome c3 from Shewanella putrefaciens; Tsapin AI et al.; Shewanella putrefaciens is a facultatively anaerobic bacterium in the gamma group of the proteobacteria, capable of utilizing a wide variety of anaerobic electron acceptors . An examination of its cytochrome content revealed the presence of a tetraheme, low-redox-potential (E'o = -233 mV), cytochrome c-type cytochrome with a molecular mass of 12,120 Da and a pI of 5.8 . The electron spin resonance data indicate a bis-histidine coordination of heme groups . Reduction of ferric citrate was accompanied by oxidation of the cytochrome . The biochemical properties suggested that this protein was in the cytochrome c3 group, which is supported by N-terminal sequence data up to the first heme binding site.

Arch Microbiol, 1996 Oct 17, 166(4), 269 - 74
Synergistic iron reduction and citrate dissimilation by Shewanella alga and Aeromonas veronii
Knight V V, Caccavo F, Wudyka S, Blakemore R.
Two bacterial isolates from Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, in co-culture carried out anaerobic dissimilation of citric acid with Fe(III) as the terminal electron acceptor . Neither isolate oxidized citrate with Fe(III) anaerobically in axenic culture . The Fe(III) reducer, Shewanella alga strain BrY, did not grow anaerobically with citrate as an energy source . The citrate utilizer, Aeromonas veronii, did not reduce iron axenically with a variety of electron donors including citrate . The onset of iron reduction by the co-culture occurred after initiation of citrate dissimilation and just prior to initiation of growth by either organism (as measured by viable plate counts) . Anaerobic culture growth rates and final cell densities of each bacterial strain were greater in co-culture than in axenic cultures . By 48 h of growth, the co-culture had consumed 27 mM citrate as compared with 12 mM dissimilated by the axenic culture of A . veronii . By 48 h the co-culture produced half as much formate (6 mM) and twice as much acetate (40 mM) as did A . veronii grown axenically (12 mM and 20 mM, respectively) . Formate produced from citrate by A . veronii appeared to have supported growth and Fe(III) reduction by S . alga.Although not obligatory, nutrient coupling between these two organisms illustrates that fermentative (A . veronii-type) organisms can convert organic compounds such as citrate to those used as substrates by dissimilatory Fe(III) reducers, including S . alga . This synergism broadens the range of substrates available for iron reduction, stimulates the extent and rate of organic electron donor degradation (and that of iron reduction) and enhances the growth of each participant.

J Laryngol Otol, 1996 Oct, 110(10), 950 - 1
Use of pre-reduced swabs in bacteriology of chronic suppurative otitis media; Indudharan R et al.; A simple, safe and effective procedure for improving the bacterial isolation in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is described . It is most useful for the isolation of aerobes as well as anaerobes from the middle ear.

Scand J Urol Nephrol, 1996 Oct, 30(5), 387 - 93
The bacterial flora of the genitourinary tract in healthy fertile men; Willen M et al.; The clinical significance of microorganisms in semen is unclear, as they may signify contamination rather than infection . Specimens from six locations in 97 healthy men scheduled for vasectomy were analyzed . Totally 1033 strains, aerobic or anaerobic, were isolated . Of 61 intraoperatively obtained vas deferens cultures, only one was positive . Of the 97 semen samples, 83% contained bacteria, 140 aerobes and 113 anaerobes; 44% of the strains found in semen and 58% of those in prostatic secretion were also identified in the urethra . The finding that 71% of the strains colonizing the coronal sulcus were present in the urethra indicates that the distal part of the urethra is colonized by a bacterial flora similar to that in the sulcus . The urethral flora may then contaminate semen and prostatic secretion . Presence of multiple bacterial species in semen was not associated with abnormal sperm function.

J Clin Periodontol, 1996 Oct, 23(10), 906 - 13
Topographic distribution of black-pigmenting anaerobes before and after periodontal treatment by local delivery of tetracycline; Mombelli A et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of black-pigmenting Gram-negative bacteria in the dentition of 10 adult periodontitis patients before and after treatment by local delivery of tetracycline . The subjects were selected based on a screening for high counts of Porphyromonas gingivalis and multiple deep pockets . Subgingival microbial samples were taken from the mesial and distal aspect of every tooth (44 to 56 sites per patient) before treatment, and after one and two months . Therapy included full mouth scaling and root planing, chlorhexidine mouth rinsing and placement of tetracycline HCl fibers (Actisite) on all teeth . 63.4% of 524 baseline samples yielded total anaerobic viable counts > or = 10(6) CFU/ml; P . gingivalis was found in 59.2% and Prevotella intermedia in 56.9% . One month after treatment, the % of samples with > or = 10(6) CFU/ml was reduced to 9.4%, 5.3% were P . gingivalis- and 5.1% P . intermedia- positive . After 2 months, 9.6% samples yielded > or = 10(6) CFU/ml, 5.2% were P . gingivalis- and 9.4% P . intermedia- positive . 20 of the 39 sites with a persistence of P . gingivalis were located on second molars . Logistic regression models were utilized to explain the persistence of P . gingivalis, using site location and other clinical parameters as independent variables . These analyses indicated a strong association of site location, pocket depth and bleeding on sampling with persistence of P . gingivalis . The study shows that local delivery of tetracycline is highly effective in reducing the prevalence and proportions of black-pigmenting anaerobes within a dentition . Bleeding deep pockets of second molars have an increased risk for persistence of these anaerobes.

Eur J Biochem, 1996 Oct 1, 241(1), 155 - 61
A H2O-producing NADH oxidase from the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis; Brown DM et al.; We describe the purification of a H2O-producing NADH oxidase from the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis . The enzyme is a monomeric flavoprotein containing flavin adenine dinucleotide in a 1:1 molar ratio with the polypeptide . The NADH oxidase has an apparent molecular mass of 46 kDa and was homogenous as determined by denaturing gel electrophoresis and N-terminal amino acid sequencing . NADPH could substitute for NADH as an electron donor with a K(m) value of 4.2 microM for NADH and 16 microM for NADPH (pH 7.8 at room temperature) . With oxygen as the primary electron acceptor under aerobic conditions, the pure enzyme did not produce O.-2 nor H2O2 as stoichiometric products of oxygen reduction, implicating H2O as the end product and obviating the need for superoxide dismutase . The ability to utilise oxygen explains the apparent respiration of the amitochondrial fermentative metabolism of Giardia . Mercurials, flavoantagonists and heavy metals (Cu2+ and Zn2+) inhibited this activity . Under anaerobic conditions the enzyme catalysed electron transfer at lower efficiencies to other electron acceptors including nitroblue tetrazolium, potassium ferricyanide, FAD and FMN, using either NADH or NADPH as electron donors . NADPH, however, was a more efficient electron donor . Cytochrome c was not reduced under any assay conditions used . The enzyme reduced the nitrofuran drugs, furazolidone (an antigiardial) and nitrofurantoin, to their toxic radical forms as determined by EPR . Metronidazole, a nitroimidazole, was not reduced . Pure NADH oxidase did not demonstrate ferredoxin:NAD(P)1 oxidoreductase activity since it could not accept electrons from reduced ferredoxin to regenerate NAD(P)H . The G . duodenalis NADH oxidase may, therefore, function as a terminal oxidase, similar to the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, and in the maintenance of an optimum intracellular redox ratio . This report of a flavoenzyme from Giardia places Giardia close to the anaerobic bacteria in evolutionary terms.

J Clin Microbiol, 1996 Oct, 34(10), 2544 - 7
Assessment of routine use of an anaerobic bottle in a three-component, high-volume blood culture system; Hellinger WC et al.; The relative value of routine anaerobic blood culture for recovery of organisms and identification of episodes of bloodstream infection was assessed in a three-component, high-volume blood culture system which employs aerobic and anaerobic bottles of BacT/Alert (Organon-Teknika, Durham, N.C.) and aerobic cultures of Isolator (Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, N.J.) . The results of 5,595 blood culture sets from patients with suspected bloodstream infection were analyzed . Compared with either the aerobic BacT/Alert bottle or aerobic culture of Isolator, the BacT/Alert anaerobic bottle recovered significantly fewer isolates (242 versus 294, P < 0.05; 242 versus 298, P < 0.05) but did not detect significantly fewer episodes of bloodstream infection (141 versus 157, P > 0.05; 141 versus 147, P > 0.05) . The BacT/Alert anaerobic bottle recovered significantly more isolates of obligately anaerobic bacteria (16 versus 4, P < 0.05; 16 versus 0, P < 0.05) and detected significantly more episodes of bloodstream infection caused by obligately anaerobic bacteria (10 versus 3, P < 0.05; 10 versus 0, P < 0.05) than either the aerobic bottle of BacT/Alert or the aerobic culture of Isolator . The combination of the BacT/Alert anaerobic bottle and the aerobic culture of Isolator recovered as may isolates (374 versus 377) and detected as many episodes of bloodstream infection (194 versus 191) as the combination of the aerobic bottle of BacT/Alert and the aerobic culture of Isolator, and both of these combinations identified at least 8% more isolates and detected at least 3% more bloodstream infections than the combination of the BacT/Alert aerobic and anaerobic bottles . Further analysis of the data revealed that the utility of the BacT/Alert anaerobic bottle, especially when combined with the aerobic culture of Isolator, resulted from not only enhanced recovery of obligately anaerobic bacteria but also effective recovery of facultatively anaerobic bacteria . These results demonstrate the utility of the anaerobic BacT/Alert bottle for detecting bloodstream infection caused by either facultatively anaerobic bacteria or obligately anaerobic bacteria and support the routine inclusion of anaerobic blood culture in the three-component blood culture system used in our hospital.

Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1996 Oct, 46(4), 1153 - 7
Chrysiogenes arsenatis gen . nov., sp . nov., a new arsenate-respiring bacterium isolated from gold mine wastewater; Macy JM et al.; A new strictly anaerobic bacterium (strain BAL-1T) has been isolated from a reed bed at Ballarat Goldfields in Australia . The organism grew by reducing arsenate {As(V)} to arsenite {As(III)}, using acetate as the electron donor and carbon source; acetate alone did not support growth . When BAL-1T was grown with arsenate as the terminal electron acceptor, acetate could be replaced by pyruvate, L- and D-lactate, succinate, malate, and fumarate but not by H2, formate, citrate, glutamate, other amino acids, sugars, or benzoate . When acetate was the electron donor, arsenate could be replaced by nitrate or nitrite but not by sulfate, thiosulfate, or iron oxide . Nitrate was reduced to ammonia via nitrite . The doubling time for growth on acetate (5 mM) plus arsenate (5 mM) or nitrate (5 mM) was 4 h . The G+C content of the DNA is 49 mol% . The 16S rRNA sequence data for the organism support the hypothesis that this organism is phylogenetically unique and at present is the first representative of a new deeply branching lineage of the Bacteria . This organism is described as Chrysiogenes arsenatis gen . nov., sp . nov.

Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1996 Oct, 46(4), 1065 - 9
Phylogenetic positions of Desulfofustis glycolicus gen . nov., sp . nov., and Syntrophobotulus glycolicus gen . nov., sp . nov., two new strict anaerobes growing with glycolic acid; Friedrich M et al.; The glycolate-oxidizing, sulfate-reducing bacterium strain PerGlyS and the syntrophically glycolate-oxidizing bacterium strain FlGlyR were studied with respect to their phylogenetic relationships on the basis of in vitro amplification and direct sequencing of 16S rRNA-encoding DNA . Strain PerGlyS clustered with representatives of the delta subclass of the class Proteobacteria, close to "Desulforhopalus vacuolatus" but sufficiently distinct to preclude its assignment to this genus . These organisms, together with Desulfobulbus propionicus, represent a phylogenetic subgroup among members of the delta subclass of Proteobacteria . Strain FlGlyR was found to cluster with the gram-positive bacteria with low-G + C DNA, and Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans and Desulfotomaculum orientis are its closest relatives . Other species of the genus Desulfotomaculum are phylogenetically only moderately closely related to these organisms . These results necessitate the establishment of new genera and species for these two strains . Strain PerGlyS was designated the type strain of Desulfofustis glycolicus gen . nov., sp . nov., and strain FlGlyR was designated the type strain of Syntrophobotulus glycolicus gen . nov., sp . nov.

Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1996 Oct, 46(4), 1010 - 5
Isolation and characterization of Desulfitobacterium frappieri sp . nov., an anaerobic bacterium which reductively dechlorinates pentachlorophenol to 3-chlorophenol; Bouchard B et al.; An anaerobic bacterium, strain PCP-1T (T = type strain), which dechlorinates pentachlorophenol (PCP) to 3-chlorophenol, was isolated from a methanogenic consortium . This organism is a spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium that is nonmotile, asaccharolytic, and Gram stain negative but Gram type positive as determined by electron microscopic observations . Inorganic electron acceptors, such as sulfite, thiosulfate, and nitrate (but not sulfate), stimulate growth in the presence of pyruvate and yeast extract . The optimum pH and optimum temperature for growth are 7.5 and 38 degrees C, respectively . The dechlorination pathway is: PCP-->2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol -->3,4,5-trichlorophenol-->3,5-dichlorophenol-->3-chlorophenol . This bacterium dechlorinates several different chlorophenols at ortho, meta, and para positions; exceptions to this are 2,3-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 3,4-dichlorophenol, and the monochlorophenols . The time course of PCP dechlorination suggests that two enzyme systems are involved in dehalogenation in strain PCP-1T . One system is inducible for ortho dechlorination, and the second system is inducible for meta and para dechlorinations . A 16S rRNA analysis revealed that strain PCP-1T exhibits 95% homology with Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans JW/IU-DC1, an anaerobic bacterium which can dehalogenate chlorophenols only in ortho positions . These results suggest that strain PCP-1T is a member of a new species and belongs to the recently proposed genus Desulfitobacterium . Strain PCP-1T differs from D . dehalogenans JW/IU-DC1 by its broader range of chlorophenol dechlorination . Strain PCP-1 is the type strain of the new species, Desulfitobacterium frappieri.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1996 Oct, 62(10), 3826 - 33
The NAD(P)H-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase activities of Prevotella ruminicola B(1)4 can be attributed to one enzyme (GdhA), and gdhA expression is regulated in response to the nitrogen source available for growth; Wen Z et al.; Prevotella ruminicola B(1)4 possesses both NADPH- and NADH-linked glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities, with the greatest specific activity being measured from ammonia-limited cultures . Relative to cells grown in the presence of 1 mM ammonium chloride, the NADPH-dependent activity was decreased approximately 10-fold when peptides were provided as a nitrogen source . Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to visualize the GDH protein(s) in cell extracts of P . ruminicola . For all growth conditions tested, only one GDH protein was detectable, and its relative abundance, as well as its reactivity with either NAD(P)+ or NAD(P)H, correlated well with the specific activities measured from whole-cell assays . Consistent with the findings from enzyme assays and PAGE activity gels, Northern (RNA) blot analysis revealed that expression of a gene encoding NAD(P)H-GDH activity was greatest in ammonia-grown cultures and that GDH activity is regulated in response to nitrogen source (ammonia versus peptides), probably at the level of transcription . A gene encoding the NAD(P)H-utilizing GDH activity (gdhA) was cloned, and its nucleotide sequence was determined and shown to contain an open reading frame of 1,332 bp which would encode a polypeptide of 48.8 kDa . The deduced amino acid sequence possesses three highly conserved motifs typical of family I GDHs, but several unique amino acid substitutions within these motifs were evident . These results are discussed within the context of ruminal nitrogen metabolism and the growth efficiency of succinate- and propionate-producing anaerobic bacteria.

J Laryngol Otol, 1996 Sep, 110(9), 847 - 9
Bacteriology of the adult middle meatus; Klossek JM et al.; The aim of this work was to assess the commensal flora in the adult middle meatus . Thus, 139 samples were taken from subjects of both sexes, over 16 years of age, seen in the community or hospitalized for less than 72 hours for non-rhinological conditions . They had had no nasal or sinus conditions in the previous three months . One hundred and thirteen samples contained at least one aerobic or anaerobic bacterium . Fifty-nine samples yielded a single organism in culture . A maximum of five organisms were isolated from a given patient . These results show that the adult middle meatus contains a mixed commensal flora and should prove useful in interpreting endonasal swab cultures during acute and chronic sinus infection.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1996 Sep, 120(3), 587 - 99
2-oxoacid:ferredoxin oxidoreductase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus sp . strain 7; Zhang Q et al.; The purified 2-oxoacid:ferredoxin oxidoreductase of a thermoacidophilic and aerobic crenarchaeote, Sulfolobus sp . strain 7, consists of 70-kDa alpha and 37-kDa beta subunits, and contains one thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), one {4Fe-4S}2+.1+ cluster, and two magnesium atoms per alpha beta structure . It exhibits a broad substrate specificity toward 2-oxoacids such as 2-oxoglutarate, 2-oxobutyrate, and pyruvate . The gene encoding the archaeal oxidoreductase was cloned, and the two open reading frames encoding the alpha (632 amino acids) and beta subunits (305 amino acids), respectively, were sequenced . Careful sequence alignment revealed several consensus motifs of this enzyme family, as well as possible cofactor binding residues of the Sulfolobus enzyme . This new structural information also indicates that (i) several genetic fusions and reorganization of the early, possibly alpha beta gamma delta-type enzyme similar to those from hyperthermophiles have taken place during evolution of the 2-oxoacid:ferredoxin (flavodoxin) oxidoreductase superfamily, which might have occurred in different ways in early aerobic archaea and early anaerobic bacteria, and that (ii) enzymes with different subunit compositions should have an essentially similar catalytic mechanism with one TPP and at least one {4Fe-4S} cluster as the minimal set of redox centers.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1996 Sep-Oct, 20(5), 338 - 43
Luminal short-chain fatty acids and postresection intestinal adaptation; Thompson JS et al.; BACKGROUND: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) reportedly have a trophic effect on the small intestine . However, it is unclear if this is a local or primarily systemic effect . Loss of the ileocolonic junction (ICJ) may result in increased SCFAs and bacteria in the small intestine from colonic reflux . Our aim was to evaluate the effect of bypass of the ICJ on intestinal SCFA content and postresection adaptation . METHODS: Thirty dogs were studied: transection control (TC, n = 10), distal resection of 50% intestine (DR, n = 10), and distal resection with bypass of ICJ (DRBP, n = 10) . Animals were killed at 4 and 12 weeks . Luminal SCFAs and bacteria and adaptation of the small intestine were evaluated . RESULTS: Caloric intake was significantly less in the two resected groups (67 +/- 3 DR and 63 +/- 3, DRBP vs 78 +/- 5 kcal/kg/d TC, p < .05) . Body weight and albumin levels were decreased at 12 weeks but were similar between the resected groups (81% +/- 3% and 74% +/- 6% initial and 1.9 +/- 0.1 and 2.1 +/- 0.2 g/dL, DR and DRBP, respectively) . Steatorrhea was present for 12 weeks after resection and was greater after DRBP (14.2% +/- 3.8% vs 8.6% +/- 1.9% at 4 weeks and 13.6% +/- 2.5% vs 6.7% +/- 0.6% at 12 weeks, p < .05) . Bypassed animals had elevated intraluminal SCFA content (3126 +/- 1094 vs 1791 +/- 538 DR and 1600 +/- 446 micrograms/mL TC, p < .05) and anaerobic bacterial counts (100% vs 50% and 44%, respectively) . Tissue inflammation and myeloperoxidase activity were similar . Small intestinal length (174 +/- 10 and 180 +/- 10 cm) and circumference (5.2 +/- 0.4 and 5.2 +/- 0.3 cm) increased to a similar extent in both resected groups at 12 weeks . Thickness of mucosa (1939 +/- 162 vs 1662 +/- 162 microns) and muscle (865 +/- 45 vs 978 +/- 79 microns) layers were similar after DR and DRBP . CONCLUSION: (1) Bypass of the ICJ after distal resection results in increased growth of anaerobic bacteria and luminal SCFA and is associated with more marked steatorrhea . (2) Bypass of the ICJ does not influence structural adaptation of the small intestine . (3) These findings do not support a local trophic effect for SCFA.

J Periodontol, 1996 Sep, 67(9), 909 - 17
Immunomodulatory and superantigen activities of bacteria associated with adult periodontitis; Getka TP et al.; Immune dysfunctions are frequently associated with chronic inflammatory diseases . Several investigators have reported that patients with severe periodontitis show reduced or negligible levels of proliferative responses of peripheral blood and gingival lymphocytes to periodontopathic organisms . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of products from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P . gingivalis) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A . actinomycetemcomitans) on lymphocytes obtained from periodontally diseased and non-diseased individuals in order to extend our understanding of the possible role of such bacterial components as immune modulators . Pooled cultures of either P . gingivalis or A . actinomycetemcomitans were disrupted using glass beads in a bead mill to prepare whole cell homogenates . These homogenates were then co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and known lymphocyte stimulators . Cultures were pulsed with tritiated thymidine, harvested, and radio label incorporation was determined . Responses to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were inhibited at high concentrations of bacterial homogenate . However, as the concentration was reduced, responses induced by PWM were restored while TSST-1 induced responses remained inhibited . Such results suggest that P . gingivalis and A . actinomycetemcomitans contain potent immunosuppressants with differential influences on lymphocyte population . These effects on B- and T-cells are independent of periodontal disease status and appear to exert their influence through non-toxic mechanisms . In addition, work currently underway presently indicates that obligate oral anaerobic bacteria such as P . gingivalis produce substances with some of the characteristics of superantigens.

Am J Surg, 1996 Sep, 172(3), 272 - 4
How does infected bile affect the postoperative course of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
Gold-Deutch R, Mashiach R, Boldur I, Ferszt M, Negri M, Halperin Z, Lin G, Sackier J, Halevy A.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the rate of infected bile in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and to study the influence on the postoperative infective complications in this group of patients . METHODS: Bile samples of 247 patients undergoing LC were collected and cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . All patients were given prophylactic antibiotics . RESULTS: The overall rate of infected bile was 12.8% (56 positive cultures); of these, 54 were aerobic and 2 anaerobic bacteria . Only 2 patients developed infection at the umbilical site, and in both, the bile was sterile . None of the patients with positive bile cultures developed any signs of infection during a mean follow-up period of 26 months . CONCLUSION: The overall rate of septic complications following LC is extremely low, and at least in our study no correlation was found between infected bile and septic complications.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1996 Aug 15, 209(4), 819 - 22
Tooth root abscesses in New World camelids: 23 cases (1972-1994); Cebra ML et al.; OBJECTIVE--To determine typical clinical and radiographic findings in a group of New World camelids with tooth root abscesses and to determine outcome after medical and surgical treatment . DESIGN--Retrospective case series . ANIMALS--23 llamas and alpacas with radiographic and clinical evidence of tooth root abscesses . PROCEDURE--Disease history, signalment, physical and radiographic examination findings, bacteriologic culture results, treatment, and short-term and long-term outcome were retrieved from the medical records . RESULTS--Local swelling was the most common clinical abnormality in camelids with tooth root abscesses . Mandibular molars were affected most commonly, and bacteriologic culture of samples from lesions often revealed facultative anaerobic bacteria . Antibiotic treatment for at least 30 days, surgical extraction of the affected tooth, and a root canal procedure were used successfully to treat tooth root abscesses . CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS--Both surgical and medical treatment of tooth root abscesses may lead to successful resolution of clinical signs in New World camelids.

Biodegradation, 1996 Aug, 7(4), 345 - 52
Anaerobic degradation of phthalic acid esters during digestion of municipal solid waste under landfilling conditions; Ejlertsson J et al.; Anaerobic microorganisms in municipal solid waste samples from laboratory-scale landfill reactors and a pilot-plant biogas digestor were investigated with the aim of assessing their ability to transform four commercially used phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and phthalic acid (PA) . The PAEs studied were diethyl phthalate (DEP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) . No biological transformation of DEHP could be detected in any of the experiments . Together with waste samples from the simulated landfilling conditions, the PAEs (except DEHP) were hydrolytically transformed to their corresponding monoesters . These accumulated as end products, and in most cases they were not further degraded . During incubation with waste from the biogas digestor, the PAEs (except DEHP) were completely degraded to methane and carbon dioxide . The influence of the landfill development phase on the transformations was investigated utilizing PA and DEP as model substances . We found that during both the intense and stable methanogenic (but not the acidogenic) phases, the microorganisms in the samples had the potential to transform PA . A shorter lag phase was observed for the PA transformation in the samples from the stable methanogenic phase as compared with earlier phases . This indicates an increased capacity to degrade PA during the aging phases of the municipal solid waste in landfills . No enhancement of the DEP transformation could be observed as conditions in the methanogenic landfill model changed over a year's time . The results indicate that microorganisms developing in a methanogenic landfill environment have a substantially lower potential to degrade compared with those developing in a biogas reactor.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1996 Aug, 15(8), 676 - 8
Methods of measuring susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria to trovafloxacin, including quality control parameters; Barry AL et al.; Three methods approved by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for testing the susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria were used to evaluate the fluoroquinolone, trovafloxacin . The methods gave essentially comparable results with 126 anaerobes and with three quality control strains . A collaborative study defined the quality control range for trovafloxacin MICs . Trovafloxacin had good in vitro activity against the more common anaerobes (MIC 90 < = or 2.0 micrograms/ml).

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1996 Aug, 120(2), 398 - 406
Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding a novel lysine-specific cysteine proteinase (Lys-gingipain) in Porphyromonas gingivalis: structural relationship with the arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (Arg-gingipain); Okamoto K et al.; Lys-gingipain (KGP), so termed due to its peptide cleavage specificity for lysine residues, is a cysteine proteinase produced by the Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis . Mixed oligonucleotide primers designed from the NH2-terminal sequence of the purified enzyme were used to clone the KGP-encoding gene (kgp) from the organism . The nucleotide sequence of kgp had a 5,169-bp open reading frame encoding 1,723 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 218 kDa . As the extracellular mature enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 51 kDa in gels, the precursor of KGP was found to comprise at least four domains, the signal peptide, the NH2-terminal prodomain, the mature proteinase domain, and the COOH-terminal hemagglutinin domain, and to be proteolytically processed during its transport . Importantly, the COOH-terminal region contained three direct repeats of two different amino acid sequences, LKWD(or E)AP and YTYTVYRDGTKI, and the subdomains located between the two repeats exhibited strong similarity to those of Arg-gingipain (RGP), another major cysteine proteinase produced by the organism and having cleavage specificity for arginine residues, although the arrangement of the subdomains was not necessarily identical in the two enzymes . Since the KGP activity was greatly decreased in RGP-deficient mutants and since the most probable site of the propeptide cleavage was present in the homologous sequence highly susceptible to proteolysis by RGP, the precursor of KGP is likely to be processed by RGP to form the mature enzyme.

J Periodontal Res, 1996 Aug, 31(6), 423 - 32
Clonality of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens isolated from periodontally diseased and healthy sites; Teanpaisan R et al.; Black-pigmented anaerobes have been implicated as major pathogens in the aetiology of adult periodontitis but these organisms are also found in healthy sites . This study aimed to examine the relationship between genotypes of black-pigmented anaerobes and disease status of periodontal sites using restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and ribotyping . The main black-pigmented species recovered from sites were Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens . Each of the 58 subjects investigated harboured distinct genotypes of these three species . Most subjects appeared to be colonized by a single genotype of P . gingivalis and Pr . intermedia, whereas multiple types of Pr . nigrescens colonized many individuals . Plasmids were only found in a few Pr . nigrescens strains . No association was found between the disease status of sites and any specific or group of genotypes of either species or presence of a plasmid . Since the same genotypes of P . gingivalis, Pr . intermedia and Pr . nigrescens were found at both diseased and non-diseased sites in a subject, adult periodontitis is not explained by the presence of specially virulent clones of these organisms . Their role in periodontitis, therefore, is likely to be opportunistic.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1996 Aug, 75(7), 624 - 7
Intraamniotic infection in patients with preterm labor and twin pregnancies; Mazor M et al.; BACKGROUND: Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity plays a major role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and delivery in singleton pregnancy . Nevertheless, this association is not well established among patients with multiple gestations . The purpose of our study was to explore the role of intraamniotic infection in the setting of twin pregnancies . METHODS: Consecutive women with twin gestations, intact membranes and preterm labor who underwent transabdominal amniocentesis under sonographic guidance . Amniotic fluid (AF) was retrieved from both sacs and cultured for aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms as well as for Mycoplasma species . Intraamniotic infection was defined as a positive AF culture for microorganisms . Mann Whitney U test or Student t-test or Fisher's exact test were utilized for analysis . RESULTS: Amniotic fluid was obtained from 74 patients . Sixty-eight women delivered prematurely (91.9%) . Amniotic fluid culture results were positive for microorganisms in nine cases and all women with intraamniotic infection delivered prematurely as well as 59 (90.7%) patients with negative culture . Among the nine patients with intraamniotic infection, microorganisms were isolated from the presenting sac in five cases (55.6%), from both sacs in three patients (33.3%) and from the upper sac in the remaining case (11.1%) . Patients with a positive AF culture had a more advanced cervical dilatation, a shorter interval amniocentesis-to-delivery and a higher incidence of clinical chorioamnionitis than those with a negative AF culture . CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intraamniotic infection and clinical and histological chorioamnionitis in twin pregnancies and preterm labor is similar to singleton pregnancies and preterm labor . Therefore, women with multiple gestations and preterm labor should be managed as singleton pregnancies.

Dig Dis Sci, 1996 Aug, 41(8), 1682 - 6
Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in patients with hepatolithiasis; Sheen-Chen SM et al.; We evaluated the role of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis . From December 1994 to May 1995, 40 patients with hepatolithiasis were included . All the patients met the following criteria: (1) presence of hepatolithiasis, (2) no obvious clinical evidence of an associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, (3) no clinical manifestation of cholangitis for at least 72 hr, (4) no immunomodulatory agents in the last three weeks, and (5) no blood transfusion in the last three weeks . Venous blood samples were collected both before surgery and at least three months after complete clearance of the stones, and the serum concentrations of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured with a sandwich enzyme immunoassay method . Fifteen healthy subjects were used as a control group . Bile specimens routinely obtained during surgery were cultured for aerobes and anaerobes . The x-ray films of cholangiography were all reviewed in detail . The mean value (834 +/- 128 ng/ml) of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the patient group before surgery was significantly higher than that (346 +/- 68 ng/ml) of the control group (P < 0.01) . The mean value (677 +/- 139 ng/ml) of circulating ICAM-1 in the patient group at least three months after complete clearance of the stones was significantly lower than that (834 +/- 128 ng/ml) of the patients before surgery (P < 0.01), but this mean value (677 +/- 139 ng/ml) was still significantly higher than that (346 +/- 68 ng/ml) of the control group (P < 0.01) . Bacteria was present in the bile of all patients . The total number of bacterial species was 135, and there were an average of 3.4 bacterial species cultured per patient . Intrahepatic stricture was demonstrated in cholangiography in 33 patients (82.5%) . In addition to the high incidence of intrahepatic bile duct strictures and bile infection, a significant elevation in circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) was shown in patients with hepatolithiasis . Our preliminary results seem to be promising and the real role of sICAM-1 deserves further investigation and elucidation.

J Biol Chem, 1996 Jul 12, 271(28), 16515 - 9
Purification and characterization of tetrachloroethene reductive dehalogenase from Dehalospirillum multivorans; Neumann A et al.; Tetrachloroethene reductive dehalogenase from the tetrachloroethene-utilizing anaerobe, Dehalospirillum multivorans, was purified approximately 100-fold to apparent homogeneity . The purified dehalogenase catalyzed the reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) to trichloroethene and of trichloroethene to cis-1,2-dichloroethene with reduced methyl viologen as the electron donor at a specific activity of 2.6 microkatal/mg . The apparent Km values for tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene were 0.20 and 0.24 mM, respectively . The apparent molecular mass of the native enzyme was determined by gel filtration to be 58 kDa . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis revealed a single protein band with a molecular mass of 57 kDa . One mol of dehalogenase contained 1.0 mol of corrinoid, 9.8 mol of iron, and 8.0 mol of acid-labile sulfur . The pH optimum was about 8.0 . The enzyme had a temperature optimum of 42 degrees C . It was slightly oxygen-sensitive and was thermolabile above 50 degrees C . The dechlorination of PCE was stimulated by ammonium ions . Chlorinated methanes severely inhibited PCE dehalogenase activity.

Int Endod J, 1996 Jul, 29(4), 280 - 3
The antimicrobial activity of endodontic sealers to anaerobic bacteria; Abdulkader A et al.; The effect of five root canal sealers and two root canal dressing materials on the growth of three anaerobic bacteria associated with endodontic infections was determined using the agar diffusion inhibitory test . Samples of the following endodontic sealers (Apexit, Ketac-Endo, Roth Sealer, Sealapex and Tubliseal) and root canal dressing materials (Pulpdent and Root-cal) were incubated for 48 h with the following anaerobic bacteria: Capnocytophaga ochracea, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Peptostreptococcus micros . Statistically significant zones of bacterial growth inhibition for all the bacteria tested were observed in descending order of antimicrobial activity: Roth Sealer, Ketac-Endo, Tubliseal, Apexit and Sealapex . Root-cal and Pulpdent also showed statistically significant antimicrobial activity, but only to Capnocytophaga ochracea, not to the other two bacteria tested, with Pulpdent being the least active.

Int Endod J, 1996 Jul, 29(4), 249 - 55
An in vitro study of the coronal leakage of two root canal sealers using an obligate anaerobe microbial marker; Chailertvanitkul P et al.; The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the coronal leakage of obligate anaerobes into root canals obturated with lateral condensation of cold gutta-percha with two root canal sealers . Sixty extracted human teeth with straight, single root canals were prepared using the modified double-flared technique with balanced force under copious irrigation until the master apical file was size 40 . The teeth were divided randomly into experimental groups (40 teeth) and control groups (20 teeth) . In the experimental groups, 20 teeth were obturated with lateral condensation of cold gutta-percha and AH26 sealer and 20 teeth were obturated with the same technique using TubliSeal EWT sealer . In the control groups, 10 teeth were obturated with the same technique either with AH26 or TubliSeal EWT sealer . These teeth were completely sealed to serve as negative controls . The remaining 10 teeth were not obturated and served as positive controls . The root surface of each tooth was sealed with nail varnish except the apical 2 mm . The coronal part of each root canal was sealed with the cut end of polypropylene tube and placed in a glass bottle containing sterile Fastidious Anaerobe Broth (FAB) . Aliquots of 0.5 mL of FAB were injected into the polypropylene tube and the model system was centrifuged at 168 g . An inoculum of Fusobacterium nucleatum in FAB was placed in each coronal chamber at 7-day intervals and daily observations were made for bacterial growth in the apical reservoir for 12 weeks . All positive control teeth showed bacterial leakage within a week, while the negative control teeth remained uncontaminated throughout the test period . All the experimental teeth exhibited leakage of bacterial metabolites within 12 weeks, ranging from 1 to 12 weeks . The mean time for complete leakage in the AH26 and the TubliSeal EWT groups was 8.4 and 8.2 weeks respectively . There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in leakage between the AH26 and the TubliSeal EWT groups.

Int Endod J, 1996 Jul, 29(4), 235 - 41
Variations in the susceptibilities of components of the endodontic microflora to biomechanical procedures; Gomes BP et al.; The role of the endodontic microflora in pulpal disease and in endodontic treatment failures is well established . Thus the need for effective microbial control is one of the important justifications for biomechanical procedures . However the efficacy of this stage of treatment is dependent upon the vulnerability of the involved species, which may not be uniform . The aim of this study was to investigate variations in the susceptibilities of members of the root canal microflora to routine biomechanical procedures . Forty-two root canals were investigated microbiologically . Samples were collected before and after instrumentation and the bacterial findings were compared . In 15 cases of 'primary' root canal therapy, despite changes in the population size, no significant change in the species composition of the microflora was observed . However in 27 cases 'secondary' treatment, a decrease in the number of isolations of Peptostreptococcus spp . was found (P = 0.008) . When all 42 cases were considered together, significant decreases were found between first and second samples for anaerobes (P = 0.0117) and for Grampositive species (P = 0.008), especially Peptostreptococcus spp . (P = 0.02) . It was therefore concluded that certain species are more resistant to the biomechanical procedures than others.

Minerva Ginecol, 1996 Jul-Aug, 48(7-8), 293 - 8
{Infectious complications of diagnostic hysteroscopy}; Bracco PL et al.; AIM: To evaluate whether diagnostic hysteroscopy may cause pelvic inflammatory disease; to evaluate whether there is a group of patients with a high risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease . EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A prospective study of 300 non-consecutive hysteroscopies with a follow-up 20 days after the test . SETTING: The study was performed at Sanremo Hospital (Regione Liguria, USL 1 Imperiese, Sanremo Hospital Board) through the Hysteroscopy Clinic of the Gynecology Division (Head: Dott . G . Armentano) and Microbiology Service of the Test Laboratory . PATIENTS: A total of 300 non-consecutive patients undergoing hysteroscopy for any indication were enrolled during 1992 of whom 253 completed the study . The main criteria used for selection were the possibility of performing an atraumatic hysteroscopy and immediately prior to this a cervical smear for the direct and/or cultured assay of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi, microplasms, Chlamydia, protozoa . METHOD: Hysteroscopy was performed in all cases without cervical dilatation, following the disinfection of the cervix using povidone-iodine 10%, using a hysteroscope with a diameter of 5 mm (Microhysteroscope Hamou I-Storz); CO2 was used as the means of distending the uterine cavity and was supplied by an electronically controlled insufflator (Hysteroinsufflator acc . Hamou-Storz) . RESULTS: Germs were identified in the cervical canal in 35 out of 253 women an the incidence of positivity decreased with age . A positive correlation was also found with the type of indication for hysteroscopy . Pelvic inflammatory disease developed in 2 cases out of 253 (0.79%) and both cases belonged to the group with germs in the cervical canal; in both cases the etiological agent was Chlamydia trachomatis . No case of pelvic inflammatory disease was observed in the group of patients without germs in the cervical canal . CONCLUSIONS: Patients under the age of 35, with hysteroscopic indications relating to sterility and painful pelvic syndrome, must be regarded as being at higher risk of developing posthysteriscopic pelvic inflammatory disease.

Hepatogastroenterology, 1996 Jul-Aug, 43(10), 800 - 6
Counts of bacteria and pyocites of choledochal bile in controls and in patients with gallstones or common bile duct stones with or without acute cholangitis; Csendes A et al.; BACKGROUND/AIMS: The number of colonies of bacteria and the number of pyocites present per ml of choledochal bile was studied . PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 42 controls, 100 patients with symptomatic gallstones, 42 patients with common duct stones without cholangitis and 24 patients with common duct stones and acute cholangitis . RESULTS: Control subjects had no bacteria present at gallbladder bile . Only 3% of patients with gallstones had more than 10(5) colonies per ml which increased to 36% in patients with common duct stones without cholangitis and to 84% among patients with acute cholangitis (p < 0.001) . There were more polybacterial flora among patients with acute cholangitis and anaerobic bacteria were not seen in patients with gallstones . Patients with acute cholangitis had significantly more pyocites present at choledochal bile . CONCLUSION: There is a direct correlation between the number of colonies present per ml of choledochal bile and the severity of biliary tract disease . Patients with acute cholangitis had significantly more pyocites present at choledochal bile compared to gallstones or patients with CBD stones without cholangitis.

Int J STD AIDS, 1996 Jul, 7(4), 284 - 7
Recurrent bacterial vaginosis--an old approach to a new problem; Winceslaus SJ et al.; Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of abnormal malodorous vaginal discharge and can be frustrating to manage in its recurrent form . Metronidazole is the standard treatment, but is unacceptable to many women when given repeatedly . Results of treating recurrent BV using a single vaginal washout with 3% hydrogen peroxide are analysed . A total of 30 symptomatic women with clinically confirmed recurrent BV in the absence of other genital infections were recruited after informed consent . Hydrogen peroxide (3%) was instilled into the vagina, left for 3 minutes and drained . Reassessment was at 3 weeks after treatment . A total of 23 women completed the study . Symptoms cleared completely in 78% (18/23), improved in 13% (3/23) and remained unchanged in 9% (2/23) . All the 3 women with improved symptoms had a mild vaginal discharge, but only one of them was still able to perceive the malodour . The amine test was negative in all 23 women including the 2 (9%) who felt no change in their symptoms following treatment . Mixed anaerobes isolated in all women before treatment were not re-isolated, and microscopy did not show 'clue cells' in the vaginal discharge following treatment . Vaginal acidity was restored to normal in all but one (96%) . No side-effects were observed in the treated women . Hydrogen peroxide (3%) used as a single vaginal wash was as effective as any other agent in current use in clearing the vaginal malodour of bacterial vaginosis at 3 weeks after treatment.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1996 Jul, 70(1), 11 - 20
Sodium-dependent succinate decarboxylation by a new anaerobic bacterium belonging to the genus Peptostreptococcus; Janssen PH et al.; An anaerobic bacterium was isolated from a polluted sediment, with succinate and yeast extract as carbon and energy sources . The new strain was Gram-positive, the cells were coccal shaped, the mol% G+G content of the genomic DNA was 29, and the peptidoglycan was of the L-ornithine-D-glutamic acid type . Comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed the new strain to belong to the genus Peptostreptococcus . Succinate, fumarate, pyruvate, 3-hydroxybutyrate and lysine supported growth . Succinate was degraded to propionate and presumably CO2, with a stoichiometric cell yield . Key enzymes of the methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase pathway were present . The methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity was avidin-sensitive and sodium dependent, and about 5 mM Na+ was required for maximal activity . Whole cells, however, required at least 50 mM sodium for maximal succinate decarboxylation activity and to support the maximum growth rate . Sodium-dependent energy conservation coupled to succinate decarboxylation is shown for the first time to occur in a bacterium belonging to the group of Gram-positive bacteria containing the peptostreptococci and their relatives.

J Clin Microbiol, 1996 Jul, 34(7), 1804 - 7
Evaluation of nutritive capacities of 10 broth media; Scythes KD et al.; Ten broth media were evaluated for their ability to support the growth of low inocula of selected fastidious aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic bacteria . Thioglycolate medium USP (Oxoid, Basingstoke, England), cooked meat broth (Oxoid), and fastidious anaerobe broth (Quelab Laboratories Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada) were best able to support the growth of the greatest variety of organisms at the lowest inoculum tested (10(1) CFU) . In most cases, incubation of these broths resulted in visible turbidity within 3 days . These three broth media were found to be equally suitable for use as an enrichment broth in the clinical laboratory.

J Clin Microbiol, 1996 Jul, 34(7), 1646 - 8
Continuous monitoring of oxygen concentrations in several systems for cultivation of anaerobic bacteria; Imhof A et al.; Anaerobic chambers and jars are the two conventional methods used in clinical microbiology laboratories to produce an anaerobic atmosphere . The evacuation-replacement method, the Oxoid AnaeroGen, the Merck Anaerocult A, the BBL GasPak, the BBL GasPakPlus, the Adams Scientific GasGendicator, the Difco Anaerobic, and the bioMerieux Generbox anaer systems were compared for the timed decrease in the oxygen concentration in an anaerobic jar . The experiment was repeated 10 times for each system . The oxygen concentration was measured with an oxygen analyzer series 3600 instrument (Orbisphere Laboratories, Neuchatel-Geneva Switzerland) . The BBL GasPak, the BBL GasPakPlus, the bioMerieux Generbox, the Adams Scientific GasGendicator, and the Difco Anaerobic systems contain sodium borohydride, which liberates hydrogen . The Anaerocult A system contains iron powder which binds the oxygen . The active ingredient of the AnaeroGen system is ascorbic acid . The times to reach an O2 concentration of 0.5% were 8 to 15 min for the evacuation-replacement method, 26 to 41 min for the AnaeroGen system, 60 to 93 min for the Anaerocult A system, and 22 to 419 min for the sodium borohydride systems . The AnaeroGen system, the Anaerocult A system, and the evacuation-replacement method never failed to produce an anaerobic atmosphere . The sodium borohydride systems failed in 10 of 70 runs . These results suggest that the evacuation-replacement method or the Oxoid AnaeroGen system should be used to produce an anaerobic atmosphere . The Anaerocult A system showed a good reproducibility, but the length of time required to reach an appropriately low level of oxygen was too long . Because of the high failure rate, the borohydride systems cannot be recommended.

Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1996 Jul, 46(3), 745 - 52
Treponema maltophilum sp . nov., a small oral spirochete isolated from human periodontal lesions; Wyss C et al.; A novel culture medium for cultivation of fastidious oral anaerobes is described . This medium, OMIZ-Pat, consists of a rich chemically defined basal medium supplemented with asialofetuin, as well as yeast extract and Neopeptone fractions . Addition of 1 mg of rifampin per liter and 100 mg of fosfomycin per liter allowed routine isolation of spirochetes by a limit dilution method in 96-well plates containing liquid OMIZ-Pat . In addition to members of the four previously recognized species of oral treponemes (Treponema denticola, Treponema pectinovorum, Treponema socranskii, and Treponema vincentii), 26 previously undescribed spirochete strains belonging to one group were isolated . We propose the name Treponema maltophilum sp . nov . for these small spirochetes, which have two endoflagella; one endoflagellum is attached at each cell pole, and the endoflagella overlap in the middle of the cell . Growth of these organisms was dependent on a carbohydrate like D-arabinose, L-fucose, D-maltose, L-rhamnose, D-ribose, D-sucrose, or D-trehalose and was inhibited by fetal bovine serum . T . Maltophilum is distinguished from other oral Treponema species by its 16S rRNA sequence, its protein and antigen patterns as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, and its characteristic alpha-glucosidase activity . The strains included in the new species on the basis of their 16S rRNA sequences are heterogeneous with respect to their alpha-fucosidase, and beta-glucuronidase activities, their dependence on N-acetylglucosamine, and their antigens as detected with patient antibodies . Strain BR is designated the type strain, and strains HO2A and PNA1 are reference strains of the new species.

Am J Surg, 1996 Jul, 172(1), 68 - 74
Surgical infections: prevention and treatment--1965 to 1995; Nichols RL; During the 30 year period from 1965-1995, significant advances have been made in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of surgical infections . To a great degree these advances have been provided by surgeons who developed a primary interest in this area . The Surgical Infection Society (SIS) was established in 1980 for surgeons and other physicians and scientists in order to better coordinate efforts in education and research concerning the infected surgical patient . The most significant of these advances were initially the accurate microbiologic definition of the human endogenous microflora in health and disease . Improvements in the techniques utilized to isolate and identity anaerobic microorganisms were of paramount importance . These lead to improvements in the choice of antibiotic agents for prophylaxis and treatment which resulted in improved clinical results . Most recently, emphasis has been placed on the perioperative identification of the high-risk patient who is more likely to develop infection in the postoperative period . By separating high-risk from low-risk patients in each operative procedure, rather than assuming their risk based on the traditional classification of surgical procedure, a more rationale plan of prospective alterations of treatment can be offered.

Vet Rec, 1996 Jun 29, 138(26), 635 - 9
Breath hydrogen excretion by healthy cats after oral administration of oxytetracycline and metronidazole; Muir P et al.; Breath hydrogen excretion over a period of three hours was measured to evaluate carbohydrate malassimilation in healthy cats treated orally with antibiotics . Both an absorbable carbohydrate (xylose) and a non-absorbable carbohydrate (lactulose) were administered during the tests to evaluate the changes in the intestinal mucosa and the population of bacteria within the intestinal lumen . Overall, the effects of oxytetracycline and metronidazole on breath hydrogen excretion were not significantly different . However, the treatment effect with an antibiotic did significantly change breath hydrogen excretion after xylose administration (P < 0.05) within groups . Similarly, with each antibiotic, breath hydrogen excretion was affected significantly (P < 0.001) by the time after the administration of the carbohydrate . Treatment with each antibiotic also interacted significantly with this time effect (P < 0.05) within groups . After lactulose administration, there was a trend within groups for the type of antibiotic to interact with the treatment effect on breath hydrogen excretion (P = 0.09) . After oxytetracycline treatment, more hydrogen was exhaled during the first 120 minutes after lactulose administration than in the pre-antibiotic test, whereas after metronidazole treatment, less hydrogen was exhaled between 60 and 180 minutes after lactulose, administration . After treatment with either oxytetracycline or metronidazole, more hydrogen was exhaled after xylose administration . Obligate anaerobes could be isolated from samples of small intestinal fluid obtained endoscopically after oxytetracycline treatment, but they could not be isolated after treatment with metronidazole.

FEBS Lett, 1996 Jun 24, 389(1), 20 - 4
Unusual dehydrations in anaerobic bacteria: considering ketyls (radical anions) as reactive intermediates in enzymatic reactions; Buckel W; Dehydratases have been detected in anaerobic bacteria which use 2-, 4- or 5-hydroxyacyl-CoA as substrates and are involved in the removal of hydrogen atoms from the unactivated beta- or gamma-positions . In addition there are bacterial dehydratases acting on 1,2-diols which are substrates lacking any activating group . These enzymes contain either FAD, or flavins + iron-sulfur clusters or coenzyme B12 . It has been proposed that the overall dehydrations are actually reductions followed by oxidations or vice versa mediated by these prosthetic groups . Whereas the gamma-hydrogen of 5-hydroxyvaleryl-CoA is activated by a transient two-election alpha, beta-oxidation, the other substrates are proposed to require either a transient one-electron reduction or an oxidation to a ketyl (radical anion).

Eur J Biochem, 1996 Jun 15, 238(3), 862 - 6
Characterization of xanthine dehydrogenase from the anaerobic bacterium Veillonella atypica and identification of a molybdopterin-cytosine-dinucleotide-containing molybdenum cofactor; Gremer L et al.; The molybdenum-containing iron-sulfur flavoprotein xanthine dehydrogenase from the anaerobic bacterium Veillonella atypica has been purified approximately 800-fold with a yield of approximately 40% and a specific activity of approximately 70 micromol ferricyanide reduced x min(-1) x mg protein(-1) with xanthine as electron donor, which corresponds to approximately 30 micromol xanthine oxidized x min(-1) x mg protein(-1) with methylene blue as electron acceptor . The 129-kDa enzyme was a non-covalent heterotrimer with large (82.4 kDa), medium (28.5 kDa) and small (18.4 kDa) subunits . The N-termini of the small and medium polypeptides of V . atypica xanthine dehydrogenase and the corresponding domains of eukaryotic xanthine dehydrogenases were similar, whereas the N-terminus of the large polypeptide was unrelated to eukaryotic xanthine dehydrogenases . The enzyme contained 0.86 atoms Mo, 1.75 atoms Fe, 1.61 atoms acid-labile sulfur and 0.68 molecules FAD/molecule, which corresponds to a 1:2.0:1.9:0.8 molar ratio . Acid hydrolysis revealed 0.95 mol CMP and 0.80 mol AMP/mol xanthine dehydrogenase . After treatment of the enzyme with iodoacetamide, di(carboxamidomethyl)molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide was identified, which indicates that molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide is the organic portion of the V . atypica xanthine dehydrogenase molybdenum cofactor . The enzyme and its molybdenum cofactor occurred in a 1:1 molar ratio . Xanthine dehydrogenases from eukaryotic sources are characterized by a domain structure and the presence of duplicate copies of two types of {2Fe-2S) clusters . In contrast, the xanthine dehydrogenase from V . atypica had a heterotrimeric subunit structure and a single {2Fe-2S} cluster . In addition, the enzyme indicates the presence of a molybdopterin dinucleotide as a constituent of a xanthine dehydrogenase molybdenum cofactor.

Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1996 Jun, 11(3), 203 - 8
Detection frequencies and the colony-forming unit recovery of oral treponemes by different cultivation methods; Koseki T et al.; Selected media were compared for primary isolation and detection of oral treponemes from clinical samples . Forty-eight subgingival plaque samples from 45 patients suffering from periodontitis were anaerobically cultivated for 2 weeks at 37 degrees C . Of the 9 media studied, Medium 10 (M10), which was supplemented with 10% rabbit serum and incubated using the plate-in-bottle method, supported the highest colony-forming units of the anaerobes . The treponemal colonies were detected at least on one medium from 83% of the subgingival plaque samples . The new oral spirochete medium in an anaerobic chamber supported the highest detection frequency of the oral treponemes (64% of samples); however, M10 in the plate-in-bottle was found to produce the highest colony-forming unit recovery of the oral treponemes (median 3.6% of the total colony-forming units) . This study suggests that M10 in the plate-in-bottle and new oral spirochete medium in the anaerobic chamber are essential in cultivating oral treponemes.

J Endod, 1996 Jun, 22(6), 308 - 10
A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of in vitro dentinal tubules penetration by selected anaerobic bacteria; Siqueira JF Jr et al.; In vitro root canal dentinal tubule invasion by selected anaerobic bacteria commonly isolated from endodontic infections was evaluated . Dentinal cylinders obtained from bovine incisors were inoculated with bacteria, and microbial penetration into tubules was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy . The results indicated that all bacterial strains tested were able to penetrate into dentinal tubules, but to different extents.

J Small Anim Pract, 1996 Jun, 37(6), 261 - 7
Enteric bacteria: friend or foe?
Batt RM, Rutgers HC, Sancak AA.
The normal gastrointestinal tract contains an enormous number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria which normally enjoy a symbiotic relationship with the host but can have adverse effects with local and systemic consequences . The small intestine constitutes a zone of transition between the sparsely populated stomach and the luxuriant bacterial flora of the colon . Regulation of the intestinal flora depends on complex interactions between many factors including secretion of gastric acid, intestinal motility, biliary and pancreatic secretions, local immunity, the surface glycocalyx and mucus layer, and diet . Microbial interactions are also important, and can involve alterations in redox potential, substrate depletion and production of substances such as bacteriocins that inhibit bacterial growth . The beneficial effect of the normal enteric flora include the competitive exclusion of potentially pathogenic organisms, and the production of nutrients such as short-chain fatty acids (which represent an important energy source for the colonic mucosa) and vitamins . Detrimental effects of the enteric flora include competition for calories and essential nutrients, particularly by bacteria located in the small intestine, and a capacity to damage the mucosa, in some circumstances causing or contributing to inflammatory bowel disease . These problems can be accentuated by interference with the physiological regulation of intraluminal bacteria allowing overgrowth by a normal resident, or colonisation by transient pathogens . The pathophysiological consequences may involve direct damage to the intestinal mucosa, and bacterial metabolism of intraluminal constituents, for example forming deconjugated bile acids and hydroxylated fatty acids which stimulate fluid secretion . Additional problems arise if there is interference with the mucosal barrier since this can result in increased passage of bacteria and bacterial products stimulating mucosal inflammation, while bacterial translocation can result in bacteraemia and septicaemia . Problems associated with bacterial pathogens are illustrated by the properties of the spectrum of pathogenic Escherichia coli, some of which facilitate long-term colonisation by adherence to the surface or invasion of enterocytes.

J Periodontol, 1996 Jun, 67(6), 608 - 10
Microbiology of periapical abscesses and associated maxillary sinusitis; Brook I et al.; Aspirate of pus from 5 periapical abscesses of the upper jaw and their corresponding maxillary sinusitis were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Polymicrobial flora were found in all instances, where the number of isolates varied from 2 to 5 . Anaerobes were recovered from all specimens . The predominant isolates were Prevotella sp., Porphyromonas sp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Peptostreptococcus sp . Concordance in the microbiological findings between periapical abscess and the maxillary sinus flora was found in all instances . However, certain organisms were only present at one site and not the other . Five beta-lactamase-producing organisms were present in the five specimens . These data confirm the importance of anaerobic bacteria in periapical abscesses and demonstrate their predominance in maxillary sinusitis that is associated with them.

Curr Opin Biotechnol, 1996 Jun, 7(3), 326 - 30
Anaerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons; Holliger C et al.; Anaerobic biodegradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons is a promising alternative to aerobic biodegradation treatments in bioremediation processes . It is now proven that, besides toluene, benzene and ethylbenzene can be oxidized under anaerobic redox conditions . Anaerobic bacteria have also been shown capable of utilizing substrates not only in the pure form, but also in complex hydrocarbon mixtures, such as crude oil . In addition, crucial steps in anaerobic treatment processes have been studied in vitro to better understand the enzymes involved in monoaromatic hydrocarbon degradation . Knowledge remains incomplete, however, about the anaerobic degradation of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 1996 Jun, 23 ( Pt 3), 273 - 8
Expression of acylphosphatase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhances ethanol fermentation rate; Raugei G et al.; Previous experiments in vitro have demonstrated the ability of acylphosphatase to increase the rate of glucose fermentation in yeast . To evaluate the possibility of increasing fermentation in vivo also, a chemically synthesized DNA sequence coding for human muscle acylphosphatase was expressed at high level in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Ethanol production was measured in these engineered strains in comparison with a control . Acylphosphatase expression strongly increased the rate of ethanol production both in aerobic and anaerobic culture . This finding may be potentially important for the development of more efficient industrial fermentation processes.

Infect Immun, 1996 Jun, 64(6), 1984 - 91
Proteolytic inactivation of the leukocyte C5a receptor by proteinases derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis; Jagels MA et al.; The anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated as a primary causative agent in adult periodontitis . Several proteinases are produced by this bacterium, and it is suggested that they contribute to virulence and to local tissue injury resulting from infection by P . gingivalis . Cysteine proteinases with specificities to cleave either Arg-X or Lys-X peptide bonds (i.e., gingipains) have been characterized as predominant enzymes associated with vesicles shed from the surface of this bacterium . It has recently been demonstrated that these proteinases are capable of degrading the blood complement component C5, resulting in the generation of biologically active C5a . By using an affinity-purified rabbit antibody raised against residues 9 to 29 of the C5a receptor (C5aR; CD88), we demonstrate that noncysteinyl proteinases associated with vesicles obtained from P . gingivalis cleave the C5aR on human neutrophils . Proteolytic attack of the C5aR by enzymes from the P . gingivalis vesicles was inhibited by TPCK (tolylsullonyl phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone), PMSF (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride), and dichloroisocoumarin, suggesting that serine proteinases are primarily responsible for this degradative activity . The purified vesicle proteinase Lys-gingipain but not Arg-gingipain also cleaved the N-terminal region of the C5aR on the human neutrophils . Lys-gingipain activity was essentially resistant to these inhibitors but was inhibited by TLCK (Nalpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone) and iodoacetamide . A synthetic peptide that mimics the N-terminal region of C5aR (residues 9 to 29; PDYGHY DDKDTLDLNTPVDKT) was readily cleaved by chymotrypsin but not by trypsin, despite the presence of two potential trypsin (i.e., lysyl-X) cleavage sites . The specific sites of cleavage in the C5aR 9-29 peptide were determined by mass spectroscopy for both chymotrypsin and Lys-gingipain digests . This analysis demonstrated that the C5aR peptide is susceptible to cleavage at both potential Lys-gingipain sites (i.e., between residues 17 and 18 {K-D} and 28 and 29 {K-T}) and at two chymotrypsin sites (between residues 14 and 15 {Y-D} and 20 and 21 {L-D}), respectively . These studies suggest that P . gingivalis contains at least two enzymes capable of cleaving the C5aR, Lys-gingipain and a second nontryptic serine proteinase that is distinct from either Arg- or Lys-gingipain.

Minerva Stomatol, 1996 May, 45(5), 227 - 30
{The importance of microbiological study in the therapy of odontogenic abscesses . A report of a clinical case}; Bux P et al.; INTRODUCTION: The medical treatment (i.e . antibiotic therapy) of orofacial infections sometimes proves inadequate for the recovery of the patients . Therefore, aside the antibacterial treatment, both incision and drainage are necessary to remove the causal factors . CLINICAL CASE: In our report we show that in case of failure of classic antibacterial therapy, surgical treatment alone does not allow by itself the recovery of the patient if microorganisms developed resistance to antibiotics . CONCLUSION: Recent studies have demonstrated a prevalence of anaerobes in orofacial abscesses . On this basis it appears important that in the analysis of the bacterial flora the handling of samples is carried out in the proper way in order to ensure the isolation of both aerobic and anaerobic species as well as the antibiotic sensitivity.

Ginecol Obstet Mex, 1996 May, 64, 214 - 8
{Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of the piperacillin/tazobactame combination vs . ampicillin and gentamycin in in the management of post-cesarean endometritis}; Figueroa-Damian R et al.; Traditionally obstetric infections have been treated with combination antimicrobial agents that provide coverage against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria commonly found in these infections . New antibiotics may be a monotherapy alternative for this type of infections . The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of the agent piperacillin/tazobactam against ampicillin plus gentamicin in the treatment of postcesarean endometritis . By randomized way 14 patients were enrolled in the piperacillin/tazobactam group and 42 in the ampicillin-gentamicin group . A favorable clinical response occurred in 78.6% of piperacillin/tazobactam patients and 88.1% of ampicillin and gentamicin patients (p = NS) . There was no statistically significant difference in the times to recovery and days of hospitalization between the two groups . The combination piperacillin/tazobactam did not show advantage towards the standard treatment, so combination antimicrobial agent continue been the optimal approach to the management of obstetric infection.

J Clin Microbiol, 1996 May, 34(5), 1283 - 5
Veillonella infections in children; Brook I; From 1974 to 1994, 2,033 specimens from children were submitted for cultures for anaerobic bacteria . Eighty-three Veillonella spp . were recovered from 83 children (4%) . Most Veillonella species were recovered from abscesses, aspiration pneumonias, burns, bites, and sinuses . The infections were polymicrobial in 79 (95%) patients, but in 4 (5%) patients, Veillonella species were recovered in pure culture . The predisposing conditions associated with the recovery of these organisms were previous surgery, malignancy, steroid therapy, foreign body, and immunodeficiency . These data illustrate that Veillonella spp . are found infrequently in children, mostly in association with mixed infections, and are recovered mixed with mouth and bowel flora.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1996 May, 62(5), 1531 - 6
Isolation of Geobacter species from diverse sedimentary environments; Coates JD et al.; In an attempt to better understand the microorganisms responsible for Fe(III) reduction in sedimentary environments, Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms were enriched for and isolated from freshwater aquatic sediments, a pristine deep aquifer, and a petroleum-contaminated shallow aquifer . Enrichments were initiated with acetate or toluene as the electron donor and Fe(III) as the electron acceptor . Isolations were made with acetate or benzoate . Five new strains which could obtain energy for growth by dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction were isolated . All five isolates are gram-negative strict anaerobes which grow with acetate as the electron donor and Fe(III) as the electron acceptor . Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence of the isolated organisms demonstrated that they all belonged to the genus Geobacter in the delta subdivision of the Proteobacteria . Unlike the type strain, Geobacter metallireducens, three of the five isolates could use H2 as an electron donor for Fe(III) reduction . The deep subsurface isolate is the first Fe(III) reducer shown to completely oxidize lactate to carbon dioxide, while one of the freshwater sediment isolates is only the second Fe(III) reducer known that can oxidize toluene . The isolation of these organisms demonstrates that Geobacter species are widely distributed in a diversity of sedimentary environments in which Fe(III) reduction is an important process.

J Bacteriol, 1996 May, 178(10), 2818 - 24
Involvement of arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (Arg-gingipain) in fimbriation of Porphyromonas gingivalis; Nakayama K et al.; Arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (Arg-gingipain {RGP}, a major proteinase secreted from the oral anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, is encoded by two separate genes (rgpA and rgpB) on the P . gingivalis chromosome and widely implicated as an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease (K . Nakayama, T . Kadowaki, K . Okamoto, and K . Yamamoto, J . Biol . Chem . 270:23619-23626, 1995) . In this study, we investigated the role of RGP in the formation of P . gingivalis fimbriae which are thought to mediate adhesion of the organism to the oral surface by use of the rgp mutants . Electron microscopic observation revealed that the rgpA rgpB double (RGP-null) mutant possessed very few fimbriae on the cell surface, whereas the number of fimbriae of the rgpA or rgpB mutant was similar to that of the wild-type parent strain . The rgpB+ revertants that were isolated from the double mutant and recovered 20 to 40% of RGP activity of the wild-type parent possessed as many fimbriae as the wild-type parent, indicating that RGP significantly contributes to the fimbriation of P . gingivalis as well as to the degradation of various host proteins, disturbance of host defense mechanisms, and hemagglutination . Immunoblot analysis of cell extracts of these mutants with antifimbrilin antiserum revealed that the rgpA rgpB double mutant produced small amounts of two immunoreactive proteins with molecular masses of 45 and 43 kDa, corresponding to those of the precursor and mature forms of fimbrilin, respectively . The result suggests that RGP may function as a processing proteinase for fimbrilin maturation . In addition, a precursor form of the 75-kDa protein, one of the major outer membrane proteins of P . gingivalis, was accumulated in the rgpA rgpB double mutant but not in the single mutants and the revertants, suggesting an extensive role for RGP in the maturation of some of the cell surface proteins.

Ugeskr Laeger, 1996 Apr 8, 158(15), 2109 - 12
{Pleural empyema}; Krasnik M et al.; Despite of extensive use of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections pleural empyema is still seen as a complication to pneumonia (7-10 cases/100.000 inhabitants pr . year) . Pleural empyema as a complication to pulmonary surgery is reported in 2-3% of the patients even with use of antibiotic prophylaxis . Pleural empyema is most often a serious disease of long duration . The diagnosis is obtained with microbiological and histological examination of the pleural fluid . Mixed infection occurs in over half of the cases, most often including anaerobic bacteria, but most human pathogens have been reported as etiological agents . Treatment includes drainage of pus and administration of relevant antibiotics, systemically and pleurally . Drainage can be performed via thoracocentesis, by tubes, or by resection of a part of the rib . The optimal treatment strategy is so far unknown, since good prospective comparative clinical studies are lacking.

Rev Assoc Med Bras, 1996 Apr-Jun, 42(2), 89 - 94
{Influence of classic enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on small bowel bacterial proliferation in infant's acute and persistent diarrhea}; da Cruz AS et al.; Bacterial proliferation of the colonic microflora can occur in up to 50% of the infants with acute and persistent diarrhea . EPEC strains are frequently associated with bacterial proliferation in the small bowel lumen . The persistence of diarrhea might be due to the proliferation of EPEC in the intestinal lumen . PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at comparing the magnitude of the bacterial proliferation in the small bowel lumen in infants with acute and persistent diarrhea due to EPEC and other agents . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourty infants with diarrhea (23 with acute diarrhea and 17 with persistent diarrhea) underwent a naso-jejunal intubation for intestinal secretion culture of aerobes and anaerobes microorganisms . Stool samples were also collected for the investigation of enteropathogenic agents . RESULTS: Bacterial proliferation in the small bowel was detected in 32 (80%) infants; in 30 (75%) infants there was proliferation of aerobic microorganisms while in 17 (43%) infants there was proliferation of microorganisms belonging to the anaerobic microflora . There was no statistical difference in the bacterial proliferation between patients with acute and persistent diarrhea . In 16 patients EPEC strains were identified in the stool culture, and all of them showed bacterial overgrowth above 10(3) microorganisms/mL . In contrast in the 24 patients without EPEC in the stools only 16 (67%) showed bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel lumen (p < 0.01) . The mean concentration of E . coli in the intestinal secretion was 8 x 10(5) microorganisms/mL among the patients with EPEC in the stools and 3 x 10(2) microorganisms/mL among the patients with no EPEC in the stools (p < 0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: EPEC infection either acute or persistent induce favorable conditions for bacterial proliferation in the small bowel secretion in infants with diarrhea.

Endod Dent Traumatol, 1996 Apr, 12(2), 66 - 9
Anaerobic microorganisms in root canals of human teeth with chronic apical periodontitis detected by indirect immunofluorescence; Assed S et al.; Aiming to assess the presence of selected anaerobic microorganisms in root canals of human teeth with chronic apical periodontitis . 25 central and lateral upper incisors presenting with radiographic evidence of chronic apical periodontitis were studied . The pulp chamber was opened under aseptic conditions and samples of the root canal content were collected with sterile absorbent paper points, which were placed and dispersed in test tubes containing reduced transport medium RTT . Aliquots were dried on glass slides and stained by indirect immunofluorescence for detection of Actinomyces viscosus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia . The results showed a positive indirect immunofluorescence reaction in 24 of the 25 samples . Fourteen were positive for the specie Actinomyces viscosus, 12 for Prevotella intermedia, 10 for Fusobacterium nucleatum and 4 for Porphyromonas gingivalis . A semiquantitative assay was easily implemented for assessment of degree of infection by the organisms in individual cases.

Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci, 1996 Apr-Jun, 38(2), 115 - 8
Changing anaerobic spectrum in suppurative lung disease: a case report; Beena VK et al.; A spectrum of three different anaerobes were isolated from a debilitated patient with suppurative lung disease, within a two-year period . Repeated isolation from three consecutive samples and symptomatic relief with metronidazole provide clinical evidence of anaerobic lung infection . This case emphasizes the importance of anaerobic culture in cases of protracted pulmonary suppurative disease.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 1996 Apr, 35(2), 171 - 7
Treatment of aspiration or tracheostomy-associated pneumonia in neurologically impaired children: effect of antimicrobials effective against anaerobic bacteria; Brook I; The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively review the antibiotic therapy of aspiration or tracheostomy-associated pneumonia in 57 neurologically impaired children (NIC) . The antimicrobials used were either ticarcillin-clavulanate or clindamycin, which are effective against penicillin-resistant anaerobic bacteria, or ceftriaxone, which is less effective against these organisms . In those with aspiration pneumonia, a satisfactory clinical and microbiological response was observed in 8/9 (89%) patients who received ticarcillin-clavulanate, and 10/11 (91%) who received clindamycin with or without ceftazidime, as compared to 7/14 (50%) who received ceftriaxone (P < 0.05) . For those who experienced tracheostomy-associated pneumonia, a positive response to therapy was observed in 5/6 (83%) who received ticarcillin-clavulanate, and 7/7 (100%) who received clindamycin with or without ceftazidime, as opposed to 4/10 (40%) who were treated with ceftriaxone (P < 0.05) . The duration of fever was longer in both cases for those who received ceftriaxone . To summarize, this study illustrates the superiority of antimicrobials effective against penicillin-resistant anaerobic bacteria, as compared to an antibiotic without such coverage, in the therapy of aspiration or tracheostomy-associated pneumonia in NIC.

QJM, 1996 Apr, 89(4), 285 - 9
The clinical course and management of thoracic empyema; Ferguson AD et al.; We report a prospective multi-centre study of the clinical course and hospital management of thoracic empyema in 119 patients (mean age 54.8) . The commonest presenting symptom was malaise (75%), 55% were febrile; 31% were previously well with no predisposing condition . Initial treatments were antibiotics alone (5), needle aspirations (46), intercostal tube drainage (61), rib resection (3) and decortication (4) . Overall, intercostal drainage was used in 77 patients (16 failed aspirations), surgical rib resection in 24 (1 failed aspirations, 20 failed drainage), and surgical decortication in 28 (6 failed aspirations, 17 failed drainage) . Only 4 patients received intrapleural fibrinolytic agents . Aspiration and drainage were likely to fail if the empyema was > 40% of the hemithorax . Median time from treatment start to discharge was: aspirations, 26 days; drainage, 23 days; resection 11 days; decortication, 12 days . Overall 21 patients died (12 with empyema as the major cause); two had been surgically treated . Mortality correlated with age, diabetes, heart failure, and low serum albumin at admission . Infecting organisms, identified in 109 patients (92%) included anaerobes (37), Str . melleri (36), and Str . pneumoniae (28) . Six months after discharge, all but six survivors had regained their previous health.

Rev Clin Esp, 1996 Apr, 196(4), 213 - 6
{Usefulness of bone marrow examination in patients with advanced HIV infection}; Rodriguez JN et al.; A bone marrow investigation is a common examination in HIV infected patients for the study of cytopenia, febrile syndromes of unknown origin and extension of neoplastic disorders . A study was made of bone marrow specimens from 35 patients with advanced HIV infection (stage IC or C, CDC, Atlanta) for morphologic and culture investigations (aerobes, anaerobes, fungi, and mycobacteria) . In nine patients cytopenia accounted for the investigation of bone marrow specimens (9 aspirates and 3 biopsies); in only two cases did the investigation orientate towards a possible etiology: in the first patient a parvovirus B19 infection and in the second patient a hemophagocytic syndrome . In twenty-five patients the bone marrow specimen was studied because of fever of unknown origin (23 aspirates and 10 biopsies) and only in one case was the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis obtained . The other patient was studied for lymphoma staging and aspirate and biopsy examinations were normal . A high percentage of patients had eosinophilia, plasmacytosis, increased iron reserves, fibrosis, and changes consistent with myelodysplasia . In conclusion, in our experience the investigation of bone marrow specimen was of little help to clarify the possible etiology of cytopenia and febrile syndromes of unknown origin in patients with advanced HIV infection.

Genitourin Med, 1996 Apr, 72(2), 132 - 5
An in vitro metronidazole susceptibility test for trichomoniasis using the InPouch TV test; Borchardt KA et al.; OBJECTIVE: An efficient anaerobic culture system, the InPouch TV test, was used to determine the susceptibility of Trichomonas vaginalis to metronidazole . Glacial acetic acid was employed as a solvent for metronidazole . METHODS: T vaginalis isolates were cultured from 16 symptomatic female patients . The 11 who responded to oral metronidazole, 250 mg tid for 7 days, were considered as having sensitive trichomonads; the 5 who remained infected after treatment were considered to have resistant organisms . All isolates were cultured for minimum lethal concentrations (MLC) . Metronidazole was added to a series of pouches; two-fold dilution of the most concentrated was 50 micrograms/ml and the least was 0.4 micrograms/ml . The inoculum of viable trichomonads was 1 x 105/ml in each pouch . Pouches were incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h, examined microscopically for motile trichomonads, and then 0.5 ml was subcultured to drug free pouches . After 5 days incubation at 37 degrees C, each subculture and culture were examined microscopically for viable trichomonads . RESULTS: Eleven isolates of T vaginalis from patients responding to metronidazole treatment had MLC between 0.4 to 3.1 micrograms/ml . The MLC from the 5 treatment failure patients were between 12.5 to 50 micrograms/ml . CONCLUSIONS: For the 16 patients in this study, the MLC values determined with the InPouch TV test differentiated between infection caused by metronidazole sensitive and resistant trichomonads . The mean MLC of clinically resistant isolates was approximately eleven fold higher than the mean MLC of clinically sensitive isolates (15 micrograms/ml vs 1.32 micrograms/ml) . There was a significant difference between clinically resistant and sensitive isolates (t = 5.47, p < 0.0005) . This study suggests that the InPouch TV test could be used for distinguishing between metronidazole resistant and sensitive isolates.

Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1996 Apr, 153(4 Pt 1), 1292 - 8
Incidence of anaerobes in ventilator-associated pneumonia with use of a protected specimen brush; Dore P et al.; The role of anaerobic bacteria in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been little investigated . In this study we analyzed the incidence of anaerobes in patients with a first episode of bacteriologically documented VAP (> 10(3)CFU/ml), using protected specimen brushes (PSB) . We particularly took care to preserve anaerobic conditions during transport and the microbiological procedure . Two groups were considered: group A with anaerobic bacteria recovered from PSB, with or without anaerobes, and group B with aerobic bacteria only . One hundred and thirty patients were included, 30 (23%) in group A, and 100 (77%) in group B . The main anaerobic strains isolated were Prevotella melaninogenica (36%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (17%), and Veillonella parvula (12%) . Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients in group A were younger than those in group B (p < 0.05) and their simplified acute physiologic score was higher (p < 0.02) . The percentage of patients receiving antibiotics before PSB did not differ significantly between group A (57%) and group B (35%) . VAP with anaerobes occurred more often in patients orotracheally intubated than nasotracheally intubated (p < 0.02) . Episodes of VAP involving anaerobic bacteria occurred more often in the first five days (early VAP) than after the fifth day (late VAP) (p < 0.05) . The 3-mo mortality rate was similar in the two groups, but death occurred earlier in group B (p < 0.01) . Multivariate analysis demonstrated that presence of altered level of consciousness (p = 0.0002), higher simplified acute physiologic score (p = 0.003), and admission to the medical ICU (p = 0.02) were the factors independently predisposing to the development of VAP with anaerobes.

Microbiologia, 1996 Mar, 12(1), 29 - 42
Diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms: computer-based resources, "The Handbook of Protoctista" and its "Glossary"; Margulis L et al.; The kingdom Protoctista comprises some 30 phyla, including the eukaryotic anaerobes that permanently lack mitochondria, the Phylum Archaeprotista, with its three classes: (i) Archamoebae, e.g., Pelomyxa, Mastigina, (ii) Metamonada, e.g., Giardia, Pyrsonympha, and (iii) Parabasalia, e.g., Trichomonas, Calonympha, and the Phylum Microspora (Microsporidia), e.g., Vairimorpha . These and all algae, protozoa, labyrinthulids, "water molds" (oomycota, plasmodiophorans, hyphochytrids, chytrids, etc.) and other eukaryotes excluded from plants, animals and fungi are detailed in the Handbook of Protoctista . The Illustrated Glossary of Protoctista contains descriptions of the morphology and taxonomy of these microorganisms, including the many equivalent and homologous structures with different names . The Glossary has also been made into a Macintosh-compatible CD-ROM disk.

Can J Microbiol, 1996 Mar, 42(3), 267 - 78
An endo-beta-1,4-glucanase gene (celA) from the rumen anaerobe Ruminococcus albus 8: cloning, sequencing, and transcriptional analysis; Attwood GT et al.; A genomic library of Ruminococcus albus 8 DNA was constructed in Escherichia coli using bacteriophage lambda ZapII . This library was screened for cellulase components and several Ostazin brilliant red/carboxymethyl cellulose positive clones were isolated . All of these clones contained a common 3.4-kb insert, which was recovered as a plasmid by helper phage excision . The carboxymethyl cellulase coding region was localized to a 1.4-kb region of DNA by nested deletions, and a clone containing the entire celA gene was sequenced . Analysis of the sequence revealed a 1231-bp open reading frame, coding for a protein of 411 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 45 747 . This protein, designated CelA, showed extensive homology with family 5 endoglucanases by both primary amino acid sequence alignment and hydrophobic cluster analysis . Cell-free extracts of E . coli containing the celA clone demonstrated activity against carboxymethyl cellulose and acid swollen cellulose but not against any of the p-nitrophenol glycosides tested, indicating an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase type of activity . In vitro transcription-translation experiments showed that three proteins of 48,000, 44,000, and 23,000 molecular weight were produced by clones containing the celA gene . Northern analysis of RNA extracted from R . albus 8 grown on cellulose indicated a celA transcript of approximately 2700 bases, whereas when R . albus 8 was grown on cellobiose, celA transcripts of approximately 3000 and 600 bases were detected . Primer extension analysis of these RNAs revealed different transcription initiation sites for the celA gene when cells were grown with cellulose or cellobiose as the carbon source . These two sites differed by 370 bases in distance . A model, based on transcription and sequence data, is proposed for celA regulation.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1996 Mar, 116(2), 316 - 21
Effects of viral and bacterial infection on nasal and sinus mucosa; van Cauwenberge P et al.; There is still controversy over the role of viruses and bacteria in rhinologic infections, especially in sinusitis . Until recently it was not fully known whether the sinuses do in fact take part in the infectious process of a common cold (viral rhinitis) . 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; there was, however, in these individuals no typical symptomatology of acute sinusitis . A viral rhinitis alone does not seem to be able to elicit a "clinical" acute otitis . 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 . 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 paper the mechanisms of viral and bacterial infection of the nasal and sinusal mucosa are described and the results of microbiological studies in sinusitis reported by other authors and our own group are discussed . It is postulated that, although bacteria are very important in acute sinusitis, their role in chronic sinusitis is minimal, the bacteria being opportunistic colonisers.

Klin Lab Diagn, 1996 Mar-Apr, (2), 50 - 1
{Use of bacteriophages as selective factors in bacteriological diagnosis of mixed infections}; Men'shikov DD et al.; A new method is proposed for detecting aerobic and anaerobic bacteria during diagnostic culturing by exposure of mixed microorganism populations to bacteriophages . By lysing homologous bacteria, the phages facilitate the detection and isolation of associates resistant to them in pure cultures . The proposed method is compared with the selective media techniques and a conclusion is made on the advantages of selective decontamination of biological samples by bacteriophages in experiments and diagnostic culturing of material from patients with pyo-inflammatory processes.

Baillieres Clin Rheumatol, 1996 Feb, 10(1), 55 - 76
Animal models of intestinal and joint inflammation; Sartor RB et al.; Recent rodent models have been exploited to explore mechanisms of intestinal and joint inflammation . HLA-B27 transgenic rats develop colitis, gastritis, and arthritis when raised in a conventional environment, but have no evidence of inflammation under germfree (sterile) conditions . Metronidazole treatment attenuates gastrointestinal inflammation, suggesting that anaerobic bacteria are important . Experimental bacterial over-growth of predominantly anaerobic bacteria reactivates arthritis in Lewis rats which have been previously injected intra-articularly with bacterial cell wall polymers . Reactivation arthritis is mediated by interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and can be blocked by metronidazole . Intramural injection of the bacterial cell wall polymer, peptidoglycan-polysaccharide, leads to biphasic, chronic granulomatous enterocolitis and peripheral arthritis in Lewis rats, but only transient intestinal inflammation and no arthritis in Buffalo or MHC-matched Fischer rats . Chronic granulomatous inflammation is mediated by T lymphocytes and interleukin-1 and is dependent on persistent antigenic stimulation by poorly biodegradable bacterial polymers . Results in these models firmly incriminate resident normal enteric flora (especially anaerobes), bacterial products, and host genetic susceptibility in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies . We suggest that increased uptake of luminal bacterial components across the inflamed mucosa leads to systemic distribution of these arthropathic products . The genetically susceptible host develops reactive arthritis due to defective downregulation of inflammation in response to immunologically active bacterial components.

Epidemiol Infect, 1996 Feb, 116(1), 35 - 40
Micromorphometrical analysis of rodent related (SPF) and unrelated (human) gut microbial flora in germfree mice by digital image processing; Veenendaal D et al.; Digital image processing (DIP) of bacterial smears is a new method of analysing the composition of the gut microbial flora . This method provides the opportunity to compare and evaluate differences in the complex highly concentrated anaerobic fraction of gut microbial flora, based on micromorphological differences . There is ample evidence that this fraction can be characterized as related or unrelated to the host organism by its immunogenicity . In this study germfree ND2 mice were associated with either related (rodent) SPF microflora (SPF-MF) or unrelated human MF (HUM-MF) . DIP analysis was performed on original SPF-MF and HUM-MF and on the faeces of ex-germfree mice 4 weeks after association . The micromorphological pattern of highly concentrated anaerobic bacteria in faeces of HUM-MF associated ex-germfree mice was significantly different from SPF-MF associated counterparts with regard to the scores for elongation (P < 0.01) and morphological variety (P < 0.05) . Moreover, gross morphological variability was present between individual HUM-MF associated mice but not between individual SPF-MF associated animals . No differences were found between original SPF and HUM-MF . The data are discussed with regard to differences in the presence of (non-)immunogenic bacteria and the ability for related and unrelated flora to colonize the murine gut . This study provides evidence that murine host specificity of microbial flora may not only be reflected in the number of non-immunogenic bacteria but also in the micromorphological pattern of highly concentrated anaerobic bacteria in faeces measured by DIP analysis.

Crit Care Med, 1996 Feb, 24(2), 330 - 3
Percutaneous catheter drainage of tension pneumatocele, secondarily infected pneumatocele, and lung abscess in children; Zuhdi MK et al.; OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of percutaneous catheter drainage of tension pneumatocele, secondarily infected pneumatocele, and lung abscess in children . DESIGN: Retrospective case series . SETTING: A 24-bed pediatric intensive care unit . PATIENTS: Patients with tension pneumatocele, secondarily infected pneumatocele, or lung abscess . Tension pneumatocele was defined as an expanding intraparenchymal cyst compressing adjacent areas of the lung . Infected pneumatocele and lung abscess were defined, respectively, as intraparenchymal thin-walled cyst or thick-walled cavity containing an air-fluid level and purulent fluid . INTERVENTIONS: Seven pneumatoceles/lung abscesses were percutaneously drained in five patients . After computed tomography of the chest was obtained to localize the optimum site for drainage, a modified Seldinger technique was used to insert an 8.5-Fr soft catheter percutaneously into the cyst/cavity . The catheter was left in place until drainage (fluid and air) stopped . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients had clinical and radiologic improvement and were afebrile within 24 hrs after drainage . Bacterial culture grew aerobic bacteria from three cysts/cavities, anaerobic bacteria from one, and mixed bacteria from three . One patient had three secondarily infected pneumatoceles . Four of five secondarily infected pneumatoceles were under tension in two patients receiving mechanical ventilation . In both patients, the trachea was extubated within 24 hrs of drainage after prolonged mechanical ventilation . The number of days the catheter was in place ranged from 1 to 20 days . CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous catheter drainage of tension pneumatocele, secondarily infected pneumatocele, and lung abscess can be performed safely and effectively in children . Early drainage is helpful, both as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure . Drainage of tension pneumatocele may assist in weaning from mechanical ventilation . Computed tomography of the chest is helpful in determining the optimum site for percutaneous drainage.

Arch Microbiol, 1996 Feb, 165(2), 132 - 40
Desulfitobacterium sp . strain PCE1, an anaerobic bacterium that can grow by reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene or ortho-chlorinated phenols; Gerritse J et al.; A strictly anaerobic bacterium, strain PCE1, was isolated from a tetrachloroethene-dechlorinating enrichment culture . Cells of the bacterium were motile curved rods, with approximately four lateral flagella . They possessed a gram-positive type of cell wall and contained cytochrome c . Optimum growth occurred at pH 7.2-7.8 and 34-38 degrees C . The organism grew with L-lactate, pyruvate, butyrate, formate, succinate, or ethanol as electron donors, using either tetrachloroethene, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-phenylacetate, sulfite, thiosulfate, or fumarate as electron acceptors . Strain PCE1 also grew fermentatively with pyruvate as the sole substrate . L-Lactate and pyruvate were oxidized to acetate . Tetrachloroethene was reductively dechlorinated to trichloroethene and small amounts ( 5%) of cis-1,2-dichloroethene and trans-1,2-dichloroethene . Chlorinated phenolic compounds were dechlorinated specifically at the ortho-position . On the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the organism was identified as a species within the genus Desulfitobacterium, which until now only contained the chlorophenol-dechlorinating bacterium, Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans.

Ann Acad Med Stetin, 1996, 42, 85 - 104
{The level of alcohol and titre of A and B group substances of the ABO system in blood samples infected by some strains of Escherichia coli}; Kurzejamska-Parafiniuk M; Evaluating the results of sectional blood examinations for ethyl alcohol content is difficult due to the proceeding putrid and fermentative processes, in consequence of which endogenic ethyl alcohol is produced . Some difficulties also arise from estimating the results of serological investigations concerning the biological traces having been changed by putrefaction, where the presence of heterogenic antigens may be suspected . The putrid-fermentative processes are linked with the activity of microorganisms, particularly bacteria and yeast-like fungi . The first part of the paper deals with the bacterial flora in 50 sectional blood samples taken for routine determinations of ethyl alcohol content, thus with added sodium fluoride as bacteriostatic agent . The identification of the microorganisms cultured on differentiating and selectively differentiating media was carried out on the basis of the culture appearance, specimens stained by Gram's method, as well as biochemical examinations . From 16 studied samples of the sectional blood no strain of bacteria was cultured, mixed bacterial flora was isolated from the remaining ones (Tab . 1) . Most numerous were Gram-negative bacteria (71%) among which E.coli appeared most frequently . Gram-positive claimed 28% of the cultured microflora, while anaerobes hardly 4% . In the second part of the paper, the selected strains of E . coli pertaining to serological groups: 02, 04, 06, 08, 09, 022, 025 were studied with regard to their possibility to produce ethanol as well as antigens A and B of AB0 system . E.coli strains were grown on broth medium containing glucose in concentration of from 0.00 to 27.75 mmol/l and human blood of 0 group collected from blood-donors on sodium citrate and CPD preservative with glucose in its content . Ethanol concentration in cultures was determined after 24 and 72 hours of incubation, by gas chromatography method, and glucose by enzymatic method . In serological investigations the material consisted of linen pieces being covered with 72-hour cultures of E.coli on broth and human blood of group 0 . The study for the presence of the group substances A and B of AB0 system was performed by absorption method according to Holzer, and by absorption and elution method . In consequence of the studies it has been ascertained that sodium fluoride added as a bacteriostatic agent does not entirely inhibit the growth of bacteria, and especially bacteria Gram-negative appeared to be least sensitive to its action (Tab . 1) . Selected strains of E.coli have differed with regard to the efficiency of ethanol production (Tab . 2) . The level of produced ethanol depended on glucose concentration in the medium, temperature and the incubation time (Tab . 2, 3, 4 and Fig . 1) . Under almost similar conditions the same strains produce more alcohol than on blood, which may give rise to supposition that the blood modifies the metabolism of bacteria (Tab . 4 and 5) . The cultures of selected strains studied failed to reveal the presence of heteroantigens with properties of antigen A and B of AB0 system.

Khirurgiia (Sofiia), 1996, 49(6), 19 - 22
{Anaerobic surgical infection and septic shock}; Iarumov N et al.; In the period 1990 through 1995, one-hundred patients operated for acute abdomen or admitted on a routine basis, presenting evidence of anaerobic infection, undergo treatment in the clinic of emergency surgery . Septic shock develops in 10/100 patients (10 per cent) . In six of the latter the outcome is fatal--three with infection caused by spore-forming anaerobes (gas gangrene of the inguinal region--of Fournier, and anterior abdominal wall--anus praeternaturalis--two), and three with infection caused by non-spore-forming anaerobes (mixed anaerobic-aerobic infection) . Anaerobic surgical infection and septic shock specificity is discussed, with an algorithm of therapeutic approach, based on clinical experience had with 100 patients, being proposed in either of them . Special emphasis is laid on antibiotic prophylaxis against anaerobic surgical infection . Its implementation in the concrete clinical conditions in this country demands a clearcut hospital drug policy (adoption of the "Drug Formularies" system), and elaboration of a new economical approach to the choice of antibacterial agents (using some of the forms of pharmaco-economical analysis, practicable with a view to the Bulgarian health-care model).

Pol J Pharmacol, 1996 Jan-Feb, 48(1), 47 - 52
Plasma and skin blister fluid concentrations of metronidazole and its hydroxy metabolite after oral administration; Klimowicz A et al.; Plasma and cantharidin-induced skin blister fluid concentrations of metronidazole and its main metabolite-hydroxymetronidazole were determined after a single and multiple oral doses . Metronidazole is nitroimidazole compound applied for the treatment of Protozoa infections . It is also active against anaerobic bacteria . The maximum concentrations of unchanged drug and its metabolite following a single oral dose of 2 g were observed after 1 +/- 1 and 11 +/- 2 h in plasma, whereas in blister fluid after 6 +/- 2 and 16 +/- 5 h, respectively . The average ratio of area under concentration time curve (AUC) in blister fluid to that of plasma was 1.02 +/- 0.12 for parent drug and 1.02 +/- 0.02 for the metabolite . After multiple doses of metronidazole (0.25 g every 8 h) the concentrations of unchanged drug in plasma and blister fluid, collected before the morning dose and 2 h after its administration, exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentrations for majority of susceptible pathogens . Hydroxymetronidazole concentrations in body fluids at steady-state amounted to about 30-50% of the parent drug and they could contribute to the overall activity against susceptible microorganisms since antibacterial activity of the metabolite is about 30-65% that of the metronidazole.

Microbiol Immunol, 1996, 40(10), 725 - 34
Sequence and product analyses of the four genes downstream from the fimbrilin gene (fimA) of the oral anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis; Watanabe K et al.; The downstream DNA region of the fimbrilin gene (fimA), which encodes the major subunit protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae, was fully sequenced . Gene products, expressed from this region in Escherichia coli, were purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined to verify open reading frames (ORFs) found in the region by DNA sequencing . Four ORFs, designated ORF1, ORF2, ORF3 and ORF4, were found in the 5.8-kb PstI fragment downstream from fimA, which was previously cloned and partially characterized by Yoshimura, Takahashi, Hibi, Takasawa, Kato, and Dickinson (Infect . Immun . 61: 5181-5189, 1993) . The direction of transcription of all the ORFs was the same as that of fimA . The 50 and 80 kDa encoded proteins, ORF2 and ORF3, respectively, have been reported to be minor components associated with fimbriae . The 15 and 19 kDa proteins, ORF1 and ORF4, respectively, have been expressed in E . coli but not identified in P . gingivalis . However, all the gene products of the ORFs, expressed in E . coli, appeared to contain intact signal peptides based on their N-terminal amino acid sequences.

Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1996, (8), 22 - 6
{Effect of ultrasonic aerosol treatment of wounds on the anaerobic microflora of purulent maxillofacial foci}; Shulakov VV et al.; The microflora of purulent maxillofacial wounds formed after dissection of odontogenic phlegmons consists of major types of the residual oral microorganisms . In 100% of cases, a purulent exudate displays obligate nonspore-forming anaerobic bacteria which are present both in the monoculture and in the culture in combination with facultative anaerobes and aerobes . The results of topical treatment first used for purulent wounds in surgical dentistry by using ultrasonic aerosol treatment . This procedure shows a more profound antimicrobial effect mainly against obligate anaerobes than that of the conventional treatment . This promotes the most prompt elimination of inflammation and the reduction of treatment duration.

Acta Otolaryngol Suppl, 1996, 525, 44 - 50
Investigation of normal bacterial flora in the upper respiratory tract; Tanaka I et al.; To study the bacterial flora in the upper respiratory tract we examined bacteria obtained from the larynx, posterior pharyngeal wall, palatine tonsil and nasal cavity to identify the constitutent strains and check for the existence of beta-lactamase in 37 subjects without infectious otolaryngological disease who underwent surgery with general anesthesia . A tendency toward a decrease with aging in aerobes and an increase in anaerobes was observed . The influence of fibronectin was considered to be one of the reasons for this tendency . beta-lactamase production strains showed a tendency to increase in the age group from 20-49 years and decrease in subjects 50 years and older . The number of constitutent strains in the nasal cavity was less than that in the pharynx, which was considered the result of the mucociliary function as a biophylactic function . Comparing the constitutent strain types in the larynx with those in other areas, the posterior pharyngeal wall showed the highest coincident rate of 70%, Notably, the coincident rate was more than 80% among aerobes . This suggests that causative bacteria can be estimated from pharyngeal culture.

Lasers Surg Med, 1996, 19(2), 190 - 200
Bactericidal effect of erbium YAG laser on periodontopathic bacteria; Ando Y et al.; BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recently Erbium (Er) YAG laser has been developed for dentistry . It may be suitable for periodontal therapy . This study examined the bactericidal effect of the Er: YAG laser on periodontopathic bacteria in vitro . STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: After spreading the bacterial suspension of Porphyromonas gingivalis or Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans on agar plates, a single pulse laser was applied to the agar plates at the energy density of 0.04-2.6 J/cm2 . The growth of the bacterial colonies on the lased agar plates was examined after anaerobic culture . P . gingivalis colonies were also individually exposed to the single pulse laser at the energy of 1.8-10.6 J/cm2 . The colony forming units of the irradiated colonies were counted . RESULTS: Growth inhibitory zones were found at the irradiated sites at the energy of about 0.3 J/cm2 and higher . The survival ratios of the viable bacteria in the lased P . gingivalis colonies decreased significantly at the energy of 7.1 and 10.6 J/cm2, as compared with that of the control . CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the Er:YAG laser has a high bactericidal potential at a low energy level.

Can J Infect Control, 1996 Summer, 11(2), 51 - 4
In-hospital evaluation of 7.5% hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant for flexible endoscopes; Sattar SA et al.; The effectiveness of Sporox (Reckitt and Colman Inc, New Jersey), a 7.5% solution of hydrogen peroxide, was compared with that of Cidex (Johnson & Johnson), a 2% solution of alkaline glutaraldehyde, in the manual disinfection of flexible endoscopes at a large general hospital . For disinfection with Sporox, a soaking time of 10 mins at room temperature was used . The same disinfectant bath was used for nearly seven weeks and the Sporox level was monitored using reagent strips supplied with the product . Controls included endoscopes with precleaning (enzyme-detergent) but without any disinfection, and endoscopes that were precleaned and disinfected in Cidex only . A total of 3 mL of sterile normal saline was used for sampling each channel and immediately plated to detect aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as mycobacteria . There were 76 endoscopes sampled . Of these, 55 were disinfected in Sporox, 13 were disinfected in Cidex and eight were precleaned but not disinfected . None of the samples from endoscopes disinfected with either Sporox or Cidex yielded isolates generally regarded as pathogenic for humans . The findings of this in-hospital study indicate that Sporox is at least as efficacious as Cidex in the disinfection of flexible endoscopes between patients . In addition, the exposure time to Sporox was half as long compared with Cidex, and hydrogen peroxide is much less toxic to humans and the environment . Therefore, Sporox appears to have considerable potential as a safer substitute for glutaradehyde-based products in the decontamination of flexible endoscopes.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1996, 389, 155 - 64
Cleavage of the human C5A receptor by proteinases derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis: cleavage of leukocyte C5a receptor; Jagels MA et al.; The anaerobic bacteria P . gingivalis has been implicated as a primary causative agent in adult periodontitis . Several proteinases are produced by this bacteria and it is suggested that they contribute to virulence and to local tissue injury resulting from infection by P . gingivalis . Collagenases and cysteine proteinases (i.e., the gingipains) have been characterized as the predominant vesicular enzymes produced by this bacterium . It has been shown that an arginine-specific cysteine proteinase from P . gingivalis, called gingipain-1 or Arg-gingipain, can selectively cleave complement components C3 and C5 . In the case of C5, cleavage by Arg-gingipain results in the generation of C5a, a potent chemotactic factor for PMNs . Since these bacterial proteinases are capable of generating pro-inflammatory factors at sites of infection, we examined the possibility that gingipains or other proteinases from this bacterium might attack or destroy cell surface proteins, such as receptor molecules . Using an affinity-purified rabbit antibody raised against residues 9-29 of the C5a receptor (i.e., C5aR; CD88), the signal transmitting element for the pro-inflammatory mediator C5a, we demonstrated that the mixture of proteinases in P . gingivalis vesicles cleaves the C5a receptor on human neutrophils . This vesicular proteinase activity did not require cysteine activation which indicates that proteinases other than the gingipains may be responsible for cleavage of the C5aR molecule . in addition, the purified Lys-gingipain, but not Arg-gingipain, also cleaved C5aR on the human neutrophils . The N-terminal region of CaR (residues 9-29, PDYGHYDDKDTLDLNTPVDKT) was readily cleaved by chymotrypsin, but not by trypsin, despite the presence of potential trypsin (i.e., lysyl-X) cleavage sites . The specific sites of C5aR 9-29 peptide cleavage were determined by mass spectroscopy for both chymotrypsin and Lys-gingipain . These studies suggest that the proteolytic activity in the bacterial vesicles that is responsible for cleaving C5aR is primarily a non-tryptic proteinase, distance from either Arg- or Lys-gingipain . Consequently, there appear to be additional proteinase(s) in the vesicles that attacks the cell surface molecule C5aR which are not the same (i.e., Arg- and Lys-gingipain) as were shown to generate pro-inflammatory activity from complement components C3 and C5 . Evidence that the proteinases which attack the inflammatory precursor molecules (i.e., C3 and C5) exhibit different specificities than those that attack receptors to these bioactive complement products makes a particularly interesting story of how this bacteria avoids major host defense mechanisms . It is well known that generation of pro-inflammatory factors such as C3a and C5a at extra-vascular sites can promote edema, leukocyte recruitment and cellular activation responses that could lead to the release of toxic oxygen products and to phagocytosis of the bacteria . Destruction of receptors to these cellular activating factors generated by bacterial proteinases may eliminate the ability of these (i.e., complement-derived) and other mediators to carry out their anti-bacterial actions and thereby limit the host's defense mechanisms in responses to the infecting bacteria . The concept of anti-bacterial responses (i.e., oxygen radical generation and phagocytosis) being effectively eliminated at the injury site, by bacterial proteinases acting at the cellular receptor level, has not been studied in detail . In this case, the situation is particularly unusual because, once the bacterial gingipains generate potent plasma-derived inflammatory factors that can enhance edema and deliver essential nutrients to the bactgeria, other bacterial proteinases may destsroy their cellular receptors . These receptors transmit the signal activation mechanisms in the infiltrating cells that elicit bacterial killing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Clin Infect Dis, 1996 Jan, 22(1), 107 - 23
Piperacillin/tazobactam: a critical review of the evolving clinical literature; Sanders WE Jr et al.; Piperacillin/tazobactam is the most recently approved combination of a beta-lactam agent with an inhibitor of bacterial beta-lactamases . It has a broader spectrum than do preceding inhibitor-drug combinations, and it is generally more potent . In terms of clinical and microbiological outcomes, comparative studies have shown that piperacillin/tazobactam was comparable to imipenem (1.0 g q8h) and to clindamycin plus gentamicin for intraabdominal infections, to clindamycin plus gentamicin for infections of the skin and skin structures and pelvic tissues in women, and to ticarcillin/clavulanate for skin and soft-tissue infections . Piperacillin/tazobactam was statistically superior to imipenem (0.5 g q8h) for intraabdominal infections, to ticarcillin/clavulanate for community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections, and to ceftazidime for nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections and febrile episodes in neutropenic patients . Adverse effects with piperacillin/tazobactam were generally of only mild-to-moderate severity . Piperacillin/tazobactam may be especially useful for the treatment of infections that are likely to be polymicrobial or to be due to any one of an array of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria; this agent may also be useful in situations where organisms with plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases have become problematic.

Klin Lab Diagn, 1996 Jan-Feb, (1), 14 - 6
{Current methods for the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by asporogenous anaerobic bacteria}; Vorob'ev AA et al.; Nonsporulating anaerobes, the predominant representatives of normal human microflora, are most frequently isolated from the pathological material collected in patients with pyoinflammatory diseases developing in the presence of lowered immune status . The authors discuss the methods of laboratory diagnosis of nonsporulating anaerobic bacteria, analyze a complex of problems arising during work with these microorganisms, and pay special attention to rapid methods of diagnosis.

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 1996 Jan, 3(1), 61 - 5
Antibody response to Prevotella spp . in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia; Grollier G et al.; Although anaerobic bacteria are frequently isolated from the oropharyngeal flora, their potential pathogenic role in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been poorly investigated . In order to evaluate the pathogenic role of Prevotella spp . isolated from protected specimen brushes, we investigated the systemic humoral response with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (immunoblot) in 13 patients who developed a VAP associated with Prevotella species (group I) . The antigen used was a mixture of whole-cell proteins taken from four reference Prevotella strains . We compared the antibody levels observed in these patients with those measured in 30 patients who developed a VAP unrelated to anaerobic bacteria (group II), in 27 patients with dental stumps (group III), and in 30 healthy patients (group IV) who had Prevotella species on dental plaque . The ELISA levels obtained in the four groups showed significant differences between group I and each of the three control groups (P < 0.05) . The antibody profiles obtained by Western blot showed an intensity of response roughly superposable over levels obtained by ELISA and a species specificity . These findings suggested that colonization of these patients with Prevotella species may have been associated with an infectious process leading to a systemic humoral response and that these bacteria could play a role in VAP.

J Clin Microbiol, 1996 Jan, 34(1), 170 - 4
Comparison of spiral gradient endpoint and agar dilution methods for susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria: a multilaboratory collaborative evaluation; Wexler HM et al.; A multilaboratory collaborative study was carried out to assess the utility of the spiral gradient endpoint (SGE) method for the determination of the antimicrobial susceptibilities of anaerobes and to evaluate the equivalence of the MICs obtained by the SGE method with those obtained by the reference agar dilution method of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards . The standard deviation of the MIC obtained by the SGE method for the five participating laboratories was +/- 0.26 of a twofold dilution, whereas it was +/- 1 twofold dilution by the reference method . The interlaboratory reproducibility of the results for two control strains tested with imipenem, chloramphenicol, and metronidazole indicated that 96% of the measurements fell within +/- 1 twofold dilution of the mode . The equivalence of the SGE method with the agar dilution method was assessed with a wide variety of anaerobic organisms . The MICs by both methods were within 1 doubling dilution in 93% of the measurements (n = 1,074) . Discrepancies generally occurred with those organism-drug combinations that resulted in tailing endpoints (Fusobacterium nucleatum, 86% agreement) or in cases of light growth (Peptostreptococcus spp., 86% agreement).

J Clin Microbiol, 1996 Jan, 34(1), 103 - 7
Novel method for rapid identification of Nocardia species by detection of preformed enzymes; Biehle JR et al.; The purpose of the present study was to devise a method for the identification of Nocardia species that is more technically simple, accurate, and rapid than current standard methods of identification . We focused on a commercial bacteria identification system that contained chromogenic test substrates . Two MicroScan products were selected for use in the study on the basis of their content of chromogenic and conventional substrates . They were the Rapid Anaerobe Identification and the HNID panels . A total of 85 strains of Nocardia representing five species were used in the study . All isolates were identified as Nocardia species by the use of standard methods . The beta-naphthylamide-labeled substrate L-pyrrolidonyl-beta-naphthylamide (PYR), the nitrophenyl-labeled substrate p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (MNP), and indoxyl phosphate were found to be useful for identification purposes . N . farcinica and N . nova were the only species positive for PYR, whereas N . brasiliensis was the only species that hydrolyzed MNP . All strains of N . brasiliensis, N . otitidiscavarium, and N . farcinica were positive for indoxyl phosphate, whereas strains of N . nova and N . asteroides sensu stricto were always negative . Agreement between the standard and enzymatic identification methods was 100% . In summary, detection of preformed enzymes appears to be a simple and reproducible method for the identification of Nocardia spp.

Drugs, 1996 Jan, 51(1), 99 - 136
Imipenem/cilastatin: an update of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of serious infections; Balfour JA et al.; The prototype carbapenem antibacterial agent imipenem has a very broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, encompassing most Gram-negative and Gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes, including most beta-lactamase-producing species . It is coadministered with a renal dehydropeptidase inhibitor, cilastatin, in order to prevent its renal metabolism in clinical use . Extensive clinical experience gained with imipenem/cilastatin has shown it to provide effective monotherapy for septicaemia, neutropenic fever, and intra-abdominal, lower respiratory tract, genitourinary, gynaecological, skin and soft tissues, and bone and joint infections . In these indications, imipenem/cilastatin generally exhibits similar efficacy to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and other carbapenems and is at least equivalent to standard aminoglycoside-based and other combination regimens . Imipenem/cilastatin is generally well tolerated by adults and children, with local injection site events, gastrointestinal disturbances and dermatological reactions being the most common adverse events . Seizures have also been reported, occurring mostly in patients with impaired renal function or CNS pathology, or with excessive dosage . Although it is no longer a unique compound, as newer carbapenems such as meropenem are becoming available, imipenem/cilastatin nevertheless remains an important agent with established efficacy as monotherapy for moderate to severe bacterial infections . Its particular niche is in treating infections known or suspected to be caused by multiresistant pathogens.

J Fr Ophtalmol, 1996, 19(1), 4 - 7
{Positive corneal findings of Propioni bacterium acnes and keratitis}; Morel C et al.; PURPOSE: Propioni bacterium Acnes may be isolated from corneal specimens . Its presence usually evokes a neighbouring tissue contamination . Nevertheless we have tried to find arguments in favour of a possible pathological responsibility of this microorganism in corneal affections . MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in thirty patients with proved P . acnes corneal infection . The specimens were collected immediately during the first examination in the emergency ward . The research of anaerobic bacteria was made for each corneal specimen.RESULTS: We studied nineteen corneal abscesses and eleven corneal ulcers . Ninety-one percent of the cases presented an associated irritating factor . In decreasing order we found: wearing of soft contact lenses (36%), foreign corneal body still in situ or recently removed (21%), recurrent corneal erosions (9%), palpebral surgery (6%), herpetic keratitis (6%) or rosacea (3%) . P . acnes was the only microorganism identified in 97% of the cases . Starting treatment before bacteriological results were known to be effective in each case . CONCLUSIONS: These elements are an argument for the pathological role of P . acnes in corneal infections when combined with favourable local conditions . Its presence does not always mean actual contamination.

Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1996, 216, 132 - 48
Short-chain fatty acids in the human colon: relation to gastrointestinal health and disease; Mortensen PB et al.; Fermentation, the process whereby anaerobic bacteria break down carbohydrates to short-chain (C2-C6) fatty acids (SCFAs), is an important function of the large bowel . SCFAs constitute approximately two-thirds of the colonic anion concentration (70-130 mmol/l), mainly as acetate, propionate, and butyrate . Gastroenterologists have, in spite of these facts, addressed this scientific field surprisingly late, in contrast to veterinarians, for whom the fermentative production of SCFAs has been acknowledged as a principal mechanism of intestinal digestion in plant-eating animals for decades . Interest in the effects of SCFA production on the human organism has been growing rapidly in the last 10 years, because gastrointestinal functions and beneficial effects are associated with these acids . SCFAs are of major importance in the understanding of the physiological function of dietary fibre and their possible role for colonic neoplasia . SCFA production and absorption are closely related to the nourishment of the colonic mucosa and sodium and water absorption, and mechanisms of diarrhoea . Patients with severe malabsorption compensate by the fermentation of otherwise osmotic active saccharides to SCFAs, which are readily absorbed and used as energy fuels in the organism . SCFA production from dietary carbohydrates is a mechanism whereby considerable amounts of calories can be salvaged in short-bowel patients with remaining colonic function if dietary treatment is adjusted . SCFA enemas are a new and promising treatment modality for patients with ulcerative colitis . The effect has been attributed to the oxidation of SCFAs in the colonocytes . An impressive number of papers have described the effects of butyrate on various cell functions, the significance of which is still unknown . Up until now, attention has been related especially to cancer prophylaxis and treatment . Diminished production of SCFAs appears to be involved in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, diversion colitis, and possibly in pouchitis . The interaction between bacterial fermentation, ammonia metabolism, and bacterial growth and protein synthesis appears to be the main mechanism of action of lactulose treatment in hepatic coma . Pathological and extremely high rates of saccharide fermentation explain the severe deterioration in patients with D-lactate acidosis . Hence, this scientific field has come late to clinical working gastroenterologists, but as work is progressing the production of SCFAs in the large bowel becomes involved in several well-known intestinal disorders.

Fetal Diagn Ther, 1996 Jan-Feb, 11(1), 1 - 5
Amniotic fluid gram stain and leukocyte count in the prediction of intrauterine infection in preterm prelabour amniorrhexis; Carroll SG et al.; The purpose of the study was to examine the sensitivity and specificity of the amniotic fluid Gram stain and leukocyte count in the prediction of positive fetal blood and amniotic fluid cultures in 80 patients with preterm prelabour amniorrhexis . Amniocentesis and cordocentesis were performed and amniotic fluid and fetal blood were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Amniotic fluid was also cultured for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis . The sensitivity of the Gram stain in the prediction of positive fetal blood and amniotic fluid cultures was 50 and 40% and the respective false positive rates were 12 and 4% . In the detection of aerobic or anaerobic infection of the amniotic fluid, the sensitivity and false positive rate of the Gram stain were 80 and 3% respectively . This compared favourably with the respective values of 66 and 35% for amniotic fluid leukocyte count > 30/mm3 . Positive amniotic fluid Gram stain provides useful prediction of intra-uterine infection with aerobic or anaerobic organisms.

Vet Res Commun, 1996, 20(2), 113 - 40
Fusobacterium necrophorum infections: virulence factors, pathogenic mechanism and control measures; Tan ZL et al.; Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming anaerobe, is a normal inhabitant of the alimentary tract of animals and humans . Two types of F . necrophorum, subspecies necrophorum (biotype A) and funduliforme (biotype B), have been recognized, which differ morphologically, biochemically, and biologically . The organism is an opportunistic pathogen that causes numerous necrotic conditions (necrobacillosis) such as bovine hepatic abscesses, ruminant foot abscesses and human oral infections . The pathogenic mechanism of F . necrophorum is complex and not well defined . Several toxins, such as leukotoxin, endotoxin, haemolysin, haemagglutinin and adhesin, have been implicated as virulence factors . Among these, leukotoxin and endotoxin are believed to be more important than other toxins in overcoming the host's defence mechanisms to establish the infection . F . necrophorum is encountered frequently in mixed infections and, therefore, synergisms between F . necrophorum and other pathogens may play an important role in infection . Several investigators have attempted to induce protective immunity against F . necrophorum using bacterins, toxoids, and other cytoplasmic components . Generally, none of the immunogens has afforded satisfactory protection against Fusobacterium infections . Because of the unavailability of suitable immunoprophylaxis, the control of F . necrophorum infection has depended mainly on the use of antimicrobial compounds.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1996 Jan, 44(5), 683 - 8
Isolation of hexavalent chromium-reducing anaerobes from hexavalent-chromium-contaminated and noncontaminated environments; Turick CE et al.; Hexavalent chromium {Cr(VI)}, is a toxic, water-soluble contaminant present in many soils and industrial effluents . Bacteria from various soils were examined for Cr(VI) resistance and reducing potential . Microbes selected from both Cr(VI)-contaminated and -noncontaminated soils and sediments were capable of catalyzing the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) a less toxic, less water-soluble form of Cr, demonstrating the utility of using a selection strategy for indigenous Cr(VI)-reducing bacteria in a bioprocess . As a result, indigenous Cr(VI)- reducing microbes from contaminated sites should provide the means for developing a bioprocess to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in nonsterile effluents such as those from soil washes . This approach also avoids the contamination problems associated with pure cultures of allochthonous microorganisms . In addition the apparent ubiquity of Cr(VI)-reducing bacteria in soil and sediments indicates potential for in situ bioremediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soils and ground water.

Pediatr Dent, 1996 Jan-Feb, 18(1), 42 - 7
The composition of subgingival microflora in two groups of children with and without primary dentition alveolar bone loss; Bimstein E et al.; The is study examined the relationships between the microbial composition of the subgingival plaque, contact loss caused by caries and alveolar bone loss (ABL) in primary molars . The study included 10 children with contact loss in at least two sites, one with ABL and one without ABL, and 10 children without ABL with sites with or without contact loss . The microbial composition of subgingival plaque was examined by dark-field microscopy and by cultures of total anaerobic bacteria, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) . Dark-field microscopy confirmed that spirochetes and motile rods may be part of the indigenous flora of the oral cavity . More spirochetes and motile rods were observed in sites with ABL than in control sites in the same subject and control subjects without ABL . Lower numbers of cocci were seen in sites with ABL than in sites in children without ABL, but a significant difference was not observed between sites with ABL and healthy sites within the same subjects . No significant differences in the dark-field values were evident in sites without ABL, with or without contact loss . Aa and Pg were found in children and sites with or without ABL . In sites with Aa, larger proportions of spirochetes, lower values of cocci, and more colonies of Pg were evident . No significant differences in anaerobic bacteria were evident between sites with or without contact loss or with or without ABL . ABL in the primary dentition was found to be related to the microbial composition of the subgingival plaque, but not related to contact loss per se.

Stomatologiia (Mosk), 1996, 75(1), 23 - 5
{Antibacterial therapy in the combined treatment of periodontitis}; Romanov AE et al.; The sensitivities of clinical strains of obligate anaerobic bacteria, isolated from the periodontal pouches of patients with generalized periodontitis, to antibiotics, quinolone drugs, and metronidasole were studied . The minimal suppressing concentration (MSC90) of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and antibiotics gramicidin C, eritromicin, lincomycin, levomicetin, and trichopol for sensitive strains of Porphyromonas, peptostreptococci, and fusobacteria ranged from 5 to 10 mg/ml . Among the bacteria and actinomyces studied the highest percentage of resistant strains was noted for abactal and tarivid, and the minimal for gramicidin C and eritromicin . Actinomyces were little sensitive to quinolone derivatives.

Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1996, (2), 44 - 5
{Microbiology and immunology of suppurative surgical infection caused by non spore-forming anaerobes}; Malafeeva EV et al.; Examinations of 230 patients with local pyogenic infection and those of 117 patients with sepsis revealed that asporogenic anaerobes on pure culture were isolated in 17.8% with local pyosis and in 10.2% of patients with sepsis . Anaerobes along with aerobic microbes were found 15.6% of patients with local infection and in 10.2% of patients with sepsis . The involvement of obligate anaerobes in the development of pyogenic infection was displayed by the lower phagocytic activity of neutrophils, the impaired differentiation of lymphocytes, the great increased peripheral blood levels of O-cells, and diminished serum complementary, lysozyme, and overall bactericidal activities and IgM levels.

Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1996, (2), 26 - 9
{Obligate anaerobic microbes in obstetric and gynecologic diseases}; Kulakov VI et al.; The paper reviews recent-years' papers and the data of their own investigations on a role of obligate anaerobic microbes in obstetric and gynecological abnormality . The fact that secondary pelvic inflammatory processes caused chiefly by non spore-forming anaerobes is ascertained . There is evidence that obligate anaerobic bacteria are involved in the abnormality directly unassociated with the development of an inflammatory process: preterm labor, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, intranatal fetal hypoxia, respiratory distress syndrome and hyaline membrane disease of the premature newborn . Among vaginal infections the key role is played by bacterial vaginosis which is, from the pathophysiological point of view, now a severe derangement of the vaginal environment system with greatly prevalent obligate anaerobic bacteria and without lactoflora . Complications associated with this abnormality are noted.

Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1996, (2), 12 - 4
{Microecology of non spore-forming anaerobes in health and in disease}; Budanova EV et al.; The authors studied the species-specific and quantitative composition of the large intestinal microbiocenosis on exposures to various factors of endo- and exogenous etiologies: the presence of a pathological process and its specific features, dietary trace element composition, unfavorable environmental (chemical) factors, as well as the impact of coexistence in the same family and the factors of family variability (the individual genotype of the macro-organism) . The microenvironment of non spore-forming anaerobes that colonize the large bowel was found to be influenced by a number of various factors, both exo- and endogenous . The magnitude of these changes is associated with the intensity and specificity of an influencing factor.

Br J Obstet Gynaecol, 1996 Jan, 103(1), 54 - 9
Lower genital tract swabs in the prediction of intrauterine infection in preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes; Carroll SG et al.; OBJECTIVE: To examine the genital tract flora in women with preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes and to determine the relationship of these microorganisms to those found in fetal blood and amniotic fluid . DESIGN: Prospective study of 97 patients with preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes . SETTING: Maternal-fetal medicine centre . METHODS: High vaginal and endocervical swabs were taken for routine culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis . Cordocentesis and amniocentesis were performed and fetal blood and amniotic fluid were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Amniotic fluid was also cultured for Mycoplasma spp . The sensitivities and specificities of genital tract colonisation in the prediction of fetal blood and amniotic fluid infection were calculated . RESULTS: Positive genital tract cultures for aerobic and anaerobic organisms predicted 40% of positive fetal blood and 53% of positive amniotic fluid cultures with false positive rates of 24% and 25%, respectively . The sensitivity and false positive rates for genital tract colonisation with Mycoplasma spp in the prediction of amniotic fluid infection with these organisms were 85% and 35%, respectively . CONCLUSIONS: In preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes lower genital tract cultures provide poor prediction of intrauterine infection.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1996 Jan, 22(1), 85 - 9
Cloning of a cellulase gene from the rumen anaerobe Fibrobacter succinogenes SD35 and partial characterization of the gene product; Ozcan N et al.; A gene encoding an enzyme which degrades cellulose (end-1) was isolated from a library of Fibrobacter succinogenes SD35 DNA fragments and expressed in pUC18 . The product of end-1 showed significant activity against carboxymethylcellulose but relatively minor activity against lichenan, xylan and avicel . The nucleotide sequence indicated a product of 388 amino acids with a molecular mass of 50.2 kDa . This was in agreement with the molecular size estimated by gel electrophoresis . No significant DNA sequence similarity was identified with any published endoglucanase.

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1995 Dec, 33(12), 752 - 3
{Clinical analysis of anaerobic septicemia in 26 patients with extensive burn}; Huang X et al.; To understand the incidence and importance of anaerobic infection, the aerobic and anaerobic blood culture were carried out simultaneously in 127 patients with extensive burns (TBSA > 50%) . Among 39 patients with positive culture, 26 had anaerob growth in blood culture . The total incidence rate of anaerobic septicemia was 20.4% . 61 strains (9 species) of anaerobes were isolated from blood specimens . The predominant anaerobes were Peptococcus (37.7%) and B . fragilis (36.1%) . 20 (76.9%) were mixed infection of aerobes and anaerobes . The others thers suffered from combined infection of B . Fragilis and peptococcus combined infection . Finally, 19 patients survived and 7 died (26.9%) . The sensitive tests showed that the effective drugs were metronidazot, chloramycin, and lincomycin . These data suggested that the septicemia of extensive burn patients is often caused by anaerobes . Therefore, anaerobe plays an important role in burn infection.

Indian J Ophthalmol, 1995 Dec, 43(4), 191 - 4
Endophthalmitis caused by anaerobic bacteria; Sharma T et al.; A retrospective analysis of 22 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for endophthalmitis and had culture-proven anaerobic bacteria, was done . Elimination of infection with attached retina and recovery of ambulatory vision > or = 2/60 were considered as anatomic success and functional success, respectively . Mean follow-up period was 12.7 months (range, 2 to 48 months) . Anatomic success was attained in 14 (63.6%) eyes and functional success in 12 (54.6%) eyes . A poor preoperative visual acuity was found to be associated with poor functional outcome (p < 0.046) . In endophthalmitis, a routine anaerobic culture of intraocular specimen is recommended.

Laryngorhinootologie, 1995 Dec, 74(12), 756 - 60
{Examination technique of ultrasound follow-up of pharyngeal closure after laryngectomy}; Eistert B et al.; BACKGROUND: The pharyngocutaneous fistula presents the most common complication after laryngectomy . Despite applying methods of pharyngeal closure, local factors such as irradiation may cause healing disturbances and the development of pharyngeal fistula . Before the nasogastric feeding tube is removed, an additional radiologic control with water-soluble contrast medium is recommended in literature in case of normal clinical healing . METHODS: The radiologic method was compared with a newly developed sonographic examination technique . Using the so-called "aerophagia maneuver" in sonography, an arising of peripharyngeal air before the "aerophagia maneuver" or a peripharyngeal mass lesion was an uncertain criterion for a pharyngeal fistula . Peripharyngeal air may be seen also due to infection with anaerobic bacteria, and peripharyngeal mass lesion may be caused by seroma or hematoma . In sonography, tissular air is seen typically, in a hyperechoic reflex with distal repetitions . RESULTS: Radiologic examination of the pharynx in 18 laryngectomy patients revealed fistulas in three cases . CONCLUSIONS: Our experiences have shown so far that sonographic examination in combination with the so-called "aerophagia maneuver" prove to be reliable or ascertaining pharyngeal closure after laryngectomy.

J Laryngol Otol, 1995 Dec, 109(12), 1159 - 62
Antimicrobial management of chronic sinusitis in children; Brook I et al.; This study retrospectively investigated the microbiology and management of 40 children who suffered from chronic sinusitis . The sinuses infected were the maxillary (15 cases), ethmoid (13), and frontal (seven) . Pansinusitis was present in five patients . All aspirates were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . A total of 121 isolates (97 anaerobic and 24 aerobic) were recovered . Anaerobes were recovered from all 37 culture-positive specimens, and in 14 cases (38 per cent) they were mixed with aerobes . Twenty-three beta-lactamase-producing bacteria were isolated from 16 (43 per cent) patients . The 15 patients who received clindamycin had the most rapid response to therapy and a change of therapy and surgical drainage was required in one case . Of the 16 patients who received amoxycillin or ampicillin, 16 responded to therapy, six needed a change of therapy, including four who also had surgical drainage . Of the six who were treated with erythromycin, three needed antibiotic change, two with surgical drainage . Of the three that received cefaclor, two were cured, and one had an antibiotic change . Resistant organisms were recovered in all the cases that required therapeutic change . These findings support the important role of anaerobic bacteria in the polymicrobial cause of chronic sinusitis in children, and the superiority of therapy effective against these organisms.

J Am Coll Surg, 1995 Dec, 181(6), 525 - 9
Bile acids and microorganisms in the jejunal lumen after biliary reconstruction in dogs; Yamamoto T et al.; BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the composition of various bile acids and microorganisms in the jejunal lumen after using different methods of biliary reconstruction . STUDY DESIGN: A Billroth I biliary reconstruction, in which the biliary tract was directly anastomosed to the alimentary tract, was performed in 16 dogs, including eight with cholecystoduodenostomy (C-D group) and eight with cholecystojejunostomy (C-J group) . A Billroth II reconstruction, involving a Rouxen-Y cholecystojejunostomy (R-Y group) in which bile flowed into the jejunal limb, was made in eight dogs . Jejunal fluid samples were used for microbial culture and bile acid assay by high-performance liquid chromatography . RESULTS: The percentage of unconjugated bile acids in the R-Y group (9.96 +/- 2.17 percent) was significantly higher than that observed in the C-D group (0.11 +/- 0.05 percent), and that observed in the C-J group (1.05 +/- 0.72 percent) (p < 0.01) . The detection rate of anaerobes was higher in the R-Y group than in the C-D and C-J groups . CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that due to an increase in unconjugated bile acids after the Billroth II biliary reconstruction the function of digestion and absorption is less well preserved than after the Billroth I method.

Am Surg, 1995 Dec, 61(12), 1105 - 8
Soft tissue abscesses associated with parenteral drug abuse: presentation, microbiology, and treatment; Bergstein JM et al.; Abscess formation at the site of drug injection is the commonest infectious complication in drug addicts . This study characterizes the clinical presentation of the condition, its current microbiology, and treatment outcome . All patients presenting for treatment of soft tissue abscesses associated with parenteral drug abuse over a 21-month period were studied . Sixty-six patients with 70 subcutaneous abscesses after injection of cocaine (85%), heroin (5%), or unreported drugs (10%) were identified . Only 42% were febrile (T > 37.5 degrees C), 54 percent had leukocytosis, and 47 percent had wound fluctuance . Wound cultures (243 isolates in 57 patients) grew predominately anaerobes (143 isolates) and facultative gram-positive cocci (88 isolates) . Twenty-six blood cultures were obtained, and five (19%) were positive, two with the same bacteria isolated from the wound . Of the patients tested, 29 percent were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and 9 percent for HIV . Simple incision and drainage was effective in all cases . Classical signs and symptoms of infection and abscess formation may be absent in this patient population . Many of these patients carry other blood-borne infections which the health professional must guard against . Cocaine injection, and "mixed" aerobic-anaerobic infections predominated, in contrast to earlier reports, when narcotics and aerobes predominated . Simple incision and drainage is adequate treatment; antibiotics, when given, should cover gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria; gram-negative coverage is unnecessary.

J Biol Chem, 1995 Nov 10, 270(45), 26723 - 6
Siderophores: structure and function of microbial iron transport compounds; Neilands JB; Siderophores are common products of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria and of fungi . Elucidation of the molecular genetics of siderophore synthesis, and the regulation of this process by iron, has been facilitated by the fact that E . coli uses its own siderophores as well as those derived from other species, including fungi . Overproduction of the siderophore and its transport system at low iron is in this species well established to be the result of negative transcriptional repression, but the detailed mechanism may be positive in other organisms . Siderophores are transported across the double membrane envelope of E . coli via a gating mechanism linking the inner and outer membranes.

Hepatogastroenterology, 1995 Nov-Dec, 42(6), 821 - 6
Bacteriological studies of liver parenchyma in controls and in patients with gallstones or common bile duct stones with or without acute cholangitis; Csendes A et al.; BACKGROUND/AIMS: The presence of aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria in the liver parenchyma, gallbladder bile, and common bile duct was investigated . MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 15 control subjects, 32 cases with symptomatic gallstones, 16 patients with common bile duct stones without acute cholangitis and 8 cases with common bile duct stones with an acute suppurative cholangitis . RESULTS: No bacteria were isolated in controls . The percentage of positive cultures in liver parenchyma increased in proportion to the severity of the biliary tract disease . There was no clear correlation between normal and altered hepatic histology and the presence or absence of bacteria except in patients with acute cholangitis . CONCLUSIONS: When biliary tract obstruction is present, the biliary tract is more vulnerable to invasion of bacteria and therefore increases the chance of spread into the liver parenchyma.

Hepatogastroenterology, 1995 Nov-Dec, 42(6), 778 - 85
Colonic bacterial activity determines the symptoms in people with fructose-malabsorption; Born P et al.; BACKGROUND/AIM: This study was performed to find a parameter to discriminate symptomatic from asymptomatic subjects with fructose-malabsorption . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four subjects (12 m, 22 f; average age, 28.6 years; range 16-60) were investigated after an overnight fast . After intake of 25 g fructose, H2-tests were carried out . Endexspiratory breath samples were taken before the ingestion of the tested sugar and at 30 minute intervals over a 2 hour period . Hydrogen determination was performed immediately after sampling . Results were considered pathological if there was a rise in hydrogen over 20 ppm and a twofold increase from the initial value . Aerobic and anaerobic cultures from stool bacteria were set and incubated with 0.5 g fructose . RESULTS: Among 34 healthy controls, 13 malabsorbers (38%) were detected . Out of these malabsorbers, 6 (46%) reported gastrointestinal concomitant symptoms . Symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with fructose-malabsorption showed a comparable increase in hydrogen levels . The disappearance rate of fructose in the stool cultures was significantly elevated in the symptomatic group compared with the asymptomatic, but only in the anaerobic culture . CONCLUSION: This activity of colonic bacteria, significantly discriminating symptomatic subjects with fructose-malabsorption from asymptomatic, enhances the importance of fructose-malabsorption in the differential diagnosis of people with non-specific abdominal complaints . Antibiotic therapy in severe cases should be considered a therapeutical approach . Moreover these results may support the role of nutritional carbohydrates in the pathogenesis of colonic diseases.

Pediatr Med Chir, 1995 Nov-Dec, 17(6), 493 - 7
{Infected bowel syndrome}; Campanozzi A et al.; Colonization of the gut by intestinal bacteria begins at birth and progresses rapidly in the immediate postnatal period . Host defense mechanisms that mediate enteric colonization include gastric acidity and intestinal motility . The small bowell overgrowth syndrome is a condition characterized by large numbers of bacteria, often anaerobes, in the upper intestine . Steatorrea, carbohydrate malabsorption and abdominal pain are frequently present . Predisposing conditions are localized anatomic disorders (surgical blind loops, small bowel strictures caused by surgery or Crohn's disease, short-gut syndrome without ileocaecal valve), motility derangements or reduction of gastric acidity . Diagnosis of the overgrowth syndrome is often difficult and quantitative cultures of jejunal-aspirated fluid is the best diagnostic test . Antimicrobial therapy directed against anaerobes is often successful, but the best therapeutic approach is the correction of predisposing conditions, if present.

Int Endod J, 1995 Nov, 28(6), 285 - 9
In vitro study of the indirect action of calcium hydroxide on the anaerobic flora of the root canal; Kontakiotis E et al.; The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro a possible mechanism involved in the antimicrobial action of calcium hydroxide, namely absorption of carbon dioxide from the root canal . Twenty obligate and 20 facultative anaerobic bacteria isolated from infected root canals and identified to species level were used . For each bacterial species a standard concentration was achieved and 0.1 ml of the inoculum was spread on blood agar plates, which were consecutively incubated in an anaerobic chamber for 5-7 days . One experimental and one control group were studied: the experimental group included one plate with the bacterial species as well as one open plate containing 32 g calcium hydroxide paste at a mixing ratio of 6:4 . Both plates were incubated in an anaerobic chamber for 72 h . The control group included only one plate containing the same bacterial species and was incubated under the same conditions . After a 72-h incubation, the number of the recovered bacteria were counted in both groups . Statistical analysis showed that the number of bacteria recovered from the control group was significantly lower than that of the experimental group, but no particular resistance of any bacterial species to calcium hydroxide could be detected . This finding strongly suggests that the ability of calcium hydroxide to absorb carbon dioxide may contribute to its antibacterial activity.

Pediatr Radiol, 1995 Nov, 25 Suppl 1, S105 - 6
Unusual radiological manifestations of Lemierre's syndrome: a case report; Goyal M et al.; Lemierre's syndrome is an uncommon clinical entity characterized by oropharyngeal infection followed by septic thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein with embolization to the lungs and other organs . The organism is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, Fusobacterium necrophorum . We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome in an 8-year-old child who presented with septic arthritis of the left hip joint . Roentgenograms and computed tomography demonstrated gas in the joint and adjacent soft tissues, along with a dislocated hip . Sonography of the neck coupled with the colour Doppler technique did not reveal any abnormality in the jugular veins . A blood culture grew Fusobacterium necrophorum, confirming the diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1995 Nov 1, 133(1-2), 143 - 9
Purification and characterization of the formate dehydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough; Sebban C et al.; Formate dehydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a sulfate-reducing bacterium, has been isolated and characterized . The enzyme is composed of three subunits . A high molecular mass subunit (83,500 Da) is proposed to contain a molybdenum cofactor, a 27,000 Da subunit is found to be similar to the Fe-S subunit of the formate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli and a low molecular mass subunit (14,000 Da) holds a c-type heme . The presence of heme c in formate dehydrogenase is reported for the first time and is correlated to the peculiar low oxidoreduction potential of the metabolism of these strictly anaerobic bacteria . In vitro measurements have shown that a monoheme cytochrome probably acts as a physiological partner of the enzyme in the periplasm.

J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Nov, 22(11), 885 - 90
The subgingival microflora and gingival crevicular fluid cytokines in refractory periodontitis; Lee HJ et al.; Refractory periodontitis manifests as a rapid, unrelenting, progressive loss of attachment despite the type and frequency of therapy . This study examined possible relationships between cytokine levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), occurrence of specific periodontopathic microflora, and disease activity in patients with refractory periodontitis . Refractory periodontitis patients (7 male and 3 female) were selected on the basis of history and longitudinal clinical observations . In each patient, 2 teeth with pocket depths greater than 6 mm were selected and individual acrylic stents were fabricated with reference grooves for each site . The sites were examined at both baseline and 3 months later . The pattern and amount of alveolar bone resorption were assayed by quantitative digital subtraction radiography . Pocket depth and attachment loss were measured with a Florida Probe . The gingival index was measured at 4 sites around each sample tooth . Sites were divided into active sites (> or = 2.1 mm loss of attachment in 3 months) or inactive sites (< or = 2.0 mm loss of attachment in 3 months) . The distribution and prevalence of the predominant microflora in active and inactive sites were compared using anaerobic culture and indirect immunofluorescence . Interleukin-1 beta, 2, 4, 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were quantified by ELISA . Prevotella intermedia and Eikenella corrodens significantly decreased in inactive sites but remained the same in active sites after 3 months . The active sites revealed significantly higher GCF levels of IL-2 and IL-6 than inactive sites at both baseline and at 3 months . IL-1 beta was also significantly greater in active sites than in inactive sites at 3 months . Alveolar bone loss in active sites correlated with increased GCF levels of IL-1 beta and IL-2 . These results suggest that GCF levels of IL-1 beta, IL-2 and IL-6 and P . intermedia and E . corrodens in subgingival plaque may serve as possible indicators of disease activity in refractory periodontitis.

J Periodontal Res, 1995 Nov, 30(6), 390 - 5
Competition for peptides and amino acids among periodontal bacteria; Tang-Larsen J et al.; We recently studied the utilization of glutathione (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine), L-cysteinylglycine and L-cysteine by anaerobic bacteria . The rate of hydrogen sulfide formation from these compounds was determined and it was concluded that Peptostreptococcus micros and Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp . nucleatum had an active transport of small peptides . In the present study it is shown that methyl mercaptan formation from L-methionine and L-methionyl-containing peptides can also be used to study peptide utilization . There were differences among the periodontal bacteria P . micros, F . nucleatum subsp . nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis in their capacity to use L-cysteine and L-methionine and peptides containing these amino acids . The peptides were used more efficiently by P . micros and F . nucleatum subsp . nucleatum than by P . gingivalis . All three species used the peptides more efficiently than the free amino acids . The efficiency in utilizing various amino acids and peptides may be among the key determinants of the periodontal microbial ecology.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1995 Nov, 61(11), 3889 - 93
Toxicity of N-substituted aromatics to acetoclastic methanogenic activity in granular sludge; Donlon BA et al.; N-substituted aromatics are important priority pollutants entering the environment primarily through anthropogenic activities associated with the industrial production of dyes, explosives, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals . Anaerobic treatment of wastewaters discharged by these industries could potentially be problematical as a result of the high toxicity of N-substituted aromatics . The objective of this study was to examine the structure-toxicity relationships of N-substituted aromatic compounds to acetoclastic methanogenic bacteria . The toxicity was assayed in serum flasks by measuring methane production in granular sludge . Unacclimated cultures were used to minimize the biotransformation of the toxic organic chemicals during the test . The nature and the degree of the aromatic substitution were observed to have a profound effect on the toxicity of the test compound . Nitroaromatic compounds were, on the average, over 500-fold more toxic than their corresponding aromatic amines . Considering the facile reduction of nitro groups by anaerobic microorganisms, a dramatic detoxification of nitroaromatics towards methanogens can be expected to occur during anaerobic wastewater treatment . While the toxicity exerted by the N-substituted aromatic compounds was closely correlated with compound apolarity (log P), it was observed that at any given log P, N-substituted phenols had a toxicity that was 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of chlorophenols and alkylphenols . This indicates that toxicity due to the chemical reactivity of nitroaromatics is much more important than partitioning effects in bacterial membranes.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1995 Nov, 13(9), 506 - 10
{Comparative study of 2 culture methods by seeding, in hemoculture bottles, the dialysis fluid from patients in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis}; Echeverria MJ et al.; BACKGROUND: Peritonitis remains a major complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . The accurate diagnosis of peritonitis is a requirement for a successful CAPD program . A prospective study was performed to evaluate two culture methods . METHODS: 1 . Culture of 10 ml of uncentrifuged peritoneal fluid and 2 . Culture of the sediment of 50 ml centrifuged and resuspended in 20 ml of distilled water, into aerobe/anaerobe hemoculture bottles (Hemoline, BioMerieux) . We processed 162 PF from 138 CAPD peritonitis episodes, 33 of whom were in antimicrobial drug therapy . RESULTS: The sensibility/specificity of both methods (87.0/70.8 method 1 and 81.9/79.2) were similar . Both methods were more sensitive (p = 0.001) when the patient was no in antimicrobial drug therapy (60.6/88.6 method 1 and 69.7/92.4 method 2) . We isolated 132 microorganisms, 64.4% Gram positive, 25.0% Gram negative, 4.6% anaerobes and 6.1% levures . CONCLUSION: Both methods were similar and the more important factor to increase the yield of culture is to remove the antibiotic presents in centrifuged fluid.

Obstet Gynecol, 1995 Nov, 86(5), 830 - 3
Maternal and perinatal outcome of patients with preterm labor and meconium-stained amniotic fluid; Mazor M et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical significance of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (AF) observed at amniocentesis in patients with preterm labor . METHODS: A nested case-control study was constructed based on the color of AF during amniocentesis . Forty-five women admitted with preterm labor and meconium-stained AF were matched for gestational age at admission and compared with 135 women with preterm labor and clear AF . All AF samples were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasma . RESULTS: The rates of positive AF cultures for microorganisms, overall preterm birth (before 36 weeks), preterm birth before 32 weeks, and clinical chorioamnionitis were all significantly higher in patients with meconium-stained AF than in those with clear AF (positive AF cultures, 38 versus 11%, P < .001; preterm delivery before 36 weeks, 73 versus 41%, P < .001; preterm delivery before 32 weeks, 51 versus 17%, P < .001; and clinical chorioamnionitis, 22 versus 6%, P = .003) . In contrast, no significant differences were observed between groups with respect to maternal age, gravidity, parity, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, fetal distress, cesarean rate, or puerperal morbidity . CONCLUSION: Patients with preterm labor and meconium-stained AF had higher rates of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, clinical chorioamnionitis, and premature deliveries than those with clear AF.

Am Fam Physician, 1995 Nov 1, 52(6), 1821 - 5
Fournier's gangrene: a urologic emergency; Anzai AK; Fournier's gangrene, a form of necrotizing fasciitis, is an uncommon, fulminant, rapidly progressing subcutaneous infection of the scrotum and penis, and may occur in all age groups . Most cases involve a mixed synergistic infection of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and occur as a result of one of three mechanisms: local trauma, extension from a perianal, periurethral or ischiorectal infection . Fournier's gangrene is a urologic emergency that requires prompt recognition and aggressive hemodynamic stabilization, treatment with parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical debridement . This disease is associated with a high mortality rate; a high index of suspicion is essential for early recognition whenever a patient presents with scrotal discomfort and swelling.

J Med Chem, 1995 Oct 27, 38(22), 4478 - 87
The synthesis, structure-activity, and structure-side effect relationships of a series of 8-alkoxy- and 5-amino-8-alkoxyquinolone antibacterial agents; Sanchez JP et al.; A series of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-alkoxy (8-methyoxy and 8-ethoxy)-quionoline-3-carboxylic acids and 1-cyclopropyl-5-amino-6-fluoro-8-alkoxyquinoline-3-carboxylic acids has been prepared and evaluated for antibacterial activity . In addition, they were also compared to quinolones with classic substitution at C8 (H, F, Cl) and the naphthyridine nucleus in a phototoxicity and mammalian cell cytotoxicity assay . The series of 8-methoxyquinolones had antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria equivalent to the most active 8-substituted compounds (8-F and 8-Cl) . There was also a concomitant reduction in several of the potential side effects (i.e., phototoxicity and clonogenicity) compared to the most active quinolones with classic substitution at C-8 . The 8-ethoxy derivatives had an even better safety profile but were significantly less active (2-3 dilutions) in the antibacterial assay.

J Biol Chem, 1995 Oct 6, 270(40), 23619 - 26
Construction and characterization of arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (Arg-gingipain)-deficient mutants of Porphyromonas gingivalis . Evidence for significant contribution of Arg-gingipain to virulence; Nakayama K et al.; Arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (Arg-gingipain; formerly, argingipain) is one of the major extracellular proteinases produced by the oral anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis . To determine whether Arg-gingipain is important for periodontopathogenicity of the organism, Arg-gingipain-deficient mutants were constructed via gene disruption by use of suicide plasmid systems . First, Southern hybridization analyses suggested that two separate Arg-gingipain-encoding genes designated rgpA and rgpB existed on 12.5- and 7.8-kilobase pair HindIII chromosomal fragments of P . gingivalis ATCC33277, respectively . rgpA and rgpB single mutants were constructed by mobilization of a suicide plasmid . Then, an rgpA rgpB double mutant was isolated by electroporation with a second suicide plasmid . No proteolytic activity for Arg-gingipain was observed in either the cell extract or the culture supernatant of the rgpA rgpB mutant . The chemiluminescence response of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which is closely related to their bactericidal function, was not inhibited by the culture supernatant of the rgpA rgpA mutant, while the wild type parent showed a significant inhibition of the response . The result suggests that Arg-gingipain is responsible for disruption of the function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes . In addition, the rgpA rgpB double mutations caused a marked decrease in the hemagglutination of P . gingivalis, indicating that a major part of the hemagglutinin activity of the organism is associated with the two genes . These findings demonstrate that Arg-gingipain makes a significant contribution to the virulence of P . gingivalis.

Am J Vet Res, 1995 Oct, 56(10), 1384 - 9
Identity and interactions of rumen microbes associated with dietary sulfate-induced polioencephalomalacia in cattle; Cummings BA et al.; To study their role in sulfate reduction, anaerobic bacteria were cultured from rumen fluid samples of cattle fed high-carbohydrate, short-fiber diets with and without added sulfate . The steers fed the diet with added sulfate developed polioencephalomalacia . Microbiological methods included colony type profiles, molybdate sensitivity, presence of desulfoviridin, sulfate reduction rates of pure and mixed cultures, and incubation time effects on sulfate reduction . Colony-type profiles indicated decreased diversity, but no relative change in numbers of sulfate-reducing bacteria in rumen fluid from cattle fed diets with and without added sulfate . Thirteen bacteria} isolates were selected for further study on the basis of colony type, sulfate-reducing activity, and growth in lactate, sulfate, and yeast extract media . Seven of the isolates had Desulfovibrio-like characteristics (ie, they were gram-negative, motile rods that reduced sulfate, were inhibited by molybdate, and contained the pigment desulfoviridin) . The remaining 6 isolates were gram-negative, nonmotile rods . Four of these released sulfide from cysteine, and 2 generated only limited amounts of sulfide from sulfate or cysteine . The 7 sulfate reducing isolates generated sulfide in rumen fluid broth medium at greater rates than those observed in fresh rumen fluid . Sulfate reduction Could be sustained in cultures for prolonged incubation times if the gas phase containing hydrogen sulfide was replaced at frequent intervals . Variations in the amount of sulfate reduced by the pure cultures were most pronounced at short incubation times . Sulfate reduction was not inhibited in mixed cultures of sulfate-reducing and nonsulfate-reducing bacteria.

Indian J Gastroenterol, 1995 Oct, 14(4), 134 - 6
Gastric bacterial overgrowth accompanies profound acid suppression; Patel TA et al.; BACKGROUND: Suppression of gastric acid may lead to gastric colonization by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and consequent clinical manifestations . The risk is likely to be higher with poor environmental hygiene . AIMS: To study the effect of short-term acid suppression with omeprazole on gastric bacterial flora . METHODS: Twenty-five ambulatory patients with acid-peptic diseases underwent clinical assessment and gastric juice collection (for pH and culture) prior to start of therapy with 20 mg omeprazole daily, on days 7 and 14 of therapy, and 7 days after omission of therapy (day 21) . RESULTS: Eighteen patients completed the study . The median gastric pH was 1.8, 7.5, 7.5 and 3.4 on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 respectively . Positive gastric cultures were obtained in 13 of 25, 17 of 21, 18 of 18 and 14 of 18 patients on respective study days, with median colony counts of 1.5 x 10(4), 7.5 x 10(5), 8.7 x 10(7) and 7.3 x 10(4) cfu/mL respectively . Three patients developed self-limiting diarrhea during therapy and two more immediately after discontinuing therapy . CONCLUSIONS: Gastric colonization is common with short-term profound acid-suppression, and may cause diarrhea . Acid suppressive therapy should be used with caution especially in patients with poor environmental hygiene.

J Trop Pediatr, 1995 Oct, 41(5), 267 - 72
An incident case-referent study of threatening preterm birth and genital infection; Osman NB et al.; A total of 53 pregnant Mozambican women identified as having painful uterine contractions in the preterm period were studied and compared to referents, matched for age, parity, and gestational length, without such contractions . Both groups were studied regarding socio-economic and obstetric background factors, current clinical features, and microbiological findings in the lower genital tract . Cases tended to seek antenatal care earlier than referents . Salaried work outside the home was more common among cases (OR = 16.9) . It was shown that affected cases had significantly more antenatal card risk factors (OR = 3.4) and that 10 times more cases than referents had elevated body temperature (OR = 16.7) . Anaemia was more common among cases than among referents (OR = 3.7) and malaria parasitaemia was over-represented among cases (OR = 12.4) . Mid-upper-arm circumference was shorter among cases than among referents (OR = 2.4) . Anaerobic bacteria tended to be isolated from endocervix more often among cases than among referents (OR = 2.4) . Only one woman in the study was HIV-1-positive . It is concluded that febrile infection is strongly associated with preterm labour and that salaried work outside home, anaemia, and malaria are significant risk factors in the setting studied.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1995 Oct, 43(5), 920 - 8
Complete degradation of tetrachloroethene by combining anaerobic dechlorinating and aerobic methanotrophic enrichment cultures; Gerritse J et al.; Degradation of tetrachloroethene (perchloroethylene, PCE) was investigated by combining the metabolic abilities of anaerobic bacteria, capable of reductive dechlorination of PCE, with those of aerobic methanotrophic bacteria, capable of co-metabolic degradation of the less-chlorinated ethenes formed by reductive dechlorination of PCE . Anaerobic communities reductively dechlorinating PCE, trichloroethene (TCE) and dichloroethenes were enriched from various sources . The maximum rates of dechlorination observed for various chloroethenes in these batch enrichments were: PCE to TCE (341 mumol l-1 day-1), TCE to cis-dichloroethene (159 mumol l-1 day-1), cis-dichloroethene to chloroethene (99 mumol l-1 day-1) and trans-dichloroethene to chloroethene (22 mumol l-1 day-1) . A mixture of these enrichments was inoculated into an anoxic fixed-bed upflow column . In this column PCE was converted mainly into cis-1,2-dichloroethene, small amounts of TCE and chloroethene, and chloride . Enrichments of aerobic methanotrophic bacteria were grown in an oxic fixed-bed downflow column . Less-chlorinated ethenes, formed in the anoxic column, were further metabolized in this oxic methanotrophic column . On the basis of analysis of chloride production and the disappearance of chlorinated ethenes it was demonstrated that complete degradation of PCE was possible by combining these two columns . Operation of the two-column system under various process conditions indicated that the sensitivity of the methanotrophic bacteria to chlorinated intermediates represented the bottle-neck in the sequential anoxic/oxic degradation process of PCE.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1995 Oct, 60(4), 888 - 95
Decortication is a valuable option for late empyema after collapse therapy; Massard G et al.; BACKGROUND . Infection of previous collapse therapy spaces may raise challenging problems . This study evaluated a conservative surgical approach based on decortication . METHODS . Since 1979, 28 patients (mean age, 60 +/- 6 years) have presented at an average of 37 +/- 7 years after artificial pneumothorax for tuberculosis . Diagnosis of empyema was made on follow-up in 12 patients and on symptoms in 16 patients . Mean vital capacity was 66% +/- 16% of normal . Microorganisms were isolated in 13 patients (Aspergillus fumigatus in 5, Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 4, anaerobes in 4) . Decortication was made in 24 patients, associated with thoracoplasty in 4, and with partial lung resection in 2 patients . Thoracoplasty alone was performed in 2 patients, and 2 patients underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy . RESULTS . Both extrapleural pneumonectomies were complicated with empyema requiring thoracoplasty, resulting in one postoperative death . Operative mortality after decortication was nil . Mean intraoperative blood loss during decortication was 1,830 +/- 1,310 mL . All patients were extubated within 24 hours, except 1 patient who was ventilator-dependent preoperatively . Prolonged air leaks were common (mean duration of drainage, 16 +/- 11 days), but ultimately sealed . Existence of symptoms was predictive of prolonged air leaks (p < 0.01) . CONCLUSIONS . We conclude that decortication may provide a one-stage cure avoiding the hazards of extrapleural pneumonectomy; the nonfunctioning remaining lung may resolve the space problem.

Chest, 1995 Oct, 108(4), 937 - 41
The etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of microorganisms in acute community-acquired lung abscess; Hammond JM et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of microorganisms causing acute community-acquired lung abscess . DESIGN: A prospective survey . SETTING: Medical emergency department and wards of a tertiary teaching hospital . PATIENTS: Thirty-four adult patients with both clinical and radiologic features compatible with a diagnosis of acute community-acquired lung abscess who had received less than 48 h of antibiotic therapy . INTERVENTIONS: Microbiologic specimens obtained by percutaneous lung aspiration and with a protected specimen brush via fiberoptic bronchoscopy were submitted for aerobic and anaerobic culture . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of all microorganisms, including anaerobes, and determination of antibiotic susceptibility . RESULTS: A mean of 2.3 bacterial species per patient was isolated, anaerobes alone being isolated in 44% of cases, aerobes alone in 19%, and mixed aerobic and anaerobic isolates in 22% . Aerobic Gram-negative pathogens were uncommon . In seven patients, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified; in two it was associated with other bacteria . In four patients, no organisms were isolated . All the nonmycobacterial isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate and in addition the anaerobes were all susceptible to chloramphenicol and almost all to a combination of penicillin and metronidazole . Among the anaerobes, the level of resistance to penicillin, metronidazole, and clindamycin individually was 21%, 12%, and 5%, respectively . CONCLUSIONS: Community-acquired acute lung abscess is usually caused by multiple anaerobic and less frequently aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms, which should respond to empirical therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanate, chloramphenicol, or a combination of penicillin and metronidazole . Tuberculosis, which may be indistinguishable from an acute lung abscess, occurred in 21% of patients in our study . Most bacterial pathogens are sensitive to conventional antimicrobial therapy and further investigation with percutaneous lung aspiration or bronchoscopy is indicated only when there is lack of early response to therapy or there is the presence of atypical clinical features.

Hum Reprod Update, 1995 Sep, 1(5), 462 - 78
Anaerobes in ejaculates of subfertile men; Eggert-Kruse W et al.; The clinical significance of micro-organisms in semen samples of asymptomatic subfertile patients is a matter of constant debate . Usually little attention is paid to anaerobic bacteria as they are sensitive to transportation and culturing, and differentiation is difficult, costly and time-consuming . In the present study, special screening was carried out for anaerobes in ejaculates in addition to the routine microbial cultures of genital secretions of both partners . In addition to standard semen analysis and evaluation of sperm ability to penetrate cervical mucus (CM) in vivo (post-coital testing) and in vitro using a standardized test system, semen samples from 126 randomly chosen males of couples with a median duration of infertility of 4 years were examined for colonization with anaerobic bacteria . All couples were without clinical signs or symptoms of genital tract infection . The special care taken for anaerobic growth in semen samples gave a high rate of positive cultures and showed that nearly all ejaculates (99%) were colonized with anaerobic micro-organisms, and potentially pathogenic species were found in 71% of men . This rate was more than four times higher than that obtained with routine cultures and standard transportation (16%) . Anaerobic bacterial growth of > or = 10(6) colony forming units (CFU)/ml was seen in 42% (total range 10(3)-10(8) CFU/ ml) . In addition, aerobic growth was found in 96% (> or = 10(6) CFU/ml in 21%), potentially pathogenic species in 61% of semen specimens . There were no marked differences in the prevalence of anaerobic micro-organisms in patients with reduced or normal sperm count, motility or morphology . Nor was there any significant difference in anaerobic colonization between samples with impaired or good ability to penetrate CM of female partners (in vivo or in vitro), or the CM of fertile donors in the in-vitro sperm-cervical mucus penetration test (SCMPT) in this asymptomatic group of patients . There was no clear association between microbial colonization and subsequent fertility in vivo within an observation period of 6 months . The results of this study suggest that anaerobic bacteria are often not detected when routine methods for microbial evaluation are used . This should be considered during assisted reproduction and in patients with symptoms of genital tract infection and should lead to further studies in infertile patients where subclinical infection or inflammation is indicated by specific markers in semen samples.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1995 Sep, 36(3), 453 - 61
The influence of microaerophilia and anaerobiosis on metronidazole uptake in Helicobacter pylori; Smith MA et al.; Resistance of Helicobacter pylori to metronidazole during therapy for gastroduodenal ulcers is claimed to be responsible for failure to eradicate the pathogen and thus the disease . Resistance to metronidazole and other nitroimidazoles is rare and documented only for anaerobes; the mechanism of resistance in typical microaerophiles, like Helicobacter, is not known . We have studied metronidazole uptake using high performance liquid chromatography in metronidazole sensitive and resistant strains of H . pylori under conditions of microaerophilia and in anaerobiosis . The uptake of metronidazole was faster in sensitive strains than resistant ones and was also increased in anaerobiosis . Drug uptake and the rate of cell kill was found to be dependent upon the relative oxygen tension of the environment and the cell density, both of which determine the redox conditions of the media . We suggest that resistance displayed in microaerophilia, but which disappears in anaerobiosis, may not involve futile cycling nor the induction of superoxide dismutase and catalase . We further propose that resistant organisms may have alterations in the pattern of pyruvate metabolism as documented for anaerobic bacteria and protozoa and that resistance in microaerophilia may involve the relative efficiencies of detoxifying oxygen in susceptible and resistant strains of H . pylori.

J Bacteriol, 1995 Sep, 177(17), 5135 - 9
Purification and characterization of a novel 3-chlorobenzoate-reductive dehalogenase from the cytoplasmic membrane of Desulfomonile tiedjei DCB-1; Ni S et al.; Although reductive dehalogenation by anaerobic microorganisms offers great potential for the degradation of halocarbons, little is known about the biochemical mechanisms involved . It has previously been demonstrated that the dehalogenase activity involved in 3-chlorobenzoate dehalogenation by Desulfomonile tiedjei DCB-1 is present in the membrane fraction of the cell extracts . We report herein the purification of a 3-chlorobenzoate-reductive dehalogenase from the cytoplasmic membrane of D . tiedjei DCB-1 . The dehalogenase activity was monitored by the conversion of 3-chlorobenzoate to benzoate with reduced methyl viologen as a reducing agent . The membrane fraction of the cell extracts was obtained by ultracentrifugation, and the membrane proteins were solubilized with either the detergent CHAPS (3-{(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethyl-ammonio}-1-propanesulfonate) or Triton X-100 in the presence of glycerol . The solubilized dehalogenase was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and a combination of anion exchange, hydroxyapatite, and hydrophobic interaction chromatographies . This procedure yielded about 7% of the total dehalogenase activity with a 120-fold increase in specific activity . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the purified dehalogenase consisted of two subunits with molecular weights of 64,000 and 37,000 . The enzyme converted 3-chlorobenzoate to benzoate at its highest specific activity in 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) at 38 degrees C . The enzyme was yellow and probably a heme protein . The enzyme had an adsorbance peak at 408 nm . The dithionite-reduced enzyme displayed absorbance peaks at 416, 522, and 550 nm . The dithionite-reduced enzyme was able to complex with carbon monoxide . The nature of the heme chromophore is currently unknown.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1995 Sep, 21(3), 202 - 6
Cetobacterium ceti gen . nov., sp . nov., a new gram-negative obligate anaerobe from sea mammals; Foster G et al.; Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on a Gram-negative obligately anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium isolated from two sea mammals . 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated the bacterium represents a hitherto unknown line of descent peripherally associated to the fusobacteria and low G+C relatives . Based on the result of the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic criteria, it is proposed that the bacterium should be assigned to a new genus, Cetobacterium ceti gen . nov., sp . nov . The type strain of Cetobacterium ceti sp . nov . is NCFB 3026.

Fetal Diagn Ther, 1995 Sep-Oct, 10(5), 290 - 6
Maternal assessment in the prediction of intrauterine infection in preterm prelabor amniorrhexis; Carroll SG et al.; The objective of this study was to evaluate maternal temperature, heart rate, leukocyte count and C-reactive protein in the prediction of fetal bacteraemia and positive amniotic fluid cultures in 75 pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor amniorrhexis . Cordocentesis and amniocentesis were performed and fetal blood and amniotic fluid were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Amniotic fluid was also cultured for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis . Patients were classified into 3 groups: negative fetal blood and amniotic fluid cultures (group 1, n = 45); negative fetal blood but positive amniotic fluid cultures (group 2, n = 18), and positive fetal blood cultures (group 3, n = 12) . In the groups with intrauterine infection compared to the non-infected group, the median maternal temperature, leukocyte count and C-reactive protein were significantly higher . In groups 1, 2 and 3 the respective incidences of maternal pyrexia were 0, 7 and 16% and raised C-reactive protein 13, 28 and 33% . In pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor amniorrhexis, maternal temperature, heart rate, leukocyte count and C-reactive protein do not provide sensitive prediction of intrauterine infection.

J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs, 1995 Sep, 22(5), 219 - 22
Necrotizing fasciitis: early recognition and aggressive treatment remain important; Gillen PB; Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection caused by aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms that rapidly spread along the fascial plane, causing necrosis of the fascia, overlying skin, and vasculature . Septicemia and systemic toxic effects may lead to death within as short a time as 24 to 96 hours . Successful treatment, comprising radical surgical debridement, relies on early recognition . Despite the importance of early recognition, however, a review of nursing literature during the last 10 years revealed only one article dealing specifically with this condition . The purpose of this article is to review the causes and treatment of cellulitis complicated by necrotizing fasciitis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1995 Sep, 33(9), 2505 - 7
Survival of anaerobic bacteria in various thioglycolate and chopped meat broth formulations; Claros MC et al.; Three commercially available formulations of thioglycolate broth and of chopped meat broth were evaluated for their abilities to maintain the viabilities of 32 strains of anaerobic bacteria during a period of 8 weeks . While thioglycolate broth supported the initial (48-h) growth of all strains tested, approximately half of the strains died off within 4 weeks . Chopped meat broths maintained the viabilities of almost all cultures during the test period.

J Clin Microbiol, 1995 Sep, 33(9), 2388 - 91
Evaluation of AnaeroGen system for growth of anaerobic bacteria; Miller PH et al.; The Oxoid AnaeroGen system was compared with the BBL GasPak for the production of an anaerobic atmosphere and was evaluated for its ability to support the growth of 135 clinically significant anaerobic bacteria . An anaerobe chamber was used as the "gold standard" for supporting the growth of anaerobes . The AnaeroGen requires no catalyst, produces no hydrogen, requires no water, and reduces preparation time to a minimum . The water-activated BBL GasPak generates hydrogen . For 132 of the 135 strains tested, better initial growth at 48 h was noted for the jar methods than for the anaerobe chamber . At 72 h, 113 of the 135 strains showed equal growth, and at 7 days, only marginal differences in growth patterns were noted . The AnaeroGen never failed to reduce the anaerobic indicator, while the BBL GasPak occasionally failed to do so . The AnaeroGen performed at least as well as, and sometimes better than, the established methods . The AnaeroGen is a good alternative for use in anaerobic jars.

Sci Total Environ, 1995 Aug 18, 170(1-2), 31 - 41
Testing and classification methods for the biodegradabilities of organic compounds under anaerobic conditions; Kameya T et al.; Biodegradability is one of the most important characteristics of an organic compound for predicting its fate and life in the environment and its application in biological wastewater treatment . But there is no general testing method for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions . The biodegradabilities of thirteen principal organic compounds was investigated in a batch test using vials under various conditions, such as the concentration of an organic compound, the cultivation method and the concentration of anaerobic bacteria for seeding . Two test methods in the standard concentration and the low concentration were developed . A new method to classify the biodegradabilities of organic compounds into thirteen ranks was proposed by considering inhibition, complete biodegradation and first step biodegradation.

Arch Microbiol, 1995 Aug, 164(2), 81 - 90
O2-sensing and O2-dependent gene regulation in facultatively anaerobic bacteria; Unden G et al.; Availability of O2 is one of the most important regulatory signals in facultatively anaerobic bacteria . Various two- or one-component sensor/regulator systems control the expression of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in response to O2 . Most of the sensor proteins contain heme or Fe as cofactors that interact with O2 either by binding or by a redox reaction . The ArcA/ArcB regulator of aerobic metabolism in Escherichia coli may use a different sensory mechanism . In two-component regulators, the sensor is located in the cytoplasmic membrane, whereas one-component regulators are located in the cytoplasm . Under most conditions, O2 can readily reach the cytoplasm and could provide the signal in the cytoplasm . The transcriptional regulator FNR of E . Coli controls the expression of many genes required for anaerobic metabolism in response to O2 . Functional homologs of FNR are present in facultatively anaerobic Proteobacteria and presumably also in gram-positive bacteria . The target genes of FNR are mostly under multiple regulation by FNR and other regulators that respond to O2, nitrate, or glucose . FNR represents a 'one-component' sensor/regulator and contains Fe for signal perception . In response to O2 availability, FNR is converted reversibly from the aerobic (inactive) state to the anaerobic (active) state . Experiments suggest that the Fe cofactor is bound by four essential cysteine residues . The O2-triggered transformation between active and inactive FNR presumably is due to a redox reaction at the Fe cofactor, but other modes of interaction cannot be excluded . O2 seems to affect the site-specific DNA binding of FNR at target genes or the formation of an active transcriptional complex with RNA polymerase.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 1995 Aug, 9(4), 441 - 6
Loperamide oxide in acute diarrhoea: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial . The Dutch Diarrhoea Trialists Group; Dreverman JW et al.; BACKGROUND: Loperamide is an established treatment of acute diarrhoea with only rare adverse reactions . The pro-drug loperamide oxide is converted to loperamide by anaerobic bacteria in the lower alimentary tract . With the use of loperamide oxide, it was expected to obtain similar antidiarrhoeal efficacy as with loperamide, but with a lower dose and a lower plasma concentration . The incidence of adverse reactions might be reduced with the use of loperamide oxide . METHODS: Loperamide oxide (0.5 and 1 mg capsules) was compared with placebo in a double-blind treatment of acute diarrhoea of 242 patients . Relief of diarrhoea was significantly more rapid for either dose of loperamide oxide than for placebo . Both the investigators' and the patients' global assessment of the treatment significantly favoured the loperamide oxide 1 mg capsule, but not 0.5 mg, over placebo . Adverse experiences were less frequent in the drug-treated than in the placebo-treated group . CONCLUSION: These results suggest that loperamide oxide 1 mg produces effective relief of diarrhoeal symptoms.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1995 Aug, 173(2), 606 - 12
Amniotic fluid interleukin-6: correlation with upper genital tract microbial colonization and gestational age in women delivered after spontaneous labor versus indicated delivery; Andrews WW et al.; OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether amniotic fluid interleukin-6 is increased and inversely proportional to gestational age in women with chorioamnion colonization and spontaneous labor versus women delivered for medical or obstetric indications . STUDY DESIGN: The chorioamnion and amniotic fluid were cultured at cesarean delivery for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi, mycoplasmas, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis in 269 women with singleton gestations with intact membranes . The amniotic fluid interleukin-6 concentration was also determined . RESULTS: Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 levels were (1) higher in women with spontaneous labor versus those with indicated deliveries (15.8 +/- 5.0 vs 2.2 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, p = 0.01), (2) inversely proportional to gestational age in women with spontaneous labor (< 34 weeks: 47.4 +/- 18.0 ng/ml vs > or = 34 weeks: 8.7 +/- 4.1 ng/ml, p = 0.001) but not in women with indicated deliveries (1.5 +/- 0.4 vs 2.4 +/- 0.3 ng/ml), (3) higher in women with a positive versus a negative chorioamnion (15.1 +/- 4.8 vs 3.0 +/- 0.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001) or amniotic fluid (17.4 +/- 7.7 vs 3.8 +/- 0.9 ng/ml, p < 0.001) culture, and (4) higher in women with a negative amniotic fluid but positive chorioamnion culture compared with women in whom both cultures were negative (10.0 +/- 4.4 vs 3.0 +/- 0.9 ng/ml, p = 0.002) . CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 levels are (1) higher and inversely proportional to gestational age in women with intact membranes and spontaneous labor versus indicated deliveries, (2) higher in women with one or more microorganisms in the chorioamnion or amniotic fluid, and (3) reflective of chorioamnion microbial colonization, even when the amniotic fluid culture is negative, and may be a useful clinical marker for infection-mediated preterm labor.

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 1995 Aug, 108(2), 132 - 41
Microbial attack of orthodontic adhesives; Matasa CG; Composites used as orthodontic direct bonding adhesives have a polymeric matrix that can host and nurture a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms acting alone or in combination (consortia) . Their accumulation can lead to the weakening of the bond and possibly the attacking of the tooth . A number of microorganisms have been identified as present on the removed direct bonding brackets . Their action has been duplicated in vitro . Although some are specific to the oral environment, others are "opportunistic," i.e., have external sources . The results of attempts to detect the origin of the latter suggests a contamination of iatrogenic origin . Thus a high percentage of attacked adhesive can be traced to specific orthodontic offices, a fact that could be indicative of a breach in the sterilization procedures . While the attack of microorganisms on orthodontic adhesives is spectacular, less obtrusive inroads are likely to occur whenever similar acrylic composites are used in general dentistry, i.e., in restorations, veneers, and crowns . Indeed, it has been found that neither these polymeric products, nor some of the ingredients used to make them, exhibit a bacteriostatic activity, being metabolized instead . Results of rendering the adhesive microbe-resistant by adding a bactericide have shown to be encouraging.

Vojnosanit Pregl, 1995 Jul-Aug, 52(4), 341 - 8
{Aspiration bronchopneumonia as a complication of acute poisoning with psychotropic drugs}; Todorovic V et al.; In the five year period, retrospectively and prospectively, the frequency, clinical, radiographic and bacteriological characteristics of the aspiration bronchopneumonia (ABPN) were followed in the acute poisoning by psychotropic drugs (PD) . In 1769 patients with acute poisoning by PD, ABPN was determined in 44 (2.49%) patients, and most frequently in groups with polymedicamentous (5.99%) and neuroleptic (5.17%) poisoning, and rarely in the group poisoned by anxiolytics (0.77%) . Severest poisonings by PD were complicated by ABPN in 16.84% of cases . High conformity of clinical and radiographic finding of bronchopneumonia was achieved . The diagnosis of bronchopneumonia was established on the day of admission at the Clinic in 81.9% of cases on the other day in 13.6% and on the third day in 4.5% of patients . Bacteriological examination of sputum revealed the pathogens in 63.6% of patients, but in no patients the anaerobic bacteria were isolated . The treatment was very complex, and beside the detoxification measures, it was necessary to remove the aspirated contents from the respiratory tract (usually during endotracheal intubation or therapeutic bronchoscopy) and immediately apply antibiotics . The examinees were hospitalized twice longer than the patients whose course of poisoning by PD was not complicated by ABPN . The poisoning ended lethally in two (4.5%) patients . In no cases the ABPN was the immediate cause of death, but it significantly contributed to the lethal outcome.

Med Clin North Am, 1995 Jul, 79(4), 845 - 67
Clindamycin and metronidazole; Falagas ME et al.; Metronidazole is a bactericidal antibiotic with strong activity against most anaerobes and certain parasites . The drug has excellent bioavailability and good penetration in most tissues, including the cerebrospinal fluid and brain abscess contents . It is usually well tolerated with few side effects . With a few exceptions, the percentage of anaerobes, including B . fragilis group, that are resistant to metronidazole remains low . Metronidazole has been used extensively in clinical practice for years, and its uses have expanded . Its exact role in the management of Crohn's disease and entities related to H . pylori is evolving.

Arch Microbiol, 1995 Jul, 164(1), 29 - 35
Succinate decarboxylation by Propionigenium maris sp . nov., a new anaerobic bacterium from an estuarine sediment; Janssen PH et al.; Enrichments on succinate plus yeast extract under anoxic conditions from intertidal mud-flat sediments yielded cultures dominated by oval to round-ended rod-shaped cells . Strain 10succ1, obtained in pure culture, was characterized in detail . The non-motile cells possessed a gram-negative cell wall and did not form spores . Carbohydrates were fermented to formate, acetate, ethanol, and lactate . Succinate was decarboxylated to propionate . Other organic and amino acids were variously fermented to formate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate . Sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, and nitrate were not used as electron acceptors . Growth required the presence of yeast extract and at least 5 g/l NaCl, and was possible only in the absence of oxygen . No cytochromes were detected . The DNA base ratio was 40 mol% G + C . Phylogenetically, strain 10succ1 is closely related to Propionigenium modestum, as revealed by 16S rDNA analysis, but is physiologically distinct . Accordingly, strain 10succ1 (DSM 9537) is described as the type strain of a new species of the genus Propionigenium, P . maris sp . nov.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1995 Jul, 173(1), 244 - 5
Chorioamnionitis caused by Capnocytophaga: case report; Edwards C et al.; Intraamniotic infection is a significant cause of perinatal morbidity . Capnocytophaga, a gram-negative anaerobe found in the oral cavity, has been implicated as an unusual cause of neonatal sepsis . We report a patient in whom this unusual organism was identified and describe the postpartum and neonatal courses.

Clin Infect Dis, 1995 Jul, 21(1), 51 - 6
Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: clinical manifestations and management; Mathieu D et al.; Forty-five cases of cervical necrotizing fasciitis are reported, and their clinical, bacteriologic, and therapeutic implications are considered . Fasciitis was of dental origin in 78% of cases, pharyngeal in 16%, and surgical or posttraumatic in 6% . The condition extended to the face in 22% of cases, to the lower part of the neck in 56%, and to the mediastinum in 40% . Soft-tissue cultures were positive in 78% of cases . Anaerobes were isolated along with aerobes in 49% of cases (mean, 2.2 isolates per patient) and in pure culture in 22% . Treatment included surgical debridement and drainage and the administration of antibiotics active against both anaerobic and gram-negative aerobic bacteria . Hyperbaric oxygen was used for adjunctive treatment . The bacteria involved did not affect clinical manifestations, extension, or mortality . The survival rate among our patients was 78% . Mortality was significantly higher among cases with mediastinal extension (44% vs . 7%; P < .01); thus the prompt recognition and drainage of sites of mediastinal extension are of critical importance . Other risk factors for death were an age of > 70 years, underlying diabetes, the development of septic shock within 24 hours after admission, and prolonged prothrombin time.

J Periodontal Res, 1995 Jul, 30(4), 245 - 51
Characterisation of black-pigmented anaerobes isolated from diseased and healthy periodontal sites; Teanpaisan R et al.; Prevotella intermedia has recently been re-defined and a new species, Prevotella nigrescens has been proposed . However, there is little data available on the incidence of these new species in periodontal health or disease . Black-pigmented anaerobes isolated from diseased and healthy subgingival sites were identified by serotyping, SDS-PAGE and physiological tests . In adult periodontitis subjects, 64% of active sites, 35.7% of inactive sites and 38.5% of healthy sites yielded black-pigmented anaerobes . Of these, Porphyromonas gingivalis was found in 11% of active and 5% of healthy sites in diseased patients, Prevotella intermedia in 15.5% of active and 20.5% of healthy sites, Prevotella nigrescens in 37.7% of active and 11.5% of healthy sites and Prevotella denticola in 3% of active and 1% of healthy sites . In healthy subjects, 50% of sites yielded black-pigmented anaerobes . P . gingivalis was not found in healthy subjects but P . intermedia was found in 18% and P . nigrescens in 31% of sites . SDS-PAGE proved to be a useful method for routinely differentiating P . intermedia and P . nigrescens and two sub-types of the latter species were detected on the basis of band pattern . Only one P . nigrescens sub-type was found in any given individual and one type, typified by ATCC 25261, was more commonly found in deep pockets . However, overall both P . nigrescens and P . intermedia as species were just as frequently found at healthy sites as diseased sites . Thus, these species, in contrast to P . gingivalis, appear to be common commensals but they may act as opportunistic pathogens.

Exp Anim, 1995 Jul, 44(3), 219 - 22
Development of intestinal flora of human-flora-associated (HFA) mice in the intestine of their offspring; Hirayama K et al.; Development of intestinal flora in newborn human-flora-associated (HFA) mice was compared with that in newborn conventional (CV) mice . Facultative anaerobes were detected from the first day after birth in both CV and HFA mice but anaerobes were not detected in the first week . Anaerobes rapidly increased from the 2nd week after birth and became predominant in newborn intestine . Most of the intestinal bacteria in adult CV and HFA mice were colonized in the intestine of CV and HFA mice, respectively, within 3 weeks after birth . The human intestinal flora established in the intestine of HFA mice finally reproduced without any remarkable change in composition in the intestine of newborn HFA mice . The development of intestinal flora in HFA mice was similar to that in CV mice but not that in human infants . These results indicated that human flora associated in HFA mice could be transferred from mothers to their offspring although HFA mice could not simulate the development of intestinal flora of the human infant.

Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1995 Jun, 72(1-2), 47 - 56
Free radical detoxification in Giardia duodenalis; Brown DM et al.; Non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels were used to analyse superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, peroxidase, NADH oxidase and NADH peroxidase in the microaerophilic protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis . A cytosolic H2O-producing NADH oxidase and membrane-associated NADH peroxidase were readily detected from G . duodenalis . In all Giardia strains investigated the NADH oxidase was present in high levels (1.2-2 U (mg protein)-1) . Using the same technique, NADH oxidase activity was also detected in the microaerophilic protozoan parasites Tritrichomonas foetus, Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica and in the bacterium Escherichia coli . The conventional enzymes of oxidative stress management (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) were not detected in particulate or cytosolic extracts from recent and established strains of Giardia assayed in situ . Spectrophotometric assays also yielded negative results . The same methodology readily detected one or more of these enzyme activities in T . foetus, T . vaginalis and E . coli . Superoxide dismutase activity was not detected in lines of Giardia resistant to high levels of metronidazole or furazolidone . Furthermore, the agents 1,10 phenanthroline, diamide, MnCl2 and KNO3, which induce SOD in anaerobically cultured E . coli, did not induce SOD in Giardia . 1,10 phenanthroline has also been shown to induce iron-containing (Fe-) SOD in Entamoeba . Neither peroxidase nor catalase activities were detected in a peroxide-resistant line of Giardia . Viable trophozoites from parent lines were able to decompose H2O2 at a significant rate . It appears that the conventional SOD, catalase and peroxidase utilised in aerobic metabolism have been substituted in Giardia by NADH oxidase and NADH peroxidase, similar to anaerobic bacteria . The O2-scavenging NADH oxidase explains the previously observed futile 'respiration' in Giardia.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1995 Jun, 20(6), 345 - 8
Efficacy of the E-test in evaluating the antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria of veterinary interest; Piriz S et al.; A study was made of the sensitivity of 39 clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria to 10 antimicrobial agents . Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were calculated using a new method--the E-test (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden)--and compared with those obtained using the conventional agar dilution method . Agreement between the MICs obtained by the two methods with a variation of +/- 2 dilutions was 78.7% . The E-test, though less sensitive than the conventional agar dilution method, may be of value in clinical veterinary practice when rapid selection of treatment for a given infectious process is required.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1995 Jun, 112(6), 767 - 72
Lemierre's syndrome: two cases of postanginal sepsis; Lustig LR et al.; Lemierre's disease consists of suppurative thrombophlebitis of the IJV in the presence of oropharyngeal infection and can be complicated by septic pulmonary emboli . If a patient has an oropharyngeal or deep neck infection and neck pain suspicious for IJV thrombosis, a CT or MRI is warranted to establish the diagnosis . Blood cultures should be obtained to establish the responsible organism . In most cases F . necrophorum, an anaerobic bacterium, is responsible for the sepsis . Once the diagnosis of Lemierre's disease is made, long-term, high-dose intravenous antibiotics with beta-lactamase anaerobic activity should be initiated . In cases with persistent sepsis and emboli despite appropriate medical management, ligation or excision of the IJV should be performed . Finally, if there is clinical or radiologic evidence of retrograde cavernous sinus thrombosis, the use of anticoagulants should be considered.

Dis Colon Rectum, 1995 Jun, 38(6), 640 - 4
Intestinal obstruction promotes gut translocation of bacteria; Sagar PM et al.; PURPOSE: Translocation of enteric organisms has been implicated as a possible source of sepsis in susceptible patients . Animals studies have suggested that intestinal obstruction promotes bacterial translocation from the gut lumen . The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of bacterial translocation in patients with and without intestinal obstruction . METHODS: Serosal scrapings, mesenteric lymph nodes, and peripheral blood cultures were obtained from 254 patients . Scrapings and nodes were homogenized and incubated aerobically and anaerobically . Full-thickness biopsies underwent villous height analysis . The clinical course was followed for at least six weeks . RESULTS: Bacterial translocation to mesenteric nodes occurred more frequently in patients with large bowel obstruction than in patients without obstruction (14 of 36 patients vs . 16 of 218 patients; P < 0.001) . Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were found to translocate . The more distal the obstruction, the more likely anaerobic bacteria were to be identified . Translocation of bacteria predisposed to postoperative septic complications (P < 0.05) . Villous height was not related to bacterial translocation . CONCLUSIONS: Gut translocation of bacteria is more common in patients with intestinal obstruction, and its association with septic complications appears to be of clinical significance.

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